The bell rang through Malcolm High, loud in the crisp morning air. As the final note died out the school erupted with life as classroom doors sprang open, letting out a horde of tired students into the hallways. Many grumbled about the changes in classes and the unfairness of needing to get up so early. As the quick break between classes ended, the halls quickly emptied as the hundreds of students hurried off to their next lesson.
Set in the middle of London, Malcolm High School was one of hundreds established all around planet Earth. Nothing was special about this particular school, but it was easily accessible to all in the city, and many families sent their unruly kids there.
As the next rotation of classes got underway, a skycar pulled to a stop at the front steps of the school. The passenger door opened and a young teenager got out. She looked around nervously, taking in the imposing metal structure.
Clad in black jeans, combat boots and a red T-shirt, she looked like any normal girl coming to a mundane place like this. The few odd things about her fashion were the black leather jacket she wore. It was old, faded, and a few sizes too big, but if you looked closely you could just make out the faded N7 marking on the chest. The other was a broach clipped to her belt: A stylized silver rose, beautifully carved and shining the early morning light.
The girl looked at the school one last time, apprehension coiling in her gut. She swallowed dryly, then reached into the skycar and pulled out a backpack which she slung over her shoulder. As she walked up the steps, the skycar lifted off the ground and flew off into the sky. She paid it no attention, eager to escape the Alliance Intelligence officer who had driven her there.
She was met at the front door by a smiling principle, easing her worries somewhat. He warmly welcomed her and took the datapad she handed him. After reading it over and talking for a bit he led her through the building towards her new classroom. Class was already in session when they walked in. The girl fought the urge to hide, shrinking into her jacket as the whole room focused on her.
"Everyone, I apologize for the interruption," the Principle said, leading the girl to the front of the classroom. "I would just like to introduce our newest transfer student: Ruby Rose."
"Um... hi..." Ruby waved awkwardly, wishing the ground would swallow her up and spare her from this torture. She never was good with crowds, and being socially awkward didn't help either.
All she got in return were blank stares and yawns.
The Principle coughed awkwardly, then continued. "Miss Rose here is a transfer from... ah..." He paused, looking over the datapad again, frowning when he couldn't find what he was looking for. "Um... where did you say again?"
"Mindoir," Ruby said quietly, bowing her head and swallowing nervously. Alliance Intelligence, more specifically Fang, had drilled her for this, but it was still difficult to explain that you couldn't say anything about yourself because technically you weren't supposed to exist. Fang's orders. Nothing about her past, except for the name of the colony. The not-too subtle hint would be enough to avoid any conversation.
The affect was immediate as the mood in the room tanked. Though it had happened just over a year ago, the pain from the pirate attack on Mindoir was still fresh. Thanks to the many news stations covering the incident, the horrors of the attack were spread all across Alliance space. Fortunately for Ruby, however, they had gushed over the Sole Survivor, saving her from a lot of trouble with Intelligence. Still, it brought a lot of publicity neither Intelligence or the Alliance wanted, considering her questionable origins.
Her admission wasn't technically a lie, but it served its purpose.
The Principle's smile dropped as he stammered. "Oh... I-I'm sorry. I imagine that would be... difficult to remember."
Ruby nodded, wishing she could just bury herself in Anderson's jacket and never come out. The class was watching her with a new interest and she didn't like it. It felt like she was under a microscope and the whole world was looking down on her. Not a pleasant feeling.
"Well, we're happy to have you, Miss Rose," the Principle said at last, gesturing to an empty seat at the back. "Please, have a seat."
Ducking her head Ruby hurried past the rows of students, wanting nothing more than to just sit and fade away into the background. But before she could, the Principle, who was looking over the datapad again, spoke up. "Miss Rose? Why does it say you're not allowed to make firearms in shop class?"
-ooo000ooo-
The world rushed past, details becoming a blur of color as Ruby turned the corner and onto the final stretch. Rose petals trailed behind her like the tail of a comet. She was pushing her speed to the max, fighting to beat the clock.
