The General's Plan
Welcome to the weekend everyone and here we have the latest chapter of the Adventures of Team WA. Before we get to it, let's answer a quick guest review: DCDGojira: You'll get your answer to that near the end of this chapter. Now onto the story!
Aboard Atlas Police Transport:
The best description Wayne could think of to describe the atmosphere inside the back of the airship was, somber in a way. Everyone was lost in their own thoughts as they either gazed out the window at the city below, the clouds passing by, or any of a half dozen places around the inside of the airship. In truth, it was to be expected in a way given that they were all recently arrested then released then put on a transport that would normally be used to transport basic criminals, like the scruffy bearded guy with a messy ponytail and a green jacket who happened to be along for the ride with them. What broke everyone out of their thoughts was Ruby suddenly speaking up.
"So do you think they're taking us where we want to go?" Questioned the red-hooded girl.
"Wherever we're going, it's at least gonna be better than jail," commented Qrow.
"I just can't believe we all got taken out so easily by a guy with a fishing pole," growled Jaune.
"Like Aegis said, it was a regular Atlas hello," explained Weiss, "and the guys who sent the greeting were Ironwood's Ace Operatives."
"What, you guys got brought in by the Ace Ops?" Said the bearded man whose interest was apparently piqued by their conversation. "Ironwood must have quite the bone to pick with you if he sent them."
"They're not quite that big of a deal," replied Weiss with a roll of her eyes.
"Are you kidding me?!" Said the bearded man as he stood up from his seat, "The Ace-Ops are the Elite among elites of military huntsman, not to mention Ironwood's personal attack dogs."
"Could've fooled me," said Aegis, "Wayne busted their tech in less than a minute and that was after he zapped the apparent rookie of the team. How'd you get those things off again?"
"Ran my semblance through the metallic wire," explained Wayne, "the restraints use a type of electromagnetic energy to hold themselves together. All I really had to do was overload them a bit."
"By the way," said Nora to the other occupant, "did those Ace Ops guys get you too?"
"Pfft, I know to steer clear of them," said the bearded guy, "I'm here for speaking out against Atlas's exploitation of Mantle. General Ironwood is attempting to silence me with this arrest!"
"You threw a brick at our ship pal," said the pilot of the airship from the cockpit.
"It's worth the anguish if it gets more people talking about our cause!" Replied the apparent activist.
"Uh, cause, what cause?" Questioned Blake as her cat ears perked up.
"The fight for better living conditions down in Mantle," said the Activist as he actually bounced in his seat, "and the one at the heart of it all is the charismatic, talented, not to mention lovely, Robyn Hill and her troop of Happy Huntresses!" It was at this point the two officers up front had heard enough and pushed a button which began raising a type of privacy screen. "All of them were top graduates of Atlas Academy who chose to stay in Mantle with Robyn instead of signing up for the military! Not only that, she's gunning for a seat on the council and once she has it she'll put an end to all of Ironwood's tyranny!" No one was sure what he was trying to accomplish at this point with all of his hopping up and down to be heard over the closing glass, though it was informative in a way.
"Are they really called the 'Happy Huntresses'?" Questioned Oscar.
"It sounds like the name of club that doesn't allow boys," said Aegis, "You know like the ones little girls form that throw slumber parties before they find out there's no such thing as cooties?"
"I remember Ruby was part of one of those," commented Yang before moving behind Blake to avoid her sister's flailing arms trying to stop her from revealing such a secret.
"I think tyranny might be a little overdramatic," said Weiss.
"That's easy for a rich girl heiress like a Schnee to say," said the Activist as he suddenly recognized Weiss, "you've probably had it easy up there in Atlas."
"She's working on becoming a huntress," said Wayne, "ask your leader Robyn Hill or one of her 'Happy Huntresses' what that's like. There's nothing easy about it."
"Well I think-," the activist trailed off as the airship broke through the clouds and soared over the many buildings of Atlas, "we're not heading to the police station."
"Wow, it's beautiful up here," said Ruby in awe as everyone glanced out the window. The city seemed to be dyed in a calming blue generated by numerous lights. Where Mantle had been dank and depressing, Atlas seemed to shine like a gem to a future promising nothing but progress and comfort.
