Luna Rosa - Chapter Three

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After a few more transitory checks and system tests on the planetary-transit spacebridge, he was satisfied with its function and turned to the next matter to hand.

The upper floor of the condominium was open, as he had been told, and he set about laying his equipment out along all of the walls. Over the course of only a few hours, each wall was covered in lines of power generation and translation systems, control and monitoring terminals, system diagnostics readers and display screens, and the web of cables that ran along behind and above them to keep all connected. He had installed lighting as well, specialized to cast in a spectrum only he and a select number of Faunus could perceive - which meant that even with all of the sequestered lights that ran along the junction between the ceiling and the walls, no one could see in here.

Not without turning on the primitive fan-light on the ceiling, by which point he would have already responded to their presence.

Beyond the internal processing and diagnostics systems, and the communication-relay systems which linked the, for lack of a better term, 'installation' with Luna, the entire computational system came together at the front of the room. There he had built a heavy large terminal, with a wall-to-wall screen that curved at the edges for optimum viewing range, which he had connected to an energy intake and processing unit in the back of the room, which rose from the ground to the ceiling like a dark-metal column surrounded by processing and management terminals.

Standing at it, he hummed and murmured, "Now, for the next test…"

The system came online in under four standard planetary units - seconds, his tertiary processors supplied helpfully - and flickered to life. The system was design to detect and triangulate energy signals, and immediately, it lit up with thousands of localized energy signatures around him. Untuned and unspecific, it didn't offer much information beyond the completely obvious - there were powered objects nearby.

"Computer," he said, raising his voice to speak his commands to the automated processing systems, "begin referencing neural network archives - eliminate mundane signatures. Any variance beyond mundate signatures, leave. Catalog and mark for future review. Confirm operation."

"Affirmative." It said, using a facsimile of his own voice, run off of the related, cloned subsystems. It was eerie, for a moment, but he had no others for the task. Combined with an extensive network of Luna based processors and diagnostics, it made a workable command system.

And gave him something to talk at, if not 'to' in any meaningful way.

"Estimated time?"

"One point seven two standard solar cycles."

"Range?"

"Two hundred meters, radial."

"Hmph." That wasn't enough. Not by a long shot. "Extend range - calculate consequences on surrounding environment."

"Affirmative." It said, and then fell silent for a few moments. Finally, it said, "Maximum broadcast range - five kilometers. Warning - extended ranges will produce subsonic reactions harmful to local flora and fauna."

"Percentage chance?"

"Forty eight point seven nine percent." It reported, checking against his own knowledge of Human, Faunus and other assorted lifeforms. "Warning - risk elevates to between sixty one point four percent to eighty one point two percent for various species."

"Faunus?"

"Seventeen sub-species in high percentile range." It reported in his own clipped, mechanical voice, "Canine, Feline and various avian variants all susceptible. Damages include - headaches, migraines, nausea, loss of hearing, hallucination, suicidal ideation-"

"Why?"

"Suicidal ideation predicted based on equilibrium disturbances in the brain, resulting in numerous mental risks." It explained, "Warning - risks high."

"Restrict parameters." He growled, "Continue local surveillance and data gathering. If nothing else, we might uncover something of note…"

More importantly, his fears had been confirmed - he would need outposts to relay and expand his data collection network to search for the strange energy signal's more exact location. The easy, obvious solution was, of course, to simply proceed out into the Emerald and Forever Fall forests, to find locations to hide his relays. But civilians did not simply meander in and out on such a whim, and sooner or later, someone would question the loss of the packs he took out with him each time. And why he continued to go.

He could bribe his way out of most of these concerns, but eventually he would run into someone unwilling to accept it - or, worse, prompt an investigation from those higher up. Which brought up a secondary issue.

An excuse for where his Lien came from, at least as far as the law might care…

The answer came easily, and solved all concerns.

Turning, he raised his voice and ordered, "Computer, access local employment listings for Hunters. Find one beyond the wall, to begin within the next forty eight hours, with a lot of foot travel involved. Compile list and forward to me."

"List compiled." It said, "One item found."

"Display."

