Less than ten minutes later Široký's assistant called back. As it turned out Governor Široký managed to find the time to meet with Emmerich immediately and was on his way. Emmerich was surprised at the speed but not with the outcome.
Within half an hour Široký and his own security detail arrived and were led up to Emmerich's office. Only Široký and Kapitan Doležal entered. The remainder stayed outside. Emmerich and Myers were waiting for them. As the doors closed Emmerich touched the control to lock down the office.
'Good Afternoon First Minister. My staff has told me you wish to discuss a matter of great importance.' Široký said. Playing the part of a polite guest with a smile and an offered hand.
Emmerich shook hands but kept his face blank as he spoke, 'Good Afternoon Governor. Yes I have a proposal for you. First my offer. One Constructor. If you want it can be the first off the line.'
Široký's eyes narrowed and Doležal tensed behind him.
'You are offering a Constructor? Even the first one?' Široký asked, looking into Emmerich's eyes for any hint of deception.
'Yes. One Constructor, at no cost to the UIR. If you want to transport it elsewhere we will help if we can. But only if you agree to my request,' Emmerich said offering a seat.
Široký sat down with Doležal taking up a position at his side. Emmerich and Myers did the same. The two sides were facing each other like some strange mirror. The two leaders waited for a moment trying to gauge the other. Their officers doing the same.
'So. What is your request? It must be quite usual for you to ask us for something,' Široký said, tilting his head with a hint of interest.
'You're aware of the raids hitting our resourcing operations and logistics?' Emmerich asked.
Široký nodded as he spoke, 'Yes and you have my sympathies for your casualties. I understand your people are trying to limit the damage. Are you asking us to send our forces to assist with repelling the attackers?'
'No. We both know your regular troops are limited,' Emmerich said shaking his head, 'We can use DeeBees for guard duties. But each attack is draining our resources more. We need your irregular forces to help stop the problem from reaching us.'
Široký looked surprised for a moment as he spoke, 'Irregular forces? I'm not sure what you mean First Minister.'
Emmerich waved his hand dismissively and said, 'I'm being direct enough so let's not dance around the issue. We know that not all of your troops are run of the mill. I don't know how many you have. But we need troops who have experience and training in counter insurgency.'
Široký's face returned to practiced calm.
'Are your much lauded Onyx not up to such a task?'
Emmerich refused to meet the barb.
'The Onyx Guard is not an option at this time. And there are other conditions I must impose on the request.'
'Such as?' Široký asked.
'You can't leave any trace your forces were involved. I don't care how you chose to do it. But make sure no-one can prove Serans were the ones that dealt with the Bandits.'
'If I may ask why such a request?'
'The Kingdoms have made it clear that they disapprove of any military forces being involved in offensive action. To their mind the armed forces are strictly for defense.'
'But this request would be more of a pro-active defense would it not?' Široký pointed out.
'I doubt they would see it that way. They seem to prefer to outsource large portions of their security to their Huntsmen. I do not. Not until we've vetted them at least. And that will take time we don't have right now.'
'A wise decision. I would say the same. I must say your offer is interesting,' Široký said rubbing his chin, 'But I would point out we would need some resources if we were to help.'
Emmerich nodded to Myers who produced a set of maps and list of equipment.
'We've captured a few Bandit airships. Several with minimal or no damage. We also have their weapons and ammunition.' Myers said. Passing the documents to Široký and Doležal.
'So a false flag operation. Pretend to be Bandits attacking Bandits,' Široký said reading the lists.
'Yes we also have a few sites that you can use as forward operating bases. These locations have landing pads, fuel tanks and buildings that can be converted for use. They were support outposts for the mining operations that were being run in the area.' Myers explained Pointing to the locations.
'That should be workable. We can return to resupply as needed. Any signs of damage can be explained as Bandits attacks,' Doležal said. Nodding to the images.
'There is one problem as I see it,' Široký said. Closing the file and fixing Emmerich with his gaze.
'That being?' Emmerich asked.
'If we follow your request. There will be no survivors nor prisoners. Any we attack will be killed to ensure the secret of our involvement is kept. Are you willing to approve of that?'
'I am,' Emmerich said. His eyes not wavering from Široký's.
After a moment Široký let out a dark chuckle.
'I must say it's quite the moment.'
'How so?' Emmerich asked.
'You are finally a leader. Before now you were trying to stay within the rules whilst protecting your people. But now you've agreed to kill people without trial. All for the best of reasons.'
'If you find the situation amusing I'm rather concerned,' Emmerich said. Anger slipped into his voice.
Široký held up a placating hand as he spoke, 'No. Not amused about you being forced to do this. But happy to see that you are able to do what needs to be done. Call me old fashioned but seeing that no-one can lead with a clear conscience is comforting.'
