August 15th, 1990
If it weren't for the seriousness of the matter, and the attendance of the diplomats who regularly lived at the Embassies in Central, Franz would have thought the group sitting around his large conference room table, and in the couple of rows of chairs set in tight around it, was more like a bizarre extended family reunion. While most of the governments had agreed that the Presidents, Emperors, and other rulers themselves needed to remain where they were to avoid drawing attention to the meeting, the people they had sent as their direct proxies were effective if ironic choices. From Xing, they had sent retired-Emperor Mao and his wife, who had come in quietly late the evening before, and were staying with Mao's sister, Ren, and Will at their house now that they had returned that summer from Will's Sabbatical.
What made it look like a family reunion was that President Argyros had sent his son, Thrakos in his place, which meant he had come with Minxia and their son. Franz was sure there was a lot of very enjoyable reunion happening in Will and Ren's house, since they were also staying with Minxia's parents. If nothing else, it looked like a very crammed family reunion weekend for them in particular.
Franz did not personally know the representatives from Aerugo and Kartos, but they were of equal importance. The Aerugean attendee was a junior member of their ruling council, a woman in her early thirties, named Noa Ciprian. She had been a lawyer before running for and being elected to Aerugo's governing body.
Kartos had sent what amounted to their first diplomatic envoys ever, choosing a member of their equivalent of the Assembly. While Svendel Olksen was at least in his forties and a civil servant, he looked more like one of Amestris' state alchemists, if they had shoulder-length blond hair and a trimmed beard.
Drachma's presence was mostly a formality, since the Drachman Ambassador, Lisana Morovich, was no longer in active communication with the Drachman government. Or rather, the new Drachman government. Not only were they not permitted to call out, but Amestris had kept the lines tapped in case someone from Drachma tried to call in. No one from Savahin's regime had many any attempts to contact their predecessors' representatives. That, as much as anything else, had made Morovich and her colleagues very cooperative with anything Franz asked.
None of them knew about who was approaching Central by train. The only people who had any knowledge were Fischer, Closson, a couple of other ranking members of Franz's staff, and Sara.
For now, it was time to put that out of his head, and focus on the original plan, and the reasons for the meeting.
Given its sensitive nature, there were only about twenty people in the room, including a couple of ranking Assemblymen, Generals, and the representatives from the different countries, and a couple of staffers each.
Franz looked around from where he stood at the head of the room, the large map of Amestris and its neighbors looming behind him. "Good morning. I'd like to start by thanking each of you for coming, some of you from very long distance in a very short time, to represent your governments at this summit meeting. Over the next few days, we will be sharing intelligence information about what is currently happening in Drachma, possible scenarios and outcomes of the conflict, and what we may, individually or together, need to do in those instances for the best interests of our homelands, and their citizens. We have representatives here today from not just Amestris, but Aerugo, Creta, Xing, and—for the first time—Kartos. This is a momentous occasion, and while I regret that current events have forced it to be necessary, I do hope that this will create continued and new positive relations between our countries. You will note that I have asked Ms. Morovich, the Ambassador of the previous Drachman government, to be present at these proceedings, not only for her knowledge, but to represent the innocent civilians in Drachma who are not being spoken for by the current regime, which has cut off political ties with all of us at present. As we know, right now, no one is suffering as much as the citizens of Drachma itself, and that is a perspective we need to keep as we consider any contingency plans we may need to employ going forward."
There was a general subtle nodding of heads around the room, from anyone who moved at all. It was encouraging, however, that no one scowled or voiced objections.
Franz continued. "This morning's session will be primarily informative. I'd like each representative to speak regarding their country's current feelings regarding any involvement on your parts regarding the Drachma situation. When we reconvene this afternoon, we will begin with the intelligence reports." Another general round of nods of agreement. Of course, they had all been given the general schedule upon their arrival in Central, so this was not news. "To begin, I have asked Ms. Morovich to say a few words." He nodded to her.
Looking remarkably composed, even though he knew she was nervous, Lisana Morovich stood. The carefully pre-planned seating placed her between Creta and Xing which, Franz hoped, would be a less threatening position at the table than some others. Morovich looked around the room, making eye contact with each of the other delegates present. "I wish to thank you, too, for coming," she began in a smooth, clear tone. "It pains me, as it does all of us here at the Embassy, what has happened in our country. Know that it is not what we wanted, and not what we stand for. Not us, nor many of the Drachman people. We will offer you what help we can, in the good faith that whatever your actions, you will do your best to do no further harm, and hopefully help, the Drachman people." When she finished, she sat down.
Franz nodded. "Thank you, Ms. Morovich. Creta, if you would please speak next."
Thrakos Argyros and—interestingly enough—Minxia Elric Argyros, were both there in an official capacity. Franz thought that said a lot about how highly the Argyros family regarded their daughter-in-law. Of course, if there was anyone who was as widely travelled as she in the room, there weren't many. The Cretan Ambassador sat beside them. It was Thrakos who stood to speak. The normally jovial dark-haired man's face was almost unnaturally serious, and Franz did not think he'd ever seen him look more like his father, or his grandfather. "Creta wishes to thank Amestris for calling this summit together, and being willing to host all of us in this endeavor. It is presently Creta's wish that all attempts be made to move forward with plans that avoid actively instigating combat if at all possible, suing for peaceful solutions. That said, should it become unavoidable, as always, Creta will honor its alliances with its neighbors in defending their borders, with the understanding that if Drachma should broach the Cretan border, its neighbors will offer the same protection."
The stance Franz had known to expect, as Creta preferred to remain out of conflict unless necessary, and tended to focus on defending its own borders rather than being an aggressor. Still, it was a more promising situation than during the terms of the President between the two Presidents Argyros. That had been a period of unusually strong isolationism for Creta on many friends, except for the exact letter of any diplomatic treaties between countries.
Retired-Emperor Mao spoke for Xing. "The Xing Empire stands by those who stand with the Empire, now and for always. We sent aid to Amestris during the last war with Drachma, and Amestris defended and restored the rulers of Xing when dissent in our own borders created a civil war not unlike the one currently faced in Drachma. Our sympathies and concern are also for the civilian people of Drachma who are trying to live their lives under fear and threat. Whether our actions forward are diplomatic, defensive, or offensive, Xing is prepared to provide whatever manpower, supplies, or funds necessary."
While Franz had expected support from Xing, especially after their involvement in the restoration of the Imperial Family, as Mao had mentioned, that was not only a strong voice of support, but an aggressive one. Of course, the Hashman Syndicate's involvement, and illegal activities, in Xing, and their ties to the current regime in Drachma, were unlikely to make Mao or his son look favorably upon the new leadership.
Svendel Olksen of Kartos spoke next. When he stood, he was tall enough he towered over everyone. "Kartos is prepared to do whatever is necessary to keep Drachma in Drachma. For generations, they have attacked us on and off again, trying to conquer enough land to build a seaport, and we have held them back. While we have historically done this alone, we are concerned that should Drachma put the full might of its army into making that a priority, particularly in the light of new technologies about which we've been hearing," the glint in his eyes said he was very eager to hear more information about airplanes, "we will not be able to stand alone. We are not a large country, but we have a strong military, and long tradition. Diplomacy, well, that may take us a bit longer to learn." He chuckled slightly at that last, and there was a soft rustle of amusement in the room.
