Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of Cold Compassion. Enjoy the 1500-word chapter. I don't own RWBY, Monty Oum and Rooster Teeth do.

(Atlas, Alsius Academy.)

Winter parried another stab before Slater twirled Umbra. He slammed the halberd down at Winter's head, forcing her to block it as sparks flew from their weapons.

"You're getting better…" Winter said, she pushed Slater back before a bullet caused her to slide back.

Her Aura sparkled a Light Blue while Slater finally clicked the switch again.

His weapon had the axe head retract into the weapon and the spike extend to be part of a glaive like weapon.

Winter blinked while Slater rested his weapon on his shoulder. Winter rushed him; she squeezed the trigger that ejected her other sword.

Slater parried a right slash before twirling his weapon and blocked 3 more slashes.

Winter kicked at his right leg and was rewarded by Slater being knocked to a knee.

She lunged at Slater who barely managed to block her blades with the pole of his weapon.

"Crap…" Slater muttered; Winter looked at her partner/second in command as he tried to push to his feet.

"You can submit and spare your dignity." Winter smirked before Slater sighed.

He clenched his fist and a block was tossed at Winter. She was forced to backflip to avoid the block.

"You know, I knew you were skilled, but I didn't know you were that skilled at close combat… If this location didn't have tech I could modify to my gloves? You would have had me right there, not going to lie… Ok, not going to try and take you head on again." Slater stepped backwards onto a grounded block and flexed his index and ring finger.

The platform raised him up as he transformed his weapon into its sniper form.

"You can't rely on your tech to handle everything, Slater." Winter said, Slater rested Umbra on his shoulder and looked at her.

"And you can't just rush in, your good, better than me in a head on fight, but your much too eager to try and press an advantage. You're a close-range soldier, I'm someone who likes to keep the enemy at bay. I designed Umbra to be good at mid to long range combat. A halberd is good at hitting an enemy not good up in your face, the opposite of your blade. I designed the podao form to handle more straight fighting." He said, Winter rested for a bit and checked her scroll.

"We're done for today. General Ironwood just got Robyn to back down from her assaults temporarily. I believe you requesting more defenses for the wall and having weapons shipped in help. Dr. Polendina is working with his staff to get a more permeant solution in place." Winter said, Slater walked down from the platform he was on until he dropped to the ground.

"I know enough about Robyn to know she'd never once stop attacking the convoys unless we compromised. It's getting her and the others on the council to come around that's the trouble." Slater said, Winter stored her smaller sword inside Frostbite and then sheathed the blade on her him.

Slater put Umbra on his back after folding the weapon down.

"This is one reason I find politics deplorable." Winter said, Slater chuckled and walked closer before using his own smaller scroll. He had used the larger tablet Scroll to organize Winter's appointments he forgot about his small personal one.

"Yeah, we can agree on that. I just pray we have a way to take your dad off the council before he causes more harm. I'd rather take the Grimm and White Fang pressing in." He watched Winter's lips curl into a smirk as the duo began the trek back towards their room.

"Yes, Jacques is a lot worse than them. we can easily deal with Grimm and any the regular troops cannot kill, the Ace-Ops and Penny… And my sister and Jaune Arc's teams will handle. We know the White Fang have been crippled to the point of showing signs of collapse. Sienna Khan hasn't been seen recently and Adam Tartus has been confirmed dead, a patrol in Argus found his corpse in the river with stab wounds… We actually found his wounds matched Blake's sword. Seems I should thank her for killing off the most dangerous member of the White Fang." Winter said, Slater hummed.

"Yes, Jacques has the council and SDC resources. We don't have a counter for that yet. I heard that General Ironwood sent a video of who caused the massacre at the rally." They arrived at their dorm and walked inside.

Winter and Slater went to grab their Pajamas, tomorrow would be their return to duty.

"Tyrian Callows. I already memorized his file, of course Salem would recruit a serial killer…" Winter said, Slater walked in from the bathroom of their dorm before moving aside to let Winter move past him.

"Hmm, I sense some history. You fought him before?" He climbed into his bunk and grabbed his larger scroll which had been charging.

"No, but I was the one who Pickerel went for reinforcements. Cordovin was the one who took over his case." Winter stated. She walked out of the room in her pajamas and put her boots neatly next to Slater's.

"Hmm… I'm glad me and you are handling the military issues. We force the Grimm back and then Amity Tower will be set to launch." Slater said, Winter climbed into another bunk and let her hair down.

"You know? I haven't seen you let your hair down often," Slater said. he was breathless for a second before regaining his composure and sending a message to Clover to make sure the convoys reached the mine.

Another was sent to Ciel. Team FNKY and a group of Atlesian Soldiers to keep investigate the rally more.

"I don't like it down, it's too messy." Winter stated. Slater rolled his eyes.

"You should try it, you look nice either way, but you look more peaceful that way… Besides, you keep it in a ponytail, someone can grab it in a fight and throw you to the ground." Winter blinked and looked at her assistant.

"We have a lot more to deal with at the moment. I don't think Fria has much longer. I hate the fact that she has to die to get the Maiden powers… But she lived a long life, nobody is forcing her to die… It'd be morbid that anyone would take a life before it ends." Slater said, he pulled up Fria's medical records.

"Nobody wants Fria to die, but she can't fight Salem… She can't use the relic. I'm not trying to force her to die, but if there was a better way? We'd take it." Winter said, Slater nodded.

"You have to be… Clover is coming to report to the general, he says one of Jacque's workers just came and gave him something. I'm glad the General spends much time in his office. He shouldn't keep dealing with busy work, he's the leader. We are the ones handling the ground work." He said.

Winter rested on the ladder before she looked at Slater. He continued to type.

"He wants to help Atlas as much as we do." Slater huffed and looked at her.

"We shouldn't have to deal with things like Robyn though. She keeps trying to turn Mantle against the military because we aren't helping them. I understand being frustrated and asking for answers? She tried to assault our convoys and steal from us, that isn't protesting and handling it the right way. It's criminal, underhanded… Low," He said. Slater patted in front of him and hummed.

"You know you can sit in front of me, right? We're buddies, you think I dislike you sitting in front of me?" He pointed out; Winter rolled her eyes.

"These beds weren't built for 2 people… Fine, move to the wall." Winter ordered. Slater backed up and allowed Winter to climb into the bed before sitting against the wall.

"These beds are comfy when they don't feel like rocks." He said, Winter stretched out her legs and hummed.

"Don't whine like a child." She said with a smile. Slater chuckled with amusement.

"That an order or you teasing, ma'am?" Winter reclined on the wall.

"Whatever keeps you subdued. I'm interested in your history again." Slater smirked.

"Fine, but we're do it in a way that no prim and proper lady could do." Winter raised an eyebrow, refusing to back down.

"Truth or Dare, never played it, I know it's better than the 20 questions thing." Slater said, Winter hummed.

"Truth or Dare." She stated.

Author Notes

Phew, another chapter done! I will be showing Slater's full skills and Winter's soon. next chapter will be on Saturday and will show Slater and Winter opening up to each other and set up 'Cordially Invited' until then, Lighting Wolf out!

PS: Willow will be on Sunday or so possibly.