A World of Faunus

by GeraltRex

Humanity is extinct, a species dead for over a century and the historical event that caused the extinction still shrouded in mystery. However, the world has been repopulated by the faunus species still with its own strife and problems. Or maybe, humans are not as extinct as everyone has been led to believe, but honestly how important is that in the grand scheme of things.

Enjoy the teaser chapter.

This chapter is exposition heavy

RWBY is own by Viz Media. Copy Paste.

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"Detail, Atten-Tion.

Thirty Operators stood up from their seats at attention and in unison they announced, "Good morning Lieutenant Rabbit!"

It was an old joke that was used every now and then, especially since the Lieutenant had been one of them not too long ago.

Unfortunately for the operators, Lieutenant 'Rabbit' Jaune Arc walked into the room with a serious face, and wearing his dress uniform.

Many officers noticed that some of his pins were just slightly off, meaning that he had changed in a hurry out of his more casual tact gear and hurriedly put on the dress uniform. Every officer straightened a little more and a hushed silence followed as the ranking officer walked right to the podium on the stage, placed down a packet of folders and stared out at them without saying a word.

Many of the newer officers had been told the stories about their Lieutenant, he had lost his faunus traits, a pair of rabbit ears and a tail in a case of mistaken identity as one of the many instances of gang violence when he was a child.

Jaune had a difficult time when he first joined the department as most officers believed that a mutilated faunus would not be able to perform their duties as well enough. He had been discriminated against and had to complete rigorous testing both physical and intellectual in order to have a chance at joining the department.

Instructors had thought that he would give up at seeing what was stacked against them but he had proved them all wrong by scoring high enough that he could not be passed over.

He had become a pillar of what an officer should have been and earned the respect of all the other officers that he worked with.

He had a tactical mind and had proved to be extraordinarily adaptable on the fly, never seeming to settle in one tactic, mastering skills considered to be outside of his role. He was also well liked by almost all officers, able to turn many of his doubters into friends. He was also the youngest faunus to have ever made Lieutenant, being only 21 years old. He still retained some of his boyish features, but wielded an air of confidence.

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The operators realized that something big was about to go down as Lieutenant Jaune Arc walked up to the podium wearing his Dress Class uniform instead of his more comfortable black tac uniform.

His face was a neutral expression, which meant he had a lot to tell them, and it likely wasn't good news.

"At ease. Unfortunately, it is not appropriate for me to give retorts as we start today's briefing."

The officers sat down and picketed up their stylus and tablets. The joking attitude of the room was replaced by an air of seriousness and concentration, this was going to be one of 'those days', faces became attentive as files were received and opened.

Jaune looked around the room and nodded, "Thank you. As many of you know, in the last week several bomb threats were made against the Headquarters of VPD, Vale's Youth Elementary and High Point Charter School. Intelligence has confirmed that these are viable threats and both schools have closed until further notice and checkpoints have been established around the HQ. Intelligence has given us a target and today we get to hunt him down."

There was now a tenseness in the air, as well as a feeling of excitement.

"Officers, you should all be familiar with the name of today's target." Jaune tapped on the white board behind him. The board changed and a picture of a tall man with brown spikey, gray eyes, wearing a black spandex like uniform with a bright yellow zipper, the most noticeable thing about him was the large bat wings that protruded from his back.

"Yuma Arsenic. Age 43. Birth City is believed to be Vacuo City. Bat Faunus with functional wings. It is speculated that his Semblance is; Noise Canceling since there are numerous instances where he has slipped past security forces through the most unlikely locations. Several officers have reported that while in pursuit, they could not hear him move, including those with exceptional hearing. One such incident included a chase through a junkyard.

No family names or known ties except in Menagerie where it is believed that he started his recruiting. Almost all of his connections are to the terrorist organization, 'The Fangs of Justice', Wanted on several counts of terrorism, and claimed credit for eight bombing in the last six years. We were given actionable intelligence by an informant that Yuma is here in Vale."

At that, murmurs went through the room, while this was a big break, it was worrisome that it wasn't until he made a terroristic threat that they heard about him being in Vale.

At that, murmurs went through the room, while this was a big break, it was worrisome that they did not hear about it as soon as he was in Vale."

One of the members that Jaune could see because he was sitting behind the bulky frame of Thrasher, raised a hand, "Sir, do we have a location and a plan action plan?"

