Here we are! Here we go!

Cover Art: Mystery White Flame

Chapter 29

"We've had a new set of missions come through. One seems interesting." Roman handed Jaune a file with a photo printed out and stuck to the front. On it, a grainy image of one of the Oobelisks lay half-buried in a tree.

"Where is this?"

"Forests a little outside the city – less than a day out. That was taken by some passers-by, and thanks to the warnings sent out they knew better than to stick around. Snapped that, marked the location and left before the Grimm noticed."

"Intelligent people," Glynda said. "I never thought I'd see the day. We should dispatch a team to deal with it immediately."

"I volunteer," Bart said.

"Wasn't aware you counted as a team now," Roman grumbled. "I was thinking we'd send the brat instead."

"Jaune?"

"Other brat." Roman had a good laugh at the offended look Jaune sent Oobleck. "Ex-headmaster brat. It's close enough that the risk is minimal, and his passenger might have some insight as to what these things are and what the plan is."

Team RWBY wouldn't be a bad call provided he could convince Winter to let Weiss go. Well, he could offer her a chance to be their escort if it helped. They could look after Oscar while Ozpin took a look, and if things got really bad then Ozpin could step in himself. Being so close to the city only made it even better.

"This could be a distraction," Glynda said. "Draw us out while Salem mounts a rescue on Cinder. Or an execution."

"That's why we don't overreact, teach."

"Don't call me that."

Roman ignored the rebuke and wafted his cigar in the air. With the sanctions finally lifted, he'd been chain smoking for the last day and a half. "We send Team PITA - Sorry, Team RWBY – along with our resident immortal and someone to escort them. Meanwhile, we keep our best here and it's business as usual."

"I like the plan," Jaune said. "Anyone in disagreement?"

"I would ask for more photo evidence of the object, but I have no issue with the plan itself," Bart said. "Peter?"

"Sounds fantastic to me! If only there were more Grimm to slay along the way. HA HA!" A meaty fist smacked down and shook the table. "But who among us gets the pleasure of a day out? Not our esteemed headmaster or deputy, surely."

"Beacon would collapse if I left for a day," Glynda said.

It was troubling that no one – not even Roman or Sienna – bothered to correct her.

"I'm out for obvious reasons," Sienna said. "I doubt the Schnee will be willing either, she's been spending her days trying to break down Cinder. Taking time off from that will undo all her work."

"Bart or Peter then," Jaune said. "Or Roman."

"Can't." Roman puffed a little harder. "Stock and inventory is being updated thanks to the sanctions going poof. That's a whole lot of logistics in and out. That shit costs, and where cost is involved your resident Director of Finance is sure to be busy. Unless you want to leave balancing the books to Peter…" The silence said it all. "I thought not."

"Well, someone has to go. Even if it's just a day out, we can't send students alone."

"They have Ozpin," Peter remarked.

"He hardly counts. He's in the body of a child. Hundreds of years of skill or not, he's still physically his age." Jaune sighed and ran a hand through his hair. Peter or Bart really were the best options. While Peter could be flamboyant and loud – so loud – he was still a huntsman. He could handle anything sent his way. "Peter…?"

"I would, lad. I really would, but I captured some Ursa for class today and you know how Grimm don't last long in captivity. Need to put them to use soon or they'll kill themselves on the bathroom walls."

Glynda coughed loudly. "You mean cage bars, surely."

"Right. Yes. Cage bars. Of course."

"Peter..."

"Ursa are very big, Glynda. Very large. The cages we own-"

"PETER!"

"Got to scoot," the large man said. "I have a little issue in the third-floor restrooms to take care of."

Only in Beacon. Jaune couldn't even bring himself to be surprised, let alone worried for the students. They'd be fine. Peter less so, especially when Glynda cornered him. The deputy stood with a whispered apology to them all and sped out after Peter, crop gripped in a tight hand. It was a testament to how common such scenes were that they all got back to work almost immediately.

