"So there could be MORE of you showing up?" Nixera asked one afternoon, after hearing about the events that had taken place prior. The students were still in school, so it was just DMND in the shop, with Isabelle, who had said she made it DIMND on multiple occasions, which while it ruined the "damned" interpretation, did fit the "diamond" one, not that anyone objected.
"More from the worlds I come from yes. Like me...not exactly," the Slayer explains. "Nobody's like me. At least I don't believe so. People who I've worked with in the past? Yes. They may be coming here, if possible."
"You mean like, RIGHT here?" Isabelle asks. "Or up there? That...seems shocking. That we could be all doing our thing and then all of a sudden, portal opens, and people walk out."
"Oh no, nothing like that," he explains further. "See, up there? They'd use its location as a reference point, but I don't think they'd EVER just portal in. They'd see it as my property, and therefore to portal in...would be to kick in the FOD's front door, as it were. As for here? Also not likely, as they're unaware of the temperament of the locals. They'd be able to detect civilization beforehand, for sure. But as for portaling here? Most likely out in the wilderness, then scout out civilization and take steps to blend in. Better to be overly cautious, and all that," he continues, glancing at the data from the FOD.
"Interesting. Mixed Earthling and Argenta, twin signals. Based on the data..." He ponders it in his head. "So, one signal's origins are Earth. The other, Argent D'Nur. Both are mixed with the other's tech, suggesting the two have visited each other's worlds, likely to help with the reconstruction process. Understandable, I mean Hell DID deliver an ass whooping to them both. Only natural for them to aid each other in reconstruction. And hopefully...they're getting along. Which I'd want them to do anyway."
He smiles to himself, imagining what it could be like. In his mind, Commander Valen dressed in his armor was officially speaking for the Argenta in the Slayer's absence, shaking hands in partnership with suited generic Earth politician number 682 to many flashing cameras. Well, it was less a hand shake, and more a hand crush for the Earthling, wincing at Valen's strength, said politician thinking to himself about this helps explain much about them already.
He shook his head, clearing himself of his fantasy before he indulged too much further, as Marion and Daisy came in from the shop floor. "Well, things go well out there. Though the Dust prices are high due to what the White Fang are up to," Marion says, glancing down at her scroll. "Sure, what we do helps. But still...supply and demand. And of course, SDC is the biggest Dust seller out there. Ammo is getting expensive." She then turns towards the Slayer. "So when are you showing us about all those gunpowder-based weapons?"
"Soon. There's a couple things first. Mainly? We need to do a geological survey, make sure you all have the right stuff FOR gunpowder. Then claim the land for ourselves, which...that's on you. I have NO idea about land rights here," the Slayer responds with a chuckle. "Oh, and a certain someone would be VERY interested in Earth weapons."
"Though that makes me ask, what about Argenta?" Daisy asks. "I've seen the pictures. They've got awesome weapons too."
"Bit more complex to make, considering the various anomenergies they use," the Slayer explains. "Some of the more basic swords, some of which you can find in barrels around the FOD, and other melee weapons we could make. Though I think for mass production, guns are cheaper and easier. Don't quote me on that though," he chuckles.
"Hey, why ARE you insisting on us being down here and not up there anyway?" Nixera asks. "Is it because of Penny's portal idea?"
"Yes, actually. With some adjustments, turns out I could actually plug them into the restructuring generator. It's preparing, but the work will actually happen tonight, while you all sleep," he explains, as Nixera examines a ball in the corner, with some tech showing.
"What's this?" She asks, tossing it up and down.
"Prototype testing for a return drive," he says, taking the ball and throwing it far away. After a point, it vanishes, and then reappears in the Slayer's hand, earning some gasps. "All it did was return itself to my pocket dimension once it could sense it was too far."
"And what benefit is this?" Nixera asks.
"Ever been disarmed in combat, and had your weapon go WAY far away?" He asks, and then everyone understood where he was headed, completely.
