Especial guest appearance by Grazhdanskaya, or Dan for short, also known as That Damned Maverick - character belongs to Versace-will-never-be-the-same over on tumblr.
The icy wind whirled snow straight into Matt's face as he gazed aimlessly around the base, making him sneeze and rub his nose to warm it up.
Camp Littlepine has been rebuilt into the rebellion's main base of operations ever since the Red Army first showed themselves to the public and declared war on the entire world five years ago. With Eduardo and Edd as leaders, and Hilarson training whatever recruits they could scrounge up, the rebellion was doing good in the war.
The British army, although did not outright surrender to the Red Army, also refused to fight anyone else's battles and simply opted to become neutral territory for both the Red Army and any other parties alike.
Matt didn't know much about the war's current affairs. No one confides in him with much of anything these days, but he had a feeling it won't be long before the rebellion finally fights the Red Army head on.
The rebels were getting uneasy, especially the more experienced members.
He was looking forward to having something meaningful to do. But no one in this base gives him the time of day, or trusts him to do anything on his own. They were afraid Matt was going to mess up in some way shape or form so they always stuck him with the mundane tasks nobody wants like water bearer; going around to keep people hydrated.
Matt was restless. He was itching to prove himself and show the rest of his friends he was just as capable as the rest of them.
Passing by the training field where Hilarson was training their latest recruits, giving the Sergeant a nod on the way, Matt marched straight to the main lodge where all the important business happens.
He stopped at the entrance and knocked on the door.
"Come in." Came Eduardo's voice, giving him permission to enter the vicinity.
Matt walked in and gently closed the door behind him. He spotted Eduardo's large and imposing shape barely silhouetted in the shadows in the far back of the cabin, surrounded by Mark, Ford, and Edd. At once all eyes were on him the moment he walked in on them.
"What can we do for you, Matt?" Mark asked, giving him a friendly wave.
Matt shifted. "Well… I was making my water rounds throughout the camp, as usual, and I walked past your cabin and I couldn't help but wonder if you guys needed me for anything?" He stared at them, filled with hope.
"Sorry, Matt, but we're good here." Edd said, sounding apologetic though the voice modifier of his gas mask made him sound rougher than he actually meant. His faithful pet cat, Ringo, was stretched out and perched on his shoulders; her muzzle white with age.
"It's just that no one around here is thirsty and I feel like a waste here when I could be doing more important things for our cause." Matt persisted. "Oh what if I stay here in case you guys need an urgent messenger?"
"That's a very kind offer, Matt." Mark said, his eyes narrowing sympathetically. "But our current messengers already do their job just fine."
Right on cue, a little flap on the wall rattled open as one of Ringo's babies, Mocha, a tiny brown tabby kitten, walked on the beam and jumped down on the table in front of Eduardo, carrying a cylinder around her neck supported by her green collar.
Eduardo leaned forward to take the slip of paper out from the cylinder. "Laurel says we have a shortage of supplies, we're going to need to send more members out to scavenge them."
"I can go with the scavenging group!" Matt offered.
The four of them all exchanged similar glances with each other, and Matt inwardly fumed as he detected the familiar "Oh, silly little Matt, so cute and helpless. He can't do anything right." expression in their faces.
Eduardo winced. "I appreciate your enthusiasm, doofus. But you're needed here in the camp where it is safe."
Matt frowned. "But I-"
Edd drew closer to him. "Come on. You can go train with the other recruits if you're so bored."
"But-"
"Let's go."
Edd urged him out of the cabin before he could get a protest out of his mouth. Matt had no choice but to follow his friend as they trekked across camp toward the snowy training fields. He trudged sulking after Edd, and kicked up a flurry of snow in frustration.
"I just want to help!" He cried out once he and Edd were away from everybody else. "I feel so useless out here, but you guys won't let me do anything!"
Edd turned to look at him. "I'm sorry, Matt. It's just… with the whole war going on we really need to focus on our strategy at the moment. I will think of something to keep you busy."
