Lunare tore down the streets of Vale as fast as he felt he could get away with. He hoped nothing had happened while he'd been gone. If there was one thing he had learned from leading team LSTRDLN, it was that anything could happen.
As he turned onto the street his garage was on, he saw a ladder propped up over the garage door. Several short wooden structures had been erected on the roof, and his team were crouched around them. They glanced over in his direction and stood up as he thundered down the road before skidding to a stop in front of the garage.
"Lunare! We have plants!" Ryler shouted as Lunare dismounted.
"Let him get up here before you yell at him, geeze Ryler," Dakota said.
"I, see that the six of you have been busy in my absence," Lunare said. Things seemed alright, but it could be a ruse to cover up something worse.
"You haven't seen anything yet boss, get up here and we'll show you," Schatten said.
Lunare scaled the ladder and examined the carnage that had been wrought. Empty soil bags piled in the middle, broken boards littered the edges, and almost everyone had dirt underneath their fingernails. Ryler's new top hat was sitting upside down a pink blossom. But for all the mess the end result was plain to see. Four large square planter boxes filled with rich black soil held small green shoots triumphantly bursting from the ground.
"Impressive," Lunare commented. "How exactly did you build these while I was gone?"
"I used your tools," Dakota said. "Tiberius bought the timber, Nick helped me cut them down to size, Lewis and Ryler were in charge of plants."
Lunare turned to face Schatten. "What was your part in this plan?"
"I made sure they didn't fight," Schatten answered.
"Which I am proud to say we did not!" Ryler exclaimed proudly. "Tiberius and I have been on our best behavior."
Lunare raised an eyebrow and bent down to fondle one of the tiny green leaves. "What plants did you all choose?"
"Well, I've got a box all to myself, and I've filled it with all kinds of beauties," Ryler said. "Once they mature, I think I can increase Pixie's output twofold."
"You and I are sharing the box on the far left," Tiberius said, gesturing toward a planter with a wooden trellis stuck into one side. "I have taken the liberty of planting what I hope to be a successful crop of rose bushes. With proper care and maintenance, I am certain they will prove to be quite beautiful."
"And you made this decision without me?" Lunare asked.
"Well if you wanted a say in the matter, you should not have been on a different continent when we made the decision," Tiberius said. "As it was we attempted to contact you on multiple occasions."
"Yes, well, I was preoccupied," Lunare said.
"Schatten and I got us a little farm goin'" Nick said, pointing towards a box. Neat troughs were dug through the dirt with sticks planted at regular intervals. Empty bags of seeds had been stuck on top of the sticks to show which where the seeds were where
"It was Nick's idea," Schatten explained. "I figured he knew more about gardens than I did, so I let him take the lead."
"Tending the garden wasn't my job, but I know enough to get by," Nick said. "Once we got us a harvest, I'm gonna make us the best meal you ever tasted."
"That leaves Lewis and Dakota does it not?" Lunare asked. "What did you two come up with?"
"Don't worry, I made sure he didn't get anything too crazy," Dakota said. "I don't think ours will be too good looking though."
"I planted dandelions," Lewis said with a grin. "They are going to be the best dandelion crop in Vale."
"I let him put them in," Dakota said quickly. "Couldn't figure out what to plant, figured they wouldn't do any harm until I decide."
Lunare took a step back and surveyed the scene once more. For the first time since the highway incident, they had worked together and agreed on something. It was a mess, but it was something he couldn't help but be proud of.
"So Lunare how was the trip to Atlas?" Dakota asked.
Lunare paused his scan and briefly in Dakota's direction. "It was certainly eventful," he said, trying to avoid mentioning Daniel.
"Did they let you keep building your disruptors boss?" Schatten asked.
"I'm afraid not. It seems there are too many problems with their existence. Lunare Industries is over before it even began."
"Then what was so eventful?" Tiberius asked.
"Was Daniel doing good?" Lewis asked.
Lunare took a step back in surprise and tripped on a planter box. Schatten snatched him by his jacket before he fell on the plants.
"You actually saw him Lunare?" Ryler asked.
Lunare steadied himself before answering. "Yes. Yes I did."
Team LSTRDLN exploded into questions. Nick and Lewis were the most inquisitive and seemed desperate to hear anything. Dakota took a step back and let the others swarm their leader.
Lunare held up his hands and the clamoring died down. "Lewis," he asked. "How did you know I met with Daniel?"
Lewis shrugged. "you said eventful man," he said. "I don't think there's anything less eventful than seeing Daniel."
"Well don't just keep it from us how is he?" Nick demanded.
