Author's Notes:

Getting closer and closer. Chapter by chapter. It won't be long now.

Enjoy!

"Text/Messages"

"Speech"

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

Remnants of a Courier

Arc 4: Chaos Theory

Chapter 78: Gathering of Power

She was there. She was actually at Beacon! It was both exhilarating and making her anxious.

Weiss power-walked down Beacon's vast entrance courtyard to the shuttles at the edge of Beacon. Ruby was following in tow trying to talk to her. Apparently, running off without saying a word was bad etiquette but she didn't care. She had received a text from her sister just 20 minutes ago.

Winter was at Beacon, which meant Weiss would finally be able to talk to her sister. Ever since her father's death and leaving Atlas, there had been radio silence from her family. The few times she had tried reaching out to Winter or her brother, she received nothing, though her Lien accounts were still active.

From what she'd read and heard, it sounded like the company had technically fallen back to her mother. But it seemed that Whitley was the one making most of the decisions. A small ball of guilt nestled in her stomach at the thought. She hoped it wasn't true. Her mother should be taking the responsibility, not her younger brother. He was still practically a child. But with no one responding to her calls, it was hard to confirm anything.

She shrugged off such thoughts as Ruby asked, "Who are we even looking for?"

"Winter," Weiss replied.

"Your sister? The one you always say is the coolest Huntress ever?"

She didn't phrase it like that but Weiss wouldn't disagree with that statement. Even if they hadn't talked after father's death, Weiss knew they were still close. They always had been since she was little. After all, Winter did what Weiss always wanted to do, get out from under her father's thumb.

Rushing to the edge of the landing area, Weiss saw a large airship that had its runway lowered onto the ground. Several standard Mk. IV Atlas Combat Androids or ACAs were standing near the lowered runway, surrounding a familiar figure dressed in white.

"Winter!" Weiss shouted as she began running towards her older sister.

Winter was just how she remembered her. Her sister wore a white and dark blue regal uniform fit for a Specialist of Atlas. A long white and open coat led up to a black vest. The collar of the coat closed at the top and was held together by a red brooch. Her lower half was covered by white and grey Atlas uniform pants covered in black stripes. That familiar white Schnee hair was draped over the right half of her face and the back was knotted into a bun.

"Weiss," Winter greeted in a neutral tone with her arms folded behind her back. Yeah, that figured. She was probably here on business. At least Weiss got to see her though!

Weiss wanted to explode into greetings, to tell her about her time at Beacon, to get her big sister's approval. But a thought in the back of her head held Weiss back. Winter wasn't there to see her. Maybe she didn't want to see her at all…

Still, Weiss put her best foot forward.

"Greetings sister, I'm glad you could make it to Beacon," Weiss greeted again, making sure to give a proper curtsey. From her left, she could hear Ruby giving a nervous laugh.

"Indeed." Winter's greeting was short. Too short. Taking a second glance at her sister, Weiss noticed the bags under Winter's eyes, the way she was looking through Weiss, almost distant. When was the last time she had properly rested?

Still, her sister did her best to put on a smile, even if it was a small one. "I have to say I'm disappointed, I counted at least two missed strikes during your bout."

Holding back the urge to sigh at her older sister's words, Weiss replied, "I promise to improve." She loved her older sister, but Winter was even more of a perfectionist than herself when it came to being a Huntress. A strict military life will do that to you.

Giving her an approving nod, Winter glanced between her and Ruby. "And how have you been?"

Blinking, Weiss glanced back to Beacon for a moment. "Well, I'm top of my class in terms of grades…" She paused, glancing at the disapproving frown from Winter. What had House said, look at it from a different perspective?

Winter was tired, had come to Beacon on business, but had told her ahead of time. She just wanted to see her little sister before taking care of whatever job she had to do. Or at least, Weiss figured that was the case.

Could Weiss ascertain why her older sister was tired or why she hadn't contacted her in so long? Her father's death had affected their entire family, how had it changed Winter? Giving it a moment of thought, and given how tired her sister was, Weiss concluded that she was overworking herself and likely had been for some time. Either extra work caused by their father's death, or extra work taken on to smother any feelings of loss.

Weiss wasn't sure she liked thinking like the Mimic. Still, it was useful.

"But I get the feeling you don't want to hear about grades," Weiss continued, bringing back Winter's smile.

