Orange Trailer
Bang. Bang.
Bang. Bang.
"Stupid grimm. Not even Hoth had this much trouble."
She turned to another charging Beowulf and promptly shot it in the head. She was cloaked in full armor, with a helmet, cuirass, cuisses, flamethrower, and jet pack. It was a modified RK-17A Helfire set from her old life. She was able to keep the armour but it all had to be remodelled after her 'immigration' to Remnant. Their tech was rather advanced for a planet that hadn't achieved space travel, but it still lacked the finesse and efficiency of her old gear. However, beggars can't be choosers, and Atlas had the best tech on the planet.
Which leads to why she's shooting beowulves like whomprats.
Atlas has been having trouble securing a base out in this sector as the grimm keep coming to this area. It was one of the few locations on the frozen tundra that was flat and actually supported wildlife, spring was even a season if you waited around. But surely enough, Grimm kept coming in for easy prey. The Atlas Mountains were treacherous. Most grimm died just trying to reach the outskirts of the city. So a lone research team, on a frozen plateau, was a perfect opportunity to reek some havoc.
She shot two Ursai as they tried to jump her from behind.
This also let Melina have some exercise. They would have had a military escort but some pencil pusher pissed off some higher pencil dick and had to settle for her instead. She was getting paid well enough. Bounty hunting existed no matter where you are, and this is one of her lower paying jobs. She made a killing over the last five years. Terrorist groups, armed escorts, exterminations, security, there wasn't a job people wouldn't offer money for, especially that powdered Dust big-wig who was probably the richest man on the planet. The only thing that annoyed her to no end was Ironwood's damned attempts to recruit her.
She set a Beowulf ablaze as it tried to circle around.
Melina could take down any of these Huntsmen even before they unlocked her 'gift.' She had the skills, the experience, and the guts to take down anything and anyone. She was Mandolorian, and she loved seeing the look on that snow-haired bitch when she first beat her. Melina compared the Huntsmen to Jedi as they both had some supernatural powers in their arsenal. But it was no difference to her, shoot the hands, stun grenade, blow them up, it was the same damn routine she had when she had a space ship. They just had a little more variety. She could respect that. They were individuals rather then some cult indoctrinated monks who wouldn't know where to put it in. Though Atlas is really cutting it close with the whole special operative thing they have going on. Apparently, a fully trained Huntsmen can go wherever they choose. Atlas just had stronger recommendations for where to go after.
Melina set her blaster to automatic as an Alpha Beowulf showed up, lighting it with blaster bolts.
She liked her knew weapon, it was a dual function slug thrower and automatic laser pistol. Had to pay a lot of lien just to get the thing. The small caliber cartridges shot dust with multiple effects while doubling as a power cell for the laser function. Dust certainly did more for a gun than any blaster she had before, but Melina did use her other skills so she wouldn't get sloppy. She still had her flamethrower, missile launcher, probes, darts, grapple hook, shoulder cannon, and her hand-to-hand combat skills. Melina kinda missed the carbonite freeze ray but Ice Dust made up for that by switching the settings on her flamethrower. The only thing that she didn't like was Remnant's constant reliance on the resource. Maybe not now, but some day Remnant will have to find another resource to power their technology. But for now she'll stick to what she has, "I'll worry about it when I'm dead."
Melina broke off a spike and quickly drove it into the Alpha's eye, then launched a missile down it's throat. The beowulf briefly turned into a balloon before collapsing and disintegrated. She twirled her gun before putting it in her holster, "Still got it."
She backtracked the trail she had left in the snow back to camp. It wasn't that impressive, a few tents, tables, signal receivers, she just passed it all towards the largest tent where they held operations. "Area's clear. You should have a few days off before they try attacking again."
"Ah, Ms. Reno, good. I'll transfer your payment right away," the lead scientist opened his scroll and tapped a few icons. A beep sounded under Melina's forearm, a miniature holster for her own scroll. She opened it to confirm her payment, "Pleasure doing business with you." Melina started to turn to leave.
