Author's Headnote: Heeeeyyy... great to see you guys liking the first action-packed chapter after the Prologue. This is the chapter where team RWBY enters the Citadel for the first time. Sure, it may not be the best chapter I'm writing, but it's better than this being dead... I guess. Here's the chapter.
The Ruby of Cerberus: The Figurative Center of the Galaxy
Ruby Rose:
Health: Tired, Hungry, Grungy
Aura: 100%
Semblance: Petal Burst
Weapons: Crescent Rose, M-7 Lancer, M-2 Kessler
Party Relations:
- Weiss Schnee: Ruby notices that she has something loaded in Myrtenaster. did she find some dust compatable with this dimension?
- Blake Belladonna: Appears to be quite beaten up. Guess she had to put up quite a fight.
- Yang Xiao Long: Why a karaoke machine, sister?
End of Main character status report
Transport Vessel, Unknown Date and Time, From Adek to The Citadel
As she sees Adek drawing further away... and then noticing she's heading toward a large object.
"Eh... what is that?" Ruby asked.
"It's called a Mass Relay, you were asleep when the pilot was explaining it." Yang stated.
"And I'm not explaining it again!" Pilot said.
"It's basically space fast travel, don't worry it's not painful."
"And I am telling you, that's oversimplifying it!"
"It gets the point across!"
"It does not!"
"Then explain it!"
"I won't!"
"Can you two please just be quiet?" Miranda asked.
"Vaalan da, tesra daala!" the voice spoke, from the ship's comms. Outside is a fleet of batarian space ships.
"Oh no..." Miranda stated.
"What?" Weiss asked.
"This is what I was afraid of... if you didn't free the slaves, we wouldn't have sparked the attention of a batarian fleet, as we are literally heading towards the batarian home system."
"Why are we heading there?" Ruby asked.
"The Mass Relay is in their home system!" Miranda added.
"Leba dufar! Zenter kabaal!"
"This is Miranda Lawson, we are being spotted by the Batarian fleet, requesting a small fleet to divert them from us!" Miranda ordered.
There was silence and Miranda nodding. After that, a small fleet of Cerberus ships arrived from the mass relay, attacking the Batarian fleet. In which the transport vessels use the distraction to in to the Mass Relay... watching as the ships had went through at incredibly fast speeds, up to the point where they see a large space station surrounded by a single star. Ruby's still trying to comprehend how one can achieve space-travel that fast... and that convenient...
"And here's a heads up, the Citadel's the largest space station in the galaxy, people believed it was built by the Protheans. It's the heart of the galactic government. So, that's why we're sending the freed slaves there." Miranda stated.
"So... about that... we can't understand what the aliens are saying..." Blake stated.
"That's right, the translator for Cerberus only translates human languages... Thankfully you're about to receive one." Miranda said, presenting team RWBY with four, small handheld devices... in which all four of them grabbed one and started fiddling with it.
"Let me show you how to apply it." Miranda said, nearly facepalming. She then took out the translator she's wearing and then applied it in a narrative vague way.
"Sorry." Ruby stated, applying the translator. The rest of the team followed.
"This is Citadel security; we see your ship is approaching." the voice said.
"This is true, we are requesting permission to land." The pilot stated.
"You are clear to land at Dokcing Bay Q."
"That's... very... straight forward." Weiss stated.
"The Citadel doesn't have much security theater, being that no one in the right mind will attack or invade a space station of this size." Miranda stated. "Not to mention it's at the border of Asari, Salarian, and Turian Space. All three of which are the council races."
"Oh yeah, you mentioned that the galactic government is ran by a council of those three." Blake said, likely recollecting.
As soon as Blake said that, the transport vessel had landed on the docking bay, meaning it is no longer flying in space, and they can leave the vessel and enter the vast space station known as the Citadel.
Unknown Star, The Citadel, Citadel Docks, November 29, Unknown Year, Tuesday, Unknown Time, Docking Bay Q
As the five of them started to leave the ship, Miranda handed them four more items. In which the four of them picked up and started fiddling with. They also see a calendar conveniently showing the date. It is: November 29... well, Ruby can make up that is... as for year and time that's not shown.
From the looks of it, this mostly white and grey docking bay looks straightforward, filled with various alien species boarding and leaving their ships and going into and coming from the citadel. And from the docking bay, there's likely a route or elevator leading to the rest of the Citadel.
