Back and forth in Time...
Logan struggled to catch his breath, vowing never to return to this place again. He had sworn to align himself with the Travelers, staying far away from the relentless trackers that made up the Legion. This organization, dubbed the “Time Police” by the Travelers, relentlessly pursued those they labeled as “Irregulars”: anyone who had not received their Watch from another Traveler as the rules dictated.
Logan had spent years in the Legion, chasing and investigating clandestine organizations that distributed Watches to anyone who wanted them. But the more he pursued the Travelers, the less he understood the purpose of the Legion. So Logan decided to leave, to flee and discover the other side of reality, the one that would lead him to become a Traveler himself.
He had concealed his Legionnaire past from Schmitt, aware of the ruthless methods that this organization could employ against the Irregulars… But today, he had no choice but to seek their assistance. With the temporal disruptions caused by the Voyager Swann Wells, it was imperative to find her, no matter what!
“Logan,” said the man in front of him, crossing his arms, “I thought you'd never come back. If I'm not mistaken, those were the words you used when you ran away.”
“Running away is a strong term,” Logan attempted, his voice slightly trembling.
“Of course, of course. And 'The Legion is just a bunch of killers'? That's how you described us, isn't it?”
Logan swallowed, feeling the weight of his own words bearing down on him. He knew this confrontation would be tough, but he could never have anticipated just how much. The man in front of him, Nikolaï Raït, Director of the Legion, had piercing eyes as if he were trying to uncover Logan's most intimate secrets. As if he didn't already know them.
Schmitt, by his side, remained silent, squeezing his hand as if to promise that he was still there.
“I said a lot of things at that time,” he finally replied, trying to keep calm despite the rising anxiety.
“Words that have consequences. Words that betray a certain ingratitude, after all that the Legion has done for you.”
Logan lowered his eyes, the weight of guilt adding to the burden of memories he had tried to leave behind.
“I never denied what the Legion has given me, but I realized that I could no longer remain in an organization whose principles were becoming increasingly questionable, in my opinion.”
The man in front of him nodded slowly as if he understood but did not approve.
“You must understand that the Legion cannot tolerate such betrayals. We have a code, rules, for good reasons, and you have violated these rules by running away.”
Logan nodded, knowing it would be difficult to justify his actions to the Legion Director. Yet deep down, he was convinced that he had made the right decision, even if it meant facing the consequences.
“I know I have made mistakes,” he admitted, “and I am ready to pay the price. But for now, we have a common goal. I know the Legion has realized the increasing temporal damages.”
“We are aware of the situation,” confirmed Raït. “But it doesn't alter the fact that you deserted our ranks. We are willing to overlook this act if you help us resolve this crisis because if you are here, it means you already have information about it. We need every available hand to set things right.”
Logan felt a shiver of relief run down his spine. Maybe he wasn't condemned after all.
“I'll do everything I can to help. But I have one condition,” he said.
“Do you think you have the right to make a condition, Logan?”
“Just one, Nikolaï. He stays with me,” he continued, nodding towards Schmitt.
Nikolaï Raït fixed Logan with an inquisitive gaze, evaluating his request, then glanced at Schmitt and their linked hands. The ensuing silence seemed endless to Logan, who maintained his gaze on the Legion Director, determined yet nervous at the same time.
Finally, Raït gave a faint, almost imperceptible smile. He nodded as if he had made a decision.
“Very well. But be aware that his presence will not alter your responsibility to the Legion in any way.”
Logan's smile widened. He knew that the battle was not yet won, but this concession from Nikolaï was a first step towards a collaboration that could prove important for everyone.
“Thank you, Nikolaï,” he simply replied, grateful.
“You have five minutes to brief your boyfriend, then join us in the main room,” Raït said, giving him a final look before turning away and leaving the room. Logan let out a sigh of relief and turned to Schmitt.
“Boyfriend?” Schmitt said, confused, almost to himself.
