Days had passed after the company commander of Fox Company left his friend to her own devices. Yet, he found himself standing at her door once more with more sealed containers filled with food. Ever since she had convinced him to help her while she remained sick, he had taken the opportunity to send his men as his errand boys. Although he was sure they hated him for that, he smiled at the thought of his men being angry at him. They were not going to do anything to their commanding officer.
His thoughts about yesterday, after another check-up on Winter, concerned him. Captain Durante remembered the following events when Major Blackmore had personally informed him of another mission by Colonel Strudwick. The Englishman informed him that he was going back to Germany to obtain Doctor Sauer's documents at the very castle he first met him. The only problem present, was the Soviet soldiers who controlled it. The captain could not understand why, but he felt reluctant to go.
Monte's eyes slowly looked up from the base of the door as the numbers "343" looking back at him with its silver façade. Then he knocked on the door three times. Now was not the time to think about his upcoming OSS mission.
Although the door prevented him from seeing who was behind the other side, he heard the clicks that tapped the wooden floorboards. The officer waited silently as he glanced to both sides of the hallway, hoping he would be allowed in. Then he heard the knob turn as he prepared a smile for his host.
When the door swung open, his disappeared when a relative of Winter was looking at him. She resembled an older version of the specialist, but Monte knew that Mrs. Schnee was standing in front of him. However, she gave off a disapproving glare into his soul. "Oh, it's you." Mrs. Schnee said as she turned away from the soldier.
A man called out to her, but Captain Durante knew who that was. "Honey, who is that at the door?" He asked.
"It's one of those officers we had in our home." She answered before turning to the right and walking into the living room.
The captain slowly entered the room before he was met by a hateful glare which belonged to Winter's father. His wife sat beside him in a separate chair as they both looked at the young man drop the meal onto the table across from them. "Captain Durante, quite a surprise to see you here. Tell me, what are you doing here in my daughter's apartment?" He asked.
Monte had decided that it be better for him to answer the question honestly. "Mr. Schnee, Winter needed some help to recover from that cold of hers."
Jacques Schnee leaned forward as his elbows rested on the armrests of the chair. "She is sick because of you." He replied. "My daughter has a fever, because she decided to rescue you." His tone did not help ease the tension at all as his eyes glared into his soul.
"Sir, where are you going with this?"
The father leaned back in his chair. "After today, I don't want you anywhere near Winter. The Schnee family has a terrible history when it comes to sickness and I would prefer that my wife and I have healthy children. I have spoken with General Ironwood about rearranging another specialist to assist you in training your aura. Besides, I am sure you have other matters to attend to."
"What did I do wrong?" The officer questioned.
"Everything." The businessman answered. "Ever since the invitation to my home, my daughter talks about you when she comes to visit us. Today, this changes. No longer will you see Winter and if you choose to ignore this warning, I will see to it that General Ironwood personally keeps an eye on you."
"All of this, because I got her sick."
"Yes, you have no right to make it any worse."
Durante's eyes looked to the floor. "Who is going to be taking care of her?" He asked. "Someone always has to check up on her."
"That is no longer your concern, I have already arranged someone to take care of her." Jacques replied.
"If that is the case, may I see her today?"
Winter's father shook his head. "Do you honestly believe I would allow a man, whose reputation is that of a scoundrel, to talk to my daughter any longer than it has to be? My answer is no."
Looking back to Mr. Schnee, Monte felt conflicted in breaking the man's demands or adhering to the situation. Her father did not like him and he was sure of it. The officer was no longer needed, but he felt like there was something else to it. The captain realized that he had stayed his welcome and he couldn't do anything about it. "I'll take my leave then." Then he nodded his head. "Both of you have a good day." The officer turned his back on Jacques as he walked out of the apartment room.
Captain Durante began over thinking the entire matter at hand. He didn't know why, but he felt like his gut feeling was sensing more to come. However, his thoughts were focus on one person he was truly concerned about, Specialist Schnee.
Captain Argall looked at his watch, only to see the time set to noon. "Strange, I was supposed to meet Captain Durante here. He told me that he would be here in a jiffy." Then he looked across from his seat, only to find Major Blackmore taking a sip of his tea. "Major Blackmore, do you know what could possibly hold him up?"
The major in the red beret placed his teacup down on the table. "Apparently, our American friend fancies someone." He replied with a vague statement. However, Captain Argall knew who the major was referring to.
