Chapter 25
Hard Contact
Menagerie.
Sienna Khan had barely sat down at her table for breakfast when the door to her quarters opened and one of her trusted aides made her way into the room. Sienna waved to the empty chair before her.
"Ariana, have a seat." She invited her guest
"I am afraid I bear bead news." The woman replied sitting down
Sienna sat her cup down and gave her aide her full attention. The woman handed a tablet over.
"This is a press release that was done from Beacon by headmaster Ozpin. He was briefing the press in regards to the Grim incursion towards Magnus. However what follows is what is relevant."
Sienna pressed play and gave her attention to the images
The room was filled with reporters. A podium had been set up. The flag of Vale and the banner of Beacon academy were set up behind it. The familiar figure of the headmaster was behind the podium. At a table to the side Sienna noticed the presence of several members of the Vale council, most notably the chairman, Archibald Oaken, as well as the chief of police
" …Moving on from Magnus. In the recent month there had been several instances of Students and Staff of Beacon having been in clashes with the White Fang. It is my regret to inform you of yet another incident. In effort to bring what occurred I must give a short background. At the onset of the crisis Beacon has deployed several teams of our students to protect both the resources and the people who procure them for us. One such area is the Serenity Forest area. The teams assigned to the area has shown exemplary dedication in the execution of their duties and had saved several lives and much needed resources from the Grim. However Grim was not the only opponents they had encountered. Apart from a significant battle against the Branwen Tribe, the teams had been ambushed en route to securing a Merchant convoy carrying essential supplies for the Settlement of Serenity town. The teams had managed to successfully counter the ambush resulting in the death of twenty eight insurgents at no loss to the teams. All of the insurgents had been wearing the regalia of the White Fang."
Sienna paused the file. Her aide nodded at her
"If you look further they will actually show footage that had been taken by the Hunter teams. The regalia is ours. Beacon has also added the manes of those they could identify. Most are citizens of Vale. One was identified as Alexis Albain. Another two were known members of the command of Adam Taurus, one Brian Sykes and Mervin Coppermouth."
"This Albain?" Sienna asked
"Yes he is one of those Albain's. A second cousin I believe. According to our records he was part of a program to help Faunus resettle out of the cities, either here or to establish Faunus only towns and settlements." Ariana replied
"I assume Atlas is already milking this for all it is worth." Sienna said, rubbing her nose
"Of course, but it gets worse, you will want to see the rest of that recording"
Sienna pressed play again and she watched past the part were the footage had been played and the identities revealed. Ozpin stood back from the podium and he was replaced by the Chief of police ignoring the barrage of questions from the press. The Police Chief, Darius Stone, whistled into the microphone to get the attention of the press
"Thank you, Headmaster Ozpin. As the good Headmaster has indicated we have seen increased White Fang activity in our fair City. I am happy to report that with assistance from both Beacon and Atlas, the Vale Police Department has successfully raided several location suspected to be White Fang safe houses. We have captured several confirmed insurgents as well as obtained the identities of several sympathisers and collaborators. In addition to this we have seized several weapon caches and have retrieved a significant of dust that we suspect has been stolen in the recent robberies. At this point we would also inform you that there has been a sharp decrease in these robberies, to the point that we have had no incidents reported in the last forty eight hours."
"What of Roman Torchwick, he has been spotted at several robberies." A journalist called out
"Roman Torchwick and a known accomplice has been confirmed as dead, there has also been a drop in general crime levels in the recent period." Stone reported
Stone stoop back and the Chairman took his place. Oaken waited for the Chief to take his seat before addressing the press.
"Vale has always prided itself in how it treated its citizenry. Before the law all are equal. Yes, as much as we would like to discount it there is some discrimination against faunus in our Kingdom. Just as there is discrimination against humans in certain sectors of Vale. In the past Vale has stood in the forefront of establishing a forum for the faunus to address inequity in other kingdoms peacefully, ever since we served as mediators in the Faunus Wars, havingbeen the first to make peace with the Faunus faction. However for the supremacists that seem to be the majority of the White Fang movement this was not enough. They have chosen to infiltrate and agitate amongst our populace. They have chosen to act against our people by participating in crimes that caused hardship amongst the very people they claim to champion. However with the ambush of the Beacon delegation they have reached a new level of depravity. The Huntsman community serve all of Remnant without favour. By attacking those who defend us all, the White Fang has shown that they are not interested in the peace negotiated, not in the advancement negotiated by the usurped leader of the peacefull civil rights movement under Ghira Belladona. We as the Council of Vale have seen this attack for what it is, a declaration of War on Vale and its citizens. To the Fang we say, you chose poorly. As of this moment the White Fang is declared an enemy of Vale and we will eradicate its presence, be it in its overt militant form or the so called pacifist programs it uses as cover. As we are speaking our brave men and woman of the Vale Police department are conducting raids on these establishments, again with the aid of Beacon and the Huntsman community. Those captured already will be given a fair trail, but thanks to their actions they will not be tried in civilian court but instead by tribunal as stated by Vale emergency law."
