I don't know what it is, but seeing the review numbers go up makes me feel good about myself and what I'm writing, even if the same reviews are pointing out mistakes. Thank you guys for making my day.

/==/

Allison chided herself for having checked out Jaune when he was being hooked up to the various recording apparatus Doctor Jekyll and his assistant Janice had been using. She had to admit to herself he was a fine looking young man, and also remind herself that he was a young man, a few years to young for her. But still he was a fine specimen. She regarded him as Jaune paced the length of the small meeting room, Allison's personal scroll held to his ear. Knowing how much he needed to speak with his sister, and after having cleared it with not only her CO, but Doctor Watson; she had relented and gave him use of her scroll.

It would be a couple of hours before they could return to the institute, actually it would be well after dark; when the picketers and protesters would abandon their vigil until the start of the next day. Allison turned her mind to the events of the day. Somehow she had managed to get through to Jaune when he was in his crazed state. It showed her that he implicitly trusted her on some level. She would need that from him to get him through the next couple of weeks.

"She's not answering." Jaune complained as he continued to pace. Marrow eyed him cautiously from his place leaning next to the only door in and out of the room.

"Maybe she's just busy, or can't hear her scroll." Allison offered.

"I'm going to try my mom. Is that okay?" Jaune asked.

"Go ahead." Allison replied.

She watched as Jaune dialed a long distance number, and then start his pacing anew. While he did she thought back to Jaune's previous tests. The baselines were wrong, or at least that was how Doctor Jekyll put it. Originally they had Jaune pegged for fifty metres, yet today he had reached out to sixty. He had extended his range, and the doctor also pointed out that during the simulation he had manifested two more limbs. Giving him now a total of eighteen. She surmised what the doctor confirmed. Jaune was getting stronger, and much too fast.

"Mom?" Jaune almost yelled as the other end of the line was picked up. "Mom! Where's Saph? I can't reach her."

Allison regarded Jaune, reading his body language. It was a useful skill to have as an attorney, to be able to tell when someone was possibly being false. Right then Jaune's body was telling her that he was severely agitated.

"What do you mean? No one's heard from her? What about Terra?"

This was not good, Allison thought and she gave Marrow a quick glance, and at once noticed he too was picking up the signs of a stressed young man. A young man capable of doing devastating injury and damage.

"Well where are they? Does ANYONE know?"

Marrow stood up straight, getting ready to intercede if Jaune's apparent stress levels rose too high. Allison for her part began to rise from her seat, ready to start pleading for Jaune to calm down.

"I don't care where I am! I NEED to know you're all safe! I NEED TO KNOW!"

His yelling was one more sign that things could possibly go off the rails at any moment.

"I don't mean to yell mom, but please tell me what's going on. Please?" Jaune had stopped pacing, his voice going from agitated to pleading.

Allison and Marrow watched with baited breath as Jaune moved to sit at the table, his elbows on the surface, and one hand braced against his forehead.

"Okay mom. Let me know if you hear anything. Bye." Jaune dropped the scroll unceremoniously to the table and covered his face with both hands.

To Marrow and Allison it looked like he was about to completely break at any second, but to which side was anyone's guess. Sorrow they could deal with, but rage would be another matter.

"No one's heard from either of them for a couple of days." Jaune reported in a barely audible voice. "Something has fucking happened I know it."

"It's okay Jaune. The Argus authorities are probably already working on it. Maybe they went on a trip and forgot to mention it to anyone."

"You think so? Cause Saph wouldn't do that." Jaune snapped.

"Well the author..."

"Are doing what?" Jaune snapped as he looked up from his hands. "All everyone seems to be worried about is keeping others safe from me. No one seems to be caring about my family."

"That's not fair Jaune." Allison countered. "We care about them, and YOUR safety, but we can only control what happens with you. You are here, they aren't."

"A couple of days." Jaune repeated as his face slid back down to be cradled in his hands. "Someone should have told me."

"Someone should have, and if my office had known we would have."

"Hey Jaune." Marrow spoke up getting the young man's attention,"You want me to ask around, see if anyone of the specialists who have some leave coming up wants to go take a look around?"

"Would they do that?" Jaune asked from behind his hands.

"Can't hurt to ask."

"I'll check with my office. See if we can spare a special investigator, or have the Argus detachment free up some resources to assist."

"Will they though?"

"Honestly, I don't know. But it's like what Marrow just said. It can't hurt to ask."

