A figure stalked through the night. Clothed in black, traversing the burn, scarred ground, it deftly maneuvered away from rad zones and cracks in the earth. If it wasn't for the moonlight above, you wouldn't be able to see the figure.

Except for the two Brahmin following her.

The classic beast of burden, it fulfilled a many varied purposes in the wasteland. It was a pack mule, a source of food, source of milk. Easy to breed and docile as hell, it was one of the few things the people of the wasteland could rely on for their survival.

Currently the small group were heading to a nearby cave system. Most weren't aware of it's existence, and the few that new of it were sworn to secrecy or dead.

Jane, leading the caravan of one, kept a hand on her shotgun, swinging gently under her coat. Her eyes scanned the horizon, silver optics letting her see what nobody else could. Wary of any dangers, she let her body run on autopilot.

It was hours later that she arrived at a cave. Gently pulling the Brahmin into the cavern, she clicked a light on her helmet, illuminating the path. It wasn't long until she came to a wall, constructed of old signs, car panels and earth. On the top, there was a soft yellow light.

"Halt! Who's there!" shouted a voice, high pitched and slightly squeaky. A child.

"It's just me McCready!" replied Jane, removing her helmet and hooking it to her waist.

"Jane!" Spinning around the kid rang a bell. "Hey guys! It's Jane!" Immediately a few more lights lit up on the other side of the wall. Twisting a wheel, the gate opened, raising up enough that Jane only had to duck her head to enter. The two beasts of burden followed.

"I brought supplies! Fresh water, food, ammunition, everything a group of children would need to survive a winter!" The assembled children cheered, dressed in a mashup of clothing and armor.

For the next few hours Jane chatted and laughed with the children of Little Lamplight, telling them exaggerated tales of her travels, getting grins from their faces. The kids new it was harsh out there, but her stories broke up the monotony of the days. She didn't tell them, but there were books and magazines in one of the saddlebags, hopefully enough to keep them entertained as the winter froze over the land, turning it into an even more harsh landscape.

"Well, it's been fun, but I've still got things to do," she lamented, getting to her feet from the camp fire. The kids pouted, some whining, others just wandering off trying to look cool.

"Keep the Brahmin, they might be useful later on," she told McCready. The kid nodded, his army helmet sliding all over his head.

"Gotcha! Where you off to now?" he asked, following her to the exit. Jane patted the heads of a few kids on the way out, a soft smile delighting her face.

"There's been a call on the radio. Looks like Enclave are still prowling around. The must have a base somewhere. I'm going to try and find it." The kid frowned.

"Why don't the Brotherhood do anything about it?" he asked, stopping just outside the gate.

"Well," she began. "The brotherhood are too busy touting that giant robot of theirs, using it for glorified guard duty. The Lion's Pride is still out, not willing to move without Sarah."

The small child frowned. "Is Sarah still unconscious?" Jane nodded.

"How did you survive anyways? Radiation kills everything, and somehow you survived!" Jane paused. She knew exactly how she survived. Letting the silence stretch, her fist clenched, forcing down the words, the feeling that came to mind.

"Goodbye Mayor, I'll see if I can't come by after the ice melts. I figure this is my last trip this year. Wind has gotten very cold." McCready nodded, knowing she didn't want to talk about it. Jane smiled softly, wrapping him in a hug. Kids were far more preferable to adults. So much more honest.

"Bye Jane!" he exclaimed, heading back in. She headed out, listening as the gate lowered. Knowing she had done some good, she smiled softly, slipping her helmet and mask on, sealing her away from the elements. Pulling the grey scarf up and over the respirator, she headed out, one hand dropping to her shotgun, the other resting gently on her sword.

The Wasteland was calling, and Jane could do nothing but answer.


Ruby darted around a corner, a soft fluttering of rose petals falling to the ground behind her.

This was the sublevel of Beacon, where weapon maintenance and fabrication could occur. She had heard that a new student was joining Beacon this week. At first it was rumors, but Ozpin had taken her aside and informed her, asking that she act as a sort of guide for the new person, showing them around the school. Ruby had of course accepted on the spot, and was firmly set on rounding up her team and make it a team activity.

Yang was heading into Vale for shopping. Something about running out of hair product. Blake went with having run out of books. Weiss apparently wanted to do some studying for the test. With her team not being present, Ruby was safe to deflate a little.

