Aquila was reading the documents that Stervy had prepared. Showing off the many things that needed the attention of the Imperial Special Army. Weapons being stockpiled. Soldiers hidden as migrating workers from different lands. Conspiracies to blow up the city. A large group of revolutionaries that want to destroy the Imperial Family. Seems like there has been discussion on who should be mobilized.

A glance at the group chat.

Section 1 Gryphus : [https://www.royalroadcdn.com/public/smilies/drakanpopcorn-AADASRdQsww.png] seems like things are getting noisy again.

Section 2 Dolores : Which means more work for us.

Section 3 Falco : [https://www.royalroadcdn.com/public/Smileys/RedDragon_TableFlip003-size-AAAA_2yQfA8.png?time=1617664107] we're stuck with relief work and now they want to start trouble again? Do they really not care about dying?

Section 4 Micah : [https://www.royalroadcdn.com/public/smilies/peo1-min-AADAsfdKsww.png] I have been reading the reports made by Section 6 and it has given me plenty of reason to believe that they are using drugs and various other means to undermine our work. If these reports are true...

Section 6 Stervy : [https://www.royalroadcdn.com/public/smilies/drakanbook-AAAAy11Nsww.png] That's not 100% yet, Micah. But what I do know is that there's evidence of companies affiliated with some of those countries to have been hiring plenty of social media influencers as a means to spread the word about us. Most of it is public record but you know how bad media literacy is these days... [https://www.royalroadcdn.com/public/smilies/drakansigh-AAAAsJVPsww.png] You say you like oranges, and someone starts shouting you hate apples. Fucking morons.

Section 7 Hex : Not to mention the sudden protests and spike in gang activity lately. We're not cops but we're doing police work. [https://www.royalroadcdn.com/public/smilies/PenguinGirlEmoticon_Distress001-min-AACAdS08Xgw=.png] I'm trying not to lose track of all the information but social media has been weaponized.

Section 8 Koko : And we can't simply just flick the switches off their heads either.

Section 9 Bosco : Can't go on a cease and desist spree either. They're not doing anything that's considered illegal or defaming the Empire. [https://www.royalroadcdn.com/public/smilies/drakanzip-AABARYJQsww.png] My hands are tied.

Section 10 Annie : Intelligence warfare wise, we're getting stone walled. Our contacts in other countries turned quiet. I am calling my people back. Most likely they got compromised too.

Section 11 Seamus : They did try to hack us but we counter hacked them. No solid lead on IP Addresses or access points. [https://www.royalroadcdn.com/public/Smileys/RedDragon_TableFlip003-size-AAAA_2yQfA8.png?time=1617664107] Whoever that's been hacking us is good but we got a few leads that we're working on.

Section 12 Mortimer : There's talks of some protests to dismantling us and it's getting bad. [https://www.royalroadcdn.com/public/Smileys/PenguinGirlEmoticon_Sleeping001_big-size-AABA_biPfA8.png?time=1617663923] Can't wait to see what a mountain of paperwork this'll be.

Section 6 Stervy : That's just idiots with a keyboard shitting into space. Leave it be. I doubt they would dare to protest since Section 2's in charge. I mean they want to get 🔨ed? That's how you get hammered. Don't pay attention to the ones on social media. Besides if they want to protest they'll need to send it through Section 2. Good luck with justifying the protest.

Section 2 Dolores : They submitted a few with a proposal and the streets where they'll have their protest and demonstration. Section 2 is on standby and provided that they are peaceful, we won't act. I sure as god hope we don't get the call.

Me :The only time any of us can move out aside from our usual duties is with the Imperial Special Army Declaration that the Emperor holds. He calls us in, and it's going to be a mess.

Section 3 Falco : More like a shitshow. We get called in and it's gloves off. Just a lot of bodies and violence. Say, Stervy. Did you get any threats yet?

Section 6 Stervy : Eh, it's all harmless talk. They know that if they went after me it's justification for me to go in and kill 'em. [https://www.royalroadcdn.com/public/smileys/reddragonowo001png-AAAAqfeL0w4.png?time=1606321541] Not like I give a shit about their lives since they chose to bother me at my house.

