Ch. 21 – For Whom the Bell Tolls
I do not own RWBY, RWBY is owned by Rooster Teeth and Monty Oum (R.I.P. you beautiful bastard) nor do I own any media that may appear in the story. I only own the OCs, Enjoy! Remember to Favorite, Follow, and leave a Review. (Sorry for being away for so long, 2020 was a fucking decade long hell tour)
Carmine racked the slide on the 1911 before he tucked it into his waistline as he continued into the Atlas dorms, Carmine walked down the halls until he walked up to his dorm room. Carmine walked into the room where Celadon, Laurel, and Regalia were slowly waking up, Laurel sat up and looked at Carmine confused.
"So, what time did you wake up or did you even sleep?" Laurel asked, Carmine chuckled as he pulled the 1911 from his waistline. "Was getting some air when the Reapers decided to come start some shit that the 184th and I quickly handled." Carmine explained as he placed the pistol on the bed along with the spare magazines.
"So what's going on?" Laurel asked as he stretched his arms and cracked his back. Carmine exhaled forcefully as he thought about everything. "One of the guys I fought… when I made my boot knife pop out, said 'some things never change' like I've fought him before, but we made sure that we left no survivors during our raids. It must've been someone from the onslaught of Vale." Carmine said as sat down on his bed and pulled off his boot to clean the blade in his boot.
Carmine stood up and placed the spare 1911 magazines into the side pouches of his Heavy IBA and put the Five-Seven mags on the bed, Carmine clicked the strap closed over the 1911 before he walked through the hole in the wall and found Blake and Weiss in bed together. Carmine slowly climbed into the bed and wrapped his arm around Blake's waist, Blake took a deep breath in before she pushed her ass into Carmine's pelvis "Mmm, good morning, babe." Blake said with a purr in her voice as she rolled over, she placed her hands on his chest before she stroked his beard slowly.
Weiss grunted in disapproval as she no longer felt Blake's hands on her body, Weiss rolled over and wrapped her arm around Blake's waist before she let out a sigh of satisfaction; Blake and Carmine couldn't help but laugh as Weiss nuzzled into Blake's back. Carmine reached over and slowly stroked a few strands of white hair from Weiss's face and tucked them behind her ear, the sudden contact caused her to stir and open her eyes slowly.
"Morning cutie." Carmine said as she looked over Blake's arm, Weiss smiled weakly as she was somewhat still asleep but her eyes popped open when she saw Carmine in full gear, her demeanor relaxed when she remembered that Carmine always woke up before everyone due to his life as a mercenary. "Carmine, when you got a moment, someone wants to speak with you in the hall." Regalia said as she poked her head through the hole in the wall. Carmine sighed before he kissed Blake and Weiss, the mercenary got out of bed and exited the dorm room via Team RWBY's door; Carmine looked to his right and saw a hooded figure standing next to his team's door.
The figure removed their hood and turned to face Carmine, the man had a pale complexion and black hair in an undercut style, he had violet eyes and was dressed in all black. "Hey Phantom, what did ya find now?" Carmine asked as he walked up to the freelance mercenary. Phantom reached into his jacket and pulled out a manila folder that read 'confidential'. "Your father, Desmond Sable. The file is redacted a lot but there's one name that popped out a lot, Kha; I don't know what it is or what it could mean, that's all I could find." Phantom explained, Carmine nodded before he reached into his pocket and pulled out the paper with Cherry's address on it "Maybe she can shed some light on this." Carmine stated before he put the address back into his pocket.
Carmine walked back into his dorm room where his team was getting ready for the day "So, what's the plan? Gonna go knock some heads?" Celadon asked as he stretched and ran his fingers through his shaggy green hair. "We're going to meet up with Ironwood's puppets and we'll play nice, after that I'm gonna go and meet mom, after twenty-four years." Carmine said as his voice turned solemn. Regalia walked up behind him and placed a hand on his shoulder "Don't worry sir, we'll be by your side the entire time." Regalia said before Celadon and Laurel nodded in agreement. Carmine nodded as he adjusted his Heavy IBA but felt the vest and found a large tear in the fabric "Mother fucker... this was my favorite tactical vest." Carmine said as he shook his head.
"Wait, Mindaro is here! He can fix it or improve it!" Carmine said before he walked out of the dorm, the mercenary walked down the hall with his team as Teams RWBY and JNR followed behind, Phantom appeared from a cloud of smoke and linked up with Carmine while Verde and Cobalt stood near the end of the hall where their captors, the Ace-Ops, stood and seemed to be having a staring contest with the two members of the Wolf Pack "Alright ladies, break it up. Verde, Cobalt, sorry if it seems like we left you behind." Carmine said apologetically, Verde shook his head as he rolled his shoulder "Cobalt here got us some sweet digs in a nice hotel by hacking into the system and adding us into the guest registry. Glad we found this guy." Verde said with a hearty laugh as he patted Cobalt on the back hard and knocked the thin man to the ground.
Cobalt chuckled as he stood up and dusted himself off "If anyone asks, we're consultants with Amanita Enterprises." Cobalt said with a smirk, the last two words caused Carmine's head to jerk to the right and look at the technician, Carmine stepped closer to the man and whispered to him "Say, you think you could get my name in as a consultant and possibly an ID badge?" Carmine asked quietly, Cobalt nodded slowly before they resumed their normal stances.
"Right, firstly Ironwood has asked us to get any requests for weapon and armor upgrades so if you have any, write them down on these data pads." Clover stated as he handed holo data pads to the students and mercenaries except for Carmine. "What the fuck? What about me?" Carmine asked confused, Clover nodded before he approached the Wolf. "Your friend Mindaro wanted me to tell you that he has known you long enough to know what you'd request." Clover explained, Carmine chuckled as he crossed his arms "That cheeky mother fucker." Carmine said as he shook his head and ran his tongue over his teeth. "Oh, and he also said and I quote, 'How the fuck can one man have so many weapons... Grullo would be proud' whoever that is." Clover said before he rejoined the other Ace-Ops.
Clover's last statement caused Carmine's eye to twitch lightly as he gritted his teeth "He was a great man that your general got killed." Carmine said through gritted teeth. "I'm sorry, what was that?" A dark skinned woman with a mohawk asked as she stepped closer to the mercenary. "Harriet!" Clover shouted, Clover's sudden outburst caused the woman to back up while she maintained eye contact with Carmine. "Our goals are one in the same so we must work together." A man with deathly pale skin said as he stepped forward to extend a metaphorical olive branch. Harriet exhaled forcefully while Carmine rolled his eyes "Whatever, after finding out Ironwood is directly responsible for my brother and I growing up without parents, he can go fuck himself. I'm not doing this for him, I'm doing this for them." Carmine said as he gestured to the others behind him.
"What's your problem?" Harriet asked in stern tone as she turned back around and stepped toe to toe with Carmine, Carmine stared down at her as rage burned in his soul "My problem? Oh, you wanna know my problem?" Carmine asked as he started to unfasten his vest. "Carmine, don't do this, not now." Regalia pleaded as she stepped forward but Laurel raised his arm to stop her "They need to see. See what Ironwood has caused." Laurel said in a low tone. Carmine grabbed the undersides of his hoodie and undershirt before he pulled them off in one swift motion, leaving his bare torso open for the world to see. The scars that covered parts of his chest and abdomen, the two rectangle scars on his side, and laceration scars that covered his back.
"All this is because of Ironwood, his incompetence and shortsighted decisions left The Devil's Disciples, The 184th Mistral Militia, The Viper Legion, and The Wolf Pack to clean up his messes. He fucked up and we paid the price, Vega paid the price, Eastview paid the price, Menagerie paid the price, and Beacon paid the price. The death toll at Beacon would have been worse if it weren't for my tactical decisions that fortified the school, though it wasn't enough cause his robots were able to be hacked and turned against the people, hell, my R.A.T. made him panic but you still defend him despite all the evidence that lay before you. I'd re-evaluate your loyalty if I were you." Carmine said as he walked past Harriet and bumped into her shoulder intentionally as he carried his hoodie and his tactical vest.
Everyone stood there in complete silence for what felt like an eternity until Phantom cleared his throat from behind the group of students "He's right, Ironwood has the blood of innocent people on his hands and he wants to cover it up, that's why you never heard of the terrorist group called The Grimm Reapers, those monsters did horrible things... unspeakable things, to innocent people. There's a division in history coming, will you choose to be on the right side?" Phantom asked before he smoked out of the area. The room went quiet again until Jaune spoke up "Uh... I know this is all a bit tense right now but uhm... how do I turn this on?" Jaune asked as he held the data pad.
Carmine walked out of the dorms as he pulled his undershirt and hoodie back on before he put the Heavy IBA back on as he walked out into the sunlight, Carmine lowered his head as memories came flooding back like water flowing from a broken dam. Memories of the Wolves all together at the Schnee Gala, Grullo and Crimson's antics, Nightshade's quick wit and planning, Keppel's cool headedness, and Onyx's unbreakable determination. "You alright, Titan?" A somewhat deep voice asked from his right, Carmine looked to his right and saw Grizz leaning against a wall. Grizz was 6'5" with a muscular build and had dirty blonde hair that stopped just above his shoulders and was usually tied into a ponytail. His brown eyes seemed to blend in the blackness of his pupils but the color difference could be seen in the sunlight.
"Oh, hey Grizz. What are you doing here? I'd figure you'd be loading up your LMGs and grabbing anything that goes boom." Carmine said with a chuckle, Grizz pushed himself off the wall and walked over to Carmine "Come on Titan, I thought you knew me better than that. I already got that stuff packed, besides, I think Harley has us covered in the explosives department." Grizz said as he gestured to the Phantom Fury. "Well, you're not wrong but I don't think 155mm is good for door breaching." Carmine stated as he walked along the path with the 184th heavy weapons specialist, Grizz looked over at Carmine and saw the state of his gear "Man, that IBA is beat to shit. Time for an upgrade?" Grizz asked, Carmine nodded as he looked at the frayed threads of his vest.
"Yeah, I'll talk with Mindaro and see what he can do. My gas mask also broke." Carmine explained, Grizz nodded "Yeah, Phantom grabbed it and took it to Mindaro to see what he could do to fix it." Grizz said, Carmine nodded as he examined the rest of his gear "I hope so, the last time I got my gas mask fixed, it was a woman in Eastview who restored it to its previous condition after it broke... I wonder what happened to her?" Carmine asked as they walk toward an awaiting airship.
Grizz stopped in his tracks and looked down at the ground before he exhaled slowly "Titan, do you remember when we were preparing for the Reaper siege and we sent you and Sapphire off to have a vacation?" Grizz asked, Carmine turned around and looked up at the 184th gunner "Yeah... what about it?" Carmine asked uneasily, Grizz rubbed the back of his head as he leaned back against the wall and crossed his arms.
"We don't have concrete evidence on what happened but... Eastview isn't there anymore, it's a crater. All signs point toward Ironwood or the Council covering up the incident." Grizz explained, Carmine stopped in his tracks as a cold shiver went up his spine. "All those innocent people... dead, killed... for what?" Carmine said as he stared into the ether. "Do we have any evidence of their involvement?" Carmine asked, Grizz lowered his head as he crossed his arms "Aero's working on that, he has to extract the raw data from data drives that were corrupted intentionally. But what he has secured is an Atlas Tupolev TU-160 Blackjack flying over the area of Eastview and a minute later, a huge flash of light engulfs the area, knocking the cameras out." Grizz explained.
"Use a TU-160 so that it would look like The Reapers did it, that son of a bitch!" Carmine shouted before he slammed his fist into the concrete wall, Grizz patted the man on the back as he guided him to the airship; the two boarded the airship and sat down as it took off, circled Atlas, and flew down toward Mantle. The airship slowed its descent as its landing gears extended and it touched down on the street outside a familiar shop with a green cross. "Hey, isn't this Pietro's place? Why are we here?" Carmine asked confused as the side of the airship opened and the two mercenaries hopped out, their boots slammed onto the snow-sprinkled asphalt beneath them before they walked toward the shop.
"Where else do you think Mindaro set up shop?" Grizz asked as he pushed open the door and guided the rifleman into the prosthetics clinic, the dank looking clinic seemed to have gotten a breath of new life as parts of the shop were replaced with weapon benches, armoring stations, and reloading benches as well as various weapon parts and attachments that were scattered across the tables. As the door closed, the sudden gust of wind caused Mindaro to look up "Hey! Titan! Welcome to Paradise on Remnant." Mindaro stated as he wiped sweat from his brow and left a mixture of gun oil and gun powder across his forehead.
"I understand that you've taken the liberty of upgrading my weapons and gear for me?" Carmine asked, Mindaro nodded as he placed a small wrench on the table and picked up a large case, he spun the case around and opened the lid to reveal Carmine's weapons. "So, I kept the same design as it's what you favored out of all weapons presented during the Siege of Vale, but I've gone ahead and made a few adjustments. Your ACOG sight has been replaced with a PTS536 4x sight with FLIR capabilities, simply flick a small switch to turn the optics from regular to an FLIR sight. Secondly, I added a compact bayonet that folds into itself, simply depress the button on the side of the foregrip and boom, bayonet." Mindaro explained before he held the button down and a blade protruded from a small cylinder mounted under the muzzle brake.
