America was thoughtful as he walked to his boss office. Obama didn't tell him what the matter was, and although it didn't sound too urgent, it quite spiked his curiosity.
Apparently,from what the president's secretary has told him, he was gonna investigate something that was bothering the man of power.
"You called Boss? " He eagerly asked, entering like in his hotel room. A behaviour the african-american was so used to that he didn't bother to point it out anymore.
"Welcome Alfred. Yes indeed, I wanted to have your light about something."
His lights uh? More like asking him to do something yeah? As America sat down, documents were placed before him, and he started to consult them before frowning, as half the information had been erased. It was an invitation for the human to start explaining.
"I was trying to put orders into all the "top-secret" projects undergoing on our territory and I found this series of files about an abandoned project from back 1967. I think it was called "Project DOPPELGANGER". Have you heard of it before?"
It took some time for Alfred to replace this name in a context, but nation's memories had that they could be mobilized more easily for anything concerning historical events : "I think...it was something about clonage of animals from back in the day, when it was still a sci-fi thing. But there were many projects like that, funded by wealthy people or pharmaceutical labs, and many failed and fell into oversight. What is there with this one?"
The President nodded then answered.
"Indeed. Project DOPPELGANGER was created and funded by a certain Professor Travasco, an eminent scientist from the clonage area. He even contributed to cloning a rabbit in 1975, from what I know about him. But later, he started to collaborate with the government for a slightly different purpose, human cloning. It's probably because of this change in direction that the project was interrupted in 1995, because of the growing concept of Bioethics you are fully aware of..."
Nothing really out of the ordinary, hummed Alfred to himself. Scientists could do pretty freaky things at the time (even experimenting on themselves!) and wouldn't be questioned for it. It had made science progress, and at the time nations weren't that concerned about it, as was the rest of the population. It had been like this, until the horror of human experimentation had been exposed to public awareness and Human rights associations had battled for more regulation on clinical research, specially instauring the concept of consent. All this taking birth after the 2nd World war for obvious reasons, though it took quite some time for bioethics to consolidate in the researchers' community.
This kind of project were legions as he told before, and they more or less died or got transformed at the end of the century.
However, he knew that it wasn't all there was about this peculiar project and waited for the big news to drop, hoping it wasn't too long because he hated cliffhangers.
"Except..he didn't really stop his activities entirely. Even without help from the government, Travasco seems to have used his own personal resources to pursue something, and I feared it's about his project..or worse. I made investigations, and from the documents, he officially reconverted himself in studying wildlife in collaboration with Nature protectors of the White Mountain National Forest, in New Hampshire. In exchange of money, they even provided him a facility to move his lab in for such purpose."
"Uh? And what's bad about all that? Maybe the guy really moved on and tried to use his knowledge to study the local faune, na?" America pinpointed, still having hope and regards in every of his citizens, even the filthiest ones.
"The matter is, he used too much "resources" for the activities he claims to be pursuing. Look at the fund's record the lab reports each year. Besides, Intels reported he has hired some former militaries and researchers as well. You might know of that eminent biologist, Professor Mattéo Bertelloni, from Italy or Professor Thomas Eiling, the neurologist that published an essay called "Biological memories" a few decades ago? They occasionally enter the zone from time to time, working with him."
An eminent biologist and renowned neurologist hired with a bunch of ex-militaries for the cause of solving animal mysteries in a forest? Yeah, it was beyond suspicious, Alfred had to admit.
Obama saw the frown forming on his face, and knew his country would accept his request, if not for him, for the curiosity of knowing what was really going on in here.
" Suspicious right? But since the government has been out of his business, I can't properly control his works nor even visit him myself, as it is, let's say, his private properties. That's why I called you, to ask if you could go and make an investigation by yourself. It still makes you a government representative, however, I think your "skills" to talk with people will be more successful than regular undercover agents…"
The nation smirked at the remark. How sneaky of his president, to send him off even before he had accepted. But hey, He knew him too well, and soon, Alfred released a true smile of his own, his cerulean eyes shining with determination and somehow, amusement.
"Okay, I'm gonna do this! But at one condition...let this be like vacation! No paperwork during the mission, no FBI member hiding for my security, just me chillin in the wood while spying on the mad scientist, right?"