With one finally push she blasted through the finish line and fell to her knees panting. A moment later her slipstream caught up with her, the cool, rose scented air refreshing her as it rushed past.
"Forty seconds," a scientist called from the edge of the track.
Ruby didn't bother responding, too focused with refilling her burning lungs.
Five kilometers, forty seconds. A new record on her part.
She dry swallowed, then resumed panting, glaring over to the side of the running track. A team of black suited Alliance Intelligence Officers and scientists stood on the outskirts, pouring over notes they had taken on her performance. They didn't even bother checking up on her and all turned their backs, discussing amongst themselves.
Ruby ignored them and pushed herself to her feet with a grunt. It had been like this for almost a year. The endless tests, examinations and oh so many laps. It was pointless, considering almost nothing came from them. For whatever reason, the mysteries of her power still refused to reveal themselves. But it wasn't a complete waste of time on her part. One of the few things had found out through passive observation was that her speed acted like a muscle. The more she pushed her limits the harder and faster she could go. Inadvertently, the constant tests and exercise had boosted her abilities drastically, far beyond what they were before.
A bottle of water was suddenly thrust into her field of vision. Ruby blinked at it, then followed the arm holding it back up to a smiling Doctor Chakwas. "Fifty seconds. Good job."
Ruby nodded gratefully, then grabbed it and took a long drink, sighing in relief as the cool water ran down her throat.
She was completely exhausted. Now all she wanted was to go home and sleep.
It had been a long week. Starting at Malcolm, dealing with the stress of hiding her origins and now this. Why did her life have to be so complicated?
After she changed out of her running gear and back into her usual clothes, she and Chakwas left the Alliance training facility based on the outskirts of London. As she clambered into their skycar parked out front, Ruby stared back at the imposing grey building.
Today had been another of her examinations, as the now Director Fang like to call them. A way for Intelligence to monitor her speed and observe how she much was improving. Ruby didn't like it, if only because of the man who set them up. She still didn't trust Fang after he had tried to take her away almost a year ago. But true to his word, the former Director Verner had done his best to keep her out of his hands, sending Fang away on another assignment before things turned ugly.
Even then, the Colonel had sported a fine black eye for weeks afterwards, courtesy of an enraged Admiral after the word 'experimentation' was brought up.
But Fang didn't stop. After the Verner left he did everything he could to get Ruby under some sort of observation to try and figure out her abilities. Worse yet, some of the higher ups in the Alliance had heard of her supernatural power. The pressure was on to hand Ruby over to Intelligence so that some good might come of the Mindoir attack.
Hackett, Anderson and Chakwas fought for all their worth to keep Ruby out of their hands, but everyone agreed that something had to be done. A chance like this was too good to pass up, even if it was just for one girl.
Soon an agreement was reached, one that benefited both sides. Ruby would live with Chakwas in London and submit herself to testing every two weeks, or whenever Intelligence had a new test they wanted to run. To this day they had found nothing. Her speed simply existed, without any scientific explanation or any clues whatsoever. It frustrated everyone to no end, but thankfully not enough to turn her into a cadaver.
As the skycar lifted off the ground, Ruby leaned against the window and sighed. It had been more than a year now since she had been found on Mindoir.
Had it really been that long? Living in London was a strange experience for some reason. Chakwas had become a surrogate mother for her during that time, always looking out for her, and Ruby loved her for it. For all intents and purposes, this was home...
...But it just wasn't home.
Nothing could fill the void in her heart, the part that yearned for something else. A deep ache in her chest whenever the topic came up. She hoped, as feeble a chance as it was, that she missed her lost family. Her memory might be gone, but she could never truly forget them. They had to be out there somewhere. They might even be looking for her right now.
But she couldn't lose hope. That was one thing Chakwas always told her.
Ruby forlornly stared out the window as the towering skyscrapers of the city flew past. Her family had to be out there somewhere. She just had to find them.
