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Smack Down At Signal Academy
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This world doesn't need no opera.
We're here for the operation.
We don't need a bigger knife.
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At one of Vale's forward outposts, three figures argued inside the command room.
"—Straw, we have to mobilize some of our troops back to Vale!" Glynda voiced.
*Sigh* "I understand the concerns—and guilt, yourself and Taiyang may harbor, but this is no time to be dividing our forces," Straw calmly replied. "Intel indicates Mistral scouting units crossing the borders, as well as activity on the Atlas front. We simply do not have the means to grant what you are suggesting. Not if our initial strike operation is to be a success."
"Fine. Then I'll return on my own," Glynda snapped. "I was never invested in this war. Tai, we should take Ruby and—"
"No," Taiyang refuted. "You're too important here. I'll head back myself. It's my fault I never noticed Masa was at Signal."
"Truth be told, the fault lies with Qrow, as he was the one who assisted her hiding," Straw corrected. His hands clasped behind his back, still imposing a gentlemanly authority. "Tis not your blame to bear, Tai. I…sympathize with your listlessness, but you would act in no service to anyone by returning now. Not to the citizens of Vale and certainly not to yourselves. By sheer distance alone, it would be impossible to return to the city in time to provide any tangible assistance. The two of you know this."
Taiyang and Glynda fell silent at that. Masa was likely to be abducted long before they could return. Even if they stole an airship or took the shortest train route, it was impossible.
"I am sorry," Straw offered his polite sympathies.
The other two exited the tent without another word. On Straw's desk, text appeared across his scroll.
"I told you I had the matter handled," he said, while fixing his collar.
More text streamed across the screen.
"Yes, yes, the information has been leaked through the proper channels. Our plans progress at a satisfactory pace. Fret not, my dear."
A short sentence came on the display.
"Indeed. No amount of scheming can compare to the benefits of coincidental convenience. After this little affair, Vale's underbelly will be at war with each other, allowing us to concentrate more on this theater."
Another message.
"No gratitude necessary. I merely acted in my own best interest. It just so coincidentally aligned with your own."
Silence… And then a question.
"Was I aware of Masa Moon's concealment? I do wish I could flaunt such intelligence, but sadly, no. If I had, I would have notified you immediately," he parted a snide smile.
The contact on the other end sent one more line of words, before cutting out the correspondence. Straw closed the screen and examined the map on the table. It outlined the numerous territories and unit compositions, as well as their predicted trajectories.
What's a world without a little fear and excitement to quicken the pulse?
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X
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A reinforced hummer grabbed a handful of air, as it barreled down the emtpy streets of Downtown Vale.
Tires screeched like a banshee's cry. Its engine revved as if it were some feral beast. And the passengers inside, felt every grinding ounce of g-force at the end of every turn.
It was nothing short of a mad rollercoaster ride. Though the city was eerily deserted, the vehicle was not the only thing in the city causing a ruckus.
Distant explosions and flames could be seen in the direction the car was heading. A loud P.A. system played on the city-wide broadband.
[A state of emergency has been issued. All residents of the Western district are to evacuate immediately. All other residents are advised to stay indoors. A Grimm alert has been issued. All residents of the Western district are to evacuate immediately. All other residents are advised to stay indoors. I repeat. A state of emergency…]
All the while, Team ENMY along with Junior and the Malachite Sisters, made their way towards the epicenter of the chaos—Signal Academy.
"Grimm alert?" Yang wondered, as she stuck her head out the backseat window.
"Smart," Emerald commented beside her. "Better to say it's the Grimm than let everyone know the police can't handle the situation. Don't know how long that'll hold up, though. Whole city's lighting up like a birthday cake!"
Rapid rings sounded from Junior's scroll. He was about to take a look, when Miltia snatched it out of his hand.
""Eyes on the road,"" the twins scolded him.
With her sister sitting on her lap, Melanie stared wide-eyed at the list of electronic notifications.
