Winter walked through the streets of Vale with her hand holding onto the hilt of her saber. This Durante was a suspicious person and whatever he was involved in she had to know. General Ironwood had sent her here to learn about what goes on in this kingdom. Should he be involved with the White Fang, she would have to take him down immediately. Perhaps Jackson would do the talking for her when it came to extracting information from him. The streets were not as active as they once were when she arrived. Good, easy to identify who was following her.

When she turned around the corner, the specialist saw the main gate to the dockyard closed with a lock keeping the gate shut. It appeared to be closed, but there was a slight detail that concerned her. Looking past the gates, her eyes noticed one of the warehouses had lights on with shadows of men walking on the catwalks. Why would a dockyard need sentries when the Vale police would suffice?

She looked around and notice nobody and no car in the way. Perfect, she had the opportunity to get past the gates. Activating her semblance, Specialist Schnee used a glyph that acted as her stairs over the fence without making any noise aside from summoning her glyphs. Once she landed on the other side, Winter was quick to deactivate her semblance for an opportunity to know about this situation.

The specialist walked towards the front of one of the warehouses, but she heard a pair of footsteps around the corner. Voices erupted as it seemed to be more than two people were involved with this patrol. Thankfully, a stack of crates acted as her cover while she watched the patrol walk past her.

When they spoke to one-another, it was nothing she had ever heard of. In fact, she couldn't understand a single word they said. Then she noticed a bulkhead landing beside them with its doors opening up. Contrast to the men in their uniforms, she saw three faunus step out in white masks, but with red claw marks. The White Fang were here.

One of the faunus personnel spoke. "Hey, what are you guys doing out here? Don't you know you should be hiding?" She asked.

However, one of the armed humans shrugged his shoulder. "Ja, but we needed a quick smoke." The man with the strange accent replied. "It usually helps with our nerves."

"Well, make it quick. Don't want you all to be caught in the open."

Curious, Winter leaned forward in order to get a closer look. However, the crate she leaned on was not as heavy as she thought. It's light weight began to tip over as she attempted to grab ahold of the crate from falling, but it didn't help her situation when she saw the strange men turn around. When the personnel of the White Fang saw her, they immediately pointed her out. "Shit! We need to stop her."

So much for stealth. The specialist drew her sword and leapt forth as the strangers trained their guns on her. Gunfire erupted as bullets flew past her. Winter shifted to the right as their trail of gunfire began to chase after her. Some men carried automatic weapons while others carried something else, but that didn't matter at the moment. Right now, she needed to know who these people were and why the White Fang were working with them.

Like a hunter looking at its prey, she lunged forth and knocked one of the men onto the ground. Their reaction to her speed seemed to shock them, maybe she needed something else to distract them as well. Using her semblance, a glyph appeared before her as a creature moved out of the semblance and made itself apparent with it's icy form. A frozen beowolf? Surely that would get their attention… and it did.

The men in the strange uniforms shouted as they shot at the summoned Grimm without hesitation, but with fear in their minds. Yet, the three people of the White Fang were unfazed as they drew their guns on her. Winter knew how to handle these three. She lunged forth with her sword slashing at their guns and breaking them into pieces, but when disarmed they drew their swords. For a terrorist organization, they seemed trained in such situations.

A female faunus tried to confront her, but Winter parried her attack and kicked her away before another faunus tried to repeat her attempt. This time, the specialist drew her dagger from her weapon and began to jab at the second attacker without warning. The faunus attempted to parry each of her dagger's attacks, but an opening occurred for her hand. A fist came down and knocked the faunus out of combat.

All that mattered was the third faunus, but where was he? Glancing to her left, she watched the beowolf cause havoc amongst the armed personnel. Yet, one of them was close enough that the ice monster snatched one of the terrified soldiers and tossed him in her direction. Watching the man fly towards him, she didn't expect her summon to do that. The closer the man flew she noticed it's trajectory was not at her, but close to the specialist. Around the corner of her eye, an antler faunus man attempted to strike at her back, but was interrupted by the flying body slamming him into the ground. Winter flinched at his predicament. "That has to hurt." She commented.

She focused her attention on the strange men who backed away from her beowolf summon while their weapons fired. Perhaps she needed to convince them? The specialist lunged towards one of them and knocked one of the men into a warehouse with his weapon flying. "All of you, lay down your arms unless you want to end up like the others." Winter ordered.

