Halo, it's time for the newest chapter. Enjoy the reading.


At the Academy, in team RWBY's room, team RWBY, JNR, and LLMM and Oscar gathered to discuss the suspicious letter the General received from Jacques Schnee.

- Okay, what do you think about this? - Lance asked the big question, mostly addressed to Weiss.

- Only my father would turn a hostile takeover into a fluffy PR move. - Weiss, holding the invitation, was sure her father was up to something.

- He said in the news that he just wants to reconcile and sort things out. - Ruby added, a little too optimistically. - Maybe it won't be so bad. We want the general to start opening up to these people, don't we? Because he already works with Robyn.

- Yes, - Oscar was not so optimistic. - but I'm afraid it's not enough, and his conditions will dominate.

- The cooperation between them hangs by a thread, which was put in jeopardy by the fact that Jacques Schnee stopped Dust production. - Lance also shared Oscar's doubts. - This would be an opportunity to get him to start again.

- But the general will be locked in a room with his rivals at the dinner party, around Jacques' own house. - Oscar kept rolling his eyes. - I know Jacques said he'd happily relent and be willing to start Dust production, but that means he's going to dominate the conversation.

- It's not difficult to imagine how this will happen. - Blake added.

- I still can't believe he won. - Weiss's voice was full of indignation and disgust. - Robyn is supposed to be the people's hero, right? - She scanned the invitation suspiciously, she simply felt that her father had something to do with Robyn losing the vote, Tyrion and Neo striking just when Penny was there in the last seconds of the election and Jacques shutting down Dust production in the last week and it was then that the number of his voters began to increase drastically. - Simply, there are too many coincidences.

- Do you think your father has anything to do with Salem? - Yang asked about it. Weiss was just silent for a while, she wanted to say no to that question, but she knew exactly what kind of person her father was.

- I think my father would do anything to win.

- Then we have to do the same. - Ruby wasn't so optimistic anymore.

- So...? - Weiss turned to her.

- No one knows your father better than you, - Ruby began. - and we'll all be there in the evening, so you're the only one who can snoop around the house without being suspicious. If Jacques Schnee did something, we better know what it is.

The young ones were fully determined to accompany the general.


There was a tense silence in the Glass Unicorn, because the illegal squatters, Cinder, Genna, Mandy and Adam, who had already settled in the abandoned hotel for two months, sat around and looked together at Genna's Scroll, which she used to project Atlas and Mantle's map.

- It looks like our plans are coming together faster than expected. - For Cinder, the chaos in the city was favorable.

- How long do we have to wait?! - Adam jumped up impatiently, as Cinder promised him revenge and the destruction of Atlas. - We've been doing nothing but sitting around for two months!

- Patience, Adam. - Cinder also stood up and put her hand on his shoulder. - In the end, those who are the most patient always win.

- Aah hope ya have a plan? - Gabbled Genna, who was also getting tired of waiting, looked at the map bored.

- Well... - Cinder tilted her head slightly to the side when her Scroll suddenly beeped. - Oh, yeah. - She took it out and when she looked at it, she smiled evilly.

- What is it? - Mandy and the others were also curious.

- The General and the Council will meet. - Cinder showed the announcement to the others.

- And? - Adam didn't understand the point and was getting more and more excited to do something.

- Mandy could get in and listen to their conversation. - Cinder looked towards the fox faunus girl.

- Why me? - Mandy liked the idea of interrogating the enemy.

- Me and Genna would stand out quite a bit, - Cinder explained, which was very true, since she's with her one eye and a bandaged arm and Genna with her large stature and armor would have a hard time with the mingle. - And Adam... - She sneakily smiled and didn't finish the sentence.

- What about me?! - Adam stared angrily at the one-eyed woman.

- Don't deny, - Cinder knew well how Adam felt about the rich people of Atlas. - that you would prefer to execute everyone on the spot. You are too unpredictable and such an action requires a cool head and consideration. Mandy is much more humble and calmer than you. - Cinder remembered what Roman said about Adam after the battle of Beacon. A wild beast whose mind could snap out at the worst possible time.

- Fine. - Adam angrily clutched his katana, sat down and had to admit that if he were among the rich people who had always looked down on him and his kind, he might not be able to restrain himself.

- So, - Mandy didn't have much of a choice. - am I the only one?

