Blink and you'll miss it

Vol. 7 Chapter 1: A warm welcome

Atlas Air Traffic Female: "Manta 5-1. Welcome home. Please continue your approach to Atlas docking bay Omega-12. A security team will meet you there. Over."

(Y/n)'s eyes narrow slightly as he takes in the formation and number of ships in the air. His grip instinctively tightens on Blush as he relives the memories he has associated to Atlas.

Ruby: "I don't understand. What's happening here?"

Qrow: "I don't know."

Jaune: "But we are here. We got the lamp to Atlas, so I guess we land and get some answers."

Weiss: "I'm not so sure..."

Everyone looks at Weiss who's looking out over the ships attentively.

Weiss: "I've never seen our forces deployed so aggressively before. If we land in a stolen ship, there's no way the security team will let us anywhere near Ironwood. They might even take me back to my father."

Blake gains a somber look, while Ruby and Yang look at each other, uncertain of what to do.

(Y/n): "She's right. We need a different way in. Preferably one where we don't have to fight the Atlas military."

Blake: "So..."

Weiss, suddenly looks up.

Weiss: "Winter!"

She brings out her Scroll.

Weiss: (to Maria) "Put some distance between us and the fleet."

Maria: "You don't have to tell me twice."

As Weiss walks to the back of the ship, Maria steers the ship toward Mantle. As people wander the streets of Mantle, the group looks over the city through the Manta's windows. They fly past a giant screen on the side of a skyscraper. Ironwood's voice comes from the screen, catching Ruby and Yang's attention.

Ironwood: "...cannot express our appreciation enough. Many describe these as uncertain times, and while that may be the case for the rest of the world, I can tell you what is certain. The Kingdom of Atlas will remain strong, and it will remain safe. That is my promise."

Ruby and Yang look saddened.

Yang: "General Ironwood. He looks..."

Ruby: "Tired."

Qrow: "James, what have you been doing?"

Four Atlesian Knight-200s are seen walking down a street in Mantle, while civilians around them complain about their presence.

Civilian 1: "Ugh, not these again."

Civilian 2: "Why can't they just leave us be?"

Looking out over the display of military presence in Mantle, (Y/n) frowns with a small scowl. A small drone floats along a sidewalk, while a pair of small children hide in an alley. One of the children picks up a rock and throws it at the drone, which spins around to look, prompting the children to hide against the wall.

(Y/n): "whatever the general is doing, it doesn't seem like winning over the public is at the forefront of his mind..."

Weiss sadly stares out of Manta 5-1's window with her Scroll in her palm. Her Scroll is set to call Winter, who does not answer.

Weiss: "This isn't right. None of this is right."

Once again, the stolen Manta receives contact over the radio.

Atlas Air Traffic Female: "Manta 5-1, we've noticed a detour in your route. You are to make your way to docking bay Omega 12 immediately. Do you copy? Over."