Chapter 46
Weiss normally began her workday by reading the news, but between the interviews that had started the morning and other distractions, there was no time for such a diversion, useful though it could be. She jumped straight into department reports and paperwork. Weiss worked through them with a speed and efficiency that could only come from years of experience. Her now typical whirlwind pace had taken time to build up, but it had become second nature. It was part of what made it so difficult to rest when the time came. Throughout the workday she rarely had time for a stray thought. When it was time to stop, her brain hardly knew what to do with itself. Usually she would end up working more or planning in obsessive detail, but lately she had enough distractions to allow her to take a break.
One such distraction intruded much sooner than usual. Her scroll rang, an unfamiliar but internal number on the line, and she immediately answered. "Schnee."
"Ms. Schnee, I'm calling from the hospital to inform you that your sister is out of surgery." A woman responded. "She should be awake fairly soon."
"I'll be right over." Weiss declared, hanging up before awaiting a response. She departed her office immediately, texting her mother as she walked. She would inform her friends later, for now it was to be a strictly family affair.
Weiss arrived at the hospital room to find it empty, but for an inert Winter, heading in after a respectful nod to the guards flanking the door. Winter looked peaceful, almost content somehow, despite severe bruising around one of her eyes and bandages wrapping her from pretty much the neck down. Weiss sat in a chair beside the bed and waited, glancing around the room impatiently. She had arranged its decoration down to minute details, the wall hangings, the curtains, the flowers, even the precise amount of water in the vase that sat on a table near Winter's head. All of it was designed to make Winter as comfortable as possible. Weiss knew it was all unnecessary, that Winter would have been perfectly happy with the same sparse white room every other patient occupied, but she had needed something to occupy her while she awaited her sister's arrival.
The door clicked open and Willow strode in, no longer with Octavia in tow. "I hope I didn't take too long…"
"Don't worry, she's not awake yet." Weiss waved away the concern.
"Good, good." Willow nodded, sitting in the chair on the opposite side of the bed.
"How are you holding up?" Weiss asked.
"About as well as I can." Willow replied. "And you?"
"I've kept myself busy, so well." Weiss answered.
"Did the doctor say how long it would be?" Willow inquired.
"No, but I imagine it varies person to person." Weiss surmised. "Knowing Winter, we shouldn't have to wait long."
Weiss and Willow shared some awkward smalltalk. Neither was proficient at such chats, and they had not had such a conversation in a long time, maybe ever. The time was filled with uneasy pauses and threads that abruptly ended. When Winter stirred it was a relief in more ways than one.
Winter groaned and blinked her eyes, turning her head to the side slightly to avert her gaze from the harsh light emanating from the ceiling. She squinted as Weiss and Willow bent over the bed, each taking one of her hands in their own. "Gah…" Winter managed. "My body...can't feel it."
"That's normal." Willow soothed. It might have been normal, but she truthfully had no idea.
Winter opened her eyes a bit more, centering her gaze between her mother and sister. "Weiss...I never…" She trailed off. She produced something of a choked gasp as she focused her eyes on Willow. "How did you die?"
"Um...what...what do you mean?" Willow asked, perplexed.
"I'm here, Weiss is here." Winter explained, her voice growing stronger and surer though still barely louder than a whisper. "This is the afterlife, is it not?"
"No, no it's not." Weiss replied. "Why would I be dead?"
"They told me…" Tears welled in Winter's eyes. "They showed me a newspaper...the bomb-"
"Didn't reach me." Weiss interrupted. "It detonated prematurely."
"I'm so...so...where am I?" Winter asked. "Why can't I move?"
"You're in a hospital in Atlas." Willow answered. "You've been heavily medicated as a result of your injuries."
"I must be…" Winter trailed off. "I want to hug you, both of you."
Weiss and Willow looked at one another and the former nodded. "Carefully." Weiss cautioned. She and her mother leaned closer, looping arms behind Winter's back, taking pains to avoid any movements that might aggravate her injuries. They managed to share the approximation of an embrace, Winter only able to lift her arms a few inches to meet it.
"This...this is nice." Winter smiled. "When was the last time we did this?"
"Never." Weiss responded, a tear rolling down her cheek.
"We'll just have to make up for lost time." Willow added. "We're so happy to have you home."
