The next raid by Captain Tempest and his raiders went well and the one after that. They were getting richer than ever. This was like talking lien from babies. Ore, parts and more were being sold so fast they had to find another fence. It was the high life. Good booze, more ships and the world as their oyster.

More crews, ships and Bandits showed up. All eager to join in the frenzy. Ships came back with holds full to the brim. It was a Bandits' heaven. Each night was a party full of song, dance and drink. They toasted to the stupidest people they'd ever robbed.

Then the COG stopped playing fair. Trucks were no-longer lone troves of loot. They grouped up and moved together with smaller vehicles in escort. Some mean looking cars covered with armour and with guns on top.

The first crew that ran into the new "Arrangement" lost eight crew to those guns. They didn't hit and punch a hole they tore people apart. Some of the crews left right after that. The smart ones who saw where the wind was blowing.

There were Androids with the convoys now too. Riding inside the cabins like passengers. But the cars and trucks didn't need them to move. Once the fight started they would get out and join in. Raids went from nothing but profit to pitched battles within a week. Battles that ended if they could nail the Androids and take the trucks cargo fast. Take too long and their whirly dirly airships would arrive. More Androids and proper flesh and blood soldiers. After that it was over. The COG would mop up any resistance and detain any survivors.

Now it was a question of how they could stay alive. Most crews had lost at least one ship from under them. They were rattled like never before. Even Atlas didn't hit back this hard. Oh sure they were expecting some reaction. A few guards, perhaps a Huntsman being hired for guard duty. But that was part of the process. The locals hire some muscle and you make an example once or twice to show them not to resist. The guards learn it's better to give up then fight and die or worse. Everyone goes home happy, well at least the Bandits did.

You can't do that to a machine. They just march on, uncaring of losses. Each one would fight until it could do no more. Only after the things were hunks of scrap would they stop fighting. That was the Androids, the so-called Gears were worse somehow.

Despite lacking aura they took hits that should put them down. Bullets and blades seem to have no effect. You either watched a slug crumple on plate or a blade catch on the slash resistant under layer. Only time one stayed down was when one of the airships used a deck gun and took an arm off. After that the gunnery crew members started dropping with heads missing.

Needless to say the plans changed. From each ship raiding and pillaging their black hearts out. To groups attacking with three or more ships. Using sheer numbers to overwhelm and take at least one load of loot. Pay went through the floor. The crews started to grumble. Sure more bodies made their chances to get home better. But that also meant more ways to split less profit. And the pot of profit was getting smaller. More went to repairs and compensation for injured crew.

The Bandits were steadily being starved out. The COG had been meticulous in its plan to protect its resources. Of course more than one captain knew of other things they could make a profit off. If only they knew their actions would wake the bloody ghost of a second superpower.

The village of Foolshope was modest by most measures. They had a few small wind turbines for power. A nearby steam provided fresh water and some local fish. Most of their buildings were a mix of salvaged or locally made materials. Wood, metal and stone raised to provide simple but sturdy homes.

Most of their trade was in meat and fur. The local game was rich, given the island's lack of a population until recently it was to be expected. There was enough they could hunt well without taking too much. Something Outsiders learned and knew well was finding a balance with their environment.

The watchtowers and palisade were also part of lessons learned. Once they had feared the COG would come for them. They had in the end, but only because of the confusion. It wasn't the COG taking their people, it had been the Swarm. For a time they had taken shelter with the COG behind their great walls and armies of machines.

But now they wanted that freedom again. The freedom to go outside without a reason beyond taking a walk. The freedom to travel as they pleased without being escorted like a herd of livestock. But they weren't fools. Their hunters were also culling the Grimm from around the village. Using crossbows was quieter and saved on ammo.

That decision meant they had a few minutes' warning. Four airships looking like sailing craft travelling on the wind passed over one of their hunting parties. Their engines were off and they were gliding on the wind low to the treetops. Not a good sign.

The hunters radioed back to the village warning them of the danger. The alarm bell rang and everyone ran to their post. If it was a drill or a false alarm so be it but they didn't want to risk it.

The oldest children rounded up the younger ones and led them to the village hall. The older and less firm villagers joined them. Beneath the hall was a storm shelter the door was the heaviest the villagers could make. The non-combatants would shelter there.

