Back inside the main hall Ironwood was finishing his conversation with Wiess. He had suggested that she could do her combat school training at home before applying to the Academy. If she organised it right Jacques would never know about tutors visiting. A few huntsmen worked as tutors if they were taking a break from missions. If she booked them as history, social or other subject teachers. Jacques would likely just approve them and never look closely.

There was commotion at the doors. He saw the Onyx push past the SDC guards and charge across the room. The guests were in chaos before them but they weren't threatening them, they were moving past them. Ironwood drew his pistols and ran to join them. Their speed was impressive without any aura to boost them.

He followed as they ran around a corner. As he turned he slowed a step. Where had they gone? Then one peaked out from behind a column. He kept running past seeing them pressed into whatever cover they could find. Behind pillars, benches and anything else large enough to hide behind that might stop a bullet. Then he saw the backs of others facing away from him. Between the two groups was a meeting room. Two of the Onyx ran inside and Ironwood followed as the door was pulled closed.

The two Onyx who had turned over their rifles caught them as the newcomers passed them over. In one corner of the room the First Minister was crouched behind a couch that had been turned into cover. Jacques was cowering to one side shouting for security. A table was overturned and a waitress was lying on the ground unconscious.

'Situation?' He asked one of the Onyx.
'Assassitation attempt. One attacker was neutralised but there might be more.' The Onyx responded by levelling their rifle at the door.
'Assassintaion.' Ironwood said bitterly. This was unacceptable. This was Atlas for god's sake. They had top of the line security. How could that happen?

The SDC guards entered the room and Jacques started shouting orders to arrest the waitress. So she was the assassin. Ironwood walked over broken glass crunching under his feet. He looked at the woman. Her arm looked like it had been flash burned by lightning.

Weiss ran inside and looked at the scene clearly shocked.
Jacques saw her and snarled. 'What are you doing here?'
'I… got the other guests out… then came to check on you.' Weiss said.
'Ah. I um. Very good then. But you have to leave now, this is no place for a child.'
'But-'
'No buts. Guards take her home.' Jacques said.

Weiss protested but the SDC guards marched her out of the room. Ironwood glanced at Jacques. The man's own daughter had evacuated the other guests then came to check on him. What did he do? Have her dragged off back to the Schnee Manor. If that girl didn't want to leave home before she surely would now.

The SDC guards hoisted up the assassin, putting cuffs on and patting her down roughly. She woke and cursed between her teeth as they grabbed her burned arm.
'We got a tail!' One shouted as he pulled a feline tail from under the woman's shirt.
'Faunus of course.' Ironwood said with a sigh. He thought they had taught the White Fang it had no place in Atlas. There would be repercussions for this he would see to it.
'What happened?' Ironwood asked as the woman was cuffed by the SDC guards.
'This fanatic attacked us. She shouted about the White Fang then tried to kill me with a bottle. A bottle!' Jacques said as shock worked though him.
'So I see. How did you stop her?' He asked. Looking to the First Minister.
'I flipped the table over to buy time.' Emmerich shrugged.
'That's not all you did.' Jacques said accusingly. 'You shouted Kitt and a bolt of lightning hit her in the side. How did you do that?'
'It's a complex question. I can explain further once we are sure there are no other attackers.' Emmerich said firmly.

'There will be others! You haven't escaped us, Schnee!' The assassin shouted as the guards tried to drag her away.
'Why don't you people just give up. I run a legitimate business.' Jacques said. Puffing out his chest and looking down his nose at the woman.
'Ha. Legitimate. Tell that to the people coughing up blood and dust. To the people you leave to die when the shafts cave in. What about the family's you throw out once they can't work any more? It doesn't matter how much you pay to make it disappear. The blood on your hands will be repaid!' The woman shouted as the SDC guards lifted her and carried her out.
Ironwood rubbed his temple as the woman's shouts were cut off as the doors closed. The First Minister was looking at Jacques with a stare that could have crushed rocks to powder.
'I believe we will all have some explaining to do.' Emmerich said.

