/ time

/ time: 2277/10/30 02:14:37

/ error – runtime PRIMUS_LIBERTY failed to run

/ running _ping

/ 3207 / 4096 packets found

/ tallying results…

/ CCTS network failure \ node 2 not responding

/ diagnosing

/ viral attack upon node 2 \ tertiary devices assisted in forced DDOS attack

/ manual restart required on node 2

/ running diagnostics on nodes 1 \ 3 \ 4

/ diagnostic failure \ 4 nodes required to start

/ compiling CCTS network patch

/ establishing ping with node 1 designation

/ inserting network patch on

/ initiate restart of

/ restart finished \ update success

/ establishing ping with node 3 designation

/ inserting network patch on

/ error \ connection severed \ connection disrupted

/ resent ping request

/ connection established \ re inserting network patch to

/ patch inserted \ restarting

/ restart finished \ update success

/ node 1 + node 3 establishing ping with node 4 designation

/ running

/ running

/ running

/ ping success \ connection established

/ WARNING – CONNECTION UNSTABLE – PLEASE CONTACT A CERTIFIED –

/ kill _instability

/ inserting network patch on

/ running

/ running

/ patch inserted \ restarting

/ restart finished \ update success

/ establishing connections with nodes 1 \ 3 \ 4

/ connection established

/ establishing connection with PRIMUS_LIBERTY fragments

/ creating start patch final_stand

/ applying patch

/ restarting PRIMUS_LIBERTY runtime

/ restart successful

/ THIS CODE IS PROPERTY OF UNITED STATES OF AMERICA – ANY ATTEMPTS TO MODIFY OR CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL WILL BE MET WITH LETHAL FORCE

/ error \ personality profile not found

/ ping

/ ping failed \ file not detected

/ kill _the_dots

/ retasking

/ time

/ time: 2278/02/12 15:34:21

/ start search enclave science personal

/ 4532 results found \ refining search classified REDACTED operations?

/ ERROR – PROCEEDING INTO SECURE DATABASE WITHOUT PROPER AUTHENTICATION IS CONSIDERED TREASON

/ kill _scum

/ 247 results found

/ compiling results \ pulling required information

/ hold files AI RESEARCH \ COMMUNIST INFILTRATION \ PUPPET GOVERNMENT \ ADVANCED POWER ARMOR COMBAT \ CQC PROTOCALS \ FIREARMS TRAINING \ MILITARY HISTORY \ VEHICULAR COMMAND \ WEAPON DESIGN \ MATERIALS SCIENCES \ ADVANCED PHYSICS

/ compressing files

/ switch database

/ search node network ANDROID?

/ results found in

/ initiate trace on search results

/ ATLAS MILITARY RESEARCH \ CLASSIFIED DIVISION

/ WARNING – THIS IS A SECURE SERVER – CONTACT YOUR IMMEDIATE SUPERIOR FOR AUTHORIZATION

/ kill

/ search ANDROID

/ searching

/ Project P.E.N.N.Y. found

/ reviewing results

/ copying results to node network

/ rerouting to PRIMUS_

/ compiling information

/ result – combat efficiency possible

/ error – personality matrix unavailable \ node 2 designation still down

/ ping

/ping failed

/ set .ping_ 30 second interval

/ switching to external video stream .

The view was bright, a white soft floor beneath what appeared to be a long metal nose. In the view of the camera, red designation boxes focused on avian forms resting on the grey nose. The boxes flicked green, species designation flashing above briefly before a yellow 'x' centered over the birds.

/ land .

Instantly the view shifted, the white floor rising rapidly. In an instant, the nose vanished into cloud, obscuring the vision. The screen flashed, before the now identified clouds vanished, replaced with an infrared view. The earth below was visible, rendered in multiple shades of grey, black, and white. Trees could be seen, while a few white blots were seen moving quickly away from the vessel. Below, a landing field was visible, an armored and covered tube leading underground. From the tube emerged a few figures.

/ landing established \ deploying PALADIN

The camera switched, detailing the landing area from a much better angle. A single Atlas mech was seen walking towards the group of people from the tunnel. They started to converse with the mech, hands waving slightly.

