1939. REORGANISATION

Evening had already fallen when Ludwig returned from another grueling day of factory supervision. His men have been continually developing more efficient and better ways to optimize production, working hard and without complaint. He was pleased with them but far from a happy, bright eyed boy he used to be.

"Evening, bro." Gilbert hailed from his writing desk, basking in electric light that made modern life so convenient. Even now, he insisted on wearing his uniform and living by the drill. "What took you so long?"

"This is pointless!" Ludwig took off his sweat drenched working shirt and slapped it across his shoulders, "We work like mules every day and whatever we make, inflation wipes away in a heartbeat."

Gilbert turned and studied him for a moment, "You are overworked."

"The whole nation is overworked." retorted the blonde, "And hungry."

"Children paying for debts of their fathers." Gilbert stretched and sighed theatrically, "Too bad we weren't in a position to invade some rich and exotic overseas land and made a foolish mistake of trying to snatch some Lebensraum from our foul-tempered neighbors."

"This is not funny, Gilbert." sweat on Ludwig's broad chest glistened with each of his deep breaths as he began to work himself up, "It has never been this bad. The people are getting angry and so am I."

The older man smiled, stood up and approached Ludwig. After the Word War 1 injury, he never lost that slight limp.

"Hey," he put a placatory hand on Ludwig's shoulder, feeling the muscles knot beneath the skin, "don't think I don't see the way things are. It is obvious this cannot go on for much longer."

"But what to do?" the younger man's anger seemed to dissipate under his brother's palm. Taller by head, he again looked like a child seeking advice from a mentor. "Our people feel they have been wronged and punished too harsh. I can feel their dissatisfaction like smoke in my lungs. It chokes."

The white haired man only nodded, letting Ludwig speak his heart.

He looked at his strong hands riddled with blisters, red with frostbite, "I don't know what more can I do for them. They deserve better, but… I feel so helpless, constrained and isolated." Desperation in his voice was palpable.

Gilbert put his arms around him and Ludwig let his head rest on his brother's shoulder, comforted by his presence. "Isolated in the heart of Europe." he whispered.

"We can change that." Gilbert said, pulling away. "I'll see to it."

"What do you mean?"

"While you have been working your skin off, I have been keeping fruitful correspondence with prospect friends and allies." the albino's lips stretched into a smirk, raising Ludwig's attention.

"What would we need allies for?" he asked warily.

"Allies, helpers, sympathizers… don't split hairs! The problem with you, bro, is that you always want to do everything by the book. You are too diligent, too obsessed with being fair, thorough, black or white to live in the real world. Do you think what is happening to our people today is fair?"

"No." Ludwig slowly said, "but I am not sure where this conversation is going."

"What I am trying to say is there is a high probability we will have Japanese and Italian officials visiting us soon." Gilbert's smile widened, "And the chances are they will be bringing highly lucrative offers, a once in a lifetime sort of thing."

The tall man was silent for awhile. "You were talking about a foolish mistake earlier." he said gravely, knowing the way his brother handled things. His eyes were tired and wary, but there was also a defiant spark in them, a glare of something being trapped in a corner for too long, now lurking and getting ready to bite.

"No fools this time." Gilbert said without a hint of doubt, confirming Ludwig's premonitions. He couldn't remember when was the last time he saw his brother's former arrogance restored like this. It was a long-lost, familiar sight, reminiscent of glory-days, happy memories and, strangely, it made his skin crawl. "Or do you wish to sit idly and let things get worse?"

The blonde shook his head and sat down, lost in thought.

"What have we got to lose? Do you think someone will hand you better treatment on a silver plate?" Gilbert insisted, leaning over him. "Don't you think we have bowed low enough already? We have a right to live in our country with dignity and prosperity, do we not?"

Ludwig nodded noncommittally, trying to get his thoughts sorted out. Maybe Gilbert did have a point, after all he was older and more experienced…

"Aren't you fed up with those hypocrites' mock treaty?" the torrent of words seemed ceaseless, "Do you want our nation to be treated as second-rate forever?"

The blonde felt his pulse pick up the pace, poisoned by resentment and anger. Indeed, what did he have to lose? The future looked bleak enough already.

When he raised his gaze towards Gilbert, the blue eyes were ominous and cold as ice. "This time I am also putting on a uniform."

The soldier smiled and ruffled Ludwig's hair as if he were a boy. "I knew you had it in you!" he said proudly, "This time they will have to deal with us both!"

"I have already begun with preparations, my dear brother, just like in the old days." he continued. Gilbert's stature, voice, face seemed to rejuvenate, fueled by prospect of a quick and sneaky attack, "Found the perfect man for the job too."

"Don' tell me you found a worthy successor of Chancellor Bismarck?" Ludwig snorted, ran fingers through his locks and leaned back in his chair, falling into his new role all too easily. The slick hair and cynical eyes gave him a somewhat predatory look. Merciless.

Gilbert only smirked back in response, "Truth be told, this is one of Roderick's men, but with a glorious vision. Charismatic. We can use him."

"And what about Roderick?" Ludwig inquired.

"Herr Adolf and I have already made plans to annex Austria on our way. Honestly, I don't expect Roderick to protest at all. He always was hungry for a bigger mansion, the self-proclaimed noble."

Ludwig laughed heartily, released from restrictions and the urge to please. His expression then turned serious, a face of a trained hound waiting his orders "How do I fit in your plans?"

There was a satanic gleam to Gilbert's crimson eyes, "I will need your organization and project management skills. Herr Adolf has a lot of big plans that can put diligent and obedient people like you to good use."

Ludwig grinned and flexed his powerful fist that already itched for comforting weight of a weapon.