Chapter 21: On The Orders From His Majesty's Government

About two hours later, the Oum had docked at Beacon and they were met immediately by a medical team who rushed the Faunus off, Yankel following the stretcher the deer Faunus was on while Glynda quickly walked up as SAGA dispersed.

Glynda looked over the two registered members of team GREY who remained and the one unknown. Who happened to be hanging out at a strange looking vehicle and appeared to be tinkering with it. His outfit consisted of a grimy looking helmet and strange looking mix of green and khaki of some kind. It seemed a little archaic and old fashioned.

"And just who are you?" she demanded. The unknown person saluted to her and acted as if he was expecting to be debriefed after a mission.

"Lieutenant Ethan Gilliam, His Majesty's Royal Centurions…" Glynda squinted as the strange title was followed by a pause as unknown man identified himself. She waited, but he seemed like he was not going to continue.

"And just what meaning do you expect me to gain from that?" She asked.

"Nothing actually. I'm better known to you as that pesky little vigilante you've been looking for for some months. Oh and I forgot..." He un-holstered his pistol, a revolver by the looks of it and flips it to where the grip faced Glynda.

Glynda blinked before accepting the pistol and putting it in a pocket before pointing at him. "Follow me. Now. You two, go join your teammate." she said, talking to Jarek and Tex with the last of what she said before she began walking, expecting him to follow, which he did.

After a short while, they stopped before the door to Ozpin's office. Glynda knocked on the door and Ozpin told her to enter. Walking in, she looked over at Ozpin. "This man claims to be the one we've been looking for," she explained to Ozpin.

"I see, please, leave us, I'd like talk to him," Ozpin said, at which Glynda nodded before setting the revolver she had been given on his desk and then walked out, closing the door behind her.

"So young man, who are you?" Ozpin asked, sipping from his mug. Ethan wasted no breath "I am Lieutenant Ethan Gilliam, His Majesty's Royal Centurions, at your service."

Ozpin cocked an eyebrow as he looked back at him. "Indeed. Then I hope you won't mind explaining what exactly you're doing here."

"Well...Do you enjoy stories by any chance Professor Ozpin?"

"You might say that, please, continue." Ozpin said, gesturing for him to go on.

"I'll assume that your earthly huntsmen explained to you the war that's occurring in the world that we came from, let's start from there. The war that is known as the Second World War came to an end a few weeks ago going by Earth's time. Our enemies, Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan, have both officially surrendered. But I'm afraid that it took two nuclear bombs to do it. They are both now under Allied Occupation and Germany has been divided into zones of occupation. Our world now conspires to rebuild as we speak. However, I'm afraid to say that another war is due to begin…" The mysterious Centurion explained vaguely.

Ozpin listened intently, sipping from his mug. "Is that a threat, Mr. Gilliam?"

"No, sir. It is not...It is in fact a warning…" Ethan explained. "You see...a certain faction of Germans have decided not to concede defeat, but rather escape justice and flee to this world. They are known as the Fourth Reich...and it is these people that now threaten your Kingdom and warring with the terrorist faction known as the White Fang over territory. They intend to establish the ideology that has plagued my world for twelve years and bring that very same misery upon Remnant...and destroy everything you hold dear." Ethan explained plainly and rather grimly.

Ozpin listened with a grave expression to Ethan's words before sighing. "If what you say is true, then we will need to be ready. Now on to you, you have been busy and made quite a name for yourself in Vale. I take it to mean those you killed were a part of this Fourth Reich you were talking about." He asked.

"That is correct, Professor." Ethan confirmed.

"And I take it you were acting under orders?" Ozpin asked

"Yes I am." Was all Ethan said.

"And from whom did these orders come from?" Ozpin inquired.

"From the highest authority of my Kingdom."

Ozpin cocked an eyebrow at the term 'Kingdom'. As far as he had noticed, with Mr. Gniewek and Mr. Fury had mentioned that 'Poland' the land both of which came from was referred to as a 'Republic' not a Kingdom. It was by definition a government of the people. Even Mr. Reed kept repeating the term 'Republic' and occasionally ranting over something about a man named George which only Oobleck could really understand. From what history the professor was able to deduce, was that most of their world's 'countries' were once kingdoms, but they were for the most part overthrown and gave way for governments of the people, but this?

"And what exactly is this kingdom you speak of?"

"The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. My Kingdom, sir, as you would put it, the Kingdom that I'm from and represent." Ethan explained.

Ozpin cocked his head. "I'll have to ask you for more on that at a later date, for now I need to ask you an important question that will determine what happens to you when you leave this room. The way I see it, you have two options, you can walk out of here and be turned over immediately to the authorities in Vale to answer for several counts of murder….." Ozpin trailed off.

