Chapter 16
Scramble
The mess hall was abuzz with noise and all attention was focused on the three first year teams that had abandoned their usual table for one in the very rear of the hall. Their was clear split in which the teams were discussed and appraised.
Teams JNPR and KHYA were granted curiosity and some respect fro having arrived back in not only new armour but a bullhead of their own, a lack of being able to classify the new craft had the rest decided to call it a bull head for simplicity sake. Their was also rife speculation as it was seen that the team leader and his partner was seated a lot closer together than their usual wont.
Team Ruby was given grudging respect and sympathy by some for the spectacular way in which they had invoked the wrath of professor Goodwitch. For it is not each morning to see her drag a team in by her semblance into the mess hall and having said team dressed in convict uniforms and black bags over their heads. All had been subjected to a lecture of note on proper behaviour. The team had been used as unwitting models on what the dress code for lawbreakers was
Then there were the rest of the population that was not enamoured with the final team. This was a direct result of the teachers and security staff having lost all of the patience and leniency with returning students. For the first time in recent history were detentions to be served in multiple classrooms due to the large number that had been issued. That an early morning inspection of the dormitories by staff and Students Advisors had added to the numbers did not help their case either.
The four girls had been informed by Goodwitch that for the rest of the week their wardrobe would consist of the bright orange prison coveralls. They had also been informed that for the period they would not be allowed access to their rooms, hygiene products or have access to any form of entertainment. They would be escorted to, between and from classes and detention by senior teams. The only bright spot Yang could see was that their father would not be able to chew them out over their scrolls. To a person they were pushing the bland food they had been given around on their plates as no one had any form of appetite. Not that the others could slip them something else as they were already under guard and had been since they had been unmasked during the lecture. Said guard also ensured that their friends did not communicate with them in any form.
After breakfast the four were escorted to the logistics offices for the support services in Beacon's basement. There they were given their modified class schedules. They had been suspended from Combat class, Dust studies, Stealth tracking and survival and to Ruby's utter horror Weapons Maintenance class. All classes that a juvenile offender would not have access to in a correctional facility . Her horror was shared by Weiss as they were issued with cleaning supplies and trolleys along with toilet brushes and informed that their first tasks were to clean the public restrooms
Wilkes had finished taking roll call in his diminished class before addressing them
"With team RWBY suspended for time being we will not be starting new modules in order for them not to fall behind. So for the rest of the class you can either review what we have done so far or do maintenance on your weapons. Team JNPR and KHYA, those with new weapons and armour come to my desk so that we can update your profiles. The rest carry on."
Jaune had been drawing at his workstation, he stopped as he felt the presence of someone coming up behind him stealthily. He turned his head and spotted the teacher a few feet away. The man dropped his attempt and moved to the workstation and looked at the drawings
"What is this Mister Arc?" He asked
"I was designing a supply pallet for our LAAT. By using a pallet we can carry more equipment and make more space for personnel in the craft itself." Jaune explained
"Why does it have a section on a hinge, to help load it easier?" Wilkes asked
"Yes, and also to be able to carry a vehicle if needed."
April slid over the sketch that she had been working on. Wilkes looked at the design
"Rough terrain vehicle, able to fit a team. What materials will you build this from?" He asked
"Frame and undercarriage from steel, body from fibreglass with the exception of the roof and engine compartment being steel plate , glas and wire mesh for the windscreen, for protection against Nevermore feathers" April said
Wilkes looked closer at the vehicle.
"Turret on the roofs and passenger seat."
" Roof turret for anti air support or firing into heavy groups while moving. The passenger turret is either a heavy gun or grenade launcher to clear obstacle." April explained
"The container in the back?" Wilkes pointed to it
"Supply area, for fuel, ammunition, tool kits and general cargo. I was thinking of a roller door type of cover for that." April
Wilkes tapped his fingers on the designs
" Do you think your teams can build this?" He asked
April and Jaune shared a look
"The pallet easily, Sir. The vehicle too, we may need to have to bring in some parts from outside of beacon and it will take longer, Yara will be able to see what we need, she is KHYA's mechanic." Jaune replied
Wilkes grabbed a piece of paper and wrote on it before handing it to April
"The eight of you can go to the workshop and build this, I will let professor Moody know where you are. As you probably figured out no new materials will be done in the practical classes till RWBY's detention is done."
