This takes place during the beach episode (same time)

Inside Salem's domain (Watts Quarters) 3

Dr. Watts: Ironwood thinks he can keep his secrets from me? Ha! Nothing more than mere child's play.

Hazel: Focus on the task at hand. Our master has given us direct instructions and has even told us the exact location of her prize.

Dr. Watts: Ah yes of course. Getting inside Atlas Flying Fortress. As you well know, the computer virus that has infected over 1/4 of Vale has started to cause minor property damage and in more recent reports it has shown greater results.

Cinder: results like activating secret military weapons and deactivating A class defenses like Beacon itself.

Emerald: that's good and all, but I don't see how it can help us when we have to travel to Atlas. Which is a 2-3 day flight from here.

Dr. Watts pulls up a holographic live image of Atlas main fleet currently floating above a large building complex where multiple large satellites could be seen.

Dr. Watts: Which is why I have been paying close attention to their main form of communication.

Mercury: Communication?! What good will that do us? (Kicks his seat)

Hazel: Foolish child. It is more than that. Launch codes, storage files, currency, anything digital can be transferred.

Dr. Watts: Well it may seem that there is more to you than pure muscle.

Cinder: my patience is running short doctor.

A second hologram of vale's own satellite communications network is shown

Dr. Watts: we need to transfer the virus from Vale to Atlas via satellite. I myself can disable their defenses given the proper time which will admittedly take too long. One group shall remain here in Vale ready to transfer the virus through their own satellite. Once received by the party in Atlas it is to be activated immediately. For now my attention will be to further improve the virus itself so that the time it will take to infect any system will be greatly shortened.

Cinder: No doubt once we enter the main airship we will Surely be outnumbered. Then again we will cut off all possible communication to the outside world as bonus.

Emerald: Things do seem to be In our favor.

Mercury: All the players are in Vale. Team RWBY, JNPR, TRND, Ironwood, Winter, Ozpin, and Qrow. All doing there best to look good for the public in order to give the people "Hope".

Cinder: To not strike Atlas without their General would be such a wasted opportunity.

Dr. Watts: Nothing is simple. Nothing is gained easy. The military is to give constant reports by the hour to Ironwood or Specialist Winter Schnee. Paranoia will cloud their minds if such things are not received on schedule.

Hazel: We also cannot break in to Vale's satellite communications network without triggering some alarm. Stealth is key.

Cinder: And on either side we must hold the line until the virus finishes transferring.

Dr. Watts: given the size of the file I do give my best estimation that it will take somewhat over 12 minutes. That's not including the additional time, whatever that may be, for the virus to actually do its job.

Mercury: And how are we suppose to "hold the line"? Yeah ok we knock out a few guards and workers. Very soon the people inside will know something is up and run away.

Emerald: They can try to run away.

Mercury: Try?

Cinder: And fail. What we do is, we find the person in charge and force that someone to command every guard and worker to be put in a single room where we can keep an eye on them as we lock ourselves inside the building. Of course we will be in our stealth uniform.

Hazel: So who is fit to take what role?

Dr Watts: Eyes on the prize. All those we can afford to lose shall take on Vale.

Emerald: The White Fang.

Cinder: huh. Even the White Fang is in need of strong satellites in order for them to send out their commands and attempt to encourage people to their cause.

Mercury: We throw them under the bus should things go bad and make it a White Fang operation.

Hazel: The authorities will be too focused on Vale.

Dr. Watts: And who do you propose is wise enough to control such savages?

Cinder: Torchwi- ehh... well he had the best control over them. Perhaps his young apprentice Neo could give us a hand.

Mercury: Not alone. Even Neo needs a watchful eye. I suggest that you send both me and Emerald.

Emerald: We will also take care of convincing Adam into accepting this in the first place.

Cinder: The real bloodshed will be spilled in Atlas. Lower defenses or not, it will be a small war. So all the heavy hitters consisting of Hazel, Tyrian, and myself.

Dr. Watts: I will go as well. You do require a tour guide.

Hazel: When do we move?

Dr. Watts: In a few days. For now we must remain under the radar so that I may further improve the virus and work on a containment energy field.

Everyone: For?

Dr. Watts: I have been warned by our master that this dark crystal is highly unstable and if not controlled, it will leave nothing but destruction.

Cinder: Any missed detail and factor that we haven't mentioned or acknowledged to this plan, shall be brought to light in the coming days.

Emerald: meaning that things might change or be reconsidered.

Cinder: So let us take our leave and go our separate ways.

Inside Salem's room

The mother of all Grimm surrounds herself in darkness as she looks to her surroundings in search of any anomalies that may present itself as a setback to her plans.

Ever since Salem's declaration to seek knowledge beyond this world. There has been a dark presence in the air, not unlike her own.

Salem's thoughts: Does my long time worthy Nemesis Sense it too? Bah! It matters not as long as I harness this unknown force. Everyone will bow to Salem. Then I will join the rank of the gods.