Called it. Ethan anticipated in his mind.

"Or you can accept my offer to join Beacon as a part of team GRY and all charges against you will be dropped." Ozpin finished. Ethan gave out the greatest of grins that English gentlemen were permitted.

"It's been awhile since I attended school…"

Ozpin smiled before taking a sip from his mug. "Excellent, please, follow my weaponsmaster to his forge, he shall help you upgrade your arsenal." Ozpin said as Argent walked in and nodded at Ethan.

"So this is your weaponsmaster I assume?" Ethan guessed, putting two and two together.

"Indeed, that isss my title, pleassse follow me." Argent said before he turned and began to walk out. Ethan soon followed him throughout the school, at this point, Ethan switched from his helmet to his unique bright but dusty red beret with the badge of a lion holding a sword which is the emblem of HMRC. On the way there, he was looked upon with curiosity and interest by his new classmates. It's rather funny isn't it? The Centurion thought to himself. I just graduated from a combat school only to enter into one!

Argent soon led him to his forge, before turning to him. "Alright then, place your weaponsss on that table over there and letsss get ssstarted." He said. Ethan then placed his Lee Enfield No.4 Mk I, Webley Mk. VI and Welrod pistol. He then paused to reach for something within his clothes and produced strange pieces of metal and slowly putting them together.

"Interesssting armamentsss. I can make the two pissstolsss into one, the rifle I can upgrade, but what isss it you're doing?" He asked.

"You see...I'm assembling a piece of crud known to my world as the Sten Mk. II submachine gun." He explained while he still assembled the whole thing together. "It fires around four hundred and fifty rounds per minute, feeding from a thirty-two round magazine from the left side and, costs two pounds six shillings to make. To put that into perspective. That would be roughly equivalent to about twenty to thirty Lien." He explained after putting the barrel shroud together and loading an empty magazine and placing it onto the table. "That is what this is. It happens to be easily assembled and concealed as I just demonstrated."

"A clever desssign nonethelesss, I believe I can make that and your rifle one gun." Argent said.

"Excellent. I expected nothing less from the finest weapon smith in Remnant."

Argent nodded and shrugged off his cloak before turning to his forge. "Very well, I sshall be finisshed in a few daysss." He said before turning to his work in an obvious dismissal.

After getting his room assignment, and instructions from Ozpin to deliver all of his gear to that room, Ethan went back to his American built Willy's Jeep where he ran into someone familiar who was inspecting what she perceived to be a strange vehicle.

"It's good to see you again, Miss Xiao Long." Ethan said to his former client, using the voice of Robbie to give her something familiar. "It's a rather strange turn of events, isn't it?" The last sentence was when he switched to his normal British accent.

Yang turned at the sound of a familiar voice that turned unfamiliar. "Robbie? What are you doing here? And what's with your voice?" She asked.

Ethan was unsure how to explain this, how he lived a double life. But he'd do his best.

"It's rather complicated. You know me as Robby Smythe, the unassuming bike mechanic. That is just my false identity. My name is actually Ethan...Ethan Gilliam, and I'm from the same world as Team GRY and this is my normal voice."

Yang blinked then broke into her characteristic grin. "Well Ro-I mean Ethan, I must say I like the new voice, sends pleasant little shivers up the spine," she said with a flirtatious wink.

"It takes a bit of effort to imitate a Valeian accent." He said.

Yang smirked and crossed her arms. "And does everyone in your kingdom sound like this? Because if they do it sounds like a wonderfully enjoyable place," she said while waggling her eyebrows in her normal flirtatious manner

Ethan chuckled slightly.

"Do you fancy rain and meat pies?" The Centurion asked.

Yang shrugged, not particularly caring either way. "So why are you down here Ethan?" She asked.

"Unfinished business." He said vaguely and in general terms.

Yang chuckled. "Is that right? So you've decided to join Beacon then?"

"It was offered by Headmaster Ozpin as an alternative to prison. Needless to say I took up his offer."

Yang smiled and leaned in, entirely ignoring personal space. "Good, I hear Vale prison has horrible time slots for conjugal visits," she said with a smirk before sauntering away to Team RWBY's room.

Ethan blushed madly and stammered something approaching a farewell. Bloody hell, quite a lady isn't she? She wouldn't have made it back in England, would have been swarmed by suitors every time she stepped out the door. Then yet again that's the very reason I agreed to this mission anyway, to get away from the madness of home. A young woman dressed in white wandered in, having gone for a walk to clear her head.

Ethan then suddenly remember that he had a thermos can full of English tea he brewed earlier this morning. Being rather thirsty, he decided to get it out and poured himself a portion of the tea into his mug with the teabag into it and took a sip, the euphoria of the smell of tea quickly permeating his body and the white dressed girl seemed to take notice.

