The Flatline: WWII | ArchiveStudios' Crimeverse

Chapter 5 - Raz and Haythem

Niko was finally sent to Australia. Why? Because it was in his best interest to. Keeping a low profile in times like this, it seems the government knows all about this investigation. The Valentine brothers, have a large case file on the president's desk. How convenient.

Australia

Niko sits on a bench, reconsidering his standing point when it comes to serving in this upcoming war. Now, he's on the other side of the ocean, away from his brother, and away from the action. He's alone, but not entirely, he has the beautiful country of Australia. He's approached by a familiar face, someone he remembers from birth. The man takes a seat, exhaling as he pops a cigarette in his mouth, ready to engage in conversation.

Luco "Tirus" Valentine
"How are you, son?"

Niko Valentine
"Wow...I'm surprised you decided to show."

Luco "Tirus" Valentine
"Well...they don't call me Tirus around here for nothing. It's singular for fast paced."

Niko Valentine
"I asked you for advice, so don't think I'm going to bring up the home situation, mom, or anything. I just wanna talk."

Luco "Tirus" Valentine
"Well...spit it out son."

Niko Valentine
"When you protested against the government...for a real issue...one that needed to be changed, looked at, and fixed. How did you continue pushing to enforce that? As a retired veteran..."

Luco removes his cigarette from his mouth, throwing it on the ground without stepping on it.

Luco "Tirus" Valentine
"I have a theory. Not something you'd expect, but I have a theory...that the government, the president, the states...they'll all come together eventually. There are...infinite...possibilities. And when I say infinite possibilities, I mean countless timelines where things are different. Where this war you served in, the war I served in, never happened. I wanted to be that significant change. Knowing that I never went through this in one of those timelines. Perhaps...the other timelines...were worse."

Niko carefully listens to his father's words. Perhaps he's not a maniac as his mother once said. Perhaps he has a genuine view on the world, it's problems, and the foreseeable outcomes.

Luco "Tirus" Valentine
"There's so many things to do out here. Regardless of what war is going on. You can be...just about anything, anywhere, at anytime. That's what the United States fails to recognize. I served, thinking I was doing good. But we instead caused more damage than the enemy."

More silence from Luco's sobbing son, who's thinking about being separated from Simon.

Niko Valentine
"Simon and I...we were separated...that's why I'm here. I can't...protect him...dad. Those streets, the enemy, Germany...all this fucking bullshit! I can't protect him from dying."

Luco "Tirus Valentine
"You can't protect everyone from dying, Niko. That's the way of life. People live, and people die. I learned that the hard way, especially with your Aunt."

Niko Valentine
"We're so...stuck...really stuck. So damn focused on this investigation. And apparently the government is attacking Germany because of me and Simon."

Luco "Tirus" Valentine
"You don't believe that crap...right? Because if that's the case, they'd fight every country based upon a theory."

Niko chooses his words carefully, after having a half minute to himself.

Niko Valentine
"I just want to know why we fought Germany. Why- well...I- I know why but- I also don't it's- it's...IT'S FUCKING BULLSHIT! WHY THE HELL WON'T THEY SPILL THE DETAILS!? NO MATTER HOW HARD ME AND SIMON TRY, THEY SLAP THE SEPARATION THREAT IN OUR FACES! AND GUESS WHAT!? IT FUCKING WORKED!"

Niko stands while yelling, pacing back and forth as he pours his heart out.

Niko Valentine
"THIS- THIS- FUCKIN'- THIS IS ALL AMERICA'S FAULT. ALL THEIR FUCKING FAULT!"

Luco listens to Niko, and watches his movements.

Luco "Tirus" Valentine
"Alright..."

Luco stands, stopping Niko's pacing.

Luco "Tirus" Valentine
"You need to get your act together. I say you play it out, and find your easiest opening. If you have a lead, you follow it, no questions asked. If you truly want to follow what I did...what I sacrificed...then you go against the oath."

With that, Luco takes his leave without saying anything further to his desperate son.

Hours pass, and Niko has to do everything in his power to stay within the ranks of the military. Not just for his own good, but for Simon and information as well. It doesn't look so good in the reports for Niko returning to the front lines, which means Simon will be alone out there. This makes Niko sick to his stomach. He and his brother were always together in the First World War. But this time, of course, it's different. In a way, Niko hasn't experienced this kind of change. At least after his mother, of course.

Time slows for the bored Valentine brother. It's been several hours since Niko has been at the informant's bunkhouse in Dubbo. The informant's bunkhouse was basically witness protection, but for the military. And the guy in charge is almost never present. Niko is alone, and alone he will remain for a long...long time.

Opelousas, Louisiana

Stiles approaches Simon with...suspicious news.

LT. Stiles
"You might be relocated to Fort Wraith in France."

Simon Valentine
"I'm sorry, what?"

LT. Stiles
"Yeah, here's the report."

As other soldiers were surrounding Simon at all times, Stiles had to be discrete when sharing information with him. So, Stiles and Simon came up with a relocation scheme so Stiles could get the information to Simon. Upon transferring the report to Simon, Stiles insults the other troops, forcing them to get in their bunks.

With that, Stiles makes his exit, and Simon is left to read the special report.

The report goes like this:

"Several hours ago, around 03:35, Raz and Haythem Steelhemor were spotted in northern Alaska making a deal with federal industrialists. As I examined the information, it seems this Flynn guy is helping the Steelhemor's conceal themselves on American soil."

- LT.

With this report, Simon is able to identify the two responsible for the First World War. The Steelhemors.