On board an Atlas military airship, Topaz is sitting next to Winter with a group of the Atlas robots surrounding them. Looking out the window next to him he sees a large number of other Atlas airships surrounding them. General Ironwood isn't messing around with this bandit tribe, but still leaving enough soldiers to protect Atlas. Looking back towards Winter he sees her frowning at something on her scroll, tears beginning to appear in her eyes.
Topaz: "Everything alright?"
Winter: "Sort of? I don't know."
Topaz: "Want to talk about it?"
Winter: *sigh* "It's my mother. When Weiss was younger, my father told my mother to her face that the only reason he married her was for the Schnee name. Something broke in her that day, leaving her reliant on wine to get through her days."
Topaz: "I'm so sorry."
Winter: "There's no need for you to be sorry Topaz. It feels like she's slowly withering away, and I don't know what to do. The message I got was from her doctor, he's saying that unless she stops drinking like she has been she won't last long."
Topaz: "If we can secure the evidence that proves your father's crimes, and get him out of both your and her life, things may start to look up. You will just have to make sure to spend plenty of time with her after he is out of the picture."
Winter: "Maybe, I guess we will see when we get there."
Topaz: "I know you will figure it out, and I also know that Weiss would be more then happy to help. She comes off as cold at first, but the moment you get to know her you find the kindness she holds."
Winter: "That sounds rather funny coming from you, you know?"
Topaz: "Yeah, yeah."
Seeing Winter chuckle at his expense brought a smile to his face.
Topaz: "Feeling a little better now?"
Winter: "Yes, thank you for that."
Topaz: "No problem, it's what friends are for."
Winter: "Are we… friends?"
Topaz: "I'd like to think so. We did share a bed after all. Can't get much closer than that."
Winter blushes at his comment about sharing a bed, but quickly shakes her head and looks towards Topaz with a gentle smile.
Winter: "I guess we are friends. Thank you."
Topaz: "There's no need to thank me Winter. Oh, looks like we are landing, you ready?"
Winter: "Very, let's go."
Leaving the ship, Topaz stands and stretches before making his way towards where the rest of the soldiers and Atlas soldiers are beginning to gather. Seeing General Ironwood standing in front of everyone Topaz relaxes for a moment and waits for his speech.
Ironwood: "Everyone, I have brought you all here to help take care of an issue that has been plaguing Mantle for a while now. From the intel we were able to successfully able to obtain, we know that there are around fifty of them in the camp along with their leader. While the combat is going on, I will be having Topaz sneak into the camp to infiltrate their leaders tent to obtain the evidence we need. Good luck and be safe out there."
The Atlas robots begin to make their way towards the bandit camp firing shots as any bandit that shows too much of themselves. After a few minutes, Topaz makes his way around the camp entering from the opposite side the main fight is happening. Sneaking into camp, Topaz looks for where the leader's tent might be. Seeing a larger tent than the rest, Topaz slowly makes his way towards it. Opening the entrance to the tent, Topaz feels a sudden sense of danger so he rolls to his right. Hearing something whizz by his head he looks up towards where the attack came from and sees a large man holding a sword in one hand and throwing knives in the other.
????: "I figured someone would try something like this. A shame it had to be a kid. Was hoping for a challenge."
Topaz: "I'm going to take it that you are the leader?"
????: "That I am. Jacob the Slasher at your service."
Topaz: "The slasher… really? A self-proclaimed nickname?"
Jacob: "It's not self-proclaimed, the entire tribe calls me by it."
Topaz: "And where did they first hear it from?"
Jacob: "…"
Topaz: "That's what I thought."
Jacob: "I can't wait to kill you kid. I'm going to enjoy seeing what your guts look like. I'm going to wear your intestines like a nice necklace."
Topaz: "Haven't heard that one before."
Jacob: "How dare you insult my insult."
Topaz: "Wasn't insulting it, I genuinely have never heard that one."
Jacob: "Oh. I thought of it myself."
Topaz: "Are we going to fight… or do you just want to talk this out?"
Jacob: "As enjoyable as this conversation has been, I've been given explicit instructions to kill you."
Topaz: "Not capture? Surprising that Jacques has changed his mind so severely."
Jacob: "How did you know!"
Topaz: "…"
Jacob: "…"
Topaz: "Well you did just confirm it now."
Jacob: "Dammit! Me and my big mouth."
Topaz: "Tell you what, you hand me the evidence linking your tribe and him I'll see what I can do about making things easier for your tribe, what do you say?"
Jacob: "As much as I would like to agree to that, Jacques would just have us all killed by someone else. So I must fight you, and I must win."
Topaz: "Very well, come at me."
Getting into a combat stance, Topaz looks towards Jacob and waits for him to make his move. After a few moments of sizing each other up, Jacob throws a knife at Topaz and lunges towards him at the same time. Topaz smiles and ignores the knife, focusing solely on Jacob.
Jacob: "Got you."
The knife bounces off of Topaz's chest harmlessly and falls to the ground, at the same moment, Topaz raises his arm and blocks Jacobs slash. Jacob jumps away and stares at Topaz.
Jacob: "What are you?"
Topaz: "I'm just your average guy."
Jacob: "Average my ass. How can you block blades like that without using your aura?"
Topaz: "Don't know. There's a couple theories out on it but nothing has been decided."
Jacob: "That's bullshit and you know it."
Topaz: "Maybe. You still want to fight a losing battle, or will you surrender peacefully?"
Jacob: *sigh* "I give, the evidence you are looking for is in that case on my desk. I'm going to stop my guys from fighting any further."
Topaz walks over to the desk and grabs the case. Opening it quickly, Topaz sees a neat sheet of paper with the Schnee insignia at the very top. Reading through it quickly, he sees both Jacob and Jacques' signatures on the bottom of the page.
Topaz: "Bingo, let's get this to General Ironwood. Time to bring that bastard down."
Walking out of the tent and back towards General Ironwood, Topaz sees the bandits surrendering with Jacob and the Atlas robots bringing them into custody. Arriving at the General's location Topaz gives him a nod and waves towards Winter.
Ironwood: "Topaz, you've returned, with good news I hope."
Topaz: "Yes sir. Their leader was waiting in the tent for something like that but after a single exchange, he realized he had no chance of winning so he surrendered and told his men to surrender as well. I also found the evidence we need, and it is legit."
Handing General Ironwood the case, he opens it and sees the contract between the two. Nodding his head General Ironwood turns towards Topaz.
Ironwood: "This is excellent Topaz. With this we can arrest Jacques and keep him locked away for a long time."
Topaz: "I would like to request to be there when the arrest occurs."
Winter: "Same here."
Ironwood: "Both of you are coming with. It's because of you two that we can move forward finally. Great work."
Topaz and Winter: "Thank you sir."
Ironwood: "Topaz, how would you like to officially join the Atlas Military?"
Topaz: "I appreciate the offer sir, but I must refuse it. There is still a lot I have to do and Atlas isn't the place for me. Especially being a faunus. I apologize."
Ironwood: "There is no need for apologies Topaz. I completely understand not wanting to join. Just know that you will always have a place with us in Atlas should you need it."
Topaz: "Thank you sir."
Ironwood: "Let's head back to Atlas. I'm sure you would like some time with your girlfriends Topaz. I'll let you know when we are ready to move on Jacques."
Topaz: "Thank you sir. I look forward to your call."
…