In just a couple of days, Pod had proven to be a godsend with his vast library of knowledge. With his guidance and input, the road construction project proceeded smoothly.

Thanks to the abundance of manpower and proper guidance, the main roads were being built at an impressive pace. By the third day, the furnaces were done with the first batch and they had begun mixing cement for the foundation. In just a week, they had made it halfway through the project - a far cry from my memories of road construction, which often took ridiculous amounts of months and wasted most of the budget in useless garbage or just straight up stealing it.

Of course, as I soon learned from Pod's extensive knowledge, this project could have been done even better with more advanced methods and careful future planning, making me rather upset with myself. But for now, the roads being built will last at least a couple of years; enough time to learn and implement better techniques in the future, constructing roads that will last decades.

But despite any imperfections, progress is definitely being made. Soon, I will be able to cross off another vital infrastructure task from my list. At least on Kuo Kuana, but there is still much work to be done to expand and connect to the few settlements of Menagerie.

Meanwhile, Sienna had worked her magic and successfully ransomed all the hostages, including the recent ones. Her efforts had brought in a much-needed cash injection to keep us afloat. It turns out that heiress was worth quite a decent sum of lien, because luckily for us, she was a daddy's girl.

And then there was Nines, diligently studying and learning in order to complete her mission. As expected, Kali seemed to enjoy teaching her, and she appreciated 9S company in the house. However, during one of our discussions, she brought up a suspicion that Nines may have some connection to the Schnee family due to her striking resemblance. I quickly dismissed this thought, reassuring her that Nines had no relation to them.

But it did make me wonder - what if I brought in 2B or A2 and paid a little extra to make these suspicions a reality? The idea of an entire bastard bloodline of Schnee suddenly appearing out of nowhere is intriguing. Of course, the parent would not be Jacques or Willow - both had their own issues, Jacques not being a real Schnee and Willow probably being a crippled, depressed woman if she hadn't fallen into a coma already.

That only left one possibility: the original patriarch of the Schnee family, Nicholas Schnee, who may have had an affair and sired a secret branch of the family. It is certainly something to consider...

The mere thought of the scandal and the worldwide outrage that our actions could cause was too wickedly amusing to resist. The very legitimacy of the powerful Schnee family would be called into question, and their enemies - both personal and corporate - would undoubtedly use the revelation of a bastard bloodline to their advantage. They would try to get the bastard children to their side to seize control of the Schnee Dust Corporation, or at the very least dismantle certain sections and absorb them for themselves.

So much damage could be done with a single purchase of paper trail. My mind races with even more possibilities, but I force myself to snap out of it and focus on the present moment.

Quickly opening the Company app, I check my retinue tab. To my satisfaction, I see that the Albain brothers have been successfully captured and my payment has already been deposited into my account.

Without thinking it twice, I update their statuses to familiars.

Unlike Trifa, I can put some trust in these brothers, as their loyalties lie solely with the rightful leader, meaning they are completely neutral. It is a relief to have some neutral faces in this mess of a military and political coalition. It also makes sense why they remained by Sienna's side until the last moments, only switching sides when I returned to claim my rightful title.

I have sent them to oversee the Mistral front, armed with supplies and weapons taken straight from my own armory. It has been quite some time since my armory has seen any action, but it is still fully stocked and ready for use. The Albain brothers should have been stationed there months ago, but Sienna needed trustworthy bodyguards and they were the only ones she could rely on for her safety as she had legitimate reason to fear for her life, as the situation was deteriorating fast. Unfortunately, this left the front with less capable leaders.

At least one weight has been lifted off my shoulders now, allowing me to focus on other pressing matters, such as our dwindling food supply.

Despite capturing a cargo freighter that had plenty of containers packed with food, I know it won't last us more than a year. It's essential that we find a way to secure more food, as the small amount produced by Menagerie won't satisfy the ever-growing demand.

At least water isn't as dire of a problem. We have the river, which has been our only source of water so far. There are also a few subterranean wells, but they are not enough for the majority of our needs and those are mostly exclusive to the few settlements. However, the river presents its own set of problems. If anyone were to poison it, Kuo Kuana would be doomed.

