Chapter 5:
Citadel
"This place will become your home..."
Six was looking over the prisoners as the Bullhead landed behind him. The hatches opening to reveal the Huntsman who could only stare unabashedly at the carnage in the campsite before looking towards the four prisoners sitting in a haphazard circle.
"How many?" The Huntsman, Port, asked.
"Four." Six replied. "Three with warrants. The other has gunshot wounds."
The Huntsman looked back to the bodies. Seemingly trying to find his words.
"You've, ah, you've proven very efficient."
Six gave a light shrug.
"I aim to please."
The two turned to the prisoners.
"Her first."
Six gestured to the one with gunshot wounds.
Both Six and Port approached the woman. Each placing an arm under her.
"Ready?" Port asked. "And, lift."
The two easily lifted the woman up.
"Careful."
They brought her to the bullhead, lifting her inside and laying her down.
Two prisoners were already inside the aircraft.
"I'll retrieve the others." Six left the aircraft, leaving Port with the prisoners.
"Azul?" Port called to the pilot.
Azul stuck his head out of the cockpit. "Yes Professor?"
"Do you have a first aid kit with painkillers? This woman has been shot."
"I'll find it."
"Now Miss. Would you be able to tell me your name?"
The Faunus woman looked to Peter.
"D-Dora. Dora Colt."
"Peter Port, a pleasure."
Peter took out his scroll and began to take down her information.
"What type of Faunus are you Miss Colt?"
"Horse."
"How many gunshots have you suffered?"
"I don't know."
Six returned with one of the other Faunus.
"Idna Upine."
Port turned to him.
"How many gunshots did she suffer?"
"Three. All friendly fire. Low calibre rifle round."
Six left to get the next prisoner. Dora watching as he left.
"Here." Azul came into the bay, holding a small bag. He knelt next to the woman and rolled up her sleeve. "I'm going to give you a shot of morphine. It'll take a few minutes but the pain will recede."
Azul slowly injected the drug into Dora. Once he was done Azul removed the needle from her arm before he stood up again and returned to the cockpit.
Six returned with the next body. "Shera Ram."
Dora's gaze shifted to the two Faunus who were already sitting in the aircraft. They were huddled together and both were breathing softly. Obviously asleep. She took note of the White Fang uniforms they wore.
"Who are they?" Dora asked. Slurring the words slightly in her state.
"Dayton Citra and Glas Luna" Peter replied. Gesturing from right to left. "Don't wake them. They've had a rough day and deserve their rest." Peter looked to the woman with a large smile on his face.
The final body was loaded into the Bullhead. "Hena Aardvolf."
Six climbed into the Bullhead.
"Ready. Take us back." Six called to Azul.
"Got it." Azul replied. He flipped some switches on the control panel, closing the Bullhead doors and preparing for take-off.
Port stood from his seat and made his way to the other seat in the cockpit. "I'll call Ozpin. Let him know we're done."
Six moved to sit where Peter had sat.
Dora watched the man move. Her mind clouded. She shifted her gaze to the other White Fang members in the bay. 'There were fourteen of us...' The thought drifted through her mind. There were fourteen in the camp in all. She watched as he decimated four of her friends. 'It barely took him a minute...' Her eyes wandered over to the other two sleeping in the corner of the bullhead. 'Where did they come from...?' Those two weren't in the camp. They were already in the bullhead. Did he go to more camps than her one? Her eyes drifted to the man, no, the Demon responsible sitting in the other corner like a silent monolith. How many of her brethren did it kill?
Any more thoughts Dora could of had were interrupted by a yawn escaping from one of the lieutenants she was slated to follow.
Idna Upine's eyes fluttered open before closing sharply in a pained grimace. His arms hurt. Really hurt. Trying to move his arms made the pain worse. He was restrained and his arms felt like they were broken. Idna opened his eyes again. Gazing at the dull grey interior.
"What's happening?"
Idna's gaze fell upon the bodies of his comrades.
"Shera? Hena?" He called softly.
His eyes fell upon Dora. Looking back at him through tired eyes.
"You, what's happening?"
Dora's eyes turned to the other two White Fang before drifting back to Idna.
Idna turned his attention to the two.
"Hey? Hey!"
"Now now." Another voice interjected. Idna turned his attention to one of the others in the craft who was poking their head out from the cockpit. A human. "They need their rest, no need to wake them."
Idna snarled at the man. "Go to hell human! You two! What's happening!" He yelled at the two, startling them awake.
"What?" One of them said. Looking around the Bullhead before eyes locking on the Demon in the opposite corner. That's when he started screaming.
"Answer me damnit!" Idna went unnoticed by them. Both of their focus was on the Demon.
