Hello there? Let's see where this chapter leads us! The disclaimer is in previous channels!
Chapter 5: Espionage
Azure's Office, Beacon Academy
If there was one thing Azure can call Ozpin, it was an enigma. The man was a dump of mysteries to the point that he was certain that he had secrets that kept secrets. He would know this of course. Being a Field Marshal for one of the largest military formations in the galaxy, he was no stranger to the dirty world of espionage and black ops. He personally oversaw several of such operations, and now that he was acting as security here in Beacon, he didn't hesitate to make hidden moves behind his coworkers' back.
Make no mistake, Azure trusted that these people are fighting for the survival of the people of Remnant, but it's better to know the hidden face behind the warrior's mask than being caught off guard. With the help of Besh 6, and several other commandos, The Marshal has established a whole network of data-gathering sources, both technological and sentient. So far, his spies had only scratched the surface, but it was enough to convince the Marshal that there is more to the good Headmaster than what meets the eye.
Fortunately, nothing has pointed out that he had ulterior motives with his position as Headmaster. If there were, he would personally see to it that Ozpin is nailed on the tower. For now, he would busy himself with the work at hand. Said work was reviewing the final proposals for the rotation of the patrols so that almost all of the academy would have a constant presence of Clone Foot Guards and Marines. As he reviewed the schematics of Beacon, he noticed one key detail. The elevator of Beacon Tower was off by a certain bit. Upon reviewing it further, he noticed that there was little space below the elevator floor and where the elevator supposedly ends.
"Strange, but the floor is too thick for that space. Could it be a mistake in the construction? No... perhaps-" Azure's thoughts were cut short when Goodwitch buzzed his scroll.
He answered the call "Azure speaking."
"Azure. I need you and some of your men to accompany me to Vale." Glynda instructed with a rather rushed tone.
"Right. Fill me in on the way," he ended the call and muttered as he rushed to put his armor on.
...
Azure, now in his full combat gear, led Captain Sixers and a squad of the Foot Guards to the landing platform where Miss Goodwitch awaited with their bullhead.
"We're not taking a Larty sir?" asked Sixers as they marched on.
"I believe so Captain."
"Well, why not sir?"
Azure guessed for a bit before answering "We're most likely entering a low-level combat zone that won't warrant us to use such firepower."
"Sir, you do realize you also took a Larty to bail a student right?"
The Marshal sighed "Yes, I know. Glynda already gave me an earful for that."
"And rightfully so. I swear Azure, you and Ironwood are the same," The Deputy Headmistress scolded as she approached them.
Captain Sixers had to hold himself for laughing at his superior. Seeing the Field Marshal on the receiving end was something he never thought he would see.
"We can banter at the teacher's lounge Miss Goodwitch. If we are to catch Roman Torchwick, we better be bloody there fast," Azure said as he boarded the bullhead.
Sixers and the squad followed suit and as soon as they were secured, the pilot took them to the mission zone. As the bullhead flew over the sights below them, Sixers noticed that Glynda and Azure were discussing something.
"Non-lethal attacks. Got it," Marshal Azure agreed as Glynda continued.
"The safety of civilians is also a priority, especially the huntress-in training that was present."
"Glynda. Don't worry. We're not rookie soldiers who are agitated for a fight. We know how to handle situations like this," Azure reassured.
Miss Goodwitch let out a sigh "I apologize for the hostility. It's just that my experience with military types is far from okay..."
"We'll be careful," The Marshal smiled before he heard the pilot call out "1 minute before we reach the dropzone!"
Sixers and his men checked their weapons. Azure cleared his throat to get their attention "I know that you all know how to fight in a populated combat zone, but I'll remind you of the ROE all the same. No explosives of any kind besides droid poppers and stun grenades. Set your blasters to STUN when we have Torchwick on the ropes. Finally, make sure that civies are in no way harmed. Is that understood?"
"SIR YES SIR!"
The pilot called out "You're good to go!"
Glynda spotted something on the rooftop and jumped out of the bullhead. Azure heard an explosion and watched as the Deputy Headmistress unsummoned the dust shields that she raised with her semblance. He looked at his men and nodded "Let's go!"
The Marshal and his Foot Guards leaped from the craft and landed on the rooftop. When they touched the ground, they met the face of Roman Torchwick. Azure aimed his pistol at the criminal and his guards did the same.
