"Oh look at me, I'm Weiss, I know facts. I'm rich."

Ruby then giggled at her own joke making Weiss groan in annoyance.

"Ugh don't be a pest. Besides, the only reason we're here is because you like the tower so much. We could've just as easily called from the library.".

Mal then walked past them both with his hands trying to get out of his tight pockets, saying "Come on you two, we're already here. It's no use crying over spilled milk. Let's just go up and then go-" before tripping on someone's foot due to not looking forward. His eyes then widen in horror as he saw his face making its way towards a REALLY short flight of stairs. Now these wouldn't usually be problematic, but the fact that Vale actually has quite a high budget for paving meant that wedge shape of the stone brick was actually sharp enough to cause damage should he plummet.

'Is this the end? Is this how I die? Will I go back to Earth if I do?'

These were the thoughts that flashed into Mal's mind as he stared at the possible accidental death in front of him. Whatever the answer was to his query, he would soon find out. Whether he regretted it or not, he was going to find out. So he then closed his eyes and braced for what was to come next...

A second had passed...

two seconds have passed...

Then a third...

Mal then tentatively opened his eyes only to be greeted with confusion. 

'How was he hovering? What happened? Did his cape snag on something?'

Mal then craned his head to the back only to see Penny of all people happily holding on to his cloak before saying "Are you alright?" making Ruby and Mal exclaim "Penny?!" in near synch.

Penny then yanked Mal back before backing off in a fearful realization.

Ruby then asked her "Where have you been?! We haven't seen you since the night at the docks!", asking the apprehensive ginger even more so as she said "I... I think  you're confused.". She then looked around before skittishly saying "I gotta go." before running off.

Weiss then asked "What was that about?" which Ruby then said "I don't know, but I'm going to find out. You go make your call, I'll go meet up with you later." before running after Penny faster than Weiss could stop her, meanwhile Mal just stood there.

He then shrugged before saying "Welp, it's hero time." only to be caught by the cape once more by Weiss who then angrily grumbled, saying "Oh no you don't. Now, come on.". Mal then tried to stand his ground but could only muster a weak whine.

"But... hero time...".

Weiss then chided him, saying "It's bad enough your sister is constantly off rushing into adventures like this, but it's a whole different other thing when you do it.".

Mal looked at her before stuttering in indignation. But before coherent words could bubble out of his mouth, allowing him to mount a resistance, she then said "Not only do you lack a sensible amount of self preservation, you also have the tendency to almost quite literally explode into a pile of blades and blood." making the trifling argument he had vanish in massive chunks with every logical point thrown at him.

The only thing Mal could muster up was a really faint "But... Saber..." before being dragged into the C.C.T..

____________________

As they entered the building, Mal couldn't help but feel like they were being tailed. He then shook his head as nothing came up when he abruptly swung his head to his back. He then shrugged and went to continue with Weiss.

Unbeknownst to him, two individuals WERE tailing him with a certain black-haired wolf faunus glaring at a similarly black haired man basically choking him behind a pillar, her Amber-colored eyes locked on his Emerald-colored ones. He then tries to quip out "Hey, quit the choking, I'm not into tha-" only for her gloved hand to clench even harder into his neck.

She then gave an annoyed snarl as she said "Could you be LESS subtle?! You almost gave away my position you dumbass!". After hearing desperate, choked apologies, Alice then gave a resigned sigh before sternly asking Rogue "Why the hell are you tailing me?!".

Rogue then raised an eyebrow as he said "Why are you tailing our leader? Do you not trust him?".

Alice then bit down on her lips as she let go of Rogue, saying "I..." not quite being able to form the words to respond.

Rogue then shook his head as he said "Come on, we've already committed to the cause anyways. It's best we see it through.Might as well right?" making her nod with a downcast expression as she solemnly said "Right...".

She silently then thought to herself 'You have no idea Rogue Morgenstern... You have no idea...' as she rubbed on the metal collar-like choker on her neck.

____________________

Almost a semester ago...

