General James Ironwood had faced dangers most people would have fallen to. He'd fought Grimm on the ice wastes. Lead ships into battle against sky pirates. Once he'd even led a unit of troops through a sandstorm whilst wounded and brought them safely home.
He was not however very good with meetings. Especially meetings that went off track. He was the General of Atlas and the head of its academy. His time was needed for critical matters Yet here he was listening to Councilman Dew who was gain arguing that Atlas should be invading the Dragons Tail. Somehow conquer a whole new Kingdom. Despite said Kingdom apparently being populated by people from a whole other word. Who knew what they could do?
He'd read the announcement. The uncensored version. He'd also heard Qrows report. Both worried him. It wasn't just the Hammer of Dawn these Serans had announced. He was having his top people comb the data that had come with the announcement. Their wepons and aproach to war was so diffrent. Brutal but efficent.
'I'm sorry General, are we taking up your time?' A voice asked.
Ironwood looked up. He'd used his semblance again and zoned out. He adjusted his uniform.
'Not at all. But I remind the Council that I hold two votes. And I'm strongly against any military action at this time.'
Dew cocked an eyebrow. 'Are you saying that these…'
An aide leaned over to Dew and whispered into his ear.
'Serans,' Dew continued. 'Would be able to beat us?'
'At this time we're still trying to assess their full capabilities,' Ironwood said.
'Their full capabilities? General Ironwood are you saying that Atlas might not be able to match them? We're the most advanced Kingdom on this planet.'
'Yes, Councilman Dew. We are the most advanced. On this planet. As you are also aware the Serans are quite convinced they're not from Remnant.'
'That's preposterous. It's just not possible. This isn't some fairy tale, it's the real world. People don't just pop into existence.'
'As it stands we're not able to disprove their declaration.'
'Then what action can we take? The people need to know that we can protect them.'
'At this time we have no indications that the Serans are planning any further actions. Beyond securing their current location of course.'
'What sources are you basing that on?'
Ironwood was about to lose his temper when the alarm on his scroll went off. He made a show of pulling it out and checking.
'I apologize but it seems my time is up. I'm needed elsewhere for a military matter.'
A few other members of the Council grumbled but they couldn't stop him from leaving. Ironwood left the Council hall and stepped into a waiting staff car.
Within minutes he was inside Atlas Academy. A short while after arrival he reached his office in the academy tower and sat down. No need to let the Council harass him about where he chose to work. He could still pull up his work on this terminal here or in the command centre proper. He allowed himself a moment to clear his mind. Then he started his work for the day. First the fleets.
The 4th was finishing its long range seek and destroy mission south of Sanus for any signs of large Grimm activity. They were set to return for resupply later in the week. A few large groups had been tracked and destroyed which was good. Managing any large buildups before they could spill over was important.
The 3rd and 2nd were patrolling between Solitas, Anima and Sanus. Keeping the major trade routes clear of Bandits and Grimm. Attacks had picked up since the Searan arrival. The panic and confusion meant that attacks had become more frequent.
That meant less trade. Lest trade meant that prices went up as stocks were depleted. Remnant's people would start to miss their imported comforts. He wasn't a fool. If someone wanted to relax with a bottle of Vales whiskey. And it meant they didn't care about their day let them drink. The less negativity the better.
He wondered for a moment if most people knew how much work went into keeping the world running. The security arrangements, huntsmen contacts and risk assessments on journeys.
He had had several complaints from transport lines about costs. The storm scared my crew, a ship was lost likely due to Grimm attack and on and on. He might have the most powerful Kingdom at his command. But it was turning into one of those days. Part of him wondered if Atlas was wasting its time cleaning up after the other kingdoms.
He stopped himself remembering what his mentor said when he was just another officer. "Remember this James. Vale grows the food and catches the fish. Mistral makes the art and sells anything under the table. We provide security and drive the world forward. Vaccuo wakes up every day covered in sand and grumpy about it."
He smiled at the memory. Things had changed slightly.
Vale was still the largest exporter of food. They had good territory to farm and fish. But the world wouldn't go hungry if a bad season hit and Vale's harvest came up short. Atlas was now able to provide more than enough food for itself. So much so that some was being sent to Mantel to help with the local food supply.
Mistral did not have a monopoly on art anymore. Quite a few studios and theatre groups called the kingdom home. But in the new age Atlas was starting to cut into the entertainment market for games and movies.
Atlas was starting to develop whole new means of handling Dust. Their breakthrough with Hard Light was still having new discoveries built on top of it. They also boasted the largest air feet known inside the Treaty limitations. If those limitations were generously applied of course.
