Disclaimer: This is fanfiction. Anything you recognize is not mine. All characters and events in this story are entirely fictional.
-=oOo=-
"What is this all about?" asked Weiss.
"The headmaster wishes to see you. You are not in trouble, and he said you can bring your team if you wish."
"Something to do with the company I suppose," she said sadly.
"You will just have to wait and see."
"We are coming, aren't we Weiss?" asked Ruby.
"Sure, I guess."
"That's the spirit," said Ruby.
-=oOo=-
Glenda and Team RWBY arrived in Ospin's office.
"Thank you for coming Ruby, Weiss, Blake, Yang," said Ospin.
"Why am I here?" asked Weiss.
"Are you familiar with Piper's semblance?"
"No, well a little. She can accelerate things, I think," said Weiss.
"Piper?" asked Ozpin.
"I am not from your world. My abilities are telepathy and telekinetic manipulation. I am one of a relatively small set of people that are top of their ability in both fields. I can, with your permission, read your mind, or even kind of merge minds to a greater or lesser extent. I can also do what you observed and even teleport."
Team RWBY blinked.
"And?" added Weiss.
"I brought with me a device that allows communication. That purpose is pretty useless. Nothing is in range. It is, however, made of a material that is exceptionally strong. The headmaster hopes you will agree to help me find your sister and that we can get my communicator in her hands, so her employer one James Ironwood can try to duplicate the metal. This started as a way to get us better weapons, but the headmaster believes it would be very beneficial beyond that."
"How would that work?" asked Weiss suspiciously.
"I would lead initially, but we would together range north withour minds to Atlas and try to find them. Given that you are from there, you should be able to lead me."
"Is this all safe?" asked Weiss skeptically.
"There is risk, but it is minor, and I am very well trained. I am certain that if our teams can at least try to learn enough telepathy to keep a low level merge active that in combat our effectiveness will increase substantially. As with many things, there is a risk of a thing, and a risk of not doing a thing."
"You can teach it?" asked Glenda in surprise.
"I think Pyrrha has some potential. I have no idea as to the others. It is very early."
"How can you tell?" asked Glenda.
"Some of the times she replied was her own ability."
"Really?" asked Pyrrha.
"Really. Try," said Piper.
"Yes, you can join us on the trip, that is, if Weiss agrees. I doubt I'd find them too quickly without someone familiar," said Piper out loud.
"You did hear me," said Pyrrha in awe.
"I remember an amusing quote from a story that is oddly apt, if anyone is curious," said Piper.
"I am," said Ozpin.
Piper said, "It is worth repeating at this point the theories that Ford had come up with, on his first encounter with human beings, to account for their peculiar habit of continually stating and restating the very very obvious, as it 'It's a nice day," or "You're very tall," or "So this is it, we're are all going to die. His first theory was that if human beings didn't keep exercising their lips, their mouths probably seized up."
Weiss giggled.
Piper continued, "After a few months of observation he had come up with a second theory, which was this, "If human beings don't keep exercising their lips, their brains start working. In fact, this second theory is more literally true of the Belcebron people of Kakrafoon. The Belcebron people used to cause great resentment and insecurity amongst neighboring races by being one of the most enlightened, accomplished, and above all quiet civilizations in the Galaxy."
"As a punishment for this behavior, which was held to be offensively self righteous and provocative, a Galactic Tribunal inflicted on them that most cruel of all social diseases, telepathy. Consequently, in order to prevent themselves broadcasting every slightest thought that crossed their minds to anyone within a five mile radius, they now have to talk very loudly and continuously about the weather, their little aches and pains, the match this afternoon and what a noisy place Kakrafoon had suddenly become."
"I'd like to read this book," mused Ozpin.
"It was an old work of fiction by Douglas Adams. Sorry, I don't have the whole thing memorized, but telepathy is such that practice refines what potential exists usually. Don't worry about reading everyone near you. More practice teaches you how to shield. Of course, if you have the habit of drinking to excess, then this may not be the skill for you, since too much alcohol basically erases control, but not ability."
"That sucks," said Yang.
"It is a lot less of a problem if you have a smaller amount of ability. Primes, which is what those of us at the top of this field are called, at least in my mother's universe, are not really allowed to get too intoxicated. We wouldn't be in any event. Our help could be needed at a moment's notice. There are usually prices for power."
Ozpin nodded.
"So what do I have to do?" asked Weiss.
"How about you sit in the chair here next to me? You can take my left and Pyrrha my right."
They sat down.
"Now what?"
"Just take my hand. I know the way, and think of, well your home is likely a good start. Let's go to your home. You should know that instinctively."
Weiss grimaced, but said simply, "Alright."
Ospin raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.
-=oOo=-
They soared north and then somehow skipped the intervening space to come to a very ornate house in the countryside. The house felt cold somehow. At Weiss's urging they dipped through the walls and into the living room.
"Are you off to your council meeting again?" asked a woman in a harsh tone.
"Mother," thought Weiss.
"It is a very important job, well that and the company."
"Just go. Just go," said Willow tiredly.
"Watch over Whitley. Try to keep him from following his annoying sisters." He stalked off without waiting for an answer.
"I do not know if we should remain," thought Piper uncertainly.
"Can you help her?" thought Weiss.
"We can come here. I do not know if that will help her."
"She won't leave. Winter and I have tried," thought Weiss sadly.
"We won't reveal this, unless you wish us to, right Pyrhha."
"Agreed."
"At the same time, if you need our help, well, your willing right Pyrrha?"
"Of course."
"Thank you. We should find my sister. She is probably at the military's headquarters," send Weiss.
"Okay, but we need to probably stop in another ten minutes or so. I don't like pushing someone so hard the first time, and that is a reasonable limit."
"Okay. Let's go."
