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The Silbern Mafia
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Building a new empire
In the shadow of the dying one.
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Located in Downtown Atlas lay a humble night bar dubbed, "The Thirsty Dwarf".
In all honesty, the establishment possessed nothing to set it apart from the others around it. An average selection of spirits. Regular patrons, who came after work. Though, the bartender was a "moody" sort of character, nothing stood out of the ordinary.
The same could not be said for the bar's back entrance, however.
As two hooded individuals came to the door, they knocked twice on its steel reinforcement. In response, the eye slit on the door slid open.
"Password."
"What day is it today?"
"It's Saturday, man."
"Oh. The password is Doc."
The eye slit closed and the two were permitted access.
Though it was called the back entrance, the whole bar served as the front gate for a winding underground tunnel leading somewhere into the next district. It was a bit distorting to navigate, but a fair price to pay for keeping the location of their headquarters secret.
The two eventually arrived at a large abandoned theatre, where they joined their comrades. They took their seats, and one pulled out a newspaper to read before the meeting started.
"Can you believe this?" he commented on the front story. "Another of Atlas' most rich and powerful gets his fingerprints taken. Properties and ownerships: ceased. Arrested for embezzlement and unlawful labor conditions. Hey, isn't this the guy Allen's crew knocked over a few weeks ago?"
"Yeah," the other answered. "Apparently, the boss told him, after stealing the dude's antiques, to send the cops a copy of his private ledger."
"Weird. Not to say those high and mighty bastards don't have what's coming to them, but it makes you wonder."
"About what?"
"About how the boss knew he was corrupt, or had a ledger to prove it."
"I dunno. I think you go high enough up the ladder, somebody's gonna have a dirty little secret."
"I guess," the guy flipped though more pages of his paper. "But seriously, man. All these big corporations have been takin' a hit since this crew came together. And no surprise, the S.D.C.'s taken their share of bruisin'."
"Now, that's worth bein' suspicious about."
"What?"
"All the other companies? They go under. The S.D.C? They're still above the level."
"Well, they are the biggest company in Atlas. Hell! They are Atlas. No way they go down that easy."
"Yeah, well let's hope the boss is rarin' to blow them down, too."
"Ey, the meeting's about to start!"
Before the large theatre audience, three individuals made their way down the aisle to the stage.
On the right, was a stylish girl wearing a black beret and a coffee colored sweater. On the left, was a rabbit Faunus, who was constantly tapping away on her tablet. And centered between both, was a figure wearing a cool blue dress. Over it, a black and white trench coat draped over her shoulders. All three wearing the same pair of heavily shaded sunglasses.
They made their way on stage, and the leader of the Silbern Mafia took her seat with her right and lefthand women standing at attention. She crossed her fingers thoughtfully, while resting her elbows on the chair's patched armrests.
"Before going into tonight's business, I'd like to take this moment to congratulate you on all your good work. This group had very humble beginnings, but now, it has grown into a tremendous organization."
The boss took a brief moment to scan the audience.
"But with this growth in numbers, comes fewer we can trust, and less who share the same ideals. I want to use this chance to remind you all, we are not simply thugs swaggering about. We are gathered here because we want to see a change in Atlas for the better. Do I make myself clear, ladies and gentlemen?"
A few gave some hesitant nods, but none voiced any dissention.
"I know many of you are wondering when the time will come to target the S.D.C.. While I appreciate your enthusiasm, I can only assure you that time is coming, and it is coming soon. But before we can act swiftly, we must act patiently. You are all very intelligent, so I know you are capable of understanding this."
More murmurs cascaded from the audience at that.
Coco bent down to whisper in Weiss' ear.
"Sure, it's alright to be so preachy? This is a mafia—not some hand-holdy, friendship club."
"I am aware. But I believe this style of leadership will pay dividends in the long run."
"Just sayin', you're laying it on a bit thick with all the 'understand?'s and compliments, don't you think?"
"Positive reinforcement mixed with a slightly firm hand has statistically proven to bring out optimum performance within the group dynamic."
"Whatever you say, 'boss'," Coco sneered.
As the meeting progressed, Weiss let Velvet manage a lot of the day-to-day affairs. A job the girl had taken quite well to, leaving Weiss only to weigh-in on the more important decisions. In the talk of mostly logistical affairs, the mafia boss revisited how this little empire came to be.
