A/N- To the question of when t this is going to end there are a few possibilities.
1. I reach the end of the current plan the usual few big battles, lots of smaller skirmishes for the main characters to move the plot along on a smaller scale. Couple of reveals and twists if I've lined them up right.
2. Something gets me to stop writing, at the moment that would only be temporary, I'm hoping it stays that way since the alternative is I'm not able to do this as a hobby any-more long term. Which would beg the question as to what could force that.
Teams RWBY and JNPR had been left on one of the levels halfway up the tower. It made some sense. There was a good sized meeting room with food and drink for anyone to have.
It also meant the staff could come and call them into a set of smaller side rooms to ask them about what happened. The usual string of questions was rattled off. Who did what, what happened, what could you do better and so on.
After their turn of questioning was done they'd be let back into the meeting room. All and all it was a rather boring end to a mission gone off the rails. They'd left the helmets on the end of the table. Pyherras EMBAR, Yang's Overkill, Blakes Enforcer and the Boltok Qrow had loaned Weiss were set alongside them.
'You guys can keep the helmets if you want,' Jaune said, nodding to the equipment.
'Eh. I've still got my girls,' Yang said, flexing her arms, 'They are all the protection I need.'
'And will those stop a bullet? I think the benefit of the HUD alone is good enough to keep these,' Weiss said, retrieving her helmet.
'Hmm. It did help with my ears. Normally I'd still have a faint ringing from all those explosions,' Blake said, picking her own up.
'Well great. Now I look like an ungrateful hold out,' Yang grumbled, hefting her helmet and tossing it in the air.
Nora said something muffed around a pancake before chewing the mass down to speak, 'If I were you I'd get them remade with the proper materials. They're a little… light given they're made out of an android's body rather than proper alloy.'
'Nora is right. Those might work fine against lower end attacks. But you'd better avoid anything more intense than Grimm.'
'You mean like getting shot in the head? Yeah that's not in my planner at the moment. But won't that make them heavy? Getting my neck worn out just because of a bucket on my head isn't my idea of fun,' Yang said.
'You'll get used to it. Or at least we did,' Nora said with a shrug.
'Do you think I could get it detailed?' Pyherra asked, holding her helmet up by her circlet.
'Should be able to. Rex, do you still have the software from the Lodge?' Jaune asked.
The JACK let out an affirmative beep as it drifted over. A display on the wall blinked as he connected. The design of a COG helmet appearing in the middle.
Rex moved over to Phyerra extending his head and arms. With one hand he took the circlet holding it and ran a set of scanning beams over it. His other hand cycled to a sampler which he used to inspect the metal.
On the screen a digital copy appeared before it was merged with the helmet. The result was that the shape of the circlet was patterned into the surface of the helmet. A list to the side showed what materials would be needed.
'Hmm. That's quite impressive,' Pyhera said tilting her head.
'Nice. Can you do flames as well?' Yang asked, tapping her chin.
The others started to take turns suggesting changes to add their own flare. Partially it was just nice to have something to take their minds off recent events. Jaune walked over and lifted the Boltok from the pile.
'Hey Weiss, do you think you'd want one of these but less… rough?' He offered to turn the revolver over.
Weiss thought for a moment, 'It did help out quite a bit. Sure why not.'
'Hey Rex, another one for you to look at,' Jaune said, holding the weapon up in his hand.
The JACK beeped and once more picked the weapon up and scanned it. Opening the action and examining the parts, tapping at points with the sampler. Once he was done he put the Boltok back together and held it out.
'Thank you Rex,' Weiss said looking at the screen, 'Now what to change. How abou-'
'Oh oh. Add a load of snowflakes! Not enough to add more!' Yang shouted.
'Hey don't just blurt stuff out,' Weiss cried as the image updated, 'That is too much for even my taste.'
Off to one side Ruby shuffled into the room. She walked stiffly with her cloak oddly moving behind her head. She stopped with her back to a wall. Blake slipped away from the others for a moment.
'Ruby are you okay?' Blake asked.
'Oh um. Yeah great. You know just uh… Had to use the little huntress room.'
'You sure? You look really tense.'
Ruby laughed and waved one hand to dismiss the question, 'What. NO… I'm fine just you know. Hanging out.'
'Hey sis,' Yang said walking over, 'What's behind your back?'
'NOTHING!' Ruby replied too fast before covering her own mouth.
'We're still short one rifle Ruby,' Jaune called over.
'Oh well um… If I see it I will let you know,' Ruby said, giving a strained wink and making a finger gun.
'Yang you're up,' Jaune said with a nod.
'You got it,' Yang said, lunging forward.
'Betrayal! Help someone, anyone! Ahh,' Ruby yelled as Yang wrapped her arms around her.
