Hey what's up everyone? I hope you all had a pleasant Easter! You might be surprised to see a new chapter out of the usual season I upload new chapters, but I have an important author's note I would like to publish and I figured it would be nice to deliver it with some new content.
Lately I have been getting quite upsetting comments both here and on my tumblr regarding the direction I am taking with my stories. People taking my work for granted and making demands of me because they don't like what I have written, and blatantly telling me they are either dropping the story altogether or giving me backhanded compliments like "Hey you're nearly as good as this other author" or "You're good but this other guy is better". Like? What are you trying to accomplish here? What makes you think I wanna know any of this stuff? In the kindest way possible, please feel free to stop reading my story at any given moment but I don't care about why, what, when, and if you do because I am writing fanfiction for myself and sharing it on the internet because i want to. I earn nothing from doing this, and leaving comments telling me to drop a subplot or to mak happen just because you want to won't make it suddenly happen. Please be kind and feel free to engage with my stories, but don't expect me to make any changes based on your demands because I won't.
That's all i really wanted to say. Sorry for the rant but I needed to let it be known in some way and couldn't let this type of behavior persist. Anyway, with that out of the way I hope you enjoy the new chapter and have a good day!
"Get out of the way! Let us through!"
Matt looked up from where his hands were tightly jammed onto Paul's wound, heart racing, trying to keep the Commander from bleeding out until they reached the base's medical facility. There's only so much he can do out in the field. He wasn't alone, he knew, there were actual doctors on standby in the meeting and they readily took over the situation. But as a nurse, Matt felt compelled to help; especially since Paul was his friend now.
It was strange and disheartening to see the usually upbeat and goofy man lying unconscious in such a state. He hadn't been a nurse long enough to school his emotions in emergency cases such as this, and he felt every bit as panicked as the other soldiers around them. Paul felt cold, his jaw slack and for a moment Matt feared they were too late. But he could still feel the Commander's pulse pumping in his throat; only gradually growing weaker by the minute.
As soon as they touched down on the base back in Germany, they slapped Paul on a gurney and rushed him off to the Infirmary. Tord and Patrick followed them the entire time, shouting to clear the way for the wounded Commander.
"This way," Yanov directed them to an empty room in the Infirmary. "On the count of three, we move him. Ready? One. Two. Three!" Matt, Tord, and the others worked together to move Paul onto the treatment bed, doctors swarming in on all sides.
"Don't leave me!" Pat wailed, hunched over Paul and fervently grasping his hand. "Please don't leave me!"
"Is there anything we can do?" Tord demanded, placing a comforting hand on the General's shoulder as he addressed the head of the Infirmary.
Yanov sighed. "You can start by clearing the area. I need space to work with."
Tord nodded. "Take care of him." He turned and faced Matt, startling him with the anxiousness and raw hurt in his voice. "Do whatever it takes to save him. I'm counting on you."
Before Matt could respond, a shrill piercing cry erupted in the Emergency Room.
"No! I won't leave him!" Patrick sobbed, refusing to budge as Sarah tried to gently persuade him to leave the room. She stared at the General with sympathy and dismay.
"Sir, we need the space to treat him."
"I'm not letting him go!" Pat hissed furiously, daring anyone to come closer and physically remove him themselves.
Matt was heartbroken to witness the always calm and collected General be reduced to a sobbing mess, but he understands perfectly where he's coming from. Matt wasn't exactly put together when he first received news of Tom's death.
"Patrick, come on." Tord said.
To everyone's horror, Patrick lashed out at the Red Leader; glaring furiously at him for even trying to convince him to leave his dying partner.
Tord didn't react, but he looked weary, and he sighed. Without warning, he wrapped his robotic arm around the General and roughly picked him up; pulling him away from the bed as he dragged him out of the room.
"No! Let me go!" Pat cried out hysterically, reaching out for Paul. "Paul! PAUL! NO!" He actively struggled against the Red Leader. Blinded by grief he kicked, screamed, clawed and even attempted to bite Tord at one point - anything to try and get out of his grasp.
Matt watched them leave the room with a heavy feeling sinking in his chest. This wasn't supposed to happen. The war should have ended! Where did things go so wrong?
