Chapter 39

Closure

(Week 9, day 69)

RVB subverse #3

(Johnathan's POV)

I left Pyrrha with in her dorm with Elaia and her team to try to cheer her up. Nothing cheers up a somber mood faster than a cheerful 7 year old with absolutely no idea what is going on. Elaia seems to have taken a liking to JNPR pretty good, even started calling the girls 'Auntie Nora' and "Auntie Pyrrha' once or twice. Teams JNPR and RWBY both have explicated instructions NOT to leave Pyrrha alone for any length of time what so ever, at least until I can figure out a solution to the new problem at hand. That son on a bitch Rick had better know what to do, because I'm not sure who else can give the multiverse the middle finger like he can. . . . well the Doctor maybe but he'd be a pain to even find in his own universe.

We already got most, if not all, of the important weapons and equipment from the vault. Glynda was kind enough to put them in Beacon's bunker until I can figure out what to do with all of them or where to put them for a more permanent solution. I already warned Ironwood and Ozpin not to touch any of the equipment, or think about reverse engineering it for their own use. Rhode and Ruby seemed to have gotten a large portion of equipment over. Most of it we don't have time or the equipment to get it over. Mostly the computer stuff, large shipping containers of medkits and grenades. Most of which I plan on detonating before I leave in one big blow. Send Freelancer out in a massive blaze of glory.

The list so far includes but not limited to: 7 SRS99-AM sniper rifles, 23 M392 DMR rifles, 34 BR55 service rifles, 36 MA5C assault rifles, 22 M/7 caseless submachine guns, 60 M6G magnum handguns, 20 M90 shotguns, 12 M319 Individual Grenade Launchers, 5 M41 rocket launchers, 20 type 25 plasma rifles, 6 Type 25 bruteshots, 5 type 31 needle rifles, and finally 7 type 50 concussion rifles. At least 50 type 1 plasma grenades, 3000 M9 HE-DP grenades, 10 type 2 spike grenades, and 5 type 3 flamer grenades. Plenty of ammo for all of it. I severely lost track on the exact amount after counting the 7.62X51MM ammo. I think we're somewhere around 570 million rounds for all of it together. We're decent on ammo for a long while, Thank you Director for stockpiling it all. We got several copies of armor enhancements that the other Freelancers used. Domed bubble shield, speed boost, adaptive camouflage, active camouflage, strength enhancement, holograms, EMP pulse generator, and a healing unit. Wyoming's time distortion unit wasn't in the mix, thankfully. At least 12 sets of armor similar to what us Freelancers use. Safe to say we are golden for a long while on repairs and replacements. The Vault was a lot more interesting to raid. I got the BFG nine fucking thousand, a saber staff, gravity and portal guns, one 1 UP mushroom, several vigors/placids from the bioshock sector, Phoenix down feather, a fire flower, and two 'Power up' tablets from Doom 2016. The berserk and quad damage tablets. The Monitor shell was brought over and I already got a idea who to throw inside it. I do hope this evens the odds against Emily, I know better than anyone else that the Dark side of the force is no laughing matter to go up against alone. Especially the Legends version, I know she can do a Force storm. Force Lightning is a huge favorite of hers, especially when she knows she has the upper hand in the fight. Even worse if she has been injected with Bioshock Placids or the MCU's Extremis. Not looking forward to that fight but it is inevitable to happen.

I looked at the mission clock one more time, twenty minutes until facility shutdown. I was the only one left on this side of the portal, aside from Yang and Alice, messing with C10 plastic explosives in the portal control room. I know others will be visiting the facility sometime in the future, the multiverse tech I want to completely destroy. Right now FILLS was uploading to a special memory chip, one capable of holding her. If my theory is correct, she could be compatible with Beacon's hardware. Biggest risk in all this, SHOULD be compatible! If she isn't, I'd have no choice but to delete her and all of Freelancer's files. Much rather not but if it comes down to it I will.

"You ready FILLS?" I asked yelling to the roof. I took a step back and admired my work, I always did like playing with the big boy toys. Can't get much bigger than several dozen blasting cubes of C10 per room. This is going out with a big bang.

"Affirmative Ohio. But I must ask, do you have to rig a good fourth of the facility to blow and collapse?" She asked in a curious tone. Am I over doing it with the explosives? Probably. Is there a better way? Most likely. Is this a lot more fun? Oh hell yeah.

"100%, we can not risk anyone else getting their hands of Multiverse jumping tech. Far too dangerous in the wrong hands." I answered walking out of the room as I began to follow the cable, should go right by the Med bay if I am not mistaken. . . . and there they are walking out of the woman's restroom area. When you got to go, you got to go. Yang walked out with her eyes puffed out red and sore. Her arm nub looking similar to my own with various port and inputs. Red and swollen in various areas from the recent bionic grafting. "How are you feeling Yang?" I asked as she looked at me with a deadpan expression, using her good arm to point at me menacingly.

