On behalf of Sasahara17, I'm posting a story written by him. He feels that the amount of...
Monty Oum's The Division (RWBY/Tom Clancy) - By Sasahara17
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Prologue: When Everything Else Has Failed
PersonWMA
The Man With No One Name
- Location
- The Place With Many Aliases
On behalf of Sasahara17, I'm posting a story written by him. He feels that the amount of verbiage he sent over is long enough to be given it's own thread for the sake of keeping things simple. He's also let me know that the next update won't be until next month, so don't hold your breath. Too long.
=================================
"In the beginning, there was dust. And from dust, came man. Us.
Mankind was strong, wise and resourceful, but we were born into an unforgiving world. A world infested by the creatures of Grimm. These monsters set their sights upon us and all of our creations, intending to drive us back to the void.
Our passion, resourcefulness and ingenuity led us to the tools that would allow us to not only drive the darkness back, but light our way through the darkness and forge a civilization that has blossomed across our world. Mantle. Vale. Mistral. Vacuo… the founding four kingdoms banded together and drove back the Grimm, shepherding an age of prosperity for all.
And so we fought. And so we won. The four kingdoms drove back the night and sowed the seeds of progress. Thus, four kingdoms became five. Then five became eight. Now the Twelve Kingdoms of our civilisation stand tall, pillars of strength forged though generations of sacrifice.
Yet, even in this golden age where the kingdoms are safe behind our walls from the marauding Grimm, we must not cease in our vigilance. The Grimm still exist, outside the gates and walls, waiting for one single moment of weakness to undo all that we have built. Thus we must always be vigilant."
With that declaration, the spotlights of the auditorium turned on, bathing the podium and its speaker in light. General James Ironwood stood resolute, addressing the crowd of thousands who had gathered for this presentation.
"This is a fact that the Atlas Military knows all too well. It has always been our duty to protect the Kingdom of Atlas from all threats, both foreign and domestic. It has been through our efforts that Atlas has been able to reach the heights that it has today. However, we would never have been able to do so without the aid of good citizens who have dedicated their lives to supporting us and our allies. Without them, mankind's success would not have been possible."
Ironwood gestured to the side, where the true star of the presentation waited to be introduced.
"One such family has supported the Atlas military for generations, and the time has come for another member of that prestigious family to be recognized for their loyalty as a Citizen of Virtue," Ironwood nodded firmly, holding up the golden, snowflake shaped medal in question. "Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Miss Weiss Schnee, chief financial officer and heiress to the Schnee Dust Corporation!"
Thunderous applause followed as Ironwood stepped aside to allow the young woman to come on the stage and accept her award…
-=-
"General Ironwood's laying it on a little thick, isn't he?" Taiyang Xiao Long shook his head in disapproval at the scene unfolding on the old television set that hung above the bar counter.
"It's Jimmy, Tai. You know he never does things in half measures." Qrow replied with a huff.
It was a slow night in Patch's only watering hole, with only Tai, Qrow and Bartender (like, literally, that's all any over ever called the man) sitting around.
Normally a weekend night such as this would have seen the place bursting with activity However, the annual Mountain Glenn Founding Day Party was happening not too far away, most of the patrons regulars had gone there to celebrate the anniversary of one of the most important days of their history, namely the day when it was proven that the Grimm could be stayed. It was the place to be for the young and mobile, and only two men and one quiet bartender remained.
It was a little nice to have the entire bar to themselves, but damn did this make them feel old.
"Jimmy's never been good at subtlety," Qrow shrugged as he quietly nursed his glass of Whiskey from where he sat beside his brother in law. "He's Atlas through and through. Zero tact, all posturing and no taste. Plus he's doing all that for a glorified accountant, no less. Typical."
"Now, now, Qrow. That's not really doing Ms. Schnee justice," Taiyang chided his friend. "She attended Beacon with Ruby remember? I've heard she graduated with first degree honours…"
"In accounting and business management," Qrow grumbled knocking back the last of his drink and ordering another. "Tai, she's a glorified accountant who only managed to get her cushy job tanks to her family connections… and the Atlas military is putting on a big show to award her with this stupid medal. It's a joke."
"You really don't like Atlas, don't you?"
"Not exactly trying to hide my disdain of them, Tai," Qrow admitted glumly. "It's their fault that we Hunters are rare breed these days. Model military my ass."
As much as it hurt to admit, Qrow was right on the money. The Hunters, once a revered profession necessary for mankind's survival, were a shadow of their former selves. The Integrated Warfare Paradigm pioneered by Mantle had become the standard for eleven of the Twelve Kingdoms.
It was more efficient, more cost effective, more streamlined and most of all, more controllable, accountable and bound to the governments and Kingdoms. The councils of the world had always felt that the Hunters were too free spirited for their liking. Integrating them with the military, even if it imposed many strict limits on what they could achieve, did wonders to overcome that.
Only Vale's Hunters remained, and even Qrow knew it was only a matter of time before the Vale council threw out centuries of tradition in favour of 'progress'.
If only the rest of the world could know what they knew.
"The council turned down your report, didn't they?" Tai sighed.
"Of course they did. I never thought I'd say this, but I miss the old fogeys we used to deal with. At least they remember why the Hunter system exists. But these days the councils are filled with young upstarts who doesn't know how to wipe their asses, just like Ms Schnee over there," Qrow raised his empty glass at the television where the young woman gave her rehearsed acceptance speech.
As one of the last veteran Hunters that was still out in the field, the Vale council has asked Qrow to submit a report them about possible weaknesses in the Integrated Warfare Paradigm for their perusal. It was meant to help them decide whether to join the other Kingdoms in adopting it, or sticking to their current, Hunter based system.
His findings clearly stated that Atlas' military depended too much on inflexible, integrated networks and in inflexible, codified strategy. It relied too much on automated combat machines, fixed defences and networks and was designed to act against a known enemy. Their 'Specialists', sell-outs one and all, lacked the adaptability, flexibility and resourcefulness of a true hunter.
All it would take was for someone to try something different, something nefarious, and the paradigm would fall to pieces.
The Council didn't listen.
Why would they? A professional military, beholden to the Council, was larger and easier to control than a paramilitary group of elite, individualistic warriors who functioned on their own moral compass. Politically more convenient, easier to influence, more grandiose when paraded around… between a wandering drunkard like Qrow and a smartly dressed 'Specialist' like Winter Schnee, it was clear who the public would adore.
From what Qrow knew plans for Vale to jump on the Atlas bandwagon were already in the works. It would seem that the age of the Hunters was drawing to a close, and Qrow had the misfortune of living to see it.
"They're making a big mistake, Tai," Qrow stated bluntly, a cold shiver running through his body. "You and I have seen what's out there. James big military may do well against mindless Grimm, but all it takes is a couple of bad apples who that knows what they're doing, and the whole thing will come tumbling down."
"I know, Qrow. I know," Tai noted, although he privately agreed with his friend. "But what can we do about it? I get less and less students at Signal every year… and Qrow turned Beacon into a University. Beacon School of Higher Learning? Give me a break!"
"He did what he had to, Qrow."
"Doesn't make me stomach it any easier," Qrow grunted.
"These days more and more kids see the world as a safe place. They want to be engineers, lawyers, pioneers… businesspeople. Not hunters."
"Just like Ruby and Yang?" Qrow muttered, but quickly regretted his words when he saw the effect it had on his friend. Tai had turned his head away in shame, old memories tormenting him. "Tai, it's not a mark against them. No kid should ever had had to go through what they did. Of all the people on this rock, Pipsqueak and Firecracker have every right not to want to be one of us."
"It's… kind of sad though," Tai nodded glumly. "Summer and I had such high hopes for them to carry on the family tradition. They had such potential. Now? Now Yang's a bartender and Ruby's working as a sales clerk for that dust shop in Vale."
"Graduates of the Beacon School of Higher Education instead of a proper Combat Academy." Qrow scoffed. "Ozpin, what were you thinking?"
"Coulda been worse," Tai chucked, allowing Bartender to refill his glass with more whiskey. "She coulda been working for Schee Dust Corporation."
"True that."
Tai and Qrow shared a hearty laugh as they turned back to their drinks. As they did so, they decided to continue listening to the news report on the screen.
-=-
"And that was Weiss Schnee receiving her Citizen of Virtue award from General Ironwood, everyone," the dark haired reporter gave a wide smile to her cameraman as she finished up her report, the auditorium stage still behind her. With the event over, the building was slowly beginning to empty out. As much as she and her crew wanted to leave as well, they still had a job to do. "Looks like the Schnee Dust Corporation is always on the ball when it comes to the security of the Twelve Kingdoms, isn't that right?"
"That's right, Blake," the voice of the news anchor back at the studio chirped happily in her earpiece. "The Schnees must be very proud of their little prodigy."
"Indeed they are, Em," Blake Belladonna, reporter for the Mistral News Network, nodded in affirmation. "And I'm sure none of them are happier than Ms. Schnee herself. That's quite an achievement for one so young."
"Quite right, Blake. Thanks for covering it for us."
"You're quite welcome. Back to the studio, Em." Blake finished with a radiant smile. She waited, holding her smile for a while longer until her cameraman gave her the all clear that the broadcast had gone back to the studio, before finally allowing herself to relax.
And by relax, that meant drop her smile and look like she wanted a goddamn drink.
"Wow, that was possibly the worst thing I've ever heard you having to say on air," her cameraman and sound crew sniggered as they began to pack away their equipment. "You praising the SDC? Man, if anyone told me that Blake Belladonna would be singing a Schnee praise…"
"Sun, please… give it a rest," Blake felt her face heating with embarrassment as she fished around the inner pocket of her suit jacket for the small flask of alcohol she reserved for occasions such as this. "I can't believe that I just did that. I can't believe I just covered Weiss' ego getting stroked… live and on air."
