"Corporal Alan Lynx and Private Amin Siah, You will be formed into Team AquA" he presented to the audience. "Led by, I know this might be obvious" he joked "The Corporal" there was some applause. within the crowd, he saw the soon-to-be-announced teams. most clapped, Ruby had a constant concerned gaze while looking at him and Blake. She had a thinking look to her. She noticed him staring and quickly looked away.
turning back to the professor the Troopers let their stance rest, having been standing straight, with his hands behind his back. With that done he limped off the stage and past some of the audience. and into the hallway.
Alan remembered the last time he'd stood in that pose. How it was drilled into his mind. thinking back he remembered standing in the cold for an hour because the Lieutenant in charge of training the guardsmen decided to sleep in.
Next to Alan, walked an exhausted Amin. When the Troopers got back to Beacon they headed straight to the amphitheatre where their teams were announced. Surprisingly they were announced first and since it wasn't mandatory to stick around he decided to leave after that.
"I'm gonna head in for the rest of the day," Alan said and pulled up his scroll. it details which dorm building and room he was assigned.
"I'll grab ya some food bud," Amin lightly hit Alan's shoulder and Alan inhaled air through his teeth "Sorry"
"I'm good," Alan sighed and the two Troopers separated. Alan for once didn't get lost, and actually made it to the correct room on the first attempt.
Swiping his scroll onto an indicator under its handle, it clicked. opening the door, he inspected the room he'd call home for a while.
It had two beds in each corner, two desks on each wall and a dresser between the beds. in the right corner, he spotted an empty bookshelf. Looking to the adjacent corner he saw a similar setup, But replacing one shelf was a door where he assumed a bathroom sat behind.
"I'll take the left," he breathed out. Closed the door and started taking off his armour and equipment. tossing all of it on his bed, Leaving him with his uniform.
he counted the pile of gear and ran a hand through his hair. "Been so long I forgot how heavy this shit was," he commented on the fact without his Aura actively helping him carry his gear it felt A lot heavier. Other than his eyes he felt like how he did back on Earth.
Alan shook his head, Clearing his thoughts He took his cloak and handgun. Wrapping the Cloak around himself he tied it back on. The Corporal moved to sit down on the floor while taking his M1911. taking out the mag he saw it still had a single round left.
"That's not good," Alan said as he racked the slide with one hand and let a casing onto his hand where the Slow-burning dust propellent spilled out. He narrowed down the problem to the ammunition. he was about to place the casing on the floor when it ignited and spread out into the air surrounding him. Alan didn't flinch, He simply flicked the casing onto his bed then replaced his pistol's magazine and put it into his pocket.
Alan laid back on the floor and pulled out his scroll. Seeing a few notifications, He tapped the screen and saw six messages from Ruby, two from a contact marked 'Beacon' and one from Ozpin. He sighed, selected the messages from 'Beacon' and let out a frustrated grunt after reading.
"Classes start immediately tomorrow?" He saw the message, Reading on he saw a schedule. The second message held information on what his job was, Teach Huntsman in training how to work with each other in a squad-like manner. This also granted him limited access to staff areas.
He calmed his frustration and opened the message from Ozpin and what he read confused him. He was told he could Either skip the first few classes or arrive early so he could report to his office for an offer.
Alan continued to read on, taking note of how because of a law in Vale he technically qualified as a veteran here which meant he could use his current uniform or opt to wear the student standard.
Placing the scroll on the ground he stared at the ceiling.
Getting bored immediately "Johnny get your gun, get your gun, get your gun," he started singing.
"take it on the run, on the run, on the run" He continued.
"Hear them calling you and me!" he closed his eyes and began to reminisce. the fatigue of the day and the fact he had trouble sleeping finally catching up to him.
"Every Son of Liberty!" He and his brothers sang songs from that era when they went hunting or just hanging out whenever they had the chance.
"Hurry right away... no delay, go today" Their father taught them these songs and his father before that. so on and so forth.
"Make your daddy glad..." Alan yawned, and his words slowed. "To have had... such a lad"
"Tell your sweetheart not to pine, To be proud o' her boy's in line!" Sang A fourteen-year-old Alan along with twenty-year-old Nolan and sixteen-year-old Kalin, the brothers were sitting in the shed/workshop of their home. this was the first of seven days they got to be at home. Being gone for months on end for training to be their Tribe's equivalent of a Ranger, A title simply called Raider. Nolan has already finished his training years ago Becoming a CQB specialist. Kalin is training for a simpler job as a Rifleman, and Alan training to be a marksman.