"So, Bart? That only leaves you. Aaand the look on your face tells me that's an issue." Jaune sighed. "Go on. Hit me."

"I have a dentist appointment."

Jaune stared at him. "Really? That's it…?"

"Not everyone can have impressive problems," Oobleck admitted with a shrug. "But you know how dentists are. If I cancel now, I'll have to wait weeks for another slot. And dental health is important. I booked it in advance and we thought there was nothing on today..."

"Fine. You're excused." He waited for Oobleck to leave then cupped his head in both hands. "I guess we delay the mission until tomorrow. Is that a good idea? The Golem could get up and wander off, not to mention the increased Grimm putting people in danger."

"It would be better to deal with it now," Sienna said. "But what can we do? These things happen."

"Nah, leave it to me," Roman said. "I've got someone in mind."

/-/

A mission. So soon? Oscar played with his fingers as the four members of Team RWBY moved about the room with practised efficiency, packing bags and preparing themselves while chatting about a previous mission they'd had and throwing ideas around for what this one could entail. They were so relaxed, and well they should be – they had years and years of training. He had about a month.

"I wouldn't worry," Ozpin said. "Jaune is unlikely to send us on a task of any real difficulty, and it is standard procedure to have a skilled huntsman or huntress accompany every team. I put such rules in place myself."

"But what if they changed the rules?"

"Oscar, while I'm sure there are many rules I made that have been changed – coffee Tuesdays for one – I doubt this is one of them. If worst comes to worst, I will step in and assist you. Really, what you're feeling right now is just pre-mission jitters. It happens to the best of huntsmen."

It wasn't happening to team RWBY.

"Quite the contrary," Ozpin chuckled. "Why do you think they're chattering so much?"

"Okay, Nora agreed to look after Zwei again," Ruby said. "As long as he doesn't launch any air-to-surface missiles at the school." She looked down at her scroll. "I'm not sure what that's supposed to mean, so I promised he wouldn't."

"Cool." Yang slipped an ammo belt onto her actual belt and clipped it in place. "We're meeting at the fountain. Everyone ready?"

"Of course."

"I am."

"I'm ready," Oscar said, sounding anything but. He hopped up and picked up the cane Qrow gave him. Everything would be fine. There'd be someone there and Team RWBY knew what to do. This was just some experience for him.

"You'll see. It'll all work out."

Team RVNN met them outside, both to take Zwei off their hands and wish them well on their mission. There were hugs all around – he got one from Nora – and when it came to Ren's turn, the man leaned down to whisper in his ear.

"Step back and let Team RWBY handle the main fighting. Treat it as a chance to learn team manoeuvres and you'll do fine."

Oscar felt a little better and smiled. "Thank you."

"You got my message about no missiles, right? He's not going to launch any missiles."

"Is this another one of your dreams?" Ruby rolled her eyes as she placed Zwei in the girl's arms. "Fine. Zwei, no missiles. Okay? That's a rule. No missiles."

The pup wilted.

Once they were satisfied and the goodbyes were said, they headed down to the front entrance and out into the courtyard. Beacon was as beautiful outside as in, though the brick-painted airship kind of ruined that somewhat.

"Jaune's fault. Not mine."

The fountain was repaired and working once more ahead of them. At its base, leaning against the low wall and puffing on a cigar was their teacher, Mr Torchwick. Or, as Blake called him, that arrogant, pig-headed, reprehensible monster. Or sometimes she just called him by his shorter title.

"YOU!"

That. Never had the word been spoken with so much hate.

"What are you doing here?"

Mr Torchwick raised an eyebrow. "I work here. Wait!" he gasped. "What are you doing here!?"

"I study here!"

"Then it looks like we're both exactly where we're supposed to be, doesn't it? Gather round, kiddos. Uncle Roman has a mission for you. And if you're lucky you might even die on it!"

"How is that lucky?" Yang asked.

"I didn't say it would be lucky for you."

No one seemed bothered by the casual threat. Ruby rolled her eyes and Weiss muttered under her breath. The only one who really reacted was Blake, who hissed like a cat and pointedly refused to come any closer to the man.

