The next morning, everyone in the entire Cotta-Arc household huddled together in the living room sucking in long breaths at the news flashing on the wide-screen television bolted to the wall. Flipping from channel to channel revealed reworded headlines of the same thing happening.

Atlesian troops, Mistralian knights, and Sanussian guardsmen were converging on Argus as fast they could. Private military contractors hired, trained, and equipped by the SDC were reported to be allegedly 'racing' against the Atlesian fleet across the northern sea. And 'anonymous sources' leaked details of White Fang agents and malignant groups like the Branwen Tribe attempting to infiltrate the walled city. All to get to the Empress of Sanus.

Ruby did not like the way one political analyst worded the situation.

"...at this rate, it can be said that whoever has the Empress has the power to dictate the outcome of this crisis."

Heads turned to the young sovereign sitting on the couch, sandwiched between Jaune and Pyrrha, with her fists clenched over her lap. The latter wordlessly switched to another news station.

"...only a matter of time before either Republican, Royal, or Imperial forces arrive..."

Switch.

"...looking at a potential stand-off that could devolve into a three-way armed engagement..."

Switch.

"...garrison is on high-alert..."

Switch.

"...address to the Senate, His Excellency Protectis Dominus Ozma—"

"Don't switch!" Ruby barked, grabbing the remote from Pyrrha and amping up the volume.

"—has ordered the E.T.S.I. to suspend any and all preparations for offensive military action against Mistral."

"Well, this is something," Maria noted.

"As we have all just witnessed in a public announcement thirty minutes ago, Magister Militum Hazel Rainart announced that he had immediately enacted His Excellency's orders to halt all military preparations being made across the Empire, effectively putting Sanus's mobilization on hold."

"Holy shit, it worked," Nora breathed.

"While it is too early to say for sure what is transpiring within the E.T.S.I., it is clear that many Imperial commanders are compliant to the order to stand down."

"Quel soulagement," Jaune whistled in relief.

"As for Her Majesty Imperatrix Ruby Rose, it is unknown as of this time where her exact location is despite reports by various international CCT operators and official signal trackers that her announcement was broadcast from within the city of Argus, an autonomous Atlesian colony in Northern Anima. This is Cyril Ian, VNN. Back to you, Lisa."

"This is a good thing, right?" Saphron chirped. "Sanus is winding down so Mistral is going to wind down. Everything will be back to normal. Right?"

"Your gambit worked, Ruby!" cheered Pyrrha.

"I couldn't feel anymore relieved," Terra added with a smile while she cradled their toddler son Adrian who had been recently affixed to something he saw on the stairs.

Jaune turned to Ruby, beaming confidence despite the insecurity on her face. "Hey. Things are looking up. So how about turning that frown upside down, eh?"

The Empress did, giving him a short if not minute upward curl of her lips.

"Woohoo! Score one for Her Majesty and her awesome bodyguards team JNPR!" Nora cheered.

"Now, now, everyone. Let's not celebrate too early," cautioned Ren.

Thud, thud. Clunk.

"He has the right idea," a new voice quipped.

The Empress shot up from the couch as team JNPR scrambled to deploy their weapons and protect their charge from the intruder descending the staircase. In that time, Maria quickly huddled Saphron, Terra, and Adrian to the kitchen.

Ruby tilted her head. "... Qrow?"

With his hands raised, the Guardsman Praefect stepped down into the living room, his bulky Imperial armor—chiseled cuirass, tassels, and all—complimenting his imposing frame. His iconic feathered helmet hung off a loop on his belt, partially concealed by the purple cloak mantled off his shoulders. Though he came off as unarmed, Ruby knew that her unkempt, unruly, and unshaven uncle kept his signature weapon sheathed and folded behind his waist, a hair's breadth away from being drawn with his unrivaled speed.

"Ave Imperatrix," he greeted slowly.

Team JNPR were startled when the young sovereign launched herself against him, wrapping her arms around his waist and sniffling against his cuirass, mewling out his name and how grateful she was that he was here.

