Happy Seven Year Anniversary to the MLTS Series! And thank you all so much for your support as always 3 Happy Halloween
Matt blinked at Yanov as the doctor inspected him. Tom sat close beside him, holding his hand in his gentle grip.
Ever since Tord struck Matt with the memory gun a few days ago, Tom had hardly left his side. Matt wasn't sure if it was because Tom and Tord's relationship had gone downhill because of him or if Tom cares that much about him, but Matt appreciates his company nonetheless. It had been especially nice to have him close by whenever his head began to ache due to all the overwhelming memories returning at once, and Tom was there to comfort him.
Matt hadn't seen Tord since that day, and he figured neither did Tom.
"Well, it's settled then – you are officially in the clear now." Yanov announced, stepping back politely. "Physically you are fully healed. You just need to take it easy from here on out and get the hang of your new prosthetics. As for the migraines I am going to give you some medication for you to take – once in the morning after breakfast, and once more in the night just before going to sleep. This should keep your head steady on your shoulders."
Yanov left briefly to reach into one of the cabinets in the room and returned to hand Matt a bottle of painkillers.
"This should last you a month. If the migraines persist afterwards don't hesitate to come back, you hear me?"
"So is that it? I'm good to go now?" Matt asked.
Yanov nodded. "Yes! You may return to your training drills and patrols and whatever else you cadets get up to these days."
Tom shuffled closer. "That's good to hear. Though I wish the circumstances were different." He said dryly. He turned to Matt and nudged him heartily. "Come on. I'll accompany you to your new quarters."
He led the way through the white marble corridors of the Infirmary. Matt followed a little slower, suddenly excited to be out in the rest of the base again.
"Thanks, Yanov!" He called over his shoulder and waved back at the doctor who took such great care of him.
Yanov waved back at him. "Make sure you eat well and rest whenever you get tired."
As they neared the exit to the Infirmary Matt spotted several other soldiers walking in and out of the facility. Some of them had brand new prosthetic body parts like Matt; others were just covered in gauze and limping around with crutches.
"Are you hungry?" He asked Tom.
"I ate breakfast a while ago, but lunch time should be starting soon." Tom said. "I can come with you if you'd like?"
"Matt!" Patrick's jovial voice greeted them at the doors of the Infirmary. "It's good to see you finally up and about."
Matt's eyes brightened. "Hello!"
Tom tipped his head. "What are you doing here, Pat?"
"I came by to see how the two of you were doing." Patrick said with a small sigh. "But I've also come to escort Matt to his new quarters and take him to the training gym straight afterwards."
"He barely left the Infirmary and he's already being thrown into combat training?" Tom exclaimed indignantly.
"I don't make the schedules, Tom. I just make sure everything is running as it should."
Tom scoffed. "Is he the one behind this as well?"
Patrick frowned. "He is not."
"Can Tom come too?" Matt asked, looking back and forth between the two afraid of another ugly argument getting out of hand in front of him.
Pat's gaze softened as he turned his attention on Matt once more. "Only as far as the dormitories." He said. "Please follow."
Wordlessly Tom and Matt fell in step with the Polish soldier as he guided the way through the Red Army hallways toward the trainees' quarters down in the Rust Wing. Normally Matt would've loved to take the chance to explore his surroundings, especially now after being confined in bed for so long. When he first arrived in Norway he hadn't had the chance to look around the main base before he was redirected to Stavanger.
But Matt had other things in mind.
Confined to the Infirmary for a little over a week, Matt had been bored to death. Even Tom's company couldn't completely annihilate the boredom of being stuck in bed.
But when Tord hit him with the memory gun… something changed inside of him.
Matt rediscovered things about himself that once were so essential to his personality.
Growing up Matt remembered loving to take care of his aging grandparents, which in turn drove him to research more about the medicine, turning into another one of his hyper fixations, and dedicating himself to acing human anatomy in biology classes.
But at some point he had forgotten all about his past passions.
His prolonged stay in the Infirmary and being taken care of by Yanov and the other nurses had sparked this interest within him that has long been forgotten.
Truth be told Matt was not much for fighting, even back in the Rebellion. He knew a few basic self-defense maneuvers, sure, but he rather not risk getting hurt if he can avoid the outcome. So why not dedicate his time into doing something far more important than fighting and help heal people for a living? It's always been a passion of his in the past.
"Hey, Patrick, can I ask you something?" Matt called quietly.
"Yes?"
"How does one go about becoming a certified nurse here in the Red Army?" Matt asked, buzzing with excitement.
Pat and Tom both turned to him wide eyed, definitely not expecting those words to come out of his mouth.
"You… you wish to become a nurse?" Patrick echoed, looking seriously at him for the first time.
