The wind whistled softly through the broken windows of Beacon Academy, carrying with it the faint, eerie sound of distant Grimm howls. Jaune held his rifle at the ready, his breath slow and steady as the bullhead touched down quietly on Beacon's grounds. This place, once a beacon of hope and strength, had become a haunting ruin, a grim reminder of the devastation that had taken place during the Fall of Beacon.
"Steel 1 to all Steels. Perimeter check," Carson's voice came over the comms.
"Copy that, Sir," Jaune replied, adjusting his helmet's optics as he scanned the darkened ruins around them. Shadows twisted unnaturally in the moonlight, but for now, the area seemed quiet.
"All clear on the left," Jaune reported.
"Right side clear," came Gray's voice, followed by Scarlet confirming the rear.
Jaune stood still for a moment, letting the eerie quiet of Beacon wash over him. This was his first time back here since the Initiation. He had never really been part of Beacon, not in the way he had hoped. But now, walking these hollowed-out halls, he felt a strange connection to the place — a sense of loss for something he never fully experienced.
"Bull 1 to Steel," the pilot's voice crackled in their earpieces. "Say the word, and we'll drop the Paladins."
Jaune kept his eyes in the shadows. "Roger that, Bull 1. Standing by."
"Keep it quiet," Carson said. "Goodwitch was very clear — we're not to attract unnecessary attention. That Wyvern is still perched atop the tower, and we don't want to bring more Grimm down on us."
"Expecting Grimm, Sir?" Gray asked, her voice casual but professional.
"We are," Carson replied. "But we're going quiet, as much as possible. Raven, Arc, how's your CQC?"
"Fine, Sir," Jaune said, giving his weapon a quick check. "Been training since basic, and Sgt. Brown drilled me how to fight like a soldier."
"Same here, Sir," Raven — whom everyone in the squad called Gray — replied confidently. "Don't worry about Arc. He's not bad in a fight. Hate to admit it, but he's solid."
"Quite the compliment, Lieutenant," Carson chuckled. "Alright, people, time to move."
The squad moved forward, their boots crunching softly against the debris-strewn ground as they made their way through a ruined avenue. The once-grand pathway leading to Beacon's main building was now in disrepair, littered with fallen trees, broken flag-draped light poles, and remnants of aqueducts and archways that once stood tall and proud.
Jaune's eyes flickered over the large statue near the entrance—a Huntsman and Huntress standing atop a rock, their weapons raised triumphantly over a cowering Beowolf. The fountain beneath them had long since run dry, and the pond nearby was a still, murky pool, choked with debris and surrounded by the remains of shattered trees.
Jaune hesitated for a moment, staring up at the statue. For so long, he had aspired to be like the Huntsmen and Huntresses depicted in such monuments—heroes, protectors of the world. But now, after everything, after the blood and the battles, he wondered what it even meant to be a Huntsman anymore. Was it really just about killing Grimm? Or was there something more, something he hadn't quite grasped yet?
"Arc, eyes forward," Carson ordered, snapping Jaune out of his thoughts. He nodded silently, tearing his gaze away from the statue and pressing on.
The squad moved cautiously, passing through the assembly area—a glass-domed amphitheater where students once gathered to watch their peers train and fight. Now, it was quiet and empty, the bleachers covered in dust, the stage barren.
"Cutting through the dining hall, then heading to the dorms," Carson directed.
They entered the dining hall, its grand columns and long tables casting deep shadows in the low light. The once-bustling room, where laughter and conversation used to echo off the walls, was now filled with silence, broken only by the faint sound of wind whistling through broken windows.
Jaune's gaze wandered over the scene. Plates still set on some of the tables, chairs tipped over as if the students had left in a hurry. There were no signs of life here, only memories of what once was.
They moved on to the dorms, carefully navigating the debris-strewn hallways. Jaune took notice of how cramped the rooms were, though they were clearly designed for teams to live together. It was strange to think of how different his life might have been if things had gone differently — if he had stayed at Beacon, if he hadn't been kicked out of the Academy.