Noa Ciprian of Aerugo had a less exuberant, but no less heartening message. "While Aerugo does not share a border with Drachma, and is likely in no immediate danger herself, we do not forget the aide given to us by Amestris, during times of great need, nor our neighbors to the West, in Creta, with whom we have generally been at peace. While we have cut back our military in recent years, due to budget saving measures and a lack of necessity, we have plenty of material goods, and funds, should they be needed, to support any endeavors voted upon by this alliance."
A universal agreement then, that no country would sit out should it come to the worst, though they would have to agree that it had come to that point. Cautious agreement, as it was clear that most countries—Creta and Aerugo in particular, as much as Amestris had so far—would prefer not to get in a war with Drachma. Particularly not with a violent madman running the country.
"Thank you." Franz took charge of the meeting again when everyone had spoken. "It's good to know that, on the whole, we are in agreement in our support of each other in matters of defense. Now then, let's get down to details."
The train arrived at Central Station just before dark, almost exactly two days since it had left the border town of Posterum. During that time, Ted had done his best to help his Drachman colleagues adjust, and prepare them for what was likely to happen when they reached Central. Since most of what he wanted to say was hardly secret, he had no problem explaining it in front of the soldiers, or in Amestrian, then repeating it in Drachman if needed. He didn't want the soldiers thinking they were planning anything other than what was happening. Particularly since getting back to Central quickly had been exactly what Ted wanted.
That did not make it a relaxing journey, even in a relatively comfortable train, with food available whenever they wanted, and the animals safely nearby where they could be checked on at regular intervals. There wasn't quite enough time to get bored, either, though the soldiers had been more than willing to loan out their deck of cards, which kept them all busy.
Ted suspected that their arrival was being kept quiet, and he wished he knew what they were walking into. It smelled of politics. So, he was not surprised to be the last ones off the train, or to find when they stepped off the train that there were military officers waiting for them on the platform to escort them to wherever they were being taken.
The train had been pulled in to the far end of the station, on the most remote platform, which was entirely empty. There were, for the moment, no other trains in the station with people getting on or off, given the off-schedule hour of their arrival as well.
What Ted had not expected was who would be waiting for them specifically, since he recognized both of the officers. "Shock? James?"
Tore Closson stood on the platform next to James Heimler. Behind them, two military police officers studiously both paying attention and yet making a point of not listening in too closely to what was being said.
Wow, they really are keeping this hush.
Closson nodded briskly, but gave an uncharacteristically unemotional, "Elric," before turning to the Colonel who had escorted them. "Thank you for your work. If you will help us escort them to the cars, and see to the unloading and delivery of the animals, your task will be complete, and there are rooms waiting for you at the Severn." That was the hotel near headquarters most military stayed at if they were coming in from out of town.
Ted had already warned everyone that they would probably not be allowed to accompany their animals to the zoo immediately, so while there were several tight faces, no one voiced an objection. He trusted that the zoo would take good care of them, and that no one would dare hurt them.
Anika looked like she still wanted to object though. She wasn't good at hiding her disapproval.
Given the lack of address by either Closson or James, Ted figured it was best not to ask questions on a public platform. He followed along with the others until they got to the main station, and were taken out a side door to waiting cars. They were then split. A military police officer got into the driver's seat of each vehicle. Closson and James each got into the other front seat, while Ted, Anika, and Gavril were put in the back of the vehicle with Closson, and the other three four were put in the other, slightly larger car.
As they pulled away, Ted felt it was safe to speak. "Where are we going?"
Closson didn't turn around, but Ted could see him glance back in the rear-view mirror. "Somewhere we can talk."
Frustrated, Ted leaned back into the seat. Beside him, Anika looked tense. To an outsider she probably looked alert, aware, but outwardly calm. Ted knew that she was half-way to terrified and hiding it incredibly well. In Drachma, this kind of situation could end in an execution. They didn't do that kind of thing in Amestris. Well, not anymore.
Gavril seemed almost too calm, if pensive, as he simply sat, hands crossed on his lap, watching Central go by out the window.
Ted focused on where they were making turns, and before long, he had a suspicion he knew where they were headed; a suspicion that turned out to be right as they were led through the large metal gates into the brick-walled property that housed the Drachman Embassy in Central.
When the cars stopped, they were all escorted inside, down a hallway, and into what proved to be the sitting room. Waiting for them, in full uniform, was President Heimler.
Ted felt his blood run cold as his uncle stood. There was no smile here, and no invitation for him to speak.
Instead, Franz turned to Gavril, and extended a hand. "Gavril Mihalov, it is a singular pleasure to see you alive and well."
Gavril smiled, and took the offered hand, shaking it firmly. "President Heimler, it is an honor to meet you in person, and believe me, it is my pleasure to be alive and well in the current circumstances."
"I am very much looking forward to hearing how all this has come about," Franz nodded. "You've had a very long trip. All of you have." He looked around the room then, taking in the rest of the faces in the room. :Do any of you speak Amestrian?: he asked then in careful Drachman.
Anika just nodded. Niki nodded as well, answering :Fairly well, Sir.:
Mrs. Volkova, Fyo, and Liena all shook their heads.
:Very well then. We will speak tonight in Drachman. Please excuse my accent. I am out of practice.: That got him a couple of nervous smiles. :As you might expect, we have many questions, for all of you. First, let me assure you that we have arranged for all of the animals you brought with you to be taken to our city zoo for the time being. They will be taken care of, and given room to stay in the quarantine area, and some of the off-exhibit habitat spaces. You will be permitted to see them and care for them tomorrow. Second, a meal has been prepared for you all in the dining room. I thought it would be more prudent to hear your story while you eat. For the time being, you will be living here, at the Embassy. While the governing parties in Petrayevka no longer recognize this Embassy as speaking for Drachma, it has been neutral territory for over twenty years, and continues to be considered as such by Amestris, and its allies. This also means that, by international law, as the new government has no claim to this land, they cannot extradite you should they learn of your existence here.:
This had been very well thought out for only two days warning. His speech, clearly designed to put the Drachmans at ease, seemed to be working. Ted couldn't help but be impressed.
:Ambassador Lisana Morovich and her staff are still here as well, and will be able to explain to you the political situation as it stands, at least as far as we know. What we hope to find out tonight, is what you all may know, that we don't. Please know that, despite the guards that have been assigned to you, you are not prisoners, nor are you in any danger so long as you follow the laws of the country. The guards assigned to the Embassy were all chosen for their skills, and the fact that all of them have a working knowledge of the Drachman language. They will be able to explain anything you do not understand or may wish to know about our laws and customs. Once we have done the appropriate background checks and can give you all legal paperwork, permitting you officially to be in the country, you will be free to leave the embassy without escort within the next couple of weeks, though we ask you to please remain in Central. Now, come, dinner is waiting.:
Ted was itching to demand answers to the dozens of questions he had, but he restrained himself. His commanding officer—presuming he was still a military officer until directly told otherwise—had not requested his report yet, nor even greeted him. Ted couldn't decide if he was avoiding showing favoritism, or if that was a bridge he had well and truly burned with his behavior the last time they had stood face to face. Closson and James' behavior had not given him any clues either.
He supposed he should not have been surprised to see Cal Fischer at the table with the Drachman Ambassador, and her two aides, along with Closson. Fischer and Gavril had met before, in Karmatsk, and he already knew about this whole fiasco.
