#(look - remus would divvy these camps that way)

[soysaucevictim]

Because brain is soupy, gonna play with the idea of all my Logans interacting (already did this with Remus, Roman, and Virgil).

Honestly - it'd be a feud between two camps which I would designate: Magical Fuckery is Real (MFers) & Science Only, Bitch (SOBs)!

(Look. I never said I was particularly mature here... shhh... I love the nerd, fr, tho.)

Begotten (MFer; Mage/Necromancer/Tattooist): It's really quite simple, you just have to pull on the Tapestry to make Matter do your bidding. Easy as raising the dead!

iZombie (SOB; Medical Examiner; Human): Now. Chemistry is not my area of expertise. But even I know that's not how any of that works.

Gymrat (SOB; IT Specialist; Human), at Begotten: I'm no physicist myself, but.... Did you just say you turned nitrogen gas into helium!? Do you have ANY idea how much energy that would take!?

Promethean (MFer; Chemistry Professor / Ophidian; Nepri/Osiran): If transmutations weren't so powerful - how would you explain how I function? I don't believe you can. I want to go back to my studies... and make sure Remus hasn't started something again.

iZ: Why must you bring philosophy into this - I get enough headaches with Janus about that quagmire. What you just said appears to be entirely tautological and- By Paracelsus, I need some damned makkoli or something over here. If I didn't already know that zombies existed - I would say that you've lost both your minds.

Gymrat: Wait. Zombies?

iZ: I suppose I must admit, Remus is... a handful.

Everyone, exasperated and endeared somewhat: Finally. Something we can agree on.

[starry-knight-skies]

Title: Nonstop Ambition

Summary: New York was a place of new beginnings, especially to Roman Hamilton. After growing up with nothing, he found himself surrounded by new friends, new opportunities, and potential new love. He fought passionately for what he believed in, and found himself rising up and making something of himself. But enemies lurk around the corner and he’s faith in others may just end badly for him. Hamilton Au -coop story I’m writing with @fanatic-kay)

Chapter 3 Summary: Roman has always dreamed of rising through the ranks and making something of himself. However, after stealing British cannons in Battery Park, he's called to a meeting with the General and begins to have some doubts. -chap written by kay-

Chapter 2

Roman could recall his childhood days in poverty like it was yesterday. He spent hours upon hours reading books, dreaming up scenarios of being a part of something bigger than himself. He yearned to make his legacy, something loud that wouldn’t leave his name forgotten. He was more than willing to die in the name of sacrifice, but he was also prepared to work hard, climbing his way through the ranks until he reached the top. Ever since he moved to New York, his ambition only grew. That’s exactly how he found himself where he was now, a war trodden Battery Park.

Veronica and Remus were by his side, each holding their own respective muskets, firing and trying to hold their ground. There were casualties all around them, littering the field, fallen soldiers that were sure to be commemorated for their service and valor.

There were repeated booms from cannons, Roman could hear the clamoring of soldiers to his left before the vibrations from the contact of the cannonballs shook his core. He grunted in frustration, backing up a few steps.

“We’ll never win like this,” he called out to Veronica, firing another shot from his musket before expertly loading it again.

“I know! But what can we do?” She asked over the fray, not taking her eyes off of their enemies.

Remus grunted from the other side of him. “They have the better weapons, mon ami. Our muskets are nothing compared to their cannons.”

“That’s it!” He exclaimed, slowly backing into safer territory. His friends, though confused, followed suit, all three of them relaxing slightly.

“What’s it?” Veronica inquired, wiping sweat from her brow.

“Their weaponry, it gives them a huge advantage. We have to even out the playing field,” he points out, gesticulating wildly with a free hand.

Remus nodded along, “How will we do that?”

A wicked grin spread across Roman’s face as he quirked an eyebrow. “Let’s steal their cannons.”

They spent the evening planning, calculating the location of all twenty-four cannons in enemy territory and divvied up the troop into small groups. As night fell, they began to execute their plan.

The British had retreated to their ships in the harbor, the silence seemed deafening, all consuming after hearing the firing of weapons all day. The cool air nipped at their exposed skin, the moon being their only source of light to guide them.

Roman took up the rear, his musket at the ready. His friends were somewhere up ahead. A hundred soldiers snuck out to try to grab destiny by the horns. The quiet of the night was killed with the firing of firearms from the harbor.

He let out a series of curses, the British had been tipped off about the excursion. He didn’t have time to ponder the potential spies amongst his troops as he rushed forward, firing his own weapon. Several cannons had already crossed territories, making their way into the city for safe-keeping, but there were still many more to go.

In front of him, Roman could see Remus struggling with a cannon. “Lafayette!” He called out, running towards him. He pressed his gun against Remus. “I’ll take this, we need you on the frontline. Go!”

Remus nodded once, taking the weapon and rushing forward, firing like a madman at any redcoat he saw.

Grunting, Roman began his work, lugging the cannon towards the city. The work was strenuous, tedious even. Bullets whistled past him and he heard bodies thud against the ground, but he tried to tune it all out. The only thing on his mind was completing his objective.

He managed to pull it all the way into City Hall Park, only slightly out of breath. He pushed his stray hair back, out of his face. He looked over the amount of artillery weapons they had managed to get. There were at least fifteen cannons in total, not including some of the ones he had passed on the way. Roman waved away his thoughts, clearing his head before heading back towards the fray.

He practically ran into Remus, so focused on reaching the battlefield to fully comprehend his surroundings.

“Careful there, tomcat,” Remus said, grabbing his arm.

Roman broke out into a grin, eyes searching over his friend. “Where’s my gun?”