In one room, they found bloodstains near the entrance, a chilling reminder of the chaos that had ensued during the Fall. It wasn't hard to imagine someone being locked out of their room, desperately trying to get in as the Grimm closed in on them.
Jaune swallowed hard, feeling a lump in his throat as he shone his flashlight over the disheveled beds and scattered belongings.
Gray walked ahead of him, stopping in front of one of the bed's drawers. "Whoa, ain't that Pyrrha Nikos?" she asked, pointing to a photo sitting in one drawer. "Invincible girl herself?"
Jaune stepped closer, shining his light in the picture. It was a group shot of Pyrrha, her fiery red hair unmistakable, standing next to a young woman with bright orange hair and a mischievous grin. Next to them was a young man with long black hair and a magenta streak, and a girl with twin tails and piercing green eyes. Below the picture, Team 'PRUN' was written.
"Team Prune, huh?" Jaune stared at the photo, then shrugged, feeling nothing other than how relaxed their time might have been here… well, until all this shit happened.
Gray saw Carson gesturing and nudged him lightly. "Hey, let's go, Carson's calling. We're still on the clock."
Jaune blinked and nodded, placing the picture back on the shelf carefully before turning to follow Carson and the rest of the squad deeper into the dorms.
They finally reached the passage Headmistress Goodwitch had told them about. After a quick scan, Jaune smashed the panel on the wall, inserted a lightning dust battery, and waited for the system to boot up. Once it did, he input the access code Goodwitch had given them, and the door slid open with a soft hiss.
"Alright, people," Carson said as they entered the tunnel. "We're going for the servers. Orders from the top."
Jaune narrowed his eyes. "What kind of data are we pulling, Sir?"
Carson's expression was unreadable. "Something Ironwood didn't want us to know about. We need a copy before we turned in the data to Goodwitch."
Jaune exchanged a glance with Gray, but didn't press further. Orders were orders, and whatever secrets Ironwood was hiding, they weren't meant to question them. They moved quickly through the tunnel until they reached the underground server room, the soft hum of machines filling the air.
"Scarlet, start the upload," Carson ordered. "Gray, Arc, keep watch."
Scarlet plugged into the server, downloading the data while Jaune and Gray took positions at the entrance, their rifles ready. The quiet hum of the servers was unnerving, and Jaune found himself straining to hear anything unusual in the silence.
Minutes passed, and then Scarlet gave a nod. "Upload complete. We're good to go."
Carson pocketed the drive containing the server's data and motioned for the squad to fall back. "Bull 1, this is Steel 1. Extraction ready. Any visual on hostiles?"
"Negative, Steel 1. Area's still clear. We'll perform the Paladin drop on your word."
"Negative. No need for the drop until contact. Hold position until we're out of here," Carson replied.
They moved swiftly and silently back through the tunnel, emerging into the ruins of Beacon once more. The quiet of the academy grounds felt heavier now, as if the walls themselves were holding their breath, waiting for the next wave of chaos.
As they reached the rendezvous point near the bullhead, Jaune took one last glance at the ruins of Beacon Academy.
"Steel Squadron, mount up. Let's get out of here," Carson ordered.
Jaune used his aura-enhanced legs to grab on to the bullhead.
The operation had been quick, clean, and quiet.
The tension in the air was thick as Steel Squadron returned to the forward operations base. The bullhead's engines hummed in the background as they landed softly on the platform. Jaune exited the craft alongside Gray, Scarlet, and Carson, their expressions hard after the mission at Beacon Academy.
They had completed the mission cleanly, but there was a lingering discomfort. Beacon was once a proud symbol, and seeing it reduced to a haunted ruin weighed heavily on Jaune. His mind raced with thoughts of what they had seen—the abandoned dorms, the destroyed assembly hall, and the strange data they had retrieved.
