Hello everyone! Welcome to Week 5.
I'm afraid I have some regretful news. I'm going to have to slow updates to every other Friday. I know, I know, it's not what you want to hear. Let me explain.
A chapter of Penumbra takes me about 10-12 hours to write. This, coupled with my full time engineering position, means I don't have much time to do anything besides work, eat, sleep, and write. That's been perfectly fine for the last month. I haven't really had anything fun to do besides write this. However, it's getting nice out, so the motorcycle can come back out. The Division turned out to be not bad, so I've been wanting to play more of that. I've caught myself resenting this story a bit this week for how much time it takes.
I really don't want to start hating this story, because I really do enjoy writing it. It needs to be something I enjoy doing, versus feeling like a job. So I'm killing the hatred before it has a chance to fester. Who knows, maybe I'll build a good buffer of chapters and the weekly updates can resume.
Until then, I hope this longer chapter holds you all over!
Weiss leaned heavily against a half-completed wall and sighed in relief. "Thank you, General. I don't think I would've made cover in time," she said, forcing haunted words through uneven breaths.
Ironwood kept his focus on Weiss as Winter scanned the room silently for remaining threats, her face twisted in an angry rictus. "Are you wounded, Ms. Schnee?" he asked, voice deep and calm.
Weiss shook her head, attempting to compose herself while checking for unnoticed injuries. "No, I'm just a little... shaken up."
Noting the distinctive, adrenaline-laced pitch of Weiss' voice, the general replied, "You acted admirably, miss Schnee. Your sister and I watched the last half of your fight via remote signal intercept of the building's security cameras, which we accessed after your we received an Aura level alert from your scroll. I take it you've found something significant in your investigation?"
Weiss nodded, shaking her head clear of the emotional stampede while ice-blue eyes regained their steel. Flipping her Scroll open, she navigated hastily to her system vulnerability notes, handing the unlocked device to the General before stalking harshly over to the crawling Carrow.
Flipping the Director onto his back with a forceful shove from her right foot, she began, "I found that code buried undocumented in the CCT system backups approximately one hour ago. I notified Winter immediately after I'd confirmed its function, as instructed when I began work on this project. I then departed the SDC HQ using my own vehicle per her veiled recommendation, arriving here at the CCT ten minutes ago. To my surprise, I was greeted in the atrium by one Director Carrow," she detailed, voice harsh as she planted a foot on Carrow's sternum in order to stop his desperate rearward shuffling.
"GET HER AWAY FROM ME! SHE'S A MONSTER!" He screamed, panic lacing every word as his blood pooled beneath her.
Weiss pressed Myrtenaster's point gently to Carrow's throat, reducing his shouting to impotent stutters. The heiress met his saucer-wide eyes as her brow angled downward to match the anger building in her chest. "Not another word, Director," she commanded, voice low and unerring as she sent a bit more force through her rapier. Carrow shrank away from the insistent point, having lost the will to speak.
"Please continue, Miss Schnee." Ironwood commanded, a hint of amused warmth noticeable in his voice.
Nodding, she resumed, "I now believe he was tipped off to my arrival and my investigation, as it is extraordinarily unusual for executives to be waiting around in such a public space. I must admit that I did not expect corruptive rot to be quite so extensive as to infect the highest administrative office of Atlas' CCT organization. This lapse in judgement allowed Carrow to catch me off guard with this ambush after I'd agreed to follow him to, I assumed, a meeting room. Thankfully, my skills were enough to keep me alive after he shot me point blank with a special-purpose magnum round." Weiss indicated the still smoking hole in her coat, centered over her stomach.
"Sk-k-kills?!" Carrow stuttered in shock before Weiss' heel stuck him in the center of the forehead. His head bounced off hard concrete, rendering him unconscious.
"I shall have to be more careful in the future," Weiss continued. She waved her hand accusingly toward the unconscious man below her. "I believe Director Carrow to be heavily involved with the unrivaled success of the Black Queen Virus."
"What is your recommended course of action, Miss Schnee?" Ironwood asked.
