[This is my first fan fiction. This is an updated version of my original first chapter. I edited it to get rid of the rushed feeling and add some detail along with a new title. Feedback is also appreciated. Also, hurray for the new Blood Rose chapter! Thanks and please enjoy.]
RWBY: Remnants of a Past Life
On a planet that may or may not be earth and in a time that may or may not be ours, there was a city that was in no way comparable to those we are used to. This city was sprawling and clean. Buildings that ascended several hundreds of floors pierced the atmosphere and housed millions. The people lived in peace and comfort and never had to lift a finger if they didn't want to. The word shortage was basically eradicated from everyday speech and jobs were hobbies: not necessities. In a high office of a gleaming, white Space-scraper building, a man and a woman conversed.
"So, Mr. Schwarz, how are you feeling after your operation?" The woman asked.
"I feel great actually, doctor. I'm stronger, faster, healthier."
"That's great! Tell me, are you having any feelings of disconnection or delayed movements? Have you learned how to disassemble yet?"
"No, no problems like that. And as far as disassembly, I made my finger bend backwards once. Really freaked out my girlfriend. I couldn't bend it back though, so I had to bend it back manually."
"Well, that's to be expected at first. Go slowly now or you may be unable to put yourself together again. Also, I says here that you've been promoted to a traveler. I don't know when you're being deployed, but I strongly suggest you master your new body before you leave."
"Will I really be able to control each nano-bot independently?"
"It's unlikely. But, you will definitely be able to control your body like never before. You're no longer bound by human limits like bones and organs set to a specific shape. With practice, you may be able to let your body flow like a liquid."
"Could I break myself up into pieces and multi task?"
"Maybe. But all we did was add some robotic elements to the cells in your body. Oxygen, nutrition, hormones, and everything else are still needed. Without those, the cells would still die off like normal."
"I see."
Newton Schwarz (preferably Schwarz) exited the building onto the bustling sidewalk. People of every description passed, from flamboyant clothing to plain and simple t-shirts, and hair from dull brown to every shade of the rainbow; and beyond, for those who could see in spectrums of light outside of the normally visible range. Above, a swarm of perso-secs (personal secretaries) buzzed about, following their owners. Above those, an armada of drones and airships blocked the sun from view.
"Al."
Schwarz called his perso-sec out. From his back pocket came a flat rectangular device floating broad side down. The device turned to face him with a lens on its front.
"Al, give me the time."
Flipping in one fluid motion, the broad side that had been upwards now faced Schwarz. The black surface lit up with large bold numbers.
7:45 am.
Better get to work.
Schwarz pushed passed people on the crowded sidewalk and stood on the curb. He motioned with his hand and one of the many speeding automated cabs pulled over. The door slid open as he stepped forward. Sitting down, the leather seat was still warm from the last occupant. On the dash board of the small, one man vehicle, a screen displayed a recorded video message of a woman asking for a destination.
"Dimensional Travel and Study Co." Schwarz answered to the cab's automated system.
"We will be arriving at your destination shortly. Your fare will be twenty dollars. Thank you."
Expensive. Schwarz thought as he swiped his currency card. Most people never used the cabs as one building often contained everything needed for a life of comfort. Housing, clinics, farms, amusement parks, all was contained in one building. Cabs were mostly used by those whose jobs were located in their own separate building. Schwarz was one of these people. The D.T.S Co. building was all on its own on the outskirts of the city. Traveling ten times the speed of sound, he would arrive in about 20 minutes. Schwarz made this trip every day and paid the price each time. The job he held was well paying but Schwarz wasn't in it for that. Currency itself was an unnecessary system and only allowed a few extra privileges. Schwarz had his own reasons, which he was sure he would never tell to anyone.
"Al. Call Velvet."
A standby screen displayed as Al attempted to reach Velvet. She answered almost immediately. On the screen was a girl with long brown hair and brown eyes.
"When were you planning on telling me?" She said before he could even get a word out.
"Well, now actually. How did you know?" He answered solemnly, getting strait to the point.
"One of your work friends stopped by to congratulate you last night. Look, I'm happy you got the job you always wanted, but when you leave, it's a one way trip. Were you planning on just deploying without telling me?"
"I was going to tell you sooner, but…" he tried to defend.
"When? After you got the call? Or were you just going to have someone show up at my door and tell me your no longer in this dimension!?" She held back tears.
"No… Listen. I'm sorry, I just… I didn't want to say goodbye."
"What? You think that makes up for it? You're just going to spout some cheesy bullshit in an attempt to be romantic and we make up over the phone? Dammit Newton!"
Schwarz flinched at the mention of his hated first name.
"So what, is this goodbye?" Velvet sighed, making an attempt to calm down.
"I think so."
"Have a nice life then."
"You too."
The cab began slowing down and within after a few minutes, it came to a stop in front of a building on the very edge of town. The building, like any other, was white and the top was too high to see. Unlike the others, however, an electrified and barbed fence surrounded the several mile wide base of building; stopping outsiders from getting too close. The fence gate opened automatically for Schwarz. Inside the building he was greeted by his friend, Sam.
"Newton, congrats on the promotion!"
"Thanks. But don't call me Newton, it's lame."
"I went to your place last night but only your girlfriend was there. You shouldn't leave your girlfriend alone and stay out all night you know."
"So it was you!"
Sam ignored the statement.
