Chapter 40 Settling Down and Settling In
Character Adam Taurus
Adam had punched through the defenders of the ship that were stopping Carter and Cloak from meeting up with their strike teams and now he South, Sword and Main were making their way to the bridge. The goal of the whole operation was to capture the Invention for themselves with Carter and Cloak now systematically clearing out the rest of the ship, Diablo and his crew punching through to the reactor and the Blues under the command of Liarra heading to the teleporter to secure there Adam was set on finding Blake and her friends.
"Bridge should be up here," Main said.
"Yeah unless they moved it," South added.
"It's up here," Adam confirmed as his omni-tool lit up with a display of the areas of the ship that RWBY had covered. The four omni-tools of team RWBY were moving around in the bridge seemingly untroubled at the moment due to the somewhat random and sluggish motion that Adam was tracking. Just to be sure he pulled out a scroll he had modified to detect Aura and sure enough he picked up Blake's and he assumed the other Auras were the rest of the team. There were six others besides Blake that he detected, Ruby, Weiss, Yang, Lao, and Sun he figured were five of the remaining sigs but the sixth one was a mystery, probably the necromancer that Jack had sent with the team.
"We're here," South said as they rounded a corner and approached a set of doors at the end of a hall.
"Blake you there," Adam called through the scroll.
"Adam," Blake replied, "I'm here, power is offline though you'll have to find a way through those doors."
Main nodded as Adam looked over at the Spartan. A call was sent out to Carter and Cloak to determine the security of the ship. At a confirmation that the ship was locked down Main radioed Carolina to tell her to power the ship back up.
"Okay power will be back in a few minutes," Adam said to Blake, "Soon as Carolina gets the reactor back on. You find Marcus in here?"
"See for yourself," Blake replied with a smile as she turned the scroll so Adam could see Lao and Sun holding Marcus pinned to a wall. Marcus was a tall man with combed back, blue-purple, spiky hair a square face and jawline, blue shirt with a gray vest, brown jeans, and black shoes. He was clean shaven and had purple eyes. Adam had dealt with the man before but never liked or trusted him as he had Roman.
"He'll wish you hadn't found him when I walk in you know," Adam remarked, "If he hasn't put up a fight yet he will try upon seeing me."
"We can handle him," Blake assured him, "See you in a moment." Adam closed the scroll and put it away.
"Well," Sword asked.
"Now we wait," Adam said as he turned to look back down the hall. Main came up to his left and South with Sword on her back came up to his right. Together the four scanned the hall for any signs of resistance until the sounds of the doors opening behind them sounded. They turned around and entered the bridge where RWBY, Sun, Lao, and Helda greeted them.
"Adam figures you're in on this," Marcus said.
"You let him talk," Main asked.
"We ignore him for the most part," Weiss said, "He gave up talking to us about ten minutes ago."
"Tex, Church and Carolina are on their way here," Main announced.
"Oh I can't imagine that will end well for Marcus here," South stated.
"He killed the original Church didn't he," Sword stated, "I would assume that the three want vengeance."
"If he tells us what we want to know there is no reason to kill him," Ruby said.
"I doubt that our armored friends will think the same," Adam said.
"What reason could you possibly give me to tell you anything," Marcus scoffed.
"Simple," Adam said, "Either you tell us everything we want to know about Cinder before Tex, Church and Carolina get here or they can kill you with Sword here and he can look through your memories after he traps your soul. I hear it is very unpleasant."
Marcus looked between Adam, Sword, the Spartans and the RWBYs as his eyes came back around to Adam he sighed and said, "What do you want to know?"
"Tell us about Cinder," Ruby said, "starting about four months ago anything you can remember any change in her habits, personality anything."
"Sounds like you want a full profile anything specifi..." Marcus trailed off. "Cleo was right. But how could you possibly know about the change?"
"What her change into a Magog easy we fought her," Weiss replied, "We won too."
"About three months ago she came in after a job had gone bad," Marcus started, "Normally this would have her cool and sharp as ice shards, odd as that is for her considering, but this time she was different like the ice had been consumed by that fire she so fondly throws about. Cinder was still level headed don't get me wrong but I could almost feel the fury pouring off of her..."
Just then Church, Tex and Carolina busted into the room, "Okay blarger time to... what the blarg are all of you just standing around for?" Church asked confused.
"Marcus was just telling us about when he first noticed Cinder change," Sun said, "You mind letting him finish?"
The three Spartans looked at each other before Church walked right up to Marcus and lifted him into the air with one hand. "Listen very closely you are going to tell my friends everything they want to know, then turn this ship and Project Freelancer back over to me then... then we'll be square, got it?"
"You really are Lenard Church aren't you," Marcus remarked, "I'll do as you say." Church let him down and Marcus continued his recount. "Now like I was saying fury pouring off of Cinder, that should have been my first clue that something was different. She looked over the report one last time before having me call you, Adam, to get those droids. Shortly after that this ship showed up we had some entanglements and then Cinder brought in the Sith, that is when Cleo got out while she could I was not so intelligent. The um 'Director' was not willing to assist us any more once the Sith got involved and I was 'promoted'. We've been refitting the ship ever since. You all showed up at just the right time to get a hit on us, our shields and weapons are running off the same core, but you know that already."
"So it was definitely three months ago that Cinder became a Magog," Adam said, "What was she doing before that though what was her goals any projects or jobs that she was particularly interested in?"
"Yes we had one job on Menagerie that she was very interested in, excavating some old relic from a fallen city from the dark times," Marcus said.
"Even Cinder isn't that stupid," Blake remarked, "There is almost no records from those times."
"Considering what we can do with Dust there is no telling what kind of enchantments those old artifacts could have," Weiss added.
"Those were my concerns as well," Marcus cut in, "Cinder seemed certain about it though and we were looking for a big score to replace what we lost to you all, basically we were desperate."
"Oh come on you mean we almost had you all before you found this artifact," Yang exclaimed.