She wasn't team leader for nothing. She knew they were all feeling down since the Grimm invasion. All of them felt they weren't up to the task, that they had failed in some capacity. Despite her attempts to win them over, she had to admit, had they done just a little better, been a little faster, they might have been able to stop the train, or lessen the damage even.

So, since the rest of her team were avoiding each other, she decided to say hello to the new student, at least make something of the day. It was the weekend, so at least there was that.

Turning another corner, approaching the weapon fabrication department, she paused when she heard music. Straining her ears, she listened. It was entirely different from what she was used to, or even what she had ever heard. Soft tone, a piano, and a low dulcet voice echoed out of the room.

~Wish on the moon

And look for the golden rainbow

And you'll find, happy times.~

Peaking her head around the corner, she paused, not sure what to do.

The music was coming from a strange brown metal device, propped on one side on a table. On a green toned screen, white lines flew, obviously a representation of sound waves. Some kind of radio?

Lying on the same table was a heavy looking black coat, part of it's length hanging over the edge. Its material wasn't glossy, as if light didn't escape its presence. On top though was a helmet and mask that was more than recognizable.

Flicking her eyes, she stared, paling slightly.

The woman from the train! She was there! At Beacon! How? She was arrested! She couldn't be the student!

There stood Jane, grey hair tied up behind her head. She was facing away from the door, working on something. Her upper body was covered in what looked like a new shirt, something she recognized from Atlas as a very basic design. Her pants were the same style as the coat, black and armored. The boots were massive, reaching almost her knees and covered in chipped metal black plates, the feet being almost entirely metal. Staring, she saw the woman swaying side to side with the beat of the music, unaware.

Ruby dashed back, leaving a silhouette of rose petals. Her back pressed to the wall, she breathed slowly. How was she here!

Breaking out her scroll, she didn't notice when the music inside the room rose steadily, becoming much more obvious.

Tapping on her scroll, she sent a message to Yang.

-Yang! The girl from the train is here! At Beacon! What do I do?-

The reply was almost instantaneous.

-Get away from there! Blake and I are on our way back! We'll call the headmaster!-

-Gotcha!-

Putting away her scroll, Ruby paused. Well, she was distracted by whatever she was working on. Perhaps she should keep an eye on her? Just to make sure she doesn't vanish?

Stepping quietly, she peaked her head around the corner.

Wait, where did she go? Looking left and right, the woman was gone, seemingly vanished.

Stepping quietly into the room, the sound of the music louder than she remembered. Looking around, she wished she had Crescent Rose with her.

There was nobody. It was a single room with no other exit located below ground. She couldn't just disappear. And yet, she got the distinct feeling that there was something watching her. Something perhaps at the edge of her vision.

Stepping over to the table, she risked a glance at what was being worked on.

"Schematics?" she questioned, all of a sudden absorbed. If there was one thing that got her excited, it was guns. She looked at the design, seeing it was obviously some kind of blueprint, although unfamiliar.

The weapon was long, probably the same length as a mid range sniper rifle. It looked like some kind of open aired design, since the barrel was exposed to the air. Air cooling? That hadn't been needed in almost 40 years.

Belt fed, some kind of autogun then. She paused, seeing the ammunition specs.

"That's a big bullet," she mumbled.

The music clicked off.

Ruby spun, arms out ready to defend herself.

The woman stood there, leaning against the table. One arm was held over her chest, while the other reached over, hand on a dial of the weird music player.

Looking at her, Ruby got a better look.

Tall, perhaps 6 feet. The pants and boots were heavily armored, but obviously emphasized mobility. Her shirt was new; she could see the designer's logo over the left breast. Simple grey material, it was a collared shirt, fitting over her form but providing ease of movement.

Reaching her face, Ruby gasped. Calm red eyes stared into here, almost evaluating how to take her out. Yang's eyes, when red, were flaming, filled with anger, passion, life! These eyes were cold, dead. Ruby couldn't help but shiver.

Those eyes, it was like she didn't exist. Like she wasn't even a concern. Those eyes were giving her the same consideration you might a lamp, or a carpet, rather than a human being.

"Yes, it's a rather large bullet. But it's effective." Jane walked, no, stalked over to the desk, pulling the blueprint towards her. She looked at it, a grin pulling at her mouth.