"Anyway… when are you being deployed?"
"I'm expecting the call today."
"I guess this is goodbye then."
"Yeah."
At that, Schwarz continued upwards to the 289th floor where his cubicle was. The pressure changes on the elevator ride up made his ears pop and the air began to smell artificial. With a ping, the doors opened. In his cubicle, everything except for Schwarz ' personal belongings was gone; cleared out for the next employee to come. Looking one last time, Schwarz flipped the picture of his, now ex, girlfriend down.
Ring, Ring
Al rung and floated into Schwarz ' line of sight.
"Hello?"
"Yes, is this Newton Schwarz?"
"Yes."
"You're being deployed. Come to the airship port on the top floor."
Schwarz left, completely disregarding his no longer needed belongings.
Ping, another elevator ride.
At this height, stars were visible, even during the day and the building even swayed ever so slightly. Looking around, Schwarz could see only a few docked cargo ships and no people. He wondered if there had been a mistake, until footsteps sounded behind him. Turning around, there was a man who had a proper and knowledgeable demeanor. He stood slightly taller than Schwarz and wore a black and green suit.
"Oh hello. Didn't see you there Mr. Ozpin" Schwarz chuckled nervously. The man didn't smile.
"Tell me Mr. Schwarz, why do you want to travel? Why do you want to leave everything behind on a one way trip into the unknown?"
Schwarz thought for a moment. He had his own reasons, but he could not tell those to his boss.
"I want to see something new; not just to me, but to humanity. I want to be able to research something unknown to us. I read the other day that a new song hasn't been created for hundreds of years. That is how little there is left for us to find. We can't even make a new song! That's why. I want to do it simply because it is the unknown." He lied.
The man gave Schwarz a satisfied look.
"Very good. Follow me."
On the airship ride away from the city, a new broad shouldered man in a white suit, who preferred to remain unnamed, went over all the technical details of Schwarz ' mission.
_Mission Brief_
Where you are going is a universe we have discovered that seems to parallels ours. For you, that means you won't have to do any space travel to get to a suitable colonization site. Beyond that, we know nothing of the world. We assume it can support life as we know it, but just to be sure, we are giving you a protective suit and a good supply of oxygen. Sending things through the portal, even data, is expensive; so only make contact if absolutely necessary and for the monthly updates on your findings. There are also some risks with your recent operation. Converting your entire body to bio-nano-bots will make you much stronger than any normal person, but they are still based on living cells and will need oxygen and nutrition to function. At this point, it is unlikely you know how to operate each nano-bot individually, but with practice, you will soon be able to let your body flow and change shape as easy as water..."
The brief carried on for several hundreds of pages and Schwarz wasn't even going to attempt to read them all. The stern man continued talking through the entire flight, landing, and all the way into the building that sat in the middle of nowhere, far out of sight of any city. From the ground floor, they took an elevator down. With yet another Ping, they were in a command center deep underground.
There were men and women at computers and running up and down halls. Drones and perso-secs flew at dizzying speeds and swerved erratically to avoid collisions. A voice sounded through the intercom
"One hour to departure. Commence last minute preparations."
"This way Mr. Schwarz."
They went down a hall and into one of the doors. Inside was a comfortably furnished office. In one corner was a space suit on a stand.
"Change into that and make yourself comfortable for the next hour. Go over the brief I gave you. And remember, keep your training in mind. You worked hard for this promotion and we are putting a lot of money into this. Don't fail us. Oh, and I'll be taking your perso-sec to add a few upgrades." At that, Schwarz was left alone.
For the next hour, Schwarz snacked, had a glass of wine, and read over the brief. He took special notice of the section regarding supplies. To be included were five Phoenix Drones. Excitement took Schwarz. Phoenix Drones were the most advanced Drones; available only to those with top class privilege clearance. His excitement was cut short by a new announcement.
"Five minutes to departure. Commence final preparations."
The door opened.
"Are you ready Mr. Schwarz?"
"Yes."
"Follow me then."
Down another hall they went. People rushed passed and even more drones flew above. At the end of the hall was a large metallic door with guards on both sides. They stood at attention as we passed. Beyond the door was a large room. Its walls were lined with countless scientific devices and sensors. Aside from Schwarz and the other man, the room was filled with boxes and crates of all sizes.
"We will begin momentarily. We suggest you sit in the chair there as you may be dizzy once you are through. Any questions?"
"No."
"Then please stand by.
The man walked back out the doors and they closed behind him. Moments later, he appeared in the large window overlooking Schwarz from the control room. Schwarz sat down and waited.
This is happening way faster than I imagined. Schwarz thought. A few days ago, he was living his life no differently from everyone else.
"Commencing travel in Five... Four..."
In mere moments, Schwarz would leave his world and begin anew.
"Three… Two…
What would this new world be like? Would there be intelligent life? Or would the world be empty and uninhabitable, leaving him to die alone in the void?
"One."
Schwarz' head exploded; or so it felt like. The sudden change in scenery was shocking. Schwarz closed his eyes and held his head between his knees as nausea took him by force. He sat as such until he felt he could keep his stomach. He opened his eyes. Leaves, falling everywhere. He looked around. Trees in every direction blocked the sky with a canopy of deep red leaves.
Here I am. He thought.
My new life.
[There it is everyone. Don't expect anything groundbreaking but I'll try my best. Thanks for reading and have a nice day.]