They appeared above a massive military based with endless, mostly air vehicles, powered armors and more regular vehicles. Many were out practicing. Weiss urged them again and they appeared at the highest tower. One more almost instinctive jump had then in a chamber with a tall man with graying hair and well, someone that looked a lot like an older Weiss.
"What news on the process for transferring the essence of the Fall Maiden that Ozpin has squirreled away to a new host?" asked the man.
"The technicians aren't convinced it is safe. I know Ozpin mentioned Pyrrha as a possible candidate, but it remains to be seen if she is a good choice. There is also the fact that only half of her power remains. We think the power remains clean, but it was a huge loss when Amber was ambushed by that woman. I really wish we could save her," said Winter sadly.
"What do they want with me?" wondered the part that was Pyrrha.
"That is a very good question," thought Piper.
"I didn't realize this was a spy mission," thought Weiss.
"It wasn't intended as one, but evidently there is more going on that we know. Still we should go. I have what we need."
"Should we mention this?" thought Pyrrha.
"Up to you, but I'd say not in front of everyone," thought Piper.
"Agreed," though Weiss.
"I want to find this Amber and see if we can help her. If my crew was here, I'd almost bet we could do something. Still let's return for now. Don't mention anything more than we found her till later."
-=oOo=-
They woke in the Headmaster's office.
"I've got what we need. I can teleport to outside the building Winter is in," said Piper.
"Good. You and I will go, if that works," said Ospin.
"Can Weiss and Pyrrha be checked. It is very rare, but making sure, particularly Weiss is okay for after an hour or so is a good idea, at least the first time."
"Glenda?"
"I'll take care of it." She turned to Weiss. "How do you feel?"
"I'm fine. Just tired." Pyrrha nodded as well.
-=oOo=-
James looked at the delicate seeming device he had so far not managed to scratch. He had promised to try not to damage it, particularly its function as a communicator. Hopefully they could figure out what it was made of and make more of it. A very very great deal more of it.
He also very much wanted to find more of what Ozpin found. People that could do such useful things. They might win this war yet.
-=oOo=-
Back in Ospin's office there was a knock on the door as they returned.
"Enter," said Ozpin.
Pyrrha walked in.
"Hello Pyrrha. How can I help you?"
"Who is the Fall Maiden? Why am I supposed to receive her power? Why is she sick?"
"I see your trip managed to gather more intel than I'd have expected. Very well. You both deserve to know the truth, and yes, by and far my greatest preference would be to heal Amber." He paused to look at them both before continuing. "There is a key entity on Remnant. She is called Salem. She is old beyond ages and is linked to the creatures of Grimm. I suppose, I am her counterpart, after a fashion. Long ago, when I wasn't so very weak I created with true magic the powers of the maidens. Spring, Summer, Winter, Fall. They were passed from one young woman to another when they died. I believe you Piper accidentally met the one who usurped the power from Amber, or at least half of it, when you first saved young Ruby. She used some kind of creature of Grimm to transfer it, leaving Amber a dying hulk, even though we managed to keep her alive. The creatures of Grimm are dangerous not because they are mindless, but because they are directed."
"You don't believe you will survive the coming battles," said Piper softly.
"No. Salem seems to gain in tainted power, while I wither. That I am, in my own way, a parasite, even if I try to merge with who takes my essence rather than just take does not help. It is a horrible life to live, and were this all over I'd gladly die in a heartbeat to end it."
"You think we can stop it, this Salem I mean?" asked Pyrrha.
"I hope you can, or possibly Piper's friends. James does his best, in his way, and I know Winter is very loyal."
"We should see Amber," said Piper.
"If you wish, but please do not tell the others. They cannot help, and if it got out where Amber was, she would be far less safe, and so would this school."
-=oOo=-
PIper looked at the broken body in the cradle.
"I wish my sisters were here. Some of them have real talent, not like me. They can heal. I am going to try though, unless you say I must not," said Piper.
"Please proceed," said Ospin.
PIper flared her power, bringing her well into visibility as she focused on combining this new Aura with her own energy as a telepath; to not just combine but make as one.
"Careful. What you are doing is more dangerous than you know. One bottle of wine is one thing. Too much used could harm you," said Ospin.
Piper laid her hands gently on Amber's face and let the energy flow for nearly twenty minutes before Ospin said, "You should stop now."
PIper nodded and slowly pulled back. "It helped. I felt it helping."
"Yes, but you spent a lot of yourself. I want you to come back to full strength, and then, if your willing we will try again," said Ospin.
PIper slipped, only for Pyrrha to catch her.
"Make sure she is at full strength somehow before she tries again, please Pyrrha," said Ospin softly.
"I will."
-=oOo=-
After Ospin lead them out he came back down and got a closer look at the diagnostics screen and then laid his old soul against the wall before he cried.
Q appeared in front of him.
"Who are you?" asked Ospin calmly.
"I'm the one that brought Piper."
"Then I owe you a debt. I regret I have nothing left to pay it with."
"I know, but you did the right thing telling them."
"I calculated the odds. I could not afford to lose her trust. I'm less than sure that is the right thing."
Q nodded.
"Can you help her?"
"I could, but Piper will learn more this way."
"She is using bits of her own soul. That is more than just aura. That is horribly dangerous."
"Women do so all the time. They are fine, at least if they are reasonably careful. They recover and are sometimes stronger for it," said Q.
"You talk of bearing a child?" asked Ospin in confusion.
Q nodded. "No more than once a week, and she must be well rested. Pyrrha may in time learn enough to help. We shall see."
"Hasn't she done what you sent her for?"
"No, she hasn't saved the girl I had in mind yet, and I don't mean Amber."
"I'll make sure of it, at least as best I can. She can go around me, but I'll do my best."
Q snapped his fingers. An aura appeared around Ospin and settled.
"One year. That extra energy will last only one year. You will be able to fight for that year. Afterward, you are to use the rest to try to either merge fully with your hosts full consent, or separate from that body, knowing it will consign you into oblivion."
