Well… This took some time to make, mainly because I took a week's break since it's the holidays… With that out of the way why it took me some time to get this done, it's good to be back making another chapter for you all to enjoy! Also, never thought I would see the day that global PGR servers will catch up to CN servers, and boy am I excited!

Now, time to deal with some comments before we start.

Dasosiglord2.0: Yeah, it makes sense with how I depict Alpha in this story and fun fact, I would portray that Lucia in this story has the frame of Alpha and the personality somewhat similar to Lotus. Also, the idea of a Maiden powered Alpha to make Pyroath Lucia is quite the thought and terrifying, knowing how powerful that fame is in lore.

As for Nanami showing up, that… actually not a bad idea…

SolSparda36: That's actually funny to imagine in my head with how short she is compared to the RWBY cast at full height. I mean, Roman is 6'3" (or 1.91 meters) and Adam is 6'4" (or 1.93 meters). Lucia, on the other hand, is only 5'4" (1.65 meters) then there are Luna and Liv at 5' 2" (or 1.59 meters) and 5 '08" (or 1.55 meters). Yeah. The RWBY cast are giants compared to the PGR cast.

Then again, Asians tend to be shorter compared to the West, as my height is 5'6" (or 1.71 meters). Fun fact for you guys about me, I suppose.

MrninCoffee: Close enough, I suppose. The power level in PGR is quite different from RWBY and I can see that being the case. I mean, the gen 2 and gen 3 frames just about blow everything out in the RWBY world and can be seen as almost untouchable.

AidenJacksonSmithDSBB: Judging from your reactions, you enjoyed reading my story. Hope to see you in the reviews again!

Now that we're done with the comments from the last chapter, let's get this chapter on the road because it is time for some deal with the aftermath of the last chapter and a tiny bit of interrogation.

As always, I do not own RWBY, it belongs now to Viz Media nor own anything from Punishing Gray Raven under Kuro Games. Only the OCs in the story are of my creation.

Lucia POV

An hour has passed since Torchwick and Adam were secured into the Griffin, and my sister made her departure back to Beacon to secure the Grimm Virus she extracted out of that monster she defeated. Currently, I am in the midst of ensuring that Adam and Torchwick back tied up properly in my default attire. While we're at it, here's an interesting fact about the material I used to tie them in place.

It apparently was created in Remnant similar to my world, but never seemed to be used at all.

And that material is Kevlar.

Which is odd since that stuff, from what I know, is very useful in its applications back on Earth, but I suspect that the manufacturing costs were just not worth it with the whole Dust and Aura rendering it somewhat noncurrent. On the plus side, the mini laser-powered nano-assembler I have on board the Griffin makes it relatively easy to synthesise a significant batch for me to tie up Adam and Torchwick into the chairs.

That and with Kevlar's high tensile strength and durability makes it ideal to hold Aura users in place. Though, it is a requirement to secure it tightly to prevent them from snapping it off. Perhaps I could experiment with it in the future, and perhaps create Kevlar fibres weaved together with Dust to create something new and potentially beneficial in the long term.

With approval, of course, thought that might earn the interest of the General if we can create new uniforms made with Kevlar weaved with Dust for enhanced protection since most of Atlas's military are made up of squishy auraless people instead of semi-independent drones thanks to the incident involving me.

Another thought since this new Dust enhanced Kevlar would be instrumental should it be pulled off, with my Hud running all sorts of theories and probabilities of success. In fact, one suggestion that is utterly impractical due to the danger of it is to integrate fire or combustion Dust into the Kevlar which would result in it introducing a reactive armour defensive effect.

Aka, an Explosive Reactive Armour system on a person.

Why do I know this?

Was kind of a military nerd back home when I was much younger…

The implications of this idea would be instrumentally powerful as a defence but also incredibly dangerous for the wearer, since well… The Kevlar armour's segments literally explode upon high-impact strikes. Another suggestion is electric Dust, which is much better since the implications of it would shock any attackers attacking the wearer.

In theory at least, but something to experiment on at a later date.

Perhaps Nora can benefit from this kind of Dust woven Kevlar armour since it would give her the ability to activate her Semblance if required by triggering it, though, on further thought. That's a horrible idea knowing how she is… That and its voltage output might overload her semblance or cause other unforeseen consequences.

Upon tightly securing both Adam and Torchwick in place, I had the Griffin drop me just outside of Beacon so I can enter in stealthy without waking up everyone in the process, and just like that, I'm back in my dorm room to see Luna floating in the air with her arms crossed expectantly.

