Prologue

"What of the Shipments?"

Luna sat at the chair with a bowl of candies on the arm rest, as she awaits the respond from the figure that had just entering into the room.

"Sunk, as requested."

The figure replied as it stopped twenty steps away from Luna after entering. Luna could sense hesitation and doubts in the figure's voice as it speak. A rather rare occurrence.

"You may speak up."

"Could all of these be avoided?"

"No."

Luna reached and picked one lollipop from the bowl. Holding and admiring the lollipop for a mere moment before tossing it aside, landing perfectly into the trash bin behind the seat.

"As beautiful and tasty as it were, once it past the expiration dates, it became no different from trash." Luna paused for a second as she reached for another candy in the bowl, showing it to figure before putting it into her mouth. "Eating it only bring harm to the body, thus best disposed of before others unknowing ate it."

"I...I understand."

"Do you? No matter, don't answer it." Luna looked as three more figures entered into the room and stood side by side. "All of you had been brief on the next operation. It requires less formality but a first impression is needed regardless."

"Yes, madam!"


Chapter 1: Re-coded birth

"A large shipment of Dust crystals was lost as the result of the delivering airship sank into the ocean after an explosion. No survivors of the delivery airship were reported to be found in the rescue search so far."

Ruby and her team walked side by side, talking about their adventure so far. They stopped at the television stall for a mere moment as the next news caught their attention.

"Police receive an anonymous tip last night and managed to apprehend twenty White Fang members and recovered a storehouse full of stolen Dust. No officers were harmed in the daring raid."

Ruby and her team looked at one another, surprised and puzzled after hearing the news being reported. The news was conflicting to the knowledge they knew about the White Fang. It was unlike them to get caught with their pants down or being extremely careless.

"I bet it was the work of a huntsman" Ruby said as she tried to lighten the mood.

"If it was the work of a huntsman, why would he or she simply tip of the police and letting them get the credit?" Yang questioned about the statement that Ruby made.

"Maybe the huntsman dislikes the limelight or the huntsman could be a mole! Hiding within the organization and slowly crippling them" Ruby replied as she did a pose of a secret agent, holding an imaginary gun with both of her hand.

Weiss and Blake shook their head and smile. That was the Ruby they learnt to love throughout their adventure.

They noticed a transport airship flew past them and headed towards Beacon. The Emblem on the side of the airship wasn't from any school that they knew. Could it be new students? Maybe another school had an exchange program with Beacon?

Unable to withstand the curiosity within her, Ruby raced towards Beacon Academy with the rest of the team chasing after her.


[Beacon's landing pad]

Professor Ozpin, Glynda and Oobleck stood at the entrance of the landing pad as they readied to greet their new visitors.

A blonde girl, wearing a slightly oversize lab coat, was the first to exit the airship. She was followed by four students who were much taller than her. The students had a cape that they drape over their outfits, with the similar emblem imprinted at the back.

"Welcome to Beacon, Professor Luna." Ozpin walked forward to greet the strangers as he gestured them to follow him.

"We are glad that you accepted our request for an exchange program with our school." Luna replied as Ozpin lead them around the school like a tour guide, with Glynda and Oobleck as escorts. The foreign students did not make any eye contact with other students of Beacon or utter a word between one another.

They stopped at Ozpin's office front door and Ozpin turned around, facing them.

"Come in and have a seat. I'm sure there are still more questions that you want to ask."

"So are you" Luna replied as she opened the door and entered first into the office, sitting down onto the chair.

Oobleck closed the door as soon as the last student entered the room. Glynda stood outside the office, making sure no one was to disturb the meeting.

"Luna, this isn't a simple exchange program, is it?

"Our 'first impression' spoke for itself." Luna replied to Ozpin as she reached for her coat to take out a lollipop and unwrap it.

"Which one are you referring to? There was plenty of news lately that I might mistake your work with the others." Ozpin sat down with his chin resting on his hands.

"Which one do you think it is?" Luna smiled at Ozpin serious face. "I think you are smart enough to differentiate. Beside, you already began collecting data of my students before we land on Beacon."

"The exchange program was just a smokescreen. What is the real reason of you being here physically in Beacon?"

Luna leaned forward from her seat, still with a smirk on her face. She could tell Ozpin uneasiness despite his face showing no sign of emotion.

"Investigation. That is all you need to know for now."

"I have the right to revoke…."

"Don't be mistaken. I wouldn't need to ask for permission from any schools to conduct our investigation and operation. This is the way the SYNDICATE works."

"Is that a threat?"

The mood in the office became hostile as the two continued talking. Not once did Luna break her devilish smile at Ozpin. The students readied themselves if things were to turn sour.

"Don't be silly, old clockwork." Luna rest back down on the chair. "This was the most polite way I could find. Besides, the result would benefit both of us in the end."

"I fail to see how it would benefit us equally."

"For starters, my students will be able to learn some experience from the well-known Beacon students. As payment, I will share some classified information and the reasons that our investigation lead to here."