[Location: Atlas]

Within the Raptor dreadnought high above the freezing city of Atlas, Commander Joshua looks through video footage of the new Trooper droids fighting along side his forces.

Not exactly the war machines he was promised. But they're cheap, easy to make, and not that bad in a fire fight. They'll have to do until the Children gain access to the Atlas R&D district. Where they can find blueprints of prototype bots.

He swipes the screens off as he gets a call.

Crew: Commander. You are needed in the meeting room.

Joshua leaves the bridge without a word and makes his way to the meeting room. Every now and then he gets a salute from the occasional crew member. A few seconds later he makes it to a room with a large glass table with holographic figures around it. Each one of them he has met before.

To his right is the current general leading the attacks in Vale, and Joshua's former commander, General Prata Argent.

Next to him is another holographic figure. Jakkaru Hēi. Leader of the Mistral underground black market. With his help the Children have access to more rare material and equipment.

To Joshua's left stands a chameleon faunus by the name of Be’inik’isik’asē layi Chhle l lau n. Or Becky for short. A bandit leader from Vacuo now leading Children attacks in it.

As Joshua takes his place at the end of the table, on top of a round blue platform, the others turn their heads as they finally notice him.

Hēi: Ah, finally. Now we can start this meet.

Prata: We still need to wait for Pastor Nichts.

Becky: We'll fill him in once he gets here.

Prata:... Very well. Commander, what is the situation with the Atlas factories?

Joshua stands straight after being addressed by his commanding officer.

Joshua: We've captured another three factories in the past few hours. A dozen more and Atlas's robotic support will no longer be an issue.

Hēi: Uh-huh, great. How soon can you send out the new droids to Mistral? The military we can handle, but this damned Dryad is making it near impossible to get a decent foothold here.

Joshua: We'll have them sent out to all of you by tomorrow, don't worry.

Becky: Screw the droids! I need more airships! If the Mountain keeps stomping through Vacuo, there won't be any kind of foothold left for anybody.

Prata: With the production rate of dreadnoughts, I'm willing to spare two battle classes to Vacuo.

Becky: That won't be enough, dammit!

Prata: Until we apuire more manufacturing plants, you'll make due with whatever the hell you are given!

Becky: Don't try and start something you couldn't finish last time!

???: Now now, everyone. Please, settle down.

They all turn their heads to the far end of the table as a holografic figure materializes into the meeting. He wears a black robe from head to toe and sports a featureless reflective mask. The current leader of the Children, Pastor Nichts.

Nichts: We are not here to fight. So please have some form of control over yourselves.

Prata: Pastor Nichts.

Nichts: Hello, General. If I may suggest, I might have a solution to miss Becky's problem. Hēi.

The warmongering smuggler shifts his complete focus to the pastor.

Nichts: If I remember correctly, you are currently in possession of a few decommissioned stealth bombers. Yes?

Hēi leans forward and brings up a holo pad on the table. He types in a few keys and a picture of a black jet appears.

Hēi: There are only three in existence at the moment and the blueprints were, sadly, lost.

Nichts: They will do. Clean off the dust and refit them with state of the art warheads. If any of you have capable pilots to undertake on the mission to defeat one of the three Titans, I suggest having them informed immediately. Any questions?

There is a moment of silence before there is a collective response of 'no'.

Nichts: Than we are in agreement. If there are no more topics to discuss, this meeting is adjourned. Farewell.

And with that, they each flicker out of existence as the holographic displays shut down. Joshua leaves the meeting room and heads to the the hanger bay to wait for a certain trouble maker.

[Location: A mile from the Raptor]

Just a ways off from the dreadnought, a bullhead with a few occupants make their way back while their doctor companion is left to help their forces.

Pilot: So Donn, why the shit haven't we head back to Raptor beforehand?

Donn: Because... um. Wait, I don't think I ever got your name.

Pilot: Finally, someone asks instead of calling me Pilot! The names Jebidiah Curtis Pennyworth... Or Curt for short.

Donn: "snort" Or JCPenney for short.

Curt: Or I throw you out of this bullhead, motherfucker, for short.

Donn: Sorry. Anyway, I wanted to get a little more ground time before heading back.

Curt: I'm a pilot! Ground time ain't exactly my thing.

Their bullhead finally makes it to the Raptor's hanger and lands. The doors slide open as they step out. Only to be met with Commander Joshua, crossed armed and a scold on his face.

Joshua: Hello, Donn.

Curt: Ohohohoho shit, you're fucked!

Joshua: And you, Jebidiah.

Curt: Aw shit, I'm fucked.

Joshua: Meet me back on the bridge. I need to debrief you on a future mission.

He says, never taking his eyes off of Donn.

Curt: Uhh. Yes, sir.

Joshua: Dismiss.

Curt jogs away as the two just stare at eachother.

Joshua:...

Donn:... Hi, dad.

Joshua: Don't hi dad me, young man! What the hell were you thinking?

Donn: I'm just getting a little field experience.

Joshua: You could have died!

Donn: But I didn't!

Joshua: I didn't bring you with me just so you could be a soldier. I brought you so you could be safer!

Donn: I'm not a kid anymore! I've been a follower of the Children for as long as I can remember, and I want to finally do my part to help. I'm tired of just sitting at the sidelines and being a towel boy. If I get hurt in the process, then I'll feel better knowing it's for the greater good.

Joshua: Dammit, Donn! Just... I know you are eager to do your part, I really do. But whether you are 15, 25, or 65, you are still my only child. If something were to ever happen to you, I'd be breaking my promise to her. And I would never forgive myself. So please, try to understand why I'm upset.

Donn: I know, dad. But you need to understand why I want to do more than what I'm doing right now. Not just for myself. But for Remnant, the people I stand by with, and for mom.

Joshua just looks at his son as his face softens from the angry scold.

Donn: So, can I do more for my part around here?

Joshua:... "sigh" I'll think about it.

Donn: That usually means no.

His father raises a finger to silence him.

Joshua: I said... I'll think about it. In the mean time, why don't you get something to eat in the mess hall. I have to deal with a few things at the moment.

Donn: Ok, dad.

Donn walks through the hanger as Joshua watches him leave.

Joshua: "sigh" What am I going to do, Hele?

After a moment of silence, he makes his way back to the bridge. The weather outside beginning to get frightful.

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