Chapter 4 : An interesting Morning
The cold winds of Solitas swept across the barren landscape, with the sun casting its light over the frozen wasteland. Here, in the middle of nowhere, lies an Atlesian outpost. This outpost serves as a base for detecting Grimm and functions as a minor CCT tower for the region.
Bram Thornmane stood at the edge of the outpost, sipping his coffee. His sharp red-and-white uniform, a symbol of Atlas' strength, fluttered slightly in the breeze. A frown tugged at the corners of his mouth, his deep blue eyes scanning the horizon with thinly veiled disdain. The village of Essen, where he'd spent most of his time posturing as a hero, felt both far away and very much in his grasp. Yet, despite his ambitions, here he was—stuck in the middle of nowhere, commanding a platoon of soldiers in what he considered a glorified training exercise.
"Why waste my talents here?" he muttered under his breath, his fingers tightening around the cup. "I deserve better than this. I should be preparing to join the Ace Operatives, not babysitting a bunch of recruits."
He took a long sip of his coffee, feeling the warmth slide down his throat. The bitterness of the drink did nothing to soften the bitterness that had settled in his chest.
"I deserve better than this." He grumpily repeated in his thought.
He straightened his posture, setting the cup on a nearby table as he turned to his soldiers, who were busy preparing for the day's drills. His mind, however, was elsewhere. He could picture it now—his name among the Ace Ops, his reputation spreading across Atlas and beyond. He would be hailed as a protector of the people, a hero. Not just Essen's savior, but a symbol of Atlas' might.
Bram had always considered himself special—destined for greatness. Since his days at Atlas Academy, training under General Ironwood, he had aspired to join the elite Ace Operatives. He wanted to be a hero, a protector of the people. But even more than that, he wanted recognition, admiration. He wanted people to see him, to know his name. He wanted to leave a legacy that would outshine all others.
But instead, here he was, commanding a tiny outpost, waiting for something—anything—that could prove his worth to General Ironwood. His fingers brushed the hilt of his silver bow, the weapon gleaming as it hung at his side. The bow, with its elegant curves and deadly precision, could transform into dual daggers at a moment's notice. It was a weapon fit for a hero, not a mere outpost commander.
"I'll show them," Bram thought, his ice-blue eyes narrowing. "I'll prove that I'm more than just another officer. I'll become a legend."
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching. Two drones operators, fresh-faced and clearly nervous, approached him. Bram's mood soured even further.
"What now?" he thought, already bracing himself for some trivial issue that would waste more of his time.
He forced a smile, though it was hollow and cold. "What is it?" he asked, his voice clipped and formal, masking his irritation.
"Sir," the young man said, snapping to attention. "We have a situation."
Bram raised an eyebrow, taking another sip of his coffee as he observed them. "A situation?" he repeated, his tone clipped. "What kind of situation?"
The young woman stepped forward, holding a tablet in her gloved hands. "Sir, we received a report from a drone we sent out last night. It was sent to investigate the village we lost contact with yesterday."
Bram sighed internally. He already knew where this was going. Villages in the remote regions of Solitas were constantly falling victim to Grimm attacks. It was almost a routine occurrence at this point. He could already picture the scene: a small village, overrun by Grimm, the few remaining structures smoldering in the aftermath.
"Probably another Grimm attack," he thought, barely suppressing a yawn. "Nothing new."
"And?" Bram prompted, his voice sharp. "What's the status of the village?"
The woman hesitated, her eyes flicking to the tablet. "The drone confirmed the village's destruction, sir. It's… it's completely wiped out."
Bram nodded, already bored. "As expected. Villages like that are Grimm magnets, especially out here. Inform the academy of the Grimm presence, update the maps, and move on. Anything else?"
The two soldiers exchanged uneasy glances, clearly hesitant to continue, which caught Bram's attention.
The young man cleared his throat nervously. "Well, sir, there's more to it than just a Grimm attack. The village… it was a mining village. Specifically Dust Mines."
Bram's expression didn't change, but inwardly, his mind began to churn. Dust mining villages were always a source of instability. The Schnee Dust Company with how the current leadership Jacque Schnee has been buying out local miners in recent years ever Since taking over as CEO over half a decade ago, following the death of Nicholas Schnee and a few years after the birth of his first daughter, Jacques had transformed the once-respected company. His subtle, then increasingly overt, expansionist tactics involved buying out local miners, putting them out of business, and then offering them low-paying, dangerous jobs in their own mines. It was a ruthless business model, one that often left the local populace angry and desperate.