"My reccommenda..." she trailed off, interrupting her unbelieving exclamation as the General smirked slightly. Nodding to herself, she suggested, "Director Carrow should have his wounds treated, be detained, and interrogated. He may know of other individuals or organisations involved with the apparent massive infiltration of our organisation. Meanwhile, we should move to secure the control room before word of his failure reaches any remaining conspirators. They may enact a scorched earth contingency and cause significant damage to the remaining CCT systems and hardware."
Ironwood nodded as Winter rejoined him, satisfied the floor was clear. "Agreed. You will conduct the interrogation once he awakens onboard my ship." Not waiting for her reply, Ironwood turned and lead the way toward the maintenance stairway which granted emergency access to the top of the CCT while lifting his hand to his ear. He began to issue commands robotically, "Jotun One and Two, this is Jotun Actual. VIP secured, go for ground-level breach. Sweep and clear, detain all CCT personnel for questioning. Weapons free, situation code: Ragnarok."
Weiss' mouth dropped open in shock, ignoring Ironwood's radio chatter while whispering to herself, "I'm to conduct the interrogation?"
"Of course, Miss Schnee," Ironwood answered, having overheard her disbelief thanks to his augmented hearing. "He seems to be distinctly afraid of you after your skirmish. That's an advantage we can use."
Weiss followed the pair to the stairwell doorway, still reeling in shock. Nearing Winter as the trio stacked up for the climb, she felt her sister's insistent hand move her to the center position in line. The heiress hesitated briefly before setting her own hand down on the General's much taller shoulder, readying herself to pass Winter's breach signal to the stack's point man.
"Weiss, good work," Winter whispered into her ear, soft but firm, "Ready to see this through?"
Weiss' focus returned, reinforced by her sister's praise. She nodded slowly.
An instant later Winter's hand squeezed her shoulder firmly, the Atlesean military's universal "go for breach" signal. She flicked Myrtnaster up high next to Ironwood's left shoulder, ice bolt spell at the ready as she passed the squeeze forward to the General. He wasted no time once the unspoken message reached him, ripping the locked door from its hinges with mechanical strength before leading the trio quickly through the door.
The walk upwards to the CCT control center passed in tense, slow silence after they found their initial entry point clear of enemies. Ironwood's Magnum and Myrtenaster's point led the way, scanning stairs as soon as they became visible while Winter took up rear security at the group's six o'clock. Weiss' sword arm ached fiercely from the unusual ready position by the time they'd finished the arduous twenty-story climb. Thankfully, she'd get a reprieve now that they'd reached the control room door.
Ironwood brought his voice to a low whisper as the trio silently readied themselves near the control room emergency exit. "Stack up and prepare for breach. Miss Schnee, set a force spell on the door large enough to launch it across the room and stun anyone it hits." he ordered while pointing toward Myrtenaster's dust cycler. As Weiss nodded and began her casting, he continued, "Knight-Commander Schnee, room recon. I want to know what we're walking into."
Winter responded immediately, stowing her sword and retrieving a tiny, circular object along with her Scroll. She tapped an icon forcefully with her thumb, calling up an intricate camera and flight control interface while a series of small lights confirmed the Hunter-issue recon drone's readiness. The device's small propeller whirred silently to life as a dark-blue and white thermal image appeared on Winter's scroll, and a simple wrist flick sent the device through the crack underneath the door.
Knight-Commander Schnee studied the image for a few seconds, maneuvering the drone throughout the room invisibly. Satisfied, she quietly gave her report, "Sir, the room is still unmodified standard CCT control center, laid out much like our military's air traffic control towers. Circular, with a diameter of approximately 20 meters. Waist high command console near the center of the room could provide concealment, room otherwise clear. Five staff currently on duty, arrayed equidistant around perimeter control consoles. Two pistols concealed under consoles near the two right-most workers. One additional weapon, likely a shotgun, stored similarly near the far left operator. Two center operators appear clean."
"Understood," the General acknowledged before whispering to Weiss, "We will breach while your sister covers the stairs. Once you blow the door, I will move right to subdue or eliminate the two armed operators. You will go in after me and be responsible for the one on the left. Capture, if possible, but you are weapons-free if he acts with hostile intent. Any questions?"
Weiss shook her head after a few seconds, "No, General."
Nodding, he pointed toward the finished force-yellow glyph pulsing on the door, "On your go, then, Miss Schnee."