Matt nodded eagerly.
"Are you sure about this?" Tom demanded, staring at Matt, bewildered. "Think; this is something you are going to have to work hard on. It's a lot of studying, you're going to take care of bleeding, sometimes even dying people. They might vomit on you, or piss everywhere. It's kind of a thankless job and not really your thing in general." There was no criticism in Tom's voice, only disbelief.
Matt frowned. "Of course I am sure of this!" He insisted.
He'd observed Yanov and the other doctors care for the sick and injured. This is his chance to prove himself worthwhile. If Matt wanted to be important and play a big role in this war, perhaps becoming a nurse was the way to achieve said ambition.
Imagine how impressed Edd and Eduardo will be when Matt finally gets back to them. He would be an asset!
Tom still looked unconvinced of his answer. This ignited a spark of annoyance in Matt. Didn't Tom believe he could do this?
"Think how much I'll know!" Matt went on. "I'll learn how to treat any injury or sickness, and I'll be able to help people in need." He stared at Tom, willing him to understand.
"No offence but you can hardly take care of a goldfish – let alone another human being." Tom grimaced. "I think it's best for you to stick to what you know best, Matt. You're too… sweet and sensitive for a big job like that." He suggested politely. "Keep a low profile and stay out of trouble, okay? This is a really serious matter."
"I'm not too sweet!" Matt scowled back at Tom and felt annoyed when he spotted amusement dancing in his digital eyes. He doesn't take me seriously.
"Let's get moving now." Patrick suggested, still eyeing Matt with a curious look. "We have duties to attend to soon."
Matt didn't argue further and merely bowed his head in resignation and followed the General to the Rust Wing.
Later on Tom parted ways with him and went off somewhere else, presumably to write, while Matt was stuck in training with the other trainees in the gym. He'd stared after Tom, feeling a surge of rebellious anger as his friend walked away.
Matt tried to pay attention to the Sergeant's instructions, copying their movements placidly, but he couldn't help but think he was wasting his time.
This was no different than his previous position back in the Green Rebellion. Edd and Eduardo hadn't believed him capable of handling anything beyond simple training. None of them did. Matt had thought Tom would be different, but his old friend still viewed him as the naive, vain, defenseless little man he built himself up as in the past decade and a half.
After a very boring and run-of-the-mill training session Matt went to the Mess Hall for lunch.
He picked up a tuna sandwich and a glass of orange juice, and sat down with the other trainees for companionship. He hardly paid attention to their conversation, his mind still drifting to his earlier argument with Tom and his ambition to become a nurse.
A poke on his shoulder jarred him out of his thoughts.
Matt looked up, surprised to find Patrick looming over him. "Do you have a moment?"
Nodding, Matt followed the General away from everyone else to a more secluded part of the Mess Hall.
"Did you really mean it when you asked to become a nurse?" Patrick turned to him.
Matt nodded solemnly.
"Why?"
"I just want to help." Matt shifted his feet slightly. "I want to learn how to care for others the same way I was cared for, and be of some use for once."
Pat gazed at him curiously. "None of us doubt your capabilities as a soldier. With some proper training you can become of great use to us. We honor all soldiers around here."
Matt sighed. "But that's just it! You already have tons of soldiers who are way more skilled than I am. I don't want to fight – that's not what I am about. I want to help heal people!" He hunched over miserably. "I just want to be of some use for once."
"You wish for a chance to prove yourself. You want to be important?" Patrick queried.
Matt thought for a moment. It was more complicated than that. "I don't think I am going to be of much help on the battlefield. I am afraid people would have to fight for me, and I would just cower away when the fighting starts. I feel more excited in the Infirmary, learning about medicine and fighting to save people's lives rather than fight to-" Matt swallowed. "to kill others."
Patrick dipped his head. "If this truly means that much to you…" He trailed off. "You're going to have to formally ask Red Leader for the opportunity yourself."
Matt was shocked. "Red Leader?"
"He has the final say when it comes to all decisions in the army." Patrick advised. "He will help you."
Matt sagged a little. "Okay." He stared down at his hands anxiously.
"His office is in the Scarlet Wing. I'm certain Tom showed you the way before?"
Matt blinked gratefully at the General. "Yeah. I know where it is, thanks, Pat!" He whispered and bounded away.
He hurried away into the Red Army corridors and ascended up to the Scarlet Wing. The idea of facing Tord was a little demotivating but Matt was determined to face him in order to achieve his ambition. The thought of doing this behind Tom's back was also a little demotivating. I am a grown man! Tom can't decide my life for me.
Tom will just have to sit back and accept it. When Matt shows him how great of a nurse he can be then Tom will have no choice but to swallow his own words!
