Sable Judge

It was fall and the Cerise Forest showed it. It was an ocean of red leaves and black tree trunks as far as the eye could see. The woods covered the surrounding area and went as far as the mountains in the distance. The forest was filled with the noise of roaming wildlife, the howls of distant Grimm and the rustle of wind through the crimson sea of leaves. There was also the rhythmic sound of metal, clacking against each other as an armored figure made their way through the area. They were shrouded in a hooded powder blue cloak that rustled against the soft red grass underfoot. With every step the metallic clinks echoed through the area until suddenly they stopped as the person took a seat on a nearby stump.

When they couldn't get comfortable they let put a tinny sigh as they raised the visor on their helm. Hector was lost. There was no way other way to say it. He'd been traveling on foot for hours and still hadn't found the meeting site. He pulled back his hood revealing a gleaming helm. It was made of polished black steel, and shaped in a circular fashion giving it the vague shape of a bucket. It covered his face and had two slits for the eyes. As he tried to get more comfortable he shifted on the stump causing the armor underneath the cloak to creak and clink. After a lot of moving around he finally got to a point where he could sit restfully and think about things.

It had been nearly two weeks since his master had given him a special assignment. The Schnee Dust Company had a shipment of dust to be transported by train through the Cerise Forest. Due to the recent surge of White Fang thefts and attacks on Schnee shipments and stores it was deemed necessary for extra security be added. Normally this wouldn't be anything out of the norm, but there were eye witness accounts of White Fang members with aura participating in the raids. This was something the Sable Judges could not ignore, so they had decided to send a judge to help deal with the problem. According to the reports there was chance the White Fang wouldn't even raid the supply train, even if they did show the added security bots and defenses would be set to handle most of the work. So it was set to be a dull, action less, dragging affair. It was deemed the perfect assignment for a young apprentice to cut their teeth on. Hector being the youngest member of the order had been the instant choice for the task.

Hector had left the tower of justice proud and ready. Now he was tired and sweaty. He wanted to go home. But he had responsibilities to take care of. So he pushed onwards. He thought that he could have cut a shortcut through the forest. He had underestimated its size and was currently meandering his way through to the train station. He'd have to hurry or he'd miss it. His master would be furious if he did.

The sound of a train whistle in the distance caught his attention. He lowered his visor, jumped to his feet and quickly walked towards the direction of the sound. After breaking through the tree line he found the loading docks nearby. He headed towards it and as he approached one of the dock workers came up to meet him. He wore the standard Atlas security uniform. It consisted of White armor and helmet over black pants and a shirt. A large white Schnee Dust Company symbol was branded on the breastplate over his chest and the weapons he was carrying.

The man eyed his cloak and helmet warily as he gave a small greeting bow. "You're the judge we were sent?"

Hector nodded. "Yes, I am Minor Judge Hector."

"I'm in the guy in command here, call me Grey. How old are you Hector?"

Hector's jaw clenched under the helmet, his age seemed to always be a point of focus for people. He knew he sounded young but he was still a judge. "I am eighteen, sir."

Captain Grey whistled. "They have them young in your group, huh?" The words were complimentary but Hector could see the coldness in the man's eyes. He wasn't saying these things for the sake of conversation, it was a test. Probably to weed out the possibility that he was a fake. Hector didn't like the lack of decorum but he appreciated Captain Grey keeping to protocol. He figured he should put him at ease.

"I am the youngest in the order, as well as the youngest to ever make the rank minor judge in our orders history. I have all the proper documentation explaining my status and certifying my claim. Would you like to see them?"

Captain Grey gave a quick look over before shaking his head. "No, that's not needed. I was just checking, only Judges have armor like that anyway."

What kind of logic was that? Was he shirking his duty? This was basic protocol, what if Hector was a fake? Anyone could wear black armor. Hector was even wearing a cloak, meaning he could just be wearing the helmet and something else underneath. This was unacceptable.

"I insist you check my status." He said firmly.

Captain Grey blinked confused. "Uh, I mean it's fine, I already believe-"

Hector held up a hand with the documents. "Protocol is protocol. Failure to adhere to it is dereliction of duty." The man paled before gingerly taking the documents and taking out a data tablet to run them them. He quickly handed them back after the results came back positive. Hector nodded and gestures to the train being loaded up. "Tell me about our task here."