"Don't let the outer layer fool you," Weiss almost whispered. Wayne caught the comment with his own enhanced hearing but he already knew the city had plenty of problems the world never saw. What he hadn't seen on his last trip, however, was the large spire they were approaching with several smaller spires around it.
"I didn't think he'd drop us all off at Atlas Academy," said Qrow as the airship touched down on the large landing platform in front of the huntsman training school. Another pair of soldiers opened the doors from the outside. The scale of the school became all too apparent as everyone had to crane their necks to look up at the main building after stepping out of the airship.
"Maybe requesting to see the general wasn't such a bad idea, I hope," said Ruby as a half dozen soldiers stood in two rows in front of them before giving a quick signal to follow along. The group was led into the building and onto an elevator which began a rapid ascent upward to a floor designated by one of the soldiers escorting them.
"So what should we do when we get there?" Whispered Ren to Ruby.
"I'm not sure yet," said Ruby, "until we know for sure what's going on, we'd best be careful what we say." One of the guards turned at that statement for a moment before looking straight ahead once more.
"We'll follow your lead on this one Ruby, don't worry," said Blake encouragingly as the elevator stopped on the designated floor. The doors opened and admitted them into a lobby where they were led down a short hall to a large central area. The floor was decorated with the pattern of a compass and moonlight poured in from the various windows in the ceiling.
"Hold up," said Wayne as he and Aegis picked up a familiar voice approaching from another hallway.
"If I have to sit through another council meeting like that again," said the General himself as he, Winter and Penny all came strolling through the center of the room.
"Oh wonderful you all made it!" Said the android girl happily as she noticed their presence, drawing both Ironwood and the elder Schnee sister's attention.
"Winter," said Weiss as she stepped forward, "Is everything alright?"
"It," Winter said, hardly believing her eyes at the moment, "it is now."
"I'm glad you contacted us when you did," said Ironwood, "please come in." The General proceeded to lead the group into his office which resembled Opzin's in many ways with a large window allowing him a view of the school courtyard while a star design took the place of the ticking clock the Beacon Headmaster had in his office. "It's been some time, I'm happy to see all of you again."
"Yeah the reception we got conveyed a bit of a different message," said Yang.
"Yes and I regret the treatment you had to endure at the hands of my team," said Ironwood with a sigh, "You see when your ship entered our airspace and deviated from its set flight path, we assumed it was a rogue ship that had been stolen."
"What, stolen," said Ruby as she tried to look innocent and failed miserably, "well yeah it kinda was." This seemed to surprise the General a bit as Winter stepped forward to speak.
"You stole an Atlesian airship," said Winter in disbelief.
"We didn't have any other options," Wayne jumped in, "the Atlas forces we dealt with weren't really the listening type, wouldn't even contact you for us."
"And what would've happened to my sister if you'd all been shot down!" Retorted Winter as she angrily marched forward, "of all the irresponsible actions you could've taken you pick the one that-." Weiss silenced her older sister with a sudden hug.
"I know I worried you and I'm sorry," said Weiss, "but Wayne's telling the truth. We did what we had to do in order to make it here."
"I," Winter said as she returned the hug, "I suppose it's understandable." She turned her gaze on Qrow then. "But I cannot believe you allowed such a hair-brained scheme in the first place!"
"Oh I tried not too," said Qrow as he cocked a thumb towards Ruby and the others, "but trust me when I say it's almost impossible to stop these kids when they get their minds set on something. And now that we're here we can finally tell you some important information…the confidential kind."
"Oh, is it about the relics," said Penny as she popped up on Ironwood's right hand side.
"Or is it about the winter maiden," said the Elder Schnee as she stood on the General's left side.
"James, did you actually tell them," said Qrow as he voiced his own disbelief at the situation.
"I hope you didn't think you were the only ones who were working on a new plan after Beacon," said Ironwood as he opened one of the drawers in his desk and pulled out the relic of knowledge. "With Opzin gone I needed a new team of people I could trust. So I told them and the Ace-Ops. Which is why I'm so glad you're all here with this. Until now it seemed impossible to turn the tide against Salem. Oz has been able to push her back or at least keep total victory out of her claws but she returns stronger and stronger each time. The only way we can end this is if we destroy her."
