I'm gonna openly admit, I have no idea what to do with this chapter. I know where to go now, but we're not there yet. Maybe I'll start small, such as the whole 'experimental shell' thing I referenced last time, then work my way up from there.

Note: this chapter literally skips over the events of Volume 1, Episode 16 in the beginning, meaning the first part of the chapter is after Blake deals with the White Fang and returns to Beacon. If this timeline warning isn't enough to prevent confusion, let me know through a comment and I will fix it if it helps.

To keep up a good habit, I would like to reinforce the fact that I don't own RWBY or RoosterTeeth, and nor am I a part of KRWBY or RoosterTeeth. Besides, I have a Master's of Accounting to obtain within a few years. I only own the ideas of this series which I can safely express through the medium of FanFiction and other similar sites (which I may soon begin utilizing).

Now please enjoy the 'show'.

Arc of All Trades

Twin Cavalry Sabers

Chapter 21

"I'm not quite sure this will work, Nora," Ruby noted as she zipped around the table on which the experimental shell rested. Travis was busy creating a secondary coil/hammer system for the new explosive, unfaithful in the current system in Magnhild.

"Neither am I, Ruby," Nora stated bluntly as she unscrewed the rear of the shell, exposing the impact fuse and explosive components for Ren to pour the sap in between the gaps in the shell. "But this stuff makes everyone hyperactive in a single dose save for Jaune, and he's allergic to it. If it carries that much energy, I'm curious how it'll work in a shell like this."

"Maybe it'll be incendiary," Travis suggested. "Or like a napalm shell. Either way, I don't like experimenting like this. Why not do it safely, like in a laboratory like a sane person?"

"Because I want a field test," Ren answered with a focused gaze unlike any I've ever had the pleasure of recording with my ocular cameras. "If it works against Grimm, perfect. If not, perhaps there's a recipe I can use it in. Or maybe it has some other properties? I'm beyond curious."

The shell filled to the brim, leaving less than an ounce in the quart jar. Nora carefully screwed the cap back on the warhead, allowing no gaps between primer and shell casing. Ever-gently, she and Ren picked up the explosive and slowly transported it to the field test mortar which I had the honor of constructing. The whole of the device weighed roughly 7 kilograms, beyond light enough for Nora to carry herself, but the humans present refused to take a risk and handle it without care. After all, one wrong move could kill every being present, myself included.

A loud, unrecognizably synthetic roar startled us all, unfortunately causing Nora to release her side - the nose of the artillery munition, outfitted with the impact fuse - prematurely. Ren lost his grip as the front end of the shell dropped to the floor. Time seemed to slow down for me as I activated my slow-motion cameras and prepared for the worst to happen (and to record the impending explosion).

One second, 025 milliseconds to predicted impact. Ruby panicked, activating her Semblance and clearly intending to shield Travis if not escort him to the far reaches of the agreed upon safe-zone. Travis's eyes began to glow with a light not unlike Jaune's when his primary Semblance takes over. Ren's eyes widened with fear of Nora as he fumbled for control as his girlfriend did the same.

Zero seconds, 650 milliseconds. Ruby was halfway to Travis in her Petal Form, as I have dubbed it. Travis himself was beginning to glow with a defensive light as a glowing shield began to take shape before him, another following Ruby and still two more burning lights taking shape around Lie and his Valkyrie. Speaking of whom, Nora came close to the nose of the warhead, almost close enough for her fingers to touch it. The impact ignition point was mere centimeters from the calculated point of impact.

Zero seconds, 001 milliseconds. Ruby reached Travis, whose Semblance had finally taken shape around himself and Ruby, still forming into cover-all shields around Ren and Nora. Only one frame registered with a burning blue shield in front of me, transparent enough to see the coming explosion but opaque enough to be seen as a solid shape. Nora recognized her failure to catch the device, fear evident in her eyes. Ren himself was desperately trying to stop the explosive from touching its point of impact. Oh boy, this is gonna be tough, as Alfred might say. And we just found Blake as well.

Impact. The explosion was magnificent, a pink inferno with a blue interior and a purple cloud racing outwards. The blue shields of energy caught most of the blast's power, even at the epicenter with the Kuroyuri duo. If anything got through, it would be the sheer force of the shockwave. It appears that the fluid form of this sap acts as the solid form of my former body's fluid. I wonder if the crystallized sap acts the same.

With almost 1500 newtons in the force of the shockwave, Ren and Nora were flung in opposite directions for several meters. Behind the shield, however, I registered only 150 newtons of force, hardly any strength in the shockwave. Then again, Nora only weighed about 75 kilograms, Ren being 88 himself, making the little force more than enough to be sent a few meters away. I myself had little weight to me, but that was in comparison to the Atlesian Knight series. They clocked in at over 200 kilos, whereas I weighed just 180. On top of that, I had reinforced stabilizers built into my feet, making me practically unmoved by even the full force of the explosion.