During the eve after Cenn was discharged from the hospital and Rogue defended Velvet from Cardin, Alice received a call from an unknown number simply called "Archer".

Using her past experiences, Alice tried to try and locate the caller only to find a burner sim. With no other choice, she reluctantly decided to answer the call to find out who was at the other side.

With a stern voice, Alice then said "Talk." only to hear a vwooom on the other side. Then she heard panting before a familiar voice spoke. "Alright, listen up, we don't have much time to talk.".

Alice's eyes widen in shock as swiveled her neck towards the sleeping figure of Mal.

'That can't be, Mal's over here.'

She was currently baffled as she was hearing, quite clearly I may add, the voice of none other than her team leader on the phone, a bit gruff and far deeper but it was Mal nonetheless. But how, Mal is sleeping over here?! She then walked out of the room, into a balcony somewhere where she knew for a fact Ozpin had the least cameras on. 

Her eyes narrow as she said "Who is this and why are you using a voice modulator to sound like my... Classmate?". The rougher sound-alike then scoffed, one which Alice noted. 'So he dislikes being compared to Mal then.'

Said voice then said "I don't care who or what you think I sound like. You remember your mission?" making Alice slack-jawed in shock. "I don't care what the doctor does to me anymore! He can blow up this damn choker bomb if he wants to! I am NOT killing my best friend that I had lost for Oum knows how long!" she said.

She then goaded the stranger to "Just do it. I dare you to!".

'Archer' then said "Don't worry, I'm not working for your boss... technically. I don't even have the remote so you're safe. But even still... you're willing to sacrifice the lives of countless people for such a selfish desire? When the time comes " asking the last part in equal parts distaste and curiosity.

Alice's face then turned to one of confusion as she asked 'Archer' "W-what do you mean?" to which Archer cryptically said "Never mind, you won't understand anyways... yet. Now, answer my question.".

Alice's face harden as her visage takes on a more serious look, her resolved steeled as she said "Between a world that has done nothing but try and make me kill myself, and a best friend who has been waiting patiently for 10 years for me despite all the pain, I'd rather have the world burn to the ground... no one else matters..." before her face turns to that of slight regret as she muttered out "Maybe except one other idiot..." as the image of an annoying yet surprisingly lovable idiot with black hair and green eyes flashes in her mind.

From the other side- 'Archer', as he was called- then said "If that's the case, then there MAYBE one other way to salvage the situation." making Alice perk up.

"Kill Michael Espina"

"W-what, why?"

Alice was at a loss. How would that help? Does this person really, REALLY hate Mal enough to elicit this? But before she could voice out the rest of her concerns, the man answers it for her with another question.

"Have you noticed anything strange about your leader? Also, don't bother trying to hide info. I know enough about your gang of misfits to catch on to any lies."

"Well... I mean, aside from his almost over-the-top, reckless need to save people, no.".

"That's exactly what I am talking about. His need to save people."

Alice then scrunched up her face as she said "What do you mean. I don't get it. People like him and Ruby are still naive and young enough that they are still allowed a free pass for wanting to be heroes.".

The man sighed once more before saying "Now tell me, what do you think would happen if someone like Mal finds out the true nature of Cenn's semblance? You saw how he looked at those flames when Cenn first went berserk right? Now think of it this way. If someone so obsessed with saving people is put in a dilemma wherein he has to choose whether to kill one to neglect the many, which do you think would he choose?".

Alice's eyes then widen in realization as a slight gasp escaped her mouth. The mystery man then said "That's right. One way or another, one of them will kill the other. It would be the better case scenario if Mal wins, but seeing his track record...". The man then trailed off to allow Alice to reach the conclusion herself.

'Archer' then said "Now choose. Kill your bestfriend... or kill your leader.".

The wolf faunus then fell to her knees as she looked down on her hands and remembered the many she had killed with her bare hands alone. Killing Cenn is out of the question, but Mal... Mal is the size of a child... not to mention quite frail and sickly as well. Killing him would be so easy for her physically, to the point where she could pin it on sudden asphyxiation or heart attack the next morning.