- You don't have to worry, Mandy, - Cinder stroked her chin with her right, human hand. - there will be a lot of faunus servants there, whom the Atlas people don't even care about. - Her remaining, right eye began to glow yellow and she smiled. - Their arrogance and contempt will be your disguise. They won't see or hear you, but you will see and hear everything that happens there.

- How much time do I have to get there? - Mandy agreed.

- The reception starts at 8pm, - Cinder explained. - so, it would be advisable to get there half an hour before. Getting a uniform, getting in position and getting to know the environment.

- In other words, I have to solve everything by myself. - Mandy stood up and she was ready to leave. - I better not wasting time.


The Schnee family mansion was the largest and most luxurious building in the entire Upper Atlas. It would have been hard to miss the largest and most magnificent building in the city, which was like a shining crown jewel that stood out from the crowd. The huge crowd of people was also treacherous, and last but not least, the armed guards and robots also helped to figure out which estate it was.

Mandy just took a deep breath and started towards the main entrance, which was a huge barred gate, in front of which stood at least 4 armed robots and 2 human soldiers and who knows how many more behind the gate. It certainly won't get through here.

- Hey! What are you doing here?! - An angry, male voice interrupted her from her thoughts. She turned and found herself facing armed soldiers. - The staff entrance is at the back!

Mandy didn't answer, just bowed and immediately left them.

There was that certain entrance, a simple small metal door in the stone wall, in front of which stood another female soldier. The Faunus girl approached, but the female soldier stood in her way.

- What are you doing here? - She asked, suspicious.

- Um... I came to work. - Mandy thought that her fox tail and ears, which she showed, were a sure entry, but this soldier seemed smarter.

- You're a little late, the night shift has already started.

- Well... my bus was late and it broke.

- Hm, the public transport in Atlas is first class. - The woman didn't believe it. - Show me your ID.

- That... - Unfortunately, it occurred to her too late that she had no documents about working here. - I left it at home. - The guard didn't look satisfied.

- Then I suggest… - Before she could continue, Mandy's dagger had already pierced her stomach after finding the weak spot in her armor and she coughed up blood, then her body went limp and fell to the ground.

Mandy just looked at the dead soldier for a moment and was reminded for a moment of May Zedong, the girl she killed in the Battle of Beacon. She was the first one she killed out of pure anger, and at the time she felt deeply guilty about the murder.

Seeing the dead soldier, whose name she didn't even know, who presumably had a family waiting for her back home and who loved her, she realized that she felt nothing. She didn't even care.

She simply hid the body behind a bush, careful not to leave traces of blood anywhere, took her access card and entered the building.

It was easier inside, there were no guards, only changing rooms, washrooms, laundries and garbage storage areas. She quickly went into one of the laundry rooms, where she found a waitress's uniform.

She also took over the black, flat-heeled, dancing shoes, black stockings, skirt, white blouse, from which the black fox's tail was hanging out and a black vest, and she tied her short, neck-length hair back with a hair band.

She hid her own clothes and weapons in the dumpster, in an empty garbage bag, where no one would find them.

Thanks to her new outfit, she easily made her way through the kitchen to join the other waitresses, up into the ballroom and exactly as Cinder said, no one was excited that there were more faunus servers in the room.

No one was excited by her presence, she or other faunus servers were only called "Hey you!", "You there" or simply clicked on them and they had to spawn there.

She felt herself invisible.


It was a big night for all of Atlas, as Jacques Schnee organized a huge reception and invited many of his rich acquaintances and business partners to his home, the Schnee family mansion, including the head of the kingdom, the commander of the army and the headmaster of the Academy, General Ironwood.

Four elegant civilian vehicles, one black, two white and one blue, arrived and were given permission to pass through the main gate of the mansion and drive through the large and open front garden. In the middle, there was an entrance road with decorative lighting, which surrounded a place with a blue marble pedestal, on which stood three statues. The one closest to the gate and the one in front of the manor were identical, on a white marble plinth each a dark gray triangle, on the pointed tip of which was decorated the coat of arms of the Schnee family with a snowflake pattern. The third statue was at least five times the size of the other two, but it also had a dark gray triangle on its pedestal that held the largest glowing Schnee crest.

The four cars stopped at the entrance of the mansion, team RWBY and Qrow got out of one white car, Oscar, team JNR and LLMM got out of the other white car, the Ace Ops from the black car and Winter, Penny and of course general Ironwood himself from the blue car.

