#au;; Nieswiadomy Zolnierz

[ofstarsandskies]

X2 War AU: A Successful(?) Infiltration

"I didn't think... we'd make it...!" His lungs are gonna collapse after this, he just knows it.

Between scaling the cliff at top speed to avoid the watch tower lights and then squeezing through the barricades without getting spotted, he's never been so cognizant of his breathing before (and probably ever will). Every inhale and exhale had to be planned out as he rushed through without a moment's pause. One tiny gasp at the wrong time, and that'd be it: he'd rot in a PoW camp till he was either executed or... whatever Rieze Maxia did with captured soldiers.

He'd ask Julius, but did he really want to know? Sometimes ignorance is the greater treasure as they say.

"Of course we did-- your big brother wouldn't march you to your death," How Julius can smile like it's no big deal is as amazing as it is crazy. "Were you that worried?"

"I thought I was gonna die."

His brother chuckles despite him not trying to be funny. It doesn't take Julius long to notice Ludger's discomfort and try to chase it away with a gentle squeeze of his hand, "It's alright, Ludger. We made it into the city in one piece. And as long as we don't do anything to draw attention, we'll be safe. I promise."

If Julius were someone else, he'd call those words out as pretty nonsense just meant to make him feel better. But coming from his big brother? He trusts them completely. His brother never lies when it comes to his safety.

"Thank you, Brother," He's still a bit to excited to hug his brother, but he can squeeze his hand back. Although with his mind coming down from the high, he has to wonder: how did Fayt and Victor handle things? "Um... Now that we're here, should we contact Efreet and Chronos?"

"You mean Flynn and Voss?" Ah. Right. Fake names when they're off the battlefield; he blushes and nods. "It seems clear-- give me a second."

Julius reaches into his vest for his GHS, tapping the custom button for the direct line to the GHSes paired to its team. At first, there's nothing but static. But eventually there's a bit of rustling, followed by a classic Victor "what now?".

"Levon was worried about you," Julius smirks at him while he embarrasses him. "I take it you and Flynn made it into the city?"

"Just I have. Flynn's likely KIA."

What?! Ludger's composure's out the window and replaced with panic. Fayt was... could he really be--? No, he can't think like that. Fayt has to be fine. They just got separated. It's fine. It's fine.

"What happened?!" For fine, Ludger's voice is hitting high notes most men can't.

"Keep your voice down before people ask questions," Victor pauses for a moment, then continues, "We were spotted by a watch tower before we descended. A group of soldiers to used Spirit Artes to cave the cliff in. I doubled back and used the dust cloud to descend safely, but Flynn fell with the rocks. If he's not dead already, he will be once he's taken in for interrogation."

No.... He barely got to know the guy, and now he's dead?

"Fayt..." Casualties are expected in war, he knows that. He's sure other DODA Agents aren't going to be as fortunate as them and won't make it to the city before they're killed. But even with all his rational thinking, he... his throat's gone sore as he feels something under both his eyes. Though he doesn't shed a tear before his brother's ushering him close and holding him like he would during a bad thunderstorm.

"..." To his surprise, Victor's not immediately chastising him for being a crybaby. "...But there's a chance I could be wrong," Strange, his tone's... gentle. Soothing, even. "I might be writing that hardheaded idiot off, but until we hear or see confirmation, anything's possible."

Hell must've frozen over for Victor to comfort him. But he's right-- should the military take Fayt in or recover his body, no doubt there'll be at least a local report about it. Until then, Fayt's not confirmed dead yet. There's still a chance he's alive. Someone has to hold onto that silly faith.

"Thank you, Victor... Thank you so much...!" Now he's crying. Yet it's tears of relief.

"Don't bother. And that's not my name, Levon," Yep, Victor's back to his old self. "See you both soon. Try not to make more of a scene."

The line ends there. Julius slips his GHS back into place and gives his brother one more fond pat on the shoulder. With both his brother and Victor buttering him up, he's gotta pull it together.

So, with a steady breath to stop the tears, he manages the faintest of smirks and continues forward with confidence.

