CHAPTER 10 – Encounters of the Dangerous Kind
"You're treading on thin ice with internal affairs, Colonel," Riza could barely restrain laughter when she entered the office. Mustang was again barefoot and sitting backwards on one of the office chairs while Lieutenant Havoc diligently massaged his lower back. "Let me guess, you finally ran out of cash to pay for your floozies so now you're reduced to using your rank to order your subordinates to provide massage services," Hawkeye shook her head in disapproval. "That's major abuse of power Sir. You can get reprimanded for doing that."
"Look at my stomach Lieutenant! I'm due in two weeks, I think I can bend the rules a little," Mustang waved his hand dismissively. "Besides, Havoc doesn't mind. He's getting plenty of relationship advice in exchange. Now, is everybody here? With that Armed Forces holiday coming up Major Douglas is riding me hard to give him something good to take upstairs to Bradley. So give me something good."
"For one thing we have a good idea of where Scar's lair is," Breda handed Mustang his folder. "All witness reports place him coming out of or returning to the West Plaza Street area. He's got good taste in houses. These are luxury apartments under construction."
"I did fire inspection there," Mustang perked up, "there are several multi-story vacant buildings. Isolated location, panoramic view of the city, multiple escape paths. Still, I wonder why he decided to upgrade from sewers and ruins?"
"Probably because he's traveling with a child, a young girl we believe is an illegal immigrant from Xing," Falman explained. "And he's got that loser Yoki tagging along. I believe he's a wanted fugitive too."
"Triple jackpot!" Mustang was beginning to salivate. "I might even get a medal out of this one! And it means Scar is saddled with two weaker companions who aren't as fast or as clever as he is. Can this get any better? Here, I'll write a surveillance order right now."
Mustang clumsily got up from the chair and grabbed a form from his desk drawer. Waddling is so undignifying, he thought with annoyance as he walked over to his desk, but he realized by now that being eight and a half months pregnant meant he had to do many undignifying things. Like turning sideways so that he could write on the desk despite his protruding belly.
"I am feeling lucky today! I'm finally going to cage you," Mustang picked up Scar's photo with a grin. "Here, Hawkeye, give this surveillance order to that old bastard Douglas up at MP command. Let them sit on these buildings for a couple of weeks. Yoki is an idiot, he'll blow their cover sooner or later. And when he shows, storm that fucking tower like your life depends on it. I want Scar captured alive, whatever it takes. I doubt the other two will resist much. Great work, soldiers. Now out, all of you, take a couple of days off. You all earned it, working around the clock like you did."
"What about you Sir?" Riza sat down next to Roy, her eyes searching his tired face with grave concern. It was obvious he hasn't been sleeping well lately and he looked exhausted and miserable, despite his stubborn refusal to take any days off. "Your stomach is so large it looks painful," Riza gently placed her hand over the curve. "I noticed that it's riding a lot lower now too. The baby usually drops down very close to the due date. You don't have a choice but to take medical leave now. It's unhealthy to be pulling ten hour days when you're literally about to give birth."
"It's a shame I have to leave when this just got interesting!" Mustang said disappointedly. He knew he was going to lose this battle, but returning home on medical leave terrified him. It meant he would have to face the fact that he was about to have his very own child and he wasn't quite ready for that. Burying his head in work was a very effective way of avoiding the idea of his impending fatherhood.
"There is nothing else for you to do now, Sir. It's all up to the MP guys to do surveillance and capture," Hawkeye insisted. "Ed and the guys are planning to burn down Lab 7 on the Armed Forces Day, it's just a week away," she whispered, leaning in, "no offense, but you're pretty useless right now. And I need the guys to focus, we have to be quiet and sneaky so nobody suspects sabotage."
"Do you seriously think this will work?" Roy asked suddenly. Wait, DON'T answer that-" Roy whispered in response. He sealed his lips in half-word when he saw Furor Bradley appearing in the doorway. Bradley himself, I can't believe this.
"Aren't you going to salute your superior, Colonel?" Bradley said cheerfully. It's no wonder he passes for a human so easily. He can look damn near pleasant when he smiles. Seeing Hawkeye's eyes widen in horror Mustang made gestures under the table for his Lieutenant to leave without letting Bradley see her face. Normally Riza was unreadable, but she was tired and nervous now and Mustang dreaded what the Furor's ultimate eye could see in her uneasy gaze.
"Take the evening off too Lieutenant. I need to gather up a few papers and then I'll get my driver to take me home," he said as she exited. "Close the door, please."
"Come now, Colonel, humor me," Bradley teased, motioning for Mustang to get up off the chair. "Rumor has it you're coming along quite nicely. I came to see for myself."
Mustang got up with as much grace as he could manage, keeping his eyes steadily locked on the Furor. Bradley's smile widened as his eye focused on Mustang's swollen stomach. He's testing my nerves, the bastard!