And let's not forget about the desperate need for proper plumbing and water facilities. It seems like every time we solve one problem, two more arise. How did Ghira manage to handle all these problems piling on top of each other?

It feels like an endless uphill battle.

Either way, I won't give up. We could temporarily satisfy our food demand by sacrificing a large swath of the lush jungle and turning it into farmland. The jungle soil is rich and fertile, promising a high yield of crops for years. Yet, even as I consider this option, I know deep down that it is a terrible idea in the long run. Jungles are delicate ecosystems, and if we destroy them for our own gain, we will be destroying an entire intricate web of life that can never be replaced. And even if they were to convert the land into farmland now, it would only provide bountiful yields for a few years before degrading drastically and becoming barren.

I have memories of before and after pictures of jungles, leaders who made short-sighted decisions like this, resulting in entire jungles being wiped out over the years due to indiscriminate tree cutting and farmland creation.
So that leaves us with hydroponic farms as the next option. But they are very expensive and require specialized personnel and complex equipment that we simply don't have. And even if we were to steal said specialized equipment, they would eventually break down without proper maintenance and spare parts. Or the special climate conditions of the island that will cause even more problems.

Goddammit…

Fishing. Lots of fishing.

As an island, Menagerie has an abundance of untapped ocean resources. However, we would need a well-equipped fleet to take advantage of this opportunity, especially considering the presence of aquatic Grimm lurking beneath the waves. Rustic or artisanal fishing methods would not be enough to support our population, so we must aim for an industrial scale.

To achieve this goal, we will need both a fishing fleet and a military fleet for protection.

And thinking about it a little more, it is possible though, and we have experienced fishermen among us. Perhaps I could issue missions to the Mistral front to capture fishing vessels, a relatively easy and low-risk mission.
It will take time to set everything up, but it's worth it if we can feed all of Menagerie and become self-sufficient, at least on food.

For now, our only means of obtaining basic necessities would be through trading and commerce. However, Menagerie is considered an outcast society, which is putting it mildly, as we are buried in sanctions. We cannot trade with any of the kingdoms but Mistral - thanks to its corrupt political system, making it a mafia state. Even then, we have only been able to do business with a select few Mistral families who are indifferent to the established societal norms.

Simply put, they couldn't care less. Business is business.

Unfortunately, those deals often come with predatory terms, making them unreliable as it would drain our budget.

So all that is left for us is to seek smugglers who are driven by greed and are brave or stupid enough to do business. Yet, even if we were able to make a deal, safety is not guaranteed. Most would not risk approaching us and risking being devoured by Grimm or attacked by reckless pirates, because those idiots fucking exist.

So overall, everything seems to align with the main idea of starting the harbor and a port project for our future fleet, and it would naturally attract those greedy smugglers.

With Pod's assistance, I am confident that we can complete the construction in record time - perhaps even less than a month with double shifts.

However, as the planner, I must also consider the well-being and safety of the workers involved. A project of this scale comes with inherent risks. I never thought I'd actually put my knowledge of Workers Health and Safety to use, but it seems my certificate will finally serve its purpose... I must now return to my home and retrieve the designs and blueprints, which I will then forward to Sienna to prepare the budget.

'Adam?'

Just as I am lost in thought, a message from my friend appears in my vision, causing me to pause my work momentarily to reply to her.

'Did something happen?'

'Can you come home?'

'please'

'Sure.'

With a click, I dismiss the message window and rise from my desk, smoothing out the wrinkles in my clothes. Why would Ilia ask me to leave work and go home? The request is strange, but also a welcome break from the overwhelming workload I've been facing.

I take a moment to consider my options. Walking home would give me time to clear my head, but it would take a long time to reach my home. The other option would be to use the portals, but that might startle them if I suddenly appeared out of thin air. Besides, Ilia's messages weren't urgent enough to risk exposing my company perks.

Then it hits me - I haven't used the solar surfer in ages. The sleek, zero-gravity device has been collecting dust in my pocket space, and no one would question me using it now. They would just assume it was another piece of stolen tech.

