Weiss awoke with a jolt. Her breathing came raspy, her throat dry. A simple black cloth covered her injured eye, arms and legs bound by steel clasps attaching her to the interrogation table. Weiss knew this room well, many prisoners had ended up here, all broken. Weiss usually didn't need to use the many implements that the room held, their simple existence usually did the trick. She feared the Inquisitor was not one to follow her way of thinking, that torture was a barbaric act.

No, he probably agreed it was barbaric; it's probably what made it so attractive to him. The table moved, tilting itself so that Weiss now stood vertically. The door to the cell opened, Adam stepping down the small set of stairs, a hovering tray of torture instruments beside him. "It would seem your Rebel friends have escaped again,"

"They are not my friends," Weiss speaking through gritted teeth. Adam smiled, his hand gliding over the small table of instruments before him.

"You sent a communication to the Rebels, what did it contain? A warning?"

"I…" Weiss silenced herself, doubting Adam could ever understand.

"No words of defence? So you admit it then, you are a traitor." Adam didn't take any tools, instead her held out his hand, directing it at Weiss' throat. "Tell me where they are, tell me how to find them," Adam ordered. Weiss glared,

"My father sent you to deal with Cardin, who will he send to deal with you?" Weiss challenged, a confident smile sprouting on her face. Adam returned the expression,

"Foolish girl, you think your father was not privy to this. Even if you are innocent, with two suspected traitorous acts, your father has been forced to disown you. You are a disgrace, one that threatens the Grand Moff's careers."

Weiss shuddered, hands pressing against the binds that held her. "Lies," Weiss whispered, voice filled with malice. "No, no. I speak truth, unlike you. Now tell me, how do I find them!"

"I don't know!" Weiss screamed back. Her throat seized as if being chocked. Adam stepped closer hand still outstretched. Weiss chocked, the invisible hand gripping tightly on her throat. Her vision started to blacken, her head starting to fall. Then as suddenly as it had started, it stopped. Weiss gasped, air flooding back into her lungs with relief. "Now tell me where they have gone," Adam ordered. Weiss only panted, staring at him coldly. Adam sighed,

"I will give you some time to think. Pray I don't have to do that again." Then he left, the door sliding shut behind him.

Weiss sobbed, unable to hold back her tears. She struggled against her restraints, fighting the chaffing pain of the metal cuffs. It didn't take her long to give up, shoulders sinking with exhaustion. How could she explain her act? Many would see it as treason; they would ignore her logic that peace was the ultimate goal, not the destruction of the Rebels.

They would do what was best for themselves. They would abandon their family in order to further their position. They would destroy entire planets just for an inkling of power. They would betray, scheme and murder anyone in their way. All for their selfish gains, never considering the consequences of their actions, the scars they left behind them.

Weiss wouldn't die like this. She would bring peace to the galaxy. Her Father and the Empire he served were the real traitors. Weiss had no choice now, she would die here if she couldn't find a way out. If Weiss wanted to do good, if she wanted to right the wrongs associated with her family, she would have to leave.

The fleet abruptly exited hyperspace. The sudden change startled Ruby, her hand grasping flight stick of her A-wing tightly. Her ship being slaved to the hyperspace controls of The Beacon meant that it had called off the jump. "Why have we stopped?" Ruby asked, her eyes scanning her sensors for signs of enemy contacts.

"Commander Rose, bring your squadron aboard. There have been complications," Ozpin's tone laced with seriousness. Ruby passed on the order to her team, Ace Squadron slowly cruising into the docking bay of the Mon Calamari cruiser. As she flew in, she noticed the black charred hull of the Beacon, as well as the various states of damage the other transport ships appeared to be in. The fleet had taken a beating; Ruby doubted it could take another.

Weiss stretched her hand as far as she could, the table of torture instruments that had been left behind. Floating just out of her reach, Weiss groaned as the cuffs bit into her arm. Relaxing finally, Weiss sighed with annoyance. The tray hovered ever so slightly closer, Weiss laughing softly at her luck. Once again she reached forward, her restrained hands only able to inch forward against the bands holding her to the table. The tip of her finger brushed against the edge of the tray, slowly pulling it closer. Her hands clasped the cylindrical hilt of a blade, grinning with victory as she spun the blade and tried to find the screw she knew held the shackle in place. The screw turned, slowly leaving the socket, the cuff coming loose. With a click the screw fell to the floor, allowing Weiss to wiggle her hand free. Setting to work quickly Weiss unscrewed the other cuff, then moving down to the feet braces. Nervously Weiss kept glancing at the door, waiting for the stormtroopers to come in and blast her. They never came, and Weiss fell free of the interrogation table.

Grabbing other tools she thought useful Weiss moved to the door. Prying off a panel using a crowbar like hook from the table Weiss drew the shock implement. Finding the relevant set of wires Weiss cut them open, using the shock tool to send channels of electricity through the exposed wire. With a hiss the door slid open, Weiss dashing outside. Coming into the long hallway of the detention centre Weiss cast her eyes to her sides quickly, making sure she hadn't been seen. She didn't have much time before someone checked the cameras and saw her missing, if they had not already.

Moving close to the wall, keeping low, Weiss crept towards the detention centre command station. Idly sitting in his chair sat the engineering officer on duty, body shielded from view by the U shaped command station. Creeping to hide behind the console, Weiss readied the shock tool. Tossing the bladed tool to her side, the metal clang drew the officer's attention. Distracted, Weiss moved around the corner of the station, jabbing the shock tool into the officers back. The crackle of electricity combined with a pained grunt broke the silence of the detention centre. The engineer slumped, unconscious, onto the control panel.

Weiss, nerves still churning her stomach like a disturbed Rancor, began to change into the engineer's uniform. It was almost unbelievable that she hadn't been caught yet, this fact only prompting her to move faster. The uniform didn't quite fit, but the black colour obscured her size well enough. Finally she placed the helmet on her head, adequately hiding her identity. Weiss stepped into the elevator, intending on once again making for the hangar.

