Lisa Lavender watched on the main monitor as the Fox Faunus walked out of the doors of the townhall onto the hastily erected stage with a podium at the front.

He looked uncomfortable as he walked up to the podium. Indeed, he well might as the camera panned to show that audience consisted of roughly equal numbers of humans and Faunus with around forty percent of the Faunus wearing masks and thirty per cent of the humans. The Branwen masks looked more frightening, and it was clear that they had the majority of the fighting personnel in the square.

She took the opportunity to introduce him to her viewers, "This is Fennec Albain, one of the intellectual leaders of the Faunus rights movement and confirmed today as chair of the political council of the White Fang."

Fennec looked at his notes and then approached the microphone, "Today I have the privilege of making an historic announcement on behalf of the political council of the White Fang. After discussions with the army council, I can tell the whole of Remnant that the army council members here today which includes 95% of the total councillors have unanimously endorsed the course of action to be announced by our leader."

/-/

Fennec was still struggling with his emotions. Humiliation, delight, fear, and pride competed within him.

Humiliation because he had been sucker punched by Sienna Khan. He had not spent enough time in Mistral or talked to the civilian members of the White Fang enough or he might have spotted it. She had played the council so that they had to accept a fait accompli. The document she had presented to them had been almost word for word the document they had approved as a starting point for negotiating with the kingdoms. The few changes to it did not justify rejection of the deal. Besides which saying no when Raven Branwen had her forces in town and had indicated that she preferred to deal with Sienna Khan was both personally and politically suicidal.

Delight because once he had engaged brain, he saw that this was the best deal the White Fang could hope for. They had even test run it for three years and had not been betrayed. The woman was the supreme ruler of her tribe, and she could deliver their support and the cooperation of the people. The population was in any event forty per cent Faunus.

He also believed that the woman was right when she had said "Between the Mistral government and my activities, we have so fracked up the economy that we have ten years of everyone feeling better off than the year before we will have to make a hard decision."

Fear because he knew that he was having to go to sell this to the factions of the White Fang which he and Corsac had cultivated on behalf of Adam for the last two years. Remnant, he had to talk Corsac round. Anyone of them could consider him a traitor and try to kill him and/or Corsac. He would be hated worse than Sienna or the Belladonnas because he had promised so much. Above all he feared the reaction of Adam Taurus and his followers. Unlike his brother, he knew the man was broken and the desertion of Blake had removed the only influence of moderation. He had seen Adam since Blake had joined Beacon and the man scared him. The man might yet urinate on Sienna Khan's parade. Still at least the man was in Vale.

Pride because Sienna had been magnanimous in her victory. She had acknowledged that the book written by him and Corsac had been the basis behind the agreement with Sienna Khan. He was to be minister of education and Faunus and humans were to be educated in the same schools from nursery onwards. He had agreed that the children of the new state did not need to be guilt tripped about the actions of the past political leaders of Mistral. He saw the force of the argument that blaming the misdeeds of the past on the rich and cynical was a better way of uniting the new state. It was even probably true. He had also been allowed to participate in the announcement. He would be at least a footnote in history and worth five pages to a chapter in the scholarly tomes. He also knew that because he rather than Corsac had been here, the White Fang had not immediately split. Actually, he might get a biography or two to himself.

/-/

Lisa continued watching as the Fox Faunus paused before continuing, "For those who fear us, remember that the expressed aims of the White Fang have never including killing all humans or making humans into our slaves. It has been to ensure that the peace treaties entered into at the end of the Faunus wars are implemented."

A loud round of applause came from the crowd. He looked encouraged.

"We have looked to establish real equality of opportunity and equality under the law. All Faunus were disappointed at the failure of the kingdoms to pay more than lip service to the spirit and letter of the treaties. Appeals to common decency and campaigns of civil disobedience failed to move the governments of the kingdoms. We were forced to resort to targeted and proportionate military action to try to bring them to the negotiating table. Even then we offered compromises which safeguarded legitimate human concerns and even some of the more paranoid concerns. None of the kingdoms responded officially to these proposals."

