Chapter 25

When Rory caught up with the boys, they were with Vato Falman who was now a 2nd Lieutenant. "What are we doing?" The blue eyed boy asked as he followed them down the catwalk.

Falman smiled, "I'm just showing the boys around. Here," He pointed to the men working under them, "This is the development layer."

"What's that?" Al asked excitedly.

"It was Major General Armstrong's idea," Falman replied. "We gather the country's leading edge technology and develop weapons."

Rory whistled, impressed. "Wow, now that's getting stuff done."

"Next is here," Falman pointed farther down the catwalk. "This is the lowest layer of Briggs."

Ed shivered when he felt heat rush through his body, "It's so warm. Way different compared to above."

"The lifeline of the inside of the fortress is gathered here," Falman explained. "Even if the top of the fortress is attacked, the central part underground feels nothing."

"Hey," One of the workers hollered as he rushed by them. "Get outta the way. Don't flutter around here."

"Bobby," Another called him over. "Over here."

Bobby nodded, going to the large pipe the man was by. "There's a weird noise," The man said. "Just listen to it." Bobby put his head on the pipe, listening intently. "See?"

Bobby furrowed his brow, pulling away. "It's coming from underground." He put his head to the ground, listening for any strange noises. "It's almost like someone is digging through rocks."

He gasped, sitting up. "Could it be the guys from Drachma? They're coming through the fortress underground? We have to hurry, they're close!"

Rory stiffened, feeling a familiar dark sensation wash over him. He pulled out his sword when the ground rumbled fiercely.

A giant man looking thing erupted from the floor, growling. Rory spotted the Ouroboros tattoo on his shoulder, and tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword. "Edward, Alphonse." He gestured with his head to the tattoo. "It's a homunculus."

"Shit," Ed cursed, swallowing harshly. Even in the cold weather, he could feel sweat form on his forehead.

"Who…are…you?" It asked with great effort.

"You-you've heard of Father and the Fuhrer, right?" Ed questioned shakily.

"We came to get our bodies back," Al added. "We didn't come to get in your way."

Rory glanced around when he noticed the Briggs soldiers approaching, "Uh, guys."

The homunculus grunted, "I…don't…know you. Troublesome." He walked away so slowly, Rory wondered if he actually took a step or not since he was in the same place.

The dark haired alchemist blinked when he saw all the soldiers glaring at them, "Hey, what the hell?" He took a quick step back, pulling Ed with him to dodge the bullet Buccaneer shot at them.

"You idiots," Buccaneer growled. "You really are Drachma spies."

"We're not," Ed protested.

"Oh yeah?" Buccaneer challenged. "Then why are you so chummy with the intruder?"

The homunculus grunted once more, picking up a stray piece of pipe and throwing it at them. The boys dodged it while the soldiers took action and fired at him. "Bullets don't work!" One of the soldiers cried in panic.

Rory rolled his eyes, running with Ed and Al. They were stopped short when a giant rocket flew past them and hit the homunculus straight on.

"Oh," Rory sighed, shaking his head. "Hopefully that doesn't make him angry."

The homunculus appeared from the smoke, unscathed much to the soldiers' surprise. "Big guns don't work on him," One shouted to Olivier.

Olivier gritted her teeth angrily, walking down the steps and getting onto the tank that pulled up. They fired at the giant being, catching him in the face. He reared forward, the skin on his cheek healing. They continued shooting at it, but the homunculus only healed from it easily.

"It's no use, Major General," Ed shouted as they ran up to her. "No matter how many times you kill it, it won't die."

"How do you know that?" Olivier demanded.

Ed clenched his jaw, shaking his head. Olivier glared at him before sighing, "Answer me this and answer me honestly. Are you Drachma spies?"

"No."

"Is he?"

"Probably not."

"What is he?"

"I can't answer," Ed responded regrettably.

"Whose orders is it following?"

Ed shook his head frustratingly, "I can't answer that either."

"Why can't you answer?" Olivier snarled.

Ed stared at her pleadingly, "Please try to understand."

She turned to Rory, her eyes like fire on him, "You told me no lies."

