"You did what?!" Ozpin all but shouted, his mug almost falling out of his hand. He looked at me like I had just said the craziest thing he'd ever heard. "What could have possibly compelled you to do such a thing?"

I scratched the back of my neck awkwardly. "At the time it seemed like a good idea," I replied. I quickly tried to regain my posture. Standing at attention, I added. "Think about it, Ozpin. We have the upper hand at this moment. We know about the virus, and we know that it is in control of everything and can monitor everything. Our enemy can monitor everything."

Ozpin pinched the bridge of his nose. "And why did you think it was a good idea to have an enemy of ours work at your bar? Not to mention all three will be there at a certain time. Do you honestly think you'll be able to keep up your façade long enough? Do you think you can talk your way out of every situation? What if you slip up? Say something suspicious. Then our enemy will have their eyes set on you as well." He placed his mug on his desk. "And we'll have lost our advantage in this war."

"It's not a war yet." I countered. "Listen to me, Ozpin. Now that we've got one of them under our watch, we can plan our next move more freely. There are still three of them left. One of them we can persuade, the other two… I'm not so sure. One of them is almost never around, and the other is… well, she's too dangerous to be around." I held my chin in thought, tapping my foot while trying to come up with a plan.

"I suggest dropping this idea," Ozpin said. "It's too dangerous."

"And what good would that do? I basically told them they were allowed to have their 'club meetings' in the bar. Of course I will be around to keep an eye on them. My uncle doesn't know enough about them to know what they might be planning. If I were to just decline their offer all of a sudden, wouldn't that raise even more suspicion?" I asked.

Ozpin sighed audibly, taking a big sip from his mug. "This is why you always talk things through with me! We have these scrolls for a reason!" he scolded.

"Yeah, and these scrolls are connected to the CCT!" I argued back. "Meaning they are all infected. We would need a scroll not connected to the CCT to be able to communicate without any risk. This is why we use code-names and messages. The message you sent me during the dance was a risky move, Ozpin." I shook my head. "I know what the virus is capable of. I also know that the scroll Ironwood used in one of the episodes was not affected by the virus… until he connected it to your desk to show a hologram. A chess piece appeared on his scroll, indicating the virus had successfully infiltrated it."

"So we cannot even use our own communication anymore? Even that is monitored?" Ozpin asked, looking surprised.

I nodded. "Everything has been compromised. The only thing we can do now, until we get our hands on new equipment—which you will take care of, sir—is to be discreet in our messages." I walked towards his desk, picked up his mug and took a sip. "Black coffee, I like your style."

"Thank you." Ozpin grabbed the mug out of my hand, wiping the part I sipped at clean with a paper towel. "Now, you mentioned I had to get us new equipment? As in I have to convince General Ironwood to hand over Atlas technology to me for nothing in return?"

I shrugged. "Wait… you haven't told Ironwood about the situation yet, have you?"

Ozpin shook his head. "And for good reasons. The General can get quite… persistent when it comes to the security of the people. If I were to tell him about you, about what you really are, then I fear he would be less patient and hospitable as I have been."

I hummed in understanding, taking this new information into consideration. An idea suddenly popped up in my head after a minute of brainstorming.

"I got it!" I exclaimed, shaking Ozpin out of his own thoughts.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Well," I began, "ask him for a scroll and tell him, no admit to him that the technology you are using is crap. Admitting that Atlas tech is highly superior is going to put him on a pedestal which he simply cannot resist. I don't like this idea either, but it's our best shot at secure communication."

Ozpin held his chin in thought. "Knowing James… that might work. I don't like the idea, though. It might raise suspicions."

"I'd rather have the General suspicious of me, than our enemy. This is the best I can come up with," I replied, slumping my shoulders. "I just… I don't want to see anyone getting hurt. I know it might sound weird to you, but I'm actually starting to like everyone I meet more and more as time passes by." I clenched my fist when a dreaded memory crossed my mind. "And knowing how it will all end, I… I cannot allow it. I won't allow it. She must be stopped at any cost." I looked at Ozpin, smiling slightly. "And I know we can do it. I know I can put an end to all of this if I only plan out my moves more carefully."

