I am adding this A/N because when I don't have one, the chapter name below gets pushed out of position and it looks weird.

In any case, enjoy chapter 6!

Chapter 6: This Will Be The Day

Slowing to a stop, a quiet ping announced our arrival to the government conference room. As the elevator doors opened, I was greeted by the fading light of the afternoon pouring in through the huge window opposite me, tinting everything a soft orange. A long table stretched through the area, and a small hemisphere rested in the center, sticking up like half a globe from the otherwise smooth surface. Five figures were seated behind it, framed against the sunset. The floor was a dark brown color, and when I took my first step forward I could feel it was blanketed in a soft carpet. Hector walked in beside me, arms held at his sides rather casually. He seemed relaxed, but he also knew everyone and was a co-founder of Line Ark. I, on the other hand, had been living here for the last five years thanks only to the generosity of these people. Drawing a deep breath as I crossed the room, I tried hard not to look too anxious for the people who would be deciding my fate.

Immediately I recognized most of the board members who were seated. Far off to one side was Abe Marsh, the legendary architect who had designed White Glint. The past five years hadn't treated him very well, and he now walked with a cane. His pale white beard had grown down to his throat, and he wore very thick spectacles on the edge of his nose. Liver spots dotted his bald head, and I could see a multitude of wrinkles spread across his face. Despite this, he still seemed like the gentle, kind man who had tried to help me and that woman the day Joshua was taken.

To Abe's left stood a man who was unknown to me. He appeared to be much younger than Abe, and was much more muscular, although his neat, black hair was beginning to grey on the sides. He had a handsome face, the only flaw being a metal bar which was visibly implanted into his fore head above the right eye. It was polished brightly, and the skin around it was beginning to grow over the foreign object. The metal was probably a surgical plate to support lost pieces of the skull, and from the looks of it, it appeared to be a bullet sized hole. But with the advent of ACs, so few military encounters were in person that a human-scale bullet wound was rare. I wondered who he was to warrant such an attack.

At the center sat the two most prominent figures of the Line Ark government. Emil Gustav was on the edge of his seat, worn hands resting on his knees, brown hair combed back, darker brown eyes focused on the orb sprouting from the table. His sharp features seemed tired, as though he hadn't slept in years. For all I know, he might not have. Formerly a research assistant, Emil's real talents lay in the world of politics, and he had become the de facto leader of Anatolia during the LYNX War. He had worked tirelessly since the day Anatolia was attacked to establish a safe haven, free of corporate control. But he knew that nothing, not even a NEXT, could keep the prying fingers of the companies away forever.

Just next to Emil was the director of the Line Ark defense corps, Professor Ozpin. Many in the community assumed Hector to be the leader of our military, but really it was Ozpin who ran the show. Formerly a teacher from Anatolia, he had become a leader amongst the people and was hailed as an incredible tactician. He had been the mind behind the Megalis project, an abandoned solar energy converter in Australia that was repurposed to beam power to the entirety of Line Ark. Despite his unkempt grey hair and the beginnings of a few wrinkles, Ozpin's brown eyes were bright and full of life and intelligence. He studied me with curiosity, peeking over a set of tiny reading spectacles that rested low on his nose, and took a sip from a steaming white mug in his hand. I could smell the coffee filling the cup, and savoring the aroma, inhaled a little too sharply on accident. Ozpin merely smiled at the embarrassing sound, and I blushed a little. So went my first impression to the man who would be judging whether or not I can make the right decisions.

To Ozpin's left sat a woman I had never seen before, with light blonde hair pulled into a bun on the back of her head. A few curled strands fell to the side and reached down to her chin. While she had a pretty face, her demeanor would have been enough to make grown men snap to attention with a glance. Intense green eyes glared at me from behind a thin set of glasses, and her thin lips were twisted into a faint frown. I cringed a little when I met her gaze. She seemed to be the worst of the group.

I looked over to Hector, who stood by silently, arms folded across his chest. He still wore his old trench coat to cover his jumpsuit, and it was starting to fade with age. The grey in his hair had encroached further outwards, and lines had formed on his face from hours of intense concentration while flying his NEXT. His silver eyes had taken on greater life than when I had first met him though, and they seemed more focused on the here and now than previously during his thousand-yard stares. He smiled and nodded to me, urging me to sit.