"I see that you also noticed this as well. What do you believe about Durante having relations with someone from this world?" The captain questioned.
"Why are you so interested?"
Argall chuckled in reply. "I am part of her majesty's commando regiment, it is in my nature to know the details. Especially, when it comes to persons of interests."
The major took a quick glance at him before rolling his eyes. "A gentleman shouldn't dwell on another's matters. It's rather rude, don't you believe so."
"Maybe I worry too much."
Blackmore smiled. "It may be." He replied.
Both the officers turned away from their table as they looked past the heads of the officers who ate at the hotel's eating hall. However, they observed the small detail they needed to further their conversation. They found Captain Durante walking besides their table.
"Captain Durante, I take that you had a pleasant morning?" The major asked.
The officer's expression did not ease the situation as he looked to the British officer. "No, but I prefer not to talk about it."
"What could possibly make your day bad? You are the captain of Fox Company, I don't see what could make you down."
"Major Blackmore, do not push your luck on this one."
He nodded his head in reply. "Very well. I'll leave you and Captain Argall alone for this mission of yours." Then the Englishman rose from his seat as he brought his teacup with him. Soon after, he departed from the two officers before the captain took his seat.
"Argall, where do we start?" Wondered Captain Durante.
The commando officer smiled. "At Lorch, the very same town we departed before we went to this world. You bring four men with you and I'll bring five of my men with me. Then we sneak into the castle and make our way into the very area where we found Doctor Sauer." He explained to the American.
"The entire castle is likely to be covered with Soviet troops, how are we going to make our entry without causing an incident?"
Captain Argall tied his fingers together. "Do not fret, I've bribed some of the troops along with better rations than theirs. They'll allow us into the castle in no time."
"Can we trust these men?" Monte asked once more.
"Durante, we shall discuss this once we are in the base camp." Then he tapped the American by the shoulder as he rose from his seat. "Come, we have a more secure location to brief you on this matter."
Captain Edwards and Captain Vastano sat across from the very large and muscular man. They didn't speak about his size as they tried to focus their attention on the tea Mrs. Belladonna had poured into their cups.
When she was finished with her husband's cup, Mr. Belladonna smiled to his wife. "Thank you, honey." The cat-woman walked out of the room with the jar of warm tea as he reached down to pick up his cup. Once he heard the door close, he focused his full attention on the two officers sitting across his table. "You two are from the world beyond Remnant, is that correct?"
Bill and Johnny answered with a simple nod.
"Tell me, what brings me two men from another world into my humble home?" He asked. "I am merely curious."
Bill glanced at the paratrooper to speak up before the conversation began.
Johnny opened his lips, but the sheer height of the man was enough to intimidate him. Yet, he took the chance to bring the issue to him. "Mr. Belladonna, I am looking for a missing person. The thing is, the White Fang took her."
The giant sipped his tea before he calmly placed it down on the table between himself and the two officers. "The White Fang? Why would they do such a thing?"
"Her mom seemed important enough to kidnap her and take her away." The paratrooper answered. "However, my source says you might help me out if I asked for your help."
Mr. Belladonna placed his hands over his kneecaps. "Captains, I welcome you into my home and offered you tea since I am your host. However, I would want to know why would two officers from another world interfere with the matters of the White Fang. They're the only group who fights against the discrimination against the faunus." He replied. "What makes you think I would allow you to compromise their efforts for improving faunus rights?"
Then Johnny heard his friend comment. "You're working with the White Fang, are you?"
He nodded his head. "I was once the High Leader of the White Fang." The giant stated.
Both men couldn't hide their shock.
"I still have influence despite my… change in occupation." Then Mr. Belladonna focused his attention on Captain Vastano. "Now that I revealed this information to you, both of you will not be leaving Menagerie."
"Sir, we only want to rescue my friend back." Johnny began. "I'm not here for the White Fang, I am only here for her."
"How can I trust the good intentions of a man wearing the uniform of a military and work alongside the businessmen of Atlas? I can't and I will not risk my fellow faunus to suffer at the hands of terrible practices. My sympathies, but I believe you have overstayed your welcome."
Johnny did not expect the younger officer to defy him. Captain Edwards rose from his seat and looked up at the tall giant. "Mr. Belladonna, we will not leave and we will not be the first people to annoy you."
"Excuse me?"
"Do you know what the White Fang did to us?" Bill asked.
"No, but I do not care."
