The REDS of war

Volume Two Chapter Eight

A few hours have passed since the discovery was made with the team of Port and ORGS.

"Professor Port informed me that you found some old Merlot Industries technology - interfering with our security network. It might be nothing... OR IT MIGHT BE EVERYTHING! Either way, I believe it should be worth investigating the Merlot Industries building in Mountain Glenn. If my old maps are still accurate, it should be located somewhere near the center of town. And considering the knowledge we gained a few months ago, thanks to you Rei, we'll be sure to investigate thoroughly. Just do your best not to end up like the brilliant men and women who worked there."

As the group of teens approach the ruined city Rei sighs leading them.

"Here we are again. I hope things go better than last time."

Scarlet looks at the ruins from their position, a small cliff face just overlooking the outskirts. "So this is Mountain Glenn... You know you hear stories but... Aah it's just a lot worse in person..."

Oliver draws his weapon keeping ready. "I heard Mountain Glenn is crawling with Grimm. We should be careful."

Goldie sighs, muttering slightly to herself. "Mountain Glenn. We shall fight to avenge those who were lost."

The team all enter the city stealthily doing as much as possible to avoid hostiles, they very swiftly deal with a small patrol force of Grimm easily dispatching of them with minimal noise. The group then traverse the city quietly making their way to the bridge, whether the silence is self imposed or due to the environment varies by person, however upon arrival at the bridge Rei sighs finding it blocked off and broadcasts what he sees using his eye to Oobleck.

"Doctor, we have a problem."

"Well, that's an issue. It appears the bridge is blocked. According to my map, you should be able to take a detour through the city's old waterway system."

With a nod, Rei pivots suddenly and walks down a hill of debris and dirt from the brdge, sliding down it to the bottom. The team follows him mostly silently, Goldie begins humming a song to herself, trying to remain calm.

"Hey, that songs familiar, what's it called?" Oliver slows his pace down now walking alongside Goldie, the pair remain a bit separated from Rei and Scarlet.

"Oh, it's just an old tune my mother would hum to me when I was a kid."

"Your mother huh?"

"Yeah, she died when I was young, I Uh, I don't think I'd be here if she didn't though."

"Must've been tough."

"Yeah, well, I've made it work." Goldie smiles looking towards Rei and Scarlet, the pair working well together, as she remembers her team, both in Atlas, and in the group.

"No, I'm saying being a criminal." Oliver interrupts her thoughts. He glares down at her. "What's a vermillion doing in Atlas academy?" He asks.

Goldie's soft smile turns to harsh glare and a hard frown. "What's it to an insect?"

"Insect?"

The two now glare at each other, breaking the glare when Oobleck speaks to the group through their radios.

"Activate that switch to open the lock. I hope it still works, it looks a little rusty."

Rei turns a corner and sighs seeing the switch to the waterways.

Scarlet sighs. "Why can't things ever be easy?"

Goldie scoffs. "Wonderful."

Rei grins. "See? There's always an alternate solution."