F3: Welcome to chapter 19 of Rina's story. We last left off where Alice tried to recruit Robyn to try and find the Hex in which she knows who it is. RWBY is property of Rooster Teeth. Alice Rosetta-Tesla Mirai and Diana Mirai belong to Decode9. With that said Let's Roll Out!
Volume 4-19 Green: Taking Action.
At the Atlas Academy training field the ace ops had gathered waiting patiently though that didn't mean they weren't curious about the sudden meet up. Just then the door opened revealing Marshal Bradly as he stood in front of them his hands behind his back.
"Thank you for assembling so quickly. I understand that you must be curious as to why I've brought you all here to the training field of the academy. I see it fit to put you all through an obstacle course." Bradly stated which got them confused at what he was stating.
"Sir if I may ask why are we doing this obstacle course?" Elm questioned.
"Because I see it fit that you all are in shape for a threat that is harming not just Atlas but Mantle." Bradly stated.
"Would it be the Hex sir?" Harriet asked.
Bradly nodded "Afraid so. The Hex has been killing other people and most of them involve some of our military personal including the stealth corp. We need to improve ourselves if we are going to capture whoever is the Hex." Bradly stated.
"Here's how this obtacle course will go and it will not be simple because one of you will be guiding the entire squad." Bradly said as it surprised each of them.
"One person guiding a whole team. Are you certain that is wise sir?" Vine questioned.
"I simply wish to test your abilities of following orders from one person. You each will take turns as the guide as you guide your squard through it. No weapons." Bradly said. Suddenly four light appeared on different parts of the area while a red light appeared where Bradly stood.
"The guide will be here while the four will be at their starting positions. As who will the four it'll be Marrow, Elm, Vine, and Harriet. Clover will you step over here if you please." Bradly said as he moved from his spot allowing Clover to take his place while the other four took their starting positions.
Bradly turned his head to the control booth above him as he nodded. The person at the controls activated the obstacle course as the tiles on the floor suddenly lit up and actually lifted up from the floor almost forming something like a maze. The floor finished as it had formed a maze while a platform rose right under Clover and rose him toward the air giving him a view of the maze and where everyone was.
"Alright then now Clover please begin guiding your team." Bradly replied.
His squad entered the maze but he noticed that it was divided into section and each maze was different so he had to cordinated them differently.
"Elm head straight and then turn left. Marrow head right and then straight ahead. Vine go left about ten feet and then right. Harriet straight ahead for ten feet and then right." Clover ordered.
Everyone did as ordered as they headed inside the maze. However when she took that right turn she ran into a dead end.
"Are you kidding me." She said.
"It's a dead end Clover!" Harriet shouted back.
"Then head back and go left." Clover ordered. Harriet could tell that was a jab at her blinded eye as she returned to her last position and headed left.
After about twenty minutes everyone got into the center of the maze though Harriet was rather fuming at the moment but kept her cool.
"Well done. Now then Clover I want you to switch with Harriet and we'll start again." He said as the platform lowered as Harriet walked over to Clover and traded places as he headed over to the same spot that Harriet was at as the platform rose up.
Suddenly the maze began to change as it began to rearrange itself.
"Now Harriet repeat the same process that Clover made." Bradly stated.
Harriet this time got a better look of the maze and looked for a good route for all of them to take.
"Marrow head ten feet ahead and turn right then left. Clover go right and head straight for five feet and then left. Elm and Vine go straight ahead. Vine you go left about three feet, Elm go right about four feet." Harriet ordered.
Everyone followed her orders and for the next fifteen minutes everything actually went rather smoothly as everyone got to the middle of the maze.
"Nicely done Harriet. Now while simply leading your squad though a maze is one thing but leading them into a battlefield is another thing." Bradly stated as the maze returned to the arena.
"Now we'll simulate a battlefield that you'll have to naviagate." He began as the arena began to shift again but this time into more of a battlefield like setting complete with places to take cover. However on the other end a flag pole rose up from the ground with a white flag on it but with two mounted turrets directly in front of it.
"These turrets are armed with rubber shells so you won't be in any danger. However I want you to take this matter seriously like if it were a real situation. You have ten minutes to reach the flag and coordinate as a team. Like last time Clover will take charge. Use your weapons wisely. When you here the signal you may begin." Bradly said as he stepped away from the arena as everyone prepped their weapons.
A loud buzzer blasted through the arena signaling the start. Immediately the turrets became active and began firing upon them. The five of them took cover as it shielded them from the rubber bullets as a timer appeared above the flag.