Everyone else grabbed a gun. Hammerbursts, Lancers of all kinds, Gnashers and a dozen other types of weapon. Armed, the militia ran to their posts. Some climbed into towers and joined the guards there. Others ran into unlocked cellars and aimed out through firing slits in the streets. A few ran for the workshop to mount up.

The airships came closer still hidden behind hills as they closed. Finally just as they came into sight of the town they started their engines and hosted blood red banners with silver skulls sewn on. Their attack had begun.

The two forward ones fired cannons into the watchtowers. The shells were small but were packed with fire dust to set the towers alight. Behind them came the remaining two airships, their lower deck doors open and bandits roaring. As they passed over the town many leapt down or slid down ropes to land inside beginning the attack on the ground.

The moment the first shots were fired the villagers activated their distress call. The COG scrambled their quick reaction force in under three minutes but it was still a half hour flight from their base.

Inside the belly of a Raven Lieutenant Camron Walsh the response force commander focused on his wrist display. The feed from the lead Kestrel was a blur as the gunship made maximum speed to the village. This was bad. He could feel it in his bones. The bandits had never hit a town before. Was this a reaction to their stepping up security?

Finally the feed cleared up as the Kestrel started to slow for combat. He could see the village now. Some parts were on fire. A few watchtowers were on fire. One of the gates was open with three airships parked before it. There were bodies in the streets. The view panned around as the Kestrel scanned for targets and began to put boxes around each person it could see.

'Get us down. We might still be able to save some of those poor SOBs,' Walsh said as he watched the display.

The Ravens touched down neatly. Their passengers disembarked in combat formation but the fight was well over. It had been for a while judging by the crowd of Outsiders surrounding the remaining Bandits.

Off to the side were two airships that looked mostly intact. Of the other two one had crashed into a hillside and was burning. The last one had several large holes blown into it and had been raked by gunfire.

'Who's in-charge here?' Walsh asked as he approached the crowd.
An old man with a double barrel shotgun under his arm wandered over. He was chewing something as he spoke.
'I guess I am. At least till the chief gets back. She's doing a headcount,' The man said pointing a thumb at the village.

'How bad was it?' Walsh asked.
'Oh you know. One moment you're selling your vegetables, next shits falling from the sky. We had some warning from a few folks doing some hunting. Got the little ones and the few folks older than me into the shelter. These two-bit raiders swooped over and started shooting and dropping into the market.'
The man paused and spat out a glob of tobacco or some other leaf onto the ground.

'Stupidest thing I've seen in a while. I mean they stuck the landing fine but most of us fought Locust. They used to do the same trick with their Reavers. Just drop a few shooters right into the fight. Course we were ready for them. I got the first one full in the gut with my trusty sidekick here,' He said patting the gun.
Walsh looked at the crowd of Bandits. Most had some kind of gunshot wound but a few had arms covered in splinters.
'What happened after that?' Walsh asked. Still confused about how it went from a raid to a rout.

'Well I only saw a bit of it or picked up some more from the others here. Seems they weren't expecting us to be ready for them. We got most of the ones who dropped inside the wall. A few managed to get one of the gates open. Must have planned to let in their buddies. Seems they figured more the merrier. I think when Old Brass and Tin Man showed up that notion left them.'
'Old Brass and Tin Man?' Walsh asked.
'Our Silverbacks. Well Old Brass is a proper one. Tin Man is an old loader with a Troika on one side and a Boomshot on the other.' The old man said, pointing into the town.

An old loader mech with chipped metal paint was marching across the street. On one arm was twin barrelled water jacketed guns of the old Locust machine gun. The other had the diamond shaped muzzle of the Locust grenade launcher.

That was a whole lot of firepower for a little village. No wonder they had some many prisoners. The poor bastards had tried to air attack Outsiders. They had no idea these people had spent years preparing for such a move. Then again most Outsiders thought it would be the COG flying over and dropping troops. Most of their towns lacked any large open space that could work as a landing area for just such a reason.

'They what downed that?' Walsh asked, nodding to the wreckage.
'Oh yeah. Crew tried to fly over and use their guns. Problem was they were all on the top deck. So they had to come in nice and low. Got torn to shreds for their trouble. Most of these lost the fight once our hunters came up behind them.'
'Not bad. Not bad at all,' Walsh said. Nodding at the execution as he played the battle over in his head. Sure it had all been planned to fight the COG but their tactics and execution were solid.