Marion then pulls up some rough designs on her Scroll. "Hey, that reminds me. Remember your idea for satellites? Well, I actually thought of something. See, on Earth, you all had MANY people, countries, businesses, you name it, ALL wanting to get their own sats up there. We'd have just us. SO, we can standardize." The designs she shows all depict a basic satellite, with solar panels, communication antennae, and computer. "It's designed to be modular. What you see is actually a base version without a purpose, without...I guess you could call it the load." She then points at one section of the designs that are intentionally empty. "THIS is where the load goes. It could be extra equipment for communication. It could be that GPS tech I've read about. It could be for weather. And that's just the civilian use. There's also spy variants."
The Slayer looks at the designs, taking mental notes of various details. "Wow. This looks great. Good work."
"Thank you sir. Now, I will admit, GETTING them in place I haven't quite figured out. I mean, we can't just kick them out the FOD airlock now can we?" Marion chuckles. "The design IS meant to launch all packed up, then unpack itself once it gets where it needs to go."
"Well on one hand, we COULD go the rocket route," Daisy chimes in. "Though that feels...wasteful. Even if it looks impressive. How tall was that...what was it called...Saturn?" She asks.
"The Saturn V rocket. 111 meters tall, roughly. One of our largest, and all to go to the moon. It's not a satellite delivery rocket, it's a people delivery rocket," the Slayer explains. "As well as bring them back. Them, and rocks."
Just then a gleam comes to Marion's eye. "You should take us there someday. The moon I mean. Why? Because it'd be fun. First people on our moon, and all that." The others react with mixed interest, but all agreeing that it would be cool to set foot where nobody has before.
"We could do that. I'd just have to figure out suits for you. See, there are two major problems with vacuum, as Daisy can attest. Both stem from the lack of atmosphere, but with different effects. First off being the breathing issue," Daisy nods, remembering being trapped in the airlock. "But the second is the air pressure. There's a couple pounds of air, sitting on top of us right now. It's keeping the oxygen dissolved in your blood. And you don't want it to bubble out."
"Oooh, interesting," Isabelle comments, making some notes in her Scroll. "Wait, in some of those pictures, is THAT why the space suits always look so pudgy? Are they inflated for the air pressure?" She asks.
"Actually, yes. And trust me, it has to be a TIGHT seal. A small hole CAN ruin the whole thing. There's later models though that apply the pressure directly to the skin. And thus...are a bit more form fitting," the Slayer explains. "Oh we had some for just general vacuum, some for launches, and some specifically for the moon. And later ones for Mars and other such places."
"I might know the answers to this, but I'll ask anyway," Nixera asks with a sigh. "First off, can't our Auras protect us? And second...why is it your elbows are exposed in the armor? Aren't you just as vulnerable then, or is it you're too badass for vacuum to touch?"
"In order? Aura helps, but hey, it CAN run out. And I DO NOT know how long it'll last in vacuum. And...yeah, I'm too badass for vacuum to touch," the Slayer responds with a laugh. Just then his own Scroll beeps, and he checks it. "Oh hello. Something is broadcasting a signal on Night Sentinel frequencies."
Everyone's eyes go wide. "Are they here already?" Daisy asks.
"Unlikely. Sentinels are possibly the bravest warriors in existence. But they are also as aware of how it can be too easy for courage to become foolishness as any other military out there. Add to that, they're likely still rebuilding, and if my guess is right, helping Earth rebuild after the Hell invasion. And the Battle of Immora likely took a bit out of them too," the Slayer explains. "But I'll have to head up to the FOD if I want to pinpoint the location. As for what it is...most likely a drone. One we can recover, and I can access." The Slayer then snaps his fingers. "That actually gives another idea for Penny. Some homework. A 'Welcome to Remnant' gift basket. Gather all basic data on Remnant, from geography, Grimm, Auras, Semblances, faunus, Dust...the list goes on. Give her access to Sentinel compression and encryption and I can send it away."
"Oh, so they know what they're dealing with here," Nixera comments with a chuckle. "And let me guess...data on us? Our plans?"
"That I may not broadcast until they're here, and can set up proper communications. And nobody here would care about me sending the basics—" The Slayer said until Marion interrupted.