"So... how does it... oooh, so cool!" Ruby said, seeing that there's a large orange glowing thing on her right arm. "Aaaand... oooh, so cool!" she added, as she moved her right arm, and it's now on her left arm.
"Wait, these things are communication devices? I nearly got turned into an ice sculpture by one of these!" Blake objected.
"That's just one of it's features..." Miranda said, professionally.
"What exactly did you give us?" Weiss asked.
"It's a standard issue Omni-tool. The description is right in the name. It's a weapon, communication device, computer, and a lockpick all in one. Plus, some more features."
"So... why doesn't everyone just use these instead of guns?" Weiss asked.
"Well, it requires certain application and dedication to adapt to the combat features of the Omni-tool."
"That being?"
"Well, I can't show you... weapon fire is heavily discouraged in The Citadel. Now if you excuse me, I'll be leaving the area. I'll call you when you're needed." Miranda said, leaving.
"So... now what do we do?" Ruby asked.
"Well... for one... we could go for something to eat." Yang said, with her stomach rumbling.
"A shower is what we need. You know how grimy that sponge we used has become over the past month?" Blake asked.
"Don't remind me."
"What we could use is a rest." Weiss stated, then yawned.
"Ya... we should likely get our needs in affair... problem is... do we even have any money?" Ruby asked.
"Oh... right." the three of them said at the same time, with their heads facing down in defeat.
"Alright, team RWBY's second job! Acquiring money!" Ruby said. "How would we get it, though?"
"We are in a docking bay; chances are there might be someone who left their ship unlocked." Blake stated.
"Of course, you suggest stealing." Weiss retorted.
"How else can we get any money? We have no paper trail. No ID, no educational history, nothing."
"Which means it can't be traced to us, our finger prints aren't on the registry either." Yang added.
"Any other suggestions..." Ruby asked.
"We could beg like a homeless person..." Yang stated.
"In these clothes?" Blake asked.
"Hey, she wanted suggestions."
"Aren't we homeless, though?" Weiss asked. "Eurgh, never thought I'd say that."
"What about you, Weiss?" Ruby asked.
"We could do odd jobs, just a couple of hours of work and then we could have some money." Weiss stated.
"I don't think that's quite reliable given our needs right now." Yang stated.
"Well, I'm the one who suggested the honest method!"
"She has a point there." Blake stated.
"Alright, girls! Can we all just get along? We can sell the assault rifles and get our money." Ruby stated. "Or the Karaoke machine Yang has."
"We're not selling it!" Yang retorted.
"We can just buy another one once we have our own place."
"But this one is free!"
"Not to anyone willing to buy it."
"Uuugh!"
"Yang! We need food, sleep, and to be honest, Blake's right about the sponge." Weiss retorted.
"Fiiine." Yang stated.
"Hey, is that a Human Karaoke machine?" an alien, reptilian-like, mostly grey with skin that looks hard to the touch and mouth pincers. Wearing an interesting choice of outfit, being that their outfit has a ring around their neck. Said outfit is red.
"How much do you want for it?" Ruby asked.
"mmm... I'll say 1,000 credits."
"Done."
"Alright, I'll just transfer the credits to you aaaand... what's this? I'm getting an error."
"What?"
"It says I can't Identify who to send it to..."
"Send it to my Omni-tool... thing's part wallet..."
"Well, I suppose that's the case, just open it up and the transaction can be done."
"Alright." Ruby said, placing her hand over her arm.
"You look like one of those engineering students, still trying to learn the basics of how to use the stuff." the alien said.
"Hehehehe..." Ruby laughed.
"Anyways..." the alien said, transfering the credits. "All done, now give me the karaoke machine."
"Yang."
"Here..." Yang said, handing the karaoke machine to the alien with a reluctant look on her face.
"Pleasure doing business with you." the alien said, leaving the area.
After receiving the money... well, Ruby wasn't sure where to go next... she's going to need a map if it's as huge as Miranda says it is. In which she tries to find a way on her own, with her team following. She then sees a bunch of folks in blue armor, and decides to follow them. They appear to be heading toward toward an elevator, likely to the rest of the Citadel. After seeing them going on the elevator, Ruby waited for it to be vacant so that it can be called.
After a couple of minutes, Ruby had called the elevator and waited for it to go up... being that there was nothing above them, it was going down when the armored folks got there. So... Ruby waited... and then it came up, after the elavator door opened, team RWBY went inside and went down... hearing the elavator jingle music as it goes down... avoiding awkward silence as they go down the floor.
