Ozpin looked outside the window of his office, a cup of freshly brewed hot cocoa in his hands. Spacing at the window at times helps calm him down in stressful situations, after all, it is a gorgeous view. He takes a sip of his cocoa and frowns. He wished he could enjoy the beautiful morning.
Recent events have not gone so favorably, with the mine attacks, the investigation still bearing no fruit, and now an intervention into Vale. All so close to the Vytal Festival too, it practically has Salem written on it.
He knew that the increased destruction of the mining towns in Southern Vale would cause fear and panic, but with the council pressuring him, and Jacques's statement yesterday, well there's a reason why he called for a meeting.
His desk chimes, it's time. He takes another sip and sighs, before walking to his desk and sitting down. Incoming call from Glynda, Qrow, James, Clover, and Winter. James is bringing his all to Vale, isn't he? While Ozpin can appreciate the effort, the last thing Vale needs is an army standing around doing nothing, while her pawns work to sew chaos.
But then again, recent events have forced him to change his mind on the matter.
The images of all 5 people flashed on his view, and immediately Qrow's face scrunches.
"Do you have to get more people involved James, especially him and her?" The veteran huntsman asks, his voice slightly slurred due to alcohol.
"With all due respect Qrow, Specialist Winter is my right hand, and Clover is the leader of Ace Ops. I feel they have a right to be involved, especially given the circumstances that forced this meeting."
"We had it under control, we don't need your tin cans walking around making things worse!" Qrow's gaze hardens, and Ozpin sighs as the veteran huntsman and the general are going into another spat again.
"15 destroyed towns say otherwise Qrow! People are terrified in Southern Vale and Grimm attacks are increasing in the region. Vale is losing control, and it's time for Atlas to step in."
"Gentlemen." The voice of the wizened headmaster interrupted their spat, within a moment the two cooled down and collected themselves.
"I understand your concerns, however, given recent events." Winter looked away from her screen, embarrassed that her father put them in this situation. "We must set aside our opinions on one another and work towards fighting against this unknown foe. Glynda, would you begin?"
The image, or rather an artistic interpretation, of a very tall, heavily armored ancient humanoid Grimm with a prosthetic arm appears on the screen. The artist took some liberties as said Grimm is currently tearing an atlesian squad apart with its blade. Ironwood is not impressed while Clover and Winter looked confused. Qrow's gaze grew darker.
"Apologies for the art general, but it is hard to obtain proper images of it when all we have are scant witness testimonies."
"Apologies accepted Glynda, now tell us what we're dealing with here."
"The Grimm you're seeing here is one that we have never encountered before, from the Ancients on the continent of Oblivion to the young Grimm founded on the borders of civilization. We've thought we have seen it all. However, this Grimm, nicknamed Odin, continues to baffle us even after its first…unfortunate appearance 12 years ago."
"To put it in terms you military folks can understand." Qrow takes a swig from his flask before continuing. "Odin, that valkyrie bastard, makes absolutely no sense. It appears, but what survivors there are says that it only watches. It has a pattern but is only interested in Western Mistrali Archeology out of all things. Not to mention the unexplained prosthetic arm it has. All the while we barely have a proper understanding of how it fights, making it all the more dangerous."
"That's it?" Clover spoke, having a wry smile on his face. "That is the mysterious Grimm that you guys have been hunting for 12 years? Honestly, I'm kind of disappointed, I was expecting something horrific and menacing. A real kingdom knocker if you know what I'm saying, not some weird Valean mythos cosplayer."
"The bloody thing can speak Clover."
Clover's smiles faded while Winter's attention was caught by Qrow.
"With all due respect Qrow, there are cases where ancient Grimm have been recorded to speak, albeit in a limited capacity." Winter calmly said, while true this only made Qrow's gaze harden.
"That's mimicry Ice Queen. This thing can speak proper sentences like a proper human."
Winter looks visibly shocked, while James simply closed his eyes, recalling the time Ozpin told him about Odin. He had his men scour the island for any signs of Odin, yet they found nothing. At least the populace of Patch is grateful for the massive decrease in Grimm.
"But that's impossible, Grimm are incapable of complex speech, every encounter with an ancient Grimm has proven this!" Winter spoke up, trying to disprove Qrow to no avail.
Qrow grimly laughs. "Oh how I wish that was true, but it wasn't. That thing not only can speak, but it can think! It can plan, it can fight, and it got a whole hodgepodge of skills that we don't even know! "
Clover and Winters' eyes went into shock and horror, Qrow again grimly laughs and continued.
"That thing got a bunch of beowolves to break into Taiyang's house and stole my niece! And when Summer found the bastard, the thing told her it was kidnapping Ruby as a "mercy" towards her. Something about Huntsmen dying, and that it would be "easier" for her if it just took her. And the worst part is that it was holding back! Summer herself said, that while she was fighting it. It was deliberately holding back its power in its strikes! It went all out when…"
Qrow's eyes start to tear up, and everyone in the meeting looks visibly worried for Qrow.
