Battle Cry
Chapter 4
Our Wills and Fates Do Contrary Run
The place was familiar to him even though it was enveloped in darkness and his eyes hadn't yet adjusted to the lack of light. There was a feel to it that was unmistakable, ominous yet comforting in it's familiarity. He felt the worn floorboards beneath his bare feet and knew his way down the hallway, around the corner and to the room emitting a soft glow. It was reassuring, it was home, and Ed wanted to believe that this time when he made it to the study there would be a different result than every other time he had this dream.
Every time he had the dream he went to the light, back to the room where everything had gone wrong. He couldn't stop himself, no more than anyone could have stopped that younger version of him from committing that taboo. He wanted a different result from this dream and his past, just like he expected a different result from human transmutation than any other alchemist had managed. It was with that same feeling of hope and pride that he marched into that study and felt it drain away as he saw the circle on the ground. The edges of the room were pitch black, an empty void that just sucked away any optimism or bravery he had.
The chalk outline began to glow as he fully committed to standing in the room. The warmth was gone and he could see his breath fog in front of him. Warmth meant love and safety, the cold was the chill of loneliness and failure. Ed wanted to turn away, he wanted to scream that he was sorry for his naivety. His mouth opened and tears began to roll down his cheeks, he was nothing but a fool for thinking this would turn out any different than it had before. He could see the edge of the chalk outline on the ground so clearly now and knew that if he took another step further he would see it again. He could hear it shuffling in the darkness, a low moan of agony from an incomplete human creation.
This was not a new nightmare but it was now more intense. He was scared of the movement in the darkness and panicked by the failure of the transmutation, but there was something else here. He turned slowly and checked behind him as he felt a presence. The smell of something cooking and burning wafted up from the ground as the smoke from the transmutation clouded the room. He turned back to the circle where he knew that creation was and moved towards it. He knew why this nightmare was taking a new horrible turn and he actually wanted to go back to the hell that he already knew.
Then he tripped. His face hit the ground and a puff of chalk hit him in the face. He rubbed his eyes and looked up at the face of that horrendous creature. It's head was upside down, mouth agape and eye sockets hollow...an arm was sticking out of it's chest. Suddenly the stink enveloped him, the smell of burned flesh and hair and he screamed as the eye sockets crackled and ooze dribbled out of them. He tried to pull back but he flipped over instead and rolled onto that charred Aerugian soldier.
This time the man was still alive. His mouth was open but his tongue was burned and liquified, his whole mouth was sloughing off skin. Teeth fell from his gums and into his throat to choke back the gurgles of a scream he couldn't vocalize. Then the creature in the circle hovered over him and a pitiful voice said, "Why?"
Ed shot up in bed, completely soaked in sweat. He shook as he looked around the empty tent and tried to calm himself from the nightmare. He threw off the blanket, pulled his legs to his chest and set his head on his knees, desperately trying to slow his heart rate and get himself under control. Waking up like this wasn't uncommon, but he was now worried about what his bunkmates would think when they were present for it. It was bad enough when Al saw him wake up like this, but that was his brother.
Ed sat up straight and rubbed his eyes so he could look around at the tent. He could hear the camp coming to life beyond the tent walls, a bugle sounded in the distance and there was a clank of cups as someone distributed coffee outside. He relaxed and looked at the empty beds. Kimblee's was still undisturbed from when he left last night and Mustang's was made. He pulled the tie from his hair and unbraided it so he could brush it.
Then he froze when he realized he had fallen asleep last night while going through Al's letters. He looked around his bed slowly, there was no sign of them. He ran his hand through his hair and yanked on it, painfully tugging on the roots to punish himself for leaving such material out for anyone to find. He looked down at his rucksack which was propped up against Mustang's cot and he stared at it. Nothing was how he left it. If he fell asleep decoding letters he wouldn't have a blanket on when he woke and his bag would have been on the floor with clothes everywhere like he left it last night.
He leaned over and grabbed the bag and opened it, the letters were neatly stacked and tied with the string again and his notebook was nestled between some shirts. He looked up at Mustang's bed and sighed. The bastard had cleaned up after him and tossed a blanket on him after he fell asleep. It was really getting hard to stay mad at the guy.
Ed pulled out his hair brush and ran it through his hair as he thought about the letters again. He couldn't believe he had been so blind and foolish to think Al would just play it safe without him and be oblivious to the danger he was in. He grabbed his notebook and set it on his lap so he could look it over as he brushed his hair and rebraided it. He felt his heart pound with excitement now, beating life back into his body as he realized that there was hope still. Of course he would use the cats as code, anyone who knew Al would dismiss it as simply his personal obsession with felines and not a secret message to his brother.
