Hoping this chapter comes across well. I felt weird about some things, but couldn't exactly get a feel on how I could improve it. Then again, I'm a terrible writer, so I'm sure someone out there could think of some better ways I could have gone about exposition here. I don't know. I just feel less confident in this chapter than maybe I should?
Hope you all enjoy!
Chapter Sixty One: The Great Pillars
Ever onward, North.
The team found themselves road bound for one of Atlas's Four Pillars... Important places indeed.
Within the lands of Mantle, there were four grand cities built. Centers of commerce and connection to the harsher lands. Respites from the conditions of Mantle where man created the Kingdom of Atlas. These four cities were places with spiritual significance to those of faith, but more practically, they predated the famous floating city of Atlas.
After Atlas's floating city was created, becoming a shining symbol of engineering and aptitude, these four grand cities helped stabilize the kingdom's structure. Together, they became the Four Pillars, essential hubs to the structure of Atlas.
The Pillar of New Oblitus, referred to as the South Pillar, is an aquatic coastal town. Essential to sea trade and managing the powerful Navy of Atlas. Also, a home of every type of seafood and spice combination on the planet... Something Carmine notes looking up information on it. Aaaaand, vacation destination set.
The Pillar of Flores Solis, referred to as the West Pillar, is a cultural buffer from the kingdom of Vacuo. The city itself manages many long range communications between all the kingdoms. The city's technology sector is linked extensively with air travel and even space technologies. The launching center of many satellites Atlas has experimented with in the last few years.
Also, lacking the dust economy being so far from any natural dust reserves, its economy is much more focused on relations and safeguarding travel. A consequence being a higher level of unemployment and homeless, or refugee, population. Carmine would like to NOT go there.
The city of Angustiae, referred to as the North Pillar, was and still is a powerhouse of industry. Mechanical and machine strides in technology most often come from this sector in a warmer pocket of the Northern tundras. However, that warmth could very well be from the sheer smog and amount of factories there.
The industrious nature of the city makes it a military paradise for Atlas soldiers. Despite this, the terrible living conditions and extreme density of the faunus population also sees it as one of the criminal capitals of the kingdom! This year alone saw two riots protesting faunus rights. Both times, the local military was forced to break the rabble.
Roman's words to not look anyone ever in the eye in that city was taken well... Roman hadn't even been there personally. Said that's just the experience working with criminals from there. An unstable, ready to fire off sort.
Finally was their destination... the East Pillar of New Malum.
The newly repaired van roves over a hill overlooking a great wide river. Even this far out, Blair, in the driver seat, notes the tops of skyscrapers poking over the next hill over. They're still far off, but to see the structures so far away is a testament to how tall they were!
From Blair's description, Malum sat on an elongated island sitting in the center of the massive river. Miles long bridges were required to get from land to land for it. The frosty landscape and weather keeps the land sunny, yet gray toned.
The island in the river the city sits on is uneven, lending its construction of multiple levels of the city for differing purposes. Lower sectors of the city would be for civilians and commerce. The upper levels would be the professional sector: Hospitals, Legal practices, Military stations... Apparently, the highest tier of the city was a research arm of the SDC.
The van pulls around a bend, causing all four of them to lock their gazes forward, astonished! On a smaller outcropped island down river from the main city is a positively massive statue! Some three hundred combined feet of height! It depicts a female figure wearing ceremonial armor. Plate armor of a bygone era.
It was the type of wear that a hero in a fairy tale would have. One hand is held behind its back in a proper posture. The other hand is raised up, like the casting of a wizard, holding a sorcerer's staff. The woman the statue is depicted after has a fair face with pulled back hair. She displays a gentle, yet firm smile.
The female statue itself makes up almost two hundred feet of the statue height, the remaining hundred being a warped depiction of buildings sculpted in mid construction.
"Whoa... That's fancy. But, why does it look unfinished?" Carmine asks out loud.
Blair hums. "The statue is perhaps one thousand years old, dating back to the founding of modern Atlas from the past Mantle government. The statue is of the leader that unified the lands of opportunity across Mantle. An architect that took the position of a warrior in a war."
The blonde nods her head to direct to the unfinished construction the statue stands upon. "She was theorized to be the Winter Maiden of the Four Maidens tale for the generation. Winter as a season is tied to shielding oneself from the elements for your survival. As such, the Winter Maiden has always been tied inherently to the idea of Creation."
Neo nudges the woman. When Blair looks to her, the girl leans up to the front seats and signs. "Like the Seven Chaos tale, too. Right? That included the Maidens."
"Indeed. The Staff in her hands is even said to be a relic tied to the primordial force of Creation itself." She draws attention to the staff in question. "Of course, such a thing has never been documented with any real relevance. However, the woman herself did have many accolades. Maiden Mirai the Architect."
Neo keeps her gaze locked on the statue in wonder, though Carmine snorts when he looks at her. "No, you can't steal it." The crack makes Roman contain a chuckle too, Neo pinking as she stews.
The short girl single taps her finger to her chin, Blair grimacing. "Neo." The girl is broken from her thought chain. "I'm not giving you time to come up with a way."
The girl can only snap her fingers in a 'darn' way as she smiles wide.
The actual city comes into full view several miles up the river. Dozens of skyscrapers. Roman scowls. "Alright, so we got maybe twenty minutes if I kick it into high gear. We decide how we're gonna tell whatever his name to screw off?"
Carmine nods, then looks to Blair. "If it's to get one of us to meet AZRL's link to the SDC, then Blair would obviously be the best person, right? You would actually understand what needs looked at within the SDC since this place is all research, weird science, oingo boingo."