And desperation, as Bram knew all too well, attracted Grimm.
He looked at the two soldiers, his gaze narrowing. "Go on."
The young woman nodded, her voice tense. "The village had been struggling ever since the SDC bought the land. The local miners were forced out of their jobs, and the few that stayed on were given… well, terrible conditions. Low pay, no safety standards. It's been like that for months now. The village was on edge."
Bram's mind worked quickly, putting the pieces together. The SDC's practices had stirred up resentment in the village. Resentment bred negative emotions—fear, anger, hopelessness. And negative emotions were like a beacon to the Grimm.
"So the Grimm were drawn to the village because of the unrest," Bram said, his voice cold and analytical.
The young man nodded. "Yes, sir. The villagers were on the verge of rioting. There were reports of fights breaking out, people losing hope. It was only a matter of time before the Grimm showed up."
Bram's lips curled into a sneer. "Typical. The SDC buys out the land, ruins the locals' lives, and now we're left cleaning up the mess."
He wasn't surprised. The Schnee Dust Company would turn a blind eye to the consequences of their actions, especially out here in the remote regions of Solitas. They were more interested in profits than people, and the resulting chaos often attracted Grimm by the horde.
But that wasn't Bram's problem. His only concern was how this situation could benefit him.
"Let me guess," Bram said, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "the village was overrun by a massive Grimm horde because of all the negative emotions. Happens every time."
The young woman hesitated before nodding. "Yes, sir. The drone footage shows that the village was completely overrun. There were too many Grimm for the villagers to stand a chance."
Bram nodded, already bored of the conversation. "As i said before not unexpected. Grimm attacks in this region are common" he said taking another sip of his coffee as his mind turn.
The village being a Dust mining settlement—though not particularly significant in the grand scheme of things, it still had its value. While securing the mine wouldn't change Atlas' fortunes, it could still shine a light on his leadership and decisiveness.
"Even a minor victory could catch the right eyes," Bram thought, his fingers tightening around his silver bow. A successful defense, or salvaging what's left, might be enough to impress Ironwood. He didn't need to save Atlas' most prized assets to prove himself—he just needed to stand out.
"If I can secure the mine, protect the Dust, and clean up this mess, it'll show that I'm capable of more than just babysitting a platoon in the middle of nowhere," Bram mused. "It'll be another step toward the Ace Ops." he thought.
"Anything else?" he said after reflecting on how this could benefit him.
The two soldiers exchanged another uneasy glance, clearly hesitant to continue. Bram's patience, already thin, was now hanging by a thread.
"If there's more, I suggest you get to the point," Bram said sharply, his eyes narrowing.
The young man cleared his throat, stepping forward. "Sir, there's… more. The drone picked up something else. Something unusual."
Bram's brow furrowed. Unusual? That was enough to catch his attention. He set his coffee down on a nearby crate and crossed his arms, staring at the two soldiers with renewed focus.
"Unusual how?" he asked, his voice low but commanding.
The woman quickly tapped on her scroll, bringing up a video feed and handing it to Bram. "You'll want to see this, sir."
Bram's patience, already wearing thin, began to fray. He sighed, rubbing his temples in frustration. "Fine, what is it?" he snapped taking the scroll.
The screen flickering to life in his hands. The video feed from the drone began to play, showing a stormy, desolate landscape. The camera panned over a scene of destruction—the remnants of the village, now reduced to rubble it was hardly noteworthy since he seen many settlements fall and destroyed just like that before he was trained under Ironwood during his time as a Huntsman. But that wasn't what caught Bram's eye.
In the distance, three humanoid figures were locked in battle with a horde of Grimm. The monsters were relentless, their glowing red eyes filled with malice as they charged forward. But the figures—two women and one man—fought with an otherworldly grace. One of them, a woman with sleek wings, tore through the Grimm with bladed blades, her movements fluid and deadly. Another figure, a man with chainsaw blades roaring from his arms, hacked through the monsters with terrifying precision. And the final figure, a woman with mechanical wings and a missile launcher, fired multiple rockets that reduced the Grimm to nothingness.
