AN: Well, this was originally going to be one chapter, but when the first half amounted to 5,157 words, I decided it was better to split it up. Hence the title of the chapter. Anyway, as it stands, I should have the second half done by the weekend. My schedule should quiet down for the next few months, which will give me more time to write. There shouldn't be any more long pauses between chapters. I don't think I'll be able to maintain a once-a-week schedule, but I am hoping for a post every other week. I might be able to be motivated to post more often (nudge-nudge-wink-wink).

Not much to warn about this chapter, but as a heads-up, next chapter will have graphic violence. Something to look forward to, I suppose. Also, this chapter and the next will have a hopping POV. I think that they should be the only chapters that this will happen in, but with everything that is going to happen, it was necessary. Be prepared. This time I made sure that the breaks were clearly labelled...last time took out the dividers. Murr.

Anyhoo, read, enjoy, and please review!

Negotiation and Preparation

or

Hell at the Hospital (Part I)

Schnee Dust Company Headquarters Building

Vale, 08:18

"What were you thinking?!" The words cracked around Weiss's spacious office, the room lit with a cheery glow from the morning sun that was at odds with her mood, and she struggled to rein in her emotions. After all, it wasn't very often that Weiss got really, truly angry at her friends. In fact, she knew that the last time she was this mad at Blake was when she found out that her friend had been a member of the White Fang. But now? Now was different, now Blake's actions reflected on the company, right when they were being watched so carefully. And the fact that Blake was just standing there, staring at her passively? It just made her angrier. But how much of that anger was a sense of self-disgust for yelling at her friend like this? Her words had been harsh, and justly so, but the way that Blake just stood there passively…the longer Weiss berated her, the more she felt disgust at this red-hot anger burning in her chest.

Suddenly tired, Weiss returned to her desk and threw herself down in her chair. "Just…why? Why did you think it was appropriate to go so bloody fast?"

Blake blinked slowly in an eerily feline way before responding. "I wasn't thinking. I was just suddenly angry at myself, at the world…I needed a release."

"Don't you have Yang for that?" Weiss bit out cattily, but she instantly regretted her words at the slight twitch in Blake's eyes, the way her face turned from passive to stony. Weiss blew out an explosive breath, fingers going to her temple. "I'm sorry, that was uncalled for. But put yourself in my shoes. I'm in a late-night board meeting trying to shift resources and do what's best for the company when I suddenly get a call. It was the chief of police, no less, informing me that my head of security was just pulled over on the freeway, going so fast that they were considering calling in Bullheads to stop you." And once more, she was angry, remembering the scorn in the older man's voice, asking if she had her pet on a leash. That had nearly set her off, but she knew full well what a favor the old bastard was doing, in not going public with precisely who he had pulled over. And though she knew it was wrong, she couldn't help but blame Blake for the man's racist words, his insinuation that she only hired Blake out of a misguided sense of pity, never mind Blake's history within Vale. If Blake hadn't sped like that, the man's ugliness could have stayed safely hidden, and the Schnee family wouldn't have to be indebted to such a man for keeping the incident on the down-low.

Blake rolled her eyes. "Bullheads. Really? Like that could have stopped me."

Weiss shot to her feet, slamming her palms against her desk. "DAMMIT, BLAKE, THIS ISN'T A JOKE!" she roared, the volume and anger of the words taking even her by surprise. She took a few deep, calming breaths before she continued, pointedly ignoring the look of shocked surprise on Blake's face, and how her friend's sensitive ears had turned away from her outburst. "If this got out, can you imagine the bad PR? I can see it now, the news agencies taking this and running with it, accusing us of breaking the laws because we can, because no cop would dare arrest us for anything short of actually hurting someone! No, the rich and famous aren't treated the same way as everyone else!" she bit out in a mocking voice.

"Hey, I didn't ask for any special treatment!" Blake retorted hotly, eyes narrowing dangerously.

Glad for the challenge, Weiss curled her fingers in to form fists. "Like that would have been any better, you getting arrested for this? What would the public think, what would I say to the Board to justify keeping you?! Or worse yet, what if you had hurt or had killed someone with this stunt?! The news companies are watching us like hawks right now, waiting for a story! Thank GOD the Chief of Police chose to keep this quiet!"

