"Listen, you little punk," Roman said in frustration as he pointed at Mercury. "If it were up to me, I would take you and your little street-rat friend here and I would -"

"Do what, Roman?" a voice echoed through the warehouse. Mercury, Emerald, and Roman looked to the source of the voice to see Cinder talked to the edge of the second level. A lift brought her down to the ground.

Roman let out a nervous laugh. "I'd, uh… not kill them?"

"Cinder!" Emerald called out in elation.

"I thought I made it clear that you were to eliminate the would-be runaway," Cinder said as she walked toward the group.

"I was going to!" Roman countered.

"He was going to escape to Vacuo," Emerald told Cinder. "Mercury and I decided to take it upon ourselves to kill the rat."

Mercury turned to Emerald. "I think he was some kind of cat, actually."

"What, like a puma?"

"Yeah, there ya go."

"Quiet," Cinder ordered with a scowl. "Did I not specifically instruct you two to keep your hands clean while in Vale?"

Emerald began to scratch her head in nervousness. "I just thought -"

"Don't think," Cinder interrupted. "Obey."

"Yes, ma'am." Emerald's head went down in shame. "It won't happen again."

Cinder turned back to Roman. "And you. Why wasn't this job done sooner?"

"Uh," Roman managed to get out before pointing to a pile of nearby containers with his cane. "Eh?" He swung it around to his other side, pointing to another stack. "Eh!?" Roman opened his arms, gesturing to the entire warehouse. "EHHH!? Sorry if I've been a little busy stealing every speck of Dust in the kingdom."

Mercury couldn't help but to let out a grunt for a laugh. "Yeah? And how did that last robbery of yours turn out for you?"

"It would have been fine, if Red and her snotty friends hadn't been there!" Roman balled his fists. "Fifty shipping containers, packed to the brim, ripe for the plundering!"

"Oh, Roman," Cinder said as she walked to him, placing two fingers on his cheek. "Your eyes look, but they do not see."

Roman pulled away with a grumble. "See what?"

Emerald stepped forward. "A huge Dust shipment suddenly arrives in Vale from the Schnee Dust Company -"

"If that's really where they came from," Mercury added.

"- when Dust prices are nearing an all-time high, with no security around it," Emerald placed her hands on her hips, "and that didn't seem a bit suspicious to you."

Roman glared at Emerald from around Cinder. "Did you just accuse me of falling for a trap?" He gave a laugh. "No one in the Vale Police Department has that kind of dastardly cunning!"

"Then maybe it wasn't V.P.D.," Mercury suggested. "Maybe it was someone from Beacon."

"What would a school of soon-to-be dead heroes care about Dust?"

"Enough," Cinder said, bringing them to silence. She pointed to Roman. "You foolishly threw caution into the wind, and nearly jeopardized months of meticulous planning. Worse still, whoever set this trap now knows of your association with the White Fang." She turned to leave. "But it no longer matters. We're done with Dust. Have the White Fang clear out this warehouse. I will send you coordinates later tonight."

"Coordinates?" Roman asked under his breath.

Cinder stopped and looked back. "Despite your best effort to delay us, we're proceeding to phase two."

Emerald gave Roman one last glance. "Try to see better next time."

Roman swung his cane around at Emerald's eyes, stopping just before making contact. "You wanna know something I did see, sweetheart? I saw one of Red's little friends take a direct shot from mister Melodic Cudgel here, and he brushed it off like a punch from a three-year old in a pillow fight." He moved the cane back down. "Now, I already know what you're gonna say, so save it. I only use the cleanest and most refined Dust we take, because I'm selfish like that. He was supposed to be lit up in a fiery explosion. Instead, it was a poof of red smoke and a mild inconvenience." Roman pushed back on Emerald's shoulder with the handle. "So you had better watch it. This one is of a different sort. He might even prove to be a match for you."

Markus walked silently to the elevator, his eyes still heavy with exhaustion. He was about to his a button to summon a car when Glynda emerged from parting doors. "Heading up?"

"Yes," Markus quietly answered.

"Good luck," Glynda said as she reached over and smoothed out a patch of rough hair on Markus. "Ironwood is in an annoyingly cheerful mood." She was about to step away when she added, "You still haven't been sleeping well, have you?"

"No," Markus said.

She sighed. "It must be bad when you start saying 'no.' Professor Ozpin wishes to discuss that with you, as well."

