Ruby sat on the cold operation table, nervously playing with her headphone cord as she did. And while she did, she couldn't help but think about the moment that lead her to this.
"Ms. Rose," Ozpin said, looking at her from behind his desk, "I'm sorry for bringing you here so late at night, but I needed to talk to you about a…special project."
"It's alright Professor, so what's this special project?"
"Atlas has developed an Artificial intelligence, designed to aid hunters in battle, however, to help them they must first be..integrated, into the huntsman, it's projected that the procedure would only have a forty-eight percent success rate among huntsman who are aged over twenty-five…but in a huntsman under twenty…the success rate skyrockets to ninety percent."
"and…you want me to…get the procedure?"
Ozpin closed his eyes, "your name…has been thrown around by Ironwood and his scientists as a prime candidate…but I want you to understand the risks that come with this before you make a decision, because this is a dangerous operation."
"what…what could happen?"
"you could lose your memories, you could lose mobility in your arms and legs…you could very well die."
Ruby mulled this over, "but…you said it was a ninety percent chance that nothing happens…right?"
Ozpin nodded hesitantly, "that is what the scientists have projected." He said slowly.
"then I accept."
Ozpin's eyes widened, "Ms. Rose please think about this seriously-"
"I did," Ruby said, "and if it can help my team, then I'll do it, it's worth the risk."
Ozpin looked down, "if you're sure…then I will contact Ironwood and get things ready."
that had been three weeks ago, and as Dr. Polendina walked in, she felt a small trickle of doubt go through her brain.
"so, Ms. Rose, you ready?" the kindly old man asked, running his hand through his goatee in an attempt to fix it, his wild, unkempt hair was waving slightly as he walked, making Ruby giggle.
"I'm ready Dr. Polendina." She said.
"come now Ruby," Dr. Polendina said sternly, "we're friends aren't we? You can call me Charles."
"right, sorry Dr-I mean- Charles."
"there we go." He said happily, putting his spectacles on, 'now, this procedure is going to take quite a bit of time, putting the bio-sensors into your spinal column will be the most time consuming, but the actual AI port may prove to be tricky."
"o-okay…how long do you think it'll take?"
Hmm…" he stroked his goatee, "I would estimate about four hours, but don't worry, to you, it'll feel like a couple of minutes, now, would you please take the hospital gown off and lie on the table? I will get the anesthesia ready."
"okay…" Ruby said, slowly standing up and taking the gown off, leaving her in chest bindings and a pair of cotton panties, she carefully laid down on the table and shivered at the cold metal.
"now, I'm going to put you under," he said, walking over and picking up a mask with a hose attached to it, "just take a couple of deep breaths and the Anesthesia will put you to sleep, are you ready?"
she nodded as Dr. Polendina put the mask over her nose and mouth, Ruby took a couple of deep breaths and felt her eyes droop.
"sweet dreams Ruby," Dr. Polendina said, walking over to a button and pressing it, "this is the video log of Dr. Polendina," he said, looking towards a small camera that was slowly following his moves, zooming in and out, "today we will begin the trial tests for Project Insight, under the direct oversight of Project Freelancer, our volunteer, Ms. Ruby Rose, is prepped and ready for surgery." He walked towards the table, the camera following, "I will now begin the procedure, by enabling the 0-G conditions." He said, pulling out his scroll and tapping it a couple of times, he waited a couple of minutes, then carefully moved the table, leaving Ruby suspended in the air.
"we will begin by turning the patient over, so as to start inserting the bio-sensors." He said, "we will be inserting sixteen of them, twelve along the spinal column, one on either shoulder, and one on each leg."
Ozpin watched Dr. Polendina carefully cut away at the back of Ruby's head, "how's it going?" Ironwood asked, walking into the observation room.
"fine so far," Ozpin said, taking a sip, "Dr. Polendina has inserted the Bio-sensors and is now attempting to put the AI port in the back of her head…"
Ironwood sat down and pulled a flask out, taking a gulp of the liquid inside, "Dr. Polendina is the best neurosurgeon Atlas has, he's also one of the best robotics technician we've ever had."
"even the best can make mistakes James." Ozpin muttered.
Ironwood rolled his eyes, "Ozpin, I promise you Ms. Rose will be fine."
"be careful what you promise James." Ozpin said, standing up as Polendina walked back to his equipment table, he pressed a button on the wall, "Dr. Polendina, what is Ms. Rose's status?"
"we're almost done Professor," Dr. Polendina said, slowly picking up a small box, "the last thing to do…is turn everything on and insert the AI…this is the point of no return, where the ten percent is at it's most probable."
"then take it slow Dr." Ironwood said.
Dr. Polendina nodded and walked towards Ruby with the box.
Ozpin stepped away from the button, "I'm surprised the Director didn't come to this, he has been pushing so hard for his project, and yet when we finally instate it he's not here to see it."
"I wondered the same thing," Ironwood said, "when I attempted to contact him, I was told he was 'in a meeting'."
"I don't trust that man Jimmy, not one bit."
"he's…shady at times, but he's a good man."