The heiress-turned-detective held up three fingers as she readied her rapier. Eyes locked with Ironwood, she silently counted down as she allowed the glyph's power to build, bringing the pulsing rhythm higher and higher. As her final finger dropped, the glyph burned bright white and released.
The reinforced door ripped from its fittings with a sharp bang, flying into the room with immense force, toppling the central command console before tumbling through the air and striking the ceiling. An instant later Ironwood burst through the door, hooking through the door to clear the right corner while shouting, "Atlas Military Police, hands on your heads!"
Weiss took the path of least resistance, bee-lining toward the left corner with Myrtenaster up and ready. Her intended target managed a brief curse before reaching for the shotgun Weiss knew lay under his console. Two booming shots echoed behind her as she dashed forward, thrusting her point through the CCT controller's forearm and into the console behind. His pained screams died away as he spat, "...fucking bitch..." harshly through clenched teeth. Weiss rendered him unconscious with a palm-heel strike shortly thereafter.
A soft wet sound accompanied her blade as she tore it quickly from flesh and console, joining Ironwood as he rounded on the two remaining panicked operators. Seeing no weapons and the beginning motions of surrender, he brought his voice back to normal levels while keeping revolver trained. "I'm sorry to say that you are both under arrest on suspicion of colluding with the traitors responsible for unleashing the Black Queen Virus. No harm will come to you as long as you cooperate. Detective Schnee, please retrieve the restraints from my belt and render the suspects immobile."
Weiss, to her credit, barely hesitated at her new title. Quickly, she unclasped two sets of polymer zip-tie handcuffs from Ironwood's belt and moved behind both of her detainees. She felt no resistance from either as she pulled their arms gently behind their backs, threaded hands through plastic loops, and tightened the ties snugly.
Ironwood finally relaxed once both suspects were restrained. Bringing his hand up to his ear once more, he called, "Jotun One and Two, this is Jotun Actual. Status report." He waited a few seconds before replying, "Good work. Rendezvous with all prisoners on the 68th floor in two-zero minutes. Be advised that The Swallow's Lament is currently holding position outside that floor." Ending his transmission, he called into the hallway, "Knight-Commander, building secure. I need to you manage prisoner reception at your ship. Please take these detainees with you."
A firm reply echoed from the broken door as Ironwood shoved the prisoners out to Winter, "Understood, Sir. I'll head that way now. I look forward to seeing you aboard the ship soon, sister." Quick footsteps reverberated from the stairwell before Weiss could reply.
Ironwood brought his eyes back to Weiss. "Excellent work. It's not often that I get to work with someone trained at Beacon. I'm glad to see Ozpin doesn't disappoint."
Weiss beamed slightly at the unexpected praise, "Thank you, general. We should probably restrain that infiltrator," she suggested while pointing toward her target, "I don't know how long my strike will keep him unconscious."
The general moved silently, quickly restraining the wounded man. "If I may ask, why didn't you use a lethal blow? Disarming is always a risk," he said with gentle admonishment.
"I saw an opportunity to take a live prisoner. He may know something," Weiss sighed before continuing in a smaller voice, "...I've done enough killing for today."
"Taking a human life is never easy, Weiss," he said understandingly, "but sometimes a Hunter must take them in order to safeguard others. You did well today, and you did your school proud."
Weiss' brow furrowed as her eyes fell, "But, perhaps I could've spared others if I was more careful, more precise..."
Ironwood held out a hand in a stopping gesture, "Weiss, trust me when I say that second guessing actions you were forced into during combat will only make it worse. By all means, evaluate your performance to learn how to better react so situations in the future. Do not, however, let regret rule you." Placing a hand on her shoulder, he continued, "Come, we still have a compromised communications network to deal with."
"Right..." she agreed halfheartedly, accompanying the General to the master control console on the far side of the room.
"Can you restore the CCT's functionality using the backdoor you found? It stands to reason using the same method as the virus might be viable," Ironwood asked hopefully.
"I'm not sure, General. With all due respect, I'm a hunter trainee, not a programmer," Weiss responded, doubt filling every word.
The General was having none of it, "Miss Schnee, you've spent the last two weeks searching through CCT software documentation with a fine toothed comb, and you're the one who found the vulnerability when so many others failed. I'd be willing to bet that the only souls who know this system better than you are the people who designed it fifty years ago."
