Chapter 6:
Chill Out
"...We're Just Getting Started."
"I know you want to get out there again, but it is a good idea to unwind for a few more days." Rho was sat on Six's helmet, set off to the side on the desk.
Six took another bite of the apple he held, eyes focused on the datapad in his hand, full of details about White Fang hideouts in the city.
"Six." Rho called.
Six didn't divert his eyes away from the datapad.
"Six!" The files on the datapad faded, being replaced with Rho's avatar. "We have eliminated five bases, chances are that the White Fang will continue to scale back for the next few days at least. If not weeks. I have also heard rumour through the CCT(S) that there is a meeting in two weeks. A large gathering and possible recruitment of new members. We can start planning a week prior. This isn't Reach, you don't have to fight every day."
Six stared at Rho's figure.
"Please, rest longer."
Six sighed and placed the datapad back in his hardcase.
"What would you have me do?" Six asked.
"Rest, explore the grounds. See what the locals are capable of."
Six stood and grabbed his helmet. There was a hiss as he put it on and re-sealed it.
"I'll check with the Headmaster."
The door clicked behind Six as he left the room. He crossed the courtyard from the staff housing to the CCT(S) and the Headmaster's office. There were few students in the courtyards and walkways of the school, as classes were starting again for the semester.
Eyes still made their way to Six, the Mjolnir armour catching a good number of eyes.
The elevator made a soft chime as it began making it's way to the top of the tower towards Ozpin's office. The elevator chimed again as the doors opened, allowing Six into the office. Ozpin sat behind his desk, leafing through a book. He glanced up as the doors opened, seeing the massive form of Noble Six.
"Ah, Six," Ozpin closed the book and clasped his hands together. "What can I do for you?"
Six stopped in front of the desk, adopting a neutral stance.
"Headmaster, I was wondering if I could observe the classes the students take."
Ozpin peered down in contemplation. He looked up again. "I don't see why not." Ozpin marked the page he was at and set the book to the side. He activated his desk and pulled up the teaching schedule. "Peter is in Lecture Theatre A with the second years. Bartholemew is in Classroom 3-B with the third years. Ann is in Lecture Theatre C with the fourth years. And Glynda is in the Combat Hall with the first years. You may also be interested in meeting with Harold in the Weapons Hall, he may be able to help you produce more ammo."
Six nodded to Ozpin before he turned his attention to the desk.
"Rho."
Rho's avatar formed above the desk. "Yes Spartan?"
"Array status?"
"Well, I've spent this last week figuring out the capabilities of the network. My projections say that I can get an active rescue beacon beaming to UNSC space within three months. Then we wait until they receive it."
"Could the Covenant intercept?"
"We can only hope they don't."
"Keep me updated."
"Affirmative Spartan."
Rho disappeared from the desk. Six glanced back at Ozpin.
"Thank you."
Six turned and left for the elevator, He knew where he wanted to go.
"-avagers take the sands of Vacuo as their home." Professor Port stood at the front of the classroom, images of a bat-like Grimm being projected onto the back wall. "They find or make caves below the sands." Port noticed Six. "Ah, Class, this is Noble Six." He gestured to the back wall where Six stood. The class turned to face him. Whispers started around the room. "Some of you may have seen him around the campus. He is a guest of the school so please make him feel welcome." He turned his focus to Six directly. "Today's class is of foreign Grimm. Those that do not reside on Vale, feel free to join in the discussion at your discretion."
The slide changed to one resembling a sabretooth-tiger. Six found a spot at the side of the room that let him see the entire class.
"Is anyone able to identify how to deal with a Sabyr?"
Several hands went up around the classroom. Port pointed to one of the students.
"You stay back and shoot them."
Peter nodded. "Correct! Despite their fearsome appearance, Sabyr's are weak. The best course of action to deal with them is to stay back and fire at them. They are dangerous because of their speed, claws and large canines. Staying at a distance negates these traits and allows you to safely deal with them."
The next Grimm was a 'Megoliath' that resembled a mammoth.
"How any of these animals came to be is confusing me." Rho chimed in. "They resemble earth fauna, some even share names. Most resemble mythological creatures. I just don't understand."
"Are you alright?"
"I'll be fine Six, there are greater problems to worry about."
The two kept watching the class.
"Now, who would like to hear the about an overeager lad in his encounter with a Deathstalker? There is a town on the western end of Vale called Markesh, this town was threatened by a large Deathstalker. Now this boy, he was confident in his abilities-"
Professor Port began the story, some students around the classroom groaned, some started taking notes.
