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.

(Vacuo.)

Slater causing Winter to wake up, slip on her boots and uniform before walking to the briefing room was beginning to be common… then again? They were at war; it was kind of obvious that they wouldn't have the ability to enjoy sleeping in.

"You look like you need a cup of coffee." Slater yawned as they passed into a briefing room.

the hologram of General Ironwood greeted them. Winter was glad she had tried hiding the lack of sleep she had gotten; it was part of her training not to betray her body language.

"Schnee, Salvino…" Slater and Winter gave a salute before folding their hands behind their back.

The general cleared his throat and looked at the two Atlesian Officers.

"I want to wish you a good morning to begin with." Ironwood got a chuckle from the duo before he went straight to business.

"Salem has been pulling her Grimm back, I don't know if she's scared of RWBY and the others, but whoever is trying to steal the Sword of Destruction? Our spies are telling me that this isn't Salem." Winter raised an eyebrow and looked at Slater before humming.

"Winter, do you know Neopolitan?" Winter heard from General Ironwood before he crossed his own arms behind his back.

"Roman Torchwick's associate? I thought Ms. Rose confirmed her death in the battle of Vale. That a Griffin consumed her like Roman was." Winter stated to the general, raising her eyebrow even higher.

"No, if things were that easy? This war would just be over by now…. From a report I've gotten? SHE is the one commanding those thugs and mercenaries your encountering in Vacuo." Ironwood watched Slater clear his throat at this.

"Sir, with all due respect? Why would Neopolitan want from Vacuo? You're telling us she's after the relic and not Salem?" Slater questioned, utterly confused on what the thief would want so much from the kingdom.

"Your aware of Cinder's attempt to steal the power of Fria before her… departure?" Ironwood saw the duo nod.

Even when she was dead, nobody wanted to imply anything bad about Fria. The woman had chosen to give up her life for Atlas and the world. The least they could do was respect her death meaning she could rest easily.

"Yes, we didn't see Neo anywhere in the entire hospital, I think she would have showed up if she was working with Cinder." Slater pointed out, Ironwood shook his head and brought up a digital file.

"According to some camera footage we managed to secure before they scrubbed it? Neo has been working with Cinder as a spy ever since they arrived in Mantle… and it's HEAVILY implied Neopolitan is already aware of the truth of what befell Roman." Ironwood cleared his throat as the duo processed the information.

"Neopolitan is seeking revenge... against Remnant and Salem. The only way she could possibly do any real damage to Salem?" Ironwood watched the duo's faces fall as they understood what Neo wanted.

"She's after the sword to try and kill Salem… but she's obviously also trying to kill us at the same time." Slater stated before he rubbed at his temples in annoyance.

"She'll burn down all of the kingdom before she gets the sword… sir, does she know about…" Ironwood shook his head from side to side.

"Unless she's physic? We have no knowledge of her being aware you're a Maiden." Ironwood stated, Slater and Ironwood nodded with relief.

"That said? that brings us to the mission your being sent on… to find the Summer Maiden." Winter and Slater's eyes widened in shock at this.

Hunting down the Summer Maiden? If they were looking for her, it would give time for the others to recover and then attack them again and possibly destroy them.

"Sir…" The General cut them both off, knowing how they'd react.

"Neopolitan is already well on her way to securing the Summer Maiden, there is no way to compromise her safety more than it already is… Not even Salem can pierce the vaults the Relics are in… but the Maidens can. That's why they're still standing, I'm trusting both of you… and JNR, to retrieve the relic. I want to assure Ms. Hill I'm willing to trust the safety of Remnant to more than just Atlesian troops. You have to find the Summer Maiden and bring her in, that is the only way we secure victory from Salem and Neopolitan." Ironwood stated, it sounded very much like an order, and both treated it as such.

The general signed off, knowing his orders would be followed. Unity would defeat Salem, not personal vendettas and power plays. It just reminded him of Ozpin's orders.

He looked at Oscar, seated in the Manta's chair next to him.

If this didn't end soon? all of Remnant would be consumed by Salem's hate.

Author Notes

Phew, another chapter done! I'm sorry for the short chapters, I do plan on making them longer when the show comes back. next chapter is going to be in 4-5 weeks and will end up showing Slater, Winter and the others on their mission. Until then, Lighting Wolf out!

Ps: Ruby is 900 Sunday, Glynda 900 Thursday, Tock might be Friday, Yang 1200 Saturday, Weiss 900 Monday and Raven 900-1200 Tuesday. Willow and Penny are next week maybe and Winter is 900 words.