"It seems...interesting," Ozpin said slowly as he took a deliberate sip of his coffee, hoping to break the tension that had settled over the room he was currently occupying.
"Interesting is too mild a phrase to describe what it is, Ozpin. Though, it doesn't really change the fact that it is merely a carving of stone," Ironwood commented, folding his hands behind his back. Ozpin smiled slightly, only briefly obscuring his features by turning his back to the ensemble of Atlesian soldiers and science officers working to decode the strange stone arc in the middle of the temple.
"That is one way to look at technological discoveries." Ozpin carefully moved through the set of wires and conduits, never once breaking his unflappable manner as he strode next to Professor Glynda and Doctor Oobleck. The green-haired man looked positively excited at the prospect of the new technology and was only held back by a stern hand from Glynda on his shoulder.
"What do you make of this, Oobleck?" The man turned to Ozpin with a smile that had brightened considerably with his question. Carefully extracting himself from his colleagues death grip he manoeuvred towards the arc, deftly moving alongside his more analytical co-workers as he presented his views to the Atlesian General and Huntsmen Academy Headmaster.
"From what little we can discern this device is used as some sort of transportation, the endpoint of which is currently unknown, however," he raised his finger at this, pointing at several markings on the walls that matched those on the arc, "judging from these symbols in different combinations all throughout the temple we can surmise that there is more than one destination for it."
"But where does it lead Doctor," Ironwood urged, stepping forward with the intent of receiving the answers to his question.
Oobleck smiled thinly at the General, sweeping his hand across the area to engulf all those around him. The Atlesian scientists stopped what they were doing and the soldiers that had been posted at the entrance tightened the grip on their weapons as they sensed the dramatic shift. "That is the question, isn't it? It could lead anywhere on Remnant, perhaps to Vacuo, Mistral or even Atlas. Maybe, it could also lead to some forgotten kingdom, one that had been lost during humanity's first war with the Grimm, or perhaps during The Great War with its history having been lost to the annals of time," Oobleck replied mystically.
The scientists glanced at each other, unsure with his declaration. Even in Atlas, Oobleck was renowned as an intellectual and as a Huntsmen, he had what many scientists lacked, real-world experience. Not just beyond the lab but also with the Grimm in combat and outside combat. He's considered a leading expert in most scientific studies, only since he could actually return from many of his self-imposed expedition. But his knowledge and intuitiveness was not to underestimated, thus no one in the temple was about to object.
"Perhaps this was part of a lost kingdom, the records of during The Great War are...chaotic to say the least. Who's to say there were more than just the kingdoms we know today?" Ozpin said, only to receive a grunt from Ironwood.
"Maybe, but this could also be a security risk. It could a means for the White Fang to move personnel and supporters in and out of Menagerie," Ozpin cautioned.
Ozpin only shook his head as he set his can in front of him. "Those words are hollow, James. You and I both know that the Faunus in Menagerie want nothing to do with war, especially after everything that happened with the last one," Ozpin set his coffee down on a nearby crate and carefully stroked his chin, "Animosity may still linger but enough to support their wayward brothers outside, I severely doubt it."
"Well we've already activated it once," Oobleck added in, "And Vacuo, as well as Mistral says that they know nothing about it. The technology as well is far beyond what we have let alone what Menagerie can achieve without expanding massive effort."
"It is best we approach this with caution," Glynda advised, eyeing the contraption warily. "Perhaps it would be wise to send a Hunter team through and see what exactly we'll see?"
"Atlas has no Hunters to spare and last I heard all of Vale's Hunter Teams are currently indisposed in the outskirts."
Ozpin cupped his chin, retaking his cup with his other hand as he said wryly, "And how exactly did you come with this information, James?"
The Atlesian General quirked a half-smile but otherwise remained perfectly calm, "I am a General, Oz. There is nothing I do not know."
"You never knew when to stop asking me out on a date," Glynda muttered under her breath. Ozpin smothered a chuckle, hoping that his friend hadn't seen him do anything beyond drinking his coffee like normal Ozpin would do.