Besides, I have been itching for another flight on the surfer anyway.

As I soared through the sky on my solar surfer, I couldn't help but feel a unique sense of freedom. The wind whipped through my hair and the speed of my ride was unmatched, making it no surprise that nobody seemed to notice me.

Finally, I descend into the garden yard, the soft grass cushioning my landing. I quickly store the solar surfer in my pocket space and make my way inside my home to meet with Ilia.

But upon entering the living room, I find it devoid of people except for a few towering stacks of books scattered around the table. With my curiosity piqued, I approach the table and find 9S completely engrossed in reading one of the books while taking notes on her tablet with her other hand.

It struck me as odd that she would choose to bring all of this here instead of utilizing the mini library we had down the hall. But then again, perhaps it is just her way of creating a more focused environment for studying, or maybe it is more comfortable for her.

To each their own, I guess.

"Commander!" The android finally notices my presence and rises from her seat, standing at attention with a crisp military salute. "Everyone is waiting for you in the basement!"

I furrow my brow at those words. "Everyone? And in the basement?"

The android merely nods in confirmation.

I can't shake off the odd feeling this brings, and I can't help but wonder who exactly she means by "everyone." However, after thinking about it a little more, I realize it must be Ilia, Kali and Sienna.

Well, staying here with doubts won't do me any good. I have to go find out what's going on and why would they need me.

"Thank you, Nines. You may return to your studies," I dismiss her before moving towards the basement. As I open the door, I expect to see a dark and foreboding atmosphere like something out of a horror movie, but instead, the basement is bright and well-lit. From the top of the stairs, I can see that my assumptions were correct - Ilia, Kali and Sienna are all gathered around a large table, waiting for me.

I can feel their eyes on me the moment I take the first step, yet no one utters a single word. Their gazes follow my every move as I descend the stairs and settle into the only remaining chair. The creaking of the old wood echoes throughout the silent room, adding to the growing tension.

An uncomfortable silence envelops the room as we all look at each other, waiting for someone to break the ice.

Finally, I understand that it is up to me to be the first. "So, what-"

"Ilia already briefed us," Sienna speaks up, cutting me off. "But we need to hear it directly from you. What exactly happened on that hijacking mission?"

The temperature in the room drops significantly after that question.

All I can do is let out a deep sigh. I had completely forgotten about my promise to tell everyone the truth, and now it has come back to haunt me.

I knew this day would come, but I secretly hoped that everyone would just forget about it and never mention it again.

But that was just wishful thinking.

Resigned to my fate, I shift uncomfortably in my chair, arms instinctively crossing over my chest in a feeble attempt to shield myself from the impending conversation. "What do you want to know?" I ask, the words feeling like lead in my mouth.

"Everything." Sienna answers.

Figures.

I steal a glance at Ilia, finding confirmation in her nod, before turning to Kali, whose expression remains a complicated mix of emotions. "I just need to hear it," she insists softly.

There's no use avoiding it any longer; I've been delaying this conversation for far too long. It's time to face it head on.

"The mission was doomed from the start. And before you try to say anything, this has nothing to do with you, but that fault relies solely on my shoulders."

"What do you mean?" The dark-skinned woman's amber eyes narrow in suspicion.

"The mission you issued was explicitly clear, hijack the SDC train and steal all the Dust stored. However, I was… convinced to use that dust to bring long awaited justice for our people. I still regret even accepting that."

Everyone stares at me with a mixture of shock and disappointment, Kali the only one showing disappointment which actually hurts. However, Sienna's attitude has a drastic turn as her hands clench into tight fists, her knuckles turning white with fury. "Who was the bastard who dared defy my orders?" she asks through gritted teeth.

"That's the thing… I can't even remember. It was a long conversation before the mission, and she handed me a backpack filled with explosives. The plan was to set off all the Dust inside the cart, causing a chain reaction that would end in a massive explosion. Enough to decimate the entire train station and send a powerful message to the kingdoms."

The definition of terrorism.

