"so I guess I'm famous," Alan grumbled as he held his scroll towards Amin.
"My guy called you 'A danger to society' Man you can shoot and punch, that's about it," Amin responded leaning back on a chair.
They were sitting on a patio outside the hospital. Amin still had an IV attached to his hand and his arm hung from a sling.
"So when you getting out?" Alan asked the Private.
"Said tomorrow or the day after that," he answered the Corporal.
They continued to talk for a while, Topics varied.
Alan looked at his watch and saw it was around 1pm,
"Well I gotta go, See you tomorrow extra Chromie," Alan said and Stood up.
"Hey, you gonna help me back inside?" Alan Ignored him and kept walking. "I got one Hand you fuckin Hatchet-packer"
Alan opened the door to the main building and walked out into a hallway.
Seeing a nurse at a table stop what she was doing to look at him. Alan nodded towards the courtyard,
"Hey Siah needs a hand," Alan said and he continued his walk outside.
Alan had things to do today after all. It'd been three days since that little fight at the trainyard.
in the spare time, Alan had gotten a custom order at one of the few gunsmiths nearby. The woman that handled his order said to come back in a few days. It had indeed been a few days.
Also within this time frame, he had learned so much more about this place. most notable was he was apparently a whole different race. Upon discovering this, Amin joked about them being double minorities.
Continuing his Aura training to some success, he was able to block one or two hits before losing focus and managed to jump about a whole meter higher than before, his main problem was balancing himself so he didn't faceplant.
Also discovered Ruby uploaded A video of him Singing. Not helping with his newfound and unwanted fame. on the topic of Ruby, she had been visiting him almost every day now. When he asked why she wasn't in school, She informed him that the field trip was the last day of the school year.
When he asked why she hung around him. she told him the only other person she hung out with outside of school, was her sister, and she was out in Vale for a little bit.
Walking out of the hospital Alan made began his walk to the workshop.
Alan was wearing most of his usual attire the Cloak and helmet he adorned. His rifle hung at his side.
He wasn't wearing his uniform right now, opting for a Grey button-up shirt and Black Cargo pants. Over his clothes he wore his armour and a new vest he acquired at a shop, it was black and looked unnervingly similar to his old vest.
Then again his vest was hilariously simple.
Some news outlets called him a 'Violent Sociopathic Murderer' and many other creative names after they got footage from a security camera. The part they seemed to hyper-fixate on was the downed Terrorist he killed. From his point of view, the man was pulling a sword. What the camera got; Alan Shooting a man who appeared to be begging for his life.
When he told the police they let him go. When Auburn and Qrow heard about this, They understood the dilemma. Same with most veteran Huntsman, and old officers he spoke to.
Alan would say he's adjusting well to his new environment.
He was around the area the shop was now, and saw the shop across the street. walking past some townspeople on their daily commute, Alan opened the door and walked in.
he smiled upon seeing the interior. Spotting weapons of so many makes and models on a wall in the back.
A man at the counter saw him enter, The unnamed man went into a room further back. A few seconds later, The woman he talked to about his ammo walked out holding a cardboard box.
Alan remembered her by the weapon she had a Longsword that transformed. It can turn itself into what Alan could make out to be a flame thrower that would widen the blade itself.
"Soldier boy!" she greeted and Alan nodded a greeting back, She then set the box down on the clear glass counter. "I got your order right here 300 Rounds of dust jacketed ball and 25 of your custom order."
Alan looked into the box and spotted the Ammunition. When he paid for it, it was 1 lien for 2 rounds of the ball ammo and 2 lien for one round of the dark purple almost black, custom bullet.
In total Alan paid around 200 Lien for ammo 250 for the retooling and 120 for the service. Apparently, they were able to '3d print' the casings so Alan Found this convenient and personally hilarious, almost not believing it when he was presented with this information. he could get a decent source of ammo, granted these rounds performed similarly or better to his own.
When he first saw what was called mass-produced calibres. The diameter of these made him choke. Such examples were '7.62x40 short' and one he saw already 12.7x100 are a few examples. the round most similar to his own was incompatible, unfortunately. The neck and rim of the case were too small and would wiggle in his rifle's chamber.
"Thank you" he picked up the box and was about to leave but the woman stopped him.
"I can guess what you're trying to do with these grav dust rounds and, all I can say is, be careful"
"I will," He said and left the shop.
Alan was doing something most would call stupid. what is he doing you may ask?
He was going to attempt to fly. don't worry, he saw it in a video game.
A good bit away Ruby held his rifle and the box of ammo. She stood at the edge of the road watching him, Alan for his part. Standing in a field near one of the town's entrances. the wall behind him so stray rounds don't hit any bystanders. also far enough away the shot wouldn't bother too many people.
"Alan this takes a lot of practice for this to work" Alan heard Ruby warn through his scroll, and the warning fell on deaf ears.
He made this plan while he went to order the ammo, only telling Ruby around a minute ago.
"This is why I am figuring this out here, instead of out in the Field," he responded.
"But you are in a field!" She answered.