Clover was thinking up of a plan that would work to capture the flag.
"We'll divert their attention. Marrow, Elm get their attention. Harriet and Vine follow them while I'll head down the middle. That should buy some time for me to get to the flag." Clover said.
Harriet however thought differently "That won't work. Vines semblance could be useful to block those bullets. Even Marrows can render one of them immovable." Harriet suggested.
"We don't have time to argue." Clover argued back.
Harriet only shook her head well knowing this isn't going to go well but she followed his orders for this simulation for now. Like ordered Marrow and Elm got the turrets attention as Marrow fired at them while Elm used fired small rockets at them from her weapon. While Clover jumped over the barricade and headed down the middle while Vine and Harriet went to the right trying to sneak past the turres.
However doing this was eating away too much time on the clock as five minutes had already lasped. Worse the left turret suddenly got wise to what they were doing and aimed right where Vine and Harriet were and fired upon them forcing them to take cover behind another barricade.
"We're pinned!" Harriet shouted. Elm noticed this and fired at the turret to get its attention but before she could she was suddenly riddled with rubber bullets from the other one hitting her aura rather hard as she fell to the ground. Seeing this Marrow decided to use his semblance.
"Stay!" He commanded pointing his finger at the turret as it slowly became stiff as a board.
Keeping his finger pointed at the turret allowed Elm to crawl her way back to the barricade for protection. Clover leaped over another barricade and was almost at the flag but the turret that was firing at Harriet and Vine suddenly turned it's attention to Clover which was something Harriet was waiting on.
"Vine now!" She shouted and using his aura vines he whipped them toward the turret and covered it completely as it couldn't even fire which allowed Clover to reach the flag as he touched it signalling the end of the course.
Vine retracted his semblance as everything returned to normal as they formed up though Elm was a little slow from the impact.
"Not bad Clover... if you were trying to disappoint me." He said harshly.
"Sir the objective was completed was it." Clover stated.
"Yes you may have completed your objective. However their are some glaring issues that could be worked on. For one when Harriet and Vine were pinned it forced Elm to refocus her attention on the turret barring down on them. Though in doing so it left her open to being shot at by the other turret. Had this be a real situation their would be four of you and not five. Also I've noticed that Harriet suggested at what to do and you didn't consider it. Every decision is critical especially when it is life and death." He replied before leaving the five of them alone.
"If you done what I said then we would've been more effective instead of getting desperate. You heard what he said." Harriet added.
"I heard Harriet. We are still effective we just need to coordinate better than how we did." Clover replied.
However Elm didn't see it that way "Really then if we continue like this then all of us would be replaced when we're killed." Elm said.
Clover didn't seem to be effected by what she said "Well... good that you know that we're replaceable." Clover stated. Elm didn't like what he said as she walked up to him a scowl on her face.
"How about I replace that attitude of yours?!" She shouted almost ready to throw a punch. Clover was about to retort but Harriet intervened.
"Break it up!" She shouted getting inbetween the two before glaring at Elm.
"Take a walk." She ordered. Elm glared at Clover one more time before walking off with Marrow and Vine following her.
"You need to watch what you say around Elm. She's sensitive about the whole being replaced thing." Harriet added before leaving Clover alone to his own thoughts.
=RWBY=
Rina returned to the resteraunt after visiting Poppi at the hospital. The rest of the team decided to stay a little while longer but she didn't want to stay long. Though she noticed that Robyn was behind the bar but she had a rather far off look on her face that made her walk over to her.
"Hey boss. Everything okay?" Rina asked getting her attention.
Robyn looked up seeing Rina in front of her.
"Oh hey. I didn't hear you come in. Felt like you were gone for a few hours." Robyn said her voice sounding tired.
"Something seems to be bothering her. She normal doesn't sound like that." Taka replied.
"Yeah something does seem wrong. Perhaps something happened while you were out." Pyrrha stated.
"You sure everythings okay. You look rather tired and it's not even opening time." Rina replied.
Robyn straighten herself before speaking again "Yeah I'm fine. Everything is still catching up with me." She replied before changing the subject.
"So have you considered what I said?" Robyn asked
Rina actually considered the offer that Robyn gave her about learning more about it.
"Yeah. Think you can teach me?" Rina asked which brought a smile to Robyns face.
"Alright. We got time before we open up. So I can show you a thing or two." She said as they headed toward the stage where the piano sat.
