Chapter 10:Preparations
Ozpin looked outside of his office window as he gathered his thoughts. "Could Jaune and this Chaldea be the tipping point in his shadow war with Salem? He thought to himself "Would Mr. Arc even support him in this war?"
Given everything he now knew about what Mr. Arc had been through, Ozpin thought that the answer would be a positive one. Yes, especially if he emphasized the fact that Salem represented a threat to humanity. But before he had come to any decision, he would have to take a closer look at Chaldea and how it operated. Luckily the upcoming inspection would achieve just that.
Shaking his head he dispelled the doubts as the elevator doors in his office opened and disgorged the members of his inner circle. After the greetings, he started the discussion of the evening
"Well the inspection of Chaldea is tomorrow, and if things go well, I would be open to bringing Mr. Arc into the fold. His skills and the forces of Chaldea would be an added force to counter Salem and her potential movements."
"What information can you provide on Mr. Arc and this Chaldea Security Organization?" Ironwood asked
"Unfortunately, due to the contract I have signed, I am not permitted to discuss anything about Chaldea. However, what can be discussed is that Mr. Arc in addition to being the field director of Chaldea is also the crown prince of Arcadia."
This news caused a reaction around the room.
"Does this mean that Chaldea and Arcadia are linked together?" This came from Ironwood.
"Not yet to my knowledge," answered Ozpin "but that does not mean that they won't in the future."
"Now let us discuss the choices that the Vale council has suggested for the trip first I will be present, Ironwood has been asked by the council to be one of their representatives with councilwoman Mauve also a member of the party. I also believe that she will be bringing one of her aides with her, furthermore, I will also be bringing Qrow."
"The security for the trip will be handled by Chaldea and its security forces." Ozpin stated, "They will also provide accommodations if we decide to stay the night."
In the hallway between the rooms of their respective teams Jaune and Ruby were having a discussion.
"Jaune we have to talk.
"Let me guess... Blake?" came Jaune's exhausted rely
"Um yes let's just say that she isn't very happy with your actions during the breach and leave it at that."
Those words prompted Jaune to let out a soft snort at the vast simplification force during the breach. "She wants to talk with you and get a better understanding of why you used lethal
"Tell you what the inspection of Site Beta by the Vale Council and its representatives is tomorrow as I am a member of Chaldea I can request your team be allowed to join the trip tomorrow."
Jaune continued after taking a minute to gather his thoughts "Hopefully seeing Chaldea's services and talking with me will ease her mind. But regardless Chaldea with be continuing operations, and if the white fang continues to insist on being a threat, then we will react accordingly."
The members of team JNPR stood inside Ozpin's office, their eyes shifting between the headmaster and his desk. The atmosphere was rich with apprehension and nervousness.
"Thank you for coming, "Ozpin started, steeping his fingers and eyeing each member of the team. "I've summoned you here today because the inspection trip to Site Beta is tomorrow and I assume Mr. Arc that your team will be accompanying you?"
"Yes, they will," Jaune answered
"May I know why?" inquired Ozpin
"Mainly it's so my team can reunite with the servants they befriended and meet the new ones that have arrived."
"Do relax headmaster I have full faith and trust in my team." Jaune continued
"Very well "Came the reply "If that is the case then I suppose that I can dispense with the pleasantries."
"Now I must ask the question as to why your team knows about Chaldea and its activities when it took an inquiry after the breach for me and the Vale council to be made aware of it?" Ozpin asked
"That's an easy question to answer, I trust my team to keep my secrets. Furthermore, I trust them to keep me grounded."
"Also team RWBY will be joining us and if my luck holds out so will others. Chaldea will be providing transportation roundtrip." Jaune stated
At Beacon's airship dock, everyone is scrambling to ensure that everything is ready for the trip. Staff members are engrossed in last-minute arrangements that serve to create organized chaos. Amidst this havoc, team JNPR stands in a semi-circle around a pile of luggage.
