Two officers stood on the docks, only to see a ship off in the distance leave with the cold waters of the Atlas continent. The older officer sighed as he stood up straight and tall. "It's weird to see how much those two changed since my first time meeting them." He said.

The second officer was quick to reply. "I can share those same sentiments. Kurt, what do you think will happen to us after all of this?"

Captain Derby glanced over to his pupil. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, the war is over and I'm thinking about the future once we go home."

"Monte, if there is anything you should know, men like us like to fade away." He replied. "Yes, we fought in a war, but I like to put the war behind us now. No one wants something like this to ever happen again and I don't blame them. As for what I'm going to do with my life, I might retire and head back home to sweet Louisiana."

"You're not going to pass by to check on me?" Captain Durante asked.

"Son, I know you can take care of yourself. You were the only S-O-B to truly take on that fortress of a goddamn hill after the krauts came in with their armor." Derby answered.

"You're talking about the Siegfried Line."

"Yeah, the last time you boys and I will fight something that big. Since then, I doubt we'll do something like that ever again."

Captain Durante looked back to the sea, only to see the cold ocean and the waves coming ashore. "Our circle has gotten smaller since Normandy." He commented. "I miss them. Every single one of them."

"You're talking about those other boys. McKay and Conti."

The officer sighed. "We've been together since Africa and it's sad that I'll never see them back home. I sometimes wished the war never happened."

Turning away from the younger officer, Kurt nodded his head. "I know how you feel. It's the price we young men must pay when we take on the uniform." He said. "It's weird, this will be my second and my last war. Though, I never thought I lived to see my second one."

"Then it is a good thing you volunteered, I doubt I would have changed my attitude if you weren't around."

"It feels good to be appreciated." Kurt replied.

"I know it's not the right time to ask, but you were there when my mother left my grandfather. I want to know what exactly happened."

Captain Derby looked down at the snow and sighed. "After all of my time with you, I think you earned that right to know." He said. "There was once a time, after my first war, that I was part of the expeditionary force sent to Russia. We had a mission there, but my duty was to get your pa out since he was a citizen. However, he wanted to get your ma's family out of there. Despite his requests, I've noticed that your grandpa was a stubborn man. He would rather die than leave the country he was born in." The captain paused for a moment for a quick breather. "The Reds were getting closer, but he gave your pa the permission to bring your ma out of the country. However, I remember there was something he wanted to happen once you become of age."

Monte closed his eyes as he remembered the old photographs of his grandfather back in his old home. A man whom he had never met, wore a great beard as he was dressed with a sash and a few medals on his chest. Despite of no memory of the old man, it felt like he knew the relative. "What did he say about me?"

"Your grandpa said that once you were of age, you would be given the family ring to lead it." Kurt Derby answered. "Now that you are standing here, you now wear it."

"I'm the head of the Bezukhov family, am I?"

"Son, you earned that right to lead it. If you could lead the same men just like Conti and McKay, you'll live."

"What about them?" He asked. "They died and I lived."

Then Captain Derby shook his head. "War is war. None of us expected Conti to die. We thought he would be among the living and there was nothing we could have done when that kraut ace killed McKay. Just be glad we've made it as the victors."

The two officers watched the sea together in the cold with a moment of silence as Captain Durante reached into his jacket and pulled out a black beret. However, Derby took notice of its presence. "That's a beret from the Maquis. Why do you have that with you?" He asked.

Durante clenched the hat in his hand as he placed his hand on his chest. "You don't remember, her. Do you?"

"Oh… her. If you had this all this time, why did you bring it out?"

"I'm beginning…" He could not finish his words as he shook his head. "Shit, I don't know what to say about this."

"I know you loved her." Commented Derby. "I'm surprised you still have it with you."

"How can I not forget what that kraut did? She would have been happy after we rounded up the Seventh Army. She could have lived… I would have proposed to her."

"Monte, tell me what's wrong."

"Is it wrong to forget about someone because you're beginning to love someone else?"

"You're grieving. Even after all this time, you just having a hard time moving on."

"How can I?" He asked. "Help me out, Kurt. I don't know what to do? I thought my life was going to end up like the others, but it didn't."

The older man smiled as he placed a hand on his shoulder. "If you're looking for advice, try to make your peace before you move on in your life. It's how I made mine." Then he walked away from the sea as he treaded through the snow and followed his way through the tracks.