But that wasn't the only thing as the battle progressed the three figures seemed to switch weapons from where they came from he didn't know but the change included what seemed to be standard firearms, a Sonic weapon, and if he was correct a laser beam that tore though a Megaloliath.
Bram's eyes narrowed as he watched, his sharp mind analyzing every detail. The trio was unlike anything he'd seen before. They weren't just skilled—they were something more. Their wings, their weapons, their sheer ferocity... it was quite remarkable but not much perhaps on the same level of some mid tier Huntsman's and huntress.
He paused the video, his gaze lingering on the figures. "What... is this?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous.
The young man swallowed nervously. "We… we don't know, sir. The drone couldn't get a clear visual on their faces or any identifying marks. But they fought off the Grimm with ease, and then then retreated into what looked like a crashed aircraft."
Bram's mind began to whirl with possibilities. The figures were clearly not ordinary Huntsmen or Huntresses. Their efficiency, their weaponry … it was all too perfect. Too unnatural.
"Could they be… robots?" he thought, his eyes narrowing as he studied the footage again their forms were humanoid, yes, but why would combat machines have such noticeable gender traits? or perhaps just a different model ? The sleek wings, the way their bodies moved—it all seemed too deliberate, too human. Could they really be robots, or something else entirely?. "Some kind of experimental military mech? or a new series of advanced combat androids designed to mimic human movement? Or could they be… something more? A hybrid, perhaps?."
But he quickly dismissed the idea.
"No," he thought, frowning. "Not even Atlas has robots that advanced. The Atlesian Knights are powerful, but they don't move like that. They don't fight like that. These figures… they're too efficient. Too human." He looks more closely at the pause screen analyzing these mysterious being "Not to mention the fact that they seem to have gender characteristics and clothing something which the higher ups would clearly reject if these were to be presented to them." He thought.
He continued to watch the video, rewinding it to study their movements again. The trio moved with fluidity and precision that was almost impossible to replicate with machines. They fought like seasoned Huntsmen, but with an edge—an unnatural edge.
"So if they're not robots, then what? Some new experimental tech ?" Bram's mind raced with theories. "Who Could have developed something like this?"
A thought crept into Bram's mind, one that made him pause.
"Could the SDC be behind this?" he wondered, his fingers drumming against the tablet. "The company had been getting more aggressive in recent years, expanding its operations, experimenting with new technologies. Could these figures be part of some secret project? Some new weapon designed to deal with the Grimm more efficiently?"
It was possible. The SDC had the resources, the power, and the ruthlessness to create something like this. But Bram quickly dismissed the idea.
"No, the SDC doesn't make combat machines this advanced. They're focused on Dust extraction, automation in their mines, and profits—not high-level combat tech. Not to this degree anyway." He paused his thought before continuing "And even if it was them they need to inform the Military first before conducting any sort of combat related experiment something that would have been highly illegal if they did so without their permission."
He could almost laugh at the absurdity of it. The SDC was ruthless in its business practices, sure, but even they couldn't build machines that moved with this level of precision, this level of calculated lethality. The trio in the footage fought like Huntsmen. They moved with an unnatural grace, blending machine-like efficiency with a level of combat prowess that was almost disturbing.
Still, the thought lingered in the back of his mind. If the SDC wasn't behind this, then who was? And more importantly, what were they doing here, in a remote mining village in Solitas?
"If not the SDC… then who?" He thought.
As the wind howled around him, a new possibility crept into his mind, one that made him pause. He frowned, his thoughts shifting toward another name—one that sent a chill down his spine, colder even than the biting winds of Solitas.
Merlot Industries.
Dr. Merlot's corporation had been a whisper on the lips of those who knew the darker side of technological advancement. Bram had heard of them during his time at Atlas Academy, mostly in hushed tones. Merlot Industries specialized in the cutting edge of artificial intelligence, robotics, and genetics. They were notorious for pushing the boundaries of ethical science, especially in the realms of biological and AI experimentation.
"Could this be one of Merlot's creations?" Bram wondered, his eyes narrowing. "It would explain the precision, the efficiency. Merlot was obsessed with blending artificial intelligence and biological components. These figures could be some kind of advanced hybrid—part machine, part human."
The idea made his stomach churn, but it wasn't impossible. Merlot Industries had been known to dabble in the grotesque, creating abominations that fused organic and synthetic life not to mention their controversial experiments with captured Grimm. If anyone had the audacity—and the capability—to create something as dangerous as the trio in the footage, it would be Merlot.
