Alabast follows behind Ruby and Weiss as the two girls walk side by side.
"I didn't know that Beacon Tower was the CCT" Alabast says to himself.
The three of them are walking towards Beacon Tower. Sure Ozpin's office was at the top, but the along the way up there is the center for the transmit tower.
"How could you not know that?" Weiss stops walking and turns towards Alabast.
"Maybe it has something to do with the fact this is the first time I've heard about it and actually care enough to listen about it. And the fact that this is also my first school?" Alabast sarcastically responds. "I also haven't been interested in how information moves between Kingdoms. Just isn't something I found interesting. Let's keep moving"
Weiss turns back around and they continue walking.
Ruby looks up at the top of the tower. "Woooow! I forget how big the Transmit tower looks up close!"
Weiss smirks. "You should see the one in Atlas!"
Ruby looks at Weiss. "That was the first one, right?"
"Correct" Weiss nods.
"So Atlas made these things? Makes sense with how much more technologically advanced they are than the rest of Remnant" Alabast comments.
"Atlas developed the Cross Continental Transmit System to allow the four kingdoms to communicate with one another. It was their gift to the world after the Great War" Weiss states.
"How generous" Alabast softly says.
Ruby puffs her chest out and talks in a 'superior than thou' tone. "Oooh, look at me! My name's Weiss! I know facts! I'm rich!" Ruby looks at Weiss' frown and can't help but snort into her hand. "Pfft!"
"Don't be a pest! Besides, the only reason we're here is because you like the tower so much! We could have just as easily made a call from the library!" Weiss huffs.
Ruby looks up at the big tower. "I know, but it's so coool! Ooh, I'm going to take a picture!" She takes out her scroll but in her excitement she ends up launching the device through the air. The scroll hits the pavement and comes to a stop at a girls feet.
"Oh" A girl with a pink bow in her short orange hair reaches down and picks the scroll up and holds it out. "You dropped this"
"Penny?!" Ruby's head moves back in shock.
"Uhhhh….." Penny looks at Ruby and moves her right foot back.
Ruby, Weiss, and Alabast walk up to Penny.
"Where have you been? We haven't seen you since that night at the docks!" Ruby asks.
" S-Sorry. I think you're confused" Penny tries and fails at lying. She then suddenly hiccups and tosses the scroll into Ruby's hand and rubs in the opposite direction.
Weiss turns towards Ruby. "What was that about?"
"I don't know, but I'm going to find out" Ruby then runs after Penny. "You go make your call! I'll meet up with you two later!" She shouts over her shoulder.
"Wait!" Weiss holds out her left hand after Ruby but drops it. "Ugh!" She angrily sighs. "Are you just going to let her go after Penny?"
Alabast watches Penny and Ruby disappear down the path. "At least Ruby will still be partnered with someone we know. And maybe Penny might know something. This might turn to our favor"
"I suppose you're right" Weiss turns towards the tower. "Since we're here we might as well go inside"
Alabast stands next to Weiss. "And I suppose you are right. Guess you can show me around. I like hearing you enthusiastically talk, my know-it-all Princess"
Weiss folds her arms over her chest and looks away. "I wouldn't mind talking about how the towers are connected and if one shuts down then none work at all. And that's why they're all heavily guarded so communications don't get lost across Remnant"
"That's…." Alabast grabs Weiss' hand. "…surprisingly dark. I hope you don't get proven right on that one"
Weiss holds Alabast's hand and puts her other hand on her hip. "I don't need to be proven right. It's already a fact. If one of the four main Cross Continental Transmit Systems goes offline they all do. When maintenance is done in a tower and it temporarily goes offline, the other towers also go offline"
Alabast's eyes narrow as he looks up at the tower. He remembers something from the show. But what exactly was it? He never knew that communications were this rough in his last world. He had just thought that Remnant had satellites, but he found he was wrong when he decided to ask around when he was training when he as younger. But he does remember something.
Somebody hacks into the system. He doesn't remember who, when, or why. But he knows something will happen in the near future.
——————
Ruby chases after Penny down the path. "Penny! Where have you been? It's been weeks!" She stops Penny just before some steps.
"There seems to be a... misunderstanding" Penny begins walking down the steps.