'Course you better grab these one's quick like,' The old man said.
'Why?' Walsh asked, confused.
'We took a peek inside their rides. They had shackles inside.'
'Shackles? Like restraints?'
'Yep. All lined up could have taken a few people each. But not all of them were for adults if you get my meaning,' The old man said. He pulled out a set of metal cuffs linked by chain. These were far too small for an adult.

'Ah.' Walsh said as the realization hit him.
'You want us to lynch these ones or you getting them the hell out of here?'
'We'll take them. But I have a feeling we'll be hitting every bump on the way home.'

With Lieutenant Walsh's report and the attached images. The atmosphere changed drastically. It was one thing to try and steal materials and supplies. The Outsiders had spent years raiding the COG. But that was tolerated to a degree. They'd never taken more than would be missed and never tried to touch people.

The images of ships with rows of shackles and other restraints inside made Emmerich's blood boil. He understood to a degree that the Outsiders didn't see themselves as COG. But he'd never considered that letting them settle alone would lead to this. He'd miscalculated and placed innocent lives at risk. An error he was now working on correcting. It was a shame the locals were not happy about his response.

'So you're saying it's not permitted for us to track these Bandits and destroy them?' Emmerich asked. His voice was far calmer than he was.
On his screen General Ironwood tensed for a moment before speaking, 'Destroy is a strong word. Taking them into custody should be your first option.'
'So they escalate to trying to kidnap and enslave people in my care. And you feel that does not warrant an escalation?' Emmerich asked bluntly.
Ironwood blinked for a moment trying to find the right words.
'If I may cut in,' A new voice said.

Emmerich turned to look at the face of Professor Ozpin. He seemed somewhat older than his appearance might suggest. Tending to speak more grandly than Ironwood and with more humble words.

'The problem is this. Remnant is not the sort of place that can have armies rampaging across the land. That would cause fear and chaos to run abound. And that will draw more Grimm,' Ozpin said before sipping from his mug.

The other Headmasters nodded at his words. Emmerich sighed and tried to calm his anger. It was going to make him say something he'd regret at this rate. He'd called the Kingdoms hoping for some support. Troops, equipment, even advice. Instead the Councils had pointed him to the Headmasters. It seemed their armed forces were all but forbidden from fighting Bandits. A task they insisted was best left to Huntsmen.

'Yes and more Grimm will lead to more fear and chaos. So you have all said. But we can't just trust the safety of our people to m- Strangers.' Emmerich said. Stopping himself from saying "Mercenary". Apparently they took poorly to being called that.
'You can trust all our licensed Huntsmen. Some might take the odd questionable job. But you can rest assured of their skill. They can deliver the results you need.' Professor Theodore said with a nod.
'The results I need is this threat removed, swiftly. If more raids come people will get scared of raiders carrying off their loved ones. Then we will have more Grimm anyway,' Emmerich said exasperated.
'You should be able to start posting offers to the mission boards. There are teams that specialize in fighting Bandits,' Ironwood said.
'Yes quite,' Professor Lionheart said. Despite the man's namesake he seemed rather withdrawn.
'Thank you all for your time. I will take your recommendations under advisement,' Emmerich said. Hoping they got the meaning of his words. Then he exited the call.

He sighed and leaned back. This was a problem. They kept chasing the Bandits off but each battle the two were adapting to each other. Not only that each Bandit they caught was another mouth to feed and house.

Currently they were all being held at an impromptu prison made out of an old town. The place had been walled in and DeeBee guards posted. Each prisoner had a cell and access to basic facilities. A few escape attempts had been put down already.

Emmerich opened his eyes looking over at Myers. He'd watched the call and seemed irritated at the situation more than Emmerich.
'You're sure we can't do more for now?' Emmerich asked.
'I'm afraid so, sir. The regular troops lack the training and we can't spare any for offensive duty. We're already thin in some areas with the reaction force active.' Myers said.
'And the more time we spend replacing our losses the less time we spend on securing our position.'
'If we had some more Onyx I could slip a few away. But even then most of the new blood lack the extra training for this kind of work.'
'We're strong on defence but that's about it then.' Emmerich said with a sigh.
'It looks that way, sir.'

