Chapter 28: Peacekeepers, part three

[Jones penitentiary]

"No rape! Please no rape!" screamed the cat faunus who's life had been spared back in Ruben fields when Erwin had left half his men. When her head was rudely slammed on the table "I promise I won't tell anyone who you are!" The ex-sniper was holding her head down making it impossible to move anywhere.

"You got a nice ass kid" monotoned Snow

"I'm not a kid!" Smack "Ouch!" Smack" OK OK I get it I'll be quiet!" she stopped struggling hoping the Headhunter would stop with her fiery hand of justice "Why are you even doing this! It's not like I did anything to you!" Smack

"Shut up and let me think" Letting this one go could cause a lot of unwanted trouble. More than likely most of the faunus in here were White Fang and if they knew who she was…what she had done there would be nothing she could do without a proper weapon.

She should have killed her back at Ruben fields. How could she have known she would be in this kind of situation? Regardless of that it still needed be done. The girl had managed to tug on her almost nonexistent heart strings and make a clean get away.

"You know when a lowlife knocks a girl up on accident and has to pay child support for his fuck up?" Asked Snow

"Yeah?"

Snow lowered herself so she was right next to one of her cat ears "Well that's what you're, my fuck up. Now I want you know that I could easily break your scrawny little neck like a twig" She said it like she was discussing the weather. Her hand tightened up on the faunas's neck "You don't want that right?"

"I don't want to start anything I promise" She whined "Being in here is hell enough and now I got you in here with me! If you want me dead so bad then why didn't you just kill me in the first place?"

Snow ignored the question "As it stands now I have no reason to let you live, not like killing you will do me any harm. They are already planning my execution" Explained the traitor "This is the part where you beg for your life" She wasn't actually planning on killing the faunas, just scaring the shit out of her.

The cat girl thought hard but the pain in her neck was making the processes a real bitch. There wasn't anything she had to offer to assure the Headhunter that she wouldn't sell her out. She mildly thought why the Headhunter was here in the first place and why she was sentenced to execution.

Trust was the issue. The Headhunter needed her to keep her mouth shut but she had no guarantee that she would. But what if she turned it into a win win situation? What if she made look like it would be beneficial to her if she didn't reveal her secret. "Look look look! I have an idea"

"Then speak"

"Can you let me go so I can explain?" The Headhunters death grip didn't loosen in the slightest "Where am I gonna go? You're blocking the bloody door!"

"I like this position, Gives me a good view of everything" It was hard to tell if she was being serious or not because of her voice "But we can try in your way" She released her neck.

The girl massaged her neck as she turned around. This is when she noticed just how tall the Headhunter was, at least 5'11. She didn't even come up to her nose. The scar was new but the eyes were the same, slightly squinted and lacking emotion. In a different situation she might even think the taller girl cute. A Very different situations mind you. She put her hands up and backed up "You're pretty intimidating you know that? Like damn what did you eat your breakfast, new born babies?" Came the nervous attempt at lightening the situation. "Ok so not one for jokes are you…..let's start out with names I'm Yuri and you are?"

"About to be your daddy" she threatened

"OH so here's the deal. You're afraid- I mean concerned that I'm going to tell certain comrades of mine that you may have or may not have been slaughtering us for the last few years."

"You're not helping your case"

"Just stay with me, I propose a trade" Yuri suggested "For the reason of I don't feel like getting raped or having my neck broken 'like a twig' today. You actually have something I need"

"Which is?"

"Like I said you're pretty intimidating and I am not. See you would assume that because I was White Fang that my brethren would stick up for me and be nice to me. That is not the case here, in here it's a dog eat dog world."

Snow filled in the rest "You need my protection and that's enough cause to keep you quiet"

"Not a bad plan for a kid right? So what do you say?" She said as she stuck her hand out. "This way we are both happy" She was actually relieved that the Headhunter was here. With this deal her life might be a little less hell. Having a bodyguard would be pretty cool.

"No"

"No?! But this works out for both of us! How can you just say it so easily like that, aren't you afraid I'm going to tell?"

