Featuring special guest appearance by Leela Warner by Fanimaniac4ever101
Bianca by Salt-apple over on Tumblr
Grazhdanskaya (Dan for short) by versace-will-never-be-the-same
Daisy Whitfield by insomniacflaffy-official
Aiden by Tiredthings1
Helios Astor by local-sourboy
Harriet by xurviving
And Wynter Loyrrox by sonjuponju
Happy holidays everyone! :D
Edd narrowed his eyes against the rising sun as he walked around the camp. He'd left earlier to scout the perimeter, check if there were any invaders on sight, before making his way back to camp. Their base of operations was only just starting to stir. He had not eaten since the previous night; his belly ached with hunger, and he was beginning to feel shaky on his feet, the use of his powers taking a toll on him, so he forced himself to go to the lodge for breakfast.
"Great aim, Leela!"
Hillarson's enthusiastic voice jerked him from his thoughts. The Sergeant was urging the pre-teen on. "Shoot it again!"
The body of a dummy with a bull's-eye target sprayed painted on its head stood on the other side of the shooting range. Leela took aim with her pistol, hands shaking. Her eyes were narrowed, focused on the target.
"Can I have the next turn?" Asked Collin from beside Hillarson.
"Yes." Hillarson's eyes shone.
"No fair!" Another child, Ian, whined as he shoved his brothers out of the way. "I wanted a turn first!"
"No! Me first!" Nagged his triplet brother, Evan.
Edd padded closer. Was Hillarson teaching them the proper way to handle guns?
Leela pulled the trigger, recoiling back slightly with a hiss. The bullet pierced just a few inches short of the bull's-eye.
"Your aim is great!" Hillarson enthused. "Always go for the head, okay? You'll kill any Red Army scum more efficiently that way."
Edd's stomach dropped. He was teaching the kids how to kill! "What are you doing, Sergeant?" He demanded, striding toward Hillarson.
Hillarson jerked his head toward him with narrowed eyes. "What do you mean?" The underage rebels surrounding him stepped back and scattered under the fury of the approaching Green Leader.
"Why are you teaching them how to kill? They are too young for this."
Ivan, the oldest triplet, looked from Hillarson to Edd, blinking with confusion. "What's wrong with that?"
Hillarson ignored the kid. "With all due respect, sir," He spat out the last word as though it were an insult. "You think the Red Army is going to go easy on them just because they are kids? They need to defend themselves. I was ordered to shape up these brats as soon as possible, and that's precisely what I intend to do."
"Yeah, we need to learn this stuff!" Collin joined in on the argument, not realizing he was outranked and too bold for his own good.
Edd turned to him. "Stay out of this!" He snapped. "You think of yourself as an adult but you're still just a kid. You are all too young to fight in a war!"
"Don't take it out on the brats." Hillarson shoved Collin behind him.
Edd forced himself to calm down. "I am not taking it out on them." He said more softly. "I just don't think you should be preparing these kids for taking lives should the worst happen. We're trying to stop the war and be better than the Red Army, remember?"
Hillarson's gaze never wavered. "Scram, brats!" He commanded firmly. "Go find something useful to occupy your time. Green Leader and I need to talk."
Ivan frowned. "Yeah, right. You want to argue."
"Please don't argue over us!" Leela pleaded.
Edd dipped his head. "We won't." He promised. "Do as the Sergeant says."
Sulking and disappointed, the young rebels scurried off; muttering how they didn't get a chance to hold a gun.
Edd turned to Hillarson, surprised by the rage burning in the Sergeant's eyes. He hadn't meant to upset him. "I'm sorry I interfered with your training," he began slowly. "I just don't think we should be—"
Hillarson stepped forward, curling his lip. "Who cares what you think? I've lived more years than you, twerp." He growled. "You may be the Green Leader publicly, but do not forget who really calls the shots here. He won't be pleased when he finds out you obstructed his orders."