With a vague idea forming in his head, The Corporal looked at his main sidearm, grabbing the slide. He pulled back and stared at the round. It was white-cased and held a purple crystalline bullet, framed with a white metal cage. the case had slits cut into it and had a slight glow to it. at the tip of the bullet held a timed fuse.
If his idea worked. it would propel him in a direction or slow his descent. Solid Idea if his limited knowledge of gravity and gravity dust proved sufficient.
Reaching for his visor he slid it down and set his handgun off safety.
"Here goes nothing," he said to himself. Alan was vaguely aware of Qrow approaching Ruby while watching him.
Taking a breath, He began to focus. The feeling at the trainyard began to fill his chest. for a second it went away and Alan had to take a moment to focus again. When it started once more, He felt it begin to move to his legs.
Alan began to run.
Reaching a decent pace he Wound up and jumped into the air.
He got to about Three-quarters of his standing height when he aimed below himself and fired. The round got to about a foot from the barrel and exploded.
Alan was thrust into the air, farther than he'd ever jumped before.
When Alan made it to what he judged to be a good height. Alan aimed behind him and fired again. This time however when the Gravity Dust detonated, he began to spin.
"Oh fuck!" he yelled out and tried to move his body to stabilize, but he had no idea how he'd figure that out and just began to descend.
Ruby and Qrow watched on as the Corporal jumped up and then fired his handgun below him.
A purple explosion propelled him a good 7 meters in the air where he fired his gun again and fell with the grace of a spinning brick. Going a good 25 meters forward, and falling onto his back. The Troopers' Dark red Aura shattered upon impact.
After a few seconds of silence, Qrow doubled over laughing. Ruby, on the other hand, had a face that showed clear panic.
"Uncle Qrow, it isn't funny!" Ruby Exclaimed at the Drunk hunched over on the ground. "He could be hurt!" Qrow looked up at her for a second, A mirthful look in his eyes, then went back to laughing.
Ruby using her semblance got to Alan within a few seconds and fell to her knees next to him.
"Are you Okay?" She asked and received a strained Squeal in response.
"Green" Alan eventually squeezed out.
After a few seconds, Alan inhaled, finally managing to regain his breath.
Alan continued to lay the ground, trying to recover from his semi-failed experiment.
"Alan, that was stupid and reckless," Ruby said next to him.
"I am Stupid and Reckless" he shot back without missing a beat. Alan moved his free hand to his pistol, hit the mag release and racked the slide. Setting his gun to safe he re-holstered it.
Reaching up to his helmet he slid the visor back up.
They sat there while Alan took a moment to catch his breath. Qrow upon Recovering finally made his way over to the Corporal.
"You know, instead of hurting yourself and providing me with some comedic relief." He began. Qrow squats down next to Alan. "I can help you keep balance while mid-air." He offered.
"If Qrow can train me to use Crescent Rose, he can train you too," Ruby said.
"Understood," Alan said, letting out a sigh.
Qrow stood up and began walking away. "well I'm gonna go, see you around," And with that, Qrow left.
Alan sat himself up and held a hand to his face. "I gotta do something back at the Inn real quick," Alan said and Ruby had an uncertain look on her face.
"Are you gonna do something stupid again?" She began and Alan shook his head
"no, I just have to repack some magazines," he answered honestly. beginning to stand Alan heard The chime of a notification. the sound came from Ruby's scroll. Taking out her scroll she looked at the message and her face lit up.
"Alright, I'll see you in a bit!" she said abruptly handing him his rifle, and the ammunition before bursting onto petals and zooming off.
Alan Stood, covered in rose petals.
"Alright," he dusted himself off and when that was done he recovered the unspent round and magazine. then began his trek back to the Inn.
upon making it to the Inn Alan watched as two black, birds sat on the hand railing near his door watching him.
"oh god you're multiplying," he said and he heard the smaller one caw and the larger one look to its left, making some type of sound to the smaller one. Probably not realizing it stood there.
"What the fuck?" he said as the two started fighting. despite the similar colour and shape, Alan realized these were different birds. The smaller of the two had feathers on its head, and the Larger had similar red eyes and, now realizing they were a Raven and a Crow. Thinking about back home, he'd see these birds picking at corpses before they froze, the smaller birds usually hanging out in large groups.
Disregarding the two birds Alan made his way back up to his room. Unlocking his door, Alan entered. closing the door, he made his way to the table and placed the box on it. taking off his helmet he set it next to the box, then seated himself on the chair.
He unpacked the ammo and set it off to the side.
Alan began loading his rifle's magazines with the new white-cased rounds. loading one in a certain order, first shot, dust propelled. the second was gunpowder. doing this for testing purposes.
He finishes the first magazine and begins loading another, this one with all dust base cartridges. As he prepared the cartridges. Alan had the feeling that he was being watched once more.
Stopping for a moment Alan looked behind him, Not seeing anything Alan looked to the window. seeing the curtains were closed, he went back to loading.
While loading this magazine, his head feels off. putting the half-loaded magazine down Alan raised his hand up to his head After a second Alan looked up
Looking around he realized he was sitting inside the back of a moving pickup truck loading magazines. A simple tarp protects him and his teammates from the harsh winds.
Alan notes his old uniform, the one he wore as a simple Guardsman.
