Chapter 8 & 9 have been replaced/updated. You may wish to go back and read them prior to reading this.
/==/
"We think we found the leak." Lisa's editor told her as Lisa dropped by her office with an article to proof.
"Do I know them?"
"Doubt it. The outside crew I hired are pretty sure, now it's in the hands of VPD, and legal."
"How they get the lead?"
"The guy wasn't as good as he thought when it came to covering his tracks in our system."
"Then he must have passed it off to someone else to post on that site. Cause from what I hear from my contacts, is that the VPD and their Cyber-unit are having a hell of a time tracing it."
"We're thinking of sending you to Atlas. To see if you can get a one on one with this Jaune Arc."
"Get his side, or try to?"
"Yep."
/=/
"You had quite the episode last night Jaune. Want to let me in on what was happening?" asked Doctor Watson.
"I talked with my family yesterday."
"I know. I arranged it. Your mother has been calling everyday since they found out you were here."
"It was good to talk to them finally, it was relief to."
"Well that's good. But it doesn't explain your reaction. Can you tell me about it?"
"When I was talking to my sisters, I could tell something was wrong. It was the way they spoke, the sound in their voice."
"Are you sure? They could have just been nervous or upset about talking with you after so long."
"It is more than that. When my dad finally got on the phone, I asked him. He told me not to worry about it. That he was handling it. But I kept asking, something is going on with them, something to do with me, something I caused."
"What did your dad say when you kept asking?"
"He kept telling me he was taking care of it. Then he slipped. He didn't mean to, I know, but he slipped."
"How did he slip?"
"He said he was protecting them. Then he tried to cover it.""
"And what happened when he said he was protecting them?"
"I just about fell apart. I was able to hold on until they all said their goodbyes, but then."
"After the call disconnected you started to cry?"
"Yes.
"There is nothing wrong with crying Jaune. It is a healthy response to extreme happiness, and relief. It had been along time since you talked to your family after all."
"I was, and I wasn't."
"What do you mean?"
"Why would he say that, if there was nothing wrong? What is he protecting them from? Is it because of that article? Is it because of what I did?"
"I don't know Jaune. I have no way of knowing, but maybe what you're thinking isn't the same as what he's doing."
"What else could it be? What about my sister in Argus? If dad is protecting everyone in Ansel, whose watching over her?"
"So what were you trying to do last night then? Get out, so you could go to Argus?"
"I wanted to. I wanted to go home."
"Why?"
"To make sure everyone is safe."
/=/
Allison Richards was neck deep in paperwork when PFC Schnee knocked on her office door. Allison looked up at the sound and just motioned for Winter to enter, before returning to the tablet in front of her.
"I'm here to take you to the institute. Ma'am"
"In a minute. I just have to finish reviewing my list of witnesses for the tribunal."
"Yes, ma'am."
Winter stood at ease and waited by the door as Allison typed on the tablet, and used her finger to scratch things out. It was another ten minutes before the tablet was placed up Allison's desk and she rose from her chair. Pulling her jacket off the back of the chair she donned it.
"You know I've seen the prosecutions witness list. Are you aware that you're going to be called?"
"Yes,ma'am. I was given the subpoena yesterday."
"I'm ready. Is Specialist Marrow waiting at the car?"
"No ma'am. I'm not picking him up. Jaune is not leaving the institution so he informed there was no need."
"Then we better not keep Jaune waiting any longer."
/=/
Watts had finally received a reply to his text messages. He was right that the person on the other end wanted to negotiate, and he was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't for lien; but information. Information about a very specific person. Watts replied that he could look into it. The person wasn't convinced. So Watts did a quick dig. There wasn't much on the Atlas servers, and nothing on the Mantle ones. So he reached out further. It was much harder, but not impossible for him to piggy back signals into Vale, and crack into their systems. It was limited and patchy access. But he did find some information. He was sure if this person had bothered with a simple public records search she would have found it too.