Ted was startled to see Alyse Fischer, Charisa Closson, and his aunt Sara. Okay, so his Aunt was a General in her own right, and Charisa Closson was a member of the Assembly, but no matter how he sliced it, Alyse was a civilian. Still, it looked almost like a dinner party instead of a questioning session for recently arrived refugees.
As the general introductions began, Ted realized that was exactly the point. They were putting the Drachmans at ease, and making them welcome, because they would be more inclined to talk freely and without reservation. They would be less likely, in any case, to lie.
The Amestrians at the table introduced themselves first, and Cal and Gavril exchanged a hearty handshake, and then it was their party's turn.
Mihalov everyone knew of course, but that didn't keep him from politely shaking hands with Morovich, and thanking her for her work and her continued efforts on Drachma's behalf. She, and her aides, were a bit flustered and appreciative. He congratulated Sara on her recovery and return to duty, and bowed over the hands of Charisa and Alyse.
Only then did Franz turn to Ted directly. "Would you make the rest of the introductions, Lieutenant Colonel?"
"Of course, Sir." Ted turned and motioned to each of the other Drachmans in turn. "This is Dinara Volkova, senior curator and animal trainer at the Drachman National Zoo in Petrayevka." He then repeated it in Drachman. He was fairly certain neither Charisa nor Alyse spoke Drachman, and he wondered how the rest of the evening's conversation was going to go.
Mrs. Volkova came forward, politely shaking hands, and exchanging pleasantries in Drachman. When she wasn't sure what to say, she simply smiled and clasped hands.
"This is Fyo Doron, and Liena Sarofsky, both zoologists and animal trainers at the Zoo, specializing in big cats and canines."
Fyo was his usual smiling, exuberant self despite his nerves. He made up for not knowing Amestrian by flattering them in Drachman anyway, and kissing hands in the most old fashioned and yet complimentary way possible, making it clear he was not actually flirting.
Liena was more demure, and nervous, but did just fine.
Ted's heart beat a little faster as they moved through the introductions. "This is Niki Marskaya, son of General Vichel Marskaya, and manager of the Marskaya Distillery."
"When I'm not fighting to oust bloodthirsty dictators," Niki chuckled as he shook hands with everyone with a calm grin. He surprised Ted when he got to Cal and his smile widened. "It is good to see you again," he exclaimed as they clasped hands tightly.
Fischer chuckled. "Under similarly complex circumstances as well. I hope you'll find our hospitality just as enjoyable as I found yours. Though I'm afraid the vodka can't compare."
That got a laugh out of Niki, and Ted wondered when the two had met before. It must have been when they used the Marskaya estate as a stopping point on the evacuation flights. At least, that was the only possibility he was coming up with.
Now he got a very meaningful look both from Fischer, and from his uncle. Ted looked at Anika, who gave him a small smile as she stepped forward. "I am Anika Marskaya, daughter of General Vichel Marskaya, resistance fighter, and former head of Exotic Cats at the Drachman National Zoo." She moved to shake hands with everyone, thanking them like everyone else had, for having them, and expressing more eloquently than the others had been able to, how much she appreciated their animals being allowed into the country and the care they would be given.
Then they all sat down to eat. Ted noted immediately that some thought had been given to the table seating arrangement as well. While his uncle took the head of the table, with Aunt Sara to his right, Gavril was seated directly to his left, next to the Drachman Ambassador. Cal and Alyse Fischer sat beside Sara. The Drachman Aides sat at the foot of the table, where they could speak with Fyo, Mrs. Volkova, and Liena, who were clearly more at ease having native speakers beside them. Tore and Charisa Closson sat next to the Drachman Ambassador, and Ted found himself mid-table, between Anika and Charisa, with Niki across from him.
The food was good; a blend of Amestrian and Drachman dishes, with plenty for everyone, and for the first several minutes, people focused on eating. It wasn't until they were well into the food that Aunt Sara spoke up, looking across the table. "So, I think we're all dying to know what really happened in Karmatsk when the siege broke. How did you escape?"
Gavril sipped his wine. "Thanks to your State Alchemists' assistance, we already had more than one evacuation plan in place. When they broke through the walls, they came straight through the city to the Estate and the civilian population was mostly left alone as long as they stayed out of the way. They mobbed the estate, broke in the doors, and started to round up anyone who hadn't gotten out in time." He began to cut another piece out of the large steak on his plate. "They didn't count on us anticipating their arrival, but we didn't count on them arriving so quickly. We made it out into the city, but then they gave chase. We ran, and managed to escape to our hiding place, but not before I was shot in the side." He gestured to his healing wound, though it wasn't visible under his clothes.
Cal winced visibly.
Sara looked impressed. "How did you survive?"
"Actually, I have Mr. Elric and Miss Marskaya to thank for that." Gavril smiled, gesturing down the table. "They were able to get into the city, locate us, and then bring the surgical equipment our medic needed to perform the surgery needed to save my life. Though I'm told, before that, Mr. Elric was able to use alchemy to repair some of the internal damage before I bled to death."
Under other circumstances, Ted might have felt smug when every Amestrian at the table turned to stare at him. Yes, he had done a modicum of alchemical healing, and it had succeeded. Now, however, was not the time to brag. "I just did what I could," he replied humbly. "We infiltrated the city disguised as local farmers coming in for supplies. It wasn't all that hard to convince them we had legitimate business in town. It also gave us an easy excuse to be in supply stores, grocers, and the hospital."
No one yet had asked about Anika's very obvious pregnancy. Everyone who had come with him already knew, and Ted could only surmise that since he hadn't exactly been secretive about Anika's name around his family, that his uncle, aunt, Closson, and Fischer, at the very least, were probably making the very correct assumption that it was his.
For now, that detail was not important apparently.
"And then you all snuck out of the city," Alyse spoke up. "They must have been looking for you, how did you manage it?"
Gavril nodded. "I can't take the credit for that either, as I was still recovering from surgery. These two hid me in a crate of vegetables and drove right out the city gates, with the guards none the wiser."
That brought about another round of chatter and commentary, and Ted was content to let the experienced politician take the lead on telling the entire story. He knew he would still have to give his entire report, in detail, later. He anticipated an intense grilling when this was over, but this was not the setting for it.
Gavril detailed out the plan to rescue the animals, always giving credit for ideas where they were due, and the chase, the battle, and their escape to recuperate at the ruins of Xerxes. "After that, we made our way to the border, and the rest you know," he finally finished as everyone was finishing their main meals. "While coming to Amestris was not the original plan, it seems fortuitous to me that events have turned out this way. At least, I have a sense that I can be of more use here, than in a resistance cell. I'm a diplomat and civil servant, not a combat tactician."
"What makes you think that?" Sara asked. Ted had noticed that all the seemingly innocent yet prying questions had been coming from her, not Franz.
Gavril smiled slyly. "Dinner, for one. As well as I know Amestris is known for treating refugees well, this is not how you treat people illegally crossing your borders. No one does, not without reason, and don't think for a moment I don't know that you know I know that."
Fischer snickered.
Gavril nodded. "That said, no country would sit by with a volatile wolf on their doorstep and do nothing. I presume, given how quickly you expedited our arrival and your efforts to keep it secret, that there is something going on, and that is something in which my knowledge, or my person, maybe both, can be of use to you."
"That would be a fair assumption," Franz nodded.
