2032 A.D
?
(Flashback)
"Brother, I think we made a mistake." The god of darkness deadpanned as he watched over the world they once called their own.
"Perhaps we made the curse…..too overbearing for both of them." Light commented.
The world of Monoecreata, or Remnant as it was now called, was a shattered shadow of itself. Grimm, Faunus, Aura, Dust, a ton of shit that wasn't supposed to be there.
Oh, and the whole Ozama-Salem war thing going on. That was unexpected.
"We should have returned to either a dead world or a unified kingdom. What happened?" Light whispered.
"I don't know but we need to stop this." The god of Darkness.
"Why not remove the curse?" Light questioned.
"We cannot intervene. Only the mortals can kill her now." Darkness responded.
The two gods stared silently at the planet below.
"We need help." Light responded.
"From where? We could perhaps uplift the Faunus? That young cat girl from the lower East continent. Or the silver eyed girl on that island. The noodle boy could do. Or potient-"
"No brother." light interrupted dark. "Outside of Remnant."
…..
"There's a world in this galaxy full of Humans. Earth they called." Darkness said out loud. "Perhaps we can find someone there to help."
"Agreed."
Sometime later.
"This world is….interesting." The god of Darkness said as they orbited the Earth.
"So familiar, yet so different." Light responded.
Earth. It was almost identical to Remnant except for the absence of Magic, the Grimm not existing, and -
"Dear Brother, this planet stinks of War and bloodshed." Light groaned.
"Precisely the point. We need a warrior capable of ending the eternal war." Dark gazed upon a part of the Earth that apparently this Humanity originated from. The birthplace, yet it was underdeveloped compared to the rest of the planet. "Perhaps we can- Brother?"
"Yes, this one will do. Hold steady." Light was apparently over the continent of Northern America and over one of their biggest cities. "We will have our warrior."
Dark took one look at the so-called warrior and looked…shocked? It was just a child and- was that a truck coming towards him?!
"BROTHER NO!" Darkness sucker punched him and on Earth in New York, a young 17-year-old boy named Marcus squeaked as a massive semi-truck nearly ran him over. And in space, Light crashed into a SpaceX Satellite.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Darkness screamed at his brother.
"He was the perfect warrior. He's experienced of our world, he's not close with his family, and-"
"HE'S A CHILD! And I was supposed to be the dark one." Darkness grumbled. "We cannot have children running around. We need warriors, not kids."
"But-"
"NO! Killing adolescents without their permission, is a step I will not take!" Darkness roared.
There was silence between the two gods, before Lightness quietly returned the broken Human satellite back into condition and threw it back into its orbit.
On Earth, a coffee-addicted and overworked SpaceX Intern noticed one of the communication satellites returning to full functionality. He shrugged and went back to work.
"Uggh, what then? Offer a dead soul the chance to walk anew?" Light grumbled.
"Or." Darkness pointed to a commercial communications satellite. "Listen in."
"-Tensions rise between the Sino-Russian Alliance and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization over disputes in the Black Sea, Middle East, and Taiwan. Just recently, the Chinese Carrier battle group centred around the Fujian confronted a joint JMSDF, USN, RN, RCN, and RAN task force centred around the carriers USS Enterprise and JDS Izumo off the coast of Taiwan. This has been over the disputed nature of the self-ruling island of Taiwan, with many NATO nations leaning ever closer to officially recognizing its independence. Chinese officials have warned that any moved to recognize Taiwan as not a part of China can and will be considered an act of war." A news reporter said.
"I don't understand. What are you referring to?" Light asked.
"This North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Perhaps they can help?" Darkness suggested.
"What? You want a bunch of Human governments to get involved? How will we convince them?"
"-As the 33 leaders of the nations that make up NATO gather once again in Brussels to discuss the ongoing disputes between the SRA. Among other topics include the formation of additional combined battlegroups, enhancing officer programs, joint training, and modernizing naval forces. This has also coincided when Polish, Finnish, Baltic, and German ships confronted a revitalized Russian Baltic Sea Fleet. Military experts are concerned that this may escalate into another border crisis that could lead to World War Three. Many in North America and Asia are calling this tension the Second Cold War." The reporter continued on.