"Oi! Earth to Matt here - I need your assistance." Yanov called to him, snapping him out of his daze.
"Sorry!"
Outside the Infirmary, Tord half dragged half carried a frantic, feral Patrick out. He didn't even care about the wounds the General was inflicting on him. He felt numb to the whole ordeal - the sting of betrayal running deep still, and a distant familiar pain that's been long since dormant stirred awake and gripped his heart like a metal fist; squeezing it until there was nothing left. How he despised this sensation.
He released Patrick a good distance away from the Infirmary. The General tried to barge past him but Tord stood firm and blocked his path like an impenetrable wall.
"Let me GO! I need to see him! Please!"
"Patrick, calm down. The doctors are doing all they can but you have to let them work." Tord said. "He's in good hands now."
"I need to stay with him!" Patrick snapped. "Let. Me. THROUGH!"
"No."
Patrick kept trying to give him the slip, climb over him, or straight up fight him out of his way but Tord did not relent. He had to keep calm, for Pat's sake. He held Pat's wrists in his hands and waited. He let him beat his fists into his chest over and over again until he eventually tired himself out and simply collapsed onto Tord's shoulder, bursting into tears all over again.
He wrapped his arms around Patrick, hugging him. Tord was never good with emotions, but for his friend he will man up and comfort him as best as he can. He owes him that much.
Footsteps hurried to their location. Tord looked up and spotted Tom approaching. "What happened?" He asked, faltering. His digital eyes shifted between Tord and Pat.
"Paul was shot." Tord said bitterly, eliciting more tears from the General desperately clinging to him. "The whole meeting was a ruse… to try and assassinate me."
"What? Are you sure?" Tom pressed, baffled.
Tord bristled. "Yes I am f#cking sure!" He growled, the pent up anger he held back since the end of the meeting in favor of not spreading panic to his soldiers finally released itself. "They tried to kill me! If it weren't for Paul-" He faltered, his words dying on the tip of his tongue. He shook his head. "Now Paul is in the Infirmary as we speak. In critical condition!"
"There must've been a mistake!" Tom said. "Edd would never do that!"
Tord opened his mouth to retort when his communicator went off. He pulled away from Patrick to read the message. "Oh great!" He groaned. "Now the Generals are calling for an emergency meeting."
Patrick sniffled. "Let's go."
"Are you sure?" Tord looked at him in alarm. "Pat, you don't need to attend the meeting - I can handle it by myself."
"I want to go."
"Wouldn't you rather stay here and wait for Yanov to bring news?" Tord suggested kindly. "Pat, as far as I'm concerned you can take a break from your duties. Take as long as you'd like. You don't have to do anything."
"I can't stay here." Pat shook his head, wiping away the tears from his eyes. "I- I need a distraction right now. Something to keep me busy. I can't think about this." He hesitated, his eyes suddenly blank before welling up with more tears. "Oh God…" He crumpled, burying his face in his hands.
"I'll stay with you." Tom offered. Tord looked at him with suspicion as Tom reached out for the General. "It's okay. You can go. I'll take care of him."
"Thank you." Tord breathed, suddenly exhausted.
Patrick threw himself at Tom and cried in his arms as the Brit consoled him. Tord left them be and hurried to his office, fighting to recompose himself and act as Red Leader again one last time tonight.
"What do you mean 'the meeting was a disaster'?"
Red Leader stared impassively at the hologram projections of his Generals across from him. "It's just as we suspected right from the start," He said. "The Green Rebellion cares not for peace treaties - they just used the meeting as an excuse to get to me. They nearly succeeded too, but…" He hesitated, his voice nearly cracking until he cleared his throat. "Commander Paul risked his life for mine."
"Is he-?" General Helene gasped.
"He is being tended to in the Infirmary as we speak." Red Leader went on. "We're still unsure if he'll make it."
Silence fell over the room. The holograms mulled over the tragic news with eyes downcast and bowed heads, contemplating the best course of action from here.
"Does that mean you'll appoint a new Commander?" Keaton broke the silence.