"What? What is it?" Yang asked.
"The bounty's doubled," Miltia answered.
"And the number of contractors tripled," Melanie added.
"This is getting dangerous, Melanie."
"Maybe too dangerous, Miltia."
"This job might not be worth the risk."
"Especially with such little compensation—"
"—on this side of the coin."
"There are other lucrative options."
"Say, maybe we should…"
"…take the collar ourselves?"
"Don't even think about it, Grady Twins," Emerald pulled her head between the front seats. "You two work for us and we're not in it for the bounty. Everyone outside this car is competition, read me?"
""Hmph.""
"And if you're worried about the pay, Junior's shelling out extra for this gig."
"—I am?" Junior blurted.
"We're breaking out our team purse, too. So if you're having second thoughts about the risk, we'll drop you off the nearest corner, and you can find a new line of work there."
""Hmph. What-ever.""
"I'll take that as we've come to terms," Emerald sat back. "Yang, you know the school. Give us the rundown."
"—Alright. Signal Academy's based off the western shore of Vale about a click off to sea. There are three bridges connecting the school to land. Each bridge is around the width of a small city block. They're the only ways on or off the island."
"Who the hell built a school like that?"
"It was originally a naval base and lighthouse for Vale's naval fleet. But when the First War ended, they turned it into a training academy."
"So, the school has military-grade security systems?"
"Super old ones, nothing automated. Any defense measures needs a crew to operate. Plus, they relied on the professors if there was any Grimm attack," Yang explained. "Usually, it'd be impossible to break through the choke points from land, even with three of them. But again, that was when the professors were still around…"
"The lanes are probably clogged. We could go by sea. Come the other way round?" Emerald checked.
"Won't work," Yang shook her head. "Surrounding waters are teeming with Grimm. One of Antarctic's tentacles hangs around there, too."
"Air drop?"
They all popped their heads out the window to look up at the lightly-snowing sky. Several airships dotted the canvas, firing on each other.
"No clouds, bright moon, no turbulence, not an option…!" Emerald groaned. "Ahhhh! I hate winging plans on the fly!"
"H-hey! S-s-stop kick-cking the b-back of the seat!" Junior complained.
Emerald stopped and went silent. After venting her frustrations a little, the girl's demeanor went ice-cold. She crossed her arms, closed her eyes, and tapped her finger on her elbow. The inner workings of her brain searched for an answer, a possible angle she may have missed.
The rest waited on the boss's next words with bated breath.
…
Sometimes, there's no angle to play but the straight one.
Emerald opened her eyes and exhaled. Her voice contained a hint of resignation, but also excitement.
…
"Fuck it."
"We're crashing the ticket gate."
Instantly, every person in the car broke into a maniacal grin. Adrenaline fed into their brains. They could feel their nerves prickle at the idea of an all-out dash for the goal.
Ahead of them, a blockade of police cars could be seen. The yellow tape and flashing blue lights warned everyone to stay away. Sectioning off parts of the city was probably the only thing they could do.
Junior licked his lips and floored the gas pedal. He aimed for the break between two cars, and sent them flying with a smash. The sound of metal crunching and watching blue uniforms ducking out of the way, made him laugh without shame.
As the group passed, Yang swore she heard a familiar pair of policemen go, "We aren't being paid enough for this".
The bum-rushing hummer continued to knock any obstacles to the side of the road. Whether they were more cops or now appearing criminals, Junior threw the car's weight around like it was a wild rhino. The front bumper was specially modified for this and only suffered a few dents for the trouble.
The empty streets of Vale were no longer so empty as the group neared Signal. Evidence of gang fights appeared everywhere. They took the form of blood on the streets, broken weapons littering the ground, and overturned vehicles. The battles had already ended here, but some ways down the road, they had only just begun.
Their car turned onto the next road and they could see in the far distance a gathering of tall structures. Not quite as grand as Beacon Academy, but impressive in its own right. They now understood what Yang meant about the school being a former lighthouse. It did almost seem like a military base, or even a small city—not that they could get a good look, because something more pressing came to view.