Sienna stopped the recording and lowered the tablet. Ariana produced a flask and poured a heavy shot into Sienna's coffee before doing the same to hers
"I can confirm that the raids had taken place. Our covert recruitment centres were raided one and all, as had our legitimate charities. The funds these facilities used has already been frozen by the financial institutions as are the accounts we have used in the past to pay for lawyers for our people. The fact that our people are being tried under tribunal makes it both simpler to obtain a conviction. And with sentencing the punishment is aggravated, the death sentence is most likely for those convicted of violence against Vale in any form, be it planned or actually commited." Ariana said
"Any word from Taurus? Or the Albain's for that matter." Sienna demanded
"Nothing from Taurus. The Albain's are scrabbling to find support among the factions, play your cards right and we can eliminate them as a threat. I have reached out to the press branches in Menagerie, they are ready to broadcast any statement you wish to make, but honestly do not expect a good response. Ghira Belladonna has already released several statements condemning the attack, he has publicly distanced Menagerie from the White Fang." Ariana stated
"And the more moderates are scrambling to align themselves with him, I am guessing?" Sienna sighed
Sienna rubbed her face. She sighed deeply
"Order all cells to go to deep cover till review. No operations of any sort is to be launched against Vale, Atlas or Mistral. All recruitment are to be placed on hold, we simply can not risk being infiltrated now. As for our humanitarian programs make sure any refugees or settlements get to where they need to go and pause the programs. Move as much of our funds to the banks of Vacuo as we can. Then gather the leadership and let us see if we keep the Fang from being torn in two."
"What are you planning for Taurus and the Albain's ?" Ariana asked
"We disavow Taurus completely. And if we can get the Albain's removed from their positions." Sienna said
Ariana gathered her tablet and stood up
" Get word to Tukson, he is to leave Vale by any means possible. Also let him know to activate contingency Zebra. The targets are Adam Taurus and his command structure. Secondary targets are the Albain's."
"I was under the impression Tukson had left the organization." Ariana commented
"He never left. He is my eyes and ears in Vale. He has been ever since Ghira and Kali were ousted. Though he believes in a less violent approach he and a few others are the core of my personal information network in the kingdoms." Sienna replied
"I will contact him myself. I believe it should be early evening in Vale now." Ariana said
"Oh, and Ariana. Please make sure there is a decent pillow on that throne. I will be sitting in it the whole day. Honestly, I still do not understand what made me agree to it in the first place." Sienna said, reaching for her knife and fork
Serenity Forest.
Port pushed through the foliage silently, his group of students a short distance behind. He touched the trunk of a tree. The bark had been stripped by something that had brushed against it with spikes. Several somethings in fact. Multiple trees showed damage as well. He looked up and noted that the pattern had been repeated higher up in the tree as well.
"Beringels!" He muttered
He knelt down trying discern distinct patterns in the churned up ground. However he was unable to pick up a distinct tract. He started tracking the direction the Grim had gone into. To his disquiet the tracks were in the general direction of the town and factories. The students caught up as he was deciding on his next course of action. He pulled out his scroll and frowned when he found that he had no signal. He motioned the student that carried their radio forward. The student dropped the backpack containing the radio and pulled out the coiled antenna cable before she started climbing the tree to get the antenna as high as possible to get better reception. Checking his watch he noted he was close to the regular check in time. A whistle came from the student in the tree indicating that the antenna has been deployed. He switched on the radio and selected the channel.
" Seeker One to Mudhole. I repeat Seeker One to Mudhole. Mudhole respond." He spoke into the microphone
"Mudhole to Seeker One. Reception three five." Moody replied
"Seeker one to Mudhole. Reception four five. Be advised multiple packs of Grim advancing on your position, possible swarm size."
There was moment of silence before Moody replied
"Seeker One. Message copied. Seeker Six reports multiple contacts as well and requested extraction. Confirmed Nest in their sector."
"Extraction authorised. Have them redeployed to reinforce the farming community. Seeker One is to continue search, no confirmation if Nest present." Port replied
"Mudhole Copied. Do you recommend town go to shelter?"
