Sterling has now appeared on Remnant-622, But Neo sneakily appeared on Remnant-622 as well, Sterling felt the sharp bite of the cold creep through his clothing & summoned a Winter Military Uniform.
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"What! Neo?" Sterling exclaimed, His voice barely above a whisper as he took in the sight of her.
His gaze shifted upward, Where a collapsed railroad bridge loomed ominously over the area, The jagged remains suggesting that some had survived the harrowing fall. "Hmm, It could be Team RWBY & Qrow, Based on what I remember," Sterling mused, A hint of concern threading through his mind.
Before he could finish, Neo interrupted him with a shake of her head, A gesture that conveyed more than words could. "You're mute, right?" Sterling asked, and Neo nodded in affirmation.
In an effort to facilitate communication, he summoned a Pip-pad, handing it to her. "Here. This should help you express yourself a bit better."
"I am cold..." Neo typed, her fingers deftly navigating the device. Understanding her plight, Sterling conjured a more feminine Winter Military Uniform for her. "I know it's not exactly your style, but how does this work for you?" he asked, watching as she nodded in approval and briefly hugged him in gratitude.
Observing the shoe tracks in the snow, Sterling felt a surge of determination & motioned for Neo to follow him. As they trekked onward, Sterling summoned a Koch G32Sn Assault Rifle & a Mu Snow 99X Marksman for himself. Noticing Neo was unarmed, He quickly summoned an H&K UMP23sn SMG & an M15s Snow Battle Rifle for her. "Here you go, but be cautious with the M15; It has a bit of a kick," Sterling warned, Earning another nod from Neo.
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Sterling thinks it has been 17 to 24 minutes, But they continue to follow the shoe print tracks. Eventually Sterling & Neo see Brunswick Farm, They can also catch sight of a glimpse of smoke coming from inside one of the buildings then Sterling & Neo start to walk there.
But Sterling notices something on the roof of the building shifting around up there, So Sterling decides to use his Soul Powers.
Determination:
* Space & Time
* Resisting Death
* Resisting Fate
Justice:
* Electricity & Light
* Bursts of Power
* Truth & Accuracy
It looks like a Grimm, He remembers learning about The Mimic Grimm & from the looks of it, It's trying to copy Neo Politan. I stop with Neo, Neo then looks at Sterling & as Sterling nods to the roof of the building, Neo sees the Grimm shifting around up there on the roof.
Sterling aims his Marksmen Rifle at the mimic & shoots it in the head hitting it & killing it. The suppressor makes sure no other Grimms hear the gunshot. But the Grimm still let out a low shriek. Then dying & fading away like many of its kin.
Sterling then sees a few people run out of the building the few people being Qrow, Roman, Yang, And Neo Politan. Though Neo Politan looked very tired & surprised seeing another Neo…
"Yo-" But was cut off by Roman & Yang. "Who are you!?" Yang said. "And who is that?! She sees like Neo?" Roman said.
Sterling fake coughs. "Right, I am Sterling Schnee from Remnant-616 & this is Neo Politan from Remnant-439 I was sent here to help Team RWBY and… Well Neo followed me." Sterling answers.
The room fell silent for a moment as the group processed Sterling's introduction. Qrow crossed his arms, His expression a mix of skepticism & intrigue. "Another Neo? Great. Just what we need," He muttered, Glancing between the two Neos.
Yang, Still on edge, Stepped forward, Eyeing Sterling warily. "So you're from another Remnant? What's your game? You know we're in the middle of a crisis here."
Sterling held up his hands, Trying to diffuse the tension. "I'm not here to cause trouble. I came into this Remnant for a good reason, And it seems our paths have crossed for a purpose. The Mimic Grimm I just killed is a sign of a larger threat that could endanger everyone, Including you guys the survivors of the train crash. Yes?"
We see them all inside the large building in a decently large room, Where we can see a woman named Maria Calavera & then Ruby, Weiss, Blake, Yang, Qrow, Roman, The Two Neos, And Sterling.
"Ok, Let me get this straight. You are all the survivors of the train crash so after finding yourselves 16 minutes before me & Neo hot here, Also Neo." Sterling looks at the other Neo. "Right, For convenience, we'll call you Neopolitan," Sterling said, gesturing toward the other Neo, Who nodded in agreement, Her expression serious but very tried.
Maria Calavera, Leaning against a wall with her cane, Raised an eyebrow. "And you're saying that this Mimic Grimm is just one part of a larger threat? What do you know?"
