Chapter 124. Merlot Island
Silva POV
As we sailed away to knows where Ruby elected everyone to stay hidden in the cargo container until we reached land. Nobody argued against it, and it quickly got boring, so we started playing cards to pass the time.
Ruby: Any threes?
Yang: Go, fish.
Blake: Silva, any fives?
I handed Blake my five, and she completed a set of fives. We soon felt the container being moved again, and we all stopped what we were doing to get ready for whatever was next. After the container stopped moving, I peeked outside and let the others know the coast was clear. As we all got out and saw where we were, questions were asked.
Blake: Where are we?
Weiss: Considering the time between our departure and the ship's speed, I have to say we are far off the coast of Vale and most likely outside its nautical borders.
Pyrrha: I can't think of any island that fits that description off the top of my head, so it might be uncharted.
We soon heard static, Oobleck's somewhat familiar voice over the comms, and I commented.
Silva: Looks like we're being jammed. Let's keep an eye out for any unusual structures.
Ruby: Okay, team, let's go!
Pyrrha: Everyone, stay on guard!
As we walked along the coast, we ran into more of the mutated Grimm and dealt with them quickly. Not long after, we saw a tower, and Ruby said.
Ruby: Maybe we can get a signal if we reach that tower.
Silva: Hold on, Ruby, if I'm right, from what I am seeing from its external parts, that tower may be causing the jamming signal.
Pyrrha: So if we take it down, we might get in contact with the professors?
I nodded, and we all headed towards the tower, but suddenly, we got ambushed by robots that appeared out of nowhere like ghosts. They had Hard Light Dust shielding and electric blades meant to zap us. The robots were tougher than Grimm but not by much, and after we took care of them, I picked up their parts to later reverse engineer the stealth system they used and the Hard Light Dust they have equipped in them as it is highly valuable. After reaching the tower, I dismantled it, and Oobleck could be heard.
Oobleck: Doctor! Whatever you *static*... keep on *static*... Island...*static* must *static*... Understood?
Silva: It came in a bit clearer this time; better keep our eyes open for other towers like this one.
Weiss: Still did not quite get all that, but I agree, Silva.
After more robots and Grimm, we got to another tower, and I worked my magic, not literally. We soon heard from Dr.Oobleck again.
Dr.Oobleck: Teams! It's working. The signal seems better, but... *static* More and I can pinpoint your *static*. Keep up!
We ran into a new mutated Grimm, a Boarbatusk with massive blue-green tusks and spikes on its back. It rolled like a normal Boarbatusk but with greater speed, and it left a trail behind that was harmful to us. After dealing with it, we got to another tower that got dismantled and heard a stranger on the comms.
???: Ahh, that's better. Sorry but the reception is always so bad all the way out here. I hope you're enjoying your stay on the island. You're the first visitors I've had in, well you are the first.
Silva: Hardly surprising despite the location, no service, horrible robotic staff, and some less cuddly varieties of Grimm.
As I used sarcasm and Blake asked.
Blake: What happened to Dr.Oobleck?
Pyrrha: I am guessing our guest here hijacked our comms.
The stranger then introduced himself.
???: Ah, where are my manners? Allow me to introduce myself. My name's Dr.Merlot. You don't know me, but I most certainly know who you are. Nevertheless, I'm thrilled you're here. You might be exactly what I need for a very important... experiment.
Silva: Actually, I know of you and your obsession with Grimm being a superior species even though it might be debatable to call them that, if at all.
Dr.Merlot: Oh, and what makes you say that?
I heard the rage in Merlot's voice at his question, and I answered him.
Silva: For starters, how Grimm are spawned. They come from mysterious black pools that destroy most matter in a single touch, and I have seen this for myself.
Dr.Merlot: Truly now?! Where might I find said pool?
Silva: In a land where the sun never shines, and strange purple crystals dot the landscape.
Dr.Merot: THE GRIMM LANDS THEMSELVES! I HAD A THEORY DUE TO THE HIGH CONCENTRATION OF GRIMM THERE BUT NOW...
