Chapter 3
Colonel Mustang knew his way around the halls of Central HQ as if it were his own home. He didn't need to pay attention to where he was going, which was convenient because right now, paying attention was the last thing on his mind.
He stared absently at the floor ahead of him as his mind rewound and played the day's events over in his head.
o_o_o_o
Central had been attacked that day by a person who could best be described as a psychotic conspiracy theorist. He was an older man, probably in his fifties, with a crazed expression and a hairdo to match. And his physique was a little too ripped and bulky for a man his age. In general he looked like an Einstein on steroids. He kept screaming gibberish about the military having 'invented' alchemy as a means to take over the world.
He screamed the details of his theories at Central HQ through a bullhorn while standing in the middle of the street. At first Mustang, Fullmetal and a couple of the higher-ups who happened to be at the head quarters stood at the Colonel's window watching and listening as the lunatic yammered on. They were hoping that one of the few vehicles in the city would not see him and smash into him and hopefully end the disturbance then and there.
Unfortunately all the motorists either went around or stopped and stared in confusion. A small vain started to throb on Mustang's forehead. It was an embarrassment to have a lunatic causing such a commotion in front of his head quarters, especially with his superiors around.
"Well if nobody's gunna run this guy the fuck over, I will."
"Calm down Fullmetal. Let's try to resolve this peacefully before you go transmuting steamrollers."
"Ooh steam rollers! I didn't think of that. Thanks Colonel."
Mustang heaved a deep sigh and mumbled to himself, "Please let the peaceful approach work."
It didn't…
A few minutes later, Fullmetal and the Flame Alchemist exited the front doors of the building accompanied by a couple gunmen on either side of them. Hawk Eye was at her post on the roof of the next building with her rifle aimed and ready.
"Hello there!" Mustang called to the man standing in the street before them, "I am Colonel Mus…"
SHABOOOOM!
Mustang's attempt at diplomacy was rudely interrupted by a giant gnarly looking bolder that seemed to appear out of nowhere. It slammed into the staircase at the entrance of the building RIGHT in front of Mustang and his men. The lot of them sat on the ground where they had been knocked down by the impact. Fullmetal starred slack jawed down at his feet, which were mere inches from where the bolder had embedded itself in the marble stairs.
Colonel Mustang coughed and tried in vain to fan away the dust in the air. "That asshole! I had a whole speech planned."
Fullmetal got to his feet and scaled the giant rock to search for the crazy old man. But what he saw first was much more interesting. There was a giant crater in the ground where the man had been standing. That usually meant one thing. The young, volatile alchemist couldn't help but to grin.
"Hah! Looks like we're doing things my way, Colonel!"
After having a look at what Fullmetal was talking about, Mustang immediately gave orders to one of the nearby marshals to cordon off the surrounding area. He knew this was going to be a one big mess.
o_o_o_o
Mustang looked up at the telltale sound of clanking metal. There came Al, trotting down the hall towards him.
"Oh hey Colonel." Al said, stopping to greet the military officer.
"Hello Al," he paused to look over Al's shoulder, "is your brother with you?"
"No. I'm just running an errand for him. Do you need something?"
"I just wanted to apologize to him for what happened today. I suppose I should apologize to you too for injuring your brother. I'm sorry."
Al seemed to panic, waving his hands dismissively, "Oh no, you don't need to apologize to me. These things tend to happen when you're in the military."
Mustang simply "hmph'ed," He didn't really know what to say to the younger Elric. He wasn't very well versed in dealing with civilians in a formal manner. Especially not civilians that were related to an officer whom had recently been caught in his… 'crossfire.'
"B-but," Al broke the awkward silence, "if you want to talk to my brother, he's still in our room."
"Thanks kiddo," Mustang said curtly and patted Al on the poldren as he continued past him."
"Um… No problem."
He called me kiddo. Al thought bemused before he continued along his way as well.
Bad Temper: Hello my lovely readers. For those of you who appreciate BL don't worry, it is coming soon! Please stick with me. :) And R&R!
