May 6th
Mistral
6:23 PM
"Are we ready?" Watts asked, coming into the room as Leonardo looked up from his desk, turning away after a brief look. Walking into the small room off of the headmaster's office, the seer grimm remained ominously in place, even as Leonardo was pushed towards the creature. "After you."
Stuttering, he looked into the grimm. "Your Grace..." He said weakly, struggling to hide his trepidation or his desire to leave what they had tied him into. "Are...you there?"
"Hello, Leonardo," Salem said as she came into view through the seer with Cinder by her side in her domain. "Do you have something to report?"
"Of course, ma'am," Leonardo replied, stuttering still. "I would not waste your time, if not."
"I'm still just so fascinated by this creature," Watts commented, smirking at Cinder as he tapped at the grimm. "Cinder, dear, are we coming through? Can you see us clearly? Well...as clearly as you can with that single eye of yours…"
Though her voice was not fully recovered, it was normal enough for her to reply in annoyance at the man's insinuation.
"Shut...up." She snapped. "Bitch."
"Oh goody," Watts stated, his tone dripping in sarcasm. "You've recovered."
"Your report," Salem said, directing them back to Leonardo Lionheart. "What is it?"
Lionheart stuttered once more, unsure of if what he was doing was right. "I have...I've found the Spring Maiden."
"Is that so?" Salem questioned, raising an eyebrow before shifting to Watts. "Well done. Arthur, had I known how useful you'd be in expediting this process, I would've sent you long, long ago."
"As much as I'd love to take credit, ma'am, I can't say that either of us are to thank for this development." Watts told her with a slight smirk. "I guess you could say, a little birdie told us."
"Explain," Salem demanded, her eyes narrowing.
"You see, ma'am," Watts began slowly. "Qrow Branwen arrived at Haven Academy earlier today. I assume he's been in the city for a while but, from what we heard him saying to those…teenagers I expected him to be with. He believes Spring has taken residence with his sister's tribe."
Cinder leaned forward. "Is...the girl...with him?"
"Yes," Watts replied irritably. "Miss Rose was in attendance."
"And you know of the tribe's location?" Salem asked him sharply, glancing to Leonardo.
"Yes ma'am!" Lionheart exclaimed, speaking quickly. "But you have to hurry! Qrow is already at odds with my -"
Glaring at him focusing her concentration in annoyance, the tentacles of the seer grimm began to choke Lionheart as Salem spoke.
"Leonardo, do you remember the first time we met?" She murmured, her voice almost sensual. "I remember. I remember your fear. But, since that day, you've been extraordinarily brave. I won't forget all that you've done for me. Do not forget everything I can do to you."
Forcing the one of the points on a tentacle of the grimm close to Leonardo Lionheart's face, Salem forced it to draw back before gesturing for it to release the stranglehold that it had on the man who collapsed on the ground, coughing and struggling for breath. Speaking once again, she turned to Cinder first.
"Cinder, you and your team will meet with Doctor Watts, and together, convince Raven Branwen that the survival of her people depends on her cooperation," Salem laughed. "Provided,of course, we can in fact trace their locations down. Be patient, we may very well need a few weeks."
"Should she really go?" Watts said disdainfully. "Considering that she couldn't even kill her own brother?"
Salem sent him a dark look. "She should. I believe Emmett, Emmeline, Lysithea, and Samara Ciel-Schnee are there along with that blonde, Ozpin's daughter, and that Atlesian kid. If they are still there when you arrive in June, kill Lysithea, Samara, and Emmett, bring General Ciel and the others to me, and make sure that Raven doesn't put up a fight."
Cinder flinched despite herself and, for once, the Queen did notice it.
"Once you have Spring under control, escort her to the Relic, and contact Hazel," Salem continued. "We promised the White Fang the chance to destroy Haven Academy as they did BEacon, and they'll have it once we have what we need."
"Understood," Watts said.
"Not you, Arthur," Salem told him irritably. "Tyrian's in need of a new tail."
Watts rolled his eyes. "What happened to his old one?"
"Guess," Cinder said darkly.
"The silver eyed girl?" Seeing her narrow her eyes at him sternly and grunting in acknowledgment, Watts groaned. "It will be done."
"Good," Salem said as the she and Cinder disappeared from the seer grimm though they heard the last remark Watts made to Leonardo.
