F3: Hello fellow readers and welcome back to Rinas story. We last left off where Winter has made her way to Atlas and the general is not going to be happy about this and wonder how Jacque is going to take this. RWBY is property of Rooster Teeth and Monty Oum. Any OC characters other than mine will be listed if nessecary. With that said Let's Roll Out!
Volume 4-6 Green: Trial Prelude.
After being loaded into the armored truck roughly and having the door slammed right into her nose Rina only sat on the metal bench as she was now being transported to a detention cell until her trial that from her understanding has yet to be determined. Though she was able to look through the barred window as she watch the sceneory of large buildings and the people going throughout their day.
She sighed slightly knowing that this could be the last time she'd ever see the outside if she is tried and found guilty. She didn't even know what the charges were but she had a feeling that they weren't anything good in her favor. The only thing she could do is wait which was sort of the hardest part.
Twenty minutes later the armored truck came to a hault as the guards came out from the front of the truck. She heard the back door click as it then opened revealing the guards that had transported her along with two others with their guns pointed directly at her as if to shoot her if she were to escape.
"Alright come on out of their." The guard said as Rina got up from her seat and came out of the armored truck coming down the small set of stairs the came out of the truck.
She then got a look at where they were as it was a two story building with many windows on it with a neon sign saying Atlas Detention.
The moment she got out the two guards grabbed hold of her arms as they walked her inside of the detention center.
"Geez guys. Getting a little handsy aren't we." Rina said but the guards paid her no mind as they walked her inside.
Rina only had one word for the entire place that should describe and that word is stiff. Everyone in their is stiff as a board the moment that she entered the place. The guards escorted past the front hall as they walked toward the back of the building. However a female guard stopped them for a moment.
"Hold it. Reason of visit." She ordered.
"This girl needs to be detained until her appending trial." He replied.
The female guard looked at Rina for a moment before moving toward another door as she took her badge and scanned it. The door clicked as it slid open as the female guard gestured them to go in.
"Put her in containment cell four. She'll be fine their." The female guard said as the guards moved her forward. They moved her toward the numbered cell as the hologramed cell opened as they shoved her roughly into it before the cell closed.
"Get comfortable girl. You're going to be hear a while." The guard said as they left her.
Rina turned around to get a look at her cell it was slightly smaller than the one of the ship but it was a somewhat improvement that it wasn't cramped as she sat on the cot.
"Guess a nap doesn't sound too bad right now." Rina said as she laid down on the cot to get some sleep for what's ahead of her.
=RWBY=
Meanwhile at the airfield Ironwood was at platform 7-A where a smaller airship approached the landing pad as it landed. A door opened as Goodwin and Winter came out of the airship and immediately noticed Ironwood standing their as they went to greet him.
"Well hello their general. Came to greet us personally?" Winter asked with her hands in her trench coat pockets.
"That and wondering why you came here to Atlas? Coming to pay a visit?" Ironwood questioned.
"No actually. I'm here on business. I'm looking for Rina Trill and we would wish to speak with her." Winter replied.
Ironwood remained stoic as he then spoke "I'm afraid that she is unavailable at the..." He began but Winter stopped him.
"Don't try to pull a fast one on me. You're saying that she is unavailable but your really saying that I can't talk with her because your afraid that she'll take me on as her lawyer. Don't forget I know Atlas like the back of my hand and how it operates." Winter replied as she got close to the general.
"Now here's how this is going to go. Me and Goodwin here are going to walk out and there had better be a transport ready for us to take us to the detention center which is more than likely where you took her too." Winter replied.
"So let's not beat around the bush shall we." Winter added before she walked away from the general. On that outside the general was rather emotionless minusing the clenched flst but on the inside he was rather fuming as he turned on his heel.
"I need a transport ready in the next five minutes for Winter and company!" Ironwood ordered as soldiers began running about to locate a good transport for the two lawyers. As the for the general he had to make a call to someone that will more than likely not like hearing about this as he went to the communication room.
