A/N: Voila! Chapter 11! After many long...months? of it being held hostage first by the beta, and then by me, it has finally appeared! Thank you to Nainne for beta as always, much love my dear, and warning for Ed's language...Sorry for everyone I couldn't reply to reviews, and thanks to Cold-Foxx, HughesHanajimaHilariaHypocrite , radcat38, ehxhfdl14, Angelus-Alvus, larsbars08, and Lupus Animi for reviews for chapter 10. Much love to you all!

Disclaimer: Fullmetal Alchemist and characters are the intellectual property of Arakawa Hiromu. I'm just borrowing.


"What the fuck?" Edward could barely keep the incredulity out of his voice as it dawned upon him just what Sora was saying. Human lives. The energy of the Stone. The reason why it was an alchemical catalyst. Why it triggered great reactions. Freakin' human lives. Why equivalent exchange flew out the window whenever it came into the picture. The lives sacrificed for it were more than enough Exchange for whatever sick, twisted, energy-consuming, impossible transmutation one wanted to do. There was an intake of breath, and he barely registered beside him that the Colonel seemed to be in a similar state of shock, no doubt realizing the implications of all this. Though it probably took an idiot to not understand the implications.

The government, the military had known. The military, who's job was to protect it's citizens and insure their safety and happy living, had known. No, not just any part of the military, the very top, the brass, had known what was needed for a Stone and they had used that knowledge, killing who knows how many with the one that was used in Ishbal. It was barbaric.

He supposed that he shouldn't be surprised though, given that politicians and officers in high positions were all power-hungry, moral-lacking, corrupt bastards. He couldn't help but wonder where all the people for whose lives had been sacrificed to make that Stone had come from.

Suddenly, the answer seemed as clear as day, and a sinking, sickening feeling settled in his stomach. Of course. Ishbalans. What better chance to develop a new and wondrous weapon but in the midst of a bloody civil massacre where people disappearing and dying daily was the norm? Sacrificing was much more likely, their lives given in exchange for that blood-red stone. Sacrificed like Alphonse had nearly been in exchange for something that could never be obtained.

As a general rule, Edward Elric was most definitely not a squeamish person, to be a squeamish person in the middle of a bloody war was to be a very dead person, and hell knows that he couldn't die yet, not with so many sins piling up on his head and not enough time to repent for it all, but the mere thought of the use of human lives for the purpose of advancing a power corrupt bastard's self-flattering compound among other things was enough to turn anyone's stomach.

"Shit! Ow!" Iris's exclamations brought Edward's thoughts around, catching the tail end of Sora's swift reprisal of Iris making her own decision to sit up. The glare directed in her direction was one that had had Edward on the receiving end far too often, the "move and open your wounds and die" look.

For some reason, despite the gravity of the situation, he couldn't help but burst out laughing.

- - -

"Father will be pleased."

A figure sat on top of a snowy embankment, elbow on one knee, chin resting on hand, surveying the calm, for now, scene below. A subtle breeze blew the irony scent of blood and the harsh odor of gunpowder past the figure, ruffling hair and clothing, and added to the peaceful atmosphere. He, or she, or it, wasn't the one who had spoken though. The speaker stood slightly behind the other, hand on one hip, her posture positively seductive. Her ample breasts were expertly displayed in just the right way that would attract any man, daring them to try and take her. An image fitting her name to the letter.

"And we'll all live happily ever after!" Envy, throwing up his arms in a childish fashion, grinning from ear to ear, replied in his overly cheerful voice, the one defaulted to when things were going exactly as they had been planned…or otherwise.

And then, the façade was dropped like a hot potato.

"We're having problems with Sloth though," he noted duly, eyes still fixed on the minute activity amid the bloody carnage below.

"Oh?" Lust arched an eyebrow delicately and gracefully, shifting her weight to the other foot, swaying her hips seductively, prompting him to continue.

Envy shifted his position so that his elbow rested on the snowy ground instead, without reaction when his bare elbow came into contact with the snow. Homunculus didn't mind the change of temperature. "Seems that he's getting bored of digging and that it's tiresome." The homunculus played idly with a handful of snow, shaping it into a remarkable likeness of the massive homunculus, his voice dripping with disgust at his comrade.

Faster than a human eye could follow, Lust flicked out her spear-like nails, examined them with a half-hearted gaze. "He's almost done though, isn't he? As long as it's finished in good time for Father's plan, and we don't need it done until we're finished up here." she said boredly, flicking her wrist as though admiring the dangerous glinting edges and tips of her nails, before she turned to leave again, hips swaying, pushing her hair back with a bored flip of her head. "Keep a watch on things, won't you, Envy?"