"NEVER! . . . Again!" She said emphasizing the 'never' part as Alice walked out with the BFG on her back. One of the few people I can trust to NOT abuse it's killing potential and to use it responsibly. Ruby is sweet and all, but she would not hesitate to pull the trigger just to see what it does. Alice at least understands it is not to be underestimated by any stretch of the imagination. Hence why I gave it to her, as much as it kills me on the inside not to have it's power at my finger tips. I got Arcflash, good enough for me. While Arcflash is good all around vs everything, not perfect but decently rounded for everything I need it for. Now the BFG is beyond great vs organics but okay vs machines unless it is a direct hit. Plus the ammo is exclusive to only the Doom sector, Arcflash is refit to accept any 16mm x 65mm metal slugs.

"We'll head back now and meet you on the other side. Don't stay too long because we can not come back to get you." Alice warned as they both went down the hall toward the portal room. If memory serves, the restroom area served as a locker room of sorts after the ship crashed. I wonder if I left anything in my old locker. I turned right and went to the men's restroom area. Whole place reminded me of a public restroom from a supermarket. Urinals and stalls lined the wall as well as sinks, chalk white everything, and a row of lockers on the back wall. I went over and begun searching for a few in particular. My fingers brushed the dusted name plates of York and North. I doubt they'll be back for their stuff any time soon, don't think they'll mind me snooping in their lockers one last time. Using my enhanced strength I ripped the locker doors off their hinges. Both lockers were surprisingly clean.

North's had a picture of him and South posing together in front of a destroyed wrath tank. North with a sniper on his shoulder and South with her boot on top of a dead Brute. Like how a hunter of old would pose with their kill. Another one of him and Rhode in the rec room couch, Rhode fast asleep on his shoulder with a line of drool coming out of her mouth. North had his arm around her smiling happily with his eyes closed, seemingly asleep. I remember taking that one, brings back so many memories. York had one of him and Carolina wrapped in a wrestling match, with Carolina obviously winning and on top of him. He always did seem like the Sub in their relationship. Last picture was of all us Freelancers posing in the Hanger bay before our first mission with me, before the AI . . . before it all went to hell. I had to wipe a tear out of my eye as my fingers brushed the picture lightly. I was beside Rhode and Wash with my arms wrapped around both, CT shaking her head at our behavior. Maine crossed his arms as he looked pissed to be wasting time on something so trivial, Tex was surprisingly happy throwing up a peace sigh to the camera, Michigan and Kentucky were pushing each other playfully, York and Carolina were side by side with York wrapping his arm around her neck, with her grudgingly accepting it. South was behind Rhode looking ready to tackle me. Florida was just off to the side waving to the camera. Even the triplets were there in a three way choke hold with Idaho in the middle. All of us in armor and just goofing off for the camera. I'm surprised we managed to convince the Director to let us take the photo in the first place. Penny popped up on my shoulder as I wiped a tear threatening to form in my eye.

"You all look so happy, almost like a family. Makes it easy to forget what all happened here." She noted as I plucked the photos from the lockers. These are going with me, they deserve to be remembered. It's the least I can do for my two best friends. Rest of the locker's contents included old snack wrappers, fire arm parts, and random junk I can not care to name.

"Yeah, sadly the good times don't last for long. Cherish what you have Penny. It can all be ripped away in an instant." I answered moving to my old locker. Same as before I ripped it off it's hinges. Inside were a two of my old arms, if the worn blue and grey paint were anything to go by. Can't remember if they were the one with the flamethrower in the wrist or the beskar arm blade. I could only get enough of the shit for a short blade. Toughest material I've ever seen outside vibranium and adamantium, but by Allah is it hard to come by even in the Multiverse. Mandalorians really do not like outsiders having their metal, and I completely understand why. Still amazed I was able to get enough for the blade. The Nite Owls put up one hell of a fight for it. Why the hell did I leave it here again . . . . oh yeah, now I remember. All that craziness going on at once makes it easy to forget. That and my Grapple hook arm is basically my default with how useful it is in many situations. Mostly for getting my ass in and out of a fight or to a better position.

I reached in and picked up my old appendage. A layer of dust dropped from it as I inspected it. Looks like all my other arms. Only notable exception is the extra grey slits down the sides. Pushed a button at the base of my palms and a blade shaped just like my energy swords sprang to action around the wrist. Shorter than my blades, about a foot long and curved around the edges. Beskar sting blades, I remember these. Had this as my main arm for most of Freelancer until I got my Energy swords retrofit with lightsaber tech. I pushed the button again as the blades retracted back into the arm. I picked up the other arm and inspected it to try to remember which one this was. . . . this is the flamethrower one. No doubt in my mind now. If the three small nozzles and a ignition source on the top of the wrist where anything to go by. This one is going to Yang, She might make more use of it than I will. I reached back in and picked up a picture taped to the wall. I couldn't help but laugh. Easily one of my more memorable moments from Freelancer. Definitely made an impression that day

