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The Second Chance Program
🕑 Added 2025-10-22 18:48:21 +0000 UTCThis one's more of a proof of concept/idea I had that got inspired by Dispatch. Jaune having to be the dispatcher/handler for a bunch of Huntresses who are in a rehab program. Not sure if this could go anywhere further but I wanted to write it down anyway.
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Jaune straightened up his posture and adjusted his tie for what felt like the dozenth time today. The elevator felt insanely slow under his feet and kept looking at his reflection in his scroll's camera. Professional. He had to look professional. This was his second chance. A way for him to accomplish his dream. Sure, it was years late, but it was something. Better than just wallowing at home in the family winery never accomplishing anything at 21.
The door slid open with a soft ding. Jaune plastered on the friendliest smile he could and walked inside. Everyone was busy enough that they were ignoring him. He didn't hold it against them. This was the Huntsmen Dispatch unit. They coordinated Huntsmen all across Vale and Saunus. While a lot of Huntsmen chose to go independent - full wandering hero lifestyle only accepting contracts from the board - others preferred a bit more stability.
That was where this place came in. The HD unit made sure Huntresses went where they needed to be. Cause not everything was about fighting Grimm. Someone good at fighting a horde might not have been the best choice for disaster relief or taking down criminals. They had to decide which Huntress was best for the task. It was like those FBI analysts he watched all the time when he was younger. A lot of staring at screens and clicking on keyboards.
Was it glamorous? No. Was it necessary? Absolutely. He wasn't gonna pretend that he didn't want to be out there fighting Grimm by himself of instead of mannking a desk, but maybe that was his shot at getting there.
He was just about to ask for directions when a voice greeted, "Hello there!" The woman who called out was the very picture of a Huntress. Tall with vibrant red hair in a ponytail and striking green eyes. Her outfit screamed professional Grimm slayer. Bronze armor with a shield and javelin slung across her back. The outfit didn't do anything to hide her chiseled physique. Definitely someone who'd earned her bones fighting Grimm.
"Hi!" Jaune smiled and offered her a hand, which she shook happily, "Jaune Arc. You're Ms. Nikos, right?"
"Yes, but please call me Pyrrha. We'll be co-workers from now on." She nudged her head, "Come on, I'll introduce you to Weiss and then we can get started."
"Lead the way."
The office was a practice in organized chaos. All around them, Huntsmen and plain clothes workers chatted or agued while others manned the desk with robotic efficiency. One Huntsman was arguing about the game last night while sharing drinks in the water cooler while another mixed group were sharing Dispatch stories. He only caught the tail end of the conversation, but apparently it was about a new dispatcher sending a Huntress with electricity abilities to a coastal town. Bad idea.
"We're here." Pyrrha knocked on the door, "Weiss? I have Jaune with me."
"Come in."
Jaune followed his new coworker inside after a slightly nervous gulp. The woman at the end of the big desk just screamed ice queen. Snow white hair, pale skin, and eyes that seemed to look straight through him. The thin scar over her left eye added to the intimidation. Pretty but with an edge. The crisp white business suit felt way more intimidating than the dress shirt and slacks he and the rest of the employees wore. She looked even scarier than the Huntresses.
She definitely wasn't just some businesswoman though. He saw the elegant, customized rapier sheathed at the side of the desk with a personalized scabbard.
"So, you're the fraud," she said.
Jaune winced. Well, that was blunt, but he couldn't deny it. He'd tried to get into Beacon four years back with fake transcripts. He goes as far as making it to the courtyard before Deputy Headmistress Goodwitch literally held him upside down with her Semblance and read him the riot act. He wouldn't get arrested, but he wouldn't be allowed to enter any Huntsman Academy in Remnant. So he slinked back home with his head hung long.
That was 4 years ago now. He just worked the family winery and figured that he'd never get to accomplish his dream. At best, maybe he could man the walls with the militia. It wasn't a glorious life, but it was something. He told himself he was satisfied with it even though it was a total lie.
And then he got that call two months back. An offer to be part of the Huntress Dispatch unit on a special assignment. Half of him wanted to refuse. Watching Huntsmen wasn't the same as being Huntsmen, after all. And then they brought up his records. He was still banned from getting Huntsmen training. But if he succeeded in the job offer then they'd give him a second chance. He'd be older than other students, but it was still a chance. He took it with both hands.
"Uh, yes ma'am."
"Fine then. My name is Weiss Schnee. You'll call me Ms. Schnee or ma'am for the whole time you're working here. Please note that any attempt at trying to be unprofesional will have consequences. Are we clear?"
"Understood..."
"Weiss, please don't be rude." Pyrrha sighed.
"I'm being honest." She scoffed, "Well, Jaune Arc, I hope you'll last longer than the last person in your position."
