Chapter 15: Hunting Party

AN: As you have probably noticed, I'm unable to continue putting up daily updates, or even once every other day. Between an increasing workload, and the fact that I'm not happy with the quality of the past couple chapters, I'll be taking more time between updates.

Anyways, back to the serious stuff. This is going to be part one of a three or four part occurrence. Training missions have started up, and the team is dropped off in the Emerald Forest to go collect some flags. What could go wrong? Insert other 'famous last words' here.

(Perspective: K)

Most mornings, 5:00 found Kassidy at the gym, typically working the bench press at this point. Having woken up half an hour earlier (and several hours before any of her classmates), the gunslinger usually busied herself with improving her physical conditioning. Reflexes, endurance, and muscle mass all needed to improve if she was going to consider herself a peer to the superpowered teenagers she found herself associating with.

This, however, was not an ordinary morning. It was the second Saturday of the semester, and the first weekend on which training missions were assigned to teams. The quartets of students were given objectives and a time limit, and were expected to carry out the job for a grade. Whether in the Emerald Forest, Forever Fall, or any of the other wilds surrounding the campus, encounters with Grimm weren't just guaranteed, but most students looked forward to them.

Which is why Kass was currently in the electronics workshop, hunched over a solder as she worked on her latest gadgets. If the four girls were going to be actively seeking out confrontations with bloodthirsty demons, then communication would be important. Scrolls were impressive in their own right, but weren't up to snuff for the purposes of letting the teens talk to each other in the middle of combat. However, earpieces with built in microphones could piggy-back off the device's signal and use the RemNet such that as long as the signal strength were adequate, the team could easily communicate from anywhere on the planet. Of course, connectivity wasn't always guaranteed, which is why, as a backup, all four devices currently being worked on would have a link with Bob up to five hundred feet.

Kassidy wasn't expecting visitors. Getting up this early in the morning, visiting the workshop, and sneaking into the electronics room? That just doesn't happen. For that reason, it was only natural for the gunslinger to draw her concealed pistol and stare down whoever just opened the door behind her. Oh shit that's Ozpin. I should probably stop aiming at him.

"We seem to be a bit jumpy." The headmaster's hazel eyes only showed the smallest amount of surprise possible, but other than that Ozpin remained entirely unshaken.

Stowing the pistol away, Kass looked sheepishly down at her boots. "Sorry professor. Old habits. Forgive me for not expecting guests here at this time."

"That's quite alright. At least you managed to hold the instinct to fire on me, which is more than I can say for team CRDL." The blonde winced at that before the headmaster took an empty chair. "May I inquire as to what your most recent project is?"

"A set of earpieces, actually. I can talk with Bob easily enough, but that doesn't help my teammates, and thus there's a need to fix that. I actually managed to one-up my old design by studying your scrolls. These new pieces should be able to use the devices' signals such that as long as there's signal strength, we'll be able to remain in contact regardless of where we are. And that doesn't include them being able to have a direct link to Bob as long as they're within five hundred feet."

Ozpin let out an impressed hum. "That seems exceedingly useful. Though I doubt that it would've required the five hours before your team begins their mission for you to construct the devices, especially since you've settled for modifying existing earpieces. The project seems to actually be mostly done, from what I can see here."

Kassidy let out a small chuckle. "Yeah, this is going quicker than I expected. The link to the scroll is already set up, and the connectivity with Bob already works to a hundred fifty. Still need to fiddle with the receiver to bump up the range. And after that, I'll be spending the morning making more ammo."

"You're that nervous about the training mission?"

"Pfft, hunting down bloodthirsty demon monsters that defy every law of biology ever? Nah, that's just a walk in the park; nothing to get the nerves worked up over," the gunslinger laughed half-heartedly. "Really though, having spare ammo never hurt anyone. I was closer to running out than I'm comfortable with during initiation."

"Though it seems you've been far from comfortable these past couple weeks." The headmaster leaned back slightly in his seat. "It seems as though you've been going through quite the transition. Your schedule reflects a significant amount of stress."

"Less stress than my previous arrangement." Kass made eye contact with the professor. "With all due respect, I sincerely doubt you got up at five in the morning and made your way to the electronics section of the workshop just to make small talk."

"As a matter of fact, I did. While my duties tend to prevent me from interacting with students on a regular basis, considering the unique nature of your case I find it prudent to remain aloof of developments."

'The unique nature of my case'? What does he think I am, an idiot? "Look, I understand your concern, but I'm not actually a loose cannon. I'm paranoid, not dangerous."

"Uh, have we been in different places these past two weeks?" Bob felt the need to remind the teacher and pupil that he still existed. "You couldn't have gotten in here if you weren't dangerous."

Ozpin let loose a light laugh. "That's certainly one way of looking at it. Your companion definitely has a unique perspective on things."

"Oh, the joys of being a computer. These past couple weeks have actually revealed a couple flaws in his programming."

"Are you implying that I possess defects, Kassidy? I have half a CPU to shock you right now."