Cries of shame and stamping of feet then interrupted proceedings.

He waited for things to quieten. He then paused and said, "In the last few months our leader Sienna Khan has been negotiating with the leader of the third or fourth most populous territory in Remnant to try and find a third way. A way involving a partnership between human and Faunus. These negotiations have been successful."

There was a sudden flash of lightning and the doors of the town hall opened. Two figures came into view and an outbreak of cheers and applause greeted them. Fennec turned round and bowed as Raven Branwen and Sienna Khan walked into view. They strode side by side and conveyed a sense of confidence and power.

Lisa introduced the two to her audience. They had agreed in advance to allow her time for this. "Here is Raven Branwen, the leader of the Branwen tribe. Many of you may remember her as a Vytal festival champion some twenty years ago with Team Stark. With her is Sienna Khan who has led the White Fang since the overthrow of Ghira Belladonna five years ago and instigate the use of violence and murder in pursuit of its ends." She had been watching memorable broadcasts from the past and had learnt that sometimes less is more.

Raven Branwen came up to the microphone. "Over eighteen years ago I came back to Mistral to lead my tribe during tough times. We overcame those challenges and since then have established control over one quarter of Mistral."

Wild cheering from the audience.

"Those of you have lived under our rule will have noticed that I and the Branwen tribe have increasingly seen our role as being shepherds of our subjects rather than wolves. Indeed, we leave rather more of the wool to the sheep than shepherds normally do. More importantly we do not eat and kill the lambs."

Laughter and rapturous applause from the audience.

"The Branwen Tribe has in practice been governing and protecting a sizeable part of Mistral for over ten years. This has involved protecting the inhabitants from Grimm and bandits not belonging to the tribe, ensuring dust and power supplies, ensuring there was enough to eat and, to our shock, keeping the peace, settling civil disputes, and enforcing the law impartially between human and Faunus."

Again, rapturous applause.

"I have not done it alone. Indeed, the Branwen tribe has not done it alone. Our skill sets do not include mining, agriculture, or legal excellence."

Loud laughter at this point.

"We have instead given the people who Mistral despised the chance to prove their worth. Those whom the Mistral government refused to protect from us, the ones who were told no room on the bullhead for you, the ones who were not paid enough to afford cars so that they could flee by themselves, the ones who had ears, tails, or other animal traits or spoke with the wrong accent, the ones who stayed behind and prayed that we would not kill you. We told you that provided that you did not extract the urine or exploit each other you could deal with day-to-day government. And you did show that given the chance you could run your villages, towns, and counties honestly and competently provided we took care of the Grimm, the other bandits and allowed you the chance to prove yourselves."

Thunderous applause at this. Everyone likes being told that they have done well and that it is appreciated.

Sienna Khan stepped up to the microphone. "Five years the White Fang moved its headquarters from Menagerie to ensure that the kingdoms had no excuse to attack that island. We came here because it was not under the control of the four kingdoms, and we thought we could make a niche for ourselves. We quickly realised that the best way of securing our position was to speak to the leader of what we had been told was a small bandit tribe which punched above its weight. I will not say that it was always an easy relationship, but I was never left with a feeling that the fact that I was a Faunus was a problem."

Raven Branwen said, "I am an equal opportunity bad tempered jerk."

Nervous but widespread laughter.

Sienna smiled and continued, "A core belief of the White Fang is that Faunus and humans can work together if given the opportunity and if assumptions of superiority and inferiority merely by whether or not you have animal feature are seen as stupid. We were so used to humans treating us badly or as fools that it took three years to realise that in the Badlands of Mistral Faunus were being treated on their merits."

She paused for the latest round of applause to clear. "Our enemies have branded us as bloodthirsty terrorists. In reality only a minority of us have the skills for armed struggle. Most of our membership consists of civilians who want the opportunity to use their skills to help others and be paid a decent wage. One day Raven Branwen asked me if we had any sewerage engineers with us in Mistral. We did and that was the first in a long series of secondments from the White Fang to the Branwen tribe. Secondments during which the secondee was paid a fair wage and treated with the respect they merited."