After everyone got out, the four cars were led to the underground parking garage by a reception valet.

Before they entered the mansion, the general stopped, clasped his hands behind his back, and waited for Winter to join him. She also locked her hands behind her back and stared sternly at the building where she spent her childhood.

- Maybe it wouldn't hurt to smile for the cameras. - The general suggested, though he didn't smile at all.

- Sir, with all due respect, - Winter replied in a formal and stern tone. - you have to pay for it. - As soon as she finished, she left and prepared to immerse herself in the hypocritical and lying lifestyle of the rich people of Atlas, just like when she had to as a child.

The general followed her with a slight smile.

Weiss, like her sister, was sick and her stomach just churned by returning home, but she knew, as did Winter, that duty called for it.

- Hey, - Jaune put a hand on her shoulder and smiled kindly. - there will be nothing wrong. Me and the others are here by your side.

- Thank you. - Weiss calmed down, put her arms around the boy and pressed a kiss on his cheek. - For everything.

All 19 guests stopped at the mansion's entrance, behind Ironwood, who felt like he was opening the gates of hell by ringing the doorbell.

The door opened and they were greeted by a young 15 year old white haired boy in an elegant gray and white suit.

- Good evening, everyone. - The boy smiled kindly and put his hands behind his back.

- Where is Klein? - Weiss was surprised to see the boy.

- What an interesting way to say, - The boy maintained his sweet smile as he looked at Weiss and placed his hand on his chest and began imitating Weiss in an arrogant style. - "Hello, my dear brother! How are you?!" - Finally he stopped imitating, the smile faded from his face and he continued with crossed arms. - I'm afraid you won't find him here. He was dismissed. - A comical and sly grin slipped back. - I can't imagine why?

Weiss felt a sudden pang of guilt as she was sure her father had found out that Klein had helped her escape.

- Whitley, our father called us here. - Winter felt the need to intervene and sternly stared at her younger brother.

- Oh, Winter, - Whitley put his fake smile back on and folded his hands, resting his head on them. - my dear sister! It's been so long since I saw you that I've already forgotten your face! My heart is so happy to see each other again.

- Not otherwise. - Winter filtered out of her mouth, still looking pointedly at the boy, whom she would have liked to have slapped for his disrespect.

- Hm, - Whitley took one last look at her older sister and then turned to Ironwood. - general, - He looked around the entire company and counted almost twenty people in the entourage. - how big do you think our dining table is?

- As far as I know, it's huge, - answered the general. - but most of my guests will be on standby in case the Council calls for additional witnesses. Until then, I'm sure they'll celebrate your father's victory. - It's clear how much he despised Jacques, but he had to keep up the appearances.

Whitley flashed another polite smile, motioning for the others to follow and inviting them into the mansion, he turned and led the way.

The ballroom was magnificent, a vast space with a floor of light and dark grey-blue marble tiles surrounding the artistically painted white and dark blue Schnee coat of arms in the center of the room.

At the end of the hall, a huge, white marble staircase led up to the upper parts of the manor, on which a dark blue carpet was spread, next to the stairs, in the background stood two giant knight's armors, as if they were on guard, both sticking a broadsword into the ground and resting their hands on them.

The room was filled with elegantly dressed gentlemen and ladies who were the elite residents of Atlas. They all came hoping to enjoy the hospitality of the richest man in Atlas and maybe gain some money or influence.

Among the well-dressed gentlemen and ladies, the general's entourage stood out horribly, as they all appeared in combat and field clothes at such a fancy event. The people were rather filled with fear at the sight of the general, most of whom were stupid, had more money than mind and believed Jacques' propaganda to the last word, that says he's the most evil man in all of Remnant.

- Those, - Whitle stopped and so did the whole company. - who're joining us in the dining room, please follow me.

Out of the 19, only 4 followed the youngest Schnee child, Ironwood, of course, Clover, Winter and Penny.

- Wish me luck. - Clover said to Qrow.

- Hm, - Qrow just shook his head and joked back. - you're already invited, aren't you?

Clover just looked back at him with a smile that he was already unlucky enough to have to attend a boring meeting with a bunch of hypocritical politicians.

The door to the hall closed after Clover, following the others, passed through it.

- A drink, sir? - A vole faunus waiter handed him a tray filled with glasses full of red wine.

