"Alright, keep quiet and stick with me." Adam said as I nodded along.
We'd left shortly after my talk with Sienna. I didn't know what to expect seeing as Adam had brought this up so sudden, along with other things. But regardless I went along with his order.
He knew I was sent by Sienna, and yet he didn't seem worried in the slightest. Not sure if he's just that skilled, or cocky. Either way we had set out about an hours time after our chat.
Adam had brought me out front to where another of those carriages were, this one being long and colored black. I had asked him why he chose this one as it had enough space in it for several people. He told me that the person we were meeting with preferred style in what he did.
I didn't know what to make of that, but I accepted it anyway. The inside had felt much more comfortable than the previous rides I had taken. We'd been silent the whole way up, with Adam keeping his stoic look about him.
"Anything I should look out for?" I asked as we started walking to the building, having come to a stop just outside it.
"Stay calm and show no emotions. Only speak when spoken to, and only give generalized answers. No specifics, just vague replies. The guy we'll be dealing with is crafty, he'll try to get any and all information he can out of you. If he asks any questions about anything other than you yourself, say you don't know. The less he gets the better." Adam explained as we walked through the empty looking halls.
"He's that dangerous?"
"Not exactly no, but he has things that we need. I don't like it myself but he's in a sort of... partnership with us. I'll be doing most of the talking so you shouldn't have to worry much, just focus on keeping info about yourself to a minimum. Oh, and keep a polite tone, he's one for respect. It's easier to deal with him if he see's you as classy." Adam told as he walked through a door, Saw holding the way open for us and shutting it behind.
Great, so he's like a noble.
Not the worst situation to be in mind you, but it did present it's own set of problems. I'd need to keep him feeling like he's superior throughout the entire meeting, Just like the trade deals back home.
It was a game of deception, they want something and you want something. The catch of the matter was to tangle them into appealing to you. They come at you with what they want, and you slowly twist it in your favor. You appeal in a way that ensures that they can only get their prize by you getting yours.
You'd make them believe that the only way to get what they want would require meeting your needs. Say, a smith needs a delivery that was stolen by bandits and you need your sword fixed. You get the smith to repair your blade so you can go get his delivery. A simple explanation, but it gets the point across.
Honestly the whole situation brought back some annoying memories. Two village heads both wanting something that the other had, in this case supplies. One wanted iron, and the other lumber, both had each and I had a headache.
And so I had them come to an agreement. One was given lumber to construct a mine to dig up the iron, and in exchange the iron was used to keep the lumber mill running to provide anymore needed wood.
That had literally been the easiest agreement I'd been sent to settle. They were both villages that prided themselves on their hard working laborers, they just wanted to keep their craft running. Unlike the nobles, who wanted to feel above everybody else.
For the nobles I not only had to get them to come to an agreement, but I'd also needed to make them both feel like they came out on top. Lucky for me the queen would usually deal with the noblemen, I was just brought along to watch and learn.
"You ready?" I heard Adam ask as we were stood before two double doors.
"Yes." I answered simply, receiving a nod as we pushed through, Saw standing on Adam's other side.
"Well well well, we meet again. How've you been, take a seat." Spoke the man with a... deceptive smile, I think.
He was odd, not in the sense that he looked off (he's not the weirdest man I've seen) but in the sense that he just felt off. It was as if he had everything under control, along with having no control at all. I couldn't quite tell, his confidence just felt so... forced.
His demeanor seemed like it was mostly for show. If I could describe it better it felt like the interrogation before an execution. A dead man speaking whatever he could to get out his death. I'd seen it enough times to almost recognize it on sight, at least that's what I think anyway.
I followed along with Adam as he sat down on one of the leather chairs facing one another, a smaller single table sat between the two. Saw and I stood at Adam's sides as the man seemed to be smoking something.
"Scary, you brought an extra goon too, how thoughtful."
