[ MetsubouJinrai net Outpost – Manufacturing Sector ]

The hum of machinery echoed through the sprawling factory as mechanical arms welded parts and laser 3D printers churned out components for the HVB Rhino HDS800 and modified Atlesian Knights.

Sparks flew, casting brief flashes of light across the dimly lit workspace.

At the heart of the production floor, Onyx and Adam supervised the assembly of battalion units.

Onyx's synthetic tail swayed lazily as his reddish-brown eyes flicked between the assembly line and Adam.

Onyx: "You know, for a so-called revolutionary, you've got a lot on your mind. What's the matter, Taurus? Second-guessing our glorious cause?"

Adam glanced at the Android, his crimson eye narrowing.

Adam: "I don't second-guess. I analyze. There's a difference."

Onyx smirked, crossing his arms.

Onyx: "Sure, sure. But let me guess—you're thinking about Blake. About how she'll react when she sees you again."

Adam's grip tightened on his Burning Falcon Progrisekey, his voice a low growl.

Adam: "Blake made her choice. Now, she'll live with the consequences."

Onyx: (chuckling) "Atta boy. Keep that fire burning. It'll make the moment all the sweeter when we bring her and the rest of her 'friends' to their knees."

The conversation was interrupted by Amethyst's voice crackling over the intercom.

Amethyst (intercom): "Onyx, Adam. Akira wants a status update on the battalion units. You two done playing with your toys?"

Onyx tapped a button on his ear-piece, a smug grin on his face.

Onyx: "Relax everything's on schedule. Tell Ark he'll have his army soon enough."

[ MetsubouJinrai net Outpost – Laboratory ]

In a secluded part of the outpost, Akira and Amethyst stood over the incomplete modified Atlesian Knight-200.

The Android's skeletal frame was exposed, wires and circuits running like veins through its structure.

Amethyst adjusted the Android's cranial module with precision, her red irises glowing faintly.

Amethyst: "60% done and already looking like a masterpiece. Ark's going to love this body."

Akira, his expression calm yet focused, examined the Knight's programming interface.

Akira: "It's not just a body. It's a symbol. When the Ark inhabits this vessel, it will become the harbinger of change."

The holographic projection of the Ark appeared beside them, its digitized voice cutting through the air.

Ark: "Progress: satisfactory. Query: estimated time to completion?"

Amethyst: "A day or two, depending on how cooperative our equipment decides to be."

The Ark's holographic form flickered.

Ark: "Acceptable. Initiating infiltration simulation. Directive: evaluate operational efficiency for Atlas Academy."

The projection shifted, displaying a simulation of Penny's fake kidnapping as well if a certain person wins the upcoming election

Amethyst watched with a mix of curiosity and amusement.

Amethyst: "So Penny's our bait. Cute. I almost feel sorry for her."

Akira's gaze didn't waver from the simulation.

Akira: "She's a means to an end. When Atlas and Mantle crumbles, she'll serve as a reminder of their hubris."

Amethyst smirked, leaning closer to Akira.

Amethyst: "You're so cold, Akira. It's kind of... attractive."

Akira ignored her comment, his focus unshaken.

Akira: "Stay on task. The riots are imminent. When they begin, we'll hijack every communication channel and release our declaration of change."

Amethyst sighed dramatically, stepping back.

Amethyst: "Fine, fine. I'll save the flirting for later. Let's just hope your grand plan lives up to the hype."

[ Atlas Academy – Strategy Room ]

The mood was tense as Team RWBY and Team JNR huddled around a holographic map.

Penny's distress signal pinged faintly on the display, its location deep within Mantle's industrial district.

Ruby: "Penny's signal… it's faint, but it's there. She's in trouble."

Yang clenched her fists, her voice filled with determination.

Yang: "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go get her."

Weiss: "Wait. This could be a trap rushing in blindly won't help Penny—or us."

Blake: "We don't have a choice. If Penny's been captured, we have to act fast. But Weiss is right. We need a plan."

Jaune stepped forward, his expression serious.

Jaune: "We split into two teams. One focuses on finding Penny, the other keeps an eye out for anything suspicious. If this is Akira's doing, we'll need to be ready for anything."

Ren and Nora nodded in agreement, their weapons already prepared.

Ren: "It's a sound strategy. Let's move before it's too late."

The teams exchanged determined glances before setting off, unaware of the storm Akira had orchestrated awaiting them.

[ MetsubouJinrai net Outpost ]

The Ark's holographic interface displayed the teams' movements in real-time, their markers glowing faintly on the map.

Akira watched in silence, his mind calculating every possible outcome.

