Chapter Four: Team Building Exercises
They reached the landing pad as the airship swooped in. Sleeker but less robust looking than a Manta or other military model, the craft's allegiance was betrayed by the logo which adorned the sides and wings: the stylised snowflake of the Schnee Dust Corporation. Winter stood to the right of the General, arms clasped behind her back. Her sister's team were not far away; for a moment she wished she'd told them to keep their distance but she supposed this moment couldn't be avoided.
The airship had barely touched down when its rear hatch opened, a ramp sliding downwards to allow egress. A tall, thin man, dressed in an immaculate white suit, complete with light blue shirt and white tie, stormed down the ramp, face contorted in anger. From his pale complexion, blue eyes and the whiteness of his hair, eyebrows, and thick moustache, one might think of Jacques Schnee as having the stereotypical Schnee look.
The look was a lie. That's all Winter could think as she looked upon her own father. His hair – naturally black, although likely now grey with age – was dyed, part of the same effort by which he'd appropriated the image, the company, and the name of the family he'd married into. It's why she refused to dye her own eyebrows, her paternal inheritance. Unlike him, she would not craft her image from a lie, nor shape it out of greed.
Though the rage was no act. She'd seen her father's fury on enough occasions to know this was no pretence.
"So let me get this straight, James," he fumed. "Not only do you implement this nonsensical embargo of yours – crippling our economy and my company – but now you've graduated to seizing private property?!"
He strode towards to the General, glaring at him the entire way. Stopping just in front of him, he thrust a finger towards him. "The Council will never stand for this. When they find out what you've done–"
"They already know," the General looked back with unwavering eyes. "And since this site is now part of a classified military operation, it didn't even require a vote."
"Not even a vote?!"
"You may wish to brush up on Council law," Ironwood continued, "since you're running for public office, Jacques. Now, I allowed you to land here this once as a courtesy, but this is now restricted space. Any further visits will be treated as violations of Atlesian security."
"You seem to have forgotten who your friends are, James," Jacques spat, before his eyes darted towards Winter. "Although I suppose this isn't the first time you've taken from the Schnee family."
All you see are possessions. Winter clenched her fists behind her back, as for a moment she felt a terrible impulse rear its head. She bit it back and took a breath.
If he'd noticed anything, Jacques gave no sign, likely carried away with his own ire. "What you seem to forget is that the military is supposed to answer to the Council. And when I am elected…" he trailed off, as he caught sight of someone standing a little way behind the pair. "Weiss…?!" he gasped, eyes widening, as Weiss looked back at him.
He rounded on the General. "Was one daughter not enough, James?!" he bellowed, before turning on Winter. "Did you know of this? How long has she been back in Atlas?"
"I chose to come back," Weiss said, speaking up as she stepped forwards. Just for a moment, Winter allowed herself to feel some pride in her little sister. "Just as I chose to leave. Remember?"
"Of course I remember, girl! And if you think you can get away with this behaviour, perhaps you've forgotten the sort of man your father is."
"Oh, I know exactly the sort of man my father is," Weiss shot back.
"How dare you?!" Jacques roared. "Why, I've half a mind to–"
"Half a mind to do what, Jacques?" General Ironwood cut in.
Jacques Schnee glared back at the General with narrowing eyes. Adjusting his tie, he turned back towards Weiss.
"It's a shame," he said with a feigned sigh. "Your mother was so devastated when you ran away. She wouldn't leave her room for days. And, well, you know how she gets when she's upset." As Weiss shrank, he turned towards Winter. "Of course, it's hardly the first time."
Winter felt her fists clench once more, her temper spiking. But before she could say anything, she felt a calming hand on her shoulder. Despite it's cybernetic nature, it stole away the building tension, allowing her to clamp down her rage.
"You'd better leave, Jacques," Ironwood insisted evenly. "As I said, this site is now part of a classified operation and off-limits to civilians. It is no place for other discussions."
Jacques glared back. "Very well, James. After all, I didn't come here to beg for an abandoned mine nor deal with a delinquent daughter. I came to let you know: I always knew you'd go too far one day, and now you have. And once the Council is on a proper footing… you'll regret this."
"You've made your message clear, Jacques."
The businessman gave a last humph, before turning and stalking back up the ramp. The doors sealed behind him as the ramp rose, and those present withdrew as the airship lifted off. Winter kept her eyes on the craft as it ascended and began its journey back to Atlas.
"Winter," the General said in a low voice. "If… if I stepped over a line…"
"No sir, you didn't," she replied quietly. "Thank you." She turned to look at Weiss, now surrounded by her friends. As her sister's team shared smiles and words, Winter was glad for her.
"Well," General Ironwood said in a louder, surer, tone. "If we have no further interruptions, perhaps we can–"
He was cut off as an object shrieked down from above. It crashed down hard on the concrete crashing down hard on the concrete.
"SURPRISE!" Penny called out, as she rose from her crouched landing position and stretched her arms out. The sound of party blowers could be heard as a hologram of the word 'CONGRATULATIONS!' appeared over Penny's head.
The General sighed.
Penny looked round with a grin, which fell as she saw the nonplussed reaction of those around her. "Uh, did we not start yet?" she asked.
