2/5/25
' ' Thoughts
" " Dialogue
-Interrogation Room#5, Vale Police Department 1st Precinct, City of Vale-
"Man, how will I get out of this mess?" Jaune said to himself. He looked around at his surroundings. He was in a rectangular room with a dangling light fixture illuminating a piddly white folding table; his left hand was handcuffed to the underside. He could see the doorway across the room and a one-way mirror on the left. 'God!' Jaune hoped Ruby was having a better time than him.
Crack* The metal door flies open. Out came a muscular man; he was of big stature and had a clean-shaven head, tan skin, and bear claws for hands(filed down to prevent an accidental slashing). "Look what the cat dragged in" their deep voice called.
Jaune knew this man all too well. "Oh, hi Uncle Rebbeca. Where's the plate of cookies?"
The operative's eye twitched with the mention of the nickname. "Come on, Jauney Boy. WHAT DO YOU KNOW OF THE DUST ROBBERIES!?" Luke Hobbs says calmly.
"Bite me."
He slams his hands on the table, snapping in half. "TALK!"
"Oh, Sounds like someone's getting in trouble. I know nothing more than the public dose. Torchwick and his hired help come in smash-and-grab style, Ruby kicks their asses, I heroically save the Shopkeep, and then some old lady lets Torchwick and some red lady get away." Hobbs growls and punches Jaune square in the jaw, knocking him down on the floor. 'Man, I should've had my aura up for that.'
"I don't buy that crap. Why is Torchwick stealing Dust but leaving the cash untouched?"
"I know my rights I'm not talking to you without my lawyer or my one phone call" Jaune said, spitting blood out of his mouth. He gets up and tries to guard with his bound hands. He takes a jab from Hobbs. Jaune returns with a sweep to the legs, felling the giant. He let out a celebratory laugh.
"Let's see if you'll be laughing after I kick your ass" Hobbs gets up with a backflip, but before he can do anything: *Knock Knock* Out came a spiky brown-haired Middle-aged man in a vanilla trench coat.
"Hobbs! What are you doing, you meathead? This is the 5th suspect this month, you are getting written up for this." Said the elder.
"Ha! Called it." retorted the Arc.
"If you keep getting arrested, we will have to name a ward after you. Young man." The old man helped Jaune up and unlocked his cuffs.
"That would be awesome, then I could finally get my legacy discount"
"Well anyway, your stay here has been cut short. Professor Goodwitch has ordered us to let you go. I got to say that's a first for you."
'Why would a councilman stick their neck out for me? At least I don't have to call the crew to bail me out and spare some of my shame.' Jaune sighed in relief.
"This is some bullshit, Commissioner Doyle. The headmistress of Beacon freaking Academy hiding this crook from us just makes me more sure he is guilty."
"Calm down, Lieutenant. You are far too old for these childish antics. Your obsession blinds you from seeing the big picture."
"Okay, commish. I'll play ball"
"Thank You. If you excuse me, I promised Arthur I would bring home dinner. He just came home from Atlas."
"Tell Arthur I said hi" Interjected Jaune
"I sure will. Goodnight gentlemen." Doyle leaves the room.
"Hmph! You're dirty and you know it. One of these days I'm going get you and your little crew. I can't keep you here legally but I have my eyes on you Arc." Hobbs escorted Jaune to the main lobby.
"Jaaaaune" screamed Ruby as she ran to embrace him. "It's good to see you're okay."
"Thanks. Are you okay? Did they hurt you? Because I'll kick some ass if that's the case."
"No, actually I have great news: I'm going to Beacon!"
"What?"
"Yeah, I met Professor Goodwitch, she gave me cookies and we talked about Crescent Rose, my eyes, Torchwick, and Signal. She even offered me a place at Beacon. Of course, I said I wouldn't accept anything without releasing you first." Ruby said very hastily.
"Your eyes?" Jaune questioned
"Oh shi-, yeeeeeah I don't know what she was on about. I got a couple months till the school year begins, so I got plenty of time to prepare." Ruby nervously scratches the back of her head.
Jaune gave a polite chuckle in response. 'She's changing the subject'
" *Ahem* Sorry to interrupt this family reunion, but here is your crap" grunted Hobbs as he gave back Jaune and Ruby's belongings. "I'm outta here". He stomps out of the lobby.
"Yay! Baby, we are reunited once again." Ruby caresses Crescent Rose. "I will never leave you again"
Jaune shakes his head.'Classic Ruby'
"You should let me take a look at Crocea Mors. I can give him some serious firepower, I'm thinking of a Gravity Dust-powered railgun mode with a Steel/Aluminum frame with 15c type ammuni-"
"Ruby you know I prefer more…simple weapons. My shotgun sidearm is firepower enough" Jaune interrupts.
"Come on, let me do something nice for your birthday"
'Oh someone did remember' " Eh, as long as I get to spend it with my family I'm okay" Jaune said hesitantly.