"I think David did really well, actually," Pyrrha said.
"Pyrrha, he quit after three days."
"To be fair, Cinder did burn down his car..."
"I'm sorry, what?" Jaune cut in.
"You did read the information packet you were sent, correct?" At Jaune's reluctant nod, she continued, "You'll be working with Huntresses from the SC - Second Chance - Program. These are not the usual Huntsmen. They will be...test cases, you could say. Huntresses who've been acting out and this program is the last chance they have of making something of themselves. Succeed, and they can consider themselves redeemed and can gain proper Huntsmen licsenses."
"Yeah, no, I got that. I'm more curious about the 'setting the car on fire' bit?"
"Some of our participants can be...chaotic." She looked like she had to force the words out to be nicer, "Don't get me wrong, many of them do have the best of intentions, but intentions don't matter as much as results. And yes, this means they occasionally act out." Arson was 'acting out'? "However, their skillsets are valuable. When they succeed, they can perform very well. That's the entire reason they've been allowed to continue this far."
"Have they...killed anyone?"
"Not while in this program." Well, that wasn't reassuring in the least, "The worst was the car arson stunt, and we've made it clear to Cinder that repeating that is a one way ticket to Tartarus supermax, so you have nothing to worry about."
"I'm not so sure about that..."
"It'll be fine, Jaune." Pyrrha squeezed his right shoulder, "Like Weiss said, they're good people...mostly."
"Mostly?"
"Look." Ms. Schnee sighed and tapped the table. The sound was soft but felt deafening in the room, "You were suggested because you were 'unorthodox'. Someone who deliberately faked their way into a Huntsman Academy without training or Aura." Jaune winced again. Ugh, he was never gonna live that down, "You're not the most professional or the most qualified, but you do have motivation. You want to get a Huntsman license someday. No academy will ever accept you with your record, but the Schnee name opens many doors. Including ones closed by past mistakes."
"I got it." The words came out firmer than before. He'd do anything for a second chance.
"He can do this, Weiss," Pyrrha said.
"If you say so, Pyrrha. I still have my doubts." She picked up a tablet from her desk and tapped the screen, "The program participants are already heading out into the field, so there's no time for a proper orientation. You'll have to make do with a crash course. Their personell files, strengts, and weaknesses are here."
"Okay..." He took the tablet from her and looked at the eight photos.
The first one was of a beaming young woman with black-red hair, silver eyes shining as she grinned at the camera. File said she had a mix of a scythe and a .50 caliber sniper rifle. He was always tempted to say she was compensating for something. Her Semblance was all about speed.
"That's Ruby," Pyrrha said, leaning over his shoulder, "She's a sweetheart. Always tries to see the best in people and help others. She became a Huntress because she wanted to save as many people as possible."
"She's also a chronic rule breaker," Ms. Schnee said, "Four years at Beacon and she commited what must've been dozens of acts of vigilantism. Headmaster Ozpin tried to shield her, but even he couldn't hide how painfully obvious she was. So now she's in the Program. If she can show that she can follow orders and work within the rules, she can receive her license."
The next one was a stunning blonde looking at the camera with a cocky grin. Shotgun fists and a Semblance that let her hit harder the more damage she took. Perfect brawler build.
"That's Yang. She's, well..."
"She's a hothead," Ms. Schnee said, cutting Pyrrha off, "During her entire time at Beacon, she snuck out after hours, got into fights, and caused property damage the school had to pay for. Half the clubs in Vale have banned her permanently, and the other half are too scared to even try. She sees herself as some rebellious icon, but that's not what a good Huntress makes. This program is the last chance she has to shape up and get her license."
The third one was differnt. A cat Faunus with long dark hair and amber eyes. Unlike the last two, her face was expressionless. Apparently she had a 'variant ballistic chain scythe'. Semblance was making shadow clones and she had a particularly skill for stealth.
"Blake." This time, it was Ms. Schnee who spoke first, "Former White Fang member. Her background was found out only after she spent years at Beacon. As you can imagine, the council wasn't exactly happy that someone of her background hid her past to train among future Huntsmen. Headmaster Ozpin successfully negotiated a plea deal. If she gave away information and entered the program, she could get a license. As you can imagine, she's on thin ice."
White Fang? Weren't they terrorists? But then again, if she was that dangerous, they wouldn't have let her joined the program...right?
The next picture was of an oranged hared woman with maple syrup on her cheeks and an expression that screamed 'I regret nothing'. A warhammer and rocket launcher plus a Semblance that boosted her when she was hit with electricity. Perfect if they ever needed to fight in a power plant.
"That's Nora, an old friend," Pyrrha's voice was warm and she smiled fondly at the picture, "She's here because...because of..."