'So we have a deal?'
'Yes. Though I doubt you will put this in writing will you?'
'No. And if you try to discuss this in any public manner the deal is off. And I will deny all knowledge of it.'
Široký nodded slowly as he spoke, 'Fair enough. I will set things in motion. I trust you do not want any reports on our progress?'
Emmerich shook his head and said, 'No. If you have any further issues we can discuss it in private. But otherwise the COG's involvement ends here.'
'This is... acceptable,' Široký said, rising from his seat, 'For what it's worth. Of all the choices you could have made this seems the wisest in my option.'
Emmerich said nothing and simply lifted the lockdown.
Široký and Doležal left swiftly. Myers turned to Emmerich but before he could speak Emmerich held up a hand.
'I need a few minutes in private.' Emmerich said solemnly.
Myers nodded silently and stepped out. Emmerich reactivated the lockdown and sighed into his hands.
Now alone and protected from all known forms of monitoring he looked at the draw with the Journal inside. After a moment of thought he reached down and pulled out the container, setting it on the desk. He pressed his hand to the scanner and removed the Journal, turning to the first blank page.
He had put this off too long, perhaps hoping he would never need to use it. He picked up a pen and started to write. The first line was the hardest.
Before I was appointed Governor I killed two people to save hundreds in Settlement 2.
A few weeks later two Bandits were standing guard at the gate to their camp. To be more accurate they were slacking off.
'Why are we on guard duty? This is the ass end of the world no-one is going to find us.' Ebon asked, yawning.
'Because the boss is worried. You've heard the rumors.' Russ said, leaning against the palisade wall.
'Which ones? Every time we drop anchor someone picks up a new one and spins it new.' Ebon said, looking over at Russ.
'Word on the wind is something new is hunting us.' Russ said disinterested.
'Us?' Ebon scoffed.
'Bandits, Pirates, you know, free folk,' Russ said. Indicating the camp, 'According to some it might be some new type of Grimm.'
'How can a Grimm hunt us? They're beasts.' Ebon remarked, taking a swig from a bottle.
'Apparently these things can steal an airship.'
'What?!' Ebon cried, spitting out his drink, 'How can Grimm steal an airship?'
'You remember Elec from the Swift Blade?' Russ asked.
Ebon thought for a moment before recalling the name, 'Yeah I think we played cards once. Why?'
'He said their band's second ship, the Elegant Raider, got taken over by these things.'
'Taken over?'
Russ nodded before continuing, 'Yep. The Raider was heading further south to try and find a new route to ply. Apparently they were in constant contact for a few days then just went quiet. Blade's captain kept trying to raise them but got no response. Then one of their look outs spotted another Airship. It was the Raider but its crew had been replaced.'
'Replaced?' Ebon asked, lowering his bottle.
'Apparently they could see "Shadows" moving around on the deck. But none of them could make out any details. One of the crew, some lizard faunus said their eyes were glowing.'
'Glowing? Like a Grimm?'
'That's where it gets weirder. Their eyes were glowing but only the faunus could see it.'
'So What did they do?'
'They got the hell out of there as fast as they could. They stopped here two nights ago and headed north. Seems they don't plan on coming back.'
Ebon shook his head. 'Cowards. That sounds like some excuse for them to run. More likely they got caught and can't cut it out here.'
Russ shrugged as he spoke. 'I don't know. Elec seemed rattled. Ships and crews get caught all the time. But they don't just vanish.'
'And that's why we're out here? Rather than drinking our fill at the galley tent?' Ebon asked. Tipping the bottle back and finding it empty.
'Yep.' Russ said.
'Why? This island is totally barren. No way anyone or thing can just be searching for us. We've still got the lookouts on the coast. Nothing can creep up on us here.'
'Capitan's just being cautious. Even if that story is a load of piss ships have started to go missing.'
'Yeah right the Captain is being cautious. Back in his cabin whilst we stan-.' Ebon started stopping mid sentence.
'Did you hear that?' Ebon asked, looking around the tree line before them.
'Hear what? You're whining?' Russ asked.
'Shut up. I thought I heard something.' Ebon said drawing his sword.
'Probably just some ani-' Russ started to say.
There were two strange sounds, kind of a soft pap. It reminded Ebon of the nail guns used by some of their carpenters. He turned to ask Russ what he was about to say. Russ was lying on the ground still. Far too still to be anything but dead.
How? Ebon thought as he raised his aura and took a breath to shout the alarm. There were two more paps. He felt the first impact strike hit his aura and break it. The second struck him in the chest. The force knocked him over even as the round tore into him. He fell like a puppet with its strings cut.
Around 300 meters away. Lying still under a shrub Major Anna Čierna watched through her binoculars. Four of her men crept out and dragged the sentries' bodies out of sight. Once they had the remains under cover they would dig out the slugs and damage the wounds to hide the cause of death. Content they were still undetected, she surveyed the camp.
