After the events of the attack on Atlas Academy, a message was given by Adam Taurus, anyone who went to their military academy will be a target for working with the Atlas Military. Any parent whose children were in the military location were immediately asking for Atlas to assure them they would be safe. An answer was brought up, but it did little to ease the worry of the parents as some pulled their students out of the military academy.
The news of this information was terrible to hear, but Johnny Vastano had been given worse news. Colonel Jackson, better known in the Army as Captain Jackson, was executed during the attack. The man who taught how to be a soldier was truly dead and was gone for the rest of his life. He also told this to Durante, who fought alongside him since North Africa.
In his own way, he was coping with his death as the captain of Fox Company drove the jeep. Thankfully, they had dressed up for the occasion and would reunite with Edwards and Derby in the funeral to come. "Here we are, let me park here." Monte stated as the vehicle had taken a parking space in front of the building. "We're lucky we left early for the services. We should be there on time."
As the two commanding officers made their steps to the front of the building, Vastano recognized the men of Able Company gathering at the front of the building in the service uniforms. The men smiled and embraced their long-lost company commander back into their unit as Vastano looked back to see Pyrrha Nikos, Captain Derby, and Bill Edwards leave their jeep and join the US Army personnel waiting at the entrance. "I have to ask, but why are we waiting here?" He questioned.
Then an Atlas general walked in and began meet the men. "Captain Vastano, we are giving some time for Colonel Jackson's family to mourn for a moment before they take their seats. I understand your relation with the colonel, but you must understand. Family comes first."
Vastano nodded his head in approval. "Don't worry, I completely understand, General Ironwood."
Ironwood turned to the only person who wasn't wearing a uniform, Pyrrha. "Ms. Nikos, it is good to know that you have survived the Fall of Beacon. Though I would like to know about the events after the services are handled."
The young girl immediately nodded with some once of shyness. "I understand, but I am here to pay my respects."
"What a surprise?" He began. "Mr. Schnee is here as well."
Suddenly, a limo arrived and parked in front of the building as an old man stepped out in a white dress with a hint of light blue. Then he kept the door open long enough to allow a lithe figure step out of the limo in her dress.
For Pyrrha, it had been a long time since she had seen an old friend from Beacon ever since she was ripped away from Remnant. Now it occurred to her what would happen if she recognized her.
As the man made his way in front of the door, Mr. Schnee confronted General Ironwood. "It is a sad day to see an old friend of mine killed by the White Fang." He began. "General, after these services I want the people responsible for this. Can you do this?" He asked.
The general nodded his head in acknowledgment. "I will do what can do to the best of my ability."
Mr. Schnee noticed the men of the US Army standing there. "I see that Colonel Jackson has made quite a circle of friends… or misfits I cannot tell the difference." He said as his eyes were focused o Vastano.
The young lady behind besides Mr. Schnee merely observed the men surrounding her and her father. However, she turned to see someone slip past the men and meet them accordingly. She recognized the red hair and the distinct figure that was once thought to be lost. "Pyrrha?" The young lady questioned.
Pyrrha stepped forward and grabbed her attention. "Weiss, it's been a long time since we have talked to each other." She started. "I see you returned back to Atlas after Beacon."
Oddly enough, Mr. Schnee turned his head onto Pyrrha with intrigue. "Pyrrha, as in Pyrrha Nikos?" Wondered the father of Weiss. "You happen to be one of the friends of my lovely daughter? What brings the tournament fighter of Mistral here in Atlas?"
Pyrrha returned a smile. "I have matters to attend to." She replied. "I'm just passing by… to see a friend."
"I see that my daughter has found someone worthy of being her friend." Stated Mr. Schnee.
Pyrrha's gaze turned onto Weiss as the two smiled. "It's good to see an old friend again." She answered.
Immediately, the doors to the building had opened as Johnny Vastano found Winter Schnee standing at the doorway. "Come in, the family has finished their mourning." Replied the specialist.
Everyone waiting outside had walked into the building with rows of chairs waiting for someone to occupy them. As the US Army personnel organized themselves on the left rows of chairs, Vastano sat in the front row and joined the rest of the company commanders. Everyone else took their seats on the right row.