It started with communication attempts with the lower-class citizens. Talks that led mostly nowhere because of who she was and the untrustworthiness her name brought. But in an odd stroke of inspiration, Weiss began to have more meetings anonymously.
The change was immediate.
Combined with Coco and Velvet's efforts, they built a network of helping those who needed it, when they needed it. Others took notice and joined the cause.
Suddenly, Weiss found her way to taking down the higher echelons of the Kingdom without them becoming wise to her actions. It took time and a lot of cultivation, but her cloak and dagger became the Silbern Mafia. An organized crime syndicate that rostered members of all races, genders, and upbringings. There were even a few well-intending aristocrats who joined. Ironically or not, they never discerned Weiss' true identity.
The organization dealt with everything from robbery to blackmail and extortion. No one innocent was ever victim. A part-gangster, part-revolutionary outfit of Weiss' unexpected creating.
"—I just don't think an alliance with the White Fang is feasible. We've been trying to contact their leadership, but we just keep getting stonewalled."
"Then we start slower," Weiss entered the discussion. "They must want something. Let's give it to them as a gesture of goodwill."
"It won't fly, boss," the mafia member replied. "They say we're just getting in the way of actually taking down the corporations. They want blood, not for CEOs to get arrested and do a few days of community service. Frankly, I feel a little the same. We all do."
The audience was starting to rise in volume with voices speaking in agreement.
"That is not the way we do things. It cannot be," Weiss stated. "Why? Because bad blood will only beget more. This Kingdom was founded on bad blood, and before that, it was the Mantle Monarchy. If we are to create a new Kingdom, it cannot stand on the same foundations that have failed us so many times before."
"…"
"I sympathize with your frustrations. As your ally and fellow citizen of Atlas, I truly do. But how many times will we let this cycle of tragedy repeat itself throughout our lifetimes? For some of us, it has happened twice already! Will we be party to another? I ask you!"
Silence dissipated through the crowd. Weiss waited for the message to sink in a little more before continuing with business.
"So, what do the White Fang want?"
"The same thing we do actually…"
"Dust."
Even at this, Weiss couldn't help but show frustration.
Her private syndicate needed Dust, a lot of it. But she couldn't take materials mined from the Schnee Dust Quarry, or the residue would easily be traced back to her. It was a growing pain in the organization's side for a while now, and needed to be dealt with soon.
"We'll think of something else," Weiss waved it off for now. "In the meantime, continue your investigations and communication attempts with the leaders of the White Fang. I hope I don't have to remind anyone that we are not enemies or competitors. Moving on."
"We still haven't found much regarding the movements of the Mantle Loyalist Party," another member reported. "We've talked to their maids, their secretaries, their drivers—nothing. There was a whole mess of stuff until a year ago. But since then, nothing. Can't find a trace of what they're cooking up."
"I understand. Thank you for your efforts. It might be time to see if we can sit down and start talks with them directly."
"Um! I know a few we could talk to!" one member raised her hand eagerly. "Actually, a few of us here are part of them. We're a bit new, but I know for a fact that there's interest in the organization!"
"We shall speak privately later, then," Weiss nodded.
"And when are we going to take down the S.D.C.?!" one of the Faunus members asked, a touch louder than what seemed natural. Weiss, Coco, and Velvet made note of it.
"As I've said before, a plan to deal with the S.D.C. is in the works."
"But we are burning it to the ground, aren't we? Everyone part of the Schnee Dust Company is going down."
"…Burning down a tree like this can set the whole forest on fire. We need to be careful about how we proceed."
"Doesn't sound like your heart's in it."
The whole hall went deathly silent. All eyes glued to the gang's leader.
With a calm tone, Weiss responded, "If you do not agree with my methods, you are free to leave whenever you choose. I only ask that you do not speak to anyone the matters discussed on these grounds."
"Like how the Schnee Dust Company's scion is running a gang to do her dirty work?!"
The Faunus jumped from her seat using her powerful hind legs. While midair, she drew her arm back for a claw attack.
In reaction, Coco and Velvet were about to unleash their weapons, when a colossal armored knight was summoned before them.