-ooo000ooo-
Ruby jolted awake with a gasp. In the distance thunder boomed and lightning flashed across the sky. A quick look at the clock on her bedroom nightstand confirmed that it was still the middle of the night. Her window was dark with the coming thunderstorm, but none of that mattered as she threw off her blankets and stood in the middle of her room.
She had seen it. Her dream had been all too real. She had been in a clearing. Wolves or something had surrounded her, howling for her flesh... and she had fought them.
Ruby stared her hands with wonder. The rush, the adrenaline, the metal... it had all felt so real beneath her fingers.
And like that, the dream became a reality.
Ruby ran around her bedroom, clawing at the weapon posters that covered the walls. She ripped them off, the thunder outside covering any noise she made as she began to arrange them on the ground. Their white backs were covered in sketches, schematics she had drawn up over the many months. After arranging them carefully, she stood back and examined her work.
Arranged together, they formed the rough draft of a beautiful masterpiece. A long sniper rifle/scythe hybrid. Her mouth watered at the sight. She had seen it hundreds of times before in her dreams, almost as if the very idea was calling to her from the depths of her mind.
Could this be something from her past? It was impossible to tell. But the weapon... Crescent Rose, called to her.
Ruby snorted at the thought. Sure she was a weapons nerd, but this was crazy. She hadn't even built the thing and already she was naming it... and yet it felt so right.
Of course, Chakwas had forbidden weapons of any kind in the apartment and she'd probably have a fit if she saw these and learned what Ruby was planning. But they never said anything about building parts in shop class.
Grinning, Ruby went over to her bed and pushed aside the mattress to reveal her hidden lockbox. Inside she went through the parts she had already forged, grinning all the while as she took inventory.
And yet, something was missing.
She went back to the plans and poured over them, reviewing what she had seen in her dream. This might very well be a part of her past. But what did that mean for her? Just what kind of past did she have to make something like this? It wasn't even finished yet and already she was loving this piece of machinery like her own flesh and blood.
Still, it was comforting. She did have a past somewhere... if faint and hazy.
Thunder boomed in the distance as she worked, making plans for the following day. Crescent Rose would be born, one way or another.
-ooo000ooo-
"I don't like this."
"You don't have to like it, Captain. It has to be done."
Admiral Hackett's jaw tightened at Colonel Fang's words. Ruby was certainly lucky to have a friend like Anderson. She had even come to grow on him as well. It was hard not to like the young, excitable teen. Even then, he didn't like Fang's plan either.
"She deserves a choice," Anderson continued angrily as he followed beside them.
"And she will have one," Fang said, his steps perfectly even as he walked.
"And when she gives you an answer you don't want?"
Fang's brow furrowed slightly. "We'll cross that bridge if we come to it."
Anderson looked ready to continue his verbal assault, but a quick look from the Admiral cut him short. This wasn't the time or place for it. Ruby was still considered a top secret asset, after all. Though personally he agreed with the Captain.
Fang could be rather unpredictable in situations like this, especially considering the stakes involved. The very future of warfare was within their grasp, and the only thing holding them back was the morals of men.
Unfortunately for Ruby, Fang was far from a saint.
From the way he was talking, Hackett was under the impression that Fang would have Ruby clapped in irons and in his program before the sun had set, her choice be damned.
Not if he had anything to say about it.
Together the three men journeyed through the plain corridors of the apartment complex. The sight of uniformed officers, one an Admiral no less, earned many stunned and confused looks from the various inhabitants. But they easily ignored the stares and hurried up to an apartment on the top floor. When they arrived, Anderson knocked on the door and stepped back.
A few seconds later the door hissed open, revealing Doctor Karin Chakwas. She visibly brightened as she saw them. "Admiral. Captain Anderson," she said politely. Then she saw the third member of their party and scowled. "Colonel Fang."
"A pleasure," Fang said, ignoring her dirty look as he stepped past her into the apartment. He glanced around, searching for his person of interest. "Where is Rose?"
"At school," Chakwas replied tightly. She cast Anderson a worried look. The Captain's mouth tightened, but otherwise he revealed nothing.