Yes, people die in wars. It's inevitable, as innocents will get caught in the crossfire, but it's entirely different when the targets of our attacks are not the enemy soldiers. Civilians aren't entirely innocent, but still, Ghira never raised his weapons against them.

And everyone on that mission was on board with that plan, everyone but a single person. Yet, thinking it better, how did the radicals manage to put their people? Sienna is careful of who she dispatches on missions, especially on missions of that nature.

"And my daughter objected, didn't she? Even tried to stop you." Kali suddenly speaks up.

I nod, memories flooding back. "She confronted me about the backpack and my true intentions, but I brushed her off. She protested vehemently, but eventually gave up and pretended to follow me, probably waiting for the perfect opportunity to stop me."

A wave of anger rises in my gut, causing my hands to unconsciously ball into fists. Is this anger directed at myself or Blake? Maybe Both?

I'm mad, I'm really mad for letting myself be convinced, like an idiot, to agree to something like that, but I'm also mad at Blake…fuck. Why leave me? Because it was easier?

"Blake assumed the lead as we breached the train's automatic defenses," I recount, the memories replaying vividly in my mind. "The outdated Atlas knights posed little challenge, and even their supposed trump card, the spider tanks, fell easily before us. So when we reached the last cargo cart, I stayed to set up the bomb. And that's where Blake must have realized everything because as I was arming it I felt the cart abruptly losing speed, forcing me to stop and check outside only to find her on the locomotive cart, slowly gaining distance from us because she cut the coupler. I was ready to jump and get her. I was angry, disappointed… betrayed. But then she shattered a glass box on a wall and revealed a red lever which she didn't think twice to pull down."

I remember the look on her face, pure horror and realization, as she finally understood what she had done. What she had unleashed on us, on me.

"Everything went to shit…" I pinch the bridge of my nose and let out a tired sigh. "New bots swarming us, the distress beacon, and the entirety of Atlas might was coming down on us."

Sienna dangerously narrows her eyes. "Treason."

Ilia stares in shock with her mouth hanging open, while Kali covers her mouth in horror. I can't tell if where that horror is directed but iright n that moment, I know that Kali has a reason to hate me now. And I cannot blame her for it.

"I can barely remember much besides how the Atlas machines massacred everyone on the train who didn't have aura. However, I can remember clearly how a Dragoon locked onto one of my soldiers and unleashed a barrage of bullets in a single second… just one miserable second, and that man had a gaping hole in his chest and no arms."

Not even a fully trained hunter would survive that.

"Not only did she betray us and cowardly desert our cause, she is a murderer. The death penalty would be too lenient for her." Sienna spits out with venom, her arms crossed in front of her.

"That's MY daughter who you are talking about!" Kali turns sharply, her face twisted into an ugly expression as she glares at the former leader.

"Who killed everyone!" Sienna yells back, jumping to her feet and pointing an accusing finger at Kali.

That proves to be the final straw for the grieving mother. With a loud slam of both hands on the table, she stands up and returns Sienna's accusation with her own pointed finger. "Don't you dare, don't fucking DARE. Try to claim the moral high ground here, you bitch. None of this would have happened if you didn't manipulate us for your own gain."

"We couldn't afford to look weak! Retaliation was necessary!"

With lightning speed, Kali's hands fly to the war fans strapped to her waist. "You shortsighted little …"

Ilia jumps between the two enraged women, her arms spread wide as she tries to physically separate them and prevent the situation from escalating into a physical fight.

She shot me a desperate look, knowing that I am the only one who could intervene and prevent things from getting worse.

And so I did.

"Enough!" My voice boomed, stopping both women in their tracks. "Return to your seats, now."

They exchange one last venomous glance before begrudgingly taking their seats, Kali having to pick up her chair, which had been knocked over in her outburst and slam it back into place, making Ilia flinch.

This should have been expected about a very sensitive topic such as this.

Ilia's eyes dart back and forth between the two older women, making sure they are both calm before returning to her chair and finally turning her attention to me. Her face is a mix of emotions; relief, confusion, and concern all rolled into one complicated expression.

