John C. Tibbets

Not too long after the end of the ceremony, we were led to our new rooms. And honestly, I couldn't wait to put some of my gear away and sleep in an actual bed.

Yes, we may have been used to sleeping in foxholes and trenches, but I'd love to finally lay my tired and bruised form on a comfortable mattress.

There were two things ruining this for me right now.

For one, I had the damn Spook, Fischer, on my team. The smug, arrogant sonofabitch was gonna be a pain in the ass if we had to be on the same team.

Secondly, I had to room with two girls, teenaged girls. That itself should explain it. This little school thing we're trying our hands at is gonna be hell on my brain. A wild ride of hormones, emotion, and me attempting to stave off the urge to kill myself.

Looking inside this room, it seemed large enough. Four beds. Not a particularly bad setup, but it didn't change the fact of who I had to shack up with.

Fischer bumped past me into the room, peering around, nodding, and setting his M1 Carbine aside, unfazed. His vision crossed the room, analyzing and seemingly making plans. Yes, that seemed like him. Always scheming or collecting intel.

Brushing past me, the girl in black and Weiss entered as well, swiftly setting their things aside and looking around. They both seemed reserved at the moment, as were Fischer and I. They seemed slightly uncomfortable as well.

Honestly, I didn't blame them. But we'd have to make do.

"So, we're Team…what was it? Timberwolf?", I asked the room, while sighing.

"Correct.", Fischer stated as he leaned against the wall and stretched his arms.

"So, first things first. I'm John Tibbets, as…2 of you know. And I guess I'm the leader, which I can assure you, I have mixed feelings about. I already know you two.", I say to Weiss and Fischer, "...which brings me to you, miss…?", I trail off, looking at the girl in the bow.

"Blake Belladonna.", she stated in a simple manner, looking me in the eye.

"Huh. Well, it's a pleasure, I guess. Good luck with being Fischer's partner.", I say, setting my gear at the foot of a random bed in the corner, laying in it.

While a part of me wanted to meet with my fellow team a bit more, I was also way too fucking mentally and physically exhausted to do it. I really couldn't give a damn.

And so sleep claimed me for the second time on Remnant.

Steven Fischer watched John conk out on his bed, fully clothed, and sighed. They had a long day, and it was time to rest.

Turning to his new teammates, he examined them, looking for quirks, defects, and details he could file away and possibly exploit. It was his job, of course. Look for weaknesses. Cracks in their defenses. Anything to exploit for the Free World's benefit. These may be teenaged girls, but they're also teenage girls with superpowers.

And for an ordinary man, that would pose a difficult moral situation.

Steven Fischer is not an ordinary man. He's a member of the Company. And the Company is ruthless.

Nevertheless, Rome wasn't built in a day. It would take time and painstaking effort on his part to form a proper report on anyone here. But it must be done, for the good of America. Whatever was left of it.

He leaned back in his bed, thumbing the hilt of his combat knife hidden under his clothes, and sighed.

Fischer hadn't exactly had the time to think about the gravity of their situation. America, blown to smithereens. In the Germans' continuing rampage across the globe, they met their match.

If they were the last of their nation, they would ensure their way of life would survive. One way or another. They had to.

Because what else could they do? Just say 'oh well, we did our best' and forget everything?

No. Not in a million years.

Thomas S. Power once said, 'As long as there are two Americans and one German left, we win!', and that mindset had been slowly ingrained into his platoon during the invasion. Kill every single German in the world, if it meant the victory of the Free World in the end.

Even if he sometimes struggled with the Lieutenant on certain matters, they shared that mindset. Total war. Nothing else but the total annihilation of the enemy could solve the struggle.

And Fischer thought to himself, 'God Bless Douglas MacArthur.'

Before he could further think of the gleeful destruction of all things German or Japanese, Fischer felt a small sense of being watched from the side, his paranoid spiking to its usual levels.

From out the corner of his eye, he could tell that it was the bow-wearing girl. Blake, that was her name. Glancing at him from behind a book. Did she know something? Was she plotting something?