Sun clapped a hand on Blake's shoulder, guffawing the entire time. Blake's disdain for the SDC was well known amongst her colleagues in the MNN, and having to actively cover Schnee's award ceremony must have been absolute torture for her… especially since that meant she missed covering the party over in Mountain Gleen.
"Well, in the Schnee's defence they are a lot better about their business practices than they were years ago," Scarlet pointed out. "I hear that Ms. Schnee has implemented a lot of Human Resource reforms to improve workplace safety since she was put on the board."
"Isn't she just the CFO?" Neptune asked, closing the case of his sound equipment gear as he did so.
"Yeah, but her dad's the boss and she has his ear," Scarlet noted. "Granted things are still pretty bad, but Ms. Schnee is clearly making the effort. Maybe she'll be the one to make some real change in the company."
"Wouldn't bet on it," Sage muttered. "Even if you think Weiss Schnee has some kind of enlightened attitude to the Faunus, and that's a big 'if', the rest of the board is still full of money grubbing fogeys that don't give a rats ass about what happens in the mines."
"Hey, have some faith in the young lady, will ya?" Neptune rolled his eyes at his friend's insinuations. "A girl that pretty can't possibly be have a bad bone in her body."
While her camera crew started to bicker about whether Weiss Schnee was a nice person or not, Blake felt ythe familiar arm of her cameraman-slash-boyfriend drape itself over her shoulder.
"Sooooo… Ms. Belladonna. What are you planning on doing now that the gig is over?" Sun said smoothly, mischivious twinkle in his eye. "I know we're missing out on the Mountain Glenn bash, but there are still a few nice things to do here in Atlas. I saw a couple of good seafood restaurants for two near the CCTS. You look like a lady that needs to unwind after a long day of praising your worst enemy."
"You are about as unsubtle as a brick aren't you, Mr. Wukong?" Blake replied with a huff, but was unable to keep the flush off her cheeks.
"They have tuna."
"Hm, you drive a hard bargain."
"I take it that's a yes?" Sun winked at her.
Blake smiled.
"That is a y-"
Before Blake could finish her reply, a loud screech reverberated from every speaker in the auditorium as they suddenly came back on. The attentions of every person still left in the auditorium, including Blake's, were drawn to the front of the room where the massive presentation screen flickered to life.
"People of Remnant… humans of Remnant," A load, familiar voice boomed throughout the room… a voice that caused Blake to pale as she realised exactly who was speaking. "It is time for a reckoning."
"Adam." She whispered in horror.
The feeling of comfort Sun provided left her as he rushed to grab his equipment, replaced quickly with unspeakable dread. All motion to leave the auditorium ceased, as every man, woman and child in the massive chamber watched, transfixed, as the red logo of the white fang appeared on the screen. There was no doubt about who was making this announcement now.
Something terrible was happening.
"Your civilisation has become arrogant. Hedonistic… Complacent. Safe behind your walls, behind your tin soldiers, you heap praise and reward upon the undeserving, thinking that your 'golden age' is through your own efforts and merits," Adam stated, his voice dripping with disdain. "But that is not true. Your civilisation is built on the blood and sacrifices of millions of Faunus labourers, slaves, who toil and spill blood outside your cities for your continued safety. Your 'peace' is one paid for in blood not of your own."
"Are you recording this?" Blake whispered over to Sun, who had come up beside her with his camera… which was resting inert at his side.
"I would be, but there's no point."
"What?"
"I just got word from the station," Sun replied gravely. "The broadcast is across the entire CCTS. It's overridden all channels, everywhere, across the entire planet. Everyone is seeing this."
Blake turned her head back to the screen, now sure that she was watching history happen before her very eyes… but even as turned back to watch the broadcast, the young reporter couldn't help but flick her eyes to the circular watch that was wrapped around her wrist to check for something.
It would be something she would be doing a lot in the foreseeable future.
-=-
"Miss Schnee, come with us! This way, hurry!"
Weiss briskly followed after the Soldiers as that revolutionary's voice echoed through the building. Although she was irritated as hell at having to be rushed by these soldiers, she could understand the urgency. The White Fang'd boldness clearly meant that a terror attack was imminent, if not already happening, and that meant in all probability Weiss' life was in danger.
Granted Weiss knew she could take care of herself, but it wasn't something she could, or would, be able to convince the soldiers of. Not when she was the fragile heiress of Atlas' largest company.
"In your arrogance, you have not only dared to trample over the rights of my people and forget out your sacrifices, but you have dared to celebrate our misfortune," Adam accused furiously. "You concern meaningless awards onto those least deserving of it. The SDC has been the cause of the suffering for my people for decades, on this day you have spat on their sacrifices by giving an award to a girl who has never known suffering or hardship."
Well, if it wasn't already clear he was singling her out, this sealed the deal.
Wherever she was, Blake must be having a fit.
"Crap, the wack-job's talking about the VIP." One of the soldiers swore as they hurried through the hallways towards what Wiess presumed was her reinforced limonene outside. "Damn it, if only the General hadn't left earlier. He would know what to do."
"Knowing him, he's probably on the way back with reinforcements," the Sergeant in charge replied as the troop picked up the pace. "In the meantime, we gotta move faster. Ms Schnee…"
"I understand, Sergeant, just move!"
The group practically sprinted through the building at this point, the urgency to get clear greater than ever. In fact, they were so close to the exit, Weiss could see the waiting doors. It was already open and flanked by Atlesian soldiers with their weapons ready, with her armored limo waiting beyond it. Safety beckoned.
But even as she neared, she could still hear Adam's taunting.
"Yes, Weiss Schnee. A girl who never once had to fight for anything in her life, now getting a pat on her back by the great Kingdom of Atlas for the simple virtue of existing," Adam mocked. "Born with a silver spoon in her mouth, while my people have had to claw and struggle in the dirt for basic necessities. Are you dare call her a Citizen of Virtue? Dare give her a medal for it? What a joke!"
"Get in, Ms Schnee!" The Sergeant shouted as he threw open the door of the Limo. Weiss didn't wait a moment, all but hurling herself bodily into the vehicle. However even in her rush, Weiss did not miss the fact that Adam's voice was still loud and clear… this time coming over the limo's radio.
He was really broadcasting this everywhere, wasn't he?
"Weiss Schnee's little 'celebration' today spits upon the lives of all Faunus who have ever shed blood in an SDC mining camp," Adam stated as the wheels of the limo began rolling, taking Weiss away from the stadium and, presumably, towards safety. "To single her out as a living breathing affront to our people is all too easy… but to do so would miss the point entirely."
Weiss, now seated in the back of her escape vehicle, froze as Adam's words took an unexpected turn.
"It is too easy to point a finger at Weiss Schnee and say she is a criminal. Her status, her opulent lifestyle, her award, are all so extraordinary that it is easy to forget she is not the only one who deserves my ire," Adam continued. "You, humans, have all been born with silver spoons in your mouths. Schnee is merely the most obvious example, one that you can use told hold up and say 'this is the exception, rather than the rule', absolving yourselves of responsibility."
"What the hell are you getting at, Taurus?" Weiss snarled as she flipped over her scroll and attempted to dial her father. Much to the white haired heiress' dismay, instead of responding like she wanted her scroll to do, Adam's trice damned voice started coming out of her scroll as well.
"Every one of you humans, safe behind your walls and enjoying the 'safety' it affords, are all Weiss Schnee," Adam accused angrily. "You are all born into safety and comfort. You are all guilty of forgetting our suffering, our sacrifices! And you all dare to celebrate about it!"
A terrible feeling came over the heiress, one that she couldn't shake.
"On this day, the City State of Mountain Glenn celebrates its 'founding day'. On this day, you humans celebrate a day where the suffering of my people could be traded for security, for safety. On this day, three million humans from all Twelve Kingdoms descend on this one place to pat themselves on the back for a 'victory' against the Grimm they don't deserve. A three million humans… celebrating their hubris."
Weiss froze, the pieces falling into place in her mind.
She wasn't the target, but she knew what was.
"Oh no." Weiss whispered. "He can't mean to…"
"Today is the day I will show the people of Mountain Glenn the folly of their pride."
Weiss eyes went straight to the circular wristwatch on her left hand, anticipation in her eyes. Much to her disappointment, it was as it always was… even as Adam continued to speak.
-=-
Yang Xiao Yong stared up at the television set in the middle of Junior's bar in open mouthed shock, an expression mirrored by everyone else in the room. Adam had just declared the White Fang's target, and it was one so audacious that never in her right mind could Yang have ever foreseen it.
Well, on the plus side, Weiss was probably breathing a sigh of relief that she wasn't target anymore.
"Damn it, Adam Taurus, what are you thinking," Yang exclaimed in horror. "don't you know that three million you're talking about count both human and Faunus?"
"I don't think he cares blondie," Junior replied.
"Is this maniac out of his mind?" the DJ exclaimed, his muffled voice still audible despite his stuffed bear headgear. "That festival is locked down completely by the combined might of both the Atlas and the Glenn militaries. There are going to be more Knights and Paladins there than I can shake a stick at. No way is an attack there going to succeed."
Yang knew the man was most likely mistaken. Adam Taurus might have been a racist maniac, but the revolutionary was no fool. He wouldn't have made such a brazen threat if he wasn't supremely confident he would be able to make good on it.
The bartender's mind raced. Although she feigned stupidity, the blonde brawler had a pretty good head on her shoulders, and that head was currently sifting through what little facts she had to figure out where Adam was coming from..
He had a plan, but what could it be?