"First stock on what we have… Ruby has a sprained or broken leg." Sterling looks at Ruby's legs as she uses her damaged Crescent Rose stuck in sniper mode. "Neopolitan looks so tired she may fall asleep…" Again Sterling looks at Neopolitan's tired face trying to stay awake.
"The only good thing right now is that the only people we have to worry about are inside the building." Sterling then takes in a deep breath, Gathering his thoughts. "The Mimic Grimm can shape-shift to look like its victims, Which means it could lure others into a trap. We've already seen one, And I suspect there are more out there. If they're working together, We need to be prepared."
The room fell into a tense silence as everyone absorbed Sterling's assessment. Ruby winced, Shifting her weight off her injured leg, White Weiss leaned closer, Her arms crossed defensively. "So, What do we do now? We can't just sit here & wait for them to find us."
"Exactly," Sterling replied, His voice firm. "We need to fortify this place & prepare for any potential attacks. We can't underestimate the Mimic Grimm; They could be watching us right now."
Qrow stepped forward, His expression serious. "How do we fortify the building? We need to make sure we can defend ourselves if they come knocking."
Sterling nodded, appreciating Qrow's directness. "First, Let's barricade the doors & windows. We'll need to create a secure perimeter. We can use furniture & any supplies we find around here. I'll summon some additional materials to help."
With that, Sterling summoned Wall-Reinforcements to Reinforce vulnerable walls— Wooden planks & thick metal sheets. Neo was helping me Reinforce weak-looking walls as Neopolitan was relaxing with Maria watching her making sure she would not be attacked while alone.
As Sterling & Neo worked to fortify a lot of the building's weak walls, The atmosphere remained tense. Qrow began organizing the others, Delegating tasks to ensure they all had a role in the preparations. "Yang, You & Roman check the back entrance. Ruby, Weiss, Make sure the windows are secure. We can't afford any surprises."
With everyone moving, Sterling took a moment to assess the situation. He glanced at Neopolitan, Who was still visibly fatigued. "Neopolitan, I know you're tired, But your abilities might be useful if we encounter another Mimic. So I want you to rest up as Maria here watches over you, Ok?"
Neopolitan nodded resting for the battle ahead. Sterling waved his hand, Ssummoning a small, shimmering orb of light. "This will help you see in the dark & give you quite a bit of energy. Use it wisely." Neopolitan then quickly fell asleep afterward.
Meanwhile, Qrow returned from the back entrance, A concerned look crossing his face. "I just checked the area outside. It's quiet, too quiet. We need to keep our eyes peeled." Sterling turned to the group, His voice steady.
"Once we finish barricading, we should set up a watch rotation. If they're out there, they'll be looking for any sign of weakness." Weiss, Still skeptical, Chimed in, "And what's to stop them from mimicking one of us to get inside?"
"No need," Sterling replied. "The Mimic Grimm can only copy dead people, Therefore they cannot mimic any of us but they can mimic someone's melee weapon in an attempt to trick somebody into thinking there's someone else," Sterling said.
The group exchanged uneasy glances, absorbing Sterling's explanation. The tension in the room remained palpable, a mix of fear and determination. Ruby shifted again, trying to find a comfortable position despite her injury. "So, we just have to keep an eye on our weapons?" she asked, her voice steady but strained.
"Exactly," Sterling confirmed, his tone firm. "If you see something off with a weapon— something that doesn't feel right it out. We can't let them get the upper hand."
Qrow nodded, His gaze shifting to the barricaded entrances. "Let's set up some traps near the doors. If they try to get in, we'll know." He glanced at Roman. "You good with making some noise traps?"
Roman grinned, "Absolutely. I've got a few tricks up my sleeve." He moved toward a stack of supplies, Gathering materials for his makeshift alarms.
As the group continued their preparations, Sterling felt a surge of resolve. They were all in this together, And he needed to ensure their safety. He approached Qrow as he worked on the traps. "Do you think the Mimic Grimm would target us directly, or are they more likely to wait & watch?"
"Depends," Qrow replied, His brow furrowing in thought. "If they're smart, they'll wait for the right moment. But they could also be desperate. If they think they can take us out one by one, They might strike sooner than we expect."
"That's what we need to prepare for," Sterling said, Glancing around the room. "We can't let them gain any advantages. Let's keep our defenses tight and our morale high."
Just then, A loud crash echoed from outside, Causing everyone to freeze. Sterling's heart raced. "Everyone, to your positions!" He shouted, Instinctively reaching for his weapon.
As they all moved into defensive stances, Sterling's eyes darted to the windows. "What was that?"