He looked toward the operator before he spoke "Patch me through to the Schnee Manor immediately." He ordered.
"Yes sir." The operator said as she began pressing the appropriate buttons to connect to the Schnee Manor more importantly to Jacque Schnee.
"Mr. Schnee are you their?" He asked as the picture of jacque Schnee appeared on screen.
"What is it now? I have just finished selecting the jury for the trial. This had better be important general." Jacque said.
"We might have a problem with that Jacque." Ironwood replied.
"Oh and what kind of problem is that general? Don't tell me that she escaped from you." Jacque said.
"No sir. However... Winter Schnee has just arrived in Atlas and is by now heading toward the detention center." Ironwood reported.
There was a moment of silence between the two as Jacque then spoke.
"General... you had better explain yourself as to how she found out about that we have that faunus in your custady. If she takes Winter on as her lawyer then we might as well not even bother with the trial." Jacque said annoyingly.
"Sir there might still be away for us to have the trial. I still have evidence that points to Rina murdering the student and perhaps still get her for the terrorism charge." Ironwood said.
"Also thanks to a small tip my men had managed to get evidence from the warehouse that she was hiding at. It was stored with plenty of dust and there were plans that were made out to hit other dust shops." Ironwood replied.
"The court will only look at that as an act of theift not terrorism. Unless their is something more concrete then all we will get her on is on theft and possibly murder." Jacque added.
"Yes sir but that does leave room for speculation that Rina was planning on attacking Vale from the beginning but she needed more help considering the White Fang was also involved. Heck she might as well be part of the White Fang for all we know considering what we've also found." Ironwood said as her brought out what one of his soldiers brought him before they took off from Vale.
It was a white mask that covers the eyes that has fangs on the side of the mask. It also has small eye lines so that the one wearing it could see.
"This mask belongs to that of a White Fang. Recovered from the warehouse. This will be the nail in the coffin for her when we present this." Ironwood replied.
"If they will actually buy that. What about your Ace Ops? Will they be present at the trial?" Jacque asked.
"I've narrowed down to one that will represent the Ace Ops. One that I know will follow orders. I will debrief him on the situation. I'm sure he'll be cooperative." Ironwood replied.
"How certain are you that he won't turn on you general?" Jacque asked.
"Don't worry sir he'll understand once I tell him. He won't betray my trust." Ironwood said.
"Very well James. You had better be right about this. The trial will be afternoon tomorrow so you better inform him and quickly." Jacque said.
"Understood sir." Ironwood replied as Jacque disconnected and the general headed out. What he didn't know that the operators body rippled as it shifted to someone that had somehow got her way back to Atlas. Carmen Blood smirked as she gently looked at the recording device in her pocket before putting it back as she got up and walked out of the operators room as another one came in.
"Thanks my shift just finished." Carmen replied as she walked out leaving a confused operator to wonder what had happened.
=RWBY=
After getting a transport for herself and Goodwin they drove silently toward the detention center as Winter went over the files again just incase that she missed something.
"Winter you've been over those files about four times now. I understand that you're worried but things will be okay. I'm sure that this girl isn't as bad as some people are making her out to be." Goodwin assured.
"I know that. I'm just keeping myself busy from looking outside." Winter replied.
"Oh? What for?" He asked.
"You and I both know what." She added looking at him with her snow blue eyes as she clutched her left leg.
Almost immediately he understood what she meant.
"Still having nightmares about that night the office was bombed?" He asked.
Winter nodded at this "Yeah. Some of them are worse than others. Trying to deal with it all after everything that had happened. First thing you're doing your job at the military office and next thing I'm laying in a hospital bed with half of my body bandaged up like a mummy." Winter said as she took a deep breath.
"But... you were with me the entire time when I was their and during my recovery. I honestly couldn't thank you enough for helping me back then." Winter replied.
"Of course I remember. You were a crying mess back then and were in constant pain in the hospital. Even after you've healed it took you quite a while to fully recover. It would be about three months till you could fully recover." Goodwin replied.