Stiffening his shoulders, Matt approached the large set of dark oak double doors and knocked.
"Come in."
Opening the door slightly Matt slipped inside wearily.
Tord sat behind his desk, filling out paperwork with a huge stack sitting right next to him. He looked up from his work only to blink in surprise to find Matt of all people standing shyly before him.
"Oh! It's… you." Tord breathed. They hadn't seen each other since the memory gun incident in the Infirmary. Tord had gone to great lengths to avoid both Matt and Tom and leave them be until they were ready to see him again. He cleared his throat and composed himself. "What can I do for you, Matt?"
Matt suddenly felt as if there were a needle stuck in his chest as he slowly approached. He forced himself to look Red Leader in the eye. "Uh, hi, uh, I was wondering if I could become a nurse by any chance?"
Tord blinked. "Okay?"
"Patrick said to ask you."
Tord frowned. There were lists in the Archives for soldiers interested in signing up to join other divisions in the army; Patrick knows this. If everyone who wanted to become a nurse, agent, or engineer had to come to Tord first he would never get anything done at all. Did Patrick send Matt to me on purpose?
The General knew very well about Tord's complicated relationship with his friends' in the past week. Was this his way of helping?
Fine… I'll bite.
"Why the sudden interest?" Tord asked, interlacing his hands together over the desk and leaning his head forward on top of them to stare at Matt intently.
Matt hesitated. "Well, I… I want to help heal people. I think that's a more fitting position for me than sending me off on the battlefield. I'm not cut out to be a soldier." He tried to explain. He tipped his head to one side.
Now that he is here in Red Leader's office it would be good as any time to try and… make amends for how they last left things off. But how was he going to go about it? Should he even bring up the memory gun incident? Or maybe he could say something else to completely distract him from it?
"Actually… sir-"
The Norwegian man waved his hand dismissively.
"No need to be so formal with me when it's just the two of us here, Matt. Tord is fine when there are no other soldiers around."
"When… when you hit me with the memory gun… you made me remember my past passion for medicine. I had completely forgotten all about it, but you made me remember it! So thank you!"
Tord was taken aback. He didn't respond for a few heartbeats, his one eye scrutinizing Matt carefully.
After another few seconds of staring, Tord relaxed and released a sigh of relief. He offered Matt a small smile as he rubbed the back of his head with his robotic arm. He almost looked awkward as he tried to avoid Matt's stare.
"I, uh, I suppose I also owe you an apology while we're on this subject, huh?" Tord said, his voice a tad quieter and serious. He bowed his head. "I'm really sorry about messing with your head without your consent. I truly am. But surely you understand now where I was coming from-?"
"It's okay. I know you didn't mean to hurt me." Matt interjected kindly. At least, I don't think you did. "No one likes to be forgotten."
Tord gazed back at him steadily. "You forgive me?"
"Well… I'm not gonna lie – that memory gun hurt like a b#tch."
Tord burst into laughter. Matt wasn't usually the type to swear so openly, so he really wasn't expecting the foul word to come out of his mouth.
"But I got mostly over it." Matt shrugged, smiling back shyly. "And now that I am back to my original self I can finally dedicate myself to something I am truly passionate about!"
"Being a nurse?" Tord pressed.
"Yes!" Matt lowered his voice. "Uhm, if you'll let me?"
Tord regarded him in silence for a few seconds before he leaned away. Wordlessly he opened one of the bottom drawers of his desk and began to rummage through a selection of files. After finally finding what he was looking for, Tord pulled out one single sheet of paper and gracefully laid it down on the desk, pushing it over to Matt with a pen.
"Sign this."
Matt's eyes brightened. "Really? You'll let me become a nurse?"
Tord shrugged. "I don't see why not." He murmured. "Growing up you used to have a knack for meticulously studying subjects you were hyper about, and medicine should be no different should your passion be true. I am sure with lots of learning and practice you'll become a phenomenal nurse."
Matt sat down across from Tord and hunched over the sheet to fill out all the requirements necessary.
He was genuinely surprised his request had gone over so well with Red Leader. After Tom failed to believe him, he thought he'd face the same discrimination with everyone. But Tord believes in me!
At one point Matt looked up and glimpsed a doctor's certificate hanging on the wall behind Tord. "Oh you're a doctor too!"
"Huh?" Tord slowly followed his gaze and glanced over his shoulder at where his certificate was displayed. "Ah, yes. I suppose I am."
"Maybe you could teach me!" Matt blurted, suddenly eager to bond with Tord over their shared interest in medicine.
"No, no, no. Absolutely not." Tord hastily shook his head. "I'm sorry but I am way too preoccupied running an army and winning a war to take the time off to teach you about medicine. All my doctors here are more than qualified to teach you in my stead, and I trust them to mentor you."