"Political intrigue 101," Gavril quipped. "To continue, if I were worried about a large foreign nation that borders on multiple countries, and is known for its expansionist policies in times of regime change of this type, I would be speaking with every allied nation willing to organize, so that there is a unified plan in place for multiple contingencies. Twenty-six years ago, Drachma successfully, if temporarily, invaded and controlled almost one-quarter of Amestris. Your reticence to get involved militarily with Drachma again has been completely understandable, and I was impressed that you were willing to risk as much as you did to retrieve your people. Your vocal support of our government-in-exile, for as long as it lasted, was also an appreciated risk. I have been informed, by several members of the remaining Drachman resistance, that should I declare myself alive, and continue to speak out against Savahin, I could still garner enough support to rally a portion of Drachmans, though I am not inclined to do so without some assurance that they have hope of success. I will not lead innocent people to slaughter." He paused, sipping his wine again. "Which leads me to ask, should I offer my complete cooperation and all of my extensive knowledge of Drachman politics, who Amestris is bringing in on its plans, what those plans are, and what, specifically you expect me to do?" There, he paused, leaving an expectant air around the table.
This guy is good at this. Ted waited, dying with just as much curiosity to find out what was going on that they were important. Or at least, Mihalov was important.
To his surprise, Franz's face broke into a smile. "A voice of conscience. Very well. You should know that your timing is quite precipitous, almost ironically so. This morning was the beginning of a summit between Amestris, Creta, Kartos, Aerugo, and Xing, specifically to discuss joint protection in the event that Drachma should choose to violate any borders, and also, if we should in fact, make any considerations regarding taking action against Drachma at all."
"May I ask the tenor of the conversation thus far?"
"Defensive, primarily," Franz replied. That did not surprise Ted, given how incredibly strong the anti-war sentiment had been before he left. "Cooperative, but most countries seem to be of the opinion that we should shore up the borders and keep Drachma in Drachma."
"I see. And how do you feel about it?" Gavril's eyes moved from Franz, and landed on Sara. He glanced at Fischer then, and interestingly enough, Closson.
"I am not convinced that Drachma will stay in Drachma." Franz fingered the stem of his water goblet. "While it is not my desire to get involved in another war with the Drachman army, I am not entirely convinced that we will be able to remain uninvolved, or that it is in our best interest to do so. Without a well-considered strategy, and allies on board, however, I am not going to approve actions that may cause more harm than good, particularly for the civilians of any country."
"Including Drachma?"
"Gavril," Sara leaned in slightly across the table. "I believe we can all agree that there are no people more in danger, and more disadvantaged at this moment, than the citizens of Drachma. Centuries of unstable and inconsistent government have led to varied and dramatic inequities. Not just from a class perspective, but in other ways. You are, I believe, one of the representatives in the government who had been pushing for prison reform?"
Gavril paused, and Ted knew that was not the question he had been expecting. He also had to know that Sara's rescue had come after several years in the Drachma prison system. "I am, or at least, I was. It's barbaric, underfunded, and full of people whose crimes were only disagreeing with this regime or that, often without trial. When those people left power, all of those cases should have been examined. It's been an issue for generations."
Sara nodded briskly. "As an inside expert, I agree. A huge number of the people I met in my time there are victims of the winds of change. Many of the rest were locked up and forgotten, sometimes for decades, for crimes that do not deserve a lifetime sentence. Many had served much longer than their actual sentencing, but had no recourse. Once you go into the system, most of the time, you're forgotten. Now, what would you say, if I told you that a large number of those people…possibly all of them, including the prison employees and those living in the towns near them, hate Savahin, and all men like him? Especially the ones who have been in prison for twenty or more years. Which is, by the way, a large majority of the prisoners in Western Drachma."
"I'd say that's nearly a million Drachmans who would like to see Savahin and his ilk removed from control." Gavril looked thoughtful, and mildly impressed. "The question is, would they be willing to follow someone else, and what would they want in exchange?"
"A fair hearing, most of them," Sara replied as if it were something very simple. "Out if they've served their time. Employment, and a chance to have a life again. The vast majority of them aren't a threat to anyone, and have long since regretted their actions, or the circumstances that led them there. Most of them would probably be willing to keep doing the work Drachma has had them doing as basically slave labor for decades."
"The mines." Gavril's eyes widened.
Sara nodded. "Almost seventy percent of Drachma's coal, metal ore, oil, minerals, and gemstones come out of those Western mountains. Cut off that supply—"
"—and we undermine Savahin's entire military operation," Gavril replied shrewdly. "Or rather, they do, given the provisions to cut off Savahin in the mountains. Which, could be doable. There are only a very few roads that lead all the way up to the plateaus at the top of the range. Most of them are windy back-country roads, and there's only one major highway, the one that runs from Trilonka to Petrayevka." He started to look excited, and there was a fire in his eyes that Ted hadn't seen before.
"Excuse me for cutting in here," Fischer raised a hand slightly, "But you're talking about nearly a million people, against a military twice that size. Not all of them will be fighters, and probably a lot of them aren't trained. What is the population of that area? How many cities are there? Is there even someone to put in charge of a region that sparse that you could trust?"
"All, excellent questions." Gavril nodded. "Only about ten percent of Drachma's actual population lives in the Western territories. There are a few mining towns that are not attached to prisons as work-camps, but not many. Thanks to decades of being purposefully underfunded, but strictly monitored, there is no real regional leadership in the area outside of local governments. The last thing the central government ever wanted, no matter who was in charge, was someone getting up enough popularity for the region to decide to annex itself. Or, you know, for someone to cause a massive prison break." He looked at Sara then, quite directly. "I can only presume that the disturbances reported in the past few years, the big ones, were your doing, and I only wish I had known. I'm truly sorry."
"It's passed," Sara brushed it off. "I'm a terrible prisoner, and I don't expect they would ever have put anything on a report that might indicate that I was anyone of importance. Prisoner three-three-five-six-oh-two-nine-four is hardly going to tell anyone I'm a missing Amestrian General who's supposed to be dead and buried. But I'm telling you, if you're willing to step up and continue to be the voice of your country, against Savahin and his growing control, to keep the resistance going and give it a chance at succeeding, then that is the place to build from."
"There are almost no resistance pockets in that area at all," Niki pointed out, speaking up for the first time in the conversation.
"Exactly," Sara nodded, clearly satisfied. "It is not a direction Savahin will be looking, and so he will not expect it. The prisoners in those prisons are there to be forgotten and ignored. If we can talk them into taking the south-western valley with them and into their protection, than we put another two-hundred miles between Savahin and any hope of reaching the ocean, which also cuts him off from sharing any direct border with Kartos or Creta."
"This is…an incredibly devious and well-conceived plan." Gavril sat back a little in his chair. "What support would this annexed Western Drachma receive?"
"Officially, nothing on the books," Sara continued. "Not from any government sources to start. That said, there are some private investors who have expressed a willingness to make trade deals with them for food and other necessary supplies. Those prisons have incredibly well-stocked weapons lockers. Being separate from the rest of Drachma, they would technically have the authority to choose to make alliances with whomever they wish."
"Then the protection of defensive borders for allied nations would extend to them, as it does to those other countries," Franz finished. "If they will stand on their own, organize, and demonstrate a willingness to separate fully from the rest of Drachma, and reject Savahin's government."