"But Ozpin has promised that I can use these facilities to keep myself supplied and maintained. Perks of being a student I suppose," she continued, pulling up a chair.

Ruby's mental process paused.

Student?

"Wait, you're the new student?" she asked, hesitantly. Jane nodded.

"Yup. Apparently the old guy figured I would be a good fit. Or something," she drawled, a hand rotating in the air for emphasis.

"Problem with this weapon is the cooling. Design used an air cooler to keep it simple, but I tend to use it for melee as well, so it needs more strength in the barrel primarily." Her eyes narrowed, eyeing the schematics. There were other's she could use, but this was more the manner she was going for.

Ruby took a look. "I notice there's no Dust in the design. Why's that?" Fear abandoned, she asked Jane, a questioning look in her eye.

Jane had to pause. This was a kid. She wasn't trying to deceive her, no ulterior motive, just curiosity. She supressed a grin. Honestly, it reminded her of Lamplight. The kids there were always a highlight of her travels in the wasteland. So innocent.

"Well, this was never designed with Dust in mind. Never had it. And I've got no idea where to begin with that stuff," she replied. The girl's eyes lit up.

"You knowww," she drew out, looking at her hopefully. "I designed my own weapon, I could help modify it for you!" After all, how else to show the new student the cool things at Beacon?

Jane's eyes widened.

"You designed a weapon?" she asked skeptically, doubting the girl. A soft grin pulled at her mouth.

"Yup! It's a scythe crossed with a high impact sniper rifle!" Doubt flared in those red eyes. Ruby pouted.

"Wait right here!" she shouted, holding up a finger. In a puff of rose petals, she vanished, causing Jane no undue amount of fright.

"The fuck?" she half wondered, half shouted. Waving a hand where the girl had stood, she couldn't help but gape. People didn't move that fast. Hell, not even Deathclaw's could move that fast.

Another puff of roses and the girl reappeared, this time with a metal rectangular block composed of several red and black painted pieces. With a flourish, the weapon unfolded into massive scythe, with an integrated receiver midway through the shaft.

"Altlesian steel for the frame, Palladium rounds fired with red dust caps, carbon nanotube infused blade sharpened to perfection!" The girl's eyes developed an almost fanatical look to them.

"Seems impractical," was the curt response. Ruby felt a small part of her soul shatter.

"Well it works a hundred times better than whatever that thing is!" she exclaimed, pointing dramatically at the blueprints on the table. Jane smirked.

"Then how would you improve it?" she asked conversationally.

A gleeful look came over Ruby, mind already whirring, fear at the specter of death forgotten.


Yang bolted down the stairs, Blake and Weiss hot on her heels. They were racing towards the fabrication room, hoping to capture the woman from the train, somebody who must have snuck onto the campus!

Ruby should be waiting nearby, ready to lead them to her. She wouldn't have left, despite her warning. It just wasn't in Ruby's nature.

Turning the corner, the three girls gasped, seeing the now wilting rose petals dusting the hallway, leading into the room at the far end of the hallway.

"We've got to save her!" shouted Weiss, running ahead, rapier brandished and ready to invite a world of hurt upon the monster. All three bolted into the room, weapons raised, ready to fight. What they found caused them to freeze.

"So if you use a modified palladium round you could get fire speeds similar to the original, but with more impact!"

"Yes, that's true, but what's going to make them go fast enough? And remember, this uses a recirculating gas system to load the next round."

"Well, a mixture heavy on red dust but with a bit of blue would cause steam to form, but only in small amounts! That would also solve the majority of the heat issue!"

Ruby was standing in front of a giant interactive screen, a scan of some paper document pulled up on it. Wielding a pen almost dangerously, Ruby was making notes and annotations to the document. The woman from the train was leaning against a table, similar pen in hand.

"Strength is another; I like to use it as a club from time to time. I wouldn't want the barrel to bend and throw my aim off," she commented off handed.

"Steel for the barrel, it doesn't expand much when introduced to heat or pressure. The body though should be a titanium aluminum ore. It gives it strength but keeps it light."

"Not too light, it needs weight, preferably in the barrel."

"RUBY!" Both girls turned around seeing the new people.

"Yang! What's up?" Yang, gauntlets extended, ready in her fighting stance, just gestured to Jane.