Emmerich rubbed his temples. There was a way he could find a solution. He just needed to get Myers to leave for a bit. Then he could call up a medical DeeBee and try to look for a solution with his gift. The only other problem was how to explain whatever he came up with to Myers. Saying you had a flash of inspiration could only convince people so much. He could do some research and try to make out he found something in a record. But that was risky if his excuse was too flimsy.

He looked at Myers again. Emmerich hated lying like this. He'd used his new ability a few time and it had been of great benefit. But each time he used it he needed to excuse his decision. Myers had been loyal since their first meeting. He was Onyx for goodness sake. Loyalty was such a part of him that deceiving him made Emmerich feel dirty.

Myers was also his closest advisor. He was a wealth of knowledge and intellect that had helped Emmerich get this far. So why the lie? Was Emmerich just afraid of what the outcome might be? How would Myers respond if he told him?

Thinking it over, the idea seemed to make more and more sense. Right now Emmerich risked exposure whenever he looked into the future. Bleeding from the nose whilst entering a trance or coma was rather noticeable. Depending on DeeBees would work for a time. But he would have to recruit someone to help him sooner or later. Myers was already aware of most of the COG's secrets. What was one more on top of that?

'Myers.' Emmerich said. Leaning forward to rest his hands on the desk.
'Sir?' Myers responded.
'Can I trust you?'
'Completely.' Myers said. No hesitation, no pause, just that single word with so much weight.
'What If I told you we might have a way to find a solution?' Emmerich said his mouth suddenly dried.
'I'd be interested in what that would entail.'

Emmerich took a breath.
'You know how some of the locals have abilities?' Emmerich asked.
'Yes, sir. Some are rather impressive.' Myers admitted.
'And quite a few are down right impossible by most understanding, correct?'
'I'm not sure where you're going with this sir,' Myers said in a concerned tone.
'Would you call me crazy if I said I had an ability like that?'
'Sir?' Myers asked, looking confused.
'Would you believe me if I said I had an ability like the locals do?'
'That would depend on what your ability is, sir. And how you managed to get it. Since I'm not aware of anyone else from Sera being able to break the laws of physics on a whim.'

'I made a deal to get us here,' Emmerich said quickly.
'A deal? With the people who built the Bunker?' Myers asked with anger in his voice.
'What? No,' Emmerich said, shaking his head, 'That would have been sane to some level.'
'Then who did you make a deal with?'
'Not who. More like what,' Emmerich said, pausing for a moment.
'When we got transported here. Did you see anything? A split second you might have missed?'
'No. It was instant. One second we were on Sera the next we were here. Why?'
'I didn't get moved instantly. None of us did.' Emmerich said darkly.
'Sir?'

'After that wave of energy hit us. I was in some place. I can't describe it. It was dark but I could see. The whole place seemed to be empty and go on forever. Like a void. Just an endless void.'
'I'm sure I would remember something like that, sir.'
'If you saw the being I met there you would remember that too. At first it was like some monster of old. Some massive dragon all purple. The same purple as the wave that hit us. It offered to let us live if I completed a mission for it.'

Emmerich explained his bargain. In return for trying to uniting humanity and bringing the four relics together. They had been transported here along with the whole Camp. The language barrier had been resolved as part of the deal, but only for Tyran.

Myers stood still as Emmerich finished speaking before speaking slowly.
'You made a deal with a purple dragon you met in a void?'
'It sounds crazy I know.' Emmerich said, trying to sound calm.
Myers held up a hand politely asking for Emmerich to wait. Then he continued.

'Sir, I fought in the Pendulum wars, not for long but I saw combat. Watching people kill each other was one of the most insane things I thought I'd ever see.

I was wrong. I watch the Hammer rain down on Indies like the hand of some crazed god. Then I saw peace on Sera after eighty years of war. I thought I was dreaming but it was just a lull of calm and sanity.

The world was attacked by what can only be described as lizard men from underground. Recently I had to fight a new version of said lizard men in the Swarm. Thats two instances of monsters creeping out of the dark. Monsters smart enought to use weapons and tactics.

Then whilst in service with you I've been transported to another world. Which has its own human population totally independent of our own until now. It's also populated by a new race of people who have animal traits.

Both of these can use what I can only call magic to do things that vomit in the face of reason. There are monsters that turn into smoke when we kill them. And we are trying to fight air pirates with flying sailboats.