Hackett tactfully squeezed between them, giving Chakwas a reassuring look as he entered and headed for the living room. "When will she be back, Doctor?"
She shot another look at Fang, who was examining one of the many pictures on the wall. "Soon."
"In two minutes," the Colonel said. "Classes were dismissed fifteen minutes ago and transit time via skycar is ten."
Chakwas visibly bristled at his very accurate assessment. "You just can't leave her alone, can't you?"
"No. She's too important to let wander around alone."
They gathered in the living room. Light from the late afternoon sun shone through the glass doors leading to small deck outside, commanding a fantastic view of the London skyline. As Hackett eased himself into a couch set against the wall, he looked around curiously. This was the first time he ever been able to visit Ruby at home.
The place was clean and orderly, or at least, the parts of it he could see anyway. Pictures covered the walls, happy memories of the pair who lived here. Hackett's lips twisted twisted upward slightly. They had certainly made the right choice with Ruby's caretaker.
"Alright. What's this about?" Chakwas said, crossing her arms and not even trying to hide the glare she was sending at Fang.
"Technicalities, Doctor," the Colonel said. "We've reached the deadline of our agreement."
Her eyes widened. "But she only turned eighteen yesterday!"
"I am aware of that. And it's better if we deal with this as soon as possible."
"You're not taking her," Chakwas snarled, surprising Hackett. He'd never known her to get this protective. "That girl is a daughter to me. If she chooses to enlist, which I highly doubt, I won't let the likes of you get your hands on her."
Fang glanced over at Hackett who grimaced under his scrutiny. "The decision has already been made, Doctor. But let me assure you, it will be her choice."
"And if she doesn't choose you?" asked Anderson, scowling.
"Again, Captain, we'll figure something out. I'm not a complete fool. I wouldn't alienate the newest tactical advantage we have."
Hackett scowled again. That was the problem with Fang, only seeing things as assets and liabilities, never caring about the person behind them. To him, Ruby Rose was nothing more than a weapon. A very powerful weapon at that, if her speed scores and potential were anything to go on. Of course turning her into a killing machine would be the first thing to cross the Colonel's mind. It didn't help that they couldn't discover how her powers worked or how to replicate them. If that happened, at least Ruby wouldn't be Fang's only target.
"She's too young," Chakwas insisted.
"She's eighteen, the usual recruitment age. Unless I'm mistaken, Admiral?"
"You are correct," Hackett growled reluctantly.
"In that case, it's her choice if she wishes to enlist. We'll simply take a more hands on approach to her training, considering her abilities."
"That's-"
The sound of the front door opening cut them off, followed by hurried footsteps rushing into the small kitchen. Ruby was home early then, and she couldn't have come at a worst possible time.
"Ruby," Chakwas called out. "There's-"
"Sorrycan'ttalknowgotanideagottagobye!" The all too familiar voice shouted as red streak suddenly raced out of the kitchen and into one of the bedrooms and locking the door. The adults blinked in surprise amidst a cloud of dissipating rose petals.
Chakwas sighed, waving the petals away. "Ruby! What did I say? No running in the house!"
"Sorry!" came the muffled reply. "Really excited here! No time!"
"Not even for old friends?" Anderson called out with a smile.
There was a short pause before the door sprang open Ruby Rose rushed out, wrapped her arms around Anderson. Hackett looked on, the smallest of smiles tugging at his lip as Anderson hugged her back. The two had bonded over the years since her rescue from Mindoir with Anderson becoming more of a surrogate father than a friend. It certainly showed.
Even at eighteen, Ruby was just as bright as he remembered. She was still a little excitable, if her death grip on Anderson as she babbled over the day's events was any indication. The Captain merely nodded along with her tales, a look of calm contentment on his face.
Though the scene was rather endearing, they had a job to do.
He stood from the couch, instantly gaining everyone's attention. "Ruby Rose."
Ruby blinked at him, letting go of the Captain. "Uh, Admiral Hackett? What are you doing here?"
