Xal loved making weapons, what was once forbidden in the time of the Covenant was now a favorable profession. He was currently disassembling an energy lance, he would begin with Ruby's weapon, his idea for Crescent Rose would be the easiest to put together.
Xal had a concept for everyone's weapons, all he planned to do for most of the bladed weapons was to replace blade with something better than steel, in all those cases plasma would be used. He already had the necessary pieces available.
The real challenges would be Yang's Ember Cecilia and Nora's Magnhildt, both required parts he did not have. He would "convince" the scientists he was supposed to meet in Atlas in a few days to "give" him some of the parts he needed.
But right now his attention was on the modification for Crescent Rose. It would be simple, he would replace the steel scythe blade with plasma. He only needed to take the components from one of the energy lances and change the shape of the containment field, he would then fix it to the appropriate mounting and that would be it. The same went for Myrtenaster and to a lesser extent, Crocea Mors.
He had no idea what to with Blake's grappling hook however, though a plasma blade could get caught in something, don't ask him how they just do, the blade wouldn't be able to change shape like the hinge on her sword does. So there was that issue.
He also had no ideas for Phyrra's load out, her shield worked just fine and he only had the parts to make so many blades, he was drawing a blank, it was the same with Ren, he couldn't step up his weapons power without compromising the small size, or could he? Remnant's strange technology was adept at shoving a lot of matter into illogically sized spaces, he was sure he could try to pack full powered plasma rifles into the space of Ren's machine pistols. It could work.
He would brainstorm on weapons for the other teams in his class, but they were unlikely to qualify. Only three teams from each school would be able to participate in the tournament and he didn't feel like they would make the cut.
(Line break)
By the next week, Xal had completed the modifications for Ruby's, Weiss's, and Jaune's weapons. After having Floats Aimlessly make some fine adjustments he stored them under his bed, he would gift them to his students when all was complete.
Right now he and the huragok were preparing for the trip to Atlas, mostly packing snacks. For this trip Xal would be wearing his combat harness, he wasn't expecting much, but he heard that nevermores didn't like sharing the skies.
The trip itself would only take a few hours at top speed, but he didn't know how long he would be needed there, not too long he hoped. Ideally, he would be finished with his business before the day's end, but ideals are rarely a reality, complications were possible.
"Hey Xal!" Ruby was waving him down, jogging towards him, Yang was following close behind.
"Ruby. Yang." He nodded to each of them. "Anything I can do for you?" He removed his helmet to show them that he was paying attention.
"No way! Dude, you have a spaceship." Yang was excited by the phantom, compared to all other flying machines on this planet the dropship was quite alien.
"Not what I would call it, but I suppose it is capable of space flight, though I wouldn't be getting anywhere in any reasonable amount of time." Xal explained.
"Oh, that's so cool!" Ruby was excited too. She then suddenly gasped. "Do you think you could take us up there sometime! We could be the first humans to ever go to space!"
"I suppose you could, maybe one day we'll all go explore the space outside your planet." Floats Aimlessly chose that moment to descend from the gravlift.
Ruby immediately darted over to him. "I didn't know there were two aliens here!"
Yang just smiled and walked up to Xal's side while Ruby was busy accosting the poor huragok. "Where does this one find all her energy, she could power a starship." Xal stated, he wasn't surprised, he had been getting to know everyone for over a month now, but they never ceased to amaze him.
"That's my sister." Yang said pridefully. "But before we got distracted by your flying saucer, we were going to ask if you wanted to join us in Patch for spring break."
Now that was surprising, one of his hearts skipped a beat, it was strange that such a small gesture would make him feel so... loved.
Yang elbowed him in the side. "You okay dude? You spaced out there."
Xal chuckled at the pun. "Yes, I am fine." He calmed himself down, being around humans for so long was beginning to make him soft. "And I would love to accompany you. Who knows, some vacation time might do me some good."
"Awesome, so where are you goin?" She asked, crossing her arms, watching as her sister continued to bother the other alien nearby.
"Atlas." Xal stated simply. "For top secret reasons."
"What, are you going to go into invisible alien assassin mode, taking skulls as trophies and all that?"
"Haha, I am going for completely non violent reasons, I assure you. But it's still a secret." Yang just smiled and nodded in response.
"No!" Both turned their heads to see Ruby looking upwards. "You get back here with Crescent Rose right now!"
"Xaaall!" She turned to him. "Your dog just floated of with my scythe!" She was pointing to sky, stomping her feet.