Splendid, Markus thought as he took the car. He watched as the doors closed, feeling the lunge of pressure as he began to ascend. He shook himself awake, hoping that neither Professor Ozpin or General Ironwood would notice his disheveled state. The elevator car stopped, and Markus waited to gain access to Professor Ozpin's office.

The doors opened, and the first person he was was Ironwood, starting to stand. "Markus!" he said in greeting.

Markus walked to the desk, before giving Ironwood a nod. "General."

Ironwood gave Markus a quick inspection. "You're… looking a little worse for ware."

"I know," was Markus's only response.

"Which is why I called him here," Ozpin said from behind his desk. "General, if you would excuse us, I need to confide with my student."

"Of course," Ironwood said. He spun to leave, then paused. "But ask yourself this, Oz. Do you honestly believe your children can win a war?" He resumed his departure.

The doors on the elevator taking General Ironwood closed. "I hope they never have to." He turned to Markus, gesturing to a chair. "How are you doing, Markus?"

Markus sat. "I'm f-f-f-" he stammered, "f-f-f-fine."

"No," Ozpin said, "you most certainly are not. I didn't need you tripping over your Truthsense to tell me that your friend's untimely demise still weighs heavily upon you." He poured a refill into his mug, then reached into his desk for another. "Your instructors say that you have become rather distant, choosing only to speak when forced to answer, if you are even in class at all." Professor Ozpin filled the empty mug and slid it to Markus. "Even your friends have taken notice of your absence." He stood, walked around his desk, and placed a caring hand on Markus's shoulder. "I know he was your friend…"

Markus breathed. Smelling the aroma of coffee, and immediately thinking of Velvet. "Tukson was the first friend I made in Vale," he quietly said, taking a sip afterward. "After Amber and I stepped off the boat, he was the one that eventually showed me that no soul was beyond redeeming."

"Yes, and his store was his redeeming path; to give people access to knowledge so they would not follow his footsteps. Your contribution to it let him fulfill his redemption the best he could."

"It wasn't enough, though." Markus took another sip.

"I believe it might have been," Ozpin said, retaking his seat. "True, his past did eventually catch up with him, but he, like Miss Belladonna, have seen the errors of their ways, and sought to… bring their lives back into balance.

Markus huffed a laugh. "Were it so easy."

Professor Ozpin sighed. "You know, I did manage to read a copy of that book you gave him. I even have my favorite passage written here." He reached into his desk, pulling out a notecard, reading aloud:

For the Maiden said unto the Warrior, "Say not in grief, 'He is no more,' but live in thankfulness that he was, that he could write his own verse in the great poem we know as our lives. Rejoice in this, and neither he, nor you, will ever know the touch of Death."

Markus sighed, as the words of the passage tumbled in his mind. "That was always a striking part."

"And a necessary point." Ozpin brought his hands together on his desk. "When we lose someone close, there is always time to grieve. Eventually, though, we must shift away from their death, and think fondly upon their lives. After all, that is how we knew them."

Markus set down his mug, lifted himself from his chair, and knelt, taking a deep breath. He turned outstretched arms away from him. "From Dust did we begin," he brought open palms over his heart, "and to Dust, will we return." He opened his eyes and stood again. "He is with the Earth Mother now."

"Yes, he is," Ozpin said with a nod. "Welcome back."

Markus sat, bringing a hand to his forehead. "I can't believe I let my grief get to me."

"Even the saviors need saving, sometimes."

Markus hummed in agreement. "You're not wrong."

"How are you feeling now?"

He reached for his coffee mug, the smell of the coffee now a heavenly aroma. "Better."

"Good," Ozpin said, reaching into his jacket. "Feeling up for a walk-about?"

"I figured you needed me for something," Markus said.

Professor Ozpin removed, then handed Markus a piece of trifolded paper. "I'll give you the short version," he said as Markus opened the sheet. "Two Bullheads have gone missing from a southern extension of the Vale Armed Forces Reserves. One of them was taken directly from the base by an assumed conspirator, while another was forced down during a routine patrol."

"Is the crew still missing?"

"They are. A pilot and copilot are still listed as M.I.A."

"Any indication pointing to a culprit?"

"V.A.F.R intelligence suspects White Fang, since they have observed an increase in activities in known southern cells."

Markus looked back up to Professor Ozpin. "You don't sound convinced."

"I have learned that correlation often does not indicate causation."

"Is that insightful, or wishful, thinking?"

