Jaune and the Real Girl.

Chapter 11

"Intruder detected!" The calm artificial female voice echoed through the halls outside. "All students and non security personnel are to clear the hallways and remain where they are. Remain calm."

Jaune watched as the General pushed a series of commands into the controls on his desk as the intercom fed him data. "I want a security team deployed to the R&D vault immediately!" He ordered drawing one of his large caliber revolvers and popping the cylinder to inspect the rounds in their chambers.

"We're already deploying them sir!" The voice on the intercom confirmed.

"This is Specialist Winter Schnee, General I am on my way to your location!" Winter announced on the intercom.

"Copy that Specialist Schnee," Ironwood said.

"General Ironwood sir!" Penny's voice announced over the intercom. "This is Penny Polendina requesting permission to move to the east wing and help secure the R&D vault."

"Negative Penny," Ironwood said, "remain in your current position, protect your father!"

"But I can fight and I am close!" She protested.

"Your father is a potential target Penny, maintain your current position and keep him safe. That's an order!" Ironwood commanded.

"Yes General," Penny said, "is Jaune with you currently?"

"Mr. Arc is here in my office, yes," Ironwood confirmed for her.

Jaune felt a jolt of realization and embarrassment, he was the only huntsman here with the General. He was expected to help protect him wasn't he? Jaune drew Crocea Mors and activated the shield turning to the door as if something would suddenly come through the locked and reinforced steel door.

"You have not been cleared for action Mr. Arc," Ironwood told him.

"I'm to remain here right?" Jaune asked, giving him a shrug. "So if an attacker does come through that door would you like me to sit in the corner?" Jaune asked him sarcastically.

Ironwood smirked, amused at the young knight. "I see your point," he said, "thankfully I do not believe we are in danger Mr. Arc, the body was found far from here, the two most likely targets close to that area are the R&D laboratories and Penny, I'm deploying multiple security teams to that area and another is on its way here."

"What about the Ace Ops?" Jaune asked him, "shouldn't this be a job for them?"

"They're currently away on another mission," Ironwood explained to him, "the timing has me a little worried."

"Hopefully a coincidence," Jaune said as the lights suddenly died and plunged the General's office into darkness. Pale moonlight filtered through the half dome window in the back of the wall leaving the rest of the office in a dark void.

Ironwood lunged to his desk pressing the button for the intercom. "This is Ironwood status rep-!"

"Wait General!" Jaune cried moving immediately towards him as a barrage of automatic fire splintered his desk. The hard light dusk in his shield activated and the rounds impacted against the surface shielding them both.

Muzzle flashes illuminated the shooter. A figure dressed black fired twin machine pistols raining brass onto the marble floor as he peppered Jaune's shield with gunfire. Ironwood raised from behind the protection of the hard light shield and fired. His revolver roared as he fired on the assassin only for the shots to strike the ceiling when the assassin dropped from the ceiling.

The assassin landed gracefully on the floor amongst the scattered casings. The gunman ejected both magazines from his machine pistols and moved to reload when Jaune charged.