/=/

Watts was very impressed when he finally received what he had asked for. It had happened quicker than he expected. It was a set of two pictures. One showing the three members of the Cotta-Arc household bound and gagged. Well at least the two women, the child was of course cradled in blond haired woman's wrist bound arms. The second was more insidious. It showed the same as the first accept for one additional figure, holding a blade to the blond woman's throat. Abject fear showing in a pair of blue eyes, and echoed in a set of dark brown ones, while below a toddler appeared to be bawling.

"Perfect." Watts mumbled as he picked up a couple of scrolls, and a modified tablet. "Time to go visit Mantle."

The short trip would take a few days, and then his final arrangements would take a few more. He figured maybe a week to have everything in place.

/=/

After returning Jaune to the institute for his last couple of nights, Allison was in her CO's office. She had just finished briefing him on what had transpired at the testing and during Jaune's attempt to contact his sister. Now she was waiting for his response.

"So you are sure, he said a couple of days?"

"Yes, sir."

"That matches with what we have discovered."

"What do you mean? Did you know she was missing?"

"We only found out recently."

"How recent, because I found out like a hour ago with Jaune and Marrow."

"A day ago."

"A day ago? So what was this all needing contact information? A game?"

"No, it was a distraction that was needed to allow us to investigate the situation."

"Investigate? So we have people looking into it right now?"

"We do. A special investigation unit out of the Argus base is in charge."

"A unit?"

"Yes."

"And when was Jaune going to hear about all this? Or were you even planning on telling him?"

"We were going to wait for more definitive proof that she had been taken."

"Taken? So she's been taken."

"That is what our team in Argus believes."

"So why let him make the call home then, if you wanted to keep this from him?"

"Seemed easier to let his family tell him, then us."

"This is unbelievable. You know he trusts us right. That he thinks we are here to help him."

"No, he trusts you. You are here to help him, no scratch that, you are there to pacify him."

"What?"

"Didn't you read the psych evaluation from Site 51?"

"I did."

"Good, but let me remind you anyway. It clearly states that Jaune would response the most positively to a female, mother like figure. It also stated he has the makings of an exceptional leader, if he could get past his issues in regards to own his self worth."

"So?"

"You are the mother like figure. Your main job is to keep him under control."

"It's all a sham. The trial, the charges..."

"No, those are real. He does have the right to due process, and we will see that through."

"I'm not suppose to win am I?"

"That is entirely up to you and your skills as a barrister. The tribunal will be impartial, and it will be run according to the rule of law. That I can promise you, but just so you know what you are actually signed up for. IF he is found responsible in any form, we will pursue the maximum penalties available to us."

"You want to lock him away."

"In the long run it would be the best option for him, and the public. Make no mistake Lieutenant Richards ; Jaune Arc is dangerous, as in category five hurricane levels. From everything we have gathered, and reviewed he is capable of wiping entire settlements off the map. He is a storm waiting to be unleashed. That can not be allowed to happen. And we will use whatever LEGAL means we can to make sure it doesn't."

"I...I can't be party to this."

"You are, but all you have to do is your job, and duty. Your job is to keep him pacified; your duty is to represent him to the best of your ability at the tribunal."

/=/

Weiss paced the hallway between the residency rooms. Blake clutched in her arms. Her family and Klein had left hours ago, and she was whispering to Blake as she tried to sort out what was happening with her. She felt different, older, but yet she couldn't let go of her stuffed companion. Everything was confusing. Why she was here? What was she supposed to do? Where were her friends? She had too many questions and only confused answers. With no direction she wandered about, up the hall and down into the common room and then back again. All the while whispering so low that now one could hear what she was discussing with herself and Blake.

/=/

Like Weiss, Jaune was also wandering. His mind a confused mess of emotions and thoughts; with one coming to the front repeatedly. He needed to get through everything so he could go home. He needed to stay in control so he could be there to protect his family and friends. Stopping he took a couple deep breaths, and centred his mind. He needed out, and there were only two ways to do that. Go through the tribunal, or force his way out. Without Marrow, no one here could stop him. But Allison asked him to trust her, and breaking out would sever that trust. Sighing he returned to his pacing back and forth up and down the hallway. It was getting close to lights out, and soon he would be in his room.

/=/

"Fuck!" Allison swore as she threw herself down onto her bed. In her mind a thousand things danced. The revelations from her CO, her own actions; and what Jaune must be going through. How to tell him, how to represent him.

He was due to be out of the institute in a day or so. After that he would be housed in protective custody on the base. His safety would be guaranteed, as no one in their right mind would try anything with a literal battalion of troops capable of rising to defend the base; and by extension those residing on it. She knew she would have to tell him. It was only right to do. So many people who should have known better had broken their trust with him, whether he realized it or not. She couldn't afford to be the next one in line to do it. So being honest with him was the best course of action. But what then.