It was taken not long after I showed up. South was on top of a M12 warthog with South in the driver seat eyes as wide as picture frames, hoisted up a good two meters in the air by a rather complex series of pullies and a thick steel cable. I was in my full armor pulling the steel cable while in obvious discomfort. York was gathering credits from all the personnel that decided to watch, even a sad looking Wyoming with his head down in shame as he handed him a rather large stack. Rhode and North were too stunned to move from their spot beside Wash as the various personnel cheered me on. Carolina was off to the side more impressed by my feat of strength to care to chew us out for the lack of professionalism and acting like children. I remember correctly the Director really didn't care we were 'misusing equipment' because South called it a 'team building exercise' and just wanted to see me suffer for her amusement. Joke was on her, I let her fall back to the floor after York collected my cut. Fastest 20 grand I ever made, and fastest I ever lost thinking Maine couldn't do the same in a brief moment of arrogance. I'll never forget the look on all our faces that day. He went up to the car, LIFTED it directly over his HEAD with South still in it! Then slammed it back down all in the same minute. The whole ship was silent for a full two minutes after he took the credits from my hand and walked off counting it.

I wiped away the tear in my eye and stuffed the picture in my pocket. Aside from the arms and the picture, rest of my locker was basically garbage papers. Write up for various reasons I care not remember. Grabbing the spare prosthetic arms and put them under my arm. I closed the door and took a deep breath before throwing my helmet back on. I walked out of the room and followed Mu's HUD directions down the hall to FILLIS's mainframe. Quick look at the mission clock . . . fifteen minutes until shutdown. I stood before a massive series of server banks and terminals. The cable end was a few feet from a transfer port for FILLS.

"Ready FILLS?" I asked wrapping my thumb and index finger around her memory chip and getting ready to pull her. I seriously hope this works. I like FILLS, plus she would be invaluable at Beacon. I prayed to whatever god that would listen that this will work. All though I wonder how Ozpin and Ironwood would react to her. I know they'll be locked out of sever files for . . . security purposes. I rather not try to explain everything Freelancer did to them, and try to talk my way out of a firing squad after Ironwood reads my file. These hands are soaked in many people's blood, some deserving of death. . . some who were not.

"All files transferred Ohio." FILLS replied.

"Any final thought or words to the Project until we plug you in on the other side." I asked looked up to her screen.

"I was designed to assist the Director during this project. Now that it is all over . . . What will become of me? What is my purpose now?" She asked in a scared tone. Saddest part about these AI. They only have two outcomes after their short lives of servitude. Either they get 'put down' or go insane and destroy themselves.

"That's the beauty of starting a new life FILLS. We never know what awaits us tomorrow. Sometimes you just have to go out and find your own path. . . sometimes if you can't find a purpose in life you make your own. Once we get to the other side your life is yours to live how you want to. Whether that be as an assistant or whatever you choose to be." I answered pulling her chip out of the terminal. Her screen went black as I held what is basically one of the most import members of Project Freelancer in my hands. I smiled as I looked down at the glowing crystal core of the chip.

I carefully put what held my oldest friend into my chest pocket as I walked out of the server room down the halls of the facility; one last time. I ran my hand along the steel grey walls as light after light shut off behind me. One after another slowly as the power dies around me. I let out a deep breath as I walked down memory lane toward the future.

To think I was but a newbie; all those years ago, now one of the few survivors of an amazing tale that defined an entire internet generation. A tale of betrayal and deceit. A tale of love and death. Sacrifice and oh so many shenanigans. As much as I complain about what I done here, I enjoyed my time at Project Freelancer over all. Despite the pain, the deaths I caused, the horrors I let happen and caused. I can never bring myself to hating this place. I meet Mu and Rhode, my most trusted friends. I made plenty of pleasant memories here with Wash and Carolina. I wouldn't have the skill to protect who I love were it not for this program. I stood before the slowly dying portal, I looked around the room one final time. . . my final look at a world that helped mold me from a naive young child, into the brutal man I am today. Mission clock shows I have twenty seconds left before everything shuts down. Enough time for a final farewell.

"So lon. . no . . . Good bye . . Project Freelancer, my old friend. It's been my highest honor, and greatest privilege serving." I croaked out loud, giving the area a quick two finger salute in honor of everything. I smiled as I jumped though the portal just as the lights shut off, flooding the area in darkness not long after the portal closes.

RWBY Sub-verse, Jade forest

(Coco's POV)

"To mark this message as urgent. Press eleven."

"There is no eleven! You! Stupid! Bitch!" I yelled into my scroll, pinching the bridge of my nose and took a deep breath.

"There's no need for that kind of language Coco. Why don't we call Ozpin instead?" Fox teased.

"Johnathan knows these things, no one else has a clue where to even begin. Trust me Fox, he's our best hope of cleaning this mess. If the asshole ever answers his damn scroll." I informed. I've been trying to get a hold of Johnathan for the past half hour or so, and all I've heard is his ungodly annoying voice mail system. Apparently he is out of universe if this annoying answering machine is anything to go by. The minute we get back I'm kicking his ass and forcing him to change his voicemail box system.

