Ironwood fought to stop his eye from twitching. Councilwoman Camilla was tapping her nails on the table top, again. In the quiet of the council chamber the sound echoed loudly. Slate sat at ease, hands on the desk in front of him. One empty seat remained in the room, Dew's.

'How much longer must we wait?' Ironwood asked stiffly.
'James you know the whole council must be present for this review. Your last budget has raised some questions that need to be answered,' Sleet replied from across the table.
'I am aware of that Councilman Slate. But we've delayed for nearly half an hour. Councilman Dew does not seem to be in any rush to attend. Can't we note his absence and consider an expectation in this case?'
'No James we must wait until the full council is assembled.'

Five minutes later Ironwood's scroll buzzed in his pocket. Ironwood snatched it up and answered.

'This is Ironwood.'
'General. This is Sargent Glade 3rd military police. I'm at the Dew residence there's been a... situation,' The MP said.
'A situation? Is Dew there?' Ironwood asked.
'Yes sir but-'
'But nothing. Put him on, now!'
'Sir. He's… Dead.'

'What?' Ironwood said, rising to his feet, 'How?'
'We have a number of casualties. It looks like an attack. We haven't found anyone alive in here except the groundskeeper,' Glade reported, 'Its… It's bad sir. We're cordoning off the area. But… You need to get down here.'

'I have to go,' Ironwood said, turning and walking away.
'What? First Dew now you. Is anyone actually interested in doing their part on this council?' Sleet asked.
'Dew is dead. I'm on my way to the scene. I'll update you once I know more.'
That caused both of them to go still blinking in shock. Before they could bombard him with more questions Ironwood left.

Dew's home was a manor set on the high ground around Atlas proper. It had a commanding view and was set far away from the road. Something that helped hide the situation.

A car was parked across the entrance road acting as a roadblock. It rolled out of the way at the approach of Ironwood's car. So far none of the neighbors had thought to come and see the situation.

There was a few seconds drive up to the doors. No doubt Dew's family had spent a good chunk of lien buying this much land. How much good could that money have done the Kingdom?

They reached the doors and Ironwood stepped out. A set of AK-130's in military colors with MP emblems stood on each side of the door. They saluted as he passed. Ironwood ignored them, instead opening the doors looking for Glade.

Stepping through the doors he found a sight he could only recall from historical drama. The room was large and vaulted with ornate fixtures. Artwork hung from the walls lit by lights styled like candles. And then there was the blood.

There was blood on the walls, floor and ceiling. Bodies were strewn about the place, androids and investigators moving around them. Maids and butters in their once neat uniforms cut down as they tried to flee. Looking down, Ironwood found he was standing in a pool of blood.

These people had been trying to leave the house. But the door had stopped them. And whoever or whatever had done this had found them. A small pile of body bags likely held the victims whose blood Ironwood was standing in.

'Sir.' A voice called out.
Ironwood snapped to see an MP walking into the room. He saluted Ironwood who returned the salute.
'Glade?' Ironwood asked.
'Yes sir. I apologize for not reporting earlier but…'
'I can see why you delayed doing so.'

The sight was still sinking in. These people, they'd been cut down brutally. This was a slaughter nothing more.

'Do we have any leads?' Ironwood asked.
'We're bringing up the manor CCTV now,' Glade replied.
'What about the groundskeeper? How did he survive this?'
'He wasn't in the building. He was away getting some supplies. Then came back to… this,' Glade said gesturing around, 'We found him curled up in a corner.'

Glade turned and led Ironwood through the house. It didn't get much better. He'd seen combat but this… this wasn't his kind of aftermath.

'How many?' Ironwood asked as they rounded a corner.
'At least twelve servants, two chefs and a pair of assistants. All dead with slash wounds. Dew is in his office with a guest,' Glade reported.
'A guest?'
'Yes sir. I thought it best to keep this quiet. But…' Glade stopped at the door and turned to face Ironwood.

'We believe its Doctor Cent,' Glade said with a sigh.
'What? What was she doing here?' Ironwood asked with a mix of anger and confusion in his voice.
'We don't know,' Glade said with a shrug, 'It seems she had a meeting booked. For what reason we can't tell. The records are sealed. We'll try and get them unlocked. Until then it's just conjecture.'
'Okay,' Ironwood took a breath, 'Open it.'

Glade pushed the office door open. Inside was a mess. Papers on the floor. The contents of the desk were thrown to the ground. Books strewn on the ground knocked from their shelves.

A body was propped against one of the walls. Ironwood walked over slowly even under the sheet he could make out Cent's gray hair. He let out the breath feeling more anger than ever.

Part of the wall had slid aside. Within was a plush panic room. A foot poked out from behind a knocked over chair. Dew no doubt.

One of his people was dead. A council member was dead. More than a dozen people had been killed simply because they were here. When he found out who did this there would be a reckoning.