"Hubris. That is the word that I think needs repeating," Adam said with vicious mirth as he taunted his listeners. "Hubris. Dangerous abundance of pride. In his speech earlier today, the General Ironwood praised mankind's passion, resourcefulness and ingenuity as their pillars of success. Evidence of this? Your militaries. Your guardians… your protectors. Your machines."
The last word was spat out so savagely that Yang could feel Adam's disdain. However it was this word, and the importance Adam had placed on it, that caused Yang to realize what he was planning. When she did, she almost wished that she hadn't.
"He's… he's compromised the CCTS and the Military Network!"
Compromising the CCTS was the only way he could have achieved a simultaneous broadcast, and if anyone had the resources could hijack the CCTS in such a manner it was only a natural consequence that he could do the same to the Military's Network. It should have been impossible. All reports indicated the White Fang, while dangerous, lacked the technical skills and manpower.
They'd been limited to bombings and other, regional terror attacks. Nothing that could possibly topple a Kingdom.
Yet before her, it was happening.
"Today, you see what happens to your cities when their protectors turn on their people." Adam Taurus proclaimed "Today, you will see what happens when the gates are open and the Grimm are turned loose, once more. Today, you humans will see what happens when their veneer of 'peace' is revealed to be a lie. Today, Mountain Glenn shall know what it means to burn."
And with that, the White Fang's transmission ended. Ten seconds later, the regular Vale News Network broadcast started up again. It should have been showing the latest round of the Mistral junior's tournament.
It was showing something else.
"This is Lisa Lavender, reporting to you breaking news!" Rare was it to see Lisa Lavender anything but calm and collected. Thus, the sheer urgency in the woman's eyes spoke more to Yang than any news report ever could. "Reports are coming in from Mountain Glenn about chaos in the streets! The Glenn Defence Force's Knights and Paladins turning on their Atlesian counterparts and civilians, causing mayhem and panic!"
Oh hell.
"This is Cyril Ian, reporting to you live from the Glenn!," Cyril Ian reported, the man and his camera crew taking cover behind a dumpster as the sounds of chaos screeched around him. "It's Anarchy in the streets, Lisa! The GDF's Knight battalions have gone completely rogue! People are getting shredded out here! It's a massacre!"
"Oh no, Militia and Melanie are over there." Junior said.
"The Atlas military and the GDF are attempting to restore order, but-" Cyril's commentary was interrupted when a loud roar tore through the air.
The camera swivelled to the sky, showing the source of the noise, and very last thing anyone wanted to see… a large black dragon soaring overhead, blobs of inky darkness peeling off its scales and falling to the streets thousands of feet below.
"The Grimm." Yang swore.
"THE GRIM ARE HERE! RUN!" Cyri screamed in terror, the reporter and his camera crew running out of their hiding spot for a new refuge.
As they did, VNN viewers the world over were treated to a right of utter mayhem. The city's robot protectors rampaging through the streets, turning their powerful weapons on those they that had been under their care. People running about in fear, helpless to save themselves or their loved ones. Worst of all was the Grimm, appearing seemingly out of nowhere to hunt and feast.
Blood was everywhere.
The city of Mountain Glenn, once a shining beacon of hope and change in Remnant, was tearing itself apart.
The world could only sit and watch.
Yang looked to the circular watch in her hands and cursed when all she saw from it was the time.
"Light up, damn you."
-=-
On Day One, the Mountain Glenn's defences were subverted during the height of the Founding Day festival. Three million residents and their tourists were sent into a nightmare that reminded the people of Remnant that the world was not as safe as they thought it was.
On Day Two, the Kingdom of Vale, recognising that the invading Grimm had a straight shot to their city Centre through the tunnels, pre-emptively sealed them to avoid befalling the same fate. This controversial decision sealed two million desperate survivors in their besieged city.
On Day Three, Remnant is silent, it's people unable to comprehend the calamity.
On Day Four, Cyril Ian, having survived the initial attack, reveals that half a million people still survive in the shattered city. Of the news he delivers, most shocking of all are the reports that the White Fang have voluntarily entered Mountain Glenn for reasons only they are aware of. His desperate plea for help is heard across the world.
On Day Nine, a hurriedly assembled joint taskforce comprising of elite Vale Hunters and divisions from the Atlesian Military, Mistral Guardsmen, Vaquo Armed Forces and hired mercenaries attempt to launch a coordinated effort to free Mountain Glenn from the Grimm and rescue the survivors. Despite their best efforts, all they manage to do is get themselves trapped as well.
On Day Twelve, Cyril's reports become more desperate; what little order remaining in the city has collapsed. Malfunctioning paladins roam the streets, attacking all living beings in sight. Looters, rioters and gangs are now rampant throughout the shattered city. Portions of the Mistral Guard have gone completely rogue and have set up their own little fiefdom.
The Dragon now rests at the top of the Spire, tallest structure in the Glenn. As long as it remains there, none can leave.
On the night of Day Thirteen, four watches owned by four young women across the globe light up simultaneously.
On the morning of Day Fourteen, Sun Wukong wakes up to discover his girlfriend, Blake Belladonna, has disappeared without a trace from their shared apartment in Mistral. Try as he and her colleagues at the MNN might, the reporter is nowhere to be found.
On the morning of Day Fourteen, heiress to the Schnee Dust Corporation and its chief Financial Officer have similarly vanished. With Winter trapped in the Glenn with her men, the disappearance of yet another Schnee send the already harried family into panic.
On the morning of Day Fourteen, Junior comes into his bar to find Yang Xiao Long's letter of resignation. Her beloved Motorcycle, Bumblebee, is later parked in a secure long term storage facility in Vale, rider having taken off for parts unknown.
On the night of Day Fourteen…
-=-
On the darkness of the Forever Fall, three young women leaned against the hull of a powered down Bullhead. Aside from the pale moonlight coming from the shattered moon hung overhead, the only source of light in the dark forest came from the glowing orange circles emanating from the lit timepieces around each girl's wrist.
The silence was broken when one of them spoke.
"She's late," Weiss Schnee grumbled, checking her lit timepiece for the Fifth time since she arrived here. "The rendezvous was thirty minutes ago. What's taking her so long?"
Gone was the image of the papered heiress that the world knew. Weiss was garbed head to toe in functional gear comprised of tough fabric, protective armoured plates and numerous pouches for equipment on her person. The only concession for fashion was that her clothing was coloured in pixelated artic camouflage. Gone was the heiress; this was a warrior.
"Someone's impatient to leave," Blake chuckled, still reading her novel using her night vision to pass the time. Ah, the perks of natural night vision.
Much like Weiss, the reporter had traded civilian attire for something more functional. However, Blake had favoured a much lighter loadout. It eschewed most of Weiss armour allow to avoid any of it impacting her agility and ease of movement, a concession she accepted since for Blake, speed was armour. Unlike Weiss, who favoured a white camo pattern, Blake opted for a dark purple, almost black, colour scheme.
"We're all impatient to leave," Weiss stamped her foot irately. "I'm not the only one who wants to get over there, right Yang?"
"Totally," Yang nodded in agreement. "I'm gonna give Rubes an earful when she shows up, because I've been waiting for this for the past two weeks, and she's holding us up! I want to smash some heads in, goddamn it!"
Yang was the most heavily armoured out of the trio, the blonde's outfit containing much protective gear it was a wonder she could move in it. Yet her companions knew that not only could Yang move in her modern day armour, but she could move so quickly it sometimes defied belief. The ostentatious tiger striped yellow and gold camo stood out, reflecting Yang's colourful personality.
"Nice to see you agreeing with me for once." Weiss said with some satisfaction before turning back to Blake. "See? I'm not the only one not happy with our esteemed leader."
"For someone whose Semblance is speed, Rubes sure is slow." Yang concurred. "Not to mention she lives in Vale, just like me. She should have been the first one here. What's the hold up?"
"In her defence, her day job is taking care of an old man's shop all by herself," Blake sighed, putting her book away. "I know our SOP is 'drop everything you're doing, leave everything behind and come over', but theory rarely has a way of working out when put into practice."
"Huh, I guess you have a point there," Yang admitted with some embarrassment. "I made sure to park my baby in a nice sweet place before making the rendezvous. It would suck if I got back from Mountain Glenn and found out someone jacked 'Bee's wheels."
"…well, I dropped everything." Weiss pouted.
"You did take the time to steal this bullhead on the way over." Blake pointed out.
"I appropriated it from my family's private fleet expectation we would need it to get into the city," Weiss corrected sternly. "That is hardly stealing, or dallying."
"I dunno, Weiss Queen. Taking one of daddy's bullheads seems like theft to me," Yang grinned.
Yang and Blake shared an amused look while Weiss spluttered in protest. She was rather cute when she was flustered. It was just like when they were in training back in Beacon, back before they got their marching orders went their separate ways.
Those were the days.
"Still… you are right," Blake admitted once they'd let Weiss founder around a bit. "I wish Ozpin could have activated us sooner so we could have gone in with CFVY, JNPR and ABRN in the first wave."
All three girls quieted down again, remembering the feelings of frustration from watching the disaster unfold from afar. As much as they wanted to dive in and assist, they had their orders; stay embedded in their civilian lives until they were called. Directive 51 existed for a reason, and until such time the situation became dire enough that they were needed, they had to wait.
"I have to agree with you there. I wish we'd have gotten the call a lot sooner, especially since Adam singled me out in his little speech," Weiss agreed. "The past week has not been fun for me."
"Still getting death threats?" Blake asked empathetically.
"Among other things," Weiss sighed. "A lot of people had friends of family in the Glenn when it happened, and I'm an easy scapegoat form them to blame… I can't fault them for it though, since I know exactly how they feel with Winter in there."