They were suggesting an official break and split off of nearly a third of Drachma's landmass. While it wasn't a huge percentage of their population, Ted could imagine that losing that much raw resource and free man-power would be a major blow. Also, symbolically, it would demonstrate how much of the populace he did not represent. Ted suspected that a split from Drachma would accept refugees across its borders.
"Presuming this works, it will still leave Savahin angry, controlling a huge portion of the populated portion of the country, and will probably goad him to military action." Ted dared to speak up.
"Which is when the alliance gets involved. Keeping Drachma out of that bottom corner benefits all of us," Closson commented. "Are there still alchemists in those mountains?"
"There are no laboratories or research facilities, if that's what you mean." Gavril shook his head. "They all quietly disbanded after Tamirov's failures in the war, and his death. However, I would put money down that those that still practice are living up there, given the prevalence of minerals and ingredients that they seem to use. Also, almost every alchemist-soldier pressed into service during the war—the ones who survived—were thrown in prison. Especially the ones who had their alchemy blocked."
"Which can be broken, if you know what you're doing, and someone wants to do it for them." Sara turned her head, lifting her hair and revealing the slightly scarred remains of what had clearly been an anti-transmutation circle. She turned around again, letting her hair fall. "There is training, and information, that can be shared with allies that currently is not available. If you can talk the West into defecting, then it opens up a whole new world of possibilities for Drachma. While they're defecting, and while they are drawing Savahin's attention, would that give the organized resistance time to draw together enough to take back part of the East?" She looked down the table, at Niki, and at Anika. "It is my understanding that the General has managed to keep the military from fortifying or controlling the Eastern provinces, with the exception of Karmatsk."
"That's correct, General," Niki confirmed. "The smaller cities to the south chose not to put up strong resistance, and in cooperating peacefully have been mostly left alone. The same with the central valley cities. The landscape makes it difficult to put up a good military resistance against overwhelming numbers, and those that did resist initially have stopped. Karmatsk was the only Eastern city openly in rebellion, and most of those mountains are estates belonging to old noble families, and the towns that they protected. Once Savahin took over the estates or killed or jailed the families, he hasn't given the areas much thought except where he thinks we're hiding."
"Has he been any good at guessing where you're hiding?" Franz asked.
"It's been very… hit and miss." Niki grinned, clearly pleased at his turn of phrase in a foreign language. "No one has discovered the hidden mountain fortresses of the noble families in generations. Those of us that keep them up have done so out of necessity for generations. Not that we thought we would need it in our lifetime. I know the frequencies and the codes. If we need to communicate with my father and the rest of the remaining network, it can be done. They will, however, only rally enough fighters to make an open attack against any military outposts in the area if there is a surety that Savahin will be tied up elsewhere. We do not have an organized military force, nor are we prepared to stand in traditional combat. That is a guerrilla force."
"Which can be very effective." Sara didn't seem too concerned about that fact. Of course, State Alchemists were used to thinking outside of traditional tactics. "There's a lot that can be done to fix this problem, but a lot of it hinges on you being willing and able to continue on. We can almost certainly talk Kartos and Creta into agreeing with this plan, as long as someone they believe they can trust is nominally in charge of the Drachmans. Even if that is you choosing one of the local town mayors to be in charge, and being a figurehead. Right now, no one else in Amestris, or anywhere else except a handful of people in Karmatsk and the Drachman resistance knows you're alive. None of them know exactly where you are. As long as Savahin doesn't know, he can't claim Amestris or any other country is in collusion with you or actively siding against him. If you agree to this, we are certain we can talk the other countries into backing a free Western Drachma."
For several seconds, Gavril sat there, silent, and Ted couldn't quite read the man's expression. He could imagine, however, what might be running through his mind. For months, Gavril had been the de facto leader of the small fraction of the government's elected leaders who had escaped execution or imprisonment for months. In the end, they had been ineffective in saving Drachma from the coup, particularly once Savahin took over. So many more had been captured. No one would blame him for deciding to remain in hiding, or start a new life elsewhere. Except himself. If there was one thing Gavril didn't seem to be, it was a quitter.
That, Ted was sure, was what his aunt and uncle were banking on.
Finally, Gavril nodded. "I'm in. I can't guarantee that they will listen to me, but I am willing to try. Presuming you have a way to actually get me there." He raised one eyebrow, not stating outright how he probably expected that to be answered.
Ted suspected they planned to use the plane, but he didn't speak either. It was very probably that not everyone in the room actually knew about it.
"We can make the usual arrangements," Sara replied in an equally vague response that was all the confirmation Ted, and apparently Gavril, needed.
"What do I need to do?" Gavril asked then. "Am I to remain in hiding until I appear miraculously in the Western provinces? Or do you need me to speak to this summit?"
"Both, actually," Franz picked up the conversation. "The summit consists of a very limited number of people, none of whom have any wish to see Savahin remain in power. They will need to believe that this plan can work, and to believe that, they will need to see you. However, these talks have been kept quiet. Word of your presence here should remain minimal and, I recommend, that for the time being you use an alias anywhere outside of those meetings, or these grounds once you are able to venture out. At least for the time you are here. Once the plan is approved, we will move as quickly as possible to put them into action."
"I understand. When would you like me to speak to them?"
"There is a session tomorrow afternoon. We can bring you in near the end. If we spent the morning right, we will have everything set up to logically lead into the discussion for this plan."
"Aren't the others going to feel set up when you present to them a plan like this so quickly?" Gavril asked, looking understandably skeptical.
There were some shared glances on the Amestrian side of the table. It was Closson who chuckled. "Things work a little differently around here than you're used to."
Once the decision was made, the conversation seemed to shift away from politics to other things, for which Anika was grateful. Part of her was relieved that Gavril was willing to continue taking risks for Drachma, and that Amestris was not nearly as neutral on the subject as its political policies publicly declared. Doing things behind the scenes was certainly something Drachma was familiar with. Still, it was probably best that most of the sensitive conversation had been in Amestrian. It meant that those who were unlikely to be involved would have plausible deniability about knowing anything about it.
Anika had no doubt that she and Niki did not have that hope, no matter how much they tried not to get involved. Their name, and their involvement in the resistance would make it impossible for them to walk openly in Drachma again until a more tolerant government was restored. Or, at this point, put in place. There was too little of the previous government left.
After the main courses followed dessert and then, when everyone was full, the dinner broke up into more informal conversation. Anika was just getting up from her chair when the alchemist Ted had identified as the Shock Alchemist, Closson came over to Ted. "President wants to talk to you."
Anika's stomach fluttered, but Ted smiled reassuringly as he took his hand off her shoulder. "It's fine. I'll be right back." He turned and followed Closson through a door at the other end of the room. Anika noticed that Franz Heimler had already vanished. Fischer and Gavril were deep in conversation still at their seats, and Niki had moved down to join them. Fyo was flirting with one of the Ambassador's aides, while the other aide, Mrs. Volkova, and Liena had moved over to a sitting area in the corner of the open sitting area where they had first been brought, across the hall.
For a moment, she wasn't sure what to do.
"Excuse me, Miss Marskaya?"
Startled, Anika turned to her right, to find Alyse Fischer standing next to her, smiling. In her tasteful, sage-green dress suit with a cream ruffled blouse, the woman was the epitome of understated elegance. As much as Anika wasn't one for formal dress occasions, she felt completely underdressed. "Anika is fine, ma'am. How may I help you?"