"It's alright, Your Majesty," Qrow reciprocated warmly, tapping her on the shoulder and easing her off of him. "I'm here. Which also means that I beat Jimmy. Hah, take that, you damn rust-bucket."

"Not everything's a competition," Ruby chuckled between her tears.

"I take it this is Praefect Branwen," Maria slowly intoned.

Ruby answered quickly. "Yes, he is. At ease, everyone. Please. That means you too, Qrow."

"You sure about that?" her uncle retorted.

"Pax!" Miss Calavera declared, holding up a raised palm. "Salve, Praefectus. Sum Domina Maria Calavera. And you are in a civilian household, under the ownership of our host Domina Saphron Cotta-Arc.

Said woman hesitantly waved her hand in greeting behind the bannister that separated the living room from the kitchen where her wife cradled their toddler son.

"Domina Calavera?" Qrow worded sharply.

"Everyone, please," pleaded the Empress.

Team JNPR hesitantly stood down. Then Nora posited the question, "How did you get in here?"

"I have my ways," the Praefect replied tersely. "So the reports are true. Fugitive Huntsman team from Haven keeping Her Majesty in check."

"We're not criminals," Jaune protested.

"I didn't say you were, kid. Guess the extra whiskers on you are keeping you from being recognized by the public else you would've been gobbled up by the wolves."

"Yeah, well there aren't any barbers out in the wilds, Mon Préfet. Not like we can trim ourselves, y'know, when we're being constantly chased by soldiers and assassins and Grimm and gods know what else!"

Qrow snickered. "I like your spunk, kid."

"Qrow, Jaune," Ruby barked before turning to her uncle. "I take it the Imperial Guard have arrived."

"Not yet." He shrugged at the stunned looks he received. "They're catching up."

"Where?" she demanded.

"On the way."

"Praefectus."

"They'll get here, Your Majesty. Trust me. Trust your men."

Ruby bit her lip and looked away. Of course, her uncle had to use that card. Trust. Trust had mauled three cohorts of her best men. Yet trust seemed to be the only option she had right now.

"When can we expect their arrival, Praefectus?" Maria inquired.

"Hopefully before Jimmy or Arc Senior do," Qrow replied with a wave. He began walking around, grunting and humming at the furniture, the books on the shelf, and the pictures on the mantel. "Not too bad a place you got here. You Arcs really do like to keep things tidy, huh."

"Excuse me, Mon Préfet," Jaune interjected. "But should we be familiar with you?"

"Hmm?" The Guardsman Praefect eyed the Arc siblings before chuckling to himself. "Not until today. Only knew your dad back when I was still doing my time in the Legion. Wonder what he's like nowadays. Or if he's still the same stickler he was before."

"Praefectus," Ruby interjected before the unsubtly mildly insulted Arc siblings could mutter some kind of retort about their father. "If all of my guardsmen are out there on the march, who are you with then?"

"Just me, Your Majesty."

"Are you serious?" Nora puffed. "By yourself? Aren't you supposed to be leading Her Majesty's elite guards? If you're here, then who's—"

"I have capable subordinates, Ginger," Qrow countered. "Now quit making my job harder. We got less than twelve hours to go."

"Twelve hours before what, Praefectus?" Maria inquired.

"Before Jimmy or Arc Senior shows up." He gestured to Jaune and Pyrrha. "You two have shields so you're with me. Ginger and Pinkie over there are rear guard. Everyone else hide somewhere away from any windows or doors. Pull the blinders and curtains too. We're holding down the fort until our boys arrive."

Jaune raised his hand. "Um, excuse me, Mon Préfet? But how sure are you that, um, your forces will arrive here sooner than the others?"

"I know what you're thinking, Junior. Mistral's got the fastest horses and all that jazz."

"It's true," Pyrrha added. "Not that I'm diminishing Sanussian horsemanship but—"

"They won't make it here in time," deadpanned Qrow. "That's why we're holding down the fort until our forces get here."

"But the Atlesians and the Royal Knights will be here by then," remarked Nora. "Good chance they'll block your troops!"

"I know. Hence we lock everything down. No one goes in or out. Not even Jimmy."