Captain Durante stood there, unable to move as he looked down at the beret and held the memory of his lover in his hands. For the first time, he was afraid of what to do with his life.

As the ship began to make its way towards its destination, Captain Edwards leaned on the railings looking down at the cargo hold, only to see dozens of Studebaker trucks closely put together. Each dozens of boxes filled with ammunition and equipment that was guarded by paratroopers. After all, it was their equipment that they were bringing with them. There were the few dozens of anti-tank guns and the anti-tank weapons, but that was in case if Able Company met with something bullets couldn't kill.

The company commander, now turned guardian, was accompanied by a familiar face. He looked to his right, only to find the bunny girl find him. "Captain Edwards, I was looking for you. What are you doing down here?" She asked.

He pushed himself away from the railing as he turned to face the student. "I'm just making sure Johnny's men have secured their equipment."

"Oh, why?" She asked. "I understand that his soldiers brought military equipment with them, but I'm a bit curious."

Bill raised an eyebrow. "I don't think you'll like it if I told you."

The student smiled. "I'm a huntress who fought a Paladin. I think I can handle dangerous."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure. Besides, what is worse than the Grimm?"

"PW Smoke. Some of us nickname the stuff 'Willey Pete' since it does so much damage."

A confused expression fell upon the bunny girl's face. "PW. What does that mean?"

"White phosphorous, it's some nasty stuff."

"I've heard it's some kind of chemical, but that's new. What do you guys use it for?"

The captain was hesitant to reply, but he knew better than not to tell her. "Clearing out buildings with this stuff. Shards of phosphorous land on some poor guy and burns his skin. Not something I would like to use on anybody."

She gasped in horror as she placed a hand in front of her mouth. "Why do you have this on the ship?"

"Not me, Johnny. He was the one who brought this stuff."

"Why would Johnny bring something so terrible with him?"

Edwards sighed. "I don't know. I just hope he never has the need to use it. Come on, let's leave this place. I am already uncomfortable as it is." The captain said as he lead her out of the cargo hold and began to make his way into one of the hallways of the ship. "Where's Pyrrha and Coco?" He asked.

"I don't know, I think they're on the lunch hall deck."

Johnny Vastano walked onto the wooden deck as he shivered in the cold before he leaned on the railing. Despite his decisions to look out at the sea another accompanied him. "What brings you here?" He asked the woman who joined him.

"Captain Edwards said you were part of a crime organization." The Winter Maiden said. "I want to know why my husband helped you of all people."

The young man chuckled. "Do you really want to talk about my criminal life?" He asked. "Because I'm happy I forgot about it."

"Yes, I see it necessary because you could have harmed my daughter."

"Woah, no need to blow it out of proportion. Criminals have rules as well."

Mrs. Jackson raised an eyebrow. "Criminals have morals. That is the first I have ever heard of it."

"It's an unspoken rule, but it is a rule nonetheless. It's business, not personal." Then the young man shook his head. "Can't believe that I did that shit back then and got lucky for it."

"You don't regret being a criminal?" She asked.

Captain Vastano shook his head. "My family is full of criminals. It's hard not to be like them. We're all connected to some way. Whether it be politicians, businessmen, or actors on some movie, we are all trying to improve the family's position against the other families."

Mrs. Jackson grew concerned. "You were competing with other criminals, why are you doing that?" She asked.

"It's a way of life you won't understand. I can tell you that, but I was too young to care. For me, all I cared about was the money, fun, and putting a bullet in some guy's head for insulting the Godfather. Until the judge decided I was old enough to be in the army."

"Why would they do that?"

"The cops arrested me for killing two soldiers from the other family." Johnny explained. "Thing is, their captain was on the other family's payroll. So, they had it in for me. The only way I am still standing was some lawyer to convince the judge to send me into the Army since the government needed young guys like me to fight in Europe and the Pacific."

"You deserved that fate." Mrs. Jackson replied. "You killed someone and that is what you deserve for doing that."

"Of course I did, my family was on the FBI's watchlist. Since I was the one causing so much trouble, they didn't mind that. Though, the Godfather was very upset they wouldn't accept the fine to release me."

"Are you his relative?"

Johnny scoffed at the question. "More than that, I am his son. I am technically his lineage of the family business." He answered. "But he was genuinely worried about me since I was his son."

"Why would he care about you? You're all criminals." She accused him. "Most criminals don't have any morals."