Blake stared at her for a long moment, eyes hurt and angry. "Yes, the same Chief of Police who turned blind eyes on violent crimes against the Faunus. Thank God he is the hero of this incident!"

Weiss felt her lips curl back in a snarl. "And that's precisely why you should be begging for forgiveness! Not only could you have actually hurt someone, not only could this have been the excuse that members of the Board have been positively waiting for so that they could demand your termination from your position, but now that fucker is holding this over our heads! I'm indebted to that close-minded buffoon because of your actions!"

Blake took a half-step forward, face clouded with anger, but she visibly calmed herself down, and Weiss wondered what scathing remarks she had so narrowly avoided. She wouldn't find out, and that was likely a good thing. Instead, Blake took several deep breaths, composing her face once more. "You're right. I was wrong to do what I did, and I apologize. It won't happen again."

"See that it doesn't." Relieved that the matter was resolved, but still annoyed that it hadn't turned into a shouting match that she knew would have been a stress relief for the both of them, she couldn't help one last quip. "So, are there any more laws that you're breaking that I should know about, so I can be prepared when the cops call me?"

It had been a joke, a way for Blake to smile with her eyes while her still stern mouth answered in the negative, a way for them to move on to other business, but then Blake flicked her eyes away from her, the corners of her mouth tightening slightly as something (was that guilt?) flickered deep within her golden eyes. Weiss frowned thoughtfully as she focused all her concentration on Blake's face, but when her friend brought her eyes back onto her, they were carefully blank. The moment had been so brief that it could have been imagined, but…

"Blake, what aren't you telling me?" The question was delivered in a low, cautious voice, and Weiss wasn't entirely certain that she wanted to know the answer. It would have to be something B-A-D, bad if Blake was willing to try and hide it from her. But before Blake could even draw a breath to answer, a polite knock sounded at the door, and Weiss's secretary stuck her head into the room.

"My apologies, Miss Schnee, but the White Fang are ready for the negotiations."

"Thank you, Hana, we'll be right out." When the door closed with a quiet click, Weiss sighed. "Look, Blake, I get that you're under a lot of stress. We all are. Just remember that no matter how stressful it gets, there is no excuse for that sort of behavior. You need to act in a manner worthy of your position. We're under too much scrutiny for anything less. Do you understand?"

"Yes, of course. As I said before, it won't happen again."

"Good." Weiss grabbed her white dress coat from where she had draped it over the back of her chair, and put it on. Striding towards the wall, she glanced over her shoulder to Blake. "Do we have any leads on the Crimson Claw? I remember Yang mentioning that her contacts might have something a few days ago, but I haven't heard anything since." Had all of her attention been on Blake, she might have noticed another guilty twinge in her friend's face, but she was instead pressing her hand against a non-descript panel in the wall, which read her fingerprints and biometrics before opening a compartment that held her half-cloak and arm and shoulder armor, Myrtenaster, and enough Dust vials to get her through a battle. Her main method of defending herself might be out of view, but it was never far from her.

"No, nothing yet, but when we have some…solid leads, we'll let you know. I have faith in Yang." Silence reigned as Weiss threw on her cloak and buckled on the sword belt that held Myrtenaster and its sheath. "Are you sure you're up for this? You still seem a bit angry."

Weiss closed the hidden compartment with a soft click, and stood there for a few moments, palm resting against the highly polished walls as she centered herself, categorizing and putting away the anger of last night's phone call and this morning's talk with Blake. There we go. Now I'm ready. She turned around with a confident smirk. "Up for this? The question you should ask is if you're ready to see history being made."

She strode purposefully past Blake, well aware of how her cloak flared behind her, and she imperiously stepped out of her office, shoulders back and head held high, drawing her dignity and poise about her like an armor. "Conference Room H, Miss Sakurei," she ordered with much more formality than she would have normally, and Hana nodded obediently, aware of the song and dance being conducted now. For this to go well, she needed to be Weiss Schnee, Head of the Schnee Dust Company, not Weiss Schnee, the Huntress, or Weiss Schnee, the twenty-three year old girl. And this absolutely HAD to go well.