"Aren't you considered a part of a visiting foreign dignitary?" Ren reasoned. "Neither Mistral nor Atlas could have the right to hinder your forces if you're attached to a diplomat."

"Yeah, that'd be pretty fine if said diplomat isn't currently flagged as 'missing' and the existing laws dealing with that jazz often muddied or downright ignored because honestly Mistral doesn't give a fuck if they can get away with giving us a bloody nose," the Guardsman Praefect retorted.

He began peeking through the blinders and peering through the peep hole on the door. "Jimmy shows up to 'rescue' Her Majesty? Well, with respect to Sanussian custom and tradition, Her Majesty will need her Imperial Guardsmen with her. That includes me and the cohorts that are on their way as we speak. With the world watching closely, I doubt Jimmy'd risk his polished britches to get tainted by keeping our troops out of this."

"Weiss will be coming as well," Ruby threw in. "We will depart on SDC transports with some of Marshal Ironwood's escorts."

The Praefect sniggered at that. "As much as I appreciate that plan, Your Majesty, don't discount what I've been doing to get us out of here."

The Empress narrowed her gaze at him, expressing her curiosity with everyone else in the room.

"I know you've been coming up with Plan A and Plan B to deal with this. Well, I've got a Plan C and even a Plan D in the works."

"Qrow, you were my Plan B."

"Figured as much. You think like your dad when it comes to this stuff."

Ruby frowned. She was not in the mood for any stray mentions of her deceased parents. "What's your Plan C then?"

"We wait for the rest of the Guard to show up."

She resisted the urge to groan into her palm. "And Plan D?"

"Still working on it."

"You don't inspire much confidence, if you don't mind me saying, Praefectus," Maria chided.

Qrow regarded her inquisitively, remaining silent for a moment before shrugging to himself. "I get that a lot, Domina Calavera."

As the day wore on, Ruby and her companions were beginning to see Argus preparing for the worst. The city garrison was already on high alert with squadrons of military police moving back and forth across the streets, reminding citizens to remain indoors while being more observant than usual. Thankfully, no one had knocked on the front door...yet.

But just in case, Qrow had all the doors locked, the windows shuttered, and some of the furniture moved around to block any possible points of entry. Saphron and Terra luckily had thankfully covered for their absences from their day jobs as well as Adrian's absence from the daycare center. The Guardsman Praefect, on the other hand, remained radio silent to avoid screwing up whatever his 'Plan C' was. Team JNPR basically shut off their scrolls.

That left Ruby sitting in the middle of the living room twiddling her thumbs in anxious anticipation.

"Hey, uh, Ruby?" Jaune asked, sitting down next to her. "Mind if I ask you something?"

She nodded.

"I hope I'm not pushing too much but I was just curious. Um, I was wondering why you'd choose the SDC over the Atlas Military."

Ruby sighed. "Just because I'm favoring Weiss doesn't mean I reject Marshal Ironwood. Weiss is the face of the SDC as much as her father is. Her company may be based in Atlas but it's foundation relies on deals with the other nations on Remnant. Sanus, Mistral, Menagerie, even the independent principalities and city-states. Atlas isn't just their biggest customer, you know."

"Leaving on an SDC vessel would deny Sanus a debt to Atlas," Maria added, plopping down on the empty chair across from them with a book from one of the shelves. "Sure, that'd mean Sanus would owe the SDC but at least the SDC could be muscled around with. Isn't that right, Your Majesty?"

She nodded again.

The old lady continued. "Unlike Atlas, Her Majesty is a very good friend to Lady Weiss Schnee herself. And with Lady Schnee poised to take over the company after Jack Frost checks out, well, you can guess how Sanus isn't going to owe the SDC anymore than it should. Besides, this whole shebang of directly transporting Her Majesty is going to be one big shot in the arm for that old coot."

"Old coot?'" Jaune worded. "You mean that Jack Frost guy?"

"Jacques Schnee," Ruby clarified. "Weiss's father and chairman of the SDC. 'Jack Frost' is just one of his most hated nicknames but he just swallows it up because it's good for the company PR. 'Jack Frost,' 'Frosty The Snowman,' 'Old Zero,' you get the drift."