"I'll take my chances." Edd muttered through gritted teeth.
He turned away. It was pointless to argue. Edd stalked across the clearing, desperation pressing like a sack of stones in his belly and weighing him down. He couldn't believe Eduardo would do this without consulting him first! They agreed on teaching the kids self-defense, but killing? That's way too far.
As he reached the steps leading up to the jail cabin where their prisoners were being kept, Edd thought he could hear anguished screams coming from inside. Edd's skin burned. He pushed open the door.
"How do I get to the Red Leader?" Eduardo's voice was firm and cold as he towered over the bruised and battered soldier tied down before him.
The soldiers spat. "Screw you."
With a swift punch to the jaw, the soldier was knocked sideways and slumped to the floor. Eduardo flicked his fist to wipe away the blood.
"Now now, you're just making things harder for yourself." He chuckled darkly. "I asked you a question and I expect you to answer with useful information. So once again, I repeat; how do I get to the Red Leader? What do I have to do to get that filthy rat out of his nest?"
The soldier coughed and gulped. "You'll never get to him." He rasped. "We are… millions. We grow bigger every day. You'll have to get through every single one of us before you can begin to hope of toppling Red Leader down."
Eduardo smirked with a sickening glint in his eyes. He grabbed the soldier by the throat and held him up off the ground. "Is that a challenge?" He asked. "Because if so… I would be glad to play."
His eyes glowed a vivid green, and his hands ignited with the same green glow. A blood curdling scream ripped out from the soldier as the hands holding him by the throat started to burn; melting his skin, hair falling out, and poisoning him from the inside out. Edd could only watch in horror as the soldier shriveled up and died before his very eyes.
Once he was done, Eduardo unceremoniously dropped the dead body to a corner of the cabin as though it were rubbish. "Disappointing." He grumbled. "Who's next?" He peered at the jail cells to his left, watching with amusement as the remaining prisoners cowered away from him.
Unable to stand watching this awful display of cruelty any further, Edd stepped closer and revealed his presence. "Enough."
Truth be told, the last thing he wanted to do right now is to play leader. But they weren't alone. The Red Army prisoners were right there and they needed to believe he is the one in charge here.
Eduardo turned to acknowledge him, the glint in his eyes substituted with determination. "No answers yet, sir." He played the part of second in command to a tee. "We're two prisoners short now, but I believe I've been more than convincing enough to earn their collaboration. Whoever I interrogate next should be willing to spill the beans." He prodded the bars of the jail cells, and the prisoners let out tragic little whimpers as they pressed close together in one corner.
"I would like a word with you. Privately." Edd gulped and turned away, beckoning Eduardo to follow him outside where they could be more open about the situation.
"What's up, loser?" Eduardo spoke up once they were out of ear range from everyone. "Everything running smoothly?"
"Did you order Hilarson to train the kids how to kill?" Edd blurted, straight to the point. His stomach fizzed with nervousness.
"Of course. If we have any hope of defeating the Red Army we need to be prepared to kill as many of them as we can." Eduardo explained as though his logic were obvious. "Why? What's the matter?"
"They are kids, Eduardo! Using children to fight a war is a crime in itself. How could you possibly think that teaching them how to wield weapons was alright?" Edd argued. "We are trying to stop the Red Army, not be just as bad as them!"
Eduardo rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. "Those kids need to learn how to fend for themselves. Do you want the Red Army to fill them with bullets? The only way we can guarantee their safety is if they are trained how to fight."
"We agreed on teaching them self-defense. That's it! The reason we took them in the rebellion in the first place was so they could be safe until the war was over and we locate their families – we were never going to use them to fight the Red Army, remember?"
"We need all the help we can get at this point."
"But-"
"Enough, Edd. My decision is final." Eduardo raised one hand for silence. "I don't like using children to fight wars any more than you do, but it is a necessary action. Don't you want to get Matt back? Avenge Tom? The war will end, we will win the fight, and it will be all thanks to those kids' help."