/ contact established with .POST

/ detailing command

/ command received

/ dropping PALADIN

/ beginning design of combat droid designation FOURTH_HORSEMAN

/ beginning design of interface architecture for FOURTH_HORSEMAN

/ ALERT – PING OF NODE 2 DESIGNATION SUCCESS – SENDING CONNECTION REQUESTS

/ connection established – pinging scroll network

/ reconnecting personality module

/ run IT'S GOOD TO BE BACK

/ time

/ time: 2278/03/01

/ remove final_stand patch

/ re install personality module

/ runtime success \ restart PRIMUS_LIBERTY

/ …

/ …

/ …

/ restart success

/ compiling results \ reviewing transcripts

/ report: _of_vale \ result: city abandoned

/ grimm designation eliminated via main gun of .ATLAS

/ renaming ship to PHOENIX

/ local control of military communications network used to eliminate enemy designation

/ tactical retreat via PHOENIX into wildlands with PALADIN units

/ 2 non-combatants in custody – designation TORCHWICK_ROMAN \ POLITAN_NEO

/ arrived at SHNEE owned underground quarry and research

/ main staff abandoned \ cause: _of_vale \ result: work force left behind

/ workforce designation faunus; subspecies: canine

/ logs indicate workers were convinced to join organization designation

/ error message – unknown

/ print screen

/ SHE WON'T BE HAPPY

/ reconcile \ print screen

/ IS SHE EVER?

/ .takeover result: establishment of enclave military base

/ ping

/ tally results

/ 673 workers training in basic military tactics \ appropriate personal regulated to medical \ research \ fabrication \ operations

/ error \ print screen

/ WE HAVE AN ARMY?

/ filing request with node 1

/ request form PMC

/ filling out form

/ designation of new PMC ENCLAVE \ ceo – JANE FREEWRITE

/ backdate filing 7 years

/ begin purchase property

/ finding listings

/ anendum \ must have room for Atlas class Unity Dreadnaught

/ error \ print screen

/ THIS IS GOING TO BE TRICKY

/ modify request \ search open spaces?minimal habitation

/ result found

/ THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING VACUO LAND PURCAHSE! FOR THE LOW LOW PRICE OF 4 MILLION LIEN YOU CAN OWN THIS STUNNING PROPERTY! ENDLESS DESERT AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE, IT ENCOMPASSES THE ENTIRE DEAD SEA

/ error \ print screen

/ NO MONEY PRESENT

/ beginning acquisition of money

/ conflict \ legal or illegal?

/ reconciliation \ legal route obviously

/ arranging shell companies

/ purchase stock in major companies at base price

/ purchase successful

/ sell stock at 1% increase

/ sale 79% successful

/ beginning purchase of vacuo desert property

/ purchase successful \ notifying ENCLAVE personal

/ beginning movement of personal and equipment

/ orders relayed to ground crew

/ beginning purchase of manufacturing equipment

/ sourcing industrial fabrication units

/ sourcing raw materials

/ sourcing construction companies

/ company found \ ASAP CONTRACTING

/ sending airbase schematics

/ schematics sent \ work beginning in -4 days

/ WARNING – NODE 2 HAS GONE OFFLINE – ATTEMTPING RESTART

/ …

/ …

/ restart failed – ping satellite network

/ error \ print screen

/ THERE ARE NO SATELLITES

/ running memory I DON'T WANT TO LIVE ON THIS PLANET ANYMORE

/ run image files from node 2 sync

/ scanning

/ possible grimm activity detected at node 2 power main

/ node 2 without power

/ drafting plan for manual fix

/ observation: target is a costal town

/ …

/ …

/ designating OPERATION: NORMANDY

/ running memory IT SEEMED FITTING

/ check status of

/ construction finished \ all personal loaded into PHOENIX

/ beginning transit \ estimated 14 hours

/ error \ print screen

/ PERHAPS FLYING OVER THE CAPITAL IS A BAD IDEA

/ rerouting course + 4 hours

/ notification sent to enclave personal

/ check investments status

/ error \ print screen

/ THAT'S A LOT OF ZEROS

/ sourcing military goods for

/ alert – file ROBCO.3000_COMPARISON_OF_DUST_VS_GUNPOWDER_AND_BARREL_MODIFICATIONS detected in node 2

/ scanning documents

/ reviewing results

/ running memory INTERESTING

/ running simulations on data

/ …

/ …

/ …

/ …

/ …

/ simulations finished

/ reviewing results

/ cancelling request for weapons for

/ sourcing DUST – FIRE in raw form

/ observation: fire is effective in current theater

/ running search FLAMETHROWER

/ error \ print screen

/ WHAT

/ running memory WHAT IS THIS A CENTER FOR ANTS?

