Despite having more to talk about than ever before, no one in Qrow's summer home felt the urge to say anything after the conclusion of General Ironwood's televised speech and Sun's explanation about his theory regarding Ozpin. To say something meant tying off loose ends and progressing matters that needed to be dealt with… and progress meant inching closer and closer to making a call up to Atlas. Sun in particular was hesitant to speak, and hearing General Ironwood's voice as the speech began to loop on the news didn't help at all with his anxiety surrounding the situation.
"So… I know this is a totally nebulous question with no easy answer," Yang began, rubbing at her forehead with her remaining hand. "But how did everything just get this fucked? I mean, throughout all of history? How did we get to this point? How has Salem not already won, or been dealt with, or… this whole meta problem seems like it's been swept under the rug for hundreds, maybe thousands of years and it's just now coming to a head and it's our problem. I hate that. I hate that a lot."
Harriet rolled her eyes, leaning over the back of the couch and catching Yang's attention.
"I don't know about you, but I'd rather we get to deal with it than some hunters from hundreds of years ago. I trust myself more than I trust figures of the past I've never met. This being our problem is a blessing in disguise."
"Well, when you put it like that," Yang mused with a smirk. "But the point still stands- how did this even happen?"
"The only guy that can answer that question might be in my head," Sun replied. The faunus had taken a seat next to the television stand, his tail curled around into his lap. "If he does bore into my mind… I plan on fighting back and returning the favor."
"If doing so is safe," Blake insisted, her head on Sun's shoulder. "And only after you clear it with me. We've already lost friends, and I'm not losing you over a gamble to get information. None of us want that."
Jaune shifted atop his couch cushion, Yang and Corsac at either side.
"Besides… I doubt this group could function at all without you. You've done a lot for all of us."
"Just… stop with that," Sun said as he put his hands up. "So have each and everyone one of you. I may be the 'leader' for reasons I still don't fully understand, but you're all great at what you do and you've helped me, too. Moving forward, I'd rather we just… all take that role of leadership, trading off as necessary."
Sun was able to guess at the text that he received before he even got his scroll out of his pocket.
Neo, 2:32 P.M.
I couldn't even lead a dance number. This is all you.
"Count me out," Harriet announced. "I've got enough to worry about without trying to assume control over anything."
"…I'm stuck, aren't I?" Sun asked, reading the expressions of those around him.
"We will still offer support whenever needed," Corsac said calmly. "You will never be left alone to make a hard decision, Sun. Just know that I believe everyone here trusts you and has faith in your judgment more than their own."
"That about covers it," Blake agreed. "Speaking of, we should probably call Ironwood…"
Sun made a face at Neopoliton, thinking that if she hadn't sent a text and caused him to take out his scroll, Blake might not have had the idea for at least a few more minutes.
"Yeah, we should… but I don't even know what to say. I don't have his number on my personal scroll, either."
"I do," Harriet offered as she took out her device and tossed it to Sun. "As for what to say… beats me. I'm going to stay quiet, or else I think I might go off on him. We don't need that right now."
"We definitely don't," Yang agreed as she held up her stump. "I need to ask him for a favor, too, so if we could keep the tone of this… 'friendly' is a bit much, but can we shoot for 'not antagonistic' at the very least?"
"I think that's kinda… more up to him than us," Jaune pointed out. "I hope things stay civil, but given how things have gone so far…"
"Unrelated to this moment right now," Blake said to cut him off. "Focus on the task at hand and being honest. We're all going to contribute, except Harriet. And Neo, for obvious reasons."
Neopolitan gave Blake an enthusiastic thumbs up with both hands, looking rather pleased that she didn't need to be involved in the call.
"In that case, come with me," Harriet ordered as she made a beckoning gesture toward Neopolitan. "Let's check the basement and other rooms for any supplies and gear that would be useful to bring with us to Vacuo. We're not accomplishing anything by listening in."
Neopolitan nodded and rose from the couch to follow Harriet down the hall, leaving Sun, Blake, Jaune, Yang, and Corsac in the living room. Sun and Blake moved closer to the coffee table as the scroll was set atop it and flipped to projector mode. Once again, the looping speech was the only sound that filled the room for several minutes as they all stared at the device. Eventually, Sun turned off the broadcast and let out a sigh.
"…can I just say how much I really, really, really don't want to do this?" he asked, not expecting an answer. "It could be totally fine, but if it's not…"
"What's the worst that could happen?" Blake asked.
"…he could blow up the scroll, injuring us and setting the house on fire," Sun pointed out. "Or make an announcement that we're to be hunted down on sight. Or any number of other things…"
"Ironwood may be questionable sometimes, but he isn't like that," Yang insisted. "Snowfall was… bullshit, but I at least understand why he did it. He wouldn't send a goon squad after us for taking two planes and fleeing Atlas."
"I believe Yang to be correct," Corsac agreed. "He is a reasonable man under unfathomable pressure… as are you, Sun. We must meet him halfway, to the best of our abilities."
"Alright, enough stalling," Jaune said, rolling his shoulders and taking Yang's hand in his own. "It's just making me even more nervous. Dial the number."
Sun nodded and did as he was told, feeling similarly to his friend. The line rang several times- enough to make the group worry that it wouldn't be picked up. After a long, drawn-out wait, a familiar torso manifested from the small projector and began to speak.
