Weiss patiently waiting out the minute left on her holographic clock displayed from her desk in the classroom of Professor Peter Port, whose dialogue is merely background nonsense as Jaune slides up next to Weiss.
Jaune: So, Weiss, y'know, uh, I-I was thinking after this, maybe we could go grab a bite to eat? And, uh um, I-I've got two tickets to that new Spruce Willis movie, if you wanna make the trip to Vale. I hear it's awesome... Aaaand maybe after that, we could study together? I mean, you're smart and I'm, uh... Y'know.
Finally, the clock in front of Weiss gives a shrill beep as it changes from 3:59 to 4:00, and she dismisses it with a wave of her hand. The professor is temporarily unaware of the alarm.
Port: And then I... Oh. Timed that one wrong, I guess. Well, the stunning conclusion to this story will have to wait. Until next time!
Jaune: Weiss? Did you hear me?
Weiss: No, no, no, yes.
Upon hearing this, Jaune groans and faceplants into his desk.
Yang: One day.
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Later that night the team proceeds to go forth with their plans as they gear up.
Blake: I thought that class would never end.
Ruby: Alright, guys, today's the day! The investigation begins!
Ruby then happily leaps off her mattress and onto the floor, arms raised excitedly. She almost lands on Weiss, who is on the bottom bunk.
Weiss: (sarcastic) I'm glad to see we're taking this so seriously.
Yang: Hey, we've got a plan! That's... moderately serious.
Ruby: Right! Everyone remember their roles?
Weiss: You and I will head to the CCT and check the Schnee records for any other dust robberies or inconsistencies. Seeing as I'm in the family, it shouldn't be a problem.
Blake: The White Fang has regular faction meetings to hand out orders and recruit new members. If I can get in, I can hopefully find out what they're planning.
Yang: I have an old friend on the shady side of town that typically knows everything going on in Vale. Getting information out of him shouldn't be too hard...
Ben: Yeah. Hey, Rubes? Quick question where do I fit into the plan? I kinda seem left in the dark here.
Ruby: Great! We'll meet up tonight near Yang to go over what we found.
Ben: Um...? You didn't answer my question.
Ruby: Let's do this!
Sun: Yeah!
The team proceeds to look out the window to see Sun dangling upside down from his tail.
Blake: Sun!
Yang: How did you get up there?
Sun: Ah, it's easy; I do it all the time.
Weiss: You do what?!
Sun: I climb trees all the time!
Without hesitation he proceeds to flip himself into their dorm room.
Sun: So, we finally getting back at that Torchwick guy?
Blake: We're going to investigate the situation... as a team.
Ruby: Sorry, Sun. We don't want to get friends involved if we don't have to.
Sun: Psh! That's dumb! We should always get friends involved! That's why I brought Neptune!
The team then peaks outside the window to see Sun's teammate and friend Neptune hanging from the outside ledge of their dorm.
Neptune: 'Sup?
Ruby: How did you even get up there?
Neptune: I have my ways.
There's a silent pause before Neptune start speaking nervously.
Neptune: Seriously, though, can I come in? We're like, really high up right now.
Inside the dorm room, the group are standing in a circle as Ruby lays down the new plan.
Ruby: Alright, I'll go with Weiss; Sun, you can go with Blake... And Neptune, you can go with Yang since she doesn't have a partner. Everyone good?
Ben: Um, excuse me? Yeah, hi just saying I'm right here. Y'know, Ben Tennyson interdimensional superhero, teammate and your sister's boyfriend standing right here.
Ruby: Sorry Ben I don't why we forgot about you.
Ben: Kinda hard too but it's cool.
Ruby: Ok so you and Yang we'll go together and Neptune will tag along.
Ben: (mumbling) Great a third wheel.
Ruby: You say something Ben?
Ben: Yeah I was just saying how great it'll be.
Weiss: Actually, Ruby, why don't you go with Yang? After all, she is your sister.
Ruby pushed Neptune, who is stiff as a board, up next to yang. When she is done pushing him, he rocks back and fourth looking nervous. Yang put her hand on his shoulder to stop him from rocking.
Ruby: But with Neptune and Ben wouldn't it be kinda crowded plus, Weiss, who would go with you, then?
Weiss: Well... I guess Neptune could come with me.
Ruby: Hahaha, nah!
Weiss is obviously less than amused, yet is powerless to stop Ruby from pulling her by the back out the door.
Ben: Good thing your made of it Ice Queen cause you're gonna need some ice for that burn.
Weiss: But! But!
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A monumental tower comes into sight as towers above a sparse group of trees from down below.