"We have everything?" Jaune questioned his team
"Yep, I've packed the essentials clothes, ammunitions, medical supplies, and maple syrup." Proudly declared Nora
"Nora maple syrup is not considered an essential supply item, besides Site Beta has plenty of maple syrup. "Jaune explained tiredly
He looked up to see Cardin and his team approaching.
"Arc can we talk?" Came
"Sure, what's Cardin?"
"Well I kind of spilled the beans to my team about me knowing beforehand about all of this, nothing important mind you but they and if we're being honest I want to see this place you have. "Finished Cardin in a slight rush
"So let me get this straight, you're asking for a ride to Site Beta? Well, let me think about it for a minute.
"Okay you can come," Jaune said after a ten-second pause to think about the weather.
"Just one thing, it goes without saying but be on your best behavior please."
"Now is there anyone else that wants in on this free trip?!"Jaune exclaimed
Only to be met with a timid "Um, if it's not too much trouble could we join in as well?" from Velvet as her team trailed behind her
At these words, Jaune lets out an amused sigh " Apparently this is now becoming a field trip."
"Well seeing as everyone is here and ready to go. Time to call in our ride." Jaune stated with a grin
" Hey, Drake time to make your flashy appearance," Jaune stated with a hint of warmth in his voice.
With a swirl of ethereal light and a gust of wind that seems to come from nowhere, a figure materializes before them. Dressed in ostentatious pirate attire complete with a wide-brimmed hat, Francis Drake, his summoned servant, stands there with a grin that rivals Jaune's.
"Miss me, Master? Ready to embark on another grand voyage?" Drake asks, her eyes twinkling with the promise of adventure.
"You bet," Jaune replies. "We need to get to Site Beta and Mount Arcanus, and there's no better captain for the job."
Drake chuckles, gesturing grandly as she activates her Noble Phantasm. The air shimmers before them, and a massive spectral ship materializes, replete with cannons and golden adornments, hovering just above the ground. "All aboard the Golden Hind! This voyage will be one for the record books!"
As the Golden Hind sailed through the sky, Jaune and Drake were in the Captain's cabin. The sounds of clinking glasses and gentle chatter filled the air. They sat across from each other, a bottle of rum and two glasses between them on the wooden desk.
"Been a while since we've had a chat like this huh Drake?" Jaune said, pouring a measure of rum into their glasses.
"Indeed, Master. You've been under quite a bit of pressure lately haven't you?" Drake took a sip, enjoying the burn of the alcohol as it slid down her throat. "The role of Master, team leader, and prince are on your shoulders. Must be stressful to walk that tightrope."
Jaune chuckled, a wistful expression crossing his face. "It's quite nerve-wracking to constantly be walking this rope with all of that weight on my shoulders. One wrong move and I end up taking the fast way down."
"Is that why you look like you are weighed down all of the time?" Stress can make even the hardiest sailors crumble you know." Drake observed, concern edging into her boisterous face.
'You're not wrong, there is the upcoming trip to Arcadia to visit my folks after this trip wraps up. Then there is the situation with Bracknell and his request to create an Arcadian Foreign Legion made up of himself and several other Chaldea workers. These people are willing to quite literally throw away their future prospects at Chaldea to have the chance to join Arcadia. Back when Da Vinci was poking and prodding at me to see how aura worked we found out that I could grant aura to others, provided they did not already possess the capacity for magecraft. Three guesses as to who was the first one to volunteer and the first two don't count."
"Let me offer you some pirate advice master, people make their own choices for their own reasons. If they choose this path, it's because they see something in it for themselves and perhaps for you," Drake said her tone unusually serious.
Jaune met her gaze, finding a depth of understanding in it. "You think I should let them decide their own course?"
"Exactly, your role might be to lead, but part of that is knowing when to step back and trust the people who choose to follow you," Drake replied, downing the remainder of her glass and pouring a new round for the both of them.
"Here's to choices, then. May we make ones we don't regret," Jaune said, raising his glass.
Drake clinked her glass against his. "To choices, and to the wild, unpredictable seas of life."