"Over There!" Alan continued the song as he brushed the carbon from his Lee-Enfield rifle's bolt near the firing pinhole. Seeing the bolt was clean, he observed the rest of his rifle. parts that needed it were oiled up and it had a sparkle to it. Despite being a multi-century-old rifle. "Over there, Send the word, send the word, over there!"
"That the Yanks are coming, The Yanks are coming!" Kalin sang. He sat cleaning a somewhat newer but just still century-old Chinese-made Sks Rifle "The drums rum-tumming everywhere!" on his back in a holster sat a browning shotgun specifically a Savage-720.
"So Prepare!" His oldest brother Nolan sang while cycling the lever on his Winchester Model 94 and placing it back onto the table. his face held a slashing scar Going from his nose leading to his hairline, On his back an empty axe sheath was strapped. The model of his rifle was the oldest but ironically newer than both younger boys' guns. "say a Prayer, Send the word, send the word, to Beware-" The young man stopped and listened. this had the effect of the two others to stop and glance at him questioningly.
"There back, Alan go wake up ma' and greet them" Alan nodded and slid his rifle's bolt back into place. "and grab me a drink will ya"
"On it Nolan!" Alan got up from his stool and walked to the door. grabbing his scarf he wrapped it around his neck and finally opened the door. quickly reaching for a hanging wire leading to a utility lamp hanging on the ceiling. Setting the switch down just as Nolan got up to grab something barely out of reach. The shed was thrown into darkness.
"You little shit-" There was the sound of a chair screeching on the floor and a thud. Alan turned the light back on and looked at his brothers.
Seeing Nolan on the floor and ultimately alright. With Kalin trying his best to hold in his laughter "Be right back" he shut the door and walked down a well-travelled path leading to a one-story house. the house itself was an alright size, with three bedrooms one bathroom and a large living room that led into a kitchen. Built when the area they inhabited was called a Reservation. The house still going strong despite its age.
Alan heard the sound of a Snowmobile in the distance and was surprised how his Brother heard it through a wall while also singing.
Walking up the wooden steps he opened the back door. stomping the snow off of his boots onto the floor mat as he entered. after taking off his boots He walked to the couch where a lone figure lay.
Alan crouched down and lightly shook her awake. "Mom wake up, Lay and Kay are back" His mother opened her eyes and she simply looked at him.
"You boys look so much like your dad,"
"Ma," he said as tears welled up in his mother's eyes.
"I'm sorry, I'll get dinner ready." as she moved to stand Alan wrapped her into a hug and she returned it.
"You don't have to worry, The boys and I will protect all of you" Just then there were steps on the front porch and his mom pushed him away and pointed out to the door with a happy smile. Alan nodded and made his way to the front door.
His mother walked behind him toward the kitchen and Alan hadn't realized he stood a whole head taller than her, when the boys got home she was sitting on the couch during the whole reunion. Alan thought back to when he first left. he was as tall as her then.
Standing in front he held his hand to his hips and waited. The door opened and walked in two girls. One stood at his height and the other stood Even lower.
His older sister looked alarmed at his figure and went to take the rifle off her back. only for the shorter of the two to run up to him and wrap him in a hug.
"Alan!" Layne exclaimed and Kayla standing in the doorway calmed herself and replaced the rifle on her back.
"Layne, Kayla, It's been a while." He sent a simple nod to his older sister and she walked up and gave him a quick hug before walking to a cabinet to put the rifle away. "You get anything?"
She pointed her chin outside and Alan looked to a snowmobile with an old oil lamp attached to a stick. It illuminated a decently sized Buck "Old boy was alone, so we bagged him," Alan whistled.
"My first was bigger,"
"go eff yourself," she took off her coat and placed it onto a rack and looked around the living room. She looked back at Alan and raised an eyebrow. waiting for an explanation of where the others were.
"Where else?" he said
"You boys walk here?" she asked
"How else?"
"Okay smart ass, what's mom making?"
He waved his hand to the Deer outside.
She let out a huff and walked to the girl's bedroom.
"When did you get so tall?" his little sister still hanging onto him asked.
"I don't know," he shrugged, Layne punched him in the side and Alan responded by picking up his seven-year-old sister, closing the door and walking to the kitchen where he saw his mom preparing the wood stove for cooking.
Alan placed his sister on a chair at the dining table and walked to a wooden box on the floor. Taking the lid off he saw the bottles he was looking for. He looked for a specific bottle, finding the bottle he lifted it up and inspected it. It held a clear liquid.
"I think this is it?" he said under his breath.