But then Bram frowned, shaking his head.
"No… that doesn't make sense." His mind quickly picked apart the theory. "Merlot Industries operates out of Vale. They have no presence in Atlas. And more importantly, if this was Merlot, the Atlesian council would've been informed. There's no way Merlot could be conducting experiments on this scale in Atlas without the government knowing about it."
Atlas, for all its military might and technological dominance, had strict oversight when it came to outside corporations operating within its borders—especially one as controversial as Merlot Industries. If Merlot had been conducting operations in Solitas, particularly something this bold, Bram would have known about it.
"If Merlot was behind this, there would've been official channels. Permits, government oversight, red tape. And I would've heard something through military channels. No way something this big slips past without anyone noticing."
Bram's thoughts raced as he considered the consequences. If Merlot Industries hadn't informed the Atlas government—and if this was indeed their doing—then this wasn't just a local issue. This had the potential to spark an international incident between Vale and Atlas. The political ramifications could be catastrophic.
"If Atlas finds out that Vale is allowing one of its corporations to conduct secret experiments on our soil without permission…" Bram's jaw tightened. "General Ironwood would have no choice but to retaliate. It could escalate into a full-blown diplomatic crisis. The Council would be furious."
The thought of an international incident hung over him like a dark cloud. Atlas and Vale had a tense peace, but that could easily shatter if Merlot Industries was found to be meddling in Atlas territory. The implications of a rogue Valean corporation conducting experiments in Solitas, especially ones that could rival Atlas' own military technology, were staggering.
"No… Merlot wouldn't be that reckless," Bram concluded, shaking his head. "He's a madman, but even he knows better than to provoke Atlas like this. If this was his doing, there would've been some kind of formal arrangement. And if there isn't, then…"
His mind circled back to the same conclusion he had been avoiding: this wasn't Merlot.
"Merlot Industries is out," Bram thought, his eyes narrowing as he considered the implications. "They wouldn't risk an international incident by doing something this reckless, not in Atlas' own backyard."
The White Fang? Possibly, since the figures seem to have wings and tails – something only the more radical part of the peaceful activist organization would have employed since the idea of giving machines tails and wings would be ridiculous since it would serve no purpose besides being symbolic to the organization cause.
But even if it were them, they don't have the proper resources and technology to make such a thing, so it couldn't be them. Not to mention the more peaceful part of the group, under Ghira Belladonna, would clearly oppose the idea of creating something meant for combat. However, with how in recent years the group seems to employ more people who are more willing to use violence for the cause, and the constant disagreements between Ghira and his Chief Lieutenant Sienna Khan, there's a chance that the peaceful organization could become something much worse.
That left only one possibility, the one that had been gnawing at the back of his mind since he see this footage and would make the most logical conclusion.
"A new faction."
The idea seemed both plausible and terrifying. Some shadowy group—operating in secret, outside the watchful eyes of the Kingdoms—testing experimental technology in the remote regions of Solitas. It made sense, in a twisted way. A mining village like this one would be the perfect place to test new weapons or combat machines. Isolated, vulnerable, and surrounded by Grimm, it was the ideal location for field testing without drawing too much attention.
"No one would question a village being destroyed by Grimm," Bram mused, his mind racing. "It happens all the time out here. Hell, it's practically expected. But using the chaos of a Grimm attack to test advanced combat technology? That's… clever."
He hated to admit it, but whoever was behind this knew exactly what they were doing. Destroying a village in Solitas would barely make a blip on Atlas' radar. It was far enough from the major cities, and the wealth of negative emotions caused by the SDC's oppression of the local miners had drawn the Grimm like moths to a flame. It was a perfect cover for whatever this new faction was testing.
But the question remained: who were they?
Bram's mind whirled with possibilities. Could it be some radical group from Mantle, using stolen technology to fight back against Atlas' rule ? Or perhaps a criminal organization from Mistral, where lawlessness and guerrilla tactics were more common? Or even something more sinister ?
"Whoever they are," Bram thought, his eyes narrowing, "they have resources. Advanced technology. And they're testing something big."
The implications were staggering. A new faction, armed with experimental combat technology that could rival even the most advanced Atlesian military units, was testing their weapons in the frozen wilderness of Solitas. If they succeeded in refining their creations, they could become a serious threat—not just to Atlas, but to the world.