"What?!" Ruby slides down the hand railing and gets in front of Penny again. "Penny... Is everything okay?"
Penny just continues forward and doesn't even react to Ruby.
But as Penny walks by, Ruby grabs her arm. "Penny, please stop!"
Penny glances at Ruby then looks ahead of herself. But she doesn't continue walking and listens.
"Look…" Ruby lets Penny's arm go. "I don't know what's wrong, but you have to listen to me! Those guys we fought at the docks, we think they're up to something big, something bad! I need you to tell me what happened to you that night! Please... As a friend" Ruby pleads.
Penny sighs and quickly looks side to side before leaning in close to Ruby and whispers. "It isn't safe to talk here" She continues looking around.
Ruby gives Penny a weird look but doesn't protest. She's just glad that Penny has decided to talk with her.
——————
Alabast walks up to the big doors of the tower and opens one. He lets Weiss walk in and then walks in after her.
Weiss confidently walks through the lobby.
Alabast looks around and sees a decent number of people waiting around and talking to someone or each other. He follows behind Weiss as she walks through another set of doors that open into a circular room.
This is apparently the central terminal, at the center of the room there is a slightly elevated circular platform with a big cylindrical device in the center. On the big cylindrical device, which is at least 10 feet in diameter, are a few holographic screens with a few people spaced out and talking to someone. Maybe the A.I. that helps them with information.
Weiss walks past the central terminal and goes to some elevators at the back of this room.
The elevator doors open automatically for Weiss and shut behind her. However she puts her hand out to keep the doors from fully closing. "We're going up. It's more impressive than this room"
Alabast stops looking around the dark room illuminated by some ambient green lights. He looks at Weiss. "Sorry, just enjoying the atmosphere. It's much more advanced than what I've seen in a long time"
Weiss smiles and makes room for Alabast to join her in the elevator. "Then you should come to Atlas. It's way more atmospheric than this place and way more advanced" She proudly says.
"Eventually" Alabast says as he enters the elevator.
Near the elevator door a panel appears and begins speaking. It's the CCT AI. "Hello. Welcome to the CCT. How may I help you?"
"I'd like to go to the communications room, please" Weiss states.
"Absolutely. Could you please place your Scroll on the terminal to verify your identity?" The panel lights up blue. Weiss retrieves her Scroll and places it on the panel as directed. The panel then turns green. "Perfect! Thank you, Miss Schnee"
As the elevator begins moving Alabast starts the conversation back up. "How about during our break after we finish our first year? We can go for a bit and then come back. And depending on how things go I can meet your family….."
Weiss' pleasant attitude becomes serious and slightly nervous. "I-I don't know. I would like to show you around Atlas but my family…." She grabs her elbow and squeezes it.
Alabast puts a hand over Weiss' hand. "I understand they're prejudiced against Faunus. I was just letting you know that when you are ready. I'll be there with you. Even if you don't want to tell them about us, I'll join you when you go back to talk with your father…. or whatever else you want to do"
Weiss closes her eyes and breathes slowly a few times before opening her eyes with a serious expression and cold demeanor. "Thank you Alabast" She attempts to smile but it falters as she tries to prepare herself for what's to come.
Alabast grips her hand. "I'm not going anywhere. Are you sure you can do this? We can always find another way"
Weiss shakes her head as her smile disappears. She looks at Alabast and smiles again. "I'll be fine. And there won't be an easier way than this. It should be a piece of cake"
Just then they reach their destination and the doors open.
Both Weiss and Alabast look out into the communications room.
On a big screen there are 4 circular symbols. Twin axes and wreaths, which represents Vale on the top left of the screen. Three flying swords pointing down, which represents Vacuo in the top right of the screen. A spear and shield inside a fragmented circle represents Atlas and is in the bottom left. Lastly is a precise winged shape that represents Mistral in the bottom right of the screen.
The room is very large and practically empty with only a handful of other students inside. There are tons of various screens where a person can sit down and make a call. Each terminal is separated from the others by a thin wall. It reminds Alabast like how a prison would allow prisoners to meet with visitors with a screen between them. Or like how people can call eachother in the Pokémon show. Alabast hates how he remembers that but not anything actually useful or helpful.
Weiss walks out of the elevator and Alabast follows behind her and looks around the room inquisitively. Weiss enjoys the way he tries to hide it with his neutral expression. But she can see his red eyes study the room intensely.
