A letter from the Vale Council to Professor Ozpin
Dear Ozpin,
We're pleased to announce that your suggestion in regards to the security of this year's Vytal Festival by requesting the aid of Atlas Military has been successfully approved. If we might be honest, we had not expected you to suggest this motion, though we are not displeased by it.
That being said, we are slightly concerned about the idea of merely sending in human troops. Would it not be better to acquire the aid of Atlesian Knights and Paladins? Surely, automations would serve as a better security force?
RWBY x Red vs Blue Crossover:
"Metastability"
Chapter VI: Heavy Metal and Heavy Fists
The following morning had been one that Ozpin was not expecting. Currently, the Headmaster, alongside Glynda and Ironwood stood in the office with the general's scroll open. Projected from it was Delta, accompanied by a stylized letter. One that brought forth a troubled stare from the old man as he leaned back in his chair, hands folded.
"Someone attempted to hack into the CTT?!" Glynda shouted in surprise. Not that either man could blame her. In all these years, never once has someone attempted to hack into the towers that provided the only and greatest means of communication between the kingdoms. The fact that someone had attempted to do so was unheard of. "Who in the world would do that?"
"Someone we know very well." Ironwood answered grimly before he looked at Ozpin. "Oz, I know you've said that the army outside is nothing but an eyesore, let alone a unnerving sight, but-"
Ozpin held up a hand. "No need for that. If that signature does belong to Watts, then I'm afraid there's use for that army after all."
"Watts?" Glynda frowned. "You know who did this?"
[Arthur Watts was a scientific genius that was highly regarded in Atlas for his many exploits and pioneering.] Delta responded, bringing up a profile of the man up. The picture attached to the profile showed a man with a slim build and slightly tanned skin, green eyes and short black-and-gray hair, as well as a mustache. [Known by many as the Father of the Knights and Paladin, he developed the blueprints that would one day become the most advanced military androids in the Kingdom. However, due an incident during a test collaboration between Watts and another scientist named Merlot, he was discredited and discharged, as well as exiled.]
"Ever since then, he fell off the radar and we have been unable to find any trace of him. Until now that is..." Ironwood said.
"So...it would be safe to assume that Watts had come in contact with Salem and joined her forces."
Ozpin frowned heavily. "This does not bode well..." he said, tension creeping into his voice. "Watts was one of the most brilliant minds in all of Remnant. If he has thrown his lot in with Salem... I can scarcely imagine what she will be capable of. Still, to think he would be able to create a virus that would have infiltrated and taken control of the CTT tower!"
"We should be thankful that Delta was present and prevented the hack from being successful." Glynda remarked. "Though I suppose credit also goes to Mr. Arc, given that he is technically partially responsible for his being here."
[Regarding that matter, there was something else I noticed when the infiltrator attempted to implement the virus into the command console.] Delta chimed, bringing all attention to him. [It seems that, besides the virus, they also attempted to obtain information about the records of two members of Beacon's faculty. Specifically, information on Agent Texas and Agent Arc.]
Ironwood frowned heavily. It didn't take a genius to know why they had tried to get those records. Slowly, he turned to Ozpin. "They know."
"Of that, we can't be sure." Ozpin shook his head. "However, they are most definitely suspicious. A student thought long gone reappears here at Beacon, along with a new teacher, one who is a decorated officer and former Specialist?" He leaned back, folding his hands before closing his eyes, as if to ponder the situation before he opened them again and turned to the Headmistress. "Glynda, please contact Qrow. Tell him to return to Vale immediately. I'm putting his mission on hold for now."
Glynda nodded. "Yes, sir." Immediately, she opened up her Scroll to bring up communications.
"So then..." the general pondered aloud. "Since our opponent has made their move... What do we do next?"
"First, the waiting game, old friend. And then, the counter attack. We must plan this one carefully..."
"When I heard you were taking therapy, I had thought Professor Oobleck was joking." Krimzen Reed said with a smile as Maine sat in the chair opposite to his, Church and Theta on either side of him. "So then, what brought this on?"
"To put it simply, doc?" Church scoffed. "He's sick of me translating for him, and he promised his girlfriend that he'd try to get his vocal chords back in working order." He then turned to the blonde and folded his arms. "Also, why am I here again? I could be spending my time, tormenting Red back in her room! Or hell, fuck around with Ice Queen, maybe expose a selfie or two she might have taken."
'It's because I still need you as my communicator, genius.' Maine commented sarcastically. 'I still can't aoeak, so I need you here to talk.'
"Well, okay then. Hey, Doc! Vomit Boy says you're an asshole and you deserve to-" Maine growled and tried to slap him, only for his hand to phase through. "In case you forgot, I'm still a hologram, numbnuts."
'Asshole!'
Theta rubbed the back of his neck before bowing apologetically. "I'm really sorry. They like to argue."
"Oh, no need to apologize. Hardships build character, or so they say." Krimzen smiled warmly, taking a seat at his desk. "Perhaps you would have better use of Theta being your translator, Mr. Arc."
"Actually, he prefers Maine." Theta added helpfully.
"Very well. Maine it is."
'Thanks. At least Theta is polite.'
"Oh fuck you, asshole!"
'Takes one to know one.'
The two glared daggers at one another until Krimen coughed into his hand. "Gentlemen. No fighting in the office." he said politely. Church huffed and promptly vanished, no doubt either ready to take a nap or to fulfill his words and bug Team RWBY. "Now then... As I'm sure you are well aware, the damage done to your throat is quite severe. Honestly, it is a miracle you even survived such an injury. Normally, your Aura would have healed it right up, but whatever the Director had done had forced it to go dormant. Now, however, you have access to it again, isn't that right?"
"Yep." Theta translated for Maine, who nodded. "I got it back when I woke up after what happened in Forever Fall. But, if aura heals damage, how come my throat is still so fucked up?"
