Prologue

"So, Ed . . . have any new information on the Philosopher's Stone?" Mustang asked in his usual tone.

"I dunno. You tell me." Ed retorted with a scowl.

Just before Mustang could reprimand Fullmetal, Riza Hawkeye burst into the room. "Sir, I'm sorry to interrupt, but I have an urgent message for you."

"What is it?" Roy asked bluntly. "As I'm sure you can see, I'm in the middle of something."

"It's about the Liquid Alchemist. She's in serious trouble." Hawkeye paused as Mustang punched his desk and swore. "The Ishballan assassin is after her. The last contact we had was a brief phone message a few days ago of her asking for back-up. Apparently, Scar hasn't been able to get her, but he's been close enough that she's worried."

"What's her location?" Mustang asked urgently, all but forgetting Ed's presence.

"Last we knew, she was in Resembool."

"Okay, I'll take it from here. You're dismissed." As Hawkeye left the room, Mustang turned to face Ed. "Elric, I've got an assignment for you."

Chapter 1

Beginning the Mission

Ed and Al were sitting on a hard train car seat, wishing that there was a quicker and more comfortable way to reach their destination. Their mission was cut-and-dry, help the Liquid Alchemist get away from Scar and bring her safely back to Central.

"Brother, how will we know who she is? We were never even told her name." Al asked plaintively.

"According to Mustang, she's supposed to be one of the best State Alchemists around, and the youngest girl to be accepted. Supposedly, Mustang sends her on all of the really important undercover missions, so she'll probably be hard to find." Ed sighed and shook his gold-blonde hair out of his face. "What I don't get is why Mustang is so shaken by this girl calling in for help. When I asked Hawkeye, she blew me off and told me that if I was supposed to know, I would've been told."

Al abruptly raised his head. "Why would she say that?"

"I don't know, and that's what I intend to find out." Ed mumbled his reply as the train squealed to a stop at the Resembool station. "Come on, Al. Let's go."