"Do you think Lady Schnee's ships can get here before the Marshal's fleet would?"

Before Ruby could answer, Qrow swaggered into the living room, a bottle of wine pilfered from the fridge. "I bet she's on afterburner trying to beat Jimmy's big, shiny, 'state-of-the-art' battleship. If you ask me, all their ships are made from the same factories and designed by the same guys. Whichever of them gets here first shows who paid their shipbuilders more."

The Empress scowled. "And what about my men? For all we know, they could be basically racing with the Mistralians."

Her Praefect gave a dismissive wave. "Don't worry about them. Have some trust for the boys, Your Majesty. They know what they're doing."

Right. Trust. There again was that word that made it hard for Ruby to focus.

On the other hand, Miss Calavera let out a loud chuckle. "With you at the helm, Praefectus? I find it hard to believe that."

"I'm not that drunk to be that inept, Domina Calavera," Qrow shot back.

"Not drunk enough. I wonder how many you bottles you've had since you got here."

"Eh, don't worry. There's still a lot more in the fridge for you."

The old lady shook her head. "I swear, people like you confuse me at times."

"And I swear I know you from somewhere. But I digress. Probably the sauce making me remember things I shouldn't."

Another chuckle. "Probably the sauce."

"You know me too well then."

Maria shut her book. "His Excellency Protectis Dominus Ozma appoints a notorious drunk as the newest Guardsman Praefect. How can that not make headlines?"

Qrow took a long swig before placing the bottle on an end table. "True. Then again, the name Maria Calavera is a little too convenient for a Sanussian citizen. Almost...storybook. Like from an epic inspired by real events or a...historical drama based on a real person."

The old lady shrugged. "Can't fault my parents for the cognomen."

The Praefect smirked knowingly. "A notable cognomen, Domina Calavera."

"I'm going to have to interrupt before this spat gets out of hand," Ruby interjected sternly. "Qrow, have you even made my men aware of my location?"

"They know where you are. Where we are right now." He turned to face her, an expression of sincerity that made her heart still. "And despite what happened at Shion, how many we've lost, how much we've bled, know that we are still willing to bleed for you at any cost."

Her lips quivered and she tried to push back tears only to feel her uncle's hand rest on her shoulder.

"Ruby, we took an oath to protect you with our lives. And we will do that. We are Guardsmen and it is our duty to die protecting you. And as long as I'm in command of the Custodibus Imperatoria, we will stand to the last man so you can continue leading those who'll follow after us."

The young sovereign made to argue but was shushed by Qrow rubbing a stray tear off her cheek.

"A lot of us remember what happened to your father," he continued somberly. "A lot of us never wanted that to happen. A lot of us are ashamed of it. But that makes us even more determined to clean up our act and do our job as protectors. Not backstabbing assassins."

The Empress bit her lip before smiling. "Yeah. I hear you, Qrow."

On the other hand, Jaune raised his brow at the mention of 'backstabbing assassins.' As did the rest of his teammates who had been eavesdropping from the top of the staircase with Pyrrha in particular noting the look on Miss Calavera's face as though the old lady knew far more than she cared to admit about that particular chapter in Sanussian history.

Qrow's estimate was not far off. Ten hours later, a good thirty minutes after the sun had set and long after the neighbors began suspecting that something fishy was going on at the Cotta-Arc tenement, the entire walled city of Argus had fallen into a state of lockdown.

Two flotillas had docked in the gulf; one grand, the other dazzling. Marshal James Ironwood disembarked from his flagship, a mammoth of a vessel argued to be the most advanced battleship on Remnant with its highly-advanced propulsion engines and precision-based weapons systems. His escort ships were not to be outdone as well; each had been outfitted with guns that were designed to compete with the hard-hitting heavy cannons mounted on Imperial and Mistralian destroyers.