"Alan don't tell me you picked up drinking too," his older sister accused behind him.
"It's for Nolan's lazy ass," he said and stood. Turning around he saw Kayla standing at the front door with a bundle of knives and other tools for cleaning the deer and putting the coat back on.
"Want some help?"
"no, I got it, lil bro," she finished, opened the door and disappeared outside. The door closes with a click.
Alan sighed and walked back to the rear door. "we'll be another hour probably," he said to his mom.
"That's good, It'll be so nice to have all my babies here for dinner," Terra said as Alan began putting his boots on.
"Mom, Nolan's probably gonna be drunk, so I don't know," he finished putting his boots on and opened the door.
"Oh have some faith in him," she responded. Alan laughed sarcastically and closed the door. making his way down the steps he walked down the path once more. this time however he looked off to the side of the house. seeing his sister throw a rope over a board nailed to a tree and attached to the house itself. it was meant for hanging the deer so you could cut it up.
Alan remembered how his father would gut it before bringing it home. "You're supposed to-"
"Shut it!" his nineteen-year-old sister shot back.
Alan continued to walk to the shed.
Opening the door he was greeted by Nolan reading a certain type of magazine, with Kalin leaning over to get a peek, going unnoticed by the young man.
"damn," Kalin said and Nolan noticed him finally. quickly closing it and tossing it into the back shelf. He then noticed Alan had entered.
"You get my shit?"
"you gonna let me see that magazine?"
At this, Nolan cracked his knuckles.
"fair enough" Alan concluded and placed the bottle on the central table, his oldest brother grabbing it the instant it touched the table.
"Don't overdo it, bro, mom wants a cohesive dinner," Alan warned.
"you underestimate my tolerance,"
"And I underestimated the last time you shat yourself"
"Fuck off," Nolan sent back and opened the bottle. "One fucking time," He took a long sip and the two younger brothers shared a wordless agreement. Nolan finished and placed the bottle on the table. Alan snatched it up, quickly taking a big gulp, and immediately regretted it. The burning sensation overwhelmed him. Nolan grabbed the bottle and slapped the back of his head with some force. He placed the bottle back down where Kalin grabbed it and did the same. The results were similar.
With two boys dying to the drink, Nolan stood.
"You fucking Retards," He Exclaimed, Also hitting Kalin in the back of the head and grabbing the bottle.
Kalin Coughed and began to say: "Monkey see-" He coughed again "Monkey do,"
Nolan sighed and sat back down. "that's not gonna stop me from drinking in the field,"
"we-" Alan coughed out "Hoped that would stop you from doing it for now."
"Fair enough," Nolan grabbed his axe leaning against the table and slid it into its sheath. "Don't drink anymore, I'm gonna get some firewood." With that, the oldest Lynx brother exited the shed.
After a moment The two younger brothers looked at each other, then at the Magazine that fell behind the shelf. their eyes met each other and they grinned.
Alan opened his eyes, Staring at the ceiling. The Corporal remembered that day, How he and his family reconnected after being away for months. He felt something rising in his chest and shook his head to clear his thoughts. He took a breath and held it for a moment.
Looking over to the window he saw it was still light out. raising his hand and staring at his watch he saw it was seven, He Exhaled. "Holy shit I actually slept longer than an hour!" He exclaimed after catching his breath.
"Congratulations Spruce monkey," He heard from the the other side of the room. Sitting up he saw Amin his desk. "Assuming we're doing this like the 13th," he pulled up his scroll and turned to Alan.
He heard his scroll chime and Alan moved to pick it up.
"Your the CO and I'm the XO" Amin suggested.
"That means I get to dump any and all paperwork onto you."
Amin let out a breath and stared down at the Corporal "You seem more lively, and less..." he rolled the thought in his head for a moment. "Sleep deprived?"
"No shit," Alan agreed and stood. He opened his scroll, Stretching as he read the reports he was sent. feeling his joints pop Alan thought about how he didn't have some dream about some demon tormenting him, "I should shatter my Aura more often!"
"Sir, Kindly don't," Amin begged. Alan nodded and made his way to his bed with a slight limp. Taking his helmet he slid it onto his head.
Amin pointed to Alan's side of the room and he saw some packages he assumed to be food.
"I knew you'd fall asleep and got you something simple"
"That's an understatement,"
"No shit," Amin said as Alan walked up to the table and grabbed the food. two oatmeal bars, A fruit bar and a pack of dried meat.