"I could say the same for you Roman, or do you really expect me to believe you decided to meet with us alone." Adam countered as the man 'Roman' took on a more genuine smirk.
I watched as he did a quick double clap of his hands. The sounds of shattered glass rippled out as the space beside the man looked to physically shatter, leaving the figure of a (rather pleasantly) colored woman beside him.
Adorned in pink and white, similarly in design to Roman himself. She had a petite figure, a little on the shorter side but holding curves that would catch the hearts of any man. She gave off a gentle smile as she leaned into Roman, giving a small bow.
"Did you expect any different?"
"No, I guess not." Adam answered as he continued on.
"Let's get down to business, you have the location of where the dust is being kept correct?" Adam asked as Roman rolled his eyes.
"Of course, I wouldn't have set up this meeting otherwise. It's your job now to get the stuff so our mutual benefactor is satisfied." He gave as he pulled something from his coat and tossed it down to the table.
Adam picked it up and proceeded to look through it, giving out a small grunt as he handed it to Saw.
"Now, with that out of the way would you like to introduce your newest goon there? You said you wanted me to meet him, remember?" Roman let out as he held his hand towards me.
"True, this is Vermillion. Sent by Sienna Khan herself to help with our operations here, and by default you as well during our co-operative missions." Adam said as he motioned to me.
I held myself tight, arms linked behind my back as I stood ready. Roman seemed to look me over, as if trying to find something. His partner silently giggled and sent a wave my way, her look scared me for reasons I didn't understand.
"So... why him, what's he got that makes him so special? Besides looking creepy that is." Roman asked as I remained silent.
"well... let's just say that he kills things rather skillfully." Adam answered as Roman waited.
"... That's it?"
"Yes."
"So he just kills better than the rest of you?"
"In a way of speaking, yes."
Roman had a look of annoyance.
"So why did you bring him here? You said he had something special." Adam smirked at this.
"He does, but I think it's best if you see what it is rather than me just telling you. It'll be best if we show it off at the rally don't you think?"
Roman didn't seem too convinced, but for whatever reason he seemed to let it go.
"Fine, then I guess that's all for this time."
"It would seem so." Adam said as he stood, ready to leave.
"Oh, wait. There's one more thing." Roman spoke as Adam turned back to him.
"In the case of making sure you all actually get the dust, I'm sending Neo here out with you." The woman by his side sent a small wave my way.
"Why, are you doubting me Roman?" Adam asked with a hint of threat in his voice.
"Doubting you, no. Pale and spooky, yes. As an act of insurance I'm sending her to keep the kid alive. Don't want him dead too soon am I right?" He said as 'Neo' gave a nod, walking over to my side and giving me curious looks.
"That's generous of you, why the concern?" Adam asked, still suspicious if the tone was anything to go off.
"Easy, if you lot fuck up then I suffer the consequences. 'You know who' doesn't like when we're late, remember that. Imagine what would happen should the dust be lost." Roman said as Adam's hand left his side, he gave a grumble as he turned away.
"Fine, we'll take her along." Adam let out as the girl seemed to hold a look of sass now.
I'll admit, she made me curious. She had this air about her that made me uncomfortable, and she seemed to be excited for the mission to come. I had no idea who the mysterious person they were referring to was, but they had to be dangerous for Adam to subside to. With that out of the way we left.
That was a... short meeting.
.
.
"C'mon, you can't just sit there all day" Yang pestered as Blake flipped another page.
"Can and will."
"There's got to be something you need to do right?" Yang tried again as Blake adjusted her position on the bed slightly.
"Nope."
Yang seemed to be getting frustrated now, not much of an issue to Blake who was all the more happy to continue along in her reading. She heard a huff, looking down to see Yang slipping on her jacket.
"Fine, bury yourself in your smut. Don't blame me when you get bored up there all alone."
"First off, it's not smut, and second off I'm perfectly content with being alone." Blake said as she looked over from her book.
