Chapter Text
'Amidst the tiny German town sat a lonely buisness. A small family practitioner amidst a line of many other corresponding businesses around it it was the odd one out on the block. It's outermost walls appeared like a store. In german spelled out the name on a wooden board that hung above the doorway suspended by two chain's, 'Ludwig: Family Practitioner'. Within was a nicely decorated interior. Nice benches for the families with medicine's lined up on a shelf with their various names listed. A front counter where a young german woman was taking in appointments from the people who entered with sick children or who were terribly sick themselves. In the back?
A young man sat on a chair as he worked on a young boy who was sucking vigorously on a lollipop while he placed a needle in the boy's arm. Injecting the fluid into the little boy's body before pulling it back and wrapping a bandage around his arm before pulling out a little teddy bear from his pocket. Dancing it around as the mother beside him laughed as the boy reached out for it and hugged it tightly." Zere..zat vasn't zat bad now vas it?" The young man asked. The boy shaking his head shyly towards him before getting up from the seat he sat in and went to his mother who stood up with a side bag in hand.
Her voice kind as she wrapped her hand behind her son's head."Danke, Herr Ludwig. I vish I could pay you today but.." she appeared sad ever so slightly as Ludwig fixed his rounded glasses to his face with a smile. Speaking calmly as he looked at her with a raised brow.
"Nein, Lina. Zis von is on me. I told zu zat if you're son ever got sick to being him directly to me. Und you followed through with zat. You're son should be feeling better in no time at all. I assure zu." He said, getting to his feet he stretched his legs and put the needle down on a metal tray. Till his smile slowly turned to a slight glare as the woman turned to walk out to nearly bump into a german soldier and a officer that politely bowed to her and moved out of the way for her to exit.
Her voice slightly shaken as she held her son close to her." Danke..so much, Ludwig I promise to repay you Von day..but I really must be going..mein son needs his rest.." It was a poor excuse to leave the doctor's office. Ludwig knew that for his eye contact never broke with the Nazi's that stood in the doorway. The officer gently shutting the door behind him as he spoke with a prideful tone. They always did this. Ever since Hitler made himself leader every Nazi heard of Ludwig's skill as a doctor and wanted him in their ranks. Even his so called 'father' wanted him to join the army as a medic to truly help his country in its time of need. Hell, he couldn't remember how many times he had turned minor Nazi parties away. But it seems that they were getting rather desperate that time. So much so they had a high ranked officer enter his establishment. Which Ludwig found deplorable.
"Ah, Herr Ludwig Humboldt. A plesure to meet zu. I am an officer zat runs ze railvay system, zu may call me Hans." He bowed politely to Ludwig yet the young doctor took no intrest no matter how polite the officer appeared. His lacky next to him standing at complete attention. But appeared although he were still but a child. No younger than sixteen by the looks of it as Ludwig crossed his arms as Hans continued."Und I here to speak to zu on ze behalf of Rudolph Höss." Smiling lightly he took his hat off and held it to his chest." He has heard of you're exponential skill as a doctor. Und he has offered you a position to vork vith him on a few experiments with Von other known, Dr. Josef Mengele."
Ludwig tilted his head to the side. His eyes narrowed, brows furrowed as he sneered." I told many others like zu, zat I'm not interested in joining ze army! I'm staying right here in Stuttgart vhere I belong." It was a repeated process for Ludwig. Work on the people of his home town practicing his medicine, have his customers be run off by the military occupation in the town. Tell them to get out then get back to work if everyone else who previously left his establishment come back after the Nazi's left. He hated the pointless war. Despised it to the point Ludwig wanted to leave the country. But couldn't due to lack of money and the fact that war was waging all across Europe." Now get ze hell out of mein office!" He hissed as he pointed towards the door. Only for the German officer to calmly raised his hands. Shutting his eyes with a light smile.