"The situation is rather dire I'm afraid," General Ozpin stated as he paced around the holo-projector. Ruby sat with her squadron in the circular briefing room, eyes fixed on the fleets readouts. "Three of our transport ships suffered major engine damage, resulting in their inability to make a further hyperspace jump. Furthermore, The Beacon has also sustained major damage, if we were to jump again it could likely cause a major shutdown of several critical systems."

"So we're stuck?" Sun asked dryly. Ozpin nodded,

"Your fighters still have hyperspace capability and could make a jump to a nearby system. Yet only two of our transports would be able to follow. So now we must decide on what to do," Ozpin stopped his pacing standing in front of the projector eyebrow raised and waiting for answers. Yang stepped forward, her and Blake standing by the entrance at the back of the room. "You're the general, aren't you supposed to give everyone orders?"

"On my ship everyone has a say. This isn't a Imperial star destroyer, I won't kill an officer for speaking up." Yang nodded in approval of his answer, going back to lean on the wall. Ozpin returned his gaze to the group of pilots. "Well we got away from the Imp's so what's the big deal?" Neptune said confidently. Jaune shook his head,

"We are not far enough away, if they send out scouts they will probably find us in a few days, maybe even a few hours."

"Commander Rose?" Ozpin said as he eyed the ever focused pilot. Ruby snapped out of her thoughts, eyes rising to meet Ozpin's.

"I don't think there is much we can do. My squadron will stay and protect the damaged ships. Any other ship that can leave, probably should."

"They'll be undefended out there though," Jaune chimed in, Ruby shrugged,

"Better to gamble that they don't run into more trouble, than gamble on dealing with the trouble coming after us." Ruby's response garnered a series of nods from the rest of the room,

"Penny has supplied us with the location of several Imperial traps, with that information the transports will have a better time making it to their destination," Ren added from beside Nora. Ozpin smiled, a weariness seeping into the expression, "It appears we have a solid plan. Ace Squadron, prepare your fighters for deployment, we don't know when or if the Empire will arrive, if they do you must be ready. Mr Lie, it would be very helpful if you co-ordinate with our techs in repairing the damaged craft." Ren nodded confirmation, the rest of the group beginning to disperse.

Weiss nodded to the squad of stormtroopers that passed. Her nerves had reached a high point, just like before she stood in front of the Imperial shuttle. It had been easy, moving in disguise, nobody paid much attention to the hundreds of engineers that scurried around the ship. It had been too easy. There still had not been any alarms signifying her escape. Her ship would have never run that poorly, never be so unprofessional. Then again it was barley her crew anymore.

No, it was Adam's crew, just as this was clearly Adam's plan. The ship had not jumped in pursuit of the Rebels, meaning they still had no idea where they were. Weiss knew the game now, she understood what was expected of her. She was too escape, and lead Adam to the enemy. The shuttle almost certainly had a tracking device hidden on it, they would almost certainly let it escape without injury. Weiss would not be used again, no, instead she would use Adam's plan against him.

Weiss stepped on board, immediately heading for the controls. Sending through basic authorization codes, Weiss took off. As she predicted her escape was unhindered by laser fire or chasing TIE fighters, she simply flew out of the star destroyer. Weiss activated the shuttles hyperdrive, flicking through the nearby star systems. Somewhere out in the stars lay the Rebel fleet, Weiss just had to guess where. The outer rim was filed with smuggling dens and pirate havens, easy places for the Rebellion to lay low. She doubted she could find them with a simple jump, she needed to find a place where she could lay low herself, and seek information on where they were. There were not many places nearby that could accommodate her needs. The closest she could find would take several short jumps through heavily hyperspace shadowed areas. Deciding on her course Weiss locked in the co-ordinates. After that she quickly set to work finding the tracking device, knowing the usual places very well she found it quickly, readying to disable it. With a smile Weiss sat back down in the pilot seat with a devilish idea.

"This is Shuttle Aggregator, requesting permission to jump," Weiss comming the star destroyer behind her.

"Uh, permission granted," the reply came, the obviously confused. Weiss smiled, Adam could probably hear her now,

"In that case, tell Inquisitor Taurus that it has been a pleasure, and that the tracking device, sadly, will not work." Weiss cut off the channel as she heard the angry shuffling of the Inquisitor behind the communications officer. The star destroyer opened fire, lances of green light coming flying towards the shuttle. Just before the blast hit, Weiss jumped.

Yang sat in the cockpit of her ship. Ember was parked at the back of the hangar, overlooking the other fighters. In front of her the techs quickly returned all the fighters to full working order, refitting them with new torpedos and refuelling the ships. Yang hadn't taken any real damage during the fight, her deflector shield had taken a hammering, but otherwise unharmed. On the console before her sat the message. It was meant for Ruby, but Yang opened it anyway, it was her ship after all. If only she could have seen it earlier, she might have been able to alert the fleet. It also meant that Weiss maybe wasn't as bad as they had all thought. If she had tried to warn them, then maybe she had not betrayed them. Blake wouldn't believe it, but maybe it would make Ruby feel a bit better.

With a sigh Yang spun her chair and walked to the ramp. Wandering through the messy hangar yang found Ruby kneeling by her spin, fusion welder busy at work spraying sparks around her. "Hey Rubes, I got a message for you."

Ruby looked up from her ship, lifting the welding goggles off her eyes. "From who?" Ruby asked quizzically. Yang chuckled,

"Well you're not going to be able to guess, and I'm not going to ruin the surprise. It'll be better if you see it."

"Uh, sure?" Ruby said as she discarded her goggles and her welder. The two began their walk over, Ruby frowning as she raced through everyone who could have messaged her who wasn't already on the cruiser. Halfway through the hangar the alarm sounded, all the techs and astromechs freezing in place. "Enemy craft detected, scramble fighters," the warped voice said, echoing through the hangar. The hangar exploded into action again, Ruby leaping over the mess of cables on the ground as she raced towards her fighter. Yang moved more slowly, watching everyone else rush to their ships.