While staring ahead, Mercury let out a low whistle.
"Is that one of the bridges you mentioned?"
"Uh huh," Yang replied.
"The one with all the people and fire on it?"
"Yep."
"That gonna hold?"
"It should."
"We're gonna get shredded if we go through that."
"Getting cold feet, Merc?" Yang grinned.
"Psh! Not on your life, lover," Mercury answered with a hyped up smile.
The bridge extending before them had turned into a veritable battleground. Gangsters set improvised barricades throughout the overpass, engaging in heated shootouts. Several figures brandished custom weaponry, while carrying out their duels. It seemed the contract for Masa drew the attention of ex-Huntsmen and Huntresses, as well as every flavor of hired gun.
It was the most bizarre battle royale the seven of them had witnessed. A few Paladin Mechs even found their way into the anarchy. They knew the situation would be bad coming in, but this surpassed anything they expected.
"Those are Atlas soldiers," Yang pointed. "And those are the White Fang. The other Kingdoms are using their spies for this?"
"Masa better be worth it, Yang!" Emerald grunted. "Lot of trouble for one weapons tech. But I guess if this is evidence of anything…"
The girl stood on her seat and kicked opened the hummer's roof hatch. She turned to her comrades and handed out assignments.
"Junior, keep the brick on the pedal. Neo, Yang, Twinsies, cover me. Merc, run the point!"
"Ah, shiiii—" Junior gritted his teeth.
The car lurched forward with added acceleration. Mercury opened the sidedoor and took to the skies. Joining Emerald on the roof, Yang, Neo, and the Malachite Sisters allocated to their own respective corner positions.
Sweat traveled down their spines, as all eyes concentrated on the hellish gauntlet quickly approaching.
"I don't know about this, Melanie."
"Me neither, Miltia…"
"Aw, you two scared?" Yang teased.
""And you're not?""
"Heh! For Team ENMY? This is just another Saturday night. Right, Neo?"
"(Blood for the Blood God!)"
Her partner smiled madly in agreement.
The various mercenaries on the bridge took notice to the vehicle careening in their direction. They changed positions, taking aim behind their make-shift barricades. Infrared sights painted Emerald and her bodyguards like disco lights.
"Get brainhacked, YOU FREAKIN' CHUMPS!" Emerald howled.
Once the hummer smashed the first barricade to pieces and entered the bridge, they became the number one target of the shooting gallery. Streams of gunfire unloaded from every direction. Rockets soared and several explosives were hurled. Energy and elemental-based projectiles lit up the night.
But almost all of them missed their mark. A good number of them hitting unintended targets.
The few stray projectiles that found purchase were fended off by Emerald's protection detail. Neo's umbrella spun to deflect bullets. Yang smacked away a couple of RPGs. Miltia and Melanie cut apart larger caliber shells.
Their battering ram of a vehicle pressed on, making tracks towards Signal Academy. It swerved out of the way of obstructions too massive to blast through. The icy road made the ride that much more treacherous, but Junior's driving and Mercury's leading pulled them through.
As they barreled down the bridge, drawing more and more attention, Emerald let loose a battle cry from the deepest seat in her mind.
"AAAAHHHHHHHH!"
Her nose bled and her brain clustered with migraines. But the pain only made her push harder, scream fiercer. Her close-proximity allies noticed and doubled their efforts. They returned fire with a vengeance. Junior rolled down his window to launch his bazooka on a drive-by.
Meanwhile, Mercury scouted ahead, taking out dense chunks of enemies, creating a soft path of carnage the car could plow through. His sights fell on a Paladin causing havoc ahead. Info was relayed back to his teammates on the radio.
"—I got this…" Junior called.
At that point, it was a straight shot to the Academy's busted gate. Junior put the hummer on cruise control and joined the others on the hood of his car. He shifted his rocket launcher to its melee form, tapping each foot with his bat and struck a batter's pose.