Robyn pulled out a small stool for Rina to sit down on. Robyn also grabbed what appeared to be a music sheet with some of the basic notes on it.
"Alright you probably got down some of the basics but how about we go over them just to be sure." Robyn said as Rina nodded as it has been quite a while since Weiss taught her so relearning some of the basics would be helpful.
"Ready?" Robyn asked as Rina nodded as they begun.
Two hours later as music played from the piano and Robyn was rather amazed how quick Rina picked up on it and how cordinated she was in playing the notes. Rina eventually ended with playing the final note as she let out a sigh. She felt like she'd been playing for hours but she honestly had a lot of fun doing it.
What she wasn't expecting was an applaud from the crew that came in as they clapped.
"Wow girl that was amazing!" Milla cheered.
"Most impressive indeed." Clay added a smile spread on his face.
"Best music I heard so far." Rachael commented. Rina's face blushed beat red almost embarrased by what they've heard.
"How long were you all their?" Rina asked.
"Hm... about ten... twenty minutes. You play really good girl. Even I don't have that kind of skill." Tilla replied.
Robyn chuckled slightly "Alright everyone let's give her some space. You all know the drill." She said as everyone dispersed to go about their duties. Rina thought it be good to get started as well as she got up from the stool to change into her work clothes.
After that Rina got right to work wiping down the tables making sure they were all clean. Amber though was watching her as she could tell that Rina was embarassed at what they all saw. Though she also felt that Rina was scared of something that kept her looking over her shoulder.
Cleaning was completed as Robyn opened the resteraunt and in half an hour people started to show up as the place quickly filled up with people as all of them were being served. Though an hour into her shift she felt her back suddenly throb as the hexagram burned which only meant the Hex was close by.
She kept herself calm as she examined the space around her seeing if anyone would stick out but the crowd was rather huge this time so it was hard to determine. Though her attention was brought to the outside window as she saw some kind of figure standing outside the resteraunt.
"You okay girl?" Amber asked as Rina looked at her for a second and then back toward the window as the throbbing from her back had stopped as the figure was no longer their.
"Yeah... I'm good." Rina answered.
"Was that guy here just now? Probably scoping out the place. Though why is he targeting me?" Rina asked herself as she continued her shift.
Though she noticed that Robyn has been rather nervous as of late which was rather odd for her. She decided to leave it be for the moment as she's sure Robyn will figure it out on her own.
Hours pass as it was now closing time as everyone gathered up to leave.
"Great job today everyone. Had more customers than usual but you all handled it splendidly. We might be having more days that we have more customers than usual so I want you all to be ready for the days ahead." Robyn replied.
"Don't worry boss. We're all on top of it." Tilla stated.
"Well I most certainly hope-"
Suddenly the bell rang above the door as someone had came into the resteraunt.
"We're closed. So would you kindly leave please." Robyn said politely before looking at who came in. Rina already had a bad feeling as who was in front of from.
It was Ironwood but he looked rather different somehow as he was no longer in his military style uniform. He now wears a dark blue jeans with a white long sleeved button shirt and blue tie along with a black vest on his right hip is his pistol.
"Mr. Ironwood. What a surprise for you to show up. If you're here to eat then I'm afraid that we're closed at this time." Robyn stated.
He shook his head "I'm not here for any of that. Earlier today you were visited by Ms. Mirai correct. Concerning about a certain criminal going around killing people." Ironwood said. It made Robyn stop a moment as she crossed her arms before glancing toward Ciel.
"Everyone out. Now." Robyn ordered. Everyone but Rina left as they headed home for the night so they would be ready for tomorrow. Right now it was Rina, Robyn, and Ironwood.
"Rina upstairs." She ordered. Rina didn't want to argue with her as she headed upstairs leaving the two of them alone.
"Alright so talk. How'd you find out about that? I'm pretty sure Alice wouldn't discuss anything about that right." She said.
"It wasn't difficult to figure out what she came here for. She was searching for a huntress she knew that would help her find the criminal." Ironwood stated.
"Well she came to the wrong person cause I'm not a huntress. I'm simply a business owner." Robyn said.
Ironwood however brought out his own scroll that seemed to have information on it more importantly he brought up a page on Robyn.
"Really. From what your occupation lists says otherwise." He stated before showing her.
"Sorry but I hung up that life long ago. So I'm not a huntress anymore." She stated again getting rather annoyed.