The other contingent of airships were painted in drab grey or lined with snowy white, each branded with the iconic snowflake stamped with the letters F.S.S. While not built for military service like their Atlesian counterparts, they were modified to be both fast and defensible with some of their armaments reverse-engineered by private contractors. And it were these private contractors who accompanied Lady Weiss Schnee onto the landing pads where she coldly exchanged nods with Marshal Ironwood and his retinue.

From the safety and comfort of the Cotta-Arc living room, Ruby and her party watched with baited breath as camera crews and mobile devices captured Lady Schnee and Marshal Ironwood subtly muscling against each other in the streets towards their street.

Qrow remarked cheekily that someone else was missing from the whole picture and it was not Commandant Foudre Arc of the Mistralian Royal Knights. Rather, as Ruby clarified, it was Captain Winter Schnee, one of Marshal Ironwood's adjutants and the older sister of Lady Weiss. The Empress knew only the older sibling formally and wished only for her uncle to cease constantly antagonizing her every chance he could get.

"Ice Queen's probably got her hands full cleaning house back in Atlas," the Guardsman Praefect mused. "Something about some ragtag renegades riling up the disenfranchised masses."

"Perhaps it's a good thing Winter stayed behind," Ruby sighed. "At least you wouldn't start a fight with her out of habit."

"Bad history?" Ren inquired.

Qrow shrugged dismissively. "Winter's fun to tease is all."

"Whoa," Nora whistled. "Check it. Got more troops pulling up down the road."

The fact that squadrons from the city garrison had begun cordoning off the neighborhood and securing the perimeter around Saphron's apartment pretty much did away what little secrecy protected the displaced Empress of Sanus. Come the first hour of the evening, spotlights were on the Cotta-Arc tenement, literally and figuratively. Between the window blinds, the Praefect could pick out the shapes of snipers on the roofs and upper windows of the other apartments.

"What's happening outside?" asked Ruby.

Qrow motioned for his liege to stay back. "I see Jimmy. I see Ice Princess. They don't seem to be getting along. Huh, no sign of... No, wait. Yeah, I see him too. Showed up right on time."

"Who else is out there?"

He glanced at the Arc siblings idling by the living room, offering them a wry smirk. "Arc Senior's just arrived. And he looks pissed. Man, never thought I'd seen a more sour grape than that guy, huh."

Jaune gulped while Saphron dropped her head into her hands.

"What about my men?" the Empress prodded.

"Haven't gotten here yet."

"Can you contact them?" Pyrrha asked.

"I'm keeping radio silent until my men contact me."

Footsteps. Silhouettes moving against the curtains.

Qrow stepped back, resting his hand on the pommel of his weapon. Behind him, Team JNPR took their positions around Her Majesty, Miss Calavera, and the Cotta-Arc family.

Knock, knock, knock.

Silence.

Knock, knock, knock, knock.

Silence.

"Frau Saphron Cotta-Arc," an indistinct voice called. "This is Herr Feldwebel Ulrich Vanderpelt of the Argus Garrison. We request that you open the door."

Saphron glanced to Qrow who gestured at her to stay where she was.

"Frau Saphron Cotta-Arc?" Vanderpelt prodded, rasping his knuckles louder against the hardwood door. "Please, open the door. This is a matter of great urgency."

The Guardsman Praefect then began undoing the barricade of furniture clogging the antechamber. The noise of toppling chairs alerted the sergeant outside and he began shouting orders in full Atlesian to his subordinates.

By the time the knob on the door began to turn, Qrow positioned himself to completely block the doorway, standing in his full armored glory, feathered helmet sitting on his head, hand on the pommel, Imperial purple cloak drooping over half of his frame. Before the person on the other side could fully twist the handle, he opened the door and faced the glaring lights with his characteristic glower.

Sergeant Major Vanderpelt retreated off the porch while half the troops crowding the street automatically pointed their guns at him. And Marshal James Ironwood, Lady Weiss Schnee, and Commandant Foudre Arc automatically barked orders at their respective forces to stand down.

"Marshal Ironwood," Qrow began loudly. "It's been awhile."