"And if I can uncover who they are, expose them to Ironwood and the Council…"
Bram's heart raced at the thought. This could be the opportunity he had been waiting for. If he could be the one to bring this to light, to expose this new faction and stop them before they became a real threat, it would cement his place among the elite. General Ironwood would have no choice but to promote him to the Ace Ops. He would be hailed as a hero.
Bram stared at the tablet, his mind racing. He didn't know who these figures were, but they were powerful. And if they were powerful, then they were useful. His ambition flared to life once more, and a plan began to form in his mind.
"Keep this between us," Bram said, his voice cold and commanding. "No one else is to know about this until I say so. Understood?"
The soldiers nodded quickly, their expressions serious.
"Yes, sir," the young man said. "We'll keep it confidential."
Bram handed the scroll back to them, his mind already working through the possibilities. "I want you to analyze that footage further. Find out everything you can about these individuals. Who they are, where they came from, and what they're doing here. And if there's any sign of them being connected to the White Fang…" He paused, letting the implication hang in the air.
The soldiers exchanged a glance, hesitation in their eyes. "The White Fang, sir?" the young woman asked cautiously. "But they don't look like Faunus…"
Bram cut her off with a dismissive wave. "I don't care what they look like. Those wings—" he pointed at the paused image on the tablet, "—are more than enough reason to suspect Faunus involvement. And if this is related to the White Fang, some SDC experiment, Merlot or some new faction, then taking them down will secure my place among the Ace Ops."
The soldiers nodded, though they still looked uncertain. "We'll begin our investigation immediately, sir," the young woman said, her voice tense.
"Good," Bram replied, turning away from them, his mind already far ahead. "Remember, this stays between us. Do not breathe a word of this to anyone else and I don't care if you were order to I want you two to state that this is classified information, my eyes only."
As they hurried off to begin their work, Bram stood alone, staring out at the stormy horizon. His fingers drummed absently against the hilt of his bow. This could be it. This could be the opportunity he'd been waiting for. If he could uncover anything about these mysterious figures and bring them in, then his path to the Ace Operatives would be assured.
His mind wonders if he should report this discovery to Ironwood, but he immediately dismisses the thought. He knows that if he reports it now, Ironwood would send other operatives, stealing his chance for glory and his assurances to the Ace Operatives.
However, he does worry about the mining village. Considering it is SDC property, there is a chance they would send their own forces to secure the area with their private security. And Given that the SDC's have some influence on the military, they might also bring in other military forces not under his command. He needs to act quickly to find those three figures before they do.
"Soon," he thought, a cold smile spreading across his face. "Soon, they'll all see what I'm truly capable of."
Hello everyone and welcome to chapter 4 of Remnant : Disassembly and 3 Days since last Update.
As for the chapter I thought that a bit perspective shift might be needed showing that our Fabulous Murder Bots presence are not unnoticed considering what happened at the last chapter with a new character Bram
And no this isn't some OC, Bram Thornmane is a character from the Game RWBY Arrowfell and i find this to be the perfect opportunity to bring him in the story alongside the fact he's quite underused and I haven't seen any stories that actually use him not to mention his presence would certainly help move the plot.
Anyway Reviews
munders : First of all they were falling so not exactly flying and as for them being fast where we don't really know just how fast they truly are so its up to debate and I disagree there are a lot of things that could posed a threat to them the only reason why they managed to thrive in Copper 9 is because pretty much everyone there won't even try and fight back.
Ssgtsplatter : Thanks and to be honest I had to read a lot of other stories just to get an idea on how combat would look like and how to implement them as for the other well here's your answer.
MidKnightMoonglow99 : Once again thanks for the advise it certainly help alongside giving me some ideas on how this chapter would go in our Private Chat so thanks.
WeAreVenom5 : Well I hope this gave you a vague idea on when this takes place
Mr. Peanutbutter : They Charged Indeed.
Guest : Their food sourse
DB-20 : With the power of adaptability and testing (Spoilers : they're going to Eat dust)
a54321: Indeed.
Random leters: A bit confused on what your saying but a what if story would be a fun idea.
ChimaTigon: Still thinking about if I should have her or not in the story.
OmegaKing99 : Well here's your answer.
Anyway that is all I hope you enjoy and I hope you all have a wonderful day/night! Take Care! Thank you all and stay healthy.