Unfortunately there was also a lot he couldn't make sense of. In addition to the cat names, Al talked about restaurants and places he wanted to eat when he got his body back. He knew that it was code now, he just had no idea what he was working with. The bugle sounded again and he knew he would have to get up and at least make it seem like he was trying to be a soldier. He changed and found his uniform jacket, gunbelt and boots and tried to compose himself to be a functioning adult today.
He sighed and looked at his automail arm and remembered when he thought taking charge of his life and Al's was all that was needed to fill the need of an adult in their life. What had adults done for them but leave them? He was going to do the job better and prove that he didn't need them anyway. He didn't need his damned father who walked out on them and he was going to save their mother from death when adults couldn't help save her. He was ready to take on the world and in his mind he wasn't a kid anymore.
Yesterday he was overcome with it all and realized that there was so much more to taking care of himself and Al, that there was a very heavy and almost debilitating weight of responsibility he had accepted when he chose to bypass his childhood. As the arrogance and fury ebbed, he was just a damned kid underneath it all. At fifteen he had seen so much already, but the cruelty of nature was nothing when compared to the mercilessness of man. He felt it immediately when he put on his uniform jacket this morning and wished he didn't resent an inanimate object so much.
Ed finished dressing and grabbed the notebook before heading out of the tent and into the world again. He had to quit dwelling on his predicament and his past, there was going to be no way to get out of this without doing so. To constantly look behind you meant you were never looking forward and there were too many people in his life counting on him to move forward. He found his way to the rekindled campfire and sat down to try to make sense of Al's message and quit living in yesterday. Staring at the fire helped him remember that and he pulled out his watch and clicked it open.
Don't Forget 3-OCT-11
No, he wasn't going to forget that day. There was nowhere else to go but forward and this journey was far from over. He snapped it shut as he saw Lieutenant Breda coming over to greet him.
"Hey, Chief." Breda set the coffee cup and oatmeal down in front of Ed and then sat down. He shoved a roll in his mouth and munched loudly before looking over his list of topics for discussion that he had in his pocket. Once he was certain he wouldn't spit crumbs in Ed's face he started talking. "So the Colonel asked me to give you a crash course on being an officer since you missed out on the academy."
"Where is he?" Ed asked.
"Meeting." Breda sat down and swallowed the last of the roll. "He and Kimblee are arguing their points on where to march next and when."
"I didn't think they had that kind of pull." Ed replied.
"Most alchemists don't, but Kimblee and Mustang are a different breed. They've both got a head for strategy and warfare." Breda slurped his coffee. "The General is pretty happy about that."
"I can imagine." Ed said and put his notebook on his lap and reached for 'breakfast'. He pulled the spoon out of the off white sticky slop that he could only identify as glue. "Are we using this to put up posters or patch holes in the tents?"
Breda chuckled. "Use it to fend off starvation. That's oatmeal."
"Did they throw in the entire box with it?" Ed sniffed at it and it didn't have a scent at all.
"Did you ever read the 'Art of War' book I gave to you after your alchemy fight with Mustang?" Breda asked. Ed had been so bent out of shape from the loss that he wanted to read up on whatever book Mustang's quotes came from. He wanted a rematch and to ensure the victory was as sweet as possible, he wanted to rub the Colonel's face in all the quotes he used.
"Yeah, but that was more like poetry than a manual of death." Ed mumbled and handed Breda his cup with oatmeal in it.
"True, but it's memorable and digestible." Breda pulled the semi-solid oatmeal off the spoon with his teeth.
"Unlike that oatmeal."Ed mumbled and remembered that Breda was trying to tell him something yesterday before Kimblee interrupted: Mustang lost too many people already, people who were well trained and capable. As Breda savored the tasteless breakfast, Ed noticed the Lieutenant had lost some weight since this campaign began. It made sense, they were on rations and he was notorious for snacking all day long. Still, there was something more to the leaner Breda and Ed guessed to was because he left someone important behind too. Havoc. Then he thumbed his notebook and recalled the elements in Al's notes that he couldn't figure out. "Lieutenant?"
"Mmmm?" Breda continued to suck the oatmeal off the spoon and looked over at Ed as he placed a notebook on his lap.
"Al's been visiting Lieutenant Havoc in the hospital and I was wondering if you two ever had some code that he might suggest using to get information to us." Ed said and watched Breda's face light up when he heard Havoc's name. They had been best friends since the academy, much like Mustang and Hughes.