'She's got it down her back!'
'Traitor! I'm your leader, release meeeeeeee.'
Jaune glanced down at his PDA during the scuffle. A message flashed on the screen: Upload received. He'd done as ordered. Why Command had wanted to check Qrow's Boltok was something he didn't expect an answer to.
Rodriquez was out on her jog when the call came. Trying to get back into her routine after time away always took a few days. But the moment her scroll shook she knew it wasn't to be.
The pattern of short and long shakes told her all she needed to know: RTB URGENT. Her mind was already plotting the fastest way back to their little command centre at a disused farm. She doubletimed it upon the last part.
'Sitrep?' She asked as she entered the basement of the old farmhouse.
'You got a call. The First Minister wants a word, one to one,' Noah said, pointing to the back of the room.
'Shit,' Rodriquez hissed. It might be nothing, some rare positive thought whispered, you're so screwed the pessimistic side added.
Her heart pounded in her ears as she stepped over to the small console that let them use the CCT system. Like before the actual antenna was a good way off to hide their location. The hold icon pulsed on the screen, she slipped a headset on and took the call off hold.
'Hello. As this is the first time we've spoken one to one. Do you prefer Mrs Rodriquez or Corporal Rodriquez?' The First Minister asked. He was sitting at the same desk she'd seen dozens of times before in speeches. But the look in his eye made it clear this was not the same polite but firm person, he looked angry.
'I'm still dead sir. Rodriquez will be fine. Can I ask why you're calling out of the blue like this? I'd have thought Myers would have been a go between,' Roregez asked.
'Capitan Myers is trying to stop Minister Clark from having you detained. So far he's keeping her at bay but you'd better answer some questions or the next Raven over your house will be dropping troops not supplies. I hope I've made the situation clear enough.'
Rodriquez took a slow breath, 'Yes sir. How can I help?'
The First Minister's image shrank to half the screen. On the other half was… Qrow aboard a COG transport DeeBees hanging from racks. A series of images and some video clips cycled through.
Qrow fighting androids, then weird Grimm before it was him next to some woman in white on a ship of some sort.. All had a tag coming off Qrow's body armour, a serial number.
'This is Qrow Branwen. He's a known agent, who we assumed works for Vale. Recent events brought him into close contact with some of our armed forces. Close enough that the armour he's wearing synced up. So could you explain how a set of armour we gifted you, to help if the people who tried to kill you tried again, is being worn by a spy?' The First Minister asked keeping his voice level.
Rodriquez's mind spun before coming up with a reply, 'He worked with me before now. As thanks for his work I let him keep the armour. Something to help him out as a comrade. It's nothing more than just payment for services rendered.'
'And what about this?' Emmerich said starting another gallery.
This time it was a holster on Qrow's hip or his hands that were the focus, more precisely the Boltok pistol. Part way through it changed to show some girl in a white dress using it against more freaky looking Grimm and androids. The last window however was different.
It had a blue tint at the top and a header read REX. The Boltok was being held by a small metal hand dead centre of the camera. Just in focus behind the weapon, what must have been the girl from before was talking to a guy wearing COG armour.
A series of charts and graphs surrounded the weapon. Some were lists of elements, others notes about radiological profile, DNA residue. Rodriquez's heart nearly went still as she read those.
'Somehow he's got his hands on a Boltok. Now I know they're from after your time. But here's some of the most interesting details. It's not from Sera,' Emmerich said, highlighting the relevant sections.
'So it was made locally? Perhaps the Outsiders made some, for them to use or just as goods for trade,' Rodriquez suggested.
'Oh we know some Outsider smiths have been making them. As you say for hunting and trade. We track both of those from their sources, even the places the Outsiders like to think are hidden. No. This wasn't made by Outsiders. Then there's this part. Tell me, any ideas how Brawnwrens Boltok has traces of Swarm DNA on it?'
Her mind raced back to that last day before Qrow had left for Vale. They'd checked out the crash and CCT tower, got into a fight, come right back and… He'd cleaned off the mess but not enough to destroy the evidence.
'I don't use the word treason lightly. But I'm rather expecting a good explanation for what is going on. So Rodriquez, why are you working with Brawnwwen? How has he been in contact with the Swarm? And what else haven't you told us?'
It was over. That much was clear. There was no way that she could explain this away. Rodriquez took a long breath in and out. She'd have to tell him everything.
'This is going to sound crazy. It started when I met a guy calling himself…'
It all came out. How she'd met Oz, what he'd revealed to her, the missions she'd gone on. How she'd agreed to keep both of his shadow wars secret. Most of it was abridged but she was sure he'd ask for a full report, something she'd kept out of habit.