"Seems Qrow was right, Lionheart," He said acidly. "The students aren't pushovers."
Looking to Salem unhappily as the seer was dismissed, Cinder looked to Salem who spoke. "You're free to speak your mind."
"I don't understand," Cinder said, irritable. "Working with bandits? Keeping Ruby alive? Killing Lysithea and Samara? What's the point? We're strong enough to take what we want by force and I really don't think that Samara or Lysithea Ciel-Schnee can do anything! They're both children! Emmett and the others I understand dealing with, but them?"
"They are both just another psychic born into Ozpin's futile cause," Salem told her and she bit her lip unhappily. "And never underestimate the usefulness of others. Take Leonardo, for one. He was one of Ozpin's most trusted...and yet now…" Salem laughed briefly before returning to seriousness. "I understand that we have yet to deal with Glynda Goodwitch, but you will have the power I promised you when the time is right."
"I am going to deal with her soon," Cinder said angrily. "I'll deal with her at Beacon en route to Haven."
"I know you will," Salem said with a smile, gently patting her cheek. "But remember that even the meager power you have comes with a high cost. If Ruby Rose has learned to harness her gift, then you must take care to protect yours. There's only so much I can do to aid you." As Cinder stood up and began to exit the room with a bow to the Queen, Salem stopped her with her smile slipping away. "And Cinder, before you go, inform Tyrian that I wish to have a word with him."
Smiling and nodding in acknowledgement, Cinder left the room though what Salem didn't know was that she was silently vowing to protect Sam and Lysithea. Emmett, Emmeline, and the others could burn in hell for all she cared, but the two Ciel-Schnee girls meant enough to her to drive her to protect her. Even though she knew it was a risk. Although she was terrified about what Salem could do to her, she was more concerned about them. It was an odd feeling to her, but she felt driven to protect them still. The one question she had for herself, though, was if she would be able to die for them, if she could die to protect them. That was something that she was unsure about.
May 10th
Washington City
Atlas
Downtown
8:57 PM
"Is Annie okay?" Oliver asked almost as soon as his mother stepped back into the house. She had finally gone back to work, and, while everyone knew how draining that was on her, all of their nerves were raised. "Did you hear from her?"
"Yes," Cristal said shortly, setting down her computer bag. "I got a few text messages from her, actually. Everyone's alright, but they're in Mistral and handling a delicate situation there."
"Delicate situation?" Carleigh looked up from the painting she had been working on. "Ooo…can we hear all about it, mommy?"
"No," Cristal sharply replied. "That would be classified."
"Damn it…" Carleigh muttered, scowling at her father when he entered the room himself and tightly embraced her mother. "Everything's fucking classified in Atlas."
Cristal raised an eyebrow. "What was that?"
"Nothing," Carleigh said, still scowling at her parents. "I just like knowing things."
"Me too!" Oliver put in. "Nathan does too! We can –"
"I said no," Cristal sent them both a pointed look. "Neither of you are qualified to have access to classified information, and –"
"Yeah, yeah," Carleigh swore under her breath. "Ugh."
"How come we can't ever do anything exciting?" Oliver protested, sharing a look with his sister. "Come on, we're not babies anymore!"
Ozpin glanced to Cristal. "Some of it does have to do with things they already know," He gently reminded her. "Don't they have a right to know some of it?"
Cristal sighed. "Oz…"
"Nathan!" Carleigh shrilly yelled. "Get in here! Mommy lost an argument and now she has to tell us all about –"
"No," Cristal said sharply. "We are not going to handle this like –"
"It's fine, Chrissy," Ozpin said, setting a hand lightly to her shoulder. "Besides, I'm sure they'll figure it out sooner rather than later."
"Guaranteed," Oliver said, shrugging. "We're experts at eavesdropping."
Cristal tiredly adjusted her glasses. "That doesn't surprise me," She admitted. "It doesn't make it good, but it isn't surprising either."
"What isn't surprising?" Nathan asked, coming into the room and then bouncing onto the couch in between his brother and sister.
Cristal was silent for a moment, unsure of how or if she wanted to respond, and then shook her head.