"I swapped out your 20 round mags for 30 round dual mags, the mounting bracket is custom made from Tungsten and Iridium that has a quick release function so you can load your mags with whatever combo you feel like." Mindaro explained as he pressed a small button and slid the mag out before he slid another magazine into the mag coupling. "I also replaced the stock padding so the recoil does less damage to your shoulder. Now, onto your MP7; so it still turns into the original bowie knife but now the back of the blade is serrated, I also swapped out your 30 round mags for 60 round mini box mags. The modifications were minimal for this one, but as for your gas mask, I took the time to rebuild it; the lenses are now made of a tempered material that is highly resistant to damage and it now also comes with an IRNV/FLIR option so you'll be ready for whatever situation may occur." Mindaro explained as he slid the gas mask across the table along with a case of filters.
"Filters are now triple filtered but your steam exhale will not affect the life of the filter. Now onto your body armor, I procured a new heavy IBA and modeled it after the one you always wore and still wear, except now it has Graphene ballistic plates. I reinforced the vest with Carbon Fiber weaving so it's much more durable, same thing for your Crye Precision G3 Combat Pants. They've been outfitted with the same type of ballistic weaving in the legs and the kneepads are now reinforced with Titanium, and as for that hoodie you're always wearing." Mindaro stated as he looked at Carmine's hoodie that was beaten up from years of combat and patchwork fixing it.
"It's got the soul of combat in it... and probably a liter of sweat." Carmine said as he unzipped the hoodie and tossed it onto the table, Mindaro pulled a torso mannequin with wheels on it from the corner that had a black hoodie on it. "May I present to you, the combat hoodie Mk. 2, now with ballistic padding and fire-retardant coated material, you're not fireproof but you're less likely to get set on fire. I had this made a while back before the Beacon incident, so take a look at this." Mindaro said before he spun the mannequin around and showed the back to Carmine.
On the back of the hoodie was a white skull with a red gas mask that had dual filter canisters on it, Carmine was surprised at the design and was speechless for a moment "So, I got my very own emblem now, like all the others. I trust that you kept the original Wolf Pack emblem on the IBA?" Carmine asked, Mindaro chuckled as he lifted the new IBA up and sat it on the table so Carmine could see the shoulders that had the original Wolf Pack emblem stitched into the shoulder pads.
"There it is, that's what the original IBA looked like." Carmine said as he placed his hands on the Heavy IBA and felt the material that the vest was made of. "But, I took it another step and made another upgrade for your battle uniform. Combat backpack V.2, weapons connect to the sides via magnets and the backpack connects to your vest via magnets." Mindaro explained as he placed the weapons on the sides of the backpack before he removed them again. "One more thing, I got an idea that is in its prototype state: stun gloves. They're like your gloves with the steel plating but now they're amplified with electric dust. Just pop in a dust cartridge into the reservoir with tubes that lead to each stud on the knuckle and boom, an electric punch. It can also be done with other types of dust." Mindaro explained.
Carmine pulled off his old gloves and tossed them onto the table before he pulled on the new one, he slowly clenched his fist as he felt the material contract around his fingers; the mercenary fastened the wrist straps before he loaded two lightning dust cartridges into the gloves, Carmine watched as the tubes glowed to life and illuminated the top of the gloves in a dim yellow hue. Carmine looked around for a practice dummy but only found Mindaro standing in front of him "Go ahead, I'd be honored to be a test dummy." Mindaro said before he readied his body for whatever laid in tow. Carmine raised his hands and slowly stepped forward before he jabbed Mindaro in the left shoulder and the abdomen.
An electric current coursed through his body and caused his muscles to tense up as he slammed to the ground, his body twitching slightly before the electric current subsided slowly. "Holy shit that hurt." Mindaro said as he stood up, he twitched slightly as he held onto the table for balance. "I did make one adjustment to your Scar-H. Press that horizontal switch on the left side of magazine well." Mindaro said as he twitched again, Carmine picked up his rifle and flicked the switch. Carmine watched as the barrel extended and turned into a DMR style rifle, the FLIR 4x sight extended into an 8x scope. "It's an assault rifle that turns into a Designated Marksman Rifle, I like it. It's like I have some of the Wolf Pack back." Carmine said as he looked at the rifle.
Mindaro cleared his throat as he slid another box forward, Carmine looked at the box confused before he slowly opened it and found five dog tags: Onyx, Crimson, Nightshade, Keppel, and Grullo. The dog tags were attached via a small ring that Carmine slid onto his dog tags "So now, no matter where you go, your fallen brothers will always be with you." Mindaro explained as Carmine's dog tags bounced against his chest as he let go of them.
Carmine pulled the hoodie from the mannequin and slowly pulled it on before he zipped it up, he pulled the hood over his head as he put on the Heavy IBA that he then fastened the straps on the side followed by the new G3 Precision Combat Pants. Carmine stepped over and looked at himself in the mirror, the black body armor that barely showed his light skin complexion, the rifleman took a deep breath in before he exhaled slowly and pulled on the new gas mask. He was about to reach for the straps but found none, instead he found a small button that when pressed, caused the gas mask to tighten to fit his face properly.
"Auto-adjusting gas mask with quick release switch under the vocal port near where your chin is, simply press it and you can pull it off without permanent damage to the mask." Mindaro explained, Carmine looked over at Pietro who smiled from ear to ear "I told you, he was my protégé." Pietro said with a grin as he. "Looks like the last of the students requests are coming through so let me get to work on those, Mindaro wanted yours expedited because you had some 'serious business' to handle." Pietro said with air quotes, Carmine shrugged "You could say that, just know that it's gonna get loud if things go south." Carmine said as he picked up his old backpack and transferred the contents to the new one.
"Oh, where's my Five-Seven, .500 Magnum, and my KSG?" Carmine asked, Mindaro nodded before he picked up another case and placed it on the table "Same set up, refurbished some of the guns and upgraded them as well. Take a look." Mindaro explained as he opened the lid and revealed the three weapons. Carmine picked up the .500 Magnum first and clicked the reel release, but the revolver's front half dropped lifelessly as it exposed the reel, now modified to open in a broken butterfly style for faster reloading. Carmine clicked the revolver closed before he placed it in the holster on the middle of his right thigh.
Next, Carmine picked up his Five-Seven and examined it closely but found no discernable changes "Hey, don't fix what ain't broken, right?" Mindaro said with a shrug as Carmine slid the suppressed pistol into his waistline behind his back, finally he picked up the KSG and noticed it was significantly heavier in the front "I added some counter-weight to the barrel because now it can fire from both barrels simultaneously. I also had an idea that I wanted to add, lemme see your Ka-Bar." Mindaro said as he sat on the counter next to Carmine's old bag, the mercenary unsheathed his knife and handed it to the weapons expert as he held the tip.
The weapons-smith held the handle before he attached a small purple dust crystal to the hilt and one to a bracelet that he connected to Carmine's right wrist. "Now, hold your hand out and flick your wrist to the right." Mindaro said as he placed the knife across the room, Carmine held his hand up and flicked his wrist as he was told to do, suddenly the hilt of the knife glowed before it zipped across the room and landed in his palm. Carmine threw the knife at the wall before he flicked his wrist again, the knife zoomed back and landed in Carmine's hand. "I like it, this will give me an edge in close quarters combat." Carmine stated before he sheathed his knife in the sheath mounted on his left shoulder.
Carmine mounted the KSG on his lower back where it connected via magnets, Carmine looked at himself in the mirror again and saw the Wolves standing alongside him. "One last thing, it's time for new boots. Nothing special, just a fresh pair of combat boots." Mindaro explained as he sat them on the table, Carmine pulled off the old boots and quickly slipped on the new boots before he laced them up. "There he is, there's the Carmine Sable I remember. The Titan." Mindaro stated as he crossed his arms while a smirk grew across his face.
"Mindaro, thank you for everything. For all these years, you backed us up through everything. Thank you so much, Mindaro." Carmine said before he shook Mindaro's hand tightly, Mindaro chuckled as he shook Carmine's hand "Think nothing of it, Titan. Now, go kick their ass." Mindaro said before he handed him his gear, Carmine placed the backpack onto the back of his vest and attached his Scar to the right side of the backpack and the KSG to the left side, he holstered the MP7 on the right side of his hip. "Now you're a walking arsenal, but you forgot your pouch." Mindaro said as he handed a satchel of grenades that Carmine clipped to the left side of his tactical belt.
"Now go, for you are the Harbinger of their demise." Mindaro said again before he bumped fists with the mercenary, Carmine turned and left the clinic with Grizz where the airship waited for them. Carmine's boots slammed against the metal ramp as he boarded the airship while the engines slowly powered up, "Alright, now that you're geared up. We're going to meet up with Aero and Titus outside Amanita where we're going to make a house call." Grizz explained as they took their seats in the airship.
The airship slowly took off into the sky "So, are we going through the front door?" Carmine asked, one of the pilots leaned over and looked back at Carmine "Buckle up, Chuckle Fucks! We're riding this baby to the top!" The pilot said before he lifted up his visor to reveal it was Titus in the pilot's seat. Titus pushed the throttle forward as it screamed through the air. "Brace for impact, boys!" Titus yelled, Carmine looked out of the cockpit and saw the Amanita skyscraper getting closer rapidly. "Titus!" Carmine yelled as the airship crashed through the glass window of the Amanita skyscraper.
The airship crashed through the window and slammed to a stop as it plowed through cubicles, the airship's door slid open and snapped off with a spark as Carmine stumbled out and held his head "Remind me to never let you fly again." Carmine said as he shook his head. The other members of the 184th hopped out of the airship and raised their weapons, Grizz grabbed Carmine by the shoulder and shook him quickly "Get your bearings straight." Grizz said before he raised his LMG, a modified H&K 21 with a suppressor and a foregrip. "Who are we looking for?" Carmine asked as he clicked on the FLIR which covered the area in a grey hue while hot targets showed up white and cold showed up black.
"Stephon Gole, financier of Carrion Industries and personal link to the Reapers." Titus said as he methodically moved down the hall and cleared it room by room until he came to a set of double doors at the end of the hall. "Alright, we're gonna breach and move in-" Titus started to say before Grizz walked up and kicked the door in and raised his LMG, the others followed behind the heavy with their weapons scanning the room. "Aero, you're up!" Titus shouted, Aero placed his compound bow over his body before he sprinted forward to a nearby holo-terminal, he quickly plugged in a data drive before his fingers started to move like bolts of lightning flashing across the sky.
The 184th Militia hacker typed away until a high pitched *ding* alerted the group "And boom, Elevator should be coming up now. Grizz, behind that book shelf." Aero said before he pulled off his compound bow and fired an arrow into a section of the bookshelf. Grizz walked over to bookshelf and placed his feet shoulder width apart "You know, I don't think I've ever seen Grizz's semblance." Carmine stated, Grizz rolled his neck and popped the joints in his shoulders before his body shimmered a light grey color.
Grizz reached up with one finger extended before he dragged it downward from top to bottom and side to side, a light grey sigil formed on the bookcase before he thrusted his palm into the sigil. Suddenly, the sigil illuminated and exploded, rendering the section of the bookshelf to rubble and chunks of wood; Grizz raised his finger and blew imaginary smoke from his finger before he stepped back from a now-exposed elevator door.
"Excuse me what?!" Carmine asked confused, Grizz chuckled as the door opened "My semblance, Aura Breach. I use my Aura as a breaching charge for soft objects likes wood and some concrete walls. Nothing too thick though." Grizz explained as they walked onto the elevator. Titus pressed one of the buttons marked 'PR' before he pulled back the bolt on his M4. "I take it PR is Panic Room?" Carmine asked as he readied himself, Titus nodded silently as the dial on the top of the elevator slowly moved until it stopped halfway and dinged. The doors opened slowly before Grizz ripped the pin out of a flashbang and tossed it down the hall, the grenade skipped across the floor before it exploded in a brilliant flash of light and left anyone in the area disoriented.
The mercenaries stormed out of the elevator with their weapons raised and secured the area as they approached a secured door, Titus walked up to the door before he banged on it three times "Stephon! Open up or we're coming in." Titus yelled but there was no response. "Come on, Stephon, we can do this the easy way or the hard way." Titus said again but got no response. "Fine! Grizz, get the thermite pad." Titus said, Grizz pulled off his bag and sat it on the floor before he pulled out an rolled up pad. He approached the door and pressed it onto the door and rolled out the top and bottom before he pulled out the charge pin to active.
"Contact." Grizz said as he walked away, the thermite ignited and carved into the metal before it exploded. The metal exploded inward and skidded across the floor before the mercenaries stepped through the new opening into the Amanita panic room but found a bloodbath inside, bodies were slumped against the wall while blood was smeared on the floor and against the walls.
"What the fuck? It's a god damn massacre." Carmine said as he clicked on his shoulder-mounted flashlight and illuminated the panic room, papers littered the floors and covered the desk that had a body slumped over it. "Is that...?" Carmine started asked as he looked at the body, Aero nodded as he walked closer and lifted the head slightly "Stephon Gole, and by looking at these papers... someone silenced him." Aero said as he picked up a blood spattered paper marked 'confidential' that had the names of some of the Reapers on it.