The First Minister sat for a moment his face unreadable, 'You're quite sure about all of this? The relics? Ozpin able to resurrect?'
'Yes sir,' Rodriquez said, feeling oddly elated. He'd not called her insane which was a good start.
'Very well. Myers will need a full report. I'll speak with Clarke but I advise you to avoid coming near the COG without good reason until we give you the all clear. And for what it's worth Corporal I understand why you followed this course of action. I don't approve but I can see your reasons.'
'Thank you sir and don't worry I can take care of myself,' Rodregez said with a bit more confidence. Where were the bosses like this when she'd been in the COG?
'I'm sure. But if anyone contacts you before me and Myers saying you need to come in. Do whatever you think is best,' The First Minister stated in a level voice, 'I am understood?'
'Yes sir,' Rodriquez affirmed.
He ended the call a moment later. Rodriquez slumped back into the seat. That could have gone far worse all things considered. Though she didn't want to think about how Ozpin was going to take it.
They'd been let out with JNPR carrying the borrowed weapons, minus the Boltok from Qrow to a weapon crate in their room. Most of RWBY was going with them too. But Ruby had opted to go to the workshop she'd said to do some maintenance on Crescent Rose. In reality she wanted to get Rex to help her build a little something for if she ever got an EMBAR again.
'Come on Rex! I want to see what- Ah,' Ruby grunted as she bounced off someone.
'Oh my apologies. I didn't see you there,' A girl's voice said, a gloved hand was held out to Ruby.
'No no. I wasn't looking where I was going. Sorry. Lots on my mind,' Ruby said, taking the hand and being pulled to her feet.
The girl's grip was firm, almost scary so, but Ruby had grown up with people with crazy strength so brushed it off. Looking at the girl she had copper hair and green eyes. In place of a Beacon uniform she was wearing an Atlas one. That was slightly less than normal, what happened as Rex arrived was just plain weird even for her.
Rex let out a concerned whistle looking between the two girls. Before Ruby could say they were fine, the girl whistled right back before clamping a hand over her mouth.
'Oh I'm sorry. I… Uh… Have to go. It was nice to meet you Ruby,' The girl said, turning and briskly walking away.
'Huh. That was strange… When did I tell her my name?' Ruby asked, turning to ask Rex.
What she found was a patch of air where he'd been. She looked back to just catch sight of him flying along the ceiling.
'Hey. Why is everyone ditching me?' She asked the empty corridor, 'Oh right. Hey wait up!'
Penny made two more random changes of direction and switched floors again. How had she not noticed the JACK? Of course she'd known adjusting her sensors to try and find whoever was sneaking about was a risk.
But not to the point she'd end up bumping into a COG robot. Her father and the general had both warned her to keep her distance. The risk of her being exposed was too great.
Then there was that strange audio code it had broadcast. How had she known to reply? And why did she do so automatically? Finding a classroom that was empty she darted inside and checked her logs.
[Rex-Message:Are you okay Ruby+Unknown android?]
[Penny-Message:I'm intact and Ruby shows no signs of outward damage.]
She'd parsed Ruby's name just from a quick burst of sound. There was more detail in those few seconds of audio then she'd thought anyone could understand. Then it dawned on her, she'd sent her name back.
Hurriedly checking her system she tried to find the source of that reply. It was a file written into her base code, why would she have a COG codex for communication there? She'd have to cal- The door opened and a soft whine came from the JACK.
[Rex-Message:You appear to be in distress, are you in need of assistance?]
Penny felt her lips already forming to reply but stopped the sequence.
'No I don't require assistance. I need to go,' She said, turning to leave.
Another burst reply.
[:Rex-Message:You appear to be evasive. Are you on confidential duties at this time?]
Penny froze and turned back, 'Yes. Yes I am. Could you delete this from your memory. Along with my run in with Ruby?'
[Rex-Message: Deletion confirmed. Generating replacement record.-Attachment: Proof of deletion and draft record.]
She checked the file every way she could before letting it open. In it she could see her and Ruby colliding in multiple spectrums and filters. But in place of her slightly off body heat and other giveaways she looked… human.
[Rex-Message:Is that suitable for your function?"]
Penny gave a slight bow, 'Oh yes. Thank you kindly. I'll take my lea-'
She froze mid sentence. Both of their heads turned to the door where Ruby was standing with a confused look on her face. A wave of panic crept over Penny, she'd been talking normally, but Rex had still been whistling.
'What is going on here?' Ruby asked, looking between the two.
'Oh um well you see,' Penny started before looking down, 'I'm not allowed to tell you.'
'But weren't you just talking to Rex? Like talking talking. How can you understand what he's saying?'
'It is… complicated. I really can't say more,' Penny replied.
