Banesaw 5

>He ripped off his mask and threw it at the far wall
>The sound of metal on high speed metal echoed through the White Fang's base
>Nearly every eye in the room was on him now
>Some out of fear
>Others, respect
>Many of the new recruits stifled their shock, just finding out one of the highest ranking members of the White Fang was actually a human
>One of his old squad-mates was the first to break the silence
>"Hey.. Are you alright?"
>Her light touch on his shoulder caused him to snap back to reality, letting out a breath before he looked at her
>"No. I'm not. None of us should be. He used us as pawns! And now what? Adam's still gone, and now Roman for all he's worth is in Atlas' hands!
>"You need to calm down.. Look, you're the highest in command right now... We need you."
>Her eyes pierced his heart, dousing his rage, for now
>"I.. I know. I'm sorry.."
>He gives her a half smile before another former squad-mate hands him his mask
>He puts it back on before addressing the horde of Faunus around him
>"Listen up. We've suffered some heavy losses. Everyone rest up for a while. I'll work on things in the meantime."
>The Faunus relax, making their way to their quarters, the mess hall, or the medic station
>The third and finally member of his former squad comes up to him and hands him his mask with a soft smile before giving a slight nod, his hand on his shoulder
>The Faunus walks off with the rest of the White Fang
>The other two Faunus take their leave as well, leaving him alone in the briefing room
>"So, you're taking charge, are you?"
>"Adam."
>"Did you think I'd leave the White Fang in your hands?"
>He wasn't sure what was going on, or where Adam had come from, but he shakes his head
>"I was just doing what was needed at the time."
>Adam looks like he wants to continue but doesn't
>"Look. We're going after some new targets now."
>"Who? What?"
>"Doesn't matter."
>"Why?"
>"To further are cause, of course."
>"How did following Roman and leading Grimm into the city help our cause?"
>"Just because you can't see the overall plan doesn't mean what you've been doing has been a waste."
>"Then tell me. Why lead Grimm into the city? How does that make us look like anything other than evil? Innocent civilians shouldn't be killed for sake of those calling the shots!"
>"Do NOT. Question my motives. You're lucky you're still here at all. No go rest. You'll be needed tomorrow."
>He opens his mouth to reply, but shakes his head and opens the door
>He blinks under his mask, finding his female squad-mate
>"Oh. I was wondering if you were coming and heard talking.. I didn't want to interrupt anything."
>"It's alright. Let's go."
>He smiles slightly, leading her away from Adam and to the barracks, where the rest of the Faunus were
>They walk in and she goes over to her bunk while he stands in the doorway
>One of his other squad mates looks over
>"Hey, you alright?"
>"Fine. Listen up. Everyone. Please. I'm leaving the White Fang."
>All heads turn to him when he started to speak, but none were ready for that
>Some audibly gasp, others turn to each other and start whispering
>"The White Fang as it is now will never be able to achieve what I joined it for. Killing innocent people, robbing dust shops.. None of this is going to change the world we live in for the better! What we're doing isn't going to change the lives of your family and friends. If we keep doing what we're doing, we'll just keep making Faunus out to be criminals and scum until they decide to just kill each and every person you know. What we should be doing is targeting those at the top. The ones controlling the way this world operates are the real enemy, not the regular people just trying to survive like we are. We should be fighting to force the executives and the chairmen and councilmen to end their racist laws and segregation that are keeping Faunus at the bottom!"
>While he talked, several Faunus nodded, others seemed unsure, others still shoke their heads
>Soon enough, a small group was cheering every time he finished a sentence while the rest of the Faunus simply waited for him to finish out of respect
>"So that's why I'm leaving. To be the change in this world that I set out to be. I will not stop until the discrimination and injustices are finished. .. I know I'm not your leader, but I ask that anyone who feels the same way and wants to actually work towards this future.. Join me!"
>He bows his head, not knowing how the Faunus would react to a human wanting to lead them
>A light pat on his shoulder causes him to look up
>His former team, as well as six other Faunus stand around him, the rest of the White Fang shaking their heads or looking around, trying to decide where their allegiances lie
>"We're with you. We'll make this dream a reality."
>He smiles at the few around him
>It was only about a fifth of the Faunus in this White Fang base, but it was more than he thought would join him
>"So that's your decision then?"
>He turns, only to find himself face-to-face with Adam for the second time tonight
>He takes a breath and nods
>"It is."
>"Then I suggest you leave. Now."
>He quickly grabs his chainsaw from his bunk while Adam reaches for his blade
>He places it on his back and grabs a small duffle bag of his stuff
>Adam's hand leaves his blade
>He looks at Adam before walking past him
>The nine White Fang trail after him quickly, two more joining just before they leave the base
>Adam watches them leave and smirks
>"All according to plan."