Chapter 52
"Come in." The General's voice called out. Clover put on a soft smile and entered his commander's office.
"Sir." Clover said with a salute.
"At ease. Clover, how are the kids doing?" The General's voice softened.
Clover pulled up his scroll with one hand, the other behind his back. "It's been one week since they became active Huntsmen and they've taken on missions every day. They've kept to the area around the cities and Amity site, so it's mostly lower level missions. This has allowed us to send our Huntsmen and Specialists on tougher missions. Because of this, we've succeeded in one large scale Grimm hunt, with another being prepared."
"That's good. How are they doing personally?" The General poured himself a mug of coffee. Clover almost winced but kept it under his tightly controlled expressions. The amount of caffeine he consumes is getting absurd.
"As we're working with them often, we've had plenty of chances to see how they're doing. There is good and bad news. It appears Ren is dissatisfied by something and is slowly growing irate. If it isn't resolved it may harm the group's cohesion. However, on the other side of things, it appears Arc and Nikos have likely started a relationship."
"Oh?"
"They act likely a newly formed couple. If they aren't together already they will be soon. I don't believe the others have really noticed yet."
The General chuckled. "Well, I hope they are successful. Do you believe it will affect the group in any way?"
"I doubt it will have a negative impact on its own. However, it may have a knock-on effect on Valkyrie and Rens relationship. I shall keep an eye on them and try to ensure it works in our favour."
"Good. I would prefer for them all to work well together after all."
"Yes sir. Moving on both Valkyrie and Amitola are settling in well. Quite surprising for the latter. My research shows she has a distaste for Atlas, likely bred from the time she spent as a student here and her Faunus heritage. She's exclusively taken missions in Mantle or near Amity as a result."
"Hm. See what you can to do improve her opinion of Atlas."
"Understood." Clover nodded as the General took a long sip from his cup. "Rose seems to be doing better as well. I believe she has lingering issues from events at Beacon, both before and during the Fall. However, reuniting with Penny looks to be improving her mood and mental state. Pairing them up in the future seems like a smart idea."
"Make it so. I'm sure Penny will be overjoyed to work alongside a friend of hers. How about Qrow and Tai?"
"I've been working with them personally. They both have lingering issues as well. Branwen's self-esteem is at rock bottom. I've been attempting to improve his opinion of himself, but he's adept at deflecting compliments. Thankfully we have a solid way forward. All I should need to do is assist in his efforts to stop drinking. Sadly I don't see much chance for fast improvement for Branwen."
"Disappointing but not unexpected."
"Xiao-Long is similar. He's still dealing with the death of his daughter and how he can protect his remaining family. Our best bet there is to continue assisting him in his growth and the growth of his family. I suspect he simply needs time."
"Alright. I trust you know what you're doing Clover. How about Oscar?"
"We've begun training over this last week. He's improving quickly and seems resolute in his mission to grow strong and protect the Relic. He also seems interested in training Rose's dog for combat."
"Really?"
"Yes. Apparently, he already has Aura, so he's being trained to work in concert with the others. Sadly we don't have any training programs to assist, so he's on his own there. No change in Ozpin's status either."
"Damn." The General growled and then sighed. "Alright. Anything else?"
"A few things yes. First I want to change their schedule. They are only taking missions right now, so this next week we'll begin alternating between mission days and training days. One day for a mission, the next to train. Repeat. The final day of the week will be used to study things they've missed in their jump ahead. As well as to rest their bodies."
"Sounds good. Next?"
"The kids have brought up a good point. We aren't making things easy for Mantle. So I propose we show that we are invested in protecting the city."
"You have a plan I suppose?"
Clover clicked a button on his scroll, sending a list to the General's terminal. "That is a list of every team we have who participated in the last Tournament and stayed to protect Beacon during the Fall. It includes the few transfers we received as well. I believe they are ready for Provisional Licenses. We can then have them take low-level missions in Mantle to offload pressure from the professionals and show Mantle we care."
"It's a short list. Only a few teams."
"I excluded those who lost members or otherwise are still struggling from what they saw that day." The General slowly nodded as he looked down the list. "I would like for them to be deployed on Sundays."
"Sundays?" The General thought for a moment. "Ah. While the others are studying you'll have them pick up the slack? That's a good plan. I approve Clover. Get it done."
"Yes sir!" Clover's smile was more genuine this time.
"Anything else?"
"Yes, one last thing. I believe we should give the kids a full day off this weekend, alongside Penny. She has been wanting to spend some relaxing time with them after all and they walked across a continent while battling Salem's forces. They deserve a break."
"I agree."
Clover smiled and saluted again. As he made to leave the General called out once more.
"Oh and Clover?"
"Sir?"
"Please look into their report. I want to be absolutely sure that we are prepared if they are right about Watts and Tyrian."
