Author's Notes:

Disclaimer: This chapter was altered to expand on and explain Six's memory loss a bit more.

A cooldown chapter from the last one. Also, stick around, there has been an update to the upload schedule as I realized I made a mistake.

"Text"

"Speech"

Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY, Fallout, or any associated characters

Remnants of a Courier

Arc 4: Chaos Theory

Chapter 60: Victories and Defeats

Ozma watched the video again. The burly-looking man dressed in Great War era garb held down the purple and black mercenary before delivering a bullet to the poor man's head, courtesy of a revolver. Smoke escaped the barrel as a suspicious man in black swept around a corner and fired.

This had been his fault. He was tricked and it had cost lives. Normally, Ozma was ready to make such sacrifices but it stung harder when it wasn't a sacrifice but a mistake. Luckily, none of the students had been killed in the attack. The security personnel and the Voidwalkers had done their jobs well.

"Do we know who they are?" James cut in just before Ozma could play the video again.

Blinking, Ozpin came back to his senses and turned towards the General.

"We do, thanks to a keen eye and our surveillance system, we know that this was perpetrated by the Dogs of War."

The name Ozpin gave brought a frown to James' face. That frown only grew as the still image of a tattoo appeared on Ozpin's Scroll.

The General turned to the other occupant of the room–Glynda–and said, "I've dealt with them before. Some of the lowest scum you'll ever meet. But I've never known them to be this brazen."

The three of them were currently in his office. They could meet there once again on account that the window the Mimic broke was finally fixed.

"Perhaps the Voidwalkers and these Dogs of War are working together somehow? It seems convenient that the former was ready when this tragedy occurred."

Glynda had a point but Ozpin disagreed. Shaking his head, the old man replied, "Doubtful. From the evidence we gathered, we believe that they had three primary objectives."

Ozpin pulled up a separate still image, that of two Dogs of War disguised as White Fang trying to strip the armor and weapons off of the dead Voidwalker mercenary.

"The first," Ozpin began as he pointed towards the image. "Was to remove competition and acquire assets from them as shown here. Making me doubt that they were aligned together."

Pressing another button, a second image came into view. This time it was a blank folder that had once been filled on his computer.

"More disturbingly, they accessed our systems and my personal files. They knew of our external backups off-site as well and proceeded to corrupt or remove any files containing information on known Human-Faunus trafficking in Vale. Specifically, we believe that they were covering up the kidnappings that have been happening along the northern coast of Vale and more recently in Vale City itself. We're still unsure of how they're moving the victims but this breach will set us back by several months."

Glynda blinked several times before asking, "I had heard of it recently but didn't think it was getting this bad. How bad was the breach?"

The grey-haired man sighed as leaned back in his seat. "Bad. They didn't have time to steal information but that wasn't their goal. They came in and scrubbed several months worth of reports from our backups and our main server, as well as my personal computer. Luckily, I moved any files pertaining to Queen to another more secure location. A disturbing development that indicates we have enemies within our ranks."

The General shook his head as he replied, "A tragedy to be sure but nothing we can't handle once the looming threat of Queen is out of the way. What was the third objective?"

"The Mimic," Ozpin answered as he pulled up a final image, that of the intruder and The Mimic fighting. "While we didn't get the whole fight, we caught snippets of it happening. It is apparent that whoever employed the Dogs of War and this freelance mercenary want the Mimic dead." Ozpin decided to leave the part of Jet Cernunn being a former Cleaner out of the conversation, it would only serve to distract James.

A groan escaped James as he asked, "Does this mean we have a possible fourth party involved in the Queen's game?"

"Doubtful," The Headmaster replied as he shook his head. "It doesn't seem that they're aware of the ongoings of Queen. However I wouldn't take their capabilities lightly either. They could inadvertently hurt our chances or even the Queen's."

"And what of The Mimic himself?" Ironwood pressed. "Do we know why he was here?"

This time it was Glynda who spoke up. "Unfortunately, the data provided doesn't show much. He wasn't on our cameras for long and only a few students and faculty members encountered him. From the reports, he didn't seem to want to engage them and went solely after the Dogs of War. He even guided a student and guard to safety."

"So he was here for the Dogs huh," James commented as he rubbed a hand against his chin. "The enemy of my enemy isn't my friend. What reason could he have for going after them?"

"Perhaps the Voidwalkers and The Mimic are somehow connected?" Glynda provided.

