"Stand back before I lose my patience!"
"Ed be quite you can't! this is the military!"
"I don't think there going to listen to that kind of logic Jean!"
"Edward Elric, Lt. Jean Havoc- I see you finally have arrived in the humble city of Lior Welcome."
Instantly the mob of soldiers surrounding the two withdrew allowing the hot gusts of wind to rustle up the dust around there feet.
"I hate assessments-"Ed hissed, "especially the kind that make me have to come here."
Havoc didn't answer and just stood saluting Colonel Archer as he approached them.
The half masted lids hiding the watery blue of Col Frank Archers eyes never, at least to Havoc's knowledge, never seemed to change expression much. Even the man's stupid voice reflection was this constant calm, as if he had the world on a string.
"Sir we are honored to be here."
"tch- says' you,"
"Major Elric- were you saying something?" Archer smiled pleasantly.
Ed jerked and felt his face flush a bit, " Pleasure to be here as well Colonel," Ed spoke up feeling uncomfortable at being referred to as Major even though by military law as a State Alchemist he automatically had that title.
"Yes, well I'm sure your both hot and ready to be debriefed for your jobs to fulfill the assessments- shall we?" Archer graciously waved his hand to the doorway of a beautifully architected sand stone building complete with matching courtyard and columns.
"Here help yourselves-I'm sure your thirsty after that dusty train ride," Archer smiled ushering them into his forest green living quarters.
The place seemed to be connected to his office as well since past the side bar, two leather couches and coffee table, sat a beautiful cherry wood desk; which was where Colonel Frank Archer took his place with regal superiority.
"Thank you sir," Havoc saluted and took a seat reaching for one of the two elegant water glasses on the table.
"Ya thanks," Ed huffed and casually slumped into the dark green leather before taking a glass.
"I am sorry you had to wait outside so long," The graying Colonel offered politely as he watched the men refreshing themselves.
"Ya thanks for that welcome party," Ed scoffed clinking the ice around in his cup.
"Oh well you no how soldiers can get under pressure," Archer smoothly answered sliding a finger under his chin.
" And that just excuses it all away," Ed glared his fingers clenching tightly around the crystal.
"Well I'm sure they will settle down," Archer promised coyly sending fire into Ed's bones. How could this cheap shot act so noble?
"You idiot they tried to kill us!" Ed bolted up form his chair sending Havoc's hand snatching at the boys collar and yanking him down.
"What can I say-it was an unfortunate accident," Archer shrugged softly.
"Ya I just bet it was,"
"Ed," Havoc shot him a look before slowly letting a swirl of light gray smoke out of his lips, "heeee's a col-onel," the sing song voice whispered.
"Ya I know who he freak'n is all right!!" Ed whispered back looking even more chibi than normal.
"so then act like it- Col. Mustang gave me orders too-
"I don't care a bout his stupid orders and stop bossing me around," the childish whispers clamored out of Ed and reminded Havoc of how Ed was with Alfonse some times.
"I just don't want to explain a court-martial to Mustang," he found himself arguing back.
"Who's yours or mine?" Ed retorted and shot back a smirk that set Havoc into spasms of frustrated facial expressions.
"Well-" Archer coughed, "I hope your stay will be alright while you are here with us," The Col. continued in his annoying tone interrupting the two in their childish banter.
"Yah speaking of that-" Ed started up as if there was no difference between one Colonel to the next-, which made Havoc inwardly groan.
"This place seems pretty fancy for a war torn country...don't you think?
"Your point?" Archer questioned the stupid comment.
"I don't know ...buuuut - it just makes me think the money should be best used on something else besides your comforts...just kinda looks like misappropriation of funds to me."
Havoc froze Ed just had to insult people, although the near fight upon there arrival was actually due to nothing Ed said-but still 9 out of ten times things usually got started because of Ed's big mouth.
Havoc couldn't count on his hands how many times he had to bail Ed out of a scrap at the bar or gone running along with the young alchemist for there lives because of something stupid Ed would do or say.
A soft hum and a clink of Archers glass being placed on his desk and that was it. Ed's entire actions excused just like that.
"Fullmetal- this tour of duty you were assigned to along with Lt. Havoc as you know is to fulfill the requirements of your yearly assessment-" The Col paused to fold his fingers together and lean his chin upon them.
" So trust me when I say that it is not by any choice of mine that you are here."
And there it was the graceful conning serpents insult, a match that fit the image of Archer.
"If I would of had my way- you would have never left central."
"Well trust me being here is no picnic either," Ed's voice rose with a passion and he rigidly slid his glass across the coffee table in front of him.
"I see -well then lets get this over with as quickly as possible- before... your brother misses you."
Ed's eyes flashed staring down that evil smug grin across from him, "leave Al out of this."
"I would Ed but you know- there are a lot of funny things its seems Mustang keeps neglecting to tell the military- do you know what I'm referring too Ed?" Archers face glowed his eyes actually shifted into devilish slits and he seemed nearly perched on his office chair ready to pounce.
"Excuse us sir," Havoc bolted up out of his chair feeling his heart pounding in his ears, he couldn't let this conversation go further.
" I don't think Edward is allowed in on the specific details that pass between those above his rank and there for what information Mustang has would not be told to him."
A whistling of the scorching wind out side found its way into the silence of the shallowly lit room and pierced the moment with its whine.
Archer finally moved settling into his seat again, "Edward Elric-"
"Uh?" Ed seemed to stunned at what just nearly happened.