"Didn't K say if we knew what drove Cinder to become a Magog we might undo it," Ruby said, "If she was desperate to keep her crime syndicate running then maybe we can use that to pull her away from the Magog."
"K," Marcus muttered, "Cinder started talking about him soon after we retrieved the artifact. She built common ground with the Sith because of him. I don't know the whole story but it sounds like he is terrifying."
When Marcus said that Adam got a very bad feeling that he knew what the 'artifact' was. "Marcus did you ever see this artifact," he asked.
"No Cinder keeps it with her at all times," Marcus said.
"Adam you know something," Carolina asked,
"Possibly," Adam replied, "You all know what I was. Well I was 'born' in Menagerie."
"Okay anyone want to explain," Lao asked.
"Adam is unique," Tex said, "He was two fragments of K, his hate and rage, after a long and destructive hunt K finally was able to reforge the two pieces together. Not back into himself but into a new creature, Adam is that being."
"So the artifact is linked to you somehow," Marcus asked, "That doesn't seem physically possible."
"Neither does beating someone to death with their own skull but Tex did that," Church remarked.
"I'd like to see that," Lao and Yang remarked.
"Cut it out," South said, "Adam what did Cinder find?"
"I won't say that it is certain but she could have found the vessel for Void and Despair," Adam replied, "I was forged from them but they were not destroyed."
"They might not need to be," Sword said, "You get me the vessel I can take care of those two."
"What would you do with them gift wrap em and give them to South," Carolina asked.
"I'm thinking something a little more permanent," Sword replied, "And we could fix those time wounds."
"Carter to bridge," Carter called, "Everything here is under control we've got the remaining Freelancer members trapped in the storage decks below us just waiting for your all clear."
"Marcus mind turning over control of Project Freelancer to me now," Church said.
"I'll send out the message," Marcus agreed, "This is the Director to all Freelancer members I am stepping down, the new Director is Lenard Church, Director Church if you would confirm."
"This is Church, I am the Director my first task for you all is to work with my teams across the ship, try contacting Carter or Cloak to get additional assignments, that is all."
"Thanks Church," Cloak called, "Everything is ready to fly if we want to get back."
"Except we are missing a pilot," Marcus said, "Our old one is crumpled in a corner over there." His statement was punctuated with a jerk of his head towards a corner where a pile of bodies lay.
"Well then it is good for you that we have extras," Adam remarked, "Wash or Joker could fly this thing easy."
"Wash is closer," Main stated.
"Where is he," Ruby asked.
"He, Zoe and Mal are a level below us in armory 1400," Tex said as she considered the displays on the bridge. A moment later and Ruby was gone with roses marking where she had been.
"Uh I hate it when she does that," Weiss said as she picked rose petals out of her hair.
"Someone should tell Jack that we are leaving," South said.
"True but Charolite is still on board we should get her back to him first," Tex added.
"And if I don't want to go back," Charolite asked as she and Scooter entered the room.
"Then I'll pick you up and carry you back," Tex replied as she knelt down to the girl's level.
"I and the other necromancers will remain here," Helda said, "Charolite if you go with them you may never come back."
"There will be many demons to fight," Tex added.
"That is why I'm going," Charolite replied, "I know how to hunt demons, Steve does too."
"Steve," Sun asked as he looked around, "Am I missing something?"
"No you're not," Tex said, "Steve is in here isn't he." Tex tapped her head as she spoke. Charolite just nodded.
"Not to interrupt here but Cinder was planning to make a move against Vale soon," Marcus said, "Seeing as you haven't killed me yet and are the only way I have back I guess I'm with you."
"Hey guys," Ruby greeted as she returned with Wash, Mal, and Zoe on her heels, "Wash says he will pilot this tub."
"Helda time you left," Adam said, "Charolite stay if you want to or go I don't care, Wash get us back to Beacon we've got an attack to stop."
Character David Web
David smashed the last hit man into a bookcase before spinning him around for Nikki to shoot. Her shot was clean and the last of eight hired muscle dropped to the ground. David and Nikki had taken up over watch of JNPR's building while the team remained in Beacon itself near Ozpin's office and K's on site operational command.
"They've ramped up the frequency of these attacks," Nikki remarked as David rummaged through the pockets on the suit wearing goons. He glanced over to see if she had found anything but, same as the last three groups to throw themselves at JNPR, Hawk and Fisher, these hit men were empty on leads.
"I wish we knew where these guys were being hired from," David said as he stood up, "We need a plan."
"Cardin might be a good place to start," Nikki suggested.
"Thinking his team may not always have been on the up and up," David commented as he kicked a sword up into the air and caught it, "Surprisingly well balanced. Okay let's go see if Cardin and team know some friends in low places."
"Now that is more like you," Nikki said, "Proactive."
David tossed the sword into a corner as he and Nikki walked out of the building towards the towering spire of Beacon. Half way there the Invention appeared in the sky next to the Pestilence. The Serenity soon flew down to the landing pad.
"Looks like Mal got the job done," David remarked, "The air strip is not far if RWBY, Sun and Adam are on the Serenity we should probably lend a hand in escorting them to the spire." Nikki nodded as she holstered her pistol and brought out the shotgun. David quirked an eyebrow at her.
"Look around you and now DC I've learned to be over prepared at all times," Nikki said.
"I was thinking the pistol is quieter," David replied.
"These guys don't seem to care about noise levels," Nikki said.
"Hey David, Nikki," Simon greeted as the two approached the Serenity, "Look what we dragged back home." Behind Simon the wayward DC members were leaving the Serenity. David instantly picked up on the new face.
"Who is the new guy," he asked Simon.
"That would be Marcus," Simon said, "Things are sitting at an uneasy truce with him right now."
"We understand," Nikki said, "He is one of Cinder's operatives right."
"So I've gathered," Simon replied.
"Then he is who we need to talk to," David said, "These attacks have gotten out of hand."
"What attacks," Yang asked as she and Ruby walked over.
"Cinder has been sending some hit men in black suits after JNPR, Hawk and Fisher," David said, "We need to..." He was interrupted by the roaring inferno that Yang suddenly burst into.
