More than one way to protect you

by Z-ro

It were the huntsmen who told him, his spirit was willing, just not able. What else is a thirteen year old kid supposed to do? Jaune did not know what a patrolman was, but it was his only chance to be someone that could protect people. Picture by Perfilles-Studio.

6. Chapter 6 The Herald

Jaune watched the dance floor as the music finally died. Junior's was not usually a rave club, but every friday and saturday the place had always been more 'Pleasure' than 'Business'. After coming here nearly nightly for the last three weeks to establish himself, Jaune felt he could finally stop showing up on these pointless nights. Maybe he could finally go to sleep before midnight.

Jaune scanned the area one more time and was surprised that a lot of what he would normally see was absent on nights like these. Junior and most of his men were rarely seen and the twins were regulated to waitresses.

Jaune was disappointed the first night he showed up without his hoodie to hide his face. Apparently the twins knew who he was right away. No words were spoken, but the glass of milk he was served along with his drink made him laugh.

Jaune heard before he spotted Coco. She laughed and waved to him. She graced him with an amused smile like he was her next victim. Jaune looked behind her to see Coco had Velvet firmly in hand. The poor girl was bright as a tomato.

Jaune looked over to the dance floor as Coco gave him an expectant raise of an eyebrow. Jaune gave himself an internal groan. It was unfortunate that Coco liked the place. Jaune lamented that days away from this place were likely going to be an impossibility.

"Jaune! Dance with me." Coco didn't wait for an answer before he was pulled up by his hands and carted away. Fox and Yatsu cheered the two on. Jaune placed his hands on Coco's hips as she leaned her back against his chest. At the very least, some of the time he spent here would be enjoyable.

The night wound down not too long afterwards. Jaune was reluctant to let go of Coco when she kissed him and entered the Beacon Dorms. Their team was a few days early, but the dorms had already opened for any returning students for a week now. Coco's team would start their classes in just under ten days.

-o-

"Along with the first staff meeting of the year…" Jaune thought aloud as he turned on the lamp on his desk. He would have tomorrow to catch up on sleep, so he had little excuse to go over some more work before bed.

The patrolman exhaled and looked at the pile of papers that sat on his desk. "I really need to ask for some help if they are loading this much on me." While in Anvil, Jaune had always helped with the paperwork. Now that he was by himself, he found he missed being a helper rather than the one doing all the work to be checked over later. It was nearing two in the morning when Jaune closed his planner and rubbed his eyes. It was different things from what he knew for sure, but it was still paperwork.

Teachers from all three grade levels sent request for him to be available for students interviews, lecturers about different parts of civilian life outside the walls and so on. Jaune had to remember the majority of the people in any country live in the cities. It was rare to see a stable settlement outside of those borders. Ones like Anvil that had the advantage and systems in place to exceed the population limits to have its own port were even more of an anomaly.

Over the summer months Ozpin had found duties for Jaune to keep the young man busy outside of the academy. As an added benefit, Ozpin was able to pay the teen more as well.

That included the secondary title 'Special Lecturer', Jaune traveled frequently to Vale to lecture about investigation methods he had used in the few prominent investigations he had participated in as well as emergency services procedures in critical failures and what was more important to the headmaster, how to work along with huntsmen. Glynda had even asked him to speak to later year classes about his role on the frontier earlier that spring. Jaune had agreed to all of the requests.

Juane felt fulfilled in the new work. It was such a rapid and welcomed departure from his time protecting Amber. There were only two points of contention and he knew they would always be long term projects and likely unresolved cases. The arrest of Neo and the capture and arrest of Amber's assailants. Thankfully she is under the protection of Qrow who was more than happy to keep her where ever the hell the two were. Jaune did receive an update two weeks ago via Ozpin. They both seemed happy.

Jaune allowed a smile at the thought of the couple. With the girl's faked death, Jaune informed Junior to spread the information that a member of the staff of Beacon had been killed. That had been what prompted Jaune to spend so many nights at the club. There had been a wealth of information to learn. Not from eaves dropping either. Jaune simply watched how deals were made. Whose face was who's. And if he was lucky, what they dealt in and where they based their operations in. The nights allowed his face to become familiar to them as well. A face they were familiar with was one they could dismiss as background noise after all.

-o-

Jaune sat back and gave Melanie a thankful nod at the drink for not being milk the very next night. Jaune felt excited for being called by Junior. It meant the man has some information. Jaune rarely showed up on a sunday night. The patrolman casually looked around the place. It was largely empty but for a few people who took to booths to share quiet moments with their companions.

The staff seemed to take this as a clean over day. Most of the men in suits were cleaning the tables on the various floors. Jaune smiled at the idea of the illustrious Red Tie Gang running around as cleaners in the actual word rather than the other kind of cleaners based on what he has heard.

This was a visit Jaune had expected for a while now. The patrolman set his drink down when he noticed Junior walk out of the back and purposefully towards his table.

"Good evening Junior." Jaune greeted with a confident smile.

Junior took off his shades and gestured to the chair, "May I sit?"

"Of course."

"Just a short follow up for your request from a month ago."

Juane took out his scroll and transferred the money as Junior sent over the files. It cost him what would have been a years worth of wages as a patrolman of Anvil. It was not as big of a dent now. Jaune would just have to make a small sacrifice and eat instant food for the coming month. But it was worth it.

"Thank you. I'll let you know if I find anything else Junior."

Junior gave an amused laughed as he stood up and put his shades back on. "You always do bring in the most interesting characters Jaune."

Jaune mouth turned to a grim line as he opened the file on his scroll. "Tyrian Callows. Finally. A name to the face." The picture of the scorpion faunus smiled back. At the bottom of the list of crimes was the one that Jaune wanted to make sure was imprinted for anyone who looked.

First Order Bounty - Wanted for the murder of a Professor of Beacon Academy (Name sealed)

It was effectively a black mark and a warning. Anyone looking for some lien could turn in information for the most recent sightings. Outright murder of a huntsman was seriously frowned upon. Fights, rivalries, and arrests were common when a huntsman got involved, death while rare, happened as well. But to actively hunt and kill a huntsman was tantamount to suicide. These particular murders draw unwanted attention on everyone. Jaune wouldn't need to pay to ask if Tyrian was in Vale. People will talk about it openly. Jaune closed the scroll and took a sip of his drink.

"That's one down. Now how to track the others?"

Jaune looked at the time and noticed a missed message that blipped on his screen. Coco must be bored or restless to message him this late on a Sunday. Classes would not start for her for another week, but she still worked in the mornings. He glanced at the message and closed it. He would reply when it was safe to do so. It was only a simple goodnight. Coco had already said goodnight two hours ago, but it seemed she had stayed up late.

-o-

Jaune walked into the Beacon conference room Monday morning. A quick glance confirmed that most of the heads of staff were already present. He always thought the school would just have a meeting of teachers. But the meetings were actually with every head that ran the school. Jaune looked around to the seventeen teachers that taught across three grades and vocations. Mixed into the seats were Head Chef, Beacon Flight Control, Housekeeping, Dust Supply, the professors, the representative from the Vale Council, Mr. Mezla and at last, himself as the local Patrolman.

Jaune nodded to Lune, the Head Chef. He was the only one of his chefs that could make a decent onion tart. They shared a few stories when Jaune found that Lune used to train under Phil in Central Anvil. Jaune smiled thinking, It was probably the only reason he could make decent food.

Jaune looked up to the headmaster who stood at the front sans-coffee cup. "Thank you all for joining us. The start of the new term will be upon us soon and with it the preparations for the Vytal festival. Please be sure to submit any special requests for the events by this time Friday. Attached to each of your portfolio's is your departments confirmed budget for the year. If you have any emergencies budget request please direct your questions to Glynda."

Jaune looked at the vice headmistress. Her unexpressive eyes settled across the staff. "A helpful reminder that security requests and disciplinary actions can be forwarded to our patrolman Jaune Arc if you are unable to personally oversee detentions."

Jaune waved at the group. "My scroll contact is in your files under 'Lecturer'. Just to let you know, if you do forward your students to me, the detentions will be more physical punishments."

There were a few laughs at that.

"Keep it up Jaune, and we'll be sending remedial trainees to you too."

"I don't think your students would appreciate the extra detention for not winning in class Glynda." Several more laughs rounded the group as the meeting went on to other matters. Jaune leaned back in his chair as he went through the folder. Nothing really jumped out at him. He had been aware that there was a festival, and he had to speak to a representative of Atlas to understand the scope of the security needed for the event. It was why he had started the summer lectures with Vale PD about working with huntsmen. Atlas, as a formal military, includes military police. They have no civilian police force. Jaune brought his concerns to Ozpin who pointed out they had similar problems the previous years but the security was usually handled by huntsmen. It was only this past year that the council started making demands that police not huntsmen provide security.

There was still a debate on who will run security for the event. Jaune had a sinking suspicion that Ozpin was championing himself. Which was why Jaune had been studying how every Vytal festival was run in the last four decades. Just the thought of it made him yawn.

"If that is all, good luck to you all on your first day ladies and gentlemen." Ozpin leaned back in his char as he closed his file. There was a rumble of chairs as everyone stood up at the dismissal.

-o-

Jaune stood up and stretched his legs inside the bullhead. He left the port early in the morning, but he knew that he got the alert late judging how quickly Atlas had already been said to be on site.

Jaune eyed the stationary train from the air. The air ship engines hummed down to a low hiss and Jaune walked up to the edge of the open bullhead hatch as the ship landed. The train was a double wide that took both sets of tracks to transport its cargo. Jaune's eyes had been following the behemoth as the ship flew around to land near the front. Trains like these operated more by momentum than by defenses. Three hundred carts would obliterate any grim in its path and the wake currents of the train were enough to defend the train from most flying grim. The crew was a paltry seven engineers to minimize the threat of attraction people would bring.

Jaune had seen trains like these as they passed when he looked off the cliffs of the Anvil Plateau but he had never seen one up close. The engine was five times as large as a bullhead. Jaune took a moment to admire it before he heard an engineer call him.

"Over here Mr. Arc!"

Jaune followed the onsite train engineer to the engine cart and up the steps into what could best be described as an office. "Thank you for coming Mr. Arc. As soon as the Atlas military showed up we were not sure what we could do."

"I'll speak to them. Do you have any security footage of the fight?"

"Not per say, we have heat signature readings to warn us of an intruder. They landed on top of cart two hundred and seventeen and ran towards the engine side. They stopped at cart ninety three and entered the cart."

"What was in it?"

"It was the security detail cart. All automated robots from Atlas. The intruders were practiced fighters. They made our robots look like puppets."

Jaune tapped his finger on the railing. "Where did they go afterwards?"

"No where. They stayed in the cart and the one following."

Jaune paused his finger and gripped the railing as he hopped over it and down the steps and outside. "The security cart is on the decoupled side right?" Jaune asked over his shoulder.

"Yeah." The engineer took his time making his way to the exit and started down the stairs. "If you want to see it, I can get the bullhead to make another pass. It's doing a grim patrol around the train right now to make sure they don't come too close."

"Have them pick you up and meet me on the other side. I want to see the rail too. I'll run ahead."

The engineer looked around confused by the time he was out of the train. Jaune's brown hoodie and blue vest were already out of sight.

The quicker he could get that train off the tracks, the faster the rest of Vale's transportation services could get up and running. The five hours after the robbery had already pushed the shipment industry back by days.

A seven minute run allowed him to finally see the decouple carts. Jaune felt like he could marvel at the mass of metal for hours when he thought how far they had to travel on a daily basis. Several silhouettes stood on top of the lead cart.

"I am Jaune Arc, Patrolman." He announced himself. Fifteen heavily armored guards in silver and white coats lowered their weapons. Jaune recognized a huntsman among the group only by their weapon which was a modified rifle. He pulled out his scroll and extended it to them. The huntsman laughed and jumped down.

"Patrolman. Thank you." The woman took the scroll and did a single glance before she gave it back. She turned back to her crew. "Let the man up." The clank of a metal ladder rung against one of the oversized metallic wheels.

Jaune quickly climbed the ladder to the decouple cart and saw the the metal for the cart latch was still there. Someone made a clean slice through the metal made to haul thousands of tonnes of stress. That would make it harder to just reconnect them. He would have to leave that to the engineers. It looks like it would be a week of delays, not just the hours he first thought.

"I should probably go grocery shopping sooner rather than later…" The delay would affect everything now, not just the Atlas railway.

"You probably shouldn't say that out loud when you get back into Vale. People will panic." The huntsman added helpfully.

Jaune grimaced. "Sorry I didn't ask for your name."