At her sister's nod, Weiss continued, "I've been busy. My teammates and friends keep me on my toes and I'm learning a lot here." Glancing at her partner who gave her a big smile and a thumbs up, Weiss let a grin spread across her face as well.

"It's been difficult adjusting to a different lifestyle, but it's been my choice, and I can live with that."

Still, in the back of her mind, Weiss couldn't get the thought of the Mimic out of her mind. Everything he did for her seemed counterproductive and confused her. On one hand, he killed her father which–as sad as it was to admit–was both good and bad. She also received key advice and comfort in times of need. But she had to think of him as the Mimic and not House. It made it easier to see the terrorist and not the man for what needed to be done.

Winter nodded her head again, seemingly satisfied with that answer.

"That's good," Winter replied while turning to Ruby. "I take it that this is your partner? You mentioned a Ruby Rose in your messages."

"That's me!" Ruby beamed and gave her older sister a thumbs up. It made Weiss cringe just a little inside. Giving her sister, a Specialist of Atlas, a thumbs up was paramount to a private in Atlas giving a colonel a "sup."

"Charming, thank you for looking after my sister," Winter replied, keeping her professional tone and attitude before turning back to Weiss.

"I have business with the General and Head-Former Headmaster," Winter said, deflating Weiss' spirit. "But since I arrived early…" and said spirits had returned. "Why don't you take me to your quarters?"

"Of course!" Weiss accepted, turning and heading back towards her dormitory. A few ACAs fell in behind her older sister, acting as bodyguards as she made to follow. "I'll talk to you later Ruby!"

"Uh-Right! See ya soon!" Ruby called out, sounding rather awkward at being left alone suddenly. Weiss would apologize later. She wouldn't get a chance like this again.

As the two of them made their way back to Beacon, Winter asked, "Are you doing alright?"

Turning her head towards her sister, Weiss responded, "Yes. Why do you ask?" Was this about their father or perhaps because they hadn't talked in some time?

"Let an older sister worry about her siblings," Winter replied, falling into more casual conversation now that they were alone. "I've been overwhelmed with work these past few months. I'm sorry I wasn't there to better support you."

"I'm fine, really," Weiss replied as images of her father's corpse resurfaced in her mind. "I don't think I'm completely over it... But being here, proving I'm more than what he said…" The former Heiress let those disturbing thoughts go as she finished, "like I said before, it's something I can live with now."

"I suppose that's the best anyone can ask for," Winter replied, turning her gaze to Beacon's tall bell tower. The two of them were entering a small circular clearing. A bird of some kind was emblazoned on the stonework below them.

There was something else on Weiss' mind other than her wellbeing.

"You know I'm more worried about Whitley. I haven't had much contact with him but the things I'm hearing have me worried."

Nodding her head, Winter replied, "It isn't as bad as the rumors suggest. Mother has… Recovered somewhat, after father's passing." Unfolding her arms from her back, she held up both her hands, raising her left first. "Mother handles the meetings and difficult business interactions with shareholders and government officials." Then she raised her right. "Whitley handles most of the day-to-day operations of S.D.C. While Whitley does do more of the work, mother's role is vital to his success."

That was… Hard to believe. Mother recovering, even somewhat, was good news. Weiss had thought she had completely given up on everything.

"But the methods Whitley uses…" Winter trailed off before a loud screeching sound rang out behind them.

Turning, both sisters saw the head of one of the ACAs roll towards them as the other next to it lay in a scrap heap on the ground.

"Hey!" A voice called out from behind them, masculine and gravelly.

Standing over the two destroyed ACAs was a man Weiss would call repugnant. She wasn't sure what to call his strange long-sleeved vest-shirt. Its sides and arms were white with the abdomen of his button-up shirt being grey; a couple of said buttons were undone at the top, exposing his chest. The underside of his puffed-up collar was a deep red, only for Weiss to realize it was actually a short cape wrapping around his neck. Two rings adorned his index and ring fingers on his right hand along with a sideways cross wrapped around his neck. Plain black pants matched his disheveled ear-length hair.

"Yeah, I'm talking to you, Ice Queen."

Weiss felt her blood boil at the nickname but she kept her cool. If this man easily dispatched two ACAs in a single moment without being detected, he was skilled.