"The big man probably thought we were too emotionally involved with the other people going in," Yang speculated. "Dad and uncle Qrow were leading the Huntsmen. Weiss' sister was in charge of the Atlas battalions. Then there is Adam… hell, in retrospect I wonder if someone was fucking with us by throwing this whole mess together. No fucking wonder Oz didn't tap us until now."
"True. My sister would have taken one look at me out in the field, and that would be that for anonymity." Weiss agreed with half-hearted smile.
"Weiss, your anonymity would be busted regardless of who looked at you. You have a face that people kinda remember, you know that?"
"You know what I mean, Yang," Weiss huffed again, her fingers curling in anger. "Still, I can't help but think if they sent us instead of CFVY, JNPR or ABRN, my sister would be safe and not…"
"I know what you mean, Weiss." Yang laid a supportive hand on the heiress shoulder. "My dad and uncle are missing too."
"…so much for sticking to the book and not being attached, huh?" Weiss said, the edge of her mouth curling into a smile.
"Blake probably has it the worst though. I mean, her ex just called out the whole planet. How's a girl supposed to deal with that?" Despite her jovial tone, Yang regarded the stoic Faunus with concern.
Blake's former allegiance with the White Fang, albeit from their days as a peaceful protest group, was known to them. What Blake must have been thinking when the White Fang perpetrated the worst terror attack in the History of Remnant was something Weiss and Yang shuddered to imagine.
Although Blake seemed to be trying to play it cool, in their hearts her teammates knew she, out of all of them, wanted in on this fight the most.
This was a fight they all wanted to be a part of, and now that they had been activated, they were going to get their wish…
A shower of crimson flower petals falling from the sky signalled the arrival of their last member.
"Hey guys, sorry I kept you all waiting," Ruby Rose, her iconic red hood covering the wall weather combat suit, and the unmistakable form of Crimson Rose, that she wore under it. "Are you all squared away and ready to leave?'
"Our weapons, equipment and supplies are already in the bullhead," Blake motioned with her finger. "We were just waiting for you."
"Why are you late anyway?" Weiss marched up to Ruby angrily, coming nose to nose with the younger agent. "You do realise that every second we waste here is one more we can't afford to lose? This is THE rescue mission after all, and YOU are our leader. Tardiness is unbecoming of an Agent of the Strategic Hunter Division."
"…um, I wanted to bake some cookies that we could share on the trip to the Glenn?" Ruby gave a nervous smile. "I mean, this IS kind of a suicide mission after all, and something sweet and nice ought to calm the nerves… at least that's what I was thinking. Um, sorry?"
Weiss stared at Ruby in disbelief, before throwing her arms up in the air and storming off back into the bullhead, muttering something about dolts and their obsession with cookies. Blake and Yang watched Weiss disappear into the bullhead with amusement, then turned back to Ruby.
"Never change, Rubes." Yang guffawed.
"I'm not a very big cookie person, Ruby." Blake stated.
"Um, I brought you tuna?" Ruby reached into one of her pouches and produced tin can of said fish.
"That was rather thoughtful of you, Ruby. Thank you. All is forgiven." Blake snatched the tuna out of Ruby's hands and walked back into the bullhead. The cat Faunus looked very satisfied at her new treat, indeed.
"So Ruby… why were you late, really?" Yang whispered to her sister once she was confident that the other two members of the team were out of earshot (easier said than done considering how good Blake's hearing was). "You're normally on the ball for stuff like this. What gives?"
"Last minute intelligence from Ozpin." Ruby replied hesitantly. "We managed to decode the last burst received from JNPR before our teams went dark."
"They have? I thought that transmission burst was completely corrupted!" Yang's eyes widened. This was the first piece of sound intel they had in a while. "Should I call Blake and Weiss back? They should hear this."
"I'd prefer if they didn't" Ruby shook her head negatively. "Yang. We only managed to get one piece of information out of that burst. JNPR has confirmed the presence a former SHD agent in the city's 'Dark Zone'. Yang, it's… its Raven. She's in the city, and we don't know what she's doing there."
Yang Xiao Long froze all trace of emotion vanishing from her face upon hearing the news. The mission had just become that much more personal to them.
"Now you can see why I wanted to run this by you in private first."
"…don't tell the others," Yang said softly. "Not yet. This is between you, and me. Please?"
"Okay, Yang… but only until I have to." Ruby replied.
"That's all I ask, Sis." Yang turned and began walking towards the bullhead purposefully.
Now alone, Ruby Rose looked up at the shattered moon overhead and whispered one last prayer.
"Watch over us, Mom." She said, then followed after her team.
Time to go to work.
-=-
In the world of Remnant, in a time when the Age of Hunters is thought to be in its twilight, there exists a group of elite, highly skilled group of embedded agents.
A group so secret that no government, or potential enemy, knows even exist.
Hidden amongst the populace, sometimes in plain sight, these incredible warriors wait patiently for the time they are needed… only called to action when everything else has failed.
They could be your co-workers.
They could be your neighbours.
They could be your friends.
They could even be… family.
They are…
-=-
Monty Oum's
THE DIVISION
Prologue, When Everything Else Has Failed
RWBY / Tom Clancy's the Division crossover
=================================
"In the beginning, there was dust. And from dust, came man. Us.
Mankind was strong, wise and resourceful, but we were born into an unforgiving world. A world infested by the creatures of Grimm. These monsters set their sights upon us and all of our creations, intending to drive us back to the void.
Our passion, resourcefulness and ingenuity led us to the tools that would allow us to not only drive the darkness back, but light our way through the darkness and forge a civilization that has blossomed across our world. Mantle. Vale. Mistral. Vacuo… the founding four kingdoms banded together and drove back the Grimm, shepherding an age of prosperity for all.
And so we fought. And so we won. The four kingdoms drove back the night and sowed the seeds of progress. Thus, four kingdoms became five. Then five became eight. Now the Twelve Kingdoms of our civilisation stand tall, pillars of strength forged though generations of sacrifice.
Yet, even in this golden age where the kingdoms are safe behind our walls from the marauding Grimm, we must not cease in our vigilance. The Grimm still exist, outside the gates and walls, waiting for one single moment of weakness to undo all that we have built. Thus we must always be vigilant."
With that declaration, the spotlights of the auditorium turned on, bathing the podium and its speaker in light. General James Ironwood stood resolute, addressing the crowd of thousands who had gathered for this presentation.
"This is a fact that the Atlas Military knows all too well. It has always been our duty to protect the Kingdom of Atlas from all threats, both foreign and domestic. It has been through our efforts that Atlas has been able to reach the heights that it has today. However, we would never have been able to do so without the aid of good citizens who have dedicated their lives to supporting us and our allies. Without them, mankind's success would not have been possible."
Ironwood gestured to the side, where the true star of the presentation waited to be introduced.
"One such family has supported the Atlas military for generations, and the time has come for another member of that prestigious family to be recognized for their loyalty as a Citizen of Virtue," Ironwood nodded firmly, holding up the golden, snowflake shaped medal in question. "Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Miss Weiss Schnee, chief financial officer and heiress to the Schnee Dust Corporation!"
Thunderous applause followed as Ironwood stepped aside to allow the young woman to come on the stage and accept her award…
-=-
"General Ironwood's laying it on a little thick, isn't he?" Taiyang Xiao Long shook his head in disapproval at the scene unfolding on the old television set that hung above the bar counter.
"It's Jimmy, Tai. You know he never does things in half measures." Qrow replied with a huff.
It was a slow night in Patch's only watering hole, with only Tai, Qrow and Bartender (like, literally, that's all any over ever called the man) sitting around.
Normally a weekend night such as this would have seen the place bursting with activity However, the annual Mountain Glenn Founding Day Party was happening not too far away, most of the patrons regulars had gone there to celebrate the anniversary of one of the most important days of their history, namely the day when it was proven that the Grimm could be stayed. It was the place to be for the young and mobile, and only two men and one quiet bartender remained.
It was a little nice to have the entire bar to themselves, but damn did this make them feel old.
"Jimmy's never been good at subtlety," Qrow shrugged as he quietly nursed his glass of Whiskey from where he sat beside his brother in law. "He's Atlas through and through. Zero tact, all posturing and no taste. Plus he's doing all that for a glorified accountant, no less. Typical."
"Now, now, Qrow. That's not really doing Ms. Schnee justice," Taiyang chided his friend. "She attended Beacon with Ruby remember? I've heard she graduated with first degree honours…"
"In accounting and business management," Qrow grumbled knocking back the last of his drink and ordering another. "Tai, she's a glorified accountant who only managed to get her cushy job tanks to her family connections… and the Atlas military is putting on a big show to award her with this stupid medal. It's a joke."
"You really don't like Atlas, don't you?"
"Not exactly trying to hide my disdain of them, Tai," Qrow admitted glumly. "It's their fault that we Hunters are rare breed these days. Model military my ass."
As much as it hurt to admit, Qrow was right on the money. The Hunters, once a revered profession necessary for mankind's survival, were a shadow of their former selves. The Integrated Warfare Paradigm pioneered by Mantle had become the standard for eleven of the Twelve Kingdoms.
It was more efficient, more cost effective, more streamlined and most of all, more controllable, accountable and bound to the governments and Kingdoms. The councils of the world had always felt that the Hunters were too free spirited for their liking. Integrating them with the military, even if it imposed many strict limits on what they could achieve, did wonders to overcome that.
Only Vale's Hunters remained, and even Qrow knew it was only a matter of time before the Vale council threw out centuries of tradition in favour of 'progress'.
If only the rest of the world could know what they knew.
"The council turned down your report, didn't they?" Tai sighed.
"Of course they did. I never thought I'd say this, but I miss the old fogeys we used to deal with. At least they remember why the Hunter system exists. But these days the councils are filled with young upstarts who doesn't know how to wipe their asses, just like Ms Schnee over there," Qrow raised his empty glass at the television where the young woman gave her rehearsed acceptance speech.