As they made their way to the briefing room, Carson led the group with his usual air of authority. The room itself was dimly lit, with a large screen in the front and a map of the operational zones behind Carson's seat. The squad took their places around the table as Carson remained standing at the head.
"Alright, listen up, people," Carson began, his tone uncharacteristically light. "First off, let me say that was a job well done. Quick, clean, quiet—exactly how we needed it to go."
Jaune sat straighter in his chair, exchanging a quick glance with Gray, who smirked at Carson's unexpected praise.
"Now," Carson continued, "I'd like to say I'm surprised that y'all could do it without a Paladin but… honestly, maybe we've been babying you too much with those toys. Turns out, you're actually good soldiers without 'em."
A ripple of laughter broke the tension, and Jaune chuckled along with the others. Even Scarlet cracked a smile.
"But seriously," Carson said, his face sobering, "you all handled that with precision. No alarms triggered, no unnecessary noise, and no casualties on our end. And that's how I like it."
The humor in the room dissipated as quickly as it had come, replaced by a more serious atmosphere. Jaune felt the shift in tone, and he focused as Carson's gaze swept over the squad.
"Now, let's talk about the elephant in the room," Carson said, folding his arms across his chest. "I know you all have questions about the data we pulled from Beacon. Let me make one thing clear: that data is classified. It's going straight to the higher-ups."
Gray leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "Not even a hint, Sir? I mean, we risked our asses out there."
Carson's eyes narrowed. "You want to know what's in that data? So do I. But that's not for us to worry about. That's for the brass to figure out."
Gray muttered something under her breath, but Jaune knew better than to push further. Carson was shutting this conversation down, and no amount of prodding would change his mind.
"The drives we took are going to Headmistress Goodwitch," Carson added, pointing a finger at the table. "And Jaune… you're the one delivering them."
Jaune blinked, caught off guard. "Me, Sir?"
"Yeah, you," Carson confirmed. "You'll take the package to her. Gray, you'll cover his back. Keep it professional. Goodwitch is not exactly fond of Atlas right now, and I don't blame her. But you do your job, and you do it right. Understood?"
Jaune nodded. "Understood, Sir."
"Good," Carson said, his tone shifting back to the usual brisk command. "You're dismissed."
Jaune stood up alongside Gray and gave Carson a crisp salute before making his way out of the debriefing room. He could feel the weight of the mission settling on his shoulders as they walked down the corridor toward the armory.
"Guess you're Mr. Courier now, huh?" Gray teased, nudging him lightly in the ribs.
Jaune shrugged. "Someone's gotta do it. Besides, Headmistress Goodwitch is no joke. I'm not looking forward to this."
Gray rolled her eyes. "Come on, it's just a delivery. What's the worst that could happen?"
"You saw the kind of heat Goodwitch packs, right? She could probably tear up half the city with a flick of her wrist," Jaune muttered, half-joking, half-serious.
Gray laughed, though there was a hint of nervousness in her eyes. "Yeah, well… just don't piss her off, and you'll be fine."
Climbing his Paladin, Jaune gripped the controls, his fingers twitching slightly as he moved through Vale's deserted streets. The city had an eerie, lifeless quality — long gone were the bustling crowds and colorful marketplaces that he had remembered seeing during the Vytal Festival broadcasts. Now, all that remained were echoes of a proud city's fall, hidden under a veil of dust, debris, and the watchful eyes of the Grimm probably still lurking.
Gray was beside him, her own Paladin moving in sync as they approached the library. Their mission was simple, and that was to deliver the data drives to Headmistress Glynda Goodwitch and nothing more. Carson had been clear — this wasn't their place to dig deeper, only to serve as a handoff point between Atlas and what remained of Beacon.
"Looks like we've got an audience," Gray said through their comms, her tone dry.