Still standing beside her sister, Weiss called out, "Do you need something from me?"

The man blearily looked over at her and blinked a few times. Was he drunk?

"I wasn't talking to you…" He trailed off as he glanced between the two. "But I can see the resemblance."

The man's gaze rested on Winter as a crow on top of a pole squawked.

"I saw that gaudy ship of yours, I guess you're here too…" The man cracked his neck and straightened his back as he spoke.

"I'm standing right here before you," her sister pointed out the obvious.

The man took a moment to squint and look her over, seemingly confirming her statement before smiling and replying, "So it would seem."

Oh, he was drunk. That explained things at least. Well, they could just ignore this drunkard and be on their way.

"You realized you just destroyed Atlas military property." Winter's blatant annoyance with the man's actions was seeping into her tone.

"Ooooh," the man began as he glanced at the destroyed ACAs. He was so strange. But the more she stared at him, the more she felt like she recognized the man from somewhere. "I mistook this for some sort of sentient garbage."

"I don't have time for your games, Qrow…"

Wait, Winter knew him? This seemed to be escalating a little fast but Weiss didn't want to cut in, it didn't seem like her place. Though she had felt like that with the Mimic and White Fang before too, and look where that got her.

Raising his arms to his sides, Qrow replied, "You Atlas Specialists really think you're something special, huh?"

"It's in the title," Winter snapped back. Her tone was cold but her glare was anything but.

Rolling his eyes, the man tilted his head as he insulted Winter. "You know what you are? A bunch of sellouts, just like your boss."

"I'm not sure what you think you're implying, but I've heard enough," Winter warned, her tone going from indignant to angry. This was too much now.

"Yeah, I heard old Ironwood turned his back on Ozpin," Qrow accused, taking a step forward. They both knew the General and Ozpin? Interesting but right now she needed to stop whatever this was.

"Hold on," Weiss cut in, stepping in between the two of them. "Maybe this isn't the best place to talk about the General and Ozpin?" She couldn't believe she was advising this when Winter was there, but it looked like she'd need to keep a cool head for once. Even now, Weiss could see the people around them staring at the scene.

"Hah, what're you on about?" The man questioned as he took another step forward and the ACAs raised their weapons. "I just wanted to have a chat with the people causing all our problems."

Weiss could see her sister visibly tense but she wouldn't allow this to happen.

"Winter, we're better than this. Just walk away." Weiss advised before turning to this Qrow. "And you, if you really are a Huntsman, then act like it. You're scaring people for no reason."

The man looked visibly struck for a moment as Weiss saw Ruby rush up behind the man.

"Uncle Qrow!" Ruby called out before immediately lunging at and hugging the man.

What? That was her uncle? Weiss felt a headache coming on. But at the same time, the man's stern expression seemed to melt when looking at her, so it was good Ruby stepped in. At least the odd sense of familiarity was explained now as was Ruby's reckless attitude.

"You're right Weiss, I don't know what came over me," Winter said as she let out a long sigh before turning to Weiss. "Thank you."

The former Heiress felt pride well up in her chest at the praise. She had done well. She supposed not everything House had said was wrong.

"I simply reminded you of what you already knew," Weiss replied. "Allow me to show you where the Headmaster's office is."

Smiling at her, Winter replied, "I think I'd quite like that."

What a headache this was turning out to be. Back 20 minutes and he was already in trouble. At least he got to see the girls kick the snot out of some wannabe Huntsmen during their round in the tournament.

Qrow wasn't nearly drunk enough to be dealing with Ironwood glaring at him in Ozpin's office. He felt the need to clarify it was Ozpin's since the good General had stolen it. Prick.

Wait, he could fix the former problem at least!

"He was drunk!" The Schnee bitch shouted as he opened his flask and started drinking. That was the good stuff.

"He's always drunk!" Glynda shot back and he disagreed. He wasn't like that around Yang and Ruby!

Sensing a disturbance, Qrow paused his drinking and turned to the rest of the room staring at him. Even Ozpin was surprised by his drinking while they argued about him drinking. Hey, that's pretty funny.

Sighing, the true Headmaster sat down before asking, "Qrow, why are you here?"

"You've been out of contact for weeks, you can't just go dark like that in the field!" The dumbass General added on, increasing Qrow's headache.