Ozpin looked down, then back up as Polendina very carefully put the AI into the port, "running systems diagnostics in three…two…one…"
The bio-sensors on Ruby's back all turned blue, and Ruby's eyes opened.
"is she waking up?" Ozpin asked, standing up once more.
"Doctor, what's going on?" Ironwood called over the intercom.
"I don't know, she shouldn't be able to wake up at the moment! She has a steady stream of Anesthesia going through her system!" Polendina said, turning ruby over as the young huntress turned her head towards Polendina.
"Ms. Rose?" he asked.
"his name is church." She mumbled out, before closing her eyes once more.
For a couple of minutes, no one said anything, until Ozpin turned slowly to Ironwood, "what is the AI's designation?" he asked quietly.
"Alpha," Ironwood muttered.
"then why…"
"I don't know Oz," Ironwood said as he slowly walked towards the door, "I don't know…"
WVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWV
Ruby woke up with a throbbing head-ache, "ow…" she croaked out.
"about time you woke up." a strangely familiar voice said, Ruby opened her eyes, "who's…."
"you won't be seeing me yet kid, still haven't gotten the whole 'holographic projector' thing down yet on your phone, but give me a couple seconds."
"Church…' she whispered.
"didn't think you'd remember my name." Church said, "I mean…you were high on sedatives when I told you…so…yeah…"
"where's your voice coming from?" she asked. Slowly sitting up in the bed, wincing at the pain in her back.
"your scroll," he said, making her slowly turn her head to look at her scroll, which was on the nightstand, "technically I could talk in your head, but I'd rather not make your head hurt this early in the relationship."
she gave a soft chuckle, wincing as slight pain went through her head.
"Careful red, you're still a little sore and stiff from the procedure, best to just lie down and relax."
Ruby nodded mutely and laid back down, "so….we're partners now huh?" she asked.
"yep, I'm the Clyde to your Bonnie."
"uh…"
"Movie reference, you'll get it one day.'
She just nodded. "I'm hungry…"
"want me to contact your team?" he asked, "They're right outside the door, been waiting for you to wake up for about six hours now."
"six hours?" she asked in confusion.
"yeah, you were…um…kinda put under more sedatives after you woke up in the middle of surgery…kinda my fault, I'll admit…"
Ruby just giggled tiredly, "so they're all out there?" she asked.
"yep, they're all asleep…white haired ones clutching her scroll like a life-line, think she's waiting on a text or something."
"she does that when she's worried." Ruby said, "I should probably tell them to come in-"
"that won't be necessary," Ozpin said, making ruby jump slightly, wincing at the pain as she looked at the door where Professor Ozpin stood, two cups of coco in his hand, "Ms. Schnee went to go get coffee and your sister and Ms. Belladonna are both still asleep."
"professor Ozpin,' Ruby said, groaning as she sat up once more, "what are you doing here?"
"Just came to make sure you were alright after the surgery." he said, setting a cup of coco on the nightstand, "how are you feeling?"
"i'm fine, head hurts…but that's to be expected right?"
Ozpin nodded, "indeed…i also wanted to talk with you about what happened during the procedure…do you remember waking up?"
Rub'ys eyes scrunched together, "i'm…um…yes…i kind of remember…but….not very well."
"you told Dr. Polendina that 'his name was church', if i remember correctly."
she nodded, "and that's his name…Church-i mean Alpha- his name is church…or he prefers church."
"and i gotta say, i apologize Professor." Church said from her scroll, "i was just trying to get her attention…and i sorta…hehe…you know what, i'm pretty sure you know what happened, i'll just…be quiet."
Ozpin looked back to Ruby, "has anything else happened? anything out of the ordinary concerning alpha?"
"Church, and i don't know…what's normal for an AI?"
Ozpin chuckled, "forgive me, i seem to be forgetting that you've only been awake for a few minutes. these questions can wait until another time." he stood up, "now, i'm sure your team would love to see you before you take another nap."
she nodded slightly, "thank you for the coco Professor." she said, carefully taking the cup.
he nodded, "you have a good night, Ms. Rose." he said, walking out, as soon as he left, her team ran in, Yang being the first one to her side and throwing her arms around her, "you're awake!" Yang exclaimed as she gave her a bone crushing hug.
"yang…still…hurt…" Ruby gasped out, making her sister let go.'
"Sorry!" Yang said quickly.
"you idiot," Weiss snapped, "she just got out of surgery and you're going to give her a bone crushing hug!?"
"It wasn't bone crushing," Church said, "but it did almost rupture some of the stitches, so no more hugs like that alright?"
the three girls froze at Church's voice, "was that…the little AI dude?"
"Little!?" Church asked in offense, as the screen of the scroll glowed until a holographic image of a small soldier in power armor appeared, standing on the glass, "i am not little!"
"i…beg to differ." Weiss said, looking at him, "you're like…miniscule!"
"no i'm not! i'm regular sized! and besides it's not the size that matters, it's what you-oh dear god you were talking about my height weren't you?"
there was a stunned silence amongst everyone in the room until yang started to laugh, "i like this guy!" she chortled while Blake rolled her eyes, her lips quirked in a small smile.