"Single-shots only! FIRE AT WILL!"
He squeezed the trigger and a series of blaster bolts began to piece the bullhead the criminal was on. The Gentleman Thief stumbled as the blaster bolts shook the craft. As Azure and his men continued to fire upon the craft with carefully aimed shots, Roman ran into the craft and was replaced by a woman in a red dress.
Azure lowered his helmet's macrobinoculars to try and get an identity on the woman, but his vision was thrown off when Glynda launched a series of projectiles at the craft. This attack was followed by the sudden appearance of storm clouds above the bullhead. Just as Azure was about to attempt another glance, a fireball came hurling towards them.
"Down!" Captain Sixers yelled as he and the footguards got to cover. Fortunately, Glynda dissipated the projectile with her semblance, nullifying any damage that could've been made. Just then, a symbol appeared beneath Glynda's feet. The Marshal didn't need to find out what it was as he ran towards an awestruck girl with a sniper-scythe and tackled her to protect her from the incoming explosion.
The Deputy Headmistress stirred clear out of the way and used the debris from the blast to make a makeshift projectile. Azure stood up as he let the girl go. He then turned to Sixers and his men who were now taking potshots at the cockpit.
"Sixers! Aim at the woman!"
"Yes sir!" The Captain affirmed as he and his men adjusted their aim to shoot at the woman who had just blasted Glynda's projectile out of existence.
Rifle fire from the guardsmen came closer to the woman. The girl who Azure pushed out of the way earlier was now shooting as well. Much to the surprise of Azure, his men, and the girl, when their shots approached the woman, she managed to block them with her hands with a kind of shield. Sixers noted that their blasters could somewhat damage the shields when he saw the red-clad woman flinch at the damage that their blaster rifles yielded.
Before they could do anything else, the same symbols that blew up earlier appeared beneath Glynda, the girl, and Azure's feet. Goodwitch quickly flung the girl and Azure to safety. It was in record time too as the symbols blew up. This distraction was more than enough to allow Torchwick's craft to escape. Sixers and his men were about to fire a few more shots when Marshal Azure ordered them to hold their fire.
"We got a tracker on it?" Azure asked.
Sixers checked his belt and shook his head "Negative sir. We didn't get the chance to hit it with a pinger."
"You're hunters!" The silver-eyed girl exclaimed. The staff of Beacon looked at the girl, some had cocked eyebrows, one had a disapproving look.
"Can I have your autograph!"
Azure looked at Glynda with a questioning look.
She did not look like a happy camper.
Vale Police Prescinct, Vale
"I hope you realize that your actions today will not be taken lightly young lady," Glynda scolded the girl as Azure and his foot guards watched from the other side of the interrogation room, "You put yourself and others at great risk."
"They started it!" The girl protested.
"Goodwitch is really tearing into her huh?" Sixers mused.
Azure agreed "Quite so."
Ozpin enters the room with a mug and a plate of cookies, and Azure gave him a nod "Headmaster."
"Garreth."
The Headmaster soon entered the room Miss Goodwitch was in. Azure sighed as he took his helmet off before speaking to Sixers.
"Did you notice anything odd about that battle?"
"The magic sir?"
"Yes, that."
Sixers pondered for a bit before answering "Nothing like a Jedi I'll tell you that."
Azure nodded before signaling Sixers and the squad to follow him. They did so and they soon found themselves back in their bullhead.
The Captain noticed the expression on Azure's face "Sir, is there something wrong?" Azure looked at the guard captain "I want Admiral Vaux and Moris on the line."
"Yes sir."
The rest of the trip was maintained in silence. However, one thing Sixers knows is that the Marshal now knows something, and he may just find out as well.
Ozpin's Tower, Beacon
After informing Miss Rose about her recent enrollment into Beacon Academy, Ozpin along with Glynda were now back on Beacon's grounds. He was met with the usual guard patrols that were present during the night, but one thing he noticed is that each time they passed a patrol, the guards would report something through their helmet comm. He wasn't sure what they were saying, but something told Ozpin that they were warry of them all of a sudden.
When he reached the tower, he was met by a section of marines which are usually near the CCT since their headquarters were also within its area. The marines did not seem to move from their posts as Ozpin passed them. There was no emotion nor reaction from the marines as if they were machines. As he entered the elevator, unbeknownst to the Headmaster, the Marine Captain spoke into his helmet comm.
