Cooper looked at the endless sea of sand around him, dust being kicked up in droves by the brigade of trucks headed for their destination. He turned back, looking at Moldovar in the driver's seat. "So, all we got to do is surround this research center, let your guy on the inside disable the security, and walk in like we own the place?" He inquired.
"It's still a question of whether he can disable the system, but they don't have any heavy weapons or power armor," Moldover explained.
Cooper just leaned back, his hand resting on the gun on his belt. "Gonna be a fun ride huh?" he quipped. Moldover just smiled, pushing on the gas and making a right turn past a set of dunes.
The radio crackled to life; "Facility spotted, unknown condition." one of the other trucks reported.
Cooper felt the truck stop, and the many other trucks stopped nearby. He quickly got out, watching as several squads of NCR troopers stepped out onto the sands. NCR Rangers mingled between the rank and file, checking their weapons and ammo. "Alright boys, sit tight for the moment," Moldover announced. Many of the NCR troopers followed suit, falling into small groups and acting more relaxed. The Rangers moved out, sniper rifles and binoculars in hand. He watched as a Moldover pulled out a small terminal and began typing away at it.
He leaned over her shoulder, watching the conversation between Moldover and what he assumed to be her mole in the facility. "Any luck?" he inquired. Moldover said nothing, just typing away with a stern look. He watched silently, taking a small glance at the NCR troopers mulling about before he turned back to see her smiling. Without a word, she turned off the terminal and looked out at the gathered troopers.
"Security has been disabled for other time being. You all know your mission, we have Rangers covering our backs but remain cautious." Moldover instructed her men. Cooper retrieved his preferred weapon and stood next to Moldover as she pulled out a modified service rifle. Men moved in formation, rifles in hand and a look of determination in their eyes. Cooper followed Moldover as the formations approached the facility, all remaining crouched as they did so.
It wasn't long before shots started flying.
"Move Move Move!" Moldover shouted, now leading the charge for the facility. Cooper narrowed his eyes, pulling out a small scope to get a better view of the facility. All around, he could see security in uniform and light armor rushing out with small arms raised, He could see confusion and panic written on many of their faces. Many of them began to pull back as the first wave of NCR soldiers reached the outer perimeter.
Letting out a sigh, Cooper lowered the scope and raised his gun. He began running, his pace allowing him to reach Moldover as more troops began to rush the perimeter. Gunfire echoed out as troopers fought against officers. Cooper raised his gun and put a hole through the first officer he could see. Panic continued to echo out, Cooper could see Moldover was working to open the main security door of the facility.
It was going to be a long day.
"I can't believe that you spent five hours talking with that guy?" Yang said as they walked through the halls of Beacon with a small set of boxes in hand.
"Hey, he knew his weapons," Ruby argued back.
"But Five hours?" Weiss chimed in.
"Well, I got a discount," Ruby spoke with pride while hugging her box close to her chest.
"Ruby, he looked like he wanted to give you a job offer," Blake threw in.
"I know right, how cool is that?" Ruby asked with stars in her eyes. Yang just shook her head with a sigh as Weiss and Blake sweatdropped. "And now we can test our new ammo." Ruby proclaimed proudly. Her team gave a small cheer, and a shrug from Weiss. As they continued towards one of Beacon's many firing ranges, they saw a familiar face. Ruby let out a squeak as the rest of her team just froze. Not far from them, standing outside one of the training rooms, was The Storyteller and his robot companion.
"Please don't see us," Yang whispered as they began to back away.
As though the two brothers had it out for her, The Storyteller turned to look right at them. "Ah, hello there Team RWBY, how has your day been?" he asked while approaching.
One thing many teams at Beacon had learned after the Storyteller's arrival, was how much he talked. Numerous times, students with questions or looking to strike up a conversation with the man would often find themselves trapped in hours of mindless conversation as he rambled on and on about whatever subject the student had inquired. The man talked more than any teacher at Beacon, not even the boisterous Peter Port could match the Storyteller's ability to talk for hours on end. One of his most famous victims was a grey-haired student from Haven, his team reporting that their teammate now muttered random bits of wasteland history in his sleep.
Knowing how much the Storyteller talks about history, with their team now carrying objects related to the Wasteland and her history, the girls were struck with fear of being trapped in an endless speech on history and related subjects. "I see you have some items from the Gun Runners, wishing to test how gunpowder feels compared to dust rounds?" The Storyteller inquired. None of them spoke, their chance of escape slowly dwindling as The Storyteller got even closer.
The sound of a door opening and someone clearing their throat caught the Storyteller's attention. "Ah, so how do you feel Tanner?" He asked, turning away from team RWBY and approaching the training room. Team RWBY breathed a sigh of relief, their knees almost giving out as The Storyteller began talking with his Ranger friend and Ms. Goodwitch.
Team RWBY paused, their gaze turning over to see Glynda Goodwitch talking with both The Storyteller and Ranger Tanner. Turning their gaze to the training room, they could see a small set of training bots with bullet holes in their heads. They watched as The Storyteller gave a playful knock to Tanner's shoulder, a brief shimmer of aura flowing off her shoulder. They watched as Glynda let out a sigh, and began leading the group of Wastelanders down the hallway.
Team RWBY stood frozen, waiting for the group to disappear before they began with short steps. They could see cleaning bots move into the training room as the doors closed shut. "Uh... let's go to the range," Ruby said, breaking the tension that held her team still. Short echoes of agreement were let out, their pace returning to what it had been before.
Winter adjusted the collar of the coat the Brotherhood had provided her. her eyes ever cautious as she sat next to her fellow specialists. All around her, she could see her fellow soldiers of Atlas scattered about the facility's canteen and dressed in plain shirts. "Anything else happen?" she heard Clover ask.
