Neo sat on board a Bullhead with her arms crossed and a bored look on her face. While around her members of the White Fang grumbled angrily at having to work with a human.
Currently Neo and a team of White Fang grunts were on their way to Atlas on orders from Cinder. Their goal was to find out any plans for new weapons being developed or already completed, shipping manifestos for the SDC, along with programs Watts needs for his virus. The latter objective given to Neo personally, as she'd be the only one going aware of it.
Roman sent Neo along to, as he put it "make sure the animals to mess it up," his words not hers. While Neo was fine with going on a heist, anything to get away from Cinder and her brats, she could do without the White Fang complaining about her presence. She ignored their words though, they were only grunts, with the only noteworthy member wearing a custom mask with chameleon horns and wearing a black stealth suit.
Neo only caught her name once, Ilia she believed, before they were sent on the mission.
"We'll be coming up on Atlas soon." Said the pilot
Showtime. Neo thought standing up and going to the cockpit to see Atlas come into view
This never gets old. Thought Neo still in awe whenever she sees Atlas floating in the sky
They had to fly low to stay off the military's radar, but they managed to land on the outskirts of the city. Once they landed they exited the Bullhead and the pilot flew off saying they'll be back when they get the signal.
"Alright remember, stick to the plan and stay together. We can't risk alerting the humans we're here." Ilia said taking command
"And what if any humans get in our way?" One asked
"Then deal with them." Stated Ilia the meaning behind her words making the Faunus grip their weapons eagerly
Neo rolled her eyes at them, they could try and be a little less obvious in their desire to kill people. This is why she prefers working alone or with Roman, as then she doesn't have to deal with idiots that will likely get them caught or intentionally mess things up just to start a fight.
If they screw up, I'm not gonna let them drag me down with them. Neo thought
The group began moving unseen towards the Atlesian military base, making sure to avoid being spotted. Remaining hidden got more difficult when they reached the base and Neo had to use her stretch her Semblance to its limit keeping them hidden under disguises of Atlesian soldiers.
When they got inside and out of view Neo sighed in relief as she dropped the illusions.
"Hmph, I guess you are useful for something human." One of the grunts sneered
Tsk, next time I'll just let you idiots get caught, save me the trouble of having to deal with you ever again. Neo thought
She may not hate Faunus, but she wasn't about to let them walk over her.
Continuing on their way, Neo made sure to put the illusions back up whenever there was a camera or when any guards came by. Thankfully the place was mostly empty, due to the employees having gone to bed already with only patrolling guards remaining. They soon arrived at the labs and Neo examined the corridor leading to the labs, before spotting something she recognized.
Stopping one of the grunts about to step forward with her umbrella, Neo pulled them back.
"What do you think—"
Neo smacked the Faunus with her umbrella before pulling out a vial of Ice Dust. Popping it open Neo poured some into her palm, holding her hand up Neo blew the Dust down the corridor. The Dust revealed hidden lasers standing between them and the entrance to the labs. The lasers went in every direction, vertical, horizontal, diagonal, in a complex pattern that'd be impossible to move through without tripping at least one.
Looking at the grunts and Ilia, Neo had a smug look. Dropping her umbrella on the ground Neo slid it under the lasers before taking several steps back. Turning to the lasers Neo motioned them to move and immediately ran towards the lasers and jumped above them, landing on her hands Neo leaned to side cartwheeling between two lasers. Backflipping she slid under a row of lasers, finally she twirled around before jumping through several diagonal lasers. Landing on her feet with a hand on her hip, Neo kicked her umbrella up into her hand and rested it on her shoulder, giving the White Fang members a smug smirk.
"Well I'm waiting." Neo said with her sign
"Ilia, how do we get through?" One of the grunts asked as none of them would be able to get passed the lasers without tripping at least one of them
"Find another way around and locate the shipping manifestos if you can. The human and I will find out the plans for any new weapons." Ilia ordered backing up and running towards the lasers and flipping through them the same as Neo
Turning to the other Faunus, Ilia nodded and they left to complete their orders.
"Copycat." Said Neo, Ilia glaring at her behind her mask
"Shut it human, let's just go." Said Ilia
Both girls proceeded through the door and saw a long corridor with several doors and windows along the walls and branching hallways.
"Come one, let's try and find the server room." Ilia ordered, Neo rolling her eyes at her thinking she could her order her around
But she followed nonetheless, while taking the time to pull out her scroll and take pictures of the inside of the labs, never knowing when they could come in handy.
Soon though they found the server room, but it was magnetically locked. Ilia managed to short-circuit it though with her whip and opened the door.
"Alright this is it. Keep watch while I get the plans." Said Ilia going to one of the computers and connected her scroll to begin the download
Yeah, I'll get right on that. Neo thought going over to another computer while Ilia was distracted to get the programs Watts needed
Getting them was rather simple, as she was given several codes to help break through any firewalls or protected files, but Neo also took the time to download several other files that she thought might be useful to her. Mostly anything she could use to improve her weapon or anything that could help really.
Once she had everything Neo pocketed her scroll and went back to the door.
"How did you know they were there? The lasers?" Ilia asked suddenly looking over
"Hm? Oh I've encountered similar traps before and just know what to look for." Neo replied having encountered all kinds of traps during previous heists
"Tsk, and I guess these other encounters involved stealing from others. Typical humans only knowing how look out for themselves and stepping on anyone that gets in their way." Spat Ilia, Neo glaring at her for that
"At least I'm not honest about who I am, rather than pretending to be a bunch of noble fools." Neo retorted
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Demanded Ilia
"Just what I said, you and the rest of the White Fang are fools." Neo said, this made Ilia move from the computer and got in Neo's face
"How dare you! You don't get to talk about me or the White Fang, you don't understand the hardships Faunus has to go through every day! Being looked down on as nothing but animals, being forced to work on Dust mines, my own parents died in one of those mines and humans like you had the nerve to laugh about it! The White Fang is working to give Faunus the freedom and equal rights they deserve. And we will get them after showing humanity just what we're capable of!" Ilia shouted her skin, eyes, and hair turning red in anger
"Maybe, but it won't last." Neo said, Ilia confused by that
"What're you talking about?" Said Ilia still glaring at her
"It won't last. Sure maybe one day the Faunus will get equal right and freedom to humans, but for how long? Right now the White Fang are united against their hatred and fear against a common enemy, humans. But what happens when it's over and that unity dissolves away, how long until another group comes along believing they're better than everyone else? What happens when say Mammal Faunus or Predator Faunus believe they should be in charge and then you're back to square one, suffering under discrimination and oppression. Only this time it'll be Faunus against Faunus." Neo explained her belief
It was only natural that if Faunus got equal rights through violence what'll stop certain Faunus from believing they're better than the rest, then it'll just start the cycle all over again. It was a pretty dark view of things, but Neo was a pretty dark person.
"Please, like the Faunus would ever turn against each other." Ilia scoffed turning back to the computer though not before Neo showed one more message
"Believe what you want. But here's some free advice, chameleons have plenty of predators mostly snakes and birds, so watch your back. Never know when a bigger animal will come along and devour you." Neo said before dismissing her sign
Ilia scoffed at the "advice" and went back to her task. While ignoring the small part of her that couldn't help but think, maybe her words might be true.