"Agreed," replied Osmond.
Q nodded and vanished.
-=oOo=-
Piper fired arrow after arrow. Ren was a very apt tutor with the bow. Glenda had provided anyone who wanted with top of the line composite compound bows as well as heavy steel practice arrows. Weiss was going to source dust arrows made with steel bolts through her father's company. He may not like the expense, but he wasn't going to leave them without what they needed. All the arrows were heavy, but they were what you needed if you wanted any chance of hurting a creature of Grimm.
"I can't seem to improve my accuracy," complained Piper.
"It takes a long time to learn. You can follow an arrows flight with your skills, can't you?"
"Yes."
"Do so, but do not assist. The less you have to do with your powers the more you can use them on something else," said Ren.
Piper nodded, pulled out another arrow, smoothly pulled it back, sighted her targeted, attempted to compensate for distance and wind, and fired. Her entire essence followed the arrow. Too much correction for gravity. Wind correction wrong. Wind not the same the entire distance. She repeated again, this time sending a quick burst of awareness out to touch the air in the vicinity. She took what she just learned, adapted, and fired.
"Excellent. Keep up that path for now," said Ren. Her arrow was in the third ring, which was better than she had done previously.
-=oOo=-
Piper sat before Nora and Ren.
"You know you two work together very good as is. This should be good." She pulled them both to her feet before looking over at the rest of the people assembled.
Glenda asked, "Are you ready Team Falcon?"
"Yes," said Piper. Nora and Ren walked out.
"What's this, only two?" asked Cardin of team CRDL.
"No, I am helping, just not physically. You are of course welcome to attack me. Pyrrha is not part of the match. We wouldn't want to make it too difficult for you," offered Piper with a smile.
"Whatever. Come on guys," said Cardin.
"Begin," said Glenda.
-=oOo=-
"Did you see the match?" asked Glenda later in Ospin's office.
"I did, or rather the recording. Piper didn't even use telekinesis. She brought the teamwork of an already high functioning pair to near perfection. She was also exhausted afterward. It was a huge tactical error on Team CRDL's part not to attack her. How are Nora and Ren?"
"I had them checked. They are fine as near as the doctor can tell. I gave them the rest of the day off, but I can tell Nora can communicate without PIper with Ren now. Nora is really talkative, and you can see the expressions on his face change."
"Did Team CRDL learn anything? I didn't see anything obvious on the recording," added Ospin.
Glenda grimaced. "No, not that I saw."
"And Pyrrha?"
"I've no doubt she will work fine with all four. I think PIper is trying to integrate things slowly so she is not overwhelmed, and no one is hurt. Until they have developed some ability on their own she has to carry the full load, plus keep them from being harmed. She is working very hard, between learning the bow, dodging, being able to use her aura. They are all working hard, though Nora does well to keep them all from being too serious."
"Make sure they don't burn out, but short of that, the work now can save them. It is not right, but it is true. What about integrating team RWBY?"
"They have the simulation room reserved together for next Monday."
"Good."
-=oOo=-
Back on the Falcon, they were again meeting.
"L'Nea, you have been the one in charge of this. Are we making progress?"
"Progress yes. The device built is sending our Rowan's and the others call throughout space and dimensions. There is just a very lot of space and dimensions. I think, however, we are nearly ready for phase two. It is potentially slower, but more deterministic."
"The one where four groups have to separate to different spacial and dimensional coordinates for simultaneous data gathering?" asked Riker.
"Correct."
"Okay, so Falcon is one. Maybe Athena will be another. Getting the Defiant and Calliope is going to be hard, particularly when you add in the telepaths. Since it looks like the Shadows really are going into hiding, maybe it is doable. How long will it take to find her, worst case, if we do this?"
"Half a year perhaps, though we could easily find her quicker. Q apparently plays around in time, which we can't do due to the danger. I think this is our best bet. It would help if Q was more sloppy, but his dimensional travel is flawless. There is no trail," said L'Nea in annoyance.
Q appeared. "Why thank you my dear."
"Is PIper well?" asked Rowan.
"She is fine. That world is quite messed up, but I gave them a little more help."
"Can you give us more help?" asked Riker.
"No we are ready speech like Picard once had?" asked Q curiously.
"One of our people, our family is out there alone without backup. If begging would help, I'd do it," said Riker.
"She is not without backup. Have a little faith. She is also not in immediate danger. Her actions the first night actually delayed some plans and her other surprise action may have averted others. I can't promise to watch things so closely that she is under no danger. I have a lot to do. She is in danger, but her being there could save a lot of people, already has saved one, is in the middle of saving the second, and could save thousands in the coming months. She is also becoming stronger. That is not something easy to do here. Your going to minimize the risk and just destroy the threat, which is way less dangerous than waiting for it to nearly kill you."
"Is she happy?" asked Rowan.
"Yes, and yes if things go to heck and I catch it, then I will do something."
"You could send me to her side. I could help," offered Celeste.
"Tempting, but there are better choices if it comes to that."
"Then send them," asked Rowan.
"It is not yet required. Honestly, I get the mother hen bit, but she is every bit as qualified as you were the last time we did this."
"I had Lacus."
"Lacus isn't a great choice here, but don't worry, she has several strong allies at her side."
"Can we see her. A picture, recording or something?" asked Rowan.
Q sighed and nodded. "I'll give you a public view of her. If she is in public you can see. If she is not, it will simply say where she is. If you try to reverse engineer my view, and L'Nea might be able to do it, I'll cut it, so just watch and use your own methods of finding her."
"But we are allowed to observe and use that information?" asked Riker.
"Yes." Q waved and vanished.
-=oOo=-
"Professor Peach has asked all of you to collect samples from the trees deep inside the forest, and I am here to make sure none of you die while doing so. This forest is full of the creatures of Grimm, so be sure to stay by your teammates," said Glenda.