The blonde grimaces. "That could work against us. Remember that AZRL is familiar with me. Or rather, Miss Gale." She mentions the nursing alias she'd used originally. "Someone for AZRL that's this important would absolutely have to know of my involvement. They could potentially out me immediately."
Roman snorts. "That's what happens when you do too good a job." He winks at Blair, the blonde allowing a small smile. Though, Carmine looks ill and shifts back into the rear seats. "And I'm not risking my neck doing these people's dirty business after the crap with the Imp and Nelo. We've done enough, so they need to pay up to get anything substantial from me."
"Then is falls to me..." Carmine sucks his lips in for a tense neutral face, eyes wide. "Yay. Spy time.." Looking to Neo, the girl points to herself. "You'd have to maintain a disguise the whole time if you go, but it depends what they need exactly." The boy then nods more confident. "Besides, I wouldn't order someone to do something I'm not willing to do myself."
As Neo smiles at that, Roman scoffs. "The attitude of a soon to be dead man."
The boy sends a glower at the man through the rear view mirror. "Look, I'm positive that by the end of the day, I'll be pissed at someone or something. Can you just not right now?"
It's Roman's turn to smirk. "Pay me and I won't."
"UGH!" Carmine groans out as the van closes in on a tunnel. The tunnel funnels underground, a dark highway with only the occasional golden lights. Going down and down, the group was starting to question the construction until it dawns on them.
The tunnel was going under the very river...
Other automotive vehicles rove by them out of the tunnels as the road widens to a four lane road. Different tunnels leading off to different directions away from the city. Carmine can only barely make out many of the darker, barely lit signs as the complex system can only just say it has any directions at all!
Twenty minutes brings them to finally surge upward, the tunnels spiraling and intertwining in a connected network. More and more cars come into view as soon they're caught in deep traffic. After such a time, they finally meet the now eye gouging brightness of daylight. The van comes up from the underground... surrounded by the city with a toll booth line in front of them.
They've arrived in New Malum.
. . .
The inner workings of a warehouse sits half lit, half shrouded. The lighting is such that lines of light and darkness illuminate and obscure the shelves of tools and materials. Metal workings and devices. Some have dust chambers in different combinations, emitting dull glows in differing coloration.
Over a work shop table, the sparks of a blow torch blow out in front of a man. The man has a welding mask shielding his whole face. He's tall with a thin, healthy build. Under the gloves, welding apron, and mask is a magenta suit of sorts, unbuttoned with a yellow button up shirt neatly prim underneath.
A call rings out, pulling his attention to his scroll crying out on a side table. The man peels the mask and gloves off, obscured in the shadows as he takes the scroll. A glance to the number brings a small smirk.
He answers.
"You've arrived earlier than expected." He speaks out.
"Unlike you, we actually hold our end of deals." Carmine's voice sounds. "After hunting for you, we expect something good up front."
The suited man hums. This was the young leader of the team then? Cinder reported that he might be of the more noble sort. The idea that someone noble was in this position amuses the man. It's that much easier to manipulate them. "You must be mistaken. That Grimm was a threat you would never have left to the people to deal with. We merely also benefit from its removal."
"So much so that you hire us to do so. Or, are you wanting us to pin you against the wall alongside AZRL?" So aggressive. This boy doesn't know who he's threatening. Then again, if he's crazy enough to voluntarily fight AZRL, maybe he's more interesting than the man's giving credit for.
"Don't be so hostile to those who would be your friend."
"Don't assume the term 'friend' means 'master'. If I wanted to be manipulated, I'd be with my father." The brass of this boy, directly calling it out. The man's amusement turns to annoyance. Be him a benefit to his mistress or not, he's already finding himself in the same category as Cinder. Too ready to overstep. The boy continues. "Speaking of which, your name, location, and favorite derogatory nickname, please."
The man crinkles his nose in disgust. "It's amusing for you to think you're in control of this."
"As 'amusing' as you seeking us out rather than using people already in your control?" Carmine counters aptly. The man's hand tightens on the scroll. "Yeah, that part isn't hard to figure. So speak up."
He remains silent for a moment before speaking low. "Come to the corner of Downey and Benedict. A little bird will direct you from there." He hangs up on Carmine, growling under his breath. "Children..."
. . .
The van comes to a halt in the lower sectors. Many of the blocks are even or just below water level with the massive river surrounding the city. Small barriers keep the waters at bay, allowing the low income neighborhoods and shoddily constructed buildings their land.
Labor jobs also make up the industrial side of the sector, many docks, warehouses, and small factories line opposite of several apartment complexes. The van parallel parks between a beat up truck and a smaller car. At the corner of Downey Avenue and Benedict Boulevard.
Roman eyes their surroundings. "Perhaps you were a tad too direct, boy scout. But, not bad quipping. Hopefully, we don't have a sudden detour fighting some other dastardly group."
Carmine snorts. "What? You don't want to play hero more than you have to?"
"Perish the thought."
"It would be a good quality to show off." Blair muses. "Useless as it often is, it's still nice to see."
"Why, Barbie, if that's what got you going, then we wouldn't be-" Roman turns predatory on the woman.
A piercing whistle makes both adults jolt, as well as Carmine. They look to Neo, the girl smiling innocent despite the small whistle necklace in her mouth. The three scrutinize the whistle before looking at her. They knew for sure she didn't purchase it... Neo smiles at Carmine and signs. "Saved us having to hear them."
"Enough about that. Why do you have that?" Carmine asks, curious.
Neo blinks naive. She signs. "Swiped it connected to a rude girl's Lien a few weeks ago."
"You... know what that is, right?" Roman says, half annoyed at his ringing ears and half amazed she seemed oblivious. The girl continues to blink. Even CARMINE seems to know.
