Weiss stood on the roof of her manor, watching the elegant airship lowering down onto the landing pad before her. Three SDC security guards stood around her, but she still felt much less safe than she did with Pyrrha.

The airship's ramp lowered, revealing two more SDC security guards standing inside. They walked down and stood at the base of the ramp facing inward. A moment later, a tall woman with a large sword and hair pulled back into a neat bun appeared at the top of the ramp. She cheerfully stepped down the ramp, waving at her guards. She gasped in delight when she saw the heiress waiting for her.

"Weiss!" The taller woman rushed forward, capturing Weiss in a tight hug. "Oh, you're alright."

Weiss returned the hug stiffly. "Hello, Winter."

Winter pulled back and held her at arm's length. "You are alright, aren't you? Not hurt?"

"You don't need to act concerned. There's no press here."

The look of hurt on Winter's face would have been convincing if Weiss didn't know her so well. "Can't you believe I'd care about my sister?"

"No."

Winter shrugged. "Well, at least it's mutual."

"Charming." Weiss turned and led Winter to the elevator, dismissing her guards with a wave of her hand.

"So, to what do I owe the displeasure of your visit?"

"Atlas is going to war with Vale."

Weiss whirled around to face her sister. "What?"

"Ironwood claims that it's for the good of the Valesian citizens. He gave a big speech about how dangerous it is here, and how it's our duty to keep the people of the world safe."

"How generous. Does Professor Ozpin know about this?"

"I'm sure he does."

The elevator doors opened and the sisters walked out into a hallway.

"Why now? This is not a good time for war."

"Vale is weak. What better time than now?"

Weiss glanced over at her sister. "You don't seem terribly concerned about this."

"Should I be? I can't do anything about it. I can't control Ironwood, Weiss."

"You could at least talk to him. Withdraw the support of the SDC! He can't attack without his Knights."

"Why would I do that? The SDC is making millions from his contracts." She looked at Weiss. "Maybe you should try selling to Ozpin better."

The pair entered a cozy study. Winter sat gracefully into a soft couch, while Weiss stood opposite her.

"You're… okay with this."

Winter shrugged. "Like I said; not much I can do. Besides, if the fighting is all with androids, that saves lives, right?"

"But what about civilians?"

"I don't think civilians are stupid enough to get in the way of robots with guns."

"You don't think there will be any civilian casualties?"

"It's a war, Weiss. There will always be casualties."

Weiss threw up her hands in annoyance. "I can't believe you would just accept this!"

Winter narrowed her eyes. "Why shouldn't I? It's a good business opportunity. I'm taking advantage of it to expand the company. You know, like I'm supposed to do."

"Dad wouldn't want you to fund a war, though."

"He gave me control of the Atlas branch and told me to do whatever I saw fit to do. So I am."

"This isn't what he meant!"

"No? And what have you done with Vale, then?"

"Plenty! We've more than tripled in size since I took over, and our mining operations-"

"Are being destroyed by Faunus terrorists." Winter gave her sister a patronizing expression. "Really, which of us do you think is going to come out on top here?"

Weiss pressed a hand over her eyes. "I had rather hoped you hadn't come here to fight."

"And what else would we do, dear sister?"

"I thought perhaps you had come to see how Pyrrha was doing. Or at least discuss business."

"We are discussing business."

"You know what I meant."

"Maybe," Winter laughed, "But antagonizing you is far more fun."

"You are impossible."

"Only for you, dear sister."

Weiss snorted. "If there's someone you're not impossible for, I need to hire them."

"Terribly sorry, but I already did."

"Oh, really? Who is he?"

"You'll find out soon enough."

"Will I?"

"Mmm-hmm. Actually, that's part of the reason I came to Vale. I was hoping to talk to him."

"He's in Vale, then?"

"Oh, very observant, Weiss. I can see why you're father's favorite."

"I'm his favorite because you're an idiot."

Winter stood. "If that's what you think. I'm going to retire to my room now, sister dearest. It's been quite a long trip."

"It's where it's always been," Weiss informed her.

"Thank you." Winter started to walk out of the room, pausing at the doorway to look at her sister. "You should get some rest, too, Weiss. After all, you're going to have a very busy day."

Smirking, Winter left the room, leaving a mildly confused Wiess behind her.

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"Junioooor," Yang whined, "do we have to work with him?"

Junior sighed. "Yes, Yang," he repeated, not turning to look at her as he surveyed the warehouse's blueprints. "This is basically a military operation. If Winchester's with us, he can't be against us."

