The group didn't say anything as they walked through the halls of Merlots lab. Crimson was in the lead while everyone watched him from behind. Anakin was starting to fear for his friend's mental state. Crimson had killed Merlot quickly and without hesitation. That wasn't even mentioning the other things on Anakin's mind about his teammate. Crimson had lashed out at him. Calling him Jedi rather than Anakin. Something was going on and it gave Anakin a bad feeling.
Once they finally made it to the door leading outside Jaune hit the button opening it. Once open Anakin grimaced seeing the reddened sky's of the sun setting. They had taken way too long on this mission. At least that was Anakin's opinion. The group then made their way to the beach where they saw what remains of a full on battlefield. Robot parts and Dust scattered the field. There were bullet holes and slash marks in the sand and the destroyed machines. Anakin walked faster and breathed a sigh of relief seeing the distraction team alive. Blake looked up seeing Anakin and sighed in relief.
Anakin ran over and she ran to him as well. Crashing into one another with a hug the two held each other closely. "We were beginning to think the worst had happened." Blake says breaking off from the hug.
Anakin smirks. "Come on. It's me." He says confidently.
"All the more reason to worry. Especially if the stories Ahsoka has told me were true." Blake says narrowing her eyes. Anakin could only grimace. "Anyways did you find Merlot?"
Anakin looked to Crimson and his spear which still dripped blood. "You could say that." He says. "Crimson killed him."
Blake was taken aback by that quickly looking over to the Faunus man. "Oh."
"How are the others?" Anakin asks.
"Only Ruby and me have Aura left." Blake answers grimacing. "Weiss got a pretty bad gash on her back but Lilly got the bleeding to stop. Yangs got some scrapes but she'll be fine. Rex though, he fell unconscious after losing so many Aura Clones."
"And how long has Weiss been like that?" Anakin asks worriedly.
"Not long." Blake says. "We didn't realize there was a Beowolf still alive and Weiss got hurt because of it."
Anakin nods. "Well the jobs done. We need to get everyone into the bullheads."
"Bullhead." Blake corrects. "The other one is inoperable."
Anakin grimaced. "This is going to suck." He says.
__________________________
In Beacon Academy The Admiral and General Ironwood wait in the elevator. A moment later and the doors open up to Ozpin's office. In the room stood the Headmaster himself Ozpin. Next to him were Glynda Goodwitch and much to Ironwood's surprise Qrow Branwen.
Qrow was sitting in one of the two chairs by Ozpin's desk with his usual grey dress shirt and black slacks. His red cape looked more torn than usual and he was drinking from his flask. What caught the General's attention the most was that Qrow was missing half of his middle and pointer fingers. Each one scarred as if they had been burned off. Qrow glances to the two Atlesians with a mild glare.
"Hello Jimmy." Qrow greets. "You look well." He then turns to the Admiral. "And who is this guy?"
The Faunus Admiral walks over to Qrow offering a hand. Qrow shakes it. "I am Admiral Thrawn of The Atlesian Fleet."
Qrow raised a brow. "Qrow. Huntsman from Beacon Academy." He says.
The Admiral, Thrawn Chuckles. "So you are. I've heard a great deal about you Qrow. It will be a pleasure to work with you." Thrawn says. "
Qrow rolls his eyes. "Whatever you say Admiral."
"Now now." Ozpin says gaining everyone's attention. "We have serious business to discuss. Admiral Thrawn I believe you are aware as to our purpose here."
Thrawn nods. "Indeed." He says before glancing to Qrow. "Is everyone in here in the know?"
"Yes." Ozpin confirms.
Thrawn walks over to Ozpin's desk looking at the technological table. "It is to my understanding that Salem has her Forces within this building. Do you vouch for these two?" Thrawn asks gesturing to Glynda and Qrow the former narrowing her eyes at the accusation.
"I do." Ozpin says. "They are two of my most trusted colleagues."
Thrawn nods accepting the answer making no showcase of emotion as he taps the table seeing it light up, but what caught his attention most was a flickering of a symbol he caught in the corner of his red iris's. He looked over quickly but the symbol was gone before he could see it fully. Thrawn narrows his eyes into thin slits.
"I see." Thrawn says. "Have you identified the intruders?"
"No." Glynda answers. "However we do have this." Glynda moves her Scroll to set it on the desk but Thrawn grabs her wrist shaking his head toward her and placing a finger to his lips. Immediately everyone in the room tensed up. Thrawn then gently grabbed the Scroll and released Glynda's wrist.
Thrawn opens it and watches the video on it showcasing the two figures that Alexander had found by accident. Thrawn's eyes widened with shock and what Ozpin could only guess was a hint of fear. The reaction was quickly hidden however as he nodded to himself. He then hands the scroll back before looking to Ozpin's desk with narrowed eyes.