Ruby pulled on her helmet as she climbed inside. Ahead of her Jaune and Pyrrha took off, sliding out of the hangar into space. Ruby activated her fighters repulsorlifts, the wedge shaped snubfighter lifting off the hangar bay and following the X-wings out. "Ace four what are you reading?" Ruby said, calling to Jaune,

"I'm picking up a single shuttle Ace One," Jaune said with curiosity. Ruby spied the white Imperial shuttle, trying to determine its intention. Beside her Sun and Neptune matched her speed, "Do we shoot it?" Sun asked eagerly.

"Lock S-foils in attack position, but hold your fire." Around her the X-wings split their wings into attack position. Ruby commed the shuttle, making sure her ships blasters were trained on it. "Imperial shuttle, in the name of the Rebel Alliance to restore the Republic you are ordered to surrender your ship."

"Ruby? This is Weiss, I surrender, I'm here to join you," Weiss voice filled with surprise and relief. Ruby's grip tightened on her flight stick.

"Shuttle, proceed to the docking bay of The Beacon, if you make any suspicious movements we will be forced to fire," Ruby's voice betraying her anger.

"Ruby I'm surrendering, my ship couldn't hurt you even if-" Ruby cut the comm channel, banking her fighter to position itself behind the shuttle as it glided towards the hangar.

Blake watched intently as the shuttle was surrounded by soldiers. The ramp clanked down onto the hangar bay floor, a figure clad in black with white hair striding down. Immediately Weiss was cuffed, soldiers running up the ramp behind her to check the shuttle. Blake moved forward to hear the various words being exchanged. "I had no idea you were here, check my navigation system, this was just one jump in a series!" Weiss shouted back at the Rebel soldier. "I am defecting form the Empire! I was actually going to try and find you and join up, I bring you no harm, in fact I can provide helpful intelligence. Now get these cuffs off me!" Weiss thrusting her bound hands forth demandingly. The soldier shook his head and motioned for her to be taken away. Blake smiled, seeing a Schnee getting there just deserts was a welcome sight. Blake was surprised however to notice the eye patch draped across Weiss' left eye, something she had not had last time. That and a look of pure defeat and exhaustion.

"Stop," Ruby called to the pair of soldiers dragging Weiss away. Ruby held her helmet under her arm, Sun and Neptune walking behind her. Sun and Neptune glared at the defeated Imperial captain, still bitter over the last encounter. "Why are you really here Weiss?"

"As I said, I didn't mean to find you, I just did," Weiss not meeting Ruby's gaze.

"You betrayed us on Tatooine, why would I trust you? This is just another one of your games. How far away is your ship?"

"It's nearby, but they didn't track me, I destroyed the tracking device," Weiss said, voice wavering with sadness. Ruby remained stone faced, "You said you didn't want to join us, what changed?"

Weiss looked up, meeting Ruby's gaze with her own, one eyed stare. Ruby winced, examining the black cloth draped over her eye. "Don't listen to her Ruby, it's just more Imperial lies. She has something planned and we should be preparing for it," Blake said dragging Ruby away. Sun and Neptune followed, Leaving Yang to study the weary Weiss, "I got your message,"

"Then you know I'm trying to help," Weiss pleaded. Yang squinted, trying to detect any hint of deception. "I'll do what I can, but if you are planning something, if you try to hurt Ruby," Yang paused, lips pursed tightly together, "I will end you." Weiss sighed, head drooping as she was dragged out of the hangar and towards the brig.

Ruby and her wing mates, Sun and Neptune stood by their ships. "We should just toss her out the airlock. She's killed our friends, captured Ruby, it's what she deserves," Sun said with arms crossed. Neptune nodded, "It's only fair."

"What if she's telling the truth though," Ruby said hesitantly, her hope beating away her doubts. Blake shook her head,

"She's a Schnee, her Father destroyed my planet, a peaceful, defenceless planet at that. I doubt the fruit fell far from the tree."

"So what do we do?" Sun asked, Ruby stared him down,

"Nothing it's not our call, General Ozpin will decide her fate." Blake clenched her fists,

"Get me close to her and I can get the truth out of her." Everyone turned, Sun nodding along with the plan. Ruby was divided, if there was a plot they needed to learn about it before it cost the fleet, but torture? "Is that how you are doing things now?" Yang asked as she walked up behind the group, Blake turned, the odd feeling of embarrassment in her stomach. "I doubt you're going to ask her nicely, thought you had gotten over that part of your life," Yang said accusingly. She walked into the middle of the group, tossing a datapad to Ruby, "This is a message the Ember picked up before the attack, I missed it at the time, but Weiss was trying to warn you."

"What?" Ruby said with surprise as she looked down at the pad, reading the message. Sun looked over her shoulder, reading along, his expression softening as he read. Neptune raised a questioning eyebrow at Sun, who nodded in confirmation of the legitimacy of the message. Blake kept her fists clenched, "What if this message is just another play? Try to get us to let our guard down, Schnee's are devious,"

Yang looked at her with a look bordering on disgust. "Let's talk," Yang said as she grabbed Blake's arm, pulling her away. Ducking under the nose of the X wing Yang brought her out of sight of the others. "What's your deal?" Yang said in a serious tone,

"What do you mean, what's my deal? Weiss is the enemy! I can feel it!" Blake shouted back, standing on the tips of her toes to stare Yang in the eye. Yang frowned,

"Like hell you feel it, you're mad at Weiss' dad and are taking it out on her!"

"She's an Imperial! Maybe I am mad at her father, but she is not an innocent! She betrayed us once, I won't let her do it again!" Blake banged her fist against the nose of the X-wing.

"Your right, she's not innocent, but neither am I, neither are you!" Yang following suit and slamming her fist alongside Blake's. Sun ducked underneath the ship, coming to stand between the two, "Hey leave her alone bounty hunter," Sun said standing defensively in front of Blake. Yang rolled her eyes,

"Shove off flyboy," Yang said dismissively, Sun glaring in annoyance. Blake pushed Sun aside, an irritated look in her eye,

"This is a private conversation," Blake said coldly. Sun looked hurt by the response, but walked away.