"But he suuucks."

Melanie and Miltia huffed from their place at the bar.

"Oh, come on, guys. Don't say you actually like the guy."

"Anyone who hits you in the head can't be too bad," Melanie snarked, crossing her arms and glaring at Yang.

"Awww, I know you guys like me."

"We really don't."

"Will you two just shut up?" Junior asked, glaring back at his employees.

"Are we ready, Junior?" spoke up Miltia.

"Yeah, close enough," Junior answered glancing toward her. "Alright, let's go. We're supposed to meet Winchester in about half an hour anyway."

Cardin and his team, along with several of Junior's men, were already waiting when Yang arrived on Bumblebee. The hunter rolled his eyes as she pulled off her helmet and walked up to them.

"Finally one of you is here. Could we possibly get this

Yang ignored him, instead flashing Jaune a smile. "Hey there. Nice to see someone who isn't an asshole."

"Uhhh… thanks?"

"No problem."Yang patted Jaune on the shoulder before Cardin pushed in between them.

"Where the hell is your boss?"

Yang tilted her head to the side as the sound of a car engine drew nearer. "Sounds like he's right about here." The car turned the corner and drew to a stop. Junior and the twins exited it.

"Captain Winchester," Junior greeted stiffly, extending an arm.

"Mr. Xiong," Cardin replied, taking his hand. The two stood for a moment, glaring at each other, before Dove coughed.

"Captain, I believe we need to review our battle strategy."

"Right," Cardin muttered, turning away from Junior. "So, you have the layout like you said you did?"

"Of course," Junior said, pulling the blueprint from inside his suit. "There are three entrances; the main garage door, the office, and around the back of the garage."

"Okay. How much weight are you people going to pull?"

Junior glared. "I assure you, we can handle ourselves."

Cardin waved him off. "Actually, I don't care if you get killed Just don't do it too quickly."

"Actually, I would prefer it if you didn't get killed. I'd rather not have to explain to Ozpin how incompetent his Hunter captain is."

"Can we just work together? Maybe?" Jaune asked. Both men turned to glare at him, instead. "Uh… without the glaring? You know, since we, uh, we're supposed to… work together… and stuff?"

"Yeah, the sooner we do this, the sooner it'll be done and we can go back to fighting each other. Right, guys?" Yang put in cheerfully.

"That's not exactly what I had in mind…"

"You are correct, however," Dove agreed. "Hostility is detrimental to our mutual goals."

"Ugh, can you talk like a normal person?" Melanie asked.

"Can you not dress like a prostitute?" Lark shot back.

"We look good," Miltia mumbled.

"Of course we do. He just wouldn't know a good-looking girl if she punched him in the groin."

"That's probably because I gouged my own eyes out after having to look at you."

"Well, bloody holes in your face would be an improvement."

"Enough!" Junior shouted. "Let's just get this over with so we don't have to deal with each other anymore."

Melanie glared at Lark. He grinned back. "You want me."

Before Melanie could respond, Cardin pushed in between them.

"Alright! Lark, knock it off. Blue Twin, calm the fuck down."

"My name is Melanie."

"Good for you."

Melanie crossed her arms and huffed, turning away from Cardin.

"Okay. Can we all act like adults now?"

No one spoke.

"Thank you. Junior, your men give covering fire from the front. I'll take my team around the back and-"

Cardin's scroll rang.

He glanced back at his team before pulling it from his pocket and answering it. "Hello?" He looked up at Junior and turned away.

"What do you think that's about?" Yang whispered to Junior.

"No idea. But if it's something he's willing to take while he's on duty, it must be important."

"How do you know it isn't just his boyfriend?" Yang asked, smirking. Junior rolled his eyes.

"He didn't get to his position by being bad at his job," he replied, just as Cardin returned to the group.

"Well, as much as it pains me, I must leave you all to die," he announced.

"Excuse me?" Yang asked, voicing the group's confusion.

"Ozpin needs us for a more important assignment."

"A more important assignment? I thought Torchwick was a top priority."

"Not anymore." Cardin gestured for his team to follow him. "We've got a bigger problem."

"Like what?"

A loud humming noise filled their ears. The assembled group turned to stare up into the sky, where three Atlesian warships hung in the air.

"That," Cardin answered.

A/N: I'm sorry for uploading such a short chapter after such a long break! The next one should be both longer and sooner. And also pleasing for Zuri.