chapter 4: A New World
Unknown location
Darkness
Silver eyes shot open as the open as the owner regain consciousness from her sudden slumber.
"Ah my neck hurts." Ruby said as she sat up rubbing the back of her neck. She noticed that she was lying in bed but it wasn't hers and neither was the room. She looked around the room it was small with a gunmetal grey color scheme and had four bunk beds, one on opposite sides of the room and that she's on the bed she was on. Across on the bed from hers she saw
"Weiss!" the red theme girl jumped out of bed landing on the hard metallic floor, she heard someone else moan behind her. She turned to see her sister's unconscious form slowly regain consciousness.
"Yang?" she shook the sleeping girl "Wake up"
She groans in response. "Five more minutes Ruby."
Looking around the room to find something to wake her sister, she saw Blake sleeping under Weiss's bed. Seeing nothing she said the first thing that came to her mind "Yang your hair's been cut."
"What!" her sister quickly shot up hitting her head on the upper bed. "Ow" she winces in pain rubbing her head feeling that her hair was still there made her calm down.
"Yang your hair is fine I just said that to get you up." Ruby reassures her "But we have bigger problems look" Ruby grabbed her sister's head forcefully turning her head in all directions in the room.
"Ruby!" Yang felt Ruby left go of her face "Are we in a prison cell"
"How do you know that?"
"Well the grey, the beds, the toilet and that gave it away" she said pointing at the light blue energy wall blocking the exit.
"Anyways help me get Weiss and Blake up we need to figure out a plan."
The girls made their way to the next bunk to wake their respective partners. Ruby climbed to the top bunk.
"Hey Weiss wake up" she shook the girl violently
"Huh… Ruby?"
"Weiss thank goodness you're awake." She hugged the girl
"What is it Ruby?" she looked around the room "where are we?"
"I don't know the last thing I remember was fighting those guys and the Grimm, and then I woke up here." Answered Ruby
Below them Yang had an easier time waking Blake as she followed Ruby's method but with more force applied.
"Hey Blake wake up" No response she shook again "I said wake up"
Blake awoken by the constant bodily shaking fell into a state of dizziness "Yang…I'm awake plea…Please stop." The blond girl stopped when she felt her hand grab on to her wrist. "I said I'm awake."
"Oh I'm sorry got a little carried away" Yang apologized. "Anyways it's good you're awake we need to come up with a plan."
"For what?" She looked around looked "Where are we?"
"We seem to be in a prison cell" Yang answered
"Prison cell why are we inside a prison cell?" Blake asked
"I don't know Blake but we're breaking out." Yang reassured "Hey Sis Blake's up"
"Good" Ruby jumped to the ground "We need to recollect what happened"
"Let's see we were sent into the forest on a mission by the Headmaster"
"Then we encountered those robot guys and those military looking guys."
"Fought them thanks to Yang"
"Hey they attacked us"
"Yeah after you attacked them now look where that got us." Weiss stretched out her arms emphasizing the room they are in.
"Yeah, yeah let's just find a way out of here" Yang walked towards the energy field stared at it before punching it but nothing happened, she hit it again same result the force field just absorbed her blows. She began to repeatedly striking it, the sound of her fist connecting with the energy field echoed through the block.
"Seriously how strong is this thing" she said rubbing her knuckles
"I don't know Yang maybe you didn't hit it hard enough"
"I don't see you trying anything." Yang replied striking it again
"Well I'm waiting for the security guards how were probably alerted by your constant banging."
"Hey what's going on down here" a voice called a male's voice
"I guess that's the security"
The girls heard two footsteps approach their cell owners came two males into view. The two peered into the cell looking at the girls. They watched the two men as they looked at them they noticed that the men wore the same armour as the soldiers in the forest this gave a clue to the girls who captured them.
One of the soldiers placed his ear and spoke "Bacchus, inform the commander their awake."
"Roger that ma'am" he said turning to his comrade beside him "The commander says she on their way and watch over them."
The girls continued to stare at them until Ruby spoke up "Who are you?" she asks "Why are we being held captive."
"Sorry ma'am I'm afraid I cannot discuss that with you." One of them answered
"What do you mean you can't, release us at once do you even know who we are or who I am. I am Weiss Schnee Heiress to the Schnee Dust Corporation and a student of Beacon" Weiss ranted
The men looked at the heiress in surprise then one of them spoke "Listen ma'am I understand that you and your friends want to be free but I've been given strict orders to have you remain in that cell and not to divulge any information towards you, so unless Heiress is a high rank I never heard of, you cannot otherwise order me so calm down princess until my superior gets here."
