Equius breathed in through his nose and gently breathed out, staring at the mirror in his quarters. He ran his fingers through his hair, slicking the long locks back. He finished buttoning up his officers coat, taking a moment to note the SS pin on his collar. While the coat fit Equius rather well the pants were rather goofy-looking. Due to Equius's large build, it was difficult to find pants that he could sport well, therefore the trousers he had here all came up to just below his knee, forcing him to wear high socks. Scratch also jested in saying he looked Napoleonic in this fashion.
Equius turned toward the door of his quarters, satisfied with his current attire (though it seldom bothered him). He opened the door and stepped out into the crisp December air. The sun was only just rising above the horizon. Being third in command, somehow below that fool Makara, Equius's job here at the labor camp was to sort out the new comers in the civilian entrance, Makara dealing with the POW entrance, and Scratch… Well, Scratch had his own agenda. Equius had figured that much out right quick upon his arrival.
Equius strode across the camp, his boots leaving fresh prints in the soft white snow. As he walked, a recurring thought came across Equius's mind. These "labor camps" weren't really for labor at all. These were political slaughterhouses. Quite frankly, Equius had only made his war cry for the Nazi party when it spoke of a reform of what was once the Great German Empire. Equius was only a boy during the Great War but he recalled his father, an engineer for the Germans, speaking of the heinous outcomes of the Great War and how Germany had been kicked to a corner like some dog that'd bit its owner.
Granted, Equius was no fool; he knew he had some blind prejudices against the Entente. That did not change how he felt for the Fatherlands though; the Germans were clearly superior, even some of the Japanese admitted to this (not that those fools would know anything about what a true hierarchy of beings are anyway).
Equius made it to the front gates, a large brick archway with wrought iron gates and two sniper towers. An 8 foot brick wall stretched across the entire camp, barbed wire lining the top. Equius climbed the steps to the middle of the archway which looked over the train stop. Ten German soldiers stood shoulder to shoulder in front of the gate, a junior officer waiting for the first train to arrive. Equius reached into his coat, drawing a pocket watch. 6:44 in the AM. The first train should be arriving soon.
Equius leaned his head from the tower, taking a closer look at the men below. "Krieger! You're five inches in front of the line, find your place man! Schneider! You call that standing at attention!? Are you a soldier or a tweaker?" Equius continued to bark until he felt a cold hand on his shoulder, one he recognized like no other touch on this earth. Equius silenced his ranting and turned to his right, extending his right arm into the air above him. "Heil Hitler!" Equius said loudly.
Officer Scratch gave a lazy salute back. "At ease, Zahhak." Scratch said, resting against the railing of the gate overview. Equius rested his hands behind his back and stood upright behind Scratch, waiting to see what Scratch wanted. Scratch was quiet for a good while, staring in an unfocused gaze out across the rolling Austrian hills, his stark white hair twitching in the crisp winter morning breeze. Finally he drew a cigarette from his officers uniform. He took it between his lips, taking a match from his sleeve and lighting the smoke. He offered another cigarette to Equius, who politely declined. Scratch stuck the cigarettes back in his coat pocket and stood in front of Equius. Only now did he grasp quite how large his third in command was.
Finally, after this long silence, Equius spoke. "Sir, is there something you request of me?" Scratch smiled that cold smile of his, turning back to face the gates of the camp.
"I only wanted to check on my officers dear boy, I'll be seeing to Makara and his men after you… Also, if you'd please, later tonight after dinner I'd like to speak to you in my office." Scratch said, taking the cigarette between his fingers, smoke rolling from his nostrils.
Equius snapped his boots together. "Of course sir! I could skip my meal to meet you sooner, if it pleases you, sir?" Equius inquired.
Scratch laughed a bit, turning to pat Equius on the shoulder before making his way for the stairs. "That will not be required Zahhak. I'll see you later tonight; be a… good host to the newcomers arriving today. The directing details will move the guests, you just… Welcome them." Scratch said as he reached the bottom of the stairs, making his way across the camp grounds, two guards at his right and left.
Equius let his shoulders slump a bit, a few beads of sweat dripping from his brow. Something about Scratch always did Equius nervous, yet… He felt like a peasant before the Doc.
"Officer Zahhak! Trains arriving!" Equius heard from one of the guards below. Equius turned his head and leaned it off the gate walkway. "Well? What are you waiting for? Welcome our guests, Schneider! Must I do this all myself!?"