Me : [https://www.royalroadcdn.com/public/smilies/drakangentleman-AADAIzZOsww.png] Bloody Hell. Anyway, I've got some ops to run. Stervy... How solid is this lead?

Section 6 Stervy: Concrete. Happy Hunting.

The operation that Aquila discussed? It was going to be done in an abandoned port. Seemed like it was purchased by a foreign company. Under the pretense of a shipping company. Though details from Stervy showed the possibility of weapons being brought to Steobia from Sloane Theocracy.

"Spearhead." The members got on their feet where Aquila picked up his sabers.

"We've got a mark. Gear up."

"Yes, Chief!" Aquila put on his black coat. The members of Section 5 Spearhead grabbed their submachine guns, some grab their spears. Following Aquila outside as his three Vices followed him from behind. Sanjo, Lee and Sydnia.

"What's the mark, Chief?" Sanjo asked as he readied his spear.

"Sloane's people. We'll be raiding an abandoned port. Bought by a company from Sloane but there's been no shipping activity there. Trucks moving in to some places. After yesterday's fuck up by the journalists. It's a port but no ships? Just trucks moving stuff out?"

"Could just be a warehouse."

"Section 6 assured me that it's concrete. Lee. Let's get this settled." Stepping in to the trucks. Everyone checked on their radios. Reporting in as a cigarette crawled its way to his lip. Knocks on the trucks. Gunfire.

"Sanjo."

"Seems like they were expecting us Chief! What's the plan?"

"Spearhead, immediate execution of all hostiles." The truck crashed into something as the Spearheads stepped out from the back. Readying their machine guns as they began engaging on the hostile force. Masked gunmen who were firing at them, Aquila gave chase. They were going to be his testbed for the new skill. Second Pierce. Thrusting his saber at a neck, where he could see two holes emerge from the strike. Convenient. Does it work with slashes? Aquila danced through the gunfire, waving his sabers gently to the throat and limbs. Seeing two wounds being made as a result.

This was giving him some food for thought. Second Pierce had plenty of application. He doesn't have aura or mana here, but he's got his regular speed. The Spearheads were going in with full force. Gunfire to keep the gunmen down while the ones with the spears got close. The tip meeting the chest, leaving two gaping holes upon contact. Bullets were being fired but Spearhead was not worried. The gunmen felt fear creeping up close as they had to take cover. Unaware of the Spearheads that had crept up to their position. Jumping down as the spears impaled the gunmen to the ground, relentlessly stabbing the spear into the body.

The hands of the spearhead meeting flesh. Crackling of gunfire. A thick scent of gunpowder. Walls scarred by bullets and blades. The Spears of Section 5 were the reason why they got the name as Spearhead. Their spear technique was utilizing the entire spear itself. A technique that originated from the fishermen who would hunt large marine life in the past. Now perfected to kill humans. Using the pole to control the thrusts, but at close range. When delivering the final blow? It would be done by holding the spear near the tip, then driving the spear into the target. Stabbing it.

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The other Spearhead members that used the spears would scatter. Using the cover of the ones with submachine guns to suppress the gunmen into hiding. The ones with the spears are the finishers. Pouncing on the gunmen as the spears would find a new home in the skulls. What also made things interesting? Was that the spears had a mix. There were some that were tucked into their pockets. Tapping a button to force it into its full size.

Aquila parried two swordsmen's assault. Dropping the blade as he grabbed the shortened spears on the sides of his hip. Going straight for the throat. Tapping the button where it took the full length of the spears, pushing through as the heads tore off. Going into the fray, fast strikes with the spear. He felt the training kick in, the muscle memory. Two spears style, one that this Aquila had mastered. Now it was a matter of making it second nature.

Throwing the two spears away, bringing out another pair as he went into the fray. Staining his uniform with blood as he completed his task. Seeing the other members of Spearhead just giving a nod. Clearing the area as they headed into the warehouses by the port. Finding crates that had been left behind. Tearing them open to see the foam and hay that had been used, finding some old generation model of rocket launchers and some firearms.