This whole mission is getting out of hand quick; we're neck deep in growing shit storm right now, no idea what the hell we're up against, no idea how to even begin to fix it, and our only source of farther information on where said portal could be is eaten. We stopped the car just outside of town as we tried to figure out a plan of attack, or even a plan at all. We're not leaving until this problem is solved or at minimum manageable. Velvet sat in the passenger seat with Theta trying to talk him out of raising the alarm and sending a distress beacon. Clare was in the back by Yastu and Fox. Both were throwing ideas out on what we should do. I paced around on the outside of the vehicle swearing into my scroll at this machine for the fifteenth time. I reached up and gave Clare a quick rub on the side of her head as I passed. I let out another deep breath. I rather not call Beacon unless we're given no other option, sadly it is looking like that is the best thing we can do right now.

"To hear these option in Spanish pres . . ." the monotone voice informed before it was interrupted by a hard click and some static. The image on my scroll changed to a video showing Johnathan's face from inside his helmet, surprisingly well lit from what I can see.

" . . . make Kratos look like Winnie the Pooh if anyone hurt my precious bun." Johnathan's gruff voice. No idea who Kratos is but I doubt he is someone I wish to meet, when we get back he's going to have to give us a crash coarse on the Multiverse. All this running around blind crap is getting old, really fast. I at least want a idea where we stand in the multiverse, because so far I am not ranking us up all that high and that scares me. "Coco, what's going on? Why are you blowing up my inbox? Where's Velvet? Is she okay?"

"About time you picked up Johnny. Velvet's fine, she just has a few scrapes and bruises but nothing major. We have a small situation requiring your expert opinion." I replied irritated and let out a deep huff. "Velv, Say hi to your boyfriend before he has a heart attack."

"I'm okay Johnathan. Just a little fall, I'll heal." Velvet informed.

"Little! It was at least a fifty foot drop with you hitting every branch on the way down. . . . Hi Ohio!" Theta corrected waving toward my scroll like Johnny can see him.

"Why do I feel like Velvet falling out of a tree and you needing my help are connected. What exactly happened, and where do I come in?" He groaned. Not entirely sure how to explain it properly I just turned the scroll over to Claire as Yastu softly pet her neck. Claire let out a happy squeak as she leaned into Yastu's hand. Johnny blinked a few times with a look of shock. "Yeah, that is a good reason to blow out my inbox. Hard to pin down exactly where they're from. Definitely a juvenal stegosaurus. Can't be more than a month or two old. Three max if she's a runt. Plate patterns tells me they're from an Ark world, yet the coloration and overall droopy tail suggests the Isle or even a Jurassic world area. I'd lean more toward Jurassic world or Ark with how popular they are over The Isle. Doubt it's from anywhere else but possible with how beloved dinosaurs are back home. I'd have to look them over myself to make a proper assessment for their W.O. . . er . .world of origin."

"She's not alone either. She was abandoned by her herd little over an hour ago, Velvet was kidnapped by some . . . animal with a long neck last night, we just narrowly avoided getting eaten by . . . Theta what did you call those things again? The ones with the jaws." I asked snapping my fingers trying to remember the name.

"Allosaurus." Theta replied.

"Thank you. . . Allosaurus, apparently some frilly ones that shoot venom, orange bird like ones, and apparently there is a whole mess load of others on this crazy island for the past two months. Our only means of information regarding them is currently being digested. What I want to know is two . . . very simple things. How do we find said portal and close it? If we can't close it or find it, what the hell do we do to help these people?!" I asked almost yelling. I am ready to pull my hair out right now. I hate running around blind without a clue what to do.

"If it's been over two months, I'm afraid there isn't anything you can do. Natural ones don't last longer than a day or so, a week at the absolute longest. Artificial ones stay open so long as their projector has enough power, but two months is a rather long stretch either way. So it's safe to say that the portal is already long past closed. Whatever is over there is stuck on this end." Johnathan explained. I let out an ear splitting and drawn out (insert swear word of choice here) that echoed though out the forest around us. This day just keep getting better and better. Monty dammit I hate the multiverse, I'm seriously beginning to hate it.

"Language." Theta scolded.

"Can it light show. Considering the situation, I'm allowed to be swearing like a sailor or a Freelancer right now." I fired back. "Back to the topic at hand Johnny, what options do we have, if any at all?" I asked.

"Not many honestly. A lot of it depending on where they are from exactly. If they're from an Ark world, you can 'tame' them to do anything you like. If they're from literally anywhere else, it's better to build a strong steel fence. I mean as strong as they come. Thick beams, cemented into the ground, and electrified if possible. Other wise they're going to have to move or someone decides to kill all the non-native inhabitants." He informed. I let out a loud and annoyed groan as I pinched the bridge of my nose. Of course we got no easy answers. Because why would anything be easy anymore. Okay, moving is not an option. These people are stubborn, they're paying us to find a solution. So we have to find them one. Killing all these animals is also not a option, we don't have the ammo for it. So we're left with a expensive and labor heavy wall that can survive even the toughest Grimm, or figuring out a way to tame these beasts. Not liking these odds either way.

