Prologue

They had come into his office unannounced. That in itself was not unusual. It seemed to have become a policy that common courtesies did not need to be observed for the disgraced Brigadier General. These two were not in the military, however. They were an older man and a younger woman, both in black mourning clothes, with grave countenances. The young lady stayed in the corner and did not meet his eyes.

"Brigadier General Mustang." He recognized the older man by sight, if not by name. He was an elder financier and a backer to some of the members of the parliament. He also had an annoying tendency that many people seemed to adopt when they saw him, which was to not look at him directly, but rather focus on the eye patch over his left eye. "I bring you err- some rather sad news. I am ah- Victor Hausman. I am- we are-" He gave the girl behind him a passing backward glance. "Currently involved in an ongoing investigation of the matter. It is regrettable that we have to meet in such circumstances… I have heard great things about the Flame Alchemist in my circles. Particularly, with the matter at hand-"

"What matter?"

Hausman looked faintly appalled that he had been interrupted. He proceeded in the same blustering manner as before. "Your former subordinate, the First Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye, was found murdered in her room yesterday morning. We believe it to be the work of an alchemist. An investigation of the matter is ongoing, and I assure you it will be...thorough. I was told we should inform you of this and so I have. My duty is done here, and so I bid you good day, General."

Hausman bent to put his coat on with methodical care, being very careful not to look at the alchemist before him, who had paled suddenly, and was now effectively the same shade of white as the many papers littering his desk. His jacket buttoned, Hausman turned and left out the door, barking after his companion. "Laura! Get out here!"

The young woman looked wholly sorry that her name had been pulled into this. The Flame Alchemist did not notice this, because upon hearing Hausman leave, he slumped over his desk. He didn't seem aware that she was even still in the room.

"I'm sorry!" She whispered. It meant nothing. He didn't even seem to hear her. She turned heel and exited as fast as she could.