Chp. 41: Election Day Pt. 2

Mantle

Warehouse

November 5, 2020

A couple days have passed, and today was election day for both Atlas and the United States. It was already past sunset and at a warehouse down in Mantle, a large crowd of people were all enjoying themselves, watching the live election results on a giant TV screen up on the stage as Get Lucky by Daft Punk played throughout the warehouse. Jacques Schnee has 6% of the vote, and Robyn Hill has 94%. Down by the stage, the Happy Huntresses, Robyn Hill, Fiona Thyme, Joanna Greenleaf, and May Marigold are all watching Robyn's supporters having fun. Qrow and Clover soon walked up to the four women.

"Has there been any sign of a possible attack?" Robyn asked.

"So far there's not a single sign of trouble. No Tyrian, no Watts, no problem," Qrow answered.

"But with the extra backup from the U.H.L., it's better to be safe than sorry," Clover said.

The six look out into the crowd to see Jesse and Jacket in one corner of the warehouse, Penny and Marrow at another, Ren and Nora at a third, and Rin and Ronin at the fourth. Mercury, Ilia, Rebecca, and Kelly were scattered within the crowd keeping watch.

"I'll go check up on the others," Clover said.

He walks away leaving Qrow and the Happy Huntresses alone. Qrow watched the operative leave and gave out a sigh, something the leader of the Happy Huntresses took notice of.

"Okay. What's the matter?" she asked.

"Nothing. It's nothing," Qrow answered, waving his hand.

"You've been uncomfortable around Good Luck Charm there. Are you crushing on him or something?" Robyn asked.

"No! No, I'm not!" Qrow answered. "Were you looking up stuff online of those nut job fans posting their art of me and Clover together or something?! I'm already annoyed with some fans asking me if I was Ruby's father! I don't need another annoyance!"

"Jeez, relax there, Five O'Clock Shadow. Just asking," Robyn said, raising her hands. "But seriously, what's up with you and Clover?"

Qrow sighed and then gave his answer.

"It's about what happened at the end of Volume 7. I would finally meet someone who I can hang out with without having to worry about my semblance affecting him, since his semblance is the opposite of mine. But when near the end of the volume..."

"You're afraid he'll get killed for real because of what happened in Volume 7, are you?" Robyn asked.

"Yep. That's it," Qrow answered. "And looking back at it now, I feel like Clover's death was my fault."

Robyn puts her hand on Qrow's shoulder. Joanna, May, and Fiona looked at each other for a moment before walking away, leaving their leader and the veteran Huntsman alone.

"What happened on RWBY isn't your fault, Qrow. Besides, what happened in the show is not gonna happen here in real life, especially now that too many of the would-be-events have changed so much in real life that it will very likely not happen," Robyn explained. "Try and loosen up a little. It will do you good. And open up around Clover. We all don't want you moping around forever."

Qrow pondered on Robyn's words for a moment and sighed once more.

"Fine. I guess I'll give it a chance," Qrow said.

"Good," Robyn said, ruffling Qrow's hair. "We don't want to have a sourpuss here."

"Yeah. Yeah," Qrow waved off his hand as he then walked away.

Robyn watches him leave before turning her head up to the screen to see that she now has 96% of the vote, while Jacques has 4%. She turns to watch her supporters enjoy themselves.

Meanwhile out in the streets of Mantle, Watson and Emerald were walking down the sidewalk, patrolling the area. As they continued walking people passing by were glancing at Emerald, something that she took notice of. She sighed as Watson turned his attention to her

"Something wrong?" Watson asked.

"Just people giving me looks again," Emerald answered.

"Just ignore them," Watson said.

Just as they were walking around the corner, Watson bumps face first into someone's chest, and that person was Winter. Watson takes a step back away from the Specialist.

"Sorry, Winter. Uh, Ms. Schnee," Watson said.

"Mr. Watson. Ms. Sustrai," Winter greeted stoically. "Anything to report on your end?"

"Nope. Nothing to report. All is clear," Watson answered.

"And the others?" Winter asked.

"Azumi is still out on the rooftops, patrolling the area, Ruby and Oscar split off to cover more ground, and Yang and Blake are still at the wall last we checked," Emerald answered.

"All is quiet on their ends," Watson added.

"Continue to keep your eye out. You should expect the unexpected," Winter said. "And Mr. Watson, watch where you're going next time. It's sometimes a pain to watch you."

She turns around and walks away, leaving Watson and Emerald alone once more.

"I don't think she really likes you," Emerald said.

"Yeah, I don't think so either," Watson said with a nod.