He mentally took a deep breath, calming his nerves. Don't get worked up. She's just some stupid, hormonal teen. Even if she did suspect something, what was she going to do about it?

So Fischer chose to ignore her. For now. At least until he could assess the full extent of her knowledge and capabilities. Maybe it's nothing, maybe she would be his greatest opponent. Who would know?

After all, they might have bigger threats facing them soon.

And so, Steven Fischer leaned back and continued monitoring both the white haired girl and the black haired girl, as the Lieutenant's snoring continued.

George Mann silently leaned on the butt of his M14 battle rifle, yawning as he watched the current scene unfold before him.

"AHHHH, I'M SO PROUD OF YOU, RUBES!", the shrill voice of Yang Xiao Long rang out as she squeezed Ruby in her arms, letting out a squeak. It was hurting Mann's ears, his face visibly showing off a wince.

"Y-Yang, you're…I can't breathe…", Ruby managed to breathe out, with some effort as Yang dropped her, but still kept grinning ear to ear.

"Sorry, sorry! But still, my baby sis is team leader! And we're on the same team!", Yang gleefully exclaimed, raising her hands in the air.

However, on the other side of the room, Mann and Bier were simply tiredly staring at the sister's celebratory conversation, not having the energy to quite care.

Bier sighed, turning to Mann, "...so this is our situation for four years?", he exhaustedly asked, rubbing his eyes.

"...it appears so.", Mann answered back, not even bothering to even suppress his accent.

"...at least John got to be leader of his own team.", Bier muttered.

"Mmh. But with the white bitch and the dark one along with the Spook. So I'd say we're even.", Mann responded, now laying the M14 next to his bed and helmet next to his pillow.

Bier considered this for a moment, before conceding, "Eh, fair. Hope he's doing alright stuck there with two hormonal teenagers."

"Joe, so are we.", Mann sadly laughed.

"...touche.", Bier nodded

"What are you two talking about?", rang out Yang's voice from a sudden closeness, seeming like she had suddenly appeared next to the two soldiers.

"Jesus fucking Christ!", Mann shouted, nearly jumping out of his skin at the blonde's query.

"Who?", Ruby's small voice asked with a tilt of the head.

Both men ignored her.

"...fucking sneaky, ain't you?", Bier deadpanned to Yang, who nearly jumped himself.

"Eh, not usually. You just need to pay attention.", Yang bragged, smirking at the two.

"And maybe you should keep your nose out of our business.", Mann snapped.

He was way too damned tired for playing debate with two young girls. He just wanted to rest. First the bombs, then the trials, and now this. He didn't need this.

"...grumpy much?", Yang questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"Only when uppity people try to get involved in things they ain't supposed.", he shot back.

Yang's smirk turned into a small frown, and Bier recognized trouble was brewing. Taking a deep breath, he told Yang, "Don't mind him. He's…tired. We both are. Came a long way for this shit."

"Yeah, your friend John told me and Ruby a little about you guys. Some place in Vacuo called 'Los Angeles'. Sounded like a nice place.", Yang stated, her mood picking up again.

"...it is. It really is.", Bier nodded, not showing his doubt.

"You homesick, too? I know Rubes is.", she pointed at Ruby.

"Yaaaang, don't tell everyone that!", she whined.

"...of a sort. We won't be able to go back for a long time. Gonna miss the old place.", Bier answered wistfully, at least knowing that was true. Even if LA wasn't quite the whole thing.

Mann nodded, finally speaking up with, "We loved it. But there ain't no use in daydreaming for something that can't happen. Joe."

"Yeah, you're right. You are, George.", Bier sighed, shaking his head at his own thoughts, going to his bed and sitting down.

Mann nodded with a frown, turning to Ruby and Yang and giving an acknowledging nod of goodnight and heading to his own bed, boots dragging against the carpet.

"...wait, why can't you guys go home?", Yang tilted her head.

Both men gave her a look of exhaustion and frustration from their beds, which silenced her query. Then, they lay their heads against their pillows, but not before placing their sidearms underneath, the safeties on, but fully loaded.

