The REDS of war

Volume Five Chapter Four

At night, Weiss Schnee awakens to find herself trapped in a cage and her wrists bound by rope. She looks around and notices the bandits from earlier that took her. One of them is drinking, while the other notices Weiss waking up.

"Well, well, well, look who's awake." The second bandit says.

"Wha... what's going on? Where am I?"

"You know..." a young woman speaks emerging from her tent. "I never thought I'd see a Schnee in this camp."

"Vernal!" The two bandits suddenly stand at attention. Vernal walks over to Weiss' cage, holding Myrtenaster in her hand. Weiss stands up, while her captor admires her weapon.

"What do you want?" Weiss asks glaring at Vernal.

"Straight to the point. I like it. We don't normally deal in trafficking people - not really worth our time. But, once we realized we had a Schnee..." Vernal points Myrtenaster at Weiss. "...that changed."

"You're going to ransom me back to my father, is that it?" Weiss asks.

"It's a shame you're a Schnee. You'd probably do quite well around here."

Weiss scoffs. "I would never sink to your level."

Vernal's expression then changes to a frown. "Just keep quiet and cooperate and you'll be back in your mansion before you know it." Vernal starts walking away from Weiss' cage. "Don't make this complicated."

"What's going to make this complicated is when my sister or Dusk finds out I didn't make it to Mistral. You know my sister, don't you? Winter Schnee? Special Operative of the Atlas Military? She's in Mistral now, and when she hears I'm missing, it won't take her long to find me - and you." Suddenly, the bandits start laughing, much to Weiss' surprise. "What's so funny?"

Vernal turns back around. "Oh, I don't know if it's more funny or sad, but you're clearly out of the loop. Your sister isn't in Mistral anymore. No Atlas personnel are in Mistral anymore. General Ironwood closed the borders and recalled all his little troops and tin cans. No one is coming to rescue you. Even the mighty Dusk, is trapped unable to save you." The bandits are once again laughing as Vernal walks away from Weiss, who closes her eyes forlornly.

Yang Xiao Long and Erin Exlipse riding Bumblebee with Shay D. Mann through a forest in Anima.

"How much further, pal?" Erin asks.

"This should just about do it." Shay says. Yang stops her bike at a clearing. "You wait here. I'll go up ahead and make sure the coast is clear." Shay dismounts from the bike and runs into the bushes. Yang shakes her head in annoyance and discards her sunglasses, sleeve and coat tails before stretching a little. Suddenly, someone pulls the trigger of a gun and Yang blocks the shot with her arm. Shay reappears with several bandits in tow. "I can't believe you were dumb enough to let me lead you here."

The bandits present all have their weapons drawn at Yang and Erin.

Yang glances to Erin. "Is this everyone?"

Shay chuckles. "Yes, little lady. This is it. Well, unless you count the whole rest of the camp back that way." He gestures behind him with his thumb. Yang points a finger in the same direction.

"That way?" She asks.

Shay grunts in confusion and looking at his tribe mates first. "Yes. That way."

Erin smiles remaining seated on the motorcycle. "Good to know. Thanks."

"Now to pay me back for this tooth, we're going to take your bike. And you're going to take your lumps." Shay punches his fist as he says this.