"You've had to deal with that injury for years, but you've learned to adapt to it. It was an obstacle you managed to overcome. When you regained your Aura, your mind thought it was of no consequence to heal it. If you want to heal the damage done, you need to focus your Aura around your throat." Krimzen paused briefly. "Of course, that is easier said than done. It is harder to heal a wound you've had to deal with for most of your life than heal a wound you've only recently gained."
"So, I just have to work on it?"
"Yes. But like I said, it will be difficult since it's a wound that's has been scarred over for years."
Krimzen told him. "And that is not even going into the sessions to get your vocal chords back into working order. After all, you haven't used them in several years, so they're going to be quite rough." The old man then smiled. "Of course, that's why I'm here. Aside from mental health care, I also help students who've suffered injuries that their Auras can't usually heal. Though I will admit, I've never encountered a case quite like yours before. Now, onto business. When did you wish to begin your sessions?"
"As early as possible!" Theta relayed.
"Then let us begin, shall we?"
"Yo! I came to-"
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE CTT WAS ATTACKED?!"
"-annoy...you guys..." Church trailed off when he found Wiess on her feet, chair knocked over with an incredulous expression while Ruby stood in front of her rather awkwardly, rubbing her index fingers together while the other two females watched on with curious expressions. "Did I come at a bad time?"
"No." Yang shrugged. "You're on time for the drama."
"W-well, I was going to tell you last night, but I was really tired and I-"
"No. Stop right there!" Weiss all but demanded. "H-how?! How did someone attack the CTT tower?! It should have been heavily guarded!"
"Yeah, um. Sorry. I just got here and I have no idea what the hell's going on." Church said as he looked at Team RWBY for answers. "What's going on right now?"
"Ruby just told us that last night, someone tried to hack into the CCT while the dance was going on. She saw a woman trying to upload something, but Delta stopped it from uploading after she left."
"...seriously. Does shit get drawn to you guys like a magnet or something?"
"I don't know! I was just trying by to stop a suspicious person from doing whatever it was they were trying to do!"
Ruby protested weakly. Though, now that Church had said it, the girls couldn't help but think that he had a point. Ruby had encountered Roman Torchwick, who then appeared before them with the White Fang when Blake went to investigate by herself, and then there was the events that occurred not too long ago on the highway when he revealed to have possessed an Altesian Paladin in his arsenal. And then there was last night with Ruby at the CTT. Were they really magnets for trouble or something? Or was it just by being associated with Ruby?
"...yeah, I'm gonna call it now. You're cursed or something, Red." Church blandly commented.
Ruby spluttered. "W-what?!" she cried with large eyes. "Cursed?! I can't be cursed! I haven't done anything to make a gypsy angry at me!"
"It's fine, Ruby." Yang patted her sister on the head. "It's just little blue messing with you. Anyway, what did happen at the CTT, anyway?"
"Like I just said, I saw someone going on and when I went after them, I saw unconscious guards out front. So, I went in and I found her at some computer." the silver-eyed girl answered with a pout. "But she got away. Delta said she tried to do something. Install a virus, I think?"
Weiss frowned heavily. "Install a virus?" she questioned. "Who would be idiotic enough to try and implant a virus into the CTT? The security firewalls are one of the best defensive programs ever designed! You'd have to be a genius to even try and hack into it!"
"And yet Delta managed to hack into the CTT like it was nothing." Blake brought up, making Weiss frown in displeasure at the reminder. "And do you really have to ask who would do that?"
"You think it was the White Fang?" Ruby asked. Blake nodded. The girl cocked her head. "I...think that might be right. She was there when Ms. Goodwitch showed up and tried to arrest Torchwick that night. Maybe she's his right hand? Oh! Or maybe she's the boss!"
"Really? I find it hard to believe that someone as notorious as Torchwick would simply bow his head for someone else."
Church crossed his arms. "Does it really matter if he's got a boss?"
"It could. Anyway, what're you doing here?"
"Bugging you guys, since Vomit Boy's with the doc trying to get his throat back in working order."
"Wait, Jaune's getting his throat fixed? Is he gonna be able to talk again?!"
At this prospect, excitement swelled. It had been so long since they've heard his voice, aside from viewing his memories. Church was nonplussed and merely waved it off. "Hell if I know. I bolted when he decided to have Theta translate for him." His form flickered for a moment, causing everyone to stare at him curiously while Church himself looked visibly confused. "The fuck...?"
"What's wrong?"
"I...think I got a message from Tex." he confessed, albeit sounding very confused. "Since when can she...? You know what? Never mind. Looks like General Ironpuss and the Wizard of Oz wants to see you, Red. Something 'bout last night?"
"He must want to talk to you about what happened in the CCT." Blake clarified.
"Me? A-alone?"
Ruby felt nervous. Being called into the Headmaster's office was nerve wracking enough, but with General Ironwood there too? He was, like, three Goodwich's in one! She could barely handle the woman by herself! Sucking a breath, she let out a sigh and hanged her head, nodding as she headed out the room. "See you guys later..." she moaned, closing the door behind her.
Unknown to her, though, Ruby had not been the only one called into the Headmaster's Office. Maine was forced to wrap up their session early and left in a somewhat foul mood, evident by how he rubbed his throat. "Damn, you look pissed." Texas remarked as she walked beside him. "What? You turned into a girl and started your period or something?"
'Fuck off.'
"Um..." Theta stammered. "I, uh, don't think I should repeat that..."
"Don't worry about it, Theta. I think I got what he wanted to say..." Tex shook her head. "And lighten up, Maine. It was a joke. Besides, Pyrrha already told me about how you were planning on going to therapy to get your throat fixed."
Maine blinked. Pyrrha had told her that? When was this? As far as he knew, the two had almost never interacted, at least not outside of Combat Class. It was hardly a secret that the blonde bruiser had taken a liking to the Mistral Champion for whatever reason, though he wasn't entirely sure if that was a bad thing or not. Namely, due to the fact that she often tested the limits of what Pyrrha could do by having her taken on multiple opponents at once, as was the case with Team CRDL. And not too long ago, she had her take on Nora, Yang, a second year student named Yatsuhashi and Weiss herself. And Pyrrha, strangely, enjoyed the challenge. He could never mistake that grin of excitement on her face as she was somehow pushed to the brink.
