Author's Note:
This story started as a "what if" scenario in my head and sort of just went from there. I do have the next couple of chapters planned out and will update this story as soon as I'm done writing them.
For those of you who don't know a agent handler is a person who manages or handles a covert operative. They normally pass on missions or act as a messenger to higher ups.
Reviews are always appreciated.
Early morning in East City, it is a peaceful day. A man in a blue military uniform is walking up the steps of Eastern Command. According to the Amestrian military this man's name is Lieutenant Logan Reed. He transferred here from West City two years ago.
However this man, who lives in Lieutenant Reed's apartment, receives Lieutenant Reed's paychecks, and who wears Lieutenant Reed's uniform, is not the real Lieutenant Reed. The real Lieutenant Reed is decomposing at the bottom of a lake, if there is anything left of him to decompose at all.
This man, who the military assumes to be Lieutenant Reed, does have a real name. However it doesn't matter at this point.
What does matter is that Lieutenant Reed is slightly nervous. As any man would be in his situation. He is heading to a missions briefing, and a very important mission at that. It is the militaries procedure that officers will not be briefed on high-level missions until three days before they start. So Reed had no idea what he was walking into; and as usual his paranoia was going through the roof.
'They know. It's all because of the Parktown Incident two months ago. This is the end. They are going to kill you.'
He took even breaths in attempt to silence his racing mind. Reasonably, he knew nothing really bad would happen. He would simply walk into Colonel Mustang's office and be briefed on his mission. Worst thing that could happen is him tripping over his shoes and making a fool of himself.
He had met Mustang twice since arriving to East City. The first time was when he had just arrived, and once again two months ago. The Colonel was the kind of man who took all the authority in the room and seized it for himself, who remained calm and collected with the mission always at mind. Reed had always found himself standing straighter whenever they had crossed paths.
He paused for a moment outside the office door and reassured himself once more than nothing bad was going to happen. It still didn't shake the feeling.
He was one of the last to arrive. Hawkeye, Havoc, Breda, Falman, and Fuery were seated quietly on the couches. Colonel Mustang himself was at his desk. He was going over a few papers.
Reed stood at attention.
"Colonel Mustang." He saluted. "Lieutenant Reed, reporting as ordered."
"At ease, Lieutenant," Colonel Mustang said. He had just barely glanced up. "Take a seat, this meeting isn't going to start for a while." Reed sat down next to Fuery.
"May I ask why?" He inquired.
"A certain member of my team hasn't arrived yet," Mustang said passively. He looked up. "I believe we've met before."
"Yes, sir. You debriefed me after the Parktown incident,"
"That's right. Excellent work you did on that case,"
"Thank you, sir." Reed had begun to say something else when the door was suddenly kicked in. Oddly enough he was the only one who flinched. Everyone else just let out a quiet sigh. Except Mustang, who was smirking.
"Well, well, Fullmetal. About time you showed up," Mustang said.
Reed felt his heart rate speed up and allowed himself to look at the door.
'Yes, that was definitely the Fullmetal Alchemist'
Reed had never officially met him, but one couldn't walk through Eastern Command without hearing things. There was a lot he still didn't know about the young alchemist. However, this time, he found his eyes shifting to the alchemist's brother and wondered how two people so drastically different in height could be related to each other. Oh, well, that was genetics.
"Whatever, I'm here now," The young alchemist spat.
"You should be more punctual. Or else you'll leave us short on time," Mustang said.
However, the young alchemist simply growled at the Colonel's remark. He then plopped himself down on the nearest couch and rested his feet on the table.
"I'm not in the mood, Mustang. Now what do you want?" he spat. Mustang frowned and seemed to study the boy before him. Reed wondered if the alchemist would be reprimanded. However the Colonel simply shifted the papers on his desk.
"Before we get started I just want to remind you all that this is a top priority mission. Any leaking the information said here will be met with an immediate court martial." they all nodded. "Well then, I'm sure you are all aware of the resistance group operating in the northeast. They call themselves the White Wolves." Reed took a sharp intake of breath. Luckily, no one had noticed. Instead everyone's gaze had wandered over to the Fullmetal Alchemist. Ed, however did not seem to notice. As he was glaring intently on Mustang. Reed began to wonder what he was missing out on.
"Wasn't that the group that set fire to some military warehouses a few months back?" Havoc said, easing the tension.
"Yes, the group has mainly been conducting small raids and attacks on military personnel. However for a few months now, they have been steadily growing in numbers. Since then their actions have escaladed. In other words they have become more of a problem then we first anticipated." Mustang paused, "Then, two weeks ago, they destroyed the Ukon train station." Everyone sucked in a breath.