"Sir, if I may ask. Why are they being punished this harshly?" Roberts of team RASP asked from nearby bench
Wilkes chuckled
"They are being shown what their life would have been like if the headmaster did not pull their asses out of the fire. Huntsmen are always given the maximum sentence by the courts, had they been brought before the bench for their act of vigilantism they would be looking at three years hard labour just for property damage alone. Excessive violence while affecting a citizens arrest would add another year. Which would you prefer a little humiliation or years in a penal unit?"
Roberts and quite a few others swallowed on hearing that
"That makes more sense then, thank you sir." Roberts said
"I thought you would see it that way. Now does anyone else have any new weapon ideas or ideas to make your life as hunters easier."
"Sir, can anyone have vehicles here at Beacon?" Anders from RASP asked
"Yes, miss Anders. We maintain a garage unit by the bullhead docks for staff and student vehicles. Of course any weapons that may be on it must be kept in your lockers or in the armoury. You will need permission from Miss Goodwitch though and there is a storage fee involved."
Wilkes took a photo of Aprils design with his scroll and moments later it was shown on a screen in the class.
"If you want to design a vehicle you can use this as an example, let us see if you can come up with improvements or an entirely different idea. If I am satisfied you may try and built it for extra credit and your own use. Not having to walk for miles on patrols is its own benefit."
Wilkes noticed Nora carefully closing her own drawing pad and putting it into her bookbag
"May I see what you have been working on, Miss Valkyrie."
She hesitated and opened a very rough drawing of a truck like vehicle. Wilkes noticed the weapon pods on front and back but no other pods as he would have expected from explosion happy girl. She also seemed uncharacteristically subdued
"What do you have here?" He asked
"An evacuation vehicle, sir. For when it is not possible to send bullheads in for rescue duty or for checking for survivors after an attack." She said softly
He flipped the page to show an interior design. This one was done in greater details. Several beds were drawn for a treatment area, she had included a small kitchen and various seats similar to ones used on school busses. Flipping back to the first he noticed that the wheel hubs were covered and a plough attachment was drawn to the front. He was about to ask about it before he had his answer, to clear rubble on approach. He could see why she would think of such a vehicle, having come from a destroyed village.
"A wonderful idea, Miss Valkyrie. May I keep this as a project for the fourth and fifth years?" He asked
"Yes, sir." She said
"Got any other ideas you can show me?" He asked
She pulled out another drawing pad and showed him another design, this time clearly a weapon. Also one that would be proscribed by the last peace treaty
"A cannon miss Valkyrie?"
"An anti Nevermore and Gryphon gun, sir. The ammunition is on the next page with the description."
Wilkes turned the page over and read it
"Another good idea. Though only your second type of ammunition will be allowed."
Wilkes took another picture and had the drawings added to the screen
"What miss Valkyrie proposes is for dealing with aerial swarms. Something we have difficulty dealing with as Huntsmen. What you are looking at is basically shotgun rounds on a very larger scale, The second one spreads flechette rounds in a wide arc on being fired which would be useful at close quarters. The first one is fired as a shell which explodes after a period of time. Now this would be for longer range or higher altitude according to her notes. Unfortunately this type of ammunition is banned under the peace accords."
Wilkes gave her a smile
" You have just earned a free pass in a single test for this course, you can use it if you fail a test or want better marks for a test. Now I believe your team has a project to start."
The eight left the room and started to the workshop section of Beacon. The rest of the class breaking into groups to see if they too could earn extra points or free passes for tests. The potential benefit of not having to walk everywhere was also something to be considered.
Wilkes was the last one in for the weekly teachers meeting. The room was more packed this time as the teachers for the foreign schools acting as escorts for the students that had arrived early were in attendance. Moody fixed him with a stare before she motioned for him to sit down next to her.