'Oh. Right. So are you here as a student?' Ruby asked, trying to change the subject.
'Yes. I-' Penny hiccuped as she lied, 'Am. I'm here to represent Atlas in the Vytal Festival'
She hiccuped again.
'Okay. But uh. That's not for a while yet right?' Ruby pointed out scratching the back of her head.
'Uhh… I…' Penny tried to figure out a response. Rex however chirped some advice.
[Rex-Message:Tell her you were asked to visit early.]
'Yes. I'm here at the request of the General to… Assess Beacon's… facilities…' Penny
'Huh. I guess Atlas must do things differently. But Rex seems to like you,' Ruby said with a shrug before holding out her hand, 'I uh didn't get to introduce myself before. Hi Ruby Rose, first year.'
'Oh um. Salutations I'm Penny Polendina also a first year,' Penny said, taking the offered hand. She shook her hand rather mechanically, but then started to build up speed.
'Wow. You're a little excited aren't you?' Ruby remarked.
'Oh my. Sorry,' Penny said, letting go and stepping back.
'Ah come on. No harm done,' Ruby replied, shaking her hand to check it still worked.
'So uh what are you doing at the moment,' Penny asked.
'I…' Ruby glanced over to Rex, 'We. Are going to the workshop. I want to make something that will turn a stupid rifle into an amazing one.'
'That sounds interesting,' Penny said tilting her head. Her father always tended to tinker.
'You should come with us. I bet you know all kinds of cool tricks for designing stuff. You know being from Atlas and all,' Ruby said with a smile and putting her hands together.
'Oh um… That sounds…' Penny tried to figure out what she should do as Ruby bobbed from side to side. Her orders were both to avoid the COG and keep her true nature a secret. But father had said she might make some friends.
'Good,' Penny said, making up her mind. Ruby was the first person she'd had an extended interaction with. And whilst Rex was a COG machine he'd shown an understanding of her orders. Enough to help her get around her hiccup issue for a moment at least.
'Yes! Come on!' Ruby shouted, grabbing Penny's wrist and dragging the girl behind her.
Out of all her simulations and predictions. This was not how she expected to make her first friend. But she did tick that off her list of goals.
'We can't just let them do as they please. This could spiral out of control,' Ironwood shouted.
'How in control are things right now? Hmm. We've got secret labs making mutant Grimm. There's reports of Grimm activity in general rising. To top it all off you and the Serans are having a dick waving contest over who has a better airship in front of the whole kingdom! If this is controlled I'd hate to see your idea of chaos!' Qrow shouted back.
'You are out of line Qrow!' Winter snapped.
'Oh really? Because so far I'm the only one in this room who's tried to do anything. I had to track Amber. I had to drag her back here alone. Then I've been stuck out for months trying to fight a horde of monsters turning people into more of themselves. And what have you been doing? Living it up in Atlas waiting for the… the…' Qrow's words fell away.
Winter was blinking in shock, her eyes wide. She'd not been brought into any of this. And Qrow had just blurted out nearly half of the secrets held between those in the room.
'Who is Amber?' She asked finally.
'That is class-' Ironwood began.
'James,' Ozpin cut him off, 'If we're to rely on her for help the least we should do is tell her.'
Winter's eyes cycled between each of them, 'So. Who is she?'
'A huntress. She left to try and help people. But it seems she was attacked and Qrow had to save her,' Ozpin said diplomatically, still squirrelling away some truth.
'And this horde of monsters?'
'Amber was attacked by the Swarm,' Qrow said, trying to keep things short.
'The Swarm? Those things the Serans were fighting? They're on Remnant?' Winter asked, the floor seeming to drop out from under her.
'Yes. We think they must have hitched a ride when the Serans came through.'
'I… I can understand why I wasn't told that. But if the Swarm is here. What are we doing to counter it?' Winter asked.
'Qrow assembled a team of Huntsmen and Huntresses. Ones we can count on to be discreet. They've been hunting down the Swarm,' Ironwood said, adding, 'I also deployed the Ace Ops to assist them.'
'Long term deployment?' Winter asked with a tilt of her head.
'Yes. Please understand this wa-' Ironwood was interrupted by an urgent chime from Ozpin's terminal.
'It seems the First Minister wishes to speak again,' Ozpin remarked before pressing to accept the call, 'Good Evening First Minist-'
'I'm going to stop you right there Ozpin,' The First Minister said in a cold voice, 'You have a lot of explaining to do.'
'I'm sorry I don't get your meaning. If it's about the students, that matter is being investigated,' Ozpin replied.
'No it's not. If you want to play games, fine. Let's play word association. I'll say a word and you say the first thing that comes to mind. I'll go first. Salem.'