Having completed his part of the start of the negotiations he waited for the person to complete theirs. It would be several days if not over a week day for him to receive what he had requested. So he'd use that time to see if he could dig up a few more tidbits of information about the individual this person wanted to locate. It was better to have more ready than waste time, waiting to be asked for more. As his search engines did their slow work; through a set of systems he had never truly compromised. He picked up a second scroll. This one was meant to be a gift. The next step in his plan. Casually he opened the programming and checked his alterations.
/=/
Pyrrha was in a state of sleep. The metronome's slow and steady click and tick helping Doctor Martin ease her into a trance. For the next several minutes he conversed with Pyrrha, getting simple and straight forward responses. It was all part of the plan. Ease her into the nightmares that were troubling her. But first he needed to make sure she understood some simple commands. Keywords that would allow Doctor Martin to wake her quickly if things seemed to not be working, or to calm her so they could continue to try.
"Where are you now?"
"In the basement."
"What basement?"
"Under Beacon's tower."
"What do you see?"
"I see Cinder falling to the metal floor. I see Jaune walking towards her."
"What do you hear?"
"I hear the Headmaster telling me that we have to leave?"
"What do you feel?"
"I feel his hands holding my arms, his fingers digging into my wrist."
"Now what is happening?"
"Jaune is beside her now. The Headmaster is pushing me into the elevator." she spoke as her breathing became faster and slightly more erratic.
"It is okay Pyrrha. None of this is real. It is all a dream. You are safe."
"She tried to scream." Pyrrha's voice taking on a hint of panic.
"Pyrrha come back, come back. You are just in the basement of Beacon. There is no one there but you. There is no one there." Doctor Martin spoke slowly and calmly.
Pyrrha's breathing grew steady, her head that had started to move back and forth; still.
"Now. There are people there. They just came in. Who are they?"
"Jaune. Headmaster Ozpin. Cinder Fall."
"And what are they doing?"
"Cinder is on the floor, Jaune is walking towards her. The Headmaster is pulling me towards the elevators."
"Okay. Freeze that image. Just make it completely still. They can't move, they have no control over you. Have you frozen the image?
"Yes."
"Good. Now the Headmaster is no longer holding you. You are free. Are you free?"
"Yes."
"Good. Let the image move forward. Tell me what you see. Remember you are free, not one is holding you now."
"Jaune has stopped beside Cinder, and she is looking up at him."
"And the Headmaster?"
"He is moving to the elevators."
"Okay. Let it move forward again, just let is slide. Remember you are free, this is like a movie. Nothing that happens can hurt you."
"Cinder is trying to scream. Her head." Pyrrha's voice once again started to rise in panic.
"Hold it. Hold it."
"I can't."
"Yes you can. She's not screaming. Her head is not doing anything. Can you see it?"
"Yes." Pyrrha responded her breathing once again growing steady.
"Okay, let it slide forward again. Remember it is just a movie. A scary movie. What is happening?"
"Her head it being twisted. He's not touching her. She tried to scream."
"You're doing fine Pyrrha. Everything is fine. It is just a movie. Just a movie. What is happening now?"
"Her head is floating next to Jaune. There's so much blood."
"Easy now. It is just a movie. You have complete control. You can stop it at anytime. It is just a movie."
"It's floating."
"Just a movie."
"So much blood."
"Just a movie. You control it."
"A movie. I control it."
"Yes you control it. You have complete control over it. It is just a scary movie, nothing more."
"A scary movie."
"Yes. A scary movie. What is happening now?"
"Jaune is looking at me."
"Do you feel afraid?"
"It's just a movie."
"That's right. Just a movie. It can't hurt you. You control it."
"I control it."
"Yes you do. What do want to happen?"
"I want it to stop."
"Then make it stop. You can do it. You control the movie. Make it stop."
"Make it stop."
"What do you see now?"
"It's all still. Nothing is moving. It's frozen."