"Oh. Right. She's good," Ruby nodded her answer, as if that fixed it all.

While Ruby and Yang continued to argue over the situation, Jane focused her attention on the black haired girl.

Unlike Yang or the white haired one, this one had a more familiar reaction. Pushing off of the table, Jane stepped forward, crossing the room slowly, aiming towards the black haired girl.

There was fear in her eyes. A primal look. Jane grinned, knowing exactly what that look was. The Faunus from the train had the same reaction, but she hadn't the time nor the inclination to study it. Now though, after several days in a cell and a few outside, she had placed it.

Back in the Wasteland, there were stories, tall tales about Jane. Of the more popular ones, there was one that always made her laugh.

The rumor went that during her travels, Jane happened upon a deathclaw. Most encounters with the largest nightmare of the wasteland ended in a bloody claw and one less human alive. The story however, painted a different picture.

The Deathclaw, seeing an apex hunter, a being more powerful than even itself, submitted itself to Jane, showing Jane to be the better beast. It was a story that emphasized just how fearsome and deadly she could be, that even the biggest creature the wasteland could throw at her knew it's place in the food chain.

Most considered it a tall tale, ramblings of drunks who sought to get free drinks, or children enamoured with her. And to an extent, that would be true. She hadn't found a deathclaw.

The deathclaw found her.

But the rest of the story was true. It had tried to sneak up on her, ready to disembowel her, feed on her body and proceed onwards. Instead, Jane had spun on the spot, facing the creature. A tense standoff and the creature had snorted, turning away and lumbering into the distance. Since that point, every other creature of the wasteland had given her a wide berth, never bothering or interacting with her. As if knowing she was an Alpha amongst Alpha.

This girl's reaction was similar.

The yelling between Yang and Ruby had petered off, seeing Blake and Jane confront eachother.

Jane merely stood an arm's length away, arms folded across her chest, staring dispassionately at the younger woman.

"Blake?" questioned Ruby, wondering what was wrong.

Almost a minute passed, the silence stretching into eternity. Crimson eyes stared into Gold, neither backing down.

"I know what you're feeling," began Jane, a soft grin pulling at her mouth.

"You feel it in your bones, a sense of respect. You don't know what I am, but you fear me, you respect me. You don't know why, but it compels you." Seeing the recognition in her eyes, Jane pressed.

"The Faunus on the train had a similar reaction. They couldn't explain it, and they feared it. It took me a few days, but I figured it out."

"What are you talking about?" Jane paused, looking left. The silver haired one had spoken. Her hair was similar to Jane's, but as if it had undergone a lifetime of care, versus hers, which had not had the luxury of care and maintenance.

"Where I come from, the wilderness did it's best to kill you. There exists a pecking order of sorts. Humans live at the bottom, right above Brahmin." At the questioning look, she elaborated.

"Stupid beast of burden. It's got two heads and makes an ok meal. Literally couldn't survive on it's own. Anyways, as I said, a pecking order. Some people, either in stories or reports, can establish themselves higher in that pecking order."

"Animals respect strength. Primal force, willpower, whatever you call it, it's the only way you can survive, by being strong. I'm guessing you're a Faunus, and despite being mostly human, the animal side calls, warning you of what I am."

Jane calmly stepped back as Yang stepped between her and the somewhat petrified Blake.

"Why are you here?" she growled, fists raised. Jane cocked an eyebrow.

"Didn't you hear?" she asked, mock joy in her voice. Pressing a hand to her chest, she exaggerated her next response, sounding like one of the silly idiots from the vault more concerned with hair.

"I'm a new student! I'm so excited to be here!" Weiss narrowed her eyes. While her sword wasn't raised still, it was still out.

"Why would Headmaster Ozpin let you attend? You were arrested!" Jane frowned at the attitude from the girl. Prissy and stuck up. It reminded her far too much of those assholes in Tenpenny tower.

She was about to respond when a new voice announced itself.

"Because Ms. Shnee, it was all a misunderstanding." The students turned around, noticing that the headmaster himself was now present. Jane quickly glanced left and right, noticing how the room was now somewhat cramped.

"But why! We saw her on the train! She killed those White Fang without any hesitation!" Ozpin turned to Yang, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Ms. Freewrite killed members of the White Fang, yes, that cannot be disputed." Seeing her about to talk he cut her off.