As one of the last veteran Hunters that was still out in the field, the Vale council has asked Qrow to submit a report them about possible weaknesses in the Integrated Warfare Paradigm for their perusal. It was meant to help them decide whether to join the other Kingdoms in adopting it, or sticking to their current, Hunter based system.
His findings clearly stated that Atlas' military depended too much on inflexible, integrated networks and in inflexible, codified strategy. It relied too much on automated combat machines, fixed defences and networks and was designed to act against a known enemy. Their 'Specialists', sell-outs one and all, lacked the adaptability, flexibility and resourcefulness of a true hunter.
All it would take was for someone to try something different, something nefarious, and the paradigm would fall to pieces.
The Council didn't listen.
Why would they? A professional military, beholden to the Council, was larger and easier to control than a paramilitary group of elite, individualistic warriors who functioned on their own moral compass. Politically more convenient, easier to influence, more grandiose when paraded around… between a wandering drunkard like Qrow and a smartly dressed 'Specialist' like Winter Schnee, it was clear who the public would adore.
From what Qrow knew plans for Vale to jump on the Atlas bandwagon were already in the works. It would seem that the age of the Hunters was drawing to a close, and Qrow had the misfortune of living to see it.
"They're making a big mistake, Tai," Qrow stated bluntly, a cold shiver running through his body. "You and I have seen what's out there. James big military may do well against mindless Grimm, but all it takes is a couple of bad apples who that knows what they're doing, and the whole thing will come tumbling down."
"I know, Qrow. I know," Tai noted, although he privately agreed with his friend. "But what can we do about it? I get less and less students at Signal every year… and Qrow turned Beacon into a University. Beacon School of Higher Learning? Give me a break!"
"He did what he had to, Qrow."
"Doesn't make me stomach it any easier," Qrow grunted.
"These days more and more kids see the world as a safe place. They want to be engineers, lawyers, pioneers… businesspeople. Not hunters."
"Just like Ruby and Yang?" Qrow muttered, but quickly regretted his words when he saw the effect it had on his friend. Tai had turned his head away in shame, old memories tormenting him. "Tai, it's not a mark against them. No kid should ever had had to go through what they did. Of all the people on this rock, Pipsqueak and Firecracker have every right not to want to be one of us."
"It's… kind of sad though," Tai nodded glumly. "Summer and I had such high hopes for them to carry on the family tradition. They had such potential. Now? Now Yang's a bartender and Ruby's working as a sales clerk for that dust shop in Vale."
"Graduates of the Beacon School of Higher Education instead of a proper Combat Academy." Qrow scoffed. "Ozpin, what were you thinking?"
"Coulda been worse," Tai chucked, allowing Bartender to refill his glass with more whiskey. "She coulda been working for Schee Dust Corporation."
"True that."
Tai and Qrow shared a hearty laugh as they turned back to their drinks. As they did so, they decided to continue listening to the news report on the screen.
-=-
"And that was Weiss Schnee receiving her Citizen of Virtue award from General Ironwood, everyone," the dark haired reporter gave a wide smile to her cameraman as she finished up her report, the auditorium stage still behind her. With the event over, the building was slowly beginning to empty out. As much as she and her crew wanted to leave as well, they still had a job to do. "Looks like the Schnee Dust Corporation is always on the ball when it comes to the security of the Twelve Kingdoms, isn't that right?"
"That's right, Blake," the voice of the news anchor back at the studio chirped happily in her earpiece. "The Schnees must be very proud of their little prodigy."
"Indeed they are, Em," Blake Belladonna, reporter for the Mistral News Network, nodded in affirmation. "And I'm sure none of them are happier than Ms. Schnee herself. That's quite an achievement for one so young."
"Quite right, Blake. Thanks for covering it for us."
"You're quite welcome. Back to the studio, Em." Blake finished with a radiant smile. She waited, holding her smile for a while longer until her cameraman gave her the all clear that the broadcast had gone back to the studio, before finally allowing herself to relax.
And by relax, that meant drop her smile and look like she wanted a goddamn drink.
"Wow, that was possibly the worst thing I've ever heard you having to say on air," her cameraman and sound crew sniggered as they began to pack away their equipment. "You praising the SDC? Man, if anyone told me that Blake Belladonna would be singing a Schnee praise…"
"Sun, please… give it a rest," Blake felt her face heating with embarrassment as she fished around the inner pocket of her suit jacket for the small flask of alcohol she reserved for occasions such as this. "I can't believe that I just did that. I can't believe I just covered Weiss' ego getting stroked… live and on air."
Sun clapped a hand on Blake's shoulder, guffawing the entire time. Blake's disdain for the SDC was well known amongst her colleagues in the MNN, and having to actively cover Schnee's award ceremony must have been absolute torture for her… especially since that meant she missed covering the party over in Mountain Gleen.
"Well, in the Schnee's defence they are a lot better about their business practices than they were years ago," Scarlet pointed out. "I hear that Ms. Schnee has implemented a lot of Human Resource reforms to improve workplace safety since she was put on the board."
"Isn't she just the CFO?" Neptune asked, closing the case of his sound equipment gear as he did so.
"Yeah, but her dad's the boss and she has his ear," Scarlet noted. "Granted things are still pretty bad, but Ms. Schnee is clearly making the effort. Maybe she'll be the one to make some real change in the company."
"Wouldn't bet on it," Sage muttered. "Even if you think Weiss Schnee has some kind of enlightened attitude to the Faunus, and that's a big 'if', the rest of the board is still full of money grubbing fogeys that don't give a rats ass about what happens in the mines."
"Hey, have some faith in the young lady, will ya?" Neptune rolled his eyes at his friend's insinuations. "A girl that pretty can't possibly be have a bad bone in her body."
While her camera crew started to bicker about whether Weiss Schnee was a nice person or not, Blake felt ythe familiar arm of her cameraman-slash-boyfriend drape itself over her shoulder.
"Sooooo… Ms. Belladonna. What are you planning on doing now that the gig is over?" Sun said smoothly, mischivious twinkle in his eye. "I know we're missing out on the Mountain Glenn bash, but there are still a few nice things to do here in Atlas. I saw a couple of good seafood restaurants for two near the CCTS. You look like a lady that needs to unwind after a long day of praising your worst enemy."
"You are about as unsubtle as a brick aren't you, Mr. Wukong?" Blake replied with a huff, but was unable to keep the flush off her cheeks.
"They have tuna."
"Hm, you drive a hard bargain."
"I take it that's a yes?" Sun winked at her.
Blake smiled.
"That is a y-"
Before Blake could finish her reply, a loud screech reverberated from every speaker in the auditorium as they suddenly came back on. The attentions of every person still left in the auditorium, including Blake's, were drawn to the front of the room where the massive presentation screen flickered to life.
"People of Remnant… humans of Remnant," A load, familiar voice boomed throughout the room… a voice that caused Blake to pale as she realised exactly who was speaking. "It is time for a reckoning."
"Adam." She whispered in horror.
The feeling of comfort Sun provided left her as he rushed to grab his equipment, replaced quickly with unspeakable dread. All motion to leave the auditorium ceased, as every man, woman and child in the massive chamber watched, transfixed, as the red logo of the white fang appeared on the screen. There was no doubt about who was making this announcement now.
Something terrible was happening.
"Your civilisation has become arrogant. Hedonistic… Complacent. Safe behind your walls, behind your tin soldiers, you heap praise and reward upon the undeserving, thinking that your 'golden age' is through your own efforts and merits," Adam stated, his voice dripping with disdain. "But that is not true. Your civilisation is built on the blood and sacrifices of millions of Faunus labourers, slaves, who toil and spill blood outside your cities for your continued safety. Your 'peace' is one paid for in blood not of your own."
"Are you recording this?" Blake whispered over to Sun, who had come up beside her with his camera… which was resting inert at his side.
"I would be, but there's no point."
"What?"
"I just got word from the station," Sun replied gravely. "The broadcast is across the entire CCTS. It's overridden all channels, everywhere, across the entire planet. Everyone is seeing this."
Blake turned her head back to the screen, now sure that she was watching history happen before her very eyes… but even as turned back to watch the broadcast, the young reporter couldn't help but flick her eyes to the circular watch that was wrapped around her wrist to check for something.
It would be something she would be doing a lot in the foreseeable future.
-=-
"Miss Schnee, come with us! This way, hurry!"
Weiss briskly followed after the Soldiers as that revolutionary's voice echoed through the building. Although she was irritated as hell at having to be rushed by these soldiers, she could understand the urgency. The White Fang'd boldness clearly meant that a terror attack was imminent, if not already happening, and that meant in all probability Weiss' life was in danger.
Granted Weiss knew she could take care of herself, but it wasn't something she could, or would, be able to convince the soldiers of. Not when she was the fragile heiress of Atlas' largest company.
"In your arrogance, you have not only dared to trample over the rights of my people and forget out your sacrifices, but you have dared to celebrate our misfortune," Adam accused furiously. "You concern meaningless awards onto those least deserving of it. The SDC has been the cause of the suffering for my people for decades, on this day you have spat on their sacrifices by giving an award to a girl who has never known suffering or hardship."
Well, if it wasn't already clear he was singling her out, this sealed the deal.
Wherever she was, Blake must be having a fit.
"Crap, the wack-job's talking about the VIP." One of the soldiers swore as they hurried through the hallways towards what Wiess presumed was her reinforced limonene outside. "Damn it, if only the General hadn't left earlier. He would know what to do."
"Knowing him, he's probably on the way back with reinforcements," the Sergeant in charge replied as the troop picked up the pace. "In the meantime, we gotta move faster. Ms Schnee…"
"I understand, Sergeant, just move!"