Weiss looked as if she was about to explode how dare he call her a princess and talk to her like that she was a heiress of the most powerful company in the world and demanded to be treated with respect.
Her thoughts were cut off when she heard the sound of a door opening and more footsteps this time one of them sounded as if something very big was heading towards them. Soon six more people joined the two that were standing at their cell; three more soldiers, two persons who wore white lab coats and a tall brown haired woman wearing a gray color scheme similar to the one they fought in the forest with small red decals over her armor.
"Commander" the two soldiers saluted
"At ease gentlemen" she said. The woman then turns her sights to the girls in the prison cell. "Good evening ladies my name is Sarah Palmer, Commander Sarah Palmer. I suppose you're all wondering why are you being held prisoner well I can answer that, you are in here because you attacked my men unprovoked in the forest might I ask why?"
The girls remained silent looking at each other then looked back at Palmer seeming taking a vow of silence.
Palmer receiving no response for the girls "Ok not talking well let's ask another question what are girls like you doing so far from civilization?"
"…"
"Are you all going to play the silent game and be uncooperative?" she pauses for a response then continues "Well you'll be pleased know that would only increase your stay in here." Palmer then turns to one of the doctors "Doc your up do your thing and report back when you're done." Palmer said leaving
The girls tensed when the commander said that were they going to torture them.
"Yes commander" out stepped a tall 30 something year old white male wearing the signature white lab coat for all doctors and scientists with a black T-shirt with an eagle with its wings stretched upwards with the letter UNSC going through its center, below that a circle with a banner going through it with words United Nation Space Command in it. He also wore black pants and shoes. The man gave a warm smile "Hello young ladies my name is Doctor Samuel Jones, I am the chief medical officer on this base." He introduced himself "And this is my assistant Dr Jae Chin" he introduce an eastern looking male. The man bowed towards them. "
The girls did not know what to make of this man and decided to continue their silence.
"So what are your names?" he asked reaching into the medical bag he carried pulling out latex gloves, syringes and a mask. Receiving no answer he continued "If you're all wondering what is this old doctor doing." He looked towards them "Well I'm here to check for any diseases or illnesses that could be contagious and perform a standard medical check up to see if you all are at 100% or rather 80% no one's 100. I could perform the check up when you first arrived unconscious but I was denied that because you were too dangerous and thus you were quarantined. Now who's first?" he asked with a syringe in hand.
The marines deactivated the force field and entered the cell surrounding the girls their fingers itching over the triggers of their guns in case the any of the girls become aggressive. The doctor not getting a response randomly chose one of them, that being Ruby.
"Well little red it seems like you're going first." He approached her. Ruby nervously pulls back as the doctor approached her with his medical tools.
"Wait!" Yang yelled. All eyes fell on her "I'll go first."
"Ok" the doctor answered moving towards the blonde girl.
She sat at the edge of the lower bed, steeling herself of what's coming. "Let's get this over with" she said.
The doctor knelt to before Yang looking into her face "Purple eyes weird." pulling out his medical scanner. "So Miss…"
"Yang"
"Miss Yang after waking up have you experienced any dizziness, loss of sight in any eye or any other ailments." He asked running the scanner over her body.
"No" she coldly answered
"Ok" looking at his medical scanner "Hmm you seem to check out fine no internal damage but I need a blood sample for anything that might lurk inside you." Jones said opening one of the syringes.
"What's that suppose to mean?"
"You know any dangerous diseases that could be contagious or deadly you can never be sure. And this might a sting little" he warned sticking the needle in her arm drawing blood. Once finished he handed the used syringe to his assistance who in return handed him a large needle gun. "Oh yeah one more thing."
"What?" Yang felt a sharp sting in her arm "Ow. What was that!?" her eyes flared red, and her hair looked as if it was on fire.
Click!
The sound echoed throughout the room as the guards standing around them turned off their safety pointing their guns at her.
"Yang please calm down" the red one called
Dr Jones surprised about what just happen explained what he did "That was a vaccination shot I just gave incase of any diseases wondering around here. And did you eyes just turn red and your hair impossible but fascinating but I have a job to do."
Moving on to his original patient "Now young girl" he knelt before her "Same question I asked before."
"Well I did wake up with a pain in my neck."
"Well that's something I wouldn't be worried about it probably due to the beds I hear they're not the most comfy." He said raising the medical device in front of her. "So what's your name little one?"
