Chapter 11: The Chatelaine's Lonely Reign

Weiss was standing by her office's windows in the Schnee Dust Company's headquarters. She was staring out at downtown Atlas, although she wasn't really taking in the sights. It was extremely unusual for her to be idle while at work. She was far too proud of her time management skills to frivolously waste precious minutes that could've otherwise been productive. But for the first time in her professional life, she found herself feeling overwhelmed.

It was amazing, but out of all of Weiss's worries at the moment, the recent attempt on her life was bothering her the least. It was her discussion with Blake at that karaoke bar several days ago that was really weighing on her at the moment. It had been playing on repeat in her mind over and over again. She couldn't find any fault with what she'd said or done, yet she couldn't help but feel she was in the wrong somehow. Had she come off as too self-righteous? Had she not been sympathetic enough? Had she missed some obvious way she could have helped Blake out? In all cases she thought the answer was no. And yet her doubts still nagged at her.

Weiss sighed and turned away from the windows. She was alone right now. Despite what the rumors swirling around the office said, Ruby typically did not spend all her time shadowing Weiss on the days Weiss didn't have any public appearances or off-site meetings planned. In fact, ordinarily on a day like today, Weiss wouldn't see Ruby at all until she returned home. However, Ruby would be showing up this evening to escort Weiss back to her penthouse. It was a new protocol they'd agreed on, at least until the business with Weiss's father had been resolved.

Despite herself, Weiss wondered what Ruby was doing at this exact moment. In all likelihood she was practicing with her scythe in order to keep her skills sharp, but Weiss's treacherous brain suggested that perhaps Ruby was sneaking out for a clandestine meeting with Jaune.

Weiss's fists clenched together, and she shook her head in an attempt to rattle loose her unpleasant thoughts. She decided she'd had quite enough of standing around and brooding for one day. It was time for her to get back to work. But first, she had a personal project she needed to check in on.

Weiss walked over to her office's door and opened it up. She stepped out into the reception area. Rosalie was sitting at her desk like always.

Rosalie turned to Weiss and asked, "Something I can do for you, Miss Schnee?"

"Have you heard back from the jeweler yet?" Weiss asked.

"Yes, Miss Schnee," Rosalie said. "They have your order. But it will be a while before it's ready. It being custom made and all."

"And the invoice?" Weiss asked.

"All paid with no way to trace the money back to you or even the Schnee Dust Company, as you instructed," Rosalie said. Then she lowered her voice. "The jeweler thinks your order is for some eccentric, unknown artist who's desperate to rekindle his failing marriage with his real estate mogul wife."

"I'm not sure an elaborate cover story was necessary," Weiss said.

"Necessary? No," Rosalie said. "But it was fun."

Weiss shook her head, but she was glad that Rosalie had enjoyed her assignment. She said, "Thank you for taking care of that for me."

"Of course, Miss Schnee," Rosalie said. "And don't worry. Miss Rose won't hear about this from me."

A blush colored Weiss's cheeks. She hadn't specifically mentioned Ruby to Rosalie, but it wouldn't have taken a huge leap of logic for her to figure out that Ruby had factored into the request. Especially since Rosalie was one of the few people who actually knew Ruby and Weiss were in a relationship.

"I appreciate your discretion," Weiss said. She started to turn back toward her office.

"Oh! Miss Schnee!" Rosalie said.

Weiss paused.

"I've heard some rumors from the admin people in the logistics department," Rosalie said. "It might be nothing, but there's been a lot of talk about Creek Basin Mine in the past few days."

"Thank you for bringing that to my attention," Weiss said.

"Of course, Miss Schnee," Rosalie said.

Weiss walked back into her office and shut the door behind her. She returned to her desk and sat down. A few taps on her desk's built-in console brought up the most recent reports regarding Creek Basin Mine. Weiss stared at the numbers for a few minutes, and they slowly began to tell her a story. Her eyebrows lowered, and a frown worked its way onto her face. Once again, Rosalie had proven she was worth every last Lien she was paid, and she was paid quite generously.

