Chapter 17

Ruby, Jaune, and Pyrrha were on their way to investigate the dust shops that were robbed in hopes of clues. Sure it wasn't the most exciting out of the other jobs but it could still help. They were walking through the grounds when they came upon a certain orange-haired girl who looked startled to see them.

"Penny?" Ruby took a cautious step forward and Penny took a step back in fear.

"Why did you disappear and why have you not tried to contact us or even sit with us at lunch?" Ruby kept her distance as if talking to a startled animal.

"Ruby, Jaune, Pyrrha… I… it isn't safe to talk here." Penny's eyes said they should listen.

"So Lalah, is she going to tell them her secret?" Char asked his old friend.

"I can not say for certain, she was rather scared they would hate her for disappearing." Lalah thought. "Them knowing that she's a robot and not accepting her, it's always been a fear of hers."

"I remember when you were still afraid of what you were," Char told her.

"You accepted me for who I was even before you knew you were the same." Lalah stared ahead.

"True friends would never abandon anyone no matter what they were or who they loved even if the person they loved didn't love them back." Char placed his hand on her shoulder. "Give her the push she needs."

Weiss and Neptune strolled into the CCT tower and entered the elevator. Weiss used her scroll as Neptune wasn't in the system yet thanks to Sun jumping the gun and coming to Beacon early.

"So how are we supposed to get the list of stolen shipments?" Neptune asked as the elevator lifted them.

"I'm still technically the Heir to my family's company at least for now. As long as my dad doesn't wish to talk we'll be fine." Weiss explained.

"Oh cool. Wait for now?" Neptune asked.

"It's kind of a long story… Oh look we're here." Weiss rushed out of the elevator to the receptionist. They were directed to use terminal 3 and be quick as Ironwood wanted to run maintenance tonight.

"Strange why would Ironwood be so interested in the CCT Tower?" Neptune asked.

"Well the Cross Continental Transmit System was a gift to the world from Atlas so of course the General would want to make sure it's perfect before Vytal." Weiss Theorized. The screen started up and a brown-haired girl appeared on the screen.

"Hello, my name is Jennifer how may I help you?" Jennifer looked up and saw Weiss. "Ah um, Miss Schnee."

"Hello, Jen I'm looking for some files," Weiss stated.

"Right away. But um, your father left specific orders. He wishes to speak with you should you call." Jennifer had a small sad smile.

"Is there no way around it?" Jennifer shook her head. "Fine put him though." Weiss turned to Neptune. "Sit at the screen next to me and pretend you're on a call trust me." Neptune was confused and wanted to ask questions but the sheer fear in Weiss' eye's shut him up and he did as told. The screen soon changed to an old man with a mustache.

"Hello, father. How is your day?" Weiss faked a smile.

"Busy. Now have you talked to the Arc boy?" Jacques asked.

"A few times. Not as much as I would like but he's a team leader so it's difficult." Weiss feigned sadness.

"Of course he is. He's a natural leader just like his grandfather, unlike some people I know." Jacques's eyes shot daggers at her.

"Sorry father, but Pyrrha Nikos is my team leader so that's something?" Weiss asked.

"I guess. So do you have a plan for the boy?" Jacques asked in a judging tone.

"There are rumors of a dance, I plan to ask him to it and make my move then." Weiss proudly stated.

"God you better not disappoint me like Winter." Jacques' face faded from the screen as he transferred her call back. Neptune felt like he saw something he shouldn't.

"Are you ok?" He asked looking at Weiss who was starting to breathe heavily.

"Let's just get this over with." Weiss sighed.

"Hello, Miss Schnee I hope you had a pleasant chat with your father. So do you still need those files you mentioned?" Jennifer asked.

"Indeed I have a list on my scroll let me just, Ok there you go." Weiss placed her scroll in the slot and sent the list she needed.

"There's some rather delicate information here," Jennifer said.

"It's for school and don't worry it's going on my personal tablet so I'll keep it safe." Weiss lied.

"Alright… One second as I transfer the data. So, is that blue-haired boy your boyfriend?" Jennifer asked.

"Just a friend, he's an exchange student from Haven who came here for Vytal," Weiss said as her scroll indicated the transfer was successful.

"Well, that's nice. Have a good day Miss Schnee." The screen shut off showing a frowning Weiss.

"So that was your father?" Neptune asked.

"Yes." Weiss's answer was short.

"Are you sure you're ok" Neptune could tell she wasn't.

"Yes, no… It's a long story. He's not the kindest man." Weiss's shoulder dropped.

