He couldn't see anything. All he could tell was the metal clinging and the blur of yellow around him. Everything was moving too fast, so fast that it made his head hurt. A flash of red, blinding, but things started to come into focus as the movement slowed, then stopped. And what he saw terrified him. Yang was on the floor, the soul leaving her eyes, a patch of red coming from her chest, the blood pooling down onto the floor. He moved forward, scooping her up in his arms, falling to his knees…
Sterling woke up with a start, sitting halfway up and breathing heavily. It was still night, and the room was his own.
"Sterling?" He turned his head, seeing Yang looking up at him, tired but concerned. "Are you alright?"
Slowly he got his breath back, his body falling back down to the bed. "Yeah… just had a nightmare."
Yang laid her head down on his chest, her fingertips playing over his stomach. "Sleep, love. Beat up the demon."
He started to calm down, if only from her insistence and focusing on her fingers. He managed to get to sleep, though, waking only in the morning as the sun came over the two of them.
Sterling stretched, watching as Yang did the same, getting up and getting dressed. "I guess we may not see each other this week, with the mission coming up." It was a sad voice from Sterling, but Yang came up to him, kissing him softly.
"You aren't getting away from me." She said, making him smirk. "I'll see you when we get back."
He was quiet as he watched her put on the dress, getting up to wrap his arms around her. "Be safe, Yang."
He heard her chuckle at that. "I'll try to leave some Grimm alive for you."
Sterling stood in front of the mission board, his team behind him as they looked over what mission they wanted to take. Of course, they had to choose before they all filled up. His eyes fell upon one that piqued his interest, a scouting party in Southwest Vale. He stepped forward, putting in their team… and was denied, the mission was for second year students.
"It seems that I have several teams that want to test their mettle in the field this year." Sterling turned around quickly, seeing Ozpin behind him, leaning slightly on his cane. "I cannot recommend this mission for a first-year team… but then again, you have shown more tenacity than most first-year teams. And something tells me you will be heading that way no matter your choice… So let us see how capable you are." He pulled out his scroll, pressing a few buttons, and they were approved. Sterling bowed his head to the professor, and they started to move off.
"Sterling, can I have a word?"
That gave him pause, and Sterling stopped, waving his team away before turning to Ozpin. The professor had a rather stern look on his face.
"I have to warn you, Sterling. The area seems to be a crime den. There have been a lot of attacks from the White Fang in the area. So, if you find any… make sure to take them down." Sterling could see the hard look on Ozpin's face, but he fought to control himself, nodding to him before turning away, leaving towards the air docks. Now, his mind was abuzz. How much did Ozpin know? He swallowed hard. Did he know who he worked for?
It was as if on cue that there was a sound from his scroll. A new message from Cinder. 'Head to the underground base tonight, inspect the cargo and make sure it runs on time.' Well, that was simple enough. He saw Raz waiting on the docks, and he ran over.
"Hurry up, we're already boarded up and ready to go." Sterling nodded, heading into the bullhead with his team the hunter. Immediately Sterling paled, recognizing the hunter, knowing he was one of the members of the White Fang… and knew that this was set up by Cinder somehow. Apparently this was serious enough that she was making sure things went right. Knowing who was there, though… he would reserve judgement on what was 'right.'
The bullhead was already up in the air, and the Faunus Hunter was looking out the window, letting the ride stay quiet. Raz and Terra seemed uneasy, so Sterling spoke up. "What's our objective, Sir?"
The Hunter's deer ears twitched before he turned his head slightly towards him. "There have been reports of grimm activity, moving near the Vale outskirts. Possibly trying something to get through the barriers. We're to check it out and remove what we find." The Hunter's voice was gravelly and deep, and it sent a shiver down his spine. He knew that voice, but he stayed quiet.
Sterling shifted his back to the bullhead wall, his eyes meeting Terra's and his fingers shifting rapidly in small movements. He saw her eyes wander for a moment before she gave a nod. At least the rest of his team was going to be safe. He felt the airship descending, hands sliding to his pockets. If the zone was hot then it was better to be ready for anything.
The moment the doors opened, Sterling was out of the bullhead, weapons at the ready, looking around to make sure the zone was clear. Amy was close behind, as was Raz and Terra. The Hunter stepped out with less of a care. "We wouldn't have landed if the zone wasn't clear. Move out. We have some ground to cover."
The day passed with little incident, and Raz was irritated from the lack of fighting. Not a single Grimm had been found, and they were starting to wonder what the big issue was. Camp was set up near the Cliffside, the fire burning low to give just enough light to set up. Sterling volunteered for first guard, something the rest of his team seemed thankful for, and he waited for them to be sleeping before he turned to the hunter.
"I'm going to be off. Make sure they make it back to Beacon safely, or else I'll have your head."
"Right away, sir." The Faunus seemed less gruff about it, and bowed his head as Sterling turned away.