Xal chuckled a bit at the huragok being called a dog. "Worry not, he will return shortly. And he will return your weapon better than he found it."
And speak of the devil, there he is, with the weapon wrapped safely in his tentacles. He handed it back and went over to the phantom's gravlift. He then beckoned Xal over, signaling that they were ready to go.
"Well younglings," Xal put his helmet back on. "I will be going now, see you sometime tomorrow." He then zipped up the gravlift and walked to the pilot's seat.
(Line break)
The phantom arrived without incident. When Xal and Floats exited the vehicle they were met by none other than Winter Schnee. "Specialist Schnee! What a surprise, it's good to see you." And he meant it. The feeling was unlikely to be mutual but he considered them to be friends.
"Professor Kalek." She said in her typical cold tone. "I am here to escort you to the labs. Come with me."
After walking in silence for some time, Xal, the huragok, and Winter arrived at large, secure looking building. Winter gestured to the guards, who were staring up in awe at the two extraterrestrials before them. They opened the thick steel doors and stood to the side.
"What is it that you brought me here to see?" Xal asked as the doors closed behind him.
"We found a few items on that ship that we would rather not take any risks with, so you were called in to ascertain the purpose of those items." Winter answered promptly.
"Is that all?" He didn't know what he expected, but he was somewhat disappointed by the simplicity of the task.
"Yes, all you need to do is consult the scientists, explain a few things, and then you can go." He would have been offended by her bluntness if he didn't already know of her aversion to sugar coating.
They were approaching another set of blast doors, two more guards opened them and allowed the trio through.
In an effort to create unwanted small talk; "I would think a warrior of your distinction would be above such matters as escorting me short distances."
The woman showed no outward emotion. "You were seen as a potential risk, regular soldiers wouldn't be enough to stop someone good enough to be a combat instructor for huntsmen. I was chosen for this task because I already have experience working with you."
"Next time you see your superiors, tell them I said thanks for the compliment."
Everyone capable of verbal speech remained silent through the last door. Upon entering they were approached by a balding man with glasses and a long, white beard.
"Hello, I am Dr. Polendina, and I welcome you to my laboratory." The man gestured to the cavernous white room. The rooms normal color scheme was dotted with numerous purple crates and vehicles of similar colors.
"What is it that you require of me doctor?" Xal inquired, one hand behind his back and the other was keeping Floats Aimlessly in place.
The old human was appropriately intimidated by the sanghelli's considerable size, which was further exaggerated by his armor. "Oh, o-of course." Dr. Polendina stuttered out. "We just need you to identify a few of the objects brought in from that ship."
"Very well, lead the way." The bearded man led him and the huragok over to a big, spikey, oval shaped object. Xal knew exactly what it was. "That is a bomb, I suggest you avoid working with it."
"Yes I see." The Doctor jotted it down in his notes. Xal had to pull Floats Aimlessly back towards him. "Ok, we only have one more item we need you to look at." Xal and his huragok were then led over to a medium sized, gray, angular object.
The elite's eyes widened. "This was on the ship?" Xal asked, totally awed.
"Yes, it was found in a compartment near the prow."
Xal slowly approached it, he ran his hand over the surface, the metal was warm and smooth. "There is a seem here." Xal turned his head to Floats Aimlessly. "Open it."
Xal didn't care what could have been inside, he just wanted the relic opened. Dr. Polendina opened his mouth to say something, but was interrupted by a decidedly feminine voice.
"Salutations father, I am here for my tune up." Everyone with the exception of the huragok turned their attention to the new arrival.
It was a girl with orange hair, no older than any of Xal's students. "And salutations to you too Mr. alien man." What was the point of a cover up if everyone just naturally guessed the truth?
"Greetings youngling, what is your name?" Before the girl could answer, a tentacle wrapped around his arm and turned his attention elsewhere.
The forerunner pod was opened, and there was a new life form present. It was a huragok, except it was small and green. This was a lifeworker engineer.
The other huragok tugged on Xal's arm once more. "We need to go, someone needs to be fixed."
That only barely made sense. "Who? Where?"
"Back at Beacon." Aimless gestured to the lifeworker. "Rises Slowly can fix her."
Dr. Polendina asked what was going on but he was promptly ignored. "Fix who?!" Xal was getting tired of all the crypticness, all the vague instructions.
"The woman in Ozpin's basement."
What?!
(Line break)
Another chapter, horray! That's all I have for this note. Don't forget to review.