"But both sides, be they Cinder/White Fang folks, as well as Ozpin's gang, will suspect something if they pick it up. Well, Ozpin's gang will know friends of yours are coming. But as for Cinder and HER gang...that's a good question. What do they know?" She asks, bouncing the return drive ball against a wall.
"Well that IS a good question. It could benefit us to know. Plant spy cameras and the like. In fact...could we do that?" Daisy asks as her ears perk up. "Sure, it'd be a tricky mission. But based on what we've done recently, I wouldn't say no to trying. Nix'll have to help, sure, to get me in and out."
"We'd just have to make the right kind of cameras. And unfortunately...I think this is something you'd have to sit out," Nixera comments. "Argenta wouldn't hold that against you would they?" She asks with a chuckle.
"They know that not all aspects of war are created equal. They know that land, sea, air and space are each their own theater of war, both codependent and independent at the same time. Though that most of the time, the land soldiers often need the others to get where they're going," the Slayer responds. "Add to that? Stealth missions are their own thing. And the past kings have pretty much always worn the flashiest armor, dealt the most damage...you get the idea. Kings generally don't sneak around. Add to that, not every mission is something a king can go on, nor is worth his time. Powerful as I am, even I can't be in multiple places at once. So no, I feel NO shame sitting out a stealth mission," he laughed. "You think all 360 pounds of me can sneak around? And hey, even then, it's common for the Night Sentinels to engage, while the king is away fighting the real fight. That sums up Immora in a nutshell. And while not king-specific, that's actually a tenet of Art of War. 'Use a direct attack to engage, and an indirect attack to win.' Actually, what we're proposing now ALSO fits within Sun Tzu's teachings."
"Author I take it?" Marion asks. "You've mentioned this book before. Sounds like the ultimate guide to war. And how's this fit in?"
"'Know thy enemy, and know thyself, and in one hundred battles, you shall never be in peril.' Sun Tzu prizes knowledge about the enemy. He has an ENTIRE CHAPTER on spies and how best to use them. He also values being able to win without fighting. Trickery and the like. Fighting costs lives and money," the Slayer explains.
"So be economical in war. Got it," Marion chuckles. "So about this spying thing...for Ozpin it's easy. We could bug his office. But what about the White Fang?"
"Well, on one hand, it helps I know some of the hideouts. On the other hand, since they know me, sneaking in, even with my Semblance, would be difficult. They know me," Daisy explains.
"But we've all gotten better, thanks to the big guy here," Nixera chuckles. "But I get your point. And anyway, how DO we bug them? We lack the right cameras."
"Oh I'm sure I can figure something out," the Slayer finishes.
Marion then changes the subject to another problem. "I've looked at comments from the suggestion box, as well as some advice from Weiss. They all say that if we DO go big, as it seems we will, that the name wouldn't fit. Besides...we sell more than weapons now, thanks to you. Fiye Weapons and More just doesn't cut it. And on top of that...it just doesn't FEEL like the Fiye Weapons of old. So, ideas?" She asks everyone.
"Possibly something Diamond. Or Diamond something. Since you're not alone anymore," Daisy offers.
"Wait...we're going international. We're Diamonds. International Diamonds?" Isabelle suggests.
"International Diamonds...ID. That works. And we could label products as all ID something," the Slayer says. "Now, anything else?"
They all shook their heads.A week later, their plan was ready, and the upgrade to the portal generator was made, and tested. Spy cameras had been made and tested as well. "Now we just got to get them in place. Any ideas?" Daisy asks.
"Actually, yes. For Ozpin...well Daisy, how do you feel about going back to school?" Marion asks. "I know what your Semblance can do. BUT, this should help," she continues, holding up a pair of Beacon girl's uniforms. "Convinced some of the girls to loan these."
"Careful now," Isabelle smirks. "Or else we'll get SOMEONE into schoolgirls," she says while winking at the Slayer. "Since we have so many running around here already."
"I have no idea what you mean," he responds with a straight face, but in a tone that hinted he knew otherwise. "So what if it seems the female population of Remnant outnumbers the male population? And besides...need I remind you that with the exceptions of you four, Coco, and Velvet, everyone else is underage? And EVERYONE especially for me."
