Menagerie, Avalanche Cove

November 9th, 0109 Local Time, 2552

Adam didn't slow down as he and his comrades fled from the still-burning wreckage of the beached cargo ship. While they had managed to move most of the Dust off of the boat before the UNSC had blown it up, the explosion was still catastrophic, and the Dust that had been aboard was still exploding. Every few seconds, a new bolt of elemental energy would shoot up from the inferno like a firework.

Damn those Humans! How did they find us?! Adam thought. I suppose it doesn't matter now, at least they're turning back for the city…

The fact that the UNSC had also apparently stolen the Thunderchild for their own use was more than insulting. That ship had been gallantly crewed by Faunus during the Revolution, and the last place it belonged was in the hands of Humans. Sadly, there was little that he could do at the moment besides run, getting the remaining Dust to safety took top priority.

Eventually, after a long, aching run, Adam finally reached their rendezvous point. Their temporary hideaway was along a small, well-covered river, and it also served as the hiding place for all of the Dust that the White Fang had already moved. From here, small White Fang motorboats would come in the morning to move it all around the jungle to wherever the material was needed. There was a risk that the UNSC would discover them, but given that the sound of cannon fire could still be heard in the distance, it was safe to assume that the Grimm would keep them occupied at least until morning.

Vermillion arrived at the rendezvous point last, carrying with her a badly-burned Commando, whom she handed over to a medic before coming to speak with him. "That… Was way too close. We got lucky."

"We're not safe yet." Adam pointed out. "Rest, we might need to retreat again."

Vermillion shakily nodded, before sitting down on the forest floor, exhausted. "Did you see Forrest on your way here?"

Adam shook his head. "No, he must not have made it clear of the blast. How many others did we lose?"

"Three, like I said, we got lucky." Vermillion bitterly answered. "Damn it all, why can't anything go our way for a change?!"

Adam gripped the hilt of his sword with renewed frustration, he certainly understood where her thoughts were coming from, but she was meant to be stronger than idle complaining. "Show some resolve, Vermillion! It'll be a few hours before we can get a ride back to camp. Why don't we discuss what we can do to defeat the Humans, rather than complaining?"

Vermillion gestured as if to argue, but she must have decided that he was right, which of course, he was. Now that the White Fang had some more Dust to work with, they had a few more options on the strategic front. "Our options are limited, even with all of this Dust. My ambush went south, the hostage plan only ended up hurting us, and they kicked our butts at the Headquarters."

"Your plan failed because of Connor and his weak leadership." Adam argued. "If one of us were to lead an attack, it would be far more successful. As for the Headquarters, they caught us flatfooted. If we had time to plan, maybe we could win a battle with them."

"A frontline battle? You've got to be kidding. Sienna would never approve an attempt to attack the UNSC outright, she's had cold feet ever since the Headquarters fell." Vermillion argued, although there was little energy behind her words.

Adam meanwhile, found himself greatly surprised to hear Vermillion disparage their leader so openly. While he'd harbored similar opinions, he had at least kept them to himself. Was Sienna's weakness becoming so obvious that even Vermillion felt comfortable speaking about it openly in front of her commandos?

"Maybe, but with all of this Dust, we can make a strong case that we're capable enough to give it a shot." Adam countered. "What we really need is somewhere to lure the UNSC, somewhere that we would have the advantage, and where their airships couldn't tear us apart with ease."

Vermillion grew a knowing smile. "Don't worry about that. I think I've got a plan…"

UNSC Dominion, War Room

November 9th, 0510 Local Time, 2552

To say that Richard had been alarmed by the sudden Grimm attack on Kuo Kuana would be a massive understatement. He hadn't slept all night, instead keeping tabs on how the fight was going and preparing reinforcements from the Dominion just in case they were needed, which thankfully, they weren't.

This attack was different. He noted. Unlike the relatively short and bloody wave assault of Grimm at Argus, this had been more like a steady trickle of Grimm coming in over the course of twelve hours. I suppose this confirms that without Salem, the Grimm aren't going to be as well coordinated. Small mercies, at least.

His terminal made an electronic chirp, signifying that somebody was trying to contact him. He accepted the transmission, and within a moment, an equally bedraggled Ghira was visible. "Thanks again for the help, Commander. My Guards just finished with the civilian casualty report you requested, there were no deaths, but there's a number of people in serious condition."

No deaths. That seemed almost surreal, a battle without civilian casualties. I hope whatever God is looking out for us that the rest of these battles are like this.

"Well, at least we'll have some good news to report along with the news about the White Fang." Richard said, but took notice of the way that Ghira's expression grew stony at his words. "What's the problem?"

Ghira shook his head. "I'm not convinced the White Fang are to blame for this attack. I knew Sienna Khan personally, she's a radical and a racist, but she'd never knowingly put Faunus civilians in danger."

Richard scowled, while Ghira made a fair point, the evidence that the White Fang had been involved in operations at the time of the Grimm attack was damning. "I'm not so convinced. In my experience, Insurrectionists will never dismiss a method of warfare out of ethical responsibility. If they have a way of hurting us, they'll use it."

