Sounds of things going up pneumatic tubes are heard clanging, until it stops. Ruby is heard breathing heavily, before gasping for breath. She is helped out of the tube by May and Penny. Weiss Schnee can be seen angrily pulling Nora Valkyrie by her ear.

Nora: Ow, ow, ow! C'mon that was a once in a lifetime experience!

Weiss lets Nora go. Nora's right ear turned red.

Nora: Ow.

Blake Belladonna can be heard stepping out of another tube, her hair messy from the unorthadox method of travel. She is helped out by Ahsoka.

Blake: Good. Because I never wanna do that again.

Blake fixes her unkempt hair. The group proceeds forward.

May: Alright robo-girl, you're up. Which way?

Penny uses her eyes to view the area ahead in a wireframe view.

Penny: (points in various directions as she says them) We'll cross the bridge, then go left, straight, right, straight, left, up, up, right, straight, right, right, straight, left, left.

Everyone looks stunned at Penny's direction.

Penny: And my name... is Penny.

Ruby: (crossing her arms and smiling slyly at May) Heh.

May: Tsk...

Soldier: Look, I'm sure it was nothing-

Soldier 2: I swear I heard something-!

Both Soldiers stop when they see the group, they raise their guns to attack, while everyone else raises theirs to defend. But Ahsoka steps forward, hand extended.

Soldier 1: Freez-

Ahsoka: We are supposed to be here.

Both: (lowers their guns) You are supposed to be here...

Everyone is shocked, looking from Ahsoka to the soldiers. Ahsoka waves her hand again.

Ahsoka: Nothing is wrong...

Both: (Relax their postures) Nothing is wrong...

Ahsoka: You are going to continue your patrol...

Both: We are going to continue out patrol...

The two soldiers walk back out the door they came through, leaving the group with stunned expressions.

Nora: Since when could you do THAT?!

Ahsoka grows a concerned look on her face, pressing a finger to her lips.

Ahsoka: It only worked on those two... We should move if we don't want to be caught.

May nods and activates her Semblance, hiding everyone from view.

They are later seen in an elevator. They hear the elevator door open, and back away cautiously when they see a pair of Atlas Soldiers enter. The soldiers are oblivious to the group's presence due to May's Semblance.

Soldier 1: I don't think even the squad captain knows what's going on up there. They can't get close to that storm without getting shocked right out of the air.

Soldier 2: Which one?

Soldier 1: The Grimm one!

Soldier 2: It's creepy, all those Grimm just... waiting. Worse than if they'd attacked--

Soldier 1: Hey, don't say that! You'll jinx us.

Penny motions for the group to follow her, and they discreetly squeeze past the soldiers, headed for the elevator door.

Soldier 2: I just hope the C.O. can get us some answers soon, or-

On the way out, Nora flashes a mischievous grin and swipes her hand over the elevator controls, tapping the button for every floor. The pair of soldiers are now alone in the elevator. Soldier 1 glances at the elevator controls, then does a double take.

Soldier 1: Huh?

The doors to the elevator close again. The group makes its way down a wide corridor to a large locked door with "03" in large print on it. Penny stops by a nearby control panel and extends her index finger. The tip swivels out to reveal a connector plug, and Ruby's eyes grow wide.

Ruby: Cool.

Penny interfaces with the control panel, and the attached handprint scanner flashes green. A hologram display pops up, showing Dr. Pietro Polendina's credentials.

Computer: Welcome back, Doctor Polendina.

The door slides open with a whoosh, and the group steps through.

May: Alright, where to next, Penny?

Penny: Right through central command!

A door to the right opens to reveal a bustling workplace filled with digital workstations, holographic maps, and Atlesian officials and clerks.

Weiss: Of course.

Ahsoka: That isn't good...

May: I can't maneuver us through all that.

Penny: Do not worry, Ruby is capable of traveling at an extreme velocity from one point to another by breaking herself down to her molecular components, thus negating her mass and then reassembling them at the destination, theoretically making it possible for her to transport all of us in the same way, as mass no longer matters.

A cartoonish series of animated infographics pops up next to Penny as she talks, illustrating the effects of Ruby's Semblance. However, Ruby looks dumbfounded.

Ruby: I, uh, what?

Penny: You can use your Semblance on all of us.