Matt's gaze softened and he lowered his voice. "What about your plan to find Todd before Edu does? Don't you want my help with that?"
Before Edd could respond, he was interrupted by a warning whistle from Hellucard, sitting high atop one of the watchtowers.
"Red Army planes hovering overhead!" Edd said, immediately alert. "Everyone, duck and cover! Quick!"
Matt barely had time to look around for a place to hide before Edd shoved him into the nearest bush and bundled in with him, thorns and nettles pricking at their skin and clothes.
At his command, everyone else present in the camp scattered and took cover in the cabins or in the surrounding undergrowth. The usually busy camp was left abandoned and empty, just as people always assumed it has.
"Edd, you're squishing me!" Matt hissed.
"Hush!" Edd clamped his hand over his mouth, his head lifted as though he were listening for something in the wind.
For several heartbeats they just huddled in the bushes in eerie silence, waiting with bated breath for something, anything to happen. A sign either telling them the coast was clear and it was safe to come out… or they were spotted and their operation compromised.
A low chattering whistle split through the air, and all the tension eased from Edd's muscles.
"All clear." He whispered to Matt and hopped out from his hiding place.
Matt followed more slowly, dusting away the scraps of twigs and brambles that had tangled in his hair and clothes.
All around them the other rebellion members warily came out into the open, glancing upwards from time to time as though Red Army soldiers would start falling out of the sky.
"Alright, maggots, get back to work all of you!" Sergeant Hilarson bellowed, beckoning the recruits to the training field and resume where they last left off.
Edd sighed. "That was close." He glanced briefly at the sky. "Sorry, Matt, but… now is not a good time to focus on searching for Tord. I have lots of things to worry about with the rebellion and the attacks, and besides, we have no leads on how to get to him as of the moment."
Matt opened his mouth to object, but Edd cut him off.
"I promise, Matt, the moment we get a trace of his whereabouts I will tell you all about it and then we will go on from there." He said, lifting his mask so he could peer into his eyes earnestly. "But for now… I really need to focus on leading the rebellion. Just keep going with the water rounds and stay out of trouble, okay?"
Matt nodded in defeat. "Okay."
He watched his friend lower the gas mask onto his face again, his black coat billowing in the wind, and return to the main cabin; presumably to work on important business stuff with Eduardo and the others. Normally Matt wouldn't mind skipping the boring stuff and go about his day to focus on his good looks or watch his favorite programs. But ever since the war first started everyone had been given their orders and were so focused on defeating the Red Army one way or another that Matt wished he could do more to contribute to the cause.
He kicked a pile of snow. Am I seriously more useless than a kitten? Matt thought indignantly.
If only there was something he could do to prove everyone his worth, then Edd and Eduardo would see he wasn't as helpless or useless as everyone thinks he is...
Matt stiffened suddenly, a hamster wheel spinning in his head as an idea manifested. He made up his mind determinably.
If Edd won't let me help him find Todd, then I will take matters into my own hands.
Matt rushed swiftly out of the camp, hoping no one would see him and ask him where he was going. The wonderful and horrible thing about their base of operations is that it was out in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by dense woods, and several miles from the nearest town. There's no way that Matt was going to trek down the long, winding dirt path and walk all the way to the city by foot!
If what Eduardo said about their supplies running short is true then he can get in the back of one of their vans before they leave on the supply run to the city.
With his plan in mind, Matt quickly hid in the back of one of the vans.
He wasn't at all surprised when he found one of the scavengers, Dan, sprawled out and soundly asleep in the back of the van, wearing his Adidas tracksuit and a blue beanie. The scavenger was notoriously known for his lazy ways, but he was a good rebel.
It took quite some time for a supply run patrol to be organized, and Matt's legs were aching from holding them close to his chest by the time the van finally rolled out from the camp.