"Could be a trap," Qrow muttered, peering through a crack in the barricade. "Or an ambush. Stay alert."
Sterling decided to summon two UAVs high into the sky & six mini-UAVs, The two UAVs being an MQ-9 Reaper & MQ-27 ScanEagle. Then the six mini-UAVs he summoned six Black Hornet Nano.
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Sterling then looked at his Pip-pad to see what was going on outside the building.
As Sterling focused on the Pip-pad, The screens flickered to life, Displaying real-time footage from the UAVs hovering above & around the Brunswick Farm. The icy landscape stretched out beneath them, And he could see the outlines of trees & buildings, But there was no immediate sign of movement—only the eerie stillness of the snow-covered ground.
"Nothing yet," Sterling murmured, Glancing at the others. "I'm scanning the area for any signs of Grimm or trouble. The UAVs will give us a broader view."
Qrow leaned closer, Peering at the screen. "Good thinking. If there's something out there, We need to know before it gets too close."
As the UAVs flew higher, Sterling adjusted the cameras for a better angle. Suddenly, one of the mini-UAVs picked up movement near the treeline. "Wait, I see something!" He exclaimed, Pointing at the screen. "Over by the trees—there's a figure moving."
The group crowded around him, eyes fixed on the Pip-pad. The feed showed a dark shape darting between the trees, Just out of clear view. "It's too far to tell what it is," Sterling said, His heart racing. "But it's definitely not one of us."
"Could it be another Mimic?" Ruby asked, Her voice a mix of hope and fear.
"Possibly," Sterling replied, Zooming in on the figure. "Let's see if we can get a closer look." He directed one of the larger UAVs toward the area, The camera adjusting for clarity.
As they watched, The figure paused, turning slightly as if sensing the UAV's presence. A moment later, It darted deeper into the forest, Leaving only a trail of disturbed snow behind. "It's fast," Qrow noted, His expression grim. "If that's a Mimic, We need to be careful. They can be cunning."
"Should we send someone out to investigate?" Weiss suggested, her tone cautious. "But we can't leave the building unguarded."
Sterling considered the options, his mind racing. "We can't risk exposing ourselves. If it's a Mimic, it may be trying to lure us out. We need to stay put and observe."
Just then, the other mini-UAVs picked up more movement—this time several shapes moving in unison, coming from different directions. "There's more than one!" Sterling shouted. "They're surrounding us!"
"Get ready!" Qrow barked, signaling everyone to take their defensive positions again. "We need to hold our ground!"
Sterling quickly adjusted the UAVs' cameras, Trying to track the incoming figures. "They're fast—too fast. We need a plan!"
At that moment, The sounds of rustling & low growls filled the air, Echoing through the building. "They're coming!" Yang shouted, Gripping her weapon tightly, Her eyes wide with determination.
"Everyone, stay close!" Sterling instructed. "We need to prepare for an assault. Focus on the doors and windows. We'll use the traps Roman set up to our advantage."
As the group readied themselves, Sterling felt a surge of adrenaline. They had to be strategic. "We'll lure them into the traps. Trust your instincts & keep an eye on each other. If you see anything suspicious, call for backup."
The tension mounted, and the group took their positions, weapons at the ready. Sterling kept an eye on the Pip-pad, watching as the shapes grew closer. "Here they come!" he warned as the first Mimic Grimm leaped from the shadows, its form shifting eerily to resemble one of the team members.
"It's trying to mimic Ruby!" Weiss shouted. "Don't let it confuse you!" Sterling yelled, His heart racing. "It's just a trick!"
The door rattled violently as the Mimic slammed against it, Trying to break through. The group braced themselves, ready to fight for their survival. The battle was about to begin, And Sterling knew they had to hold the line.
As the tension in the room reached a fever pitch, Sterling quickly tapped commands into the Pip-pad, Directing the MQ-9 Reaper into position. "I'm going to use the Reaper to clear out the area around us!" Sterling announced, His voice steady despite the chaos.
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Qrow asked, Glancing nervously at the door as it rattled again. "We could end up bringing more of them down on us."
"Trust me," Sterling replied, His fingers flying over the controls. "We need to eliminate the threat before it overwhelms us. If we can take out a few, it might give us the edge we need."
With a final tap on the screen, He engaged the Reaper's targeting system, locking onto the cluster of moving shapes in the tree line. "Target acquired," He muttered, His heart pounding in sync with the impending action.
"Get ready!" Sterling shouted to the group, his eyes glued to the feed. "This is going to get loud!"
