A new dawn in Remnant: Volume 7

As Above, So Below

Inside the dining room of the Schnee Manor, the Atlas councilmen continued to talk to Ironwood. Penny and Winter had already returned and were now standing on each side of the door behind Ironwood.

Camilla: General, since the day you were appointed Headmaster, there have been Atlesians who are skeptical of one man holding two Council seats.

Ironwood: Yes, which is exactly why we have checks and balances.

Sleet: We're supposed to, but lately you've been running roughshod all over them, making unilateral decisions without us.

Ironwood: Councilman, I never intended--

Sleet: What people intend and what they do aren't always the same, General.

A butler walkde into the room, stopped at Jacques Schnee's side, and whispered to him.

Jacques: Hm? *hushed* What? For how long?

The butler whispered again. Jacques' eyes widened.

Jacques: *hushed* My authorization? Check it again!

The butler hurried out of the room, and Councilman Sleet looked at Jacques.

Sleet: Councilman Schnee?

Jacques tensed. As he spoke, he adjusted his tie and gestured awkwardly.

Jacques: Um... *clears throat*  Yes, I, uh... agree with everything, everything that was, uh, just said. No, uh, no further questions.

He quieted down, collecting himself, and Sleet, Camilla and Robyn stared at him for a moment.

Robyn: *turns to Ironwood* I'm not quite done yet. You're afraid of something, General. Aren't you?

Ironwood: I think that's pretty obvious, Miss Hill. I'm trying to prevent Atlas from becoming another Beacon, another Haven.

While Robyn spoke, Jacques did not appear to be paying close attention. Instead, he clasped his hands in front of his face, then put his left hand to his face.

Robyn: Yet, you don't trust your own Council to help you? Operating in secret? These are the actions of somebody who's hiding something.

Ironwood: I'm not hiding anything.

Robyn: Let's put it to the test then.

Robyn stood up, and Jacques lowerded his hand from his face and watched as she approached Ironwood.

Robyn: You're all aware of my Semblance. Let's settle it here and now, General Ironwood.

She stood next to Ironwood and held her hand out to him. He looked at her hand, then at the councilmen.

Robyn: Here and now.

He looked at her hand again, but before he could do anything, the double doors on the other end of the room noisily swung open.

Weiss: Wait!

Everyone looked toward the door, and Robyn gained a slightly annoyed expression. Weiss was standing in the doorway, holding the doors open.

Weiss: You've got the wrong man on trial.

She walked into the room and stopped next to Jacques.

Weiss: I know who's been framing Ironwood, who rigged the election. And my father does, too. He's been working with him.

Jacques looked nervous, and Weiss set the Scroll that Willow gave her on the table and tapped the screen, causing it to project a hologram screen into the air. The screen depicted a paused video of Jacques and Watts in Jacques' office.