"Ruby" she answered
"Ruby, such a lovely name." He complimented causing her to blush
"Thanks"
"So what's a little girl like you doing in a forest as dangerous as this." Questioned the good doctor
"Oh we're on a mission for our mmhh" she covered her mouth before she could finish. She took a glance at her teammates who looked at her with annoyance. "Sorry not telling" she shook her head.
Jones laughed at the girls stumbling "You know you remind of my niece."
"Niece?" She looked curious
"Yeah her name's Melina, she's probably around your age. She used to act like that whenever she has a secret."
"Really what did she look like?"
"I don't remember I have seen her in three years my sisters probably hates me for that." He said looking at the results "Well it seems you have some bone damage in your right hand I recommend not hitting anything for a while."
"Ok I won't"
"All right I'm going to take some blood samples and vaccinate you"
With that done he moved on to the black haired one with the cat eyes.
"Now for you young lady" he held up the medical scanner "Is there anything you want to tell me like your name or anything."
Blake stared at the scanner afraid that it could spot her ears and reveal she's a faunus.
"Oh. I see you're interested in this." He rattled the device in his hand. "If you're interested I could tell you" he said waving the scanner over her body but it would bore you so long story short it does quick X-rays of the body looking for any broken or fractured bones, muscle tear and …" he trailed off as his scanner revealed two anomalies on top of the girls head. He saw the girl's eyes lighten up in fear. To his surprise the girl had cat ears it made sense with the cat like eyes but what surprised him was her reaction it was fearful.
"Other things I can't remember" he played it off, putting down the scanner "You seem fine but I would recommend not doing what you did to get in here. Alright this will hurt a bit." He said injecting the needle drawing blood then later vaccinated her.
Finished with the cat girl he went to his final patient the princess looking girl. When Jones first laid eyes on her he automatically knew she came from a very wealthy family like those back home on the colony of Kholo before it was glassed. "And who might you be princess"
"Princess! Do even know who I am, I am Weiss Schnee heiress to the Schnee Dust Corporation. You'll address me as heiress and you will call me that you… Ow!" she felt a sudden sting in her arm followed by another.
"Well my job here is done I wish you all well." He said packing his things heading out the cell with the guards following. The cell force field was activated and the guards left leaving the girls alone.
"So what now"
"We wait I guess"
"So how did it go?" Palmer asked the doctor
"Well if you ask"
"What did you learn?"
"Well I learnt that they're students and that they were sent here on a mission. Who sends heavily armed children into a forest filled with monsters?"
"Anything else?"
"I got their names although I didn't get the black haired one who by the way has cat ears on top of her head."
Cat ears? A faunas well Roland was right they don't look any different from humans."
Yeah but she seems to be hiding them or at least not comfortable about them because she seemed quite fearful when I discovered them."
"So what are their names I need something to call them by."
"The blonde's name is Yang, little red is Ruby, princess is Weiss and the catgirl I don't know never got one. Is that all"
"Yes"
Good I've got work to do" he said leaving
"Bacchus contact Lasky he's due for an update"
"Thomas" the Spartan greeted
"Sarah" he greeted back "So what's the situation on our guests treating them well."
"Their fine just as long as they don't give me a reason to shoot them." Lasky smiled at her
"Anyways we learned that the girls are huntresses in training and were sent here on a mission from their Headmaster I presume."
"Headmaster?" he questioned "The same person that keeps spying on us well attempts to spy on us. Why did he send a group of children into territory occupied by an unknown force that may or may not be hostile?
"And judging by how they reacted they didn't from Blue team and the guards they didn't even know we were here in the first place."
"So he sent a group of uninformed children on a mission that could result in their deaths or capture. Does he take us for a joke?"
"Probably"
"Well one of these days we might pay him a visit. But what to do with the girls we can't release them they'll just go tell their headmaster that they were held by a military organization which would bring more problems maybe a skirmish or a war, unless." Lasky's face darkens "We must settle this now."
The girls sat in their cell waiting for a least twenty minutes they we're a getting antsy for staying in their too long. They heard the door open and footsteps coming towards them it was the two guards from before and two other people they did not recognize.
"Well ladies it seems like today's your lucky day you're free to go." One of them said "Open it" he ordered one of the soldiers.
The field deactivated and the girls walked out, then Ruby looked up at the commander's face "Why are you letting us go I thought your commander said we'll be staying in there for a long time." She asked
"I guess she did but our superiors has other plans, they want to meet you"
"What why would they want to talk to us."