"You made it stop. Now I want you to replace it. See something else. Something you want to see."
"Want to see."
"Yes, Pyrrha what you want to see. Can you tell me what you see now?"
"The dance. He's in a dress, like he promised."
"Is he scary in a dress?"
"No."
"Good. Now I want you to go back to the scary movie. Can you do that?"
"Yes."
"Now let it play and then change it."
"Change it?"
"Yes. You have control. You can stop it, you can change it to something else."
"Change it to something else."
The back and forth continued for another twenty minutes, before Doctor Martin slowly began to bring Pyrrha back out of her trance. In the same way he had put her under, he just reversed the steps. Deleting the keywords as he went. He took his time, making sure he was leaving nothing but the suggestion that she could control her dream behind. A minute or so later Pyrrha blinked her eyes and lifted her head.
"How? What?"
"It's okay Pyrrha. Everything is fine. You did very well."
"Did it work?"
"We'll find out tonight, and if we have to, and you are willing we can try it again."
/=/(24 days in assessment)
The night had passed peacefully for once. No one heard any outbursts of anger, nor did they heart rending screams of terror. Even still Jaune looked as he hadn't slept well at all. Dark circles highlighted his deep blue eyes. This morning found Jaune with his normal escort standing on the gun range. Before him at various intervals were metal camera like tripods each with a little plastic target fastened to the top.
"Jaune you up for this test?" Alison asked for the third time. Obviously a little worried about how he looked. " I know you're tired, we can reschedule."
"I'm good."
"Jaune this is pretty straight forward. We want to see what the range of your ability it. We know you can hit targets easily at under five meres. So we've set this test up. We have a target situated every five metres from ten metres to sixty metres." explained Doctor Jekyll.
"So you want me to try and hit them. One after the other or all at once?" Jaune asked.
"I'll leave it up to you which way you want to do it. We have an IR camera aimed at you as well as a high speed one focused on the targets. The camera are all ready active so whenever you feel ready."
Jaune was as tired as he looked. The image while not as vivid would still haunt his dreams; but it was the worries about his family that had truly disturbed him. What was his father protecting his sisters and mom from. Who was watching over Saphron in Argus. He was also aggravated. No one was telling him what was going on outside of the institute. Even though he kept asking. The only thing he knew about was that article, other than that everyone was keeping silent.
"Whenever you feel read..."
Doctor Jekyll didn't get to finish his statement. Janice who was watching the IR camera feed saw them lash out. Each one's hand like tip becoming a blade. Allison, Marrow and Doctor Jekyll saw nothing aside from nine of the eleven targets simultaneously getting cut neatly in half. Rushing over to the terminals, Doctor Jekyll rewound the high speed camera's feed and started the play back. Watching and then dialing down the playback speed, he re-watched again, and then again until he could see the slight difference. It was in the frame by frame play mode that he was able to see it.
"It's was a delay of milliseconds." he commented before looking up the terminal. "He took out every target up to fifty metres with a delay of milliseconds between the first strike and the last."
Marrow was concerned by the information being tossed about. His mind envisioning multiple scenarios, all combat related. Jaune was fast; too fast, and he had range. A range that was outside the ability of many semblances. Marrow wasn't as concerned about his own semblance, his range being basically anything he could see, but for others; like those who relied on touch or close quarters, Jaune would be a nightmare.
"Jaune how hard was it for you to do this?" Doctor Jekyll asked as he stood up straight, from his original position of bending forward to look at the high speed camera's monitor.
"Not hard. I just thought it and it happened."
"Amazing."
"What is amazing doctor?" Allison asked, a little confused on what was being discussed.
"I would hazard to theorize that it takes Jaune, when consciously using his semblance maybe a tenth of a second to decide to act, and his mind is calculating all the needed variables in milliseconds if not faster, and he's doing that for multiple appendages."
"Are you saying when his semblance activated and started rewiring his mind, that his brain has gotten faster?"