Jaune noticed it too — the Vale Huntsmen, scattered in clusters around the library's perimeter, eyeing their approach warily. The mistrust between the remnants of Beacon and Atlas forces was palpable.
"We're just here to deliver what the Headmistress asked for," Jaune responded, his voice firm but calm as they passed the perimeter. "Let's keep this professional."
The Huntsmen watched but made no move to interfere. Some frowned, others sneered, but the majority were too tired, too worn down from the relentless fight to protect the City of Vale to muster much more than suspicion. Jaune couldn't blame them.
Gray pulled her Paladin to a halt near the entrance of the library, keeping her optics trained on the perimeter. "I'll stay out here," she said, turning her gaze toward Jaune. "If there's any trouble, I'll be sure to save your pretty ass."
Jaune chuckled softly, though there was little humor in it. "Thanks, Gray. I'll hold you to that."
He disengaged from his Paladin, using the boarding rope to lower himself to the ground. His boots hit the pavement with a soft thud, and he adjusted his helmet, opening the mouth area to breathe in the air. The cool air bit at his mouth, a stark contrast to the enclosed warmth of the Paladin's cockpit.
The library loomed before him, a grand structure now fortified with makeshift defenses. Once a place of learning, it had become a war room, buzzing with activity. Civilian and police personnel alike moved between the tables and terminals, coordinating operations to keep what remained of Vale safe from the encroaching darkness. As Jaune entered, he felt the weight of their gazes — some hostile, others indifferent, but most simply exhausted.
His Atlas uniform marked him as an outsider.
Pushing through the tension, Jaune found Glynda Goodwitch standing at a large table surrounded by maps, reports, and holographic displays. She commanded the room with an air of authority that was both intimidating and reassuring. Even now, in the aftermath of Beacon's fall, she remained a stalwart figure. And yet even Jaune could tell she was stressed out.
"Headmistress Goodwitch, ma'am," Jaune said, snapping to attention. "Second Lieutenant Jaune Arc, reporting from Atlas's Steel Squadron. I've brought the package as requested."
Goodwitch's gaze flickered toward him, her expression unreadable as she gave a slight nod. "Lieutenant," she acknowledged, her voice crisp and businesslike. "Wait here for a moment."
Jaune stood at attention as Glynda finished giving orders to her staff. Several of them glanced in his direction, their eyes filled with skepticism or thinly veiled annoyance. The divide between Vale and Atlas was deep, but Jaune pushed those thoughts aside. He wasn't here to mend political rifts. He was just a soldier, following orders.
After a few moments, Goodwitch gestured for him to follow her into a smaller, more secluded room. The tension in the air seemed to thicken as the door shut behind them. Computers lined the walls, and the quiet hum of their systems filled the space.
"Place the drives on the terminal," Glynda instructed.
Jaune stepped forward, retrieving the drives from a compartment on his belt. He placed them carefully on the terminal, watching as Glynda began to set up the systems. As she worked, an odd silence filled the room.
There was something about the way she studied him, an almost piercing gaze that made him shift slightly on his feet.
"Have we met before?" Goodwitch asked, her voice cutting through the quiet.
Jaune hesitated for a moment, then slowly removed his helmet, revealing his face fully.
"Hi, ma'am," he said, offering a respectful nod. "Been a while."
Glynda's eyes narrowed as she studied his features, recognition slowly dawning. "Arc?" she said, as if testing the name on her tongue. "Jaune Arc. Yes… you've changed...you've become... muscular."
Jaune remained silent, his posture straight and formal. He wasn't sure how to respond. It wasn't the first time someone had commented on how different he looked or carried himself, but coming from Goodwitch, it felt… weightier.
"I can sense it," Glynda continued, her tone curious. "Your aura. You've unlocked it, haven't you?"
Jaune nodded slightly. "Yes, ma'am. My aura's been unlocked for a while now, but… I'm not a Huntsman. I'm just a soldier."
