O'Connor adjusted his collar for the umpteenth time in the last hour. He'd not worn his full dress uniform in… well… over a year. It was as clean and well pressed as ever, not a crease or imperfection to be found. But it still felt wrong. What he wouldn't give to have his full plates right now.
'Are you finished?' Ramos asked from his side.
'I'm fine. I'm fine,' O'Connor said, quickly straightening up.
Ramos rolled her eyes as she said, 'You're fine? You haven't stopped fidgeting since we got here. Keep this up and I'll wonder what you have planned.'
O'Connor sighed, 'I'm not good with all of this.'
'This?' Ramos asked, cocking her head.
O'Connor gestured to the staff hurrying around them near the stage curtain.
'I can stand some level of organized chaos. Provided I'm involved so I know what's going on. Right now I have to… well…' He said clenching his fist.
'Having to trust someone else is doing their job right?' Ramos offered. Folding her arms.
'Yeah. That,' O'Connor said, rubbing his head. He stopped and tried to check if he'd messed up his hair.
Ramos snorted, 'Come here. You don't have a mirror and I need something to do as well.'
O'Connor lowered his hand somewhat reluctantly and leaned over. Ramos quickly made a few adjustments to his hair before stepping back.
'There now you look good enough to go on one of those posters,' She proclaimed.
O'Connor focused on his breathing and heart rate for a moment. It was just the pre-combat jitters, wasn't it? Damn it he' wasn't a Private he was a Brigadier General for Allfathers sake. Why was he getting uneasy?
He glanced over at Ramos as she gave him a quizzical look. She wasn't wearing anything special. Just a COG suit in the DBI colors that fit her… quite well. Not that she dressed badly before. But this was the first time they'd been stuck together in person since their first meeting.
'You alright there General O'Connor?' Ramos asked, stressing his new title.
'I'm fine Miss Ramos,' O'Connor replied, 'Do we know how much longer this is going to take?'
'They're just re-running the checks before the First Minister arrives.'
'And if something is wrong?' O'Connor asked deadpan.
'Then it gets fixed. Way too much press out there for a screw up,' Ramos said, stepping aside to let a staffer run past.
'Ain't that the truth,' O'Connor mumbled under his breath.
Ramos looked back to him with a hint of worry, 'Are you okay? You seem on edge.'
'Like I said I don't like being sat around doing nothing,' O'Connor said with a huff.
A sly smile formed on Ramos' lips, 'If it helps I can have someone shoot at you. Would that make you more comfortable?'
O'Connor sighed and tried to hold his face blankly. He did not succeed.
'Ha. I saw a smile,' Ramos said triumphantly.
'Yes you did,' O'Connor admitted finally.
'Good to see everyone in high spirits,' A new voice called to them.
Turning they saw First Minister Emmerich entering with a squad of Onyx fanning out across the room. O'Connor glanced over them, were these the old guard from Sera or their new blood? They seemed well drilled and disciplined.
'Well it is a good day, First Minister,' Ramos said with a bright smile.
'That it is. I'm guessing we're all ready?' Emmerich asked, glancing between them both.
'As we'll ever be,' O'Connor said, adopting a parade ready posture.
'Then let's go. No point keeping them waiting.'
They strode up the steps and around the curtain to the stage. A shadow looming over it. The center of attention. It was both the first airship built by the COG and the first vessel of its class.
Outwardly the upper portion might have looked like any other COG ship. A forward deck gave way to a central superstructure. The bridge sat at top with windows around it, he could see a few of the crew moving around inside. Further back was the rear deck where a landing pad awaited its assigned craft. The whole upper portion was painted a blueish gray.
The underside however showed its unfamiliar features. A number of large curricular sections were missing from its light gray hull. Inside each was a large circular exhaust nozzle, as he looked over the craft he saw the flickering light starting within them.
The weapons were neatly hidden from view giving the vessel a rather smooth look. It wasn't going to win any contests in looks but it had a sleekness that surpassed any of the old ships O'Connor knew of.