"But, what do we do about the Atlas relic?" Questioned Ruby hesitantly.
"You don't need to worry about the staff of creation," assured Ironwood.
"It's nice and safe inside one of our most secure vaults," said Penny happily.
"The winter maiden is also secure and in stable condition," said Winter Schnee, anticipating Qrow's question.
"What do you mean by 'stable condition'?" Asked Yang, "Is she alright-?"
"She's fine," said Qrow, "she's just not what you'd call a spring chicken anymore."
"I am aware this looks unsavory," said Ironwood, "a total military recall, an embargo. I certainly don't seem like the most trustworthy individual right now."
"But you're still continuing it," Blake pointed out.
"And all the people down in Mantle are hurting from it," added Nora.
"I needed absolute assurance that Salem could not enter Atlas," replied Ironwood, "Which is why I brought my military here, to protect its people."
"But the people don't feel protected," said Yang, "all it seems to be doing is making everyone hate you."
"And that," said Ironwood with a sigh, "Is a price I'm willing to pay." The General pressed a button on his desk's keypad, causing the room to darken and the floor to light up as a hologram projector rose up from the center of the room. Ruby and Oscar had to step off of it as Ironwood continued speaking. "Just as all of you have been entrusted with the secret of Salem's existence, I now need you to trust me because I do in fact have a plan. You see Ozpin believed the best way to fight Salem was in secret and whether that was the wisest decision or not isn't for me to say. But the situation we find ourselves in now is in need of, a new approach."
"I take it you've got a suggestion for that," said Qrow. Ironwood's answer was to click a small remote in his hand, causing the hologram projector to open and expand outward before generating a blue, translucent image of a familiar arena.
"Isn't that, the Amity colosseum," said Jaune.
"You mean the moving colosseum where they hold the Vytal Festival," asked Oscar.
"Yeah," said Wayne, "and the site where Beacon's fall began."
"Indeed," said Ironwood, "the loss of Beacon caused global communications to cease across Remnant. That event has made me realize that our current system is outdated. But Amity was built with the purpose of bringing the nations together and now it will do so once again." Another click of the remote generated a holographic tower on top of the image of the Amity colosseum.
"It's wonderful isn't it," said Penny, "we're going to do more than just replace Beacon tower. Building this new tower on top of Amity colosseum will allow us to re-establish complete global communications!"
"Our scientists believe that launching the colosseum high into the atmosphere will create a, satellite, of sorts that will be out of reach of the Grimm," Said Winter, "It will also be capable of maintaining global communications even if another tower should be lost."
"That is, pretty great," admitted Ruby with a mixture of awe and disbelief.
"But this shouldn't require the entire military James," Qrow pointed out.
"No, but I will need it for the next part," replied Ironwood, "I'm going to tell the world the truth about Salem's existence." The atmosphere in the room got a bit more tense once everyone heard that part.
"So you withdrew your troops," said Qrow, "to handle the panic you believe will break out in Atlas."
"It's more accurate to say the panic is inevitable," corrected Ironwood, "and a panic like this will bring a tremendous number of Grimm. But I believe we are prepared for it. Once the rest of Atlas comes to grips with the fight ahead of us, I'll use the Amity tower to spread the message throughout Remnant."
"But everything could fall apart," argued Weiss, "Grimm will be everywhere if you send something like that out."
"You're right sister," said Winter, "but Atlas is prepared and willing to provide assistance."
"You say that," Aegis spoke up, "but aside from Argus I don't see Atlas forces anywhere other than here. Any kind of rapid response you might have would still take hours if it has to depart from here, unless you plan on sending the military all over Remnant at the same time you broadcast the truth."
"It will be a difficult situation," admitted Ironwood, "but if we continue to hide Salem's existence from the world, it'll eventually kill all of us." The General tapped a button on his remote which set the room back to normal as the light was let back in and the hologram table retreated into the floor.
"Oz spent not just one but several lives keeping this secret," said Qrow.
"Yes he has," said Ironwood, "but things have changed since Beacon. With him no longer here to guide us, all I can really do is use my best judgment." The General was heading back to his desk when he noticed Oscar fidgeting uncomfortably. "Is something the matter?"
"Well you see," said Oscar, "Oz isn't entirely gone."