There was another hour as SDC guards, Police and Military huntsmen searched the building. The original waitress was found tied up in a storage room scared but otherwise fine. They checked the assassin's identity finding out she was a catering truck driver. Likely she just slipped into the kitchen and ambushed the waitress. There was no sign of a second attack. The other guests had already evacuated and the Onyx kept watch around the meeting room.

'First Minister I believe you owe us an explanation.' Ironwood said.
'I did promise that.' Emmerich said. As he sat on the now upright couch.
'What did you do to that woman?' Jacques asked.
'I didn't do anything. But I can show you who did. Please don't be alarmed.' Emmerich said . Looking from Ironwood to Jacques. Jacques looked confused but Ironwood moved to stand at ease.
'Kitt please decloak.' Emmerich said.

There was a beep from empty air. Then a sound like crackling electricity. A small black machine appeared hovering in the air. Jacques was startled and scrambled back a bit. Ironwood tensed but didn't move an inch.

The machine was clearly COG designed. The head looked a lot like their Androids. As they watched the machine unfolded. Its head popped outward and an arm emerged from each side. One was black like the rest of the machine and ended with a small gripper claw. The other was blue and had some kind of small device attached to the arm.

'This is Kitt. He's on loan for my visit and my Chief Engineer was not happy giving him up.' Emmerich said.
'What is it?' Jacques said. Looking at the hovering machine.
'He is a JACK bot. A kind of robotic support unit.' Emmerich said.
'How was it invisible?' Ironwood asked. Walking around the machine. It turned to look at him as he spoke which was strange. He'd never had a robot look at him without calling its attention before.
'Some units are equipped with cloaking fields. Before you ask no I don't know how it works.' Emmerich said.
'Why would they need to be invisible?' Ironwood asked.
'To my knowledge they tended to be targeted during battle. So the system was added to help them survive in combat.' Emmerich said.
'So this is a military unit?' Ironwood said. Squaring up to the machine. It was still looking at him like it was listening. Why was that so strange?
'This one is. The… Zapper as it's been called was an add-on. Normally they just hide during combat.' Emmerich admitted.
'You didn't think to mention you were bringing it?' Ironwood asked. His mind raced with the idea of an invisible spy shadowing the First Minister. Could this thing access any secured systems? Had it been hiding on the airship?
'Telling you would have defeated his purpose. Kitt is the last line of defence. Given what happened. It seems the Captain of the Onyx Guard was right to insist on him coming along.' Emmerich said.

The tone and words were not accusing but Ironwood felt shame anyway. The First Minister was right he had been right to bring the machine along. It had saved Jacques and possibly Emmerich. But they still don't know what else that machine could do.

Then Emmerich turned to Jacques.
'I would like to know what that woman meant when she called out about the White Fang. Are they some sort of mercenary group?' Emmerich asked.
Jacques swallowed and adjusted his collar.
'The White Fang are a group of terrorists and fanatics. Who attack people they feel have wronged the Faunus.' Jacques said. The words were practiced and rehersed.
'Terrorists? So they have some kind of agenda or demands? And why only the Faunus?' Emmerich asked. He leaned back rubbing his chin.
'If you can call random acts of violence an agenda.' Jacques said.
'Random? I don't consider an assassin calling you by name random.' Emmerich said.
'My family name is slandered by these animals. They accuse me of mistreating my workforce. Why would I do that? I need them to be productive.' Jacques said.
'She seemed to be rather convinced of what she said.' Emmerich said.
'Fanatics always are. But they are just that. Fanatics and zealots.' Ironwood said firmly.
'Regardless, I think I would be best if I returned to my people.' Emmerich said.
'If that's how you feel I'll have an airship waiting for you.' Ironwood said.