And yes Vaccuo was still there. No, they did not want Atlas to come and build a base to help protect the area. No, they did not want to leave despite the conditions. Please feel free to take some sand home with you.
He sighed at that memory. The young huntsman who said it had just emerged from a sandstorm having killed a Ravager flock.
Ironwood's eyes travelled from the deserts of Sanus till they fell upon Menagerie. His thoughts turned to the Faunus. What would they do?
They didn't seem happy about being given an island all to themselves. The kingdoms had cleared enough space for a city. Then offered to help transport the Faunus there after the Great War. Some took the offer others turned their noses up at it saying they were being exiled. There was no pleasing some people.
The White Fang was proof enough. They killed, stole and destroyed all across Remnant. All the while claiming that they were fighting against human tyranny.
What tyranny? Any Faunus could match any human if they tried. All they had to do was apply themselves and follow the rules. There was no bias in the Atlas selection process. He had made certain that anyone that met the requirements could join. Yet still he had complaints.
The only major hurdles were simple. You had to be of age. Attended and graduated from a combat school. Have passed your higher educational tests. Not have a criminal record. After that it was a simple routine background check for any concerning things. Like debts, membership of restricted groups and the like.
If they had that kind of past they could still join the axillary. That would allow them to demonstrate their character there. He knew some people were not happy. But the last thing they needed was uneducated, undisciplined and unreliable people in command of an Airship.
He looked to the Dragons tail. The new variable in the world. Was she involved somehow? Could there be a Grimm able to move between worlds? It was a concerning thought.
Ozpin had been relaxed about their new arrivals when they spoke last. Oz had passed on Qrow's report and Ironwood had given him Schnee's. Oz seemed to know a great deal about the COG more than it seemed Qrow had found. Ironwood wondered for a moment if he might be involved. They did like the same kinds of symbols. Gears, cogs and the like.
He checked on the 1st Fleet. Still on station and guarding Atlas and the other key locations across Solitas. The 1st were always ready and on guard. Atlas's guardians in the sky.
Ironwood looked up for a moment to the sky above though the glass ceiling. He'd had reports from all their observatories both on Atlas and across Solitas searching the sky. They hadn't found any sign of new objects in the havens. Haven't found them yet. A part of him added.
The Serans were new problem. They broke so many conventions. How to contain something that didn't play by the rules. No Dust to embargo. No exports to tariff. The means of control the Kingdoms had developed were subtle things. An implication here, a deal there it was all quite civil. But how do you get someone to agree to the treaty of Vytal when it never included them to start with?
He stood and walked over to the copy framed on the wall. It was one of eight made during the signing. The marks of the kings who swore themselves to peace and progress were still visible on the parchment.
There were sections about troop numbers, airships, fleet size, weapons and conduct. Over time the terms had been amended and new ones added. But still they never planned for a new Kingdom to just appear.
And what a Kingdom is. Ironwood thought as he brought up the Seran data file and began to read. Their history was strange, even alien. A world without the Grimm. And they had fought each other in one bloody war after another. He opened the abbreviated timeline.
The Age of Armageddon seemed an apt name for a millennia of war and conquest. Then in the Era of Silence their people had sworn off war entirely. The whole of their planet was at peace. The records showed a time of unmatched progress and advancement but then they came to a crisis.
They needed more energy than they could make. Nations became strained as their economies broke down unable to function. Then they found a solution Imulsion. A strange substance found beneath their world. When processed could be made into highly efficient fuel. It was the start of a Golden Age but only for those that had it.
The Coalition of Ordered Governance had been formed. The eight nations with the largest sources of Imulsion joined under a single banner. The world fell into chaos except for the COG with its reserves of energy. From ashes the Union of Independent Republics rose to oppose the COG. Kicking off a near eighty year long war. Over power they were fighting over letting people have power.
Ironwood's mind followed a dark path as he wondered if Remnant could suffer the same fate. Many things seemed similar. Peak energy. Peak Imulsion. Could peak Dust be next?
He shook the thought off. Atlas was working on solutions to such things. It was hard though. How do you convince someone to think a century or more ahead? The funding for such research was hard enough to get normally. But now the SDC was objecting saying the results could threaten their business model.
Ironwood looked back to the timeline. The war had ended with the COG deploying a satellite weapon and using it to force the UIR to surrender. How could such a weapon be built and deployed? Atlas had experimented with launching craft beyond Remnant's atmosphere but failed. Would the Serans share such knowledge or were they holding on to it? Was the COG planning to use the Hammer of Dawn to rule over Remnant?