"It feels like to me that you're trying to avoid the subject of the matter. Why is that Miss Hill?" Ironwood questioned.
"Nothing for you to be concerned about. Now I'm going to have to ask you to leave if you're going to keep harassing me." She said rather firmly.
"I only have one more thing to say Miss Hill if you'll allow me?" He asked.
She sighed heavily wanting him out of her resteraunt so she allowed it as she nodded.
"Have you heard the name of Hector Irvinng?" He asked. Robyn didn't show it but she was rather shocked that he would suddenly know him.
"No. Should that name mean anything?" She questioned.
"Well I've done some looking and it appears to me that this man has a criminal record. He was supposed to be serving a fifteen year sentence for several murders he committed but he somehow managed to escape his cell." He said.
"So he's the one that's at large. Sounds like a job for actual huntsman." Robyn stated.
"So you say but I think I have something else that'll get your attention." He said before swiping through his scroll again stopping on an image and then showing it to her.
Robyn froze at what image she saw. It was the same image that she has on her scroll of herself and Hector in full Atlas uniform.
"Where did you get that!?" Robyn replied almost shouting.
"I've done my homework Miss Hill and let's just say I've found some stuff that was rather interesting. Including your own criminal record." Ironwood stated.
"You don't have the authority to look through someone else's profile without conscent." She growled.
"Actually I do especially if it concerns a murderer going about killing civilians with hexagrams on them." He stated before pointing back to the image.
"Now care to explain this Robyn. Or are you just going to dodge the subject." Ironwood stated.
Robyn for the first time in her life was trapped and she was current that Ironwood wouldn't leave without an explaination and it bothered her greatly. Let out a frustrated growl before she answered.
"Fine. We... were classmates at Atlas Academy. I was to attend their after I've got out of juvy. That was when I met Hector." Robyn replied.
"And that was when you two became friends correct." He added.
"More like my only friend. Everyone else avoided because of my criminal record but he didn't seemed bothered by me at all. As you said we became quick friends and practically did almost everything together... that is till the final year at Atlas." Robyn stated.
"Go on." He stated.
"We were assigned into a pair of two people; of course me and Hector were a pair and were to assist in hunting down a fugitive... it went south real fast." Robyn said recalling the events of that day.
[Atlas 10 Years Ago]
A now twenty year old Robyn and Hector were racing through downtown Atlas after a fugitive that had recently escaped prison with the prisoner well ahead of them as the fugitive already killed one person before fleeing into the city and he had a weapon firing back at the two of them desperately.
"Oh c'mon you can shoot better than that!" Hector shouted back.
"We don't have time for games. Let's catch him and report back okay." Robyn stated.
"Hey chillax already. He's not going to get away from us. We're the best duo Atlas has. We got this." Hector said confidently.
"Confidence will be your undoing you know." She said back as the man fleeing went into another street.
"Alright we'll catch him here now problem." He grinned as they turned the corner the fugitive had a hostage in the form of a faunus woman that had wings of a bat on her back.
"Come any closer and I'll blow her fucking brains out!" He shouted jabbing the barrel of the gun to her head as the woman was crying.
"Taking a hostage now. Pathetic dude. You ain't getting away." Hector said but Robyn already had her hands slightly up in a defensive manner.
"Hey take it easy okay buddy. No one needs to get hurt tonight. Just put that down and we can talk." Robyn said trying to descalate the situation but Hector didn't like it.
"What are you doing? We don't negociate." Hector whispered.
"He has a hostage right now. So he has the upper hand." She whispered back.
"Hey! What are you two talking about over their!? I'll kill her if you don't back off!" He shouted as the woman only cried from his grip around her neck.
"Alright... what do you want? A way out? We can provide that." She said calmly.
"I... I want an airship. And fifty thousand lien right here." The man stated.
"Forget it pal! We ain't giving you-"
"We can do that." Robyn said cutting him off as Hector only glared at her. Though it did seem to calm the fugitive a litte as he took the barrel of the gun off the womans head.
Though Hector didn't want to negociate anymore and took advantage of the situation. He activated a blue and red hexagram to boost his speed and strength. He ran right at the man and in a split second was in front of them and swung his sword but not at the fugitive but at the womans right leg with enough force to slice it clean off.
Robyn didn't know what just happened as the first moment Hector was beside her and the next he was in front of the fugitive and had cut off the womans leg as she screamed in agony causing her unbalance to fall to the ground clutching her leg.
"Why you!?" The fugitive shouted.
