The REDS of war

Volume Eight Chapter Three

The camera opens up on farm plains on the outskirts of Atlas. A squadron of Atlesian Military soldiers ready their guns just outside the city walls. As they watch, Grimm start running through the fields. On the edge of the floating landmass, the whale-esque Grimm Monstra roars, releasing a wave of Grimm Liquid that spawns a plethora of Grimm types: Sabyrs, Sulfur Fish, Apathy, Megoliaths, and more.

The forces of Grimm and Atlas clash as General James Ironwood looks on from the safety of his office. He scowls, then presses a button on his desk console, speaking remotely to a subordinate.

"Yes, sir?"

"I am evacuating all citizens to the subway. Prepare Manta Squad Omega, and dispatch to every part of Atlas."

"But sir-!"

Ironwood slams his fist on his desk. "Now!"

Elsewhere in Atlas, civilians are seen lounging in a public park. High-pitched speaker feedback is heard before Ironwood broadcasts his announcement. "Citizens of Atlas, please proceed to the nearest underground subway station for shelter."

One man gets up from beside his daughter, confused and looking around for a threat. As sirens begin to blare, people start to panic and run for the subway. Then man is frozen with fear until his daughter points to the sky behind him. "Dad? Look!"

A swarm of Lancers weave their way between the Atlas skyscrapers, sending the man stumbling back. A squad of Mantas swoops in, opening fire on the Lancers. The man hurriedly leaps to his feet. "We need to go!"

The Ace Ops, Dusk Kai, and Winter Schnee have taken Yang Xiao Long, Jaune Arc, and Lie Ren into custody, and cuffed them with Gravity Bolas. Their Manta approaches Atlas, and Atlas Military chatter can be heard over the in-ship radio.

"We can't get the Hard Light shields back up, sir. The generators took too much damage!"

"Then don't waste resource on them. Beta Squad, the creature?"

"We tried bombs, missiles, but we can't make a dent, sir."

Winter chimes into the conversation. "Sir, Schnee here. Penny is still MIA, but we've apprehended Arc, Xiao Long, and Ren."

"Stand by for further orders, and don't let those fugitives out of your sight."

"Friends sir." Dusk says. "I don't recall Cyril and I okaying their status as fugitives. You may hold two seats sir, but you've become outnumbered. Don't make me order, executive function 33." Dusk warns.

Behind him, Yang turns to look at him with a grim expression. "Still just following orders."

Winter turns and narrows her eyes at the girl, then gasps as Monstra slowly comes into view through the windscreen. Jaune and Ren stare slackjawed at the gargantuan Grimm.

"That's where the Grimm took Oscar. It's even bigger than I thought." Jaune mutters.

Vine Zeki narrows his eyes, clearly skeptical. "Grimm don't take prisoners."

"Salem does." Dusk says.

"This one did. If you would just let us go--!" Yang shouts. Yang makes to get out of her seat, but Vine and Elm Ederne grab her shoulders, forcing her back down. Ironwood's voice comes through over the radio again.

"Cease fire. Manta squads, concentrate on secondary hostiles. Command is working on a solution for the creature."

Dusk looks back down to the console. "What do you have in mind?"

"We aren't making any progress attacking the thing from the outside. But from the inside, it could be vulnerable. Science team is putting together a bomb. One from the old KW&M research labs. When it's ready, we'll drop it off as close to the target as possible. Then, your team will deliver it on foot. Sending your rendezvous coordinates now." Throughout Ironwood's order, Winter's face goes through a cycle of emotions: pensiveness, horror, denial, and finally, resolution. Dusk's however grows more and more horrified.