Reaper Reacts

3. Ironwood's Plan

Reaper is reading a piece of paper when the camera turns on. General Ironwood is sitting next to him.

Ruby: Action!

Reaper and Ironwood look at the camera.

Reaper: Hello dear viewer, welcome to the third episode of Reaper Reacts. I am your host, Reaper!

Ironwood: And I am General James Ironwood of Atlas.

Reaper: Today, I'm analyzing General Ironwood's plan about telling the world about Salem. If you haven't seen the second episode of RWBY volume 7, here's the rundown. Ironwood wants to launch a "satellite" Amity Arena converted into a giant CCT platform into the atmosphere. When he pulls that off, a more permanent communication network will be established and he plans to tell the world about Salem.

Ruby: Sounds risky.

Ironwood: There would be the initial panic of people knowing of someone as old as Salem has been manipulating humanity for centuries. However, I am pretty certain Atlas can handle the panic at home.

Reaper: There's a few things I have to say about this plan, good and bad.

Ironwood: Go ahead then.

Reaper "sips" a cup of tea while Ironwood crosses his arms.

Reaper: For one thing, if your plan was to work and the panic happens. While Atlas could weather the Grimm fairly well, kingdoms like Vale and Mistral would be devastated. Mistral would be able repel the Grimm and handle the panic, but would be severely weakened. Just after Beacon, we learned how Mistral struggled to contain the fear and panic from the Fall of Beacon and the Grimm that followed, which can tell us how well they can handle this. Vale would be absolutely destroyed if Atlas reveals Salem and Grimm went after them. This is because Vale is still trying to recover from Beacon, plus the Grimm supposedly still have a foothold in Beacon and as such, Vale. So, with extremely weakened defenses, a broken state, how well do you think Vale will fair if everyone panics about immortals manipulating humans?

Ironwood: We...might have to sent forces to help Vale immediately when we do break the news.

Ruby: Hm, now that you say it, it really doesn't sound like a good idea. Wait, what about Vacuo?

Reaper: Vacuo will be Vacuo. They'll be fine. However, there is always a chance that Ironwood's revelation won't cause panic, but instead create a universal hatred for Salem and a desire for vengeance against the now clear cause for the hundreds, maybe thousands of deaths in Vale. The plan could actually unite the world against Salem and maybe serve as that unifying factor the Gods need to return without murdering all of us.

Ironwood: That's certainly the best case scenario.

Ruby: I'm assuming you also have a "but" coming.

Reaper: Yep, there's also a chance that Ironwood, maybe not realizing it, could be setting up Atlas to establish a global empire.

Ruby/Ironwood: Huh??

Reaper: Remember what I said about the damages that the panic could create?

Ruby nods while Ironwood places a hand on his beard.

Reaper: Well, that panic would severely weaken all possible major enemies of Atlas and possibly destroy the state that defeated Mantle in the Great War. Why is that important? Atlas could invade those lands, probably in the guise that they are trying to assist the other kingdoms, and there could be little that Vale or Mistral could do about it if Atlas says "hey, while they're down, let's take them over"! If Vale and Mistral are knocked out by Atlas, only Vacuo would stand against Atlas. Which I don't have much confidence that Vacuo could stand against Atlas for long. I don't know what would happen to Menagerie honestly, Atlas could directly take it over or they could turn it into a satellite state.

Ruby: Oh... But... Ironwood wouldn't do that... right?

Ironwood: It's certainly not in my list of objectives.

Reaper: You might genuinely think your helping the world, and I personally agree with your idea, but whoever succeeds you or if the council gets filled up by imperialists, Atlas would tighten their grip on the Kingdoms needing Atlas assistance to establish this hypothetical empire.

Ironwood leans back on his chair while Reaper "sips" his tea.

Ironwood: You could be overthinking the plan's results a little bit, you know.

Reaper: Perhaps, but I think it's fair to consider the possible repercussions of your actions.

Ironwood: Fair enough.

Reaper: In any case, would I say the plan is solid? I'd say it's on thin ice. It has potential to do either good or bad or a bit of both for Remnant. If anything, we could see thousands of Ravens and Lionhearts among the population when it comes to Salem. We could even see just as many Tyrians and Cinders as well. We'll just have to wait and see what RoosterTeeth does.

Ironwood: Who knows, maybe everything will blow up and my plan goes out in a blaze of glory!

Ruby giggles a little.

Reaper: Well anyway guys, that's my review of Ironwood's plan. Good, but shakey. Next episode we might discuss the whole "frame Penny" thing from Volume 7 Episode 6, which Penny will be joining us for! And by the way, she's really upset from that. After that, we'll have you guys decide what I should react to next! Until then, dear viewer!

End Review!