June 27, 2020

Ruby and Yang decided to do bunk-in duty at the station from 6 to 12. They woke up early and at 5:45 they headed down to the station. As they walked to the station, Ruby, still very tired from waking up at 5:20, said as she yawned, "I'm gonna plop right back down in bed when we get there."

"Same, Yang replied. "I'm surprised Blake didn't wanna come with us." She then sighed. "Oh... Now I think I know..."

"What's wrong, Yang? Still sore over the breakup with her?"

"Yep. Hey Ruby, can you keep a secret?" They both then stopped.

"What secret?"

Yang then went up to Ruby's ear and quietly said, "I have a new friend, and we're currently in a friends-with-benefits situation. He's a pretty cool guy."

"That's your secret? Who cares?" Ruby looked confused. "I don't."

"Blake would." Yang looked worried. "She may think I'm an asshole for having sex with someone so soon after the relationship, especially since it's a guy. You need to tell no one about my friend, alright?"

"Of course I wouldn't. You're my big sister, Yang. I would never screw you over, much less like that. Now let's go. We have a firehouse to go to."

When they got there, they filled out a check-in sheet and quietly went upstairs to 2 available beds. There were 12 beds in total for bunk-in firefighters, and 1 was already taken by another volunteer. Yang quietly got under the covers and said, "Good night, Ruby."

Ruby replied, "Good morning, Yang." The 2 then fell asleep soon afterwards around 6.

Then, at 6:23, they were interrupted by the bells in the station and the pager tones for the company. Yang said, "Aw shit! I was having a really good dream!"

"Vale City Fire Alarm on the air for Box 229 for Vigilant Fire 5 for an Alpha Response to 21 Washburn Road for a 57-year-old male complaining of vomiting. He has also reported blood in his vomit. Repeating, Vale City Fire Alarm on the air for Box 229 for Vigilant Fire 5 for an Alpha Response to 21 Washburn Road for a 57-year-old male complaining of vomiting. Time is 0623 hours, Alarm Operator 166."

The 2 girls and the third volunteer got up and ran to the fire pole in the bunk-in room. They then slid down to the ladder truck bay, also nicknamed the new bay, and ran to a door that led to the ambulance and rescue bay, also nicknamed the old bay. A paid firefighter said, "Hop on in! Hop on in!"

Ruby and Yang got in the 4-door front cab while the third volunteer opened the back doors and got seated in the back. A paid lieutenant then radioed, "Fire Alarm, Ambulance 201's responding with a crew of 5, 2 paramedics."

Ruby said, "Wait, do we go lights and sirens for Alphas, or lights only?"

The driver replied, "Lights only and non-emergency."

"Aw man," Ruby said.

Yang replied, "Hey, you'll get a lights and sirens call soon, sis."

At 10:00, Blake sat down in an office in the Vale City Fire Alarm Office for a job interview. The large 4-storey building was built in 1872 when the Garnett* Box Alarm System was installed in the city. All 911 calls for fire and medical emergencies would be rerouted from the police department's 911 call centre to this building. It also housed the administrative headquarters of the fire department.

"Welcome to the Fire Department Headquarters," the head of the Fire Alarm Division, Algar Hess, said. "I am glad that you are interested in a job in the Fire Alarm Office. Now, before I let you explore our space, let's go over a few things."

"I have my physical and my resume right here," Blake said. She then handed Algar her papers.

"Thank you," he replied. "Now, Miss Belladonna, your report mentions you were once a member of the White Fang, but your testimony against them in court resulted in your record getting expunged, correct?"

"Yes, that is true. Mr. Hess, I really, really regret the fact I didn't leave when they turned violent. They are the reason I don't have a tail, after all."

"Really? What happened to your tail?"

February 15, 2014

"Belladonna," a voice rang out in the darkness. "You have failed the group known as the White Fang!"

Blake, then just 15 years old, woke up, beaten and bloodied, in an interrogation room. "Where the fuck am I?!"