Yang was about to make her way out (and unknowingly leave Blake to her private reading) when the door opened. A rush of air suddenly entered the room, knocking over several small bottles and things laying about.
"We're back!"
"Ruby, what did I tell you about using your semblance indoors!"
"Sorry." She responded in an almost automatic sounding tone.
Blake was able to see Ruby currently standing by the desk, placing a bag down on top of it. She glanced back at the door to see Weiss walking in with a sour look, nothing special for her.
"Whoa there ice queen, you look colder than usual. What's got you on ice." Yang let out with a grin, getting a groan from Ruby as Weiss dropped her head with a grumble.
"Yang, I'm not in the mood. I'll be at the library studying if you need me."
The door shut behind her as she left, the room having a moment of silence at her departure.
"Okay...? I'll bite, what's with her?" Yang asked as she looked to Ruby.
Ruby only shrugged her shoulders as she was spooning some yogurt into her mouth.
"The shop we were going to get my package from was robbed by the White Fang, and no other shop had any dust available. I think she's angry that we couldn't make up for the dust we lost in class last week." Ruby told as she went back to her treat.
"Yep that'll do it. So there wasn't any dust available anywhere?"
"Nope." Ruby answered scooping down in the tiny cup, only to look visibly upset as her spoon met nothing.
"Well that sucks, I'm starting to run low on ammunition myself. Guess we'll just need to watch how much we use. Anyway I'm going out for the rest of the evening, don't wait up for me." Yang spoke as she took her leave as well.
It was just Ruby and her left now. Blake looked down to the younger teammate of hers, ready to pose her own question.
"So the shop that had your package was robbed?"
"Yea, and now I've got to wait until they open again. Do you know how much Crescent Rose will suffer from this?" Ruby said with a worried face, cradling her weapon close.
"How do you know it was the White Fang?" Blake questioned, lowering her book as she stared down at Ruby.
"Overheard it from the police down there, they were investigating. It was weird though, I heard the shop keeper say that there were two sets of robbers." Ruby spoke as Blake took a confused look.
"Two, what do you mean two?"
"Well... I think the shop keeper said that they got robbed first, and then the White Fang showed up. The two got into a fight, at least that's what I remember before Weiss pulled me away. She said not to get in their way." Ruby explained as Blake slipped out of bed.
That... that was weird. The White Fang getting into a fight in the middle of a robbery. Well... if it was true. The group would usually prefer to take on bigger operations, rather than smaller ones like that. In a way she was skeptical, wondering if the White Fang were really the ones to rob the place, or if they were just used as a scape goat.
"Blake, what are you doing?" Ruby asked as Blake slipped off her night clothes, reaching for her daywear.
"Going for a walk, Yang will pester me if I don't do something. At least this way will keep her off my back for a bit. Tell her I'm out if she comes back before I do." Blake answered as Ruby smiled.
"Okay!"
Blake shut the door as she made her way down the halls. Most of the student body was out, with it being the weekend they preferred to be out partying. It allowed her to easily make her way out without being questioned too much.
She noticed she was coming up on the library. Slowing down somewhat she took a peek inside, able to see Weiss sitting at one of the tables. Her white haired companion had several books open around her, history if she recognized the colors of the edges right.
If Blake had to guess she'd say that the Schnee was trying to get a head start on the weekends homework. The only assignment that involved history she recalled them having would be doctor Oobleck's. She'd just been able to catch him assigning them a write up on the great war, although she wasn't sure if anybody else heard it.
Blake felt her hands clench into fists as she recalled Weiss' attitude earlier when she arrived. No doubt in her mind that the mention of the White Fang was the reason for the heiress' sour mood.
She let out a sigh as she turned back to the hall, taking her leave from watching the girl.
Now's not the time. Blake thought to herself as she walked out the front door.
Blake liked to think herself above petty actions and grudges, but she routinely found herself holding them close. She'd tell herself that she fights for equality, but did she really? Just looking at Weiss had put her in a bad mood, despite the fact that she always tried to keep an indifferent visage.