"Not yet, Penny, not yet," Winter said, stepping forward. Turning towards her sister's team and their friends beyond. "If you'd like to join us on Amity Arena, the General has an announcement…"
-000-
The shattered moon bathed the clearing in light as Jaune slunk back into it. Without willing it, his eyes quickly ran over his team, bundled up in their sleeping bags. One… two… three… he breathed in relief, as much as the sight of red hair on one bed both reassured him and filled him with trepidation.
"Hey, Jaune," Ruby called out quietly, from where she kept watch on top of a log. "Training again?"
"Yeah," he said, before sitting down heavily next to her. He heard a slight noise from one of the sleepers and his eyes darted over in response. He saw Nora's shadow briefly move around before settling once more. That wasn't entirely new; both Ren and Nora had the occasional bad dream back in Beacon. But he was sure it was worse now. Nor were they alone.
"You train every night. You both do," she observed. "Pyrrha got back just a little while ago."
"I trained every night at Beacon," he pointed out. It wasn't all that different; it had been part of his routine soon after arriving there. Or so he told himself. He'd never trained so long nor so late in the supposed safety of the school.
"Alone?" Ruby asked. That was the other difference, he thought as his eyes alighted on his partner, his… he didn't know any more. Everything since the fall of Beacon had been a rollercoaster. She'd kissed him, then thrust him away as too weak before charging off to a supposed death that didn't come. Now they both trained alone, and apart. He trained to the sound of her voice, on recordings he wasn't even sure she remembered making. And she… she trained to demons he could only imagine.
"You heard her," Jaune replied. "We're too weak to stand alongside her. I'm too weak. I need to be stronger if I'm to stand a chance of helping my team." If they're even willing to accept help, he mourned.
Ruby looked away for a moment. "I'm sure she didn't mean what she said," she offered, looking back.
"I think she does," he said. He wasn't sure what Pyrrha thought about a great many things, but she hadn't been shy about her opinions today. And things were getting worse. They'd survived the Fall, and he'd given his thanks for it. He couldn't bear to lose any of them, and coming so close to losing Pyrrha had shaken him. But so had the notion that she'd had any belief in him. He knew he was outmatched; he wasn't stupid. But she knew, he'd told her, that what he feared above all else was to be trapped, helpless, as his friends risked his lives. And she'd done it to him. She'd been spared, miraculously, thanks to Ruby, but that rift wouldn't close so easily. Was he forbidden to risk his life while Pyrrha threw hers away? Did she value herself that little, or was he simply too weak? Did she think they wouldn't care if she died? That he wouldn't care?
But he wasn't the only one troubled: he could tell something was eating away at his partner, but that very rift had made it hard to talk about. He didn't know if it was her narrow escape, or her loss to Cinder, but something was gnawing at Pyrrha. He'd tried to push past the gap between them to talk to her about it, but met only rebuff. He'd tried to give her space, but faced only growing distance. When Ruby had come to him with a lead pointing them to Mistral, he'd leapt on it as a lifeline, as something that could give them purpose or even make things right. And yet things were getting worse anyway. All they'd done lately was argue.
"I don't know what to do," he admitted. "Ruby, this is your mission, we're following your lead. If you have any ideas…?"
Ruby turned away again, turned her glistening gaze on their extinguished campfire. "Sometimes I don't think I should be leading anything. My team's fallen apart. Weiss was taken away. Blake left. And Yang… Yang…"
Jaune threw an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into a hug as he felt tears prick his own eyes. Yang hadn't even spoken to JNPR when they'd shown up at Ruby's. From what Ruby had said, her sister had barely spoken to anyone. Team JNPR weren't the only ones to suffer in the fall, he reminded himself. RWBY had been grievously wounded, Yang most of all. And other teams had fared even worse. How had things gone so horribly wrong? How did we go from students one minute, to fighting a war the next?
They hugged for a while before Jaune let go and dared to speak. "None of that was your fault, Ruby. Weiss didn't have a choice, and we don't know what's going on with Blake. And Yang… Yang's hurt in a way that's hard to understand. But she'll bounce back. They all will. I believe you'll get your team back.
"But they're all gone. You managed to hold onto your team."
Jaune couldn't help but look back at his team with a mix of guilt, relief, even terror. "I was lucky," he said. "Very lucky, thanks to you. And I fear I'm losing them anyway."
It was Ruby's turn to hug him now. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"You've already been doing it," he said with a wan smile. At her quizzical glance, he explained. "After what happened at Beacon, I felt lost. Worried by what happened, terrified by what could have. And then you came along, despite all that you've lost, and in that moment, you gave me – you gave us – a direction to follow. That's why I chose to follow you. That's why you can lead, and why your team will come back to you. Because whatever happens – to my team, to yours – I think we're better with a direction than without."
-000-
Jaune was roused from the cloud of memories by the sound of laughter. Looking down from the stands around the arena, he could see Yang sans her artificial arm, Penny holding it by the hand with an almost comical look of surprise. As Penny joined in the laughter, Jaune guessed Yang was doing her 'whoops, where's my arm?' routine. She'd adjusted better than he ever could have imagined.
He looked back down towards what was displayed on his Scroll, towards the very thing that had prompted his reflections.
A full huntsman license.