Ozpin smiled slightly as well, nodding his head. "It is as I said before: you are a young man, full of energy and ready to take on the world. The responsibility you have weighing down on your shoulders is heavy. Even the most battle-hardened Hunters and Huntresses wouldn't be able to carry this much responsibility. Should you fail," His face suddenly grew dark and the room became darker when the sun was blocked off by a huge cloud, "then hundreds, if not thousands of innocent people will lose their lives. Just as they did on your planet, during the reign of that dictator you mentioned."

I sighed, knowing exactly what he was going on about. "I know that it's going to be difficult to keep up my act as the 'bartender'. But I know that I can do it. People's lives depend on it. My friend's lives depend on it."

"It is good to see you view my students as friends," Ozpin said in a calm and soothing voice. "They see you as a person who they can trust. I know more things and hear more things than anyone else in this school. You have helped a lot of students with their problems. The same goes for your uncle. You two bring something into our school we haven't experienced in a long, long time."

I raised my eyebrow in curiosity. "And what would that be, sir?" I asked.

"Peace," Ozpin replied. Placing his hands behind his back; he continued. "Your bar brings peace into everyone's mind. They have a place to relax. A place where teachers aren't keeping a constant watch on them. A place where they can be themselves."

Hm, I liked the sound of that. It would seem like I have some influence on the students in this academy. I should probably mention this to Freddy. He'd probably like to hear we're still doing our job right.

"Always a pleasure to help those who need it, sir," I replied, bowing respectfully to the man who had indeed—as he had mentioned before—given me shelter and a stable job. "I can assure you I will do anything in my power to help the people of Remnant and stop our enemy from causing anymore harm."

"And to what extent would you go to ensure their safety?" Ozpin asked.

I looked at him, confusion written over my face. "I don't follow, sir," I replied honestly.

"I have given you the commendations of a Huntsman. You have the right mentality. However… how far are you willing to go? Would you lay down your life for the greater good?' Ozpin asked, his hands still firmly placed behind his back.

"I-I… Sir, you're asking the impossible," I hesitantly replied. "I said I don't want anyone to die, and that includes me as well. I don't want to be in mortal danger." Thoughts of Freddy's state when he came back from Vale crossed my mind. "I don't want to experience any of that. So I do not know to what extend I might take this."

"I see." Ozpin hummed. "So you would not go to any limits to ensure the safety of others, then?" he asked.

"Sir," I replied, taking a step forward. "I will do my best to keep violence to a minimum. I don't like to fight. Matter of fact, I hate it. Talking things out is always the better option. Now I know that there is no negotiating with the enemy. But all we can do is stay in the dark and thwart their plans like that. We're already taking great risks as it is at the moment. I don't like some of my own ideas, but it's all we got."

Ozpin sat down behind his desk. He began typing down and a hologram of the Atlesian fleet came into view. "This," he said, motioning to the airships. "Is what the General has brought with him. Is this enough to stop our enemy?"

I shook my head. "Not with the virus still active. We have to find out how it works, who created it, and how to stop it," I replied. I walked around the hologram, taking it in. This was something straight out of science fiction! I looked at Ozpin and continued. "All we can do now is wait. We have to keep our eyes and ears open to any changes. When the time comes we'll strike. But only when the time is right."

"And when will it be the right time to strike, if I may ask?" Ozpin asked.

"During the Vytal Festival. That's when shit hits the fan and splatters all over the place. I'll fill you in on the details after I know of more events that have transpired. I still have that Butterfly effect in the back of my head," I replied, sighing slightly. "I wish I could tell you more, but I don't know if I should…"

Ozpin shrugged slightly. "I trust your instincts. If anything we need to trust one another. You can tell me anything you'd like. I will keep this between us. No one else will know of this conversation. I can assure you that."

I thought over it for a moment. Then an idea suddenly popped up. This was a question a lot of people speculated about.

"Sir, if I may ask," I started, catching Ozpin's attention. "I will tell you what I know—and I mean all I know if you answer a few questions honestly."

"If this is about Summer, then-."

"Not about her," I cut him off. "I will get my answer somehow. You know I will." I chuckled mentally when Ozpin literally started nodding in agreement. I took a deep breath and asked the question that had been going through my mind for a long time.

"Are you the wizard that granted the Seasonal Maidens their powers?"

Ozpin's eyes widened a bit, but his gaze softened after the question settled in.