"Junior," She hissed, "Come on Sis it seems like it is club busting time again."
"Surely Junior wouldn't be that stupid," Ruby replied, "What if he is being forced to send his people after them."
"Who is Junior," David asked.
"Just some crime boss who runs the local clubs and muscle around Vale," Ruby replied, "We keep catching his goons helping some criminal or another but Junior himself has too much money and is too distanced from the activities to be arrested."
"Sounds like we should pay him a visit," Nikki said, "Where is he?"
"Probably at his main club downtown," Yang said, "Unless we want to knock everyone senseless and blow up the club again we might want to bring an overwhelming amount of people to get any information out of Junior."
"Okay," David said, "I know just who we can get."
Thirty minutes later and the Echoes along with RWBY, Sun, and RAIM had pulled up outside the Midnight Rose club. The Echoes were in their rock star outfits, basically repainted armor and such that was arranged in such a way to look like they were a cast back to some heavy metal band or something. RAIM was in suits, Adam and Imhotep sporting the black on black on black and Roman and Moroni sharing the same white on tan look. Sun was well himself and RWBY were in their distinctive outfits as they all entered the club behind David and Nikki.
"Hey Junior," Yang yelled into the open room with holographic projectors that surrounded a dance floor, "Got some friends who really want to talk to you." Everyone in the club froze at the blond's declaration. Then a tall man in a black suit with a white shirt, red tie, neatly trimmed hair and beard of black and red tinted sunglasses turned towards them from the bar.
"Miss Long," He said as he looked them over, "I thought you'd be making this visit sooner or later." As he spoke David noted several of the hit men taking up key places in the club as well as several blocking the exits and a few more heading to the dance floor to clear the patrons out of the way.
"Look Junior either I can knock out everyone here...again, or you can answer some question for once," Yang said, "Besides we have you out gunned." At that everyone on the team pulled out their weapons, with Anjali, Ghost, Imhotep and Moroni showing off their powers.
Yang and Junior stared each other down as the two sides started to pick their targets. Then David caught the twitch on Juniors face, a slight twinge at the corners of his mouth. Then Yang snorted and the two just started laughing.
"What the," Weiss asked confused.
"Junior and I have been..." Yang tried to explain, "Oh you should see the looks on your faces."
"Bloody Grimm," Junior said as he caught his breath, "Yang that is the funniest thing I've see in a while."
"So you two are cool with each other then," Roman asked, "Well that is a new one on me."
"Well this makes or agenda easier then," Nikki remarked.
"I don't like it," David said as Yang and Junior went over to the bar where two other ladies met up with them. The two new women had black hair that fell to their shoulders and must be twins based on the facial similarities, the only way to tell them apart was the color of their dresses, one had white and one red. "Something still feels off."
"What do you think," Nikki asked. Over the years she had learned to just trust his instincts when it came to bad stuff happening.
"There those two over by the service door that leads to the back," David remarked, "They headed over there when the rest of the goons fanned out. Only from there they wouldn't get any good angles on us so..." His training kicked in before he could finish his sentence. The two men at the door had opened it to let in cybernetically enhanced Grimm Cinder's doing no doubt. David had dropped the two door men before the first Grimm got through and died to three more bullets. He ducked to let Nikki shoot over him and take out the next Grimm. Then a huge hulk of an Ursa punched the wall in and let in a wave of Beowolves. Yang, Anjali and Ghost ignited and charged the Grimm, Blake and Ruby were firing their guns, Moroni charged in with his ax, Imhotep was a sandstorm that was ripping the Grimm apart, a trail of ice showed where Weiss had punched through lines of the Grimm, and 141 was setting up a cross fire while the rest of the Legion entered the fray. Then Junior and the two women charged through the Grimm. Junior sported a massive bat while the white twin had knife like heels and the red one had two claw weapons. Junior's bat turned into a bazooka as the melee cleared a path to the big Ursa that was making a lunch out of Junior's men. The weapon fired and five rockets hurtled towards the beast. The Ursa fell in a collapsed heap as the last of the Beowolves met its end on Lucas' sword. Roman jumped down from the ceiling and landed between David and Nikki.
"Well that was fun," Roman said, "but I do believe that Ursa has a bomb in him we should run."
"Junior hit the alarm we've got a bomb," David yelled as he realized that Roman was right. The big man pulled out a pistol and shot a panel on the wall across the room. A siren went off a moment later and the remaining people in the club started to flee. Junior led the way out of the club as the DC members tried to make sure all the civilians got out safely. David and Nikki pushed some of the last people out of the doors. David turned around to see Yang punching a door off the wall to help a couple that was stuck in one of the private rooms. "Yang hurry," David yelled.
Yang shoved the people towards the door and the three started running. Then a high pitched beep sounded and Yang stopped, "Run," she yelled to the two fleeing people as she burst back into flames. "I burn," she yelled as the bomb exploded. The shock wave hit David and threw the couple that had just gotten through the door to their knees.
"Yang," Ruby yelled.
"Don't worry perfectly fine," came Yang's reply as the girl walked out unscathed and no longer on fire. "Junior, looks like I blew up your club again."
"You know I get really tired of fixing this place," Junior said, "But your hot so I make an exception. Though if one of your visits could end in my club not being exploded that would be great. Well did you have a question or did you just show up for the fight?"
"We want to know if you hired out any men to Cinder," David said.
"Yeah the guys who just attacked me, Melanie and Miltia and blew up the club with a bomb were mine," Junior said sarcastically. Then more seriously, "That does beg the question where is she getting the man power, they weren't White Fang so who were they?"
"We're going to need to get the repair crews in," Melanie, the twin in white, commented.
"Do it," Junior said.
"If these guys are not yours and not White Fang then maybe they are some of the people that Lucifer is missing," David said, "He called K to say that about a universe of people are gone, this could be them."
"Why would they look like us and not Sith then or any of the other races from that universe," Adam asked.
"Who they were wouldn't matter," Moroni said, "Their soul could be placed into any body."