Nodding, Weiss allowed her mind to work. After a few minutes spent pondering the virus' deceptive simplicity, it became clear to her that cleaning the system would be trivial now that the method of infiltration was known. Thirty minutes of manual purging via the supposed emergency maintenance backdoor, and then all that would be left is restoring the system from a backup and plugging the leak. A smile grew as she realized she'd soon get to see Yang and Ruby again, and maybe even Blake too if she kept her Scroll.
Just before she responded, however, another path came to mind. The backdoor used by the virus meant that the virus itself was now vulnerable. Her smile was replaced with a deep, despondent frown as Ironwood prompted, "Do you have something in mind, Miss Schnee?"
Sighing, she explained, "I could clean the system of infection, restore a backup, and patch the backdoor in about half an hour. There's another option, however. I can set up a ghost CCT hidden beneath the main system via the breach. It would be limited, however, only having enough resources to provide for military and some high priority communications. The infected main CCT takes up too much processing power for anything more," Weiss explained as disappointed longing etched its way into her once sharp voice.
"I take it you don't particularly like this second option, Miss Schnee. Why even bring it up?"
Weiss' voice hardened slightly. "I don't like the second option because it means that I won't get to talk to my friends like I wanted to. To be completely honest, General, they've been most of my motivation to get the CCT back online. I couldn't, in good conscience, keep it hidden, however. The advantage it would give us against our enemy is far too great."
The General shook his head slightly, "I'm not sure I see how it gives us an advantage, Miss Schnee."
"It means we keep Cinder in the dark regarding our discovery. She would have no way of knowing we've managed to bypass her virus, and we'd be able to log everything she sent through the CCT. She would have no way of knowing we were watching."
"That's brilliant, Miss Schnee!" Ironwood exclaimed as his eyes widened in understanding. "How many communications channels could it support?"
Weiss deflated, having known the general wouldn't pass up such an opportunity. "Enough for all the capital ships in the entire Atleasean Navy, plus perhaps thirty additional channels for long range scouting and alpha-level Hunter teams."
"How long do you need for implementation?" Ironwood asked as his vision grew distant, thoughts deep in planning.
"Perhaps two hours, maybe less," Weiss replied sadly, resigned to her lonely fate.
He nodded, "Very well, set it up. I'll delay our Corvette's departure. I'm sending you a list of channels I'll need established."
Weiss' scroll trilled in acknowledgement of the General's message. She opened it lazily, scanning the extensive list in order to plan her modifications to the CCT's base code.
Atleasean flagships... Navy battle groups... Channels for the remaining Hunter headmasters... Ozpin... Glynda... Qrow... Ironwood himself. Perhaps I should tell him I have Qrow's scroll still. Perhaps not, I may need a private device. Ah, there's the Hunter teams... Team STRQ. Wasn't that Ruby and Yang's parents' team? Long list... The last entry is team RWBY.
Weiss' eyes shot open as her breath hitched.
Team RWBY!
"General, are you sure you haven't sent me the wrong list on accident? Team RWBY is listed along with the active Alpha-level Hunter teams," she asked in a rush.
"The list is accurate, Detective," he began with an appreciative smile. "Consider it a promotion for your outstanding effort. You have single-handily both restored our command and control functionality and given us a window into our enemy's plans. Team RWBY continues to impress me, it seems."
Weiss' shocked look persisted for a moment before her decorum returned. "Thank you, sir!" She responded with growing respect for the man in front of her. "If I may, what do you mean by 'continues to impress'?"
Ironwood's smile gathered a bit of mirth as he answered, "I believe your leader, a certain red-clad scythe wielder who goes by 'Ruby Rose', defeated the Vagabond who took over my ship and compromised my knights and paladins. By herself, at that. She saved a lot of lives."
Weiss' face morphed into a nostalgic smile, "Sounds like something she'd do, the dolt..."
Ironwood chuckled lightly before regaining his command presence, "Come, there's a lot to do before we can rest. Let's get the ghost CCT up and running. You still have an interrogation to conduct aboard my dreadnought."
Weiss' attitude snapped back to serious as her mind focused. "Yes sir," she intoned, "I may need a second set of hands to get this going."
The General nodded, "very well, Miss Schnee. Let's begin."