The file appeared on the screen instantly - a job listing. It was a simple enough one, a temporary partnership to scout the coastline for Leviathans reported in the sea between the two continents. It even came with a project course - through the Emerald Forest between Beacon and Vale, and out towards the coast opposite the Kingdom. Which was perfect - he could slip away to place small relay systems with the excuse of 'spreading out' to prevent ambush.

"Forward contact details to personal communication device." He ordered, drawing his tablet out. A contact appeared instantly and he hummed. "Summer Rose…"

Remnant had such strange names, sometimes.

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She sat at the cafe table with a drink in her hand, and her other tapping out a beat on the table. It was noon already, just past it in fact, and by the Gods she wanted to be on her way already. If not for Tai, she would be, too, with or without a partner for the mission. But she'd sworn that she'd look for one, and just before she took her listing down, someone had reached out and asked to meet to discuss the job. Which she couldn't turn down.

At least, not without making herself a liar to Tai…

Which she refused to do.

"Summer Rose?"

"P-Present!" She chirped before she could catch herself, flushing and turning to look over a shoulder at a dark-haired man with his hands clasped behind his waist and his head cocked curiously. She grimaced, sighed, and said, "I-I'm sorry, I was spacing out."

"Indeed."

"Y-Yeah." She murmured, standing and gesturing politely at the seat across from her. "Please, have a seat. Are you thirsty?"

"No, I-" He paused as he took his seat, halfway into the seat with one hand on the table holding him up, and seemed to change his mind mid-sentence. "I would be rather happy for some tea, if it is not a bother."

"Of course not." Summer smiled, turning to call out to the waiter, "Can I get some Mistralian spiced tea, please? For two?"

"Yes, Ma'am!"

"Why Mistralian tea?" He asked as she took her own seat.

"You're not Mistrali?" She asked, raising an eyebrow and waving a hand at his clothes. "You dress like one."

"Ah." He chuckled and nodded, "Yes, you're right. I do. You've rather sharp eyes, hmm?"

"I am a Markswoman, sharp eyes are kind of a requirement to do the, uh… Markswomaning, I do." She smiled, turning to offer her Lien to the waiter when he arrived with their fresh cups. It was a dark tea, spiced with a Mistralian recipe she didn't know, and smelled as great as it tasted.

Which was saying a lot.

"So…" She murmured after a long sip of the tea. Meeting the man's gaze she asked, "You ready everything I sent you?"

"I did."

"So you understand what the job is, then." She pressed, setting her eyes and what they could do aside for a slew of obvious reasons. When he started to answer, she said, "I want to be sure, Sol. Because what we're looking for… If we get into a fight with one of those things… We aren't machines. We fight Leviathans, we could both die. I've seen it happen. Skilled men and women crushed, swallowed, fried."

"I understand the… Risks, Miss Rose."

"Missus." She corrected gently, absently. "And do you? I don't want to go out there with an egg."

"I'm… Sorry?"

"An egg?" She raised an eyebrow and then flushed when he nodded. Quietly, she explained, "It's an, uh, Patch saying. 'Don't take an egg out to work just 'cus it looks tough on the outside. It'll just crack all over you'. Tai says it to my daughter all the time."

"Ah." Sol blinked, then went quiet for a few seconds, and then finally smiled and offered an odd, stiff, "How… Quaint."

"Excuse me?"

"Ah, apologies, I only mean it's…" Sol paused, gazing off to the side for a moment, before he sighed and offered. "Interesting? Appreciable? Sensible?"

"What are you doing…?"

"Searching for a phrase that won't upset you."

"Ah." She blinked, then grimaced and chuckled. "You're not good with people. Are you?"

"I think I'm perfectly good at personal interaction."

"Uh huh…" That wasn't what she'd asked, and somehow, she got the sense that was on purpose. Like he was playing with the question, and hoping not to get caught. But why? Being bad with people was fairly normal among Hunters - especially past thirty, like they were. It made her anxious, but… "Well, I guess I can't look a pie under its crust, can I?"

"Another colloquialism?"

"Oh this is going to go just great…" She sighed, raising a hand and beckoning the waiter back over. "Strawberry danishes, please. Sol?"

"I ate before I came." He waved her off, "You needn't worry for me, Missus Rose. Though I appreciate your sentiment."

