Disclaimer: I don't own RWBY. Rooster Teeth own RWBY.
"Basically, it's getting harder and harder to get what we need from smaller stashes," Emerald finished her report with a frown, "With the increased police presence? It's becoming too much risk for too little gain."
"What if one of us, or one of the White Fang's top fighters accompany the heists?" Mercury asked.
"No, I wouldn't recommend it," Emerald shook her head, "That's just begging for retaliation from Beacon."
Cinder drummed her fingers on the table as she mulled over their options. They could continue the small-scale heists to try and pull in as much as possible – which risked them losing manpower from the White Fang to the police – or...
"We need to cut back on all small-scale robberies," she decided, "That will ease the attention that we're getting. Emerald," she looked at the green-haired thief.
"Yes, Cinder?" Cinder resisted the urge to smile at how constantly eager the girl was to please her. That kind of single-minded devotion was very useful to have, especially when combined with the more conventional skills that Emerald brought to the table.
"I need you to find out about any large-scale dust deliveries that are happening," Cinder instructed her, "I'll get you in touch with our inside men at Atlas and the Schnee Dust Company. We need to take what we need to make the explosives in one large operation."
"I've got it," Emerald nodded.
"Don't spend all of your time doing that, however," Cinder added, "I need you on standby for action in case we gain the information we need to bring down the local crime element we've been having such... trouble, with. And on that note, Mercury, how goes your investigation?"
"Junior's organisation has gone to ground completely," Mercury reported, "As you know, the White Fang raided the club's location only to find nothing of value," he paused, then added, "At least, not to us. Since then, there has been no indication of where they are or what they're doing."
"Hmm..." Cinder leaned back, "Have you any theories on how they were able to vanish so quickly?"
"A few," he admitted, "But they're only theories, so don't take any of this as a certainty yet. The first option," he began to list them off, "And the one we initially assumed, is that they have some kind of powerful backer who was able to help them vanish."
"You don't sound convinced," Cinder noted.
"Not yet," he agreed, "Admittedly, though, it seems like the most likely option. Now, the second option is worse - they knew when we were coming."
Her eyes narrowed as she considered the possibility. "Do you think that is the case?"
"No," he shook his head, "Nobody within the organisation would have anything to gain from betraying us to a bunch of criminals. We all know the stakes," he indicated himself, Cinder and Emerald, "And the White Fang are fanatics to a cause, not average criminals."
"There've been defectors from the White Fang in the past," Emerald pointed out, "I heard from some of the goons that Taurus' friend and protégé was one of them."
Cinder made a mental note to look into that particular tid-bit at some point.
"True," Mercury admitted, "But the people who defect from the White Fang tend to do it because of their conscience, not their bank balance. If they defect, they'll usually either try to lie low and avoid attention, or go to the Law."
"Sound reasoning," Cinder nodded, "However, I still wish to be certain that we do not have a traitor in the ranks. I will need to find a way to broach the subject with Adam."
"Good luck with that," Mercury snorted, "Now, option three is simple; they really were paranoid and ready to cut and run at a moment's notice, and my visit to the club provided the notice. It's definitely possible," he frowned, "The only problem is that girl who intervened in the club. She seemed too competent for a petty crook."
"Girl?" Emerald smirked, "I thought there were 'twenty of them'."
He winced. "Ah, crap."
"Very well," Cinder interrupted them before they could start bantering again, "Continue your search, Mercury. Let me know the moment you find anything. Now get back to work," she got up, "I need to see Adam."
- One week later -
"I'm just saying it sucks, man. That place was my favourite club."
As his friend bitterly complained, a casually-dressed man took a drag from his cigarette. "Yeah, but you know what happened to the place. It got trashed, like, three times in a row. Maybe it's better if they shut down for a while."
His friend sighed. "... yeah, maybe you're right. I was there the first time, you know? This blonde haired chick came in and just started busting the place up. It was pretty dangerous."
"You missed the important part there, man. Was she a looker?"
"Too young for us," the first man shook his head, "So you know a few people who work for Junior, right?"
"Yeah," he confirmed, "Can't really get hold of any of them now, though."
"Do you know what's up? Why was the place getting wrecked?"
"Well," he paused, then lowered his voice to a whisper, "They picked a fight with the White Fang."
He saw his friend's eyes widen. "No way! Are they nuts?"
"Maybe," he nodded, "Last I heard from my friends? Not all of them are happy about it, either."
"Yeah, I wouldn't be too," the first man shook his head in disbelief.
This was one of several similar conversations that were taking place throughout Vale over the course of the week. Soon, the rumour would be out there - at least, for anyone who was actively looking for it.
- A week later -
"We might have an in on our criminal friends," Mercury said as he poked his head through the door.
If there was a sure-fire way to get Cinder Fall's attention, that was it. She looked up from her scroll. "Oh?"
"It's just rumours at the moment," Mercury clarified, "But it seems there may be some... dissension, in the ranks."
"Indeed?" She smiled, "One of my favourite things... as long as it's happening to my enemies, of course."
"I'm sure," Mercury chuckled, "It's going to be tough to verify it any time soon, though."
Cinder's eyes narrowed in thought. "No," she said after a moment, "Perhaps it won't."
He raised an eyebrow.
"I want you to... put the word out, as it were," she began, "That if anyone comes to us with information that will lead us to these people, and whoever is helping them, not only will their safety be guaranteed, but they will also be rewarded, handsomely."
He nodded. "Huh. Clever. If there is some discontent among them, they'll take you up on that, and if there's not, you'll have created some anyway when they all think about it," he smirked in approval. "I suppose we shouldn't expect anything less from you, should we?
"No," she agreed delicately, "You shouldn't."
"Well, I'll get right on it," he said, "Any luck with Taurus?"