It was nearly midnight by the time Weiss and Ironwood had finished their work and made their way back to The Swallow's Lament. They boarded the Corvette with tired eyes and slouched shoulders, exhausted from a shared long day. Weiss traipsed past the prisoners stowed in the cargo hold and the armored special forces soldiers occupying her sister's luxurious transport, ignoring all the unfamiliar faces as she headed toward the flight deck, General Ironwood close behind.
Lazily she pressed a hand against the door scanner with a thud, sending the portal sliding open with a hushed swish. "Hello, Winter," she moaned tiredly as she flopped into the copilot seat across from her sister.
Winter smirked, "Hello, Weiss. I do hope the General doesn't mind you taking his favorite seat."
A soft basso laugh floated through the cockpit as the door slid shut. "It's quite alright, Winter. I'd say she's earned the best seat in the house after what she's done today," Ironwood responded after his mirth subsided.
Weiss groaned in appreciation. "Good, I'm far too comfortable to give it up," she teased, picking up on the cabin's new delightfully surprising, pleasant mood.
"Just don't make it habit, Detective," Ironwood mocked back.
"I wouldn't dream of it, sir," Weiss replied sarcastically after a small laugh of her own. She turned to her sister. "Winter, would you mind stopping by the front entrance? I have a couple belongings to collect."
"And what would those be, Miss Schnee?" Ironwood interrupted, genuinely curious.
Weiss let her eyes flutter closed as she answered, "My motorcycle and my favorite hat. Gifts from my sister and my grandfather, respectively."
"Can we afford the detour, James?" Winter pleaded.
Ironwood nodded, "I doubt five minutes delay will affect anything. Where are your possessions, Miss Schnee? I'll have one of my men retrieve them."
Weiss rounded in her chair to look into the General's eyes. "You're very kind, do you know that? I can see why Ozpin invited you to Vale. To answer your question, my bike is parked near the front entrance, and my hat is on a rack near the main CCT elevator."
The General's commanding mask slipped a bit at Weiss' praise. "I-," Ironwood stuttered before regaining his composure, "Thank you, Miss Schnee. It has been a long time since someone called me... kind." Nodding to the heiress' sister, he commanded, "Take us out if you would, Winter."
"Of course, sir." Keying the intercom, she announced, "All hands, this is the flight deck. Prepare for disembark."
"Get some rest, Miss Schnee," Ironwood suggested, "it's about two hour's flight back to The Yggdrasil, and I'd like you to be at your best when you talk to our dear friend Director Carrow."
Weiss thumbed her scroll's screen, bringing it to life and smiling to herself as the long-distance signal bars flickered back to life after being dead for two weeks; no doubt the rest of team RWBY's scrolls were also responding to her ethereal CCT's touch. Stowing her device and laying her head back against the seat, Weiss responded with a satisfied voice, "I think I'll do just that, General."
Weiss awoke to a gentle, insistent hand jostling her. Opening her eyes with a reluctant groan, she found her sister standing above her in what was distinctly not the flight deck of The Swallow's Lament.
"It's time, Weiss. The Director is waiting for you," Winter explained.
Still half asleep, Weiss asked, "Where am I, Winter?"
"You are in the interrogator's waiting room for the detention hold housed inside the General's dreadnought, The Yggdrasil. I carried you here once we docked to await the former Director's medical treatment and waking," Winter explained softly, "You've been asleep for three and a half hours, give or take. How are you feeling?"
Weiss shook her head to clear her muddied thoughts as Winter offered her a steaming cup of coffee. "A little tired, obviously, but otherwise fine," taking the beverage, she finished, "thanks, sis..."
Winter smiled at her sister's slip in decorum, "Sis now, am I?"
Blushing, Weiss answered, "Sorry, Winter. Two of my teammates are sisters, and it's a term of endearment they use with eachother."
The elder Schnee moved around behind Weiss' chair before wrapping the smaller girl in a tight hug. "Well, sis, I hope you are feeling alright after the ambush today," Winter cooed lovingly before her voice went serious, "I remember how I felt the first time I was forced to take a life. I still dream about it, sometimes." She squeezed her sister tighter, "if you ever need someone to talk to, know I'm always here for you."