"You hesitated to shoot the target because his family was around," the voice said again. "I told you to kill him and the family!"

"No fucking way! I don't kill kids! His kids and wife had jackshit to do with his role at Schnee Dust!"

"You let him get away, you bastard! You were given specific instructions to kill them! And for that, we will make you pay." A man then stood before her with a knife.

"Oh shit," Blake said. "No way! You're not cutting off my fucking tail!" She then kicked the man with the knife down. Another then grabbed her arms. The man with the knife then grabbed her legs and handed the knife to a woman. "Let me go, God damn it!"

The woman then handcuffed and legcuffed Blake an sat her down on a chair. She then said, "Cutting!" She swung the knife, a long butcher knife, down onto Blake's tail.

The pain was immediately felt, and Blake screamed as the woman sawed into the tail, finally cutting it off. She then handed the knife to another man who threw it in a trashbin. Blake screamed and cried further. A man then said, "Shut the hell up, bitch!" He then kicked Blake in the ribs, breaking several and causing her to fall unconscious.

In the present, Blake said, "And thus, it was a very traumatic experience. I left after I got out of the hospital and did one last non-fatal mission to steal dust from a train. Later, I testified against my former commanders in court in regards to the things they ordered me to do. Most of them got hanged in the Vale Central Prison."

"I'm so sorry you had to go through that," Algar said. "I really am. I've heard some messed-up stories, but that takes the cake. Don't you have any sort of protection from them?"

"My friends and I are all huntresses. We can take on whoever tries to kill me."

"I see. Anyways, do you have prior experience working with radios?"

"I talk on them. I don't really know how they work."

"That's okay. Let's go to the radio room and show you how we operate. First, here's a list of all frequencies we operate on." He then handed Blake a piece of paper with all of the radio frequencies used by the fire department. (A/N: See the list and radio info below.) "Follow me."

The 2 then walked into the radio room. It was a large room full of 7 telegraph receivers, 9 radio stations, and 4 telephone receiving stations. It also had 3 TVs and a map of all alarm boxes in the city. Each box was represented by a light that would glow red when that box was pulled or a dispatcher transmitted the box for a call. Blake said, "This place looks so cool!"

"It is. Over here is the paging station. Here, we have the encoder for the pager tones here and the encoder for the siren tones here. We also have a teleprinting system here." A dispatcher dialed in the numbers for the tones of several companies on both encoders.

"I assume that dispatcher is gonna dispatch someone."

"That they are. According to the CAD screen, it's an alarm activation. Nothing major. We get a lotta those."

At 12:08, Ruby and Yang returned home. Weiss said, "How was live-in?"

"Good," Ruby said. "We had 4 medical calls and 1 fire call." She then yawned. "God, I'm tired."

"Remember. You, Yang, and Blake all have Basic Firefighter training tonight."

Yang replied, "We know. We know. Where's Blake?"

"She's over at Fire Alarm. She's getting interviewed for a job there. Anyways, I gotta go to the Schnee Dust HQ for a meeting. I'll be back by 2."

"See ya later," replied Ruby. She then turned to Yang as Weiss walked out. "Hey Yang, have you noticed something off about Weiss?"

"What?"

"She seems to be... On edge. I once saw her drink some vodka."

"Yeah, so? You drink, I drink, Blake drinks, who cares?"

"Yeah, but she drank a lot. She also seems not as enthusiastic about doing Schnee company business anymore."

"She never really was. She had issues with her family. She's gonna take over the company when her father Hermann croaks, so she's obviously worried about how she'll handle herself as CEO when that day comes in 30-something years."

"I know, but this seems different. I sensed a feeling of resentment within her about her family, one I had never seen before. I wonder what drove that."

Yang chuckled. "Ruby, you worry too much about Weiss." She then laughed again. "Do you have something to tell me?"

"Uhhh... No?" Ruby looked confused.