City of Atlas

Atlas Command Center

Meanwhile inside the Atlas Command Center, Allen and Kendra were sitting in front of a a couple of screens as they scrolled through live feeds of various places all over Mantle and Atlas one at a time with General Ironwood standing behind them.

"How are things down in Mantle?" Ironwood asked.

"All is clear so far," Allen answered.

"All the security surveillance and tech training back at Mountain Glenn is really starting to pay off," Kendra said.

"More so for me because of my semblance. Aside from knowing how high tech surveillance systems work, I can also rewire, re-program, and even design them if I wanted to. I can also fly any aircraft and drive any high tech vehicle I want and even make them. Hell, with my semblance I would even create a nuke if I'd get the chance to examine one first if I wanted to," Allen explained. "Hey Kendra, how's Jacques doing right now?"

"What do you think?" Kendra asked as she typed.

Her screen then displays a live feed of Jacques Schnee sitting on an armrest chair with a drink in his hand and tapping the fingers on his other hand on the armrest. He was gritting his teeth in anger as he was watching the polls being displayed on his holographic TV.

"Ungrateful bastards," Jacques muttered.

Allen snicker at Jacques reaction to his poor count on the polls.

"Boo hoo for him," Allen said with an eyeroll.

"How is the Council doing right now?" Ironwood asked.

"Let us check," Allen replied.

He started typing once more. A moment later, Allen's screen displayed a live feed of Robert, Jaune, and Pyrrha standing in front of Councilman Sleet and Councilwoman Camila who was sitting on a couple of chairs.

"Look, I'm just saying. Y'all should carry a firearm with you if you feel scared of someone like General Ironwood gunning you down like he did in Volume 7. The Second Amendment of the American Constitution saves lives. Atlas might learn a few things from America," Robert explained.

"Are you crazy? He's experienced in combat! We stand no chance!" Sleet said.

"It's better to go out swinging than living in fear," Robert replied.

Ironwood sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

"You doing okay there, General?" Kendra asked.

"No. Ever since RWBY was presented to Remnant's public, the Council and most of the kingdom has grown paranoid of me, fearing that I might repeat the actions from the show. Especially when they watched the first episode of Volume 8. Now the Council fear for their lives when they're around me after watching the scene of me murdering Councilman Sleet.," Ironwood answered.

"You had the right motivations, but you just handled these problems the wrong way," Kendra said.

"And right now the current actions you're making are actually helping. You just need to try harder to prove that you have no plans to repeat any of these actions," Allen said.

"I just hope you're right," Ironwood said.

Warehouse

Back in the warehouse, everyone continued to enjoy themselves as the voting continues. Fiona walks up on the stage, while fidgeting with a microphone. She taps on the microphone, causing loud feedback, much to the crowd's displeasure.

"Well, that worked," Fiona said with a chuckle.

The crowd started chanting Robyn's name as Fiona then spoke.

"I want to thank everyone for going to the polls today. This is Mantle's moment. I know that, like me, you're all thrilled that we chose Robyn as our voice in Atlas. No one has fought harder for Mantle than she has," she said.

"Don't forget some of us here helped expose Schnee to be a real piece of work and his willingness to cheat, to everyone!" Kelly called out.

Her outburst caused everyone to laugh, even Fiona couldn't help but chuckle.

"Yeah, that's true as well. And this would definitely help Robyn secure her a victory. But also..." Fiona covers her mouth, trying not to cry, and then wipes a tear from her eye with her palm. "I know Robyn will continue that fight on the Council. Will you share a few words?"

She turns to look at Robyn, who is off stage, and the crowd begins chanting Robyn's name again. Robyn walks onto the stage, causing the crowd to cheer. She takes the microphone, and Fiona excitedly talks to her for a few moments, before walking off stage. Robyn then began to speak.

"Thank you so much, everyone, for choosing me. You said you believe in me. But I'm the one who believes in all of you. You've proven to me that as individuals, we are strong. But together, we're unstoppable. So no matter what happens tonight, win or lose, we will continue to fight for our city, because it is this city that brings us together."

The crowd cheers and upbeat music begins playing. Robyn walks off stage, smiling and waving to the crowd. She turns her head away from the crowd and looks up at the screen. She walks up to her Happy Huntresses.

"We're in the final minutes now, and it's looking to be a landslide victory in Robyn Hill's favor," the newscaster announced.

"We've got this," Joanna said with a smile, and May grins with a wink and gives a thumbs up.

Out in the streets, Ruby stood out in front of an alleyway, keeping watch for any suspicious activity. Suddenly she heard the sound of a can hitting the ground behind her. She turns around to see Basil slowly approaching her.