Blair clears her throat. "That is a ra..." Blair coughs awkwardly. "Emergency whistle for uncouth situations." Neo purses her lips, looking it over. The whistle itself is pink with a brown necklace string. So, she shrugs.
The blonde face palms. "Very well. You find it amusing enough, so keep it-" Suddenly, both her and Carmine jolt and glare at the girl. "Stop stealing!" The two yell in unison at her.
Neo giggles taunting. Doesn't matter what it WAS for. Just matters what it CAN be for. Annoying her team fits in that. Carmine grumbles. "I seriously hope the person you took that from didn't end up needing it."
"Odds of that are fractions of fractions, boy scout." Roman rolls his eyes at them. Looking forward, his green eyes lock onto something on their windshield. His gaze narrows. "I'll hazard a guess then that this is 'little bird' we're looking for."
The other three look forward.
On the hood of the van, no bigger than a baseball, sits a golden colored bird... But not a bird. It's metal. Small violet lines in the hinges and trim show lightning dust. The small animal doesn't breath, its mechanical nature evident. It's a robotic bird, staring at the four through the windshield.
The four blink surprised. Carmine speaks next. "So, that's a thing." He slowly nudges Blair's arm. "Thoughts?"
Suddenly, the mechanical bird's stiff wings open out, circular heli blades inside the wings directed down. It blows the current down and floats up before zipping out from the van just above the street. Blair nods. "Our 'friend' is adequate with robotics. Follow it!"
Roman pulls out from their parking to follow the tiny flying lead. It directs them through open gates through a systematic complex of warehouses. Many are obviously untouched for years, while others have some workers. Many are trashed for every maintained structure. Soon enough, the mechanical bird leads them to a single warehouse, completely locked up and sealed off from the outside world.
Exiting the van, Neo eyes the mechanical bird as it stiff walks through a tiny flap door on the second floor wall. The others look to her, so Neo leaps into the air. Using Hush to float aloft, she attempts to peer into the warehouse, but all the windows are tinted.
Dropping back down, Roman steps up. Popping out a lock pick kit, he goes to work on the door. Only a few seconds, and a click sounds. He steps aside and smirks.
Carmine stomps in and kicks the door in, loudly banging and echoing through the warehouse. He immediately raises Heulin Noon and checks corners. Devices and tinker toys line tall shelves in a maze throughout the building. The boy hums before calling. "Corners clear."
He enters further into the open space, checking everything. Neo almost enters after him, but Roman pulls her back, shaking his head.
Alone, Carmine stands in the center of the room. Taking another step, he hears a click... Eyes move down, his foot has pressed a slot in. "Well... Sh-"
Electric pulses burst out as a field of sparking lightning nets around Carmine from multiple sticking up prods! His teeth clench in pain, eyes bulging out. Gritting his teeth, he channels his aura and numbs the effect. Grunting breaths as he glares at the figure in shadows.
The man steps forward. "Well, after such tough talk, it would seem you've no true sense of self preservation." He has raven hair. He's older, with short trimmed hair and a mustache. A magenta suit adorns him with gold trim and under clothes. He strides up to the boy, the flashing electric net comprised of dust activated by machinery lights his face in flickers.
As he leans in and hums, Carmine flashes a smile.
"Gotcha, Bitch!" He speaks bright through the pain before flickering away in Recall! He let the trap get him!
The field now empty, the machine shuts down, leaving the mechanical minded man staring at nothing. Carmine warps into place to the side, snapping his gun up at the man.
With a cocky grin, Carmine snickers. "How about some respect, eh Big Bird?"
The man remains unfazed, a simple dull stare as the mechanical bird floats down and lands on his shoulder. "Well. Congratulations. However, you missed a detail." The two look down, finding a technological gun in the man's lower hand aimed at Carmine's gut.
Carmine scowls at the man. "Good point. Counter point."
The man doesn't react as all while Roman aims Velvet Valentine behind his back. The conman would typically smirk and lord over superiority, but something about the man puts him off kilter. The man remains calm as his green eyes remain on Carmine's blue. "You forget whose domain you are in."
The boy's eyes catch a tensing of the man's off arm. Holding something behind his hip. The mystery man likely has a trigger for other gadgets. They ARE in his territory. Still, that just makes Carmine smile. "I'd love to take the chance, but I don't like beating up old men." He lowers his gun. "You asked for Team CRBN, so who the hell are you?"
A chuckle comes from the bitter man. He withdraws his weapon, putting it away. The man looks over all four of his guests. "In time. You four are the infamous Team CRBN?" His eyes go over each as he summarizes them. "A long lost unwanted brat, a disgraced prodigy, a graduated street rat, and an arrogant boy playing hero."
He smirks for himself as he turns away from them. He ignores the displeased looks from the four. Carmine scoffs. "Is he who you thought, Blair?"
On cue, Fluorescent swipes up, pausing under the man's jaw and eliciting a tense freezing posture from the scientist. Blair looks the man in the eye now standing beside him. Grimacing, she pulls the weapon away. "Yes. I've listened to audio log lectures back at Beacon." She sheathes the weapon and eyes the wary man. "You're Arthur Watts."
Watts bristles his mustache, calming to a dull glower. "The very same." He appraises the mixed scowls. "Does my reputation precede me?"
"Which part? The psychotic side or actual science?" Carmine crosses his arms. "Answer to either is yes, by the way."
The man scoffs. "So, an inane mind's point of view. I knew I was dealing with simpletons..." He walks ahead, eventually snapping a finger when the four didn't immediately follow. "There's work to do. The faster we come to an understanding, the sooner I may return to my duties."
Pausing, the four share looks. Neo is the first to shrug, taking the lead. Still, Carmine remembers Medusa's description of this very man back on Patch. If this is the type of person they're working with, they need some hard ground rules.
