Getting sent to detention for causing collateral? What makes you think that's soldiering you FILTH?!

Chapter 19: More or Less

Beacon Academy, Vale

Ruby Rose was bored.

This has been established quite a few times already, but it was boring enough to make her say it again.

Then again, when you're stuck in a classroom for another 2 hours after class with the Chief of Security keeping an eye on Blake and her, you could hardly call it boring. Their punishment for their vigilantism that night was for them to serve detention with Miss Goodwitch, but after much deliberation, it was decided that both Ruby and Blake will receive the full brunt of the punishment with Azure taking over for Glynda.

During the 2 hours, he made them clean the entire room with an old rag he found in a storage closet, and after that, he had them read over multiple pages of Huntsman collateral reports. Each report reminded them why the Huntsman community was considered a dangerous wild card outside of Atlas.

It goes without saying, a military figure like Professor Azure can certainly be creative with punishments, and speaking of the professor, he was on the classroom's desk, reading something on his odd-looking tablet.

Her last report was finally placed down as she breathed a sigh of relief. Beside her, Blake finished her own readings, her bow flapping down as she leaned back from her seat. It was a rather stressful day, and it was only one of three they had to endure together. Scooting over to her, Ruby began to speak, "Hey Blake, still alright?"

"Could be better," Blake replied, her voice devoid of energy as she faced her leader, "How about you? Yang told me you were a bit downcast on our way back to Beacon that night."

Ruby sighed, "Yeah... it's just what Professor Azure told us. Were we in the wrong to do something about it? The police and the Huntsman academies seem to be on top of things."

Blake had to reflect and balance things out. On one hand, she was glad that she still managed to get more information about the White Fang's actions. On the other, the damage they caused had caused more harm than help. Perhaps...

No.

They have no idea what the White Fang is capable of.

What he's capable of...

"Miss Belladonna?"

She blinked as she turned to Azure, a cup of tea in one hand, his tablet in another. Ruby was still beside her, but she shrunk when faced with their professor towering over them.

"Your time is over," he said as he gestured to the door, "You're free to go."

The two members of RWBY blinked before packing up their things in silence.

"Oh and Miss Rose," said Azure, drawing Ruby's attention, "Your actions had good intentions, but caused bad things. I advise that you weigh your options better before doing something this brash understood?"

"Yes sir..."

"Chin up Miss Rose. Take the discipline well, learn your lesson and move on," smiled Azure as he waved them out, "No one has died, We should be thankful for that."

This cheered up Ruby as she smiled back, "Thank you, Professor."

"And Blake, I've gotten a report from the librarian that you left a book of yours in the library."

Blake's bow twitched as her face turned to a shade of red.

Azure could only shake his head, "I'll have Sergeant Gambit take it back to your room. Move along now, I have work to do."

...

Blake and Ruby left the hall in a hurry as they made their way back to their dorm. Despite the cold reception from earlier, they could tell Azure was simply in the heat of the moment that night which is why he had an angry outburst that night. Such a thing was rarely seen from him during his time here in Beacon, but they supposed it was about time he showed an uglier side to his usual gentleness.

The Chief of Security aside, Ruby had to ask, "Hey Blake, do you think Mister Azure caught Torchwick that night?"

"I doubt it," she replied while they walked along, "I heard some of the security soldiers that he got away."

"So the plot thickens..." mused Ruby childishly, rubbing her hands together.

Blake merely raised an eyebrow at this as they took another turn, allowing her leader's antics to continue.

Unbeknownst to the two of them, a mocha-skinned student from Haven was hiding behind a corner, glaring at the two before disappearing without gaining attention. Ironically, she too failed to notice that she was being watched. Across the corner was a small security camera, hidden from those who weren't actively looking for a camera.

Somewhere else in the Academy, a grey-coated man took notes on a tablet.

JNPR Dorms, Beacon Academy

A grin flashed on Jaune's face as he pressed more buttons on his scroll. He was on his last challenge for his leadership course, and he was determined to finish it on a high note. It was a really surprising change of pace compared to how he was in the first days of Beacon. He was always trying to avoid the lectures and tests. Then in the span of months, under the guidance of Professor Azure, Goodwitch, and the rest of his team, he found himself in a position where he could say that he earned his place in the Academy... transcripts aside...