"I'm not a baby sitter, also after that what you just told me I don't think anybody would believe you anyways. The real deal is this, leave me alone." Hopping up onto the top bunk was easy. The mattress felt like rock but the pillow was oh so great.

"So that's it?" huffed Yuri

"That's it" She heard the girl make a noise of discontent and storm off. It was a bit of a dick move but something that had to be done. The girl viewing her as some guardian angel would be troublesome. That wasn't something she could live up to, she wasn't a good person. Looking back she never would have guessed she would at home on a battlefield but it happened. The killing, the heart pounding moments, the loss, being afraid, it was all part of what made a war and why anybody would want to go back to that was anyone's guess. But that's who she was, there was no regret for the lives she had snuffed out or the pain she caused. She was not a good person. Leo was right. She couldn't hide behind a number forever well there was no choice anymore.

Laying there tired as hell she lay awake trying to will herself to sleep. Nothing came out of it. Five minutes later she was still lying there tired as hell. "Great"

[The next day, Snow]

No sleep, hungry and agitated, a typical morning in my life. Yuri had come back later after her failed attempt to leash me to her and left just as the cell doors had opened. Dealing with her was easier than I expected. It was filthy in the way in which I had done it yet it worked.

By the sound of it the majority of the inmates were early risers, a shocker when you recall their backgrounds. They surely made a lot of noise too. Always yelling at each other and fussing for no particular reason.

'Time to get up' I chided myself. My back was scary to listen as I set up making it crack like my back was breaking. For the love of hell what do they make these things out of, Quarry stone? Everything I had seen in here was created with extreme comfort in mind but then you get to these things and it doesn't make sense.

My feet hit the cold floor with a plop caused by the rubber shoes issued to us. I got a sudden sense of vertigo and had to use the bed as support. 'I'm only twenty-five and ill already feel old. How Leo did this crap for over twenty years was a miracle' the thought caught me off guard.

Leo had always been there to offer help and guidance, when I first joined the squad he had been the only one who took it upon himself to teach me the ropes. And now I wouldn't be able to even attend his funeral. Worse, I had assisted the man pretty much responsible for his death. What a great way to appreciate all he's done for you Julia.

I focused on the present as to get my mind off the subject. By the cell door was a single duffle bag with the words 'Inmate 565' inscribed on the side. Inside were two changes of my jumpsuit, shampoo, soap, scrubs, toothbrush, schnee tooth paste and a note that read 'Laundry mat located in south wing, all other necessities will be refilled every two weeks if necessary. Thank you' ~ Recourse distributer Hayes. A shower is needed at the moment though someone apparently forgot to think that it would be smart to write directions to it too. Some exploring is in order anyways I guess.

Without further ado I slung the strap over my shoulder and began my quest for cleanliness. Stopping by the cafeteria doesn't sound like a bad idea either. I remembered most of the way there so it was fairly easy to find it hopefully finding the shower will heed similar results.

Grabbing a tray I moved behind the last guy inline. It wouldn't take long with the speed it was going. The men serving the food weren't wasting time giving everyone even amounts of food which happened to be oats and toast.

My turn like I expected it to came fast. The man on the other side didn't even look at me when he just slapped a ladle full of oats onto my tray. It looked halfway edible. Next was the toast.

Then came the real challenge.

Finding a place to sit that wasn't already occupied by a group. Inviting myself to a table would cause unwanted trouble. I shuffled around aimlessly looking for an empty seat. If I did this too long I would draw attention and make myself a prime target.

That's when I saw it, the irony was unmatchable. Towards the end was a table with only one occupant. My cellmate sat by herself gluing her eyes down as not to make eye contact with anyone. No wonder she was getting pushed around, it was all in the posture. Hers read 'I'm really weak and won't stand up for myself, please don't hurt me'. I let myself smirk a little bit as I walked up to her all by her lonesome.

She almost came out of her skin when I dropped my tray next to hers. "Hello" I greeted

"What do you want?" Yuri asked angrily letting her ears pin back slightly.

"Too sit" And to prove my point I set down right next to her. She didn't seem to appreciate my antics I noted when she turned back to her food ignoring me, Fine by me.