Shaking his head, 'That was weird' he thought and he went back to loading. 'Man I should get some sleep' brushing off the uneasy feeling. thinking he was supposed to be somewhere else.
He focused on the Objective: They were supposed to check up on a Town that had gone dark a few days before they were sent out. it had been more than a few days of travelling to a town less than a day's walk there.
Currently, they are approaching another village to ask for directions. surprisingly unbeknownst to the Platoon leader, most guardsmen knew they were lost. He was taken from his squad along with his team leader and another random private as the platoon leader's personal bodyguards.
Feeling the truck stop, Alan looked up and through the front window to see his lieutenant step out of the heated cabin. walking out towards some lights.
"Korek, Lynx, Folker" He yelled the names of his bodyguards. "Pull security, Kalvin With me" he ordered.
Grabbing his rifle, an old C1 Battle rifle with a flashlight taped to its wooden handguard, Alan walked to the back and jumped out of the pickup.
He wore a short white and grey cloak on his back. a scarf over his face and was wearing a parka with black windbreaker pants. Along with a white painted M1 steel helmet, he was issued.
His team leader pointed off towards a divot next to the road, and Alan with the random private nodded.
"So you think we're lost?" he heard the private next to him ask the Corporal in charge of them.
"Affirm," his team leader Korek said curtly as he scanned the trees
"What makes you say that?" Alan asked after him
"We passed an old billboard two hours ago," he said as he picked out a cigarette and lighter out of his pocket. Put it in his mouth and then lit it "We passed the same fucken thing a day ago," he complained as he put the lighter back.
"damn it" Folker cursed when the Corporal finished
"I don't know maybe the retard will get himself killed out here," Corporal Korek said bitterly after a minute.
Alan had been with the platoon for a good month now. finding out that The only competent people of leadership within the whole company were taken out of the Garrison and sent to the frontlines hundreds of miles away.
as they sat in the ditch his team leader froze, and quickly began scanning the tree line.
"You hear that?" the team leader said after a second.
Alan had a listen for himself. other than the unnervingly silent village, The village itself should've been active with around 300 individuals. He heard nothing from the woods.
"I don't hear anything," Folker said then listened and the realization hit his face.
His team leader signalled for them to lay low and the three began to lower themselves. The corporal crammed his cigarette into the snow.
As Alan listened he heard a whizz and an impact. Alan turned his head and saw the Platoon's radioman on the ground just before the village's entrance. the lieutenant himself seemed to glimpse back panicked, and before he could do anything, another whizz and a metallic pang rang out as his helmet was flung from his head.
"Shit" In low voices all three Rifleman cursed. turning back to where he could determine the rounds were coming from, he was aware of the Corporal pulling out a radio and nodding toward the two Privates.
The two understood. what he couldn't see, he could hear. the crunching of snow, the very distant sound of fleece material.
Alan looked to the Folker and pointed his hand into the vague direction where he heard them.
The private nodded and they readied themselves.
Alan grabbed the charging handle of his rifle, checked the loaded chamber, And set his rifle to Semi-auto.
He Moves his hand in front of his flashlight. turning it on and letting a minimal amount of light out. just enough for him to see it was on.
In a flash of movement, Alan raised himself up and took aim forward hand held in front of the light.
Alan saw six bluish-green tints of light in the tree line. two were looking at them.
lowering his head to the right slightly he felt something whizz by his face, by mere inches so he removed his hand.
seeing them temporarily blinded, Alan picked his target and Fired. The heavy 7.62x51 millimetre made quick work of the first contact.
The large figure collapsed onto the snow.
Alan in a spur of thought noted their equipment. High-cut Kevlar helmets. Black vest and helmet cover, White and grey digital camo uniform.
two more shots out to the left of him and he saw the first round strike a plate carrier and the second shot miss by a solid foot.
"Down!" He yelled and they fell back. Looking at his team leader Alan began to yell "Spec-For!" and the Corporal nodded and began talking into his radio.
"Fawn one this is Stag actual, Troops in contact, Immediate Backup, near Pinemouth!"
The two privates looked at each other and pulled out grenades. inspecting his, they were concussive only. Alan and Folker began pulling the pins while holding the safety spoon.
While the sounds of the whizzing subsonic rounds along with the occasional crack of a suppressed conventional round, the two toss the grenades over the berm
Hearing a beep he heard the squad's response
"Copy Stag Actual What's your location?"
The corporal sighed in frustration and held the radio back up, "Less than 50 meters south of PineMouth" Alan stopped paying attention to the Corporal and refocused on the enemy.
'two... one' he counted. Upon hearing an explosion the two rose back up and re-acquired targets.
Alan's light illuminated the forest edge, spotting only one this time peeking out, he fired and watched his round pound against his vest.
falling back down, Alan heard a ping and something heavy lean on him.
looking to his left he saw Folker. he was twitching and moving around while bleeding on him.
"Man down!" Alan Exclaimed to his team leader.
Taking a moment Alan carefully laid the private down. looking upon the fallen man, he saw a hole in his helmet and blood flooding down his face and onto the snow.
Feeling a light pat on his helmet Alan looked to the Corporal.
