This may be the last chapter I put out before the new year, so just in case let me say this to everyone. Happy Holidays! Happy Hanukkuh! AND A MERRY FUCKING CHRISTMAS!... and a happy new year I guess, but I work that day so boo.

Chapter Seventy Four: City of Order

Carmine stares wide eyed at the sight before him. The van in motion while spotting the massive object in the sky... "Wow. You used to live here, Neo?" He asks, amazed. The sheer size of it! How much dust... how much... everything is needed for this to be possible?

The City of Atlas... The floating city. Its massive form floats above, casting a massive shadow above the City of Mantle below it. The twin cities overflow with life, yet somehow looks... clean? The floating city's structures, from this distance miles away, sheen with white, sparks of dust usage show.

"A city that just floats all the time on dust can't seriously be an effective use of resources." Carmine says airily. "Though, it makes one hell of a dick measure."

Roman snorts. "Doesn't it? I've made that comparison too."

Neo stares at the city in the distance, but shows little reaction. Her gaze simply... remains locked on it.

Carmine notices her silence, silence for her, and smirks. "So, what? Do penguins and chickens also fly here, or..?"

The mute blinks and snorts, shaking her head. She signs. "That would make it more fun."

"The city doesn't actually function solely on dust." Blair comments. "Going to Beacon, we learn that the island on which Atlas is built used to be a floating island not too dissimilar from those on the Northern coasts of Anima. It's like Vaterra on a much grander scale."

While Carmine stares amazed, Roman frowns. "Wait, that's not common knowledge, is it? Isn't one of the main talking points about Atlas its dust engines? It's why Atlas is so pissy if the SDC gets tampered with since they supply the dust. It floats on its own?"

"The island itself was not always where you see. In truth, the dust and technology used as propulsion merely allowed the island active mobility. Sure, it hasn't moved much in its years, but the purposes of the SDC made attachments is to allow the kingdom capital to move in cases of emergency evacuations." Blair informs.

Neo raises a brow. She recalled moving into the city after her father's mansion was destroyed those years ago. Remembering the thrust capacity on the island's engines upon seeing them up close, they are quite powerful indeed to move a mass that large. She hums in thought. Even engines that big wouldn't support the land mass, it seems.

"We'll have all the time to look at it up close later. For now, we need to find the address." Roman holds up a card while driving one handed. "We're looking for the Venza district in the City of Mantle."

Carmine nods. "What do we do if Rita isn't home?"

"Unfortunately, that leaves looking for our mystery chess loving friends." Roman grumbles. Blair sours at that.

"I am not interested in working with those psychos anymore. Working with Arthur Watts once was enough."

The boy frowns. "Let's exhaust all other options before we go looking for that kind of company again, okay?" He checks his scroll. "Next left." He then casts a glance to see Makara being distant.

Right. She declared a wish to stay with Team CRBN, but they did discover her being originally from here... Perhaps they can find her family, then see if she truly wishes to stay on the road. Tine will tell.

. . .

One of the outer city sections exists in its own self sustaining body. Many of the City of Mantle sections are split in these minor sub bodies. Similar to counties in a state, it simply makes certain areas more manageable.

Now, many portions of the City of Mantle have varying levels of decay. A byproduct of the former Kingdom of Mantle's fall in favor of the Kingdom of Atlas, many portions of the former capital's glory showcases ruin. Some of the outermost segments even are completely abandoned. A complete decrepit opposite of the glorious floating utopia above.

The section of Venza, Mantle is not quite that far gone. While a majority of the city decay has resulted in ghettos and break down, Venza has managed to be one of the middling to better kept sectors. The highways connecting the snow covered brick buildings have plenty of pot holes and cracks, but they hold strong to the heavy traffic.

The van swerves from a highway exit finding itself at a roofed parking complex. Exiting out, a light snow trickles down with Neo opening Hush to shield her. The five move out to find their destination...

"A vet?" Carmine comments sour. "Of course her cover home is a veterinarian practice with her freaking reptiles." He shivers, looking at the sign of the rather plain building. The title 'Boyd's Good Boys' makes the group cringe knowing the malicious nature of the woman in question.

The picture of a masked employee happily holding a healthy puppy did little to quell them.

Makara blinks at the unhappy quartet. "Are you all unhappy to see this contact again?"

"She's perfectly represents an ambush predator. Looks enticing, but is poisonous!" Carmine snaps.

"Venomous." Blair corrects. She grumbles. "And she is technically an Atlas authority, so showing up to her is a risk in and of itself. Still, if we can use her to take down Dr Near and remove AZRL from the SDC, we'll have crippled AZRL permanently. All of the SDC's top brass have been holed up in Atlas since our... well... you, Makara."

Makara blushes and looks down. "I am sorry. I didn't mean to cause such hurdles in your way. Even if I wasn't part of that plan, I can't imagine AZRL stifling Atlas's investigation if I wasn't a factor. Atlas wouldn't feel they need such extreme measures otherwise."

"No, it was still a benefit." Roman scoffs. "Had you not been a scandalous factor, AZRL would have outed us to the military, and Atlas would be down our throats. It worked out in the long run." The man opens the door for Blair, Neo, and Makara, then closes it on Carmine.

"Ack- Hey!" Carmine fumes as he enters, scowling at the man's smirk. "Is now really the time to be a tw-at?"

"No better time than the present." Roman retorts as they enter the main lobby.

One other couple occupies the room, two pig faunus with a pet cat in a carrier. At the counter window, a frog faunus nurse sits at a computer station. She glances up with a dull expression and raises a brow. "Hello, what can we do for you today?"

Blair presents the card given to the team by Rita Medusa back at Patch. "Hello. We're here to pick up our dear Francis from his emergency stay. Under the name Maxwell."

The frog faunus woman, dainty and small, smiles with wart like dimples. "Oh, he's doing delightful. Just take a seat. We'll call you when we can." Her demeanor is rehearsed, but well acted. Her eyes aren't quite excited. If anything, she's alert now. Critiquing. Wary.

She turns and disappears into the the sectioned off room area. Meanwhile, the CRBN group sits and waits.

A thinner, tall and well filled out woman steps from a door, calling the faunus couple back. She then smiles for the CRBN group... Carmine notices her specks of freckles are actually stubby whiskers. She's a mouse faunus! Carmine smiles at it.

"What's got you giddy? Flirting?" Roman comments. Neo instantly whips her head around.

Carmine simply shakes his head. "Just, seeing faunus making it farther than simple cooks and such is... nice." He grins. "Faunus getting a large push in areas like these is a good thing so long as it gets better."

"Yeah, so you won't go burn down the authorities, right?" Roman quips.

The boy purses his lips. "Firstly, I would never. Secondly, I have you and Neo to do such things."

Blair cuts in. "The city of Mantle population is seventy percent faunus to the thirty minority human. The faunus make up the majority of the manual labor jobs down here, including other mines nearby. In the past, upkeep of these areas was excluded specifically to keep the faunus down. However, since the Faunus Rights Revolution, there has at least been some increases in hospitality."

Roman rolls his eyes. "Yeah, let me fill in there. At this rate, the faunus will have suitable living standards comparable to the Atlas city in... far beyond any of their or our life times." He looks up in a huff. "It's no wonder that the White Fang is getting bigger these days."

"First step is the law. Second is culture." Blair retorts. "The law is complicated to get changed, but is something that can change quickly with the right situation. The culture is incredibly simple to change, but in its simplicity it requires immense patience and willpower."

"So, even after the law changes, their lives will still suck." Carmine grumbles. "Thanks. I just lost all that warmth real fast."

Neo grimaces and makes a circular shape with her hands. The boy raises a brow at it, so she repeats it. Still no show of understanding. She visibly narrows her eyes and signs. "Papa used to say something about pies! I'm asking about it."