"We have a rough location that should be narrowed down soon. Intelligence has been working hard in the last week to narrow it down precisely. Unfortunately, while they were successful, they location is, the worst fucking place."

Lt. Arc tapped on the whiteboard behind him and it changed to show a map of the city of Vale, then it zoomed in to the Industrial District and what looked like a spiderweb was added. "They are hiding in the sewer system, underneath Vale."

There were groans from around the room, and one of the operators in the back spoke up, "Sir, the sewer system seems like it would be a very poor place for a bat faunus, who can fly unassisted. We know that he is egotistical, and he would want someplace for him to be comfortable."

"You correct Corporal Taurus, but this spot wasn't built for him. We believe for that purpose he chose it, is for his followers. However, it does fit his ego, he is hiding from us literally beneath our noses.

According to our intelligence, 'The Fangs of Justice' have done a major reconstruction to several Main Junction structures in the Industrial District's sewer system. Our job will not be to search the entire district, we already have our targets we are going after. VPD will start the manhunts based on what information we can feed them during our operation.

"We have the original mapping of the sewer system, our real blind spot is going to be the junctions that were reconstructed. Apparently, the areas have been excavated to the point where a two-story house could be built there. Insertion will be two blocks from each junction and local law enforcement will secure and conceal our entry points.

An operator known as Maverick spoke up, "I fucking hate tunnel rat missions. This is a guarantee that this is going to be a bloody mess, even with the possibility of other high value targets, or it could be rigged with traps. We need more information before we go in."

Jaune nodded, "While that is a possibility that there could be some nasty traps waiting for us, they still have to move through the location and any more that a few would be a hindrance to their movements, especially to new recruits. We believe that speed and secrecy are necessary for this operation.

This is an all-hands-on deck mission. In synchronization with the start of our operations, the Council of Vale will be making a public announcement that Section 5 of the Protectorate Doctrine is being activated, immediately followed by Valean Home Defense General McArthur will elevate the threat level to Defcon Level 3 and martial law will be implemented for the next 48 hours.

We believe that the recent rise in violent crime with no arrests has been a testing ground for whatever the Fangs of Justice have planned. All assets of Rainbow have been activated for this operation. We will need to be swift, hit hard, hit everywhere, and lock it all down."

He could see the operators sit up a straighter at this and look up from the data files that they were scrolling through. This was the highest level of active readiness that had ever been instituted against a terrorist organization. The operation would set new precedent for how terrorism was dealt with depending on what they found in the next 24 hours. And the worst part was, he had barely even started the briefing.

He knew that they would have a lot of questions since this was usually an op that would take days or even weeks of planning.

"We currently don't know how large or how many people are going to be involved, expect a 4-to-1 ratio not in our favor. We are authorized to use whatever force is necessary to complete the objective, we will receive more information on site

I will be deploying with a Red team and even though I will be the highest-ranking officer in the field, tactical command will be given to all team leaders since everyone has different objectives in this operation.

Protests started up from the, however, Jaune slammed his fist down on the podium hard, the loud bang silencing any protests. "Has anyone other than Captain-Major Price beaten me in the sim arena yet? No... That's because I am qualified and I have will be

It would take too much work to change the tunnels themselves, the majority of the work should be in and around the main junctions. It is possible that we may encounter traps, since they have the funding for it, but we may get lucky in that they don't expect to be found.

"Sir, what equipment preparation are we expected to need?" Asked a mole faunus operator with a stubbed nose with whiskers on the side, he was a Team Leader, callsign Thermite.

"Prep with what you're most effective with but remember we are likely going to be in extreme close quarters. Gas masks are essential since there could be chemical or biological weapons. We just don't know."

There were more questions asked, which the Lt. answered before he held his hand up signaling that he was going to resume.

"We have twelve teams, comprising six operators. Half the teams are going to be strike force, the other half are going to be the hold teams.

The strike groups will be designated as Red Team, and the hold groups will be Blue Team.

We have twelve major locations that will need to be secured, and more than a dozen soft locations to clear. Today is a long operation, it is estimated that we can secure all sights in eight hours if we hit fast, but time is our enemy. The longer we take, the more likely details about the operation get leaked to the media and our targets have time to flee. Team Ghosteyes has already been deployed because of their expertise in intel gathering and will be constantly relaying information as soon as they know. Do not expect assistance from them, they are stretched thin and still have more locations to scout. Each team will be hitting and securing multiple locations today.