His voice remained calm and collected as his green eyes met Ludwig's blue hues." Actually you won't be anyvhere near ze battlefield, Ludwig. You vill be in a completely safe place. As from ze orders of Sir Höss und Josef. Zey vant you comfortable. So vith said request for you to come und meet vith zem. Zey called upon an escort. Und zat escort vill be yours truly." He took a deep bow as he grinned lightly. Placing his hat firmly to his chest he kept his eyes firmly on Ludwig whose face calmed in intrest to his words.
Taking intrest the German doctor fixed his rounded glasses to his nose and cleared his throat." Be more spacific if zu vould. Vhat..sort of experamints are ve talking here? Biological?" He asked as he started cleaning his hands at a metal sink in the back of the room as Hans continued to walk around the small room with his hat still in his hands as he ran his gloved fingers through his fine blond hair slicked back with hair gel no doubt from that morning as he raised his body on his toes before lowering himself again. He was almost childish. More so than Ludwig who was no doubt younger than the officer as he rose his brow.
"Ah? The type? I'm not quite sure, Herr Ludwig. Zey veren't all zat spacific upon vhat you vere to be vorking on. Zey vere..quite insistent you take ze time to speak with Herr Höss und Josef." There was that specific bite to his tone that made Ludwig pale deeply. Fear. It filled his body like a balloon as the Nazi soldier beside him took a step towards him with shackles in his hands." Ve apologize for ze lack of professionalism vith our handling. But it is required zu vare ze shackles for you're own 'shafty'."
Ludwig was far from happy. From intrest to being lost he knew it was by force despite the way the officer made it seem like he was being 'nice'. But by looking at him. Being who he was, Ludwig saw all military men as filthy snakes. No matter what branch. Even his own farther who happened to work under the military. His lackluster age he working with didn't at all urge Ludwig to join the military. He always was under his father's clutches. Doing as he demanded through life. Till he grew old enough to escape him. But even then. He wasn't sure how the soldiers had even come to know of where he was and not to mention his remarkable ability to cure the residents of his home town with little to no effort from medications they hadn't even heard of.
Biology. It was Ludwig's first study and much preferred over the secondary study of psychology. In which that was the one he rarely used since he was a family physician and not a therapist. His other preferred talent? The violin and writing music as a pastime hobby.
Then it dawned on Ludwig as the officer held the shackles. His once scared Expression shifted as his lip twitched." Who vas it?"
"Pardon, Herr Ludwig?" Hans asked as he cocked his head, raising his brow unquestioningly to the 'out of nowhere' change in Ludwig's facade.
"Who told zu I vas here specifically, Dummköpfe! Who!?" He grew slightly aggressive. But calmed himself before he touched the officer as he noticed the Soldier beside him reach for his pistol with his other hand still holding the shackles tightly."
As he asked that Hans smiled lightly." Ah. He knew you'd ask. Zat's specifically vhy ve vant zese on zu. So zu don't strangle him." Suddently instead of the Soldier pulling out a pistol. It was Hans who pulled his out as he pointed it at Ludwig." Und might I say he authorized us to use force if necessary. Es tut mir leid [ I'm sorry ]."
Though he didn't appear 'sorry' to Ludwig. As though he were looking for a reason to use his weapon. Raising his hands the officer edged the Soldier to put the shackles on.
"..Fine...I vill go." It wasn't like he could protest to begin with. They were the ones with the weapons. Holding g his hands out the cuffs were placed over his wrists and snapped into place. The officer smiling to Ludwig's cooperative demenor. Hans' complacency to the said cooperation showed as he nodded lightly as the soldier lightly took Ludwig by the shoulder. It was light and respectable but still not all that happy to the fact that he had to be bound.
Upon leaving his office, they made their way down the small hallway to the main lobby where customers in need of help were no longer there. But the lobby being filled with Nazi soldiers no different from the one that was urging him to move along. His receptionist was gone. And the open sign moved to 'closed' as stated in german as Ludwig's lip twitched in anger. Out front was a fancy car. Black sleek exterior with tinted windows. While in front and behind were army transport vehicles parked protectively on the both sides. As far as Ludwig could count there were at least six. Three taking up the front and an equal amount for the rear. To which he was forced outside to the said car.
