Rage & Hope: A RWBY Story

Chapter Ninety Four - Strings

As the alarm was raised in the Atlesian Command Center, the group found themselves trapped in the room that they were in.

Penny: The pneumatic tubes have all been closed off.

Blake: We're trapped.

Ruby: Aya, would you be able to regain access to the pneumatic tubes.

Aya: There is too little time. 

May: We passed a hangar. Maybe we can steal one of those ships.

Penny: Wait, we can still succeed. We are so close.

Nora: Hmm....

Two workers were seen walking by. Without hesitation, Razer unleashes a red blast from his Ring which blasts the them against the wall, knocking them out. The then proceeds to blast the door open with his Ring. They soon reached the control room. To their confusion, the room was mostly deserted.

Ruby: Uh, where is everyone?

Penny: This is a highly classified area.

Razer: Something is not right. Be on your guard. 

Penny: On it!

With that, Penny began accessing Ironwood's terminal using Pietro Polendina's clearance. As she tries to gain access to the Amity Tower, Razer kept his Ring powered up. Once Penny finishes downloading the codes to access the Amity Tower, they prepare to make their escape when they are confronted by the Ace-Ops along with a battalion of Atlesian Knight 200s.

Harriet: Hello, kids. Time to come home now, Penny.

Weiss: So your first time losing to us wasn't enough?

Marrow: We were holding back!

Vine: We have all said some things we regret, but please, hear me out. I know you thought you were doing the right thing when you left with the Maiden power, but Salem is here now. Things have changed.

Razer: Is that what you think? The General is making a mistake!

Harriet: You're the one making a mistake, alien. I don't care who you are. You're a traitor. Plain and simple.

Razer: If Ironwood truly believes he can battle both Salem and Atrocitus, then he is a fool.

Aya: Listen to Razer! He knows more than anyone about the Red Lantern Corps! The Atlas Military is powerless against them!

Razer: Do not waste your breath, Aya. It's clear they have no intention of listening. I will not suffer the blind loyalty of blind fools. 

At this point, Razer knew a fight was inevitable. The Ace-Ops took a couple of steps back. Suddenly, the doors shut, cutting Razer, Aya and Penny from the rest of Ruby's group. Despite being outnumbered, the trio didn't back down. 

Aya: Don't do this. 

Harriet: You got lucky last time. That won't happen again.

Razer: None of you seem to understand. I'm not locked in here with you. You're locked in here with me. 

Razer then unleashes a shockwave of Red Energy which blasts the Ace-Ops back several feet. Aya seizes the opportunity to hack into the Atlesian Droids and make them fight the Ace-Ops. During the fight, Harriet manages to blitz through the Atlesian Droids and attack Harriet, landing several strikes on her. Razer retaliates by attacking her with a construct sword. During the scuffle, Harriet manages to land a lucky strike which knocks Razer back several feet. It was at this point that Penny stepped forward.

Penny: Leave. Him. Alone.

Harriet: And what are you gonna do about it, tin can?

Without hesitation, Penny attacked the Ace-Ops. As all this happened, Razer and Aya quickly rejoined Penny. 

Vine: This is getting us nowhere! You're only making things worse for yourself.

Razer: You should be telling yourself that.

Harriet: So fighting against General Ironwood is the right thing? Don't give me that crap!

Aya: We are not your enemy!

Elm: Then why are you resisting arrest? Why are you the ones fighting General Ironwood?

Razer: Because the General's plan is pure folly! Even if he somehow eliminates the threat of Salem, he is powerless against the might of the entire Red Lantern Corps!

Harriet: I'm sure we can take on a bunch of alien freaks with power rings. 

Razer: I have seen the Red Lanterns burn entire planets. Ironwood is not prepared for that kind of war!

Harriet attempts to blitz through Razer's defenses, but the former Red Lantern keeps her at bay with his Ring. Despite being outnumbered, Razer and Aya along with Penny held their own against the Ace-Ops. During the fight, Penny unleashed the might of her Maiden powers on the Ace-Ops, turning the tide of the fight. As the fight dragged on, Razer and Aya combined their powers to unleash a shockwave of Red and Green energy, blasting the Ace-Ops away. Harriet quickly gets up and charges at Razer, but Razer impales Harriet in a non lethal area with a construct sword. Razer then blasts Harriet away. Suddenly, the door was blasted open with Team RWBY and May joining the fight. As the group prepare to for another round, the Ace-Ops begin to fall back, with Elm carrying the wounded Harriet. During their retreat, they take one of Penny's swords with them.

Weiss: Uh, that was....

Blake: Very suspicious?

Razer and Aya quickly notice the unconscious and scarred Nora.

Razer: Is she okay?

Weiss: Nora....used her Semblance to blast through the electrical door.

Aya walked over to the barely conscious Nora. Her breathing was shallow, but steady. Aya then scans Nora's body. 

Aya: Nora's vitals are faint, but steady. She needs medical attention. 

May: Then we better get to that hanger before more of Ironwood's drones show up.

With that, the group exited the control center. Aya and Ruby then carry the unconscious Nora to the hanger bay with the rest of the group following them. As they reached the hanger bay, Razer tears a hole with his Ring. Everyone got on board an airship with the exception of Penny who looked on the group sadly.

Penny: It is time for me to go, isn't it?

Ruby: We'll see each other again really soon, I promise.

Razer: Aya and I will stay behind and help Penny. 

As Razer says this, Penny glances over to Ruby with sadness in her eyes. Aya placed a hand on her shoulders in an attempt to comfort her.

Aya: We'll make it. I promise.

With that, Razer and Aya along with Penny flew towards the Amity Tower while the airship flew away from the Atlesian Command Center. With the Amity Tower's access codes in their possession, they now had the means to warn all of Remnant on the threat of Salem.