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Winter Schnee regarded the scene with a cold stare, stepping past a cuffed White Fang member sitting on the floor. He spat on her boots, and she gave a look of disgust before sighing and continuing. "Sergeant, what sort of damage are we looking at here."

"From the White Fang, it looks like they were trying to make off with twelve crates on either side of the warehouses, but only five were taken, seems like they'd split up. From what we can tell, a group of teenagers and the Gargoyle were involved, but all the camera feeds have been corrupted." An officer stepped up. "Two dead, a few in need of the ICU, and no Torchwick or Gargoyle."

Winter crouched and picked up a sniper rifle casing, placing it in an evidence bag, "Have ballistics run results on this, it seems rare." She handed it to a forensics specialist, "Teenagers? You think they could be Beacon Students?"

"That's likely what's happened. I can't get more detailed descriptions due to lack of cooperation." He glared at a nearby Fang member, who glared right back.

The Atlas Specialist massaged the bridge of her nose and sighed. "I'm surrounded by idiots." She said quietly, before turning to question the Fang lackey herself.

0ooooo0

Torchwick

"How the hell did Red make friends with the damn Gargoyle?" Torchwick asked, slamming his cane into the table. "This made life so much more difficult for us. At least when it was Red, she was unskilled. When it was just the Gargoyle, I could throw enough numbers at him so we could get away, but now?!" He took off his hat, running a hand through his hair, and took a breath, regaining his composure. "Dammit all." He sighed. "This made life so much more difficult."

"You said that already Roman." Emerald rolled her eyes. "Aren't you supposed to be good at this?"

"I'm good at dealing with cops, and little kids playing huntsman." Roman countered. "I am not equipped to handle super-soldiers with power armor that can turn invisible." He threw his hands up in the air, exasperated. "Oh, and now there's two of them. As if one wasn't enough, the Powers That Be decided to send another that was even bigger!"

"Pull yourself together, Torchwick." Cinder stepped into the room, and the room grew much quieter, Neo perking up from looking at her scroll. "Are our resources not enough for you, Roman? We can give you things to combat these enemies. Like our Paladin. Except maybe this time you'll put in a competent pilot instead of trying to murder a bunch of teenagers you couldn't even handle from within a mech."

Torchwick seethed silently, before pointing his finger at a Faunus, "How do you expect to do that when the goons we're working with can barely compete with huntsman without a paladin."

"Adam is working to improve the roster and skill of our forces." Cinder tried to soothe him, walking sultrily behind him. "They'll rise to the occasion, I'm sure. More should have their Aura's unlocked as well. I've also been working with some of our resources in the police department to… keep an eye on the radios for any news on the Gargoyle. You may get more of a heads up on them before they arrive next time."

Roman took another breath to relax. "Fine. But you'd better deliver." He stormed out, Neo hopping to her feet and following.

Cinder watched him leave, then sighed. "I'm surrounded by idiots."

0ooooo0

Rouge's Vibe, 5:00 P.M.

York

"So then, I realize this thing is transmitting to the MOI's MAC gun targeting system, so I ask the guy 'Hey, can you hold this for a second?'"

The kids burst into laughter, and Jaune spoke up. "And he actually bought that?"

"Yeah, he didn't seem that smart… So then began the craziest fall of my life. The MAC gun fired, and the building started to collapse. We ran off the edge, and Carolina steered the Sarcophagus into a Pelican, then we both were free falling."

"Then what happened?" Ruby asked.

"Out of nowhere, Maine arrives in this Warthog, a jeep with a big machine gun on the back, and he catches us just in time. So, we land on the highway, and we switched seats to go after the guy with the code to activate the Sarcophagus. Team two was pinned down, so Maine took it from the target, and we hauled off. Then these Insurrectionists with jetpacks fly off this helicopter, and while I'm driving, Carolina and Maine are fighting these two Innie's for the briefcase. One pinned Maine shot him in the throat, that's why he's mute. We got the case, but the Insurrectionists got away, and we had to rush Maine to a medical station for surgery."

Everyone's eyes were wide, finally knowing how Maine had become mute. Sun whistled lowly. York finished cleaning the bar, then took all the glasses and stacked them into a tray to send to the dishwasher.

"So, how'd you get your eye injured?" Yang asked. "That's gotta be a great story.

York coughed, then sighed. "It's not as glorious as you all think… you sure you wanna hear this?"

"What do you mean, that eye looks sick, must get you all the ladies." Yang winked with a laugh.

"If only…" York muttered, then took a breath. "Well, you see, Tex had just arrived, and the Director scheduled a match against me, Wyoming, and Maine, three against one. I tried to come up with a strategy for us, but they kept charging at her, trying to beat her themselves. She beat us all individually for round after round…"

0ooooooo0

273 Ironrose, later that evening.

York grunted as Milo met his own blade, pushing slightly on his muscles until he gained control, diverting the blade to the side and striking quickly. Pyrrha leaped back, then sent a series of strikes, fast and hard, but York was able to block each one with ease, then countered with his own slice, forceful enough to push Milo back.

"You're getting much better, Mr. York."

"I'm a fast learner. And it's just York."

Pyrrha sent another flurry of strikes, faster than the last, And York blocked each one again. "Are you sure, it seems weird calling you that."

"No, York works. It's been so long since I was addressed as anything else." He told the Spartan as he sent his own coordinated attacks, waiting for a feint that looked like it was going for her head, but whizzed over and tapped her leg before she could shift.

"That was good!" She complimented. York smiled; glad he was finally getting used her voice. "I think we can call it there, I need to go and study, but I think a small troupe of party-goers are waiting at the club for you."