A weapon was fired from the distance as the specialist heard something scream past her and explode into her beowolf summon. When it's shattered body flew into the concrete, she looked around to see dozens of armed men encircle her from all around. White Fang, the strange men, it did not matter. They surrounded her with her numbers. Scanning her surroundings, she could potentially take them all on and they could all fire upon her. However, something was holding them back.

Then a slow clap was heard behind her back as she turned around to recognize someone so infamous on Remnant. Roman Torchwick was clapping with a cigar between his lips. "Well, well, well, that was quite the performance you got there." He began before removing his cigar. "Never thought I would encounter a Schnee for a very long time." Beside him was a group of faunus and more armed humans. It looked weird for her, they almost resembled soldiers for a moment with their helmets and uniforms. "While this fiasco could go on any further, I have a schedule to look forward to and you're ruining my plans." Roman leaned on his cane with his cigar still on. "Say, how about you lay down your weapons and I might not give a damn about you for awhile."

No, she was not going to give in. "Absolutely not. Roman Torchwick, you think it will be so easy?"

The criminal rolled his eyes. "Is that how you want, Ice Queen? Prolong everything and make a mess?" He wondered. "As much as I would like to have a long nice chat about how I don't want to do this, you have forced my hands. Captain Berger, bring her out."

From behind Roman and his aides, a girl a few years younger than him was brought forward by the strange soldiers as one of them brought out a pistol from his holster.

"See the human soldiers I got? Apparently they're used to this sort of thing." A click was brought out as one of the soldiers drew his sidearm behind the girl's head. "I'm not going to say again, surrender or this girl won't be among us very soon."

"You're a monster." Winter commented.

"No." He said, denying his response. "I'm merely looking out for myself. There is a difference."

She could allow them to kill the girl, but it didn't seem right. No, someone that young didn't have to die for her if she could avert her death. It would be a shame for a Schnee to be captured by one of the most notorious criminals, but that girl reminded Winter too much of Weiss. She couldn't take that chance. "Very well, will you release her if I lose my weapons?" She asked.

Roman nodded his head. "I may be a criminal, but you can have my word on this matter."

The specialist reluctantly knelt to one knee as she placed her sword and dagger onto the ground. As the soldiers walked closer for capture, she noticed that the men holding the innocent girl had released her while the executioner holstered his service pistol. When she released her hold on her weapons, the hostage changed.

The girl's hair was changed into a mix of pink, brown, and white while her clothes changed as well. Then she expressed a grin and winked at Winter as she walked up to Roman.

Whoever she was, she deceived her. Then she immediately rushed for her weapons, but one of the men kicked it out of her reach with his machine gun drawn upon her. Yet, she wasn't going to give into these people. Winter grabbed his weapon's barrel and lunged him forward towards him. Another man ran up to her with the buttock of his rifle, but she tossed his body towards her second attacker.

Then she sprinted for her dagger; however, she heard a beeping from her pocket. It was her scroll… and it told her that her aura was dangerously low. As soon as she got ahold of her weapon, a shot cracked in the distance as she felt her aura break. Soon a sharp pain was felt in her shoulder. Winter screamed as she fell onto the ground with her dagger in hand. She looked to her left shoulder and saw her uniform ruined by the crimson. Then one of the men came forth and stepped on her hand. She resisted until the boot began grinding against her palm. "She won't let go." One of the men commented.

Soon another spoke up. "Knock her out for fucks sake." The last thing she saw was a boot flying towards her.

Finding the Cauldron was one thing, but getting inside the bar was another. It was packed and more than what Captain Durante could tolerate. As he followed Professor Port through the crowds of people drinking and watching the sports, the undercover officer saw the large man stop him with his hand. "Monte, I'm going to use the restroom for quick. Go get a drink and wait for me. Our friend will find us." He said before leaving him to his own devices.

Captain Durante shrugged his shoulders. "Get a drink. That should be easy." When he stepped towards the bar he saw a man get off his stool while his friend helped him outside. "Looks like he couldn't hold his drink." He commented as he took his seat without care.

When the bartender was finished handing out a beer bottle to a customer, he came over to Monte's side of the bar as he was wiping his glasses clean. "Hello sir, what may I do for you?"

"What kind of drinks do you have?" The officer questioned.

"Have you not had a drink before?" The bartender wondered.

"No, I'm just looking for some variety." He answered.

"Very well. We got the Mistralian special, the Vacuo burn, the Valean leaf, and the Mantlean ice."

Monte smiled at his choices. "Since I'm not in the mood of burning my throat, I'll have the last one."