Amethyst and Onyx entered the room, their expressions eager.

Onyx: "Looks like they're taking the bait. Penny's little distress signal worked like a charm."

Amethyst: "So predictable. It's almost boring."

Akira's lips curled into a cold smile.

Akira: "Let them come. By the time they realize the truth, it will already be too late. The Ark's will is absolute."

The Ark's voice echoed, its tone filled with mechanical malice.

Ark: "Declaration imminent. Revolution inevitable. MetsubouJinrai will rise."

[ Small Time Skip ]

[ MetsubouJinrai Outpost – Perimeter Landing Zone ]

The Bullhead touched down with a muffled thud, its engines slowly winding down.

Team RWBY, Team JNR, Winter Schnee, and Qrow Branwen stepped out, their weapons drawn and senses on high alert.

The cold air was filled with an eerie hum, and the faint glow of the MetsubouJinrai net logo could be seen in the distance, painted across the factory walls.

Ruby: "That logo... It's... unsettling."

Weiss: (narrowing her eyes) "It's more than that. Whoever these people are, they're not amateurs."

Yang: (gritting her teeth) "Doesn't matter what they call themselves. If they're with Akira, they're going down."

Jaune: (pointing to the logo) "Wait a second. Look at the setup—this isn't just an outpost. It's a like a factory."

Ren: (observing quietly) "They're producing something… a lot of somethings."

Nora: (grinning, hammer at the ready) "Good. That means we'll have more things to smash."

Qrow scanned the area with narrowed eyes, his voice low but serious.

Qrow: "Stay sharp, kids. This place stinks of a trap. And don't forget, we've got backup on standby. Let's not need it."

Winter Schnee stood at the edge of the group, her hands resting on the hilt of her saber.

Winter: "The Ace Ops will intervene if necessary, but we should proceed as though we're on our own. Stay together."

[ MetsubouJinrai net Outpost – Perimeter ]

As the group moved closer, the 'AK-200s' came into view.

Approximately 25, Trilobite Magia units stood guard outside, their segmented helmets giving them a sinister appearance. The sight made Ruby shudder.

Ruby: "Those… those are not the regular Knights. Who designs these things?"

Blake's ears twitched as she surveyed the scene.

Blake: "This isn't just defense. It's intimidation. Whoever's inside doesn't want anyone leaving or entering."

Yang caught sight of two figures walking near the factory's entrance.

One was a tall man in a striking asymmetrical suit with a mask obscuring his face.

The other had a lion tail swaying behind him, exuding confidence and menace.

Yang: (narrowing her eyes) "Who are those two? They don't look like guards."

Weiss: (studying them) "Whoever they are, they're clearly involved. We should be cautious."

Blake: (squinting at the masked figure) "Wait… that one… no, it can't be…"

Before anyone could process Blake's hesitation, another sight caught their attention.

In a separate area of the outpost, Akira stood with a young woman dressed in a leather jacket and combat boots, her black and red-highlighted hair eerily reminiscent of someone they knew.

Yang: (glaring at the woman) "That's him. That's Akira. And… her. She looks like—" (pausing, her voice rising) "That monster!"

Qrow: (placing a hand on Yang's shoulder) "Easy, kid. Don't lose focus now."

Yang pushed his hand away, her voice full of fury.

Yang: "That woman… that thing... looks like my mom. And Akira killed her. I'm not letting this slide."

Winter stepped forward, her voice cutting through the tension.

Winter: "Focus, Xiao Long. We don't have the luxury of personal vendettas. If we're not careful, none of us will leave here alive."

[ Inside the Outpost – Observation Deck ]

Amethyst watched the intruders on a monitor, her red irises glowing faintly as she grinned.

Amethyst: "Look who decided to crash the party. It's like a reunion of old friends. How adorable."

Onyx leaned against the console, smirking.

Onyx: "Let me guess: the blonde one's already boiling over, isn't she? Their are so predictable."

Adam entered the room, his presence adding more fuel to the moment.

Adam: (calmly) "They don't know who I am yet. Let's keep it that way. It'll make their despair even sweeter."

Akira's voice cut through the room like a knife.

Akira: "Prepare yourselves. They've taken the bait. Once they're inside, we'll give them a taste of the future."

The Ark's holographic image flickered into view, its mechanical voice dripping with malice.

Ark: "Directive unchanged. Remember the current plan fight but don't kill we need to make it look Penny 'arrests' Akira for the next stage of our plan after kidnapping Specialist Schnee."

Author's Note:

Happy New Years to you th reader as always here's some questions for you to the reader and our PMs are open

A new story is up so feel free to read

1. What would you like to see in the future ?