Tord stiffened. Thank God Patrick isn't here to hear this. He was mildly pleased to see some of the other Generals shooting incredulous and uncomfortable glances Keaton's way - and Helene outright slapped the older man upside the head.
"No." He responded with icy calm. "Until he releases his last breath, Paul will remain Commander of the Red Army." He paused, and added. "By the way, Keaton, if you ever make another stupid suggestion again I will demote you for good this time."
Keaton at least had the decency to dip his head and mutter a quick apology for his ill-timed and offensive suggestion.
"Red Leader," General Erica spoke next, her hands folded in front of her. Her brown eyes are calculating and pensive. "What can you tell us about our enemy?"
"I spoke briefly with their leader," He hissed contemptuously. "Or who I thought was their leader anyway. Turns out the Green Leader we saw in transmissions is nothing more than a decoy - a symbol for their little organization. The whole thing was nothing more than a ruse."
"I don't understand." Yuu spoke up for the first time in the meeting. "I thought the Rebellion wanted to end the war?"
"Oh they want the war to end, alright!" Helene sneered. "What better way than to assassinate the Red Leader for all to see?"
Erica nodded. "Even with Commander Paul, bless his soul, taking up the mantle of Red Leader thereafter we would still need time to recover from our loss. Time we might've not had if our enemies decided to use the chance to close in on us."
"But the Rebellion's actions tonight spoke volumes. They mean to destroy us by any means necessary." Red Leader stated. "Any chance of making peace with them is gone. We're fully at war with the Green Rebellion now. I plan to lead the charge tomorrow at sunset. No doubt the Rebellion will try to stop us, but we'll be ready for them."
"Sir," Erica broke in softly. "We are all aware how close you and Commander Paul are. No one here blames you for wanting revenge, but think carefully now. If you lead the frontlines to take over the Iberian Peninsula tomorrow, and fight the Green Rebellion yourself when Paul is already in critical condition, are you aware of the risks you're putting yourself and the army in should you fall in battle?"
Red Leader replied without a second thought. "I do."
"So be it." Erica bowed her head. "We shall send over more men and weapons for your takeover tomorrow. Good luck, Red Leader!"
"Good luck, Red Leader." The other Generals' voices echoed throughout the office before the transmission ended and the holograms faded.
Alone in his room for the first time since the meeting, Tord exhaled and released the tension in his shoulders. He no longer had to pretend to be the stoic and fierce Red Leader everyone looked up to. For once in his life he came to hate the title he bore. The weight of high expectations and the borderline inhuman standard he has to live up to on a daily basis chipped away at his carefully crafted armor.
Tord crumpled to his seat, the tightness in his chest flooding to his eyes, letting the emotions he had so carefully reigned in take over him.
The sun was rising by the time Tord returned to the Infirmary. Tom and Pat were sitting on a bench, exactly where he'd left them. Pat had calmed down a tad, though his eyes were still puffy and red.
He sat with them in silence, squeezing Pat's hand for comfort. He could tell Tom wanted desperately to ask him for details, but he shot the Brit a quiet forlorn look. Not now. He nodded to Patrick. There will be plenty of time to talk to Tom in private, but right now Pat needs them.
Yanov stepped out of the emergency room, his uniform smudged with blood stains. The three of them immediately jumped to their feet as the Lieutenant approached. "How is he?"
The grave expression on his face was enough to tell Tord that something was wrong. "He'll live. We managed to get the bullet that was lodged in his trachea out, and stop the bleeding." He murmured, looking exhausted and dull-eyed with grief. "However, he's lost too much blood and was deprived of oxygen for a considerable amount of time. I'm sorry. We did everything we could, but Commander Paul has fallen into a coma. He's not brain dead, but we aren't sure when he'll wake up."
"You mean…?" Pat gasped.
Yanov shook his head. "I'm sorry."
Pat buried his face into Tom's chest and sobbed.
"May we see him?" Tord asked, hollow eyed.
"Of course."
The Russian doctor led them to the room Paul was staying in. The man with the bushy eyebrows who was always bright, supportive, upbeat, and goofy was lying motionless on the blank white bed, looking peaceful, with tubes jutting out of his throat; hooked to an IV drip and an oxygen pump.
