RWBY Effect 2: Rebirth

by Owriush

A year and a half has gone by, since the attack on the Citadel. Team RWBY and the crew of the Normandy suffer a tragedy. Ending in the loss of many lives. Awakened now a few years later. The girls of team RWBY, Elizabeth Shepard and their new allies must fight against a threat. One even more dangerous then the last. This is their Rebirth into a new world of wonders and insanity.

3. Chapter 2

Hello once more fellow readers and writers,

Sorry for the somewhat bit of delay of this next chapter. But I was working on a re-boot of one of my other fics. Four Hearts Of One Journey. If any of you follow that, you should be getting a update soon on that.

But that small tidbit of self-promotion aside. Here's the next chapter, which will introduce a few of the methods that I will using to do my best when incorporate as much as I can into this story. That said, this chapter you can think of as a prequal to what will occur very soon. If the title hasn't indicated enough.

Anyways. Banter aside, I hope you enjoy this next chapter in RWBY Effect 2.

I do NOT own RWBY or Mass Effect. Rooster Teeth/ Mounty Oum own RWBY and Bioware/ Electronic Arts own Mass Effect. All other franchise included within this chapter belong to their respective owners. Please support all the official franchise.

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Chapter.2

A Den of Varren… [Part.1-Prelude]

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Odd, unbelievable, beyond compression

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.

.

Those were only some of the words, one Miranda Lawson used for the current situation or in other words. The start of the headaches, many… many headaches.

All of this from, what was called the fabled 'Team RWBY Insanity'. Honestly Miranda had thought some of things rumored about them were exaggerated. But apparently not, it was the opposite in fact. Because in her office right now. We're the respective so called, 'Sub-Leaders' of the different varieties of humans and aliens, brought back onto the Normandy.

A whole total from the count, but at least fourth eight oddities. How or why. Miranda wish she could answer that, but she could not. The only thing Miranda could do, was accept that this fate must be her life now. A fate the woman had no idea how to feel about. But with that said, she eyed a sheepish Elizabeth and team RWBY, who were sitting down in the chairs. While the rest stood behind them. Miranda has just finished too, learning the names of these 'Sub-Leaders'.

First was Commander Carter, picked upon his own group of his own era. To represent them all, be they human or the lone alien amongst them. From what Miranda could tell already as he had his helmet off, was that he was a solider through and through like Jacob in some aspect. She could respect the man.

Second, there was the two clones. Commander Cody and Boss. Having been picked by their brothers to represent them as a duo. Miranda made a note to ask more in a private setting about their strengths and possible weaknesses. If only to know what to look out for if a sudden medical emergency arose when it came to any of the clone's kin in the future.

Third was Plo-Koon who'd been picked (Made) by his other fellow Jedi Ayla to join the clones as well. To be honest she had to admit the man look as her daughter put it, 'Pretty Cool' if not a bit intimidating at how alien he looked. Even amongst the ones from this era. So that was saying a lot.

Fourth was Captain Titus the largest of the group and the one that Miranda swore looked more like walking tank then a normal human with his armor. Seriously she wondered if he even had a body under that armor of his or if he was just a head connected to the armor itself. Both answers rather unsettled her for different reasons.

Fifth was Nate, who been picked by his own era group and Adam Jense who'd been placed in with them; to be their representative. He was thankfully one of the only normal one of the group. Normal being more subjective here than anything, but in this case her kind of normal.

Then lastly came what were the 'Over Leaders' of the group in the form of the siblings Locasta and Eliphas. To be honest she was a bit surprised that these two were in charge of everyone else. But then again, team RWBY and their allies; including her daughter and her friends. Had proven age really doesn't factor in when it comes to those who are a step above the rest as the saying goes.

All in all, Miranda despite knowing this was already a massive powder keg waiting to happen when words gets out or someone sees them. It could have been a much worse case scenario. But it wasn't one thankfully. Though again she was dreading the future headaches, oh well part of job she guessed.

So Miranda let her worries be for later and in a private setting. As of now, she needed to play diplomat and do what she could to integrate these new members of their crew. Letting out a sigh, she took a deep breath before addressing said new crew members.

"Alright. Let's just get this out of the way..." Miranda said, as she gave the newcomers here a small kind smile "From what has been told. You lot are from other previous 'Era's'. That said, we can assume then, that much is going to be new for you. So, if you need. Ask me any kind of questions and I'll answer them the best I can."

Everyone else, aside from the still sheepish Team RWBY and Elizabeth. Looked to one another, then without saying much more, it seemed Commander Carter was elected to start off. As he cleared his throat before addressing Miranda.

"Since your offering ma'am. First off then. In the debrief, we explained that we'd been informed on the basics of the current era. That and the fact were here to help these five women." Carter explained, as he pointed to team RWBY and Elizabeth "But before we could be told who we'd be fighting against. Our informants had to leave."

"Ah yes. The two called Ogla and Virgil, correct?" Miranda asked, as that had been a bit of a shocking piece of information "Well if I'm going to be honest. It's kind of hard to believe."

"Lady you're talking to a bunch of recently cryostasis humans and aliens from Era's before. So, try us." Locasta remarked crossing her arms, as her brother cringed hoping his sister didn't make an enemy already or that they took her up front attitude as offensive

"Point taken." Miranda mused, as she didn't seem offended by Locasta snark one bit there. But she smirked "Oh and remember young lady. Better not be so open like that in public. Wouldn't want you to be seen as crazy. But maybe I should tell your brother this instead. He does seem to be the mature one here. Then again, it was pretty obvious."

"Pff..." Eliphas almost laughed, alongside a few of the others as Locasta pouted some at being one upped so easily

"Anyways. Back to the main point ladies." Nate cut in, as Miranda cleared her throat realizing he had a point

"Ahem. Right, right. Apologies for that." Miranda apologizes, feeling embarrassed for getting a bit childish there for a moment "So... since it's been made clear that you all are more incline to believe us. First, I need to say this. Outside from you all and your friends. No one else, not a part of this crew is to know this information. Understood?"

"I think we can all agree to that." Plo-Koon chimed in, as the others nodded in agreement there "There's is your answer. Now then, please explain what's going on currently."

"Right, well let's start off from the beginning." Mirand said, before she cleared her throat and began to explain the whole picture

So, she started off with explaining what she was allowed to of her organization, then onto previous events that led up to the current mission at hand. Followed by explaining one of the culprits suspected being the aliens known as the Collectors, who Miranda also went into on what she knew of them when asked more to elaborate.

What felt like minuets ended up being nearly an hour or so, by the end of it Miranda though feeling her throat dry, was happy that these new crewmates of hers were so eager to learn more so they could be prepped for what awaited them all. By the end of said explanation, she finished off with explaining about the Reapers, with the help of team RWBY and Elizabeth to fill in some of the gaps that only they knew of.

"And that's that. Every single detail I and the ladies here could tell you. I hope it was enough." Miranda said, as she smiled like usual and waited to see how the new crewmembers reacted to this particular last bit of information with the Reapers "So, questions or…?"

"I…I... wow just…wow." Locasta murmured, as she blinked once then twice. Since despite all she and her brother dealt with in their era, this was a first and hopefully only a first

"Kid took the words out of my mouth." Cody exclaimed, as he'd taken his helmet off and rubbed his eyes some showing off his tan skin, brown eyes and uniform black hair. Which gave the others a good idea on how the rest of the clones looked "I kind of wish this was just a fantastical lie, but considering what's happened these past few hours…"

"We know it's the truth." Nate mused, as he took a deep breath and for once wished he was back in the commonwealth dealing with raider and such

"Yeah, trust us here. We didn't really take the news well either and we had to learn on the hard way." Ruby mused as she and the girls could feel for these few here "But hey. We've beaten a Reaper once. We can do it again."

"Though your optimism is welcome young one. I wouldn't say that too soon. An enemy like you've described won't take a defeat like the one four years go lying down." Titus replied back, as he could appreciate the sentiment of Ruby's words; but also knew that was a double edge sword

"Titus is right in that regard, and if these Collectors are working with these Reaper to abduct human colonies. We have to do what we can to stop them before it's too late. If they take all the humans, they might even start taking the other races until no one's left." Carter stated, calmly but feeling that need to protect humanity rise up in him once more. This was just like his era in a way, only it wasn't a war now; but a mission between two groups that hid in the shadows

"Speaking of that. You sure we can't call someone or anyone from the Alliance. I know you told us they're not good on manpower at the moment. But this kind of seems like one of those situations where they need to make an acceptation." Eliphas quipped as at least to him, it would seem like the best idea to do

"I do agree. But considering the organization this ship and the crew are a part of. It wouldn't be a good idea." Miranda answered as she did fine merits in Eliphas words; but knew that it wouldn't be an easy if barely corporative partnership with the Alliance no matter what situation was

"And since you brought that up, no offense to you Commander. But Miranda I need to ask, but why did your organization spend so much to bringing her back in the first place?" Boss asked, as even if the reasons were given. At least to him, it seemed odd a bit still

"Believe it or not. The reasons I gave are the only ones. Elizabeth here and the girls, but especially Elizabeth are heroes in all rights. She represents something more than just dare I say even her own species. She represents… as cheesy as it is. But hope, she represents hope." Miranda explained, as she didn't blame Boss questions on Elizabeth's resurrection. Even now she in some ways found still found it odd to spend some much on one woman, but then again Elizabeth wasn't just one woman at the end of the day "Look. I know this is a lot to take in for all of you. Heck not even a few hours ago I didn't think the ship would be filled up so quickly by you folks. But here we are."

"All in all, if you don't mind me saying this. But we really do appreciate the help you'll be giving us." Weiss exclaimed, as she stood up and held her hand out to the newcomers "That said, might as well be official here. I'm Weiss Schnee, pleasure to meet you all."

"Jeez Weiss, way to make us feel like jerks." Yang teased, as she stood up and chuckled when Weiss stuck her tongue out at her for a moment. Blake and Ruby following behind, then once they were on their feet. Yang held her hand out too "I'm Yang Shepard. Nice to meet ya all too."

"And I'm Blake Belladonna. Happy to make your acquaintances." Blake said now, with a small smile and held her hand out also. As she will admit, she did feel a bit better about this whole mission knowing they had backup

"And I'm Ruby Shepard. Hope we can all best of friends!" Ruby cheered with a big smile, as she like the others held their hands out. Once they were shaken, and the hellos were done with; Ruby squealed a little "Ehh, this is so cool!"

