Sent To Protect and Serve Humanity

Chapter 53: The Night After

3rd POV

Dissent and anarchy had become an issue all throughout Mantle. Citizens had taken to the streets to protest the election of Jacques Schnee while Robyn Hill had taken up vigilante work after her defeat, sparking a harsh military presence in the cities as crime soared to an all-time high.

While Atlas appeared to be coming apart at the seams, the UNSC saw an opportunity, one they were not willing to waste.

So, they would send one of their most elite assets to pay a visit to Ironwood to gather more information while the Colonel and Admiral prepared for a meeting with said General.

"This is the worst case scenario." Ironwood angrily slammed his fist on his desk. "More people are dead, Penny's been framed, and somehow, Jacques Schnee is sitting on the council."

The others in the office would take on varied expressions. Qrow, Ren, Winter, and Clover remained neutral and professional, while Ruby and Nora appeared to wince at the sound. Defiance flexed his mandibles in contemplation as he watched the footage.

The footage was of one of the more recent crimes committed against Atlas, in which a supply truck was stolen by a certain Huntress group.

"That's the second shipment for Amity that was hit today. It seems election night was the last push Robyn needed to go from hometown hero to full-on vigilante." Clover remarked, crossing his arms.

"I'm afraid the problem is more complicated than that." Winter said.

Ironwood sighed and began to pace behind his desk. "It seems Robyn has emboldened our suppliers in Mantle. They're refusing to sell us provisions until the city is adequately repaired. With Robyn redistributing the goods her team has stolen, the Amity Project is completely stalled."

"But we're so close. There has to be some way we can finish the tower." Ruby maintained a hopeful expression.

"There is- declaring martial law." Winter coldly said.

Ruby and Nora's eyes widened, and they turned at Ironwood, who stared outside through the window. Defiance frowned at this, clearing his throat to speak.

"General, would it truly be wise to implement a crackdown?" Defiance stared at the man.

"What's more important? Establishing communications, unite the world? Or appeasing a few city blocks?" Ironwood remarked, frowning as he stared out the window.

An emotional Nora would bd the one to respond. "Don't make it sound trivial when you know it isn't. You keep talking about how we just need a little more time, but you're not the one having to struggle."

Ironwood turned around to face her. "We have all had to make sacrifices for the greater good. Mantle has had to bear a lot of the burden, yes, but-"

Nora interrupted him and approached his desk, becoming even more upset. "They're bearing all of it! The longer this waiting game goes on, the harder each day gets for people down there and now you wanna send in more soldiers? You can't just force people to fall in line. If you do that, you'll just be trading all of these problems for the Grimm!"

Ironwood stepped forward and stared at her, eyes narrowed, while she stared back, panting. He lowered himself into his chair and rested his face in his hands.

Ruby would take her friend's side. "Please, General Ironwood. Squeezing Mantle this way... That kind of division plays right into Salem's hands." She placed a hand on the ginger girl's shoulder. "That's why Tyrian is here framing you."

"Right, the reason we called you here in the first place. You're sure this was the man you saw?" Clover asked, diverting the conversation.

Clover stepped toward Ruby, brought out his Scroll, and pressed a button to project a screen that displayed a file about Tyrian. The file contains a photograph of his face, as well as an image of him from undercover footage. Portions of the file's text appear to be classified.