"Hang on, if they were afraid of him going public then he would leave a failsafe, it's what I would do." Carmine said, Aero nodded slowly before he looked around the desk and felt under it until he found a small bump that he pressed; the bookshelf behind him clicked and opened slightly before Grizz pulled the secret door open. Inside the room was tables with computers, stacks of folders, and loose paperwork. In one of the computer towers, a data drive was still connected as Aero ran up to it and quickly accessed the computer files while the other mercenaries sifted through the papers.
"Hey guys, come look at this." Aero said as he typed away on the holo-keyboard, the other mercenaries gathered around the screen as an MP4 and a Zip File popped up in a folder marked 'Confidential', Aero clicked on the .MP4 file and pressed play as the Mercenaries stood behind the archer. The video buzzed and crackled before an out of breath Stephon came into view.
"If you're seeing this then it's too late for me, it means I'm dead and whoever killed me is most likely cleaning house and tying up loose ends. Contained in this data drive is the information that they were trying to get rid of; transactions, names of clients, and other damning information including the coordinates to the operations hub of The Grimm Reapers." Stephon said as he tried to catch his breath while he kept looking at monitors and over his shoulder.
"Whoever you are, I've seen you looking at my office with ill intent but I know in my heart of hearts that you're after the bigger fish and I am but the worm. Whoever you are, go kill that fucking fish. When Carrion Industries first started manufacturing weapons and military equipment, we were aiming to provide weapons for the Atlas military so we partnered with Lapis Industries who helped us manufacture weapons, but Lapis Industries had other plans and snubbed us out completely as they partnered with the Schnee Dust Company, that's when Sarcoline Industries found us. I was angry but I didn't mean for it to become the shitstorm it became... I'm sorry." Stephon said before the video ended as gunshots rang out.
"He knew the Reapers were coming for him so he left a failsafe for us to find, for you to find." Aero said as he looked back at Carmine, Aero pressed a few keys on the holo-keyboard before he pulled the data drive from the console and placed it in his pocket "Give me a few days to go through the files, it's got a password on it so I'm gonna have to brute-force my way into it. I'll be in touch, meanwhile I think you have to play your role as Ironwood's little puppet." Aero said with a smirk, Carmine shook his head as they started to leave the panic room but found two dozen police officers with their pistols drawn and aimed at the mercenaries.
"Hands where we can see them! You're under arrest for... this massacre!" One of the officers yelled, Titus sighed as he stepped forward slowly "We didn't do this, the airship that's crashed upstairs yes, but this? No. Aero, can you access the CCTV footage?" Titus asked, Aero nodded before he went to a terminal and quickly hacked through the systems firewall and activated CCTV footage that played on all the TVs. Multiple angles from different areas in Atlas, the footage showed Grizz and Carmine walking into Pietro's shop at the same time as another screen showed a dozen armed militants entering the front doors of Amanita Tower before opening fire on the businessmen and women that occupied the lobby.
Outside footage showed militants in similar attire repelling down the sides of the tower before they breached the windows and entered the towers to continue the massacre. "You might not believe this but we came here to get information from that guy, but someone killed him before he could talk and everyone connected to him." Titus explained as the officers slowly lowered and holstered their firearms.
"My god, what kind of monsters would do this? The White Fang?" One of the officers asked but Carmine shook his head "No, The Grimm Reapers. You might think they're a myth or a made up story but I can assure you that they are very real." Carmine said as he walked closer to the officers, one of the officers stepped forward and extended his hand "How can we be of assistance?" The officer asked. "Firstly, see to it that they are given a proper a burial. Secondly, we need to use one of your airships." Carmine said, Titus developed a smirk as the lead officer handed the rifleman a set of keys.
An Atlas PD airship screamed through the air and decreased rapidly as Carmine stood by the side door "Alright, slow down enough for me to leap to the roof and then get out of here." Carmine said before the side door opened while he gripped the safety bar above him, the airship slowed down before Carmine leapt from the airship and grabbed a lamp post which he used to propel himself onto a steel balcony, he gripped the balcony and pushed off with his feet as he aimed for a passing cargo truck. The rifleman slammed onto the truck and immediately leapt off onto the sidewalk outside Pietro's shop as Team RWBY, JNR, RCL, Cobalt, and Verde were walking up to the shop.
"Oh shit, Carmine! Where did you go and where did you come from?" Laurel asked confused, Carmine rolled his neck before he looked up at Amanita tower that had the smoking wreckage of the airship sticking out of the side of the tall building "We had to pay someone a little visit, but it looks like our old friends beat us to it." Carmine said as he cracked his knuckles in anger, a figure in black emerged from the group and stood at the front of the group "But you found something didn't you?" Phantom asked as pulled his hood off and uncovered his head before he shook his hair loose. Carmine nodded "Aero found something but he said it'll take him a day or so to brute-force his way into the file." Carmine explained as the group entered Pietro's shop.
"Apologies for the mess and for holding onto your weapons for so long. The upgrades you requested were, uh… well, they were more than I anticipated." Pietro said as he showed the students to their upgraded weapons. "Your new weapons and armor should be as requested, but I also took the liberty of reviewing your combat footage from the Vytal Festival Tournament." Pietro continued as Carmine hopped up on a counter and watched as Weiss, Blake, and his team examined their upgraded weapons. "Cobalt, Verde, and Phantom, your weapons are over here." Mindaro said as he wheeled out a cart and removed the cloth cover to reveal several weapons including a Remington M2010 ESR, a modified Kord 12.7mm HMG that had a handle on top of it and box mag attached to the right side of the HMG, and twin Hawk MM-1 Grenade Launchers.
"I want to offer this rifle to you, Phantom, not just as a weapon, but as an invitation. To become a Wolf." Carmine said as he grabbed the rifle by the barrel shroud and presented it to the man in black, Phantom took the rifle from Carmine and held it carefully as he examined it. "I know you've been trying to atone for your past mistakes and you helped us a lot when we dealt a massive blow to the Reapers in taking out their chemical weapons depot in the bunker outside Eastview. And when we took out their airship, Prometheus, that dealt a massive blow to their attack force. But taking out the island where they trafficked children and teenagers, that did a number on their crime syndicate." Carmine continued.
"Join us, Perry. Become a Wolf and help us finish the Reapers off once and for all." Carmine said as he used Phantom's real name for the first time in five years with a hand outstretched. "You know, I've been going by Phantom for so long, I almost forgot my own name." Phantom said with a chuckle before he grabbed Carmine's hand. "I'd be honored to join." Phantom said, Carmine smiled before he let go of Phantom's hand.
"I want to make one change though, I no longer want to be called Phantom, the name Phantom carries with it so many negative memories and emotions. I want to be called Revenant instead, the old Perry is dead and I've come back to exact my revenge on the people who wronged me." Phantom explained, Carmine chuckled "Revenant it is then, but I'm not gonna say 'Welcome' or 'we're glad to have you' cause as far as I'm concerned, you've always been a Wolf, we just made it official." Carmine said to Revenant, Revenant chuckled as he placed the rifle sling over his body so the barrel was pointed upward.
"There's some additional enhancements I'd like to suggest. Oh, but for now, these should serve you well enough." Pietro continued as he walked around the workshop in his spider chair, the team members picked up their respective cases and opened them to find their new modified gear. Verde picked up the Kord and held by the handle on top as well as the modified trigger grip from a handheld M134 Minigun that was attached to the Kord HMG. Verde attached the strap clips to his vest harness and slowly moved the HMG in a sweeping motion to check out his movement range.
Cobalt grabbed the twin MM-1 Grenade Launchers and examined them closely, he pushed a slide switch on the side which caused gauntlet-like clamps to protrude from the grenade launcher and wrap around his hands and forearms "I had that added custom since you're a Faunus and can fly, you'll be aerial support. It also comes with this bandolier that attaches to your molle vest which is custom made to fit around your wings." Mindaro explained as he walked over with a black molle vest and a bandolier that made an X as it crossed itself.
Carmine was about to move toward Blake and Weiss when his scroll went off, he pulled it out of his pocket and saw that it was a notification from his ship's defense system 'Security breach: Command deck'. Carmine growled in anger before he turned back toward Revenant "Revenant, I need you to take me to the ship. Now." Carmine said as he placed his rifle on his back and placed his hand on Revenant's shoulder. Revenant closed his eyes as black smoke quickly enveloped them, the smoke cleared and revealed the two were gone.
Carmine and Revenant smoked into the command deck where they found a group of people trying to access the control panel, Carmine and Revenant quickly withdrew their weapons "Hands where we can see them, what are you doing on this ship?" Carmine asked as he moved closer to the group, the group all wore bandanas over their faces but were startled when they stared down Carmine and Revenant's barrels. "Who the hell are you? One of Ironwood's lap dogs? What do you care what we do to his ship, he doesn't care about you anyway." One of the men from the group said, his arrogances seemed to be filled to the brim as he brandished a knife and tossed between hands as he moved closer to Carmine.
The other members of the group pulled out small arms like pistols and submachine guns as they felt emboldened by the arrogant one's actions. Carmine placed his rifle on his back as the man tossed the knife into his right hand, Carmine quickly grabbed his wrist and twisted it inward which caused the man to drop the knife and cry out in agony. Carmine drove his knee into the man's abdomen before he spun him around and put the man into a rear naked choke hold. Carmine pulled out his Ka-Bar and pressed the blade to the man's throat "Drop your weapons or I spill this man's blood all over the floor which you'll then join him on." Carmine said as the blade cut into the man's flesh and drew blood.
"Just. Do it." The man said as he struggled to breathe, the group members placed their weapons on the ground before they held their hands up. Carmine released the man who stumbled as he gasped for air and held his throat "Who. The hell are you?" The man asked as he tried to regain his composure. "Carmine Sable, leader of The Wolf Pack and owner of this ship. You're lucky my defense system didn't rip you to shreds; that's an M134 Minigun, that would turn you into mulch before you had any idea what was going on." Carmine explained, the group all seemed to be shaken as they assessed their situation.
"So, what's going to happen to us?" A woman in the group asked timidly. Carmine stared at them through his blacked-out visor before he took a step forward "You're going to get the FUCK off my ship and if you try to board it again, it will shoot you on sight." Carmine stated, his last words shook the group to their core as they fled the command deck. Carmine sighed as he leaned against the command console, he pressed the release switch on his gas mask before he pulled it off and sat it on the captain's chair.
"Alright, they shouldn't have gotten far so our funds from Haven should still be in here." Carmine said as he rubbed his face with a sigh of fatigue. "Damn Titan, one assault on a tower and you're already worn out. You're almost 25 right?" Revenant asked, Carmine shook his head as he flipped Revenant off. "Now, let's get this behemoth secured." Carmine said before he placed his scroll on the command console which caused it to light up, a ring popped up and started to slowly fill while a percentage counted up beneath it. "65% 80%... 99%. Complete... what's complete?" Carmine asked himself out loud as he read the numbers.
Suddenly, a light chime alerted the two Wolves as a purple circle popped up on the blue command console "Hello, I am your Artificial Neural Interface and Management Assistant, you may call me Anima." A soft, pleasant voice said, the circle had an orange aura that fluctuated as the voice spoke. "What the fuck? Where did you come from?" Carmine asked confused. "I am the ship's virtual assistant, I have access to the ship and can do the following: Lock/Unlock doors, reload armaments, change and/or alter navigation courses, monitor and catalog storage compartment inventory, and other things. I have been a part of this vessel but lacked the proper firmware update to function. Since we have docked near Atlas, my database has been able to connect and update its system." Anima explained.
"Anima, do you have a DDOS script written into your code and does it have a source code linked to Atlas?" Revenant asked, Anima's circle spun for a moment before it dinged "Script found, how do you want me to proceed?" Anima asked, Revenant chuckled before he placed his hand on Carmine's shoulder. "Rewrite source code to be linked to the scroll connected to the console." Revenant stated, Anima's circle spun again before it dinged "Rewrite complete, now linked to: 187*21*110*224 [Carmine_Sable]." Anima said before Carmine's scroll illuminated and displayed the all information about the B.M.S. Valor. (FF,Net won't let me make a fake IP Address so had to substitute dots with asterisks)
"Let me see your scroll real quick." Revenant said before Carmine handed him his scroll. Revenant opened the scroll and accessed the scroll's code script while he opened Anima's source code, Revenant typed away on the holo-keyboard as he entered the source code for Carmine's Black Skull software. 'Run_rootkit_(blackskull,exe) {True} if_true_run_{blackskull,exe}' Revenant typed before he hit enter, the two Wolves backed up before they watched the black skull pop up on the screen, laugh, and disappear before Anima returned. "Hmm, this is strange, I now have access to Atlas network security... how would you like to proceed?" Anima asked before prompt popped up on the screen.
'Download data? (Y) N' Carmine and Revenant looked at each other before Carmine pressed 'Y' and watched as a status bar popped up on the screen. 'Downloading files: 1 of 19,586. Estimated time: 7 hours' The screen read before it went black. "Anima, activate the ship's defense system when we leave?" Carmine asked, Anima's circle popped up on the screen "Affirmative, Commander." Anima said before the ship's defenses came online. "Alright, let's get out of here. We gotta go appease Ironwood, the files will be done by then." Carmine said as he pulled his gas mask back on and felt the straps tighten on the back of his head.