It was larger than the others they had hit so far. Nearly a dozen airships were landed inside with their crews milling around. Some were the same style of sailing ship as most of the craft they had encountered. But a few more were blocky shapes with wings on their engine pods for propulsion.
A target rich environment but her task was to stop the Bandits and knowing where to strike was key. She examined each ship looking for signs of its purpose. Most were raiding craft, lots of light guns and built for speed. But one was different. It was a larger one with a set of pipes connecting it to one of the smaller sail craft.
They had known that someone had to be supplying the Bandits. Whilst they could steal from the COG they shouldn't be able to use any fuel and none had been taken. That had meant they were buying it from someone. They had found one of the suppliers. This was going to hurt the Bandits baddy.
They could keep killing the Bandits but that would take too long. If she could find and kill their buyers and fences they would have to leave or run out of supplies. Not like the COG was shipping food around. As special as the locals were Čierna doubted they could live off dirt and grass.
She put down her binoculars and adjusted her hood to ensure her helmet was covered. Then she clicked on her HUD system. It switched to low light mode, the eternal lenses clicking to a green tint. She raised her hand and gave a simple signal as she crept towards the camp.
Around her the rest of the UIR Elite began to move as well. They were faint blurs in the shadows. Only the infrared illuminators of their helmets would be seen clearly. And even then only if someone could see into that spectrum. Most carried modified local weapons in place of their regular arms. They had taken them apart and put them back together. Most now had suppressors fitted or integrally mounted. The new subsonic ammo had shown its worth once more.
It would not be a fight. The lookouts had been silenced, the guards were dead and most of the Bandits were drunk. The first those inside the camp knew of the attack was when they were cut down. A dark wave of figures with metal skulls swept over the Bandits. Most died quickly, others were kept for questioning, they would die later.
Before the sun rose they were finishing up. Bodies were being disposed of, sized equipment tallied and intel sorted. They had suffered only four injuries, all of them lightly. For all the COG's vaunted osmium alloy the UIR composite armor was still just as sound.
Čierna strode up the ramp of their command craft. From the outside it was like any other of their sailing airships. Inside however it was packed with UIR communications equipment. Displays tracking the other units and their condition were on the walls. She walked up to the main table looking at the plots.
They had been quite successful. This was the fifth large camp they had hit. Each one reduced the amount of stolen goods that could be sold and supplies that could be bought. None of the others had been briefed about why they were doing this. They knew not to ask such things.
She allowed herself a slight smile. How would they react to the fact they were fighting the COG's battles for them. Anger, amusement, apathy? They were all veterans who had fought the fascist COG for years. They had bleed, lost comrades and then been cheated when the COG stole the Hammer from the UIR.
It was a point of argument that the COG had finally started to use its own special forces based on their own tactics. Espionage, sabotage and irregular warfare had been their craft. They had practiced it well against the COG. That the COG Commandos had been what altered the course of history was a point of pride and fury.
Their wars were fought in the shadows or the gray space between. Not directly attacking a foe by challenging them to open battle. But indirectly cutting and striking at their weakest points. They might be fighting the COG's battles but not without reason. Each stolen gram of material now delayed the UIR acquiring a Constructor.
Through one simple promise the First Minister had co-opted the UIR's best forces. It was an elegant and efficient solution. One that took a level of determination not often seen. To admit you are in need of assistance was one thing. To bring your old enemy to your side as an ally, even one of convenience, took guts.
She would need to ensure they kept a close eye on the First Minister. Once she had thought he was picked for his obedience. Now it looked more like his intelligence. That could be a problem but one for the future.
One of the displays was updated with a new location. This was thankless work. But at least it kept her busy.
Qrow was as happy as he had ever been. The COG had made the polite offer to pay for the advisor's trips home. A real subtle way of asking them to leave.
He was happy to be out of that place. Way too much like Atlas. All rules regs and a constant feeling of being watched. Plus they had electrocuted him not that they brought that part up.
Walking up the path to Taiyan's cabin he was much more relaxed. He opted to cut back a bit and not just to keep that last bit of Seran whisky going. The girls were both in and he wanted to stay the cool uncle, not the drunk one.
As he came into sight of the house he heard the sounds of metal being worked from behind the house. Walking around the main cabin he found Ruby's Workshop light was on. Calling it a workshop might have been generous.
It had been a tool shed at one point. But given that the people who owned it did little gardening it had gradually changed its role. He could still pick out the boards that Yang had blown off testing her gauntlets.
The dozen or more new patches showed where Ruby had been doing the same. If she hadn't had an aura and been tutored by Tai, Yang and Qrow they might have worried. As it was they had made sure the workshop was surrounded by dirt berms.
