I felt the warm air of Theodore's room leave as the chilling air of Atlas replaced it. I heard the door close behind me and turned around to see that the door was no longer there.
I looked around to find out where I had exited and seemed to find myself in an alley. A surprisingly clean one when compared to the alleys on earth. There were only a few pieces of trash here and there. I looked to my left to see an exit out of the alley, with some people walking past it occasionally.
I walked to leave the alley but a piece of paper got caught under my boot. I stepped on it with my other boot to peel off but I stopped as I saw a familiar face staring back at me.
A woman with raven black hair and crimson eyes glared at me, and I read the letters above and below the picture.
'RAVEN BRANWEN. LEADER OF THE TERRORIST GROUP, THE RED FIST. WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE.' It read.
Raven? Wasn't she a bandit in RWBY? How does she go from that to a terrorist?
I erased that train of thought as it wasn't important to my task. I threw the paper away and walked into the streets of Atlas. The victorian style buildings were close together, with every couple buildings having an alley in between. The buildings seemed to get taller the farther away they were until they reached the tallest near a large building that was most likely Atlas Academy.
I slapped my cheeks as the people walking around me looked at me oddly.
Ok, Garrett, you need to stop admiring the admittedly beautiful architecture of Atlas and oh my god are those HOVER CARS!?
I realized that the street in front of me was filled with them as people tried to get to their destinations quickly. I had a little mental freakout as I remembered that this Remnant was able to develop more because the Grimm wasn't here anymore.
A small twinge of guilt passed through me as I realized that bringing back the Grimm means that I may stunt the development of Remnant.
I shook my head, Remember this is for Remnant's good I thought to myself pushing the guilt back.
I stopped observing the environment around before trying to walk without something distracting me. Keyword 'try' because the moment I took a few steps away from where I was standing I heard talking from a window to my left. I looked to my left to see a holoscreen (And that is pretty cool) light up and another familiar face was put on the screen.
'A few days ago," The news anchor started, 'A member of the Red Fist had been apprehended at one of the Atlas military islands. She and her fellow terrorists had been trying to steal a shipment of weapons and dust from the base. The military was able to catch these terrorists off guard and ambush them, causing the terrorists to retreat. they were able to capture Velvet Scarlatina and put her in Heracles Penitentiary, where she is being held now. Now, General Ironwood wants to comment on the situation.'
The screen switch from the news anchor to General Ironwood who stared at the screen sternly.
'This is a momentous occasion. In recent years we have been able to stop the Red Fist's horrible acts of terrorism. All of that culminates today as we have finally captured one of the Red Fist's top members. Through her, we will be able to find where this scum has been hiding, and Atlas... no, the world, will finally be safe from these monsters acts of destruction.' He said confidently and proudly.
I realized that a small crowd had gathered around the holoscreen and many were talking animatedly about the topic.
"Finally those terrorist scum get what's coming to them." one man said to his friend.
"Yeah," The other guy scoffed, "I mean do you hear some of the shit they say on those broadcasts of theirs? Just a bunch of bullshit if you asked me."
I watched as the two men walked away. I thought back to the whole, 'Velvet being a terrorist' thing.
I mean Velvet? Why would she ever be a terrorist? In the show, she was one of the shyest people to be seen on screen. So many questions and not enough answers. Anyway, I need to find out how to get to Interitus.
I looked around for someone to ask for directions and I saw a lady who seemed to be waiting for something.
"Excuse me?" I asked politely.
"Yes?" the lady responded
"Do you know how to get to Interitus?" I asked wondering if I said it right.
She raised an eyebrow at me, "You do know Interitus is off-limits to citizens right? Only those of the Atlas Military can go there, and you sure don't look like a soldier to me."
I felt my heart drop, "O-Oh ok, thank you anyways." I said before I walked away.
After walking for a block or so I sat at the nearest bench and put my head in my hands. I sighed loudly as I thought about my current situation.
Interitus is military-owned? Why didn't Theodore tell me about this, and also what the hell even is Interitus? I never heard of anything like that in the show!
I stewed on that bench for what felt like hours as I tried to think about what I should do.
"Excuse me, sir?" A stern voice said in front of me.
I raised my head from my hands and saw two men in military uniforms staring at me. Everyone who was walking by was looking at them curiously, most likely wondering what was going on."
"Yes?" I asked tiredly.
"We are going to need you to come with us."
"Wait, what? What did I do?" I asked a little fearfully hoping to god that I didn't break some law.
