Olivier and Edward walked through Fort Briggs to the Eastern Cell Block where the spy was being held. As Ed looked around the fort, he couldn't help noticing the lack of people. He only saw a few military personnel. Fort Briggs seemed too quiet. Maybe more people have disappeared than they let on, Ed thought.

The snowstorm outside was picking up. Although Ed couldn't see it, he could hear the wind howling. He hoped it died down soon, as he worried it could interfere with his finding Alphonse.

"Here we are," Olivier said, stopping in front of a cell.

Ed looked through the bars and got a shock. The person in there looked as if he was only a teenager. He had pale skin and a small build. His eyes were a strange shade of gray and he had a thin face. His chestnut-colored hair stuck up in little spikes. His clothes were all black, probably for stealth.

"This is the spy?" Ed asked.

"Yes. We found him passed out in the snow, with credentials proving he worked for the Drachman military," Olivier said.

He didn't look like an evil spy. If Ed had to guess, he would say the boy looked like he was younger than Alphonse, like an innocent child. Seeing him there, stuck behind bars, made Ed feel bad for the Drachman.

Stop that, he thought. Don't pity him, he's the reason Al's not here. He's working for the people that took him.

"Right," Edward said, looking the boy straight in the eyes, "You're going to tell us everything you know, then take us to wherever you're keeping Alphonse and the other prisoners."

"Why would I do that?" The spy said, sneering at Edward.

"Because you don't have any other options," Olivier said. "You're our prisoner, and as long as I'm in charge here, you're going to do what I say, understood?"

He gave her a sly smile. Despite being trapped in a cell, he seemed pretty nonchalant. "Sorry, lady, but you're never gonna make me talk. You can threaten me all you want, but I'd die before I gave away any secrets."

Olivier snarled. She started to say something, but was interrupted by a sudden yell: "EDWARD ELRIC!"

Out of nowhere, Alex Louis Armstrong popped up, all seven feet of him. He grabbed Ed and pulled him into a crushing hug.

"You poor boy! You and your brother have gone through so much, and finally got your bodies back, to only be torn away from each other once more! You two deserve to be together! IT'S SO TRAGIC!" Alex boomed, tears streaming down his face as Edward struggled to escape his grip, cursing creatively.

Ed eventually managed to free himself. He stood there, gasping for breath. At least Alex had kept his shirt on.

"Alex, you pathetic idiot, what are you doing?! We're interrogating a prisoner here!" Olivier said.

"Dear sister, the moment I heard Edward Elric was here, I had to come! It is just so sad that his brother is missing! IT MAKES ME CRY EVERY TIME I THINK ABOUT IT!"

Olivier scowled at him. "Sniveling baby."

"Hold on a moment," the spy said. Everyone turned to look at him. "You're Edward Elric? The Fullmetal Alchemist?"

"Er... Yeah, I guess," Edward said, not bothering to explain that he couldn't do alchemy anymore. Better to not give away too much information.

"And your brother is Alphonse Elric..." the spy thought about that for a moment. "Alright. I'll help you. I know where he is."

"What?" Ed asked, not sure he heard correctly. "You're going to help me?"

"Why the sudden change of heart?" Olivier asked.

"Um... Well I-I know your story and all the stuff you went through. You and your brother, I mean. And... I can relate. My brother died when I was younger, and my leg..." He lifted up his right pant leg to show that it was made of metal.

"Oh," Ed said. "Sorry." He knew that it was a weak response, but what was he supposed to say? He had already decided not to pity the kid, but knowing that there was someone else who had gone through the same pain he had was just too much. Nobody deserved a life like that.

"So you're an alchemist?" Ed asked. The spy nodded. "And you committed the ultimate sin..."

He didn't say anything. They all were silent for a moment until Olivier grabbed Ed's arm. "Can we talk about this for a moment?"

She, Ed, and Alex moved out of earshot from the spy. "Edward, are you sure you trust this boy? I think he's lying about why he wants to help you."

Ed thought so too, but he didn't say so. "Look," he said, "right now he's our best lead to finding Alphonse. I don't want to do this, but I don't have any other option."

"He's a Drachman spy. He's working for the enemy, and he will betray you, it's bound to happen," Olivier said.

"I know that, but I have to do this."

She sighed in defeat. "Fine, but I'm going to keep a close eye on him."

"Don't worry, sister. I will make sure he does no harm to you," Alex said.

"I don't need your protection!"

They went back to the cell. Olivier took out a key. "Listen up, maggot," she said. "I am going to let you out. In exchange, you will bring us to where Drachma is keeping the prisoners. If you try to run, use alchemy, resist us, or help the Drachmans, I will not hesitate to kill you, understood?"

"Sure," he said. "And if I help you, you'll let me go?"

"I won't make any promises." She unlocked the cell and let him out. Ed tensed, expecting him to attack, but he simply stretched and yawned.

"So are you ready?" he asked.

"Yeah, let's go," Edward said, but Alex stopped him.

"Hold on, Edward. Don't you need Northern automail?"

"Nah, I'm good," Ed replied. He was anxious to get going and find Alphonse, and didn't want to waste time with automail. "I'll be fine. I'll just find Alphonse and go. It'll be quick."

"Don't be foolish! You need to fix your automail," Alex told him. "You could get into trouble if you don't."

Edward sighed in exasperation. "Look, there just isn't enough time! We have to find Alphonse as soon as possible. I'm not going to delay us for no reason."

Alex closed his eyes and let out a breath. "Edward Elric, your stubbornness will get you into trouble one day, but I can see there is no persuading you. If you insist on leaving now, then so be it."

Olivier looked at the spy. "So how do we get there?"

"There's a series of underground tunnels under Fort Briggs we used to kidnap the soldiers. We can go through there to reach the jail."

Olivier stared at him with a shocked look on her face. "Wait, this whole time you've been underneath us, and I didn't know? Dammit, I don't believe this..."

"Don't blame yourself, Olivier," Alex said to her. "You couldn't have done anything about it."

"I could have," she murmured. "Briggs used to be impenetrable. Now, I think I'm losing my touch. It might be better if I retired..."

"Don't even say that! You're the best leader Briggs has ever had!"

"Not anymore," Olivier sighed. "That's not of importance now. Let's find Alphonse and the missing soldiers."

"This way," the spy said. He led them down a series of hallways, not making a single wrong turn, until they ended up in a basement. He lifted up a loose floorboard, revealing a ladder leading downwards.

"How do you know your way around here so well? It's like you've memorized Fort Briggs." Ed asked.

The spy turned back and looked at him, giving a knowing smile. "I already told you I wouldn't tell any of my country's secrets. I told you about the tunnels. That should be enough."

"Fair enough," Ed replied. "One more question."

The two boys locked eyes. "What's your name?" Ed asked.

The spy laughed. "If I told you that, I'd be betraying my country. Just know that it's something that has to be kept secret."

With that, he climbed down the ladder.

Author's Note: Hmm, felt like this chapter was just a bunch of filler. Oh well, the next chapter will be better. ;)

Thank you to all the people who have left reviews, I really appreciate it! I'm probably gonna update less frequently now that my spring break is over. (#schoolsucks) :P

Happy Late Easter!

~ Ice Inferno