"Fire and Maneuver, move along the ditch" Alan nodded at the command and they began to run in a low stance toward the village.
Stopping, Alan stood and flicked his flashlight in a direction and spotted two more. They immediately spotted him too.
Alan aimed for the one on the right, Firing. The bullet sailed through his throat.
Lowering himself and covering the light Alan Felt a rush of air and a crack as he began moving once more.
Other than his own footsteps he could hear their pursuers yelling while following them.
Finally making it to the village, Alan looked to a fence and behind that a house. not a single noise from the settlement.
"Alright, I see an open cellar door, Make your way over there, and I'll cover you!" The corporal Ordered
"Rog," Alan said and he prepared himself to get up and sprint to the open door.
"Now!" Alan Got up and began sprinting, The Corporal peeked himself out and began firing into the woods.
Alan Got to the cellar door as a round struck his vest. It stopped the round, but the force caused him to fall down and embed himself in the snow.
Alan recovering immediately stood back up and jumped into the cellar.
Tumbling down the stairs Alan hit the floor with some force.
"agh Damn it!" he exclaimed. Picking himself off the ground he quickly made his way back up the hatch and stared out into the dark snowy yard.
"Corporal!" He yelled. getting no response.
"Korek!?" he began to panic, going back down he leaned onto the frame and started to try and control his breathing. "Fuck"
Alan heard multiple crunching footsteps outside and he sprung into action. Aiming his rifle at the entrance he began walking backwards, further in.
After a moment it became unnaturally silent once more. He flinched as he heard an exclamation in a foreign language outside and the footsteps ran away.
He wanted to sigh in relief, but he felt the room temperature drop.
Despite the cold weather gear and multiple layers under that. Alan shivered.
Then as he focused around him some more, Alan Noticed the rancid smell of something rotting. His breathing quickened, and he looked around the dark room.
Alan raised his rifle and noticed his light wasn't on anymore, "sh-shit" he shivered.
Seeing a stairway behind all the shelves containing various odds and ends he made his way over.
Rising up the stairs slowly. Alan opened the door at the end of the stairs to a candlelit hallway and multiple doorways.
The unnatural Cold he felt returned in force.
something breathed on his neck, it was ice cold. Alan halted all movement.
In the corner of his vision, he saw something creeping into view; Teeth, Yellow and razor-sharp. The jaws of something were enveloping his neck.
Breaking out of his Fear locked state he jumped forward, hearing its jaws snap just mere inches from his neck.
As he flew forward, the candles were blown out. while on the ground Alan rolled himself over and Began firing upon whatever was behind him.
The first muzzle flash illuminated the hallway, all Alan could make out were a Pair of misshapen Antlers. the second detailed a maw of teeth, and a headdress made from the skull of some deer.
The last shot Detailed a hunched-over figure, Paler than the snow outside.
It Screamed. Grabbed his rifle with a pale arm, and backed away. wrenching his rifle from his grasp. Alan Crawled backwards as well.
reaching a doorway, he pulled himself into it.
Hiding around the doorway he breathed unevenly, hyperventilating and ears ringing.
Pulling out his sidearm, Alan held it close to his chest.
Silence once more reigned on. Alan heard a raspy noise.
"Alan~" It eventually formed into a woman's voice. At this, Alan felt the wave of dread even more.
"It's been so long son~" he heard it say again its tone different. "Come out and let me see you~" it talked once more.
Out of ideas, Alan let out a weak sob. Holding his pistol He raised it onto the roof of his mouth.
and as he began putting tension onto the trigger.
Click
Alan awoke, realizing he was holding his own Handgun to the roof of his mouth.
He saw it before he felt it. Several red tentacles with white barbs at the end were covering him. One holding his hand up to his head.
Thinking fast he pulled on them and watched as this red glowing orb covered in white bony plates all the tentacles were attached to come into view.
Doing what he thought was right. He slammed it into the table.
It shrieked and Alan grabbed it again and then slammed it onto the wall.
Not letting it a moment of respite he pulled it back and threw it into the wall. Reaching for a magazine attached to his pistol's holster. he loaded his M1911 and racked the slide. loading a round and cocking the gun's hammer.
As it was recovering, he Grabbed it once more. looking around at the drywall-covered wall. Alan didn't take a chance and held it to his chest. Raising his armed hand he aimed for the Creatures 'head' and Fired.
It shattered. the .45 went straight through and hit his vest. a crimson fog began to surround him.
As the fog began to dissipate, Alan felt a presence.
"How interesting." he heard the voice of a woman say within the fog.
As it finished disappearing, it left the Creature still lying inert on the floor.
Within his mind, his thoughts raced. 'What the fuck was that thing.' he thought. That thing, whatever it put him into, changed that memory and the monster he encountered sang in his mother's voice.
He was barely aware of someone knocking on his door.
He was shaking. In fear or otherwise and collapsed onto the floor, he began to hysterically cry.
As the Corporal lay in a fetal position Alan heard the door get kicked in, and Qrow with some woman he didn't recognize ran into his room.
Qrow was not pleased, his excuse stood in front of him.