"Is she always like this?" Nate questioned, a bit surprised at how child like this woman was so far. Not that it was bad, just something not common at least in his era

"Oh right. Forgot to tell ya, but when I was under. Seems the girls ended up in a giant crystal that froze them mentally, but psychically they're adults now." Elizabeth cut in, as she knew she was forgetting something to tell the newcomers here "If you want to know, Weiss, Blake and Yang were eighteen. So they ended up being eighteen year old's in the bodies of twenty one year olds. For Ruby well… she was sixteen. So now that she's twenty, you can guess."

"Well, that's… reassuring." Carter mused, as Cody at least felt the same way he did realizing they were brought back to work under a woman child of all things

"Hey don't worry. Just because our ages don't match current bodies. Doesn't mean none of us are incapable of leading when needed. Ruby especially. " Blake explained, in the defense of her herself and the girls

"Anyways all that said and done. Girls, you need to still get your checkups. Elizabeth, please stay here and finally explain what happened to get you ending up teleported to the planet below us currently. The rest of you, inform your fellow awaken allies the information I've given you if you would please. I'm going to be laying on my bed while Elizabeth here gets to explaining." Miranda stated, before she got up and moved over to the bed, then flopped on it on her backside

"Guess that's it then, well since we're spreading out again. As the Captain of the ship, let me just say I'm glad you and your comrades are on our side." Elizabeth exclaimed, as she gave those here a kind sweet smile; before moving over to where Miranda was laying down

With that the new commers and the girls made their way out. Once they were out and the door closes, Elizabeth took a seat on the edge of Miranda's bed and sighed. Knowing this was going to be a bit of a long discussion.

"So, want me start now or a bit later Miranda?" Shepard teased, having not seen Miranda be so relaxed ever since they met a while ago

"Hardy har, tease all you want… anyways, start from the beginning and don't leave a detail out." Miranda answered back, as Elizabeth chuckled some

"No problem. Now let's see, it all started when I found the armor in the docking bay…." Elizabeth started to explain as she recounted the details leading to what happened later on

As she did so, outside this room the a few of new crewmates and team RWBY would end up having quiet the bonding time before their next mission at hand. But as this would occur. Elsewhere is where we'll go too at the moment…

---

How did it all end up like this?

Those were the very thoughts of a lone gunman. Turian to be exact, in worn blue and black highlighted armor. Firing off his custom made sniper rifle he-

Oh wait, another group of mercs were charging. The Turian took a deep breath under his black visored helmet. Before popping up from the cover he used in his hideout. Which was a two story building and he was on the top floor. That gave him the perfect vantage point as he saw the group of merc band cannon fodder. About six, plus two security mechs. As the mercs at least seemed to have the bright idea to just charge. That was sarcasm too, since that had been the plan for every other band of pervious cannon fodder so far.

Good, that made it easier for the Turian. As he pulled this trigger, then five more times; he landed headshots on each organic merc. The security mechs meanwhile fired at him with their standard Shuriken SMG's. Which didn't even hit him if barely at this distance and height. Taking two more shots, he detached their heads cleanly as oil squirted out like the blood the now dead mercs were squirting out from the holes in their heads.

The Turian seeing that the mercs probably were taking a break to regroup the cannon fodder. Took this moment to rest his back against the wall of his cover. Thank the spirits for the stims he was ramming into himself these past two days. He could be awake for a month straight with how much he'd been using in this self-made warzone of his. He just hoped Kianna and Ziara were almost done with the traps in the lower floors. He still needed the extra help.

Sighing, he looked at his custom sniper rifle. Seeing if he needed to tune it up or something. Which he didn't, but his heart ached again when he saw the four letter word he'd etched onto the scope that spelt out 'RWBY'. The first letters of the names, of the girls he considered the humanoid sisters of his. The names of the four girls who'd been by his side since he first joined his dearly dead friend Elizabeth four years ago on that mission. The girls who did all they could to keep him on the right track in life. His friends, his family, his sisters.

For this Turian was none other than Garrus Vakarin. Former C-Sec Officer, former crew member of the SR-1 Normandy and now the former leader of his own vigilante group. A group where he made even more brothers and sisters. A family now dead, like the last. Why was it him Garrus wondered, was it the spirits way of punishing him for not being a good little Turian and falling in line. Or, was it a cruel joke by some wicked demon.

Honesty considering everything that occurred four years ago during the whole Saren fiasco. He was now a firm believer in gods, deities and the supernatural. How could he not be, when four of his sister of team RWBY were literal reincarnations of demi-gods. Still, as he looked to his rifle. He smiled too, as it was the last thing to remember the girls by. As they all had helped him, and the others make their own so called 'Remanent' grade weapons.

The rifle itself was a mixture of a M-97 Viper and M-92 Mantis Sniper rifles. Colored with the primary of royal blue, highlighted with jet black and tinted with white. It came with a 4X12 scope, that could be switched to night vision. Fired a modified version of what was once called 308. Caliber rounds now in a mass effect field fusion. With a switch, that he touched. The sniper switched to it's not as used, but still welcomed melee form.

That form was a two handed spear that had quite the sharp edge to it. It also came with a stun feature so there was that. Still Garrus was even now still at awe at the custom weapon the girls helped him make. The others he knew also kept their own customs weapons close as a cherished gift from team RWBY. He then switched the weapon back to its rifle form as he sighed yet again, but smiled as patted the side of the sniper rifle.

"Well Antilia Adeptumus, looks like this might be the end sooner or later. You good with going down with me girl?" Garrus said, as he spoke to the gun he named after a prominent female Turian

One who had been well known for her dedication to justice and the means to do so even if she was known as a rebel. In a way he found her story rather relatable considering, letting out a chuckle. Garrus popped out the current thermal clip and loaded in a fresh new one. As he heard more commotion start up again where the mercs were at.

"Heh, guess you don't have a choice really. Sorry girl, if we make it out, I'll make it up to you somehow. Now, let's get to fodder killing again." Garrus remarked, as he popped back up once more from cover when he heard footsteps yet again trying to storm his base

As Garrus started firing off rounds once more. He wondered, if the girls and Elizabeth were still around. Would they be proud of him, he sure hoped so. Because to be honest, he didn't feel proud of himself much these past four years.

Oh how soon he would get to ask that of them, well when he could and boy would he be surprised…

---

Meanwhile back at the Normandy…

We find our girls of team RWBY, sitting on the cots inside the medical room. Where they had been surprised to see that it seemed their old friend. Karen Chakwas or Doctor Chakwas. Had been recruited as well for the mission ahead.

They had given the woman a big four person hug, as the older woman laughed in glee having no issue with it since she was more than happy to see the girls too. Even hugging them back, before she asked them to sit take a seat on the cots. Which is where we again, find our girls at.

"I still can't believe you're here. I didn't think you'd accept considering the… organization." Blake said, as she and the girls watched as Chakwas started to scan them with her omni-tool

"Yeah. No offense, but I thought you were an Alliance girl for life." Ruby added in, as she was curious on why Chakwas would join in the first place "I mean I remember some your ah… choice words when you studied a few of the notes we found in the abandoned Cerberus bases."

"And I still feel that way ladies. But know this, I'm not here for Cerberus. I'm here because I want to help keep everyone top shape in this upcoming fight against the Collectors. That, along with the fact I'm here under the orders of Elizabeth and you girls in turn too." Doctor Chakwas explained, as she finished up her scans and smirked "Besides think of it like this. We're using them is all or more to be specific. We're using the Illusive Man's resources and in turn I hope we can you know… highjack this ship when all is over with."

"Hehe. Never thought we'd hear you say that Karen." Weiss mused, as she Chakwas chuckled back at the statement

"Well believe it or not I use be much more of a bad girl when I was younger. Always getting into trouble and enjoying every second of it." Chakwas remarked, smirking still at the memory of her eventful youth

"Oh do tell. All the juicy details!" Yang remarked as she knew Chakwas probably had some good stories

"Not now. But maybe one day, right now though. I need to check a few more things." Chakwas exclaimed, as she looked over the scans

"So anyways, anything seem off about us now or same old, same old?" Ruby asked. As she did hope it was just a simple case of a growth spurt for them and nothing more

"You're fine Ruby. Same with the rest of you, whatever those crystals were kept you nourished and healthy during the last four years. But that said, I still will ask that on your missions ahead for a while at least, to do what you can to try and avoid getting too crazy when it comes to a fire fight. That and if you must use you're semblances. Do so around a group of friends. Because even if you're heathy for the most part, I can't say if these past four years have done anything to the more supernatural sides of you." Chakwas explained as she patted the top of their heads "Though I can see to that you all may need to buy some new clothes when you can. Especially you Ruby, it's rather easy to see you've grown."

"Hehe, yeah… I noticed once I finally got a moment to rest. Still, it's a little uncomfortable. How do you deal with it Yang?" Ruby asked, as she pointed to her ahem… more developed chest as she and the girls were still in their armor having really no clothes that fitted them well enough for the moment

"You get used to it Ruby, but hey Weiss I'm sure won't be complaining." Yang mused, as Blake snickered and Ruby blushed a bit

"Ugh…why must you always make a sex pun sis?" Weiss asked, as she began blushing too from the rather dirty thoughts coming to mind now

"Well if you want. I could leave you two in here for a bit, the windows do close and there are no cameras or wire taps. I made sure." Chakwas offered, but also teased too as she donned on a sly smirk

"You to Karen. Come on!" Weiss yelled as she swore it always her being picked on when it came to her and Ruby

After that, everyone around Weiss laughed before Weiss finally joined in. To be honest, this was something they needed. The girls because the just needed to have some nice down fun time after the last mission and the pervious escape from the Cerberus facility when they had awoken.

For Chakwas because it helped her get past the grief she had felt for these past four years when she had thought the girls and Eizabeth dead. It wasn't too long though, before the laughing died down. Once it did, Ruby knew she needed to say something to Chakwas that she and the girls had been wanting to ever since waking up.