It moved. Standing and walking over to them. It slouched, having to duck slightly to avoid the roof. "Be Silent." It said. It's attention was on all of the White Fang members now. "You are all under arrest. Everything you say is being recorded and can be used as evidence in a court of law."
"On what charges?!" Idna yelled at the giant. Who went silent. A minute went by without a reply. "That's what I tho-"
"Having an open alcohol container in a public space."
"What?" Idna replied.
"Two counts of Public Intoxication."
"Are you?"
"Three counts of Disturbing the Peace."
"Alright I get-"
"One count of Driving Under the Influence."
"You really think I'll be-"
"Seven counts of Vandalism. Nine Counts of Harassment. Aiding and Abetting a known terrorist organisation. Possession of explosives with criminal intent. Twenty-Three counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. Trespassing. Destruction of Private Property. One count of Arson. One Count of Conspiracy to commit Arson, Murder and Assault. Thirty-Seven counts of Hate Crimes." Idna's mouth hung open in silence.
"Any other questions?" The giant asked.
There was no reply. The rest of the flight was silent.
The sun had set by the time the Bullhead had arrived back at Beacon Academy. Two Bullheads with the Vale Police Department's markings was waiting on the landing platform with four officers standing alongside Glynda Goodwitch. The bullhead slowly descended, the hatches opening up. The officers quickly began transferring the detainees to the police Bullheads.
"Welcome back." Glynda greeted.
"Good evening Glynda." Port said back.
Six silently left the Bullhead, another splinter of cracks appearing under him before he began making his way to Ozpin's office.
"Well I guess I'll head home then." Azul called from the aircraft.
"Mr. Dourado, please accompany us to the Headmasters office." Glynda replied.
"Or that, okay." Azul took his helmet off before following behind Six, walking beside Port.
Glynda glanced down at the cracks Six made in the concrete, wordlessly she retrieved her riding crop and waved it at the area. Fixing the damage before she turned around and began walking back to Ozpin's office.
The grounds were quiet as they walked. Most of the students had retired to their dorms for the day leaving the the area with a noticeable lack of activity.
"It seems Operation: Black Eye was a success." Rho chimed in my ear. "I'm finishing off our report as I speak, or vocalise, or...What do I do?"
"Rho, Focus."
"Ah, yes. I've also almost finished compiling the locations of the strongholds based inside the city, for your perusal."
"Thank you, Rho."
"No problem, Six."
I had to wait for everyone else to go up the lift before I could get on. My Mjolnir armour would make the ride too cramped otherwise. It gives me time to reflect. To think on my fallen comrades. I pat the hardcase on my leg where their tags are held. I hear the soft ding as the lift reaches the correct floor. I step out and walk over to Ozpin's desk, giving a short salute.
Off to the side of the desk stood Azul, the odd one out of us.
"So why are we here?" Azul asked. "Or, why am I here at least?"
"For debriefing, of course." Rho's voice echoed around the room.
"And who said that?" The pilot asked.
Rho's form coalesced over Ozpin's desk. As was becoming the norm, the elevator locked access to the floor and the upper windows closed. Darkening the room and allowing Rho's from to be seen easier.
Both Azul and Port stared at Rho.
Rho 'looked' at both men. "Before I begin, any questions?"
Azul slowly raised his hand.
"Yes?"
"What are you?"
Rho smiled, His wires briefly turning lilac then back to orange.
"I am RHO 0313-8. UNSC Battle Ready Smart A.I. assigned to SPARTAN B-312."
"And what does A.I. stand for?"
"Artificial Intelligence."
Azul tentatively stepped forward and waved his hand through Rho.
"That's not necessary."
"Very interesting."
Rho turned to Port.
"Thank you, Professor Port." Rho watched as Azul backed away. "Now, both of you have just participated in a joint trust-building op between Beacon Academy and UNSC representatives."
Rho paused as Azul slowly raised his arm again. "Mr. Dourado. And you Prof. Port, please refrain any questions you may have until I have finished the debrief."
Both men silently nodded.
"Thank you. Now." Various holographic screens popped up around Rho. "The purpose of this op was so that Mister Ozpin could assess SPARTAN B-312's effectiveness in the field and so that our two sides can display willingness to co-operate and trust each other."
Rho focused in on both Port and Azul. "You two have participated in what is called 'Operation: BLACK EYE.' The details of your involvement and the op itself are classified and you are not allowed to divulge this information to anyone. Even if they family or close friends."
Rho turned his attention to Ozpin.
"Mister Ozpin. BLACK EYE has been a success. All five bases have been dismantled with six prisoners being taken. Three High Value Targets and three recruits of the White Fang. I have already taken the initiative and uploaded my report to your desk, and I have almost finished compiling a list of bases within the city walls to strike at. At your discretion."
