Long a waited update is here. Sorry it took so long. Working two jobs along with helping out with other people's stories gets a little overwhelming at times.
"Breath in...and out." Said Summer as she did just that. "You got this, Summer. You've been in dozens of major combat missions, fought merc groups, beaten terrorists, and killed a couple of million-year-old kilometers long AI sentient starships. Compared to that, this should be a synch."
Today was the first day of the new semester, and Summer's new class was about to start in a minute. She was ready to teach it. Glynda had been a big help in that regard when making a class syllabus to use. Wrote a few ideas for homework assignments she can assign and what they can work on in class.
She stood right outside her office door with a mug of black coffee in hand. Clad in her now dubbed N7 huntress armor with her white cloak hanging off her shoulders, along with her weapons strapped to their respective positions. After the short confrontation with Ironwood and his Specialist, Summer kept a close eye on all of the tools she returned to Remnant with.
The brief time between them spoke enough of what kind of man General James Ironwood is and wouldn't be the first time the Commander crossed paths with. A man with a lot of power, a lot of resources at his disposal, and is only looking out for his own organization's wants. However, she needed to be careful this time. Unlike the last time she had many friends, Summer could trust watching her back and humanity's most advanced warship to back her up. Now she had herself, her actual blood-related family, and a few school professors for help. While Ironwood has warships, trained Huntsman level operatives, and an army at his call. Not a fight she would want to pick likely.
Summer tilted her head to the side, getting a sound neck pop. "Ok, time to face the music. You can do this," she said. "If you can deal with being tried in front of the Admiralty board. Then dealing with the equivalent of a bunch of hormonal college kids should be easy. Think of them as a bunch of new recruits just joining up. That should work out."
She took a sip from her coffee before stepping inside her new workspace and looked around her new classroom. At the front of the room stood her teacher's desk and a circular fighting arena. On the other side stood several desks' levels for the students to sit and observe from above.
Which currently held said students.
She walked over and stood in the center of the arena before addressing the class. "Morning, class." Greeted Summer.
"Good morning, Professor!" The students greeted me back. From the student's attire, the class was mixed with students from all four academies. She saw her daughter's team sitting up near the front with JNPR right above them.
"Let's get to introductions. Some of you know who I am, while others may have seen me around the school. For those that don't, my name is Commander Summer Shephard Rose. While in this class, you will address me as either Professor Rose, ma'am, or Commander." Summer stated, adding a bit of a hard edge in her voice. She saw some looks of confusion from some of the students while the Atlas kids sat a bit more straighter. "From some of your reactions from my name, to ease some of your questions. Yes, I am indeed Ruby and Yang's Mother, and no, just because my family is in attendance does not mean they have immunity here." Summer glanced at the two to see Yang smile with a hand rubbing head while Ruby mad an attempt of ducking under her gaze.
"I have a military rank and earned my positions, unlike a lot of people who bribed and bought theirs. For the last decade, and especially in the last few years, I have led the best on missions that were considered suicidal. One way trips that most thought couldn't be done, but we did. Killing monsters and hunting for the worst evil's of the world."
She let her words sink in for a moment before continuing. Many of the students in the audience looked at her in awe, while others scoffed at her words. "I am here today because I was asked to pass on my knowledge to the next generation of Huntsman." Summer gave the kids a piercing look. "Know this, being a Huntsman isn't all about glory and riches. If you came to my class for that reason, then you are already going to fail it!"
Her words snapped the class at how harsh the tone their teacher threw at them. Some of them even looked confused at her words. Summer saw this coming a mile away. 'Good time for them to realize what they're getting into.'
"Being a Huntsman is a title, one that holds a bit of weight in this world's society. Don't flaunt if off what that means to those that don't posses it. In this class, you will be facing all the negative aspects that come with it. Such as dealing with death, whether it's the death of a comrade or the death you may have to deal with the aura less bandit that's ready to kill the farmers family your protecting." That seemed to shock a bunch of students. Some looked uncertain about being here. Summer wonder if she was coming on a bit strong but needed to get her point across. Ruby and Yang's stunned/surprised looks were a bit heartbreaking, but they needed to know what they were getting into. "Luckily, you all won't have to deal with that particular lesson yet. Not this year, at least. But once you've graduated from your respected Academy's, to go outside the city's and go off into the wild, you'll find your lives not so simple as you once thought they were. That's for next semester when you take my class.
This semester, you all will learn how to adapt to your classmates, environments, and situations. One day you may have to fight beside a person you do not like but don't have a choice in the matter. You may be fighting an uphill battle where you are facing multiple opponents or overwhelming odds. I'm going to help you build a mindset that will help push through those mental barriers to survive in those situations and survive."
She moved to the whiteboard and grabbed a black marker. Writing her name and the class name.
"So welcome students, to Huntsman Leadership and Survival level 1."
"That's some introduction," commented the tall young muscular woman with medium brown hair in a short ponytail, brown-tan skin, and brown eyes.
