Author's Notes:
This chapter and the next are going to be shorter. They're preparing for a bigger chapter. One that will mark a shift in the story.
Enjoy!
"Text/Messages"
"Speech"
Disclaimer: I do not own Fallout, RWBY, or any associated characters
Remnants of a Courier
Arc 4: Chaos Theory
Chapter 72: Controlling Chaos
Standing before John and his Overseer, Six folded his arms behind his back. It was time to introduce Operation Rising Sun. Originally, the Courier dubbed the operation Nightfall but ended up going with a more positive name. It would look better in the history books.
And as Six recalled, team RWBY would be returning in a few days, likely just a couple days before the Festival starts. As long as his agent in Rhyt did her job, they'd have no issues with the operation.
Right now, he was in one of the retrofitted warehouses that had been fashioned into a Voidwalker base, site A-2. This was one of three located at key points throughout Vale. More specifically, he had set them up in a triangle formation in a defensible part of the city in the residential district. Their placement meant that any one base could reinforce the others quickly.
More importantly, they were placed near key areas Six would want quick control over when the time came. Site 1-A was near a power plant, site 1-B was near a large supply of food and water, and site 1-C was located near where Six suspected most of the fighting to occur. Lastly, while all of them could house civilians as needed, he had placed them around Junior's club after bringing Junior into the fold. The club was large, now reinforced and secure, but most importantly the club was located in the center of the triangle in a defensible position. When the Festival occurred. Civilians would be guided to this safe haven. Sure, the city had its own Grimm shelters, but having a few more well-armed havens wouldn't hurt.
But those were details to discuss at a later date.
"Major, Captain," the Courier greeted both in turn. Both of the men nodded their heads back at him.
John was dressed in full Voidwalker attire, purple and black body armor and a faceless purple mask kept his features hidden. The only Major and the de facto second in command now.
Just below him was the Captain, Alfin Donner, though he also served as the Overseer. His main job was to oversee daily operations and weed out disloyalty among their ranks. So far, the man had done his job splendidly. He wore a non-combat standard uniform for the Voidwalkers. A sort of business attire that was primarily black with purple accents. The logo of the Voidwalkers, a black circle with a purple ring around it, was emblazoned on the collar of the uniform. Over that was a black bulletproof vest.
The trio were currently located in an office on the second floor, separated away from the rank-and-file soldiers. Calling them that and realizing he had a group–a company–like that under his command, it felt odd, somehow wrong?
"Didn't you know? Business is the way to stay the bloody hand of tyrants."
The voice of House echoed in the Courier's head as he forced the thought away. There wasn't any time for reflecting at the moment.
"I trust you both received the files I sent you?"
The two men glanced at each other before turning back to him. The Overseer was the first to answer, "We have, and we'd like to discuss some of the finer details."
Glancing at the Overseer, his darker complexion hinted that he was from Vacuo just like his files said. That mixed with his short black hair gave him a militaristic look, exactly what the man likely wanted others to perceive.
"First," Six interjected, "How has Jet been doing with the others? Playing nice I hope?"
The Overseer shrugged before responding, "Well enough. He has a bit of a wild attitude and his previous KIA of one of our own made him disliked. But when he made it clear he held no grudge against them and it was just business, combined with his overwhelming firepower, they warmed up to him. They may not like him but they'll work with him."
Good, Jet Cernunn would be vital manpower for his Voidwalkers when everything went to shit.
"You said you had questions about the operation?"
It was the Major who spoke this time. "The files you sent only revealed that there would be an attack at some point during the Festival. But it doesn't reveal who is perpetrating the attack."
"I'd also like to say that our working relationship with the White Fang seems tentative at best," Alfin added as he glanced down at his Scroll again. "Trusting them to not get in our way and not harm civilians seems like placing too much trust in them."
The Courier nodded his head at their questions. "I understand your concerns. Regarding who is perpetrating the attack, we know of agents working for someone named Salem. No ID on who Salem is."
That wasn't telling the whole truth. The Courier knew that Salem likely wouldn't appear and that it was Cinder spearheading this operation but he needed the Voidwalkers to not question him. A lie by omission wouldn't hurt.
"As for the White Fang, it's an unfortunate risk we have to take. Turn to page 33, you'll see that for this operation, we're going to secure far more than a hundred soldiers can cover. If we can get them on our side, not only do we cover more ground, but maybe we can get the White Fang sect in Vale to assimilate with Vale after this mess. Killing two birds with one stone."