Going into the function of Red and Blue teams. Red teams will breach the locations and neutralize all hostiles and seize any weapons caches found. Once all threats are neutralized, Blue teams will arrive on sight, resupply the Red teams, and reinforce the site to make a communication relay to keep communication with Red teams as they move on to hit the next targets. We have some new toys for you to test out, my favorite is the Dragonfly Drone. It is delicate, expensive, inconspicuous and we only have a few you start breaching and bullets start flying, the dragonflies better not be in there.

Operators Lion, Finka, and Lesion, will be designated as the CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear) Unit on standby, for if at any point any team discovers any explosives, dispersal devices, chemicals on the list or materials.

I would recommend everyone take a shotgun at least as a secondary. I am going with an AA12 and G18. I want overwhelming firepower in close quarters. I am taking CS gas in case we run into heavy resistance or need to retreat, so again, remember to bring gas masks."

A Wolf operator with severe burn scars on his face spoke up, "Sir, CS gas is still lethal in enclosed space without possible ventilation and flammable."

"Your concern is valid, but it will be a last resort, since it also screens thermal and infrared cameras."

Smoke nodded at the explanation.

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Captain-Major Price was patient and waited for his second in command on location to finish his explanation before stepping into the room, "Lieutenant, you should also take into consideration that CS gas will leave residue that will stay and investigators or anyone else who may need to go down there after the everything is done."

The Lieutenant snapped to attention "Detail, Atten-Tion.

The ever operator in the room stood to attention. While it wasn't necessary since there was already someone of rank in the room, Captain-Major Price and those of his former unit, 141 were legends. Former SF and Black Ops, he had disbanded 141, so they could go to the different Kingdoms and start their own training programs in counter-terrorism. From there, Price had effectively built Rainbow from the ground up. He was a faunus who deserved respect.

"At ease operators." Jaune moved off the podium as the operators in the room sat back down. If one thought that they couldn't be more attentive, that person would be wrong. Every operator was laser focused on the Captain-Major.

"It sounds like you covered everything Lieutenant. All I will say is; stay sharp everyone, we are going blind into the largest operation that Rainbow has ever been involved in. However, each of you have done so on smaller scales and that is the mindset to use. You are pieces that are filling out the rest of the puzzle. I have faith in your training and teamwork.

Any final words Lieutenant?"

Jaune stepped up to the podium, "That will be all for now. Gear up and gather into your teams in The Garage. Detail, Dismissed."

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As the last operator filed out of the room, Price turned to his second.

"Jaune, I never asked you to go volunteer, you know these teams, they are well coordinated, and trained to the best that we have pushed them. You are a skilled officer, but you are still green by all standards, you haven't seen a massacre before. We don't know what we will find down there."

"I know that sir, I am giving tactical command to team leaders and I will be following Ash's playbook while I am with her. I have a feeling that rank and my skills will be needed down there."

"You and your 'feelings'; they have always been frighteningly accurate. Maybe its evolution's way of compensating you for your loss of appendages."

Jaune chuckled humorlessly.

They took the elevator down to The Garage. It was the armory and vehicle depot for Rainbow and there had been a 'vault' built in the North corner that was Lt. Arc's unofficial office.

Jaune started to unbutton his dress uniform, "If you wouldn't mind, I need get in my actual uniform."

Price grabbed his arm for a moment which caused Jaune turned to face him. "Jaune, the stage has been set for a bloody fight, if this goes wrong, I will storm down the tunnels myself, Ghost and Soap are coming, but they land in five hours so they won't make it to the initial breach. Gaz will be here at the same time

Rainbow will do their job, it's what they have been trained for, you don't need to go down there."

Jaune had a hard look in his eyes, "I have a gut feeling that is telling me that we are going to lose operators in this mission, the leaks haven't been plugged. Does Higher Command not care about the serious security risks in with this operation?!"

"You are right, this is a rushed operation, but we have to take the risk to prevent the mole from leaking actionable intel, it might be years before we get another opening like this."

