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.)
The Bullhead lowered its doors and Robyn, Fiona, May and Joanna walked out.
They were greeted by the Ace Ops, Penny, Winter, Ciel, Slater and a column of AK-200s.
A squad of Atlesian soldiers stood guard at the door as well.
"Quite the welcome wagon, huh?" Robyn joked. None of the Atlesian military responded to her.
"Starting to figure out why I don't entirely like the military, crew cut?" She asked Slater, Winter frowned and gestured them inside.
The group moved inside and walked through the hall where more AK-200s patrolled.
"Lot of security." Fiona stated, Slater hummed.
"You want to see the Amity Project? You do it in the heart of the Atlesian Army. I want us to be on the same side… But when you start attacking us and spitting on us while insulting the military and demand answers? I really wonder why some of us dislike our 'Happy' Huntresses." Slater said, his tone carried both anger and disappointment.
They entered Ironwood's office, RWBY, JNR, Qrow, and Oscar stood there, waiting.
Robyn moved through the crowd as 2 Atlesian Soldiers and 2 AK-200s locked the door. General Ironwood sat in his office chair; the Atlesian Fleet hung behind its commander in the sky while a trio of Mantas flew overhead.
Robyn walked in while the pale moonlight of Remnant's shattered moon bathed the room in pale illumination.
"Ms. Hill." Ironwood stated with a nod of his head. Robyn looked at the crowd of Atlesian military personal behind her.
"Quite a lot of security for a simple meeting, Ironwood." She took her seat.
"We are in the heart of the Atlesian Military. We are also directly above the Vault containing an artifact powering this entire city. You would have all your troops too if you were in the office of the commander of an entire military." Ironwood said.
"A military not giving the people they protect answers." Ironwood hummed.
"My top officers suggested we have this meeting away from Jacques. I agreed it's better to have allies then enemies." Ironwood said.
"You want answers about the Amity Project. You want to know why my army, my soldiers, are busy marching through the streets of Mantle and hauling supplies to a quaint little mine?" Robyn nodded. Ironwood tapped on his key pad.
Robyn turned to see the shutters close and the table in the middle rise. He tapped on his remote and Amity Arena appeared.
"We are at war with a monster known as Salem. The master of the Grimm and leader of a group responsible for destroying Vale." He said, he turned to Oscar and pulled out the Relic of Knowledge.
"Salem is after these relics. This is the relic of knowledge, kept within a vault at Mistral in Haven. Its headmaster was part of a circle formed by Ozpin. Ozpin was killed by Cinder Fall, the Fall Maiden and one of Salem's inner circle. I told Ms. Schnee, the Ace Ops, Penny and Slater about Salem to help them prepare for her." Robyn blinked before Qrow spoke up.
"Leo? He betrayed Haven to Salem, let her goons butcher all the Huntsmen and Huntresses and take the school." Robyn turned to the lantern.
"Below us is a relic known as the staff of creation. I haven't allowed Oscar to take the relic out in public or allow mention of it because we know Salem's inner circle is within Mantle. That relic below us is holding up this entire city, Ms. Hill." Ironwood said, drumming his fingers on the desk.
"But what about the…" Robyn started to say, Slater cut her off.
"The assault on Vale didn't just kill countless people, it wounded Remnant. It destroyed the CCTS tower in Vale. Salem wants to scare us and cut us off. You attacking the military? Your fighting for her because she wants everyone, Faunus and Human to butcher each other." He said, Winter spoke up.
"General Ironwood imposed a 2-part plan to cut Salem off and force her back. You want to know why nobody will give you answers? You may ask General Ironwood to his face what he's been committing the military to." Winter said, Ironwood held up his hand.
"Winter is going to become the Winter Maiden, not only one of the strongest warriors on Remnant. The final piece of information depends on you, Ms. Hill." He stated, Robyn crossed her arms.
"Which is on…?" Robyn asked, a lot more cautious at the moment before pointing her crossbow at the General.
Everyone in the room drew their weapons before Ironwood cleared his throat.
"I want you to cease attacks on the convoys, if the Amity Project fails, we will lose Atlas, Salem will have half the relics… Then she'll probably march down to Vacuo, grab the relic and then leave after crushing or slaughtering everyone there. Salem wants the entire planet and while I understand your distrust and dislike of the military? You will not help Mantle by trying to fight all of us." He said before Robyn looked at the others.
"I'm not going to be one of your soldiers, James." She said, Ironwood frowned for a second before clearing his throat.
"I don't want you as a soldier. You want the council, take it. we both don't want Jacques ruling Mantle and I only ran for the council to get Atlas behind me… My army needs it's leader right now. We both want Solitas safe. I don't want you as a subordinate, I want an ally. We are only going to defeat Salem together, Robyn… I know your semblance…" He said before sitting up and offering his hand.
"Is everything you told me till now true?" She asked, he took her hand and the General looked at the woman.
"Yes, and Amity Arena is a replacement for the CCTS." He said, Robyn watched as her arm glowed green.
"Do we have an agreement, Robyn? You can have the council as long as we get Amity Tower done. I will gladly fix the wall as soon as the tower is done and launched. Slater suggested those supplies be sent to stop the Grimm while the tower was worked on. everyone in this room wants to save Remnant, I'm going to guess you would want to do the same." Ironwood said. Robyn studied the hologram before turning to the general.
"Let's get Amity launched before I agree to anything. We're allies, not friends… Not yet." She said. the Atlesians and other hunters lowered their weapons.
"Hmm." Ironwood said before he tapped the switch and ended the hologram and opened the room.
"Winter, Slater? Return to Atlas. Weiss has something she wishes for me to see… Clover? I want you and the Ace Ops guarding the mines and bringing the trucks in. Oscar? I need to talk to you, we can't let anyone steal the lantern and if anyone knows it's here? they're steal it." he said, he turned to Robyn.
"We can keep talking as long as it's here. Tyrian is still on the loose and with the wall down, more Grimm will come in." Robyn shook her head.
"I'm going to Mantle. People need me, General, if Tyrian tries anything, I'll stop him… Besides, I think we both wish for Jacques off the council. I'll tell them once the arena is set up." She stated.
"What about us?" Jaune asked, Ironwood waved his hand.
"Make sure Mantle is fine with Robyn's group. I can't put soldiers everywhere and people will think I'm declaring martial law at this rate. I'm focusing most of my manpower on protecting Amity, whatever I can spare goes to Mantle. Your all dismissed, tomorrow morning is going to be a long day." Ironwood said, Slater opened the doors and people began to file out.
"You could have said this before." Robyn said, Ironwood stood.
"You wouldn't have believed me. I failed Vale; Atlas can't fall. Amity Arena is the last tool we have, without a voice? we will die in the shadows, Ms. Hill. You can have the council, but we all need to fight Salem." He said, looking at the fleet.
"First Jacques, then Salem." Ironwood let her leave before turning to Weiss.
"You said you damning proof of your father doing something bad?" a nod from Weiss.
"Show me." He asked as Weiss powered up her scroll. Ironwood's eyes widened at the video.
"Slater isn't going to like what he sees tomorrow… Neither will the council or Winter." He stated.
Author Notes
Phew, another chapter done! I want to point out that I'm not trying to push the story as the good guys keep wining without effort as your see. Next chapter will be tomorrow and will show the events of 'As Above, So below'. Until then, Lighting Wolf out!
Ps: Raven's story is pushed to next, next Wednesday or so.