"I won't tell a lie," Rory replied firmly before shaking his head. "But I can't say anything. Please understand."

Olivier sighed, turning away, "Will you ally yourselves with us?"

They nodded affirmatively. "I don't want to see anyone die," Rory said, pulling out his sword.

Olivier almost smiled at the boys before turning to her men, "Buccaneer, get the fuel. Miles, be ready with the elevator."

Buccaneer smirked, taking Ed, "Come on. You're going to help me." He went down the stairs with Ed and Falman.

Al glanced at Rory, "What are you going to do?"

Rory licked his lips, smirking, "All I can, Alphonse. They didn't give me these powers for nothing." He charged at the homunculus, running past the tank. He jumped into the air, kicking him in the chest.

The homunculus grunted, stumbling back towards the elevator port. Olivier shouted triumphantly, "Whatever you're doing, kid, keep doing it."

Rory nodded, clapping his hands and creating a pillar that shot at the homunculus and caused him to fall back. He grunted, trying to get up but Rory used his wind abilities to push him towards the elevator port. He jumped out of the way so the tank could run him down. He breathed a sigh of relief when the homunculus fell through the elevator port.

Olivier huffed, "Move out of the way. We still have to deal with him."

He watched as they took the tank down the elevator. He rubbed a hand over his face before going to the hole that was in the ground. He shook his head, following the tank. When he got to where everyone was at, he saw the homunculus being frozen over by the harsh weather and the gasoline poured over him. He blinked, "Wow, they really get stuff done in Briggs."

The next thing he knew, he was being tied up with Ed, Al and Falman. He twitched, irritated at the situation. "Hey, what the hell is going on?"

Olivier frowned at him, "You boys are closely associated with that thing. I won't take any chances." She turned to the soldiers, "Lock them up."

Rory rolled his eyes they pushed them into the elevators. Soon, they were in a small jail cell with a block of wood acting as handcuffs. Rory stared at it blankly. He could probably break the wood easily if he tried. The only thing that made him mad was that they took away his sword as well.

"Sorry about this," One of the other Briggs doctors, Neil, said with an apologetic smile. "Sleep tight, guys."

Rory huffed, falling back to the bed and closing his eyes. "This is not getting any easier."

"Tell me about it," Ed whined from his bed.

The next morning, Neil was by their cell again. "Hey," Ed greeted tiredly. "Any news?"

"Captain Buccaneer and Lieutenant Falman are investigating the tunnel," Neil answered. "Major General Armstrong is there too. Major Miles is at the hospital."

Ed furrowed his brow questioningly, "Why? Is he hurt?"

Neil chuckled reassuringly, "Nah. He's there because some alchemist named Kimblee was admitted there. Apparently, he got banged up by Scar." He shook his head, ignoring the boys' pensive looks, "Anyways. Major General Armstrong wants you to go with them to investigate the caves. So, up and at 'em."

Ed groaned as he sat up. Neil took off their cuffs and tied them up again. Rory grunted, walking with the man, "I don't like being tied up like this. It makes me paranoid."

"Paranoid of what?" Al asked curiously.

Rory shrugged, "I feel as if I'm tied up, anything bad can happen."

"I feel like that too," Ed said. He put a hand to his chin thoughtfully, "I wonder what the Major General wants."

Rory clenched his jaw, but didn't answer. Soon, they were at the base level of Briggs. They were put on horses as they followed Olivier and Buccaneer down the tunnels. "This goes a long way," He commented to himself, gazing at the dark abyss ahead.

"Here is good," Olivier spoke, getting off her horse. The boys got off their horses as well, staring at Olivier when she sat down, holding her sword. "We're completely alone. No one can hear us here. I want to know everything; every last detail."

Ed swallowed, staring at her fearfully. Olivier continued, "When I asked about the giant, you said 'please understand.' To me, asking for understanding is the same as asking for trust. Normally in a situation like that, such a vague answer would merit me to kill you."

She glanced at Rory, "Before, you told you me you wouldn't tell a lie yet you looked at me straight in the eye and told me you couldn't tell me. That tells me that you're willing to risk your life for something. Something like…a hostage."