Ruby frowned at their sad looks, but decided not to say anything. For now.

September 26th (?), 1971

First day of class on this damn world. At Beacon. Had to start writing again to stave off the sheer insanity of our situation. Another world, John. Another fucking world exists.

The place ain't so bad, at least not on the level home was. No Germans or Japs, just shadow monsters lurking in the woods. But one thing that hasn't changed is that a bullet solves anything.

My team is kinda shitty, though, even if I'm leader. One is sorta bitchy, the other is quiet, and the third is the Spook. Yeah. Not a fun lineup.

Guess it doesn't really matter, though. Not like I'm gonna really bother with anyone but my platoon, anyway. I just gotta keep up the school ac-

A poke from a chewing Mann next to me pulled me from my writings and musings, as I glanced up and filed my small journal into my bag.

"What's up, Mann?", I tiredly questioned, looking him in the eye.

The four of us were gathered at one of the many tables in Beacon's mess, huddled together and trying not to look welcoming to anyone else to try and sit at. We had all finished our food quickly in order to try and get somewhere private, but we had simply decided to stay and hold our little "cabinet meeting".

Bier twiddled his thumbs, his M1 helmet laying on the table as his newly showered hair was revealed, a juice box next to it. The irony of our machine gunner drinking a child's juicebox was not lost on me.

Fischer, wearing his dark sunglasses on his face, sat idly and eerily and mostly unmoving, though from what I could guess, he was watching the other tables, mentally filing things into the manila folders in his brain, compiling and stockpiling a surplus of information in that large head of his. At least it was something useful.

Mann, the ever active man he was, tapped his fingers impatiently, though none of us had anything planned and so, this was just him being the overactive person he was.

"Nothing, just…what's got you in such a quiet mood? All of ya?", Mann first asked me, and then the other two men present at our table.

I rubbed my eyes, the straps of my helmet swaying from the motion, quietly responding. "Well, gee, George, it's almost like we're surrounded by potential enemies and we're exiles.".

"...Yeah, you got me there, el-tee.", he conceded glumly, putting his elbow on the table.

Bier spoke up in a measured tone, "...it's only the first day of classes, and it ain't like they won't be useful in the long run, just…al of you, keep your heads high. Please."

"...Yeah, you're right, Joe. You are. Ain't no use being all mopey.", Mann nodded, Bier's words taking an effect on the Southerner.

Fischer did a slow nod, acknowledging the statement, but not breaking the stoic look he had going on for him.

"...maybe. I don't know, man. I'm just sorta tired today. The whole school shit we got going? It's just…it ain't what I'm used to.", I told them, sitting up and looking at all of them.

"Of course it ain't!", Bier smirked, patting my shoulder, "We're used to killing and drinking, not taking notes on…fucking, bladed weapons, I dunno!"

A small smile graced my lips.

"Shoot 'em full of holes and fill 'em full of lead, that's what we've been doing for nearly a decade. And now…just us. The last Ame-"

A sudden flash of yellow and red flew right by me.

"Heeeeeeellllo!", Yang greeted, sliding into the seat next to me, across from Bier, having a large smile on her face as Ruby took the seat on the other side of me.

Fuck. Guess the meeting is over.

"...Yang. Ruby.", I calmly state, glancing at the two.

"Oh, what's the matter? Didn't you miss us?", Yang asked, feigning a disappointed tone.

"...hello, Miss Xiao Long.", Mann sighed, looking at her.

"Miss? Boy, you've got manners.", she grinned back.

Ruby piped up next to me, "Where'd you guys go off to after class? I was looking for you all over!"

Her face was one of slight disappointment, with eyes that could melt the resolve of weaker men.

Bier chuckled, telling her, "Sorry, Ruby. We're uhh…catching up on some stuff. We've been friends for a long time and we were hoping to get on a team together."

A small smirk grew on me, since he wasn't technically wrong.

"Yeah, these are basically my brothers, at this point. The time we've spent together, out doing our jobs."