Envy smirked behind her back. "Of course," he replied, before adding something under his breath, "you old hag."

Like bullets leaving the barrel, Lust's nails found themselves dangerously close to the lanky, green-haired homunculus, light glinting off of the unearthly material dangerously. She waved them in his face, the very tips poking into his (back? Face? Foot?), drawing tiny droplets of blood which collected like red, glistening dewdrops on the tips of the claws.

"Cut the chatter and get to work." The nails withdrew with a flourish. Envy could hear the unearthly black material shrinking with a sound similar to a sheathing sword, before letting out the breath that he didn't know he was holding. "Hmm…they seem a bit dull…"

Envy was nonplussed. Even if Lust had run him through, it wouldn't have really mattered, now, would it?

- - -

Serious repercussions. That's what they had said, and then had promptly kicked him out while they continued to discuss something or other that could have "serious repercussions". It was some small consolation that it wasn't because of his age for once, since the other woman, Second Lt. Mustang, was standing right beside him, outside of their little, super important discussion.

And what was more, he had been ordered to occupy himself with a discussion with the Lieutenant, and the bastard Colonel had even implied that he was too small too engage in intelligent conversation.

Although, from an outsider point of view, it did appear so, since Major Elric was standing sullenly just outside the tent flap, and was acting his age for once, quite nicely.

Not that he cared much for rank, but he did enjoy that in theory, he outranked both of the older women, although it was quite surprising to find that they were both commissioned officers, and none too old at that. Ambition probably ran in their blood.

"It's for your own good, you know?"

The woman's voice broke into Edward's musings. She shifted restlessly, watching the younger boy. "Sora…What I said last night…" Was it just last night? "We came…well, I came, because she couldn't stand it. I know that she hated it, hated the fact that she was good at everything, hated the special treatment she got for being so closely related to one of the Emperor's blood, hated the elevated 'training' that she went through." Her voice was bitter, hatred colouring her words, and she spat, her eyes clouded with unmasked fury.

"Especially after Roy left, that was around when things got worse. It was painful, painful to see her come over in the evening, ostensibly to play, but more to seek another human's company. We were too old to cry, but I knew that she was crying, I knew that she came also to seek comfort in Aunty's arms. It hurt to see someone so close to me, so hurt, and I could do nothing but carry on my life, offer usual tidbits of conversation, attempt to entice a smile or a laugh out of her sombre expression." Iris glowered darkly as she scuffed the snow with a booted foot.

"She told me, eventually. She told me almost everything. I hadn't seen her for a week, she didn't go to school, and when she did come again, it had been raining furiously, and she was drenched, and sick. Her father came to pick her up two days later, when the rain had died down enough and the roads were dry enough for the carriages to travel. During those nights, she told me. The elders had learned how to make something for immortality, an Elixir. But it took human lives. Other, living humans.

"Of course, I don't think it revolted us as much as you did, since we were so used to scenes of carnage. It was a test of honour for a woman to have killed many enemies before she married, a show of her worthiness and strength to her husband.

"We were all trained young for it, all of us that had any status in the clan, at least. Sora…she had always been focused on. From a young age, it was obvious she was talented, a prodigy. She always came out top in studies of literature, numbers, embroidery, combat, everything. And she was of the blood that ran through one of the Emperor's sons ran through her as well. She would be perfect to carry out what the elders wanted, and bring glory and honour to the clan and elevate it even further, and bring honour to herself.

"We left Xing when we were around 18. Many of our friends had married by then, but the elders prevented Sora from marrying, since she was needed to bring honour to the clan. I kept her company? It sucked that the actual prince was such a pudding head, leaving his cousin to do the dirty work. I knew…Sora wanted to leave, wanted to run away from it all. I knew Roy had left to join the Amestris military, where his blood ran as well. So we left. Or rather, I dragged her with me. I guess…I'm one of those that are loyal to a fault, willing to do anything to protect my friends, my "master". Since, following etiquette, that's what she was to me. No one really paid much attention to that, but she was of the Royal family, if only by marriage.

"It took us a while to get here, even by ship. The first thing I did was to change my name to 'Mustang', and my first name to 'Iris'." The woman paused, a bemused expression on her face of her own memories. "Funny how promises work, sometimes."