Glynda studied him for a moment longer before nodding thoughtfully. "I see. Still, it seems Professor Ozpin was right about you. He said you had potential. You've quite a lot of aura."
Jaune's expression didn't change. He simply didn't care about the potential that might have once been seen in him. That path had closed long ago.
"I'm just here to deliver the data, ma'am," Jaune said simply, standing at attention once more.
There was a pause as Glynda observed him, her sharp eyes scanning his face for any hint of resentment or emotion. Finally, she spoke again.
"Do you hold a grudge?" she asked, her voice calm but probing. "About being kicked out of Beacon? I didn't expect you to last long, and frankly, you weren't qualified. It was for your own good, believe it or not."
Jaune shook his head, his voice steady. "No, ma'am. I don't hold any grudges. Frankly, I didn't stay long enough to care. In fact… your decision might've been for the best."
Goodwitch raised an eyebrow at his remark, but didn't seem offended. "Interesting," she mused. "It's funny how destiny works, isn't it? The student who once tried to forge his way into Beacon, now standing here helping it. Life has a strange sense of irony."
Jaune didn't respond, his focus still on the task at hand. He wasn't one for philosophical discussions, and the weight of the past was something he'd rather leave behind.
Goodwitch finished setting up the data transfer and turned back to him. "You've changed, Arc," she said, her tone softer now. "I see discipline in you. It must've been a hard road."
Jaune remained quiet, offering no comment. He wasn't here for validation, nor did he feel the need to explain the struggles that had shaped him into the man he was now.
"Thank you for your help," Glynda said finally, her tone returning to its usual formality.
Jaune straightened his posture, offering a crisp salute. "Ma'am."
Without another word, he put on his helmet back on, then turned and left the room.
Jaune wondered if he was lying to himself, but he was a soldier.
Personal feelings were something he had to deal with later.
As Jaune exited the library and rejoined Gray outside, he couldn't help but notice the relief in her posture.
"Done already?" Gray asked, leaning casually against her Paladin.
Jaune nodded, pulling his helmet back on. "Yeah. All done."
"Everything goes smoothly?"
"More or less," Jaune replied, his voice muffled by the helmet. "Goodwitch is… intense. That's what an elite Huntress is, I guess."
Gray laughed, shaking her head. "No kidding. Well, at least you didn't get turned into a pancake by her telekinesis."
"Yet," Jaune quipped, climbing back into his Paladin. "Who knows, we might still piss her off before we left."
As they powered up and prepared to move out, Gray glanced at him. "So, what's next?"
Jaune paused, looking out toward the crumbling remnants of Vale. "We wait for orders. Just like always."
Gray nodded. "Ah, what a life, ain't it? I wonder when we'll get some day fucking off."
Jaune and Gray then returned to the Atlas-controlled Vale Airport, their Paladins whirring softly as they maneuvered through the perimeter and past the newly erected security barriers. The once-bustling airport had been transformed into a militarized zone, with Atlas soldiers moving swiftly between checkpoints, securing dust shipments and equipment. Cargo ships from Atlas arrived daily, bringing the assets back to Atlas.
Jaune felt the weight of his helmet pressing down on him as they approached the makeshift command center.
Carson was standing near the entrance to the command tent, his arms crossed, his face set in a stern expression. He looked like he hadn't slept in days, his eyes sharp but weary. Beside him, Scarlet and a few other officers were discussing something, their voices too low for Jaune to hear.
As Jaune and Gray dismounted from their Paladins, the feeling of exhaustion seeped through Jaune's bones. Even though the mission at Beacon had gone smoothly, the constant pressure of their duties weighed heavily on him. But he kept those thoughts buried, knowing there was little room for self-pity in their line of work.
Carson spotted them and motioned for them to approach. "Arc, Raven, good timing. We've got a situation."
Jaune straightened up, walking over with Gray at his side. "What's going on, Sir?"