"This NATO and their clan leaders are meeting in this settlement called Brussels….I don't know why they called a settlement after a vegetable but this could be our chance to request their aid." Darkness said.
"You sure asking a bunch of politicians is a good idea?" Light was slightly incredulous.
"Better than sending a child in. At least I'm asking grown-ups." Darkness snarked back.
"...fine. Let's try asking this NATO."
(Flashback ends).
NATO MOB Bastion,
July 2034 A.D/75 AGW (5 years before canon)
Colonel Victor Ross yawned at his desk, leaning back in the gaming chair he had brought from Earth. Being the CO of the 1st NASOD had perks.
But it also had its disadvantages. He now had to write debriefs for all three missions. And technically, he was the second highest ranking NATO officer on Remnant. Just under General Jame Paul.
Among other things, Victor had to handle logistics for the forces operating in Sanus. If it were just the Canadian or American armies, easy peasy. But no, he had to account for over 40 different nations and their diverse needs.
Take food for example. Nations like India had a large Hindu population that would refuse to eat Beef due to cows being sacred. Others like Israel's Jewish population couldn't eat shellfish or pork slaughtered the wrong way. So on and so forth. So many different nutrient requirements.
And let's not start with munitions, spare parts, manuals, and a ton of other crap. How Victor and his team had not gone insane was a blessing.
"Ok, let's see." Victor pulled up the files for the mission in Atlas on his computer. "Let's see here. 1659 forced labourers secured?"
957 Faunus as well. Dear gods, Jackass is raising production rather quickly if he needs this many forced workers. Victor scanned through the text. Signs of malnutrition, ptsd, depression, exhaustion, etc. So glad that the Japs provided those support medical personnel.
Because of their close nature with a number of nations, NATO invited the countries of Korea, Taiwan, India, Japan, and so on. The latter couldn't send any combat troops as technically this was a combat mission but they did send a fuck ton of medical and logistical personnel. Still, he heard a few were trying to circumvent the constitutional law part to send combat troops in.
"Ok. Mark this for approval. I'll need to sign off on the paperwork. Need to get them to Buckler."
You see, sometime during the whole: We will wage war on the baddies of Remnant, NATO forces unexpectedly found themselves with tens of thousands of refugees just begging to escape the SDC. Not wanting to turn away thousands of helpless people, NATO REMCOM decided to establish new cities to house these newfound allies.
Most like New Mantle, Buckler, or Vindication were located on isolated islands or distant peninsulas close to NATO installations and very far from the kingdoms. That way, Terran forces could arrive rapidly if there were issues. Not that there were many, but these new cities were the closest things to fortresses outside of MOB Bastion. Massive towering walls defend large skyscrapers, sentry towers with automated mg turrets, army and marine troopers (along with a number of refugee volunteers) standing watch, and CWIS turrets taken off scrapped ships mounted on said walls. That wasn't including naval and air assets already located in these cities.
In return for these defences, these new citizens of NATO would end up providing their new allies with new resources. Dust, while decently energy efficient, was brushed off as too impractical to use on Earth (though that didn't stop a bunch of other projects from going on). That being said, other materials like iron, copper, silicon, and other metals in need by Earth were in plentiful supply. Resources are needed to make bullets, guns, solar panels, nuclear reactors, and so on. Uranium, Thorium, and other resources useful in nuclear reactors were in high quantities as well, but that required specialists from Earth to mine up.
Many of these cities would also provide large quantities of Foodstuffs. Fresh fruits and vegetables supplemented rations provided to NATO troops, with extra either donated to UN relief missions or kept by the locals. It was a nice relief that if something bad happened on Earth, they could be semi-self-sufficient on Remnant if need be.
The current non-Terran population of these new cities was around 25,000. Mostly of Faunus or lower-class Humans are not willing to return home. Close allies of NATO, and that number was about to grow.
