Author's Note: Now that the "Prologue" is done with, I will be starting what I call the "Chaplogue". Basically, before I start the story as it should begin in accordance to the summary, I need to add a few background details (These details being what happens in the actual FMA storyline, as they are necessary to complete an FMA fanfic). This means that the next couple of chapters will be short (though not boring, hopefully!), and there will be some serious time gaps as I swiftly move on to when "Chapter One" begins in 1915. I'm hoping this moves along quickly, and by chapter eight-nine we should be back to a proper storyline.

Also, I'd like to clear up a few things. I imagine a few questions must be popping into some people's heads. First of all, the beginning of this story is based strictly on the Fullmetal Alchemist manga, though it will gradually twist into its own story. However, there will be characters from both anime and manga in the story. (Though all the homunculi will be manga-based and Father is the leader of the homunculi. Unless I'm mistaken, that only leaves Archer left for the anime side. I'd rather not have him at all but he's needed for a small part later on.)

I'd also like to add that this is NOT a love story about a fan character and Roy. Once again, this is strictly manga based- that means canon relationships! For the most part... Plus a few of my own... (Sadly, the story is not a comedy and I can't throw in my beloved Envy/Kimbley. Oh well. Dx)

-Sparx

East

Tuesday, September 1, 1908

"Second Lieutenant Genna Takeshi reporting for duty, Lieutenant Colonel."

Genna stood upright in a salute before the newly promoted lieutenant colonel's desk. Roy smiled smugly at her, looking downright pleased with himself and his new rank. Glaring back at the arrogant man, Genna waited for his response.

"Didn't I tell you that you don't work for me?" sighed Roy dramatically. "Though I suppose I should grant you an assignment for being a good girl and staying in the hospital for so long."

"The nurses wouldn't let me out," Genna replied icily, eyes narrowing as she remembered the persistent women who practically tied her down to her bed. "If they had, I would've been back a long time ago."

"If you say so. Anyway, here's your task. I need you to finish all of this paperwork for me while I go out with my new girlfriend." Roy gestured at the mountain of paper on his desk, and then began to rise out of his seat. Before he could, however, Second Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye raised her gun to his head threateningly. A drop of sweat running down the side of his face, the lieutenant colonel sat down again and picked up his pen. Riza lowered her weapon triumphantly. Genna held in a giggle.

"What he meant to say was this: Fuery has been having some difficulty with the communications equipment. He doesn't know what the problem is, but since you have experience, he thought you may be able to help him." said Riza. Nodding in response, Genna turned on her heel and left Roy to his paperwork.

Up in the communications room, Master Sergeant Kain Fuery was patiently awaiting the second lieutenant's arrival. When Genna walked into the room, Fuery sat in front of a big machine, adjusting his glasses as he tried to peer into it. Frustration burned in his dark brown eyes, and after a moment he sighed and leaned back.

"What's up?" Genna inquired, crouching beside the sergeant.

"The receiver isn't receiving messages." Said a voice from the back of the room. Genna glanced over her shoulder to discover Jean Havoc, the blonde-haired blue-eyed second lieutenant. "There may be some trouble in Ishbal still, and if we can't get messages from the soldiers there, we can't help."

"I don't understand it," Fuery groaned. "Everything seems to be in perfect order, with absolutely no problems!"

"Are you sure it's turned on?" Genna asked, doubting her replacement's skills.

"Of course it is! I'm not that dense. It was working just fine until recently, and when it stopped I wasn't even touching it! In fact, nobody's touched it all day, really."

"Odd,"

"Isn't there some way it could be fixed with alchemy?" Havoc sighed. "I bet those state alchemists are just too lazy to do maintenance work…"

"If nobody knows the problem, how would an alchemist know what to fix? I don't know a thing about that damned magic, but logically thinking, you can't fix something if you don't know what's broken." Genna explained, sticking her head into the instrument to take a look around.

It only took her a moment to find the problem.

"Right here. This wire's shorted out; you can tell because of the burn mark near the port. You'll just have to replace it." Genna pointed out the wire to Fuery, who smacked his forehead.

"I can't believe I didn't notice that! Now I feel really stupid. Thank you, Lieutenant." said the sergeant, hurrying away to fetch a new wire.

"That was quick. So that's the only problem?" asked Havoc, looking impressed.

"Yup, as far as I can tell," answered Genna, scanning the inside of the machine one last time before pulling herself out. "One broken current can cause loads of problems with the rest of the machine. Fortunately, the rest of the wires didn't short out as well. It should be receiving just fine once the new wire's in."

"Wow. I can't believe you were kicked out of this job, you sure know a lot about it."

"Tell me about it. Now I'll just be running errands until someone adopts me and gives me a proper job."

"That's dumb,"

"Yes, well,"

"Maybe if you hang around the chief's door long enough you'll be assigned to him."

"Oh, that would be exciting!" Genna exclaimed sarcastically. "Like I want to spend every day with that lovesick slave-driver."

"What a great thing to say about your friend…" Havoc sighed.

"If the shoe fits," Genna stood up and started to leave. "Whatever. I'm going to find something useful to do. Good luck with the receiver,"

"Yup. See you around."

Once outside of the communications room, Genna let out a deep breath and leaned against the wall. Staring blankly up at the ceiling, she began to wonder what life would be like in the military now. Was the war really over? Would Amestris finally be peaceful again? If so, that meant less work to do. It also meant that everybody in the military would get to return home, where they were safe from danger. Of course, the tension between Amestris and Ishbal would probably never disappear…

As for Genna, she would be living the easy life for a while. With no official boss, she could pretty much do whatever she wanted until given an order. Most higher ups possessed subordinates to do work for them, though, so she wouldn't have many work opportunities. Basically, she would be getting paid for wandering around headquarters. How boring! Maybe she should start getting friendly with a superior, so she would have a constant job.

For now, however, all she could do was wait for a task…