AN: Just a reminder that these are original characters put into the situations presented in the RWBY universe. As such events and even a few characters may change from Canon for the narrative's sake. Some may be small and some drastic but I will do my best to uphold what makes the story and characters themselves. Thanks for reading!
Chapter 1, Marching Orders
Cane stepped off of the airship and immediately remembered why he didn't come home more often. Atlas was way too damn cold! The frigid winds of the tundra were caught and channeled through the towering buildings and came to bear upon the small commercial landing pad. Shivering he pulled his hooded jacket around him and set his head down against the wind. Man I wish I had radioed a private shuttle.
In his haste, Cane had forgotten about his clearance level
Where as any other Atlas huntsman could have just had a military airship collect and deposit them directly in the main tower, he had leapt on the first one out. A commercial vessel carrying apples from Mistral to the city. Now almost a mile of very uncomfortable walking from his destination, Cane regretted it. Chewing his lip as he shuffled along, Cane ruminated more on his situation. "Okay" he muttered to himself "the tower is still standing so it isn't about Decker. And since the rest of the city is up it wasn't Alister. Logically that means he called me about Janus. But he isn't stupid enough to kill an atlas official for money right?"
Cane doubted it was about anything but his team. Elsewise Ironwood would have had his troops or Winter Schnee handle it. Why call in the leader of one of the most dangerous, unpredictable, and devilishly handsome teams in Remnant if not to handle their own? Oh ever since Ironwood cut his losses and their reigns he and his teammates had taken atlas jobs before. But they were all given over text or by Winter. For the seasoned general to call him into a personal meeting it had to be a matter of utmost importance.
Finally reaching the grounds of the training academy, Cane again remarked on how depressing it was. The sprawling court yard was dotted with many pieces of art that did little to liven up the snow covered expanse. No students were outside, only soldiers in the white and red uniforms that tagged them as Elites. Men and women who after years of training had learned basic use of aura. This coupled with their dust forged arms and armor made the pretty deadly…. To anything weaker than a beowulf. Mostly they and their comrades were sent in mass. A troop together with lesser soldiers and mechs could feasibly hold of Grimm and protect life. The latter being something even huntsman had trouble with at times. However for all their skill and armament even a huntsman in training could eliminate scores of them without blinking. Even the weak ones.
Which is why they were considered the bulk of the army. Not it's strength. That pride belonged to the ones this tower was built to house and train. The Huntsmen of Atlas. Pride of the Frozen Wastes. Stopping at the door to allow one of the guards to snap a picture of his face, he was allowed into the multi storied complex. It was then that the place brightened up some.
Lounging around the building were boys and girls around his age, dressed in the stiff white uniforms of huntsmen cadets. Atlas academy was demanding, rigid, and serious. Resulting in huntsmen who were strong, skilled, and unique. Despite the emphasis on uniformity, the environment only bred more understated yet extravagant forms of individuality. Hair was dyed, weapons ornate, and personalities unpredictable. The collective students looked like crayons wrapped in white paper.
As he strode forward towards the central elevator a few of the older students snapped to attention with varying greetings of "Specialist" and "Green Lightning!" Cane nodded awkwardly and continued onward. He wasn't really a specialist of course. Nobody in team CADJ was. Commonly when an Atlesian huntsman graduated they were given high military ranking and dubbed a specialist. This was how they combated the mercenary nature of most huntsmen. "Made by Atlas, die for Atlas" he whispered under his breath. If he and his team hadn't caused so many problems that would be their fate. The image of Janus trying to balance an officer's cap between his horns made him snicker. As it was Ironwood had given them the honorary title to keep up appearances. But they didn't belong to Atlas like the others. They were very expensive help.
Taking the elevator to the tower's top floor Cane stepped of to find an honor guard of Elites waiting for him. "Keep you waiting?" he asked sheepishly
"At least you're aware of it" a clipped female voice answered from further off.