Weiss allowed Winter to draw her closer as she looked up into her sister's caring eyes. "Thank you, sis... I think I'm okay, for now." Noticing her sister's growing concern, she elaborated, "The General and I talked about it a bit, up in the control room. He told me not to dwell on regret, so I'm doing my best not to. I promise I'll come to you if it starts getting to me, Winter."
Nodding, Winter sighed, "I'll hold you to that, Weiss." Breaking the hug and swiveling Weiss' wheeled office chair to face her, she asked, "Are you ready to question the Director?"
The heiress' eyes dropped to her feet, "Honestly? No. I don't know how to interrogate someone, Winter. The Grimm don't exactly talk. What am I even suppose to get out of him, a confession?"
The sound of a door opening signaled Ironwood's arrival. "A confession won't be necessary, Miss Schnee," he responded while taking in the scene in front of him, "We need information on who he's working for or with as well as their plans. This is war, Detective, and wars are won with intelligence. We're not after a criminal conviction. We've already got plenty of evidence for that."
Weiss shifted her stare to the general. "How do I get him to give up any information? What authority do I have to make deals with him? I'm not military or law enforcement."
Ironwood smirked slightly, "As of three hours ago, you are an Alpha-ranked Huntress recognized by the Atleasean military as a consulting Detective from Beacon Academy. You have my permission to use any means necessary to ensure his cooperation, and I will personally back anything you say or do to get him to talk."
Ice-blue eyes narrowed accusingly, "I won't resort to physical violence to obtain information. I don't care what he's done, he's helpless now."
"Nor do I expect you to, Miss Schnee," Ironwood answered honestly.
"Play on his fear of you, Weiss. Make him desperate and he'll break," Winter suggested.
Sighing, Weiss stood and squared her shoulders, forcing her long practiced Schnee bearing to the forefront. "Alright, let's get this over with then," she said as she walked confidently toward the door to the interview room.
Before she opened the door, Ironwood held out her bullet-scarred coat and rapier. "These might help, Detective."
Weiss donned the coat and weapon as Winter handed her her grandfather's hat. "Make Grandfather proud, Weiss. He'd have loved to know that you are following in his footsteps, even if it's only for one night."
Nodding, she pulled the hat low over her brow, mimicking her grandfather's preferred style, "I'll do my best, Winter. I guess I'll have a crime story of my own to tell after this."
Ironwood offered her a handshake as he opened the door for her, deliberately raising his voice so that the occupant of the interrogation room could hear clearly. "I expect results, Detective. Do what must be done," he said with a wink while shaking her hand firmly. Weiss felt a small, cylindrical object press itself into her palm as their hands parted. Her hand closed and rolled it, taking in the subtle spiral markings and flattened nose.
A bullet. No, the bullet. The one the man whom she was about to grill had fired into her stomach with killing intent. Ice-cold ire flooded her mind at the thought, biting down reticence with fierce resolve to bring the fight to the enemy who'd destroyed her new, welcomed life. Her stride exuded confident intimidation as she swept into the room, accentuated by the long coat swaying in her wake.
"Good evening, Director. I do hope this meeting hasn't inconvenienced you," she spat, voice dripping with indignant sarcasm as she strode to the floor-anchored metal table near the center of the room. A single bright overhead lamp illuminated the small square space, casting shadows into the hollow areas of Carrow's downcast visage while plunging the areas untouched by harsh light into complete blackness. Weiss' own angular beauty lay draped in complete darkness courtesy of her hat's wide brim.
Carrow flinched as Weiss pulled her own chair from the table with a loud, grating scrape. She drew Myrtenaster with a deliberate slowness, twisting the blade slightly to bring forth a quiet, melodic ring as tempered steel scraped along its suspension fittings. She laid the blade down gently on the center of the table, a parallel line separating Huntress from the hunted.
The traitor's eyes flicked up unwillingly, forced to focus on the rapier's bloodied, grudgingly lethal fine edge with ever increasing size. Weiss removed her coat and folded it, exposing her pristine, well fitted white blouse and black pressed pants while she set the coat alongside her sword, bullet-hole up. Carrow's gaze flicked back to the floor as she took her seat with practiced grace.
"Mr. Carrow," she called out, voice even and authoritative, "Look at me."
He shook his head almost imperceptibly, "I have nothing to say to you."
