I don't own Fullmetal Alchemist. I do, however, own my character Sarah Peretti. This is my disclaimer and the only one you will see in this fic unless I put in something else later that I'll need another disclaimer for. (I don't usually plan these things out very well.) So I hope you enjoy this fic. Also as a note to those reading my Labyrinth fic I have found my fairy queen's name (Does happy dance) so you shall have a new chapter up soon.
The whole place was in utter chaos. Central headquarters was falling apart. Fuhrer Bradley had gone missing. It was too early to tell but everyone suspected that he had been murdered. Of course no body had turned up but his family hadn't seen him for weeks and he hadn't been at headquarters. His secretary, Juliet Douglas, had reported seeing him a week ago. He had told her that he was stepping out for a little while and would be back shortly. In truth Fuhrer Bradley, AKA Pride, was really dead. Or at least as dead as a homunculi could be. A figure smirked as it listened to the hushed conversation of the military pigs closest to it.
"They say that the Fuhrer had enemies. I think that someone offed him in hopes of gaining his position. It's the only reasonable explanation. Don'tcha think?" The man next to him nodded. 'If only they knew the truth of that statement.' The figure smirked.
"Personally I think it was Mustang. He's always talking about becoming Fuhrer."
"Nah, he wouldn't kill someone just to get to a position that he wanted. He wouldn't do something that dirty. I bet it was someone from another branch. You know, no one will ever suspect it was me because I don't belong to that branch of the military so I can get away with it." The figure nodded. 'That's about right. It's more of, no one really knows me so they'll never be able to pin it on me.'
"It's definitely a conspiracy. He says that he's going out for a few minutes and still hasn't shown up weeks later. I mean that's just not normal. If he's not dead then this is one really sick joke." Leaving the two officers to speculate some more the figure returns to what it had previously been doing. It had a favor to cash in. The pawns were in place the only thing left to do, was wait. Melding through a wall the figure smiled at a very surprised Maes Hughes.
"Hello Hughes. I didn't mean to startle you but there's something that I require of you."
"I knew you'd show back up. After you saved my life that night I had forced myself to believe that it had all been a bad dream, but I knew that I was only kidding myself. So what is it that you're here for? I might as well return the favor to my guardian angel." The figure laughed. (AN:For those of you who are a little slow on the uptake I'm not going to tell you really anything about this character yet.)
"Angel? Hardly." The figure sobered. "I need you to get someone into the military for me." Hughes blinked a couple of times trying to comprehend what was being asked of him.
"That's easy. I was thinking that you were going to ask me to fly or something." He laughed as the figure stood there silently. After a moment Hughes became silent. "There's more isn't there?"
"Yes Hughes there is. I need you to help her obtain the Fuhrer's position."
"Are you crazy?! Until conformation that the Fuhrer is actually dead they won't think of replacing him. Besides they would pull someone who's already in line for the position to take over." The figure looked at Hughes rather frustrated.
"Listen to me. This is a matter of the utmost importance. The Fuhrer is dead. I can confirm that. He was a homunculi Hughes. He got what he deserved. That's all you need to know. As for getting her to his position I need someone that we can trust in there before they replace him with another homunculi. We have to do this quickly Hughes." He was silent for a moment as if wondering if all of this was real. Of course the figure could easily infiltrate the military and make the necessary arrangements; it was just easier to have the support of some of them and to go through all the right channels. Hughes nodded finally coming to a conclusion.
"Alright I'll help as much as I can."
"Thank you Hughes. I'll be back with more information for you. I'll send the woman to meet you tomorrow at 12:00. She'll be waiting on the steps for you."
"I got it, but how will I know that it's her?"
"She'll know you. She'll speak to you first, but in the off chance that there is someone else there then she'll be tall, have brown hair with dark blue highlights, and green eyes. More then likely she'll be wearing a white sun dress and hat tomorrow. Look for her Hughes; you won't be able to miss her." With that the figure was gone.
Several Weeks Earlier
Hughes was running from a hotel where he had nearly been killed by a homunculi, followed closely by Lieutenant Ross. He started telling her that the homunculi had moved in close to the Fuhrer and had infiltrated deep enough to effect large scale decisions. He notices that Ross doesn't have the mole under her left eye and says that they should go. Some ways away he had stopped at a phone booth to get in touch with Roy only to be informed by Falman that he had left for Central with Lieutenant Hawkeye. Frustrated Hughes slammed down the phone.