"You should seriously consider having the baby induced soon," Bradley said nonchalantly as he neared his subordinate. "Labor becomes very dangerous when the child grows too large. I'd hate for anything to happen to Central's rising star."
"Thank you for your concern, Sir," Mustang staid carefully, "but I read somewhere that inducing labor is unhealthy. I'd rather wait until it happens naturally. And I would not consider myself a star, Sir, just a loyal soldier."
"Loyal, huh?" Bradley paused, giving Mustang a questioning look. "Yes, loyalty is an important quality. But so is the ability to take a friendly hint, Colonel."
Bradley's heavy hand rested on Roy's shoulder.
"I did you a huge favor by giving you this assignment, Colonel. Private office, all your staff away from their regular duty and assisting you, a chauffeur to drive you around. I am rescuing your reputation and your career, but my senior officers are starting to grumble about all the accommodations your condition requires. Not to mention how scandalous it is. It is in your best interest to have this child as soon as possible. You're young and healthy, I don't suppose inducing labor will lead to any complications and it's obvious the child has a healthy weight as is. Think on it over the holidays, but you're a sharp man, I'm sure you know what's good for you."
"Speaking of the assignment, Sir, I believe we're about to capture Scar," Mustang tried to change the subject.
"Oh I never doubted your talents. You are a very valuable resource for the military, Colonel" Bradley said, suddenly placing his hand over Mustang's belly, "think on what I said very carefully. I don't give advice I don't expect my men to follow."
Mustang cringed at the coldness of Bradley's touch. Bradley's friendly smile melted away and Roy could clearly see that the man before him was indeed a frightening imitation of a human being. I'd rather kill her than to give her over to you to be experimented on! Mustang took a few steps back, evading Bradley's probing hand.
"I hope you and Edward don't get yourselves into any trouble over the Armed Forces holidays," Bradley said nonchalantly as he turned on his heels and headed for the door. "Some soldiers just can't keep themselves in line during the festivities. I always worry about military property being defaced or damaged, which is why this time I'm increasing guard at all key buildings."
"I hope this increased guard won't interfere with my appointments at Lab 7," Mustang asked, fighting nervous jitters. "I unfortunately have one scheduled on that Friday."
"I'm sure Kimbly will let you in without any hassle," Bradley shrugged. "You two are pretty familiar with each other since the war in Ishval, I presume."
Mustang froze in shock. Kimbly? The Furor ordered that psychopathic murderous lunatic to guard Lab 7? Shit, Edward has no idea just how crazy, dangerous, and spectacular his plan has just become! With Kimbly they'll have to use alchemy and probably guns, it'll make enough noise to attract EVERYBODY'S attention. Damn it! Talking about raining on my parade.
Heavy rain clouds were gathering up above Central as Mustang hit the gas of his sleek black car. I don't need Bradley's fucking driver, Mustang thought angrily, watching the darkening sky and rising fog outside. I'm perfectly capable of driving myself. Now, won't that street come up already? This is farther than I thought, I must've missed that right turn, and now I have to piss again! What a headache.
Aha! There's the turn, but now I REALLY have to pee, have to pee, I can't hold it anymore! He slammed on the brakes and pulled the car to the curb. What a shitty cold rainy night, and the day was going so well, Mustang thought as he clumsily climbed out of the car and looked for a suitable place to relieve himself.
He didn't see Scar coming because his back was turned to the darker end of the alley, but Roy knew the truth with the hairs on the back of his neck. Oh you've got to be kidding me! First Bradley, then that nutjob Kimbly, now this devil. There must be a million people in this city and I have to run into HIM of all others when I get out of the car for three minutes?! Mustang straightened up his posture, waiting a moment before he spoke.
"It's been a while," he said with annoyance. "You don't write, you don't visit, I thought you were seeing other alchemists."
"I was, actually," Scar said evenly as he slowly emerged from the darkness with his hands in his pockets. "But it's you that I want more than the rest."
"I always liked forward men," Mustang laughed, slowly adjusting his gloves. "But tonight I'm not in the mood to get intimate." Roy swallowed hard when he heard the sound of thunder. Roy hated how his voice broke just a little. His composure was leaving him as the warm raindrops begun to pour down his forehead and cheeks. He felt lightheaded as the exhaustion from many sleepless nights has caught up to him all at once.
"Roy Mustang, the Flame Alchemist. Are you ready to receive your judgment?"
I'm face to face with a serial killer and I got no back-up with guns this time. Mustang looked up at the dark cloudy sky and sighed. I can't make flames in this rain, he's too close for me to draw my gun or to create a transmutation circle. I can't fight him, there is not a soul in sight, and I still really HAVE to pee. Can this night get any worse?