- Um... - Qrow under normal circumstances would have taken two without a second thought, but lately he has changed a lot. Knowing how much Ruby looks up to him, after what he did on the way to Atlas and his friendship with Clover helped a lot with his alcohol addiction. - No, thank you. - He simply didn't want alcohol and turned back to the young ones. - I'll stay on patrol.

- He took the word out of my mouth. - Marrow found this place repulsive, too sanctimonious and hypocritical.

- Okay, - Harriet and the rest of the Ace Ops followed him, but still gave some instructions to the youngsters. - don't wander off, don't break anything and be ready in case the general calls you.

The Ace Ops left them and when they were out of earshot, Yang had an idea.

- Objection, how about we wander off, think about break a few things and do the opposite of everything else she said.

- I'll be in touch. - Weiss knew what she had to do, she pointed to the small radio in her ear and started towards the staircase at the end of the hall.

- My dear sister, - The only one who could and did stand in her way was her brother, Whitley. - I was hoping we could take some time to talk a little.

- Oh... - Weiss just rolled her eyes in annoyance, because not a single bit of her wanted to talk to her brother.

- I need to know, - Whitley rubbed his chin in a comical way as if thinking. - why did you go through so much trouble to leave your home, only to come back on your knees?

Weiss just sighed angrily and just like Winter, she just wanted to slap him.

- This might be a problem. - Oscar, who was only watching the scene from the background with the others, noticed this unpleasant factor, he had a tray in his hand from which he was eating cookies.


Meanwhile, the general and his smaller entourage arrived at the Schnee family's dining room, which looked more like a meeting room. There was a huge dining table for 14 people in the middle, elegantly laid, and a large, light blue carpet was spread under it, on which at least 4 candles were lit, which were burning with white light. Various paintings and artefacts were displayed on the walls, and one wall was occupied by a huge portrait of Nicholas Schnee, the founder of Atlas. A huge chandelier on the ceiling illuminated the whole room with white and light blue light. On the other side of the room, there were large windows from which you could see all of Atlas, framed by dark blue curtains.

- General Ironwood, - Jacques greeted his guests with a sweet smile. - please take a seat.

The general looked at his people, Clover, Winter and Penny and nodded to each of them to sit down. While Jacques sat across the table, Ironwood sat directly across from him, Clover to his left, Winter to his right and Penny next to Winter.

The general also noted that Jacques wasn't waiting for him alone, but had also invited the remaining two members of the Council.

- Councilor Sleet, - He greets the man in a suit and glasses sitting on the right of Jacques. - Councilor Camilla. - Then to the woman sitting on his left, in a red dress.

- Councilor Hill would also sound good. - Ironwood only now noticed that standing in front of the window was Robyn Hill, who, despite the General's willingness to cooperate with her, didn't seem satisfied. - I think, - She just smiled and walked towards the table and sat down on one of the chairs. - I should be grateful that I was invited to this table at all.

- Ms. Hill, - Jacques just laughed. - we should be grateful that you're here with us tonight.

Robyn's smiling face suddenly faded and she fixed her piercing gaze first on Jacques and then on Ironwood.

- What is she doing here? - Ironwood wanted to know that Robyn, who's not a Councilor and has nothing to do with running Atlas, would have no business at this table.

- What we all do, James. - Jacques answered confidently, as if he knew about things that no one else in the room knew about. - Dealing with our kingdom's problems, which just means we have a lot to discuss.

- Indeed. - Ironwood wasn't upset about Robyn, he was more to the point. - I was hoping for a clean...

- Are we safe with her? - Jacques interrupted the general and stared suspiciously at Penny. Penny flinched and didn't know what to do. - I feel uncomfortable in her presence, given the part she took in that terrible massacre on the night of the election.

- According to the official report, - Ironwood immediately came to Penny's defense. - the recordings were faked. Penny is completely under my control.

- I'm with the general on this. - Robyn spoke up. - She saved the life one of my Huntresses that night.

- Then we should all be grateful to her, - Jacques didn't leave it at that. - if it really happened, but unfortunately there is no proof of it. - He looked towards Ironwood. - If he's really under your control, then maybe it's even more worrying.

- Worrying? - The general repeated the last word suspiciously, while a group of faunus came in with trays full of food and drink, which they went around the table offering to the guests.