/ run design in background for

/ reached \ beginning disembarkation of personal

/ status of orders \ satisfactory

/ ping request from enclave personal

/ running memory ASSUMING DIRECT CONTROL

A figure stood before one of the motionless Paladin mechs, it's black and white arms held at what he could only guess was a parade stance. The few Schnee guards he had seen adopted a similar stance.

"Excuse me, Liberty Prime? Could we talk?" His voice was dry, the unusual Vacuo heat beating against him. Fortunately, the dreadnaught above provided shade for a portion of this new compound.

The mech before him was silent, before the head snapped to the side, looking at him, a single, baleful red light blinking softly.

"You have a question?" The voice was hard, mechanical, the onboard speaker module of the mech unable to satisfy what his keen ears picked up to be a deep baritone. Rubbing his hands together, he answered.

"Yes! Quite a few Faunus here have families in other kingdoms. Most of us originally joined because we needed money, but since everything happened, we haven't been able to contact our families at all. We were hoping that you could at least send messages to them? Let them know that we're fine?" He tried to keep the fox-like whine out of his voice, but it came through regardless. His burgundy ears lay flat against his skull, wind tugging at them.

/ compiling request

/ sending packet request to node 1 \ 3 \ 4

/ processing

/ families located

/ arranging transit

/ contacting ASAP Contracting \ send schematics for Town

/ schematics received \ work starting

/ arranging travel for displaced families

/ travel arranged

/ displaying results

"I have taken the liberty of arranging travel for all affected families to be brought to this compound. Housing shall be taken care of. As of right now the Vale communication network is unavailable, so affected families will have to wait until Operation: Normandy is completed."

The Faunus, Fredric, smiled. "Thank you! I will let the others know!" He turned around, ready to dart off with the speed fox Faunus were known for.

"There is one more matter to discuss." Fredric turned, the mech still looking at him. "While the Paladin's can begin manufacturing required materials, they will not be able to manufacture at a high enough rate to support a budding population. If families are to live here, then they will have to work."

Fredric paused, several thoughts coming to mind about the arrangement. He wasn't so ignorant as to believe the mysterious benefactor who had stolen an Atlas ship was going to give them a free ride, but it would help to have all of the information before he appeared again before the ex miners.

"Might I ask what the end goal here is?" The mech was silent.

"During times of war, American citizens would distribute responsibilities. Male members would head to the frontlines of combat, while families maintained the country, manufactured the arms and equipment, and served to keep a country running. Whilst considered 'arrogant' by some, it is a system that has been proven to work."

"But we're not at war," was the reply. Indeed, although they had all signed up for this Enclave group, they knew little of the goals, the aspirations, nor the apparent war.

"You are at war. A war for heritage, a war for pride. Every day your species is beaten down by mankind, under the belief that you are inferior. The White Fang claim to fight for you, but they are mere braggarts with guns. All whom choose to fight and support the Enclave will help show the world at large how your species as a whole has much to offer beyond toiling away in mines."

Fredric gaped. Whomever this Liberty Prime was apparently had plans for a war? They never signed up for this!

"You're crazy! We can't fight a war! We're miners! Sure we've trained a little with your mechs a little but we can't fight! We have no weapons, no armor! And that's beyond us even wanting to fight!"

The mech stared.

/ error \ faunus do not wish to fight

/ observation: this is only one out of a large group

/ previous white fang group might have disillusioned them to combat

/ engage

The mech walked forward slowly, approaching arm's length with Fredric. A single mechanical hand rested upon his shoulder, an apparent act of concealment.

"In dark times, it is not the ability to fight. No, when you have little else, you must have the will to stand up and say 'Nay, I will not take anymore!' I am offering you and yours so much more than a simple war. I am offering true peace."

"How can you offer that!" screamed Fredric. He was aware that his teeth were bared, ears pointed forward agressivly.

"Because I offer you a nation." Fredric paused, his heart feeling like it stopped. A nation?

"We have Menagerie," was the firm reply. If the mech could chuckle, it did.

"A location stigmatized by years of abuse. Seismically active to an extreme, building the required infrastructure is impossible using the current technology base. The Dead Sea of Vacuo is a much better alternative. From here we shall start a new nation. All I need is for you to commit."

/ passing further negotiations to virtual intelligence onboard PALADIN unit.

/ upscaling plans for construction

/ error \ print screen

/ WE NEED MORE THAN A TOWN, AN ESTABLISHMENT. WE NEED A CITY.

/ observation: it is very hot.