"Likewise, Praefect Branwen," James responded formally. He remained the epitome of rigid Atlesian steadfastness with neither an errant tilt on his service cap nor a crease in his white military overcoat. "A surprise to see you here."

"Wish I could say the same for you but, well, it's hard not to miss your massive bloated whale of a ship beached into the gulf. Leave some room for the other ships, eh?"

It was a good thing the entire neighborhood was cordoned off lest the media turn this into a sensationalist spectacle.

"Praefect Branwen," Weiss started sternly, her short stature offset by her own fur cap and overcoat. "It is good to see you alive and well. Your presence here means that you have secured Her Majesty."

"No shit, darling," Qrow snorted, earning the stink eyes of both the Atlesian troopers and the SDC contractors surrounding them. "Her Majesty is safe and sound and will not step outside unless the rest of the Imperial Guard have arrived in full to resume their duty."

"I do not see them here, Mon Préfet," snarled an unsmiling Commandant Arc. He marched up to the porch, his form enhanced by the cuirass over his blue coat and the feathered helmet that complimented his yellow epaulettes. "I have not even seen them on the roads. Yet I only see you in your polished steel, standing on the threshold of my own daughter's home. Might I add that I suspect my son and his team of renegade Huntsmen are sheltering somewhere behind you?"

Qrow's smile went wide. "You're not wrong, I'll give you that."

"Qrow," James said diplomatically. "Let's not make this a public spectacle. Please escort Her Imperial Majesty outside so we may accompany her on her return to Sanus."

"Not gonna happen, Jimmy."

To the surprise of almost everyone watching from inside the Cotta-Arc tenement, Marshal Ironwood took the blunt response in stride and merely sighed.

"I knew you would say that."

"Yep. And I know why you're here."

"Her Imperial Majesty summoned me."

"Not just you." Qrow thumbed Lady Schnee and Commandant Arc. "Ice Princess right here wants to see her 'bestie' while Commander Stick-Up-His-Ass over there is pissed that I'm crashing at his little girl's house."

"Not in the mood for jokes, Mon Préfet," hissed Foudre.

"Praefect Branwen, please," Weiss pleaded through gritted teeth. "Allow Her Majesty to accept our escorts so we can get this over with."

"Pardon, Frau Schnee," James countered. "But the armed forces will take charge of those duties. You are free to assist in maintaining order, however—"

"I am not here to help maintain order, Herr Feldmarschall," retorted Weiss. "I am here to escort my friend home."

"And your gesture of friendship is greatly appreciated," the Marshal replied a mite testily. "However, our facilities are fully-equipped to ensure that Her Imperial Majesty remains safe in her journey back to Vale where Atlesian forces, by treaty, will oversee her restoration to the Imperial Throne."

"Our treaty does not extend there, Herr Feldmarschall! If anything, the presence of Atlesian troops in Vale at this tumultuous time will inspire more uncertainty than has already been made manifest."

"You underestimate your own kingdom's armed forces, Frau Schnee. Atlas is welcome in Vale inasmuch Vale is welcome in Atlas."

"I am only stating fact, Herr Feldmarschall. I am sure you are aware that Lord Protector Ozma is currently in Her Imperial Majesty's stead and I do not think he would warmly receive a foreign army entering Vale without prior notice. Now if you will excuse me, I will attend to my friend." With that Weiss walked up to the porch, ignoring the Marshal calling for her, until she was inches from the Guardsman Praefect.

"You think I'd honestly let you pass?" Qrow snickered.

"Praefect Branwen," the heiress growled. "You know me. Let me through."

"You're not my liege so I'm not following your orders."

"But I am," Ruby declared. "And I order you to stand aside so they may enter."

The sound of her voice alone caused a stillness in the air. Qrow made a face of poorly concealed frustration before stiffly standing aside and gesturing at the other three to enter. The three barely crossed antechamber when they were greeted by the Empress of Sanus herself. Her clothes were different, lacking the neat vestige of royalty, but the silver eyes were unmistakeable.

Surrounding her was the renegade team JNPR of Haven Academy, standing at nervous attention with their weapons sheathed and sweat beading down their temples. The hosts of the tenement, along with an unfamiliar old woman, stood to the side.