Ah. Right.

Answers…

"Are they secured for interrogation?" She asked me immediately upon seeing me entering through the window into our dorm. Furthermore, Liv was on her bed watching me in her pink pyjamas as if also expecting some answers as to my sudden disappearance. I suspect that my sister must have told her what she knew.

"Affirmative. Both are secured for interrogation hours from now." I answer my sister before taking Benizakura out from my magnetic belt from my articulating arm attached to my rear. I still don't understand why my construct frame has that feature of all things…

"You told her?" I ask next with my eyes on Liv as she meekly nods her head.

"Is it really true that Dr Erhard gave you a final order to protect Remnant from anyone who threatens it?" She asks before pausing for a moment as if processing what to say next. "Then is that why he had given you the command to kill everyone when he discovered the Loyalty Programme in the making? Because it would affect your true intended use?"

I suppose you can say it just like that. Despite how meek she is at times, Liv is extraordinarily intelligent at times, and I even caught her several times browsing the CCTS weeks after she has transferred her aura and consciousness into her Construct frame. Though, she wasn't subtle at all and accidentally tipped off the cybersecurity alarms in Atlas I requested should be installed just for security.

"Yes… It is why he did that, despite how painful it was for him." I said while nodding my head slowly with my eyes closed. Seeing everything I did that day was still traumatising to see. "And for me, reliving the memory of the slaughter I left behind despite it being wiped out from my system…"

[Notice. Facial analysis indicates Luna has more queries to ask.]

"I understand." Liv says, while I slowly open my eyes and turn towards my sister, who appears to slowly dismantle her right arm through her Semblance alone, which is quite impressive given the coordination and concentration required all while still looking at me.

"Query sister. Earlier on, back in the warehouse. I detected a signal jamming frequency, cutting out all CCTS communication frequencies emanating from you. Where did you come across the idea?" Oh, that? I suppose it only makes sense that my sister would pick up on me emitting that frequency in the midst of battle.

At least it's easy to explain how I did that, and I'm confident that she'll adopt it as well.

"An Adaptation of BPB-26's jamming frequency months prior for future combat against it, and allow for the changing of future signal frequencies to bypass the jamming effect. Furthermore, the concept of electrical warfare is clearly non-existent and exploitation of it allows for future neutralisation of hostile targets without alerting others, as proven earlier."

I explain while my sister rests her hand under her chin with her eyes still on her arm now in separate parts before a screwdriver floated in and began tightening on one of her bolts in her arm.

I must have caught her mid-maintenance.

My bad sis.

"Understood." She said before a thought reached me. What happened to that Grimm Virus my sister managed to extract out of that monstrosity? I hope she properly disposed of it somewhere or ensured that it's secured enough, we wouldn't want an outbreak occurring in the heart of Beacon. Oh, that would be incredibly unpleasant.

"Query sister." Best to check with her right now before I make my departure hours from now to check on Torchwick and Adam, and while at it get something for them to eat. I think some food from those twenty-four-hour convenient stalls should be sufficient for both of them. "What happened to the Grimm Virus you extracted?"

Raising an eyebrow at my question, Luna brought her left hand up before a structurally complex cube that had numerous layers from a quick glance flew above her hand and floated in place while she explained. "It is contained, but will require constant vigilance to ensure no outbreaks occur. It should be noted that Liv wishes my assistance to understand the Grimm Virus on how doctor Merlot manufactured it at a later date."

I see… The logic of trying to understand what we're fighting or how Merlot managed to create that thing and, by extension, that abomination makes sense. But I'd prefer it if it is done back in Altas under tight control. I'm also pretty sure that Doctor Watts and Pietro were already trying to understand it weeks back and even then, calculations suggest that they are not going to get far unless Merlot's research on how he created it is secured nor the magical nature of Grimm involved.

"Understood. Recommend conducting of experiments be done in a sterile and isolated place." I said, while both Luna and Liv nod affirmatively to my words before the conversation ended, and I found myself leaning against a nearby wall with my eyes closed. At times, I honestly forget that I don't even need to sleep any more with my mechanical nature and no longer having exhaustion or basic human needs to worry about.

But some close eye does sound nice to have before I around eight to grab some stuff for my prisons to eat.

Now, then, should I play good cop or bad cop with both of them?