"Qrow…" Ozpin spoke up, trying to reassure him from what he considered to be his biggest failure.
"Ruby is d e a d, Ozpin. That thing killed Ruby and it's all my fault! My damn semblance always catches me this way, giving me a good day's worth of luck and then hitting me with THIS right at the end! Had I just been more aware, or faster, or just powered through the storm, maybe I could have saved them!" His voice is shaky and tears are running down his cheek.
"Qrow…Do you want to talk about this?" Clover spoke up, concern in his voice as Qrow takes a deep breath and wipes away his tears.
"No no, I'm fine, just got a bit carried away with my emotions. Let's just keep this meeting brief shall we?" He gave a grim chuckle, trying to relax the mood after his outburst.
After a period of silence, Glynda spoke up, trying to move the meeting back on topic.
"Either way," Glynda spoke again. "recently there's been news of ancient ruins in Central Vale, some stated that they belonged to the mythical Asgard Kingdom."
Ozpin suddenly paid more attention when Glynda said Asgard. For some reason, that name felt strangely familiar to him.
"I doubt they are Asgardian, but Profess-. I mean Doctor Oobleck insisted that the architecture matches ancient Valean myths and religious texts. And given Odin's behavior, there is a chance of its arrival at the site. I know it's a stretch, especially given that it has a pattern, but I figured that any archeological site might attract Odin. Given that's all we got of the threat."
"Which brings us to our assignments." James finally spoke. "Given the situation at Vale, my army will provide security protection to the settlements in Southern Vale and the city proper. Given how close the Vytal festival is, the chance of our unknown foe striking at what should be a celebration of peace is too great."
James went silent for a moment before speaking. "I know you don't want this Oz, but with both Jacques and the Atlesian Council pressuring me-."
"I know James, the Valean Council has been pressuring me to do something about these attacks. While normally, your army would bring fear and worry to the city. Right now it would be the pillar of hope and stability that Vale needs."
James beamed at hearing those words. "Thank you Oz, my men will not let you down. Speaking of which. Clover."
"Yes general!"
"You and Ace Ops are responsible for investigating the attacks on the SDC mining towns in Southern Vale. You will be the vanguard until we can bring our full force, and you're taking a detachment of Atlesian Marines as a backup. Report and follow on any lead you find, the sooner we find out who is responsible for it, the sooner we can react."
Clover nods in response. "Yes General, we will begin to prepare after this meeting."
James smiled. "Good, Winter."
"Yes, general?"
"You will help me organize and maintain our forces in Vale, and prepare a strike force for any anomalous events in the Kingdom after our arrival." James then smiled. "Though since I heard that your sister would be attending Beacon this year, I can assign some officers to lessen the burden."
Winter stared dumbfounded before her face lit up, realizing what James was saying.
"Thank you, General." She smiled, which caused Qrow and Clover to smile too.
"Good, given that Atlas will lessen the burden on our end," Ozpin spoke with a calm tone, processing the new information presented to him. "Glynda, you will return to Beacon and help Oobleck and Port with initiation. Though there are pressing matters at hand, we're still a school after all."
Glynda nodded, Ozpin then turned his attention to Qrow, who is once again drinking alcohol from his flask.
"Qrow, when you are finished at Vacuo, assist Clover and Ace Ops in any way you can."
Qrow gave a thumbs up while drinking, before finishing his flask and speaking. "Ya got it Oz man."
"Good," Ozpin smiled, content with how this meeting went. "I believed this meeting is adjourned, I look forward to meeting you James. We have much to discuss in person."
James nodded, before he, Glynda, and Winter left the meeting. Right before Qrow could leave Clover spoke.
"Hey, Qrow."
"Yeah Clover, need anything from Vacuo?"
"No Qrow. I just need to say this, if you need someone to talk to. Someone whose shoulder you can cry into, I'll be there for you." Clover said while giving a comforting smile.
Qrow was taken aback by Clover's words. He processes what Clover said, before smiling at him. "Thanks man, I'll see you in Vale."
The two left the meeting, leaving Ozpin all alone in his office with his thoughts, and the ticking of the clocktower.
"Asgard, why does that sound familiar? Could it be a kingdom from my past as a guardian of this world? Immortality sure has its benefits, but the years blur together after some time."
He sighs, before taking a sip from his cocoa. He's taken aback when the normally hot brew is suddenly cold. Looking at the time, it's been 8 minutes since the meeting started.
It sure felt longer, but the coffee should have been at least warm at this time. Previous experience from his past lives tells him that this is an omen, a bad omen. He got up and looked out at the window, wondering what will happen in the future.
"Just what are you planning at, Salem?"