"I know you usually watch Firecracker at a distance like some stalker. but this is different." He spat
"It's none of your business, Brother" The woman disdainfully retorted, letting out that last word with a little more malice.
They were standing outside of the Corporal's room, after the little fight they had.
They had been conversing about why Raven was here, the woman in question not giving a straight answer.
Qrow was about to retort with a witty insult about her being a bad mother, but the sound of a gunshot coming from Alan's room interrupted.
They looked to the door and then back to each other.
Quickly Qrow started walking over and Rapidly knocked on the door.
"Alan!" he got no answer, so he knocked again.
Still receiving nothing Qrow took a step back. raising his leg, He kicked the door and it flew open with one kick. the handle and lock disappearing inside, the two ran inside.
Qrow and Raven looked on with, what some would say with horror at what lay on the floor next to the crying Corporal.
"ah crap," Qrow said.
Making his way to the Corporal, Qrow began to try and comfort him. After a while, he seemed to stop.
"She knows about him now." Raven unhelpfully added.
Alan Snapped out of his state and looked around. towards Qrow, then to Raven
The Corporal's eyes narrowed upon gazing back at the Grimm. "What the fuck was that!?" He looked back to Qrow and hit his hand away. He began to shakily stand up.
"Alan, Are you alright?" Qrow asked as he rose to his full height.
"Fuck no, What was that thing!?" He pointed to the shattered remains of the creature.
"That is a Seer-"
"Who the fuck are you?" he interrupted Raven and she glared at him. "you know what, I Don't Care." Alan sat back down on his chair, placed a hand on his face and let out a breath.
'why couldn't I have just died in that city, man what the fuck' Alan bitterly thought for a second.
Alan flinched as he heard the slice of a sword. looking up from the floor he saw the woman angrily walk through a portal.
"Qrow, who was that?" He asked the man.
"None of your business, and you'll keep this under wraps unless you want her to come back and tear your nuts off," Qrow answered the Corporal.
"Whatever." he ignored the topic of the woman for now.
"What'd it do to you?" Qrow questioned and Alan thought for a minute.
"it fucked with my head or some shit" he answered.
"did you see anything?" Qrow began grilling him for information, but Alan looked to the door of his room.
"Did you break the fucking door!?" Alan shouted.
"How else was I supposed to get in?" Qrow retorted.
"my door was unlocked" To emphasize the door's status. Alan Stood up walked over to the broken door lock and handle, and Picked it up. He then twisted it and what remained moved without much resistance.
"Well, how was I supposed to know that?"
Their conversation went on for a bit. Alan finally tells Qrow what he saw.
Alan's description of the monster wasn't like any Grimm the huntsman ever heard of, and that concerned him.
"Alan, I'm gonna have to talk to Ozpin about this," Qrow stated.
Alan nodded, not really comprehending the situation. In all reality, he was just angry at the memories. Angry that thing made him remember his mother and that night at Pinemouth.
Pissed at the fact it changed the last bit to try and scare him, and the fact it worked.
Qrow stood and said his goodbyes. Also, telling Alan that he would pay for the damages to the door.
Ruby stood at the docks. Staring out at the approaching ferry. she spotted a head of yellow waving towards her.
She waved back.
when the Ferry docked, she saw her sister walking out with her bike.
"Heya Rubes miss me?" Yang Greeted her.
they met and hugged each other.
"Yang, how was your trip?" Ruby asked after a moment.
"Oh you know it's a long story." They began walking back further into town.
"you always say that" Ruby responded
As they walked in the direction of home, Yang noticed how Ruby seemed more lively.
"So anything happened while I was gone?" Yang questioned and Ruby thought for a moment, then her face lit up.
"Oh, I made a new friend, He-"
"He? Oh Ruby I was gone for four days and you bag yourself a man." Yang quipped And Ruby quickly made an effort to fend off Her sister's teasing.
"ew, Yang it isn't like that. besides he's like 30 or something." She stated back. They got near a familiar Inn when Ruby waved off to somewhere.
Yang looked to where she waved to and saw a Man wearing a Cloak, a Visored helmet, and all sorts of armour with a garbage bag slung over his shoulder.
Yang Recognized the Cloaked Trooper from the news and eyed him warily.
They started walking over and Alan Waved back without looking "Hey Ruby, I didn't do anything bad on purpose this time," He told her and Ruby stared at him.
"What did you do this time?" She questioned him and Alan shrugged.
"Killed a Grimm, got angry, shot myself." He finished and threw the bag into a dumpster.
"you what?" she blanked. Alan took out his scroll and turned around. The two stared at the shatter mark of a bullet on his chest.
"Well other than that, do you have anywhere I can target practice?" Alan Asked Ruby and she smiled.
"yeah back at my place in the woods, I have some targets set nearby,"
"Cool, I need to test some less volatile ammunition," he said finally looking up. He looked at Yang oddly for a second, then asked: "Who's your friend?"
"oh yeah!" She remembered her sister was standing next to her and began to introduce her.
"This is my big sister, Yang," Ruby hit her elbow into Yang's hip "Why are you just staring at him, introduce yourself" she whispered and she must have realized it was rude to stare.
"Oh, sorry about that." Yang seemed to consider something, before thinking otherwise. "My name's Yang Xiao Long," she said a little coldly.