Makara perks. "Oh! The pie analogy!" The group all go wide eyed at the amnesiac being the one to recall it. The pause lasts until Makara blinks back and starts. "I... recall my parents explaining it. That the whole of society's earnings are like a pie, and your standing within society shows how much of said pie you get."

Blair grimaces. "Yes, but it's flawed in that it doesn't translate well to people. Roman, I'm sure, already sees the flaw in the analogy."

The conman smirks. "Flaw might be the wrong word. More like... an unsavory and abused example."

"Still lost." Carmine shares a look with Neo. "I mean, if some people get huge amounts of the pie while others get just a tiny bit, that's like massively unfair. Faunus in Atlas are a shining example of this."

Roman lights up and points at the boy. "And thank you, Silver Streak, for making the exact same incorrect assumption that the White Fang and most violent inciters come to!"

"He's calling me dumb, and I hate it." Carmine grumbles. Neo gives a smile. "You're just happy I'm the mouth piece that gets lectured. You had the same thought, so shutty." The girl grins wider, showing how right he is.

Just then, the door opens, and the mouse faunus cuts in with a brilliant smile. "Maxwell?"

The CRBN crew perks and blinks. Roman clicks his tongue and finger guns the boy. "Lecture postponed. Professor Torchwick will learn you something later."

"I'll skip if that's the tone." He sarcastically drawls before leading the group after the mouse faunus.

The vet halls are relatively thin, many scratches in the paint and scuffs left by varying pets. Still, despite the show of damage, it was clean. The group follows through until the last patient room. Or, at least it should have been a patient room.

What opens up is a blank room with one shut closet and one metal table in the center. Perhaps an operating room of sorts? However, the mouse speaks chipper. "You may way here for the doctor. We've been expecting you since her last return. It'll be just a few minutes." She waves at the five and shuts the door.

"Contained in a far room. Sets my nerves on fire." Roman grumbles. "Also, a blatant lie. Let me see if I am correct..." He moves to the closed wardrobe standing closet. It's locked from the outside. "Ah, Barbie can you detect any auras beyond here?"

Blair nods. "One powerful aura and a couple dozen weak animal auras below. She's this way."

"Called it." Roman smirks and removes thin strips of metal. Lock picking tools. He slides the tools in the crack of the closed doors. "Let's see..." He pauses. "Before I shock myself on some trap, be a dear, Makara."

Makara perks and slinks Almighty Circuit around, the sniper rifle still folded. A single panel opens with a display on the side of the main dust chambers. She interacts with the screen before nodding. "Scanning for electrical interference. More around the top of the lock than the bottom."

"Going from the bottom." Roman announces. A pause as his picks slide up. "Ah, there it is. Silver Streak?"

Carmine rests a hand on the standing doors, infusing his aura. "Done."

"Neo, decoys?"

As all five are focused on the closet door, Neo closes her eyes and focuses. Slowly, Shatter duplicates of Roman and Blair appear apart from them in the small room. She winces and gives Roman the okay sign.

Roman smirks and unlocks the door. "Perfect." He opens the door with a performative wave. "Open for Torchwick... Ah! False back!" The closet back is a fake wall, revealing a stair well that goes further down. "Do I call it or what?"

Carmine nods. "Neo and I will remain here if anyone checks on us. You three go make sure this isn't an Atlas trap."

Blair nods. She, Roman, and Makara step down into the stair well and disappear.

Carmine gestures for Neo. "Hey, come here." The two teens step into the closet as the boy places a hand on her shoulder... "Hate doing this."

Neo gives a patient smile, bringing one hand over his in comfort. She nods for him. Translation: I trust you, and we know it works now.

The boy sighs, flowing his aura into the girl. Neo feels the slight pulse of the foreign aura. Now that they know it could work with her. It's for Recall... The two separate, satisfied, and go back into the room.

Carmine huffs, the doors of the closet warping closed. Recall! "There. Now, no one can know we opened it up." He then looks to her. "And if we need to retreat, I can Recall us both on the other side! Right under their noses."

Neo rolls her eyes with a smile. She signs. "Quit bragging. I know we're great at infiltration."

"Yeah... Now, we just wait." He hums before stopping with a scowl. "Damn it!" Neo looks up, alerted! He shakes his head. "Stupid analogy has me wanting pie now." He pouts as Neo snickers. "Pumpkin... with whipped cream..."

Neo can't help a snicker. "Apple."

"Ew. Apple sucks." Carmine instantly rejects, surely instigating a passionate, yet friendly, discussion of desserts...

. . .

Further down into a sub level reveals a sort of sterile office space. Cabinets line the walls with varying tools. Not tools of an industrial sort, but lamination machines, scanners, and printers. Tools to fake identification and documents, as well as files containing document layouts and templates. Other spots contain communication devices and the like.

Also throughout are tubes with open slots all around...

And one of the tubes reveals the brilliant scarlet and onyx snake Francis. It flicks its purple forked tongue and hoods up like a cobra, showing blues flexed under its red and black scales.

Roman clicks hos teeth. "Right." He aims Velvet Valentine directly up as a threat. "Bite me and find out, future boot."

"Aw, he's beautiful." Makara smiles and leans forward. Safely out of range, mind you. "I love the reds."

The snake flicks its tongue and extends out slowly. Without muscles back, it cannot strike, and its hood closes in and shows no aggression with the amnesiac. Francis and Makara stare back and forth before slowly both are rocking side to side holding a happy look.

Roman glares at the encounter, flippantly looking to Blair. "I don't believe this. We're the confirmed friendlies, and she's the one being the animal whisperer."

Blair brushes his waving hand down. "Call it charisma that doesn't require lying." She eyes the snake. "Its senses and understanding is enhanced by his owner's aura, so there is little harm in trying." She crouches before the red snake. "... Francis." She calls, unsure in her tone. The snake twitches and looks to her. "Where is Medusa? We require her assistance. She knows what it'll relate to."

Francis the snake slithers into a coil to raise its head higher to Blair's half crouched eye level. He flicks its tongue a few tines before looking at Roman. A hiss lightly thrums out, then it looks to Makara. The snake then slinks around, back into the open tube to travel up the wall and into the next rooms. The tube piping is just transparent enough that the trio can follow.

"And we follow." Blair takes the leave as Roman checks corners.

The man signals to Makara behind him. "Keep checking your scanner please. I don't want to find myself double crossed by a literal lying snake."

Makara nods, face calming to a neutral, toneless look. Focused on her job. "Got it."

The trio enters another room of files, then a hall with closed doors around. Finally, they come upon the end room. While Francis disappears into the room via the tube, the trio hesitates at the door. A quick look at Makara, who raises two fingers and sways them forward. A clear signal.

Roman smirks and opens the door...

Inside, they find a clean office/living area. An open path to a bedroom of sorts in the corner, a gorgeous steel and marble kitchen area in the opposite corner. A bathroom on the left side. Finally, a large office desk and work area taking the bulk of the center room.

They also note that the living area viewable is bright with what appears to be a child's shirt haphazardly strewn over a table. All three CRBN members raise brows at that, but refocus on the center of the room.

A desk chair turns, revealing faded pink pulling into a right side braid that darkens violet. Lavender eyes stare back at then, more annoyed than anything else. Rita Medusa taps her fingers on her desk impatiently. Francis is slinking around her shoulder, having come out from a tube that ran along the ceiling and opened behind her.

"Well. Hello, Team CRBN. You were supposed to wait in the room upstairs. Not break into my home."

"Considering our line of work, we don't like waiting in a perfect ambush spot." Roman steps into the room. He finds a lounge chair across from the office desk and plops down. "Besides, what are boundaries between friends?"