It took about a little more than an hour to finally arrive in the city. When Matt was certain it was safe to leave, he snuck out of the van past Dan's sleeping form without any of the other rebellion members noticing him.
Matt walked around town aimlessly, wracking his brain for long forgotten details Eduardo and Edd had entrusted him long ago. Back when Edd was feeling lost and desolate with the loss of Tom, and he unknowingly became prey to the Red Army's schemes.
Eduardo said there were Red soldiers already mingling among us inside the country. Matt thought. So surely they must have a small base of operations here somewhere?
His blue eyes scanned down the street, and he decided to start his search with a colorful looking pub on the corner by the name of Roten Fuhrer. Surely someone there must know how to get in contact with the Red Army?
Matt walked right into the establishment. Even though they were in times of war, the people inside didn't seem fazed by much of anything as they went about their business; drinking, playing and chatting. However Matt wasn't sure if the general laid back attitude was because these were all secretly Red Army soldiers and they were confident in their current stance in the war or if this is just how the normal patrons of a pub behaved.
He gazed around in awe at the black, blue and red decorations. This place seemed untouched by the war. People were drinking and having fun as though nothing major was currently rampaging through the whole globe right now.
I wonder if all red army soldiers are this… placid?
Distantly Matt couldn't help but think how much Tom would've loved it here if he were still alive.
"What can I do for you, stranger?" Asked the bartender, eyeing him with curiosity rather than hostility as he wiped the counter. But then again, why would he when no one knows about the Green Rebellion's whereabouts?
Matt approached the bar counter in a friendly manner, eyes bright as he lowered his voice. "Hello! Do you know how I can join the Red Army?"
The bartender paused, tilted his head and studied him curiously, registering his innocent appearance and outspoken disposition.
"What do you wish to gain from joining us?" The bartender prompted after a moment of silence between them.
Matt shrugged. Might as well be honest. "I am looking for someone. An old friend of mine who may have joined the Red Army and I really want to see him again." He paused, considering his next words. "I… I also want to be made useful. I feel like I am not doing enough for the people I care about, and I think joining the Red Army would really prove my worth… if you'll have me, that is."
The bartender stared at him for several heartbeats with his calculating brown eyes before nodding, and opening a latch for Matt to go behind the counter. "Come."
It was not a request.
Lifting his chin, Matt followed the bartender inside the kitchen as someone else took over his shift at the counter. He was led down a spiraling staircase deep underground, and into a dim private room with a set of chairs, a table between them, and a television.
"Please wait here." Said the bartender, opening the door and ushering him inside. "My superiors will be with you shortly. In the meantime, please enjoy this mandatory message."
He closed the door wordlessly. Matt took a seat and the television flickered on.
"It's a brand new day! Your time to shine has come! It is time to take your future into your own hands!" A cheerful woman's voice spoke up as the static cleared to show the Red Army logo. "Are you tired of being oppressed by a system that refuses to change and adapt with the times?"
Matt frowned. "Uh… yes?"
The screen flickered to a sad, frowny face. "Are you afraid to be true to yourself?"
"I guess, yeah?"
"Do you have doubts about your sad, pathetic, miserable life?"
"Hey!"
"Here in the Red Army, we are all about second chances through self-discovery and improving the betterment of the world! And if you are watching this, that means you have taken the first step into a better, and more fulfilling life. Congratulations!
You have probably been a perfect, upstanding citizen of society your whole life and you most likely didn't get very far playing by the rules due to a corrupt and old-fashioned government system. But we're here to change that!
It's out with the old, and in with the new!
What are we talking about? We're talking about you becoming a full-fledged Red Army soldier, of course. Something almost anyone can do with a limited degree of success.
By joining our ranks you will be helping us in the fight for revolution, and in turn we will give you all the benefits you missed out on life, including but not limited; free healthcare, five meals per day, comfortable accommodations, weekly salary, and plenty of rewards.
What is expected from you once you've been given the clear from HQ to join in?
Training.