Without hesitation, He pressed the button to release the bombs. The UAV's payload dropped silently at first, But the moment it hit the ground, A deafening explosion rocked the area. The shockwave reverberated through the building, And debris flew into the air, Illuminating the darkening sky.
"Look out!" Yang shouted as the ground shook beneath them. The group steadied themselves as they braced for the aftermath.
The UAV feed showed chaos erupting in the forest. Smoke billowed upward, Obscuring the view, But Sterling could make out the writhing forms of the Mimic Grimms, Their attempts to escape were futile as they were engulfed in flames & debris.
"Did it work?" Ruby asked, Her eyes wide as she peered at the Pip-pad, Desperately trying to catch a glimpse of the carnage.
"I think so," Sterling replied, But he didn't have long to dwell on it. The air was thick with the scent of smoke and the sounds of the forest were unnervingly quiet, A stark contrast to the earlier growls and rustling.
Suddenly, More figures emerged from the smoke, Staggering and distorted, Their forms flickering as they struggled to maintain their mimicry. "They're still coming!" Sterling shouted, his heart sinking. "We need to hold the line!"
As the group braced for the next wave, Sterling quickly reassessed the situation. "We need to focus on the entrances! Everyone, get into position!"
Qrow & Yang took up defensive stances near the door, weapons at the ready. Weiss and Ruby positioned themselves by the windows, prepared to fire at any approaching threats. Roman, ever resourceful, moved to set up the traps he had prepared earlier, placing them strategically around the entrances.
The door rattled again, this time more violently than before. "They're trying to get in!" Yang yelled, her voice strained with effort.
"On my mark!" Sterling shouted, watching the Pip-pad anxiously. "Get ready to fire!"
The group steeled themselves, waiting for the breach. Just as the door splintered, Sterling shouted, "Now!"
Bullets flew as Weiss and Ruby opened fire, their shots echoing through the room. Qrow and Yang pushed against the door, trying to keep it shut as the Mimics pressed against it from the other side.
Then, The unmistakable sound of the traps activating echoed in the air, followed by the screams of the Mimic Grimms as they were caught in the snares and triggered explosives. The group took advantage of the chaos, pushing back against the door with renewed vigor.
"Keep going! We can't let them in!" Sterling yelled, adrenaline coursing through him. He summoned a burst of energy, channeling his determination to bolster his allies' resolve. "We're not going to let them take this place!"
With a final push, the door gave way, and a swarm of Mimic Grimms burst into the room. They were disoriented, their forms flickering between different team members in a grotesque display. The group fought back fiercely, bullets flying, weapons clashing against the twisted creatures.
"Focus on the real ones!" Sterling shouted, trying to keep the chaos organized. "If you see something that looks off, take it down!"
As the battle raged on, Sterling called upon his powers of electricity and light, sending arcs of energy into the fray, stunning several Mimics and giving his allies the opening they needed. The intensity of the moment pushed him to his limits, but he knew they had to fight for their survival.
"Push them back! We can do this!" Qrow yelled, rallying the group as they began to regain control.
With every Mimic they fought off, Sterling felt a surge of hope. They were a team, and together they could withstand the onslaught. But deep down, He knew this was only the beginning. The real battle lay ahead, And they had to be ready for whatever horrors awaited them in the depths of the snowy wilderness.
As the last Mimic Grimm fell, The room fell silent except for the heavy breathing of the group. Sterling surveyed the scene, Noting the weariness etched on everyone's faces.
The adrenaline was still pumping through him, But he knew that they couldn't afford to let their guard down just yet.
"Is everyone okay?" He called out, His voice steady despite the chaos surrounding them. "I'm fine," Yang replied, Brushing off some debris. "Just a little shaken up."
"Same here," Ruby added, Her voice strained but resolute. She leaned heavily on Crescent Rose, Her injured leg clearly taking a toll. "We need to regroup and figure out our next move."
Qrow nodded, Scanning the room for potential threats. "We can't stay here for long. Those Mimics didn't just appear out of nowhere. There has to be a larger force at play."
Sterling turned back to the Pip-pad, examining the feed from the UAVs. The chaos outside was still settling, But he could see shadows moving in the distance. "We need to strategize. There are more of them out there, And we can't let them catch us off guard again."
"Then it's time for us to leave… I'll summon Four Vehicles for us. Get everyone up & ready." Sterling said, Then Sterling grouped everyone at the main door Maria, Ruby, Weiss, Blake, Yang, Qrow, Roman, Neopolitan, Neo, And Sterling.