"Okay, one Mantlean ice coming right up." The very glass he wiped clean was immediately used as he began to dump ice and fill it up with its alcoholic content. Hopefully, it wouldn't dull his senses so much. "Here you go sir." The bartender reported as he reached his hand out. "Paying now or put it on the tab?"

"I'll pay." Once Monte drew out his Lien Card the bartender departed towards the cash register as he began to take a sip of his drink. Whatever it was, it was cold and chilling, but the taste almost reminded him of ice cream. "Strange thing to taste." He commented.

The empty seat beside the undercover officer was immediately occupied by another as he grabbed the bartender's attention. "Hey, I'd want the Vacuo burn." The scruffy-looking man ordered. Once the bartender heard of his order, he immediately slid a glass towards him. "So, what are you here for?"

The question surprised Monte. Why was he asking him? Whoever he was, it better be simple. "Birthday." He replied. It was a lie, a small lie at the very least. It was preferable than saying he was someone from Beacon looking for someone. No one needed to know about his business.

"I saw you walk in with Professor Port." The stranger commented. "It's been awhile since I've talked to the guy, but I wonder who you are?"

"Want to get to know about me? I'm flattered."

The unshaven man gave out his hand. "Qrow Branwen, I'm a good friend with Professor Port. You must be the guy who noticed those weirdos at the docks."

Captain Durante was uneasy as he shook his hand. "Monte Durante."

"Strange name, friend."

"How so?"

"It isn't a color." Qrow replied. "Trust me, if you were in my line of work I suggest you get a name of color."

"Thanks for the tip."

Professor Port returned to accompany the young man as Monte turned around to see the large old man. "Qrow Branwen, it has been a long time since we last met." He began. "I see you are drinking as always."

Qrow raised his glass to the professor. "Do you still tell your stories at the academy?"

"Of course, the huntsmen and huntresses-to-be must obtain inspiration from me." He replied.

"Did you tell them about me in a girl's dress?"

Port laughed. "Sadly, I forgot. Too busy with my own stories."

Captain Durante glanced over to Qrow. "You were a cross-dresser? What the fuck…"

"Don't judge me." The huntsman began. "Besides, enough girls found me more attractive in their own outfit. Don't know why, but I didn't mind."

"I don't know what to say. Normally I would call you out for that shit, but as a way to get girls? I'm surprised."

"What? People in your home don't normally do that from time to time?"

"Definitely." Monte answered. "Hell, it's a one-way ticket to getting disowned."

"I don't know which village you came from, but it's one place I would hate." Qrow commented.

Then the professor changed the subject. "Qrow, I see that you have arrived ahead of schedule. Perhaps we could head out into the night and take a look at the docks?"

"Yeah, but let me finish my glass. Don't want it to go to waste."

"I'll drink to that."

Winter woke from her coma as she heard a person speaking. "Oh look, you're awake." The stranger commented. She found herself in a room with only a lamp shining above her body. However, she learned that she wasn't simply alone in this room. A man was taking care of her wounds, but his uniform reminded her too much of the men who had taken her.

Angered by her imprisonment, she tried to get up only to feel straps on her body. Then she looked down and saw herself strapped into a chair. "What happened?" She asked. "Where am I?"

"Still at the dockyard." The man with the strange accent answered. Then she noticed his hands reaching into her left shoulder. Of course she couldn't forget that, she was wounded by a gunshot. "You are very lucky, fräulein. The person who shot you used a B. Pat round, so to find someone survive that kind of bullet from a scharfschütze is very rare." Soon he brought a roll of bandages from his kit placed on a table beside her.

"Who are you?" Winter asked, curious about the person taking care of him.

"If you want introductions, my name is Gunther Burgstaller. I'm a medic for the men around here." Soon the medic rolled the bandages around her shoulder. "Now, who am I addressing?"

"Winter." She answered. "My name is Winter Schnee. Now let me out of this chair."

The medic paused in his treatment. "Sorry, I can't do that. I was given orders by Major General Voss to treat you as soon as possible." He answered. "But I can't let you out of the chair."

Frustrated, the specialist leaned back into her chair while the man brought a roll of bandages. "Then I would like to know who you and your compatriots are."

"That I can answer." Gunther stated. "However, it depends on the question. So, be sure it's a sensible question."

"I would like to know who your work for and what is with the uniforms?" Winter asked the medic.

"Me? I'm a medic of the Oberkommando Wehrmacht and loyal citizen of the Third Empire." He explained. Soon he began to roll the bandages over her wound while going through the straps. "Well, I used to be a patriotic soldier, but now all I just care about is getting home before the war ends… if my men and I can return."