Blake silently following her, Weiss strode down the hall, and within a few minutes, they both entered a dark conference room that had many projectors arranged in a semi-circular fashion around a table that was headed by a comfortable chair that had several incredibly expensive cameras and microphones trained on it. She settled into it, careful to sweep Myrtenaster around so that it was not only easy to draw it, but also so that it was visible. Blake moved to her position behind and to the left of the chair. Like Myrtenaster, she was where she could not only react to a threat rapidly, but also so that she, too, was visible on the camera. Weiss felt a moment of guilt that she was reducing her friend to a symbol, but she squashed the feeling. It was all the price of politics and the at times petty maneuvering that came with being in her position. Everything she said, everything she did, everything about her would be carefully analyzed.

"Then let my words go down into posterity," she whispered. Briefly, Blake's hand landed on her shoulder, and she squeezed gently, reassuringly. Smiling softly, Weiss rested her hand on Blake's, glad for the last minute show of comfort.

"And they're ready, Miss Schnee," came the disembodied voice of the technician…Bill? "Going live in five…" Blake's hand left her shoulder. "…four…" Weiss sat up straighter, squaring her shoulders. "…three…" She fixed on an appropriately somber and concerned face. "…two…" The projectors began to hum softly, lenses flaring as the lights on the cameras and microphones on her turned from red to green. "…one…"

It was go time.

xxxXXXxxx

Blake had almost rolled her eyes at Weiss's proclamation of history being made, but as the six figures were projected on the holo-screens, she fervently hoped that Weiss was right. She couldn't see her friend's face, but her shoulders were well set, and her breathing was calm, deep, and measured. Given how angry Weiss had been at her only fifteen minutes ago, she was amazed that she was as composed as she was.

Blake kept her face carefully blank, knowing what her role was here. Silent supporter, protector, and weapon, if need be. It wasn't easy to be in her position, though. She recognized all but two of the figures that were now turning curious and guarded eyes on her friend.

Weiss waited for all of them to be looking at her before she began with a graceful nod. "Esteemed ladies and gentlemen. I am grateful to have been given such an opportunity as this, to speak to you as an equal unto other equals, so that we may continue to negotiate a better future for all. Before we begin, however, I ask for permission to record this conversation, and urge you to do the same, so that there will be clear records on both sides. I feel that this will reduce the likelihood of misunderstanding. Your thoughts?"

"A wise choice, Miss Schnee. And I likewise thank you for giving us this opportunity to voice our grievances and our own hopes for the future. We will agree to the recording of this meeting on both sides," the eldest of the Faunus said, voice graveled, and face worn with age and grief. "If I may have a moment?" Again, Weiss nodded with grace. "My thanks…Blake, my child…it has been far too long. How are you these days?"

Blake closed her eyes as she gave a short, respectful bow. "I am well, Andrei."

"I trust you are finding your current employment more tasteful than the last?"

A loaded question, and she fought the urge to wince. Andrei, a reindeer Faunus who had been old when he had handed over command of the White Fang to Adam, seemed positively ancient now. For Blake, who could vividly remember his kind, soft words of peaceful protest before things had gone so terribly bad, it was painful. But he had never agreed to the violence, and had gone into a self-inflicted exile until Adam was defeated. The White Fang had desperately needed a leader to fill the void, and Andrei had emerged from hiding to bring the White Fang back to a path of peace. But he had been kept aware of the goings-on of the White Fang even during his absence, and knew of Blake's own actions. Hence the question. "I would not have been able to bear working for Weiss's father," she answered truthfully, voice ringing with conviction in the dark room. "However, I find my work now to be more fulfilling than anything I had done under Adam."

Andrei smiled at that, old eyes knowing, while most of the other White Fang representatives shifted uneasily. None of them had been in any sort of leadership capacity under Adam, Blake knew, but that didn't mean that some of them hadn't respected him, hadn't been captured by his dark charisma. After all, there was still much anger between the Faunus and humans. It would take years, decades even, for that to change. But they were trying…this meeting alone was proof of that. Almost as though he had heard Blake's thought, Andrei focused once more on Weiss. "So, Miss Schnee. We have graciously agreed to hear your words. What is it you wish to talk about?"

