Geist Abend (Ghost Evening)

Three Months After The Promised Day Incident

The cell was cold. Unnaturally cold. Alphonse drew himself into a ball about himself, only breathing when his damaged and battered body could handle it. The silence was killing what little hope he had left. Only moments before the air had been filled with screams as the Drachmans cut down another group of prisoners with heavy machine gun fire. He nearly vomited at the sound of the corpses wet with blood hitting the stone floor of the courtyard outside.

They had been captured two days ago by a Drachman patrol near to the border with Aerugo. Without Ed's easy access to alchemy, they couldn't do much about it. It was stupid and Alphonse knew it. They had been looking for a way to bring back Ed's alchemy across the country for a year and had caused a lot of trouble with the Drachman Government. The Premier had gone as far as to send the Nostal, the Drachman Secret Police after them.

But they had been captured and dumped in some forsaken frozen hellhole outside the city limits of the capital Moskvi. Alphonse didn't know where Ed was and was getting increasingly worried. He had been carted off by the guards about an hour ago for 'treatment'. Alphonse didn't trust them when they said they just wanted to help Ed. He was not some little kid. He had a pretty good idea of what they could have done to Ed. The lack of screaming didn't help either. Ed had an unnatural pain threshold.

He tried not to think of Mei and Winry back home, worrying about the two of them, about all their friends waiting for them back in Central or Rush Valley or even Teacher in Dublith. She was going to kill them when she found out ... if they survived. The sound of footsteps and the squeak of gurney wheels snapped him out of his trance. He gulped as they stopped outside his cell. The sound of the key turning in the lock seemed to last an eternity as the frozen bolt was snapped back and the door swung open, only for a moment.

The bruised body of Edward Elric was thrown into the cell and landed with a sick thud. Al couldn't move until the door was closed again, but his first look over Ed's form confirmed his suspicions. There were burn marks around the base of his neck, where a soldering iron had been applied to his skin. Lacerations and small cuts covered his bare torso, where dark, ugly bruises were already forming. Several of his toes were bent unnaturally, suggesting fractures and breaks.

Tears of horror began to run down Alphonse's face, and he leapt to Edwards's side, supporting his head as Ed's eyes fluttered open and he coughed weakly through cracked lips, spitting up blood. His mouth moved, but no words came out. Alphonse leaned in closer to hear what his brother was saying. Al heard nine distinct words which brought a desperate smile to his face. They took my arm but they didn't take me. Al began to weep, cradling his brother against his chest, who was clutching the new stump of his right arm.

The Drachman guard whistled cheerfully as he wheeled the cloth covered gurney towards the morgue again. It was a trying psychological experience for anyone to be interrogated because they happened in the morgue next to the bodies of their comrades. He suddenly felt the craving for a smoke and left the gurney against the side of the hall. The corridor was void of life, save for a small clicking noise. The click of six inch stiletto heels. An elegant gloved hand pulled away the sheet, revealing the arm of one Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist.

The owner of the gloved hand smirked. "This is Equivalent Exchange I believe, Mr Elric."

1010101

Three Months Later

Colonel Roy Mustang gazed out the window at the glittering lights of Central, which twinkled like a wave of stars in his dark eyes. He slouched further down on the chair and set his feet up on the window sill. The night hung like a heat haze over the city, smothering the populace in a blanket of warmth. It was a very warm summer. He straightened up and glanced around into the office. Jean Havoc sat snoring at his desk, cigarette behind his ear.

Breda and Falman were playing blackjack beside the first window, while Fuery was desperately trying and failing to get through Mustang's last pile of paperwork. Ah, delegation at its finest. Finally, Riza Hawkeye sat quietly at her desk with a thick hardback book in her hand, with Black Hayate sleeping soundly on her lap and her stroking him behind the ear.

He sighed and closed his eyes, wondering at how quiet things had gotten after the Elric Brothers had saved the whole nation from Father and the Homunculi at the Promised Day. There had been no activity from Scar, no expected rising in the East and no crazy murdering psychos like Chopper or the Slicer Brothers to occupy his time. Psiren had been sighted near South City, but that was hardly his concern. He had to admit, the midget and his younger brother had been fun to keep around, especially since he rose to whatever insult Roy poked at him. Good times.

Several buildings away, a figure watched him. The dark cloak was wrapped around him and kept the temperature well above normal, but no discomfort was shown. Through a pair of battered binoculars, he watched as Mustang left his office and the view. He grinned with anticipation. "There you are Zippo." He tapped a button on a wrist device and spoke into it. "Target obtained. Shall I begin surveillance? Over."