The General's gift. Upon arriving at Amity, he'd commended them all, for defending their school at Beacon, for fighting for the world at Haven, for continuing the struggle against Salem. It was the behaviour, he'd told them, not of students, but of Huntsmen and Huntresses. And using his authority as the headmaster of Atlas Academy, he'd made it so. And so here they were, full huntsmen and huntresses at last, despite not even having a full year's schooling at an academy. And Jaune not even having the preparatory training at a combat school.
It was like the aftermath of initiation again. He felt both glad, and terribly inadequate. More so: he'd been terribly ignorant back then, even of the regular risks of a huntsman's life, driven only by an inchoate desire to do more, to be more, to be a hero and stand by his friends. To not be the idiot stuck in a tree while they fought for their lives. Now he knew better, both of the risks they ran, and of the hidden threats even most huntsmen knew nothing of.
They had the licenses, but were they truly qualified? Was he truly qualified?
To his left, across an access ramp, he could see Ruby sitting in the stands with a similarly pensive expression, sat next to Qrow. Jaune caught Ruby's eye, and she gave him an understanding nod. He returned the gesture, and she gave a slight smile, before she turned back to speak to her uncle.
"Jaune?" He looked down to see Pyrrha looking up at him. She tentatively made her way up the steps. "Are you okay? I couldn't help but notice our two team leaders brooding."
"I wasn't brooding," Jaune insisted. "I was just thinking. How do you feel? Uh, being here?" he gestured at the arena around them.
"Not too bad, actually," Pyrrha said, taking a seat beside him. "I felt some qualms but, well, seeing Penny here being so excited, I can hardly complain."
"It's not complaining," he reassured her.
A slight smile graced her lips "Thank you, but seeing her so unaffected does actually make me feel a bit better." She fell silent for a moment, before turning to him once again. "So, what were you 'thinking' about?" she asked, using her fingers to make quotation marks.
He turned his Scroll towards her, letting the display do the work.
"It's what you dreamed about," she said. "What we all wanted."
"It seems so strange."
"It does," she admitted. "I scarce gave the matter any thought over the last year. Even now, there seem to be more important things to worry about than a formal license. But it's nice to have."
"It kind of feels like cheating."
"Jaune, you earned this. We all did."
"We've picked up field experience," Jaune acknowledged, "and Qrow always said that was worth more than time in the academy. But we're way ahead of schedule and have skipped a lot. Me most of all."
"So, what do you plan to do about it?"
"Train," he said. "Maybe check the academy's curriculum, see if there's anything I should look into."
"Look at you, the model student," Pyrrha quipped.
"Just trying to be prepared." Jaune answered. He turned to see her emerald eyes gazing back at him, an odd expression on her face. For a moment it reminded him of the way she occasionally looked at him back at Beacon. But did he dare to hope that much?
"Sounds like a plan," she answered, "though perhaps it's normal to feel that way." A clouded look crossed her face. "Perhaps it's even better to feel that way. As we've all learned, not even our teachers or leaders always know what they're doing."
"Do you hold it against him?" At her puzzled expression, he clarified. "The General I mean? For what they asked you to do."
"No, no more than I do Miss Goodwitch, or Qrow for that matter. They were desperate too." said Pyrrha. "Honestly, I think you hold it against them more than I do."
"They shouldn't have asked that of you," he stubbornly insisted.
"My point exactly," she smiled. She turned back towards the Arena, and her smile faded a little. "Speaking of General Ironwood, do you think he has electronic ears?"
"Electro-what now?"
"Or a hearing semblance?" At Jaune's confusion, Pyrrha gestured before her. "He's coming this way."
"Oh!" Jaune looked in alarm, to see the General was indeed making his way up the steps towards them. He pushed himself up, but the man waved them down as he saw them stand.
"Please, there's no need to stand," Ironwood said. "This is still your celebration."
"Thank you, General," Pyrrha replied. "And for the licenses, it's a great honour."
"I meant what I said, it was the least I could do. And we need more trustworthy fighters, now more than ever."
"We'll try to live up to that trust," Jaune offered.
"I'm sure you both will, Mister Arc, especially after that performance in the mine. However, I wondered if I could speak with the two of you in my office when you return to Atlas."
"Uh, sure, General," Jaune exchanged an unsure glance with Pyrrha. "Yes, we can do that."
"Good," General Ironwood nodded. "Now if you excuse me." He continued past them, walking up the steps to the exits behind. The two watched as he walked away.
"What do you think he wants?" Pyrrha asked.
"I don't know."
"Hey guys!"
They turned to see Yang calling up to them.
"You have to come and see this!" she continued with an infectious smile, pointing behind her. "It's a full-blown mission board! We can sign up for our first official missions as huntresses!"
Jaune smiled. "Sure thing, Yang, we'll be right down." He pushed his worries aside for the moment. He'd always wanted to be a huntsman. Now it was time to be one.
-000-
"The school run?!" Jaune lamented for the umpteenth time, as they made their way through Atlas Academy.
"It's an important job," Pyrrha said, trying to reassure him.
"You heard Marrow: there's hardly ever any Grimm."
"But he also said fretful parents attract Grimm. Your mission helps all of ours."
"I suppose," Jaune sighed. "It's just…" Frustration appeared to steal away the rest of his sentence. Then his eyes suddenly darted to the side, where two guards were watching them from behind their mostly faceless helmets. "Oh, er, we're here to see General Ironwood. Jaune Arc and Pyrrha Nikos."
