Salutations! I bring to you the promised adventures of Harley Dupre. I wrote a lot of the chapters in advance, so new ones should be popping up weekly, but after some time they'll be less frequent. Happy reading! Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist . Just Harley.

"Wake up, Corporal!" she yelled demandingly.

I scrambled out of bed with a start; my heart beating wildly against my chest.

"Y-Yes, M'am! Sir! General!" I stammered.

I had been at Fort Briggs for half a year and I still hadn't gotten used to General Armstrong's wake up calls. When I told Major Armstrong that I wanted a challenge as a soldier, I didn't think he'd ask the superiors to send me here…with this monster of a woman!

I stood straight and tall in my cotton white, long-sleeve shirt and grey lounge pants; holding my hand in a high salute and my thick braids strewn wildly across my head in a messy nest. Olivier paced my bedroom barking orders, as was our daily routine.

"…and then Miles will accompany you in your basic training. Any questions?"

"Umm…"

"Good, now get to work! I'll be back in 1700 to give you my evaluation. At ease, Corporal."

I exhaled deeply and let my arm fall to my side as soon as she slammed the door. I quickly made my bed and began my morning.

"…498...499...500", I let go of the bar and lightly hit the floor with a thud. "You actually lasted the whole 500 this time. Good work", affirmed Miles with a satisfied smile.

"Really? You think so? Thank you, Sir", I beamed despite my sweaty state. "When do you think I'll get to be in some real combat?"

He chuckled softly, "Oh don't be in too much of a hurry to fight. War can be as bitter as it is valiant. But I like your enthusiasm, Corporal."

I sighed in disappointed, "I suppose. But I wish Aunty Olivier would at least let me go scouting with you and Buccaneer, or some of the other low ranking officers in the barracks around the mountain. Basic training can be so boring."

"That's General Armstrong to you, Corporal!"

My shoulders stiffened with a hitch and my right arm flew into an automatic salute as she cascaded into the room; looking firm and commanding.

"Y-Yes, Sir!"

"And if you have so much time to complain about the assignments I give you, then you must have time to do 500 pushups."

"B-But-."

"Begin!"

I lowered myself onto the frigid floor and began to go down and push up. My muscles aching from the pull ups I did prior.

'Next time just keep your mouth shut, Harley', I mentally chastised myself.

As I continued my struggle to not collapse from exhaustion, the general folded her hands over her sword, that she presently held as a staff, and said, "Whether this excites you or not is below my concern, but I will let you know that in a few weeks time I will be answering a call to go to Central for some urgent business and have taken it upon myself to bring you with me."

Before the shocked smile could spread any further across my perspired face, she continued, "Don't get too happy just yet. I'm bringing you along so that you don't become a liability for Briggs."

"R-Right, M'am", my lips voiced out loud, but inside I was screaming, 'I'm going to Central, I'm going to Central!'

"Hopefully while we're there we won't run into my lousy excuse for a brother. That man is trying."

I concealed a small huff. I know Aunty Olivier's the older sister, but she should have a little more respect for her brother. "…499...500...", it took all my remaining strength not to collapse on the floor before she gave me her consent.

"You can drop, Corporal."

I did as much, but tried my best to not look tired. "Th-Thank you, Sir", I managed to say between breaths.

3 weeks…