Hello everyone, author here and I wish to apologize first. This story has been delayed by over a month than originally planned and even then I have not created a sufficient backlog. I had to finish another story on another profile, then turned sick for a month with various illnesses sequentially knocking me down. I incidentally witnessed a murder and had some harrowing incidents follow, issues with home and vehicles, started college once more, etc. Life came at me fast and hard over this hiatus.

Now what this means is that I do wish to start uploading once more but this time I may be able to only upload one chapter every two weeks. This may be interrupted if the backlog clears out too fast leading to a brief pause or preferably, I create a larger backlog of chapters and can begin posting once a week again.

As I've said I intend to see this story to completion and am trying to get back into the flow of things. with that info and my apology out of the way, here is the first chapter of CRLN in their second arc. Please enjoy.

Silence. It filled the air of the Bullhead's cabin as the dull hum of its engines reminded them that they were indeed alive. Having already rested, their nerves prevented them from sleeping any longer than a few sparse hours, the boys had no energy to speak and instead turned inward, thinking to themselves. It was the only distraction from Sun in a stretcher and a small monitor reading out his heartbeat and the events that led to it or Neptune who curled into a ball atop his seat, long having cried his last tears into silence before the bird had even departed the landing pad.

The worst was perhaps Port. The usually exuberant man could not fill the air with his loud voice and boastful talk. He had nothing to say as a remorseful expression set upon his features and brow. At least that which could be seen past the bandages. This man, their benefactor, couldn't bear to look them in the eye and despondently stared out the window as they returned to Beacon. To home.

Yet despite their losses and valiant struggle, the first thing to meet team CRLN's eyes upon returning was the view of Vale and its wall smoldering from a recent attack. Something they were only now finding out through the bullhead's pilot. Having only been informed himself recently through his headset he could only give the bare minimum to them in detail.

Locally known as "The breach" they were told that the White Fang led by Roman Torchwick rammed a train full of explosives through an old underground passage that was previously blocked off. Casualties were unknown but the incident was resolved thanks in part to Atlas' army on standby and Beacon's students who rushed to the scene.

This dour news brought confusion onto the boys and their teacher who was brought out of his stupor momentarily from the shock. Despite their exhaustion, Niel, and even Lukas, wished to help in the aftermath. With a somber order, Caelum calmed them as he instructed them to return to Beacon first, give a full report in addition to the hasty one they had given upon calling for an evac at Figura, and then once medically cleared, assist.

It was with utter shock and confusion that they stepped off the bullhead at Beacon's air dock and saw Ozpin and Goodwitch standing to either side of Ironwood with a dozen soldiers and bots aiming their weapons clear at their chests.

The boys were caught off guard and looked quizically around, even Caelum, quick to draw his weapon at a clear provaction, hesitated at the unexpected welcome. They didn't realize what was going on until Port bellowed from within the bullhead and ran in front of them with a slight limp. "What is the meaning of this!" he demanded raising his arms to defend his students.

"Please step aside Professor" requested Ironwood.

"Explain yourself first!" repeated Port. "Why are my students at gunpoint?!"

Ironwood glanced at Ozpin who raised a hand off his cane. Gently lowering it, he asked Port to comply. "Please Port. Do as James says."

Bewildered, Port's arms slackened as he stared at the headmaster and Glynda who kept her eyes shut and nodded. At Ironwood's insistence, two soldiers took Port aside so everything could be explained to him afterward.

With Port out of the way, the guns stayed level, and team CRLN still. Ironwood gave another order to half his men present. "Grab the injured and escort them to the medical bay immediately."

His firm command was followed immediately as four men grabbed Sun and Neptune, carrying them off. All eyes watched the two boys get carried away, Team CRLN was relieved that official medical help would be received and the burden off themselves. The Professors, General, and soldiers who saw Neptune's Mental state and Sun's physical condition, went slack-jawed at worst, grimacing and wincing at the best.

Glynda brought a hand to her mouth, eyes following after the soldiers hurrying away with the injured boys. James and Ozpin however spared only a fleeting glance their way, choosing instead to focus on the team before them. Finally, Ironwood declared his intention.