"Just clearing you now," one said, nodding to the other who was talking over the communicator. While his helmet obscured the view of all but his mouth, Pyrrha could see the corner of his lips curl upward into a wry smile. "New huntsmen, huh?"
"Yeah," Jaune nodded. "How did you know?"
The guard chuckled. "Someone always ends up with the school run. It's simple enough, from what scuttlebutt says, though from what we hear you'll have to watch out for the mothers."
What's that supposed to mean? thought Pyrrha.
Before she could inquire, however, the other guard spoke. "You're cleared to enter." He opened the door, and they were rapidly ushered forwards.
The General's office was much the same as when they first saw it, with the holographic display hidden away. General Ironwood sat at his desk, his eyes fixed on some report in front of him. The only real difference were the two chairs that had been placed in front of the desk.
The General looked up. "Miss Nikos, Mister Arc, thank you for coming. Please take a seat." He gestured to the space before him before looking down again.
She exchanged another glance with Jaune, before they crossed the floor and climbed the few steps to the offered chairs. Unsure of the situation, she sat down stiffly, clasping her hands together on her lap.
Ironwood set the report down and laid his hands on the desk as he leaned back. "First things first: I understand the remaining members of your team are still in Argus?"
"That's right," Jaune said.
"Nora was injured, and needed time to recuperate," Pyrrha added.
"During your… appropriation of Atlas military transport?"
"Yeah…" Jaune chuckled weakly, rubbing the back of his neck.
Was that a tug on the General's lips? Pyrrha couldn't tell, but he seemed in a genial mood anyway. "I've been in contact with Commander Cordovin. I can't issue huntsmen licenses on Mistrali soul, but I can authorise the commander of the Argus base to use select trainees. She's acknowledged that she's in contact with the two of them, and she's willing to offer them missions – under supervision – once they're both back on their feet."
Pyrrha felt a smile grow across her face as she turned towards Jaune, who bore an equally glad grin. "Thank you, General," he said. "I'm sure Ren and Nora will find that very helpful."
"It's hardly any trouble. With the world the way it is, we need huntsmen and huntresses wherever we can find them, in Argus as well as here. And they stood at Beacon too."
"Still, it's appreciated," said Pyrrha.
The General inclined his head. "Also, I understand you both have family in Argus. We send a regular courier to Argus, ferrying letters between soldiers and their families. A few extra letters shouldn't take up too much space so, as long as you're here, you can have access to the military mail service. It's not as quick as the CCT network was, but you'll be able to send post to your relatives. And should any envelopes contain extra letters for anyone staying with them, well, it's of little concern."
Pyrrha and Jaune exchanged happy glances, as Pyrrha felt a comforting warmth. When they'd left Argus behind, she didn't know when she'd be able to speak to her mother again, as much as she hoped it might be soon. Coming after a year in which they'd been out of contact, a year in which the world seemed to fall apart and Pyrrha herself came close to death, any communication – even something as antiquated as letters – would be appreciated. Especially by her mother, who she now knew had worried the year away. And being able to stay in touch with her team, with her new family? That was a wonderful extra.
"And now to business," The General leaned forward, propping his arms on his desk, and clasped one hand in another. "The issue of teams."
"Ah," said Jaune after a moment, seemingly getting a point that eluded Pyrrha.
"Like I said, I'm glad to have whatever trustworthy huntsmen and huntresses I can find. And you are licensed huntsmen now, and they don't always remain in teams. Many of their missions only call for one or two huntsmen. But for what we are doing… there will be times when a full team will be useful. When a team can be more than the sum of its parts. It's why I have the Ace-Ops, after all. Your performance in the mine nicely demonstrates that, Mister Arc."
Pyrrha nodded. "We're certainly willing to continue working alongside others, General." She paused as she glanced uneasily between Jaune and General Ironwood. "However, I'm getting the impression you're proposing something more?"
"I am," the General said. "Being willing and able to work as part of an ad-hoc group is certainly a plus. But it's rarely as effective as a team that trains to work together. I'd like to form another team, alongside the Ace-Ops and Team RWBY, and I'd like the two of you to be part of it, alongside a couple of Atlesian operatives."
"Who?" she demanded.
"I've not spoken to them yet, so I won't mention any names," General Ironwood replied. "Rest assured they'll be amongst our best."
"Are you… asking us to sign on with the Atlesian military?" asked Jaune.
"No, not that I'd turn you down. But with what I'm proposing, you'd remain free huntsmen, and would be free to take additional missions via the mission-board as any other. But you'd also be part of a team that'd train and can operate together in the most sensitive matters. The two other team members will be part of the military, however, so expect to work with that."
Pyrrha found herself speechless. Logically she couldn't find anything to dispute what the General was saying. And yet part of her rebelled at what he was asking. Team… team meant something to Pyrrha now. Beacon had given her something sacred she'd never had before. She'd not always taken advantage of it as she should; she'd neglected those bonds on the road to Mistral, and then they'd left Ren and Nora in Argus just as they'd become unfrayed. And yet the thought of just displacing that, of replacing them…
"General, can Pyrrha and I have a moment?" Jaune asked. She lifted her head to see him looking at her. General Ironwood nodded, and Jaune tugged her up from the chair and led her away from the desk.
"I'm kinda hoping you were joking about the super-hearing semblance thing," he said in a low voice when they'd reached the other side of the office.