"You might want to take a seat for this. It's a long story with lots of people worth mentioning."

Freddy happily shared another laugh with his new friend. She was wearing a student uniform—different than the one students wear in Beacon. He poured her another drink—an alcoholic drink. He wasn't used to serving those often since most of the students in the school were under-aged. But she was of the right age. He could tell by the way she looked and the tone of her voice.

"Ms. Fall, you are one of a kind. So many interesting stories. I'm beginning to feel a little rivalry," Freddy commented, smiling at her. "I've been in quite some interesting situations myself. There was this one time I met this handsome guy on the street and we—oh, never mind that was not what happened. I think I met him at our old bar or something. Well… I don't remember what happened, only how it ended."

"And how did it end?" Ms. Fall asked, leaning her head on the palm of her hand.

"In bed." Freddy grinned, making her laugh a bit.

"My, my," Ms. Fall commented, taking a sip from her glass. "I could learn a thing or two from you."

Freddy laughed. He felt a vibration in his pocket. Taking out his scroll, he looked at it. Huh, a text message from Ramses. What could it be about? He opened it and read it.

"Yo, yo, gaybo; I got some good news. So I did some talking and, well, we've got a new member to add to our crew. I'll fill you later. I'll be at the bar in ten minutes."

Ya boy,

Jeff.

Freddy rolled his eyes and placed his scroll back to where it belonged. He watched as the woman in front of him took another sip from her drink and hummed in delight.

"This is very good," she said, inspecting the glass carefully. "I usually don't drink a lot of cocktails. Too sweet for my taste. But I like this one." She took another sip. "Yes. Very good."

"Oh, stop it you." Freddy laughed, waving his hand in front him in a dismissive manner. "I'm just an old bartender that hasn't forgotten all of his tricks. I mean just look at me! I'm bald for crying out loud."

Cinder nodded. "I can see that. You don't look that old, though." She shifted a bit in her seat. "So, tell me, is it just you and your nephew working here?"

Freddy shrugged. "Well I just got a message from him telling me we have a new member to add to our team. So technically there is three of us," he replied. He turned around and took a bottle of Atlesian Single Malt whiskey out of the shelf and poured it in a wide whiskey glass. Smelling it, he took a small sip. "Not too bad." He said, placing the glass on the counter.

"I didn't know you were allowed to drink while working." Ms. Fall commented.

"I'm not really drinking, just tasting. As a bartender you have to know what products you're selling. You can't tell someone 'I don't know' when they ask how certain drinks taste like," Freddy replied, crossing his arms. "By the way, how did your trip go? Did everything go well? I remember you mentioning people were not following your orders?"

Ms. Fall let the question settle in for a moment, until she realized what Freddy was talking about. "Ah, that," she said, chuckling slightly. "I took care of it. They'll be listening to my orders more carefully now."

"You showed them whose boss, I guess?" Freddy joked, laughing when Ms. Fall gave him an innocent look.

Ms. Fall took out her purse, but was surprised when Freddy placed his hand over it. She looked at him. "No?" she asked.

"You're a friend of mine. No need to pay on your first day in here. You helped me out back when I was lost. This is the least I can do to pay you back for your help," Freddy replied.

Ms. Fall stared at him for a brief moment. Nodding, she placed her purse back where she took it from. "That's nice of you. I think I'll be helping you out more often if that means getting more of these." She held up her glass.

"Perhaps," Freddy replied. "It's nice to have an adult to talk to. Someone who isn't as strict as Goodwitch, or quiet as Ozpin."

That seemed to get Ms. Fall's attention, as she leaning in slightly before asking. "You know Ozpin? The professor Ozpin? Headmaster of Beacon and renowned Huntsman?"

Freddy nodded. "Why yes I do," he replied, puffing his chest proudly. "He's the one who gave me this job after me and my nephew arrived into Vale."

"And where did you say you were from?" Ms. Fall asked.

"Haven," Freddy replied. "Why?"

"Oh," Ms. Fall replied, smirking slightly. "Just curious."

And so the hours the two had left until the sun finally set reached their end. Ms. Fall paid Freddy the amount of lien she owed him, said her goodbye, and took her leave. She took out her scroll and dialed a number.

"I've got a mission for you. I'll fill you in shortly. Meet me in our dorm."