Inside an Atlesian laboratory, the air hummed with the sound of whirring machines and clinking tools. Jaune stood awkwardly in front of Dr. Hales, feeling like a scolded schoolboy. The older man was pacing back and forth, lecturing him with the precision of a drill sergeant. Reminded him of the guy that taught them in basics, actually. Hales was a meticulous man, his lab coat always crisp, his gray hair slicked back neatly, and his eyes sharp behind his glasses.
"Mr. Arc, you sure do like wrecking my Paladins," Dr. Hales grumbled, inspecting the data on a screen nearby. "Do you know how much Lien it costs to repair these things? Every bolt, every piece of dust-infused tech... it's not fucking cheap."
"Give me a break, Doc. Do you know hard it is to fight Grimm without support and backup? Hell, I got lucky that Ms. Polendina pulled me out before the Grimm could kill me," Jaune scratched the back of his head. "Does that mean you won't repair it?"
Dr. Hales paused, turning to look at him with a mixture of exasperation and amusement. "Of course we'll repair it. Your combat logs were exceptional. They proved just how devastating the Paladin can be when combined with the aura-sync system we made and a pilot who knows what he's doing. I mean, look at this," Hales gestured to the screen, where data scrolled past in rapid succession. "You fought a new type of Grimm, one we've never encountered before and won despite its abilities. That alone makes it worth the cost of repairs. The information we got from that fight will be helpful when more of the same bastard comes."
Jaune let out a small sigh of relief. "How long will it take?"
"Time huh," Hales said, his eyes narrowing as he continued to scroll through the data. "Your current Paladin is too damaged for quick fixes. The plan is to switch you to another model while we work on this one."
Jaune raised an eyebrow. "Another Paladin then?"
Hales nodded, turning to face him fully. "Yes, and no, it's not exactly like your previous model. This one's a smaller variation of the Colossus — more humanoid in shape, sturdier, and outfitted with chain dust cannons. It has enhanced jump units for mobility, designed for faster combat. It's a step up from what you're used to. It was supposed to be the next phase before the idiots thought let's make it bigger to fight bigger Grimm... they were right on that account, and I hate it... but still, a shame."
Jaune's curiosity piqued. "Won't it be expensive? Not that we have the parts too. Why the change?"
"Atlas is desperate," Hales replied bluntly. "You've seen the situation outside. The enemy has come to wreck the kingdom, and we're pulling out every bit of firepower we can get. Some might've had reservations about using the aura-sync system before, but after your performance against that new Grimm, no one's going to argue against it now. A shame we can't field an entire squad of you. We'd be one hell of an army then. Most of the parts are similar to the Paladin so there's no problem, but just don't wreck it."
Jaune nodded, understanding the gravity of it all. The sky above Atlas was swarming with airships, all on standby. The streets had doubled their security presence, and the wealthy nobles in the upper districts were willing to pay exorbitant amounts of Lien to keep themselves safe. It was a tense time, and the threat of Grimm loomed larger than ever before. More than ever after that attack.
"Guess that means no more breaks for me, huh?" Jaune asked, trying to lighten the mood with a small smile.
Hales snorted, shaking his head. "You'll be lucky to get a break anytime soon. Still, the Paladin will be ready when it's ready. Until then, I suggest you focus on your aura. The power armor's in no shape to help you either, and you'll have to rely more on your aura for the moment."
"Got it," Jaune said, his tone more serious now. "I'll make do with aura then.."
Hales looked at him for a moment, his sharp gaze softening just a little. "You did good out there, Arc. Saved a lot of people by being bait."
Jaune felt a pang of gratitude? Pride? He wasn't sure. "Thanks, Doc."
With that, the conversation wrapped up, and Jaune left the lab. The cold air of Atlas hit him as he stepped outside, his breath visible in the chill. The city had never felt so tense. Every street corner was lined with soldiers, and even the civilians moved with a sense of urgency and fear in their eyes. Atlas was on high alert after that stuff.