Winter had long grown used to odd beeping and chiming. The Atlesian military was the most advanced fighting force in Remnant. The only time soldiers were not around some form of computer noise was out in the field. Even then their PDAs were simply muted. The rhythmic beeping of an EKG would never cease to make her uncomfortable, not since her earlier stints in medical for the odd training injury or visit to a wounded comrade. The human heartbeat should be felt, not heard. Tracking it meant something was wrong, or expected to be wrong. Things had gone wrong, they could hardly get worse. The aches and pains across her body made every second of awareness agony. She let out a strangled groan.
"Miss Schnee?" A synthetic voice called, tentative and nervous. That was new.
"Penny." Winter groaned. She attempted to move her limbs and received sharp pain for her efforts.
"Miss Schnee, shall I summon a nurse?" Penny asked.
Oh Penny, ever helpful. "No Penny, I don't want anyone pawing at me...let me adjust." Winter declined.
"Yes ma'am." Penny responded.
Winter sighed, blinking in the darkness. Thankfully the room's lighting was artificial, not a window in sight. Indeed, knowing Weiss, this would be one of the higher security rooms, fit to lock down at a moment's notice. As if anyone could breach the facility with anything less than a battalion. Even then, automated security would make the operation difficult. At least she was safe here, in this stark white room, no one but a failed AI for company.
"Penny?" Winter asked, electing to keep her eyes cracked for the time being.
"Yes?" Penny replied.
"Status report." Winter requested.
"Media coverage is minimal." Penny reported. "Focus as of late has been drawn to your sister's recent conference on the failed attempt on her life-"
"Wha-mngh!" Winter lurched upward, only for her body to scream in pain. Her back made contact with the bed as her head throbbed from the pressure.
"Miss Schnee, shall I administer morphine?" Penny suggested.
"No, no just...is my sister okay?" Winter inquired.
"Yes ma'am." Penny answered. "She was not present at the time of detonation."
"Det-ugh, Penny…" Winter sighed loudly. She was sitting almost upright now, having raised the bed to meet her during her initial panic. "Is Weiss okay?"
There was a short pause. The television screen in front of the bed flickered on. Weiss, her darling sister, stood behind a podium, her face stoic but eyes shining with anger. "...attempt failed to reach me. A member of my security staff suffered superficial injuries, but the delivering employee was severely injured in the blast. She is in serious but stable condition." Her voice was clear and calm, not a quiver to be heard.
"Miss Schnee, how did such a package make it through security screening?" A reporter asked from offscreen before the feed paused.
"An unknown explosive substance was hidden inside a laptop, the surrounding structure designed to create a shaped charge." Penny explained to Winter. "Miss Rose was carrying the box containing the device when it fell to the floor. Mr. Arc was able to stabilize Miss Rose, though the blast cost her both legs."
"She's still alive?" Winter balked.
"Oh yes, Miss Rose is a driven individual, and considers her present situation favorable." Penny spoke.
"I wasn't aware my sister had a new assistant." Winter noted.
"Miss Rose is a recent hire." Penny elucidated. "Miss Nikos scouted her personally due to her exemplary grades and thesis subject. However, due to a miscommunication, she arrived several weeks early."
"And Pyrrha batted her lashes at my sister?" Winter guessed.
"She asked very nicely, yes." Penny confirmed.
"I don't suppose my sister is taking this well." Winter surmised.
"Miss Schnee has barred General Ironwood from the premises after a rather heated argument." Penny said.
"Ah, that much is unsurprising." Winter nodded. "I'd be more surprised if they were getting along, even under ideal circumstances."
"Your sister's temper can be quite frightening." Penny added.
"It runs in the family." Winter smirked. "Speaking of, how is mother?"
"Lively and outgoing." Penny replied.
"That's new." Winter quirked her brow.
"Madam Schnee has been sober for several weeks now." Penny explained.
"I never thought I'd see the day…" Winter huffed.
"I do not mean to speak out of turn, but your mother very much regrets her past addiction." Penny claimed. "Her recovery has been remarkable."
"Your vocal patterns are improving Penny." Winter changed the subject. "Last we spoke your emotional inflections were stilted. Have you been practicing?"
"My social algorithms have improved by over three hundred eighty six percent in the past two years." Penny cheered. "Recent interactions with Miss Rose have allowed me to refine presentation by a further thirty five percent. Thank you for noticing!"
"No doubt you were instrumental in saving her life." Winter assumed.
"I was able to analyze and respond to the situation, however it was Mr. Arc and your sister who administered the necessary treatment." Penny confirmed. "Regrettably I do not have a physical form as of yet."