Medusa smiles sweetly, but her eyes are harsh, cold. "We're not friends." Her gaze lands on Makara. "You have a new one. This an adoption or a rescue?" She smirks at the vet terms, alluding to pet adoption and rescue fostering.

Makara sweats slightly and gives a nervous glance. "A... bit of both?"

Blair takes over. "We're making good on your offer. We require assistance to out AZRL's top scientist and cripple what remains of their infrastructure." She lets the doctor across from her process before adding. "And we also require assurance that General Ironwood will not slaughter us in our attempts to do so."

Medusa stares back mute. Her visage is still as stone before she sucks in a long breath. A long, long breath. And out through the nose. "Bring the kids down here so we can discuss just much of a plow you're wanting to run through me with this request." She then twitches as she looks back. "And I can work out what I want out of it."

Roman nods, pulling his scroll out and making the call. It answers with Carmine. "Silver Streak, it's not a trap, so head on down-"

A sound of mild panic comes from the other side. Carmine breathes out. "Hey, yeah. We're just tryna calm this kid down."

Roman frowns, hearing loud breathes. "What kid?"

Medusa jolts out of her seat. "My kid... He's home from school. Of COURSE you all come when he typically walks through." The spy doctor walks right through the CRBN group as they all stare confused.

Okay... The spy has a son.

Any other complications Atlas can have in store for them?

. . .

City of Atlas: SDC Headquarters Compounds: Robotics Division

An Atlas soldier robot blows apart in a static like pulse! Its parts hit the ground as the power cuts from all functions.

A graveyard of components, shredded robots lay dismantled around a large contained room. Square and modular as components slide into the walls and vacate the area. In the end, all that remains is a single figure.

A familiar orange haired teen girl with lit green eyes and hair with a black band in it. Penny Polendina now wears a stark white military long open sleeve uniform. Her pants are black, and green trim pokes out from a few spots. Her outfit is marred and covered in soot at spots.

Penny Polendina

Physical age – 16

Actual Age – 5, near 6 months

Penny is stock still, perfect show of machinery composure... Yet, a breath comes out of her still nose. A hot breath. She takes in a breath and looses another. Cold air in, hot air out.

Her breath. Cooling overclocked parts.

She frowns with a form of strain. "I am unable to continue. My aura power level has reached one percent." Her voice is reporting neutral, but barely contains a hint of disappointment.

"Unacceptable." A calculated voice rings through as a door to the training area opens. A new female figure steps inside and begins to march in perfect posture. A stark white military uniform with a long coat tail flowing behind her. Ice blue trim show. She has porcelain skin and snow white hair pinned back. A saber is sheathed at her side. Her healed boots click loudly on the floor.

Penny is nervous under the woman's ice blue eyes.

Winter Schnee

Age – 20

"Your evaluation of appropriate threat response is lacking. Your overuse of higher than called for levels of force burns your energy reserves far too quickly. Your resource control is woefully inefficient." Specialist Agent Winter Schnee critiques the android before her. "We shall run this exercise every day until you manage a satisfactory stamina increase.

Penny frowns and looks up. "But-"

Winter's glare cuts her off.

Right. Authority. "Permission to speak, Ma'am."

"Granted." Winter allows after the proper ask.

"I am fully aware of what these sentry bots are capable of withstanding, as their schematics are in my memory." Penny starts. "I attacked them with the force that would ensure they are removed as a threat. I do not understand what I can do to extend my stamina beyond strengthening my aura with use." Penny stands straight and maintains eye contact. "What am I doing wrong?"

Winter pauses before answering. "Your analysis is flawed in two ways. Firstly, the goal is not to destroy these sentries. Merely to remove them as threats. Your default strategy is a permanent end of the threat, and you overly rely on your boosters and lasers for destructive force. This saps your reserves quicker than using your resources to hamper and capture. Use targeted attacks to disable."

Penny nods. "Targeted attacks require additional focus and complexity to perform. My information says it is not realistic to do so as a main tactic, following the manners of traditional defense taught by law enforcement and the masses."

The Schnee narrows her gaze. "This brings the second flaw. You are accounting for situations and variables not counted in this exercise. In traditional self defense or defense of others, you are correct. Center mass targeting and total disabling is favored. However, variables such as protection of others are variables I've yet to add to your training."

She continues with a note of finality. "You are to be a Huntress. You will not be held to the acceptable standards held by others, but much further beyond. You will need to learn how to process and perfect to as high of a degree as possible. For when you face a horde of Grimm, you are not stopping at the disabling of a single in the moment threat. You must extend your capabilities to hamper and disable as many as possible for as long as possible. Understood?"

Penny blinks once, suddenly scanning her being and questioning if she is truly capable of the task. Still, she has no other option. This is what she is. She nods. "Affirmative! I will continue until I'm combat ready!" She ends with a stiff salute.

Winter returns the official gesture. "Dismissed!"

Two guards enter the room, Winter watches Penny march off with them on either side of her. The Specialist moves to exit as well, heading up a set of steps. She moves to find herself in a viewing room. A center to observe and evaluate the testing arena.

Within the viewing room, she finds two individuals that she is to report to. She stops and performs a rehearsed salute. "Doctors. What were your opinions of the exam?"

By the two way mirror wall, the larger man on his specialized wheelchair turns. Doctor Pietro Polendina is neutral. A soft smile can be seen, but he can't commit to it. "I saw her exemplary performance from here just fine. However, if you can train her to be much more precise, she may surpass even my expectations. As is, she is functioning as intended." He looks to his compatriot. "My opinion is biased, of course. What do you think, Frank?"

Beside the wheelchair sits the other head scientist of the SDC. Franklyn Naero Stein, slouch sits backwards in his roller chair, leaning his chest into the back of the seat. His raven hair is unkempt, and his glasses reflect so much ambient light that his eyes can't be seen.

Dr Stein takes a huff of his cigarette. With a puff, a cloud paints the room. "Simply extraordinary. I am envious, Pietro. No wonder James has been so friendly with our departments with this in his back pocket." He leans back away from the chair back and looks straight up. "I wonder..."

Winter grimaces in disgust at the cigarette smoke. "Sir, I believe this area is barred from smoking."

"Why is it that you insisted on the pain receptor nervous system?" Stein asks while ignoring Winter's statement. "The advanced coding and creation of fibers could quite easily be replaced with extra dust or power stores internalized. Its combat efficiency would increase an easy 13 percent."

Pietro frowns. "You were the one to provide the update information for me to apply, and now you're complaining? I thought you would take credit." His slight defensive tone catches Winter's interest.

Stein replies. "I'm very proud of my contribution now that you've implemented it. Pain is imperative to registering peril and having self preservation in mind. This on top of several processing advantages to my artificial nerves. However..." He stops to take a huff again.

Winter narrows her gaze, but holds back her tongue.

He blows the smoke. "However, shouldn't your focus be on ease of production above all else? You agree with me, don't you girl?"

The Schnee's hands clench into fists behind her back. Yet, she remains neutral in her discipline. She does admit though. This... draws the woman's attention as well. Winter looks to Pietro. "I do admit my own questioning as well, but would assume the doctor wishes his creation to last as long as possible. Prolonged use would save in the long run."

"A perfect answer expected from Jacques's first born." Stein muses before returning his look to Doctor Polendina. "Next you'll mention installing a need to eat within the girl. These things can only inhibit what the military surely requested of you."

Pietro is oddly silent through the next few seconds. Processing the, possibly innocent, harsh remarks. His usual jubilation draws an uncomfortable feeling from the Specialist. "Only one was ever requested. She is all that I agreed to make without good reason. James gave me his reason, so I will make what is best for her."

Stein hums at that. "If you would show me his full request, I could blame him for the deficiencies. It being the only one? That will only last until the world knows of it. You know how this works. That is why mass producing it is-"

"Her." Pietro cuts him off. The two scientists briefly exchange a look. "I didn't set out to create a weapon. I set out to make a daughter. Please accept that."