"Did I ever mention how much I hate the multiverse. Because I'm seriously getting sick of it." I complained rubbing my eyes more. "What do you suggest we do?"

"Not a easy decision. Personally, I'd try the taming route. Knock one of the smaller ones out first to 'test the waters' so to speak. Feed it whatever it eats until it's tame enough to follow you without attacking. If that's not possible then I'd convince the people to get the hell out of there." He explained. Okay, we got an idea what to do now. At least it's a direction to finding a viable solution, got to pick my battles.

"Next question I'm sure you're absolutely going to love hearing. How do we take care of Claire here? Because I am not leaving her behind to be some scavenger's easy meal." I asked as Claire rubbed her head against mine. It still surprises me how warm she feels. She's almost like a excited cow trying to get my attention.

"I'll let you know right now you're in for one hell of an uphill battle. Basically picture her as an over sized cow, and double the requirements to take care of her. Stegosaurus have been estimated to live up to thirty years on average in the wild with some universes, well over fifty plus years easily if well taken care if in captivity. They can eat up to two hundred kilos of plant mater a day, can grow to weigh more than a bus, and you'd need a lot of space to house her as she grows. Plus I can't promise Azula or Rosa won't look at her as food. They're trained yes, but ultimately still have that wild instinct to them that makes them dangerous . . . . well maybe not Rosa. But still, you have to understand she'd basically be a huge money pit and a time sink. Not even touching on her possible medical care. She won't be easy to take care of once she's past adolescents. Not to mention the size of the landmines she'll leave." He listed off. Claire gave a soft squeak looking at me once more. Sounds like she's going to be one hell of a handful. I pet her head softly rubbing behind her ear holes. I'm finding she loves being scratched there. "But ultimately, like a cow, she'd make a good pet if you can afford it and are willing to put up with her . . . excessive care requirements. They can be rather affectionate creatures if you can handle eleven tons of literal bone crushing love. Not even exaggerating. And yes, I'll help you where I. ." He tried to say before the inside of his helmet lit up with a weird ring tone going off. His look went from concerned to confused. "I have to go Coco, some unknown caller is trying to hail me. . . that's the Freelancer emergency distress frequency. How the hell did they get a hold of that?"

"Okay, We'll let you go. We have a mess to clean up. We'll be sure to call you if we run into anymore trouble. Hopefully your solution works." I replied.

"Stay safe Johnathan." Velvet called.

"BYE OHIO!" Theta yelled again waving like Johnathan was going to hear him.

"See you later guys. Don't get into too much trouble without me." He joked before he ended the call. I let out a frustrated groan as my forehead fell into the palm of my head. Well that was informative. At least we got a direction, so the frustration with the voicemail system was not a waste of time.

"Okay. All we have to do is knock out a little one and . . . feed them right?" I asked confirming we all heard Johnathan right. The collective grunts of agreement behind me told me we were all on the same page, or at least the same book. This is good. This is a start, we can work with this. "Okay, At least we can figure out a plan from here. Does anyone know to get a hold of tranquilizers?" I asked. The dead silence behind me was all I needed to know. "Anyone got any reasonable idea on how we go about knocking one of these things out?" Again dead silence. "This day just keeps getting better . . . and it isn't even lunch yet!" I sarcastically yelled to the heavens. Monty help us all, I pray Johnny is having a better time then we are right now. Because this is just plain frustrating.

Beacon courtyard

Johnathan's POV

I'm use to things jumping out at me from basically every possible angle, but I never thought someone would be trying to hail me from a Freelancer emergency distress frequency. Can't be Rhode, she knows exactly where I am and how to find me, plus she's in my system as a cinnamon bun. I just left Carolina and Wash, can't be either of them. Can't be the Meta, he'd sooner kill me than ask for help. Unless it's a trap but he knows I won't fall for it so easily. Doubt it's any Freelancer from another universe, this frequency is specifically for Rhode and Meta's world I just left. Definitely not Emily, traps and ambushes are not her style. At least not from my experience. So that narrows it down to a random simulation trooper that happened to wonder across the frequency, unlikely but possible. Or it's one of Emily's lackeys calling for help away from her. Possible but also unlikely because she doesn't like to leave survivors if she plans on cutting lose ends.

While the situation with Velvet concerns me I know they can handle it. I trust Velvet, she is a strong woman. She can handle herself and doesn't need me to save her every ten seconds. I'll jump in and save her if she asks or if the situation gets too dire, but I need to trust her team can handle it. And of all the things Coco picks to have as a pet, she just HAD to pick a stegosaurus. On the bright side, at least it's not a sauropod or a predator like mine.