The ghostly image caught the leaping Faunus, pinned her to the floor with one arm, and stabbed the sword close to her neck with the other.
"There will be enough of that," Weiss said, as she took off her sunglasses and stood from her chair. "You are correct. I am Weiss Schnee, heiress to the Schnee Dust Company. I've used this gang to serve my ends. Those ends being the same as they've always been—for the building of a greater Atlas."
She scanned the theatre with a challenging glare.
"I hid my identity because I couldn't accomplish what I needed to with it. To simply speak to you and work with you, I had to hide who I was. Whether you wouldn't cooperate with me initially out of pride, or hate, or skepticism, I do not know and no longer care. My time with you these past months should have proven otherwise. And if not, I suppose the Silbern Mafia was going to dissolve eventually, in spite of all the good we've done."
Weiss looked to the girl who was still pinned by her summon, and waved the ghostly knight away.
"I may have lied about my name, but my actions and intentions have never been short of sincere. Of course, I suppose I do owe all of you some answers. So, any questions you may have—"
Just then, Velvet received a call on her scroll and went to whisper in Weiss' ear. Upon hearing the news relayed, the mafia boss' eyes went wide.
"Unfortunately, I will have to answer those questions another time. Um…! Meeting adjourned! See you all the day after—if I see you!"
The three powerwalked to their personal elevator entrance usable only by them. Once out on the streets, a car stopped in front, driven by the bartender of the Thirsty Dwarf. A prompt and balding middle-aged man.
"Cerberus Tower," Weiss said shortly.
"Right away, Ms. Schnee."
The butler, pretend bartender, floored the gas, and the luxury car went off with incredible speed.
"Well, that was something," Coco almost laughed. "A whole crime syndicate, destroyed under a minute. That's a record."
"Potentially destroyed," Weiss emphasized. "I expect some will remain with us. The ones we can trust, who are most loyal. If not, then it's fine. The group served more than its invested purpose. I don't know if I'm more surprised by how much I got done with them, or how long I was able to keep my identity from being exposed. All I had were a pair of sunglasses."
"Sometimes the right shades can make all the difference. So, this the end of the mafia princess?"
"A part of me hopes so. I'm not particularly fond of a life of crime."
"Didn't enjoy it? Not even a little bit?"
"…No. Although, I might miss some of the friends I made."
"Those 'friends' might set an ambush at the next meeting."
"It's possible. If so, I still have you and Velvet to rely on."
"—Um, if you would forgive me for eavesdropping. Did something happen during this evening's meeting?" Doc asked.
"Oh, yes. My true identity was revealed, one of my members attacked me, and I had to leave before answering any of their questions. Please have arrangements to have the bar closed and demolished just in case the Silbern Mafia must be dissolved."
"That is a shame. I rather liked that bar."
The car pulled into Cerberus Tower and their party took an elevator down to one of its lowest levels. After walking along the metallic hallway, they came to a door with two rigid guards standing watch.
"The intruder is in there?" Weiss asked them.
""Yes, ma'am""
"I see. Good work. You may leave."
The guards exchanged nervous looks.
"Ma'am, the intruder is dangerous. For your safety—"
"I have my skills to rely on." Weiss motioned to Velvet and Coco. "And these two, if need be."
"But, Ms. Schnee."
"Thank you for your work. That will be all."
After some more nervous staring, the guards consented to her orders and left. Once they were gone, Weiss took a deep breath before entering the interrogation room.
"Hm. I remember Ruby's uncle looking much older and much more inebriated," she muttered absentmindedly.
"Who?" the female intruder asked.
"Nothing."
Weiss pulled over a chair to sit in. Across the table, chained and handcuffed, was a young girl with spots freckling her face and shoulders. The two locked stares for a moment.
"I know you," Weiss said, after a time.
"Oh, really?"
"Ilia Amitola. We attended the same primary grades together at Atlas Academy."
"…Mmm. Doesn't ring a bell."
"Do you remember beating the class half to death, and then fleeing Atlas the next day?"
"Ah. That part feels kinda familiar," Ilia snickered.
"I've always wondered about that."
"About, what?"
"Why you attacked everyone but me."
"…"
"I doubt it was due to any sort of mercy or fear. The mine collapse that your parents were in was partly owned by the S.D.C."