Matt giggled, not offended by the rejection. "Do you usually help heal others?"
"Not particularly." Tord responded. "I just… I only went to med school and got my degree because of my extensive research on human anatomy at the time. I leave the healing to my doctors."
"What was it like? Med school, I mean." Matt asked.
"Not gonna lie, it was hard. A very good challenge to expand on my knowledge." Tord replied. "My time attending was especially difficult. But I'm certain that you'll have an easier time than I did."
"Yeah, while I want to help save lives and all that jazz I don't feel comfortable making the big life or death decisions, or… cutting someone open if need be." Matt shuddered at the thought. "It's just way too much pressure. But I am fine just helping out."
Matt tensed up suddenly as pain flared up in the muscles surrounding his robotic bottom jaw. He rubbed at his mouth tentatively.
"Are you alright?" Tord looked at him, alarmed.
"Yeah, it's just my jaw acting up again." Matt muttered. "It stiffens up sometimes if I overuse it." He winced.
"The first few weeks are usually the worst." Tord conceded. "You'll get used to it in time, though the phantom pains don't ever go away entirely." He glanced down at his robotic arm with a haunted look in his eye that sent a pang of sorrow through Matt. "Our bodies never truly forget how they used to be."
Matt stared at him sympathetically. "Does your arm hurt?"
"Occasionally." Tord replied. "Some days are better than others."
He doesn't appear at all bothered by his condition, though there was a hint of wistfulness in his voice that gave away the hidden grief he felt over the loss of his limb. Matt wondered if this was just a pretense as part of his character or if Tord truly didn't mind it all that much.
"So what's it like being the Red Leader?" Matt prompted curiously, changing the subject. "Is it as glorious as you hoped it would be?"
Tord breathed. "It's a lot of hard work, but I enjoy it. Seeing my army thrive brings me pleasure. I want the best for all of my soldiers, even if most days tend to end with a headache."
"Oh come now, don't be so modest! You must give me all the juicy details." Matt urged, delight in his eyes. "I'm sure you know everything that goes on in the Red Army. Give me the tea!"
Tord chuckled. "I don't hear much from the lower ranks – I usually busy myself with running the more formal and political aspects that a higher rank demands. But trust me, rumors tend to get around in this army. It spreads faster than a wildfire, and whenever it finds its way to me," He sucked air through his teeth, his hands pressed together. "Boy, the things I hear can make or break my day, I swear to God. There's so much drama around here I am surprised there hasn't been a reality TV show that leaked all the ingoings' of my army for the whole world to see. I don't tend to pry much in the personal affairs of my comrades, but my God, the things these soldiers get into when unsupervised…"
Talking so openly about his life as Red Leader without getting into said character was so liberating. This is what Tord had been missing out on all these years! Finally he has someone who shares a common interest with him for him to talk to, and has the time of day for him.
"What else?" Matt pressed. "Do you throw lots of parties? Made monuments in your honor yet? Or maybe made a brand new international holiday?"
"Eh… not quite." Tord confessed with a grimace. "My job isn't as luxurious as it may appear. It usually involves a lot of business meetings, reunions with my Generals to discuss the army's divisions and battle strategies, infinite amounts of paperwork, and supervising every little detail that goes on around here."
Matt frowned. "Can't you order someone else to take care of all that for you? All of this sounds really boring."
"I usually share the workload with Paul and my secretary so I don't have to get as invested in everything at once, but as leader of the Red Army it is my sole duty to make sure everything is running smoothly and we win this war." Tord told him.
"Exactly! You're the Red Leader!" Matt pointed out. "Can't you just boss people around and do whatever you want?"
"Not without some major repercussions, I'm afraid."
"I'm just worried about the fact that the only people you seem to interact with on a daily basis are old and bossy and kind of mean." Matt said.
Tord let out a snort. That certainly described the council of powerful Generals he nominated over the years to help rule the Red Army beside him. Especially Keaton.
"Some would say I'm bossy and kind of mean as well." He said to Matt haughtily with a malicious glint in his one eye.
"That just means you need to balance it out by ordering some kind, agreeable people to hang out with you from time to time. You know, ones that won't make your brain hurt all the time." Matt suggested kindly.
"I have nice and agreeable people by my side, and their names are Paul and Patrick." Tord said.
Matt crossed his arms. "Boring!" He huffed. "What's the point of ruling the world if you don't get to get your own way all the time?"
"It comes with the job description." Tord soothed. "The greatest rewards come to those who work hard to gain them. At the end of this war I will reap what I sowed, and then the fun part of ruling over everything can begin. Right now though it's a lot of stress."