Patrick crouched by the bed, taking Paul's hand in his as he wept.
Tord padded quietly closer. Pat didn't even seem to notice his friend's presence. Tom looked away as Tord combed back Paul's hair. "Oh, what am I going to do without you, my friend?" He whispered. "I can't rule the army all by myself."
Then he forced himself to pull away, appearing grief-stricken for a split second before he took control of his emotions and wiped his face clean.
"We'll give you some privacy." Tord murmured, taking Tom's hand in his as they neared the doorway. "I'll have soldiers posted outside the door if you need anything."
Pat didn't respond or give a sign he even heard him.
Leaving the room, Tord quietly shut the door behind him and faced Tom with a heavy sigh. "You want answers. I can tell."
"That can wait. Are you okay?" Tom asked. "You don't have to talk. I know how much Paul meant to you and-"
"Edd tried to kill me." Tord blurted, suddenly compelled to share all his grievances with the man he loves and try to understand the torrent of emotions that kept swelling inside of him. "He came to meet me only as a means to get rid of me."
Tom blinked. "Go on."
"Everything that could've gone wrong in that meeting happened." Tord searched Tom's gaze, frightened of what he'd find. He licked his lips. "Things started off well enough. We talked for a bit. I apologized. He forgave me, but then…" He hesitated. "He wanted me to give up on the Red Army and come back to live with him."
"And?" Tom pressed.
Tord gulped. "I couldn't agree to it."
"Tord, you promised!"
"I know! I'm sorry! I gave it my best shot, but he made me an offer I had to refuse." Tord said. "You understand, right? I worked so hard for all of this I couldn't give it all up now when I am so close to reaching my end goal. I wanted to make peace with him just as much as you did, believe me! I tried to offer other solutions but Edd wouldn't have it. What was I supposed to do? Give in without a fight after everything I've done? Wouldn't you be pissed if someone forced you to quit your dream for them?"
He searched Tom's gaze, waiting to see shock and indignation on his behalf, but he looked back at him steadily, unbothered.
"If your dream is actively harmful then would it be so bad to reconsider other goals to pursue?" Tom murmured.
"It doesn't matter anyways." Tord swung his head. "It was all a trap, and I fell for it."
"Do you honestly believe Edd was trying to kill you?" Tom queried.
"Who cares? The Green Leader shot Paul, and Edd was in on it. That's a declaration of war as far as I'm concerned." Tord glowered. "No one hurts my friends and gets away with it."
Tom stared at him, eyes narrowed sympathetically. "You're grieving." He said. "And who can blame you under these difficult circumstances? But you're getting distracted. You can't be blinded by anger now - we have a war to end."
"The war will end alright." Tord drawled, walking down the Infirmary corridor with Tom not far behind. "Once the Rebellion is done for, all will be right with the world."
"And what are you going to do? Kill Edd?" Tom demanded, appalled. "I'm sure if you talked things out with him privately-"
"NO! Never again!" Tord rounded on him with a furious hiss, wide eyed. "That bastard no longer has my trust. If he wants to earn my forgiveness now he needs to come crawling here and submit! And maybe then I will reconsider letting him back in my life. But Edd has much to atone for now."
"Sounds familiar?" Tom mused.
"What?" He didn't have time for Tom's nonsensical games.
"Nothing. I was just thinking how familiar this whole setting sounds." Tom circled him. "A friend. Betrayal. A wound so deep it feels nothing can mend it. I can't put my finger on it but all this sounds relatively familiar, don't you think?"
Tord flinched. "That was different! I made a mistake and I am working on repenting to this day."
"And what of Edd?" Tom tipped his head. "How can you be so certain you saw what you think you saw? Edd always gave you the benefit of the doubt, even at your absolute worst. Surely you owe him as much?"
Tord looked down at his feet, shoulders sagging.
"Look, I know it hurts now. Your mind is probably replaying the events non-stop inside your head ever since you got back, but you have to endure it." Tom went on. "There's more at stake here! I have been thinking while you were away, and we can't afford to fight the Green Rebellion head on. Not only would it be a stupid idea, but it could quite literally annihilate thousands in one fell swoop. Matt told me the Green Leader-"
"Matt?"
