Hunter in the Wild

Between the Volumes: Breach & Clear

Felix let out a sigh as they sat in the conference room.  He and his team sat waiting for the mission briefing they were so accustomed two by this point.
Nagisa looked down the table at them, "what kind of mission do you boys think this is?"

"My guess," Noah replied, "they need help clearing out some Grimm."
Gabe nodded, "that would be a fair guess."

Felix shook his head, "Ruby's team would be here then… I don't think it's Grimm."

"White Fang?  They've been getting ballsy here."

"That's possible."

The conversation was cut short by the door opening.  All of their heads pivoted and their gaze was now on the two figures who entered the room.  One of which was their professor Glynda Goodwitch.  The other was an unfamiliar man who had blue eyes and a very short flat top haircut. Wrinkles across his forehead showed his age.  He wore a navy blue uniform and held a hat under his arm.

"Students," Glynda said as the students all stood up, addressing that someone of importance entered the room.  "This is Lieutenant Johnson of the Vale Police Department.  He would like a moment of your time to talk about a new assignment.  Lieutenant, you have the floor."

Johnson nodded and stepped forward, "thank you Glynda.  Students, you may have a seat."  They each sat back down as he continued. "I'm aware that the four of you have previous experience with combat.  Additionally, you are in the top of your first year class.  Something very rare to have together.  I've read your files -- well, at least the stuff that wasn't covered in black ink." He looked towards Felix and Noah.

Noah shifted in his seat as he interjected, "sir, with all due respect, what does this have to do with anything?  Do you need our assistance?"

He nodded and set his hat against the table.  "Yes… I'm afraid we do.  Glynda, could you please get the lights?"

She nodded and shut them off.  The lieutenant turned on a projector and turned his attention to it.  The students did the same as he continued.

"Four weeks ago, we received a call about screaming coming from a townhouse in Vale." He clicked the controller and a picture of the house was on screen. "Two squad cars investigated, but we found no issues on the scene.  We were told it was a very loud audio system playing a scary movie.  We peeked inside and the story checked out."

"I take it that's not the end of the story." Felix commented.

"A week later, we received this image," he clicked again to show a disturbing image.  It was three Faunus shackled to a pipe on a wall.  One had wings, and even they were chained up.  The other two were feline in heritage.  The aerial and one of the feline Faunus were male and had their heads completely shaven down to stubble. The female feline Faunus had hair to her waist that was a tangled mess.

Nagisa covered her mouth and whispered, "oh my gods…"

Gabe's ears drooped, "they're…"

The lieutenant nodded, "Imprisoned.  And we believe they're on the premises.  However, the images that follow only get more disturbing… and they were sent two days ago."

He showed the male feline Faunus had cuts along his head, neck, and legs.  Another picture showed lacerations along his back, everyone assumed they were given by a whip.
The next showed the aerial Faunus' wings… they had been plucked and cut all to hell.  His head had similar cuts on the scalp as the feline Faunus.
The female was curled up in a ball. Her face and arms bruised, her hair a matted mess as well as much shorter now.  It barely touched her ears.

The lieutenant shut off the presentation and Glynda turned back on the lights.  "Students… we need your help.  This morning, we were issued a warrant to kick in the door of this house and find those Faunus.  We have been given permission to kill anyone that stands in our way."