I'm taking a slower and smaller chapter approach with this story.
This is mainly because I want to work on implications and motives.
Not sure if I succeeding, but that's the plan.
It had been almost a week before Winter had returned with written word that Ironwood was willing to provide the teams of specialists to test both Jaune Arc and Wiess Schnee. With a catch, which Ozpin had already guessed. He wanted to be there personally to witness the sessions. Without any reason to object, or any way to test the emerging skills of the two in question Ozpin had relented. It would be another week before it could happen.
Ozpin was hopeful that Beacon could get through another week without an incident. For the most part the pair had been cordial and in some cases the idea guests. Yet Ozpin, Glynda, and the other professors all knew it was only a matter of time. Port pointed it out a couple of days in on how both Wiess and Jaune were watching the staff.
"They're memorizing routines." he commented, and then continued when the others did not seem to catch the jest of the matter, "The pair of them and studying what everyone is doing and when. Have the staff mix it up, or we'll be in trouble. No determinable patterns for anything. If you don't they'll get loose. I can promise that."
So Ozpin had everything changed up. The first day of the changes both showed signs of obvious frustration. Port had been right. If things had gone on much longer they may have freed themselves. Another reason to be more than wary of the two. Ozpin was bordering on the lines of obsession with them. Hours upon hours reviewing video data, and replaying his conversation with them. Searches and inquires to other townships, villages, and cities on old world style temples. Anything and everything to try and piece together what had happened, and why.
All the while Jaune and Weiss stoically weathered their confinement. Knowing they were being watched was either not a concern or totally ignored as the pair, separated from each other and everyone took to the routine of conditioning themselves. While they did it in various ways, Jaune using anything and everything in his room to assist in exercises and movements using his body mass as resistance, while Weiss spent hours upon hours repeating slow almost serene dance like movements. Those assigned to observe may not have known the proper name for the katas she was practising, but they could with their practised eyes discern the lethal potential of each motion if done at full speed.
Port had been right, but after the first set back Jaune and Weiss had chosen to continue observations of those in charge of their care. Human nature dictated patterns, and it was a pattern to fall into patterns.
While time passed for them in uneventful but watchful ways, the remaining members of team R(W)BY and (J)NPR made themselves an almost constant presence at check points and professor offices. They knew something was up, and that their teammates, their friends had changed, but it didn't deter them. The lack of forth coming information was maddening to them, in response they choose to become a near maddening presence to those with holding the desired information.
With everything happening and twisting back upon itself, Ozpin's only respite from the madness and constant vigil was that Jacques Schnee, CEO of the Schnee Dust Company and father to Weiss upon having received Winter's report and the video evidence of the cafeteria altercation would leave resolution of the matter regarding his daughter in Ozpin's capable hands. The other consolidation was a response from Jasmine Arc in regards to her son. With his father away on assignment she would not be able to attend to the matter personally, and until such time as she was free of her current duties she would allow Ozpin to be her son's caretaker, underlining the word multiple times so Ozpin understood the implied meaning fully. Anything more happens to her baby boy and he'd be the one held to task for it. Ozpin wasn't sure which response was more troubling. The cold disdain of a distant father or the overbearing bear like protective nature of a mother.
"Definitely the mother bear." Ozpin spoke to himself while reviewing last night's security footage. With nothing out of the ordinary he turned his attention to the duties of a school head master.
/ - /
It was near noon of the day of General Ironwood's arrival. Ozpin flanked by Glynda and Winter watched as the Atlas military bullhead made it's final descent to the landing pad before them. Inside would be Ironwood as his hand picked pair of Atlas Specialist fire-teams. Ozpin doubted the testing would happen tonight, the riggers of travel and all that, than again James Ironwood was sometimes, though not often an man of mystery.
The hatch opened and Ironwood stepped forward and down the ramp way leading the smart and neat formation of men and women who would be the testing teams for Wiess Schnee and Jaune Arc. Ironwood nodded to Winter and Glynda before offering his hand to Ozpin.
"Good to see you again Oz."
"Likewise James." Ozpin replied while returning Ironwood's firm hand grip, "I trust the journey was uneventful."
"It was." behind Ironwood sixteen similar suited men and women arrayed themselves in parade line.
"That is a few more that two fire-teams worth." commented Ozpin as he surveyed the numbers.
"It is. I contemplated the information you gave me Oz, and figured we may need some extra bodies for security reasons alone. I brought two extra teams to help fill in any gaps, and give your own people some breathing room. I hope that is okay?"
Ozpin only nodded. He figured James would play the security card and bring more personnel with him if he could, not that Ozpin minded. His own staff were starting to be worn thin with the constant vigil and schedule changes needed to keep their guests under the semblance of control.