"C'mon Jaune, me and Whitley may be the babies of the group but I'm not dumb. I know you're pissed Dad forgot your birthday…again. You didn't even bother to confront him this year."
"Ruby, please no" Jaune pleaded. "I'm okay, really" He gave a forced smile.
"I know it's been hard since we eight came into your life, but I consider you my brother, Jaune. We are here if you need us…always"
"Thank you short-stack" He wiped his eyes
"You can leave me here, Jaune. I'll wait for Dad to pick me up. Man, Yang is never gonna let this down after I teased her for that Junior's debacle." Ruby pouted. The siblings embrace each other.
"Try not to get involved in any more robberies while I'm away" Jaune joked as he set off for his garage.
"No promises"
-Hobbs' Office-
A frustrated Hobbs was typing away on his computer. His improper interrogation methods with Jaune cost him a load of paperwork. *Screeeeeech* Hobbs accidentally dented his laptop with his bear claws. 'Curse that Arc.'
Knock Knock*
'Who the hell is it now?' Hobbs wondered. James Ironwood marched right into Hobbs's office. "By Juno's fury, it's General Ironwood!" He exclaimed. "Please have a seat" he stammered.
Ironwood takes a seat. "Good day, Lieutenant Hobbs. I'm sorry for not giving you any prior notice of my visit. We have very urgent matters to discuss." He adjusts his cufflinks.
"I'm sure whatever it is, Vale will be happy to assist you." Hobbs said with a manufactured smile.
"I'll be frank, I want you to participate in an important undertaking. Atlas has been subject to numerous truck hijackings in Vale, thousands of pieces of Atlesian technology have been stolen so far. With also with the rise in Dust robberies, there is genuine concern that some organized entity is coordinating an attack. We need to find these thieves, bring them to justice, and recover the assets."
Hobbs was intrigued. "That sounds distressing, but why not just deliver the goods via Bullhead, and why me?" he questioned.
"Due to the sensitivity of the materials being transported, secrecy is a top priority. A Bullhead manifest would be child's play to get hold of and any paper tail could lead to a leak of military secrets. Not even our kingdoms' councils know of the existence of the deliveries nor this operation, it's just you and my circle. This has to be strictly off the books."
Hobbs' eyes furled at that statement.
"I chose you because of your exemplary service record(disregarding a few blemishes) and familiarity with Vale. Can I count on you to protect humanity?"
"Thanks for the story, but it's gonna be a pass for me." Hobbs said matter-of-factly.
"Why?"
"Because Lucas Hobbs is no treasonous bastard. Doing covert ops in a foreign kingdom is a serious breach of the Vytal Peace Accord."
"This transcends the four kingdoms, Hobbs. This is humanity's survival at stake if we don't get that technology back!" Ironwood curled his steel fist.
"Ha, that's a classic. You guys said the same exact thing when you marched your boots and war machines on our Vacuan sands."
'80 years and Atlas is still getting treated like the villain' Ironwood tried to compose himself.
"What are you hiding Ironwood? I've heard that you guys have pretty cool toys. They're pretty advanced but it doesn't warrant this Flames Pond B.S.."
"You don't have the clearance for that, Lieutenant." Ironwood bandaged on the desk.
"Then get out of my fucking office" Hobbs points at the door.
"Then have a good night, Lieutenant." Ironwood gets up to leave and makes it to the entryway.
"You know I'm going to have to report this, right?" questioned the policeman.
"Hmph, you're one loyal soldier Hobbs. That's what I admire most about you. I know you make the right choice." Ironwood throws a business card toward Hobbs' desk and leaves confidently.
"First the Dust robberies, Arc kid's council connections, and now General Ironwood's mysterious plot. As the years go by the world gets crazier and crazier, my work is never done." Hobbs groaned.
-Ironwood's private transport-
Ironwood enters the cabin of his personal hovercar. He plops into the white synthetic leather seats with a gentle *thud, then proceeded to interface with the tablet next to the sleek rectangular steering wheel to turn on the heated seats, he put his hand on the cold white plastic of the dashboard, then pressed the touch-sensitive button causing it to glow neon red, tinting the windows, "ISOLATION MODE ACTIVATED" droned a soft synthesized female voice, the General detested such decadence but it was important to keep appearances as a public figure. Ironwood adjusts himself in his seat and then begins to dial a number on his scroll. "We're not gonna get any help from Vale. Looks like it's up to you and your partner to recover the assets." He shuffles through the vehicle's console and fishes out an energy drink; Nos: You only live Nos.
"Partner? You never let me have any fun." said a cocky voice.
"Private O'Conner, you're talented. That's why we scouted you, but you have to understand: We're Atlas. You're only as strong as your unit. You may have great driving skills but your combat ability leaves much to be desired. That is why I assigned Specialist Soleil to assist you in this mission."