The infographic disappears in a burst of stars. Ruby still looks stunned.

Blake: (gestures at her, amused) Did... Penny just figure that out before you did?

Ruby: Blake, she knew you were a Faunus before I did!

Elsewhere in the complex, General James Ironwood meets with Arthur Watts. He enters the room, adjusting his mechanical left arm and straightening his tie.

Ironwood: Apologies for the delay, today has been... busy. Have you made any progress?

He circles around a workstation to where Watts is working. A revolving wireframe of Penny is displayed on one screen, and a recorded video feed of her standoff with Cinder plays on another. Lines of code scroll across the screen as he types.

Ironwood: I'd hate for us to have to try motivating you... Again.

The general claps his hands on Watts' shoulders in a threatening gesture, causing the latter's eyes to widen in surprise, pausing his work momentarily.

The Being observes while invisible, stroking his chin slowly before teleporting away.

Watts: Given what we're after, I've got all the motivation I need. Sadly it doesn't make taking down Pietro's magical science project any less cumbersome.

Ironwood releases his grip on Watts' shoulders as he continues typing.

Ironwood: Oh, I trust you can come up with something.

Watts: Oh, the trust is palpable.

A wide shot reveals four Atlesian soldiers standing in a firing stance, their guns leveled at Watts. A red security alert pops up on Watts' screen, and he pulls up a map of the military complex.

Watts: Speaking of the man, are you aware that dear Dr. Polendina is gallivanting around your military compound?

Ironwood leans down to inspect the screen. A window with text reading "DR. POLENDINA'S CREDENTIALS IN USE" can be seen.

Watts: Unless, of course, someone else is using his credentials.

The general lets out a frustrated growl.

Ironwood broadcasts an announcement throughout the complex.

Ironwood: A security threat has been detected in the compound, status alert level 3: red. Lockdown initiated. Authorization granted to handle ANY threats with lethal force.

Ironwood turns of the comm and growls angrily.

Ironwood: Tano...

Red emergency lighting activates and sirens start to blare as the infiltrating group listens in dismay.

Ahsoka: Oh, that's really not good...

Weiss: You've got to be joking!

Penny's eyes glow as she inspects the system.

Penny: The pneumatic tubes have all been closed off.

Blake: We're trapped.

May: We passed a hangar, I can hijack an airship and get us off this floating rock.

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

Nora: Hmm...

Nora looks thoughtful, then snaps her fingers as if she has an idea.

An office worker carrying a cup of coffee walks by. May sticks out her foot and trips him. He loses his grip on his mug, and the coffee spills all over a workstation, causing it to spit sparks of electricity. Its operator's lap is also drenched, and he cries out in pain.

Operator: Read the sign, Bill! Read the sign!

The camera pans over to a hand-drawn poster depicting a burger, fries, and drink suspended in the water over a large shark-esque Grimm, a la the famous Jaws (1975) poster. A majority of the room's occupants turn to stare and shake their heads at Bill.

Operator: Why don't you ever just pay attention?! You're in here late all the time, your coworkers-

The scalded operator bursts out of the room, bellowing in pain, and leaves the door open behind him. As the workers continue to complain to Bill, Ruby uses her Semblance, taking Ahsoka, Weiss, Blake, Nora, and Penny with her.

They wouldn't have made it past undetected, if The Being hadn't made Ruby's spiral invisible.

Office guy: (still complaining to Bill) You put salmon in the microwave!

As his complaints are drowned out in the noise, Ruby releases her Semblance, striking a pose. Nora and Penny look at her in awe, Weiss and Ahsoka smile, while Blake holds onto the wall with a terrified look on her face.

Blake: Another thing I don't wanna do ever again.

The six girls make their way along a raised walkway in a cavernous and deserted chamber. At the end of the walkway is a heavily electrified door.

Penny: Stand back, please.

Ruby, Weiss, Blake, Ahsoka and Nora get ready to draw their weapons as Penny interfaces with a control panel, deactivating the electricity and opening the door. As the overhead lights come on, a secluded room filled with terminals is revealed. Ironwood's terminal sits at the back wall.

Ruby: Uh, where is everyone?

Penny: This is a highly classified area.

The girls make their way inside, and the door closes and electrifies itself again. Ahsoka briefly stops to regard it before moving on.