Winter only chuckled "Yeah... that was when I was honorably discharged and you along with me have left Atlas all together. Being here just...makes me rather nervous." Winter replied.
Goodwin placed a hand on her shoulder as if to reassure her "Yes but we both have a job to do. Focus on that and I'm sure you'll be fine." He assured her.
Winter nodded as their transport stopped in front of the detention center. They then stepped out in front of the detention center before heading inside. Once they were inside the detention center a female guard met them.
"Can I help you ma'am?" The guard asked.
"Yes we are looking for Rina Trill and heard that she is here. We would like to speak with her." Winter replied.
The guard looked at the two of them rather strangely.
"Are you the parents because if not them I'm afraid I can't-" The female guard began but Winter stopped her.
"No we are attorneys. We would like to see Miss Trill immediately and if you intervene I will make sure that you don't work here again." Winter said coldly.
The female guard flinched at this as she quickly moved toward the door as it opened.
"I'll have Miss Trill meet you in the interrogation room." The female guard said as she went to go get the girl.
Goodwin looked toward Winter a moment "You know you didn't have the threaten the guard. She's only just doing her job." Goodwin replied.
"I know but we don't have any time to waste. The more we waste time the higher chance that Ironwood could build a case against her." Winter replied.
The guard returned not too long afterward "She's waiting for you in the interrogation room. Don't take too long okay." The guard replied as they both walked past her and headed into the interrogation room the guard pointed out.
They opened the door and saw a very disgrunted Rina sitting their with her wrists cuffed. However her expression softed a little the moment she saw the two of them but she was also confused.
"Okay what is going on here?" Rina questioned.
Winter only chuckled at this as she sat down across but Goodwin stood next to her.
"You must have a lot of questions to ask but I believe you already know who I am don't you." Winter replied as Rina nodded.
"Yeah. Your Winter Schnee. Older sister to Weiss. Not hard to figure that out given your hair and eyes are inherited." Rina replied before looking toward the other guy.
"And who's he?" Rina asked.
Goodwin bowed a little before introducing himself "Fredrick Goodwin. Me and Winter are both attorneys and we came here to help you Miss Trill." Goodwin replied.
"Help me? How?" Rina questioned not sure what to think.
"What he's trying to say is that we want to be your defense at your trial." Winter replied which really surprised Rina.
"Hold on. You actually want to take my case? Are you sure that is good idea? Especially considering it's me of all people. Won't get any backlash from this?" Rina said.
Winter chuckled a little "Trust me I've defended plenty of people in my time as a defense attorney. Even having to defend Goodwin here one time. I believe that I can help you get out of this and have the charges dropped." Winter replied.
"Have you ever lost a case before?" Rina questioned. Winter went silent for a moment before she answered.
"Yes... that was because I was a naive fool back when I began as an attorney. And because I didn't have any belief in my client." Winter replied.
"However we are getting off topic. Miss Trill...I understand that we may not be ideal attorneys but the fact remains that we want to help you get out from this predicament. Because I'm afraid that if you do not accept our help...worse things could happen to you my dear girl." Goodwin replied.
Rina looked away a moment as weighed her options. One option she could accept their help and maybe get a light sentence or maybe community service. The second option would be she could decline their held and face an uncertainty that could be the end of her and spent the rest of her life in prison.
So with making her decision Rina spoke "So...what do you want to know?" Rina questioned.
Winter and Goodwin smiled at this meaning that she would take them on as her attorneys.
"Tell us everything that you know from the start." Winter began as Rina started to tell them everything that had occured during her days at the academy.
=RWBY=
In another part of Atlas after leaving the station behind Harriet was currently walking about in her civilian outfit that she wore when she was visiting her wife back in Argus. However she had a much more different task as she knew where she was going. She walked for another ten minutes before coming to a very tall building that stood in front of her.
The building itself has six towers forming a hexagon around the structure. In the middle of the building is another tower that seemed to over look the other towers. The building was nothing but a mixture of gray and black to give off this foreboading feeling. Their were windows everywhere on the building as each of those windows could be a room holding one of the many prisoners that they had put away.