He walked up and knocked loudly.
'Hey Pipsqueak! What are you working on?' Qrow called.
There was the sound of tools dropping and footsteps running towards the door. It burst open in a flurry of red petrels that reformed into his niece. She wrapped her arms around his left arm with a squee.
'Uncle Qrow! You're back. Did you miss me?' She asked. Looking up at him with gun oil still on her cheek.
Qrow pretended to think for a moment.
'Naa.' He said ruffling her hair.
'So the great uncle returns.' A voice called out from the cabin.
Qrow turned to see Tai standing in the doorway.
'Hi Tai. I'm just stopping by on my way to Beacon.' Qrow said
'Did you get me what I asked for?' Ruby asked, still holding onto his arm.
'I'm sorry kiddo but like I said the COG wasn't selling their rifles,' Qrow explained.
'But but. I want to know how it works. Think about it!' Ruby declared drooping to the ground waving her arms,' They use magnets. How can they do that? I mean I know how magnets wo-'
Ruby was rambling... again. She always got worked up like this when some new weapon hit the market. Tai had said she had at least four subscriptions to various magazines on weapons. Design, construction, modification she wanted to know all about it.
'Well I couldn't get you the rifle buttttt.' Qrow said, pulling out a small package.
Ruby stopped rambling as she saw it, 'What did you get? What did you get?'
She darted forward and Qrow moved the package just out of her reach. For a few seconds he played keep away with her. It was hard given how fast she could move even without her semblance.
'Ruby what do you say?' Tai said from the door.
Ruby stopped chasing Qrow and stood ramrod straight before making an exaggerated cough.
'Please may I have my gift?' She said with all the tone of a high class lady.
Qrow grinned and tossed it to her. She leapt into the air, catching it and pulling the wrapping off.
Inside was a set of books and magazines. DBI security solutions, Coalition arsenal and anything else Qrow had managed to find. He was surprised the cabin still had windows when Ruby found the poster of the EMBAR that one had. The tone was high enough he wondered if his ears would burst.
'Thank you. Thank you. Thankyou.' She said quickly bouncing up and down.
'Ruby,' Tai said, getting her attention.
'Yes,' She said, hugging her new reading material close.
'Get cleaned up. Dinner is almost ready.'
'Okay dad.' She said darting away to store her bounty in her room.
Qrow watched her leave.
'She's growing up fast.' He noted.
'That she is. A few more months and she starts at Signal,' Tai said, leading Qrow into the kitchen.
'Oh don't remind me. I had enough trouble with Yang being my student,' Qrow said, pulling up a chair at the table.
'So what are these Serans like anyway? Most of the news makes them all sound crazy or genius.'
'I met a fair few. Some seem to just want a nice quiet life,' Qrow said thinking of the Outsiders.
'What about the others?' Tai asked, setting the table.
'Those are the ones we might need to worry about. I'm not sure that island will hold them for long. And whilst they might be polite they're up to something.'
'Something like?' Tai said, leaning against the kitchen counter.
Qrow took a swig from his flask then asked, 'You got your scroll?'
Tai pulled it from his pocket.
'Pull up the mission board from Mistral.'
Tai pulled up the missions.
'Okay what am I looking for?'
'Look at anything with Bandits, mainly Pirates along the coast with the Dragons tail.'
Tai entered the search terms.
'Not that much. I would have expected. Then again last time I looked we were out there as team STRQ.'
Qrow took another swig then said, 'Now look back a few months.'
Tai pulled up a chart plotting the number of bounty missions going back a couple of months. He blinked then re-entered the search terms.
'That doesn't make any sense.' Tai said, looking from the chart to Qrow and back.
'No it doesn't,' Qrow said having already seen the same pattern, 'First the amount goes up. Makes sense because the Bandits are heading that way to raid the COG. New place, fresh targets. Then about a week back missions start getting canceled. Not taken, not assigned or held. Canceled because no-one has seen or heard from the Bandits in question.'
'So what they might just be laying low.' Tai said with a shrug.
'In bands like those there will be one snitch,' Qrow said leaning back, 'Someone looking for some extra lien or leniency who will trade information on other groups. According to them, the targets of those missions are gone from the face of the world.'
'Could be Grimm. That many Bandits are sure to draw more.' Tai said uncomfortable.
'Could be. But since when did Grimm only attack Bandits? No reports of villages getting attacked or travelers going missing.'
'So what the COG drove them all off like that.' Tai said looking up at Qrow.
'I don't know. But given what I've heard about their history. I'm not sure that driving them off is the right word. You don't cause a dip in the Bandit population like that by driving them off.'
Both of the men despite their years of experience shuddered at the thought. There was no way anyone could order something like that on such a scale. Let alone have that order carried out… Right?