The white chair I took a seat on was bolted into the floor, on a rotating pillar. It was thinly cushioned and form fitting, although I was a little short for it. I had gotten taller since we left Aspina, but I was still almost a head shorter than everyone else here. Thankfully, I had switched out of my black and red NEXT jumpsuit for something more comfortable. Which also happened to be black and red.

"Ms. Rose, please allow me to introduce myself, and my colleagues." Ozpin said. His voice was smooth, and he talked in a very relaxed pace despite having drained his coffee cup moments ago. He gestured to his left, towards the woman.

"This is Glynda Goodwitch, head of the intelligence department and an old friend of mine." The woman quickly acknowledge me, but her expression remained unchanged. Ozpin now extended an arm towards his right.

"And these gentlemen are Emil Gustav, the Executive Director of Line Ark…" Emil quickly nodded to me. "General James Ironwood, of the Bernard and Felix Foundation…" The man with the metal plate smiled and gave a curt bow. "and Dr. Abe Marsh, our NEXT architect and head of Research." The old man smiled and waved at me, and I couldn't help but smile back at his friendliness.

"And I am Professor Ozpin, head of the Line Ark defense corps." he finished. I studied each member of the board, and they stared back. Before I could open my mouth to speak, Ironwood lurched forward and extended a hand to me.

"Ms. Rose, I would just like to say that GA and BFF are very impressed with your sister, and if you're half as good as Hector says you are, we would be honored to have you." He said quickly. His voice was sharp and aggressive, but also polite, more like a politician than a general. When I shook his hand I found the grip remarkably light. Ironwood took a seat, and Emil leaned farther into the table.

"So, I suppose Hector has explained your options?" he asked. I nodded.

"Yes, Mr. Gustav. I can either sign with a company or remain an independent mercenary."

"That is technically correct, although I'm sure you are aware that only GA and BFF would even consider taking on a LYNX from Line Ark." I nodded again. "We are currently on the verge of a crisis, Ms. Rose. The rest of The League has been cracking down on rebel groups across the globe, and we fear they may soon have the confidence and resources to attack Line Ark. If such an event were to happen, GA and BFF would be unable to assist us for fear of becoming targets themselves." he said. Ironwood spoke up once more.

"The united GA and BFF armies are currently skirmishing with Algebra and the Interior Union already, and if Torus, Omer, and Rosenthal join up with them, we would be crushed." His gaze narrowed as he stared me down. "However, if you were to join GA and BFF now, we could make progress in the war and gain a higher standing in the League. Once we have that standing, we could relax the pressure on Line Ark."

"But if you remain independent, you can operate out of Line Ark and take a more active role in defense." Glynda cut in, shooting Ironwood a piercing glance. "I believe the general neglected to mention that if you join them you will be forbidden from actively protecting the city. Isn't that right, James?" Ironwood stammered for a moment before answering.

"Yes, well, we can't have ourselves too openly associated with a radical power, now can we? You understand, don't you?" he asked. Finally getting a chance to speak, I quickly belted out a reply.

"I understand sir, and I think so far that I would rather remain independent."

Ironwood sighed and Glynda allowed a small smirk to cross her face. Ozpin leaned towards me a little, and spoke in a soft, confidential tone.

"There is more to consider here than just military strength. GA and BFF provide many of the resources that we need to survive. And while we are working on becoming completely self-sufficient, their support cannot be ignored." he drew in a deep breath and closed his eyes. "If you join GA and BFF, we can negotiate for greatly increased supplies and more defensive assets, such as ammunition and normals." Ozpin paused as he opened his eyes to stare into mine. Off to the side, Ironwood was beginning to smile a little, although Glynda seemed uninterested in his reaction. Emil still sat with his eyes focused on the dome in the table. Ozpin continued quietly. "However, there are few defensive assets greater than a NEXT. Basing your operations out of Line Ark would attract more attention, but at the same time would enable us to stave off a League incursion. If you remain with us, operating as an Independent mercenary for hire, we can't guarantee consistent money flow, since many companies would shun a LYNX with possible terrorist affiliations. The threat we pose to The League would also double, and whether or not they decide to attack will be dependent on whether or not you can convince them that you and Hector can defeat anything they throw at us." He finished.

I glanced up at Hector questioningly. He nodded and addressed Ozpin.