"You should go out sometimes."
"Oh, I am not allowed to leave the base." Tord said. "My Generals advised me not to because it's too dangerous for someone with a reputation like mine."
"Oh my gosh! Are you serious?" Matt gasped. "Tord, all I am hearing right now is how much it sucks to be the Red Leader. How can you possibly take enjoyment from this?"
"Call me a masochist, but I don't mind it all that much." Tord smirked. "It gives me a… sense of purpose, so to speak."
Matt peered at him with a puzzled expression. "Did you really leave and betray us all those years ago for this?" He probed warily.
Tord stiffened. "It's my ambition." He growled. "It's all I ever wanted. What's more important than changing the course of the whole world as we know it?"
"But it all feels so… lonely."
His words were like a bullet piercing Tord's heart. His entire brain ceased functioning. It just rolled over and lay there, suddenly full of nothing to say after years of non-stop worrying. For the longest time now that's exactly how he'd been feeling, and yet he could never find the right words to describe it. Ever since Tom left him and the war started, Tord had felt miserable. He'd poured himself into his work, hoping to forget the pain he brought upon himself by reaping the rewards his duties as leader provided and gaining satisfaction through that.
Tom has returned to him and things should've improved, but their relationship hasn't been quite right for some reason.
But now he has Matt here with him. An old friend who remembers and hopefully cherishes the bond that they had, and who he can rely on to understand him no matter what.
"It is lonely." Tord conceded quietly, the words he'd been holding back at last finding their way out into the open. "But I've grown mostly used to it. It's a small price to pay for ruling over the entire world. Paul and Pat's companionship usually helps, but… since their engagement they haven't had much time for me lately. And Tom, well…"
"I'm sorry." Matt said after a moment. "I shouldn't have questioned you about this. I didn't mean to make you upset. Are you alright?"
Nobody but Paul and Patrick had ever asked Tord if he was alright in the Red Army since he became Red Leader, and certainly not since the start of the war. Most soldiers were too afraid of him. But isn't that what I wanted to begin with? He wondered. To be feared and respected?
Tord straightened up with a chuckle. "Of course I'm alright, Matt." He told him. "I'm the Red Leader, after all."
Matt frowned. "You know those two things don't exactly go hand-in-hand, right?" He observed mildly. "In fact, I'd think maybe the opposite."
Tord didn't respond to that.
He watched as Matt concentrated on signing up for nurse duties. Now that they were here, and Matt remembers him, and forgives him for tampering with his mind; is this the appropriate time to come forward and apologize for his betrayal in the past? When else will he get as good an opportunity as this again?
"Matt, listen, I-"
A notification on his robotic arm's communicator went off, startling both of them.
"Pardon me." Tord said, folding his arm towards him to check what the matter was, only to instantly jump to his feet, wide eyed. "Sh#t!"
Matt blinked up at him. "Tord?"
"There's been an urgent new development with the war – I have to go consult my Generals." Tord told him hastily as he stormed away. "Finish signing the requirements and leave it on my desk. I'll send it forward later, I promise."
"Tord, wait!" Matt called after him. "Can I come visit you again?"
Tord faltered in his steps and glanced back at him over his shoulder. "If you wish." He said simply before walking out of the office.
Left alone in the grand room, Matt finished signing all of the necessary requirements.
Matt had been terrified of the Red Leader at first but after this recent encounter he found there was nothing to fear at all. Maybe it was the resurgence of his old memories or just taking the time to get to know Tord better, but Matt found himself really liking Tord's company; and something told him Tord felt the same way.
He is not the terrible tyrant Eduardo made him out to be. Perhaps Edd had been right all along; there is a chance of ending this war in a peaceful manner if he can only get to Tord first before Eduardo can enact his bloody revenge.
But Matt isn't allowed to leave the base anymore. How will he ever get back to Edd?
(Meanwhile…)
"How did this happen?!" Red Leader demanded as he stared incredulously at the Generals gathered around him.
The air raid he ordered on the UK following the rise of the Green Rebellion had been completely obliterated. Total wipeout. And the most baffling thing of all is that no one could give him an exact answer as to how it happened.
"Sir, we don't know for sure." Keaton said gravelly. "Our systems hadn't met any opposing planes from the enemy's side. There is no evidence of a skirmish. Our forces were simply destroyed by some unknown force we couldn't predict within seconds after reaching the UK; and given the circumstances, we can only assume they used the exact same weapon that blew up our bases to annihilate our raid."
"We can't afford to send another counter attack if we don't know what we are dealing with." Helene murmured. "Especially if there are indeed traitors among us leaking out information to our enemy with every move we make."