Raven Branwen said "Six months ago one of us made a joke to the other. We both laughed at the time and moved on. However, the joke turned into a dream and the dream is now becoming reality."

/-/

In Beacon, Qrow turned to Ozpin, "Oz, what on Remnant is my sister up to? She sounds more like Summer."

Ozpin raised his hand, "She always had the potential in her. Summer was her best friend and if she thought it would make a difference she was prepared to do good. Also, if I am right she has the memories of all the Spring Maidens in her mind and some of them were strong personalities. Anyway, I suspect that James will be contacting us soon with the same question you asked me. Try to remember your sister at her best when you answer him. Do not draw attention to the reference to the birthday. That was a message meant only for me and you."

/-/

Back in Kuroyuri, Raven Branwen was announcing, "Today I am recognising reality and I am proud to announce that the Branwen Republic has been established. I am the life president. My intent is to establish structures which allow my people, my children, to let me know what they want and need and to ensure that each county knows what works in other provinces. This is not a democracy, but I think I have proved to my people that I am interested in good government."

Again, wild cheers. From behind her a whole load of other Faunus and humans started walking out of the doors of the town hall while Sienna Khan joined her. Flags were unfurled showing a black bird imposed a red background.

She then raised Sienna's hand and declared, "My prime minister is my good friend and fellow idealist, Sienna Khan."

Wild cheers greeted the announcement.

Sienna Khan stepped to the microphone. "My aim since becoming the leader of the White Fang has been to establish that Faunus and humans can work together. The best way of proving this is for a kingdom to give peace and justice a chance. The Branwen Republic has a larger population than Atlas and Vacuo. The desire of the White Fang is to prove to the whole of Remnant that equality is not only morally right but works in practice. This afternoon both the political and the military council has signed an agreement with the Branwen tribe concerning Faunus participation in government. To this end as of midnight tonight the army council has with the full support of the political council declared a unilateral indefinite cessation of military operations. This includes sabotage, assassinations, bombings, and any acts of violence. For the avoidance of doubt, any member of the White Fang breaking the peace will be disavowed and dealt with by the military wing of the movement."

Raven Branwen again approached to the microphone. "The Branwen Republic has no further territorial ambitions in Mistral or indeed in the rest of Remnant. We will be seeking to establish diplomatic and trade relations with the four kingdoms and Menagerie. Under the terms of the political agreement in all civilian ministries there will be both human and Faunus ministers and that the chief minister roles in the departments will be equally shared. Our intention is to announce all appointments by midnight tomorrow."

There was a pause. "The Branwen tribe takes its duties to its people seriously and unless someone is stupid enough to declare war on us, the Branwen Tribe will focus on Grimm defence activities."

/-/

Backstage Ilia was waiting for her cue. Fennec Albain had appeared two hours ago with Sienna Khan to instruct her that she had a role in the evening's events. When it had been explained to her she had wanted to vomit. However, both had insisted that she was the best available person.

Fennec had emphasised that she had grown up in Atlas and that it was important that a Faunus from the northern kingdom was part of tonight's events. Apparently it sent a message. Sienna had said that the song she was required to sing was an important part of the history of the Faunus and poor human struggle for fair treatment and that it needed a pure and in tune voice to sing the first verse before others joined in as the events of tonight would be seen by millions. She had elaborated on the importance of Atlas. They had the only military force which could pose a threat to the new kingdom and persuading them that they should not get involved was crucial. So, no pressure then.

She wished Julie were here. The Fox Faunus always said that Ilia had a better voice than her, but Julie had more stage presence and self-confidence. She was still worrying when a Sheep Faunus touched her on the shoulder. "Esme Verdigris, soon to be economic minister. My fiancé wanted to apologise, thank you and pass on his sympathy."

"Your fiancé?"