"Business, I'm afraid," Fang said, stepping forward, even as Ruby took a step back from the bane of her existence.
She swallowed nervously, giving him the tiniest of waves. "Umm... hello, Colonel. Good to see you... I guess."
"A pleasure, as always." The Colonel inclined his head, face expressionless. "But enough with the pleasantries. I take it you are no doubt aware that your abilities have placed us in a rather complicated position. The Alliance is looking for an edge over our rivals and enemies. Supernatural or not, a talent like yours shouldn't go to waste, not when you can do so much more."
He went on to explain what had happened over the years and how investigation into her powers had ended with failure. She was the only one of her kind, which was why the Alliance was offering a chance no one had ever been given before.
Throughout it all, Ruby stood oddly still, listened quietly, though her face betrayed the deep conflict inside her.
"I understand this is a hard choice," said Fang. "Which was why we waited until you were eighteen. For what it's worth, you have good friends. Had it been my choice we would have had you after Mindoir." He gave Hackett an annoyed look, calmly ignoring the glares they directed at him. "But now the Alliance needs your answer. You may not know this, but you-"
"I'll do it."
Fang actually blinked in surprise. But that was nothing compared to Chakwas' incredulous expression. Even Hackett had trouble hiding his shook. But there was no denying the certainty in Ruby's expression.
"Why?" Anderson asked softly, resting a hand on her shoulder. "This isn't going to be easy, you that right?"
"I know," said Ruby, smiling up at him. "But... I feel that I have the best chance of finding my family if I do this. I mean, Anderson, you told all those stories. I might get lucky... or they might find me. Who knows?"
"The chances of that are highly unlikely," said Fang. "As is the likelihood they exist at all."
"They're out there," said Ruby firmly, glaring at him. "I know it. And... you said it yourself; I'm special. I have a gift. And if I can use it to protect those who can't protect themselves then I will do it. I'm not going to sit around and let people suffer, not when I can do something to help." She blinked and Hackett saw the beginning of a tear fall from the corner of her eye. "I won't let there be another Mindoir."
"Noble," Fang said dryly as he turned to Hackett. "Admiral, do you find her decision acceptable?"
No... No he didn't. Ruby had no idea what she was getting into. But it was her choice, and he would go along with it, if only to keep her safe. Alliance Intelligence headed by Fang was not something you wanted as an enemy. He gave a stiff nod.
"Good. Miss Rose, you leave tomorrow. Any questions?"
Ruby hesitated for a moment, then rushed into her room, emerging a moment later with a... giant scythe. Hackett could do nothing but blink dumbly in surprise. The thing was twice her size and its blade gleamed in the afternoon light. But as he looked closer with wide eyes, he noticed that the upper assembly had a number of components that belonged on a sniper rifle. A true bastard of a weapon, yet it contained an elegant beauty in its design.
"Can I bring this with me?" Ruby asked sheepishly.
It took only a second for Mount Chakwas to erupt, furious at the mere idea that Ruby had both constructed and hid a very dangerous and experimental weapon under her roof, Hackett only sighed.
A girl with superpowers and a giant scythe being trained by a group of killers. What could possibly go wrong?
-ooo000ooo-
To: CCTSupportValeDistrict
From: Supervisor Nixion T.
Rogue,
What the hell is going on?
I understand that The Grimm hit one of our broadcast towers in the outer reaches, but there is no excuse for this. We can rebuild after a single bombing, but our reputation? We might as well throw that out the window with what you're doing.
Even if the CCT, a land based, tight band system, had satellites in orbit we can't reach out that far. And don't even try to tell me you're looking for little green men. You'll be laughed out of your position and don't expect me to save you.
I'll tell you this only once: STOP IT.
Also, the General System Maintenance Algorithm has been picking up multiple 'Error 010' from an unknown address. This suggests that there might be an unregistered broadcast tower somewhere. Hire some Huntsmen and deal with it. We don't want a repeat of the Atlas incident.
Respectfully,
Nixion
P.S. Trace that 010 for me, will you? The address has been to active to be a fluke.