"I look forward to working with you, Private O'Conner." Ciel's methodical voice enters the conversation.
"Specialist Soleil, good for you to join us. Please introduce yourself." Ironwood cracks open the drink and takes a sip.
"Thank you, General. I'm Specialist Ciel Soleil, leader of the Teryx squad of the 3rd regiment of the Atlas Military. I've led several operations in dismantling insurgent cells in Vacuo. I've been trained in Counterintelligence, CQC, and Advanced Weaponry. My credentials speak for itself" dully recites the Specialist.
"Well I guess it's my turn I'm Bri-"
"Private Brian O'Conner, 17, hails from Los Dioses, former leader of the illegal street racing group: The White Hares, status:...Questionable." Ciel interrupted.
That last statement irked Brian. "Hey! At least let me talk for 5 seconds before you rip into me"
"You did have five seconds" Ciel responded.
"Are you pulling my leg? I obviously didn't mean that literally."
"Calm down, soldiers." Ordered Ironwood.
"Hey, at least let me test my new partner." Brian requested.
"You have the floor." Ironwood allowed.
"For my Skyline, what would be a better motor: a Wok 12 or a Wok 24?" Quizzed Brian.
"A noodle bar chain does not make motors, Private O'Conner." Ciel rebuted.
"She's perfect!" Brian accepted.
"With that matter solved, you are dismissed, soldiers." Ironwood ended the call. He finished his drink and threw it in the receptacle. "I don't know how you deal with all these kids, Ozpin." the general said to himself.
-Jaune's garage, Commercial District, City of Vale-
"Honey, I'm home!"Jaune walks through the dark entryway. He walks past various tools, trophies, spare parts, and the like, each a reminder of the life he'd built in Vale. A lovely girlfriend, a successful business, friends, enemies. All of which skirted around both sides of the law. The encounter with Torchwick and a brief stint in Jail made Jaune think: 'I should lay low for a while. After this incident, Hobbs is going to chase my shadow more than usual.' Before Jaune could think of a battle plan, the lights suddenly turned on.
"Happy Birthday, Jaune!" a chorus of voices sing.
Letty, Mia, Vince. All of Jaune's lifelong friends were standing in front of him.
'Eh, Hobbs can wait one day' Jaune quelled.
"Hmph!" Jaune gave a warm smile.
" Come on, Tiger. At least pretend you're surprised." Mia sassed.
"Sorry, you know it's not my style. Blame ace attorney over there, he spilled the beans while I was at my folk's place." he shrugged toward Vince.
"Sorry"
"What held you up, squirt?" Letty asked.
"Accidently got involved in a Dust robbery, my little Nevermore. Hobbs went ham on the interrogation like he usually does." Jaune answered.
"I swear, that man has a serious hate boner for all of us. He is so unBEARable." Letty laughed at her own bad joke and gave Jaune a short kiss on the Lips. "I wouldn't mind hibernating with YOU, though."
"Boooo! At least eat some cake, before you eat that cake." Vince wised.
Jaune cracked a small laugh "Speaking of Cake: Where is it?".
Right on cue, a door at the back is kicked open. "Felicitations, Friend-Jaune!" chipperly announces Penny. She walks into the room with a full sheet cake.
"You need help there, Pens?" offered Mia.
"No need, Friend-Mia. My pneumatic systems are certified to carry over 14,000 lbs [6.3 metric tons] of weight, I'm birthday-ready!" Penny explained as she put the cake on the table.
"Velvet ice cream cake, my favorite. Let's dig in! Jaune steals a sliver of icing and hastily reaches for a knife.
"Slow down there, Tiger. You know the rules. Heck, you were the one who made them. The first bite has to bless the food"
"Okay!" confirms Jaune.
Everyone holds hands and nods their heads.
"Father, thank you for somehow keeping us alive for another year and allowing us to celebrate this occasion. Have this food not only nourish our bodies but also our minds, Lord. For the ones that are no longer with us, we pray they are watching over us in your loving embrace. May our engines never fail or our Corona run dry, Amen"
"Amen." the group confirms.
"Wait, I just realized something. You can eat food, Penny?" Vince asked.
"Affirmative, Friend-Vince. My creator designed that function to fulfill my initial purpose." Penny answered in a little bit of a sad voice.
"Sorry, I know he is kind of a sore spot for you." Vince reassured.
"I am okay, Friend-Vince. Thanks to you guys I have plenty of friends now." Penny gives Vince a bear hug.
"Welp, I can drink to that!" Jaune produces an ice-cold Corona and raises it in the air.
March 15, 2013- Jaune Arc Has a Birthday bash.
Sorry for the massive delay. I had to figure some things out, and I just forgot about this. I'm going to try to get on a consistent monthly upload schedule. Hope you guys are doing well and thank you for reading. Have a blessed day!