"Dude, you can't stop antagonizing Nora. As in, I'm pretty sure you actually aren't capable of not antagonizing her. It's something that needs to get fixed quickly; the last thing I need is that hyperactive grenadier snapping my legs like they were twigs."

"As much as I would like to continue to converse with you, I'm afraid duty calls." The headmaster rose from his seat and regarded the pair before him again. "One more thing before I go: I trust you haven't forgotten the incident where we tried unlocking your aura? I've been conducting some research based on what I found, and the results are… interesting, to put it mildly. While we need more knowledge before acting, do not be surprised if you are called to the infirmary sooner rather than later for medical tests. Now, best of luck on your mission."

"Oh, I can't believe we're about to go on a training mission! I'm so excited!" Fueled by anticipation, the team leader's hyperactivity was cranked to eleven this morning. It was all Weiss could do to not get run over by Ruby on multiple occasions, while Yang had just got out from taking her sweet time in the dorm's shower.

Kassidy decided to take the opportunity, while the crew was (mostly) in one place, to reveal her latest gadgets. "Hey guys, if you can come over for a sec I've got something to show you."

"Oh K," the brawler replied in a sultry voice, obviously going for a more suggestive route. "I didn't realize! Though wouldn't this be better given in a more private setting?"

"Uh, no?" As per usual, innuendos were completely missed by the gunslinger. "If we're going to be out and about, we won't always be right next to each other. Communication's going to be important, which is why I took the better part of this morning to develop these."

As the earpieces were handed out, Yang was intrigued and Ruby was fawning over hers, but Weiss had a look of confusion and a hint of annoyance. "Earpieces? Did you seriously spend the past four hours building earpieces we could've bought for forty lien each?"

"Oh ice queen, haven't you learned by now that I don't make cheap novelties?" Schnee scoffed at the continued use of her disdainful nickname, but Kass ignored it. "These babies have two methods of communications: the first allows them to sort of piggy-back off of your scrolls' signal. As long as we have reception, we can talk from practically any distance apart just as though we were making a call."

"I'm sorry, but I kinda have to go with Weiss on this one. You just described literally every earpiece ever made." Upon hearing the first half of the explanation, Yang was noticeably less excited about the new tech.

"Except what makes these one of a kind is the backup communications system: these earpieces have a direct link to Bob. As long as the device is within five hundred feet of my computer, we've got comms. The signal will go through anything short of lead or a decent wall of concrete or steel."

"Now that's what I'm talking about! Awesome job Kass!" The nerd in Ruby was making itself painfully obvious before the team leader remembered that they were supposed to be leaving circa right freaking now. "Oh crap, we need to get going! Alright team, let's finish up here so we can kick some Grimm butt!"

Weiss topped off her rapier's dust chambers and Yang pocketed some more shells, but Kassidy was packing up significantly more equipment. After slipping into her not-quite-bulletproof vest and stuffing it with ammo, she snapped Bob into his usual harness. "Bob, systems check."

"Communications green. Network connection green. Surveillance green. Power at ninety eight percent, external power pack remains at full charge. Estimated power reserves are seventeen hours, twenty nine minutes. All systems nominal."

At the same time, the gunslinger was going through her pre-fight checks. "Weaponry check. Ammo check. Equipment check. Supplies check. All good on my end." Lugging up her backpack, she turned to find the team being quite amused at her ritual.

"Wow, you are a nerd." Yang was snickering from by the door. "I think you even have Weissy beat on how obsessed you are with being prepared."

"Hey, not all of us have superpowers. I need to have some kind of advantage.

"Just keep our training sessions in mind, Kassidy." The heiress had placed her rapier in its sheath before standing at attention. "If everything goes to plan even you couldn't possibly mess up."

"She'll be fine, Weiss! Okay guys, today's the day! Team RWKY officially begins its service! Bonsai!" The rest of the team joined in on the little sister's battle cry, some more enthusiastically than others.

The four teens eagerly made their way to the staging area, where Professor Goodwitch had just finished giving JNPR their instructions. As the team walked up, she cast a glance at her scroll, then at Ruby. "Team RWKY. I trust you are prepared for today's assignment?"

"Yes ma'am! Team RWKY is ready for anything!" Ruby was trying, and failing, at sounding incredibly responsible.

"Very well then. To start the missions off, your assignment will take place in zone five of the Emerald Forest. A series of markers have been set up in the area; you will retrieve all of them and return them to the academy. The four of you have three hours to complete this assignment. I'm sending you the coordinates of the markers now."

"Coordinates received. Updating map of Emerald Forest, zone five with pertinent information." The AI quickly did as he said he would, and the other three members of the team had their scrolls ping regarding a new message that contained the updated map.

Yang took in the new information. "Alright, run around, grab a couple flags, punch some Grimm to death. Anything else we need to know professor?"