"Hey ah… Karen. I… well, we just wanted to say. We're sorry." Ruby stated, as she and the girls frowned at the guilt they felt

"Sorry. But whatever for girls?" Chakwas asked, rather confused on what the girls were even apologizing for

"What my little sister is saying. Is that we're sorry for any grief we may have inflicted upon you on that day." Blake helped out, explaining further on what her sister in law Ruby meant

"Yeah. After we woke up and got back on the ship, our minds started to run through the pain you all must have felt for a while after the attacked. So yeah." Yang explained on, as she knew everyone probably blamed themselves in one way or another for the events of that tragic day

"Indeed. So again, from all of us we're-" Weiss started to say, before Chakwas cut her off rather abruptly

"Now that's quite enough ladies." Chakwas sternly replied back as she crossed her arms and stare at the girls "Don't you dare start apologizing for something you had no control over or for the fact of how the rest of us felt from the aftermath."

"But-" Yang was about to reply back, but Chakwas cut her off like she had Weiss

"Eh, eh. No, I know you're going to try and say otherwise. But I won't have it, you four have been through enough as it is. So I don't want you to start guilt tripping yourselves for nothing. Understood?" Chakwas scolded, as the girls mumbled a bit as Chakwas decided to be a bit more firm "I didn't hear that. I asked, do you UNDERSTAND?"

"Yeah..."

"Yes Karen…"

"We understand clearly."

"Yeppers we do…"

Those were the replies of Yang, Weiss, Blake and Ruby in that order. Each girl a little intimidated by the older woman as it felt like being scolded by one's grandmother. Chakwas seeing that the girls understood, donned on a much kinder smile as she knelt down to meet their eyes. As the girls looked back at her.

"Good to know. Girls I get what you wanted to do, but there's no need. Yes we all felt horrible after the whole attack on the ship. Even now we held our grief. But for me at least not anymore seeing you four here again, and Elizabeth as well. Tali I know feels the same and the others will too when I know we'll see them again. So please don't blame yourself ever." Chakwas reassured, as she hoped the girls took her words for what they were

"We will… we will. Thanks Chakwas." Ruby said, as the others nodded in agreement

"That's what I'm here for, as you doctor and friend. I know this might be inappropriate, but I do think of you as in way my own granddaughters too. I never had any kids myself, even if I did. It was too late to start. But… I hope you don't mind me thinking of you that way." Chakwas admitted, as she hoped that wasn't too odd to tell the girls

"I think we can all agree we saw you as a grandmother back then and even now." Blake decided to answer back, as the others nodded in full agreement. Seeing this, Blake went on with a kind smile "See, so don't worry. Ruby and Yang get a second grandmother. While me and Weiss get our first grandmother. If that's okay with you of course."

"I…" Chakwas started to say, but stopped for a moment feeling tears of joy threaten to break free. Calming herself, she answered a few seconds later "Ruby, Weiss, Blake, Yang. It would be my honor to be your grandmother."

"Good to know, granny." Weiss teased a little, as the other chuckled a little

"Heh. Don't start getting smart with me kiddo." Chakwas in good will, teased back as she was feeling happier now

"Another group hug!" Ruby cheered as everyone did just that, getting into a big family hug for a few moments. Before letting go of one another "Well all that said and done. We good to go then?"

"Of course you are." Chakwas answered, as the girls got off the cot and made their way to the door. But before they did so, Chakwas remembered she needed to ask of them one more thing "Oh and girls. If you see any of the new crewmembers I've been hearing about. Please send them up to me for a checkup. I'll need to make files for them, so if they haven't been told yet. Please again send them me."

"Roger that, see ya!"Ruby cheered, as she and the girls exited the room

Once out of it, they saw Jacob talking to the cook of the ship who they had yet to talk too. But would soon when they could. Mostly because they wanted to do what Chakwas had asked of them before anything else. So they walked over to the elevator. Then entered it.

As the elevator doors closed, they decided to go to the top floor where Joker and Eve were at. As the elevator went up, then took a few seconds before the elevator opened again to the top deck. The girls exited and made their way off to the cockpit. Sadly they didn't see any of their new crewmates. But they did hear the Cerberus personal around whispering here and there. Mainly from what could be sounded out, it was about their newest additions to the crew. Nothing bad, more of curiosity then anything.

Still as the girls passed by everyone, some giving them nods or waves that they in turn returned. They finally ended up at the cockpit. Stopping a few inches away from Joker as he spun his chair around like he knew it was them. Eve then popped up in her holo-form while EDI hung in her usual place to the left. Joker then decided to speak up about his own thoughts of the last mission.

"Hey girls, you know when people collect stuff. It's usually bottle caps, trading cards. But no, apparently you four like collecting old relics from bygone eras. I mean like what the hell?" Joker exclaimed, as he was rather perplexed by the whole new crew members being from a different era's thing. Apparently word had gotten around rather quickly about that little tidbit somehow

"Joker you know we didn't mean too." Weiss remarked, as she chuckled a little knowing this was just normal Joker coping "But sorry if we did give some unneeded stress. It just-"

"Happened, yeah. Yeah I know Weiss, you girls just happen to be a couple of magnets for weirdness." Joker mused, as he sighed rubbing his eyes

"Hey at least we're good looking magnets. Right Joker?" Yang joked a little, in hoity tone as Joker rolled his eyes but smirked

"No comment. One I'm a good few year's your senior and two you girls are pretty much like my other sisters from another era. So it be weird to say anything on that comment. Don't need any weird rumors to start about me thank you very much." Joker mused, as he was honest about that and really did see the four as other younger sisters of his; hard not to considering how much time they all spent around one another the last mission four years ago

"D'aw. I knew under all that manly gruffness was a sweet soul. You really do care!" Ruby cheered, as she found it sweet that Joker saw her and the girls as sisters

"Yeah, yeah. Don't get all sappy on me alright?" Joker replied back playing it off to keep his manly pride intact

"Heh. Well either way, if it makes you feel better. Me and the girls always saw you as our older brother too. Just like we did with the other guys. You being more of our…eh, silly brother." Blake explained, as she decided to tease Joker a bit herself

"Way to hurt my pride Blake. So cruel, cruel you kitty woman!" Joker dramatically shouted, as the girls chucked. After a few more moments, it calmed down as Joker decided might as well be more truthful with them "Seriously though. I know I said it before, but I really am happy that you girls and Elizabeth are okay. Me and Eve here had a hard time accepting it. Ya know."

"We can only imagine Joker. But were back and with some new additions, it will still be just like old times." Weiss reassured, as the others nodded in agreement

"Well I'm glad to hear that and Joker is too. Oh and if you ever want to come up more just to chat. Please do so, this man-child here needs some more outlets when it comes to talking with actual people." Eve remarked, as she smirked at Joker who gave her the stink eye for a moment or so

"Hey I get plenty of time talking with others Eve." Joker argued, as Eve rolled her virtual eyes at that statement

"Yes Joker or should I call you 'MemeBoyo164' as your online chat room name." Eve answered as Joker blushed a bit at his online name being said out loud and the fact the girls were doing what they could to not just laugh right then and there "Oh and no, online chats do NOT count as actual social interactions. No matter how much you want to say it is."

"I can conclude that Eve is correct Jeff. I have various articles that back up such a statement. I can forward you them if you'd like, also girls if you would like to read them too. You need but ask." EDI exclaimed, putting her two cents in finally with this conversation

"I think we would actually like that EDI, whenever you can." Ruby mused, as she smirked towards Joker "Besides, getting out isn't so bad. Hey who knows, maybe we can help you find a girlfriend. That would nice wouldn't it!"

"Hm if that's the case. We might have to trim that beard a little. Only the best for you Joker." Weiss chimed in, already thinking of styles to go for when it came to trimming Jokers beard

"That and maybe we can find you some nice dress clothes. I'd say maybe a dark green or… hm." Blake started to say, as she began to think on what would look good on Joker if he did get a date in the near future

"Oh, oh maybe we can trim his hair too. Give him a fancy gentlemen look!" Eve chimed in, as she seem a little too giddy all of sudden

"Every time… every time it's the women in my life that do this. Why me?" Joker muttered as he sighed and rubbed his eyes

"Don't be like that Joker, you know we do this cause we love ya like a goofy big brother." Yang remarked, with a thumb's up as the others just gave the man big old smiles

"Yeah thanks I guess." Joker stated, as he smiled back a little. Before he decided to ask something "Anyways. I'm sure you're not just here to say hello. Need something?"

"Well first off we did want to say hi again. But since you asked, but Karen asked us to tell any of the new crewmembers we saw. That they needed to go and see her. So she can make files for them and do some checkups. Ya know, the usual doctor stuff." Ruby answered, before she sighed "But we haven't seen any of them, I thought at least one or a few would be up here."

"There are a few, in the Med-Lab. I believe about six of them, the others should be in the dock bays setting up their bunks. Still I would advise you start with the six up here." EDI suggested, as the girls were grateful for that

"Will do, thanks EDI and Joker. You and her play nice, Eve I'm counting on you to keep an eye on them." Ruby stated, kindly with a hint of teasing towards Joker

Joker simply just stuck his tounge out at Ruby, before swiving his chair back ahead towards the window. Eve meanwhile let out a chuckle, before she shut off her holo-emitter. The girls chuckled a little too as they made their way off to the med-labs. Which they assumed was the room to their current left. Considering they'd gone into the armory beforehand, they went to the door as it opened and when they walked in. They saw indeed it was six of the newcomers, but what was worrying was that five of them were crowded around the sixth one; who was bleeding from the mouth.

The girls though having only meet them, remember enough that when it came to the girl; who was currently bleed from her mouth. That her name was Okita, so that said. Team RWBY quickly moved over to the group to see what was exactly going on right now.

"Hey, she okay?" Yang asked worriedly, as she and the girls closed in on the group of six, four of them at least looking up to them

If the girls went by memory once more. The girls believed the names of the other five with Okita were Rin, Emile, Fixer, Thorn and Helena. Rin being the one to answer back to Yang about whatever the current situation with Okita was.

"Oh um, Yang, Ruby, Weiss and Blake right?" Rin asked, as team RWBY simply nodded 'Yes' "Okay good. Anyways, Okita is fine, well fine as can be. This is sadly normal for her."

"Normal, how is this normal?" Ruby asked this time

"I think it was my son and daughter that explained a bit about what Okita; and some of the others are. You remember or need a refresher?" Rin replied back, as the girls took a moment to think on it more. Before it came back to Weiss first

"Right. They explained a bit when we were waiting to be picked up. Those two said they're like resurrected ghosts of human history and legends?" Weiss answered. As Rin smiled that it seemed these four girls did remember and that her kids had actually told them. She gave Weiss a nod 'yes' that she was correct "Oh good, I was worried I'd at least forget that. But then does whatever is happening to Okita, mean it was part of her legend?"