"Annie and her teammates are in Mistral with Emmeline and Emmett, handling the Branwen tribe," She finally said, looking rather tense – something that did not abate even when Ozpin reassuringly squeezed her hand. "Because, since Beacon fell, things have been…precarious, regarding Salem, and we need whatever allies we can have right now."
Carleigh raised an eyebrow. "Doesn't Raven Branwen belong in the loony bin?"
"She's not crazy, if that's what you're suggesting," Cristal said pointedly. "But she does have a worldview that your father and I…and, honestly, most of the group disagree with."
"Fun," Oliver said dryly. "We can see grownups fight like kids."
Ozpin couldn't help but laugh, even when Cristal turned to him in surprise.
"No one is going to be fighting," He told them. "Not to the point of tearing out hair, anyways."
Cristal snorted. "I wouldn't mind ripping out a chunk of Varna's hair, given what she's trying to pull."
"Varna's a bitch," Nathan remarked. "Isn't she the lady that kills people and has all of Vacuo under thumb?"
Ozpin sighed. "That is, unfortunately, rather accurate."
"Ooo, fun," Carleigh said, far too excitedly. "Do you think Emmett and her can beat each other up? Who would win in a fight: him or her?"
"Emmett," Ozpin told her with finality, eliciting a faint smile from his wife. "He can be a surprisingly good fighter when pressed. I think he just wants people to assume he's incapable."
Cristal rolled her eyes. "Helplessness has always been his game, even since we were kids. He used to act helpless so girls would feel bad for him in school and do things for him. It was annoying, ridiculous, and hilarious."
Ozpin smirked. "I believe that."
"Sounds like Emmett," Carleigh said nonchalantly. "He's kind of a weirdo."
"Umm, he's always been a weirdo," Nathan countered. "He told me that he got a fur coat because he eventually won a bet against aunt Emmeline."
"Also true," Cristal noted.
"Awesome!" Oliver exclaimed, smacking his hand against his brother's.
"Hell yeah!" Carleigh agreed, smacking her both of her brothers upside the head. "Now, let's see what kind of mischief we can get into with what we got out of mommy and daddy…"
May 15th
City of Atlas
Atlas
Downtown
3:34 PM
"This is not the news I would like to have to deliver to our people," President Ronnie Ciel said, standing almost emotionlessly before the crowd in the press room of the presidential manor. "But, I'm afraid, I have been left with no choice."
He paused for a moment, hearing the murmurs that were beginning to rise amongst the reporters and citizens in the crowd.
"As many of you well know, the kingdom of Atlas has had closed borders since the first of January," Ronnie said, sighing heavily. "That is not set to change anytime soon. Ultimately, we have no choice but to remain under careful balance. I recognize that, since the end of the last presidency at the culmination of 2020, the kingdom is more polarized than ever, but we cannot take risks right now. Security and domestic issues are of the greatest concern, hence the stance of the state department and the security council. Bearing that in mind, I would like to invite the chair of the Atlesian National Security Council, Elizabeth Morell, to speak."
A heavy few minutes passed in silence. Elizabeth stood up calmly from in the back of the press room, a small file tucked under her arm, with all eyes turning to her. Ronnie stepped aside while she stepped forward. The clicking of her heels was almost foreboding, and everyone seemed afraid of what was to come. It was rare that a president invite the chair of the security council to speak and, the few times it had happened before, it was rarely good. More often than not, it was a sign of something bad to come, like when the parking lot outside of the CIA buildings throughout the kingdom were full on a Sunday or Saturday. Everyone seemed to be holding their breath in anticipation, and this feeling did not fade when Elizabeth set the file down on the podium, nodded shortly to Ronnie, who was standing beside her, and took in a deep breath to calm herself before she addressed the people in the room and the rest of the kingdom and the world, via the Amity Communications Satellite. They had launched it months ahead of schedule, and it had been on the prompting of Elizabeth Morell, Karissa Mar, and Blake Adel. The fact that no one knew and had simply assumed that communications had been fully restored and many didn't even know that they had ever been down.
"I understand that many people must have questions about why the State Department has so heavily restricted travel to Vacuo, or why the Department of Fiscal Affairs and Corporate Restriction has placed an embargo on dust worldwide when this mainly affects somewhere we cannot travel," Elizabeth said, her voice calm but her breathing quick and shallow. "And I recognize this…however, we finally have concrete evidence of the involvement of the Vacuoian prime minister – Rosalinde Varna – in the Fall of Beacon. I do not say this lightly, and, while I cannot give details because such evidence is vital to national security, the DOJ has subpoenaed documents from Varna as a result."
