Watts looked at the grinning man on the feed. This was either his contact or he'd just watched a madman kill two people and treated it like a show. Regardless it was no time to lose his head.

He checked his coat for a moment, wiping off a bit of dust that must have landed on him. Then he walked out and down the stairs confidently. Picking his way across the warehouse was easy as he re-traced his path back to the doors.

Reaching the man he saw he was grinning wider than ever.
'You're who I'm here to meet?' Watts asked, ignoring the bodies.
'For now, yes. As I understand it you've been looking for a way to. How do I put this…' The man spun his hand in the air before starting to giggle, 'Show your displeasure to councilman Dew.'
'Him and a few others. I need to put a stop to his interference first though. Can you do that?'
'Well I could put a stop to his meddling. But I would need your help. After all he's up in Atlas and it's not easy for just anyone to waltz into that ivory tower.'

Watts snorted, 'I can get you into the city. If you need, I can get you to his house. But you need to swear to me that if they capture you my involvement will remain a secret.'
The man laughed and held out one hand with his pinky finger extended. The other he held behind his back.
'We could make a pinkie promise. I won't tell anyone you helped me.'
'Please try to be serious. This isn't a joke. Who are you anyway?'
'Oh I'm sorry. I forgot to introduce myself,' The man said.

The hood of his coat flicked down, but his hands hadn't moved. A barbed scorpion tail wiggled from behind his head.
Watts gasped in shock as he matched the face, 'Tyrian Callows?'
'I see my reputation precedes me,' Tyrian said bowing slightly.
'You... You're supposed to be dead. A swarm of Grimm attacked your transport. There were no survivors,' Watts said, almost taking a step back.
'Reports of my death were in error. But don't worry. I'm the only exception to that little event. My Goddess saw fit to save me. And now she has taken an interest in you,' Tyrian said looking back up with a manic smile.
'Who is this "Goddess" you keep going on about?'
'Oh you'll find out soon enough. But first things first,' Tyrian said, wiggling his outstretched pinkie, 'Do we have a deal, my good doctor?'

Watts looked at the killer before him. He had no doubt this man could kill him if they fought. There was enough blood on this maniac's hands they were still sorting out his kills from Grimm attacks. Slowly he extended his hand pinkie out, what did he have left to lose.

They shook on the bargain. It was less dramatic then Watts had expected. But some small part of him felt he had crossed a line. He'd made his choice; it was time to live with it.

'I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship,' Tyrian said as their hands parted.
'Let's start things off as acquaintances for now. I'm not the friendly type,' Watts replied.
'Not to worry. I'm great once you get to know me,' Tyrian announced as he burst into a new round of laughter.

Watts simply cocked an eyebrow. Perhaps most assassins became this unhinged. He hadn't met one before after all.

'Move it like you mean it! You think you can be Onyx with this performance?!' Durham shouted down to the training area.
The next cadet squad shouted back, 'No, Ma'am!' as they formed up outside the training area.
'Damned right you can't. Now let's see if you can pull off this little excursion. You're on VIP extraction. Your objective is to locate and rescue the VIP. Hostile forces will attempt to kill or capture the VIP. You get them out, you win, they get taken or killed, you fail. Are those clear cadets?!'
'Yes, Ma'am!' The squad called back.
'Then board your transport and execute when ready. I'll be watching so don't screw up,' Durham said before turning and walking back into the observation room. She could have done the orders over the PA or their radios but it was important to set the tone right.

She settled into a chair that was far too comfortable for her liking and checked the monitors. Each one was set to track one cadet in the squad. Vitals scrolled up the side letting her see the raw data of their performance.

Two of this lot were from Remnant meaning they also had an aura bar, it was grayed out for now. Using aura might give them an edge but that was a risk in combat. You could take a hit sure but once that extra layer went you were likely to drop from exhaustion.

As such those two were wearing inhibitors that interfered with their aura. It was a complex way of saying it zapped them with a little shock until they were drained. Then kept it below an active threshold. She had to admit it was a sorry sight when you saw folks with their aura low that had never been like that. Suddenly they were more fragile than they'd ever been before.

Those that pushed through it though got stronger for it. A few weeks of good food and coordinated exercises were already showing results. If they kept this up and made it to their gene treatments they'd be good Gears. But she wasn't after Gears. She was forging Onyx.

The cadets boarded their "Raven". It was just a mock up with a connector on the top for the cranes. Once they were aboard it was hoisted into the air. And moved around the area simulating a pilot looking for a landing zone.

Below was the simulation area, an old quarry turned into a training area, though that was a bit off. Rather than a static location it was more a self-contained war zone. The whole place was modular and could be altered as needed by the cranes that ran above the pit. One session could be an attack against a fortified structure, the next was defense against a subterranean assault.

