The elevator ride to the top of the spire was a short one, but it was filled with tension. Donovan wondered what could warrant substituting their mission details for a trip up here. He figured that there's no reason that they would be denied the opportunity so cruelly, by giving and then taking as they would have, and that this is surely a more discreet method of giving orders. Still, why the secrecy? He shook his head, just before the doors opened into the Headmaster's office.
"Hey! Glad you guys got here so fast," Headmaster Arc said, seated at his desk. He was flanked by Professors Wukong and Oolong, as well as Weiss Rose. "I was thinking you guys'd be a bit longer," he continued. "C'mon, come in. We've got things to discuss."
The four members of SAJJ spilled out of the elevator, each taking a seat in one of four chairs that were laid out in front of the Headmaster's desk. It was a fair assumption that they had been expecting them immediately. Jay broke the uneasy silence that hung over the team.
"So, something up?" she said, crossing her legs and leaning the chair back onto it's hind legs.
"Indeed there is," Jaune said, a screen depicting Atlas appearing behind him. "I'm sure that you're all aware of the current situation in Atlas."
"I've been told the current leader of the nation has some very controversial policies," Donovan said, studying the map.
"That's putting it lightly, man," Jay said, turning to her leader. "That Schnee asshole saw the paranoia surrounding faunus after they caught the flak for the Fall of Beacon, and used it to climb to power and put into place anti-faunus rhetoric that made the White Fang look like a group that gave humans cookies and kittens. Seriously, if you or I were to go there, we'd be beaten and jailed for doing nothing." She turned back to her elders, noticing Weiss amongst them. "Erm, no hard feelings on the whole calling your dad an asshole thing?"
Weiss waved her off. "Don't worry about it. If anything, I share your sentiment."
Jaune cleared his throat, drawing attention back to him. "Well, more to the point, we recieved wind that the military is staging a hostile takeover of the government. The leader of the coup is an old ally that can be trusted, and for that reason we've decided to support this action and join in the fight. In this regard, we not only wanted to send a team of our skilled, senior huntsmen, we wanted to send a team of students with of them, both as additional support, and for the experience." He paused, and laughed nervously. "Granted, warlike combat isn't super common for Huntsmen, but after what we went through as students, we feel it's something students should experience for themselves, given that it's always a very real possibility. So, with that in mind, your team was picked to go on this mission."
Donovan was unsurprised at being given a mission, but was quite surprised at the weight of what he and his team had been assigned. "Are you sure about this, Headmaster?" he said in response to the assignment.
"We realized this is perhaps a bit more… hands-on than what you were anticipating or prepared for, and we understand perfectly if you wish to decline it. We'd be more than happy to find a different task for you all."
"I… think some time to discuss this with my team would be best, Headmaster." Donovan said nervously.
"Of course," Jaune said, rising to his feet. "We will wait in my personal room. Knock on the door when you're prepared." He and the other adults left the room, leaving just Team SAJJ left.
"So," Donovan said, turning to his team, "what do all of you make of this?"
"I want to do it," Jay said rather adamantly, crossing her arms. "If the horror stories I've heard about faunus policy there are even close to true, you owe it to yourself to go too, Donovan."
"Jay, I realize your… personal connection, but we have to consider other things. This is an actual warzone. We're likely not going to be fighting grimm, or even drones," Donovan said, looking towards the ground. "We may be injuring, killing even, actual flesh and blood people."
"People that have actively perpetuated an environment of hate for people simply based on their heritage," Jahim said, sitting up straighter. "I'm all for it."
Donovan paused. "Alice?"
There was a long silence as everyone in the room looked toward their blind teammate. She had been noticeably silent, finally breaking the pause in an unconfident sounding voice. "This is something we need to do. If you all decide to go, I will too."
Jay and Jahim looked to Donovan, who sighed in acceptance. "I guess our desicion's made then."
Once they reported their verdict, and that they were definitely going, it was a non-stop barrage of information. Who to report to, when to do it, where their areas where, and so much more for what felt like an eternity. Then came the largest surprise; they were to leave that afternoon, arriving in Atlas by the next morning. The team had hurriedly begun packing, when Amber and Nero appeared in the doorway.
"So, what did the Headmaster want?" Amber asked.
"Yeah, you guys get a mission after all?" Nero continued.
"Yeah, but we have to leave in like an hour," Jay said, hurriedly gathering numerous tools and pieces and tossing them into a bag. "I gotta run to the forge, 'scuse me guys." Jay brushed past them, before poking her head back in. "I have everything packed, I'll meet you all out at the airship. Got a heavy load to carry out there." She then disappeared, to the sound of a heavy sigh from Alice. Amber meanwhile, was frozen in place.
"Leave now?" Amber said, looking towards Donovan.