A rather rotund bespectacled figure appeared before her, "We met as strangers on a train to Mistral a few years back and then again in Vacuo. Indirectly you are responsible for me meeting Esme. I would like to apologise for my actions on the train and in Vacuo. Actually, perhaps for my intentions. You and your friends prevented me from acting on them."

Ilia double took. The first time they had met she had slipped him a Mickey Finn in his wine while he had been stroking Blake's ears in his private compartment. Later she had helped Julie kidnap him and his SDC laptop. She had supposed him to be dead.

"I can understand the apology, but the rest …"

Esme said, "Your reports helped keep him alive as he did not do or say anything to and with you which required his immediate death, and he was useful as a source of information about the SDC and the Multi-Kingdoms. Even Adam accepted that at the time. He became my assistant when we were seconded to the mining wing of the Branwen tribe."

The man beamed and said, "It was a meeting of minds. Within a month we were finishing each other's sentences and communicating by raised eyebrows."

The Sheep Faunus smiled, "He also loves my ears. Seriously, he is a reformed character. He was a product of his bringing up." She tickled him under the chin.

"I am very glad for both of you," said Ilia in a rather stunned manner. "And the sympathy?"

The human ruefully smiled, "I am another symbol. Everyone in Atlas thinks I am dead and the fact that I am not apparently proves something. Also, it signals to the multi-Kingdoms that we know their tricks."

"Not that we are going to give them much of an opportunity. We will not be another Vacuo." said the sheep Faunus.

"Viva la republic," added Arnold Beige.

Just then the dog Faunus in the suit she had seen directing traffic earlier that day winked at her. "The orchestra leader wants a word, Miss Amitola, to discuss volume levels and when he should come in."

/=========/

Back in Kuroyuri a woman in a white dress walked through the crowd and came to the front of stage.

Sienna Khan said, "Back in the mining camps, the prisons, and the plantations the Faunus and the humans who were seen as no better than us would sing for comfort. Today is not a day for singing songs of vengeance, today is a time for a song of hope and aspiration. Please be silent."

The crowd eventually hushed.

The young woman who originally looked human changed colour three times. Lisa whispered, "This is Ilia. She is an eighteen-year-old young woman from Mantle who passed for human until the age of twelve. On being told of her parents' death in a dust mine accident while at school she inadvertently revealed that she was a Chameleon Faunus. She left Atlas shortly thereafter." Ok the line had been fed to her, but she would have gone for the understatement anyway.

The young woman opened up with a sweet soprano voice and quietly sang the first line of the song,

"We shall overcome."

/-/

In Mantle, the performer currently known as Foxy Heart watched her old friend singing and said to herself, I always said you had the better voice, but this is the song which you can also deliver better than me.

Near to her an old mole Faunus, who was her dresser, had tears streaming down his face.

In her castle, Salem smiled to herself. "The blackbird is a better player than I gave her credit for. Hazel, leave tonight and see her ASAP and ask her what she thinks she's up to. The fact that she delivered all the dust she promised and was paid for it before she pulled this stunt suggests that she is on a frolic of her own. It is almost plausible that she thinks she is not messing with me, but I want to hear her arguments."

She looked at Cinder, "Take Tyrian with you and make certain Taurus is still going ahead with the plan. From what you say, he is bull-headed enough to do so. Do play on his rejection by his lover. Experience shows that such motivations trump common sense."

She thought to herself, I know that better than anyone. If I had just accepted Ozma's death, listened to his concerns about how we were dominating the new humans or not dived into the pool, life would either be safely over or I could choose when to be a leader, when to have a humdrum life, marry, have children or be the village witch. My centuries would have had some variety to them. Ozma seems to enjoy himself in ways I do not.

/======/

Back in Kuroyuri, a piano had joined in as Ilia had sung the chorus. Lisa's director had changed the camera to one with a wider view as opposed to focusing on her face as the chorus ended. The camera caught Raven Branwen, Sienna Khan, her chief bodyguards, and the senior White Fang council members holding hands and joining in their chosen second verse, "We shall walk hand in hand."