"On three…" Everyone nodded. "1… 2… 3…" Sterling summons Two M1126 (ICV) & then One МЗАЗ Bradley. Maria, Ruby, Weiss, Blake, Yang, Qrow, And Roman were assigned to the Two M1126 (ICV), while Neopolitan, Neo, And Sterling were assigned to the M3A3 Bradley. With Nikke Bots in the driver's seat.
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The M1126 Infantry Carrier Vehicles (ICVs) & the M3A3 Bradley were formidable machines, Designed for both protection & mobility. Sterling quickly assessed the situation & the capabilities of each vehicle to ensure they were prepared for the journey to Argus.
"Alright, everyone, We need to move fast and efficiently," Sterling instructed, His voice firm & commanding. "We're approximately 20 miles from Argus, and the sooner we get there, The better our chances of finding shelter & regrouping. Those Mimics are still out there, And we cannot afford to be caught off guard again."
The group nodded in agreement, The weight of their recent battle still fresh in their minds. They climbed into the vehicles, Quickly taking their positions.
As they settled into the vehicles, Sterling took a moment to observe the faces of his companions. Each one was marked by the stress of the recent battle, The uncertainty of their situation weighing heavily on their shoulders. He could sense the tension mixed with determination, A fuel that would carry them through the challenges ahead.
"Everyone, Check your weapons," Sterling called out, His tone firm yet reassuring. "We need to be ready for anything. Make sure you have enough ammunition, And double-check your gear. We're entering hostile territory."
As the team busied themselves, Sterling activated the communications system within the Bradley. "Nikke Bots, Begin scanning the area as we move. Keep an eye on any potential threats & notify us immediately if you detect anything unusual."
"Yes, Sir!" Came the Female Nikke Bot's reply, The Nikke bots looked around as they began their surveillance.
With everything in place, Sterling shifted his focus back to the road ahead. The vehicles roared to life, And he guided the Bradley forward, Maneuvering it through the snowy landscape. The ICVs followed closely behind, The sound of their engines echoing in the otherwise quiet wilderness.
"Keep the formation tight," Qrow instructed from the lead ICV. "We can't allow any gaps. If those Mimics are still lurking around, They'll be looking for any opportunity to attack."
As they continued on their path, Sterling kept his eyes peeled, The Pip-pad displaying real-time footage from the UAVs. The landscape around them was both beautiful & treacherous, Fields of snow glistening under the pale winter sun, But every shadow seemed to harbor potential danger.
"Sterling," Weiss called from the ICV, Her voice cutting through the cold air. "What's our plan once we reach Argus? We can't just drive in blindly."
Sterling considered her question carefully. "Once we arrive, we'll need to assess the situation. We should look for a safe location to set up a base of operations. If there are survivors, We'll need to find them & figure out what's happening in the city. We can't assume it's safe just because it's a major settlement."
"Right," Ruby said, her voice steady but laced with concern. "And if the Mimics are there, we need to be prepared to defend ourselves. We can't let our guard down."
"Exactly," Sterling replied, Nodding in agreement. "We'll conduct a reconnaissance sweep first. Get eyes on the situation before making any aggressive moves. If Argus is compromised, We'll need to find another way to regroup."
As they traveled, The landscape began to change again. The trees gave way to sparse patches of civilization, The remnants of structures peeking through the snow drifts. Sterling could feel the tension in the air as they neared Argus.
It was 18 Hours Later & they were now closing in on Argus.
"Hold up," Qrow said, his voice suddenly serious. "I see something up ahead." Sterling's heart raced as he focused on the feed from the Two Larger UAVs. The images displayed a series of abandoned vehicles lining the road, Some overturned & others buried in snow. "Looks like there was an attempt to evacuate into the City of Argus," Sterling noted. "But it doesn't look good."
"Could be a trap," Yang warned, Her eyes narrowing as she scanned the area. "We should proceed with caution."
"Agreed," Sterling said, slowing the Bradley to a crawl as they approached the vehicles. "Nikke Bots, Do a thorough scan of the area. Check for any signs of movement or danger."
As the Bots whirred around, The group maintained their silence, every member on high alert. Moments later, One of the Bots reported back, Its mechanical voice filling the cabin. "No immediate threats detected. However, there are multiple tracks leading into the trees nearby, Indicating possible Grimm activity."
"Great," Qrow muttered. "Just what we need."
Sterling took a deep breath, Feeling the weight of the responsibility on his shoulders. "We'll have to push through. If we stop now, We risk being easy targets. Let's keep moving toward the city."
As they continue, They see the Wall around The City of Argus & it looks secure. The Main Gates of Argus closed.
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