Weiss walks up to the front desk where a holographic secretary appears in the seat.
Alabast observes the holograph. It's like the one Glynda used when they first arrived at Beacon on the Bullhead. He still doesn't understand how these things work.
The AI beeps a few times before speaking in a polite tone. "Welcome to the Beacon Cross Continental Transmit center. How may I help you?"
Weiss steps forward. "I need to make a call to Schnee Company World Headquarters in Atlas"
"Absolutely" The AI beeps some more. "If you could head over to Terminal 3, I'll patch you through"
"Thank you" Weiss turns towards Alabast. "This won't take long. You can look around or find something to keep yourself entertained for a bit right?"
Alabast looks at the hologram. "I can. Shout if you need me. I'll be close by"
Weiss waves once. "Don't break anything or get lost" She teases as she goes towards Terminal 3.
Weiss approaches the cubical-like computer and walks past the other students. One girl is calling her mother and asks how things are going.
With a deep and slow breath Weiss sits down at the seat.
The face of a short-haired brunette appears on the monitor with the Schnee snowflake rotating behind her. "Thank you for calling the Atlas-…" She does not realize who she is talking to until she looks up. "…Oh! Miss Schnee! Good afternoon! Would you like me to patch you through to your father? I think your sister Winter might be here as well"
Weiss smiles beautifully. "No, thank you! I was actually wondering if you could find some files for me. I've compiled a short list" She pleasantly says as she takes out her scroll and places it on a spot in the keyboard.
Series of noises sound out as the information request is transferred. The brunette operator looks at the data from her side of the screen. "I see. If you don't mind... what may I ask is this for?"
"School project" Weiss casually responds with a slight shrug of her shoulders.
"Um... There are some sensitive documents on this list, ma'am" The operator nervously informs the daughter of her company's boss.
"Well, then, I'll be sure to treat them with care" Weiss agrees.
"Right..." The operator clicks a few things. "Very well" Some more buttons get pressed. "The data is being transferred to your Scroll now"
"Wonderful! That will be all, then" Weiss tries to end the call politely and quickly.
But the operator asks one more thing. "Are you sure you wouldn't like me to patch you through to your father before you go?"
Weiss immediately loses her smile, but she quickly replaced it. "Yes, I'm sure"
"Well, then…." The brunette operator smiles and closes her eyes. "Have a nice day!"
The call disconnects and the screen goes dark. In its reflection Weiss can see herself as her happy act goes away.
"Pahhhhh" She sighs and leans back in her seat after she grabs her scroll back from the keyboard. She just looks up at the screen with the 4 Kingdoms symbols for a few moments before stand into up.
Weiss heads back to the front desk but doesn't see Alabast there. She looks around but doesn't see the 6'6" wolf Faunus with extra wolf traits. She looks at the holographic secretary that comes to life as she walks up to it.
"Welcome to the Beacon Cross Continental Transmit center. How may I help you?" The hologram asks.
Weiss continues looking around. "I'm looking for my friend, Alabast Noir. Did he go to a Terminal? I know you can't tell me which one I just wish to know he is still here"
"One moment please". The hologram beeps a few times. "Alabast Noir is using a terminal. Is there anything else I can help you with?"
"No. That'll be all" Weiss says and walks to a wall off to the side.
The heiress takes her scroll out while she waits and begins looking through the information she just received.
——————
After Weiss goes off towards her terminal Alabast steps forwards to the hologram.
The holographic secretary looks at Alabast. "Welcome to the Beacon Cross Continental Transmit center. How may I help you?"
Alabast puts his hands in his pockets and cautiously looks around. "Is there anyone you can patch me to that would have information on a Bianca or Rafe Noir?"
The hologram beeps for a full minute. "Unfortunately it seems your request is not-" Then the hologram beeps a few times. "Wait. It seems there is a person I can patch you to that has information. Please go towards Terminal 99"
Alabast narrows his eyes at the hologram. He hadn't expected anything, but he wonders what this person may know. "Where is this terminal?"
The secretary hologram motions to her left, Alabast's right, with her left hand. "Follow the path and at the end you will see a door. Through that door there is a terminal. It's one of the private terminals. Any other questions?"