"Jaune," Pyrrha began, trying to put her feelings into words. "Did you ask for this?"
"No, Pyrrha, of course not! I didn't even know he'd suggest this!"
"But you don't seem terribly averse."
Jaune sighed. "Because he's not wrong."
"But to replace Nora, Ren…"
Jaune took hold of both her shoulders. "We're not replacing anybody. Ren and Nora are special to us, and always will be. They're… they're family. If I had lost any of you…" Jaune swallowed visibly and closed his eyes before reopening them again. "We haven't. But they're not with us right now, and we knew it was going to be for a while. In the meantime, we can do good here. If being part of another team helps us do that, helps us protect all our friends… then I'm for it. It doesn't take Team JNPR away, any more than Ruby going to Mistral with us meant RWBY was over. It means we can better do what we need to do now, until we're reunited."
She looked back up at him as his words sunk home. "You have a point," she admitted. "But we don't know who these people are." How can we trust them?
"No, we don't," Jaune said. "And it won't be the same. But we didn't know Ren and Nora to begin with either. It's like my mom almost said: Strangers are just teammates you haven't been assigned to yet."
"Jaune!" Pyrrha couldn't help but laugh.
"So, are you willing to try it?" he asked. "If not, just say no and we'll turn it down."
She thought for a moment, before nodding. "I am if you are."
"I am," he said. "Though there is one matter we should probably mention."
She raised an eyebrow at that, but he'd already turned and began walking back towards General Ironwood. She followed him, a trifle confused, until they approached the desk and the General looked up at them.
"General, we're willing to join the team," Jaune said. "But before you place me on a team, there's something you should be aware of, something my team knew."
"That your transcripts were fake?" Ironwood offered.
Jaune gawked in surprise.
"You knew?!" Pyrrha asked.
General Ironwood stood from behind his desk. He turned and walked towards the window, gazing out over its view of Atlas.
"After the attack on the CCT, we knew Salem had an agent amongst the students at Beacon. We pored through the records, looking for any discrepancies. We didn't catch Cinder, of course, because Lionheart had prepared her records. But one record was flagged." The General looked over his shoulder. "The forgeries weren't that good."
Jaune's mouth flapped a few times, as he appeared to struggle for words. "Why wasn't I expelled?" he gasped at last.
General Ironwood turned round and returned to his desk. "Because it turned out Ozpin already knew, had apparently known from the beginning. He insisted you had no part of it, and that you stay. I can't say I was happy, and nor was Glynda, but we eventually deferred to him."
"But why would he do that?"
"As I'm sure we all know by now, Ozpin wasn't always in the habit of explaining himself, even about matters he should. He didn't tell us much on this occasion either." Ironwood shrugged. "Perhaps he thought you deserved the chance, or perhaps he saw something promising. I can't tell you what he was thinking." He sat down, gesturing to the seats opposite once more. "What I can tell you is that he did have a gift for spotting potential. The fact you've made it this far, not to mention your recent contributions, suggests he was onto something."
Pyrrha nudged Jaune's shoulder as they sat down again. It was… gratifying to know she hadn't been alone in spotting Jaune's potential, wasn't the only one who could see it. Vindication felt good.
Though not as good as the words of Jaune that followed. "Ozpin wasn't the only one," he said.
"And in any case, you have a full license now," the General said. "That's not fake."
Jaune nodded, somewhat dumbstruck. He glanced at Pyrrha, and she smiled reassuringly. "What happens now?" he asked, turning back towards Ironwood.
"I need to speak to the prospective personnel. All being well, I'll announce the new team tomorrow morning before the regular briefings." Ironwood paused before continuing, looking straight at Jaune. "Understand, however, that you won't be the team leader."
Jaune looked down for a moment, but only a moment. "Yeah, that makes sense," he said, meeting Ironwood's gaze again.
"Jaune…" Pyrrha began, voice lifted in protest.
"It makes sense, Pyrrha," he said. "I appreciate the belief in me, but–"
"It's not just a matter of belief, Jaune, it's trust!"
Jaune smiled wistfully at that but raised a placating hand. "And I appreciate that too. But if we're being teamed up with some of the General's huntsmen, they're bound to be more experienced. And like I said, we skipped a lot of classes. We still have a lot of learning to do."
"It's no reflection on Mister Arc's performance," General Ironwood interjected. "I just have someone particular in mind. If possible, I'd like for Mister Arc to see this as a tutelage, an opportunity to develop his leadership skills. And if it makes you feel any better, Miss Nikos, I'm hoping all your friends can take advantage of our facilities. You may all have licenses now, but you may not get a better opportunity to hone your skills."
Pyrrha nodded, reluctantly conceding the point. She could hardly dispute it; after all, she'd built much of her life around the importance of training. And yet concern remained. "I'm sure whoever is picked will be experienced," she said, "but I trust Jaune. Will I be able trust this individual?"
"I'm confident you will, Miss Nikos," Ironwood replied. "I can't think of anyone I trust more."
-000-
Marrow saluted.
"You wanted to see me, sir?" he asked, hiding his trepidation. He didn't think he'd done anything wrong. He glanced from General Ironwood to where Clover stood beside the desk, but Clover seemed relaxed. Then again, Clover always seemed relaxed.