"Then why not send in a team of Atlesian soldiers? While the discovery was within Vale walls, it's jurisdiction naturally falls with Atlas as you did lay your mark into it first," Ozpin suggested.
"The Vale council will need to be informed," Ironwood stated.
"So they do," Ozpin said without nary a change in emotion, "Qrow can help with that, if he isn't already too busy."
"But isn't he-" Ironwood was cut off as Ozpin strode towards him with his cup firmly held in his grasp.
"While he is an exceptional scout, you forget he holds clout, perhaps even more so than you," Ozpin whispered lowly. Ironwood swallowed and nodded his head after a moment. "Splendid, I'm sure you have a team in mind for this operation?"
Ironwood nodded his head, "While we have several of the new AK-200's in stock, I'm afraid this is beyond their ability to adapt and understand. Granted they were only meant to be the rank-and-file anyways." The General pulled out a data-pad and made a few keystrokes. Nodding to himself he handed it to Ozpin which he accepted gracefully.
"First Walker Garrett Corbulo? He has extensive training in military combat and he was a former member of the Atlesian Special Task Force?" Ozpin said in surprise.
"He was retasked in safeguarding a particular package. However he may be up to this mission."
"And a Staff Glider?" Ozpin seemed astounded, "An Air-Force science officer with several citation from notable universities in Atlas and Mistral. Selene, unusual name, almost Menagerie in origin?"
"She has a grandfather who is a faunus who lived in Menagerie, her mother is one too however she married a human male in Atlas. The faunus gene is dormant with her, though she is quite touchy on her family matters. Her psychological exam also states that she is overly cautious, perhaps to an extreme, and is well-versed in some of the more unknown scientific fields," Ironwood explained.
Oobleck perked up at the mention of the name, "Yes, I've heard of her. Transdimensional theories, extraterrestrial research, Dust-Neurobiological studies as well as Astrophysics. She has quite the degree, I would enjoy meeting her."
"And that you will Doctor, you're listed as a team member as well," Ironwood informed.
"Oh splendid!" Oobleck cheered.
"Last on the list," Ozpin paused as he read the next member, "A Hunter? I thought you said you had no Hunters?"
Ironwood smiled thinly but remained stiff, "He is not an active Huntsmen, he retired a few years ago and has taken up residence in Vale. He'll prove to be useful in this endeavor, I assure you."
"Is that alright?" Ozpin asked.
"Retired or not, he has a duty. One that I'm sure he'll understand."
"Not everyone is a patriot, James. This, Julius Tanis, has been in some of the most major Grimm exterminations since, well, ever. He was even part of the Culling Massacre, he's boundaries may yet have already been breached," Ozpin warned.
"I am the General of the Atlesian Armed Forces, the Hunter Corp is a branch of it, and if I wish I can reinstate him without his consent and order him as a member of the team. However, Atlesian's have pride Oz, he'll agree." Ironwood assured.
"Perhaps we should further this conversation elsewhere?" Glynda tried, gesturing her hand outside to the temple entrance.
"Yes, I think it's best I stay and try to construct a viable way to activate the device without needing to force feed it Dust." Ironwood rubbed his forehead in exasperation at Oobleck's comment.
"Jumper cables were the only way that we could have activated it without wasting time in pointless activities."
"And you could have destroyed the piece of engineering in the process!"
"Alright enough," Ozpin interjected, "However we should think about naming it? That would be better in whatever report we would have to write up once our respective superiors want answers."
"You're right, Oz." Ironwood agreed. "If I'm not mistaken the Temple was built in respect to an old God, it was aptly named 'The Gateway To Stars'"
"The Gateway to stars?" Oobleck muttered, "I got it! Stargate!" He replied cheerily.
"Well there are worse names," Ozpin said as he sipped his coffee, ignoring the indignant shout.
"Come now, let us be off." From that, the group dispersed, each heading their own way. None would realise just what they had created, what they had started.
From their actions, Remnant was opened to a world far beyond their understanding. Remnant, was stepping through the Gates into a much larger universe.
And once more, the Ancients old forgotten technology, was about to propel a group of individuals to an adventure of an eternity.
Thus began Remnant Stargate Corp.