The group practically sprinted through the building at this point, the urgency to get clear greater than ever. In fact, they were so close to the exit, Weiss could see the waiting doors. It was already open and flanked by Atlesian soldiers with their weapons ready, with her armored limo waiting beyond it. Safety beckoned.
But even as she neared, she could still hear Adam's taunting.
"Yes, Weiss Schnee. A girl who never once had to fight for anything in her life, now getting a pat on her back by the great Kingdom of Atlas for the simple virtue of existing," Adam mocked. "Born with a silver spoon in her mouth, while my people have had to claw and struggle in the dirt for basic necessities. Are you dare call her a Citizen of Virtue? Dare give her a medal for it? What a joke!"
"Get in, Ms Schnee!" The Sergeant shouted as he threw open the door of the Limo. Weiss didn't wait a moment, all but hurling herself bodily into the vehicle. However even in her rush, Weiss did not miss the fact that Adam's voice was still loud and clear… this time coming over the limo's radio.
He was really broadcasting this everywhere, wasn't he?
"Weiss Schnee's little 'celebration' today spits upon the lives of all Faunus who have ever shed blood in an SDC mining camp," Adam stated as the wheels of the limo began rolling, taking Weiss away from the stadium and, presumably, towards safety. "To single her out as a living breathing affront to our people is all too easy… but to do so would miss the point entirely."
Weiss, now seated in the back of her escape vehicle, froze as Adam's words took an unexpected turn.
"It is too easy to point a finger at Weiss Schnee and say she is a criminal. Her status, her opulent lifestyle, her award, are all so extraordinary that it is easy to forget she is not the only one who deserves my ire," Adam continued. "You, humans, have all been born with silver spoons in your mouths. Schnee is merely the most obvious example, one that you can use told hold up and say 'this is the exception, rather than the rule', absolving yourselves of responsibility."
"What the hell are you getting at, Taurus?" Weiss snarled as she flipped over her scroll and attempted to dial her father. Much to the white haired heiress' dismay, instead of responding like she wanted her scroll to do, Adam's trice damned voice started coming out of her scroll as well.
"Every one of you humans, safe behind your walls and enjoying the 'safety' it affords, are all Weiss Schnee," Adam accused angrily. "You are all born into safety and comfort. You are all guilty of forgetting our suffering, our sacrifices! And you all dare to celebrate about it!"
A terrible feeling came over the heiress, one that she couldn't shake.
"On this day, the City State of Mountain Glenn celebrates its 'founding day'. On this day, you humans celebrate a day where the suffering of my people could be traded for security, for safety. On this day, three million humans from all Twelve Kingdoms descend on this one place to pat themselves on the back for a 'victory' against the Grimm they don't deserve. A three million humans… celebrating their hubris."
Weiss froze, the pieces falling into place in her mind.
She wasn't the target, but she knew what was.
"Oh no." Weiss whispered. "He can't mean to…"
"Today is the day I will show the people of Mountain Glenn the folly of their pride."
Weiss eyes went straight to the circular wristwatch on her left hand, anticipation in her eyes. Much to her disappointment, it was as it always was… even as Adam continued to speak.
-=-
Yang Xiao Yong stared up at the television set in the middle of Junior's bar in open mouthed shock, an expression mirrored by everyone else in the room. Adam had just declared the White Fang's target, and it was one so audacious that never in her right mind could Yang have ever foreseen it.
Well, on the plus side, Weiss was probably breathing a sigh of relief that she wasn't target anymore.
"Damn it, Adam Taurus, what are you thinking," Yang exclaimed in horror. "don't you know that three million you're talking about count both human and Faunus?"
"I don't think he cares blondie," Junior replied.
"Is this maniac out of his mind?" the DJ exclaimed, his muffled voice still audible despite his stuffed bear headgear. "That festival is locked down completely by the combined might of both the Atlas and the Glenn militaries. There are going to be more Knights and Paladins there than I can shake a stick at. No way is an attack there going to succeed."
Yang knew the man was most likely mistaken. Adam Taurus might have been a racist maniac, but the revolutionary was no fool. He wouldn't have made such a brazen threat if he wasn't supremely confident he would be able to make good on it.
The bartender's mind raced. Although she feigned stupidity, the blonde brawler had a pretty good head on her shoulders, and that head was currently sifting through what little facts she had to figure out where Adam was coming from..
He had a plan, but what could it be?
"Hubris. That is the word that I think needs repeating," Adam said with vicious mirth as he taunted his listeners. "Hubris. Dangerous abundance of pride. In his speech earlier today, the General Ironwood praised mankind's passion, resourcefulness and ingenuity as their pillars of success. Evidence of this? Your militaries. Your guardians… your protectors. Your machines."
The last word was spat out so savagely that Yang could feel Adam's disdain. However it was this word, and the importance Adam had placed on it, that caused Yang to realize what he was planning. When she did, she almost wished that she hadn't.
"He's… he's compromised the CCTS and the Military Network!"
Compromising the CCTS was the only way he could have achieved a simultaneous broadcast, and if anyone had the resources could hijack the CCTS in such a manner it was only a natural consequence that he could do the same to the Military's Network. It should have been impossible. All reports indicated the White Fang, while dangerous, lacked the technical skills and manpower.
They'd been limited to bombings and other, regional terror attacks. Nothing that could possibly topple a Kingdom.
Yet before her, it was happening.
"Today, you see what happens to your cities when their protectors turn on their people." Adam Taurus proclaimed "Today, you will see what happens when the gates are open and the Grimm are turned loose, once more. Today, you humans will see what happens when their veneer of 'peace' is revealed to be a lie. Today, Mountain Glenn shall know what it means to burn."
And with that, the White Fang's transmission ended. Ten seconds later, the regular Vale News Network broadcast started up again. It should have been showing the latest round of the Mistral junior's tournament.
It was showing something else.
"This is Lisa Lavender, reporting to you breaking news!" Rare was it to see Lisa Lavender anything but calm and collected. Thus, the sheer urgency in the woman's eyes spoke more to Yang than any news report ever could. "Reports are coming in from Mountain Glenn about chaos in the streets! The Glenn Defence Force's Knights and Paladins turning on their Atlesian counterparts and civilians, causing mayhem and panic!"
Oh hell.
"This is Cyril Ian, reporting to you live from the Glenn!," Cyril Ian reported, the man and his camera crew taking cover behind a dumpster as the sounds of chaos screeched around him. "It's Anarchy in the streets, Lisa! The GDF's Knight battalions have gone completely rogue! People are getting shredded out here! It's a massacre!"
"Oh no, Militia and Melanie are over there." Junior said.
"The Atlas military and the GDF are attempting to restore order, but-" Cyril's commentary was interrupted when a loud roar tore through the air.
The camera swivelled to the sky, showing the source of the noise, and very last thing anyone wanted to see… a large black dragon soaring overhead, blobs of inky darkness peeling off its scales and falling to the streets thousands of feet below.
"The Grimm." Yang swore.
"THE GRIM ARE HERE! RUN!" Cyri screamed in terror, the reporter and his camera crew running out of their hiding spot for a new refuge.
As they did, VNN viewers the world over were treated to a right of utter mayhem. The city's robot protectors rampaging through the streets, turning their powerful weapons on those they that had been under their care. People running about in fear, helpless to save themselves or their loved ones. Worst of all was the Grimm, appearing seemingly out of nowhere to hunt and feast.
Blood was everywhere.
The city of Mountain Glenn, once a shining beacon of hope and change in Remnant, was tearing itself apart.
The world could only sit and watch.
Yang looked to the circular watch in her hands and cursed when all she saw from it was the time.
"Light up, damn you."
-=-
On Day One, the Mountain Glenn's defences were subverted during the height of the Founding Day festival. Three million residents and their tourists were sent into a nightmare that reminded the people of Remnant that the world was not as safe as they thought it was.
On Day Two, the Kingdom of Vale, recognising that the invading Grimm had a straight shot to their city Centre through the tunnels, pre-emptively sealed them to avoid befalling the same fate. This controversial decision sealed two million desperate survivors in their besieged city.
On Day Three, Remnant is silent, it's people unable to comprehend the calamity.
On Day Four, Cyril Ian, having survived the initial attack, reveals that half a million people still survive in the shattered city. Of the news he delivers, most shocking of all are the reports that the White Fang have voluntarily entered Mountain Glenn for reasons only they are aware of. His desperate plea for help is heard across the world.
On Day Nine, a hurriedly assembled joint taskforce comprising of elite Vale Hunters and divisions from the Atlesian Military, Mistral Guardsmen, Vaquo Armed Forces and hired mercenaries attempt to launch a coordinated effort to free Mountain Glenn from the Grimm and rescue the survivors. Despite their best efforts, all they manage to do is get themselves trapped as well.
On Day Twelve, Cyril's reports become more desperate; what little order remaining in the city has collapsed. Malfunctioning paladins roam the streets, attacking all living beings in sight. Looters, rioters and gangs are now rampant throughout the shattered city. Portions of the Mistral Guard have gone completely rogue and have set up their own little fiefdom.
The Dragon now rests at the top of the Spire, tallest structure in the Glenn. As long as it remains there, none can leave.
On the night of Day Thirteen, four watches owned by four young women across the globe light up simultaneously.
On the morning of Day Fourteen, Sun Wukong wakes up to discover his girlfriend, Blake Belladonna, has disappeared without a trace from their shared apartment in Mistral. Try as he and her colleagues at the MNN might, the reporter is nowhere to be found.
On the morning of Day Fourteen, heiress to the Schnee Dust Corporation and its chief Financial Officer have similarly vanished. With Winter trapped in the Glenn with her men, the disappearance of yet another Schnee send the already harried family into panic.