"Affirmative. Advice evacuation of surrounding area. Suggest a general warning be broadcast if at all possible." Port replied
"Copied. Are you in position to receive data transmission?" Moody responded
"Negative. Can you relay verbally?" Port asked
"Negative. Information is Charlie. Can not risk open transmission. Be warned possible hostiles operating in area. Terminal force authorised on any White Fang operative spotted. Over."
"Copied. Will disseminate. Contact two hourly. Seeker One out." Port closed off
Port waited till the student had retrieved the antenna and rejoined her team before addressing them
"Team two has found a nest and are falling back to camp. We are backtracking the packs we have found, we need to confirm if there is a second nest. Also as you probably heard there is an open target on any one wearing White Fang regalia. Be carefull of any contact made. Let us stay carefull and get this done." Port instructed
Peach, Tsune and Anastasia sat looking at the radio. Anastasia turned to face her companions
" Right options. Do we abandon this area and fall back to the town?" Anastasia asked
"If we start an evacuation, space will be minimal in the town, especially if the Atlas contingent move in as well. Here we have mobility and we have a decent defensive position. We have armoured transport so we still can fall back." Peach said, biting a finger nail.
"Agreed but we will have to reinforce several areas while at the same time evacuating the locals." Tsune remarked
"We break in three teams. I will go into town and inform the Mayor and the marshall we are initiating bunker protocols. Tsune I want you to go with the arial unit and extract and redeploy the Beta team. Evacuate their sick, children and injured if they are willing and get back here. Might as well take extra dust and ammunition with for them if Peter wants them to reinforce the Farm. It makes sense that we defend the food producers. Peach, I know you have done mass evacuations before so I want you to coordinate that."
"While you are in town can you arrange a final delivery of lumber and sand. As much as possible of both. Secondly we need a constant radio watch for emergency broadcasts or if Peter call for extraction" Peach asked
"I will see what I can do. Can you brief the students. I am going to go and ruin Ozpin's day."
The students were silent as the two teachers gave the briefing. Peach paused to let them assimilate the information. Fox raised his hand
"How much time do we have?" He asked
"We don't know, Alpha team found evidence that several packs were moving in this direction." Peach replied
"And we are going to defend this area in stead of falling back? Despite standing orders stating we are to do just that" Ciell stated
"We are." Peach said firmly
"Can we make a quick trip back into the town to the farmers cooperation?" Fox asked
"Why there?" Yang asked
" Fertiliser, coal and oil. The three things you need to make ANFO. I come from a mining settlement, they used to mix that at the mine shaft instead of relying on commercial explosives. Also if we can get nails and screws we can have the Grim have a very bad day as well. Oh and plastic pipes to put the ANFO in." Fox explained
"What about detonators?" Velvet asked.
"The logging company should have multiple primer caps, they sometimes use micro charges to drop trees." April replied
"What about the White Fang and the Faunus in the woods? They need to be warned." Nora said
"We can fly over the area and warn them by megaphone, but that is all we can do. Assuming they do not shoot at us first." Tsune shrugged
"Speaking of, Mister Arc, Miss Katya are you both ready to fly?" Peach asked
"We are, however I believe we should fly with a full crew of two teams. We may need the extra firepower." Jaune replied
" I have a question." Hina said, raising a hand
"Go ahead."
"What exactly is a Nest?" Hina asked
Peach sat down on the table
"A Nest is formed when multiple packs of Grim congregate. We do not know why they do. What we do know is once a Nest is formed, it draws even more packs into it. There is a theory that the Alpha's might create a hive mind and that is what makes them congregate."
"How come no one here saw a Nest being formed?" Katya asked
"As you know this is a very open area. And patrolling areas like that is extremely difficult as there is little to no resources allocated for air patrols. To make it worse, once a nest is formed the Grim start to burrow and in a forest like this…" Peach trailed off
"Now the timber companies will scout from time to time or hire a Hunter teams to do so. But most of the time they replant as they go so they will rarely do deep sweeps as Alpha and Beta are doing. So a Nest forming without detection is quite possible." Tsune added
"And I am guessing all the negativity from the bandit attacks and all the unrest in regards to Magnus has made the Grim and thus the nests more active." Coco surmised
"Either that or there is a command type Grim we have never seen before." Peach replied
Tsune coughed to get their attention
" We will use one of the prison services bussed to protect the school busses. We will need a team for the buss and another team to split up for the school busses. The rest will be here doing reinforcement. Since Mister Alistair knows how to mix that explosive that means CFVY is staying here." She said
"JNPR will stay as well. KHYA and RWBY can do the flights." Jaune replied
"BROW will do evacuation duty." Cameron said, after a quick look at her teams.