Tom stopped, biting his lips shut a moment too late.
"What does Matt have to do with the Rebellion?" Tord pressed, his ire growing. "In fact, what does he know of Green Leader? What have you been talking about?"
"It's not what you think."
A moment of clarity glowed in his one gray eye as realization dawned on him. "Matt couldn't have picked a more opportune time to join the Red Army than if God himself had dropped him on my doorstep." His voice was quiet. "And isn't that curious? Matt, joining the Red Army, no sign or mention of Edd, and the moment I discover his presence under my nose the Rebellion made themselves known."
"Tord, you're not thinking rationally right now and you are jumping to conclusions. Leave Matt out of this." Tom pleaded.
"What's the matter?" Tord drawled. "If he is as innocent as you claim he is, then there is nothing wrong with having a friendly little chat with him…"
Matt sat with the other soldiers in the Mess Hall. The atmosphere was gloomy and no one was in the mood to talk given the circumstances. Matt poked at the peas in his plate absentmindedly, not feeling the least bit hungry. He forced himself to eat the mashed potatoes at least, figuring some energy is better than nothing, and made his way back to the Infirmary.
"Matt." Tord manifested from the shadows to intercept him. "Can I have a word with you in my office?"
Even though Tord's voice was warm and friendly, something about it made every hair on Matt's skin start to rise. "Sure thing."
Obediently, he followed Tord back to his office. Slipping inside the dim red room, Matt took a seat and waited to hear what Tord had to Red Leader sat down on the opposite side of the desk, hands folded together neatly as he stared steadily back at him. "Matt, are you a Green Rebellion spy?"
"Wha-?" Matt began, perplexed.
He hadn't been expecting this. He figured Tord would want to vent his frustrations on him, and get his help to make sense of his tormenting emotions, but not this!
"I don't want to believe it, but the timing couldn't have been more perfect." Tord continued smoothly. "I sent soldiers to look for you years ago and they reported to me you went into hiding. Next thing I know you are part of my army, and sadly I don't think it's because you agree with my ideology. So what really brought you to me, huh? I suggest you think very wisely about your answer now. I don't tolerate liars."
Matt shivered. "I- yes. I did originally work for the rebellion." He admitted, feeling his gut prickle defensively. "But joining the Red Army was all my idea! No one there knows what I've done. Not even Edd!" He paused and swallowed. "I thought I could prove my worth to them if I brought back info on the Red Army for them to use."
Tord looked at him for a very long moment. "But then you got hurt, and you got distracted from your original goal." He mused. "Can I trust you?"
"Of course you can!" Matt was shocked by his question.
"I need more than that, Matt. Now more than ever I need to be able to trust in your loyalty to the Red Army, especially now that it looks like we're about to go to war with the Green Rebellion." Tord narrowed his eye. "How can I trust you now when you joined us with the intent of betraying us from the start?"
Matt took a deep breath and chose his next words carefully. "I was stupid to think my plan would ever work. Even if I did succeed, it would've brought nothing but strife and that's not what I am aiming for. I want to help! Help people! Help my friends. Help whoever is in need. Now that I have my memories back, I can finally dedicate my life to doing exactly just that. I love being a nurse! I love my comrades. And you're my friend, and I would never think of betraying you now that I am true to myself." He held Tord's gaze without flinching. "I am not conspiring with the Green Rebellion. I never was. I just… I never told you the truth because I was afraid you were going to punish me or throw me in prison or something."
Tord looked closely at him for a moment, his eye narrow. Then he nodded. "Very well." He said. "I believe you."
Matt dipped his head respectfully and let out a silent sigh of relief.
"I wish you would've trusted me sooner." Tord muttered. "Had I known you were affiliated with the Green Rebellion we could've worked something out. Of course I wasn't going to punish you. What gave you that idea?"
He suddenly remembered Tom encouraging to keep this secret between them only, terrified Tord was going to take his anger out on Matt should he ever find out the truth. "Uhh… I guess I was just being silly." Matt replied awkwardly. "Sorry."