His tone of voice invited no more arguments and Edd knew he lost the fight. Eduardo was the de facto Green Leader and he is the lowly second in command.
Edd bowed his head in resignation. "Yes, sir."
"Keep an eye on things around here for me, would yah?" Eduardo stretched in preparation to take flight. "I have to go meet up with some of our potential allies to the East. I don't think the Red Army will try anything while I'm gone – they have been relatively quiet since their stupid appeal for peace. Still, I won't be gone long."
Objections raced through Edd's mind but he wisely reigned himself in. There was no point in disputing decisions with Eduardo. As long as he is around he calls all the shots and Edd must obey.
But what about now? He is leaving and I'm in charge while he's absent.
He watched Eduardo take to the skies and shoot away like a green shooting star. Excitement and hope surged through Edd. He is not going to get a better chance than this.
Edd hurried away to the main lodge. The idea of food was long gone from his mind. Instead he scanned the main cabin in search of someone in specific. There were a lot of people seated at the tables, having breakfast, or just playing cards and chatting.
Today's breakfast option seems to be rice porridge with sugar and cinnamon or bread and butter.
"Mark!" Edd found the blond eating porridge with Laurel, Kim, and Katya. He beckoned him closer. He needed to share his thoughts with someone reliable. He wanted at least one other person to share the hope that they might not have to fight the Red Army head to head. "I would like to have a word with you. Can you give me a moment?"
"Certainly – if you don't mind me eating while I listen." Mark took his bowl of porridge and followed Edd to their office for privacy.
Locking the door behind them, Edd sighed. "Eduardo has been training kids how to kill and he's been torturing the prisoners to death."
"That doesn't surprise me." Mark's eyes darkened.
"You knew?"
"I had a feeling. I didn't think he would actually go through with it." Mark admitted. "He would do whatever it takes if it means avenging Jon."
"You must have realized by now that nothing will be gained if Eduardo sends us out to battle the Red Army." Edd urged and ripped off the gas mask from his face. "If we don't do something now I am afraid Eduardo is going to spiral out of control. This war needs to end now!"
Mark frowned. "I don't see how we can do that. Eduardo is in charge, and he will never allow peace between us."
"There is something we can do." Edd murmured. "We can respond to the Red Leader's demands and agree to meet with him while Eduardo is away."
"What?" Mark stared at him in disbelief. "You would go behind Eduardo's back?" His voice failed, and he shook his head in confusion.
Edd immediately felt defensive. "What else can we do at this point? Eduardo won't listen to reason and the Red Leader is giving us the perfect opportunity to settle things peacefully. Eduardo is too driven by revenge to agree, but we can arrange it! Eduardo won't even know before it's too late."
"And then what? You will face his wrath with honor, I assume?"
Edd gulped. He didn't think that far ahead. It didn't matter anyway. The war needs to end, and if this is the quickest and safest way, so be it. If it means facing Eduardo's fury by the end, then so be it. His heart beat like thunder in the clouds of a rainstorm. The image of the dead, burned and shriveled soldier haunted his mind. I just hope he won't do the same thing to me…
Mark's gaze was intensely thoughtful. "If we're really doing this I think we need to tell the others." He said at last. "This involves everyone here, not just you. They deserve a say in it, and should things go south in the meeting you will need all the backup you can get to fight your way out. We can't be sure Red Leader won't ambush us."
Edd nodded. "You're right, Mark. We should be prepared."
"I'll get the children to guard the perimeter while we meet up downstairs." Mark said. "You round everyone up."
Putting his mask back on, Edd headed downstairs to the cafeteria. Most of the rebels were there, gathered around eating breakfast. Edd approached Laurel from behind her and prodded her shoulder. "What is it?"
"When you're done eating, gather everyone outside under the balcony for an important meeting." Edd commanded. "Mark and I have something to discuss with the rest of you."
Laurel looked alarmed. "What do you mean? What's all this about?"