Ruby: Woooow! I forget how big the Transmit tower looks up close!
Weiss: You should see the one in Atlas!
Ruby: That was the first one, right?
Weiss: Correct!
Weiss and Ruby are seen walking down the path towards the building.
Weiss: Atlas developed the Cross Continental Transmit System to allow the four kingdoms to communicate with one another. It was their gift to the world after the Great War.
Ruby: Oooh, look at me! My name's Weiss! I know facts! I'm rich!
Weiss: Don't be a pest! Besides, the only reason we're here is because you like the tower so much! We could have just as easily made a call from the library!
Ruby: I know, but it's so coool! Ooh, I'm going to take a picture!
She grabs her Scroll from a pocket on her clothes, but in her excitement, the device is launched from her hands, bouncing along the pavement until it lands at Penny's feet.
Penny: Oh! You dropped this.
Ruby: Penny?!
Penny: Uuuh...
Ruby: Where have you been? We haven't seen you since that night at the docks!
Penny: S-Sorry. I think you're confused. *hiccup* Uh... I've got to go!
Weiss: What was that about?
Ruby: I don't know, but I'm going to find out. You go make your call! I'll meet up with you later!
Weiss: Wait!
Ruby continues her pursuit of Penny as she descends the set of stairs allowing her to cut in front of her.
Ruby: Penny! Where have you been? It's been weeks!
Penny: There seems to be a... misunderstanding.
Ruby: What?! Penny... Is everything okay?
Before she can run away again Ruby grabs her by thearm halting her in her tracks.
Ruby: Penny please stop!
She stops herself and proceeds to listen to what her friend has to say.
Ruby: Look, I don't know what's wrong, but you have to listen to me! Those guys we fought at the docks, we think they're up to something big, something bad! I need you to tell me what happened to you that night! Please... As a friend.
She then leans in close to Ruby and whispers into her ear.
Penny: It isn't safe to talk here.
Penny looks around suspiciously, much to Ruby's confusion.
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Weiss walks through the grand, glowing lobby of the tower with pride, avoiding the central terminal and heading straight for the elevator doors, which slide open automatically and close when she's inside. The voice of the CCT AI is projected from a panel near the door.
AI: Hello. Welcome to the CCT. How may I help you?
Weiss: I'd like to go to the communications room, please.
AI: Absolutely. Could you please place your Scroll on the terminal to verify your identity?
Weiss does as she told and waits for a few seconds before retrieving her Scroll.
AI: Perfect! Thank you, Miss Schnee.
Upon the elevator's ascent, Weiss' expressions shifts from pleasant to serious. Upon entering the room, four symbols are seen on a computer, these symbols belong to the kingdoms of Vale, Vacuo, Atlas and Mistral.
Weiss walks up to the front desk where a holographic secretary appears in the seat.
AI: Welcome to the Beacon Cross Continental Transmit center. How may I help you?
Weiss: I need to make a call to Schnee Company World Headquarters in Atlas.
AI: Absolutely. If you could head over to Terminal 3, I'll patch you through.
Weiss: Thank you!
She walks over to the assigned cubicle as she sits down she takes in a deep breath to prepare herself for the call ahead.
Operator: Thank you for calling the Atlas- Oh! Miss Schnee! Good afternoon! Would you like me to patch you through to your father? I think your sister Winter might be here as well.
Weiss: No, thank you! I was actually wondering if you could find some files for me. I've compiled a short list.
She then pulls out her Scroll, placing it into a slot on the keyboard, creating a series of noises as the Operator looks at the data from her side of the screen.
Operator: I see. If you don't mind... what may I ask is this for?
Weiss: School Project.
Operator: Um... There are some sensitive documents on this list, ma'am.
Weiss: Well, then, I'll be sure to treat them with care.
Operator: Right... Very well. The data is being transferred to your Scroll now.
Weiss: Wonderful! That will be all, then.
Operator: Are you sure you wouldn't like me to patch you through to your father before you go?
Weiss loses her smile, but quickly replaces it.
Weiss: Yes, I'm sure.
Operator: Well, then... Have a nice day!
The call is dropped, and so too is Weiss' happy act, seen in the screen's reflection.
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Back in the City Ruby and Penny are seen strolling down the street as they carry conversation.
Penny: I wish I could help you, Ruby, but I don't know anything about those men.
Ruby: Well, what happened to you that night? We were all together, and then you just disappeared! Were you kidnapped?
Penny: Oh, no! Nothing like that!
Ruby: Then where did you go?
Penny: I've never been to another kingdom before. My father asked me not to venture out too far, but... You have to understand, my father loves me very much; he just worries a lot.