A look of remembrance came upon Ruby, responding, "Oh! You told me about that! Your little village defense group."

Yang raised her eyebrows, "...I'm missing something here."

"Oh, Yang, I forgot to tell you! In Los Angeles, they were like mini-huntsmen. But just for their home. That's what the US Army thing is supposed to mean."

…close enough.

"...something along those lines, yeah.", I nodded.

Fischer suddenly spoke for the first time, his deeper voice asking, "How's team leader going, Miss Rose?"

Ruby took on a slightly sheepish tone, "...weeell. It's been a little tough at first. I wasn't expecting to be chosen. B-but, I am trying! I think I'm doing pretty good. Right, Yang?"

"Yep!", Yang proudly confirmed with a smile, ruffling her sister's hair.

"...Mhm, almost forgot you were chosen, Ruby. Good job.", I told her calmly, my frown actually starting to fade just a bit, my mood starting to shift.

Ruby rubbed the back of her neck, but smiled nonetheless at the praise.

I smiled back, the tension and earlier melancholy slowly starting to fade as I started getting comfortable talking.

This was the interrupted by the arrival of two people, one in black and the other in white, arriving at my table, scooting in, and my smile shifted into its neutral frown, clamming up.

"Where were you, I've been looking for both of you all afternoon!", Weiss scolded, scowling at me with a frustrated look.

"We were a little busy. Why? Classes are done, we just decided to get some air. That's all.", I shortly answer, looking her in the eye.

Fischer curtly nodded, only slightly glancing at the two girls.

"Oh, it's you two! From the Initiation!", Yang grinned, glancing between my teammates.

Weiss nodded, introducing herself, "Weiss Schnee. Heiress to the SDC.", with a small smirk.

Yang recognized the name, before turning to Blake and questioning, "And you're…Blake? That was your name?"

She gave a curt nod in return, almost reminding me of Fischer in her casual disdain.

"And that's Steve.", I thumb back to Fischer, who isn't even bothering with any of this.

"Mhm.", he grunts. Just grunts. That's it.

"...Well, I'm Yang Xiao Long, and this is my little sis, Ruby! Say hi, Ruby.", Yang introduces herself in turn, not being dissuaded by the lack of enthusiasm.

Ruby herself nervously waves, trying to hide behind Yang with difficulty.

"...God, this shit's more awkard than a former Axis leader meetup.", I mutter, before realizing my mistake.

"A what?", Yang tilts her head, and Blake and Weiss glance my way. My platoon do the same, but with knowing, paranoid looks.

"Nothing. We have to go. C'mon, guys. We need to talk.", I announce to them, swiftly standing up as the others do, too, power-walking away from the four seated girls who stare awkwardly.

…Fuck me. I gotta avoid them. At all costs.

Yang sat in silence for a few seconds, along with the other three girls seated with her, wondering what had just happened.

"Soooooo…anyone wanna ask what happened there?", she offers, glancing at the others.

Ruby looks at the men walking away, slightly glum at two of her on team and four of her friends leaving so quickly, returning, "...something…weird."

Weiss huffs, putting her hand to her head, "I swear, those four are odd. They're never upfront and they avoid their own team members to talk with each other. It's a little frustrating when one of them's supposed to be my team leader.", she added bitterly.

Blake, glancing up from the book she was reading, actually spoke up, "Maybe there's more to them.", she offered, knowing the feeling for herself.

Ruby nodded at this, a little saddened by their sudden departure.

…maybe something to keep an eye on.

AN: So for the past few months TNO lore has changed a bit and I'll do my best to adapt to it. In other news, I've overdosed on Metal Gear Rising, phonk music, and sigma male edits usually involving Soldier Boy from the Boys. This has both fortunately and unfortunately influenced my writing and style and it's been fun to think of. In any case, I'm excited to keep writing this story if only for the sheer fun it is to plan RWBY slowly learning about the fucked up world of TNO and America's struggle for liberty until the end.

I will be turning all of RWBY into patriots eventually, god bless America and no one else.