The REDS of war

Volume Two Chapter Five

A dark night, while the moon shines dimly overhead, a man stands on a cliff the city of Vale the man stands in full military garb, hands behind his back. He stares out into the city contemplating something, but his thoughts are interrupted by approaching footsteps.

"Trouble sleeping?" Glynda Goodwitch asks stopping just behind General James Ironwood.

"Arm was acting up." Ironwood says barely sparing her a glance.

"Ah, of course. So logically, you got out of bed, dressed yourself completely and decided to gaze menacingly out into the distance." Cassidy says stepping next to the General.

Glynda rolls her eyes joining the pair. "What's wrong?"

"I've trusted him for years." James pauses for a moment taking a deep breath. "We all have. I just... I can't help but feel... like he's keeping us in the dark."

Glynda sighs. "Don't be ridiculous. You know very well that we are not the ones in the dark."

"That makes it worse. I refuse to believe that a man I've trusted for so long would act so... passively."

"You're a good person, James. You've always done what you think is best for the people, even against strong protest. It's admirable."

Cassidy crouches down, and opens his palm, his semblance activating showing four red beacons flashing at a normal pace. "But it's high time you stopped talking about trust and started showing it. Oz has experience that the rest of us lack. And that's something worth remembering. At least that's what I think."

Meanwhile out in the destroyed city of mountain Glenn, Erin watches over the others as Dusk had switched out with him at this point his smoke went into a container so he wouldn't lose it. Rei had woken up and was sitting there holding a stray cat on his lap Sky however remained asleep. Erin sighed leaning by the edge of the roof he glanced down just outside the building, then noticing Ruby following that dog he thinks it's name was Zei as well as he heard Duke following right behind her.

Ruby stalks around trying to find her dog. "Zwei where are you?"

"Finally got you." Erin says leaning on a wall next to Ruby scaring her a bit, yes but hey at least he didn't loose his friend. "Hey Ruby what are you out here at this time."

"Zwei, this is a wasteland. You literally could've done that anywhere." She says to her dog who's peeing on a small patch of dirt. The dog barks, and Erin sighs raising his rifle.

"What was that?" A voice rings out.

Erin and Ruby hear the voice and duck behind cover only to see that it was two members of The White Fang

"What was what?" A second voice says the first,

"I thought I heard a Beowulf or... something." The first says confused.

"Let's just finish our patrol and get back to base."

"This place gives me the creeps."

Erin sighs muttering. "I should probably alert the others, but that'll take to long to do." He then sees Ruby slowly creeping behind them. "Dammit Ruby." He murmurs. He follows her.

Ruby hides behind a wall as Zwei is poked around. "Did they go in yet? One bark means Yes."

"Woof!"

Ruby smiles excitedly. "Oh, this is it! This is it!" She pulls out her scroll only to find she has no signal here.

Erin finally catches up. "Ruby, I recommend we return to the others immediately. I have this place marked by smell I'll be able to get here again easily we should go." He speaks quietly.