Chapter 50: So It Begins

Riza knew when Roy was stressed. She had practically grown up with the man and even before they were married she had become accustomed to his different behaviors, so she wasn't shocked when she woke up to find her husband sleeping in his study, mouth open and side of his face pressed against the papers he had clearly been reading before exhaustion took over. She glanced over at the clock against the wall, noting that they had to report to headquarters in two hours and gather their files before he had to report to the country's representatives about what was happening and the need for an official ruler. Rearranging a few of the items on his desk, she removed the old cup of coffee from his desk and decided to start up a new batch before waking him.

She started a fresh pot and began working on a simple breakfast before letting Black Hayate out into the yard. Her morning ritual was thrown off by the fact she didn't have to get Lee ready and she had fed Black Hayate and had breakfast done sooner than she expected. Letting out a sigh, she dropped into a chair, resting her face into her hands. Roy was going to be standing in front of the country's top men in just a couple of hours expressing the new threat that the country faces and the need for a ruler. Not only that, he was going to have to either going to have to convince them that he was ready to be in control of the country or that Olivier Armstrong is the next best choice over Hakuro. "Are you feeling alright?" Snapping her head up, her eyes connected with Roy's tired ones.

"I'm fine. I was just finishing breakfast and about to wake you up." She answered, placing her hands on the table and slowly pushing herself up. Roy gave a wide yawn and scratched his head roughly, allowing his fingers to drag through his already unruly hair.

"I had an alarm set…" he walked past her and poured a fresh cup of coffee, not bothering to add anything to it and taking a sip of it black. Cringing, he turned to his wife with groggy eyes. "Are you ready for this?" Riza leaned back against the table, crossing her arms and letting out an exhausted sigh. He made it sounds as if she was the one that had to stand before these people.

"I was going to ask you the same thing. It's not going to be a walk in the park you know. You're practically going into battle if this has anything to do with military experimentation." Roy took another sip of his coffee before frowning down into it and placing the mug on the counter.

"An experienced soldier is ready for whatever is thrown at him." Riza raised an eyebrow at the confident man. He always made things sound less threatening than they were. She could never figure out why he had that talent. She had remembered when she first met him at her grandfather's. Her older brother had strode up to him in a challenging manner, being fresh from the academy and questioned the teenager about what exactly he expected to do if he ever even became an alchemist. Roy boldly began declaring all the hopes, dreams, and beliefs he had, only to cause the Hawkeye male to laugh loudly and give him a playful slap on the back, telling him to relax and just keep his hands to himself. Smiling to herself, Riza shook her head knowingly.

"Well soldier boy, I suggest you get to the shower and ready to go. Havoc is going to be here to pick you up in an hour." She informed. Roy frowned slightly as he glanced over at the wall clock.

"You haven't gotten ready yet…" he started to point out but she waved a hand at him in a dismissive manner.

"I only have to get dressed." She answered. She had woken up with enough time to shower before she had checked in on her tired husband. She knew that they were more than likely to be working on crunch time with their sleep patterns being slightly off and Roy's late night reading sessions that had been taking place. She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Start getting ready. Havoc is going to be getting us soon." She heard him groan and smiled slightly to herself as she walked into their room and gathered her uniform. Roy had slunk about the house as she had prepared for the day, taking his time with showering by reading into some notes he had found, not bothering to get dressed, and even complaining that he couldn't find his alchemic gloves.

"Morning Colonel," Havoc greeted as Riza walked impatiently out of the house and up to the car the blonde mail was waiting at. He clearly noticed her irritation. "Where's the General at? He is ready, isn't he?"

"Barely." Riza answered and glanced over her shoulder, trying not to grind her teeth too much as Roy came striding casually out of the house, taking the time to have a mini conversation with Black Hayate before locking up. She could here Havoc snort.

"Good morning, Havoc." Roy greeted, as if it were just any other day. Havoc grinned back at him.

"Morning, chief. Feeling confident today, I see."

"I don't see any reason why I shouldn't be confident." Havoc chuckled knowingly as he pulled his unlit cigarette from between his lips and grinned at his superior.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you already knew the outcome of today's trail." He stated, causing Riza to frown.

"It's not a trail." She informed causing the smoker to smile back at her apologetically.

"My fault, Colonel. It's just that it seems more like a trail than a conference. You'll be questioned by these important people on how exactly military grounds were raided and attacked the way it was. I know you saw the pictures in the paper over the past week." Even Roy let out an irritated sigh. Despite the work done to clean up most of the damage done, they could not do anything about the fact the press had come to the event and had not hesitated to snap photos of the mayhem and destruction.

"Belief is that we were attacked because we don't have a stable and set leader for our country. Representatives and head military figures have been calling the shots for the past five to six years," Roy stated as the group piled into the car. "The reps are going to realize we need one strong and dependable person calling the shots and leading this country to prevent terrorist attacks like the one last week."

"You're going to tell them that mess was caused by a terrorist attack?"

"Why not? There are plenty of people not happy with military rule or this country." Roy answered.