Unknown Star, The Citadel, Commerical District, November 29, Unknown Year, Unknown Time, Tuesday, Unknown Time, Markets
From the looks of it, they appear to be in some sort of area of the Citadel dedicated to commerce, as seen by the various stores and people walking around. There is also a view of the rest of the space station. It's quite intriguing... but they're looking for a place to stay for the night. And from the looks of it, there's not a good place to rest for the night in this area of the citadel.
There are various alien species around here, and Ruby... along with her team can't help but stare at the diverse populace, giving them an intruguing and oddly nervous and curious feeling around being here. Clearly this isn't what it's like for Blake or Velvet to walk around at Beacon, because even then, the differences between humans and faunas are quite minor. But here, it's very radical. Some are blue-skinned with tentacle-like appendages on their head. Some are have metal-like outer-husks, some are quite large with large humps and incredible muscle. Others are quite thin and frog-like. There are even a couple wearing full pressure-suits.
But no matter they look around for some directions. Clearly there has to be a hotel or something synonymous to it around the area where they can stay...
Team RWBY was wandering around... well, until they've gotten the idea to actually ask someone. So, the asked the first person they saw...
"Eh... excuse me.. Err... person." Ruby said, awkwardly trying not to offend.
"I assume this is your first time being on the citadel?" the alien asked, this looks reptillian, with large eyes, quite thin too. Looks more like a frog in comparison to the other reptile-like alien she saw today.
"Ya... how did you know?" Ruby asked, following up the question.
"The looks that you are giving to me and other individuals, it's like you've never left your home planet until now."
Ruby awkwardly laughed. "Ya... I was wondering where a hotel would be... or something equal to it?" she asked.
"Ah yes, temporary residence. You should be thankful the commercial district has a number of those. If you were looking for a permanent residence, there's multiple areas on the citadel one usually lives in."
"Can you point us to the nearest one?"
"It should be three blocks right of the weapons depot, whose ran by a Turian."
"Turians?"
"I assume you don't travel much, do you? Turians are the metallic looking individuals. They are not hard to find."
"Ah, thank you. And it is three blocks right of it?"
"That is what I said."
"Okay, thank you!"
So... Ruby first went to find the weapons depot... one ran by a... 'Turian'. The instructions were clear, but Ruby and her team continued to wander until they find the store... eventually they do come across the store ran by a 'turian'. Thankfully no need for conversation right now, as he's busy with customers. As for team RWBY. Well, they had followed the alien's instructions. Ruby can't help but notice how diverse this place is... there's a bunch of alien species here, including floating jellyfish!
Unknown Star, The Citadel, Commerical District, November 29, Unknown Year, Unknown Time, Tuesday, Unknown Time, Commercial District Hotel
And inside is well, the appearance of a normal hotel lobby. Even with one of the blue alien tentacle-headed aliens at the check-in. In which Ruby had inhaled and exhaled. And then went to go talk to her...
"Eh, excuse me... could we rent one room for four people for a couple of nights?" Ruby asked.
"One room, four people... what species are the attendants, and what are their ages?" the alien asked.
Ruby then turned around. Seeing her friends right there. Why did she ask that? Is it a confirmation thing or something? She can see Blake giving Ruby an intense stare, likely related to the species thing... so... she's gonna say she's human for the sake of it?
"My friends are right there... you can see they're human..." Ruby stated.
"It's just a confirmation thing." the alien said.
"Oh. Anyway, all four of them are human." Ruby said, then turned around and sees Blake still staring at Ruby... "And two seventeen year olds, one eighteen-year-old, and one sixteen-year-old." Ruby added.
"Adolescents? Are you on a field trip?"
Ruby stayed silent as she's not sure how to answer that question...
"Yes, we are... quite a long and inexplainable field trip, the rest of the class is in a different hotel." Blake lied, thankfully she's good at this stuff.
"I see, well that'll be two hundred credits." the alien said, requesting money.
"Here you go." Ruby said, getting her omni-tool out awkwardly and finding out how to transfer credits... she sees the send button, and as for the to... part... "Er... where do I send the credits to?" Ruby asked.
"Hotel deposit." the alien said.
"Okay... and is the money there?" Ruby asked.
"Yep, we received the money. Here is your room key." the alien said, giving the room key 2B. In which Ruby had taken. It's a card, and not an actual key. Talk about advanced.