Emmerich and the Onyx left, boarding a set of Atlas military trucks and driving back to the landing area. Within the hour they were away heading back to the Dragon's tail.

Ironwood returned to his office and fell into his chair. His mind raced through the events of the evening.

This is a disaster. We wanted to show them Atlas and their leader was nearly killed. The White Fang is still active in Atlas despite the crackdowns. They would need to be more thorough. But could he order that? Yes he had to. There was no other way to respond to this attack.

He sighed then activated his semblance feeling the focus slip in. He opened his terminal and called his staff.
'I want Mantel on lockdown. Put troops on every corner. Arrest and question anyone who has ties suspected or otherwise to the White Fang.'

With that done his mind turned to the First Minister. He had hoped they could try and work together. But the COG had brought an invisible robot along with them. Could there be more hiding? Spys left behind to report back. The COG clearly didn't trust them even before the attack. Perhaps they should have trusted them in the first place.

They would need to find out how that machine could cloak or at least how to detect it. It was unacceptable for them to be shown up like this. They were Atlas. They were the most powerful Kingdom on the planet Ironwood wouldn't let that change under his leadership.

Jacques returned to Schnee Manor in a state of rage. He stormed into his office in a fit of rage.

That little brat. He didn't even consider the offers of business. Even before that freak attacked them. Why bother to come if he wasn't interested in the proposals? Was it just to mock him? Had his guards known about the assassin and let her in just to have a chance to use that robot?

Those squatters were blocking access to enough Dust to make the SDC at least double its current output. No one taunts Jacques Schnee without repercussion.

He made a call to his attorney the one who dealt with some of his questionable business.
'I need you to contact our associate with regards to a new issue.' Jacques said smugly.
'What issue should I contact him about?' The attorney asked.
'Tell him there is a little problem with our new enterprise. I would like him to arrange some assistance to help clear out some pests. I would also pay extra if he could recover anything of value from the area.'
'I'll let him know. What about his fee?'
'It will be taken care of the usual way.'
'Very good sir.'

Jacques smiled to himself. There were all kinds of issues that could stop an upcoming business from flourishing. Fortunately he knew a few ways to turn such things to his advantage. Even a threat could be an asset if you were willing to pay the right people. He thought about that robot hovering at the ready to strike. It would be a good way to keep people in line. Who would complain when you don't know if you were being watched?

Emmerich was deep in thought on the way back. Myers called via the CCT system to confirm he was alright. Emmerich used the code phrases they had agreed on to show he was fine and Kitt had revealed himself. That was one trick they wouldn't be able to pull off again. Then again how fast could they develop anti-cloaking fields?

They returned with much less fanfare and Emmerich reached his office sitting down. The SDC had confirmed the money from the gala was being sent. That was something good. On the bad side they had basically shown up this world's largest military and company. Not bad for a few days away.

There was a knock on the door.
'Come in.' Emmerich called.
Myers entered.
'Sir, good to see you unharmed.' Myers said. As he stood in front of the desk.
'Unharmed perhaps but I'd like to keep my assassination attempts to a minium if possible.'
Myers gave a dry chuckle at that.
'We'll ask any future assassins to be considerate, sir.'
'What is it Myers? I know you're not here just for a chat. I'd rather be at the bottom of the Abyssal trench right now.'
'Sir, we have some good news and some strange news.'
'Let's go with the good. I need a pick me up.'

Myers lifted his tablet and requested to show a presentation to Emmerich's terminal. Emmerich accepted and was greeted by a set of survey reports.

'Ramos suggested we look into the Bunker location as a point for the Constructor to be deployed. If that ground can take all that concrete and metal a Settlement should be fine as well.' Myers said.
'And we can use the Bunker for material. Not bad. Two birds with one stone. So what's the strange news?' Emmerich asked.
'We had the Bunker and the area around it checked thoroughly. When we first found out it arrived with us we thought it had come apart somehow.'
'You're saying it didn't? That place was a buried installation. Now it's spread all over the place.'
'It was buried. But we've mapped it out. The structure is intact. It's just not stacked any more. '
'You lost me. How can it be intact but not stacked? That place went down several levels.'
'Ten levels from what we know. But now each one is sitting alongside the others.' Myers said.