Penny sits in the office chair by Ironwood's terminal and braces herself, taking a deep breath before contacting her father.

Penny: Hey dad? I'm ready.

Penny's eyes turn yellow. She starts speaking in Pietro's voice, and her movements are considerably more stiff and jerky.

Pietro: Ahem. This process is a... little complicated. So I'm remoting into Penny from Amity Colosseum.

Ahsoka: I.... see.

Penny begins her work on the terminal as Ruby and Ahsoka watch on. The other three idle by. Blake swivels around a few times in an office chair.

Blake: I hope the others are okay. I've never seen Yang and Ruby fight like this.

Weiss: Don't worry, they're sisters. Sometimes sisters just have very different ideas about what's right.

Nora: Yeah, they'll be fine. Jaune's a great leader, Oscar's grown a ton, Maul is... Maul. and Yang is more than capable of protecting them all in a fight.

Blake and Weiss wait for her to continue. When she doesn't, they both tilt their heads in puzzlement.

Blake and Weiss: Hmm.

Nora: Oh, and of course Ren is- um...

Nora's usual happy-go-lucky composure breaks, and she averts her eyes.

Nora: I don't know what he is. Every time I think the two of us are making progress, he... (sighs) We've been together our whole lives but I feel like I understand him less now than ever. And I don't know if that's his fault or mine.

Blake: When you've been at someone's side for so long, after a while they become a part of you. But that's just it, they're only a part of you. Don't forget about the rest.

Nora lets out a mirthless chuckle.

Nora: I don't actually know who I am... without Ren. Pretty sad, huh?

Weiss: Well, maybe take this opportunity to find out? Do something only Nora can do.

Nora: Like what? Be strong and hit stuff?

Weiss steps forward to comfort Nora, but some loud keystrokes distract them, and the girls join Ruby, Ahsoka, and Penny at Ironwood's terminal. As Pietro speaks through Penny, Weiss turns to Ruby for an explanation, but she can only shrug in response.

Pietro: I just have to... There. Downloading the cloned imprint now. When Penny gets to Amity, we'll run the launch sequence. Amity's computer will try to connect to the general's terminal but get Penny instead.

Penny's eyes go back to green.

Penny: And after the launch, I'll return to help you all with the evacuation.

Pietro: (coughs) About that, Penny. When Amity goes up, I think you should be on it with Maria, Din and I.

Penny's cheerful expression is replaced by an anxious one. The rest of the girls trade conflicted looks.

Penny: But they need me here. Right?

Ahsoka: If you stay out of Salem's reach-

Ruby: Then she can't open the vault. She can't get to the relic. So...

Weiss: Maybe it is for the best?

Blake: Um, we should probably head to the hangar.

Back at the room's entrance, Penny glumly deactivates the electrified door again.

Penny: I guess we all have to do some things we would rather not.

To the girls' surprise, the doors open to reveal Harriet, Elm, Vine, and Marrow.

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

The infiltration team draws their weapons.

Ahsoka steps forward and activated her lightsabers.

Ahsoka: All of you, stay behind me...

The girls draw their weapons too.

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

Marrow: We were holding back!

Ahsoka: And now you wish to fight again? With me involved?

Vine: Ahsoka, please, hear me out...

Ahsoka: Shut it.

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.

Ahsoka: So now you are having second thoughts about leaving Mantle to die?

Vine: The war is here, she is here and-

Ahsoka: Please, you don't know anything about war... This is bigger than just Atlas, you're getting ready to leave more than hundreds of people to die in the crossfire, we have our separate goals. I am a force-user, and I swore to protect the people who couldn't protect themselves. But all of you? Your no Huntsman, you're just military operators, just mindless puppets only to listen. I knew clones with more free-mindset than you. If there is no help for Mantle, then there is no hear me out.

Vine: (sighs to Penny) I thought you were supposed to protect the people, not hurt them.

Penny: I would never hurt anyone.

Elm: Well Winter's in critical condition, because of you.

Harriet: And you repaid her by stealing the power that should have been hers.

Ahsoka: Stop, Maiden powers choose the next host by itself, it's not controlled. You're just taking control of its system of last thoughts. You used the previous Maiden, Fria. I watched her choose Penny as the next host herself and you have no right to control it.

Harriet: If you keep refusing to do the right thing, people in Atlas AND Mantle are going to die.