"That it is sweet hearts, that it is. You see Okita here had a rather bothersome illness know as Tuberculosis. In more simple terms, her lungs fill up with blood after a while and makes it very hard for her to function in general." Helena answered this time. The girls of team RWBY were surprised by that, and couldn't help but feel bad for Okita

"Stupid… UGH…gah…eh…ah… damn!" Okita tried to say, but started to cough violently as more blood spilled out of her mouth

"Don't talk, let the bacca do its job Okita." Fixer gently ordered as from behind his visor he was keeping a close eye on Okita, deciding that using a bit of what bacca he had left could help Okita some with this disease of hers

"No offense kid. But I don't think you should be doing any kind of missions. You'll just be in the way." Emilie bluntly remarked, ignoring the slight unamused stares from Helena and Rin at least

"Bite…me, tin can…ugh…" Okita replied back, sternly as she gave Emile a glare too before she coughed a bit again

"There we go. Seems you're tougher then ya look." Emile remarked as it seemed his words were only meant to gauge at least for him how strong Okita's will was

"Smart." Thorn muttered as he saw what Emile had done and though he wouldn't have, he had to admit it was effective. Then her turned his attention to the girls "I don't think we had a formal official chance to meet. I'm Thorn, once Commander. Good to meet you."

"And since it seems we're doing this now. Then I will say too it's nice to meet you four. I'm Rin Toshoka. I hope we can become good friends." Rin greeted with a quick curtsy

"Oh and I'm Helena Blavatsky. Probably don't know me, but I was a bit of known big deal in Earths past. But you can call me granny if ya want, I'm way older then I look and I want more grandkids!" Helena cheered, with a big smile as team RWBY were quite surprised by what she just said, that and the fact there was no possible way she was messing with them considering how genuine she seemed

"I'm still refusing to believe that fucking statement there. Just saying Helena." Emile responded back to her as Helena rolled her eyes, but smiled back a bit at the armored man. Before the man himself, decided he might as well do his hellos "Sup, Emile. That's all you're getting, and just to say. I ain't trusting ya four much right now. Maybe later, MAYBE. But that's just how it is."

"My… you're blunt." Blake said, as she at least a little irked at how blunt Emile was already with them. Honest, but blunt and she wasn't one for bluntness much; well at least anymore

"Don't mind him. That's just his nicest way of saying, he's 'Happy' to see you." Fixer remarked as he kept his focus on Okita

"Thanks doc. Thanks." Emile sarcastically said, as he flipped of Fixer as the medic himself just rolled his eyes for a moment under his helmet

"Boy behave. We're in company remember." Rin scolded just a for a moment. Before she sighed, and smile once more "Anyways, Fixer is the one you can guess is looking over Okita. From what we've learned so far. He's not very talkative."

"Which is a bit rude just to say." Helena chimed in, before she elbowed Fixer who looked at her as she crossed her arms "Fixer I know your busy with Okita and that's fine. But can at least say hello to the girls?"

"…." Fixer didn't say, before he sighed as he focused on the girls seconds later "RC-1140 or Fixer. You need a on to go medic during missions. I'm your man and if you're bleeding out, do take care to not bleed on my armor."

"Oh ah…haha, ha. Funny." Ruby replied back, sheepishly as she wasn't one for dark humor but she would at least be nice to pretend to find it funny

"I don't think that was a joke dear." Weiss stated, as she already could tell the boys were the gruffer and grimmer of the six here

"It wasn't. Do you have any idea how hard it is to get blood off of white armor?" Fixer exclaimed, before looking back over at Okita to keep an eye on her "Alright did my meet and greet. Now if you don't mind, I have a patient."

"That's probably the best you're gonna get out of him. Sorry again children." Helena stated kindly, as she and the others saw Thorn move closer to team RWBY and stare at them "Um Thorn?"

"Hm?" Thorn hummed, as the girls were rightfully confused on what was even happening now

"Okay dude the fuck ya doing creepy?" Emile yet again, bluntly asked as this time as Yang covered Ruby's ears. Much to Ruby's irritation that even if she was physically a twenty year old woman, she was still being treated as a baby by Yang

"Crase as Emile is. I have to agree, you're being a bit creepy right now Thorn." Rin added in, as she found the so far rather quiet and stoic clones current behavior odd

"Ah right… sorry about that ladies." Thorn said as he suddenly realized that he really was seeming that way, as he moved back a little "Again sorry. I just wanted to see is all."

"See what?" Ruby asked, as she had a feeling Thorn did what he did for a more practical reason

"Just, see if you're any different from the humans of this era. But I didn't see anything, aside from the feline ears on that one." Thorn explained, as he pointed for a moment to Blake whose ears twitched a little "Sorry again. Should have said something before-"

"Before you looked like a creep?" Emile cut in

"Yeah. That." Thorn said, with a sigh as he already knew Emile at least was going to be a bit of hassle to deal with

"No harm honest. It was odd, but we get you." Weiss reassured, as she smiled some "I do remember me and the girls being told. That some of you might have not had the best experiences with aliens from your eras. But if it helps, this is much nicer era. You don't have to instantly like aliens or their policies. But we only ask, each of you to do your best to behave. Okay?"

"Eh, might as well. Better than getting my head chewed off." Emile answered first, as he wasn't happy about it; but hell if he meet an alien he did like then maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all. That and to avoid getting his ear chewed off, he didn't care either way honestly. But it was to him a waste of time whenever he had to be yelled at during previous issues back in his own era

"I think I, Helena and Okita can agree to that easily." Rin said next, as Okita despite how she felt nodded with a half-smile and Helena was already on board to be friends with aliens consider who she had been in life "As you can see. We're fine with that and we hope to adjust more to this new era; and make a home of it."

"And we'll help you with that. All of you, that's a team RWBY promise!" Ruby cheered, as she did a thumbs up while Weiss, Blake and Yang did the same all complete with awkward smiles

"Well, at least you seem the honest type." Thorn mused, before he cracked his neck "Hey ladies. I wanted to ask, but can you give us more of a run down on what four are all about. I think I can say, we all are curious on that."

"That we are…that we are." Okita said suddenly, as she slowly began to stand back up and had Fixer along Thorn who moved closer; to help keep her steady. Once she was back on her feet, she gave the two a thanks as she looked better already aside from the blood on her the side of mouth; before focusing back on team RWBY "If you would. I think it would be nice, a sort of bonding moment or so. I mean…we're…we're working together. So…might as well right?"

"Sure that's sounds like a swell plan. Oh, oh where should we start?" Ruby said, as she was excited now as she donned on a big smile

"How bout asking about that whole goddess stuff. Shit's been bugging my mind for a while now." Emile asked first, in his already usual blunt manner

"OH, that. Yeah… that's a bit new to use still. Even after our first mission four years ago was done and over with." Ruby explained with a sigh "We never really did get a good idea on where to start when it came to our powers you can call em."

"So you really were goddess?" Rin asked this time, as she had heard to of team RWBY status yet didn't really believe it until now; as she could see none of the four young ladies before her were lying

"Well to be more exact. I guess it would be demi-goddess, on the account that we're reincarnations of four other women who were normal humans. Before becoming demi-goddess themselves." Yang chimed in, though she knew how crazy it sounded even now after these past four years

"And if you're wondering. We did meet our past selves. They were the reason we even learned about our demi-goddess origins. You should have seen us back then, we had glowing runes on our skin and all that." Weiss added in, as she sighed a bit "It was a hard adjustment then and I'll be honest I'm a bit glad we at least don't have the runes on us anymore."

"But do you have those so called 'Powers' of your still?" Emile asked once more as he was gauging up the girls even more now, considering they apparently were freaking demi-goddesses

"We do, me and the girls can feel our powers. But after being stuck inside a crystal for four years straight and just waking up. They're dormant I guess." Blake answered this time as she stretched her arms for a second "I'm glad about that part a bit myself. I didn't hate my new powers, but they scared me a bit."

"Makes sense. Must have been worried about becoming corrupted, right?" Okita asked as by this point she was able to stand on her own two feet easily as the girls nodded, which made Okita feel better being around them "Well glad to meet a few gods who seemed to have that sort of sense. Heh."

"Oh thank-" Ruby started to say, before she was cut off when sudden EDI's holo-emitter in the room turned on

"Pardon the interruption. But Elizabeth request all personal in this room to meet her at the cockpit. It seems a mission is underway now and Elizabeth would like to get a few of the new recruits groundside. That's all I was told. Signing off." EDI explained, before her holo-emitter turned off

"I'll be honest, EDI is going to take a while to get use too." Rin mused, with a sigh as even now she had a bit of issue with tech in general considering her mythical origins as a magus

"Hey at least it's not any B1's shooting at us." Thorn chimed in as he was fine enough with EDI, considering she was a mere bodiless A.I compared to what he used to deal with

"Preach there for once." Fixer in a rare moment of showing any other emotion then stone faced seriousness remarks, as Thorn at least was surprised considering regs like him and Commandos like Fixer rarely got along. But Thorn nodded back, as Fixer himself seemed surprised at what he just did and pulled his attention back to the girls "Ahem, ready and good to go ma'ams."

"Good to hear. But Helena, Okita, Emile, Rin. You all good with this then?" Weiss asked as she was a bit worried at least that it might be too soon for some of them

"You kidding. I've been dying to meet aliens my whole life. Ones that won't try and kill me, which I have with this new group already. But I want to meet more, besides I'm more of a fighter then my adorable looks give off." Helena reassured first, with a big smile filled with excitement and determination

"Madam Helena is correct. I too am good, despite my illness. I am a warrior still and will follow my new clan to the depth of hell itself!" Okita cheered, as the girls were happy to see that Okita was onboard already with all this; but they still worried a bit

"Just don't get too cocky alright kid." Thorn warned, a bit sternly as to him at least Okita was a slight liability thanks to her illness. But on the other hand, he did respect her willingness to die for her new clan which he assumed was her and the rest of the previous era refugees; including him. Looking back at the girls, he hit his fist against his chest plate "Us clones don't back down on a fight. I'm ready and able ma'ams."

