***Going into Hiding***
Central, Amestris, May 1918
Munich, Germany, May 1924
As they put away the research notes they had been pouring over on the train ride back to Munich, Ed knew he and Al felt both elated and daunted by the task in front of them. The brothers now knew what had happened to Huskisson and his Thule research staff.
They were dead.
Dead from exposure.
Their notes detailed how the bomb came to be and held hints of the scientists' attempts to reduce the exposure effects. Ed was sure the way to disable it was in here somewhere as well.
Science was science, no matter where you were, no matter which world you were in. And Ed was a scientist first and foremost. He knew the principles of the natural world were stable and, therefore, predictable. Newton's laws of thermodynamics and Flamel's alchemic principles were the same. Nothing can be created or destroyed, only changed from one form to another; composition, deconstruction, reconstruction in accordance with equivalent exchange.
Ed knew that the answer to the uranium bomb's destructive riddle was science, so he knew he and Al would be able to solve it. They just needed time… one thing they didn't have. Time was going to be a silent killer, and he wasn't going to let anything happen to Al. Not again.
By the time their train pulled into Munich Station, it was dark out. They found a hotel that neither brother had been to before, and were nearly ignored as they checked in. The man behind the registration desk was arguing with another man reading a newspaper in the lobby about the inflated price of tobacco and who they could blame for it. Fucking idiots, both of them, but the argument served him and his younger brother, so screw it. The room they rented had both a phone on the same floor and a restroom en suite. As places to stay went, this one was checking all the boxes.
Ed unlocked the door to their room, letting Al in first with their bags while he followed holding their vase that overflowed with red velvet. The room was a little bigger than the last place they had stayed at in Munich. It was stuffy, and Al was a mind reader for opening the window before coming back to the middle of the room.
As soon as they were both in, Ed locked the door and they breathed a shared sigh of relief as they each sank down onto their respective twin beds. You never realized all the stress you were under until you weren't anymore.
Ed sat on the mattress closest the window and Al on the one by the door. They always had Al by the door and Ed by the window; Ed wasn't sure why, but moonlight was as good for reading as it was for not waking Al.
Now all they had to do was call Fritz, guard against death by contamination, and figure out how to disable a uranium bomb. No big deal. Although, one was probably going to be easier to do than the others.
"Brother…" Al began apprehensively as he looked at their dangerous trophy in Ed's tired arms.
"Yeah, I know, Al. We've got a lot of research to do," Ed slid his hand over his exhausted face, but smiled at his younger brother. "Get some sleep, Al. I'll go call Fritz and let him know the good news," Ed exhaled as he got off the bed, put the deceptively innocuous vase on the chest of draws, and went for the door.
"Alright, Brother," Al agreed, walking to the bathroom to wash up after their eventful day.
"Night, Al."
"Night, Brother."
"Night, boys," floated a familiar voice from the window.
Ed spun around and Al reentered the room. There on the window ledge were Kai, Lan-Fan, and Fu.
"That was a dirty trick you pulled," Kai chimed amused. "I didn't realize you were thieves." He grinned pleasantly, but there was malice behind his words.
"We're not thieves!" Ed and Al shouted in unison.
"Taking something that does not belong to you means you are a thief," Kai informed them as he and his entourage casually entered the brothers' room through the open window.
"Who said it's not ours to begin with?" Ed asked defensively.
"Is it?" Kai asked genuinely interested.
"It's complicated," Ed answered, brushing his bangs out of his face, and Kai waited for him to continue.
"It's our responsibility," Al put in trying to explain, assured in their duty.
Kai calmly crossed into the room and sat himself on Ed's bed while Lan-Fan and Fu stood close behind him.
"Tell me," Kai ordered as he made himself comfortable and imposing at the same time. He sat straight, bent his legs in front of him, and crossed his arms over his chest. His shaved head added a sternness to his pose, belying his youth. Obviously, he was used to getting the answers to his questions and demands, even if he was sitting on a dingy old bed in a low class hotel.
"You wouldn't believe us even if we told you. Let's just say, we're responsible for it, and we're going to do what we need to do to take care of it," Ed told them, trying to keep any details from reaching the inhabitants of this world.
"Not good enough. Tell me, or I will let Lt. Hess know exactly where his property is, whatever it is, and who took it," Kai threatened, taking on Ed's hard gaze, challenging him to see if Kai was bluffing.