"At ease, Marrow," the General said, likewise signalling with his hand. "And yes, I did. Once again, good work on the mission."
Marrow relaxed. At least this didn't seem to be a reprimand. "Thank you, sir."
"What did you think of Arc and Nikos?" the General asked.
"Sir?" It wasn't a query Marrow was expecting, yet he swiftly rallied. "They're okay, I guess. Competent, though green."
"We've all been green, Marrow," Clover smiled. "Me included."
"And I," General Ironwood added.
"With respect, sir, I'm not sure I believe that."
Clover chuckled at Marrow's words. The General merely raised an eyebrow.
"But like I said, competent," Marrow swiftly pressed on. "They fought well and seemed to work well together in a team. And then there's, well, the semblance…"
"Yes, quite," the General commented.
"Did you know he could do that?" Marrow asked.
"It got mentioned, but we didn't realise it could enhance semblances to that degree," General Ironwood confessed. "In combination with powerful semblances like yours, well, the results speak for themselves."
"How did it feel?" Clover asked.
"Good, mostly," Marrow responded. "A little odd, but good. Like I could do anything. And then the effects… that's more than I've ever been able to do with my semblance several times over."
A twinkle entered Clover's eye. "Maybe I should ask Arc to test it with my semblance at a couple of casinos."
General Ironwood gave Clover a chiding glance. "It is potential we wish to explore," he admitted. "At least with some semblances."
"And how was Harriet?" asked Clover.
For a second time Marrow hesitated at an unexpected topic. "She's a good soldier," he eventually offered.
"I know that," Clover replied. "But how was she on the mission?"
"Well, you know…" Marrow trailed off awkwardly.
Clover nodded to himself, seeming to think on something. "And how was she with Arc and Nikos?"
"She got sharp with them too. Especially with Pyrrha," Marrow answered.
"Nikos? I thought she liked her?" Clover queried.
"It was right when you called in, right after Pyrrha said something about Jaune saving her life."
Clover pursed his lips and looked down. "Damn. I wish she'd said something," he muttered.
"Sir?"
Clover looked back towards Marrow. "Don't take it personally, Marrow. None of it's really to do with you. You're doing a good job. You're a little rough around the edges sometimes, but like I said, we've all been there." He shook his head. "But with Harriet… it's just that you're occupying the most sensitive spot. That of her partner."
"Oh. You mean, er…"
"Tortuga," Clover nodded. "She needs time, and I can't force her to talk about it. And I think taking her off-duty would just make things worse, even if we didn't need her skills in the field."
"So… what should I do?" asked Marrow.
"Normally I'd say to tough it out. She's not done anything too extreme, and I think she'll be better with time. But the General," Clover nodded towards Ironwood, "has another proposal."
"Arc and Nikos only arrived with half their team," General Ironwood explained, "and I want another full team to stand alongside the Ace Ops and Team RWBY. Arc and Nikos have already agreed to be part of a combined team with Atlesian operatives. Considering the fact that you've already worked with them successfully, and especially considering the result, I'd like you to be on the team too."
"Am I... am I being removed from the Ace Ops?" Marrow asked in shock.
"No," Clover clarified. "This isn't a demotion, and if you accept, your space on the Ops will remain open for you. Think of it more as a secondment. You'll still be part of the Ace Ops, and when this team has served its purpose, you'll return to us."
"It's your choice," General Ironwood said. "You can turn this down, continue serving in the Ace Ops as now, and no one will know. But I do think this position could work, both for Atlas and our fight against Salem, and for you personally."
"And what of the Ace Ops? You'll be a man down," Marrow pointed out.
"We'll manage," Clover answered. "Part of the reason we have a five-strong team is that we can still operate if we're down to four. And Harriet and I… I can take whatever she dishes out, and she'll go easier on me. I'll pair up with her."
"Your thoughts?" the General probed.
"I… er…" Marrow tried to assemble his thoughts. "This team, it'll see action, right? It's not going to sit on the side-lines?"
"No, it won't, and it will see action," General Ironwood confirmed. "Marrow, you are one of the few people in this kingdom who has been trusted with what's really going on and who has the skills to take part in this fight. That hasn't changed. And I can't afford for any of you to stand idly by. This isn't some lesser assignment. And if you need further proof… well, you'll have it when I tell you who the prospective team leader will be."
-000-
"Thank you again for meeting here, I won't keep you long," General Ironwood announced. "Clover will show you how things work in the briefing room shortly, but there are few matters I wanted to address."
They'd gathered in his office once more. From beside the General, Winter cast her eye over her sister's team, assembled on one side of the office. Weiss seemed to be settling in well enough, though she didn't seem nearly as perky as her team leader, who had been busily chatting with Penny. Near them stood Qrow, who again appeared to be curiously sober. On the other side stood the Ace Ops, while between the two groups, nearer the doors and standing opposite the General's desk, were Jaune Arc and Pyrrha Nikos. Oscar, the young farmhand who apparently harboured Ozpin's soul, was present too. Barring the Ace Ops, the last time they'd all stood here had brought a number of unwelcome but necessary revelations. Thankfully, this morning's brief meeting was unlikely to bring the same. Winter knew what this meeting was about.
"Firstly, thanks to your work at SDC Mine number 2, we can move ahead with the Amity project. It's not the solution I hoped it would be, but I believe it's still a vital step. Our enemy struck at the CCT network for a reason. With Amity, we can restore global communications permanently, and begin reunifying the world."