I had just put my stuff from Freelancer back in my dorm room after Coco's call. Now going back outside to the courtyard to see if I can minimize anyone listening in on whoever this is. Whoever they are, they had better have a good excuse.

" . . .Hello! Hello can anyone hear me! Hello!" a distressed female voice called though my helmet's speakers.

"Mu, track their location." I ordered both the Meta and Emily know where I'm at Beacon, doubt it's a ruse to find my location. Whoever these people are, they better have a good excuse for using a restricted channel. The Meta can eavesdrop on out conversation if he wanted, I can take him easier now that I have Arcflash back in functioning order. I raised my hand and pushed the transmit button on the side of my helmet. Briefly flicking a green light by the unknown caller's tab. "This Freelancer, Agent Ohio. You are using a restricted frequency. State your name and business." I ordered calmly yet in a firm tone that left no room for question. Whoever this is, they better have a good excuse.

"Oh thank Monty. Listen, You have to help me! I have no idea what is going on here but. . ." The woman frantically replied.

"Name and reason immediately!" I ordered in a much stricter tone.

". . . My name is Ilia. I'm with the White fang. . . or what's left of it. We were in a meeting with some witch named Emily less than an hour ago. She send these . . . things on us after we 'exceeded our use to her', they killed all my friends. I barely escaped into the vents before they grabbed Adam. I have no idea who's left or if I'm alone." The woman, now named Ilia, informed. Yep, that is definitely the Sith way. Manipulate others to do their dirty work and 'dispose' of them after words to tie up lose ends.

"Mu or Penny, give Ironwood a call and merge it with this. Fill him in as she talks. Tell him to prepare a bunch of incendiary missiles. Like a hundred. I don't like where this is going." I whispered keeping my finger off the transmit button. This is concerning, what could Emily have sent that would scare a member of the Fang enough that they'd be suicidal enough to call for my help? I can think of several things, none of which are good. Tracing is going good, she is somewhere in Vale, this is good. She isn't far. Penny was nice enough to already have placed a call to Ironwood and Alice before I even asked. Now I just have to wait for one of them to pick up. I pushed the transmit button once more. "How did you get access to this frequency?" I asked again in a strict tone.

"I stole it off the Meta in his sleep. Tall monster in white and brown armor, gold dome for a face. Carries a nasty grenade launcher on his back and never talks. Works with Emily, red plasma swords and loves to choke people without touching them." She replied. Yeah that's them alright. "I don't have much time before I need to move. I don't want to become one of those things. I'm in a Great war bunker in the south east. About a hundred kilometers west from Mount Glen heading to the coast. You have to send someone to get me out of here." Ah standard Henchmen line before all hell breaks lose. If I had a Lien every time I heard that.

"Okay Ilia, let's say I believe you, this isn't a trap to kill me, and you're actually in deep trouble. Why in the hell should we lift a pinkie to help you after what your 'friends' did to . . ." I asked.

"I have information you'd want!" She interrupted. Silence filled the call as Ironwood and Alice finally decided to pick up. "I know what Emily's planning. Nuking the Schnee house was her idea, I was foolish to follow it. She wants chaos, she WANTS Remenant. All of it. Her plan includes something called The Empire and some Emperor. Believe me if you want, but someone has to stop her before it's too late. You get me out of here, I'll tell you everything I know. Anything you want to know is yours. Just get me away from these things." She bargained. This is not good, this is not good at all. Nothing good ever comes from the Empire. I groaned in frustration as I looked to see where Mu traced it. Location checks out, there is a old war bunker in the area this call is coming from. I lifted my finger off the transmit button so Ilia don't hear our conversation.

"Alice, Ironwood. Do we have a vehicle available? Anything off road?" I asked.

"I can have one ready in thirty minutes at best. You're not seriously thinking of going are you?" Ironwood asked.

"We need information, I may not know the multiverse like Ohio. But I got the feeling we'll need whatever information she has. Even if it reeks like a trap. If Ohio is going, I'm going with him." Alice informed.

"The Spartan's right, We need that information. I don't like it but we need some edge. She's willing to provide it." I replied. Plus I want to know what Emily sent after her 'friends'.

"If that's the case, you two won't be going in alone. I'm calling in Ace Ops aboard my flagship to help you." Ironwood said. Back up won't be a bad idea. Granted they won't know how the Spartan or I operate. At least they'd be a extra pair of eyes if nothing else. I pushed the transmit button on the side of my helmet.

"Alright Ilia. We're sending a team to extract you but I have some conditions before we leave." I replied to my new target. "First; understand that if this is a trap, I will personally rip you apart with my bare hands. Second; YOU called US for help. So you listen to our orders to the letter. Third; when we get you back to Beacon. My friend is allowed one free hit for what you've just done to her family. Anywhere she chooses and however hard she chooses. Do I make myself clear?" I asked.

"Can we change the last one a little?" She asked.