"She doesn't pull punches about what a Huntsman is required to do. That's for sure." Stated a dark-skinned young woman with platinum blonde and brown hair shaved on the sides and dark pink eyes.
"The look she holds in her eyes is of one that experiences much." Said a tall man with short, shaved gray hair, deathly pale skin, and light blue eyes. Bearing several tattoos, including a third eye tattoo along the center of his forehead and chin.
"Told you she was interesting," said the last man in the group with an amused smile.
The Ace Operatives, the elite Huntsman and Huntresses of Atlas, Elm Ederne, Harrist Bee, Vine Zaki, and their leader Clover Ebisat gathered in one of Beacon's spare team rooms. The four of them all had their scrolls out to observe their new assignment, their reason they left Atlas for a reason. Observation and possible subdued of Huntress Summer Rose.
The pail skin operative looked up from his scroll at Clover. "I was unaware she had a middle name. The information package we received did not mention such." Vine said.
"Most of the information is nearly ten years old. Where Rose was reported, MIA presumed KIA." Harrist stated as she paid attention to the lecture Summer was portraying. "Then out of the blue, just before the start of the new semester. She is founded by the VDF right after that strange electrical storm."
Elm gave a low laugh. "I have never seen General Ironwood so angry before that storm hit."
"Could you blame him? That storm was reported worldwide and brought an end to the Kight-200's before they could be brought into service. Since then, not one of the new androids was in working order." said Harrist. "A fourth of Atlas's military strength had suddenly disappeared. The council in a panic and civil unrest in Mental. Plus, Penny..."
Vain stared down at the image of Summer on his scroll. "And it all started right when Summer Rose reappeared after almost a decade of absence."
"Whom we will observe and take action when General Ironwood gives us the green light." Clover finished.
Summer finished writing the kid's latest homework assignment on the whiteboard before turning to the class. "So you're first homework assignment is you got to write a nonbiased essay on your teammate's strengths and weaknesses. Things like teamwork, fighting prowess, and socially to you. They have to be 400-600 words per teammate. That's between 1200 to 1800 words. I want to be submitted by paper and through the school's website before class in two weeks. Plenty of time to provide an accurate assessment of those your living with."
"Also, if you worry about other teams looking at your papers, then I'll ease them for you. They will be secured in a hidden place accessible only to the staff, so only we and those we give access to will be able to look at them. If nothing else, you are all dismissed to your next class." The students all rose up from their spots and gathered their things to leave. Summer turned to the student squatting next to her desk. "You may go along as well, mister Troy."
Said the student sighed in relief as he recovered from his position. "T-thank you, professor."
"Don't thank me yet, kid." Summer gave a small disapproving glare at the student. "Check that attitude at the front of the school. It is that kind of talk that is the source of many problems here in the kingdoms. Something we can use less these days." The kid looked away, not meeting her eyes before walking out of her classroom.
Summer tracked his movements as he exited her class. When he walked out the door, was when she slouches slightly with a sigh. It was a bit nerve-wracking, but she got through teaching her first day. Her classes had a few hiccups and a bad apple, but overall, they listen to what they say.
She remembered a bit of what her favorite Turian told her after picking him up on Palaven's moon. "What was it you said, Garrus? Something about shouting loud enough and long enough you'd get people's attention?" She mused.
She went and sat at her desk with a stack of papers. Summer admits that she might have been a bit hard on the kids but made sure she got her points across. There were a few times with the upperclassman where the Commander showed her face. That got them to listen right quick, especially the superior attitude a few of the Atlas students gave off.
It had shown up in her daughter's class, and the girls got a glimpse of the N7 in person. Something barely mentioned in their time together, not witnessed. Ruby and Yang only know the loving Mother, never the hard Huntress or the stricken combative Officer.
"Maybe I should take a mission with them. Do a bit of Mother and daughter bonding time. I know they can handle themselves and could test the new weapons on Grimm."
There she could also relieve some pent up stress that's been building since meeting Ironwood. After that meet and greet, Summer had been feeling that old familiar eye watching her. She figures the General has eyes on, either from the school's cameras or visiting Atlas students and personnel. She has seen a few of his Specialists walking around like mister fishing poll roaming around.
'I'll worry about them later,' Summer dismiss. 'Need to focus on how I'm going to handle grading all this classwork. Joker would get a kick out of this if he saw her now.'
Team RWBY walked into their dorm, all a bit weak from the school day. Yang spoke first as she rotated her left shoulder.
"Those girls from Vacuo were fun against," the blond brawler said before switching to a shoulder stretch.
"Of course you would say that," Wiess replied as she sat at her desk and prepared to do today's homework. "Thou, I admit that one girl used her wind Dust quite well."
"She sure 'blew' Blake here away," Yang nudged her partner.
The other girls sighed at the lame pun. Before Blake could comment, Ruby came to her side and drew her in a one-arm hug and a raised fist. "But do not worry, Blake! For I avenged so that you may rest now in peace."