"Lieutenant Colonel we should go somewhere safe."
"Yeah you're right. It's not like I've lost any evidence here. But now there's something I'd like to bring up with you. Lieutenant Ross has a mole right beneath her left eye."
"Oh is that so? How careless of me." The imposter turns around and creates the mole that should have been there to begin with.
"Pft that's an amazing talent." The imposter goes to move and Hughes slits its throat. The imposter falls to the ground, dying. "I'll hope you'll forgive me. But I've got a wife and kid waiting for me back home." He turns and begins walking off. The imposter gets back up, this time taking the form of his wife holding a gun pointed at him.
"You're right Hughes, maybe this is a more fitting end." As the gun went off a figure had moved in Hughes way shielding him from the bullet. The figure in front of him was shrouded in shadow so it was impossible to determine anything conclusive about them.
"Envy, be gone with you before I'm forced to kill you." The figure of his wife shifted again until it was a short man with green spiky hair.
"I'd like to see you try." The figure in front of Hughes turned slightly towards him.
"Lieutenant Colonel Hughes there is a car waiting for you just a little ways from here. I suggest you make haste too it and not speak of the events that have transpired here to anyone. I'm sure you understand. I'll keep you safe until you make it to the car. Oh and I'd avoid the Fuhrer and his secretary for the next few days. Who knows what'll happen." Hughes didn't question he just did. Running past the figure and the homunculi he headed towards the car that was supposedly waiting there for him. When he got a little further he heard the sounds of a fight. Ignoring them he ran the little ways more to an a joining street where a car was indeed waiting. Without another thought he hopped into the vehicle and they headed back to Headquarters.
The next day on the steps of Central Headquarters
A young woman with the description that Hughes had been given stood on the steps waiting for the man she was supposed to be meeting. Dressed in the white sun dress and hat she smiled at officers entering and exiting the building. Pulling her hat down to shade her eyes from the harsh sun she glanced up at the building itself. It really was magnificent. Glancing back at the doors she realized that Hughes was exiting and making his way down the steps. Putting on her best smile she stepped into his path.
"Good afternoon Lieutenant Colonel Hughes. It's very nice to finally meet you. I've heard so much about you. My name is Sarah Peretti." She held her hand out to Hughes who shook it enthusiastically.
"It's nice to meet you as well Ms. Peretti."
"Oh please just Sarah is fine. Ms. Peretti sounds so formal." Hughes could tell that he was really going to get along with this girl. "Now Lieutenant Colonel-"
"Hughes please."
"Alright Hughes then. If it's alright with you I'd like to go in and rest. It was a long journey after all and I'm rather spent."
"I'm sure that you are. How far did you travel anyway?" Hughes asked laughing.
"I'm sorry Hughes but I'm not at liberty to give you my previous location." She laughed with him as they headed up the stairs.
"I understand. But seriously you're the one that I need to get into the military? I mean you look so young."
"Thank you for the compliment Hughes but I can assure you that I am older then I look. Also I can be very stoic when it is called for. Anyway I think the military is the opportune field of work to get into. Don't you agree? And I really haven't had a steady job so I think that this'll be perfect. Besides I'm not the only one that doesn't seem suitable for military life." She made a point to look at Hughes when she said that. He rubbed the back of his neck nervously.
"Yes well I don't really work where you'll be. I'm in the investigations section. I don't usually get to see a lot of action."
"From what I've heard you've nearly been killed. Apparently you have been researching something that someone doesn't want you to know." He stopped surprised and she stopped next to him. Ignoring him for the moment she waved at some of the officers going by. One of them blushed and hurried on ahead of him buddy who waved at her before hurrying to catch the other who was no doubt about to be teased.
"How-?"
"I wouldn't be here if not for someone you had met. Do you honestly think that I would come here ill informed of recent occurrences? Come on Hughes, there is actually quiet a bit that I know. Most of it you either shouldn't know or it's not important for you to know at this time. Now if you would kindly show me where it is that I'll be staying. As I have already mentioned it was a long trip and I want to be at my best when I have to meet the higher ups."
"Of course. Right this way." Hughes led her down the hall all the while watching her take in her surroundings out of the corner of his eye. She looked so fragile and timid. Was his savior really thinking clearly when it sent this woman to be placed in the military? Noticing that she was being watched Sarah turned and smiled at Hughes who returned her smile. No, the angel must not have realized what had been sent to them. He would have to tell it the next time they met.