"Oh. It's just you," Ruby said.

"Yes... it is," Basil said.

"Why aren't you back up at Atlas?" Ruby asked.

"Nothing. Just looking for a little fun... if you know what I mean," Basil answered.

"I... don't understand. What do you mean by that?" Ruby asked.

"You ever had a little action... with a guy before?" Basil asked.

Ruby hears some footsteps behind her and turns around to see three boys approaching her.

"Why don't we all have a little fun here tonight?" Basil asked with a grin.

Warehouse

Back in the warehouse, the crowd looks up at the pools on the screen as they begin the countdown.

"Ten. Nine. Eight."

Ren, Nora, and Penny looked on at the crowd as the countdown continued.

"Seven. Six. Five. Four."

"It's pretty obvious who's gonna win now," Nora said.

"Three. Two. One."

As soon as the countdown ended, the giant screen then displayed a photograph of Robyn, with the word "VICTORY!" below it.

"And the winner of the Atlas Council election is… Robyn Hill!" the newscaster announced.

The crowd burst into loud cheering upon seeing Robyn being announced the victor. Fiona jumps up with her fist in the air in excitement as Joanna pats Robyn in the back and May applauds.

"Go get 'em," May said.

Robyn quickly steps up to the stage and happily waves to the crowd.

"I'd like to thank you all for your support. Because of all of us, we'll make new and better changes for the city," Robyn said.

The crowd cheered once more as Robyn raised her fists in the air in victory.

Back out in another part of the streets, Jacob was watching the live elections on his phone with Ricky watching next to him as it was announced Robyn had won the seat on the Council.

"Well, she did it," Ricky said.

"Yep, she won," Jacob said.

"How's the election back at home?" Ricky asked.

"Hold on. Let me check," Jacob said.

He taps on his phone for a moment and soon gains a stunned look on his face.

"We may have a problem," Jacob answered.

Ricky looks at Jacob's phone to see a photograph of Joe Biden with the words '2020 PRESIDENTIAL WINNER' beneath it.

"Yeah, this could be a problem alright," Ricky agreed.

Back at the alleyway, Ruby was being pinned against the wall by the three boys accompanying Basil. She pulls out Crescent Rose, but Basil snatches it away from her hands and tosses it aside.

"Why so jumpy, beautiful?" one of the boys asked as he slapped Ruby's butt.

"Yeah, we're gonna have a real party tonight," the second boy said, licking Ruby's neck.

"Let me go! Let me go!" Ruby cried.

Basil lifts up the front of Ruby's skirt revealing a pair of black panties underneath.

"Look at that. With panties like that, you're practically begging to get a fill," Basil said.

He was about to slip his hand down Ruby's panties until a voice called out to them.

"Hold it right there!"

Ruby, Basil, and the boys all turned to see three Atlas soldiers pointing their guns at them. Basil puts on a pair of light blue gauntlets with dials on each of them. He grabs Ruby's arm, then shoots a blast of fire at the soldiers, knocking them to the ground. The three boys pulled out guns and shot at them, killing them. Basil and the boys turned their attention back to a terrified Ruby.

"Now where were we?" Basil asked.

"Let her go!" a voice called out.

They turned to the opening once more and saw Oscar as he pulled out his cane and pointed it at them. The boys fired their guns at Oscar as he twirled his cane deflecting and blocking the shots made at him. He charges towards the boys and jabs the first boy in the stomach with his cane and then swings it down on his head, knocking him to the ground. Oscar swung his cane at the second boy's jaw, sending him into a wall, knocking him out. He gives a series of jabs to the third boy as he then drops to his knees and falls to the ground.

Basil pushed Ruby to the ground in front of him, then turned around and ran down the alleyway until he was out of sight. Oscar ran up to Ruby and knelt down to her to check on her.

"Are you okay?" Oscar asked.

Ruby was silent for a moment before she started to sob uncontrollably and collapsed into Oscar's arms as he tried to comfort her. Just then, Qrow ran around the corner and saw three wounded Atlesian soldiers, three unconscious boys, and her younger niece crying in Oscar's arms. He turned his attention to Oscar.

"What happened?" Qrow asked.

"These boys here, along with Basil, tried to... do things to Ruby," Oscar answered.

Qrow's look of concern and worry slowly turned to enraged fury.

"And where's that fucker now?" he asked.

"He ran down the alleyway just a minute ago," Oscar answered.

"Wait here until help arrives. That little shit better hope that the others find him before I do," Qrow growled as he pulled out Harbinger.

Qrow ran down the alleyway now on the hunt for Basil. Oscar continues to give Ruby comfort as she continues sobbing.