As the door opened by help from the Soldier who was leading him. To where the Officer was actually getting in the drivers seat. His eyes met with his father's. A deep hatred boiling in his chest as he slid in next to him. Though his father kept his eyes focused, forward. Unmoved and unaffected by his son being forced into a car in shackles without so much as a second glance. His old tobe filling the car as he began to talk.
"I take it zu now know vhy you're here, Ludwig?" He was a middle aged man. Mid to late forties with eyes that matched his own. His hair was light brown with a few wrinkles that coated his facial features while he to wore a high commanding officer's hat. But he was higher ranked than the officer driving the car not that they started moving yet considering Ludwig was watching the nazi's pour out of his establishment like ants. And there Ludwig didn't bother answering his question. He only remained silent as his father sighed deeply." I have made zu known to mein old colleagues at Auschwitz about you're remarkable mind, Sohn. I vas truthfully thinking as to how I could fix zis." His father reached over and held up an envelope. To where Ludwig turned to look at his father. Seething but willing to listen." I figured it vas because I requested too much of zu. A field medic..? Nein I don't vant mein only Sohn going out onto var. So I thought of another job zat vould suit zu better. I remembered a friend of mine vas running a special camp just on ze southern end of Poland. I spoken vith him about a posession vith his fellow doctor Josef. Zu vill be vorking as a doctor at Auschwitz vith zem. Nein wenn's und's oder aber's [ No if's, and's, or but's ]."
"Avay from ze var? Vater zu are forcing me into zis! I told zu zat I had no interest in joining ze army! No matter vhat!" Ludwig snapped towards his father before his father did the same. His blue hues sharp as he bared his teeth sharply towards his Sohn.
"Zat is enough, Ludwig! I vill not be spoken to in such a manner! I've given you many chances to help ze fatherland und you spit in mein face! I got zu zis confertable job at Auschwitz because zu are mein Sohn! Und I vant what's best for zu und my home! So either zu go to Auschwitz und follow ze procedures mein fine men vill give you. Or zu vill be thrown in prison for disobeying a General!" His threat stuck. Ludwig wasn't a bad man but when his own father threatened prison. Then it was all but something that made his skin pale. As he was silenced." I have had all of you're clothing und nisessities shipped zere. Once zu get zere you vill be debriefed on you're duties and be shown to you're quarters, do I make myself clear!?" He asked. His eyes narrowed deeply towards his son.
Ludwig simply stared out the window. He hated his father for controlling his life. Making decisions that he didn't even get the choice of making himself. His father forces his own decisions on him like a hale storm and pretends that he was still a child. A prodigy? No. He was a slave to his father's will. Even after making his way through a school that he wanted him to go through to become a certified doctor. Even that wasnt good enough for his father who pushed his ideology on him endlessly. And it was any wonder why his mother divorced him. Even with them separated he was still trapped. Still stuck.
With a reluctant nod he sighed." Ja, Vater.. I understand, crystal..clear." '
It was then from his dazed sleep a loud texan voice piped up. A light shake making his eyes slowly open fron his sleep from where he was. On the floor far from his cot that Heavy had gotten for him. The hazy outline of the bruised and tattered face of Dell coming into proper view after a moment of rousing. "Doctor! You were dozing off again. We need you." Holding his robotic hand out to the taller male the Texan pulled the German to his feet with a tug." Sniper's been scoping out the train yard and he thinks we could possibly be able to send out a scavenging party to gather what we can from the food cart and ammo cart. If everything ain't already fucked when we get there."
"It depends..vhat has he seen?" Medic asked as he pinched the bridge of his nose and took a pill bottle from the empty countertop and popped a pill into his mouth with a loan bottle of water that he barely toughed. From what Medic could really remember. The team was trapped in Sawmill for only three days straight. Everyone who wasnt of right mind was becoming restless.