"Nothing young man, we just need you to come with us to answer some questions." The military officer said.
I thought about if I should run or not but then realized how stupid that would be. It's like me saying 'Hey, cops! I did something bad!' right in front of them. So I opted with the safer choice and I nodded at them.
They lead me to a car that was like an all-white police car but that hovered, and I got into the back.
As we drove off I started to become nervous as to where we were going. I only became even more nervous when they led me to what looked like a police station.
We stopped in front of the building and one off the officers gestured at me to follow. I got out and followed him into the building and I noticed how the building stood out compared to the victorian styled building around us. Instead, it looked like a sort of fortress with tall walls and a monitored gate. The building was spartan in design and seemed to only care at how intimidating it looked, and it did a pretty good job at being intimidating.
As we got inside the officer led me through a multitude of hallways, passing by entrances that opened up into a bigger room, and other officers who paid little attention to the both of us. The officer stopped in front of the door and held out his hand.
"Give me your items." He demanded.
"Why do I have to give you my stuff?" I asked a little nervous, but also wary.
The officer didn't seem to like my response as he scowled, "You'll get them back when the interrogation is done, now give me your items."
I quickly gave him my items as I didn't want to make him any angrier. The thought of just activating my suit and punching him while escaping came to mind but I threw that idea out the window. Becoming wanted by Atlas is one of the last things I should do if I want to complete my mission.
"Go into the room, sit down, and wait." Once he said that he walked away not waiting for a response. I was still wondering why he said 'interrogation' and who I would be talking to but thought that those would be answered later.
I walked into the room and it looked like the normal interrogation room you'd see in all those crime dramas. There was a table in the middle with a chair on both sides. To my left was a large one-way window and in the corner of the room stood another officer.
I sat down on the chair facing the door and waited for whoever I had to talk to. I didn't have to wait long as about five minutes later the door opened and an officer stepped in and stood to the side of the door. The next person who stepped in was-
What.
The man in from of me was wearing black dress shoes and grey slacks. He had a dark red vest over a yellow button-down shirt that was tucked into his pants and a black-tie. He also had an open lab coat that went down to his knees. His skin was light brown and he had short black hair, which was gray on the sides. A thick mustache covered his upper lip and his green eyes stared at me curiously.
Arthur Watts sat across from me and placed a mug of what smelled like coffee on the table. He crossed his hands on the table and stared right at me.
"Nice to meet you, Garrett Finch. If you don't know who I am, my name is Arthur Watts, head of research and development in Atlas. I just want to ask you a few questions and then you can be on your merry way." He said kindly.
I stayed silent for a few seconds as I tried to process who was in front of me. This man was a part of Salem's faction in the show. I know that this world is different but it's kinda strange when you see a guy who you've known to be evil starts to talk to you kindly.
I eventually nodded, "O-ok," is said hesitantly.
He smiled, "Good! Now, your scroll says you come from Vale. What is someone like you doing all the way up north in Atlas?"
"Oh, I came to Atlas so I could complete... a delivery." I half lied.
"Hmm? A delivery you say? What were you delivering to and where."
"W-well," I hesitated not liking where this conversation was going, "I was supposed to bring this package to someone in Interitus, and I can't tell you what's the package it's confidential."
"Interitus you say? Interesting..." He seemed to think about it for a few seconds before focusing back on me, "By the way, does this package have to do with this," he reached into his coat and took out the crystal, "strange crystal you have brought with you?"
My eyes opened wide in surprise, "Ho-"
"One of my scientists came up to me and told me that there have been range power readings originating down in the city. He told me that the energy was off the charts and that it could theoretically power the entirety of Remnant." He said as he looked at the crystal like a child would with a new toy.
He looked back at me as he stood up, putting the crystal back into his coat, "So I have to thank you for your contributions in bringing me such a fine specimen to me."
I stood up not noticing Watts subtly nodding at the guard behind me. I prepared to put my suit on as I squinted my eyes at the man in front of me."I won't let you-"
That's when I felt an arm wrap around my neck and what looked like a gas mask placed over my mouth. I breathed in panicked, which was a terrible mistake as gas came into my lungs and I slowly went into unconsciousness.
Everything started to go dark as I started to slump down. Before I fell unconscious I faintly heard Watts speak up.
"I am so sorry about this," He said unapologetically, "But I do hope you enjoy the rest of your life in Heracles."
With those final words from Watts, darkness overtook me as I slipped into unconsciousness.