. . .
Watts sets a projector on a table, activating a switch on its side. The room lights with blue light as a floating hologram projects above the table, showcasing a large blue hued complex. A massive structure with connecting sky bridges to other buildings. Multiple towers and structures encompassing both a section of a sector as well as populating a portion of the top most sector!
Vaguely, it reminds the four of Hallowed Heart Hospital in Sanctuary. Except, triple it. On the front of the structure hologram sits the SDC snowflake symbol.
"If you lot are competent, then I am certain you've come across the idea that AZRL has long had connections into the Schnee Dust Company." Watts starts out.
Roman snorts. "Idea. More accurately, who else can come across so much black dust in official SDC containment? No one is buying that much otherwise useless dust without a paper trail."
Watts actually raises a brow for a second. Good, he thinks. "Then it should surprise you little that a person with that much pull for resources would be a high ranking individual in said dust empire."
"And you know who it is." Carmine states. "If you're against AZRL, why not out the person?"
The doctor cuts a cold look at Carmine, putting him on edge. "The same reason I hope you haven't tried official avenues. Not one would my accusation be dismissed, but would be mixed with alternative motives." He shrugs. "True as some may be."
Blair glares at the man. "Then who is it? Surely it isn't Doctor Polendina."
"Pietro, that bloated amateur, fortunately holds to a form of ethics." Watts then gestures to the structure highlighted in the hologram. "His practice is also focused on aura cybernetics. No, the individual responsible is cross specialized in surgical matters. Hence." He looks to the hologram. "The prime hospital in New Malum: Ulmus Fields Medical Center."
"And this is your means of helping us? Just telling us he works here?" Carmine grumbles. "Not like we weren't going to investigate the SDC ourselves anyway. Give something worthwhile."
Watts glowers at the boy, pausing a moment. "Allow me to be clear... boy. Without what I am offering, you've no means of threatening the individual in power." He flicks the projector, shifting its schematic to a simple picture of a man.
Neo tenses, sucking in a breath.
The man in a doctor's coat with rounded glasses, short, parted black hair, and a lanky posture. He has a dark purple shirt under the white long coat. His eyes were contracted, the iris and coloration smaller than what would be expected. His expression is devoid of any emotion. Blank, like a doll. Watts looks to Neo. "You know him, I see."
The girl cringes, hand instinctively reaching for her throat. Seeing the action, Blair catches on. "This is the location Doctor Near is stationed?"
"Doctor Near?" Watts responds incredulously, a humorless chuckle. "Well. Frank's creativity lies elsewhere. He holds practices both here in Malum and in Atlas proper. He's got a number of scheduled visits within a week's time bringing him to the city. I also know from past experience that his research projects are tied to one of the labs in the research sector adjacent to the hospital's location on the second sector. A short distance away."
Projects... Carmine's hands tighten on his arms. Miguel in Sanctuary. Ray in Mountain Glenn. Neo... "He likes to experiment on people. Remove their free will and augment them to be killing machines."
"Yes, he HAS had a race going with Doctor Polendina on creating a machine that can generate its own aura... Far as I know, Pietro has maintained a healthy lead in that regard, but Frank's pet projects tend to produce fairly quick and observable results."
"So, Wattsworth, what's the scheme then?" Roman cocks his head. "Per Barbie, you said one of us would get one on one time with the good doctor." When Watts turns to address him, Roman flippantly raises a finger and lights up. "Ah, wait..." He sets a grin on the banished scientist. "You don't care about the doctor. You want us to grab something in there..."
Watts takes a moment to appraise the conman, straightening himself before a satisfied smirk comes on. "Well, at least some of you have intelligence."
Carmine instantly heats. "You can't expect us to steal from the SDC! The entire Atlas military will be on us from then on. That's kinda counter productive when you want the military to keep going after AZRL!"
"Ah, enemy of my enemy, yes." Watts muses. "A fickle saying." Carmine scowls at the man, but gets no rise from him. Neo steps forward to the projector, switching the image away from Doctor Near. Watts snaps his gaze onto her, evaluating her for a moment. "Impatient. I like you."
Neo scowls at him, fists clenching. They're going against the man who took her voice away. Slowly, her furious stare contorts into an eager smirk. She points to the hospital layout.
"Yes." Watts turns to the layout. "Using some contacts, I have the connections to garner one of you, and only one of you, a simple civilian doctor's appointment with the good surgeon." A room on the seventh floor of one of the hospital's wings glows. "His practice is located in Wing-D, room 747. I've scheduled the appointment five days from now, the final visit time of the evening at 5:45."
Blair grunts. "You've had this operation planned. Under what sort of name?"
Watts smirks. "Moriarty. It's a physical under that last name, but nothing specific. The first name can use any pseudonym you wish."
The building layout then lights with several pathways through the floors, eventually landing on a fifteenth floor sky bridge connecting to the upper sector's research facility. Carmine catches on. "So, while one of us goes for the visit, Doctor Near will be forced to be seeing us. That leaves things open for one of the others here to infiltrate his lab. Get incriminating evidence, steal his research, everything YOU want."
"Now, you've caught on." Watts then switches the schematics to the research facility itself. "If I know Frank, then the pass code to enter his lab on the East Factory will be the same as ever." He holds up a flash drive to Blair. "Scanners in the facility have unique plug ins for those with electronic ID. That drive can substitute. Also, you will use it to collect research."
Blair reaches for it, but Watts pulls back, a stern look coming on. The blonde scowls. "What aren't you telling us?"
Two more rooms within the facility highlight red in the blue schematic. Other labs. "I do not simply want one of the SDC's lead scientist's research... I want them both. Steal Pietro Polendina's research for me, and we will reward you with a location. A location VERY valuable to AZRL." He smirks and releases a small huff of a laugh. "Or rather, its leader."