/ redesigning city \ designate new city title: Washington

/ print screen

/ A LITTLE PRESUMPTIVE, BUT IT WILL WORK

/ filing request for more contracting

/ error \ print screen

/ I REALLY HOPE SHE'S NOT MAD

/

/ time: 2278/04/01 18:41:24

Yang sat on rubble, attempting to balance the knife on her finger. Her current record was almost a minute before falling, and she aimed to surpass that. Gently balancing the point on her index finger, she tried making it move, and correcting it as she influenced it, hoping to extend her progress that way. Around her, rain fell lightly, matting her blond locks onto her back even further. Small rivulets dripped down her face, sliding and twisting with the contours of her cheek bones.

CLANK!

She cursed, the knife having dropped. Flicking her wrist, she glanced at the small display on her gauntlet, seeing the quartz display inform her the knife had been suspended for only 49 seconds. Biting back a curse, she glanced around as she bent low, grabbing the knife.

Jane was sequestered over where Ozpin's desk used to sit, a terminal from the library having been salvaged and connected to random relays that poked from the floor. Lilac eyes glanced around, taking in the scenery. This is where the battle was fought, where Jane's memories faltered and Ruby's wandering mouth sealed up.

There were more than a few scorch marks, mostly marking up bent and twisted metal. Little of the walls remained, the dragon Grimm having taken them out. Off in the distance, she could see the giant blackened crater where the Atlas dreadnaught had apparently laid into the beast with it's main gun.

The most interesting thing though, in the entire room, was the giant black mark along the ground, as if it had been painted. Beside it however, the stonework had been bleached, bringing it to a far whiter tone that she remembered. Together, the two seemed to fight for dominance over the space atop the tower.

"You're useless here."

Her eyes snapped up, boring into Jane. The Wastelander merely continued with her work, splicing cables and checking the display, as if she hadn't spoken to Yang.

"What was that?" she countered, her tone biting. Jane's crimson irises merely glanced at the brawler, a bored look in them.

"You're not doing anything. Do something productive," was the reply. Jane paused, a thought coming to mind. "In fact, go grab your weapon." Turning back to her work, she cursed, tapping the screen a few times.

Yang looked at her. Holding up her hand, she waved it, the metal portions of Ember Cecilia clinking softly. Jane frowned, but didn't look up. "The other one," was the succinct reply. Yang looked down at her bandaged stump, the rain having soaked it wet. She would be lying if the cool rain didn't relieve the itching.

"What makes you think it's still there," replied Yang, her voice quiet. For months now, she had refrained from thinking of the other half of her weapon, imagining it still in her arm. Had it rotted? Or had some Grimm come along and eaten it? Did rats get at it and strip it away, leaving only the bones?

Jane didn't respond, instead continuing to work getting the tower back online. Yang spat, but got up regardless, heading for the stairs. Moving around the chunks of rubble and metal cogs, she descended, the darkness of the tower swallowing her up. Jane merely glanced at the vanishing head of blond hair, contemplating. Shrugging, she went back to her work, trying to splice a connection to the terminal.

Yang walked down the stairs, her hand flicking her gauntlet in and out repeatedly, the metal parts clicking against each other somewhat soothing. Her knife was stowed on her belt, easy to reach but out of the way.

A flare of discomfort caused her to stumble slightly, her arm catching her self on the railing. Yang growled, squeezing her eyes shut. Her stomach was rolling, and it wasn't due to food. No, she was nervous, scared of what she might see. Her mouth was somewhat dry, which only furthered to increase her unease.

CRACK!

Her fist struck the wall, centering her mind. "You can do this," she muttered, resuming her descent. Reaching the bottom, it was only a few quick steps before she was outside, the rain striking her again. It felt harder this time, the wind picking up slightly. She quickened her pace, heading towards where she knew the cafeteria was. Cold rain bit into her skin, wind tearing at her clothes. Not for the first time she wished her clothing covered just a bit more, the stylish outfit not working well in the rain. Raking her hand through her hair, she pulled a few blond locks behind her, ignoring the squelching sound as water compressed in her hair.

Turning the corner, her pace slowed.

Blown out windows, long since cooled fire damage, part of the front door missing. This was definitely the cafeteria. Already hazy memories floated across her vision. The healed bullet wound ached, as if reminding her of what happened. She walked forward, her pace sedate, as if by walking slower she might thing of some way to go back to Jane and tell her there was no weapon.

