Stuck in another set of meetings today and tomorrow re closure of company. Really thought it'd be done and through by now ffs. I feel like I keep getting given dates and then there's "just one more hurdle" from administration, pushing the date back.

I can feel it affecting my writing and making everything more rushed.

Cover Art: Kirire

Chapter 130

Jaune settled into his seat and took a deep breath. A steaming cup of coffee sat on the desk, alongside his sword – a message not of strength, but of submission. The anomaly was one he'd been ordered to carry at all times so that someone – be it ARC Corp or a huntsman – could kill him with it if he lost his mind. Showing it here made it clear he remembered and held to his responsibilities, and it would hopefully serve as such to his family.

It wasn't long before the projector mounted in his desk created a holographic screen. It was split into sections, each showing a different face. Fewer than there had been before Mountain Glenn, but there hadn't been any deaths since then – and now Amber and Lavender had their own screens, for all that they weren't officially directors yet. Too young for that. It'd surely change once Nicholas died. They would need people to man the empty offices.

"I see we are all arranged," his father said. No one else spoke. "I thank you all for coming so promptly. By now, you have all heard the news that my time is coming to an end. While this meeting may not be our last, it will serve as a means to prepare you all for the transition of power from myself to Associate-Director Saphron Arc. Saphron will say a few words."

There wasn't a single person happy at the news, not even Saphron. Their family had never been close. Nicholas had borne them all out of duty and expected the same of them in turn. He had always been more of their boss than their father, and yet his death would mark a seismic shift in the organisation, and such a chaotic reshuffling was no reason to celebrate.

"Thank you, Chief Director." Saphron bowed her head. "I aim to lead ARC Corp as our father has and ensure the safety and protection of humanity – all of humanity, faunus included. Our aims will not change. The location and eradication of all anomalies will remain our primary focus, but that will not be our only focus. You're all aware that our numbers are lessened. We need to prepare the next generation. Already, my wife is pregnant and I will follow suit once our first child is born. Those of you above the age of twenty, I encourage to seek such measures yourself – with partners if you have any, or artificially if not."

It was testament to the Arc family's upbringing that no one balked at that, not even the younger children. Amber was still too young and yet she still nodded, knowing it'd be her duty one day. Juniper had done it well, giving birth to eight children. The birth of a son had been seen as convenient at the time, since he could sow his oats further, but that had changed once he became anomalous.

"Will there be any organisational changes?" Jaune asked. He was aware of everyone's eyes shifting his way, and just as aware that they all knew the real reason he asked. "Does the incoming Chief Director have any policy changes in mind?"

"Yes. I do."

"And will those effect my office?"

Saphron didn't try and hide it. "Yes."

"I see." He picked up his mug and took a slow sip to mask his discomfort. "Is the Containments Office to be closed, then? That would seem to be at odds with your push for greater coverage. Our office is successful. We were the ones to kill Winter Schnee and avert the otherwise catastrophic attack on the Schnee manor. We were the ones to locate the Schnee cache before it could spill out and destroy Patch. We have done good work."

"They have done good work," Nicholas echoed, with a glance toward Saphron. "Your brother's achievements speak for themselves, Saphron. It would be wasteful to ignore that fact because of your personal feelings."

It was a rare show of support. Incredibly rare. Jaune could hardly believe it had come at all.

"I am acting with rational thought in mind," Saphron said. "The Containments Office will not necessarily have to close under my command. Rather, I plan a restructuring of the way it is operated, and its responsibilities. I still intend for Director Jaune to remain as such, and to offer his expertise in containing anomalies."

It sounded too good to be true.

Which meant it probably was, Jaune thought. "Might I ask for that to be elaborated on? My team are understandably nervous and I'd like to have some good news to deliver to them. Agent Rose is still a fresh recruit, for all that she's helped prevent a containment breach. Agent Belladonna has worked for us less than a year but already survived more than what most agents face in a lifetime."

No one argued that. Blake had been there for Mountain Glenn, which made her and Pyrrha and the other agents who had made it out alive veterans in the family's eyes. The fact that Blake had also fought Winter only added to it.

"The Containments Office exists currently as an ancillary office operating independently and with very little cooperation with other offices. I intend to change that by promoting you to a new role within the company." Saphron had mastered politics, it seemed. "You will now be Chief of Containment and Anomalous Interaction. A new division labelled as CCAI. I had considered relocating you to a new facility, but the one on Patch will suit. In time, I may even authorise additional facilities which you would be in direct control of. That will only happen if the current one runs out of space, of course. No need otherwise."