"Well this looks boring," noted Samson as they started collecting sap.
"I'm not so sure. Whatever these creatures are, she was serious when she said to make sure none of you die while doing so," said Riker.
"They seem to be teams of four, though my daughter's team seems linked to this other one," said Rowan thoughtfully.
"Makes sense. If you are in a dangerous world, take what friends you can get."
"The groups are splitting up. The group that is linked to Piper's is also drifting away," said Sobaash.
"I'm going to keep working," said L'Nea.
"I'll help you, even if this is more interesting. We need to get there," said Jadzia.
Suddenly a flock of a half a dozen giant crow creatures taller than five men end to end shot down from the skies and a dozen others came in on the ground towards Piper's team.
"She is ready," said Celeste.
"Yes, they are," noted Rowan critically even as Piper pulled back her compound bow and shot and accelerated an arrow that punched through the first of the birds with a massive explosion. The others were no slower as they each took targets and began."
"She is coordinating them all. Remarkable," said Lyta.
Ruby and the others came running in finding targets and attacking, and also never getting in each others way.
"And all is a bigger group," noted Jinto.
The deputy principle came in next and started attacking even as another wave of monsters came at them.
"It's too much for her. She is near her limit," said Rowan.
Suddenly all of team Falcon took their bows as one, chose targets, and fired. Each was accelerated for a brief period as Piper cycled between them her well flaring with the power released.
Four more targets were destroyed. The rest of the students came in and started attacking. The tall red head shot her spear through two at once, before it returned to her.
The shorter red head was a blur as she swung the scythe through everything that dared come at her friends, while the blond in the group was blasting them with gloves that seemed to release explosions point blank. The white haired one was creating some kind of glyphs that saved one after another, froze creatures, destroyed them, and seemed to even further accelerate the small red head at random times.
One of the ground monsters got through and must have gone unnoticed by Piper till too late.
"No!" screamed half the bridge.
The monster knocked her into a tree. She focused on it, pulled out a knife from her belt and used a combination of strength and telekinesis to drive it through its skull. By that time the taller redhead was almost up to her and ran her spear through another trying to get to her. They started fighting back to back. Several additional teachers showed up, evidently prepared for the possibility and what was a close battle quickly became a route, with their side showing no mercy.
"How did she survive that?" asked Julian from the side.
"Evidently there is more going on that we know. Let's listen," said Lafiel.
-=oOo=-
"Piper your aura was down almost to the caution range. You are boosting your attacks directly with your aura. Try to minimize doing that. Save your aura for getting hit, if you can," said Glenda afterward.
"I will. I'm learning fast, and once people can pick up more of the telepathic load it will be less of a problem."
A green haired man walked up wearing glasses and looking somewhat disheveled. "I believe they were targeting you Piper. They likely do not want you to help the others get stronger as you have been. The real question is how do they know?"
"That is a good question Doctor Oobleck. I intend we should find out," said Glenda.
"Fortunately, word is they might get a new team member soon," said Oobleck.
"Yes, though it might be a week or so," said Glenda.
"How can they get a new team member?" asked Cardin of team CRDL.
"She won't be officially a part of their team, and she won't be in practices session. She will be deployed with them as the greater threat is to Piper," said Glenda.
-=oOo=-
A week alter after their first two group location efforts they found out who their new team member was.
"Hello, I am Amber. I'll be helping you and team RWBY as much as I can. I do, after all, owe Piper my life for healing me. I can at least make sure I return the favor."
"How? PIper isn't a healing talent," said Rowan.
"I suspect this Amber healed herself with Piper's strength, somehow, but I don't know," said L'Nea.
-=oOo=-
Team RWBY joined Team Falcon for a trip into the city. A Monkey Faunas, that is a person with some monkey characteristics, such as a tail, caused trouble, resulting in Weiss going on a tirade. They learned her whole family and company has fought the Faunas for many years, resulting in many deaths. Blake accidentally revealed that she was one, when she said, "Maybe we were just tired of being pushed around," causing her to run off.
"Wait, come back," said Weiss in surprise.
"Prejudice again," said Riker with annoyance.
"I don't believe Weiss hates Blake. She just grew up on one side of a war of some kind," said Neela softly.
-=oOo=-
Teams RWBY and Falcon came to the rescue of Blake later in the day when a Faunas group called the White Fang was helping a somehow free Roman Torchwick steal a vast quantity of dust from the shipping district.
It was in that battle they found out just how formidable Amber truly was, when she, team's RWBY and Falcon, teamed with an android named Penny. Roman's time among the living ended very early into that battle. Almost half of the Faunas that came to help with the robbery were killed. All of the air vehicles used were destroyed and a good portion of that part of the city was a smoking ruin.
"I can't believe one person can have that much power, and thanks to Piper she coordinated it all," said Lafiel.
"Without Piper's coordination, her area attacks might have hurt allies as well as enemies," said Rowan.
Q popped in. "So, are you a little less freaked now. Seriously, they are making fine progress. I was a tiny bit concerned when they moved on her earlier than expected, but things are more or less back to predicted."
"A little, but we still need to get there, and the sooner the better," said Rowan.
"Why did they move on her earlier than expected?" asked Riker.
"Mostly because of a data hack that was unexpected. They found that Piper was helping to heal, well really just to replace the core energy they stole from Amber."
"Core energy. Does that mean Piper is permanently changed?" asked Rowan.
"No, as long as you are not stupid about it and are otherwise health. It does recover. You should know that, given how much Kosh consumed during your pregnancy."
"Care to give us any advice there? Are they likely to restart again now that we have pulled some resources?" asked Riker.