This time it was a COG designed city with the usual junk strewn about. Abandoned stalls, the occasional broken down carts and other set dressing. It helped them set the scene but the AR software running in the cadets helmets would make it seem real.

But what was training without an opponent? Durham watched as rounds began to strike the side of the simulated Raven. To the cadets they were taking small arms fire from clusters of Swarm Drones. In reality it was a few squads of DeeBees with training rounds and the overlay.

The opposing force could be set as anything on record. Swarm, Locust, Human and now Grimm. At the flick of a finger Durham could order another pack of monsters to appear on the AR layer. But for the most part she left that to the automated systems. They had been trained on enemy tactics and would react and adjust their tactics to the squad.

She watched the squad react. Calling out targets and addressing the threats as they appeared below. They were good, but were they Onyx good? Myers had made it clear he wanted to skim the best from the candidates from the recruitment pool. As the only sergeant in the Onyx Guard, with prior experience, that was Durham's duty.

To join the Guard was to join a group that traced its history back to the COG's founding. Each nation had committed its elite to the Onyx. They drew on people of all nations looking for the best there was. The Commandos might be able to claim the edge in being cunning underhanded in that jade green. But the best and most loyal had to be in onyx black.

Joining was not a process set in stone. Anyone could be made Onyx as needed. One morning a supply officer the next you're taking the oath. But such events were restricted to dire situations and they were not in that much trouble, yet.

So it was back to recruitment and training. Candidates had to be the top percentile across the board. Not just physical and mental, but loyal to the end. She knew there were those that suggest they lower the requirements. They were few now, not even a full platoon, so numbers were what was needed right? Wrong.

They needed a hardened core, a foundation that would be at the heart of the guard for years to come. Being lax now might get them numbers but they needed, but those people would also be the future of the guard. They would become its officers, its leaders.

So the course would filter them, cut the best from the rest. This particular one was always a slog. The enemy "commander", if you wanted to call it that, had all the advantages. It would always outnumber and outgun the cadets. The enemy force would react quickly to neatly any strategy they might employ.

The cadets had cleared a landing area. Disembarking before coming under fire from a new group of attackers. This time a set of Deadeyes armed with Torque Bows playing the role of Hunters. The rounds were still simulated but the bolts hurt like being hit by a truck. They broke into pairs and moved by fire. One team suppressing the other advancing before switching out.

It was a good tried and tested tactic, and one the "Hunters" were ready for. As the cadets pushed them back up a set of stairs they set smoke grenades in limpet mode. The cadets didn't see them in time and moved up triggering the proximity fuses.

Now trapped in a sudden cloud of smoke the cadets stumbled for a heartbeat. Their enemies however were ready and waiting. The Deadeyes dropped down behind them and tried to move in close for the kill. To the cadets they were hidden, some Hunters had shown the ability to use a natural cloak of sorts.

At the last second one of them spotted movement in the smoke. That was good, a cloaked target was invisible, not intangible. The cadet shouted a warning and fired at the threat. The others quickly joined in closing the distance. They had Gnashers and the shorter range was to their advantage.

The next few areas were a mix of close in and mid ranged fighting. Scions were DR-1s with the respective weapon. They didn't have anything physical for Grimm, Juvies or most of the less humanoid Swarm. Those just AR ghosts that would set off the cadets training armor.

After a few minutes they had fought their way into the target building. Inside was their objective. A DeeBee shepherd with a high visibility vest and its danger avoidance set to negative randomly. It wasn't a fair match for the First Minster. He'd been… better than expected under fire. But they could be sent in after anyone so it was important to get them used to less than ideal targets.

Half the job was corralling the DeeBee. It would bolt if it got the chance, running off and hiding in a corner. The squad half dragged half carried the bot out to the extraction point fighting off three more sets of enemies.

At the extraction point they signaled the "Raven" to return and pick them up. It lifted off once more and made its approach then dropped as the clamps let it go. In the AR world a fury of rockets had stuck it and sent their exit plan down in flames.

The ground shook as the surprise of the day made its entrance. A Swarmak with a small horde in support. Of course it was still just smoke and mirrors, some very expensive smoke and mirrors.

It was a mech adjusted to be hunched over. A pair of twin linked Stomper GMGs were mounted to each wrist. The shoulder launchers had been merged and set centrally on its back. Mechmak was the pride and joy of the technical team. And the bane of any squad that faced it.

It was big, mean and liberal with its ammo usage. A chunk of Durham's training budget went to keeping those guns fed. But there was no equal to humble a squad who had bested the training so far.