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Rose Egbert slumped in the lazyboy in the living room, the clock counting down the seconds, minutes, and hours Rose sat alone, staring at the letter on the desk. It was from John, and while she hadn't opened it yet, she knew what it's contents would entail. Where he was going. What hell-hole the U.S. army would be sending him. Maybe he's just going to get sent into the reserves, Rose pondered. She bit her lip, closing her eyes. She knew that wasn't it. She knew that her- nor John- ever had such luck. She glanced away from the letter briefly to the coffee stain adorning the floor. Still haven't gotten around to cleaning that up, Rose thought. Finally, with a sigh, Rose leaned forward and picked up the letter.
The train jerked to a hard stop. Nepeta was thrown forward, ripped from her dream. She hit the wooden floorboard of the train with a smack, letting out a yelp. She crawled to her knees, rubbing her cheek. There was a pause, a few German voices hovering around the walls of the cart. The other gypsies were all standing, holding eachother, most wrapped in the tattered cloth they'd lived in for so long. It was all the soldiers that rounded them up would let them keep.
A wrinkled hand came down in front of Nepeta. "Huh?" she muttered, looking up. An older man bearing what Nepeta found to be beautiful dark green scarf was reaching down for her to aid her up. She extended her small hand to his, taking his help as he pulled her to her feet.
"On your feet little one." the man said, looking onward across the heads of the cluttered gypsies. He looked back down to Nepeta, seeing the fear in her large eyes and the bit of blood now trickling from her nose. He kneeled best he could in the tight car and removed a handkerchief from his coat pocket. He dabbed the blood from under Nepeta's nose. He proceeded to take the scarf from around his neck, wrapping it around Nepeta's neck and shoulders. It nearly acted like a poncho; she was so small. He smiled. "There, now you-"
He was interrupted as the doors squealed open. German voices barked and everything began to move so fast. Nepeta shuffled forward with the old man, people bumping her as they filed out of the car. She squeezed the scarf tightly around her, burying her head deep enough into the scarf it stopped above her nose. The morning sun hit her emerald eyes, causing her to wince and blink. The crowd was moved along brick walls toward a fence, loud voices barking in a language she didn't understand to her right and left. She looked up at the looming gate to see a rather tall and muscular man in square glasses staring down at the crowd.
Equius leaned against the railing, watching the gypsies file out. An officer came up the stairs and approached Equius. They turned to meet each other, the soldier extending his arm out. "Heil Hitler!" they exchanged. The soldier then glanced to the crowds. "You are needed for sorting sir. We have a small group today, shouldn't take very long. However… Er… Officer Makara has requested to… 'Take his pick of the litter' sir." the soldier explained.
Equius tightened his lip. He was so very irritated by Makara's perversion. When ever there was a group of gypsies or Polish civilians, Makara came along to pick what ever women he pleased. Equius tried not to think about why they never left his quarters, or if they did they seldom spoke or would try to throw themselves onto a soldier's bayonet. Equius sighed. "Alright, file them into the courtyard."
Nepeta shuffled along with the others, the German soldiers leading them into the long courtyard. She was in the middle of the crowd and couldn't see much of the camp through the marching bodies, though she swore she saw a wall with a ditch in front of it, soldiers filling the trench once more with earth, some sort of red stain sporting the wall. She hugged the scarf close to her body as she was shuffled along until she and the others finally came to a stop. She could hear a man with a strong voice speaking, directing orders.
Equius looked over the crowd of gypsies. He always hated this part; deciding who would live and who would die. For once however, Makara's existence here was a GOOD thing. He would choose who was sent to the fires while Equius chose who would join the ranks of the workers. In truth Equius saw the difference as a slow death or a quick one but one would be shocked to see just how long people cling to life. This double-ruling system was Makara's price for his whore-choosing.
The first few were good hearty young men. "Go left you lot, you'll be working." Equius commanded, motioning his hand. The men shuffled off, grunting angrily. They appeared a fiery bunch; better keep an eye on them.
Next, an old couple approached. Before Equius could speak, Gamzee blurted out "You two mothafuckas go right!" he gave a sort of half wicked, half drunken grin. Equius could see the old couple was a bit unnerved by this.