The cat Faunus rolled her eyes at the sister's antics but welcomed them. "It was much appreciated, Ruby," Blake said, making the reaper smile. "Classes this year are also interesting, like your mother's for one." Weiss nodding.
"Yes, your mother certainly has a unique way with words," the Heiress said to the sisters.
The two remembered the commanding tone their Mother used on a racist student from Haven. The guy made a sly racist comment of a wolf Fauns ears and paid the price.
Their Mother had stopped the subject she was teaching before turning to face the teen student. A single stern look from the Elder Rose was all it took to freeze the student as she calmly walked right up to the student. Next thing the teen knew it he was right in front of the class to repeat what he said in front of everybody. Sufficed to say, that guy became the least liked student, especially from the Faunus. The Commander told the class that comments such as what he said will not be tolerated within her class or Beacon. The student was then told to get his weapon and return back here. After doing so, she instructed the teen to crouch down in a horse stance with his hand stretched out while holding his weapon- a heavy battle-ax/Shotgun -hold it out in front of him.
The class watched the Haven student looked unimpressed at the punishment and scoffed at their Professor. The teen verbally refused to do such a lame sentence where everyone could see. Big mistake on his part as what Professor Rose said was the alternative shocked the class.
The Haven student then got into the stance and held it for the remainder of the class. Which was another hour.
The sight of the sister's Mother talking so casually on leadership while a student struggled to keep his big weapon in the air was something else.
"Better make sure our homework for Mom is done before we have fun afterward," Ruby said to the team. Yang nodding with her head fearfully.
"Yeah, I like that plan. Keep Mom happy." The blond brawler quickly gathered her stuff. "I'm going to head to the library to get started on that."
"I'll come with," Blake said before grabbing her bag. "There are a few things I need to look up." The bumblebee pair left the dorm for the schools' library, leaving behind the ice flower duo.
While Weiss sat at her desk and worked quietly on her homework. Ruby went to lay on her bunk, staring at the ceiling.
This went on for a few minutes before Weiss realized something. It was quiet, too quiet with Ruby still in the teams' dorm. The Heiress leaned back in her chair to see her team leader still lying on her back on her top bunk with a look familiar to Weiss but looked weird on Ruby. For it was the look of concentrated thinking. I certainly was a unique outlook on the naturally bubbly weapon nut.
Weiss decided she didn't like it. "Alright, Ruby, what's the matter?"
Her team leader seemed to jump slightly in surprise as if she has forgotten that she wasn't alone. "Oh, I'm fine, Weiss." The white-haired teen didn't believe it.
"No...something is up. You're never this quiet and look like your trying to outstare the ceiling." Weiss dragged two chairs up and directed her leader to sit in one. "So Ruby Rose, as your partner, tell me what is the matter?"
Weiss didn't need to wait long as Ruby jumped off her bunk and sat in the chair facing her. "It's my Mom. I'm worried."
The Heiress's eyebrows rose up with interest. That had not what she was expecting. "You're going to have to explain that a bit."
The dark redhead hesitated before answering. "She's...different than what I remember. Still the same in some stuff, but different, you know?"
Weiss looked at her partner for a moment before letting out a sigh. "You know, as crazy as it sounds, your Mother has been out in space fighting in a war, right? Fighting in any such conflict of that size has its share of horrors. We both know your Mother hadn't told us everything that she did and saw. There was probably stuff she has seen and done that we wouldn't believe. Nor does she want to burden you with certain things till we are ready."
Ruby looked down at her legs, unsure of herself. "I guess...I just want to help her, but I'm unsure of what to do?"
"You're fine," Weiss waved off. "I honestly think just being around her helps." Weiss pointed out. "Still, if this is bothering you so much, you should go talk about this with her. Preferably when neither of you are busy."
Ruby gave her best friend a grateful smile. "Thanks, Weiss. I may just do that." Her eyebrows then furred down. "How did you know what to say to me to cheer me up?"
"Believe me, Ruby. I'm of the same mind as you with my sister, Winter," Weiss answered.
"The one in the Atlas military?" Weiss nodded.
"I know she can handle herself. She taught me when she could when she was off duty to visit." Weiss rubbed the back of her head. "I'd worry about her at times and often talk to Winter of the same things that you are going through right now. It's not hard to figure out."
Ruby's smile didn't waver, but she felt touched by her best friend/partner. "Thanks again, Weiss. I needed that." She stood up and grabbed some pens and paper from her bag. "I should get started on that assignment Mom gave us."
"That would be wise." The Heiress nodded in approval. "Summer has put out an interesting first homework assignment, and I don't want to make a wrong first impression."
Ruby stopped to gave Wiess a confused look. "But you already met my Mom?"
Weiss returned her partner's confused stare with a flat one. "I meant a work impression."
Then why didn't you say that?"
"Dolt."