In the elevator, Ozpin noticed something off. The elevator button that led to a specific part of the tower had been touched. He was now on the alert. He phoned Glynda with his scroll and as he felt the elevator go down, he tried to contact Azure. Just as the elevator doors opened, he was met with the sight of an empty vault. Not a single soul was to be seen and Amber was still very much alive. Still cautious, he slowly approached Amber's terminal.
Hiss-click
Ozpin turned to face the would-be intruder, but instead, he saw Azure in his armor, Captain Hound, and a dark-armored figure. The latter two had blasters drawn and aimed at the Headmaster. Knowing that he was now on thin ice, Ozpin sought to defuse the situation.
"Good evening Garreth. To what do I owe you this surprise?"
"Cut the crap Ozpin. What is this place? Who is she?" He gestured to Amber.
"I'm sure we can clear this up if you can lower your bla-"
"I have every right to blast you right here and right now, but you have answers that I need. It would do you good if you answer them if you are to save your skin and possibly our trust," Azure spat as he drew his own blaster on Ozpin.
The Headmaster sighed before he relented "Very well. Tell me, Azure, do you know any fairy-tales in your galaxy?"
"Folklore and then some. Fairy-tales, I can't say."
"Fair enough. Do you know that Remnant has countless fairy tales?"
"Can't say I have. Then again, I read the military history first," The Marshal said, who now lowered his blaster, but still not holstering it.
"One specific fairy tale is what I have in mind. The Story of the Seasons. Would you care to listen?"
Azure motioned for him to go along.
"Very well. Once upon a time, there was a wizard in the forests of Remnant. Then, 4 beautiful maidens named Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall came to his land. With their arrival came a great fortune as they transferred the old wizard's empty garden into a beautiful sight of flowers and sunshine. Showing gratitude, the old wizard granted the 4 Maidens elemental powers to do more good, just like they have done for him."
Marshal Azure finally holstered his pistol "And what is the significance of this tale?"
"Would you believe me if this story is true?" The Headmaster asked.
"I just might. Tell me more Headmaster."
...
Glynda was concerned when Ozpin contacted her about the sudden disturbance in the Vault. She grew even more concerned when a section of Azure's marines prevented her from entering the tower with their reason being unknown. Finally, the marines let her in and she rushed to the elevator, but to her surprise, she saw Azure and Ozpin in the elevator. The two let her in and greeted her.
The trio finally arrived at Ozpin's office and settled themselves in. Ozpin sat and spoke "Glynda, I would like you to meet our newest addition to our circle."
"Ozpin you can't just-" She then turned to Azure, whose helmet visor showed no sign of emotion.
"It's fine Glynda, he's with us now," Ozpin explained as Azure finally took off his helmet.
"When you put it like that, you make me sound like I'm an underling," The Marshal huffed as he held his helmet under his arm.
Ozpin smiled "I apologize then, perhaps the term partner is more appropriate?"
Azure shook his head "We'll work on that another time. Now, what's our next move? You dropped a rather heavy bomb on me."
"We'll have to wait and stand guard. She hasn't made a move until now. The attack on Amber has raised a possibility that she may be on the move now."
Marshal Azure cleared his throat "If it's all the same to you, I will have to consult my officers. This development is rather important for them to know. Good night Ozpin, Glynda."
Without another word, Azure left the office. Glynda then turned to Ozpin "Are you out of your mind? Telling him about the Queen? What if he does something drastic?"
"I don't believe he will. Did you notice how careful he was when conducting missions outside the school? He can be subtle and knows very well when to do so. I believe we gained ourselves a very powerful ally in our war against the Queen."
"I hope you're right Ozpin, but I will be keeping a very close eye on them." She sternly said as she walked off.
Ozpin paid no mind to her frustrations. He understood the risk he made, but he was damned sure that he made the right choice. He only hopes that he wasn't too late.
It's not much, but we're finally moving the plot. We begin the Beacon days in the next chapter and see where we end up. In other news, I am finally getting a clearer schedule. Maybe updates might push out faster. Now, for reviews!
Schoolsenpai: Thank you for the review! Yes, it did cross my mind that I was going a bit faster than I thought. I'll try to slow down the pace so that the story isn't too fast-paced. Hope you enjoy the later chapters.
That's about it for this chapter. Hope you enjoyed this one and until then, this is where I get off. Stay frosty because that's soldiering!