Jaune's brows furrowed and he looked at Ms. Schnee, expecting her to fill in the gaps. Instead, she pointedly started looking at her manicured hands, "Uh...what'd she do? Even her file doesn't say it." The others had a list - the same things Pyrrha and Ms. Schnee said. With Nora, all it said was one word: "Nora."
"Ahem, moving on!" Pyrrha clicked the next photo. She looked somewhat similar to Blake; dark hair and amber eyes. But while Blake's expression was calm and expressionless, the woman in the photo smiled dangerously. Cinder Fall. Jaune pursed his lips. Oh great, the car arsonist. It said she was skilled with dual blades, bow and arrow, and and even martial arts. Her Semblance allowed her to turn anything she could see into superheated projectiles. That explained the burning car, at least...
"Cinder. She's...troubled." Even Pyrrha sounded strained.
"She's a pyromaniac and a menace," Ms. Schnee said bluntly, "Why they insisted she be allowed in the program, I have no idea, but she's here now. Credit where it's due, she's probably the most skilled fighter among everyone in the group. Whether that makes up for her numerous flaws remains to be seen." She rubbed her temples. Jaune looked down at her list of crimes. Arson, assault, breaking and entering...it was a whole laundry list. It almost looked like a resume.
"She's had a...difficult life," Pyrrha said, trying desperately to be diplomatic.
"Many of us have, Pyrrha. It doesn't justify half the things she does." Ms. Schnee shook her head, "Speaking, the next one on the list."
The next woman was obviously a foreigner. Dark skin with mint-green hair. Emerald Sustrai. Weapons were a pair of revolver-sickles and her Semblance was making illusions. Okay, wow, that sounded really versatile. Not just for combat.
"Emerald." Pyrrha's voice returned to its more pleasant tone, "She actually turned herself in. She's been making a 'living' being a thief. Her illussionary Semblance meant that she never had to worry about being caught or having to be violent. If she passes through the program, then she can receive a proper license."
"I think she's hiding something, but the program is made with the intention of giving certain Huntresses a second chance. At least she's not setting fires to buildings like Cinder," Ms. Schee said.
The last one was a grinning woman with pink and brown hair and similarly colored eyes. Her smile was all-teeth and didn't have a shred of warmth. Neopolitan. Weapon was a bladed parasol (surisingly without a gun attachment) and her Semblance was illusions too. Different than Emerald's. More for creating constructs for misdirection.
But it was her list of crimes that really drew the eye. It was bigger than even Cinder's. Stealing priceless artifacts, fighting Huntsmnen, stealing General Ironwood's personal flagship. He would've thought that last one would mark her for the deepest, darkest hole in the Solitas tundra.
"Neo's different from the others," Ms. Schnee said, "Think of her more as a permanent resident. In exchange for information that no one else could give, plus her particular brand of skills, she's given freedom of a sort. Oh, and she's mute as well. For the sake of convenience, she'll be using pre-recorded messages when responding."
"No offense, Ms. Schnee, but why wouldn't you assume she's planning to escape?"
"Because we have something - or rather, someone - she'd never leave behind." She steepled her hands together, "Neo isn't a lone wolf. Her partner, Roman, was captured alongside her and she knows that if she pushes too far then she's never going to see him again. That keeps her compliant, moreso than even Cinder. She'll follow orders if it means being able to see her precious partner in video calls. Though she may try to prank you at times. There'll be no permanent damage."
"And temporary damage?"
"Moving on," she said, completely ignoring him, "As I mentioned before, the Huntresses are already out in Vale. Your job is to deal with situations and send the appropriate Huntress for the job. That means not sending Yang to break up a bar brawl. She'll just drag every other customer into it. And do NOT, for the love of the Brothers, send Blake against any suspected White Fang sightings. She's been...obsessed every since they tried to bomb Vale a few years back."
"Got it..." He paused, "Wait, Vale? Don't Huntresses hunt Grimm?"
"Not these ones. First they need to show that they can be trusted before being sent out into the field where entire settlements could be depending on them. For now they'll be helping the community, solving crimes, and maybe dealing with lost cats stuck in trees. Once they've proven they can handle that, they can do more serious Huntress work." It seemed like a waste, but he couldn't disagree considering the group. He nodded, "Then you know what you have to do." She took the tablet back, "Pyrrha, please show him to his station."
"Right. Please follow me, Jaune." Pyrrha led him outside and closed the door behind her before speaking again, "I hope you don't think too badly of Weiss. She's stern, but she means well. She legitimately does want the program to succeed."
"Why?"
"Two reasons, actually." They started walking again, "First, her father sent her here as a sort of test. Rehabilitating less cooperative Huntresses is very good PR. There's a reason people here joke that SC stands for Schnee Company instead of Second Chance."
"And the second reason?"