"It was also by those same White Fang members that there was a Grimm invasion in Vale for the first time in almost 70 years. 14 innocent citizens perished and there is millions of lien of damage still being repaired, some of which Beacon academy has offered to pay for." Seeing her deflate at the knowledge, he hammered his point home, this time in a softer tone.

"Ms. Long, a Huntress' duty is to protect the innocent. While her methods were more severe, we don't know how much worse the attack could have been. We know the White Fang are not above killing innocents to further their aim."

Jane had to marvel at Ozpin's ability to talk down people. Yang had looked about ready to punch someone. Now she just looked defeated. The other's in the room seemed to be affected by his speech.

Turning to Ruby he continued. "Ms. Rose, thank you for introducing yourself to our new student. I understand you've been helping redesign a weapon to replace Ms. Freewrite's long range option?" At that Ruby perked up.

"Yes! It's a different style, and the design seems dated, but adding Dust to it should be easy. It's more how she's going to be using it that needs some working on!" Ozpin smiled.

"Excellent. It pleases me to see my students helping those in need." Turning to observe the rest of the team, a thought crossed his mind.

Yang was a skilled fighter with a firm moral compass. Weiss, while being an heiress, certainly was a little more down to earth compared to some. Blake he was familiar with her history, ex white Fang and all. Ruby being the youngest had innocence to her, something that the world needed. This team he had high hopes for, but with a war coming, they needed to be tougher. They needed to be stronger. They needed to be better.

"In order to uphold the values our institution prides itself upon having, I am attaching Ms. Freewrite to team RWBY as an official member."

Yang's head snapped up, eyes glaring, her mind trying to decide between staring down Jane or Ozpin.

Ozpin merely smiled, especially at Jane's indignant look on her face. Spinning on his heel, he exited the room, speaking final words of encouragement.

"Best of luck! I hope this presents a good learning opportunity!"

His retreating footsteps echoed, leaving the new team alone in the slightly less cramped room.

Jane just resumed leaning against a table, pen spinning in her hand. Breaking the silence, she grinned.

"Well that happened."


Ruby stood outside a door. In and of itself the door wasn't special. There were several on either side of the hall, on the 4th floor of the dormitory wing of the school. Plain, brown, with gold trim on the raised sections adding a bit of flair to the design. The RWBY dorm room was further down the hall.

Up until recently this was an empty room, probably if there were larger class sizes. Now, it was a room for the new addition to team RWBY. Ruby pouted a little. It was a little unfair that she got her own room, since the rest of the team shared. But bunkbeds already stretched just how many people they could fit inside of one room.

Looking at her watch she sighed. Jane was going to be late for class. As team leader she had to set a good example. So, taking a breath, she knocked on the door.

The door opened, revealing Jane.

Her hair was cleaner, tied behind her head. Her uniform was, oddly enough, the male uniform, fitted to her more feminine form. Her hands, usually covered in machine grease and oil from the fabrication shop were scrubbed clean, nails clipped short. The only difference was the grey scarf around her throat.

"Yes?" she drawled, keeping the door half closed.

"Uh, class. We have class. Soon." Jane smirked, seeing the younger girl just stare at her. To be fair, the image was much difference compared to the usual outfit Jane wore.

"I feel like a monkey," complained Jane, tugging at the sleeves. "There isn't any padding, no places to store a gun, and it's restrictive," she cursed. Reaching up, she tugged the tie off, throwing it behind her. Grabbing a small bag emblazoned with the Beacon emblem, she walked out, locking the door.

"Where's your arm computer?" asked Ruby, walking with Jane towards class. The rest of the team had already headed out to class, not wishing to interact with Jane just quite yet. Being conscripted by the headmaster onto the team was an excellent way to foster animosity.

"Back in the room. These scrolls are quite handy. I've got it wirelessly hooked up to the pip-boy. Thing is just too heavy sometimes. So this class," she began. Ruby only perked up, eager to help out her new teammate.

"Look, I haven't done this school thing in a while, should I be aware of anything?" Ruby processed the question.

The usually confident, bordering on cocky personality of Jane wasn't as present, revealing a person a little more human, somebody with faults. She smiled, seeing the big bad warmonger that her sister didn't like could be related to.