"I don't know" he answered "My names Paul Demarco by the way."
Outside the four girls freed from their cramp cell took deep breaths taking in the fresh air and looking around taking the view of where they were all they saw were buildings. The two armored people standing a few feet away from them, one them Spartan Thorne was it turned towards them.
"Let's go." He said as he led off. The girls followed behind with Demarco trailing behind them.
The path to the command center from the detention center has two paths both requires you to pass the airfield then choose either to go towards the directions of the vehicle depot or the shorter path which leads to the armory then the command center.
The group made their pass at the airfield. Ruby took a special notice at the pelican dropship recognizing it looked like that mysterious ship in the video from before.
"Hey Yang." Ruby whispered
"Yes sis"
"You see a way out."
"No, you?"
"Unless you know how to fly one of those things." Ruby discretely points towards the pelicans
"What are you guys talking about?"
"Planning our escape should we need one."
"Should we need one, we need one right now."
"Not yet we still need to figure what's going on and their superiors could give us answers and besides we don't have any of our weapons
Over head a phantom flew by landing in the airfield close to them.
"What is that?" Ruby asked staring at the red aircraft.
The phantom hovered in place opening its side doors unloading its passengers. The Arbiter jumped out the vehicle surveyed the area he took notice that the airfield was deserted and wondered why. Then several other elites inside the phantom came out taking position behind him.
The girls watched with wide eyes as they saw the occupants exit the craft. The occupants were not human in any way they were over seven feet tall with muscular bodies and reptilian in appearance. They donned different colored armour grey, blue, red and gold. They got closer took notice of their most distinguishing feature their four mandibles each lined with razor sharp teeth.
The one golden one walked forward and spoke
"Spartans" it said in a husky voice
"Arbiter" the Spartans greeted
"You're back early did you clear the ruins already." asked Thorne
"The beasts were not as plentiful as we thought but my men are setting up defenses should they return." The "Arbiter" said.
It craned its naturally leaning forward head towards team RWBY its vertically slit pupils studied them it mandibles shifting constantly. Yang protectively pulled Ruby behind her staring at the thing called Arbiter.
"And who might these younglings be?" he asked turning to the Spartans.
"Probably theirs, you know how humans like to breed" a grey sangheili joked, its brethrens laughed at the joke as glares fell on him.
"Grrr. I did not ask for your comment Ceza (pronounced Caesar)." the Arbiter growled at the sangheili
"Sorry lord Arbiter" Ceza bowed its head.
"Now back to the question, who are these people?'
"Just some locals that blue team picked up in the forest close to the base." Demarco answered
"Forest, um" Thel pondered "the academy not far from here I presume."
"Your guess is as good as mine."
Turning back to the girls "Tell me young ones what are your names?" Thel questioned
Ruby as the leader of the team moved from behind her sister and looked the Arbiter in the eye and nervously spoke "Hi my name is Ruby and I'm the leader of team RWBY." She stretched out her hand for a handshake.
The Arbiters large hands engulfed the small hands shaking it. "Greetings Ruby I am Thel Vadam leader of the Swords of Sanghelios." He lets go "And the rest of them" he gestured to the remaining members of team RWBY
"Oh their names are" Ruby pointed "Yang, Blake and Weiss."
Nodding his head "Greetings" he said to them get a response from all but one of them
"Excuse me but what are you?" Weiss asked the question on everyone's mind
The sangheili stared at the girl before answering "Sangheili"
He turned to Thorne and Demarco "While I enjoyed this meeting I must go your commander would probably like to hear my report, goodbye." He walked off
"Wait!" he turned around to who called him
"Yes"
"Where are you guys from?" the one called Ruby asked
"That will be answered in due time" he said walking off with the rest of his group.
The group made their way passing the vehicle depot with the different mechanics human and non-human working on the vehicles. They saw the sangheili and some other beings like those who weren't were watching them as they passed.
"Cuse me hoomans" a said squeaky voice behind them
The girls look to see a short stocky being with a yellow big tank on its back signaling towards them.
"Uh yes" Yang answered
"Have you a seen a tall Unggoy with red tank on back running around"
"No I have seen anyone like that" yang answered
"Ok sorry for bother you" it said walking off
"Hey Fayap I saw him over a the eating area sleeping" a sangheili
"What he's sleeping on job will I do work just wait till I get my claws on him" the Unggoy waddled off
"That just happened." commented Blake
"What was that?" Yang asked.
"An Unggoy" Thorne answered "Their quite friendly and funny"
"Hey how many people live here are not human?"