"Yes well, you say that," Isabelle smirks. "But based on readings the FOD picked up the other day, when you accidentally saw through Coco/Velvet's clothes, your adrenaline levels spiked. Ditto for testosterone, as high as it already is," she laughs. "Long story short? I think that despite yourself, you got horny."
"Now look here. I didn't have a reaction down there, so it means nothing," the Slayer defends himself, keeping all expression off his face.
"And speaking of...when WILL that thing be ready for me?" Isabelle continues, getting closer.
"Soon. Many things on the plate. Still trying to find the time. Switching gears...when do we do this?" He asks. "When is the old man out of his office?"
"Not sure, but like always, we could distract," Marion suggests. "Question is, what distracts him?"
"Might be risky to use you," Daisy tells the Slayer. "It'd only redouble his search for you."
"Hmmm, wait, Ruby once mentioned that every Tuesday he goes shopping for more cocoa. And yes, that's what's in his mug. Not coffee like nearly everyone thinks," Nixera suggests. "So it's just a matter of timing."
"Cocoa huh? If we wanted to, we could even delay on that end. I could engage in a bit of...what did you call it? Social engineering?" Marion asks the Slayer, and he nods.
"Risky to engage directly. But maybe some small talk might yield results. Just need an exit strategy in case things go south," he says, then his eyes go wide. "And actually, while we wait for Tuesday, I thought of something else. Sure, we can bug his office. But what we should ALSO do? Plant some spyware on his computer."
"Oh shit, good idea. How would we make sure it can't be detected?" Daisy asks.
"Hmmm...the right device, planted in his computer can do the trick. And I mean IN the computer, so he can't see it. Not attached to a port outside," he explains. "Argenta know their cyberwarfare as well. I might even have something that'll work."
Tuesday came, and everyone and everything was ready. Nixera and Daisy showed off their disguises, which earned approval from the others. Daisy and the Slayer went up to the FOD to oversee via the cameras the girls had as they went to their locations.
"Should we watch from your room?" Isabelle asks. "From your REAL throne? Because it seems you spend more time in that office chair than you do the one by the bookshelf."
"Fine," the Slayer says as they head there. "And OK, you're right. I DO spend more time in this chair."
"More comfortable I bet. But does it recline? You're an old man after all," Isabelle laughs. "And I get the feel you prefer to always be doing something. Not idly sitting on a throne, ruling."
"Since when did you get a psych degree?" He asks with a raised eyebrow as he sits down, surprised as Isabelle gets in his lap. OK, is my lap that comfortable? Or is she trying to get a...reaction out of me? Is this a test to see if I'd need to take the little blue pills? If I was anyone else, I'd certainly have to. But something tells me...I have no need for said pills, as everything works regardless.
The pair watched as Nix and Daisy mingled with the students in Beacon, observing as Ozpin left for town. "Moving in," Nix said as the pair infiltrated, not even having to use their Semblances, though they did get waves from their friends. Luckily all their friends had been informed of the plan so they didn't try to hold them up in conversation. "So far so good."
They were in Beacon, halfway up to Ozpin's office, when the Slayer spots something on Daisy's camera. "Hold up. Is that...?" He zooms in to confirm. "Wait. That's Cinder. In a uniform. And Mercury and Emerald."
"Shit. Why are they here?" Nix asks, but then looks between the trio, and themselves. "They might be here for a similar reason. Haven't spotted us though. Orders?"
"Daisy, continue on to Ozpin's office. You're ex-White Fang, so they may know your face. Nix, observe from a distance without being spotted," he orders.
"Yessir," both girls say as they split up. Daisy took an alternate route up to Ozpin's office, while Nix hung around casually, listening to what the three were talking about. It wasn't anything major, only about how well their infiltration was going. But Cinder did send Mercury back to their room for something, and Nixera followed, Blinking at times to avoid detection.
"Sir, seems they're here to infiltrate. Likely to keep a close eye on Ozpin. I know we only intended to bug the old man, but I'm requesting bugs for their room as well," Nixera says quietly, readying the shared pocket dimension.