The Ukon train station was the end of the line for those heading northeast, for a resistance group to do something so rash.
Mustang continued, "Understandably, this requires the militaries immediate response. However, we have little knowledge of the group-"
"And the military wants us to find out more," Edward said finishing the Colonel's sentence.
"Yes," Mustang said. "Now, Fullmetal, as you ran into this group a while back and have recently been in the northeast area. Therefore you will be going on this mission-"
"Fine," Ed interrupted, "just give me what information you have on the group and I'll be back in a week."
"You didn't let me finish my sentence." Mustang said gritting his teeth. "As I was saying, you will be going on this mission along with Lieutenant Reed, Lieutenant Hawkeye, and I." Mustang said. The entire room was awkwardly silent. Falman had begun to inspect his nails and Fuery was staring at the floor. Reed knew he was missing out on something.
"And just what does a bastard like you have to gain from this?" Ed asked.
"Don't flatter yourself Fullmetal. The military simply requested that two State Alchemists go on this mission. You have never been on an undercover mission like this before. I'll just be there to make sure you don't screw up," Mustang said.
However Reed doubted that this was the real reason Mustang was going on this mission. It was unusual for Colonels to go on missions of this state. Was it possible the military knew the truth about the northeast border?
Fullmetal didn't seem to buy it either.
"And this has nothing to do with what happened three weeks ago?" Ed asked. Alphonse, who had remain silent until now spoke up.
"Brother…" he warned.
Mustang stared at his subordinate before answering. "Yes, your recent run in with this group will prove valuable for this mission. However, as I said, you have never done a covert mission like this before and the military requested two state alchemists for this mission. So like it or not, we will be working together."
Ed scowled, but neither seemed to want to press the matter further.
Reed began to wonder keenly on what happened three weeks ago. He knew the Fullmetal Alchemist had been hospitalized for some time. However it also seemed that he had run in to the White Wolves. Was that the cause for his hospitalization?
Mustang moved on. "Lieutenant Reed, your work during the Parktown Incident was admirable. For that reason you have been assigned to this mission."
If Mustang had noticed Reed stiffen at his words he didn't show it. Reed had been hoping the military would forget about the Parktown Incident. However, here he was two months later being sent on his "first" covert mission. This wasn't going to end well.
"The military has little information on this group. They last estimated the group to consist of roughly 200 people. There are also rumors of a few alchemists being among their midst. Our mission is to find out how many people are associated in this group and to analyze their defensive capabilities. This mission requires absolute secrecy. For that matter Lieutenant Havoc and Sergeant Fuery, you will be going to Heinsworth."
"Isn't Heinsworth that small military base before Ukon?" Havoc asked.
"Yes. Should the military attack the resistance group, it will be coordinated through that base. Al, if you wish, you can tag along with them. Breda and Falman, you will remain in East City. While in three days, Hawkeye, Fullmetal, and Reed; we will meet up at the East City train station." Mustang said as he passed Reed and Fullmetal each a folder. "These are your papers, wear civilian clothing when you report."
"Sir," Hawkeye spoke for the first time. "How do we propose we get to Ukon? Surely someone would notice four people suddenly showing up."
"The government has been sending down workers to clean up and repair the station. We will be posing as construction workers," Mustang said.
Ed had been flipping through his file when he suddenly froze.
"This says that I will be posing as your apprentice," Ed said bitterly.
If possible the tension in the room thickened.
Mustang shrugged, "We needed a reasonable excuse why a 13 year old boy would be tagging along."
Ed began to mutter something that Reed would never dare to say to a commanding officer.
"Another thing, Fullmetal," Mustang said, "You are not to preform alchemy during this mission."
That seemed to be the last straw for Ed.
"You have got to be kidding me! First you make me go on a mission without Al, then you tag along, and now no alchemy!" Ed said, annoyed.
"This is a covert mission, Fullmetal. We can't stand out," Mustang said.
"Just because the military ordered it, doesn't mean I have to be happy with it," Ed replied.
Mustang seemed to ignore his statement.
"Do any of you have any questions?" Mustang asked. They shook their heads. "Alright, that concludes this meeting. You are dismissed."
Reed felt dazed, as he exited the meeting. Although he would have to admit the plan itself was pretty good, having covert operatives sneak down with construction workers. He couldn't shake the feeling of disaster. The truth was he knew more about the White Wolves resistance group than anyone in that room.