Lots and lots of training under the best and most professional Seargents our army has to offer. If the idea of hard, physical labor demanded of you every day upsets you. Don't be! It's a safety precaution to make sure your life isn't at risk the moment you are send out in the frontlines, and we only want what's best for you!
As a brand new rookie in the army, you will be given two years at most of heavy military training before you will be deemed fit to be judged by your peers and superiors in order to become a true fully trained soldier of the Red Army and move up in the ranks. In the unlikely scenario where you fail your assessment… don't worry about it!
Now let's take a look at all the different divisions you can sign up for if soldier life isn't quite right for you, but you still want to contribute to the fight in some way. Such as:
Communications.
This department is all about monitoring the important affairs and ingoings' of the army. You will be in charge of making sure cargo and soldiers get from one place to another be it by jeep, chopper, or ship – keeping tabs on all the army's equipment from weapons in the armory to vehicles in the hangar, intercepting enemy messages and decoding their plans, and keeping constant connection with the other bases. Think of it as a glorified dispatcher!
Transportation.
Soldiers need to get to places, and this is where you come in. You will be in charge of handling the army's various forms of transport in order for our soldiers to get where they need to be; and sometimes this may include the battlefield. This department is mandatory for you to have driving/piloting/sailing license in order to operate the army's vehicles.
Research and Engineering.
Here you will get the chance to play mad scientist and create new weapons and spy gear to further ensure the tides turn in our favor. Some materials will be free to use at your disposal, and others will require permission from higher ranking officers; as they may be deemed too hazardous for ordinary projects, and we are all about safety here!
The Recruitment Program.
We are always looking for fresh new faces amidst our ranks. So why not help others the same way we helped you by going out there and convincing more lost people into joining us? This particular branch requires you to go out into the world and find people who show potential or would benefit greatly from joining us. The poor civilians out there don't know what they are missing out on, and they'll surely be grateful once they have settled in the base and experienced the benefits first hand.
The Underground Black-market Persecution Division.
Want to go undercover for a potentially life-threatening mission in order to stop all forms of illicit activities from ever taking place again? Then look no further than the U.B.P.D.! Here we turn soldiers into spies of the highest caliber, fit and equipped for all missions, be it: raiding spots of criminal activities, or infiltrating enemy ranks to leak information back to the army.
The medical branch.
Want to help without putting your life at on the line? Then play it safe and transfer right over to the Infirmary! Medical training will be provided to help you become a certified doctor or nurse who will ensure the best possible care to our injured comrades who fight the battle for betterment daily. We don't want you accidentally misdiagnosing our soldiers, as that might lead to further complications and hindrances to our goals.
This concludes the amount of help we are legally obligated to provide. We hope you enjoyed this helpful little infomercial, and any other questions you may have regarding the Red Army's activities will be answered by the Officer who'll see through the rest of your admission. Dedicate yourself to the army, pass the final assessment, and become the face of the revolution!"
The television screen turned to static once again as the infomercial came to an end. Matt sat there blinking, hardly processing all the information he'd just been handed when the door opened once more.
A woman, a tad shorter than Matt, with tanned skin and dark hair, introduced herself and gave him several sheets of paper to read and sign over.
"Now- we merely have some terms and liabilities we must cover. We need full documentation of any medical ailments or mental disabilities you have – merely so we can properly medicate you – and your full academic history. If you're on hormones please list so below-" she motioned towards the boxes, "and if you are in need of special accommodations please do not hesitate to ask. Red Leader isn't one to just throw away someone with a purpose."
There was a lot to sign. Matt's eyes carefully skimmed over most of the details as he signed each sheet when he paused, his eyebrows furrowing.
"Uh, what does it mean to be a part time soldier for the Red Army? That wasn't… that wasn't in the infomercial, I think. "
The woman glanced briefly at him. "When enlisting in the Red Army you are given two choices." She explained calmly. "You can either serve us fulltime and live in the base with your other comrades, or you can be a part time soldier and come and go whenever we call upon you to fulfill your duties for the day."