Given her history, she must have felt excited by the prospect of being defeated for the first time, or at the very least given an actual challenge.
"She told me about it not too long ago." She informed him. "She seemed pretty excited by the prospect. Heck, even I can't remember what you sounded like."
'Yeah, well... You and me both.'
They entered the elevator shortly after. Texas pushed the button, letting the doors close. Soon, the elevator began to move upwards. "So, what do you think Ironwood asked us for?" she asked as she leaned against the wall. "Any chance he's gonna try and ask you 'bout the suit thing again?"
"About that..." Theta looked at Maine curiously. "Why don't want to work with the General? I mean... He seems a lot nicer than the Director.".
'Maybe, but I don't trust that guy. He may seem better than the Director, but something about him doesn't seem right. I mean, he brought a fucking armada with him to what is supposed to be a visit between schools for the Vytal Festival, and claimed it be security. Not to mention he offered my some experimental armor to me based on my old suit and expected me to follow like a soldier!'
"But...he said it was optional..."
'The look in his eye said otherwise. He was hoping I said yes.'
That, and Maine was having a hard time deciding whether or not he could trust a high ranking military official. After what happened with Sigma and the Director, it would be a very long time before he could trust someone with a badge and a gun. Besides, for all he knew, the General had other ideas in mind for him once he wore that armor.
"Well, whatever the old man has in mind for us, I suppose we'll hear it from him." Texas shrugged. The elevator stopped, doors sliding open and allowing them to step out. When they entered Ozpin's office, Glynda Goodwitch was present as they had expected with Ozpin at the desk. Ironwood was there as well, much to Maine's annoyance. However, what neither of them expected to find was Ruby there as well, standing in front of the adults. "What the...? Rose? The hell're you doing here?"
Ruby jumped, whirling around to find Texas and Maine standing behind her. "O-Oh! Miss Goodwitch-I mean Miss Texwitch-no! I mean, haaaah...!"
"Deep breaths, Ruby." Ozpin called from his desk with a smile of amusement. "Deep breaths. I'm glad the two of you could make it. We were just finishing up our discussion with Ruby in regards to last night's events."
Maine raised an eyebrow. "Last night?" Theta questioned with him, tilting his head. "What happened?"
"Someone had attempted to hack into the Continental Transmit Tower and insert a virus into the system." Ironwood answered, surprising both of them. "Were it not for Delta, they would have succeeded. We were asking Ruby if she remembered anything about the assailant or what she said."
"Was I...of any help?" Ruby asked.
Glynda nodded, smiling thinly. "Yes, Miss Rose. You were. You can return to your team now." Ruby smiled and bounced off, waving Maine goodbye on her way out. Once the elevator doors closed, all attention was directed at the two former Freelancers. "I suppose you're wondering why we called the two of you here."
"Well, no shit." Texas snorted. "Is it our birthday or something and somebody forgot to tell us?"
"Unfortunately no. If there were, we would have cake prepared." Ozpin shook his head in an attempt to lighten the atmosphere. "To simplify things, we would like to speak with you regarding this security breach."
"Did you find anything?"
"Apparently, the culprit was trying to uncover information on the two of you."
That certainly put the two on edge. Immediately, Maine's eyes narrowed dangerously, red eyes flickering with the former self of the Meta's brutality nearly coming to the surface. A low growl rumbled from his throat, which sounded more like the warning sign of a predator about to strike. Texas, while remaining straight-faced, had looked quite tense by the way her shoulders seemed to lock up.
"Any idea why?" she asked sharply. "Do they know we're former Freelancer agents?"
"It doesn't seem to be the case." Ironwood shook his head. "However, they obviously suspect something. Up until a few months ago, Agent Texas, you didn't exist in Remnant. And Jaune Arc was missing for a month. The fact that the two of you appeared, almost simultaneously, is enough to warrant suspicion."
"Additionally, from what Delta was able to uncover, the one responsible for the creation of the virus was the former leading figure in Atlas' scientific department. Arthur Watts. A genius of the likes of which this generation has never seen. Unfortunately, due to certain circumstances regarding his...unorthodox experiments, he was discharged and then exiled from Atlas."
"So, what?" Texas huffed. "He made a virus to get back at you guys or something?"
Ironwood, surprisingly, snorted. "Harldy." he spat with venom in his voice. "Watts is a man driven by the pursuit of science, and what he does, he does to explore its many mysteries, regardless of the consequences." There was a dark look in Ironwood's eyes, his hands tightening behind his back. "Even if he has to sacrifice human lives to pursue those mysteries."
"In other words..." Theta translated for Maine, who put a hand on his hip as he stared at Ironwood. "He's a mad scientist?"
"He's certainly close to that point, but I would like to believe that there is some humanity left in that man somewhere." Ozpin said, albeit with uncertainty. "Or, at the very least, I pray he does. Regardless, the fact that he's now working with Roman Torchwick and that woman has raised several causes of concern. Especially if he is working for our enemy."
Texas narrowed her eyes. "Enemy?"
The General closed his eyes. "We...can't disclose everything to you." he said. Maine raised an eyebrow. Either his senses had taken a leave of absence, or did the man actually sound troubled? "Not yet. What we can tell you, however, is that despite what the Council and others may tell you, behind this era of peace is someone who will do whatever it takes to bring it tumbling down."
'...the same words the Director used.' Maine noted, staring at Ironwood with scrutiny. 'But...at least he's more forthcoming. Even if he's not telling us everything, he's telling us something.'
[See?] Theta chimed opptimistically via a private line. [We can trust him, can't we?]
'Not yet I can't.'
"What is it with military asshats and their secrets?" Texas scoffed, shaking her head. "Fine, whatever... So, bottom line is, someone wants to know who we are and if we're a threat. And we should keep our heads down, right?"