"Caelum Hyalus and your team 'CRLN' are hereby under arrest for suspicion of aiding in terrorist activities and plotting to overthrow the kingdom of Vale. Along with a myriad of other charges, you are hereby under house arrest in your dorm, under guard until a court and military tribunal can be arranged."

None of the boys could muster a response, even Lukas was so struck with surprise that he simply stared widely. It was Caelum who mustered defiance in his striking brown irises as he glowered at the General. The older man simply sneered at the boy as he snapped his fingers. Four soldiers stepped forward with handcuffs until Ozpin clacked his staff against the ground.

At the loud "clack" Ironwood and his soldiers turned to Ozpin. "That" grit Ozpin. "Will be enough James." with a gesture of Ozpin's head James followed the tilt to see the masses of students and civilians at the air dock who were staring at the scene with rapt fascination.

"Very well Ozpin" conceded Ironwood.

Ozpin nodded a small thanks and turned to the accused. "Boys, please follow these men to your dorm. Further instructions will arrive. Do not worry. And I'm sorry to say but please leave your weapons with Miss Goodwitch."

With a start, Glynda's head snapped back towards Ozpin who only inclined his head towards team CRLN. Quickly schooling her features, she stepped towards the boys. Raising her riding crop the boy's weapons began floating to her side. Raidens railgun in its square storage form unlatched itself, Lukas's suitcase came off his lower back, Niels revolvers unholstered themselves, and Caelum's MG sling popped off. Instinctively he found himself gripping the weapon as it attempted to float away.

"Mr. Hyalus" warned Glynda with a stern yet compassionate tone. It was clear she was warning him for his own sake. With clenched jaws, he released his weapon. "Thank you. These will be stored safely in your rocket lockers. The functions of which shall be disabled until further notice." she informed before stepping back.

And so the four boys nodded, now disarmed and bewildered, they followed the soldiers escorting them. Caelum moved slowest, ensuring a furious glare was sent at the General before he left. The scene ended as abruptly as it started as the two men of importance strolled behind and quietly spoke among themselves, neither seemingly pleased.

From afar, eight students had watched the scene unfold, unable to look away or make sense of it. Had they heard right? Teams RWBY and CFVY couldn't make sense of it.

They had been organizing relief packages and awaiting other students to return to Beacon so they could direct their assistance when Coco noticed a familiar face step off the latest bullhead through the crowds.

She had barely waved a hand and shouted "Cae!" when Ironwood arrived and promptly declared their charges and arrested them. Both teams were stunned into silence.

It was Yang who broke the silence first. "I knew there was something off about them, especially Caelum."

Ruby was the first to interject. "That's not true Yang! There, there has to be some kind of mistake! He's a little, you know, mean but he can't be a bad guy! Why else would he be training to be a huntsman like us? Or- or why would he help us?"

Yang looked softly at her sister. "Ruby…" her tone suddenly hardened as she recalled her own personal experience. "He nearly collapsed my windpipe."

Ruby turned slightly more meek at the fact. "Okay… b-but he's been helping me train and learn to lead better too!"

"And I've said you don't need someone like that to help you, Rubes. You and everyone else for that matter would be better off without him. I mean look, he even dragged his team down with him."

"Hey now 'Hot top" interrupted Coco with an impromptu nickname. "I'm with Ruby on this one. He's rough around every edge you can think of but has he ever been malicious outside a fight?" Yang turned silent at her senior's question. She clearly wanted to voice her opinion but felt it mattered little when faced with her senior's reputable opinion.

"He's as straight-laced as Weiss over there and as mysterious as Blake or Fox. I don't think you should go giving out sentences just because he makes those traits unlikeable to you."

Weiss then joined in. "But Coco, you can't deny that he's different in some aspects."

Blake concurred. "I have to admit… he reminds me of some people I used to know and not in a good way." As Blake grasped her elbow in discomfort at her memories, her teammates realized the insinuation to her past with the Fang as Team CFVY were left to only take her word at face value.

Weiss followed with a question of concern. "The General wouldn't bring up an accusation like this in public if there wasn't some merit to it. It'd ruin his and Atlas' reputation"

"Regardless of his character, could any of you really see him committing the crimes he's accused of? Or intentionally harming another?" asked Fox. The silence that arose was not of agreement but genuine curiosity. Just what did they think of the enigmatic boy?