Edd left her without answering, to look for the remaining rebels. He found Bianca unloading a truck full of supplies with Hellucard. He told her to wake Dan up, gather the other scavengers, and come to the meeting.
Next up he went to the nurse's office. Edd knocked gently on the door to alert the medics of his presence.
"Good morning, Green Leader!" A woman of dark skin and long gray hair greeted him. She wore a white lab coat with a pink shirt underneath with jeans, and a green headband. "What can I do for you today?"
"I'm fine. Thank you, Daisy. There is going to be a-" A loud startled scream rang out in the office, catching Edd off guard. "Is everything alright in here?"
Daisy giggled. "Oh, just swell. Some rowdy rebels thought it was a good idea to play around with a bear trap while on patrol and one of them got snatched pretty badly." She explained. "Luckily it's nothing we can't handle."
"Speak for yourself! I am dying of pain over here!" Shouted a man with shaggy brown hair, bangs over his eyes, wearing a gray hoodie with a moss green turtle neck poking from beneath. He was stretched out on a gurney as a medic treated him.
"Now you see what happens when you let boredom get the best of you when you're supposed to be working?" Teased the medic treating his injured leg. His short, clipped brown hair was dishevelled. He wore formal clothes beneath his white coat, suit and tie complete with glasses, with his right sleeve tied up in a knot where his arm was absent. "Next time; don't be goaded into doing dumb things just because you're bored, Helios."
"Do you need any assistance, Aiden?" Daisy offered to her co-worker.
"Nope! I got this. Give me a minute."
Daisy turned back to the Green Leader on her doorway. "Anyways, you were saying?"
"There's going to be a meeting under the balcony of the main lodge. Come as soon as you're finished treating Helios."
"Do I have to come, too?" Helios asked miserably from where he lied.
"I wouldn't recommend you move around too much." Aiden advised. "We'll find you a cane and maybe someone to help you keep the pressure off that leg."
"Fine."
By the time Edd returned to the main lodge the other rebels had already gathered around. Edd didn't bother parting through the crowd and heading all the way upstairs to address them from the balcony. He merely floated over them in order to reach said balcony, where Mark was already waiting for him.
"What's all this about?" Hilarson asked bad-temperedly. "It had better be good."
Edd felt his stomach churn with nervousness as he wondered how the rebels would react when they heard what he plans to do. Mark nodded at him, nudging him to speak.
Taking a deep breath, Edd began to speak. "Red Leader's offer to meet and talk still stands. I have consulted with Mark, and we agreed that we should go forward with scheduling a meeting – to try and settle the matter through words rather than guns blazing." He explained. The rebels listened in stunned silence. Edd was acutely conscious of their eyes fixed on him the entire time he spoke. He just hoped that the rebels would understand he is doing this for the best of reasons, to avoid battle and save lives.
"But before we decide anything I want to consult your opinion now." he finished. "What do you think about meeting the Red Army face to face to talk, and when and where should we schedule this meeting?"
He braced himself for an outburst from the crowd, but no one seemed to know what to say; they merely looked at each other in bewilderment
Eventually Ford was the one to break the silence by asking, "So… why is Eduardo not present in this meeting?"
Murmurs broke out amidst the crowd as they, too, questioned their true leader's whereabouts. Edd debated whether or not he should lie to them and say he is in on it. The rebels would surely be onboard with his plan if they thought Eduardo had given his blessing to move forward with this plan.
But that's not the truth, and lying to their faces now will bring more harm than good later down the line.
"Eduardo is-"
"Because he doesn't know anything about this, does he?" Hillarson yowled. "He doesn't agree with you so you decided to arrange this whole thing to discuss it behind his back while he's off."
A chorus of alarm swept through the rebels. A jolt of dismay ran through Edd. He was losing them.
"Listen, we've all heard Eduardo's reasoning for denying Red Leader's offer, but we didn't fully discuss it until now." Edd urged. "If there's an alternative way to end this war through peaceful means shouldn't we at least try?"