She quietly took in the details, but noted the few words he mentioned. This man spoke of a war and stating his allegiance to a foreign power called the Third Empire. "What is this war you are talking about?" The specialist wondered. "Remnant has never had any major conflict since the Great War and I haven't heard of this so-called Third Empire."

The medic paused in his treatment and glanced over to the specialist. "Because we're not from Remnant." He replied before he continued to finish the bandaging.

"I highly doubt that."

"Figured that you would say that. I am not stating that your skepticism isn't welcomed, because I would do the same if you showed up in my world and said the same thing." Said Gunther.

"Why are you with the White Fang? They don't normally align themselves with humans."

Once finished, the medic began to cut the extra bandage off before he put his roll away. "When we arrived in one of the warehouses, the faunus found us in their smuggling den and confronted my hauptman. Thankfully, reason came into mind that we would help the White Fang with their little tasks as long as they kept us hidden and gave us supplies as we hide." Gunther answered. "However, I would like for you to do something for me."

Winter raised an eyebrow. "What would that be?"

"Don't tell my superiors that we talked. They are very finicky when it comes to releasing military-relevant information or supposed military-information." Soon he began to leave her side as he gathered up his medical supplies. "You should get some rest and your wounds will be fine, but I do have one last question for you. Something stopped the B. Pat before the bullet entered your body, do you have any explanation for that?"

She shook her head. He didn't seem to know what aura was. Good. They won't realize that she will recover soon. All that Winter needed was enough time to reuse her semblance and get a way out of these straps. The medic shrugged his shoulders as he began to make his way out the door. Yet, she already had that time.

Before the medic could leave the room, he was taken aback when the specialist saw her semblance appear at the door and a creature was summoned. The beowolf made of ice growled at the German, who expressed his fear. "I guess this is something you made up?" He asked.

"Yes." Winter answered. "You are going to help me get out of the straps or-"

"Done." Gunther said as he walked up to her chair and began to unstrap her from the chair. Once she was given her freedom, he stepped back and allowed the former captive enough time to walk out.

What this man did… confused her. When the specialist rose from the chair she felt her wounds pang from her shoulder. "Why were you so willing to help me?" She wondered as she turned her full focus on the man.

The German showed a patch on his arm and pointed at it. "My line of work is to help people, not hurt them."

"If they learned about this, they would reprimand you for fraternizing with a prisoner."

"...or a firing squad." He added. "Still, I'm still a person." Then he looked at her summon. "If you are worried I would be killed by my own, you could just knock me out. They'll understand that." Gunther turned around as he took off his helmet with the red cross on it.

She walked towards him as he calmly waited for her. Her summon could technically kill the man, but he helped her out as soon as she did so. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." He answered before she knocked out the medic.

Winter turned to her summon and glanced over to the door. "Lead the way."

Colonel Durante watched as the Allied Rally Point was filled with various companies handpicked by the Office of Strategic Services. Replacements and veterans were standing together as the officers began to name call the important platoon leaders in their ranks. Their situation almost reminded him of days long ago, but were probably forgotten throughout history.

He looked to his left and saw a convoy of British tanks and vehicles coming down the road with their soldiers joining the men at the rally point. Then a recognizable face stepped out of the convoy and joined the OSS officers overseeing the entire situation. "Major Blackmore, I see you brought your Boudica's Boys to assist in this operation."

The British officer nodded in acknowledgement. "Indeed, I came back with news from our superiors. They approve the use of the teleporter to break the stalemate." He stated. "Do you think you'll find your son while we're at it?"

Pierre nodded. "Yes. We're Durantes, we endure."

"Still, I do not believe our odds will improve from there." Blackmore replied. "However, I won't deny that small hope for you." A British officer walked up to the duo and saluted both men. "Captain Cutting, are your commandos ready?" He questioned.

The British commando in the green beret nodded his head in acknowledgment. "Aye sir. The lads are ready and the scientists are getting the machines ready. Said they'll be ready soon and we'll be walking through if things go well."

"Good, be ready." He added before his subordinate departed and returned to the infantry sections loading their weapons. "Tell me, what is your home like?"

"Remnant?" Colonel Durante questioned. "It is very different from Earth that is for sure." He explained. "It's been a long time since I last remembered my home."

"Intriguing, what did you used to be before you came here?"

Pierre sighed as he looked at the grey sky. "I was a king."