"I have to change my strategy." she muttered to herself as she lay on her bed still dressed in her uniform. "He can't take any responsibility. I have to disprove that he was in any form of control when it happened. Or ..."

Rolling over she looked at her cluttered desk. Three tablets each separately containing the UCMJ, the Atlas Criminal Code, and the Semblance Control Statutes surrounded the work tablet that she was using to draft out her summations, arguments, and statements. Taking a deep breath she rose from her bed and walked over to her desk. Pulling out the basic office chair she sat down and began to once again review what she had reviewed a hundred times already.

"I'm going to have to focus on the documented non-consensual experiments, the SCS, the psychiatric assessments; and Doctor Jekyll's affidavit." she mumbled as she picked up a tablet filled with fine text before her and began to read.

"Public opinion, maybe?" she mumbled again, "Not for Atlas, but for Vale. One step at a time girl. One step."

Settling in she started to read, thumbing through pages looking for statues that would aid her in the uphill fight to come.

/=/

The time had come. Jaune was shaking hands, and receiving well wishes from Doctor Watson, Mathews, Jacobs and the other staff that had been taking care and watching over him for the last month. His tenure was over, and now he was being moved back to the base. At his feet an Atlas issued rucksack containing the few changes of clothes he had. Once the goodbyes were completed he held his hands out and waited as the restraints were applied. With that done he was escorted down the hallway to stop at the doors where Allison and Marrow waited.

"All set?" Marrow asked as he took the offered rucksack from Jacobs.

"I guess." replied Jaune.

"So will be taking you to the base, were you will be given a private room, that will always have two guards stationed outside." informed Allison, "Pretty much the same deal it was before you came here."

"Okay. What then?"

"Me and you will start to discuss your case in greater detail."

"Thought you already figured out what you were going to do."

"Change of plans." Allison remarked.

"How, why?" asked Jaune.

"I came across some information that has made me consider a different path, for your defence." Allison answered.

"Guys, we should get going before the gang outside gets any larger." commented Marrow.

Nodding her agreement Allison turned and walked out the third floor doors towards the stairs, followed closely by Jaune, with Marrow bringing up the rear.

/=/

"Good morning Weiss." Doctor Walters greeted as she took her chair, with Blake in hand.

"Good morning Doctor Walters." Weiss greeted back.

"You sound a little different today. Are you feeling well?"

"My friends have left haven't they?"

"Yes they have."

"Why?"

"We felt their time here was over. That they had become well enough to try being at home again."

"What about me? Will I be going home soon?"

"Well that's up to you. Do you feel ready to head back home?"

"I do a bit. But I like it here as well."

"And why is that?"

"It's a big difference from what life is like at home. Everyone here is caring like Klein. I can feel it."

"So everyone here reminds you of Klein do they? Tell me about Klein."

/=/

"We're changing the defence strategy." Allison informed Jaune as they rode through the streets of Atlas.

"Why? I thought you had already come up with something?"

"I found out a few things like I said at the insitute, and they've made me change my mind about how to move forward."

"Like what?"

"This whole exercise is a sham. The JAG office is looking for an excuse to lock you up. ANY excuse. They don't care if you are found guilty, or innocent with mitigating factors. If they can use the SCS, or the UCMJ, or even the Atlas civil laws of Atlas; they want to put you away, for as long as they can."

"What do you mean?" Jaune was getting agitated at the news.

"What I mean is, if I get you off the original way I wanted to, they'll use whatever provisions the SCS has, and put you away somewhere for the maximum length the statues allow; and I'd hazard to guess that every time you get close to being released they'd find another reason to keep you put away."

"No, no they couldn't do that."

"They could, and will. My CO basically confirmed it last night. They also knew your sister was missing at least a day before you found out."

"You said I could trust..."

"You can trust. Trust me. Trust Marrow. Trust the doctors. We are all in this to make sure you are treated right, and that the truth comes out." Allison almost pleaded, "We're working to help you, and I'll be damned if a sham of a tribunal robs you of anything else. Please believe me."

"I..."

"I know it's a lot to swallow, and I know you have doubts, but understand this one thing; regardless of how you feel about the whole situation. I'm going to get you off, as in the charges dismissed, or a least you declared innocent of any responsibilitiy. There is no way I'm letting any of this stick."

"So what am I suppose to do?"

"You let me do what I know I can do, and you hold tight, keep in control; and stick close to Marrow."

"Why stick close to Marrow?"