She'd come to Beacon so she could help everyone. She wanted to be able to save people, and slowly bring equality for Faunus everywhere. How could she do that when the sight of a single human brought her so many different emotions?
Blake shook her head as she stopped before the fountain, sitting on the edge as she got herself in order. It wasn't like she wanted to hate Weiss, she didn't want to hate anyone. However the girl's 'holier than thou' attitude had certainly put her in a... lower light than most of the others at Beacon.
The only person that she could say she truly hates at Beacon was Cardin. That asshole made his blatant racism clear from the start, multiple times actually. Always picking on Velvet, poor girl choosing to put up with it.
Blake was met with some pretty intense feelings at her thoughts now. Beacon was supposed to be open and available for everyone who wanted to be huntsmen and huntresses. Yet someone like Cardin was accepted in, someone who wore his hate front and center. What did the other students do in response to this hate, nothing. They did nothing as Velvet gets picked at by Cardin daily, even while on full display.
Blake shut her eyes as she stood again. She shouldn't be judging, she didn't do anything to help either. But the point of Beacon was to craft the defenders of Remnant, those who risked life and limb to protect the people.
She couldn't interfere with Cardin and Velvet, as much as she wished she could. Blake herself was Faunus, and part of the reason she came to Beacon was to see if the students were tolerant or not. If she jumped in and helped Velvet then that wouldn't mean anything.
She needed for the humans of Beacon to show that they would stand up for what was right. So far she had been left disappointed, mostly anyway. Despite the fact that they did nothing, they mostly didn't seem to approve of Cardin's behavior either. She wasn't blind, she saw how they looked at him with contempt.
Even the Schnee seemed to detest his actions, that had been a pleasant surprise. The rest of the team didn't like it either from what she remembered, at least she had that going for her.
Oddly enough Cardin and his posse had been keeping away from her little group recently. Usually Carden was all about picking on Jaune and Velvet, but as of late almost nothing had gone down.
Ruby had told her it was because Jaune had saved him back on their field trip. Whatever he did, it had caused Cardin to tone down his actions. They weren't completely gone, but they had dropped significantly. It gave her a little hope that things weren't as bad as they seemed.
Blake let her thought's leave her as she started forward once again. Her destination; the docks. She found herself wanting to look into these robberies personally. If they really involved the White Fang then it was her responsibility to find out why.
She herself had been a member once, which is why the rumor of them robbing shops had caught her attention. They'd always been the type to want more... she would say, 'bang' in their activities. It was always something flashy, to catch the attention of the news. So the idea of them sticking to something much more quiet had her suspicious.
It was why she now boarded the ship down to the city, she wanted to get a better look at what was going on.
.
.
We'd finally arrived back at base, much to my relief.
The whole ride back had been, uncomfortable to say the least. The newest member of our little group 'Neo' had taken to watching me, and feeling me, and staring at me. It was... not fun, especially since she had been seated next to me the whole ride back.
Even now that we were back at base, the girl still stuck close to me.
"Can I... help you?" I asked hoping for an answer of some kind.
She shook her head, simply following along as we got inside. Passing by several of the other members had gotten us a few odd looks, but they took back to what they were doing. Neo seemed unbothered by the small moments of attention we got, still more focused on me.
"Vermillion, could you come with me for a bit?" Adam asked as we stopped our walking.
"Perhaps." I answered as he then motioned me to follow, holding out his hand as Neo started along.
"Not you, this doesn't involve you." Adam stated as Neo gave a small pout, crossing her arms as she wore a challenging look.
"You can watch Vermillion later, right now we need to get something done. Instead why don't you go with Saw here, he's looking after the recruit's training tonight." Adam told as Neo continued her look.
"You can help him beat them into shape." Adam finished as Saw stepped forward.
Neo still didn't look all too happy, giving him an eye roll. She relented however as she followed Saw to the training room in the distance. With her gone Adam continued on with me in tow.