"Plenty"
"Hey" Ruby pulled on Thorne's quietly asking him "Are you from another world"
Throne looked at Ruby with an honest smile "Yes" he saw the girl's face light up
"Oh my …"
"Shhh" he cover her mouth "Don't say anything it will ruin the surprise" the girl nod her head agreeing
Releasing her mouth she spoke lowly "I knew it"
"Demarco there you are what's taking you so long just bring the girls" Palmer called
"Sorry commander got a little side tracked."
"Whatever captain's waiting let's go."
The group followed Palmer into the command building. Inside they were taken to the briefing room at the back of the building. Outside Palmer warned the girls to be on their best behaviour.
"You girls got that" she asks receiving the nods of yes and a frown.
"We're not children" Weiss said
"Sure"
"So who is the guy and how bad is he." Yang asked
"He's a nice guy but it's not him you have to worry about it's the other one."
"The other one? How bad is he?"
"I never said she was a he." Palmer said opening the door, the girls entered.
Inside was a large table with eight chairs, four at the opposite ends. The room occupied by three people two humans male and female sitting in the chair at the other end of the table and the Arbiter they met earlier standing in the corner speaking in a deep nonsensical language to the woman. The male wore a grey and black uniform and the woman wore a similar dress but it was jet black. The man cleared his throat to notify the other two their presence.
"Please take a seat" he gestured toward the chairs before them.
The girls did as he asked and sat, Palmer came in locking the door walking behind the captain lowering herself to his mouth level, "Where's the Chief?" he whispered to her
"He's on his way." She answered
"Ok"
Finished speaking Palmer took a position in the corner opposite to the Arbiter
"Now before we begin" the man didn't as he was interrupted by knocking on the door
"Come in" the man said
The door opened walking in was the Spartan they met in the forest. The girls looked as the green giant strode pass them the golden visor giving a small look as he passed. He took space next to the Arbiter who acknowledges him with a nod.
"Now since everybody's here. Let's get down to business, I am Captain Thomas Lasky" introduced Lasky "Next to me is Lt. Commander Catherina Valentine. Over there in the corner is …"
They have already met me." The Arbiter said
"Oh, well you've already met Palmer and the Master Chief" he said pointing toward Palmer and the Chief. "Now can we get your names?"
Ruby as the team leader introduced herself first "I am Ruby Rose the leader to team RWBY. And this is Yang Xiao-Long, Weiss Schnee and Blake Belladonna"
"Nice to meet you all, now I know what you're all wondering who we are, what's going on and why are you being held here. Am I correct." Lasky said
"Yes and we need answers." Weiss asserted
Let's not get ahead go ourselves the reason why you're here is …"
"Because you represent a security breach to our operations and we are here to decide what to do with you." Valentine cut in brashly
"Well yes exactly that." Lasky said surprised by how straightforward the ONI officer was to the girls "Could you have voiced it differently" he spoke to Valentine
"Yes captain but it was clear by Weiss was it, tone of voice she wanted answers." Was Valentine's response looking at the girls before her "And so do we. So here's a question from us who are you?"
"What do you mean?" Ruby confused by her question "We already told you who we are."
"Not your name what exactly is your occupation."
"Oh if that's what you mean we're students of Beacon Academy" Ruby answered
"Is there a reason why you didn't tell the commander Palmer over there when she first asked you?"
"No we didn't trust her."
"You didn't trust her why not just tell your occupation as huntresses in training she might have released you and this meeting wouldn't have happened you would be on well on your way back to the academy." Valentine said
"We didn't know what was going on so we weren't going to give out answers to who we are." Yang said
"Admirable so why are you telling us now when you still have no idea what's going on." The ONI agent asked
"Hey what about our questions"
"Fine let's hear it." Valentine said
"Who are you people and we want the full truth no cutaways, no half truth the full truth." Weiss asked
Valentine looked at Lasky her eyes signaling him to take over. With that Lasky took over from Valentine.
"Ok since you want the truth we are the Orion Arms Coalition a military alliance between two governments working together."
"Thought you were UNSC?" Ruby asked
"We are UNSC."
"Ok what is the name if the governments you represent and where are they located?" Weiss continued her questions
"I believe it's our turn."
"The question from before why tell us now."
"We don't know. You kind of gave us no choice it was either you tell us everything or you rot in jail."
"True it did come off like that."