Roman perks at that. "You know something we don't about Aline Zandril?" The other three look at Roman, seeing his sudden interest. The conman scrutinizes Watts for a moment.
The scientist chuckles at Roman's interest. "We figured that would make for a just reward. Once the research is in my hands, our business will be concluded. You will not need to hear of me or my mistress ever again."
"Your mistress?" Carmine catches, looking warily between Roman and Blair. However, Roman is too focused on Watts. Not good. Roman's had the carrot dangled in front of him. Something crucial and personal to the man, Aline Zandril? It's a wet dream to know. On the other hand, Neo is likewise in on ruining Doctor Near.
Watts doesn't answer, simply smirking and leaning back, comfortable in his position. "So... which one of you shall be meeting the good doctor?"
"Don't-" Blair cuts a look at Carmine, but the boy beats her to it.
"It's me." Carmine steps up, scowling at the scientist. "Neo and Roman have both been part of AZRL before, so Doctor Near is more likely to know them. One of AZRL's higher staff is also obsessed with Blair, so I'm the biggest unknown."
"That's before we knew it was their lead scientist here." Blair reminds him. "Simply being in the position he's in makes him unpredictable. I will be going." The two glare at one another, the woman challenging the boy she'd long ago placed in charge. "Bear in mind, YOU destroyed the last project of his that we faced. We cannot risk that you've been placed on his list of priorities."
Carmine grimaces, shaking his head. "No. With infiltrating the labs, there's a huge possibility of coming across other... projects... that he's made. Your knowledge will better help Neo and Roman know how to handle situations. More than mine." He then glares at Watts, who seems impatient with the bickering. "Besides. I wouldn't give an order I'm not willing to do myself."
Repeating the mantra from earlier brings a scoff out of Roman, Watts suddenly having a mocking smirk. "Ah, foolish too. A telling combination." He deactivates the projector and looks to the four. "All that said... I can only guarantee windows in security for one of you to sneak by."
"I suppose that's my job then." Roman chimes in. Green eyes meet between him and the scientist. The conman smirks and nods to Neo. "She can get in nearly anywhere on her own, so she's a given. I can take whatever windows you're offering."
Watts hums. "Which would leave you." He eyes Blair. "I suppose I could use an assistant operating some equipment that can be offered for this venture. You seem astute enough for that."
The blonde sends a stormy glare at the man. Any complement from this man is akin to a scathing insult. "I. Am not. An assistant." She spares a look at Carmine, seeing the boy equally annoyed with the scientist. That said, she cannot fault the boy's methods here.
Still... She has an idea that can help the boy.
"Very well..." Blair looks to Watts, the condescension from them both oozing off their gazes. "Every single piece of your equipment you provide will be looked over by me."
The raven haired scientist bristles in irritation. "As you wish, girl." He condescends before looking to Carmine. "So, are these terms agreeable?"
The boy looks to Roman, receiving a curt nod. Then to Neo. She doesn't register for a moment until finally smirking at him. She winks one visible eye, the color switching on him. Good enough. He then looks to Blair, meeting a scowl. The woman's grip tightens around Fluorescent.
She nods.
Carmine looks to Watts and nods. "We're all good. We got time to prepare. What do you have?"
. . .
In Malum air space, a heli craft comes to a hovering stop over the upper sectors of the bright city. The craft twists right as it descends down... down... down... coming to a landing area attached to a large facility. One of several landing pads, in fact.
The craft settles down in a soft landing. Its pilot, through the cockpit windshield, sends a salute to the open cabin behind his area. The side opens wide, allowing out two passengers. From the cabin steps the very doctor in question. Doctor Near moves into the open air, a brush of wind blowing his parted hair. Near continues on, ignoring the whipping of his hair.
Behind him, a slightly shorter and thinner man steps out. Stark white suit with black undershirt. Perfect short swept up raven hair over a perfect face and baby blues. His ankh earrings crafted to include AZRL's three eyed skull flash in the day light. Jayce Crimean tails the good doctor. "Shall I Mary Anne know that we've arrived? Her time keeping has been quite restrictive as of late."
Near hums in a blank acknowledgment. "None of her current duties are restricted by me. If she is bothered by being left in the dark, let her." The man pauses in front of a slide door leading into the research complex. His head cocks, but face remains neutral. "... Actually, let her know I request a new subject immediately. I would like to make a break through before the quarter ends."
The much younger man smiles bright. "I shall let her know. Which standards do you wish the subject to fall under?"
"Low. A series red would work better than a blue." Near muses, straightening himself before entering the opening doors. "I need a simple proof of concept, and one who is more likely to have noticeable aura would work far more efficiently."
Jayce blinks in thought. "I thought Spyyra gave you a sample already? His should be more than enough I would think. Though, I admit, I'm not qualified to really comment."
Moving into the halls, Near and Jayce begin making their way by many locked off labs. Men and women in varying protective gear and scrubs shuffle about, though not in any dense concentration. "Unfortunately, his does not take. I have a theory as to why, which requires someone a touch more..." He waits until they're alone outside an elevator. "... expendable."
The cheerful man beside him chuckles. "Well, Miss Anne will most certainly not like hearing that. We've hit quite a snag here in these last few years. What with Mistral going dark, Vale fully turning against us, not to mention the growing hostilities in Vacuo."
"Spyyra should know better than to mess around. It's hubris for enjoying his job to the point of detriment. Open battles groups of Hunters is what has cost most of our Series Red customers and inventory." Near and Jayce enter the elevator as it opens, three scientists stepping out. They offer smiles and nods to greet Near, which he reciprocates.