"Love you too, kitty-kat. Right, you munchkins are travelling to the far-flung land of Vale. It's a long and dangerous trip but I'm sure you'll manage to disappoint all of us and make it back in one piece. Along the way you'll face countless horrors like Grimm, infection and even cooties." He aimed the last one at Oscar, leaning in to whisper, "Watch out for the cooties, kid. They're infectious."

"I'm not ten. And Vale is here. We're in Vale."

"So you are." He tossed a rolled-up piece of paper at Ruby. Not to Ruby. At her. She barely managed to dodge. Weiss caught it out the air before it could sail by. "It's down the road somewhere. Details in there. Go out, find the Oobelisk, kill the Golem, lose Blake, come back. Simple mission."

"Is the lose Blake part included in mission parameters?"

"It's an optional side quest from me. Complete it and I'll give you the fabled sword of Lamlor, forged by the dragons from gnomish blood. It's great, trust me."

Yang snorted. "What do we get if we fail?"

"My eternal disappointment."

"You mean we don't already have that?"

"I'm an optimistic guy. But you're close, believe me." He paused and held a hand up. "Oh yeah, your escort. See, there's something of a lack of huntsmen at the moment and this came out of nowhere. We can't send you alone for obvious reasons – mostly health and safety, I'd send you alone in a heartbeat – but none of the teachers were available. In that case, we've had to compromise."

"We're going with an older team?" Weiss guessed.

"Ha ha. No." Roman coughed and then yelled, "Time to come meet the brats!"

The flicker of glass falling through the air was familiar to Oscar and sent a palpable thrill of dread through him. It couldn't be. It just couldn't be. And yet it was. Long hair of mismatched tones, pale skin and a frame as short as his. Neo, the bane of his life, faded into reality, leaning on her umbrella as the tip was stabbed down into the ground. On her left shoulder, her pet Nevermore cawed loudly.

"Neo will be going with you and keeping you safe. Well, probably. Depends on her mood."

The five members of Team RWBY plus One looked between one another.

"Can we go alone?" Oscar asked hopefully. "I'd feel safer…"

"No."

Neo waved at him. Oscar shied back.

"I, myself, look forward to it."

"Why are you on her side?"

"Oscar, in a little under two weeks she has crammed months of training into your head. Frankly, she's an educational marvel."

"She's insane."

"Aren't we all a little insane nowadays?"

"No. Just you."

"I'm not the one talking to a voice in my head."

...

Damn. Ozpin had him there...

/-/

"You sent them with Neo!?"

"I told you I had an idea. Who else do you think I meant?"

"ANYONE! ANYTHING! I can't believe you sent them with Neo of all the people on Remnant. What were you thinking?"

"I never said it was a good idea. Only an idea. And besides, the brat is with them. He's her latest pet. She won't let him die any more than she did you. He's entertainment to her."

Weren't they all? Life was one big show for Neo, and them the players. Jaune slumped back and slapped a hand to his forehead. If it was any other students he'd be out there hunting them down himself. It was Team RWBY, though. If there was any team that could survive her tender mercies, it was them. Plus, Ozpin was there.

"You're an asshole, Roman. A real asshole."

At least Neo was capable of fending off anyone who got in the way. That was something they had going for them. Honestly, he was more worried about them getting on with her. The mission was so close to Vale it should have been a formality. If it went wrong, he was dumping the resultant shitstorm on Roman's lap. An angry Kali included.

He made his way out the staffroom and down toward Cinder's quarters. Not for her, but Winter, who would probably be in the vicinity. The sooner he had Cinder out of Beacon, the sooner he could relax. Things were too tense. Waiting for Salem to make a move was killing him.

Winter was just stepping out Cinder's room when he arrived. It was hard to tell her mood – she kept her emotions hidden and regarded him for a brief second before nodding politely and greeting him, "Headmaster."

"Winter." He nodded back. "How goes recruitment?"