"Yes...is what I would say under normal circumstances..."
The two stared at one another before they looked at Ozpin in confusion. "The hell's that supposed to mean?"
"What I mean to say is that officially, both of you will remain under the radar and continue business as usual. However, there are other matters you may be interested in looking into."
"Such as...?"
"It has recently come to our attention that suspicious activity has been taking place in the Southeast of Vale." Ozpin continued.
Maine frowned heavily. "You mean, like what Ironwood talked about last time?" Theta questioned. "Is that Desagra person you mentioned acting out?"
"That, and more." Glynda adjusted her glasses. "You see, the students from all the Kingdoms will be participating in events meant specifically for them to shadow Huntsmen from different fields. Police work, agriculture, special operations and the like."
"And they leave..." Ozpin adjusted his glasses. "Today. Normally, this wouldn't be a problem, but according to reports, there have been sightings of White Fang soldiers in the Southeast. The Council sent two active Huntsmen to investigate."
"...let me guess." Texas said in a low whisper. "They didn't come back?"
"Correct." Ironwood nodded grimly. "It would be safe to assume that they have been compromised and held hostage...or worse..."
"Then why don't you just send your soldier boys out there to go get 'em?" Texas asked. "You've got a fucking armada hanging out in front of Vale's backdoor for christ's sake!"
"Believe me, I was thinking of the same thing, but a certain someone..." Ironwood glanced at Glynda. "...emphasized that a situation such as this requires subtlety. If I had sent my ships to raid a base in the South East, it would garner immediate attention and could result in extreme retaliation."
"And the last thing we need is more casualties." Ozpin said calmly, folding his hands. "This requires a more...delicate approach."
Maine scoffed. "So, you want us to take care of it?" Theta relayed. "Because we do the job best?"
"That...and I have a favor to ask the both of you." Ozpin took out his Scroll, inputting a few commands before he set it down on the table. Seconds later, an image was displayed, one that surprised both former Freelancers. "I'd like for the both of you to investigate this."
"...what the actual fuck?!"
Displayed before them was an image. It was nothing they had not seen before, given their history. Soldiers, those being White Fang, moving about and moving cargo. Judging by the background, the picture had obviously been a recon photograph, as it was set in what looked to be their base of operations or somewhere close by. Several crates and vehicles were scattered about. The most prominent feature of the photograph, however, were the assortment of cages: all of which containing familiar black creatures with ivory masks and glowing red eyes.
"T-they're..." Theta whimpered. "They're capturing Grimm?"
"How the fuck is that even possible?" Texas asked, startled. "I thought you assholes said that if a Grimm gets captured, it kills itself!"
"That is normally the case, which is why this revelation is so disturbing. Somehow, they are capturing Grimm successfully and keep them intact. As for what their purpose is, we do not know. But it can be anything but good. There's also the matter of the marking on the cages in which the Grimm are being held in." Ozpin enhanced the image, zooming in on one of the markers labeled on one of the crates. Printed on the side was a stylized M. "That insignia was the logo of a now defunct corporation that was partially responsible for the events that transpired at Mountain Glenn."
"Wait, you're saying some corporation was responsible for the failure of a Kingdom expansion?" Theta translated for Maine, who recalled Mount Glenn from his recent studies.
"Indeed. It was due to the Merlot Industries machinations with Grimm studies that inconsequentially led to Grimm overrunning the territory."
"And as it just so happens, the head of the company, Augustine Merlot, was also a business partner of Watts." Ironwood added with a grimace. "Though when you compare the two, Merlot is arguably worse. He's always had an unhealthy obsession for the Grimm, developing ways to try and capture a live specimen in order to study it. I can't tell you how long we've tried to study the Grimm ourselves and learn everything there was to know about our enemy, but any specimen we obtained soon perished after it was captured. However, Merlot didn't want to study the Grimm to learn their weaknesses. He want to study them in order to IMPROVE them. Make them into tools for humans to use."
"And let me guess..." Texas rolled her eyes. "One of his experiments went wrong, and the next thing you know, boom. Mountain Glenn is overrun with Grimm like a Jurassic Park film reenactment."
"I...do not know what that is supposed to mean, but the first part of you statement is correct." Ironwood said, unfamiliar with the blockbuster movie. "His experiments grew out of control and started attacking Mount Glenn's inhabitants. As a result, their panic and fear attracted even more Grimm outside the settlement."
"And the rest, as they say, is history." Ozpin finished with a heavy sigh. "After Mountain Glenn's fall, Merlot Industries were sued and promptly shut down. Merlot himself, however, disappeared without a trace. We had thought the man to be missing...at least, until we discovered his equipment being used by the White Fang. Watts' involvement is bad enough. If Merlot is also involved... I shudder to think what the White Fang would be capable of."
"So, bottom line." Maine said, translated by Theta as he hissed. "You want us to go in, take out the White Fang and see if Merlot is involved. That it?"
"Correct."
"And if we refuse?"
The tension in the room was thick. Ironwood and Glynda looked on in worry. The glare Maine was giving Ozpin would have terrified lesser men or they would have died of fright on the spot. He was not most men, however. Ozpin stared back, unflinching as he calmly took a drink of his coffee before he delivered his response.
"If you refuse, then the matter will remain unsolved. As a result, we will remain unaware of the White Fang's agenda. Furthermore, should the worse case scenario happen and the White Fang led an assault armed with whatever monstrosities Merlot has armed them with, we will be severely unprepared to handle the situation."
It was simple and straight to the point. No lie to be found. Yet, somehow, Maine could hear the underlying, unsaid words.
"People will die, and the worst case scenario can, and will happen."
Maine didn't care about lives. Even when he was in Project Freelancer, he wasn't fighting to save humanity. He was doing his job. He was a soldier, and he was fighting because he was ordered to fight. But, more importantly, he was fighting to protect his family. Project Freelancer. Carolina. York. North. Washington. Florida. Everyone. By all rights, there was absolutely no reason for him to even accept this mission.
Yet...