Ms. Nikos and her team were in a secure location, away from the chaos for now. Jaune wasn't sure how much they trusted him yet. Sure, they worked together, but there was still a lingering sense of caution in the way they interacted. They were Huntsmen, after all, and he was a soldier turned Huntsman who had been assigned to protect them, not really part of their world yet. There were still reservations if they let him in on all the secrets... but that might change soon.
With a sigh, Jaune decided to head back to his apartment instead of wandering around aimlessly. The Paladin he had grown so used to was gone for now, and the new one would be different. More powerful, perhaps, but it would take time to adjust. And in the meantime, the Grimm threat was only getting worse.
He took the elevator up to his floor, the familiar ding signaling his arrival. His apartment was as quiet as ever, a small haven in the midst of the chaos outside. He dropped his things near the door and sat down heavily on the couch, rubbing his temples.
"Some break this is," he muttered to himself. "One hell of a life... to fucking around in the sands to wondering about some evil army out of a fairy tale."
The events of the last battle played on a loop in his mind — the frantic fight against the strange, bat-winged Grimm, the destruction it had caused, and the sheer number of Grimm that had flooded the city in a coordinate matter as if to disable the defenses. No matter how many they killed, it felt like more than just kept coming.
And then there was his new Paladin too. It sounded impressive, but Jaune wasn't sure how he felt about the shift. The aura-sync system had made him a force to be reckoned with, but there were always risks. Amplifying his aura like that put a strain on his body, and he wasn't sure how long he could keep pushing himself before something gave out.
He couldn't shake the feeling that time was running out.
There was a noise at the door, breaking him out of his thoughts. Jaune blinked and sat up, glancing toward the entrance. He found Ember Rella standing there, looking a little less frazzled than the last time he'd seen her. Her prosthetic arm was functioning better now, thanks to the quick fix he had made earlier. Though a part of the fake skin was still not looking good.
"Hey," she said, a small smile tugging at her lips. "You're home? Thought you would be gone for more days."
Jaune smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I got out after a few reports. How's the arm holding up?"
She flexed the mechanical fingers, watching as the servos whirred smoothly. "Better. Still needs a proper repair, but your fix did the job for now."
Jaune nodded, stepping aside to let her in. "You want some coffee?"
"Sure, why not?" she chuckled. "And let me see. I know coffee. I'll be a judge."
As Jaune busied himself with making coffee, Ember wandered over to the window, gazing out at the city below. The red lights of the security systems blinked in the distance, and the soldiers on the ground securing the blocks.
"This city feels like a powder keg," she muttered, more to herself than to Jaune.
Jaune poured the coffee and handed her a mug. "You're not wrong. Things are getting worse."
Ember sipped her coffee, her brow furrowed in thought. "Do you really think Atlas can hold out? I know a lot's moving out... but I don't really want to move to Vacuo. Vale's... bad.. Mistral is... I heard only Argus is safe and starting again in a new city is just tiresome."
"Same, I'd rather stay than go back to Vacuo," Jaune said, sitting down across from her. "I don't know though. We've got the firepower, sure, but the enemy she's not like any enemy we've faced before. She controls the Grimm. She'll keep sending them, wave after wave, until something gives."
Ember looked down at her coffee, her expression somber. "And what about you? You're fighting in all this. Doesn't it scare you?"
Jaune hesitated, then nodded slowly. "Yeah, it does. But that's what we do, right? We fight. We protect people."
She looked at him, really looked at him, for a long moment. "That's admirable."
"Really? I think I'm just doing my job," Jaune chuckled, though there was a hint of sadness in his voice. "But Sometimes I think caring makes it harder. But I can't help it."
They sat in silence for a while, sipping their coffee, both lost in their own thoughts. After a while, Ember rambled on about her day. She seemed to just enjoy talking. Jaune didn't mind. It was nice to have some company in the quiet space, even if most of the conversation was one-sided.