"And I ain't saying no. If a fights gonna happen, sure as hell I'm gonna be part of it. Been meaning to get started up on my kill sheet for organic combatants in this new era. Hehe." Emile said. His tone filled with a rare sense of glee at the mere idea of killing organic targets again, the girls let it be since they assumed it just how his personality ended up as considering what they briefly learned of his era; didn't mean it didn't worry them still

"Of course the meat heads are willing." Rin exclaimed, with a small amused smile as she focused on the girls "Well, it would be irresponsible of me to say no. Besides this is a good way to see how my spells work against the organic opponents of this era and to… ugh. Learn how to shoot a gun."

"Hoho, this is gonna be fun to watch." Emile teased a bit, as Thorn at least chuckled alongside him as they had been near Rin long enough already to know she'd suck at using a gun

"Little…" Rin grumbled, as she was already dreading all the teasing some of the others would have with her until she got the hang of using guns; especially Scorch from the few interactions she had with the more energetic Clone Commando

"Thank you all. Very much, now let's get to cockpit people!" Ruby cheered as she quickly intervened to prevent Rin from possibly chocking out Emile and Thorn for their teasing

Without a word more, Ruby and the girls made their way out. The others of their now quickly assembled team followed behind, none of them realizing that this first mission would lay out the foundations of the missions ahead and oh boy. Were those going to… interesting.

---

Now it was time, time for their first mission…

That was now the reality for Elizabeth back in her new armor with her new weapons, team RWBY and their current other teammates for this mission. Being Rin, Emile, Thorn, Fixer, Okita and Helena. All of them decked out in their armor, with their weapons ready to go as they waited inside the airlock that connected to Omega.

Though for a few that didn't wear armor. Being Rin, Okita and Helena. They had been quickly given sets of standard and possible stolen Alliance Solider armor. Each piece a dull light and dark grey. None of the three women minded, heck Helena was surprised they were able to retrofit a set of the armor for her smaller body type. Each too were given a Predator Pistol as since none really knew how to shoot a gun properly. It was best for them to have a more ahem… beginner's weapon.

Still aside from that, they went over the mission and what was to be done. Which was to recruit both a Salarian Doctor named Mordin Solus as he would be a great help to study what samples they would obtain most likely later on when it came to the Collectors.

The other objective was to recruit a vigilante known only as Archangel. A man of unknown species who apparently made trouble for the local gangs here on Omega. Someone the Illusive man believed would be of great help for the team.

But they also had a side objective too, as they apparently were to meet the first of the new team members paid to work for them on this mission. One Zaeed Massani. A well know and rather ruthless mercenary. Fixer and Okita at least made some grievances of having such a man on their team. Ones that Elizabeth took to heart and understood. But would still obtain the man's services. The girls didn't make much of fuss about it, since they had known Wrex and his gruffness. They were willing to give the man a chance. Emile and Thorn didn't mind it either, while Rin also had been a bit vocal. But let it be Elizabeth's choice in the end.

So again, here the team was. Waiting for the first time used airlock to finish it's connection process before opening for them. As they waited, Elizabeth decided to speak a bit to her new team.

"Alright people. EDI and Eve explained the missions. For now, were gonna go after Archangel, then work on getting to the doctor after. Just remember this place is a mostly lawless colony. The only real law are the local gangs and small militias that are formed. That means we watch what we do and who we tick off. Understood?' Elizabeth stated, sternly as she waited for the confirmations to at least ease her own worries

"Yes ma'am!" Team RWBY, Rin, Fixer and Helena replied back understanding what Elizabeth was asking of them

"Good." Elizabeth stated, before looking to Emile, Thorn and Okita already seeing they were the more stubborn type of soldiers. So she cleared her throat, before addressing them specifically "I said is that understood?"

"Yes ma'am." Thorn, Okita and Emile finally said after a moment or more of silence

"That's what I like to hear." Elizbeth exclaimed, before she heard the airlock start to open from the outside and looked back ahead as it did so second later showing the walkway for them that lead into the station "Alright people. Keep it tight and let's get to it."

Not another word was said, as the group made their way out, before taking a left turn as the walkway lead only that way. The group walked, and walked. Already smelling the odor that filled the station. It was then the group saw a Batarain walking towards them.

"Hey, ain't that a Ba…Ba…" Helena tried to say, as she couldn't remember the name well enough yet

"A Batarain Helena. Don't worry, the name was hard for us too." Blake kindly answered

"Oh, well thank you deary. Like I said, I look young but my mind can be bleh at times." Helena replied back, as she patted Blakes left arm in grandmotherly manner

"Well if I can say. That fucker is ugly." Emile yet again stated, in his blunt crass manner

"Please play nice dude. I knew we barely know each other, but I'd like to avoid getting in a fist fight." Yang pleaded as she didn't need to get into a fight so soon, the last mission was still wanning on her as she was bit tired still from that

"She's has a point. But I have to admit, that thing really is ugly." Fixer chimed in, as he had to even admit that Emile was right on that at least

"Trust us, they have a nasty temper. First time we fought them was a hard series of battle." Weiss exclaimed, as she swore that asteroid would never leave her memories at how panic inducing it was for her

"Oh yeah. That was crazy with the mines, the auto turrets on the asteroid. Ugh I almost freaked out at the end!" Ruby added in, as she hoped she'd never have to do a mission like that again

"Wait, what?" Okita and Thorn asked, confused on what the girls were even going on about there

"Best to leave it for now. I think our friend is here for a reason." Blake cut in, as the Batarain came up and stopped. The group stopping themselves as they waited to see what the Batarain even wanted with them

"Can we help you?" Elizabeth asked, after a few seconds of silence as she still wasn't too at ease around Batraian's considering every time she ever meet one; they wanted to kill her

"Maybe, but first. Why not tell me what the fabled dead Spectre Elizabeth Shepard is doing here." The Batarain stated, sternly as Elizabeth and the girls at least were surprised by that. The Batarain simply rolled his four eyes at that "Don't be so surprised. We had you tagged right when you entered the Terminus systems. You're not a subtle as ya think, though gotta say. Some of your little friends here are something else. Never seen their armor before and is one of them carrying a sword. Jeez ain't she a dumb one."

"What was-" Okita was about to say, as she knew well enough that was aimed at her. But was interrupted, by Emile of all people who came to her defense

"Hey four eyes. How bout you back off, before I make you." Emile threatened, as he narrowed his eyes from behind his visor as the Batarain narrowed his eyes back a little

"Try it boy and your ass gets thrown out the air lock before you can say 'Opp's'." The Batarain threatened back, smirking even to get a reaction out of Emile who almost took out his Kurki he had sheathed on his right shoulder plate; before Rin stepped in

"Enough. Emile he's just trying to tick you off. Calm down." Rin sternly, if not kindly requested as Emile clenched his fists some more before seeming to calm himself

"Yeah… yeah okay." Emile simply said, as he was already planning on killing this alien later and away from the public eye

"There's a good little Varren. Listen to your master." The Batarain snarked, but before Emile could just say screw it and impale the smartass with his kukri; Ruby cut in this time

"Hey meany mc… mc… meanerson. Leave him alone!" Ruby scolded, pouty a bit as she looked as stern as she could. Before the Batarian simply chuckled

"Ha and here they are. The famed team RWBY. You girls sure would fetch a pretty price for the right collectors. Just take that warning. Lots of eyes are on ya already even now." The Batraian remarked, as he crossed his arms "But enough dicking around. You better get your asses up to the Afterlife. Aria is looking for ya."

"Who's Aria's?" Elizabeth questioned, as she crossed her arms

"The one in charge here. So again, best not to keep her waiting. Afterlife. Now." The Batarain simply answered, sternly as he turned around and made his way off

"Well… wasn't he nice." Rin mused, as she sighed a bit

"Nice. Yeah, as about as nice as a Cath Hound." Thorn mused, as everyone looked at him aside from Fixer who just kept quiet like usual "There ah… like Varren I guess. At least what I read on a bit with some of the books laying around when we arrived on the Normandy."

"Oh so that's what you were reading. You gonna loan it to me next right?" Helene quipped, with a big smile

"That I will. Helena. That I will." Thorn kindly replied back much to Helena's joy. Before he faced Elizabeth and the girls "Sorry Commander, ladies. Didn't mean to side track. But if you want my opinion. Much as I hate to admit it, but seeing this Aria might be the best course of action."

"That we do agree on Thorn." Weiss replied back, but kept on a serious face "Still. Emile, Okita. You two seem like you're quick draws. Right?"

"I'd say so I guess." Okita answered first with a firm nod

"Hell yeah." Emile answered next, with a confident tone

"Good. Then when we see this Aria. Can one of you act as our outer guard and the other our inner guards. Better to be safe than sorry, wouldn't you all agree." Weiss explained, as everyone else took a moment before nodding in agreement

"Huh. Not bad Weiss, not bad." Elizabeth compliment her future…no, her pretty much daughter in law

"Well… before the events of four years ago. You were teaching us some rather valuable skills and lessons. So if anything, it's thanks to you… mother." Weiss quipped, as Elizabeth almost shed a tear of joy hearing her daughter in law actually call her that

"Ahem. Not to ruin the mood, but we should get going Commander. I don't think this Aria is a patient type." Fixer cut in, bringing up a good point even if he got two light jabs on his left arm from Rin and Helena who seemed irked that the sweet moment between mother and daughter in law was interrupted

"Right. Right, thanks you Fixer." Elizabeth said, as she got back to her serious mode and looked ahead "Alright people let's make our way to the Afterlife and hopefully we'll also run into the merc that was hired to fight for us."

The group then began their way off once more. Walking and walking down; and almost reached the end of the hallway. Before suddenly another scrawnier Batarain was flung through it and hit the wall. Hard too as the Batarain groaned in pain while some of his blood dripped from his mouth. Then came another person, a human male.

He looked to be middle aged, with short greying hair, peach skin and some scaring. The man's eyes barley seen looked blue. He wore what looked to be custom yellow, steel grey, white and black armor and had a black arm guard with metal strips on his left arm. While a steel grey pauldron was on his right shoulder. The man currently walked up to the hurt and wounded Batarain.