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In Atlas Dr. Oobleck was wondering how long he should ignore the calls from Ironwood and Glynda to join them in the war room. He knew what his advice would be to them and suspected that they may be more ready to hear it in an hour. He also hoped that Glynda would make the point herself as Ironwood would accept it more readily from her. He also realised that where he most wanted to be was in Kuroyuri advising his old student. She at least was one person who would not be paralyzed by his uncertainties but could be relied on to bear them in mind in making her calls.

Roman was watching Perry dissolve in tears for the second time this day. He was singing the words and Roman decided to join in. Neo sent him a text suggesting that they all went to Junior's and Roman was inclined to agree. He suspected that the warehouse White Fang people would be leaving for the Branwen Republic, and he would prefer to have an excuse for not trying to stop them. Besides which "We shall overcome" was a safer tune than "la Menagerie" or the "Red Skull" for Perry to have in his mind.

In Mistral city Lionheart found that even his political allies wanted to exclude him from the initial crisis response to the news from Kuroyuri. Some wanted his input but indicated that tonight his arguments were best delivered by a human.

One had honestly said, "Look, Leo we respect you. It is just that twenty per cent of the coalition need to shout themselves out of putting the white pillowcases back on. It is for the best that they let off steam with other humans and we only involve you when they are more sensible."

He leant back. What had really concerned him was that earlier today Raven Branwen had turned up in his office and told him that she knew he was working for Salem and asking why he had not already slit his throat.

She had then sat down in his own chair and told him to contact Salem and tell her that Raven was only looking after her own subjects. Equality in the new republic would cause dissension in Mantle, Vale, and the rest of Mistral and that as far as Raven was aware she had done no harm to Salem's interests. The other message was that she would be happy to talk to Hazel Rainart.

At the end he asked her, "How did you know?"

She laughed and said "Rainart is a distinctive man and easy to follow. You were seen in his company by a little bird. Don't worry. I am not going to mess with you myself and bear in mind that we are not and do not need to be enemies. I do not discriminate between Faunus and humans provided they do not get in my way. Remnant, at least fifteen per cent of the tribe have Faunus genes. Best not enquire on the history of that."

She winked at him, opened a portal, and left.

The woman was only five years younger than him. He knew enough about her that she added to the people he could not directly cross without risking his life. He knew that he was now on borrowed time. If a year ago he had suspected that what Sienna and Raven were now implementing would he have listened to Rainart? Probably not. Did he have a chance of survival or was it a question of when he was killed for his actions. If he were doomed to die than how could he best serve his ideals? He did have them even after the betrayals.

Could he now confess to Ozpin? Would Salem eliminate him before he could do so or worse out him to Ironwood or the Mistral human supremacists?

/-/

The song finished. By the end the soloist had whispered the verse line and the audience had sung it back, the orchestra had not held back during the chorus. At the end, the camera had come back to her and focused on the tears coming from her eyes as she sang "We shall overcome someday."

Raven Branwen moved to the microphone during the silence and shouted, "And you have overcome."

The ovation was overwhelming. Both humans and Faunus applauded loudly and had tears running down their eyes. The young Chameleon Faunus left the stage.

The audience applauded her enthusiastically and she turned red as she withdrew to the town hall.

After a minute of applause Raven Branwen winked at the women she knew as Vernal.

Vernal grabbed the Faunus PR man who she had worked with over the last few days and walked towards the microphone.

Lisa suddenly understood the footage she had been handed ten minutes before she went on air. Raven and her team had done a dance routine at the Vytal festival ball echoing a then recent film. She had skimmed it and decided that playing it now would be bad for her reputation as an impartial journalist unless there was a good reason. Still the woman and her team had clearly had the moves. She checked her mike was not live and told her researcher to look for similarities in what followed.

/-/

Vernal was out of her comfort zone. Snarling at White Fang members who were looking for excuses not to dissent was easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

Starting a dance off between the White Fang and the Branwen tribe was a first. Luckily, Don was up for it and even prepared to play the klutz.