"A heads up might be nice next time if you are going to let an entire class bunk their classes." She said
"Sorry, I got a bit enthusiastic." Wilkes said
" Glynda is also not happy that the bullhead schedule was interrupted by parts deliveries from Vale." Moody answered
"I will talk to her later." Wilkes said
"And you owe me a ride in JNPR's vehicles both of them." Moody stated
"I'll speak to Arc for the flight, their ground vehicle may take some time." Wilkes said
"So by Friday then, they are still building it in the workshops when I came in. Oh and Peach will want a word as well, they were a bit late for her class."
Wilkes was about to reply when the door to the staff room opened and Ozpin came in. His face was drawn, he pointed his scroll to the monitors in the room and the images of the other headmasters appeared. The noise died down as the teachers realised this was not going to be regular briefing session
"Ladies and gentlemen, I need your full attention. We have received word that two separate groups of Grim are converging on Magnus. Prelimenary intelligence puts the size at migration herd levels. Contact has been lost with four settlements already, whether they were overrun or had evacuated is unknown at this time. And we can not risk resources at this time to find out. As of now all classes are suspended and our students are to be deployed to replace Huntsman units that are being reallocated for defence duties. This includes our foreign students."
He placed his cane on the desk
"The deployment has been ordered by the Council. We now have to decide where best to use our students. The council had wanted them to be deployed along with the front line units to act as support with evacuation and reinforcement of Magnus and surrounding settlements before being pulled back with the fourth and fifth years being given the option of joining the forces stationed there. I was however able to dissuade them from that option. Unfortunately this means they will have to replace Huntsman units in their current postings."
Ozpin pointed to the monitor that had Ironwood displayed in its middle
"We can consider ourselves lucky, Atlas has decided to dispatch their flight group D to attend the Vytal festival, so we will have more reinforcement in the form of air and mechanised units. General Ironwood has diverted course for Magnus and should arrive in time with most of our huntsman"
Moody was the first to lift her hand
"Has the Valean Rangers been recalled as well?" She asked
"They were one of the first units recalled." Ozpin replied
"Okay, I will volunteer to act as supervisor for the replacement group." She said
"Which teams do you want?" Ozpin asked
"Team BROW fifth year, teams KHYA, JNPR and RASP. Team ORIN for the third year team. Both BROW And ORIN are in my advanced classes, obviously with the Ichuru's and Arc's history, they would be better on border patrol duty than wall patrols, also Ren and Valkyrie have extended experience outside of settlements. Twenty students should be enough to man an outpost and run basic patrols, especially if we can use vehicles."
Tsune spoke up
"Unfortunately I have to counter you on ORIN and RASP. You might have noticed Mister Parson from RASP was absent from classes today, he and his team is now under quarantine, he has meningitis and miss Simmons is symptomatic, still awaiting the results of her tests. ORIN is two members down with multiple fractures, the idiots had attempted to go skateboarding while drunk."
"I would suggest team CFVY as a replacement for ORIN." Oobleck suggested
"Miss Scarlatina is still experiencing issues, Do you think it wise." Pach pointed out
"She would be better on border patrol than other duties right now, we can not afford to have distracted students on more important sites." Oobleck rplied
"Take team RWBY in place of RASP. Some time away from Vale and their usual luxuries might do them some good" Goodwitch said
"We can set up another outpost out there I suppose." Moody shrugged
"That is settled then." Ozpin gave his consent
Moody stood up
"May I be excused then? I want to get started as quickly as possible." She said
"I will send miss Branwen a message to collect team RWBY, where shall I have them delivered to, your class?" Goodwitch asked
"Workshops will be better. I saw KHYA and JNPR there and they should still be busy with their group projects. I will contact CFVY myself."
Moody left the room and closed the door behind her. Wilkes lifted his hand and waited for Ozpin to acknowledge him
"Sir, once we are done. I have an idea I wish to share with you and the other headmasters."
"Very well. I need three supervisors for the farming zone…"
Moody arrived to the workshop to see that half of her charges were hard at work. Arc, Daichi and Fox were busy cutting a skip waste container apart with Nikos and Valkyrie spray painting a completed pallet with the inept help of Schnee who seemed to be getting more paint on herself than the object she was working on. She seemed to be having the time of her life from what Moody could read from her posture
Ren, Scarlatina and Belladonna was found seated close to the door leaning against the wall of the building as was Royce. The rest was lost in a blur of motion around the second project that was very rapidly taking shape. Moody whistled sharply and the noised died down and the students secured their tools before coming closer to her.