Equius cleared his throat. "There's… Food and medication for the old and sickly that way. Go on." The couple looked a bit more relieved and shuffled off. Equius normally hated gypsies. All they did was take up space and ruin small towns with their filth. But even they weren't deserving of this.
A young woman holding a fur coat approached. This one must of been the caravan leader, or perhaps one of the prostitute girls. Makara grinned. "Well hello lil' lady…" Gamzee said, approaching her. She smiled coyly, drawing the coat to her lips in a mysterious manner. She may of known how this "game" was played with most young boys, but she did not know Gamzee Makara to the horror and extent Equius did. After some uncomfortable flirting, Gamzee hooked his arm around her and walked her back beside Equius. "I think I'll take this girl right 'ere and maybe another or three, heh heh ha…" Equius rolled his eyes and continued.
Next, an old man with a young looking girl with a large approached. The old man stood with a broad chest and bravery in his eyes. Actually, he looked quite strong. The young girl looked a bit too small to do any heavy lifting, but perhaps if-
"Lil one with me, old man to the right." Gamzee said with his arm still hooked around the woman in the fur coat. Fear enlarged Nepeta's eyes.
The old man stepped in front of Nepeta. "No! I know what you'll do with her! You can do to me what you like, bu-" the old man was interrupted as Gamzee shot across the snow, his long gangly arm sending his fist right into the man's lower jaw. The man dropped to his knees, Nepeta screaming and falling backwards in the snow.
As the old man was bent on his hands and knees in the snow, spitting a bit of blood, Gamzee chuckled a bit. "Look at this mothafucka right here tryin' TELL ME WHAT TO DO!" Gamzee sent his foot right in the old mans ribs. There was a sickening crack as the old man was taken off his hands and knees a good few inches in the air before slamming back into the snow, rolling a bit. Gamzee drew his Luger with a smile, aiming with full intent to kill, up until a large hand found it's place on Gamzee's shoulder.
Gamzee looked back with a sneer, Equius's tall figure looming over the twitchy messy-haired man. "No, Makara." Equius stated in a commanding tone. "He is still strong enough to work. He lives." Gamzee's shoulders rose and fell with his wild breaths before finally he gave a loud chuckle, lowering his pistol and letting his arm swing a bit freely at his side.
"What eva' you say big man! I'm takin' miss fur coat to my mothafuckin' quarters, you have fun sortin' these bitches." Gamzee laughed out, putting his arm around the coated girl and walking off to the other side of the camp- Gamzee's side of the camp.
Equius huffed a bit, turning to face the old man. The small girl had her arm around his waist, helping him to his feet. When he had finally risen, he and the small girl shuffled past Equius. "Thank you…" the girl said in a wispy scared tone as they made their way to the work barracks.
Equius sighed heavily. "Don't thank me yet…" he said in a whisper when she was out of earshot, before straightening his back and peering at the on-looking group of gypsies. "Alright, you scum have seen your show. Next prisoner!"
Officer "Doc" Scratch stood with a pipe in his gloved hand, staring out the window of his office at the scene that had just unfolded. His eyes narrowed a bit in interest as he brought his pipe up to his lips, the wood of the pipe clattering with his near-spotless white teeth. "Hmm…" he muttered.
Rose Egbert drew in a breath and sighed. Finally, after what seemed like ages, she unfolded the piece of paper and began to read.
"Hi Rose! Sorry if this letter isn't exactly formated or… Grammatically proper or whatever it is you call it. You were more of the book worm then I was. Anyway, I'm just letting you know I've officially made it out of bootcamp! I'm a private now! Wait, that sounded wrong. Anyway, I have some sort of bad news. There's a regiment-thing that lost a lot of people in the last few months of the war in Japan. They need reinforcements and it seems that's where me and Dave are going. Oh, I forgot to mention Dave! He's the first friend I made when I got here! And for some reason he wanted to know if I was… Hitting you, or some sort of sexual thing that… I dunno. He's kinda weird. But cool in some sort of way. Am I rambling? I think I'm rambling. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know not to worry and that I am doing alright. I hope you're doing alright too and I'll be sure to write you letters as often as I possibly can! I love you Rose! I'll see you again in no time!
Love, John.
P.S. Am I supposed to write "love John" if the last sentence I wrote was "I love you?"