"NDGO will stay." Dew spoke for her team
"So that leave CLAP on evacuation as well." Peach said
"I would suggest Penny stay here as well. She is well trained with Atlas communication protocols and a wide variety of communication devices. She will be best as a communications operative at this time." Ciell suggested
Peach and Tsune shared a look before nodding their consent.
"Very well. Miss Polendina you will find a standard issue Huntsman radio in professor Moody's tent. It is preset with the local channels as well. Channels one to three is dedicated Huntsman channels." Peach said
Jaune handed Katya a datapad as she was trapping into pilots seat
"Once you are in the air, send the message, It will allow SCD to pinpoint our location. If things go bad enough we call him and the bantha in for extraction." Jaune said.
"Not planning on falling back to the town?" Katya asked
"They will likely blow the bridge up first before we can even think of falling back that way." Jaune replied
"Sure wish we had a bunch of those clankers on the Green Dawn now." Yara remarked
"Next time." Jaune replied
He jumped to the ground and stepped back as the canopy closed and Katya started the engines. His team, NDGO and Yatsu were standing at the edge holding pickaxes and shovels. He picked up a pick axe
"So Fox said we should dig large holes and small ditches. Did he say why?" Jaune asked
"I believe he wants the ditches for smaller charges and the large holes for what he called big bangs." Yatsu replied
"Making smaller holes can also be usefull." Nora said
"How so?" Pyrrha asked
"Broke my leg once chasing rabbits. Did not see the warren holes and stepped into it. Charging grim can also be tripped or have their legs broken by such holes." Nora replied
"Also we need to set out range markers for those using different classes of rifles." Octavia suggested
"A good idea." Jaune praised her
"So Fearless Leader how are we doing this?" Nora asked
Jaune looked over the area.
"I think a line of small ditches ten metres from the camp. That is our final line. Another line of ditches fifteen metres from that and a third if we have time another fifteen after that. In between we dig the the big and small holes. We can set range markers for thirty fifty and seventy five metres. Any closer and we are not likely to miss anyway. I think we leave the machine guns at ground level and leave the watchtowers for sniper posts."
"Start far out and work our way in?" Pyrrha suggested
"As good a suggestion as any." Yatsu shrugged
Ciell sat down in the back of the bus and connected her lapscroll It went against all her instincts to not report as per schedule but circumstances forced her hand. The only plus point she saw was that being on the schoolbus had her not under the scrutiny of Beacons staff. The General responded within moments of her initiating contact
"Cadet Solleil. Why are you transmitting outside of regular scheduled hours?" Ironwood demanded
"Sir, I am sorry to report that regular hours will no longer be available. The Beacon teachers had decided to call for evacuation of the immediate area and initiating shelter protocols in the town." Ciell responded
"Where is P.E.N.N.Y?" Ironwood replied
"Back at camp, Sir. She is currently on communications duty at the Camp at my suggestion. I believed she would be at risk while performing evacuation duties. Furthermore it gives her opportunity to see if she can access the equipment of Arc and the Ichuru sisters as they are not in camp or busy reinforcing the defences." Ciell responded
"Very well, cadet. Bring me up to speed with what is happening." Ironwood stated
Peter Port considered himself a brave man, or as brave as any senior Hunter of his age and experience would be. Now he was fighting mightily to not give in to fear. Though to be honest, there was a lot to fear. He found the Nest and its entrance, what he also found was another two entrances. Meaning this was either a super Nest or three adjacent Nests. He lowered the binocular set he had borrowed from Arc, before wiping a nervous hand across his face. Taking a shuddering breath he reached for his scroll, hoping against hope for a signal so that he could get a warning out. Fate was fickle and he actually had two bars on his scroll where he had had none for the entire day.
The first on his list was Ozpin. He was unaware that he was under observation himself. Two humanoid forms were standing inside the entrance of the Nest. One an absolute massive form, the second was shorter. The second was giggling in glee as he observed the Hunter. His scorpion tail swinging from side to side. He started moving forward, the giggling stopped as the larger form grabbed his shoulder
"We are under orders to observe and nothing more." Hazel Reinhardt reminded him
"Surely the goddess would not mind…" Tyrian Callows started
"Her orders were clear. No interference, observation only." Hazel grumbled out
Hina was operating the cable winch to lower the pallet to be disconnected so that they can land when Katya interrupted her
"Hang on, We are moving out again. Port called for evacuation" Katya informed her
"Raising the pallet." Hina replied
On approach they noticed that the teams were firing into the trees and doing a hostile evacuation. Katya dropped lower and engaged the repulsor coils.