"P-Please no-" The Batarain pleaded, only for the man to kick him in the face hard as he grunted in pain

"Shut it. Now where's the money, my client wants her damn money and I've had it about to here with ya. Waste of my god damn time I tell ya." The man said, in calm yet anger filled tone as the Batarain realizing this was his only chance left. Dug into his pocket and took out a few credit chips

"H-Here… just let me go now… p-please." The Batarain pleaded once more as the man took the credit chips

"No can do. Already tip off the guards on ya, besides for one I'm getting paid to keep ya alive for my employer to have her fun with ya. I think you know her all too well." The man answered, smirking a little even as the Batarain went wide eyed in horror

"N-No you don't mean-" The Batarain began to say, before Zaeed cut him off as he raised his boot up

"Nighty night shit face." The man remarked, before stomping the end of his boot into the Batraian's face hard. Hard enough tha it made a 'crunch' sound that made the girls, Helena and Rin cringe at least when they heard it. The Batarain out cold with a most likely broken nose now went limp as the man chuckle a little. Before he noticed from the corner of his left eye Elizabeth, team RWBY and the others. Turing, he now faced them showing off his bare right arm that was tattooed and his scared grey right eye "You them?"

"Ah... w-what?" Ruby out of everyone asked, as that was such a sudden thing to ask after what was just witnessed

"My contract little red. Are. YOU. Them?" The man sternly asked now, crossing his arms as he seemed already like he was losing his patience. Thankfully Elizabeth took over for her daughter

"I'm taking it you're Zaeed Massani then?" Elizabeth quickly asked back

"You mean the fossil here?" Emile snarked just a little, if only to gauge the older man before them

"Emile…come on really?" Blake mused, as Emile chucked some while Blake already wondered if this was gonna be the norm here

"Funny. But how bout you keep your mouth shut and take note. Maybe learn a thing or two from this 'Fossil' boy." Zaeed passive aggressively replied back, as Emile just chuckled a bit more seeing the old man had some bite in him and wasn't just a conman. Zaeed meanwhile turned his focus back on Elizabeth and the girls ignoring the rest of the odd company of theirs until he could get some answers later "Like your 'Employer' already told you probably. I'm getting paid to fight for you on this suicide mission."

"Hey um no offense. But, you sure about this. I mean you got paid, you can just say no and keep the money if you want." Yang asked, as she just wanted to make sure this guy understood what he was getting into; she didn't want anyone's blood on her hands

"I might be a merc. But I have professional standards, besides your Illusive man paid a hefty fund. With a lot of zeros. Speaking of, did he mention my other part of the agreement?" Zaeed questioned

"Um, what other part?" Weiss asked now, as this was a first she, the girls and Elizabeth heard of it

"Figures. Well, my other part of the deal is ah… a bit personal. You see, I've been hunting down someone, someone for a long time and I got a possible lead. I'm just waiting for my informant to verify the information. If the information is good, then I'll need some help with it. I won't say anymore till then, sorry." Zaeed explained, as the girls and Elizabeth at least were a bit wary on that; but wouldn't deny helping the man with whatever he was doing

"I think we can agree to that, right ladies?" Elizabeth quipped, as she wanted answers but would get them later when she could

"Yes ma'am!" Team RWBY replied back, with a nod as they hoped this was the right choice to do

"What about the rest of you, I might be your boss. But were all a crew here. So?" Elizabeth now asked, as this would help her get her own gauge on her new teammates

"You're the boss, boss. I don't care much either way." Emile answered first, with a shrug

"I agree with him… for once. Despite what I might feel, it's your choice Commander." Fixer answered next, with a nod

"Hey. You're the one in charge. I'm just here to help out." Thorn mused, as he was fine enough with it honestly; even if he was a bit wary of having a merc on their team

"As long as Mister Massani behaves. Then I have no issue." Helena mused, with a small smile as she was being serious though; she would be keeping the eye on the merc until she felt at ease enough around him

"And though I did show before that I may personally have some… issues with this. As the boys said. You're the boss." Rin chimed in. Crossing her arms as she would be on the more wary side for now with Zaeed

"Just keep in mind, he tries anything. I'm cutting his head off." Okita bluntly threatened as Zaeed at least didn't seem fazed by it and actually kind of seemed to respect her for it

"Well then, that all said. Welcome to the team Zaeed." Elizabeth said, as she held her hand out to Zaeed who took it. After a few seconds of shaking, they let go of one another

"Good. Then let's get to it, but before anything. Mind if we stop by the Afterlife?" Zaeed asked

"Whys that?" Yang asked back, as Zaeed thumb to the out cold Batarain

"Because blondie. This shit here didn't realize he scammed the Queen of Omega, Aria out of a good hundred grand with some fake cheap Asari artifacts. She found out real quick and sent out a bounty for the moron. I just got lucky I bumped into him when I did. Chased him halfway across the station before well, you can guess." Zaeed explained, as he shook his head at the slight headache this moron had been for him

"Actually we were told by another Batarain to go to the Afterlife anyways, seems Aria already spotted us and want to talk. Yay…" Blake answered this time, as she honestly wasn't fond of the idea

"Well then it works out for us all Cherish Cat." Zaeed remarked as Blake would have asked, but already had a feeling it was reference to something in this era she didn't know of yet

"Guess it does. But are we leaving your ah…ahem, friend here or…?" Weiss questioned, as she did feel a bit bad for the out cold; broken nose Batarain

"Just leave the moron here, besides I already tipped off the guards to pick him up Scar face. So, no need to bother. Besides Aria wanted her money back soon, then to do whatever she's gonna with this idiot in private. Oh well, no skin of my bones." Zaeed explained once more. As Weiss did her best to hold her tonuge at the now as she dreaded, but at her nickname from this guy

"Well I guess it's fine then… seriously though. Scar face?" Weiss questioned, as she just had to ask. She saw a slight smirk from Zaeed which indicated he did that only for his own amusement "Should have known…"

"Hehe. Nicknames aside, let's get going." Elizabeth simply said, as she and the others, plus Zaeed now made their way off to the Afterlife

As they did, exiting the long corridor. They got the first glimpse of the area they were in. It was big, wide opened skies that seemed to always be in a late evening shade. Smoke and smog pour out from further areas, alongside cars that flew around in the sky.

Aliens from Turian, Asari, Humans and many more of the known species walked around. Talking and such, like anywhere else. Aside from maybe a shadier feeling that the place gave off. Still as the group walked, ignoring some of the stares and even whispers on them. They quickly saw ahead the Afterlife. A very large and flashy building for sure. On the left a long line of people waiting to get in. As the group walked up passed said line, much to the grumbling of those who were waiting. It wasn't much longer, before they were stopped by the Elcor bouncer there.

"Threatening remark. What are you doing humans, do you want to be airlocked out?" The Elcor asked, in the usual monotone voice the girls and Elizabeth remembered they were well known for

"Ahem. Sorry, I thought Aria would have told you we're coming. She sent some Batarain to tell us to come here. Know him?" Elizabeth quickly replied back, with a smile as she began to talk down the rather aggressive Elcor as the others kept quiet; though Rin did lean closer to team RWBY

"Hey ah… do they always talk like that?" Rin asked the girls of team RWBY in a hushed manner a few seconds later, as she hoped not

"Yep." Ruby and Blake answered, as Rin groaned

"Oh no, like that isn't going to get grating real quick." Rin whined, as Okita and Helena chuckled at their masters mother reaction to such news

"Agreed." Thorn muttered himself, as he'd dealt with many aliens back in his era. But none that had such a glaring and irritating quirk like Elcor apparently had, even the Gungans were more pleasant compared to how these Elcor seemed to speak

"You should see how they sound when they're screaming in pain, after you blow off one of their limbs. It's like a fucking Shakespearian play that is." Zaeed added in, with a rather amused smirk as Emile at least found it a bit funny when he thought on it

"You two are…dark." Ruby muttered, as she was not gonna be getting use to that or even wanted too honestly

"Oh you should have hear some of the jokes friends of ours made at times. Jokes about cutting off heads and some rather…sensitive subjects that earned a smacking or two." Helena added in herself, as while Elizabeth and now Rin deciding to help out. We're conversing with the Elcor bouncer. Everyone else were in this conversation of their own now

"Oh yeah they did. You remember when Moriarty made that joke about the ten men and one woman in a small room in front of Boudica?" Okita chimed in as Helena cringed

"Take it she didn't like the joke?" Emile questioned, as Okita just nodded while Helena decided to explain further on it

"Nope and the reason well. Let's just say she ah… had a bad sadly similar experience." Helena simply answered, as that was enough to give everyone else the idea on why that may have earned an apparent smack

"Oh… shit." Emile muttered as he was crude, straight up psychotic in most ways but even he had some limits on what to actually joke about; if barely

"Yeah gotta agree there." Yang muttered, as she cringed a bit at that tidbit of information

"Anyways. They made up, and it was probably one of the first times Moriarty was genuinely sorry." Helena finished up as she sighed "But enough about the past children. We should focus on-"

"Hey, what this about?" Elizabeth asked suddenly, as the grouped looked back at Elizabeth and Rin staring at them as the Elcor bouncer had moved out of their way. Elizabeth putting on a faint hurt look "We're you gossiping without me. The betrayal!"

"Oh for the love of…" Rin muttered as she just realized, apparently she was gonna have to be the adult here… joy

"Oh Rin. Where's your sense of humor?" Elizabeth replied back, as she smirked at her fellow mother in arms as she'd at least early on learned that bit. Rin stuck her tongue out for a moment as Elizabeth chuckled some before focusing back on her team "Anyways. The bouncer is letting us through now, apparently this Elcor didn't like using his omni-tool for phone calls. For whatever odd reason. So, he missed Aria's update on us. Anyways let's get going. Time waits for no one!"

Yet again the group made their way off. Walking down a long colorfully hallway with various patrons just standing around drunk, talking, flirting, etc. As they entered inside as the entrance opened for them, they were blasted with loud music and lots of chatter. The lighting was lowered and like Chora's den. Had Asari dancers on the special reserved tables.

"You know, gotta admit. This reminds me of Chora's Den. Good times. Good times." Ruby mused at the memories of back then, even if a good amount weren't as pleasant to remember on

"Ruby dear. We we're ambushed there, almost killed in two different instances and then saw Wrex killed Fist in cold blood. With a shotgun to the face no less." Weiss bluntly reminded her girlfriend as Chora's Den was not one of the fonder memories from four years ago. At least to her "I wouldn't say they were fond memories honestly."