He made a set of notes to contact the reach department and have them look at the records again. Perhaps with the COG information they could find a way to make it work. His duty to Atlas and Remnant meant he had to keep them one step ahead.
Ironwood turned back to the records. Then the monsters appeared. It was like the comics he'd snuck into his room to read under the covers. Monsters coming out of the ground and attacking the surface.
But these Monsters were real. There were videos, images and evidence aplenty. How could these creatures have just appeared and attacked? The Seran records spoke of Hollows beneath their world. A network of caverns and caves that was unexplored as their likely place of origin.
The COG had been pushed back and unable to stop these Locust as they had named them. Their cities were captured or venerable. The resources and infrastructure they lost were captured and being used against them. They had made a choice to deny their enemy their victory.
Ironwood felt the phrase burned into his mind. Scorched Earth. He found he could have reached the same decision. Denying the enemy their gains was a sound strategy. But the scale was unbelievable. The world had truly burned. The ash cast up from the firestorms had brought an artificial winter. Crops died as the sun was blotted out. The situation should have seemed hopeless.
The COG rationed their food and kept fighting. He could admire that. Even when backed into the corner they kept striking back. The record became more and more threadbare. Until it just noted the absence of official records and gave a brief summary of the war's end.
In a pivotal action COG had destroyed their own capital to flood the Hallow. It was a bold and hard decision but it broke the Locust. Afterward the COG dissolved. Unable to hold itself together as its legitimacy fell apart.
The remaining humans lived as scavengers on the ruins of their own world. The surviving Locust were not better off. The two sides lived in that state for a year as new horrors emerged. Lambent creatures mutated by exposure to Imulsion attacked those who remained.
The end of that nightmare was brought about by the surviving human military forces. They manage to activate an unknown super weapon. Killing the Lambent out right. Locust became encased in shells that were nigh impossible to destroy.
The summary finished and a new more organised section followed.
The humans banded together and began to rebuild. In a little over two decades they went from bands of survivors to a match for any Kingdom. Walled Settlements were built to house the population. There was political disagreement and some people chose to leave. It wasn't a strange turn of events Ironwood thought. Sometimes people just don't want to live in a city and choose to leave for smaller towns and villages.
The so called Outsiders had shown the same attitude as those people did on Remnant though. The moment they needed help they came running to the Kingdoms. Ironwood found people who demanded more freedom and less consequences rather distasteful. There were rules and responsibility for a reason.
They had come back to the COG because of a new foe. The Swarm. Much like the Locust they were a race of humanoid monsters. Smart enough to use weapons and tactics and brutal in their actions.
The Serans had spoken of being under siege when they were brought to Remnant. Had any of the Swarm followed them? They said they hadn't found any traces of them but still the thought worried him.
Then there was the question of how to handle the Serans. It would have to be delicate. They clearly had advanced technology. A large number were members of the COG. Would they have the same willingness to sacrifice as those from the Locust war? How do you fight someone who is willing to unleash such weapons they can burn the world?
Yes they would be delicate and polite for now. Once Atlas found a few of their scientists willing to share their knowledge they would catch up. He was sure they would match the Serans if not do it better. It was just a matter of time and planning.
His terminal rang, it was from his staff. Ironwood sat down and accepted the call.
"Yes. Is something the matter?" He asked.
"Apologies sir. But Mr Schnee is here and is insistent on speaking with you." The officer said.
'Has he told you what is about?" Ironwood asked, already feeling a headache coming on.
'He said he wants to know when you will be ordering the Serans to leave his property, Sir.' The officer said already noticing Ironwood's face change and turning the volume down.
'He. What!?' Ironwood shouted. Slapping an open palm into his desk.
A few minutes later Jacques Schnee was sitting in a chair smiling at Ironwood. It was the kind of smile that gave the impression of a cat pleased the canary couldn't run away. Ironwood was comforted that this man had had to marry into the Schnee family. They had produced some of the best huntsmen and citizens in Atlas's history.
As it Jacques was a Schnee in name alone and little more. No time as a huntsman. No leading expeditions nor strong leadership just another corporate magnate. His lien and company were important to the economy though even if the SDC didn't have a global monopoly on dust. That particular fact was important. The SDC did have smaller refineries in the kingdoms. But their main dust processing facilities were within Atlases borders. Something with which Jacques continued to remind Ironwood anytime they disagreed.
'It's so wonderful for you to welcome me in person James.' Jacques said.