"Your new duties will be to contain and interact with anomalies deemed essential by ARC Corp personnel. Anomalies such as Tomorrow's News and The Blank Slate. This may also include anomalies that are to be later slaved to operatives, or which are too dangerous to destroy – such as the entity known as Ozma should we later manage to capture his current host alive."

Because they couldn't just kill Ozma or he'd hop to a new one. Their best bet was to contain his body and keep it alive as long as they could, even in a medically induced coma, and then capture him again when the body expired. Jaune didn't see that happening anytime soon, but the possibility was always there.

As for Tomorrow's News, or Lisa Lavender as she'd once been known, her and the possessed television set were being kept off-site by a team dedicated to watching her shows and making use of her precognitive reports. Centralising all of that seemed to be Saphron's agenda, and while it would lessen costs across ARC Corp, Jaune couldn't help but think the added duties were just to keep him occupied.

"And what of dealing with anomalies in Vale?" he asked. "When will I have time for that?"

"Your role will primarily be academic in nature, though you will obviously be allowed to run logistical support for your agents in the field. In time, a new director might take over Vale but you shall run your office from the containment facility until then. Naturally, I shall allow you to take on more field agents when that occurs. I'm aware that you will need more field agents if you are no longer taking to the field. On occasions where your involvement is necessary, an exception will be issued by myself or the next Associate-Director, who is yet to be decided. It will not be Terra for conflict of interest purposes. Rest assured it will be chosen from among you all."

Among the others. Even if he was given the title, it would only be to keep him close so she could make sure he didn't do anything untoward. That didn't sound like it'd be a problem at all since Saphron's "promotion" was essentially locking him up in a containment facility anyway. Oh, she could say he would be the head of it and chief researcher, but that'd only mean his office would be relocated there – and it'd be convenient for his living spaces to be moved there as well. Wouldn't want him to have to travel far to work. In fact, why not live in the site? Even easier. He could wake up, eat, work and sleep in one convenient place.

That's it, then, he thought. Saphron's gambit is to lock me up under the guise of office work and keep me busy dealing with anomalies the company needs. I'll not be allowed out except for truly dangerous cases – probably where there's a good chance of me being killed in the field.

It was a smarter plan than he'd expected, but only because he'd thought she would throw subtlety out the window and have him purged. The fact that she hadn't must mean she didn't feel she'd get as much support for it as she first assumed. Had Amber spoken up in his defence? Or even Pyrrha? There was no love lost there, but Blake's professionalism on the mission in Argus might have won her over. A purge of him would be a purge of Blake as well, and she represented a field agent with the potential to head her own team in time.

The worst part was that her offer was generous on paper, likely coming with an increase in pay and freedoms. He'd be seen as a fool to refuse it, and there'd be no room to petition Nicholas to intervene since there was nothing to intervene against.

"I'm also considering removing your restrictions on procreation."

"Excuse me?"

"The family needs to expand, as you well know. Your professionalism is something I've noticed and I feel you can be trusted to sire children. As long as those children are educated in a chosen facility."

"You want me to place children in a containment cell!?"

Saphron laughed. "Nothing so horrid. In this case I meant facility as in a school. I am thinking of investing in a private ARC Corp funded school to teach the next generation. Not only our children but children of operatives and agents who want their families to follow in their footsteps. We might even open it to orphans in time."

There was a murmur of discontent among the call at that. Jaune was glad he wasn't the only one who thought this sounded a little dystopian. Saphron, sensing the tide shifting, was quick to defend her idea.

"The school would teach normal subjects and no one would be forced into the company after. I also think graduates could take on non-combat roles such as research, admin and logistics. It would also be for children in their teenage years. Think of it more as an apprenticeship program mixed with a boarding school. I'm content to extend those years to between the ages of sixteen to twenty if you are all bothered by it, but we need to increase our numbers and there are orphans who will be turfed out of orphanages onto the streets if we don't take them."

"I think we'd all be fine with older children being selected," said Nicholas. "As long as they are making informed decisions. Any objections?"

There were quite a lot, Jaune imagined, but no hands were raised. The objections would be shared in private and it would be Saphron's job to convince them all. Personally, he didn't dislike the idea so long as it was taking older people. Training already happened, but it was currently the job of each office, like he had with Blake. Saphron's plan would centralise all of that. It'd also mean any future employees he had would be dispatched to him rather than selected, and they would all be chosen for their loyalty to the organisation over himself. Another clever move to ensure no one office got uppity.

As for bearing children of his own, he wasn't sure what to think of that. He had no one to do that with and no real interest in growing close to a child only to hand them off to this school and see them come back and call him a monster who needed to be killed or contained. Or worse, sending someone off who thought like Ruby and Blake, and forcing them to spend years in an academy having their ideals dragged through the mud. They'd be alone and bullied, seen as the outcasts for having softer views on anomalies.