The page in question showed a series of key points to take along with areas highly populated by civilians. Each had varying levels of priority assigned to them.
"What about contacting Vale and Atlas figureheads? Why not get them involved in this operation?" John questioned, his faceless gaze settled on Six.
"For a few reasons," the Courier began as he crossed his arms. "They wouldn't allow us to be involved in this operation if they found out. Second, we know members of the Council are actively out to destroy the company, and our greatest asset at this moment is secrecy. Our plans will not work if more parties find out." He shrugged as he finished, "We'll be sending them enough information discreetly so that they're prepared and can do their best to minimize any casualties but also leave out our involvement."
The last part had been a lie. Six did plan on sending information to Ozpin and Ironwood discreetly. But it wouldn't be enough to outright stop the attack, to truly be prepared. It would be enough to keep casualties low but still create enough chaos for Six to complete his plan. After all, he needed Adam to bring his White Fang in and clean out some of the corrupt officials, and Cinder's plan would leave Vale destabilized. It would put Vale in a confused and precarious situation, perfect for his plans.
"But we'll still be operating independently from them," the Overseer filled in, understanding the strategy.
It seemed John still had reservations though. "Then why is the plan to seize one of Atlas' carriers? They aren't our enemies."
Because Six not only needed the supercarrier for his plans but it would also serve to put Atlas in its place. To all the Kingdoms. And Six wanted a giant fuckoff flying ship with more firepower than he'd ever seen.
"I'll be sending this information to Atlas' people as well," Six lied casually. "But we believe that their communications and control systems for their ships and androids may be compromised. In the event that this is true, we need to have a plan in place to seize a carrier so we don't lose complete air superiority."
"To shortly summarize this operation then," the Overseer began as he scrolled through the documentation sent to him. "The plan is to wait, see if Vale and Atlas can handle the situation themselves with the information provided. If it does go wrong, we'll be in place to clean up the mess?"
The Courier nodded his head before replying, "In a multi-stage plan to first clear out Grimm while staying away from Atlas, Vale, and White Fang forces. We'll deploy an immediate perimeter around a section of the city with a multi-layered defense around our bases. Then seize key points for possible long-term engagement and secure civilians. I'll also assume command of Kingdom forces if necessary. Once the situation has stabilized, we push back, retake the city, and secure its borders."
And in doing so appear far more competent than the current protectors of Vale and Atlas.
Turning towards the Major, the Courier lied through his teeth again, "Know that this is only if the worst happens. Ideally, none of this will come to pass and we won't even have to step in. But that's up to Vale and Atlas now since we've provided them with the information we have."
"Any questions?"
The Overseer shook his head and John remained quiet.
Nodding his head in approval, Six ordered, "Good. Then disseminate this information among the Voidwalkers. Let me know if you have any issues. Dismissed."
Both men nodded their heads before John replied, "Actually. We have an update. On the joint assignment with the White Fang, we received that encrypted drive. We've been working on decrypting it."
Overseer Alfin continued for him, "We have our best people working on it. It won't be long until we have the information."
Good, they were finally making progress on that front as well. Six nodded his head before replying, "Good, keep me updated. Dismissed."
The Courier watched as both men left the room and shut the door. He waited a few moments before pulling up his Pip-Boy and saying, "I trust you heard that?"
A holographic display shot out from the device and Adam's face appeared.
"I did."
"Then I trust we'll have no problems then?" Six questioned as he leaned against a wall of the room.
The Faunus shook his head as he replied, "No. So long as you keep your end and stay out of our way, we'll stay out of yours. We'll do our best to minimize the harm to innocents while we set things right. But don't think we'll be "buddy-buddy" after, we're not joining your new empire. We're just freeing our people from humans."
Right, his plan was to wipe out the corrupt figureheads that were keeping the Faunus oppressed. A somewhat deluded goal considering some of their "corruption" was more a skewed perception on Adam's part. Still, it served his purposes well. And Six was familiar with sacrificing a few lives to save many more.
"And the girl?" Six questioned, rather annoyed that he even had to ask such a ridiculous request.
The redhead's face hardened as he frowned. He didn't respond.
"Adam, why do you even care?" Six chastised as he held a finger up to the projection. "You're going to ruin everything we've worked towards, everything the Faunus and White Fang have worked towards, over a girl?"
He couldn't believe they were having this argument again!
"It's not just that!" Adam shouted back, getting angry as he always did about this topic.