Ren stumbled out of the sidecar after Yang stopped her bike. He had no clue how someone could be so reckless while driving. His stomach threatened to release its contents so he slumped down and waited. The bouncers saw Yang and ran inside. Given Yang's disposition, he wasn't too shocked.

"I need some time to settle my stomach I'll wait out here," Ren stated with a slight burp.

"Aww but Ren it's a club! They're so much fun!" Nora exclaimed.

"I'd rather not throw up and ruin the mood. Don't worry once my stomach settles I'll join you two." Ren smiled.

"Ok…" Nora followed Yang into the club. Ren sat down and centered himself. His stomach started to feel better then he heard a guitar and saw a bouncer strumming on it.

"Kid I'd just stay out here and listen to Jim here last time blondie was here it didn't end well." The other bouncer stated. Jim took a breath and started.

The colors of his morning

The darkness of his night

Little graves that gave no warning

A sun that brought no light

He saw his whole world breaking

That tortured soul I met

In the prison of his making

The man who can't forget

Ren felt tears on his cheeks. Something about this song just reminded him so much about his time traveling with Nora.

'Ren...' Amuros voice was soft.

I can still hear the way that he cried for the ones he was missing

I can still hear the way that he cried for the ones he had lost

He saw them in the rivers

He felt them in the rain

In dreams, he heard them whisper

The truth that is his pain

He caused the whole world's breaking

That tortured soul I met

In a prison of his making

The man who can't forget

Once the song finished Ren felt a hand on his shoulder. He was so engrossed in the song he hadn't noticed Nora coming out to look for him. She pulled him in and it all broke. His tears just kept flowing.

"Shh it's alright Ren, we aren't alone anymore. We have friends and family now. They won't leave us. I won't leave you." Nora stroked his back.

"Hey, anything you want will be on the house just tell Juinor that Rob said he'll cover it." The bouncer from earlier stated. Nora helped Ren inside and Yang and Junior stopped their conversation.

"Is he ok?" Yang asked.

"He will be the song the bouncer sang just struck a chord with him," Nora said.

"Jim. Yeah, he's got a weird knack for singing what someone feels. Do you want anything? It's on the house." Junior said.

"Do you have tea?" Nora asked.

"Of course. I know a good blend for him." Junior started making it.

"So as I was saying he came in and hired some of my men, said it was for the biggest score of the decade, and the next day I had to bail my men out of prison," Junior stated.

"Did he mention anything of this score?" Yang asked. Junior finished the tea and handed it to Ren.

"Not much but said his boss would reward me handsomely if my men proved their worth." Junior sat in front of her "Will that be all?"

"I think so. We'll leave once Ren is ready. It was a good twenty minutes before Ren was able to go. As they left the club Yang's scroll rung.

"So you're a Robot?" Pyrrha asked skeptically as she leaned back on the wall of the alley.

"Ssh not so loud! People aren't supposed to know." Penny covered her mouth.

"Then why are you telling us?" Jaune asked.

"Because my close friend said I should trust you all if I thought of you all as friends," Penny said. Jaune nodded.

"But you have an Aura!" Ruby exclaimed.

"Well, my father is one of the leading scientists of Atlas and found a way to give me my own Aura." Penny didn't want to explain how he did it all because she had basically died at a young age and he preserved her body right before her heart had stopped and found a way to get his daughter back.

"I'm sorry but I just can't believe it." Pyrrha stepped forward. "That doesn't mean I don't view you as a friend. You've just got an active imagination there's nothing wrong with that. Don't feel bad it's just I can't believe something like this without proof." Penny nodded feeling a little down.

"Don't worry Penny. Jaune and I believe you. Right?" Ruby put her arm around Jaune.

"Of course we believe you." Jaune placed a comforting hand on Penny's shoulder.

"Well let's walk around for a bit before we go to the first store," Pyrrha suggested.

"An outing with friends! Sounds like fun!" Penny was excited. They started down the street when they notice a large crowd and a stage with Atlas Androids. They saw the holographic image of James Ironwood appear before six AK-130 Androids, who are in turn standing in front of two large metal storage cases with the spear-and-shield emblem on their doors.

"The AK-130 has been a standard security model of Remnant for several years, and they have done a fine job. Wouldn't you agree? Wouldn't you agree? But... the kingdom of Atlas is a kingdom of innovation, and 'fine'... Well, that's just not good enough, is it? Presenting... the Atlesian Knight-200!" The doors to the cases roll up, and six new, bulkier, shinier automatons stand at attention before knocking their obsolete predecessors down to the applause of the watchers.