On the morning of Day Fourteen, Junior comes into his bar to find Yang Xiao Long's letter of resignation. Her beloved Motorcycle, Bumblebee, is later parked in a secure long term storage facility in Vale, rider having taken off for parts unknown.
On the night of Day Fourteen…
-=-
On the darkness of the Forever Fall, three young women leaned against the hull of a powered down Bullhead. Aside from the pale moonlight coming from the shattered moon hung overhead, the only source of light in the dark forest came from the glowing orange circles emanating from the lit timepieces around each girl's wrist.
The silence was broken when one of them spoke.
"She's late," Weiss Schnee grumbled, checking her lit timepiece for the Fifth time since she arrived here. "The rendezvous was thirty minutes ago. What's taking her so long?"
Gone was the image of the papered heiress that the world knew. Weiss was garbed head to toe in functional gear comprised of tough fabric, protective armoured plates and numerous pouches for equipment on her person. The only concession for fashion was that her clothing was coloured in pixelated artic camouflage. Gone was the heiress; this was a warrior.
"Someone's impatient to leave," Blake chuckled, still reading her novel using her night vision to pass the time. Ah, the perks of natural night vision.
Much like Weiss, the reporter had traded civilian attire for something more functional. However, Blake had favoured a much lighter loadout. It eschewed most of Weiss armour allow to avoid any of it impacting her agility and ease of movement, a concession she accepted since for Blake, speed was armour. Unlike Weiss, who favoured a white camo pattern, Blake opted for a dark purple, almost black, colour scheme.
"We're all impatient to leave," Weiss stamped her foot irately. "I'm not the only one who wants to get over there, right Yang?"
"Totally," Yang nodded in agreement. "I'm gonna give Rubes an earful when she shows up, because I've been waiting for this for the past two weeks, and she's holding us up! I want to smash some heads in, goddamn it!"
Yang was the most heavily armoured out of the trio, the blonde's outfit containing much protective gear it was a wonder she could move in it. Yet her companions knew that not only could Yang move in her modern day armour, but she could move so quickly it sometimes defied belief. The ostentatious tiger striped yellow and gold camo stood out, reflecting Yang's colourful personality.
"Nice to see you agreeing with me for once." Weiss said with some satisfaction before turning back to Blake. "See? I'm not the only one not happy with our esteemed leader."
"For someone whose Semblance is speed, Rubes sure is slow." Yang concurred. "Not to mention she lives in Vale, just like me. She should have been the first one here. What's the hold up?"
"In her defence, her day job is taking care of an old man's shop all by herself," Blake sighed, putting her book away. "I know our SOP is 'drop everything you're doing, leave everything behind and come over', but theory rarely has a way of working out when put into practice."
"Huh, I guess you have a point there," Yang admitted with some embarrassment. "I made sure to park my baby in a nice sweet place before making the rendezvous. It would suck if I got back from Mountain Glenn and found out someone jacked 'Bee's wheels."
"…well, I dropped everything." Weiss pouted.
"You did take the time to steal this bullhead on the way over." Blake pointed out.
"I appropriated it from my family's private fleet expectation we would need it to get into the city," Weiss corrected sternly. "That is hardly stealing, or dallying."
"I dunno, Weiss Queen. Taking one of daddy's bullheads seems like theft to me," Yang grinned.
Yang and Blake shared an amused look while Weiss spluttered in protest. She was rather cute when she was flustered. It was just like when they were in training back in Beacon, back before they got their marching orders went their separate ways.
Those were the days.
"Still… you are right," Blake admitted once they'd let Weiss founder around a bit. "I wish Ozpin could have activated us sooner so we could have gone in with CFVY, JNPR and ABRN in the first wave."
All three girls quieted down again, remembering the feelings of frustration from watching the disaster unfold from afar. As much as they wanted to dive in and assist, they had their orders; stay embedded in their civilian lives until they were called. Directive 51 existed for a reason, and until such time the situation became dire enough that they were needed, they had to wait.
"I have to agree with you there. I wish we'd have gotten the call a lot sooner, especially since Adam singled me out in his little speech," Weiss agreed. "The past week has not been fun for me."
"Still getting death threats?" Blake asked empathetically.
"Among other things," Weiss sighed. "A lot of people had friends of family in the Glenn when it happened, and I'm an easy scapegoat form them to blame… I can't fault them for it though, since I know exactly how they feel with Winter in there."
"The big man probably thought we were too emotionally involved with the other people going in," Yang speculated. "Dad and uncle Qrow were leading the Huntsmen. Weiss' sister was in charge of the Atlas battalions. Then there is Adam… hell, in retrospect I wonder if someone was fucking with us by throwing this whole mess together. No fucking wonder Oz didn't tap us until now."
"True. My sister would have taken one look at me out in the field, and that would be that for anonymity." Weiss agreed with half-hearted smile.
"Weiss, your anonymity would be busted regardless of who looked at you. You have a face that people kinda remember, you know that?"
"You know what I mean, Yang," Weiss huffed again, her fingers curling in anger. "Still, I can't help but think if they sent us instead of CFVY, JNPR or ABRN, my sister would be safe and not…"
"I know what you mean, Weiss." Yang laid a supportive hand on the heiress shoulder. "My dad and uncle are missing too."
"…so much for sticking to the book and not being attached, huh?" Weiss said, the edge of her mouth curling into a smile.
"Blake probably has it the worst though. I mean, her ex just called out the whole planet. How's a girl supposed to deal with that?" Despite her jovial tone, Yang regarded the stoic Faunus with concern.
Blake's former allegiance with the White Fang, albeit from their days as a peaceful protest group, was known to them. What Blake must have been thinking when the White Fang perpetrated the worst terror attack in the History of Remnant was something Weiss and Yang shuddered to imagine.
Although Blake seemed to be trying to play it cool, in their hearts her teammates knew she, out of all of them, wanted in on this fight the most.
This was a fight they all wanted to be a part of, and now that they had been activated, they were going to get their wish…
A shower of crimson flower petals falling from the sky signalled the arrival of their last member.
"Hey guys, sorry I kept you all waiting," Ruby Rose, her iconic red hood covering the wall weather combat suit, and the unmistakable form of Crimson Rose, that she wore under it. "Are you all squared away and ready to leave?'
"Our weapons, equipment and supplies are already in the bullhead," Blake motioned with her finger. "We were just waiting for you."
"Why are you late anyway?" Weiss marched up to Ruby angrily, coming nose to nose with the younger agent. "You do realise that every second we waste here is one more we can't afford to lose? This is THE rescue mission after all, and YOU are our leader. Tardiness is unbecoming of an Agent of the Strategic Hunter Division."
"…um, I wanted to bake some cookies that we could share on the trip to the Glenn?" Ruby gave a nervous smile. "I mean, this IS kind of a suicide mission after all, and something sweet and nice ought to calm the nerves… at least that's what I was thinking. Um, sorry?"
Weiss stared at Ruby in disbelief, before throwing her arms up in the air and storming off back into the bullhead, muttering something about dolts and their obsession with cookies. Blake and Yang watched Weiss disappear into the bullhead with amusement, then turned back to Ruby.
"Never change, Rubes." Yang guffawed.
"I'm not a very big cookie person, Ruby." Blake stated.
"Um, I brought you tuna?" Ruby reached into one of her pouches and produced tin can of said fish.
"That was rather thoughtful of you, Ruby. Thank you. All is forgiven." Blake snatched the tuna out of Ruby's hands and walked back into the bullhead. The cat Faunus looked very satisfied at her new treat, indeed.
"So Ruby… why were you late, really?" Yang whispered to her sister once she was confident that the other two members of the team were out of earshot (easier said than done considering how good Blake's hearing was). "You're normally on the ball for stuff like this. What gives?"
"Last minute intelligence from Ozpin." Ruby replied hesitantly. "We managed to decode the last burst received from JNPR before our teams went dark."
"They have? I thought that transmission burst was completely corrupted!" Yang's eyes widened. This was the first piece of sound intel they had in a while. "Should I call Blake and Weiss back? They should hear this."
"I'd prefer if they didn't" Ruby shook her head negatively. "Yang. We only managed to get one piece of information out of that burst. JNPR has confirmed the presence a former SHD agent in the city's 'Dark Zone'. Yang, it's… its Raven. She's in the city, and we don't know what she's doing there."
Yang Xiao Long froze all trace of emotion vanishing from her face upon hearing the news. The mission had just become that much more personal to them.
"Now you can see why I wanted to run this by you in private first."
"…don't tell the others," Yang said softly. "Not yet. This is between you, and me. Please?"
"Okay, Yang… but only until I have to." Ruby replied.
"That's all I ask, Sis." Yang turned and began walking towards the bullhead purposefully.
Now alone, Ruby Rose looked up at the shattered moon overhead and whispered one last prayer.
"Watch over us, Mom." She said, then followed after her team.
Time to go to work.
-=-
In the world of Remnant, in a time when the Age of Hunters is thought to be in its twilight, there exists a group of elite, highly skilled group of embedded agents.
A group so secret that no government, or potential enemy, knows even exist.
Hidden amongst the populace, sometimes in plain sight, these incredible warriors wait patiently for the time they are needed… only called to action when everything else has failed.
They could be your co-workers.
They could be your neighbours.
They could be your friends.
They could even be… family.
They are…
-=-
Monty Oum's
THE DIVISION
Prologue, When Everything Else Has Failed
RWBY / Tom Clancy's the Division crossover
Agent Origins - Weiss Schnee (Part 1)
PersonWMA
The Man With No One Name
- Location
- The Place With Many Aliases
"Here's a short little snip for the RWBY/Division idea about Weiss in her embedded life."