"Alright Titan, let's get out of here." Revenant said before he placed a hand on Carmine's shoulder as black smoke enveloped them. A column of black smoke rose from the ground outside of Atlas Academy before it dissipated to reveal Carmine and Revenant standing in front of the school, "Alright Titan, what's the plan?" Revenant asked, Carmine shrugged before his scroll's notification went off to indicate he had a new message. He pulled out his scroll and found a message from Blake, 'Hey babe, Ironwood requested the team leaders to meet in his office. ;) XOXO'. Carmine smiled as he read her message before slipped his scroll into his pocket before he sighed "I guess I have to go to a fucking meeting." Carmine sighed, Revenant chuckled as he followed the Alpha Wolf into the Academy.
"Alright Ironwood, what the fuck is it now?" Carmine asked as he pushed Ironwood's office door open, Ruby and Jaune stood next to a round holo-table while Duke, Harley, and Titus lined the wall next to window along with Grizz, Archimedes, Jay, and Nightwalker. "Ahh Carmine, glad you could join us after crashing an airship into a skyscraper." Ironwood said as he looked out his window at the smoking skyscraper. "Alright, I can explain... we were following up on a lead that we discovered a few years ago regarding the Grimm Reapers and an arms company that supplied them. We came in and were hoping to find the people in charge but it looks like the Reapers cleaned house." Carmine explained, Titus nodded "As we speak, Aero is hard at work decrypting the files the head of Carrion Industries, now Amanita Enterprise, had left for us or for whoever found them." Titus stated.
"Anyway, I gathered you here so we can go over our game plan. Clover, the floor is yours since you'll leading this mission." Ironwood said before a man with a four-leaf clover pin walked to the holo-table and pressed a button on a remote he was holding. "All right, gather 'round. Our mission today is to secure the launch site for the Amity Communications Tower." Clover said as he projected a hologram of the Amity Arena. "The designated area is an abandoned Dust mine. Since its closure, the Grimm have moved in." Clover continued as a mission report pops up on the screen.
'Reported Petra Gigas near Huntsman Post North. Huntsmen secured area but were unable to eliminate Petra Gigas. The Grimm was seen retreating to abandoned SDC Mines No. 2 located in Zone 3. No casualties were reported, three Huntsmen suffered minor injuries.' The report read, Carmine tilted his head as he looked at Clover "High Explosives tend to work when dealing with Grimm." Carmine said as he gestured to the grenades on his tac belt. "Not when the mine is filled with highly volatile Dust crystals." Clover stated as he displayed a photo of large Dust crystals.
"The good news is all that untouched Dust is still down there, too. Science team says they'll need it for the first phase of their launch." Clover explained as the feed switched and showed uniformed Atlas Huntsmen fighting Grimm. "Atlas military Huntsmen are already hard at work clearing out the surrounding tundra. But recon has identified a powerful Geist that's managed to evade destruction and take several lives. After we increased our numbers, the Geist was smart enough to retreat into the mine itself, meaning it's old and extremely dangerous." Clover explained before he pulled out a scroll and pressed a button that displayed a Geist possessing large chunks of ice that formed a suit of armor.
"This is our target, Pe-" Clover started to say before Carmine spoke up and cut him off "Petra Gigas, I've danced with them before." Carmine said as he walked closer to it and looked at the Geist. "You said that it's old, right?" Carmine asked as he examined the Geist's mask. "That's correct, why?" Clover asked confused, Carmine pulled his scroll and swiped through some photos in the older folders of his photo gallery. He swiped through the photos until he came upon a blurry photo that had a white mask with red lines "Fun fact for you, Clover. When we were doing a sweep of Cerberus's lab, we came upon a file of Grimm, including Geists. Geist masks are never identical, the patterns are different; it's old and I've encountered it before." Carmine said before he showed the photo to Clover.
"Are you saying you fought it before?" Clover asked, Carmine shook his head "No, we had a run in with it in Cerberus's lab. It flew out of a containment tank and swiped at us with its claws, I pulled my scroll out and snapped a photo of it before it flew through a broken wall." Carmine explained as he zoomed in on the mask. "Cerberus's lab was in the upper parts of Mistral so it makes sense that the Geist fled containment and went North to Atlas." Carmine stated as he held up the photo so Clover could see the side-by-side comparison. "Why was it in a lab?" Ruby asked confused, Carmine chuckled as he closed his scroll and slid it into his pocket.
"Cerberus was attempting to study the Grimm to try and control them, but that was a complete and utter failure. When we tracked down his lab, we found it full of his failed experiments including the Geist, the records showed he attempted to turn it into an Alpha but found his attempts futile." Carmine explained. "What happened?" Jaune asked which caused Duke to chuckle "Word got to Cerberus that the Joint Task Force was closing in on his position so he grabbed what he could and fled." Duke explained. Jaune seemed surprised until he remembered they were mercenaries "Oh yeah, the whole... mercenary... I'll just stop talking." Jaune said as he stumbled over his words.
"So aside from Carmine, General Ironwood says you've seen your fair share of combat, I trust that man with my life, so tomorrow, I'll be trusting you all, too." Clover stated, Carmine chuckled "Speak for yourself." Carmine said before the meeting was dismissed. The eight mercenaries left Ironwood's office and met up with Bubba, Revenant, Verde, and Cobalt who stood outside, Carmine pulled out the 1911 and handed it back to Bubba who put it into his holster.
"Didn't even fire a bullet, all rounds are still in their mags." Carmine said as he pulled the two spare mags out of his Heavy IBA pouch and handed them to the medic, he slid two Five-Seven mags into the open pouches. "So, what's the game plan?" Verde asked, Carmine pressed a button and released the straps on the gas mask before he pulled it off, the mercenary ran his fingers through his hair and felt the length of it "Well, we strike tomorrow so might as well get cleaned up and look good doing it, right?" Carmine asked with a chuckle.
"Damn, when's the last time you had your hair cut?" Titus asked, Carmine chuckled "Uhh, Atlas... when Weiss saved me after the fall of Beacon." Carmine said as he shook his head and loosened up the locks of hair. "Boys, hold him down!" Duke exclaimed as he pulled out his Ka-Bar. Grizz and Bubba grabbed Carmine by the arms before they held him still despite his attempts to break free. "Hold still, dipshit." Duke said before he placed the blade against Carmine's head and slowly sliced the hair off the rifleman's scalp, clumps of hair fell onto the ground as Duke carved Carmine's head. Four minutes later, Duke backed up and looked at Carmine whose head was red from razor burn but it quickly disappeared via his aura.
"One final touch, and yes I carry this with me everywhere I go." Duke said before he pulled out a trimmer and placed a 25mm trim guard onto it. Duke clicked the button and activated the trimmer before he dragged it across the top of Carmine's head, multiple clumps of hair fell onto the ground before Duke brushed the excess off. Grizz picked Carmine up and carried him over to a fountain where he dunked his head in multiple times, Grizz sat Carmine down as he gasped for air "Bro, what the fuck?!" Carmine exclaimed before he looked at his reflection in the fountain.
"What did you do to my head?" Carmine asked confused, Duke chuckled as he reached into his bag and pulled out a jar of Pomade "Firstly, I gave you a free haircut. Secondly, hold the fuck still." Duke explained as he scooped out some pomade with two fingers and rubbed it in hands before he ran his fingers through Carmine's hair, bringing his hair up to form a shape that resembled a ridge or a shark fin.
"It's called a Warhawk. The same kind I rock." Duke said before he put some Pomade into his own hair. Carmine looked at Duke confused before he started to laugh "What are we gonna do with you, Duke?!" Carmine asked with a chuckle as he rubbed his head. "God damn, it felt like you were trying to scalp me." Carmine said before he shivered as the Atlas air blew against his exposed flesh. "Ahh, quit being a little bitch." Duke said before he slapped him on the back.
"So now what are you going to do? Since Duke gave you a free haircut." Grizz asked, Carmine reached into his pocket and pulled out the piece of paper that Ironwood had written on. The other Mercenaries looked at the paper that Carmine stared at "You have to do this, you NEED to do this." Harlequin said as she walked up to the rifleman, Carmine nodded as he read the address. Titus leaned over and whispered something to Revenant who nodded before he smoked out.
Carmine and the mercenaries started to make their way to a Bullhead that had the emblem of The Viper Legion on the sides, the mercenaries boarded the airship and took their seats while Harley and Jay walked climbed into the cockpit seats. The engines roared to life before black smoke filled the fuselage, Carmine pulled on his gas mask as the thought of engine malfunction filled his mind. Carmine looked around the fuselage as the smoke started to dissipate where he found Blake and Weiss standing in front of him with Revenant behind them.
Carmine pressed the strap release button and pulled the gas mask off as he looked up at his two lovers who seemed to have also gone through a wardrobe change; Blake's hair was now cut to a shoulder length bob and she now wore a purple sleeveless catsuit with attached boots that had light purple soles and trim. The catsuit had a high neck with a single short silver zipper alongside matching zippers that ran from her thighs to her ankles on the front of the legs.
A pair of kneepads, matching color to the catsuit with silver studs on them were attached to the knees of the catsuit. Her long, white tailcoat had desaturated purple detailing on the chest, sleeves, sides and collar alongside a dark purple detailing on the back. It had a narrow belt around the collar and a wide white belt loosely secured around her waist through the coat's belt loops. Around each wrist was a dark purple belted wristband, she also had a desaturated purple magnetic backpack on her back.
Weiss's hair had been braided into a single braid and she had grown out her bangs and styled them to frame her face more closely. She wore a pale blue sleeveless dress with deep red lining, bow detail fixture, and two diamond-shaped pieces that hung from the corners of the hem, over a white diagonal hemmed strapless dress. Above which she wore a vivid blue shrug with a raised collar, puffy sleeves and the Schnee emblem on the left sleeve, fastened by a blue, silver outlined strap. On her arms were a pair of long navy blue gloves with silver top trim surrounding a red gem at the top.
Over her dress, she wore a light blue, corset styled belt. Around her waist were three white belts with a medium-sized pouch attached to the lowest belt and another pouch attached to the middle belt. The lowest belt crossed over the middle belt. She wore long, pale blue wedge-heel boots with white frill detailing at the top at the front, alongside grayish blue coloring on the toes and navy blue wedged heels.
"My god, you girls look stunning. I... have no words." Carmine said as he was left speechless, Blake and Weiss looked around confused before they looked at Carmine which put their minds at ease. "Why are we here? We were at Atlas Academy but now we're here...?" Weiss asked confused, Carmine chuckled as he moved over so the two girls could sit down. "Well, Carmine is going to get some closure and I thought it would be best for you two to be here for him." Titus explained as the Bullhead took off into the sky and circled Atlas Academy before it flew off toward Atlas's upscale distract, Weiss looked out the window and saw Schnee Manner in the distance as they flew toward the edge of Atlas.
The Bullhead circled around the floating city as the GPS guide homed in on the location, a large three story house came into view that had a large span of land behind it that stretched to the edge of Atlas, the front of the house met a long brick road surrounded by trees which lead to Atlas's wealthy district. The airship slowly touched down in a clearing near the large house before the back of the airship opened up, Carmine stood up and walked down the ramp until his boots touched down on the grass.
The group walked to the sidewalk from the airship where they were met with a large gate with tall brick walls around the house, two men stood at the gate armed with MP5SD3's. "Uhh, should we be here?" Cobalt asked anxiously but Carmine shook his head "We- I have to do this; besides, we have them outgunned." Carmine explained as he gestured to their weapons but Weiss stepped up and placed a hand on his shoulder "Let's abstain from violence, shall we?" Weiss asked, Carmine chuckled as he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her in closer "Alright, I'll do my best." Carmine stated before he pulled on his gas mask and let the straps tighten.
Carmine approached the two men who seemed to stiffen up upon his approach "State your business." One of the suits said as they held their SMGs with the barrels pointed downward. "I'm here to see Clair Grey, or should I say, Cherry Sable." Carmine said which caused the men to back up and raise their SMGs at Carmine "Who are you and how do you know that name?" The man asked as the guy flipped the safety off. "Who I am is her son, Carmine Sable. I'm here to see my mother. Either you let me in or I go in by force." Carmine said as he placed a hand on his sidearm.
One of the guards lowered the other's SMG before he nodded "Alright, right this way but make no sudden movements." The armed guard stated before he opened the gate. The guard let the SMG hang against his chest by a vest harness as he guided the group inside the luxury estate. The entry way of the large house was made of black marble with white marble columns that formed a line that led to a large staircase that went up to the second floor before it forked off in two directions to either side of the second floor. A man with grey hair in a butler suit walked out of a side door to the middle of the foyer before he turned to face the group.
"If you'll follow me, Mrs. Grey is right this way." The butler said before he led the group up the stairs and through a set of large double doors, bookcases lined the walls in what looked like a library. An ornate desk sat in front of a triple pane picture window, an older woman stood behind the desk and gazed out of the window that looked over the vast ocean that gleamed like a sea of diamonds. "Mrs. Grey, you have company." The butler said as he guided the group into the large room. The woman had cerise red hair that had grey streaks in it, her hair was tied in a ponytail that ran down to her mid back; she wore a sophisticated looking outfit that was covered by a white lab coat.