This question drew the most conflict from Ruby as she recalled what Raiden had said at the dance. "He even told me that if we hadn't made eye contact at initiation, he would've left me to die." The sentence echoed in her mind as plausibility struck at her faith. Perhaps Caelum wouldn't harm anyone intentionally but maybe, he might just turn a blind eye.

Yatsuhashi, who seemed to have been in a stupor, wide-eyed and unable to speak until now raised his agreement with hesitance. "Ehem, even if he is guilty, let us not condemn his team members until sufficient evidence is proven" nodded Yatsuhashi.

Finally, Velvet added her opinion, timidly raising a hand as she spoke. " Aside from Coco, I've also fought him regularly in our training sessions. I've even used my semblance to copy his form… so in a way, I know how he feels because I can't replicate the emotion behind his swings. He has anger and frustration. An obsession I think. But when I see him with his team, or talking to Coco, or even instructing you Ruby-" The smaller girl seemed surprised that anyone had been watching their sessions, something Velvet giggled at briefly. "I feel like he has a small sense of kindness hidden behind that expression of his."

The unusually observant remark left no room for argument as the eight continued to ponder over the scene and possibilities. Now however they all thought over each of the boys and what would await them. With such severe charges and General Ironwood himself declaring them, could one even be found innocent at this point?

Discussions were not so amiable in Ozpins tower, however. A scroll clattered on Ozpins desk as Ironwood leaned over and glared at the headmaster. Jamming a finger into the pictures of 'The breach' on the scroll he sneered. "He had a part to play Ozpin."

Ozpin glanced at the images of the breach and of Sun Wukong and Neptune Vasilas in the infirmary as well as the enrollment pictures of Sage and Scarlett with the status of KIA under them. "I understand your frustrations, James but we cannot act without thought."

"Waiting to see is exactly what our enemies want Ozpin!" Ironwood threw a hand to the side in exclamation. "Now we have a startled populace, evidence of vulnerable national security in Vale, your friend injured and two of your precious exchange students dead."

Ozpin was old and wise enough to know James was trying to rile his emotions. "And we have captured the orchestrator of the breach, apprehended a cell of the White Fang operating in the area, proved to the populace Huntsman can be relied upon, and most importantly, my friend and six students came back alive."

Ironwood straightened his back as he glared down at Ozpin. A sudden fatigue taking his expression and tone. "Torchwick was no more than a pawn. His testimony implicates the boy and even suggests he has had a hand in further dealings."

"He said a single word James. A none too polite word but hardly a confession. We must think with level heads lest we persecute the innocent in our pursuit of the criminal."

Ironwood grit his jaw and muttered. "I should've never allowed the council to loosen his leash."

Ozpin closed his eyes and sighed. "Be that your opinion James, I will not imprison my students nor concede on the Hyalus boy."

Ironwood took an indignant tone. "The damage could have been far worse! You know of his families history and what he is!"

Ozpin gave a cold glare at James from behind crossed hands as he leaned forward on his desk. "Was the actions he taken in the latter half his life not at the behest of your kingdom? Is it not an internal issue that the Kingdom of Atlas imposed as recompense?"

Ironwood brushed aside the fact. "Your Laissez-faire way of doing things allowed that thing to aid in the largest terrorist attack in the hsitory of Remnant!"

"Ozpin raised his tone a fraction in response to James. "He is a boy suffering from your speculation not an object."

"Don't lecture me on the utilization of resources Ozpin!" the atmosphere of the room notably chilled as the two peers stared at one another. Having calmed somewhat, Ironwood continued as he turned towards the door. "I will find the truth even if I have to remove that brat."

Ozpin called after Ironwood who stopped before the elevator with his back turned. "He is my student. Not your tool of convenience. It was a part of our agreement upon his enrollment here. You wish to enhance his usefulness as you called it without exposing him to Atlas's elite while also preventing him from having the opportunity to form contacts domestically. Now I am telling you. Abide by the law of Beacon and Vale or you will find you and your army will have no place here."

Realization struck Ironwood. "You may have the boy as long as he is enrolled here but I Atlas has his family to leash him down."