The other woman nodded. "Then you must call me Alyse. Please, won't you join me? I was going to sit somewhere more comfortable while they conclude this evening's business."
It was far better than standing or sitting alone, worrying about Ted. She nodded. "I'd like that." Besides which, the overstuffed chairs and couches in the other room had looked far more comfortable than anything she'd sat on in months.
Alyse led her into the other room, and Anika almost balked when she realized that the cluster of chairs they were heading towards was not unoccupied. Charisa Closson sat there, along with Sara Heimler. Anika was frankly startled that the latter wasn't in the other room continuing to talk politics and plan.
They also seemed to be waiting for her.
Anika eased herself down onto one end of the open couch, and caught herself almost sighing in delight. It was the most glorious, fluffy, indulgent sensation. For just a moment, she caught herself closing her eyes and wishing she could fall asleep. Not that she would in present company. When she looked around, her face flushed. All three had small, knowing smiles on their faces.
Alyse spoke first. "Would you like some tea?"
"Tea would be lovely."
There was a moment as Alyse poured her a cup, and added honey at Anika's request, then offered her the cup. The others, she had noticed, already had cups. "This isn't a hijacking," Alyse promised with a soft chuckle, "But we were hoping to have a few minutes to get to know you, and for you to get to know us, ask any questions you may have. Of course, if you'd rather not, we won't be offended. I know it's been a very long trip, and it sounds like one mission after another for a long time."
Anika nodded. Somehow, the quip about hijackings made her feel better. Also the fact that she was invited to ask questions. There were also all, in some way or another, related to Ted, if she'd understood that part of his whispered information correctly. "No, that's fine. I'd much rather talk than sit by myself. What did you want to know?"
"Just a little bit more about you, really," Charisa Closson commented. She was another woman who made Anika feel underdressed. The Assemblywoman wore a fitted dark blue dress that was two shades darker than the Amestrian uniforms, with a short-sleeved scalloped jacket over it, and her red-brown curls seemed to sit just so, while being a moment shy of being wild.
Sara Heimler chuckled. For some reason the woman, who had chosen to wear her dress uniform like her husband and the other alchemists, seemed the least intimidating.
"We're nosy, and they're being polite. Before my nephew left you were pretty much the only thing Ted could talk about eighty percent of the time."
"Only eighty?" Anika dared a small joke.
"He had to sleep sometimes," Sara pointed out, grinning more broadly. "So, we know a little bit about you, but not much more than that you're a zoologist who works with big cats, you shoot like Riza Hawkeye, and that you're the daughter of a General, like the rest of us."
"All of your fathers' are Generals?" Anika did her best not to stare.
"All of us," Charisa nodded. "Though in my case, technically, I was adopted when I was three, but my little brother and I don't have any real memories anymore that far back. I do remember being introduced to them, after Sara here helped save our village."
Sara shrugged. "It was my job, but yes, when Mrs. Breda told me they wanted to adopt children, I gave them the picture I had of Charisa and her brother."
"And, the rest is history," Charisa nodded.
Breda… "So, your father was General Breda, the one who used to be President of Amestris." Anika was fairly certain she remembered that name.
"That would be him."
"Alyse and I are cousins," Sara went on to explain. "As Ted may have told you, he's named after his grandfather, my father, Edward Elric. His brother, Alphonse, is Alyse's father."
Ted had told her about the Elric brothers, though she'd heard the names in history classes when Amestris came up. Anika nodded. "So how are you related to them?" she looked at Charisa. That was not a name Ted had mentioned in his long conversations about his family tree.
Charisa didn't seem offended. "I married in, kind of. My husband is Edward Elric's foster son. It's not a blood relation, but then none of our families have ever really cared much if family is by blood or by choice. Sara was like a big sister to me from the moment I moved to Central."
That did sound nice. Anika sipped her tea, and relaxed a little more. "So, I thought you said you were nosy," she chided gently.
Sara chuckled. "Oh, we are. The nosy questions are these: when are you due, what are your plans, and tell us everything you're willing to share about your relationship with my nephew."
Anika almost choked on her tea, but from laughter. Sara's bluntness was refreshing, and almost… Drachman. Maybe Amestrians weren't so different after all. It was easiest to start with the first question, and it was the first time anyone here had even addressed the fact that she was pregnant. Though she noticed none of the questions included the possibility of Ted not being the father. There was also, more notable to her, no judgement in her tone anywhere. "Nine weeks. We actually did see a doctor in Karmatsk, and they said everything was fine, and he looks like he'll be right on time." That got her some puzzled smiles, and Anika remembered then how startled Ted had been by what she considered typical medical technology. "We use sonogram technology in Drachma," she explained even before they asked. "It, well it basically bounces sound waves through and off of something to make an image, so you can sort of see what's going on inside. Mostly doctors use it, and it lets them look at the baby. This far in development, sometimes they can take a pretty good guess at gender."
"That's fascinating," Charisa's eyes were wide. "We should have that here."
"Tell that to the alchemists," Alyse chuckled. "We could always ask Ethan and Ren to look into it."
"So, I take it this one looks like it's a boy." Sara looked slightly less shocked, but then since she had spent time in Drachma, maybe she'd heard of it before.
Anika decided not to ask. She nodded. "That, or our baby has three legs."
Everyone laughed. "Boys tend to run heavy in our family." Sara picked up her teacup from the saucer. "But I expect Ted's told you about that."
"Mine does, too. I have three older brothers. Niki's the middle of them." For a few minutes, she told them about Leonid and his family, and Kirill, and about life before the war, and her parents, and going to university for zoology before getting her job in Petrayevka. They were an honestly interested and attentive audience, and they asked the kinds of questions she might expect from family who hadn't spoken in a while, not strangers in a foreign country she had never met before. It was like having three friendly new aunts, and she found herself talking more freely than she would normally. Anika found herself easily prodded into telling her version of meeting Ted, and what she'd thought of him, and how he had proven he wasn't just one of those soldiers, and how they had come to work together. She even admitted, though her face turned red, that their son's conception had happened in Petrayevka, though she gave no further details, and no one tried to push for them.
"We were out of Petrayevka before they had a chance to send police after us, though we split up to avoid capture. My father and I made it back to the estate in one piece, and that's where we stayed, fighting to keep Valhov's men from taking control of the area. At least, until they bombed the estate and we had to flee."
"What did you do when you found out you were pregnant?" Alyse asked, riveted to the tale.
"Cursed my own lack of forethought and getting caught up in the moment mostly," Anika admitted. "I had no idea if I'd ever see Ted again, let alone be able to reach him to tell him. Then…. He showed up at my door." She couldn't help smiling. "I couldn't believe it when he managed to do what no one else in history has done, and find a way to get himself brought to our family's secret base."
"He's awfully good at getting into places people aren't supposed to be able to get into, or out of," Sara commented dryly.
"I'd noticed." Anika finished her tea, and set the cup down. "When I told him I couldn't just leave with my homeland a mess and my family in danger, I expected him to go home. Instead, he declared that he wasn't leaving without me and he'd end the war if it meant we could be together."
"A bit too cocky, yet romantic. Sounds like an alchemist," Charisa quipped.
"So since you're here… can we presume that means you are planning to get married?" Alyse asked.