"I will also be considering an optional policy on storage of genetic material. That's the polite term for it."

Jaune filled in the gaps with a groan. "You want me to jack off into a cup, Saphron...?"

There were some less-than-dignified snorts from Amber, but no one cautioned her for it. There were too many raised eyebrows for anyone to call her out on that reaction. Saphron chuckled anyway, showing she knew how bizarre the request was.

"Essentially, yes. Though I think we could expand it to freezing eggs from us as well, but that process is a little more complicated than it would be for you. We could cross your sperm with eggs from donors either from existing unmarried agents, or those who are married but cannot reproduce."

The children would be theirs, of course. She didn't say it but Jaune understood it – and wouldn't feel right interfering with a married couple anyway. Remnant was fairly open with same-sex relations as it was, but since the birthrate was important to fight off Grimm, the cities were very pro-adoption and pro-artificial insemination. If a child came out to their parents, it would rarely be a disappointment, but even a straight couple coming out as not wanting children was seen as "unpatriotic" in some circles. Remnant was much like ARC Corp in that sentiment. Both needed a steady stream of new lives – ARC Corp to replace those lost to anomalies, and Remnant to replace those lost to Grimm.

"I suppose I can't argue with that," he said. "Better than you sending me a number of volunteers that I'm expected to lay with. When am I to begin?"

"We'll discuss that once you take on your new role. This is all for the future anyway," she said, waving her hand as if it were ten years away and not ten months or less. "Father is still hale and hearty, and any organisational changes like this will take time. Not to mention I am, of course, open to private meetings with everyone. If you have concerns, suggestions or just want clarification then please all feel free to contact me. If I am not on an active hunt, I will have time for you."

"Thank you, Saphron." Nicholas said it for all of them. "It is good to see the family and company are in good hands. I understand that you'll all be deeply concerned about incoming changes—" His eyes moved to Jaune specifically. "But I trust you will all work together and do your best to understand one another. You are colleagues, yes, but you are also family. Blood is thicker than water, and while it may not be thicker than duty, it should still enable you to share ideas and argue with each other would fear of punishment. Am I understood?"

Everyone nodded. The other girls would have no problem cornering Saphron and pinning her for her ideas, but Jaune knew he wouldn't have the same freedom. Too much risk, too much heat. If Saphron dug too deep she might discover Alistair's bar. Or Menagerie. Either would see him executed on the spot. No one would debate it, not even Amber, if they found out he'd helped potentially dangerous anomalies escape to Menagerie. Even if that was only because he'd been blackmailed by the White Fang.

Jaune settled back and hid a scowl in his mug. The meeting continued for another hour, but its focus was on reports from the other offices and talk of how the vacancy in Atlas would be handled by Amber and Lavender working together with a direct line to Saphron, once father died. He tuned most of it out. There was too much to think on.

/-/

BAM! BAM! BAM! BA—KRAKKK!

Blake grimaced as her foot went through the door. Movies always made it look like you could kick a door open, but those must have been some flimsy doors. Blake's aura-clad foot pierced through the wood. A few more kicks widened the gap until she could duck and climb through it, into the apartment Coda's lead had sent her to.

The place had been abandoned in a hurry, that much was clear. A metal bin on the table still had smouldering embers inside from where the inhabitant had tried to burn documents. A quick rustle through that showed he'd mostly been successful. Not that it changed anything. Blake had the name and ID of the person who lived there.

Two police officers stepped in after her. "We don't technically have a warrant..."

"You're reacting to a robbery in progress."

The one on the left cocked her head. "What robbery...?"

"The one I'm conducting right now."

"Uh. Then should we arrest you...?"

The other slapped their colleague's hand down and mumbled that they should shut up and not question the "suits" like that. Blake approved. They would live better lives if they knew less about anomalies and assumed her to be some federal agent above their paygrade. Which, in a sense, she absolutely was.

"Look for any incriminating material," she told them. "Our culprit was here recently."

"Yes ma'am," they responded, and moved into the adjoining rooms. Blake moved past the sofa streaked with food stains and over to the desk, upon which a computer lay battered and beaten. Its monitor was in one piece but the tower had caved in on itself, looking like someone had taken a baseball bat to it again and again. There were chemical stains on the wood beneath it, and an empty bottle of kitchen bleach discarded on the floor nearby. Blake held up her scroll, camera activated, so that Coda could see it.

"It's a rush job to destroy the pc," she said. "A very rushed job. They'd have been better served removing the hard drive and keeping it with them."

"Why didn't they?"

"Might have feared being arrested with them on it. You might have only just missed them."