Spy was just as he was before BLU Spy took his place. Calm and cooperative but a bit distant considering his daughter was crushed. But while Spy kept his turmoil to himself, Sniper never left the roof and had been isolating himself from the rest of the team. With a roof coated with rocks he'd spend his time chucking rocks at the behemoth that endlessly stared at him.
Soldier? For three days straight he did nothing but configure the debriefing room into a war room. Decorating his helmet with an ace of Spades playing card and a pack of cigarettes he found that happened to be some of Spy's favorite brand. Coating the walls in marker and red paint he found in the supply room. Partaking in self made conversations with another shovel simular to the one he usually weilded about how they'd fight something that they weren't trained to fight. Medic took note of his consistent self made conversations that resulted in him answering questions from an unheard crowd. Schizophrenia developing? Perhapse it was just Soldier being Soldier.
Scout and Demo kept to themselves. Much like the others they isolated themselves. Not used to the kind gestures of a team that usually worked together mixed with one where the weak were ruled by the strong. From time to time if Medic could listen closely he could hear faint sobs from Scout on the other side of the doors if they were locked. Demo never leaving his side.
But Pyro was opposite. It was hard for Medic to remember sign language but the Pyro was more mute than their Pyro was. No mumbling not even a sigh. Just utter silence other than the squeaks and noises their suit gave off. Medic took note of how well Pyro liked spending time with Dell compared to their fellow BLU's. Perhapse it was the team matching so well in how Pyro would help protect Engi from Spy during their repeated missions. That or the Pyro had more bonding time and perfered Engi because he was the only one on the BLU team nice enough to understand him. Medic didn't know.
Heavy? Was Heavy. Consistantly helping the doctor where he needed it most. From collecting things from resupply to keeping an eye out or getting information from Spy who usually spent his time in what was meant to be his room. Like in Teufort it was nicely decorated.
Medic himself? Medic didn't know what was happening with him. He listened closely to the Texan as he spoke." Well, Medic. Theres a thing that makes this a bit challenging. Sure theres only two robots waiting out there now. But I get the feeling that as soon as someone is spotted we're going to be in a world of trouble. I could try to distract them. But I don't have enough to build a sentry." He walked out of the Medic's room ingo the dark hallway. He managed to shut off the alarm that went off like a mantra. But decided to keep the rolling red lights going for a light sorce. No matter how bad it was it was something to have to see. As they rounded the corner Medic's eyes came into contact with the cold black lenses of the Pyro who glanced up from the seat they were seated in next to the sliding shutter door. Keeping a look out incase the Robots decided to advance as they approached the two. "Hey Pyro. Got anythin'?"
Waving their fingers they started with a wave.' Nothing. It's all quiet, Engi.' He waved his hand over their neck a few times. Before abruptly pointing to Scout who was walking around the corner.' I've been thinking. Since you told me about it Engi..' His mask tilted a few times with a weighing motion between his hands. Yet was stopped as Dell raised his hand to stop them from continuing.
"Hold that thought, Pyro. Scout! Get over here, Boy I got a question for yah!" Dell's tone sharp as Medic took notice to the bandaged hand that wrapped around the corner. Upon viewing his face Medic noticed the lack of sleep the younger Male had been getting. His face red like he was crying again. The bruises on his face still visible along with the burn scar that was left behind on his poor pale cheek. His gaze turned to them as he gace them a lidded stare.
"Yeah Engi..? What is it, Man I'm kinda busy..I'll gave you know I wasn't eatin' anythin'!" He yelled. His eyes widening ever so slightly as his fingernails dug into the metal wall. The visible twitch making Medic cock his head towards the skinny clone.
"Calm yourself, Son. We ain't BLU Team. You're apart of our team now and you can eat the same amount we do. You're human not a bloody animal!" Engi said as Scout stepped out from around the corner. Rubbing the back of his neck as he looked almost ashamed.
"R..right, man. I'm sorry. I'm just so used to..you know? Bein' stepped on I forgot I wasn't with the old team no more. W-What was it you wanted, Engi?" Scout asked as Engi smiled lightly.