/ - /
If Jaune or Weiss paid the introduction of additional security personnel upon their already heavily monitored lives any undue notice they hid it well. Which was something Ironwood and Ozpin took particular notice of.
"Do they show any signs of resistance when restraints are placed upon them?"
"Not since the first day, when Glynda had to use her semblance to do so." replied Ozpin to Ironwood's query, "Since then there have been no issues, that we've taken notice of."
"I see." Ironwood was using his practised military eye as he watched the two young adults go about day to day routine inside the holding rooms. "What's the end game Oz?"
"What do you mean James?"
"Just what I said. What's the end game? What happens after the testing tomorrow?" Ironwood took his eyes from the monitor and faced Ozpin. "You and I both know if they even only hold out for a short time against my Specialists they'll be too dangerous to be allowed free reign here or anywhere. Perish the thought they actually succeed and pass the test. What then?"
"I don't know James." Oz returned his attention to the monitors. "The memories and mannerisms they display are of people much older than their current bodies. Yet I still see young adults barely out of childhood when I look upon them."
"Children that show a distinct disregard for human life."
"Yes, but still children. One whose father has basically abandoned her, and another whose mother would make even the Elder Grim tremble if harm should befall him. I know they are dangerous, I know they can easily be lethal, but can we justify locking them away indefinitely for what we fear they might do, or are capable of doing?"
"I understand, it is a hard choice." James also returned his attention to the monitors, " but freedom or imprisonment are not the only options. We could use them."
"Yes, but that would require a method of control, and I doubt there is anything we have at our disposal that would give us that."
"An enemy of my enemy situation could be used. Focus them on a larger threat."
"A threat we can not even confirm the existence of."
"There is a fourth choice as well."
"I wont discuss that James, now or ever. It's not an option."
"Understood, but understand me Oz, that if you can't make that choice if it needs to be made, I will."
"I know."
"Not that I want to. It'll be a good day tomorrow. No problems."
"I hope so."
/ - /
Restrained and surrounded on four sides by six times their number Jaune and Weiss were escorted in complete silence to the training room designated for the testing session. Neither made any outward signs of resistance and easily moved along following the minimal directions of their escorts. Yet Jaune and Weiss were not simply going along. Each was counting steps, remembering turns, sounds and smells. Forming a mental map to guide them should they choose to act when a chance to act became available.
The large room was basically empty aside from two tables filled with military grade gear. Standing on the far side of them Ozpin, Ironwood and Glynda watched as the escorts funnelled their charges in and forward. No one said a word as the restraints were released, and the pair of young adults were allowed to approach. Weiss and Jaune took a look at each other and then without really moving surveyed the situation. Each took stock of the exits, number of bodies situated in sight and possible positions for additional personnel to be stationed out of sight.
"If you please." Ozpin spoke up his left hand indicating the weapon laden tables, "Please arm yourselves as you see fit. Once you are satisfied with you preparations we'll go over the rules, and begin the test."
Jaune just nodded and moved forward. Weiss took a few more moments to acquaint herself to the room before joining him. Both immediately prioritized fitting themselves with an armoured body hugging vest, before even looking at the stock of arms.
James Ironwood monitored each selection they made. Each had taken a couple of simple combat knives and affixed one to the vest behind their back and the second was strapped to the ankle. Next came small arms. Jaune took a revolver, followed by a couple of semi-autos. Weiss just focused on the pistols. Again in similar fashion one weapon for each was holstered in the small of their back, the second on the hip and a third in an under-shoulder set.
Again Ironwood noticed a pattern. Even with the revolver in the mix everything the pair were actively selecting was for what he could tell stopping power and reliability.
Each stocked several mags for each weapon chosen, with Jaune even squirrelling away a couple of speed loaders for the snub nosed revolver. The final stop for both was the larger calibre weapons. Glynda wasn't sure why they would want so many firearms, but she knew enough to understand that the two residing within the bodies of her students were not average huntsmen or huntresses. The word assassin echoed with in her mind. Weiss completed her rig with a sub-machine gun with twin extended magazines. Jaune took a carbine, and shotgun which he slung over his shoulder with a combat sling rig.
Once outfitted Wiess and then Jaune took up positions before the three observers. They said nothing as they waited and watched.
"This will be a little exercise to gauge your skill set in a more appropriate manner than a school yard brawl." Ozpin commented, "You will face off in this room against two fire teams of Atlas Special Forces. Both you and them are armed with non-lethal rounds. This room will be mechanically configured to represent an urban like setting. Is that clear so far?"
"Objective?" Weiss asked coldly.
"Eliminate all hostiles." replied Ironwood.
"Consider it done." commented Jaune.