"Smarter, sleeker, and admittedly, a little less scary. These models will become active later this year, but they won't be alone! Now, the Atlesian Military has always supported the idea of removing men from the dangers of the battlefield. However, there are still many situations that will undoubtedly require... a human touch." The last line draws their attention.

"So, our kingdom's greatest minds, in cooperation with the Schnee Dust Company, are proud to introduce... the Atlesian Paladin!" Ironwood's image is replaced with the hologram of a robotic white behemoth, featuring hinged piston legs, large guns for hands, and a rectangular head, standing at least twice as tall as the Knights below it. "Now, we couldn't have them here for you today, but these mechanized battle suits will be seen defending the borders of our kingdom within the year! But we do have something else to show you!" The Image of Ironwood appeared and An Atlesian dropship landed. The doors opened and two figures walked out. They were barely a head taller than the Paladin and had more humanoid forms. One of them had a visor and was White and red with a shield and almost what looked to be a handgun. The other had a single eye and was painted forest green with a spiked shoulder and a machine gun.

"Holy" Jaune started

"Shit" Ruby ended causing Pyrrha to look at her funny. "What I'll have you know I'm 15 I do curse from time to time."

"Sorry I just never thought you would with how much Yang is constantly going on and on about her baby sister." Pyrrha apologized. They all turned when the chests of the two figures opened and the Image of Ironwood faded. From the one with a visor, Ironwood rode down on a rope. From the one that had the single eye someone who looked like an older Weiss rode down on a rope. They walked up on the stage to a thunder of applause.

"Greetings lady's and gentlemen may I introduce our newest addition to the security of the world," Ironwood announced.

"Ok now this was worth the trip down Vale," A voice said from behind Jaune. Mercury walked up beside him. "Just look at those two so much sleeker and cooler than that lousy Paladin."

"I actually agree," Jaune said. "The Paladin looked so clunky compared to these." Jaune offered his hand. "I'm Jaune Arc."

"So I'm not the only one who doesn't care for it." Mercury took his hand. "Mercury Black's the name don't wear it out."

"I don't know those weapons don't look all that impressive," Ruby said aloud.

"I'm certain they've got some cool weapons in Atlas," Jaune says.

"Probably these soldiers love to kit their stuff out with far too many things." Mercury shrugs.

"From the brilliant minds of our Altas scientists and the engineering prowess of Arcineering I proudly present you with the first two variants of the Atlesian Moblie Suit. To my left is the AMSGM-1 or as the boys in R&D say The GM this particular one is equipped with a standard Dust Spread Gun and Sheild. On my right is the AMSZ-06 or Zaku ll it is equipped with a top-loading 120mm Dust Machine Gun And a Simple shoulder shield." The audience started clapping and Jaune had a small smirk. Ironwood gave the signal to quiet down.

"Now you may be wondering why we have these here instead of the Paladins. It's a great question with an answer that some of you will love. Specialist Schnee?" Ironwood took a step back.

"In less than a week, our valiant hunters in training will get a chance to run simulations in these machines if they so wish to. Any students here in the crowd?" She looked around. Mercury and Jaune raised their hands followed by Ruby and Pyrrha.

"Looks like there's a few. You may pass this info on to your teams. If you wish to run a simulation you will go through a full-body search for security reasons and depending on your scores you may get a chance to use these machines one day." Specialist Schnee finished.

"Oh, now that is awesome," Jaune said to his friends.

"I want to fire that machine gun so bad." Ruby was bouncing in place.

"I must admit that is rather generous of Atlas." Pyrrha thought out loud.

"Yeah I can't wait," Mercury said. 'Damnit! Cinders not going to let me because on my legs.' "Well, I got to get going my team leaders rather strict about curfew. See ya all at school." Mercury walked off. Ruby's scroll went off and she turned it on. It was a video call from Blake.

"Ruby tell the others with you Sun and I need help." Blake was running without her bow. Sun looked terrified.

"We could use the help!" He yelled from behind.

"What's happening?" Ruby asked.

"That human from the docks was at the Rally and somehow he got his hands on one of the Paladin Robots Atlas has made. He noticed us and we ran." Blake explained.

"Chasing us… Big scary robot!" Sun yelled.

"I'm sending you our location," Blake stated.

"Alright. We'll be there soon." Jaune said. He looked at Ruby and Pyrrha who nodded. Penny had vanished again and when he looked around he saw her talking to Ironwood.

Penny's not coming it seems. Well, Rubes, Pyrhha looks like we get to fight a Giant Robot."

AN: The song belongs to Amazon's Wheel of Time. I figured it would fit Ren as he has never forgotten the day his village was destroyed and his family was taken from him.
Who should do the Mobile Suit Test?