Ruby held her head in her hands, desperately trying to zone out the voices echoing through the Bullhead. Having to listen to both the Storyteller and Oobleck discuss history, listen to Daisy flirt with Zwei, or even deal with Yang trying to knock herself out.
They're all stuck in here, suffering.
She had long accepted that the Storyteller would talk more than he breathed, double so if Oobleck was around. Tanner was clearly asleep, her head hanging low and her arms crossed. Weiss and Blake were trying to follow some of their words, but the sheer volume of what they were saying appeared to be overwhelming them. Yang had been tied down by her seatbelt, sound asleep like Tanner.
Maybe, just maybe, the mission won't be this mind-numbing.
The sudden rumbling of the Bullhead told her that they were landing soon. Oobleck and the Storyteller paused their conversation, something about ideologies shaping nations, and grabbed their equipment. She saw the relieved look on her team's faces as the talking ceased and the bullhead began to land. Tanner jolted up, craning her neck and stretching her arms as the rumbling stopped and the Bullhead landed. She raised Cresent Rose as the door opened, rushing out ahead of her team.
She cast her gaze out, taking in the ruins of Mount Glenn. She could hear her team behind her, followed by the heavy footsteps of the Storyteller.
She looked back, noting how everyone was armed and ready for any attack. Her grip turned lax as they took note of the ruins and terrain.
"Edna," "Daisy," Tanner and the Storyteller called out simultaneously.
"There is a small group of Grimm to the west, rapidly approaching our location," Daisy called out. Edna followed with a series of beeps and chirps.
"Understood," Ruby replied as she readied Cresent Rose, Zwei began to growl as a small pack of Beowolves came into view.
Ruby rushed forward, she could hear Yang right behind her. She pulled Cresent Rose's back and fired, the boost in momentum carried her ahead of her team. Her scythe cut into the first Beowolf, separating its head from its body. Yang jumped past her, Ember Celica making quick work of numerous Beowolves in a flurry of blows. Weiss and Blake were not far behind them, Dust flying as they cut through the rest of the pack.
Ruby turned back to their teachers as the last of the Grimm faded away. "Wonderfly done Students, now let us continue on our path," Oobleck said as he raised his thermos.
"Yes sir," Ruby responded.
"Just keep your eyes and ears open, who knows where the Grimm could be hiding," The Storyteller spoke up.
Ruby nodded as Zwei trotted over to her. He let out a sharp bark as Ruby smiled. "You're right boy, I've been worrying for nothing," Ruby said as Zwei nuzzled against her leg. She gave him a short pet as Oobleck began to guide their group through the ruins of Mount Glenn.
Wilhelm huffed as he forced himself still—three hours of non-stop arguing between the NCR delegates and a small group of Brotherhood Elders grated on his soul in a way he hadn't felt in a long time. He would rather take part in a hostage negotiation with the White Fang than spend another hour dealing with these two.
Alas, he can not put his personal desires above that of his job.
"For the last time, we know many of those orphans are from New Shady Sands and must be returned to the NCR!" One of the delegates raised their voice through the monitor.
"They took an oath, they are loyal sons of Maxon," The California Elder retorted from their own monitor.
Wilhelm turned his gaze to Elder Maxon, the man in question clearly annoyed at the Elder's words.
"Such an oath is invalid, you stole them from their homes," Another Delegate cut in.
"Stole, we saved them," The California Elder retorted.
Listening to The California Elder vehemently defend his actions too the NCR Delegates grated on him far worse. The Old fool swapping between religious reverence for Maxon and disdain towards the NCR made it clear how difficult he was going to make his job. By the Brothers, The California Brotherhood took a group of children from the NCR and started training them to be part of the Brotherhood. They stole the children and the NCR wants them back without violence.
He'd already de-escalated the situation twice, but he wasn't sure how long he could keep this up.
One of the Scribes approached them, rolling in another monitor with the image of the NCR President. Maxon waved them away as the Monitor glowed to life. "Well, Elder Maxon, I believe we should take this conversation somewhere private?" Redhawk mused as the arguing continued. Maxon's gaze shifted to Wilhelm, making a quick gesture for him to follow.
"Gentlemen, This conversation will continue between Redhawk and Myself with the Atlas Representative to act as a witness," Maxon stated as he stood up. Wilhelm stood up as he heard the California Elder huff in annoyance. Two scribes approached Redhawk's monitor and began rolling it after Maxon. Maxon led them to a closed-off room, both scribes stepping out the moment Redhawk's monitor was rolled in.
"Thank you, Maxon, now let's cut right to the chase," Redhawk stated calmly. "You understand what will happen to the California chapter if they don't accept this deal," Redhawk warned.