"Ruby," Weiss breathed, rushing to her friend. "Ruby, thank the gods, you're safe!"

"I missed you too, Weiss," she answered, taking her in an tight embrace.

"Your Imperial Majesty," greeted Marshal Ironwood and Commandant Arc, the latter restraining his emotions at the sight of the others in the living room.

The Empress detached herself from the heiress and gestured at the Haven sophomores. "I'm sure you recognize these fine folk. And I do wish you would forgive them for doing their duties."

"If you don't mind me saying, Your Imperial Majesty," said Foudre. "But their recent actions are hardly considerable of their duties."

"I beg to differ, Commandant," Ruby politely disagreed. "Your son and his teammates have been very hospitable to me. In fact, they were the ones who saved me. They rescued me, protected me, and ensured my safety until our meeting. If such things are not to be counted as the duties of Huntsmen, then I do not know if their contemporaries should be considered such."

"These people saved you?" Weiss remarked incredulously. "They're fugitives!"

"By wrongful accusation," the Empress countered. "I can testify that these four have done the exact opposite of what has been levied against them."

Marshal Ironwood cleared his throat. "Pardon me, Your Imperial Majesty, but—"

"I was in a cage, being treated like an animal by bandits who wanted nothing but to exploit me." Ruby pointed to Jaune. "But this young man here took the initiative to free me when no one else could. He took the initiative by bravely staging an assault on a fortified bandit camp with his comrades. They risked their lives to save me. They were aware of the political situation and acted not on impulse but on strategic reasoning in the hopes that their deeds would lead to a peaceful resolution to this crisis that we now face."

The three were silent. Disbelieving. Yet unable to muster an argument. Because, truth be told, they know nothing of what exactly happened to the young sovereign after the incident at Shion. Had they not been wallowing in their distastefulness, they would have noticed Qrow pulling out his scroll and muting some alerts that popped on the screen.

Ruby furrowed her brow at her uncle who only responded with a knowing smug look.

"Is this..." Weiss stammered, approaching Jaune who tried not to wilt from her withering gaze. "Is this true? Did you...? Did you really...?"

Seeing an even more withering glare from his own father, Jaune blurted out a response. "Oui, ma'amselle!"

"Jaune," echoed Commandant Arc. "What have you done?"

With another heavy gulp and a bit more confidence, he replied, "I did what I had to do, dad."

"You know what you did," seethed Foudre. "You know the laws you've broken. You know the consequences."

"And I stand by him!" Pyrrha declared. "Monsieur Commandant, as your son's partner and loyal friend, I stand by him."

The Commandant blinked in surprise. "Pyrrha? You too?"

"Me three!" Nora hooted.

"I as well," agreed Ren.

The Arc patriarch huffed and turned to his daughter. "And you, Saphron? Do you stand by your brother's...foolishness?"

Saphron slowly nodded as did Terra. "I do, dad. Call him a fool but he saved the Empress. And he's going to do his best to help stop this crisis."

Foudre's anger was now mixed with visible conflict. He shook his head before turning to the one other person in the room he did not recognize. "And you, madame?"

"Maria Calavera," introduced the old lady. "And you can bet I threw in my lot with these jokers the minute I saw them doing the work Huntsmen ought to be doing in this day and age."

"Commandant Arc," Ruby called. "Your son has done right by me. I encourage a thorough review of the charges against him, and if proven guilty, then I encourage a pardon. Not just him or his team but his accomplices as well. Teams ABRN, CFVY, and CRDL."

"Your Imperial Majesty, I cannot—"

The Empress shook her head. "Consider it a request, Commandant. I'm only trying to repay your son's kindness."

Foudre stood speechless.

As were the rest who let the moments tick by quietly.

Until Ruby turned to Qrow, who once again hid away his scroll after muting more alerts, and said, "It seems I've spent enough time here, don't you think?"

"I don't recall anything else on the itinerary, Your Majesty," he replied cheekily.

"If that's the case, then I think it's time for me to return home."