Ilia glared at Weiss for a second, but there was surprisingly little hate in it.
"…You were the only one that didn't laugh. The only one that didn't laugh at the death of my parents."
"…I see."
A few seconds of silence floated between them.
"Well, then," Weiss started. "If you hate Atlas so much, why infiltrate back into the Kingdom?"
"Left some stuff when I bolted. Came to get it back."
"After more than a decade away. Yes. And that stuff you left behind being…" Weiss pulled up her scroll, and read, "the blueprints to our newest Dust Reactor, vehicle transports… medical research? Agricultural methods?"
"I was a science geek."
"Who also lived in the lower levels of Cerberus Tower."
"The old place sure has changed," Ilia answered sarcastically.
Weiss narrowed her brow, not entertained by the girl's jokes.
"I recognize some of these designs you were trying to steal. I also remember putting partial designs into a certain someone's scroll, to be sent as a peace offering to a certain someone in Vacuo."
"…"
"Of course, you have nothing to say about that," Weiss sighed exasperatedly.
She tapped a few things on the touch pad and ejected a thimble-sized disk. The thing was slid across the table within Ilia's reach.
"It wasn't as if I was keeping any of this away. If Temujin wanted this information, all she had to do was ask."
"…"
"In any case, we need to get the keys to your cuffs and you'll be on your way," Weiss stood to leave.
"What?"
"What?"
"You're… letting me go?" Ilia asked doubtfully.
"Yes, and take that information with you."
"This has to be a trick."
"Why would it be a trick?"
"Because, I don't get it. Why do this? What do you have to gain by giving away your Kingdom's secrets?"
Weiss breathed another sigh, like she was addressing a child.
"You're going to use that information to help others, correct? Especially the medical research and agriculture intel?"
"…Yeah."
"Then help your people. I will not stand by as this Kingdom continues to ignore the plight of others, just for the sake of keeping a few secrets to itself. If that data saves even one life, it was worth giving to you."
"I don't know what to say."
"Stress to Temujin the importance of asking me for what she wants, instead of sending someone to steal it. I'm expecting a different intruder, so I don't want more of her people triggering Cerberus's defenses."
"—Weiss," Velvet called her attention, showing her something on her scroll. "I've asked our contacts what they know about her and this is what came up."
Her eyes darted across the electronic surface before returning to Ilia.
"You smuggle Faunus out of Atlas, and into Vacuo."
"…"
"Hm." Weiss read into Ilia's silence and drew her conclusion. "Velvet. Provide Ilia with Atlas' patrol routes. Oh! And the address to the safehouse we have all the Faunus we found from the illegal operations."
"Understood," Velvet nodded.
"What?" Ilia gaped dumbfounded.
"My organiz—*Ahem*… people rescued a rather large number of Faunus throughout our operations," Weiss clarified. "We've been having trouble hiding them, while keeping them fed and healthy. I believe this presents a great opportunity for both of us."
"You're just giving me people to smuggle out. AND the routes to your Kingdom's patrol units?"
Velvet handed Weiss a thumb disk, which Weiss in turn, extended to Ilia.
"That is correct."
"Why?"
"Because it's the right thing to do."
Ilia seemed dumbstruck into silence. She traded looks between the second drive in Weiss' hand with the girl and her cohorts. Coco only shrugged, while Velvet smiled cheerfully.
"No way…" she could only mutter.
"Yes. Way."
"I don't know if Temujin can accept this."
"Tell her, she's welcome."
"No, I mean, literally. She might refuse to accept this."
"What?!" It was Weiss' turn to be shocked. "Why not?!"
"It would be different if I stole it. But if it's given freely, she might expect to pay something in return."
"But I expect nothing in return!"
"That's what makes it weird," Ilia simply replied. "Even I feel like it's wrong to accept something for nothing."
"But you were stealing it!"
"Yeah, and now you're just giving it to me. I don't like things given. Favors are meant to be balanced. Important fact of life."
"Of all the prideful—!"
Ilia found a weird chuckle escape her.
"It's just how it is. The old lady's the same. It's a Vacuo thing."
"I don't need any—"
"—Weiss," Velvet whispered.
"…Oh." The heiress calmed under a realization. "There is actually something we need."
"Dust."
.
X
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On his way to the interrogation room, Hades caught Weiss leaving it.