"Ren," I heard Travis call for our friends. "Nora! Are you guys okay?!"

No answer at first, but their vitals weren't critical. In other words, they were alright but weren't saying it.

"I'm fine," Ren responded.

Nora cried out in pain. Her vitals read that her ankle muscles were cramped somewhat, otherwise fine. However, her pain reception was clearly through the roof. She must've landed on something sharp. Ren wouldn't trust this theory, rushing to the aid of his girlfriend as soon as he could.

And speaking of their relationship, I can't help but wonder why Ren asked of me the shiniest metals to my knowledge, the prettiest gems in my nearly-nonexistent opinion.

When the cloud of soot cleared, I assessed the damage dealt by the would-be shell. Travis had caught Ruby mid-air, who was flying like the wind to reach and protect him. Tears were in her eyes, collecting pink-stained soot as they rolled down her cheeks. She was clearly shaken by this chain of events. Ren was helping Nora to flex out her ankle after moving her off of the boulder she had landed on, massaging gently so as to not cause any further pain. Looking down, I saw that I was covered in pink ash. My ocular lenses were also burned a shade of violet due to the intensity of the explosion. Ren and Nora were the worst off, being nearly covered in pink or violet. Ruby and Travis were the best off, being almost completely clear of soot.

The terrain was definitely damaged. Nora's average shells would normally, at this size, create a 22-centimeter crater with a depth of only 2 centimeters at best. This one blew those out of the water, blasting a hole 30 centimeters deep by 167 centimeters radius and completely stained pink and violet, with some indigo at the very center. The blast radius itself, marked by the light soot, was well over 10 meters, reaching as far as 18 meters. That sort of force is unsurvivable by normal humans, but Aura helps to soften direct damage. On the other hand, there is Travis's Semblance to consider.

Not now. What could have possibly startled the stoic Ren, the unwavering Nora, thereby prompting this whole situation to occur? Analyzing normal sounds… removing normal sounds, analyzing unknown roar… comparing roar to known sounds. Current comparison rate: 180 sounds/second. Completion time estimate: 2 hours, 15 minutes, 24 seconds, 11.1 milliseconds.

(A/N: This was a really fun part to write, going into the details of how I see sufficiently advanced robots analyzing the world like organic things might do subconsciously).

Yesterday night…

"Here's the plan, Blake," I said through the Scroll call. Technically it was a group chat, but that really doesn't matter right now. "Royce is two blocks away from your current location. He's got his Ichor on standby, and if the White Fang actually do come to this location he will arrive within the minute to aid you in preventing the robbery."

"Why only Royce," the recently-revealed Cat Faunus demanded.

"Yeah, why the former Crimson Angels guy," the blond Monkey Faunus to her right chimed in. Blake shot him a death glare, ears flat along her head included. "Just saying."

"He's just like Blake in regards to former cooperation, stressing the former part," I explained. "And in regards to why him, for one he has Ichor, something which requires no Aura and gives us a serious advantage. Secondly, any more people present will give away our plans, which will most certainly ward off any potential attacks on our part. Thirdly, Jaune still hasn't mastered the ArcLight, meaning that Royce is the strongest in our group thus far unless we go off of the power of legends which we are not. Lastly, he's not the only one on standby, just the only one there on standby. Remember, Data's Semblance, artificial or otherwise, is Teleportation, and can be used to transport us there quickly en masse, which is something that Jaune, as of yet, cannot do. On top of that, Data needs to be with the group he teleports when he does his metaphorical magic, and therefore cannot be there currently. Therefore, you have your issue of why Royce."

"Then why these particular docks, and not the ones with all the Dust?" Sun Wukong asked. "Still not convinced about Royce, by the way."

"Because these docks are made for special transit and therefore more valuable. More volatile, if that's what they're after. Unless it's money, thieves never go after quantity before quality, and terror organizations are no different. Thus far, they have not been stealing money, only the higher-quality Dust varieties. If an experimental breed surfaces, they will likely try to obtain that as quickly as possible and sidestep whatever things they can get away with. As far as I've heard, this is the most valuable shipment ever received in this particular set of docks, making it the most likely target for a robbery. Any further questions?"

"You mean aside from how you know so much, Mr…. what's his name again?"

"Blanche, Travis Blanche. Dad worked for the police, and I'm no different. Any further questions?"

"Why are we - ."

"Except for those out of his mouth, please and thank you."

"How certain are you that this'll work out," Royce asked.

"We have Panzer and I checking every known database in the world, Data running calculations, and Ruby darting through the crime scene photos with her little friend, who quite frankly knows how to be efficient with her time and effort. Between all of that, the only problem might be the time, especially if they know someone's looking."

