Chapter 230: RWBY Prime—Hero from Another World (16)

Chapter 230: RWBY Prime—Hero from Another World (16)

~Third POV~

The Atlas Vault was a large chamber beneath Atlas Academy. It was accessible somewhere via the school's elevator system. The elevator led down to a long metal platform with glowing cyan lines forming a rectangular pattern on its surface.

Closest to the elevator, the platform was a narrow walkway, and it widened into a proper platform at the end.

Alongside the platform were large, pale blue, crystalline structures attached to floating metal blocks. On the edges of the main area of the platform were four white pedestals decorated with marble columns, and atop each pedestal is a bowl containing blue flame.

Across from the pedestal was a tall, pale blue, crystalline structure with a small white platform containing the chamber door.

The door had a rectangular pattern on its surface and was situated at a higher elevation than the main metal platform. There was also a considerable gap of open air between the metal platform and the door.

Long white planks levitated in circles around the chamber at various different heights.

When the Winter Maiden enters the Vault, the planks situate themselves at the front of the Vault, creating a hovering staircase to reach the chamber door.

*Woosh*

Suddenly reappearing inside the Atlas Vault through the hole underneath Atlas by Oscar's escape Ruby Prime, G. Ruby, Weiss, Blake, Penny, Nora, and Jack all appeared inside the Vault for the first time for others.

Wandering around admiring the view from within Jack responded to the door behind them all, "Oh? So that's what a Vault looks like?"

Getting their attention they all saw the Atlas Vault with Ruby Prime returning to their objective at hand, "Ok everyone we need to hurry along and find General Ironwood's terminal. The sooner we get this done the sooner we can leave from here."

Everyone nodded as they all proceeded to the elevator shift taking them to the school's elevator system Jack talked to his Ruby using <Telepathy>, 'So… how's it like meeting with your counterpart here? She seems older than you and more… narrow-minded I think?'

G. Ruby listening to Jack's thoughts enter through her also began to make a mental conversation of events happening, 'Yeah… I mean reestablishing the Kingdoms with Amity Tower would really help out a lot. But… while warning them is a good idea… it really doesn't help out the people because the time it would take to help the Kingdom has to be taken into account. My counterpart here is too… naïve.'

Listening to G. Ruby's response in his head looking at the original he agreed with her but also responded, 'Yeah. Thought the same thing because when Ruby reveals the truth to everyone it takes time to digest the information. People will react differently to it and even so who would believe her? Sure, maybe those in high power will agree but, in the end, people will remain skeptical so long as they don't have proof to back up her words.'

Frowning underneath her mask G. Ruby asked a question to the original disguising her voice in response, "Say Ruby, right? What exactly is the plan once Amity Tower is up and running? Are you planning to reveal everything about Salem to the world? If so how?"

Going inside the elevator and listening to Ruby Prime's plan thinking it through responded to G. Ruby her plan, "Once we have Amity Tower up in the air will broadcast the important message to everyone in Remnant. Glynda and the other Headmaster in Vacuo will have to explain everything happening and prepare for when she attacks. Despite people not believing us they will listen to those that can confirm my words like the Headmasters. They are technically the highest authority as well as how Ironwood betrayed everyone…"

Ruby Prime frowned at that while making everyone's mood down leaving everyone a bit silent for a bit and everyone was left for their own thoughts before speaking out, "So… anyone knows any good game of charades to pass the time?"

Nora smiled at that with Weiss placing her hand over her head, "Sigh… were doom."

/////

They are later seen in an elevator. They hear the elevator door open, and back away cautiously but no soldiers were present making Penny question the lack of soldiers, "Wait? Where are the Atlas Soldiers? They should be here why…"

Jack merely smiled at this getting the girl's attention on him as he casually walks ahead, "No worries. Like I said before Tindick is too busy with my little distraction keeping all attention away from here."

Everyone gazed at each other before Blake questioned Jack on what the distraction was, "And what distraction did you use…?"

Jack turns around to Blake while merely offhandedly replying to her question as he continues walking ahead, "Oh nothing much. Just sent a repeat of the virus attack to Atlas Military Systems trying for control as we speak messing up their placements. And –"

*Beep*

*Beep*

Opening up his Scroll with a raised eyebrow replying to P. Ruby's group with a confused expression, "—Your uncle along with Robyn is causing quite the stir against Ironwood's forces as we speak. Didn't expect that one but not an unwelcomed distraction though."

Listening to her uncle being mentioned Ruby Prime's widen going towards Jack's Scroll seeing Qrow and Robyn fight Atlas Soldiers sighing in relief they are safe, "Sigh… at least I know my uncle is safe more or less. We need to meet up with him and Robyn."