"That you'd wipe them out, down to the last man," Maxon retorted with a small glare.
"We'd have no choice, the California chapter has already been harassing settlements in the south," Redhawk countered.
"Do you expect me to believe that you'd honor your end of the agreement?" Maxon inquired.
"Do you believe that I want to send my citizens into a meat grinder?" Redhawk retorted.
"Why should the Brotherhood abandon their homeland?" Maxon retorted.
"California is our homeland as well, if not more so than the Brotherhood," Redhawk said.
"Please, let us get back on topic," Wilhelm interjected, not wishing for a repeat of the past several hours. Maxon huffed before pulling up a chair and leaning back into it. Redhawk let out an awkward cough from his end of the monitor.
"Maxon if you have any care for your people, just accept the offer," Redhawk asked. "No one has to die, not a single shot has to be fired, you can keep whatever technology has been scavenged but the children have to be returned from to their families," Redhawk listed.
"And what of those who have no families?" Maxon inquired.
"We have programs in place for children with no families," Redhawk answered.
"What if they want to stay with the Brotherhood?" Maxon inquired.
"Would they prefer staying with the Brotherhood over their own family?" Redhawk retorted. Maxon only huffed before gripping his chair tightly. Wilhelm felt that he may need to interject once again before Maxon stood up.
"They will not like having to leave, and it will take time to bring those children back to their families," Maxon said with an annoyed look.
"I understand that, we will give the California chapter time to leave while the children will be reunited with their families," Redhawk said.
"Elder Markov will not be happy about this," Maxon stated as he stood up.
"He can be angry all he wants, I'm rather glad to settle this without bloodshed," Redhawk said.
"Yes, Yes, you won't have to listen to that old man complaining," Maxon said, letting the tense atmosphere bleed away.
"No, but I have five separate meetings that had to be rescheduled for this," Redhawk mused.
"Bureaucracy," Maxon huffed.
"The greatest pain in all of civilization," Redhawk joked as Wilhelm shook his head. "Now, I believe we should have a treaty written up to finalize this agreement," Redhawk said.
"The others have to know first," Maxon said.
"Indeed, I can have a delegate meet with the California Elder to have it signed in a few days," Redhawk said.
"Good, that will give time to begin evacuations," Maxon said.
Wilhelm smiled as Maxon opened the door and called for a pair of scribes.
"Something you wish to say, Wilhelm?" Maxon inquired.
"Just glad this ended without bloodshed," Wilhelm replied.
"Yes, hopefully without bloodshed," Maxon said with a serious look.
Ruby looked down at the fire, Cresent Rose held in her arms as she gently nodded her head back and forth. The Storyteller's current tale was little more than background noise as her team kept watch. Zwei and Daisy lay down not far from her, Tanner keeping her eyes on the dogs. Ruby felt herself nodding off as Yang approached, a tired look on her face.
For a moment Darkness took her vision.
When Ruby opened her eyes, she found herself with a blanket over her frame and Zwei licking her face. "Ah, what is it, boy?" She asked while rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Zwei let out a quiet bark and pulled her by her left hand. "Hey, slow down boy," She said while grabbing Cresent Rose and hooking it to her belt. Zwei just continued onwards, forcing Ruby to step past the sleeping forms of her team and teachers.
"Excuse Me, Miss Rose," The voice of the Storyteller caught her attention. Ruby turned to see the Armored historian resting near a wall.
"Uh," Ruby almost bit her tongue as she looked out at her teacher.
"Be careful, I have Edna out on recon right now," The Storyteller advised.
"Oh, uh, ok," Ruby replied as Zwei turned back and nipped at her leg. She kept glancing back at the Storyteller as she left the building and followed Zwei past a corner. The little corgi lifted his back leg and relieved himself on a pile of rubble. "Uhh, Zwei, you could have done that anywhere," Ruby complained as she cautiously glanced at the other end of the street. Her hands were close to Cresent Rose in case the worst occurred. Zwei trotted back, his tongue out as he looked at her with a satisfied look. "Come on, let's head back before they start to worry," Ruby said as she turned back to the building they were using as a temporary base.
Then she heard a crack.
Ruby stilled, eyes darting all over the place as she tried to see where the crack was appearing. Another crack echoed out as Ruby felt herself tilt, the ground beneath her falling into a black void. Desperately Ruby grabbed onto the edge as Zwei ran over to her and tried to help pull her up. "Zwei, get help," She instructed him as the road around her sank deeper. She watched Zwei run off, moving as fast as he could toward the home base. Wind whipped around her as she fell into the void below.