Alan for himself, recognizes that look immediately.
He'd seen those stares from certain civilians. People would look at him like that after seeing what shock unit he was with.
'Another unpleasant memory' Alan thought loathsomely, and the look in his eyes seemed to harden.
Yang noticed his look and protectively got in front of Ruby. Alan raised his hands and began to try and de-escalate.
"Easy, I ain't gonna hurt you." he tried but the Blonde didn't seem to back down.
"You're a murderer, Sorry if I don't like you" She spat back.
"here we go again," Alan said under his breath, expecting an argument to break out.
"Well, um." Ruby began. looking lost on what to do. "let's go home, Alan you can use the range." Alan nodded at the offer.
They began making their way over and the walk there was long and awkward. Silence perpetuated. filled with Anger-filled glances his way.
When they made it to their home. Alan looked at it in wonder. it was a nice log cabin.
"Ruby, can I speak with you inside." Yang suddenly asked.
"Okay," Responded Ruby and before they disappeared into the house Ruby looked back to a lost-looking Alan. "The range is out back, look for a table behind the shed, you can't miss it."
Alan thanked her and began his walk over. Making his way past the shed, Alan saw a path. the path itself leading out toward an opening in the woods surrounding the home.
A table sat near the path and he saw Grimm-shaped targets at various distances.
He heard a door open from the house as he lay his gear on the table. Alan turned his head and saw a blond man making his way over.
"Hey there Trooper, wanted to meet you myself." The man said, pulling up next to Alan. "you seemed to cause a stir wherever you go" He grumbled.
"Sorry, I guess?" Alan's response was met with a light chuckle.
"I don't mean anything by it" As the man said this, they both heard a yell from inside.
"Sorry about that, I think at least" He Apologised again. about some drama, Alan seemed to cause.
The man sighed "Don't worry about it" Alan Continued to finish equipping himself. taking the mag in his rifle and setting it back in its pouch. Grabbing another magazine with two strips of white and blue tape stuck to it he loaded his firearm. "Names Taiyang, but you can call me Tai for short"
Alan nodded and turned back to the man. "Corporal Alan Lynx,"
After that, Alan made his way around the table. Going into a crouched stance, The Trooper set his rifle to Semi-auto. Check to his left and right. He checked his rifle's iron sight, set it to the little '1' and took aim.
The targets themselves had little flags attached to them. Alan thought them to indicate wind direction.
"Hey I want to see how well your marksmanship is, can you demonstrate?"
Alan nodded, aimed for the 50-meter mark and Fired. this one was smokeless powder.
The round struck true. hitting the face plate of a Wolf-like Grimm target. Resulting in a metal Pang from the steel targets.
He recovered his aim and prepared to fire his first dust round bigger than a pistol calibre.
He depressed the trigger and felt the recoil. It was less than the conventional round, and he saw the round impact next to the first round. the first thing he noticed was instead of just leaving a dent. it left the dent and had a spark to it.
He noticed the rounds moved slower but hit more accurately. Moving to the 100-meter targets around some threes he performed the same. Seeing the dust-based cartridge hit closer to his where his Irons pointed.
moving to the 150, he took into account the slight wind and aimed off to the right. Firing a smokeless round he saw it drop to about the neck area of the target. The second shot of dust round hit a little higher.
looking back at the 50-meter mark he noted around 6 targets at this distance. He decided to shoot them as fast as he could a this range.
Shooting the first target on the left and moving to the right he fired a total of 12 shots in rapid succession. each shot hit where it needed to. Only missing three by mere inches.
"where'd you learn to shoot like that?" he heard Tai ask behind him.
"My people trained the young how to hunt and survive in the wilderness. I took a liking to Shooting and it became a skill of mine" He said and he put the back of his hand to the barrel. 'damn this heats up quickly' he thought "Then there's the Warrior training I was given when I turned twelve" He finished.
"warrior training?" Tai asked, he thought for a moment. "Like combat school?" Alan shrugged at his assumption.
"I guess... my tribe taught us to fight, and I received further training from my nation's military, spent around less than a year as a guard where all we did was train to fend off boredom." He grabbed another magazine from the table and switched them out. This one had just a white piece of tape. "After that, I got transferred to a shock unit." He noticed the confused look on the Huntsman's face and he continued. "Assault Troops where we quickly attack positions or get used as Cannon fodder."
"huh, so there a lot of unrest where you from?" Tai questioned, he seemed a little unsettled at the corporal casual mention of being used as cannon fodder.
Alan nodded, checking the chamber and seeing a greenish-grey Steelcase bullet, he pulled it back fully and let the round into his hand.
He thought of a way to make his home sound somewhat cohesive. he'd have to downscale the conflict of course.
"We have A massive bandit problem back home. To the point they can meet battalion-sized elements head to head." He heard a hmm behind him.
"Sounds like things have calmed down a bit inside," He added and Alan realized the sounds have calmed down a little. "I'll leave you to it, Nice meeting you Alan." with that Alan was left alone. For a minute at least.
Alan began to field strip his rifle. only taking off the dust cover and recoil spring. taking a look at the internal parts, he wiped his finger inside and saw a small build-up of carbon.
