Welcome back to another chapter... well, those few who actually still read this story. Like I promised now a few more chapters will follow that play closer together, after all before now they were in the right order but obviously months or weeks in between them. Also, as becomes obvious in this chapter I decided that Ren lives in the Mansion as well, why? Pretty simple, seeing how I killed off most of the cast Nora is dead as well, meaning that Jaune is literally the only family Ren has left, so it would make sense if neither Jaune nor Ren would be all that interested in Ren being too isolated from him. And it's not like there isn't enough space.
Also, I apologize for the short length of this chapter but it is mostly setup and I didn't want to draw that out too much.
NOTICE: This chapter has been reworked and I mean reworked. It is now a good deal longer than the previous version and got changed drastically. Please do tell me your opinions on how you found these changes and what could be improved as well.
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It had already been close to ten in the evening when Ironwood had decided to visit. It wasn't as if Jaune wasn't happy about Ironwood's visit but he was not used to him showing up so suddenly and without any prior notice. As such it had been quite the shock when he had suddenly appeared, well, as sudden as he could with all the protection around the Mansion. He'd bet his 100 Lien that his sudden appearance had almost caused the guards on duty a heart attack. Now the important question was just why exactly Ironwood felt the need to appear so suddenly.
When greeting and leading him into the meeting room of the manor, Ironwood had given no indication as to the reason for his visit. But he had assured Jaune that the topic was not so urgent that they couldn't take the time for Weiss and Ren to join them. Both had been just as confused as him about Ironwood's arrival, at least he wasn't alone in it then.
''If you don't mind me asking, why exactly are you here so late sir?''
A stone fell from his heart when he saw Ironwood's smile, it seemed it was good news, probably very good if he hadn't thought it could wait until tomorrow.
''A very good question my friend. Let me first counter your question by one of my own. What is our goal and who are we fighting against?''
Okay, where was he going with this?
''To protect the world from the Grimm and those that control them. For that, we continue to spread our influence across Remnant and work against Salem and her followers wherever we can.''
Ironwood nodded once.
''Correct and how exactly do we know about this?''
This time it was Weiss who answered.
''Salem you mean? We know that because of Ozpin, why do you ask?''
At her question, Ironwood's grin widened.
''Because our spy in the remnants of the White Fang just informed me of something very interesting.''
Weiss raised an eyebrow.
''Interesting?''
Ironwood gave another nod.
''Indeed. It seems that there is still a rather large base of them left in Vacuo. Apparently they are pulling together whatever forces they have left towards this place.''
Now Ren raised his voice.
''But how does that relate to Salem or Ozpin? Don't get me wrong, knowing that those White Fang scum still have such a large base left is important information but how do they relate to either Salem or Ozpin?''
But Ironwood's smile stayed on his face.
''Because it seems that the White fang managed to find an old friend.''
These words managed to shock all three of them, all of their friends were dead, except... Jaune had to know.
''You don't mean?''
''I do. The White Fang has managed to capture Ozpin's new host.''
''But how? Even in a new body, Ozpin should be skilled enough to evade those terrorists, they are only a shell of what they once were. Hell, how do they even know that he would jump to a new host?''
''Normally he would have been. But it seems as if his new host was very young this time, furthermore he only reincarnated recently. This also explains why we have not heard of him until now. As to how they know of him, Salem.''
He almost couldn't believe it, they had found Ozpin again, this was great. But still, if that was the case then why were they wasting time now? Before he could ask Weiss had already done so.
''Then what are we waiting for? Salem could already send her subordinates to take him to her?''
But Ironwood's smile did not fade.
''Patience my friend, it seems as if the contact between the White Fang and Salem has become rather strained. It seems as if the White Fang got it into their head, that they could make demands of Salem. They have made it clear to her that they would only give her Ozpin if she would make sure that all Grim activity around Menagerie stops, forever.
Jaune couldn't help but be shocked by this. ''Are they fucking crazy? Salem will simply kill them all and take Ozpin for herself.''
Ironwood shrugged his shoulders.
''Probably, they are after all pretty much all that is left of the White Fang. Zealots the whole lot of them. They are probably arrogant enough to think that Salem would not want to take them on. What is important that we absolutely can't allow Ozpin to fall into her hands. I already gave orders to prepare as many ships and troops as possible in the next 4 days.''
Ren once again raised his voice.
''Is that soon enough?''
Jaune decided to answer his brother in all but blood instead of Ironwood.
''It should be. Whoever she sends has to bypass our troops already in Vacuo. Our presence there is the biggest on account of Vacuo's rather... limited government.''
Ironwood confirmed his evaluation with another nod.
''That is correct. I came to the decision that it is more important to have enough troops prepared then to rush it and possibly be unable to take the base quick enough or at all. We should be able to get the Atlas Fury, Mantles Pride, The Unbreakable and my new flagship, the Due Process, ready for deployment until then.''
Jaune raised an eyebrow at this, not only his weapon but the ship as well? Granted, the name was cool but still, overuse much? Shaking his head he got back on topic and after focusing his thoughts send over a quick glance to Ren who gave him a nod.
''The Salvation will have finished it's repairs until then as well, you can count her in.''
Ironwood acknowledged this with a nod. ''That is very good to hear Jaune. Now towards the command structure of the mission, I will take personal command of our overall forces while you will lead a strike team and get Ozpin out of there Jaune.''