A quick count confirmed all were present. She motioned for them to sit down on the floor of the workshop. She waited till they were settled
"As of right now Beacon is preparing for deployment of its students to replace active huntsman units. Two herds of Grim seem to be on approach to Magnus. You twenty and myself will be replacing the Valean Rangers in their area as they are being recalled for redeployment. We will be going to Northern Vale to the Serenity Forest. As some of you might know this is where the bulk of Vale's lumber is obtained from. There are also several farming corporations in the adjacent area. Both the farms and the lumbar companies maintain their own security and at most we could be called upon to reinforce them."
"So we will be keeping an eye on the rednecks then and anti grim patrols." Cameron observed
"That is correct." Moody replied
"Mam, what are rednecks?" Weiss asked
There were a few brief chuckles, but Moody noticed that Schnee was not the only one confused by the term
"Why don't we let the residents of Patch explain their cousins." Royce said
" Miss Schnee, a redneck is a deragotary term for some of those who live outside the settlements or the city. They are characterised and stereotyped as dirty, illiterate and stupid with a near fanatical fondness for weapons and explosions, as wel as alcoholic to the last members of their families." Moody explained
"You are forgetting their habit of marrying their cousins and siblings, professor." Royce added
"Are you sure you wish to push that picture." Moody replied
Her accent had shifted, going from her usual smooth pronunciation to a rougher form of accent. Royce wisely shut up
"Did not think so. Getting back on topic. Despite this being a deployment ordered by the council of Vale we will also be using this opportunity as if it was a sanctioned school exercise and you will be graded on it. We will not be using the usual buildings and outposts in use by the Rangers. Instead we will be establishing our own adjacent to the patrols we will be running."
Several groans from the older years were music to her ears. The loudest coming from Adell and Royce.
"To make this more fun I will be splitting you into two groups to see who can set up the more effective outpost. RWBY, BROW and KHYA are red team, CFVY and JNPR are blue team. You will need to prepare for a minimum three week exercise. Teams will be graded as if it was a regular school exercise. We depart tomorrow at fourteen hundred at the latest. JNPR and KHYA you are cleared to use your own craft. The rest of you will be transported by Bullheads. Team leaders step up."
Moody handed the team leaders an envelope each. Looking inside they saw a single cheque
"Advances on your mission pay. Buy what you need for this mission but make sure you keep receipts as you will be asked to account for all your expenses or have it docked from your final payment. And believe me since we are billing the Council for expenses the receipts are a necessity as is meticulous field reports. First years you have been given a once off payment to procure the items the older teams should already have."
Moody pointed to the half finished vehicle.
"Extra points if you get that operational for use by the time we lift off."
She dismissed the teams and started walking to the farthest building on campus. The old building had been converted insto storage units for use by the faculty and teams to store equipment that was not in use. She had to check and prepare her own gear and then go to the armoury to draw the necessary ammunition she will need.
Teams CFVY and JNPR moved to the back of the room, Velvet hanged a bit back from the main group. Jaune took the lead
"Let us make a list of what we will need and a list of what we have available." He started
"The second will be the shorter list, I think. None of our field equipment is on Beacon because someone decided that our team storage unit would be better used as a fourth closet for clothing she does not wear regularly and a dark room for developing photos, despite digital cameras being available." Fox remarked
"So what you are saying is we are starting at scratch, how much camping experience do you all have?" Jaune asked
"Does staying in a three star hotel count as camping?" Yatus joked
"Me and Nora have extensive experience." Ren interrupted
"Never went camping." Pyrrha admitted
Jaune took a piece of paper
"Basics we need shelter food, and water. Or the means to create those. We will need four tents minimum as a start."
"Five, I am not small enough to share a tent." Yatsu corrected
" Okay sleeping bags or hammock, maybe both." Jaune nodded to Yatsu
"Ground sheets, you can use those for lots of things, they even make good blankets." Nora stated
The others started joining in adding their ideas, several were vetoed, many were modified to be more practical. Nora was unhappy as pancake mix was not added as an essential food, Coco was unhappy as she was informed that she was allowed four outfits maximum and this was worsened as she realised she would have to handwash them as well
Jaune handed the notes over to Pyrrha and started using his scroll to find suppliers, He found listings for several stores and started looking closer at the locations they were in as well as their listed prices.