"Hehe nice word play there," Yang said.
"I try my best," Moroni replied.
"So those guys who attacked us are not even from Remnant," Miltia said, "Seems unlikely."
"And we are any more likely that they," Price said.
"Its the best lead we have," Imhotep said, "We should at least let K know of the possibility."
"K, is he your leader then," Junior asked.
"Yes why," Katarina replied.
"Cause then I'll send him the bill for you all blowing up my club," Junior replied.
"It's more like we saved you and your club," Yang retorted. Just then the sign fell off the outside and exploded in a shower of sparks and a few flames. "Okay maybe just you all."
"He has a point," Roman said, "If we hadn't come here then we wouldn't have brought the extra guests along with us."
"I'm sure K will have no trouble paying for the damages," Adam remarked, "Though his support might come with a few stipulations."
"We should go," David said, "Before more of Cinder's assassins come for us."
"Agreed," Ruby said as they all got into the vehicles and headed back to Beacon.
Character K
"So the men attacking us aren't even from this universe," Ozpin muttered after he and K had finished talking with Junior, RWBY, RAIM, the Echoes, David and Nikki. "I knew the Sith weren't but they are distinctive, these assassins are not. They blend in with everyone around them that makes them dangerous."
"Just like us," K remarked as he fist bumped Diablo as the two passed each other in the streets of Beacon. The staff and students had already grown accustom to seeing the Dragon Company members on site and many would even stop to have conversations with them. "I'm just glad that we got our team back safely and Marcus and the Infinity to boot."
"About that," Ozpin said, "Even I can't pull enough strings to keep Marcus out of jail, you'll have to keep his return to yourself. You understand that I can't let Beacon get involved with this."
"I know Marcus has already agreed to remain on the Infinity," K replied, "His information of Cinder's actions have been very helpful and the man seems genuinely interested in finding Cleo, our next target. She left when the Sith came around but she may know something that finishes this puzzle for us."
"I hope you are right," Ozpin said, "At the rate that Cinder is sending in strike teams we may soon have to turn this place into a war zone."
"I don't know if that can be avoided," K returned, "But we will do what we can to delay that as long as possible."
The two continued on in silence for a while until Ozpin asked, "So what did you say to Junior when he asked you to pay for the reconstruction of his club?"
"Oh I told him RWBY could take him to Scooter and Cortana and they could rebuild the club," K answered, "I also added that he would have to have a place for a live band be installed and to let our very talented teams play there from time to time."
"So that is what Ruby was so excited about," Ozpin stated, "She is gifted in two skills, combat and the electro-strings."
"The what," K asked.
"I've got one in my office," Ozpin said, "I'll show you."
Character Ruby
"Yeeeeeeeeessssss!" Ruby yelled as she ran back out of the penthouse that RWBY lived in. She was carrying what was probably her fourth favorite object, behind the book about the Cross Bearer that K had given her, Crescent Rose and her hooded cape. It had a long electric coil, like a guitar handle, that acted as the handle for the instrument which connected to the striking plate, a metal plate that the built up charge of the instrument was directed to by the fingers of the operator to produce various notes. The instrument was designed in such a way that the music came from the electric arcs themselves and the plate was just a distance guide for the arcs to produce the desired notes. Ruby could literally play anything on the electro-strings. "We get to play."
"Whoa, what is that," Ghost asked.
"Ruby's electro-strings," Weiss answered, "It is closest to your guitars, only instead of vibrating the air with strings it uses electrical current."
"So the four of you play music," Imhotep asked. Their group from earlier had only lost David and Nikki who had gone back to keeping an eye on JNPR's place and they had picked up Lao along the way. "Who plays what?"
"Drums," Yang replied.
"Keyboard," Blake said.
"I'm the vocalist along with Pyrrha and Jaune," Weiss said, "Pyrrha also plays keyboard, Ren plays a flute, Nora plays an instrument similar to your trumpets, its her own design."
"I've only gotten to hear them all play a few times," Lao said, "They are very good."
"Hey when Junior's Club is rebuilt by Cortana and Scooter," Lucas said, "Why don't we have a face off? The Echoes vs. you all?"
"We would have to start learning your songs and you ours," Blake said, "but I don't see why not."
"You all going head to head eh," Sun said, "I want a piece of this I can play drums really well."
"Do you have a name for your band," Adam asked.
"Petals On the Wind," Ruby said as she felt tears build up in her eyes, "A lot of our songs honor those who we have lost."
Reinhardt reached out and wiped her tears off as he said, "A lot of ours do too."
"Yeah it seems to be a pretty popular topic," Ruby said, "We should probably get back to Scooter I'm sure he's gotten Cortana, Junior, Melanie and Miltia into trouble by now."
Lao put a hand on her shoulder as they started back towards the airfield where Cortana had brought in her ACU. "I know you miss her," he said, "I miss Summer too."
"I know," Ruby said, "But at least she doesn't have to miss us anymore."
"Hey Ruby," Scooter called as they got close to the five, "what is the sweet blarg thing you got there?" Ruby cheered up at the sight of Scooter and she didn't care anymore who noticed.
"An electro-strings," Miltia remarked, "Impressive."
"Impressive if she can play it," Melanie added.
"Well its not like she needs to carry it around for good looks shes already got those," Scooter said, "You're all just in time to see Cortana here rebuild that building Yang blew up."
"Junior," Yang exclaimed, "Have you been telling them that I blew it up?"
"Well you did on a few occasions," Junior replied, "I was just giving them the background."
"So your working with Adam, Roman and Junior," Lao commented, "Why don't we just ask Cinder to join up too seem to work for you all."
"I think that is exactly what K is planning," Adam remarked.
"Well lets do this then," Price said, "We've got a competition between us on which band is the best."
"And you want to use my new club to preform in," Junior said, "Great. At least Yang is less destructive on the drums."
"Wait how would you know," Ruby started.
"Yang," Lao asked.
"Oh yeah I may have played for Junior here before," Yang said with that awkward smile that she got when she realized she was in a touchy situation.