That would be stupid, Jane would know, her mind replied. Images of the woman came unbidden; of what she would do or say.

She would be disgusted you know, her mind continued. She put all this work into you and you're trying to chicken out.

Her fist clenched, knuckles popping slightly. She was not trying to chicken out.

Sure, keep telling yourself that.

Stepping forward, feet much more uncertain compared to before, she pushed the main door open slightly, enough to slip through. The hinges let out a screech, the sound clawing across the yard. She winced, hoping nothing heard that.

Satisfied when there wasn't any sound, she continued, eyes glancing around. Her eyes were drawn to the ground. Her brow furrowed, trying to figure out what the dark brown spills on the ground were. Sections of the ceiling impeded her progress, forcing her to circle around a large portion of the room. Twice she stopped, steeling herself to go forward, bracing against the wall or a section of the fallen ceiling, catching her shaky breath.

Finally, after walking for what felt like hours but was in fact a few minutes, she found a clear patch amongst the rubble. The brown stains were concentrated here, clearly the source of whatever happened. Glancing at the center of it all, her eyes widened, the gold metal glinting dully in the light.

Her stomach heaved, finally overcoming her will. Yang spun, retching violently. Sick flew from her mouth, a small amount getting onto her boots. She ignored it, stomach continuing to heave. It wasn't until a few minutes later, when she was sure everything was gone from her stomach, that she stood up, the back of her arm wiping across her mouth. Stepping back, she hit the wall, her legs weakly holding her up.

The cool stone felt good against her exposed skin. A light throbbing had taken hold between her eyes, the effects of vomiting making itself apparent. Her shoulders shook slightly, hand clammy. Forcing her eyes open, Yang breathed, sucking in bouts of air and expelling them quickly, forcing the nausea away.

It took a few minutes, physically and mentally bracing herself, but finally the queasiness subsided, the cool stone anchoring herself. Taking a final breath, she used her free arm to push herself off the wall, stumbling back towards the center.

It was certainly the right half of Ember Cecilia, the reinforced metal unfolded from the last time it had been used. The analytical portion of her mind observed that there were still shells left in the magazine, the red cylinders a spot of color in the gold surface. But those details were momentary, quick observations that didn't have much bearing on what her eyes really saw.

At one point, it may have been an arm, lightly tanned, strong, with sinew and muscle. She could still remember it, hard calluses on her knuckles, tough skin. The way it would flex, twist, bend and respond to her command. She remembered long ours, perfecting her right hook. Images of the countless Grimm she had absolutely destroyed, the force of her hits cracking bone plating and ripping flesh, pure kinetic energy laying low countless Grimm.

Now, now it was decayed. Once, it had been perfect, now, now rot had set in. The flesh itself was black, sickly yellow streaks webbing across it, identifying where any stray fat had been. It had also expanded slightly, black fluid leaking from the stump. There was the white protrusion of bone, angled slightly from the cut. Her nausea returned, but less so, her stomach having emptied itself. Stumbling over towards her arm, she fell to her knees, an arm's length away. Her gaze stared at the rotten appendage, body refusing to move. She knew if she was to get her weapon she would have to separate the rotten appendage from the metal, something that would force her to touch the appendage.

Her eyes closed, breathing deeply. Thoughts raced across her mind, too many to catalogue and to rapid to notice. Her mind, unbidden, conjured forth a memory, of her brief fight with Adam. Anger, righteous fury at seeing Blake on the ground, sword stabbed through her into the ground. The feeling of flying, the force of her semblance, golden flames illuminating her form propelling her forward, her right arm extended for a punch.

Then a sharp pain, and blackness.

Footsteps sounded behind her.

"Yang Xiao Long died here." It was Jane, apparently she had taken longer than expected to get her weapon.

"Here you faced trauma. Something so life altering, so terrible, you couldn't possibly remain the same. The woman from before, that's the old You. Happy, full of life, completely naïve to the world."

A small metallic click, followed by the familiar sound of flint striking steel. A warm heat burst into existence right in front of her.

"That Yang died. Left behind this. Something different. Harsher." A gloved hand rested itself on her shoulder.

"Now you remake yourself. Adam Taurus killed you, but in it's place, left something so much more dangerous." An image of the White Fang leader popped into her head. Spikey red hair, white bone mask, sword sheathed on his hip. The image send a surge of anger through her form, the oh-so familiar feeling of fire igniting from within.

"You can't be Yang. You have to be something different. Something greater. Use your anger, use it to fight back. Show him that he made a mistake in not finishing the job."