"Are we boring you, blondie?" Coco asked
"No looking at prices and suppliers, though I think I found the ideal place." He said
"Care to share?" Fox asked
"There is a place called Barnes Surplus and Outfitters, their prices seem reasonable, but it is the surrounding stores that have drawn my attention."
"Go on." Pyrrha urged
"There is a VISA bank next to it, one of the twenty four hour branches so we won't have to wait till later in the day to get cash for purchases. There is also a hardware depot and grocery store close by. Al lot of the things on the list will be cheaper at a hardware store, it is further out than the usual stores from Beacon so it will not be as busy as the others will be. I am sure there will be a rush to get equipment as I am sure we will not be the only ones that will need to get things. Going out further will mean we should get everything we need instead of risking finding they have sold out"
Coco looked at Pyrrha
"Good catch. He only looks like a himbo but there is a brain in there as well. If he was a girl I would have fought you for her." Coco grinned at Pyrrha
"He does have eight human sisters, the oldest may be married but the rest are available. Then there is the other sisters. Hina herself said they swing both ways" Nora remarked off handedly
She was grabbed by Coco a moment later. She looked to Pyrrha for help but Pyrrha merely smiled at her and pretended not to see her plight. Suddenly Nora realised waking Pyrrha up this morning with ice down her nightdress this morning might not have been her best idea
"Tell me what the sisters like, help a girl out with some inside information." Coco said cajolingly
Cinder Fall was about to step from the room she shared with her minions to go deal with her incompetent procurer of dust and looking forward to putting the fear of her Mistress in him. That she had to hear of his failure from Goodbitch at breakfast and the news networks instead of him had her simmering in rage. She gave herself one last examination in the mirror when her scroll rang. Emerald scrambled from where she was attentively seated on her bed waiting Cinder to reach the scroll where it was plugged in to a charger. She looked at the caller ID
"It is Lionheart, mam." She reported
"What is that fool playing at? He knows he is not to initiate contact" Cinder snarled
She grabbed the scroll and answered it. Emerald moved back to her position to await orders. Mercury was sprawled on his bed. Magazine turned sideways as he was perusing the centrefold of his newest copy of Faunus Girls in Heat. Their fourth member was unaccounted for, not that it mattered as she was not essential at this time.
"What do you mean the festival is being delayed?!" Cinder snapped
Indistinct muttering was heard as Lionheart replied. The fact that they could hear something over the distance meant that he was speaking loudly and most likely in a total state of panic
"You will speak to Ozpin and have us reassigned to stay in Vale, I will not waste my time plodding around the farm district." Cinder retorted
More anxious muttering
"You are a headmaster. Tell Ozpin you will decide where your students are used! Call me back when you have succeeded." Cinder snapped
She terminated the call and rubbed the bridge of her nose, flames flickering between her fingertips. She looked at her minions, Mercury had placed his magazine down and was giving her his full attention, Emerald was nearly vibrating in place in her eagerness to please.
"As you have surmised by now there will be a delay in our plans. It seems as if a settlement is in the way of a grim migration. Huntsman units are being redeployed for defensive actions. From what the coward says we are looking at a three to four week delay under ideal circumstances." Cinder stated, highly irritated
"That could actually work in your favour." Mercury pointed out
"Explain yourself."