"She's saying," Marrow interjected, "That she thinks there maybe some fast and loose play in regards to you. We've already talked about it, and it's been arranged. You'll be bunking near me, in fact you'll be in the room next to mine. If there is any trouble, you start screaming."

"Trouble like what?"

"Anything." Marrow replied, "You feel angry, you yell. You feel sad, you yell. Someone's banging on your door at two in the morning, you yell. If you want to have a bachelor party, you yell. Especially for that last one."

Winter said nothing during the whole exchange, and just listened. She knew she was at fault for portions of what Jaune had suffered through, and didn't feel right stepping into the conversation, so she concentrated on her job and that was just driving. After awhile the talk died and everyone rode in silence up the final stretch to the base.

/=/

A chime on one of his scrolls stopped him from leaving his little hideaway. Pulling it out from inside his jacket he thumbed it open. Typing in a short access code the screen opened fully showing the various icons for several apps most of which he fashioned himself. Clicking on his encrypted chat program he read the message.

He's been moved.

Where? He typed back quickly.

The base most likely.

Confirm.

Give me a couple of days.

You have a week.

Logging out, Watts put the scroll back inside his jacket. Reaching into the inside pocket on the other side, pulled out a different scroll. This one was not as standard looking one as the first had been. No Watts had build this one for a special purpose. Its hand-grips where white and red, and it folded out to twice the size of the standard personal units, but half the size of a tablet unit. Using Jaune's birth date as the code he opened it. On the screen were two icons, and only two. One was a picture file, the other for a short range encrypted video call. Pressing the file icon he brought up the first of two pictures and smiled.

"It wont be much longer Jaune. Not much longer at all."

/=/

Jaune settled into his new living space. Putting his rucksack on the bed, he looked around. It was the exact same layout as the room he had occupied before his time at the institute. Small attached bathroom with shower. A single bed bolted to the wall, a little remote controlled monitor for entertainment, a small wardrobe for his clothes; which were all currently military issued, and finally a small desk with a basic office chair. Deciding to burn some time he unpacked and put his limited belongings away before heading into the bathroom and having a shower.

Once done and feeling slightly refreshed, he sat down on the bed, a towel wrapped around his waist. He knew just outside the single metal door let granted access to the room a pair of Atlas soldiers stood guard. For his safety, and that of those in the base. His mind wandered. The images didn't come flooding back. His time with Doctor Watson teaching how to control that. No instead he thought on the recent developments.

Saph was missing, as was Terra and Adrian. The rest of his family was in a tight spot as well. His mother during his earlier call had confirmed that people kept coming to their home. Some looking for interviews, some begging for closure; and a few that had darker intents. His father a huntsman in his own right, and a powerful one; was stepping in dissuading anyone who showed even the small hint of ill intent. It was all troubling. He knew it was because of him, and what had happened with him at Beacon.

Trying to push those thought to the side for the time being, he focused on more recent revelations. Allison's confession did not make him comfortable. She implored that he could still trust her, and Marrow; but could he? They were both part of the system that was attempting to keep him sequestered. Looking to remove him from contact with the outside world.

"One more chance." he muttered to himself, "One more chance, and then I get myself out of this mess."

/=/

Tyrian Callows cackled with glee. His goddess had finally relented and assigned him to take care of that troubling boy. He knew she should have sent him first, but he held that thought. She had her reasons and he could not fathom the greatness of them. He was made to follow her. So he would do just that. He would follow what she had decreed.

Before he had left, she had instructed him to find Hazel and see what he was up against. It had been an enlightening and almost comical experience for him. Though the words had rankled him. The comparison of that boy to his own great accomplishments causing a pang of jealousy to rise with in his cold heart. He had Hazel transfer the files to his own scroll, and currently as he was taking a short rest he was watching the feed of Jaune's escape from the military facility.

"When we meet Jaune Arc, let us see who is truly the better killer." he whispered to himself, his eyes shined with malicious glee. "This will prove to be so much fun."

To say Tyrian was slightly unhinged would be like saying a Beowulf was a little bit dangerous.

/=/

Like Tyrian, Hazel Rainart was on his way to see through with Lady Salem's decree. After he had shared what information he had about Jaune to the crazed scorpion faunus; he had returned to Lady Salem for some final words of direction. She had assured him that Watts would be watched, and that he could concentrate on the children. Hazel was slightly disturbed at the thought of having to bring them back, or as Salem had put it; to break them first so they would crawl back to her.