Qrow remained impassively silent even as Marshal Ironwood, Lady Schnee, and Commandant Arc regarded him with their own smugness. "... Very well, Your Majesty."

"I believe there is a ship waiting for me at the docks."

"There is," chorused James and Weiss.

Ruby stifled a chuckle before donning the hooded cloak she had gotten from Higanbana. "I care not for comforts. I only wish to return to Vale before the end of the next day."

"We'll get you home faster than the wind," Weiss boasted.

"Our ships engines have been calibrated to maximum performance, Your Imperial Majesty," interjected James.

"If you don't mind, Your Majesty," coughed Jaune. Despite his anxiety, he managed to deflect the glares aimed his way. "But...may we accompany you as well?"

"Trying to avoid arrest, son?" seethed Foudre.

"No, dad. Just that...we're not done yet with our duty. We're...we're to protect Her Majesty until she's...left Animan soil."

"What kind of—"

The Empress raised her hand. "It's okay, Commandant. I don't mind. I very much enjoy team JNPR's company and I don't see any harm in indulging in their company for a little longer."

"Ruby," Weiss whispered. "Are you...? Why are you...insistent on...?"

"Weiss, they're good people. I'd hate to see them get cuffed when I turn my back."

"They're going to get cuffed the minute you leave the port," Qrow muttered.

Ruby sighed. "I know. But if I can't clear their names, then at least let me delay the inevitable. After what they've done, it's the least I could do."

"Your Imperial Majesty," James announced. "We have procured for you one of the local modes of transport to the harbor."

"Thank you." She then turned to the Cotta-Arcs. "Saphron, I thank you for your hospitality and generous company. Likewise, thank you, Terra for your expertise. And you little Adrian for your cute and bubbly smile. And you as well, Domina Calavera. Thank you for your wisdom."

The old lady gave her a thumbs up, amused that the Marshal, the heiress, and the Commandant were stunned by how casually the Empress addressed these civilians. "You're welcome, Your Majesty. Won't be the last time you'll be hearing of me, though."

With that, the Empress of Sanus stepped outside into the spotlight, once again gracing the watching world with her face. And while she was not with her Guardsmen, she was with her uncle, her friends, and her allies. A Mistralian tram was waiting for her and, with a passing glance over the crowds watching behind a wall of soldiers, she slipped into her seat where she noticed with furrowed brows a familiar-looking tattoo on the neck of the tram driver.

Qrow opted to stand next to her seat with a hand on the rail. He then leaned down and whispered, "Is this your Plan B?"

"I saw your fiddling with your scroll," Ruby whispered back, eyeing James concentratedly thumbing his earpiece while Commandant Arc dismissed one of his subordinates who had run up to him to deliver a sudden report. "No doubt, my men are here. Somewhere."

"Oh, they're here, alright. With some friends, too."

"Give a hint?"

Her Guardsman Praefect only winked at her before straightening back up as Marshal Ironwood, Lady Schnee, and team JNPR took up their seats around the Empress. The tram pilot turned his head to ask for confirmation before receiving a nod from the Marshal to proceed. Ruby noticed how team JNPR stiffened upon catching the Spider tattoo peeking off the man's collar and she wondered if Qrow, Marshal Ironwood or even Weiss were aware of the notorious shadow group.

Perhaps they weren't because they paid no heed.

"We'll be down at the docks shortly, Your Imperial Majesty," assured James.

Still, it felt a like a really long ride.

ORIGINALLY DRAFTED: June 22, 2020

LAST EDITED: August 7, 2020

INITIALLY UPLOADED: August 7, 2020

NOTE: I am my own worst critic and I've been critiquing myself a lot with this chapter. There's a lot of reading I did to get some things right on how things work but that still doesn't mean I'm waterproof with what I got. Still, though I'm not entirely happy with what I came off with in this chapter, I'm satisfied that I'm moving forward with the story.

There's going to be a few moments before departure but from thereon, it's back to Sanus. With what Ruby went through in Mistral, chances are that she's going to come back to Vale with more mettle than she had when she left.

Also, if I missed something like important details and such, do let me know.