"But we can't just sit by and do nothing at all while our enemy gets the upper hand." Paul pointed out. "We'll be sitting ducks that way."
"Could anything else have destroyed our raid?" Red Leader queried. "Was there any signs of other nations deploying their forces in the rebellion's aid?"
"We don't know, sir." Keaton said. "Our systems hadn't picked up anything in their radars before the sudden attack."
"The Rebellion must be more armed than we first anticipated." Patrick drummed his fingers over the table anxiously. "If they have the power to attack us from afar undetected then we can't afford to underestimate them again."
"Actually, if I may," Erica interrupted coolly, pulling out a file over the table. "One of my agents has reported back with a very interesting new development I think you would all like to see." She pushed the file over to Red Leader.
Inside were screenshots of the radar database and CCTV footage from the recently destroyed base of operations in Stavanger, showing the anomalies detected at the time of the blast. The pictures were passed around the room from General to General.
"What am I looking at?" Keaton grumbled.
"Our systems detected something well within the perimeter and it mysteriously went unreported until now." Erica explained.
Narrowing his eye, Red Leader shook his head slowly and rose from his seat. "The Rebellion must have found a way to hijack our systems."
Erica leaned forward. "And how do you explain the mysterious silhouette behind the attack?"
"Could it be that the Green Rebellion has a special asset of their own?" Yuu guessed. "Someone like our test subject, but with different abilities. Perhaps with enough power to vaporize an entire base?"
"It's possible." Tord conceded. "Further investigation is required. I'll send these down to Bing and consult him on the matter, and in the meantime, let's order our troops to march South and take over the Iberian peninsula next like we planned to."
"But, sir, we are no longer in possession of the monster." Yuu pointed out.
"Secret weapon or not, we won't let this little setback delay our plans any longer." Red Leader replied brusquely. "We must try and flush out the Rebellion from within the safety of their base. If we attack neighboring nations they will have to come to their aid; if their offer for freedom is genuine, of course. Once they come and meet us in battle, we will block them off and take them out. Maybe take some prisoners for interrogation while we're at it."
"And what if they use their secret weapon on our forces again?" Erica prompted. "We mustn't forget they can attack us from anywhere without sending a single one of their rebels to meet us in combat. How can you be sure this time will be any different?"
"Because we will send our troops within close range of any civilians." Red Leader explained. "The Green Rebellion can't use their secret weapon against us without the risk of hurting the innocent."
Paul's eyes widened. "Are you suggesting we use civilians as hostages?"
"No harm is to befall any non-soldier citizens." Red Leader went on. "We'll merely be using their assistance to bring the rebellion to us. Now whether the rebellion will have the same courtesy for them, that I cannot guarantee. But it is a plan worth risking. Any objections?"
Clearly not everyone was completely onboard with the plan, but since no one could think up any alternative solutions they had no choice but to oblige.
The instant the meeting was adjourned Tord stormed off in the direction of his office. He needed some time alone to think. He avoided the accusing looks Paul and Pat were sending his way and promptly left the Control Room.
This war was taking a toll on him; both physically and mentally. At first Tord had welcomed the change in the playing field, seeing it as a good challenge for him to exert his power. But things consistently did not go his way whatsoever. It didn't help matters that his personal affairs kept getting in the way of strategizing for the war.
At least I patched things up with Matt. Sort of. Tord thought wryly. It was a small consolation on top of everything else falling apart in his life, including his relationship issues with Tom.
Tord had been surprised but also relieved to learn he and Matt get along as well as he'd been hoping; still sharing many topics of interest between them. And though he was still sorry for messing with his friend's head, he was also extremely grateful things worked out in the end like he hoped it would.
Now if only Tom could see that…
Arriving in his office Tord was glad but also slightly disappointed to find Matt was no longer there. It had been nice catching up with him, and shed his guise of Red Leader for once. But Tord wanted some time alone with his thoughts, and he understands that Matt is probably busy with his soldier training to spend the whole day in his office waiting for him.
On his desk Tord found the entry request paper signed by Matt. True to his word Tord made sure it would reach his assistant, Scarlett, and have her pass it on to General Helene for further evaluation.
Tord was tired. He's been exhausted often as of late. He felt as if his legs were about to give way under the weight of his anxiety. Entering his bedroom Tord stopped in his tracks. Tom was on the desk to the far right of the room, typing diligently on his busted old laptop. Tord flinched as the handsome Brit cast him a reproachful glance as he entered before resuming with his work.
"Tom, can we talk, please?" Tord asked plaintively.
Briefly, he wondered if Tom had any idea of the power he has over him. Tom could very well bring the mighty Red Leader down to his knees with just a glare and have him beg profusely for forgiveness. In the back of his mind Tord despised the fact Tom had him tied around his finger like that, but it couldn't be helped. His heart will always belong to Tom no matter what, and he has no regrets on the matter.