His voice is shaking in addition to avoiding my eyes. He really is afraid of me. Let's turn up the pressure.
"You tried to kill me, Mr. Carrow," she stated, matter-of-fact, "tell me why."
He remained steadfastly silent as tremors visibly worked their way though his form.
I have to get him talking. What did Winter say? Play on his fear?
Weiss stood quietly and walked slowly around the table to stand inside Carrow's personal bubble. He shrank away from her as she put her back to the table and leaned into it, bringing herself to a half-seated stance as her pinched right hand floated toward the space on the table directly below his eyes. A small metallic thunk echoed through the room as she set his failed assassination attempt down casually.
Grandfather got shot once by a suspect. Showed him the bullet afterwards, too. He said it worked wonders in "the box".
Carrow snapped fearful eyes up to her face after a brief impotent struggle to flee from his solid, anchored chair. His mouth moved to form words, but no sound escaped his lips as he stared wide-eyed at the shrouded face of the woman who'd taken his hand.
He flinched under my gaze back at the tower. Let's see how he likes it now.
Weiss brought a measure of Aura to life, bringing a faint blue glow to her eyes, illuminating her face as she waited and studied his reactions.
He's getting desperate to be rid of me. He'll talk soon.
Sure enough, he asked a question with trembling voice, "H-h-how are you still alive?"
Weiss smirked as she pulled out Qrow's Scroll. "Have you ever seen a creature of Grimm, Mr. Carrow?"
The Director's eyes flicked to the unmistakable matte-black finish of the standard-issue hunter communications device. "N-no... Why?"
"It's very relevant to your question, Director." Weiss opened the picture Qrow had snapped of herself amongst the scattered Beacon architecture. She forced the image in front of his eyes, continuing, "Does this answer your question as to how I still draw breath?"
Carrow took in the image, stuttering, "S-So many. You- you fought that many Grimm and lived? How?"
Weiss moved back to her seat before answering the increasingly nervous and flustered Carrow. "Simple, I am a Huntress. I've spent the last five years learning to fight the darkness." She leaned in closer, bringing her voice down to an intimidating whisper. "The ones in that picture are merely the remnants of the larger horde thinned by my classmates and I."
She allowed the idea to sink in before continuing.
"What you're looking at in that picture is all that remains of my school. My home, Mr. Carrow." Weiss allowed sadness to creep into her voice. "I was happy there. I had friends, teammates. People who truly cared for me. Not because I was a Schnee or because I had money, but because I was Weiss, their precious defrosting 'Ice Queen'." The heiress switched from sadness to ire, driving a fist into the table, denting it and causing Carrow to startle, "That life was taken from me two weeks ago, Mr. Carrow, by the people who you sabotaged the CCT systems for."
"I sabotaged nothing! They forced m-" He denied, before being interrupted by the Detective.
"Do. not. lie. to me, Mr. Carrow," Weiss forced through gritted teeth. "My team is scattered to the winds and two of my closest friends are DEAD because of them. Because of you," she accused, pointing harshly. "Cinder Fall and her associates Roman Torchwick, Mercury Black, Emerald Sustrai, and the White Fang could not have succeeded in gaining control of the CCT without inside help. Help which you provided. Your actions led to the deaths of hundreds of Vale citizens and Beacon Academy students."
"No! I've done nothing, you have no proof!" Carrow yelled, hysterical.
Weiss called an baleful, black attractive glyph into existence nestled in her left palm, pulling the former Director nearer to her forcefully. He mumbled in fear as Weiss removed her fedora and spoke, hand still cradling her spinning fractal. "Have you forgotten the ambush you led me to, or your little rant about me being a, quote, 'spoiled little brat'? Did you forget that you put an Atleasean magnum round into my gut not six hours ago? A magnum round, Director, from your personal concealed semi-auto. Few people know how to use Aura outside of the military and Hunter Corps. Tell me, why would you load rounds specifically intended for use against Aura shielded opponents, if you weren't expecting to need them?"
"I- I- I-" Carrow stuttered before trailing off.
"That's what I thought, Mr. Carrow. The ambush itself proves you planned for the eventual discovery of your operation by the authorities, either from the SDC or Atlas Law Enforcement." Weiss leaned back comfortably in her chair, releasing her glyph while her gaze remained hard. "You've committed high treason against all of Remnant, Mr. Carrow. A crime punishable by banishment into the Grimm-infested wild."