"I look forward to that day Penny." Winter smiled. "I promised your father I would give you a hug."
"I shall redouble my efforts!" Penny exclaimed.
"You always do." Winter observed.
"Would you like to fill out a survey?" Penny inquired. "At a later time of course."
"Anything for you Penny." Winter agreed. Many agreed to take the survey, but few ever actually did. Winter would. "Thank you for your help."
"Thank you for showing appreciation-oh!" Penny paused. "Miss Schnee, General Ironwood is enroute. Madam Schnee has overridden your sister's orders."
Winter winced at the reality of the situation. Debriefing, she was due for debriefing. No rest for the wicked. She was a soldier wounded in action, a former prisoner of war. There was no way around it. "Penny, do I look presentable?"
"You are within seventy percent of optimal presentation Miss Schnee." Penny answered. Winter suspected even that was charitable. "Shall I cause a delay?"
"I don't believe a delay is possible given the circumstances." Winter sighed.
"I can be very imaginative." Penny persisted.
"I don't doubt you Penny." Winter laughed. It hurt. "Thank you, but I'll manage. I don't think a few minutes would do me much good anyway."
"Thank you ma'am." Penny responded. "Good luck ma'am."
Winter closed her eyes and took several deep breaths. She could hold it together. A few cuts shouldn't phase her. Her legs would heal. She would be fine. She had every opportunity to recover from this. A knock rang on the door. "Yes?"
The door opened, and for the first time in...Winter honestly had no concept of time anymore, but it had to have been at least a year going by how much older the general looked. His uniform was pressed as ever, contrasting with an uncharacteristic growth of facial hair and dark circles beneath his eyes. "Specialist." He spoke.
"General, please come in." Winter responded.
Ironwood glanced to his side briefly before stepping inside. His lumbering gait indicated his prosthetics were aching again. He never liked to show it, but age was taking a heavy toll on such augments. And he hated taking painkillers. "How are you feeling?" He asked as he shut the door. Though tired, a hint of a smile tugged at his lips. He knew as well as her what a stupid question it was.
"Like waking after Hell Week." Winter replied.
"You must feel reborn." Ironwood chuckled, pulling one of the guest chairs over to her bedside. He thumped down into it and did not bite down his groan.
"I heard my sister kicked you out, sir." Winter noted.
"Technically I'm a guest of your mother, Specialist." Ironwood explained.
"How thoughtful." Winter smirked. "My sister will be pleased."
"Is she ever?" Ironwood grumbled.
They shared a laugh. It hurt, it hurt good. Winter felt a swell of affection in her chest. "I have yet to catch up. Recent events will have placed her on edge."
"Even more so, it seems the Rose girl was a friend of hers." Ironwood noted.
"Is, she still lives apparently." Winter corrected.
"As much a curse as a blessing I imagine." Ironwood sighed.
"I shall have to meet her." Winter decided. "Considering she saved my sister's life."
"By accident, I hear." Ironwood said.
"Perhaps it was divine intervention." Winter suggested.
"Praise be then." Ironwood grinned.
Winter chuckled, less painfully this time. "Tell me that's my debriefing file?"
Ironwood lifted the folder in question. "Would you like to feel better, or worse?"
"Ugh...hit me." Winter groaned.
"Medical discharge." Ironwood held up one of the papers within.
"Fuck." Winter tensed.
"Fuck indeed." Ironwood nodded.
"Just shoot me sir." Winter requested.
"If I have to stay here, so do you." Ironwood joked.
"I could commit treason, give you a good reason." Winter responded.
"Don't get lyrical on me Specialist." Ironwood admonished. "You're the only sane individual I can trust."
"I believe I'm a civilian now General." Winter observed.
"You are a Specialist, now and forever." Ironwood argued. "You went through the training, proved yourself. Enlistment be damned, you will always be Specialist Winter Schnee."
"Specialist Winter Schnee, two busted legs and a few scratches later." Winter added.
"Pin a few shiny metals on." Ironwood recommended. "It'll draw the eyes." He held up another paper. "You've got a few coming your way."
"I am not attending any fucking ceremonies." Winter griped. "I'd rather tap dance."
"Oh trust me, I made that perfectly clear." Ironwood assured her. "But the medals are staying. Throw them at your sister for me."
"Such hostile words General." Winter smirked. "Imagine the scandal. Crazed Atlesian general launches proxy attack against beloved CEO."