Weiss took a moment before she answered, voice slow and thoughtful. "I suppose that I would like to start this meeting by acknowledging the criminality of the Schnee Dust Company's policies while it was under my father's control, and I offer the most profound of apologies. Had our company not acted as it did, then the anger of the White Fang would never have been unleashed upon our holdings."

A bit high-handed in her choice of words, Blake mused, but fitting for this meeting. But behind the formal, lofty prose was a startling olive branch, and Weiss's audience knew it. Some of the younger members had rocked back, surprise clearly visible on their faces. Up until this point, both sides had seemed to understand that the past was not to be mentioned, for fear of sparking more conflict. For Weiss to open up the meeting by admitting and apologizing for the dark deed's of the SDC was monumental. Andrei had managed to keep a mostly straight face, the only visible reaction he had given was a slight widening of his eyes. "As the leader of the White Fang, I recognize your words, Miss Schnee, and I will go so far as to say that the blame was not solely within your company. The acts of terror and violence that the White Fang resorted to can never be justified. I am glad, however, that though you are young, you possess the wisdom and maturity to be willing to move forward."

"I thank you for the compliment, sir. As you well know, the SDC is currently leading in the efforts to create equal working conditions for both humans and the Faunus, largely due to my own efforts. I will not tolerate any discrimination on the part of my company."

"But what if you weren't in charge of the SDC?" Blake narrowed her eyes slightly as the soft, sultry voice. Snake Faunus, in her mid-twenties, gracefully curled up in her chair, and resting her chin in her palm, silver eyes glinting as she perused Weiss. What was her name…Sarisha? "You have done much for my people, but what if you were removed?"

Once again, Weiss paused before answering, but this time, Blake could almost feel her tensing up. Trust the younger leaders to ask the questions that were less honest queries and more challenges to what Weiss was trying to accomplish. When Weiss began to speak again, her voice was noticeably more chilly. "I shudder at the thought of what might be done with my company should I no longer run it, but I do not think that it would matter overmuch. After all, it is now law in Vale and Vacuo that there is to be no pay discrimination, whether male, female, human, Faunus, or any other combination. Additionally, other major corporations in Atlas have also raised their pay scale, even though it was done rather grudgingly. So while they aren't protected by law in all the realms, the Faunus have been enjoying far greater working freedoms than ever before. And there are many companies out there that would love to see my company suffer. If, God forbid, my sister take over my spot and then decide to lower wages across the board, which she would legally have to, the other companies in most of the realms would gladly keep their wages higher, if only to see the SDC lose all of its workers. And finally, while it is all too easy to justify the denial of equal pay and working conditions to any minority, it is nigh impossible to take something away, once given. The protests and strikes that would occur if the Faunus were to lose their newfound privileges would be disastrous."

Sarisha gave a satisfied smirk. "Eloquently put, Miss Schnee. You have not disappointed us yet. So, what is it that you have in mind? Surely this meeting is about far more than elaborate apologies."

Weiss leaned forward, steepling her fingers. "An alliance, of sorts. If you have any information on the Crimson Claw, we would greatly appreciate access to it. Additionally, if either the White Fang or the Schnee Dust Company should come under attack, we would aid each other, either with direct action, or with financial and emergency aid after the fact."

And instantly the room was in an uproar, with all but Andrei and Sarisha leaping to their feet and hurling accusations at Weiss, saying that she was trying to pit Faunus against Faunus, that she was only pushing for Faunus work rights to suit her own hidden agenda, that she was no better than her father. Andrei merely closed his eyes, a look of pained patience on his face, while Sarisha merely narrowed her eyes, staring at Weiss with a coldly calculating look. It took some time, but the more vocal of the Faunus calmed down, and Andrei leaned forward. "Knowing the gravity of what you ask of us, what is it that you have to offer us?" he asked, voice somber and quiet, but also hiding great power, the distant whisper of a tsunami or volcanic eruption. Blake knew that Weiss would have to choose her words very, very carefully, or risk ruining whatever goodwill she had earned thus far.

