Fullmetal Alchemist
INVADERS OF GALLIA
Episode 4
A NEW MISSION
Enter Raging Blast
Opening Theme: Hologram (Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood)
In Central City, Amestris, in the office of Fuhur King Bradley, Colonel Roy Mustang, the Flame Alchemist, had just arrived from his post in the east. He had come to personally report the findings of Fullmetal Alchemist, Edward Elric to the Fuhur.
"Ah, Colonel Mustang. How interesting, I was just about to call you," King Bradley revealed as Colonel Mustang entered his office, "so, are you here to report on the Elrics trip to Gallia.
"Yes sir, we just received word from Fullmetal and his brother. The rumors of a Gallian uprising appear to be true. A rag tag team of rebels who call themselves the Gallian Revolutionary Army have begun to attempt to overthrow not only Archduchess Cordelia Randgriz, but also to overthrow Amestrian control of the area. For the most part, the rebels are poorly equipped and even more poorly trained. Mostly foolish men drivin by hatred and bigotry. Worth mentioning, though, that the Revolutionary army is being led by none other than Count Gilbert Gassenarl."
"Gassenarl? Who would have thought that old fool would be stirring up trouble after all these years. He himself is nothing to worry about, but those two kids of his… they're a different story. What were their names again?" Bradley asked looking contemplative.
"Baldren and Audrey Gassenarl," Colonel Mustang revealed, "Baldren has been known to be a little bit hotheaded and is also known to be very anti-Amestrian and anti-Darcsen. It's no surprise that he would sign right on to his father's made scheme, if it gave him a chance to purge Gallia of those he considers to be its invaders. Audrey Gassenarl is different though. At the age of 25, she's already proven herself as a capable armored division commander and served both Gallia and Amestris loyally in the war with the Imperial Alliance three years ago."
"Gassenarl," King Bradley repeated the name rather distastefully, "now I remember. He's that foolish windbag who wanted to be made Archduke in place of Archduchess Cordelia's late parents. Colonel Mustang, I'm certain I don't need to tell you that resolving the issue in Gallia needs to be made our highest priority. Gilbert Gassenarl must be stopped at any costs."
"Well then, Fuher, sir. I'll personally lead a team to Gallia to deal with the situation," Colonel Mustang declared.
"Hmmm, interesting. With you there, we'll have two of the most famous heroes of the Ishvallan civil war in Gallia. That certainly would be a rather intimidating prospect for Count Gassenarl," King Bradley declared chuckling a bit.
"Two, sir?" Colonel Mustang asked, obviously confused.
"Oh yes, see Fullmetal is not the only State Alchemist currently in Gallia. The second one is a Gallian resident by birth, and he also happens to be a Darcsen. Turns out he knew Archduchess Cordelia when the two of them were only children, and when he discovered the trouble she was in, he begged to be given leave to personally protect her. In fact, unless I'm mistaken, he will be arriving at Lanseal Academy today, so he'll probably meet with Fullmetal there.
"A Darcsen State Alchemist? Well, this interesting. You wouldn't by chance be reffering to him, would you?" Colonel Mustang asked.
"I am," Bradly replied, "Colonel Vine, the Raging Blast Alchemist."
Hundreds of miles away, at Lanseal Military Academy, Edward and Alphonse Elric were joining their new friends from Squad G on the Lanseal drill grounds for a game of soccer. Due to his size, Al had quickly been chosen to be his team's goalie, and how he faced Avan who was charging at him to try to score the game's first goal!
"Get ready, Alphonse!" Avan shouted, "here it comes!" Pulling his foot back, he kicked forward and launched the ball at Alphonse.
"Rahhh!" Alphonse roared swinging his hand and smacking the ball back the way it had come. Exactly the way it had come. The ball whistled under Avan's foot just as the class chair came down, causing him to lose his footing and fall flat on his back.
"Owww!" Avan shouted as he crashed down, "ahhh, heh, nice block Alphonse," he said sitting up and rubbing his back.
"Sorry Avan," Al said running over and helping the class chair back to his feet.
"Alphonse! Don't leave your post!" a thin, orange haired girl named Rene shouted as Ed suddenly shot past Alphonse heading for the goal.
"Hahaha! Got ya now Al!" Ed shouted charging towards the unprotected goal.