Yang sighed, "Blake, my gut's telling me she is telling the truth. I don't know if it's the force or a guess. That's not important though, you're scaring me. Your acting like your old Imperial self here," Yang looked at her, a worried, almost motherly look in her eye. Blake realised how angry she was, she felt as she had a hundred times before in the heat of battle. Blake slumped against the X-wing, eyes closed and breathing slow to calm herself. "I'm sorry, and your right."

"I usually am," Yang said with a smirk. "You're technically my teacher, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to look out for you."

"So what do we do now?" Blake asked,

"We do nothing, as Ruby said, it's Ozpin's call. If we are going to be sticking around we might as well follow the status quo." Blake raised an eyebrow at this,

"I thought we were leaving?" Yang shrugged,

"I kind of like it here, it's not as strict as I thought it would be. I don't want to join up officially but I'm sure we could lend a hand here and there."

Blake nodded, appearing to be slightly sad. "I think I need to meditate, clear my head"

"Sure thing, I'll leave you to it. Don't do anything stupid," Yang patted her on the shoulder and moved past her, heading back into the throng of activity on the hangar.

"So, Ms Schnee, is there anything else you feel you need to tell me?" General Ozpin asked from across the silver table. The Rebel interrogation room was much more inviting than Weiss' old one, a simple table with a pair of chairs, a large spotlight above the table. "No, that is everything. I betrayed the Ember's location to my father. I resumed command of my star destroyer, I tried to warn Ruby of the coming attack, and because of the message I was usurped again."

"Why did you send the message? Surely you knew it could jeopardise your command?" Ozpin asked as he took a sip of his Caf. Weiss stared off into space,

"I just want peace. I was hoping to broker that peace eventually, but I needed someone within the Rebellion in order to negotiate. Ruby is trustworthy, she saved my life even though I was her enemy."

"Now you believe you can bring peace by joining the Rebellion?"

"It's my only option now."

Ozpin nodded slowly, examining her face. "I am thankful for the information regarding the location of the Blizzard. While it is troubling how close it is, it means we can further prepare if it does find us. However, I believe it best however, for you to stay isolated. There are many on this ship who would not trust you, your presence may cause a division on the ship. Right now I need everyone focused on surviving this difficult time."

"So what does that mean for me?" Weiss now staring at the General intently.

"You will have to remain in the brig for the time being. After we have escaped and are safe, we will discuss your joining the Rebellion. You are not the first Imperial defector, and will certainly not be the last."

"As you wish."

The Imperial officer fell to the floor, smoking hole passing through his chest. Adam deactivated his saber, stepping over the dead officer. "You," Adam said pointing at another officer, "What information did you get from the traitors hyperspace vector?"

"N-not, m-much sir. We have i-identified several possible locations she may have jumped too," the man said, sweating profusely. Adam grit his teeth,

"Send the information to my private chamber, and prepare to jump the moment I say so."

"Aye sir," the officer said as he quickly looked away from the Inquisitor. Adam stalked back to his room, his anger boiling inside him. He would not fail again, he would use this anger to find his targets. The dark room brought him focus, his eyes glancing over the possible destinations of the Grand Moff's daughter. Adam shut his eyes, focusing on his need to kill Weiss. He imagined her death, falling to his red blade. He sent his mind outwards, his red hot hate being drawn to the cool demeanour of his target. Something crept in on his searching, a dark, brooding presence. "Blake," Adam whispered a smile slowly forming on his lips. Adam activated his comm, "Bridge, prepare to jump. We have them."

Blake felt his presence. She shuddered as she broke out of her trance, a tingling feeling splaying across her spine. He was coming. Blake knew he was a hunter, spending his life tracking down Jedi and Rebels, but his abilities seemed greater than she expected. If he could find her over such long a distance, he was more powerful than Blake, too much for her to deal with. It also meant she was endangering everyone around her.

Blake leapt to her feet, dashing through the Ember. Practically leaping down the ramp she ran to alert the ship.

The door to the brig slid open, revealing a single, ray shield protected, cell. Weiss sat inside on the slid out bed, head resting against the wall, eye cast upwards staring into space. Ruby stepped inside, waiting for Weiss to react. When she did not, Ruby slid down the wall beside the door, sitting on the floor with her back leant against the bulkhead. "I got your message, not in time, I wish it had been, but I got it," Ruby said softly. Weiss looked down at her, her face almost emotionless,

"I'm sorry you didn't get it sooner too," Weiss' words were distant, like she was thinking of other things. Ruby sighed, resting her head in her hand,

"I'm sorry for how I acted earlier, if I had known you sent that message…"

"It's not your fault, you were right after all," Weiss following suit and leaning her head against her hand.

"What do you mean?"

"I was a fool, just another tool in the Emperor's arsenal. Just another tool for my father. You are right to hate the Empire, they are evil, manipulative and cruel. I could never change any of that, I'm just too weak," Weiss spoke quietly, a tear rolling down her cheek. Ruby frowned, holding back tears of her own,

"That's not true, you were strong enough to leave. That's a hell of a lot stronger than a lot of other Imperials"

Weiss tore the cloth from her eye, throwing it into the ray shield. Her wound had quickly sealed, leaving a scar running vertically through her eye, the eye itself blinded. "Branded a traitor, just like that," Weiss said bitterly. "They had to imprison me and on top of that make me hideous," Weiss laughed.

Ruby winced at the sight of the scar, but shook her head, "You're not hideous. Everyone on board this ship has a scar or two courtesy of the Empire, it's a badge of honour here." Ruby stood and pulled her shirt up slightly, revealing a long scar running across her back, "See, everyone's got one."

Weiss looked at the scar, now not feeling as sorry for herself as she did before. "How did you get yours?" Weiss asked, leaning back on the wall, Ruby hesitated but eventually responded.