- Let's talk about it, - Jacques continued. - what exactly is it that you control. About the embargo.

- The embargo is absolutely necessary. - The general immediately snapped at him. - I won't unlock it for a while. Therefore, I ask Councilor Schnee to continue the production of Dust, which is absolutely important for the sake of Atlas.

- People are suffering, - Robyn joined the general. - we can't repair the wall without Dust!

- Don't think, Ms. Hill, that I'm blind to all that's going on at Mantle. - Jacques answered kindly and empathetically. - I'm willing to restart Dust production for one small favor.

- And what would that be? - The general asked, although he knew what he was trying to get at.

- For unlocking the embargo. - Jacques finally said.


In the ballroom, Weiss simply couldn't get rid of her brother, who, like a warrior wielding his sword, twirled his tongue to keep his sister in check.

- Why won't this kid bug off?! - Yang was getting impatient.

- We have to do something. - Blake knew that Weiss wouldn't get any further without help.

- What did you say earlier about breaking things? - Jaune and the rest of the JNR team, more specifically, Nora, were already sitting on their pins, excitedly waiting to make a scene and shaking up this boring, hypocritical ball.

Nora didn't need any more, she started piling up so many cakes, snacks, muffins, spring rolls, pies, hams, cheeses and ice cream on the tray clutched in her hand, slowly building a tower of food.

Meanwhile, Ren began to walk up and down with a small cake on a small tray, elegantly with one hand behind his back.

Meanwhile, Jaune stood in wait and signaled to his teammates that they could carry out the plan.

- Be careful! - Nora approached Whitley balancing the huge tower of food. - A big order is coming!

Ren was also moving towards Whitley with his tiny tray, he met Nora, with whom they bumped into each other and Nora, as if she had lost her balance, masquerading as an accident, threw the tray with the huge amount of food on it, which went straight towards Whitley, who noticed the food cascade too late, so he had no chance to avoid it.

Unfortunately, this operation was ruined by a fat, empty-headed woman in a white dress, who looked like a pig, by getting caught in the crossfire and the huge amount of food completely covered her white dress, which became full of sauces, dips and all kinds of food, which really made she looked like a slobbering pig.

The woman squealed loudly like a pig, causing the entire ballroom to shudder and in agony she spilled her wine straight at Whitley and ran to the bathroom.

Whitley was completely drenched in red wine, turning his white hair pink, his gray jacket, white shirt and black tie all soaked. Weiss put her hands over her mouth to cover her smile and the fact that she was about to laugh.

- If you'll forgive me. - Whitley angrily headed for the bathroom to wash off the wine.

Weiss looked back and saw that team RWBY, JNR and LLMM were just having a good laugh at the scene and was grateful for their intervention. Now all obstacles between her and the upper floor of the mansion had disappeared.


The negotiations continued in the manor's dining room.

- The situation is, - Councilor Sleet sternly looked at the general. - that you've operated with a fair amount of autonomy over the past few years, James! But what we need is for you to work with us!

- Sir, I... - Ironwood tried to explain himself.

- Obviously, - Councilor Camilla interrupted. - that no kingdom intends to declare war on Atlas. We had nothing to do with the Haven incident, we have proof that our robots didn't do what they did in Beacon on our orders. At this point, closing the borders of Atlas would only result to harm our relations with the rest of the world.

- I... - Ironwood was interrupted again.

- With the rest of the world?! - This time by Robyn. - It harms us! The people of Mantle are suffering! They need Dust! Either one way, - Her angry gaze wandered back and forth between Jacques and Ironwood, because the people are suffering because of the stubbornness of these two men. - or another.

- You are absolutely right, Ms. Hill. - Jacques now stood next to Robyn and fixed his gaze on Ironwood. - I'm afraid other than your decisions have caused a lot of damage to this kingdom. Have your forces found evidence of who slaughtered innocent civilians in Mantle?

- The investigation is ongoing, - Clover spoke up. - and the details, I'm afraid, are classified.

- I'm afraid, - Jacques continued. - the ever-growing list of classified information is growing every day. I asked my colleagues here to explore the Amity Coliseum Project and as it turned out, they know just as much as I do.

- Even you don't know? - Robyn was surprised by this. - But you do know about Salem, don't you? - Robyn's words were followed by stunned silence, Ironwood and his people looked at her with wide-eyed horror, while Jacques and the other members of the Council just looked at each other in confusion and shook their heads. - Did you initiate the Council into anything?