"We knew a couple of other Xingnese in Amestris, so we stayed with them while we obtained citizenship. Surprisingly, it wasn't hard. I figured that the best place for us would be the military, since it was what we knew how to do, and it was where my cousin had gone. It's been pretty easy going since then."

Edward, for the most part, had been staring at the ground, seemingly uninterested to the casual observer, but his posture betrayed the fact that he was paying attention to every word. Iris smiled; as though amused at something he didn't know, and he looked up at her, glowering, as though daring her to tell him exactly what she found so funny, and risk getting beaten to a pulp. "You're wondering why I'm telling you this, aren't you? A complete stranger pouring out her life's tale?" Edward started, eyes widening with interest, and curiosity, no doubt filing everything away for future reference in his mind. "Roy told me about your brother. I felt that you might understand. I haven't told Roy either about what happened after he left, why me and Sora are here. Actually…" The Lieutenant trailed off as she thoughtfully tapped her fingers against her arm. He probably knew that I would tell him, the manipulative jerk. It made sense though. Where she might shy from telling her cousin, there was nothing wrong with this kid.

"Anyways, I have to go check on my unit now, boost the morale of my non-coms and all that."

Edward was left behind as he stared at the retreating back of the Colonel's cousin. And he decided that there were at least two things in this bloody, crazy world that he could count on forever remaining the same. Women sure are strange, he thought. And the Colonel's still a bastard.

At that moment, said 'bastard' came out of the tent, his face decidedly pale, with the relatively quiet First Lieutenant just a few steps behind him. Noting that Edward was still actually there, he nodded in acknowledgement at the boy, who gave him a blank look back, unsure of what to say. "Reinforcements are coming today, by the way, and I believe that the proper rest of your unit is among them." With another nod of dismissal, the Colonel walked off leaving behind a very dazed Edward.

Stalking off, he scratched his head in thought and irritation, clawing through his hair with his automail arm angrily. "Aaah, this just doesn't make any sense!" he growled, frustrated at, well, everything, that had happened in so short a period of time. There was just too much information to process, too many revelations, too many goals that needed revising, too many obstacles, too many… Bastards like the colonel running the world. Too many of everything, and just one of Edward.

From a distance, Iris saw the boy stalk off, and smiled grimly. He was still a boy now, but by the time this was over, she knew that him, and many others, would emerge as a man.

And she fervently wished that she would be able to see that final result of the war, if they lived long enough to get through this hell.

- - -

Night fell without incident, bringing sleep to many tired eyes trying to catch what rest they could. Not all were asleep, though. Alphonse Elric sat up, untiringly, as he watched the rise and fall of Edward's chest, his face one of peaceful calm. He wondered what his brother was thinking right now, wondered what disturbed dreams passed beneath unsuspecting eyelids. Alphonse knew that since the time they had transmuted their mother, Edward often woke up during the night, pulled from restless sleep by a soundless scream. Most of the time, he never remembered the incident. But Alphonse did.

He didn't sleep, and he remembered every time when Edward sat straight upright, sweat pouring off his face, he remembered how each time his brother flailed in bed, his face a frozen mask of horror. He knew that Edward was pulling the burden onto himself again.

And he couldn't do anything about it. All he could do was take the best care he could of his brother, and hope that it all ended just fine like brother always promised it would.

- - -

Dawn cast its rosy light over a scene of hushed activity. Sometime in the night, a fresh batch of troops had arrived, and the numbers of the Amestris troops had swelled. Soldiers and officers hurried, hoping to take this opportunity of an increase of force to continue the push into Drachman land. The remainder of many battalions and regiments arrived, replenishing the severely depleted troops.

Major Elric, however, was completely stunned by the number he was expected to take command of. As a Major, even if he had only the command power of a Captain, he had under him 150 men. Among those, five were Lieutenants, as well as an assortment of 16 Warrant Officers, Master Sergeants, and Sergeants.

Of course, those numbers paled in comparison to the entirety of Colonel Mustang's battalion. Totalling a thousand men and women, 6 companies rested under his command, including Major Elric's. It was truly a sight to behold. In total, there were five companies currently at the front, around five thousand men. More would be shipped up north as time passed, another couple of brigades would be needed. It was the Fuhrer's intent to secure this area in the shortest time possible, and maybe even snatch another piece of territory to add to the ever-growing hulk of land that was Amestris.