-a city laid waste in ruin. Fire spreading all across the landscape. Death and destruction, hand in hand, reigned as far as the eye could see. Littered across the ground, piled among the towers of rubble, were corpses. Broken. Bent. Destroyed. Mangled. All save for one, a beautiful girl with vibrant red hair, a broken shield lying not far from her-
He blinked, shaking his head profusely. The image remained planted in his head, as if telling him what would happen. He stared at Ozpin, hoping that if he glared hard enough, the man would burst into flames and die. Then, after a period of silence, with Texas staring at him expectantly, he closed his eyes and sighed.
Maybe this was how Jaune Arc felt in the past.
"Yo, little sis. How did everything go?"
Ruby sighed. "Kind of terrifying. General Ironwood is so intimidating up close..."
"But I guess everything worked out in the end, right?"
"I guess...although, I was surprised that Jaune and Texas came in when I was about done."
Church cocked his head. "Wait, seriously?" he asked. "Why'd General Ironpuss ask for them?"
"I don't know. I didn't get the chance to ask."
"Well, whatever they wanted from them, I'm sure it will all work out." Yang reassured her. "Oh that's right! I got something to show you!" She picked up a tube package from the table.
"What's that?"
"Dunno. Dad sent it to us. I thought we could open it together!"
Ruby promptly squealed. "Ooooh! Something from home!" she cried before she latched herself onto Yang, trying to take the tube and see what was inside for herself.
Yang kept it out of arm's length before she gave it a shake, which caused the cap to come undone. Then, something black fell out of the tube, bouncing on the floor. It twitched, and then proceeded to unfurl itself-
"...what the fuck?" Church asked, completely thrown for a loop. For a moment, he thought his brain short circuited and tapped his helmet to see if his sight was still working. "No, seriously. What the actual fuck? H-how? What?"
The reason behind his flabberghasted state, you might wonder? Said object that had been inside the tub turned out to be a dog: a corgi, to be exact, covered in black and white fur with large beady eyes and a wide grin that exposed all of its molars, and a rather fine tail. For a moment, all of Team RWBY stared at it, as if still processing what was in front of them before-
"ZWEI!"
With a squeal, Ruby dashed forward and picked up the corgi, nuzzling it up against her face while it barked happily, dragging its tongue along her cheek. "He sent you a dog?!" Weiss gawked in disbelief.
"In the mail?!" Blake hissed as she leaped into the air, taking refuge atop her bunk bed and eyeing the creature warily as if afraid it would leap out and attack her.
While Zeei affectionately licked Ruby, Yang explained. "Oh he does stuff like this all the time."
"Your father or your dog?" Blake questioned.
"How. The fuck. Is this even possible?" The AI still couldn't comprehend this. Seriously! Who sticks a mutt in a tube and mails them to their daughters in a boarding school to kill monsters?!
...huh. Never thought he would've thought of that.
"A-and how the hell is that dog even still alive? Shouldn't he have gotten squished in that tiny tube thing? And more importantly, how long was he even in that?!"
"Aura." came the simple (yet also bullshit) answer from the girls. Meanwhile, Weiss leaned forward and observed the dog with some level of scrutiny, if questioning its presence with some disdain.
"You mean to say this mangy..." Zwei stared at Weiss. "...drooling..." Continue staring... "Mutt...is going to wive with us fowever? Oh yes he is, yes he is..." Her tone took a 180 and she was now cooing the adorable corgi.
Church stared at Weiss for a moment before shaking his head. "Not touching that one." he said flatly. "Well, you guys have fun hanging out with your disgusting, four-legged and furry pet. I'm gonna go see if Vomit Boy and Tex are done with General Ironpuss yet."
"Bye, Church!"
"Later, Red." he waved back before his form flickered and disappeared.
"Yo. I'm back, so what are you guys-?"
"Fine. We'll do it." Theta translated for Maine, who appeared begrudging.
"Ah, hell. What did you guys agree to this time?!"
"Ah, Mr. Church. Glad you could join us." Ozpin smiled while Ironwood looked surprised by his presence. Of course, he had also been surprised and secretly happy that Maine had agreed to their request. "We were discussing recent events that have transpired that required attention. Would you care to join us?"
"Ugh, no thanks. I'm pretty sure I'll figure out what the hell I'm being dragged along for." Church grunted before he turned to Maine. "And give a guy a little warning before you go and decide to get shot at. Just cause I'm a ghost doesn't mean I like having guns point at me."
The blonde huffed. 'Bet your time at Blood Gulch must have been stressing.'
"Only because of Caboose and O'Malley!" he retorted before pausing, looking at Ironwood. "Speaking of Omega, Penny cracked him yet?"
"Unfortunately, not yet. Omega has proven himself to be increasingly stubborn."
"Damn. Was hoping he'd go crazy by now, what with all the cuteness and rainbows and unicorns and shit."
"Eh. I give it a week before he snaps." Texas shrugged.
"I'll take that action."
"At any rate..." Ozpin stood up from his desk. "I believe business has been concluded."
"When do we leave?" Theta asked for Maine.
"Immediately. James will be preparing you a Bulkhead." he told them, much to Maine's annoyance. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have students to address in regards for their newest activities."
About twenty minutes later, Maine and Texas had arrived on the Bulkhead, which was Atlas issued. Compared to the ones from Vale, it was slightly smaller but heavily armored, coated in white paint with mounted turrets on either side. The interior wasn't too different, save for a few crates of Dust and ammunition and whatnot.
There was one thing that had Maine slightly miffed. And it was in front of him, presented inside a large metal suitcase with several locks. "The General insisted that this was given to you." a female soldier told him as she undid the locks, revealing pieces of white armor. In the center was an eerily familiar helmet, its visor reflecting his annoyed face. "He said it would be of use."
'...sneaky bastard.' Maine growled, but he otherwise thanked the soldier. He was half-tempted to throw it away, but given what Ozpin told him earlier, he knew he couldn't go in half-cocked. 'I'll kill him when I get back.'