"I have complete confidence in Ruby's abilities, Oz. Nothing would get past us." I smiled at the comment, and Hector winked back. Ozpin turned and gave Emil a conspiratorial look, and leaned back in his seat, hands meshed together. Emil spoke to me without averting his gaze from the orb in the table.

"Do you know what this orb is, Ruby?" I nodded.

"It's a globe. A map of Earth."

"Yes. And can you point out where Line Ark is on it?" Emil asked. In response I placed my finger on a tiny spot off the coast of former Europe. "Exactly. As you can see, we are positioned well within the reach of many corporations. The Bernard and Felix Foundation are the closest, and Global Armaments has been extending its reach away from the Pacific and into the Atlantic as well. We are also accessible by the Interior Union in the south, and Omer Science Technology from the southeast, meaning we are very open to attack should conditions escalate." He now looked straight at me, brown eyes glowing. "If you remain independent, you will have more freedom to move on Omer when the time is right. I know that's what you really want, and frankly so do the rest of us. But this freedom also comes with a greater responsibility. You will be the guardian of not only the last free power in the world, but also of thousands of innocent lives as well. Your skills are not in question now, but your heart. Are you ready for this great burden?"

I answered unwaveringly.

"I'm ready. I'll do whatever it takes to protect Line Ark and bring Omer to justice."

Emil nodded in reply. "Then in that case, I have a proposition for you James." he said, turning to face the general. "If she will accept, Ms. Rose will take jobs exclusively from GA and BFF, although she will be registered as independent. In return, we would like a fifteen percent increase in monthly food supplies as well as a fresh contingent of normals and parts. And Ms. Rose will have access to your armory." he said. Ironwood took a moment to think it over, and then nodded in approval. They looked to me and I agreed.

"That sounds manageable, Emil. We won't be able to provide Ms. Rose with quite as many contracts, but we'd definitely appreciate her services. I'll send over the largest shipment we can. Since I'm feeling generous, a squad of our special forces will accompany them and stay on to help train some of your pilots. I'll handle the preparations with Collared for Ms. Rose." The League's mercenary organization Collared was responsible for distributing tasks amongst LYNX, and all of them were required to register, lest they be branded a terrorist like Amazigh, the feared "Desert Wolf". The freedom fighter was one of the most heartbreaking casualties of the LYNX War. He was alone, but he persisted in his open rebellion against the corporations. And it got him killed. He was a true hero, fighting for his homeland to the last breath. It seemed all the real heroes were dying these days. Hector was probably the only one left, and he had been forced to kill the other two. These wars were so twisted, but playing along was the only way to make any progress, to get closer to Omer before the knife was ready to strike.

Ironwood stood to leave, and all the others followed suit. As I was standing, a sudden thought flashed through my mind.

"Wait, I don't have a NEXT!" I nearly yelled. Ironwood turned in surprise, although the other four just shared a knowing look. "General Ironwood, is Big Box still operating?" He shook his head.

"I'm sorry, but no. GA abandoned it when all of their leadership moved into the Cradles. Come to think of it, we haven't had any news about it at all in months." A frown cut across my face as I tried to come up with other ways to get a NEXT. Big Box used to be GA's headquarters, and it was where Yang built her Ember Celica. When BFF was partnered with GA, most of their production facilities were stripped and limited in order to prevent them from completely regaining full strength, in case they revolted against their saviors. As a result, it would take them weeks to assemble parts, much less a whole NEXT. And now with Big Box gone, for GA to construct an entirely new NEXT would draw too much attention as well.

"What should we do?" I cried. Hector shared a look with Abe Marsh, and then put a hand on my shoulder to calm me down.

"Well Ruby, I figured you would want to remain at Line Ark, so we've already worked out a solution. Since the presence of a second LYNX would already increase our threat level, we decided that we needed a symbol to rally behind. One that will remind Omer that we will not go down easily." Hector looked to Abe again, who reached into a pocket on his lab coat and produced a small data pad. He slid it across the table to me. Displayed in vivid color was a NEXT unlike anything I had ever seen. It was pure white, and stood on tall, smooth legs that reminded me of the Hogire. The core, however, was completely original. It was small and streamlined in the center, but extending from the back were two banks of extra boosters. They stretched out sideways behind the shoulders like wings, and I could see two dark grey scatter missile launchers attached at the ends: Saline 05's from MSAC International. The Salines were new in production but already rumored to be top class. In the hands of the NEXT were two similarly grey rifles. The right held the famous 051ANNR that Hector loved so much, and the other held a newer model assault rifle, BFF's 064ANAR. Coming from a company specializing in sniper weapons, I had no doubt it was both accurate and deadly. Hector picked up the pad and brought it closer to us.