Hmm…

An hour or so passed after Lucia's return to beacon, and news quickly broke out about the events of the night. As expected, almost everyone was confused about what specifically happened, except for the arrests of several White Fang members, who were found unconscious in an utterly ruined warehouse. Other than investigations suggesting that this was a White Fang cell, no other evidence about who were the perpetrators that tore this place down.

Of course, Ozpin had brought Liv, Luna and Lucia into his office for their annual morning talk, though all three of them made no mention of their involvement in last night's events, only offering theories about the possibility of a vigilant Huntsman taking out the White Fang cells. Once their talk and overall thoughts about their day were done with Ozpin, all three of them split off to do their own thing, with Lucia leaving to do her secret interrogation on Roman and Adam in her ship.

Now back on her ship with some water as well as bread and fruits for her prisoners to eat so they won't starve to death, Lucia is now back in her human disguise and in her usual outfit with a sandwich in hand. Walking into the main compartment of her ship, her eyes flickered with life before two seats rose from the ground, with one of them having a tied up Torchwick in it.

Who is also awake after getting his ass beaten hours ago.

"Oh, finally something's happening! My arms are getting tired from all the- aw crap…" The Criminal uttered with his eyes wide open, while Lucia was standing before him with an arm on her waist while enjoying her sandwich. "Just my luck…"

"Sup." The Construct in hiding causally says with her emotion suppressors disabled before she sat on the chair opposite Roman before bringing her leg over the other. "I think you and I have much to talk about, but first," Lucia says as she grabs an apple from her bag and holds it in front of his face.

"You hungry?"

…

"You're kidding, right?"

"No. Not really. I have nothing to fear about you trying to escape this place." Lucia admits as she eats another bite of her sandwich while Torchwick looks around confused and afraid about where he is right now. "Again, I prefer using the carrot than the stick, to be honest."

As for Torchwick, the events of the last night played over and over again in his mind as it finally hits him that he's in the custody of that crazy ass Huntress and utterly nonsensical choice of clothing. And here she is, sitting before him without any care and snacking on food while he's in some place that doesn't make any sense since the machinery looks more for Atlas's tin bots!

"W-Who are you a-anyways? One of the General's lapdogs? Everything about you just doesn't make any god-damn sense!" The criminal blurts out before silently cursing out at the situation, but his words seem to have some effect on Lucia as she visibly pauses with her silver eye staring straight into his.

"I suppose you can call me a lapdog isn't far from the description… But I digress, I want information on who you're working for." Lucia says as a table quickly rose between her and Torchwick before placing the apple she had on it. "And before you say that you work for nobody, we both know that's a lie." She continued as she pulled out the criminal's scroll from her pocket and placed it on the table.

Torchwick could only curse out internally at the fact that he was swiftly shut down from denying at all. Even then, the actions this Huntress is doing are strange from any interrogation he'd been through in prison before Neo breaks him out. While he was processing his options on what he could technically do now, Lucia continued.

"I've also read your history, you know? You have quite the journey, rising from a nobody to becoming the second of the Spider syndicate in Mistral before betraying their leader and fleeing here, among other stuff. You're also not known for working with anyone else, but have others working for you. Hell, based on your track record, your sudden heists for all the Dust in Vale as well as working with the Vale branch of the White Fang is out of character should one look to the past."

"Times change and I have got to adapt to survive. Even if it means working with those animals-."

"Willingly?" Lucia quickly chimes in and shuts Roman up. "We both know that's a lie as well. You have quite a history with your views on Faunus, but to suddenly work with a Faunus organisation that promotes Faunus rights violently? Sounds quite odd, isn't it? Unless… someone has you on strings."

Hearing all these things which were true and made the criminal mastermind leaned back with disbelief all over his face. After all, he did his best to make sure his past was secured and hidden, yet this Huntress lady seems to know it all! "How the hell do you know all these things about me?"

"I know many things, Torchwick." Lucia smirks as she finishes her sandwich before leaning her arm over the table. "Now, care to tell me all about the one who has you and the Fang by the strings, so I may sever it?" Lucia asks as everything about her becomes uncannily cold.

Gulping at the sudden change from Lucia suddenly lost the liveliness she had, the criminal mastermind was left in an extremely awkward place. He can't tell her about that crazy bitch, or she'll chase him to the ends of the world and fry his ass crispy. But at the same time, he also doesn't want to deal with this bizarre and strong Huntress that seems to know everything about him!

As if knowing what was going through his head, Lucia adds in. "If you help me, I'll have those strings cut from you and your companion. Permanently. After all, you're just a pawn and I want the head of the snake. Especially since I suspect that your true boss is working with my target, judging by the monster you were assigned to give to the White Fang."