"BUT, it was all part of the journey. The fun filled ,if not dangerous journey!" Ruby quipped, as Weiss gave her a 'Really?' look

"Sorry sis. Gotta agree with Ruby here, it was fun. Especially watching you be all flustered when you were still getting the guts to ask my baby sis out." Yang teased, as Weiss grumbled some more while Yang and Blake chuckled some; and Ruby simply patted her dear Weiss back

Ellizabeth smiled at the quick little moment, while the newcomers simply watched. Most of them finding these five interesting, odd. But interesting. Though Thorn at least first, took notice of Zaeed's thousand yard stare.

"Hey, Zaeed." Thorn asked, as he nudged Zaeed who seemed to snap out it as he turned his focus on the clone "You okay there, you seemed out of it?"

"I… I am. Just, I'm just finally letting it sink in. That this is going to be my life now…fuck me." Zaeed answered, as now he questioning if the credits were worth the loss of what little sanity he held onto for all these years

"Trust us Zaeed… we've realized that too. Goodbye sanity, how I loved you." Rin replied back, as she wondered if the crew had any sort of saying on this realization that their sanity was now all to be in the past

"As sad as that is, I think we should get moving and catch up. Seems our five still are a little out of it." Okita stated, as she pointed at Elizabeth and team RWBY though still in their little funny moment. Had without realizing, started to make their way over to some stairs where the same Batarain from before was standing at. In a corner near said stairs like guard "Let's hope THAT's not a normal thing they do."

Not even a second later and with a silent nod of agreement with Okita. The rest of this newly formed team quickly moved up and back behind their five bosses. Who had finally snapped out of it and came back to the current reality. Having stopped right near the Batarain from before, who simply nudge his head to go up the small flight of stairs to their right leading up. So, they did.

Seconds later, the group found themselves now facing the upper part of this little platform. Where it was open ended with three expensive black couches filling it up and sitting in the further and center couch. Was an Asari who must have been Aria.

She was a slightly dark shade of blue, with markings on her face and a bit of makeup. Her clothing though a bit revealing also screamed power as you looked upon her. Her bright blue eyes peered into your and her white jacket made her pop out in way that said, 'Come on and try to kill me, I dare you'. All in all, this woman defiantly seemed to be the type to keep some sort of hold on this place. Said woman, noticed the group as she smirked a bit, before motioning them to come closer.

The team did so, but Elizabeth gave Thorn, Zaeed and Emile a look that said 'Keep Guard this time for us as our outer guard'. They seemed all too happy to do so, as none seemed to be the chatty-chat type, so they stayed back and faced the guards stationed across them in silence. Already taking their temporary role very seriously.

Meanwhile, team RWBY, Rin, Okita and Helena made due and sat down. Team RWBY on the right side couch. While Elizabeth, Rin, Helena and Okita sat on the couch on the left. Okita for the moment, acting as the groups inner guard. So as they got comfy, it was Helena who decided to initiate conversation.

"I assume miss, that you're Aria. Correct?" Helena asked, calmly and hoped this Aria wasn't one of those calm psycho types

"Hm, look at here. A cute little girl, with such manners too. Cute, real cute." Aria mused, if either by genuine kindness, mocking or maybe both as it was hard to tell. Still the woman continued "But I am. I assume you were told we had you tagged when you first entered. Hm?"

"Yeah we did. Gotta say, I studied a bit on the Terminus systems back on the old Normandy when I could. But I didn't think you were allowed to have probs so close to Citadel Space." Blake stated, as Aria smirked at this

"My, my. It's nice to know not everyone out in the good Citadel space is a prude to deny learning of us 'Lesser' folks. But let's just say I have a few… contacts and leave it at that." Aria explained, before she moved a bit in a more comfortable position on her couch "Though that's boring compare to well… you five. The famed Commander Shepard and team RWBY. Believed to be dead for almost four years, only to end up at my doorstep. With one of the most renown mercs out there and a few unknowns. Speaking of, who are the rest of you. You all seem new, and is the little girls hair dyed purple or…?"

"It's actually natural miss and I'm Helena." Helena replied back, as she already didn't get much of a great feeling from this woman

"Oh is that so. Interesting, very interesting." Aria mused, as she studied Helena a bit more before eyeing Okita and seeing her odd set up to "Is that a sword, what was it you humans called that a… a… a Katana. Right, a bit odd to see such an old relic being carried around like that alongside your sidearm. Are you perhaps suicidal, that would be the only explanation to your odd and rather stupid choice of weaponry or a lack of one."

"If you must know, I guess you can call me simply old fashion and I prefer this over my sidearm any day." Okita responded back, through her teeth as she knew Aria was just doing this for her own fun currently "My name is Okita by the way."

"And I'm Rin Tohsaka, the boys aside from Zaeed are Emile in the dark armor and Thorn in the white armor." Rin finished off, with the kindest tone she could as her own instincts were screaming danger from this woman "Not to be rude. But I and my companions here would like to ask some questions. Maybe get some answers too, if you'd please."

"Straight to the point. Fair enough, and I'm in a good mood. I mean a real good mood for once. So ask away, but don't ask TOO much." Aria exclaimed, a slight threatening tone underneath the calmness she was showing as the group just nodded "Good, so who's first?"

"Well if you don't mind us asking. But can you tell us a bit more about well… yourself. I'll be honest this is the first time I at least have heard of this place. No offense, but seems kind of… hard to maintain any form of order." Yang asked first, as a way to help ease Aria around them at least enough to get maybe some more snippets of information then they wouldn't have otherwise

"I'll take that as a compliment and leave at that. But if you must know, I'm just an Asari who climbed her way to the top and as you can see…" Aria mused, as she smirked before standing back up and turning her back to the group. Before looking ahead to the lights and people below her. Before she spread her arms out much "I am Omega!"

"Wow…ego much." Thorn muttered, as the girls and Elizabeth heard him if barely and nodded in agreement while Aria sat back down smirking still as she faced Yang once more

"And that young lady. Is who I am, I have a rule too. It's simple really. It goes like this... 'Don't FUCK with Aria'. See, simple, follow it and everything will be fine. Don't and one of my boys here will have your asses thrown out into the vacuum of space as we watch you suffocate quicker than you can say 'Sorry'. So, that good enough?" Aria explained, her tone calm and even sweet yet with that ever so underlying threatening aura that slipped out

"Yeah…yeah, I think we all got the picture." Yang stated, as she already wanted to be out of here and looking for their first two new-new companions; then spend another second around Aria

"Anyways, aside from that. We do need information on two men were looking for. One Mordin Solus and another called Archangel." Weiss said now, as she hoped this woman would be more than willing to just give them the information

"Ah… those two. Well since you ask, might as well. Besides, it will be fun to hear how you get them considering their situations." Aria mused, with a chuckle "So, who do you want to know about first hm?"

"Um before that, what do you mean by situations?" Helena questioned, as that wasn't good to hear

"Simple. You see your boys are in a bit of their own, what's that humans saying… oh right. They're in a bit of a pickle. Mordin is stuck somewhere inside a quarantine zone. At least that's what I assume as the quarantine is rather infectious and he'd be the type to stay and help out. But I'd say you'd have to wait, my men are still trying to push back anyone trying to get out. So it might be a bit longer before you can go into it. Come back to me in a bit and I'll let you know if it's 'Okay' if you consider what okay in this context would even mean." Aria started off, as that wasn't the best news for the group

"Thanks, I guess…" Elizabeth mused, as she sighed a bit before deciding to then ask on Archangel "Alright, then what about Archangel. What's his deal?"

"Let's just say Archangel came in about a few months ago with a big group of good doers, two of them were odder then the rest. Two women if I remember from what my boys learnt. Anyways aside from them. Archangel and his whole damn crew starting screwing with the gangs here. But he was smart enough to stay away from me." Aria mused, half irked yet had some respect for the self-proclaimed vigilante "He's an idealistic fool, but I'm sure that's why you're looking for him."

"That's one of the reasons from what the Commander and the girls explained. But, when you say gangs?" Okita said, as she wondered about these gangs now and what she; and the rest would have to expect when they go in to get the vigilante

"The Eclipse, Blue Suns and Blood Pack. I assume the Commander and the 'Other-Humans' as they were called here. Ran into them a few times." Aria exclaimed

"I think so… my memory is still a bit fuzzy on certain things. Girls?" Elizabeth answered first as she was for a lost there

"Same, sorry mom." Yang replied back as she sighed at the fact her memory would be taking a bit to come back

"I as well mother." Weiss added in, as she hoped herself that her memory would come back soon

"Ditto. After waking up from a four year long nap. Our memories are still in jumble." Blake chimed in. A bit irked herself as that would be a bit of a disadvantage for a while at least

"Man, why do our stupid brains have to…well stupid. UGH!" Ruby whined, as Aria and even of the others from both groups stared in slight disbelief at Ruby's yet again rather childish behavior

"I'd ask on what that's about. But I don't really care, either way I'll let you know when you're a go for the quarantine. For now, I'd personally go after Archangel. He has three gangs out for his blood and last I heard he's held up still well enough. But eventually that will change, if anything probably not for at least another four days. Whatever he's got up there, is most likely military grade stims he took from one of the Blood Pack or Blue Sun shipments. Again I'm just throwing it out there." Aria quipped, as she rested her head on the top of the couch and looked up at the roof of the Afterlife "Oh and I'd suggest before you go down to the recruitment center just to the lower right of us in here. That you all gear up some more, maybe walk around the market or even make a trip to the lower floors. I'd do it if only to get some credits and gear before running into another area with three pissed off gangs. Beside if any of you died, that be bad publicity for my station. So, there's that."

"Thanks… nice of you to care. Still we appreciate the information." Elizabeth replied back, a bit annoyed at Aria as she got back up and sighed "Alright people. Let's make our way out and then I'll tell you the plan okay?"

"Yes ma'am!" Team RWBY, Fixer, Thorn and Helena at least said as the others stayed quiet before the got back up

Without another word. The group made their way back down the stairs and then quickly out of the bar. Once they were outside and glad to be for the silence. They moved over to a corner and formed a circle to have conversation. Again ignoring some stares and whispers of those who passed them.

"Alright. So I assume we all understand the gist of what's going on?" Elizabeth asked as the others took a moment looking to one another; slowly nodding back before looking back at Elizabeth. Nodding with more reassurance, Elizabeth snicked just a bit at that, as she found it a little funny "Heh. Well good, now I know what Aria said is… concerning. But it would probably be for the better if we did walk around to see if we can find a merchant of so that will sell us some gear cheap. Maybe even give us some information. Sound good?"