Another person joined in on the comms, which everyone was familiar with to different degrees, Ozpin.
Ozpin: So we meet again, Dr.Merlot.
Dr.Merlot: Ozpin? Or shall I call you Oz like old times, chum?
Ozpin: I thought you perished in the Mt.Glenn disaster, a tragedy you played no small part in.
Dr.Merlot: Twas a mere speed bump on the superhighway of scientific progress. You couldn't imagine the ramifications of my latest research.
Ozpin then coldly responded.
Ozpin: The world was a much safer place without you, Merlot. You are reckless in your pursuits.
Dr.Merlot: You're calling me the reckless one? Sending your students out on an excursion like this?
Ozpin: They're more than a match for your mindless robots. What you're doing here is wrong, Merlot.
Dr.Merlot just scoffed at Ozpin's accusation.
Dr.Merlot: Trying to make the world a better place is wrong? Say what you will about me. It won't change the fact that you're powerless to stop me.
Ozpin: You'll botch this somehow. You always do.
Dr.Merlot: Well, let's agree to disagree. I tell you, Oz, it has been a pleasure catching up, but unfortunately, it's time for me to run. Farewell, old chum.
Dr.Merlot signed off, and Ozpin ordered us.
Ozpin: Teams, we've been attempting to locate Merlot's Island, but we've yet to obtain its coordinates. I need you to continue exploring the Island and contact me when you find any evidence of his whereabouts.
After that, we headed towards the center of the island, and we started to see pipes that were pumping a bluish-green substance. I grabbed some samples to analyze later, and Ozpin seeing everything through the comm system, said
Ozpin: I suspect Merlot is on this island for a reason. He's harvesting this substance, and whatever he is using it for can't be good.
Ruby: Hey, doesn't that stuff sort of like what the strange Grimm have on them?
Blake: Now that you mention it...
Nora: Ooh! I wonder what it would taste like in pancakes?
Ren: Nora, no.
Nora made some disappointed noises, and we continued to head deeper into the island. We started to follow the pipes to find Dr.Merlot's HQ. We kept on fighting through mutated Grimm and Merlot's robots and messed with some cranks to redirect some steam from the pipes. Ozpin and Merlot started chatting with each other again as I, team RWBY, and PLAN followed the pipes.
Ozpin: It's amazing that you survived the disaster in Mt.Glenn, Merlot. Was it sheer luck or part of your master plan?
Dr.Merlot: Would you believe me if I told you it wasn't my fault?
Ozpin: I believe that you wouldn't take accountability for your actions.
Merlot kept silent for a few moments, then continued his case.
Dr.Merlot: Admittedly, Mt.Glenn is a bit of a sore spot for me. Decades of hard work, countless research projects, not to mention all of the specimens I'd collected over the years, all lost without a trace.
Ozpin replied with contained fury in his voice.
Ozpin: Let me get this straight... you're upset that you lost your research?
Dr.Merlot: The work done at Merlot Industries was critical in the advancement of artificial intelligence and genetics. Without it, Remnant would still be in the dark ages.
Ozpin: You missed the point! An entire city was laid to waste. Countless lives were lost. My only question is, how much of the damage were you personally responsible for?!
Dr.Merlot shrugged off Ozpin's accusations.
Dr.Merlot: Well, how else was I supposed to conduct my research? Our supply of test subjects was running thin.
Ozpin: And when the Grimm came back, the city's population was driven underground where it was safe. No thanks to Merlot Industries.
Dr.Merlot: Do you believe things happen for a reason, Oz? I mean, your little prodigies practically washed ashore here on my island.
Ozpin: I am not sure what you're getting at.
Dr.Merlot responded excitedly.
Dr.Merlot: Maybe they can be of use to me after all? How serendipitous.
We soon found a large door opening in front of us as if to invite us into the spider's web. Well, Merlot is about to find out he is biting more than he can chew with me and two teams of Beacon's best and brightest.