"At the Imperial academy," Ruby watched for Weiss reaction. Weiss' eyes widened mouth slowly gaping in surprise,

"You attended the academy?

"Wouldn't really say attended, I was forced too and managed to get out pretty quickly," Ruby's eyes glazing over, her mind casting back to her time at the academy. "I don't remember much of my family. Only a few brief memories of when we were all together, I'm pretty sure we spent the whole time on the run, can't remember why though. The Imp's caught up to us, last memory I have of my dad is him fighting them off. My mother tried to pull me and Yang away, Yang broke away to help dad, don't remember what happened to her after. The troopers took me and my mum captive, after a few months in captivity I was sent to some facility where they kept children for future training. I never saw my mother after that."

Ruby's head sunk a little, staring at the space between her legs. Weiss closed her eyes, fighting off more tears. "I'm so sorry," Weiss stood as she spoke waling closer to the ray shield. "I truly was a fool for thinking I could change the Empire, thinking that I could use you to try and barter a peace between us. You're all fighting because you have suffered, and a truce won't erase that suffering. Now I know how it feels," Weiss cast her head down in shame, fists clenched in ager. Ruby got to her feet as well, taking a step forward to stand in front of Weiss, "Look, you're here now. You escaped from your ship, I escaped from the academy. We both have our scars but we are both fighting to make sure no one else has go through what we did."

Weiss looked up, staring into Ruby's silver eyes through the blue haze of the ray shield. Ruby held her confident smile, her sureness gave Weiss belief, belief that she could still bring peace. Now though she would be able to bring justice as well.

The moment ended when the door slid open again, this time a panting Jaune stumbled inside. "Ruby… Impstar Deuce on the way… Ozpin's looking for you," Jaune said between breathes. Ruby glanced back at Weiss and took a step towards the exit, "Wait! Let me help, I have no idea what an "Impstar Duece' is but I know Imperial tactics and systems." Weiss hovered as close to the ray shield as she dared, desperate to be out of the cell. Ruby looked to Jaune who shrugged, taking deep breath Ruby took a step back and deactivated the shield. "Impstar deuce is pilot speak for star destroyer, probably yours," Ruby said seriously the three of them walking towards the bride. Weiss nodded, "If it is the Blizzard then we are in trouble, I saw extensive damage to this ship on my way in."

"Wouldn't be a Rebel engagement if the odds weren't stacked against us," Jaune added from behind the determined pair. Ruby smiled,

"Clutching victory from defeat is what Ace Squadron does. Jaune, make sure everyone is prepped for combat, I will talk to Ozpin."

"Sure thing," Jaune said before running off down an adjacent hallway.

"We don't have any readings reporting an incoming star destroyer, are you sure Ms Belladonna?" Ozpin asked as he once again read of the sensor reports. Yang and Blake stood on the bridge, "She's sure, you have to trust us. Either get the fleet moving or prepare for battle," Yang said defiantly. Ozpin gave her a stare, evaluating her seriousness. "If you can't detect it now it means we still have time," Blake said desperately, the image of Adam haunting her mind. Ruby stepped into the command centre from behind Blake and Yang, Weiss standing beside her. "Commander Rose, and Ms Schnee," Ozpin declared slightly surprised to see Weiss. Ruby strode forwards nodding a greeting to her sister, "What's the situation sir?"

"Your sister and her companion have warned us of an incoming attack. While there is no evidence of this, I am inclined to believe them, it was inevitable after all," Ozpin spoke a brief command to the officer at his side, the command crew exploding into action to prepare the defence. "We are still immobilised, our shields and weaponry however are at full operational capacity. We will defend the transports, some may be able to make the jump, others will have to hope we can fend off the Imperials."

"Ace squadron is at your command sir," Ruby said with a short salute. Ozpin smiled calmly,

"Your squadron will be our only hope for holding off enemy fighters, and, if possible, making attack runs on the destroyer itself."

Yang frowned, "No offense General, but those fighters can't take on a battle ship."

Ozpin kept his smile, "It was a band of fighters that destroyed the Death Star at Yavin, we just need to find a weak point."

"I might be able to assist with that," Weiss spoke up stepping forward. All eyes turned to her, Blake glaring at her suspiciously. "If it is the Blizzard then there is a weak point," Weiss looked to Ozpin for permission to continue, Ozpin granting it with a nod. "A few weeks ago we engaged a pirate force, they had several frigate class ships. The managed to deal significant damage to an area near the base of the command tower. We lacked the time to perform a full repair, only managing to place a temporary hull plate over the area. If you were able to crack that hull plate, turbolasers, proton torpedos, even concussion missiles would be able to pierce through the ship and damage the reactor."

"Thus disabling, possibly destroying the ship," Ruby said excitedly from beside Weiss.

"Ms Schnee, it would be most helpful if you would assist me form the bridge in the coming battle," Ozpin said with a slight bow. Weiss took a deep breath,

"It would be my honour to assist you General."

Weiss and Ruby shared a smile, "Commander Rose, prepare your fighters,"Ozpin ordered as he turned back to the viewport, examining the stars.

"Yes sir," Ruby said eagerly racing off to man her fighter. Yang smirked and followed after her, Blake sighing and running after the both of them.

Ace squadron flew in formation, Ruby leading with Neptune and Sun on her wings. Behind them Jaune and Pyrrha escorted Nora in her Y-wing. The squadron flew patrolling circles around the fleet, waiting for the Blizzard to leave hyperspace. "Alright everyone, you know the plan," ruby checked in with her team. Sun grinned,

"Ace one, two and three deals with the fighters,"

"Ace four and five protect Ace six as she makes her bombing run on the target," Jaune added. Ruby nodded, rolling her shoulders and double checking her ships systems. "Don't forget about us," Yang called over the comms, the Ember banking past the squadron. Ruby laughed, "I doubt I could even if I wanted to Yang."