"Understood. I'll get it done. Though sir…"
"Yes, Clover?" The General asked.
"Try to take a day off yourself. Winter and I can pick up the slack for a day. But you need some rest."
The General was silent for a while before slowly nodding. "I'll try to find some time. Thank you."
"No problem, Sir." Clover replied with a charming smile and left the office. He had quite a lot of work to get done.
"Robin, I need to tell you something."
Robin sighed, turning away from Fiona and looking to May, who had just practically barged in while they were planning the next part of Robin's campaign. "May. What happened?"
"Forest is dead."
Fiona yelped in shock. Robin cursed under her breath. "How long ago?"
"A few days. Atlas found out first. Cordoned off the whole area and kept info from leaking. I only just found out now that they released the body."
"Damn! Another of my supporters dead. Just like that!" Robin slammed a fist into the table before rubbing her face. "Alright. Tell everyone to make sure that they don't travel alone anymore. Whoever this is has a grudge against us."
"Ironwood?" May asked.
"Maybe. Let's be careful. Especially as the election draws near. Although… keep an eye on Atlas and whatever they're doing with Amity. I think we should drop in and ask some questions sometime."
"Good idea. I'll pass the message on." May left a second later.
Robin let out a heavy sigh. "Things don't get easier, do they?"
"Hey… do you think Cinder is okay?"
"For the love of god Em, just stop!" Mercury groaned at her. Emerald tensed as he turned to glare at her, still rubbing his arms. "She screwed up. She won't be coming back. Not for a long time. Don't get us punished any further!" He then stomped off.
Emerald sighed and rubbed her own arms. Bruises had formed where Salem's summoned arms had grabbed her. They'd been so strong, so painful. Their punishment had hurt so badly…
But Cinder's would be worse.
She'd lost them a Relic when they had been so close to getting it.
I hope Salem forgives her. Cinder… please be safe!
Within the city of Mistral, there was a tavern. Once it had been a bastion of commerce, filled by a powerful gang of information dealers who were some of the strongest in the Mistrilian underworld.
Now?
Well, now it was broken. Tables and chairs were smashed and the few that remained standing were stained red. Bodies littered the floor and most of the remaining seating. One was even hanging from the ceiling, held up by his own whip that had been wrapped around his throat, choking the life from his body.
Only three people remained living in the once-bustling tavern.
One was the large woman called "Lil' Miss". An experienced information broker who was now stuck against a wall, pinned by glimmering crimson blades. Blood dripped from where some of the swords had pierced her body. She still lived, albeit barely. Her face was pale and her once beautiful dress was stained red.
Another was one of Lil' Miss' attendants. A young woman who was shaking as she brought a platter of food to the remaining woman in the room. The one who had caused such chaos.
Cinder Fall smirked as the platter was placed in front of her. She lazily began eating, watching the rotund woman stuck to the wall.
"So. Want to tell me what I want to know yet?" Cinder asked, her eye sparkling with fire.
"Y-yes!" Lil' Miss stammered. Cinder raised a brow. "They went to Argus! Took the last train! Probably going to Atlas!"
"Thank you. That was most appreciated. Do you happen to have an airship I can borrow?" Cinder's smile grew in size as the woman hurried to nod.
The younger of the two brought forth a key. "I-i-its outside of t-the city. T-the key s-says where…" The girl was shaking in fear.
Good. Cinder thought. She took the key and confirmed the girl was correct. "Thank you. I will now free you for your service."
Lil' Miss looked on in glee as being freed. She had misunderstood, however. Cinder grinned, summoned a new sword and plunged it into the woman's stomach. She thrashed for a moment, screaming, and then died.
The young girl ran but Cinder would leave no survivors.
Cinder left, brushing ash from her new attire as the tavern was consumed by flames.
Onwards to Atlas then.
A/N: A shorter chapter looking into other POV's. Clover, Robin, Emerald and Cinder. People with very little in common, but will all be involved in the future. Cinder's POV is technically a while ago in the timeline. Probably around when the gang arrived in Argus. Without Neo looking for Cinder, she ends up murdering everyone for info on Ruby. Meanwhile, Robin curses the death of a supporter, Emerald pines for Cinder and Clover reports to Ironwood. Said report is going to lead to a few fun things, the main one being some downtime for our main cast! Thanks to fanfiction not needing to worry about executives and deadlines, I can add as many downtime chapters as I desire! Huzzah! Now let's see, when was the last time our gang got some time to relax? Wait... what's that? It was before the fic started? Oh... that's an oof. Well uhh... I'm sure they'll enjoy the relaxation they get next chapter, because it's probably going to be their last for a while.
Man being a protagonist kinda sucks...
I hope you all enjoyed and I'll see you next time!