I could see that not only was it well armed, the NEXT itself was designed with incredible care and attention to detail. The head piece was reminiscent of the Aaliyah's linear, multi-eyed head, but I could see a large primal armor rectifier protruding from the back. Scanning the rest of the body, I could see more darkly colored rectifiers built into the legs, shoulders and arms. All seemed to be able to slide in and out of the frame. Reaching out, I tapped the wings on the back, and I saw the diagram expand them, as a layer of boosters extended even further from their banks, stretching far past the shoulders and opening a myriad of tiny flaps on the back.

"That, my dear girl, is a custom made Overboost unit. Increases efficiency to one hundred and forty percent." Dr. Marsh chimed in. "And although you can't see it, the head also retracts into the core for reduced drag at high speeds." I whistled at the master architect's work. He had really outdone himself this time. But he wasn't finished. "And all of those rectifiers that you see? They extend from the frame to increase the power and reach of assault armor." Abe had a proud grin on his face. "The entire thing is as light as an Aaliyah, and stronger too. And with Hector's capabilities, just as fast and deadly." He said. Hector smirked at the compliment. I was still in shock that we had the resources to construct this. Especially assault armor! The technology was still relatively new, expanding primal armor in a powerful blast that could tear through enemies. Although it drained the primal armor and left the user defenseless for a few moments, it was still a feared weapon. Unfortunately, it also hampered the Overboost system, which drew from PA as well. But Dr. Marsh had fixed that problem with the extra wing boosters. It was a beauty of a machine, and for a while I had nearly fainted from excitement that I would be piloting it, until I realized it was meant for Hector. Which was still great, of course. He definitely deserved such a powerful NEXT. Hector must have read my mind, because he turned to me to explain this surprise.

"I've been thinking, Ruby. Omer will be coming for us, so let's give them a reminder of who they're up against. " He said, and motioned to the display. "This NEXT… is the White Glint Mark Two."

My eyes began to water as I brought forth memories of the first pilot of White Glint, and a bittersweet smile crossed my face as I looked up at Hector. This was the best way to honor Joshua. Taking on his name to continue his legacy, defending his home and the people he loved. Not letting his memory fade like that of so many other unsung patriots.

"It's what he would've wanted." I croaked out, choking back some tears. I dried my eyes and Hector massaged my shoulder gently. If only Joshua could see this.

"I'll take on the responsibility of full-time defense, since Omer has already branded me a complete rogue amongst The League. You're welcome to my old Aaliyah, Ruby. Although…" A mischievous spark flared in his silver eyes. "I have another surprise that I think you might find more fitting. Two weeks ago, when Glynda got word that Aspina was left unguarded by Omer for a few days, we infiltrated the colony. Not only did we pick up some civilians who wanted to flee, but we also managed to smuggle something else out." Hector said with a grin. "If this meeting is over, we'll be heading to the garage." He said. Emil waved us off, and Hector and I entered the elevator once again. Abe Marsh accompanied us just before the doors closed, and I heard Professor Ozpin calling out to me.

"Good luck, Ms. Rose. Remember your training and trust your abilities. Many lives depend on it."

The garage was vast, a huge open room similar to the hangars in Aspina. It was situated on the third floor of Line Ark, under the main highway so that NEXTs could be launched without being completely exposed to attack. Most of the time it was brightly lit, and bustling with activity as technicians scrambled about, operating lifts and trolleys to move large chunks of machinery and parts. Our defensive forces were so few that if we wanted to, we could probably fit four NEXTs inside here. Normally, only the Aaliyah stood tall and menacing in the brown tint of the old, powerful industrial lights above. Now, two other forms took up more space. The closer one I recognized as the White Glint Mark Two, shining and majestic as engineers performed last minute checks on the smallest details. But as I trod further down the walkway overlooking all of the separate pads, I was met with a familiar sight that filled me with joy.

