Que: RVB OST- First Wave(Dr. Leonard Church)

Memory is both a gift and a curse. Sometimes, looking back at a "good" memory provides us with the hope we need to push onward. Yet at the same time, there are memories that serve as an emotional anchor. They weighs us down because we are unable to face past mistakes….and tragedies.

Washington stared at himself in the mirror, his school uniform freshly cleaned and ironed, with the tie as the final piece. Even if it had been two days, it felt like two years to him. This was his usual routine every morning, putting on the bits and pieces like his time in the military and it didn't bother him then. So why now? Why now does putting on a simple red necktie make his hands shake?

Knock Knock

Wash sighed in both relief and frustration when the noise at the door interrupted his second attempt at getting dressed.

"Give me a second!" he shouted.

He approached the four newly installed bolted locks. After the incident with the Meta and how he acquired Wash's EMP unit, it was clear that the ex-Freelancer's position had been compromised and had to be moved to another room. Professor Ozpin offered a new one that was "coincidentally" right next to team RWBY's dorm. Though Wash's paranoia made him feel like Beacon's headmaster had this planned all along. Of course the idea seemed a bit "far-fetched."

The cautious student opened the first three locks from the bottom-up until he stopped at the chain latch. He had opened just a crack with the tightened link as his only barrier. Thankfully, it was only a friend.

"Good Mornin," Yang greeted cheerfully.

"Hey," was his tired response as he undid the final lock.

"What's with you?"

"Nothing," Wash huffed, returning to the mirror, "I'm just….having trouble….putting this…..on-FINALLY!"

"Hmmm," the blonde fighter leaned against the door frame, "If I didn't know any better I'd say you're nervous."

"That obvious?" Wash deadpanned.

"Yes actually," Epsilon formed next to the ex-Freelancer, "This guy woke up at six in the morning to put on his goddamn uniform. Which, by the way, doesn't need to take that fuckin long."

Yang approached her nervous friend and placed a hand on her shoulder, "Everythings going to be fine."

Wash picked up the plastic container on his desk and examined it, "I doubt another box of cookies is going to fix this."

Team RWBY's heavy hitter frowned at his cynical attitude. Similar to a certain cat-faunus she knew.

She then forcefully pulled Wash out by the arm, "Come on, don't start moping on me. Who knows, maybe they're not that mad."

Despite Wash's reluctance, he had to agree with probably his only friend left in the school, so he simply let her drag him along.

For most of my life it has always been the latter. I allowed the pain of my own memories to control my actions. I feared betrayal, so I refused to trust anyone. I believe I'll one day be captured, so I constantly look over my shoulder. It's the same routine everyday…and I'm tired of it. I'm tired of pretending to move forward without taking the first step, fighting my battles alone when I truly need help the most.

Angst seemed like the perfect emotion that flowed through Wash's veins when they arrived at the cafeteria. There were students throughout the massive hall happily eating their food, chatting among friends. But they weren't the people he was looking for. His targets, the ones who needed his apology, were sitting at their usual table; making inaudible conversations with each other.

"I honestly doubt they'll forgive me," Wash grimmly stated, "I said some pretty harsh things at the time."

"So does Weiss whenever Ruby fails a pop-quiz," she quipped, but her tone then turned serious, "But you can't know for sure unless you talk to them."

The troubled freelancer hesitantly nodded and Yang led the march towards their table of friends. Wash was in the exact same position months ago, but the atmosphere was entirely different. Every step made him more anxious than the last until they finally arrived.

Ruby was the first to notice her sister approaching, "Yang, where've you-!?"

Her eyes then widened when she saw who was behind her. Everyone else soon followed suit, which obviously made him more nervous.

"I-Ahem….I know that…." Wash sighed and raised the plastic bin, "I know that a box of cookies won't change what's happened, what I said to you all. You're right on one thing though, I actually was too paranoid to trust any of you and I'm sorry for that. But what I said to you all was real; the advice I gave, the words of encouragement, all of that was-GUH!"

The former freelancer was caught off guard when he suddenly felt someone familiarly wrapping their arms around his stomach.

"It's okay Wash," Ruby sobbed into his chest, "We're just happy you're okay."

Wash could only look at the others in surprise, "You...You are?"

"What do you think!? You're gloomy, anti-social, and extremely paranoid," Weiss huffed, "But, too be fair, perhaps we were a bit forward in demanding answers from you."

"What she means," Blake interrupted in order to apologize, "Is that we're sorry we didn't fully trust you either."

"You can never instantly trust somebody," Wash replied, "But sometimes you just gotta give a little."

Yang's eyes slightly widened, but not enough for others to notice when she heard those very words.

"Good advice," Pyrrha nodded in agreement, "Where'd you learn that?"

"I….I don't know actually," he scratched the back of his head, "It just sort of….came out, weird."

"Yeah, definitely."

Everyone at the table scanned the cafeteria in order to find the source of the hidden voice.

"Wait, who said that?" Jaune asked.

"Down here."

The group of friends looked towards the voice and found a tiny holographic figure, no bigger than a drinking glass, casually waving to them all.

"What's up," the sapphire hologram greeted, "The names Epsilon, course you all probably know that."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"What, no hello?" Epsilon asked with mock offense, "I expected at least one of you to start screaming."

"Believe me when I say this," Weiss stared at the hologram, "After everything I've seen these past few days, nothing surprises me anymore."