Perfect! Mat smiled, signing the paper and enlisting as a part time soldier for the Red Army.
If he is going to infiltrate into enemy territory as a spy for the Green Rebellion and look for Todd, he will need to divide his time between both factions evenly, lest someone suspects him.
When Matt finished signing all the papers he handed it back to the lady. "So… when do I start?"
"Your file will be sent back to our headquarters for further evaluation." Said the woman. "Your registration should take a couple of days at most, and then we will get in contact with you to begin your service. Welcome to the Red Army, cadet."
In the end, it took about four days for Matt to get a message informing him to begin his services.
Four unbearably long and frustrating days.
Throughout his wait, Matt had to content himself with his usual water run around the Green Rebellion camp; feeling utterly useless and yet giddy at the same time at the thought of his brilliant idea. When he came back to camp later that day after drafting into the Red Army, no one seemed to have noticed his absence, which both irked and pleased Matt. Edd and Eduardo had no idea about his schemes, and he'd given them no reason to suspect anything was amiss.
The excitement was so great Matt almost had the urge to shout out all of his plans from the top of the watchtower so everyone could bask in how utterly amazing and useful he was. Edd would thank him profusely, give him some medals, and Eduardo would step down as leader to make way for him to take over!
However, Matt had to reign himself in. He hasn't done anything worth of value yet, if you don't count the beginnings of his brilliant plan.
No.
He will keep a low profile and play it cool until he gains some important information from his time working for the Red Army, and then he may gloat all he wants to the rest of the rebellion!
When the day finally came for him to put his plan into motion, Matt could hardly believe it.
He received his uniform, which while admittedly made him look super dapper it was also unbearably hot and itchy, and he was first sent to be stationed at in Switzerland. Not ideal, but still relatively close to the Green Rebellion.
Not that anyone would care if I did go missing for more than a day or two. Matt thought bitterly.
Still, it was a good place to start his search.
Between harsh training hours and grueling cleaning duties, Matt would often spend his time talking to the other soldiers – casually making conversation, asking about their lives in the organization, and whether they had seen or heard of his friend Todd.
Matt was genuinely astonished to find that most soldiers were very welcoming and easy to get along with. He figured from all of Eduardo's mad ramblings and Edd's inspirational speeches that these soldiers were mean and resentful, but they were just… regular people? It was very refreshing and honestly a pleasant surprise.
And the food was to die for! In the rebellion all they would eat were canned goods and tepid slop at best. But in the Red Army they have actual full course meals being served.
Sometimes the soldiers were nice enough to invite Matt along to watch movies and play games with them in the Entertainment Hall.
Distantly, Matt took a mental note. It might be worth convincing Edu and Edd that installing something similar in the rebel camp would be beneficial to keep up the morale within their group.
The base as well was very well organized and overflowing with activity. Matt had never seen so many people in one place before. Truthfully, it made Matt wonder just how prepared the Green Rebellion really is to face up against the Red Army in the near future.
Unfortunately, no one in Switzerland had ever heard of a Todd.
If only Matt had more to go off of, but his memory of their former friend was very faint and fuzzy at best in his head. Whenever Edd talked about him, he could almost make out certain details so tantalizingly close but just when he thought he could make out something useful the memories would always flutter away from his grasp – beyond his reach.
Too bad he didn't have an intact photo of Todd to show either. That would've been extremely helpful for his search!
After some time spent in Switzerland, Matt had filed a formal request to be moved to a different base and continue his search elsewhere.
Todd was not British, or so his mind says. What was his nationality again? Australian? India is close to Australia, right?
His request to move away to a different base had been approved by his higher ups, and Matt continued his search from there. Although the distance between his position in the Red Army and the Green Rebellion greatly complicated things, Matt was bold enough to test the waters and see how long it would take for his friends to notice his absence in the daily routines back at the camp.
