Central. An ironic name for the capital of this country, for the capital is the center of war, peace, and the well being of the people. War had broken out in the east and many were drafted to supply the demand of the lost soldiers. People within central unaware of the war outside their haven continued with their day. Moving aside lazily for the car that was making way to the capital building. Even during times of war, the government was continuing its practice of recruiting some of the most valuable soldiers: alchemists. However the furor himself was expecting this young alchemist, submitting her to the tests of the military at a ripe age of sixteen.

The car pulled to the front of the building, the driver exiting to open the door for the passenger. Vibrant red hair with a black under layer captured the sun, her sapphire eyes lifting to meet the bright neighbor. A hand above her face, she searched the building for familiarity. Lacking, she continue up the steps to her future, meeting the awaiting furor. Bowing in his presence, then saluting, the furor chuckled.

" You are not in the military quite yet, leave the formal requirement to after your exam. If you please follow me to the exam room."

" Yes, sir."

She followed quickly after him, the test were all preformed in one day rather in three due to the war, only a few hours in between breaks, yet each exam was more prestigious than the previous test, for they only wanted the best to fight in the battle to assure victory. It was only a few days before they would be deport the military alchemists to the battlefield. They arrived at the door where they both entered and he escorted her to her seat, where she sat and waited patiently. A man upfront caught her eye, an inexperienced soldier.

" You are all here to take the alchemist exam, some of you will pass, others will not. Do your best and begin."

With his words, she opened the booklet, not taking her eyes off of him till she switched her focus to the exam. Though given three hours to finish the exam, she finished within an hour, standing making her way to the front, bowing and leaving. The furor simply smiled at the young prodigy. She waited outside for the others to finish and her test to be graded. The door opened beside her, her gaze continued forward. A soldier's uniform blocked her view, averting it to the man's face. It was the same soldier captured her attention before the exam.

" What are the results, officer?"

" Captain. And you passed, surprisingly."

"Forgive me. May I ask how it is surprising?"

" You know the answer, why do you bother asking?"

"Curiosity killed the cat, captain."

The doors opened, allowing the other alchemists to exit and find areas of relaxation for the next or more depending on their time of interview. Many looking at the young girl with loathing or sneering eyes, hers' remained emotionless. Another soldier followed behind the many, turning to the captain, saluting, and then turning to the girl.

"Ms. Tyler Wasserstein, please follow me to the interview room, they are waiting for your arrival."

She stood and followed leaving the captain at the bench. His eyes followed her as she walked away, before turning and re-entering the room to take the back way to the interview room, arriving before her, yet no surprise was on her face. She came forward and sat upon the chair with delicacy, like a noble women. The interview began.

"Why do you want to become a state alchemist?"

" I want to prove to my family that just because I am a result of an affair, I still deserve to be recognized as a member not as a parasite."

"Thank you, that will be all."

She stood and bowed, leaving once more to wait for the rest of the successful alchemists to undergo the interview. She made her way to the city, walking amongst the streets. Arriving at a bookstore, she entered, greeting the owner politely before searching for a book to read. Finding one, sitting sparsely on the shelf below the others, absorbing the books knowledge wasting time before her next exam. Hours passed and the clocked towed the third hour after midday. She placed the several books she had finished back on the shelf, picked a new one and paid the owner for the book. She left and walked back to Central headquarters. The third exam was about to begin, the physical exam.

She was escorted once more to the area of the exam, an arena, filled with everything an alchemist could use as tools. There were only ten others that had passed the previous exams along with her, many astonished she had made it this far, her age getting the better of them. Stepping forward to attempt her skills first, the furor shook his head and she backed down, letting the others try and fail before her. Finally it was her turn, she stepped forward, and again the furor shook his head, standing this time.

"I would like the last participant to undergo a battle with one of the military's state alchemists. One of my choice if you would not mind"

She bowed in respect.

"Whatever you command sir."

"Very well. Captain Mustang, if you please."

The captain was taken aback at the furors order, but agreed. The two stood across from each other. The furor gave the signal to fight and Roy attacked quickly with his flame. The girl blocked it with a wall she had constructed. Without a transmutation circle to the surprise of all, but the furor, simply smiling. Mustang continued his assault, failing with each of her blocks, taking a breath to rethink the situation. She took the opportunity, and snapped her fingers, producing a flame much like his. She had copied his technique, now was using it against him. Each snap contained more power than the last, a result of her increasing power. He ran, dodging each blow, but was cut off with a wall she had created, leaving him trapped. The furor ended the battle and applauded the skill. She saluted him and Mustang. The furor awarded the girl with the well-known silver pocket watch, causing Mustang to smirk. The furor knew her potential, but wanted to see her capabilities. Now she was the youngest alchemist within the military, and only a couple days before their departure to the east.

She smiled. Mustang was stunned; it was the first sign of emotion that she had shown through out the entire process. She was intriguing to say the least for the captain. He offered to escort her to the dorms and get her accustomed to military life. She agreed and walked behind him.

" Congratulation to your passing on the exam."

"Thank you."

"When will your family know?"

" Possibly never. Unless we happen to go through my home town, which is doubtful."

" Then why did you become a state alchemist?"

"I think more so to prove to myself that I am not a nobody, but some one of importance."

"What will happen if they find out your status?"

"I'll leave that to destiny. I am now a dog of the military, I must focus on the war before us."