York smiled and deactivated his armor, the suit shrinking it backpack form. "Thank you for teaching me, Ms. Nikos."

"If I'm going to call you York you must call me Pyrrha." She smiled, then glanced up at the stairs to the loft, which Jaune was currently hurrying down, headed to the club himself. As soon as he exited, York sighed, then noticed as Pyrrha checked her scroll and smiled. York rolled his eyes, knowing the message was from the resident blonde on team JNPR

"When are you going to talk to him?" He asked.

Pyrrha tried to brush it off. "What are you talking about? I talk to him all the time!"

York gave her a pointed look, "Pyrrha, don't make the same mistake I did."

Pyrrha took a breath, "I just wish he paid attention. I don't think he's over Wiess yet."

York laughed. "He is a bit dense when it comes to reading women."

"And when were you such a pro?"

"Seemed like I could, except for her. She was nigh impossible to read." York sighed sadly. Then, after a moment, he took a breath and tried to put on a smile. "I guess I should head out. Goodnight, Pyrrha, travel safe, study hard."

York waited until Pyrrha left, then looked to Maine, who was sharpening his blade on the Brute Shot. "See you in a bit, Maine."

The giant waved without looking, and York left, heading through the alleyway to the club. When he entered, there was indeed a group of New Freelancers. Jaune and Yang were talking to one another while Ren was calmly speaking with Blake, Nora off messing with Jake's bear head, the DJ had finally returned from his family business and was currently in full 'uniform', prepping the stage for the night.

"Hey, York." Junior called from the office, exiting with the Malachite twins.

York grinned. "What's up, Boss?"

"You've been doing pretty well here, York." The big man told him. "I'm impressed." Then he saw Yang. "Blondie. You here to wreck the place?"

"Not today, Junior, not today." She told him with a grin.

York, entering the club, police! Delta gave off a warning, and York glanced over, as well a Junior. York glanced towards his backpack and made sure his armor, collapsed in backpack form, was well hidden, in addition to his new weapon.

The Freelancer took in the view of a beautiful woman wearing a white trench coat with rips in the sleeve, exposing her upper arms, and black gloves covering her forearms, on top of a blue vest, leaving a bit of her white dress shirt to be viewed. The collar of the trench coat had a red interior and was bound around her neck by a red jewel. Her white pants were mainly covered by her armored leggings and boots, cover, which were made of grey steel. Her snow-white hair was tied in a bun and the bangs combed off to her right, a single lock of hair dangling by her left ear.

Beside her was a gentleman, likely a detective from the VPD, in civilian clothing. He clearly wasn't undercover; his gun and badge were visible beneath his navy-blue rain jacket. He looked nervously around the bar. He knew he was in dangerous territory.

The woman is Winter Schnee, a Specialist from Atlas. She seems close to the head of the military, General Ironwood, and is related to Weiss. Delta was pulling records from the CCT and relaying it to York. The Freelancer tried to give no reaction but glanced to make sure Weiss wasn't numbered among the Beacon patrons in the bar, breathing out in relief to see she hadn't come.

Delta continued with the next police officer Detective Garrett Forrest, Vale Police Department. He's one of the people working on the Gargoyle case.

York tried to keep his cool. Text the kids to get out of here, subtly. He instructed the AI asthe newcomers approached the bar. The Atlas Specialist giving a steely glare around her, inspecting everyone. Her eyes lingered on him for a second, and he nodded a greeting. "What'll it be, ma'am?" He said, leaning on the bar with two arms. He modulated his voice into a soft Texas drawl, not so hard since he was born there. This was to disguise any voice records they may have had on him.

"Water." She told him, glancing again to him. "I'm working currently."

York shrugged and grabbed a water bottle, handing it to her. "And for you, sir?"

"Could I get a pina colada, virgin of course." Detective Forrest added after a glare from Winter. She returned to inspecting the bar, still unimpressed with the detective.

York finished mixing the drink, and after a drink, the man hummed. "Alright, we got a couple questions for you if you don't mind." He started.

York glanced to Junior, who seemed stoic, observing. "I'm on the clock as well, sir. I'm not sure I can devote any time away from serving patrons-"

"Answer their questions so they can leave us be." Junior intoned. "I don't have time to have cops scaring away my clientele."

Winter glanced around to Ren, raising an eyebrow. "Quite." She mused. "Sir, we have reason to believe, due to calculation and analyses, that a vigilante has been in the area."

"You talking about the Gargoyle?" York asked them, taking a sip of water from his cup, internally wincing as he presented his charade.

"You know of him?" The detective asked, raising an eyebrow.

"You watch the news?" York retorted, and Junior chuckled. "Why do you think he's around a lot?"

"It's a private case, so I suggest you keep your questions for later, Mr…" Schnee fished for a name.

"Cole Vance." He offered, crossing his arms.

"Mr. Vance."

York hummed. "I haven't seen any sign of the vigilante, I'm usually at work or asleep when he's fighting crime and what not… but, if I were searching for that vigilante, I'd figure he's down in the sewers, some hideout down there so he can get from place to place quickly."

"That's… Actually a good idea, Mr. Vance." Winter told him, seemingly impressed with his misleading input. Hopefully, that would buy Ozpin some time for him to finalize their licenses. "Come on, Forrest, we might be able to get some maps of the sewage system before the records division closes."

"Oh joy… come on man, why'd you have to give her ideas…" Forrest sighed, paying for their drinks. York winced sympathetically as they headed out.

"Come back anytime. Club opens at nine every night, bar at seven!" York called, then waited until they left.

York's mouth quirked up, and he tried to keep down a laugh. Junior gave a slight grin as he spoke. "Alright, Vance, get back to work."

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