Yang then made a scissoring motion with her fingers and said, "Are you sure?"

Ruby was still confused, saying, "Yang, what are you doing?"

"Ruby, do you think you're straight?"

"Yeeeaaaaah? Why?"

"I'm having a hard time believing that." Yang then rested on Ruby's shoulder. "Over-analyzing a person's actions is a surefire sign that you like someone as more than just a friend, Ruby."

Ruby then finally caught on to what Yang was hinting at, "Oh my God, Yang! Were you implying that I'm in lesbians with Weiss?!"

"Maybe," Yang replied. "Lesbians might not be the term I'd use. I've seen you read Blake's erotic books before, and you were blushing the whole time you did. It's obvious you still like guys sexually. But maybe you like girls too."

"No I don't!" Ruby blushed intensely. "Not that there's anything wrong with that..."

Blake then suddenly paid a visit. "Uhhh... What's going on?"

Ruby said, "Nothing!"

Yang said, "Ruby's got a crush on Weiss. I know it."

"Okay," Blake replied slowly. "I'm gonna go in my apartment and pretend this never happened." She then walked out, confused by what was going on.

Ruby then said to Yang, "Okay... Fine... Yang, I like girls... And guys... Are you happy now?"

Yang then said, "Ruby, let me just say that 'I knew it!' Second, on a serious note, I can help you as a guide so you don't screw this up." Yang's tone of voice then became very serious. "Listen to me, sis. There are people out there who will give you shit for this, and it's not just your run-of-the-mill homophobes. I'm talking about assholes in the LGBT+ community who will call you a breeder, a traitor, untrustworthy, or a slut because you either swing both ways or you're a revolving door like me. That is the most hurtful part, when your own community turns on you and acts just like those homophobes and transphobes who are straight and cis."

Ruby asked, "Did you ever go through that?"

Yang then sighed. "Yes, I did. A boyfriend walked out on me because of my sexuality, and I have been called some pretty bad names at bars and events for being who I am. Luckily, I had friends, lovers, and family members willing to back me up. Ruby, if you ever get harassed for being bisexual, don't take any shit from those guys, and tell me about it. I will take care of it." Yang then sighed. "Now, about Weiss. Honestly, I have no clue who she wants to have in her pants. I'd ask her."

Ruby replied, "Good idea. I mean, we're like best friends. Best friends talk about a lotta personal stuff about each other."

Yang then said, "And remember, Ruby, be prepared for both acceptance and disappointment. I once found out a girl I liked wasn't into other girls and it hurt. You remember that, right?"

"Wasn't that when we were in Beacon?"

"It was. If Weiss is straight, or if she likes other girls but doesn't hold feelings for you, you can be sad, but remember that you can't change who they are just like how we can't change who we are. You gotta accept that and move on somehow." Yang then hugged Ruby. "Promise me that regardless of whatever happens, you'll remain best friends with Weiss. After all, your future BF, GF, husband, or wife is your best friend with benefits." They both then laughed. "You can promise that, right?"

"I damn will," Ruby replied. "I damn will, and she will be, so help us whatever deity is out there, if at all." Then, their pagers rang. Once the siren tone went off, the 2 girls quickly ran out of their apartment.

"Vale City Fire Alarm on the air for Box 2126 for Vigilant Fire Company 5 and the District 2 Chief for a Code 99 at 175 Bristol Avenue with Valeanian Legion Ambulance 12, Enterprise Steamer 10, Valiant Hook and Ladder 13, and Excellence 7. Repeating, Vale City Fire Alarm on the air for Box 2126 for Vigilant Fire Company 5 and the District 2 Chief for a Code 99 at 175 Bristol Avenue with Valeanian Legion Ambulance 12, Enterprise Steamer 10, Valiant Hook and Ladder 13, and Excellence 7. Time is 1221 hours, Alarm Operator 341."