Stepping around the corner was Holy shit! It's Winter! Specialist Schnee was the epitome of Atlesian values. She was strong, efficient, smart, pretty, professional, pretty, pretty….. Okay focus Dirge!
"We were expecting you days ago. A merchant ship Dirge? Really? Do you enjoy being tardy"
Pride stinging from her scolding he wanted to fire back a few of his own. Until he realized A) anxiety B) it was rude C) she was right. Flushing bright red Cane nodded and managed out "The General wishes to see me?"
"Yes" if possible her face became more grave "Follow me"
"I know the way" he protested
"I don't care" she replied "The last time one of you renegades were left unchecked on the top floor, we had to extinguish the General's office."
Cane smirked remembering the grumbling Decker had done when they confiscated his lighter.
Arriving at the end of the hall they were greeted by a pair of solid steel double doors emblazoned with the seal of Atlas. The guards created a short tunnel flanking them as he and Winter stepped forward. Pushing open the doors he once more found himself in the workplace of General Ironwood. The back wall of the sparsely decorated room was a single window. Allowing grey light to flow in making the white and steel color scheme look even bleaker. Sitting stiff behind a solid steel desk (hadn't that been mahogany before?) Was Ironwood himself.
"Ah, Specialist Dirge. Good of you to arrive" Winter grumbled under her breath. Whether about his tardiness or his title he couldn't tell.
"General. I've come as requested." He managed out, glancing shyly at the woman beside him. Ironwood he could manage speaking to. But Winter…. Well pretty women with aloof natures made both his hormones, and anxiety act up. Sensing his discomfort (Ironwood was good like that) the General made a dismissive gesture with his left hand to the door. "You are dismissed Specialist Schnee. Return to your duties." "General" she saluted, then with one last cold glance at Cane marched out.
The door slammed shut behind her, causing Cane to wince. However the relief was immediate. Straightening his shoulders and adopting a relaxed pose he stepped closer to Ironwood's desk "What's the situation sir? Alister on a kill streak? Janus off a councilor?" he looked around "Decker torch your office again?" Ironwood sighed and leaned on his fists adopting the tired expression he reserved for only family, and team CADJ. The boys had caused him so much grief and given him back so much pride that he saw them as such now. "Alister is surprisingly helpful of late, Janus is… Janus. And as for Specialist Lykkos…. He has not been reporting in lately. Not even to his Aunt. Last contact was a week ago when we heard he had taken a hunting contract in Vale."
None of this news surprised Cane. Alister was an adrenaline whore. As long as you kept him busy he would do whatever. Janus in his preferred line of work tended to keep to himself, and Decker… well the guy hated Ironwood, Atlas, and almost everything to do with either. As for his aunt and guardian Argentum, he probably forgot. Cane sighed wondering how he survived a year and a half of keeping those majestic bastards in line. "Well you know what they say" Cane said with an exasperated sigh "You can't put a CADJ in a cage"
"Honestly" Ironwood groaned rubbing his right temple "I wish I would have just put your team in boot camp for a few more years" "Wouldn't have done any good" Cane assured him "you set us loose because it's the only way we work. You would have to kill us to change us" "And I'm not willing to waste the resources" The aged general smiled. "But make no mistake, I will not tolerate threats to Atlas" "Of course General. Am I right to assume however that it is because of my team I am here?"
Ironwood straightened, his features snapping back into a solemn mask. "That is correct Specialist Dirge. I need you to rally them together. There has been… unrest, recently. And I would like all of Atlas' resources to be consolidated. Even the unstable ones". Cane brought his hand up in a sloppy salute "Aye general. So…. Where are they?" Ironwood's face slacked in shock "You don't know?" "I have approximate knowledge of where they Aren't" Cane shrugged. Then, just to show him that the world still held surprises, Ironwood laughed. A low hearty chuckle almost inaudible. But it was there. Looking up with a faint smile he shook his head. "Well that makes two of us. Alister took off after his last job, Decker hasn't returned from Vale, and who knows about Janus? Happy hunting specialist. Keep me posted"
Equal parts confused and shell shocked Cane left the room. Ignoring Winter until she stepped in front of him. "What happened in there?" she demanded "uh… gah…" Cane answered. Rolling her distractingly gorgeous grey eyes Winter sighed. "He told you to collect your team yes?" Cane nodded. "Then do so. And quickly. I'm not fond of having a group of loose cannon rouges running around the tower again, but the General insists and it's not for a specialist to question". Her inflection made it clear that she didn't consider team CADJ among those ranks. This didn't bother Cane however. As he walked past her toward the elevator he only held one thought; The General just laughed and I'm loosing mind.