"Alright." She paid for the food and moved on, "We'll leave in the morning, then. Head out through Forever Fall. We can fight some lesser Grimm there. Get a feel for each other."

"So that, if we encounter a Leviathan class entity, we will be able to better defend ourselves." Sol nodded, lacing his fingers around his cup of tea and smiling pleasantly. "All perfectly reasonable, I assure you. And I have always wanted to see the Emerald Forest. Will we perhaps visit Forever Fall as well?"

"Afraid not." She frowned - he was way too amenable to everything. Short notice was one thing, but a mission to possibly fight Leviathans in just two days, with no relation to her? Anxious, she asked, "Why do you want to do this, anyway?"

"How do you mean?"

"High risk mission, no notice, don't know me…"

"Ah." He grimaced and sighed, "Well… Let's just say I need a source of income. Preferably a large income, too. And soon."

"Oh." She blinked, pursed her lips, and lowered her voice, "Are you okay? If someone is threatening you-"

"Oh, no, no, nothing so degrading as that, I assure you!" His laugh was brighter than she'd expected, enough that she flinched a bit, surprised. Shaking his head, he took a long drink of his tea and sighed. "No, no, I merely… Well, I just moved here. So, I want a bit of income to ensure all goes as it ought to. Nothing nefarious or untoward was intended, and I'm sorry if my words put you off."

"It's... Fine." She chuckled, "No worries, then. I'll forward you the meeting point?"

"I'll be there." Sol nodded, standing as the waiter returned with her food in hand. Or, well, in tray, really. But she ignored that to pay attention while Sol said, "Good day, and thank you for the tea, Missus Rose."

"Summer." She corrected him, smiling, "If we're going to fight together, we should know each other."

"Very well then." He bowed his head, "Summer."

She nodded and watched him turn and stride away, hands clasped behind his back. What an odd man… She'd keep an eye on him out there, at least. You never knew what Salem would try. Even if she had a pretty good feeling about him.

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The address she'd given him was a small outfitter's just beside the large, reinforced structure of the main gate into the Emerald Forest. The pseudo-rugged outfitter's was a simple place, two stories of ammunition, basic gear, maps, and the like set up with a rather cliche 'hunt big game!' motif. Statues and carvings of animals, and Grimm, lined the walls, surrounded by figures and diagrams of how to kill them with a litany of weapons. Some of the information was useful - referenced off of online sources available on the Kingdom's internal network service - but a lot was merely the obvious being displayed to take up space.

No one ought to be surprised that a large slug through the brain was lethal, for instance.

Seemingly in spite of the lowbrow, obvious consumerism going on, he found Summer on the second floor, surrounded by long arrows. She would pull one out of a bin full of them, inspect it, and then either put it back or pay the shop-manager beside her and grab several more to slide into one of the three silver quivers hanging at an angle under her cloak. Her bow was the more impressive thing, made of a powerful, Dust enhanced, metal alloy with two integrated draw arms and three separate strings, evidently intended for variable draw strengths. Surprisingly, she was dressed as lightly as him, in nothing more than a lightly padded dress not unlike the one she'd worn the day prior.

Surely, that wasn't very protective… And unlike her, she couldn't simply manufacture a new body if this one was compromised.

But to each their own, he supposed.

"Sol." She murmured, turning to flick a look up and down his person before frowning. "That's all you wear out? You don't look like you could handle an Ursa, much less a… Well, anything else, really."

"It suffices." He grunted, pulling the same outfit he'd been wearing taut and shrugging as his hand fell to the grip of his black slug-shooter. "And I am, in fact, armed. In case you missed it. Besides, are you really one to question me on my clothing?"

"I guess not." She was only really wearing a dress, after all. A different one from the day before, with thicker cloth and less red to it, but essentially the same. It was quite presumptive to question him. "That thing can do the job, right?"

Oh, this was going to be a wonderful expedition…

"I assure you," he smiled, "my weapon is perfectly serviceable. You'd be surprised what it is capable of, in fact."

"I guess we'll see how it works soon enough, then." She sighed, turning to him and paying him a nod. "Well, I'm just about stocked up. You're ready?"