After receiving the key, Ruby and her team had found the room, in which she found. It was on the second floor, and the second door. Hence, the name: 2B. Ruby used the key to unlock the door and opened it, leading to what ever will be inside.
Unknown Star, The Citadel, Commerical District, November 29, Unknown Year, Unknown Time, Tuesday, Unknown Time, Rented Room
Well, the rented room lives up to it's name, it's a large walk in to two separate double beds. With two more in the room over. There is also a shared bathroom. Along with a closet to store clothes. Although that's not needed yet. Both rooms also have a television... and a chair. In addition, the main room has a refrigerator and a strange contraption above it. It's not a microwave per say...
But no less... when they got there... Blake was glad and went to the shower first thing, while Weiss had fallen asleep on the first bed that she saw. Given the circumstance, Ruby doesn't blame them. Being that they've spent an entire month in a communal prison cell, sleeping on metal benches, the only source of body hygeine being a sink and a spinge, and only being fed the bare minimum. This was overdue, and long overdue. Ruby had taken off the armor platings from her outfit, only leaving the jumpsuit.
"What about food?" Yang asked.
"We can get food in the morning... err... whenever we wake up." Ruby said. "For now, wash up and sleep."
"Well... okay, maybe I'll try some of the alien food."
"Are you sure that's a good idea?"
"You got to keep an open mind."
"Well, true. I'll be in the shower when Blake gets out. For now, you can watch some flicks and take off the armor."
"Alright."
Character Change: Ruby Rose - Miranda Lawson
Anadius, Cronos Station, Upper-Station, November 29, 6:12 PM, Tuesday, 2174, Illusive Man's Office
Cronos Station is a space-station surrounded a planetless star system known as Anadius, which is an unstable star theoretically effected by element zero, being that it frequently shifts between blue and red. This is the headquarters of Cerberus, and the primary residence of the Illusive Man.
The office they reside in is mostly empty, save for the tiles and the electrical grid below them, and a sole chair with an ash tray besides it. There is a view of the star Anadius from the office, along with a holo-computer. This is where the Illusive Man works, although one may wonder what he does at his off-time, or if he has off-time. Like most of the facility it dons a shade of black. Very few people are actually allowed up here, since the Illusive Man is never the type of person who would directly confront his subordinates.
Miranda here, is an exception. Being that she's strangely being given this much trust from him. In which she has arrived to the office alone. She had went and walked to where she's in front of the Illuive Man, giving him the Prothean artifact.
"I assume those girls acquired it?" The Illusive man asked.
"Yes, the mission was a success, albeit it wasn't quiet like you prefered." Miranda stated.
"I am well aware. If it was quiet, you wouldn't need to send my fleets to divert the Batarian navy." the illusive man said, flicking his cigarette at the ash tray. "Care to explain?"
"The four girls had freed the slaves, and insisted on rescuing them."
"And you let them?"
"Why wouldn't I? If I had let them, they would see our organization as something noble."
"Cerberus is already a noble organization."
"They've only been in here for a month, most of it was spent inside a containment cell in Unity. As far as they're concerned, they likely don't view us in a good light."
"I suppose that's true. Where did you send the slaves, anyhow?"
"Same place where the girls are, now. They're on the citadel."
"The Citadel's an interesting choice, chances are the sight of various alien species might alarm them, or make them stare."
"Well, they are from a different world."
"I suppose that's one way to excuse them. However, it does have risks. I expect you to do better, Miranda."
"I understand."
"And another thing... did you find out how they manage to use their... unique power? Or how it works?"
"I have not."
"That's a priority as well, whatever ability they have, I would like to see in our own soldiers. You are dismissed for now, Miranda. I'll notify you when you get a new assignment."
"Very well." Miranda said, leaving.
He seems oddly curious to whatever the abilities these girls have. But no less, Miranda would need to earn their trust before they say anything. It's quite surprising how much they were willing to give back at Unity. Likely out of fear of being shocked, or seeing their friends shocked. Thankfully, she can just contact them through their omni-tools whenever needed. They're most likely freshening up and eating before going anywhere. Overdue too, most likely.
Character Change: Miranda Lawson - Ruby Rose
Unknown Star, The Citadel, Commerical District, November 30, Unknown Year, Wednesday, Markets
Team RWBY had left the hotel for now, which is their temporary place of residence, in which they have their armor stored. It seems the Citadel doesn't have much of a policy against carrying weapons. Yet again, security patrols seem regular. The way they dress seems very well, they do stand out like a sore thumb, but being that they're wearing the same clothes they came into this dimension in... the four of them are going to need to find a way to make some money... and buy some more clothes.