Everyone nodded making Penny feel conflicted with everyone fighting each other with Blake reminding them of their mission, "Ruby we can meet up with them later we need to complete our mission first. And hopefully, return to them when we get the chance."

Ruby Prime agrees as everyone began to hurry along to find the terminal needed for the Atlas Academy terminal General Weiss narrows her eyes at Jack, "Didn't you say that going under the Atlas Kingdom leading to the Vault would lead us to an elevator not to General Ironwood Office?"

At this Jack shrugged helplessly at Weiss's question with a genuine tone confused, "Sorry but looks like I was a bit off here. What can I say everyone makes mistakes."

Sighing at that they all continued to go forward as the group makes its way down a wide corridor to a large locked door with '03' in large print on it. Penny stops by a nearby control panel and extends her index finger.

The tip swivels out to reveal a connector plug, and Ruby's eyes grow wide. Penny interfaces with the control panel, and the attached handprint scanner flashes green.

A hologram display pops up, showing Dr. Pietro Polendina's credentials from the computer, "Welcome back, Doctor Polendina."

The door slides open with a whoosh, and the group steps through the door to the right open to reveal a bustling workplace filled with digital workstations, holographic maps, and Atlesian officials and clerks.

Weiss voiced out in a dry tone of their predicament of going through central command to their location, "Of course. We can't maneuver with everyone – You brute what are you doing?!"

Jack merely casually enters inside getting everyone's attention as he used his <Orders> outside P. Ruby's group ear reach, "Sleep."

*Thud*

*Thud*

*Thud*

As if by command those nearby listening in suddenly fell asleep as they all suddenly felt tired getting P. Ruby's group by surprise with Jack talking to them, "Come on girls we don't have all day! The sooner we get command the sooner we can get this day done."

Everyone's heads all turned to each other with Nora asking G. Ruby about Jack's straightforward approach, "Hey is he always like that heading straight into trouble?"

At this G. Ruby laughed a bit with a nod agreeing with Nora's words of his antics, "Haha… yeah. It's something you get used to when you are around him. But he is a good guy when you get to know him."

They all looked at each before they just shrugged not questioning the situation too much as they felt pressured for time and followed along with Penny leading them to where they are going.

All the while Jack observes the scene with Ironwood from his scroll getting more stressed out as he thinks to himself, 'The man is about to lose it... everything is all according to the cake. I only need him to finally lose it with him getting cornered till I have an excuse to put him down I just need to push his stress a bit more before he snaps...'

/////

Elsewhere in the complex, General James Ironwood meets with his scientist each of them tense after seeing their leader's actions from the videos shown in Atlas Kingdom.

He enters the room, adjusting his mechanical left arm and straightening his tie talking to them in a cold tone, "Apologies for the delay, today has been… busy. Have any of you made any progress?"

He circles around a workstation of scientists trying to take down the SMG4 virus as one of the scientists replied afraid, "No sir. With the virus still active we are trying everything we can to return things to normal."

Ironwood clicked his teeth at this as one of the soldiers soon came to the room saluting to the General, "General Ironwood sir! We tried to get Watts out to assist but the squad sent there was defeated by Qrow and Robyn… Watts and Jacques Cells was open with the two being gunned down in with no –"

*BAM*

Slamming his fist onto the table expressing a rare moment of anger laboring deep breaths before not too long responding back, "Gr… this can't be Ruby's group at work. They are too soft in dealing with something like this. Same with Penny not being cold-hearted for this. No… Qrow would do it but not without some outside help. The third unknown party…"

Pausing a bit he recalled the third party intercepting his call with Penny blaming that group for what is happening to him, "No… it's possible that person could be in league with Salem foiling Atlas Security. I can't let them do as they please. Atlas protection is our main priority…"

Not before too long one of the scientists, began to speak out informing General Ironwood of the sudden appearance of Pietro's Credentials in use, "General Sir! We detected… what we believe to be Dr. Pietro's in the military compound sir?"

Listening to that Ironwood leans down to inspect the screen. A window with text reading 'DR. POLENDINA'S CREDENTIALS IN USE' can be seen.

The general lets out a frustrated growl making the people nearby soldiers or scientists alike worry about the General's next action.

While the soldiers and scientists of Atlas began to see General Ironwood in a different light as they recall the video showing what the General is willing to do spreading the seeds of doubt into them further…

However, they couldn't say or do anything to the General as at this current time they needed a leader to lead them against the ongoing crisis happening outside the Atlas Kingdom.

General Ironwood's mentality isn't fairing any better as he looses more rational thinking of the loss of his Atlas Drones out of control thinking darkly to himself, 'I need to regain control... through any means necessary if this Kingdom is to survive... by any means...'