Lucia then gave a vicious glare. "Do you have any IDEA what that thing is?"

"Clearly you know what the hell that thing is more than I. And even if I agree to help you, how the hell would I know you won't just leave me in this shithole?"

Lucia's eyes visibly twitched at the criminal's blatant if ignorant insult at her ship. "You might want to take back your words… This shithole… as you called it, is my personal airship, and we're over a thousand kilometres in the air. I could just drop you from where we are, and you'll fall for at least an hour before you go splat. So even if you managed to break from your bindings, you're stuck here." She admits while Torchwick's mouth goes wide.

So much for having Neo bust him out from this place if what this woman says is the truth that they are high in the skies. But to his shock, Lucia suddenly leans back and visibly calms down. "But I won't do that. I made a promise to your partner to see you alive and free so both of you can run off somewhere and out of this mess with no strings holding you back."

For the most part, Torchwick is baffled.

This Huntress clearly confirms that she's in cahoots with that rigid ass General, and here she is, willing to set him free due to a promise to Neo and getting what she wants. Even if it's incredibly likely that she'll get into deep shit if the General finds out that she releases him without sending him to prison.

This lady's all confusing as hell!

"What's the cost for all this mess?" The criminal asks. He learns first hand that no one does this kind of shit for free, and there has to be a price for this.

There has to be.

"Your cooperation is the price. I don't know if you are aware, but your superior is working with two renegade scientists and has to be stopped before they do something dangerous." Lucia states her words as fact with her eyebrows furrowing. "You've seen it first hand with that abomination last night. My task is to stop them before they cause a crisis that kills everyone."

She pauses for a moment before finishing off. "That's why I need all the information you can provide me. Because I prefer that we all can live to see the next day and not have the streets filled with those monsters. Survival means jack shit if there are Grimm like that running around and killing everyone."

…

The silence was unsettling as Lucia casually waits for a response from Torchwick while he remains idly by to process every option presented. As much as he likes taking gambles as any other criminal of his calibre, this is too much because she's making sense! And as much as he hates working with authority-like figures and Huntresses, this crazy ass Huntress stands a better chance of getting him what he always wanted ever since he found himself bound to that fire bitch.

Freedom.

"Fine. I'll tell ya everything, but answer me this before that, what the hell was that Grimm anyway? I've never seen anything so ugly before."

Lucia immediately snorts before chuckling at the criminal's choice of words. Yeah, ugly can be used to describe that monster. "Let's just say those scientists managed to find a way to twist Grimm and technology into one horrible package. Frankly, I still don't understand how they pulled it off."

"Hang on a sec, you're telling me, THAT thing is machine and Grimm together?!" Torchwick would have spat out his drink if he was drinking presently, and Lucia's nod only reinforces his worry. "Bloody fucking hell! And I thought those things were freaky enough."

"Referring to BPB-26 and ATL-01, I presume? Yeah, those two are also my targets as well. So, are you willing to cooperate with me for the chance at freedom?" Lucia asks with a smile, while Roman pauses for a bit before nodding his head.

"Yeah, sure. I'll tell what I know. Just get these bindings off me, I can't feel my arms."

"Wonderful."

And thus, the next few minutes proved incredibly enlightening for the construct, despite already having Cinder's scroll location in her system.

Lucia's POV

So, it appears that Cinder got her hands tied by Merlot and Racher, then also has Torchwick and Adam tied to her. I am not sure whether to laugh at her misfortune or pity her since she found herself under someone else's control again. What I'm more intrigued by is the lack of resistance she gave when Racher and Merlot gave them an ultimatum, according to Torchwick.

I suspect that they're keeping an eye on her and even managed to bring up some curious information or something along those lines. Another key interest is the 'deal' that has been established between the scientists and Cinder, as it appears that most of the Dust Torchwick has gathered, and the manpower pool of the White Fang is to be funnelled to Racher and Merlot's underwater laboratory.

An interesting term though, according to Torchwick, he suspects that they strong-armed her into giving them what they wanted or being removed from the table altogether. A concern that should be attended to, but an opportunity has been exposed. Should I take out Cinder and Adam, while also freeing Torchwick at the same time, I could starve out Racher and Merlot of resources and manpower.

Though it has a high chance of crippling them, it also could cause either Racher or Merlot to act more aggressively to obtain the resources they need and that would cause more panic… Like that other case when Merlot had BPB-26 to try and secure some test subjects, or that incident at the docks weeks back.