Breda grinned as he saw a list of restaurants, street vendors and food items. "No, but it looks like we have one now."
Ed sat up straight and handed him a pencil. "Can you help me decode it? I understand Al's system but this isn't something I think I'm meant to understand."
Thanks Jean. "Well let's put off your officer's training until later then, this is more important. These are places we used to go to on weekends when we were in the academy. Havoc was a country boy who was raised on home cooked meals and he hadn't had much in the way of flavorful entrees. I love Mrs. Havoc like a second Mom, but she never spent a dime on spices in her life. Bland but hearty."
Ed smiled. He missed home cooking, but traveling afforded him the opportunity to try different cuisines and he understood that statement pretty well. "Prepares you for the army I guess."
"Not unless you were slopped with the pigs." Breda snorted and began to circle and underline letters as he tried to find a code within the names listed.
"I think Al is still working on finding out what happened during the Prince's visit. Can you tell me what happened during the inquest?" Ed asked and Breda looked at him surprised. "The Central Times covered it...but I don't want second hand biased reports."
"Ed, what happened during the military trials was nothing factual, it was just an elaborate effort to appease the public, railroad Hawkeye and start a war. You're right, what the paper printed was sensationalized bullshit, but it still had the stamp of approval from the military. Not much is printed in the paper that will lead people to question the government."
"I'd still like to hear what went on, even if it wasn't a real trial and was more of a dictation of events." Ed said and decided to explain himself. "Part of deconstructing and reconstructing the process requires that I have every bit of knowledge available. When I was looking for leads in Central with Al, I swear someone was always a step ahead of us to erase the information we needed. If I knew what was being said, what was being used against the Colonel, then I have to treat that as an element that was part of the reaction that caused us to be here."
"The absence of evidence is evidence." Breda nodded. "I agree with you about the trial against Mustang, whatever was said was what the military wanted to be written down as history. So that is our motive, that is the end that justified the means and is probably the exact opposite of what actually happened."
"So what really happened?" Ed asked.
Breda sighed. "Let's work on this and then when the Colonel gets back we'll bring him in on it. I think you need to hear his side too."
"He's not big on sharing." Ed huffed.
"That's going to have to change because you are technically his second in command." Breda said and watched Ed's eyes grow wide.
"You've been busy." Mustang sat on his cot and looked over the notes that Breda and Ed had been making all day while he was stuck arguing with Kimblee over the direction the army should take. Kimblee was pushing to have the alchemists move out immediately and pursue the enemy, striking at them before they could flee. He was transparent, all he was trying to do was avoid losing his prey when the enemy retreated in advance of the main army's approach. The rest of the officers just sat back in amazement, they were not expecting the alchemists to be able to do anything but sit and take orders.
"Falman was able to recite every bit of evidence that was presented at trial and I could at least share my skepticism about the testimony that had been provided..." Breda gave a smile as Mustang's eyes flashed up at him.
"Be careful." Roy warned.
Breda knew he wasn't warning him to not speak ill of the military's justice system, but because the search for truth had cost him too many people already. "Just Ed and I discussing the procedures and policies of the military...like you asked, sir."
Roy gave him a smirk and went back to reading Ed's notes. "Keep up the good work, Lieutenant."
Ed watched the Colonel's eyes scan the time line and information they had compiled. It felt good to work and research, it kept his mind completely occupied and helped him feel like he was still capable. "Al's letters confirm that Prince Claudio is not the real Prince. That's fact from the guy's own sister."
"That's really the only information we need to concern ourselves with right now." Roy said and looked over to Ed. "Is Al really looking for the impostor even though he's supposed to be under Armstrong's supervision?"
"Well he's being careful." Breda said. "Al visits Havoc when Catherine Armstrong goes to visit him. They're aware they are being watched."
Roy smiled, this was good news. That date he set up was really coming in handy now! "OK, tell me what you have put together. Let's see if we can't fill in all the gaps and see if we can't provide them with information they need. Remember, everyone who was part of that trial is here or in jail."
"As far away from the scene of the crime as we can get." Breda said and noted Mustang's nod. "Plus our team has been broken up. Sure half of us are here, but our minds are still back in Central with Havoc, Hawkeye and Al. Sir, you're away from all your contacts. Ed is now contained and no longer roaming the country."
"Divide and conquer." Roy said simply. "We were getting in someone's way."
"See that's what has been bothering me since this all began." Ed said. "When we were investigating, every lead we followed lead us to a dead end. It's not like our quest to find the philosopher's stone, this was a crime in a highly populated area and there is no way an attack like this left no evidence behind."