With her looking away from me I sized her up. Her hair was blonde and to the shoulder with a pair of cat ears on top, eyes redish brown . Her body was sprouting but not matured yet, I would guess seventeen or no older then nineteen. A little older and she might have been my type. As she was I had no interest in her.

She took notice of my study of her and turned to me with a red face "You were just trying to scare me when you said you were going to rape me right?" Deciding fucking with her would be enjoyable I didn't answer.

[Thomas]

No one had seen Bravo since I gave it to him in our sparing match. If he hadn't got ahead of himself he could have beat me. He had the superior speed and endurance but he gotten frustrated for reasons that were all because of me. I had let the secret slip about ped to Peach (on purpose) who made quick work of his supply. I made sure to make her understand that completely taking him off of it would on such short notice could kill him. A lot of fun those two are going to have.

I'd be lying if I said that I didn't feel temptation after I found his stash. I had been on the shit for years and this was one habit that was almost impossible to break. It was truly a great drug for what it was meant for but I shudder at the thought of who would make such a thing.

Looking at what I'm doing right now though maybe they aren't so bad after all. "fetch" I had taken my dog outside for some much needed exercise because he had been such a good boy. The stick didn't go too far, not that I wanted it too. It landed over near some marines. I should introduce myself.

They were already giggling when I got there and laughed even harder when stroked his head and told him how much of a good boy he was. My poor doggy wasn't house broke yet unfortunately so he had to wear underwear, a sickly sight.

I smiled when they asked what his name was and in a proud voice said "Auburn, his name is Auburn" That's right the loser of our game was the sniper making him my bitch for a week. Never before in my life had I seen such an intense glare then the one he was giving me right now on all fours. "He knows a few tricks watch. Auburn speak"

"Kiss my fucking ass" Oh this was going to be good

I was really hoping to find a group of girls but it just wasn't meant to be, a shame. I wasn't going to let that hurt me too much since I had a weak to find one. "Come on boy lets go"

[Snow]

Oh yes the shower full of dozens of naked women and hot water was refreshing as always. Now I felt clean and comfy in a new jumpsuit. Problem was now what do I do? I could go back to my cell and wait but that was hardly a way to live the last days of my life. I remember seeing those tvs in the cellblock but that was never really my thing. From listening to the girls in the shower I had learned that you could buy things of every shape and size with things called ration cards but you needed a job.

Might as well see what there is to buy if I'm going to work. I roamed the corridors reading the signs trying to find what they called the 'card booth'. With all these places I might have to take up that girl on her offer just to get use her as a tour guide.

I took the time to observe the various people while I passed them. You would think with a coed prison that keeping the men and woman off each other would be a problem. It wasn't, another thing I had learned from the gossiping girls in the shower was that if so much as held hands with a member of the opposite sex the guards sent electricity shooting through your body with the press of a button.

Along with that I pointed out the various groups of the prison. The main were White Fang and Humans but I noticed some others too. I wonder if there are any Black Fist here? With their small size here in Vale I wouldn't expect many if any here.

The rules of prison society were simple. Find a group and join it or you would be pushed around by others. Don't let yourself appear weak. And most important NEVER be caught alone. Follows those and you would be fine. The first I wouldn't abide by but I'm pretty sure I can make up for it.

Finally I found the booths they mentioned. They just like the name implies booths, inside were computers. I found one that was vacant and sat down in front of it. On the screen were tabs that would take you to a certain destination. There was Buy, exchange, give and check my balance. I clicked buy.

Holy mother of remnant! These guys had it all, game systems, sports equipment, food and even masturbation toys! There was so much crap on here I had to wonder who gave this scum such opportunity. Beside every product was a picture and a price. For example one of the gaming systems cost eight hundred ration cards. A days work may earn you one card from what I hear. So looks as I'll never be able to afford any of this.

I clicked out of buy and went to check my balance where it asked me to plug in my wrist monitor. With some searching I found there was a cord that could be pulled out of the thing wrapped around my wrist and plugged into the computer.

'Julia Snow: 0 Rations' as expected. So much for giving us some spending money to start out with. I was about to unplug it when something popped up on the screen. A large card with a one on the side of it was displayed. I clicked accept. 'Julia Snow: 100000000000 rations'

"What?"