"I need a favor more than a question. Can you tell Sniper to get his ass down here? We need to come up with a fuckin' plan to find weapons. Since I believe Mann Co. Is fucked we need everyone in on this plan."
"Ah..R-Right..A group..meetin'. I'll go get Snipes I..guess." Scout gave a sigh as he turned back towards the hallway and made his way. The sound of his footsteps getting farther till they heard the hatch open.
Engi turned back to Pyro whose been waiting patiently to continue what they had to say." Sorry bout that, Pyro. I'm just tryin' to keep organized here. You were sayin'?" He asked. Glancing to Medic who was strangely quiet as Pyro nodded to him.
'I was saying that I came up with an idea. Can I share at the meeting? I know My Engi is still alive. He has to be.'
Medic glanced to Dell who did the same as Dell visibly cringed as Medic merely kept an unmoving expression. Dell clearing his throat a few times as he turned his attention toward the mute Pyro." Well..Pyro. I'm sure you're idea is a good one. Really. But..well you see.."
"BLU Engi is no doubt somevhere far from here at zis point. He vas tough. Sure he might have survived but..he probably ran in ze other direction. Avay from Sawmill no doubt." Medic interrupted the other suddenly just as he was trying to put the words together carefully enough for the mute. He seemed nearly disgusted towards the Medic's choice in words at that point but kept silent." No doubt, Herr Pyro. Engi is fine." He reassured the other as his hand gently found its way onto their shoulder as he smiled. A fake smile. But a smile nevertheless.
No one could tell how Pyro ever felt. But when they shook their gas mask, their shoulders dropped when they made their way to the debriefing room. Before Medic could follow he was pulled aside by Dell who crossed his arms firmly over his chest as he sent the German a glare." What in the sam hell are you thinkin'!? Lyin' to them!?" His tone was hushed trying not to get the attention of the Pyro that had just walked around the corner." You know we're trapped here and theres no use in sugar coating things! Next time. Let me talk before you make thangs worse by lyin'."
"To be completely honest vith you, Herr Dell. Ze reason vhy I lied is because one doesn't truly know if zey are dead. If anything it vas a white lie at vorst." Medic defended himself as he stared down at him. His stare uneasy and almost distant. He clenched his fist before turning his back to him.
"Alright maggots! I want to make this clear! I am the God of this room! Do you understand that!?" To anyone Soldier could have been crazy. Overlooking a seemingly empty space of the large room with the big table that sat in the middle. His face and hands coated in red paint while a crude drawing of the Sawmill and train yard was sketched in red marker as he had his shovel sitting in a chair closest to him. His buggy eyes from under his helmet shot around the room as if he were looking at an audience. But in his mind he was.
Ghosts of the founding fathers hovering above the chairs in the room staring back at him. Well. Not as founding as one might have thought as Abe Lincoln, Edgar Alan Poe, and Ghandi sitting at the other seats. They were glowing blue and see through as they all stared silently at Soldier before Ghost Ghandi raised his hand. Soldier pointing the marker he held towards him.
'Ah yes..Soldier. I don't know about you my friend..but perhapse you should reconsider you're options with peace.' The ghost of the hysterical figure stated before Soldier glared at him through his helmet before he puffed his cheeks. The ghost looking almost scared to Soldier as he shook his head.' Nono! Please I'm not rea-' Before he could finished his form changed into Elvis. A smile forming on Soldier's face as he clapped his hands together.
'Thank you. Thank you very much, Soldier. Glad to be here.' Elvis ghost smiled as he put his tangible legs up on the war table with Abe Lincoln resting his hand on his head and Edgar fixing the tie of his suit before Soldier pointed towards him.
"You! Maggot! You're too depressing for this war room! Join Ghandi in the waiting room in hell!" The ghost didn't really say much when Soldier imagined him out of existence. Only a deep sigh and a roll of his eyes till his place was taken by Tom Jones." Not exactly the..army I was hoping for. But you lot will have to do for now! Alright Celebrity Tom Jones. Please tell me you have a good plan for us. I..Need something here! Anything against this Iron menace that crawled up on us like a dick to the ass in this surprise fungal fucking they forced on us! Please!" Soldier pleaded to the singer's with pleading hands.