"In some respects yes."
"Like what?"
"Calculating the variables needed to have his semblance complete a task he has chosen to do. Keep in mind that is when he's choosing, he's reacting even faster on an instinctual basis."
"That's why he can stop bullets?" Marrow asked.
"Maybe. I think that in that case when confronted by such threats his semblance is automatically putting up some kind of defensive barrier, that is just active, though the reports of his last incident suggest that this may not be the case."
"Why do you say that?" Marrow spoke again.
"Because he was unable to launch any aggressive actions while under constant bombardment from the collective amount of firearms being used against him, that is of course if his instinctual response to defend himself was over riding any offensive inclinations."
"So this shows that anything past fifty metres is the safe zone, and that is you can threaten him in a way that puts him in a defensive state you can keep him occupied?" Allison asked.
"I would say that, yes."
"I think I sense a but." Marrow commented.
"Yes there is. As we've all witnessed Jaune has gained more appendages since we started testing. It would be likely if he grows more; but I think that is the wrong term. He maybe able to divide both between defensive and offensive actions."
"So that means I'm dangerous." Jaune commented as he closed with the group talking about him.
"Jaune all semblances are dangerous. It all depends on how they are used. Your semblance is incredibly unique, and I have no doubt if we were suddenly attacked by a large pack of beowulves you alone would be sufficient to stop them all with out moving a muscle." Doctor Jekyll regarded Jaune for a moment and then decide to change the subject slightly. "Jaune can you sense how many you have?"
"I think so?" Jaune replied.
"Please."
"Sixteen, I think?" Jaune responded after standing still for a couple minutes as if in deep thought.
"Janice, how many can you count with the IR camera?"
"Sixteen."
"Interesting. Over the course of a month, you've gone from four, to sixteen. I wonder?"
"Wonder what?" asked Jaune.
"If you could manifest more just by thinking about it. Yes I think manifest is a better term than growing. Do want to try?"
"I don't know."
"Doctor?" asked Allison.
"It's just an thought experiment. I'm attempt to gauge if he has conscious control over how many he can manifest, or if it is a subconscious matter. Try Jaune. Just think of having more than sixteen."
Jaune sighed and then closed his eyes. As he concentrated he could see them in his mind. Sixteen tendrils; sixteen hands fanned out in the air behind him. The others watched him stand their motionless, and waited.
"Janice?"
"Nothing doctor."
Jaune remained standing there still picturing the materialization of his semblance. Picture another hand joining the others, but nothing happened. Getting tired of the exercise he opened his eyes.
"Janice?" asked Doctor Jekyll.
"No change doctor."
"I guess I was mistaken. It appears to be a subconscious manifestation. That begs me to wonder just how many you could have once you gain complete control over your semblance."
/=/
Weiss was skipping up and down the hallway leading from the sleeping quarters to the common room. Even though she had been tentative when asked if she would like her family to visit, the excitement at the prospect of seeing everyone was starting to make her giddy. She spent many hours over the last few days telling Blake, Ruby, Yang and Pyrrha, about her family. She even asked if any of the three girls, her now best friends if they planned on making Whitley their boyfriend; and then giggled at all thier reactions.
But even though she was happy and excited, there was a part of her; that only Blake knew about that was scared. She could remember her father, and his strict ways. She was worried he would be mad at her for being away so long. She worried that her mom would be okay, and wondered if Whitley would pick on her, as brothers were apt to do on occasion. She never told her friends or the doctors this. No, she was going to be happy, even if part of her was a tiny bit scared.
It would be two more days until she would find out.
/=/
"What's bothering you Jaune?" Allison asked as the car made it's way through the streets of Atlas back towards the institute.
"Nothing."
"Don't try to lie to me. I know you well enough now, to know when something is bothering you, and something is."
"It's my family."
"I heard you had spoken to them, and there was an incident that night. What is bothering you about them?"