"White Glint! Hector, you brought back White Glint!" I screamed as I ran forward to the foot of the machine. Joshua's iconic weapon stood before me, stoic and proud as ever. The white paint still glowed as brilliantly as the day I first saw it. Metallic flaps and plates felt warm and comforting under my fingers, and I ran my hand instinctively over every crevice and gear I could reach. Turning around, I saw Hector standing with Dr. Marsh at his side, both of them beaming like fools. Now I was too.

"Surprise!" Hector called. I giggled with excitement, a little dizzy from the sudden rush of emotion that had returned alongside my friend's NEXT. It couldn't have been easy to get a fifteen meter tall robot out of Aspina covertly, and I would be forever indebted to my mentor for this. "She's all yours." He said. I opened my mouth to reply, but I couldn't speak. Hector just smiled gently. "It's what Joshua would have wanted." I finally gathered my voice.

"Hector, I… I don't know what to say. Thank you so much!" I ran to the aging pilot and threw my arms around him. He laughed and tousled my dark hair.

"Don't mention it." He said as I pulled away. "Now that I'm going to be White Glint, you'll need to come up with a new name for her. While you're at it, I'm sure our friends at BFF and GA would be happy to provide us with some new weapons and equipment for you. And don't forget a paint job. We don't want Omer to be too confused when we're speeding past them." He winked at me. "I'll leave you with Abe. He'll help you fine tune everything, and I think he also has another surprise for you as well."

Hector turned away to walk over to his new NEXT, and Dr. Marsh stepped up to fill his space.

"We recovered some old, Rayleonard prototypes when Hector snuck into Aspina, including something I had been working on in my lab." He said. Abe motioned with a gloved hand at someone past me, and called out. "Qrow, would you be so kind as to fetch Ms. Rose the new part we've been working on." A middle aged man with dark hair quickly rushed off to find a trolley. "Rayleonard was known for their powerful energy blades, and their rapid firing solid state weaponry. However, some bigwig at their company had the bright idea of combining the two, although they didn't exactly know what they were doing. We took their designs and improved them, and the result is fascinating."

I heard the beeping of the trolley as it pulled up beside us, and Qrow stepped out from behind the controls. He was a rather lanky man, who stood a little taller than Dr. Marsh. "Qrow has been my apprentice here at Line Ark for years, and he is the one who made the breakthrough that allows this weapon to work." Abe said. "Qrow, if you please?"

"Of course, Doctor." Qrow responded as he rolled the cage down on the trolley. Inside was a large, black, diamond shaped object. At first glance it appeared to be a Rayleonard Moonlight blade like the one used by their premier swordsman, or rather woman, Anjou. But where the laser normally emerged, I could see a hint of silvery metal wedged between the creases.

"It's a Kojima particle-edged folding blade." Qrow explained. "The idea was to create a weapon that was as versatile as a laser sword but didn't drain as much energy, and that could always be active when needed so that the user doesn't have to worry about being out-drawn in close combat."

I leaned forward and touched the smooth surface. The blade's sheath was smooth and angular, typical of Rayleonard's designs. Such high quality craftsmanship, it was a shame they were gone. Omer should've been the ones to go down in the LYNX War, not Rayleonard.

"The problem with physical blades in the past," Qrow continued, "is that just having a long piece of metal where the entire surface is meant for striking weakened it overall, and the blades could easily be broken. So to fix it, I've designed an apparatus that can reposition a smaller blade for different strike zones instead of having a single chunk that can be snapped off."

"Hector said you had a preference for blades, so we figured you might be able to use this." Dr. Marsh said. "We'll mount it on your NEXT, if you'd like."

"Yes please. This thing looks incredible."

"Ha, I'm glad to hear you say that. While Qrow and I install this, why don't you take a look through GA and BFFs weapons catalog. If there's anything you want, let us know."

Five days later, I stood looking over the flooded city that surrounded Line Ark from the main highway. Encased in the metal shell of the former White Glint, the ocean seemed almost serene. I couldn't even imagine a war going on here, despite the constant warnings and threats we had been receiving from The League. If, no, when that day came, Hector and I would be ready. But right now, I would get to have some fun. I had taken full advantage of BFF and GA's weapon offers, and I had outfitted my NEXT with a little of everything.