"Nose , cover fire in the trees. Give them cover to fall back. Lower the pallet." She ordered
The chudder of the repeater going full cyclic had the ship vibrating as she went into the clearing. Three came running closer, wounded forms over their shoulders or in their arms.
"Hina, get down there. They have wounded" Katya stated
"Lowering the rope now." Hina replied.
Hina slid down the rope two medkits across her back. She jumped into the pallet and reached out to receive the first wounded as they reached the pallet. She noticed that Port was rapidly climbing up to the craft, going hand over hand on the rope, but then she ignored it in order to give her full attention to the injured, She noticed several were still missing. Seeing the grim expressions and tear tracks on several faces she realised why. The pallet jolted as Katya lifted higher and turned. The door guns and fore and aft repeaters were firing as they left the area.
Katya was silent as she listened to Port reporting to Moody. She started getting an idea and opened a secure channel to her sisters and Jaune, sealing her helmet to make sure her conversation stayed private, while keeping an ear open to Port.
"Yara? Can you remotely override the engine safety protocols?" She asked
" I can do it, why?" Yara replied
" Secondly what is the range for flying this thing by remote?" Katya ignored the counter question
" With the ships pad about fifty kilometres, again why?" Yara reported
"Port found the mother of all Nests. We have to do something about it or we are all karked and not in the fun manner. However we are sitting on top of a very large bomb if you disable the safeties and let the engine go critical." Katya replied
"So I am guessing you want us to bring the last bus to a point, offload and then crash the LAAT into the nest?" Jaune broke in
" It is the only idea I have, apart from getting SCD to launch and come get us all." Katya replied
"Warn Tsune that we have two critical patients here. I am going to need help here." Hina said
"Okay, inform Port of what you plan and pick a spot for us to get to you. I will grab Tsune and bring a bus out. I would suggest you get ready to strip everything useful out, we will probably need those repeaters." Jaune said.
It took some convincing to get the teachers onboard. Jaune, Nora and Tsune set of in the second bus and going hell for lather to reach the rendezvous point. They passed the other busses as they rushed past. Nora was able to do the near impossible as she managed to fishtail the bus a few times as she sped along. Tsune merely braced herself as she and Jaune were preparing the area to receive patients. Nora slowed down as she spotted the craft in the clearing. She brought the bus to a complete stop and Jaune and Tsune moved to open the rear door.
The wounded were loaded first before a quick line was made to pass along the equipment from the Laat. Yara was perched on the roof, the engine cowlings open as she was rigging the engines to go critical. Hina and Tsune were scrabbling to treat the wounded as best as they could, both lamenting the lack of a decently equipped hospital. Katya pressed a tablet into Jaune's hands
" You are better than me at remote piloting. Port gave me the roagh coordinates and I have preloaded them. The nose camera should show if we are on target." She said
Yara closed the cowlings and jumped down, she made her way over to her siblings.
"I rigged it to go critical as soon as you go full throttle." She said
"Are you three certain you want to do this?" Port asked behind them
"Sir, as much as we don't want to do this, we have no other options. As long as that Nest is there the Grim can be reinforced. We know Beacon can not get help to us or the town, not mentioning the other towns and settlements on the way here, everything is tied down at Magnus." Katya replied
Jaune activated the remote and the LAATi lifted from the ground. He turned the craft around and send it back along the way it came, carefull to keep it from going full throttle. Yara , Katya and Port looked over his shoulder as a small window on the tablet gave them the view from the nose gun camera. Without a load slowing it dow the Laat was flying faster. Watching a read out Jaune saw the distance closing. Forty minutes later they approached the target area
"Sir, can you help guide me here, you were on the ground."
Hazel and Tyrian had moved from the Nest into the trees, following the packs that had gone hunting the Hunters. Carelessly they stepped over the first body, They paused as the saw the Hunter's bullhead overhead. The craft tilted so that the Nose was pointed to the ground. Hazel thought he heard a change in the engine noise as the craft rocketed forward.