"So, that means he doesn't already know, right? Why the hell should we tell you then? And what's in it for you? Why do you want to know? You were at the auction, so you knew there'd be something valuable; and like I said last night, I don't fucking trust you, Kai." Ed replied, listing his demanding questions.
"When the Thule Society proclaimed it would be auctioning something 'powerful,' something that would 'change the world,' I knew it would be dangerous. They attempted to overthrow their own country and failed, but that does not mean they are harmless, Edward. I had heard a visiting scholar describe the rockets Thule had commissioned this past fall. Obviously, whatever it was they were selling would be a threat to my people."
"Your people?" Ed asked for clarification, trying not to think about the pang in his heart at the reminder of his dead best friend, Alfons, the gifted rocket scientist.
"Soon I will be the ruler of China, and I will not have an unknown element endangering my countrymen," Kai explained regally, back straight, chin up, chest out. None of the previous playful teasing that Ed had seen the day before was evident now. Kai, undeniably, looked the part of a ruler.
Ed nodded as he took in what this new Kai said. He was glad to hear the bald man's reasons for being at the auction were more honorable than immoral, but it could still be a ploy. They needed to be cautious.
"Brother…" Al's eyes pleaded for Ed to tell the delegation the truth as he sat down on his unoccupied mattress.
"Ugh! Fuck. Fine, but you asked for it," Ed sat heavily on the bed beside his younger brother, trying to think of how much he could tell them. Their guests hadn't told Hess where they were yet, so they were safe for now. "Kai, Lan-Fan, Fu," he began, making eye contact with each of them before focusing on their leader, "this is a bomb." Ed spoke as if talking to children, waving his hand to the vase. "A bomb so devastating that it has already killed those who created and studied it."
All three of the Asian contingent took in the threat, then Lan-Fan and Fu instantly moved in front of their master. Ed laughed sardonically.
"That's nice, trying to protect him and all, but the truth is, if this fucker went off, Munich would no longer be here and the surrounding area would be dying of radiation poisoning. Not much you can guard him against."
The Chinese all looked at the vase and its sultry overflowing red velvet with a grave respect.
"It has since killed those who have studied it. Is it not a threat to us now?" Lan-Fan said formally, demanding in her stance, but Ed could hear the concern for her master in her words.
"Should be fine in low doses over short periods of time, but being around it for too long is definitely lethal," Ed acknowledged and met his younger brother's eyes, his own concern for Al coloring his thoughts.
They'd have to do something soon if Ed was going to keep his promise to himself: to keep Al safe. First, deal with Kai right now, then he'd have to talk Al into separating to keep him away from this damn radiation. Fuck, he was not looking forward to that battle. He shook his head and continued.
"Anyways, my brother and I have been searching for it for the past six months. The notes we collected today, and read thus far, indicate how it was created. So we know we can reverse engineer it, given enough time, but we can't do that if you give it back to Hess."
Ed watched for Kai's reaction, and when he made no discernable response, Ed continued.
"You have to know that power hungry asshole is a trigger happy jackass, right? We can't let him get his hands on this bomb or sell it to the highest bidder. It's too dangerous to exist," Ed beseeched the young leader on the bed across from him to see reason.
"If it is as dangerous as you say and you are responsible for it, then how did it come to be in the Thule Society's possession in the first place?" Kai asked curiously, but there was also accusation and suspicion lingering in his eyes.
Ed had to consider how much he could share. He couldn't tell them about Amestris and open that can of worms again, but how much would be enough? He wished that Mustang had taught him the art of telling only enough to get people to do what you needed them to do. Damn bastard.
"Well, originally… the man… who created the bomb… had proposed to show… our government its power, but when… he was refused, he… traveled… and found support in the Thule Society. They had been using it as a recruitment tool, but after they lost… their bid for power and their scientists started to die from exposure, they decided to sell it and cut their losses," Ed concluded.
He wished more than believed Kai hadn't noticed how he stumbled through the portions where he was omitting Amestrian history, but Ed still hoped Kai wouldn't ask about it.
"So you failed to keep it within your own country and the creator defected here? Your accents give you away. You are not German, even though you speak it fluently. Where are you from? America?" Kai tried to figure out the pieces that were obviously left out.