Winter watches a tense silence as Stein shifts his posture slightly. "I will humor you, Pietro." Stein comments. "However, know this. There are only two outcomes to this. Either she isn't real, and valuing her is a waste of time. Or, she's real, and you've proven life can be directly valued and spent like a Lien in a store..."

He begins to rolls away to leave.

"Either way, SHE is forfeit. I'd suggest as little attachment as possible." He exits the room, leaving it much colder than before.

Winter is left alone with the remaining scientist. A silence weighs as Winter feels almost irrelevant. She recovers. "Sir?"

Pietro sighs. "If I truly have created life, then her value is not simply in her creation." He looks up with a frown. "I don't know if I've successfully made someone or not, but I won't succeed if I stop and act like I did anything less. Right? What are your thoughts?"

The Specialist tenses. "I believe... this is over my head."

"Please, just a general layman's opinion can be incredibly valuable." Pietro smiles for her. The silence that meets him as he watches the gears turn in Winter's head brings a choked laugh. "Never mind. Answer in your own time. You have a meeting with the General, do you not?"

Winter nods. "I must report to him, yes." She wordlessly thanks the universe for not pressing her for an answer. She isn't certain still what to make of Penny. "Farewell, Doctor Polendina.

Leaving the complex, Winter feels a drain on her mental capacity with the amount of questions being drilled through her. She did not become a Specialist to answer the meaning of life! She began a Specialist to succeed and help people.

Although... being a Specialist for only three months may be why she didn't get the assignment she wanted.

She wanted the AZRL case. Yes, she wanted very much to be the one closing that monster away. Winter Schnee can agree with one thing above all else... One guiding principle.

Children are not their creators or master's play things. That's why Winter left her family. It's why she must be the one to take down AZRL.

. . .

Children are not property. That is Winter's certain belief.

Medusa's Vet Practice

A loud thud sounds as a child plants back against the wall of his own accord.

He's a young boy, thin, mild complexion, and pretty short. He has a long sleeve black shirt and skinny jean black pants. His stance is timid. Yet, his hair is shifting magenta. He almost has an anorexic physique, face thin as well. His big violet eyes dart around.

"W-w-what are y-you d-doing-g here? Nnnno one w-was s-supp-posed to be h-... ere today." His vicious stutter and stunting speech gives Carmine and Neo pause.

Carmine and Neo share a look before Carmine holds his hands up. "Easy, there. We're here on app-"

"W-why don't they m-move right? I-its w-w-w-weird." The boy looks at the Shatter copies of Roman, Blair, and Makara which only now twitch. Carmine sends a fuming look at Neo, who shrugs.

She lost concentration of her illusion when this stuttering mess surprised them through the door. She glares back before the new boy keeps talking.

"There's too many p-peo-ple in here. I c-can't d-d-deal with cr-owds." He sputters in speech, hands coming up and clasping over one ear.

Carmine steps between him and his illusion team, cutting off visual. "Alright! We'll clear the room! Won't we?" He cranes his head to Neo as he opens the door. She nods so he turns back to the boy. "Right. We'll clear out. It'll be okay- Huh?"

He's getting a scroll call from Roman.

Behind him, Neo Shatters all three illusion adults!

The boy jolts in a frightened twitch. "What was that n-noise! W-what are y-y... What are you d-doing?!"

Carmine pulls his scroll out. "Answering a call. Hold on." Carmine breathes out. "Hey, yeah. We're just tryna calm this kid down."

The next minute passes quickly...

Medusa and the adults enter the room as the spy takes the boy in a side hug, holding him against her. "Hello, honey. Come here and calm down." A short silence comes over as she looks to the CRBN team. "You five. Down stairs. Now."

The CRBN crew wordlessly follow her order as Medusa slowly follows holding her son. She continues. "Sorry, honey. These are work related guests. They won't be here long."

"T-they're w-weird. Why d-do they b-both have t-... two hair colors? It's weird!"

Both Carmine and Neo jolt and twitch angrily. "Pardon that, you little sh-." Blair tugs the boy along before he can curse the child out.

Medusa lets out a laugh. "Oh, honey. I have two hair colors. Am I weird?" She gestures to her hair shift in her braid.

The boy shows a look of confusion. "But hair changing gets lighter towards the roots. His hair is w-whiter at the t-tips. It's freak-k-k-ky." Carmine twitches and seethes. "And the girl's hair doesn't m-make sense, like someone p-patched hair from two differ-... differ-... different dolls together." Neo twitches.

. . .

Back in the office home, Medusa kisses the boy's head, gesturing him into the bedroom areas. "Go settle in and start homework. I'll have dinner arranged in a few hours, okay?" The boy nods and disappears into the messy bedroom, shutting the door.

Roman darts his eye back and forth. "So, a spy have a stay home kid? Plot thickens."

Medusa glowers back. "My employees are all friends that look after him while I'm out on assignment. He's more resilient than he looks for a twelve year old."

Blair looks to the door. "His aura is unlocked, I noticed with my semblance. Is he trained?"

The spy frowns softly. "You will investigate no further into him, or I kill you all here. Understood?" The message, threat, goes clear as focus is back on the spy. "So, business so I can get you out of my son's hair. You said one of the SDC's top brass is within AZRL? I highly doubt Doctor Polendina is..."

She pauses, frowning, then sighing.

"Oh, damn... It's Doctor Stein isn't it?" The woman's tone dips. She takes in a deep breath. "I surely hope you have some measure of proof behind this accusation."

Carmine starts. "Well, he kicked my ass after confirming his part in creating two different cyborgs that we've taken down. He's the doctor that took Neo's voice, and wants to dissect me for my abilities." He rattles off. "Oh, and he's made himself a cyborg. His chair is a tech scythe. Still curious over that."

Medusa raises a brow. "Mhm. Yes." She looks away. "Hmm. So that's why he still looks good near his fifties." She shakes her head. "Still, ALL of that is a self report. None of it is proof. General Ironwood will want a whole lot more to go on before believing a word of it. And that's if I even believe you."

"We have one witness, potentially two, along with an admission on our part of a crime to explain it." Blair starts.

At Medusa's cocked look, Makara speaks up. "Um... Doctor Near, as he is called in AZRL, held me captive in New Malum's SDC facility..." Medusa's eye widens slightly. "He... had me opened on a table hooked to his experimental device called a...Soul Servo."

Medusa looks between Makara and the CRBN crew. "... You all broke into Malum, then? Are you insane-" She stops and looks at Makara. "Okay, so... maybe there are merits to this." She shakes her head. "That might get his attention, but do you have the device?"

"Negative." Blair adds. "Makara is subject to Aurstigma. The device was meant to siphon and store her aura beyond her death as a vessel of her consciousness. Makara was forced to shatter it to regain her stored aura and memories during a subsequent altercation with AZRL's top agent."

"So... your star witness has memory deficiencies and broke your only piece of physical evidence..." She rubs her temple before looking up again. "You said something about a second witness?"

Roman chimes in with a flippant hand wave over Neo. "Our mute lass here fought an SDC intern girl in Malum. The girl let Neo go after hearing about us freeing Makara. Apparently, SDC has no human trials active, so her confirming an unknown captive shook her morals." He smirks. "We identify the lass and get her witness testimony, confirms at least that Dr Close was hiding unknown experiments."

"You should be a lawyer. I like the focus." Medusa smirks at that before continuing. "So, this intern or what have you. Can you describe her?"

Neo produces a shatter sign. It depicts an orange haired girl wearing white and green with bright green eyes. A shatter label at the bottom reads 'Penny'.