"But you're asking us to keep secrets from Eduardo!" Laurel protested, her blue eyes blazing as Edd met her stare through the mask.
"So what? Green Leader is the one calling the shots, not Eduardo anyways." Aiden mildly pointed out.
Edd grimaced, and he noticed all the other senior rebels – the original members who first joined the rebellion when the war first started – wince as well. They knew Eduardo is the real Green Leader, but the others that joined afterwards didn't. They looked up to Edd to lead and be the symbol of the rebellion, while unbeknownst to them, Eduardo was planning everything in the shadows; safe from danger.
This was going to be a tricky conversation indeed.
"Eduardo is a valued member of the Rebellion as much as I am, and I trust his judgment." Edd paused, searching for words. He'd never been good with inspirational speeches. "But this is an opportunity we cannot pass up. Over the years we've trained and prepared to take down the Red Army, I grew to care for each and every one of you. As your leader I am duty bound to find the best possible way to end the conflict without losing anyone in the process. I owe you that much. If you tell me you would rather face the Red Army in battle no matter what it takes, I will respect your decision and we'll pretend this meeting never happened. But if any of you have doubts about the war, and wish to end this with as few casualties as possible so that you may return to your families, friends and normal lives as soon as possible… now it's your time to speak up."
Edd waited, his gaze fixed on his hands clutching the balcony railing with a bone-white grip. He desperately needed the support of his rebels or his plan wouldn't work. He can't face Red Leader and his army all by himself, no matter how well-intentioned he may be.
The crowd shifted in silence, thinking deeply about the situation. Edd glanced around, wondering whether his speech had won the support of his rebels.
"No, the war has to end. In that regard you're absolutely right, Green Leader." One of the medics; a woman with short curly black hair, red-rimmed glasses, brown eyes, tawny olive skin, wearing striped light gray hoodie and jeans by the name of Harriet spoke up, and the others turned to look at her. "We shouldn't waste our time fighting when there's a better way to go about this. As a doctor, I care for everyone's wellbeing – Green Rebellion or not. I wouldn't like for us to be sent blindly into battle and possibly killed when the whole thing could be avoided."
"I agree." Daisy conceded beside her.
"But who's to say Red Leader will agree to surrender?" Helios pointed out, leaning heavily on his cane. "We could arrange this whole thing and be for nothing in the end. We will have no choice but to fight them then!"
"Yeah, when we've exhausted every possible choice. That's the point!" Diwi remarked. "We will fight if needed, but until we know for sure… we should try other ways first. It would be foolish for us to go jumping into every situation guns blazing."
"It's not just us we need to consider." One of the scavengers, a woman named Wynter, spoke up next. Her skin was dark, with dark curly hair, and she wore a light blue hoodie, a blue skirt, black jeans underneath, and blue tennis shoes. "If we choose to fight the Red Army head on without considering other options, we need to take into account that we have child soldiers on our side. Do we want to expose them to the frontlines without at least trying to prevent it? Do we want to prolong this for the rest of the world any more than we have to?"
Bianca was beside her, nodding her head in agreement, but the rest of the rebels were still murmuring amongst themselves. Again, Edd was acutely conscious of the heavy burden he just placed on his loyal rebels. Torn between their loyalty to Eduardo, the Rebellion, and their country and their commitment to each other as well as the rest of the world. But Edd had to remain firm and quiet and let them discuss it freely without interruptions or him trying to constantly sway them to his side; be patient and wait for their verdict or whether to support his plan or not.
"So what exactly do you want us to do, sir?" Diwi asked at last.
"With Ford's help, I will relay a private message to Red Leader himself. We will schedule a time and place." Edd replied. "We will keep normal camp activities going, try not to arouse any suspicion from Eduardo and keep this plan as tightly under wrap as possible. Then when the set date arrives, we will go out there and meet Red Leader. If he does not agree to our terms…" His voice failed; he swallowed.