Professor Ozpin let out a breath. "I suppose it is wishful. With the evidence that was uncovered by your trap, coupled with the sudden cessation in Dust robberies, and now this…" he paused to take a long draw from his mug. "I fear you may be right in your assumption, that whatever Roman Torchwick or his allies are planning, it may soon come to bear."

"We'll just have to be vigilant," Markus said, refolding the paper. "Even more so, with all the student and people moving though for the Vytal Festival." He took a momentary pause in the conversation to ponder over his new mission. "Why did you give this mission to me?"

"This particular task is well-suited to someone of your talents, as well as your natural acclimation to colder regions. During this latest round of student deployments, we may have taken in more requests than the available teams could accommodate."

Markus gave Professor Ozpin a deadpan look. "No one took it because it was cold where I'm going, wasn't it?"

Professor Ozpin shrugged. "Perhaps."

"I'll just take that as a yes." Markus stood. "When do I leave?"

"Early tomorrow morning," Ozpin said, joining Markus in standing. "I already have a pilot standing by for you. Also," he hefted a backpack onto his desk with the Atlas insignia upon it. "I told General Ironwood of your mission -"

"You knew I would take it before I even got here."

"- and he requested that you take this. It's an experimental prototype, not to be opened until you are airborne."

Markus took the pack. "I suppose I do owe him for my failed plan. Very well, then. I will begin making preparations, and should probably go get some actual rest."

"This would be best. I will send the rest of the details to your Scroll."

"Why do you think you get to play Vacuo?" Ruby whined.

"Because I won last time!" Yang shouted.

"Hey!" Ren, sitting at another table with the rest of Team JNPR in various levels of consciousness, said to Team RWBY. "Library. Reading. Shhhh!"

"Sorry, Ren!" Yang quietly said. "Anyway, last time we played, I was the grand conqueror of Remnant, so I get to pick which kingdom I want to play!"

"Alright, if you're going to bring our house rules into it," Ruby threw a finger over toward Blake and Weiss, "I invoke the 'New Player' rule!"

"Harumph," Yang grumbled. "Fine, we'll roll for who plays what kingdom."

The team heard a familiar laugh. "Breakdowns in diplomacy already?"

They turned toward the voice. "Hey! There he is!" Yang exclaimed happily as Markus approached. "Where've you been, buddy?"

Markus hung his head. "Shamefully brooding over the death of a friend."

The two teams gave Markus an inquisitive look. "There's no shame in grieving for the loss of a friend," Weiss said from her seat. "Why do you say there is?"

Markus leaned on a nearby chair. "It's another cultural difference. A Camaden sees death as just another cog on the wheel. It's going to be part of our existence, and we know it, so why make a big deal of it?" He scratched an itch on his nose. "The turnaround time for a Camaden in mourning is… uncomfortably quick in the eyes of most other cultures. There is a time for grieving, and it passed a while ago. I shamed myself by focusing on his death, and not his life."

Blake looked stunned. "That's a very progressive way to view death."

"That's exactly what Professor Oobleck said when I first told him about Camaden funeral rights," Markus said. He then noticed the board game sitting on the table. "Ah, 'Conquerors.' The game responsible for more destroyed friendships than a fantasy Grifball league."

"Have you played before?" Ruby asked.

"Once. I sat in for a couple of rounds when Team TRNP was still here." He laughed at a sudden memory. "I crit failed a roll when I attempted an attack with the Atlasian air force. They were all taken in a Vacuo sandstorm." Both teams shared a quiet laugh. "I'm good at many things, but rolling dice is not one of them."

Blake seemed unphased by the humor. "We were about to play. You can take my spot, if you want."

Markus shook his head. "Unfortunately, I have to go rest. I was just coming by to say 'hello.' My Bullhead leaves tomorrow morning at oh-three-hundred." His statement garnered looks from both teams, except from Nora, who continued to sleep. "Oh," he held out his folded paper. "I've got marching orders."

"Ohhh!" they all said in unison.

"Pancakes!" Nora shouted in a brief return to the waking world.

"So where ya headed?" Jaune asked.

"South." Markus stood upright. "Two Vale Bullheads have been stolen, one of them being hijacked with crew still aboard. I've been tasked with finding the crew, and, if possible, the missing Bullheads." He slowly leaned. "And I need something to do while Velvet's gone."

"We figured that's why you weren't around," Yang said.

"What, Velvet being going?"

"Yeah."