The General walked around his desk, warming to his theme a little. "As such, we have several principal tasks. We need to protect the launch site itself; we need to protect the convoys supplying the site; and we need to keep Mantle stable and protect it from any threats."
"Meaning the Grimm or these murders you've mentioned?" asked Qrow.
"Both," the General admitted. "Though the Grimm are at least more straightforward. But aside from the human price, both could also disrupt the kingdom, and affect the project. There are many voices in the kingdom, potentially on the council itself, who might be opposed to Amity. And, of course, if word leaked out to Salem and her agents, we could expect a response. She's going to move on us anyway, but I'd prefer to defer that as long as possible. We need time to prepare.
"For our newly licensed huntsmen and huntresses, you're free to take on additional missions via the boards, as I understand some of you already have. I'd just ask you to keep our overall priorities in mind.
"Finally, I have one more announcement." Ironwood turned towards the new arrivals. "As I told you all when you first arrived, I was glad to see you all. I felt that with the arrival of a group who knew what was at stake, who could be trusted, that the tide might be turned. You brought some unfortunate news, news which complicates our task immeasurably. And yet your arrival has helped already, allowing us to begin the Amity project and giving us a chance to complete it.
"However, while it's true we need every trustworthy fighter we can get, it is also true that teams are more effective. And at the moment, we have two and a half teams. After the display of teamwork in the mine I felt we could do something about that, creating a provisional third team composed of both huntsmen and Atlesian operatives, to stand alongside the Ace Ops and Team RWBY. After speaking with those involved, I can announce the formation of that team today. If those named could step forward as I call for them?
"On secondment from the Ace Ops, Operative Marrow Amin." Marrow stepped forward as General Ironwood called his name. Winter couldn't help but mentally hear the General's own words to her. "He can be naïve and lacks seasoning, but he's on the Ace Ops for a reason. Give him the opportunity to hone both his skills and his judgment."
"From Team JNPR, Jaune Arc," the General called out. Arc stepped forward stiffly, while her sister's team looked on in surprise. Winter narrowed her eyes as she examined him closely. "A fraud?" she'd asked the General in their private briefing. "An unconventional applicant," he'd replied, "one who's made considerable progress to come this far and who won the loyalty of his team. You can help supply any instruction he lacks, both leadership and otherwise, but he's already an asset. And that's setting aside the issue of his semblance: we've seen what he can do with Marrow's; I'd be interested to see what he can do with yours."
"Also from Team JNPR, Pyrrha Nikos." The champion stepped forward to stand alongside her partner. "She'll know how to fight, at least," she'd commented. "From what I hear, that's an understatement," General Ironwood had said. "She's twice put up a close fight against a Maiden. But she's also more: Ozpin chose her as his candidate to be the Fall Maiden, and it's not just because of her skill with a blade." He'd paused then and looked pensive before continuing. "She may be worth consulting with about your own special assignment. You're cleared to speak to her about it, should you feel so too."
"And finally, to lead this team, Specialist Winter Schnee." And Winter herself stepped forward, as near-everyone looked on in surprise.
"You have been my trusted right arm since this crisis began," he'd told her. "We need another team, and I can think of no one better qualified, and no one I trust more, to lead it. You've excelled in a staff role; now it's time to take to the field once more. Will you accept the assignment?"
"Of course, sir," she'd told him. She always had.
"Thank you," the General said to the group. "That will be all the announcements for today. Though I'm sure Clover will have more to add in the briefing room."
To Winter's surprise, Weiss's team leader raised her hand. "Er… General?" Ruby Rose asked. "What's the new team's name?"
General Ironwood smiled sightly. "Team names are really more of a Beacon thing," he demurred.
"Really?" piped up Yang Xiao Long. "Because the fact someone named Team FNKI 'Funky' suggests otherwise…"
"Ah… yes," the General began, his cheeks colouring. Clover began chuckling, but swiftly turned it into a cough when Ironwood directed a glare his way.
"They will need a designation," Clover pointed out.
"True enough, I suppose," the General conceded. "I'm sure we can come up with one in time."
Winter kept her eyes on Qrow, hoping to ward off any suggestions from that direction. But it was Ruby Rose who gazed intently at the four members of the new team, pointing at each in turn as she muttered letters. "W… J… N… M…, no. S… N…, no. S… P… A… M…" On the last she began giggling.
"What is it, Rubes?" asked Yang.
"Team SPAM!" she cried out, laughing. Winter covered her face with her palm, and Weiss appeared to mirror her as General Ironwood sighed.
"Ruby!" Jaune hissed.
"I think we'll veto that one," General Ironwood said, glancing at Winter.
"We'll come up with a name," she insisted. Young Rose had clearly inherited more from her uncle than just a predilection for scythes.
-000-
The young lad opened the door in front of him, pulling it but a fraction before peeking inwards. "Father, you, um… have a visitor," he said hesitantly.
"What?! I told you I wasn't to be disturbed!" the voice of Jacques Schnee shouted back. "Why did you let them in?"
"But I didn't! He er… let himself in," the boy said.
Arthur Watts took that as his cue, pulling the door all the way open. The boy retreated to the side as Watts waltzed into Jacques' office.