Mercury sat up
" Apart from having less Hunters return to Vale due to casualties, the thief will be able to make up for what he has been unable to steal. With a mass deployment more dust will be ordered and delivered from all available places. Even he will not struggle to divert some of the dust. Furthermore it would give the Edgelord time to train his fanatics more, even pick up more cannon fodder." Mercury stated
"Why would Taurus be able to pick up more followers? He can not openly recruit right now" Emerald asked
"They will bring refugees into Vale from wherever they are from. Most will be housed in schools and other public buildings. A lot of unhappy people in confined space, most will be realising soon that their houses and jobs are most likely gone and will be desperate for options. An ideal place for recruitment. Posing as workers from a Faunus charity organization will give them access to those people, they can incentivise those they want with extra food or clothes or blankets. Even bringing in the refugees helps with phase 2 as more negativity will draw even more Grim, we might be able to sabotage the main gates to let in more Grim for the final phase." Mercury continued
Cinder rubbed her chin as she contemplated the idea. Her minion was right it could be beneficial, it could also give her extra time to locate where the Fall Maiden had been placed and take what is hers. Marking more sites for destruction during phase two and three would be beneficial. Even if Lionheart failed to have them reassigned she will still be in position to pressure both Torchwick and Taurus to complete the alterations
She also realised she would need to keep a closer eye on her assassin. This was the first time he had shown he was more than just a blunt tool. Said blunt tool had seemingly gone back to his reading material. She could see him looking covertly at Emerald as his free hand moved to his crotch, Emerald jumped from his bed with a cry of disgust. Cinder noticed his mouth corners twitching. Yes, the tool needed closer watching indeed.
She started moving towards the door, she still had a thief to get back on track. True she could phone him and threaten him over the scroll, but there was something much more satisfying about doing it in person.
"Mercury, Emerald we have business to attend to"
"Of course, Cinder." Emerald said jumping up
They stepped out of the taxi a few blocks from the dock area. Cinder took the lead as she strolled towards the warehouse Torchwick was using. She stopped short as Mercury grabbed her arm
"Something is wrong?" He said tersely
"Remove your hand immediately." Cinder hissed
"Torchwicks guards are gone." Mercury persisted
Cinder shook her arm free
"Know your place." Cinder snapped
She strode forward and opened the side door. The area was shrouded in complete darkness, then the smell hit her. Blood, lots of blood. The smell of torn and released bowels. An absolute stillness filled the area. She strode in deeper fire forming in her hand. Her foot brushed something and it skittered across the floor and hit the side of the building. She looked down
Cartridge casings filled the ground. Light flooded the area as Emerald found the light switches. Bodies littered the floor. It was a mix of humans in black suits with red ties and uniformed White Fang members. More importantly from her point of view the warehouse was empty. The multitude of crates filled with Dust was gone.
"You fucking idiot bitch. Go ahead and let everyone know we are here why don't you." Mercury swore at Emerald
He rushed forward and grabbed an assault rifle one of the black suited men had carried. He scavenged for ammo clips. Cinder ignored them and moved to the office area. Finding the right office was easy. It was marked with the body of Neo pinned against the door. She had been pinned with her own weapon. She pushed the door open and found Roman
Roman Torchwick would be of no further use to her plans. He had been tied to a chair and judging from the bruising had been beaten savagely before being killed. The map of Vale in front of his desk had been decorated with his blood and brains.
"Cinder we need to leave, now!" Mercury called.
She heard the sounds of car doors slamming. Mercury fired at the distribution box, plunging the warehouse into darkness.
"Get them!" A voice called from outside
Mercury fired again as someone stepped through the door highlighting himself against the light streaming in from outside. The body dropped
"Get up the gangway, skylight window. We need to get out before they go around." Mercury ordered
Juniors Club was a hive of activity. Though not the activity that Junior preferred. Gang members were busy packing items in boxes and moved them to the rear of the building where the loading bay was. Junior was seated behind the bar a bottle open beside him. He grimaced as Cinder approached the counter
" I have a message for you." He said swallowing his entire glass
As far as she could see he was drinking the alcohol neat. She also noted that his usual immaculate suit was torn and ripped, blood stains were present as well
"From who?" Cimder asked
"A group of people you should not have pissed off. The message is stay in Vale and you will die."
"Who is the ones behind the message?" Cinder insisted
"The head of the Green Men. When Roman crashed his bull head it was into the car of the granddaughter of the Grand Master, she survived but the insult was enough for the Old Man to act."
Junior stood up and moved to the exit of the bar counter
"I have delivered my message. Now I have to be out of Vale by dawn or I join Roman."
"Where can I find a replacement for Roman." Cinder demanded
" I don't know and I don't care." Junior replied
Junior limped to the front door. His nieces fell into position behind him and they moved out the door. A car approached the front and they got on. They sped away moments later.