Ozpins tone shifted to mild disappointment. "James…" Ironwood was too heated to continue and entered the elevator. A mildly polite nod as his farewell when the doors closed. Ozpin sighed as he sipped at his now cold coffee when a little bird flew in.

Within an instant, a grizzled man stumbled into the center of the room. Ozpin adjusted his glasses and posed a question. "Thoughts Qrow?"

"I think Jimmy there has more sticks up his ass than he does beef with a sixteen year old."

Eloquent as ever" sighed Ozpin as Qrow grimaced before taking a swig from his flask and looking slightly better for it. "I'd prefer you sober for this-"

"Doesn't everyone?" snarked Qrow.

"But… we hardly have the luxury of preference in our line of work. I want you to watch those boys in your other form."

"Think they're trouble after all?" asked Qrow.

Ozpin shook his head a fraction. "I'd rather James not cause any further incident. It's clear as day the boy and he hold great animosity to eachother."

"But you don't fully trust their testimony either, do you?"

"There are many mysteries in this world Qrow, and everyday there are more uncovered than answered."

Qrow waved his flask dismissively. "Spare me, I'll get right onto watching the brats after I top off ol' faithful here."

"Thank you old friend."

Attitudes faired no better for the accused either as they sat alone in their dorm, noticing that on their way, their schoolmates they shared the floor with were vacated as Guards occupied both ends of the hall, their front door, and even outside below their window. They were restricted to their room all day, only being visited by medical personnel for a check up under strict Atlas supervision.

The four had healed remarkably well considering the fatigue they had when they arrived to Figura. Even Raiden who was the most fragile and suffered aura drain was looking less pale and more lively. Yet with the turmoil of that night still fresh in their mind and their reception, they could only feel pity for Neptune who had been dragged away from them, isolated from the only other survivors of that nightmare.

They felt an indescribable way as they recalled how Neptune had reacted upon their return. They were told he had shut down completely after Caelum used his semblance to evacuate him. Guilt presumably. Then when they returned, ragtag and barely able to stand with Sun dragged along on a pieced-together stretcher of cloth and sticks he fell apart.

Neptune's mental state couldn't handle the sight of his leader and exuberant friend reduced to the broken state they had retrieved him. It took a fair amount of locals to subdue and calm him as the boys checked on Port and radioed Beacon for a pickup. The townsmen of Figura had given them curious and fearful glances at seeing their states yet dared not ask. It was a thankful reprieve for the boys who couldn't even begin to describe it for them had they asked.

It was with this depressive memory of the night's before that they sat in their room with complex emotions running about their minds.

Caelum was on a call with his father. The man's voice surprising his team and drawing their curiosity as he paced around. Caelum feigned a smile in response to his fathers lax attitude and own smile as they spoke. "It seems the family and I are on house arrest."

"Funny, so am I" responded Caelum with a bitter grin. The two family members continued speaking vaguely and sparsely before deviating to topics on their family. It was obvious the secrecy of the former as they spared no detail in asking about the welfare of eachother and their relatives.

As their leader held his important call, the other three members of CRLN began speculating in low tones as to why they were arrested. Cautious of any prying ears.

Niel nervously rubbed his hands. "Is it because of what happened to Team SSSN? Do they not believe our initial report?"

Lukas shook his head in frustration. "They said we were terrorists!" he hissed. He then glanced around the room, as if searching for wiretaps, just knowing there had to be ears listening somewhere. In a hushed tone he leaned forward and glanced at Caelum who was still on call. "You know what that means."

They could overhear little of what Caelum's father was saying as a pregnant pause took them.

"I know you can't tell me everything that's happened son and I'm not sure whats going on but i'm sure this will blow over. I believe in you."

Raiden shook his head, dislodging the negative thoughts that ever pestered him. "But where did that part about overthrowing Vale come from? And Isn't a military tribunal for soldiers of foreign armies?"

Before his teammates could ponder, Caelum drew their attention as he ended the call with his father. "I assume, those two would be in regards to me specifically." With a clench of his fist, he snapped the school issued scroll in half.

"It seems those old bastards in Atlas finally want another Hyalus hung."

-Chapter End-