Inside the elevator, the cheerful businessman brightens even more. "Let us look on the bright side! Rather than view it as losing our product, we can view it as knowing even better what we've left to work with!" His blue eyes open on the doctor, suddenly chilled despite the smile. "Besides, I would sooner lay blame to our operational troubles on Team CRBN than Spyyra."
Near meets the cold look...
Despite the doctor being completely emotionless, a chill runs in younger man, so he looks away. "In MY opinion, anyway."
"Those meddlers are certainly in Atlas by now." Near states before facing forward. "At any rate, I almost expect to capture them myself, though I detest such boorish, sullen assignments." He pauses in thought, eyes closing. "Especially here, between Jacques Schnee's obsessive control, the military's newfound scrutiny, and that witch's cult..."
He eyes Jayce once more. "You are certain you've tracked Arthur's location with a radius of the city? It would be awful bold of him to assume my lab is up for plundering."
Jayce nods. "Yes, well..." He clears his throat, still unnerved by what he saw from the doctor beside him just a moment ago. "I've local law enforcement using city street cameras, and many have noted seeing strange instances what appear to be mechanical animals skittering about. Though, lacking maintenance in the lower sectors, tracing their origin point has been a disaster."
"That will be on you, then." Near states in his sullen tone. "I simply wish to get my civilian visits over with and return to my real duty."
The elevator opens, the two men pausing at the sight in front of them.
In front of them is a man in a motor wheel chair. No, not a wheel chair. It's a chair with four mechanical legs. Dark skinned, glasses, chocolate brown eyes, a green cap obscuring white hair. He wears a red vest over a cream shirt, a small pink bow tie at his neck. His tinged green pants match his cap, red belt matching his vest, finished with leather shoes.
The man blinks in surprise before smiling. "Franklyn! My, it's been too long." Jayce blinks, realizing who he's in front of as he tries his best not to garner attention. However, Near... Smiles?
Near's ever frozen neutrality sheds as he gives a small, humble smile. His eyes close, adding an innocence to the expression. "Yes. Hello Pietro. You look enthusiastic as ever."
Pietro... Doctor Pietro Polendina.
Jayce internally curses. While most drones wouldn't question his presence, he's more than aware that Pietro has the pull to demand why he's there. This is Near's direct rival within the company, after all. There's no telling what kind of hidden agenda could-
Pietro's legged chair steps aside as Near and Jayce step out. "Oh please. Look at yourself! You haven't aged a day since I met you." The kind, warm smile takes the AZRL businessman aback. "Say, I was hoping to get your opinion on something this weekend. Would you be up for tea at my place?"
Near maintains his peaceful smile, raising a waved hand. "I must decline, I'm afraid. I am only in town for a short time for doctor visits. I'm more needed in my main practice back on Atlas."
"Pity. You're the only mind I can properly bounce ideas off of these days." Pietro gives a put down expression. "Still, even if just for my own peace of mind, I would like to pester you one of these days."
The raven haired doctor opens his eyes, looking down on the chair bound man as he responds. "So urgent." If it requires pestering, then it must be quite the find. Leaning against the wall, his hand leans against a railing in place for those who have difficulty walking. "What does the matter pertain to?"
Pietro smiles bright, leaning in. "Well... It's half social and half business. For business, I wanted some assistance in the best ways to mimic pain reception of a nervous system for the subject of an AI. Your expertise as a surgeon, I figured you were the best person to ask."
Alert, Near sends a direct stare down on the man. "I... see." His posture stiffens, but he brings his free hand up to push his glasses up. The lights overhead glare off the lenses, obscuring his expression. "An interesting notion. If you wish to mimic such a thing, I can have a secretary email you some notes on how to code such responses."
"I knew I could count on you! That's why you're the brightest young mind here." Pietro chuckles.
"Pietro, I'm forty nine."
Pietro waves his hand at the counter. "Yet you don't look a day over thirty."
"What was the other reason?"
"Huh?" Pietro blinks innocently.
Slightly annoyed, Near drawls out. "That was your business reason for seeking me out, Pietro. What was your personal reason?"
"Oh!" The dark man grins wide. "I just wanted to tell you man to man. I've official declared to have a daughter now!"
Clearly, Pietro wasn't a fighter... If he was, he would have felt a very slight shift in air pressure around them. Jayce freezes, a drop of sweat coming off him as the doctor remains oblivious. Soon as the dark man made his announcement, Near's shoulders flinched, his grip on the metal rail tightening.
"I... see." Near slowly responds. A few seconds tick by before he stiffly tacks on. "That is... quite good news. Congratulations."
Pietro grins and nods. "We'll talk more later. I'm needed for other things as well." He pats Near on the arm in a friendly gesture. "Wonderful seeing you, Franklyn."
"Farewell..." Near trails off as Pietro walks by them into the elevator. The doors close as the chair bound man descends the building. Left behind, Jayce double takes between the elevator and Doctor Near. He was not expecting Pietro Polendina to be so... open and friendly. However, all thoughts of the bubbly scientist leave as he sees how stiff Near is.
The raven haired scientist suppresses a growl.
"He BEAT me..." His voice speaks low, dark. Dripping with barely contained resentment and venom.
Jayce tries to recover into his collected, confident persona, grinning as he stands tall. "Come now, Doctor. Why compare yourself to him? So, he knocked up a lucky gal at his age. It's something to celebrate. Shall we..." It's then that Jayce pauses. Seeing Near's rigid posture, he catches on.
Pietro has artificially sustained and created aura...
Near's hand releases the railing, Jayce noticing a crunched crinkle in the metal! Near was death gripping it with the force of a compactor! The doctor hums. "You will receive my notes in the lab, then proceed with your assignment." Before the businessman can respond, Near adds. "And do not speak a word for the remainder of the day. Else, I won't need to ask Mary Anne for a new subject."
