Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist.
A/N: Hello all! I have had a few reviews wanting me to make the chapters longer and, while I do love longer chapter's as well, I think that these scenes need to have their very own page. When I wrote the original, the fic was in one document, but each section felt as if it needed to end, so now that I have that opportunity, I am going to take it. I think it also adds a bit of suspense when leaving the reader dangling at the edge of a giant cliff. While we all hate that, we do secretly love it as well, so forgive me the shorter chapters. Speaking of reviews, thank you to those who have been kind enough to leave reviews! It really makes my day when I see that I have a review, so if you are new to this fic, I always love reviews!
Now, I will leave you to the next chapter. Enjoy!
Sincerely,
Onyx Feloric
Brigadier General Grande kept his face a stoic mask when he saw the Fullmetal heading his way. The white bandages around his neck were dotted with blood from his wound and the fact that he was up and seemingly fine made the man almost shudder. There were very few who could survive a wound like that and live to talk about it, let alone walk around as if nothing happened. The metal arm, visible due to the face the sleeve had been violently ripped off in battle, reflected harshly off the lamplight of their makeshift command post as he approached. Instantly, the few faces brightened upon seeing the young Colonel.
His golden locks had somewhat broken free from it's customary braid and were spilling around his shoulders. He pulled the ribbon and proceeded to brush it out with his fingers while speaking softly. "I can't talk to much or my wound will reopen. What'd I miss?" He quickly began redoing his braid, his strange golden eyes focused solely on them.
The Brigadier General cleared his throat. "As we know, negotiations did not go as planned, so we need to come up with a plan to get to the central part of the city. This is where the leading members of the enemy forces are stationed and once they are taken out it will only be a matter of time before we can officially declare victory in our favor. I don't care how we do it, but it needs to be done soon. Any ideas?" All eyes looked to the Fullmetal, whose gold eyes were looking at the map intensely.
His braid redone, his metal finger went to the map and he slowly traced patterns throughout the city. He nodded slowly. "We'll go this route." The commanders followed his finger to the center of the city.
Another Colonel frowned. "How do you know this'll work, Colonel Elric? We have no idea how their forces are scattered about."
"This route here is the main route and this is where they will put the bulk of their men. There counting on the fact that we want to take the city as fast as we can and this main route leads straight to its center. We currently have them surrounded on all sides which makes escape hardly feasible without alchemic help, which we have already taken care of. These smaller passageways will be less guarded since they have not near enough men to hold all of them." He swallowed thickly as pain flared in his throat, but held it back. "This path is the most complicated, but it's the one they wouldn't count on us taking. We'll also need a distraction from the outside to draw out their forces away from the center. If we send small groups, with at least one alchemist in each, whatever's left of their troops will have to split up to fight. If we all go the same route from the beginning, there is a chance they could overpower us. Us splitting up will increase our chances of at least one team making it to the center, even if it's not the main team. Once the groups have entered the city, we can all meet up at this point at a specific time and then proceed into the central city." Fullmetal looked back up at the General. "As long as we have a distraction from the outside, using most of our forces, our chances of reaching the central of the city are decent. I imagine all their alchemists, but a few to guard the leaders, will be at the walls as well, making our mission even more likely to succeed."
The Brigadier General ran the plan through his mind. "What about getting those groups into the city?"
Edward looked at the map again. "There are sewage drains at these points around the city. If we focus the outside distraction towards the city gates, their troops should center there, giving a chance of access through those drains by a few squads. Although, it will have to be done quickly and quietly. If any of the rebels see the squad, they must be silenced. If they spread word to the front gates, the mission could be in jeapordy." The General nodded. "The main group can tunnel beneath the city and come up here. With mostly alchemists, it won't be too difficult to achieve. This location should also be fairely deserted once our troops hit the front gates. We can decide the exact time to meet in the city once we know the time to move."
It was the only plan they had so far. The General ran everything through his mind again and nodded. "Alright, Colonel. We'll need the strongest of us in the main team that tunnels under the city. Colonel Marcus, Therow, Jameson, Vilwin, Sypher, Andrews, and Ronvol, I want you to pick ten of your men and get me your list by tomorrow morning. We'll strike two days from now. I'll have specifics for you at 6.00 am. Dismissed. Stay, Fullmetal."
A few of the Colonel's gave Ed a pat on the back before they disappeared to their tents for the night. Once they were gone, Ed closed his eyes in pain and leaned against the table. The Brigadier General grabbed a chair. "Sit, Fullmetal." The blonde did not protest to the momentary mercy. Grande frowned. "You will be in charge of the main team, Fullmetal, so take the next day to get as much rest as possible. With six alchemists, you should have no trouble breaking through into the city."
Grande turned to the night air, his hands crossed behind his back at ease. "You are well aware of what victory means here, Fullmetal. If we win here, the rest is simply clean up and we can all go home. You will be the first out of here, Fullmetal." The Brigadier General turned around and looked into strange golden eyes. "From this moment forth, you are hereby promoted to Fullmetal Alchemist, General Edward Elric."
Ed's eyes widened, clearly caught off guard. "W-why?"
Grande allowed himself to smile for once. "You are my best strategist, Fullmetal, and I feel that it needs to be honored as so." He turned away and looked into the night. "The Fuhrer had doubts about your capability as a soldier, but you've proven yourself over and over again that you are worthy of such an honor. You've been in this war from start to finish, never requesting leave and that takes courage and it gives heart to the men who follow you. Your command has been the turning point in almost every battle we've faced and your ingenuity has proven itself time and time again." He turned back, his stoic mask back on. "I believe that I've given enough explanation. Go and get some rest. Dismissed."
A/N: As always, if you haven't read above, I love reviews!