She grabbed the microphone and said "I thought this was a party. Let's dance."

The orchestra then played a song which was easy to dance to. Raven had told her that it was from a film from her days at Beacon and that showing the tribe could have a good time without violence was an excellent way of making them less frightening.

She grabbed the dog Faunus and forced him to dance with her. He had been warned and was a good sport about it. Most of the dignitaries had made for the back of stage apart from Esme Verdigris and her rotund lover. All her friends told her that it was true love, but she thought two people older than forty making love was gross. Still the two were obviously doing their best.

She then turned to Raven as previously choreographed. She motioned for Raven to join, Raven demurred unconvincingly and on the second request shrugged her shoulders, handed Omen to Vernal and started to dance.

/-/

In Beacon, Qrow looked at Ozpin and said, "You must remember this."

Ozpin said, "Oh yes. Let's see if she is still in shape."

Qrow said, "If I know her she sorted out the treaty two months ago and has been practising the dance routine ever since."

Ozpin laughed, "Just as well Glynda, Bart and Peter are in Atlas."

Qrow replied, "Frankly, do you need me here? I think this may be the night to hunt for Roman."

Ozpin replied, "Fine, I will tell Glynda and James that you do not trust your sister but have no new reason for saying it."

Qrow grunted "OK, she is playing her own game and wants everyone to ignore her as too difficult to deal with quickly and not worth the political and economic costs of blowing her away. She probably decided that one-quarter of Mistral was quite big enough for her to rule and co-opting the White Fang to build a state made sense."

"Not a bad strategy. I am just surprised that she is calling attention to herself now."

"Are you certain that you should not tell them you think she is the maiden."

"Certainly not when Salem's pet scientist might have the equipment bugged. I prefer to keep Salem guessing which one of her bodyguards has the power."

Qrow nodded, and then said, "I think she is going for it."

/-/

Back in Kuroyuri, Lisa watched the undisputed ruler of a quarter of Vacuo doing a back flip and then the splits. What was more impressive was that she leapt out of the splits to her feet without pushing up with her hands.

Sienna Khan had joined in the dance, but her performance was focused on hand movements and small steps. Being dignified was clearly more important to her than Raven who majored on being a force of nature.

A line of humans with Vernal at the front stomped across the stage towards a line of humans coming in the opposite direction. After they had crossed a middle-aged human man and Faunus couple waltzed down the middle and kissed.

She again had to trust that the White fang PR man who was about to be appointed deputy minister of propaganda knew what he was doing. He had said that announcing the names of the couple and the man's old job would be newsworthy in Atlas, Vacuo and Mistral.

/-/

Clover Ebi had recognised the man even before the name and his old employer was announced. He would double check with the SDC, but the White Fang had clearly kept the unprepossessing man for a rainy day.

He sent a scroll message to the general. Ironwood was fully focussed and would pick up the message at a glance. Elm had already checked out the Chameleon Faunus's story and yet again it had been evident that the social services ministry in Atlas had covered up its mistakes. Admittedly they had been trying to protect the reputation of the human students and their families rather than line their own pockets for a change. It would be made clear to the families involved that while names would not be named the government would not be attacking the young woman.

General Ironwood turned to him. "Fine. A more subtle warning than I would have expected. Clover, check how the citizens of Mantle are reacting to the news and whether we need to impose a curfew."

Ironwood then spoke to Winter, "I do not want to talk to Mistral government ministers until they have sorted out what their view on the current developments is and we will need more information before we decide what to do. Can you deal with them until then and point out that our policy has been not to involve ourselves in Mistral internal affairs save to the extent they involve Argus. You can hint strongly that we do not expect this position to change and that the last time we were involved in a land war in Mistral does not predispose us to doing so again. I anticipate that you will be sent there as our envoy there in a few days' time. After Kulsa you should have the authority to tell them the necessary home truths if needed."