"Lady Schnee?" his mask hissed.
"Ah. Hades," she turned. "There is nothing to worry concerning the intruder. I have just finished resolving it. A minor misunderstanding, really."
"Yes, well, if you would pardon, I would like to perform my own interrogation."
As the man moved to pass, Weiss stepped in his way.
"I already said the matter is resolved. The intruder presents no threat and is actually a person under my protection. She is ambassador and acting representative of the will of Vacuo. I'd prefer not to show her anymore discourtesies than we already have."
"Lady Schnee…"
"Lord Hades?"
The two entered a staring contest for a second.
"We are allies in this venture, are we not?" Hades broke the silence. "We entered into a confidence."
"Our goals coincide, yes."
"Then, could I ask you to disclose to me information regarding the intruder, among other matters?"
"Other matters?"
"Reasons as to the increased security of Cerberus Tower, or the recent arrests of high-ranking government officials, or the activities you choose to fill your time with away from home at night."
"We could always use more security, I wasn't aware so many government workers were arrested, and what I do in the privacy of my night life is none of your business," Weiss evaded.
"Lady Schnee, please…"
"…"
"…"
Weiss loosened her stance.
"…I've helped you on a number of occasions."
"As have I, you," Hades replied.
"I think our arrangement works well, but do you share absolutely everything with me? Do you not keep secrets of your own?"
"…I do."
"Of course, because you are a smart man," Weiss smiled cordially. "You have your methods and I have mine. We may not know everything the other is doing, but we still maintain the goal of building a better Atlas together—and a better life for Kori."
"So, it seems."
"We can only trust whatever secrets the other holds, it stays true to our mutual goals."
Hades breathed a mechanical sigh.
"Very well, Lady Schnee. I shall retire my doubts."
"Thank you."
"I can only hope someday, that I may be worthy of your full and complete trust."
"You've already earned much of it, Hades. Anything I keep from you is irrelevant, or better you not knowing. Are you going to see Kori now?"
"I was contemplating so."
"Tell her I said hi, and that I apologize I cannot visit today, despite being here," she smiled sadly.
"I shall," Hades bowed.
Weiss returned the gesture with a curtsy, and walked past the mechanical armored man. Following after her, were Coco, Velvet, and a newly freed Ilia.
Hades watched the party leave, and made his way, not to where Kori was, but a secure communication terminal.
In the private room, the man made a call. The other end picked up after a few rings.
"Hades. What news do you bring me?" Salem's voice cleared across.
"Our plans are proceeding as scheduled, milady. The government and Atlas higher powers grow unstable with each passing day. In its opposite, the White Fang and other affiliations gain more momentum."
"And the individual heading Atlas' invasion force?"
"I have arranged it so they would elect an empty-merited general to replace Ironwood. He is nothing but a bumbling buffoon, who earned his way through the ranks solely by name and nepotism."
"Good. Vale is a complicated matter. The Old One took many precautions to prevent incorporating my followers into their ranks. Even so, the Kingdom cannot fall just yet. Least of all, to the hands of Atlas. What else do you have to report?"
"There are some…developments in the Mantle Loyalist Party."
"Mantle? Fragments of that flawed empire?"
"I believe something stirs in the shadow of it."
"…Is this Cinder's work?" Salem asked herself quietly. "On what grounds do you base this on?"
"Intuition, mistress. I feel I've touched the surface, but can say nothing for certain. The young Lady Schnee may be involved."
"Ah, yes. The pretty, little snow white. How is our princess behaving?"
"I am sorry to say, outside our predictions. After presenting myself a powerful ally, I had expected her to rely on my assistance more often than not. But the girl proves more capable than imagined."
"That is troubling, Hades. The balance of favors is not so easily disregarded. A pound of flesh for a pound of flesh. Silver for silver. If we are to control her, she must be indebted to us. Tis the only reliable course."
"What do you suggest, milady?"
Salem pondered it for a moment. A wicked grin appeared across her visage.
"I shall arrange a method for you to carry out," she answered. "One that removes the Winter Maiden and reins in our precocious snow white."
With a flick of her wrist, two apples appeared from the ether. Clouded in dark mist, the two fruit shone with a polished green and red sheen.
A classic, one might say.