"It does not. Not yet."

"She still refuses to talk to you?"

"No. There's an improvement in that regard. In fact, she's become quite outgoing." Winter glanced back at the shut door. "Almost… chatty."

"You think she's decided something."

"Almost certainly. You don't act like she is unless you're confident. Given her situation, she should be anything but."

"Cinder was always confident before."

"Before when she was free – not a day or two ago. She was quiet and withdrawn. More defiant than anything. Now, she's talking back to me like an equal. It could be a good sign or a very bad one."

"You can't tell which?"

"Interrogation isn't so binary. It could be that she's resigned herself to accepting our offer and is trying to win more concessions. The confidence could come from her accepting that we're honest and knowing her life isn't in danger. As you said, it could just be her natural state of being, with her previous silence being that she was undecided."

"And the other possibility…?"

"That she has a plan." Winter faced him fully, a frown on her face. "You're sure no one but us and Glynda have made contact with her? There's no way Salem could have snuck someone in?"

"I wouldn't rule it impossible, but I know no one else on the staff has been, and the students don't have the codes for the doors." He pointed to the corner of the room. "There are cameras too. Glynda manages them. You're welcome to look over the footage yourself to be sure." He doubted she would; there were days and days of boring video.

"Thank you. I will accept that offer."

Or not. He didn't envy her.

"What about Torchwick? Is he really trustworthy?"

"Cinder wanted him dead and nearly achieved it. He was expandable to her, and he's absolutely the type to hold a grudge. The only way he'd be willing to help her out this room is by putting her in a coffin and tossing it off a cliff."

"Your… accomplice?"

"Excuse me? Roman?"

"No. The other." Winter's eyes narrowed. "The silent one."

"Neo? Neo wouldn't bother." Though she could get in easily with her Semblance, avoiding the cameras as she did. "Neo's twice as vengeful and three times as vicious as Roman. Cinder wanted me and Roman dead. Still does. Neo wouldn't let someone take her property like that."

"Property…?"

Jaune tried not to look embarrassed as he nodded. "Property."

"I… see…" She didn't. Lucky for her. "I'll trust you on that." She wouldn't. They both knew she'd be glued to the cameras. "In the meantime, I'd like to ask a favour."

"It's going to be bad, isn't it? It almost has to be, otherwise you wouldn't ask – you'd tell me what to do, then complain to Ironwood when I refuse." His paranoia only spiralled as Winter failed to deny it. "What do you want?"

"Speak with her." Winter nodded to the closed door. "If she wants to be calm and confident, I think it's best we test that with someone who typically draws a very different reaction. I'll watch on camera and see how she reacts. Test her. See what it is she wants – if she's willing to tell you. That will give me a better idea what angle I should take with her."

He made no attempt to hide how little the idea turned him on. A grimace took over his face, fell in love with a wince and had little cringe babies. Someone could have offered him cookies baked from human excrement and he'd have had a more positive reaction.

"You don't have to," she said. "It's just a favour."

"What's in it for me?"

"An increased chance I find a way to take Cinder Fall off your hands and to another continent."

…

Damn it.

/-/

There was something visibly different about Cinder when he entered. Winter hit the nail on the head – Cinder was sat much more confidently, leafing through a book with both eyebrows raised high and a dangerous curl to her lips. On seeing him, that smile grew, and she put the book down on the side, rose to her feet and stepped toward him, taking his hands in hers.

"Jaune," she said, "I'm glad you came."

Code Red. Code Red. Sirens wailed in his head, and not the sexy kind. A smiling Cinder was a dangerous Cinder. A smiling Cinder greeting him like an old friend was the apocalypse. He almost tried to pull out her grip and run away, slamming the door behind him. Winter would never let him live it down, however, and Cinder was technically his prisoner. He was the one in control.

"Cinder. You're looking good."

"Only good?" She cocked her head to the side causing raven hair to spill across her cheek and eyes, the golden orbs glimpsing through. "I'm hurt, or perhaps you're less experienced with women than you are grand schemes. Everyone is an amateur at something." Her lips quirked up. "I could help you with that."

