Chương 123: Chapter 116: The Ballot and the Bonfire

The bruising, freezing morning broke over the Kingdom of Atlas, but the dawn brought no warmth to the slums of Mantle. The screen of the Mantle Daily news broadcast flickered to life across every public hologram projector in the lower city, the vibrant colors of the Atlesian newsroom a stark contrast to the grim reality unfolding on the streets.

"We interrupt our scheduled programming for breaking news from the lower sectors," the polished, urgent voice of the Atlesian newscaster announced. The studio feed cut away, replaced by chaotic, handheld footage of the Mantle streets. The fragile peace that the Huntsmen had so desperately fought to maintain the day before had entirely shattered. Violent, freezing riots were erupting across the industrial districts. The footage showed furious citizens throwing rocks and bottles at lines of Atlesian Knight-200s.

Garbage fires burned in the intersections, completely overwhelming the small, comforting bonfires Oscar, Ren, and Blake had built.

"The escalating violence comes as a direct, furious response to yesterday's shocking announcement by SDC CEO Jacques Schnee, who effectively shut down all 'nonessential' operations and laid off thousands of Mantle workers." As the newscaster narrated over the footage, the camera panned to show the aftermath. Exhausted, freezing Mantle rioters were sitting heavily on the snow-covered sidewalks, leaning against the cold hulls of police airships, their wrists securely bound by humming blue energy bolases.

The camera briefly caught a familiar, burly man being escorted away by a heavily armored Atlesian soldier. Forest, his coat torn and his face bruised, glared furiously at the lens before being shoved into the back of a transport. The broadcast cut back to the studio, where the newscaster sat opposite a live, remote feed of Robyn Hill, broadcasting from a secure, dimly lit safehouse somewhere in Mantle.

"Although the rioting in Mantle is finally being brought under control by military forces, how does it feel to know that the vast majority of those involved in the violence were your most avid supporters?" the newscaster pressed, his tone accusatory. Robyn's sharp eyes narrowed, her expression a mask of fierce, unwavering determination.

"I don't condone rioting," Robyn stated firmly, her voice carrying a heavy, commanding authority.

"Especially when our city is already being denied aid, warmth, and the resources to rebuild from the hardships we've been forced to endure." She leaned closer to the camera, her political acumen masterfully redirecting the narrative.

"But let's be perfectly clear. Jacques Schnee's latest stunt is nothing short of holding this entire city hostage for his own political gain. He is weaponizing their livelihoods. So yes, I understand my supporters' anger. But I ask that they show that anger not by breaking windows in the streets, but by breaking the system at the polls today."

High above the misery of Mantle, the sterile, imposing office of Atlas Academy felt like a pressure cooker. General James Ironwood stood rigidly behind his massive desk, his cybernetic fist clenched so tightly the metal joints groaned in protest. He hit a button on his console, instantly killing the news feed. Standing in a tense semicircle around the General's desk were Winter Schnee, Qrow Branwen, Oscar Pine, Team RWBY, and Team JNPR.

"They are tearing the city apart." Ironwood breathed, his voice thick with a profound, terrifying exhaustion.

"Jacques is actively pouring gasoline onto a raging fire, and he is doing it from the absolute safety of his mansion." Weiss Schnee crossed her arms, her pale blue eyes burning with an intense, familiar anger toward her father's tyranny. Beside her, Winter's jaw was set like stone, the silent fury of the Schnee sisters radiating through the office. Ruby Rose looked down at the polished floorboards, a deep, heavy sadness settling over her.

"All our work yesterday... it's all gone. He destroyed everything we tried to fix in a single afternoon."

"That is exactly what he intended," a smooth, ancient, and incredibly weary voice spoke up. The group turned to look at Oscar Pine. The young farm boy's posture had straightened imperceptibly, his hazel eyes darkening with the immense, calculating weight of eternity. Oscar had willingly surrendered control. Ozpin had taken the reins.

"Jacques Schnee is an opportunist," Ozpin analyzed, gripping his cane.

"But this level of deliberate, kingdom-wide sabotage feels... orchestrated. The timing is far too perfect."

"You think Salem's agents are pushing him?" Qrow asked, crossing his arms and leaning against a pillar.

"It is a highly probable scenario," Ozpin nodded gravely.