She didn't disappoint. "Why, only what you've always wanted, but have never had. How does official recognition and a base of capitol sound? I've researched your humble beginnings of running soup kitchens and forming support groups for the Faunus who were in need. I can't promise anything outside of Vale, but I've spoken with the Vale City Council and Professor Ozpin. With my company's backing, we can not only fund part of your necessary expenses for continuing those noble traditions of the past, but we can also help you organize peaceful rallies, charities, support groups, and more. Do you need extra security at rallies? Done. People may be less willing to attack your people when they know that they will incur the wrath of the Schnee Dust Company. With a Schnee behind you, you'll be able to do much more. And think of it…with official recognition from Vale's government, you'll have much more clout here. Should this go well, I could even imagine the formation of a political party…how does the Faunus Labor Party sound? Granted, I know that it isn't likely that they'll ever win a seat in the executive branch, but having members on the legislative will do much for you. So…you ask what it is I offer, and you have your answer."

Silence reined absolute, even the loudest of the Faunus from early staring at her in shock. But then Sarisha sat up straight and leaned forward, eyes still narrowed. "So…what you offer is for the Schnee Dust Company to have some measure of control over the White Fang, to collar and muzzle us with your money. If you do not agree with our agenda, what is there to stop you from stopping your support, leaving us blowing in the wind? And I know…the winds can be very angry and cruel. Is it worth it to have your capitol, when we would become indebted to you? And once more, what if you are replaced? What then?"

"Then you still have the support of the Council and of Professor Ozpin. And I do not deny that you would be indebted to me and my company. But is that truly such a bad thing, Sarisha of Vacuo? After all, we are both interested in prosperous peace. There is but one enemy, the creatures of Grimm. Would you rather have my support in creating peaceful protests, in starting support programs and running soup kitchens for all those that are hungry? Or would you rather be held under the thrall of the likes of Adam Taurus, Cinder Fall, and Roman Torchwick, used as puppets to unleash Grimm upon helpless innocents and then turn your noble group into a rabid, murderous gang only interested in death and bloodshed?" Weiss turned to face her, and Blake was surprised to see the conviction in her friend's eyes. "Blake Belladonna, once member of the White Fang…why was the White Fang created?"

For a moment her mind was blank. This wasn't in the script, this wasn't how she was to be used in meetings like this. But then she saw…if Weiss told the White Fang why they had been created, she would appear to be patronizing them. Better to have her, someone almost borne into the White Fang, to give the answer to that question. "The White Fang was created in order to unify the Faunus under one flag, to bring us together, to give us focus and direction to bring about our recognition as more than third class citizens to humanity's governments."

Weiss smiled at her, a small, secret smile that lit her eyes up with joy, and Blake's heart lurched as she thought of Vern, still in the basement. Weiss wouldn't be that happy with her if she knew. But before she could think too long on that, Weiss turned back towards her audience. "Yes, to be recognized by humanity. I am here to herald that recognition, with no malice or deceipt in my heart. I am here to offer my aid, with peace being my only objective. Sarisha, you spoke of wind…well, I am here to tell you that the winds of change are blowing. Will you not join me to see what bright future they lead to?"

Sarisha leaned back in her chair once more, a contented smile on her face, and Blake suddenly wondered what her actual objective was. Was she there to truly oppose Weiss, or was she merely playing devil's advocate? She didn't know much about the young woman, and resolved to fix that. She had the feeling that Sarisha could be either a priceless ally or a deadly enemy.

Andrei cleared his throat, drawing attention to himself. "This is truly a just offer, Miss Schnee, and is more than we could have ever expected or have even hoped for coming from a Schnee. We will think on it. However, I beg that you be cautious. As noble as your deeds and intentions are, too much change will be resisted. And take it from one who knows all too well…humans and the Faunus both can deny reason and do the most irrational and horrible things with barely any prompting. I applaud your efforts, but take care that they don't destroy you." He reached forward, out of the field of view, and his hologram blinked off. The other quickly followed his cue, with Sarisha being the last. She shot the two of them a coy smile as she touched her brow and dipped her head in a small bow, eyes glittering as she, too, exited the conference.