For your question we represent the United Nation Space Command and the Unified Earth Government and him." He points to the Arbiter in the corner "Leads the Swords of Sanghelios. Satisfied"
"Yes but one problem there is no Kingdom or place on Remnant called those things how is that." Weiss skeptically stared at the man
"True that's because we're not from here." Lasky answered
"What do you mean you're not from here?"
"You haven't caught on yet." Lasky said
Ruby's face lit up when she figured out what the man before was hinting to.
"No what do you mean?" asked the confused heiress
"He means we are not from this world human." The Arbiter dropped the bomb on the four girls
The reactions were mixed surprise, smugness and disbelief.
"You're joking right." Yang asked in disbelief
"No we're serious."
"You expect us to believe that."
"Yes you wanted the truth so here it is."
"But that's impossible. Aliens don't exist."
"Believe what you want human it doesn't change the fact of where we're from and we are not from remnant." The Arbiter said
If you don't believe us perhaps you need evidence."
Yes that would be nice prove it to me… us you are what you say you are."
"Alright, Bacchus!" Lasky called
Yes captain." A voice said over the intercom in the room, followed the flickering of blue light on the table before them appeared a turquoise man dress in a 1960s diver suit with a trident standing in the table.
"That's how you look." Palmer commented from her corner
"Bring up the map of the planet." Lasky ordered
"Yes captain." The A.I brought up the holographic display of the planet and its moon. "Looks familiar?" he asked the girls
"Yes that's Remnant." Ruby answered
"It was a rhetorical question." The A.I said
"Yeah it's our world what about it?" Yang asked
Snapping his fingers the holographic map zoomed out revealing the greater galaxy.
"Whoa" said a stupefied Yang
"What is that?" Blake asked as she stared at the massive display of the galaxy
"This is the Milky Way Galaxy, this where your planet is located." Bacchus highlighted a star system located on the edge of the Orion Belt. "We come from here." He highlighted the Orion Arm
"Believe us now." Lasky asked
Weiss didn't answer the man as she stared at the galactic map trying to make rational sense of it
"How big is it?" Ruby asked "The Milky Way as you call it."
"100,000 light years in diametre." Bacchus answered
"What?"
"It's very big" the A.I simplified
"Why are you here?" Blake said asking the million credit question this caught the attention of her teammates who to began to have questioning looks
"Yeah why are you here."
"Are you here to invade us? If so we'll stop you." Ruby said staring steely at them she opened as Lasky and the Arbiter began to chuckle
"I like this youngling." The Sangheili spoke
"Ha-ha I can assure you we're not here to invade but we can't tell you why our presence on this world is a secret we wish to keep."
"And if we were here to conquer your world this conversation would not be happening." The Sangheili said gravely
"And it's not like you could stop us anyway."
"Enough Bacchus, back to the topic at hand why were you in the forest."
The girls of RWBY looked at each other when the woman asked about their mission.
"We we're sent here by our headmaster to investigate the sudden decrease in the Grimm population."
"Were you the only ones he sent"
"Yes we were the only ones."
"He sent a bunch of kids to investigate the Grimm population."
"We're not kids we can handle an easy mission like that."
"You do realize investigating the sudden disappearance of a species takes weeks why send kids to do when they could send people who I believe are trained for mission types."
"Did you get any idea from your headmaster on what he believed could have caused the population to lower in the forest."
"He did talk about a Grimm migration."
"Oh ok I think we're done here." She looked towards Lasky "You have any more questions Captain?"
"No, none." The Captain answered
"Very well it's getting late Master Chief could you please escort these ladies to one of our empty barracks
'Growl'
Everyone in the room look to the source of the noise the Ruby's as she awkwardly smile rubbing her stomach.
"Heh. I haven't eaten anything since this afternoon."
"And show them where the mess hall is it's almost time for dinner."
"Yes ma'am" The Green Spartan said moving from his corner walking pass the girls opening the door. "Right this way" RWBY filed out the room leaving the four occupants.
"So what did we learn about these kids?" The A.I said
"Nothing we already know they had no idea we'd be here." Valentine said
"So we know they aren't spies just people in the wrong place at the wrong time." Said Palmer
"Maybe they're not voluntary." The Arbiter added
"What do you mean?" Lasky asked
"Let's think of them as a test to see who we are, to see if we are hostile or friendly. The headmaster of this academy already knows we would be the ones responsible for the Grimm population and since he had made many attempts to spy on us all of them not ending well he decided to use another approach." Thel theorized
"By using his students." Lasky finished
"So that begs the question why send a bunch of kids despite knowing they could get hurt or worse die." Bacchus said.
