Solace wakes from his sleep and goes through his morning routine; brushing his teeth, shaving, and washing up. Then afterwards he walks into a room adjacent to theirs to change into his casual clothes. Once inside a fellow student walks to him with a boxed package "hey man I found this by the door. I think it's for you" the student hands the box over then walks away. Solace goes to a corner where he can open the package in peace; he inspects the box and sees that it came from the Unyielding Flame, specifically from Dr. Holly. He opens it and finds a note inside which reads.
Hey Solace, we're really sad to hear that you left the program but at the same time we're really proud of what you're trying to do. Anyways we haven't forgotten on what you've done for us so as a way to show our thanks we'd like you to have our latest toy. It's labeled as the DS-1 but everyone here likes to call it "back pack." In layman's terms the back pack stores anything you want by digitizing the item then re-materializes it when you need it in the future; this can be pretty useful when you're carrying all those heavy text books. The back pack just got out of it's prototype stage so please send us feedback on how's it working for you, it'll be really beneficial for future updates. Also, there are some issues with the system when it comes to storing food so until we can find a way to fix this you may experience some problems. Anyways the R&D team here all wish you the best of luck and that we can't wait to see you again.
- Christine E. Holly
P.S I slipped in a little something for you, I'm pretty sure she'll be useful to you.
Solace places the note to the side then takes out the back pack; it was a lot bigger than on what he had expected but it wasn't as heavy, weighing no more than 10 pounds. The backpack came in 3 sets; shin guards, torso and arm guards. He puts the pieces on and once it was secured he tried to activate it, to only get nothing in result. He looks into the box again and he finds a small case. He opens it and sees that a blue micro-chip laid inside along with instructions on how to insert it into the back pack. He inspects the back pack on where he can put it in and finds a slot on the front side of the torso. Once he puts it in, the device's port holes begin to glow, following the tune up an ear piece materializes on his right hand. He puts on the ear piece and right after it's secured he hears a woman's voice, "well hello there Solace. It's nice to finally meet you."
"Huh, who's this?" Solace says quietly.
"I'm Selena. An artificial intelligence created by Dr. Holly."
"Oh, well it's very nice to meet you to, Selena."
"Quite, I was tasked in helping you excel in this academy in anyway I can, which reminds me. I was told to give this to you" the back pack begin to glow bright blue, blinding Solace momentarily. The light then fades away and his sight is restored. He looks down and sees that his Vanguard Armor is now secured on him.
"Wait, what? I thought my armor was back on the Unyielding Flame?"
"It was, but right before Dr. Holly shipped the DS-1 to you, she digitally stored your armor inside."
"Nice!"
Jaune comes around the corner to investigate on what the bright light was about and sees a man in full armor. A bit startled he pulls out his sword and shield.
"Jaune, relax it's me Solace" he removes his helmet to show his face to which Jaune complies and puts away his weapons.
"Solace, where did you get... that?" Jaune asks.
"I got it from my back pack."
"What?"
"It's far too complicated for me to explain the science to you so think of it as a very practical and tactical backpack that pretty much weighs like nothing and can summon to me what ever I stored inside, when ever I need it."
"Wow, that'll definitely come in handy when we're out to hunt Grim."
"Yeah, so is there something you need from me?"
"Well I came here originally to get you. Ms. Goodwitch is about to start the orientation."
"Oh, then we better get a move on then" Solace and Jaune then walks to the room where the orientation is to begin. Once the two arrives they decide to be at the back of the room and to stick together. Jaune looks around and notices the girls he was talking to yesterday. He tries to grab Solace's attention.
"Yo, hey man do you see the four girls near the front?"
"I know them, or at least of them. They were sleeping near me last night."
"What! Are you serious? So you're actually quiet the player then huh?"
"Nothing like that, we simply were just coincidentally nearby when we all went to bed."
"Oh. Well anyways I'm trying to woo the girl in white, and so far I think it's working."
"Oh really?"
"No... if anything I think she thinks that I'm a total dork."
"Aw, don't say that Jaune I think you have a chance."
"Really?"
"Well, she may be a bit out of your league but I have faith in you."
"Well thanks. I guess..."
"I got to admit though, you do know on how to pick them."
"Yeah..." the two stares at the girl in white and they would've probably kept on staring had the orientation not start. Ms. Goodwitch, just like yesterday, appears before everyone and begins to give an overview of what she'll be showing to everyone. While she was talking, she reminds Solace of one of his instructors back when he was at basic training. From the moment he met her she gave off a very authoritative, strong-minded presence and looked like she demanded respect and discipline from those who talk to her. Back when he was younger he would have hated to have been around those kind of people but after growing up pretty much for the majority of his life around those kind of people anyways, he's more appreciative to have them around. Ms. Goodwitch finishes her overview then leads the students around Beacon giving them the full tour. During the tour she shows them on where their classes would be, the location of the cafeteria and bathrooms and explained to them explicitly of the rules and regulations that they were all expected to follow. The orientation eventually ends and the students all find themselves on top of a cliff bordering the Emerald Forests with Professor Ozpin waiting for them. Once everyone was accounted for the professor takes control of the group and welcomes them to their "initiation." They are all told that their initiation is for them to be dropped into the forest then to seek out artifacts that the professor has picked to be the objective, while at the same time trying to be smart enough to survive the Grim that infest the area. Ms. Goodwitch then adds to the fact that everyone will be placed into teams today but it wouldn't be done through conventional means; the teams that everyone would be placed in would be comprised of people who you first made eye-contact with upon landing. The group is then instructed to stand on the platforms in the ground and to prepared themselves for the event. Solace takes his spot next to the girl in red clothing and sees her prepare her weapon, he would do the same but he's a bit hesitant on using his new toy.
