(New York City. December 16, 1941.)
American Five Star General Dwight David Eisenhower sat in his office. He looked over the notes Churchill had sent him, on the new POW project. He looked over the profiles of the four officers who'd volunteered for the project. He picked up his telephone, "Get me the Marine Corps."
(US Marine Corps training camp. Houston, Texas.)
In one of the barracks.. Were four officer cadets.. Who were preparing to help fight the Empire of Japan. They were told.. They'd be commissioned in New York.. Today, was their finale day of training, What made then different from any other officer in the whole US military.. All four of them were women.
One was tall (5'8), with long flowing blonde hair (that went past her hindquarters) and purple eyes. Her uniform, which was straining to hold back.. Certain parts of her body.. Was colored yellow. On her right shoulder, was the patch of the American flag. On her left.. The flag of Texas. On her collar.. Was the golden bar of a Second Lieutenant. This was Yang Xiao Long.
Next to her, was a slightly shorter woman (5'6)with long flowing black hair and amber eyes. Her uniform was colored black, with little bits of white. She had the American flag on her left shoulder, and the letters NYC stitched into her right. On top of her head, was a little black bow. On her collar, like the blond.. Was the golden Second Lieutenant's bar. This was Blake Belladonna. What set her apart from the others.. Was that she was Native American.
Next was the shortest woman, in their group(5'2).She had long white hair and icy blue eyes. Her uniform (even though, she didn't want to color hers) was entirely white. She had the American flag on the right shoulder, and the flag of Alaska on the left. On her collar.. Were the two silver bars of a Captain. This was Weiss Schnee. Of the Alaska Schnees. One of America's wealthiest families.
Finally, the highest ranking woman in the room.. She was the second shortest(5'3). She had short brown hair with red highlights, and silver eyes. Her uniform was red and black (though, mostly red). On her collar, was the silver Rose of a Lieutenant Colonel. This was Ruby Rose. Younger sister of Yang.
Yang stretched, "So.. Our last day of training. Good." She sighed and sat, "It was brutal.. Japan ain't goin' to be that much different." Yang and Ruby were natives of Texas. They liked everything rough.. But, they knew when to call it quits. However.. When dealing with Japan.. There'd be no break.
Blake said, reading her book, "Nope. Japan is going to fight hard.. We need to fight harder." She laid on her bunk, "Just a few more hours.." She waited to be an officer.. To help break up the boundaries between Native Americans, and the other groups of America. But she still kept her books on her person. Reading was her escape. Her passion. Even when going to fight an enemy.. She keeps her books on her.
Weiss said nothing. Only packing, and preparing to fight against joined the marines.. To prove that she was different. The rich families of America were seen as scum. Many of them are.. Weiss wasn't one of then. She wanted to prove that. By helping in the fight against Japan.
As for the young Lieutenant Colonel... She joined the Marine Corps, simply to serve her country. She joined the marines, the day after Pearl Harbor. She and her team personally met Roosevelt, and convinced him to let them join the marines. Ruby was the fastest learner of the four of then. Highest grades in the academy, and the best commanding officer in her class. She was preparing to move out, and head to Japan.
Before the four of then could depart.. They were given new orders.. Transfer from the Marine Corps.. To the USAAF.
They took a long train to New York City.. Where they met Eisenhower. They saluted him, he saluted back.
He said, "Hello ladies." He handed them files, and sat down, "You have volunteered for a most dangerous project. Within the next 12 hours you will be over the Atlantic, until such time as you fake being shoot being shot down.. And land in enemy territory. Until the war is over, you'll be in a German prisoner of war camp. Performing espionage and sabotage to the German war effort until such time as either the Germans surrender.. Or, Adolf Hitler's death. You will maintain contact with another POW camp. A camp in Japan, with other POWs who are performing the same duties. Any questions?"
Yang asked, "General.. All due respect.. Why us?" She didn't fully understand. The four if them were perfectly fit for combat, they made sure of it. Hell, Roosevelt agreed to let them into combat. So.. For this.. POW project to be their mission.. Confused her.
Eisenhower replied, "Because I needed the best.. And you are the best." He smiled as he read their files, "Highest grades in the academy. Best at hand to combat, in your entire class. Excellent with construction and use of explosives. Communications." He looked specifically at Ruby, "Best sniper in the academy, and skilled commanding officer." He put the files down, "Not to mention.. While you were with the marines, each of you passed a test, that shows you're skilled enough to pilot an airplane. And, you're all good at keeping secrets.. Everything this operation needs."
As they all slowly began to understand this.. Blake asked, "What's the name of this place? It might not be very easy to perform this project in it."
Eisenhower replied, "Luft Stalag 13. This operation should be easy.. As by know.. There are only 82 guards.. And 94 prisoners." He struggled to hold back a laugh, "Not to mention, intelligence tells me this camp.. Is run by, arguably, the most incomplete officer in the entire German Army."
They all took note of this. Known that there are more prisoners than guards, would make if a little easier.. And, an incompetent commander for the Germans.. Well, that only makes it even easier.
Ruby decided to ask, concerned for her team and the other POWs, "General Eisenhower.. What kind of conditions are we looking at in a German POW camp?" Ruby's father was a veteran of WWI. He spent one month in an Austrian POW camp. The conditions he described were horrible. Ruby always thought he told the truth.. But she had to be sure. After all.. This was NOT the same Germany they fought in the First World War.
Eisenhower shrugged, "Cold German winter.. Boiling hot German summer. Terrible food. Uncomfortable bunks.."
Yang said, trying to lighten the mood, "So.. Basically, like anywhere else in the Army?"
Everyone, even Eisenhower himself, laughed at that. He said, "Well.. Basically, yes."
While those conditions sounded awful.. They all began to realize that it was quite the project. They just had one more question.
Weiss asked, "Sir.. What is to stop the Germans from finding out about this project?"
Eisenhower said, "President Roosevelt assures me.. The POW camps used in this special project, are run by officers who will keep absolute silence. Either, because they are on our side.. Or, because they are too incompetent to say anything to their superiors. So.. Safe bet, no one will know."
Everyone slowly began to understand. This project could help bring the Allies closer to victory.
Ruby stood up, "General.. I'm not sure about my team. If they want out, I won't stop them." She put a hand to her heart, "But I will happily volunteer for this project."
Yang, Ruby's older sister, put a hand on her shoulder, "Colonel.. I can't let you do that.. Where you go.. I go." She looked to Eisenhower, "I volunteer."
Blake clasped Yang's hand in her own, "So do I." She looked Yang in the eyes, "I can't let you go halfway across the world without me."
Finally, Weiss grabbed Ruby's hand, "And you.. Aren't going anywhere without me." She and Ruby had grown.. Close. She wasn't going to let Ruby endanger her life.. Unless she's there with her.
Ruby smiled at her team. Then, looked to Eisenhower, "Sir... Team RWBY volunteers for the POW project in Europe."
Eisenhower smiled, "You leave as soon as your plane is ready."
Weiss decided to ask, only out of curiosity, "General.. Who's leading the POWs in Japan?"
Eisenhower said, "Colonel Robert E . Hogan .