The building she was in front of was is the Atlas Penitentiary. She stepped toward the penitentiary as their was a guard their standing at the entrance.
"Hold it. You have ID miss." The guard stated. Harriet immediately brought out her scroll which showed her huntress ID. The guard immediately noticed the name of the ID as he stood at attention.
"Lieutenant Bree. I wasn't informed that you were visiting." The guard replied.
"At ease and yes I am here to visit someone." Harriet replied.
"Oh and who is it that you are visiting ma'am?" The guard questioned.
"Marina Tortuga. Just needed someone to talk to." Harriet answered.
The guard nodded "Very well ma'am. If you'll follow me I'll take you to the visiting room." He stated as he escorted Harriet inside. Even when she was escorted inside it hardly changed of the of the color as it was gray and black inside the building. As the guard escorted her around the building Harriet couldn't help but feel a little nervous whenever she's their as she considered the prisoners she helped put away over the years as an ace ops.
As they walked they eventually came toward a door that read 'Visitors Lounge'.
"Wait in their and I'll fetch her." The guard stated as Harriet went inside.
The room had five stalls with phones on the right side for quick access. Also each stall had a clear window for other visitors to see who they were visiting. Harriet decided to take a seat at one of the stalls as she waited for them to bring Marina.
After about ten minutes of waiting the door on the other side opened as the guard brought in the person Harriet was waiting on. The woman that was brought in is about twenty eight years old with slight tan skin and long torquoise hair tied in a high ponytail with a red ribbon. She is currently wearing a blue prison outfit that seems to be a little tight on her as it expresses her chest and hips. A noticeable feature was the big torquoise panther ears on her head.
The guard voiced something to her as she only rolled her eyes at the guard before taking a seat right acrossed from Harriet through the plexi glass.
Harriet picked up the phone on her end while the woman did the same thing.
"Hey their Junior has it hangin?" The girl said with bright smile.
"Nice to see you to Marina. Doing good actually. Sorry if I haven't visited you in a while." Harriet replied.
"Yeah I understand. Nothing too exciting here I'm afraid. The girls here aren't too keen about having some action." Marina said as Harriet only facepalmed.
"Could you not get yourself into anymore trouble? Your in this place for another five years you know." Harriet replied.
"Oh who knows. With my behavior I could be up for parole later. Though I have a feeling that this isn't a normal visit is it." Marina replied.
Harriet sighed as she knew that Marina would see right through her.
"I... it's something that's been bugging me for some time now." Harriet began.
"Okay... what is girl? You can tell me." Marina replied wanting Harriet to continue.
"We've... recently caught a certain criminal that the generals been ordered to catch. The Spider." Harriet replied.
"And let me guess this has you worried what is going to happen right." Marina replied.
"Yeah... I'm afraid that something is going to happen to her and I'm not sure how to go about it." Harriet replied.
"Whoa slow down their girl. If this is about what happened to me during my trial then you know I don't blame you for what happened." Marina said.
"Yeah but back then I was just a rookie and I stayed quiet which got you jailed in the first place. I... really don't want to make the same mistake again." Harriet replied.
"Hey... what happened back then wasn't your fault. I made the mistake and-" Marina began but Harriet stopped her.
"But you didn't make a mistake! I knew that Jacque was aiming for you because you found out what was going on at his home and pretty much sicked the general on you when the riot happened in Mantle but I didn't do anything to stop it. Your stuck in here because of me and I don't want to make the same mistake again." Harriet said.
Marina only sighed at this "Look... I'm not going to stop you but you have to consider the consequenses that could happen. You must remember that." Marina.
"Besides once I'm out I don't think I'll be returning to the ace ops anytime soon not with my record. Eventually you'll be in charge of the ace ops and you won't have to worry so much. Just remember what I taught you okay." Marina replied.