They arrived at her new room, each saluting each other, Mustang walked off. She spoke behind him.

"Thank you captain, for walking me here."

"No problem. See at seven hundred hours on Thursday."

"Until then."

He left her to open the door and enter the room. Here was the life of the military; a single bed, closet, and window for her to gaze upon her once free life. The people walked across the courtyard in front of the building, enjoying life in times of war. She smiled sadly, she had accomplished her dream, yet still was incomplete. Was it possibly because of the lack of knowing on her family's' part? She retreated to the bed and laid down, a knock came from the door. She sat up then stood, making her way to the door, opening it. The furor stood before her, she saluted quickly, and then bowed.

"Furor, sir, what is the occasion?"

"Even though you are now part of the military, please don't be so formal with me. Just refer to me as Bradley my dear."

"Yes, Bradley"

"Good, now would you so please in joining my wife and I for dinner tonight. She would so like to meet you."

"It would be my pleasure. What time would I be required to attend?"

"Eight o'clock tonight, if you please. Many others will be there so as not to make you feel awkward."

Thank you, sir, I mean, Bradley. May I ask what I should wear?"

"I have already had that taken care of for you. It will arrive shortly. Now if you excuse me."

She bowed against his wishes again, but smiled as she straightened, causing him to smile. He left and she once more closed the door and relaxed on her bed. Her eyes began to close as sleep began to take her.

******

It was seven-thirty. A car was sent to pick her up, aiding her with her dress and closing door. Her dress was simple, black and elegant. Covering her front, yet revealing her back, partially covered by her half-updo hairstyle. Twenty-five minutes later, she arrived at the mansion of the furor. A woman came to the front; she was heavily pregnant, glowing. As she climbed out of the car, the furors' wife came down the steps to greet her.

"Welcome, you must be Tyler! My husband has said a lot about you. 'A true prodigy' as he says, I'm just hoping that you will help end the war quickly, I don't want our son growing up in time of bloodshed."

"Well, thank you. If it isn't too rude, how far along are you?"

"Thirty weeks, just ten more to go. Though I have to say that I am quite ready just to have him here, my husband more so. Come, dinner is about to be served."

"I'm sorry, am I late?"

"No, no, no. Your early, the rest of the officers arrived early, besides you are new to military, it will take some time getting use to your new life."

They made their way up the stairs to the foyer, there her light jacket was taken and escorted to the dining room. At the end of the table, was the captain, engaged in a conversation with the Furor. She moved her hair from her eyes, the butler announcing that dinner was to be served, asking them to take their seats. She was assigned next to the captain. Sitting politely, she started a conversation with the couple across from her.

"You must be Maes Hughes, the field investigator?"

"Yes, and this is my lovely wife, Gracia."

"Pleasure to meet you both. How long have you been married?"

"One month tomorrow."

"Ah, still the honeymoon phase. Congratulations."

"And yet he still finds time to harass me on my bachelor life."

"Ah, come on Roy, you'll love the married life. At least you will have some one waiting for you at home."

"But then wouldn't it leave her waiting for him to come home or the phone to ring or possibly other soldiers to come to her door and inform her of the death of her husband. That is the risk all military spouses take when they say 'I do", yes.'

"The is correct, Ms. Wasserstein, we need to be brave and supportive."

"Only the best would know, Ms. Hughes."

The woman smiled, looking at her husband lovingly. Tyler's eyes held a wanting look, which Roy noticed, his curiosity growing. She was different from the other soldiers he dealt with in the military. For being so young, she had already lost her innocence, innocence's of all kinds.

The meal was served and many conversations were carried out. The furor's wife was having a blast, entertaining everyone, not noticing the wandering eyes of her husband, who seemed to keep them on one guest. The youngest. He had plans for the girl, big plans. His eyesight was disturbed when the deal had finished, and Mustang had offered to drive the girl home and she accepted, taking his hand. They said their farewells, and thanked the furors' wife and the furor. Leaving down the steps they arrived. He opened the door for her, then went around front to take the drivers seat. He started the car and drove into the dimly lit street, back to the dorms. She was silent beside him.

"Did you enjoy dinner?"

"Yes."

"What's wrong?"

"Is it common practice here to live like there is no war going on?"

"That's how we survive."

"So we get to enjoy life while others lose theirs?"

"That is war."

"Ya, I know."

"You joined the military to prove that you were some one, but you're against what we do?"

"Sad, huh? TO prove my self-worth, I must do what I hate the most."

"Your still young, you can still become what you what to be."

"I am already what I want to be, I just don't see why we must take the innocent."

"I'm sorry to say, but we have one more day before we must depart for Ishbel and we have the ability to end the war quickly, that's the best thing we can do."

She nodded, but kept her gaze out the window towards the sky. The moon was not quite full, two nights away. She closed her eyes in what seemed to be a prayer. He reached over and grasped her hand, her eyes opened, looking at her hand then him.

"Don't worry I'll protect you, the copy alchemist."

"She smiled.

"I don't need protection."

The pulled up to the dorms, where she opened the door of the car, Mustang made a move to get out.

"Its alright. I can see myself to my room. Thank you for the ride. I will see you at seven hundred hours on Thursday."

They saluted each other; she closed the door, and made her way up the stairs, his eyes following her. Once inside, he started the car once more, and made his way to his apartment. It would one of the last nights of sleep that he would have in a long time.