The huntsman waved a hand of no concern. "I didn't offer it. Magen. I didn't realize Vale had a patrolman."

"Just started the assignment three months ago. I was stationed up in Anvil before then."

The woman smiled as she nodded her head. "I thought I heard the name before." She looked back to the cart connectors. "Single strike at the weakest part of the connectors. Who ever did it studied the trains before they boarded. It would take a strong blow to cut through the metal but not as strong as you would think at this point."

"Am I allowed to ask what was on board?"

The woman laughed. "Atlas tech. And that's all you are getting out of me."

Jaune nodded. He was familiar with how Atlas worked in Vale. "I assume you already moved everything from the crime scene."

Magen shrugged helplessly. "As soon as we got the word we had to clean up. A lot of sensitive stuff was strewn about."

Jaune scratched his head and then asked. "Anything taken?"

"Nothing. It was like the intruders popped up, trashed the place to say they could do it and then left."

Jaune started walking down the cart and around several latched down crates. On the third cart he walked inside and looked at the impact dents on the ground. He followed them to the center of the cart where they stopped. He looked up and noticed a metal pod latched into place with some damage pockmarks strewn across it. It looked like it was missing pieces. "That was the security detail?"

Magen nodded. "Among others. That was the only one that survived. And probably because it was the only thing sturdy enough to survive. The seventh cart down is trashed and we may have to jettison it from the railway to reconnect the good carts. Might actually have to do that for the first one you saw too."

Jaune smiled. "So I may still get some fresh apples tomorrow." He hopefully added aloud.

Magen laughed. "Probably not."

"Do you know how long Atlas takes from planning to actual enroute transport? I want to know what kind of window the intruders had to plan for this."

Magen shook her head. "Nope but I can ask for you. I'm sorry to say Atlas wants to hush it up rather than investigate what happened. We were moving automated droids to help the border of Vale against the grim. Any negative news fed to the people at large is never a good idea."

"Don't I know it." Jaune smiled thinking of what they had to do in Anvil to ward off the spawning of grim on the plateau. Jaune scratched his head. "It's going to be an all day walk through then. Sit tight. I am calling our Huntsmen to do a pass. I also would like to talk to the engineers when they come in by bullhead. If intruders did not take anything, they may have left something to be pulled into Vale. This train isn't moving until we know for sure."

Magen flinched. "My commander isn't going to like that."

"Tell him I don't like unknown material entering my city." Jaune waved a hand as he walked with another guard to the carts farther behind.

Magen groaned. "His city he says." Her C.O. is not going to like this.

-o-

I'm not making it tonight, maybe tomorrow? Go grocery shopping before tomorrow. It will get expensive in a few days.

Jaune closed his scroll after he sent the message to Coco. It had already been ten hours and the sun was setting against the mountain ridge. He nodded to a engineer who had just turned on a generator to power the flood lights. Several more huntsmen were pulled from Beacon while Jaune had walked through the inventory and the train carts looking for clues. It was during one of these passes that Magen received a quick message from one of her soldiers.

"Issue?"

"No. I just need to look at something at the back cart."

Jaune nodded as he looked over to the engineer nearest to him. "I'll be right back. I'll go with you Magen."

"If it's about cart three-twelve, we have an issue Mr. Arc." Jaune looked over to two of huntsmen he called from Beacon. Midori crossed his arms and glared at the two guards that went to speak to their leader on the cart.

"What's the issue?" Jaune looked over to Magen for an answer.

Midori grunted out, "They refuse to let us inspect the cart."

"That's not necessary," Magen answered quickly. "Atlas higher ups said that I am not allowed to have you go back there. The intruders did not see fit to go back that far, and are not important to your investigation."

Jaune frowned. "I beg to differ, the sensors on the train only saw them after they breached a cart. We saw several impact landings on the top of trailer two eighty four. It's not in the realm of impossibility for them to go back that far. Open it up and let us do our job."

"Don't make me argue over this Jaune. I have strict orders to not let anyone enter."

Jaune sighed. "And I have a duty to protect Vale. This train does not move until I enter in there and inspect it personally. No other men. But it needs to be looked at. I'll take responsibilitly and sign a non-disclosure agreement if I need to. Or you can bring in both of our higher ups. Good luck with that. That can take until tomorrow afternoon, by which Vale will know something more happened than a train stopped on the tracks."

Magen gave him a real glare before she waved her hand for him to follow. Several soldiers followed along with the two huntsmen. Jaune could tell what cart it was only because the stand off between the two groups around the cart.

Jaune looked over to Midori. "Is this the last one?"

"Yeah." Midori leveled a determined look at Magen. "Once it's clear, we can move the train."

Magen sighed before she to order the groups to back off. The Atlas military and Jaune climbed up to the entrance of the cart and walked in. Jaune took three steps in and leveled a flat look at Magen.

"Who is she?"

The girl was bound in handcuffs behind her back. She was shivering and her arm was dark blue.

Magen scowled but gave up after a moment. "She was found in the wreckage of the security droids."

"She been unconscious this entire time?"

Magen nodded. "We have been trying to rouse her but no such luck."

"You didn't think to bring a doctor or medic?" Jaune rounded on her with a fierce scowl.

"We are all trained in first aid. There is no immediate danger to her life. We were going to bring her into Vale and secure her back to Atlas."

"Extradition. You were going to kidnap what could be a Valian civilian for being present on the train. Do you know for sure she was one of the intruders?"

By the look of the guards who shuffled around them Jaune new they didn't not. "Unbelievable. I will take over from here Magen. Your troops are no longer welcome on this investigation. Remove yourselves before the train starts to move."

Magen sucked in a hiss of breath. "That is not your decision Patrolman. You were requested to be present for an Atlas inquiry on an attack on their property. At most you are here as a courtesy."

"Magen. I really don't want to repeat myself right now. Never mind the number of laws you have broken with this cart and the girl, the act of obstruction of justice is enough to have your team forcefully ejected out of Vale." There was a shuffling of weapons outside the cart along with a few alarmed gasps. Jaune had a good idea that both sides had drawn weapons. He quickly added, "As a courtesy, I am asking you to remove yourselves."

Magen looked around at her men and knew she could do little else. "You will hear about this from my superiors."

Jaune gave her an apologetic smile as a peace offering. "I will hear it from the Council as well. I am sure there will be plenty of time to crucify me later this year over this."

Jaune started to walk away before she spoke and knelt next to the girl. "Midori, I know you're at the door. Get in here."

The green haired man walked in and nervously watched the Atlas soldiers file out. Magen was already on her scroll requesting a transport. Jaune ignored them and focused on the injured girl. "This arm doesn't look good. Is there a medic in our group?"

"Yeah. Toni. I'll get him."

Jaune nodded and stood up. What would he give to have a partner right now. He could not abandon the train to bring the girl to Vale to see a doctor. The girl needed medical attention. Jaune opened his scroll and called in a dispatch for a bullhead to come to the train and give an air lift directly to Beacon.

Behind him, he could hear Toni grunt, "We need to fix her arm, its dislocated."

Midori took the girl by the arm bit and with a loud grinding sound pushed it back into place. Jaune looked back to where Magen went. He didn't waste a glare on the Atlas hunstman.

Once Jaune saw that the girl had a security detail, Jaune walked towards the lead cart. The train engine side had finally rolled back into position and the Corp of Engineers had spent the better part of the day modifying the broken attach lock to reconnect the train carts and still hold up against the stress. Jaune took his time to watch the group as they informed him and the Transit Railway Service that they were ready to move. It was a slop job, but it would work to let the train complete its journey at a snail's pace…

Exactly thirty minutes passed before Jaune started walking down the carts on the roof. The train moved at a walking pace.

Jaune was half way down the carts when he heard the bullheads land one after another on the flat carts. One scraped against the slow moving platform as it did so. Jaune saw a few people flinch at the loud noise.

"Time to get that girl." Jaune muttered to himself.

-o-

Jaune eyes followed Magen as her team boarded the first bullhead and lifted of. Jaune shook his head. She was mad but there was little she could do about it. He almost felt sorry for putting her between her orders and her boss. Jaune waved Glynda over. Ozpin sent both Goodwitch and Peach with the bullhead bound for Beacon.

The two women looked over the unconscious faunus girl. The girl may have been atmost Jaune's age. When both professor looked at Jaune he just gave an apologetic, "She was like this when I found her. They had her hiding in a cart with little medical treatment." Jaune pulled out his scroll and took several more pictures before the medical staff strapped the girl to a gurney.

Peach placed her hands on her hips and gave a sympathic groan at the girls injuries. "I'll get her to June as quickly as possible."

Glynda looked over the girl with Jaune and turned to him. "Jaune I already have a message from Atlas asking why their men have been removed from protecting their property. And another message from the council to Ozpin why our patrolman removed extra security from the train. Come straight to Beacon when you get back into Vale. Ozpin will clear it up."

Jaune nodded. He would likely be confined to Beacon until the Council and Atlas reps decided what to do with the incident. Jaune watched as the two professors walked back into their ship. Jaune yawned away the stress and resumed his walk along the length of the train. It would be a long night. The trained picked up a little more speed now that the ships were away, but it was not a lot. At this pace it would still be nine hours before they even approached Vale.

Jaune yawned once more even thinking about it. The patrolman dropped from the roof to the cart deck and started to look for his huntsmen. Maybe they took over the lounge so he could get some shut eye, or coffee.

-o-

The night went about as well as he expected it. The Vale police took over control of the cart as it pulled into station. Jaune only relaxed after the train was moved to a quarantined dock to inspect all the carts.

"I heard you started a fight Jaune." Called a cheerful voice. The Vale Chief of Police himself stood with smile. Two of his men had already ordered their own officers to go through the train with the huntsmen.

Jaune groaned. "I might as well have. Oro, I'm going to Beacon. I have a prisoner to interview. Don't let the engineers bb by themselves. I'm not convinced we didn't pull something into Vale."

"Yeah yeah. I know the job Arc. Get some rest. You look like a racoon."

Jaune scowled him and did his best to ignore the bags under his eyes. As he exited the station he recognized one of the men in front of a car. The driver waved to Arc to get in the car. Jaune did so and exhaled a tired grunt. "Morning Rahn. How bad was it this morning?"

The Rahn smiled around a day old chin fuzz. "Dead silence so far. Word is, Ozpin hasn't slept either if it makes you feel better. The maids have been supplying him with coffee all night."

Jaune grimaced but nodded his head against the headrest.

Inside Beacon, Jaune went straight to the medical wing. He spotted the doctor and changed directions down the hall. "June, how is the girl from last night?"

June stopped to let Jaune catch up. "She is in better condition now. Her arm lost circulation due to the dislocated arm socket. She will make a full recovery within the week. She is an aura user."

Jaune thanked her before asking, "Has she woken at all?"

"Briefly. But the girl fell back asleep once she realized she was in a hospital bed. We have inhibitor cuffs securing her."

Jaune thanked her already thinking the girl would likely not be able to move without intense pain if she tried to escape from those. "Could you call me as soon as she wakes and is coherent?"

"I was planning to any way. I heard you been up all night. Go get some sleep. Not much you can do right now anyway."

Jaune laughed and started to walk away. "Thank goodness for small favors. Night June."

"Have a good morning Jaune." June called back.

-o-

Coco didn't bother to knock a third time. This late in the afternoon, Jaune was either here or he wasn't and his favorite treats had been sitting on her dorm's table since last night. Coco shuffled her bags of groceries in her hands and unlocked the apartment door. "Hello." She half whispered cheerfully as she poked her head inside.

When there was no sound, she walked in and placed the bags on the table. Coco looked around and noticed Jaune was definitely home. His vest was laying on the floor near the bedroom. She walked across the apartment and smiled when she let the half-open door creak wider. Jaune was sound asleep with all of his clothes on. It looked like he simply fell forward onto the bed and passed out.

Coco smiled briefly before she walked up to the bed. She almost reached out to wake him but stopped herself. Instead she slowly sat on the bed and rolled next to Jaune's side. He did not even so much as twitch at the added weight and heat at his side. Coco leaned into his shoulder and sighed against his arm. "Guess today was a no go either."

She laid there for a few more moments just to look at him. She leaned her forehead against his shoulder and smelled the familiar scent of woods and cold rain. She smiled into his shoulder before she sat up and leaned in. Her lips lingered on his cheek before she whispered, "Night Jaune."

As quietly as she could, she got out of bed and left the apartment to allow her boyfriend some time to sleep. All she could hear of this afternoon at work was about a derailed cart. If the clue about grocery shopping was anything to go by, he had been up all night with a train.