"Now that's out of the way," Tord murmured calmly. "I need you to inform me about the Rebellion. Tell me everything you know. The way they live, their schedule, their ranks, their soldiers - everything. I want to know it all."
Matt stiffened. "You… want me to betray Edd?"
"No, of course not! I want you to help me save Edd." Tord assured. "Don't you see? Now that we're at war with the Rebellion, Edd is in great danger. I need to get to him and ensure his safety. Only the The Red Army can protect him now."
"So you're not mad at him?" Matt ventured.
Tord ground his teeth. "Oh no. Not at all! Edd just doesn't know whose side to cheer for yet. And that's why we've got to help him. If we take him away from the Rebellion, we can guarantee his safety." He went on. "But only if you tell me everything about the Rebellion. I need to be sure what we're going up against."
"I-I don't know…" Matt mumbled. "I don't want to see anyone get hurt…"
Tord leaned closer. "So do I. And that's why I need your help." He continued. "Matt, I promise I will do everything in my power to ensure we get Edd back. While he's out there with the Rebellion, fighting some lost cause in the frontlines he is in grave danger. I don't hold what happened at the meeting against him - why should I? He is our friend. He was the very first friend I ever made, in fact!"
Matt considered his words at great length. Then dipped his head. "Okay. I'll help. What do you want to know?"
"Everything."
"To me, Red Army!"
The soldiers around the Mess Hall stirred and approached their leader at the far end of the room where he stood alone on top of the stage. This base didn't have a Great Hall to conduct announcements, so Tord made due with what he had. He spotted Matt mingling among them, staring up at him curiously. Tord blinked back at him with gratitude.
When all the soldiers were settled, Red Leader spoke, "Comrades, tonight we go to war against the Green Rebellion!"
Soldiers booed and jeered at the mention of their enemy.
He smirked down at them. "Indeed. We will make them pay for their insubordination! We will avenge our fallen comrades, and take what is rightfully ours." He went on, spurred on by his soldiers' enthusiasm. He nodded to Admiral Wolfgang, who began to wade between the crowd with a heavy box as he distributed needles to every soldier. "However, we face a formidable enemy ahead of us. The Green Leader is a super powered individual of his own. He will not hesitate to decimate each and every one of you if given the chance. So how do we fight back? I hear you say. I arm each one of you with a potent sedative. If you see The Green Leader, your orders are to neutralize the target on sight."
Matt took one needle, staring at it with apprehension. He thought he'd grown used to the sight of needles working in his profession, but he never imagined one would be used as a weapon of war.
"There's more!" Red Leader continued. "The Green Rebellion likes to play dirty, it would seem. They have drafted child soldiers on their side!"
The crowd of soldiers gasped in shock and repulsion, jeering more strongly now.
"Dreadful, I know. I never wanted to come to this - as Red Leader I swore to provide a bright future for younger generations, to keep them safe and cared for above all else. It disgusts me that these people could stoop so low." His voice was harsh as he made himself heard above the clamor. "No matter what happens, those kids are not our enemy. This isn't their fight. If you encounter a child soldier in battle, orders are to disarm and knock them out. Pull them away from the battlefield to get them to safety. We'll rescue them by any means necessary!"
"Sir, should we use the sedatives you gave us on the kids or save them for Green Leader?" One soldier raised their voice to ask. Tord couldn't see who it was.
"I suggest you save them for Green Leader - he is the bigger threat." Red Leader responded. "However, if you are unsure of how to proceed with the kids and find yourself out of options I see no harm in sedating them if necessary."
Tord gazed down at them with approval, deeply pleased by their spirit to avenge their fallen and take down the enemy. This will make them all the more formidable in battle.
"Everyone else in the Rebellion is free game as far as I'm concerned." He continued, licking his lips. "Kill them all. The Green Rebellion shall not prevail after tonight!"
Hearing this, Matt looked on in horror as the other soldiers around him erupted into cheers. He remained silent, shrinking in on himself as he peered down at his feet in dismay. What have I done? He wanted to save Edd, but in doing so he doomed every other member in the Rebellion.
"Any questions?" Red Leader prompted.