"Then what's stopping the reps from putting themselves in complete and total control of not only this country but the military as well?"

"No one knows how to protect this country better than its military."

*~*~*~*~*~*

When they arrived at the Representatives Council Building, Hughes was waiting, Schezka at his siding holding a stack of files. He and Roy exchanged strict salutes, though exchanging brief supportive smiles. They were both expected to step forward to speak and hoped their practiced speeches and discovered information would help. Based off the tired glaze of Schezka's eyes and the limp salute she gave, it was obvious she had pulled an all nighter gathering up the files she was currently embracing. She gave a tired smile however. "The meeting isn't for another hour," Hughes started as the group made their way into the building, Riza taking some of the files from the tired female tagging along while scolding Havoc on how it reflected that he was walking into such an important place with a cigarette between his lips. "Hakuro and Armstrong are here as well as Archer from out East, but we've still gotta wait for the Generals from South and West."

"They'll be late?" asked Roy, raising an eyebrow. Hughes shrugged a shoulder.

"I just know they aren't here yet. Hakuro's been babbling on and on about how he doesn't see why we have to do all of this. Clearly he's the perfect choice for the country's leader. Roy scoffed.

"Fullmetal could run things better than that man. He has no idea how to effectively even run Central, let alone an entire country!"

"I'm not gonna argue with you, but it will be taken into consideration that he is at top rank and his years in the military." Hughes pointed out.

"Watch what you say around here. You never know who is listening." Riza added. The remainder of their walk consisted of them discussing family life, office rumors, and upcoming holidays before Armstrong came into view. She turned her attention from Hakuro, whom she seemed to have no real interest in talking with to begin with, and focused her hard stare on the group approaching.

"And to think I thought a lazy ass like you would be the last one to show, Mustang." Roy forced a friendly smile, only to receive a disgusted look from the woman.

"Well I'm happy to say I have a loyal woman to keep me on top of things like this." He informed with a quick salute. Armstrong grunted in response before addressing Riza and the others in a more welcoming manner.

"For your sakes, I am hoping Mustang's plan works out. I can only imagine what will happen if that moron Hakuro is given complete control." The group glanced in the direction of the older General, who was standing off to the distance chatting with a few of the men he had arrived with. Roy took into consideration the man's confidence at the moment and there was the fact Hakuro had history on his side. Hakuro might not have had to pull many triggers during Ishbal, but he had done his share of orders as well.

"I've got everything under control." Roy decided. He dropped into a nearby seat and returned a confident smile towards the skeptical ones he was receiving. "Right now, it's who can say the right words and Hakuro is more emotional charged than he lets on."

"So you want to prove you can keep a level head better than old Hakuro when it comes to pressure situations?" Maes asked with a knowing chuckle.

"Exactly… You're not doubting me, are you Hughes?" There was a snort heard from Havoc's direction and even Riza didn't say anything. Roy allowed an annoyed stubborn expression to cross his face. "Thanks for the support."

*~*~*~*~*~*

Al shivered and pulled his coat closer to his body as he followed Mei through the snow towards the hotel she had told him would be close by in the small northern town. Since they had arrived North, Al found himself trudging through mountains of snow, following the small Xingnese girl on some unknown task. They had found a small broken down hut, one they had been directed to through tattered directions Mei had been carrying, and with the lifting of floor boards, a bundled up package was pulled out. They had spent the night in the same hut with a small burning fire and curled up in a corner waiting for sunrise. The next morning they had ventured for some time before finally making their way into the town.

When they entered the small hotel, the receptionist had first stared at the shivering pair in shock before giving a quick smile. "And how may I help you two?" he asked in a chipper voice as Al dug through his travel bag for the money Ed had given him.

"We'd like a room for a few days." Mei finally spoke up. The receptionist raised an eyebrow.

"One bed… or two?" he asked slowly.

"Actually, we'd like two rooms."Al corrected as he placed the money on the counter. He was certain the man behind the desk was mentally suggesting something and he wasn't quite in the mood for someone's perverted assumptions. The skeptical look soon vanished and the all too cheerful smile returned.

"Of course!" Soon, the pair were handed their keys and welcomed to the comfy Northern Inn. It would have been nice to lay in a warm bed and potentially have Ed meet up with them so they could figure things out and head back home. Ling would be able to get the answers he needed, Mei would teach them Xing Alchemy, and maybe there would be a chance to even visit Xing as well.

"When you're done settling in, would you be able to come to my room?" Mei finally spoke up when they turned to go their separate ways. Al snapped out of his thoughts and glanced over at the shy princess. He smiled warmly and nodded.

"I'll be ready in an hour if that's a good time to meet you. I need to call Winry and make sure my brother actually left Rush Valley." Mei nodded, her cheeks still pink from the cold air outside, Al assumed.

"That's fine. I want to show you what I've been looking for to help me better understand your country's alchemy." She answered, glancing down at the bundle she had been clutching to her chest. Al's eyes followed her gaze and he smiled, giving a quick nod.