"How many times have you played at his place," Blake asked.
"Maybe every Friday night for the past year," Yang replied.
"So that is where you were going," Blake stated, "I wondered about that."
"Wait you were still up at..." Yang started, "Actually never mind."
"Yang," Melanie said, "Can your sis really play that thing?"
"Yeah I can play it," Ruby replied, "You want to hear something?"
"Sure," Ghost said.
Ruby charged up the Strings and played a few notes, high and sharp, before she started singing the first part of the song she wrote about her team and her mother. "Red like roses fills my dreams and brings me to the place you rest. White is cold and always yearning, burdened by a royal test. Black the best descends from shadows, Yellow beauty burns gold." As she finished the verse she picked up the speed of the music and played another couple of minutes until she built to the cross over point to the next part of the song. The music sounded like keyboards, drums, harps and guitars all at once, a truly impressive display. When she looked back up most everyone there had tears in their eyes, she did too but she always got them when singing about such topics.
"And you're the vocalist," Anjali asked Weiss.
"Most of the time," Weiss replied. "Ruby can sing Red Like Roses better than any of us can though."
"If that is the level you play on," Junior remarked, "You can play at my place any time."
"Okay we're ready to go," Scooter said, "That was some deep strumming there, you sure I ain't dreaming all this?"
"Pretty sure," Ruby replied with a laugh.
"Come on everyone get on," Cortana said, "We've got a building to rebuild. You know we've been surprisingly careful around here, only two buildings have been damaged since we got here. John usually blows up that many by himself.
"Does personal property mean anything to you all," Lao asked.
"Some of us," Soap replied, "Torgue, Diablo, Brick, you get the idea. Not so much."
"Yang," Miltia added.
"Hey," Yang replied, "I only took your claws that one time."
"I still don't know how you got that much blood on them," Miltia said.
"Nevermores have a lot of blood," Yang remarked.
"Yang," Ruby said exasperated, "Just how much trouble have you gotten into without me around?"
"I'm starting to wonder that too," Lao said, "And why wasn't I invited?"
"Uh Dad," Ruby exclaimed.
"Lao I'm starting to get the feeling that you we're not always the upstanding citizen you seem to be," Roman said.
"Oh like you're one to judge," Ruby remarked as they all got settled into Cortana's ACU. Cortana had expanded the interior of the head to allow for more occupants so she could hold up to forty people in the command room. Ruby liked it much better than having to hold onto the outside of the construct as it flew.
"Actually he would probably be a good judge on the matter since he is criminal himself," Katarina said, "Also I agree and that means that it must be right."
Ruby looked like she was ready to smash Kat into the wall or something but Lao interceded by saying, "Ruby, you know they're right. Qrow is a Hunter but sometimes Hunter can't stay withing the bounds of the civilized law. I've been his way around it for a long time."
"Figures as much," Roman said, "Cinder was a Huntress before she turned to a full time criminal. I was for her what you are for this Qrow."
"Well that explains why you're so bitter about her turning you out," Blake remarked.
"Hey Junior get over here," Cortana said from one of the displays that were mounted on the walls of the pentagonal red room they were in, "Got some options for your new pad figured you'd want to look at them."
"What sort of options..." Junior started as he walked over to the screen, "Oh. Do these cost extra?"
"No," Cortana said.
"I'll take them all," Junior replied, "Twice."
"The building is clear of people," Cortana said, "Reclaiming and starting construction. That many guns might take a while to finish though." Cortana flipped some switches and entered a few commands before walking back over to them. "The suit's on auto pilot we can walk around some if you want, I believe that Penny was on a street to our east."
"I would like to sneak up on her for a change," Blake said, "Also it would be nice to see how she has fared with these hit men on the prowl."
Weiss and Adam both snickered at Blake's word choice, "On the prowl," Adam said, "Ah Blake you're priceless."
Ruby started giggling at that, getting the reference to Blake's Fanus traits. Blake just rolled her eyes and headed to the exit, "Cortana how are we going to get down you want us to jump or what?"
"I can handle that," Imhotep said as they all rose up off the floor and were funneled out the hatch and lowered to the ground.
"Well I don't guess that getting up there will be any more difficult for you," Anjali commented.
"Not really," Imhotep replied.
"Your friend is a block to our east," Cortana said, "Follow me." It wasn't hard to follow Cortana, as there were not many other purple metal women around. They did draw the attention of those they passed on the streets as they walked but by now most people in Vale had started to look at DC as a curiosity rather than a threat. What surprised them though was when Cortana just stopped moving and started looking around as electricity sparked across her fingers.
"What is it," Lucas asked.
"Not sure," Cortana replied, "Penny just vanished from the motion tracker."
"She might have stopped moving," Melanie commented.
"Hey guys," Penny greeted as she walked up between Ruby and Weiss. "Do you know there is a giant robot on the other street. I think it is constructing a building where your club was, Junior."
The look on Cortana's face was worth the whole trip for Ruby who couldn't stop laughing at the confusion on the usually composed Cortana's face. Even Weiss had a hand to her face to cover a grin. Roman was apparently just as shocked by Penny's sudden appearance since he had jumped into Moroni's arms and was then dropped to the ground by the amused Cherub.
"Okay I seriously want to know how you do that," Blake exclaimed, "How do you just appear behind us like that you were in front of us."
"... Then I guess you already know about the giant robot then," Penny said cheerily.
"Okay your right that is a bit creepy," Ghost said.
"The ACU is Cortana's," Ruby said, "We're rebuilding Juniors place since we sorta blew it up."
"Oh..." Penny remarked, "Yang did you explode it again?"
"Okay seriously how many times have you blown up his club," Lao asked.
"Maybe six," Yang started.
"Or seven," Miltia added.
"I just expect something to get blown up every other month or so," Junior stated.
"And you can afford that," Adam asked, "I should have charged you more."
"Um why is everyone running," Ruby asked as she noticed that the street was clearing of people.