Who the fuck was this guy that Ozpin invited to order him around?

"I'm not one of your special operatives, Jimmy," Qrow fired back. Jimmy, that was a good one.

"General," Ice Bitch corrected incorrectly. As she did, constantly. Seriously, how did anyone get along with her?

"Not to mention you immediately act like a spoiled child and leak information publicly. While destroying Atlas property I might add." Jimmy was really laying it on thick this time.

"Don't you metal men have a billion of them or something? Just take it out of the budget," Qrow fired back before shaking his head. "And don't change the subject! The enemy is here."

"We know," Jimmy replied, causing Qrow's blood pressure to rise. Why was he busting his ass in the middle of nowhere if they knew?!

"Oh, oh, you know?" Qrow began as he threw up his hands. "Well thank goodness I'm out there risking my life to keep you all informed!"

"Qrow-"

"Communications a two-way-street pal! See this? That's the send button!" Qrow shouted as he held up his Scroll.

"They had reason to assume you'd been compromised." And just like that, Qrow was officially done with the Ice Bitch. Even if her sister was surprisingly cool. Qrow couldn't think of the last time a student stepped in between Huntsman and Huntress like that. She had a real pair on her, unlike her loyal lapdog of a sister.

"And I have reason to assume you don't need to be here," he countered, "Seriously, who invited her?"

Qrow felt a certain sense of glee when Ironwood agreed. "Schnee, we'll discuss this incident back on my ship."

It was diminished a bit when Jimmy had to reaffirm his stance to get her to leave. But like a good little toy soldier, she eventually did. Walking over and taking the elevator back down. All with a giant shitty frown on her face, good. Bitch.

One headache removed.

Once she was gone, Jimmy turned to him. "Go on."

His journey from tracking strange disappearances in Mistral had taken him to a series of strange happenings in Vale. Whoever was behind the disappearances in Mistral was likely connected to the increased White Fang activity in the Wilds including large-scale recruitment, increased gang activity that had suddenly disappeared when Roman Torchwick was taken into custody, and the appearance of the Mimic. Where the Dust did he even start?

"Let's start with the obvious. That little infiltrator you have, they're not just another pawn, they're the one responsible for Autumn's condition."

That seemed to grab their attention as Glynda's eyes widened. "What?"

He could see her now, lying on the ground, her Aura somehow drained away. Pale as a ghost and on the brink of death. Whatever that crazy lady did to her, it was bad.

"Yeah, not sure how they did it, but it was like they sapped her Aura right out of her. Maiden powers and all, and the people behind that are also behind the Mistral disappearances, the White Fang, even this Mimic character."

Qrow took a swig from his canteen to calm his nerves as he got his thoughts in order. A warm familiar feeling settled in his gut as he continued, "Despite what the world thinks, we're not just teachers, generals, or headmasters…"

Turning to face Jimmy, Qrow felt his blood pressure rise. Everything he did, all his information gathering, all of it was almost undone by Jimmy being a fucking idiot! "We're the ones that keep the world safe from the evils they don't even know about. It's why we meet behind closed doors and work in the shadows. So you tell me, James…"

Marching right up to the General, Qrow shouted, "When you brought your army to Vale, did you think you were being discrete, or did you not give a damn?!"

That stupid stony expression remained on Jimmy's face as he replied, "Discrete wasn't working." The General placed his Scroll on the table, projecting an image of his fleet settled over Vale.

"I'm here because this is what was necessary," Jimmy continued while stepping towards the projection. "Being discrete didn't work."

Right, because bringing a hammer to a surgery worked so well.

"The Spring Maiden is critically hurt, our enemies are on our doorstep, this Mimic was allowed to be in this very academy with your nieces!" The bastard dared to bring his family into it!

"Keep them out of your mouth!" Qrow hissed as he pointed a finger at the General. Even if he didn't like the Mimic being around his nieces, he wasn't going to let James use that to manipulate him.

The Mimic. A man that seemingly didn't exist. Qrow had spent some of his time looking into the mysterious figure. All he had dug up on him was that he also went by Courier Six in some circles and not a single soul had heard of him before a year ago. The man was as mysterious as he was problematic. Maybe he could get some answers now that he was back in Beacon.