The threat shuts even the confident young man up like a clam.
. . .
It's amazing how one can declare something as a universal fact with so little evidence. How, in just a short amount of time, four people can come to the exact same conclusion about an unexpected fifth. Yet, it was an observable fact.
Arthur Watts was a complete and total, unrepentant tw-at.
It's the following morning, days still from the operation to come. Yet, each of the four CRBN members had already come to a devoted realization of that fact. Blair painstakingly double checking each and every device and, to her irritation, needing him to actually explain some parts. He seems to love knowing that the woman knows less than him.
One would think that may be sexist, but no. Watts would have that reaction to any person of any gender, as proven by Carmine. The man would not cease criticism of each and every single decision the boy seemed to make. He also had a habit or speaking his opinion when not asked.
The irritation would be further addled with Neo. Despite Watts stating multiple times that she was the most pleasant of the four, her being mute seemed to make him treat her more akin to a pet than a person. Oh, and she was very, VERY aware of it...
As for Roman...
There was little interaction at all. The two men had very little clash it seems. Yet, Roman thought the same as the rest of them. Why?
Oh right. Because in Roman's opinion, people are all bastard coated bastards with bastard filling. It's his default.
So, the following morning, Neo arrives, shedding a shatter illusion disguise and setting food aside within the warehouse. As she distributes food between the group, Blair steps over to Carmine, nodding towards the door. "May I speak with you, Carmine?"
The boy blinks in confusion, looking between Roman and Neo before shrugging. "Sure." He spares a glare towards Watts, but the scientist seems preoccupied in the corner of the room, viewing a video feed from one of his bird bots. Carmine makes a mental note to keep an eye on birds and city animals to detail which are real and which are robots.
The two step out from the warehouse, moving to a fenced in area with wrapped pallets of supplies. Comfortable in their privacy, Carmine speaks up. "What's up- AH!" He yelps as the woman draw slashes Fluorescent at the boy without warning!
He Recalls, warping out of the swipe and landing two feet further off! Eyes wide, the boy catches the blonde close the distance, halting the blade just under Carmine's jaw. Blair feels off. She raises a brow, looking at Carmine's eyes.
His now golden eyes. From Carmine's off guard form, a second Carmine image has shifted out, aiming Heulin Noon directly at the woman's gut. Overlap. He's getting better at calling upon it himself. Blair feels a smile pull, but stops herself as she withdraws her weapon.
The second Carmine image disappears as Carmine feels the after effects of his magic with a wince. "What the hell was that about?"
Blair crosses her arms, setting an appraising look over the boy. "I realize that you getting captured in Patch was indeed part of the plan, but I do not like the idea of you meeting one of AZRL's leaders face to face alone."
"So you hack at me like discount Michael Myers?" The boy grumbles.
"So I want to be certain that you can defend yourself!" Blair reinforces. "Especially that I will be sitting this mission out here with... him."
At that, Carmine sighs, relaxing. If she's worried enough to bring him out here specifically to talk about it, best to hear to out. "You've done a fantastic job training me and Neo, but if there's anything else you think I need... Let me hear it."
Blair blinks. Once. Twice. She looks away, feeling weird. The thought runs through her mind that such a response is something Ozpin likely wishes he got from the boy. Suppressing a smirk, Blair looks back to Carmine, sheathing her weapon before pulling it from her side. She holds it out to him, further adding to his confusion.
"Blair?"
"You and Neo have both been trained with my weapon, but you've actually used it in combat before." Blair sets a determined glare upon him. "We have only a few days, but I want to test your ability to Recall objects back to yourself."
Seeing where she's going, Carmine can't help his jaw slightly drop. "Look, I know I got some good use out of it against Ray, b-but I'm not exactly super samurai or anything. Besides, we don't know what problems might come up here. You need-"
"Promise me, Carmine!" Blair snaps, louder. The boy flinches. "You will work with me on this, and if the situation arises, you WILL Recall Fluorescent to you when needed!" A short silence comes over them before she adds quietly. "For my peace of mind."
Hesitant, Carmine accepts the weapon into his hands. Holding eye contact, he nods and smiles. "Thank you. I feel unstoppable already."
Sullen, Blair grumbles. "I would prefer you NOT feel that way." The weapon now in both their hands, Blair opens the blood capsule compartment before sticking herself with the prongs. The weapon captures her own blood before she removes it. Then, she cycles through the bandolier under her jacket, stitched inside. "I also want to test if you can recall a blood sample as well. And, we will quickly check which dust element you would prefer. I'll keep the weapon stocked when you go to make it ready when needed."
Carmine smirks. "Jeez. Make me feel like I'm hitting the jackpot."
"Sometimes, it feels like you only survive by hitting jackpots." Blair dully adds.
"Hey!"
Smiling in full, Blair removes an ice dust cylinder, popping it and casting with it in hand. In a flourish, she casts out a thin pale blue ice blade. "Come on. Let's train while we can." Carmine's lips purse into a pout, giving the woman pause. Then she follows his gaze trail to the warehouse behind them. She sighs. "Alright... Eat first."
"Sweet!" He immediately sets back towards the warehouse.
. . .
Meanwhile, Roman and Neo are left alone inside.
"Just another moment of Barbie playing Mom, I see." Roman muses soon as the other two have left. Neo snorts at the idea, rolling her eyes. The conman raises a brow at the girl. "Oh? Something you wish to add?"
Neo giggles to herself and shakes her head.
"For you not to speak your mind must mean it's clearly insulting." Roman flippantly gestures with his hands as he talks. "Or it's that uninteresting. Let's flip that coin."