"Your dismissed-" Archer waved a hand to the door behind them, "will you please wait outside while I finish relaying the details to Lt. Havoc- in private."
"Yes sir," Edward grunted getting up uncomfortably from the low-seated couch casting one last glance at Havoc before his furrowed brow disappeared from the doorway.
"Permission to speak freely?"
Archer noted the tightly clinched fists of the clearly outraged Jean Havoc and he let a tiny grin play on his tight lips, "permi-
"Sir you were out of line! There was no need for that when it has nothing to do with Edwards immediate assessment."
"Settle down Lt.- right now you're the one who is out of line." Archer gave him a warning look.
"Forgive me sir," Havoc said swallowing the bitter words.
"Just remember your rank and I'll let it slide- for now."
The pale hands played across the cherry wood desk until they found something valuable causing Archer's face to return to staring at the Lt.
"Yes sir-" Havoc nodded.
"Good soldier," Archer praised him like a pet, "now I asked you in here Jean...because of another matter entirely." the words seeped out like poison and caused Havoc to jerk- not only because of that but the sudden tone of familiarity the Colonel took up with him.
"I'm sure your fully aware that the troubles we now face here in Lior were caused by the reckless disregard and out right rebellious acts of none other than Fullmetal?"
It was a question but it seemed like something more and it made Havoc hesitate, "yes Sir," he finally decided to answer, "I am aware."
"Then I'm sure you also know the penalties for a member of the military causing riots, inciting rebellion and having an over all blatant disregard for orders."
Havoc nodded feeling sweat form around his hairline.
Lacing his fingers together, the colonel leaned forward on his desk, "Then, it will come as no surprise when I tell you I have been called upon as military investigator to apprehend the Fullmetal alchemist and issue a full Judicial punishment."
"You can't be serious!!" Havoc nearly dropped his cigarette, "that's unjust, this case was closed years ago, and besides that he was just a boy when this happened!"
"In the eyes of the military he is a state alchemist-nothing more...age plays no favorites."
"Sir with all due respect, that law has not been in use since the military had an insurrection in the first year it was established-"
"Are you questioning my authority?"
The misty gray eyes lurched and havoc felt sick, "no sire." he bit harder on his cig and tried to remember whom he was talking too.
Yet the colonel couldn't really want to use that law- Havoc happened to be quite familiar with this judicial punishment law since Roy liked to throw it in his subordinates faces as a joke to make them pretend to shiver in fear and get back to work.
Well Havoc was not pretending any more he was afraid.
Col Mustang had been right about not trusting Frank Archer, and giving orders to keep Fullmetal safe. It had been Havoc's private instructions that Roy gave him before departure.
Still what was he to do to protect Ed now, how could he keep his word to Mustang?
"Col. wait!" Havoc spoke up grasping for straws, "what if-
"ummm?" Archer slowly lifted his eyes to the Lt a strange look of curiosity and desire pricking them.
Standing to attention even firmer Havoc continued, "under that law which you so blatantly persist in using, there is an article."
"I'm aware," the shrewd tone spread like butter.
Nodding Havoc's courage and plan grew, "that article speaks of a proxy, that if the criminal is unable to appear due to health reasons or escape, someone a fellow member in the crime even, can take his place."
There he had said it, and even threw in his own outright dislike for the stupid rule- that had felt good but this... well Havoc hoped he knew what he was doing.
Pushing up from his desk in a cold and silent manner Col. Archer walked over to the Lt. and stood in front of him letting a few seconds passed on the wall clock.
"Agh!!" the surprised noise left the mouth of Havoc before he even knew what had happened. Clutching his jaw, he stared shaking with shock at the Col. who gently wiped the end of a thick black crop.
"Do you know what your saying you silly little soldier," the colonel chided and lifted the weapon of infliction parallel to inspect it, "your asking to take a punishment worse than death-" his eyes
shifted to look at the Lt. still shaking.
"Every man in my charge here wishes to see the death of the Fullmetal Alchemist- had it not been for him none of them would be here right now and hundreds upon thousands would not be dead."
The realization was dizzying or was it just the sting of that wicked crop that had fallen across his face.
Either way now Havoc knew the danger that Roy had spoken of and why he so firmly commanded him to watch out for Fullmetal.
Mustang must have known that the Fuehrer was sending Ed into the clutches of death- and he also knew he couldn't stop the order but he could protect the kid, and now that responsibility was Havocs
"i-i understand sir," the words sounded weaker than he wanted, but what did it matter.
Archer stared the man down blue eyes cold and calm, "are you prepared for this- to suffer his punishment?"
Havoc audibly swallowed his eyes dancing upon the thin shaft of horsehide clinched between col. Frank archers fist.
A thin wheeze of air slipped between his cigarette and soon Roy's words were his own. "I gave my word- I would protect Fullmetal and I know very well that this punishment would be Ed's death- I won't let you or any one else touch him."
Archer's smile grew and he almost seemed glad, "hmm brave man- out spoken- insubordinate- foolish- I'll be sure to tell Mustang- if you die."
It was the last words to pass the Col.'s lips for the next 15 minuets as he began to beat mercilessly down on poor havoc like a dog.
It took the Lt. by surprise but the flashes of pain soon screamed across him telling Havoc this was no dream and that he did the right thing.
Ed was young he couldn't take this- the degradation, the humiliation the way Archer pulled his arm back and pushed him down forcing him to cower in the wake of the pain like a whimpering hound dog.
Yes, Havoc knew this must not happen to the kid, he gave his word and Ed would be kept safe and in the dark about the whole thing.