"No you don't Elric!" Rene shouted charging in and sliding in front of Ed, knocking the ball away and causing him to trip and slam headfirst into the goal post.
"Brother!" Alphonse shouted running to his brother's side and shaking him roughly, "Brother, are you alright!"
"Hey, come on, say something Elric!" Rene shouted running to Ed and shaking him violently, "don't tell me I killed him."
"Uhhhh… just let me sleep a few more minutes, Winry…" Ed said in a dazed voice as they rolled him over.
"Oh good," Rene said standing up and rubbing the back of her head, "he's alright."
"There you guys are!" Cosette shouted running up to the drill grounds, "Avan, Professor Brixham wants to see you! He says it's important!" Cosette revealed noticing the soccer ball, "hey, how come no one invited me to play?"
"You can play with us when we get back. You can take her place, she's too violent," Ed declared kneeling up and pointing at Rene while rubbing his nose.
"Hey! What was that, you short little runt!" Rene shouted kicking the soccer ball into the back of Ed's head.
"Who you calling a runt, man woman!"
"Puny little pipsqueak!"
"Troll!"
"Brother, enough!" Al suddenly shouted stepping in to break up Ed and Rene who were about to begin brawling. Unfortunately, Alphonse only ended up getting dragged into the brawl as Rene and Ed went at it.
"Oh boy," Avan sighed, "well, I better go see what Brixy wants."
….
A few minutes later, both Avan and Zeri arrived at the Lanseal briefing room.
"Zeri, you're here too?" Avan asked.
"Cosette came and got me just before she left to look for you," Zeri replied, "I have a feeling that whatever the professor wants, it must be important."
"Ah man, I've got a bad feeling about this," Avan declared as he opened the door and the classmates stepped in. Professor Brixham was waiting for them. "You wanted to talk to us, Brixy?"
"Ah, Avan, Zeri. Yes, I have orders for you," Brixy revealed, "we have a VIP arriving at Lanseal very soon. This person is on her way to visit a settlement just to the south of us. They have requested that an armed escort be assigned to her armored vehicle and that request has fallen to Squad G. You will be given the task of escorting this person to her destination. We will also be providing her with an Armored Personnel Carrier, so Ms. Lavinia Lane will be the pilot for this mission."
"A VIP escort? Professor, is Squad G really ready for such an important mission?" Zeri asked, "as much as the Squad has improved these last few months, we don't know what the rebels might throw at us on a mission like this. I don't think they're ready."
"You make a good point Zeri, however as soldiers of Lanseal, it is your responsibility to ensure the safe transport of this person to her destination, regardless of costs. It is unlikely that every member of the squad will return from this alive, but that is the burden we bear as soldiers of Gallia. Of course, we may be able to lessen that risk substantially by taking the Fullmetal Alchemist with us, and… there is another State Alchemist who has been assigned as this person's personal bodyguard. You'll like this Alchemist, Zeri. Not only was he born and raised in Gallia, but he's even a Darcsen," Brixy revealed.
"A Darcsen State Alchemist?" Zeri repeated, sounding a little shocked, "are you sure."
"Certain. He'll be arriving with the VIP in only a few minutes. I've already sent orders to Ms. Lane in research and development to begin preparing the APC for this mission, Squad G need only make their necessary, individual preparations and be ready to move out in 15 minutes. Meet here at the briefing room for further instructions at that time. Carry your orders to your squad mates and prepare for battle, Avan, Zeri!"
"You can count on us Brixy!" Avan declared giving a thumbs up.
"Yes sir," Zeri declared saluting the Professor as the two left to find the other squad members.
….
Fifteen minutes later, Ed and Al joined a fully equipped Squad G in the Lanseal briefing room.
"I'm not going to lie, Fullmetal," Brixy declared approaching the Elric brothers, "it is a comforting thought to know that you'll be accompanying my cadets on this dangerous mission."
"Yeah yeah," Ed said yawning, "honestly, I don't think I had a choice. It's either that, or stay here where the only people I know are either adults or that weird Julianna girl who keeps driving me crazy. I think I'd rather take my chances on this 'dangerous mission.'"
"Alright, well, as I'm sure you already know, a VIP is stopping at Lanseal on her way to a village in the south. It is up to Squad G to see to it that she safely reaches her destination. The Gallian army will be sending one of its tanks to accompany you on this mission, so you will have some artillery support. That should at least make things more manageable," Brixy revealed, beginning the briefing.