"No, they just sat me down while their High Elder talked about the Brotherhood of Steel," Marrow replied while running a hand over his arm.
Winter heard Harriet huff and grumble, prompting her to look over at the rest of the specialists. Harriet's face held an anxious glare as her eyes narrowed at Clover, Elm just pocked her food while Vine and Marrow stayed quiet. "We need to escape," Harriet said sternly.
"That isn't an option Harriet." Clover shot her down quickly.
"Why not, we have the numbers, we have aura?" Harriet quietly argued.
"Over half of the crew and soldiers are still recovering from Radiation poisoning, plus the third that's still MIA," Clover replied.
"They also aren't treating us like prisoners," Vine chimed in.
"I have a bad feeling, what if they're just going to experiment on us? or use us as bargaining chips." Harriet pointed out.
"I know, I know, but we can't just make a move without more information," Clover argued.
Harriet was about to open her mouth once more, only for loud booming footsteps to interrupt her. They all turned, watching as a Brotherhood officer flanked two individuals in power armor and a small group of medics approached them. "Atlas Specialists, The High Elder has requested your presence for a meeting." The officer spoke with authority.
"I understand, come on," Clover said, getting up from his seat. Winter followed suit, her fellow Specialists joining them despite Harriet's half-hidden scowl. They followed the officer as the medics gave them a once-over. They stepped past their fellow Atlesians, side glances and cautious looks painted on their faces. A set of metal doors opened and the officer stepped through, gesturing for them to follow. The hallway was barren, only sporting the odd guard, as the group made their way through.
As they came to another door the officer stopped; "This is a quick warning, you are about to see natural light for the first time in weeks." he said before the door opened. Winter brought her arm up to cover her eyes as the sun shone brightly. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust, the officer just stood still before he gestured for them to follow once more. They found themselves in a city being rebuilt, metal, and concrete being moved by hand and vehicle. Looking at the sky, Winter could see Airships dotting spots in the sky. "Come on, the meeting will begin soon and the High Elder doesn't want to wait." The officer said, breaking them out of their sightseeing.
Silently, they followed the officer's lead, their eyes glancing out every so often. They passed more buildings, even some small farms before they found themselves in front of a large building. Two individuals in power armor with large machine guns(?) stood guard, both standing at attention as they approached. The officer only gave them a small nod before the door opened and they continued inside. Walking through hallways, passing more guards in power armor as they did so, they finally reached a large room full of people. They could see the High Elder talking with a pair of older men dressed in Elder robes, alongside two individuals in modified power armor who were conversing with one another. Guards were all around the room, eyes quickly darting to them.
"Atlesian Specialists have arrived," The officer announced to the room. Winter felt her shoulders straighten as the eyes of the Brotherhood officials were all on them. Maxon gave the officer a brief nod before the officer left the room. Leaving just the Specialists, The Brotherhood Elders, and several guards alone in the room.
The conversations stopped, the Brotherhood Elders were now approaching them with curious gazes. "So, these are the foreigners?" One of the men in modified armor inquired. He stood tall, his power armor not matching any form of armor they had yet seen in their time in the Wasteland.
"Yes Elder Roland, this is part of the reason you have all been gathered here," Maxon spoke up. He sat down at the large table at the center of the room, pressing his hands together as he looked over the room. "As we speak, a small fleet of Atlesian Cruisers alongside three R.O.C. airships are arriving to meet with me," Maxon said calmly. Winter felt his world freeze, her mind racing as she considered what he had just said.
"This early?" She heard one of the elders whisper.
"Now, I believe you Specialists are familiar with one known as Wilhelm?" Maxon inquired with his gaze directly on them.
"Yes," Clover spoke up.
Maxon let out a sigh before he gestured for everyone to take a seat. Everyone followed suit except for the two Elders in power armor, both simply stood at an empty side of the table. "Now, I understand that the six of you have been tense and untrusting of us, but let me make something clear," Maxon said as his shoulders straightened. "We are not seeking to make Atlas our enemy, but your men are in no condition to be brought back to Atlas," Maxon stated.
"What!" Harriet shouted, slamming her hands on the table. Guards raised their weapons, only for them to lower it as Maxon raised his hand.
"Our apologies, continue," Clover said, putting a hand on Harriet's shoulder.
"I'm sure you've realized that a good number of your men are still MIA, the reason for this is radiation contamination," Maxon stated. "Any of your men not in the facility are either in quarantine so the radiation can decay or they're dead," Maxon stated. Winter stilled, glances allowed her to see her fellow Specialists in the same boat.
"And our ships?" Clover inquired, sorrow clearly in his voice.
"Contaminated with enough radiation to kill a man in less than half an hour, even after heavy scrubbing." the other man in power armor answered. "It would be easier to scuttle the crafts than to clean them." They continued. Harriet glared at the man in armor before Clover gave him an inquisitive look.
"You've been cleaning them?" Clover inquired.
'Yes, the ones we could recover." The man replied.
Before Clover could ask Maxon cleared his throat with a cough. "Two of your ships had crashed and were left in no condition to be recovered by our fleet." He said bluntly. 'Now, we will soon be meeting with the representative from Atlas and Mary from the R.O.C. on the grounds of a meeting." Maxon said. "They likely discovered that we had recovered your fleet," Maxon paused. " I know the six of you will wish to be present at the meeting, and you will be at the meeting regardless of what I say," Maxon said before another officer arrived. "They're here?" he inquired. The officer only nodded before Maxon sent him off. "Any moment they will be here, and negotiations will begin," Maxon stated.