"No" Alabast makes his way down the path towards the back of the room and sees a normal looking door at the end.
Once inside the room, Alabast looks around. It's relatively small with a computer and chair at the center of it. And once he entered the room the screen flickered to life and illuminated half the room. So Alabast sits down and reads the screen.
*Connectin….*
"Who could have information on my parents?" Alabast asks himself. He doesn't even know why he bothered asking the holographic secretary. It was on a whim….
*Click!* *Connected!*
Alabast looks at the screen and it's black with the only letters on it being white.
*Anonymous*
The screen flickers but goes back to normal as a distorted voice comes through. "Hello. Who do I have the pleasure of speaking with?"
Alabast can't discern if it's a male or female voice. It's probably a voice modifier of some sort. "I can ask the same thing"
"Then there wouldn't be a point in hiding my name, face, and voice would there?" The person says in a playful mood.
"Whatever" Alabast leans back in his seat. "The name is Alabast Noir. I was told that somebody could tell me information about a Bianca or Rafe Noir. Is that you or am I wasting my time?"
"Hmmmm~….." The screen flickers. "Ah! Mr. and Mrs. Noir! They were very lovely. But unfortunately Rafe disappeared on a mission and the same happened to Bianca and her kid. It's great to hear that their kid is still alive. How is Bianca? Her Snow White hair always was amazing to look at and brush"
Alabast sits up and places his fists on the desk. "So you know my parents!" He shouts.
The room goes silent.
The anonymous person then speaks up. "I do. I know everyone. I can't go into detail of how or why but you will eventually find out and hopefully understand. And I can answer a few questions if you have any"
Alabast's nails dig into his palms but then he opens his hands as he calms down. "Hmpf. How do I know you aren't lying?"
"You don't" The person states. "But I can tell you that your moms maiden name is Albescen. Bianca Albescen. It is actually how you got your name. Your parents decided that your last name will be Noir due to the weird tradition of the females taking the males last name in marriage. But they didn't want Bianca's family name to get lost. So they changed it slightly and came up with your first name. Alabast"
Alabast's mind goes chaotic as it tries to wrap around what he was just told. "Why? How?" He says in disbelief.
"I know many things. Even things lost to time. So ask your questions and I might answer the reasonable ones. What I previously told you was just a freebie. So go ahead and don't be shy. I won't judge you…. yet" The voice spoke in a playful manner until it's last sentence when it turned ominous.
Alabast brushes the hair out of his face and looks at the screen. "Fine. I'll bite. What can you tell me about my parents?"
"Hahahahaha~!!!" The person begins laughing uncontrollably. "I hadn't expected you to go this route! It seems you've grown rather well!"
Alabast is irritated and somewhat creeped out.
"Ha!" The voice gives one last chuckle before clearing his throat. "Sorry. I didn't expect this is how it would go"
"I think my question is rather within reason. It's nothing special" Alabast puts his palms on the desk.
"That's exactly what makes it interesting!" The distorted sounding voice shouts. "You didn't ask a specific question, you kept it rather vague to get the most information. And you chose to ask about your parents when you claim not to care about them, specifically about your dad"
The screen flickers badly and nearly completely shuts off but comes back to life as if nothing had happened.
The man continues. "I'll tell you that your father is alive. But it depends on what your definition of alive is. He's still breathing, walking, his body is technically intact. So I suppose you can say he is alive…." The person vaguely says. "Anyway! No more about him! And your mother….. Well she….. Why don't we not talk about her for now. What I will say though is that you will meet them both in the future. Whether you want to meet them or not. And you won't find them if you look for them. You won't like either of their situations. But what's done is done… and neither you nor I can help them. Even with how strong we are….."
Alabast slams his hands onto the desk and stands up. "What the fuck! That doesn't answer anything! That only brings up more questions! And you say that you won't talk more about this? This is bullshit! All I know now is that my….."
Alabast backs away from the desk a step. "…my mom is….alive"
"Yes" The voice now sounds serious with a hint of sadness. "But I wouldn't call her situation truly living. I can't say more than this, you won't like it when you see her in the future"
"How" Alabast remembers seeing her getting beaten into the mud. Her white hair turning red as she gets beaten on by…. those damned humans. "How can she have survived that?! I saw her get killed! That much I know!"