That was the real question, the one this had all been leading towards. Was she going to be part of the family? Would Ted be part of raising his child? Did they have any kind of life plan whatsoever? "We are, though I have no idea when we'll manage that," Anika admitted with a small sigh. "There wasn't really any way to even do a basic marriage while we were in Drachma. Going down into any town together where we would be recognized under our real names, or even using Ted's, was too risky. Now, we're here, but I don't know how long we'll be expected to stay on the grounds, truly, and we can't expect Ted to just be allowed to stay with me until we can find time. Presuming, that he still has a position…" it was her turn to ask a nosy question. Ted had been gone for quite a while. "Ted wasn't certain what kind of a reception we would get, except that he seemed very certain that the only one of us in any real trouble would be him." Did they know? It occurred to her as she spoke that they might not all know what had transpired. Ted had said he'd argued with President Heimler, declared he was leaving, and stormed out before coming almost immediately north. He certainly hadn't been on the undercover mission he'd been claiming, or that he'd used to get them access to the military phone on the border. She knew that.
That got the nervous looks she had been waiting for. Sara looked apologetic. "That's going to depend on what he says to Franz."
Anika hoped Ted kept his temper. Their entire future was counting on it.
Ted followed Closson out the door, and down the hallway to a small office, where his uncle was waiting for him. He thought he saw a small glint of sympathy in Closson's eyes, before he shut the door, leaving them alone.
Refusing to appear overly nervous, Ted came to rest at attention. "You wished to speak with me, Sir."
"I do." There was no at ease. There were no familial hugs, or even a handshake. The person standing in front of him, in this moment, was not uncle Franz; it was President Franz Heimler, General, and his commanding officer. "You are going to report to me, here and now, every move you made from the moment you left my office until you arrived through that door this evening. You will leave nothing out. You will report honestly and fully every detail, and every piece of intelligence you've collected. You will give me every fact, and any insights you may have had regarding those facts. You may proceed."
That was it. No questions about how he was, no expectation of an apology, nothing. Just cold, all-business, President of the Military.
Ted hadn't been sure what to expect from his uncle; anger, betrayal, sorrow. Instead, he got nothing, and somehow, that hurt the most. He stuffed his temper down and nodded. "Yes, Sir." Then he began, from every move he'd made to avoid getting caught on the way out, to how he had gotten past Briggs, and how he had found Anika, though he did not include the exact location in the mountains of the Marskaya hideout. He told his uncle about the resistance's communication network, and the information they gathered. None of that was classified information anyway, though he avoided mentioning codes. He detailed each of his missions against Savahin's troops, skirmishes and rescue missions, and then covered again, in far more detail than Gavril had given earlier, every step of sneaking into Karmatsk, and everything involved in stabilizing the man, bringing him back from the edge of near death, and sneaking him right out the gate past the troops. Anika's refusal to let the zoo animals be taken, and the rescue, the chase, the battle, and what they had seen in Xerxes, even though he knew that would be less relevant. Franz had said everything. There, he gave him his detailed opinions on each of the Drachmans he had brought with him. Their strengths, weaknesses, and trustworthiness; that he was certain that if they didn't want to go back to Drachma to fight, they would be loyal citizen wherever they were able to take care of their charges, and do the work they loved.
Eventually, he ran out of information to report. The train ride itself had been relatively uninteresting, though he detailed the routine of caring for the animals, napping, playing cards, and otherwise preparing his comrades for what to expect, so everyone would be calm and cooperative on arrival.
When he was done, he stopped. For over a minute, Franz said nothing. "Is there anything else you want of me?" he finally asked.
"Tomorrow you will be presented to the gathered summit attendees," Franz replied curtly. "You will provide a detailed summary of your analysis of the intelligence you have gathered. You will explain the salient points that will lay the groundwork for getting them to approve tonight's plan when we bring it up later. You will not include Gavril
Mihalov in your statements, however. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Sir."
"You will provide me a written draft of your report first thing tomorrow morning for approval and you will not speak a single word that I have not approved."
"Yes, President Heimler."
Franz seemed appeased, but only in that he was not scowling. He nodded briefly. "When dinner is over, you will be taken under guard to Holding at Headquarters. After your report, you will return there."
His stomach dropped. Holding was just the official term for the room where soldiers awaited courts martial hearings. It wasn't quite a cell, but it might as well be. Not that he hadn't been prepared for this eventuality. He knew the rules and regulations. Yet, somehow, he'd had trouble believing that his uncle would actually drum him out of the military. Of course, there was the possibility they would choose to be lenient, and it would simply be a mark on his record; a lack of promotion. He might even be demoted. "I… I can't do that, Sir."
His uncle rounded on him, spinning on-heel sharply. "Care to repeat that, Proteus?"
Not Lieutenant Colonel. Not Ted. Not even Edward. "I promised Anika," he clarified, schooling his voice to calm, to reason, when he wanted to shout and punch something. "I can't leave her alone here, in a foreign country."
"Miss Marskaya will be perfectly safe on Embassy grounds, which are well guarded," Franz replied. "Your concern right now should be on the long-term, soldier, the future."
"That's exactly what I'm concerned about," Ted objected. "How long will I be kept in Holding? Days? Is this some kind of sick joke, that you'd keep me away from my fiancée? My child? I won't be denied the right to take care of my family."
Franz' eyes went dark and hard. Words died in Ted's throat. "Your family has been worried sick about you for months, desperate for word. I get calls from your mother every other day hoping for some news of her son. Your father, your brothers., your little sister… everyone. You abandoned everyone, and everything, in a fit of passion. You are a disgrace to your rank, title, and your birthright. Now you will do precisely as you are told, to the letter if you don't want to destroy your best hope for supporting a family. We need this plan to work, and I know you agree with that sentiment. Anything other than what I tell you puts it all at risk. So, no ad-libing, no wild schemes. You will behave like a model Amestrian officer and publicly keep up this charade that you were on some kind of undercover intelligence mission on my orders. If you don't, a court martial will be only a formality."
Ted had never had to work so hard to keep his temper reigned in. For several seconds it was all he could do to refrain from saying something he really would regret later. Probably immediately after this interrogation. When he had thought it was all gone already, when they might just stay in Drachma, it had felt like the right thing, like it wouldn't matter to him when they signed the papers. He was gone, but here, now, in the middle of Central… when their whole even tentative dream was tossed on its ear. "You could keep me locked up here," he tried one last time. "There are guards at all the exits. It's not like I'd go anywhere anyway."
"Holding, Elric, and I won't hear another word about it. Say good night, and whatever else you need to say, and follow Closson when we leave. He'll deliver you to Headquarters."
"Yes… Sir."
Sara was more than satisfied with the way the evening was going. When she had initially proposed her plan to Franz to gain Gavril Mihalov's cooperation in splitting Drachma, he had been understandably skeptical, but had agreed to let her present it. With the lack of time they had, the dinner party approach had been her idea. They may be rushed, but this was still a matter of diplomacy, and it made it clear to Mihalov that they were taking him seriously.
It had worked almost better than even she had expected. Mihalov was a patriot of the kind Sara could understand. She had first heard the name in Tore's reports from the diplomatic mission he had led that Trisha and Roy had gone on years ago. A young man then, with the right amount of idealism and practicality, charisma and determination to make things happen; a man who was not afraid to put himself in danger and investigate issues directly. His career had been an upward climb, and even the last few years when she'd been imprisoned, sometimes prisoners got word of the outside world, in the form of gossip or basic news. The fact that he had pushed for prison reform had definitely been something the guards talked about. All of that, including his conduct these last months, had come together in her mind, forming a plan worthy of her father for just-so-crazy-it-might-work.