At the same time, Johnny turned his gaze to the right to see Professor Goodwitch sitting behind someone crying. She was comforting the poor soul who lost Jackson; however, the officer recognized her face as she was too young to even be his wife or a sister. Rather it was likely that the girl was likely to be his daughter, but he couldn't believe his eyes that he would meet her here. "Persinette?" He whispered to himself.
Yet, Derby was quick enough to catch his words. "Vastano, you know that girl?" The old grizzled weapon questioned.
"Yeah, she was a student I know during my stay here."
"So Jackson had a daughter?" He wondered to himself. "A pity we first meet her at his funeral."
"I know, but it's a surprise she is his daughter." Replied Johnny.
There was a pedestal at the front of the room as General Ironwood rose from his seat and stood behind it. He cleared his throat as he remained calm and began to speak up. "Colonel Jackson was one of my best men who has served in the Atlas Military for most of his career. Of all the men who I worked with, he was the one who would take missions that were dangerous to his life. However, he was fearless in his duty to preserve the world of Remnant today. Not only did he take the risk of a mission, but the soldier had made friends with those from another world called world and in some ways made a long-standing friendship. Although I could list his achievements, it is a sad day to inform those mourning his loss that he will be gone forever in our hearts." After he finished his speech, the general turned his attention over to the men in their service uniforms. "I would like to know if anyone has any words to say about the man."
Sadly, Vastano looked around and noticed that even Mr. Schnee was not willing to say anything about the man. Only that he was reserved in his seat and observed the pedestal from afar. Yet, there was a feeling of incompleteness within this very room and he needed to complete it by bringing the issue off his chest. Then he raised his hand. "I would like to say a few words about Jackson if I may." He said with his clear Chicago accent.
When he nodded his head, the general acknowledged the young officer. "Captain Vastano is going to say his final words about the colonel." Then Ironwood stepped down and watched as the paratrooper officer hesitantly walked behind the pedestal before the general returned to his seat besides Professor Goodwitch.
It was a new position for Captain Vastano to find himself in. One where his now had power and he had importance compared to the rest of his life. Here, he was talking about a man who molded him into the soldier he was. "Hello."
He slightly smiled as the people of Remnant were not exactly supporting him. "I am Captain Vastano of Able Company and I am here to tell everyone the kind of man he was and how much he changed my life. A long time ago I was just some Chicago kid who was on the wrong side of the law and was sentenced to be in the military. Of all the people who had to put up with me, Captain Jackson was the one who happened to put with everything I threw at him. Before the D-Day landings, he turned some troublesome kid into a soldier long before he went missing in the Ardennes Offensive. Although Able Company and I didn't know much about him before he became our company commander, he was one of the Screaming Eagles and now we have lost one of our own."
Johnny gave himself a moment as one more thought occurred to him. "Since he was one of our own, I want everyone from Able to rise and give him one last chorus to Captain Jackson." Oddly enough, the other company commanders rose and joined the paratroopers in this one last moment with their fallen brother. "It is a short piece from the actual song, but he sung this with us as well."
A saddened tone arose from within the voices of the mourning soldiers as they sung slowly to savor this final moment with their commanding officer. At the same time, they also grabbed the attention from the people on the right side of the set of seats. Johnny noticed Derby, Durante, and Edwards singing the song.
Gory, Gory, what a hell of a way to die.
Gory, Gory, what a hell of a way to die.
Gory, Gory, what a hell of a way to die.
He ain't gonna jump no more.
Suddenly, a voice shot out and grabbed the attention of Vastano. "Johnny boy, what kind of song is that if it disrespects my dad and his death!" His eyes didn't want to find her, but he saw Persinette Jackson upset about the entire chorus. "Why?"
He didn't want to answer her, but the silence was an agony no one deserved as an answer. "I'm sorry, but that was his favorite song among Able. I'm sorry for your loss."
Professor Goodwitch placed a hand on Persinette's shoulder before looking to the CO. "Vastano, you should be ashamed of yourself. I expected better from you."
Then Persinette took her hand off the shoulder. "Don't worry Vastano, you came to my dad's funeral when my mom didn't." She said as she wiped the tears off her cheeks. "Thank you."
He gave her a nod as he left the podium to no one. "Goodbye Captain Jackson and may god help you rest in peace."