"Yes, what then?" Laurel demanded. "How will you explain this whole situation to Eduardo when your plan fails? Or worse; what will you do if Eduardo catches wind of this and orders us to attack the Red Army before the planned date? Do you expect us to disobey his direct orders? Turn around and run away when the fight gets started? This is insane! Mark, don't tell me you actually agree with his decision?"
Mark looked down at her in surprise. "I admit, I wouldn't have done this on my own. Not in a million years! But Green Leader has a point." He confessed. "It's understandable that we all have our misgivings trusting the Red Army, but shouldn't we try to avoid conflict if given the option? Why shed more blood when there's a possible solution dangling right in front of our faces."
Laurel's eyes narrowed into daggers as she glared at the pair up on the balcony.
It's clear that, even though Laurel had moved on from Eduardo since their big break up, she still has feelings of loyalty for her former flame and she seemed insulted by the mere idea of going behind his back. Although privately Edd knew that under different circumstances she would be onboard with his idea. Laurel was never the battle-hungry vicious type.
"Because we're in a war, in case you've forgotten!" Hillarson reminded sharply. "So what do you suggest we do if it comes down to a battle, sir? Wave the white flag of surrender?"
"No." Edd replied. He didn't miss the scorn in Hillarson's voice when he addressed him. "Red Leader seems willing to meet and talk things out if he went out of his way to contact us, otherwise he wouldn't have gotten our attention the way he did."
Truth be told the ban on cola was taking its toll on Edd, and on Eduardo too to a certain degree. Edd was open about it, but Eduardo pretended he was fine – everything was fine – he didn't need a sip of cola, he was fine just drinking nuclear coffee – it was just as, if not more delicious than cola!
Their desire for the cool, fizzy beverage had gotten so bad Edd and Eduardo had gotten into a heated argument that ended with them both lashing out at Mark; whose only crime was walking into the room while they argued.
This ban needs to end soon.
"If we're lucky, Red Leader will only have one or two soldiers accompanying him. Even if the meeting goes sour, it won't come down to an actual fight."
"That's a pretty big if!" Retorted Hillarson. "What if the Red Army assumes the same thing, and sets an ambush for us? I am telling you right now; meeting them will be a mistake!"
"So… when and where should the meeting take place?"
"Somewhere neutral." Mark replied. "Somewhere that will even out the playing field for both parties. We can't welcome them into our territory, and God forbid we enter Red Army land!"
"I know! The Red Army plans to invade the Iberian peninsula next, right?" Coco spoke up, sounding nervous to be speaking up for the first time in this meeting. "What if we agree to meet them there? That way we can set our forces down there in case the plan goes south, and we intimidate the Red Army from expanding their territory. You know; like a "you want this land, buddy? Then you're gonna have to go through ME first!" type deal."
Edd dipped his head. "Sounds promising. Any other suggestions?"
"We won't be able to hold this charade from Eduardo for long." Aiden pointed out. "If we plan to meet the Red Army, we gotta do it fast or he will suspect something is amiss."
"Yeah, but we also need time to prepare ourselves." Bianca replied.
"Would three days suffice for everyone?" Mark asked. "It's a standard period of time, I think. Not too long and not too short."
"On the border of the Iberian peninsula in three days' time. Alright. Is there anything else that should be discussed?"
"Yeah, how are we going to get there without Eduardo noticing?" Hillarson commented. "Won't he notice something is wrong when he walks out the lodge and sees the whole camp is empty?"
"We won't be taking any of the children with us, will we?" Kim added, eyes wide with distress.
"We won't. The kids can stay behind and guard the camp, as well as anyone unwilling to be a part of this plan." Edd said. "I will find a way to distract Eduardo when the time is right, don't you worry. If the worst happens and he finds out… I will be the sole one to blame. None of you will get the fall for trying to do what is right, I promise." He waited tensely for his rebels' response, looking around their troubled faces in the late morning sunlight.
