The Flatline: WWII | ArchiveStudios' Crimeverse

Chapter 3 - How history repeats itself

Simon Valentine
"This is EXTREMELY dangerous. We'll get caught and marked as deserters."

Simon and Niko are en route to a nearby military facility in Georgia.

Niko Valentine
"Will you relax? This will be worth it. Those last names in the letter...yeah...I recognize them."

Simon Valentine
"What do you mean?"

Niko Valentine
"Steelhemor. They date back a long time. Last I heard, the Steelhemors were in hiding, barely any outside activity...till now. I also wanna know why agent Lightenhouse and that woman want to speak with senator Joseph."

Their transport comes to a stop.

Simon Valentine
"Look, I'm just as skeptical as you are...but leaving to go to another country is such a ridiculous idea! We'll be marked as dese-"

A soldier opens the back doors, Simon and Niko getting blinded by the sun.

U.S Army Soldier
"What are you two doing? Get the hell out of my truck! Senator Sanders and Lucas Bryan are here by the way, so be professional."

Simon Valentine
"Lucas Bryan?"

U.S Army Soldier
"Uh...YEAH!? Can you two just pick up the pace?"

Niko Valentine
"Lucas is a government investigator. Perhaps this will be worth it."

Niko and Simon exit the back of the truck, quickly heading up the small hill to enter the military facility.

Upon entering, the two brothers smell...smoke? This is concerning. Simon decides to run ahead of Niko while he guards the door. Upon entering the back room, Simon doesn't seem to find the source of the smoke. Searching a couple more rooms and...

Dr. Elliet Barnes
"YES! HA HA HA!!!!"

Lucas Bryan
"This is preposterous! The senator left in a hurry stupid old hermit!"

Dr. Elliet Barnes
"Oh shut it! A sixty-five year old man can't cause a bit of smoke while demonstrating his latest invention? This is ten times better than what that old inventor hack in the day created...THE AUTOMOBILE! HA!"

Lucas Bryan
"obviously this needs more tinkering..."

Lucas lays his eyes on Simon.

Lucas Bryan
"Soldier!"

Lucas approaches Simon quite slowly. Simon lowers his rifle to an appropriate point before Lucas finally reaches him.

Simon Valentine
"What the hell is happening here? Me and my brother were supposed to stop here to pick up more troops!"

Lucas Bryan
"Oh...right. They already came! Then I got stuck with this old hermit over here thinking he can play god!"

Simon Valentine
"Okay...well...we'll get on our way then."

Lucas Bryan
"Hang on...you're one of the Valentine brothers, aren't you?"

Simon Valentine
"Yeah? What's it to you?"

Lucas Bryan
"Lots of speculation going around that you're investigating the war."

Simon Valentine
"So what?"

Lucas Bryan
"Truth is, I am too. That's actually why I'm here. I flew in from France a few days ago. Senator Jospeh was supposed to be there but according to his ship details, he got redirected."

Simon Valentine
"Wait...what? Redirected?"

Lucas Bryan
"Yeah, he's going somewhere else now...but we don't know."

Simon has a quick thought.

Simon Valentine
"My brother's also here. Perhaps you can tell us what you know. We can be good help. We have many people contributing to this investigation."

Lucas Bryan
"I- well- that's a hard stone to turn..."

Simon Valentine
"What are you talking about?"

A few soldiers enter the room, grabbing Eliet and escorting him away.

Simon Valentine
"Hello?"

Lucas Bryan
"The...uh...powered individuals don't exactly like the thought of this investigation. I'm actually going against code right now...speaking to you."

Simon Valentine
"Speaking to me?"

Lieutenant Stiles makes a reappearance, approaching Simon and Lucas.

LT. Stiles
"There you are Marine. I apologize if he made any remarks towards your investigation, Mr. Bryan. Perhaps we can discuss information outside."

Lucas Bryan
"Oh! Nonsense, I was actually-"

LT. Stiles
"It wasn't a request, investigator."

Lucas looks at Simon before letting out an exhale.

Lucas Bryan
"Y- yes, of course."

Stiles and Lucas exit the building, leaving Simon to his thoughts. From what he can gather, Lucas is also investigating the war on behalf of the U.S government, meaning he's a personal investigator for them. If they have a problem with him investigating the war, why is he here? It's also interesting to see Stiles at the facility as well, but Simon lets that one go as he returns to the facility's entrance.

Niko Valentine
"So, Stiles was here?"

Simon Valentine
"Something shady is going on. That guy Stiles is with...he's apparently investigating the war as well."

Niko Valentine
"Oh- uh...okay. The government sent him?"

Simon Valentine
"Yeah. He's here against code though, is what he said. And apparently Senator Joseph isn't on his way to France anymore. His ship got redirected."

Niko Valentine
"Okay then we need to-"

Director Sillis
"Do nothing."

Simon and Niko are face-to-face with the facility's Director, Shawn Sillis. According to history reports, Shawn was involved in stopping several enemy forces from taking Texas...alone.

Director Sillis
"Simon Valentine, you have new orders from Washington. You are no longer serving alongside Niko Valentine and he'll be shipped off to Australia the following evening."

Niko Valentine
"WHAT!? Are you kidding me!?"

Director Sillis
"Keeping your mouths shut was so easy, but now you've crossed the line."

Simon Valentine
"We've served alongside each other since the first war. What the hell is this about?"

Sillis remains silent as he watches Lieutenant Stiles and three other soldiers escort Niko away, leaving Simon without his brother for the first time in history.