Hearing the door open once more, he looked back and saw Ruby walk around the shed towards him. her eyes were slightly puffy, indicating she had been crying at some point.
"Hey Ruby, Sorry for causing that," he said apologetically.
"It's not your fault," she said and she stood next to him at the table. "she doesn't like how you handled the incident at the train yard"
"Evidently" Alan reassembled his rifle and racked the bolt a few times.
"you know, I almost felt the same way after I heard about it." She admitted and Alan nodded again.
"I wouldn't blame you if you feel the same way." He answered truthfully.
some silence seemed to pass as Alan stared out onto the firing range.
"One thing I need to know," She sighed and wiped her eye "You wouldn't do that to an innocent person right?"
Alan halted at that question. He thought about his next choice of words.
"No, I wouldn't... I hate seeing people get hurt." He spoke truthfully. He didn't like seeing Civilians get hurt. though he may seem cold to his enemies. he understood most of the soldiers he killed were conscripts. Some barely trained, kept in order by the fear of getting shot for deserting, or dying in the frozen wilderness of the Canadian Northwest.
Then there's the fact they didn't nor couldn't, take prisoners.
Alan's mind wandered off to around a month into their offensive into the city. It was mostly in self-defence at that point, but that day stuck with him. They couldn't help the locals that swarmed them. the people got angry and began to attack. His squad was then ordered to open fire.
Alan acted when he was charged. Then felt personally devastated at the aftermath.
"I had a feeling you were a good person," She began and Alan shook his head to clear it of those thoughts.
Unexpectedly Ruby brought him into a hug.
"I'm sure she will come around to know you too" She let Alan go and ran off back towards the Cabin "See you later!"
With that, Alan was left alone.
'When the fuck was the last time I received a hug?' The corporal thought to himself. he felt a tear well up at the corner of his eye.
He immediately wiped away the tears. Alan gathered his belongings and began making his way to the docks.
'whiney bitch' He complained about himself.
"working might help distract my dumbass" He carried onward.
Ozpins eyes gazed upon the Report sent by Qrow. he skimmed over it a fourth time.
"A seer entering someone's mind, That a little concerning" Of course the old man knew what may happen next. they need to act with caution
"This is more than a little concerning Headmaster," Replied the green-haired doctor.
"I know Bart," Ozpin noted. They were going over the report. Currently, most of the beacon staff were out doing personal things so it was just the two at the moment.
"Oz, The last time something like this happened, several villages and towns in Mistral were lost." The doctor took a sip from his mug. "And that thing was just two Grimm fused together," the man said, his quick personality not quelling Ozpins oncoming headache.
"Send out a Search warning for an antlered Humanoid Grimm" The man nodded and turned away from the desk.
"I'll see to it" he made his way to the elevator and left.
Ozpin sat down in his chair and sighed.
"Another problem stemming from those two, Glad Qrow was there to help at least." He leaned further in. Looking towards the Clock he saw it was 8pm on the dime.
The Headmaster opened a tab and saw a live feed from one of his many drones. It couldn't record audio, but it could fly around for hours.
it was currently resting on the rooftop of some store, so he activated it and watched it rise.
Getting a good distance into the sky, He began looking around Patch. Immediately spotting the Corporal walking back to his room at the Inn.
Before he could continue to watch he saw a low-battery notification pop up. his problem with that it let out a comically loud chime as it did that. both at the drone itself and at his desk.
"uh oh"
Watching the corporal Look around then up towards the drone and spotting it.
Ozpin watched the corporal pick up a rock and stare at it.
"what is he doing?" Ozpin questioned.
He was about to make the drone fly away but the Trooper started chucking rocks at the drone. "What? no no no" One of the rocks seemed to break something and the drone began to descend. He lost the live feed before hitting the ground. "Drat"
He wondered what to do for a moment before pulling out his scroll and sending a message to Qrow.
'Can you retrieve something for me?'
After a moment he got his response
'send details what need'
Ozpin sent him the coordinates to the Drone. after a moment he got an 'OK'
Ozpin set his scroll down and went to finish some paperwork. when he finished signing a form for some replacement door hinges, he received a response from Qrow.
'Oz you really need a hobby that isn't spying on people'
At this, Ozpin let out an exasperated sigh and set his scroll back down.
Alan was walking back home from working at the docks. He met Auburn again and they had a simple meal at a food stand. they talked about their days and how Auburn was mad at the news stations. About how they slandered him to an almost comical degree.
Alan was enjoying the pleasant day but stopped upon hearing an obnoxious beeping from behind. Turning himself he looked back to a nearly empty street. A few townsfolk looking up towards something. Looking up for himself he saw some sort of drone.
Compared to the drones back home it seems to run on grav dust or something of the like. as it was nearly silent, and had purple engines on all four sides and it was painted a dull grey.
"I've had enough of floating shit for one day," he said and looked to the ground. Spotting an area of the ground nearby covered with gravel and rocks. he found what he was looking for. a rock the size of his palm.