Victor sighed. The White Fang. Despite efforts by the CIA, MI6, and other intelligence agencies, the White Fang still turned violent due to a variety of factors. Sadly, it was too late for the protesting organization and now Sienna Khan has taken over.
But on the right side, they did gain several former activists that now acted as NATO's agents.
Right, back to organizing over a thousand new refugees. Food, water, electricity, amenities, video games, all that need to be organized.
A few minutes later and soon enough, all the supplies needed were properly requisitioned.
Next mission. His and Mat's mission to Vacuo to pick up an ancient relic of old.
JDAMS worked (Bless the brother gods Earth space tech worked wherever Remnant was) and were highly effective. But by god, they were expensive. 30,000 dollars a pop. Costs were going to mount. Looks like NATO was getting some new munitions developed. Something cheaper and more spammable.
Oh, and the packages. It was heading to Earth to be 'inspected' by the higher-ups. Something about magic and what not.
Ah well. Anyways, mission went well.
Finally, the op in Mistral. A European agent got captured by Raven during a raid on a village. The mission to retrieve the agent went smoothly, but Raven escaped with much of her tribe.
"Tsch. Should just drop a MOAB on her position." Victor grumbled. "What's this?"
Victor skimmed through the reports. "9 bandits captured, 14 prisoners res- Maiden?"
The colonel's eyes zipped back to that part of the report. "Maia Blossom? Brother gods, isn't that screaming Spring Maiden."
That was when something knocked on the door. "Come in."
The door creaks open and reveals Commordore Sophia Limburn of the Royal Australian navy. "Hey mate. Came by to check on you."
"Hey Sop. Welcome to my cave. Sit." Sophia sits down in the chair across from Victor. "So how was your trip to Mengaries?"
"Quite interesting in fact. It's quite odd compared to home, so little sea traffic compared to North America. Quite unnerving. But those locals on Menagerie never noticed our ships!"
"To be fair, your flotilla consisted of a frigate and a few corvettes. Your not getting the Chorus until the politicians can finish agreeing on what cooks and jets we have on board." Victor shrugged.
"They still arguing over that? Uggh" Sophia slumped down in the chair, Victor could only agree.
They say coalition warfare is tricking. You have to take account different cultures, supplies used, different parts for supply, different maintenance work habits, various equipment with some dating to the Cold War, cuisine differences, and so on.
If it was just the 35 NATO nations, it would have been a breeze since all of them had been gearing up for a war with the SRA. But they also had to account for all the non-NATO nations like India and Brazil. God, it was hell trying to agree to everything.
So it was somewhat of a miracle that it was a Canadian General leading the charge. With a Canadian and an Australian being in command of NASOD.
"Uggh, deal with politics later. What's new?" Sophia asked.
"A NASOD team found Raven Branwen and our agent. The former escaped and the latter was rescued. However, the team also picked up someone new: the spring maiden."
"Spring?" Sophia sat up. "Wait, a mission to rescue our agent resulted in us driving back Raven and giving us the Spring Maiden? Oddly coincidental."
"Yeah, though do remember that Spring was supposed to disappear five years before canon started. It roughly fits our timeline. It's 75 AGW."
"Ok. So what do we do with her? We now have a super-powered girl who dislikes Ozpin. No way we can send her to Mistral, rather not have her be gifted to Salem's hands."
"….adopt her?" Victor suggested.
"...We already have Syd, Nora, and Lie at home. Are you sure they can handle another sister?" Sophia asked.
The two warriors of the British Commonwealth had married each other early during their military careers (something they were forced onto) and ended up having Sydney. But due to various reasons, they couldn't have any more children and Sydney was their only child….
….until a strange set of events led to a pair of snipers from battlegroup Anima finding and bringing back two kids called Nora and Lie from the forests of Mistral. One thing led to another and then the Ross-Limburn family found themselves having three kids to care for.
Yeah, it was weird raising two kids from a fictional universe but when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade.
It was at that moment when Sophia Limburn's phone rang. Tucking out her phone from her pocket, Sophia's eyes lit up when she saw the notifications. "FINALLY!"