"What is there to talk about?" Tom muttered, still not looking up at him as he stared intently at the computer screen. "I am your prisoner again. Isn't that what you wanted?"
"I'm really sorry about this. About the way I acted the other day." Tord whispered hoarsely, stepping closer to Tom. "You mean… so much to me. I didn't want to part from you again so soon after not hearing from you for the past five years."
"That's no excuse to deprive me of my freedom."
Tord towered over him now, and yet he never felt so small in his entire life. "I missed you. I missed you so much. There hasn't been a day where you weren't in my mind." He persisted. "And now with the war going on and things going horribly wrong all the time… I don't want to go through all that worry again. I promise you'll be free to leave once things calm down around here; it's only for a little while."
Tom didn't answer, still actively ignoring him.
"Is staying here with me so bad?" Tord prompted, his voice raw with sorrow. "Paul and Pat are also here; you enjoy their company. And Matt is here now too. Most of the people you love are here within these walls, so why do you act as though I am condemning you for something?"
His words seemed to have struck a chord in Tom at last because he ceased writing and stared blankly at the computer screen with his digital eyes.
Tom sighed through his nose, as though he were composing himself not to say something he might regret. "I do love you. I'm sorry if I've been acting distant with you lately." He said. "And of course I enjoy spending time with all of you, but… this war worries me a lot."
"Are we on good terms again?" Tord couldn't help but ask.
"Yeah." Tom said simply, rising to his feet to wrap his arms around Tord's neck.
Relieved, Tord hugged him back and pressed his scarred cheek hard against Tom's, drinking in his sweet scent. "I don't want you to be distressed." He sighed. "This war is my responsibility. If there's anything I can do to make it up to you-"
"Actually, there is!" Tom pulled away, gazing steadily into Tord's eye. "Remember when I left you five years ago?"
Tord frowned, scoffing bitterly. "How can I forget?"
Tom tipped his head back impatiently. "You promised me you would win this war as quickly and with as few casualties as possible." He reminded. "And now it's time for you to show me you truly meant it. Tord, please, I need you to talk to the Green Leader and try to make peace."
"Are you out of your mind?!" Tord reared back in shock, staring incredulously at Tom hardly believing what he was hearing. "They have been consistently getting in my way for the past week and a half, and you seriously want me to reach out to them and talk about surrendering?"
"That's not what I said!" Tom snapped. "All I am saying is that maybe the conflict between the two of you can be solved peacefully rather than with more fighting. You lost so many soldiers. Would you really risk more lives just because you are too stubborn to talk things out?"
"The Green Rebellion are our enemies! There is no reasoning with them after they blew up several of our bases unprompted and chased out all part time soldiers from the UK."
"First of all; it wasn't unprompted. You started this war, in case you've forgotten." Tom pointed out. "Secondly, would you be so lenient towards the enemy if they were living in your territory?"
Tord snorted. "Even if I was willing to talk things out, what makes you so sure they will want to do the same?"
"You really can't think of a reason?"
"What are you talking about?"
Tom stared back at him evenly, his digital neon green eyes boring into Tord's silver one. "Think, Tord; who else out there would be bold enough to stand up to you, form their own rebellion, and reach out to you the way that they did? Who would know you so well to know which buttons to press to get you agitated? Who, besides me, has always been close and yet opposed to you?"
Tord curled his lip. "If you're seriously suggesting-"
"C'mon, Tord, it's right in your face! Green Leader? You're the Red Leader – it isn't rocket science."
Pacing back and forth in his bedroom now, Tord desperately tried to convince himself that Tom was just reaching for straws – making a connection on a baseless accusation. It couldn't possibly be true! Yes it can. The Red Leader in him supplied. Breathless and trembling, Tord was forced to relive their shared history together. Their close bond and their friendly petty rivalry with each other. It wouldn't be farfetched to imagine his oldest closest best friend rising to a high position of renegade power just to get back at him for all he's done.
Tord pictured the Green Leader – more specifically, the face behind the gas mask. A perfect fit.
Edd is the Green Leader.
Edd, the guy who blackmailed him into taking a vacation.
Edd, the guy who fought him tooth and nail for the last piece of bacon almost every morning.
Edd, the guy he competed with for Kim's attention and then later made up by spying on her and her girlfriend together through the bedroom window.
Edd… who insisted they stick together no matter what and remained best friends despite Tord's desire to leave the group and grow as a person.
Tord's eye narrowed thoughtfully. "How can you be sure?"