Wait a second…

By manpower, does that mean additional hands to help out in laborious tasks or…

Test subjects…

Oh, God…

No, Lucia, calm down! Acting rashly here will not help right now! Even then, adding those factors in means that Merlot has ample supply to push his inhumane experiments even further and could result in something like the Hound or that thing I encountered months back…

I should make a personal data log whenever I feel like it, or perhaps have done by my subroutines.

As for Adam, well… He's less than cooperative and even called me Atlas's lapdog just like Torchwick did, except more violently since he tried countless times to break his bonds. Unfortunately, he couldn't break out of it, but oh did he try. Frankly, the whole interrogation feels more like a god-damn vet appointment with an incredibly pissed off and scared cat or dog.

For fucks sakes, he wouldn't stop shouting at me while I could only just stare at him patiently!

Even more that he's been incredibly uncooperative that even my Hud suggests that I shouldn't waste time with him since there's nothing I can do will make him cooperative for now nor can I just set him free. I would have suggested a compromise between the two of us, like freedom for information on Cinder, but I think I will have to wait until Adam calms down a bit, if ever.

Letting a sigh out of my lips, I found myself walking through the hallways of Beacon back to my dorm. Ever since this morning, my sister has been quite insistent with forced queries about keeping in touch with my progress with Torchwick and Adam because she justified it as her part too to safeguard Remnant from Doctor Watts creating her off me.

Which isn't wrong that that means potentially going underneath Atlas' ruling to safeguard Remnant.

[Notice. Scroll signatures of team RWBY and JNPR detected in dorm designated for Lucia Alpha and cohort.]

"Hmm? What are they doing there?" I found myself wondering internally as I approached my dorm to hear chatter inside. And from the sound of it, they're asking about me. More accurately, where I went off and something about inviting us to join them at a beach?

Once I was at my dorm, a simple flicker of my eyes was enough to send a signal to the electronic locks to have it disengage and allow me to open up to see my sister on her feet facing team RWBY and JNPR with Liv also there. And it appears that me opening the door has caught everyone's reaction.

"Lucia!" Ruby chirped as she zipped right in front of me as she blurted out her words excitingly. "Team RWBY and JNPR are going to the beach soon, and I was thinking of inviting you, Luna and Liv! Wanna come with us? It will be fun!"

Oh… A beach?

Haven't been to one in a long time back on Earth due to work and also on Remnant, to be honest…

"Ruby! There's no need to rush up to her like that!" Weiss says as she ran next to her partner before apologising to me. "I'm so sorry about her, Lucia, we've been planning this occasion for some time now and Ruby believes that it would be a pleasant time spending over there with you and your sister and Miss Idonia as well."

[Emotion suppressors disabled.]

"It is alright, I was simply surprised by her choice to involve us in going to a beach all of a sudden, but I appreciate the offer." What are we in? A beach episode? Not that I mind, but I suppose with RWBY taking in some anime tropes, it's bound to happen. "But I'm surprised you went to us and not my little sister Penny, I think she'll love to hang out at the beach."

Hearing the suggestion seemingly hit Ruby hard, as she gasps that she had forgotten about Penny ever since she and her team started hanging out with team RWBY and JNPR for meals. "Oh my gosh! How did I forget about Penny! Okay! I'll be right back, everyone!" The little rose smiles at all of us before vanishing in a blur and leaving red petals behind, while Weiss sputters before giving up and sighing.

[Ruby Rose will return with Penny Polendina within 5 minutes.]

"I'll go and get her." The Schnee Heiress bluntly states as she walks out of the room, leaving everyone else to watch her leave, before I cough into my hands.

"Well, since we've been so kindly offered on a trip, how about the both of you?" I say, while bringing my attention to my sister and Liv, who glance at each other and back at me. It was also at that moment my Hud popped into view.

[Luna Laurel and Liv Idonia are deliberating on a response.]

"It would be nice to leave Beacon once in a while…" Liv chimes in and I get it. She's been occupying herself ever since she arrived with us to Beacon, with the whole helping the infirmary and keeping herself occupied with the Academy's vast library. Then again, she also earned a reputation for her ever giving kindness to everyone, no matter their background or attitude.

"I concur. But we lack swimsuits to wear." My sister points out right as Nora taps on her chin with a finger. "Ooooh… Don't worry about it! We can go buy some swimsuits for you, Livy Liv!" She enthusiastically says, while I see Liv's cheeks turning a shade of red from embarrassment, before Pyrrha joins in.