That was the big picture. What Edward was focusing on right now, however, was how the hell he was going to find his assigned company in the first place. Hell, he hated that bastard Colonel right now for sticking him into this. It was your own choice to make in the first place, some inner voice berated him. Shut up!

Oh great. Now he was arguing with himself. Not that he was going to get anything done by it. Growling beneath his breath, he turned his steps towards where the Colonel had said his brigade, and by right of command, Ed's company, was massing. Thankfully, they weren't hard to find at all.

Or rather, he wasn't hard to find for them. The Colonel had evidently provided them with a short description of Major Elric, stating that he was lacking in stature and that his especially flaxen hair would be a clear indicator. Indeed, his height was at least a head shorter than anyone else, and the way the early morning sun shone down, it reflected off of Edward's golden crown of hair brilliantly.

A young man, not too much older than himself, nearly bowled over the young Major. Breathlessly, he came to attention in front of Edward. "Major Elric?"

Edward eyed the young private suspiciously. "That's me. What do you want?"

Slightly cowed by the glare from the State Alchemist, he stammered slightly as he spoke. Great, another squeamish pansy. Another dead man. "Um, sir, the Colonel said it'd be, uh, best to look for you, sir. I'm, uh, Private Dean from your company, sir."

Growling mentally, Edward stared down, or rather, up, at the hapless man, easily guessing what the answer would be to his question. "And just how did the Colonel say to find me…Private?"

Private Dean swallowed nervously. Lacking in height the Major may be, but he certainly wasn't in other areas. Like intimidating others. He barely managed to get one word out. "Small…"

Edward was furious. Such a pity he couldn't let it show. Instead, he contented himself to just one, loud, outward snarl of frustration as he motioned for the private to lead him to the men. That, and of course, a constant, silent stream of curses. I'll get you back for that you bastard Colonel, you jerk-head. Who'd you say was so small that they'd pale in comparison against a single flake of snow? I'll beat you to a bloody pulp when I get my hands on you, you flea-minded, thick-skulled, stupidly oversized, son of a bitch, indecently big…

And promptly ran out of proper adjectives.

Meanie head…

Thankfully for the poor, pseudo insult-assailed Colonel, it wasn't long before the two arrived at the proper company. It was all Edward could do to not scream a new string of curses and maybe make a face or two at the self-pompous bastard just a few metres away. As it was, his face was dark enough with his fury that not one of the troops even dared to make a word of mention about how he was shorter, and younger, than they had expected. If they were going to die on this god-forsaken piece of land, they'd much rather it be at the hands of the enemy than of their irate commander.

Shuffling turned to silence as the Colonel addressed the assembled troops. It was probably a wonderful, heart-warming, patriotic, and inspiring speech written by a bunch of idiot high-ranking officers who didn't give a shit about what happened to the soldiers who were actually doing their dirty work. Quite frankly, Edward didn't give a damn. He was almost relieved when it was over, but growled as the Colonel's voice grated in his ears as he accounted for the six companies.

"21st East Company. Major Buren."

"Sir!" The man snapped stiffly to attention before leading his troops away.

"23rd Central Company. Lt. Colonel Hughes."

"Sir!" All familiarity put aside in times of strife, he too left with his company.

"11th South Company. Major Clark, Glacial Alchemist."

"Sir!" A balding, middle-aged man, with a bushy moustache who left Edward with the impression of a walrus, although others seemed to be more impressed with the silver chain dangling from his pocket. He left too. Hm, he hadn't known that the Colonel had another State Alchemist under his command. Edward began to hope that whatever company number his was supposed to be would be called soon.

"22nd East Company. Captain Meighen."

"Sir!" He looked rather young to be commanding such a large number, a scant twenty or so years, probably, but Ed supposed he had no right to talk.

"5th Central Company. Major Adams."

"Sir!" Edward growled under his breath as the man snapped to attention and left with his men. He bet that the Colonel had left him last just to piss him off.

"25th Eastern Company. Major Elric, Fullmetal Alchemist."

"Sir." Edward did salute, and he did acknowledge it, but it was more insolent and cheeky than respectful. Mustang quirked an eyebrow at the boy, but nodded for him to leave. Although, as Edward left with his hundred and fifty or so men he couldn't resist sticking his tongue out ever so slightly at the Colonel's retreating back.

Phase two of the "war" had begun.

And it wasn't going to be pretty.


Thank you for reading! -cue in all the normal pleas, begging, bribery, and blackmail for reviews-

Chapter 12 by the time school comes around? After I come back from the land of minimal computer time? Maybe?