Weiss saw the strange young man as he pulled out a thermos and arched her eyebrow then her eyes widened as she smelled a familiar scent and she quickly walked over. "Excuse me, but is that tea?" She asked him.

"Indeed it is, Miss. My last brew of Lipton. Shame I don't have any more after this batch, though. I confess that it's a bit on the cheap side unfortunately."

Weiss cocked her eyebrow. "Never heard of that brand, where did you get that from?" She asked.

"I'm afraid it's unavailable in Remnant, it's a brand native to the same world that your Team GRY came from." Ethan explained.

Weiss blinked then smiled as she threw her hands up in triumph. "Finally someone cultured!" She said in satisfaction and that is when Team GRY came looking for Ethan.

"Hey Ethan, Headmaster Ozpin wants to see us all and what do you mean finally Weiss?" Tex called out.

Ethan finished his cup of tea before turning to Weiss. "Ah, duty calls Ms. Schnee, farewell," he said as he put away his thermos and followed Team GRY on their way to Ozpin's office.

'Wait, did he say my name?' Weiss wondered at his retreating form.

Team GRY and Ethan quickly made their way to the top of Ozpin's tower where they knocked before being admitted.

"Ah gentlemen, I have many matters to attend to so I'll be brief; Team GRY, you're a team short a man and Mr. Gilliam here is from the same world as you all, as such, I have decided to make you a full-fledged team. Congratulations, Team GREY, the oddest team I have seen in my time here," Ozpin told them.

After leaving Ozpin's office the four men split off, Yankel left in the direction of the med bay, intending to check on the deer Faunus from before while Tex went to find Weiss and Jarek went to find Blake as Ethan broke off to go to the vehicle bay to check on his jeep.

Yankel made his way to the medical wing, letting the doctor in charge know who he was and his part in saving the large group of Faunus that had been brought in. He asked after a deer Faunus, describing her by her injuries, missing half of her right Faunus ear, and a pattern of scars on her arms and legs, quickly being pointed to the bed of Lily Dapple. Yankel carefully wound his way through the field of wounded in beds before taking a chair beside the currently unconscious woman. Sitting forward he observed the woman, her face, even in the repose of sleep, seemingly drawn tight with worry, something he couldn't stand, a woman as beautiful as her should always be smiling. Yankel reaches forward and gently tries to brush some of her hair off her face when her hand weakly comes up to grab his wrist. "No...please." came the soft whisper, her eyes, a brilliant blue, turning to look at him, too defeated to put up any more of a fight. Yankel smiles gently, kindly as he lets her hold his hand back before he whispered softly, soothingly, "The nightmare is over."

Meanwhile Tex had found Weiss in team RWBY's dorm, having decided it was time to figure out where exactly they stood with one another. "So what was it you wanted to ask me Tex?" Weiss asked him, arching one eyebrow expectantly.

"Well Weiss, I wanted to set things straight. I think so far both of us have realized that there is somethin' about the way we interact, somethin' that's different from how teammates interact. So my question is, what is this, Weiss?" Tex said, having steeled his nerve to address the elephant in the room.

Weiss blinked, then her thoughts turned inward examining his words and the truth to them. She too had noticed the difference, the sort of tension between both of them, the looks held just a bit longer, the smiles just a bit wider. All of these led Weiss to an almost unbelievable conclusion; they had feelings for one another. Weiss, always a fan of honesty amongst friends, sighed and looked at Tex. "If you want the honest truth Tex, I think we both have feelings for one another. How they developed and why I think neither of us know but since we're being honest, I will admit you are not unpleasing to look at and I find something about your staunch code of morals and willingness to defend everyone you care for to be attractive qualities. Simply put Tex since I appreciate getting to the point, if you are want to, I am willing to try and see where a relationship might go." Weiss said, looking pointedly at the Texan.

Tex, for his part, was stunned. Not because of the fact he had feelings for Weiss, he had accepted that already, and it wasn't at her accurate summation of his character. No, it was that she was willing to give him a chance. Him out of all people! A man without a fortune behind him or a cultured background to call his own. He of could of course see only one response and so he gave it. "You bet yer ass I'm willing to try Weiss."

Jarek had located Blake in the library, practically Blake's third home, the first being RWBY's dorm and the second being GREY's dorm. He found her in a small alcove near the back, having sequestered herself to attempt to read the newest book in her Ninjas of Love series; Ronin and Redheads.

"Hey, Blake. Sorry that I had to leave on short notice earlier today without telling you…" He trailed off, not sure what to say. Blake, for her part, acted at first as if she hadn't heard him before sighing and putting her bookmark in place before closing her book.