"Adam… I-we saw what happened… But I'm not angry or complaining! I'm happy that you are here, that you are alive with us, but… we saw it. They riddled your body with bullets and they went as far as... Just how?"
That is a good question.

It's a valid question even, one that everyone seems to be silently asking as they await my answer.

"I don't know. I truly don't." I lie straight to their faces, feeling a twinge of guilt in my chest. "I just know that I had outside help because I woke up somewhere underground inside an empty room and all of my wounds were gone."

Putting up a third party as the scapegoat is the simplest solution and, technically, the truth as well.

"MaxTac stream was abruptly cut off…" Ilia trails off.

"And Atlas never showed your body after that day," Kali adds, her eyes going wide in realization.

Those small details provided by both of them prove to be integral in solidifying my excuse. They add credibility to the story of being rescued at the last moment and Atlas possibly lying to save face.

Sienna furrows her brow in thought before speaking up. "Were there any marks or traces left by this mysterious third party?"

I shake my head. "Nothing. I tr-"

"Wait." Kali interjects "You said they healed you completely."

I nod, wondering where she is going with this.

She takes one deep breath and then utters the words that freeze me on the spot.

"Take off your blindfold."

And everyone looks at me, frozen like a statue, not knowing what to say or react to this sudden requ… order. I can refuse or dismiss it, but this would eventually be known. Wouldn't it be better to reveal it to them already?

Of course not, everyone is accustomed to the past, it should remain as such instead of complicating things.

"Please." Kali insists

With a painful slowness, the fabric falls away and reveals my face to the group who has known me only by my scarred appearance. A collective gasp escapes from every mouth as they take in my smooth skin, no longer marred by the remnants of a traumatizing past.

"Your scar..." Kali's voice quivers, disbelief evident in her tone.

"It's... it's gone," Ilia breathes out, her eyes wide with shock.

Sienna remains silent, her gaze steady as she takes in the revelation before her.

As I hold the blindfold in my hands, it's like déjà vu, reminding me of the first time I ever put it on. Oddly enough, removing it now doesn't seem to change the world around me in any noticeable way, though my face does feel a tad colder without its cover.

I look down at the simple headgear in my hands. "I didn't believe it at first either. All those years carrying that mark of shame, a constant reminder of why I fight this war. The thought never even crossed my mind."

"If you hadn't used your semblance, I might have mistaken you for an imposter with some rare ability to mimic others." Sienna remarks, her tone contemplative.

That's precisely why I made sure to use Moonslice in front of everyone when dealing with those carnivores, to erase any doubt lingering in their minds. After all, semblances can't be imitated.

"But why keep hiding your face, then?" my childhood friend presses.

"Because this is how the world has always known me," I reply bitterly. "And that's how it's going to stay."

"Adam, you don't have to keep hiding from us," Kali's voice cuts through the tension, her words carrying a gentle reassurance that I can't help but appreciate.

But I can't bring myself to accept it. "Not now, okay?" I slide the blindfold back into place. "Let's just say I had some help. But whoever they are, they've kept their intentions and identities hidden."

"Atlas politics, perhaps?" Sienna interjects, drawing everyone's attention. "I wouldn't put it past them. There are plenty of political parties wanting to topple each other and get as many seats in the council after all. Maybe they thought it could be an opportunity to smear their opponents for the next election, if news were to come out about your survival despite the current party claims of your death at their hands, it would destroy their reputation and a death sentence for their political careers."

"It's possible," I stroke my chin thoughtfully, considering Sienna's theory.

Knowing the complex and cutthroat world of politics, and in Atlas, must be even worse, it could definitely play to my advantage and use them as a scapegoat, an Atlas political party trying to use me to destroy the reputation and credibility of their adversaries.

"What about Bla-her?!" Ilia's voice erupts with newfound anger, her frustration evident as she demands answers.

Sienna rises from her seat, her expression deadly serious as she meets Ilia's gaze head-on. "Nothing," she states firmly, leaving no room for argument.

"What?"

"WHAT?!"