"Hughes don't worry about it. I am more then capable of taking care of myself."
"I'm sure you are." He stopped at a door. "This is the dormitory where you'll be staying. If you ever get lost someone will help you find it. All you have to do is ask. Well I think that's it unless you have any other questions."
"Actually there is one thing I was wondering about. Can I have pets here? If not then I'm afraid that we have a problem."
"Why's that?"
"Because I have a cat that I can't bare to be apart from." Hughes looked at her then smiled.
"Normally animals aren't allowed in the dormitory but for you I think we can make an exception. I'll pull a few strings."
"Oh but Hughes you're doing so much for me already."
"It's no problem. What are friends for?" She gave him a funny look at that sentence. She had just met him. How could they be friends? Dismissing it she hugged him to show her appreciation before disappearing behind the door. Hughes stood there for a moment before chuckling to himself. "Well that was unexpected." With that he went back to do some work. The girl the angel had sent was something else alright. He wondered briefly how everyone else would feel about her.
Sometime later
Sarah had awoken groggy and cranky. Of course it had been a rather rude awakening. The man sitting before her, Colonel Roy Mustang, had sent someone, she was too tired to remember who, to come and retrieve her so she could sit in his office and listen to him bitch about her being there. What had so rudely awoken her was the yelling of, NOT ANOTHER ONE!, that seemed to have originated from this office. Now here she sat only half listening to an enraged Colonel. Apparently he didn't like the idea of her being here anymore then the higher ups did. It's not like she had really asked what they liked though. To put it simply she didn't care. She was here to complete her mission and come hell or high water she would. Raising a hand she managed to silence the infuriated man, also drawing the attention of the woman beside him.
"Excuse me Colonel Mustang but I'm just as upset at having to work under you as you are at having me work under you so if I may be so bold as to make a statement I would like to state here and now that as long as you don't get in my way I won't get in yours. This will save us time, breath, and you from having to fill out a mountain of paperwork. So if you would kindly excuse me I have other things that I need to do in the precious time of mine that you are wasting. Should you need anything else I'll be with Lieutenant Colonel Hughes or in my quarters. Good day." With that Sarah left the room in a huff nearly running into someone in the process.
"So I take it the Colonel's not in a very good mood." The figure that had spoken was much shorter then Sarah. He had blonde hair and was wearing a red coat. (AN: You all know who it is which is why I'm not giving a detailed description. Actually as you may have noticed I haven't really done that with any of the FMA characters because you wouldn't be reading this if you didn't know them.) The person realized that he'd never seen the girl standing in front of him before. "My name's Edward."
"The fullmetal alchemist. It's a pleasure. I'm Sarah." She smiled at the boy.
"And I'm Al." She turned to see a suit of armor on her right.
"It's very nice to meet you as well Alphonse." Turning back to Ed she nodded. "His royal egoness had the audacity to wake me up and then summon me like I'm some kind of servant. The least he could have done was come and get me himself." She glared at the door hoping it would fry the male occupant inside. Edward laughed at her actions. Here was someone who finally understood how he felt about the colonel. He could tell that they were going to get along just fine.
"Well that's the colonel for you. Thinks he's the most important person alive." Sarah nodded her agreement. Glancing down at her watch for a moment she turned her attention back to Ed.
"Sorry but I've got to run. It was nice meeting both of you and I hope to talk to you more soon." With that she took off down the hall towards Hughes' office.
Inside Hughes' office
He had given Scieszka the day off. He had reinstated her after his near death experience. Of course he never mentioned why he had, had her sacked in the first place. A knock on his door pulled him from his thoughts.
"Come in." The meek woman he had met earlier with the brown hair poked her head into the room. "It's alright come on in." Entering the rest of the way she saluted.
"You wanted to see me Lieutenant Colonel." He nodded and motioned for her to shut the door. She did as she'd been shown. Taking a seat across from Hughes she smiled at him. "I assume that you want to talk about why I am here and what the higher ups have said. I can guarantee that I am well qualified for the position of Fuhrer."