"Come to daddy."
By the time the Paladin's sensors alerted its pilot, it was already too late. A full speeding hummer collided with its side. At the same time, its main computer was blasted apart by the pointblank force of Junior's bat. And the two machines turned into one molded pile of fiery scrap.
ENMY's company leapt off the sacrificed vehicle, onto the iced and scorched grass of Signal's courtyard. There, they bore witness to a last-man-standing grudge match, featuring over a hundred participants. Many of which, were skilled fighters in their own right.
Without missing a beat, or wiping her bloody nose, Emerald bellowed,
"Time to work for a living, ladies!" She turned to her teammate. "Yang! Call out where to hit 'em where it hurts!"
The seven scrambled towards the campus buildings and into the mess of rival competitors. Yang activated her Semblance and peered into the flaws of their adversaries.
"Spear guy, right knee. Eleven o'clock gunner, left shoulder. Left axe, fake right eye. Straight ahead, the mace…" Yang fed Emerald the list of weaknesses in a steady stream, and the leader put them to use the next second.
Minor hallucinations appeared in Mercury, Neo, Junior, and the Twin's peripherals. Each of them with a target and a highlighted weak point in their heads. They scattered among their enemies. A wordless coordination existing among them.
Mercury and Melanie paired the same mark and took them out from their knees with a series of lethal footwork. In Junior's unguarded back, Neo stabbed through a bounty hunter's ribs. Yang continued to read vulnerabilities, while Emerald worked furiously to coordinate every member's actions.
They tried to avoid direct contact with the more powerful of the groups. Unfortunately, Miltia became hounded by a particularly strong mercenary, but three allies came to her defense.
Melanie, Mercury, and Neo showered their musclebound foe with a flurry of blinding kicks. They stepped out, as Junior and Yang tagged in. A simultaneous blow from a bat and an uppercut floated the man into the air. From there, Miltia and Emerald jumped off their comrades' shoulders. Leveling with their prey, the pair ripped him to shreds with some swift bladework.
Their deadly synergy brought them closer to Signal's main buildings. The end of their mad break-in was finally within reach.
But what waited there defied expectation.
The area surrounding the buildings was covered in craters and unconscious bodies. Dirt, rubble, and brick littered the ruined landscape. More barricades were erected by invaders trying to lay siege to the school. Oddly enough, they did not act hostile towards the newcoming party, but kept their attention on the buildings instead.
Once the group neared for a closer look, they saw why.
Automated turrets lined the windows and rooftops. They swiveled towards any detected motion, followed by a quick burst of laser-fire. Also taking up fortified positions around the pillars, were androids resembling Atlesian Knights.
ENMY company dove behind a fallen Paladin for cover.
"—Yang! I thought you said Signal didn't have automated defenses!" Emerald yelled.
"It didn't!" Yang replied. "They probably just added them!"
"Typical! Who would be dumb enough to leave their school defenseless anyway!"
"So what the hell do we do now?!"
"Neo! Can you get us in there? You got eyes inside?"
Neo nodded, but with a sign of concern.
"(More robots.)"
"Ugh! Of course, there are," Emerald groaned. "Find us a route with the least amount of—DROID!"
They all turned to an android that snuck around their barricade. As they were about to attack it, a female electronic voice came on its speakers.
[Friendly Subject Identified: Yang Xiao Long. Access granted to school's premises by master protocol…]
They stared at it blankly for a while, not sure what to make of it.
[Accompany this unit to user destination…]
"Think we can trust it?" Yang asked.
[…this one passively advises.]
"Yup, that's Masa," Emerald said, with no further need of convincing. "Move, people!"
The seven of them filed out, following the robot's disjointed walk to the school. Many of the security systems took aim at first, but to the group's relief, pointed their weapons elsewhere. It wasn't long before they made it safely into the building, sheltered from all the crossfire.