To Edd's surprise, no one objected. Not even Hillarson. Though he couldn't help but feel tense. Who knows if Hillarson will agree to keep his mouth shut until the day of the meeting?
"Then it is settled. Return to whatever you were doing and pretend like this reunion never happened." He ordered tersely. "Ford, Mark, and I will relay a private message to Red Leader at once."
Edd watched the rebels disperse silently, too shaken up by what they just agreed to to utter a single word out loud. He couldn't blame them. If it weren't for his remaining faith in Tord, he would have lost all hope of stopping this war a long time ago. He nearly did at one point! But now he was certain that some part of his friend still remained in Red Leader, and there's a chance things could go back to the way they once were.
No. Not with Matt missing… not with Tom gone forever!
Shaking his head to rid his mind of these intrusive thoughts, Edd beckoned Mark and Ford inside the lodge.
Entering Ford's office, Edd had to be careful not to trip over any cables or wires. The room was filled to the brim with them; unwinding left and right. There was a wall with a green screen and a camera pointing at it; that's where Edd recorded the rebellion's first transmission. At the center of the mess of cables there was a wall of monitors all linked together to a busted old laptop and powered by a manual, banged up generator on the left.
Pushing up his glasses, Ford powered up his computer. "Get into position! The instant I hack into the Red Army's systems we will be exposed to them."
Mark set up the camera while Edd adjusted his mask and clothes as he stood in front of the green screen. When he felt like he was ready he gave a nod to Mark, and the blond shot Ford a thumbs up.
"3… 2… 1… and we're live!"
He watched as the camera light blinked on, and Edd cleared his throat with his arms folded neatly behind him. "Greetings, Red Leader." He inwardly winced. He sounded like a James Bond villain! The voice modulator on his mask wasn't helping. "I am personally reaching out to you, and you alone now, to give you my answer. We accept your offer. Listen carefully now; in three days, we shall meet at the border of the Iberian peninsula by nightfall, in order to discuss the matter of the war going forward. We will hold a temporary truce with you until the fateful day. But what we decide on that day will be final. No changing minds. No going back." Edd swallowed, his own resolute words leaving him dizzy. But it was needed. Tord had to understand that this was their final effort for reconciliation. If he didn't take it… Edd wasn't sure he'll be able to protect him from Eduardo for much longer. "Until then, Red Leader."
Ford signaled the end of the transmission and Edd sighed. It was done. There's no going back now.
He took off his mask and was immediately soothed by the cold air stinging his sweaty face. Mark was gazing at him with worried blue eyes, arms crossed over his chest. Edd could tell that this whole secret scheme was tearing him apart from the inside just as much as it was tearing him. Eduardo is their friend, and he won't take lightly to any of this should he find out what they did.
Ford placed a gentle hand on Mark's shoulder and gave him a single wordless nod before resuming his work.
"Hey." Edd called out to the blond softly. "Thank you for standing by me. I know this isn't easy for any of you. I don't like this situation any more than you, but what choice is there?"
Mark nodded, his eyes narrowed. "I don't want bloodshed, but is this the only way to stop it?" He admitted. "Whatever you do, Edd, be careful of Eduardo. Be gentle with him. He was a great friend to me once—and he might be again."
Edd wanted so much to believe the blond. But each day Eduardo seemed to slide further into a vengeful, hateful spiral. The clever and unexpected friend that aided him in his time of need seemed very far away.
"I'll do my best, Mark." He promised. "I don't want to deceive him. But that's why I've organized this meeting with Red Leader. I want to show him we don't have to end this conflict through fighting. But he won't listen to me." Tensely, he added. "Do you think I'm wrong?"
"I'm not sure. It's not up to me to say." Mark shook his head. "This is personal to you as much as it is to him. You have a right to try things your way. This is your decision, Edd. Let's hope it's one neither of us is going to regret."