The woman turned around and faced the group that stood before her "Thank you, Pewter. Leave us if you will, thank you." Clair stated as she dismissed the butler who bowed slightly before he closed the door behind him. Carmine and Clair looked at one another for what seemed like an eternity "Look at you... you've grown up so handsomely." Clair started to say as she began to tear up. "... Hey mom, it's good to see you." Carmine said he took a few steps forward. Clair dropped her façade before she ran and wrapped her arms around Carmine "My baby boy, I'm so happy to see you again." Clair cried as her emotional wall crumbled.
"I'm sorry that I wasn't able to be with you, baby. Especially after your brother and Sapphire..." Clair started to say but Carmine cut her off. "Wait, how did you know about Sapphire?" Carmine asked, Clair chuckled as she wiped a few tears from her cheeks. "Who do you think your brother got his semblance from? Mine is like his but I have to have a strong emotional connection to be able to see the person, and since you're my son, I have the maternal connection." Clair explained. "My semblance allows me to see what the person I'm thinking of sees so... I saw everything. Honey, I am so sorry you got put through all that." Clair apologized as she cried in her son's arms.
"It's ok, Mom. What's important is that I found you, we can make up for lost time... but I have a lot of questions, mainly, why did you and Dad go along with Ironwood's plan of staging a car accident and faking your deaths? Onyx and I grew up without parents, what was so important that it meant depriving two children of a happy childhood?" Carmine asked in a somewhat hurt tone as he let go of Clair and stepped back. Clair sighed as she started to pace back and forth before she walked over to her desk and pressed a button under her desk. Suddenly, steel blinds covered the windows and blocked out all natural light before bioluminescent dust crystals illuminated the dark room.
A section of the bookcase opened and revealed a hidden back room that had a holo-computer, file cabinets, and charts that covered the walls, Clair walked into the room and returned with a data drive that she plugged into her desk's holo-computer before a white projector screen came up from the floor. The projector clicked on and projected Clair's screen before she pulled up a folder that was locked by a password. Clair quickly typed the password in as Carmine watched her type and saw it was all numbers, a sequence that included his date of birth; the folder unlocked and revealed numerous .Zip files labeled [Confidential].
"Do you know what I did when I worked for Atlas? I was Atlas's R&D Lead Specialist, I designed a number of weapons and vehicles used by the Atlas Military including the AK-130s and the Spider Mechs that the AK-130s could control." Clair said before she let out a deep sigh, Blake seemed to wince at the mention of the Spider Mechs. "I was also behind some of the designs that you're familiar with." Clair stated before blueprints of The Iron Hammer, Reaper's Hammer, The Mammoth, and The Prometheus popped up on the screen. Carmine stepped back as he looked at the designs which caused flash images of the vehicles in action to fill his mind, the screams of the innocent as chaos rained down from the Prometheus or entire sections of towns being eviscerated by The Iron Hammer.
Carmine's breathing started to increase as his breaths became shallow while his eyes darted around as he continued to back up until be bumped into Blake and Weiss who caught him before they helped him to the floor. "You-you designed those abominations? My... my mother designed those tools of destruction? Is that why you had to go into hiding? Because of the backlash." Carmine asked stunned, Clair sighed as she took a seat in her chair and folded her hands on the desk "I have two great regrets in my life, first is ever letting Ironwood take my babies away from me, the second is designing these monstrosities and seeing what would become of them. Seeing my son on the news fighting against weapons I helped design... it hurts me in my soul." Clair said as she hung her head in shame.
"Ironwood wanted weapons that could crush any Grimm in its path... but I know why he wanted them, cause of the tensions between the kingdoms at the time. He didn't think that a terrorist group would rise up and get their hands on these monstrous items and use them to rain down destruction." Clair explained, Carmine shook his head "He continued to deny the existence of The Grimm Reapers until we all confronted him on it. When we had overwhelming evidence, it became impossible to deny it." Carmine stated, Clair stood up from her desk and walked over to her son "Carmine, you have to listen and hear me, Ironwood is a snake. You have to be careful, Ironwood knew full well what you were going into on that horrid day... my son's blood is on his hands." Clair said before she pressed her forehead into Carmine's Heavy IBA.
"I'll make that son of a bitch pay for what he did. Is there anything else you worked on that I should know of?" Carmine asked, Clair lifted her head before she wiped a few tears away. "Actually, I have a device that I built but I never gave it to Ironwood, I wanted to give it to someone who could actually use it." Clair said before she walked up to a painting that she moved to the side to reveal a wall safe, Clair turned the dial back and forth before she turned the handle. The safe door opened before she reached in and pulled out a rectangle shaped box, she walked over to her desk and sat it down before she opened it to reveal a black rectangle brick with a large bracer-like strap and five other straps that branched out in the shape of a hand that had another strap that had a small reflective screen on it.
"Hold your left arm out, Carmine." Clair said as she pulled the device out, Carmine extended his left arm before Clair attached the device to his arm and fastened the bracer around his forearm, Clair attached the five straps to his fingers that melded into his glove. Carmine watched as the five finger straps illuminated in a blue hue before the brick pulsed blue. "Alright, now make a fist." Clair said as she backed up, Carmine rotated his hand and arm as he examined the device before he made a fist, the rectangle illuminated before hardlight dust projected out and formed a riot shield. Carmine unclenched his hand before the hardlight shield disappeared.
Carmine examined the wrist screen as a percentage popped up '100%' "It's a Hardlight wrist-mounted shield, activated by making a fist like you were holding the handle of a riot shield. You deserve it the most, Carmine... after everything you've been through, it's the least I can do." Clair said as she looked at her son who examined the shield. "So, what happened to dad? Why did he have to fake his death?" Carmine asked as shifted his weight to his right leg. "Right, your father, Desmond, he was part of Ironwood's Special Forces and Tactics team, he'd do things like infiltration or spying on people. The last time we saw one another, Ironwood called him into his officer about a top secret mission that would require him to sacrifice his identity for the sake of the world." Clair explained.
"Salem or Cinder's inner circle?" Revenant asked, Carmine shrugged as he shook his head "I have no idea, all I know is that Ironwood's got a lot to answer for." Carmine said as he clenched his right fist. "Sweetheart, I am so sorry we put you through so much trauma at such a young age. There is nothing I can do to make up for that." Clair said apologetically. "Sure there is, be there for him now. The path he's about to go down is dark and uncertain, it's uncertain for all of us but having someone who he can rely on to be there, like he has Blake and Weiss along with the Onyx Accords to back him up." Revenant explained. Clair smiled as the thought of helping her son filled her mind "I will do whatever I can to help him, to help you all." Clair said as she rushed to her desk and activated her computer. "So, who are your friends?" Clair asked as she changed the subject.
"Oh right, well from left to right amongst the mercenaries you have Duke, Titus, Grizz, Harley, Bubba, Jay, Archimedes, and Nightwalker. Then there's my team which consists of Regalia, Celadon, Laurel, Cobalt, Verde, and Revenant; finally these two lovely ladies are my girlfriends, Blake and Weiss." Carmine said as he introduced everyone. "It's a pleasure to meet you all, especially my possible future daughter-in-laws." Clair said which caused Blake and Weiss to blush.
"Weiss... as in Weiss Schnee? As in The Schnee Dust Company?" Clair asked, Weiss looked down slightly before Carmine squeezed her shoulder in reassurance. Weiss smiled as she looked up at Clair and nodded "Yes ma'am, Weiss Schnee, former heiress to the Schnee Dust Company and Huntress-in-training." Weiss said as she gave Clair a curtsey. "And don't tell me... Blake... Belladonna." Clair said which caused Blake's ears to perk up.
"How is Kali? I haven't seen her since I was down in the southern part of Mistral doing field work." Clair explained as she pulled up a photo of her next to Kali Belladonna. "Mom, how did you know Kali?" Carmine asked confused, Clair chuckled "It's funny really, before Ghira stepped down from the White Fang, I helped them out by supplying them with aid like antiseptic and medication. I would meet Kali at a dock in Mistral and give her some medicine, next thing I know is I'm being invited over for tea... in disguise of course." Clair explained, Blake covered her mouth as she chuckled slightly "Mom's gonna have a field day with this." Blake said before she leaned her head against Carmine's arm.
"I want you to know something, Carmine. Your dad is still alive, he's out there so when your in the field, look out for this man." Clair stated before she pulled out a photo of Desmond Sable, who had a striking resemblance to Carmine. The man had smoky black hair and radiant red eyes, he wore a necklace with an upside down cross pendent. He had a tattoo on the side of his neck that resembled a Beowolf head with a sword through it "Wait, the tattoo..." Carmine started to say as he looked at his patch, Clair chuckled "Onyx drew that when your were just three years old and Desmond got it tattooed on his neck, he told Onyx that it stood for strength in the face of terror." Clair explained.
Clair pressed a button on her desk which caused the shutters to rise, Carmine looked out the window and saw the sun was starting to set "Mom, it was great to finally meet you, but we have to go and assist Ironwood with retaking the dust mines, which should give me a chance to finally put down Diablo and The Grimm Reapers for good." Carmine explained as he walked up to his mother and gave her a bear hug. "Please be careful, sweetheart. I don't want to lose you again." Clair said as she hugged her son. "I love you, mom." Carmine said as a tear rolled down his cheek.
Carmine and the group walked out of the mansion toward the Bullhead parked in the field next to Clair's estate, Harley and Jay climbed back into the cockpit before they fired the engines up which brought the Bullhead back to life. The airship slowly rose into the air as Carmine looked out the side window to see his mother waving to him from her office, the Bullhead took off into the sky before it flew toward Atlas Academy. The Bullhead descended before it buzzed the rooftops of Schnee Manor which caused Weiss to giggle, Carmine looked out the window and saw the remnants of an AA emplacement that had rusted away.
The Bullhead slowed down as it landed on the grass in front of Atlas Academy, the students walked out of the Bullhead while Carmine stood next to the ramp "Alright, we're moving out at 0700 hours. I'll have The Phantom Fury moved into place near the mines while you go with Ironwood's Mantis fleet." Harley explained as she gave him the plan, Carmine sighed sarcastically "Fine, I guess I'll play nice." Carmine said before he walked off the VTOL and followed both Blake and Weiss back to the dorms. Carmine wrapped his arms around the girls and held them close as they walked into their dorm room, Carmine pulled his gear off before he looked up and saw that the wall now repaired with a note taped to the wall, Carmine walked up to the wall and pulled the note off. 'Please leave the wall alone. - Ironwood', Carmine chuckled as he crumpled up the note and tossed it into the trash can before he climbed into his bed before Blake and Weiss joined him under the covers.
Blake and Weiss placed their hands on his chest as they laid their heads on his pectorals, Blake closed her eyes as she listened to the sound of Carmine's heart beating inside his chest. Blake and Weiss's hands ran across his torso as they held him closely, Carmine wrapped his arms around their waists as he closed his eyes and sunk into bliss.
*The Next Day - 0530 Hours*
Carmine was awoken by the sensation of a pair of lips against his neck, Carmine took a deep breath in before he opened his eyes; Blake sat up before she straddled Carmine's waist and pulled her top off, Carmine rapidly blinked as his eyes focused on Blake's voluptuous breasts that slightly jiggled as she grinded against Carmine, the rifleman reached up and cupped her breasts which elicited a moan from the Faunus. Blake leaned down and pressed her lips into his as her breasts squeezed against his chest, Blake sat up and let out a nefarious giggle as she continued to rock her body back and forth "Mmmm, someone's getting excited. Lucky for you, I sleep in my lingerie." Blake said with a purr before she pulled out a rubber and placed it on his member before she impaled herself on his gentlemen sword.
Carmine looked around the room and found that they were the only ones inside, Blake placed her hands on Carmine's chest as she started to move herself up and down on his meat stick, Carmine moved his hands down to her waist as he started to slowly thrust upward into Blake's molten core. Blake let out a few soft moans as Carmine increased the motion in her ocean, the repetitive motion caused Weiss to stir before she opened her eyes slowly to see Blake riding Carmine's sex pistol.
Weiss moved closer to Carmine and wrapped her over his chest before she pressed her lips into his, Blake stopped her movement before her body shuddered in ecstasy. Blake dismounted his stallion before Weiss took her place and impaled herself on his rod, Blake laid beside Carmine and kissed his neck while Weiss started her repetitive movements, Weiss let out multiple gasps and moans as she savored the sensation of his love rod. Carmine reached up and ran his hand under Weiss's blouse and groped her breasts as she picked up her pace until she reached her sensual plateau, Weiss let out a gasp before she collapsed onto his chest. Carmine wrapped his arms around her body and embraced her completely as his member slipped out of her nectar and stood at attention; Blake pulled the rubber off of him before she devoured him completely.
Weiss moved to accompany Blake in savoring Carmine's love cannon, Carmine gripped the sheets as his pipeline erupted and coated the girls in his love glue. Carmine panted as the girls mopped up his fluid and swallowed his essence, "Oh good lord girls." Carmine said before the girls moved to his side as he readjusted himself and pulled up his shorts. "I think that's the shortest you've lasted." Blake said with a giggle as she wiped some of his nectar off his torso and licked it off her finger "You had a lot pent up, saving it all for us?" Weiss asked before she kissed him on the lips. Carmine sighed before he rubbed his face "I wish that was the case, I think all this combat has taken a severe toll on my body. Revenant said something earlier that has really stuck with me, I've been fighting since I was 18 and now I'm almost 25... almost 7 years of combat, that can really take a toll on a person's body." Carmine explained.