"He was doing well enough," Lunare said. "His Aura is in working order, although I have no idea how it works."
At the mentioning of the Aura Generator, the grins on the team dropped slightly. Schatten reached over and smacked Lunare on the back of the head.
"However, he still misses you all very much," Lunare said quickly. "He may not have said it outright, but I believe that is how he feels."
"He really said that?" Ryler asked.
"Not verbally, but even I was able to see how he felt," Lunare said.
"So what's Daniel been doing?" Lewis asked.
"His time at Atlas has been almost as eventful as ours here in Beacon," Lunare said. "The night I encountered him, he was returning from a raid against gunrunners."
"Gunrunners?" Schatten said incredulously. "We don't even get our first mission until for another week, how is he going after arms dealers already?"
"Must be that team they put him with," Nick said. "Heard Daniel say something' 'bout bein' put with seniors. Must be them."
"I assume this team is on the top of their class," Tiberius said. "I met General Ironwood once, he wouldn't do anything differently."
Lunare pulled a screw and nut from a pocket and began spinning them together. "You can certainly make a decision on their capabilities Tiberius. You did after all meet them once."
Tiberius' brow furrowed as he tried to make sense of Lunare's comment. When it dawned on him he inhaled in outrage. "Those blundering buffons? They had the gall to throw me into a wine store and destroy a bottle of Chateau M-" he stopped himself and glanced over at Ryler who watched the exchange with unrestrained excitement. "Regardless, I cannot believe General Ironwood would do such a thing. Especially with that yellow coated one; he completely ignored the battle at hand."
"The yellow coated one repaired Daniel's generator after a short circuit robbed him of his legs," Lunare said coolly.
"What?" Ryler gasped. "How did that happen?"
Lunare twisted the nut a turn too far and it fell to the roof with a clatter. "I honestly have no idea. One moment Daniel was perfectly fine, then he collapse to the ground complaining he couldn't feel his legs."
"Uh huh, right," Dakota said. "Hey, I've been meaning to ask you. Since you had to give Atlas that cannon back what're you going to replace it with? Something street legal right?"
Lunare turned to face his teammate. "Indeed. I am not allowed to mount any weapons to a civilian vehicle, however there is nothing against using the vehicle itself as a weapon," Lunare said. "Daniel's generator gave inspiration to an interesting workaround."
Team LSTRDLN leaned in and listened to Lunare explain the suggestion with great intent. Dakota stayed where he was however and watched from afar. When Lunare finished he opened his mouth as if to say something else, but seemed to decide against it. Instead he crossed his arms and waited for the excitement to die down. His attempt at changing the subject had failed, he wasn't going to try again. Besides, it wasn't like they were going to drop everything and go visit Daniel right now.
The school week passed in a blur, and Friday saw the gathering of the first year teams in the auditorium. It was time to choose their first official missions.
The teams entered the auditorium in a clamor. They were all talking about the same thing. What mission were they going to get?
A shushing noise rolled across the crowd as Professor Ozpin took to a podium on the stage. He waited until the crowd was completely silent before speaking.
"A Huntsman's work is never over," Professor Ozpin began. "Every day is a new challenge, a new obstacle to overcome. To avoid or ignore them is to invite laziness, and endangers the people of this world we swear to protect. A hundred years ago the four kingdoms established the huntsmen academies. Our job is to instill within you the skills and mentality to meet these challenges." Professor Ozpin paused, and a small smile appeared on his lips. "A colleague of mine has a saying he uses when rising students of his become complacent in their studies. Every day out in the real world is worth a week within the classrooms. In short, you cannot become a huntsmen by studying in the classroom. Which is why we have gathered you all here today. Your teams will select a mission and carry it out over the next week. Some of you will be shadowing licensed Huntsmen. Others will be working on their own or with other teams. Whatever path your team decides, treat your mission with the upmost care."
With the speech concluded the teams separated and began crowding around large mission boards on the walls of the auditorium. There they looked through the different available assignments and chose one to their liking before moving on. Team LSTRDLN was near the back and got to a board in the rear first. Lunare worked the screen while the rest of the team read the mission descriptions.
"Ooh what about that one?" Lewis asked, pointing to one of the options. "Investigating a possible gang hideout. Sounds really cool."
Lunare opened the mission brief and read aloud. "Authorities believe to have found the location of Roman Torchwick's gang in the warehouse district. Torchwick is believed to be armed and highly dangerous."
"It's nothing we haven't done before," Dakota said. "Even if he's there this should be a piece of cake."
"Maybe we should take a look at the other options first," Schatten said. "This is only the first page."