"This is true, we're leaving Beacon in two hours, so there should be enough time for you three to buy swimwear for yourself." She says as Jaune and Ren nod their heads. But before I could say anything, I suddenly received an incoming transmission from my sister.

[Incoming transmission from Luna.]

Oh? I wonder what she's going to say.

[Connection established.]

"Sister, you request to speak to me separately?" I asked as soon as our connection was established, as Luna answered me.

"Confirmed. A possible solution for the lack of swim garments is available, but your approval is required." My sister told me through our private channel while my eyes remained on team JNPR, as well as half of team RWBY chatting to each other about how to help us with our lack of swimwear. "The laser-powered nano-assembler on the Griffin. It can be used to serve as a solution for this situation."

Ah…

Actually, that can actually work, since I've done it before with that orange jacket over me. But that would take some time and ideas to come up with some designs from it. But from the look my sister is giving me, I think she already has some in mind. "Permission granted, sister, do note that Roman Torchwick and Adam Taurus are on the ship. It is highly suggested that I come with you."

"Affirmative." That was all my little sister said before she cut our private channel off and looked at the others. "Do not worry about our swimwear, I have them under control."

"Really?" Ren was the first to speak as he raised an eyebrow at my sister. "Where are you planning to get them?"

But to my utter shock, my sister gives a teasing smile at him before resting her finger on her lips. "Why spoil the surprise when you all can see it later? But I will need my sisters and Liv to come with me for this." You know… I think I understand what Doctor Pietro and Watts meant when these frames make us act more human.

I mean, I was human, so I don't count. Nonetheless, for Luna? Never thought I would see her show this many emotions, beside her default dry looks or slight irritations she would give to Cardin whenever he constantly tries to flirt with her.

"Oh, I'd like to see where this is going. I hope you got something really impressive to show us!" Yang smiles at Luna with a finger pointing at her with her other hand on her waist, while Blake is Blake. I can only conclude that she would still keep the ribbon on once we go to the beach to hide her Faunus heritage.

A shame really.

The human part of me really wants to know how soft her ears must have felt.

…

Actually, that's a terrible idea and incredibly rude of me to think of it. Perhaps I should adopt a pet cat instead? I always wanted one, but never found the time for them… Perhaps I can now?

A thought for another time, I suppose.

While I had remained silent for the most part, with everyone talking to each other with even Liv joining in, I soon picked up Penny's signature as well as footsteps approaching our location. It was all I needed to know that Ruby and Weiss were almost here with my sister. And just as advertised, as soon as my little sister appears by the door, she does her signature greetings.

"Salutations everyone! Friends Ruby and Weiss came to me about joining them to visit a beach, am I correct?"

"Yes, you are correct, sister, and we will be joining them." I can't hold back my smile whenever Penny shows up. She is just the adorable little sister I never thought I would have, but here we are. Well… Almost. I still missed Sarah dearly. "What about your team? Will they be able to join us?"

Hearing my words made Penny a bit downcast, as she briefly explains as she walks into our dorm room. "They cannot come with me. Something about Headmaster Ozpin having a task with them." She says before Blake joins in.

"If they cannot come, then why are you here then? Shouldn't you be with your team with whatever task Ozpin will give them?" She asks, before Weiss answers her question as soon as she enters after Ruby.

"Because Headmaster Ozpin insists that Miss Polendina should spend more time with her sisters."

"Oh. That's kind of him" I found myself smiling at that answer before going up to my little sister and pulling her into a hug, which she happily reciprocates back to me with a happy hum. "Penny, care to follow us so we can get ourselves our swimsuits?" I then asked, as all I got was a head tilt from my little sister.

"Of course, sister Lucia! I've always wanted to go to the beach and this will be a tremendous experience for all of us!" Oh, I can't hate that smile. Letting out a small chuckle, I ended up patting my little sister on the head as she closed her eyes with a smile before I picked up Yang sniggering about something behind me.

"Luna, why are you pouting?"

Ah. Looks like she's jealous that Penny's getting my attention. "That is, nothing." She says as I turn my head to see my other sister with her crossed while glaring at Yang, giving a teasing smile, as was Nora and surprisingly, Jaune as well.

"Well. Since you four are all here, I think we shall take our leave so you can prepare for our journey. My partner hasn't even packed her bags yet." With that, Weiss grabs Ruby by the cloak and begins dragging her out despite protests, with the rest of Team RWBY and JNPR taking their leave as well.

[Griffin arriving at the designated docking bay in fifteen minutes.]