"Airships inbound," Cortana yelled, "If we keep them off the ACU then the guns at Junior's club will be able to take them out!"
"How many airships are there," Sun asked.
"Looks like five," Cortana said. Then lasers shot across the sky and five explosion signaled the destruction of the ships.
"What the," Price started.
"Hello down there," Church said as the Invention took up position above them, "Project Freelancer is back on line."
"You're welcome," Marcus interjected.
"Yeah I guess I owe you one," Church said.
"You all help me find Cleo and that is enough for me," Marcus replied.
"That is a big ship," Roman said.
"Junior club is finished," Cortana said, "want to set up?"
"Yeah lets do that," Junior said as he surveyed the Invention, "How many crew do you all have to keep to maintain all this stuff?"
"DC has about two-hundred and fifty members and the crew of the ships and the Ark numbers nearly a million," Cortana replied.
"Well we aren't going to hear any awesome rock face off if we are standing around here all day," Scooter said, "Lets go get this on." Ruby quirked a smile at Scooter's enthusiasm as they headed back to the club.
Character Doug
The Invention was online, this pleased Doug as he watched the ship effortless destroy the five dropships that were headed to Vale. He and Arizona had coordinated with Marcus to get the various parts that the Invention needed to have both the shields and gun functional at the same time. The three of them had been up for hours fixing the Invention and Arizona was now lounging across several of his tentacles and snoring loudly. Her helmet had rolled into a corner after she had taken it off. Her amber hair was long, hanging over the tentacle hammock and swaying gently in the airflow that swirled through the ship. Arbiter walked into the bridge of the Pestilence and Doug waved him over while turning his giant head towards the Arbiter.
"I may have a lead on Cleo," Arbiter said.
"You could have told me that from anywhere on the ship why come here," Doug asked.
"Because I don't want anyone else to get the information before you and K do," Arbiter replied, "Weiss left the information from the Schnee Corporation open for us. While they were... busy I've been looking through it. We've paid attention to the large strikes since that is what Cinder is after, but Cleo is on her own since the Sith emerged. Around the same time a small series of thefts hit Vale then stopped, the thief was never caught and nothing has been attempted like these strikes since. Only Dust, food and cloths were taken from several stores around town and each time in small quantities." Arbiter pulled up the demographics of the incidents on one of the displays that Doug hadn't covered with his mass. The five stores were all located in the lower district of Vale, east of the docks and south west of Beacon.
"You think she has a hold out there then," Doug asked.
"It would be a good place to start," Arbiter remarked.
"K we've got a lead on Cleo," Doug thought to his friend.
"Where," K thought back.
"Lower district, near some shops and warehouses," Doug informed, "Delta is over there now I believe."
"Send them the info," K instructed, "I'll get Marcus and RAIM and we'll head down there."
"Delta is already in that area," Doug told Arbiter, "and K is getting RAIM and Marcus to go with him down there."
"I'll get John and we will join them," Arbiter said as he left. Doug forwarded the intel to Delta and got a ping saying Fenix had gotten it.
"Arizona," Doug called over to his wife, "We've got a lead I say we go investigate it ourselves."
Arizona woke and stretched at Doug's voice before giving him a goofy grin and grabbing her helmet from where it had rolled to and asking, "Are we dropping in then," as she put it back on.
"Its the only way to beat the rest there," Doug said, "I think its time we got to do something interesting." Arizona nodded and ran out towards the drop crates, since they were both to big for the normal sized pods. Doug had one of his juggernaut forms get into the crate with her and then they dropped.
"Your sure this area is clear," Arizona asked as they fell through the sky.
"I detect no people on the street we will land on," Doug replied.
"Good enough for me," Arizona said as the jets powered up and the crate only half crashed into the street below them. She then kicked the door open and led the way out.
"Delta will be around here somewhere," Doug said, "I'm looking at the data on the thefts and we should have landed in the most likely spot for our thief to be hiding, that means Fenix will be here right about now."
"Doug, Arizona," Sam called as Delta walked into the street from another road, "nice of you to join us."
"Yes and another twenty or so will be following in a few minutes," Doug said, "If we want to make any progress on this then we should move fast."
"Right then," Baird said as he opened a laptop that had the data Doug sent to them pulled up. "The targeted stores are all withing two miles of this place, its an old bank that was closed when it moved to the richer section of town. Seems like a good enough place to make a hide out, assuming you could get through the security that would still be intact. There is a reason no one else has repurposed the building."
"What are we looking at then," Arizona asked as she pulled the chain-gun that she used out of the crate.
"What your suit doesn't have enough guns built into it," Anya asked.
"You can never have enough guns," Doug and Arizona replied.
"We're wasting time here," Fenix said, "Baird lead on."
With that the group moved out, there were a few people on the streets at this time of night, most curious about the crate that had dropped Doug and Arizona off. Even this spars amount of people disappeared as they neared the old bank.
"Okay we don't know what to expect here," Dom started. Then the doors in the front opened.
"Looks like we are expected," Doug remarked as he moved up and through the doors. Inside was dimly lit with a few lights but it was evident that there was nothing inside that would attack them. "Looks clear," Doug called back to the others. Once they were all inside the doors behind them closed and locked. This didn't bother Doug as either he or Arizona could knock them out if need be and any of Delta's grenades would put a big enough hole in the wall to let them out.
"I wondered when you would find me," a female voice, Cleo, said, "apologies if I don't come out to greet you. I've been keep track of you all for a while now, so your hunting Cinder. She isn't as bad as she seems, this...thing that you are fighting isn't her. Was she ruthless sure but this beyond even her. You need to go to Menagerie, the temple there is where it all started, deep in the heart of the island. It is constructed unlike anything I've seen from the dark times, it is not of this world. Tell Marcus where I am too I'm sure he will want to talk."
"Marcus will be here any minute," Doug replied, "As will K, our leader, and several others whom you may know."
"Hmm... yes I see them they are out front now," Cleo remarked, "I'm letting them in." The doors behind them opened and K, Marcus, Roman and Adam entered.
