The cargo bay's intercom activates, followed by Captain Schild's voice, saying, we have arrived at docking bay 16. Ironwood. As of this moment, you are under U.N.S.C directives. I no longer can command you. We are at the U.N.S.C mobile command center, controlled by the Office of Naval Intelligence. And as such, you and those whom accompany you, must obey protocol.

The cargo elevator lowers the three Into what appears to be another large enclosed space.

Roux says, Mancer's Tempo...yes...I think that name has crossed my desk before. It's an Infinity-class ship. It's...very large. Ironwood, sir? This is a flying city.

Ironwood remains silent and stern.

A man in a lab coat approaches the platform and says, Ironwood is it? Come. Welcome to the Mancer's Tempo. We have been briefed on the...situation. We have been instructed to give whatever assistance deemed necessary. Though I might add, we're bound by protocol...so we may not be as helpful as we'd like. We apologize in advance. Now then. What sort of action do you have in mind?

Roux quietly says, sir, would it simply be easier to request a scorched earth response? Our men have evacuated. Our data is backed up.

Ironwood raises his hand towards Roux and says to the technician, I'm surprised you'll allow choice in the matter. Who instructed you to help us? And I came here to discuss mutually agreeable solutions. Not ask favors.

The technician says, ...this is a difficult situation. But, since you're not wasting time, I won't either. Look, we have a new project...a weapon system. And when we were informed of your situation with, what was it again...your defense AI gone wrong? This was a supple situation to offer you a chance to fight it. This also gives us the chance to test out our project.

Ironwood says, so you're using me? You're playing politician?! That's a tall order. Any moment now they could start spreading even more, and possibly even start killing! No favors.

The technician, reluctantly says, our project was intended for things such as this...and it will help you. We just need your permission and directive. In fact our project is complete. On another note, I wish yours went more successful. Truly I do. Now then...all I can say at the moment is that its a initiative which involves armor. Special armor. Have you heard of Spartans?

Ironwood says, I've deployed men to Grimm infested areas that've said to have encountered them.

The technician says, they'll be our most apt solution to your problem. But we will need a favor. We will need a few candidates to pilot the armor. We will require your finest of troops, however.

Ironwood says, I have no special forces if that's what you're asking. We would need an elite cell. Perhaps, promising troops. But what I have are tasked to capacity...and any movement of troops would be detectible by Vale and Vacuo. Possibly even Mistral. This needs to be discreet.

The technician says, so, we have no candidates?

Ironwood fixes his collar and says, I can ask Vale. But I'll be unable to tell them the truth. Lying to them isn't the way to trust. I'll see if I can't convince their academy headmaster to spare a squad for this endeavor.

The technician asks, let's hope it works. For both of us. What can you do currently? We stand by ready.

Ironwood rubs his face, and says, set a course for Beacon. Vale. However...see that Longsword fighter there? I'll need a pilot to get me there. A ship like this will only disturb them.

The technician reluctantly says, I have no control over coordinates. I'll relay them to the helmsman, however. Please excuse me.

The technician walks off.

Ironwood opens his Scroll, and opens a line of communication to Ozpin.

Upon the connection being established, Ironwood says, Oz. I'm going to be stopping by Vale. We have a few things to...discuss.

There is silence on the channel momentarily.

Ozpin responds with, James. It's good to hear from you. What do I owe the visit?

Ironwood says, I'm running an experiment and I think you could be of assistance. I'd like to discuss in person. It's an exercise for Atlas forces.

Ozpin says, well that would be something important. I suppose I'll hear it out. Though better not Glynda catch wind. You know how she is.

Ironwood smirks and says with a joking expression, understood. I'll be there shortly.

Ironwood cuts the connection.

Cerise, who is sitting on a nearby cargo crate, asks Ironwood, do you think he believes you?

Ironwood says, no. Possibly. But it

Doesn't matter. I'll come clean once I'm there. And I'm going alone. You two stay here. Talk with the techs here. Learn. Teach. Got it?

Cerise says, got it. Let's clean up this mess.

The technician returns, and en route says, Captain Schild has authorized your request. However we insist you aboard the Teleology. We will slip-space there. ETA would be about two minutes.