"You are in no position to negotiate. Either accept the hit or find your own way out of there." I replied. From her end it sounded like she wanted to protest but a loud metallic bang echoed though her end, as well as a unholy collective of roars and screams that turned my blood ice cold as all color drained out of me. No. . . . Emily didn't. . . she seriously didn't release THAT! Please tell me I was hearing things. Just the sound brought back too many painful memories, memories of the single worst parasite I've ever faced in my travels.

" . . . . I'll heal, a single hit is not a big problem. I'll take it. Just get here quickly." She replied in a hurry as her breathing started getting faster and I can hear her heart beat from my end. I'm praying she isn't with what I think that was.

"Listen to me VERY carefully. I need you to hide and don't try fighting those things unless absolutely necessary. Try to stay silent and hold tight. What ever you do, don't open any doors outside, don't open any vents outside. Find an oxygen tank if you got any. Use that to breath and hide somewhere safe. Do whatever you can to filter the air until you find one. We're coming to get you, right now." I ordered letting my finger off the transmit button. It won't do much but at the least it'd give her some hope. In this situation, false hope is better than nothing. "Spartan, Ironwood; have his team and you meet me in the Beacon bunker, Ten minutes. We're going in heavy. Get that transport and your team here ASAP Ironwood. We are officially against the clock right now. This is a possible 'Code Hydra', I repeat a 'Code Hydra'! We need to be locked and loaded yesterday." I ordered as I can feel my own heart race. I wasted no time and bolted from the courtyard toward the bunker.

"Hurry." Was the last thing Ilia transmitted before her end cut off. This is bad, this is REALLY bad! Alice hung up on her end leaving only Ironwood on the call. Whoever these 'Ace Ops' guys are, they are about to be in for the fight of their lives.

"Fill me in here Ohio. What was that noise? What's going on at the bunker? What's a Code Hydra?" Ironwood asked.

"Code Hydra means there's biological weapons of mass destruction involved. Tell your team they're getting an armor fit and different weapons. I don't care what they say. They'll thank me later if we survive this. I'll explain more later, we don't have time right now." I informed rounding the corner, using my arm to grab onto the corner so I round it faster without losing too much momentum as I bolted down the hall as fast as I could. Several students were nearly ran over a I ran like the devil himself was on my tail.

"Johnathan. What's happening?" Ironwood asked calmly but in a strict tone.

"A monument to all our sins." I replied in a dead serious tone ending the call. I'm praying with every cell in my body that I am wrong and they ain't here. I barely survived my last encounter with them. If Emily really released something THAT destructive just to cut a loose end, then she's more unhinged than I thought. What could she possibly gain by doing something so utterly irresponsible and stupid?!

Atlas Multi-research facility, Vale.

(Winter's POV)

"LET ME OUT! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO KEEP ME HERE! WHERE'S MY MIRANDA RIGHT! YOU'RE SUPPOSE TO SAY I HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT. NO ONE TOLD ME I HAD THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT!" The bumbling idiot known as Jason demanded from his cell, tied and chained up of course but someone forgot to gag him or he somehow got the gag off. We got all his weapons and explosives off him . . . at least we hope so. I lost track on the explosives because we pulled more out of him that should be physically possible. We now have no idea what we're going to do with over a thousand sticks of dynamite.

"Will you please shut up you insolent boob! You HAVE the right to remain silent. What you clearly lack is the ability." I yelled back waiting for my scroll to patch me though to Weiss.

"Then I demand my one phone call!" He yelled back.

"Even if I granted it, I highly doubt you know anyone here for it to mean anything. What lawyer you going to call? You technically don't exist here." I yelled back.

"It's the principle! Who says I don't want to order a pizza? You guys do have pizza here right?" He asked. I held my head in my hands about ready to just scream. Almost my entire family just got killed, I'm trapped in this eternal hell without a sliver of a idea what I'm doing now, I haven't heard from Weiss since she called and I've been doing my best to get a call out to her. Whisper insured me she is safe but I trust that light bulb about as far as I can throw him. To say I was stressed would be a understatement. I can feel myself aging at least twenty years in the past two months. When I get my hands on Roman; his death will be slow, painful, drawn out and in worst ways I can imagine.

I asked the rest of the staff and Elizabeth to leave me alone while I grieve. Sadly the idiot's cell is not even ten feet from my desk. At least he's tied up, what trouble can he cause being tied up. As much as I didn't get along with the rest of my family, I never would wish death upon them. As it sits right now Weiss is all I have left, I have no idea how she's doing. Anything happens to her I'm not sure what I'd do. I've been trying to get a hold of her for the past hour and nothing. I just . . . I just want to be sure she's okay. Nothing more, nothing less. I just want to know my baby sister is safe. Apparently that is too much to ask from the universe!

" . . . Winter. . . that you?" My scroll echoed with some static, a voice I want to hear. The most blessed sound I heard all day. I picked my head up and grabbed my scroll. Looking hard at the screen I let out a breath of relief. It's Weiss!