Rory clenched his fists, looking away. Of course he wasn't going to say anything; that would mean putting Winry's life in danger and he wasn't going to do that.

"Stick to your promise, boy," Olivier drawled. "And I'll stick to mine."

Rory swallowed, clenching his jaw, "We've been fighting those things, homunculi, and they've finally got to us. They threatened the life of a friend of ours and our automail mechanic, Winry Rockbell. They're already holding Lieutenant Hawkeye hostage as well."

Ed put his hand on the other boy's shoulder comfortingly. He stared at Olivier determinedly, "We need your help."

After they were finished with the full story, Olivier pursued her lips thoughtfully, "Homunculi. The philosopher's stone. King Bradley. The man called 'Father'. Corruption in the higher ups."

The boys stared solemnly while Buccaneer frowned, "So they took hostages; their friend and Mustang's subordinates."

Olivier put a hand to her chin thoughtfully, "I know Hawkeye and Havoc from a joint mission we did at Eastern HQ. I'd be pissed if I lost them too."

"What about Colonel Mustang?" Falman inquired.

Olivier snorted, glancing at Rory, "I could care less about him." Her eyes then gleamed determinedly, "Yes, I hope he falls from his position. One less rival in my way."

Rory rolled his eyes, glancing away. Falman frowned, infuriated. "Still, holding an innocent girl hostage is despicable."

Olivier shrugged nonchalantly, "I probably would've done the same thing myself." She stood, "Now, what do you alchemists make of this tunnel?"

Ed then proceeded to ask Falman for a map and information on the country. Falman recited every war there was in the country and what had happened. Before long, the map showed a transmutation circle over the country.

Rory swallowed, his horror showing on his face, "So many people will die if this circle is activated." That's exactly what Father was trying to do. That's what this was all about.

He straightened abruptly, causing everyone's gaze to fall on him. He chuckled humorlessly, holding his head, "All these wars can be connected back to the military. They built this country so they could have this transmutation circle."

"Lieutenant Colonel Hughes," Al gasped in realization.

Ed nodded sadly, "Yeah. He was seeing the exact same thing. Since he had a desk job there, he had more resources."

Olivier growled, slamming her sword into her hand, "I don't like it. I don't like it at all. Follow the lines." She pointed to the map with her sword. "There's only one place that hasn't had bloodshed, and that's Fort Briggs. Those sons of bitches; they're planning on using my castle for their plans."

They were interrupted by sound of prattling hoofs coming near. "A messenger?" Al asked confusedly.

"Major General Armstrong," The messenger called. "Please return to the base. Lieutenant General Raven has arrived and wishes to speak with you."

"They didn't even give us time to think," Olivier hissed indignantly.

She began to walk away, but was stopped by Rory's hand catching her sleeve. "What is it?"

Rory stared forward, regarding her from his peripheral vision, "I respect your courage but there's something only you can do right now." He turned his gaze to her, staring determinedly, "Are you willing to bear your sword against Lieutenant General Raven?"

Olivier, Buccaneer and Falman stared at him in surprise before the two Briggs soldiers walked away. Rory didn't need her verbal confirmation. Like before, he knew she would do it.

Ed patted his shoulder, his eyes shining with approval, "Good thinking. She's the only one who can do it."

"I know," Rory nodded. He turned to Falman, "Bring in a radio and tell the soldiers to bug the room The Major General and Lieutenant General will be sitting in."

Buccaneer laughed, patting the boy's back roughly, "I hate to admit it, kid, but you are one smart cookie."

Soon, they were listening to the conversation between the two higher ups. It wasn't long before the boys caught Raven in the act. It went on for a little longer before the conversation was cut by a frantic soldier telling them of the tunnel and how a team of soldiers hadn't came back.

Rory felt a chill run down his spine before he stood, "We have to go."

Buccaneer nodded, standing as well, "Yeah. We need to leave before they seal this thing up."

Ed stood before remembering something. He held up the rope, "We're supposed to be tied, remember?"

Buccaneer nodded, tying the boys. Rory rolled his eyes as they were escorted to the top. As they passed through the hall, they met Major Miles who was accompanied by a dark haired man.