"I am." He gestured to the moderately large pack he'd acquired. It was a simple black thing, with a pulle-top, and he'd packed it full of canned food, water, and his relay devices. A handful of these scattered through the forest should let him triangulate the energy signature more precisely without harming the local wildlife. "I already arranged my supplies."

"Good." She nodded, shouldering a tiny pack of her own, half his pack's size, and slipping by him. "Off to work we go, then."

"Very well." He paused for a moment, and then followed, asking, "You have a daughter?"

"Two, yeah." She said, "Why?"

"Merely curious." He sighed, a strange… Process, one he almost recognized, registering in the back of his neural network. Without meaning to, he added, "I shall see you back to them. I promise."

"Alright." She muttered, "That's not ominous at all…"

"I am sorry."

"Yeah, and you said you were good with people?"

"I said something similar." He argued weakly, searching Vale's internal network for her records absently. "But I concede your point."

As he spoke, he found what he wanted. Marital records attached to birth records. An image came up in the file, of a young, dark-haired and bright-eyed child. She smiled at the camera, bright and happy in Summer's arms.

His hands fell to his weapon, and he remotely pped the power on it by three percent.

Leaving was a simple matter - they checked out at the front gate, as usual - but once they were through the heavy, reinforced gate things shifted rather quickly from 'normal' to 'not remotely so'.

A quartet of Beowolves, young and lightly armored, had apparently been lurking outside the gate. Close enough to hear it open, he suspected, given they had only walked for five minutes before the Grimm came in from all around them.

The first that leapt out of the brush caught an arrow in its eye, staggered, and caught a second in its throat. The second caught a mass accelerated round at the speed of sound in the chest, which effectively 'deleted' its upper torso and sent its bits reeling. The third suffered the same, body tumbling past him without any of its head and most of its shoulders. But the third closed with him, leaping and snarling ferally.

He ducked under its slash, shaded his optics against the glare of the sun breaking through the trees unexpectedly, and lunged in to bury the barrel of his weapon in Grimm's skull.

As it tumbled, he heard Summer chuckled, "Well, I guess you were right. That little guy is pretty damn impressive."

"Thank you." He nodded, holstering it and turning. He was tracking more motion, further in the forest, but… It moved away, and he assumed it had simply been a concerned individual who had moved one when they dealt with the Grimm. Turning, he said, "Shall we continue then?"

"Mhm." She nodded, retrieving her arrow and returning it to its quiver. "Let's get 'er done."

"Ah." He smiled, "Another colloquialism?"

"Oh, Gods…"

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"You were spotted?!"

"By the man." Hazel rumbled, "Not by her. And he said nothing."

"I see, I see…" Tyrian murmured, crouched on a fallen log while he sharpened his arm-blades and thought. "I suppose that's fine, then. But how could you get so close? It's.. So stupid of you! I thought better."

"I didn't." He grunted, crossing his arms, "I was far enough away I wouldn't have seen them without my binoculars. Still barely could."

"He must have very good eyes, then." Tyrian cackled suddenly, "Oh, isn't that ironic?"

"Mhm." He turned, looking at the young ginger hovering in the leaves above them, watching the birds, and sighed. "Polendina. Follow them, as planned. But stay very, very far away. You can do that?"

"I can simply trak their motion." The short-haired girl said, lowering to the ground and brushing a leaf off the heavy, black boots she wore to allow her to fly so easily. "It will not be difficult. But…"

"But what?"

"I was told we only had to kill one person." Polendina whispered, gaze falling, "I-I would… Appreciate it if we could-"

"Rose is the only target." Hazel cut her off, laying a hand on her shoulder and drawing her gaze up to his own. "If possible, eliminate the target and we'll withdraw. There's no need to risk ourselves, or exposure, for someone that doesn't matter."

"Thank you…"

"Oh, you're so boring, Hazel!" Tyrian snarled, "Why can't we just-"

"I am in command here." He cut the Faunus off, turning and adding, to end it, "Or would you like me to call our Queen, so you can tell her you think she was wrong?"

"N-No, never!" He stammered, face paling quickly, "P-Please, forget me! I-I spoke out of turn! Forgive, forgive!"

"Hmph." He said nothing and turned to move on, gesturing for Penny to take off, which she did with a burst of green fire and another murmured 'thank you'.

He hated having her around. This was no job for a girl like her…

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