"I guess it's best you hear this now," said Qrow, "Oscar is, well, the next Ozpin."
"Oz, I don't believe it," said Ironwood in the happiest tone any of them had heard up to this point as he kneeled down to shake Oscar's hand, "You're actually here I thought you wer-."
"He's not entirely here," said Oscar as he held his hand out, "he's gone at the moment."
"That isn't normal," said Ironwood with a shake of his head, "do you-?"
"We don't know what happened," Ruby cut in, "We got caught in a train crash and ever since then, well, Oz has stopped speaking."
"And so comes the worse news yet," said Ironwood with a sigh as he stood back up, "did you at least manage to learn anything about the relics before he disappeared?"
"He told us the three questions you could ask the lamp were already used up," answered Ruby, not entirely lying in this case.
"Right, I see," said Ironwood as he walked over to peer out the back window of his office, "he told us the same thing once upon a time. But at least you're here Oscar, and maybe while you're safe in Atlas we can find a way to bring Ozpin back."
"Thanks Sir…er General, uh, Ironwood?" Replied Oscar, not really sure how he should be addressing the man. Ironwood simply nodded before picking up the relic and, in a surprising move, walked over and handed it back to Ruby.
"You're giving it back to me?" Said Ruby questioningly.
"Given the way your encounter went with my Ace Ops, I don't want you to feel like I'm keeping anything from you. Especially something as important as this relic. I believe for now, it'll be safest with the ones who brought it here in the first place."
"Well, uh, thank you," said Ruby as she accepted the lamp and hung it back on its usual spot on her waist.
"If we're going to win against Salem," declared the General, "we all must work together. So, am I assuming correctly you're all on board with this?" Ruby hesitated for a moment, giving the matter a bit of thought before giving her answer.
"Tell us what we can do to help," she said with conviction in her voice.
"Well as mentioned," said Ironwood with a bit more upbeat tone, "our priority is getting Amity Tower ready to launch. But first, I believe we should bring those weapons of yours, up to Atlas standards." His point was illustrated by a hologram screen popping up, showing footage of Blake drawing her broken weapon. The cat Faunus was, understandably embarrassed.
"Now remember you are in Atlas," said Winter Schnee, "and while you're working with our military you'll be provided top of the line equipment by our scientists." A small cheer broke out in response to this. A few more details were shared between the two groups before the former Beacon students and their friends were dismissed from Ironwood's office. As they were walking down the stairs, a group of now familiar Atlas soldiers was waiting in the central lobby to greet them.
"Ah yes, I'd like to sincerely apologize for the misunderstanding we had down in Mantle," said the Ace Ops leader as he and his team gathered in front of them. "We hadn't known-."
"I honestly feel terrible!" said the tall tan woman of the team as she blew past her leader and began shaking Ruby's hand excitedly. In fact she was shaking so enthusiastically that the hooded girl was being lifted off her feet and flailed around in the air before falling back to the ground once the woman let go. "If we'd known who you all were we'd be laughing with a hot meal in front of us right now and-."
"N-No worries," said Ruby as she shakily got to her feet, "you were just following orders and whatnot."
"You could've at least asked first before restraining us," whispered Weiss as she spun her team leader around with a flick of her finger before stopping her spin just as quickly.
"Ah questions are for weaklings," said the dog Faunus dismissively, "we're on the same team now anyway, not that I'm all that happy about it." His wagging tail said otherwise, getting a laugh from one of his other teammates as he stopped it with his hand.
"You realize that attitude is exactly what got you yelled at in the first place right," Wayne pointed out.
"Well I believe I speak for my team when I say that we're sorry," said the Ace Ops leader, "and we're looking forward to working with you on the upcoming missions. Students or not, it's clear you've all been fighting as hard as we have. If not harder."
"And I'm sorry I got you yelled at, broke some of your tech and burnt your teammate's hand," Wayne chimed in, "hope that doesn't put any dampers on the relationship."
"I'm actually looking forward to seeing what all you kids can do," said the girl with pointed gold and black hair.
"Try to remember that not everything has to be a competition Hare," chided an Ace Ops member who resembled a monk with a shaved head.
"But first," said Penny as she popped up between the two groups, "let me show you around campus!" The group complied as they parted ways with the Atlesian team and followed after the android. But the moment they started down one of the hallways, Wayne caught the scent of something he could only describe as sinister.