"You sure that's a good idea?" I asked as we walked into another room.
"It'll be fine, she has a reputation around Vale. If anything the ones who need to watch out would be the rookies." Adam stated as we stopped in the middle of an empty room.
"I guess-" I was knocked away before I could finish, hitting the ground with a roll, I held a look of surprise as I saw Adam rush my way.
"Ack!" I made an attempt to block his sword, only for Adam to deliver a kick to my side.
I coughed as the air was knocked out of me, desperately leaping away as I got my footing again.
"What's this about!" I called as Adam smirked.
"I told you that you need to stay on your guard, and this; think of this as a sort of... advanced training." He said as he rushed for me again.
I brought my blade up this time, only to give a small hop as he tried for a low blow again. However before I could do anything he leaped up instantly, catching me mid-air with the uppercut of his sword.
The blade swept across my chest, severely impacting my aura and pushing me back some distance. I landed on the ground, this time leaping to the side as soon as I touched down. My preemptive decision paid off as his blade struck the air where I'd once been.
"You're learning, good. I'll admit you're alright so far, but you can be better."
I watched as he brought his blade back into stance, as I had done the same.
"And you will be better."
.
.
"Just down at the docking bay." The soldier spoke as he stood at the ready.
"Thank you, you may return to your patrols."
"Yes mam." The soldier gave a salute as Winter watched him walking down the hall, letting out a sigh as she continued on.
She had already chosen several of the soldiers to take on the trip to Vale, but there was still a few she had to go collect.
They wouldn't be going anytime soon yet, however she still liked to get things prepared well in advance. Considering that this was an order directly from the general, it put a sense of urgency in her.
Of course she was sure the general wasn't in that much of a rush, but that didn't mean she could afford to slack off. While Winter had plenty of time to get things ready, there was still the matter of who she took along.
So far she had went through the records of various soldiers, picking and choosing a mix of new and experienced. While the Vytal Festival was one of the most important events to occur, there was usually not much threatening it.
With the festival being so large there wasn't many who would try to cause harm during the time, due to the fact that most had nothing to gain from causing said harm. Even violent crime would lower significantly during this time. With so many people and police moving about, it made various crimes more risky than it was worth.
However this drop in crime didn't mean that it disappeared completely. There were still plenty of criminals who paid the celebrations no mind as they went about their activities. It was these types that the increase of defenses were for, keeping them from disrupting what was a celebration of peace.
It was ironic really, protecting peace with a threat of violence, but it had to be done.
Winter took her time as she walked down the cold hallways, treating it as she would any other mission. She already had in mind who she was going to take with her. She had most of the standard soldiers already chosen, and just needed to get someone else to act as a pseudo-commander with her to help keep things running smooth.
She stopped before the training room, relaxing a bit as she opened the door and stepped inside.
The sounds of battle filling her ears as she made her way forward, looking out the glass and down to the fight below.
The training room had been designed to allow soldiers and students of the academy to emulate field battles. It was created with the ability to change and simulate various terrain layouts and positions.
With it's advanced hologram projection system it was able to use the same technique that was primarily used during shield development, producing solid holographic surfaces. Using these surfaces the room was also designed to randomly distribute and take on the different shapes and forms of objects.
This system allowed them to place the trainees into various different scenarios, in an effort to prepare them for anything they may come across.
They system wasn't perfect however as all the environmental shapes that it produced were solid and unmoving. They had yet to upgrade the system to include destructible terrain or sudden movement, despite their scientists constantly working on it.
Winter watched as a team was currently going through a classic drill, a simple combat battle against some target drones. The terrain had currently consisted of a larger open area, some hallway type sections as well as some smaller areas for cover.
Despite the fact that all the holograms were mostly blue and grid based she was able to make out the factory setting the current combat drill was using. She remembered it being used in her training back when she was just a recruit, albeit the area was vastly expanded since then.
