HK-47: The White Fang's Assassin

Chapter Forty One - Hunter & Hunted

As HK-47 and Penny set out on their hunt, Ruby's group were still recovering after being forced to flee Mantle from the wrath of the White Fang Empire. In a short span of time, they had lost Qrow as well as Jaune, Ren and Nora. Penny had been turned against them and was now a loyal servant of the White Fang Empire. Now forced to flee on foot, Ruby's group were now left with the task of planning their next move. But with the clear and present danger of the White Fang Empire and the looming threat of Salem, Ruby and her remaining allies couldn't help but feel as if they were fighting a loosing fight.

Maria: What's our next move?

Ruby: I...I don't know.

Oscar: We need to get to Vacuo to secure the Relic and the Summer Maiden.

Yang: What about the White Fang?

As Yang brought up the White Fang,  they all fell silent. The power of the Star Forge made the White Fang Empire the single greatest threat to Remnant.

Weiss: What if we used the Lamp to find a way to stop the White Fang? At the very least, we could find a way to destroy the Star Forge.

Oscar: It's a big gamble. A gamble with only one shot, meaning we only have one shot.

It was in that moment that Ruby and the others were faced with a difficult choice. They could use the last question on the Relic of Knowledge to find a way to defeat the White Fang Empire. But they thought back to when Ozpin used up one of the questions for that same reason only for it to be a wasted effort. But it was also clear that the White Fang Empire posed a dangerous threat to all of Remnant. As they weighed their options, they were stalked by HK-47 and Penny. HK-47 and Penny observed their targets as they waited for the right time to strike. After much deliberation, Ruby took a deep breath.

Ruby: We have no other choice.

With that, Ruby and the others agreed on using the final question to find a way to defeat the White Fang Empire. Oscar then pulls out the Lamp. Upon seeing the Relic, HK-47 and Penny saw their opportunity. HK-47 threw multiple thermal detonators on the ground, forcing them to scatter. Penny then zeroes in on Oscar and attacks him. She was soon joined by HK-47.

HK-47: Interjection: Stop right there, meatbags!

HK-47 then fires his blaster rifle at Ruby's group, forcing them to seek cover. As Oscar slowly recovers, Penny restrains Oscar. She looks down to see the Lamp. 

Penny: Observation: Too easy, my master. It's like the meatbags are not even trying.

HK-47: Mockery: How pathetic. How these bumbling meatbags survived this long is beyond me. 

Penny: Rebuttal: It's because these particular group of meatbags are like cockroaches. They simply keep on fighting. 

As HK-47 and Penny restrained Oscar, HK-47 used his targeting computer to pinpoint the location of where the members of Ruby's group were taking cover from and began firing on them. As Penny zeroes in on Ruby's location, she gestures HK-47 to stop firing. 

Penny: Mocking Query: Still fighting the good fight, friend Ruby?

Ruby: I know you're in there, Penny! You have to fight through the programming! 

Penny: Correction: I have never felt better in all my life! For once in my life, I am no longer burdened by meatbag weakness. Mocking Query: Shall I tell you how that meatbag Qrow was dispatched?

As Penny mocked Qrow's death, Yang had enough. Using both her Maiden powers and her Semblance, Yang speeds towards HK-47 and Penny and attacks them. During the attack, Ruby and the others attempt to free Oscar and retrieve the Lamp, but Penny attacks them with Floating Array, giving HK-47 the space to fire on them. As Ruby's group are pinned down, Maria turns to Ruby.

Maria: Damn. I'm getting too old for this.

Without hesitation, Maria dashes out of cover and attacks HK-47 and Penny. The two Droids were initially taken aback. Maria's advantage was short lived as Penny lands several slashes on Maria with Floating Array. HK-47 follows through by striking her in the face with his blaster rifle. 

HK-47: Query: What is it with you meatbags and charges? If I see one more meatbag charge at me, I'll shoot them myself!

As Maria fights HK-47 and Penny, Ruby sees the Lamp discarded on the ground. As she takes advantage of Maria's distraction, Team RWBY splits up to try and launch a coordinated attack to free Oscar and retrieve the Lamp. But the plan quickly falls apart as Penny uses Floating Array to attack all the members of Team RWBY. During this attack, Penny slashes one of Ruby's eyes. HK-47 then fires a volley of blaster fire on Team RWBY. As Team RWBY were forced to retreat, Maria attempts to attack HK-47, but Penny impales her with Floating Array. Penny hums a tune as HK-47 aims his blaster rifle at Maria. Maria smirks to herself as her thoughts drift to Ruby. 

Maria: Sorry Ruby....

HK-47 then shoots Maria right between the eyes, killing her. Left with no other choice, all Team RWBY Ccould do was run. Penny prepares to chase after them, but HK-47 stops them.

HK-47: Declaration: Let those meatbags run. We have our primary objectives. We wouldn't want to disappoint the master. 

Penny sighs in annoyance as she restrains Oscar. HK-47 walks over to the Lamp and picks it up. In that moment, HK-47 and Penny had achieved their primary objectives. They had captured Oscar Pine and acquired the Relic of Knowledge. Now all that was left was to deliver their newly acquired prizes to Adam Taurus.