"What's going on here?" Miles questioned.

"Sir, I'm escorting the boys from the East block to the West," Buccaneer answered promptly. "May I ask who you're escorting?"

"Solf J. Kimblee," Miles replied. "He's Raven's special guest."

Kimblee smiled at the boys, "You must be the Elric brothers, and the other one." He tilted his hat in greeting, "Nice to meet you, Fullmetal Alchemist."

"Likewise," Ed mumbled, looking away.

Rory glared at the man who walked away with Miles. That was the man who practically led the Ishval rebellion with his alchemic abilities. He killed more Ishvalans than anyone else.

Moments after they were put in their cell again, Lieutenant General Raven approached them. "Hello," He greeted with a small smile. "I'm Lieutenant General Raven from Central. His Excellency the Fuhrer has told me all about you boys."

"Hello," Ed said quietly.

Raven gestured for his soldiers to leave. He turned back to the boys, "You haven't said anything to the Briggs soldiers, I see."

"We had to promise we wouldn't," Ed grumbled.

Raven's smile was tight on his lips, "Is that a problem?"

"You're keeping our friends hostage," Rory growled, restraining himself. "I think it's safe to say we don't like it."

Raven chuckled, "You're not seeing the big picture here. We're building a better, perfect world. This is just a scratch on the surface. Just wait and see."

Rory clenched his jaw, feeling his teeth creak under the pressure. Ed sighed, shaking his head, "And what of the tunnel? That's part of your plan too, isn't it?"

"Don't worry," Raven replied firmly. "Major General Armstrong is going to put the homunculus in there and seal it up. She's on our side now."

Ed stiffened as Al gasped in shock. The Lieutenant General left a fuming Ed and a stoic Rory behind. The blue eyed boy knew that for a fact Olivier wasn't on their side. The Armstrong family would never stoop so low. He had complete faith in her.

About an hour later, Ed growled, tugging on the bars, "When are you gonna let us out?"

"Keep your pants on, kid," Neil said.

"Any news on the Xing girl and her cat?"

"They're still looking for her," Neil answered, smiling. "Relax." He handed him a cup of coffee, "I know you're ready to hit the road, but it'd be good if you just took some time to rest."

Ed took a sip of the coffee, "With everything going on, we can't just sit by idly." He pulled the coffee away from his lips, glaring at Neil. "Is this 100 cenz?"

Neil smirked, "Nope, mine is 200."

Ed spit it back out, "I'm giving it back."

Rory rolled his eyes, smiling amusedly at the exchange. He stood up when he heard the door open.

Kimblee strode in, smiling, "Hello. I'm here to see the boys." He blinked confusedly when all three of them frowned at him. "What? Did I do something to upset you?" He shrugged, still smiling, "Oh well. I'm just here to say you have a visitor."

"A visitor?" Ed asked, perplexed.

Rory glanced at the door when it opened once again. He beamed brightly when he saw Winry on the other side, smiling at them. "Wi-"

He was toppled over by Ed who screamed, "YOU DUMBASS! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!"

Winry balked, "What do you mean? I'm here to switch your guys' automail."

"Nobody sent for you!" Ed screeched loudly.

"What do you mean?" Winry questioned heatedly. "The military directly called me."

Ed fumed, "You can't just come to a dangerous pl-er…"

Winry rolled her eyes, "Forget about me. What are you guys doing in prison?"

Ed stammered nervously, "That-uh. W-what about your customers in Rush Valley? Did you just leave them?"

"You jerk," Winry bristled, insulted. "I made sure they were all taken care of before I left." She shoved a can at Al, "Here, Al; a can of polish."

"Let's calm down," Kimblee ordered lightly. "I heard that the boys didn't have the right equipment for the North. I told the Fuhrer and he called for Ms. Rockbell here." He put his hands on Winry's shoulders, staring at the boys with a wide, terrifying stare, "You had him very worried."

Rory gripped the bars so hard, he could feel the metal bending under his palms. He couldn't believe the man was so close to Winry and he couldn't do anything. He knew he wasn't a homunculus, but that wouldn't stop him from killing the man one way or another.