Hours later, Jaune woke to the sound of his scrolls' urgent beep. He flinched for a moment before he focused on the text while it rang. He quickly opened it. "Hello?" Jaune paused as he listened to June's report. Jaune quickly got up and went to the bathroom.

"Yes, I'll be down in ten minutes."

Jaune clicked the scroll off and stuffed it in his pocket. The patrolman splashed water on his face. When he looked up he noticed the smeared lipstick on his cheek. Jaune paused and his lips slowly morphed into a satisfied grin before he leaned over the sink and cleaned up the lipstick and walked out to grab his vest on the floor. No time for dinner. Jaune lamented. He was almost out the door before he spotted the bag of something on the table. He went over to it and smiled as he pulled out a Fuchsia Sweet. Jaune smiled as he bit into it.

"God I love that woman." Jaune moaned around a mouth full before he was already out the door eating the apple on the way.

-o-

Jaune watched the girl as she blankly surveyed the room. The Hospital rooms in Beacon were single rooms usually with quite a few amenities. This one had been converted to a cell. The single light on the ceiling and the mattress had the markings of a hospital. But the lack of most medical equipment made it look more like the cell it was. Jaune was thankful they were able to pull something together so quickly. The door to allow for privacy to the bathroom was removed, anything that could be picked up and thrown was removed as well. The window that looked outside had its curtains and mounts removed, the window was shut and locked down with a bolted metal rod. Jaune was satisfied with what he saw. He then looked at the girl.

The girl looked to have as little sleep as he had. She inspected the cuffs on her wrists. They were not chained together like normal hand cuffs. Jaune was not sure if she knew what they were made of. But she seemed reluctant to test them. Eventually, her hands rested on her lap. Her hands shook and dry red eyes would occasionally look at him before she looked back down to her hands. The girl looked as if all the world had collapsed around her. Given how she was found and the moments where she looked like she was about to cry since he arrived, maybe it had.

"My name is Jaune Arc. I am a Patrolman for Beacon Academy. How are you feeling?"

The girl stirred and stared at him through black ringed eyes. She looked back down and sighed.

Jaune pulled out one of the bottles of water from his pack. She looked unsure at the bottle. Jaune took a drink before he passed it to her. "I'm not here to hurt you. I am just curious."

The girl glared at him for a good few moments then took the water. She drank slowly at first but quickly drank the rest with an exhausted exhale. "I'm tired."

"And probably cold. These rooms have always been colder than they should be. You are currently in the custody of Beacon Academy, not Vale Police. There will be no Atlas government involved so long as you are in here, if you were worried."

The girl looked at him for a moment while she stared at his eyes. She looked back down to her bandaged arm and muttered a quiet, "Thank you."

"If you don't feel like talking now, we can wait until tomorrow after you have rested, it's already pretty late. Miss Tangie will come back to check on you through the night. Your arm was a mess when I found you." Jaune stood up and pushed his chair back in.

"That's it?" The girl looked at him.

Jaune eyed the confused look before he frowned. "Don't get me wrong. I need answers, but there is no reason to treat you harder than you need to be. You are still a human being. Despite what others may think of that." He glanced at her cat ears before he walked out. The door shut and sealed behind him.

The girl just pulled her arms closer to her body and shuddered before she pulled in her blanket to keep warm. There was another knock. The girl looked up, afraid of what would come next as the door opened again. Jaune walked back in with two more blankets and three water bottles. He placed them on her bed. "I got no food for you right now. But you should be getting something now that you are awake. Good night Miss."

The girl nodded.

Jaune smiled as he waved and walked back out of the room.

"My name is Blake. Blake Belladonna."

Jaune looked back and nodded. "Good night Miss Belladonna."

Jaune closed the door and locked it behind him. He took out his scroll and purposefully walked down the hall. "June?"

The doctor looked up from her terminal. "How did it go?"

"I got a name, I'll see if she is willing to talk more tomorrow. But the fact she gave me a name gave me something to work with. Make sure she eats something more than soup tonight. I want her healthy as soon as possible incase Vale demands to transfer custody."

June frowned but nodded. "Any word from Ozpin?"

Jaune shook his head. "No. You were the first to contact me. I'll speak to Glynda tomorrow morning if I don't hear anything tonight. I'll take that there was no emergency arrest warrants for my name as a good sign."

June shuddered. "Good luck Jaune."

"Thanks." Jaune walked back to his apartment. Jaune looked at his scroll and sighed as he started a criminal search for the girl's name. Even without an interrogation, he had something to work on tonight.

-o-

Jaune set down his tea with a groan. He rubbed his eyes and stood up. This was not what he was hoping to see. Jaune glanced at the clock. The girl, Blake, should be up by now. It was well past ten in the morning. The patrolman really wanted to be wrong. That it was not the White Fang that attacked the train. But the girl was the daughter of Ghira Belladonna and had been known as a member for the last seven years. The pictures of her with the matching ears as a child during a few protests showed she started early. Well before the group went militant. Blake being in Jaune's custody implied there were far more problems than he had expected. Especially if Atlas were to find out.

Jaune's scroll blipped loudly. Jaune looked at the message. He quickly put on his jersey and ran out the door. He was ordered to immediately come to the infirmary. Jaune ran down the steps in three large gallops and sprinted across the field to the third building.

Jaune spotted Ozpin walk inside with someone leading him. It took Jaune just two strides to come to a complete stop in front of the doors and he walked in. Jaune spotted the two familiar faces of Ozpin and June and raised an eyebrow at the Atlas uniform of the third. Jaune gave a questioning look to Ozpin who seemed to be the woman's personal escort. Jaune already did not like what he saw.

"Headmaster." He greeted the older man as to insert himself into the conversation.

"Mr. Arc. I had just been in discussion with First-Lieutenant Schnee in regards to our guest."

Jaune looked at the woman. Clad in a white Atlas uniform with white hair to match, hands pressed behind her back, she stood at attention with an air of expectation to get what she was sought for by the end of the day. Jaune noticed she seemed to have something in her hand at the same time she gave a cursory glance at the teen and his vest. She looked him right in the eye realizing who she was speaking to.

Jaune looked back to Ozpin, "I would like to be briefed before anyone wishes to visit any witness in our custody Headmaster."

"Witness?" the woman said skeptical of the label. "She was clearly present for the attack on the train. As it was Atlas property she should be handed over to Atlas Military for arrest and questioning. Should she prove to be clear of any wrongdoing." Her voice dripped with dry sarcasm, "She would be released back to Vale custody for review."

Jaune looked at the woman for a moment before he finally addressed her. "First-Lieutenant. Jurisdiction clearly states that Vale has supreme authority over any investigation regardless of who is involved."

The woman seemed satisfied with that remark and pulled out the folder and presented him with a piece of paper. "Then it is good to see that the Vale Council has released investigation rights to Atlas."

Jaune looked at it and read it carefully. He closed his eyes as he bit back the smile. He glanced at Professor Ozpin. Jaune was familiar with the wording of this release. It was the same on his own agreement with Vale. Jaune looked to the woman and realized she did not know it was up to her to provide proof to contest the rights for the case. Jaune happily gave the paper back. "The Council has already relinquished rights for the investigation to Beacon Academy the moment I was summoned. I would ask you re-read that declaration again. I do not work for Vale as a patrolman First-Lieutenant Schnee, I work for Beacon Academy. My contract with Beacon and with Vale as a whole specifically states the moment my presence is requested I have unilateral control of any inquiry or inquest. The witness, while not originally part of that request, still falls under my purview."

Jaune pointed to the sheet. "That declaration the Council gave you was a request that you provide proof that I am acting outside of Vale's interests. Only then would you be able to forcefully remove my witness."

The Schnee puffed and glared at him. He felt it needed to be said when she did not give a reply. "I will not release my witness to Atlas authority."

Jaune watched the woman as her eyes went through a few different reactions. It was interesting to see the rest of her face not move at all. Eventually she closed her eyes in defeat. "I shall speak to the Council about your role. It is clear to me, that one person should not have this much control over an investigation." She pivoted on her heel and toe and turned one hundred and eighty degrees and stormed away. Jaune just kept any dry retort to himself.

After a moment Jaune called out to her, "First-Lieutenant,"

The woman turned around clearly annoyed with the patrolman, "Yes?"

Jaune gave her a sympathetic look. "I am not trying to make enemies." The woman was about to say something before Jaune continued heedless of what she may have said, "But, while it may be Atlas's reputation at stake for you, it is Vale's safety at stake for us. Please remember that when you speak with the council. I will not let anyone jeopardize the safety of Vale for their own benefit." His eyes steadied on her until she nodded and walked away.

Jaune sighed and let his shoulder slump a little. "I don't think I did myself any favors."

"I stand by you on this one. The man who sent her is an old friend of mine. I had not known she would have been so demanding as to march to the hospital wing on her own. I had just stopped her before you arrived."

"How much trouble did I just cause for you?"

Ozpin smiled. "Not as much as you did for yourself I'm afraid. But it is the first investigation called by Vale. I think both sides will be testing the waters during this investigation."

"I'll stop by your office this afternoon. I am sure our witness has some questions. I am pretty sure she heard this whole conversation. Good day Headmaster."

"I'll see you later Jaune." Ozpin looked back to June. "If anyone else asks for our guest, please call me or Jaune immediately. Thank you June."

"Thank you Headmaster." June sighed as she turned to catch up to Jaune as they both entered the guest rooms.

"How is she?"

"Miss Belladonna is doing well. She gained full movement of her arm thanks to her aura. She currently resides in the room only as a cell for the moment."

"Let's see if we can improve her accommodations after I speak with her. She may be with us for some time if Atlas has decided to have a vested interest in her."

June nodded. "I'll speak to Glynda."

Jaune stopped at the door and knocked it. "It's Jaune Arc, Miss belladonna."

Miss Belladonna's voice was much stronger than last night as it carried through the door. "Come in."

Jaune unlocked the door and walked in with the door latching shut behind him. The girl looked up to him with a restless stir on her bed. She looked well rested and alert. Apparently, she was given some spare clothes. A sweater and sweatpants with the words 'Beacon Academy' stitched across the length of the left leg. "Good morning. I suppose you heard what was said outside the hall?"

Blake slowly nodded. "Not all of it, but some of the shouting carried…." She trailed off thinking about how he stood up to an Atlas officer for her.

"I made a statement last night I would stick by. No Atlas would interfere. Bending to them would destroy any trust you had in me. Are you willing to answer some questions for me?"

Blake looked at the teen and finally nodded. "Yes."

Jaune smiled as stepped outside to grab a folded chair and set it down across from her. "Could you tell me how you ended up on the train Miss Belladonna?"

"This wasn't the first time I knew about an armored train going to Vale. It was just the first one I boarded. I had to go. I had to make sure he didn't do it. I needed to see if he could stop himself. I wanted to stop him. I used to trust him…" Blake's voice cracked. She rubbed her eye. "I had a friend named Adam. He was the leader of our group. I was White Fang. It was getting bad- in the White Fanged these last few months. Adam wanted to show Vale that they were here too, not just in Menagerie and Atlas. But he was getting impatient. Adam got his chance when a human came to our camp and told us how we could get enough firepower to make a difference."

"The man was good as his word. Too good. We were able to secure supplies with no way that it was linked to White Fang. Now it was just up to getting weapons."

Jaune just watched the girl's eyes as she tried to look at anything but him. "The White Fang just needed weapons to make a statement. The message to Vale to say they were here."

Blake shuddered. "They wanted to prove that the city was vulnerable. And they wanted to use the automated defenses to show it."

"The White Fang were targeting the droids on the train." Jaune reasoned.

Blake nodded. "When I realized those were for the defense of against the grim, I just couldn't stand by and let that happen. Too many people would be killed if grim invaded the city. That was not the fight I wanted, what we used to stand for. I-I destroyed the equipment they were going to use to program the droids."

Jaune gripped his hands together. Either theft or some way to compromise the droids would have been catastrophic. Jaune snapped out of his thoughts as Blake started to cry. "I didn't mean for her to die."

"Who?" Jaune passed the girl a bottle of water and some tissue.

Blake took a moment to say around muted tears. "Our teacher. Sienna Khan. Adam blamed her for the destroyed equipment. He thought she had sabotaged it. She was against the entire attack when he proposed it. When Adam decided to continue with it, Sienna said if he did, he would face her wrath."

"I didn't think he would kill our teacher and take her place." Blake shook her head. "I needed to get away. Adam wanted us to try again with a new train shipment. I-I trashed the equipment again but someone caught me. I ran."

"When was this?"