'This is not going to end well. The military as no idea what we are walking into. Those Wolves won't go down without a fight. It's more than just a rag tag group of civilians; the Shadow Alchemist faked his death to join that group. And last time you checked they had a bombs expert as well. We are so screwed.'
For once Reed had to acknowledge that his racing mind was being perfectly reasonable.
That night, after his shift, Reed sat quietly at a slowly emptying café. He was sipping his drink and flipping through a newspaper. Seated on the bar stools looking out to the street. A young woman casually walked over to him.
"Is this seat taken?" she asked quietly, gesturing to the seat next to him.
"No," he responded. They sat next to each other in silence for a few minutes until they were certain no one was listening.
"You said this was important?" the woman asked.
"Yes, I have a new mission," he said.
"What are the specifics?" she asked.
"I am to go on a covert mission to investigate the White Wolves," he said. The woman choked on her drink.
"What?" she gasped. "When do you leave?"
"Three days from now," he replied. The woman next to him cursed.
"I really hate this damn country; giving us so little time to prepare," she said shaking her head, "Enough about that. What were you thinking getting assigned to a covert mission? Did you forget about the Parktown incident? At this rate you'll get your cover blown!"
"I know, okay. It's not like I chose this mission," he said.
"You know despite what my superiors say, you are actually an important person. Do you know how many of our spies have infiltrated the Amestrian military? Not a lot! And if you get your ass killed, it falls back on me!"
"I know, I don't need a lecture." He sighed. "Don't worry about my cover, I've kept it for this long I can keep it for another mission. Just get word back about this case as fast as you can. And be discrete, this is top secret."
"Aren't they all top secret." She took another sip of her drink. "Fine, I'll report back as quickly as I can. Anything else I should know?"
"Yes, I'll be working with Colonel Mustang and the Fullmetal Alchemist," he said.
"As if this can't get any worse." She sighed. "Do the Amestrians have any good intel on the resistance group?"
"No, not much. Our orders are to head to Ukon to investigate the train station, find out how many members the resistance group has, and if possible the identity of their leaders."
The woman nodded, "Okay, I'll see if I can get someone to contact you when you reach Ukon. It'll probably be through the usual way."
"Thanks."
"Yeah, yeah, until then just lay low and don't blow your cover," she warned.
"You don't have to keep reminding me," he said.
"I'm your handler. I get to remind you as much as I like." She paused. "We had to pull a lot of strings to get one of our operatives in the military, do not screw it up." And with that she was gone.
- three days later -
Reed was the last to arrive at the train station. His racing mind had plagued him all night and his eyes were heavy with fatigue and stress.
Mustang, Hawkeye, and Ed were already at the meeting point. Which was a bench nearby the ticket booth. They were all dressed in civilian clothing.
Reed sat down next to Mustang and pretended to read a book.
"So, we're all here," Mustang whispered, not looking up. "You all remember what to do?"
"Of course we do. We're not as dim as you think, Mustang." Ed said. "The trip down to Ukon is the easy part." He was wearing black gloves to cover his automail and wore his hair tucked into a hat.
Mustang ignored him, "When we get on the train we must look like we don't know each other. Don't speak to each other unless absolutely necessary. Understood?"
"Yes," they answered.
"Alright," Mustang said. "We won't meet up again until we reach Ukon. Until then try to blend in with the rest of the workers."
The sharp shrill of an approaching train made then look up.
"That's our train. Good luck, everyone," Mustang said. Then he stood and walked up to the platform. Ed followed him. Reed continued to look down at the book on his lap, intending to follow after a few moments. Suddenly, he felt something touch his foot. He looked down. It was a jacket.
"There's a pocket knife, pistol, and a few rounds inside the jacket." Hawkeye said. "Keep them with you."
"Oh… thank you," Reed said. Honestly, he had been so worked up over this mission that the thought of weapons hadn't even crossed his mind.
"Don't mention it. Just keep your eyes open and watch out for Ed and the Colonel," she said.
Before Reed could ask her what she meant. She had stood and was boarding the train. Reed waited a few second before retrieving the rolled up jacket. Then he too boarded the train.
He chose a seat nearby a window and plopped his book on his lap. Ed was right; the trip down to Ukon would be the easy part. Once in Ukon so many things could go wrong. The possibility that he would be discovered would drastically increase. Heck, someone might even recognize him.
He looked out the window as the train pulled away from the station. The city turning into a blur beside him as the train picked up speed. He tried to make out as much of it as he could, cherishing the temporary feeling of peace. For he knew that he might never walk these streets again.