Ahsoka: Oh, so now you care about Mantle?

Marrow: You could stop all of this, Penny. Just open the vault, hand over the relic, and you'll save Atlas.

Ruby: But it won't save Atlas. Salem will find her way to the relic no matter where you go. Once Ironwood opens the vault, the relic is--

Harriet: One more word, and I'm throwing you in jail right next to your uncle, runt.

Ruby makes to move forward, incensed, but Penny holds her back, balling up her fists.

Penny: Leave. Her. Alone.

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

Penny steps forward beyond the room's threshold, and Harriet remotely activates the electrified door. Penny only has time to turn around before she and Ahsoka are separated from her friends.

Ruby: No!

Now out-numbered, Penny turns back to face the Ace Ops, green Maiden-flames rising by her eyes.

A small breeze picks up, blowing in the Ace Ops' direction. It grows to the point of Penny's enemies needing to brace themselves. Finally, Penny sends an air current barreling forward, knocking the Ace Ops off their feet. Vine grabs a nearby railing with his Semblance and Harriet and Elm land on their feet, but Marrow has to grab Elm's hammer Timber to regain his footing.

Harriet uses her Semblance to move against Penny's wind while Vine uses his to boost himself up out of the airflow, landing behind Penny. The Winter Maiden turns around to face him.

Penny: You will NOT hurt my friends!

Harriet tried to attack Penny, but is swiftly stopped with a foot to the jaw thanks to Ahsoka.

Harriet growls as her guantlets began charging with electricity, using her Semblance to increase her speed.

The Ace Ops split off into two groups, Marrow and Harriet engaging with Ahsoka. While Elm and Vine try to attack Penny.

Harriet runs forward with a yell, swinging with her electrically charged gauntlets. Which were either re-directed or blocked by Ahsoka's sabers.

Harriet tried using her Semblance to speed past Ahsoka and off-balance her, only for Ahsoka to dodge to the side and trip Harriet to the ground.

Ahsoka: Your anger clouds your judgment...

Harriet: Shut up!

Marrow begins firing his gun at Ahsoka, she had to be careful when deflecting the bullets, for they weren't dust, and would become superheated pellets of metal.

Harriet, trying to take advantage of a distracted Ahsoka, ran forward again. But Ahsoka angled one blade to block her punch, and angled the other blade to block a bullet.

Vine stretched his arms out to restrain Penny, taking notice of his other two teammates struggling to even land a hit on the Jedi.

Penny noticed Vine's arms, and generated a gust of wind, knocking him to the side. Elm was unaffected though, using her Semblance to root her in place.

Swinging her hammer down, Penny angled two of her swords to block the attack. Using the rest to strike the exposed side, making Elm's aura flash.

Vine took out his bladed weapon, attacking Penny from one side, while Elm recovered and attacked from the other.

Separating her blades, and controlling their motions, Penny used two swords to defend herself from Vine's attacks. While the other blocked Elm's hammer again and retaliated.

Penny rotated, not keeping focus on a single huntsman. Elm didn't have much of a defense when swinging her hammer with both arms.

Penny spun the four swords, a ball of energy forming. Elms eyes widened as the energy shot forward, colliding with her chest. Her Aura ranked the damage, but was damaged significantly.

Penny's eyes read that it was down to 36%.

Harriet grew increasingly more angry with each failed attempt at attacking. Yelling out in rage as she increased her speed even more.

Ahsoka was beginning to find difficulty in defending herself from Harriet's attacks, since she punched as fast as a machine gun.

Ahsoka felt a premonition, seeing Marrow throwing his boomerang and using his semblance.

Marrow threw the boomerang at Ahsoka, trying to catch her off guard. But Ahsoka pivoted, kicking Harriet in the throat and making her Aura flash, before turning and slicing his weapon in half.

Marrow stood stunned and forgot about the plan, Harriet's screams bringing him back to reality.

Ahsoka knew she had to just whittle Harriet's aura down, if she could land one hit with her lightsabers, then it would be over with her Aura gone.

The problem was that her gauntlets were electrically charged, making an effective countermeasure.

Just as Ahsoka began forming a plan, she heard a single word.

Marrow: Stay!

Ahsoka froze, realizing Marrow's semblance was in effect, her eyes widening.