"You heard me," Sienna replies, her tone sharp and uncompromising. "Nothing. Blake Belladonna is missing in action, and that's how it's going to stay. No one can ever know what she's done. NOBODY." Her final words are delivered with a hiss, her gaze piercing through my friend and causing her to flinch involuntarily.

"But..." Ilia begins to protest, only to be shut down by the former high leader with ruthless words.

"But nothing. Kali's position was put into question and challenged multiple times to the point that she was forced to abdicate. If Blake BELLADONNA's betrayal were to come to light, it would be the final nail in the coffin for Kali's reputation. She'd be stripped of any remaining authority in Menagerie, at the very least. Worst case? At worst? Exile or even threats on her life, as she'd be seen as a liability to our cause." Sienna explains with a dark expression, emphasizing each word with a sharp gesture.

The explanation causes Ilia's face to flush red with frustration, her entire body also turning red as her fists clenched so tightly that her nails dig into her palms. But then, with a defeated sigh, she releases her grip and her skin returns to its natural color.

"I…I understand."

Kali is quick to place a hand on her shoulder and give her an apologetic smile. "Thank you, I know this must be difficult but…"

"Besides, she wanted to be with the humans? Fine! Let her enjoy the so-called beauty of humanity, bask in all its blazing glory. Let her experience firsthand how they truly treat us, with all their supposed generosity and love! That is, if she isn't recognized." Sienna interjects, her tone dripping with sarcasm as she cuts off Kali once more, eliciting a sharp glare from her.

"She is probably trying to seek refuge in Beacon." Kali adds, making me raise an eyebrow because that is exactly what she would do. Try to blend with everyone.

But before I can ask, Sienna erupts into hysterical laughter, her amusement bordering on maniacal as she claps her hands. "GOOD! GOOD! Let her experience everything first hand then."

"What do you mean?" I finally ask, morbid curiosity leading me.

"She probably believes that Beacon is some sort of bastion of equality and fairness. Surprise, surprise, it isn't," Sienna continues, her tone laced with bitterness. "Faunus are nothing more than glorified servants, running errands and fetching things. That's all they'll ever hope to achieve, and they get treated just the same as you do on the streets. If anything, it's worse, because you can endure more punishment thanks to your aura. That bastard Ozpin and Vale's council have perverted Ghira's original vision for the future of the academy."

Systematic oppression? I am not even surprised. Better said this is to be expected. "How do you even know this?"

"Do you honestly think we don't have contacts in the hunter academies?" Sienna retorts, a hint of disdain in her voice.

My eyebrow raises in mild surprise. "Even Atlas?"

However, her expression turns sour and shakes her head. "No, that academy is out of our reach. Faunus are banned from even approaching that academy, unless they want to get arrested or get a broken face."

Kali abruptly rises from her seat and stalks out of the basement in tense silence, her body language screaming that she no longer wants to hear any more on the topic. The door slams shut behind her with a resounding echo.

There is a heavy pause before Ilia stands up slowly, giving me a meaningful look, which is more than enough to understand her intentions.

I nod in approval, and Ilia hurries off to catch up with the distraught mother.

Watching her close the door, I turn my attention back to my second in command. "Is it really that bad?"

"Would I lie out of pettiness?" Sienna's reply is sharp, her arms crossed defensively. "Even a pet receives better treatment than a faunus student. In fact, they might as well call themselves slaves, because that's essentially what they are, fucking slaves."

The truth hits me like a ton of bricks, and I slump back in my chair, burying my face in my hands in frustration. It shouldn't come as a surprise. I know what I signed for, but hearing the direct confirmation hits different, that already changed too much.

Goddamnit Blake, goddamnit…

"So, does that mean your plan to send Nines is ruined?" Sienna asks, her tone almost mocking.

I lift my head and shoot Sienna a hard glare, wiping the faint traces of a smirk from her face and making her ears flatten against her head. The expression quickly shifts to one of apology as she realizes her mistake, sparing her from any need for a reprimand.

"I never intended for her to enroll in Beacon as a faunus," I explain calmly.

"What?" Sienna's surprise is evident.

Without saying another word, I send a message to 9S and wait in silence. It doesn't take long before my companion opens the door and descends the stairs.