"No! Please, I have a family. You can't..." Carrow begged, tears beginning to form.
Weiss leaned forward as her brow narrowed, "So did I, Mr. Carrow. So. Did. I. How far would you go to avenge them, if they were taken from you?" The Detective waited for a minute, allowing the broken Carrow to mutter and plead incoherently before warmly offering, "I am not unreasonable, however, Mr. Carrow. I can spare you that horrible fate if you agree to cooperate with my investigation."
The former Director snapped to attention. "Anything, I'll do anything. Please..."
Weiss allowed herself a small smile at her successful gambit. "I need information, Mr. Carrow. Information about your former allies and their operations."
He thought for a minute, seeming to panic while searching his memory for anything of use. "I can tell you who they are! Cinder Fa-"
"I already know their names, Mr. Carrow, if you remember," Weiss said with a raised hand, "do better."
"I- I don't know anything else! Please!" Carrow yelled desperately.
The Detective frowned and stood. "I pity you then, Director. I'm afraid I can't help you unless you can provide solid information," she said, acting regretful as she donned her hat, retrieved her gear, and headed for the exit.
Grandfather did always love theatrics.
"Wait! The criminal, Torchwick, mentioned a large warehouse full of stolen dust hidden somewhere in eastern Vale during one of our meetings. He said something about the White Fang having trouble with the Grimm in the area!"
Maybe you weren't as needlessly dramatic as I once thought, Grandfather.
Weiss smiled as she continued toward the door. "Thank you, Mr. Carrow. Someone will be in shortly to debrief you for details and check on your wounds. I suggest you tell him everything you know and don't hold anything back. Do otherwise, and I'm afraid I won't be able to protect you."
Not waiting for a reply, she stepped through the doorway quickly, anxious for her day to be over. Ironwood and Winter were waiting for her, both wearing exuberant smiles.
"Excellent work, Detective," Ironwood praised while shaking her hand a little too vigorously. "I don't think I could've done better myself."
"The use of your glyph was particularly inspired," Winter said warmly before pulling Weiss into a large, full bodied hug.
Weiss blushed slightly at the accolades being heaped upon her. "Thank you, both of you. I hope it's enough to go on."
"He's receptive to working with us now, Miss Schnee. That's more than enough," Ironwood confided.
Nodding tiredly, Weiss allowed herself to relax. "I hope so, General. Now, if there's nothing else, I'm quite tired and would like to rest. It's been an... eventful day," she sighed.
"That it has, Miss Schnee, that it has," the General said, amused. "I've assigned you the XO cabin for the duration of your stay aboard this ship. Please, go get some rest, you've earned it."
"I'd like nothing more, General," she moaned appreciatively as she sauntered away, anticipating blissful slumber and, perhaps, a short call to a certain black-and-red haired friend.
Bad boys, bad boys, what'cha gonna do? What'cha gonna do when she comes for you?
Next time, on Penumbra! The Dragon Rises, part 1.
Review Replies:
Knight7572: CR Mk1 is likely still sitting at the base of beacon tower since Rubes lost it on her way up. Don't worry, the real CR will return, with a vengeance!
MissAnimeMiss: You're always so kind. I appreciate it, I really do. Let me ask you something, to completely turn this whole 'review replies' thing on its head. What would you like me to improve on, and what would you like to see in the future for Penumbra? We can make it better, we have the technology.
Krazyfanfiction1: Irondaddy is awesome. Carrow's alive... for now, as long as he cooperates. I hope you enjoyed Weiss tearing him apart in the box! I'd like to ask you the same question I asked M.A.M. above, as you've always been equally supportive of my writing. Thanks!
Sakurako Nagasaki: Weiss is so much fun to write as the badass she is. I'm glad you enjoyed the motorcycle! There will be more bike bits in the future, I can't help myself. I hope the intro to this chapter answered your question. I wouldn't have added it if you hadn't pointed it out, thanks!
EDIT (3/18/16, 2142 hrs.): Corrected a continuity error where Ironwood inverted hostile locations during the CCT control room breach. Thanks to Masasin for the bug report!