The spy scrutinizes the picture. "I don't know her, and the SDC doesn't have children interns unless it's Jacques's daughters. Though, the older one is all grown up in the world now. The other is a rarity, but she's getting pranced out now. Heard the son is getting up too." She shakes her head. "Still, I have no idea who this is, but I can at least provide a description to the General if needed."

"Corroborating testimony plus the circumstance of substantial evidence being corrupted on the inside will also raise suspicion for the claim." Blair adds.

"How did you know the evidence was corrupted?" Medusa questions before frowning. "Someone ratted to you guys, I see. I won't complain. No big issue. Actually, it helps." She leans back, arms crossed. Francis slithers on the back of her chair, so she strokes his underside. "So, you require me to give the General a heads up so he doesn't murder you. What else?"

"A way in to Atlas." Carmine starts. "Neo and Blair said that the city has ID checks between it and Mantle."

The woman snickers. "Oh, I can't help with that. Those are in place to prevent criminals from entry. Which, these days, mostly pertains to terrorists and any faunus found guilty of jaywalking. Remember, only the top Atlas and SDC members know about my status. I have no means of passing their checkpoints."

"Can't you just call Ironwood and have him let us in?" Carmine raises his voice, irritated.

Medusa huffs. "I can let him know your claim so he tempers his response! He absolutely will not derail standard operation based on your claim alone! That would be ridiculous." She looks down her nose at them. "You're not currently wanted, so why can't you simply go in?"

"With AZRL having access to SDC systems..." Blair starts.

"And most of Atlas's toys moderated by the SDC..." Roman adds.

"We don't want their spies to know we're coming." Carmine finishes.

"Fair point. Counter point." Medusa holds a finger up. "Why not use her then?" She points to Makara.

The amnesiac jolts. "Excuse me?"

Medusa frowns. "Makara, you said? You wouldn't happen to be Maka Riviera would you?"

Makara tenses as the group focuses on her. "Well... I... go by Makara Riva these days..."

"So original-" Medusa narrows her gaze at the CRBN crew. "You haven't reunited her with her family yet, have you?" At the silence, she heats slightly. "And you condemned me for using AZRL's victims! Isn't this just the pot and the kettle!"

"I chose to remain with them!" Makara shouts back before an argument could break. Meeting Medusa's eye, Makara frowns. "I also did not remember my original name until after breaking the Soul Servo... And, uh..."

"Hmm?" Medusa blinks a few times. "Well, whatever your reasons may be, it's convenient that you are here. If memory serves, the Riviera family lost track of you what? Four years ago? Well, seems your disappearance stirred something in your father, Garland Riviera. He started hosting all these charity events for the homeless and orphans here in Mantle after you disappeared."

Makara flinches, wide eyed. "He... he did? Really?"

The CRBN group shares a look. This is the first Makara's opened up about this. "Wait, if you were kidnapped, shouldn't he have been flooding police force money or something?" Carmine speaks up.

"Because she wasn't kidnapped. She ran away." Blair puts together. Makara cringes at the wording. "Am I correct? AZRL found you when you were all alone. That's why you were not eager to go home after we rescued you."

Makara looks down at that, cringing. "... Yeah..." She gulps. "Father was... uncaring towards his hired servants and employees. He's not a man of substantial health, so many of his day to day tasks required assistance, but he still thought little to nothing of them. He's one of the many, many investors attached to the SDC funding among other things, so when the subject of Faunus rights in the mines came up... we just fought... all the time."

She pulls in on herself, wrapping her arms tightly for comfort. "He tried to buy my agreement with frivolities. Sports shooting and the like, go figure..." She chuckles humorlessly. "I finally decided I would leave and live among the people he hated because it wasn't fair..." A grimace comes. "Parts are still fuzzy, but I received a handout from someone I thought was a friend, but they were-"

"-A Johnson." Roman finishes. Makara can barely manage a nod.

"Well, going off his public image now, he took it really hard." Medusa adds. "He started running for public offices in the elections for Mantle offices. Got blown out by the faunus vote the first few times, but he's managed to win some offices and work up. He's publicly floated the idea of running for mayor of Mantle."

Makara snaps to attention. "R-Really?! That's-... That's amazing if true!" She looks at them and wonders aloud. "Maybe... maybe he can use his personal transports to get us into the city undetected then? Maybe?"

"It's worth a shot." Carmine answers.

Roman raises a brow. "We get a local mayor on CRBN's side, that would be fantastic."

"We're not going to commit crimes and use mayoral pardons to get away with it." Blair snaps immediately.

"I wasn't going to suggest-"

"Yes you were."

"Why isn't he running in Atlas itself?" Makara questions, cutting off the coy back and forth of the CRBN adults.

Medusa grumbles. "A number of Atlas elite didn't take kindly to the sudden turn to 'animal lover' to use their terms. Barbarians with silver spoons is all I say to that." She sighs. "Much better than the boot licker Mayor Rhodes-"

Neo flinches in place, eyes snapping wide as saucers.

Carmine, Roman, and Blair all three side eye her upon reaching the same realization. Carmine gulps.

"Uh..."

Medusa perks. "What is it? More complications?"

Neo feels eyes come on her, but she's tuned out. All of it meaningless.

Really? Politics?

Her mother lost in business, so she turned politician?!

As an aside, a bloody brilliant idea. Yet, she remembers. It is worthless information. They're not here for that.

It is simple. Fuck that frigid whore who left her for dead in AZRL.

Neo smiles sweetly and shakes her head. No issue at all.

Carmine frowns, but turns back to Medusa. "Not an issue with our goal. But a backup plan would still be helpful to getting into Atlas. Plus, we need to know what kind of proof we can get in order to put Stein away. What are the odds he has his personal experiments here?"

"Slim to null." Medusa answers. "No amount of clearance can hide his actions. However, electronic trails need to exist. Back up databases have to exist, and if he's in as bad as you all claim, he'd need to secure that with fail safes both in his own system and the SDC systems around him."

"So a repeat of Malum." Blair grimaces. "We need to access his personal files." She looks to Medusa. "You wouldn't happen to have any blueprints of the facilities by chance?"

Medusa grimaces. "Well, likely outdated if they've renovated anything, but yes." She shrugs. "Worst that happens if they realize I gave them to you is my public perception is kept intact, and I can still provide your accusations to the General in private. Sounds like a win win." She sighs. "But that's the last thing I can get you. Period."

"So we get to be creative." Roman muses and looks up from his scroll. "Let's brainstorm."

Medusa rises and sighs. "Well, I suppose I will go ahead and send the info to the good General. It takes twenty minutes of navigating operators to reach him, so I will be a bit. She eyes the door to the bedroom, scowling.

A shadow under the door. "Cassidy Medusa, you know better than to eavesdrop on me."

A shuffle sounds behind the door before silence reigns.

"Cassidy." Blair mumbles before stating louder. "Would I be correct that he uses your alias last name for public record? Cassidy Boyd?" The mother snorts, but doesn't respond. Blair opens her mouth, but Makara beats her to it.

"He's adorable. He'll be quite handsome once he grows into it."

Medusa blinks in surprise and smiles proudly. "I will go make my call. Harass my boy, and you'll die." She leaves them to make her call.

. . .

Atlas, SDC Headquarters

Penny had been returned to her room, a spacious semi lab space. Her movements were methodical, but slower than she liked. True, her aura recovers with rest like any living aura, but little time has passed.

She frowns at her aura read. Four percent. Oh well. Penny needs to occupy herself somehow. She cannot view much within these walls, but she can do one thing.

Her personal project.

Penny moves to the large computer. Her father's computer to be exact. She stands at the desk and opens the login screen.

"Please enter password." A robotic voice chimes.

"Enable speech to text." Penny speaks. A click sounds. "Password entry 'Pleasure Island 2231940' end entry. Enter." She blinks and briefly a slight darkening appears on her cheeks at the rather scandalous password. Her blush is almost a faint dusting of green.