He had no doubts he could accomplish that. Neither of the pair could match his power, or abilities. He was just not fond of the idea of having to cause them injury. They were children after all. However they had fled; running from failure, seeking to avoid Lady Salem's displeasure and that could not be overlooked; regardless of how he personally felt. Maybe his very presence would strike enough fear in them to return, and he would not have to raise a hand against the. That would be for the best.

As Tyrian was on his way to Mantle and then Atlas; he was making his way towards Vale. One of her crow sized Nevermore has caught sight of the silver haired Mercury. Hazel could not fathom why they had remained in Vale. The place would be crawling with people looking for them. Maybe they couldn't get out; which begged the question could he even get in.

/=/

In Vale Emerald and Mercury were using every trick they knew to keep out of sight. Using every skill they had at their disposal to keep lien in their pockets and food in their bellies. When they arrived security had almost caught them, and once they were on the streets it became obvious that just skipping out of Vale through the original channels they had used to get in was not an option anymore. The battle and fall of Beacon had put even the criminal element on edge, and upset them. Regardless of what they did for a living, Vale was still their home; and that meant they were themselves on the lookout for anyone that could have taken part in that tragedy.

Even the White Fang cells that had been active in Vale had vanished. The reactions varied according to the individual. Some had up and left Vale entirely, some out of guilt had walked into police stations; and given themselves up. Others had chosen just to abandon the cause and sought solace in joining the efforts to rebuild. For Emerald and Mercury that meant any chance of aid, any chance of finding allies was gone.

Thoughts of hopping another bullhead had been dashed when they arrived. The amount of security and inspections was incredible. Add in that everything that was coming in was aid for the ravaged city, and not shipments out. Hiding in the empty cargo hold with ten people walking through it was not an option. So they were stuck, at least until things quieted down further.

/=/

Weiss awoke that morning feeling much like her old self. Still carrying Blake she went about her day. A light breakfast and a few hours of downtime before she had another meeting. This time with Doctor Martin.

"Hello Weiss. Hello Blake. How are we this morning?"

"Very well Doctor, considering."

"Considering?"

"That I'm currently here. I would like to go home now."

"I see. How old are you?"

"What type of question is that? You never ask a lady her age." Weiss replied.

"Interesting."

"What do find interesting?"

"Well I find it interesting that you seem to be more like yourself, yet are still holding on to that doll."

"It's not a doll. This is Blake." informed the doctor in a straight forward tone.

"I'm sorry. Bear with me, for a few more questions?"

"Seeing as I'm obviously here to speak with you and Doctor Walters, I will, if you answer some of mine."

"What would you like to know Weiss?

"How long have I been here?"

"Over a month, but for the exact amount of time I would have to check your intake records."

"That's what I thought."

"So you remember everything?"

"I do, I think."

"You think? Why is that?"

"It's a little hazy, but I do remember my friends being here. Are they still?"

"No, sorry they left a little while ago."

"How is Ruby?"

"Ruby is doing better."

"I'm relieved."

"Do you understand why you are here?"

"I had issues, that needed professional assistance. Father obviously thought it better that I be here than at home. Probably had something to do with the controlled environment you provide.

"That is true. But do you remember what brought you here. Specifically."

"I was troubled. Seeing Jaune hurt Ruby, and then witnessing the extent of her injury caused me problems, and then..."

"And then?"

"Seeing him in Atlas, of all places," Weiss' breath became a little hitched as she recalled the final event that lead her here, "and his attack. I remember being covered in someone's blood. I can still feel it."

"And how does that make you feel?"

"Dirty." she replied as she inadvertently hugged Blake closer to her chest.

"Well I can confirm you are not dirty."

"I know I'm not, but it doesn't change the feeling." she almost snapped.

"I agree. So why do you want to go home?"

/==/

So I've gotten a moderated review (which has been approved.) That suggested/commented that my characters where only being used as plot devices. That they are offering no connection to the reader. Which I feel is a fair point; but I am interested in what others feel about how I'm portraying/using the characters.

Just so no one gets concerned, I'm not planning a complete rewrite. The story is too far along for me to start trying to use/define(?) the characters more. I'm really just interested in how others see the characters. It will help my future stories.

Also a BIG THANK You to everyone who is pointing out other legal ideas. They are things that I've overlooked, and should not have.

And on that note. Things are going to slow down, considerably. I know what I want to do, I'm just hitting a block on how to do it, in a sensible manner. With the way things are going I do feel the Watts subplot is going to fizzle (and probably should have been dropped several chapters ago.) With the Atlas trial I know what I'm going to do, but once that's over with it's back to Vale. And Vale is still a little up in the air, aside from the "trial" there.

I'm also feeling like I have too many loose ends to tie up in meaningful manner.