'Ah James. You've arrived,' A voice called out. Ironwood turned to see Watts walking into the room, making sure to step around anything on the floor.

'Arthur? When did you get here?' Ironwood asked, confused.
'Me? I was at the testing grounds. I heard about the situation and rushed over. Seems like we've had another visitor from the Fang,' Watts said tapping on a scroll.
'What? This was the White Fang? You're sure of it?'
'Oh yes. Video doesn't lie James. Have a look.'

Ironwood's scroll vibrated as Watts sent over a video. Pulling it out and holding it up he watched as a figure scaled the gates. They were wearing a White Fang uniform, mask and all.

The intruder dashed up to the main door, which opened before they reached it. They then closed it behind them and started their rampage. Armed with twin blades on each hand the attacker moved from room to room.

One of the victims had time to cry out as the assailant fell upon them. The others alerted tried to run. Only to find the doors locked. In his office Dew fled into a panic room, leaving Cent to bang fruitlessly on the door.

She kept trying until the attacker reached the office. She threw books, binders and a lamp to no avail. It was a token of resistance from a woman who'd spent her life in intellectual pursuits. Soon enough she died, somewhat faster than the others.

Then the invader opened the panic room and Dew died cowering. He'd abandoned his staff and Cent. What little respect Ironwood had had for the man had died before the deathblow landed.

'How did this happen?' Ironwood asked finally.
'It seems the White Fang is more adept with our networks than we thought. Dew spared no expense with his security,' Watts said with a detached tone, 'A shame his fortress became a tomb. They took control of the locks and sealed the place until they were done.'
'Track the intrusion! If we work fa-'
'We already did James. It was pointless. All that was found was a scrubbed codex with some black market software.'

'A codex did this?' Ironwood snarled.
'Yes. One that was well modified. Far beyond what we've seen before. I'd like to do the tear down myself if that's okay with you? Cent and I didn't always see eye to eye but we were colleges,' Watts asked.
'Do it. And put together a review of our security. This is the last time some bunch of savages prances though Atlas. We've been humiliated enough. Do I make myself clear!'
'Perfectly James. I'll get right on it,' Watts said, turning and leaving.

Watts strode out past the bodies and their attendants. It was a shame but these things did happen, he supposed. His car was outside. Getting in he started the engine and set off for his house.

Much to his distaste he didn't live in as affluent an area as Dew had. Watts home was lower down, but still mercifully out of the city proper. As he approached the gate swung open and he drove through.

The garage door slid open and he parked inside. Turning the engine off he sighed.

'You can come out you know?' Watts said, tilting the overhead mirror.
'Oh and I was just getting comfortable,' Tyrian said. Sitting up on the back seat.
'Perhaps but don't get any blood on the seats please? I don't want to waste time cleaning the car. And get that disguise off already.'
'Oh but I was just getting into character,' Tyrian giggled. Pulling off the White Fang uniform.

'Yes bloodthirsty manhunter does suit you. But we've accomplished our objective now. Cent's research is dead in the water. The council will spend the next few months if not years trying to find a replacement. All in all a successful mission,' Watts remarked.
'Hmm. Good work with the cameras and security systems. Those used to be such trouble,' Tyrian said walking around the car.
'Child's play. I can't say I would have had your… flare. But you've done your role well. Now what?'
'Now we report back. And watch Ironwood poison the well further. Oh how I do love this. The chaos and the anger tell me you recorded him.'

Watts simply held up his scroll and pressed play. On it he watched Ironwood walk through the house. Now the general would feel despair, anger and rage at his impotence.

The next day a press release announced that there had been a break-in gone wrong at Dew's home. They could hardly admit that for the second time now the White Fang had bypassed their defenses somehow. Ironwood had a number of meetings afterwards. Mostly re-aiming their security against more White Fang attackers.

'Due to recent, unfortunate events, funding for your projects remains the same for now,' Ironwood said looking around the table.

Watts, Polendina, Coal, Cent and Greenapple sat in their places. Cents seat had been removed but the void remained. Most were upset or resigned.

'Do I take it that with the loss of our dear colleague the new android project will be shut down?' Watts asked.
'What no!' Polendina shouted, 'Clarisa and I have already finished the base model. It's well ahead of schedule. Shutting it down now would be a waste.'
'I wasn't aware of that,' Watts said, cocking a brow, 'But with the project head gone…'
'I can take over,' Polendina said turning to Ironwood, 'I'm up to speed on it already and I'm well ahead on my own project.'
'Very well Pietro. Take over. Please keep me updated on your work. It's what Clarisa would have wanted.'

Unnoticed by the others nodding their heads. Watts smiled outwardly but nearly grinding his teeth. So much for dealing with the competition.