The bullhead just had enough fuel to get Alister to The city of Vale. However it lacked adequate fuel to wait for "landing clearance". Now one crash landing and five hours of talking to insignificant "authorities" later, Alister strode through the ever confusing urban sprawl wondering whom he had to kill for directions. Eventually after walking well into the evening he came across the dearest little street urchin who gave him directions to Junior's club. The one and only place Alister knew in Vale that was shady enough to be out of the public eye, and yet clean enough to not make him sick. As he stepped onto the dark strip that lined the underside of the raised roadway, the streets began to look familiar again. Turning left and walking another quarter mile he saw the large building with… nothing special. The stone looked just as worn and ugly as the rest of the place. The wooden double doors scarred and pockmarked with wear. And the glass windows… broken. "Well" Alister whispered to himself "I suppose there's been another accident".
Stepping into the bar Alsiter was met with one of the most blatant examples of rampage since that time he and Decker had shoved a red dust crystal up an ursa's ass and sent it into a bandit camp. The windows had been shattered from the inside out. Presumably from the force of a medium sized explosion or sonic attack. Darn kids and their a hip-hop music. The decorative crystal columns that when lit from inside had given the place an almost pleasant look were also smashed. Even the dancefloor was warped and distorted from a point in the center.
"What in the hell happened to this place?" "Huntress" a man's voice answered from by the ruined bar. Turning his attendance Alister recognized the suited form of Hei Xiong. Better known as Junior or Shady Hei depending on who was asked. "Hey Hei!" Alister called striding towards the older man "What have I told you about not letting anyone with fancy weapons remodel?"
"Wasn't really consulted about it"
Junior drew a cigarette from his pocket and began to light it before Alister put out the flame with his semblance.
"Smoking is bad for your health you know"
"I'll be sure to thank you if internal bleeding doesn't kill me first"
squinting in the dull light Alister noticed the bruises on Junior's face. He wasn't concerned, however he was Interested enough to inquire "I suppose you made your new girlfriend angry?"
Groaning, Junior sat down on a mostly intact barstool keeping his legs spread wide.
"Not a girlfriend, but she did have me by the balls"
"Ah!" Alister allowed some amusement in his voice "She fights dirty too. Tell me, how are the family jewels?"
On the mend like the rest of me. Honestly if my aura wasn't awakened the bitch would have killed me".
"Didn't the twins lend a hand?"
Junior's face clouded up "They tried. Put up a good fight but… that girl was a monster. Should've seen her. Blonde hair, skimpy clothes, and a berserker in a fight. Tanked bullets and explosions like they were nothing. 5 dead. 32 wounded not counting myself and the twins."
Alister remembered the twins. Two 16 year old girls named Melanie and Miltia. Liked to wear clashing outfits, fought as a team, no sense of humor. He liked them. Didn't care if they or Junior died, but they weren't bad people.
"So did the police get involved?"
Junior laughed until he began to cough "You kidding? You're a hunter yourself Alister. And a killer at that. If it had been you in here what would the cops have done?"
Alister did not appreciate the bitterness in his tone, but the man had a point. Huntsmen were above the law. Even a moderately powered one was enough to level buildings. Add in near invulnerability, fancy weapons, and whatever semblance they might have and you were left with a very big problem. They mostly had free range, and nobody but another hunter could stand against them. Honestly, if the governments didn't need them so badly they would have been purged long ago. But Grimm were worse. And huntsmen killed Grimm.
