...Is My Pawn
Andrew allowed himself in. Shoving his way past the teenage girl who greeted him and into the team's dorm room. Shutting and locking the wooden door behind him, Andrew started to look around the room. Getting a feel of what the team of three were doing before he arrived and how the atmosphere had changed.
Each of these students wore the school uniforms of Havan Academy, solid black shirts, and pants for males or skirts for females with spots of white. There were no classes today but there was an assembly, so seeing them in uniform wasn't all too surprising. Still, Andrew was disgusted even more so by seeing them in uniform.
'Yes, emotionless black uniforms that scream out "Hey look everyone! I'm an asshole!" Beacon at least had color,' Andrew thought to himself as orange eyes met his own brown.
Andrew's polite grin grew as did the woman's scowl. Not an uncommon response someone would give to a person who just allowed himself in but Andrew was willing to bet there was more to it. Her features matched that of the one he fought inside the CTT building and of the face currently on Andrew's Pip-Boy, Cinder Fall.
The male on her team, Mercury Black, tried to intervene but was stopped by Cinder. One quick cold glance being enough for Mercury to stop. Understanding, he took position behind Cinder were the girl who had greeted Andrew, Emerald Sustrai, was waiting. Standing on the far end of the room near their beds well Cinder walked forward to confront Andrew in the middle of a dorm room.
"Well hello, Mr. Garnet," The kind smile and formality Cinder expressed could have easily been seen as charming. But the malicious intent hidden under her voice set off alarms. "What have we done to earn the pleasure?"
The guitar played and in a calm matter, Andrew's magnum was brought to Cinder's forehead. She had to single the two behind her to stay put after they both tried to move against Andrew. Losing the charismatic approach, Cinder returned to a scowl and watched Andrew with eyes that burned with ice cold fury.
"I'm sure you know." For as tense as the room had become, Andrew's voice was calm and happy. "So before we begin some ground rules. One, there will be no fighting just accepting. Two, try to break rule one and MoJave forces stationed outside this room will kill all of you with high yield explosives."
Those on the barrel end of the gun looked out their windows to confirm the threat. Sure enough, a patrol of MoJave grunts seemed to have just stopped outside their end of the school and for some reason one of them was armed with a grenade launcher. Cinder also caught the sight of the sun reflecting off what was probably a scope.
"Three, the only way you're getting out of this alive or 'free' is if you do everything I ask without trouble."
Their attention was brought back to Andrew as the magnum was pulled away from them and towards the carpet. However, this did nothing to ease the tension of those on the other side of the room.
Cinder took one hard glance at Andrew before her head was directed towards the floor. Anyone would need the moment to think given the circumstance, therefore, Andrew kindly allowed it. For whatever plan she thought up none worried the CEO. All the cards were in his hands after all.
"Where do we go from here then?" Her decision was made and Andrew found it respectable that Cinder went straight to business.
"We go to our first question of the day little miss. What were you planning on doing at CTT?" The transition Andrew displayed from humorous to serious disturbed Cinder's lackeys. The woman herself though showed no reaction.
"I was trying to plant a... helper. Something to allow me to see whatever I thought was important," Cinder explained, confirming Andrew's belief that the woman failed at her mission. Still, there was the chance she was lying.
"A helper uh," Andrew walked towards a window. His left hand in clear view and clenched into a fist. "Your time at CTT may have been shortened but I need absolute confirmation. Were you successful at placing this helper?"
The message Andrew was sending was clear. He was relying heavily on intimidation to get honest answers. If Cinder answered in a way he dislikes all her work over these past few months would disappear over a hail storm of MoJave fire power. If she answered in a way he liked then something valuable would be lost.
There was though something interesting she found during this interrogation. None of Beacon's staff seemed to be involved or, more importantly, no one under Ozpin. It may be a long shot for her but risks need to be taken to find victory.
"You're remaining a third party in all this aren't you?" Cinder's stance became more eased as did her voice. Shifting the air between them quite noticeably. Becoming calm almost friendly.
"In a way, I guess you could say that. But the more you fail to answer my questions the more likely chance that turns untrue," It may have been a threat but never the less Cinder final lost her frown for a confident grin.
"My mission was a success and is already delivering me the fruits of my labor," Mercury's and Emerald's jaws nearly hit the floor with just forgoing Cinder was right now. Even so, they couldn't deny its effect.