Captain Grey quickly nodded and together they walked and talked. "It's a standard dust transport train. It's loaded with top quality product, meaning any White Fang cell worth their salt is going to want to take a crack at it." He gestured to the humanoid robots loading up the train. "We'll be using the Knights to help load and defend the supplies."

Using robots for the bulk of security suited Hector fine. There was less risk to the men he was being charged to help.

"How many men do we have with us?"

"Two dozen or so, already on the train and ready get going."

"Getting restless already?" Hector was late but they shouldn't have been so impatient to leave already. They were still loading up the cargo.

Captain Grey shifted nervously. "They don't like it, waiting too long in an area like this. This big Schnee symbol on our chests is pretty much a huge target out here."

Hector patted the man's shoulder, he tensed before relaxing. "It will be fine Captain Grey. We have all we need. There is a chance the White Fang will not even show. Let us get going, the quicker we leave the less the men have to worry about."

Captain Grey nodded and as Hector turned to take in the surrounding area he heard the man hum thoughtfully. "What kind of weapon is that?"

Hector realized that he must have been referring to the shape of his sheath underneath the cloak. "One I hope won't need to be used."

Soon everything was loaded and they were off. The train was a line of black box cars. Some had been modified to accommodate people with couches and refreshments so the soldiers could be comfortable as they worked. Hector was in a car near the front where they had set up the Knight Control room and surveillance equipment. He was watching the monitors carefully as a few technicians ran diagnostics nearby.

"Um, Mr. Judge," a voice said nearby drawing Hectors attention to a technician looking away from his station. "You don't think…the White Fang will actually show do you?" The man asked nervously.

Hector understood the man's fears, and he didn't fault him for them. But his loose fitting armor and inattentive attitude towards the monitor irked Hector and he had to wonder about the discipline of this crew. He could hear them cheering and laughing in the car next door. Relaxation was for when after the task was done, not before. They seemed to have forgotten that.

"The others seem to think so." Hector grumbled through the helmet.

The technician shrugged. "They're just trying to keep themselves from thinking about what happens if the White Fang attack."

"Aren't these men trained?"

"Yeah, but not against-" The man seemed to pale a bit before coughing. "Never mind, we're all just nervous, that's all."

It was clear that this wasn't solely it. Judging from the way the other technicians in the room tensed as the man had spoken something was clearly up. "What were you going to say?'

The technician shifted in his seat uncomfortably. "Nothing, I was just thinking, it's fine."

Hector crossed his arms and gave a disapproving hum, causing the man to pale even further. The armor of a Sable Judge was hot, heavy, loud, and uncomfortable. But it was nothing if not intimidating. Hector wore is cloak to protect against rain and soften his presence, no use in administering justice if the people you were protecting were terrified of you. But even the helmet alone was enough to make the strongest fighters wary. The Judges weren't people easily trifled with. As the technician saw the armored helm look directly at him he broke.

"I-it's just…there are rumors. They say there are White Fang members different from the others, that they're practically monsters."

Ah, the reason Hector was here. The so called Red Bull and Black Cat of the White Fang had been in the description of this assignment. It was said that the Red Bull was a beast wielding a crimson blade that bathed in the blood of his enemies. Reports said he rarely left anyone alive in his attacks. His partner was the Black Cat, a mysterious individual who had eluded capture and description. Both operated on a strictly hit and run mentality, they would hit their targets and then leave before anyone could really get a useful description of them. To the average soldier they would appear to be monsters. To a judge they were worse, they were Accused.

Aura users who have had their aura opened illegally or had gone rogue were Accused. Unlike huntsman they operated outside kingdom laws and answered to no one. Without any documentation or way to truly know their allegiance there was no way to control or predict what they would do with their powers. Which made their potential for harm almost limitless, as an aura enhanced individual could be a threat to people everywhere if left unchecked. They could wipe out towns or even cities with ease if they had the right semblance. They were deemed too dangerous to be allowed to operate freely, thus an Accused was to be deemed a threat by humanity as a whole until judged otherwise. This is where the Sable Judges came in.

"They are not monsters," Hector assured the technician. "They are just people in need of judgement, no more, no less."

That seemed to take the edge of the man's nerves. It relaxed the room as a whole apparently since the others continued to work with less of the tension they had displayed before. Hector felt relived at that, tension would only hinder the mission. He returned to looking at the monitors. It seemed like they would be passing in the shadow of one of the mountains soon. If the White Fang was too attack it would most likely be there.