" The pilot is a fool if he thinks suicide is going to save that town." Tyrian giggled
Jaune took a deep breath as he aligned the ship with the middle entrance, He pushed it forward and opened the throttle fully. Immediately warning glyphs appeared on the screen. He pushed the craft forward. The ground rushed in. The camera went black as the ship wedged itself deep into the entrance. Pressing a tab to light up the nose lights, one lit up showing a mass of Grim pushing towards the object wedged in their doorway. A strident noise came from the pad as a critical warning came from the engine, Jaune ignored it keeping a finger on the throttle tab to keep it running at full. They could almost believe they could hear the grinding of metal as the ship pushed forward into the cavern. The screen went to static
The group felt the earth shudder even as far away as they were. At ground zero the earth heaved up before dropping collapsing the entrances and the roof of the Nest. A shockwave flattened trees as it rushed forth. Salem's two minions had no time to even think of running before the shockwave threw them in the air and through the trees. Both bodies were so battered that the only way to identify them would be by DNA testing. The shockwave rushed on wiping out wildlife, plant life and Grim without discrimination.
At the bus, those standing outside staggered and a few fell as the earth shook, those inside grabbed onto the stretchers to try and keep them stable. Once the earth stilled Port led the way into the bus, Jaune dropped the tablet on the ground and put a bolt through it from his blaster to ensure that the technology was destroyed. Once all were aboard Nora put the bus in gear and started moving back towards the camp. Jaune took up position by the rear gun nest.
The evacuation group returned as the sun was starting to set. The clearing had been dug up and turned into a muddy pit. The most glaring changes was that the sandbag walls were much higher and that the previously open watchtowers no had siding attached to it. Several figures were on top of said towers hammering planks into place to reinforce the roofs. Professor Port came jogging out and started directing them to where the other bus had been parked. Peach was one of the first to step down. She pointed to where the bullhead had always landed before
"Air patrol still out?" She asked
"No, mister Arc crashed it into the Nest to buy us time." Port replied
The crump of explosives came from the direction of the town and minutes later the form of professor Moody came into view as she returned on the motorcycle. Port turned to face the students as they were standing close to the bus
"Welcome back, go and have a meal and short rest while you can, we still have a lot to do." He instructed
The students made their way back to the camp and Moody parked the motorcycle next to the busses. She dismounted and made her way to her colleagues.
"I assume that blast was the town locking themselves in." Port stated
"Yes. The Atlas troops had fallen back to the town and left half the Knight units at the factories." Moody replied
"So we are on our own then." Peach remarked
"We are, I spoke to Ozpin. We are to hold here, if we feel we are about to be overrun we are to make for the town or the railway. Obviously the town is no longer an option." Moody said
They watched the Vacuo girls move to the edge of the camp and plant poles in the ground, they strung lines between the poles and added empty cans to it.
"A Vacuo burglar alarm, been some time since I have seen one." Port remarked
" I have never heard of it." Peach said
"It is easy to make, you need two poles, empty cans and some stones. Anything touches the lines or the cans you will hear the stones rattle." Moody explained
" How many flares do we have access to." Port asked
"Enough for two nights, the batteries for the searchlight should last the night." Peach answered
"Let us get back in there then." Port said leading the way
Ruby yawned widely as she climbed up the ladder to the watchtower to take her turn on watch. The four hours of sleep she had gotten had done nothing to erase her fatigue. Weiss was following her up the ladder, like Ruby she was dressed in her combat outfit, though her high heels had been replaced by a pair of work boots that she had bought in Serenity, the lesson that high heels did not work in the open field having been learnt. She still felt weighed down by the rifle and bandoleer she carried slung across her chest, Myrtanaster sheathed at her waist. They found Hina and Octavia on duty in the tower. The two girls barely looked behind them as Weiss and Ruby joined them.
"Anything to report?" Ruby asked
Hina felt a lurch in the force and fired a flare out. Her helmet visor darkened against the flare and the rest closed their eyes. Once they opened their eyes, the flare had reached it zenith and a black mass became visible in the harsh white light. Hina started firing
"Raise the alarm." She ordered
Octavia made her way to a steel bar that was hanging from the roof and started beating it. The metallic clanging filling the air. A second flare rushed out and the second tower started beating its alarm bar. The crack of Crescent Rose being fired, thundered above the ringing noise.
Eschewing the ladder both Jaune and Pyrrha jumped onto the platform of their watchtower. Ren stepped back from the bar he had been striking and after nodding to his team mates made his way to the ladder, Olson following him as they made their way to their positions. Jaune gave Pyrrha a quick passionate kiss before placing his helmet on and adapting his rifle to sniper mode. He dropped to his knees and took aim with Pyrrha joining him. The fire from the second tower slowed down and Hina converted to sniper mode, Single bolts were flashing from the towers as the snipers started taking out Grim at range.