The comms stayed silent for a few more minutes, everyone checking and double checking their weapon systems and shields.

"Ace squadron we are picking up a ship leaving hyperspace at mark six-oh-five," Weiss voice transmitting from the bridge of the Beacon. Ruby pulled her flight stick to the right, truing the ship towards the co-ordinates of the enemy ship.

The empty space quickly changed, an Imperial class two star destroyer suddenly taking up the once empty view. "Ace squadron we have enemy fighters, be careful," Weiss said with worry seeping into her voice. "Alright people, lock s-foils in attack position," Ruby commanded as she inspected the incoming fighters.

"Looks like we have squints and eyeballs, no bombers," Sun said, beating Ruby to the punch.

"Excuse me?" Weiss said in confusion, Ruby grinned

"Interceptors and TIE fighters, more pilot speak."

Ruby locked on to the fastest moving enemy fighter, preparing her torpedoes. "Volley of torpedoes two and three, give them something to think about,"

"Yes ma'am," replied Neptune. Only a few clicks out Ruby fired, her wing mates following suit, sending streaking blue lights towards the incoming fighters. The torpedoes impacted, eviscerating fighters left and right, and creating a hole in the oncoming attack. Ruby slammed her stick to the left, juking out of the way of several green bolts of energy. Twisting the ship back Ruby returned fire, linking her laser cannons to fire at the same time. Her blasts took the wing of a TIE fighter, and burned through an interceptor.

The two forces passed one another, both looping back around too re-engage their targets. Ruby pulled her stick into her chest, sending the ship upwards, curving back to face the enemy fighters. Below her Jaune, Pyrrha and Nora made for the star destroyer, easily avoiding the slow turbolaser fire from the star destroyer.

Yang spun into the TIE fighters, spears of green light dancing around her. Beside her Ren quickly adjusted the deflector shields, pointing the bulk of them at whatever large group of fighters came hurtling towards them. In the two turrets sat Blake and Penny, both sending laser fire into the horde of TIE fighters. The freighter shook as it absorbed more fire, "How are the shields holding up?" Yang asked through gritted teeth, her attention almost fully taken up by the series of loops and turns she was making to avoid death. "They are holding for now," Ren responded calmly, even in the heat of battle he remained composed. Yang chuckled to herself, he would have made an excellent Jedi.

"This is Ace five," Pyrrha called desperately into the comms, "We have interceptors on our tail,"

"I can't shake them!" Jaune cried nervously as his rear deflectors absorbed more fire.

"I'm coming!" Yang cried, pushing the ship towards the star destroyer. "Let's hope those shields still hold after this," Yang commented nervously. The Ember flew just over the hull of the star destroyer, the guns unable to hit a target flying so close to their own hull. Coming up from underneath the interceptors Blake fired a torrent of red energy into the pair of enemy fighters. Her shots managed to blast the engines of the first, sending it hurtling down towards the hull of the star destroyer, the other managing to roll out of the way. The Ember broke off to chase down the escaping interceptor, leaving Jaune, Pyrrha and Nora free to continue their run.

Weiss fell against the hull of the Beacon, the ship shaking as the deflector shield started to fail. "Sir, we are reporting several hull breaches at sector five through seven," a worried tech reported. Ozpin grimaced, "Seal off all the necessary decks, continue to focus fire the star destroyers command tower."

Weiss read the readouts of the two capital ships. The Blizzard appeared to be absorbing the terrajoules of energy that the Beacon was firing at it. The Beacon however, was starting to crumble, not having fully recovered from the first engagement. "General if we do not move away from their front arc of fire, they will incinerate us," Weiss informed Ozpin. Ozpin nodded grimly,

"I'm afraid we have no other options but to weather the storm, and hope that your plan works in time for us to survive."

"Sir I have another idea, take the ship underneath theirs, our firepower is not enough to break their shields, and if they are still intact then the bombing run will have no effect. If we draw their attention elsewhere, make them shift power to a different area of the shields, it might give the bomber a better chance."

"Very good, helmsman, take us under the star destroyer. The underside of the star destroyer has fewer batteries."

Ruby raced behind another fighter, sending a pair of lasers through the ships cockpit. Her fighter vibrated as more shots impacted her rear deflectors, the power rating slowly falling. Ruby pulled her ship down, fling head on into Neptune's X-wing. Neptune fired around her, blasting away her tail. "Nice shot Ace 3,"

"This is Ace six, I'm going in!" Nora cried with excitement, and not a small amount of bloodlust. Nora's targeting computer came to life, the numbers counting down rapidly as she came in range. The numbers hit zero, and Nora unleashed her payload. Beside her Jaune and Pyrrha fired missiles of their own. The ordinance slammed into the star destroyer, the deflector shield grew white, quickly turning pink before evaporating. Pieces of the now liquidised hull exploded outwards, leaving a red hot hole of superheated metal.

"We have a hit!" Nora cheered, Weiss quickly looking at the readouts broke the bad news,

"Negative Ace six, the reactor is intact, you only damaged the hull."

"Aw what!?" Nora whined in disappointment. The bombing team began to turn and set up another attack run, now however, they had attracted serious attention.

"Sir, the star destroyer is focusing fire on the bomber team," Weiss said with surprise. Adam was letting his emotions guide him, rather than focusing on taking out the main target.

The bombing team broke apart, trying to create a smaller overall target. Jaune and Pyrrha managed to move back into the main fight, joining Ruby and her wing in destroying the fighters. Nora Spun around for another bombing run, only to have her left engine clipped by laser fire. En engine exploded, sending Norra spinning down past the star destroyer. "Get a tractor beam on that fighter!" Ozpin ordered quickly as the Y-wing flew towards the Beacon, now hidden underneath the star destroyer.

"Ruby, I mean Ace one, Ace six is secure, but the run was unsuccessful," Weiss said anxiously.