Mess hall
Doing what he was ordered to do the Chief brought the four girls to the mess hall. Inside was filled with people human and non-humans moving about minding their own business not any attention to the Spartan escorting four strangely dressed teenage girls passing them. One on side of the room was a large banner with the words poker night written on it, the tables were lined with the participant's humans, sangheili and a huragok.
The RWBY stared at the floating alien with the cards in its hand wondering what he was. Ruby not paying attention to her surrounding walked right into one of the aliens a Kig-yar nearly knocking the tray out of its hand.
"Sorry" she quickly apologized
The Jackal not accepting the apology began to screech angrily at her
Ruby despite not understanding what he was saying knew angry yelling when she heard it.
"I said I'm sorry let's not cause a scene." She apologized again but he still ignore her and continued to rant in its alien tongue.
Yang stepped in front of Ruby "Look she said she's sorry you should be glad your…" she looked down at the tray in the jackal's hand seeing its content "Food" it didn't look like any food she had ever seen.
The Jackal looked down at Yang and gave a screech similar to the word shut up. The Jackal felt a hand rest on a hand land on his shoulder he turns to see the Master Chief
"She apologized now move on." The Kig-yar felt the Spartan's hand tighten on his shoulder calm down like a vice.
"Fine." The jackal said feeling the pressure of his shoulder walked as away looking back "Stupid humans."
Hearing the jackals comment Yang's eyes turned red and her hair began to catch a flame "Well…"
"Calm down. You've already made a scene" Yang looked around noticing that everybody in the room was watching them.
"Hey." Yang awkwardly waved
"Let's go sis I don't like that their staring"
"Right Rubes" Yang said, turning to the Master Chief "Lead the way big guy."
"What that guy's problem?" Yang asked
"Not everyone in this base is friendly to humans nor are all humans friendly to the others. You should be careful some species won't back down if you size up to them." John answered as they arrive at the serving area."
"Ok I'll keep that in mind and what was he anyways."
"A Kig-yar highly dangerous not to be trusted. Move your up." They gently pushed Yang up.
Goodnight young lady what can I get for you." the attendant greeted
"What exactly do you have?" Yang asked the attendant
"Well we have pork chops, beef stew, chili mac, mash potatoes and salad if you're a vegetarian."
"Is that all?"
"No if you want you could try of that alien food over there." He jerked his thumb to the side
What ew."
"Come on it;s not horrible their food taste pretty good."
Really"
Yeah there's nothing wrong with other than looks. I was even there when they were making it barring that they tried to use me as an ingredient."
What was the thought of the girls of team RWBY
Yeah they cut off my arm and now I got this." The man pulled off the gloves off his right hand and pulled up his sleeve revealing a mechanical hand. "But I have to admit my hand tasted delicious." The man finish looking at the horrified looks on the girl's faces.
"I suddenly don't feel hungry anymore." Ruby said
"Yeah me too." A disgusted Yang said
"Ha ha" the man chuckled "I kid none of it is true."
"Oh"
"So what are you having?"
"I'll take the pork chops." Yang said
"Salad"
"Chile Mac"
"Salad"
"So" the man began "Is it true what did you locals do to get in here."
"What exactly
"That you picked a fight with the Spartans."
"Yeah so what?"
You pick a fight against Spartans and not just any Spartans 'The Spartans'" he nudged his head to toward the Master Chief "and survived that's what"
"Could you please hurry it up there are other people waiting." The Chief gestured toward three other people behind them
Receiving their food the girls followed the Spartan to an empty bench where they sat and ate. The Spartan sat quietly observing the room as the occupants go about their business whether it be; the game that is going across from him or just to eat. Those that came in later stared at him as they pass wondering who those girls were and why was a Spartan sitting with them. John noticed his team walking in he watched as they took a seat across the room.
"Look at this legendary Spartan feared by all turned babysitter." He heard Kelly's voice came through his helmet
"Kelly?" the Chief said out loud looking at her
"Hm" Ruby looked at him
"Nothing"
"So how did it go in there?" she asks
"Better than I expected I only just stood there while the superiors ask them questions."
"So why are you with the kids?" Kelly asked
"The ONI officer ordered me to watch over them until they finish eating and go to sleep."
"Ok that doesn't sound bad." She commented
"Hey"
"It isn't just as long as they fall in line."
"Hey"
"Ok the others are asking if we should wait on until your duties over to eat or eat without you."
"Hey green guy"
"Hold on Kelly." John turned to answer the person calling him the red head "Yes" he answered.