From all that had been said in the past two minutes, Schmitt had only retained one thing, and that was it. Logan couldn't help but laugh before raising his hand and showing Schmitt their still tightly linked hands. He raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile stretching his lips. Schmitt shook his head, finally letting go of Logan's hand before responding:
“Well, at least it puts us in an interesting situation.”
“Who would have thought a meeting with the Legion could turn into a romantic comedy?” Logan chuckled.
“I believe you only have five minutes to brief me on an entire past, right?”
Logan smiled despite the lingering tension in the air. He took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts to explain to Schmitt the details of his past within the Legion and the reasons that led him to leave.
“I'm sorry to burden you with all of this, Schmitt,” Logan said.
Schmitt shook his head, his expression serious. “Don't worry. I'm here to listen to you.”
“Well, I should warn you that five minutes won't be enough to sum up my whole story,” Logan joked, trying to lighten the mood.
Schmitt gave him a playful look, his eyes shining with a teasing gleam.
“Then I guess I'll have to settle for the big picture,” he said in a falsely casual tone.
Logan smiled again before taking a breath and starting to speak.
“I joined the Legion at the age of 18, like most of us, after they noticed certain… abilities in me. I didn't get noticed in the best way… I was a delinquent, I was good at what I did, so good that my actions started to create anomalies.”
Schmitt listened attentively, unable to shake the wonder of how this man, whose presence exuded a calm yet frivolous aura, could have been associated with the Legion.
“You? A delinquent? Why am I not surprised,” said Schmitt. “How did your actions disrupt the course of time?”
“I was skilled at… gaining access to places I shouldn't have been, doing things that were seen as dangerous. But at some point, all of that began to have unforeseen consequences on the temporal continuum.”
He paused, allowing his memories to resurface.
“That's where the Legion intervened. Instead of condemning me, they recruited me, believing that my abilities could be put to use in a more… controlled manner.”
“And that's how you became a Legion agent,” Schmitt continued. “But then, why did you decide to leave?”
Logan lowered his gaze, a dark expression clouding his face.
“The more time I spent in the Legion, the more I realized how questionable their methods could be. They protect the temporal order, track down clandestine organizations that distribute Watches because they violate the prime rule of Time Travel…”
“Wait,” Schmitt interrupted, “the 'prime rule'?”
“One becomes a Traveler only if a Former Traveler gives us their Watch. That's the rule a Traveler must follow, and that's the one the Legion strives to protect.”
“They want to maintain a certain order in time, is that it?”
Logan nodded.
“Exactly. But the more I worked for them, the more I realized that their vision of this 'order' was very strict. They are willing to do anything to maintain this stability, even if it means crushing those who go against their rules.”
Schmitt paused for a moment, absorbing these revelations.
“And that's why you decided to leave?”
Logan nodded, his gaze fixed into the distance, reliving the difficult choices he had to make.
“I couldn't be complicit in their methods anymore. I wanted to find another path, another way of living, to be free. I couldn't stay, so I decided to leave, to escape… even if it meant leaving behind everything I had known. I thought I had made the wrong choice for so long, until I met you…”
Schmitt looked at him, surprised.
“Me?”
“Yes, you,” Logan admitted with a smile. “You showed me that a life away from the Legion was possible. But with Swann Wells disrupting the course of History, the Legion is our only way to stop her…”
Schmitt remained silent for a moment, trying to make sense of everything Logan had just told him. Logan looked at him, hoping he would understand. He knew that lying to him about such a thing could ruin their relationship, and he knew that the Travelers had little love for the Legion.
“I told you not to trust me…”
“If you think all this is going to change how I see you, then you don't know me well.”
Logan nodded. He was relieved that Schmitt could accept this complex and dubious aspect of himself. Facing the Legion again would be easier with Schmitt by his side.
“Thank you,” he murmured.
“You're welcome. What do we do now?” Schmitt asked.
“We'll join Nikolaï and do everything we can to find Swann Wells,” Logan said with a sigh.
Logan and Schmitt looked at each other, determined. They took a deep breath and left the room, ready to join Nikolaï and devise a plan to find Swann Wells and restore the temporal order. They had to act quickly if they wanted to save History.
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