Archer then hung up and allowed Alice to make the decision herself. She then entered team MRACL's dorm room as quietly as she exited. With both hands ready to strangle she then inched closer to Mal's sleeping body. 

'You can do this Alice. This was not the first time you had to do this for the greater good.'

Another step closer.

'For the greater good Alice, you trained your whole life for this.'

Another step closer.

'What is one life to the countless you could possibly save.'

Another step closer.

'After all, he has only eight years left anyways.'

She was by his bedside already, one hand raised and the other, holding a handkerchief filled with chloroform.

'Kill him now! END IT! END IT!'

Suddenly, as she hovered her hands over his sleeping form, a flashback to her old team flashed before her.

'Don't let emotions cloud your judgement. You have to do this!'

*drip* *drip*

Alice then felt warm liquid flowing down her cheeks.

'Why can't I... why can't I do it?'

She then flashed back to one of her former teammates. An especially rambunctious lad who joined the experiment because he too wished to save everyone.

Alice then stuffed the handkerchief in her pocket before breaking down silently.She then saw how Mal began shifting, as he slowly rose started to gain consciousness once more, probably being annoyed by the slight ruckus Alice was making. Quickly, Alice then speed walked to the window and pulled out her phone as if she never left where she was when she was calling earlier.

Mal then groggily looked at her and said "Alice... Please sleep... We have a big day tomorrow... If you're calling the pizza man... I will... stab... you..." before plopping back down. Thinking the boy was still awake, she began blabbering some random words in hopes that Mal would think he was just dreaming.

After five more minutes, she then went to her bed and sighed tiredly at the moon. Today was stressful, some sleep would be optimal.

She then muttered out "When I muttered at the start of school that I'd kill Mal one day, I didn't think I'd actually have to follow through with it. Dammit..." out of earshot from anyone... anyone except the guy who on the bed next to her.

Rogue then internally raised an eyebrow, thinking "What are you up to honeybuns..."

____________________

Rogue then said "I... kinda do." shocking Alice.

"How? How much do you know?" Alice said as her eyes narrowed on the green-eyed male.

"Easy, easy!" Rogue said, trying to placate the woman. He then said "It was last semester. While I was still trying to sleep, I heard you murmur something about keeping an eye on the Mal coz he was dangerous or something.".

Shock filled her once more as she said "Rogue... I-".

Rogue's usually carefree demeanour then switched to a grim demeanour, one she had never seen. "I don't know what your beef is with him and frankly, I don't really care too much. But I have had it friends backstabbing friends, so if you want to explain, explain it to everyone later. Now come on, I still have to make sure he is safe. With the fact that someone is out to get him, there's no doubt that Mr. 'Archer' has others has contingencies."

Where usually Alice was the one wearing the proverbial pants in the little unofficial relationship they have, the usually laid back and nonchalant Rogue's sudden assertiveness made her mind briefly shut down long enough for her to be yanked away.

____________________

Meanwhile, Mal had just been dragged off by Weiss into the inside of the elevator with what seemed like Siri greeting them.

"Welcome to the CCT, how may I help you?".

Weiss then responded with a "We would like to go to the communications room please.".

"Absolutely!" said the voice on the elevator before asking for their identification by instructing them to place their scrolls upon the terminal.

"Perfect! Thank you Ms. Schnee, Mr. Espiña."

They then immediately ascended to the elevator and while they did, Mal couldn't help but look at Weiss in a strange way as she tried to make a believable fake smile.

Mal tried to ask her but the words wouldn't come out of his mouth.

As they enterred, Mal couldn't help but wonder in awe at the inside of the building with how high tech it was. If he was still back on Earth, his aunt would've fawned over it, being a Star Wars fan and all.

As they headed over to a seemingly empty table, a full body hologram appeared once more, making Mal stare at the lady in awe. As cool as it was in the show, nothing beats an actual close up look wherein everything actually looked realistic and not the graphic that Monty used back in the day.