"You gotta admit though," Ruby lowered herself to be at the A.I.'s eye level, "It's still pretty cool."

"Who wants a tiny cracker?" Nora playfully poked the hologram

"Yeah, no," Epsilon teleported to Wash's shoulder, "Hope you don't mind me coming out without permission."

"Not at all actually," the ex-Freelancer casually shrugged, "I think it's about time I introduced everyone to my partner."

"Ooohhhh," Epsilon crossed his arms, "So we're partners now."

Wash exposed a small grin, "Always have been."

"Well whaddaya know," Jaune chuckled, "You can smile."

"You just gonna stand there all the day?" Weiss smirked at the two of them, "Or are you gonna join us."

"Yeah," Ruby cheered, "Bring on the cookies!"

The group laughed innocently amongst each other, the atmosphere around them now much lighter. It was the kind of energy that you would find among those close to each other. The kind you would find among friends.

"See," Yang happily patted Wash's back, "I told ya they're not that mad."

Team RWBY's final member rejoined her teammates to join in on their conversations. The only ones left were a former soldier and the presumed dead A.I.

"This is it, isn't it?" Epsilon proudly stared at the scene.

"Yeah," Wash answered happily, "Our second chance."

They strode towards the table, where their friends were waiting for them.

I know the path ahead will be difficult, but if I have learned anything these past few days, is that I'm not really alone. Because I have new teammates, new friends. I have to believe...I know that they will be there by my side every step of the way. In return, I'll do everything I can….to be their for them.

This is Agent Wash-...

First-year Beacon Student David Washington….signing off.

End: RVB OST- First Wave(Dr. Leonard Church)

Que: RVB OST- Loom by Trocadero

In an unknown location…

Being the counselor of Project Freelancer provided more responsibilities than one may realize. Information gathering and negotiating are only a few that can be named. He met the contact like usual and they would guide him towards who could possibly be a new…."ally" to their cause. Only one of these mercenaries were escorting him through the maze of hallways of what was supposed to be their headquarters. He mentally counted the number of men and women armed to the teeth as they passed by and so far he had only seen a dozen or so soldiers. Who knows how many more were under this man's command.

"Wait here," the mercenary ordered, his voice deep, symbolizing years of experience.

The Counselor kept a neutral expression as he patiently waited for the man to finish speaking to his superior.

"He's ready for you," the man motioned towards the metal door on the far end of the hall.

"Thank you," the Counselor kindly bowed.

The gray-armored soldier only clicked his tongue in response.

Black shoes against concrete echoed throughout the hallway until he had finally arrived. The entrance automatically slid open, revealing the dimly lit room, with only a metal desk and an armored figure sitting in the chair.

"Good evening sir," the military psychiatrist greeted, "My name is Aiden Price, I work for-."

"I know who you are," the figure responded, his voice filtered through his helmet.

"I see, then perhaps we can get straight to business," the Counselor began to step closer, "The organization I work for, is in need of assistance and will happily pay for your services."

"Project Freelancer never outsources, especially for military needs. With your connections and resources, why not rely on your own troops."

"It is true that we have the capital to support ourselves," Aiden looked away, feinting an act of shame, "But unfortunately are own forces are stretched to their limits. We simply need more soldiers to complete little….but important things."

The shadowed figure rose from his chair, saying nothing as he approached the left wall, revealing a weapons rack with an array of weapons. From pistols to light-machine guns and even a concussion rifle. It was quite the arsenal, and it was only a few steps away.

"Why come to us?" he grabbed the shotgun off the wall, "Surely there are more larger bands of mercenaries you can hire."

"Yes, but we prefer quality over quantity," the Counselor nodded, "And your men are famous for having no quarrels crossing certain….moral boundaries."

"Hmph," the mercenary played with the shotgun shell he had pulled off the shelf, "My men are soldiers, and they will follow orders regardless. However," he loaded the shell into the top loading port, "If we were to accept this job, what will you offer us in return."

"As I've stated before, Project Freelancer has a vast amount of resources and technology. Even in our current state we continue to make improvements and will gladly provide you and your men with these new inventions," Aiden swiped against his datapad, "Of course we will also pay you regularly."

The shadowy mercenary was silent for awhile, staring at his shotgun as he weighed his options. The Counselor could obviously tell that the man was a soldier through and through. Not only were the men under this man's command were famous for their discipline, but he himself was known for his lack of a conscience. He would jump into the pits of Hell and shoot the Devil himself if he was ordered to.

"Very well then," the mercenary finally answered, "My men and I are at your disposal."

"My superiors will be happy to hear that. I will send you the coordinates where your people can rendezvous with our agent in Vale," Aiden tapped a few keys on his datapad, "It will be a pleasure working with you Mister….?"

The man finally stepped out of the shadows, revealing the six-and-a-half-foot tall mercenary in steel gray armor with sage trims throughout. But the real eyecatcher, was the skull-like helmet with an "X" across it's visor; something that he rarely ever removed.

"Locus," the mercenary pumped the fore-end, "Reporting for duty...sir."

End: RVB OST- Loom by Trocadero

A/N: Finally done!

I'm planning to take a break from this storyline, try out some other ideas I've got.

But don't cry folks, I'll be working on Volume 2 as well.

Epsilon: Enjoy the rest of the summer.