Ironwood turned to her. "Possibly, their tactics are close to how Vale and Atlas militaries operate, and The Mimic has a similar level of competency. Perhaps he works for or once worked for them?"

Ozpin–who had been silent for this part of the conversation–leaned back in his chair before adding, "There's simply not enough evidence to link the two. For now, let's send agents to monitor Voidwalker movements. I'd also like to get an agent inside their ranks if possible. I'm afraid that's all we can currently do with our forces spread so thin."

"It's like every time we go to put out a fire, another one springs up," Ironwood commented as he crossed his arms. "We just can't keep up."

"We don't have to forever," Glynda cut in as she stared down at her Scroll. "We only have a few more weeks and we'll be in the clear."

"The Festival…" James trailed off. The sudden pause caused both of his compatriots to glance toward him but they did not question him.

Since this conversation had started, Ozpin had noticed that something was wrong. James was more passive than he usually was and he appeared to be in deep thought. Almost like he was building up the courage to say something. The Headmaster wouldn't press him, the General would say what he had to in his own time.

"Any other issues to discuss?" James asked, coming back from his internal thoughts. "What about House? Where was he?"

"As far as several students and faculty can attest, doing his job," Glynda answered as she looked down at several reports on her Scroll. "He contacted Huey and a Gratius Vermont, secured the security room, and then did his best to get faculty and students to safe areas. He has an airtight alibi."

The Headmaster's gaze lingered on James as he grumbled under his breath but otherwise didn't say anything else.

"With the school closed for the week due to the attack. I think we should take this time to pursue our leads." Ozpin offered as he glanced between Glynda and Ironwood. "We'll keep an eye on House, Cinder and her team, and these mercenary groups while we prepare for the Festival. You did bring in the Ace Ops correct?"

The General nodded his confirmation. "Yes, who should they monitor?"

The Headmaster brought his hands together and leaned forward on his desk. Giving it a bit of thought, Ozpin made his decision.

"These Dogs of War. We have agents monitoring Cinder and House already. Applying more resources to them seems wasteful now and I'd like to have eyes on this possible rogue element."

Nodding his head, James turned to Glynda before asking, "Was there anything else?"

"Nothing as important," Glynda began as she looked down at her list. "The last few items are benefits for the guards, compensation for the lost mercenary of the Voidwalkers, and how classes should be continued next week after this unexpected break."

"Nothing you have to be here for James," Ozpin said, giving the General an out of the conversation.

But instead of leaving, he took a breath in and balled his hands into fists. It looked like James had finally steeled himself for whatever he was going to say.

He stepped forward, placing a document on Ozpin's desk. Looking down, Ozpin could see the word "dismissal" on the paper and his eyes narrowed as he glanced back up at James.

"What is this?" Ozpin questioned, although he believed he already knew the answer.

The General took on a stony expression as he explained, "After review, the Council has found that your recent… Blunders have put lives at risk. From endangering students by letting them run unsanctioned missions, to break-ins from a known criminal, and now this most recent attack. With the White Fang presence in Vale…"

Ozma felt his mind wander as a cold chill settled over the Headmaster of Beacon, James' words growing distant. Even his eyes shifted to the window, staring at the sunlight pouring through. It felt like this wasn't real. Was it really going to all fall apart, again?! Everything he had strived for in the past hundred years gone because some child thought he knew better?! What was even the point anymore! Every time he had to clean up someone else's mess it just made him…

It made Ozma tired.

"... And so, after recent events, the Council has felt that it would be better if stricter security was kept for the coming Festival. As such, Atlas will oversee its protection." James paused for a moment before finishing, "I will oversee its protection."

And, all the great Ozma could do was cross his hands together and sigh.

"Very well," Ozpin replied as he turned to the ignorant child. "Do what you believe you have to."

His secretary, professor, and vice principal Glynda shot a look that screamed livid at the General but the man paid it no mind. Instead, he looked Ozpin in the eyes and replied.

"There is… More…" And now the General seemed to be getting worried. "Given the recent attacks," Ironwood frowned before continuing, "You are going to be suspended as Headmaster. I will step in while the Council investigates any activities that are deemed illicit."

Ozpin… Blinked. The Council suspected him of foul play?

"What?" Glynda cut in, her mouth dropping open and eyes going wide. "How could you!" She shouted, pointing a finger at James. "Right before the Festival?! We are supposed to work together!"

Why would the Council suspect him of foul play? That made no sense… Because of the attacks? His recent blunders shouldn't hint at it and there was no evidence to point towards it. So what was happening?