"Salem's forces thrive in chaos. If Mantle is rioting, the military is distracted. If the military is distracted, the agents can operate freely in the shadows." Ironwood let out a massive, shuddering breath, bringing up a glowing, holographic tactical display over his desk.

"The election polls are still open," Ironwood noted, swiping the data.

"But Jacques's maneuver has severely backfired politically. Robyn Hill is currently poised to win in a massive, historic landslide. The people are voting for her purely out of spite for the SDC." Ironwood tapped another icon, bringing up a secure line to the subterranean cyber-hubs.

"Also," Ironwood continued, the weight of the world resting heavily on his shoulders, "thanks to your success in clearing the Grimm, my tech units inform me they are mere hours away from completely purging the localized blockade." Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

"That's great news, right?" Jaune asked hopefully.

"We can finally contact Vale, Mistral, and Vacuo again!"

"It is a double-edged sword, Mr. Arc," Ironwood corrected grimly.

"The moment the network reconnects, the global communications grid will be restored. And the very first thing the entire world will see on the cross-continental broadcast... is the Kingdom of Atlas rioting against itself. It will project an image of absolute, terrifying weakness to our allies and our enemies alike." The heavy reality of the geopolitical disaster silenced the room. Winter stepped forward, pulling up a secondary report on her Scroll.

"There is one final complication regarding today's events, General. To celebrate her impending victory, Robyn Hill and the Happy Huntresses are hosting a massive Election Night Rally in the center of Mantle this evening."

"A rally?" Yang frowned.

"With tensions this high? That's basically begging for a Grimm attack or a riot."

"Exactly," Winter agreed.

"We cannot send a full military brigade to secure the event. It would look like an occupying force, which would immediately trigger the very riot we are trying to prevent. However, leaving it completely unguarded is unacceptable." Ironwood rubbed his temples, a deep, agonizing headache blooming behind his eyes.

"Winter is right. We need a minimal, friendly security detail."

"I have already drafted the orders, General," Winter stated efficiently.

"I suggest officially assigning Penny Polendina and Operative Marrow Amin to guard the rally."

"Why just Marrow?" Blake asked.

"The rest of the Ace-Ops are currently rotating shifts to guard the tech units down in the cyber-hubs, Clover is also on high-alert duty here in the upper echelons of Atlas," Winter explained.

"Penny is beloved by the people of Mantle, and Marrow's Faunus heritage and less intimidating demeanor make him the most diplomatic choice." Ironwood nodded slowly.

"Approved. Send them down." Ruby took a hesitant step forward, her hands wringing together.

"General Ironwood... Professor Ozpin... If Robyn Hill is going to be a Councilwoman, she's going to have actual power over this Kingdom. We have to make amends with her before the network comes back online."

"She is fighting for the exact same people we are!" Nora argued fiercely, standing beside Ruby.

"She wants to protect Mantle. If we just talk to her, if we just tell her the truth, she could help us!" Ironwood's cybernetic eye whirred softly, a look of profound, deeply ingrained skepticism crossing his face.

"Allying with Robyn Hill means telling her the truth," Ironwood countered, his voice hard as steel.

"It means revealing the existence of Salem. It means telling a volatile, untested politician about the Relic of Creation and the Winter Maiden. If she panics, or if she uses that information against us, we lose everything."

"General is correct," Ozpin agreed softly, his hazel eyes filled with ancient sorrow.

"We cannot risk broadening the circle of trust during such a fragile, chaotic moment. The secrets must remain secure until we locate the agents hiding within your walls." Qrow and Winter exchanged a quiet, conflicted look. The veteran Huntsman and the elite Specialist both recognized the validity of the teenagers' desperate plea for unity, but they also understood the terrifying, absolute logic of Ironwood and Ozpin's paranoia.

Overwhelmed by the crushing pressure of the Council, the riots, the impending global broadcast, and the sheer, palpable exhaustion radiating from the young Vanguard, Ironwood let out a long, heavy sigh.

"We are running in circles," Ironwood murmured, resting his hands heavily on his desk. He looked at the bruised, tired faces of Team RWBY and Team JNPR.

"You have all fought incredibly hard since you arrived," Ironwood commanded softly, his tone shifting from a strict General to a concerned Headmaster.