Carson sighed, rubbing the back of his neck before gesturing to a holomap projected on the table in front of him. The map showed an expansive area covering part of Vale and the eastern borders leading toward Mistral.
"It seems we're not done cleaning up the mess left behind by Beacon's fall," Carson said, his voice grim. "We've just received confirmation that Mistral's Headmaster — Leonardo Lionheart — was working with the same people who attacked Beacon."
Jaune frowned, his mind racing. "Lionheart was involved?"
"More than involved," Carson replied, his eyes narrowing. "He's been aiding them for months, if not longer. Command believes he was feeding them information on our defenses and has been sending Mistral Huntsmen to death. He was one of the key reasons why they were able to strike when they did. Turns out, the coward's been on their side all along."
Gray crossed her arms, her face a mixture of disgust and disbelief. "So what's the plan, Sir? We hunt him down?"
Carson shook his head. "No, Lionheart's already out of the picture. But here's where it gets complicated."
He tapped on the holomap, zooming in on an area near the mountains bordering Vale and Mistral. "There's more. The White Fang, or what's left of it, has had a civil war. We've confirmed reports that Adam Taurus and his associates have been cornered by a rival faction within the Fang and took control. They declared their peaceful, but we ain't trusting them."
Scarlet's eyes lit up with a dangerous glint, her hands curling into fists. "So the bastards finally getting what's coming to him?"
Carson held up a hand, his tone cautious. "Yes, but it's not that simple."
Jaune could sense the tension in Carson's voice. There was always a catch, especially when it came to dealing with the White Fang.
"The problem," Carson continued, "is that some of Taurus's people managed to escape. Command wants them hunted down before they regroup and become a threat again. They're holed up in a compound near the mountains, and our job is to take them out before they can rally."
Gray raised an eyebrow. "Sounds straightforward enough. We go in, wipe out what's left, and head back. Why the long face, Sir?"
Carson exhaled sharply, his frustration evident. "Because the White Fang remnants are desperate. They're not going to go down easily, and they'll do whatever it takes to keep us from getting to Taurus and his top lieutenants if they are there. That compound is heavily fortified, and we've got intel suggesting they've set up traps, possibly even dust-based explosives."
Jaune felt a knot form in his stomach. The White Fang, even in their fractured state, was still dangerous. Desperation could make them unpredictable, and unpredictability was deadly.
"Command's made it clear," Carson said, his voice hardening. "They want this mess cleaned up. No survivors from the Fang's leadership. We're going in hard and fast, taking down anyone who stands in our way."
Scarlet looked like she was ready to punch something. "Good. It's about time we finished off these terrorists. Fuck them for making shit worst for the Faunus"
Jaune exchanged a glance with Gray, who remained quiet but tense. There was no joy in this mission, no sense of satisfaction. They were soldiers, and this was just another job. Another grim task in an already overflowing pile.
"Alright," Jaune said, squaring his shoulders. "What's the timeline?"
Carson pointed to the map again. "We move out at 0600. We'll be taking the Paladins, as well as a small detachment of infantry, for backup. The compound is nestled deep within the mountains, so expect heavy resistance. We'll neutralize the leadership, secure the area, and destroy any weapons or supplies they've been stockpiling."
"Any word about Taurus himself?" Gray asked.
Carson shook his head. "No confirmation on his location, but we're hoping to get eyes on him during the operation. If Taurus is there… he won't be walking out. I promised you that."
There was a heavy silence as Carson's words hung in the air. The weight of the mission pressed down on them, the knowledge that this would be a bloody and brutal fight.
Carson took a deep breath and stood up straight, his gaze hard. "Get some rest while you can. This mission isn't going to be easy. I want all of you at your best. Dismissed."
The hours passed quickly as Jaune and the rest of Steel Squadron prepared for the operation. Jaune checked over his Paladin's systems, making sure everything was in order. The last thing he needed was a malfunction in the middle of a firefight with the White Fang.