"I can just imagine the smile on Lisa's face." Ironwood chuckled.
"Please General, don't fantasize in my bedroom." Winter deadpanned. "It's unbecoming."
"Oh, terribly sorry Miss Schnee." Ironwood matched her tone. "You bring out the worst in me I'm afraid."
"If this is the worst I'd hate to see your best." Winter laughed.
"The best of me is reserved for broadcasts and motivational speeches." Ironwood straightened his posture and gestured grandly.
"Those poor people." Winter shook her head.
"May they never see me again." Ironwood smiled. "And they won't if I can help it."
"Gods, I hope they never want to see me." Winter groaned.
"Thankfully the media has been quiet." Ironwood informed. "For the most part your return has gone under the radar. There's not much concrete information, only that you were seriously injured. I will ensure it stays that way as long as possible."
"The brass will fuck it up somehow." Winter complained.
"Let me worry about them." Ironwood assured her. "You focus on yourself."
"Yes, me, myself and my shiny medals." Winter rolled her eyes.
"I buffed them myself." Ironwood claimed.
"I'll wear them, when I'm back in uniform." Winter turned serious.
"I believe it." Ironwood nodded.
Winter was silent for a moment. "Did anyone make it?"
Ironwood heaved a heavy sigh. "No."
"I take it I missed their funerals." Winter assumed.
"Some time ago." Ironwood confirmed.
"I should have been there." Winter frowned.
"There was nothing you could have done." Ironwood declared.
"No, but that doesn't change anything." Winter insisted. "They deserved better from me."
"There is no sense in worrying about what could or should have been." Ironwood warned. "Take it from me, lamenting the past is a road to empty bottles and painful mornings."
"You sound like Mother." Winter observed.
"If only I could be so bold." Ironwood said.
"That's one word for it." Winter huffed. "Debriefing, then?"
"If you feel up to it." Ironwood replied.
"In writing, or spoken?" Winter asked.
"Just give me a summary for now." Ironwood answered. "I just need something for the file."
"Right." Winter took a deep breath. "I cannot recall the crash, nor the events of my capture. I believe I suffered a head injury on impact. I awoke in White Fang captivity with…" She swallowed the lump in her throat. "I was physically and mentally tortured, and interrogated for intelligence of personal and classified nature, for an unidentified period of time. I lapsed in and out of consciousness during the process. They employed physical, psychological and chemical methods, some surprisingly advanced. I do not believe...no, I didn't give them a damn thing, and it got to them. When it became evident I would not reveal any useful information, they simply tried to break me." She took another deep breath, focusing her eyes on the foot of her bed. "I...my memories of this period are...a mixture of faint and vivid, I…"
A loud snap made Winter jump, her gaze snapping to her superior to find him looking at his hand, and the chair arm held within, broken from its frame.
"Shit, sorry." Ironwood apologized.
"It's okay." Winter soothed.
"Your sister is going to be pissed." Ironwood predicted.
"Weiss has a warehouse of the damned things, General." Winter snatched the arm from him, despite the pain the movement caused. He looked at her in surprise. She ignored the tug of her stitches beneath the bandages as she pointed the broken object back at him. "This was not your fault. It was the damn Fang. I will heal, I will recover, and I will be by your side before you know it."
"You'd find my side very dull." Ironwood warned. "Too much paperwork, no fieldwork."
"We'll split the paper." Winter offered. "My handwriting is neater anyway."
"Oh the privilege of having a real hand." Ironwood sighed.
"Get the damn thing calibrated." Winter commanded.
"It's calibrated fine." Ironwood resisted.
"Then quit complaining." Winter ordered.
"You sound like your mother." Ironwood observed.
"Oh good, I inherited something worthwhile from her." Winter said.
"Winter." Ironwood admonished.
"I'm being genuine." Winter insisted. "Mother should not be afraid of visiting her daughter in the hospital."
"Be understanding." Ironwood recommended. "You Schnees have never handled difficult emotions well."
"Oh it's you Schnees now?" Winter accused.
"Do you deny this?" Ironwood countered.
"I neither confirm nor deny these allegations." Winter replied.
Ironwood chuckled, slowly standing with a pained grunt. "I'll do you both a favor and tell her you want to see her."
"Do yourself a favor and take your damn meds." Winter directed.
"Get well Specialist, that's an order." Ironwood saluted.
"Yes sir, General Ironwood." Winter raised her hand in salute, and tried her best not to scream.