Markus threw out a dismissing hand. "Hardly. I know she'll be safe with her team. But, anyway," he bowed, "I will take my leave."

"Good luck!" Ruby called out as Markus left. "Now," she said as she opened the game box, pulling out a twelve-sided die, "roll for kingdoms!" the die was sent tumbling, landing on a two. "Dangit!"

At zero-two-fifty hours the next morning, Markus walked out of the staff dormitory, supply and prototype bag in hand. The light from the shattered Moon shone down on the path, guiding him to the landing pad. He saw a faint glow of a light coming from the student dorms, about where Team RWBY's room would be.

He suddenly felt as if he was being watched. "Hello!" a cheerful voice called out.

Markus jumped in surprise. "By the Mother, Pyrrha! You about scared the soul out of me!"

"Oh! I'm sorry!" she quickly apologized. "I didn't mean to startle you!"

"It's alright, you just caught me off-guard. I didn't expect anyone to be out this late." He looked up to the Moon. "Speaking of, why are you out here in the middle of the night?"

"Oh, well," she put a hand behind her head, "since I know that Velvet isn't here, I thought I'd come out and see you off!"

Markus's brow furrowed. "Well, that's very kind of you, but there's no need to lose sleep over me." He started to walk again.

"I know," she began as she followed, "but, as your friend, I felt compelled to personally wish you well on your mission."

"And that involves coming out and nearly giving me a heart attack before I even leave?"

"I said sorry!"

Markus quietly laughed. "You're too easily teased," he said as an arm went around her shoulders. "I appreciate you being here, nonetheless."

He felt Pyrrha relax. "Well, you're welcome," she replied. "It's the least I could do without personally coming with you."

"I don't know if you would want to." His arm moved down, taking hers. "This mission is most likely going to involve me following the tracks of two Vale Reservists blindly wandering around the southern tundra. Boring stuff, I assure you."

"Still, to be out there alone…"

"I won't be entirely alone," he said as he looked to the waiting Bullhead.

A female figure, inspecting the exterior of the craft, turned to see the approaching group. "'Eeeeeeeeyyy, Markus!" her voice pierced through the night's silence.

"'Eeeeeeeyyy, Castillo!" Markus returned with equal enthusiasm.

The figure approached, and Pyrrha could make out short-cropped blonde hair and a pilot's jumpsuit. "Whaddaya know, Markus?" Castillo asked.

Markus removed the arm carrying Pyrrha's, bumping forearms with Castillo. "Too much, and none of it's good."

"Ah, the burden of knowledge," she said before gazing at Pyrrha. "Is this your lady-friend?"

"N-n-no, no," Pyrrha said. "We're not dating! Just friends!"

Castillo took a closer look. "Wait, I recognize you. You're Pyrrha Nikos! 'The Invincible Girl!'"

"Yes, that is how some people know of me," Pyrrha said, letting an errant hair fall on her face.

"She's here to see us off, Castillo," Markus said as he threw his bags into the Bullhead. "She doesn't need any of your grief."

"Hah! I gotcha." Castillo gave Pyrrha a quick salute. "Well, it was good to meet you."

"Likewise," Pyrrha said.

Castillo turned back to the Bullhead. "We should be ready to go whenever. Just give the word."

"Alright," he said before walking back to Pyrrha. "Well, thank you for joining me on my walk here. This was an unexpected, but joyous, surprise."

They both embraced in a warm hug, with Markus hearing Pyrrha sigh as he held her. "Will you be back in time for the dance?" she asked as they parted.

"I don't know," he answered. "It's difficult to tell when I'll be back at the moment."

"He likes to make his missions run long," Castillo said from behind them, "so I wouldn't count on him being back in time for anything."

Markus was about to bring a counter, but failed. "She's not wrong," he said.

"Oh," she sadly said. "Well then," she perked back up, "I wish you luck, and may the wind be at your back."

He smiled. "Been researching into some Camaden culture and phrases, have you?"

"A bit."

Markus gave Pyrrha one last, quick hug. "Thank you." He turned. "Hold down the fort while I'm gone, will you?"

"We will." Pyrrha began to walk back to the school grounds, hearing the friendly banter between Markus and Castillo.

"So how are they hanging, nowadays?"

"Well, I've still got my youthful bounce and firmness."

She heard Markus laugh. "Never change, Castillo!"

Pyrrha stopped and faced the Bullhead, watching it power up, ascend, and fly south, before letting out a yawn. Earth Mother be with you, Markus Frude.