Q shrugged. "I had to admit baby Kosh surprised even me. Saving one of them, meant something to them. It is very rare for a new Vorlon or Shadow to be born. As to the Shadows, everyone is on to their game. Their strategy will not work. I can't say for sure, but I think they will bide their time for hundreds of years, or perhaps more. They could also get bored and leave the galaxy. That being said, I'm not their keeper. They don't answer to me." Q vanished.
-=oOo=-
Cinder Fall raged as she blasted another hole in the wall.
"Calm down Cinder. Losing Torchwick was no great loss," said a tall brown haired man wearing a mask in a red and black outfit.
"Mercury, Shut Up. This whole thing has set our plans back months," said Cinder.
"It is irritating that Torchwick got himself killed right after we got him out."
"Mercury, you just don't like to work," said a green haired dark skinned woman.
"This is true, though if I must do it Emerald, I prefer not to waste my effort," replied Mercury.
"What does everyone make of the Fall Maiden? I thought she was dead," asked Emerald.
"She certainly shouldn't be at the peak of her powers. This makes no sense. I'm as strong as ever," said Cinder.
"We could always steal them again," offered Emerald.
"That wouldn't be easy. It seems that group of nine is going to stay together, and they grow stronger by the day. They shouldn't have survived the attack in the forest. The attack at the docks was just ridiculous. It wasn't just the maiden's power. If she was that effective, we'd have never stole her powers in the first place."
"It's that girl. Piper, isn't it?" asked Mercury.
"Probably. That is what the hack we have of Beacon's observation cameras yielded," said Emerald.
"Is there a point in invading Beacon now?" asked Mercury.
"Not really, well unless the rest of Amber's powers can be taken, but things got a lot harder," said Cinder with a frown.
"Then don't attack Beacon. Seriously, if they are not ready for you now, they never will be," said Mercury.
Cinder sighed. "I'm not convinced. The point of the attack on Beacon was to throw them in disarray so the Grimm could overrun Vale. Without that element Ospin and James's strategies will likely work."
"Then don't attack Vale. Pick another target," said Mercury.
"I don't want to let Ospin's group grow stronger. Salem will be seriously angry."
"You need to pick a less predictable target. Sure invade Vale, but target something strategic that they don't expect, or several somethings."
"Perhaps. How is Adam doing? Can he replace the now dead fool?"
"Well enough," said Emerald.
"Good."
-=oOo=-
Back on Falcon, they were having their now weekly meeting to discuss status.
"I'll go first. Simply put we have eliminated sixty four percent of the search space. That sounds good, and it is, but we are dividing nearly infinite areas with the thinnest coverage possible and hoping we aren't missing anything. Our engines are also beyond design limits, though we keep patching them. We are good to continue, but we will basically have to rebuild about a fourth of key systems once we finish this," said L'Nea.
Riker turned to Neela. "Do you agree with her assessment on the engines?"
"Yes, with one caveat. We are traveling comparably slow to search. If we get an emergency we can't defer we need to maintain that relatively slow speed. Simply put, we are no longer capable of our fastest speeds in dimensions or in hyperspace. Spec wise the analysis is good, we could risk them, for a good enough reason, but I urge you not to do so without a exceptionally good reason. You cannot repair something that many times and expect it to perform like new. It could fail in an unpredictable and messy way. In fact, push it enough, and I'd bet it will," said Neela.
Jadzia and L'Nea also nodded.
"The other ships have reported similar. Shion is building the new components we need. The problem is all of us must work simultaneously to get the next set of readings, so we can't stage the repairs. Keep on top of it. You tell me we have to stop and do this now and we will do it, but if we can continue we will," said Riker.
"Faile has a new ship of this class ready for us to adapt. It's a cooperation between the Romulans and the Founders. I suggest we send it to Shion's people for the refit needed for dimensional searching. Sela has volunteered to Captain it for the duration," said Rowan.
"I have no problems with that, but Starfleet might. I'll run it by Captain Picard and get his approval, and maybe we can run it by the Admirals together. At some point we need to start trusting our new allies. This seems as good a time as any. If we can get their ship online, we can start dropping ours out one at a time for major work," said Riker.
"You should make that a relatively high priority," said the bluish skinned elfin L'Nea.
Riker nodded.
-=oOo=-
The Vale festival brought teams from all over to Beacon Academy. This year the competition presented team against team.
It was the third day in the tournament. Team Falcon was set to go against last years champions when Piper suddenly focused, then got serious She faced the other team.
"We do not have time for this. Grimm are massing on three borders. I can feel it." She turned to Glenda and Glenda's eyes suddenly focused.
"This is not a drill. I will take the group into Forever Fall. Professor Port will take a group into near the agricultural district. Professor Oobleck will take the group in the mountains. They seem the smallest. Team Falcon will remain here, and move people where they are most needed and pull people back when they are in danger. Piper, take your group and report to Professor Ospin. He has what you need. Coordinate with the three of us to move everyone where they need moved."
"Understood," said Piper as her well flared and team Falcon vanished. The professors started to organize the defense.
-=oOo=-
They appeared in Ospin's office. "I heard what you told Glenda and did a check of my own. I believe there will be an aerial attack on Beacon directly. Tell Glenda to keep last years champions, and team RWBY here. Amber and I will support them. I'm taking you to the generator Atlas recently installed. Can you read the location from my mind and go there? It is the biggest we have. Your team is to focus on not being noticed and coordinating the others. Keep people alive. I know it is not reasonable what we are asking, but I think it is the best use of your abilities. Lock all the doors. Do not engage in combat if you can avoid it."
"We understand," said Ren.
The four vanished.
-=oOo=-
Piper smiled when she saw the generator. It activated as soon as she walked in and even had a credible tower chair.
"I will be vulnerable when my mind is elsewhere. I want Pyrrha's mind with mine to boost mine somewhat." She turned to Pyrrha. "That is, if you are is willing?"
"You need not have asked."
"Ren, Norra, will you guard us?"