"I mean it does ma'am. But, are we all just going to do this as one big group or…?" Thorn questioned, as Elizabeth smirked and Thorn already knew the answer "Ah, okay. Okay."

"What, what does that mean?" Ruby asked this time, as she was a bit confused as Weiss gushed a little

"Oh…so cute. Must resist urge to…snuggle!" Weiss said, with a bit of a lustful lovestruck gaze

"Now I'm really starting to regret taking this job." Zaeed muttered pinching the bridge of his nose as he realized that apparently the flirting from the girls was also going to be a constant thing now in his life

"ANYWAYS. Banter aside, that and the flirting from Weiss." Elizabeth teased as Weiss blushed just a little, as some of the others laughed at her expense a bit. Elizabeth continued on "We are going to be splitting up into smaller groups for this Thorn. That said, for the groups I've already picked. Ruby my little rose bud."

"MOM!" Ruby screamed through her teeth as she saw a bit of teasing smirk from Rin, and an amused mocking chuckle from Emile

"Sorry couldn't resist. But back on a serious note, Ruby you'll be with Okita." Elizabeth started off, as Ruby looked at the girl and smiled

"Sounds great, gonna be fun hanging with ya Okita!" Ruby mused happily, as Okita smiled back simply from how chipper Ruby was so far

"Heh. I am as well, am looking forward to it Ruby." Okita kindly replied back as she was fine with it, mostly because she was curious on the girls as individuals; so this was a good start than any

"Next. Bake, you'll be with Emile and Helena." Elizabeth said, as Emile flinched a little hearing that "And I expect you all to behave. Understood?"

"… Yes ma'am." Emile replied back, as he wasn't happy about it. But he wasn't gonna bitch about it either, the Commander was charge and that was that. Not to mention again, but Carter would be on his ass if he started anything

"And I'll make extra sure the kids here do behave. You have my word Elizabeth!" Helena cheered, with a big smile

"Like Helena said, we'll behave… mom." Blake stated, as she blushed a bit saying that. But hey, Weiss finally said it so she might as well get use to saying it too

"D'aw. Now I have a litter!" Elizabeth cheered a bit, as she was glad that Blake was deciding to call her that too from time to time. Quickly focusing yet again back to the others, she continued on "Now then, for you Yang my little sun. You'll be grouped with Thorn and Fixer."

"Ah cool, still really mom?" Yang quipped, as she blushed herself a bit from the nickname and the fact she could hear some chuckling pointed at her now

"Hey. Like I said with Ruby. Couldn't resist." Elizabeth remarked, as she loved just teasing her little girls. Then she focused on the clones "Now boys, please keep in mind Yang can be a bit of trouble at times. So just make sure she doesn't get into TOO much trouble kay?"

"Mom…" Yang grumbled, as Ruby snickered a bit while Yang gave her little sis the stink eye for a few moments

"Don't worry ma'am. Well keep an eye on her." Fixer reassured, as now he had his current mission objective and would do what he could, even if it seemed impossible from what he'd already gather just being near Yang

"Yeah. Besides, wouldn't want to see your… little sun get hurt. Now would we?" Thorn mused, teasing a little as he chuckle. Yang then turned to him, unamused and knowing the red highlighted clone was enjoying this

"Oh it is on Thorn. It is on now buddy." Yang stated as Thorn just chuckled some more, much to Yang slight irritation as she grumbled

"And now finally you Weiss. Since we only have two others, Rin and Zaeed will be with you." Elizabeth finished off

"Well at least it's with people who seem capable." Zaeed muttered as Rin and Weiss heard that at least; and just ignored the possible jab at them

"If that is to be, then so be it. Weiss I'll be glad to get to know you better young lady." Rin said, as she could tell she and Weiss would get along fine enough

"Yeah, yeah sappy crap aside. Guess were working together for the time, well hope your decent in a fight if we get into one." Zaeed mused, as he crossed his arms

"I'm sure I and Rin here will be enough 'IF' we do. But I'm sure we won't, since we're just going to be walking around." Weiss exclaimed as she smiled as kindly as she could to the rather already gruff merc, Rin simple nodded in agreement there

"Hey wait. Mom, that means you're alone, what are you gonna do?" Ruby suddenly asked, realizing that her mom was the only one without a partner here

"I'm heading back to the Normandy for a moment, I need to check on a few things before our mission later going into the Quarantine zone. That and make the new team for that mission is ready and before anyone here asks. Aside from me and the girls, everyone else is on rotation for the time. Understood?" Elizabeth explained, as everyone else simply nodded that they did indeed understand the plan. Seeing this Elizabeth smiled "Good, then we'll meet here in about two hours. So until then, everyone sticks with their teams and try to stay out of trouble or as best you can. Dismissed."

With a few quick goodbyes for now between the girls of team RWBY with each other and Elizabeth. The now smaller groups made their way off. Some back into the afterlife for information as drunks usually like talking more than they should.

Some down to the lower levels on this floor to also see what information they could find and others to the marketplace. To see what gear, they could obtain that could help later on in their now apparently first mission to get Archangel.

Then Elizabeth finally made her way to the Normandy, as she let of a sigh of personal relief. Mainly for the fact, she was just a bit worried she'd be out of practice with her negotiation skills after four years. Now she hoped she was still fit enough when it came to battle. She would have to wait and see.

So as Elizaeth made her way to the Normandy. She could only hope things for the groups she made would do fine enough. She also hoped doing this would help the girls with their leadership skills. More of Weiss, Blake and Yang considering Ruby had been her team's leader even before they entered this era. Since eventually the girls would have to learn to do mission on their own with their own teams from time to time. Considering the number of arrivals. This was the best time to start doing so.

Still, she really did hope they'd all behave. She didn't want to get Aria on her back with complains/ death threats. She already had gotten enough of that from the council during her chase after Saren. Dear god please… please.

Let them behave…

---

Elsewhere…

It was doing its usual duties as it counted the new batch of humans podded. The drones pushing them by two in a perfect singular line. Like it always ways, everything perfect and orderly for the Collectors.

Oh yes, for this particular Collector who watched its lower cast comrades bring in more and more podded humans. This was what you could call the General or as it took upon its master's nickname, 'The Overseer'. But as it watched the progress for the project. It wondered why its master seemed uneasy as of late, there was and shouldn't be a soul that could stand against them after taking care of this galaxies hero's four years ago.

But it's master, Harbinger seemed worried. Then again, it knew that it's master seemed different when not his Reaper form. But instead, his humanoid form. Though as it wondered, its master contacted him viva mental link. Taking a moment, the Overseer activated the mental link on its side. Before its master spoke to it.

"Overseer, it's been a while. How goes the resources?" Harbinger in his Reaper form, currently asked

"{_.}" The Overseer answered in a language that was long lost in the era's before

"Excellent. Soon enough all will come together." Harbinger stated, as he became oddly silent which was a first of the Overseer

"{_-_?}" The Overseer asked, respectfully as it hoped his master would not take offense

"Nothing of terrible concern Overseer, but... I shall be sending you some… help. Extra security. For why, I have my reasons and leave at that Overseer. They shall be arriving in a few days. So, be prepared to welcome them, do you understand?" Harbinger exclaimed, as the Overseer seemed to mull over what it had been told

"{_-_-_...}" The Overseer muttered a bit, as it found this odd to say the least. But who was it to argue, so it made sure it's master knew it understood "{_-_.}"

"Good. For now though, continue with the harvests. Time is only on our side for so long." Harbinger stated, sternly before signing off

After that, the Overseer took a moment or so to fully take in what its master told it. Then seconds later, it went back to watching over the drones take the podded resources for temporary storage. But as it did so, the Overseer couldn't help but wonder. What exactly these so called 'Reinforcements' were to be.

Oh well, plenty of time to wonder on that later on.

.

.

.

On the side, as Harbinger cut off his comms to the Overseer. Turning into his human form once more, as it appeared on the inside of his Harbinger bodies hull. This particular area of the hull was what he called his 'Special' storage. Oh, how long he waited to use this rooms contents.

As Harbinger or now Zekial once more, looked at the dozens upon dozens of different storage units. Each one housing thousands upon thousands of… specimens. Ones from era's before, as though he did kill each one. He also did find some specimens worth keeping. Besides why let a few worthwhile recourses go to waste.

But still, smirking. He looked at upon a few special pods. Ones filled with those he would entrust to help his dear Collectors out as secondary leaders or sorts, with the new regiments of reinforcements. It would come to down to who had the better troops in the end. Either way it would be fun. He couldn't help but gloat a little too.

.

"You have your relics and I, have mine. My dear, dear family."

.

Whatever the outcome would be later on, whatever had been considered 'sane' in this universe. Would cease to exist one way or another. For ill or not, it all came down to those four young ladies of team RWBY.

The choices they would help make here and in the future ahead. Would be the catalyst of what would come and effect this era for years to come. Only one way this could be summed up in a sentence.

.

Lord, dear lord have mercy upon this galaxy and it's reaming sanity…

---

END!

Hello friends. Another chapter done with and boy I enjoyed writing this one. So first off, might as well address somethings that you may have noticed.

First is some dialogue changed here and there, etc. When it comes to Zaeed. I did what I could to try and make him seem more well flushed out when you first meet him. Also I did add small interesting tidbits to expand upon his companion quest in a sense. You'll see later on.

Then for some other dialogue. Be it NPC's and such. I went off lots of it from memory, so it won't all be correct. But then again, makes more fun that way too in some aspects when I also decide to add my own small twists on it.

So next. I did my best to get these added in what I will be dubbing 'Old Era' characters, personalities as correct as I can. Again most if coming from memory here so bear that in mind. But also keep in mind too, I've place them in a sort of fish out of water/ compliant sort of mind set considering those of the previous era's don't have literally anything left from their old lives. That and they already all kind of agreed on helping out the girls and Elizabeth so there's that.

Anyway, next chapter I will say will be having the girls getting to know a few of their newest set of teammates; before the big two missions. Still thinking of team names, since that's gonna be a big help remembering each set up for future missions lol.

That all said and done, I hope you enjoy this chapter and those that are to come. So until then, have the best days ahead my fellow readers and writers! : )