"Professor Port is rather fond of telling stories. I must say it's an interesting way to teach. Like telling children fairy tales. If they listen carefully they can understand the lesson of the story. I believe this is the same one as the story he told on the bullhead." Rho chimed.
The two listened to the story for a couple more minutes.
"The message I can gather Six is to observe your surroundings, don't rush in without a plan, and don't be afraid to request help from others. Definitely good advice."
"-Thus, once the Deathstalker broke free, the combined might of the Huntsmen was able to overpower and take down the Grimm. Saving the surrounding town! Why, without the assistance of his fellow Huntsmen and Huntresses, the lad would have stood no chance. That night the streets of Markesh were alight in celebration. Celebration that they would see the light of the next day and celebration for the lad who helped save the town."
Port's story ended and he gazed around the room at his students. Some were paying attention, some were half asleep and some were fully asleep. Port turned around and grabbed his weapon from the wall.
"Now class, I see that some of you have zoned out so," The axe blade impacted the floor of the room, jostling students awake. "Who here is willing to test their knowledge against the Grimm?"
Port pulled a sheet off of a cage at the side of the classroom, revealing a Boarbatusk inside.
"Are there any takers?" Port asked the class.
No hands went up but plenty of eyes turned to Six's direction. Port took notice, his attention changing to Six as well.
"Six, it appears my students want to see you in action."
"May as well Six." Rho said.
Six nodded to Port and began making his way down to Port and the cage. He took a position opposite the cage.
"Take notes class," Port turned to him. "Are you ready?"
Six nodded.
"Then begin!" Port brought the axe blade down onto the lock at the side of the cage, breaking it open and releasing the Grimm. The Boarbatusk dashed out, rolling quickly towards Six, He stepped to the side so the Grimm narrowly missed him. The Grimm impacted the wall before turning back toward Six and raking the ground with it's hoof.
"Oh-ho, good sidestep."
The Boarbatusk hopped and curled into a ball and charged at Six again. Time slowed for Six, the rest of the last seven days helped shake the tiredness he felt after Reach. He watched the tusks as they spun around, as the Grimm got closer he stepped to the side and reached out with his right hand. As the Grimm was about to pass him again he grabbed one of the tusks and jerked it to the right, sprawling it out onto the ground. Holding it down he brought his left fist down onto the Grimm's skull, breaking through it easily and making a small crater in the floor below. Time from the opening of the cage to the end of the fight, ten seconds.
The classroom was still. Six stood and slowly looked around the room, taking in all the shocked faces. The bell rang. "That's the bell, for homework, you are each to list five Grimm each, their weakness' and how you would eliminate them."
The students slowly began packing their books away and started filing their way out of the classroom.
Port walked over to Six. "Good showing my lad."
Six gave a quick shrug in response.
"I don't believe anyone's taken a Grimm down so fast in my classroom before." Port continued.
"I was trained to finish a fight as quickly as possible. Identify weakness and exploit it."
Port smiled. "It's very effective. Will you be observing my other classes today?"
"If I may."
"By all means, you may even make a good teaching assistant for the other classes."
Port turned and walked to his desk, preparing for the next class with the fourth years.
To say Roman Torchwick was annoyed would be an understatement. First he had to work with animals, both metaphorically and literally. Steal all the dust in Vale and now he had Cinder yelling in his ear.
"What do you mean they disappeared!"
"It means they disappeared. I don't know any more." Roman walked around the warehouse floor.
"Find out why."
"Get Taurus to do it, He's the one who had them sit out there. Or better yet one of the kids."
"They are busy doing something useful."
"And I'm not?" Roman glanced over to the stolen Paladin in the back of the warehouse. "Besides, it was probably the Grimm."
"It wasn't the Grimm."
"And how do you know?"
"…" There was no reply, Roman could feel her anger over the line.
"Fine. I'll see what I can do."
"Good." The call went dead. Cinder having hung up.
Roman sighed and massaged his nose. "Damned woman."
Whoever made those five bases disappear, he was going to beat, and he was going to enjoy it.
Hello! If someone says this is late, it's probably still the 17th somewhere in the world.
This is what I call a 'downtime' chapter. Just letting Six have some downtime.
Six's explanation of how he fights is both what I figure with the Spartans, that and it also helps give an in story explanation for my preferred way of writing fights. Some people can do prolonged, drawn out fights but I don't feel I can. I prefer writing quick, hard-hitting fights.
Up Next: Gatecrashers
Have A Nice Day!