"I want you to get checked out by one of Atlas's Doctors before you go on this mission, if you think the last seven years has taken a toll on your body, I want you to be certain." Weiss stated as she sat up and covered her breasts with the sheet. "I agree, Carmine. You've pushed yourself to the limit and have technically died a couple times so I think it would be for the best." Blake said in agreement before they got out of bed to get dressed. Carmine pulled on his gear and laced up his boots while the girls donned their equipment and outfits. Weiss pulled her scroll out and called a number "Hi, this is Weiss Schnee, I wanted to bring my boyfriend in to get checked out, he's been saying that he has felt weak and fatigued. Yes. Yes, thank you." Weiss said before she hung up her scroll.
"Alright, they said they will get you in immediately and they'll send a cab." Weiss explained before she led him and Blake out to the Atlas courtyard as a small Bullhead flew up and landed in front of them. The airship had a blue cross and the words 'Atlasian Medical Center' written on the side, the trio boarded the airship before it took off back to the medical center, Weiss held Carmine's hand and reassured him that everything would be alright. "You're probably just tired or worn out from the trip." Blake said as she laid her head on his left arm, the airship touched down with a slight thud as the engines powered down. The side door slid open before Carmine stood up and disembarked the airship with Blake and Weiss in tow as they walked into the medical center.
"Ahh hello Miss Schnee, welcome to Atlasian Medical Center, is this the boyfriend you told us about?" The receptionist asked, Weiss nodded "Yes, this is Carmine Sable. He wants to get checked out because he's been feeling weak lately." Weiss explained as the receptionist typed away, minutes later a doctor in a white lab coat walked out of the door and called out for a 'Mr. Sable.' The hulking behemoth of a man stood up and walked over to the doctor who was significantly shorter than him. "Right, Mr. Sable if you'll follow me, we just want to run some tests on you, I'm Doctor Mahony." The doctor explained as he guided Carmine into a room with multiple types of devices.
*Multiple Endurance and Lab tests later*
"Alright Mr. Sable, we got the results of your tests. Your body has moderate levels of lead in your muscles and bloodstream, this is common in combat veterans but you're 24 so this is an anomaly to say the least. Taking a look at your attire, I can see you're a Mercenary so that means you've been in a lot of combat. Do you always wear a gas mask?" Dr. Mahony asked, Carmine nodded silently before the doctor spoke again. "The over-exposure of gunpowder will have caused your filters to become useless and if you don't change them, you'll be exposed to the gunpowder. So the lead has soaked into your muscles and your body is trying to repair it but it's not something Aura can heal, we'll need to use an IV Flush to clean out your body. We have state of the art medical supplies to cleanse your body of the heavy metals, have a seat and we'll begin." Doctor Mahony stated before he gestured to a lab table.
Carmine stripped his gear off and laid on the table while the Nurses attached diodes all over his chest and down his arms "Alright, Mr. Sable. You're gonna feel a slight jolt and it's gonna feel like your muscles are cramping, we'll also be administering Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid or EDTA via IV to bind the lead molecules before the electrolysis process causes the chemicals to decompose." Dr. Mahony explained before a syringe of clear fluid was administered to an IV Drip of Saline Solution. "It's gonna feel cold as it runs through your body, but once the process starts it's gonna feel real hot. Once the process starts, the diodes are going to pierce the skin and suck out the chemicals." Dr. Mahony explained. Carmine shivered as the Saline and EDTA coursed through his body.
Dr. Mahony typed away at the holo terminal before he pressed 'Start' on the keyboard, Carmine tightened his grip on the table as the electric current coursed through his muscles and caused his body contort in pain. "It's alright, Mr. Sable. You're doing great." The doctor said, reassuring the mercenary. Carmine gritted his teeth as dirty liquid flowed from the diode IVs and collected in an IV bag of Saline. Carmine watched as the clear fluid turned dark metallic grey, Carmine's eyes adjusted as he looked past the IV stand and could see Blake and Weiss standing outside a window watching the procedure.
As the procedure continued, the flash images of his past filled his mind; the Grimm Reapers, the Siege of Vale, the Fall of the Wolf Pack, and Sapphire's death at the hands of Cinder. "Doctor, his heart rate and blood pressure are spiking." A Nurse said as she monitored Carmine's vitals. "Hang in there, Carmine. It's almost over, just a bit longer." Dr. Mahony said over the PA System, Carmine's knuckles turned white as he gripped the table railing. The sound of machinery powering down brought Carmine around as the Nurses moved to his side to check his vitals and O2 levels. "Vitals are good and the lead is out of your system." Dr. Mahony stated before he gestured to an IV bag with a grey liquid inside of it.
"How do you feel?" Weiss asked as she walked up to her boyfriend with Blake following behind her. "I feel a whole lot better, I feel like I'm 18 again. My muscles don't ache and I feel more energized." Carmine explained before stretched his arms and lifted his legs to stretch his calves. "Alright Mr. Sable, I just need to run another quick exam, hold still." Dr. Mahony said before he guided the mercenary under a scanner. Dr. Mahony pressed 'Start' before a scanner spun around and analyzed the mercenary before it let out a light beep, Carmine stepped off the scanner and walked over to where Dr. Mahony stood in front of his terminal.
"Congratulations, Mr. Sable, you're now 100% lead free. Your aura should begin to repair any damage to your muscles and tissue that the lead was preventing it from healing. I would say for you to get some bed rest but I have a feeling you're about to leap back into the fire, so if you know anyone who can amplify aura, that should do the trick." Dr. Mahony explained before he shook the Mercenary's hand. Carmine rolled his shoulder as he walked around the room, the doctor looked up at Carmine before he gestured to the mercs arm "That should go away now that the lead is gone from your body." Dr. Mahony stated as he typed away on his computer. "Thanks doc, I feel brand new." Carmine said as he shook the doctor's hand again. "Not a problem, Mr. Sable." Dr. Mahony said with a chuckle.
"Come on, let's not keep the rest waiting." Weiss said before she led Blake and Carmine out of the medical center to the awaiting transport.
*Thirty Minutes Later, at the Atlas Academy Docks*
"Where is Carmine at? He should be here by now." Ironwood asked as he watched the other teams board their Mantas. "Speaking of which, Blake and Weiss aren't here either." Ruby said as she looked around before she pulled out her scroll, moments later an airship with a blue cross flew overhead and landed next to the other Manta airships. "Calm your tits, Ironwood, I'm here." Carmine said as he stepped off the airship with Blake and Weiss in tow. "And where were you? Off gallivanting I assume?" Ironwood asked, Carmine stepped up to Ironwood so they were face to face "No James, I was having the lead removed from my muscles from the years of cleaning up your messes." Carmine said before he poked Ironwood in the chest on the word 'your'.
"Regardless, get to your Mantas and get to the site." Ironwood instructed as he gestured to an awaiting Manta, Carmine chuckled before he pressed his scroll and summoned Harbinger. "No thanks, Commandant Ironwood, I got my own." Carmine said before the side ramp extended from the Harbinger, Blake and Weiss regrouped with Team RWBY while the Wolf Pack boarded the Harbinger. "Oh Ironwood, hope you don't mind but I invited a few friends to come along!" Carmine yelled over the engines of the Harbinger as he pointed to the sky, Ironwood looked over the Horizon as The Phantom Fury pierced the clouds. Ironwood growled through his gritted teeth before he turned around to go back to his office.
"Alright everyone, move out." A voice said through their comms before the Mantas lifted into the air and rocketed off through the sky, Carmine pushed the booster handle up and caused the thrusters to ignite larger before the Harbinger shot off into the sky and quickly caught up with the other Manta airships, Team RWBY and JNR looked out the window before the Harbinger boosted past them, the Harbinger dove down and flew over the dust site as the M2HBs came online, the guns barked loudly as .50 BMG rounds rained down and ripped through Grimm that prowled outside the dust mines. The gunfire barrage ceased before the guns went back inside the airship, the Harbinger circled around the dust mine before it touched down on a platform while the other Teams leapt from their airships and used their landing techniques to land on the ground safely.
Carmine and the wolves disembarked from the airship before it took off back into the sky, Carmine looked up into the sky as a blueish-white arm manifested from a glyph with a large sword. The sword was swung down and pointed to the ground before Weiss slid along the sword, Blake turned her katana into its sickle form and threw it toward the mines, the sickle hooked onto a pipe, Blake used her weapon to move from building to building as she slowed her descent. Yang rocketed toward the ground before she used her gauntlets to slow her fall by shooting the ground, Yang shot the ground and flipped over before she landed on her feet while Ruby used her scythe to slow down by firing the scythe's gun.
Carmine stepped off the platform and into the white snow, the sound of his boots on the snow made a satisfying crunch with each step as the rest of the Wolf Pack followed behind him, Cobalt stayed on board and took the Harbinger back into the sky before he flew toward The Phantom Fury "Cobalt, tell Harlequin that I need the Harbinger's weapons serviced, I'll leave the electronics to you." Carmine said as he pressed his throat comms, he watched as the side of The Phantom Fury opened for the Harbinger to land in the hanger; suddenly two MQ-1C Gray Eagles flew out of The Phantom Fury's hanger and flew over Mantle.
Carmine gazed up at the UAVs as they flew over the frozen tundra, scanning for an unknown target; the two UAVs flew side by side before they split off and went in separate directions. The Phantom Fury's engines engaged before it flew higher into the sky until it disappeared in the clouds, the Atlasian Airships paled in comparison to the size of the Viper Legion's Airship "Must be embarrassing for Ironwood." Carmine said to himself as he walked toward the mines, two of the Ace Ops landed near the entrance of the tunnel; Harriet and a Canine Faunus who had a rifle that turned into a boomerang.
"Alright Wolves, let's move." Carmine said before the mercenaries made their way to the abandoned mines, Weiss stood next to metal crate with her head lowered. Carmine walked up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders which caused her to jump slightly while the others made their way to the mine entrance, "This is not on you, you have nothing to feel ashamed about." Carmine said as he wrapped his arms around her and held her closely, Weiss stroked his arm gently before he let go of her and followed her along with Blake toward the mines. Carmine withdrew his rifle and clicked on the flashlight as he aimed the rifle down range into the cave.
"Hey Titan, look up high." A Southern Mistralian voice said through Carmine's earpiece, Carmine turned around and watched as eight Mil Mi-26 HALO Heavy Transport Helicopters flew overhead carrying two M1A2 Abrams, two 2S25 Sprut-SDs, two T-99 Armatas, and two 2K22 Tunguskas followed by four V-22 Ospreys that carried four BTR-4s. Carmine watched as they flew over the mines and disappeared into the clouds. He pressed his throat comms before he spoke "I take it the BTR-4s are courtesy of the Disciples?" Carmine asked, there was momentary silence before the audio crackled "You're damn right, chuckle nuts." Duke said before the signal was lost.
"Shit, comms are down. The Phantom Fury has moved out of range." Carmine said but Weiss shook her head "The Dust deposits inside the mines have a tendency to interfere with radio signals, not to mention the metal in the mine shafts." Weiss explained, Carmine walked into the mine opening and listened as his footsteps echoed off the mine shaft walls. The group walked deeper into the tunnel until they came up to a wall of rubble.
Harriet pressed her communications device before she spoke "Bravo checking in. Hit a bit of a snag. There's been a cave-in in the main entrance. Not sure if it's recent or was caused by the original accident." Harriet said as they looked at the wall of rock and debris. Blake's ears seemed to flatten as she looked down which caught Carmine's attention "Lien for your thoughts?" Carmine asked. "I just realized where we are. This mine was closed after an explosion." Blake explained which caught Weiss's attention, "I remember this disaster. Or rather, I remember how furious it made my father." Weiss stated.
Carmine exhaled sharply as he brushed some snow off a minecart to reveal the Schnee Dust Company emblem "I wish I could take back the years of pain my family has caused the Faunus and all of my complacency in it." Weiss continued. The canine Faunus scoffed "This society is set up for Faunus to be at the bottom, and humans are willing participants. They benefit from doing nothing to help us." The Ace Ops member said as he looked at Carmine "You got something to say or you tryna take me on a date?" Carmine asked, the man shook his head "I know who you are, I know the countless Faunus you've slaughtered, their blood is on your hands. Why are you even here?" The man said as he got in Carmine's face and poked him in the chest.
"I'd be careful of how you prod that bull, bud." Carmine said as the sound of a hammer cocking echoed off the walls, the man looked down and saw Carmine's revolver was against his torso with the hammer cocked back. "This is a .500 Magnum loaded with fire dust rounds, I don't want to get my new uniform dirty. Unless you're gonna foot the bill." Carmine said before he placed the barrel under the man's chin. "L-look, I think we got off on the wrong foot. I'm Marrow." The frightened man said, Carmine placed his revolver back into his holster "Carmine Sable, Wolf Pack." Carmine responded.
"Now, allow me to clear up some details. Have I killed Faunus? Yes. Were they with the White Fang? Yes. I've gone toe to toe with some of the scariest mother fuckers you'd ever seen, that if you faced off with them, you'd shit yourself. Now, I assume you're referencing the White Fang camp that was attacked outside Vale a couple years back, correct?" Carmine asked, Marrow nodded his head slowly. "Well, you should know that they had Rapier Air Defense Missile Systems that they were gonna use to shoot down Bullheads coming in and out of Beacon. You should also know my entire team died to take down those terrorists, they were good... no, great men who sacrificed themselves to save others and I carry them with me everywhere I go." Carmine said as he held up his dog tags.