"Finally?" Victor asked.
"They finally got the first true XF39 prototypes ready for testing! Gonna have a true replacement for the Harriers we have!"
Ah yes, the new XF39 program coming off the assembly line. It was going to be a fill-in for the more expensive F22s and to aid in air-to-ground strike with its internal weapons bay carrying dozens of cheap guided munitions. Mainly laser-guided Hydra 70s and the new UGCM (Unguided Grimm Clearing Munitions) bombs. There was also the option to mount either laser systems or railguns, though those were still in development.
Then again, there were a lot of different weapons being developed. It was usually cheaper versions of existing weapons.
"Well, suppose that's it for my missions." Victor shut off his computer. "So, now what?"
"Perhaps we can greet our new daughter?" Sophia asked.
"...Sure why not?" Victor stood up, stretching his back.
Meanwhile, On Earth in the City of Vancouver.
Summer vacation, a blessing for the children of Earth.
Laying in his bed in Vancouver, 12 year old Sydney Ross squirmed in his bed, trying to lift himself up to face the morning sun.
"Hmmm, nnnnoooo" a squeaky voice and two smaller arms dragged him down. "I want my pancakes."
"American or Taiwanese?" Sydney cheekilyy said.
"Mmmmm, both." Nora Valkyrie Limburn, adopted daughter of the Ross Limburn family, snuggled closer to her old adopted brother. Well one of them.
"Lie? Still alive?" Sydney turned to his other adopted brother, only to see him wrapped up in a bed burrito.
Lie remained silent, trying to sleep through his noisy siblings.
Sydney giggled at his more quiet sibling and simply embraced Lie in a hug.
Never give up this kind of life. Sydney thought.
Town of Buckler, NATO weapons testing zone.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! The repeat cracks of 7.62 rounds slammed into various metal targets on the range. Members of the Danish and Estonian army fired away on the range with their new weapons.
"Cease fire, Cease fire. Unload all weapons and step away from the range." The range officer yelled.
The soldiers obeyed, unloading their weapons and placing them down.
"So my friends. What we have is Earth's first portable magnetic rifles! Powered by a solid state battery and capable of firing NATO's standard 7.62 rounds at 1700 Meters per second! Twice as much as our current rifles can!" A Sig Sauer representative said.
Officially designated the XM8, this was a major upgrade and modification of the M7 the United States military was trying out (though the rifle was rechambered to fire the 7.62 round to ease logistics). Developed using the U.S navy's railgun research, various independent coilgun designs, and some stolen Atlas research.
"Very good sir. When will the first production models be finished?" A NATO representative asked.
"Good question. We can have 200 more models ready for service in 4 months." The Sig Sauer representative replied.
For all the work NATO and its allies had to do, they were truly benefitting from their time on Remnant.
United Nations Database…..1st North Atlantic Special Operations Detachment.
The 1st North Atlantic Special Operations detachment is a combined force of special forces operators hailing from as far as Japan, Estonia, Finland, Scotland, the Yukons, and all of NATO's allies and member states. It is a battalion-sized force of primarily special forces infantry and mechanized units (though it two-thirds of a regiment's strength with the amount of support and logistics personnel. These are all elite formations, non-ceremonial units that are more than capable of taking on whatever Remnant can send to Earth.
Officially, the 1st NASOD is composed of conventional special forces like the British SAS, the Polish Grom, and the Japanese Forces Group. However, secretly there are two formations that are not of any national origin: The Crusaders and Emerald Hunters. The former are [Redacted] and a force of Remnant-born natives or trained Terrans with their auras unlocked.
Despite their small size, many on Remnant consider NASOD as the face of NATO operations. NASOD forces are typically the ones caught on camera (in the rare instances news gets out on them) The officers of NASOD has commonly nicknamed their force NOD to hide their true identities. The NASOD's primary duties are: Elimination of Salem's circles, elimination any Grimm within 30 Kilometers of sensitive bases, rescuing of VIPs, sabotaging hostile factions, espionage, and intelligence gathering.
