Disclaimer: I DON'T OWN FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST! …DARN IT! T^T;;; It's just not fair! I wanna own they! They is so kyuuuuuute!
….
Okay, I'm done now.
*The Unwanted *
Eward didn't want to wake up. He wanted to stay in bed as long as he could. He didn't want to hop on a train early into the morning- or was it late into the night- headed for a God forsaken dust bowl in the middle of Hell's nowhere. He didn't want to be the military's lapdog- at the beck and call of a sadistic freak known as the Flame Alchemist. But when he got himself into it, he knew that none of this was going to be about what he wanted. It was about what he had to do in order to get what he needed… He chose to bear with it no matter what. He managed about an hours' worth of sleep on the train before it stopped just outside a raggedy old town in the desert. When the door opened, Mustang was waiting for him with Hawkeye. Only the latter felt the need to salute him. Ed gave a tired, lazy salute back and stepped onto the platform, trying not to faceplant due to his exhaustion. Al stepped off behind him, kindly carrying Ed's, by now, run down old suitcase. Ed looked less than pleased to see his superior's face at 5 in the morning.
"How was your trip?" He asked with a snide grin on his face. He was taunting him…
"How the hell do you think it was?" Ed shot back at him, obviously tired and more than frustrated.
"Don't be cross, Fullmetal. I didn't only pull you out here, you know." Mustang led them to a dusty old jeep nearby and they took a ride away from the city. Edward was confused about why they were headed away from civilization, but he expected Mustang to explain in due time. Mustang made small talk along the way and Ed pretended to listen while drifting in and out of sleep against Al. The younger Elric shook him lightly awake when they reached a rather large encampment. Soldiers were everywhere… just how many were there? They disembarked the vehicle and followed Mustang into the mini fort. The brother's eyes took in the sights around them… some soldiers seemed badly injured and others were sparring, keeping themselves busy. Many state alchemists were present as well. The rest were, well... sleeping. It made Edward jealous. Thankfully, when they reached the main command tent, Havoc was there waiting with hot coffee. Edward took some gratefully and sat down on a cheap sofa. Why'd they get a sofa?
"Lets get down to business… what did you notice on your way here, Edward?" Mustang asked, having noticed the boy scanning the camp.
"I've noticed a lot of scary guys lying about… what, are you guys preparing to start a war or something?"
"It sure looks that way, doesn't it?" Mustang chuckled.
"Yeah. But if you're going to start a fight then you can leave me out of it. I want no part in a pointless slaughter."
"You'll do as you're told, Fullmetal." Mustang said firmly. Edward was a child, and a fierce one at that. But he was also a soldier and he needed to learn his place. He saw the Elric's jaw clench, fearing the worst… however…
"Thankfully, we haven't reached that level of urgency. In fact, we're here to try and stop a war from breaking out." Havoc brought over a map of the city, it seemed, and took over.
"This town has been on the verge of disaster for some time now. Civil war broke out several months ago but thanks to some diplomacy, things seem to be calming down. However, some radicals in the city have threatened to start a war with Central."
"A small roughneck town like this has no chance against all the soldiers in this camp, let alone in all of central…" Ed commented.
"We know that. We've been trying to reason with these people for some time… They want to make a treaty with us, but they refuse to let anyone into the city to help them. We wish to inspect the city for damages and possible terrorists. That's why we need you."
"Me?"
"Yes. You see, if we send helpless politicians in, they could be killed if any insurgents are hiding in the city. Sending an armed soldier in may incite a panic. We need someone non-threatening; innocent; someone who can defend themselves but still not set off alarms. Someone… inconspicuous." Ed looked like he was going to boil over. He expected a certain word to pop out of the Colonel's mouth, but it never came.
"You mean…." Ed began, trying not to lose his cool. "…Someone SMALL?"
"Hey, you said it, not me." Mustang shrugged his shoulders and Al had to restrain Ed, les he attempt to strangle the officer. Just then, another soldier ran into the tent, saluting.