"Uh, which Green Leader do you want us to knock out?" Someone called from the crowd.
"That's right!" Someone else gasped. "There were two of them in the meeting."
"Yeah! And what do we do with him after he's been dealt with?"
Matt looked eagerly up at Tord, hope rising in his chest. This is the part where he'll demand Edd's safety.
Red leader looked down at the crowd, his gaze cold. "Either one." He answered. "Bring them to me, preferably alive. I will deal with them myself."
Later that day, Tord returned to his office to prepare for battle. He threw away his fancy uniform in favor of something more resistant. He had his tailors and engineers collaborate on creating an armored suit fit for battle, just in case. Needless to say, Tord was thankful for his paranoia to have come up with that idea.
He put on a mostly black uniform with golden knee braces, his only biological hand slipping into the red armored sleeve; looking nearly identical to his robotic hand to the point one wouldn't even know which one was which. He clicked a red and golden belt in place around his waist, put on heavy combat black boots, adorned a long red cape, and lastly he put on his red horned battle helmet.
Tord looked himself in the mirror, his face devoid of emotion as he took in his battle stance. This is what the ideal Red Leader should be. He'd been so preoccupied with his friends' feelings that he'd forgotten what he meant to be, and now because of his weakness he nearly lost Paul. He won't be making the same mistake twice.
Sighing, he held out his hands where the red iron metal plates gleamed under the light. He adjusted his belt, checking for the essentials. He has two guns safely tucked away in their holsters, one knife for close range combat, and four sheaths of needles to knock out the enemy. Tord flexed his robotic hand and unsheathed five sharp needles from his fingers. He made some modifications to his arm and added a needle filled with sedative to each of his digits. Can never be too careful these days.
Feeling appropriately prepared, Tord turned around and caught Tom's gaze.
His boyfriend was sitting on the bed, watching him get ready in silence. When Tord turned to him he expected some sort of comment to lighten the mood or at least to wish him luck in the battle. However, Tom glanced away, unable to meet his gaze.
Trying not to feel hurt by the gesture, Tord approached him. "Please understand," He lifted Tom's chin. "I just want to keep you safe."
Tom frowned. "By slaughtering everyone who opposes you?"
Before Tord could respond, a knock on his door alerted him of a visitor. "Come in!" He pulled away from Tom. Patrick walked in, hollow eyed. "Ah, Pat. What can I do for you?" Tord relaxed.
"I heard you're leading the troops to battle tonight." Patrick murmured.
Tom listened to the conversation in rapt silence, his interest piqued. The General has always been wise and calm, if anyone can make Tord see reason it is him.
"Yes?"
Pat sniffled. "What are my orders?"
"Stay here. Take care of Paul. I'll leave a handful of soldiers to protect the base." Tord said, reaching out for Patrick to look into his saddened eyes. "With Paul out of commission… if something goes wrong - if something happens to me in battle… then the Red Army will turn to you to lead them."
Hearing his words, Patrick's eyes widened in shock. "M-me? Are you sure?"
"I trust you to look after the Red Army in my stead should I fall." Tord went on. He leaned forward and pressed his head to Patrick's. "I swear, I'll make them pay for what they did to us. To you. They won't get away with this." He vowed fiercely.
Pat hugged him. "Be safe. Please!"
"I promise."
Tom looked on, his face grim. There went his last hope to stop the upcoming battle. He could never blame Patrick though. The General was going through a hard time and it's understandable why he couldn't lend a helpful voice right now. He needs the time to rest and grief. So does Tord, but the Norsk was determined to march to battle as soon as possible and get revenge. At least Tord did not try to convince Tom to join the fight and lend them his monster half, so he wasn't completely out of his mind with rage.
Patrick left the room soon after, leaving Tord alone with Tom to resume with their conversation.
"Surely you must've realized by now what you're doing is wrong?" Tom prompted coolly. "Declaring war on your own best friend-"
"Edd is not my friend!" Tord bristled. "Not anymore."
"You can't be serious?" Tom reared back, outraged.