"Always," said Norra.
Piper laid her weapons up against the near wall, making sure all the arrows were easy to fetch with telekinesis. Norra did the same. She then laid in the chair with Pyrrha lying beside her, their hands together as the generator beginning to complain as she hastily refilled her well. The first group was ready.
They swept them up in a generator boosted wave of teleportation and into position. They then focused on the area. The skies were full of the greatest danger. They again pushed against the generators and swept foul creation after foul creation a hundred feet below the ocean.
"Pace yourself," thought the part that was Pyrrha.
"The teleports are inefficient. Too much mass. Next time how about I teleport arrows and you launch them with your semblance?"
"Sounds like a plan."
Another group was ready. They again leaned in sweeping them to their destination. Once again the skies were the greatest threat. They ported a dozen explosive arrows and the part that was Pyrrha hurled them as the monsters. Pyrrha was surprised that the energy boost was aiding her as well as the arrows broke the sound barrier and the monsters exploded.
Their focus swept back on group one. Two were returned to Veil. They seemed to have low aura so they were sent to the hospital. Group three was ready. They were ported. Another dozen arrows. Ten more destroyed. It wasn't all of the monsters in the air, but it helped. They focused porting the stacks of arrows from their room here. They had enough for a little while.
-=oOo=-
Ospin stood near the hospital with two teams at his side.
"Are you sure they are coming here?" asked Yang.
"Oh yes. They are coming. I suspect Piper is frustrating them somewhat, but some will get through, or at least I have to assume that. Regardless, the hospital and shelters here must be protected," said Ospin.
"I have to go," said Amber, who vanished.
"Hopefully that was the correct decision. I wish I knew what group was being overwhelmed enough to need Amber," said Ospin.
-=oOo=-
Glenda Goodwitch was the one who was desperately relieved to see Amber take to the skies before invoking the full powers of the Fall Maiden and seemingly more to start turning nature itself against the creatures of Grimm. Glenda gave the orders to fall back and regroup, while Amber dealt with this. She would stay with Amber to watch her back.
-=oOo=-
Several dozen Grimm seemed to dive high out of the sky down towards Ospin and the two teams with him. Ospin smirked and turned behind him, to the real threat as he sent a dozen flaming spears at Cinder, Emerald, and Mercury. Ten of them targeted Cimber. Six hit, the next to the last burned through the last of her aura with the last killing her dead. Mercury and Emerald tanked the other two hits but then ran like hell, though given the smoke he saw rising from them, they were not unscathed.
"Do not follow. Not now. We are a bit busy at the moment," said Ospin.
"Can you keep doing that?" asked Yang hopefully.
"Not continuously no, but I can create a couple more sets before we have to get serious." Ospin launched another set into the sky, destroying a dozen of their attackers.
-=oOo=-
Sela sat in the captain's seat of the Valdore. They had only just gotten her ready. She had done the first group ping, as they called it. Faile, Lacus, and Lal were by her side for the telepathic part. They had gotten a very small possible response. It wasn't enough to declare success, but it was enough to tell the others they were going to investigate it. They were just now slipping into the target dimension.
"Dimensional journey complete."
"Enter hyperspace. Get us there," said Sela.
"Entering. Eight minutes remain."
-=oOo=-
PIper was sweating as she tried to keep people from dying. Pyrrha wasn't in much better shape. They suddenly heard in their minds, "Hold back. Save your strength. We are coming."
"Lacus?" they thought tiredly.
A few minutes later Lacus ported into where they were, came up to them and transferred energy into them both.
"Thanks. Still pretty tapped. Can you tag in?" asked Piper tiredly.
"I can. Faile and Lal will likely be here when they can. They are trying to help coordinate. Can I help you up?"
"We have it," said Pyrrha, though they ended up getting help from Ren and Lacus anyway as they laid down on the floor. Lacus laid back in the seat and took the merge from them.
-=oOo=-
"Lal, I want you to link with Lacus and the others and target and destroy the monsters, without killing people. Do what you have to do," said Sela.
"I understand."
"Faile, I'm betting you don't need me to figure out something useful to do," said Sela.
"I'm going to support Lacus. She had to give too much strength to Piper and her friend, to keep them from possibly dying."
"Understood. Contact me if you need anything," said Sela.
Faile nodded and vanished.
-=oOo=-
Ospin lead the memorial service. Four civilians dead. Two hunters from team CRDL. Cardin and Russel were now dead. Piper and Pyrrha would be another few days recovering. Captain Sela had already worked with him to obliterate Salem. He had managed to make sure Salem actually died and stayed dead when she was killed. With the source of Grimm destroyed, Hunters could eliminate those that remained, though it seems the ships from the stars were going to eliminate all they could find. The hunters that existed and would in the future could surely handle the rest.
Two days later he met with Piper, the crew of her ship, Glenda, Team RWBY, Qrow, Amber, James, Winter, and Team Falcon.
"I wanted to thank you all. As you know Salem is dead and won't be coming back. The source of the Grimm is destroyed. Piper's friends are eliminating most. I know that the hunters that exist today, and you, once you all graduate will no doubt find and slowly eradicate the rest. I myself, am sort of the counterpart to Salem. My spirit stole this body, and now that my work is done, I give it back."
"You will die," said Glenda softly.
"Yes. It is past time. Thank you all. Grow, make sure Ruby and her friends grow up. Team Falcon as well, if you could."
"I'll do my best."
"James, I ask you to be more careful to work within the system now."
James nodded.
"Winter, talk to Weiss. Maybe get your mother and her son out of that mess. Maybe they could go beyond the stars, here, somewhere, but make sure she is safe. Willow deserves better, and I am worried that Nicholas will be quite disagreeable when the value of dust plummets, when the need drops off."
"I will. We will make sure they are safe," said Winter.