'If that's the case I'd like to suggest we do a rework on our security systems. Given recent events it seems prudent to update them,' Watts said.
'I agree. There's no way we can risk a repeat of this. We should get started right away,' Ironwood said with a nod.
'But we're part way through integrating the new combat control system with the CCT,' Greenapple protested.
'Why don't you focus on that part. I can do the security side of things,' Watts offered, 'That way your work remains undisturbed and I'll just build around it.'
'That… Might work. Provided we can check your changes and do the testing.'
'Excellent make it so,' Ironwood ordered.

Within the heart of Phoenix Bay Emmerich was reviewing the latest reports. He had information about their resource extraction and consumption. Current construction estimates and predictions. And a thousand more details between. All needed his attention but they could wait for now.

'Jaune Arc,' Emmerich said, looking over the details for his recruitment.
'Are we sure about this one?' Myers asked from across the desk.
'He matches exactly with the one I've seen before.'
'Still… He's not quite as good as the last two.'

'No,' Emmerich admitted, 'But then Weiss Schnee is the same. She doesn't seem to have any formal training yet. But things can change. Likely they will. Let's just focus on getting the few we can ready. For whatever is coming.'
'Right. Provided he passes basic the system will sort him into a team with the others. That way we get them integrated from the start,' Myers said.
'Good. At least we don't have to worry about them not meeting up. Leaving things to fate is not an option.'

Jaune stepped off the boat looking around at the harbor. This place was busy. Busier than he'd thought a harbor could be. The COG had paid for his passage to their island via ship. Apparently cheaper than air travel.

They were herded along and sorted. New recruits like him being guided through a separate set of barriers and onto a waiting train. The interior was nice with more than enough seating for them all. He spoke with a few of them on the way.

Most had the same story. Joining for the money, chance to become a citizen or like him looking to become a huntsman. They had some variance in age. With some older gruffer people mixed with younger ones like him.

Eventually the trains announcement system reported they were arriving now at Rampart training center. The train slid into the station and the doors opened. A woman in a uniform marched onto the train.

'Welcome to Rampart training center. You will disembark the train, take your personal items and stand on the painted marks outside. Should you have anything in your mouth it goes in the bin by the door. Begin,' The woman said. Turning sharply and marching off the train.

There was a moment of quiet then they all stood up and started gathering their bags. Walking out they found there were pairs of painted footprints on the ground. Arranged four by four in blocks. Standing on one Jaune watched as other uniformed people marched up and down between them. With whatever inspection done one stood in front of each block. The woman from before stood at the head of them all.

'I am Master Sergeant Bradley,' She announced clearly, 'You are here because you have offered to serve the COG. As of now you are cadets. Should you graduate you will be Privates. Not all of you will be Gears. But all of you will learn the skills you need here at Rampart.'

As she spoke she slowly swung her head from side to side. Her gaze was… unnerving. Bradley continued,'

'Make no mistake. Some of you will fail. Perhaps you lack the will. You may find out that you just can't cope with the training. Don't feel discouraged. If you want to leave at any point just let me or your platoon drill Sergeant know. We will get you sent home. No repercussions will happen. You'll just go back on the boat to wherever you came from. Anyone who wants to leave. Can do so now before the train leaves.'

There was a moment of quiet. One, then two, then three people Jaune could see turned and walked back to the train.

'Thank you for your honesty,' Bradley said, 'The rest of you. You are in your training platoons now. You will be broken up at the end of your basic training so don't get attached. Now pickup your belongings. It's time for marching.'

Ozpin sat back in his office sipping his hot cocoa. It seemed that Atlas had suffered another attack. Once more James was tossing anything and anyone to find out how. Part of him regretted putting James in charge. He was quite dependable, but had such a military mindset in all things.

He put down the scroll and started to look over the new details from the Council. Part way through the lift bell went. Glynda stepped out looking frustrated.

'Amber has wandered off, again,' Glynda said, stopping in front of the desk.
Ozpin sighed, 'Do we know where?'
'Only that she wanted to go on another mission.'
'She knows she's too important for normal missions. She is also meant to only go as part of a team.'

Glynda just gave an exasperated wave of her hands.
'We've told her. I've told her. You've told her. She has too big a heart to be a Maiden,' Glynda said tiredly.
'Still we can't let her run off on her own. I'll call Qrow and ask him to track her down,' Ozpin said. Bringing up Qrow's number on his terminal.

'Are we sure we can trust him?' Glynda asked.
'What do you mean? Qrow has been one of our best agents for years.' Ozpin said, lowering his hand.
'He's also a chronic drunk. And if you remember joined Beacon with his sister to learn how to kill Huntsmen. His sister who abandoned us when she learned the stakes.'
'Perhaps so. But if you recall he's spent the last few years not on missions with her daughter and Summer's.'
'That's true but still… isn't there anyone else we can send.'
'Not for this I'm afraid. The less people know about our other work the better.'