As he turned back from looking up at the ship he became aware of the sound building around them. People talking, thousands of people, all crammed in stands to watch the show. O'Connor walked to the side taking up his position. Ramos lined up next to him didn't seem too affected by the sound of the crowd.
Emmerich took the stand at the front giving a polite wave to the crowd who cheered in response. How his knees were not bucking from that roar O'Connor didn't know. This was like standing in front of a bayonet charge frozen in time.
'Greetings to everyone. Both here and watching us,' Emmerich announced clearly, 'We're here for a historic day. Today we commission the first ship of the Coalition Air Fleet.'
Another deafening cheer came in reply. Emmerich continued his speech pausing to let the crowd show their enthusiastic approval. O'Connor tuned most of it out. All he needed to do was wait for his signal to walk over and do his bit before returning to his spot. After a few minutes of Emmerich speaking he turned to Ramos as he introduced her.
'It is my honor to introduce Gracie Ramos. Who's tireless work under the most harsh of situations has already borne fruit,' Emmerich said stepping aside.
Ramos walked up and took the podium. The DBI personnel seemed to be the ones making the most noise now.
'Thank you all,' She said with a bow of her head, 'I did not do this alone however. The commitment of my staff to going above and beyond is what has brought us here today. I'd like to thank each and everyone of them. From those who've drawn the raw material for our work. To those who've fashioned it from an idea into reality.'
An aide strode up alongside her passing over a bottle. It was tied to a long cord that rose over the stage.
'I'm honored to present the CAF Emissary. First of many to come,' Ramos announced, swinging the bottle away.
It swung away from the stage and towards the ship sitting in the dock. It struck the side of the ship just below where its name was painted onto its hull. A heartbeat later there was a building throbbing like a Raven hovering overhead. The sound built till it was just about becoming uncomfortable at which point Emissary began to rise.
O'Connor had done inspections on the ship. He'd seen the plans, simulations and a few scale models. But seeing that ship rise from its dock was like seeing one of those old stories he'd read decades ago come to life. The craft rose slowly and smoothly, small bursts from smaller side mounted engines turning it about.
It gave them a lap of the Harbor showing itself off for the world to see. Some pessimistic part of O'Connor's mind said that was the perfect time for it to break down and crash. Fortunately for them all the short trip went well.
Emissary turned and headed out over the water. Giving them all a good view of the larger engines at its rear. The ship throttled up clearing the sea wall in a few moments and sped off over the sea.
Off in the distance a few specs of light flicked on the horizon closing fast. A few people noticed them and started to cup their hands to their eyes or hold up binoculars to make them out.
'And now to introduce our newest squadron of the COG armed forces. Brigadier General O'Connor.'
Taking his cue O'Connor rose to his feet and walked over to the podium. Ramos gave him a supportive nod as they passed.
'Thank you. As many of you know this new world has given us new challenges. But also new opportunities. We've worked to apply our latest knowledge with that of our new neighbors. I'm proud to introduce the 1st Nymph Squadron.' He declared.
If it was good timing on his or the squadron's part he had no idea. But they tore over head right as he finished.
The craft now bore their new blue tops and gray undersides. In place of their original engines were a set of COG designed and built ones. Their weapons mounts were empty and the guns covered with plugs to avoid any issues with their appearance.
With their first fly over done they turned about and formed a soaring phoenix with a cog wheel around it. Well as close as they could manage to. It looked vaguely like a bird of prey with eight craft forming a rough ring around it.
The crowds didn't seem to care one bit. People cheered and children were hosted onto shoulders to wave as the formation passed back over them. Across the water they let out a burst of smoke forming a copy out of display smoke.
With the display portion done the airships formed around Emissary and flew off and away. They would have a few minutes to land, refuel and change crews before doing another fly by. What training they had been able to cram had done well so far but O'Connor wanted the pilots fresh. It also gave them all more time in the air. They needed all the experience they could get.