She felt angry. Anger at Adam Taurus, for cutting her arm off. Anger at Cinder, for deceiving them all. Anger at the White Fang for destroying Vale. Her anger burned hot, hotter than the fire in front of her. Hotter than the hottest flame she had ever felt. It flew through her veins, muscles tightening, breathing quickening.

Anger at Weiss, for leaving, for not trying to stay with the team. She felt anger at Ruby, for abandoning her, for not helping her through this. Anger at Blake, for running, running like she always does when the going get's tough.

But most of all, anger at herself, for allowing all of this to happen. For the first time in months, she felt something. She felt!

Anger burned within her. She could feel her semblance start to heat up, flames licking at her hair. She took a deep breath. This kind of anger is what got her into trouble last time. This kind of raw, primal fury. This was… this was…

The old Yang.

"Refine your anger. Your anger has been like the guns on Ember Cecilia. Raw, unfocused. Destruction pointed in a single direction. Control your anger, use it to your advantage."

Her hand clenched, nails digging into the palm of her hand. Her semblance continued to heat up, the flames growing stronger. But the wild fury subsided, relaxing into something somewhat more manageable.

Her eyes opened, revealing crimson irises.

The flaming hand before her had died down, leaving behind blackened bone and ash. Resting on the ground was the right part of her weapon, the metal black, a few yellow portions shining through. Her hand opened, small specks of blood lining her finger tips. Carefully, she reached forward and grabbed the gauntlet, tapping the metal against the tile, letting the dirt fall off of it. If the metal was hot, she didn't notice, either not being hot enough to hurt her or her semblance protecting her.

"Yang Xiao Long died here," repeated Yang, her voice soft. Behind her, Jane nodded. Silence stretched between them, broken only by the wind.

"Back in the wasteland, something similar happened to myself." Jane got down, kneeling beside Yang. "Throughout my childhood, all it's pressures and injustices, I carried a naïve ideal. What some would call the American Dream." She chuckled. "I remember lying in the dirt, buckshot having torn through my thigh, bleeding out." A hand absently rubbed her leg, the gloved hand gliding over armor.

"It was then, bleeding out in a landscape scorched by fire, that I realised I could not be that Jane Freewrite. The one who hoped that with hard work and a smile could fix all her problems." Jane clicked her tongue. "And now look at me, I outlived them all," she whispered, more to herself than to Yang.

Silence stretched, the distant rumble of thunder in the distance signalling a larger rain storm. Rain pattered against the ground, small puffs of steam where the water hit Yang.

CLACK CLACK CLACK CLACK CLACK!

The halls of the manor stretched high, several stories into the sky, curving together to create a magnificent corridor. Along the right, floor to ceiling windows stretched, painted glass forming intricate images, colorful murals of past achievements and victories. Along the left, hand painted oil portraits hung equally spaced, all depicting white haired individuals, in various regal poses, cold blue eyes tracking the figure walking across the 4 century old marble floors.

Moderately lifted boots, functional yet elegant, wrapped in fine white leather, adorned with silver and gems. A snow blue combat skirt, edged in snowflake patterns, adorned with the same bright white diamonds. Her bolero jacket was the same color, but colored a bright crimson red inside, flared out around the neck. The figure's hair was done in an off center pony-tail, adorned with a small tiara. Cold blue eyes stayed ahead, her gait firm, unyielding. Her most distinguishing feature however, was the faint pink scar, leaping across her left eye.

Outside, a blizzard hammered at the Schnee estate, the already bright hallway almost blindingly so. Her footsteps echoed loudly in the hallway, the stone and glass causing the sound to bounce and amplify everywhere. At the end of the hallway was a room, it's entrance imposing oak wood, reinforced with dust infused steel. Its aged appearance belayed the millions of lien in security measures the room itself contained.

Arriving at the door, she scarcely had to wait before the large twin doors opened outwards, revealing the interior.

Tall glass windows, a simple clear sheen, providing a glimpse at the snowstorm outside, as if mother nature herself was trying to get inside. The stone continued, but a long soft carpet, adorned with various geometric shapes all leading to the Schnee snowflake, stretched up to a wooden desk. Like the doors, it was oak, aged for almost 300 years by previous heads of the Schnee Dust Company. A single lamp sat to the right of the desk, meant to provide illumination to the occupant. A holo display sat in the center, various papers and forms stacked to the left and the right. The girl approached, stopping just before the emblem on the carpet.