"I don't want to talk about it."
"Jaune, if you don;t tell me, I can't help."
"I'm scared that they're not safe."
"Not safe? How do you mean?"
"That article. It named me."
"And you think that because people know your name, that they'll figure out who your family is?"
"Dad already slipped and told me he was protecting them, but..."
"But what?"
"That's in Ansel. I have a sister in Argus. Whose protecting her and her family?"
"Okay. I'll try an do something about that okay."
"How?"
"I don't know, but I need you to trust me that I'll try. Okay?"
"I guess."
"There is no guess Jaune. I need you to trust that I'll do my best."
"I trust you."
"We're almost there." Winter announced from the front seat, "and we have a problem."
"Problem?" both Jaune and Allison asked.
"Protesters." replied Marrow. "Seems somehow they found of where Jaune is staying."
"Jaune I need you to slide down. Get below the line of the windows and hide behind Winter's seat." Allison instructed, and upon seeing his questioning look she decided to explain, "It's so they don't see you. That way they wont block us from getting inside."
"The side windows are tinted. No one can see in, but the windshield ain't. Someone might catch sight of you." Marrow added, "So duck down."
Jaune nodded and did what he was bid. Sliding so his head was well below the edge of the side windows, and centring himself behind Winter's seat. For her part Allison moved to the middle of the back bench seat and leaned forward. Marrow leaned towards her, to make it look like they were having a discussion, all the while blocking any clear line of sight to Jaune. It only took a couple minutes for the car to move past the scattered line of protesters unmolested, and up to the main gate. A minute after that they were through.
/=/
"Do you need more security doctor? I can attempt to petition for a squad or two to take station here."
"No that is alright Miss Richards. Our private contractor has already been notified and will be providing us with more personnel. Have no concerns we will keep Jaune and all our residents safe." responded Doctor Watson.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"I would still more comfortable if Jaune had some extra protection. Those people aren't out there because of any of your other residents. They are there because someone leaked where Jaune was."
"Be that as it may. We have things well in hand. Our contractor will not allow any unauthorized person or persons on to our grounds. This is not the first time we've housed a high profile client and it will not be the last. We know what we are doing."
"Then I must trust your judgment in this matter."
"If I may ask why are you still here, Miss Richards?"
"Decoy tactic, or at least that's what PFC Schnee and Specialist Amin call it."
"Ah. So you're making it look like you are staff, so those outside watching don't decide that the in and out of your vehicle is some sort of transportation for someone?"
"Yes. Good thing we're in an unmarked car."
"What about your plates, aren't they government issued?"
"They are, but we're hoping that wasn't noticed."
"Well it's starting to get dark, so they should disburse soon."
"Did Jaune mention anything about his family?"
"Yes."
"Did he say something about them being threatened?"
"He is assuming that was what his father meant when he said he was protecting them. He could be in fact protecting them from information about what Jaune has been accused of; or any number of other things."
"You know we've received threats against Jaune, correct?"
"We are, and that is another reason for the upcoming increase of security personnel."
"So it is probable that what Jaune is thinking is happening to his family?"
"I never said it wasn't. I just mentioned there could be other reasons for the admission made by his father. But we have no way to know for sure, unless Jaune's father or another member of his family comes out and says that is happening."
"And if they did?"
"We would notify your office of the concern."
"Thank you. I think I should make some calls."
"You do what you feel is right. Now I have a meeting with Jaune. If you shall excuse me."
/=/
Doctor Martin stopped Yang and Ruby in the hallway. Both were using their prosthetic limbs. The doctor knew they had just had a session with the on sight physical rehabilitation worker, and it was evident the pair were becoming more and more used to wearing the limbs. Even if Ruby still had a hitch in her step every so often.
"Ladies."
"Doctor." Yang returned the greeting.
"Hi." Ruby greeted after Yang.
"How are you two making out? Everything okay, do you need anything, want to talk about anything?"