Marrow nodded before Harriet cleared her throat which got Marrow's attention "Well, I didn't come over here looking to solve systemic societal issues. Harriet found a gap in the rubble we think one of you could fit through, ideally someone with a knack for seeing in the dark." Marrow said before he looked at Blake which caused her to snap out of her 1,000 yard stare "O-oh. Of course." Blake said before she walked over to the rubble. "Anything happens to her, I'll have your head on a pike." Carmine said as he walked up next to Harriet, Harriet scoffed as she looked up at him "Is that a threat?" Harriet asked, Carmine continued to examine the rubble before he responded in a deadpan, cold manner "It's a promise." Carmine said before he moved to Blake's side.
"Be careful in there; no matter what happens, I'm just on the other side." Carmine said before he hugged her. "Don't worry, I'll be fine." Blake said before she let go of Carmine and moved toward an opening in the rubble. Blake made her way through a crevice between boulders, she withdrew her katana once she had room. Regalia and Yang stood next to one another, Regalia looked down at Yang's robotic arm which caught Yang's attention "Is something wrong?" Yang asked somewhat concerned, Laurel walked by and chuckled "She's probably wondering if it vibrates. Ha." Laurel said with a laugh before Celadon slugged him in the arm. Laurel's statement caused Yang to giggle before she leaned toward Regalia.
"It does." Yang whispered into Regalia's ear which caused the hair to stand up on the back of her neck. Verde and Revenant stood guard near the entrance of the cave as the wind started to pick up and blurred the outside view "Damn, I can't see shit." Revenant said as he pulled up the hood on his hoodie. Verde clicked the side of his helmet that turned his visor's FLIR mode on, the entire area was blanketed in a grey hue while a black wall of cold covered the entrance of the mine shaft. "Wait, can't you manipulate weather?" Revenant asked but Verde shook his head "I can but it would be useless in this kind of storm." Verde explained. Verde continued to scan the area when he noticed a slightly lighter shade of grey in the sea of black outside. Verde deactivated the FLIR and turned it back on, he looked again and saw that the grey blob was gone. "Huh, optics must be on the fritz." Verde said before he turned the FLIR off.
"All right, Blake. Take a look around." Marrow said as he pressed his earpiece and spoke into the comms. The sound of distance gunfire caught Carmine's attention as he raised his rifle for what was potentially outside in the storm "Titus come in, was that your people?" Carmine asked his throat comms, he waited for a response but was met with only static. "I hate the static, horrific memories." Carmine said to himself which caused Harriet to scoff "Are you gonna be able to keep it together, old man?" Harriet asked as she crossed her arms, Carmine looked over at Harriet and stared at her "Walk through a war torn field that was once a village, filled with the bodies of the innocent and your comrades, knowing you did everything you could but it wasn't enough. Do that and asked me that question again, child." Carmine said in a harsh tone.
Marrow looked back at Harriet before he pressed his earpiece again "Is there any Dust in the immediate area?" Marrow asked, there was a momentary pause before the audio clicked "Mine carts… debris… no Dust, though." Blake responded through the comms. "Great, then it should be safe to blast our way through." Marrow stated in an upbeat tone. "Okay. Heading ba-" Blake started to say but yelped before her comms cut off. "Blake!" Carmine yelled before he pushed past Harriet and tried to get through the opening but found himself too big. "Damn it. Blake, stand back." Harriet said before robotic arms deployed from her back and covered her arms as they formed an exoskeleton.
Harriet drew her arms back threw both of her fists into the rubble, the fists caused an explosion the moment they made contact with the rubble. Carmine sprinted through the debris and slid to a stop as he dropped to one knee with his rifle aimed down range, Carmine squeezed off a few rounds as a Geist flew down the tunnel. "Don't let it get away!" Yang yelled before Team RWBY pursued the Grimm. Carmine jumped to his feet and sprinted behind Team RWBY as the other Mercenaries followed behind him, Team RWBY slid to a stop as a Centipede like Grimm broke from the ground as its body rotated. Carmine sprinted past them and leaped at the Grimm before he drove both feet into the Grimm's body, the Grimm hissed as Carmine pinned it to the ground before he shot it in the head. "There's more, watch the walls!" Carmine yelled as the Grimm smoked away, suddenly more Grimm erupted from the walls and the roof.
"What the-" Regalia started to ask but Carmine cut her off "Centinels, they're not that dangerous but fuck are they annoying." Carmine said before he punted a Centinel that rose out of the ground in front of him, the Grimm recoiled back before he spat acid at Carmine but he quickly deployed his Hardlight Shield to block the acid, he pulled Jury from his holster and opened fire as he shredded the Grimm with his MP7, Carmine looked to his left as Yang repeatedly punched two Centinels in the head before she leapt back and thrusted her arms back which caused her gauntlets to close. Rapid beeping came from the Grimm before they exploded in a blast that sent debris flying that the Hardlight Shield blocked. "Huh, that's new." Yang said as she gestured to Carmine's wrist-mounted shield that dissipated as he stood up and holstered his SMG, he reached down and picked up his Scar but the signature Centinel screech caught his attention as two scurried toward him but started to twist around one another.
Marrow gunned down a Centinel before he leapt in front of Carmine and held out his arm, "Stay." Marrow said before he snapped his fingers, the Centinels movement slowed to a stop before Harriet moved to stand in front of the Grimm, she smirked before she grabbed the Grimm and slammed them into the ground. "This is Bravo! We found the target, but it fled deeper into the mine. Engaging Centinels!" Harriet said before Carmine shot both of the Centinels and caused them to smoke away. Carmine pushed ahead and opened fire on other Centinels that came to join the party "Cover me, reloading!" Carmine yelled before he leaned against an ice-covered boulder as Laurel and Celadon ran up to engage the Grimm.
Carmine ejected the spent mag and replaced it with a fresh magazine, he slid the spent mag into his pouch before he closed the flap over it; Carmine slapped the bolt release and moved back into the fight as he took a knee in front of Laurel. A Centinel reared up to spit acid but took numerous bullets to the chest before it turned to black ash. A large Centinel bored out of the ground, armor plates had grown over its body which caused bullets to bounce off. "Weiss! I need a propulsion Glyph!" Carmine yelled as he started to sprint toward his snow angel, Weiss took an elegant pose as she placed two fingers on her blade. Suddenly a black swirling glyph formed in front of her before Carmine jumped and landed on the Glyph. His feet seemed to be magnetically held onto the Glyph before the sigils seemed to speed up as Carmine transformed his rifle into its saber form, "Alright Weiss, fucking send it!" Carmine yelled before Weiss ran her fingers up the blade and pointed it at the Grimm.
The sigils stopped and propelled Carmine forward at lightning fast speed, Carmine held the handle of his blade with both hands before he thrusted into the Grimm's chest. The force impact slammed the tip into the Grimm's keratin armor but wasn't enough to crack it, "Wolves! When I give the word, concentrate on the abdomen." Carmine said as he held onto one of the Keratin plates and thrusted an M67 Grenade into a cracked opening in the Keratin armor, he depressed the spoon before he ripped the pin out and leapt from the Grimm centipede. Carmine slid across the ice before the grenade exploded and exposed the soft underbelly of the Grimm. "Now!" Carmine yelled as he transformed his saber back into its Scar-H form and joined the Wolves in the combined gunfire assault. Verde's Kord 12.7mm HMG barked loudly as the rounds slammed into the Grimm's body, Revenant pulled back the bolt on his M2010 ESR, pushed the bullet back into the magazine, and slid an explosive .300 Magnum round into the receiver before he slid the bolt closed.
Revenant placed the barrel on an ice-covered rock and took a deep breath in as he focused the scope's crosshairs on the exposed belly before he squeezed the trigger. The rifle bucked as a round exploded out of the barrel, the bullet hit the exposed part of the Grimm's belly; round exploded on impact and blew a hole into the Grimm's body. The Grimm hissed its swan song before it exploded into black smoke and dissipated, the gunfire stopped as soon as the Grimm disappeared; Revenant pulled back the bolt and ejected the spent shell before he pushed the bolt forward that chambered a fresh round.
"Nice shot, Revenant. Good thinking with the explosive round." Carmine said as the Wolves regrouped around him, Carmine took a single step before a lone Centinel erupted from the wall and lunged at the mercenary. Carmine was about to raise his rifle when a bolt of golden electricity flashed past him and slammed into the Grimm while a flurry of red petals rained down above him. Harriet stood in front of Carmine as the Grimm smoked away, Ruby slid to a stop and stared at Harriet wide-eyed "Whoa! Your Semblance makes you super fast, just like me!" Ruby exclaimed, Harriet chuckled as she looked at Ruby "Very cool. Though, based on your reaction time, I'd say I'm a little faster." Harriet said with a wink.
"Wolves, forward." Carmine said as he moved past Harriet and continued down the tunnel, Verde stopped and looked at a red crystal the protruded from the wall; the heavy reached for the crystal before Celadon slapped his hand "That's volatile dust, we're not sweeping you up." Celadon said before he shoved Verde forward. The group moved through the tunnel until they came to a wide open cavern, Carmine looked around but found no sign of the Geist; he looked up at a walkway where Team JNR, Elm, and Vine were. Ruby rushed up and waved to them "Guys!" Ruby exclaimed, their comms beeped before Vine's voice came through.
"Everyone use caution. This room is highly active with Dust energy. Triggering it could ruin the launch site." Vine stated before Marrow cut in, "And vaporize us. How is that always second with you?" Marrow asked confused. "Wait, I thought the target was supposed to be in here." Nora said over through the communicators. Suddenly, a few pieces of stone fell from the roof which caused everyone to look up, the Geist had clung to the ice roof as it turned to face its visitors; the Petra Gigas let go of the roof and crashed down through a stone archway in front of Carmine and the others. The Geist towered over them as it adjusted its body. "It added Dust to its body, everyone be careful not to..." Carmine started to say before Harriet sped past him with Marrow in tow.
"Or not." Carmine said with a sigh before he dashed into the fray. Elm leapt off the cliff and sprinted toward the Geist, Carmine slid to a stop on one knee before he popped off three rounds that hit the Geist in the center mass. The ice Geist whipped around and stared at Carmine before it attempted to charge at the mercenary. Vine extended his semblance out and lassoed the Geist's leg as Elm ran up and grabbed onto the Grimm before she activated her semblance to anchor herself to the ground, "Vine!" Elm yelled before the aura wielder leapt from the cliff to a minecart rail above the Geist, he extended his aura hands and grabbed a hold of the Geist's arm and pulled to expose the Grimm's arm. "Marrow!" Vine yelled before Marrow walked up and pulled out his boomerang.
The Faunus threw his weapon with an underhand toss and watched as it sliced through the black arm of the Geist, the Grimm screeched in agony as a purple Dust crystal popped out of the Geist's ice body. "Harriet!" Marrow yelled before Harriet took a sprinters pose as her body flickered with electricity, she took off and dodged the falling debris, she ran up a rock, jumped off the side of a raised walkway and caught the crystal in mid-air before she landed on another walkway. "What is that Dust?" Celadon asked as he stood next to Carmine. "That's concentrated Gravity Dust, that hits the ground and this whole mineshaft will collapse." Carmine stated.
Carmine leaned against a fallen walkway and crossed his arms as he watched the Ace-Ops go to work on the Geist "Should we assist them?" Laurel asked as the Wolfpack Leader pulled off his gas mask and hooked it onto his belt before he reached into one of the pouches on his Heavy IBA and pulled out a Clif Bar, Carmine tore the wrapper open and bit into the Energy bar before he spoke "Nope, seems they got it covered." Carmine said as he chewed his protein bar. He reached into his IBA pocket and pulled out another Clif Bar before he offered it to Laurel. Laurel took the bar and tore open the wrapper before he bit into it while Team RWBY and JNR watched the Ace-Ops in amazement.
The Boomerang spun around and sliced off the other arm, as the other arm got cut off; another Dust Crystal got freed from the Geist's body but nobody was open to catch it "Ahh shit." Carmine stated as he took another bite of his protein bar and was nonchalant about the situation. Carmine watched as the crystal flew through the air until Clover caught the Dust crystal, Clover tossed the crystal to Qrow with a chuckle "What would you guys do without me?" Clover asked as he walked to the edge of the walkway, turned around, and let gravity drag his body toward the ground as he gave Qrow a two finger salute.
"Are you guys gonna do anything?" Harriet asked as Carmine finished his Clif bar "Nah, y'all got it covered. Go get 'em, champ." Carmine said in a sarcastic manner, Harriet scoffed before she took off to engage the Grimm. Harriet sped around the Petra Gigas before she whistled and waved to get the Grimm's attention, the Grimm swung down before Harriet sped away. Elm ran up and slammed her hammer down on the Grimm's arm which caused it to be lodged into the ground, Marrow leapt up and threw his Boomerang that cut off the Grimm's other arm. Clover deployed his fishing rod and jumped off the Grimm's leg as he tossed the line out which spun around the mask and hooked onto the line before he yanked back on the rod.