Another voice crackled back. "Maintain surveillance. Do not move from position until code is given. Over."

"Eyes are on fire. Roger that. Over and out." The receiver went offline and the figure resumed watching. His eyes picked up the movement of another silhouette moving towards the window of the staff office. He sighed and shook his head. "Revanovich. What are you doing here?"

1010101

Edward Elric was wary. Not the least obvious of statements to those who knew him, but he had reason to be. He and Al were under constant watch by the guards at Stryverok Camp, because of an incident in the exercise yard between him and another inmate, Yuri Pavlov. During which, Ed had put Yuri through the wall of the cell block for some perceived slight about his height, as per usual. The inmates had learned very quickly that you didn't insult the Elric Brothers.

For Amestrians, they were hardy and tough. They were also voted to be criminally insane. The eldest, Edward, was missing his right arm and his left leg was replaced by what seemed to be some of the most durable automail on the planet. He was about six foot tall, which was quite short by Drachman standards and had long blonde hair in a ponytail going down to his shoulders. His face was handsome and he had some thin golden stubble on his chin and jawline. His eyes were what freaked out several of the toughest inmates though. Deep golden orbs, which sent many older hardened criminals whimpering about the 'Curse of Xerxes' to the guards.

His brother Alphonse on the other hand, was something of an enigma to the inmates. He was quiet and reserved, not really doing much other than work and talk with his brother. That was what confused people at Stryverok. He was quiet. Too quiet for a man of his young age. His hair was shorter than Edward's but he was taller at about six foot three. His face was clean shaven and seemingly always smiling softly. His eyes were the same deep gold as his brother's but an onlooker couldn't help but notice a calmness that seemed to radiate from them and permeate the area. So different from his brother's which seemed to burn with an inner fire.

The prison yard was mostly empty, save for a few lingering guards and shivering prisoners gathered around a burning oil drum. Edward and Alphonse always stayed out of the way, not moving into any disputes or arguments, unless Edward was provoked. Al shivered under his winter coat, while Ed's eyes darted around the yard, analyzing the guard patterns for any break in their defences. He had been trying to escape for just under a month now, ever since his recovery from the amputation.

The sun was beginning to set, bathing the courtyard in a glare of orange. The two Elrics turned to each other and nodded, before heading back inside to their cell. It would be easier to gather intelligence in the morning. The cell was practically bare, save for a bunk bed and a table and chair. On the wall was written in Amestrian: "The Elrics were here 3/7/21." Ed was bored two days after his full recovery and decided to leave their mark.

Al sneezed as the dropping temperatures began to get to him. Edward's face was continually wincing with the pain of his automail adjusting to the cold. The quiet was beginning to set in for the night, which always had an effect on him. Having been on the move across Amestris for most of his teenage life, he had grown used to noise. It was too quiet around here. Or it was. The force of a large explosion shook the cell and its two inhabitants from their stupor.

The sound of massed gunfire ripped through the prison block, making Edward's eyes light up with fire. Then as soon as it had begun, the fire stopped. Both brothers looked out through the bars into the courtyard. A line of dishevelled Drachman soldiers was bowed on the ground, hands behind their heads. The only sound was that of crisp footsteps. The brothers could only see the feet of the invaders, encased in hardened black leather boots. A monotone voice came across the silent courtyard.

"Objective complete ma'am. Confirmed kills: 60. Casualties: 34. POWs: 21. What are your orders ma'am?"

A pair of heeled boots came across their field of vision, followed by what seemed to be a large suit of armour. A strong feminine laugh rang across the courtyard. "What are the composition of POWs, commander? You know we can't let them live." That chilled Edward to the bone.

"Nostal Operatives: 6. Drachman Prison Service: 15. What are your orders ma'am?"

"There are survivors of the little bear's pack here? Well we can't have that can we? Neutralize them. Chloroform the guards. Leave no evidence we were here." Six shots rang out and Ed growled at the needless deaths that this woman ordered. The other guards soon fell to the floor unconscious. "Spread out. Search every cell. I want them found now!"

"Understood ma'am."

Another voice came across, seemingly amused. "Are you sure they're here? It wouldn't be the first time you've got this wrong, your Majesty." A resounding clang meet Edward's ears as the woman smashed the armour with something blunt.

"Call me that again Obsidian, and I'll give you to Miss Simone." The female voice broached no argument.

"I'll behave Whiplash." There was actual fear present in the man's voice.

A shiver spread down Edward's back. He knew this couldn't be good.