"Sienna Khan isn't like your Insurrectionists." Ghira pointed out. "Regardless of her methods, she does genuinely believe that what she is doing is the best for the Faunus… I fail to see how she could justify this to herself, let alone the rest of the White Fang."

That… is a decent point. How would she be able to convince her soldiers to attack their own homes? Richard thought. "Well, if it wasn't the White Fang's fault, then why did the Grimm attack?"

Again, Ghira shook his head. "I couldn't say for certain. If what I've learned thanks to you and Ozpin is any indication, it's clear that there's a lot about the Grimm we don't understand. One of the stronger Grimm that we encountered could have served as the leader."

"That's what Ironwood told me after the attack on Argus, and that turned out to be little more than a lie." Richard argued. "Regardless of whether or not we're certain of the White Fang's intentions, your people still deserve to know that they're in danger."

Ghira subtly flinched, and immediately, Richard knew that he wasn't going to like what the Chieftain had to say. "That's true, but keep in mind what that would entail. We could just as easily end up bringing more Grimm down upon ourselves by inspiring paranoia."

I suppose it would be too easy if we could just tell the truth for once. Richard bitterly thought. "I'm not going to lie to you, I think that's a terrible idea. Consider for a moment, what if the White Fang really have decided to use the Grimm as their weapons? Wouldn't it be better for your people to be prepared for that possibility?"

"I have considered that possibility, and were that the White Fang's intentions you would be correct, but I still don't believe they are responsible for what happened today." Ghira said. "It's entirely possible that they were just in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Richard recognized that Ghira had made up his mind, and considering that Menagerie wasn't his country, that meant the decision had been made. "I hope you're right Chieftain, because if you aren't, there's a possibility for a real bloodbath here."

Ghira solemnly nodded. "If it does come to that, I will assume responsibility, but I believe that a cautious approach is the best way to go about this."

"And I will respect your authority as Chieftain of Menagerie." Richard replied with a scowl. "Contact me if there's any developments, if that's all, I have work to do."

Ghira ended the call without another word, leaving Richard to rub his temples in an effort to clear the headache that was forming. I hate politics.

UNSC Dominion, War Room

November 9th, 0708 Local Time, 2552

Normally, the prospect of missing out on a battle would've been greatly irritating for Ben. This time, however, the feeling was dampened somewhat once he learned that apparently, the Grimm had never even made it to shore. In all likelihood, he would've spent a few hours standing around, waiting for something to happen.

It won't be too much longer before I'm back out there. He thought. Unfortunately, the Doctor still wanted him on board the ship and performing lighter duties, which meant that he couldn't deploy just yet. But thanks to his extended stay, he had a chance to do something that it had taken quite a lot of thinking to decide on.

As he entered the War Room, he caught Richard towards the end of a meeting with the rest of the Bridge Officers, but once that was over, he had an opportunity to talk with his former mentor privately. "You wanted to speak to me son?"

"Yes sir, it's… it's about Set." Ben replied. He noted that Richard's expression soured, which he had expected; but Ben wasn't here to waste Richard's time with idle conversation, so he got straight to the point. "I think we need to loosen our restrictions on him."

The words felt almost foreign leaving his mouth, but he'd come to realize that he genuinely believed in the Elite's change of heart. For as much as he hated the Covenant, it didn't seem right to keep Set cooped up like a feral animal, when it was clear that all he wanted was to help Humanity.

Richard took his declaration about as well as he probably could've done. "I must not have heard that right, what did you just say?"

Ben repeated himself, and Richard stared at him as if he'd grown a second head. "What… why?"

He didn't sound angry, or even disappointed, but purely confused and in a state of utter disbelief.

"I believe that Set is genuine when he says that he's changed his outlook on Humanity, and that he could better help us when he's not locked in a cell." Ben stated.

Richard's mind finally seemed to catch up to what Ben was saying, and he rubbed his head anxiously. "Ben… Is that what you genuinely believe, or did Curie ask you to do this?"

Ben couldn't help the scowl that grew on his face, which was mercifully hidden by his visor. Somehow the implication that he wasn't capable of coming to his own conclusions seemed more insulting than being openly insulted. "No Sir. Curie is more than capable of speaking for herself."

Richard let out a low breath of frustration. "Then why, damn it? Why would you say something so… stupid? You're a Spartan for God's sake! Ben, you more than anyone else should know exactly what the Covenant is capable of!"

He was surprised to feel a genuine hint of sadness when Richard reminded him of his family, he'd thought that he'd gotten over them years ago. His mother, whose face he barely remembered, his father whom he was pretty sure had a job involving security, and his baby brother, who was the only one that he honestly remembered. He'd watched all of them be mercilessly executed and eaten back on Draco III, and it was only down to dumb luck that he hadn't joined them.

"I haven't forgotten what the Covenant have done, Sir." He said. There was a hollow tone in his voice that surprised even him, but he kept speaking. "And Set isn't innocent, he'll admit that himself."

"And yet you trust him? After everything that the Covenant has done to us? After they glassed Reach and hundreds of other worlds?!" Richard asked. "How do you know that thing isn't any different?!"