[ofstarsandskies]

X2 War AU: Squad K's First Introduction

After an interview with his commander and Spirius CEO Bisley Bakur, Ludger was given his assignment by his secretary. He'd be joining Squad K of the DODA, completing the team of four, lead by Corporal Kresnik. Kresnik's a common surname in Elympios, yet whenever he hears it, he can't help but think of his--

Brother!! Ludger almost shouted, but he managed to keep his composure. Did President Bakur know they were related, or was this just a coincidence? Julius didn't seem too surprised-- if anything, his brother looked relieved. Next to his brother was an older man whose glare would cause anyone to shudder and a much friendlier boy about his age who smiled and waved as their eyes met.

"Hello everyone. My name is Ludger Will Kresnik. It's an honor to join you all," Ludger punctuated his greeting with a deep bow. "Even though I am Captain Kresnik's younger brother, please treat me no differently than you would a total stranger."

"I don't care to cater to anyone unless they earn my respect," The older man sure turned up the charm immediately. "Victor Il Marta. I pray you're more agreeable than Fayt."

The boy, Fayt, lets out a rather annoyed sigh, "Complaining about a comrade while they're in the room's not how you make a good first impression."

"Nor is you immediately whining in reply."

"Why are you always like this--?"

"This isn't the time to argue, you two," Julius' scolding shuts the pair up. His brother's really using those years of parenting him well. "We're happy to have you, Ludger. Rest assured, your life's in good hands. Especially with your big brother at the helm."

Julius' last comment gets them both giggling. It's comforting to know even as a commander, his brother's still his brother. When his brother holds out his hand, Ludger eagerly shakes it with a silly grin. Perhaps his time as a Spirius Agent wouldn't be as bad as he thought.

"Thank you, Brother," Ludger couldn't hug his brother while on the clock (though it was tempting), so he settles for a knowing look; he'll make tonight's pasta margherita with extra tomatoes. "I hope I can be of help while I serve my country with you all."

"We'll see soon enough, won't we?" Victor chuckles at his own remark.

"You could at least try to drop the attitude for a second," Fayt doesn't wait for Victor to snarl back and turns to Ludger. "Anyway, I'm Fayt Cro Leingod. I'm sure you'll do well, Ludger. And I promise we'll support you every step of the way."

Something tells him he'll get along with Fayt once they can really sit down and talk. Victor... he'll take some time, but he's still leagues nicer than the pompous doctor who treated him a week ago. Although if his brother heard what the bill cost, that guy would probably change his tune-- assuming Julius didn't kill him first. He'll cross that bridge at a more convenient time.

"Alright, now that introductions are in order, President Bakur's given us new orders as of this morning. We're to infiltrate enemy lines, enter Fennmont without rousing suspicion, and..." As his brother debriefed them, Ludger prayed his first mission would go smoothly.

His luck's been pretty awful recently and all.

[ofstarsandskies]

"Why does everything only get worse..." Ludger asks his empty inn room. Back then, Ludger thought getting slapped with a 10 million gald debt because of Rieze Maxians bombing Freres would be the end of his suffering.

Then Zig got captured and executed for suspicion in assassinating Prime Minister Rowen, driving Victor off the deep end. Everyone who attended was massacred by his hand while Ludger, Julius, and Fayt escaped the city. Fayt disappeared soon after, only to reappear with Rieze Maxia putting a bounty on his and his parents' heads. Ludger wanted to do something to help them, but he couldn't. Victor wouldn't care, and he just has to trust Bisley will protect Fayt's parents if only so Dr. Leingod's Chromatus research continues.

But life wasn't content torturing just the people cared about.

Someone recognized Fayt at Lakutam, compromising their unit and forcing them to scatter. At first it seemed they all got away safely. Then his brother never showed himself and wouldn't respond to any of his calls. Ludger didn't need to question what happened-- word spread quickly that Crown Agent Julius Will Kresnik was captured and marked for execution.

His brother was going to die. His brother was going to die. Julius, his brother, his only family, was going to die alone as a piece of propaganda.

Fayt said something to him after they heard the news, but he couldn't hear any of it. He's not sure when he or Victor shoved him into an inn either-- time's been slipping through his fingers for a while now.

"Nii-san..." Though his body broke down in tears, Ludger's heart hardened with just one thought in mind.

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