While Weiss and the lady were talking, Mal began circling the lady making the woman ask "Sir, what do you think you're doing?" only for Mal not to respond and instead try and stick his hand through the hologram making the lady chuckle in amusement at his antics. The woman then said "Alright, I'm going to turn off the hologram now." before pressing a button and closing it.

Mal slumped in disappointment with a tiny "Hmph..." accompanying it, making Weiss giggle as she thought 'Heh, cute' before shaking her head as she thought to herself 'Gah, get your mind out of the gutter!!'.

They boh then walked to the deisgnated terminal and as they did, Mal overheard one of the other students using the terminals as she asked "Hi mom, how are things back at Signal?" making him frown as his thoughts went back to his guardian that he left back in his world, probably still worried sick for his comatose body. No matter, time moves differently anyways. He'd be fine, she'll see him in 2 years time. Mal then realized an important aspect about himself in those split seconds.

Despite his need to save people, he doesn't actually know how to sympathize with people. He's wish isn't selfish right? It shouldn't be. People are benefitting from it after all.

As Weiss sat down on the terminal, she then sighed sadly with Mal awkwardly trying to comfort her by placing a hand on her shoulder.

The screen switches on and a blonde woman greets from the other side, saying "Thank you for patching up with the Atlas-oh! Miss Schnee, good afternoon!" visibly surprised about the heiress' presence.

She then suggested "Would you like me to patch you up with your father? I think your sister Winter is here as well.".

Weiss shook her head and then said "Actually, I have some files I need you to find. I've compiled a short list.". She then inserted the scroll into what looked like a really big USB port allowing the woman on the other side to veiw the list.

The woman then raised an eyebrow while looking at the list. She then said "I see... And may I ask, what is this list for?", skeptical at Weiss's list to which she non-chalantly explained as "School Project.". The woman, due to understandable concern then voiced out "If I may, there are quite a bit of sensitive information you're asking and I do not mean to alarm you but there's a suspicious boy behind you.".

Weiss then raised an eyebrow then looked behind and saw Mal. She then gave it a bit if thought before saying "I'll treat the document extra carefully and that's not a boy! That's my team leader, Ruby Rose, she's just... Accompanying me for this." with false indignance and before Mal could react, Weiss then looked back at him with a "Just play along" look at him.

Mal then cleared his throat before stammering out his best Ruby impression, saying "Y-yeah! Ruby Rose here! In the flesh... Er... Screen?" before quickly projecting a copy of her scythe before unfolding it. It may not have Crescent Rose's gun function, but it was still a convincing replica nonetheless.

The woman then looked at him even more skeptically, specifically, his hair and how un-Ruby it is. Mal then looked where she was looking and then faked a look of being insulted before folding "Crescent Rose" and swinging his hands up wildly.

"T-today was just a bad day okay? The hair dryer frizzed my hair and m-my cloak got shrunk in the dryer! What's worse, I'm being forced to borrow ny brother's same sized clothes!" doing his absolute best not to voice crack. Prepubescent his voice may be, but maintaining a shrill voice like his adopted sister's was still hard, especially because he was trying to sound angry.

The woman then said "Ah! Apologies Miss Rose. I understand your plight. The hair dryer can truly be treacherous at times. Anyways, the data is being transferred to scroll.".

Weiss then said "Wonderful, that'll be all then.". The woman then tried suggesting to call her father, which she immediately shot down.

As they were going down the elevator, Mal then asked "What was that about?" to which Weiss then asked back "What was what about?".

Mal then gestured both hands at the tower while saying "You know, the thing Saber. The bit with me being Ruby, that thing.".

Weiss then replied. "Oh, that... Well... You see, father does not want me to hang out with people unless absolutely necessary. If I revealed who you really were and not my team leader, chances are, father would try to use that as leverage in order to drag me back to Atlas.", saying that last part with disdain.

Mal frowned before saying "You don't like your father?" to which Weiss said "If you knew him, you wouldn't either.". Mal then slowly nodded before saying "Back to the matter at hand. Time to find Ruby.".