"Cleo," Marcus asked.
"I'm here," Cleo replied, "I'm farther in with all the information equipment, it still pays to keep up with the world."
"Doug," K said, "Arizona, I figured you two would be here. Delta good work."
"So what now," Adam asked, "We've found her and it would only take one of us to go get her."
"No need for that," Cleo said, "I know Cinder, Marcus and I have done some really terrible things and as hard as we all are Cinder is my friend. I want to see her freed of whatever this darkness is that has ensnared her as much as you do. I can't do that from in here though with just this half working equipment, but if I go out then the Vale PD will have my head. K you seem to be an opened minded individual, seeing as your working with Adam, Roman and Marcus already, mind hiding another fugitive?"
"I'll have to check my schedule," K said, "Doug how does it look?"
"Well you have coffee with Ozpin and Bartholomew tomorrow morning but right now your free," Doug replied.
"K you really have a habit of attracting a bad crowd don't you," Cole said.
"True, but look at the ones we've gathered so far it seems to have been for the better," Arizona added.
"Good point," K said, "Why not its not like anyone could argue with me anyways. Come on Cleo lets get you to the ship before Bernie or Joel figure out why we headed over here in such a rush."
"What were you doing with them," Arizona asked.
"Giving them a report on why Cortana built Junior a club with about fifty guns attached to it," Roman replied, "Cleo good to hear from you again, and you're not even threatening me anymore. Whatever happened to the good old days?"
"Wait you built Junior a club with mounted guns on it," Cleo remarked as she walked into the room from a door in the back. She had two long strands of pale green hair that fell down over her shoulders while the rest fell to her jawline. She had red eyes and bronze skin. She wore a green and tan top and tan leggings with sandals. "That is the perfect distraction to get me on one of your ships."
"The Invention is ours you and Marcus can stay there until we sort things out with Cinder," Doug said.
"Then we should go," Adam said as his omni-tool lit up and Blake appeared in his palm.
"Adam Burnie and Joel are headed to you guys I'd get what or whoever you have at that site out of there. You probably have five minutes to it too."
"Thanks Blake," Adam replied, "Outside now Imhotep can lift us up to the Invention."
Doug and Arizona walked over to the doors and kicked them open, "Imhotep get us on the Invention," Doug said.
"I've already called Church to bring the Invention over this way," Marcus said, "Once in the air he can pull us in with the tractor beam." Imhotep nodded and raised them all into the air and towards the ship. As the tractor beam caught them Doug watched a cop car pull up outside the bank. In the darkness they had evaded the two cops and were one step closer to Cinder.
"Doug," K thought, "I think we've found home."
"Truly," Doug replied, "I'll get things in motion then, it's about time DC had a place where we could all call home. You'll have to run it by the people here of course but if we deal with Cinder I don't see why they wouldn't let us stay when we are not on missions."
"Then lets deal with her," K thought back. "Cleo this temple can you show us where it is?"
"With that ship, sure," Cleo said as they entered the hangar and were deposited on the ground. The ship was a Pelican, heavy variant, with weapons all over it.
"I'll drive," Arizona said.
"Church we're taking a Pelican," Marcus radioed in, "heading to Menagerie to get more information on Cinder's change."
"Okay just bring it back in one piece," Church replied.
"Here we go," Doug muttered as they got into the pelican, "I'd advise you all to hold on, Arizona likes to fly fast."
"How bad could it possibly," Moroni started then Arizona threw the thrusters full forward and catapulted them out of the hangar and into the night.
"Cleo get up here I don't know where this place is so you've got to guide me," Arizona said. Cleo nodded and walked past Doug to the pilot's seat. Arizona, sitting down, was just as tall as Cleo was standing up.
"Head south-east," Cleo said, "we've got to cross the ocean before we get to the island and the temple is in the middle of the island."
"Expect any trouble," Doug asked.
"I think all we will find is ghosts," Cleo replied, "Cinder seems to have draw all the trouble into herself."
"Well maybe they will be helpful ghosts," Doug said as he thought of Sparks.
Character John 'Soap' MacTavish
K had come by and picked up RAIM just a while ago, shortly after that Burnie and Joel took off, probably to chase K, then JNPR showed up after Yang had called them on the omni-tool and now they were all set up in Junior's new club, aptly named RWBY. As junior explained it, "If it's named after them maybe they wont break it as much."
That statement was about to be tested as the two bands set up their equipment. "Testing one two," Soap spoke into the mic to make sure the system was working.
"Sounds good," Reinhardt said as the soul moving notes of Ruby's electro-strings sounded across the club. She had plugged it into an amp that upped the current thus making the notes louder.
"You know I wouldn't mind losing to them that much," Price remarked, "Still not going to feel bad if we beat them."
"Alright you all ready," Junior asked as he and the twins got seated by the bar.
"Echoes up," Lucas confirmed.
"We are ready," Yang announced as she sent out a beat with her drums.
"Well let's let the off worlders go first," Junior said, "If Petals play anything like Yang does solo I think you all will be hard pressed to win."
"Doug to all DC crew," Doug called out over the various communication devices that DC carried, "Remnant is our new home, get settled in."
"Well blarg me," Lucas remarked, "I guess we will have plenty of time to face off then."
"Speaking of which," Soap said, "What song are you all thinking about?"
"Carry On My Wayward Son," Kat replied, "It's the staple song."
"Lets do this then," Soap said as he walked up to the mic. With that the seven present members of The Echoes started their classic rendition of Kansas' hit song. Five and a half minutes later they had finished and Junior seemed to be legitimately impressed as he and the twins clapped for them.
"Okay Yang show em how its done," Junior said with a grin. Soap got the feeling that they were in over their heads and that Junior was just giving Yang a chance to show off, as she often did.
Ruby started up a tune with Ren using his flute to add to the electro-clubish feel of the song. "Red like roses fills my dreams and leads me to the place you rest," Ruby started the song with a more up beat version of the song she had sung for them earlier, "White is cold and always yearning burdened by a royal test, black the beast descends from shadows, yellow beauty burns gold."
