Hello again! Wow, I think this is a new record; the smallest amount of time it's taken me to update. Haha, well within the past week, I analyzed, psychoanalyzed, erased, rewrote, then erased, and wrote back this chapter as well as several others. The arrows drawn out on the papers surprise even myself. The story might be moving a little slow, but I hope as it continues I can piece together the whole puzzle. It's just so hard moving the plot of a story from my head to paper, ya know? Anyhow, time for me to stop rambling. Happy reading! Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist. Just Harley.

"You're not coming with us, Major Miles", I asked while getting my packing in order.

"I would if I could, Dupre, but Buccaneer and I need to hold down the fort while the general is away."

"Oh Major", I frowned, "you can call me by my first name when Aunty Olivier isn't around."

He chuckled and patted my head, "No can do, Corporal. Have to keep things professional", his shades slid slightly down the bridge of his nose, so you noticed his red eyes gleam. "Now get a move on. You know as well as anyone to never keep General Armstrong waiting."

"I know, I know", I zipped up my duffel bag, along with my jacket, and slipped on my white gloves. I felt a single ray of sunlight for over half a year. I couldn't wait to shed this off.

"Alright, Major", I saluted, "I'm off."

"See you soon", he replied, "Remember to stick to General Armstrong. No wandering around as you like to do."

I chuckled, "No promises, Major."

I ran out of the fort opening, hoping that I beat the general to the awaiting car.

No such luck.

"So I see that you decided to take your sweet time getting here. Did I not tell you I was being summoned for something urgent?" her eyes narrowed.

"Sorry, M'am", I straightened stiffly, "I-I had some last minute packing preparations and-"

"Excuses are unacceptable. Once we've arrived in Central you're carrying out all the luggage to our temporary inhabitance."

Ugh, I groaned inwardly. Aunt Olivier always brought heavy luggage on long distance trips…or so I'm told.

"Into the car, Corporal. The sooner we get there, the better."

"Yes, M'am!" I put my duffel bag in the trunk and slipped into the backseat beside her. Being in the warm car, sheltered from the cold snow and even colder temperatures, gave me a sort of comfy feeling. Aunty Olivier's icy silence, however, didn't.

"So…um…General?"

"Mm?" her only way of acknowledging me.

"When we get to Central, where are we staying exactly?" I held my chin in my fist, and looked out the window; hoping to appear nonchalant.

"If you must know, we're staying at the Armstrong Estate. I'm sure that gives you ample time to catch up with the family."

"Really? So I get to see Uncle Alex, Aunty Amue and Strongine, Cousin Catherine, and Mama and Papa Philip?"

"If I hadn't made that clear before, then yes, you will."

I wanted to bounce up and down in my seat, but instead I replied, "Okay." I needed to try harder to become professional. I want to become more reliable for Aunty, General!, Olivier. And the first thing I was going to do when we arrived in Central City was show the general how much of a good corporal I could be.

"Another mile 'til we're off the mountain", called our driver.

I folded my arms impatiently, but quickly put them back in my lap so Aunty, General, Olivier wouldn't notice.

The time passed slowly, and Olivier wasn't exactly chatty either. We only stopped a few times on the way to pump gas into the car and we were in the Central area after a couple of days. I entertained myself by tracing a circle with various runes I had picked up from somewhere on the window. For a short time I placed my hand on the window, surveying the landscape outside, then turned my attention back to the road ahead.

"Is there a draft in here? Please close the window", shivered the driver.

I looked at the General's window, and it was shut; sealed tight.

I didn't feel anything, not that I could with my large jacket, but I decided to look over. In the center of the glass was a small hole, with a whistle of air blowing through. And the hole was right where I had drawn the circle. "I…I don't know how to cover up the whole…"

"What hole?" asked Olivier and the driver in unison.

"The one in the window…"

"For goodness sake's, Corporal. How did you cut a hole in the window?"