- Where did you hear that name? - Ironwood just clasped his hands in front of his face.

- It doesn't matter, - Robyn didn't answer and instead initiated the Council. - some super villain who wants to destroy Atlas. She's behind the previously mentioned crimes. That's why Mantle's wall should be repaired to keep our own people safe! - She demanded it from the general. - Unlock the embargo and help those who need it the most!

- The Amity Project is much more important! - Ironwood refused. - It can save a lot more lives if it's ready, but discretion is very importance for this!

- Are you saying you don't trust us? - Jacques just threw it there like it was just a toy.

- You can't buy trust like everything else! - Now Winter had enough, she angrily hit the table, stood up and released everything that had been ripe for his father for a long time. - You have to earn it!

Everyone was shocked as Winter, who had always been quiet and respectful, was now shouting like an offended child.

- Hm, - Jacques just waited for that and smiled slyly. - I couldn't have said it better myself. - Winter realized that by lashing out she was only helping her father's cause. - General, maybe I misunderstood something, but you gambled the little trust that the Council placed in you. You didn't share that the hacker who turned our robots against us was working for this... Salem, just like the one who was killing our people in our own kingdom. If you have hidden so much, how can we trust you?

- That's not... - Winter was about to tell her father off again, but the general quickly stopped her before she could say anything that would have made the situation worse.

- Winter! - The woman stopped. - Enough.

- I'm sorry. - Winter just clenched her fists, then passing by a fox faunus waitress, left the dining room.


Winter was seething with anger even after she stormed out of the diner, her father seeing the current situation as nothing more than a simple political game, using the suffering people as an excuse to gain more influence and unable to understand how much danger Atlas was in and that the General just wants to help.

- Are you feeling well? - Penny also came out of the dining room to look at Winter.

- I'll be fine, - Winter replied. - my emotions just got carried away.

- What do you mean? - Penny asked confused.

- You wouldn't understand. - Winter just shook her head.

- Oh, fine. - Penny just lowered her head, feeling that Winter probably didn't want to share her feelings with a robot who had no idea of their meaning.

- No, - Winter realized that Penny had misunderstood the situation and wanted to let her know that it wasn't because of her being a robot that she didn't want to talk. - I didn't mean it! This place... - She spread her arms and pointed along the ornate walls of the mansion. - brought back a lot of memories for me. I thought I could control them, but... you heard me. I acted like an offended child.

- I think you spoke well. - Penny agreed with Winter. - You spoke from your heart.

- And that was exactly the problem. - Winter looked angrily to the side. - I should have kept silence.

- I think you're right. - Penny thought about what Winter said. - I don't understand that.

The robot girl turned and returned to the dining room.


Weiss made it to the upper floors of the mansion and walked along the light blue marble walled corridors lit by the white light of candles. She walked quietly and carefully on the dark blue carpet, passed in front of her parents' bedroom, looked inside for a moment and saw their family pictures and paintings on the walls, but she had no time for nostalgia, she had to move on.

- Ms. Schnee, are you all right? - A waitress who was walking towards her addressed her.

- I'm fine, thank you. - Weiss pouted elegantly. - Carry on.

Weiss finally made it to her father's study and was relieved to close the door behind her.

- Hello, dear. - A female voice greeted her. Weiss flinched and slowly walked in the direction of the voice to her father's desk. She was an older woman in her 40's, like Weiss, she had long white hair worn in an elegant ponytail over her right shoulder and light blue eyes. She wore black high heels, dark gray tights, a dark purple skirt, a white blouse, and a light purple sleeveless blazer. - I'm sorry I couldn't go to the party, but I'm afraid I'm not well.

- Um... okay, mom, it's okay. - Weiss looked pityingly at her mother, who was staggering here and there, she's clearly drunk. Her face was sunken and flushed, her eyes were red from crying and she looked as if she wasn't even here.

- What are you doing in your father's office? - She asked surprisingly soberly.

- I just... - Weiss tried to be careful not to reveal anything to her mother. - I'm looking for something I left here.

- That's right, - Her mother only turned the glass on the table, which was half full of vodka. - you left me. - Suddenly, as if it had just occurred to her, she spoke. - You left. - Weiss knew how much pain she must have caused her mother for leaving them here without a word.

