James Ironwood walked through the pristine streets of Atlas, his mind running on overdrive, not even noticing the stares and salutes that the citizens were giving him. To him Hunt Master Rose was to naïve to be Hunt Master despite her skill. Giving Torchwick a chance of redemption in his mind was foolhardy, the man had broken the law he needed to be punished. Luckily Huntress Branwen had the far better idea to use Torchwick's connections to form a spy network to prevent another Beacon from happening, something that the Hunt Master agreed with. Didn't help with the fact that the man was in his city. He had assigned Vine the task of following the man and keep tabs or intercept if necessary. If Torchwick went one toe out of line he would know. However, Hunt Master Rose's other idea to bring in more people that they trusted into the fight against Salem he agreed with which lead him to his destination a place that he hadn't been in nine years. Fear and guilt froze Ironwood, he couldn't ask his objective, not after what had happened.

Before Ironwood could leave the door opened and an older man was standing with a smile. He was an older man with silver grey hair in a short military buzz cut. His face was clear but full of wrinkles and bright green eyes. He was wearing an old Navy undershirt. The man was leaning on a crutch as he was missing his right leg. With a smile he said "James its good to se you again, come inside. Glad that your leg was able to be replaced."

"You now sir You could always get a prosthetic yourself. It would be easier that hopping around with that crutch."

"Never liked prosthetics." Silver replied before adding a bit forcefully "You can't replace flesh and bones with gears and wires"

"Admiral Silver thank you for the invitation I know you're a busy man but" Ironwood started as the two men walked inside only to be interrupted.

"James I'm retired call me John. And besides despite what happened your still my son in law." John said as the two men entered the living room. The room was clean but cluttered ships in bottles and other knickknacks lined the walls and next to the chair that John sat down in was a cage that housed a blue macaw. Ironwood picked up one of the photos on the mantle. The photo was of a young woman in her twenties with bright orange hair and green eyes in a wedding dress. As Ironwood put down the photo, he asked "So where is Norman?"

"He went out to get some essentials. Shame he left 20 minutes before you arrived. He would have loved to see you."

"How can you say that Sir? I'm the reason that Andrea's dead." James commented in shock

"You didn't kill her. It was Morrey Johnson and his band of crazies that did it." John replied.

"But I was the one who sent her on that assignment. It's my fault that I underestimated Morrey and overestimated Andrea. Thanks to my actions we lost Andrea and." Ironwood said sadly before stopping himself. "If we just had more power, we could prevent this from happening again. If I was just stronger, I could have killed Morrey at Beacon.

John hobbled up to Ironwood and placed a hand on his shoulder. "The day that I walked Andrea down the aisle on her wedding day to give to you was one of the happiest days of my life. She was one of the greatest treasures I ever head. I know she wouldn't want me or you to be hung up on her death. You can't shoulder the world by your self."

"Thank you, sir. That's partially why I came here." Ironwood said.

"James, I retired for a reason. Not to mention the fact that if I had to here one of Corvid's long-winded rants about how Atlas was the greatest kingdom of all time, I would have blown either her or my brains out." John said with a chuckle.

"Despite her personality, Corvid is a fine officer." Ironwood countered.

"She's to strict. She'll brake before she bends. If there is one thing that I learned in my many years of service is that if the C.O. doesn't bent the men under their command brake." John said with a shake of his head. He then continued "You said that you wanted me back. Why?"

"What I'm about to tell you is the highest level of classification, I need you to give me your word that you wont tell anyone what I'm about to tell you. Ironwood said without a hint of kindness in his voice.

"You have my word General Ironwood" John replied.

"The figure that the cult of Salem worships is real. Salem is making moves and I need people that I can trust to help me fight back. Please sir I need your help."

"James your family of course I'll help you. But I need to know why did you build Penny. A lot of people may have forgotten but I haven't" John replied his tone taking a dark tone near the end.

Ironwood gave a sad sigh before saying. "I'm not deflecting the question but what do you know of the four maidens?"

"What anyone know about that old children's tail. Plus, some rumblings about one showing up at the battel of beacon." John said before his eyes widened. "The maidens are real"

"Yes, sir they are. But they are mortal. Penny was built to be a perfect host for a maidens power on that wouldn't die and could be Remnant's savoir Project Polendina's true purpose was top secret as well. Less that twenty people know her true purpose. It pained me to do it but I needed an excuse to have her built and her design was a result of that. It may be a cover story to the higher ups but Penny is not a replacement. She never could be."