"Last week. I knew they still wanted to try and attack the train. I had to do something."

Jaune lowered his eyes to her hands. They were clasped tightly and they shook as she released a pained sob. "Adam came by himself. I don't even know why I thought it was a good idea to fight back. I fought him before he could do anything- anything on the train but he was so angry."

Jaune had no idea how the Atlas team found her. Her arm was damaged blue. But the bruises and cuts against her temple and throat gave him a good idea what may have happened. "He tried to kill you."

Blake nodded. She was unable to speak. Her eyes lost themselves to the moment. "He- just kept screaming." She closed her eyes and her voice shook. "When he sliced at my neck he said I ruined it… That I…" Blake shuddered as she lost the strength to hide the tears as they rolled off her cheek. Several minutes passed as she covered her mouth. "I shouldn't be alive. It was only because the security droids interfered. They noticed I cut the train carts."

"Why cut the cart off?"

"He wanted me dead but he thought whatever was further up the train was more important. I don't know what it was he wanted. His plan did not look like it changed, but he was not after the security droids anymore."

Jaune looked at his list. "You were on the train before he arrived?"

"Yeah. I stole away earlier and waited. It was the last train with security droids for two months. It was his last chance. He got on to the train and I stopped him at the security train. I thought they may help me."

Jaune smiled and bade her continue.

"I knew I made a mistake right away. He nearly killed me with his first swing." She gestured to the nick across her neck. She took a moment as she realized what she said. Jaune waited for her to pull herself together. She cried for a good while. When she calmed down she looked ready to fall asleep. But she did her best to focus on Jaune. "I-I didn't think I was going to make it. So I ran. Adam stopped me a few carts down. He saw something further up ahead and almost ignored me. I took that as my chance to cut the cart connector. If i was going to die anyway, I wanted to at least make sure he did not get what he wanted."

Jaune wrote down the order of events. "That is when the droids started to wake up?"

"Yeah. I would have thought they would start the moment I entered the cart, but I guess they didn't since I opened the cart door rather than break in. I stole a security key." Jaune observed the girl as she shuddered.

"Can you tell me about the man who approached Adam?" Jaune asked to take her mind of the memory.

Blake was grateful to talk about anything else. She tried to remember the best she could of the first meeting months ago. Jaune let her talk. The man was described as a tall elder man with dark short hair and a well trimmed beard. He spoke with a posh accent native to Atlas. The talk eventually drained Blake.

"Thank you for working with me Miss Belladonna. What is it you wish to do now?"

Blake looked confused, "I have a choice?"

Jaune gave a silent laugh as he stood up. "Not quite. This is just me being curious. Had you escaped what would you have done?

Blake shook her head. "I'm not sure. Hide in Vale? Get a job. Try to be normal for a change. I had first thought to try and stop him but after..." Blake reached for her throat and rubbed the tape bandage against her neck.

Jaune nodded. "I didn't think you would have turned to a life of crime to survive, but I felt I had to ask."

Blake gave the first smile he had scene. "I think I am done trying to break any laws Mr. Arc."

"Thank you. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. If I am able, I can add some weight to the decision on what will become of you. I am sorry for the uncertainty. But there is still a few issues regarding how I found you that needs to be resolved first."

"The woman at the door."

Jaune frowned. "Yes her. I'll do my best to see that you are protected and rewarded for your cooperation. You are a defector and someone who had tried to actively stop the White Fang attack. That does help you."

Blake nodded. "Thank you."

Jaune walked out of the room. It silently locked behind him. Jaune had spent the better part of three hours with the distraught girl. Jaune glanced at his scroll and sent a message to Ozpin that he was heading up. Jaune was halfway across the campus before he realized he had not eaten. He quickly added to the message.

After lunch.

-o-

Jaune finally ran out of things to do to stall going up stairs. It was Ozpin's message for him to come up that made Jaune's feet move. It felt like the times when he was a boy and tried to avoid his dad because he messed up. Feeling like a child, Jaune walked into the headmaster's office. Jaune stood straighter at the guests.

"Good afternoon Headmaster." Jaune glanced at the Vale rep. Mr. Mezla. Jaune only spoke with the man once. He was a tall tanned man, even taller than Jaune with a thin black mustache. Next to him the woman, Schnee stood at attention and gave the patrolman a respectful nod.

It was Mr. Mezla that greeted Jaune first. "Good afternoon Patrolman. We had been busy with the incident and have solidified a few plans as your contract has brought about some concerns."

"Please take a seat." Ozpin gestured to the three of them.

Jaune walked up to the desk and took a seat next Mr. Mezla. Jaune felt sorry for the representative to sit in no-mans land between Jaune and the Schnee.

Jaune glanced at Ozpin. The older man clasped his hands on his desk. "The Vale Council were deeply concerned about the confrontation with Atlas personnel on the crime scene. Most." He shared a look with Mr. Mezla, "Took it as a sign of your lack of experience as Patrolman of Beacon."

Jaune kept his mouth shut and consciously relaxed his jaw. Teeth grinding would only give him a headache. Ozpin went on.

"Having said that. The Council had no doubt in the merits of your interests being the interests of Vale's safety. Atlas reviewed the incident themselves and called into question their own officers who had given such a direction in the first place."

Jaune felt more than saw the First-Lieutenant stir. When Ozpin looked over to the Atlas officer, the woman announced. "Upon further review of the incident we found-" She was reluctant to admit, "-no issues with the authority exercised during the investigation. Atlas has always valued Vale as a friend, and such a small incident should not jeopardize the good will between allies. We would only ask that you expedite the investigation so that Vale receives the equipment for the safety of Vale's boarders as quickly as possible."

"Thank you for your understanding First-Lieutenant Schnee. I will proceed as quickly as I am able. Of course I will request that all findings will be disclosed to the affected parties after the investigation is complete."

For the first time since he had met her, the woman slightly relaxed, "Thank you for your consideration Patrolman Arc. Are we done here for now Headmaster Ozpin?"

Ozpin nodded to her. "Thank you for being so patient with us Miss Schnee. Have a good day." The woman stood and nodded to the group before she walked out.

Once the elevator was shut and the lift was off the floor, Jaune slumped in his chair. "So what did the council really say?"

Mr. Mezla laughed. It seemed like he had been holding it in for a while. "Pretty much what you said this morning going by what Ozpin said. They were happy to see Beacon's Patrolman would not accede to Atlas demands on your own. It was your authority that could hand over the rights, not theirs. They would like to know what the hell happened and who your guest is?"

Jaune sighed. "I can make a report tomorrow afternoon. But I need go over the train one more time. Any word from Vale PD about the train investigation?"

Jaune had passed the inspection to them but like Ozpin, they had been very quiet.

"They have Jaune. I had not forwarded it to you. It was an oversight. You do not have an inbox to receive correspondence outside of your scroll. It is something that will be corrected by the end of the day."

Ozpin pulled out the folder. "I have not looked at it. But you will want to make your calls on it soon. As much as I would say to take your time. The droids are needed on the borders soon. Vale had been dragging their feet on ordering repairs for the last generation of droids and ordered these when they realized it was too late for repairs."

Jaune nodded. "Thank you. Before I go. I need to speak with you about the guest." He glanced over to Mr. Mezla.

The man stood. "I'll take this as my time to leave. Good afternoon gentlemen. I will square some time in tomorrow's meeting for your review of the investigation. I'll give you an actual time by tomorrow morning."

"Just be aware it may not be a full report. That's hardly any time to put anything together." Jaune frowned.

"I'll let them know." Mezla reassured him.

Jaune sighed and pulled out his scroll. He passed the info to Ozpin's scroll. "Her name is Blake Belladonna. She's a defector from the White Fang."

Ozpin stopped reading and looked up. "Is she related to Ghira Belladonna?"

"Should I be surprised you know him? Blake is his daughter."

"I only briefly worked with him on a equals rights summit here in Vale. That must have been twenty five years ago. I was only vaguely aware he had children."

"I read up on the man. And the White Fang. They used to be a peaceful protest group."

"Yes. They had a good outreach and support program to all faunus who decided to attempt to live among the majority population." Jaune smiled at the careful wording. Most people would have said humans.

"According to Blake, the White Fang did not just turn militant, they turned into a violent organization. Do you know who the current leader is?"

Jaune had no experience with the White Fang and only read minor reports related to vandalism and theft up until the last seven years.

"That would be Sienna Khan. She was the leader who decided that actions spoke louder than words. Various leaders had tried to meet and appeal with her group for peace with little luck."

"According to Miss Belladonna, she has been killed." Jaune sighed as he pulled up some notes he wrote during his late lunch. "By a man named Adam Taurus. He is the person who is extending White Fang's influence into Vale. He killed her when he believed Khan had actively interfered with a planned attack targeting Vale. He assumed control of the entire White Fang. Blake Belladonna does not know how many people actually know about the change of leadership. But Adam attempted to kill Miss Belladonna when she sabotaged one of the Fang's plans."

"I assume that is the train incident."

"It is. I would like to review the train report but also decide now what I can do about our guest before I walk into that meeting tomorrow."

Ozpin closed his scroll and opened up his terminal. "What are the crimes she has committed during your investigation."

"Trespassing, destruction of Vale property."

Ozpin gave him a curious look.

Jaune nearly shrugged. Instead he pointed out, "That's all there was to it if you think about it. Nothing was stolen. And nothing was tampered with on board with the exception of property of two carts. And we can't say that was her. Honestly with her cooperation, I wouldn't think a judge would give her more than six months. It's what comes after that has me concerned."

"Even after her sentence, her life will still be in danger. You don't want to endanger her life needlessly when you judge her." Ozpin observed while he leaned back in his chair.

Jaune nodded. When he was given unilateral control, he meant all of it. He omitted some information to the witness to give himself some time to figure out what to do. "The new White Fang will look for her. Miss Belladonna gave up a lot of sensitive information. They will want to make sure they silence her."

Ozpin finger tapped the console, "I can offer you an alternative if you are interested."

Jaune crossed his arms with a pragmatic look. "I had hoped you did or she may be killed as soon as she leaves prison."

-o-

Jaune walked into the room Council Room in a stiff formal black jacket and slacks. The tie felt like it choked his throat. He ignored his sweaty palms that he felt stained the folder of packets he carried in with him. Every member of the Council waited patiently as he was directed to the center of the end table. A console screen was up and running with a login request. Jaune set the stack down and placed his hand on it. It was more to keep him steady as he felt slightly dizzy from the focus of the most powerful men and women in Vale. Like so many times before when he felt lost, he whispered to himself. Just do your job. Jaune looked up and greeted the Council of Vale.

"Good afternoon Councilmen. Thank you for your time today."

"Thank you for forming a report so quickly." Jaune honestly did not know who most of these people were. Jaune simply nodded to the man who spoke.

"If you pardon me, I would like to start. There is a lot to go over." Jaune passed a small stack of packets to an aid who quickly passed them to the councilmen. "The security breach and the subsequent train delay is only a small part of this report."

Jaune recalled what he saw and found during the on-site investigation including his personal account and stand off with Atlas Military.

"You willfully made an ultimatum on the Atlas personnel?" A woman asked. She was the youngest of the group.

Jaune paused as he tried to recall her name but couldn't. Instead he said, "I am familiar with working with Atlas representatives Councilor. They are more concerned with cleaning and down playing instances of security breaches rather than investigating what caused them."

Another councilman scowled. "And we are not? All it takes if a mass of negative sentiment to risk the city."

Jaune knew of the delicate balance needed to keep the city safe. Mass turmoil of negative feelings draw grim. Even a negative reaction to government actions and opinions can put the city in jeopardy. It was why the council has always had a united front for the people. Any dissension brings uncertainty.

"But we don't leave the incidents a mystery. We investigate why these crimes happen. Atlas has no such incentives. And their region rarely needs the discretion we require. In their frozen lands, they do not need to worry about grim." Jaune turned the page of his packet. "Turn to page three please."

Jaune stared at the report. He did not disclose the identity of Miss Belladonna in the report. It was as much as a protection for Menagerie as it was to Blake. As the daughter of a country's leader, her presence added unintended implications to her presence among the White Fang. That was something her father had apparently tried his hardest to erase these last ten years.

"The person who was arrested is currently being treated as a witness rather than a criminal." Jaune heard rather than saw the rustle of sheets as the councilmen set their packs down to look at him. Jaune concentrated on the sheet to keep focused. "The most serious crime the witness committed was destruction of a train cart connector and trespassing on government property. Both are gross misdemeanors and require at most, one year in prison on each account. I have judged her guilty of both instances. As for sentencing… Please turn to page five."