"Excuse me, Ms. Reno," Melina paused to listen, "but how long will you be staying? We finally have approval for a squad to come in but we could certainly still use your help."
"Sorry Doc, but your contract just expired and I got another job."
"Ah... shame. Well, do stop bye sometime, we'll miss your expertise."
"If there's payment involved, I'll be interested," she departed the tent and headed towards her ship. It wasn't as big as the Mantis but then again it wasn't meant for space travel.
It was an Atlas model cargo airship, but with a few modifications. She had two automatic turret windows built into the upper holding bay. The gunner simply needed to strap in, shoot, and move with the gun. A pair of frontal airship guns were built in so the pilot could shoot and two air torpedo tubes built into the lower cargo bay in case anything needed to be blown up. She also painted parts of the hull and wings green so it wouldn't just be that ugly rust brown it was before.
She got it as part of a favour from a airship control monitor. Dude had a debt he couldn't pay off to a couple of gangsters and needed saving. Got paid in advance with what he had and she even got to loot the hideout. It enough to buy a ship and her silence from Atlas command. Melina got the mods built in over time, found a good mechanic that didn't ask questions when she had an order. She missed her old ship, the new one kinda reminded her off it, if the cockpit had be built in then extended outwards. And if it had been bigger.
Melina boarded the ACA-Mando and headed straight to the cockpit. As she fired up the engines Melina inserted her scroll, "Voice command. Call Jacques Schnee." A screen appeared stating what she had just said out loud, then it changed showing a phone icon saying "Please stay on the line as your call is completed. Long distance charges may apply."
"Thank you for calling the Atlas—oh, Melina."
"Hey Barbra. How's the desk treating you?" Melina started flicking a few switches as she started to ascend.
"I'm doing fine, thank you. Do you want me to connect you to Mr. Schnee? He's been expecting your call."
"Patch him through. I got business to take care off."
"Alright. Connecting you now," a another icon saying "please hold" then going on about the Schnee Dust company. Melina wanted to shoot it to shut it up but she knew it would be futile. She turned on the autopilot and sent the screen to a terminal on a table out in the cargo hold. She walked over and waited for her call to go through.
When the call finally connected, an albino business man appeared on the screen. Jacques had slick snow-grey hair combed back and a fairly large moustache. He was dressed in a white double breasted jacket, tie, and blue collared shirt. The man seemed pleased to see her, "Ah, Melina, how good to see you. How was your last mission?"
"Confidential. You know my rates Schnee, get on with it."
Mr. Schnee seamed to frown in disappointment, "Very well. I require your services as a part of security for one of my functions. My daughter is performing tomorrow night and will be her last concert before leaving for Atlas Academy. She will be under your protection and I want this to go on without any... 'interruptions' so to speak. I'm sending you the details now."
"Guard your daughter, scan for threats, eliminate targets. Let me guess, no Faunus."
"The Schnee Dust company cannot afford to allow potential threats to walk around unchecked. We will do what is necessary to keep the public safe and have an enjoyable evening," Melina had expected a response like that. He couldn't openly denounce Faunas as he had an image to maintain, but the man was a racist bastard if Melina ever saw one.
"I'll speak to your security team tomorrow. Pleasure doing business," she ended the call.
Melina pushed a button on her helmet and started taking it off. She was brown skinned with a round face and asian features. Brown eyes looked weary and she massaged her face in exhaustion. Her hair was in a bun which she let loose, letting her black curls fall down. Melina had a bit more meat on her bones but she certainly looked beautiful. She'd shoot whoever would call her cute. The only things that offset it were the cybernetics on her eyebrows and right jawline.