"Actually, there is. The sensor beacon in that region has been reporting unusually large numbers of Grimm in the area. While they shouldn't pose a direct threat to your mission, please keep in mind that you're not alone out there, and that the mission obviously takes second place to your survival."

Kassidy scoffed. "Don't need to tell me twice."

Ruby felt the need to speak up before that particular line of thought developed into an argument. "We'll be sure to keep an eye out. Thank you professor!"

"Don't tell me you don't like flying, K!" The four girls were just dropped off via Osprey (or Bullhead, as they were apparently called in this universe) at zone five, which happened to be on the far side of the forest. The flight had been shaky, and to make matters worse they were expected to jump out. While her three teammates just leapt into the air like it wasn't a big deal, Kassidy preferred lowering herself down on her grappling hook as opposed to horribly maiming both her legs.

"Next time, I'm walking. Bob, begin the three hour timer and plot a route to the nearest marker."

"Ugh, do you rely on your computer to do everything for you? The first flag is obviously this way." Weiss pinched her nose before beginning to storm off in a random direction.

"That's actually the exact opposite of which way the markers are, Miss Schnee."

The heiress flushed a bit, before muttering something about how she knew that. Before an argument could be had, a twig snapped. Instinct directed the gunslinger to fire at the noise, which turned out to be a creep investigating the commotion.

"Congratulations, you just alerted every Grimm in a half mile radius as to our location."

"Which is why we should probably get moving." At the scythe wielder's urging, the group made their way in the correct direction of the nearest marker. Yang was at the front of the group, looking bored out of her skull since she hadn't gotten to punch anything yet.

"Ugh, didn't Glynda say that there were a lot of Grimm in these forests? Where are they? I want to fight something!"

"Be careful what you ask for." Kass was in the middle of the group, eyes and ears straining as she panned her rifle around the surroundings. Her eyes suddenly fell upon a fallen over log, a track of moss scraped off the top indicating that something had very recently climbed over it. "Hold up guys, I've got something." As the team stopped, Kassidy stalked ahead further, taking care not to make any noise.

The offending creature was a Beowolf, currently looking at another part of the forest but otherwise standing still. Maybe Weiss has a point. No need to attract the whole damn forest. Shouldering her rifle and drawing a knife, she crept up to the creature before a blur of yellow shot past. Yang buried her fist in its head, the gauntlets giving a loud report as the Grimm's brains were scattered across the now heavily damaged tree behind it.

Weiss wasn't too happy about the brawler's actions. "Didn't I just say that we should keep things quiet?

"Oh c'mon, princess. Can't you let a girl have her fun every now and then?" Yang was cracking her knuckles when multiple roars sounded a ways away. "Well look at that, I ask and they deliver."

"Alright team! Let's kill some Grimm!" Ruby was apparently sharing her sister's enthusiasm for the coming fight. Kass and Weiss shared looks of trepidation before the white haired girl spoke.

"You hang back and do your whole shoot really fast thing. I'll make sure those two dunces don't do something stupid." With that, the heiress was gone. The gunslinger was only too happy to keep out of arm's reach of anything trying to eat her, and as a mass of Beowolves came charging she busied herself with shooting every bone mask that came into view.

She would've been just fine, had something not come charging at her hard from the right. Something big. Kass was just able to roll forward and out of the way of an Alpha Beowolf. Oh lovely, these guys again. The Beowolves with thick enough skulls my rifle can't punch through. "Uh, a little help here?"

Alright, if I can't kill it, disable it. Ducking under a claw intent on taking her head off, she brought her rifle back up and planted a bullet in its knee. The Grimm howled in pain, and was noticeable limping as it chased after her. Which is why she didn't expect it to dive after her, arms extended as it tried to tackle her to the ground. It succeeded, and the gunslinger found herself staring face to face with a several hundred pound abomination, jaws snapping at her face. Oh shit oh shit oh shit. It made to lunge for her neck; she didn't know how well her body would handle its throat getting torn out, but 'not well' was a safe guess.

A red blur shot past, and a flash of steel completely cut the alpha in half. Its head slumped forward as Kassidy realized that, thankfully, she wouldn't have to find out just yet.

"You okay, Kass?" Ruby offered a hand up, which she took. After taking a moment to calm down a bit, the gunslinger was able to form coherent thoughts again.

"Absolutely not. I need a bigger gun."

The team's leader giggled. "If you're being serious, I might be able to help you with that."

"Once we're out of the woods, of course!" Yang and Weiss had just finished their fight, and obviously the brawler was celebrating with puns. The team groaned, and was about to head off when Bob interrupted them.

"Emergency call from Glynda Goodwitch. Patching her through on comms now."

"Team RWKY, please come in. What's your status?"

Kassidy answered for the group. "A bit shaken up, but nothing permanent. Bob said something about an emergency?"

"Yes, there is. The sensor beacon just went offline; judging from its last readings, the likely cause is a Grimm attack. You are to put your mission on hold and meet with team JNPR at these coordinates. More instructions will be available once you rendezvous with your classmates. Goodwitch out."