"I am officially ordering all of you to take the night off. Return to your dormitories. Rest. We will reconvene tomorrow morning, once the election results are finalized and the network is restored."

The temporary student dormitories provided by Atlas Academy were pristine, incredibly comfortable, and mercifully quiet. Inside Team RWBY's room, the atmosphere was subdued. Ruby, Blake, and Yang were sprawled out across their respective beds, the exhaustion of the cyber-hub purge and the morning's grim news finally catching up with them. Yang lay on her back, tossing a small rubber ball rhythmically up toward the ceiling and catching it.

"So," Yang started, breaking the silence as she caught the ball with a soft smack.

"I heard you still want to go down to the rally tonight, Rubes." Ruby, lying on her stomach with her chin resting on her arms, let out a soft sigh.

"I just... I feel like I need to be there. I can't shake this terrible, heavy guilt for keeping all these secrets from Robyn and the people of Mantle. They're suffering because the general is building defenses they don't even know they need. Going down there and guarding the party is the absolute least I can do."

"We get it, Ruby," Blake murmured softly, sitting cross-legged on her bed and setting her book aside.

"You have a massive heart. It's why you're our leader. And it's why it hurts you so much to lie to them."

"Look, you don't have to go play bodyguard. Ironwood officially gave us the night off. This is our free time! We could crash Saitama and Neo's penthouse again!" Yang suggested gently, sitting up and looking at her sister.

"Or, we could hit the clubs with Team FNKI! I heard they just got back from a deployment." Ruby offered a small, appreciative smile, but slowly shook her head.

"Thanks, Yang. But I need to go." Yang and Blake exchanged a knowing look, completely understanding the unyielding heroism of their younger sister. Across the room, Weiss Schnee was leaning gracefully against the metal ladder situated between the bunk beds. She wasn't participating in the conversation. She was intensely focused on a live report from the Mantle Daily playing quietly on her Scroll.

"We still have hours ahead of us," the newscaster reported, the holographic bar graphs shifting dynamically on the screen.

"But as the votes continue to pour in, it looks more and more certain that Robyn Hill will fill the open council seat in a historic victory." Weiss narrowed her eyes, shutting off her Scroll with a sharp, frustrated click. She began to pace slowly across the dormitory floor, her arms crossed tightly over her chest.

"It doesn't make any sense," Weiss muttered, her brow furrowing in deep, analytical thought.

"There's no way my father could've thought mass layoffs would do anything but hurt his public image. He is greedy, but he is a calculated businessman. So why on Remnant would he announce this the day before the election? It is political suicide."

"It just seems like a power play that completely backfired," Yang shrugged, leaning back against her pillows.

"He tried to strong-arm the city, and Mantle called his bluff. It won't matter in a few hours anyway once Robyn wins the seat."

"Maybe," Blake frowned, her feline ears twitching as her own Huntsman instincts flared.

"But Weiss is right. It feels entirely too sloppy for Jacques Schnee. It feels... suspicious."

"Whoever Salem's agents that are behind this, they truly are genius opportunists," Yang gave her comment in a darkened expression. Before the team could delve deeper into the political conspiracy, the heavy metal door to their dormitory slid open with a soft hiss. Team JNPR stood in the hallway, already dressed in their Atlesian winter combat gear.

"Ruby, come on!" Jaune Arc called out, a bright, eager smile on his face as he gestured down the hall. Weiss blinked, her pale blue eyes widening in sheer disbelief.

"I still can't believe you are actually going to that thing."

"Just because Ironwood dislikes Robyn doesn't mean we all have to!" Nora Valkyrie argued passionately, stepping into the room with Magnhild resting over her shoulder.

"From where I'm standing, both Ironwood and Robyn seem to be genuinely trying their best to help Atlas. As to who's doing a better job..." Weiss let out a long, heavy, aristocratic sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"But a victory party? In the middle of a rioting city?" Ruby hopped off her bed, grabbing Crescent Rose and securing it to her hip. She walked past Weiss with a light, dismissing shrug, stopping next to her fellow team leader.

"Don't worry about us, Weiss," Ruby smiled brightly, her silver eyes filled with undeniable resolve.

"We'll just hang out near the back, keep an eye on the crowd, and make sure Penny and Marrow don't get overwhelmed. You three and Oscar should stay up here in Atlas. Get some real rest."