The computer logs in, a fold in keyboard releasing out from the console. Penny begins to use the computer and begins searching into the system. This console, unlike his experiment computer, has a connection to the networks throughout the SDC.

Thus has been her personal hobby for the last month or so... searching and verifying all reports of verified experiments.

Because SDC human trials are still not open. Yet a human prisoner was released by supposed criminals... This isn't right. Human experimentation off the books is extremely dangerous and against all guidelines.

An investigation must be made.

So enthralled by her focused search, the girl doesn't register the door opening and closing. "Penny! What have I told you about accessing my computer without permission!" Her father calls from behind her.

Penny ceases all movement for a moment before stiffly turning around. "I apologize, father! I just... wished to compare my progress-" Hiccup! She squeaks, eyes slightly brightening as she realizes her futility. She looks up guilty at her father's slight frown. "I was investigating records again..." She finishes truthfully.

Pietro sighs. A small smile curls as he starts softly. "You are quite driven aren't you?"

She sounds confused. "I... must protect anyone in danger. It is my purpose after all... right?" The girl's confidence is vacant as the words reach the man.

He frowns. Describing the service as a need rather than a desire... Programming. Maybe Frank has a point. Pietro shakes the thought away. He may not know foe certain, but he can't start treating her as a fixed object. "Well, unless telling you no AGAIN will work, very well." He sets a look on her. "How have you been searching?"

Penny brightens and turns around to the computer. "I have already verified the titles, approvals, and rejections of all project requests submitted within the company over the last year. No items of interest have shown. I am currently searching for an overlap in failed ventures and repeat names. My reasoning is that someone listing failures may be abusing company resources and not even attempt their listed experiments."

Her father sighs. "You are brute forcing it. I believe this is what Miss Schnee meant earlier. What you're doing now is only showing which incompetent employees will get fired next quarter. Someone with a stunt like this will know to cover their tracks."

Her own perceptible acknowledgment of the criticism is a slight curve down of the lips. "I do not understand."

"We must find leads through more... complex analysis." Pietro approaches the computer. "If someone is illegally using company resources, funds, or omitting information, the public information won't note anything of the like itself. Here, let me show you."

Penny steps back from the computer for him. His walking chair steps up as he takes over.

"There are multiple factors that will need to be checked. It is best to start with a list of possible suspects." He stops on a single employee name. "We pull up all projects under a subject." A list of entries tied only to the individual shows. "Now comes the hard part... Well, tedious and mind numbing would be the correct wording."

The girl moves closer, eyes transfixed on the screen. "What is it? I'm combat..." She pauses, blinking. "I am research ready!"

Pietro smiles. "Factor one is missing resources. Find projects that contain unreasonable variances in the amounts of resources provided vs what resources were actually used." He holds up a finger then continues. "Factor two, find mismatched resources. Locate supplies that could in no way be used for the listed project." He leans back. "Start from here, and you can find probable, but not confirmed mind you, instances of abuse of resources."

"And have a list of investigations from there?" Penny questions.

"Not quite." The scientist retorts. "See, a single mistake here and there, or even multiple over a long enough period of time may not be the best candidates for investigations. You don't want to waste resources investigating something small and end up spending more than the discrepancy itself."

Penny stares at the screen and finishes his thought verbally. "You must find the most likely candidate and start there." She turns to see her father move away from the computer.

"Well? I'm letting you check, so check." He smiles.

Her blinking stare holds for a moment before breaking into a calm focus. "Thanks, father!"

As he leaves the room, he chuckles. "Also, unless it is for Miss Schnee's training, you are forbidden from leaving these quarters." Penny stops with a deer in headlights look. "I'm not letting you go getting into trouble like in Malum. Guards will be posted outside."

Penny blinks and purses her lips as he leaves.

. . .

Atlas Headquarters

Winter's heeled boots echo off the sterile environment. A hall of proper and clean metal, white, and blue lighting identifies the inner corridors of the Atlas Headquarters. She halts at the final grand door as a scanner views her.

An electronic ping sounds before the doors open. The woman enters the large room.

Efficiency. A large, currently shut off set of screens behind the main desk is curious. Typically it would have some information shown. Perhaps the General had only just arrived himself. A large window shows a high view of the massive Atlas city to the side. The center of the room is a large, well kept, engraved and molded metal desk.

Behind it is the man, the myth, and the legend. A perfect military cut of brown hair with the fringed of white appearing on the sideburns. A hard chiseled jaw tops a perfect military physique in a white uniform. His right hand has a black glove while his left hand is uncovered. His gun sits ready in his holster at all times.

Lead General and Headmaster James Ironwood.

"Greetings, Agent. Report." The stern man cuts his eye to Winter from his authoritative position.

Winter snaps to a salute. "Sir! I've finished my first full examination of Project Polendina. Subject Penny Polendina possesses great strengths for combat, but does not have long term thinking thus far. My training regimen put forth will instill top skills and extension of functionality. With luck, she may be ready for extended field duty within just a few months."

James narrows his look on the woman. "So soon? If it can be managed, then I want it done. She is a machine after all, so I would not expect learning capabilities to be managed in such a short time span. Currently, we are looking for her to enter Atlas Academy officially next year."

Winter stiffens. "You wish for me to teach her for an entire year, sir?"

The man huffs. He expected her to be upset with her assignment, but that is something he will need to curb. Her talents do not accelerate her standing before she's done anything after all.

For a moment, he questions this meeting's secondary purpose. It may pacify her, or exacerbate a feeling of entitlement.

"Your duty is to prepare what may be the greatest future member of our force, Agent. Do you feel someone else is more qualified than you?" He challenges.

Winter chills, an icy stare devoid of doubt meets the man. "Sir. Forgive me for any disrespect." She pauses before adding. "I simply believed teaching talents were better suited to instructors, as my current age, I would think, is perfect for field duty. That is all."

James gains a hard edge to his voice. "You were outbid for the AZRL assignment, Agent. Unless urgently necessary, you will cease bringing up tangential points. This is where you are most effective." He waits until the competing stare loses its chill and closes. "I will make my point clear. Yes, your performance in your last year slates you to become one of my very top operatives. This cannot be understated."

Winter holds her jaw up, a point of pride.

"I am more than aware that you could be resolving many current issues. However, the big picture is also important. Penny is our future, as are you. If she is to succeed, she requires not only training from one of said top agents, she needs a fixture for the future. A stable and static work relationship with a trustworthy officer."

The only change in the woman to show her attention is the slight, near imperceptible wider opening of her eyes. "Sir?"

He nods. "I chose you precisely because of both your talent AND your age. You can be someone who can remain around to guide her, keep her in check, to be confided in should she struggle, for a very, very long time. You're the closest thing she has to relate to."

The Schnee's mind freezes at that. She closes her eyes to process, but her only possible retort isn't worth vocalizing.

A head of white hair and slightly brighter features fills her mind. Winter's visage quivers slightly.

She can barely maintain a positive relationship with one family member. One who is in the exact same position she'd been in just years before. Just because she can relate does not mean she can properly connect. Winter grimaces.

To say that Winter Schnee is someone capable of bonded social relationships would be a abject lie.

James continues. "Also, this assignment won't exclude you from other assignments... Like the other reason for today's report."

Winter clears her mind, determination back as she locks her eyes up. "Sir!"

Jame resists a smirk. "On top of training Penny, your new position places you working closely with the SDC." He notices the icy chill in her gaze again. "This allows you to act as an ambassador of sorts for any agents who require information about the SDC. You will be a go to asset for any investigation that affects the company."

Of course she is. It's her father's company after all. She specifically became an agent of the military to leave it behind. Unhappy, she does at least recognize that her father has deliberately avoided her just as much as she him.