She felt the air being knocked out of her lungs as she hit the ground alongside the rubble. Dust was kicked up as her hands ran to Cresent Rose, taking small comfort in the weapon in her grasp. She took steady breaths while the dust settled, careful about breathing it in. She looked up, seeing the small dot of moonlight being let in by the newly made hole.
"Ok Ruby, you've landed somewhere underground, but Zwei's bringing help," Ruby said to herself as she raised Cresent Rose. Her Scythe ready to contend with any Grimm that may be underground.
Yet, nothing arrived.
Ruby looked around, her grip tightening on Cresent Rose as the silence seemed almost overwhelming.
Then a pair of hands shot out behind her, a belt making way around her neck. Cresent Rose fell yet made no sound as her hands ran to her neck. Even as she struggled and the force around her neck tightened not a single noise was made. She barely got a glance at the figure strangling her as darkness began to take her vision.
Then the ground shook.
The force around her neck grew slack as something glowed behind her. She took deep breaths as sound returned to her surroundings.
"Miss Rose? Miss Rose?" The sound of the Storyteller's voice calling out to her dragged her attention away. Her hands ran to her neck, the start of a bruise ran the length of her neck. "Miss Rose, Are you alright?" The Storyteller asked as Ruby felt a metal hand gently rest on her shoulder.
Ruby let out a rough cough as her hands jolted to Cresent Rose. The comforting feeling returned as her breathing settled. She looked back, a shiver running down her neck as she saw a pair of men on the ground, the faint smell of burnt meat in the air. "You," She wheezed out before letting out another cough.
"I understand you're disagreements with such things, but it is a necessity at times," The Storyteller replied as he helped her to her feet. "The others are on the way," He followed up as he began checking her neck. Ruby said nothing, her grip growing as tight as possible on Cresent Rose while she tried to avoid looking at the pair of bodies not far from them. The Storyteller took another glance at the pair; "I'm going to check on the bodies, see why they were here," The Storyteller said as he approached the corpses.
Ruby just stood still, one hand on her neck while her other kept Cresent Rose as close to her as possible.
"Miss Rose, I doubt these were the only two here," The Storyteller said.
"Why?" Ruby asked as her aching neck eased.
The Storyteller said nothing as he held out a radio, a soft crackling with calls for them to report in echoed out. Ruby stood up, nervous as she could be as she made a small glance at the pair.
Several soft thumps pulled their attention. The rest of Team RWBY alongside Oobleck, Tanner, and their companions landed nearby. "My word," Oobleck whispered as he and Tanner approached the pair of dead bodies. Yang, Weiss, and Blake rushed over to her, quickly checking on her condition.
"Oh, when I get my hands on those bastards," Yang hissed out as she pulled Ruby in for a comforting hug.
"Uhh," Ruby trailed off as her eyes glanced at the corpses.
"Students, I fear we will have to delve deeper," Oobleck called out.
"What?" Weiss called out.
"These men weren't alone, the others are still around in the tunnels," Tanner interjected.
Ruby looked at her team, concern on her face as she looked at them. "Ok, come on Team RWBY," She said while standing up. 'Just, push this down, we'll make it through this,' She lamented while raising Cresent Rose. 'Whoever they are, we have to stop them,' She hardened her resolve as The Storyteller led the way through the tunnels.
Six strode down the streets of Vale, dressed in more casual wear to blend in with the crowds. Raul and Arcade trailed behind him, the former disguised with a scarf and hood, took in the sights of Vale's nightlife. Veronica and Christine weren't far behind them, their eyes full of wonder as they walked along the sidewalk.
"Well boss, you were right about Vale," Raul spoke up as he looked around the streets.
"Yep, still a beautiful place," Six replied as he put his hands in his pockets.
"Yet we're here to meet your friend?" Arcade whispered. Six just nodded in response as his gaze narrowed at an empty alleyway.
"Even since I got myself back, I noticed something was wrong in Vale," Six replied.
"Wrong?" Arcade whispered.
"Violence from the White Fang, rising Dust Prices, A Master Theif going out of their way to steal every bit of dust they could find," Six listed off as he approached the Alleyway. Half a shadow eased its way out of the alleyway, the shadow taking the form of Ulysses. Ulysses said nothing, only handing a folder to Six before disappearing back into the alleyway.
"Not a word said," Veronica mused as she watched Ulysses fade away.
"He's found something rather dangerous, and most unnerving," Six replied as he slid the folder into his coat. "Now come on, there's a restaurant nearby that's open late at night, I know you'll all enjoy it," Six said while turning away from the alleyway. "I want you all to enjoy Vale before the meeting," Six said. The others nodded, following Six as they strode down the streets of Vale.