She had gotten cybernetics years before actually becoming a bounty hunter. It was a marksman competition that had gotten Melina noticed by Braden. She had hit all her targets and won but the competition accused her of cheating. Some Rodian had gathered up some goons intending to beat her to a pulp, and she won, but not without paying a price for it. One of the goons had a misty sucker Punch then proceeded to punch the daylights out of her. Luckily she toughed it out and had him pinned down when she saw an opening. Needless to say, once the paramedics showed up she needed surgery and kolto treatments. She saw this as an opportunity though. No limbs were replaced but Melina had neural implants to enhance her senses and even got a com link and targeting system. It was nothing fancy, and it wasn't like she couldn't afford a mini computer back then anyways. She was small time then, "What does that make me now?"
Melina looked down at her helmet reminiscing over her old life. She had sailed the stars, hunting anything and anyone. Nothing was impossible.
"So... I died," those were the only words she could come up with. Melina had been hired as extra muscle against whatever the Empire was facing. There was an army that seemed to be only made up of droids, and there was a canyon, then the rockslide. "Who the hell caused that anyway?"
...
"Eh, who cares."
"Welcome."
A deep echoing voice sounded and drew her attention. A man appeared adorned in white, black, and gold. They were similar to battle robes but far more regal, with a serpent motif. He had groomed white hair and a well kept beard and moustache. But what was terrifying were they eyes. She's seen Sith with golden eyes before, but on him, they went deeper than any Force user he had ever met.
One blur called out, it came out unintelligible but accusatory. She wasn't alone.
"Indeed it is I."
The blur moved to attack but the man merely raised his hand and the blur was caught in a Force choke.
"Save your strength, you will have need of it later," he let the person go, and they dropped to their knees clearly gasping but Melina couldn't hear a sound.
"Do you know who I am?" asked the stranger. Another blur answered.
"I suppose. Hear, time and space become irrelevant. This body is an illusion. Here, I am merely a herald to you who have gathered."
That's when she started to glow. She was orange, others were red, green, and purple. "You have been chosen, not by me, but by the will of the Force to appear in a new world, a new universe, an new galaxy.
Another blur spoke, likely a question.
"To live. It's plans are a mystery, even to me. You are to live, begin anew. But not not with these weapons," two lightsabers and two blasters appeared, one which so happened to be her favourite blaster, "These weapons were meant for a different place, a different war, they will no longer serve you." And with that they disappeared as if they never existed.
"If you wish to take up arms again, I'm afraid you must craft new weapons to fight. And there will be fighting."
"So you're just dumping us in the middle of nowhere? With nothing to defend ourselves?" Melina was upset at having her chances slimmed by some crackpot in white.
"To you who use the Force, you will still retain the power, but you must unlock it if you are to regain your true strength. For in this world your soul could be your sword, your shield, and your power. Even those without the Force can achieve this strength." The colours started to turn blinding and another voiced called.
"I am not your enemy. There is another that takes my place there, for it is forever beyond my reach."
"Farewell."
"Ah Ms. Reno, I take it security is up to your standards?"
Melina swiped a champagne glass from a passing waiter, "It's your standards I have to worry about, Mr. Schnee. They're your team after all." The security force was decent for a concert. A security guard in each room on either side, trying to attract as little attention as possible. They were crisp, attentive, and actually had some training. She could probably beat them but she had another job.
"And my daughter?"
"Compliant."
"Good. She has an image to uphold," Jacques walked towards another group of socialites interrupting their conversation. Melina downed her glass in one gulp as she stared around the room. It was a real upper-class party alright. People dressed in fancy clothes, champagne on trays carried by waiters, it kinda reminded her of Alderaan when she had that nobility job during the Great Hunt. She didn't dress differently for either occasion, which drew some eyes to her and incited some gossip. The only difference between there and here that it was less nobility and more cooperate slime balls.
Melina gave her glass on another passing waiter and headed to find the backstage entrance. She had an heiress to guard after all.
She came to a hallway with multiple rooms. Each door was shut and had a little star with a name plaque that could easily taken out. The hallway was deserted minus the two body guards standing outside a door closest to the stage, "Alright boys, your shift is done, I'll take over from here."