Elizabeth paused and the room went into an uproar of fear.
"I will say, however," Elizabeth went on, drawing the attention back to her and Ronnie. "That we are secure for the time being. I am justifying our actions, not suggesting we take positive action. Furthermore –"
"That's rubbish!" A small lamb faunus – Fiona Thyme – yelled from the back, standing up and immediately being pulled back by security. "You're trying to squeeze Mantle and the rest of the midwest dry! Robyn Hill has been saying that for years! You accumulate wealth and power, claiming to work for all of us yet, in our hour of need, you forget! You all don't care! President Ciel isn't even a true member of FreeAtlas, he's an ex-conservative that ousted our god-awful previous –"
"Ma'am," Elizabeth said calmly, her voice strained while the guards stopped. "I recognize your frustration, but this is what is necessary and proper –"
"Necessary and proper?" Fiona shook her head as the guards released her and she started to walk out. "If that were true, then maybe the capital would try and help the whole kingdom…rather than forget about everything except the eastern and western coasts…if you have any honor...you'll hear Robyn out."
The doors slammed behind her and, no matter what Elizabeth or Ronnie could say after, there was no change. Too much was already set in motion, already questioned, and it seemed that everything they had always known had changed without reprieve.
May 19th
Beacon Academy
City Of Vale
Vale
Downtown
9:45 PM
As soon as the ship landed in the center of the still damaged courtyard of Beacon Academy, Glynda hesitantly walked off and took in the surroundings. It was almost nine in the evening and the rain from the night before was still glinting slightly in the lights from the aircraft. Several soldiers guarded the ship on both the inside of it and the outside and, just as she wasn't looking and a creep took advantage of her spacing to attack, James shot down the grimm charging at her as he followed after her. Having orders to stand by and defend the aircraft, the soldiers stayed though James went with Glynda as she continued to look through what was left of Beacon. Though the majority of the CCTS tower had been repaired and was stable once more, the monstrous grimm that Ruby had frozen on top of it was still there even though the Academy had fallen so many months before. The grimm population had, since the fall, dropped considerably though there were still many roaming around and there was a nevermore circling the tower until it began flying off in the direction of Mountain Glenn.
Glancing at her scroll, Glynda pushed against one of the main buildings of the Academy that was mostly repaired and, after a moment's hesitation, began to walk inside. Attempting to switch on the lights, she sighed in relief that that had also been repaired and continued to wander through the familiar corridors with James never far from her. It wasn't until she reached the amphitheater that she stopped and closed her eyes for the briefest of moments before forcing herself to go in. Seeing the door to her office at the other end of the hall, Glynda bit back tears at the thought of what Beacon had become and though she stopped upon hearing voices at that end of the still relatively darkened hall. Her crop in hand, Glynda pushed up her glasses and James steadied his gun in hand though the second she reached the end and manipulated the light to fill the entire amphitheater, she found herself shocked rather than troubled by what she and James saw.
Sitting on top of an excessively large stack of books, books that she herself recognized as having been from her personal library in her office, was Bartholomew Oobleck, sipping from his thermos and reading what appeared to be a romance novel. Focusing on the book in his hand, Glynda took in a sharp breath and also turned a little pink when she realized that he was reading one of the sexier stories that pertained to romance and the supernatural. Unable to react, she simply stared for a moment while James wrapped an arm her and put his revolver away though she glared when he looked up, saw her, closed the book after marking his page, and jumped down from the stack of books with his thermos in hand, looking rather pleased with himself.
"Very good to see you again, Glynda," Oobleck said as quickly as he usually did. "Pete should be back soon but I think he is currently in the city picking up more stories in this series. Lucid Dreams really is an excellent series, and I must say you have excellent taste."
"If I go in there," Glynda said, gesturing to the door of her office with her crop. "Am I going to like what I see or am I going to be angry with someone?"
