Yo Peeps, GMG here with the next chapter of SWR. I suppose you are all wondering where the frick I've been. To answer that, I was a bit caught up in some other stuff. Setting up our XMAS tree, finishing some orders for gifts, helping around the house, trying to sort out college stuff, playing the new RWBY game, practicing on Smash 4, testing a new controller, attending a birthday party, managing a guild on Summoners War, and other things. So, as you can see, I wasn't being idle, just distracted from writing. The current chapter was about halfway finished for most of this time, since I started working on it less than three days after the previous chapter. Let's jump on in.

Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY

"Mind sharing with the class?" asked Qrow, sipping from his flask.

"Not at all," came the monotonous response. Reaching into his jacket again, he slipped out a Scroll. Though, it wasn't as sleek or well defined as the standard one that most everyone had. It looked like it had been equipped with enough accessories to make Crescent Rose jealous.

The agent slid it open and waved his hand over it, lighting up a small metal bar on the back of his glove. In a quick burst of light, a projection leapt up around them. Countless files hovered in the air, the text rapidly changing on each, nothing literate or able to be comprehended. Moving his free hand through the images, he started separating files away from the main cluster. After his handful of files had been chosen, he made a sweeping motion with his hands, retracting the remaining files.

"As Miss Schnee has asked of me, I have been gathering intel on Cinder's forces through various measures, as well as beginning the orchestration with which results in the end of the criminal, Roman Torchwick." Flicking one file, it expanded and the text settled into a detailed report. "Locations of each and every faunus of the White Fang has been recorded, deserters excluded. The organization's ties with Cinder have stressed the importance of keeping tabs on them as well. Previous attacks have caused them some losses, but they are still quite numerous."

Ozpin stood, leaning on his cane slightly, piercing eyes staring over the brims of his dark lenses. "I don't suppose you have a suggestion for handling them?"

Artemis shook his head. "Any truly effective solutions take time, considering that Frost would have to exercise her political powers to begin installing new legislation to debase their calls to action. Give them what they've wanted and they would fold, but equality isn't always so simple to enforce."

"And what of their personal forces?" James asked, frowning.

Pulling up a different file, the agent replied, "Infinitesimal at best. With the recklessness of Torchwick, most of their loyal underlings have either been detained or eliminated. They are currently trying supplement what they have lost. They are truly at their weakest."

Winter's strong voice cut in, causing the others to look at her. "What is your personal suggestion on these matters, Hunter?"

"Divide and eliminate. The ties between the two partner organizations are tenuous, so cutting off Cinder would do us much better." A small smirk graced his features. "She is a big why in the active stance the White Fang have taken. Strip them of their mastermind and you buy yourself more time to deal with them. A convenient solution, if I must say."

Nodding her head, Winter dismissed him. "Thank you, Artemis. We will take your suggestions in mind. If you could go and organize our forces for whatever may happen, I would appreciate it."

"As you have asked, Milady." He bowed before sweeping out of the room."

Folding his arms behind his back, James straightened up. "It seems that the time for action is indeed here."

Ozpin shifted his cane, eyeing the general. "Not necessarily, James. We still do not know their plans or how they will enact said plans. All we know now is their numbers."

"Ozpin, the enemy is at their weakest and you will continue to posture with this passive tripe?" James asked, his tone hot with anger. "This is not the time for inactivity! We need to handle this while we have an advantage."

"If I may," came a soft voice. Both men turned to where Ruby was standing. "Numbers aren't everything, right? Look at the Hunters and Huntresses. The Grimm vastly outnumber us, but we can kill many times our number of them. We have our Semblances, Auras, and our unique traits that make it impossible to tell our true strength from just appearances."

The Headmaster nodded. "Exactly! James, we may have numbers, but they have cards left in their hands that we don't know. It's too risky to launch an attack on cornered animals, when you don't know how far they are willing to go. Pardon the expression." He took a draw from his mug before speaking again. "It is still the best time to wait and see where they will go. They don't know that we have this information, yet they lack sufficient numbers to pose a threat currently. Now is the time for careful planning."

Winter interjected there. "I'll have my informants keep up their efforts. Any sudden movements should be easily handled. My forces are already mixed in with the general population, yet still ready to move at any moment."

Sighing in defeat, James nodded. "Very well, I will get back to maintaining security for the festival and I will get THIS," he waved his scroll, "cleaned up and get back to you with any leads it may give us."

Qrow waved his hands dramatically, a drunken smile on his face. "Finally, some communication! You see how much we can do when you all talk?" He frowned. "It's not like I haven't mentioned this before."

Blue eyes rolled, but Winter smiled a bit. "Yes, old man, we know. At least you got your request now."

"Uncle Qrow," Ruby piped up. "Yang and I got that fighting game you told us about. Would you like to play a few rounds later?"

The veteran Hunter smiled and patted the girl on her head. "Sure thing, squirt."

End…

It's a short chapter, but I hope you all enjoyed. It might be some time until the next chapter, as I will be going out of state for two weeks in about 9 days. While I may not post during this time, I will be available via PM, so don't be afraid to message me about anything. I will be trying to update Ship Shape soon, so feel free to pop over there for other things to read. Adieu for now!