"How did you learn to bake cookies like this," Ruby asked coherently on her impressive caffeine boost, especially thanks to the sap baked in. Most of her previous ones were completely unintelligible. "I mean, I'm already halfway through this whole folder and it's only been an hour."

"Impressive, it should've taken you three. And I didn't bake them, Ren did. Skipped the sap on a few for Jaune, given his allergies."

"Well, I'm about 100 percent sure you could do them better because you're you."

I turned red from that comment, not bothering to hide it as I continued searching through the confessions of captured White Fang members. I was writing down a list of their current plans and activities as far as we knew. Thus far, it was a very short list, but I had only gone through about ten or so interrogations. They were as follows: operations south of Vale; contact Vacuo mercenaries; gather Dust for Operation: Cinder, an as-of-yet unidentified plan, and; enter the Vault, whatever that means. Their activities were related to these current plans, including searching for compatible Humans for their ultimate goal, probably a zoo or preserve knowing those nutjobs.

My only question is: they are so intelligent, but they aren't very social to begin with because of their endgame; so how the Hell do they know where to hit and when?

The answer to that question came rapidly, faster than I'd like to have known.

"Eliza just messaged me. They're thirty seconds to arrival, and she knows who let them on."

"Who," I demanded, prepping my typing hands. My fists slammed into the desk when I heard the name: Roman Torchwick. What the Hell was he doing with the White Fang? Why did those genocidal terrorists join up with him? And how in T'ondor's kingdom did he dare come back into my life after what he did. With a furious speed rivaling Ruby after a plate of strawberry cookies, I searched all records on Roman, classified and open records.

"Well, guess what I just found, by golly," Victor stated excitedly. I continued typing. Blake sounded the alarm, and chaos immediately erupted over the group chat. "The final orders to Roman before he killed your Pap."

"I know all about that crime scene," I stated, ignoring the red in my vision.

"Just after those orders," Dark corrected me just as quickly as things went downhill at the docks.

"This is new. Better not be a lie."

"Straight from dispatch, audio file. So classified it's not even on this branch's SWAT computer."

"What are you, a hacker?"

"Close. I'm a breacher, someone who enters classified pockets of files to see what he can find all under the guise of a paid hacker. They're too lazy to write a non-disclosure agreement, and I take full advantage of that in some cases like this one. Now, you ready for my find?"

"Sure, why not? Make it snappy."

I heard a minor crackle as audio played from his computer.

Dispatch, Vale PD High Command: Dispatch High Command to Torchwick, 1-9-1-Adam-3-9, please respond.

Roman, Vale PD Deputy Investigator: Ten-Four, Dispatch.

D: We have a job for you, Torchwick.

I began to recognize the voice of Dispatch much more clearly as the conversation went on.

R: Go ahead, Dispatch.

D: We hear you're into mercenary work on the side, right?

I now have two distinct options as for who could've been Dispatch: General James Ironwood, then a Commander; or Romulus III Jackson, leader of the Crimson Angels.

R: The legal part, yes. Why? All due respect, Dispatch.

D: We have a target for you to take.

R: That's not exactly comforting, Dispatch. Normally, it's not even Vale PD that gives me that kind of work, just SWAT - .

D: Special circumstances, don't question it.

That commanding tone. This was leaning more towards Romulus.

R: … Okay, Dispatch. Go ahead.

D: That's more like it. This target is named Richard Blanche, your partner. He has… a bit of a record, let us say.

R: Okay, this is getting out of hand really fast. I can't do that. I'm off - .

D: Do it or the whole damn city gets it.

R: …

D: Now you get the picture, kiddo. Do it, and I promise you'll keep out of trouble with VPD. Ten-Four?

D: Roman? Do you copy, or do we do it ourselves and blame it on you, then the government, then every damn citizen, then to VPD, and so on. Ten-Four?

R: … Ten-Four. Just… let me get a few things settled first.

(Dispatch out)

R: … You got all that, right Blanche?

Richard Blanche, Lead Crime Investigator: Yup. Recording, too. That wasn't Dispatch, for the record.

R: Oh, really? Sold it pretty well, don't ya think, Dickey?

B: Dispatch doesn't do that. Remember, we were both on it for at least a year. You were there just last year, if you'll recall.

R: Then what do I do?

B: I'll tell a few other officers, ones I know, then we'll set you up as a sniper. Your job is to miss. Graze me if you can, just sell the whole 'sights broke' idea.

R: That old trick?

B: Yup. That old trick. And try to not kill me unless you've got paintballs. Then you can peg me with a red one, dish out a good fakeroonie.

R: They'll never buy it.

B: This is Romulus III we're talking about here. We've tricked him a handful of times before, we'll do it again this time fair and square. He gets it after a good trick, we survive, Vale survives, CA falls. We got this in the bag.

R: What if we don't have those options?

B: Jam the magazine, use a spent shell, trick the rifle, something. Just don't kill me if you can help it.