"That one's more important. Weiss wants the program to succeed for her friends' sake. Ruby, Yang, and Blake used to ber her team back at Beacon. I know she puts on a professional front, but she does feel guilty knowing she got her license while the rest of her friends didn't. She's just been burned because all the previous dispatchers have quit and she was starting to lose hope. If the program shuts down then that's it. They either lose their chances at a license or, in the case of Cinder and Neo, go to prison."
"I won't let you down."
"I know you won't." Pyrrha's smile was so sure that he almost felt guilty, "Well, here's your station. Good luck."
Jaune said his goodbyes and sat down on the wheeled chair. The cubicle was pretty small but the computer was state of the art. Ms. Schnee spared no expense. He turned on the screen and put on the headphones. The eight of them were already all around Vale, "Hey everyone, this is Jaune Arc, your new dispatcher. Let's get started.
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Three days later and Jaune's sanity was on its last legs.
The blonde took a gulp from his fifth coffee of the day and looked at the screen again. The job seemed simple enough. He'd get pings and alerts to crimes in progress and directed the proper Huntress for a job. Thieves stealing art? Blake could sneak up and take them down quietly. Needed to stop someone from making a scene? Send Ruby and she'd use those big eyes to make them feel guilty. Criminal base in a warehouse without any civilians? Cinder or Yang to capture them all.
The problem was he felt like a circus ringleader.
"Bar brawl on fifth street."
"I can-"
"No, Yang," Jaune said, cutting the bruiser off, "You're still banned from the place. Emerald, go talk to them and try to minimize the damage."
"Got it." Emerald was the one bastion of sanity in this place. She wanted to keep her head down and earn her license and pardon. If only they were all like that.
"Just got a ping about a museum heist in progress. Looks like they're stealing Ozpin's cane."
"Oooh, ooh, I can go! Kicking bad guy butt's what I do best!"
He almost felt guilty saying no to Ruby. She was enthusiastic, and that caused issues. Her property damage wasn't as bad as Yang's, but it was still up there, "No. Neo knows the layout of that place better than anyone. Neo, go stop them. And for Brothers' sake, don't steal anything. I'll know."
"As you command," the synthesized voice chirped back. It somehow managed to sound sarcastic.
Jaune rubbed his temples. Even if the picked the right Huntress for the job, it was still a crapshoot on whether they'd succeed or not. Like the time he sent Yang to give some juvenile delinquents a pep-talk to turn their life around. Her profile said she was a big sister and good with kids, so he figured it made sense. Then she started talking to them about being 'real rebels' and now they were tagging Yang's emblem everywhere. The parents were furious.
Or the time he sent Ruby and Nora to deal with some criminals who stole a boat. He figured their speed and strength would make it simple. It somehow ended in a giant jetski chase that was all over the morning news. Nora was paragliding!
Ironically, Cinder ended up not being a problem in something he thought would be a disaster. He got a call about a cat stuck in a tree and everyone else was busy so he had to send her. He thought for sure it'd end with the tree burning down, but she got the cat back and escorted the kid back home. Half of him was still waiting for the other shoe to drop. Like maybe she took note of the address so she'd have something new to burn.
A new call hit his screen and he winced. Suspected White Fang spotted at the docks, "Got a situation at the docks. Cinder, Nora, you two-"
"The Docks? Is it White Fang?" Blake cut in with that tone of voice he'd learned to dread.
"No, just some regular criminals. Not terrorists."
"Then you won't mind if I come along. Just in case."
"Uh, no can do! You're gonna be busy..." He looked at the dispatch list, "Ooh, a donut shop's being robbed. Bob's Donuts are a community staple, Blake. Super important. Trust me, Cinder and Nora can handle it no problem."
"But-"
"Stop holding things up, Belladonna," Cinder cut in. Jaune didn't know whether he was thankful or annoyed, "Send us the coordinates, Arc. We'll make this quick."
"Remember to take them alive if you can."
"Broken legs still count as alive!" Nora said loudly.
"Try to minimize damage!" he amended. He learned not too far in that some of these women were literal genies.
Cinder and Nora zoomed to the docks on his screen while Blake went the opposite way to the donut shop, grumbling all the while. Jaune let out a sigh and looked for something to assign Ruby to. A bored Ruby was a a dangerous Ruby who went off looking for crimes to fight.
Just two years, he told himself. Two years and he'd get his chance at training. Then he'd be the one on the field instead of behind a desk. He could do this. And maybe he could even ask Pyrrha out to dinner later. She was nice.
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Like I said, not sure if this will get another chapter. Depends on if it gets interest. This is more of a fantastical office comedy with Jaune dealing with superpowered Huntresses he has to keep from causing chaos.
Comments
Ryan Clark
Honestly this was a lot of fun and the group of miscreants you have make sense.
LARP Analysis
Brilliant, give me 50 chapters.