"Copy Beacon. Ace two, three-" Ruby cut herself as she slammed the flight stick to her left, narrowly avoiding the spear of turbolaser fire. The Blizzard now focused all its fire into the mess of snubfighters. Around her Tie fighters exploded, being killed by their own command ships fire. Ruby rolled her fighter randomly, narrowly avoiding the stream of green laser blasts. "I'm hit!" Sun cried as his right wings came free.

"I'm out!" Neptune bellowed as his ship's engines sparked, leaving him dead in space.

"Pyrrha no!" Jaune said as he boosted his ship in front of Pyrrha's, the bolt destroying his X-wing as he quickly ejected.

"Jaune!" Pyrrha cried out in desperation as she flew ahead of a focused stream of laser fire.

Ruby stared wide eyed at the destruction that played out before her. The remnants of fighters creating a debris field around her. "Ace squadron! Report!" Weiss screamed into the comm, breath catching in her throat. "This is Ace one, preparing for bombing run," Ruby spoke without emotion, forgetting about the possible loss of her freinds. Weiss let out her held breath, the sick feeling in her stomach however remained. "Ruby it's too dangerous, abort, please," Weiss pleaded. Ozpin walked up to the comm unit,

"Commander Rose, you are our only hope, we will do what we can from here," the ship shook again as the star destroyer returned its focus to the Beacon. "May the force be with you."

"Sir we lost our fighters, but the enemy fighters, bar two, have been disabled," the gunnery officer reported. Adam smiled,

"Now that they have been eliminated return fire on their cruiser, it's time we put that wounded beast down."

"Yes sir," the gunnery officer hesitated, "Ah, sir, there is a danger." Adam turned to him a confused look on his face,

"What?" Adam asked, venom dripping in his words. The officer gulped,

"The area they hit was a weakened area of hull, one that leaves the main reactor exposed."

"And?"

"If it is hit again, the ship could very well detonate." Adam stared for a moment, unsure what to do. With a growl he turned back to the battle.

"Let nothing through, destroy their cruiser. Send what fighters we have left, it will take a miracle for them to destroy us, and prepare my fighter."

"Ruby, we are with you," Yang said as the Ember pulled in behind Ruby's A-wing.

"Yang it's too dangerous, see if you can recover the others."

"Like hell, the Beacon will get them, we need to take this thing out," Yang said adamantly. Ruby sighed, not bothering to protest further.

"Ruby they are targeting us with their guns again," Ren informed everyone. Ruby activated her targeting computer, pushing her fighter to full speed,

"Yang keep the fighters off me, it looks like they are sending out the reserves."

"No problem sis, you hear that Blake?"

"On it."

Ruby shot ahead of the freighter, the wedge shaped craft reaching insane speeds. Around her the star destroyers gunners desperately tried to get a shot off, none even getting close. From below the star destroyer came another three TIE fighters. The Ember, now trailing a fair distance behind opened fire, scattering the rookie Tie's. Ruby took a deep breath, focusing completely on her target. In her ship, she was in her element. Ghosting the flight stick slightly her fighter moved marginally left and right, further avoiding the laser batteries below her. Another TIE fighter rose from below the destroyer, this one however was no normal Tie. It's thicker body and arched wings declared it an advanced model.

Ruby glanced at her rear scanners, shunting power to her rear deflectors as the advanced fighter approached. "Hmm, a force sensitive," Adam said curiously as he chased down the red fighter, its precise movements keeping it out of his targeting reticule. Adam shot, his twin laser bolts splashing onto Ruby's rear deflectors. Ruby's ship shuddered as she absorbed the hit.

Blake destroyed the last fighter, moving the turret back to covering Ruby. It seemed another TIE had joined the fight, Blake studying it came to a sudden realisation. "Yang! Get me closer to that fighter, Ruby's in big trouble!"

"I'll try but we aren't as fast as those fighters," Yang said as she pushed the Ember to her limits.

"I can divert more power to the engines, but it means we will be sacrificing our shields," Ren suggested cautiously.

"How bad is this guy Blake?" Yang asked

"He's the inquisitor who I trained with," Blake said, fear present in her voice. Yang gulped, flashes of the memories she saw in Blake came to mind.

"Ren, give us all the power you can."

The targeting computer's numbers ticked down, growing ever so close to zero. Another shot hit her ship, this time some of the energy pierced through he deflectors. Sparks and surges of electricity covered her cockpit, the various screens shutting down. Her targeting computer broke, leaving Ruby blind.

Yang watched as Ruby took a hit, desperately pushing the Ember as hard as it would go. The deflector shields were offline, allowing the ship to inch closer to the two fighters. A stray shot here and there hit the unshielded freighter, alarms and warnings going off in the cockpit. "Blake take the shot!" Yang shouted, Blake focused, letting the force flow through her. She fired once, the red arrow of light slamming into Adam's shield. "Blake," Adam groaned bitterly as he felt her presence behind him, shooting at him. Blake fired again, another direct hit, this time destroying the advanced fighters shields and clipping the fighters wing, sending Adam hurtling off into space.

Ruby focused, determined to make the shot, even without the aid of computers. She could see the charred area of the hull where Nora had hit. Flicking her weapons over to torpedoes, Ruby lined up her shot, trusting in her pilot instincts to make the shot. She squeezed the trigger, pulling the stick up quickly as to not be burnt by the explosion.

The torpedo sunk into the hull, a jet of fire erupting from the breach in the hull. Weiss dodged the falling debris, the Beacon falling apart around her. Very few systems remained operational, and only a single screen managed to stay on. Her eyes stayed glue to the screen, a sigh of relief escaping her as the energy readings in the Blizzard spiked. "Direct hit! General we need to move out from under the ship now," Weiss speaking with happiness and exhaustion. Ozpin smiled, and the few officers still standing complied, the Mon Cal cruiser slowly escaping from the shadow of the star destroyer.

Above them explosions rang out over the hull of the Blizzard. Crackling electricity arced across the hull as the ship shut down. Ruby and Yang flew past the engines of the ship, soaring towards the wreck that was the barley functioning Beacon. Behind them the Blizzard cracked, the hull breaking in two as the ship detonated, the bright flash marking the end of the capital ships career.