The girl takes a bite of a sandwich she'd bought, then sets it down and signs. "It's a classic family scenario. The mom is overprotective, and the dad is abrasive realist."
Roman scoffs as she finishes the signing, shaking his head. "I may as well kill myself now because you did not just allude to yours truly as the family man in this scenario." The girl snickers at him, prompting him further to snap. "The day a child finds themselves under my parentage is the day I willfully give to charity and drink from the jolly good boy cult of flavor aid."
A short pause comes over before Roman clicks his tongue and asks. "So, the man who took your voice away. Got any extra grim details about him we should know?"
Neo shakes her head, looking away. She signs while looking from him. "Only ever saw him three times. When he operated on me, and twice he gave me a physical prepping me for their first two attempts to sell me."
"Ah, I see. So all we got is that he's an egghead. That's a damned shame." Roman finishes his own breakfast, a simple bagel, before noticing Neo's look back at him. He reads into the look, knowing it translates roughly to asking his own deal. "Right, right. Ordinarily, I'd burn bridges with whoever would invite us here, but... I do have to admit, I have an itch for finding out just where that fat bastard came from."
The girl cocks her head, prompting him to go on.
"You know, it's always bugged me. There's never been any record of an Aline Zandril in any of the four kingdoms. One of the first things I checked way back when under Senior. Search histories, ancient names. It was like, if he did exist before, he managed to wipe himself clean of the world." He shakes his head in thought. "Man is well known to criminals, but official channels? Not a peep. I've always had my hunch that he was Atlesian, though. No WAY someone builds an empire like his out of scratch. He had to come from money before."
Roman narrows his gaze at the wall, continuing to voice his thoughts. "That money would then garner resources, allowing expansion, but what about a fledgling operation then? How did the initial hurdles not get stamped out by the prim and proper people of the Huntsmen and Huntresses? Sure, I can fathom him keeping things down AFTER getting to the top, but still, to know where he started would make so many things click for me." He removes a cigar from his pocket and lights it, taking a huff.
"And that's disregarding the biggest question." He drones after a minute. When she doesn't immediately react, Roman looks disappointed. "Come now. Use that heightened intelligence you get from not wasting brain cells on speaking."
Her half lidded stare looks more annoyed before she lets it slide. Neo raises a brow, signing. "What he wants."
Roman brightens into a grin. "There it is!" He snaps his finger before continuing. "Why do what he is doing? I wrote it off for years thinking he just wanted to make money while watching the world burn from his flunkies, but there's no reconciling that with his eyes. His look. His feel when he speaks. It's everything that screams of someone indoctrinated into believing they have some glorious purpose!" He ends in a mocking tone.
"Every client he sells to is indebted to him... Every person he takes is made into a purpose to build towards a goal... If he wanted to try and take over a kingdom, one could be forgiven for thinking he actually could." Roman grumbles to himself, taking another huff of the cigar.
After blowing smoke, Neo furrows her brow and signs. "He doesn't want to rule the world, and he doesn't just want the money. Everyone he sells to have to listen and do what he wants." She blinks as an idea comes. "He's... been making an army?"
Roman snaps his fingers at her again. "Built. It's already made. No." He shakes his head, annoyed. "He's been fighting a war... A war in the shadows. In such a way that he could never risk the shining knights finding out." He shakes his head. "But, that could never be the case, could it?" Roman asks in a show man tone.
Neo has to agree. She nods.
Roman speaks low. "Because then that begs the next question that's far too troublesome for me to want to know..."
. . .
"Who would he be fighting in those shadows?"
Across the warehouse, Watts taps away at coding for the internal programming of a device. He pauses, musing himself before a small smile comes. Two more lines of code. With a rapt tap of pressing enter, the screen before him shifts into an interface. An interface with a single object.
A single symbol.
A black chess piece. A black queen.
Arthur Watts? Doctor appointments?! Breaking into an SDC research building?! Oh my!
The new mission is to expose AZRL's link to the SDC in the hopes of crippling AZRL's drug supply and ability to reign in more disagreeable children. This of course means finally getting to know a touch more about a certain scientist... Fun times are Near as I'll say.
… Bad pun aside, Team CRBN now has a frail relationship with the Cult of Salem. Big stress there.
Reviews:
Crimson Mist (AO3) – I will admit to having mixed ideas as to whether to have Team CRBN meet any of the maidens, personally. However, I've played with enough instances of them being in places familiar to those familiar with RWBY. That and I plan at least a few more surprise encounters. Any more, and I feel I'd be stretching a lot. Not to mention a lot has to happen in the next year of CRBN's existence. Sadly, that nixed an idea I had mused with having Amber appear.
References:
Here's the naming basis for the Four Pillars of Atlas. Each of the four cities are based off famous landmark cities within the United States of America.
The city name, New Malum, pronunciation Mah-loom, is Latin for apple, a reference to the Big Apple, an alternate name for real life New York City. This city is based on New York City.
New Oblitus, pronounced O-Bleet-us, has its name derived from Forget in Latin. This is a reference to New Orleans. One of New Orleans' nicknames is the City That Care Forgot.
Flores Solis, pronounced Floor-Rez Soul-us, Latin for Flowers Sun, is based off the nickname City of Flowers and Sunshine. This is a nickname for the famous city Los Angeles.
Finally, Angustiae, pronounced Ahn-Goose-Tee-Ay, is Latin for Straits. Detroit has the nickname the City of Straits. I'm least impressed with this name, but it was the best I could think of. All of Detroit's other nicknames don't translate at all to Latin, so my naming scheme was out of luck. Too many nicknames based around automobiles.
Join next time in Chapter Sixty Two: The Doctor.