Castleton was alone in a windowless room in an underground bunker. A screen across the room flickered to life to reveal Sapphire on the other end. "Castleton" she said "it is good to see you, how are things on your end"? "Not going well" he replied "the Vale council has refused my pleas for the reinstatement of the embassy and more recently, my phone calls". "Can't Ozpin help"? she asked. "The council has removed him from his duty as the head of security for the Vytal Festival, and replaced him with Ironwood" he said "not to mention that Ozpin's position as headmaster is under heavy scrutiny and trust in him has dwindled, he will be of no help". "He was our only hope in this whole thing" she said. "I think it is time to consider proceeding with the plan" said Castleton "how are things over at Epsilon"? "We are well stocked on soldiers, guns, and dust. If you could send more Ajax units that could be great". "I will work on it" he said "but what about the kids"? "It pains me to say this" she said "but they may be vital to the operation, I know you want to leave them out of this. They are the only people we have inside of Vale". "I understand" he said "I just wish we had other options". "We really don't" she said "at least contact Deep Knife and tell her to wait for further instruction". "I understand" he said "I'll send her a message". "I'm sorry Castleton" she said "but this is the only way". "Its okay" he said, his hands covered his face". "You know what they will call us right?" she said "terrorists, monsters, a bunch of savages". "What matters is how we do what we do" he said "that is what separates us from White Fang. I just wish Cobalt was still here". "We will find him" she said "and one day; it will all be one". Sapphire hung up and Castleton reclined in his chair and pulled out his scroll and sent a message too Deep Knife. He then closed his scroll and exited the room to see a large underground complex, the area decorated with a symbol. A black planet against a white moon, with a silver fist bursting from the planet. Everyone in the bunker was wearing hoods and masks, all decorated with the same insignia. Everyone around him stopped at the sight of him. "Attention all hands!" he yelled "we are now at phase four, begin preparations"! Everyone saluted Castleton and returned to their work. He made his way back to the room and thought "your cards are on the table Cinder; now let me show you mine". The scene shifts from the bunker to a bedroom and a scroll vibrated on a table. Barely awake somebody reached for it, it was Cerulea who read the message. She quickly read the message before being startled when Bruna noticed she was awake. "Nightmare?" Bruna asked. "Yeah" Cerulea deleted the message "just a nightmare".