"No, professor Port is probably going to ramble for a while. If you pay attention near the end you save yourself so much headache. These classes are mostly just lectures, so it's not too important. I suppose you should take some notes. The scroll is helpful." Jane nodded. So not too terribly different from the Vault. Obviously different curriculum.

"Oh I hope I don't regret this," she moaned. Turning the corner, Jane had to catch Ruby as she impacted on somebody, sending her flying back.

"Sorry!" exclaimed the young huntress in training. The person merely waved a hand.

"We should stop meeting like this Ruby," replied a voice. Jane's eyes narrowed.

"Oh! Cinder! I haven't seen you in a while! Are you heading to class?"

Jane looked at the figure. A black uniform, trimmed in white. Blazer crossed with a simple skirt and heeled shoes, it was the presence that caused Jane to be on edge.

This woman was different.

"Yes, but I found myself lost. The school is a little confusing for a transfer such as myself," she responded, cheer in her voice. Her eyes drifted to Jane.

"I believe we haven't met yet, are you a friend of Ruby's?" she asked.

"Teammate, actually. New student." Curt, short, to the point. This was a manipulator. A short interaction and she was already playing Ruby. She could see it.

"Oh, that's unusual! How will that work with the festival coming up?" Jane was an aberration to whatever plans were in action. This woman was dangerous, she had killed.

But why was she at the school?

"Well, I had planned to let the other three members compete normally. I'm not familiar enough with the team just yet. No need to complicate things," she replied, stressing the second sentence.

"Ahh. Well it was nice meeting you, but I should be going! Goodbye Ruby!" And without waiting for a response, the woman left, leaving Ruby confused and Jane on guard.

"Who is she?" asked Jane, watching the retreating figure, wishing she had some weapon on her. The encounter left her on edge.

"Oh, she's a transfer from Mistral for the festival. Every year the festival is held in a different kingdom, and competing students temporarily attend classes and continue the education leading up to the festival." Jane nodded.

Checking her scroll, Ruby gasped. "Jane! We're going to be late! Let's hurry!" Grabbing her arm, Jane had to marvel at the feeling of being dragged forcefully by a girl about half her size towards a class.

Well, weirder things had happened in the Wasteland. That said, this might be in the top ten.


Jane had to marvel at the differences between the wasteland and this place.

"So you're telling me the school pays for the food as well?" Ruby nodded.

"I don't pay a thing?" Another nod.

Jane almost laughed. "Shit, this is awesome." Loading up on food that wasn't the least bit irradiated, mutated, or rotting, she sat down happily next to her 'team', diving in.

The rest of team RWBY looked at her, still unsure of how to interact with the new person. Yang felt like punching her, but the reality of what Ozpin had said was still weighing heavily on her. Blake, due to her heritage, just couldn't be at ease around the wastelander. Weiss simply didn't trust Jane, for whatever reason.

"So, Jane, how was your first class?" asked Ruby, trying to get the conversation flowing.

Jane, finishing a bite of what had to be the best sandwich she had ever tasted, responded bluntly.

"Port's blusterous personality ruined almost every minute of that class. If it wasn't for the recap near the end summarizing the points I would honestly wonder why he was employed in such a 'respected' institution," she drawled, taking another bite.

Weiss snorted at that. Her opinion of the respected but older professor fell along similar veins to Jane's opinion.

"He can be weird like that. But his lessons are actually informative," replied Blake somewhat icily. Jane shrugged, diving back into her food.

Conversation slowed down, a mixture of people enjoying food and people unable to start a conversation with Jane, for several reasons.

Like why all the Faunus were doing their best to avoid the half of the cafeteria that Jane resided in.

Polishing off her plate of sandwiches, Jane wiped her mouth with a nearby napkin. Let it be known that a murderous incarnation of death she might be, but she was raised with good manners.

"You know, perhaps this school thing isn't so bad," she contemplated aloud, chin resting on one hand.

Yang, attempting to be conversational with Jane, if only because she was warming up with her sister, brought out her scroll.

"So looks like we've got combat class next. You going to participate?" Yang had to admit, getting the chance to see how Jane fought in a non life threatening scenario could be interesting.

A small smirk pulled at Jane's face. "Could be fun."


I do not own RWBY or Fallout 3. All works belong to their respective creators.

Yes, this was slow, painful, and off beat. But I felt it was needed. Helps set the stage as it were.