"Coming your way," the Slayer says as he grabs the bugs and sends them to said dimension. "Done. Good idea Nix. Fate is with us today, or whatever higher power you believe in."
"Yes it is sir," Nix responds as she observes Mercury enter a room, then waits until he leaves, Blinking away just as he steps out. She then waits a few minutes, then Blinks directly inside the room.
"I'm in position. Searching for good places now," she reports, searching for good places for the bugs. Luckily, the bugs were designed to blend in with their environments, so they could be planted in corners and under furniture with almost no risk of detection, and still be able to do their jobs.
"OK, testing," the Slayer says as the bugs activate, and he watches Nixera pace around the room.
"How did they even get in here? How has NOBODY spotted them?" Nixera asks.
"No idea, but I can tell the bugs work. Hear you loud and clear," the Slayer reports. "Daisy, how's things on your end?"
"Old man's office is huge. Planting bugs now," Daisy reports back as Nix Blinks up to her to join her. "Faster now you're here Nix. Lots of clockwork up here." Both get to work planting bugs. "We have a problem. No visible computer. Big desk though."
"My Scroll wants to interface with it though," Nix responds. "Suspect tech hidden inside. How do we do this?"
The Slayer looks at the desk, until an idea hits. "Big silver dome in the middle on the edge. Can you move it?" He asks, and Nix tries, finding it can with some effort. Daisy then tosses her the device, which she plants, putting the dome back.
"OK, testing," He taps some things as the girls finish bugging the room. Various files show up on his desktop, so far only things related to Beacon itself as a test, mostly about student grades and teacher comments.
"Our friends would be VERY interested in this," Isabelle laughs. "We can hand them their report cards well before they actually get them."
"True. But not what we're here for," the Slayer responds as the bugs in Ozpin's office come online.
"Shit. I hear someone," Daisy says as her ears perk up. "Doesn't sound like Ozpin, but let's not take chances."
"Nix, take her and get out of there," the Slayer orders, watching on the bugs as Nix grabs the bunny in a bear hug, Blinking away just as the door opened to reveal Glynda. The older blonde interfaced with the computer desk, grabbing some files that seemed unimportant before leaving.
"Mission successful, with a bonus thanks to the fact we're not the only ones infiltrating," the Slayer tells them. "Mari, how's things?"
Mari meanwhile was in a a specialty shop that Ozpin liked to frequent, looking up just as the old man walked in. "He's here. How's things at Beacon?" She asks over the comm.
"Better than expected. I'll brief you upon your return. Long story short, turns out we're not the only ones interested in the old man," he tells her as Mari watches Ozpin shop around. She was about to go up to him, when he starts mumbling to himself.
"So much to do. And we STILL have no lead on that stranger. We recovered the sarcophagus, but he's gone. I've searched, but nothing. And Glynda doesn't understand he's a danger, doesn't understand he should be sent back to where he came from," Ozpin mumbles to himself.
"Mari, keep an eye on him for a few more minutes, but don't engage." The Slayer orders. Ozpin continued to mumble to himself about various topics before he left, and Mari did so as well, getting picked up in an alleyway by Nix and Daisy.
"Mission successful ladies," the Slayer tells them, and they all decide to eat out for dinner.
That evening, they all crowded in his room, looking at the monitors. Cinder and company weren't saying much at first, though Cinder did express frustration that plans weren't working. Of note was annoyance and confusion about "those four," as they described, getting a feeling their latest adversaries didn't work for Ozpin. Cinder was especially frustrated as they watched footage from security cameras, all depicting the Slayer's actions. "Oh when I get the Maiden's power, he will pay," Cinder said angrily, her fist clenching as it caught fire, Emerald and Mercury backing away. "I don't care what he has in his bag of tricks."
"Is it wrong I want to Blink down there when they're asleep, and leave a note saying you won't pay?" Nix asks with a grin. "Maybe leave a copy of your Testaments on their Scrolls."
"I get it, but let's not get overeager with taunting just yet," the Slayer chuckles.