Now, it all appeared to be working. Once she had gotten Mihalov to agree, it was time for her to back down for a bit, and let others talk, let him get comfortable with them and the idea of the plan. So, she had joined Alyse and Charisa in getting to know Anika. It was easy to see why she had captured Ted's heart so easily. She was not only very pretty, but even here where she was probably very nervous about being in a foreign country, unarmed, pregnant, at the mercy of people she hardly knew, she carried herself with composure, showing no real fear. She even responded to Sara's attempts to ease the mood with levity of her own. This woman was no more an innocent girl than Sara had been at her age, not now anyway. Not after the fighting she had seen, and been part of in the past few months. She seemed practical, even-tempered, and level-headed; a lot of things Ted often wasn't.
She hoped the meeting between Franz and Ted was going well. That was one thing Franz had refused to discuss; what he intended to say to their nephew. After the quiet, but still not secret, scramble to hunt Ted down upon leaving, they could hardly pretend nothing had happened, or that it had been a planned intelligence mission forever. Technically, without having filed actual paperwork, Ted had gone absent without leave, and broken several laws from two countries doing so. Ted was fortunate the consequences for traitors in Amestris no longer included death. At least, not without him having also murdered someone or something of equal extremity. That didn't mean the consequences might not be severe.
It was quite a long time before Franz and Ted returned to the room. Sara's first clue they were back was Ted, hovering in the edge of her vision, clearly anxious to talk to Anika, but not wanting to interrupt the conversation. It was the most nervous she had ever seen him, despite the fact that under normal circumstances he would have simply walked up and extricated whomever he needed from the conversation. There was a tightness about him, not just his eyes, but his entire body looked spring-wound.
Glancing around, Sara spotted Franz talking with Cal, Tore, Niki, and Gavril. Franz looked no different than he had all evening, but that told her nothing about how the conversation had gone. His public face had improved in the past few years, and he wasn't going to show any emotion in front of their Drachman allies that he didn't want to.
Finally, Sara couldn't stand having that ball of tension hovering off to the side. She looked straight at Ted. "Don't mind us," she told him directly. "We're just chatting."
That got everyone else's attention, and Alyse paused in her story.
Ted, looking slightly sheepish, stepped in, coming around behind the couch. "Sorry to interrupt. Can I borrow you for a moment?" he held a hand out to Anika. Looking puzzled, she reached out and took it as he helped her to her feet. She followed him off into a corner where they could talk quietly.
"Well, Franz didn't flay him," Alyse commented in a low voice, "but he looks jumpy."
"Tore said he wasn't allowed to tell him anything on the drive here," Charisa added. "Franz hasn't' told him what he plans to do with Ted either."
"He hasn't even told me," Sara admitted. She couldn't hear what Ted was saying, but he didn't look happy, and Anika looked startled, then upset. Then they hugged tightly.
"But I don't think it went well."
Now the couple was hugging tightly, and while they could only see Anika's face, there was a glint of tears.
"That's definitely not relief." Charisa scowled.
"No, but I think it's my cue to subtly guide this get together to its conclusion." Alyse stood. "We should give them a few minutes."
Together they stood and moved back into the dining room, giving the two a little more privacy. The evening was getting late, and tomorrow would be another eventful day. Incredibly eventful, if Sara's plans were put into motion.
True to her word, all it took was Alyse interjecting a word here, a glance there, a hand on Cal's arm. Without actually interrupting, she steered the entire party to an end in a matter of minutes, and no one seemed to realize she had done it.
Sara had always been impressed with Alyse's event planning and running skills. The ability to make an event end on time without feeling forced, now that was magic.
Not that it was a straight ride home. In order to keep the comings and goings at the Embassy less obvious, they had all come over in a couple of State cars from Headquarters. It would be logical to see a State car coming and going. Anyone with the proper clearance might be in it.
What concerned Sara as she sat down in the front seat of the car that she, Franz, Cal, and Alyse had come in, was Ted being escorted out and put into one of the cars as well. She was dying to demand that Franz tell her what was going on, but she didn't want to do it in front of Cal and Alyse. Expert at keeping her mouth closed or not, Alyse wasn't military, she didn't have clearance, and she knew Franz would refuse to answer with her in the car on principal. If there was one thing he was a stickler for—most of the time—it was the rules. As the President, he seemed to have drawn those lines even more clearly in regards to the behavior of subordinates, or keeping military issues private.
So she had to wait, through the drive back to Headquarters, where they were dropped off by their own vehicles, and for her and Franz to be alone. As soon as that happened however…
"So, are you going to tell me why Ted left in the last car, and where they took him?"
Franz, without taking his eyes from the road, sighed. "They took him to Holding."
Sara's stomach dropped. "You arrested your nephew?"
"No, he agreed to go. Arrest was unnecessary."
"You're not really going to court martial him?"
Franz scowled. "You're going to have to trust me on this."
Oh no, she was not going to be dodged, not on this. Trust was not the question. "Answer the question, Franz."
"Oh, for crying out loud. He is a military officer. He broke nearly a dozen rules and regulations, and two laws running off into Drachma, and that's just on this side of the border. He's guilty of going AWOL and illegally crossing international borders. He'll be fortunate if no one considers it treason in the current political climate, no matter which side he was fighting on in the Drachman conflict."
"Which is why a little family loyalty would go a long way."
Franz' hands had tightened on the wheel, and his face took on that look it got when he was trying to keep his temper. "I can't allow exceptions to the rules, and you know that. No favoritism. No nepotism."
Sara refrained from gritting her teeth. "That doesn't mean you have to treat him like a criminal. He came back with not only information, but a possible solution to our problem. Or at least, to part of Drachma's problem that would be a benefit to us. He may end up being the hero that orchestrated the escape that leads to the eventual restoration of peace in Drachma, and yet he may be drummed out of the military as a traitor for it. It's not right."
"I didn't say I liked it," Franz pointed out, "But regulations have to be followed in the military, or we have chaos. This was in direct defiance of standing orders not to get involved."
"He gave you a verbal resignation."
"In a fit of anger. There was no paperwork, no follow up, and no asking for permission to resign before the end of his commission." Franz tight jaw loosened, just a little.
"Besides… I didn't expect him to leave my office and head straight for the border."
"He's impulsive and passionate, but he's also usually right," Sara continued. "The least you could have done was leave him under guard at the Embassy with Anika. You know he's not going anywhere without her."
"People would talk. Officers would talk." Franz shook his head. "That connection will become public soon enough. It's critical that it not until the Senior Staff make up their mind about charges. We never told them why he left, only that he was heading into Drachma and that's where he went."
Sometimes her husband was even more brilliant than she remembered. "So, right now, they might think he was acting out of moral obligation, or one of his hunches."
"Instead of the flames of passion? Yes, pretty much."
That appeased her conscience, at least a little. "You know, he's not the only one who's broken international law in a fit of passion to rescue a girl in Drachma." She eyed him, smiling. "I can think of a certain President of the Military whose last foray into Drachma was incredibly recent and very unofficial."
She was rewarded by an uncomfortable expression as Franz pulled the car up in front of the house. "Yes, well, sometimes even a ranking officer might take leave of his senses."