Port took position behind Yatsu as he stood ready behind the repurposed repeater and Cameron behind a light machine gun. Velvet stood a little behind Cameron ready to drag ammunition cases to her and to act as spotter for Fox who had a set up a crude control board for the explosives he had built, one for each corner of the camp, the Vacuo girls had added a design of their own to the mix, one that was guaranteed to set anything alight it came into contact with, these charges had their own board. A radio laid next to him to relay instructions to him from the other positions. The incendiaries we scattered between the regular pipe bombs. A crate of several pipe bombs stood next to Yatsu along with an old flame lantern to light the fuses of said pipe bombs.
"Hold your fire till they are in range." Port said calmly
Yatsu lined up on a Beringel that seemed to leading a diverse group of Grim. The Beringel staggered as it was hit but pressed forward. Another shot flashed out and burned through two Beowolfes, turning them to black smoke. Four more flares were launched further lighting up the area. The beringel and its improvised troop were now beyond the marker for maximum range for the repeater. Yatsu fired a short scything burst, The burst destroying the Beringel and taking out a partion of the troop. With the death of the leader the Grim paused, making them easy targets for a another burst
"Line 1 Corner A. Fire all" Peach's voice came over the radio
Unerringly Fox's hands moved to the board marked a and connected the wire to the correct terminals. Explosives lit up the air as the charges blew in series. More explosions rocked the night as Nora fired Magnhild at maximum range. In between the desultory cracks of the rifles rippled through the air.
"Line one Corner C, Fire all." Solleill's voice came next
"Negative not enough targets in kill zone." Katya overrode the order from her position in tower C
Fox pulled back in time and kept the powered cable ready to complete the circuits. Cameron started firing in precise bursts as Grim came into range for the machine gun.
"Light it up, Fox." Katya's voice came
"Corner B is a go, Line 1 fire all." Coco's voice followed moments later
Fox activated the charges and more explosives flashed. Port moved forward and inspected the area. The immediate area was clear. And all fire stopped. He spotted boarbastusks pushing through to the front.
"Brace for a boarbatusk charge!" He called out
Hearing the call from Port, the tower shooters converted to grenade launchers and waited for the charge. Ruby lined up on Beringel that seemed to have basic wings. She slowed her breathing and ultimately held it as she concentrated on her target. She exhaled as she caressed the trigger. On the ground below they could feel as the boarbatusks started their charge. The Hunters held their fire. The close quarter figters stood ready to attack once the boarbatusks reached the outer sandbag wall.
The boarbatusks went fro charging to their rolling attacks. The crack of Crescent Rose was lost as the fired grenades dropped into the boarbatsuk line. Massive gaps appeared in the line of charging swine Grim as the grenades culled their numbers.
"Fire." Port ordered
The machine guns opened up and fired scything lines. Few of the Boarbatusks made it to the outer wall and the close Quarter fighters quickly decimated them before jumping back over the outer wall. By now the second line of Grim was charging. Flames erupted as Fox randomly activated the fifth board, and the night was further lit up by burning grim, The regulars rifles were now joining in on the firing into the grim ranks. Rapid fire from the towers added into the fray to thin the numbers. Ruby was still on sniper duty to try and spot and shoot suspected Alpha's.
"Fire line 2 all positions." Port ordered
Velvet dragged another case to the machine gun and got ready for reload. He rears were ringing from all the noise. She hooked up the ammunition belt and tapped Cameron's shoulder to let her know shewas fully reloaded, She moved back to her position by fox and lifted a white t shirt tied to a pole and waved it. Minutes later April and Nebula dragged in more ammunition cases. The two dropped the cases before rushing back to drag cases to corner B where the white marker was being waved. A new sound filled the air. The cawing and screeching of nevermore and Gryphons rose in the dark. The towers realigned their fire to deal with the airborne threat, Hina was tapped on her shoulder as Dew had climbed up the tower.
"You are needed with Tsune at medical." Dew told her
"On my way." Hina replied handing her rifle over to Dew and moving for the stairs
Dew took Hina's position beside Ruby. She spared Ruby a quick nod as she reloaded the rifle before looking for targets to shoot. Hina made her way back to the centre of the camp where Tsune had set up an aid station close to the kitchens. Tsune was working on a team member of CORE when Penny dragged in Leonard Marks. Hina took one look and realised there was nothing to be done. A gryphon spine was firmly lodged in his chest. She took the burden from Penny before sending her back. A perfunctory check confirmed what she already knew and dragged the body over to where a bodybag was already in use. She had nearly reached Tsune to help her when Yang pulled a white clad figure in, the pristine white showing growing red stains. Hina pointed to an unused table
"What happened?" She demanded
"Beringel nearly made it through, he rang her bell hard, not sure where the blood is from." Yang reported, dropping Weiss on the table.