The image on Emmerich screen showed the Bunker from above. The Bunker sections formed a ring with two sections in the middle.
'That doesn't feel like a coincidence. Those doors that didn't go anywhere…' Emmerich said.
'Now point to the neighbouring Bunker segment.' Myers said, nodding.
'I take it that we have an estimate for how likely that is to happen?'
'I asked Ramos and her words were. "I don't have enough time to say how that shouldn't be possible." Exactly that tone.'
'But everything else appeared where it had been.'
'Not everything. The pillboxes moved as well.'
'So only the secret base and its defences moved relative to everything else. Why do I feel like that's not a coincidence?'
'Because of the other things we found. When we started looking at the Bunker and pillboxes there was some interference. Weak which was why we missed it before. Ramos sent out a team to track it down thinking it was a malfunction in a relay. They found these.'

A set of images appeared. Highlighted in each was some sort of pole with an antenna and a small solar panel on it.
'What are they?' Emmerich asked.
'We don't know. What we do know is they are all around where the Bunker appeared and where the pillboxes appeared.' Myers reported.
'Ramos and Dr. Darnell can't tell us anything else?'
'They couldn't determine the function but they did find the source of the interference. These posts were calling back to a home base.'
'We found that base, I take it?'

A new set of images loaded. A tattered bit of fabric on some broken poles. A set of ammo boxes, some filled with dirt. A set of COG armour with a set of remains inside.

'Who was that?' Emmerich asked. Looking at the body.
'We pulled his tag. That was Sergeant Michael Andrews of the 22nd Special Tactics Group.' Myers reported.
'A Commando? What was he doing here? And how long ago did he die?'
'Yes his armour is set up for Commando work. For what he was doing here that post is set up as a survey and observation point. We estimate he died sometime in the last forty years.'
'A COG Commando was here forty years before us? What was he doing surveying this place?'
'I can't tell you that sir. But I can say what we found when we started checking the equipment. It seems that Sergeant Andrews had some unusual equipment issued. Geobots.'
'Like the ones Ramos uses in her surveys?'
'Older by a few generations but yes.'
'I take it, Ramos is already pulling the data from them?'
'She's had people working it since we got it.'

Emmerich sighed into his hands.
'So I've been in an international incident. And while I was away. We've found out we're not the first Searans to be here. Our mystery Bunker is giving us more questions than before. Is there anything else I missed.'
'Yes sir. We only recovered one tag from Sergeant Andrews' remains.'
'Only one? Oh don't tell me.' Emmerich said feeling his headache get worse.
'Yes sir. Commandos worked in teams of four. We have one body with a tag missing. That means we still have three Commandos unaccounted for.

The White Fang headquarters was one of Adams' favourite places to be. There was always something happening to remind everyone why they were fighting. Sometimes it was a success like when they raided an SDC mine and cost those monsters dearly. Today it was the news coming out of Mantel. It was though the back channels of course. Atlas would never let these images reach the world.

Ordinary Faunus being brutalised by Atlas soldiers. Mantel Police being ordered away while the mailed fist of Atlas rained down. Part of him hated this, these were regular people uninvolved in their battle. Another part whispered about how many more would seek them out because of this injustice.

It seemed they were using the same old tactics. Kick down doors, drag people out into the street and beat anyone who resisted. If people started to protest they would bring out water cannons and force the crowd away. Once the protesters were soaking wet the heating grid would be turned off in that area. Anyone who tried to fight back would collapse from hypothermia. Those who ran would likely get sick and picked up by teams waiting at hospitals.

They used those tactics to break the Mantle branch. The White Fang could never get established in Atlas proper. Too much surveillance and security. But Adam liked the idea that those snobs were locked up in their ivory towers.

