Good and Bad

Aegis had a stressful week. First, he lost one facility to Grimm tide, and that followed another Five Grimm tides on his three facilities and two settlements.

The three secret facilities were lost. Fortunately, more than half of his personnel was able to evacuate, and it seemed that whoever coordinated these attacks be it Salem or Elder Grimm that became intelligent, was more thorough as it started use Nevermores in its attacks making the evacuation more difficult.

Aegis was glad that all the data were transported before the facilities self-destructed at the same time, he sighed in relief as his two settlements withstand the Grimm horde, albeit so-so as civilians safely hid in bunkers made especially for such circumstances, but his SPCS forces with his Bastion units get hit very hard.

Aegis seeing such growth of Grimm activity that targeted his footholds primarily, immediately knew that someone was targeting him, but Aegis was not sure who as Salem couldn't know that it was him who gave her the little bomb surprise.

Still, it was possible that some Elder Grimm saw how he made so many outposts with settlements at the same time and tried to curb him before he transforms these places into fortresses.

With made Aegis just more determined to defend his property.

So Aegis ordered double the defenses for secret facilities and settlements would be transformed into fully functional fortresses with high sturdy walls and automatic fortifications and so many Bastion units that the Grimm would drown and choke in the ammunition as Aegis will not tolerate being defeated be slightly intelligent Grimm.

Aegis factories ran on full capacity as his workshops spawned one droid after another with ammunition, with did put some strain into Aegis pockets but no so much as SDC mined not just dust but other minerals too.

With brought Aegis to another matter, Menagerie that everyone thought was just poor desert gave Aegis and Ghira good surprise.

Some explorers found an Iron ore deposit, and after they contacted Ghira, who contacted Aegis, SDC geologists were sent to investigate the claim, and what they found made Ghira dance and Aegis smile at both, at Ghira who looked ridiculously at dancing and at the fact that they found enormous Titanium and Iron deposits deeply underground in the middle of the dessert.

Unfortunately, bringing greedy sights on Kuo Kuana as Mining tycoons wanted the deposits for themselves, which was a problem for Aegis as one of these Mining magnates is a member of the Atlas council.

With led to very mentally draining conversations between Council, Aegis, and Ghira.

"Mr.Silverstar, if I remember correctly, Atlas one of most driving forces in settling Faunus on Menagerie, be your own words: Menagerie is a gift for faunus people for their brave actions in Great War."

Aegis said and massaged his nose in frustration as no matter what he said, the dammed man just pushed arguments to the side by claiming that the deposits would be used for the betterment of both Faunus and Atlas...

With made other present council members just sighed as they really didn't want to be part of this farce.

"If we knew-"

Silverstar started but stoped when Ghira had enough and growled.

"You, you first send us to a place where you know we would barely survive with a smile on your face, but when you find out that we have something worthy, you want to take it from us?!"

Ghira growled on Silverstar, who to his credit barely flinched.

"As I said, the resources would help both Faunus and Atlas!"

"Just like they help the miners that you employ?"

Aegis asked with a bored smile.

"Mr.Schnee! We both know that you don't have any right to question my methods of working!"

Silverstar said.

"No, I have as It was me who after taking the mantle of SDC changed the corporate policies, with you didn't, as of now you are the last person who hides slaves under the pretense of debt work."

Aegis said and smiled at the man who dared him to continue.

"And please do not ever compare me to my father, and to your knowledge, under SDC oversight, the resources would too help both Faunus and Atlas, after all, if betterment of Atlas was your sole purpose, then you don't need to worry as I will make sure I too will help."

Aegis said and smiled at the man who wanted to continue but stopped when another councilman spoke.

"Enough, Mr.Silverstar, Mr.Schnee is right. If your sole worry is the betterment of Atlas, I don't see any problem of letting this matter in Mr. Schnee's capable hands."

Councilman Mr.Sleet said and looked at the fat form of Silverstar.

"After all, we all can see how the lives of Mantle residents improved from the time Mr.Schnee has taken over as Mayor."

Sleet said, and Aegis couldn't help but nod at the professional man as no matter how Aegis looked, he couldn't find any dark secrets on the man who was one of the few people that truly worked for the betterment of Atlas and Mantle people.

Sleet's sole dark secret, if even it could be called like that, was his fetish with BDSM, which to Aegis truly was for nothing.

"Bu-"

"Mr.Sleet is right. This discussion is pointless from the start, Mr.Silverstar. I don't know what you wanted to accomplish from this discussion, but I don't have time for these power plays."

The sole councilwoman said Aegis looked at Ms.Camilla, who with Mr.Steel was one of the sole members of council Aegis never had a problem with as both of them truly worked for Atlas betterment.

Unfortunately, they were a minority but still better than nothing.

"Enough of this. We have a more pressing matter to attend than some mining rights, like the growing activity of Grimms."

Ironwood said, and Aegis waited for the shoe to fall.

"What concerns? Both of these attacks were on SDC settlements."

Silverstar said gruffly as he was angry his move for mining was denied.

"I say let Mr.Schnee deal with it. After all, it's his people."

Silverstar said with a sneer, making another's present grimace at his pettiness and willingness to sacrifice lives for his revenge.

"Oh? I didn't think you would feel this bad, Mr.Silverstar. Don't worry, I will remember it."

Aegis said with smile, but Ghira, who was even on another side of the scroll, could feel his predator instincts flare in danger.

"Is that threat, boy?!"

Silverstar asked, now both worried and angry that some upstart boy dared not just to hinder his moves but also to even threaten him.

"No, not at all."

Aegis said again with a smile, but to everyone present, that smile felt really wrong.

"But, as Silverstar said, these settlements are my responsibility, so I will take care of their safety."

Aegis said and bade farewell to Mr.Sleet, Ms.Camilla, Ghira, and Ironwood.

"Wait, I need to speak with you, Mr.Schnee."

Ironwood said in a hurry as he saw Aegis ending the call.

"Hm? Of then, feel free to call me or visit me at any time, Mr.Ironwood."

Aegis said with a smile and ended the call before they could say something other.

Aegis sighted and called another number.

"Aegis."

Said the voice on another side as female panther faunus could be seen. It was none other than Sienna Khan who led SPCS forces under Aegis's name.

"Sienna, I need one of the most discrete and capable assassins."

Aegis said, and Sienna's smile turned predatory.

"Oho? Who is the lucky person."

Sienna asked and was gobsmacked by what Aegis said.

"Silverstar, the mining tycoon and member of Atlas council."

Aegis said and could see how Sienna's smile turned even more into that of a supreme predator.

"Finally?! That bastard is the last slaver to live! But what he did to you for you to pay special attention to him?"

Sianna asked and froze at the Aegis smile.

"Nothing you need to worry about."

Sienna trembled as she saw Aegis's eyes that made her heart skip a beat in both terror and ecstasy.

"Oh, and make it look like a natural cause."

Aegis said and ended the call.

"Such insect dares to disrespect me? Just my close family and friends could call me boy..."

Aegis said as he looked from the window on the clouds.

And if someone will be suspicious of him?

So what? It was not like Aegis was his sole competitor or enemy, and without evidence, nobody can even say something against Aegis.

Sienna, who just ended the call with Aegis, just fallen on her butt as she embraced herself with her arms.

"Shit, that was something."

Sienna said to herself as Aegis was the sole person ever to make her feel so insignificant.

"I really want his babies."

Sienna mumble to herself as she imagined the strong Faunus babies that could be born from such union.

"Illia! Come here! We have work to do!"

Sienna said as she tremblingly stood up.