She sighed. "He would not even consider the possibility that one of his own was a double-agent. It seemed to be something of a touchy subject to him." Which was why she was currently looking into the supposed friend/protégé. It hadn't been difficult to get a name out of one of the less intelligent White Fang members, and looking it up had instantly lead her to Beacon's newest intake of first-year students. While not of much importance now, it was something she may have been able to use against Adam later if need be.
"Well, no offence, but," Mercury said as he left, "Better you than me."
– Two days later -
Roman grinned. It had taken him a good week or so, a bit of bribery, a lot of alcohol and a small amount of violence, but he finally had the contact information that he needed. While he did, of course, intend to call in the cops once he had the location, there was only one person in Vale who had the kind of fire-power at their disposal to cause the sort of trouble Roman needed to happen.
From: whistleblower3214
To: thebigcheese .vl
Subject: Keeping the peace
Message:
How would you like to bring down your local, vocal and uncommonly fluffy terrorist organisation? Respond if the answer is 'yes', and I might just be able to get you the location of the White Fang's base of operations. As proof of my honest intentions, here's some interesting information I have collected on their group, and their new, unusual friends...
The recipient of the email hummed thoughtfully as he read through the attached file.
"You wanted to see me?" his musings were interrupted by the entry of his deputy.
"Glynda," Ozpin greeted her, "First of all, I'd like you to take a look at this," he handed her the scroll, "And I'd like to hear your thoughts."
With a curious frown, she took it and started reading. Her frown became more pronounced as she flicked through the Email's few lines and reached the end of the attached information.
After a moment, she looked back at him. "My first thought was that it's a trap. My second thought, however..."
"Yes," Ozpin agreed, "My reaction was much the same. The information on this 'Mercury' is quite in-depth – particularly on how he fights."
"And the only way they would know that is if they fought alongside him and were giving him up, or if they'd fought against him," Glynda shook her head, "Assuming that this information is correct, of course. This woman they described as the ringleader also sounds remarkably similar to the woman I fought the night we met Ruby. What are you thinking, Ozpin?"
Ozpin took a sip from his cup, deep in thought.
"Whether it is an actual defector, a false alarm, or even merely one of the White Fang's enemies wanting us to do their work for them, it is not something we can completely ignore. I would like to ask you a favour," Ozpin said to her.
She sighed. "You want me to lead a mission if they give us the information."
"As sharp as ever," Ozpin complimented, "If we do obtain a location from this mysterious individual, I would like the team we send to investigate to be led by someone I know can get them out of any trap."
"I fear your confidence in me may be somewhat exaggerated," Glynda said frankly, "While I am confident in my own skills, I am not sure I could effectively cover for a team as well in a situation like what you would be describing."
"I believe the team I have in mind should ease your worries somewhat," Ozpin leaned forward, "They are, after all, one of the most talented teams we've had in a long time, and as one particular member has... something of a personal stake in this matter, as I'm sure you know, so I'm sure they will be eager to take the mission."
Glynda frowned. "You mean..." she then nodded in approval, "Yes, that should be sufficient. They are an extraordinarily capable combat team."
"Excellent," Ozpin smiled, "I will make the arrangements, and see if I can get more from our mysterious whistle-blower. In particular, I'm curious as to how they managed to get hold of my private email address."
"Yes, about that," Glynda rubbed her forehead in a long-suffering gesture, "The Big Cheese? Really?"
It had been around two weeks since they'd spread the rumour about their in-house problems, and Junior had news.
"So, that's the deal," Junior informed the group, "A big reward and guaranteed safety for anyone who can give us up."
Roman leaned back, deep in thought. "That's the opportunity I needed."
"...?" Neo tilted her head.
"Yeah, I'd say it is. Now, we need a plan. First of all, we need them to notice the disturbance, quickly."
"Simple enough," Junior grunted, "They're watching the club, right? Start the chase there."
Roman stared at him in amazement. "Did you just have a good idea?"
He ignored the glare he got in return. "Well then, that's a good start. Now, Neo," he turned to the linchpin of his plan (and practically every plan he had, really), "You need to have your scroll handy. Once they've 'rescued me' from you, and they take me back to their location, you need to follow us, unseen. Once we stop, you need to send that location to the address I'll give you. That will call in both our attack plan, and the cops. You can sneak in amongst the confusion and get me out before it's over."
She nodded.
"Now, I still need to set a couple of things up..."
"This will be a dangerous mission, but you are one of the top combat teams in the school at the moment, and I have faith that your skills will be equal to the challenge. However, I will ask you to bear in mind that it will not be the creatures of Grimm that you face, but other people, just like you and me," Ozpin said gravely, "That said, if any of you feel that you do not wish to take part in this mission, I will not force you. There is no shame in turning this down."
Three sets of eyes locked onto one particular member of the team. "You're the one with a bone to pick with the White Fang. It's your call."
The girl, usually very quiet and withdrawn, looked unusually determined. "I want to do it."
Ozpin smiled in approval. "Yes... I thought you would say that. Now, for the next couple of weeks, you will be required to be ready to leave at a moment's notice. In the field, you must follow Professor Goodwitch's orders to the letter – they may mean the difference between life and death. And one last thing..." they all looked at him, "It is a brave thing you are doing, here. I am glad to call you all my students."
Roman took a drag from his cigar. After several weeks of planning, preparation, scheming and plotting, they were finally ready to get started. He and Neo were hidden in an alley, close to the location of what was once Junior's club.
Now came the really uncomfortable part. He turned to Neo.
"Well, Neo," he took a deep breath, "Time to get started. I know I'm a wonderful guy and all, but do try to make it look realistic, won't you?"
Judging by the savage grin that lit up her face as she cracked her knuckles, he somehow doubted that was going to be a problem.