Oobleck hesitated before smiling. "Change is always a positive factor in life! For example, I used those papers that -"
"You did what?" Glynda demanded, crossing her arms with her crop still in hand. "Barty, I swear to -"
"Well…" Oobleck began as her eyes narrowed further. "They were in a messy stack in one of the corners and Pete and I used them for fire before we managed to get the power back before the electricians even -"
"I needed to grade those!" Glynda snapped, exasperated more than anything. "I know that we were set to go back into session for three weeks from now, and I know that's changed to three months -"
"Glynda, it's not really that big of a deal," Oobleck told her Port came in with several shopping bags on his arms. "Pete, do you agree with me that it's fine that we burned papers?"
Port looked up at him in surprise before noticing Glynda and James. "Well...uh...what does Glynda have to say about it?"
"That has to be some sort of joke," Glynda said as turned to face him. "Please tell me that you're joking and that I can wake from this hellish nightmare soon."
"I'm afraid you're not going to get that luxury," Port told her, setting down the bags by the stack of books. "Did Barty tell you about how great your taste in literature is?"
"Are you kidding me?" She snapped again, staring at both of them in shock. "I was intending to grade those and those also included paper records for -"
"Advanced First, Second, Third, and Fourth Year teams," Port finished. "We saved those, if you want them."
"Of course I want them," She replied, tilting her head towards her office. "So where exactly did you put them?"
"I'll fetch them!" Oobleck declared, dashing into her office and slamming the door quickly behind him to prevent her from seeing inside of it.
Port sighed, leaning against the wall. "I didn't realize you were going to be coming back to Beacon."
"It's not as if I have much of a choice," Glynda said as James gave her a comforting squeeze. "I...I have to do something. I know I've been directing for months since I've been in Atlas and...and I'm going to end up continuing to do so but...but there are other things I have to keep in mind right now too."
"You know, I heard Qrow was in Mistral," Port said and she looked at him sharply. "No, really. Supposedly Team RWBY is as well."
"I know Emmett and Emmeline are in Mistral with Team SAML right now," Glynda told him, her nerves with regard to what could happen to him and the others coming back. "But I haven't heard anything from him since -"
"Emmett Schnee?" Port asked for confirmation and she and James both nodded. "He actually sent a message here the other day, seemed to think you might be here."
"What?" James said, exchanging a look with Glynda before pulling her tightly into him. "Are he and Emmeline alright? Or Team SAML?"
"He said they were heading for the City of Mistral," Port informed them pulling out the note from one of the stacks. "I was surprised that it was handwritten, but Winter Schnee delivered it here having personally received it from Emmett in the middle of nowhere a few days ago. Apparently, he had asked her to bring it to Beacon for you."
Looking over the note, Glynda's eyes went wide as she and James read what Emmett had written.
Glynda ~
Heading to the City of Mistral soon to deal with the council and whatnot. Emmy and I are stopping with Yang and Team SAML to offer a deal between Atlas and the Branwen tribe…although whether or not they'll agree is questionable. Honestly, I'm still nervous about having Team SAML and Yang alongside us in the shady part of Mistral but we made our choice. Like I said, we're currently...dealing with, I suppose, the Branwen Tribe. Raven's said some maddening things but I'll tell you about them later, and she's been...odd. We found Weiss too - who is fine - and it was a relief that I was able to meet up with Winter to send this. Anyway, we're all fine and I promise I'd make sure you and James would know if there was any trouble. Emmy or I will send you a message and, hopefully, see you and James soon.
Love,
Emmett Arthur Schnee
Pocketing the note, Glynda sighed and leaned into James before looking at Oobleck when he came back. "Do either of you know if it's safe to go up to Beacon Tower?"
Port and Oobleck exchanged a look before Oobleck sighed. "It's perfectly safe...but might I ask -"
"She is the headmistress," Port pointed out to him. "She has every right."
"That is correct," Glynda told him, her voice shaking. "I...I...I'll be back later."
"Glynda -" James began as she began walking towards the door, her arms tightly crossed and her crop clutched to her chest.
"I...I…" Glynda began as she turned around to face him as he pulled her into her. "James, I…"
"I love you," James promised her, kissing her gently. "And no matter what happens, it will be alright."
"I love you too," Glynda murmured, wrapping her arms around him and pulling out her scroll to begin to login in her clearance to enter the tower.