"Unfortunately, yes," Donovan replied, not looking up from his bag as he filled it with supplies. "We can't tell you why or where we're going, not even when we'll be back. It's a… complicated manner." He zipped the bag, shouldering it, as Jahim and Alice did the same, the latter also grabbing Jay's supplies. "We were about to head to the airship now. You can… come along, if you like."
Amber flushed slightly, but nodded. "Let me go grab the others. They'll want to see you off too."
The walk to the airship was cheery, with the usual fare of jokes cracked between Porfirio and Alice, Sienna bouncing off the walls, and Amber stealing glances at Donovan, smiling subtly. They reached the airship, finding that several professors, including Ruby, Blake, and Yang, accompanied their supervising party of Oolong, Sun, and Weiss. Ruby was very clearly distressed, latched onto her wife, who seemed to have given up on breaking free. Yang and Blake idly chatted with Sun and Oolong, Yang laughing hard enough to be heard from where the students were. Finally, Headmaster Arc stood looking at the students, a smile forming on his face when they approached the airship.
"Ah, there you are," Jaune said, looking at the group. "Though you seem to be one short."
"Jay's grabbing something from the forge," Alice said, placing her's and Jay's bags inside the Airship.
"I see. Oh, and ASNL, you here to see them off?"
"Yeah," Amber said, waving to her mothers, who waved back. "We didn't know they'd be leaving so soon."
"Ah, well, it couldn't be avoided," Donovan said, placing his bag inside. He walked back out, and faced Amber. "So, er, be safe on your own mission," he said, looking away from her face.
"Uh, you too." Amber said, also turning away. "Bring home some good stories, alright?"
"I'll try to," Donovan replied, before looking back to her and extending his hand. Amber looked back to him, looking into his eyes. She felt herself flush further, being so close to his face. She begun to reach for his hand, before pausing.
"Oh, fuck it," she muttered, and closed the distance, kissing Donovan briefly. His eyes widened in surprise, before narrowing and closing until she pulled back. "Come back to me in one piece, or I'll kick your ass, alright?"
"Of course," Donovan barely managed to get out as he looked around. Blake's eyebrows were raised in surprise, while Porfirio's mouth hung open in shock. Nero and Sienna had expressions of joy smeared on their faces, and Yang was a menagerie of expressions, from anger to disbelief. The Headmaster, as well as the Roses and Sun, merely chuckled as Donovan quickly scuttled onto the ship, attempting to hide from the coming firestorm. Amber turned to her team, smiling.
"Well, we should probably leave them to it. Bye guys, see you when you return!" she shouted, before beginning to walk away, Nero and Sienna quickly following, and Porfirio lagging behind. Suddenly, Yang composed herself, looking towards them.
"Oh no, you don't! You get back here!"
Yang tore after the four of them, who begun running to get away from her. Blake turned to Ruby, her eyes narrowed in disappointment.
"We'd better go after her," Blake said. "Dust knows we don't need her blowing the school apart."
Ruby whined, and turned to Weiss, who rolled her eyes. "Oh I'll be fine, Ruby. I'm more than ready for combat again. Go after your sister."
Ruby sighed again, before reluctantly letting go. She gave a quick hug and kiss goodbye before walking towards where Yang had ran off to. Blake moved towards the ship, looking towards Donovan.
"We'll talk when you return. Good luck on your mission, Mr. Stormbringer." Blake walked away with Ruby, as Jay walked up to the scene, hefting her Locker, of all things.
"Hey guys, sorry I'm late, had to carry this thing." Jay paused, surveying the scene around her. "Any reason I passed ASNL getting chased by Xiao Long on the way here?"
"Amber kissed Boss in front of her," Alice snickered as she helped load the locker.
"Aw, fuck, I missed that?" She turned to Donovan, who had been attempting to avoid attention since causing such a scene. "Looks like secret's out, eh?"
"Have you ever wished for death on the battlefield?" Donovan deadpanned, putting his head in his hands as his team laughed, and the last of the cargo was loaded. The elder Huntsmen boarded, and the ship finally took off, everyone seated in the main bay. Sun looked toward Donovan, who he was seated next to, and patted him on the back.
"You and Yang's kid huh? Would've never guessed." Sun said.
"Neither would I," Weiss said. "Though I'm sure Yang was the most surprised." The bus echoed with laughter, even Donovan smiling.
"I am sure that it she will come to accept it, Mr. Stormbringer," Oolong said. "She is merely… overprotective of her daughter."
"Indeed, she'll come around," Jaune said. "Though, in case she doesn't, where do you want your remains shipped? I need to know for legal reasons."
The laughter didn't settle for several minutes, and Donovan found himself enjoying it more as time went on. It helped ease the nerves towards the mission, at least. He found himself smiling at the moment, at the very least a conversation starter when he returned.
He suddenly swallowed hard, nerves washing over him yet again. The reality of the mission, and his naggings doubts made him rectify the statement.
It would be a conversation starter if he returned home.