But Ironwood wouldn't be bringing this up unless she was needed for another investigation...

This energizes her, an elation coming. "Which investigation requires my assistance?"

"The exact one I know you wanted to be a part of." James states as the doors chime. "Enter!"

The doors open behind Winter as she allows an ever small smirk. She masks it immediately. So, the AZRL assignment she wanted is coming to her wheelhouse?

Perfect.

Two figures enter the room.

The first enters with loud, polished brown boots. Black pants are pulled over the boots, a tight fit, and the man's walk is broad, stride confident. Brown leather belt straps loop his hips, interlaced with the pants as well as multiple weapon holsters. His weapons consist of a coiled chain rope with wiring laced through at the right side, a large knife sheathed beside it, a gun holstered at his left side, and a clipped short handle dangling beside the gun.

He wears a golden brown shirt underneath a dark brown leather unbuttoned jacket lined with graying dark fur. The back of his jacket as well as the left chest display a white Atlas logo. A black ascot is tied around his neck. Atop his head is a slightly grayed white hat.

Almost a cowboy hat. The tan man smirks with a clean shaven jaw line. A thin raven black mustache shows. Violet eyes stare back as he approaches. He feigns disappointment. "Now, I go and get here early, and you still start the meeting ahead of me! For shame." He tips his hat to the Headmaster. "General!"

James frowns. "A proper greeting, Agent."

The man, easily in his thirties, suppresses a chuckle and salutes. "Specialist Agent Whis Palmo, Head of the AZRL task force, reporting for duty sir!"

"What is the status of Vacuo?" James starts.

"It's a shit show of a recovery, but we're happy to report all possible leads and locations relating to the trafficking organization AZRL have been eliminated. Last base was bagged a month ago with one hundred forty seven red tattoo'd guys and gals. Many have been successfully reunited with families. Most... proving difficult." He ends on a dour tone.

"Matches Shade's reports I've received." James nods in approval. "Lionheart hardly contributed to Vacuo, so that leaves Vale's reports." He looks beyond his two agents to the now third man to enter.

Winter takes interest at the fourth of their collective meeting. She wasn't aware of any Beacon representatives.

The man walked with a slouch, black pants with a white jacket. The jacket's interior was black with a popped up collar. A short red cape drapes his back, with his weapon at his hip. Black hair with the slightest ting of gray... red eyes...

Winter has heard of him... Beacon's best team.

"Yo." The man gives a lazy two fingered mock salute without changing his posture.

The Schnee simply... stares at the audacious disrespect. One thing for one of the senior agents to have this kind of familiarity, but it is a complete other level of insult to do so to the leader of another nation! Winter's shocked eyes lock on the man as he lines up with her and Whis across from the General.

James stares more annoyed than anything. "A proper respect please."

Silence.

He and the newcomer stare back and forth. One stern and the other lazy.

The general sighs... "I said please, Qrow."

The lazy man smirks and does make an effort to stand straighter. "Huntsman Qrow Branwen of Beacon."

"At ease." James says sounding satisfied.

Winter watches in horror as the Huntsman... THE Qrow Branwen of the legendary hunter team, slouches again and grumbles. "Good, cause that's all you're getting."

James addresses Whis and Winter. "Mr Branwen is here from Vale on an important investigation of his own into the whereabouts of high value Cult of Salem operatives."

Winter and Whis harden at this. Whis tips his hat to Qrow. "That so? Lay it on us, friend."

Qrow steels his gaze as well. "In tracking many of their movements since the assault on Amber a month ago, I believe I've tracked one of their operatives into Atlas. I'm hoping to find em, crack em, and get the location of the specific operatives that attacked her."

Winter's mind rapid fires at the information.

Her knowledge of the Cult was limited. It was only after her official promotion to Specialist that she was imparted with knowledge of the maidens, four destructive individuals who wield mythical powers. That said, she'd yet to meet one. "The Cult of Salem? I've only recently learned of them, but they worship Grimm, do they not? We've had no activity in Grimm trade within the city."

"The Cult operates in a thousand ways you haven't realized." Qrow explains. He looks to James as his hand moves to his pockets. He bobs his head to Winter. "You got a rookie on this now?"

Winter's furious glower pins itself to the man.

James cuts in. "She is my top up and coming operative. And here, she has authority. Don't pick a fight just because you dislike our system."

Qrow and Winter exchange glances. Ice cold blue glowers at lazy red. Qrow just shrugs. "Either way, the paper trail leads to them being in the city. Someone with just enough money to buy their way in."

"We got all the known faces in the system already." Whis adds. "Got to be under an alias or someone new. Got a name?"

"Only that they have cash and operate under the pseudonym 'Ripper'. Three hunters have been killed tracking them, two from Mistral and one from Vacuo. Left with flaying marks throughout. The last victim managed to leave the money trail behind." Qrow breaks down for them. "They also tend to kill civilians. Females ranging from late teens to late thirties."

Whis nods. "I'll put a notice on any suspicious deaths for the future. My boys are already investigatin' bankings for the corporations for AZRL ties. They can take a peek see about suspicious contract payments."

Winter adds. "Very few individuals can hope to defeat trained hunters consistently without dust. I'll requisition information for dust sales at all local shops and have some SDC interns help audit for any spikes in purchases to investigate."

James nods, already seeing the professionals easily state contributions. "Then you all know your personal assignments, but be aware and work together when needed. I don't want anything wrong to happen in MY city."

Qrow nods. "I'll be hitting the bad sides of town and Mantle."

"Huntsman..." James warns.

Winter is confused until seeing a canteen produced from the legend's coat pocket! Qrow takes a drink... of ALCOHOL! Right in front of the general?! Winter double takes between them. "Have some respect!" She snaps before flinching and schooling her features.

James frowns, sensing the beginnings of a personality conflict.

Qrow continues to gulp down his drink, raising a finger to have them wait. With a final gulp, he removes the empty canteen and pockets it with a smirk. "James, you know I can do my job. You guys handle your way, and I'll handle mine."

Whis feels a chill, shoulders quivering lightly as he looks between Winter on his right side and Qrow on his left. "Well, I've no problem with that." Winter's gaze locks on him, so he pauses. Still, he smirks. "Even the uncouth have ways among the people, darling."

"Agent." Winter corrects with a chilled tone.

"Oh, she's all about titles too." Qrow mumbles. "No wonder you like this one, James."

"Enough!" Ironwood calls out, all three directing their attention back to him including Qrow. "You three will work together to safeguard the people. Is that clear?" He doesn't wait for a response. "Winter, you know your assignment. Whis, continue your search for AZRL. I expect both of you to also keep an eye and opening out to assist Huntsman Branwen."

"Sir, yes sir!" Whis and Winter respond in earnest.

"I have one question before heading out." Qrow announces, once more earning the ire of Winter. "To kill two birds with one stone, have you had any rumors surrounding Team CRBN lately? Our intelligence places them making their way through much of eastern and southern Atlas."

Winter furrows her brow. She was aware of a Team CRBN, but was not privy to much of their exploits. They're well meaning, but destructive it seems, helpers with a vendetta against AZRL. She'd read that two of their members were her sister's age, and that two were in an age group above Winter's own.

Truly, she only took the information in case she needs to arrest them for going too far or run damage control.

But then she recalls that Beacon has a warrant out for them. Yet, with no official charges or reasons behind it. Curious.

Whis perks and raises a brow to James. James looks back to him. "I believe Whis's communications regarding AZRL would leave him more informed currently. I've yet to get through the more recent reports."

Qrow nods and looks back to the cowboy agent. Whis nods. "Well, we've still no idea about some instances, but they are slated to be up this way. They could have already come by and left, or still on their way. We've charted a number of jobs done without huntsman licenses done, but without catching them in the act, can't do nothin' bout that. I do have confirmation that they were involved at Ostium Mortis archipelago not too long ago interfering with AZRL operatives."