Alan wanted to try something. Picking it up he focused. managing to get his aura to travel to the rock. "Yes!" and he wound up. Aimed for the Drone and Chucked the rock. He lost focus mid-throw but it hit anyway.
The drone sputtered for only a moment. So Alan grabbed another.
Refocusing on himself, he felt it travel to the rock and he felt it stay there.
"there we go" whispered to himself. Looking back at the Drone he threw the stone. Watched it hit and the Drone exploded. losing an engine it began to fall. Shattering into three pieces once it hit the ground.
He looked to see the townsfolk shrug and go on with their day.
"fair enough," He walked up to the small drone and took a look at it.
Deciding an unmarked drone wasn't that interesting, Alan picked it up and brought it over to a trash can. Where he just threw it inside.
Turning back to the Inn, he walked towards the direction of his room.
Spotting Qrow leaving the bar he waved to him and they met in the middle of the usually unused road.
"Hey Qrow, We had someone messing around with a drone earlier" He saw the man raise an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?" he said with a slight drunkenness to his words
"There was a drone flying around," he pointed back towards the street.
"It made some annoying noise before I Threw a rock at it." As Alan finished he saw the drunkard narrow his eyes.
"fair enough, I'll go take a look at it I guess," he said and they walked past each other.
"It's in one of those trash cans back there" he added and continued walking.
Alan rising up the stairs to his room. taking out his key he tried unlocking the door but saw the whole handle missing. A simple bungee cord from the inside holds it shut. 'Right,' he angrily thought. taking the cord off and opening his door he walked in and re-closed it.
Grabbing the chair away from the table he set it against the door and wall. lodging it closed.
"Probably good for now," he assured himself. Making his way further in he got ready for a shower and bed.
When he was done with his shower, he lay himself in bed. the lights were off. he drifted off the sleep.
He would have liked it to last longer but he awoke in a cold sweat less than 20 minutes later. 'God damn it!' He thought.
The thing he saw from before appeared in his dream. and he awoke.
Feeling a bit peeved at the chance this may become a regular thing. he couldn't fall back asleep.
Alan decided to just lay on his bed staring at the ceiling until he fell asleep.
Sleep eventually came for him. but he awoke an hour later.
This became a normal thing for him. Fall asleep for an hour, wake up and stare at the ceiling. Repeat.
2102
Alan stared out over the large crowd.
They were angry. Angry the Troopers at the checkpoint refused to let them pass. turning them back into the 'cleared' part of the city.
comparatively, it was clear. Only one or three gunfights broke out on that side every day or so.
Alan was waiting for his teammate to exchange him out. He didn't want to be here. at this checkpoint.
He wanted to be sent to patrol the industrial sector. but he was stuck here for the next few days until the unrest was quelled.
"You can't just throw us out!" The man in front of him yelled. pointing to the residential district behind him. His wife and daughter stood behind the man.
"Sir the area is mined and it is dangerous to walk around, please turn back." Lance Corporal Alan Droned on for the seventh time within the hour.
Alan ignored the man for a moment when he noticed a fight break out ten feet from him. it was between the platoon's third squad and some rowdy Civilians
"Damn it." He cursed, as he was about to turn and yell for backup but the Man who had been yelling at him for the past hour Suddenly tried to grab his rifle.
Alan using the stock to hit him away, flicked the rifle's safety off and took aim.
"Back Away from the checkpoint!" He ordered.
Alan heard a Shot off to the back of the crowd and he saw the Guardsman to his left collapse onto the concrete barricade.
He saw multiple figures run from the Crowd and at the checkpoint.
"Troopers Open Fire," He heard from behind and Alan once again Acted he fired a burst into A man that charged from the Crowd. the rounds sailed through his abdomen and into the people behind him.
"Damn it where do I shoot!?" the Trooper to his right yelled, Before he received a shot to his neck.
"Just fucking shoot Damn it!" Another voice behind him yelled and the Few actual Guardsmen with them began to dump round after round into the crowd.
Alan took aim, at another figure charging him and pulled the trigger for a quick burst.
The rounds over penetrated again and he saw them sail into the family he'd been dealing with for the past hour. seeing two of the taller figures among them collapse.
"Fuck!" He swore and changed targets to a Tall burly man holding a Fireaxe charging him.
After Ending the last attacker, The Crowd dispersed. Shots rang above from a dark window in a two-story house around 50 meters in front of them and the Troopers opened fire on the perpetrator.
"Woodrow Get your team to clear that house!" he heard the platoon sergeant's order and Alan ignored it in favour of staring at the aftermath.
Laying on the ground were possibly hundreds of corpses. of all that lay slain, one figure stood out for the fact they weren't dead.
"Copy Actual. One-Two Bravo on me!" Alan nodded at the order and began to follow. Alan passed the slain couple and tried his best to ignore the little figure that sat crying.
He was just about to move on from that slaughter and try his best to focus on his new objective.
He doesn't know why he looked back. But he did. Hearing the crying stop he began turning his head around. Alan Looked at the little figure sitting next to their fallen parents.
He saw a Girl Around twelve or eleven. her frame small from starvation, Looking at him with hatred-filled eyes.
Alan looked away and walked further towards the house. That look on her face and many others like it, would follow the Trooper for years to come.