"Okay I got her." Hina said
Hina took a moment to look over her patient, quickly running through what is considered the ABC's of emergency care, she pulled a vibroknife out and cut Weiss's clothing of to find the cause of the bleeders. Turning Weiss over she found the cause, The Beringel had left two of its nails in her. One on the side of her chest and the other close to her neck, a head wound was found in her scalp. Deciding the nexk and chest wounds were the more serious she went to work on them. Removing the nails took moments, she flushed the area with saline and cleaned them out properly before hasty sutures closed the wounds. Weiss would have a new set of scars even should her aura recover enough to tend to the wounds, and with it completely broken that would take even more time. Hina set up an iv line and flooded the bag with broad spectrum antibiotics before shaving patch of Weiss"s hair to get to the scalp bleeder, a piece of timber was lodged in the laceration. Again the wound was rinsed and cleaned, an antibacterial paste was added before more precise sutures took care of the wound. With the airway open and protected, breathing and circulation assured, Hina gave herself time to do a thorough secondary investigation. Apart from slightly sluggish pupils she found no other injuries. She picked Weiss up and carried her to a cot and covered her before clearing her table to wait for her next patient.
Tsune motioned her over indicating she needed help. Hina walked over. The Force screamed a warning to her and she rushed forward tackling Tsune. The doctor gasped as her feet left the ground. The canvas above them ripped as a wounded gryphon dropped through it. Hina pounced on it, her wrist blades flashing as she murder stabbed the Grim till it went up in smoke. Tsune nodded her thanks before going back to her patient.
"Help Me!" Gwen was in next
She was half dragging and half carrying Octavia. Octavia was riddled with several small Nevermore feathers. Taking one look at their available supplies Hina knew they had not enough to deal with the wound. Snarling she moved to her baggage and opened her trunk. Pulling out the false bottom she pulled out her real medkit, the one she had been hoarding for use on her family
"Get her on the table." She ordered Gwen.
Hina opened her comlink
"Jaune! Call in the Bantha, it is time." She ordered
The waves of Grim kept on coming and they were quickly running out of ammunition. The defenders were now concentrated on the walls of the camp engaging the Grim in close quarters for the most part. Jaune felt renewed hope as he saw the approaching lights of a ship moving on repulsors.
"Evac is here, get the wounded ready." He called out
The Bantha came into view, the nose and aft turrets started spewing plasma as SCD took remote control of them. A shaft of light became visible as the boarding ramp lowered and the hatch opened
"Move, Move, Move!" Katya called.
The first to move were Hina and Dew carrying Octavia on a stretcher, Next was Yang carrying Weiss over her shoulder. Peach and Moody followed with another stretcher. More wounded were carried out before the defenders fell back.
Jaune rushed up to the cockpit and threw himself into the pilot seat. He got ready to pull out of there.
"All aboard!" Yara called over the intercom
Jaune turned to where SCD was still plugged in
"How many anti gravity mines have we got?" Jaune demanded
"We have ten ready in their launchers." SCD replied
"Get ready to launch them. We need three in reserve for another location and get a bunker mine ready as well."
"Rodger, Rodger."
Jaune opened the internal coms
"Katya I need you up here, bring Port with you." He ordered
"On our way captain." Katya replied
Jaune was curious for a moment at the formality of her reply , he decided do worry about it later. He turned the bantha around and flew over the mass of Grim, gaining height as he did so. The satisfying thunk of the mines deploying came as he started to carpet bomb the Grim.
Katya took her place and strapped in. Port looked confused as he took in the scene before him.
"Professor!" Jaune called to him
"Mister Arc, what is all this?" Port asked
"Later, do you have the location of the other Nest?" Jaune demanded
"I do." Port replied
"Good, then we can blow it up as well." Jaune replied
Yara entered the cockpit
"Yara get the coordinates from the professor and then lock down all communications, we do not want the cyborg reporting to Altlas any longer." Jaune ordered
"Shall I set a course for the Green Dawn." Katya asked
"Yes, we need the bigger medbay." Jaune replied
"You do know, we just blew our cover story to smithereens and pissed on the remnants." Katya remarked, tapping away
"Our lives and of those around us are more important." Jaune replied
"This is going to get interesting, that is all I am saying." Katya said with a smirk