There a yawn behind him. "Man, I hope the White Fang do attack. I'd like to see what they do against the new Spider Droid. That thing is wicked."

"Yeah," another piped up, "almost makes you wish for trouble. Those faunus freaks wouldn't know what to do up against our tech."

The others mumbled in agreement. Hector ignored them, he didn't enjoy where the conversation was going. Something on one of the monitors caught his eye though. A blur a black and red against a nearby mountainside.

"-back to Menagerie. Right, judge? Judge?"

The man hadn't seen that Hector was already heading through the door. He crossed over into the next car and entered. The room was rowdy and the guards all seemed to be relaxing, talking, playing cards or watching TV. Captain Grey noticed him first and gave a small wave.

"Hey judge, come to join us?"

"There's trouble." Two words froze the room, everyone tensed up as Captain Grey stood from his chair.

"What kind?"

"It looked like incoming hostiles."

"How many were there?"

"I counted two."

Confusion rippled throughout the room. Captain Grey brought a hand to his chin contemplatively. "Why would the White Fang only send two agents after a whole train? What are they thinking?"

Hector crossed his arms. "They're thinking they only need these two to take the train."

Confusion was quickly replaced by fear. They had all heard the rumors. They all knew who the White Fang had sent.

"What are we going to do?" One of the soldiers asked, he sounded on the verge of panic.

"We handle it, like we were told too." Captain Grey said as he looked around. "Is everyone here?"

There was a general mumble before someone spoke up. "Blueford and Rojas aren't. They're on patrol right now."

Captain Grey swore and looked startled as Hector began to move. "Where are you going?"

"To get your men, keep everyone here and protect the technicians." Before Captain Grey could protest Hector was already in the next car. He moved quickly before a ring echoed through his helmet. Pressing a button on collar of his armor he answered the incoming call as he jumped over to the next car.

"This is Judge Hector."

It was one of the technicians. "Sir, Captain Grey told me to patch you into our frequency. He's-"

The technician sounded like he was being pushed and his voice was quickly replaced by Captain Grey's. "Judge what are you doing? The intruders just entered a storage car for the Knights. Let the bots handle this."

"Your men are still out there." Hector said as he exited the car out into the open air, the next area was just an open platform covered in strapped down boxes. Wind whipped by his helmet and buffeted his cloak as he headed forward. He could already hear the fighting. "Have you contacted them yet?"

"Yes, their fine. Their trying to get back here but there's a problem."

"What is it?"

"They're in a car behind the intruders. They can't make it through without engaging. The intruders are making scrap metal of the Knights. Those two wouldn't stand a chance."

This was bad. He'd need to move quickly. "Activate all the defenses, get the spider droid online. Distract them and keep them moving towards the front of the train."

"You think the droid can handle them?"

"No, but it will keep your men out of their sights. Tell them to hand back and follow only when the intruders are out of sight." He could hear the sounds of slashing and screams drawing closer. He heard the rhythmic thumps of multiple metallic legs too. Which meant the spider droid was online meaning that they should be close. "They need to be cautious. The Accused may not stop at just attacking metal men."

"What are you going to do?"

Hector stopped before looking around and gauging the environment. The wind didn't bother him due to the helmet, the sunshine gleaming off his armor would make for an excellent distraction and the openness of the platform meant less risk of an explosion taking out the rest of the train. It was the perfect place to face the Accused. "I'm going to make a verdict."

The train car in front him exploded outwards sending two people flying. They landed painfully before getting up and returning to the fight. Hacking and slashing at it while trying to avoid its cannons. He saw where the two got their names. The Red and black had two horns, a Grimm mask and wielded a red katana while his partner was lithe and elegant in her techniques. She seemed to use a blade and pistol hybrid, which she swung around using some kind of ribbon. The spider droid was having trouble keeping up. Which was expected but what wasn't expected was when it combined all its cannons and fired the Red Bull absorbed the energy into his blade. He then didn't so much slash the spider droid as much as completely obliterate it. He had a powerful semblance, a very dangerous one, this could not stand.

His friend the Black Cat seemed to be moving away from him while this was happening. She was careful in her movement, almost as if she didn't want the Bull to know she was leaving. This was interesting. She was paying so much attention to him that she couldn't stop herself from bumping into Hector. She gasped as she leapt away from him, weapons at the ready.