Remus looked as close to apologetic as he possibly could. “I had to leave it on the field when I was retreating.”

“Oh, that’s fine, I’ll get it,” Roman clasped his shoulder before casually walking into the field, paying no mind to the battle around him. He dodged a few stray bullets before he found his gun, scooping it up into his arms, as if it were his child.

By the time he had returned to the Frenchman’s side, Veronica had joined him. She looked at Roman incredulously. “If Logan were here, he’d berate the hell out of you.”

Roman smirked. “Well, it’s a good thing he isn’t here, then.”

The three walked back to City Park Hall, eager to see how well the raid went. They were pleased to find they had stolen twenty-one out of the twenty-four cannons. Roman was glowing, glad his plan had been executed so perfectly, despite the obstacles that came in their way. He knows he owed it all to his fellow comrades, but he was proud of himself, seeing it as one step closer to reaching his goal.

----

General Emile Washington was objectively the most powerful man in America. People of all statuses rushed to please him, falling at his feet or trying to become acquaintances, just to rise to fame and power. So naturally, when informed that the General wished to see him, Roman was restless with nervous energy. He took a deep breath, steeling his nerves as he willed his feet to move him forward through the hallway.  

The office door was already ajar when he reached the end of the corridor. He hesitantly knocked on the doorframe as he stepped a couple of feet inside. “Your Excellency, you wanted to see me?”

“Ah, Hamilton, come in,” the General smiled politely at him, gesturing towards the other man in the room Roman had failed to notice earlier. “Have you met Burr?”

Logan’s eyes met his and he couldn’t help but smile, walking to stand next to his first ever friend, their shoulders brushing momentarily. “Yes, sir.”

“We keep meeting,” Logan supplied, sharing a knowing glance with him before clearing his throat to turn back towards General Washington. “As I was saying, sir, I look forward to seeing your strategy play out.”

“Burr?”

Logan practically snapped to attention, ready to soak up any word the General spoke. Roman only had the honor of seeing such an expression a few times. Logan hadn’t been very expressive since Roman had met him, however, he could still see the hope and light behind the usually stoic man’s eyes.

“Close the door on your way out,” Washington gave him a curt smile, dismissing him.

Roman felt Logan tense next to him. The light in his eyes had immediately diminished, but he kept his everlasting nonchalant facade. He swiftly left the room, closing the door with a quiet thud. Roman felt his own anxiety spike, scared for whatever fate the General would place on his shoulders.

“Please, have a seat,” the older man gestured to the chair across from his desk.

Roman all but scrambled to sit down, waiting with bated breath to hear what the General had in store for him. The silence between them stretched for what seemed like eons. He did his best to not squirm in place, though with the studying gaze the other man was giving him, the task was becoming increasingly difficult. Roman wished no disrespect on General Washington. He didn’t, necessarily, want to speak out of turn, but he found he couldn’t help himself.

“Have I done something wrong, sir?”

The General seemed to find the question amusing, shaking his head as he sat in his own chair across from Roman. “No, you haven’t.” He rummaged with some papers, putting them to the side as he continued to speak. “Your reputation precedes you, Hamilton. I heard of your plan in Battery Park, to steal British cannons. It was a clever strategy, the results were incredible.”

Roman beamed at the praise. “Thank you, sir.”

“I also heard, after that, Nathaniel Greene wanted to hire you, the position of aide-de-camp if I’m not mistaken, but you denied.” Washington said. “How come?”

“I didn’t come to America to be a secretary,” Roman scoffed, crossing his arms in front of his chest. He recalled politely declining Greene’s offer, he would be damned if he spent the war behind some desk instead of being on the battlefield.

Washington gave him a once over, “Now, why are you upset?”

“I’m not,” he stubbornly denied, trying to cover up his pout.

“It’s alright,” the General assured him with a small smile. “You have drive, a determination that rivals most young men I’ve met. You yearn for being on the frontlines. You remind me of myself, when I was younger, dreaming for the day you would sacrifice yourself for the greater good… not knowing you would be taking the easy way out.”

Roman shifted uncomfortably in his seat, waiting for him to continue.

“Everyday we get closer and closer to defeat. We lack the people, the weapons, the supplies that are needed, and I’m working with a third of what our Congress has promised. I’ll be honest, I’m wearing thin, I can’t possibly succeed doing all of these duties myself. I require assistance, someone like you to share the burden of my tasks,” Washington looked to him, the question present in his eyes. “So…?”

Roman’s mind stuttered at the offer. His eyes widened as he tried to process what the General had said. It was an opportunity of a lifetime, one that had come knocking at his door. Working next to General Emile Washington himself, most could only dream. He could not throw away this shot.

“Yes,” he breathed out. “Yes, sir, I’d be honored.”

“Son, this will be no easy task,” Washington warned. “Britain has the upperhand, in every way possible.”

Roman shook his head, determined. “We can take it back, use the element of surprise in our favor, send soldiers undercover, people we can trust to give us valuable intel. I’ll write to Congress, get our weapons and supplies.” He gestured with his hand as he spoke, barely stopping to catch his breath. “We’ll also need more help. I have a couple of friends, Veronica Laurens and Remus de Lafayette, they’re both extremely skilled at what they do. They can help bring us to victory, to our new nation.”

His mind was racing, formulating plans and strategies, planning his letters to the government. He looked up, grinning confidently at Washington. “You won’t regret this, sir,” Roman promised.

“No,” the General smiled. “I don’t think I will.”

----

Taglist: @amintyworld​ @dunebugger​ @brain-deadx0​ @mtgsaske​ @potentially-a-human​ @viana-dascolli​ @octobergothyc​ @a-deceit-salad​ @lulahood​