"So, this guy comes into the café today, right?" Ember leaned back in her chair, swirling her mug of coffee with a playful smile. "And he asks for one of those fancy iced Dust-infused drinks—like, the kind you make during the winter for the tourists."
Jaune raised an eyebrow, trying to follow along as he took a sip of his own coffee. "I didn't even know that was a thing."
"Neither did he, apparently!" Ember laughed, her amber eyes twinkling with amusement. "So, I make it for him, and when I hand it over, he looks at me dead serious and says, 'This is too cold.' Like, what did he expect? It's an iced drink!"
Jaune chuckled lightly, though he had to admit most of these coffee-related stories went a little over his head. He was the kind of dumbass that didn't know a thing about coffee. He nodded politely as she went on, detailing how the customer spent ten minutes trying to explain to her why a cold drink shouldn't actually be cold.
Ember leaned forward slightly, her smile shifting into something a bit more expressive. "You know, you should stop by the café sometime. I'll make you something special in the house."
Jaune blinked, surprised by the sudden shift in tone. "Oh, that sounds nice. I usually just grab whatever's quick, though."
"Pity," Ember purred, her gaze locking onto his with a playful glint. "You're missing out. I make a killer cappuccino."
Jaune nodded. "I'll have to try that sometime, thanks."
Ember's smile faltered for a second, but she quickly recovered. "I'll hold you to that."
They sat in comfortable silence for a few moments, Ember tapping her fingers lightly on the side of her cup. She stole a glance at Jaune now and then, her eyes lingering on him a bit longer than before. She tried again, leaning in slightly. "So, a strong guy like you... bet you get asked for help a lot."
Jaune glanced up at her, missing the flirtatious edge in her tone. "I guess, yeah. People ask me to move stuff sometimes. Back in Vacuo, that was like half of my work."
Ember's lips curled into a small smirk. "I wouldn't mind you moving a few things for me. Anytime."
Jaune nodded earnestly. "Sure, just let me know. I'm always happy to help. For you apartment, right?"
Her smirk faded slightly, turning into a soft sigh as she slumped back in her chair.
Jaune noticed her quieting down, his brow furrowing slightly as the atmosphere changed. "You okay?" he asked.
Ember hesitated for a moment, looking down at her hands, particularly the one attached to her prosthetic arm. Her fingers tapped lightly on the cold metal under the fake skin, the usual glint in her eyes dimming. "Do you, uh..." she began slowly, "Does the arm bother you? The prosthetic, I mean. Or... the eye wrap?" She gestured toward the covering over her left eye, her voice a little smaller now, more uncertain.
Jaune blinked, confused for a moment by the sudden question. "No, not really. Why would it?"
She bit her lip, looking away as if embarrassed. "I just... I don't know. People stare sometimes, and it's... weird. I guess I'm wondering if it's... you know... ugly or off-putting."
Jaune frowned, shaking his head. "Not at all. I mean, you're still pretty."
The words left his mouth with little thought, but they had an immediate effect. Ember's eye widened slightly in surprise, and then, as if she couldn't help herself, she let out a hearty laugh. Her hand flew to her mouth as she stifled the sound, her cheeks turning a soft shade of pink. "Still pretty? Wow, you really know how to flatter a girl, don't you?"
Jaune blinked, scratching the back of his head, clearly not understanding what was so funny. "I didn't mean it like that... I just meant you look fine. You're not ugly or anything."
Ember laughed again, though this time it was more lighthearted. "That's still rude, you know," she teased, her playful demeanor returning. "But I'll let it slide since you're such a gentleman."
Jaune shrugged, looking genuinely perplexed. "Sorry, I just didn't know how else to put it."
Ember shook her head, her smile returning as she leaned back in her chair again, the tension from earlier fading away.
"You're something else, Jaune Arc," she said softly, a small smile tugging at her lips.
Jaune, not sure what's she was on about, simply nodded. "Thanks, I guess?"