Hehe, he loved the reaction he got from the man facing him, and knew this was going to be accepted. And that meant...he could take all his time for the mission and have some break! Oh, and he could invite Matthew and Arthur too...and Japan and Italy! Yeah, like a cool vacation with his friends!
It was gonna be more fun than he had expected!
xxxxxx
Actually, they were much more in the cars when America and his fellow nations headed to the place in question. Not that Alfred had planned China, Russia, Spain, Romano, France and Germany to come along, but let's say that 1) China had literally begged him to help him reconciling with Japan through the whole trip, 2) Russia was like glued to China and it was impossible to dissuade him from coming and 3) France succeeded in convincing Matthew he should come and America let them tag along to his brother demand, but also because he was promised he would do the cooking, and you don't refuse good meals when you had the occasion! Using his advantage, France invited Spain, and it gave the beautiful idea to Italy to let his brother join him (actually if he didn't he would have been shot in the head by an angry Romano, but let's not talk about it.)
Among them, Germany was the only legitimate one he had accepted to add to the party, on Italy's serious request. Behind his naive looks, Alfred knew Feliciano was worried with his best friend, as when left alone he would think about Prussia. He could only feel compassion too, and if this improvised vacation with the other immortal beings could make him a little happier, then it was good by him.
Saying this, the USA didn't reveal anything about the mission. He was going to do it like a side shore and deal with it alone as it was concerning him only.
But it was a great opportunity to show how manifficient his lands could be outside of civilization, Japan being the first to draw his capcon camera when the White Mountain National Forest had been reached.
America had used a secret pass to enter the huge forest, and the 2 cars were now confronting the elements, advancing in the wild like crazy.
"Are we there yet? I'm not even sure we have the right to be here…" muttered England, wary about law infractions. Not that he never played outlaw, but it was never a good idea for a bunch of Nation to attract attention.
Besides, America had played mysterious by not telling them exactly where they were going and that alone irritated his nerves very much.
" Yeah! You will see, it's like a secret hide-out!"
By secret hide-out, the nations would discover that America meant "secret secondary house", as the arriving group would be facing an old looking wooden bungalow.
"Aru...aren't we too numerous? I'm not a fan of having to share a room…"
"Da... I wouldn't mind sharing it with someone, but I might crush that person in my sleep by accident…"
"Pff relax man! There's plenty of room for us! Of course, there's not enough bed, but hey, we've done worse and I've thought about everything! Now chill out! We're out of society and free like birds here!"
They did actually start to enjoy the place already. It was good to be far from the modern buildings sometimes, enjoying nature a bit more...and battle for the rooms against each other like if it were territories. Some things never changed.
The former Axis members agreed to stay united, since Germany and Italy were used to sleeping together (nobody asked why, although France would always "Honhon" hearing it) and Japan preferred sleeping on the floor like he used to with tatami.
Alfred would sleep with Matthew, who refused to let France enter their room (he would have to put some bear traps to avoid being surprised). Instead, the french gentleman tried gluing himself to England and obtained from the british man to decide sleeping on a sofa in the living room, leaving a hamac for him alone in the basement as he let Spain share his room with Romano. China and Russia had their own sleeping bags to put in the trophy room next to the other rooms( with all the taxidermied animals, which was already kinda creepy) , and after trying changing places for 6 times, the asian abandoned the idea to escape his clingy neighbor.
Once the rooms and emplacement had been distributed, the countries divided to explore the surroundings and fulfill their attributed tasks.
While some were eager to go hunting (America, Canada, France), some would collect woods ( Romano, Spain, Italy and Russia, find the intruder in this! ) and some would clean the place (Germany, China, Japan, England).
With all the things to do, night came faster than expected and it was already time to cook all they had catched, as well as what they had bought (Because yeah, remember they were in a protected area, they couldn't destroy it too much like in their wild conqueror's time!).
While France, Italy and China were chatting happily in the kitchen, the others were playing Uno in the living room, where a chimney had been lit for warmth.
"Counter-Uno amigo! Now take your 2 cards!" smiled Antonio to a confused Japan that didn't even though about screaming "Uno" in the first place. Too old for fast reflex games like that, he had not won once since the beginning…. but he obediently obliged, picking the cards up.