'Yes I'm sure it was a long trip over from Schnee manor. How is your family well?' Ironwood asked. If what Winter had said was true the manor was more like a prison. He would have liked Jacques to make a public slip. But so far the man was shrewd enough to prevent any investigations. His legal team would make it hell to try on shaky grounds.
'Oh you know the married life James. Willow is still having issues adjusting since Winter left. Tell me how is Winter? Is she enjoying the military life?' Jacques asked with a hint of venom.
'Specialist Schnee is quite happy helping serve the kingdom.' Ironwood said knowing the title would grate on Jacques.
'I don't suppose you would be able to tell me where she is? A father gets worried about his children after all.' Jacques asked. Placing a hand to his heart and a practised look of concern on his face..
Ironwood gave a polite but sad smile. 'I'm sorry Jacques. But you understand I can't reveal the location of Atlas Military personnel. Not even to their family.'
Jacques noded and gave a smile back. 'Of course how silly of me. We do need to keep our military secrets safe now don't we.'
They had this same conversation hundreds of times. Jacques still wanted to make Winter mistable since she left and joined the military. Anything to spite his own daughter because she didn't do as he wished.
'Now I was told by my staff you were claiming that the Searans are occupying SDC property. According to our records the SDC didn't have any facilities on the Dragons tail when it was last inhabited.' Ironwood said cutting to the heart of the matter.
'Yes. An understandable error. The SDC recently purchased the deeds to the area.' Jacques said. Examining his nails for dirt.
'How recently?' Ironwood asked.
'Oh a few days before their arrival. The paperwork is all in order I can assure you.' Jacques said. Smiling smugly.
Ironwood looked at that smile seeing only stupidity. No doubt Jacques had got the paperwork done right as the news of the Searans arrival reached the world. The deeds would have been useless and barely worth the lien for the work needed to buy them. No doubt he planned to move in and start to draw off the near untouched resources in the area.
'We're still in the process of opening negotiations with the Serans. At the moment I'm unsure if they would recognise any claims to the land.' Ironwood said diplomatically.
'James please. If we can't ensure the law is applied equally then we would still be little better then beasts. Surely we can make the Searans see reason and allow the SDC to bring its full knowledge and resources to bear. The benefits for them should be clear.' Jacques said.
'I'm doubtful they would allow us to make rulings on the ownership of the area they occupy. They've fought and bled for every metre of ground. If what we know about them is true they won't hand it over without a fight.'
'If they won't see reason then we must use any and all means to ensure that land is turned over to its rightful owners.' Jacques said, trying to bang his fist on the table for emphasis but just making a slap as his hand hit the steel surface.
'Jacques please these are civilised people. We can't just turn to the use of force to make them listen to our rules.' Ironwood said trying not to imagine what the COG might do to defend itself. 'Have you tried to make contact with their representatives to see if you can negotiate for access?' Ironwood asked.
'Of course we've tried. They say that resource extraction and processing is a restricted sector. No foreign involvement without special permission. Meanwhile I've got investors eager to get our new holdings turning a profit.' Jacques said, balling his fists.
Ironwood thought for a moment. So far any attempt to invite the newly announced acting first minister had failed. Perhaps they would accept a more private invitation. 'Perhaps you could invite their leader to a charity gala and have a private word with him. To let him know about your concerns and see if he can help.' Ironwood said, watching the gears turn in Jacques head.
'Yes that might work. A charity concert to raise money for them to buy some... Whatever it is they need.' Jaques said dismissing the supposed goal of the event like it was in his way.
'Perhaps Weiss might be willing to sing? I've heard she's gotten quite good at it.' Ironwood added. From what he'd heard Weiss was about as happy as Winter had been. If she was anything like her sister Atlas would be sure to benefit from her joining the academy. But Jacques had been rather careful not letting her meet anyone who he hadn't permitted. But if this event hosted a high ranking official from another Kingdom. Then Ironwood would have to be invited as well. He might just happen to run into her and be able to make her an offer.
'Yes. That would be quite nice wouldn't it. I'm sure we can arrange something. Perhaps you could offer one of the 4th Fleet to bring our esteemed guests along? After all, we could extend every courtesy shouldn't we?' Jacques said smileing.
'Yes I'll see if we can make some arrangements and contact your staff with the details.' Ironwood said with a curt nod. The fleet's movements were not exactly something he could just wave around. The SDC had their estimated date of return because they would be supplying the dust for the ships. Ironwood didn't like Jacques asking him to use Atlas propery like that. But it would be important to show the COG a measure of Atlas's power.
'Wonderful. Well James I must be off now. The SDC won't run itself. But then you know how hard it is at the top don't you?' Jacques said rising.