A messenger ran over. 'Adam. Sienna wants to see you in the throne room.'
Adam sighed. 'Of course she does.'

It was a short walk to the throne room. Sienna was as usual reclining on her throne. Adam walked over the oversized room to the foot of the throne.
'Adam I've been told you managed to get an assassin into Atlas.' Sienna said glaring down at Adam.
'Yes it was a rather long shot bu-' Adam started.
'You also nearly had the leader of the COG killed.' Sienna snapped.
'I did't order him to be attacked. The chance to strike at Jacques was too good to miss.'
'I agree with that. But the COG had no reason to oppose us before. Now we don't know what they will do.'
'Humans don't need a reason to oppose us. They would have turned on us one way or the other.'
'Perhaps they might have. Perhaps they wouldn't have been like the others. Now we have to be more careful with expanding into their territory. Leave for Vale. I need to contact our agent aboard the Journey Bound and change their orders.' Sienna said. Waving her hand dismissively.

Adam left the room full of anger. How couldn't she see that they almost had Jacques Schnee's head on a platter. Then again perhaps agitating the COG was a bad idea. They didn't show any kind of bad treatment so far. Could he be overreacting?

'Hey Adam.' A voice called.
'Judith.' Adam said. Looking at the young woman with a pair of ram horns on her head.
'I guess Sienna wasn't happy?' Judith said. Walking to stand with Adam.
'No she was not. We were so close. But all she seems to care about is we might have angered the COG.'
Judith rested a hand on his shoulder. 'So what if we anger them. They're human. They will always turn on us. Until we have them on their knees they will always attack us.'
Adam felt the truth of her words. 'You're right. We need to see about teaching them to respect us. Do you think you can contact the agent on the Journey Bound?'
'Oh don't worry about it. I'm sure I can get someone to tell me.'
'Thanks Judith, you always know what to say to keep me going.'
'It's what I'm here for.' Judith said walking away.

Zane was staying calm just like he'd learned to all those years ago. Don't draw attention to yourself. You're just passing through. Having Erwin with him helped with that. His son whined about waiting in the line but the conversation helped Zane keep calm. Nothing would happen, it was just an inspection.

He still couldn't help taking in the space around them. Six humans stood in pairs around the processing area. Eight androids in white paint were patrolling around the lines of people waiting. All of them had small white pistols and folding batons. Overhead a small robot flew over the crowd. Zane made sure to hide his tail from its sight by reflex. But Erwin looked up at the machine with awe and reached up as if to touch it. Zane wanted him to keep that innocence if only for a little longer.

They reached the front of the line.
'Now remember Erwin just stay quiet and we'll be through in a few minutes ok?' Zane said. squeezing Erwin's hand.
'Ok Dad.' Erwin said with a smile.
Zane wished he didn't have to teach Erwin this sort of thing but better safe than sorry.

'Next please.' A man in a blue COG suit called to them from one of the desks.
Zane and Erwin walked up to the desk. The man gave them a polite smile.
'Names please?' The official asked.
'Zane Serac, this is my son Erwin.' Zane said with a careful smile.
The official typed at his terminal for a moment.
'Okay that's here. Can I just see your ID? If you have a scroll you can touch it to the pad here.' The man said pointing to a small box on the front of the desk.
Zane nodded and tapped his scroll. The device asked if he wanted to share his ID and he tapped to accept.
'Thank you. Are you just staying for a time or will you be seeking work whilst you are with us?' The official asked.
'I was hoping to do some work. I've done a lot of jobs so I should be able to find something.'
'I'm sure the Ministry of Employment will find something for your skills. Last bit, can you just place your luggage on the scanner here please?'