"I'm not the one that you need to prove that to. The big guys would like to meet with you. As for you being sent here I have no problem with you being here but I'm still not fully convinced that you'll be alright. I just can't help but feel that you're not really cut out for this and I maybe out of line for saying this but-"
"Hughes it's alright. Thank you for worrying about me but really you have nothing to worry about. The person who's relying on me to do this has the utmost faith in me and so should you. I promise that I'll be just fine so stop worrying about it. Oh and that reminds me." Making a face she dug in her pocket. "Now where'd I put that?" Finding nothing she switches to the other pocket. "Darn that Mustang made me forget." Finally her hand retrieves the note from her back pocket. "Ah here it is. This is for you." She holds the note out towards him. "It's from my boss who made me promise to give it to you the next time I saw you. Something about making arrangements for another new military person." The letter disappeared from her hands. Quickly scanning it Hughes let out a frustrated sigh.
"Someone else is coming to assist you. I should have known that something like this would happen. Why did I ever agree to this?" The girl across from him tried desperately to hide her laughter. She failed miserably however and moments later burst into a laughing fit. Hughes waited for her to finish before speaking again. "I don't find this amusing. It was hard enough convincing them to let you join."
"Hughes they're already in the military. They got initiated in another branch. Don't worry so much. It'll kill you one of these days." She smiled at him as if she knew something that he didn't.
"As long as I don't have to deal with anymore paperwork we'll be okay." The girl across from him nodded.
"If you'll excuse me, I have a lunch date with Lieutenant Havoc." With that Sarah stood, saluted him, and left for the mess hall. She could hear Hughes sigh as she closed the door behind her. She felt sorry for him. He had done so much for her and the others and all they had done was saved his life. That definitely wasn't equivalent exchange. Letting out a sigh of her own she began her long journey. "Poor Hughes, I wish there was something I could do to make it up to him." After a while of walking she finally made it to the mess hall. Glancing down at her watch she smirked. "I'm early." Entering the hall she noticed that several conversations around her stopped. There had been talk going around about the 'new recruit' since she got there. None of it was particularly nice either. She could feel the eyes of the others following her as she made her way to the counter to get her tray. It was going to be a very long day. Oh well at least she had the meeting with the Higher ups to look forward to. When she reached the front of the line she smiled at the man behind the counter. He smiled back.
"So little lady, what'll it be today?" Sarah thought about it. What did she feel like today?
"I think I'll just have a sandwich and a warm cup of coffee." The man told her that it would be just a minute. She told him to take his time and turned her attention back to the room. People turned their heads acting as if they hadn't done anything. She scoffed. Cowards the lot of them. She briefly wondered what any of them would have done if they'd been forced to kill Pride. In their minds he was their Fuhrer. He had been nothing to her other then a creature that needed to be destroyed. Her tray was handed to her a moment later pulling her from her thoughts. "Thank you. Have a good day." Searching for an open spot she hoped that people wouldn't do what they had always done to her before. Taking a place at the end of a table she watched as the men that were sitting down from her took there things stood up and excused themselves. Sighing she looked back down at her plate. Suddenly she wasn't so hungry.
"Hey why the long face?" She looked to her right. There stood a short haired blonde man. He was smoking but that came as no surprise to her. His smile was friendly. Taking the seat next to her he threw his arm around her shoulders. "Cheer up. I'm here now." She chuckled at his antics.
"Thanks for inviting me to lunch Lieutenant Havoc." His smile widened.
"Hey anytime. I'm just glad that you accepted. So what's been bothering you? You seem down."
"Well I just got here and everyone's already treating me like a black sheep. I mean like just now. I sit down and everyone that's in a three seat radius gets up and moves. They act like I have the plague or something." His face turned concerned for a moment but then was back to its cheerful disposition.
"Don't worry about it. The military are just a bunch of stiffs. They wouldn't know good company if it bit them on the ass. I'm sure they'll settle down eventually. It's just with all the officers that are being killed by Scar and the Fuhrer missing...everyone's a little on edge." Sarah nodded. She understood entirely but she was hoping that she could at least make a few more friends before getting bumped up to Fuhrer. That would really set people on edge around her. The rest of lunch went well. They talked about little things like why she had joined the military and where she had lived before. The discussion was one that she had to manipulate to her advantage. The truth of the situation was that she had lived in Lior most of her life. She couldn't very well tell people that without them freaking out around her even more. Of course no one could trace her back to Lior if they tried. Instead she stated that she had lived in Aquroya. When asked about the Phantom Thief Psiren, she just laughed. Truth of it was she knew Psiren personally. Of course so did another state alchemist. Her reason for joining the military was partially true, job security, but it was much more then that. The discussion turned to Havoc and what exactly he was like. As he rambled on Sarah tuned him out. It's not that she wasn't interested in the things that Havoc was saying it was more that she had other things that took priority and she was trying to be polite. After a few moments of Havoc's continued rambling Sarah decided that she had best put a stop to it.