"This isn't my decision to make anymore, what's done is done," Ironwood countered as he turned to face Glynda. "Know that I'll do everything in my power to keep everyone–your students included–safe."

Ozma's head spun as he tried to rationalize why the Council would decide that so quickly and arbitrarily.

"That's correct, our students. Have you not thought about the consequences of your actions Ironwood? There are still elders alive from the Great War! Now you want to come in and take over Beacon and the Festival–which is a celebration of the end of said war–with your Mantle fleet?!"

"I know some people still see us as Mantle," the General began as he held up his hands placatingly. "But we're not. Atlas does not condone what happened during the war."

Unless… No. That would mean… Ozma came to a horrifying realization.

Glynda rolled her eyes before replying, "I'm sure that's a huge comfort to the people of Vale and your word alone will satisfy them." She scoffed as she threw her arms out. "This is why we always disagree with you! You bring a hammer to a problem that needs a scalpel and smash away!"

"It has to be done, there isn't another way now. This is our best course of action." Ironwood defended his decisions as he turned to Ozpin.

"James," Ozpin said, his voice quiet and neutral. The look on James' face betrayed his nervousness as he swallowed. "Keep an eye on things."

A look of confusion crossed both Glynda and James' faces as Glynda turned and shouted, "How can you be okay with this?!"

A sharp glance of Ozpin's eyes was enough to make Glynda flinch back as he continued, "A very close eye on things." He continued as he did his best not to let the worry seep into his tone.

"What do you mean?" The General questioned as Ozpin stood from his chair and took his scroll.

The now Former Headmaster of Beacon stepped beside James and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I would not trust the Council with everything we have here," Ozpin explained as he looked James in the eyes. "There may be some amongst them with ulterior motives."

The General blinked before realization dawned on his face. He went to speak but Ozpin cut him off as he stepped past the General and he forced his voice to sound chipper.

"Now, since this suspension is in effect starting now, I think I'm going to take some much-deserved time off!"

"Headmaster!" Glynda called out exasperated as Ozpin stepped towards the elevator.

"I'll send you all relevant files for running the Academy, if you have any issues, feel free to ask!"

And with that, the elevator doors closed and he was left alone. Ozpin let his smile fall as he realized he had a lot of work to do now.

Now that was an interesting conversation. Six didn't know yet if that was going to be good for his plans or not. Ozpin out of the picture for the Festival was good–though he doubted the man was really gone–but Ironwood seemed much more likely to do something rash.

Speaking of rash, Six pulled his scroll away from his face and turned off the headphone in his ear. A marvelous contraption that was the size of the tip of his pinky. Such compact function and quiet information gathering for the common people. He glanced around to ensure no one was watching. Luckily all he found were empty seats near him in the amphitheater.

The rows of seats were set up for the arena stage before him. And he had come for another reason before getting sidetracked by the meeting.

Looking up, he spotted Jaune squaring off against a student he vaguely recognized. One of the students that wore leather armor and wielded two large sickles. His dark skin reminded him of… Oh, this was the student he saved from those fake White Fang a few days ago.

The leather-wearing student swung both sickles at Jaune who blocked with his shield. Rather than countering with his sword, the blonde chose to fire his .45 at the other student's legs, scoring a few hits.

This made the other student grumble as he jumped up–front-flipping over Jaune–and attempted to use the momentum to rip away his shield.

The blonde did let the shield go as it flew away from him, but only so he could draw his sword and continue firing his .45, landing another couple of hits.

Allowing his mind to wander, Six recalled the students had the week off now since the event a couple days ago. That included him but he had volunteered to stay to watch over the students that stayed in the dorms. It gave him a better alibi with the faculty and students. He'd still take tomorrow off to help his Voidwalkers on their next mission he had scheduled a couple weeks prior. But with some last-minute changes thanks to Adam and the attack on Beacon.

It was unfortunate but his Voidwalkers would have to go from one fight to the next.

They had sustained a few casualties. One dead, his first soldier to fall in battle since the Voidwalker's founding, and a handful more injured. Though they would be back in the fight by the Festival. He just needed to find a trustworthy successor to the man.

Six also made sure that someone stopped at the deceased's family home. Compensation for his fallen soldiers was the least he could do for them.

He knew he had to steel himself, as he would lose more in the battles to come. But losing men would always be a hard pill to swallow for the Courier.

Still, he would help his soldiers in the next mission and reveal to them their true employer after. If all went according to plan, all the pieces would be in place for the Festival then.