Letting out an exasperated sigh, the Courier replied, "Then what is it?!"
"You can't understand," Adam began as he looked away from the screen. "She was more than just some girl."
"Then make me understand. Are you saying you loved her?" Six's response seemed to strike a cord in the already emotionally unstable Faunus.
There was a moment's pause as Adam contemplated the question, staring off-screen in thought. What a ridiculous problem to have so close to the finish line.
"No, at least, not in that way."
His gaze turned back towards the screen, still distant in recollecting whatever memories he was imagining.
"Have you ever been desperate to find the right words? To know what you want to say but never find how to say it?"
Six opened his mouth to respond but Adam continued.
"That's what it felt like in that moment when she left." His eyes narrowed and brows furrowed as he continued, "Imagine someone close to you, closer than anyone else. A person, apprentice, uh," he trailed off trying to find the right words. "A pupil."
Okay, this was taking a turn Six didn't expect. A very deeply personal one that he wasn't sure how to respond to.
"Like having someone take on the most key parts of you. Someone to understand you and carry on your legacy." From what Six could see, Adam's body was entirely tense and if he didn't know any better, he'd say that Adam was holding back tears. "A beloved pupil who you shared everything with!"
His voice was going coarse as he turned away from the screen again, glancing down.
Desperation entered his tone as he tried to remain calm. "Sacrificed everything for…" His hand went to his mask and removed it, revealing that same ugly S.D.C. scar across his eye twisted in deep sorrow. "Taught everything you know. Every ideal."
The great leader of the White Fang nearly choked on his next words as he blinked tears away rapidly, "And then having them turn from you." He took a shaky breath in. "The one person that was supposed to understand you, rejects your ideals, and forgets everything you are?"
His gaze turned towards the Courier, and Six had to remind himself that Adam was still pretty young and emotionally unstable.
That sorrow was directed at him as Adam finished, "Could you imagine anything more pitiful?"
The Courier wasn't sure how to respond to that. He was a logical thinker–for the most part–which meant that he could make sound and convincing arguments. A sales pitch, convincing people his plans were right, all things he knew how to do. But trying to emotionally reassure a self-destructive terrorist leader was more of Ulysses' thing. To find some deeper meaning in it all. And at the end of the day…
Adam was just pitying himself.
"Look," Six finally spoke up. "Sometimes you have to let things go. Not just for her, or the plan, or anyone else. But for you." Six clicked his tongue as he formulated his words. This was too awkward. "Maybe she just outgrew the nest but more importantly, this obsession only damages your ideals. She was important to you but there can be another. Your knowledge, or legacy, or whatever, doesn't die with her!"
Now it was time for some hard love.
"This pain that you feel?" Six began as he pointed at the screen again. "It doesn't end anything. Not you, not me, not her, or the world. Scars, pain, sorrow, none of that means it's over."
Lowering his hand, the Courier delivered a painful truth he learned young. "It's only over when you're dead. Until then, you have more pain coming." The Former Ruler of Vegas leaned towards the screen as he concluded, "So stand up and give some back."
God, he hoped that didn't sound stupid. He had taken that from some old film he had seen when he was young.
Adam glared at him, or was it just staring? It was hard to tell with Adam who looked to be scowling at all times. Either way, after a few seconds, he sighed and put his mask back on.
"Yeah, I think I understand that," the Faunus replied in a neutral tone.
That was good, he was calm again. Six didn't know if his speech had been effective but at least the awkward emotional moment was over.
"So," Six began, a little unsure. "Our deal still stands?"
Adam nodded his head. "It does. We won't go near you, you won't go near us."
Then everything was finally set for the Vytal Festival.
Author's Notes:
Yes, I changed the relationship between Adam and Blake. In Volume III, VI and some of the comics (I think just one that may or may not be canon), its implied Adam and Blake were romantically involved (at the very least, Blake had a crush on Adam). I didn't like that story-beat and changed it to a more master-apprentice relationship. Apologies for the deviation from canon. Blake idolized him and may have even had a crush on Adam but there was never any mutual romance between the two for this story.
The inspirations for this chapter...
Rising Sun is a reference to Medal of Honor: Rising Sun.
The quote from House is from the song "The House Always Wins" by Stupendium.
Adam's speech is heavily inspired by a video called "Feel This Moment" by DuduFilm.
Six's advice to Adam is heavily inspired by the movie "Deadwood" (basically ripped off).