The buzzing sound was perhaps the worst sound in the world. It echoed throughout his every fiber, down to his soul. It buzzed and buzzed and buzzed until the man it was pestering rose to smash it silent.

With one hand, James Ironwood smacked his alarm down and ceased its incessant buzzing. I'm gonna kill the man that invented that thing... he thought with a groan as he rose from his bed and rubbed his eyes. It was six o'clock in the morning, right on the dot.

He rose and slumped forward, back bent and eyes drooped downwards in a tired fashion. Blinking once or twice to readjust his vision, he gazed over and looked at his familiar bed space. It was grey, as was almost all living quarters in Atlas's military and academy. He was used to it by now.

There was a white window curtain that loosely let some sun in, a single restroom with a plain white tiled shower and sink, along with the usual toiletries. It wasn't all that different from his dorm room back in Atlas. All except for the fact it was his and his alone. No more teammates sharing with him.

That simple fact was still so exhilarating for James. Enough so to bring him to rise up from his warm and comfortable sheets in order to get dressed.

Dressing in his new attire was equally satisfying. Clad in a white and blue uniform, James Ironwood looked at himself in the mirror. His black hair was swept towards the left, while his wide chest was emphasized with broad white that ran across him. At his neck where two pins, signifying his rank.

Lieutenant James Ironwood of the Atlesian Military made his way out of his dorm and towards the bases commemoration ceremony. The newly inducted officers would be receiving certificates as well as their postings. It was the final step from graduating as a Huntsman, in his eyes, regardless of his graduation from Atlas Academy a few months prior. Their officer program had ensured him a commission, especially with his level of talent.

"Good morning sir" one of the secretaries said. He was an intern who was probably trying to get some experience before applying to Atlas. He'd done the same, actually.

"Good morning" he politely replied. As he walked through the white hallways of the military base, he felt his scroll vibrate. He saw who it was a rolled his eyes, albeit without seriousness. Dammit, how did he get this number he thought with a sigh as he checked his texts.

A: Guess who

J: How did you get my number again? This one's not even public.

A: Not telling.

A: Are you coming tonight?

J: Yea, yea. I'll be there. Still don't see the point.

A: Really? We're celebrating your commission! You should cheer up more Jimmy.

J: It's James. Lieutenant James Ironwood now.

A: My apologies, Lieutenant Jimmy.

J: I hate you.

A: I know you do.

James couldn't help but crack a smile as he stuffed his scroll away into a coat pocket.


Ironwood felt incredibly uncomfortable. Here he was at an Atlesian bar wearing his dress uniform! It was all white with some blue tucked in. From black combat boots to his officers cap, James Ironwood looked completely out of place. Just like Academy. Just great James! he mentally betrayed himself as he awkwardly moved through the crowds of Atlesian partygoers. His large build and towering height didn't help him either.

His eyes scanned across the bar to see if there was anyone who could save him from the mess he'd created. Finally he saw the wave of a thin arm beckoning him towards the bar-top. Luckily it was a bit less crowded.

The arm belonged to a thin man wearing a brown coat with a yellow tie. His skin was brown and his eyes were green. He was even sporting a thin mustache, obviously proud of the fact.

"There you are James" he said as he welcomed the man to the table where they would be all meeting. Ironwood was handed a small drink as he rolled his eyes. James looked his friend up and down, admiring how even now his stupid smug look was plastered across his face

"It's lieutenant, actually, Arthur" he said as he took the drink and cracked a smile before sipping down some of the alcohol he was given.

"Ah, my apologies, lieutenant. But I would have you know that it's Doctor now" Watts said with a smug smirk. He had James this time. The thinner man took a sip of his drink. "I suppose it's actually both of our nights." Watts smirked like he had planned this all along. He probably had. Nobody ever said Arthur Watts didn't have a flair for self-importance.

"Smug prick" Ironwood said as he rolled his eyes and leaned back against the countertop. He felt a bit more at ease now.

Watts leaned back and swept a hand through his black hair and saw the arrival of another of their little group. "Heads up" he said as Ironwood looked and groaned at what he saw.

In his little suit and tie, Jacques Gele approached them. The mid-level SDC manager was approaching them with the dumbest smile on his face. "Arthur! James! Congratulations to the both of you."

Watts simply raised his glass and drank, forcing Ironwood to be the one to interact with Jacques. You son of a bitch Arthur he thought as he turned to their mutual... acquaintance.

The man sat with them and quickly ordered a drink, something cheap no doubt. "Well, ask me!" he said with a grin.

Arthur sighed as he decided to humor him and gave James some slack. "Very well. What's got you so... riled up?" Watts asked with a wave of his hand. Jacques was positively beaming at this.