"Ma'am," both guards nodded and went the way she came. They were still on guard, they just had to get to their next post.
She knocked on the door. A muffled, "Come in," was heard and Melina entered the dressing room. Sitting on a chair in front of a lighted mirror was Weiss Schnee. The girl was in a white dress and a white jacket with red lining. The Schnee company logo was stitched onto her back and the costume was clearly designer made. Weiss had inherited her father's white hair and clear blue eyes, she had her hair styled into an off centre ponytail and had a tiara like accessory to complete the heiress/princess look.
Melina had heard that the girl was training to become a huntress, she could respect that. What she didn't respect was if this was her combat uniform, she was asking to get killed. There was no visible armor, and she was wearing a skirt. She didn't care if it was a fad, or that there was nothing to slow her legs. If you don't have some sort of protection your fucked, whether it was a claw, a branch, or a rock, especially in heels.
"Miss Reno!" The heiress quickly got out of her chair and turned to face the mercenary. She looked like she wanted to give a hug but quickly reigned herself in, "It's good to see you." Weiss gave a little bow showing off all that socialite training that was pounded into her.
"None of that kid. Come here," Melina waved a gesture for a hug and the teenager relaxed as she felt the strong feminine arms around her.
"It really is good to see you again."
"Let me get a good look at you," Melina lightly grabbed Weiss chin and gently tilted her head inspecting the idol heiress. She noticed the scar, "Hmm... quite the scar you got there. Good on you," it was a single line just out off her peripheral vision and eyebrow.
"You... you really think so?" Weiss looked up to the elder woman shyly.
"Father gave you a hard time?"
"It's... unsightly," Melina only frowned at that.
"Kid, in this line of work they're going to be unavoidable. I'm not saying to collect them, but they show that you did your best and that you'll get stronger. I mean look at mine." Weiss giggled, knowing she didn't need to be ashamed. She saw the woman almost as her idol.
Melina had done a job a few years back as security detail when the White Fang had staged a hostage situation during another gala like this. The terrorist were closing in when Melina had finally had enough and put the mad mutts down. Their was a lot of blood and broken teeth in the aftermath. Not to mention the bullet holes.
"Melina... how did you decide you wanted to be a huntress?" The bounty hunter's face dropped a bit, remembering that being a 'huntress' was her cover during her time on Remnant. She hummed a bit in thought.
"Well... it wasn't my first choice, hehe. I was just a regular girl living a normal life before I left home. I was sick of being bored and cushy doing everything my parents wanted me to do. It wasn't for me, you know?" Weiss gave a small smile. "So one day I packed up, bought a blaster, and took the first shuttle out of my village."
"You mean a gun."
"... ...Right. Handgun. Anyways, I had no plan, no safety, just me and the open stars. I travelled a lot, turned out I was good with a gun and started earning some money. Started with some competitions, then tournaments, then one night I got into a bar fight and noticed the guys I had beat up had some wanted posters. I plopped their asses in a jail cell and asked for the reward. Been like that ever since."
"How'd your parents react?"
"...We didn't part on the best of terms. I was leaving everything behind me and they couldn't see I had more to offer then what they had planned." Weiss started to look down a little, Melina could tell she had a lot on her mind. "But you know what, I don't regret it."
"What?"
"It's true. Sometimes you just have to do what you feel is right. Even if you don't make the best decisions. Force knows I didn't."
Melina placed a hand on the heiress's shoulder, "Just don't be afraid to be yourself. And if it screws over your old man definitely do it."
That got a laugh out of Weiss, "Thanks Melina." A small buzzer sounded above the door.
Melina moved to open the door, "That's your cue. Knock'em dead kid." The heiress nodded and proceeded onto the stage.
Melina didn't care about Winter, Jacque, or anyone else. But sh saw potential in young heiress. Even if that meant a deduction in her pay check.
