NOTE: I was itching to write some more Ruby-Jaune stuff since last night.

Captain Arc, First Lieutenant Rose, and First Sergeant Winchester paused after refitting themselves with the necessary equipment for their next mission. By their corners, in their bunks, against their lockers, the lower-ranking soldiers of the RDF—the grunts fitted with Atlesian combat gear to make up for their lack of Aura—were in the midst of their own little rituals.

Some were typing on their scrolls, others were penning letters, the rest were either praying to whatever deities were out there or meditating in the calm before the storm. To each man his own way of preparing for the upcoming battles.

Jaune, Ruby, and Cardin eyed each other. They all knew there would be casualties. They all knew that in less than three hours, the RDF would be commencing a massive clearing operation in the Grimm-infested rubble of southern Vale. The Huntsmen teams that were dispatched to aid them were already in the field, providing vital reconnaissance, awaiting them—the main force.

Some of the soldiers looked up to meet their curious gazes. The Captain nodded and waved at them to carry on. Together, the three Beacon alumni left the barracks to idle outside the amphitheater where mostly no one would bother them.

"You two holding up alright?" Cardin started, his arms folded, his bulky, scarred frame leaning against the wall.

"We're fine, Sergeant," Ruby replied coldly.

"With that tone, you're not," the mercenary responded.

"We have a mission to do," gritted the Lieutenant, "so I suggest you put your mind elsewhere."

He scoffed. "My mind's at ease. So is the rest of me. It's the two of you that's got me a bit on edge."

"Sergeant Winchester, you have nothing to lose, don't you?" the Captain asked bluntly.

Cardin shrugged. "I do. Do I worry about them? Yes. Do I carry that with me to work? No."

Ruby's glare had no effect on the mercenary. "We all have something to lose so don't go around bringing those up."

The mercenary raised his brow. "Oh? Bring what up?"

"Don't play with me, Cardin," she hissed. "Now is not the time for swapping war stories."

"I didn't ask for your damn war stories," he growled back. "All I'm asking is whether or not you two are feeling okay because you both look like you lost your pet dog to a fucking meat grinder."

"We both have our losses, Sergeant," Jaune intoned, putting himself between the reaper and the mace-wielder. "What's your point?"

Cardin flicked his thumb at the armored transport craft hovering by the docking station. "We have about thirty minutes until we head off to the AO. If there's anything on your mind, better lay 'em all out than have them pop up in the middle of the job and cost you."

"I know," came the tired whisper from the senior officer.

The silence lingered until Jaune let his shoulders deflate. "I miss my sisters."

Cardin nodded sagely while Ruby blinked, not knowing what to say.

"I don't have their numbers on my scroll and I can't really ask anyone whether or not they got my last letter."

"When did you send out your last letter?" asked the mercenary.

"The day before we left to retake Beacon." Jaune wished he was a smoking man. "Haven't gotten a word back. I hope they're doing okay."

Another quiet moment before the mace-wielder shifted to raise a curious brow at the Lieutenant who seemed to be melting against the rubble, her face hidden behind the locks of her long dark hair. "I'm not going to even ask."

"Don't," she answered in a voice hoarse but commanding.

"Ruby—"

"Don't ask, Jaune." It sounded more like a plea than an order.

The mercenary laid a hand on the Captain's shoulder. "Arc. Let her go. For now."

Jaune nodded.

They spent the rest of the time stewing in their thoughts. They boarded the ships ten minutes before departure, doing quick inspections on the many soldiers sitting side-by-side, their field kits wrapped under their arms, their objectives in-grained into their minds, their thoughts savoring warmer memories while they still could.

As Beacon shrunk below them, Specialist Rose looked over at Captain Arc, deeply regretting not telling him how she missed her own family. Now, she could only hope this mission would go well so she would be able to ask him to accompany her to lay flowers on their graves.

ORIGINALLY DRAFTED: March 26, 2018

LAST EDITED: May 8, 2018

INITIALLY UPLOADED: March 26, 2018

NOTE: I've been committing genocide in Civilization and listening to upbeat music while churning this out.