"I'm gonna go for a walk and read this somewhere scenic," He began his way to the door and tapped his mic "I'll be on short range" Alan opened the door and tested his leg out a bit. Alan felt his aura was back and actively assisting him as he walked out into an empty red carpeted hallway.
He walked by what he assumed to be a common room where a kitchen and dining table sat. A Head of black in a red cloak sitting on a couch perked up when he walked by. Immediately standing to follow.
Alan held his scroll up to the lock of the staff break room. The door beeped and he entered, leaving the door open. Seeing something he didn't expect: A cabinet of alcohol.
Walking up he opened it and grabbed the first bottle. Inspecting the label he saw it was Vodka.
"Sick,"
"Ahem, You shouldn't drink my boy, It's bad for your health," Someone said behind him. Alan turned and saw the green-haired man who helped him before at a table.
"And I agree with you," Alan agreed. "But this is probably better because it won't taste like metal," he shot back, remembering the stuff he was given in the field. the drink he was referring to didn't have a name but tasted like metal. "I think," Alan noticed Silver eyes staring at him from the hallway.
The man sighed and stood from the chair, he walked up to him, holding his hand out. "Doctor Oobleck,"
"Corporal Alan" He returned the handshake.
"I'm not gonna stop you, despite my better judgement, but from what Professor Ozpin has informed me. you could use it," Alan nodded his thanks and started to walk out. making sure his eyes didn't glance at the quickly retreating silver gaze in the doorway.
He walked past and continued down the hallway into the central courtyard. Sitting at a bench watching some birds perched on the massive statue in the center was Ozpin.
Alan made his way over and Ozpin greeted him with a nod and sipped from his mug. Alan sat down next to him. The two Ignored a rustling in the bushes behind them, Ozpin only giving him a raised eyebrow. Alan shook his head, and The older man nodded and then eyed the bottle.
"Those are meant for special occasions, Alan," Ozpin said referring to the bottle in his hand
"I am special"
"Corporal," he said, his Patience degrading
Alan snickered. "Sorry, Just let me have this sir?" Alan received a 'hm'
He looked around and despite the massive academy, he saw at most three people walking around. "Where is everyone?"
"Settling in, Preparing or simply just out for the day." Ozpin sipped from his mug once more, "Most first-year team leaders are currently in their dorms preparing for tomorrow while their teams are out," At the older man's response Alan nodded.
"Just like my Platoon's lieutenant, I dropped all the paperwork into my Second in command." Alan let some air out of his nose as he finished.
"that's the opposite of a man I used to know when I was younger, and he's a general now." Oz Sipped again "You should take notes,"
Alan snorted "The general of my home's army was a Necrophile"
"What!?" Ozpin exclaimed and looked to Alan "I assure you Ironwood isn't-"
"I didn't mean to imply, I was stating how that Ancient POS behaved," Ozpin sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"I'm going to head in for now Corporal, I'll speak to you tomorrow" With that Ozpin stood and walked toward Beacon's central tower.
"Sir,"
Alan looked off into space for a moment before opening the bottle.
Ruby, hiding and eavesdropping in a bush heard the sound of a bottle opening, and realized Professor Ozpin had walked away.
after a moment she heard the sound of Alan standing and she lost all confidence, she was about to make her way back to the dorms but:
"Out!" She heard above her. Looking up in surprise she saw Alan was pointing out of the bush with his thumb.
Saying nothing she stood and walked around him and toward a bench. Sitting herself down she heard Alan take his spot on the opposite end.
"so," Alan began and took a sip from the bottle "Why are you stalking me?" Alan asked after a moment.
"Alan... Are you mad at me?" She asked, feeling a little awkward at being caught.
"Fuck no," he said with a sigh. "Where did you get that idea?" Alan asked.
"You haven't answered any of my messages and you looked disappoint-... -ted" she stopped and the realization hit her immediately. Alan's constant blank face usually gets misinterpreted but she thought she was getting better at reading his usually expressionless face. "I'm so stupid,"
"Yeah," Alan said and she sent a fist into his shoulder.
"I'm seeking comfort, not criticism!" Ruby exclaimed. they settled down for a moment. Minutes passed and Ruby saw Alan preoccupied with staring at a Raven that was also staring back at him. She glanced down at the open bottle at his side.
Alan stared up at the bird, He recognized it out of the other birds around.
'you little shit's have followed me... I know you have' he thought, not immediately noticing the sound of the bottle leaving his side. He did notice Ruby Begin to sputter and cough.
Looking over he saw Ruby had taken a sizable gulp of the drink that was once at his side.
Alan took the bottle and sealed it back up "God damn it," he simply said and held a hand to her back to help the coughing.