Weiss hit the button on her intercom. She said, "Rosalie. Get Alfonzo Wolfe on the line. Tell him I need to speak with him. Immediately."

Several minutes later, an image of Alfonzo Wolfe's face was being displayed on a holographic screen being projected above Weiss's desk. His neatly trimmed hair and goatee were starting to gray, pleasantly contrasting against his dark skin, and his sharp eyes were framed by a pair of silver glasses. He was the Schnee Dust Company's Chief Operations Officer. Weiss had always respected his intelligence and his efficiency in executing his duties. That being said, she didn't particularly like him much. But she didn't particularly like most of the Company's executives.

Wolfe said, "I'm still confused as to the point of this call, Miss Schnee. The day-to-day operations of our mines are far outside your purview."

"You very well know that I've been spearheading reforms within the Company specifically directed toward our mines, Mr. Wolfe," Weiss said, managing to stay calm despite how annoyed she felt.

"I'm inescapably aware," Wolfe said. "But that doesn't clear up my confusion."

"I'll put it to you bluntly then," Weiss said. "Why are huge numbers of workers being sent back to Creek Basin Mine?"

Wolfe looked surprised for a moment. No doubt he hadn't expected Weiss to know yet. He quickly recovered and said, "We are a Dust company, Miss Schnee. And Creek Basin Mine is our biggest source of raw Dust, which we need to operate. It's as simple as that."

"If our workers were machines perhaps," Weiss said. "But between the damage to the mine's living accommodations caused by the White Fang and the ongoing efforts to replace the still existing lodgings with something up to this century's standards, there's not nearly enough facilities to house everyone!"

"My staff has already identified that as a problem," Wolfe said. "We're in the process of establishing temporary camps at the mine."

"Camps?!" Weiss said. "Winter will be here in mere months, and you intend to have workers living in camps?! Setting aside the ethicality of that, do you know how that will look to the public!?"

"Fortunately, public relations is your job, Miss Schnee. And don't be humble. You're very good at it," Wolfe said. "Perhaps we would've had more proper housing available if we'd been…allowed to rebuild the facilities to existing standards instead of trying to upgrade."

Weiss slammed her fist down onto her desk. She could tolerate a lot for the sake of getting things done, but she would not be made the villain here. She said, "Alfonzo! You have to stop this! People will die if you don't!"

For a moment, Wolfe's expression turned sympathetic. But then it changed to one of resignation. He said, "I'm sorry, Miss Schnee. But mining is inherently dangerous. And the Company's finances are getting uglier by the day. I've been given a mandate, an ultimatum really, by Chairman Hail. Creek Basin Mine needs to be fully operational by the end of this month. And since our absentee CEO hasn't weighed in on the issue, then that's the way things are going to be."

"Do you really think the Board of Labor is going to allow this?!" Weiss asked.

"I have it on good authority that the regulators won't be a problem," Wolfe said.

The words hit Weiss hard, and she slumped back in her seat. She'd been afraid of this. It seemed Mr. Hail had finally grown enough of a spine to start undermining her. And if he'd gone to the effort of pulling enough political strings to make sure the Atlas Board of Labor wouldn't stand in his way, it meant he wouldn't be holding anything back.

"Thank you for the information, Mr. Wolfe," Weiss said calmly. Unfortunately, she understood now that talking to him had been a waste of time.

"You're welcome, Miss Schnee," Wolfe said. "And…good luck."

The image of Wolfe disappeared.

Weiss took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. In her mind she was already pondering how to turn the tables on Mr. Hail, but unfortunately, there weren't many legitimate ways for her to act directly against him. He was the Chairman of the Board. She was a lowly director, her family name notwithstanding. It was a shame Blake and Yang were preoccupied dealing with the White Fang. Weiss had no doubt they could "solve" this problem very quickly.

"No!" Weiss suddenly said to herself when she realized what she was contemplating. She buried her head in her hands. Having mercenaries rough up a chairman went so far beyond any moral lines in the sand Weiss might draw for herself that it was almost comical. She was better than that. Plus Ruby would not look kindly on her for employing such tactics, and rightly so.