"Point taken Hei. But as I'm sure you've guessed, that isn't why I'm here"
"I stopped trying to predict huntsmen a long time ago"
Junior brought out his lighter again and this time Alister allowed him to light his cigarette.
"I'm looking for my cousin Hei."
Laughing, the man blew a puff of smoke from his nose "I haven't seen him since he hired half my men. They haven't shown up either"
"Your men are not my concern barkeep. I want to know where he is"
Junior's eyes narrowed. The man wasn't stupid. He had been dealing with dangerous characters all his life, and he had gotten good at gauging danger. He had tripped up with the blondie, but he had experience with Alister Ignus. His red eyes were like dust crystals. Pretty, volatile, and deadly. Snuffing out his cigarette Hei reached for his scroll.
"I'll send him a message. Don't know if he'll respond, but he'll know you're looking for him"
"My thanks Hei"
Alister walked across the bar grabbing a bottle of wine that had escaped the violence and sat down. Rubbing his neck Junior turned to the stairway leading to the club's loft. Hoping the twins didn't come downstairs. Alister was ready to blow.
It took an hour and an entire bottle of Mistralian red wine. But when the doors to Junior's club opened it was Alister's cousin that entered. A white long coat and bowler hat wrapped around a lanky redhead with a cane and shit eating grin
"Hey Hei!" Roman torchwick called out. "Got some bad news about your guys. They're dead. But good news, I'm not!"
"Well isn't that a relief" Junior muttered into his shot glass.
"Now, what's this about my favorite little cousin poking around my city?"
before he even finished Alister was crossing the room. A smile of pure joy lighting his features.
"Roman!" he laughed pulling his cousin into a rough embrace "Its been too long"
"You can say that again. Almost a year. You forget where a live?"
"Nearly" Alister laughed again remembering his late night trek. "Where's my niece?"
"Helping our… ah, employer, At the moment. I did text and say you were in town though. She's eager to see you."
"A mutual feeling".
Roman had been born to a side branch of the Ignus family. Prominent Mistralian nobles who traced their lineage all the way back to the first queen. Proud, rich, powerful, and image conscious. Roman had been a black sheep. He was cunning, intelligent, and handsome. But not strong and definitely not "honorable" he was always the outcast. Yet young Alister had loved and looked up to the older boy. As the family's heir Alister had been molded into the Scion of their family values. Roman had made him more. He taught him to think and act for himself. Alister loved him for that. When after a string of unfortunate incidents had gotten Roman dissowned, Alister had disowned his own family. Who were those peons to spurn their betters? However his clever cousin had done well for himself. There wasn't a thing that happened in this city that Roman Torchwick didn't have a hand in. And that was a level of royalty all its own.
"So, are you going to take me to see her?" Alister inquired Roman laughed
"And have you run into our client? Absolutely!" "Oh and Hei?" Roman turned to the battered clubowner "Didn't you learn from the last time the twins synched up?" Hei gritted his teeth as the two cousins walked out of his club.
"Gods what a couple of dicks!"
Outside Alister drew the Vile from his coat pocket "By the way cousin, I have something for you"
"What is it? Ironwood's blood?"
"Close enough. It's called Vile. Pulled it off of a….. deceased fang agent. They were trying to peddle it. Apparently it doubles ones power and draws grim to the person"
"So… hunter steroids?"
"More or less"
Roman tossed the vial into the trash cans beside him "My brother, I am a thief not a drug dealer. However I have a counter offer."
"Oh?" Alister raised an eyebrow unperturbed by Roman's refusal.
"We're going to pull of the biggest long term dust heist since Jacques Schnee started 'buying' his competition!"
"And your client?" "A pretty little number with delusions of grandeur. Calls herself cinder. Not exactly the brightest one in the fire place either. But she has connections and her plan isn't bad. Change is coming, and when the dust settles I plan to be on top. You with me?"
Alister smiled and grasped his cousin's arm. "Why not? That sounds entertaining enough. Promise not to stop me from killing?"
