The REDS of war

Volume Seven Chapter Two

Ruby Rose gazes out the window of the police airship as it flies over Mantle, then turns and looks at her friends. Nora Valkyrie chews at the bolas restraining her wrists, while everyone else sits silently, the only sounds being Nora's growling and the muffled chattering of the guards piloting the ship.

"Where do you think they're taking us?" Ruby asks.

Qrow shrugs. "I'm gonna go with jail."

"I still can't believe that fishing pole guy took us out like it was nothing." Jaune says.

"Welcome to Atlas. Those were Ironwood's Ace Operatives."

An unfamiliar man sitting with the group finally speaks up. "Hmm? You guys had a run-in with the Ace-Ops? Ironwood must really have a bone to pick with you."

Weiss rolls her eyes. "They're not that big of a deal."

"Not that big of a deal!? The Ace-Ops are the elite-of-elite military Huntsmen and Ironwood's personal attack dogs."

"So they got you too, huh?" Nora asks.

"Pfft! I wouldn't let myself get caught by them. I'm here because I've been speaking out against Atlas' exploitation of Mantle, and General Ironwood is trying to silence me."

"You threw a brick at her ship!" The guard says to the man with team RWBY.

Forest proudly grins. "It's worth it if it gets people talking about our cause!"

The pilot sighs in annoyance.

Blake raises an eyebrow. ""Our cause"?"

"Yes, the fight for better conditions in Mantle! Lead by the charismatic, talented, lovely Robyn Hill and her Happy Huntresses! The main pilot presses a button, causing the window between the cab and the back of the ship to begin slowly closing. Forest notices this, stands up and begins frantically shouting to the window so the guards can hear him. "They were all top Atlas Academy graduates, who could've signed up for the military, but Robyn and the Huntresses chose to stay in Mantle. She's gunning for a seat on the Kingdom's council, and when she gets it, she's gonna put an end to Ironwood's tyranny!"

Oscar Pine leans forward. "Happy... Huntresses?"

Yang Xiao Long chuckles. "Is that their real name?"

"Don't you think "tyranny's" a little dramatic?" Weiss asks.

Forest turns around to respond and looks surprised upon realizing who had just spoken. "Easy to say for a Schnee heiress, living comfortably up in Atlas."

Weiss sighs sadly. "Not anymore."

The airship finally makes it up to the City of Atlas, and Ruby looks out at the city in awe, while Nora is once again chewing her restraints. "Whoa, it's gorgeous up here!" Ruby's comment causes Jaune and Nora to leave their seats and look out the window with her.

Weiss scoffs. "Don't let that fool you."

Forest looks at Weiss humming in confusion. Forest stands from his seat and looks outside. "This isn't the police station."

"It's... Atlas Academy."

The ship docks on a landing pad in front of Atlas Academy and is met by a pair of guards, who open the ship's rear double doors to let Team RWBY, Team JNPR, Oscar and Qrow exit. Ruby gazes up at the towering academy while more guards line up along the path leading to the building.

"I guess we will be seeing the General. For better or worse." Ruby says.

The group heads up to the school while Forest watches in confusion and curiosity from the airship.