Legal Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY or any of the show's characters. They are the rightful properties of Rooster Teeth. The God Eater video game series is the property of Bandai Namco.
Chapter Fourteen:
Clover's eyes widened at the untrusting, angry tone of Ironwood's voice as he asked his question, his teal-eyed gaze darting from a suddenly stony faced Qrow to a rather smug looking Harriet, realizing that the other Ace Op must have overheard either one of the debates amongst the remaining Crimson Queen members or his own warning to Robyn earlier that day. He steeled himself, clenching his hands tightly into fists at his sides as he took a step forward to get in-between the looming Ironwood and Qrow.
"General Ironwood. Sir." Clover began, "With all due respect, it's a—"
"It's an internal matter is what it is." Qrow spoke up testily then, cutting off Clover's explanation, "Why would we tell you about it given how the ports already view us?"
Ironwood's steel blue eyes narrowed imperiously, "I thought I made it clear that any potential security issues were to be brought up immediately. I shouldn't be hearing about this so late, not when..."
He trailed off as Winter showed up on the scene, looking as poised as ever though there was a worried glimmer in her pale blue eyes as she took in what was happening. Looming realization of another matter seemed to hit the decommissioned Grimm Eater then, Ironwood's eyes once again narrowing over at Clover and Qrow, "Furthermore, Captain Ebi, why bring Branwen to a restricted area like this in the first place?" He asked, voice dangerously low, "What were the two of you doing here?"
Heat inexplicably flared across Clover's face at the pointed question, remembering just minutes before how he'd practically melted into Qrow's touch. His heartbeat increased to an almost painful pounding in his ears as he swallowed dryly, mind reeling on how to explain things without doing any more damage.
"That may be my fault, Jimmy." Qrow's gruff voice suddenly spoke up, his light red-eyed gaze challenging Ironwood or anyone else to say something different, "I was curious about this Spiral Tree Project, or whatever it is. Didn't think it was worth getting you or the Ice Queen's drawers further bunched up asking about it."
Winter's eyes narrowed in sharp annoyance at that unprofessional remark, while the petite woman standing off to Ironwood and hers side growled at the lack of respect to her superiors. Clover ignored Harriet's reaction, instead merely gazing over at Qrow while doing a fairly lousy job of covering up his shock. To his credit, the older man merely kept his steady gaze locked on Ironwood as if daring him to try and say otherwise.
At length, Ironwood let out an exasperated sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose tightly. He looked to the ground for a few moments as if mulling over what he'd just heard, before he regarded the two males before him once more. "I see now that constant exposure to you and your group may have compromised Clover at the moment." Ironwood finally got out, "Effectively immediately, Captain Ebi, you're temporarily removed from active AGE duty. Ace Operative Bree and Specialist Schnee will take your place in the meanwhile."
Winter's eyes widened a fraction at the order, though she was quick to salute along with Harriet's exclaimed "Sir!"
Clover, meanwhile, stumbled back at the force of the Ironwood's orders as if he'd been physically struck. A lurching feeling tightened around his stomach, and he suddenly realized he didn't know what he should do if he wasn't directly serving as an Adaptive Grimm Eater, "J—James!" He said, pained.
Qrow stepped forward then, practically growling at Ironwood, "Now you're just being an asshole, James." He muttered dangerously low, so that only Clover and Ironwood could hear.
Ironwood didn't flinch as the slightly shorter man got into his face, his expression remaining impassive even as he reached for something on his scroll. There was a loud hum throughout the garden area as Clover's armlets suddenly slammed together, having been magnetized back to their shackle form.
Harriet and Winter both looked rather alarmed, and Qrow's eyes widened as he regarded the dumbfounded Atlesian AGE for a concerned moment before he spun around angrily to face the impassive general, "What the hell, James?" He said angrily, clearly surprised Ironwood would take matters this far.
Ironwood put his scroll away and shoved past Qrow to grip onto one of Clover's biceps with his metallic arm, the pressure from the vice-like hold almost nearing painful as Clover tried not to wince, "You forget that I have full control over this port, and that includes its AGEs." He reminded them firmly, pulling Clover in the direction of the exit, "Be grateful I still have use for you when it comes to research on the Spiral Tree, Qrow."
Qrow's eyes sought Clover's then almost imploringly, and Clover could only meet them for a split-second before he was pushed along as a stalwartly looking ahead Ironwood told Harriet and Winter, "Escort Branwen back to the cell compound. We've evidently given him and the others far too much free reign."