'Yes it can take quite a toll. But every now and then there are moments that make it worth it aren't there?' Ironwould said with a polite nod.
'Yes. Yes they do. Thank you for your time. I'll leave you to it.' Jacques said leaving.
Ironwood waited until he had entered the lift and was well out of earshot. Then he sighed and rubbed his temples. That man was a bane of his life but a necessary one. Ironwood called his staff again.
'My orders regarding any invitations from Jacques Schnee are suspended for the moment.' Ironwood said to the confused officer.
'Sir, are you sure? Your standing instructions were quite clear.' The office asked to confirm.
'Yes I'm quite sure. And please ensure that the 4th Fleet Commander contacts me ASAP. I have a new task for them.'
'Yes sir.' The officer said before vanishing to carry out the orders.
It was time to meet these newcomers face to face. He wanted to know the mind that was commanding the COG.
'I wonder what do you have planned First Minster Emmerich? Conquest? Peace? Something in between?' Ironwood said, looking out over Atlas.
On the far side of Remnant Acting First Minister Emmerich took the armband from the DeeBee. He had used his newfound authorisation to have it brought here without any records. He needed something to help if this went wrong. Pressing a button on the desk the room began to lock down. Shutters locked in place over the windows and bolts slid into place barring the door. He took off his jacket and fitted the stim injector to his left arm.
'If I become non responsive for more than thirty seconds. You are to lift the lockdown and call for assistance.' He said looking at the medical DeeBee.
'Acknowledged.' The machine replied.
Emmerich leaned back into his chair letting the injector take a baseline reading. It beeped softly to report it was ready. Any trauma or injury would activate it now. Emmerich took a slow breath then thought. Options?
He was back in that darkplace. The small glowing lights of the future strung out before him. But he was looking at what was soon to be and he needed to know the far future. He moved as fast as he could to the end as far as he could manage. There were a few here. Two were brighter but starting to fade as others came into view. Something had changed the flow of events. He moved over to look at the two before they dimmed entirely.
The first possibility showed a group of people battling a horde of Grimm. It was like an endless tide that crashed over them pulling them down one by one. Once they had fallen a new figure strode from the dark mass. It was a woman pale as marble with red pupils like some form of human Grimm. Was this their queen? Had the locals made this woman or was the COG involved somehow?
She strode over lifting a small crown from the pockets of a woman in a red cloak. Emmerich recognised it. One of the Relics he had been told to find.
The woman brought the other relics together. In a flash of gold and purple light there were two dragons before her. She spoke and gestured to the barren battlefield. The dragons raised a hand each and let out a blast of light. The Grimm were gone. So were the human remains, the ground, the sky and even the sun. All that was left was the woman screaming into oblivion.
Emmerich moved to the next future but it had already vanished from view. He'd been too slow to see the alternative to that defeat. He turned to the other lights and began to look at them. War and death were all he found.
Cities burned and crumbled. The attackers and defenders changed each time but the outcomes were the same. Vast destruction tore across the world.
A city in the clouds burned as Hammer strikes lanced into some kind of barrier. The barrier would break and the city would be invaded by waves of COG planes. There were those figures again trying to evacuate people. Then in another one they dropped from the back of COG aircraft leading the attack. Curiose.
In another, a COG city was bombarded by strange craft. They were like swords cutting across the sky. Robots rained down on the city as defences tried to tear them from the sky. There were those figures again. Different but still the same. Once more they could defend or attack but they tended to be together.
Then he watched them battle the Swarm. So they did make it here. How? No matter. He knew they were here somehow. Hiding no doubt building up their numbers. The battle went the same. The waves of inhuman monsters overrunning those figures. Shear numbers beating out their skill and weapons.
Now a new future. People being dragged from their homes by DeeBees. All were being taken to what looked like prisons. No resistance was allowed, everyone was taken. Herded like animals into those pens. The figures tried to help but would be caught. They would be made an example of.
The end of the world played out time and time again. Different in many ways but some remained near the same. Emmerich awoke with a pained gasp.
'How long?' He asked as the injector tripped. A rush of Stim entered his body.
'Exactly 23 seconds.' The DeeBee replied.
'Ok then. Monitor me for any changes and let me know.' Emmerich said. Leaning forward to reach his computer.
He called up a program from the Ministry of Justice. It was used to make headshots of people using a description. He sat for a while adjusting the faces he'd seen time and time again until they matched on the screen. He ran off the first picture.
'Who are you?' He asked. Looking at the face of a young woman with sliver eyes.