"M'am, I don't know. It just...showed up…"

The driver sighed, "Now settle down back there. However you did it, you need to undo it. Besides…", he cocked his head toward a congruent window, "I need to get this old clunker looked at anyway. We're already near Central City. If you can't fix it, there's gonna be someone who can. So don't worry."

I looked down at my hands forlornly. We hadn't even reached Central City yet, and I had already messed something up. Olivier didn't look disappointed, but I felt some disapproval, "Ah-Alright, Sir."

Soon the gloomy silence of the car was flooded with a mix of sounds from the outside streets once the driver opened the windows. We were in Central! And it was just how I remembered it.

"So where ya headed?" asked the driver.

"Take us to Central Command", Olivier requested.

"Aye, M'am."

Only 30 or so minutes later, we sat outside the moat of Central Command. It was gigantic; it had hardly changed a bit.

General Olivier, who had stepped out of the car, said, "Keep the car parked down there. We'll be inside for about an hour or so, and then we're coming out. Corporal Dupre, let's go."

"Yes, M'am!" I called after her, trying to keep up.

Once inside, I did my best not to get trampled as I trailed behind her. Farther on, I spotted a familiar tall and muscular man with a blond moustache and a cowlick to match.

"Uncle Alex!" I waved my hand high, catching his attention.

"Silence, Corporal", General Armstrong spat, "We're not here for a family gathering. You will speak only when spoken to, and stay by my side at all times."

I immediately placed my raised hand behind my back, my braids swishing around with my movements, "Yes, sir, General Armstrong."

When Uncle Alex approached, I kept my demeanour serious and business like.

"Sister! What brings you here to Central, and you brought Harlene with you. How has she been doing up in the North?" his eyes twinkled.

General Olivier found her foot stepping on Uncle, Major, Alex's. His twinkle turned into a wince. "Do be careful Major to only address me as General. I don't see a coward such as yourself fit to call me 'sister'. Corporal Dupre's sufficiency to my battalion has been inadequate. I enlisted her because she was transferred there, but I know it was you that recommended her", she lifted her foot. "Come now, Harlene."

I followed, keeping my focus straight ahead, but while I passing Major Armstrong, he whispered into my ear, "Chin up, Harley. Olivier is tough, but I know you can handle it."

"Yes, sir", I smiled lightly, "I'll do my best."

"Harlene, wait out here", ordered Olivier before she entered the room.

I took my post by the door; standing silently. The soldiers walking back and forth looked busy and moved with purpose. Seeing their shoulders decorated with stars, and jackets with medals just set a spark in me. My fascination consumed my attention, so I failed to notice the tall raven-haired man standing in front of me.

"Excuse me, excuse me, Miss. I need to get inside. There's a meeting I'm late for." he smiled politely.

There was a weird thump in my chest, "Mm? Oh, sorry", I saluted and then proceeded to step aside.

He chuckled, "It's quite alright. Just keep your head out of the clouds, ok?"

"Yes, sir!"

The door swung open, and General Olivier and other military personnel filed out.

The man's kind smiled morphed into a small smirk. His became demeanour more playful, and his tone flirtatious, "Well, well, well. If it isn't General Olivier Armstrong. Long time no see."

Did he know Aunty Olivier?

"Ah, Colonel Mustang. It's my greatest displeasure to see you."

He responded with a hearty laugh, "It's not too late for us to go out to dinner. I have work, but I can move things around."

"A man who places pleasure above duty. A dog. Harlene, we're leaving."

"Right", I began moving after her. I felt his smile even as we had gone beyond the moat walls.

I hoped this moved the story along a little more, and introduced the relationships Harley has with other characters. I'm terrible with maps, but I looked at one of Amestris to judge the time and distance it would take them to ride from Fort Briggs to Central City. If I've made a mistake, then anyone who has a better understanding of this, I give you free liberty to correct me. By the way, does anyone know how to make those line breaks. Shift + Enter just doesn't seem to be working. Until next time.