"Admiral?" Ozpin asks cautiously.
Thrawn then pulls out his own scroll and places it onto the empty seat. "I believe I should think this over in the garden. Would you care to join me?"
Glynda frowns along with Qrow. Ozpin however seemed to catch on and took out his own scroll. "Yes. I do believe it may help us clear our heads, and help us to uncover this situation. After all we could be jumping at nothing." Ozpin says calmly. Though his expression was hardened as he placed his own scroll onto the chair. Ozpin nods to Glynda and Qrow and hesitantly the two do so as well. Ironwood wasn't sure what was going on but he trusted both Ozpin and Thrawn greatly so he left his scroll on the chair as well.
The trip outside was a quiet one. Not a word spoken not even to the whispered voices of the Beacon Academy students. Ahsoka saw them from the hall and her eyes widened at the sight of Thrawn. Then his eyes landed on hers and he stopped walking as did the others.
"Ahsoka Tano." He says in surprise raising a brow. "You look... different." He notes looking to her hair.
Ahsoka narrows her eyes. "Thanks." She says. Her voice dripping with sarcasm and a hint of venom. "Are we enemies this time?" She asks.
Thrawn frowns. "I do hope you didn't take anything personally. I was simply doing my job upholding law and order, and if memory serves you were aiding a group who were breaking them."
"I don't regret my choices back then." Ahsoka says defiantly.
Thrawn grins. "And nor do I. I have no true quarrel with you, and I have no interest in petty vengeance. My failure at Bilbringi was my own." He explains. "My duty is to Atlas and the people of Remnant. Nothing more. Nothing less."
Ahsoka calms slightly. She could sense the truth in his words. "Fine."
"A good day to you Lady Tano." Thrawn says as he continues his walk.
"We were able to stop the 'Far Outsider's' as you know them." Ahsoka says causing Thrawn to stop.
"How many losses?" He asks grimly.
"Trillions." She answers.
Thrawn turns to her and she could see the anger in his eyes. They soon however soften. "Thank you." Thrawn says before continuing.
Ironwood sighs. He knew the truth of Thrawn's origins as did Ozpin. He wasn't sure if Ozpin had told Qrow or Glynda yet however. It took Ironwood a long time to learn Thrawn's past. The General wasn't dumb. He knew exactly what Ahsoka meant. Trillions had died where they came from. Killed by some group called Far Outsiders. Ironwood decided to ask Ahsoka more about it later.
Soon the five arrived to a garden area of sorts with a large white round Gazebo. Inside was a table and two chairs. Ozpin took one and Qrow took the other leaving the rest to stand. Ozpin looks to Thrawn with interest.
"Before I ask about your affiliation with Miss Tano might I ask what you discovered?" Ozpin asks.
"The man in the video is named Galen Marek, and the woman was once a student at Lady Browning's Preparatory Academy For Girls." Thrawn says calmly.
Ozpin's eyes widened a fraction while Qrow looked stunned and Glynda narrowed her eyes. "That was a quick deduction." Ozpin states. "How do you know?"
"Firstly I've seen what Galen was capable of." Thrawn says. "He caused a great deal of trouble for the Empire back then. I never witnessed any of it personally however. As for the woman it was her outfit. While yes it is heavily modified there is no doubts in my mind that it is indeed a Lady Browning's uniform."
"Is it possible that the woman is simply in possession of one?" Ironwood asks.
"It's possible." Thrawn agrees. "However it would be vary difficult considering the school was shut down years ago."
Qrow then scoffs. "So how does this help us?"
Thrawn smirks. "Oh you would be surprised. One thing about Remnant I've noticed is that a large variety of people wear clothes in unusual fashions as part of showing their individuality. Fashion is a type of art Mister Branwen." Thrawn explains. "If you can understand art, study it, learn from it then you will find yourself understanding your enemies."
____________________________
An hour later Anakin opens his eyes to the sound of the Bullhead landing. Soon the doors open and Anakin can see Beacon. The mission was a success, yet Anakin felt that the most difficult battle was still far off. Disembarking with the others he began walking to the school pondering many things on his mind. Looking over he saw Yang and Nora holding up Weiss as they hurried on ahead to get Weiss to medical.
On the path ahead he saw Ozpin, Ironwood, and Glynda waiting for him. Anakin lifted his head playing the whole thing back in his head. There were mistakes, but the mission was a success. The best news was that no one had died out there. Though he was concerned for Weiss' life. Fixing his gaze back to the headmaster Anakin sighs. This was going to be an interesting talk.