May 24th
Government Offices Of The Atlesian Council
Department Of Criminal, Civil, And Corporate Prosecution
City Of Atlas
Atlas
Security Level: High
Necessary Security Clearance: Mid-Range
Day One Of The Trial For Charges Pressed Against Jacques Schnee (nee Gelè)
11: 23 AM
Kiara Davis sighed as she sat in her office for the last few minutes of peace she had before she was required for the commencement of Jacques's trial, or, at least, the first day of it. She had a feeling that it was going to run long, but, as she forced herself to stand up despite feeling sick, this was her job. Her entire life had been devoted to criminal prosecution and investigation and accountability. It was all to be a bearer of justice, and, for all of her nerves, she was more than prepared for what she had to face. Still, when Elizabeth Morell entered the room, the sinking feeling returned to her. Feeling her heels pinch her toes for not the first time, Kiara swore under her breath before remembering, briefly, the words she and Ronnie had exchanged after Cinder's trial had finished years and years before. The memory was haunting, but it was true.
"And I'm going to remind you that this is the woman that killed your father, almost got your sister, and had plans to kill you and your brother as well," Kiara said shortly. "Do you really think there's anything to be gained from speaking with someone that unreasonable?"
"Maybe not," Ronnie admitted. "But I'm going to regardless."
Kiara raised an eyebrow and then shook her head. "I suggest you do it soon and securely...and don't believe a damn word that she says."
"Are you alright?" Elizabeth asked her as Kiara shut the file and picked it up. "You do understand that you didn't have to do this, right?"
"I know I didn't," Kiara told her irritably, drawing the file closer to her. "But I wanted to."
"Did you really?" Elizabeth sighed, trying not to upset her. "Or did the rest of the DLNLE, the DCCCP, and the DFAMA talk you into it, Davis?"
"No, they didn't talk into it," She told her, remembering how Leanne had even suggested that she not for the sake of her not being stressed. "It's just...sorry. The last time that I...that I was prosecuting a case this high profile was…"
"Cinder…" Elizabeth finished, recalling that day from over a decade prior. "And that was brutal."
"Her confession was so…" Kiara trailed off briefly as she grew angry towards the psychopathic woman. "She's nothing more or less than an evil -"
"I know," Elizabeth said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Look, I know and -"
"You and the Ciels probably know better than anyone!" Kiara shook her head, gently prying Elizabeth's arm off of her as she headed towards the door. "I've got to go, but we can talk later -"
Tripping as one of her heels snapped, Kiara fell to the ground and began to curse as Elizabeth helped her up. Slipping off her flats, Elizabeth handed them to her. Kiara stared at her in surprise before glancing back to her heels on the floor while Elizabeth spoke.
"Take mine," She told her. "Seriously, no one wants you to break your ankles or something worse."
Kiara glanced back to her heels once more before nodding weakly. "Ronnie was right…"
"What about?" Elizabeth asked her, an eyebrow raised.
"Oh...uh…" Kiara sighed heavily and twisted her long, sleek ponytail between her fingers before letting it flow freely. "After...after Cinder's trial, after she was found guilty...Ronnie asked me for advice on how to handle speaking with Cinder and, when I was leaving, he told me to wear more comfortable shoes the next time I had a multiple day court proceeding."
"That's sounds about right," Elizabeth said, with a heavy sigh. "Well," She said, regaining her composure. "Good luck, and you can keep the shoes. I have others."
Before she could respond, Elizabeth was gone and Kiara closed her eyes for a moment before slipping on the grey flats and, with her file in hand, quickly locked her office. While she felt somewhat strange not being 5'7'' and rather her natural 5'3'', she had to admit that Elizabeth's flats were far more comfortable than her heels. Smoothing out her pencil skirt before entering the courtroom where Jacques and his lawyer were already waiting, Kiara forced her face to be neutral despite wanting to frown at him in distaste. Taking her seat with a few senior members of the DFACR, DLNLE, and DFAMA that had pressed the charges against the man in the first place, as well as a few of her fellow prosecutors, Kiara restrained herself from tapping her foot or glancing over at their opposition during the judge's opening lines. This was, of course, before she heard Corson's name after having watched Jacques being brought to the stand.
"John Corson Leonard, defense attorney for Jacques Louis Schnee, nee Gelè, will now give his opening statements."