"Reporting for duty, Commander Taurus," she salutes crisply.

I give a brief glance to the former leader before turning my attention back to the scanner model. Rising from my chair, I purposefully let the tension linger as I make my way toward 9S. Standing directly in front of her, I loom over her, my right hand reaching for the side of her head where I press a small, hidden button. With a quiet click, her white dog ears detach as if they were merely an accessory all along.

Slowly, I remove the ears from her head and step to the side, revealing a different side of 9S.

"A human? How?" Sienna's tone drips with hostility, her demeanor almost as if she's ready to pounce on 9S as her hand reaches for her weapon.

"Watch your tone!" I snap, my frown deepening as I assert my authority. "This is a secret and will remain as such. Don't you DARE to utter a word from what is being said here."

Though clearly displeased, Sienna nods in reluctant acceptance. Her gaze now holds a hint of curiosity as she observes the scanner model with caution.

"9S is neither human nor faunus."

Besides, after learning how different the academies are I'll need her assistance to ensure my plans with 9S can come to fruition.

"Because she is an android."

-Days later-

The process of enrolling and preparing 9S for Beacon is almost complete. It involved bribing a couple of bureaucrats and slipping her profile to the candidates' list as we kinda missed the deadline to go through the legal process. The only thing left to do was arrange transport.

The journey would start from taking a boat to the base in Mistral where she would go to the nearest city where she would take a ride to Mistral intercontinental Airport, followed by another flight that would take her directly to Vale, where she would join the other students and candidates at the airport.

However, in the line of the hunter academies and upon reflecting on Sienna's recent revelations, it became clear how much sense they made. It was fucked up. How much sense they made. There was no way that the kingdoms, except Vacuo due to its anarchist nature, would train and strengthen a population they had been oppressing for centuries. It would only lead to disaster if the faunus population ever gained enough numbers and strength to take it to the streets and demand fair treatment and rights.

Vale appeared to be the most lenient, progressive, but in reality it only allowed the faunus to become glorified servants for human Hunter teams, acting as support or "cargo" boys/girls relegated to only support roles and lacking proper training to defend themselves. This ensured their reliance on their human counterparts, who had all the training and weapons.

Clever indeed.

Putting up a guise of actually giving everyone a fair chance in life, truly systematic oppression as faunus would never ever rise above their place in society put them on, and instead become even more subservient and emancipated. How has this event affected the original hunter teams?

And Bla- HER, completely oblivious to this cruel system just like I once was, must have been hit with a brutal realization upon discovering the grim reality she so desperately escaped to. Perhaps she is still clueless about everything, or perhaps she is suffering first hand and regretting every second. Either way, it will undoubtedly hurt her deeply.
And she deserves so much more...

Shaking my head, I push aside these troublesome thoughts and return to the mountain of paperwork. Which is slowly but steadily becoming easier to manage. A welcome change thanks to the administration talent proving to be a fantastic investment.

The main roads, now finished and connecting important facilities within the city of Kuo Kuana, are a great improvement in the overall infrastructure. The concrete surfaces make transportation for both civilians and military much easier. However, my focus must now shift to the next important project at hand. The smaller streets will have to wait while I properly plot out the city blocks and construct suitable housing for my people and set an affordable standard of living. Thanks to the new and sturdy cement mix, we can leave behind the makeshift shacks of wood and metal.

My first order of business is to task Pod with adapting the blueprints and providing a detailed list of required materials and hands needed for the construction of the port and harbor. Meanwhile, I must turn my attention back to building new houses.

In order to sell this idea of housing as something more than just free housing, I must carefully twist my words. Perhaps I can market them as mini bunkers, small yet compact houses that can also serve as garrisons for a small detachment of troops in case of an invasion. Of course, such fears may never come to pass as long as I am alive, but instilling a sense of potential danger could help sway any complaints or objections.

I lean back in my office chair and let out a deep sigh, my hand automatically reaching up to run through my hair. It has grown longer since I last checked, losing its spiky texture. Maybe a ponytail would be a nice change? I've always been curious about that hairstyle.