R: I think that goes without saying, Richard.

(laughter)

R: Seriously, I say we send a team to the source, 'Dispatch', bag him before I can pull out the gun, then if they're late I'll just delay the shot until they do and we can pack up.

B: Tried that before, if you recall.

R: Well, we'd better turn in for the night. Been an exciting evening, chasing that serial everything guy.

B: Yup.

(Audio end)

Everyone around me was silent. I was no longer fuming at Roman's presence. Friends to the end, by the sound of his voice. I clicked a particular list I keep specifically for those I want to shoot the brains out of. I removed Roman's name, adding Romulus III Jackson in its place at number one. Saving that file and closing it, I went to the hunt list and moved some names around. Romulus was now at the top, followed by Roman and the guy I was assigned to now. There were only two names on the list, and my assignment was Roman. Catching him could wait until I had some answers of my own.

"Royce, got an eye on Roman Torchwick?" I called.

"Negative. Jaune, how about you?"

"Dragons, dragons, dragons, dragONS THAT'S HOT!" was the response from Jaune. I could only smile at the stupid antics of my fellow students.

"Blake and Sun are fighting him. At least, I think that's them. Can't tell, too much white. These guys need to get their hands more dirty, I think."

"No one asked for your puns, Yang," Ruby groaned.

"No puns in these 'pun' bags," was the response.

"You had to say it, didn't you," I rolled my eyes at my not-girlfriend-yet.

"I guess I did," the girl in question sighed.

"I have my sights locked. Lethal rounds specifically made by you." Robin is so freaking eager to use those.

"Don't kill him, dumbass. VPD wants him, and he's got some words to say to me. So does your dad, Royce."

"GET IN LINE! And get off of me, you overgrown sausage, or I'll grill you with lightning." Weirdest one-liner ever.

"Stupid dragons," Jaune wheezed. "Roman just took off. Don't know how, what with all this chaos. What's with you and Roman anyways, Travis?"

"Roman killed his father, but I just found a soundbyte that may just solve who really pulled the trigger. We just want him for questioning. Gotta figure out what happened and why." Thanks, Panzer.

"Well gods, I can help you with that," Yang shot off.

"I gotcha, bro," Typhoon called, somehow quieter as if he'd left his Scroll behind. Or like he hit it a little too hard.

"As do I," Royce added.

"This will take me no time at all," Data stated.

"You're more likely to either delete it all or 'fix it' to say something else," I answered Data.

"I do not know what you speak of," the android-man said in that monotonous voice of his.

"You changed the lock on my Scroll to something even Panzer couldn't hack," Typhoon inserted.

"You deleted all of my personal recordings, claiming they were pirated," Robin cried from the rooftops.

"You made Crescent Rose fire confetti rounds only," Ruby fumed. That's the thing Ruby and I were fixing earlier.

"And to top it all off, you put me on the biggest watchlist in the history of watchlists, right at the top no less, and hired an assassin to take me out for a nonexistent reward," I complained. "All of which was within the last week."

"Well, the password was weak," Data defended, "those recordings were not native to your computer, your weapon was far too dangerous as it was, and that was a prank."

"IT WAS FINE AS IT WAS," "I DOWNLOADED THEM FROM MY CAMERA," "IT WAS MADE TO BE DANGEROUS," and "A PRANK THAT COULD'VE KILLED ME," were all shouted through the group chat at the moronic machine.

"Points taken and analyzed. I will improve on such information in the future."

"MAKE IT NOW," we the victims screamed.

End.

A/N: That's as far as I can get myself today. By today, of course I mean the weeks I managed to take. I do have a small excuse though: we (my family and I) went on a vacation/family reunion under the guise of a memorial service for my great grandmother. The closure was sweet, the insanity spicy, the family crazy as usual. After essentially six days of straight driving, I was not in the mood to do anything other than be lazy on my phone and enjoy the internet I so desperately desired. Needless to say, I am glad to be back on my own computer, in my own house, in my home state, and sleeping on my own bed. But alas, now I need to get back to reality and start college stuff, write again, and so on.

By the way, I've had on my mind something interesting for a very long time now, and I want you guys to think on it as well: what if the gods of pantheons worldwide, mostly ancient but modern as well, lived in the world of RWBY? I don't mean just Zeus dealing with Nora, oh no. I mean Zeus dealing with Amun-Ra, shinigami, Thor, Odin, Nora, and every other deity you could possibly imagine save for the truly omnipotent entities (i.e. God/Allah/Jehova/Yahweh, etc.). What in the world (or Midgard, since we're going with that) do you think will happen between the pantheons? Tell me in the comments, and I'm certain you all know how to behave.

Feeling much better now, I must sign out of this chapter and work on other things such as the next chapter, my actual novel, college stuff, and so on. This is General S. Texas, signing out.