"Well Lieutenant Havoc I really enjoyed having lunch with you but I really have to get going." She stood up with her tray that held an empty coffee mug and a half eaten sandwich. She began to take her tray back to the counter but paused with an after thought. "Oh and Lieutenant Havoc just as a heads up, I don't date guys that smoke." She turned her head and saw the mortified look on his face. Chuckling a little to herself she set her tray on the counter and made her way back to her room. She had a lot of planning to do.
Inside Hughes' office
Hughes sat at his desk signing papers that he had deemed unimportant. He had called Mustang earlier to let him know that, no matter what he wanted, Sarah was there to stay. After some cursing from the Colonel on the other end of the phone Hughes proceed to talk about what Sarah was doing there which made Mustang throw in some more colorful words.
"Now Roy that's enough of that. She's not even guaranteed the position and we all know that you want it. There's been talk going around that you're the one that offed the Fuhrer so I'd think you'd be grateful that she'd get them off your back." The phone went silent for a moment. The conversation continued a little while longer before Roy said that he had some things to take care of. "Oh Roy before you go I was wondering if you'd seen the pictures I have of Elicia? She's just so adorable. You know just today-" Suddenly all he heard was the dial tone. "Hm must have been cut off." He stopped signing when he realized that he wasn't the only one in the room anymore.
"I tried to make myself appear more naturally to you."
"Why can't you just use the door like everyone else?"
"Do you really want 'them' to know that I'm here?" It took Hughes a moment to think about it before he shook his head. "Good, then for the time being this is the best way for me to meet with you."
"How do you do that anyway?"
"I knew you'd ask me that sooner or later. Let's just say that its need to know and right now Hughes you don't need to know. Now let's talk about what I'll be doing in the next week that you need to be aware of so that you can be prepared for them. Of course you have the other person I'm sending to keep an eye on you and Sarah-"
"That reminds me I wanted to talk to you about that. Are you sure that you sent the right person? I mean I like her and all, she's nice, but she seems too innocent and gentle for this kind of work."
"Hughes trust me, she'll be just fine. If you need any further convincing then just wait until she performs for the superiors. That'll prove to you that she's capable of handling herself. So as I was saying, I'm sending someone and Sarah will be taking care of things from her, soon to be, position. If you're lucky there will just be the two." He gave the figure a funny look.
"And if I'm unlucky?" The figure suddenly began chuckling. His face turned frightened.
"I'm sorry but you must admit that was humorous." The figure sobered. "If you're unlucky then you'll be receiving more men then you know what to do with. After what happened last time we're going to be keeping a very close eye on you. We don't need you nearly dying on us again now do we?" Hughes found no humor in that statement. It was true that he had nearly died but it had never occurred to him before that he could have been under someone's watchful eye long before that.
"How long exactly have you been watching me?"
"Long enough. We knew that there were plans for your death but we didn't exactly know when they were going to be executed. We had to make sure that you were alright. You're of no use to us dead. As was pointed out to me, you're not really of use at all. I could very easily have had someone else integrate my men into the military, but I like you Hughes. I was hoping that I could rely on you."
"You could, can. I have one question though. If you find that I'm not 'useful' anymore what will you do? Dispose of me?" The figure out right laughed which frightened and shocked Hughes even more then the chuckling had.
"My dear Hughes there are better ways to deal with those that have helped us and are no longer needed. Of course only the useful ones get that privilege. You would fall into that category. We can erase your memories or you could retire and we send you and your family on a nice vacation to forget about everything that you've been through. You'll be well provided for and under our protection until you die. Of natural causes of course." The figure looked at a clock hanging from the wall. "I think it best that I take my leave of you now. There are things that need to be done before morning and I've dallied enough as it is. Good day." With that the figure was gone. For a few minutes Hughes could do nothing but stare at the spot where the figure had been. Shaking his head he returned to his paperwork. Tomorrow was a new day with more surprises in store.
So what did you guys think? It's my first FMA fic so please be gentle with the reviews. If enough people like it I will continue. (I have BIG plans for this fic.) If not then I'll take it down and start over. I hope you like it though.