"None of that's important. What is important is that we destroy this damn bomb before it kills us and before anyone else discovers its deadly potential. You said you wanted to figure out how to protect your people from it; well, help us. Don't tell Hess where we are or that we took it. Give us enough time to neutralize, disarm, and destroy it and the research used to create it," Ed pleaded.
He could see Kai considering his request very seriously. He hoped his sincerity had shone in his words and eyes. They watched each other as the room held its breath for Kai to make his judgement. Ed could feel more than see his brother's tense body next to him, tension flowing off Al's stiff shoulders. Lan-Fan and Fu were eyeing the brothers with death in their stare, ready to follow whatever their master decided. The would-be ruler nodded slowly once, then opened his stern mouth.
"I believe your story Edward," and Ed blew out his breath, realizing he hadn't been breathing, "but only because you give everything away in its telling."
"Huh?" Ed asked confused. He was grateful that Kai took him at his word, but felt it was almost a backhanded compliment. He hadn't done a shitty job, had he?
"I understand not wanting to explain everything to a stranger, but you need to work on being more politic," Kai clarified.
"Yeah, well, that was never really my strong suit," Ed muttered, embarrassed, rubbing the back of his neck and looking away for a moment.
"Which is?" Kai inquired.
Ed sat up and placed his hands on his thighs.
"Fieldwork," Ed said flatly with a blank face.
"Better. That is better," Kai commended, chuckling, returning to the spirited exotic man Ed knew. "Never give away the whole story, or even where the holes are in your story. You should never allow the person you are talking with to see anything other than what you want them to see."
"Thanks for the pointers. That what you're doing?" Ed was annoyed, but that didn't mean Kai's advice was crap. He'd have to discretely write it all down in his notebook later. Kai was a slight better than that bastard Mustang; at least the Chinese man wasn't ribbing him. He was actually giving some interesting suggestions.
"It was, when we first met; however, you should know I only want the best for my people. That includes a world without such destructive weapons in it. On that we can agree," Kai nodded forcefully once more over his crossed arms.
"So, you won't tell Lieutenant Hess anything?" Al asked, hope in his voice and clasped hands in front of his heart.
"Correct; I speak for Lan-Fan and Fu as well," Kai consented magnanimously, the pompous ass. "We will not disclose your involvement or location with Lieutenant Hess or his representatives. In exchange for our silence, I expect you and your brother to complete your mission and destroy this bomb."
"We were already going to do that, dumbass," Ed mumbled sourly.
"Then, we will leave you to it," Kai dismissed them as he laid down on the bed, looking like he was getting ready for bed.
"The fuck? What are you doing?" Ed inquired confused.
"Going to sleep. We did have to follow you from Berlin, and it was a long train ride. I am very tired," Kai waved him off with a smile, getting comfortable under the covers and fluffing a pillow, totally at ease. Lan-Fan and Fu had a silent discussion on who would take first watch.
"So get your own damn room!" Ed nearly yelled. "And that's my fucking bed!"
"You should keep it down, Edward. You wanted to remain unnoticed, did you not? Shouting will only alert people to your location, even if they have no interest in you." Then he raised his arm, lifting the comforter for Ed, an invitation. "And we can share the bed if you would like," Kai insinuated with a wider smile.
Ed blushed, opening his mouth to retort then decided against it, closing his lips tightly.
"No? Hmm, oh well," Kai rolled over unperturbed, then added an afterthought over his shoulder. "Additionally, you should curse less. It is more powerful when you discuss your ideas without resorting to vulgarities."
Al placed a restraining hand on Ed's shoulder before he could strangle the annoying Chinese man in his bed. Ed clinched his teeth and breathed deeply, trying to contain his irritation.
"Go get your own hotel room," he growled just above a whisper.
"Oh, no. We will stay here," Kai replied pleasantly over his shoulder. "If we were to reserve a room now, someone would likely recognize me later and inform Lieutenant Hess if asked. No. It is best to stay here, where no one has seen us."
"Gaw. Fine, but don't expect me to turn out the lights for you. I can't read in the dark," Ed spat, rising to walk to the door with his fists clenched.
"You are going to start now?" Kai sounded surprised. He turned over, propping himself up on his elbow, to take in the elder brother seriously.
"Yeah. Soon as I call my contact to tell him that we've found what we were looking for. I'll figure out containment so we don't die of exposure," Ed explained flippantly.
"Ah, yes. You are good at field work," Kai goaded amused, again turning over to go to sleep dismissively.