As the evening went on, Ember continued talking about her day at the café, occasionally slipping in more teasing comments, though she didn't press as hard as before. Jaune remained his usual self—kind, polite, and completely unaware of the subtle flirtations being thrown his way. But even so, Ember seems to found herself enjoying his company more than she had expected.
After a while, she stood up, stretching slightly. "Well, I should probably sleep," she said with a grin. "Can't stay too late, or I might get too late.."
Jaune blinked, then nodded. "Right, yeah.."
Ember gave him a playful wink. "You know, Jaune, if you ever want to come by the café... I'd be happy to make that cappuccino for you."
Jaune smiled. "I'll definitely do that. Thanks, Ember."
As she stepped into the doorway of the gest room, she paused for a moment, looking back at him with a softer expression. "And... thanks again for letting me stay. You're a good guy, Jaune."
He nodded, watching as she disappeared into the room. Once the door closed, he let out a small sigh, glancing back at the room. His thoughts drifted for a moment before he shrugged and headed back to the kitchen to clean up.
He really didn't think much of it.
Jaune stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the collar of his Atlesian greatcoat. The dark blue fabric contrasted sharply with the white of his formal uniform underneath, the silver buttons polished to a gleam. The heavy coat gave him an imposing silhouette, one befitting his rank as an Atlesian lieutenant. He pulled on his gloves, flexing his fingers inside the snug leather before placing his cap on his head, the brim casting a slight shadow over his eyes.
The streets of Mantle were a hive of activity as Jaune stepped out into the cold air. Soldiers lined the sidewalks, and the sound of heavy machinery echoed through the narrow streets. Atlesian Paladin AP-06s moved debris and set up barricades with heavy thuds, their towering frames casting long shadows over the busy streets. Every block was being transformed into a defensive stronghold. Jaune walked with purpose, his greatcoat fluttering slightly in the breeze as the soldiers saluted him with respect.
He had passed Ember's apartment on his way down, noticing the scaffolding and construction workers hard at work repairing the building. Using his name had gotten the repairs expedited, much to Ember's gratitude and the fucking landlord, who was pleased to have the place fixed up. The thought of Ember made him smile briefly, but his mind quickly refocused on the task at hand. The city was under siege, and every block in Mantle was now being fortified in preparation for an unknown enemy.
A soldier nearby waved him over as he passed by one of the sectioned-off blocks. "Lieutenant, sir! We're setting up defense points in each sector," the soldier explained, gesturing toward the sandbags, mounted turrets, and heavy barricades being placed along the street. The Paladins were already in position, their gleaming metal exoskeletons ready for battle.
Jaune nodded, taking in the scale of the operation. "And the residents? Are they okay with this?"
"We're only using empty residences for now, sir," the soldier replied. "But we're ready to evacuate more blocks if necessary."
"Good," Jaune said, his voice steady but firm. So the places of the dead were going to house soldiers now. "Make sure everyone's informed. Last thing we need is panic spreading. We don't need more Grimm"
He climbed onto the back of an Atlesian truck, hitching a ride to the nearest bullhead landing zone. The vehicle rumbled beneath him as it wound its way through the chaotic streets of Mantle. Soldiers rushed back and forth, civilians were hurried away under heavy escort, and the sky was filled with the low hum of airships patrolling overhead. The city was bracing for war.
Once at the landing pad, Jaune boarded a bullhead bound for Atlas. The flight was quick, the city of Atlas looming overhead like a fortress in the sky. The bullhead docked, and Jaune stepped off, making his way to the command center for a debriefing.
Inside the large, sleek briefing room, General James Ironwood stood tall at the front, flanked by holographic screens displaying images and tactical maps. The rest of the team had already assembled — Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna, Yang Xiao Long, Pyrrha Nikos, Lie Ren, Nora Valkyrie, Penny Polendina, Qrow Branwen, and the rest of the Ace Ops.