"Things are going okay." replied Yang.
"Good." replied Ruby.
"Okay. I'm happy to see you both trying to gain some familiarity with your limbs. How do they feel?"
"Still strange, like I look down and see it, or I reach out with it, but still expect to see my real arm."
"From what I understand, that is a normal occurrence; and will take some more time before your new limb feels normal."
"How about you Ruby?"
"Little scared."
"Would you mind telling me why?"
"My semblance. I keep getting told that this leg will hold up to it, but I'm still worried to try. What if it doesn't work or breaks?"
"Then it breaks, and the doctor's will have to work with you to fashion something that will work with your semblance. It wont be the end of the world, it'll be a little setback. That make sense?"
"Sort of?"
"So what you up to Doc?" asked Yang.
"Just doing a little walk around and checking in with everyone, and with that have either of you seen Pyrrha? I would like to have a quick little chat with her."
"I think she's in her room, right Rubes." answered Yang.
"I think so."
"Well I'll leave you two alone, and wish you a good evening." Doctor Martin tilted his head to the sisters before moving off down the hallway towards the room that housed Pyrrha Nikos.
/=/
"Yes, sir. That's right sir." Allison was on her scroll walking back and forth net to the car as Winter and Marrow watched while leaning against the roof.
"What you think that's all about, Private." Marrow asked with a sly grin.
"I have no idea, sir." Winter replied.
"Yes, sir. Argus." Allison continued pacing as she talked and responded to questions Winter and Marrow couldn't hear.
"This has something to do with Jaune." Winter clued in at the mention of the partially Atlas controlled port city in Mistral. "Didn't he say he had a sister there?"
"I think you're right. He did ask the Lieutenant who was protecting her and her family. Think she's trying to get some sort of protective detail arranged?"
"I wouldn't put it past her."
"Think it'll work?"
"Only if they feel the threat is significant to warrant it."
"You've heard about the threats starting to come in about him haven't you?"
"Not specifically."
"Well they've started, and not just against him. She's even gotten some."
"His time here is almost over. What another four days, give or take. Once he's back on base no one will be able to touch him."
"I understand that sir. But can we look into it, and see if the possibility that they are under threat is true?" Allison continued to speaking into her scroll.
"Still leaves his family out in the open, for some crackpot to take a shot at. You should know about that better than anyone Private Schnee."
Winter did understand it, and better than Marrow could imagine. Not only was there the threat of the White Fang, but also disgruntled employees, militant environmental groups, among others. That of course didn't include individuals who thought ransom was a viable way to earn a living. So yes Winter knew what it was like to worry about the safety of her family. She knew the feeling all too well.
"I understand sir. How about notifying the Argus authorities? Can we impress on them the need to check on them?"
"I don't think this is working out, the way she wanted."
"I would have to agree."
"Looks like they are just about all gone." Marrow commented as he stepped away from the car and took a quick peak around the corner of the building. "We should get back to base."
"Well let her know. I'll get the car started."
"Why me?"
"I'm just the driver. Sir." replied Winter.
Marrow shook his head as Winter climbed behind the wheel. Moving around the car he opened the rear passenger door, and tapped Allison on her shoulder.
"What?" she snapped as she cover the scroll with her hand.
"Time to head back."
"Sorry, sir. You were saying?" Allison returned to her scroll conversation as she climbed into the car.
Marrow climbed into the front passenger seat and soon the trio was rolling down the looping driveway, on their way to the main gate, and then out onto the streets of Atlas.
/==/
So another chapter done. Not sure I like this one, or that it is as tight as Chapter 9 turned out. Yet everything here does push my plot along so guess I can't complain too much.
To anyone counting, I worked out 24 days in assessment for Jaune. So the next chapter will spell the end in the institute.
Not entirely sure on how to handle the Schnee family reunion, so it might be a while before another chapter comes out.
As always I hope you enjoy. Comments, critiques and suggestions are always welcome.