"You kidding? This is the perfect time to try out Reaper's Reach," Dakota said. "Punch it in Lunare."
"Are there any other objections?" Lunare asked. when none were voiced Lunare glanced at Schatten who in return shrugged. Lunare accepted the mission and went to type in the team name. His fingers hovered over the keyboards but didn't type.
"Something wrong boss?" Schatten asked.
"There are only four character slots," Lunare said. "Our team name has seven."
"Just put in LSTR," Tiberius said. "I'm certain Professors Ozpin and Goodwitch will understand."
Lunare nodded and typed in the letters. When he hit enter however, the screen flashed red and reset at the top of the list.
"Aw, what happened?" Ryler asked. "Did someone beat us to it?"
"What happened was that mission was for a team of four," a voice said behind them. They turned and saw Professor Goodwitch, tablet in one hand, riding crop in the other. "Yours is too big."
"Professor Goodwitch," Lunare said, "I'm not certain I understand. Would a larger team be unable to complete these missions?"
"The opposite," Professor Goodwitch said. "Your team has an unfair advantage against the others. Any normal mission we give would not be an accurate representation of your skills." She extended the tablet to the team. "Professor Ozpin has selected a series of missions for your team to choose from."
Lunare took the tablet from Professor Goodwitch and opened the list as she returned to the stage. He led the way through the crowds into the middle of the auditorium while reading through the options. The rest of the team tried to peer over his shoulders as he did so.
"Do you see anything?" Ryler asked.
"The options are scarce I'm afraid," Lunare said. "We have five missions to choose from, two of which I fear may be above our abilities."
"Come on, how bad could they be?" Dakota asked.
"Defend a cruise liner through Lancer and Feilong territory, and eliminating a Beringel whoop during mating season."
"I have no idea what a whoop is but forget I ever spoke up," Dakota said.
"What about the other three?" Tiberius inquired.
"Reducing the Creep population at the local dump," Lunare said.
"No," Tiberius said before Ryler could speak up.
"Assisting Professor Port in cataloging Griffins for his collection,"
"We could do that," Nick said. The others nodded and expressed their agreement. "My semblance would keep them calm, y'all could do the cataloging'."
"And the last one is a joint academy mission to clear a forest of Grimm," Lunare said.
"Who's the other academy?" Lewis asked.
"Atlas Academy," Lunare said.
Tiberius snatched the tablet from Lunare and read aloud to the rest. "Atlas has experienced an increase in the number and strength of Grimm in their initiation forest. In a gesture of goodwill, the three major Huntsmen Academies have offered to supply several teams each to take part in a joint extermination mission. In one day they will clear the forest of large packs and stronger Grimm types for the initiates' safety."
"That, is very cool," Schatten said. "Study abroad, fight bigger badder types of Grimm—"
"Seeing Daniel," Lewis interrupted.
"Getting to see Daniel," Schatten added. "Seems like a package deal."
"It seems this is the most interesting option," Lunare said. "Are any of you opposed to this mission?" Lunare expected to see no hands raise. In a surprise move, Dakota raised his. "Is there something wrong Dakota?"
Dakota frowned and ran his hand through his long hair. "I'm gonna be honest with you guys, I'm really not feeling this one," he said.
"Why not?" Lewis asked in shock.
"Guys, our experience with Atlas hasn't been all that stellar. Why don't we stick to something a bit closer to home, huh?"
"One battle does not a bad experience make," Nick said. "What we got here Dakota is a once in a lifetime opportunity. A year from now we could be fighting those other teams in the Vytal Tournament. And I know we ain't getting to go see Atlas any other time before we graduate. And that's ignoring Daniel altogether."
"Come on, what's there to see at Atlas?" Dakota asked. "Snow, ice, asshole Dust companies,"
"Now wait just a minute," Tiberius exclaimed.
"Plus, the Grimm at Atlas can't be that different," Dakota said. "Probably some Beowolves, a polar Ursa or something, we've basically got all that here already."
Tiberius started to argue with Dakota, but Lunare held up a hand. "Dakota, if you do not feel comfortable going to Atlas then we won't go. But if this is simply a matter of preference, then the larger group has spoken. So then, which is it may I ask?"
"I," Dakota began. He opened and closed his mouth several times, trying to come up with what to say. Finally, he spoke. "Screw it. You guys want to go to Atlas, that's fine with me. Let's go to freaking Atlas."
Ryler cheered as Lunare nodded and typed in the team's name into the tablet.
"We'll have to make some preparations before we go," Tiberius said. "Winter clothing for everyone. Nicholas, your jacket will not suffice on its own, I recommend something with heavy wool. Dakota, we'll have to see what your jacket is rated, Dakota?"