"I wouldn't dream of it" Laughing, they strode into the night. And somewhere unseen, Ozpin shuddered.
As it turns out, the weapons shop in Menagerie did not open at 10:00. In fact, as of a week ago, it didn't open at all. The owner, along with a third of the residents of the whole damn city had left. Either to join the white fang, or to just get away from the smell of rotting fish and wet dog that hung over the place like a shroud. After landing in the city Janus had almost gagged. Now as he stood in the slightly less empty market, he remembered growing up in this little piece of segregated paradise.
His mom and dad had moved here to get away from their jobs and the racism of the cities. So lucky him got to be born in the most heavily populated tropical hell hole Remnant had to offer. They had taken jobs as city guards and he had been born to the pungent sprawl that symbolized their supposed victory which had been sorely won after the rebellion. Even as a toddler, Janus didn't believe that crap. Menagerie was a token place that all of his butt hurt kin could go and lick their wounds in relative piece.
There was only one good thing in the entire damn city. Rico's fried chicken stand. Since that too was closed however he supposed he might as well go ahead and see the one sane person in this hell Ghira. The man had lead the White Fang back when they were just an activist group. Albeit one that hired hitmen and supplied farmers with weapons. But generally peaceful. Then things had gotten bad. After a while they became full fledged terrorists. Seeing his "peaceful" family turning into a feudal system of extremists he had said "Fuck this shit" and retired to Menagerie where he could raise a family and keep watch of about a thousand others.
The new Fang saw him as a weak old figure head past his prime but too influential to disregard. Janus saw him as a respectable man with a good head on his shoulders and a kind heart. When his parents had argued ideals using him as a conversation piece, it had been to Ghira he had fled to seek advice from. It was on the man's insistence that he had left menagerie and joined Atlas. "The problem is we need more faunus heroes" he had said. Janus wanted to oblige. Sure that had backfired and he was now toted as one of the most deadly assassins in history, but infamy was it's own brand of heroism yeah?
And now setting his feet forward he began to trace the worn road to Ghira's mansion. A route he remembered so surely from his childhood. There was foot traffic, but not much. Just enough that if you had closed your eyes and stumbled along, someone might have to step out of your way. Somehow this made the place more pleasant. When there weren't so damn many people around it felt less oppressive. As he walked he imagined what his friends would be doing.
Alister would be complaining about the heat and using his semblance to strike up a cool breeze around himself. Decker would have found the nearest food stand, flirted with at least 5 people, and returned with food and scroll numbers neither of which were for himself. But Cane, Cane was who Janus wanted with him. Their leader's kind smile and stoic demeanor would have put him to ease. He would know exactly what questions to ask, how to phrase them, and what to do next. Even if he couldn't do it himself. Cane was his best friend and confidant, and if anyone could help him now, it would be him. However as he stepped through the mansion's gates, he supposed he would have to settle for second best.
He knocked loudly on the door and after a few moments it opened to reveal an elegant middle aged woman with black hair and cat ears.
"Is that you Janus?" Khali Belladonna asked gaping
"Yes ma'am" Janus replied removing his hat
"I apologize for disturbing you, but I found myself in Menagerie and would like to speak to your husband"
Khali smiled politely but he noticed the lines around her eyes. Something was wrong.
"Of course dear. I'm sure Ghira will be happy to see you. He's in his office, do you remember the way?"
"Yes ma'am" Janus replied with a nod.
"Then head along. I'll bring some tea for the two of you"
Janus said his thanks and proceeded across the well shined wooden floors that he had travelled so often just a few years before.
He exited the main house into the central lawn and then to the door of an outbuilding flanked by a wall of bamboo. Janus spent entire days here watching Ghira work. In retrospect most of that had been corresponding with the various white fang groups, but he had still enjoyed it. Knocking on the door he heard the gruff voice of Ghira beckon him in. Without hesitation he entered.