Turns out, spending a whole week away in India didn't raise any suspicions within the rebellion members whatsoever.
They probably think I am just goofing off. Matt thought irritably. Wait until they learn how much I discovered all on my own!
Matt went looking from base to base all over the world, and befriended lots of different people in the process, along with some great sightseeing on his travels! But his search remained fruitless. No one has ever heard of a Todd anywhere! Matt thought he reached a breakthrough in his search in Norway when he met a couple of different Todds, and yet… none of them rang a bell in his head. Surely Matt would've finally recognized the real Todd when he laid eyes on him, right? But these guys… weren't doing it for him.
Matt looked at the two men apologetically. "I'm really sorry. Neither of you are the one I am looking for."
The Todd on the right shrugged. "No worries." He said in a thick Scottish accent, exchanging a glance with the other soldier beside him. "I hope you can find your Todd, whoever he is."
Matt dipped his head, trying not to look dejected. "Thank you."
The Todd on the left snorted. "When you find your friend, tell him to meet us at the Mess Hall so we can settle on who is the one true Todd of all."
"Will do!" Matt giggled.
"Hey, you three!"
Matt nearly jumped out of his skin when a bulky, broad-shouldered man with puffy brown hair and stubble approached them. The two most distinctive features about this man were his bushy eyebrows and the scar along his right eye. There was something vaguely familiar about him, but Matt was sure he would have remembered that scar.
"Commander Paul." The soldiers on either side of Matt saluted the approaching man. Matt quickly copied their actions.
"You two are scheduled for a patrol around the perimeter, are you not?" The Commander asked, lighting a cigarette up to his mouth. "You better get going now before the others leave without you."
"Sir, yes, sir!"
Both Todds moved away with a dip of their heads, leaving Matt alone with the Red Commander who fixed his brown gaze on him. "You are one of the newest recruits, yeah?"
"Yes, sir!" Matt squeaked.
The Commander scrutinized him for a long moment, reading his name tag. "Matt, huh? I remember you now… you are the nosy recruit who's been moving all over the place in the last few weeks."
"Yes, sir."
"So what brings you to Norway, huh?" Paul asked, eyes twinkling with interest. "More importantly, what made you join the Red Army so late in the game?"
Matt found himself liking this man. He was friendly despite being a higher rank than him.
"I am looking for a friend of mine, sir! His name is Todd. But… I can't seem to find him anywhere."
Paul frowned. "And you are certain he is part of the Red Army?"
"Oh I am sure he is! My friend Edd talks about him all the time about how he left us to join the Red Army a long time ago" Matt answered. "Although I know I don't have much to go off of, I am confident I can find him eventually."
Studying him for a few heartbeats, Paul eventually nodded. "I wish you well on your search to find your friend, wherever he is." He said. "However, you must focus on your duties now. The Red Army comes first."
"Yes, sir!"
"You moved to Norway just recently but the main base is far too occupied to take you in right now, so I am moving you to one of our minor bases in Stavanger." Paul went on. "Head to the Hangar and go to platform C2. There will be a flight leaving soon for our base of operations in Stavanger."
"Alright. Thank you, sir!" Matt bobbed his head and shuffled off to where his platform was located.
So that's the second in command of the Red Army. He twisted his head to look back and saw Paul had stopped to give out orders to a pair of soldiers carrying their wounded comrade on a gurney, instructing them to head straight to the Infirmary. Bet a year's worth of water rounds that Edu didn't know that! He will be so proud when I relay everything I discovered in the army to him.
But basic information is one thing. What Matt really needed is to find Todd, and soon.
Maybe he will have better luck in Stavanger with his search.
Fun fact; I was working on recreating the infomercial Matt watched about the Red Army as a teaser of sorts for this fic. But my perfectionist ways did not allow it to come through in the end, unfortunately. Anyways, what did you guys think? Leave your review telling me your thoughts on the story thus far, I hope you guys enjoyed it, and I'll see ya'll later! ;)