Blearily my eyes opened to the sounds of a radio.
My vision became clearer as I blinked. I felt no urgency, and instead just stared at the white ceiling while listening to the odd synth song play through the wall. When minutes turned to double digits, I finally swung my legs to the side of the bed and sat up. I resisted the urge to groan at the feeling of tight skin and sore muscles, instead remaining silent and looking around the room. It was obvious that it was a hospital, based purely on the smell. It was a rather small single-patient room, hosting only the bed, a counter with a porcelain sink, and a window on the wall across from me. With a sigh I rose to my feet, intent on looking out, but felt a tug at my forearm. A needle attached to a drip bag was secured in my vein, something I carefully removed and let drop to the floor.
"Thankfully not a catheter…" I muttered, also noting the lack of monitoring equipment in the room. I walked to the window, and the view was illuminating. I could see people mulling around the streets in groups with no set destination, a number of them were wielding things I couldn't make out from this distance. Some buildings were crumbled, but the only active fires I could see were off in the distance. Overall, it doesn't seem that the Kingdom had collapsed overnight.
After watching the people go about their lives I turned and walked to the door, opening it to step out. The music got clearer with the door now opened, but my expression was confused.
"Weiss?" I asked, gazing at the woman blocking the doorway with her hand poised to open it, noting her overtly Atlesian attire. She quickly composed herself, standing with her back straight and arms folded behind her.
"It's Specialist Winter Schnee, actually." She stated, her no-nonsense tone not surprising me. "I must admit, it's good to see you finally up."
"Weiss' sister, then…" I hummed, only to blink in confusion. "What do you mean 'finally'? How long was I out?"
"Approximately 5 days have passed since you were brought to the Green Zone and treated. I was under orders by the General to search Beacon for survivors and retrieve them, alongside the Huntsman Qrow Branwen. I was actually the one to find you near the tower." She explained, pausing for a moment to give me an interesting look, which I raised a brow at. "I must say, I'm impressed. As was everyone else it seems."
"Mind expanding on that?" I asked cautiously, questions bubbling in the back of my head at her vague words. She shook her head in the negative, instead pulling out a scroll and opening a window.
"See for yourself."
STUDENT JAUNE ARC DEFENDS BEACON ACADEMY ALONE!
During the attack on the Kingdom, local Beacon Academy first-year leader Jaune Arc staged a one-man assault on the forces occupying the Academy! Evidence shows that Jaune Arc fought and defeated the newly promoted White Fang Commander 'Banesaw', said to have had an active role in the Valean Breach months ago, which led to his detainment and capture. Beyond that, this Jaune Arc seems to be solely responsible for the defeat and later capture of the WF Commander's occupying platoon of soldiers, leading to the future capture of 72 operatives. A further 14 were attributed to another student protecting himself in the area.
Based on the testimony of the captured terrorists, and previously mentioned student Cardin Winchester, this information is accurate. It seems their main mission was to plant explosives on major points throughout the Academy and bring them to the ground as a symbolic message from the organization. Unfortunately for them, Beacon still stands thanks to one man!
The article went on to show more information, including actual newscasting coverage from Lisa Lavender and even scroll footage displaying my fight with the Fang leader. At the very top, was the photo used for my school ID. My head throbbed as I looked at my own smiling face on the scroll.
"That's… a lot to take in." I breathed, handing Winter back her scroll. "I could've sworn the network went down during the attack. How does that even exist?"
"You'd be right about that. The CCT was damaged during the attack by the Wyvern, but a local broadband system, broadcasting system, and intranet were set up rather quickly with assistance from the General and local ingenuity. Long range communications, such as inter-kingdom or to frontier villages, have been lost though." She paused, examining my face. I looked back. "You're taking this rather well, Mr. Arc."
"I guess. It's Jaune." I corrected, looking down the hall. I saw people in bandages, some in wheelchairs gathered further down around a small table, on which rested the radio. They didn't look in poor spirits, instead playing a card game that held their focus. "Why are you here, Winter? You don't strike me as the nurse type."
"Again, you'd be correct." I looked to her as she responded, taking in her attire and perfectly neat hair as she locked eyes with me. "I've been instructed by the General to remain nearby until you were operational once again. He wishes to speak with you as soon as possible."
"I see. Well, let's go then."
"I have to inform you that General Ironwood unfortunately is no longer here in Vale." She said matter of fact in tone. "He left for Solitas just yesterday morning. If you wish to meet with him, we'll need to do the same."
Hesitation filled me at that information. I had much I wanted to know, first and foremost if my friends were okay. Beyond that though, I really had no objections to leaving Vale behind temporarily. The Schnee daughter must have seen my feelings, because she spoke up.
"Under normal circumstances I would demand a punctual decision. However, I understand if you need a brief period to decide in this situation." She eased, slightly less frigid than before. I smiled at her, partly because of how alike Weiss she was in putting up a cold front.
"Thank you. I'll come up with an answer soon. I just want to figure out how my friends are doing after the attack. You wouldn't happen to know, would you?"
"No, but I'm certain I know of someone who does."
"Let's not waste anytime then. Lead the way, Specialist." I said, happy to move on from this place.
"Surely you don't mean to leave like that do you?" She asked incredulously, eyeing me with an odd expression. "I also can't recommend leaving without being checked by a doctor."
Confused, I looked down at myself. The only things I saw were boxers and light bandages stretched across my chest and shoulders. I blinked at the sight, right before blankly meeting eyes with Winter.
"Clothes first, I guess." I amended flatly. "And my equipment."
[AN- A shorty, but it sets everything up. Thanks for all the numbers and feedback, I like reading all the comments. Enjoy.]