Arthur Watts, his head and mustache shaved, crouched down low to the floor as he held a series of glowing rings upon his fingers up to a nearby automated turret positioned halfway down a hallway. The device remained inactive, but a green light blinked to life just below the twin gun barrels signaling that it was online and connected to the network. He offered the defensive structure a confident smirk as he rose to stand once again, just in time to catch sight of Robyn Hill approaching on his left.

"How's it coming?" the woman asked as she folded her arms over her chest. The sounds of muffled music echoed through the walls of the election hall, and Robyn couldn't help but tap her foot to the beat. "All of your men here?"

"Just about," Arthur answered as he dusted off his deep blue mechanic's suit. "White Fang guards are posted out front and vetting your guest list, as well as frisking any pedestrians who try to enter the show floor. You're well protected, Miss Hill. No one will enter or leave without us knowing about it, and should anyone unsavory begin to cause problems… well. I'm sure you can imagine the outcome. We have cameras covering every hallway, doorway, and staircase in this building, as well as the immediate area outside."

"Good. Once they start filtering in… I've got enemies all over the city, and especially in the one above," Robyn warned. "I want this place locked down in a way the Aces wouldn't agree to. Clover Ebi is insisting on being here, along with some of his lackeys that I thought would be good for Mantle… but from what I've been hearing, they're just going to become obstructions. Typical outsiders who think they know better than people who have lived this hell."

"Would you like me to turn them away?" Arthur asked. "I could get it done."

"Legally, we can't do that," Robyn replied.

"Who said anything about following legal channels?" Arthur asked. "It's not as though you're completely clean, is it, Miss Hill?"

Robyn glared daggers at the man before her. He didn't blink.

"…I don't know what you think you know about me or the Happy Huntresses, Mr. Digna, but I can assure you that I'm not the corrupt candidate in this election."

"Of course not," Arthur said with a knowing smirk. "But you're also not quite clean, are you? Otherwise, you wouldn't have signed me on."

Robyn simply sighed and shook her head as she shifted uncomfortably. The beat had been lost somewhere in the conversation, and she suddenly felt nervous with her feet flat on the ground. Arthur began to make his way down the hallway, and Robyn moved to follow him.

"…speaking of, what's with the collars on the White Fang? It's making Fiona nervous…"

"Oh, she has nothing to worry about," Arthur reassured with a wave of his hand. "They simply link our faunus friends to the security system. If they see anything troublesome, they'll be able to trigger our backup systems remotely."

"Backup systems?" Robyn questioned, her voice gaining an edge. "Not more turrets, I hope? Why is this the first I'm hearing of a backup system?"

"Oh no, of course not," Arthur replied as he approached the next turret and began to run another set of diagnostics. "It's simply a way to call in more reinforcements should the need arise. The turrets will be managed by me from a remote location."

Robyn clenched her teeth as well as a fist.

"…remote location. Again, this is the first I'm h-"

"You'll have my second in command on site, and I'll be monitoring things here while I take care of business elsewhere," Arthur interrupted without bothering to look at the woman as he swept his rings over the surface of the turret. "You'll be quite fine, and I'm a busy man. This election is in the bag. Relax, and simply… take in the atmosphere. You've earned it. Haven't you?"

"…I'm not loving your tone right now," Robyn warned. "Why are you talking in riddles and acting so dodgy?"

"Am I? Or are you simply letting your nerves get the best of you?" Arthur asked as he finally stopped his maintenance to give the woman an even look. Though the expression was of questionable sincerity, it caught Robyn off guard enough to listen. "I understand your position completely, Miss Hill. It's a big day for you, and one that you're not entirely in control of. Keep your head in the game and focus on what changes you can make both for yourself, and the people of Mantle. The rest of us who are in charge of keeping things running will pick up the slack. By the end of the day… we'll all get what we deserve, down to the last citizen of Mantle, and we'll be able to rest easy. I can assure you of that."

Robyn finally let her arms fall to her sides before bringing a hand up to her forehead.

"…maybe you're right. I'm sorry… and I do hope you're right…"

"Mm," Arthur acknowledged as he turned back to his turret. "I'm certain of it."

"Soooo… you're sure we're in the right place?" Daisuke asked as he stared at the massive building a few blocks away. Manned turrets had been erected at the top of the steps leading to the entrance, and a barricade of faunus in white and red masks was waiting between the machines. A long line had formed at the foot of the steps and continued down the sidewalk, beginning to wrap around the block. "That looks less like an election hall and more like a fortified bunker. Fortified by the White Fang, I might add…"

"That son of a bitch," Cinnamon snapped as she followed Daisuke's eyes. "He must have control of the organization here in Mantle… and that would explain why I can't get in contact with any of them any longer. What is he playing at?"

"Nothing good, that's for damned sure," Daisuke answered as he turned to Clover. "Cin and I can't even approach that hall if Watts has the Fang under his thumb. What's the plan?"

"The plan is that Hope and I still can," Clover answered with a grim frown. "We're down to two people managing this site. You two head to the follow-up evac zone to meet up with Weiss and Marrow early, and the two of us will handle Hill."

"…listen, I'm not much for human authority, but that doesn't mean I want to see you slain by an angry mob," Cinnamon said. "The two of you walking in there and walking back out with Robyn in cuffs does not seem like a likely outcome, especially given how flagrantly they're breaking laws outside of the building. The White Fang was on her side even before this, and they're certainly not going to listen to you if you try to expose her apparent smuggling and take her in. This is a terrible plan."