Inside Beacon tower Ozpin was sipping his morning hot cocoa and watching the broadcast from the Vale News Network. The camera operator kept trying to track the ships dancing overhead before switching back to the reporter. It was quite annoying, but this was rather showy all things considered.
The speeches, the pageantry and the veiled display was not something often seen. Atlas was the kind of place that did that kind of thing. They mostly kept it for their latest class of airships but only in the city proper.
Oddly enough flaunting a new shiny ship in front of people who might struggle payday to payday was not wise. The other option being inventing a coating for the ships that resisted rotten fruit and other... less desirable substances being thrown at them.
These new ships seemed basic. Their lift engines were clearly visible so they lacked the ability to negate mass. Yet he'd not see this kind of engine before. Were they stronger? Faster? How would this affect the balance?
He sighed softly, he was getting agitated again. His plans were decades if not years in the making. Yes the COG threw a new set of variables into the equation. But given time and effort he was sure he could find some way to reign them in.
The main issue was where they got those airships. The Nymphs were too risky of a craft to allow any kingdom to possess. He'd burned more than a few favors making sure they were marked down even by Atlas.
Rapid craft with minimal carrying ability risked being developed until their sole function was combat. With such tools someone would start to think about what else they could be used for. Some battles against the Grimm might have been won had the Kingdoms had the such craft. But wars had often been started when one side believed it held an advantage over the others.
Somehow the COG had found out about them and got them flying in a few months. Even now he could imagine James was ordering a new project into existence to counter the COG's new advantage.
He'd need to nip that in the bud. Atlas held an advantage in raw military power, yes. But they could not fight all of Remnant at once. But with a fleet of craft like the ones he was watching perform a display the risk of a tension building would grow.
Atlas had its pride as the protector of the world. But pride also made them vain. Even now he read about Atlas citizens asking why they had to send their fleet out to patrol the other Kingdoms. They saw it as a waste. Why should their lien go towards protecting someone on the other side of the world?
He turned and looked at the copy of the Vytal Treaty on his wall. Had he been too sure of himself? Eight decades, give or take a few whilst he was without a body, and still the world was divided. He had read the COG's response to their offer of joining the treaty.
It had been polite but they had still declined to sign on. Technically they were under no condition to do so. The penalties in the treaty were only for the four Kingdoms that had signed it. How had he thought that he'd have fixed the world before a new one arose?
Was that a streak of youthful enthusiasm bleeding into his thoughts? Or had he allowed an older less agile mindset take hold? Convinced himself that nothing would change unless he allowed it to.
He stood and walked to the window looking out over Beacon and the city of Vale itself. This entire academy, city and kingdom as a whole were of his design. He had not drawn the plans himself of course. But he had sown the seeds and guided events.
Closing his eyes for a moment he reached into his mind seeking the memories of when he'd opened a new pair of eyes and looked down from this peak. That time his body had been rather well built already. A life as a simple woodsman who traveled down to sell his goods had given him one of his most physically powerful forms.
He'd bided his time. Gradually bonding with his new form. When the opportunity had presented itself he'd acted to save a small village that sat out on the plains. The place had held the simple name of Vale. It was small. A few families that farmed the fertile lands. Not much of a beginning to most. But he saw things on a far longer scale.
Saving the town from an attack they had welcomed him as one of their own. Over the years that followed he'd steered them towards first allying with the other villages around them. Then pushing them to unify under a single banner.
Using his knowledge gained through years beyond memory he'd forged that small confederation into a kingdom. He'd led them to build the bulwark that protected them from the Grimm and bandits beyond the mountains. Even to this day it stood, changed with time but still following the lines drawn over a century ago.
With the people safe he'd gradually introduced lost knowledge to help the kingdom build its strength. Whilst he could guide Vale a rapid rise risked friction with Mistral.