Ironwood says, understood.

Ironwood heads back into the cargo bay of the Teleology of Phantasm to begin his way to Beacon.

Meanwhile at Beacon in Ozpin's office...

Glynda is standing near Ozpin's desk, arms crossed. She asks Ozpin, what do you think Ironwood wanted?

Ozpin takes a drink from his mug, and says, it's probably about his situation over in Atlas.

Glynda asks, Atlas? What situation?

Ozpin says, his call was not from Atlas, or any sovereign territory of Atlas.

Glynda says, so. What aren't you telling me?

Ozpin takes another drink from his mug, and sets it down. He says, that call was onboard a U.N.S.C ship. Our system's software detected their signature IFF. So he intends to bring them here.

Glynda in shock, exclaims, what?! Why? Sir, you can't allow this. What is he doing?

Ozpin says, and what would I do to object? I suggest we see how this plays out.

Ozpin's elevator rings, and the doors open.

Glynda looks at the elevator and says sternly, James...

Ironwood walks out and says, Oz. there is a bit of an issue and I may need your help.

Ozpin casually stands up, and asks, this wouldn't be about the troubling news in Atlas I'm hearing about, is it? Or the fact there is a U.N.S.C warship docked at my school?

Ironwood's Scroll lights up like a Christmas tree, and ringing profusely. Ironwood opens it up, and hears gunfire over the comms, and yelling of, Ironwood! What did you do?!They're activating and firing!

Ironwood, In a dumbstruck state, proclaims, what do you mean?! What is activating? Who are you?

The voice says, this is Schild you son of a bitch! they spontaneously activated! I'm trapped in my own Bridge, and we're on lockdown. They're slaughtering us!

Ironwood says, what, how did they hey aboard? When?

There is only static on the comm line.

Ironwood closes his scroll and slams his fists down on Ozpin's table yelling , damnit!

Ironwood looks up at Ozpin and says. Look, I'll tell you what I can. Atlas' weapons division was developing a AI to replace what we currently have in my Paladins and Knights...but our hardware was proven to be...inadequate to handle it. I acquired a platform to handle the AI, and with intents to replace our current generation Atlesian Knights...look...these mechs are tearing that ship up, and killing them...and I'm not sure how. Only the ones at our facility went...wait...they must be transferred to the ship when they exfiltrated me...

Ironwood stands up from the table, says indirectly, no..they couldn't of boarded...no way inside...their ship has cyber warfare suits that would at least detect them...

Ozpin says, so the reports by the Remnant council are correct. In which case, you're confirming their reports. James. You're aware that they have told me the situation in its entirety. Surely you must've known. And you're also likely aware that this is considered treason.

Glynda shouts, you knew? And you still let him here? You're endangering us too just to confirms what you heard?

Ozpin says, these are grave allegations, and I needed to hear his side of the story...as well as how much he'd tell me.

Ozpin turns to Ironwood and says, I know you're wanting to help. But the U.N.S.C and Remnant council are amongst talks. The council is authorizing the U.N.S.C solution on behalf of all of Remnant. They also have told me that you are here for that reason. So, James. What is it you need for them?

Ironwood, utterly shocked, hesitantly says...dossiers...of your finest students. Need I tell you why?

Ozpin says, no. That will be all for now. The dossiers were already forwarded to the U.N.S.C.

Ironwood asks aggressively, what do you take me for Oz?

Ozpin sits back down and says, I'll make this brief. When your experiment first went online, the Remnant council contacted all four kingdoms to assess the unfamiliar signal. Atlas is the only one to not respond. So they reached out to a third party. They answered...and they told the council everything. However, the council decided to reveal what they were told to the other kingdoms.

Ironwood closes his eyes, and crosses his arms behind his back, and says, I see...

There is a massive force heard overhead. The windows shake. It's as if the sky was falling.

Ozpin says, ah. They're here. We will discuss this further. Please remain here, James...

Ironwood asks, who is here?

Ozpin says, why, the Mancer's Tempo...its time we all get started with this, wouldn't you agree?

Ironwood sighs and simply says under his breath...damn...