[That would be unwise.] Delta said, suddenly appearing next to him. [If you were to kill him, you would have the combined might of not only Atlas, but every active Huntsmen in the kingdom after you. And that is not factoring in the Huntsmen here in Vale.]
"D?" Church popped up on Maine's shoulder, surprised to see the green AI fragment here. "What're you doing here?"
[As I told you before the other day, the STRIKER unit requires multiple AIs to regulate the energy output, in order to maximize equipment usage and efficiency.]
"Ooh!" Theta showed up next to Church, bouncing. "Does that mean you're coming with us, Delta?!"
[Indeed. I am.] Delta nodded before turning to Maine. [It will be a pleasure working with you again, Huntsmen Arc.]
'I guess the feeling is somewhat mutual...' He begrudgingly nodded. 'But stay out of my head. Your only gonna be in the armor. Got it?'
[Understood.]
Together, the three AIs vanished, no doubt joining Church inside the collar around his neck. Maine sighed, running a hand through his blonde locks. This situation just seemed too much like the missions he went through while he was in Project Freelancer. It shouldn't have bothered him this much, but the fact that he was going to be using AIs was...not what he preferred. It made him fear another Sigma situation. That being said, he could trust Delta and Theta not to mess around in his head. As for Church...
Well, he wouldn't put it past him, if only to fuck with him.
Maine stood up, closing the suitcase and left the main deck, heading for someplace where he could change into the armor. Delta gave him directions for a suitable place, being none other than the bathroom. As he opened up the suitcase and began to disrobe himself, Delta flickered into view. [I apologize if this mission brings you some...discomfort, Arc. I imagine this brings up some rather painful memories.]
'There's that...' Maine admitted, throwing his jacket and shirt aside before his hands began to unclasp his belt. 'But the fact that the General gave me that fucking thing didn't help. I thought I told him, I had no intention of using it.'
[Despite what you may think of General Ironwood, he is not the Director.] Delta remarked in his usual tone. [In fact, if the two were to ever meet, I believe that they would argue about their respective methods. They may even draw a gun on each other.]
"I would think the General would shoot the Director first, though..." Church commented.
'Maybe. But I'm still not keen on trusting any military official.'
[Understandable.] Once his pants and shoes were off, Maine took out what looked to be a black bodysuit, marked in symmetrical lines. [The suit is crafted from special fibers that act as repelling agents for all manner of Dust. To put it simply, it is Dust proof. Unfortunately, it won't offer you protection from live-action bullets.] Maine nodded and slipped into the suit. At first, it seemed a bit too large for him until it suddenly shrunk, squeezing on his form until it hugged every last inch of his body. Flexing his fingers and body parts, he found the bodysuit to be somewhat comfortable, if perhaps a little tight around the crotch before he began to fit the armor over his body.
[The armor itself was based on your old unit. However, due to Atlas technology being far behind the UNSC, adjustments and substitutions have been made.] Delta informed him. [It is not as powerful as the original, but it does possess all of the enhancements from your old unit. Of course, as I mentioned earlier, it's power usage is still a liability, hence the requirement of AIs to regulate the energy output.]
'Anything else I should know?' Maine asked as he slapped on the breastplate, which clasped onto his form with a metallic hiss, configuring to join with the rest of the armor. He then began to attach the bracers and shoulder pads.
[That should be all.]
With a tug, the gauntlets were fixed on his arms. Overall, the armor felt tight on his body, but the weight was familiar to him. Nostalgic, almost. The last piece was his helmet, which rested in his hands.
Maine glared back at his reflection. He could swear he saw Sigma standing over his shoulder, smiling smugly while flames encroached. It vanished soon after he closed his eyes, and opened them again to see only the face of a broken man, trying to make up for all the wrongs he did. He sucked in a breath, flipping the helmet around before he slowly settled it over his face. As soon as it was in place, it let out a low hiss, connecting to the rest of the armor. Shortly after, the inside of the helmet lit up with several different screens.
VERIFYING...
FACIAL RECOGNITION AND IMPRINTING IN PROGRESS...
ANALYZING DATA...
IDENTIFICATION AND REGISTRATION COMPLETE.
ACTIVATING SYSTEMATIC TACTICAL RECONNAISSANCE INTELLIGENCE KILLZONE ELIMINATION RECOVERY ZA-1 ASSAULT ARMOR...
"...Jesus...that's a lot of words for one suit of armor. Would it kill them to shorten it?" Church asked.
[That is why the refer it as the STRIKER Armor.]
"Why do they call it that? Some sort of acronym?"
[Striker is spelled in all capitals, each letter referring to each designated use of the suit.]
"...you could have just said, yes, you know." Church deadpanned.
[I just did.]
Moments later, the words vanished, replaced with a tactical HUD screen. Maine nodded at the familiar sight. It seemed all systems were in order. He wasn't sure about its operational capabilities, but they seemed close enough to his old armor. He then proceeded to grab the briefcase containing his weapon, unlocking it and taking out the Brute Shot MK-II, fastening it to his back. As he was about to step back out into the main area, he paused and found himself looking at his reflection in the bathroom mirror.
He looked exactly as he was when he was the Meta, save for the slight differences in the suit and his weapon of course. But the resemblance and reminder were still there. A low growl rumbled from his throat, fingers coiling into a fist. Without warning, he slammed it into the mirror, smashing it to pieces.
"Jesus, man! A little warning next time before you decide to smash mirrors?!" Church cried.
'Shut up! I didn't want to look at that reflection anymore than I had to...'
He didn't want to see him again. He didn't want to see the man he used to be. The man who killed all of his friends and family.
He didn't want to see the Meta.
"But you're not the Meta." Theta told him.
'Maybe...' Maine retracted his fist and went to the door. 'But I used to be.'
When Texas found him, she thought she was staring at a ghost or something. The armor, while more sleek and less bulky, was almost identical to his old armor, and the Brute Shot MK-II sat on his back in the same position as its predecessor.
"...shit." Texas swore. "You look..."