"A tank? Wow, that'll sure make things easy," Avan declared smiling broadly.
"That kind of relaxed thinking on the part of a commander is what gets Squad members killed. Don't drop your guard. Fulfill your mission and return home. Oh, one more thing. You will be accompanied on this mission by two Amestrian State Alchemists."
"Two, hey Al, I didn't know you were a State Alchemist like Ed," Cosette said looking over at Al and smiling widely.
"Uhh, it's not me. I'm not a State Alchemist," Alphonse declared shaking his head fiercely.
"I am the second state alchemist," a calm voice called from the entry way. A man with dark hair and dark eyes entered the room. He wore the traditional Amestrian military uniform and wore a headband that tied over his spiky, dark hair. The headband bore the same Darcsen markings as Zeri's scarf! "So, your Squad G. Pleased to meet you. My name is Vine, but you might know me better as Colonel Vine or the Raging Blast Alchemist. If I like you, then you can call me Vine, but since I don't like any of you right now, either Colonel or Raging Blast will be fine."
"Huh? Vine huh. Pleased to meet ya," Avan said smiling cheerfully at the Darcsen man.
"Heh, well I see how long that lasted," Vine declared rubbing the back of his head, "alright then, you can all just call me Vine, though I still don't like you."
"I love how cheerful he is when he tells people he doesn't like them," Rene whispered to Ed.
"He reminds me of someone!" Ed replied, "but I can't think of who."
"Ah, you must be Edward Elric. I've heard a lot about you. I hear you've been causing quite a bit of trouble out here, Fullmetal. Starting fights in the school yard, tying up class chairs using your alchemy. I'll admit, you're every bit the little fool I thought you'd be," Vine declared smiling teasingly then he looked from left to right as though he was looking for something, "huh, hey, where'd you go?" he looked back down at Ed, "oh, I'm sorry. I couldn't see you all the way down there." A light clicked on in Ed's head.
"AHHHHH! What the heck, don't I get enough grief with one cocky colonel to deal with! Why! Does every Colonel in the army act like this, OR JUST THE ONES I KNOW!"
"I have no idea what you're talking about, but you really ought to calm down. You're really creating a poor impression for we State Alchemists," Vine declared chuckling.
"What! I'm creating a poor impression! You're the one who just told an entire squad you didn't like them!" Ed shouted.
"Heh heh, I like this kid, he's fun," Vine declared laughing loudly.
"Huh, ahhh what the heck!" Ed declared, "can we just get this over with!"
"Easy there, little man. My charge is still getting ready. When she's ready to leave, then we'll leave," Vine replied patting Ed on the head.
"What did you just say! Who're you calling little! Come here, I'm gonna beat the snot out of you! Hey, let me go Alphonse!" Ed shouted lunging towards the Raging Blast Alchemist.
"Brother, you can't. He's a Colonel, you'll get in trouble," Al shouted trying desperately to hold back his brother.
"Seriously Ed, do you have any idea what they'd do to you if you attacked a colonel!" Rene pleaded grabbing Ed and helping.
"Hm, who's this cute little girl? She you're new girlfriend, Fullmetal?" Vine asked smiling cheekily at the two who completely froze.
"LET ME GO, NOEL! I'M GONNA KILL HIM FOR WHAT HE SAID!" Rene screamed charging for Vine as Noel jumped on her and tackled her to the floor.
"Yikes! Rene, take your own advice!" Noel pleaded, "Hey, a little help here!" Vine just laughed.
"Well, you kids are entertaining if nothing else. It'll be fun. Looking forward to working with you," Raging blast declared turning to leave. Suddenly he became serious, "we'll be heading out in five minutes. Just keep your heads down and I'll see to it you kids stay safe. I don't think things'll get too out of hand, but if they do… this person must remain safe. No matter what it costs any of us. Am I clear!" Ed and class G were caught completely off guard by the sudden change of personality and could only nod. "Good, well, now that the unpleantries are over… see you in five," he said strolling joyfully from the room.
"That guy was a State Alchemist?" Avan asked.
"Wow, they'll let just about anyone become a State Alchemist won't they," Franca declared shaking her head in disgust.
"Trust me, I only wish I could say that he's the weirdest State Alchemist I've ever met," Ed sighed.