Tord narrowed his eye. "I don't appreciate your tone, Thomas. I've had enough of you and Matt conspiring behind my back. This whole thing wouldn't have happened if you trusted my instincts from the start. PAUL IS IN A COMA BECAUSE OF YOU! Be thankful I spared you my wrath."
Tom flinched. "We were only trying to help."
"Leave the thinking and army ruling to me. I know what I am doing!" Tord growled. He closed his eye, taking deep breaths to soothe his temper. "After tonight, everything will fall to its rightful place. The Rebellion will be wiped out, and I can continue my plans for the world."
"If you kill Edd… if you so much as lay a finger on him, I swear to you I will never forgive you." Tom cast him a withering glare.
"I wouldn't dream of it." Tord said matter of factly. "But his crimes against the Red Army must be answered for."
Rising from the bed, Tom paced the room to stand in front of Tord. "Your stubbornness is bringing this misery upon the world. You're hurting everyone around you with your ambition. It would cease if only you end the war." He shook his head. "Please, let go of your contempt for life before it destroys everything you hold dear! Think of your soldiers!"
Tord frowned. "I do. It's the reason that drives me to do the things I do. People deserve better, and we're here to help. It's not my fault they are led by greedy, corrupt leaders who rather see them die in battle than to have them flourish."
"Then shouldn't you avoid the outcome? Set an example to the world on what a great leader should be?" Tom argued. "Tord, I know what you are capable of. You're dedicated, just, intelligent and kind. I just want the world to see you the way I do."
Tom held his breath. This was his chance to plead for mercy on the Rebellion's behalf and stop the war, to explain that his methods are all wrong. If he can make Tord see past the hate and vengeance clouding his thoughts, maybe there is a chance for peace.
Unfortunately, his words fell on deaf ears. Tord shook his head and leaned closer. "It's too late." He murmured. "I'll be back with Edd in the morning." He leaned in for a kiss.
Tom turned away, pulling himself away from Tord. "Commie, you bring this upon yourself." He muttered, ignoring the hurt look in Tord's eye before he rushed out of the office.
The troops were arming themselves, ready to roll out and start invading South of the continent. Matt was helping Yanov and the others pack the necessary supplies for the field. They will be helping their comrades amidst all the fighting and they need every possible help they can afford to take with them.
Exhausted by the days events - Matt hadn't even gotten a wink of sleep, too concerned with making sure Paul healed properly - he hurried to join his comrades by the hangar when he was abruptly pulled aside.
Hands grabbed him and pulled him into the shadows, one clamping over his mouth as he tried to scream out for help. Matt struggled and was whirled around to meet a pair of neon green eyes. "Tom!" He breathed a sigh of relief, his words muffled by the hand over his mouth. "You scared me."
"You're going to be a lot worse if we don't stop the war." Tom said, releasing him. "Tord is dead set on getting revenge on Edd. He really thinks he's been betrayed, and he'll stop at nothing until they are done for. I tried to talk him out of it but he won't listen."
"I don't know how things went so poorly in that meeting!" Matt added. "Edd and Tord both want the same thing. To be friends again!"
"Yeah, but those two are way too similar to each other. They're both stubborn and only want to have it their way."
Matt pouted. "I guess what they really need is a neutral third party to talk sense into them."
"That's it! Matt, you're a genius!" Tom's eyes brightened. "If we talk to both of them at the same time e can get them to compromise."
"Great!" Matt exclaimed. "How do we do that? We're about to go to war."
"Matt!" Tord's voice called out to him from the crowd behind them. "Matt? Where are you?"
Tom grabbed Matt's hands, staring intensely into his eyes. "As soon as you get the chance, find a way to sneak out of the battle. Head North. I'll meet you halfway." He explained with a note of urgency in his voice.
"Okay!" Matt nodded.
"Good luck!" Tom hugged Matt tightly to his chest. "Be safe."
"I will!"
"Matt?"
"Hurry! Before Tord suspects something." Tom pushed him away and disappeared.
"Ah! There you are." Tord's eye zeroed in on Matt as soon as he came into view. "Join Yanov and the others. Are you ready?"
"Y-yes, sir." Matt murmured anxiously.
"Good." Red Leader looked over his army, heading to the front to lead them into battle. "Let's go."