Mechmak strode into the middle of the area with its entourage of smaller Swarm. The cadets responded quickly, falling back down a smaller side street. It cut off the larger threat but the smaller Swarm were now chasing them down a narrow area with little cover.

They made a fight of it still. Tipping over random bits of the scenery for cover and leaving a few grenade traps of their own. They were heading for a new LZ, their simulated Control officer vectoring a new Raven to extract them.

As was the unspoken standard the new LZ was on the opposite side of the mission area. They had several close run-ins with Mechamak. But managed to escape with their package each time. It was coming down to the wire as the Onyx ran out of ammo and started scavenging munitions from the ground.

In the Locust war COG command had ordered that enemy weapons not be used. But any Gear who lasted more than a week learned how to use a Hammerburst. Adapting to the situation was key and they were managing to stay on top of a still deteriorating mission.

Finally they were almost at the second LZ. But if Mechmak downed the second Raven they wouldn't last long enough for a third try. The moment arrived when they would need to decide if they would win or fail. What would they do?

The cadets spoke for a moment then one grabbed the DeeBee and led it to the LZ the rest stayed behind. Two hid in nearby alleyways and primed grenades. The final stay behind took up a position in a shop window firing down the street at the escorts.

It was a smart play. Mechmak closed firing into the shop at the visible threat. The moment it passed the alleyways the two cadets darted out and tagged its legs. They managed to avoid the blasts but were struck by a dozen rounds each.

On the monitors their status changed to: DBNO. Both cadets dropped and twitched as their armor paralyzed them to simulate injury. The "Swarm" troops moved to finish them off with executions. Now their status was: DEAD.

That left two cadets to finish the mission. The one in the shop kept firing until they reached the windows and triggered the grenades set there. Whilst that took out the first wave it meant the second opted to clear the building with their own grenades.

The final cadet had the "Raven'' in sight as it landed in a courtyard. But rather than run for it they pushed the DeeBee forward shouting for it to run. The machine in its fluorescent vest obeyed sprinting to the opening door of the mock up aircraft.

Behind it the last cadet was holding the entryway against their attackers. The "Raven'' began to lift without them as they shouted for it to leave. The craft rose and moved off sporadic fire catching its belly. But Mechmak was still two streets over with its legs "injured" from the grenade blasts.

The battle lasted a minute and twenty three seconds more. At that point a Longshot round knocked the final cadet down. With no other teammates active the system ended the simulation. It was strange watching a battle end at the flick of a switch.

All across the area DeeBees lowered and stowed their weapons. Then set about cleaning the place. Mechmak stopped for a moment before beginning to walk back to its maintenance bay to be washed off. The broken down carts started moving, some to clear the tracks others to pick up the cadets.

They all fought to stand even though their muscles must have been screaming in protest. The DeeBees offered to help but all insisted they would stand on their own power. They each dragged themselves to the marker on their HUDs and waited to board a cart.

Durham walked down to meet them at the exit. They looked battered and were plastered with paint to the point they seemed like an art piece. They came to attention as she approached. None were slouching but they wouldn't pass muster for a parade.

'You are all dead. Each one of you. Not one of you made it to the Raven,' Durham said as she came to a stop before them.

The cadets remained silent. As mean as she liked to pretend to be, she wasn't a sadist. Time to break the news.

'Whilst you suffered a total loss of your squad this is not the end of your training. You have passed this test. As was said at the beginning this mission was extraction of the VIP. You were never expected to make it out,' Durham said looking at each one in turn.

They stood a little taller now. More sure of themselves which was good.

'This exam is one of our most challenging. You have met that challenge and overcome it. You all recognized that you needed to be willing to sacrifice to complete your mission. You also managed to get the VIP out so bonus points for you. Now before you start celebrating I suggest you hit the showers and get that paint off. The techs say it won't stain but I for one don't imagine you will enjoy scrubbing those plates till they're clean. Squad, dismissed,' Durham said before turning to leave.

The cadets turned and filed out quickly. Already slapping shoulders and pumping their fists. Rookies never changed, it seemed no matter the world. Durham hoped they would hold onto some of that positivity.

Myers hadn't told her why she needed to run training against the Swarm rather than just Grimm. Part of her hoped it was just a bit of pessimism. But she'd been in the military long enough that set off her bullshit allergy.

She sighed and pulled out her PDA randomizing the area for the next team. That stuff was above her pay grade and she'd managed to avoid a commission this long. Her job was getting them ready and she'd make damned sure they were as ready as she could make them. Hopefully she could get started on hammering out a few other sergeants to do this for the next lot.