Once the lights on the cameras and microphones turned off, Weiss spun to face her, a triumphant, tired smile on her face. "See, told you I could do it."

"A master negotiator indeed," Blake replied, with none of the customary sarcasm or gentle sass that they all threw at each other. And, deep in her heart of hearts, she was crying out, asking where Weiss was before Adam, before the White Fang became sullied with the blood of the innocent. But the past was past, no use dwelling on it. She could only hope that the future was as peaceful as Weiss hoped.

Sadly, it was not to be.

xxxXXXxxx

Outskirts of Vale, 13:42

The atmosphere inside the old, abandoned warehouse was nothing less than charged, the thirty-four Faunus within its dusty interior focused on their tasks of pre-combat checks and vehicle maintenance. The ancient panther Faunus known to his subordinates only as the Commander was briefing the plan once again, confident that his soldiers were paying attention even as they cleaned their weapons, making sure that they were all fully functional and almost surgically clean, only the lightest coats of oil to keep them from jamming at the most inopportune moment. The plan may fail completely, but it would be not because of their gear.

"Insertion will be at 0305, and extraction will be precisely twenty minutes later. Everyone has synched their watches, correct?"

"Yes, sir," the leader of the strike force answered. A less disciplined individual might have said it with a touch of sarcasm, or with a roll of the eyes, but Abraham was too professional for that. And like all professionals, he recognized the value of triple and quadruple checks before operations as dangerous as this. His team had been training hard together for almost a year now, and had been training for this particular mission from the moment that Ruby Rose had been wounded and not killed, the plan growing more and more refined as more intelligence was gathered. All his people had the blueprints of the hospital memorized, they all knew precisely where they needed to be, and when. This final briefing was just so they could prove to the Old Man that they knew what they were about.

"Michael, what are you doing with your team?"

The leader of one of the four Faunus assault teams stood, taking the slim pointer and pointing to the appropriate areas on the 3D diagram of the hospital. "Enter here, move down the maintenance staircase, wipe out the power room for the building. After that, move here, to the main entrance, and secure it from any unwanted entry. Along the way, wipe out the security check points here and here, and take out the security control center here, just before the main entrance."

"Very good. Sarah?"

The lanky cat Faunus looked up from where she was cleaning her anti-material rifle. "Secure the roof top with the other sniper team, provide harassing fire on any oncoming police and Hunter teams. Secure the LZ for the Bullheads when they return."

"James?"

The massively built bull Faunus, normally stoic and of few words, stroked his jaw as he studied the diagrams carefully. "My heavy weapons and demolition team will be accompanying Abraham and his team to the floor the target is on. We'll disable the elevators here, here, and here while his team secure the stairs. Once that's done, we'll breach the section she's in, take out the target, and evac."

"Very good. This should take less than twenty minutes. If you are ready for pick-up, call it in. Have all the radios been tested?"

"Yes, sir."

The Commander stopped speaking, looking into the distance, thinking of how the plan could go wrong. After all, no plan survived contact with the enemy. Something was going to go wrong, the only question was what that was going to be, and how to plan for it. The teams all knew multiple contingency plans. What to do if there were more than the two Beacon students that they knew for certain were posted on the ICU. What to do if the two students weren't in the waiting room as they usually were. What to do if they met more resistance than expected. What to do if Vale Bullheads arrived. What to do if their enemies tried to use tear gas. All these and more they planned for. It was his job to try and think of anything that they might have missed.

Finally, he nodded gravely as he leaned forward, bracing himself on the table. "This may be our only chance to do this. Our intel reports that they're going to take the target off of her sedatives, and she'll be awake soon. However, at no point are you to just throw your lives away. If you can't take the target out in the allotted time, evacuate as planned. I would rather you failed the mission and lived than completed it and died. That said, I have full confidence in your ability to get the mission done…just don't do anything stupid. Come home victorious, and give the Crimson Claw something to celebrate." He glanced at his watch. "Finish up your checks, then get some rest. It's going to be a long night."