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X
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While the android led them to the basement, nostalgia filled Yang as she walked through the halls of her old school.
She always looked back on these times fondly. Her first day in, she knocked a bully on their ass and got in trouble. Taiyang lectured her, but Qrow praised her. She built her first weapon a few grades in. Ruby was there and begged to help.
She sighed forlornly.
Simpler times…
They descended the staircase where numerous carvings were etched in the wood. Thinking back on the weird little things kids did brought Yang a smile. She immediately recalled carving her own graffiti on the sixth step from the bottom.
When she got there, she read it with a heavy heart.
Yang Xiao Long
Future #1 Huntress
And in smaller text, written in a messy hand that was not her own:
Best sister in the world!
"Ruby."
Yang traced the scratches in the wood grain. As she lost herself in deeper thought, the violent sound of a sword drawn brought her back to the present.
Neo went to carving a heart around Yang's name.
She then, added:
Best Wifey!
Yang chuckled.
"Is this your subtle way of asking me to marry you?"
Neo shrugged and rolled her eyes disbelievingly.
The group was eventually led before the blast door of a bunker. Its lock and steel-plating were probably superior to vaults of most banks. And after a few digital inputs from their robotic escort, the enormous hatch swung open.
They stepped over the threshold and could hear machinery whirring and scraping. The group passed a few rooms filled with random mechanisms and half-finished devices. Eventually, coming upon a workshop remarkably close to the one Masa used to own.
In the center of the part-medical lab, part-engineering garage, a short woman in a lab coat worked. A safety mask protected her face from a rain of sparks, while she operated an arc welder. The technician appeared fully immersed in her craft.
"Hey, Maz!" Yang waved.
No response.
"…MASA! Masa Moon!"
The welder shut off and the weapons tech directed her attention to a nearby screen.
"'Identified persons matching ally database'? Possible malfunction?" she wondered.
"No, Maz. We're here, in front of you? Long time no see?"
Masa removed her mask, and they felt the chill of her artificial eyes fix on them.
"Ah, so no malfunction. Good, this one dislikes malfunctions. To what is the purpose of your visit, this one attempts at some modicum of hospitality," Masa asked, then returned to work. Sparks flying from the welder once more.
"Uh… We came to save you."
"Save? Please, reiterate. This one believes you are using the wrong vernacular to describe your reason."
"Maz, we're here to save you. You know, from the bad people. Outside. That want to kidnap you? They're sieging the school right now?"
"Siege?...Ah! The noise upstairs. Was beginning to wonder what that was, this one notices for the first time."
"You didn't know that was going on?!" Yang exclaimed in disbelief. "And how did you not know we were here? The robot—"
"Autonomous system. It invited you in—without permission. This one must remember to recheck its code. Penny, remind this one to recheck your code."
[Yes, Doctor.]
"Wait, what did you just call—"
*Boom!*
A sudden tremor sent everyone on alert.
Monitors on the walls flashed red and brought up various camera feeds throughout the school. Specifically, the ones pointed towards the sea were enhanced. There, they saw the source of the alarm.
"Are those…Grimm?" Emerald narrowed her brow.
Yang recognized them instantly, any student from Signal would.
"—Nautilus."
On the surface of the sea's tide, countless lines of foam streaked towards Signal. The ones riding the waves looked like speeding mollusks with squid bodies and tendrils peeking out its mouth. White bone with red veins crusted their spiral shells, marking them as Grimm. Their species had settled in this part of the ocean and were dubbed the Nautilus.
Individuals from the swarm splatted against the school's walls, then proceeded to climb its defenses. Strangely, the creatures' impacts did not mimic the one the group felt before. When they were about to question it, a great long shadow rose from the watery depths across the coast.
At first, they took it for an overgrown King Taijitu, but it possessed no head. Then, they realized it was actually a massive tentacle that stretched out for miles. Horror set into the nerves of those that saw it.