"My turn! Sorry Ivan, but ya will have to pick cards too!" jolted the american. However, Russia didn't seem fazed by it, and put a card over the one that was destined to him with the same symbol represented.
"Nyet, my friend! It will not be for me!" the big guy replied with the 'Did you really think you could play me around' plastered in his fake-innocent looking face.
"YOU FUCKING BASTARDs! I've so many cards and I can't even counter this! This game is BULLSH*T!" yelled a very unlucky Romano, throwing his 15 cards in the air in pure anger, not enjoying being fooled around.
"I should be the one angry here…" mumbled dryly England. He had after all been evicted from the kitchen with so much undelicaty it really felt like conspiracy. And now he was playing what he though was a stupid game of luck.
"If only it was the case for me.." muttered Canada as well, who was already at only one card for several rounds ago and had the most wins because everyone forgot to take him into account.
"Could you play the game WITHOUT SCREAMING?!" pleaded an exasperated Germany who was getting a headache from all this. He was there to rest, not to revive world conferences on his break times!
But fortunately, the game was soon stopped by the magical word " Take your seats everyone! Dinner is coming!" voiced with all sweetness by the joyful Italian.
"As Italy said, "A table tous le monde!" " added Francis before putting plates on the table.
All served themselves with the rules of America being the last one to choose, first because he was the host but also to be sure everyone would actually get something to eat, much to his dismay!
The overall scene was one of a convivial meal with friends talking from here and there before a friendly fire. The last time they did have time like that was at Halloween, and it hadn't been this relaxing.
But too relaxing also meant thoughts of all kinds could come back haunting your spirit, and few minds drove away as noon had past.
Germany was looking absent-mindly at the dying fire, a beer in his hand, when Italy came to his side, his face not showing his usual goofiness.
"Ve...Are you thinking about him again?" He asked, surprising the blond man as if he had read his mind.
"I was...just thinking that he would have enjoyed being here, with all of us…"
The brunette faced his friend, before hugging his arm and laying his head on the german shoulder to comfort him.
This move caused a chirp to be heard, and France, Spain and England froze on spot before turning their attention on the provenance of the noise.
They had recognized him too well, and soon, Gilbird was emerging from his master's brother's clothes to land on his hair.
Silence ensued, before the Island country broke it, his emerald eyes gazing tiredly on his tea.
"You all can't stay fixated on this. I've seen some of us disappear and you did as well. It is the circle of life, and although our lives are longer than human, at one point...we will probably all go away one day…"
The calm and comforting words of fatality weren't lightly pronounced. Spain and France knew it too well.
They looked at each other, and then the spanish man joined the duo, patting Germany's shoulder.
"Inglaterra is right...Prussia wouldn't have liked us to mourn over him. I know it is difficult, but let's you and Gilbird take this trip to ressource and free yourself from his ghost, si?"
The german felt overwhelmed by all the kind words, and he understood something : being around people that understood you was the best way to get the warm presence that you were missing. Nations were always having quarrels, but personifications were just humans in a sense, weird humans that still seeked warmth from others.
Determination on his look, Germany smiled softly and responded :
"Yes..you are all right. Thank you, I know it is also hard for you too."
Spain smiled back, and left for his room where Romano was probably already sleeping.
France, Germany and Italy did the same, leaving England in the living room, where he was to sleep.
The wizard waited, before whispering, still looking into his tea at his own reflection with a bitter smile.
"Hehe...and it's me, the one who can't get past his former colonies betrayal for so long, that said that..."
xxxxx
A cold morning was to welcome them the day after that, but all nations had been prepared for the cold. (Actually, Russia didn't, General Winter was colder in comparison)
They were almost all eager to explore their surroundings in small groups.
They all divided and told each other to get back before lunch. To Arthur's surprise, America declared he wanted to go alone because he had to make sure some things were at their place since the last time he came here.
The man didn't question him though, as it was a chance to go with China and Japan sight seeing.
The embodiment of USA watched as the old men walked away, talking about tea, and once he was alone, directed to the depth of the wood in sneaky mode, his eyes lit with glimmer of challenge.
Now now, he wasn't to forget his job right? Travasco would have some worry to have once he found the entrance of the facility!
