A distant glow disturbed the gentle night. Tremors pulsed; the ground vibrated harder every second. Yang flew forward along the road, leaving a streak of gold behind her. It's been months since she'd burned like this. A phoenix rising from ashes, she was ready to face Remnant again and to fight alongside her companions. The journey to Haven would take nearly a week even at her speed, and without any interruptions.
Yang had driven continuously for a long time, focus starting to diminish. She slowed to a stop next to a clearing suitable for a camp. As she cut the engine, the night silence returned.
The wood from Mistral's tree's burned low, but it was an enduring burn. Yang sat knees up by the fire nibbling on bread rations. Her cheek caught a crumb, but no one was there to brush it off. The fire's warmth brought memories of her team: of Ruby, Weiss. . . Blake. Soon, she thought, before pulling into her sleeping bag. The stars shone brighter out in the wilderness. The moon looked the same as always, shattered across the night.
Only a few hours passed before something woke Yang from her gentle rest. An unnatural sound pierced the air. Violet eyes alert, she scanned the area as she stood. Nothing. The sound came again, like a metallic grinding. She followed it's general direction and climbed onto some boulders for a viewpoint. Far in the distance, smoke and light.
She got as close as she could on Bumblebee before the sound would reveal her. She buried her bike with branches and continued on foot. Closing in, she found a ledge to peer from. Large shipment containers of dust, machines to move them, and banners showing a red beast head and claw marks. The black markets of Mistral would sell to anyone, even the White Fang. Faction members and ruthless thugs alike would linger at such camps. Yang drew closer, using the objects and machinery littered about the lot as cover. From behind a large crate, she heard voices.
"Dammit, I told you to take this seriously!" A White Fang goon scolded another.
"What's the bother. You think a few beasts can overrun us? We're in the middle of nowhere." The unconcerned one leaned against a wall, mask off, eyes closed.
"That's not the point. Don't you know what's been going on in Menagerie? There's a rebel faction turning our own members against us. We've already lost a number of trading posts. Who's to say their influence hasn't already made it overseas." The angry goon slammed the wall next to his carefree companion. Yang flinched at the noise. "Open your damn eyes!"
"Yeah, well if that's the case, I don't think these masks are helping anyone," the other criticized.
A Rebel group in Menagerie? Yang took in what they said. Was Blake involved? She turned to leap from cover, ready to pound the answers out of them, but her father's words pulled her back. She took a deep breath. Take it slow, think of a plan.
There were three guards stationed at all times, the rest slept in large tents. Yang couldn't fire Ember Cecilia for stealth take-downs. It was time to test the augmented strength of her arm in the field. She watched until she recognized their patrol patterns. The moment the guards were the furthest apart, Yang approached one from behind. Steady. . . Now!