Several gasp were inhaled at the title.

WHITE FANG ACTIVITY

"The reason I still regard her as a witness is largely due in part to her account what happened on the train and what I was able to corroborate with a representative back in Menagerie who is familiar with the White Fang." Jaune failed to mention that the person he spoke to was Blake's father. Jaune felt he should contact the man to let him know what is happening to his daughter. The relief in the man's voice was palpable. He had heard there was a new leader to the White Fang but did not know who.

"The witness is a defector of the current incarnation of the White Fang."

"Why say the current one?" This was from an older man with a grey beard and mustache. Jaune thought he looked like an old sea captain without the hat.

"It has been confirmed by the witness and our inquiries in Menagerie that there is a new leader of the White Fang that killed the previous leader Sienna Khan. Several members of the White Fang have tried to defect and were killed in Menagerie and Atlas. Our witness was the first to reportedly survive the assassination attempt."

Jaune let the information sink for a moment. "The witness brought us valuable information about the White Fang leader. His name is Adam Taurus. A man recognizable by his horns in red hair. He wears a mask to cover three scars that cross his right eye and left cheek. This is a militant leader who has already changed how the White Fang has placed attacks. I am unable to confirm much of what is going on in Atlas." Jaune nearly grimaced at the thought. "But the witness stated that their new tactics have been far more successful this past year due to the help of an outsider who has been the beneficiary."

Jaune added before anyone could ask, "I am not sure how the outsider benefits but he has guided Taurus into position of power and focused his attention on expanding their influence into Vale."

"We are only learning of this now then. How have none of our police or patrolmen picked up on this before?"

Jaune turned the page and the group immediately copied his movement. "It was likely because of this outsider. After making some inquiries, I found several instance of unclaimed crime related to theft of supplies and dust without the markings of White Fang activity. I believe this is the influence of the outsider at work. Given on what was stolen, they are making a camp base somewhere in Vale."

"You sound very confident that their target is Vale." Someone pointed it.

"It is because of the witness and what the original task on the trains was to be. This was not the first attempt to invade an Atlas train. The witness had sabotaged the first attempt before it started."

Someone scowled. "I don't mean to second guess your work Mr. Arc. But are we blindly trusting this man's word?"

Jaune didn't correct the councilman and instead set his scroll down, "May I?" he asked, gesturing to his scroll. An aid gave the terminal permission to connect to the scroll.

The screen turned on with the contents of the train. "What we are looking at is the contents of the train. Seven cohorts of atlas droids. Four command droids and two communication terminals for the eastern boarder. The original plan according to the witness was to compromise the security of the two terminals. That would deactivate the droids and leave the eastern front open to a grim invasion."

The room stayed silent and Jaune moved to the next image. "We have had five trains of such cargo in the last year. They could have taken any one of these trains and compromised security at any time during the transit of the equipment. This sabotage was only two of the ones the witness was able to confirm. They are unsure if there were others earlier this year." The screen went blank for a moment before it showed an image of all the borders that had new droids as part of the security. "This is the outline of all droids new and old as of today. Blue are older droids to be replaced, red are the new ones that are in circulation now." There was very little blue lines across the semi circle around the city, and thick bands of red across several rows leading to the city.

"I am not taking their word because I necessarily believe them. I take their word because It will cost thousands of lives if I don't."

"Our security is compromised by trust now Councilmen. I suggest inviting Atlas engineers to go over all equipment installed to ensure that it is safe to use."

Several councilmen looked at each other. The costs alone would be exorbitant. And not something that could be done willfully. But to not do it...

One councilmen added, "We may need to cancel the Vytal Festival here in Vale."

Several scowls were shared. They died a quiet death when Jaune looked at the group. Jaune put in his thoughts, "Headmaster Ozpin is in agreement that is a possibility. I am in no position to say what is to be done, but I was reminded just yesterday by their own representative that Atlas has always been a friend to Vale. Sharing this knowledge of the White Fang and stressing the need of such equipment checks may help us be able to come to an agreement with them in regards to the security sweep. I am sorry Gentlemen, but we need to move on."

Jaune turned the page. "Please go to page twelve." Jaune glanced at the time. It had already been an hour. "My main concern now is to the security of Vale and the impact of our witness testimony. If Vale is a target of the White Fang, we would need to start looking at preventative measures for the city."

"According to the White Fangs original plan, they had thought to weaken our defenses and draw grim to the city. You said it before Sir." He glanced to the councilman who brought up self interests. "All it takes is for the people to lose faith in Vale to draw grim. I suggest a spokesperson be prepared to alleviate fears for any incident that we are unable to foresee and prevent. An active public face will help calm people. I would ask the council review public first response to ensure that any portion of the city could receive aid within minutes of an incident. According to the County Clerk, the last time such a revision was made was well before several highways were created. I also suggest assigning huntsmen to periodically patrol and thin the grim population within ten miles of the city. Headmaster Ozpin-"

"Of course he would offer his huntsmen." Someone added with a cynical laugh.

Jaune smiled. "The notion was not loss on him either. Which is why he is offering his thirds years to Vale to patrol and thin the grim as part of a training program for this year. You can speak with him directly for details if you are interested."

Several of the council were and leaned forward happy to have some kind of leeway.

Jaune took the moment of the council to speak amongst themselves to drink some water. His voice seemed to be squeezed by his throat. It was harder to talk at first, but it became easier once he focused on the job. Finally the men and women seemed to start to focus on Jaune again.

"This finally leads me to the sentencing of the witness. As you may have noticed from the report I have withheld their name. Due to the identity of the witness I feel it is counter productive to disclose their name at this time. However, I have sentenced them to two years of incarceration."

Jaune was amused at the grumbling. "Which will be held at Beacon Academy. Given the information they have given and the willingness to change their lives, Headmaster Ozpin as been gracious enough to invite the witness as a student in Beacon Academy. In six months I shall review their sentence and at that time, if proven they are willing to learn and create a new life, their sentence would be reduced to probation for the remainder of their incarceration. At said time, I will be able to disclose the witness name."

"That's a very unorthodox sentencing."

"I felt it best option for all said parties involved. Since they had worked in the White Fang, I now have someone who may be familiar with how they function to consult in future cases. The alternative would be to incarcerate the witness in a prison provided by Vale PD. However, the witness is under age and will be an easy target for the White Fang to find. In case I need to remind you, they are a defector and are the first survivor we have heard that has escaped the White Fang."

Jaune looked around the room and most seemed happy with the out come. "I ask any questions be held until I compile a more complete report. Thank you for your time ladies and gentlemen. This is still an ongoing case. I will notify the council in the time I do find more."

"Thank you for your time patrolman." One of the council said. Jaune thanked them and took as calm steps as his tense body could make. Shortly after the door closed behind him, he could hear the councilmen debate the merits of the report.

Jaune was warned this would happen by Mr. Mezla. Jaune would happily admit he was too optimistic to think they would follow all his suggestions. Professor Ozpin's offer at least guaranteed one of the suggestions would be accepted. But the others? Jaune was not confident they would seriously consider any of his requests based on what Ozpin had shared his huntsmen experienced when they had to make similar reports.

He tried his best to put in as much information as he was able into the report. He felt he had run his mouth at a hundred miles a second into the two hour meeting. He felt he at least did not make a fool of himself standing in front of the most powerful people in Vale. Jaune nearly slumped against the wall before he rubbed his head.

The door opened and the same aid who logged him into the console looked please he was still there. "Patrolman Arc, may I have a moment?"

Jaune nodded as he stood away from the wall and crossed the hall away from the door. "Mr. Julian wanted to express his gratitude for your presentation. It reaffirmed his confidence in your position."

Jaune gave a relieved look. "Tell him thank you. That means a lot to me."

"If I may?" The aide asked, "I just wanted to say, I have not seen the council take advice as seriously as yours."

"I've heard stories…" Jaune admitted.

"There was no question that Vale's safety was your primary concern. Keep doing a good job Mr. Arc."

"Thank you sir."

"It's Norman."

"Thank you Norman. I have to ask, did it look like I had no idea who any of their names were?"

Norman laughed. "Absolutely."

-o-

Blake stood up and pulled down the new tee-shirt. She was handed some poor temporary clothes to wear with little of the support she was used to feeling against her body. It was the kind of clothes someone would get from a bin of forgotten clothing in a locker. She shuddered thinking about it. Blake just hoped they were washed. They smelled clean at least. The doctor had just opened the door outside. Blake had a hard moment to take a step towards the door. For as odd as it felt, she felt safe in the cell. No one could get her in here.

Blake shook off the feeling as she walked out of the door. Mr. Arc stood outside the hospital room door waiting for her. Mr. Arc had said that Beacon had finally set up a temporary room for her until the start of the school year. That was still just over ten days away. Out of curiosity, Blake asked Jaune what would happen if she failed. Jaune simply said she would have to try and fail to not get into Beacon. Blake left it at that.

Mr. Arc seemed, if possible, to stand more at attention. "Hello Miss Belladonna. May I see your wrists?"

Again, he calls me that. She knew he was being polite, but the idea that the closest safety net she had in Beacon kept everything so impersonal made her a little scared.

Blake extended her wrists fully expecting the handcuffs to go on. What she had placed on her wrists were something similar to the bracelets she wore when she had first woken up in that hospital bed. These bracelets were different from the ones she saw earlier. The first ones she wore looked like handcuffs without the chain that linked them together.

Blake fiddled with the two polished black bracelets around here wrists. Under the wrist was a complicated hole and latch for the lock. She had a feeling there was a reason she wore them. She looked to Mr. Arc while he spoke with the doctor. Blake had started to pick at the pair of grey sweatpants and matching sleeveless tee-shirt. She was unsure how she would get more clothes but did not think that she would be wearing these for her entire stay at the school.

Mr. Arc finally finished speaking with her doctor. When he turned to her she could tell he paused at the black bow that framed her cheeks and covered her faunus cat ears. The patrolman said nothing about. "Come with me and I'll show you to your room. We can go over a few ground rules once there. You will need to know them for the duration of your stay."

The faunus girl was silent and she dragged her feet as he started to lead the way. Blake knew that he was looking at her over his shoulder. It was a contemplative look he got when he seemed to be thinking about something. He seemed to do that a lot with her. Blake could not return the look and tried to face anywhere else but at him. The ground or the few windows they would pass. Blake just wanted to look anywhere but at that silent considering face.

A group of third years passed and greeted Mr. Arc as they walked. Each one gave Blake a curious look before they moved by. Blake had nearly panicked at the four huntsmen in training as they approached. All were humans. She honestly could not remember the last time a group of humans approached her and not raised a weapon. Blake hug herself as she walked behind Mr. Arc. Apparently he had eyes in the back of his head. He asked, "Does it bother you that there are so many mundane people here?"

Blake took a moment to realize what he asked. It confused her until she understood what he meant. "I've.. never heard humans referred to that way before." She answer instead.

Mr. Arc laughed. "You should speak to your father more often." Blake felt her chest tighten. She honestly had not even thought of her family in so long. To hear someone else bring them up now made her nerves fray. Mr. Arc was oblivious to those thoughts, "Those are Ozpin's words to refer to the majority like me." Jaune slowed slightly and Blake unconsciously let herself begin to walk next to him rather than behind the patrolman.

"My father. You know who I am then?"

Jaune gave her a side glance. Blake knew her tone was almost accusatory. She knew it was stupid to think that she may have gotten preferential treatment. But it was her first thought. It was things like that, that made her leave Menagerie in the first place.

"Only after I had already judged you. So long as no one tried to interfere and usurp my place in the investigation, I had already planned what your sentence would be the night of your interview. Just not the specifics of how it would be carried out. You can thank the Headmaster for that one." Jaune answered.

Blake had not known he would have been judge. At best she thought he was just an investigator. It was only after someone called him patrolman, did she realize what kind of person arrested her. Any thoughts to run from a patrolmen died a quick painless death.

Jaune continued, "As to the mundane? We are all human Miss Belladonna. Some of us had harsher upbringings than others. Some have more advantages than others too. It doesn't mean we are not all equal."

Blake scowled. "Says the human." She caught her self and the scowl turned inward. "I really do think that way don't I?" Blake let the sullen words simmer on her tongue.

Mr. Arc walked in silence. Blake shifted uncomfortably. "Miss Belladonna. You have been in an environment where that kind of thinking was encouraged. But on some level you did not agree with all of it, or you would not have left them like you did. You certainly would not have tried to stop them."

"That sounds like a quote." Blake instantly replied. She bit her lip and looked away.