"I spoke to Mr. Schnee again. He's had me back to discuss business proposals twice this week. I'm thinking a promotion is due soon." He looked quite pleased with himself as he adjusted his clip-on tie and took hold of his cheap alcohol.

James gave Arthur a look with a lifted brow, only for the Doctor to respond with a shrug of his shoulder. The two really didn't know why Gele kept hanging out with them, even when they were still students.

Jacques was going on about his latest board meeting and how his proposal was being considered this time while Arthur simply rubbed his temples and kept his drink close. Ironwood suffered the brunt of Jacques's rambling.

"-and well, I'm fairly certain they Mr. Schnee will be inviting me personally to his charity gala next month and-" Jacques voice slowly trailed off as he saw something distantly behind Ironwood. "And..."

"And what, Jacques?" sighed an exasperated Ironwood. Watts raised a brow of curiosity, finally tuning back in. Having graduated the top of his class with his PhD gave him an expert ability to turn his ears off when he needed to. Helped with rambling professors or idiotic classmates.

"And... nothing. If you'll... excuse me..." Jacques said with a squeak as he licked his hand and swept it through his hair before stepping away from the counter top.

Watts began chuckling as he followed their 'friends' gaze. "What's so funny?" James questioned as he finished his glass.

"Oh nothing. It just appears a member of your team has arrived." Ironwood raised a brow and turned to the entrance to see Willow Schnee entering the bar, weapon at her hip and a sharp look on her face. Jacques had approached her and managed to get a conversation going as they walked. Most certainly using his 'friendship' with the young lieutenant to his advantage.

"It appears she has" Ironwood said simply, not knowing which of them to pity more. Willow for having to deal with Jacques, or Jacques for what Willow would eventually do if she got ticked off.

"I've got thirty lien on him not lasting five" Watts said with a smirk.

"I'll take this odds" James shot back. Arthur and James quickly returned to conversation now that Gele was preoccupied. Much to the officers surprise, Watts had been given an offer to work with the military. Something about people there being able to properly appreciate his genius and show him his due credit.

"Perhaps you'll be working for me someday, eh?" James joked only for Arthur to scoff and adjust his yellow tie.

"I'm afraid James that you'd never be able to understand the importance of my work" his voice drooled with friendly teasing lined with that aura of superiority that oozed out every time he spoke. James knew all about Arthur's little ego. Heard about it too from the poor bastards that had to be paired up with him in class.

"Oh, and why not?" Ironwood said, somewhat seriously. "You could do a real service to Atlas you know. Remember that little program you wrote when I was in my second year?"

"The miniature defense net? What of it? It was just a little test drive" he waved him off.

"Well, if you worked with the military then you could be able to apply newer and more advanced defense technology for our kingdom."

Watts rubbed his chin as he gave it a thought. "Perhaps..." The look on his face was the 'Thinky-Arthur' face as Willow called it once. It stuck on much to the good doctors annoyance.

Ironwood went in for the killing blow. "Besides, I could make sure you get your due credit! The people of Atlas would know all about the genius of Doctor Arthur Watts, defender of Atlas and Mantle, leader of the most advanced science corps on Remnant."

There it is... Ironwood thought as he saw that all too familiar spark of fire in his green eyes. Watts practically salivated at the thought of such a high pedestal. "Well... the way you put it... perhaps I'll consider it."

Ironwood held back a smile. It would be good to have a familiar face in the military, now that his team was... graduated. Broken up...

It was a sad reality, having to rely on Arthur Watts to be his closest friend in his new career path. Arc wasn't close to any of them really and moved to Vale for work as soon as he could. Willow was well, Willow.

And... then there was her. Their leader.

Ironwood say Watt's eyes widen. The man quickly downed the rest of his drink and checked his watch. He looked back to Willow and saw her and Jacques were still speaking, having found their own table but even they could see the strain on Willow's face.

"You know, I think I ought to go check on our mutual friend. Save him from himself and all that. Besides, I think I'd like to keep my own life thank you very much."

Watts rose and handed James thirty lien for winning their bet and quickly walked away with a simple "Good luck."

James was confused until he turned his head and saw her.

Ah shit

Their team leader, Glynda Goodwitch has arrived for their "celebration" drinking and she had that look on her face.

Signing and also finishing his drink, Ironwood took a breath and stepped forward to talk to her. "Time to face the music James.

It was gonna be a long night.


A/N:

The next big multichapter story is here. Hero will tell the story of James Ironwood, Arthur Watts, Jacques Gele and many others in their rise and fall.

This story will not be on a relative schedule like StB was. After finishing that I'll be separating what I'm writing based on what I want to write and not what I "need to write."

Chiefs-49'ers Super Bowl! Let's go Kansas!

As always, please leave a review or comment and tell me what you think.