"Cinnamon's analysis would appear to be correct," Hope agreed. "We should contact General Ironwood and move to pivot our course of action."

"The General shouldn't be bothered while he's setting things up at Amity," Clover denied immediately. "That being said, I see your point… we'll call the others and see about swapping squad members as quickly as possible. This isn't ideal, but it may be necessary right now."

"On it," Daisuke offered as he pressed two fingers to his earpiece and crouched down against a nearby wall. "We've arrived at Robyn Hill's election party. We… may have a serious problem on our hands."

"Moving people across the city right now is dangerous," Clover said mostly to himself. "Whoever it is, they have to be quick and hopefully able to get back to their squads as soon as possible… unless you two are willing to trade places."

"We'll do what we have to do," Cinnamon said with a shrug. "I would prefer to stay with Dai, but then again, I would prefer not to be involved in any of this at all…"

"We might," Daisuke answered into his scroll. "Arresting Robyn Hill may be an impossibility…"

"Nothing's impossible," Clover replied as he moved closer to the faunus and joined the call. "Who's on the line right now?"

"Ruby Rose, Squad Two."

"Ilia Amitola, listening in from Squad One."

"Elm. Do you need me there?"

"This is Yang. We're just about to move out, unless we need to pivot."

"Alright, everyone, listen to me," Clover ordered. "Rose- get here quickly."

"I can do that," Ruby reassured. "Very quickly. Send me coordinates on my scroll."

"Consider it done. Amitola- just how invisible can you get with your Semblance?"

"Invisible enough," Ilia answered "Fuck… if you really need me, I'll be there. Just… please take care of the rest of my squad. I don't like them being down a man."

"Ilia…" Sun's voice echoed faintly through the call, carrying from Ilia's earpiece.

"We've got you," Clover reassured. "Daisuke- head to take Ruby's place. Cinnamon- you're the new Ilia. Ruby- Hope will wait out front to help you jump the line. Ilia… get in, unseen, and you'll be our ace in the hole in case something goes wrong. The election hall is heavily fortified to the point of the defenses being unregulated and illegal. Be ready for a challenge."

"Awesome, can't wait," Ilia sassed over the call. "Do you actually have a plan for these extra defenses once you're inside, or is this just 'wing it and hope for the best' Round 17?"

"…I can circumvent any defenses."

There was a pause after the new voice spoke, in which most of the other participants in the call tried to figure out who the newcomer was.

"Emerald…" Ilia said, answering the question that had yet to be asked. "We could use you on this one, if your squad can hold the line without you."

"We can," Elm confirmed. "We've got two senior hunters here. Get moving."

"Pax calling in," the android announced. "I will fill in for Emerald Sustrai. This leaves Raven and Harriet as roaming free agents."

"I'll call Qrow and inform him of the changes," Raven added. "We're still doing well. Just make sure we shuffle as quickly as possible so we don't get caught with our pants down."

"Alright. Everyone, move out as assigned," Clover ordered before disconnecting and turning toward Daisuke and Cinnamon. "Good luck, you two. We'll see you on the other side."

"Poor choice of words," Daisuke said with a roll of his eyes before giving a two-fingered salute. "Same to you, man. We've all had to improvise through worse than this. See you topside."

Cinnamon watched for a moment as Daisuke took to the air, riding a viridian current of wind and speeding just over the sidewalk. The woman cracked her neck and knuckles before jumping slightly as she felt a freezing hand upon her shoulder.

"You care deeply about him," Hope said plainly as she stared up into Cinnamon's eyes.

"I do," Cinnamon confirmed. "I just got him back after feeling like I might never see him again… and now he's gone. I can't help but feel uneasy."

"I know that feeling," Hope empathized. "I just got myself back, and I am already separated from one of my friends that I haven't really had a chance to speak to. Fortunately, it seems she will be joining me soon. Have faith that things will work out. We will all work to protect the two of you."

"Enough," Cinnamon said coldly. "I appreciate the effort, but don't give me that. We're hardly the priority here, even among our group of agents."

"Listen, we don't have time to waste, but… let me give you something similar," Clover offered as he stepped over to the faunus and the android. "Winter and I are incredibly close, and I recognize the looks you've been giving Daisuke. I know what you're feeling, being separated in a dangerous scenario. Even if we might not quite be 'friends'… Hope is right. You're both part of the team, and you're both coming home alive. You're in good hands… and the two of you are safer on the other squads, anyway. At least there's that, right? Higher chance of things working out if you just go now and keep your mind on the goal."

"Which means you have less of a chance of coming out alive, staying here and taking this on with an improvised unit," Cinnamon replied. "Why so insistent if you have something similar going with Winter? Are you that fixated on being a 'hero?'"

"We do what we have to do, no matter the risks. What we know is right. That's part of what keeps our bond so strong," Clover answered. "It's just how we are, hero complex or not. That isn't really for me to say. Now, get going. Hope and I need to get inside."

The android nodded and followed her superior without another word, and again, Cinnamon paused to watch them leave. It was only after they reached the road in front of the election hall that she turned to face her new destination and set out.

"…and I'll do what I have to, as well. I only hope that eventually, people will understand that when all of this ends up as history…"

Author's Note:

I have The Dumb and had Weiss make the call about Robyn last chapter… despite Weiss not being at Robyn's election hall. It was supposed to be Dai, but I got the teams confused. It has been switched out in the previous chapter and fixed.

-RD