Though he did appreciate the guy's style. Not the whole dark-Grimm-person thing. Too edgy. But sticking it to the powers that be? Telling all of Vale to come get you with a target painted on your back? Qrow could respect that. Even if the man was a scumbag who murdered Huntsman.

The General placed his arms behind his back as he continued, "And, we know the identity of this infiltrator."

That made him pause. Since when did they know? And they hadn't bothered to tell him?!

"You know?" Qrow muttered before his brows furrowed in anger. "You knew and didn't bother to tell me! What was I even bothering with out there!?"

"What James means to say is that we believe we have a culprit. However, we have no true definitive proof to incriminate her." Ozpin's words made slightly more sense but still, it was irritating.

"I could've used that info!"

"Then maybe you should have kept in touch," Jimmy countered with that same stupid neutral expression. The prick.

"Yeah, haha, very funny," Qrow began as he leaned towards the General, the condescension dripping from his voice. "Maybe if you had told me, we'd already have the proof you need!"

"Enough," Ozpin cut in, still having the authority in the room despite no longer being the Headmaster. "Squabbling amongst ourselves does us no good. Instead, let's work with what we have."

"That's what I'm doing." James' grating voice was about to be too damn much for Qrow. "And it's why I've already ordered a team to apprehend Cinder."

Cinder was probably the infiltrator. From what he could gather, the assailant against Amber had been a woman. Someone who had been all over in preparing for this little shindig. Who had her hands in the White Fang, the criminal underworld, and more. From what little he knew of her, Cinder did fit the description and it would probably be good to take her off the board… Still, something felt wrong with doing that. Especially since it seemed like he hadn't consulted Ozpin first.

"You what?" The former Headmaster accused, his brows furrowing and gaze hardening.

"It's exactly as I said," James explained. "I've already sent a team to apprehend her. Her team has already won a round of the tournament so whatever their goal is will be nullified if we take her off the board now."

"James, think carefully," Ozpin warned as he put his elbows on the table and crossed his hands together. "How will this appear to the public and students? Atlas arrives and brings an army, ousting the Headmaster of Beacon, forcing a teacher and a potential source of information out, and arresting a student from a foreign academy after she's won a round of the tournament. You're causing a lot of unrest."

"It's necessary."

No. No, it was "stupid." Qrow hadn't realized he said that out loud until he spotted James glaring at him.

"What? It is." Qrow took a swig of his drink again before continuing, "It's probably exactly what they want."

"We'll be detaining her here at Beacon to keep the information of her detainment quiet, so we won't need to worry on that front. And we'll rearrange the tournament to have her team lose." James' excuse didn't seem to please Ozpin as the former Headmaster leaned forward.

"James, reconsider this…"

"No. It's time we acted instead of talked." The General's words caused Qrow to finally explode.

"Talk about gratitude!" Qrow finally shouted. "If it wasn't for Ozpin, you wouldn't even know about this fight! About what's out there in the dark!"

"Qrow…" Ozpin's voice cut in, quiet, tired. He hadn't heard him like that before. But still, Qrow bit the inside of his cheek to keep himself from exploding.

"Allow me to leave you with one last bit of advice then James," Ozpin continued as he rose from his seat and approached the General. "A guardian is a symbol of comfort, someone that protects. An army is a symbol of conflict. There's an energy in the air now, from all of this, in the back of everyone's minds." The former Headmaster pointed to the holographic fleet before concluding, "If this is the size of our defenses, what is it we're expecting to fight?"

There was a lull in the conversation, Ironwood stared down at the man he wronged. Qrow hoped he knew that at least.

"Then what do you suggest we do?" The General asked.

There was a lot that could've been done in Qrow's opinion that was squandered. From getting this Mimic to come over to their side, to keeping Cinder on a tighter leash, to just not riling up the White Fang from bringing a fleet in. Honestly, Qrow wasn't sure what to do now.

"Everything that has been done cannot be undone," Ozpin began, his gaze shifting to the great clockwork above them moving rhythmically. "We shore up our defenses, reach out to any available contacts for information, and most importantly…"

"We find a guardian."

Author's Notes:

T0mT0m, that's kind of you to say but I think perhaps you misunderstood what I said. I'm not great at explaining my writing process.

I spent 1-2 months researching and outlining the arc. Then I spent 6-7 months writing chapters before I started uploading again. I hope that makes sense!