"Wayne, are you smelling what I'm smelling?" Questioned Aegis as actual sweat broke out on his forehead.
"You mean the scent of a beast waiting to torment us in the most painful ways imaginable," he replied, "Yep." A sudden roar filled the hallways then which greatly resembled the sound of a bear. "And I think she smells us too!" The sound of doors being busted open in the distance reached their ears as the two brothers turned to their friends.
"We're gonna have to catch up with you guys later," said Aegis, "right now Wayne and I need to, RUN LIKE OUR LIVES DEPENDED ON IT!"
"You make it sound like they don't!" commented Wayne as they broke into a full on run down the hallway. The huntresses and huntsmen in training could only watch in confusion until a charging beast ran straight through the group, making a bee line right for the fleeing brothers. Their friends could only watch in horror as the monster descended upon their friends, slamming them both on the floor before inflicting, wrestling holds on them?
"Months!" Said the woman as she had Wayne in a head lock and Aegis in a leg lock, "You've been gone from home for months!" She shifted positions then, placing the both of them in another painful hold. "Do you have any idea how long we've been looking for you two?! And from what I heard you nearly died at Haven!" The Half Faunus brothers screamed in pain then as the paralyzing paw was administered to the both of them. "Now what do you both have to say for yourselves?"
"Sorry Mother," the two brothers managed to get out between groans. Unbeknownst to all of them, Winter Schnee was smiling as she watched the painful exchange at a distance. 'Oh dear,' she thought, 'I may have forgotten to mention their parents were here. Oh well, serves them right for drawing a giant black piece of manhood on my ship.'
Meanwhile In Mantle
A steady rain had begun to fall on the currently struggling city as people went about their routines. One such person, however, did not belong here. Or to be more precise he belonged once upon a time, but no longer. Like everyone else, he strolled along in the rain with a brown travel bag in his right hand and an umbrella in his left while being more than happy that he'd decided to wear a coat with a furred vest. His mustached face twitched in annoyance as he spoke to another individual through the communicator embedded in his ear.
"As I've explained several times," Said the mustached man, "a stationary hideout will make us more susceptible to detection."
"But what if Atlas security sees us," said the psychotic man on the other end. "Someone might recognize one of us?"
"Remaining mobile is the better option to avoid that," said the man.
"But this is a city with a thousand eyes," argued the psychotic.
"Cyber security was only stepped up in Atlas," remarked the man as he hit a switch on his umbrella, causing several cars to stop as he crossed the street without a care, "but as expected, none of the code was updated down here in Mantle."
"I suppose that part will be useful," said the psychotic man.
"It would be even better if the doctor here stopped screwing around with it in plain view," commented a third voice as he watched the now named doctor activate some rising traffic columns to stop an oncoming truck as he crossed the street again, "You are aware that it's still suspicious for someone to be calmly walking away from a traffic incident right Watts?"
"Your concern is noted Exo," said Watts as he clicked the switch on his umbrella again, deactivating several of the nearby security cameras, "but please recall that I helped write the codes they're using down here. Atlas security will only see what we want them to see."
"I guess it's true," said Tyrian, "we all have something we're talented at. Speaking of which, have you taken care of your target Executioner?"
"Carved up using the same knife techniques the Atlas military uses," said Exo as he watched the doctor from afar in a shadowed alley, "as far as anyone else is concerned, Atlas soldiers killed another protester of Ironwood's policies."
"Do remember to not leave any trace of yourselves at the scenes," reminded Dr. Watts.
"This isn't my first frame up job," said Exo, "you just worry about not abusing those codes too much until after we get everything really rolling."
"Worry not my mercenary comrade," said the Doctor, "once we get everything set in motion, no one will notice a few irregularities in security and before they know it, we'll be walking right through the doors of Atlas. And once we're there, we'll tear it all down from the sky."
And so the players are moving as the game begins in Atlas. Who shall arrive at the finish first? Hello everyone, hope you enjoyed this latest chapter and as always feel free to leave a comment or review about what you liked/disliked or if you've got any neat ideas for future chapters. Be sure to stop in next time as the Ursario family takes on the Atlas dust mines.