Ghira looked up in confusion as the brown clad stranger entered his study. He was of middling height with a brown leather duster concealing his form and a matching cowboy hat doing the same for his face. The man looked dusty and travel worn, the only clue of his identity were the glossy ram's horns curling from his temples and around the brim of his hat. Then he spoke and Ghira immediately recognized the quiet contemplative tones of Janus Core.
"Hello sir. I'm sorry to visit without notice like this"
"Nonsense!" Ghira broke out into a grin. "Its good to see you my boy. Have you been well?"
"Well enough I suppose. Yourself?"
The old man's face aged years before his eyes
"Thought so" Janus sighed.
"Is it the fang? The exodus from town? Are the Schnee trying to take slaves?"
"Its my daughter…" Ghira said reseating himself at his desk. "She has had some conflict with Adam Taurus and run off."
"I thought you had abandoned the fang?"
the man's face was temporarily marred by anger before it returned to worry.
"I am no longer their leader. However I have kept in touch with my contacts. They are still my people."
Janus nodded. He understood all to well the ties of family.
"So about Blane"
"Blake" Ghira corrected
"You don't remember her?"
Janus could faintly recall a head of black hair and cat ears that seemed to flee for cover whenever he came near.
"A bit. But my time away has dulled them somewhat. Is she in trouble?"
"I am unsure. I know she has been running with Adam and his branch of the fang. But she has refused contact with me. If not for my informants I wouldn't know anything of her at all."
The hurt on his face was almost unbearable. Damn it Janus thought now you have to help.
"What if I investigated for you?" He proposed "I'm very good at finding people"
The relief on Ghira's face was palpable.
"Thank you Janus. I will make sure you are paid well for your efforts."
"I don't want any money" Janus promised. "But I would like some information."
"Anything I can do. What is it boy?"
Drawing the recovered Grimm mask from his bag he placed it on the table before him.
"Know anything about this?"
The old man seemed lost in thought until he finally shook his head.
"I have never seen it's like before. However it was Adam's band that began wearing Grimm masks. Track him down and you may just find answers for both of us." Janus stood
"Right. Then I'm of to..."
"Vale" Ghira supplied "As far as I know Adam hasn't left the Area. But do be careful. Adam is by all accounts an unstable individual." Janus smiled
"Well then, it's a good thing I'm used to those"
Decker was used to being stared at, He was a sexy, talented, unfortunately we'll known beast. So it was just more of the same when he stepped onto the grounds of Beacon Academy and was immediately pegged by everyone there. Running his left hand through his hair, he winced as the mesh that coated his metal fingers dragged through greasy midnight black tangles. At least get my good side He thought as he shuffled forward, the ragged hem of his torn cargo pants flaring around his muddy boots. He hated not looking his best, it was embarrassing. Especially here.
This was his first visit to Beacon academy and he was stricken by it's beauty. The yards were well groomed and vibrant dotted with gardens and fountains. Marble walkways crisscrossed and lead into a compound that reminded him of a castle more so than a training facility. By comparison to the blanched tower that Atlas students called home, it was magical.
Striding into the center of the yard he began to take in the others. Maybe 100 boys and girls roamed around the yard talking in loud voices that combined into a dull roar. Until he drew near. In which case they averted their eyes and grew silent. Ages ranged from late teens to early twenties and it was strange to see people older than himself in school uniforms. However other than that the students made no more impression than black silhouettes. That was until he noticed a familiar head of red hair and the gleam of a golden circlet. "Pyrrha Nikkos. Well isn't this a pleasant surprise?" she froze at the sound of his voice, turning slowly.
"Decker Lykkos?"
"The one and only."
"Uh… Pyrrha? You know this guy?"
The speaker was a tall blond kid behind her. If he had to guess, decker would say they were team mates.
"Yes Jaune. We met in tournaments a few years ago. We had quite a rivalry. I haven't seen him in a long time."
"Yeah. Too bad we never actually fought. After Atlas sniped me I didn't have much time for tournaments. And what about you? The Untouchable Woman. Congrats. What made you choose Beacon?"
"Professor Ozpin invited me. It seemed wrong to deny."