"That sounds fine." There was a moments silence before Mei stuttered over her words and swiftly turned, shuffling to her room, her tiny panda companion clutching tightly from the spot on her flustered owner's shoulder. Entering his room, Al took in the comfortable space he had been given. The room was a modest size, a twin sized bed positioned in the middle of the room, a side table with a lamp on it, and on the other side of the room was a desk where the phone was placed along with a notepad and pen. Closing his door behind him, Al dropped his bag in front of the dresser next to the desk he had dropped at. It was nice to finally sit comfortably. He glanced over at the phone and determined it would be good to make sure his brother had started moving.

"Hello, Garfiel's,"

"Winry?"

"Al! I was wondering when you were going to call!" The blonde's excited voice sounded on the other end despite the noise that was heard in the background. "Is everything ok?"

"Everything is fine. Mei and I found what she was looking for and we're settling in for a couple of days. How are you? Is Ed still there?" An exasperated sigh was heard and Al could imagine blue eyes rolling.

"You know he can't stay still for anything. I woke up and he was already heading out the door for the train. He's been gone since yesterday." Al smiled to himself, not allowing a knowing chuckle to escape and possibly set his childhood friend off.

"Thanks Winry-chan. He must be headed towards Briggs right now to meet up with Ling."

"You're going to be going there too, right Al?"

"Yeah, is there anything you want me to tell him?"

"No, just take care of each other… I don't want history repeating itself." Al noticed that her voice had lightened when she said these words.

"Don't worry, Winry. We'll both come home. I promise."

"Thanks Alphonse,"

"Besides, I'm pretty sure nothing's going to keep brother away from you ever again." Stuttering was heard on the other end and Al began laughing as Winry rushed a quick good bye and hung up the phone. Al shook his head knowingly, placing the phone back on the hook before making his way to the shower. He decided he would unpack after talking with Mei. He was sure that she would at least want to go eat after they discussed her discovery. "Mei, are you ready?" he called as he knocked on her room door, exchanging a smile with an older woman who was passing. The door opened and Al yelped as his hand was grabbed and he was yanked into the room.

"Look at these notes!" Al walked in and was shocked that the female had the notes spread out across a desk already. She had made her way to the desk, her long wet hair lying in dark waves down her back as she looked down at the sheets in front of her. "They're amazing, though I can't make out what exactly any of this says." Al made his way over and looked at the sheets as well.

"These aren't in this country's language are they?" he asked, his eyes going over the foreign words. There were even interesting illustrations of strange transmutation circles in the notes.

"They're Ishbalan." Mei answered without hesitation. "There's no doubt. I've seen writings like these before when I was traveling."

"Then you understand it all?" Al asked, looking at the girl in amazement. Mei shook her head.

"Not at all… but I'm sure that we can find someone who will." Al continued to look curiously over the transmutations in the notes while Mei shuffled them back together in the order she had taken them from.

"Where exactly do you expect to find an Ishbalan that can decipher these? These have to be written in some kind of ancient text." She gave a confident smile as she slipped the sheets from the shocked Elric's hands.

"Trust me, I know the perfect person." She answered. Al couldn't help but to feel assured despite not knowing what was ahead, but at least someone knew what was going on with the insanity taking place. He hoped that Ed was as lucky.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Ed scowled as the cold snowy air hit him in the face. He was grateful to be on the move again, despite waking up the day he had to leave with Winry clinging onto him as if her life depended on it. He had taken an hour to actually manage to pry her off of him so he could gather his things and make the train. He could see the Briggs fortress coming into view and quickened his pace. "Ling had better be there or I'm gonna beat the shit out of him." Ed growled between clenched teeth. The prince did have a full two days ahead of him after all.

As he marched toward the fortress, thinking excitedly about the potential of warm and disgusting coffee, Ed came to a stop when he saw the two unconscious soldiers at the gate. "What the…" Running up to the men, he shook one of the soldiers, trying to get some kind of response. Armstrong was away in Central for the conference and had no doubt took Buccaneer and Miles with her so it wouldn't be too much of a shock if someone was trying to infiltrate the fortress with its Queen gone. He looked up, noticing that the doors looked like they had taken a beating, but had not been opened.

"Halt!" He stepped away from the men and looked up as the Briggs men stood high above him, guns pointing down.

"Hold on, it's me! Edward Elric!" he yelled, throwing his arms in the air and taking another step back, hoping they could get some kind of view of him. The guns didn't lower however. "Did you hear what I said?!" he yelled, becoming irritated.

"Well, well, well. Someone else is coming to play?" Ed stiffened at the sound of the voice that had appeared behind him. Turning swiftly, he allowed a relieved sigh to come forth as he dropped his arms to his sides.

"Ling, what the hell is going on around here!" The prince walked forward and cocked his head to the side, a strange look in his eyes.

"You must mean the previous owner of this body." Ed blinked a few times, allowing a confused expression to cross his face.

"What?" An evil, wide grin crossed the prince's face.

"Oh yeah, you've missed a lot, runt. This isn't that Ling person you're looking for. The name's Greed… new and improved."