Yang and Ruby were soon joined by Blake as they ran to the first floor of the apartment building and darted out of the entrance of the building. They managed to run to the station in 2 minutes. By then, the ambulance had already left with the paid firefighters plus any bunk-in volunteers at the station.

There, the 3 girls quickly put their boots on, pulled them up, and grabbed their coats. As they got into the cab of Truck 201, they zipped up their coats and waited as more and more firefighters either ran or drove to the station. A volunteer said, "Where was that fire again?"

Blake opened the door and yelled, "175 Bristol Avenue!" 3 firefighters then climbed aboard the truck.

At 12:25, a firefighter radioed, "Truck 201's responding with a crew of 10, 5 interior." As they pulled out, they saw Car 5, driven by the company's captain, speed past them with lights and sirens.

At 12:37, Truck 201 arrived. By then, a second alarm had been transmitted, bringing in 5 more companies. The fire was on the 8th floor of a 10-storey building and was rapidly spreading. Blake said, "I know this place!"

Yang replied, "You do?" The 3 firefighters then got out of the truck and looked up at the building.

"Yeah. The offices of the National Association for the Advancement of Faunus is up there. The White Fang calls them traitors and cowards for practising nonviolent protest and using legal means to gain more rights for us." Blake then sighed. "I wouldn't be surprised if this is an arson."

Ruby then said, "Hey guys, what fireground channel are we on for this?"

Arthur Kirkridge, who was walking over to organise the company's firefighters, said, "Channel 1. I have no clue if the District Chief wants to activate the High-Rise Ops channel yet. If he does, he'll order all units to switch over the radio, and I'll use my trumpet to signal the switch." After the 10 Vigilant firefighters from Truck 201 gathered near him, he continued, "Alright, our job as Vigilant Fire Company 5 is to go to the roof and begin rescuing people on the floors below with the ropes. We have people hanging from the windows. When Rescue 201 arrives, we'll begin." The group then split up.

Blake, Yang, and Ruby then saw Rescue 201 pull up. Weiss stepped off of the back step of the truck wearing her gear and her SCBA. She said, "Alright, you guys need to stay out here. I'm going up with the other Vigilants to the roof. The meeting was let out early because of the fire. My dad and my uncle are also going with me."

"Good luck," Yang said.

"Before you go," Ruby asked. "Can I ask you something?"

"Make it quick, Ruby."

"Uhhh... Weiss..." Ruby blushed. "Are... Do you... Do you like girls?!" She then covered her mouth in embarrassment.

Weiss stared in shock. "Ruby... I... I'm sorry, but I'm not gay, or bi, or pan, or whatever. I'm straight. If you're trying to confess something to me, I'm sorry. I can't be with you. I'll explain later. I gotta go." She then ran to a group of 12 firefighters that were going to do the rope rescues.

Ruby said, "No..." Tears began to well up in her eyes as she hugged Yang. She then sobbed into her older half-sister's chest.

Yang said, "I... I'm really sorry, Ruby. Please... Stop crying... We have a job to do."

Then, Blake pointed and screamed, "Holy fucking shit!" Then, a thud was heard on the pavement as a trapped worker fell to the ground, barely missing the Vigilant firefighters.

Weiss screamed as the blood splattered on her and several other firefighters. Hermann screamed, "Jesus Christ! We gotta get up there soon or else more people are gonna jump!"

Ruby turned and saw the mangled body of the jumper and burst into tears again. A paid firefighter walked by and said, "C'mon, man. Stop crying and get to work."

Yang turned to him with a stern look and said, "She can cry if she fucking wants to."

The firefighter backed off and said, "Woah. Okay, okay."

Ruby then said, "No, you're right... I gotta get to work. I'm sorry about that. It's just that I got rejected by someone today and it hit me hard. Long story. And then, you know, that jumping guy happened."

"Sorry about that," the firefighter replied. "Anyways, we need help over at the triage centre. I see that you guys are all non-interior vollies. Come with me."