Recovering she wiped her mouth "How do you drink that stuff?"
"I drank worse, to be honest." He then lightly slapped the back of her head. "Don't do that again" he said in a tone Ruby hadn't heard before. She shrank at his words.
"What was that for!?" she cried, exaggerating.
He gestured to the bottle "Don't do shit like that,"
She nodded.
Alan leaned back again and managed to place the bottle in one of his massive pockets.
"you should head back to your dorm," Alan suggested
"But I wanted to talk to you about-" she began but was cut off by Alan
"I have some paperwork to do" He lied.
"Okay," she said and tried to stand but stumbled as she almost fell.
"that was fast" Alan commented.
She took a moment to balance herself "I don't feel so good," she sat back down. at this, Alan sighed again.
Blake got to an interesting part of the book she was reading but the events of several hours ago prevented her from properly enjoying the book.
She regretted what she attempted, Despite her earlier thoughts on Alan. She wasn't being pursued for being a former member of the White Fang, No authorities were called and he didn't say anything about her sending him into a pillar to potentially kill him.
Another thought made her put the book down. in the middle of the night, she remembered how The Cloaked Warrior suddenly pulled out a handgun and attempted to shoot himself.
'Then there's that look to the boys... Mans? Soldiers eyes' she thought. holding her knees to her chest as she thought more.
Suddenly the door shook with something kicking it.
She slid off of her bed in the corner, walking between piles of luggage and upon making it to the door she grabbed the door handle, Opening the door she froze.
"Team leader Delivery," Alan tried to joke.
That got her to snap out of her fear "What?"
Alan lowered himself to the ground and let a sick-looking Ruby stand, "Here, now go suffer the consequences of your actions" he stood again and moved aside to let her walk by.
She immediately took off toward the bathroom. leaving a flurry of rose petals.
Blake looked to the door and then back at Alan "What was that?"
Alan reached into his pocket and pulled out the bottle "While I wasn't looking she drank some of this and now here we are."
"That is... Irresponsible" she said. then she stared up at his eyes, noting he was inspecting the mess of a room.
"Yall have A lot of stuff," he commented, the conversation fell to silence and after a solid minute, Blake couldn't take it anymore.
"Are you gonna report me to Ozpin?" She suddenly asked. Alan looked down and crossed his arms.
"You're in Beacon, I assume you want to change your ways or some shit," He responded, ignoring her outburst.
"But I tried to kill you!"
"I did the same a few months back..." he paused. "And I honestly blanked on the fact you sent me into a pillar."
"so you aren't here for revenge?"
"no, you're a part of my squad now, deal with it," he said and that left her stumped.
"How can you so easily forgive me?" she asked after a moment.
"Fighting through an urban hellscape made me just find it hard to be mad at people nowadays." he began, "I hate Grimm though, Despite the isolated cities and towns they weren't really a problem back home,"
"so that's why you aim for weak points," she said as he held a hand to her chin.
'weak points?' Alan tried to remember what that meant but came up empty.
She looked back up to him "You know what a weak point is right?"
"I shoot where the enemy dies the fastest," he said,
"Assassins are only taught those and I guess soldiers where you come from," she sighed "There weak points in Aura," She began to explain, pointing to her eyes, the side of her head, and her neck "What do you call them?"
"Kill shots," he said off the top of his head.
She nodded and smiled, "I guess I'm sorry for kicking you in the face all that time ago,"
"you were scared, and you watched all your former buddies get folded like omelettes." he tried humour again but, he was met with silence again. Blake frowned at his. "sorry,"
"It's alright, I just didn't expect your humour to be so... brash," The two stopped when they heard voices down the hallway, turning in that direction Alan saw Yang, Wiess, Pyrrha and Nora.
"Tell Yang Ruby got food poisoning or something please, and it's nice to make your acquaintance I guess, See you tomorrow" he finished and turned to walk away, "Oh, and take care of your team leader,"
"Right," Blake commented and walked toward the bathroom.
Alan walked past the four, only greeting them with a nod. Making it to his room, he noticed it was just next to JNPR's room.
Opening the door he was greeted with Amin sorting the room so the two desks sat in the middle. He looked up and presented the new layout.
"I was about to say the same thing Private!" he exclaimed and closing the door behind him Alan made his way to the desks and sat down. taking his scroll he began to read Amin's report. and finally having a chance to eat he placed the bottle on the table and slid it toward Amin, he nodded.
"thank you, sir," Amin grabbed it and the two began to simply talk and drink.