Mr. Arc looked amused. "I've studied a few cases not too different from where you are right now." Blake gave him a dubious look at the word study.

"It doesn't mean I am wrong Miss Belladonna. Just that I had not experienced it personally myself."

Blake let her mind wander on those words. Blake knew she was only here because she could not let Adam do something so horrible to so many people. Were her thoughts so selfless? She always believed there were good humans. But her own reaction to those four students really tested those thoughts. She had no real answers when Mr. Arc stopped in front of a room.

Mr. Arc opened it and gestured for her to walk in first. The space was a large apartment with furniture in it already.

Mr. Arc called out, "Don't get used to the size. These rooms are for the staff, not the students. When you are in the dorms, its four students in a single room as large of the living room. Just be prepared to have no personal space and little in terms of privacy."

Blake touched the bow that hid her ears. She looked back to the man, a little scared at the idea. He seemed to understand. "They will likely learn you are of faunus descent. I just want to make sure you are prepared for that."

Blake's bow twitched and she nodded reluctantly. Mr. Arc set down a card. "This will be your bank card for your allowance while at Beacon. A scroll will be assigned to you soon. Expect that by tomorrow afternoon. You will need them both as a student in Beacon." Blake wandered around the apartment. She was a lost at the news she would have money and a spacious place to live even if it was temporary.

"Miss Belladonna…" Blake looked up from the couch. "Blake." Blake swallowed. It was the first time Mr. Arc said her name. "You have more freedom than you think. You are allotted time to go into Vale with a huntsmen escort. You will need to go into Vale this week to purchase some clothes. I have a few women huntsmen who had already volunteered. When you are out of training classes, you will be required to wear the bracelets They will not prevent you from using your aura, but it will hurt if you do."

Blake looked at the bracelets she was unsure how they would cause her pain if she used them. They were just simple pieces of polished metal. No mechanisms, no sensors, nothing attached or built in. When Blake was explained what Remnite actually does to a person who uses aura, she had taken to the task of constantly checking the bracelets for any burn marks or even reaction. She was not interested in getting burned.

Mr. Arc walked to the kitchen and inspected the refrigerator and the cupboards to make sure there was food. When he wa satisfied with what he saw, he mentioned, "When you are ready to make that excursion, come to my office and schedule a time. The directory is on the table. A scroll will be issued later this week for you if you wanted to wait."

Blake nodded. Mr. Arc must have seen disoriented look on her face. "Did you have a weapon you trained with?"

She shook her head. "I lost it during the fight on the train." Gambol Shroud. Blake lamented its loss. It was half destroyed by Adam when she parried the strike that would have taken her head. Blake's stomach sank at Mr. Arc's next words.

"You are not able to use a weapon given your current status. In six months we'll see at your parole hearing. How's your hand to hand?"

Blake could feel her ears droop under the ribbon in her hair. "Ok I guess."

She knew Mr. Arc did not believe her. He clicked his tongue. "I have a training session planned in the morning with a student huntsman team on training colosseum three at eight in the morning. You are welcome to come if you feel you need to brush up on your hand to hand before your initiation."

Blake was not sure if she had the words to thank him for the offer. She slowly nodded, "I would like that."

"Good night Miss Belladonna." Mr. Arc saw his way out with a silent door click.

Blake looked around her new 'cell' was a good word as any. She could come and go inside of the campus. But she knew she needed permission to leave for town. Maybe she would ask him tomorrow after training to make the arrangement to go buy clothes. When she entered the kitchen she realized she had to cook. Blake felt the surreal moment as she pulled a pan out to stare at it unsure if she could cook anything. She found milk and a box of cereal with a stupid rabbit.

"Better find a cook book when I go shopping." she said over the bowl.

After the strangely satisfying food she sat on the couch with nothing to do. She looked at the bracelets on her wrists. "Well, they could have looked worst." She thought aloud attempting to add as much optimism she could muster into her situation.

-o-

Jaune was half way down to his own apartment before he opened his scroll. He sent a message to Coco. Coco took a minute to reply. Jaune read the message and smiled as he turned around. Jaune hummed a voiceless tune as he made his way to the student dorms. On the seventh floor of the dorms, Jaune spotted CFVY's door wide open with some music playing. He knocked on the door frame and waved at Fox who looked up from some kind of wooden mind teaser puzzle.

"Hey Fox. Just sent a message to Coco."

"I'm here!" she cried down the hall. Her hands full with a bowl of popcorn from the common's kitchens. She quickly leaned in and they pecked each other on the lips. Jaune moved his hand to her waist and kissed her cheek.

"Thank you for the apples, you are my hero."

Coco smiled as she sauntered into her dorm and out of Jaune's arm. "Finally free for a night?"

Jaune sighed and shook his head. "Not quite. I should start to have some time again after tonight. I just wanted to let you know I have a first year in desperate need of hand to hand training starting tomorrow. She has no weapon and is unable to get one before initiation."

Coco whistled but nodded.

Jaune noticed Velvet's ears bob left and right out of the corner of his eye. "Eh, can I speak to Velvet for a second? It's about the girl."

Velvet looked up from her magazine, "What? Oh, Hi Jaune."

"Velvet come talk to Jaune. I need to find a movie to watch."

Velvet got up. "If it's a horror movie again, I'm going down stairs."

Coco rolled her eyes and plopped down on her bed with the popcorn. She instantly picked up the remote control and started typing in letters into the search bar.

Jaune stepped out of the room with Velvet. "Sorry Velvet, I have a first year who will train with us tomorrow morning in hand to hand, but she comes from a very sensitive background. She is a faunus but it looks like she wants to hide that side of her heritage."

Velvet gave a sad, "Oh. I take it she's not from Vale."

"Menagerie and from what I could gleam, most of her bad experiences were while she lived in Atlas."

Velvet's ears dipped slightly at the news. "I can talk to her if you want."

Jaune gave her an appreciative look. "Thanks, but I am not expecting you to. Just… be a role model for her. She has so few experiences of faunus interacting with the mundanes like us."

Velvet understood. "Sure. I can do that."

Jaune grinned and looked over her shoulder to the television. "Thank you. You should probably go in there before Coco decides a giant insect movie doesn't count as horror." Velvet paled before she ran back in. She grunted as she dove for the remote.

Jaune walked to the elevator and could distinctly hear the cry, "My popcorn!"

-o-

The next morning arrived early. Jaune had already been in the colosseum for an hour while he ran around the perimeter at a light jog. He passed around his seventieth lap when he noticed Coco and her scowl as she walked down the steps. Her eyes followed him around the lap in a circle. She seemed to have trouble focusing in on his face at his current pace. One more lap was enough for Coco as she started to walk onto the track. Jaune slowed to a stop in two steps with a slight rose to his cheeks.

"Morning Wench." His grin was so wide it made him shut his eyes.

Coco made a 'pft' sound as she slapped his shoulder. "You can't say that when you are that happy this early in the morning."

"Coco, it's what? Seven?"

"It's almost eight Jaune." Yatsu supplied. The group all seemed to have donned sweat pants and to run a few warm up laps.

"It's almost eight Coco." Jaune laughed. "Wouldn't you be in class this time next week?" Jaune laughed as she batted his back.

"Don't remind me."

Jaune kept his smile as he scanned the arena. Still no sign of Miss Belladonna. Jaune let Team CFVY do their jog while he walked onto the platform and stretched. He heard the front gates squeak open. The faunus girl walked carefully down the stairs in black sweatpants and tee-shirt. The loose bottom of the shirt was tied in a knot to keep it out of the way. Jaune noted the bow firmly placed on the top of her head covering her ears.

"Good morning Miss Belladonna. This is Team CFVY. Coco, Fox, Velvet and Yatsuhashi." Blake gave a polite but quiet hello.

"Come here for a second." Blake walked up to the blonde teen. He gestured to her wrists and she extended them upwards to him to show the locks. A quick press key with a twist of the actual cuff unlocked them. Blake rubbed her wrists. The cuffs were not too tight but they were an uncomfortable weight when she turned her forearms in certain angles. Jaune placed the cuffs in a back hip pocket on his belt. "Go jog until you feel your properly awake and warmed up." Jaune turned back to the group. "Velvet, Fox. You two are up."

Fox hopped onto the platform. He raised his fists to shoulder height and faced Jaune at an angle. Jaune raised his hands and opened his palms. Velvet matched Fox's stance as she stood next to her teammate.

"Fox you go first." Velvet whispered. Fox took four quick steps forward and extended his left fist then his right. Jaune palmed away the first hand and raised his knee to block the second. The patrolman snapped his bent leg outward. His toe nearly nailed Fox's temple before Fox was able to dodge it with a back step.

As soon as Jaune attacked, Velvet moved behind him and thrust a palm forward at the patrolman's floating ribs. Jaune pulled back his extended leg and his left fist into his body before they both thrust outward one appendage aimed at one of the two attackers. Velvet grunted as a fist hit her shoulder awkwardly in her poor attempt to dodge. Fox was fortunate that he decided to not counter attack right away and grabbed Jaune's extended left foot.

"Sorry Velvet." Jaune said in warning as he palmed the flat of his hand against the girls falling body to push himself against Fox's hand. Jaune twisted his hips and swung his free foot against Fox face before he completed a spin in mid air and caught his body with his legs. Jaune raised his hands one more time and jumped back to make sure both Velvet and Fox were in front of him.

-o-

Blake started to jog around the ring amid the grunts that were shouted in the center of the stadium. She was not sure how she felt about her sentencing. When she first ran away from the White Fang, she had hidden on the streets with her bow as her only form of concealment. Even now it sat on her head like a security blanket to keep her safe.

Sure Blake new internally that she could have hidden somewhere and put her aura to use. She had even thought to hide among schools like Beacon. She had not originally wanted to be a huntsman but they would be able to protect and hide her. When Mr. Arc removed the cuffs off her wrists in an empty stadium, Blake had not even thought to run.

Now that the choice was made for her, Blake was not sure if this felt like a punishment or a blessing. It was stressful to know she was guaranteed to enter the school but still have to go through initiation. Mr. Arc reminded her to make the best of everything the school offered her.

'It was not often you get a free education.' He had told her.

Blake knew her heart was not into the run when the spar in the center got her attention. The blonde teen flipped in mid air and grabbed the bunny girl by the shoulders and planted a foot between her shoulder blades before he leaned back and jack knifed his body to flip her over him. Her teammate saved her in mid air before they both charged the patrolman. Blake knew fast. Her semblance allowed her to move quickly and escape dangerous situations. The speed the two teammates at moved were several steps faster than she could move. The red head moved low to push against the patrolman's foot before he tried to kick it away from the patrolman's center of balance. The girl went to grab the patrolman's arm to use as leverage to trap him and allow her teammate to get a free blow.

That looks like that was what they tried to do. She thought to herself.

What happened instead was the patrolman pulled back his foot and quickly snapped it back out against the red heads face… Fox was it? Groaned and hit the ground hard. A small flash wrapped his body before he stilled. The patrolman in a single fluid movement followed through with the kick. Grabbed at the girls forearm the moment she grabbed his. The patrolman pulled the arm of the woman and dropped his body weight. The girl was suddenly off balance. With his arm still pinned, the patrolman raised his leg in a kick over his shoulder. When the girl gave a yip of pain and relaxed her grip, the patrolman lurched forward and flipped the girl over his shoulder where she landed on her back next to the red head.

Blake slowed to a walk and approached the group. The girl Velvet seemed put off from the exchange as she stood up. She nearly toppled as she wheezed.

Blake looked to the patrolman as the humor in his voice rung in the room. "Good job on waiting the both of you. With someone as fast as me, you will want to wait until I commit to an attack. The same can be said with grim too. Coco told me about the Alpha you fought on your mission last semester."

Coco smiled. "Sorry Fox. I thought it was important." Fox huffed out a groan as he stood back up and rubbed his collar bone.

Blake watched as the patrolman smiled at his two sparring partners while they shuffled next to each other. "Keep up the practice. Were you alright there Fox?"

Fox grimaced as he looked at the meter on his scroll. "Sorry Jaune, that last hit took more aura than I expected it too."

Jaune looked over Velvet who nervously shuffled back and forth, not too eager to go in by herself. Jaune shared a look with Coco before they shared a laugh. The patrolman then turned to Blake. "You can come on up too Miss Belladonna."

Coco patted his shoulder and pushed him towards Blake. "I'll spar with Yatsu for a bit so you can work with the first year. I want to show him that trick you showed me."

Jaune smiled his thanks. "Don't hurt yourself." Jaune's fingers brushed against Cocos as she passed by. Blake raised both her eyebrows at the gesture. Were they-? Jaune did not give her an option to continue that thought.