"Uh oh," Yang could only mutter. "More bad."
Another monitor enhanced an image, showing herds of Grimm trampling across one of the school's bridges. The stampede looked as if it came from Beacon.
"Wait, the Grimm alert was REAL?!" Yang gaped.
"Should've known better," Emerald murmured. "Cops aren't that smart."
"They must be attracted by all the negative emotions here."
"Possible—but I think our competition could've baited them here when they couldn't crack the security. Some people, I swear. They use a chainsaw when they can't find a can opener."
"—The Grimm grow more intelligent," Masa added. "Evolved cerebrum, in accordance with Oobleck's findings. Probability of mental influence is likely."
"She's right," Yang frowned. "No matter how agitated they are, they never attacked like this before—This is different."
"The world is changing, Miss Yang. We must be ready for it, or it will leave us behind, this one iterates vaguely."
Masa tossed a suitcase at her, while punching in commands to purge her computer's data.
"Does this mean you're finally deciding to come with us?" Yang asked.
"Rapid escalating circumstances have forced this one to rethink current living situations. This one will happily take you up on your group's offer, this one makes a hurried split decision… Who are they?" she tilted her head to Junior and the twins, as if noticing them for the first time.
"They're helping us save you, so be nice."
"Their weapons are very poor quality."
"You didn't hear a word I said, did you?"
"And you, this one scowls and flicks your forehead."
"What?"
Masa strained her middle finger and flicked Yang's forehead so hard, it left a mark.
"Ow!"
"Your Ember Celica and your Semblance…you've done something very irresponsible, Miss Yang. You and I shall speak more of this later. Much. More. This one repeats with a threatening tone."
"Uh…"
"For now, we focus on fleeing Signal Academy." Masa finished loading another pair of suitcases and tossed them to Mercury and Junior.
"—Look, lady. I don't know what your deal is, but it was hell and a half just getting here," Junior argued. "If you think we can escape while hauling your luggage too, you got another thing coming!"
"This one's work is too important to lose. Recreating it would be troublesome. It will not be as difficult to escape as you so mistakenly think, badly facial haired one. Necessary steps and precautions in case of such a scenario have been taken. Come along, a boat is ready."
"A boat?!"
"Yes, it is a sea-faring vessel. A transportation device that floats atop the water and—"
"I KNOW WHAT A BOAT IS!"
Masa tossed another suitcase to the twins, before setting a countdown on her computer.
"Follow this one."
She led the group out into the hall and towards an emergency dock. But when they turned the next corner, a flood of water rushed in. A Grimm Nautilus slid through with its slimy tentacles flailing about.
"This way," Masa detoured with a deadpan voice.
She managed to find an alternate route to her hidden boat. An alcove just big enough for a single skiff. Even here, they could see another wave of Nautilus inbound not too far away.
The group loaded the luggage as fast as they could and boarded, but it was too late. The monstrous cephalopods were swimming towards them, blocking their only means of escape.
"Guess, we've got no choice," Emerald said, as she cocked her firearms. Her allies followed through with the same motion.
"That will not be required. My device will ensure us safe passage, this one announces."
"What device?"
Masa glanced at her scroll, which was synched to her computer's countdown. Without warning, she turned over the boat's engine and sent them riding out of the alcove—and into the Grimm's reach. Their group was about to pile on the engineer, when they heard something like a seismic wave go off from Signal's tower.
A shockwave of eerie violet pulsed from the lighthouse. It sent surging vibrations on every exposed surface. Those within the effect radius paralyzed for a second or two.
When the group shook off the stun, the Grimm Nautilus were on their boat—and then, brushing past it.
Masa breathed a small sigh of relief, then spoke at a volume no one else could hear.
"Penny, make note of Bane Amplifier Experiment One's success and erase evidence."
[Yes, Doctor.]
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X
.
After a few hours spent navigating the boat to shore, stealing a truck, and making certain they weren't followed—the group arrived safely back at Junior's club.