This surprised Jaune.
''But what about me sir? You are needed here in Atlas. Ren could be leading the strike team instead.''
But Ironwood just shook his head. ''This is too important to allow anything to go wrong. Which means we need to bring everything we can. You cannot take command of the Fleet, ground invasion, and a strike team at the same time. I need you three in there to make sure that we get Ozpin, Winter will help me coordinate our troops. That is if you are ready to fight?''
And with those words, he shot a concerned look at Weiss who waved it right off.
''No need to worry about me. It has been 2 months already since Jade's birth, it would be embarrassing if I wasn't able to fight again as of now, a Schnee is better then that.''
No one wanted to point out to her that it would have been entirely reasonable but her standard for things had always been higher than most. Not to mention that they all would feel much better with both Schnee sisters taking part in the operation, as they Semblances were quite bullshit in Jaune's humble opinion. The irony of his thoughts was not lost on him but he chose to ignore it.
Finally, Ironwood gave her a thankful nod before addressing them again.
''Now then, is there anything else that needs to be addressed before I leave you be for the evening?''
Jaune and Weiss looked at each other and grinned before Jaune addressed Ironwood.
''There is actually.''
Seeing their behavior Ironwood raised an eyebrow in question.
''And that would be.''
''Well, my boys in R&D have developed a fun new toy that should be perfect for this situation. They were a few kinks with it until now but my beautiful wives Adweiss really helped.''
Ren and Ironwood gave a small chuckle at his awful pun and he could see Weiss's eye beginning to twitch, he wondered how long she would take to find out that they purposefully laughed at each others bad jokes but no at hers. When she did there would be hell to pay but damn if it wasn't hilarious. Before he could go even further of topic he continued.
''It is a large area weapon designed specifically to combat Faunus. After coming up with the plans for it Weiss started production in one of her factories.''
Ironwood asked the obvious question this brought up. ''But wouldn't this be just as dangerous to our soldiers that are Faunus?''
''No, that is the beauty about it. While devastating against Faunus it is also easy to counter if you are prepared for it, we will just have to make it very clear to our boys that no matter how much they find them annoying, they absolutely need to keep their helmets on this time.''
Ironwood looked at him for a few seconds before a small smile found it's way upon his face.
''Ah, now I see what kind of weapon this is, very devious. And you are sure it is ready and effective?''
This time it was Weiss that answered.
''Yes, it was very successful on all the test subjects.''
She quickly noticed that everyone was looking at her.
''I obviously tested it on prisoners, what do you think of me?''
But Jaune just continued to stare at her.
''Okay, I maybe did also test it on that one guy that spilled his coffee on my dress a few weeks ago but he had it coming. Oh don't look at me like that, he got a nice bonus and a week off afterward.''
They all looked at her concerned for a while longer before Ironwood finally coughed to get the attention back on him.
''In that case, there should be nothing that can stop us. We will get back Ozpin and with him, we will finally be another step closer to finally take down that wretched woman.''
He raised the glass that was standing before him.
''For Atlas.''
Ren raised his glass as well.
''For our friends.''
Weiss followed.
''For the world.''
Finally, he himself raised his own glass.
''For the future.''
With that, he began to rise from his seat. But Weiss was quick to stop him.
''And where do you think you are going?''
Ironwood just looked confused at her.
''Home?''
But she just shook her head, Jaune and Ren grinned at each other, they knew what was coming.
''Oh no, you don't, have you paid any attention to how late it is? You will spend the night here and while you are at it you can also say hello to Jade tomorrow morning, the last time you have seen him was a month ago.''
''I appreciate your offer Weiss but-''
''No buts, you will stay and that's it.''
Ironwood looked over towards Jaune and Ren clearly asking for help but all he got in return were amused smirks. With a sigh, he resigned himself to his fate and let himself sink down again.
''Well, in that case, might I trouble you for some late dinner, I must admit to not having eaten since this morning.''
''Ren and I will cook something quick up sir, just you relax a bit with Weiss while we are working.''
Ironwood gave them a thankful nod before noticing that Weiss had pulled out a folder of pictures of her son from somewhere and was eagerly making her way over to him. He quickly turned back to Jaune and Ren to offer his help before he saw that they had quickly dashed out of the room while he had been distracted for the moment.
''The brothers damn those two.''
''What was that general?''
Sigh
''Nothing Weiss, nothing at all. Now then, would you be so nice to show me those picture of Jade you have there, it is true that I have seen almost nothing yet of the little one.''
Seeing Weiss start talking and pointing at picture enthusiastically Ironwood couldn't help but smile. He would make sure that all three of them would live to see a world in which they would not have to fight for their very survival anymore and if it would cost him his life.
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Well, that was it already for this time. I didn't want to draw it out too much because it really is pretty much just setup and a bit of exposition. And different from my ''Dawn of a new age'' fic it wouldn't feel right to put a bunch of jokes in here like I did in the setup chapter in that one. As you probably guessed the next chapters will deal with rescuing Ozpin and introducing him to the situation.
As always every review is welcome. And of course any tip as well, I am aware that my writing is not the best to say it nicely, so any tip on how to improve is welcome.
And always remember, Atlas protects.