Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of Cold Compassion. Enjoy the 900-word chapter. I don't own RWBY, Monty Oum and Rooster Teeth do.

(Atlesian Manta, inbound to cruiser Solitude.)

Winter looked at Slater while he continued typing on his scroll. He said nothing and continued imputing commands

"I haven't seen White Fang soldiers in Vacuo. I've seen plenty of delivery records originating from Vacuo… they don't export much." Slater hummed as he sighed and rubbed at his temples before typing in one last command.

"Slater, your running yourself ragged. You just looked through an hours' worth of footage." Slater put his scroll next to him and yawned.

Slater sighed with annoyance before crossing his arms with frustration.

"Cinder managed to slip through our fingers… My father managed to infiltrate and hack Mantle, Win. He managed to slip through our fingers… through our fingers and kill countless people. He also laid waste to Mantle, let's not forget Tyrian is being transported to Vale to stand trial for numerous crimes. He already got broken out of Jail once by Salem. You really want me to picture the idea that Salem sent 30-40 Nevermores at the airship and it's escorts? We had a dangerous SERIAL KILLER loose in Mantle because Cordo and parts of our military are too incompetent to take threats to the world seriously." He put in.

Winter couldn't deny that, she heard from Clover that he, the Ace Ops and Penny would be handling Clover. Winter would have commented on the amount of security any other time.

But Salem had shown her that her army had to be taken seriously. She had nearly destroyed Mantle and taken both the relic and its maiden right out from under them. she still remembered her own father had been in on it… even to a small degree.

"I'm just glad something good came out of this. We went from not knowing anything to being able to defeat two of Salem's inner circle, kill her maiden, gain 2 maidens… And ruin an attack on the city." Winter held up her hand to see a series of snowflakes dancing in her palm.

Slater hummed and looked away at this. he was quite clearly still running tests on the crux of Winter's abilities.

Part of him was also curious how it affected Penny. He wondered how an ANDROID with Maiden abilities. Penny had limitless stamina and the potential to be a powerful warrior.

But first and foremost, his thoughts went to his girlfriend and partner/commander. He stole a glance at Winter who was busy making sure her semblance still worked.

"You've been having problems with your Aura still? I've heard from General Ironwood new maidens need to balance out their Aura since their maiden powers drain massive chunks of energy. I heard later maidens are able to use their powers even after their Auras are broken. I'm very interested in seeing a full report, but the Fall Maiden before Cinder? She's dead, she was attacked years ago and then her body was slain in the battle." Slater brought up a report of the battle.

He wished he had footage of it as well, the more details he had access to? The more easily he'd be able to come up with an idea of how Salem was able to STEAL Maiden abilities.

"I know. I've been reading up on every profile, every single report and drop of information. We need to learn more about being a Maiden. I would have liked to have gotten more time to train… we don't really have the luxury of waiting; Salem is going to come for Mantle again sooner or later. If she was going to be able to destroy the city and steal everything worth a damn." Winter clenched her fist.

She had let her father and Salem get one over on her, managing to turn the entire city against itself. She almost had to give the evil witch credit… if she wasn't such a monster that she could and would end the world if they didn't stop her.

"I totally wonder what would happen when we get to Vacuo. We have reports that their military has entirely been engaging soldiers from the White Fang… And Grimm at the same time. I know the White Fang haven't been seen with this much manpower. Their up to something and want to get it done even if that means a three-way war." he turned and put his hand on Winter's as their Manta turned and passed through the clouds towards their cruiser.

Their ride to Vacuo would be long, it would be annoying, and it would keep them awake trying to find a way to deal with a 3-way war.

He turned off his Scroll and put it back into his jacket. Slater had a lot of worse things on his mind.

He looked at Winter, he did have a few good things to think about at the moment though. he hummed and then stroked at his face.

Author Notes

Phew, another chapter done! I want to point out that this will be the final arc soon. next chapter is going to be on Next Wednesday or so and will show Slater and Winter aboard their ship inbound to Vacuo and Neo's plan. Until then, Lighting Wolf out!

Ps: Raven's story is Sunday or Monday. Yang is still tomorrow and Glynda is still Thursday with Ruby Sunday.