The intercom on Weiss's desk suddenly buzzed. Weiss sat up straight and looked at it for a moment. She muttered to herself, "Now what."

The intercom buzzed a second time. Weiss composed herself and pushed the button to answer.

"Yes?" Weiss said.

Rosalie's voice came over the intercom. She said, "Sorry to bother you, Miss Schnee. There's someone here from security to see you."

Weiss couldn't imagine what security wanted to talk to her about. She thought about sending whoever it was away, but the security department tended to be very persistent. It would be better to deal with whatever this was now. Then she could turn her attention to the other catastrophes that were starting to pile up on top of each other.

"Send them in," Weiss said.

"Yes, Miss Schnee," Rosalie said.

A moment later, the door to Weiss's office opened. A woman walked in. She was sharply dressed in a dark suit. She had medium-length blue-gray hair and yellow eyes, and her expression seemed a little too serious for her own good. She walked up to Weiss's desk and said, "Miss Schnee? May Marigold, Schnee Dust Company Internal Security."

"What can I do for you, Ms. Marigold?" Weiss asked.

"Call me 'May' if you would," May said. "I'm here because I've been put in charge of your new security detail."

"I didn't request a security detail," Weiss said.

"I know, ma'am," May said. "But the Director of Security caught wind of your little driving incident."

Weiss frowned. She'd tried her best to downplay the attack by Father's men to the police since she knew their involvement would only make things more complicated. She would've preferred to not have reported anything to them at all, but with her sedan a wreck in the middle of a public road, she'd had no choice. And with bullet holes and casings littered about the scene, she'd had to share some of the details of the attack with them. Although she'd denied having any knowledge about who might have perpetrated the attack. She wasn't sure how the police report had gotten into the hands of the Company's security department, but the Director of Security was a shrewd woman. Weiss suspected she maintained contacts within the Atlas Police Department. At least that's what Weiss would have done if she'd held the position.

May continued, "We've posted special guards on this floor and left instructions with reception about visitors to the building. We're also coordinating with security personnel who work at the building your penthouse is located in. And I'll be keeping an eye on you personally. Especially when you leave the office."

Weiss had to resist the urge to scream. She hoped her eyes didn't give away the panic she was feeling. This sounded like her own personal hell. She'd almost rather face down more of Father's goons by herself.

Weiss said as calmly as she could, "I appreciate your efforts, May. But I already have a bodyguard."

"I know, ma'am," May said. "And I'm sure Ms. Rose has done and will continue to do a good job. But protecting you isn't a task for one person right now."

"This is being blown entirely out of proportion," Weiss said. "I assure you, I don't need your services."

"Ma'am," May said sternly. "This isn't your call."

Weiss was silent for a moment. Then she said, "I see."

Weiss swiveled her chair around and faced it toward the windows to shield herself somewhat from May. It had clearly been a mistake not to have Ruby by her side today. Her head was spinning trying to keep up with everything that had happened in the space of less than an hour. She'd thought things had been chaotic but under control. Oh how wrong she'd been. She felt like she was on a ship lost at sea in a storm. She could only hope there weren't any monsters lurking about beneath the metaphorical waves, waiting for their chance to drag her under. Except she knew there were.

Realizing she couldn't cower like a frightened child forever, Weiss spun her chair back around. She politely said, "If that's the case, I look forward to working with you, May. I'm sure we'll get this situation resolved quickly."

Unfortunately for Weiss, she knew both statements had been lies.

Author's Note: Why hello there, May. How did you end up working for the Schnee Dust Company? Perhaps we'll find out in a future chapter.

I originally called the security department the "Schnee Dust Company Security Services". But having it abbreviate to SDC-SS was taking things a little bit too far, allegorically speaking.

As always, I welcome constructive criticism. Please feel free to leave a review. And if you like what you've read, taking the time to favorite and/or follow really helps me out. You can also find me on tumblr (electronicyarn) if you want to send me a message or be notified of updates.