But for now, the four of them was exploring the citadel, well until they accidentally activated a hologram. Resembling an alien, specifically one with tentacle-like appendages on their head.
"Hello, I am AVINA. I have detected Earth Housecat presence. Please keep all pets caged or leashed to ensure they do not get lost. As a reminder, pets are forbidden on the presidium." the hologram, AVINA stated.
"Did that thing call me a dirty cat?" Blake asked.
"I am not programmed to answer that question."
"Are you an AI?"
"Incorrect, I am a virtual intelligence. I only emulate intelligence as my intellectual capacity is finite and bound only by my programming. Actual artificial intelligence is outlawed by galactic law, in accords to the aftermath of the Quarian Morning War."
"And I assume you are a Quarian?"
"Incorrect, I am a virtual intelligence, my appearance is based from the Asari. Quarians are an alien species exiled by their homeworld by the geth, driven out and ship-bound, they are forced to wear environment suits because of their weak immune systems. Because of this, a Quarian can't settle a new world even if they wanted to."
"Wow, that's quite dark." Yang said, somberly. "Say, where can we get some grub? I'm starving."
"There are multiple catering areas within the commercial district. The closest two is a local human restaurant, and a turian one. Neither of which, I detect are chain brands." AVINA stated.
"I want to try some Turian food, wonder how it would taste."
"Are you sure we could eat that?" Weiss asked.
"Here, let's ask AVINA, here. Hey, what's the difference between turian and human foods?" Ruby asked.
"Turian food is dextro-protein, meaning that only turians and quarians are capable of eating it without triggering a severe reaction. Human food is levo protein, meaning it's fatal to dextro-protein species, as mentioned. But levo protein species such as humans, asari, salarians, krogan, volus, elcor, hanar, drell, batarians, and vorcha are able to eat levo protein foods, but not dextro-protein. Please note, it is advised that levo-protein samples are not to enter the body of a dextro-protein species, or vice-versa. The body triggers a fatal reaction from exposure to the incorrect protein." AVINA stated.
"Thankfully, this was here otherwise we would have died." Blake retorted.
"Hey, not my fault I wanted to try something new." Yang countered.
"Alien food is quite the gamble, but thankfully we know that we aren't to eat the same food as turians."
"Or quarians, or salarians." Weiss added.
"That too." Blake responded.
"Can we go eat now?" Ruby asked.
"Why are you asking that question? I'm the one who's starving here." Yang retorted.
After that, team RWBY had went toward the catering area. They're starving, after all.
Unknown Star, The Citadel, Commercial District, November 30, Unknown Year, Wednesday, Slice of Earth
The place was a simple local restaurant. Something that Ruby would expect from a place in Vale. But it looks nice, the decorations seem diverse... from various cultures Ruby would notice in Vale, Mistral, and Vacuo. Although she doubts such places exist in this dimension. But it's likely from their counterparts.
The flooring and walls seem nice too, quite like something she'd see in one of those fancy restaurants Weiss talks about. Being that the floors are tile, the walls appear to be made of wood, giving a mix of rustic and modern look. Well, modern in Ruby's standards, it would likely be more classical in theirs. From there, a human host at the front of the restaurants is standing there.
"Hello, welcome to Slice of Earth. A restaurant opened up featuring various diverse human cultures." the host greeted. "The decorum here is inspired by late twentieth century layouts of the restaurants back on Earth."
"The planet is called 'dirt'?" Ruby asked.
"Hey, name one species that isn't called: 'the people' in their ancient tongue. Wait, you guys are human... why are you asking about that?"
"Eh, we grew up in an isolated colony." Ruby lied. Telling people that she's from another dimension is not one way to start a relationship.
"So... you don't know much about pre-space fairing history? Well, I'd love to lecture. But I'm not a historian, would you like to seat?"
"Ya... four please." Ruby said.
Author's Footnote: And I'll end the chapter here. It's quite a bit of a lore-dump, filler, whatever you call it... but hey, I can't just create back-to-back chapters of action-packing. Anyways... Omni-tools are capable of civillian and military functions. The ones that team RWBY received are civilian grade. Which means don't expect many tech-powers from them. This is also the only way they could actually keep a hold of money, and regular communications. Along with other functions out there.
I won't give you a wall of text explaining this chapter, so I'll see you at the next one. Don't worry, we'll pick up where we left off.