A/N: It's been a while, friends. I once again am writing, however... It's been quite a busy few months. Without futher ado, here's Chapter 12!
It had been a few days since JNPR and RWBY's argument, and both teams had tried to mend the rift between them…
It wasn't going well. Ruby stopped talking to Jaune, and Nora still caught hastily hidden angry glares from Yang.
Jaune and Pyrrha were too busy to really notice, however. The pair were either making out, or attempting to keep spirits up to avoid another G-day.
C_DL was rarely seen outside their dorm. Pyrrha, of all people, had elected to bring them meals directly to their door.
Weiss steered clear of that room, however. Last time she walked by, a drunk Sky started shouting at her, telling her to go away, and that he'd kill her if he could.
Other than that, and the fact that the school was at war, things were looking up.
A group of human Atlesian soldiers had showed up out of nowhere on a damaged bullhead.
The whole group, at least 20 of them, all surrendered as soon as they landed.
They claimed they couldn't stand hurting innocent people anymore… and so they all deserted.
Jaune, though skeptical at first, chose to believe them.
Based on the fact that they all came unarmed and with as much information as the ship computer could hold, which would have been a pretty dumb move if they weren't truthful, Jaune still ordered them to menial jobs, such as construction of more sturdy walls, and kitchen duty…
Two hours later, two more bullheads came into view, each carrying the same amount of deserter soldiers, though this time including a wounded ship captain.
"You… agh… You Jaune Arc, leader of the Beacon Rebels?" The wounded man said as his soldiers carried him off the ship in a stretcher.
"That's me." Theta said for him.
"You… got an AI? The fucking fiery bitch must have done a number on you…" He said, wheezing.
It looked like he'd been shot.
"What?" Pyrrha asked, appearing next to her leader.
"The… Cinder… the fire bitch… that's what we call her… She… does things to people… she… did something to General… Ironwood… He's not… Agh…" He said, clearly fighting to stay awake.
"What happened to your General?" Jaune/Theta asked loudly, as Pyrrha called out for a medic.
"Red light? Oh… no…" Nora asked, coming up behind them.
"I don't *cough* know what she's after *cough* other than that it's here… in the school." The Captain informed them before slipping into unconsciousness.
Jaune's face became grim, "Me. She must want me back… cut off the head, and the body dies." Theta communicated.
"Jaune. We're not letting her take anyone. Not you, not RW-." she stopped herself. RWBY was still a sore spot with her team.
"I know… I just don't understand her obsession… when I was with… her… She kept talking to me like I was a pet… But we need to fortify defenses. Nothing comes in or out without my say so." Theta relayed
Nora gave a jaunty salute and disappeared, Pyrrha simply nodded and walked away.
'If only my parents could see me now… albeit I'd rather them not.' Jaune thought to himself 'If they could though… I think they'd at least by a little proud…'
He stared at the distant fleet of enemy ships, then turned to his own 'army', 'Well… I certainly am.'
Cinder paced angrily in her assigned room.
Not only had there been dozens of desertions by Atlesian troops, it seemed her matron was getting impatient. She replayed the conversation in her head.
"My Mistress… What is the nature of this ca-"
Salem cut her short, "Why haven't you recovered the Fall Maiden yet?"
"The students of Beacon are putting up a defense… I find myself at a loss on how to overcome them. Every day, more and more deserters from Atlas join their cause, and-"
"If I wanted excuses, I would talk to your compatriot, Roman Torchwick. As I am talking to you, the one who will be the next fall maiden, I expect you to act like it. Kill the students, kill Jaune Arc, and kill the maiden. If you cannot complete the task, I'm sure Tyrian and Neo Politan are more than up to the task…"
"No, Mistress. Beacon will fall within the week."
"Very well. If you do not complete the task within your given time…"
The camera was suddenly enveloped in a wide toothy smile. "I can come out to plaaaaaaaay!" the crazed Scorpion Faunus sang.
She stopped pacing. She had a job to do, and less than a week to do it.
Pressing a button on her intercom, she ordered into it, "Commander, set a course for Beacon. All ships follow suite. It's time to end this rebellion once and for all. Shoot to kill."