Team ENMY led Masa up to the floor where they stayed. A living quarter with necessities and some cheap furniture. Nothing fancy, but came with a lot of space for utility.
They dumped the luggage from Masa's workshop on the living room floor and zombie-walked their way to their beds. Meanwhile, Yang went off somewhere to grab a mattress for their new resident.
"I can't believe we didn't even get paid for this," Mercury yawned.
"We actually lost money on this little venture, if we count the Dust we burned and hiring the twins," Emerald sighed.
"—Your group is still poor, this one comments without surprise."
"Not really, but we're pros, Maz. We hate doing things for free."
"Noted and the validity of your dissatisfaction is recognized."
Masa made a few taps on her scroll, and Emerald's rung with a new money transfer.
"This one expects you will find the monetary reimbursement to satisfaction."
"I knew there was something I liked about you. I'll sleep better now, thank you very much," Emerald waved and entered their bedroom.
Shortly after, Yang appeared carrying a mattress in her arms.
"We usually sleep in the same place. Sorry if we rub shoulders too much, but it's probably better to keep close by anyway. You know, just in case."
"Your concerns have been noted. This one will join shortly after luggage is unpacked and checked for damages."
"Need help?"
"An appreciated offer, but unnecessary. This one believes you should retire, observing you are dead on your feet."
"Alrighty," Yang stretched her back. "There's food in the fridge if you're hungry and I think Neo's pajamas should fit you."
"Noted."
"Night—or morning, whichever."
"Miss Yang."
"Hm?"
Masa paused for a moment.
"…Thank you for rescuing this one, this one conveys genuine gratitude."
Yang smiled.
"Night, Masa."
"Good night, Miss Yang."
Left by her lonesome, Masa unpacked some of her instruments and ran diagnostics. It all looked to be in working order. She would have preferred to take more from her workshop, but decided the key components for her main projects would suffice.
A fledgling shadow caught her attention from the ceiling window, which prompted Masa to the roof.
On the dance club's balcony, the engineer's lab coat tussled in the early morning wind. Snow crunched beneath her feet. The sun was rising in the distance—and from the shadows, came a voice.
"It's been some time, Maz."
"So it has, Raven Branwen," she scrutinized the other with technical eyes. "What business do you have with this one?"
"I have a new sword to commission."
Masa's dead stare glued to the woman, who was almost two heads taller. Her attention then, drifted to the sword at Raven's waist.
"…You are already in possession of a fine weapon. Why another?"
"You knew what this sword was, didn't you?" Raven asked pointedly. "You knew, but you never told me."
"…This one advised you not to take it, if one recalls. Besides, this one is a neutral entity. A smith is obligated to offer assistance to everyone and no one."
"Relax, Masa. I'm not blaming you. You gave me advice, I should've listened. But I'm more concerned about the now than the past."
Masa remained stone-face before the swordsman stalking towards her. Their stature difference made it seem like the other could simply snap her in half with the sparest effort.
"You want change," Raven prodded.
"Every living being in some shape or form desires change," Masa replied.
"Yeah, but that's not the behavior of someone who's supposedly 'neutral.'"
"…"
"I need you to forge a sword," Raven repeated and transferred the blueprints to Masa's scroll. "If you honor your 'neutrality' so much, you shouldn't have problems filling this contract."
Masa's eyes expertly scanned the plans at a quick pace. Her pupils dilated and focused like camera lenses. For a brief moment, Raven swore she saw a hint of surprise pass the unfeeling tech's expression.
Masa nodded her assent.
"I'll make sure the proper funds are transferred, then," Raven turned to leave.
"Wait."
"Hm?"
"This one has never forged a weapon such as this. It may be beyond this one's abilities." Masa paused a moment. "Where did you come by such an odd design. And if such a sword were crafted, what exactly would you use it for, Raven Branwen?"
"…The answer to both questions is, I don't really know."
"…"
"But I get the feeling it'll be important."