This was the part that Ben himself had been stuck on, and why he'd gone to Richard, rather than Curie. "That's just it Sir. I… I don't know, not for certain, and I don't think we'll know until we give him a chance."

"Give him a-" Richard angrily shouted, but paused mid-sentence. There was a look of regret on his face, before he let out a deep breath, and spoke again, this time much more quietly. "You're dismissed, Sergeant."

Ben snapped to a salute, which Richard half-heartedly waved away, before he turned and left without any complaint.

I guess I didn't honestly expect that to work. He thought.

Then again, convincing Richard to let Set go free had never really been his goal. He had just wanted to let his mind be known, and to give Richard his advice as to what should be done with Set. He did believe that the Elite had changed, but changing the minds of Richard, as well as the rest of the crew of the Dominion, was another matter entirely.

White Fang Camp

November 9th, 1350 Local Time, 2552

After receiving the news about the Grimm attack on Kuo Kuana, coupled with the fact that Adam and Vermillion were late to report in, Sienna was beginning to fear the worst. So when they returned to camp on their boats, along with the majority of their men and a large amount of the Dust that they had been entrusted to retrieve, she was greatly relieved. Of course, she had questions, but she was sure that Adam and Vermillion would have answers for her.

After offloading the Dust and making sure the wounded were being tended to by Doctor Watts, the two veteran warriors arrived in her tent, looking quite worse for wear. Both of them looked exhausted, and were covered in mud and what looked like soot, presumably from the explosion.

"It's good to see you both alive and unscathed." Sienna said. "Tell me, what happened out there?"

"I'm afraid that it's mostly bad news." Vermillion answered.

She and Adam then explained exactly what had gone wrong with their mission. Why the Grimm had attacked Kuo Kuana, and how the UNSC had commandeered the Thunderchild and turned it on the White Fang. Once they were finished recounting the events of the night to her, one thing was abundantly clear above all.

"Torchwick." Sienna growled. "That slimy bastard has crossed us for the last time! He should have known better than to send idiots on such a crucial mission, he will pay with his life!"

Adam smiled cruelly at her words. "I'd be honored to lead the mission myself, My Lady."

She only briefly considered his offer. It was genuinely tempting to send him up to Vale, as Adam would certainly ensure that Torchwick endured as much suffering as he deserved. "No, I already have another task in mind for you and Vermillion. We already have a number of forces that have been trapped in Vale, they will see to Torchwick's death."

"As you command." Adam replied, with only the faintest notes of disappointment.

"Now, as much as you both deserve to get some rest, I'm afraid that the mission I have for you is of utmost importance." Sienna continued. "Based on what you've told me, it's very much possible the UNSC knew about our plans to pick up the Dust in Avalanche Cove. They could have been tipped off by the spy in our ranks."

Sienna turned away from Adam and Vermillion for a brief moment, attempting to hide the doubt she felt. "It's possible this was simply a matter of bad luck, with the Grimm attacking it makes sense that the UNSC would be in the area. But with everything else that has gone wrong… no, I'm certain someone is tipping them off."

"Let me guess, you want us to find and kill them?" Vermillion asked.

"Quietly. We don't want to alert them that we know about their presence, up until it's time to strike." Sienna answered. "Trust only the other Lieutenants, Yuma, Clay, anybody who has been with us for a number of years. Use whatever methods you must, just make sure that they pay for their treachery."

"With pleasure, my Lady." Vermillion said with a smile.

"If I may, Leader." Adam stepped forward. "I have an idea as to how we can get the advantage over the UNSC."

I'll take any options I can get. Sienna thought. "Go on."

"Our last ambush against the UNSC failed because of their airships and poor leadership. I believe that we can circumvent both of these obstacles with proper planning." Adam explained. "We can lure the Humans into a battle on our terms, overwhelm them with our superior numbers and knowledge of the terrain, and win."

"That's very risky, especially with that spy still lurking around." Sienna argued. "We can't afford to suffer losses like we did at the Headquarters."

"I can handle the spy." Vermillion said. "And risky or not, we have to do something. We can't just allow the UNSC to occupy our country without a fight."

That is a fair point, we can't just roll over and let the UNSC think that they're winning, or this war will never end with our rights intact. Sienna thought. "Very well. Adam, you will plan our next attack. Keep it quiet until we have secured our ranks. Vermillion, you will find the spy and bring them into the light."

Both of them gave their acknowledgements, and left her tent without further discussion. Maybe Adam is right, perhaps another battle is exactly what we need to turn this war around, but… is the element of surprise really enough?

Much to her frustration, Sienna didn't know.

Author's Note: So, myself and my editors have decided to finally do something about my pacing issue. This chapter is an example of how I'm going to try to keep things a bit shorter and more to the point. As much as I love putting obnoxious amounts of detail into things, it's just not practical. Let me know of your thoughts as always, is a faster pace something that you'd want to see?

This chapter is also a lot shorter than usual, but that's for reasons that largely relate to my preplanning abilities. Hopefully the shorter wait means it felt worth it.