The Grimm attempted to resist but was ripped from its stone mech suit and flung through the air, Harriet positioned herself, charged her semblance before she propelled herself into the air, and used her metallic arms to smash the Geist's mask which caused it to dissipate with a hiss. Carmine watched as the Geist's body started to fall apart with numerous purple crystals falling from the body with the Ace-Ops intercepting them, one crystal remained as it flew through the air. "Harriet!" Clover yelled, Harriet shifted her feet and used her semblance to speed across the chamber, she closed in on the crystal but a red blur flashed past her.
Ruby slammed against a rock as she held the crystal closely, Ruby opened her eyes slowly and laughed lightly as Harriet walked up to her "Thought you said your Semblance was like mine." Harriet said as she helped Ruby to her feet, Ruby chuckled confused "It... is?" Ruby said in a confused tone, Harriet shook her head "I've seen other speed Semblances before, but that was different. I think there's more going on than you think." Harriet said with a smirk. Elm picked Ruby up and placed the scythe wielder on her shoulders as Nora celebrated with her. Clover placed two fingers against his ear before his earpiece beeped "Atlas Control, this is Clover. Mission accomplished." Clover stated, Carmine placed the Clif Bar wrapper into his pocket as he stood up straight "Alright Wolves, move out." Carmine said as he led the Wolf Pack back down the cavern.
Revenant moved to the front of the group as he checked the swept the area, the group was near the entrance where they had to break through when Revenant held up his fist "Stop." Revenant said in a semi-hushed tone before he placed his rifle on his back and knelt in front of the group, he examined the snow carefully before he stood up "Be on your guard, we're not alone." Revenant stated. "Same person who took out Amanita Enterprises?" Carmine asked, Revenant shook his head "No, this is... something else entirely. When you took out Cerberus, did you check his experiment logs?" Revenant asked, Carmine shook his head "No, he purged the data before a gunfight happened. We found snippets of data pointing to a humanoid Grimm though. Why?" Carmine asked.
Revenant knelt down and pointed at a footprint "It only has three toes. I think Cerberus was successful." Revenant explained before a snarl came from another chamber, the Wolves raised their weapons and slowly moved down the tunnel, Celadon disappeared into the tunnel as Team RWBY, JNR, and the Ace-Ops walked past the tunnel as they talked amongst themselves. As they entered the chamber, another snarl echoed around them before a distorted voice called out to them "Hmm, fresh prey." A voice said with a snarl as a distorted figure emerged from the shadows, the figure seemed to have the body of a human but the legs of a Beowolf, human arms but Beowolf claws with Keratin blades that protruded from its arms. Keratin plating covered its chest and back with large spikes that ran along its spine.
The creature seemed to have a Keratin mask that resembled that of a demon, the creature snarled again as it breathed in the air around it "Hmm, I smell Ssssable." The creature stated in a drawn out sentence before a snake tongue flickered from its mouth. "What the hell is that thing?!" Laurel asked before he pulled out his shotgun, everyone raised their weapons and aimed at the demonic creature. "I am Nagassss-." The creature hissed with its limited vocabulary. The creature's statement caused Revenant to freeze before he moved Carmine back "We need to leave, now." Revenant said, Carmine looked at the former-Reaper confused before Revenant pushed them back and out of the tunnel "We need to go, I explain later. Just move." Revenant said, Carmine looked back and saw that the creature was now gone.
The Wolf Pack left the mines and walked out of the tunnel "I expect a full debrief." Carmine said as they stepped out into the open as the sun was setting, Carmine saw Ironwood speaking with Clover and Qrow before an airship caught his attention "Welp, things just went from shit to fucked." Carmine said as he shook his head and walked out of the mines. Carmine pulled his gas mask back on before the straps tightened around the back of his head, he lifted his hood over his head again as he approached the landing pad. "Wolves, fan out." Carmine said as he ordered his Mercenaries to move. Ironwood looked over and watched as Carmine approached them "Did you play nice?" Ironwood asked with a smirk before he looked at Carmine's arm and noticed the gauntlet.
"Where did you get that?" Ironwood asked, Carmine raised his arm and examined the gauntlet "Oh this old thing? Family Heirloom." Carmine said before he looked past Ironwood at the airship the bared the Schnee Dust Company logo "And here comes trouble." Carmine said, Ironwood chuckled "That we can agree on." Ironwood said before he adjusted his uniform.
"So let me get this straight, James. In addition to this nonsensical embargo of yours crippling my business, you've also decided you have the authority to commandeer private property?" Jacques yelled as soon as he started down the ramp. "When the Council hears about this, you will never-" Jacques started to say before Ironwood cut him off. "Actually, I've already informed them. As this is now the site of a classified military operation, it didn't even require a vote." Ironwood said with a smirk, Jacques went from angry to pissed "Didn't require a vote?!" Jacques exclaimed, Ironwood shook his head "You might want to brush up on Council law before you lose this upcoming election, Jacques. Now. I've allowed you to land here once as a courtesy. The next time, it won't be a friendly reception." Ironwood stated.
Jacques glared at Ironwood "Lately, you seem to forget who your friends really are. I'm going to get that Council seat, James, and maybe then, you'll-" Jacques started to say before he looked over and saw Weiss. "You... You roped my missing daughter into these schemes of yours, too?" Jacques said angrily. "How long has she been back in Atlas? Did Winter know about this?" Jacques asked enraged, Carmine placed his hand on his revolver and unsnapped the holster strap. "It was my decision to come here. Just like it was my decision to leave. Or have you forgotten all about that?" Weiss said as she stood up for herself, Carmine slowly moved closer to Weiss while Jacques had his back to the mercenary. "If you think I'm one to forget anything, girl, then you've misjudged the man your father is." Jacques said as he adjusted his posture.
"Believe me, I know exactly the kind of man you are." Weiss said with a defensive attitude, Jacques was taken aback before he became angrier "How dare you speak to me that way!? I have half a mind to-" Jacques started to say before Carmine withdrew his revolver and pressed it to the back of Jacques's head "Half a mind to what, Jacques?" Carmine and Ironwood asked simultaneously before Carmine cocked the hammer back, the cylinder spun a new round into place as the muzzle was inches away from Jacques.
"Well, if it isn't the killer for hire, Ironwood got your leash again?" Jacques asked as he tried to provoke Carmine, Carmine chuckled before he holstered his revolver. "No, cleaning up your mess. The Grimm Reapers are a threat because you decided to put a hit out on your competition which caused Sarcoline Industries to get involved with your former associates, Carrion Industries, now Amanita Industries. See Jacques, I know all about your dirty dealings, how Carrion Industries used to be partnered with you but Lapis Industries snubbed them out of the picture and took the credit for all weapons that Atlas has." Carmine explained.
Jacques seemed to become more frustrated as he turned to face the mercenary "And you're getting this information from what? A contract you did and the words of a dead man." Jacques said with a smirk but Carmine crossed his arms as he stared at the man in the white suit "Hmm, that's funny. I never mentioned anything about a dead man. That means that you know Stephon Gole is dead, which means... you're working with the Reapers." Carmine said as he came to a realization, the Wolves drew their guns and aimed them at Jacques as the sound of charging bolts being racked echoed out simultaneously.
"Jacques... what is he talking about?" Ironwood asked as he walked up behind Jacques, Jacques took a deep breath in and adjusted his tie "Just the ramblings of a dog for hire. Anyway, I knew one day, you would overextend your reach. I didn't come here to beg for an abandoned mine. I came here to thank you… for personally handing me the noose to hang you. You'll regret this." Jacques said before he turned back to face Weiss.
"So these are the little friends you threw everything away for?" Jacques asked condescendingly, the Wolves kept their weapons trained on Jacques as he spoke to Weiss; Carmine slowly flicked his safety on and gestured for everyone to lower their weapons. Weiss shook her head "Not friends... Family." Weiss said with a smile as she looked at Ruby, Blake, and Yang. Jacques adjusted his tie before he let out a snobbish 'Hmm' and turned to go back to his airship but stopped when he was next to Carmine, "I never did ask, how did it feel to lose everyone you ever loved?" Jacques asked with a smirk, Carmine felt an inferno ignite in his heart as his left hand found Jacques's throat in an instant. Carmine pulled the revolver from the holster and pressed the barrel to Jacques chest, Jacques clawed at Carmine's hand as his feet left the ground.
"If you EVER utter their names, I'll make sure your name is in the obituaries. And that's not a threat, that's a promise." Carmine said before he let go of Jacques and watched as he fell to the ground while he gasped for air. "James! Arrest that man, he assaulted me." Jacques said as he stood up and pointed at Carmine but Ironwood turned around "Sorry, what happened? I was speaking with Clover." Ironwood said which caused Jacques to become more enraged as he stormed off toward his airship. Carmine holstered his revolver again as Jacques airship took off back toward Atlas just as three cargo trucks pulled up on the landing pad.
The passenger door opened before Winter stuck her head out and looked around, Weiss giggled as she walked toward her older sister "Oh, now you show up, Winter. You just missed father." Weiss said with a smirk, Winter stepped out of the truck and approached Weiss while she held her hands behind her back "I wouldn't say I missed hi-" Winter started to say before a projectile slammed into the ground near Winter and Team RWBY, RWBY was sent flying while Winter steadied herself against the shockwave. "Wolves! Eyes up." Carmine said as he withdrew his Scar and scanned the area.
"Surprise!" A familiar voice exclaimed as a green hologram projected the words 'Congratulations' with hologram confetti raining down. The debris settled as Penny came into view, the Wolves put their weapons away as Penny looked around confused "Uh, did we not start yet?" Penny asked, Winter sighed as she placed two fingers on her forehead "Apparently, we haven't." Winter sighed as Carmine walked over to help Blake and Weiss to their feet, Ruby stood up dazed and confused as she shook her head to gather her bearings "Start what?" Ruby asked, moments later Carmine's scroll dinged. He pulled it out and examined the message.
'From Anima: File Download Complete.' Carmine tapped the screen as multiple folders popped up on his screen, he swiped up and watched as the screen displayed page after page of folders. Carmine slowed his scrolling to a stop when he found a folder labeled 'Titan Contingency Plan', Carmine slowly looked up from his scroll and saw Ironwood side-eyeing him before he turned away from the Mercenary. Carmine was about to move but Revenant placed a hand on his shoulder "Don't show your hand just yet, call his bluff and make him fold." Revenant said, Carmine nodded before he tapped the folder and opened it. Files filled the screen and showed different file names like 'Titan Contingency: Reapers' 'Titan Contingency: Mousetrap' and 'Titan Contingency: Misfire'; Carmine flipped through until he found a contingency that read 'Complete'. "Titan Contingency: Sapphire." Carmine said out loud as read the file and felt his blood pressure spike.
Carmine stood there motionless as the realization hit him like a sack of bricks, his scroll fell from his hand and clattered to the ground which got everyone's attention. "Is there a problem, Carmine?" Ironwood asked but Carmine said nothing as he saw red. "I suggest everyone back up." Carmine said in a deadpan tone as he clenched his fists, Blake picked up his scroll and read the file. "Everyone needs to back up, now." Blake said before the group moved back several steps, Carmine pulled his bag off and handed it to Laurel before he slid his right leg back as he raised his fists. "What Carmine? You want to spar?" Ironwood asked with a chuckle, Carmine said nothing before he bolted forward and drove his fist into Ironwood's chest. The second his fist connected, the Supernova he had charged detonated and sent Ironwood flying into one of the box trucks. The metal frame folded as it bent around Ironwood, Several mechs ran forward to apprehend, the Wolf grabbed one of the mechs before he ripped its head off and threw it at another mech, the impact caused the mech's chest to cave in.
"All this time, I blamed myself for her death. I thought I got sloppy." Carmine said as he pulled out his MP7 and gunned down four mechs, he transformed the SMG into its Bowie Knife form before he stabbed another Mech repeatedly. The knife transformed back into an SMG before he holstered it again, "I thought that my life as a mercenary got her killed..." Carmine said before he swept a mech's legs out from underneath itself and stomped his foot through its chest. "But the truth has been in front of me this whole time, 'Titan Contingency: Sapphire.' You sold us out, you gave her up to Cinder knowing that she'd be killed all because what? You wanted me as your pawn!?" Carmine yelled as he walked up to Ironwood who groaned as he sat up, Carmine put his foot on Ironwood's chest and pushed him back down before he withdrew his .500 Magnum and aimed it Ironwood's head.
Carmine felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up before he took a deep breath "Another step Harriet and I lobotomize him." Carmine said as he cocked the hammer back, Harriet stopped in her tracks five feet from Carmine. "Carmine!? What's going on?" Ruby asked confused, Carmine chuckled as he removed his foot and grabbed Ironwood by the collar before he tossed him onto the ground in front of him "Good question; Ironwood, how about we talk about Contingency: Sapphire." Carmine said as he held the revolver to Ironwood's head. Ironwood sighed and lowered his head "It happened six years ago." Ironwood started to say.
A/N: Woooo, that felt like it took a century to write but its finally done. New enemies have surfaced and old wounds have been reopened, how will Ironwood make it out of this with a literal gun to his head. Sorry that this took forever, I've been working 40 Hour work weeks and streaming on Twitch on the weekends so I try to write when I can. Anyway, Remember to Favorite, Follow, and Leave a Review, and as always, this is Nightmare 6-4, signing off.