"For the mob, we do. Family is all we have and it is a precious thing for us Italians. Besides, my father was lucky enough to escape the Italian Army during the Great War and he was scared for me being in this one and I don't blame him thanks to Captain Derby?"

"Captain Derby? Who is he?"

"Remember when we were at your house?" The officer asked. "He was the old guy. Tough SOB in my book. Never knew a guy who wanted to fight in our war."

"You keep talking about the war, but I don't know why you talk about. I would like to ask you about it, if you don't mind." She requested from him.

Johnny looked back at the sea before he leaned his head back. "In a continent called Europe, the Germans took control of it. Before the United States, me and the other boys, got into the fighting, the Brits and the Ruskies were the ones who fought the Germans. When we came there, we decided it was time to kill some krauts since their buds, the Japs, decided to bomb us."

"So they were the ones that attacked?" She asked of him.

"More than that, the Germans declared war on every single country they set their sights on and they are no pushovers. I know that for sure."

"You and my husband fought against them. What were they like?"

"They were bastards. They didn't give us rabbits and daisies just for show. They had some of the best shit I've ever came across. Thing is, we outnumbered them and that was what we had over them." Captain Vastano answered. "Luckily, I am a paratrooper, the sticks of soldiers sent behind enemy lines to knock their teeth in."

"Do you actually knock their teeth in?" She asked. "Because that is a disturbing sight now that I think about it?"

He shook his head. "No, we didn't do that. It's our way of saying we could beat them. Though they did have their fair share of guys who weren't easy to fight. Guys just like me, just that they didn't parachute into the ground."

"You found your equals?"

"Yep, Fallschirmjagers." Johnny answered. "They're just like us, but we had it better. Turns out they don't jump from the sky and do the same thing to us like we do to them."

"You mean, go behind enemy lines."

He admitted with a nod. "Turns out their aircraft can't do crap when our flyboys were shooting them down. I doubt they want to risk more men trying to fly into enemy territory."

"Johnny, I know you have fighting experience, but things are different on Remnant. You're not fighting these Germans, you're fighting the White Fang. They're terrorists, they will not back down if you do confront them. They will give no mercy."

"I've fought the Germans long enough to know about mercy. These White Fang spooks don't even earn the kind of reputation they have. Unlike the White Fang, the German's reputation is dipped in blood."

Captain Derby stepped out of the jeep as he walked towards the entrance of the school, only to meet two middle-aged men. However, one of them was quite older and had built himself a belly as he raised his eyebrow over the war veteran. "Pardon me, but I am looking for a man who goes by the name of Kurt Derby. Do you know where he is?" The older man asked.

The captain grinned as he brought out his hand. "Sir, you're looking at him."

Before the stranger could greet him, the second stranger impossibly rushed forward and shook his hand. It was surprised and shocked the captain at how fast he was at responding. "Hello good sir, I am Professor Oobleck of Beacon Academy in Vale and the man behind me is my college, Professor Port."

After they shook hands, Kurt tried to register how fast the professor was at talking and couldn't understand why it was possible. "Good to meet you two. I was just about to search for you, but I know there is a third professor who happens to be accompanying us."

Walking down the steps of the Atlas Academy, the three men glanced over to the feminine figure coming down the steps. However, Professor Port was quick to bow in her presence. "Professor Goodwitch, it has been quite some time since our last meeting in Vale."

The blonde beauty smiled before nodding her head. "Likewise Port, how are things going in Vale."

"Splendid, people there can't wait to greet Captain Derby once he arrives."

For the officer, it peaked his interest. "I hate to ask, but did hear something about a parade?"

The professors admitted with a nod as Oobleck continued. "Yes, you and your peers have gotten quite the reputation on Remnant after you protected the Atlas Academy from the White Fang. I have also heard rumors that some of your soldiers were helping small villages outside of the kingdoms."

Derby dismissed it with a wave of his hand. "That's old news." He answered. "All we've been doing is sitting around on our asses doing nothing. Have to ask, but what's the weather like in Vale?"

"Oh, the weather is quite warmer than Atlas. I can assure you." He said. "Once you arrive there, I cannot wait to learn what kind of culture is like outside of Remnant."

The American officer chuckled. "All I care is getting out of the cold. When are we leaving?"

Then Professor Goodwitch was quick to answer. "Soon. We'll depart for Vale by airship. I just need to know if you are ready."

"Dog Company is ready." He replied. "Everything's packed up and ready to be loaded."

"Good, I'll inform General Ironwood."