"How ya doing?" An energetic voice from behind Six alerted him to Nora's presence.

House sighed before replying, "Fine Nora, how are you?"

"I'm just okie-dokie artichokie!"

She rocketed into the seat next to him, plopping down as Ren began sauntering over to his teammate with Pyrrha in tow. They must have come to watch Jaune's training match.

"Good to hear," he said, on guard. They were told about him so they should only be approaching if they needed to gather information.

"Tell me a story!"

Or not.

"What?" House replied with a dumbfounded tone.

"Tell. Me. A story!" She repeated as Jaune continued his duel on stage.

The calm and collected–and definitely not Six's favorite student–Ren approached as he explained, "She really likes the stories you tell of when you were traveling. She would like to hear another please."

"Oh, how about one with robots?! Or when you get hurt! Or when-"

"Nora, quiet in the arena room."

"Right, sorry Ren…"

Ah, Ren, he's so good at keeping Nora in check. Six always appreciated it.

But a story of when he got hurt…

"What's in it for me?" He asked, having already picked out a story.

"What?" Nora questioned with a pout. "The pleasure of teaching!"

"Volume," Ren chided.

"How about this. You promise to not bother me for the rest of today and tomorrow, and keep everyone else away. And I will."

He doubted that they'd actually follow through with their promise, but on the off-chance they did, it would give Six some breathing room for the operation.

"Deal!" Nora immediately agrees, causing Ren to sigh. Pyrrha seems too invested in Jaune's fight to care. She really does have a thing for the blonde.

"Alright," Six began as he leaned back in his seat and got comfortable. "This was… Two… Probably closer to three years ago now."

The Courier began reminiscing.

"I was delivering a package in Vacuo, some big shot wanted something of value to him and I had to transport it across that Wasteland."

Six recalled the heat that day, the scorching sun, and the cold night that followed.

"What many people don't know is that deserts get cold at night. Real cold. And it was true that night when I stopped to rest and make camp."

He recalled the small campfire nestled next to a large rock, his only source of warmth.

"What I didn't know was that some bad people were being led by a guy in a tacky checkered suit named Benny. And he wanted that package bad…"

"What was in it, was it a weapon, a cool bomb, Lien?" Nora chimed in, breaking Six's stride.

Six turned to her, trying not to be irritated. "Nothing like that. It's a chip he wanted. Long story for another time."

Nora seemed to deflate at the mention of a mere chip but Six continued, "This Benny and his lackeys jump me when I'm sleeping and beat the shit out of me."

"You didn't fight back?" Nora questions as Six does his best not to tell the teenager to shut her mouth.

"I tried," House began before shrugging his shoulders. "But when you get attacked in your sleep by a group of people, it's hard to."

"Anyways, I got tied up and the package was stolen. They drag me over to a graveyard near some town. Benny was a real sentimental type."

"He puts me on my knees over a freshly dug grave," Six began as he raised his hand to Nora's forehead while making finger guns. "Then he gives me a speech before saying, 'From where you're kneeling it must seem like an 18-carat run of bad luck. Truth is, the game was rigged from the start' and puts two bullets in my head."

The girl blinked, actually surprised. What he said earns the attention of both of her companions as they turn to him.

"You're saying you died?" Pyrrha questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"Not exactly?" Six responds, earning more confused stares. "Well, after I got dug out of my own shallow grave, a local doctor took care of me. He dug the two bullets out of my brain and nursed me back to health."

"That's horrible…" The redheaded girl commented before turning away, a little green.

Chuckling, Six replied, "Well it gets better. I had short-term amnesia from it. Go figure. For about a month or two, I wandered Vacuo just trying to remember who I was and get the package back."

Ren seemed to be deep in thought while Nora immediately began rambling, "Wow! It's like when I eat too many pancakes and syrup and sugar and I get too excited and pass out for wwwaaAAAAaaay too long. Then I wake up and momentarily forget who I am. But for way longer."

Six stared at Nora, genuinely worried about her eating habits affecting her health. Having a reaction to a lot of sugar in that way was not normal.

"She's fine," Ren chimed in. "It happens more than you think."

That just made him worry more.

"But you remember everything now, right!?" Nora exclaimed as she practically vibrated in place.

Again, he nodded. "A month or two after I was shot, I slowly started remembering things..."

Ren was still staring at him, contemplative. And that was when the teenager voiced one of Six's fears.

"But... Are you... Still you?"

Nora gave him a weird look. "What do ya mean?"