Ruby now have the Spartans attention spoke "So" Ruby began "What's your name?"
"Call me Master Chief." He answered it was not his real name but a name he was given by the many people he interacted with over the years.
"That's your name I mean it not like there's nothing wrong with it or anything it just that it's ah… My name's Ruby."
"It's not my name rather it's my rank and a name I'm attached to."
"Oh so why didn't you just tell your real name."
"Because…"
"He's being the strong cool secret silent guy we see in those movies Rubes probably to hide the fact he doesn't use his name. Am I right big guy?"
"…" John said nothing but glare at the blonde girl in front of him
Feeling the glare from the Spartans helmet quickly changed the topic "Forget the name thing I like master chef."
"Chief" He corrected
"Chief"
"So who was that you called out awhile ago?"
"No one" he lied
"I'm one no one now." He heard Kelly commented
"Really?"
"Kelly is one of my teammates. I was talking to her through my comms."
"Oh that's cool so you can talk to each other without anyone noticing."
"So you weren't the just staring quietly but talking to someone else."
"Yes"
"Back when the chef guy was serving us he talked about fighting The Spartans and surviving what did he mean?"Blake questioned
"He meant that we could have killed you. Back in the forest when you attacked us we had every right to kill you but we didn't."
"Why?" Ruby asked taking the revelation she could have died
"Because you all were no longer a threat." And you were kids unaware of what was going on. He answered
"Oh" she said "I've been meaning to ask someone for a while now." Ruby paused looking John for approval
"Yes." she got her approval
"What's it like on other worlds?"
"Different" he answered
"Different? That doesn't answer my question what does different mean?"
"I really can't answer you because I can't tell the difference between the worlds I've been on many planets and not once have I stopped to notice the difference because in the end it always ended up looking the same." He answered
"Oh"
"I remember one or rather they were a large worlds with very large landmasses populated with billions of people with similar weather patterns as your world."
"What were they called?" Ruby continued to questioned
"Earth and Reach"
"Another question how do you… um fly into space."
Yes since I found out about life on other worlds I've been quite curious to how you got into space using dust."
"Yeah me too" Yang said curiously. Blake too was curious to how they did it.
"We don't use Dust nor has it existed anywhere we've settled."
"What you don't use dust how is that possible how did get your technology to work." Weiss surprised by how they didn't use dust."
"We had other resources we could use, if you want to learn more I recommend you ask someone else."
"What about the Grimm?" Yang asked
"There is no Grimm where we are from."
"No Grimm hah sounds like paradise you guys are lucky" Yang commented
'Not as lucky as you think.'
Finishing their food the group left. John gave a glance towards his team who glanced back
"We'll wait for you till you get back" Kelly said
Barracks
"Here we are." John said opening the door "I hope you find it comfortable for the time being."
The girls peeked inside seeing the bland gun metal grey room with ten bunk beds.
"Looks just like home." Yang sarcastically commented
Yeah it sure does." Ruby said in a similar tone "How about you guys." She nudges at Weiss and Blake.
"Yeah"
"Definitely"
"I've seen worse."
"Good. I bid you goodnight."
"Hold on big guy your just gonna leave us alone us like that."
"Yes my orders were to escort to your room and I have completed it."
"You really want to get rid of us don't you?" Yang jokily nudged John's armor.
"I never said that."
"Well you didn't act or look as if you were excited to be with us in the first place. But then again we never saw your face what do you look like without all that armor I mean do you have to wear so much armor isn't aura enough. " Yang said
"I don't have aura."
"What you're not joking with us right now how the hell did you manage to fight us back there."
"Because that's who we are Spartans none of us here have something like aura it never existed in anyplace else but here."
"But if you don't have one then you're…" Ruby said as the Master Chief began to close the door.
"Goodnight." the John said closing the door
"Sir they're inside." Bacchus said as he observed the girls from the cameras hidden in their room
"And the Master Chief." Lasky asked
"He left." The A.I answered
"Alright goodnight Bacchus I'm going to get something to eat you can handle this on your own right."
"Sir I'm an A.I I can handle this and besides I do it all the time."
"Sorry force of habit sometimes I…What?"
"I said I watch you humans all the time you know when you sleep, eat and other things. It's quite interesting it makes me wonder how it feels to do those things."
"Ok goodbye just alert me if they try anything. Tomorrow when we release them I hope they keep quite."Lasky said as he left.
"Don't worry sir I'll prevent them from doing anything." Bacchus said to no one in the room.
Hope you enjoy