But as I sit here alone with my thoughts, another feeling begins to creep in, one that I haven't felt in a while. The longing for action, the thrill of battle on a mission. Though I know I am more effective behind this desk, there is still a part of me that yearns to go out there and fight, putting my life on the line.

I contemplate my options, considering a possible sortie to the mining facilities and other industrial sites on Mistral. We need heavy machinery and specialized equipment to increase our production capabilities. But going on such a mission, I will need to wear a disguise, which wouldn't be a problem since the previous one I wore in Vale had worked perfectly. I just must avoid using my semblance, and no one would suspect a thing.

As I remember my plans for the day, I let out a frustrated groan. It seems I forgot to visit the Company trade center to check for upgrades and new Pods units. I have more than enough credits to spend, but it looks like I missed my chance now that my time is already occupied.

But I am the high leader. I can make some room in my tight schedule for today by delegating some tasks to Kali and completing some minor paperwork before it piles up.

Although my thoughts are interrupted by a knock at my door. Quickly, I straighten my back and return to reading the documents on my desk while grabbing a pen with my free hand. I want to maintain a professional and dedicated appearance, just in case the person behind the door is Trifa or another White Fang member.

"Enter." I say, keeping my gaze fixed on the papers in front of me.

My body relaxes slightly when I see Sienna Khan enter, but my guard remains up. She doesn't come bearing any paperwork or greet me like she usually does. Instead, she silently makes her way to the chair in front of my desk and takes a seat.

I arch an eyebrow at her uncharacteristic behavior, feeling curious about what could be so important that she had to come here in person.

"I wasn't expecting you," I admit, setting down the pen and leaning back in my chair.

"I know, but this is important," Sienna says seriously.

"Alright, tell me," I reply, sensing that this must be something big if she's here in person rather than sending a message.

She clears her throat before speaking again. "It's about solidifying your position within the White Fang."

I frown at her reason, feeling a twinge of irritation. "My position is already secure, Sienna."

I know that despite the problems and divisions inside the White Fang, their members and factions will stand by me.

Sienna shifts her stance and let out an exasperated sigh. "As long as you remain in power, Adam. But what if something were to happen..."

"Are you threatening me?" I cut her off sharply.

Her frown deepens, but she meets my gaze with unwavering intensity. "Adam, you know what I'm talking about. The White Fang Menagerie, everything about us, relies solely on a single leader. It's a precarious situation to be in, yet we cannot change it, at least not now. And we saw what will happen to Menagerie if something ever happens to you, even with only your disappearance or capture, could have dire consequences." She pauses, her expression softening as she lets out a weary sigh. "You are right. Your position is more than solid as the leader of the coalition and Menagerie. No one will dare challenge you. But it's all on you, and you alone. There is no support system, no contingency plan, no safe-lines, no future, no suc-"

"You mean creating another faction?" I drummed my fingers on my desk, the metal of my prosthetic finger clinking against the wood. "That would only further divide the already fractured White Fang. Not to mention, showing favoritism towards this new faction will only fuel resentment from the others and potentially turn them hostile."

"No, not creating your own faction directly," she clarifies quickly. "But laying the groundwork for unity among all factions in case we need it in the future, so they will rally behind it. We must be prepared for every possible outcome. And the discussion we had at your home got me thinking..."

"I've already made it clear. The White Fang obeys me."

"It's not about you personally, Adam. But we need.." She struggles to articulate her thoughts and ideas before I raise a hand to stop her.

I rub my temples with the other hand, trying to ease some of the tension that this talk is already causing. "Sienna, I don't have time for political games and hidden messages. Just get to the point."

Honestly, I can barely understand what she's trying to tell me. Mental gymnastics is not something I need in my life, especially right now.

Silence falls as Sienna takes a moment to carefully choose her next words. But when she opens her mouth and nothing comes out, she closes it again and looks away, deep in thought.

I watch with mild amusement as she struggles to find the right words.

Finally, with one deep breath, she blurts out the words that I never expected to hear from her.

"Get me pregnant!"