"Glenda, maybe consider going with these strangers. I think you could do much there, and I doubt Beacon will be needed in the future. Other schools can fill its place."
"The offer is open, if you want it," said Riker.
Glenda nodded.
"Goodbye."
He seemed to regress in age before their eyes, becoming a small boy. The man who called himself Ozpin was dead.
-=oOo=-
Piper sat with her friends.
"Are you leaving?" asked Nora.
"Yes, I believe I am. I was just wondering if any of you wanted to come? They may want you to attend Starfleet Academy, though I could visit from time to time. There is certainly a lot of possibility for those with your skills," said Piper.
"Do they have pancakes?"
"You can have unlimited pancakes of every variety, though I suspect the doctors would soon limit how many you were allowed," said Piper.
"What else do they have that is good?" asked Ren.
PIper tapped her com badge. "Falcon, is everyone busy up there, or can I ask for a favor."
"Go ahead," said Riker.
"Four ractajino's to go, oh and a selection of the best pancakes you can replicate," said Piper.
"Recruiting are we?" asked RIker.
"Trying."
"Give us a few to search through for something good pancake wise."
"Thanks." Piper glanced at the others. "I'm really not that important, but we do help each other out when we can."
"Could I stay with you if we went with them?" asked Pyrrha.
"I'm willing to cheat a fair amount to help you learn, if you want it. I bet Celeste will help as well. Being a top telepath has its benefits. You are smart, you could catch up on your own or with our help. It's exhausting on top of exhausting. That is why I encourage at least Nora and Ren to just consider Starfleet. That should be much more enjoyable and there is certainly time for people to take the normal path. You also don't have to do one or the other. You can change your mind, but if you come with us, well our job is dangerous."
"I'm a huntress, or at least training to be. I'm not adverse to danger," said Pyrrha.
Piper nodded. "What about you two?"
"They have the infinite pancakes at this Starfleet?" asked Nora.
Ren palmed his head and just smiled.
"That they do, and likely real cooks to if you want it."
"Okay, but we will find you after, right?"
"Sure."
-=oOo=-
Glenda Goodwitch very hesitantly handed Beacon academy to Qrow Branwen.
"You will look after them won't you?" asked Glenda.
"Of course, though there is not many left. Half already quit, seeing the need is so much less," said Qrow.
"I know. Take care Qrow. I never thought Ospin could die. He seemed eternal, yet so much that was eternal is now over. Life goes on I guess."
"That it does. Take care Glenda. Who knows, perhaps I'll join you out there one day."
"I think I'd like that." She touched the com badge she had been given and said, "I'm ready."
Glenda vanished, only to reappear on Sela's new ship.
"I'm glad you agreed to come here. We are lighter on crew, given how quickly we deployed, or at least crew with special abilities. Welcome to Valdore. I hear Piper has been teaching. How much have you gained?"
"I can send or receive thoughts from those close, if they have similar ability."
Lacus smiled. "We will see if we can improve that. We know how stretched Piper was."
"She helped save our world. They wanted to build a statue of her, but she insisted they not."
"Q helped a fair amount as well. The one that sent her here. We analyzed the signal we got of this world. There is no possible way PIper was able to respond to our echo at the end. We were the closest ship at the time and Q mimicked her response," said Faile.
The red shirted Q appeared. "Actually it was Q. He was impressed that she had perfected the technique so soon with the wine."
"And you?" asked Sela.
"Was about to do it, when he beat me. This world was close to the end, and yet had so much potential. Either way, its fixed now. Thanks." Q vanished.
"He neglects to mention that we had to divert a lot of resources and spend months on this task, when we could have dealt with it directly. We did at least gather a lot of useful data as well as a useful method of searching, so it was, without a doubt worth it, though I'd have preferred to go directly, even if I did get a ship out of it," said Sela.
"Agreed, though I think there are limits to how much he is allowed to help. I will take the months or years of effort if he is there when it matters," said Faile.
"Agreed," said Sela and Lacus.
"I am curious. Can Piper's ability to resist damage be taught?" asked Sela.
"I can help you release your aura. It takes a fair amount of effort, so how about one person every two weeks?" asked Glenda.
"That would be fine."
-=oOo=-
Pyrrha put on the uniform with a grimace, when her door chimed in this strange place they called Falcon.
"Come in," she said.
Piper walked in. "How are you feeling, other that the obvious distaste of the uniform?"
"At least this one has pockets. That thing half of you are wearing is insane."
"You do know we don't much care about uniforms here right? We can modify it. As long as you can be identified as part of the same group, we are good with it."
"Help please?"
"Sure."
-=oOo=-
A now properly maintained Falcon came out of hyperspace near Kronos and was of course immediately challenged.
"On screen," said Riker.
"Federation ship, explain your trespass."
"We are actually more formally under the the Alliance banner these days, and the reason we are here is the same reason we have been asking for some time. We want, at least Alliance ships to have cloaking devices. We don't even need to get them from you or the Romulans, though the Romulans have offered. We certainly have gathered enough copies of them over time to make out own. I have crew here who know enough to make our own. We actually have one we can pickup from the Founders in the Gamma quadrant just by asking. We just want this ridiculous limitation removed."
"Are you going to go back on your word Federation?"
"Again, we are Alliance. That means we answer to the combined group of the Galaxy Federation, Founders, Romulan, and Federation. The Federated Sentient planets and the Abh Empire are also on our ruling body, though not formally members yet."
"What are you talking about?"
"We don't just work in this universe, but in all," said Riker with a smile.
"Stand by."
"I think he had no idea what to say to that," said Jadzia in amusement.
"Probably."
Gowron appeared on their screen. "Perhaps we can make a deal."
Riker smiled.
-=oOo=-
"Did we really have to give them hyperdrive technology?" asked Lafiel afterward.