"Um, where's your weapon?" The girl in red asks.
"I got it."
"Does it go invisible?"
"No, matter of fact they're right here..." Solace raises his fists then chuckles a bit.
"You do know we're fighting the Grim, right?"
"Yeah."
"Well. I guess good luck then-" the girl's platform launches her into the air and into the forests.
"Right... good luck..." Solace's platform activates as well and sends him hurling into the sky. While traveling in the air he realizes that he has no idea on how he was going to get back down safely. He thinks really hard on ways to get down without suffering any serious injuries, but for too long. He ends up going through a couple of weak tree branches before being caught by a strong one afterwards he falls about 50 feet before making a hard landing on the dirt. Solace slowly gets up on his feet then quickly gets behind a tree and gets low to get some concealment, he then examines himself to see if he suffered any injuries and luckily for him the only injury he receive was a sprain left wrist, must have gotten it when I landed, I guess it could be worse. He looks around and sees that no one is around him.
"Selena, can you hear me?" Solace says quietly.
"I'm always online so I always hear you."
"Creepy, but anyways how far are the artifacts from my current position?"
"Hmm, my scans indicate that there's a structure 1,865 meters, northeast of your position."
"Any enemies around us?"
"Negative."
"Good" Solace stands up slowly, "Selena, out of curiosity am I packing anything?"
"Yes. Dr. Holly took the time to store your personal armaments from yours days in Vanguard as well and currently so far I'm counting 7 that are digitally stored."
"Hmm, bring out Rot Kometa."
"Right away."
Solace's personal pistol digitizes on his right hand and looks to see if he's good on ammo, full battery, good. The pistol that Solace carries around is a Vanguard standard, with a few modifications on it. Just like the rest of the weapons that all Vanguards use it does rely on Dust, but the Dust used is not the projectile itself but acts as a chemical compound that reacts to the materials inside the battery cells instead to create the energy needed, allowing it to shoot lasers and have a high capacity of energy rounds in each pack, eliminating the age old problem of having excess weight for more ammunition. He looks around at his surroundings one more time, all clear, then runs towards the mysterious structure. While running he thinks on what he'll have to do if he were to run into any Grim, with the woodland environment around him, he knew that his pistol was not the best option to use if anything a carbine would have probably been a smarter choice but since his left wrist was sprained there would have been no way for him to have controlled the weapon had he used it. Instead Solace decides that the best way to get to the structure was to be like a ghost and make his presence scarce. Unfortunately though his plan may never actually come to in effect as he's ambush by a pack of Beowolves. He stops immediately and takes aim with his pistol, the pack quickly encircle Solace to prevent any escape then waits for the alpha male to make it's move.
"Selena, what kind of Dust is in the cell?"
"Burn."
"Good" the alpha male runs towards Solace then lunges, he allows the beast to close the distance between them then fires three rapid explosive shots at the Grim's torso causing it to stagger. Without hesitation he then jumps onto the monster's shoulders and places his pistol's muzzle on it's head then proceeds to fire six times causing it's head explode. The Grim's headless body falls to the ground like a bag of bricks with Solace standing over it triumphantly, the rest of the pack goes in a state of shock for a short bit as they just saw it's alpha male killed in front of them but as soon they all got their senses back they all attacked him at once after one of it's members made the initiative to attack Solace first. Normally anyone in a situation like this would've resulted with their demise but Solace, just like his fellow students here, is not a normal person and is capable in taking down Grim in very adverse situation. He quickly dashes backwards to gain some distance while at the same time firing at the pack of Beowolves charging at him, thanks to the Burn Dust the rounds being fired has an explosive area of effect, allowing him to hit his target without actually making direct contact. Three of the seven charging at him are severely injured from the explosives and are knocked out of the fight while the remaining four continue to make a mad sprint towards him. Solace stops dashing backwards then changes direction and runs towards the pack. The Grim sees him coming and all try to slash at him when he was close enough but he was able to react to their attacks quick enough to dodge them. While being that close to the Beowolves, Solace takes his opportunity and opens fire at the four monsters. The close proximity of the enemy made it easy for Solace to aim and in less than 5 seconds the fight was over and he stood victorious.
"Wow, the reports don't lie. You're as good as your records make you out to be."
"Thanks Selena, but I think your compliment is out of placed. These were only Beowolves, I think any huntsman would've been able to take them down."
"You know you got me curious now, if these were considered easy I'd hate to see on what you saw as a challenge."
"Yeah I-" a scream echoes somewhere in the forests and causes Solace to immediately get his guard up "a woman's scream?"
"Probably, one of the students."
"Shit, so either continue with the objective or save fellow classmates."
"Actually that may not even be necessary, my scans indicate that the scream came from the exact location or at least the area of the structure."
"Great, let's hope that there some Grim left for us when we get there" he turns the safety on, on his pistol then continues to run towards the structure.