P.P.S. I love you"
Rose gave the first real laugh she'd ever had in the last six months as she held the card. She didn't even notice the tears finding their way onto the paper. "I love you too… You idiot…" she said out loud with a genuine smile.
Feferi slowly opened the sliding door of her room. Being an aid to the emperor of Japan, her father made quite a handsome amount of money, enough to even pay for a maid every other day. The only trouble was Feferi did not know which days and when she may of decided to stay the night. Sneaking around in such a paranoid condition was never an easy task. Not to mention that her father may not even be asleep which would make this entire rebellious task pointless.
Feferi crept into the hallway, taking cautionary steps toward the sliding door into her fathers office. The door was open slightly but the lamp wasn't on; good, he was asleep. She slid into the office and quickly made her way to his desk which was cluttered with papers. She could by the state of the room her father had been very busy. Usually he never leaves a paper unfiled.
She sat down in his chair and began rifling through the papers. Anything of any real value would be still held in the Imperial Palace, not an aid's house, but at the very least she could get an update as to what's happened these past few months. The papers say that Japan has been winning decisively but Feferi was wiser than to trust the press. Aha, what have we here. A summary on the front of the war with America. She began to skim.
Her eyes dotted down the page. It seemed an Imperial Officer Ampora was running most of the show on the front as far as land battles went. The Americans were slowly pushing forward, but at a cost. She set the page down and was going to go for another when the door slid open. She quickly looked to her side to see her father standing in the doorway. He looked exhausted, still wearing his work clothes. Did he go to sleep in those?
His stubbly face adorned a frown. "Damn it Feferi… I told you, this information isn't for you to know!" he barked.
Feferi stood, chin high in the air, chest extended. She always was a prideful one. "I hear rumors of what we're doing to the farmers in the islands the Americans are advancing on! Do you want to know what I hear?" she asked in a sharp tone, approaching her father. Her father sighed, rubbing his nose and leaning tiredly against the door frame but Feferi pressed on. "I've heard we're using them as bullet shields practically! Setting the village to blow and killing Americans in ambushes!" she was in his face now. "I hear we're even taking their crops! Feeding our troops and leaving them to starve! How can you allow such activity? How can you allow such monstrosity by our own hand, to our own pe-"
Her father swung his hand out, striking Feferi across the cheek. There was a sharp smack, a quick pained gasp escaping her lips as her head jerked to the side, her long flowing hair moving gracefully through the air for a moment. She looked up at her father, who's angry frown now turned into a regretful one. "Feferi, wait-" he began before she pushed him out of the way, running down the hall toward her room. She shut her slide door and threw herself on her bed, beginning to sob. Her father sighed even heavier, rubbing his eyes with his thumbs. What was he going to do with her?
"Grey ithh a thhade you dumb athh." Radioman Sollux Captor said in a condescending tone, his lisp heavy, his voice cracking with prepubescents even though he was far out of his teens.
"Oh is that so 'mithhter I thhpeak with a lithhhhptptpa-pa-p-p'!" Rifleman Karkat Vantas said, his voice a bit louder than it usually had to be.
"You make fun of my lithp again and I'll drop you you little thhit!" Sollux returned.
"Did you just called me a tit?" Karkat jeered.
Their tent opened, Sergeant Dirk Strider poking his head in. "Will you two useless bastards stop arguing and get out here? You can save your damn circle-jerk for later. We've got wounded coming in." The two soldiers stuck their tongues out at each other and stood, grabbing their rifles and leaving the tent. The smell of a scorched jungle filled the air.
Karkat and Sollux stood behind Dirk. "Thhir… The wounded… Thhat meanthh..." Sollux began before Dirk interrupted.
"Yeah Captor… We're going into the jungle for the first time, us and a helluva lot more able bodied young Americans." he paused for a moment, looking back at his two men. They both had smiles and looked fresh for a fight. Dirk returned the smile. "I don't even have to ask if you're ready for this do I?" Dirk jested.
Karkat grit his teeth in a bloodthirsty smile and raised his rifle up onto his shoulder. "Let's make 'em fuckin' pay!"
Imperial Officer Ampora stood with his hands behind his back as he stared at the burning jungle. Yet another victory under his command. But he knew the Americans would be back, very soon in fact. The same wicked smile trademark to him adorned his lips once more. "I'll be wuh-waiting…" Ampora muttered under his breath. At that moment, three very eager young Americans began their march to meet Ampora.