Dakota, who had begun to slip away from the rest of the group turned back around. "I'll catch you all before the flight leaves," he said. "I, I've got some stuff to take care of." He continued on his path and was soon swallowed up by the other teams reporting to their missions.
It was evening before Lunare saw Dakota again. He was in the garage, working on top of a stepladder to winterize Scrapmetal so it could run in the frigid arctic climate once more. He had begun to remove the winterization over the week, but was now running against the clock to get it reversed before their flight in the morning. If he could get the process done fast enough enough he might be able to also build the arc cannon to replace the atlesian cannon. Most might consider the goal an impossible longshot. Lunare considered it a challenging all-nighter.
Lunare was working on connecting engine heaters to the main battery when Dakota ducked under the garage door. Lunare glanced up to see who it was, then turned his attention back to the job. "We didn't see you after you left," he said.
"Like I said, I had some stuff to do," Dakota said.
"We were concerned," Lunare said. "Nick thought you might return to the fighting ring."
"I almost did," Dakota admitted. He pointed at Scrapmetal. "Do you need help with that?"
"Hm?" Lunare looked up.
"Scrapmetal. I think I know what you're doing. Do you need help with it?"
"I am surprised Dakota. I was unaware you considered Scrapmetal to be anything more than what its name implies."
Dakota shrugged. "I figured I'd use my hands for something constructive this time around. Scrapmetal seems constructive enough."
Lunare considered the comment, then nodded toward another stepladder. Dakota grabbed it and set himself up on the other side of the open hood.
"Take the heaters on the engine block and install them on your side," Lunare instructed. He stepped down and retrieved a handful of O-rings which he began swapping for the current rings around the radiator. "You seemed agitated today."
"I just don't get everyone's fascination with him," Dakota said.
"Schatten informed me the others believed you had gotten over your anger at Daniel," Lunare said.
"Yeah, I'm over him. Thing I don't get is why everyone else isn't? Six months we don't hear from him, then you show up with news and suddenly we're off to Atlas."
A stream of oil shot out from one of the pipes, narrowly missing Lunare. "There were other benefits to the Atlas mission," he offered. "Studying abroad is certainly one of them."
Dakota stopped his work to look at Lunare. "We both know that's not why we're going."
Lunare shook his head. "No, I suppose the experience is the last thing on their minds."
Dakota groaned and hit the side of Scrapmetal with his fist. Lunare shot him a glare from underneath the chassis. Dakota shifted and muttered an apology before rubbing away the grease stain left by the blow. Lunare nodded and got back on his stool to swap the O-rings on the top.
"What about you Lunare?" Dakota asked. "What's your opinion on this whole thing?"
"You mean, what do I think?" Lunare asked. "What do I, the one who has to winterize a vehicle, perform a rush job on a new weapon, and still pack think about the situation?"
Dakota shifted on his stool. "Well, yeah."
"It does not matter what I think Dakota. I had a chance to meet with Daniel, the others did not. When Daniel left Tiberius convinced my team to give Daniel a grace period before talking to him. That period ended months ago, and they want to see Daniel."
"But he left us!"
"He informed me his actions were what he saw as the only option. If he stayed he feared the attacks would only get worse. Leaving was his way of protecting us."
Dakota slammed a heater into its housing and leaned over the engine to look at Lunare. "We're training to be Huntsmen. We don't need protection. We take every hit thrown at us and return it with vengeance."
"You and the Faunus girl nearly experienced a vivisection. Glas performed a tracheotomy on Nick. In his rage, Daniel has injured most of our team at least once. Do you see why Daniel is concerned with your safety?"
Dakota opened his mouth but Lunare continued over him. "Schatten informed me that you said you were over Daniel leaving. It seems to me that his information was incorrect and that you continue to harbor feelings for your former leader to this day."
The heater casing snapped with a large crack under white clenched hands. Lunare looked down in surprise at the ruined part, then yelped as Dakota dragged him over Scrapmetal's front by his collar.
"This conversation, does not go past the two of us," Dakota in a low fierce whisper. "Understand?" Without waiting for Lunare's response, he shoved him away. Lunare fell off the stepladder and landed on a nearby workbench. Dakota left his stepladder and stormed out of the garage. "I'm gonna go get a winter coat," he called back. "Don't wait up for me."
Lunare got off the workbench but didn't follow him. He walked over to the other side of Scrapmetal and pulled the destroyed heater from its mount. Examining the handprints, he wondered what exactly had just happened.
ns 15.158.61.7da2