"What is this?" Aquila immediately snapped photos and sent it to the chat.

Section 6 Stervy : That's a firearm manufacturer from Legano, the Sirius series. It's one of their older models. Nobody uses them anymore. Surplus guns from the last war.

Section 1 Gryphus : Stiletto... I just got a document from the Imperial Family... This information...

Section 6 Stervy : [https://www.royalroadcdn.com/public/smilies/drakanbook-AAAAy11Nsww.png] It should reach your desks soon. After the past few days of sifting through information? The decision's been made.

Section 2 Dolores : I'm at a protest right now and things just turned ugly.

Meanwhile, Dolores?

Dolores and her Hammers were wielding their shields and hammers strapped to the back. Gunshots were being fired as the police were trying to get the crowd to disperse. Standing behind the police riot control teams but the appearance of a gun? That changed the entire dynamics of the situation at hand. They were not going to step in until there was actual danger. The gunmen hid among the protesters. Firing the weapons that matched what Aquila had found.

"Hammers. Engage." With those words, they charged in. The Hammers readied their shields as bullets bounced off. Their gazes welded onto their foes. Closing in the gap, a shield bash to push the foe down. Hammer to strike the head. Blood and brain matter shined on the weapon. Dolores readied her blade as the shield protected her. Her blade became a beacon, following her intent to pierce through the gunman's armored vest. Her entire hand pierced through as Dolores swung the blade free, allowing the man's innards to be seen. Blood splattered on her face but she kept going. Her longsword led the charge.

Vice Chief Bridgette swung her pair of sledgehammers at the heads of the gunmen. Sending a man flying to the wall. A swing that caused a neck to twist. Another that smashed a gunman's head in. Vice Chief Ori had been using her smaller hammers to strike into the gunmen's position. Their guns grazed the armors but the Vice Chiefs made it work. Ori had speed while Bridgette had strength. Sledgehammers and hammers that took lives away as Dolores readied her shield. Facing the storm of lead, braving the lead shower.The other Hammers rallied to her side with the shields, taking the gunfire. The gunmen panicked as death had come for them. The lethality of Section 2 was upon them.

Quick swings that settled the issue at hand. Hammers got close. Crushing the heads and limbs. Stained by blood as the sight of their brutality had shaken some of the protesters.

"Stop! Or I'll kill the girl!" A child was being held hostage by a gunman. Dolores put her shield down. The other Hammers turned to the gunman, there were plenty of plans in their minds. The question arose within the hearts of the civilians. 'Will Hammers kill the child too?'

"How... This plan!? It was supposed to be flawless! IF ONLY YOU DIDN'T A-" The gunman began rambling on the whole administration but Dolores kept quiet. Dolores had the blade ready, rushing at the gunman. Taking him by surprise, the pistol focused on her.

"I got you now!" The shot grazed Dolores's cheek, taking a step to the side as she slashed the man's arm with Ori going over to protect the child. The gunman's scream haunted those who had seen it, watching how Dolores kicked the gunman's legs. Forcing the man to his knees, there wasn't a point to speak or keep him alive. Just a singular swing to the head, where it rolled away. Ori brought the child to her mother, seeing Dolores strolling to the other Hammers. Her hands by her pockets as Bridgette held her shield.

The police riot control forces glanced at them, locking eyes at Dolores's bloodstained face. Wiping the blood off her blade with her gloves, sheathing it as she let out a sigh. The trucks pulled up to bring them away as they stepped inside.

"Excuse me! Thank you for saving my daughter!" Dolores did not even glance at them, only giving a nod. That child? Around Ivona's age and it must've been horrifying for her. To be in such a situation. It felt like her senses from the other world had dulled. Like something was taken from the moment she took over this Dolores. The way this Dolores did not bat an eye to killing civilians when the time requested it. A resolve she never knew she had. Perhaps this was also why and how Raven is who he is.

"Chief?" Bridgette called out with her honeyed voice.