Leonard had spent his career defending the highest of white-collar crime, and he had managed to get so many people off. His was formidable, Kiara knew, and it worried her. They had planned on Jacques having the best defense in the country, but even this set a bad omen before them.
"The Department Of Fiscal Affairs And Corporate Restriction, the Department Of Local And National Law Enforcement, and the Department Of Foreign Affairs And Military Action have brought forward multiple charges of business malpractice, money laundering, tax evasion, corruption, bribery, and inheritance fraud," Leonard said as if the words had a bad taste and Kiara bit her lip. She knew that, when charges of money laundering and tax evasion had been brought before, Jacques had gotten off. "I can say with absolute certainty that these charges are false, especially considering that these charges include...evidence that was supposedly leading back to the beginnings of my client's leadership of the Schnee Dust Company. If that were to be true, the council would have shut down the company years ago and it would have been dissipated into other conglomerates by the Department of Fiscal Affairs and Corporate Restriction."
A beat. No one in the room moved, let alone said anything.
"Kiara Melissa Davis," The judge said, nodding emotionless towards her as she stood up and began to walk forward. "The prosecution will now give her opening statements against the defendant and provide her rebuttal."
Kiara hesitated before she began clearly. "Mister Leonard, if I may," She said coolly. "Do you recall the seventeen members of the Department Of Financial Affairs And Corporate Restriction that were recently incarcerated for corruption in regards to being bribed to vote in favour of motions that supported or allowed the Schnee Dust Company to have a more favorable position in the markets?"
Leonard stared at her for a moment. "Objection," He said shortly. "Madame Davis is attempting to sway the jury."
"Unsustained," The judge said, shortly beating his gavel against the stand.
"Do you or do you not deny the previous allegation?" Kiara pressed and Leonard did not respond, allowing her to continue on in her statements.
"Over the last few months, many papers have come to light that have exposed a money trail leading to one of the largest gangs in Vacuo, as well as the Vacuoian prime minister, Rosalinde Varna," Kiara continued, her voice clipped. "These papers suggest that the defendant received money from these sours through the Valerian capital and the Mistrali capital as well. Furthermore, the Department of Financial Affairs and Corporate Restriction also managed to obtain new evidence that the Schnee Dust Company has been evading its taxes, neglected dangerous working conditions, and intentionally discriminated against the faunus. As for the issue of whether or not Jacques Schnee legitimately inherited the company, there has been increasing evidence that he coerced a dying, anesthetic Nicholas Schnee into altering his will. Not only do the staff who were there confirm that that occurred, but they also admitted to being paid to being paid a rather considerable sum of lien for their silence."
The room processed the information for an elongated moment before the judge spoke.
"Mister Leonard," He said shortly. "Your rebuttal."
"Thank you, your honor," Leonard stood up himself and staring at Kiara who only began to pull evidence from her file. "Madame Davis, that was well over twenty years ago. How, pray tell, would anyone recall such an event? Word of mouth is not enough to build a legitimate criminal case upon, as you well know."
"No, it is not," Kiara agreed to his shock as she pulled out several sheets of paper with the evidence she was describing on it. "But if you follow the money and where it came from, then you'll see that Jacques Schnee has been paying off seven different staff members of that hospital since that day for the last two decades and it has been undisclosed."
Leonard took the evidence from her and began to exam it.
"How was this evidence obtained, might I ask Madame Davis?" He eventually said. "What was your source?"
"Financial records," Kiara replied. "Financial records that were undisclosed but not entirely hidden. In fact, these were obtained directly from the Schnee Dust Company's own records by Investigator Leanne Tanner. When the probe into the Schnee Dust Company was enacted by the Department of Justice seven months ago, this was one of the classified materials that came of it though they were declassified in just the past fortnight."
Leonard stiffly handed the file back to her. "And you legally obtained this information when?"
"Three months ago," Kiara informed him. "In case you have forgotten, I have a -"
"Yes, yes, you have consistently renewed a maximum-security clearance," Leonard said. "But was doing so ethical? What you looked into; I mean?"
"Ethical?" Kiara raised an eyebrow. "Mister Leonard, I am afraid that is immaterial. Even so, I should question you with as to how looking into this particular subject was unethical when your client has coerced a man into altering his will, launders money, and allows for dangerous working conditions amongst other things. If that is ethical, then I should fear that anything is…for the right price, granted."