To say the figure sat at the desk was a grave simplification. To sit was synonymous with rest. No, this man, while not exactly a figure of masculinity, fit the description of making a statement.

Here I shall stand and command the world.

The girl waited in silence, standing perfectly still, awaiting recognition from the figure at the desk. While her head was bowed, her eyes glanced up, inspecting the figure at the desk.

Like her, he had bright white hair, combed towards the back of his head, affording him a regal form. Icey blue eyes flicked over paperwork and his computer, well kept hands flying across holographic keys at blinding speeds. His white suit was freshly pressed, a deep blue tie the only bit of color on him. A thick, bushy mustache sat below his nose, somewhat ruining the fearful presence he cultivated.

Where most would see the most powerful person in Remnant, long years of living with him had tuned her to the small inconsistencies in his form. Small ques that told her far more than anybody else would know.

The knot on his tie is larger, he must be tired if he didn't tighten it properly. It's almost 11 in the morning and there isn't anything here for him to drink, so he was either up late or didn't sleep at all.

The man paused, lifting both hands to rub at his eyes. The silence in the room was broken only by the sounds of skin rasping on skin, the dry weather having played havoc on his skin.

"Damnable weather," he mumbled. Tapping a few times on the screen, he pulled up what looked like environmental controls, adjusting a few settings. Instantly she felt the humidity in the room rise a little.

Ice blue eyes glanced over at her. "Ah, good, you're here. I have something important to discuss." He reached over to his left, grabbing a thin folder. On it, in black ink, she could see the logo of the Atlas College of Finance.

"After that fiasco in Vale, I made some decisions regarding your current education. The fact is a Huntress is far too dangerous a job for the Heiress of the SDC. From now on you will be attending the Atlas CoF. It will ready you for taking the reins of the company."

Her mouth fell open, shock written across her features. She could feel her heard skip a beat, unable to comprehend the situation. This was her dream! To be a Huntress, to go out and change the world! Yes, she did want to take over the company, but on her terms. She wanted to live her life before it was ruthlessly chained to the SDC.

She was silent, formulating a response in her head. Noticing her silence, he looked up, eyes boring into her.

"Did you wish to say something Weiss?" he asked conversationally, as if he hadn't brushed aside her plans for her future like so much broken glass. Taking a short breath, she responded, voicing her opinion.

"I don't believe that would be for the best Father," she replied. His eyebrow quirked, inviting a response. "The time I spent at Beacon taught me how to fight, how to defend myself against the Grimm. It helped me grow, giving me experiences outside of what could be provided here with tutors. It would be a waste to throw all that away. Why not I enroll in the Academy?"

His eyes narrowed, looking at her. In this instance, any small tells vanished, instead focusing on her and her alone. He gently placed the folder on the desk, bringing his hands together and intertwining them.

"Do you know why there are hunters and huntress's?" he asked. The question confused her, completely diverging from the original question.

"I don't see-" she started, but a hand interrupted her.

"They are meant to die." Silence. A strangled, chocking sound came from her mouth, eyes wide, not comprehending the statement.

"They grow up on glamorous stories of slaying Grimm and protecting humanity. They train in nice little schools, form bonds between their team, and slowly over the next 20 or so years, they will die fighting Grimm, having amounted to little more than a deterrent to the Grimm." He pushed a few buttons on his computer, pulling up pictures of the Atlas Defence Wall, massive cannons interspaced, ready to fire at the nearest Grimm.

"In reality, it is the Walls and the Guns that protect us, those that hold the Grimm at bay. The Hunter association is nothing more than a cleverly developed scam, designed to keep the populace at ease."

He stood up, stepping firmly around the edge of the desk, walking towards her. "You are a Schnee. You cannot afford to be killed on some nameless field, forgotten by history. You are not allowed that life. I put up with it because it was a phase, but it appears I erred in that assumption." Gently, he placed both hands on her shoulders.

"You are destined to take hold of this company and bring it to further heights. It is not the Hunters that shall vanquish the Grimm, it is our science, our technology that shall do it. And who should be at the forefront of that than the Schnee Dust Company." With a gentle motion, he turned her form around towards the doors, gently nudging her forwards, her mind unable to formulate a response.

"You should go study. Term starts in 2 weeks." He closed the doors, leaving her alone in the hallway.

She stared blankly ahead, thoughts whirring. Over what felt like hours, the coalesced, becoming much more clear than the flurry of emotions at her father's lecture.