Back to his simulator, he surveyed his digital battlefield. His setting was a dense forest with only one available path to move his objective through. The objective in question was a resource convoy that he had to get through the forest. It wasn't specified what kind of resistance they might encounter, so he had to be cautious in his steps.

He sent out portions of his scouts to gauge the enemy's capabilities while he kept the rest of his forces close, but not too close to the cart. It was mostly based on a saying that Mister Stoic said. Something along the lines of putting all your eggs in one basket. The medical officer always has something to say, whether it's a stern warning about someone's health or general words of wisdom. Jaune dared to say that it was sometimes more useful than his dad's advice.

Shots were soon fired around the forest as Jaune noticed that his scouts had located a bandit camp and engaged in a skirmish. An alert followed stating that other bandits nearby have been notified and will be approaching his position quite soon. Adjustments were needed to his current strategy.

He began to call back the scouts he sent out while deploying the reserved scouts to screen his flanks. He then divided a unit of his infantry to support either side.

Then, a surprise came to him in the form of an exploding cart, his scroll buzzing as it flashed the words: Objective Failed!

Frustrated, Jaune reviewed the replay of the match and felt his head go red with anger as he found the culprit of his failure. A small explosive on the path was triggered, destroying the cart and its cargo.

For a moment, he considered throwing the scroll in anger but remembered he wouldn't have a replacement for a while. Conceding defeat, Jaune drops his face on the bed as he sighed. Well, Professor Azure did say that the challenges were blood-boiling, but how did he not see the trap in the first place?

His thoughts were cut short when his dorm's door burst open, revealing his bubbly teammate Nora Valkyrie, her silent partner Lie Ren, and Jaune's own partner, Pyrrha Nikos.

"Heya Jaune-Jaune!" Nora greeted as she skipped into the room. The blonde offered her a wave as he sat upright on his bed.

As the rest of JNPR settled in the dorm, a knock was heard. Curious, Jaune decided to get off his bed and answer the door himself. Opening it revealed the whole of team RWBY, their leader, smiling as she waved, "Hey Jaune! Mind if we come in? We wanna talk some things over."

The blonde nodded as he allowed them in, closing the door behind him as the rest of RWBY settled in his dorm.

"So," Jaune began, "What's all this about?"

Ruby hopped on his bed as she replied, "Well, after me and Blake finished detention-"

"Blake and I," corrected Weiss, but was promptly ignored as her leader continued, "We decided that it'd be best if we let you all in on a little secret."

This irked Nora's interest as she sped from one end of the room to the other, shaking Ruby silly as she screamed, "A secret?! Details girl! Details!"

"Nora," Ren sighed, "put Ruby down so she can speak."

Nora promptly dropped RWBY's leader back on the bed. It should be said that Jaune thought he saw 3 little corgis flying around her head, but then again, he's probably loopy.

Regaining her bearings, Ruby finally began explaining, "So... if you haven't heard about it, we kinda got mixed up in a plot discovery against the White Fang..."

Jaune raised an eyebrow, "That was you guys?"

"...yes?"

"That explains why Professor Azure was glaring daggers at you in class," the blonde swordsman sighed.

"Back on topic, after the mix-up, we have some valuable intel that we might use to root out the Fang's final plan!"

Blake hushed-yelled, "Ruby, not too loud! Azure's men patrol everywhere."

Ruby's eyes widened and looked toward the door. Seconds pass as they waited for a blue and white armored guardsman to enter the room and scold them about being vigilantes again, but when no one came, everyone sighed a breath of relief.

"So... with the whole intel thingy, team RWBY will be trying to find a mission towards the South East of Vale when the missions are open after the dance."

Ren raised a hand, "And you thought to tell us why exactly?"

"Can I just do this without interruptions?!" Ruby cried, but was silenced by Weiss, "Traitors..."

Seeing that his first friend was still beating around the bush, Jaune decided to step in, "So... are we supposed to be your backup for this mission?"