More than possible. The apartment was on the twelfth floor of a large block, and for all they knew the man behind this might have been one of the man who passed them on the way down. Hoodies weren't uncommon in Vale, and they'd been in a rush to get to the apartment before he could flee.

"Plug your scroll into the pc and power it up. Don't worry about any viruses, they won't stand a chance against me."

Blake did as she was told, pushing aside some sharp bits of shattered plastic casing and finding the port for her scroll. It had come loose of the pc's case, now little more than some brightly coloured wires and a copper port attached to the main hard drive. The insulating around the wires had become pale where bleach had started to eat into it, but they looked to be in one piece. Blake estimated they'd missed the man by thirty minutes at most.

"I'm in. Ugh. It's a mess in here. Half-destroyed, barely operable. I'm routing in a remote, virtual operating system to try and brute force things. This wouldn't even work if you tried this normally, but I can adapt and trick the code into thinking the pc is in one piece. It's difficult to explain. Think of it as keeping a brain alive in a jar by making it think it still has a body."

"Is that possible?"

"No. But computer systems are easier to fool than a human body. I'm in – ah, yes. We have material. But this isn't the one with the knife, I'm afraid." Blake cursed and waited for Coda to continue. "But it seems they are connected. In fact, they've exchanged messages talking about the knife specifically. They call it cursed, something about stealing souls. That might be more superstition than anything concrete on what it does. In faaact, it looks like these two knew one another before the videos even existed. I'm looking back and the two of them have been interacting for years, while the videos have only been mentioned in the last six months."

"Old friends, then?"

"Looks that way. They exchanged a lot of adult material, showing clear escalation in severity of it. Both also shared a lot of rhetoric against women. Apparently, it's women's fault the two of them never had girlfriends."

"Of course it is. Damn us women." Blake rolled her eyes. Coda was giving her the cliff notes but the anomaly was probably absorbing thousands of emails and messages each second. Her processing power would be far greater than what Blake's mind could manage. "Check the recent ones and see if there are any about us locating them."

"There's a marked increase in panic in the last few days, yes. They're horrified about the dead people and kept blaming one another for a full day. It looks like they've made up now, or at least realised they have to work together. They mention a safehouse, but no amount of searching is showing me where that is. I've tracked where these messages come from and updated them to your scroll, but if this one has run then I expect the other will have as well."

"I'll check it out anyway. Might be some more clues. Can you access the city's grid to try and track them?"

"I already am. I'm in thousands of private and public CCTV cameras across the city looking for them. You'll know if I find them. I'm also running profiles of rented spaces against ID databases looking for any that don't add up. That'll imply someone renting under a pseudonym. Unfortunately, there's a lot of people who do that. Criminals, people under witness protection, or just runaway children or spouses changing their names to escape their past. It'll take time."

"Keep going anyway – but let me know if there are any missing person reports involving women. I doubt they'll dare snatch someone and film another video with us on their tail, but better safe than sorry."

"Ma'am," an officer spoke up. "You may want to see this."

Disconnecting her scroll, she made her way to the bedroom, scowling at the posters of scantily clad women and the overall smell of the room. It stank of a combination of bad food, bad hygiene and crusty socks. It wasn't just her, as the male officer had his nose pinched. "What do you have for me?"

He handed her a notebook. "It's a list of people – women. We think they're potential victims. Future ones. Apparently, he liked to write down about women he felt had wronged him and the reasons why they should be sacrificed. His word for it."

Blake flipped through it. Most names were unrecognisable but Weiss' was on there for reasons she could only assume were down to popularity. It was doubtful the man here had ever met her. He just seemed to be raging against anyone and everyone. Blake leaned back as she found her own name, and her own reasons why she should be abducted and killed.

Possibly the worst actress I've ever seen. Still got paid a lot of money for a shit film, though. They'd never pay a guy that much. Should make her act out a scene before we do it, lol. One last performance.

Ugh. Creep. It didn't feel personal, just a late-night fantasy aimed her way. The others, though. Some of them were deeply personal. Accounts of women who had sniffed at him or given him odd looks, and at least one who had apparently "misled him" by "pretending to be his friend but then turning him down when he confessed to her". There was angry writing labelling her a "BITCH" and "WHORE" and saying how she'd "get hers in time" below the entry. It was easily the busiest entry in the set.

"This person." Blake showed them the name. "Is she among the list of victims?"

"No, ma'am. I don't believe so."

"I want her address found if possible, and at least someone dispatched to check up on her and maybe keep an eye on her. If our man feels he's cornered and doomed, he might try and make one more attack to get his own back. I don't want that working."

"I'll radio the Captain, ma'am. We'll have her details within the hour."

"Send them to me when you do. I want to talk with her in person."

They might have just found their bait.

Next Chapter: 3rd February

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