"Well, you should. I don't know if you know this, but the White Fang attacked a German town, killed a high-ranking American colonel that Vastano and I are well-acquainted with, and impersonated the military police. If the Office of Strategic Services chooses to disclose this information to my world, it would leave a bad impression on the White Fang and a hateful opinion on the faunus." The young man stated.
The older man gazed his full attention upon the company commander. "What are you getting at?"
"If the rest of the Allied Forces hear of this, the White Fang would be a threat to be eliminated. The only obstacle that is keeping a fleet of battleships and cruisers outside of this damn port is the fact that we're not here for the White Fang. However, if that organization of faunus rights does get in our way we would take other harsh measures and I'm sure you don't want that." Bill explained to Mr. Belladonna. "All we want is some information for my friend here to rescue someone from the White Fang."
Then he turned his gaze towards the paratrooper. "Captain Vastano, why is rescuing her so important?"
Johnny answered with honest eyes. "A long time ago, I was a selfish kid who was sentence to do his time. Her father taught me and trained me to be a better guy." He paused for a moment, trying to find his next words. "The White Fang executed him and left his daughter without a dad. Jackson turned me into the person right now. The least I could do was protect his daughter.
Mr. Belladonna's eyes grew wide. "Wait a minute, are you referring to an Atlesian officer who goes by the name of Colonel Jackson?"
"Yeah, what does that mean to you?"
The uneasiness changed within the conversation. "He spared my life when I could have died from the Grimm." He answered. "I was trying to gain some sympathy from the Atlas Military a long time ago, but he was someone I respected since then. To hear that he is dead is quite sad to hear, but to hear that his daughter was captured by my brethren draws some concern as well."
"I take that you are going to tell us?" Johnny asked. "Because I'm hoping for some good news."
"Worry not, both of you have convinced me to assist you in your endeavors. As of right now, the White Fang are currently having issues in dealing some extreme personnel within their cells and my own daughter had clashed with them at the Fall of Beacon. However, to hear that they would go to the lengths to capture the daughter of Colonel seems strange."
Captain Vastano expressed his confusion. "Strange, what could be so strange about the kidnapping? They have her."
"That is the problem. Colonel Jackson was known for his counter-terror methods against the White Fang, but why would they steal his daughter? It makes little sense."
Bill glanced over to him. "Should we tell him?"
"Tell me what?"
Johnny gritted his teeth as he thought about the situation. He was going to be disclosing classified information to unauthorized personnel. "It's a long story, but Pyrrha could help explain everything. Though, Bill and I might have trouble trying to convince you about this."
"How so?" Mr. Belladonna asked again. "It should not difficult to enlighten me."
The trio heard the door slam onto the ground as they turned their heads away from their conversation at the table. This time, it was focused on the teenagers that were standing in front of the doorway. Pyrrha stood at the back as she waved her hand with a slight smile. "Sorry about this." In front of her was Blake Belladonna, who was laying down on the fallen door.
"Blake, were you overhearing our conversation?" He asked.
The cat-girl nodded. "Is it true?" She asked. "Did the White Fang do those things to you?" This time, the questions were directed at the company commanders. "I need to know."
Captain Edwards recalled the events. "Yes, a few other companies and I had to encircle the town and close the pocket. We captured those who surrendered, but we didn't give the others any quarter when they fought to the death."
"What does Pyrrha have to do with anything?"
He shrugged his shoulders. "Ask her, not my place."
The two teenagers walked in as Pyrrha found her words. "Have any of you heard of the tale of the Maidens."
It was a long time since he had been back to the base camp, but remembered the snow to be a hassle for everyone. He recalled that the snow was a problem for the tanks and the infantry hated it for making a mess at the entrances of the tents.
Now he brought his mind to focus on the task at hand. Find the documents and return back to Colonel Strudwick and hand it to him. He walked up the ramp as he followed Captain Argall to the hole in reality.
He heard Argall speak up at the front of the small group of ten. "Captain, once we finish this little mission of ours, we should get a pint later." He suggested before they returned back to the world of Earth.
As Captain Durante felt his body sucked away from Remnant, he immediately arrived at the town of Lorch. He recognized the familiar sight of the buildings as he saw the clouds filled with spots of flak shells. The orchestra of war had returned to him while he looked to his right to see an artillery battery fire a volley of shells from behind the walls. Then he noticed the skies filled with planes and the flying creatures of Grimm.
Monte tried to find the words to describe the drastic changes of the world he just left, only to see it back to fighting. "What the hell happened here?"