Ruby nodded, "Yep! Doubt we'll need it, but you know what Mister Azure says, better be prepared and see nothing than to be unprepared and face something."

"Ruby, that's from Mister Stoic in the infirmary..."

"I rest my case."

"That's not even how you're supposed to use it-"

"Nope. Come on team RWBY! We have to save the world!"

Without another word, the team disappeared as fast as they arrived, leaving JNPR confused about what had just transpired. It was really one of these moments where Jaune was thankful that his team wasn't too keen on crazy adventures just yet.

Just then, Pyrrha's sweet voice asked, "Jaune, I saw your scroll, and I have to ask, have you tried going around the forest?"

CRASH

Ozpin's Office, Vale CCTS Tower

It was yet another day of paperwork for Ozpin and it went without saying, he was still bored with it. Sure, it was amusing to see various report forms that don't even make a lick of sense to warrant his attention, but a man could only find amusement in complaints for so long. To think Azure's angry letters would eventually begin to take a toll on him was mind-numbingly painful to think about.

Speaking of said reports, the Chief of Security had sent yet another complaint letter, this time in regards to the security of the tower his office actually resided in. Apparently, he couldn't convince Ironwood to allow Beacon Security Forces to have a more visible presence for the tower during the dance. James' reasons are that the Force is stretched too thin for such a presence to exist.

Since Atlas was more familiar with the inner workings of the CCTS, Ozpin had to concede to Ironwood's reasons, giving Azure more reasons to cuss his name out. The words in the report are rather too colorful for someone of his stature.

The elevators in his office sounded off, alerting him to a new arrival to the office. In came Glynda Goodwitch, the Deputy Headmistress, her hands clutching her head as she stumbled in. It was rather out of character to see his usually prim assistant being quite out of it.

"Glynda, you look parched," Ozpin observed, "Please, take a seat."

His assistant accepted the offer as she sat down, "Believe me, sir, parched doesn't cover it."

"What seems to be the issue? More troublesome students? The Vytal Festival? Or... did Oobleck overdo his speed semblance again?"

"No, not that Ozpin. It's the Council. they're beginning to press us for answers about the highway incident."

Oh... that certainly was a problem.

"They're getting sharper," mused the Headmaster, "Have you told Azure about it?"

"I didn't bother, he was approached by them earlier this morning," Glynda sighed, "It went as well as you could expect it to go."

"I'm sure he wouldn't do anything too drastic," Ozpin tried, but Glynda had a hasty reply ready.

"He had his hand on his blaster the entire conversation..."

"For someone who's known to be calm and collective in battle, he really has a short fuse..." thought the Headmaster as he sipped on his coffee, "Well, no one was hurt right?"

A shake of the head put Ozpin to ease. The two soon began to talk more about the preparations for the Vytal tournament. The event itself was not personally managed by Beacon, but security and the tournament itself were. Forces such as those of Atlas and Azure's Aurek Corps were considered as attached to the detail, but it was under the cover of various reasoning. The Atlas Military was officially there to ferry their students from Atlas to Beacon. The Aurek Corps was under the disguise of the Beacon Security Forces.

Then, there came the issue of their dear friend down below. It was becoming apparent that there was someone here who infiltrated the school. Azure reported a few days ago that a team from Mistral was suspected of being her agents, but deciding that suspicions weren't enough Ozpin had given strict orders to merely observe. This obviously did not sit well with Azure, Ironwood, and Glynda.

"Sir, we should still do something about this," Glynda advised, "If Azure's report was right, then we could be held responsible for knowing about the plot, and not acting on it."

Ozpin raised his hand dismissively, "If we do anything, then the team might notice the change. As far as nothing extreme happens, then we stay the course."

"...very well sir, but we should at least have a contingency plan should things go south."

"We will Glynda. We will."

It didn't convince her in the slightest when he said that they will.

Small low-effort fillers that I hastily put up. Next chapter is the dance, I'll see you around folks! Also quick news! I have a DeviantArt page, and there you can see glimpses of what RWBY Security characters could look like! There are obviously going to be some differences, but if you've ever wanted to see some of these units with your own eyes, go ahead and look it up on SolemnReads.

Remember to stay frosty because that's soldiering!