"What-"

"Blake!" The bull ran forward, he seemed winded after his attack. Hector knew that this could either be good or bad for negotiations. A tired man wants to fight less, but a cornered one fights more desperately. 'What is this, another robot?"

"Hello," Hector said calmly. No use in escalating the situation for no reason. "My name is Hector. I am a Minor Judge in the order of the Sable Judges." Their eyes widened and they took a few steps back to create some distance from him. "As of now you two are Accused. Have you anything to say in your defense before judgement?"

The Black Cat seemed to mull it over. Conflict wracked her features as she looked at Hector. "I-"

"No human scum will ever judge me!" The Red Bull said as he moved forward to slash at Hector.

He stepped back before there was any real damage but looking down he saw that the front of his cloak had been cut clean through. That irked him, he really liked that cloak. "Very well, if that is how you plead. I pronounce you guilty. Prepare to be apprehended and judged." Hector reached down and tore of the cloak. He let it go, sending it flying off into the wind, revealing his armor in full. It was black as night, with shining silver chainmail glistening in between the segmented steel plating covering his body. If the helmet intimidated then the full set revealed could terrify. No one willingly went up against a judge.

The two thieves seem to sense what kind of trouble they were in as their eyes widened and they exchanged wary looks. The Black Cat's conflicted emotions grew only more complicated as she shifted on her feet.

"Adam, this was a mistake. We should leave."

The Red Bull shook his head. "No, we came here for the dust, we aren't leaving without it."

He was a stubborn one. Hector didn't take pleasure in battle, but it was common for the Accused to lash out. Reaching back he grabbed the hilt of his blade and detached it from the magnetic holster on his back. He shifted into a fighting stance and pointed it at the two.

Every Sable Judge had a weapon. They were tools of justice forged by their own hand through years of hard work and study. Hector's was a large black two handed double edged long sword with a black leather wrapped pommel. The cross guard fashioned to look like two gavels. The metal along the blade was inscribed with hectors favorite part of the ancient oath the Sable Judges all take:

In Pursuit of Peace

"You two can still stand down." Hector said as he shifted his stance and adjusted his hands on the swords grip. "With compliance comes leniency. Attacking a judge is a highly punishable offense, but you have yet to cross that line." The Red Bull only shifted his own stance. After a few moments the Black Cat did so hesitantly as well. Hector resisted the urge to sigh. He had really hoped that a peaceful solution could be found. "Very well, let us begin."

For a few moments no one did anything, the only sound was the wind rushing past. Then all of a sudden everybody moved. The Red Bull charged forward and red sword met black with a screeching clang. Their blades moved in a blur of motion and the sound of clashing steel tang through the air. The Red Bull fought fiercely, he wasted no movement and struck with all his fury behind every strike. Hector met every strike with one of his own, moving and shifting his stance to absorb and negate the strikes. The weight of his blade and his armor let him stay defensive, taking on the blows without injury.

The Red Bull fought so fiercely that Hector almost missed the movement of his partner. She was silent and approached form his blind spot. But the sound of the guns click alerted him to her presence. He ducked just as she fired a bullet and whipped his foot out catching her in the chest. She was sent sprawling unto the floor and the Red Bull roared as he lashed out with his blade.

"Blake," he roared as he kept trying to get past Hectors defense," why didn't you use a clone?" Clone?

She wheezed and hacked before getting her breath back. "I tried, but it-it didn't work." Oh, it must have been her semblance. They must have also been confused about why their aura wasn't protecting them. These two must have known about judges but not why they were so feared. They were about to find out.

As the Red Bull pulled back his sword Hector chose that moment to strike. He swung his blade at the man who blocked the sword with his own. What he didn't seem to expect was that he couldn't stop the longswords momentum. It crashed through his defense and slammed into his side sending him sprawling next to his partner. He tried to get back up but only managed to stumble and hack out a cough. He looked confused as he gingerly touched his side. It looked like he had a few broken ribs at this point. "What-how-"

"I am a Sable Judge," Hector said proudly. "You have no hope of winning this fight. Surrender now and you could still get some leniency."

The Black Cat seemed to be considering it but her partner only snarled. He perked up as he saw something behind Hector. Before he could figure out what it was the Red Bull surged forward. Hector moved to defend but the Red Bull actually moved around him. Hector turned and to his horror he found out what the Red Bull had seen. He had his blade to a security guards throat and Hector could only watch as he shifted the blade closer to the man's neck.