"I understand the feeling."
Then a silence began. A very awkward and long silence born of years without contact after an already strange friendship. During said silence two more teens flanked Pyrrha, a dark haired boy with pink eyes and a red haired girl who radiated hyperactive energy.
"Where are my manners?" Pyrrha amended "These are my team mates. Jaune (The blond guy), Ren (Pink eyes), And Nora (Hyper girl)." She turned to address them "And this is Decker Lykkos. An old friend of mine from the tournament circuit."
"Charmed" he gave his best smile. Which considering he hadn't brushed his teeth in a week may not have been too impressive. "So, how does this team name work? For the life of me I can't think of an acronym for the four of you."
"Juniper. J.N.P.R. Jaune is our leader."
Decker shifted his gaze to the boy. Well muscled if a bit lanky. Pale complexion free of any scars or other blemishes. And a set of sky blue eyes. Very pretty, but not a striking presence. Even now under Decker's scrutiny he seemed to draw inward as if warding off an attack. But he was team leader. There had to be something about him that set him above the others.
"Well then Jaune, lead well. Being in charge of a team is a great responsibility."
"Are you a team leader?" he replied.
"Ah…. No. No I am not. Team CADJ is under more… stable leadership. I'm just the heavy hitter. But I know what it takes."
Okay he had to do something quick. They were staring at him funny, the situation was getting more awkward by the moment and he had a really bad itch that he knew was not socially acceptable to scratch. Decker looked at his scroll, noting that it was almost 17:00.
"Well I think I'm a bit late for my appointment. But I promise before I go Pyrrha I'll take you and your team to lunch and we can reminisce. Sound cool?"
"Yes."
She did not look sure. In fact she looked like she was trying not to flee. This was not a successful reunion. With a forced smile and a short wave he trotted into the main building feeling four pairs of eyes burning into his back.
After loosing himself a few times and getting directions from a man with rather glorious facial hair, Decker stood outside the door to Ozpin's office wondering if he should knock. It was unlike him to feel nervous or reverent, but there was an unmistakable air of dominance over the place that silenced even his brash nature. After a couple minutes of this a voice behind the doors called out "Are you going to stand there all day?" shocked out of inaction Decker pushed open the doors and stepped inside.
Ozpin's office had to be the most awesome setup he had ever seen. Part clock tower, part observation deck, part workspace. Behind a clock piece desk sat the man himself in a dark green suit. Beside him stood a blond woman in…. Whatever the hell that outfit was supposed to be. Glenda Goodwitch he assumed.
"A bit late aren't you?" the woman asked giving him an unimpressed once over. "And rather disheveled at that. Are you sure this is who you want sir?"
"Oh I am not going to have my outfit clowned by the woman who looks like she mixed corporate casual with dominatrix. Also, who made your cape, Cthulhu?"
"Listen here you-"
"Enough" Ozpin said silencing them both. "This is a job interview not an argument. I would have expected more professionalism from both of you."
Decker nodded a bit of his normal attitude returning. "My apologies Professor. What is it you had wished to discuss with me?"
"Simple. I am looking for fresh blood. Someone strong and knowledgeable to take up a position for me."
His left hand! Decker thought. Someone to silence his enemies and guard his person. Hell yeah! Promotion! "I'll accept, if you will have me sir. Anything I can do to help."
An amused smile grew upon the man's face. "Excellent then. I'll expect you to clean up though. And purchase yourself a new set of clothing. Preferably something a bit more suited for an instructor."
"A what now?" Decker's confusion gave way to cold horror "You want me to be a teacher?"
"Precisely. I'm aware that you are quite the weapons designer. Many of Lykkos Industries products are your work. I want you to teach my students how to repair and create weaponry. A skill that while important is usually overlooked. It would be good for them I think and having an instructor in their age group may serve as an inspiration to them. You will be lodged on campus and paid for your time of course. Now, welcome aboard Mr. Lykkos. Your first class begins at 10:00 tomorrow morning."