"Before we start, can you extend out your arm?"

Blake took a second to realize why he asked that. Her aura had healed up her arm nearly a day and a half ago. She felt a little silly as she raised it outward and rotated it as he directed. A few more movements, and he seemed satisfied.

"Were you ready to sparr for a bit?"

Blake felt her bow twitch as she gave a nervous laugh. "Am I able to use my semblance if you are going that fast?"

Jaune shook his head. Blake felt he tried his best to give her some reassurance. "You'll set the pace. That sparr with Velvet and Fox was more to see if they kept practicing during the break. They had just returned to Vale a few days ago. This is my first sparring session with them since they came in."

Blake nervously raised her fist. If she was honest with herself. She had not really fought hand to hand in years. Her old weapon Gambol Shroud was a medium ranged weapon if she had to fight hand to hand. She felt her nails dig into her palms as she made a fist. She would need to trim those.

Jaune raised his palms outwards towards her. Blake thought he would have been a grappler the way he held his hands, but he clearly wasn't. Blake spared a glance to the other four students. They had to be at least second years if not third years with the way they carried themselves. The girl Coco laughed at something before she looked curiously at Blake.

Blake looked back to her training partner. When it was apparent the patrolman was not going to attack first, Blake punched with her left. It felt awkward even to her arm. Her feet shuffled as Jaune moved his hand to block it. His eyes followed her fist for a moment before he looked back to her. Blake jabbed and punched one more time. Jaune blocked with his forearm to push away her right before he punched her wrist of Blakes extended full swing punch.

Blake jumped back and shook her wrist. She winced at her hand before she raised her arms again. Blake almost glared at Mr. Arc. The flash of anger died a quick death at his patient and calm stare. Blake swallowed the lump in her throat. The look was too familiar.

Blake gripped her hands with the same ironclad grip she reigned in her emotions. This is not the time to think of her! The next few hits were caught with a slap sound as they hit his open palms. I never thought I was a great martial artist. But this is! Blake felt her frustration build with every poor punch she made. She knew they were bad. Her fists had no strength, and the slaps Mr. Arc made against her hands hurt when she made contact. She knew she was getting angry. By the time she had growled loudly, she didn't care. Why does he remind me of her now?

Mr. Arc did not comment on Blake's anger. He did not look bothered when her hand flailed at him. Blake felt her eyes sting. Her punches had renewed vigor. If only to change that look of his face. Blake did not want to think of her right now. Blake's world clouded as she just grunted and shouted, attempting to wail against the patrolman.

Eventually Blake slowed to catch her breath she realized she had been using her aura to enhance her fists. "Mr. Arc, I'm sorry I didn't realize I was..." Blake lost all the fire in her. Did she already screw up her incarceration?

Mr. Arc lowered his hands for a moment. "It's fine. You were not doing it on purpose." Blake looked at the teen. It dawned on her that he had stopped blocking and redirecting with his hands for a long while now. "Are you alright?" Mr. Arc asked finally.

Blake sniffed and walked away. "You reminded me of my teacher. I wasn't ready for it."

"Sienna Khan?" Blake nodded. "What kind of person was she?"

Blake turned back to him. She was greeted with a disarming and curious look from the man. It was the same face he wore when she first saw him in the cell. He was not expecting an answer and would not be offended if she didn't reply. Blake looked away. She couldn't stand to see him look like at her.

"Kind. She would do anything for us. Even slap us around if we thought we knew better." Blake added ruefully. Blake rubbed her eyes and sniffed. "I think she saw Atlas would only become worse for Faunus to live there. It's hard to change anything when inequality is institutionalized."

Blake saw the other teen nodded out of the corner of her eye as he really listened. "Sienna was like the big sister that looked out for everyone. She had wanted to shock Atlas into waking up. It just never worked." Blake exhaled as she sniffed one more time. "Thanks for the break."

Mr. Arc nodded and raised his palms again.

Blake made several more attempts to hit the patrolman. Blake nearly swore aloud as she looked at her feet. She jumped back. It was Mr. Arc's signal to fight back. He took a step forward with a single punch at the same speed she punched at. Was I always this bad without a weapon? Blake could barely follow the fist. By instinct she pulled back and nearly activated her semblance. Blake did not realize how much she relied on it to be able move and dodge. Without it, she felt like she was sitting in mud.

Mr. Arc instantly stepped back to his ready position. "Miss Belladonna. Follow my hands. Try and punch where my hands are for now. Line up your fist so they are always coming in at right angles."

Blake raised her fists and watched as his hands moved. They were slow and deliberate. One moved towards his ribs and the other towards his cheek. Behind his hand, he ordered, "Left. Right."

Blake punched his hand against the high palm with her left, and low with her right. Blake inhaled as he let his body react to each blow as they were hits. He planted his back foot but leaned back. He quickly moved his hands again. This time one hand moved underneath his left cheek as he was bent over and one hovered over his kidney on the opposite side.

"Right. Side-step left, hit right." He ordered again. Blake nearly made an uppercut at the angle his palm rested at. Mr. Arc's face lifted and it exposed his abdomen where his other hand hovered over. Blake shouted as she pulled her fist back and punched the target in a hook at the hand. She was happy to see that he shook his hand as it stung. Blake stepped back to a ready position.

Mr. Arc seemed impressed as he raised his palms. "Again."

Blake allowed the work to become her world. She didn't even notice that there were others that had poked in to see if the stadium was occupied before they left. Or the group of third years watch for twenty minutes before they got bored and left. The empty stadium echoed of her shouts and cries of victory when she was able to land a solid hit against the patrolman's palms. Mr. Arc would raise his palms occasionally in quicker succession. The only real words said were when he wanted a left or a right. At one point she had to laugh as he faked getting hit by a hard uppercut she slammed against his palm. He rightened himself and the two reset.

"Again."

Blake stopped only when she felt a sting against her knuckle. An angry red line crossed her biggest left knuckle. She rested her hand over it and exhaled as her heart slowed down after the long exercise. Eventually she sat on the ground and felt so much better. After everything that happened, it felt good to be able to push back. Even if it really wasn't a push back the way she felt she wanted.

Mr. Arc squatted next to her. "Much better. You usually rely on a weapon don't you?"

Blake snapped back to attention and blushed. "Yes. Gambol Shroud was a hybrid blade and gun with a ribbon attached. The blade allowed me to fight close quarters, but I've never actually punched anything when I had it."

"Or kicked. You've never used your legs once today."

Blake blinked and looked at her feet. "I suppose not."

Jaune smiled. "We'll fix that. Once we get you comfortable on where to look for hits, the rest comes with your aura. I'll have you spar with Velvet once you get used to this."

Blake instantly felt suspicious. "Why her?" The accusatory voice sounded ungrateful even to her. "I'm sorry. I just-"

"It's fine. Velvet was in a similar situation this past spring. Her weapon was destroyed, but she had to keep doing missions for class. And there are regular sparring sessions with Professor Goodwitch on top of that. She is the most familiar with hand to hand with no weapons."

Blake swallowed. She had not thought that far ahead. How am I supposed to fight against grim like this? Blake looked at the man as he handed her a bottle of water. She thanked him and happily sighed into her bottle as she drank several deep gulps. After a deep breath, she looked around the stadium and realized they were the only ones still there.

"Team Coffee had to go. They been gone for a while. We should call it for now too. It's been a few hours. Get some food in you."

Blake touched her stomach as it growled at her. She glanced at the clock. It had been hours. No wonder she was tired. "How am I going to fight grim like this?" She looked at her hands. There were scrapes in her palms thanks to her nails. The knuckles were scuffed and dry. She had never built calusas on her knuckles so they felt raw to her even though they were just a little red. Her aura was doing a good job at healing the red break on her knuckle when she glanced at it.

Blake's eyes went to the patrolman while she rubbed her hands. He had similar thoughts. "Invest in a pair of gloves for yourself. Maybe even some wrist guards."

Blake sighed as she flexed her hands. "Should I be getting some other stuff then?"

"Only if you want to keep fighting hand to hand down the road. You just need to last for the first six months. When you pass parole you will be able to get a weapon. For now, you will need to tough it out. The only time you will really need to face grim will be at initiation. And no, I was not supposed to say that. But you need to know. After that, you can fight it out in sparring sessions. Professor Goodwitch is aware of your limitations and will adjust the class for you accordingly. That will likely be less combat for you at the start of the term but more than your fair share as you approach the six months when you had time to practice hand to hand combat."

Blake nodded. Weirdly, that made her feel a lot better. Like it was doable. "Thank you Mr. Arc."

Jaune smiled as he stood up in a single fluid motion. Blake was envious of how little effort that seemed to have taken from him. "Of course Miss Belladonna. Let me know if you need anything else. If you are willing, you can come here at eight every morning."

Blake stood up with a grunt. After today's spar, it all felt like it could work. "I think I will."

-o-

Jaune felt relieved as Miss Belladonna walked out of the stadium. She seemed much lighter on her feet in spite of the mornings practice. He clicked open his scroll and saw a message from Coco.

How did the girl do?

Jaune sent a reply that she would show up tomorrow. He was happy he did not scare the girl off. But Miss Belladonna would need a new weapon in time. That's something he could think about later. He needed to see if there were anything regarding laws for convicts. "That girl is going to be an ongoing thing, isn't she?" he wondered to himself. At least it was only one girl.

Jaune went to his apartment to clean up. He still had evidence he would need to go over for that train case. He also wanted to make it back out to Junior's tonight. Information to confirm as well as to sell. Jaune would never disclose any information that would place Vale in danger, but he could still make small inquiries about unclaimed thefts. The contents of the train was the biggest concern.

Jaune quickly cleaned himself up in his apartment before he settled down in front of the train report Ozpin had passed to him. Miss Belladonna was convinced that the White Fang's newest target would be Vale. But how Taurus would start that fight was Jaune's job to predict and prevent.

That led to the biggest question about the whole incident. And one Jaune was not sure he would ever get an answer. What was Adam Taurus target on the train? Miss Belladonna believed it was to carry out his sabotage plan. But he would not have needed anything beyond the carts where the two had fought for him to succeed.

Miss Belladonna was certainly not the first target. She would have been dead if she was. The White Fang leader was angry that Miss Belladonna broke the train connectors. He wanted something on the engine side. Jaune would have to reluctantly agree since Taurus only left after the droids were alerted and the carts were disconnected. He did not even look to see if he actually killed the girl.

The carts on the engine side of the train had nothing of real value for the kind of goals the White Fang were after.

Those carts contained nothing of military value. All the security droids and control centers were further down the train. The cart order had been in place since the train initially left Mistral's depot. The carts contained farming equipment, replacement tires, silk, cotton. Trade goods. There was nothing there that would be a target for the White Fang. Jaune stared at the cart listings that were taped along his wall. The fighting on that train only stopped because the other carts were not flatbeds. Both Belladonna and Adam Taurus would have known how the train works. Had she stayed firmly with the White Fang, they easily could have boarded the train and done whatever they wanted without anyone being the wiser.

Jaune stopped that thought and closed his eyes.

"Shit."

Jaune opened his scroll and tapped into the VTS channel. The line opened with a woman receptionist greeting him. "Vale Transportation Services how may I direct your call?"

"Jaune Arc Patrolman for Beacon Academy. I wish to speak to Albert Roselink on a secure line. It's urgent." The woman held the line and nearly a minute passed while Jaune placed his vest on and started making his way down the stairs. The council would be in session for another three hours.

"This is Roselink, did you find something Jaune?"

"I think I may have found what the intruders were after. Can you send a worldwide transportation communications to all trains coming into Vale. All trains must slow four miles out of Vale before they approach the city. Have security prepared to evacuate the site if the train does not slow down."

"That's a tall order Jaune. What did you find?"

"I think Adam Taurus was planning on killing all the train crew members on that train. But he was alone on that attack. If he wasn't stealing anything, I can only think of one thing he was planning to do with a train coming into Vale. He did not plan for it to stop."

The head of the VTS swore. "I can only keep that going for twenty four hours before the Council can tell me to rescind the order. But I'll start the order now."

"I'm going directly to the council to make my case. If they rescind my order, it's up to you to make as many precautionary steps as possible."

"Good luck." Roselink grunted to get out of his chair as the line closed.

-o-

Jaune stared at himself from the reflection of the window. He could not look less presentable. He had no suit jacket or slacks like the last time. Jaune just wore his blue jersey and jeans. At least i'm walking in feeling comfortable. Jaune knew he would need every bit of support to face the council. Jaune knew he was asking a lot this time. The trains were planned months in advance. Changing anything in regards to the transport system would throw everything in Vale off.