Gray was nearby, calibrating her own Paladin. She had a look of fierce determination on her face, her usual snarky attitude replaced by grim focus.
"You ready for this?" she asked, not looking up from her work.
Jaune nodded. "As ready as I'll ever be. How about you?"
Gray smirked, though it didn't reach her eyes. "I've been waiting to take down the White Fang for a long time. I'll be fine."
Jaune knew what she meant. The White Fang had hurt a lot of people, and the scars they left behind ran deep. Even if this was just another mission, it carried a personal weight for many of them.
By the time dawn broke, Steel Squadron was assembled at the airport, their Paladins lined up and ready to go. The sun cast long shadows over the runway as the bullheads powered up, their engines roaring to life.
Carson stood in front of the squad, his arms folded, as he gave the final briefing.
"Listen up, people," he began, his voice steady and authoritative. "We're heading into enemy territory. This compound is their last stronghold in the region, and they'll be fighting like cornered animals. Expect traps, expect resistance, and don't take any chances. I'm sorry we have to leave, Vale. But these people are on the SDC's shit list and they take priority. Backup's already secured Vale, so we trust them to look after this place while we kick some White Fang ass in Mistral."
He looked around at each of them, his gaze lingering on Jaune for a moment before continuing. "Our objective is clear: eliminate the leadership, secure the compound, and destroy any supplies or weapons they've stockpiled. No loose ends. Is that understood?"
"Hoo-rah!" the squad replied in unison.
Carson nodded, satisfied. "Alright. Mount up. We leave in five. It'll take a few hours to enter Mistral and the airships going to make a beeline so take a rest while mid-flight."
Jaune climbed into the cockpit of his Paladin, his hands settling on the controls as the systems powered up. The HUD lit up before him, displaying vital information and targeting systems. His heart raced with anticipation, but he pushed the nerves aside as the Paladin were attached to the Bullheads.
This was just another mission.
Gray's voice crackled over the comms. "You good to go, Arc?"
"Yeah," Jaune replied, checking his systems one last time. "Let's do this."
The bullheads lifted off, carrying Steel Squadron toward the mountains of Mistral. As they flew over the devastated landscape of Vale, Jaune couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The city below was still recovering, and they were about to dive into yet another fight. The world felt like it was tearing itself apart at the seams.
But there was no turning back now.
For hours, they flew low over the mountain range and after hours of blurry terrain and sea, Jaune could see the outline of the facility nestled between the cliffs, its walls fortified with makeshift barricades and watchtowers. White Fang banners fluttered in the wind, and the faint glint of weapons caught the sunlight.
"Eyes on the target," Carson's voice came over the comms. "All units, prepare for deployment."
The bullheads swooped in, their engines roaring as they descended toward the compound. Jaune's heart pounded in his chest as he gripped the controls of his Paladin, ready for the fight ahead.
The bullhead touched down, and the Paladins deployed in perfect synchronization. Jaune's Paladin hit the ground with a thud, its massive legs absorbing the impact as the boosters flared briefly.
"Steel 3, in position," Jaune reported.
"Steel 4, ready," Gray followed up.
"Let's move," Carson ordered.
They advanced quickly, their Paladins moving with precision and power. The compound loomed ahead, its defenses clearly active as the Mantas rained down ordinance on their location. The White Fang wasn't going down without a fight.
"Hostiles incoming!" Scarlet's voice rang out as a volley of gunfire erupted from the compound.
Jaune brought his Paladin's hard-shield up, deflecting the incoming rounds as he returned fire with his auto cannons. The White Fang's forces scrambled to respond, but they were no match for the sheer firepower of Steel Squadron.
"Push forward!" Carson barked. "We take them here!"
Jaune surged ahead, his Paladin cutting through the enemy ranks with ease. Explosions rocked the compound as they breached the walls, tearing through the White Fang's last line of defense.
After hours of gunfight, it was over.