Maine let out a growl, as if to say, 'Yeah, I know.' before he moved past her and went to the hanger door. Texas watched him go with a conflicted expression before Church appeared next to her. "I am seriously wondering if this was a good idea right now." he said, clearly not liking this picture that was being presented. "We sure he ain't gonna go crazy?"
"Only one way to find out, Church." Texas replied, though equally as concerned. She followed after her old colleague, slipping on her helmet, which was designed no differently than the ones worn by SPARTAN's thankfully before she pressed the button on the side, opening up communications. "How much longer until we reach the LZ?"
"Not too long, ma'am. ETA is five minutes."
"Copy that."
Communication ended there. She found Maine waiting just outside the front door of the Bulkhead, no doubt ready to drop in when it was time to disembark. His posture was tense, as if he was reliving old memories that were better left untouched. He rubbed his wrists, constantly closing and opening them. "Hey." Texas said, tapping his visor and earning his attention. "Lighten up, will ya? This ain't Project Freelancer. No Insurrectionist bullshit or anything. Just White Fang and Grimm, nothing more and nothing less. And you aren't the Meta, anymore." Maine hissed, as if questioning her. Whether or not he was, she just answered with a chuckle. "If you were, I would have kicked your ass by now."
[Attention, Agents.] a voice opened up a comm link to the two former Freelancers. [This is Red Crown. Be advised, we are approaching the hostile site now. ETA is two minutes.]
"Copy that." Texas answered. "Any idea what we can expect down there, aside from White Fang grunts?"
[Reports claim that they are in possession of two Altesian Paladin prototype model, as well as two dozen hacked Knights. There are also several reports of there being well over thirty containment units with Grimm housed in.]
[And what is the mission requirement for success?] Delta asked in Maine's place.
[Your orders are as follows: White Fang personnel are either to be eliminated or incapacitated. Act on your own discretion. However, White Fang Captain Rojo Desagra, who is confirmed to be present at the base, is to be captured alive and taken into custody.]
"So, kill the fodder and capture their leader, got it." Texas nodded.
[ETA now thirty seconds.]
Maine rolled his neck and shoulders, proceeding to crack his knuckles. Texas did the same albeit cracking her neck as well. Soon, the doors of the bulkhead pulled open, letting wind blow into them. Down below was the city of Vale, or at least the Southeast end of it. Not far away, the two found the encampment placed by the White Fang.
"Okay!" Church shouted over the roaring wind. "Any chance we can go back?!"
Maine grunted, looking at Texas. Seeing his intention, she nodded and the two ran towards the edge, proceeding to jump straight out and go into free fall.
"SON OF A BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITCH!" Church screamed in fear as both former Freelancers let gravity pull them to the ground. Even though he was an AI, he felt his heart stop from the sheer terror of the drop.
Black and white streaked through the air, coming down like comets to the earth.
[Play - Red vs Blue OST: Terrify]
"...hey."
"Yeah?"
"You ever wonder why-" The White Fang grunt didn't even finish his question was a hulking figure in white armor landed on top of him and drove him to the ground.
"Kale, no!" The other guard screamed as his aimed his weapon before a black armored figure drop kicked him from above.
With two grunts incapacitated, the two Freelancers rolled up to their feet, Maine rolling his neck. "Okay..." Church said as he appeared on his shoulder. "How about, the next time we jump out of a freaking air plane, we warn the ghost, okay?!" Maine grunted and instead looked around, finding that they had landed in what looked like the front door. Better yet, a few White Fang soldiers were nearby, having witnessed their appearance and raised their weapons.
"Well, looks like we're meeting the welcome committee." Texas remarked dryly. "So, how do you think we should deal with them?"
Maine's answer was to take the Brute Shot MK-II from his back and aimed it right at the aforementioned welcome committee, who promptly realized what they were in front of. "Uh... Is-is that a knife? A rifle? A-a knifle?!" someone managed to get out before he pulled the trigger, firing off a grenade right at their feet. In the next second, a fiery explosion sent them flying right off their feet and into the air while alerting the rest of the camp of their presence.
Texas grinned sadistically. "Works for me!" She unholstered the battle rifle from her back and opened fired as well. Her aim struck true as she scored kill shots on all of the grunts in her line of vision.
Sirens began to sound off. The encampment went to hell in chaos, White Fang grunts moving about with weapons at the ready. Inside the base, the Grimm inside containment cages went wild, snarling and growling and howling as negative emotions went wild in the base.
"What the hell is going on?!" Rojo Desagra, a towering man with tanned skin and wearing a white sleeveless coat with the White Fang insignia on the back of his coat roared, eyes burning with anger. "Who is attacking us?! The Atlesians?!"
"W-we don't know!" one grunt replied in a panic. "They just showed up and started shooting at us!"
Desagra cursed. Of course, this just had to happen when they were ready to execute the plan. Everything was just about to be set in motion, but now this just had to happen. Whoever was attacking them were going to learn who it was that they were fucking with. "Tell Taurus we won't be able to make it." he told someone as he moved away from his makeshift seat of command. "And prep the Paladins! I want these bastards reduced to red paste on the concrete! Nobody fucks with the White Fang!"
When Texas and Maine went to town, they went to town in the most literal sense. If they weren't busy crushing skulls, they were exploding everything in sight or shooting up anyone with a pulse full of lead. The White Fang was in utter disarray, trying to find a way to circle around them and take them out, only to find themselves overwhelmed and on the receiving end of a slaughter. Corpses were quickly mounting, bodies falling every second.
In the midst of the chaos, one White Fang grunt was panicking. "Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God." he chanted, over and over as he searched for a weapon to use. Something, anything, to help him fight off the Freelancers. Eventually, he found a discarded rifle on the ground lying next to a corpse. "Oh, yes! A rifle! I'm saved!"
"Uh, hey man." another White Fang grunt, ducking underneath incoming gunfire so as to not fall under friendly fire, approaching his comrade. "I hate to bother you but I think that's my rifle you're holding."