"That is vulgar!" Weiss said.
"it was an honest mistake Ice Queen, any guy would defend his honor same way i did." he said, scanning the three.
Ruby winced as images and data started to dance across her eyes, "what…" She started, trying to make sense of it all.
"oh! sorry," Church said, ending the stream of data, "I forget that that could be pretty disorienting."
"what happened?" Yang asked, worriedly fretting over her sister as she let her head fall into her hands, rubbing her eyes.
"i sent her the basic data and schematics that i would normally send her during a combat situation…i just…kinda forgot she doesn't have a visor or anything at the moment so it gave her a minor head ache…hehe whoops." he looked back to Ruby, "i'll start looking for some kind of visor or goggles so it's not going right in your retinas."
"Sounds great," Ruby said with a strained smile.
"So little dude, you're gonna be helping us on missions now?" Yang asked.
"as much as i can." Church said, looking up at Yang, "so, Leonard Church, at your service."
"Leonard Church?" Blake asked with a raised eyebrow.
"yep, that's my name, don't wear it out…or do, you know, whatever's cool with you, you guy's do you and i'll do…me…i guess…"
"I thought your Designation was Alpha." Weiss muttered, "are you malfunctioning?"
"just because those assholes gave me the designation 'Alpha' doesn't mean i agree with them ice queen."
Ruby sighed as the two devolved into bickering, "my head hurts." she mumbled
"maybe we should let Ruby get some rest guys." Blake said, giving her leader a concerned look.
"Well, she is nearing unconsciousness." Church said, "but you better take your pain killers before you go to sleep or it'll suck waking up tomorrow."
"Where are they?" Ruby asked, her eyes sliding closed.
"Right by your scroll." he motioned to the pill bottle right next to the scroll.
Yang grabbed the bottle and read the instructions before carefully shaking two white pills out and held them out, "here you go Rubes."
Ruby lazily held her hand up, Yang dropped the pills in her hand and she quickly tossed them in her mouth, chasing it down with a gulp of the cocoa.
"Alright, we're gonna head back to the dorm Ruby, if you need anything just message us and we'll be here at a moments notice, okay?"
"Okay…" Ruby mumbled.
Yang smiled as Ruby's breathing got deeper. "Come on guys." she whispered.
"See you guy's later!" Church called, "I'll keep everything held down here...hey, does she have any games on this thing?"
Weiss rolled her eyes as they walked out of the room, "I don't care if it was Ruby's call, I still think she should've talked it over with us before agreeing."
"Weiss." Blake started in exasperation.
"What if something had gone wrong? What if the anesthesia failed? What if this AI goes rogue and takes over her body?" she crossed her arms and glared at the door, "it could've ended bad."
"According to Doctor Polendina none of that can happen." Blake muttered.
"Yeah, and if Chuck says it can't happen, then it can't happen." yang said, "come on Weiss, have some faith in Ruby, she wouldn't have agreed if she hadn't of thought of all the risks and thought it was worth it. It was her choice."
Weiss's gaze softened and she looked away, "she could have at least told me…" she mumbled.
"You're her friend Weiss, not her Girlfriend." Blake said dryly.
"I'm her partner." Weiss corrected, 'i'm the person she's going to be fighting alongside when we go on missions! I think that entitles me to having at least a conversation about her doing dangerous things."
"Well too late to gripe her out about it now." Yang said brightly, "lets just get back to beacon."
WVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVWVW
Church sat atop Ruby's scroll, legs crossed as he looked at several different holographic screens swirling around him, two of them were searching viable options for combat goggles, another two were running battlefield simulations against Grimm, the white fang, And what little he had on the insurgents that had almost caused the Fall of Beacon, all data he could gather was going into it, including video surveillance, combat class matches, psyche evaluations, and 'what-if' scenarios, anything he could to make sure he could plan for every eventuality.
The last one was playing a movie off of Netflix.
"Why would they make a live action of Death Note." he muttered, "not even good." he looked over to the last screen, which was showing the files of both Team RWBY and Team JNPR. "sister teams, work well together, leaders are inexperienced but effective, yada yada yada…" he cocked his head at several files with blacked out lines, "please be black ops shit, please be black ops shit." he swiped his hands across the black out and they disappeared, making a warning box come up, flashing in big bold red letters 'CLASSIFIED OPERATIONS' "yay!"Church cheered, wiping the warning away and disabling the alert being sent to Ironwood, "now lets see what we got…" so he started reading, from the failed Mountain Glenn mission that had caused the breach, all the way to the near death of the Artificial Construct Penny. "After Ruby Rose interfered with the semblance of a one Emerald Sustrai an unknown transmission cut through the feed an attack by the White Fang and Grimm was launched on the city...Team RWBY moved to engage...stopped terrorists before they could assault the tower of Beacon...huh, Red herself took down the leader." he looked at the little girl currently asleep on the bed, "tough as nails kid…" he carefully stored the report into his memory banks before going back to the rest of his screens, "and if we're gonna keep you intact, you're gonna need me to be prepared…"