"He has a point," Six answered for Ren. "I suffered what some have dubbed an 'ego death.' You forget who you were and essentially become a blank slate of a person. And while I did eventually regain my memories, it's very hard to tell if I still act the same way I used to before being shot in the head... The me before that day may very well still be dead, and some half-formed copy has all of his memories."

For a moment, even Nora looked slightly horrified at that prospect.

Not that it was his problem. Composing himself, Six continued, "Yeah, it wasn't fun. I was confused for a long while but I did end up getting the chip back and my reward."

"And what of Benny?" The excitable student questioned.

"I dealt with him," Six replied, leaving it vague. This made Ren narrow his eyes if only slightly. Nora seemed to lack any subtlety though.

"You totally killed him right? Broke his knees, made him crawl through the desert, then shot him twice in the head right?!"

The Courier turned to Nora, genuinely surprised. Not only was that completely psychotic for a teenager to spout. It wasn't too far off from the truth.

"I dealt with it. Leave it at that." Six demanded, using his instructor voice.

Luckily for him, a new distraction came as a loud metallic sound rang out from the stage. Six turned his attention to see Jaune had bisected the other student's weapon.

At some point, the leather-clad student had put his two sickles together, creating some sort of double-edge sickle pole that Jaune had just cut in half with his sword. To his side on the floor, Jaune's .45 lay on the ground as the duel continued.

With the student on the backpedal, Jaune lunged forward and struck one of the sickles out of his opponent's hand.

The student, in response, turned and spun, bringing his other sickle around to strike. But the attack was too slow, and Jaune used it as an opportunity to step under his opponent's guard and grab the swinging arm.

The blonde twisted around with his opponent's arm still in his grasp and pulled. His opponent was lifted off his feet and over Jaune's shoulder before slamming back first into the ground.

A bell chimed out and Six looked up to see the match was over. Jaune was firmly in the yellow with his opponent in the red.

And just like that, Jaune had won his first ever duel. After losing dozens in the past, he finally had a win.

The rest of team JNPR clapped, Six clapped, but the main star was a certain bully.

"FUCK YEAH! BEAT HIS ASS JAUNE!" Cardin shouted from the sideline.

"It's still weird hearing Cardin say that for Jaune," Ren commented before Nora turned to him.

It was her of all people that reminded Ren. "People can change Renny. Sometimes for the better!"

The quiet student turned towards House with an unreadable expression on his face. Six wasn't quite sure what emotion the quiet student was showing.

His Pip-Boy buzzed, cutting Six off from his thoughts.

Looking down, he was receiving a call on his Pip-Boy. Taking a closer look… Oh, it was from Adam. Better take it despite the bad timing.

Standing up, Six picked up the call. "Hello?"

"Six, I want you to know that wasn't me. That wasn't the White Fang." Adam hurriedly said. "We aren't blowing up schools with a bunch of kids–including Faunus–in it."

"I know," Six replied in a matter-of-factly tone, rolling his eyes. He made sure to walk away from the students as their conversation continued. Was Adam really that worried over his opinion? "I already figured out who it was."

There was a pause on the other end.

"Who?"

"Ever heard of the Dogs of War?" Six answered as he turned back and made sure the team JNPR hadn't followed him out into the hall.

There was another pause.

"Adam, don't do anything stupid. They're already being looked into. We've got bigger fish to fry."

A scoff came from Adam. "That's rich coming from you mister trigger-happy." Well, that was deserved.

"Just don't do anything stupid," Six reiterates. "At least until the operation tomorrow. That's actually what the mission will be dealing with anyway."

The Faunus sighed before replying, "Fine. My soldiers will stay in line if it means getting back at these mercenaries. Make sure your troops do the same."

Then Adam unceremoniously hung up. What an ass.

Well, he could worry about the mission later. He was sure Cardin and team JNPR were celebrating Jaune's win so now was as good a time as any to slip away.

Author's Notes:

Alright, update for all of you. I made a slight miscalculation regarding the upload schedule. I meant to upload twice a month for the next year and a half and I erroneously said that I would be uploading every other week as that's DEFINITELY twice a month right? (It's not)

If I maintained bi-weekly, I would sometimes upload 3 times in a month which I cannot do. Instead of doing it bi-weekly, we are changing it to select dates. From now on, the story will update on the 11th and the 25th of every month. Save for the final chapter of the arc, which will have an extra two week grace period (so a month wait for the final chapter). The next upload will be on June 11th. Meaning there will be 1 extra weeks wait. I apologize for the delay.