The idea of you making a deal with a purple dragon to get us here is well within my ability to believe. Sir.'

'So you believe me?' Emmerich asked, shocked.
'Sir. If you've not yet realized I'm not blindly trusting you. I've listened quite well to what you've said but also how you said it. You're not babbling like a mad man. You've been quite coherent in your description of events. And lacking any means of disproving what you've just said, it's got to be the truth.'

'Thank you Myers,' Emmerich said feeling relieved.
'So how does this trick of yours work?' Myers asked.
'I sort of black out. Wherever I go its like all the paths we can take are laid out.'
'The paths we can take? So you get to see the outcome before choosing?' Myers said. Astounded as his mind ran with the possibilities.
'There is a catch.'

'Of course there is,' Myers said with a sigh, 'What is it?'
'I think it's causing me to get injured when I use it.'
'Injured how?' Myers suddenly asked, 'Is there some way to negate the effect?'
Emmerich blinked as Myers responded then remembered Myers was responsible for his safety. And here he was risking brain damage for all he knew.

'I'm not sure. I've only done it a few times. I think the longer I do it or further ahead I look the more damage gets done. First time I just blacked out, I only looked about a minute ahead. Second time I bled from my nose, that was about half an hour ahead. Third time I had a trauma DeeBee and a Stim injector at the ready. I saw... I saw the end.' Emmerich said.
'The end?'
'Us and the world at war. Sometimes we win but I don't think we should. Something happens and we change. People were being marched into Settlements that were more like prisons. Sometimes the Kingdoms win. Then there were the others.'
'Others?'
'The Swarm is on Remeant. They might beat us all. Wipe us out or convert us. In the end they rule the world.'
'Shit. We've not found any sign of them yet.'
'Yet is the key word. I don't know how but they're here somewhere. Biding their time. Remember they and the Locust both keep coming back. Even when all reason says otherwise we can't let our guard down.'

'I agree sir. But you said "Others". Didn't you just cover everyone we know,' Myers said with a nod.
'I think I saw the Grimm's leader. Or their Queen. She seemed to be after the same things I am.' Emmerich said rubbing his nose.
'What happens when they come together?'
'The two beings come back. I guess they judge us or something. Only time I saw them turn up. They destroyed the planet.'
'Which one was that?'
'The Grimm won or their queen did. Not that it did her any good. They destroyed everything and just left her screaming for eternity.'
'With all due respect let's not do the treasure hunt from the magic dragons.'
'Agreed. We might want to find one just to stop anyone else from setting off that little event.'
'That sounds fair. So you want to use this ability again?'
'Yes.' Emmerich said.

He reached into his desk and pulled out the Stim injector then started to strap it on.
'Last time I was out for a little under thirty seconds. If I'm down any longer then get help.'
'I can't say I like this plan,' Myers said, walking around and standing ready to intervene.
'If you want to tell a doctor about what I just said feel free. A medical discharge is looking down right heavenly compared to this.'
'Set?'
'No. But here goes it anyway.' Emmerich said.

He leaned back and exhaled. Myers leaned over wondering what was happening. Emmerich's eyes snapped open, they were dark pits seemingly bottomless. Wisps of dark energy flowed outwards from his eyes. Emmerich's head was enveloped in shadow as the dark mist drank in the light.

Then as suddenly as it started it was over. The tendrils of darkness retreating into Emmerich's head. The room returned to normal. Emmerich sat forward groaning and rubbing his head.

'You've never done that with someone watching you right?' Myers asked. A hint of fear lingering in his voice.
'Not without a helmet, why?'
'Next time I'm recording that. You really need to see it to understand.'
'I'll take your word for it.' Emmerich said, sighing.
'So did you see a way out of this?'
'Yes. Yes I did. We're going to use the UIR.'
'The Union?'
'They have the training. And unless our history books are wrong. They were always cunning. Sounds like they have what we need.'
'But they won't help for free.'
'No but we have something they want. Something they can't get anywhere else.' Emmerich said.

He reached over and opened a call window on his terminal. After a few moments the call connected to a UIR staffer.
'Hello First Minister. How can I assist you?' The man asked.
'I need to meet with Governor Široký as soon as possible.' Emmerich said.
'I'm not sure he's available at the moment. Can I take a message?'
'Yes. Tell him I want to discuss the first question he never got to ask me.'