As the rest of the gang went to the triage centre, Ren helped Weiss clean up, using a paper towel to wipe the blood off of her coat and boots. He said, "That was fucking crazy, man." He then threw the paper towel away in a biohazard bag he had grabbed from the ambulance earlier. "Anyways, let's get to it. I got a pregnant wife back home, after all."

Weiss said, "Speaking of your team mates, I need to tell you a secret about Jaune."

"Go ahead."

"I'm kinda in a relationship with him now. Well... It's a small dating one..."

Ren just stared at Weiss blankly for a few seconds. Then, he said, "We'll talk about that after this. We have more pressing issues at hand, to say the least."

PAGING: 460.5750 (Repeater/Mobile) All tones are sent out over this channel, as well as the information of the call. There are 2 types of tones used by the VCFD: Alertonic* 1+1, used for pagers, chiefs, and paid stations, and Alertonic 2+2, used for the sirens of volunteer companies. This is the busiest single frequency in the entire department, since it covers the entire city.

DISPATCH: The VCFD dispatch frequencies are not repeaters in the traditional sense. Instead, it's a full duplex system with voted receivers and a mixer. The received audio from the mobiles/portables is injected into the audio transmitted by the base station when the mixer is turned on. The mixer can be turned on and off by the dispatcher, and you generally won't hear the initial call from the mobiles/portables until the mixer is turned on. If you want to hear "mixer off messages", you need to monitor the mobile frequencies and be close enough to the scene in order to pick them up.
DISTRICT 1: 154.0850 (Base)/154.2200 (Mobile)
DISTRICT 2: 154.2500 (Base)/154.1000 (Mobile)
DISTRICT 3: 154.2050 (Base)/153.8300 (Mobile)
DISTRICT 4: 155.1450 (Base)/155.2950 (Mobile)
DISTRICT 5: 155.4450 (Base)/154.3850 (Mobile)
DISTRICT 6: 155.6100 (Base)/155.9550 (Mobile)
DISTRICT 7: 154.1150 (Base)/154.5400 (Mobile)

FIREGROUND: Each District has 2 fireground frequencies. Channel 1 is the one that is used the most in each district. Channel 2 is to be used when a Code 99 has been transmitted for an alarm operating on Channel 1 or per the request of the incident commander. After toning out the needed stations, the dispatcher will go over the dispatch frequencies of the District the emergency is taking place in and tell all units responding to the call the fireground channel they will use.
DISTRICT 1: 453.1000 (Repeater/Mobile) (Channel 1)/453.1500 (Repeater/Mobile) (Channel 2)
DISTRICT 2: 453.2000 (Repeater/Mobile) (Channel 1)/453.2500 (Repeater/Mobile) (Channel 2)
DISTRICT 3: 453.3000 (Repeater/Mobile) (Channel 1)/453.3500 (Repeater/Mobile) (Channel 2)
DISTRICT 4: 453.4000 (Repeater/Mobile) (Channel 1)/453.4500 (Repeater/Mobile) (Channel 2)
DISTRICT 5: 453.5000 (Repeater/Mobile) (Channel 1)/453.5500 (Repeater/Mobile) (Channel 2)
DISTRICT 6: 453.6000 (Repeater/Mobile) (Channel 1)/453.6500 (Repeater/Mobile) (Channel 2)
DISTRICT 7: 453.7000 (Repeater/Mobile) (Channel 1)/453.7500 (Repeater/Mobile) (Channel 2)

SPECIAL OPERATIONS: These channels are used only when requested by the incident commander, or, in the case of the administrative channels, by grounds security.
HIGH-RISE OPERATIONS: 486.1125 (Repeated/Mobile)
MASS CASUALTY OPERATIONS: 485.1875 (Repeated/Mobile)
ADMINISTRATIVE 1: 487.2625 (Repeated/Mobile)
ADMINISTRATIVE 2: 487.1375 (Repeated/Mobile)

Alertonic=Motorola/Plectron

Garnett=Gamewell