"What the hell are you talking about? Just grab any rifle! Like look at that, there is seriously a pile of rifles..." the unnamed grunt told him, gesturing to the numerous rifles among the dead as he tried to find a target, only to find that the Freelancers were moving too quickly for him to lock on.
"No, that's my good luck rifle." the other White Fang grunted insisted. "That's the one I sleep with every night!"
"Are you kidding me, man?!"
The discussion ended when Maine came up from behind, slamming them both at once with his Brute Shot MK-II in ax form, striking them as if he was performing a home run and sending them flying. Using momentum, he turned around quickly and fired the propulsion system, bringing it straight down on a grunt who tried to come at him from behind. His body crumpled beneath the heavy strike, the ground cracking before Maine threw him off his weapon, quickly switching back to its gun form and firing off four grenades of lightning Dust in a crowd of soldiers.
Texas charged straight through the dazed crowd, who were still stunned from the explosion of the Dust grenade. She came in and drop kicked one of the grunts, which threw him into several others and knocked them all down. Spinning up to her feet, she opened fire and mowed down as many as she could before her clip ran empty. Out of ammo, she threw the rifle aside and decided to use her fists, delivering an uppercut to the nearest grunt and following up with a roundhouse kick.
"C'mere, you bitch!"
Another grunt tried to get her from behind, but she ducked under his grab, grasped his outstretched arms and broke them. She then used his body as a human shield as she ran into a rain of gunfire. Once she got close enough, she chucked the fresh corpse at them, then proceeded to pound them all into the pavement.
Two came up from behind her, swords armed to hack her to pieces. She saw them coming a mile away and retaliated with a kick, spinning herself around to face them and knocking the swords out of their hands before proceeding to grab them both by the head and slam them straight down to the concrete. Rising to her feet, she gave the fallen grunts the middle finger.
"Word to the wise. Don't call me a bitch."
"But that's the truth!" Church called out from where Maine was, who had just finished snapping another grunt's neck before blasting another one with a fire dust loaded grenade. In a swift motion, he twisted the Brute Shot MK-II back into ax form and proceeded to knock one grunt straight into a container of Dust before taking the magnum on his waist and firing off a shot, exploding the whole thing sky high into sparks, ice and fire. "You are a bitch! true you're a fucking hot sexy bitch in that body, but still a bitch!"
Maine groaned. 'Do you HAVE to flirt when there's a bunch of dead bodies all over the place?'
[I would have to agree.] Delta chimed. [This is hardly the place or the place for compliments.]
"Less talking, more fighting! Incoming on your six!" Theta cried out in warning.
Maine quickly spun to face the aforementioned position and slammed his axe into the approaching grunt who was carrying a large drill-spear. The grunt blocked it with his spear, leading the two to a stand still. 'Delta! How long can you power the Distortion Unit?!'
[Five seconds.]
'Do it!'
[Roger. Activating Time Distortion Unit!]
A pulse ran out as time slowed to a crawl. Maine took this small window of opportunity to rip the weapon out of the grunt's hands and bisect him with his weapon. When the five seconds were up, time resumed, and the grunt didn't even realize he was killed until it was too late. Maine flicked the blood off of the blade and switched it to its grenadier mode.
"Ugh, gross..." Church gagged. "I can see his intestines."
"Oh, man up." Texas rolled her eyes as she approached Maine. "Like this was any worse than what you've already seen."
"The worst I saw was my own body after Caboose shot at it with Sheila. I don't remember seeing someone cut another guy in half!"
'And yet, you somehow recall a memory of Texas beating Private Jimmy to death with his own skull.'
[Technically, that was a fabricated memory due to a mix of Church's memories of Sidewinder and Private Jimmy's trauma from AI implementation.] Delta interrupted. [His recollection of that event being from Sidewinder was most likely because he witnessed Agent Texas subduing Project Freelancer personnel in the midst of her escape shortly after Agent Carolina's death.]
At the reminder of the death of the woman who he had thought to be like his own sister, Maine winced and clenched his fists. While he had done that action not under his own volition, it was still a memory that haunted him. He sucked in a breath, trying to calm himself down lest he lose himself. He needed to focus on the task at hand. '...Delta. How many soldiers in the viscinity are left?'
[According to data, the only opposition left should be-]
{THERE YOU BASTARDS ARE!}
Both armored soldiers and AI turned to the source of the voice, looking up to see the visor of a large, steel-plated mech suit heavily armed with guns, missiles, and had the White Fang logo painted on the side.
Inside its cockpit, Rojo Desagra glared at the two interlopers. {Surrender or die you Atleasian cockbites!}
Texas and Maine stared at the Atlesian Paladin blankly, as if they weren't being faced down with a giant metal death wish.
"...motherfucker."
A response, from the Headmaster of Beacon Academy
Dear Councilman,
While I understand the hesitance of flesh and blood soldiers, do understand. A machine is not born from a perfect system. Everything is connected to the CTT. Including other Kingdoms' networks and defenses.
In the event that even one machine, just one, becomes infected with a virus, what safety can we provide to our citizens, when they suddenly turn against us and our defenses crumble?
I will admit, I am adversed to the idea of such a large group of soldiers defending Vale. However, recent events have made me think otherwise.
That being said, it is best to go by the side of caution. If there is anything that I have learned over these past many years...it is that the future holds many great surprises for us.
A/N: As Snake would say, "Kept you waiting, huh?"
So, first off, I'm letting you guys know that this story has not been abandoned. I've been quite busy. You see, around a month ago, I apparently discovered that I had an ulcer. Despite getting treatment for a few good weeks, the damn thing wouldn't go away and it reached the point where it had to be surgically removed.
Let me tell you, it hurt like a real son of a bitch.
I recently got discharged from the hospital after I was cleared, so thankfully, I can work on finishing up some other stuff.
At any rate, I hope this chapter suited you guys! The real fun starts next chapter! Stay tuned, motherfuckers!
AND FUCK ULCERS!