Clover could only struggle to keep up with Ironwood's quick and lengthy pace with his hands bound as they were now, a feeling of dread washing over him at this turn of events.
Qrow was surrounded at the moment by his impromptu flock of former Crimson Queen members and a frowning Penny, still seething both inwardly and outwardly over how Ironwood had acted. It had gotten to the point that his nieces in particular were shooting worried glances his way. Not that he could blame them.
He'd been dropped off at the cell compound earlier by Harriet and Winter, the petite AGE calling on a rather confused Elm and Vine to follow her out on patrol while Winter muttered that she'd go and check on Clover without looking at any of the Crimson Queen members. The guards seemed to be on higher alert now, and Qrow suspected they wouldn't be allowed to leave the cells as readily as they'd been before in light of Ironwood's recent orders.
"Hey, not to worry, Qrow." Nora tried cheering him up, the redhead unable to stand the tense silence that had settled over the group, "I'm sure Clover will be fine!"
"That's right!" Ruby was quick to jump in as well, "If we just give Ironwood a little time to cool off, I'm sure that things will calm down again eventually."
Ren, Blake, and Yang all looked at each other doubtfully behind her. They all knew how stubborn the general could be, after all. Qrow couldn't help but smile slightly all the same at the attempted reassurance, "Thanks, kiddos." He mumbled, not trusting himself to say more at the moment.
Whatever else anyone might have said on the subject was cut off by the sound of footsteps rapidly approaching, and it was only moments later before a frowning Robyn Hill was being allowed into the cell compound. Her keen gaze noted how tense the guards were being and how upset everyone in the Crimson Queen were. Robyn let out a sigh as she crossed her arms over her chest, "Vine and Elm explained the situation when they came to join us on patrol." She said at length, "Clover already told me about the other matter."
"What are you going to do then?" Ren asked worriedly, "You were relying on your alliance with the Crimson Queen to get supplies that Atlas wasn't providing, right?"
Robyn waved the matter off as if it was no big deal, no doubt simply to try and lessen some of the worry from the group, "We'll just have to figure something else out in the meanwhile. Maybe pool our meager resources with another port's outer ghetto or something. Wouldn't be ideal, but I think lessening our reliance on both Atlas and the Crimson Queen would be the best way to go until this Spiral Tree thing gets up and running." She answered honestly, her eyes narrowing in a considering manner not a moment later as she added, "I still think Winter and the others are fools for sticking with Atlas after all of this though."
Blake frowned and looked down at the armlets around her wrists, her black cat ears dropping slightly, "It isn't always so simple." She murmured, no doubt thinking of her own past and the parents who had risked everything to get her out of her own port.
Yang wrapped her arm around Blake's shoulders and pulled her close, "Yeah. It's difficult for AGEs to get away." She said in agreement, "They can't decide to just work for Mantle like other Grimm Eaters."
Penny nodded, "And then there's the matter of Winter's family to consider." She added, reminding all of them of the Schnee family's own circumstances.
"Okay, okay. I get it." Robyn replied, huffing out a breath of air, "Doesn't mean I have to like it though."
"None of us do." Blake assured her, a sad smile spreading over her face.
Robyn glanced around the room then, clearing her throat, "So what exactly are you going to do about all of this?" She asked without preamble, going right for the jugular.
It was a solid question, all things considered. Going back to the Crimson Queen wasn't an option anymore, but staying here in Atlas? Qrow's red eyes lingered on his charges then. He wanted, needed to stay despite everything to ensure the success of the Spiral Tree at least and maybe to just keep an eye out for Clover now too, but the thought of the kids staying there any longer was rather uncomfortable. Maybe even just getting them to move temporarily to Mantle would be better than...
His thoughts were broken up, however, when Penny suddenly bolted upright from her sitting position next to Ruby, her eyes flashing green. Silver eyes blinked in surprise at the girl's suddenly almost robotic-like movements then, Ruby cautiously reaching a hand out towards her, "P—Penny?" She asked cautiously, clearly alarmed.
Penny seemed to be looking at something far away, the redhead moving swiftly towards the door of the cell compound, "I must go." She said rather plainly, "Someone is trying to access my father's files without clearance."