The man was terrified and Hector couldn't help that his own fear leaked through into his voice. "Let that man go, you do not have to do this. Please."

The Red Bull only sneered. "Put down your sword or I slit this man's throat."

Hector hesitated. For a Sable Judge to submit their weapon to an Accused was unacceptable. Entire sections of the code dictated that such an action was completely prohibited. But a man's life was in danger. A Sable Judge was supposed to protect the innocent and punish the guilty, but which was more important. Hector's musings were interrupted as the Black Cat spoke from behind him.

"Adam, what are you doing? This wasn't part of the plan, we aren't murderers!"

The Red Bull only snarled. "Quiet, Blake!" He turned to Hector. "Put down your sword or I gut the man in front of you right now. Do it!"

He was going to kill a man under his charge, but if Hector put down his blade then he would most likely kill the others as well. He couldn't let that happen. He took a deep breath and shifted his stance. Hector could only hope the man could find it in him to forgive him, in this life or the next.

"No," Hector said to the surprise of all those there. "I will not put down my weapon. Lower the blade and surrender, your judgment is inevitable."

The Red Bull snarled again as he drew blood forms the guard's neck. "I don't think so, this man's life is about to be-" He couldn't finish the sentence as a gunshot rang out and Adam gasped as it raked across his back causing him to lurch forward.

Hector glanced over to see that it had been another guard nearby. It must have been the man's partner. The guard was still in trouble though, and Hector didn't know if he could close the distance in time to prevent the hostage from being skewered as the Red Bull recovered. It turned out he didn't have to worry as a black ribbon flew forward and wrapped around the guards arm. With a quick pull the Black Cat got him out of the Red Bulls range. Hector didn't have time to be grateful instead he swung his sword in an arc that sent the confused Red Bull flying backwards through the air. He landed near the edge of the platform, where he struggled to rise.

He looked past Hector at Black Cat, confusion and anger etched on his features. "Why?"

Hector looked back at Black Cat. He saw that she was looking away. Shame and pain wracked her features. She was an interesting one. Hector turned back to the Red Bull. "Accused, you are beaten. Lay down your weapon, it's over."

The Red Bull just pursed his lips and sheathed his sword. Hector moved forward to make the arrest but the Red Bull only shook his head. "This isn't over, it will never be over." With that he fell back over the platforms edge and off the train. He disappeared and Hector walked over to see no trace of him.

He heard Black Cat let out a shuddering breath and turned around to see her and the guards look at him shocked. With that over Hector realized he'd have to handle a few things. He walked over to the two guards. "Are you two alright?"

"Yep," one of them said. "We're fine, thanks for the save."

"That was close one," the one who had been held hostage said as he rubbed the cut on his neck.

Hector nodded. "Yes, yes it was. Go get that cut looked at, and then talk to your Captain about demotions."

The two looked at Hector confused. "I'm sorry, sir?"

"What were your exact orders?"

"Um-"

"Stay back and move forward when the intruders were out of sight. Those were your orders, and you ignored them."

"Yeah, but-"

"In ignoring them you put the mission, your fellow guards, and yourselves at risk. That is unacceptable. Now go, we will discuss this later."

The two saluted him wearily before trudging off, Hector could hear them grumbling under their breath's but chose to ignore it. They were about to be chewed out plenty by their Captain. Besides he had another matter to attend to. He walked over to Black Cat and with his hands on his hips addressed her.

"What is your name?"

She looked up at him warily. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying, but still quick and alert as they looked him over as if watching for a coming attack. "Why?"

"So I know who to thank for saving the men under my care. It took a lot of courage to make the choice you did."

"I just didn't want to see someone killed like that, the White Fang isn't-…wasn't a band of killers and thieves. What we were doing here today…it was wrong."

Hector nodded. "I am glad you see it that way. I know the Schnee's have not earned any goodwill with the faunus community. But that does not change what the law is or who it applies too. So thank you…"

"Blake, Blake Belladonna."

"Thank you, Ms. Belladonna." He reached out a hand and she hesitated before extending her own hand and shaking. "I appreciate your help." Blake's face seemed thankful for the words, but a click caused her to frown and look down at her hand, which was now handcuffed to Hector's. "You are also under arrest."