It was around here somewhere. Sterling walked along the cliff, hands on the rocks before they went through some loose foliage. Perfect. He brushed them away to see a cavern, and after making a makeshift torch out of some cloth and a branch he headed inside. It was through an accident that the undercity was found, and these blocked-off caverns were useful for getting to and from them without suspicion.
The silence seemed to press in on his mind until metal and voices could be heard from far off. He picked up speed until he found what he was looking for, a train being loaded up with the warehouse stores of dust and bombs. He could already see the familiar clothes of Roman working the White Fang hard. Sterling didn't envy the heavy load the rank and file were getting, but it had to be done. Time was of the essence, and the passage would be of great use.
Roman saw him as he approached, arms going wide. "Hey, Sport! I didn't think that I would be getting any backup anytime soon. I was starting to get restless."
Sterling rolled his eyes at the nickname. Roman always had one for everyone. "Yeah, but sister's orders. How are things going around here?" he walked past the thief, heading towards the train.
"Things are going smoothly, for a bunch of animals pulling the reins."
"Describe smoothly."
Roman paused for a moment, choosing his words as Sterling jumped into a train car. "We're ahead of schedule."
"Good. Always can count on you, hmm?" Sterling smirked as an irritated look crossed Roman's face.
"She's always giving impossible tasks-"
"Tasks that you complete admirably, Roman." Sterling shifted to sit on a box. "That's why you're given them. Do you honestly think I would trust Mercury with this?"
Torchwick smirked and shrugged. "I suppose I see your point. And yet I still get the short end and ran ragged."
"For now. Don't worry. You'll get some rest soon. After this is done, even."
"Yeah, but until-" A commotion outside cut Roman off.
"Hey boss! Found something you might want to see!"
"Is it good or bad, Perry? Because let me tell ya, I have had a day."
"Uh, it's a little girl?"
Sterling's face paled as Roman leaned out of the train car. "That would be bad." Sterling quickly moved to be behind a few storage crates. If he was seen there by students, it would be trouble, for him and Cinder. Roman took the hint and stepped out of the railcar, and Sterling made his way forward through the train.
A few minutes passed, and he was at the console when he felt the train shake a bit, the sounds of explosions a little ways away. His frown came harsher as he turned the cameras on. He saw Roman running onto the train, and could hear the echo of his voice telling everyone to start up. He cursed quietly as he shifted consoles and started the engines. It would make Roman happy to have someone competent onboard, at least.
Roman was at his side with a few of the White Fang within minutes. Starting this early only meant there were several hunters on their tail now. Just great. "What a mess." Sterling mussed as he shifted the controls over to Perry, a frown on his face as he watched the camera feeds.
"The messes are fun." Roman said with sarcasm, flipping a few switches. The train was running smoothly, and he felt the speed pick up slightly as the far car was released. The explosion caused him to frown, the train rocking slightly. Roman was really worried, it seemed. He turned to the camera's, seeing some of the footsoldiers moving up to the roof and getting in the Paladins.
"Is all that really necessary?" Sterling seemed skeptical, but Roman shot him a harsh look.
"They have a hunter with them." That was enough to silence him, and he went back to watching the cameras. One scene after another, movement of the White Fang members, the Lieutenant moving through a nearby car, part of Team RWBY moving through the cars towards the front… One image made his veins run cold and mouth go dry. Neo was sitting on a crate, and Yang was approaching. "Take care of this." Sterling said to Roman, stepping away and running out of the car.
"HEY! Where are you going!?" Roman sounded stressed and confused, but Sterling ignored it as he ran through the cars, moving out of the way and not caring if Weiss and Blake saw him as he rushed through. He even heard Blake cry out before moving past him. After all, he wasn't threatening them.
The only thing on his mind was Yang, and he slammed through the door in time to see her slam into the ceiling and ground. His hands withdrew his weapons. "Neo!"
The small woman turned to look at him, a devilish smirk on her face before she tilted her head. The blade was withdrawn from her umbrella, and she seemed to flourish it as Sterling approached. But a flash caught both of their eyes, a figure in a mask, clothed in red and black. Sterling stepped back, but Neo quickly took the brunt of the assault, parrying two swipes before jumping back herself.
That was the only time he ever saw fear on Neo's face.
The woman sheathed her sword, withdrawing it with a hue of deep crimson, and Neo disappeared, leaving Sterling with the attacker. But he wasn't afraid… as much. "You…" It flashed in his mind, laying on the ground, a woman of black hair. "I know you…" His head started to pound in pain, eyes closing and hand coming to his forehead. The woman tilted her head while looking at him, then looked down at Yang. A swipe of her sword dispelled the dust, a vortex appearing behind Sterling.
She approached, grabbing him by the top of his hoodie before dragging him towards the portal. "Who are you?" His voice was quizzical as he shifted to walk with her, but he turned to see Yang getting up as he was pulled through.