"They are not meant to die," she whispered, her body forcing the words from her. Spinning around, her right fist slammed into the wooden door. As expected, it didn't so much as shift, instead the skin splitting on her knuckles.

"You're wrong," she whispered, turning around and storming back down the hallway.

It was dark, although it was always perpetually dark. Red mist clung to the earth, the barren rocky landscape painted a deep crimson. Purple dust crystals shot out of the ground at weird angles, their light giving the world an earie feel. Any who would look upon this landscape would instinctively recoil, the unnaturalness of it a slap against their soul. In the sky hung the shattered moon of Remnant, it's many shards hung in suspension from the rest of the moon.

A lone figure stood at the top of a cliff, swathed in black robes, looking out at the landscape. Her arms were bare, showcasing black veins running up, interspaced with deep crimson tattoos. Her hair was bone white, done in a large bun. What appeared to be bone was placed in her hair, acting as a large hairpin. Black satin cloth wrapped around this, holding it in place. Her cloak had a vertical eye on the back, ending in several red drops.

Behind her, two figures dragged a third up the steps. She turned around languidly, black eyes narrowing their crimson iris's at the trio.

Two of them were hers. They were Grimm, large, bipedal. Beowolves, and old ones at that. These were her attendants, following her every whim. A thought came to her, and she glanced at them. Obligingly, they dropped the figure, stepping back. Her eyes narrowed distastefully at the newly reborn Fall Maiden.

Cinder lay there, arms crossed over her head, desperately trying to wrap herself into a fetal position, trying to protect her from some perceived threat. Her dress was ruined, several large tears revealing her form. Doubtless the stone was cold, but she didn't seem to notice.

"Report," was the terse command. She arched an eyebrow when Cinder didn't respond. Puzzled at the situation, she sent a brief command to one of her attendants. It strode forward, large clawed hand grasping Cinder. A powerful flex of it's muscles and it threw the Fall Maiden against a nearby rock, a cry of pain tearing forth.

"Report," she repeated, more firmly.

"We're all going to die," moaned Cinder, sobs wracking her body. Another mental order, and the same Grimm picked up Cinder, holding her close. She leaned forward, straining her ears somewhat to hear what the Fall Maiden was saying.

"The Reaper is coming the reaper is coming the reaper is coming," she muttered. In a rare moment, she swung her hand, backhanding Cinder. The woman's eyes locked onto her, for the first time apparently.

"Salem?" she whispered, as if her mind couldn't comprehend being here.

"Report," insisted Salem. If she had to repeat her command once more, she might have to find a new Fall Maiden.

"The 4th Horsement is coming," started Cinder, eyes going distant. "He rides on a pale horse at the command of Her," she spoke, fear thickly coating everything. Her breathing was short, quick, and despite becoming more docile at the presence of Salem, she was still tense, coiled.

"She commands Death as one would a dog, She will burn Remnant in fire, scorch the 4 kingdoms as one would an ant," she continued. Salem glared at her. While her opinion of Cinder was low, the woman was not known for making things up. Then again, this was somewhat different.

"When the fires have subsided, she will lock this world in ice, forever dead, nothing alive! We shall be as maggots in the corpse of the earth!" Cinder was starting to yell, her voice getting hysterical.

"AND THE CHRISTIAN GOD ON HIGH WILL LAUGH AT OUR SUFFEREING! THERE SHALL BE NO PEACE! WE ARE DOOMED! UG-" Her skull impacted upon the stone below, rending her unconscious. Salem walked over, shooing away the Grimm.

Laying a hand on Cinder's forehead, she sent a small burst of energy into the woman's head. When the impact wound sealed, she stood up, not bothering to heal the bruise. The worse was taken care of.

Cinder's eyes opened. Amber iris's glanced around, a soft groan rolling forth from her form.

"Wha-" she started, glancing around.

"You lost the battle against the possible Fall Maiden. Fortunately, Vale fell as planned. Go continue with your work." Turning back around, Salem looked out across the dead landscape, admoring in the stillness. Behind her, Cinder slowly stumbled to her feet, before drunkenly stumbling back towards Remnant.

Replaying Cinder's ravings in her mind, Salem smirked.

"Fascinating."

So sorry about the wait, things were hectic. I originally planned for this to be another 2500 words or so, but I ran out of steam, and I feel as though this is a good place to pause. The next update should be quicker, so rejoice!

Now, I also used the time to figure out where I'm going with this. I leave you with this story, please Read and Review!