"Thank you Rho."
"Your questions, Gentlemen?" Rho asked the two.
"Yeah." Azul answered. "I can't tell anyone?"
"No."
"Not even my Fiancée?"
"No Mr. Dourado. Not even in drunken ramblings are you allowed to tell another soul unless you have received express permission to."
"Okay. I get it. I won't say a thing."
"Good Mr. Dourado. Professor Port, do you have any questions?"
The rotund man gave it some thought before he asked his question.
"What is the UNSC?"
A smile crossed Rho's small face. Wires turning pink before returning to orange.
"The UNSC is the United Nations Space Command."
"You're not from here, are you?"
"Very astute Professor Port. No. We are not, which is why you cannot tell anyone. We want to keep those who know of us to a minimum. Keep our presence here relatively quiet." Rho turned to Ozpin. "I assume you have everything under control from here Mister Ozpin?"
"Yes Rho, you and Noble Six are dismissed."
"Thank you Mister Ozpin. Gentlemen, goodnight."
Rho dissipated. I nodded at Ozpin before I headed to the elevator. Rest finally being on my mind.
I watched the two go before I turned my attention to Peter and Mr. Dourado.
"They're aliens."
Before Ozpin could begin Azul started talking.
"They are aliens."
He turned his attention to the room at large. "They Are Aliens!"
"Yes Mr. Dourado, but I would like to discuss some things."
"I, I don't mean to be rude but I'm gonna need a few minutes to let this sink in."
"Very well. Take as much time as you need." Azul walked off to the other side of the room, I swapped my attention to Peter.
"What do you have to report?"
"Well, I'd be lying if I said he wasn't effective."
"Could you go into specifics? I know what you saw at the first site but what of the others?"
"Well, each base was the same story. No survivors. Data wiped. Bodies everywhere. I counted anywhere between ten to twenty bodies for each site."
"And the prisoners that were taken?"
"I can't tell you much about the last four but the first two were picked up at the first base. Glas and Dayton. Noble Six apparently interrogated them but they refuse to go into specifics about what happened. When I questioned them they both said they were leaving the White Fang. So they both seem to be trying to make better life choices."
"Thank you Peter. I want a proper report by tomorrow afternoon. You may go."
"Have a good evening Ozpin, Glynda." Peter left my office. The elevator making a soft chime to signal it had reached the floor.
"Mr. Dourado."
Azul walked over.
"Yes, Headmaster?"
"A few things before you may go Mr. Dourado."
"Yes?"
"You are being directly contracted by the Academy to be Noble Six' personal pilot. The hours may become more erratic in which you'll be contacted to provide aerial transport but you will be better compensated. As Rho said. the less people who know, the better."
"Well, I'm not complaining."
"And you will be able to keep using the Bullhead you are now."
"Well I'm definitely not complaining."
"We'll have everything ready by tomorrow. Until then head home and get some sleep."
"Thank you, have a goodnight Headmaster," Azul turned his attention to Glynda. "Madam,"
The man made his exit, leaving just myself and Glynda left in the room.
"I still think this is a bad idea Ozpin. We can't just let them operate without discretion."
"I know, Glynda. But it is still a better choice than what I fear comes next."
Under a bloody sky in a dark land a lone figure walked. She had white skin and hair and wore a black dress. She crested a hill and found herself looking out over a great expanse. It was a sea of black tar pits. Rising out came the twisted forms of wolves and bears.
"The new batch is coming well." She called, an ancient voice rumbled back.
"They heed the beck and call of the grave, they of simple mind. They thrash and tear and roar. Clawing for a world left behind."
She smiled. She watched the various forms emerge from the tar like substance. For how long, she didn't know.
"My new subordinates, they do not trust you."
Again the voice rumbled back.
"Heresy and impudence. It shall be dealt with in time."
Hello! Surprise I guess. I debated with myself whether to include the final part in this chapter or next chapter. But I like it here.
Some things. I made some edits to the first chapter and changed the instances of U.N.S.C to UNSC, changed the intro a bit and gave Rho a redesign because I realised the canon AI's were either one colour or focused on A colour. And picturing Rho as he was, he was UGLY. So I changed Rho's design to be grey based but retaining the colour wires 'cause I like that. I also did some cleanup on previous chapters, just removing the giant walls of text that I used to answer questions and the like. Turning to shorter updates like this one.
The Return of the Rho Colour Guide. Three new Colours to add.
Pride - Lilac
Happiness - White
Impressed - Pink
Please, review at your discretion.
Have A Nice Day!