============================
The purpose of the Strategic Hunter Division was to create an elite force of rapidly deployable huntsmen and huntresses, capable of responding to any world ending threat. Embedded in cover identities throughout the twelve kingdoms, these amazing individuals would not reveal themselves unless a situation became dire enough to warrant their activation.
However, even when inactive many agents were not idle. All Division agents had taken oaths to protect and serve the people of Remnant. Even while playing the part of a wolf in sheep's clothing, many agents chose to aid civilisation and the Division in their own ways, even in their civilian lives.
Weiss Schnee, heiress of the Schnee Dust Corporation, was one such individual. The most gifted Glyph user produced by the Schnee bloodline in generations, Weiss was handpicked by Ozpin himself as a Division recruit. Her recruitment and training by the SHD was a complicated, due largely in part to the prominence of her family, but nevertheless Weiss and her team graduated from the SHD program with flying colors.
Now part of the management of the most powerful company in the world, the amount of good Weiss can do without needing to be activated is unrivalled amongst the agents of the Division. However, her placement in the SDC itself gave Weiss problems of her own…
-=-
"…an increase in my security detail?" Weiss looked at General Ironwood with something approaching annoyance. While she knew the man meant well, she couldn't help but begrudge the soldier for entering unannounced into her office at eleven in the evening with his latest proposition.
Not while she was going over her latest project, at least.
"Ms. Schnee, the proposals you outlined for the new mine in the Indigo Quarry are radical to say the least," Ironwood pointed out gravely, "Please understand that such a drastic experiment runs contrary to decades of policy. There is a good chance that there will be parties who will be… upset by what you have planned."
"I hardly think measures to ensure basic dignity and wellbeing for our employees are 'radical changes'," Weiss retorted, tired at having to once again restate and justify her positions.
It had taken a whole week for her to talk the rest of the board to coming around to her view, another two more before she could convince her father the same, and Weiss did not want to have to do that again with Ironwood.
"The costs for the higher wages and satisfaction of the needs of our labour force will result in motivated employees with higher morale. This in turn will mean we need to invest less in static security measures against both rioters and Grimm incursions, improve the productivity and competency of our workers and mend our public image," Weiss stated bluntly, "If you are worried that the price of our dust supplies for the military will increase, I can assure you that there will be no price hike as our calculations show that the eventual cost savings…"
"And I have already been assured as such by your father," Ironwood informed her, "If anything, I admire that you have managed to do for your Faunus labourers..."
"Employees," Weiss corrected him.
"Employees, then," Ironwood agreed "However this doesn't change the fact that people will be upset that you are attempting to change the status quo."
Weiss supress the urge to give an unladylike snort at Ironwood stating something she didn't already know. She would have had to be line to open death threats she was getting in her mailbox. Although the Indigo Quarry was officially a 'pilot' for the SDC's new business model, the world realised that if Weiss' proof of concept 'experiment' worked she would be making it the standard across all the SDC's mines if she had her way.
Human supremacist maniacs who still thought the Human-Faunus war was a thing, other dust companies who relied on Faunus slaves to line their pockets, the White Fang who needed the mistreated miner image as part of their recruitment drive… all of these parties had a stake in making sure the SDC did not rock the boat.
Weiss had expected this well beforehand, though, so this was well within her plans.
"Miss Schnee. There are many former hunters who have turned to crime," Ironwood maintained. "These individuals are dangerous, with no moral codes to speak of. It is by professional opinion that one of your enemies may employ such an individual to threaten your life."
"Your opinion, or my father's opinion?" Weiss said, taking a wild guess.
Ironwood's silence was telling. Weiss shook her head solemnly, wondering why it took her this long to figure out who had been the one to get THE General Ironwood to come down. Considering their last argument, her father probably didn't want a confrontation with her. Instead he'd sent Ironwood, someone Weiss would be more amicable with… especially when broaching a suggestion like this.
Matters of the family were a headache indeed.
"I am not afraid of assassins, General."
The people who could actually rival her in battle were few and far between, and she was friends with most of them. Even then, especially when considering her cover as a helpless civilian, her pride as a Schnee would not tolerate being chaperoned about by the military like a porcelain doll. However…
"But if my father insists, I suppose I will have to accept it," Weiss sighed as she relented, "Very well, I will allow you to propose an increase in my security detail. However, I reserve the right on whether to accept or reject it. I can't have soldiers tromping around getting in the way of my work."
"Thank you for your understanding, Miss Schnee. Your new personal bodyguard, Lieutenant Poledina, will be here in the morning for your evaluation," Ironwood bowed before leaving Weiss to resume her work on the Indigo Quarry project.
Weiss shook her head and gave a long sigh.
Great, now she was going to be treated like some glass statute by some random bodyguard. It was times like this she wished her watch would switch on just so she could show the world what Weiss Schnee, Division Agent, could really do!
-=-
Agent Origins - Weiss Schnee (Part 1)
============================
The purpose of the Strategic Hunter Division was to create an elite force of rapidly deployable huntsmen and huntresses, capable of responding to any world ending threat. Embedded in cover identities throughout the twelve kingdoms, these amazing individuals would not reveal themselves unless a situation became dire enough to warrant their activation.
However, even when inactive many agents were not idle. All Division agents had taken oaths to protect and serve the people of Remnant. Even while playing the part of a wolf in sheep's clothing, many agents chose to aid civilisation and the Division in their own ways, even in their civilian lives.
Weiss Schnee, heiress of the Schnee Dust Corporation, was one such individual. The most gifted Glyph user produced by the Schnee bloodline in generations, Weiss was handpicked by Ozpin himself as a Division recruit. Her recruitment and training by the SHD was a complicated, due largely in part to the prominence of her family, but nevertheless Weiss and her team graduated from the SHD program with flying colors.
Now part of the management of the most powerful company in the world, the amount of good Weiss can do without needing to be activated is unrivalled amongst the agents of the Division. However, her placement in the SDC itself gave Weiss problems of her own…
-=-
"…an increase in my security detail?" Weiss looked at General Ironwood with something approaching annoyance. While she knew the man meant well, she couldn't help but begrudge the soldier for entering unannounced into her office at eleven in the evening with his latest proposition.
Not while she was going over her latest project, at least.
"Ms. Schnee, the proposals you outlined for the new mine in the Indigo Quarry are radical to say the least," Ironwood pointed out gravely, "Please understand that such a drastic experiment runs contrary to decades of policy. There is a good chance that there will be parties who will be… upset by what you have planned."
"I hardly think measures to ensure basic dignity and wellbeing for our employees are 'radical changes'," Weiss retorted, tired at having to once again restate and justify her positions.
It had taken a whole week for her to talk the rest of the board to coming around to her view, another two more before she could convince her father the same, and Weiss did not want to have to do that again with Ironwood.
"The costs for the higher wages and satisfaction of the needs of our labour force will result in motivated employees with higher morale. This in turn will mean we need to invest less in static security measures against both rioters and Grimm incursions, improve the productivity and competency of our workers and mend our public image," Weiss stated bluntly, "If you are worried that the price of our dust supplies for the military will increase, I can assure you that there will be no price hike as our calculations show that the eventual cost savings…"
"And I have already been assured as such by your father," Ironwood informed her, "If anything, I admire that you have managed to do for your Faunus labourers..."
"Employees," Weiss corrected him.
"Employees, then," Ironwood agreed "However this doesn't change the fact that people will be upset that you are attempting to change the status quo."
Weiss supress the urge to give an unladylike snort at Ironwood stating something she didn't already know. She would have had to be line to open death threats she was getting in her mailbox. Although the Indigo Quarry was officially a 'pilot' for the SDC's new business model, the world realised that if Weiss' proof of concept 'experiment' worked she would be making it the standard across all the SDC's mines if she had her way.
Human supremacist maniacs who still thought the Human-Faunus war was a thing, other dust companies who relied on Faunus slaves to line their pockets, the White Fang who needed the mistreated miner image as part of their recruitment drive… all of these parties had a stake in making sure the SDC did not rock the boat.
Weiss had expected this well beforehand, though, so this was well within her plans.
"Miss Schnee. There are many former hunters who have turned to crime," Ironwood maintained. "These individuals are dangerous, with no moral codes to speak of. It is by professional opinion that one of your enemies may employ such an individual to threaten your life."
"Your opinion, or my father's opinion?" Weiss said, taking a wild guess.
Ironwood's silence was telling. Weiss shook her head solemnly, wondering why it took her this long to figure out who had been the one to get THE General Ironwood to come down. Considering their last argument, her father probably didn't want a confrontation with her. Instead he'd sent Ironwood, someone Weiss would be more amicable with… especially when broaching a suggestion like this.
Matters of the family were a headache indeed.
"I am not afraid of assassins, General."
The people who could actually rival her in battle were few and far between, and she was friends with most of them. Even then, especially when considering her cover as a helpless civilian, her pride as a Schnee would not tolerate being chaperoned about by the military like a porcelain doll. However…
"But if my father insists, I suppose I will have to accept it," Weiss sighed as she relented, "Very well, I will allow you to propose an increase in my security detail. However, I reserve the right on whether to accept or reject it. I can't have soldiers tromping around getting in the way of my work."
"Thank you for your understanding, Miss Schnee. Your new personal bodyguard, Lieutenant Poledina, will be here in the morning for your evaluation," Ironwood bowed before leaving Weiss to resume her work on the Indigo Quarry project.
Weiss shook her head and gave a long sigh.
Great, now she was going to be treated like some glass statute by some random bodyguard. It was times like this she wished her watch would switch on just so she could show the world what Weiss Schnee, Division Agent, could really do!
-=-
Agent Origins - Weiss Schnee (Part 1)