"That was what I was authorized to trade for, provided the Klingons agreed to remove the stipulation for the Federation. The Alliance was technically not under it, though considering the Federation makes up part of it, it is arguable. We also gave them the oldest designs Shion gave us. Given that the Romulans and the Founders have more, it wasn't unreasonable."
"You were concerned that the Klingons might decide to do something unfortunate if they continued to fall behind," said Sobaash.
"Unofficially yes. Gowron is not particularly trusted. He was the best outcome at the time, but we could hope for a Klingon with more..."
"Honor," finished Jadzia.
"Unfortunately, yes. Keep in mind all of this is unofficial."
Riker turned to L'Nea. "Did all of our searching help you at all? I know we didn't take any extra time to find your people, but was any of it useful?"
"It was. I'm still working on a computer model to process it all. I have some hope of turning it into leads. Most will likely be unrelated, but it was something."
"Want some help?" asked Ekuryua.
"Yes, I'll certainly take that."
A repeating beep was heard.
"It looks like we are back on the clock. What do we have L'Nea?" asked RIker.
"Distress call from a ship it seems. We likely won't get more till we get there, though I think it is in the vicinity of an Earth."
"We do get into a lot of trouble. Ekuryua get us on coarse please. Lafiel, Jinto be ready to swap in after the dimensional flight. Ekuryua is due for shift change."
"Dimensional drive is unlocked. All checks confirmed. Taking the course from L'Nea and engaging drive. Transitioning to the dimensional sea. Dimensional travel should be complete in twenty two minutes. I estimate between an hour and an hour and a half once we come out in hyperspace."
"Traveling so far so quickly has become normal for you. How strange," said Pyrrha.
"We do appreciate it, but we have been at this for awhile now," said Riker.
"I see."
"Jinto, engage the cloak we totally didn't have when we met the Klingons after we emerge from hyperspace."
"Will do."
"I'm just glad the Founders let us have it. It's comparable to the Romulan ones already," said Jadzia.
"That it is, but I have no doubt the Federation will match it within a year or so, but for now we have it," said Riker.
-=oOo=-
They emerged from hyperspace and cloaked.
"What do we have Sobaash?"
"I'm not going to describe it. It has to be the single worst ship design in history. I'll put it on screen."
Riker blinked. "That looks like an old ship designed for the oceans with masts and all the rest. That's utterly crazy, isn't it?"
"Well, not completely crazy, as it works. They are using some kind of powerful photonic drive with the sails emitting light, or they would be if their reactor wasn't barely managing life support," said Jadzia.
"Decloak and try to hail them," said Riker.
"They are responding," said Sobaash.
"On screen."
"I am Takeshi Suzuka. I'm Captain of the Starlight. I hope you are here to help."
"We are, though I'm not sure how just yet. Can we fix their ship?" asked Riker.
"Not in any reasonable amount of time. Their reactor is in very sad shape," said Jadzia.
"Towing?"
"They won't structurally handle it. Sure we could eventually cobble together a replacement reactor, but it is part of their drive system. It's a huge job. The only option I see that is feasible is to return them to where they are going, well that or possibly tow them at a rate that will take months," said Jadzia.
"There is another option. If they have a replacement reactor core, we could go get it. We could haul that much," said Neela.
"Where are you going?" asked Riker.
"Earth of course."
"Want a ride for your people? I'll have to confine most of you to quarters given we don't know you, but we could drop you off at Earth today probably. We could also go get a spare reactor, if you have one, and possibly help you change it. Your choice," offered Riker.
"There are no other ships like Starlight nor any major parts to spare. If you leave it here, it will probably never see another soul. If we boarded your ship, could you tow it? I'd accept more damage, to have something to bring back."
"We could do that. No people would be safe over there, but if we took say a day to get there, the ship might be in one piece," said L'Nea.
"It looks like we have a plan then," said the captain of the Starlight.
"It will take us awhile to rearrange crew quarters, or we could just put everyone in the cargo bay," said Samson.
"We will take what we can get."
"Secure the cargo bay. Provide food and whatever they might need. Beam the Captain and his first officer to the bridge. Beam everyone else to the cargo bay, without any weapons, they might have," said Riker.
-=oOo=-
"Was it really necessary to treat my crew like this?" asked Takeshi.
Riker sighed. "You have a ship that is comparably primitive and a lot of people we don't know. I can't risk any of you learning tech you should not. You could cause a lot of harm to yourselves."
"What is this place we are in?" asked Takeshi.
"Sorry, we are being as unhelpful as possible. Free ride yes. Free help with your tech no."
"I understand. How long?"
"We managed a bit more speed than expected with minimal stress on their ship. Four point two hours remain," said Jinto.
"Would you like something to eat?" asked Ekuryua.
"Yes, if you have something. Coffee would be nice."
"Be specific. We can make whatever you wish."
"Steak, corn, and green beans, and a cup of coffee. On the thinner side, just shy of well done."
Ekuryua nodded and walked off.
They arrived near Earth right on schedule, confirmed the Starlight was still habitable, and transferred everyone but the Captain and the first officer back.
Riker held out his hand.
The captain shook it. "We learned a lot on this mission and we even got back home. You have my sincere thanks."
"Take care."
"We checked your ship for residual radiation. There was none. There is a small chance the metal will be fatigued from our tow. You should check it carefully, though based on my earlier scans, you may really wish to start over," said L'Nea.
"We will." He looked at her odd form but said nothing.
After they left Pyrrha asked, "What was the major concern with them?"
"They have a primitive way to go faster than light. It is their first ship to do so. The amount of trouble they will get into when they get more is nearly unlimited. There is also something Jadzia informed me of silently that we didn't make public," said Riker.
"You mean where the crew took over the ship for awhile? Piper informed me of what Neela dug up," said Pyrrha.
"Yes. No crew that mutinied for no good reason is getting free run of Falcon," said Riker.
"Ah. That makes sense. Thanks."