"You need to calm down. I know this is a lot to take in, but in order for you to move forward you needed to know this. Or at least something"
Alabast kicks the chair to the side and it crashes into the wall hard. "I needed to hear this?! For what?! Why do I need to hear this?! And how do you know this?!"
"Haaaah" The voice sighs. "I suspected this might happen. I'll answer what I can"
Alabast places his hands on the desk and glares at the screen.
"Something….. No. Too obvious. You already know that. Hmmmm….. Let's go with this then" The screen shakes. "I'm glad that you found your light. You need to know this so that you can keep that light shining. Because within the year things will happen to threaten that light. This is my attempt to make sure you will be able to protect your light. My brother and I put our last hope in you. If you can't change anything then that's it. Sorry to burden you with this. But that's all I can say" The screen begins losing light.
"No!" Alabast digs his nails into the desk. "That's not an answer!"
"Just because I know everyone and almost everything doesn't mean I have all the answers. And it doesn't mean I can answer everything as well" The voice starts to get even more distorted. "You've suffered so much….. And because of my decision you have suffered even more. I suggest you don't stay idle. And don't make me regret this act of kindness"
The screen goes black.
The room is completely dark. Even with Alabast's night vision he can't see anything. There isn't any light at all.
Alabast is left in darkness until the computer starts up again.
*Disconnected*
Alabast hangs his head. "No shit….." He mumbles.
He closes his eyes. He doesn't know how to feel about the conversation he just had. And the conversation is already starting to get fuzzy like it's becoming a memory he had before a long time ago.
"Idle. And don't make me regret this act of kindness" Alabast whispers these words to himself. "Where have I heard those words before. It…. It's like I know but don't know…." Alabast decides to leave it.
It changes nothing. It just gives him a weird feeling that somebody out there has way more information than they should.
Basically his mom and dad are alive. But he won't meet them until a set time no matter how hard he tries. And something bad is coming up within the year, which he already knew. This…. person…. thinks highly of themselves. And they made it sound like Alabast was indebted to them. And the person seemed crazy. Like their tone shifted and it's like they contradicted themselves as the conversation went on. They initially tried to make it sound like they didn't know him, but then just forgets to keep that act or something.
Alabast goes to the door and opens it. He walks towards the front desk and sees Weiss standing against a wall while she looks at her scroll.
Alabast walks up to her.
She looks up from her scroll. "About time! Who were you calling for so long?" She looks at his face and puts her scroll away as she walks up to him. "What happened?" She asks with worry.
Alabast shakes his head. "Sorry for making you wait. I just talked with some person that wasted my time. Did you get what we came here for?"
"Yeah" Weiss nods but seriously looks at Alabast. "But what happened with you? You seem-"
Alabast starts walking towards the elevator. "Then let's leave Weiss. We can find somewhere more private to talk"
Weiss narrows her eyes at Alabast. "Hmph! Fine" She follows after him and they get in the elevator.
"Haaaah" Alabast's sighs and wipes his face with his right hand. "Sorry Weiss. I just…. I got some not so great news. And I can't even be sure if it's accurate or not. And I don't know who gave it to me either"
Weiss looks weirdly at Alabast. "What do you mean you don't know who gave you the news? Didn't you call them?"
"Yeah. But the screen only said Anonymous and their voice was distorted. So I don't know who they are… or even why they told me what they did"
Weiss taps her chin. "I don't really know then. And I doubt you would be able to find out which tower they called from unless you hacked the system, which I don't recommend since even then you might not find out"
"I kinda hope I don't ever talk to them again" Alabast shakes his head. "They just gave me information that doesn't make sense, is unimportant, or irrelevant. And I think I'm forgetting it already…. Like a semblance is altering my memories of the conversation or something. It's already becoming harder for me to recall the conversation. Like magic or something"
"Magic?" Weiss raises an eyebrow. "I don't think so. It's probably a semblance. Or you're just tired. Since we already completed our task why don't we relax until we have to meet up with the others later?"
Alabast grabs Weiss' hand. "Sounds like a date. I kinda want to forget what the person said anyway"
"A date does sound nice" Weiss wants to forget about her family situation. It put her in a sour mood. And now she can spend time with Alabast and they can forget their worries together.