Zane looked at the machine with its tray out and waiting. If he refused it would cause a scene but what if they found out. He would have to risk it.
He placed the bags onto the scanner. They vanished into the machine for a moment. There was a whirring noise. The official leaned towards his screen for a moment.
'Sorry me sir. There's an anomaly with your luggage. We need you to step over to the inspection area.' The official said. Pointing off to the side.
'Oh. Sorry for any trouble.' Zane said. Trying not to sweat.
'No issue, just head over and they will help get this sorted out.' The official said calmly.

Zane walked over to the inspection area. Another COG official, a woman this time, was waiting by a table.
'Hi. Apparently the scanner had some issues with one of your bags.' She said with an easy smile.
'Um yeah. It might just be the material or something.' Zane said. Trying to keep the mood light.
'Could be but would you mind opening it up for me?'

Zane could see three androids standing around the inspection area. All had the same compact white guns and folding batons. If it came to a fight he wouldn't be able to escape and he couldn't risk Erwin.
'Sure let me just get the locks.' Zane said. Pulling out a small set of keys.

He put the bag onto the table and unlocked small locks on its latches. The woman stepped over to the bag and lightly lifted out the clothes inside. She placed them neatly on the table which was a good sign. Sometimes they just threw it all out and then made you repack it. For a moment he thought he would be safe. Then she calmly popped the false bottom out of the bag.

'Here it is. Extra spacer I take?' She asked. Looking at Zane.
'It helps stop things from bouncing around.' Zane said carefully.
'So I see. And what would this be?' She said pointing to a hard case in the bottom of the compartment.
'Its a tool I use for work. I've had it for quite a while and it would cost too much to replace. I was planning to use it in Menagerie for work.'
'Can you open it up and show me?'
'Sure.' Zane said. Reaching out slowly and lifting out the case. He unlocked it and opened it up. Inside was a small metal and plastic tool with a pistol grip and trigger.
'What sort of tool is this?' The woman said. Examining it.
'Its pneumatic. You change its function by swapping out parts. It can drive, saw, drill and other such things.' Zane said waving to the array of parts in the case with the tool.
'When you say drive does this fire anything like a projectile?' The woman asked firmly.
'No. You would need to do a lot of work to make it fire like that. The air canister would probably be flat after one shot anyway. So it's not worth the effort of trying.' Zane said. Shaking his head.
'Makes sense. Let me just get this sorted.' The woman said tapping on a small tablet.

A moment later another android walked over. Zane was about ready to flip the table and run for it when it held out a slip of paper.
'This temporary permit is for your tool. It's not something we've seen before so I won't just confiscate it without due cause. Just so you know if anyone starts messing with them you'll likely be asked to turn it in though.'
'Oh um. Thank you. I'll be sure to keep it safe.' Zane said feeling the adrenaline die down.
'And what's this sportswear?' The woman asked. Holding up a black hood with a blue interior.
'Yeah I used to go jogging but with how cold it can get in Mantel you still have to wrap up.' Zane said. Feeling the panic creep up again.
'And this?' She asked lifting a small white mask out from inside the hood.
'Snow goggles and sunglasses in one. Last thing I needed was eye strain from the sun bouncing off a patch of snow if the heating grid was out.'
'Fair enough.' The woman said placing them back and repacking the bag. 'Sorry for the trouble. Thank you for your time.'

Zane nodded and turned to leave. They were though. The search had been worrying. But it seemed a few people were being checked. Surprisingly the mix of humans and faunus seemed about even. He and Erwin were led over to a set of trucks and helped aboard. The trip to the camp was quiet for the most part.

The only event was one of the strange COG craft flying over rather low alongside them. Zane panicked for a moment thinking they were about to be stopped. But the craft just seemed to be heading the same way. Erwin waved at it and one of the passengers waved back.

'Dad! Dad, did you see that? They waved back.' Erwin said excitedly.
'I saw. Perhaps they might give you a ride in one someday.' Zane said. Ruffling his son's hair. From what he'd seen so far perhaps the COG would be a nice place to stay for a while.