Andrew lowered his hand as the guitar played a single cord well his magnum was holstered. They had avoided death and both Mercury and Emerald couldn't help but breath a sigh of relief. Watching as Andrew gave a genuine smile towards Cinder.
"Impressive. Not many can upload a program that I can't detect," Andrew complemented. "You will give me access to it."
Being given orders wasn't something Cinder enjoyed but she understood the situation. Reaching into her shirt pocket, a Scroll was pulled out and then opened. After a few minutes of flipping through pages and entering passwords. Cinder found what she was after and showed it to Andrew.
"Here's the code," Andrew memorized it within a second. Lifting his head back up afterwords for Cinder to continue. "I do hope you find just as much use as I have."
"You have my thanks for this gift but sadly I expect more."
The dorm room was cold once more. All signs of friendliness disappearing as Andrew's eyes became dead.
"Lanius, Torchwick, and the White Fang. I want them delivered them to me on a silver platter."
What felt like hours went by as Cinder stood there, hesitating. Two useful individuals were on the line along with the army she had acquired. From how he spoke and from what she learned from the Legate, Andrew wasn't going to hold back in exterminating them. If this was Atlas or Ozpin she could take the risk and have either men captured. Turning that into its own advantage.
"What makes you think I have any content with either party?" Cinder hope to call his bluff though instead received an unamused stare.
"From how you reacted and from the clichéd response you just gave. Not to mention during the little raid some nights back my men were able to receive information that Torchwick had another employer," Andrew went on to explain. Pushing the woman before him into a bigger ditch. "I'm sure Lanius told you enough of who I am and how I handled Legion envoys. You're not original."
Cinder weighed her options. Possible earn the MoJave as some kind of ally or lose the ones she already had under her thumb. The Courier she heard so much about both from Lanius and those of Remnant wasn't going to hesitate to kill her if things don't go his way. Even with every stack against her, though. Some things were still salvageable and all that took to reminded her of this was one quick glance at Emeralds dazed expression.
"Very well. They'll be at Mountain Glenn in days time." Cinder finished, earning a nod of thanks from the CEO.
"Good but one more thing. You'll are under a constant state of monitoring. Do anything that may go against me in some way and you'll dead before you hit the ground," Andrew finished his sentence with a smile, turning to leave. His eyes now filled with life again.
Once he was gone Emerald returned to a regular state of being. Facing Cinder just in time to receive a nod of appreciation. The girl was just happy to be acknowledged for her efforts. Then Mercury came forward, interrupting Emeralds happy moment.
"You going to do what he asked?" That was the question that needed an answer to and as the two waited for it. Cinder took a seat on one of the beds. Confidence shining brightly above all other feelings inside the room.
"I'm sure we can turn his request into our advantage. Given if the Courier asks the way I expect him to."
Andrew had packed his things, and by pack, he really only grabbed his companions. His Pip-Boy already carried all his personal item so his hands were free.
Veronica and Arcade followed him onto Beacon's courtyard as they walk towards the helipad were a Vertibird was waiting. His time at Beacon had been spent and now Andrew was needed back on the Tandi. Via call, Ozpin was informed of Andrew's departure and just as they left Beacon's janitorial stuff were at their room ready to clean.
Students were out and about as the afternoon sun took form. Brightening their world in a nice shade of spring colors. It may be a small thing but Andrew would admit Remnants weather truly was better than Earths. Though, that wasn't saying much.
Thinking over what he had accomplished during his time at Beacon, the CEO was taken back by the unexpected turn of events. Not to say he wasn't appreciative of the visit that just kept on giving but he originally only expected achievements with Ozpin's Maiden problem. Instead, little was done about Amber that wasn't already known well his situation with two other women improved.
Ruby at least had an understanding of the MoJave's approach to threats and with that understanding, Andrew has the possibility to have her assist him. Also, a solution to the Yang problem was found but would have to be handled on a later date.
Then came the unexpected success with the new girl in Andrew's life, Cinder. The employer of Torchwick and Andrew's key to get rid of three birds with one stone. His plan to attack the White Fang at Mountain Glenn was being passed around inside his head but was going to need advisement from Lee. The man was going to be given control over guarding Vale once Andrew deemed it fit enough to operate without his insight.
As they walked by the fountain, Andrew and crew were stopped by a sea of rose petals. Falling to the ground as a nervous Ruby Rose appeared in front of them.