"Ed, the military scoured the area and collected the evidence." Roy said and watched Ed's eyes. The kid needed this, he needed to have somewhere else he could be when he closed his eyes or turned them away from the battlefield. He had seen how easily he could be lost in his research and he had also seen how easily he was lost in his nightmares when he woke him this morning. He was going to be too busy with the war and trying to counter Kimblee's move while protecting Ed, that he needed them to make sense of all this for him.
"I want to reconstruct the entire visit and see what we missed." Ed said and
"Very well." Roy said. He was reluctant to participate because so much he had been privy to was simply not appropriate to share with two officers of a lesser grade. However this was his team, they knew probably the most compromising truths he had...something that had also put his people in danger. There was so much he could openly share with Hughes, the man was almost an equal in rank and also handled sensitive information daily. He'd answer what Ed asked, he really didn't need to divulge everything.
Ed's eyebrows furrowed in annoyance. Apparently the Colonel expected him to lead him along through his memories. "When were you brought in on the security detail?"
"When Claudio was already on his way to Central." Roy said and stared at the notebook on the table as he replayed the events in his mind. "The Fuhrer visited me in the hospital when Havoc and I were recovering from our battle with Lust. He informed me of the visit and that he was putting me in charge of the Prince's well being."
"Why?" Ed asked.
"When the Fuhrer gives you an order you say, 'Yes, sir' and not 'Why?'." Roy snorted.
"So you kill a homunculus and suddenly you're given this honor of being set up to take the fall for the assassination of the Prince?" Ed said. He wanted to kick himself for even bothering to ask Mustang questions before. However the Colonel was out of reach, on more than just physical accounts. Three months ago they wouldn't have been able to have this conversation.
"I wasn't." Roy replied coldly. "Hawkeye is."
"You're also going to tell me that she missed?" Ed said. "That is evidence enough that she wasn't trying to kill the guy."
"That is evidence that someone stopped her." Roy said and closed his eyes. "Otherwise the man would be dead and the knowledge that we have regarding his identity as a fraud would have lead to her being a free woman."
Ed could feel the silence and looked up as Mustang hung his head. "You...stopped her from killing the Prince?"
"Well technically your orders were to protect the Prince." Breda said and watched their always collected Colonel finally rub his eyes and give a heavy sigh.
"The real Prince is probably dead if there was an impostor." Roy mumbled. "We don't have much of a chance of proving Hawkeye innocent because in doing so...we show a vulnerability in our military. We didn't do our research, we had no idea the guy was a fake and suddenly we allow him into Central and roll out the red carpet for his terrorist organization. That makes the Fuhrer look like a fool. Finding this man, whoever he is, will only lead to more people being silenced."
"Good thing I like pointing out flaws in the Fuhrer's security protocol." Ed said with a smile and felt it fade from his face when Mustang didn't even react.
Breda tapped his finger on the notepad. "Claudio worked with Ishvalian extremists and mercenaries during the war. That narrows down the location of his contacts. He wouldn't have escaped South where the armies were on a temporary case-fire thanks to the peace talks. He would have gone East and slipped across the border through there. "
"East City." Roy ran his finger down the notepad and took in the notations and code they had worked on. "Al's not using Miss Rockbell to get information to them is he?"
"No, Havoc is passing information to East City through Lieutenant Catalina." Breda replied.
Roy head shot up. "Catalina? Are you sure?"
Ed wasn't expecting that kind of reaction. "Yeah, Al talked about going to some street vendor on Market Street called Sizzlin Chicken. Apparently they're known for their chicken skewers marinated in Catalina dressing."
"It's a sure thing." Breda felt his mouth begin to water. "That place is one of a kind."
Ed wasn't sure why this lead to Mustang slapping the notebook down on the cot in frustration. "What's wrong?"
"We have a new addition to our team." Roy said and stuffed the message into his pocket. "Since we are down two snipers thanks to Havoc's injury and Hawkeye's incarceration, the Fuhrer has decided to send us a replacement."
Ed raised an eyebrow. This was a weird change of topic.
"Lieutenant Catalina will be joining us before the next battle." Roy said and saw Breda stiffen. It was too coincidental to not assume someone caught on to their team's work back in the capital. "Do whatever it takes to get a message to Al and tell him they have been compromised."
AN: Chapter title from Hamlet
I really wanted to have this chapter up for FMA Day but life got in the way Sorry for the long wait, I decided to add more to the story and it took a little longer than expected. Don't worry, the slow reveal on the assassination plot is intentional. Thank you for reading and the reviews.