"He's here, sir!" Mustang stood up.
"It's time, Edward." Ed looked hesitant at first, but stood.
"I… I want to go, too!" Al said suddenly.
"No offense, but you look a tad too threatening, Alphonse."
"But…"
"I'm taking him along. Al's my brother. If I go, he goes. It's as simple as that. I wont leave him behind to worry." Ed was adamant… Mustang sighed.
"You're being difficult… but if the town's representative approves of it, we have no choice. Both of you, come with me." Al seemed pleased and Ed gave him a thumbs up before both of them followed Mustang through the camp, towards where they had entered. The soldiers around them now seemed anxious, cautious, ready for a fight… they expected- no, maybe they wanted a war to break out. People like that… who joined the military simply to fight and destroy… Ed couldn't get behind those kinds of people at all. Mustang was no saint, either, but at least he understood the value of a human life. It was a lesson Ed and Al were forced to learn long ago… life was precious and you only got one shot at it. The Colonel finally stopped in front of a man dressed in ragged, dusty robes… he seemed to be some sort of official by the strong, distinguished expression on his face. Mustang saluted the man- an act he didn't even perform for Edward.
"We welcome you to our camp, Mister…"
"My name is Hassan. I am one of the four head men in the city of Callum. I am honored to be welcomed here."
"A pleasure. Have you considered our proposal for a commission to be sent into your city for evaluation?"
"Evaluation or annihilation? We must be clear on this. Our leaders are skeptical as to your intentions. I cannot allow our citizens to be harmed in any way."
"We assure you, we are not hoping for a fight. We only wish to evaluate the town for security purposes. Locations such as your buildings and your mine … we want to make sure they're in good order and if we may, we wish to make our own contributions towards making improvements."
"Improvements?"
"Indeed. Your town is rather isolated here… it must be difficult to sustain your people way out here. We'd hate for such a largely populated city to come to ruin."
The ambassador looked around, seeing many dangerous faces.
"So many soldiers here… it looks more as if you wish to take us over in order to use us for your own personal gain."
"The soldiers here are merely a precaution. It's for our own protection, should any dangerous personnel be lingering within your dwellings, and if trouble should find its way, we wish to offer you our support and assistance to prevent civilian casualties." The man looked as if he was thinking things over. Edward looked up at Mustang and noted how good of a liar he was. He, just like so many others, were expecting the worst… and here he was, being thrust into the heart of what could be crazy-town. His words seemed to agree with the ambassador, however.
"Very well… but I cannot allow your envoy to enter our city armed. You understand, do you not?"
"I understand." That's when Mustang pushed Edward ahead of him. "This boy will be conducting our inspection."
"The boy…?"
"Ah..." Ed felt somehow shy and meek in front of the tall man's gaze. He lowered his head politely, not sure what else to do. The man seemed to approve… that's when Al stepped up as well.
"If you don't mind, sir… I'm his brother… I'd worry about him if he were to go in alone. If I may, could I accompany him?" The man, like so many before him, was daunted by the suit of armor…
"You…"
"He's harmless!" Ed said quickly, bringing attention away from his brother. "I promise… Al wouldn't hurt a fly. We wont do anything wrong. I mean, how could we? Just two people…" After a moment, the man sighed and resigned himself.
"I will allow it. With two, it would speed up your inspection, after all."
"It's settled, then. I leave these boys in your capable hands."
"Of course. We will be in touch. Come with me." The man turned to leave but before Ed could follow, Mustang took hold of his shoulder and leaned down to whisper into his ear.
"Keep your guard up, Edward. Document everything, no matter how trivial. Be concise… but don't let them know what your true objective is."
"And what would that be, exactly?"
"…To discover if they plan to attack us. Keep your eyes open at all times…I mean it."
"Yeah yeah… we'll inspect everything carefully. If there's any trouble, you'll be the first to know. I'll signal you somehow."
"Good." Mustang released his shoulder and watched as the three of them disappeared into the rising dust. Little did he know just what kind of hell he was sending them into.