"You might want to double-check your security, Jacques. Almost anybody could waltz in."
"Arthur?!" Jacques breathed in shock, glancing for a moment at the glass in his hand.
Watts strode towards one of the bookcases that decorated the office, perusing several of the volumes on the shelf. The bookcase was of fine mahogany, and the books finely made, many classics in valuable editions. But has Jacques read any of them? he idly wondered.
"I thought I'd call by on an old friend," he said. "See if I could help out."
"Leave us, Whitley," Jacques ordered. "Shut the door."
The boy hesitated, glancing towards Watts.
"I said shut the door!"
Cowed, the boy left, pushing the door closed behind him. Once the latch slid loudly into position, Jacques turned back towards Watts.
"But you're… you're dead!"
"Evidently not, but it served my purpose that people thought so. I wanted, shall we say, a clean break." Watts turned away from the bookshelf, taking his seat in one of the nearby chairs. "But tell me Jacques, why lurk in a darkened office? I didn't take you for a steady drinker." Watts nodded towards the glass.
"I'm hardly that," Jacques said with a scoff. "Did you ever have children, Arthur? You didn't before."
"I can't say I ever had the pleasure."
"Pleasure's not the word I'd use," Jacques growled. "Three of them, and only one is obedient. A poor return on investment."
Watts gave a sardonic chuckle. "Your loss is Ironwood's gain."
"Twice over, it seems!"
Interesting, Watts took mental note. If the younger Schnee girl is in Atlas, it seems Ozpin's party may have already arrived. "He was happy to take my work while seeing me disgraced. James has a habit of taking things that rightfully belong to others."
"He does indeed. That bastard takes my daughters and my mine, while his embargo costs me and my company more money with every passing day." Jacques took a sip from his glass. "Though what is it to you? What business does a dead man want with me? I've never been partial to stories of rich men visited by the spirits of the past, persuading them to change their ways."
"Oh, I'd never offer you such humbug," Watts said, "but I may come bearing gifts. I understand you're running for office."
"The Council seat for Mantle, yes," Jacques huffed. "It's my best hope of reining Ironwood in and bringing this damnable embargo to an end. But it has its own costs. My Mantle operations are simply costing me money, but I daren't lay off any workers if I expect their votes. And yet, according to the polls, I only have a middling chance of getting them anyway!"
"And what if I told you there was a way you could do as you liked, and get that council seat anyway?" Watts smirked.
"And how, precisely, would you do that?"
"I designed most of the network. With the right credentials… let's just say I can ensure that when the voters of Mantle gather at the polls, their votes will be properly counted."
Jacques tilted his head, and leaned forwards. "The right credentials?"
"Yours would do. Give me your login details for the Atlas network, and I can get you your council seat. All I ask is that you make Ironwood's life a living hell. Return the favour he's done us."
Jacques stared at him for a moment, before his mouth turned upward in a voracious smile.
Author's Note:
Again, some passages here have been lightly touched, and others have received more of a going-over.
On a logistical note, Fanfiction dot net has been – and still is – experiencing a bunch of difficulties, and so I seriously considered not updating there until it was working. As it is, the problems that seemed to stop people accessing the archives and the stories themselves seem to have stopped, so I have. But be aware that email notifications have been broken since the 10th of October, so if you were expecting a notification, and didn't get one, that will be why. For the same reason, any replies to reviews or DMs may be a little delayed since I won't be notified of them,
Also NaNoWriMo is coming up, and since I'll be devoting my time to my own original work (The Sandcastle, set on a tidally locked world in which one side is always day and the other night), updates for this will slow down a little: I'll be uploading new chapters fortnightly instead (so the 9th and the 23rd of November, and then the 7th of December), and my reserve of chapters means this shouldn't be interrupted.
Recapping from my notes from the first time around, we don't really know in show who knew of Jaune's transcripts; obviously Pyrrha and Cardin knew, but that Ren (and so presumably Nora) knew only emerged in volume 8. But I consider it quite likely that Ozpin wasn't fooled, especially considering his rather callous attitude towards Jaune before initiation, and the changed attitude afterwards (after Jaune survived and demonstrated some potential). And while we don't know that they scrutinised the student records after the CCT break-in, it seems logical that they might have done (and if they didn't, that reaches new heights of incompetence even for their sub-par performance in that period). Though with Lionheart as the unknown inside man, it seems likely Cinder's records would have passed muster.
SPAM won't be the official team-name, although certain individuals might still use that label from time to time.
We also don't really have any Atlesian rank structure given in show, and the terminology involved often seems a bit woolly except for Ironwood's own rank. Yet, while the likes of the Ace Ops and similar huntsmen-like operatives might have a flatter rank structure than the rest of the military, they should at least have one (otherwise how could Winter tell Harriet that she outranked her in V8?). Consequently, for the purposes of this story I've been distinguishing between "Operative" and "Specialist" as separate ranks in the operative branch (which includes, but doesn't solely consist of, the Ace Ops): an Operative would be the standard rank (such as a member of the Ace Ops, like Marrow or Harriet), while Specialist is a higher-ranking position (so Clover and Winter). And should a member of the operative branch end up with a command position over other branches, they're granted the appropriate rank as used in the other branches (and so, since she commands an entire military base, I've referred to Cordovin as *Commander* Cordovin).