Unfortunately for the Lieutenant, his Captain had a predatory look in his eyes, "But what we can accomplish and learn from this will dictate how we can eradicate one of the largest terrorist organizations on the planet. This is the breakthrough we have been looking for. We can't give the mole time to know and inform on what we are about to do. Once we take control, we should be able to weed out the mole since this is going to go against everything their organization is fighting for."

"The worst part is, is that we can't tell any of them that. It would shatter their trust"

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Ash was loading her signature drill shells grenade and other special munitions into her vest that was hanging on the wall of her cage. She was so focused on what she was doing that she was startled by the bang on the wall coming from the cage right next to her. As it turns out Miles Campbell 'Castle' had gotten tired of trying to get her attention politely for the last minute.

Even as he was sliding magazines into his vest, the look on his face told her that he was displeased with what he had heard in the briefing.

"The Lieutenant shouldn't go with our team. He is going to affect the cohesion of the team since we don't have the same level of team training with him."

Ash stopped for a moment, remembering back to when she competed in a few one vs one against her superior officer, "No he won't. L.T. knows the tactics of both breaching and fortification. He is an intel gatherer, since gods know what tech he put into that helmet of his. He is really good at finding people and exposing enemy combatants. He's dueled all the team leaders, and I found that he is a roaming style operator, and a damn good one.

He didn't put himself on our team, he accepted my offer to work along with us if he were to go out on an op. He'll adapt since he understands the importance of a high functioning team, we get an extra man, and it won't hurt us if he gets recalled."

Castle looked at her surprised, this was definitely high praise, especially since his team leader was very critical of exploitable flaws in operational technique. "I trust you Sergeant, I just wish I had a chance to train with him like you did before this."

"We all will do some training exercises with him after this."

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Jaune came out of his closed walled cage with his helmet with mechanical rabbit ears under his arm and an AA12 auto shotgun hanging from the sling around his chest.

His clothes and armor were a mixture of black and grey with yellow highlights. His chestplate was a large, almond-shaped kit shield with rounded point at the bottom, cuisses, greaves, and vambraces with tactical gloves.

The female leader of Viperstrike stepped forwards, Hibana, was her call sign. A viper faunus, she gave him a snappy salute. "Sir, all operators are accounted for and ready. Awaiting your command."

Jaune looked at the faces of the men and women under his command. There was a good chance that some of those faces he wouldn't see after this. There was a tense, yet excited atmosphere coming from many operators standing by their armored vehicles. They were predators, and a fight like this was something they looked forward to. It was a flaw that gave them tunnel vision to the big picture, but that is why they had informants who could dig deeper and help him find the bigger picture.

The Lieutenant returned the salute before looking at the rest of the operators, "Stick with your teams, be ready for anything, even the possibility of someone using tech comparable to ours." It killed Jaune that being cryptic was the only hint he could give to his operators about the mole, but moving fast was the only way they could prevent a leak.

This was going to be one of the worst times for the mole to break cover, surrounded by fully kitted and trigger ready operators. "Red Teams, your rules of engagement are as follows: 'If you suspect a hostile is going to expose or endanger you or your team, you have permission to neutralize the hostile.' There is no room for negotiation in this op, either they surrender immediately or are eliminated, even if there are hostages in play. We don't have time to beg for a surrender. Understood?"

"Yes Sir!" Was the universal response from the Red Teams.

"Blue Teams, any hostages rescued by the Red Teams will be left under your guard for debrief and protection. Anyone who attempts to approach you who are not us, are to be treated as enemy combatants until you receive reinforcements or updated orders from Team Leaders or higher rank such as myself or Captain-Major Price. It is better to be engaged in a prolonged assault than be surprised by a suicide vests."

"Understood Sir!" Was the united chant from the Blue Teams.

The Lieutenant put on his helmet, showing only a digital pair of eyes and a thin line acted as a visual, digital mouth when he spoke. His voice was robotic but clear.

"Alright. Let's roll."

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Author's Note.

I wanted to write this chapter to get it out of my head and on paper. If you like this story then, well, sorry, this is immediately going on the backburner since I have a lot of work I need to do to catch up on all my other stories. Man it's been so long since I wrote anything, I need to get back in the groove. I apologize for the fact that this chapter is very exposition heavy, and I tried to break it up, but there was just so much that needed to be established since I am only posting 1 chapter for now.

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