americathehero619- ah thanks, glad you enjoy the way I write Gil too
Sweetstar25- haha thanks, and glad to hear that, it was my goal to make this story aggravating in the way the characters act. And I get Luddy but what did Gil do? (I is forgetful…)
Dani9922- aha a damn fool ! and thanks glad you like it
Chapter 8
Gilbert stood in front of a podium, over a half million Prussian soldiers stood below him.
"Soldiers! It is sometimes hard, to be a solider. The food isn't always great. The living conditions are terrible at times. The commanders can be harsh, and the war long. And sometimes, the orders conflicting with morals. Yeah, being soldiers hard. There are many jobs to be done, long days, and stupid and power hungry leaders. But what makes a soldier a true man, s how loyal he is to his cause, and to his country. The King's brought it to my attention that you do not follow orders, and that is a problem. Tell me, if you do not listen to your king, where does your loyalty lie?"
A few men hung their heads in shame, but a few roared in anger
"He has no military experience! I swear he's trying to kill us half the time!"
Gilbert looked at the man who said this "He's a damn fool, we all know that. You still…have to obey him."
One of the generals stepped forward "His orders are absurd, and I must put the welfare of my men before his orders."
Oh damn… argh I don't want to do this
"Look, I want the Generals to come with me, and we'll have a nice little conversation with the King alright?"
The soldiers roared in approval, and the general who had spoken smiled kindly, for he respected Gilbert.
A meeting like this took time, and a few months later, Gilbert finally stood in a room with his generals and king.
"We've gathered here for this meeting because the soldiers of Prussia are loyal to not their king, but their generals. Now, my King, as an ex-commander, I do say your orders are not ones any soldier will follow."
The king slammed his fist on the table "THE WILL LISTEN TO ME OR ILL HANG THEM FOR TREASON, STARTING WITH THE GENERALS IN THIS ROOM!"
At this, the generals broke out screaming, anger flooding the room, screams echoing off the walls. Gilbert sighed, and pinched the bridge of his nose.
Nothing…will get done. I still need to get back to Germany… my brother…
He suddenly slammed his fist on the table, his eyes flashing dangerously.
"LOOK! THIS IS NOT DOING ANYTHING. FOR GOD'S SAKE! MY KING, GIVE SOME INTELLIGENT ORDERS AND MAYBE THE SOLDIERS WILL LISTEN TO YOU! GENERALS, IS IT NOT YOUR JOB TO KEEP MEN LOYAL TO THE KING AND COUNTRY? DO YOUR JOB! THERE, PROBLEM SOLVED!"
The room remained dead silent, surprise on everyone's face. Gilbert turned and walked out of the room, his footsteps echoing. He slammed the door, which again echoed in the silent room.
He angrily stalked down to the train station, boarding the train to Germany, and sitting fuming the whole ride back. Once he saw German land, he began to calm and grow excited. He'd finally be able to see his brother!
By the time the train pulled into station, Gilbert was almost shaking in excitement. He leapt from the train, and full out ran to the government building where his and Ludwig's office was.
He paid no heed to how in those few moths the city changed. He didn't see the surplus of armed soldiers in the street, or the numerous empty buildings, or the increase in propaganda.
He flew up the marble steps into the building, whipped around the corner, and exploded into the office, a wide smile on his face.
Reunions with his brother were always the best. It was the only time to two stoic Germans showed open physical emotion.
When the door opened, Ludwig looked up from papers he was working on, glaring sharply.
Gilbert sensed something wrong, and shut the door.
"Err…hallo bruder…" he spoke weakly
"Hallo Gilbert. About time you got back." He spoke evenly, and coldly.
Gil scanned the room. It had changed…his desk was shoved in the corner and had junk piled on it. Something shined on it…a Cross…
Must be an extra Iron Cross
The map of Prussia was gone. There was a portrait of Hitler, and more banners, and even a Nazi eagle on Ludwig's desk.
Ludwig stood and regarded his brother with hard and sharp eyes, eyes very different than Gil was used to.
The…hell…
Gilbert saw Ludwig had his coat off and the top two buttons of his shirt undone, which was unlike him, but it let Gil see something.
There was no cord around his neck.
No cord to hold the Prussian Cross he had given Ludwig so long ago. It hurt him inside, but he said nothing.
"Nice of you to show up, we leave tomorrow, you and me to the front lines."
Gilbert looked at him surprised "Why?"
"Issues." Was all Ludwig said.
Gilbert noticed something else, his gloves were black.
"Why are your gloves black?" he asked
Damn did the uniforms change?
Ludwig stared at him, looking right into his eyes he said "They get to dirty."
Gilbert suppressed a shiver. Something was …. off with Ludwig.
"Dirty with what…?"
"Blood."
Gilbert nodded slowly
He probably…just had a hard day today….tomorrow will be better. He thought, and hoped.
"Let's go home bruder" Gil said
"No, I have work. I'll be home later." He answered
….This is the worst reunion ever…
"Alright…see you at home…mein kleine bruder1…" he said, his voice holding pain, but his face and eyes hard
He turned and walked out of the office…the one he had proudly decorated for them both, that had been taken over. He slowly walked out the door into the fading sunlight, the dusk colder than he expected. He walked down the roads and to their house, which he almost cried at seeing.
Nazi banners hung from the house, and a flag flew.
Home…the only place where we were brothers, not soldiers or countries. Damn…politics invaded home…
He walked inside, crumbling internally.
Inside was no better. Banners on the walls, Nazi eagle on the table, and posters in the hall. He shook his head, and walked into his room, which was generally untouched besides for a swastika on the door, and a banner above his head. He tore it down, but had not anger to fuel him.
He fell on his bed, face first and lay still, thinking.
My brother…my brother…the soldier, the commander…the cold, the reserved…he's what I raised him to be…but this…isn't what I wanted…I wanted my brother somewhere in that soldier…now…I just have the super soldier…I lost my brother.
He sighed and yelled to the house
"NO! I didn't lose him! He's…in there somewhere still! He just had a bad day…that was all…he made the house like this…probably under orders…. He took off the Cross I have him…probably because he didn't want it seen and then confiscated…yeah… he probably didn't change the office… no a worker probably did…he didn't have the time to change it back, and his black gloves, that just…has to be…something else…blood, from…something…else…" Gilbert trailed off, unable to lie to himself more.
He thought this, but he knew in his heart, something had changed.
There's chapter 8, thanks for reading and please review!
1 'my little brother' – kleine is possible spelled wrong though