Mistral was always harder to control. His lack of involvement meant he lacked his usual means of directing the flow of events. It didn't help that the royal court was a hard place to enter as a newcomer. Upon returning to the world he often found many of his agents had fallen out of favor and been banished. If that was Salem's doing or due to his lack of guidance he was never confident enough to say in many cases.
But he'd fumbled and lost the delicate balance. A small group of driven individuals had noticed him interfering with their work. Seeing his caution for a desire for control they had raided his archives. Finding the records he'd made in case he passed before he could teach the knowledge within.
Discovering he'd been withholding wisdom he had forbidden they had become enraged. They splintered off traveling northwards to the ice wastes of Solitas. There they used what knowledge they had stolen to carve out their own kingdom. One of blistering progress at all costs.
Perhaps he should have acted sooner. If he had sent his ships and troops after them and brought them to heel would he have avoided the last Great War? How many lives would have been lost and how many saved?
Ozpin sighed and noticed his mug was empty. He walked over to a side table and started making up a fresh cup.
How to deal with the COG? And not just them the UIR and the Outsiders were all quite heavily armed. Any of them could become expansionist. And that would lead them to the brink of war.
For now they were playing the part of the younger party learning to wield the power of dust. But he had noticed the subtle signs. They claimed to have built that ship in a few months.
Quite the accomplishment. But also a sign of the speed they planned to work at. And he was sure they would only get faster from there. More ships, more troops and more borders for friction to appear on.
He sighed and returned to his desk before dialing Leo. A few moments later the image of Haven Academy's Headmaster appeared on his screen.
'Hello Leo. I hope it's not too early to chat,' Ozpin said relaxing in his seat.
'No, no. It's fine Oz. The Council have been up all morning chattering about the COG's visit,' Leonardo replied.
'Really? I was just calling you about that as well.'
'Yes. They're nearly falling over themselves to get things ready for the First Minister's arrival.'
'And why would that be, I wonder?'
Leonardo spread his hands as he spoke, 'They see opportunity. The lands near to the Dragon's Tail have had many setbacks over the years. Now the COG has made suggestions they want to help the villages in the area.'
'Help them?' Ozpin asked, cocking an eyebrow.
'They're offering support. Lien, resources, equipment and more.'
'What does the COG want in return?' Ozpin asked, putting his mug down on the desk.
'People and access to move about Anima.'
Ozpin sighed and pinched his nose.
'I'm sure you're aware of my concerns about this sort of thing,' He said looking back at Leo.
'Oh I am. But I only have one vote on the Council. We can't all just veto things like James can. And I don't have your… established connections,' Leonardo responded.
'You could have called me before this. I would have been happy to help.'
'I can't count on you to fix the whole world Oz,' Leonardo said shaking his head sadly
'Regardless,' Ozpin said, moving past that somber note,' I take it this will be made official during the visit?
'Yes. They've already written up the agreement. They plan to do it all in the background before announcing it during the finals,' Leonardo said, sighing.
'Can any changes be made or is this set in stone?'
'It's as close to done as it can be. Their man Fisher was quite the skilled negotiator. He's gotten the whole Council salivating at the idea of the boost to the economy alone.'
'Hmm. I'll make a note to try and keep an eye on that one. Thank you for all of this Leo. I'm grateful to call you my friend,' Ozpin said with a smile.
'Yes. Likewise Oz,' Leonardo said with a nod and a faint curl of his lips.
'I'll leave you to your work. And please. Try not to join the COG when they visit. I can only stand so many allies jumping ship.'
'I um,' Leonardo coughed at the statement.
'Just joking Leo. Myself or Glynda will be in touch,' Ozpin said before hanging up.
'Damn it,' Leonardo muttered gripping his desk.
'Damn it!' He repeated louder, taking his head in his hands.
'Professor are you alright?' His Assistant Headmaster called from outside.
'Yes. I'm fine Henry. Just another bad meeting,' Leonardo called back as his eyes drifted to the hidden alcove.
He would have to report this.