Ruby opened her cockpit, ripping her helmet free form her head. Around her ship amassed a crowd of people, techs, soldiers, and most important to Ruby, her fellow pilots. Sun, Neptune, Jaune and Nora had all been recovered. Stepping down from her fighter she was embraced tenderly by her sister, "Great shooting sis, and to think you did it without your computer! Haha, mum and dad would be proud!" Ruby hugged her sister back, laughing along with her,

"Thanks for having my back out there, you're not so bad a pilot yourself," Ruby complimented her sister. Yang shrugged, smile still firmly set on her face,

"Go off and enjoy your party you earned it."

Ruby walked through the crowd, receiving a series of cheers, friendly embraces and slaps on the shoulder. Finally she made it to her squadron, all standing proudly by Pyrrha's ship, the only one not severely damaged. "Nice flying out there, couldn't of done it better myself," Sun complimented, shaky Ruby's hand.

"More like couldn't of done it at all, that was amazing!" Jaune said excitedly from next to Pyrrha.

"That was the biggest boom I have ever seen!" Nora said, recreating the explosion with her arms. Ruby smiled,

"Thanks, but you guys were the ones who opened it up for me, without you we would have all be vaped."

The team shared a few more words of banter, all relived to still be alive. The others stopped, all looking to a figure standing behind Ruby. Ruby spun to see Weiss standing behind her, Rebel fleet officer uniform worn with pride. Ruby nodded a greeting, Weiss returning the nod.

The other pilots dispersed, leaving Ruby and Weiss alone. "I must congratulate you on your flying, it was exceptional."

"Uh, thanks, but this is the Rebel Alliance, no need to be so formal," Ruby said as she stepped forward and hugged Weiss. Weiss was stunned for a second before slowly returning the hug. "Welcome to the Rebel Alliance,"

"Thanks. General Ozpin is recommending me for my own command," Weiss said, still a little shocked by the hug.

"That's amazing," Ruby said as she broke the hug, "It will be a pleasure to fly beside you." Ruby gave Weiss a soft kiss on the cheek, causing the newly minted Rebel Captain to blush. Together the two followed the crowd of people leaving the hangar, all keen to celebrate while they could.

A few days passed by quickly, the whole fleet busily preparing to move on. With a lot of effort the techs had managed to fix the Beacon's hyperdrive, the transport ships having now all been repaired as well. Ace squadrons fighters were still a mess, the techs unable to find spare wings and engines to refit the damaged crafts. The Ember too had suffered serious damage, but the freighter had been through worse.

Blake had broken the news to Yang. Yang wanted to believe it wasn't true, that she could stay here with Ruby. Deep down though, Yang felt it too, she knew she had to leave. "Hey Ruby," Yang said, finding her sister in the empty mess hall once again.

"Hey Yang, what's wrong, you seem a bit down?"

"We have to talk," Yang said, sitting in the chair opposite to Ruby, Ruby set down her fork and ignored her meal, sensing the seriousness in Yang's voice. "It's time I left,"

"Oh, I thought you said you were thinking of staying after all," Ruby asked hopefully. Yang shook her head,

"I want too, you guys are fighting the good fight, and I wish I could help. It's not as strict as I thought, I could really do some good here."

"Exactly, so stay," Ruby pleaded softly. Yang sighed, sinking into the chair a little more.

"If Blake and I stay, we endanger everyone here. The Empire can track us down more easily than they can you, so we have to leave to keep everyone safe."

"I don't understand," Ruby said, frowning deeply. Yang nodded,

"I barely understand it myself, but there are greater things at work. Things that you don't have to worry about."

"Yang if you're in trouble then I do have to worry," Ruby said as she reached a hand over to grasp Yang's. Yang looked down sadly,

"The best thing you can do right now is work to defeat the Empire. I'll come back, I swear. When I do there will be nothing to worry about, we can be a family again." Yang reached down under the table and pulled forth her father's lightsaber, setting it on the table. "This is for you, it used to be dad's, something to remember us both by."

Ruby picked up the weapon curiously, "What is it?"

"Dad's lightsaber, an old weapon very powerful and very dangerous. Only use it when you have absolutely have too."

"Sure," Ruby said uncertainly as she clipped the saber to her belt, "are you sure you have to leave?"

"Yeah, I'm sorry Rubes, but as I said, I'll be back."

Blake loaded the last crate onto the Ember as Yang came striding back into the hangar. Blake felt sorry for Yang, having to say goodbye to her sister a second time was not fair. Very little was in this galaxy.

"Everything go alright?" Blake asked hesitantly, Yang nodded, climbing the ramp to stand beside Blake.

"She'll be fine, she survived without me for a long time as it is."

"She has a good group of friends looking out for her," Blake added

"Even Weiss?" Yang teased, Blake rolled her eyes,

"I guess she is not as bad as her father, so yes, even Weiss." Yang grinned, closing the ramp and heading towards the cockpit,

"Where are we heading? We have the whole galaxy at our finger tips," Yang asked. Blake thought for a moment, mind thinking of all the planets she had visited.

"I'm not sure," Blake coming up blank on any secure planets. Yang smirked as she sat in the pilot seat, Blake taking the co-pilots seat beside her. "Well, guess we will have to trust in the force on this one."

The Ember shot out of the hangar and into space. Ruby watched it leave, Weiss standing by her side as the freighter blasted into hyperspace. Taking Weiss' hand Ruby let out a sigh, "May the force be with you Yang."

Thank you all for reading! It has been an absolute joy to write, especially this mega chapter (easily the largest chapter I have uploaded to ). The question that lies ahead is whether or not you want to see more. I am fully prepared and eager to continue this story, but it is up to you the reader if you want to see Episode 2 of the RWBY Star Wars AU. It is also up to you if you want to see it in another story or for me to simply continue uploading chapters to this one. Anyway, enough questions, thanks for reading (again), and above all, May the force be with you.