Lie Ren felt crowded. That was to be expected given they were in a city. But this place was less than a year old. He'd been in villages in their third decade that still only had a dozen families.

Nora was not making things any easier. One moment she was dragging him excitedly to a stall to look at what was on offer. The next he was dragging her away. Before she started fighting whichever girl showed the slightest interest in him.

They had just left a cafe where a waitress had suggested that he might like to get a membership card with benefits. The offer would have been innocent. If the waitress making it hadn't asked him to write his contact number on a napkin.

'Can you believe she tried that?' Nora snorted.
'She was rather forward,' Ren admitted.
'Oh come on. She totally ruined our meal.'
'We were leaving shortly anyway. No point focusing on it.'
'Fair enough. So where next?' Nora said, putting her hands on her hips.
'We still need to get some stuff for the week. The fridge won't restock itself.' He said with a shrug.
'Agreed. To the 26 hour store,' Nora shouted, turning and marching away.

They reached the shop and pulled a troll from the stand and started walking around. Most of the stuff was basic but affordable. Not cheap or low quality, just simple. Ren knew they were both still getting used to the idea of just walking out and buying food to cook. He was learning more recipes then just how to prepare what they could forage or barter for. Nora being banned from the kitchen with good reason left him as the cook. Still the ingredients here were good value for money.

That was something else to get used to. Having money. The COG wasn't going to make them give up work anytime soon. But their pay was good and regular. Rather than constant short contacts mostly with payment at the end they were on a salary.

He'd managed their lien before. But he had to open a proper bank account for them both now. Nora had suggested a joint account but he wanted them to have their own money. She had grumbled but admitted defeat in the end.

Still the change was welcome. Gone were their days of patched and worn clothes. Now he was in a neat green tunic that was in the COG style. Nora had bought a dress from one of the Outsider traders that visited the city from time to time. It was as pink as she liked them. But still practical with pockets and strangely enough designed for armor to be worn over it. Seran fashion was strange like that.

They filled up with what they found they liked, plus a few new things to try out and went through the till. The cashier was polite and talkative. Though he kept trying to talk with Nora, she didn't seem to notice when she was the one getting attention. Perhaps she thought he would get jealous?

Things still felt a little odd though, Ren thought to himself. As they took their bags and returned the trolley. The cashier and other servers were doing rather basic jobs. The COG had shown they would put androids to work nearly everywhere. But not in roles that involved people interacting.

There was also another thing that had seemed strange. No matter where they went in the city. They never seemed to be in any kind of higher or lower class area. Sure there were a few places with larger apartments or shops with higher prices.

But there was never a moment he could point to and say that was where the less well off were. Normally they had been relegated to the edges of villages or in the case of Mistral proper the lower levels.

Such places were where the less desirable parts of the population had been pushed to by the costs of living. They were also the places most likely to fall to Grimm attack and least cared for by the authorities. But not Phoenix Bay it seemed.

Here no matter where they went there was always a mix of people. Humans, Faunus and Serans went about their days. They rode the same trams and carts. Shopped in the same stores and dined in the same restaurants. It truly was like stepping into another world.

The sudden movement of orange hair broke his line of thought.
'You're brooding again,' Nora said, leaning around to enter his eye line.
'No I'm not,' Ren said bluntly.
'Oh yes you are, mister. You're still trying to overthink this all aren't you?'
'I'm just trying to remain abreast of our surroundings. We're still fairly new to this place. There might be some cultural nuances we're not noticing.'
'Pfff. Cultural nuances. Looking around this place is like a paradise compared to where we've been before.'
'Perhaps but still that's no reason not to take an interest in our home however long we're here.'
'Fair enough. We could look into getting a place by the cost. Those walls are getting close rather fast,' Nora said, turning to look out the window.

They were taking the train back to the "Old district". Most of the military personnel were still living in the Camp they had brought from Sera. Ren and Nora had been allocated a housing unit there. It was small but not crushingly so.

Outside the valley was steadily being swallowed by a wave of construction. New sections of the city were being built constantly. Just as Nora had said the latest outer wall was closer than the original.

He wondered if the COG would tear down the old Camp when they reached it. They had kept old villages out in the wilds intact and seemed to like reusing as much as they could. Perhaps they would just build around the Camp to some degree and keep it as it was. Then again that would break their neat pattern of streets and buildings.

He'd looked at some of the records from an online library. The Serans were used to building outwards. Unlike the people of Remnant who had to use what land they could defend. But so far the COG was holding its borders well.

Bandit attacks were so rare they were in the news. Grimm were tracked and destroyed before even approaching. Both of them had been on missions scouring the valleys and caves of any Grimm they found.

For the first time in years Ren felt he could relax… just a bit.