Knowing that my sister's still a bit iffy from the lack of attention, I swiftly scooted up to her before gently rubbing her hair and receiving a small yet content smile from her. "With the coast clear, let us move. The Griffin arrives in fifteen minutes. But before we move, this must be done."

I said, before pausing for a second to send a private channel for all four to talk.

[Private Channel created for Lucia Alpha, Luna Laurel, Penny Polendina and Liv Idonia.]

"Sister?" Penny was the first to speak through our transmission, confused about my decision, followed by Liv and Luna.

"Lucia, why did you suddenly create a private channel for us?"

"Because, on board the Griffin, I propose to use the laser-powered nano-assembler to create our swimwear with approval granted earlier by Lucia. In addition, designs on what each of us have already been processed and created."

Already? You've already created some designs for our swimwear? Man, you work fast Luna. Kind of curious what you have in mind for us. "It needs to be done because Penny isn't aware of my actions yet. In addition, this channel will serve as an effective system for private communication between the four of us." I explain before bringing my head over to my little sister.

"What actions are you talking about, Lucia?" She asks through our private communication, as I figured it's best to tell her a short answer.

"Roman Torchwick and Adam Taurus are prisoners aboard the Griffin."

As expected from hearing such news, my little sister's eyes shot comically wide with surprise before blinking them. "Eh?! Lucia, how did you arrest them? And when? I mean, it's phenomenal news to see them captured, especially the Master Criminal Torchwick who escaped the last time, but why are they on the Griffin?"

I simply nodded my head at my sister's questions before signalling with my finger for everyone to follow me out of our dorm. "I will explain on the way to the docking bay, sister. Come, let us move." And with that, we all left as I explained the finer details of what I've been doing the past night.

Elsewhere, outside of Vale, Cinder wasn't in a happy mood. Torchwick and Adam were supposed to report on the situation on the delivery of a… package for the White Fang to use for their own needs the night before. Her working partner hasn't informed what this special delivery was for, except that he had Torchwick deliver it to the Fang without telling her what it was.

And Cinder hates the unknown when her hands are tied, ESPECIALLY with the addition of the feeling of losing control.

Clearly, Merlot and Racher are more interested in the Dust Torchwick can steal from Vale and the manpower pool the White Fang will bring to their cause, and not her. Even more, it was clear as day that the Scientists didn't trust her fully, since they'd skipped her and went straight for her subordinates she spent time dragging to her control.

Now things have become even more complicated because both Roman and Adam have gone dark and are not answering her messages. Nor is Torchwick's subordinate, who had said that she was unsure where he was gone and is now looking for him.

Now standing in one of her safehouses while clutching onto her scroll with enough strength to crush it if it wasn't for a little bit of self-control she has left, Cinder glares at it with both Mercury and Emerald right behind her, with none of them foolish enough to disturb her at the moment.

Or, at least, they would have remained silent if it weren't for BPB-26 walking in on them with the same old smile he always seemed to have on his face. "Hola Miss Fall! I bring some news from my creators and Doctor Racher."

Frowning at his sudden appearance and apparent knowledge of her safehouses, Cinder stares at the twisted human Grimm cyborg right in front of her. "And what news do you bring that warrants my attention?"

Yet, instead of going right on topic, BPB-26 smirks. "I see you've already witnessed the aftermath of last night's contest. Well, worry not. My masters deem it necessary to inform you of the omitted context that you are not aware of, and of our opposing forces in our show." Without any time for Cinder or her subordinates to ask questions, he pulls out a hologram projector and activates it.

And just like that, a hologram of blue came out of the projector and displayed four faces for the half-maiden to witness. The first one displays one that Cinder notices a student from Altas that she's already begun to research on in the form of Penny Polendina. The next is a white-haired girl with pink eyes with some sort of pink horns on where her ears should be.

That was quickly followed by another white - haired girl with hair tied into twin tails with mechanical parts seemingly attached to her face and her eyes a shade of gold with pupils' clover in shape and white. The last individual is yet another white-haired girl with more red mechanical parts attached to the sides of her face and ears, with a sliver in one eye and red in the other.

"What you see here are the special individuals who work for Atlas, and my extension, my creators' opponents." BPB-26 announces before giving a pause while Cinder observes every detail of these four people displayed before her. "Though, individuals they are, they are not humans, you see. But full, independent and intelligent robots made with technology of the past. Well, all of them but one at least."