Was there a code above red? Probably the run away screaming alarm.

It was ringing.

"I meant good as in your mood."

"Come, Jaune. You don't need to play coy with me. We've ever had a connection, both able to see through one another so easily. You received my message, as I knew you would. You came." Her eyes danced. "I think that says enough."

"I've got no idea what you mean," he said quickly.

Cinder's smile fell. "Excuse me?"

"Winter asked me to talk to you," he said, nodding his head back toward the door. "That's the only reason I came."

"The only-?" The frown disappeared as an epiphany came over her. An epiphany he couldn't help but think was probably far off base. "Ah, I see." To his horror, she winked and held a finger over her lips, miming quiet. "Don't worry," she whispered as she ran her other hand down his chest and brought it to rest over his heart. It was racing and she felt it, her smile growing even bigger as she looked up into his eyes. "Your secret is safe with me. Though perhaps next time we can meet without an unwanted chaperone."

Not bloody likely! He was bringing Glynda, Neo, Yang, Dad and Ironwood next time!

"M-Maybe." Damn it. Damn his stupid nerves. "T-That's not why I came to talk to you."

"Of course it isn't." Cinder stepped back, winking again at him as she played along – though what she thought she was playing along with, he didn't know. "You no doubt came to talk to me about Atlas. Would you like a drink?" She gestured to a bottle of red wine in a cooler – plastic, by the looks of it. There were two plastic cups beside it. "It's been a while since you and I drank together. For all our differences, a part of me misses those days. The evenings where we would dance around one another with our words, where we would pit out minds against one another in the greatest of games."

He didn't remember any of that. He remembered a load of panic, fear and him trying to not get burned alive either by her fire or her eyes. Well, at least the latter part of that still rung true. He picked up the bottle and poured out the glasses, more to have an excuse to take his eyes off her than because he wanted to.

When he offered a glass to her, she made sure her fingers brushed against his.

"Thank you." Her lips caressed each word. "Jaune."

Help me, Winter. Save me.

He drank greedily of the wine. Smooth and fruity, it soothed him a little. At least alcohol was something that never let him down. Damn it, he was starting to sound like Bran. Qrow! His mind was scattered by her new assault. Vengeful Cinder had been so much easier to deal with. Where was Neo when he needed her?

Oh yeah, escorting Team RWBY. Damn it, Roman!

Cinder took a seat on the edge of her bed and crossed her legs, much like she used to before. He had a moment lost in her legs to ponder why he hadn't forced a prison uniform on her. By the time he brought his attention higher, it was to meet her smirk. She'd noticed.

"When was the last time we did this?" Her long finger tapped her smooth jawline. "I believe it was when I was still masquerading as a teacher. I made you an offer back then, a chance to join me not as a peon but an equal. You never did give me an answer."

"I think my actions speak for themselves."

"They do. Or did. Or perhaps still do." She chuckled. "A man of action. I like that. It was what drew me to you in the first place, how you stood unflinching in the face of my fire. How Roman spoke about you as though he was your superior, yet time and time again I saw you subtly disobey him, correct him. Influence him." She sipped her glass and then leaned forward, elbows on her knees. "I have to admit, I was fascinated. Controlling Roman was no difficult feat but the way in which you did it intrigued me. Not threats, force or power but subtle manipulation. You made him fully believe in your goals. He willingly placed the leash around his neck."

More him being desperate to take off yours – and only at the end because I took the option away from him. It could have gone either way all the way up until the last second where he'd made Roman, in his own words, his bitch.

And Neo helped, obviously.

"I can respect why you turned me down. I asked you to join me, but it was clear that even if I wanted you to be an equal, you weren't really." Her finger rubbed the rim of her glass and a curious frown was set upon her features. "I admit, it was the first time I'd really made the offer and I was excited. I didn't think of you and your objectives."

"What…?"