- I need dad's computer. - She walked purposefully towards the table.

- Why?

- Because I think he did something. - Weiss was absolutely sure of what she said. - Something very bad.

- Then we both assume that. - Her mother just leaned against the table and grabbed the glass full of drink.

- Yes, - Weiss looked at her mother with disdain. - but the difference is that I also try to do something about it. - Her mother just listened to her daughter in silence, then she reached for the bottle, not the glass, and started chugging down the stiffed drink as if it were just water.

- He shut down his computer. - She said this with such confidence, as if she knew for sure. - But he still has blind spots. - She took out her Scroll and showed a shot of the office they were standing in. Weiss looked at the hidden camera in shock.

- Did you put a camera in here?

- I put it in every room of the house, - Her mother admitted. - for our safety and just in case... - Weiss knew very well that her parents' marriage only happened because her father only wanted to marry into the Schnee family, he never loved her mother, which he admitted in front of the whole family. Since then, her mother sank deeply into alcoholism and installed cameras throughout the house, hoping to catch her husband in adultery. - You didn't come to stay, did you?

- No. - Weiss' answer filled her mother with relief.

- Good. - A tear fell down her face. - Does he know that you're denied out?

- Huh?

- The blonde boy you're with. - She realized her mother knew she was with Jaune.

- Jaune. And yes, he knows. He never cared about money or my family name.

- He loves you. - There was some jealousy and admiration in her mother's voice at the same time. - Your father never looked at me, not for a second, the way that boy looks at you. He cares about you, he doesn't pretend to be different and he loves you for who you are and not for who your grandfather was. - She wiped the tears from her eyes. - Your father... he was never like that. I was young, I fell for his lies and let him take advantage of me. He wanted nothing from me but my name and my family's money.

- I... - Weiss felt sorry for the first time for her mother. - I don't know what to say.

- It's not your fault, - The woman stroked her daughter's face. - honey. You are smarter than I was at your age and you chose your friends better.

- It's more of a coincidence. - Weiss remembered her first day in Beacon well, she wouldn't have thought of making friends with Ruby and Jaune at all. Fate brought her together with those friends who really stand by her and with the boy who truly loves her. If it hadn't been like that and she'd chosen her friends the way she imagined then, she might have ended up the same as her mother. Broken, lonely and used.

- There was a man here. - The woman handed her Scroll to Weiss. - I'm afraid your father is involved in something he has no idea how dangerous it is. - Weiss started watching the recording of her father talking to a stranger. - No matter what happens, Weiss, please don't forget about your brother.

- Whitley doesn't want anything from me. - Weiss didn't like her younger brother more than her father.

- Of course not, - Her mother headed for the exit, but before leaving the office, she turned to look at her daughter. - because you left him alone, both you and Winter. With us. - She finally left the room, leaving her daughter alone.

Weiss already understood what had caused the relationship between her and her brother to deteriorate. She and Winter were old enough to make their own decisions and realize that their father didn't see them as children, but as tools to use in his political games. Winter left Atlas as soon as she had the chance to study at Beacon and become a Huntress. As soon as she was old enough, Weiss followed her sister's example, leaving Atlas to study at Beacon and become a Huntress.

Whitley, in order not to follow her sisters, her father surrounded him, tuned him against his sisters and cut the teeth of the poison much deeper in him, so that he would never leave him.

Neither she nor Winter thought of Whitley when they ran away. Maybe one day she should fix her relationship with her brother, fix what she messed up in the past, but right now she needed to focus on the present.

- Who are you? - Weiss watched the footage of her father and Watts meeting and the two of them plotting how to bring down Ironwood.


Everything went according to plan. The moment Jacques won the election and became a Councilor, Watts was given the Councilor's permission to access Atlas' entire system.

As he stood there, atop a tall building in Mantle, in the pouring rain, holding his umbrella in one hand, he took out his Scroll with the other and with the permission of the new Councilor, entered Mantle's heating system and turned it off with a few simple button presses.

Mantle's lights faded, the rain stopped and snow began to fall instead. Watts easily dropped his umbrella, which was blown far away by the sudden rise of the icy wind.

With Mantle's heating turned off, Solitas' uninhabitably cold climate will kill Mantle's entire population in less than a week. The people of Mantle will curse Atlas with their last dying and freezing breaths, which will only attract more and more Grimm to the city.


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