In my right hand, I held onto a BFF 047ANSR, a standard issue sniper with a large magazine, excellent for drawn out battles. The integrated scope it carried would also help to improve my aim, as it relayed extra information to the NEXT's automatic targeting system. My simulated experience with snipers had also seen me develop a grudging respect for their power, and it was only fitting I carry a reminder of my own faults.

On my right-side back mount, I had attached a radar system, also from BFF. While it looked rather like an old boating paddle sticking up from the back of my NEXT, the 050 ANR radar was essential for situational awareness. The extra scanning range afforded to me would notify me of incoming missiles and enemy locations from a greater distance, and the extra time I gained to react would prove invaluable in many a battle.

The left-side back mount was equipped with a blocky, MSAC International chain missile launcher, the Musselshell. Sure, the name is kind of unorthodox, but no one can deny its power. I may not be a huge fan of back weapons, but sometimes filling the air with missiles can be a great help. Unless my opponent has flares, they either have to take some withering hits or exert a lot of energy to dodge them. Either way, I get the upper hand.

A set of extra boosters were mounted on my shoulders to provide me with increased thrust when dodging. Regrettably, they were Omer made, but after a while I found it more ironic that they would be taken down by someone using their own parts. A little bit of poetic justice if you ask me. The triple pronged boosters were painted my favorite shade of bright red with some black highlights, much like the rest of my weapons. And the greatest weapon of them all would be the one attached to my left wrist.

The folding blade had been repainted in the same shade of red, to stand out against the now solid black NEXT. It glistened on my arm, and I raised a hand closer to study it. Qrow said the mechanism had multiple positions for attack, and the blade itself should function identically to a laser sword in both speed, reach, and power. Whoever went up against this work of art was in a serious world of hurt.

Eager to test out this unique tool, I launched myself from the highway. Nothing felt more natural to me in that moment than the movements of the old White Glint. Dr. Marsh and I had made a few modifications to the booster systems and fire control system, but in all other aspects, it was still Joshua's frame. Part of me felt guilty as I reached the sea below, hovering just above the calm waters. I shouldn't be using Joshua's NEXT, not after he died away from it. It was like robbing a grave. But we needed every resource we could use to survive the coming storm. And when I activated the Overboost to jet towards the first building across the surf, I knew that piloting would be the best way to stay close to his memory. And I would honor his legacy.

Willing the blade out with a contraction of the hand, I saw a gleaming, silver sword sprout from my wrist. Only one edge was exposed for cutting, and I could see the other edge of the blade was part of a mechanical arm. The arm reached out and locked into place with the blade running parallel to it near the front. So far, I was impressed. As I reached the nearest office, I brought the blade back, and with a burst of speed drew it through the wall.

A greenish glow emanated from the weapon as the Kojima particles cleaved through the concrete and glass of the building with a barely audible hiss. As the blade emerged from the other side of my target, I spun around quickly to view the destruction. The wall was unblemished, save for a gap where my blade had cut a long, thin swath out of it. It had cut so smoothly that it hadn't produced any rubble. Now I was really impressed.

Rotating my balled up fist, I watched as the blade rotated upwards on an axis, locking in a position perpendicular to the manipulation arm. Now the blade was curved inwards, forming a crescent shape that resembled an old field scythe. It was funny how effective those things turned out to be for farmers against wolves. Turning the blade like this would reduce my reach slightly, but I could get much more power behind the strike. It was a wonderful system.

Satisfied with my weapon, I sheathed the scythe and began my ascent to the hangar. Professor Ozpin had notified me that I would be officially registered tomorrow, and I would start working immediately. But before then, I had to pick a name for my NEXT. I had poured my heart and soul into the coloring and armaments of this treasured piece of me, so much so that it was family. And the unique scythe blade I carried set me apart from any other LYNX of my time. In the end, I decided my NEXT would be known by the two most defining characteristics of it. My blade and myself. Crescent Rose.

Alright! Now that we're finally out of the "Introduction" period, it's time for Ruby to make her mark on the world!

But wait, where is the rest of Team RWBY? Don't worry, everyone will be introduced in time.

Some of the more perceptive readers may have noticed, we've already met some of these characters. Ruby just doesn't know it yet.

Thanks to everyone who is reading, and remember I am always open to suggestions.