"I asked you to join me and just assumed you would drop everything to serve the same master as I. I thought I was doing you a favour, but I can see now how that would have insulted one such as you. Complete with your own plans, your own goals, the assumption you would bend knee was quite brass, and for that I apologise."

"You're forgiven…?"

"I suppose this was your plan as well. To reverse the situation and show me what it is like to be on the receiving end of so one-sided an offer as Atlas. It is a bitter lesson, but one I admit I wouldn't have learned easily." Her eyes met his. "I'll also forgive you for inflicting this on me, knowing that you did so to even the score."

"I'm afraid you've lost me," he said. "Entirely. There's no plan on my end. There's no grand scheme and I have no further plans for you. I really am just trying to hand you off to Atlas."

Cinder regarded him for a long moment and then let her attention slide toward the door, where Winter had left before. She nodded meaningfully and said, "Of course you are. I didn't mean to suggest otherwise, especially not to meddling young women."

"Winter is a valuably ally."

"I'm sure she has some value to you, but she is not – nor will she ever be – your equal. That lofty position is reserved for someone who can truly challenge you."

He spluttered. "You?"

Cinder's smile grew ever larger.

/-/

"Why didn't you help me?"

"You looked like you had it under control."

"WHY DIDN'T YOU HELP ME!?"

"I was shocked," Winter admitted, changing her angle and waving at the now closed door. "I've never seen a prisoner try to seduce their captor before. The training manual doesn't even mention the possibility!"

"She's insane," Jaune said, sitting down and leaning his head back to stare at the ceiling. "Like, actually insane. Gone mad. Is that a thing? Where someone is locked up so long they lose their minds?"

"It is. It normally takes time, though, or sensory deprivation. She's visited daily and kept in comfortable conditions. It should take years for her to lose her faculties, if she does at all." Winter stared at the camera screen, upon which Cinder was laid on her front, legs kicked up behind her as she read her new book. "I don't think she's gone insane."

"Excuse me? Did you see that?"

"I said I don't think she's gone insane. At least not any more than she already was. Mayhaps she is desperate."

He gave Winter a one-eyed stare. "Is that a dig at me?"

"It wasn't intended as one, but I like it so let's say it is." She sighed. "Either way, this is a sudden change on her part. I've gone over the videos and the only ones who visited here were yourself, Glynda and me. Glynda's visits are short and only to deliver food and hygiene products. The only ones she ever interacted with were you and me."

"This is something she's cooked up on her own then," he said.

Winter hummed.

"What do you suggest?"

"Seduce her to join your side?"

He glared at her. "A reasonable suggestion please!"

"A restraining order?"

"You think that would work?"

"No. A more physical barrier – say an intercontinental one – might."

"I'm trying to get her to agree to go to Atlas with you," he said. "But she keeps thinking it's some plan on my part, like I'm trying to get her to spy on you for me. I can't so much as recite a nursery rhyme without it being some clever cipher with key information which she'll decipher, completely misread and then use as proof of my grand schemes."

"Well, I'm sure she is quite mad," Winter said, looking away. "This wasn't a complete waste. Thank you for indulging me. If possible, I'd like to try this again. Whether or not it feeds her delusions, this is the most co-operative she has been."

He really didn't want to, but Winter had a point. And if it was to get her out the Kingdom sooner, he was all for it. "Alright."

/-/

"That is my report, General. I have sent the logs to you on encrypted channels."

Winter snapped a salute toward the screen as she finished her after-action report. Though the image was grainy, she saw Ironwood hunch behind his desk, deep in thought. She knew better than to think his silence him ignoring her. General Ironwood was a deep thinker who said rash decisions were bad ones. He was carefully considering everything she said.

"Curious." His baritone came across the speakers. "He was quite open with his thoughts toward her. Very co-operative in having her brought to Atlas as well, despite all the information she has on him. I'd almost say it was reckless of him. Or that he was reformed and working in our best interests now."

"If not for this," Winter said.