"I heard they were also involved with the situation at New Malum." Qrow mentions.

James and Winter lock on to the Huntsman, while Whis pauses. The cowboy blinks before smirking. "Is that so? Well, we've looked into that possibility, but nothing concrete can link to them. Whoever was involved there did a down job of wiping any evidence, but I'd be glad to hear out your sources."

Qrow holds the look... Just a touch too long. He holds up his canteen. "Over a drink. You know any good bars."

Winter makes a dour glance to James. The general nods. "That may be on your time. For now, I've no more for you all. Do your work, Hunters. Dismissed."

"Sir!" Whis and Winter announce as Qrow flicks a two finger salute and adds a 'Later'.

All three march together out of the room. Qrow walks perfectly relaxed, but anyone worth their training notices that his slight slouch is quite easy to shift into wider stances. Winter narrows her eye on the man's back.

Eventually, Qrow turns to look over his shoulder at her. "Got something you wanna say?" His tone is aloof, innocent in a way, but gruff.

Winter's left eye twitches. "You are Qrow Branwen."

"That is my name." He states the obvious.

"THE legendary Qrow Branwen of Team STRQ? Beacon's top graduates on record?" She allows her incredulous tone to creep.

He raises a brow and turns to face her when the three reach the elevator. "Sorry. I don't do autographs."

Wha-... She's not-... Winter's wide, storming eyes glare at the man. "Excuse you!" She squares up with the man. "Do not mistake me for some lowly hussie I'm certain you find for yourself at bars! I am simply appalled that such a prestigious name belongs to someone as utterly distasteful as you!"

Qrow blinks, but a mischievous twinkle comes as he smirks. "Well, excuse me, Ice Queen. But, I could care less about living up to Atlas standards."

"Now, now. Let's not get ugly between friends, here." Whis places himself between the two with a friendly swagger. He holds his hand out to Qrow. "Personally, I enjoy a person of action among friends. It's quite nice to meet you finally."

The Huntsman accepts the hand shake. "Pleasure is mine. You've been heading Atlas's AZRL task force for only a few months, am I right?"

Whis smirks. "Wellll I outbid ole Winter here." He shrugs and spares a sympathetic smile to the woman as she forces herself to remain neutral. "'Fore that, I was stationed out west. Dealing with the Cult activities like you, as a matter of fact."

Qrow looks at Winter, then Whis. "A brother in arms." He eyes Winter more. "So, you get to nickname her for the cold?"

Winter cocks her head in confusion.

Then it clicks. He hadn't heard her name yet-

But who never recognizes a Schnee?!

"Winter is my name, and I refuse to believe you didn't recognize my features." The woman glowers.

Qrow's smirk remains. "Oh? Are you so arrogant to think I HAVE to recognize you?"

His tone... He did recognize her. He wanted her to react negatively, she realizes. He's playing her!

Winter moves around Whis and glares directly at Qrow. "Do you enjoy making a mockery of others, thug?"

Finally, his smirk wipes at her low opinion. "I live by a certain viewpoint. You can better see the type of person someone is when you break their barriers down." His curled lip returns after a pause. "I just prefer to break those barriers with a hammer is all. Sorry to offend you, Ice Queen."

"Hmph!" She huffs in front of him as the elevator opens beside them. She turns and enters the transport. "For the record, the most offensive think about you thus far is the alcohol on your breath, heathen."

He shrugs and makes a move to enter the elevator with Whis.

But Winter hits the doors to close before they enter. "Be sober when we speak next."

The door shuts, leaving the two men on the same floor... Qrow and Whis stand together and share a look.

"That may be the most confrontational I've seen the lass." Whis speaks with a mild chuckle. "Think you got a way with her."

Qrow shrugs. "She also seemed to ignore you. What's your deal?"

Whis sighs. "She's ambitious, and I stood in her way. Nothing else to it, I'm afraid. She really wanted the AZRL assignment." He chuckles. "She's been silent towards me for it, but I had my eyes set."

Qrow side eyes the man for a second. "Well... maybe we can move passed these disagreements for a drink tomorrow?"

Whis nods and tips his hat. "Sound's like a plan. I'll gather Winter round the evening tomorrow. We can compare notes." He smiles and offers his hand. "Let's meet like gentlemen. It's an honor to meet you, Qrow Branwen."

For a split second, Qrow evaluates the man.

Then he brings his hand up and shakes it. "Likewise, Whis Palmo."

They release and Qrow turns to walk away. Whis raises a brow. "Uh, you're walkin' away from the way down, friend."

Qrow begins to turn a hallway corner. "I'll find my own way down." He smirks and winks before disappearing from the man's view.

But soon as Qrow is out of his sight, the smirk wipes away. A calculated, focused determination sets in. He really hopes his instincts aren't right. If they are, then this going to be one of those missions...

He needs a drink...

And so begins one of the major arcs. The Atlas arc! A LOT is planned to happen, so don't be surprised if this takes quite a few chapters to get through. Especially given the story perspectives will be shifting between CRBN, Penny, Winter, and Qrow.

On that note.

Are we about to get Misty Rhodes back in play?

Winter Schnee has entered the game. I'm excited to play around with writing her, especially putting in some heat between her and Qrow. Qrow is here as well, which if you couldn't tell by the last 70+ chapters, I love Qrow.

Also, for as much as I've compared Carmine's semblance as being weaker than the Schnee semblance, I'm excited for getting to write some... events with her.

Penny is investigating and being a good girl, but I need to be careful and not progress her farther than she is in RWBY. A LOT of commentary and conflicting internal thoughts between everyone she interacts with will be around whether she is, in fact, a real girl. Bummer.

We got James Ironwood in the house as well. Always fun to have the disgruntled police chief- I mean the hard stern commander who can be around.

References: (Felt like I haven't had these for a while)

Cassidy Medusa is a small, but still present factor in what's to come. For those curious, remember that Rita Medusa is based on the Witch Medusa from Soul Eater, in keeping with AZRL's core inspirations when she was a spy within them. As such, the inspiration for Cassidy is easy to see since it's Crona, who in Soul Eater is Medusa's son/daughter. Crona, the inspiration, is admittedly different genders depending on source. (English anime boy, Japanese anime I think girl, and manga I believe non binary though I haven't read it) I made Cassidy a boy since I'm familiar with the English translation referring to him as a boy. More on Cassidy's problems in the next chapter.

Speaking of Soul Eater inspirations, both Medusa's vet workers are also based on Soul Eater witches. The frog and mouse faunus working the vet being based on the two who worked for Medusa in Soul Eater as well.

The Ripper that is going to be an original character for this story that is also within the cult of Salem. More later, but the name is really on the nose for who that represents.

Whis Palmo is new. More on him later. Cowboy gentleman.

Finally, more on Makara's father, Garland Riviera, next chapter as well.

Now, I've been vocal about how my Atlas is different from the show's, mostly by consequence of my years long embargo from watching anything Rooster Teeth related. I haven't personally sat and watched to know many of the characters introduced in the Atlas outside of clips online.

While most Atlas characters won't appear, I'm still on the fence about adding the character Clover Ebi. He seems fine from what I've seen, and I loved hearing about his semblance and such. However, I haven't yet decided on if I'll have him in this universe.

So for now, if you wish, you may think of Clover Ebi as someone who is simply on other assignments and unavailable at this moment in time if you are a fan of that character.

If I put him in, I have no doubt I would end up writing something inconsistent between this iteration and his canon iteration. Despite my pretzeling of ages for some characters, I want at the very least personalities to be intact, so that's one hesitance I have with including him.

Join next time in Chapter Seventy Five: Civil Barbarians.