Glynda said, "Is there really any doubt? Neither Atlas nor Vale was asked to intervene by the Mistral government while she took over the useless bits of the kingdom and protected the White Fang and neither volunteered to do so. Acting against Raven Branwen now that she and the White Fang have declared a cessation of hostilities and established a state which has declared equality as the cornerstone of its constitution would go down very badly in Vale."

Ironwood nodded, "Of course. I have similar concerns in relation to the reaction in Mantle. However, it remains to be seen whether the Adam Taurus wing of the White Fang will follow Sienna Khan's lead and almost the only information we have on the new republic comes from Lisa Lavender. Besides which I do not think it appropriate to recognise a new state formed out of the territory of an ally."

Sleet looked up and said, "General, perhaps we can put out a statement welcoming the announcement of the White Fang ceasefire with appropriate wording making it clear that we will be watching what happens in practice. Obviously there can be no question of officially recognising the new state. One the other hand we cannot simply ignore its practical existence."

Ironwood nodded assent. "What worries me is why they are sending so many messages to us. They have warned us that they have people who can make trouble for us. They also told us in advance that something was being planned and so prepared us for the news. It is more dramatic than expected and clearly they have at least one town which is more advanced than we had believed them to be. There must be something else going on which they think will upset us more."

/-/

In Kuroyuri the formal proceedings were over, and the town square had been given over to a party. Apparently one thing which the Branwen tribe could do besides fighting was organise a drunken celebration.

The coverage now changed to the formal interview she had had earlier that day with Raven Branwen. There were going to be some shocks for the mining companies from that and that might impact on the Atlas policy towards them.

She had asked the woman how the bandit state had managed for dust. The prices in the shops in both Kurohari and Kuroyuri were low by Remnant standards.

"Originally we met our dust needs by stealing and smuggling. Ten years ago, we started buying deserted mines using shell companies from their previous owners for prices which reflected the fact that the owners could not use them. We also recruited trained geologists who used modern techniques and found a major new dust field. Many of the people here were ex-miners and we found it easy to recruit more."

"We are now self-sufficient in dust and even produce a surplus. Dust mining is a monopoly of the Branwen tribe although the retail network is privately owned. Prices are lower because we content ourselves with the tax take on the retail sales and with the price paid by the retailers to us. As dust is so central to the economy keeping prices low means the price of other goods is also lower and wages go a longer way here than elsewhere in Mistral. While as far as we are concerned all land is ultimately held by the Branwen tribe on behalf of the people we govern, people can own their homes. As we do not need to re-open the old mines that we did not purchase we have not done so. I have had in mind that one day we would normalise our relationship with the rest of Remnant, and we wished to avoid unnecessary disputes with the multi-kingdoms."

"Will the multi-Kingdoms who have not sold up be allowed to re-open their mines?"

"Not for the foreseeable future. Besides which they would not qualify for the sovereign immunity from tax which the BDC relies on."

/-/

In Mountain Glenn Adam Taurus knew that tonight would be a sleepless one. He had expected to be proclaimed the new leader of the White Fang today. Instead, he was either going to split the movement he had devoted his life to or lay down his arms and allow the humans to continue to control all the important parts of Remnant. He also needed to face full on whether he really agreed with what Fennec had said were the aims of the White Fang. Deep in his heart, he suspected that he wanted the humans to be crushed and not negotiated with. He also really wanted to destroy Beacon which had stolen Blake from him.

This follows on from Yang meets the Schnees. I realised that I had two stories going on which were focusing on vastly different things. One was the act of setting up a new political entity and the political consequences for Remnant as a whole and would be heavy on world building. The other was an Atlas focused story on the personal impact of the events on Team RWBY and JNPR as well as the Schnee and Marigold families. I decided it was best to deal with these aspects in different stories. I felt that otherwise I was in danger of short-changing both stories

I envisaged that Ilia is using the Joan Baez version of the spiritual/protest song. Besides which the idea of Raven Branwen being Remnant's LBJ amused me.