Weiss jumped in at this point as the music shifted to a more classical style, "Mirror tell me something, tell me who's the loneliest of all. Fear of whats inside of me, tell me can a heart be turned to stone."
Sun jumped in as the music changed again to a heavy metal/rap style, "Born with no life into subjugation, just a worthless animal." Blake added her voice to the mix at this point. "Stripped of all rights just a lesser being crush by cruel ruthless human rule." Then the couple were singing, "when it stated all we wanted was a chance to live our lives. now in darkness taking anything we want and we will rise, we'll rise. From shadows we'll descend upon the world take back what you stole, from shadows well reclaim our destiny set our future free and will rise and will rise. Above the darkness and the shame above the torture and the pain above the ridicule and hate above the binding of our fate."
Then the music changed again to a deep drumming type of melody as Yang took up the song. "Come at me and you'll see I'm more than meets the eyes. You think that you'll break me your gonna find in time you were standing to close to a flame that's burning hotter than the sun in the middle of July sending out your army but you still cant win listen up silly boy cause I'm going tell you why. I burn! Cant hold me now you got nothing that can, I burn added Weiss and Nora, stop me, swing all you want. Like a fever I'll take you down!"
Soap was shocked, he had expected the teams to be good but for these kids in their twenties to out match them so badly was well humbling.
"Oh ho ho," Junior exclaimed, "It seems that you, Yang, are much more potent when performing with a team. I applaud you all, but Petals On the Wind wins this round. Echoes your still welcome here anytime and Yang did you set my floor on fire?"
"Oops," Yang said as they all turned towards her and the fire that was burning on the carpet under her. "Uh I'll just go get the fire extinguisher."
"Weiss can't you just ice it," Soap remarked. Weiss just rolled her eyes and put the fire out with a puff of ice.
"You know since we are going to be staying around," Price said, "And seeing as your such a good band, why don't we join up?"
"I have to admit I did like that song," Jaune replied.
Soap handed his guitar to Ghost as he walked off the stage and over to the bar. He passed Miltia and Melanie one the way over as they were headed over to the bands.
"What can I fix you with," Junior asked from behind the counter. Normally his employees would be doing this but since they were all either dead or scattered the owner himself got to demonstrate that he was not bad at tending the bar if need be.
"Brandy and some information," Soap said.
"The drinks are for sale information is a much more valuable commodity," Junior replied as he procured the drink, "Favor for a favor suit you?"
"What do you want to know," Soap asked as he glanced back at his team, RWBY and JNPR.
"Cinder is after you all hard," Junior said, "Now I can see her wanting RWBY and JNPR out of the way, they've messed up plenty of her operations before. The attack earlier, that wasn't how she operates, that was not normal for her. So what did you guys do?"
"Killed her on another planet," Soap replied, "And a bunch of her Sith pets and a demon friend of hers."
"A different planet," Junior remarked.
"Different dimension too," Soap added.
"So that is what that Sith goon of hers was asking about a few months back," Junior muttered. "Okay you've given me my information time I gave you some."
"You and Yang," Soap said, "You two seem to know each other well, despite her destructive nature and your unforgiving one. Everyone else seems to think poorly of you, Roman and Adam seem to know you and you know Cinder and have had contact with her in some fashion. So what happened?"
"You sure know how to pick sore topics," Junior stated. "Years ago, before Yang started at Beacon, she was hunting down various artworks. Now I happened to have some information on one of said artworks and Yang knew that I had it. So she paid me a visit."
"And since information is valuable you wouldn't give it to her," Soap interjected.
"Right," Junior replied, "Lets just say some ass got kicked, a building was blow out, and I woke up the next morning on the street outside with a note in my hand saying 'Thanks for the good time -Y' Turns out she had also taken the information I had on the painting and acquired it for herself. I believe it was the funds from the sale of her collection that put her and Ruby through Beacon. About a week after the club had been refinished and reopened Yang came back in. She walked right up to me, Miltia and Melanie. Needless to say the whole club was on edge at her entrance. However instead of the impending beat down that I thought was coming she smiled and said. 'I never did let you get that kiss, so this is for that intel.' Then she kissed me, only for a second or two, before turning and heading back out. It was Miltia that pointed out I had a gun holstered to my belt as well as lipstick on my face."
"So she used a kiss to give you a gun," Soap said as he looked over to Yang who was carrying Ruby around the stage while Lucas was chasing after them trying to get his sword back. "You sure she doesn't have a twin or something?"
"Pretty sure," Junior replied, "Make no mistake Yang gets what she wants. I don't even bother anymore."
"So are you and Yang," Soap started.
"Together," Junior finished, "I don't think so, I'd be by her side in a second but she has never been clear about where I stand in relation to her."
"And Miltia and Melanie," Soap asked.
"Old friends of mine," Junior said, "We are good business partners and friends but not really close in that way. What are you all going to do about Cinder?"
"I guess it is your turn to ask," Soap said, "I think Ruby has K convinced to try and save her from the demon that she has brought into herself. Personally I'd just shoot her."
"Then you don't know Cinder," Junior said, "I've seen her stop bullets with her hands."
"Not bullets from a demons hunter," Soap replied as he finished his drink, "You know if you want to have a shot at Yang you'd best join up with DC, otherwise we'll be in and out of Remnant oh and Yang is immortal."
"Roman mentioned something about that," Junior said, "I'll... consider it."
"See you aboard ship then," Soap said as he picked up on Junior's decision.
"You'll be seeing three of us," Junior said as he nodded towards Miltia and Melanie.
"Sounds good," Soap agreed, "Hey can we leave the instruments set up here?"
"That is the idea," Junior replied, "Soap I think having you all around is going to be very good for business."
Soap let himself smile at that as he passed Yang and Weiss as the two headed for the bar with Melanie.
"Looks like we are home," he said.
"Yeah and you all get to stay," Yang replied jovially.
"That we do," Soap thought, "Now to rid ourselves of a pesky Cinder."