Unable to hold herself, Emerald gasps out at the thought of sentient robots, while Mercury raises an eyebrow at them. As for Cinder, her eyes narrow down even more than before. These things are too human for her liking. And yet, these are the ones who oppose Racher and Merlot?

She needs further information on them and how they're related to last night's events.

The hologram then vanishes the profiles of everyone except for the pink-eyed girl. "Ah little Liv, always too stubborn to die to save more lives, huh? At least you make your own story a fascinating one to watch, I won't deny." BPB-26 muses nostalgically. "This girl you see here is known as Liv Idonia. A certified medic who I met personally a while back and was once human."

"Once, human?" Mercury blurts out with a raised eyebrow before Cinder looks at him with a glare to shut him up.

"Oh yes… You see, Atlas has found an ancient and powerful technology from decades past not too long ago that allows for these robot frames to house the aura and memories of a person within them. Thus, giving them superhuman feats beyond Huntsman and theoretical immorality. And little Liv here is the first Human to officially become a Construct, as these frames are designated as and called. But hidden from the world."

As much as Cinder wants to listen more about these Construct frames and the ability for more power and immortality since they are tantalising to her, the half-maiden has bigger problems to worry about than storytelling. "And how does this relate to last night's event?"

"Glad you asked!"

BPB-26 smiles as the portrait of Liv is pushed aside to show the same white-haired girl with red and silver eyes. "The lovely lady over here is likely the one responsible for Mr Torchwick and Taurus's sudden disappearance. If the data from my master is correct, she's already suspecting your cooperation with ours and has begun attacking your assets. Though it's interesting because the General gave no orders to do that." He hums out.

"And her name is Lucia Alpha. Or at least, that's what those who know her call her. The first intelligent machine created by Atlas and the one responsible for the dramatic massacre all those years ago. How very quaint for her to reawaken and unconditionally submit to Atlas ruling upon her reawakening like a tool."

So, this is the one who is responsible for Torchwick and Adam's disappearance… A part of her can only feel utterly infuriated about her plans constantly being delayed. First was the scientists 'borrowing' her assets when she needed them. Now, if she understands this correctly, they are captured by this sentient machine and who knows what happened to both of them.

BPB-26 then closes the projector before holding it out to Cinder to take. "Take it amiga. My master wants you to read it thoroughly and understand the actors at play and what they're capable of. And for the record. Avoid Beacon Academy at all costs. All four of them are stationed there by the General, and if Doctor Racher is correct, you'll be immediately detected by Lucia Alpha as a spy and swiftly removed from the play altogether."

Looking at him dead in the eye, Cinder then looks down at the projector in hand before taking it with a frown that barely was able to hide her fury. The events that have occurred will set her back for months, and her mistress will NOT be pleased by this. "Tell them this, I will accept their warning and follow it through, but I expect some recompense for this delay." She said without emotion, while only getting a smirk in return.

"Oh? Very well then, Miss Fall. I'll relay your need for some incentives to the doctors. Ciao!" Without any delay, BPB-26 departs, while Cinder and her subordinates watch as the Grimm machine-human hybrid leaves. And as soon as he left, the half-maiden found herself back on the chair while staring at the projector in hand.

"Cinder?" Emerald softly calls out to her saviour but gets little response from her.

"This is frustrating… But some information about these things would be valuable to know…" With that, Cinder activates the projector, and soon she and those who follow her begin reading up on all that is provided to them.

And now things are going to get very interesting. Does it?

I am aware that this chapter seems a bit like filler, but I want to expand on a bunch of stuff. As you can no doubt tell, both sides are already planning moves against each other and a major canon plot (Aka, Cinder infiltrating Beacon) has been thrown out the window thanks to Merlot's and Racher's intervention.

After all, if Cinder did go to Beacon, Lucia would have got rid of her and probably dumped her body in a ditch somewhere. And yes, she managed to convince Torchwick to work with her and provide all the information, but still has to stay on the Griffin for his 'safety'.

Nevertheless, I can tell you that it won't be long before things get interesting… And Cinder's compensation for fucking up her plans? Well… I won't spoil it, but with it, the canon plot is gone. Also, the beach scene is just because I just want an excuse to write her in her Seaside Sunbath frame in the next chapter.

BECAUSE BUNNY!

Well, I'm done talking. If you enjoy this story, do follow and favourite it, so I know you want more in the future! And while at it, do leave a review of what you think of this chapter, as I enjoy reading it and replying to it!

I will see you people in the next chapter and Merry early Christmas everyone!

RGQC out!