Summary/Disclaimer: Time for another chapter of The Dragon and her rook. Enjoy the 900-word chapter. I don't own RWBY, Monty Oum, and Rooster Teeth do.
(Atlas Academy.)
Skyler's eyes widened, his uncle was never a man who raised his voice once, it was a sign the man in question indeed had changed.
"We retrieved the relic from Haven Academy, Uncle. We…." Skyler was cut off by his uncle glaring at him. Skyler turned his head to the side.
"Sir. We ran into Merlot; I was bringing the group here to keep the relic from Merlot and his forces along with returning to base as per your orders." Skyler stated in a tone that sounded very meek and chipped.
Yang raised an eyebrow at her future uncle-in-law but said nothing as Ironwood turned to look at Winter.
"Merlot's forces attacked Argus, sir. Our forces are still cleaning up… we ran into trouble, Lionheart was part of Merlot's inner circle, a scout still in the area reported finding his corpse in a clearing." Winter reported, Skyler turned to look at his friend.
She hadn't reported Lionheart's death to him till now as far as he remembered, why?
"Things are much more severe here than outside, I'm afraid, the rioting below has become far more violent. I've had to deploy both the Ace-Ops and the majority of my army to keep people safe. That leaves only reserve units, special forces, and Black Ops up in Atlas." Ironwood looked at the relic in front of him before looking at Skyler.
The young soldier looked worried; he knew the events of Vale had changed him to become a more efficient soldier. This wasn't what he pictured the new general Ironwood to be like.
"May I ask why the sudden increase of military units within Atlas, sir? Atlesians have never been one to hate the government, I thought the council was working on reform for the city of Mantle." Skyler asked, folding his arms behind him as he spoke.
Ironwood said nothing but sighed and pressed a switch that dimmed the lights and caused the middle of the office to split open.
"Skyler, are you familiar with Robyn Hill?" He asked as the general rose from his desk and started pacing around the room like a shark.
"In her 30s, a former student at Atlas, leader of the Happy Huntsmen? The same one who kills Grimm and is one of the top Huntresses in Atlas?" Skyler raised an eyebrow, his uncle hummed and brought up a few news reports.
"She's been interfering with something I'd like to call the Amity Project… after Merlot's attack on Beacon? I decided to try and create something that couldn't be hacked, wouldn't leave us blindsided, and would allow us to start hitting back." Yang noticed one of the articles talked about elections.
"I wasn't informed of this, Sir. I'm guessing the council was going through deliberations in the meantime?" Skyler asked as Winter and Ironwood exchanged looks.
Winter looked guilty, but still had the look of a soldier that was just doing what she was ordered to do.
"Skyler? Why don't you take the others, minus Oscar, and Qrow, and go? I have some very important things to discuss." Skyler wanted to say something, but his uncle already turned away from him, which bothered him….
Skyler led the group outside as the AK-200s on either side of the door took up guard positions.
"Ok, he's hiding something," Yang said as Skyler hummed but said nothing, more concerned about being locked out of the loop.
Yeah, his uncle was commander of the Atlesian army and pretty much the leader of everything Atlas related as he held two spots on the council. But to go behind his back so blatantly? That wouldn't at all be his style… at least, he wished his uncle would have been more open with him on military strategy, he was a very loyal soldier when it came to things like this.
"Hmm… I think it's time for you all to meet the Ace Ops… Clover would know things more than I do…" Skyler muttered before he turned to see the others talking and sighing.
"I believe it's best I stay here for now so I can get some answers from Winter… Yang? You and the others go explore Mantle. I'm going to stay here for a bit and take care of some things… Damn it, this is not the coming home trip I wanted." Skyler turned and started to walk towards the door.
"You know we can't entirely trust your uncle, right? not everyone is an ally," Yang stated, Skyler's face cycled through a series of emotions…. Anger, distrust, acceptance.
"Things have changed, firefly… I still trust my uncle." Skyler opened the door and walked inside.
Yang paused and looked at the others before they walked to go and get an Atlas transport down to Mantle.
Nobody realized the chips had fallen quite far from the tree…. They also had enemies within and without.
Author notes
Phew, another chapter is done! I want to point out the next chapter will be during Ace Operatives. I also wish to point next chapter will be in a week and will show Yang exploring Mantle and Merlot's next move along with the preparation for the next battle. Until then, Lighting Wolf out!
Ps: Ruby is 1200 words Sunday, Winter 1200 words Saturday, Glynda 1200 words Thursday, Raven 1200 words Tuesday. Yang 1200 words Saturday.