"Indeed. Siding with us and making light of Fall's words and actions. It is as you say – the only ones who could have influenced her are you and himself, and your loyalty is without question. I would never think such of Glynda, either."

"I watched their interactions closely, sir. Glynda Goodwitch and Cinder Fall were extremely frosty with one another and never exchanged words. There can be no suspicion there."

"Excellent work, Winter. As usual. Therefore, the only explanation for our prisoner's sudden change is clear. Jaune Arc is playing his games once more."

"That is my belief as well, sir. That he brought up the idea of coded ciphers so quickly makes me think it a double bluff. He wanted to make it seem so wild and unlikely that even he would laugh at the idea, but it's the only thing that makes sense."

"He seems to be claiming Fall is going mad."

"After so little a time in containment? I find it unlikely, sir. And she was more than fine before."

Ironwood nodded. "So, he wants Cinder Fall himself. And they're close already. This is troubling news. It must be a new development also, because she was furious with him before by your report." He paused for her to chip in if she had any conflicting information. Winter nodded with what he said. "Very recent, then. Were there any meetings between the two of them since your last session with her?"

"None. Though I can't rule out the possibility he did indeed slip a secret message into her – one only she would understand."

"Any ideas what that might be?"

Winter shook her head, frustrated with her own inability. She'd watched over them closely. The only objects Cinder Fall had in her chamber was the furniture itself, which Winter had checked, and her the clothes on her back. Even cleaning products were rotated each day so she couldn't use any as a weapon. Other than that, the only things she had were what she'd asked Winter to bring her.

No…

It couldn't be.

"The book."

"What?" Ironwood demanded.

Winter almost slapped herself. She was a fool! So innocuous a request, so subtle. She hadn't even hesitated in agreeing to it, and she'd gone to Weiss for one such book. Weiss had pointed her to her teammate, Blake, who apparently used them as building material for their unsafe bunkbeds. Blake Belladonna, the very same girl who spent an inordinate amount of time with the headmaster, and who she personally believed was being trained as his protégé.

And she hadn't even thought to be suspicious. Damn her!

"Cinder Fall requested reading material and I provided it – material of the `adult` category. Immediately after the meeting in which I provided that, the changes came upon her. She's reading it even now."

"We have our vehicle," Ironwood said. "I want you to acquire that book, Winter. Subtly. Do not confiscate it or the alarm shall be raised."

"Yes sir. I'll bring her a new book tomorrow and offer to take it away."

A book bought by herself from the store, and without any chance for the headmaster to intervene.

"Once you have it, I want you to go through every page," Ironwood said. "The cipher may well be hidden, so analyse everything. I want a full report on the book including transcripts. I'll have my best codebreakers go through it page by page. We'll make it a priority and dedicate entire teams to it."

Winter saluted. "Sir. Yes sir."

"Keep your cover, Winter. We're allied with Beacon now, but that doesn't mean we're naïve. Jaune Arc played his games with Ozpin and outsmarted him, taking his position. He may act co-operatively now, even playing the role of the lucky fool, but I do not believe in luck, nor coincidence. Everything that has happened here has happened because some planned it. And that someone stands before us now, making Cinder Fall dance to his tune."

"I will not let you down, sir. For Atlas."

"For Atlas."

Yep. So a lot of people obviously guessed the porn book sent to Cinder would somehow return as a gag – but I feel confident betting that few people expected it to turn out like this. And soon Atlas shall begin its grand operation.

Project Cuck (because their goal is to steal Cinder away from Jaune? Or at least they think they're stealing her). Or Project Porn (just because they're analysing porn). I don't know what the codebreakers would call it.

Project Rated Eighteen.

Maybe you guys can come up with a funny super-secret codename for the military project to decipher and analyse Ninjas of Love. I'm afraid there won't be an omake today as my parents are coming back from holiday and I need to pick them up from the airport, bring them home, then we're having family dinner and then I drive back to my home, which has been unused for three weeks, so will need a spring clean.

Next Chapter: 10th October

P a treon . com (slash) Coeur