Option 1; lie. Tom thought with a grimace, unwilling to share the truth about Matt and potentially put him in danger. Option 2; tell a version of the truth. "We both know Edd would do whatever it takes to reach you the moment he found out you were alive."
To Tom's relief, the tension in Tord's shoulders eased somewhat and he sighed. "He has a funny way of going about getting my attention, huh?" He murmured with a hint of bitterness in his chuckle. Sounding more confident, he went on: "If the Green Leader really is who you say he is then he knows exactly where to find me if he truly wishes to talk. I don't have time to seek him out myself! My troops are scheduled to march South next, and I need to have them prepared in case the Rebellion shows up to thwart us."
"What are you planning?" Tom demanded.
"We're going to lure out the rebellion to us, and hopefully get some answers." Tord's eye sparked maliciously. "They may think they have the upper hand now, but we'll show them the contrary out in the real battlefield."
Dismay spread over the Brit's face, but when he spoke his words were not what Tord had expected.
"Tord, are you stupid?" Tom blurted. "Haven't you listened to a word I said? Haven't you thought it through at all?"
Tord looked at him in alarm. He wasn't used to being openly insulted and questioned like this, but he knew he shouldn't have expected any less from Tom.
"I just told you Edd is out there, leading the Rebellion against you, and trying to find a way to talk to you about peace and all you can think about is how to crush them?" Tom demanded incredulously. "Call off your invasion now. You're the Red Leader, for crying out loud – don't pretend you don't have the power to do anything in this situation. You can easily reach out to them if you so wish. What about your desire to find Edd and make amends with him? Or have you forgotten about that as well?"
Tord was shocked by his fierceness. Clearly he gave a lot of thought into this, and the war effort mattered greatly to Tom.
"No… I have not forgotten." Tord began slowly. "Fine. I will call back the invasion until things are properly settled with the Green Rebellion. But be warned, my Generals won't be too keen with this plan of yours."
"Let them pout." Tom shrugged.
"However," Tord cut in, one robotic finger raised for silence. "I will do what I can to talk to Edd about ending this conflict in a peaceful manner, under one condition."
Tom stared at him in silence.
"You need to stay away from Edd."
"What? Why?" Tom's digital eyes rounded in surprise before narrowing into tiny slits as he glared at his boyfriend.
"Did you really think I'd just forget about the way things between us and Matt went?" Tord answered testily. "You reunited with him before I could get the chance to make amends with him and everything went wrong for all of us."
"Are you blaming me for what happened?" Tom hissed.
"I'm not saying that! I am just saying, maybe things would go a lot better if you wait your turn and let me have as much time as necessary to talk things out without the pressure of your heartfelt reunion on the way." Tord explained. "Matt and I… we patched things up. Sort of. But it could've gone better all things considered. I am not making the same mistake with Edd. Please, Tom, for me. You know how much it means to me to repent for my mistakes to our friends."
Tom gazed at Tord with narrowed eyes and sniffed. "Will I be able to meet him when things between the two of you get better?"
Tord nodded.
"Fine. If that's what it takes to end this stupid conflict, then so be it." Tom glanced away.
Tord stepped closer. "Thank you, Thomas." He reached out to cup Tom's cheek with his robotic hand only for his boyfriend to lean away from his touch. Hurt by the gesture but trying not to show it, Tord cleared his throat. "Well, now that that's settled… how are we going to arrange this meeting? I won't send my soldiers willingly into enemy territory as messengers without their guaranteed safety. And even if I make a public announcement inviting the Green Leader for a private meeting there's no guarantee he would be willing to attend. He might think it's a trap. I need to get a message to him in a way only we can understand. Like a code or something."
"I have an idea!"
Tord whirled around in surprise as Matt appeared behind him seemingly from nowhere. Tom on the other hand didn't appear astonished in the least.
"Matt? Where did you come from? How- why are you here?" Tord questioned, trying to calm his racing heart down.
"I came here to talk to Tom and then went to the bathroom just before you came in." Matt replied.
Tord stiffened. "You… you heard our entire conversation?"
"Hey, not everything!" Matt said defensively. "It's not my fault you guys are so loud when you argue."
The three of them stared at one another impassively. Finally it was Tom who broke the silence. "So what's your great idea, Matt?"
"Oh well, I couldn't help but overhear you guys discussing ideas for a way to contact Edd – which is great! I am so happy you are willing to talk things out with him!" Matt confessed. "But I think I have the best way to get his attention while also sending him a private message only he can interpret."
Tord took note of the sheer delight and mischief in Matt's facial expression as a wide, cheeky grin split across his face. His confusion lasted a solid five seconds before he caught the meaning behind his words, and his own features slowly morphed to mirror that of his friend's.
They both have the same wonderfully awful idea to rile up their dear beloved other friend.