Ruby: Believe me, I know the feeling. But why not let us know you were okay?
Penny: I... was asked not to talk to you. Or Weiss. Or Blake. Or Yang. Or Ben. Anybody, really.
Ruby: Was your dad that upset?
Penny: No it wasn't my father...
Before she can continue, she and Ruby hear the sound of megaphones announcing something, turning around the corner to look at the platform in the center of a plaza where the holographic image of James Ironwood is seen before six AK-130 Androids, who are in turn standing in front of two large metal storage cases with the spear-and-shield emblem on their doors.
Ironwood: The AK-130 has been a standard security model of Remnant for several years, and they have done a fine job. Wouldn't you agree? Wouldn't you agree? But... the kingdom of Atlas is a kingdom of innovation, and 'fine'... Well, that's just not good enough, is it? Presenting... the Atlesian Knight-200!
The doors open up and six bulkier automatons walk out of the case knocking down their previous models.
Ironwood: Smarter, sleeker, and admittedly, a little less scary. These models will become active later this year, but they won't be alone! Now, the Atlesian Military has always supported the idea of removing men from the dangers of the battlefield. However, there are still many situations that will undoubtedly require... a human touch.
The last line draws Ruby's attention.
Penny: Ruby..?
Ironwood: So, our kingdom's greatest minds, in cooperation with the Schnee Dust Company, are proud to introduce... the Atlesian Paladin!
Ironwood's image is replaced with the hologram of a robotic white behemoth, featuring hinged piston legs, large guns for hands, and a rectangular head, standing at least twice as tall as the Knights below it.
Ironwood: Now, we couldn't have them here for you today, but these mechanized battle suits will be seen defending the borders of our kingdom within the year!
Ruby: Whoa!
Penny: Ruby? Maybe we should go somewhere else.
At the side of the stage, two armored soldiers see Penny, pointing her out and calling in backup. Penny backs away and then breaks into a dead run, which snaps Ruby out of her weapon induced awe.
Ruby: Penny! Wait! Where are you going?
Ruby turns to look back at the soldiers chasing after her friend, and realizing Penny's situation, swiftly follows her in an attempt to catch up down the winding alley.
Atlas solider: Down here! She went this way!
Penny and Ruby run across the street with the soldiers following them, though a honking car nearly runs one over. He manages to brace his hands against the hood, which somehow stops the vehicle, and his partner runs along after the girls.
Ruby is still trying to catch up with Penny, but a high stack of crates on a flimsy support is easily cut down by Crescent Rose, causing a wooden avalanche of boxes to block the path. Seeing Penny right ahead of her, Ruby leaps into the air and lands on the alley wall, ricocheting off to grab Penny around the middle.
Ruby: This way!
Ruby dashes away as fast as she can while carrying Penny, but the strain is too great, and they crash to the ground a short while later, with Ruby falling all the way into the street. She gets up slowly, and in her dazed state, she doesn't notice the large truck coming up from behind her until the honking is too late of a warning. She stands up just as she's about to be hit, but from out of nowhere, Penny pushes Ruby out of the way and holds her palms out.
In the split second where the two make contact, the ground beneath Penny cracks and crumbles into pieces, and the truck is lifted a little ways into the air by the girl's sheer strength. She puts it down, and the Shopkeep stares in awe at the crumples in his hood, just like the Huntress who got saved.
Ruby: Penny..?
Penny: Are you okay?
Shopkeep: Uh-huh...
Penny backs away, looking at Ruby's frightened expression, then at the bystanders murmuring to each other in an attempt to understand what just happened. In her panic, she runs from the Atlas soldiers still chasing her down and bumps into Ruby, knocking the poor girl out of her stupor as her friend tries to get away again.
Ruby: Penny! Come back!
Ruby chases after her friend as she catches up to her in the back alley.
Penny: Um... uh...
Ruby: Penny! Please! What is going on?! Why are you running? How did you do that?!
Penny: I-I can't! Everything's fine! *hiccup* I-I don't want to talk about it! *hiccup*
Ruby: Penny, if you can just tell me what's wrong, I can help you!
Penny: No! No, no! You wouldn't understand.
Ruby: Let me try! You can trust me!
Penny: You're my friend, right? You promise you're my friend?!
Ruby: I promise.
Penny: Ruby... I'm not a real girl.
Penny shows Ruby the toll of stopping the truck that would have killed her: Parts of her palm's skin have ripped away, revealing the gray metal underneath. Penny stares sadly at Ruby's face, now completely astounded by her friend's secret as all she can simply say is.
Ruby: Oh.
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