General Ironwood cleared his throat, and the room fell silent. His eyes were hard as steel as he addressed the group.
"It's a tragedy what happened in Mantle," Ironwood began, his deep voice commanding the room's attention. "But we must soldier on. The enemy is at our doorstep clearly, and we cannot afford to waver. We are now at war."
He gestured to the holographic display, and the images of two individuals appeared on the screen.
"Arthur Watts and Tyrian Callows," Ironwood said, his voice laced with contempt. "Watts, a former Atlas scientist, and Callows, a Faunus psychopath who we believe is the suspect of the mass murders happening in the city. These are the prime suspects responsible for the recent attacks in Mantle. Make no mistake, they are dangerous, and they are waging a war against Atlas. Right now, the Ace Ops and Qrow Branwen are already on their trail."
Jaune's gaze focused on the two faces on the screen. He knew the name Watts from briefings, but Tyrian's unsettling grin was new to him. The images shifted, revealing three more faces — Mercury Black, Emerald Sustrai, and Hazel Rainart.
"While it's still unknown whether Mercury, Emerald, or Hazel are involved," Ironwood continued, "we do know that they were allied with Salem's forces during the last major conflict in Mistral. Our last encounter with them, led by Cinder Fall, earned us a hard-fought victory. Ms. Nikos," Ironwood nodded to Pyrrha, "was able to reclaim the power of the Fall Maiden from Cinder during a struggle with the help of Raven Branwen."
Pyrrha's expression remained calm, though there was a flicker of emotion behind her eyes. Jaune had been informed of what these Maiden powers. They… were simply straight out of a fairy tale and yet Jaune could understand that the Fall Maiden's power must have had been a heavy burden for her.
"We believe Cinder Fall is missing... hopefully dead," Ironwood said. "However, Ms. Nikos has stated that she believes otherwise. Regardless, the fact remains that the full power of the Fall Maiden is now back with Ms. Nikos. There are no signs of Cinder."
Jaune's eyes flicked to the image of Cinder Fall. For a fleeting second, he thought about Ember. The resemblance was vague, but there was something unsettling about the connection he made in his mind. He quickly dismissed the thought, shaking his head. Cinder Fall didn't have a scar, nor was she missing an eye and arm. It was just his tired mind playing tricks on him.
Ironwood's voice broke through Jaune's thoughts. "Our top priority right now is to locate Watts and Callows. We cannot allow them to continue their attacks. We need to cut them off before they can do more damage. Every second we waste gives them an advantage."
The room was silent as Ironwood's words sunk in. Jaune stood at attention, his mind already running through scenarios. Watts, with his technological expertise, could wreak havoc on Atlas' defenses if left unchecked. And Tyrian Callows... Jaune didn't even want to think about the chaos this mass murdering fuck could unleash.
Ironwood's eyes swept over the assembled team, his gaze hardening as he addressed them all. "After a deep discussion with the Atlas Council, I've decided to raise our state of readiness to wartime alert. We are now officially at war with Salem."
The room seemed to grow colder at those words. Jaune felt the weight of them settle on his shoulders like a heavy mantle. Atlas had always been a militarized state, but declaring wartime alert meant every resource, every person, would be committed to the fight now.
Jaune stood at attention, his expression unreadable as Ironwood continued to lay out the strategic priorities. He knew what this meant. Once the enemy comes to Atlas. Every breath from now on would be dedicated to defending it. They were on the front lines of something much bigger than any of them had fully realized.
As Ironwood's briefing concluded, Jaune couldn't help but glance at Pyrrha Nikos again. The Fall Maiden, the burden she carried — it was more than just power. It was a responsibility. And now, with Salem's forces threatening everything they held dear, it was up to them to protect what was left of their world. At least... the part of Remnant that was still holding on.
The room began to disperse as the briefing ended. Jaune lingered for a moment, staring at the images of Watts and Callows still displayed on the screen… wondering to himself what kind of situation he found himself on.