"I see that you're leaving?" Ruby address the sentence more like a question than an actual statement.
"That I am. The MoJave does need its CEO," Andrew finished explaining as Veronica came close to his ear.
"See you on the bird," She whispered, barely enough for Andrew to hear well he watch the secretary/Paladin rush up ahead. Pushing Arcade forward with unprecedented speed.
Both Ruby and Andrew were left confused by this action, having no understanding of the unwarranted speed Veronica took off in well dragging along Arcade. The two were now left to talk by the fountain without Andrew's associates. Providing Ruby with a level of comfortableness she found with simple one on one discussions.
"I guess I should say goodbye then," Ruby said, her disappointment easy to detect.
Seeing a friend go, especially one that was in such obvious need for help, wasn't the easiest thing for Ruby. Sure she would see Andrew again, heck Ruby was going to become a Huntress in a world of Mojave cooperation, but things felt unfinished. As if there was still words that needed to be said between them.
Last time she saw Andrew leave was when the attack on the docks happened and that ended with her team hating Andrew for weeks on end. Hate that still remained towards the CEO, though, had thankfully decreased. Ruby didn't want to see what progress that had occurred be lost.
"You didn't stop me just to saying goodbye now did you?" Andrew asked, seeing Ruby's concerned state.
"Oh well..." Ruby didn't really come up with anything else. Yes, she felt that there was still much to say but she didn't know what that was. Each time it came close she either realized they had already discussed the matter or found it unimportant.
Andrew read the girl like a book once more and decided to be kind. Bring for his own question for the girl.
"What's with the backpack?"
Thankful and a little ashamed with how Andrew took the initiative she had hoped to have. Ruby was brought back to reality and turned her head towards the bag on her back. Were she then reacted in a way that screamed suspicion. Snapping her face back forward as sweat dripped down her forehead.
"Nothing!" Ruby's hands raised up, palm's out as if surrendering. "It just for our mission."
Ruby was terrible at hiding stuff. Her defensive nature towards even the simplest of questions towards whatever she was hiding being enough to send her into a frenzy. Andrew was extremely surprised she held out his secret for so long back when he attended Beacon.
He personally, though, didn't care what it was. Instead, reaming nice for Ruby's benefit as he ignored her behavior.
"A mission? Do tell."
Honestly, Andrew's level of caring remained low. A first-year mission for Huntsman wasn't anything to get excited about. From what he's seen back at Mistral and from Vale before the MoJave showed up. The mission for students ranged from hunting down small packs of Grimm that are bothering village borders or an escort job that either involved delivering people or packages across Grimm territory.
Nothing to hard or too complicated. Easy missions for the lowest ranks of protectors.
"We're going to Mountain Glenn."
Or their mission could involve being sent to an area that was going to become a war zone.
"Oh, really. Ozpin's trusting students to operate inside that dead city?"
He didn't know how or why but the Headmaster had to be involved in this. How else would team RWBY, in particular, be sent to the one place Andrew didn't want them, or anyone from Beacon for that matter. Mountain Glenn as well had a population of Grimm that would take even the MoJave a couple of months to clear out. For team RWBY to be cleared for such a mission someone high up had to give permission.
"Yeah. We leave in a few minutes actually. Which reminds me..." Ruby turned her head right towards another area of helipads. Were Yang could be seen snapping her head back and forth in search of something.
"Well do keep your weapon clean. Don't need your main tool of protection failing you during a fight," Providing Ruby with common advice was the best Andrew could give. "And stay focus. Mountain Glenn is one of the few areas the MoJave hasn't sent our forces to."
Ruby may have heard this a million time but she nodded in thanks anyways. Thankful to know Andrew cared.
As for Andrew, he couldn't do much. If he tried to stop the mission so suddenly suspicion from Ozpin and the rest would be placed on him. Given with how much they trust him now, trust being the key word. Andrew knew he'll be pushed into a position to explain himself. Not a favorable situation for him hence the fact his informant on the new Mountain Glenn operation was the same person who broke into CTT.
"Thanks, Andrew."
"Of course. Goodbye then."
Ruby thought about stopping him but held back. Putting her arm down as Andrew walked away. After a second, Ruby left the fountain to regroup with her team.
Izzycity12: My apologize for if the latter part of this chapter seems 'wrong'. I forced myself to get this out today and I have no doubt it shows. I will, though, fix this later.
Other than that, I hope you've enjoyed.
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