It appeared that she caught the current team just as they had finished up. She watched as they left the room below; the remaining machines making their way over to the storage area that had opened up.
The holo-field powered down, leaving the room bare once more. Winter turned to the side as she heard the sounds of the group making their way up the stairs nearby.
"It's a new record for you, you should be proud." She heard one of them say.
"Easy for you to say, you didn't get blasted in the ass with a flame thrower. My tail's gonna be feeling that for weeks!"
"You'll live."
Winter was able to see them as the door opened, the group making their way in and giving a look her way.
"Oh, specialist Schnee. How are things going." One of them asked, a tall woman with tan skin.
"Things are going well, I'd just caught the tail end of your performance." Winter said as one of them in the back groaned.
"I swear I'm not always like that, it caught me by surprise." A younger man murmured, his tail drooping behind him.
Winter rolled her eyes at that as she looked them over. The Ace-Ops; one of Atlas' most promising teams. They were comprised of some of the most skilled and honored students. Be it by semblance, grades, or just flat out skill; they were the top students of the academy.
"I'm sure whatever it was that got you was just lucky." Winter said as she stood up.
"Yea... yea." The man said, taking a more routine stance now.
"Is there something we can help you with." Another man said, holding his head forward and ready.
"As a matter of fact there is Clover. The general has, after many constant attempts, gotten the headmaster of Beacon to allow Atlas to help in protecting the Vytal Festival." She said as Clover gave a nod.
"And I believe he want's us to help with it?"
"Sort of, more specifically he's tasked me with picking who to take to Vale. Despite getting the green light, Atlas is only allowed to bring one ship of soldiers to support the festival." Winter explained as the group had gotten a confused look.
"Only one?" The man with the tail asked.
"Yes Marrow, only one." She answered as she continued on.
"For whatever reason the headmaster has authorized a single ship. General Ironwood has ordered that half of the crew are to be standard soldiers, and the other half are to consist of the newest line of Atlesian Knights." She finished as the taller woman spoke up this time.
"So half men, half machines?" Winter nodded at this.
"Yes Elm, and due to this the number of soldiers being brought along is even smaller."
"And that's why you came to us." Clover said as Winter nodded.
"Correct... mostly. To be more specific I've come for you Clover."
"Me?"
"Yes, with our group being so small we only need the aid of one other soldier to act in command similar to myself. You've shown an excessive talent for leading others since you first joined, so I thought you would be the perfect pick to come along. Are you willing to do it?" Winter asked as Clover took a moment to think.
"Alright, I accept. But if I may ask, what happens to my team while I'm gone?" Clover voiced as he looked back to the others.
"They'll continue with their usual activities and training, although they'll be limited to missions that require at most a pair to complete. They'll still be active, just on a smaller scale while you're gone." Winter spoke as the shorter woman in back pepped up.
"We'll be fine, show'em what Atlas' made of!"
"Very well then, looks like you'll be fine without me. When do I need to be ready specialist?" Clover asked as he turned to her.
"I'll let you know when we depart, we're on a schedule set by the general himself. I'm sure he'll want to check everything over before he gives the order to depart." Winter explained as she made for the door, giving one last nod as she left.
Winter found herself walking back down the hall, ready to give the news to the general.
Author's note
...
Okay, things are starting to move along now.
Here we are with a small glimpse of everyone's plans starting to move along, as well as Blake acting on her own as usual.
And to address the worries of Guest; you all ain't getting spoiled, I'm making sure of that. Nothing has been spoiled yet, then again I still haven't given much about what's going on yet. So there's that for what it's worth.
Although I was confused by what Guest mentioned. This has always been a time travel story, it's kind of the main focus if anybody's willing to believe it. I'm just taking my sweet time spreading the pieces around, setting certain things up and adding small bits of development solely because I can.
I've already given you all a glimpse into the past, present, and future so far; make of that what you will.
As always, hope you enjoyed.