(oo ee oo)
———
"Only at the end of our lives is the last chapter of our lives written"
The words echoed in my head, as my 'Prince' Long Rifle was gripped in my hands, it's wooden stock's texture coming through my gloves.
"If fighting is sure to result in victory!" He stopped infront of me, and leaned in to shout. "Then you must fight! Understood?!" The other Recruits shouted. "Sir yes sir!"
I was the only female in the entire company, even getting into the Military is an astonishing feat in the Royal Nation for a woman, with it's patriachal laws and mysogynistic beliefs.
A drop of water fell onto my helmet, it clinking, the caves were prone to leaking, especially with the pipes being.. not the best.
"Are you even listening, recruit?!" His voice entered into my ears like a gunshot.
I snapped back to reality. Too late. He saw it.
He stepped closer, his breath hot and angry. "Repeat. What. I. Said."
"...No, sir!" I said back, my throat dry from responding to him.
"This is why we don't let women play soldier." His voice filled with disgust. "You think you belong here? You're just waiting to fail." He looked around and adjusted his beret. "You should be happy you're in here because you were the best, otherwise we'd remove you right now."
He drilled that into my head, as I swallowed, holding my rifle tighter.
—————————
The smaller woman sat down beside Storm, who looks over and gives an empathetic look. "H- Hey.. Mister red goggles.." She said, sheepishly, her eyes drifting to the— admittedly hot (imo) woman, with blonde hair.
The detective looks over and talks. "I am in the middle of some—" He is then trapped in a purple bubble. "Hey! Let me out of this.. thing! You—"
"..." She didn't even speak, her facial expression was enough.
"..I'm sorry, ma'am." he said, weakly. His face shadowed from the light.
"Good," she disabled the bubble, "Now exit this room."
She turned to the girl in red and slammed her arms on the table, the band making Radio reel back, nearly falling off. "I hope you understand that your actions will not be taken lightly, young woman!" She said, her voice stern.
Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.
The girl pouted and looked down. "They started it..!"
The woman walked up and spoke "If it were up to me, you'd be sent home... With a pat on the back..." She looked up. "And a slap on the wrists!" She slapped her Riding crop onto the table, to Storm's gloved hand, which he parts his fingers enough for it to not hit.
"Careful, woman." He said, peering at her from below his goggles.
"But! There is someone who would like to meet you. Especially you four."
Right on cue, the door swung open.
A man in green strolled in, casual as a Sunday morning. In one hand, a steaming mug of coffee. In the other, a plate of cookies.
Like this was just another meeting. Like this was normal.
Bulwark leans off the wall and sits down beside AM, looking over. "What is happening?" He whispered, only for AM to whisper back; "I don't fucking know."
The man sets the items down and sits.
He leans in to the girl and looks into her eyes. "Ruby Rose, You have.. silver eyes."
"Uhm.." The girl stammered out, her hand fiddling with her cape.
"So, when did you learn to do this?" His hands pull out a tablet, showing the girl's fighting.
"Holy shit.." AM whispered out. "If she can do this then we really need to adjust tactics." he said, his voice lowl
"Yeah well, a Scythe isn't the best weapon to use in combat." Bulwark said quietly "Say that to the Lancers, they have spears for gods-sake, and well... we have guns."
"Hmph, Bastard." AM quietly said.
"So! Where did you learn to do this?" He asked, motioning to the tablet.
"S- Signal academy.." the girl said, sinking slightly into her chair. "W- Well one teacher in particular..!"
"Hm, well the only person I know using a scythe is a dusty old Qrow.." He said, staring at his cup.
—————————
The door shuts, as the girl exits the room, and the man in green turns. "Well, hello Lady and Gentlemen." He said, sitting down and taking a sip from his cup. "Mind introducing yourselves?"
"Sergeant Major, Storm Trooper." Storm said, voice monotone, fiddling with his drum mag.
"Corporal, Radio Trooper." Radio said, looking at the man.
"Knight Commander, Anti Materiel Trooper." AM said, plying with his brigandine.
"Inquisitor, Bulwark." Bulwark said, his voice low, and his Lewis Gun leaning in between his legs.
"Interesting.. name." He said, putting a hand on his chin. "Well, I am Professor Ozpin, of Beacon Academy." He says, quite pride in his voice. "Tell me, who do you side yourselves with?"
"Royal nation." Storm spoke up, Radio opening and closing her mouth before she could speak. "Radio and I are from the Royal nation."
"And we are from the Golden Empire." Bulwark spoke up, as AM nodded.
"Interesting, and where are these kingdoms?" His brow rose, as he repeated those names mentally. "I've certainly never heard of these kingdoms in my life, and they certainly don't exist on our planet, Remnant." his voice was questioning, standing up he walked over to them.
Radio shifted slightly, her Radio Pack giving her less movement. "R- Remnant? We're on Earth, aren't we?"
He stopped dead in his tracks, looking over. "Who would name a planet after dirt?"
...
Silence.
...
"The dirt is named after the planet...?" Radio said, confused her voice low. "B- But we're.. not-"
"I get you're.. confused, as of now, and we'll answer that question later, now I'm certain you're all looking to get some rest after the events of today." He says, his voice kind and reassuring.
"Fine, we'll bite." Bulwark speaks up. "What is it you want?" His voice was questioning.
"Well, as it's obvious, you all are newcomers to this.. kingdom or, should I say, world. I say it's fair to ask you to join my Academy." Ozpin suggests, smiling. "Well, as it's obvious, you're all outsiders here. You need cover, resources, and information."
He looks up. "I can provide all of that. All I ask in return is... a little cooperation. And maybe, some school spirit, assuming you can pass as seventeen year olds."
Silence.
AM blinked. "I'm sorry. Did you just say school?"
Bulwark frowned. "You want us to... what? Sit in classrooms, with seventeen year olds?"
Storm sighed, bashing his helmet with his wrists. "This is actually happening."
"I look young, don't I?" Radio asks, looking over at the others.
"You're Twenty two, that's not that old." Storm says, adjusting his helmet.
"Wait, WAIT. What about Bulwark?!" AM pointed at him like he just found a nuclear bomb. "He's THIRTY!"
"I am Thirty four." Bulwark responded.
"T- THIRTY-FOUR?! THAT'S EVEN WORSE!"
Radio paused. Then slowly turned to Bulwark.
"You have a mask, yes?"
"Yes."
"And... a helmet?"
Bulwark blinked. "Mhm. What are you suggesting?"
She simply smiles.
"I see."
decaying my winter or graving my digger