"…Sun."
"General," the faunus returned with a nod. "I…"
General Ironwood waited patiently, his expression unreadable upon the hologram. It was just enough time for Sun to reconsider his approach. After all, he wasn't sorry for leaving Atlas.
"…we need to coordinate our efforts, moving forward. We're headed to Vacuo to protect the Sword."
"I assumed as much," General Ironwood said with a nod. "Harriet is with you?"
"She is, just… not in the room right now," Sun replied. "I… don't think she wants to speak to you."
Sun watched as the hologram's shoulders rose and sank. A rattling exhale from General Ironwood's nose barely registered over the line.
"…I see. Keeping her safe is second only to protecting the Sword. Do not allow her to engage Salem directly. Physically stop her if you must."
"How…" Sun started, rubbing at his hairline. "I-I don't know if we could."
"You might need to. Bree is impulsive, passionate, and wracked with fury over her condition. While I empathize with the sudden inheritance of unwanted power, she needs to take her new role seriously. We all do."
"Her role, or all of ours?" Yang asked as she walked around to sit next to Sun, making sure she was in view of the scroll's camera.
"Both."
"Yeah, you're probably right," Yang agreed before trying to change the subject to something less volatile. "General, I need to ask you for something that might be inconvenient."
"Before that- Miss Xiao Long, I am truly sorry for your loss. I've been informed of what happened when your group fled Atlas, and while I do not agree with the decision… I understand it, and I wouldn't have wished ill on any of you over your decision. My condolences."
It was enough to rattle Yang's composure for a moment. She diverted her eyes to the carpet and swallowed hard before shaking her head and meeting General Ironwood's eyes once again.
"…thank you, General. I… really don't want to talk about it, though. Not right now."
"I understand. What is it that you need?"
"I, uh…" Yang began, momentarily distracted as Corsac joined her side and put a hand upon her shoulder. She offered the faunus a subtle smirk before lifting her stump into view. "…I lost my arm fighting Salem directly, just like I wasn't supposed to do. What can I say, I have a thick skull."
"You need a replacement," General Ironwood observed. "Getting such a thing out of Atlas at our current altitude will be… a challenge, to say the least, but I can try to find a way. I'll talk to Dr. Polendina. He has the schematics, and we might be able to get it to you in a matter of days if we find a solution to slipping past Salem's forces."
"Thank you," Yang replied. "I've done a little training with one arm, but I need to be at my best for whatever the hell's coming our way."
"You do," General Ironwood agreed. "There's a good chance that Salem is going to siege Vacuo, and soon. Who exactly is with you? I'm… beginning to lose track of who is where, with everything going on…"
"I'm here," Blake called from barely within the man's view. "Sun, Yang, Corsac, Jaune, Harriet, and Neopolitan is our current lineup. Qrow left on his way to Sanus. Ilia, Winter, Emerald, Whitley, and a student named Neon Katt are safe somewhere down on the surface. Everyone else should still be with you."
"Good to know," General Ironwood said. "I knew most of that already, but confirmation is good. Is there anything else you need to know from me?"
"Well… what's going on with Weiss?" Yang asked. "Why is she on the Atlesian Council now, exactly?"
"…she's a figurehead, more than anything," General Ironwood said without hesitation. "A way to assure the people that with Jacques seemingly lost in Mantle, the S.D.C. will be playing its part in helping the evacuees from Mantle and the governance of Atlas. Weiss will contribute in her own way and absolutely wants to see her father's resources used for something more than accruing wealth, but it's understood that I'm largely making the call with what their lien goes toward. She's in no danger and pursuing her own goals."
"You make it sound like the people need to be tricked into complacency," Sun pointed out.
"Uh… yeah," Blake replied immediately. "Because they do. The last thing we need is any kind of uprising over the revelation of Salem. It may be shitty and manipulative to an extent, but it's necessary. The hunters need to be allowed to do their jobs without the stress of smaller distractions getting in our way."
"Listen to her, Sun," General Ironwood advised. "I will handle Atlas and keep it in check. You and yours are the front line. Trust me, and I'll continue to trust you and provide whatever resources I can."
"You're not… angry with us at all?" Sun asked. "For leaving?"
"Angry is not a word I'd use for it," General Ironwood explained. "I believe we understand and balance each other. Our cooperation, along with that of others around Remnant, gives us a chance at winning this war."
"Yeah," Sun agreed. "I… guess that's how I feel, too. What's the plan for Atlas moving forward, though? Just a general overview, I mean?"
"Yet to be determined… but I have an idea or two. I'll keep you in the loop once you reach Vacuo. Apologies, but I need to go and attend to several affairs involving rehoming our guests from Mantle. Best of luck."
The call ended abruptly, leaving the room in silence as the group stared at the scroll.
"…I believe that Ironwood is right in what he said," Corsac repeated softly. "But I worry that we can only balance him while we are there. Without our presence, who is going to keep him in check, especially while Weiss is pursuing her own agenda? Cinnamon and Daisuke?"
Sun looked across the table to lock eyes with Corsac. Something about the man's totally neutral expression filled him with a lingering, dreadful chill.
Author's Note:
One last stage to set- Beacon.
-RD