"You had me worried, Jarek. You disappeared for hours, then all I hear is that the Oum came into dock with dozens of wounded Faunus who had been saved by team GRY and some stranger. I didn't know if you were hurt or not, all I heard was one of team GRY went to the infirmary as well, I spent the next half an hour trying to make sure it wasn't you in there. Then I go to find Yang and she hasn't seen any of you. I go to Goodwitch and she says she saw you but not where you went and then-" Blake ranted, having risen to her feet and invaded Jarek's personal space, practically shouting before Jarek cut her off with a kiss, his arms coming around her. Finally breaking the kiss after a good forty-five seconds, he gazed into her amber orbs.

"I'm sorry I worried you Blake, I never meant to scare you but I promised you once and I will repeat it every day I see your face, I am not going to die until you say so, not a day before, I promise." He said, resting his forehead against hers.

Blake's cat ears, freed from her bow, drooped slightly as her eyes welled with tears, pulling him tight against her in a hug. They stood there a few minutes, Jarek and Blake just holding one another, reassuring themselves the other was there.

"Alright, now that we have taken care of that, give me a minute, and I will tell you everything that has happened…" Jarek began.

Ethan had made his way back to Beacon's garage, looking to check on his jeep when he spotted a familiar mass of blond hair. Smiling, he made his way over to Yang as she worked on her bike, singing softly to herself as she worked. "-standing too close to a flame that's burning...I burn! Can't hold me now…" she kept singing as Ethan stopped beside her. Ethan cleared his throat before speaking. "You might want to use a different tool for that." He said.

Yang started, banging her head against the side of Bumblebee, swearing softly as she turned to look at him. "For Oum's sake Ethan, don't sneak up on me like that!" she said as she stood up.

Ethan grinned before responding. "Sorry about that. Should have given you a better warning. But I have a few confessions to make to you." He started.

Yang cocked her head as she wiped some grease from her hands. "Confessions? What d'ya mean?" She asked him, leaning against her bike.

Ethan continued. "Remember the bloke that you dragged race with two days ago? Where he stopped and gunned down a bunch of those strange looking thugs that were harassing a Faunus family?"

Yang began to nod then froze. "Wait. How do you know about that?" She said, looking at him with narrowed eyes.

Ethan froze in tension, about to forcefully reveal a truth, to potentially alienate Yang "...That was me…" was all he could say.

Yang twitched then leaned in to look at him. "Really? That explains the race but what about those thugs, sure they were scum for messing with those Faunus but wasn't lethal force a bit much?" She asked.

"Did you hear of the Faunus in the med bay?"

"Yeah. Terrible what happened to them, why?" Yang asked.

"A similar fate would have awaited that family had I not stopped them. What I've done may have looked a little excessive, but the Nazis are well known in my world for excessive cruelty."

Yang looked horrified as she contemplated what he said. "Even the kids?" Ethan gently nodded. "Those monsters, I take it back, you didn't make them suffer enough." Yang said, a look of anger in her eyes. Then she frowned at Ethan. "However, you did do something unforgivable Ethan."

Ethan flinched slightly under Yang's glare before sheepishly rubbing the back of his head. "Throwing the knife into the side of your bike?" He guessed.

Yang nodded her head. "Bingo buddy. I am not an evil woman though, I figure you fixing my bike, free of charge, for the next six months, is proper compensation for both the damage and the emotional trauma." Yang said, smirking at the end.

"Fair enough. I should have seen this coming faster than the bloody Spanish Armada. I'll even compensate you for what it cost to have that fixed."

Yang smiled and slung an arm around Ethan's shoulders. "You've got yourself a deal." She said.

Later that night, when everyone else was asleep, Ethan was not, even though he was a little tired something really was bothering him. Now that he was out of the shadows, Ethan could now do something that he really wanted to do since he came into this world. On his body armor, exposed by combat against the Fourth Reich, and his jacket, Ethan had sewn on two Union Jack patches that were hiding in his breast pocket. On directly on the armor, and the other on the shoulder patch. The war against the Fourth Reich is going to begin and Ethan wanted to let the Nazis know who they were fighting against. While he finished with the last thread, the Centurion began to wonder how many lives are going to be lost in this fight. How much destruction will occur? But no matter what happens, even if the whole of the world is destroyed, the Nazis must be defeated and for good, or at the very least contained and prevented from going into the world he left behind. If they fail and the Fourth Reich takes over Remnant, then the world will be in for a terrible revenge. A moment after remembering this, Ethan assured himself that the Nazis have been defeated before, and they will be again. Once he finished, he went back to his bunk to sleep. A new life awaited for him when the sun rose again.