"Yeah?"

"We got a letter delivered." Opening the letter, where Dolores read the words inside.

> To Section 2, Hammer.

>

> Imperial Special Army.

>

>

> It has been confirmed that a country known as Jasnoca Republic and Sloane Theocracy has taken action in harming our citizens with various other nobles. The information and the details had been given to us by the Imperial Special Army Section 6.

>

> The Emperor, Chancellor and Prime Minister have sanctioned this action.

>

> The Twelve Sections of Imperial Special Army are to mobilize to the frontlines of Jasnoca and Sloane Theocracy. The slew of terrorism and other matters will be revealed to the public soon.

>

>

> You will be mobilized as the two countries have declared war upon Steobia. They have attacked three bordertowns and have taken over them.

> All Twelve Sections of Imperial Special Army are to act as the tip of the spear in this onslaught.

> Reserves are now back on the deployment.

> The regular armies have been prepared for deployment.

> You will have two days to prepare.

Dolores let out a sigh, tapping her radio.

"Hammers. We're being deployed to the frontlines. Jasnoca and Sloane declared war on us.Two days, so make any phone calls to those you love. We don't know what'll happen next."

"Yes, Chief!" Those were the words as the others felt the tension sink in. Now it was a war. Arriving at the Imperial Special Army base, the members of all the Twelve Sections moved about with Dolores going over to meet with the other Section Chiefs. Trucks, tanks and the like were being brought out. Helicopters bringing forth members of Section 4 to the other places. A glance at the other Chiefs.

"The tip of the spear. It sounds like we're the tip of a scythe to me." Stervy grumbled as he glanced to Gryphus who was wearing his armor. His mane was easily seen as he scratched the back of his head.

"Orders are orders, Stiletto. But this was also why the legendary Durandal was known to be a disaster in the eyes of other countries. They must think we're dulled weapons now."

"I just got all of our new equipment ready. Weapons far superior than what we use now. Had to keep it hidden in case of any trouble. Special armors that are similar to Durandal. Made to suit each Section's capabilities to the fullest." Micah spoke with a grin, showing off the set of documents that detailed the new armor specifications along with the armaments that followed. Allowing various members to fight against tanks and helicopters or fighter planes if needed.

"You've been busy egghead."

"Well, I am Crossbow. So I need to make sure whatever that flies above our heads are meant to be killed. Anti-tank weaponry for all Sections. I even fashioned a new katana from the Eastern Countries to make it work for you, Stiletto. Same goes for the sabers and longsword for you, Spearhead and Hammer. It's been customed and finely tuned to your combat styles."

"Thanks, Crossbow. Shields... Guess this build makes you more offense than defense." Turning to Annie who just smiled at the blueprints.

"We're only Shields in the country, Spearhead. When we're out there, we're weapons." The 12 Chiefs stepped away to the briefing room as Gryphus gave the battleplan and strategy. But Aquila, Dolores, Stervy and Falco just said they'll take the most fortified position. Just the four of them.

"Just the four of you? It's risky..."

"Yeah. It's a good way to stress test the new armors. Besides, the four of us know how we work." Falco added.

"The four of us haven't been able to spend time. So we might as well go do something fun." Aquila spoke those words with a smile but his eyes felt repulsed to what he had said. It was as if their sadistic natures were waking up. Something within them was rising. That was when they found something appearing before them.

The Causality does change your personality a bit.

But this comes due to certain situations when there is a strong stimulus.

Your anger stemming from being citizens of the Empire.

It also comes from the fact that one of the border towns is your home, Berk.

The home of the Aquila, Stervy, Falco and Dolores of this Causality.

"It's our hometown. Let us take it back, Gryphus."

"Got it, Dolores. I'll leave you four in charge then. The rest of your teams will be combined with the others. We'll be following the old strategy from the old Chief of Durandal's plan. The strategies he's put in order." Reading the handwriting, the four siblings knew that it was Raven's work. Plans, strategies and synergies of the teams. That was going to be an additional help for their next situation. The first step in the war.