Harriet sighed not exactly sure how to tell Marina but decided to tell her "I... don't know if I want to stay in the ace ops much longer. I have a wife and child back home in Argus that need me and me staying here isn't helping." Harriet said.
Marina nodded "I... can understand that. Whatever choice you make girl I'll back you one hundred percent." She replied.
The guard then came up to Marina telling her to finish up.
"Well I better get going. Maybe have a bit of fun with the ladies here." Marina replied with a smirk.
"Alright. I'll come back to visit again." Harriet said as she placed the phone back in the slot as she got up from her seat just as Marina was getting up as well.
The guard escort Marina out the other door as Harriet walked out her door. She had some thoughts run through her head but even then she had made up her mind that she wouldn't make the same mistake twice as she walked out of the prison.
=RWBY=
Meanwhile Winter and Goodwin had just listened to every detail that Rina could tell them as they walked out of the detention center though Winter considered everything that Rina had told them.
"Well from the sound of it Rina isn't really a bad girl. She stole out of nessecesity and only with clients." Goodwin replied.
"That will not be easy but I'm sure we can figure out something before the trial. Remember we do have the documents to show the court. We'll just have to play it by ear for now and see what the prosecution is going to bring." Winter added.
However that was when her scroll rang. She checked it as a familiar number appeared on it as she answered it.
"Carmen. Where have you been? You should've contacted me." Winter replied.
"Apologies for not calling you sooner. I was currently unavailable at the time. Though that's not the only reason I called you." Carmen replied.
"I assume it has something to do with this trial." Winter replied.
"Yes. The general was talking with Jacque Schnee and from what I heard he has set up a date for the trial. Said that it's tomorrow afternoon when the trial will take place. Though that isn't the only thing that concerns me." Carmen replied.
"And what is that Ms. Blood?" Goodwin asked.
"Apparently Jacque hand selected jury members to fit into the prosecutions favor. Plus Ironwood is suppose to be talking with a member of the ace ops about testifying." Carmen replied.
"Probably to try and twist facts into his favor. I'll have to somehow work around that. Thank you Carmen. Though where are you right now?" Winter asked.
"Actually for the time being I'm... laying low for a while." Carmen replied.
"Laying low? What is going on girl?" Winter asked.
Carmen was silent for about a minute before she spoke up.
"I think I have reason to believe that I was... hypnotized." Carmen replied.
"Hypnotized? By who?" Goodwin asked.
"That's the thing. I don't know. The first thing I remember was being in Vale about to report back to the general and then I hear some kind of hissing sound. After that... nothing." Carmen replied.
"That is most troubling indeed." Goodwin said.
"Yeah especially if I was planning on calling you to the stand to help." Winter added.
"I apologize that I can't be much help Ms. Schnee." Carmen said.
"No you've did well. Now I know when the trial is going to be which gives me ample time to come up with a defense. Thank you Carmen but I highly suggest that you don't leave Atlas for the time being otherwise it'll be suspicious." Winter replied.
"Never planned on it. Anyway take care you two." Carmen said before hanging up.
"Well what should we do now Winter? From what Carmen told us and Rina's written statement we really don't have much to go on." Goodwin replied.
"I know but we've been in tougher situations before so this isn't any different. Though something is bugging me though." Winter said cupping her chin as if thinking.
"Oh and what that might be?" Goodwin questioned.
"When we were questioning Rina about the events that took place during her time at the academy it felt like...she was avoiding something to talk about." Winter said.
"Avoiding something? Could it be important to the case?" He asked.
"I'm not sure but if theirs one thing I know things that remained secret is that they don't stay secret for long. For now lets find a hotel and go over information before calling it a day." Winter replied as the two of them walked off toward a hotel to stay in for the night until tomorrows trial cause Winter knows that is when the battle will really begin.
F3: Well that wraps up chapter 6. Looks Jacque is trying to pull a fast one on Winter but thanks to Carmen she now knows but will it be enough. Thank you all for reading this and let me know in the comments of how I'm doing. Also don't forget to follow this story for future updates. With that said this is Fireuser3 and I'm out.