No sooner had Penny stepped out into the hall, the guards apparently having no reason or inclination to stop her, then hurried footsteps were racing towards them from the opposite direction. A gasping Weiss, Ilia, Oscar, and Marrow suddenly appeared in Penny's place by the door trying to catch their breaths.
Nora raised an eyebrow in concern, reaching out to steady a teetering Oscar by the shoulders, "What happened with you guys?" She asked, clearly bewildered by their arrival.
"It's...it's Jaune!" Marrow managed to get out in way of a hurried explanation, "I caught his scent close by!"
"Scans show that it doesn't appear as if Captain Ebi has been physically compromised in any way whatsoever." A rather reluctant and uncomfortable looking Doctor Polendina stated as he peered over the results of the most recent tests that Ironwood had asked him to perform, Winter having joined the three men in the laboratory only a few minutes earlier.
Clover let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding since he'd already known what the outcome would be, glancing over at Ironwood in the hopes that maybe this would convince the older man to change his mind. He pulled at the armlets keeping his hands bound, hoping that at least that wouldn't be the case for much longer.
Yet Ironwood looked less than pleased even with this news to allay his suspicions, a stormy look crossing over his steel blue eyes as he regarded the far wall of the lab, "Would you both give Clover and myself a moment?" He finally got out.
Doubt and worry pooled in Clover's gut at Ironwood's near mechanical tone, and both Winter and Pietro glanced at one another before hesitantly nodding affirmatively and moving outside the lab. Ironwood's gaze remained fixed and angry.
"Sir..." Clover began, unsure of just what to say then but hating the stifling silence all the same.
"You know that the only reason you're still alive right now is because of me." Ironwood said, his eyes suddenly piercing right through Clover, "You remember that. Don't you, Clover?"
Clover swallowed dryly at the reminder, his mind racing back to the cave-in and blood as he nodded, "James. Of course, I—!"
Ironwood stepped forward into his personal space, effectively cutting him off as he looked down on the AGE before him with an intense regard, "I'm well-aware of how capable a seducer Qrow Branwen can be," he started, continuing on before Clover could think of a protest as the general reached his hands out, "But you'll always be my good luck charm, Clover." His hands rested firmly on his shoulders then and he pulled the brown-haired man closer as he continued, "I...and Atlas...both need you."
Clover's mind was reeling at the older man's words, and he opened his mouth to respond only for whatever words he might've said to be swallowed up by Ironwood's mouth colliding with his own. The kiss was possessive and far from the tender one that he'd experienced with Qrow earlier, and he barely suppressed a shudder of revulsion at the unexpected contact as he became completely still in the other man's grip.
His hesitant body language was not lost on Ironwood, however, as the leader of Atlas narrowed his eyes in a considering fashion when he pulled away and Clover refused just then to look at him. Ironwood's grip tightened once more on the other's shoulders before his metallic hand slid down to grip Clover's elbow tightly as he purposefully began striding towards the door with the brown-haired AGE in tow.
"Sir." Winter and Doctor Polendina were both waiting in the hallway outside, shame causing Clover to avert his gaze from both of them as Winter promptly saluted.
"Clover will be resting in my room. I expect an update on patrols as soon as I return." Ironwood informed her succinctly.
Her blue-eyed gaze flickered briefly to Clover then, something unreadable flashing in her eyes as she nodded, "Understood, sir."
"Dad!"
Penny's voice suddenly broke through the tense atmosphere as the girl literally flew through the hallway them, her eyes flashing green as she approached and pulled herself into a quick stop, "I believe someone is trying to gain access to our data on the Spiral Tree Project!" She exclaimed hurriedly, pointing to her father's scroll.
Doctor Polendina's eyes widened behind his spectacles at the news as he stared down at the scroll in his lap, "What?" He began, muttering nervously to himself as he and Penny moved into the lab to better assess what was happening.
Just then, the comm piece in Winter's ear buzzed, Harriet's harried voice coming through into the hall the second Winter activated the device, "A large number of Grimm have shown up in Mantle with identified members of the Crimson Queen. They're breaking through defenses and are making a beeline straight towards Atlas!"
Winter's eyes widened at the news, "What?" She began, casting a questioning glance over at Ironwood as she did so.
Ironwood's mouth set into a thin line, his countenance grim as his grip on Clover tightened rather painfully in that moment, "Give me a full status report. Now."
Author's Notes: Well, things escalated fairly quickly here! Thank you so much for reading and, as always, friendly comments are appreciated! :D