Robyn reacted quickly and activated her crossbow and fired a tazer dart at the fugitive as it shocked him sending him to the ground. Hector immediately cuffed the fugitive glad for it to be over before getting onto his scroll.
"This is Zeta Team. Fugitive is in custody." He said with a proud smile.
Robyn however immediately ran to the screaming woman as blood oozed out of the wound with her scroll in hand.
"This is Robyn Hill. I need an immediate medical unit to Sector D on Charles Avenue for a critically injured civilian. Repeat medical unit to Sector D for critically injured civilian." Robyn stated as she got into her medical kit to at least try and stop the bleeding. She took out gauze, alcohol, medical tape, gloves, and medical pads.
She first started by putting the gloves on so that no blood got on her hands and began patching the injury as best she could. Ten minutes later she was wrap the stump of her leg but the medical pads underneath the gauze and tape was already starting to color. Soon the sounds of police sirens and medical unit shortly arrived as the police took the fugitive back to prison while the woman was taken to the hospital.
She felt a hand touch her shoulder "Hey looks like another mission-"
Before Hector got to say anything he felt a punch hit his cheek as he was knocked down to the ground.
Now in front of him is an angry partner as she was fuming like a mad bull ready to charge.
"Ow! The hell was that for!?" He shouted rubbing his cheek.
"She was a civilian damnit! What logical reason gave you the right to break protocall and nearly damn kill her!" Robyn shouted angrily at him.
"Hey I needed something to drop his guard so I figured if the woman wasn't in the way than you would have a clean shot to stun him. Pretty brilliant huh." He said with his signature girn. That only made her more angry but before she could voice her opinion their teacher appeared.
A tall rather stoic man around his mid twenties with dark skin, short soft black hair and purple eyes was standing in front of them. He was wearing the Ace Operative military gear and he didn't look very happy as they both stood at attention.
"Mr. Erderne sir!" They both stated before saluting him.
"Robyn... explain to me what happened today." He ordered.
"We were chasing after the fugitive as ordered. When he turned onto Charles Avenue he fired upon us but he had a hostage." She said.
"And what happened after that?" He asked.
"I began to desclate the situation incase such event occured. However..." Robyn stopped a moment.
"However?" The teacher asked.
"My partner... attacked the civilian causing her to fall to the ground. When the fugitive point his gun at us I fired a tazer dart to subdue him. Afterwards I called for a medical unit before administering first aid to the civilian." Robyn said.
Mr. Erdine while he was rather impressed that she reacted so quickly to the injured person he glared right at her partner who now had a rather stoic look.
"Both of you are to report to Atlas Academy immediately and wait further orders." He stated firmly.
"Yes sir!" The both declared as they headed back to Atlas Academy unknown of their fate.
[Present]
"The woman managed to recover but she'd lost her leg and was bound to a wheel chair. She also wanted the person who took her leg punished or she would sue the entire Atlas Academy. Hector wanted me to take the fall trying to twist the facts that I took her leg and even tried to use my criminal record against me. But the woman pointed him out as the one that took his leg. Not only that he revealed that he only did what he did because the woman would be collateral damage due to what she is. From what I heard he was sentenced for attempted murder, disobeying orders, and discrimination. That was supposed to be a life sentence... that was the last I saw Hector." Robyn stated to before turning to face Ironwood.
"So if you think for one second that I'm friends with him you are greatly mistaken. Now you see why I never pursued a life as a huntress. You never know who you'll trust... or who will betray you." She said staring right at Ironwood.
"So I'd appriecate it if you took your leave. Now." Robyn said firmly. Taking the hint Ironwood turned around to leave before glancing back to her.
"If you change your mind of wanting to find him... let us know." Ironwood said as he finally left the resteraunt.
The adrenaline that was in her body left her as she sat down on a waiting stool a hand over her eyes shaking her head not sure what to do now. On one hand she would help get Hector off the streets and in jail again. Or second... he'd kill himself first before that ever happen so she was rather stuck in the middle with both ways going from bad to worse. She had to think this over very thoroughly. What she wasn't aware of was that Rina was listening at the top of the stairs to the whole story as she now had something to think about her caretaker.
F3: And that is chapter 19 of Rina's story. Looks like Robyn is trying to decide to take up her role as huntress or will she just stay where she is? Please leave a comment to this story and don't forget to follow and/or favorite to keep up with future updates. With that said this is Fireuser3 and I'm Out.