"WEISS! Oh thank Monty you're okay!" I breathed out happily as it felt like the weight of the world was lifted off my shoulders. She's cut up, bruised, but alive! Behind her looked a lot like her doom room . . . and why is there an overgrown lizard with her! "Are you okay?! What happened to you?! Why didn't you answer for the past hour?!" I asked rapidly.

"I'll heal. . . but. . . honestly no, no I'm not okay." She replied sounding completely defeated. The overgrown lizard came up to her and nudged her head, purring a little as if her love would make us feel better. "Not in the mood Rosa." Weiss commanded pushing the lizard away. The lizard barked and slunk away defeated. "You already know what happened with . . . ." She asked.

"No need to repeat it. I know." I interrupted in as gentle of a tone as I could. "Roman will pay for this Weiss. You hear me. We. Will. MAKE. Him. Pay!" I informed firmly. That brought her mood up a bit if the small smile was anything to go by.

"Do you . . . do you remember the time I tricked Whitley into wearing a white dress. He was . . . two or three I think. Wanting to play with the two of us all the time. Father was so mad I had him wear that while Klein serves us tea. I had to put him back in something more 'mainly' as father put it. You barely could hold in your laughter when I sent you the picture." Weiss remembered wiping a tear from her eye. I vaguely remember that day, wasn't it a light blue dress? I can't remember, I know it was somewhere in between. "Or the time you broke into mother's liquor cabinet to swipe a drink. Your friend from school at the time made a bet you didn't have the guts to do it, you never got in trouble because mother had so much and didn't keep track of it all. I think the bet was what. . . two hundred lien?"

"Five hundred, I remember that mistake all too well. Learned that some people will say anything for their own gain. Bitch never paid up and we drank the whole bottle of tequila that night. I firmly remember praying to the porcelain throne all night after that." I replied closing my eyes and thinking back. "I remember the time you and Klein nearly exploded the kitchen when you tried to bake when you were 10. Flour everywhere and father was furious with you. You had to be the one to clean it up rather than one of the maids. Or when we tried shoving Whitley down the laundry chute head first just to see if he'd fit. Thank Monty he didn't. I don't blame them for freaking out like they did."

"Kind of hard to forget that, he kept squirming and broke my nose when he kicked me in the face." Weiss reminded with a sad smile. "I never got to say goodbye. I walked onto the transport to Beacon with barely two words said to any of them. I can't remember the last time I told any of them I loved them. I never . . . I never realized how much I'd miss them until now. "

"I know how you feel." Jason said from his cell. I looked up from my scroll and glared daggers at him. For a change, his look softened as he wiggled on the ground of his plastic cell. "MERC fucked me hard without the courtesy of using lube. Tore me from my family, experimented on me like I was a lab rat. Gave me essence of Wolverine as a test to see if they can apply a healing factor to their explorers. Ran to one of their multiverse capable ships to escape. Kind of got lost because I had no idea what I was doing. I've been wondering the multiverse for the past ten years trying to find my way back home to my family. I have no idea if they remember me or even if they're still alive. I got an idea how you're feeling."

"Wait . . . did he say MERC? Like the sketchy people Johnathan works for?" Weiss asked.

"You girls know Johnny?! What a small multiverse. Where is he? I want to use my phone call with him!" Jason asked. Oh great, more jumpers wondering around from other universes.

"I already told you. You don't get a phone call." I reminded looking back to my scroll at Weiss. "I'm glad your safe Weiss. I got to go interrogate my newest resident. Fell free to call me when ever you want. My scroll is open whenever you want to talk. " I offered smiling back to my sister.

"I will. I love you Winter." Weiss said as a smile returned to her face. We'll get though this, Roman will be brought to justice. I don't care how, but he will.

"I love you too Weiss." I replied before ending the call. I turned my attention back to the idiot's cell. If he really is Johnathan's friend, then he just might be useful. I got up and walked over to his cell. He smiled at me innocently as I knelt down so I'm at eye level with his shades. "I got a LOT of questions for you, and you're going to answer them. Play nice and I'll untie you, and you'll get your . . pizza."

"Stuffed crust, extra cheese and pepperoni. I'll tell you what ever you want to know " He asked.

That's a wrap on this chapter. Been over a year Since I last updated. I've done loads of heavy editing on the story up to chapter 10 as of this post. Loving my new job and the free time it offers. Going on vacation soon to see the Battleship New Jersey. So if I don't post for a long while assume I've been shot or mugged in Philadelphia. We got ground work set up for future chapters as we start nearing the final Arc. I plan on finishing this by the end of the year if possible. That is my new years resolution. My biggest problem is getting back into the rhythm of writing. My last job did a number on me and my self esteem working 12 hour days, 7 days a week, for months on end because no one wanted to pick up my shift for a day while I rested.

For the stuff between Winter and Weiss, let's just say my siblings and I did all that. With me in Winter's place as the eldest. Don't try shoving your siblings down a laundry chute kids, you're ass will be red for a week after you're caught. Until Next time my loyal readers of this insanity

~Dgreen20