"They are ready to see you Mr. Arc."

Jaune thanked Norman as he walked in. Jaune spotted the now familiar faces of every councilman. It was a pity he could not place a name to any of them except Mr. Julian. "I am sorry for interrupting your meeting councilman, but I found a concern that needs to be brought to your attention."

"Go ahead patrolman."

Jaune set down his scroll and asked Norman to connect it. "Forgive the lack of report and presentation. I was reviewing the evidence and looking for a motive for Adam Taurus. If the White Fang was successful in disabling the droids. How would they still draw the grim to the city? What could they do to form a level of distress and distrust in Vale?" Jaune glanced as a few of the councilmen. The woman, and elder sea captain man and the middle aged man with the shaggy mustache were the most vocal in his last meeting. They were the ones he needed to convince.

"In my investigation through the train I noticed something about the train carts that Adam Taurus had attempted to reach." Jaune projected the list of items listed on the carts. Several Councilors looked bored as they noticed the number of non-important contents for trade.

"Councilmen. What you see is a list of all content of those carts Adam Taurus was attempting to reach but failed due to the separation of the train carts. As you have noted, nothing in this list stands out to risk a neck over."

Jaune changed to the next image. It was labeled to all the train railways that entered the city. "The train that was attacked was one of four railways that have a straight rail line into the city. The other seventeen have to make some kind of curved approached to meander through the cities highways to get to the train station." Jaune noticed he got a few of the council's attention with the new map.

"What if the White Fang's plan this time was not to adjust the droids like previous plans. What if they had planned to commandeer the train itself. Trains do not need to be going very fast in some of the more winding sections to derail. The train that was attacked was a straight line into the center of the city. If Adam Taurus plan was to cause doubt in the safety of the city. This would be the quickest way."

"You said they wanted to announce that they were here. This would be a way they could have done it." The sea captain added for Jaune's benefit.

"This also implies that if they did not need the droids on the train, then they already had already completed their first objective with the eastern front."

The young woman looked at the rest of the council. None of them seemed willing to say what they thought. "You do not know this Mr. Arc. But we have already requested for Atlas to send their engineers to look at our droids. But it cost us. The Vytal Festival will go through as planned only because we have committed resources we could not recuperate if we cancelled it. Believe us when we say we take this threat seriously. But we are already in debt and have already broken into next year's budget to get Atlas here. I have taken on the role of public relations for crisis situations personally. We are not sure what we can do regarding this information. What would you have originally proposed with no budget limit?"

Jaune felt his chest constrict at the comment. He took a moment to gather his thoughts. "What I had wanted originally was not possible. The trains are the cities life blood. I have a twenty four hour order for trains to be required to slow as they approach Vale within four miles. But I know we can not sustain it. The trains are already out of sync for their schedules. I wanted to originally establish checkpoints for observers of the trains as they made their approach to Vale. Require a slow down as the trains entered the city. You can't stop a train once it starts. But if we can get more information before it happens we can react with an evacuation order. I want places that the train would most likely be derailed to be no man zones. Mr. Roselink would be the best man to find those weaknesses."

"The look outs are not possible at this time. The slow down of the trains is not viable that far out either. That is too far for a train to be going that slow."

Jaune agreed. The train he rode into Vale was at a snail's pace for the final ten miles and that nearly took eight hours on its own.

"But two miles. Just before they entered the city limits would work. If a train was going so fast to break that order, we would know about it well before the two mile mark. They would still need to decelerate before they hit the perimeter." One of the councilmen said while he stood up and looked at the train lines on the screen.

"But even that can't last forever. The markets will go down. Businesses noticed the trains were off already. An hour added to every train delivery will be a talking point among the news outlets."

Jaune thought quickly. "Have Mr. Roselink appointed to another position for VTS safety on top of his current one. Let the news go with that. He is just acclimating to the new job."

The woman smiled and opened her console. "I think it's a good idea. But it can't last forever. We need a time period."

Another councilmember said, "Two weeks is the usual grace period."

Jaune frowned and shook his head. "If we are working with borrowed time I'll make it my priority to find the White Fang in and out of the city. But two weeks would not be possible if the goal is to find it in that time."

"Jaune would you be so kind to step outside for a bit. I think we need to debate over this."

Jaune nodded as he walked out and slumped against the wall. The door was closed but he could hear the harsh voices over the whole proposal. Jaune could clearly hear a few were not totally convinced. Jaune wrapped the knowledge that they believed him from the first meeting like a security blanket. Jaune kept his eyes closed as he willed his thoughts to believe in himself. If he didn't believe his own words, the council never will.

Jaune pulled out his scroll to look at the time and smiled at the message from Coco.

Miss you!

The scroll closed shut. He tapped the scroll against his forehead. He clicked it open, Want to go out tomorrow morning after practice? I have a feeling that will be the last time I'm going to see you for a long while.

Jaune sent the message and closed the scroll. He ignored the answering buzz. Time passed in silence as Jaune waited to be re-invited back in. Two hours later as dusk settled in, the doors opened. Norman looked as exhausted as the councilmen. He gestured for Jaune to walk back in. Jaune took his spot in front of the table. Each councilman looked to the woman. She glanced at her console.

"I am sorry for the length of deliberation Mr. Arc. There were other things you were not privy to that you should be aware of. Atlas had been a good friend. With the cost of the engineers coming to Vale within the next two weeks, Atlas has offered General Ironwood along with his armada to come and oversee the defense of Vale."

Jaune nodded slightly. He understood what that meant to him and to the investigation. If the council took Atlas' offer, they will have to admit that Jaune was unable to satisfy the terms of his contract. He would be removed from the case. And possibly removed as an option as a patrolman down the road.

Judging by the reluctance of a few councilmen at that, it did not look like it was a step they were willing to take.

"We have decided to hold off on the offer. But we can not keep that with your growing evidence. You are correct. Two weeks is too short. But we fear waiting for too long will invite disaster."

"If you have decided to postpone taking Atlas' offer, how much time do I have?"

"One month. We know it's unrealistic. But we can only keep the enforced rule on the trains for one month. During that time, you need to find the White Fang presence and detain or cripple the organizations efforts in Vale. At that time if you can not, we reluctantly have to hand over the security of Vale over to Atlas."

Jaune had only been thinking of the people who would become victims. It was just now that she had mentioned Vale as a whole that he realized that Vale would effectively surrender sovereignty to another nation. Jaune took a few awkward moments before he nodded.

"Many of us have our concerns about you Jaune Arc." The woman gave her best poker face as she did not look at anyone but Jaune himself. "But in this we must provide a unified front. Good luck Patrolman. Our full powers are authorized to you. Find the White Fang and stop them."

Jaune bowed slightly before he excused himself. He did not know what they meant when they said full powers. But he found out shortly after when several aids met him at the door. Jaune was given long term emergency powers status. The city departments were to be made aware to respond to him without consulting the Council.

Jaune's hand shook as he walked out of the building and into the waiting car to take him to Beacon. Jaune watched as the street lights passed. Jaune watched another city block pass. The highway hummed as the car drove over the concrete road. The highway lifted over several buildings giving Jaune plenty of time to view the city below him as it made its way to the bullhead that would take him to Beacon.

This is what is at stake. Jaune reminded himself. Koben had said that a good patrolman predicts and acts. Jaune felt he did that. But now. So many things were out of his control. There were two weeks where there would be no engineers to make sure the robots were safe. Any train now could be an incoming missile. And those were only the plans Jaune had a clue about.

And four weeks before Vale hands over its control to another country. Because inaction would be the destruction of Vale. Jaune knew there was a major factor in the Council's willingness to hand over control to Atlas. It was the only way the council could protect Vale, not from outside threats, but from itself. If Jaune failed, the people would lose trust in just him. Jaune knew that would hurt if that happened but he could accept that. If Atlas took control and a successful attacked happened… Then Atlas would assume responsibility. So long as the people trusted and believed in Vale. The city… the country would still survive. As soon as the people would lose trust in Vale, they would be inviting grim into the city.

It would be the end of it all.

Jaune looked where they were passing and slapped the back side of the driver's seat. Jaune quickly pulled off the blue vest and hoodie, leaving himself in a black tee-shirt. "Let's make a stop here. I just need to speak to someone before we go back."

The driver noticed where Jaune was asking to go and nodded as he made the turn.

Junior's was an active place tonight. The music was dimmed in exchanged for the droning voices of hundreds of people at tables and booths. One of the Malachites recognized his face as he walked into the door. He waved four fingers at her before he walked up to the bouncer that stood in front of the elevator. The man easily had several inches on Jaune and looked over his red shades. "The fourth floor."

The bouncer nodded as he stepped back and hit the fourth level button.

The fourth floor was for special requests. Like the other upper floors, it opened to a view of the dance floor below. But unlike the others, there was sound proof glass that separated the level to the sounds below. Jaune walked into the blissful silence of the fourth floor and waited at the elevator entrance.

Several of Junior's men walked to him each with an axe in hand. Two of them relaxed when they saw his face. "Sorry gentlemen. It is short notice. I need to speak to Junior. Just five minutes when he is available. I got all night." Jaune leaned back against the wall to wait. The group left him there. Jaune did not know how long he stood against the wall. But Junior himself walked out of one of the rooms. He had no shades but his face was business as usual.

"Jaune. This way please."

Jaune followed the older man into a private room. The high class leather furniture seemed out of place for a club. But the liquor cabinet and the serving table didn't. Jaune took a seat when Junior did. "What brings you today?"

Jaune had debated on if he should have taken this information to Junior. But now that he was effectively the voice of Vale... "Are you aware of the new leader of the White Fang."

Junior smiled. "I am not."

"I am not looking for a quick buck Junior. This is for Vale. In exchange, I need to know if any new groups enter the city. I am not expecting details. Just to be made aware if anyone comes into the city to set up shop."

Junior looked at the teen. Jaune was unsure what Junior saw, but the older man put away his scroll. "I can give you from the last three weeks to the coming eight."

Jaune nearly allowed himself to relax at the news. Instead, "Adam Taurus." Jaune describe the man and how long he had been the leader. He also decided to describe what is done to deserters.

Junior made several notes before he closed his small personal notepad. "No one has come in to Vale in the last three weeks."

Juane nearly smiled in spite of himself. The intended implication that a party Junior wanted to protect came in a month ago was not lost on Jaune.

"I have one group coming in next week I know about. He will be the new contractor. Muscle for some of the families. He is a leader of a mercenary group. You'll probably be seeing them on both sides if you pay attention. I'll let you know if I can confirm others for you."

"Thank you Junior. I have to go. And Junior?"

Junior looked up surprised.

"Avoid the trains when you can."

Junior looked at him curiously but take the advice at face value.

-o-

Jaune was unsure what he felt when he walked into his apartment. He removed his vest and set it on the back of a dining room chair. Jaune knew he was going through the motions. He had so much hope that the Council would see his worries were justified and they would take every step to safeguard Vale. But the reality was a hard pill to swallow. The council had limits just like everything else. Whether it was money or man power or time, there were only so many things they could do.

Jaune would take the victories where he could. The train depot was the key stone. The White Fang need a catalyst to instill fear and doubt to draw the grim. So long as Vale believed in its Council, Vale would stand.

So why was he so...

Lost? Confused? Terrified?

Yeah, Jaune felt all those things. He set down his scroll. His initial impulse was to look for Coco. Her smile usually cheered him up. Having her in his arms would be a comfort. But he didn't think he could face her right now. Coco was a saint for not asking about anything he did. But felt he would accidently share this just to get it off his chest. He could not burden her with that. Just- not tonight. She must have been asleep for hours now anyway. Jaune felt every second pound into his ears to the beat of his heart. Four weeks. It was not enough time.

Jaune closed his eyes and willed himself to rest. He would need it. When nothing came, he lifted his scroll. It was nearly two in the morning. Jaune opened his scroll and noticed he never did see the message Coco sent him. The message was an image of her self-indulgent smile over a slice of cake. I look forward to it. Was written in text along with the picture. Her warm glow and upturned lip eased his heart. It was enough that it allowed him to close his drowsy eyes.

Jaune knew he was not ready for what was coming. He knew Vale was not prepared.

Jaune hoped. He prayed that the next time he woke up, it was not because he received a call that told him people died by a train that crashed into Vale.

Because no one was ready.

A/N: I somehow got another chapter done before the end of the year! Really thrilled for that actually. Here is the start of the White Fang arc. I am trying to shoot for the next chapter to be up by the end of February.