Tom Jones giving the Soldier a quizzical look, 'I dunno pussycat. Thoes metal bastards out there look like a down right bad bunch. Right Elvis?' His head turning to the 'king of rock' who was somehow smoking a cigar.
'Ohh baby. Thoes metal hippies ain't got nothin' on you, Baby! Because you ain't nothin' but a hound dawg..' he trailed off into singing one of his songs before the doors to the war room opened to reveal BLU Pyro blankly staring at Soldier. The operations for Soldier didn't vanish but only looked at the Pyro with Soldier. 'Who is this man? We were vibin'.' Elvis said as the Pyro attempted to take a seat in one of the open ones. Only for Soldier to stop them before they sat down by pulling them towards him.
"Now you listen here, Maggot! That seat holds the greatest American president in the history of America, Abe Lincoln! Here. Sit there next to him!" He began to lead the Pyro to an empty seat next to that chair they initially tried to sit in. The Pyro tried telling him something by waving his hands in front of Soldier. Till the Soldier grabbed their wrists stopping them from doing whatever they were doing." I don't speak Canadian, Pyro you know this! Now sit down and speak like an American!" Crossing his arms over his chest the Pyro once more tried to wave his hands as Soldier once more took them by the wrists to stop them." Speak. Like. An. Anerican!"
'Soldier my dear boy.' Lincoln chimed in as Soldier turned his head to look at him. Pyro only seeing him look towards the empty chair as the Ethereal manifestation of the sixteenth president spoke.' I believe the lad is doing a game of charades. He can't talk I don't think.' He said as Soldier's gaze shifted back to the seated Pyro whose mask was tilted.
"Can't talk, BLU?" He asked him. As the Pyro nodded quickly in acknowledgment. Rubbing his chin he narrowed his eyes from under the helmet as he thought to himself." And I can't read Mexican..Tell me frenchie! Blink once for yes and twice for yes! Who is you're translating officer!?" He asked as he leaned in close to the BLU who was trying to edge themselves away from him. He was more or less treating it like an interrogation more than a simple question till the Doors flew open once more to reveal Spy and Sniper who were making their way in. Spy's lidded gaze shared itself as he ran his hand over his mask.
"Soldier..what are you doing with Pyro?" Spy asked as he raised his hand with a lidded gaze as he took a seat right on top of Elvis. Which made Soldier yell.
"No! Elvis! It was too soon! Too soon for you to die to France!" He yelled as he slammed his fist harshly on the table to whe it made any object sitting on its surface jump." You French bastard you killed Elvis!"
"What de hell are you on about!?"
"The master of Rock and Roll dead by you're flat french Ass planted on his ghostly figure! He was coming up with a plan to get us the hell out of here, Frenchie! And you killed him!"
"Elvis isn't dead! Nor is he even here you complete idiot! What would Elvis be doing in de middle of nownere!?"
"Will the both of ya shut the fuck up! I'm not in the fuckin' mood for this shit!" Sniper snapped towards them. Silence filling the room as the Spy took a strong puff of his cigarette as he rolled his eyes naturally as Soldier crossed his arms over his chest.
"Son, Care to fix you're tone before you find my foot in you're ass!?" Soldier challenged Sniper whose gaze was death defying as he shot up from the seat he was in.
"You wanna fuckin' go, 'Mate'!?" Pulling his knife from his side he marched over to Soldier with the blade in hand. Spy's eyes growing wide as he shot up from his chair as he watched Sniper violently pushed Soldier against the wall. Pressing the knife against his throat as he sneered." I'll gladly put an end to yer fuckin' stupidity at some point. You're tryin' my patience and I am not going to take orders from a fuckin Schizoid! I will gut you here and now if you don't shut. The fuck. Up! Do I make myself clear to you!?"
"C-Crystal.."