Emerald was talking about how Cinder would need help via her Hallucination semblance, while Mercury did some tune ups on his legs, revealing them to be mechanical. "OK, so, that guy's got fake legs got it. And mint chocolate does illusions. Luckily, you see through ALL illusions big guy," Mari says as she gently punches the Slayer in the shoulder. Cinder also mentions a plan for them to check out "the source of some strange signal in the forest," which the team figured was the Sentinel probe.
"What's this about a Maiden though?" Daisy asks. "The plot thickens."
"Wait...I know of the old fairy tale of the maidens," Isabelle responds. "The four maidens who got powers thanks to being kind to an old wizard, and were gifted seasonal-themed magic as a result. And I mean magic. It's not a Semblance, I mean it's actual magic. Though I guess it's ALL magic to you," she tells the Slayer. "Or as you call it, anomenergy."
"Now I'm curious what Ozpin's up to," Nix says as she switches the feeds over. Ozpin and Glynda were in his office, arguing.
"Glynda, he's dangerous. Every student is in danger!" Ozpin said angrily, his voice only slightly raised but not yelling.
"Is he? He just didn't want to do things your way, so he's dangerous. Need I remind you how he escaped?" Glynda responds firmly.
"He knocked out Winter, and destroyed ALL of Ironwood's robots with a single blast of his weapon. Go ahead Glynda, tell me how he's not a danger," Ozpin tells her, tapping his cane on the ground.
"Because I'm sure that if the Doom Slayer WANTED to kill Winter, he would have," Glynda defends, pulling up holograms of the camera footage. "That big weapon of his could certainly have killed her. But instead he punched her JUST hard enough to break her Aura, AND knock her out with only a mild concussion. Not even a single broken bone. And look at the attitude of said punch." She plays the footage in slow motion. "It's calculated. It's a punch that if he WANTED to do more damage, he would have. He probably could've killed her, just with a punch alone. And even on his way out of Beacon, he made sure not to harm a soul. He didn't even shove anyone out of the way as he ran." Now Glynda played footage of his escape, showing him weaving amongst the students as he ran with surprising agility for his size.
"OK, then where did he go? What's he doing?" Ozpin asks as he sips his cocoa.
"I don't know. But I bet he's out there, trying to solve our problems his way," Glynda responds. "Oh, and before you ask...I don't know if RWBY, JNPR, CFVY, and Ironwood's robot are visiting him when they disappear. And why shouldn't we let them? You know it might actually be good for them to get another perspective Ozpin!"
"Another perspective? My way is the only way any of us will survive! Or have you forgotten that the fate of Remnant is at stake? Have you forgotten the fact we have Amber in the vault, in that machine? The Fall Maiden is near death, and we've yet to find a suitable host for her power! Though Pyrrha seems a promising candidate," Ozpin continues, angrier than before. "But no, let's let her get a perspective from someone who isn't native to Remnant, who doesn't know our struggles," he continues with a hint of sarcasm. "And what's worse? Yes, we have his sarcophagus in the vault. But we detected another signal." Ozpin pulls up a map on the holo, zooming in on a blinking dot. "Whatever's there is emitting a signal similar to what he did. Are MORE of him coming? He's said he's from another world, so did he summon friends? This may be the start of an otherworldly invasion!"
"Now you're being paranoid Ozpin. He seemed to want to help, but he doesn't want to do it your way. So maybe he wants friends that think like he does," Glynda defends.
"OK, so we've learned much. We know where the Sentinel beacon is," Mari says with a chuckle. "Thanks guys!"
"And it seems the Maiden story is real," Isabelle says with a shocked face. "What a coincidence. But we need to know more. They mentioned a vault. We should find a way inside."
"Big surprise of this is that Glynda's on your side. Maybe we can...recruit her," Daisy suggests. "She could possibly act as an informant. Among MANY other things. A friend in a high place."
"Seems likely. We've learned much, yet there's still so much we don't know. Now, all of you, get some rest. Tomorrow, we're beating everyone to the beacon," he orders. The girls all salute lazily as they find their rooms. So, hot MacGonagall is ready to defend me against Dumbledore huh? Oh, I'll make sure to meet her in private. Or at least, away from prying eyes.
