Chapter 23 –

"Lotor was spotted entering Central by soldiers stationed on its outskirts earlier this morning. The soldiers tried to follow him but he gave them the slip. Resulting searches haven't turned up any sign of him," was the first thing Ed, Al, and Voltron heard the moment they entered Mustang's outer office.

"I haven't even had my third cup of coffee yet and you're already dropping this kind of crap on me," Ed whined as he sunk into his chair and placed his head on his folded arms on his rarely used desk.

"You're addicted to caffeine," Blue said as she sat next to him.

"Shush you," Ed hissed as her while Lance coughed suspiciously. "You shush too," Ed said, flopping a hand in Lance's general direction.

"Sorry, Chief," Havoc said, his amusement obvious enough that Ed looked up to glare at him. "Anyway, the bossman wants to know what your plans are," he told Ed.

Sighing, Ed sat himself up straighter in his chair. "Where is the bastard and Miss Riza?" Ed asked, noting that he hadn't actually seen either of them since he walked in.

"Meeting between the generals," Havoc told him.

"Good fucking luck to them both," Ed snorted, causing the others to chuckle at him. "How many soldiers did Mustang have set up on the southern side of Central and have they been pulled back in or reassigned?" Ed asked.

"Uh," Havoc said before he grabbed for some papers on his desk. "There were 45 soldiers placed around Central's southern edges and they have been ordered to continue the search for Lotor until they get new orders," Havoc told him.

"Right," Ed said with another sigh. "And they've found no signs of him or where he's going, right?" Ed asked and Havoc gave him a nod.

"None of them have called in to say anything that would change that," Havoc confirmed.

"For fuck's sake," Ed muttered. "Have they bothered to check the sewerage systems or underground tunnels?" Ed asked.

"A team of eight soldiers did investigate them when they first started the search but I believe they decided that since there was no sign of him in them, they headed back above ground to help the others," Falman told him.

"Right, because there's no way Lotor would've thought to go below ground the moment the soldiers got closer to him further into town," Ed grumbled before he sighed once more. "Is Lambert's team completely in?" Ed asked.

"I'll go check for you," Fuery said and Ed gave him a nod that was both a thanks and permission.

They watched as Fuery headed out of the room before Shiro spoke. "Why are you asking about the sewer systems and whatnot?" he asked.

"Because Lotor is – unfortunately – not an idiot," Ed admitted begrudgingly. "If he learns or knows about our underground tunnels, he could move around anywhere he wanted in this city completely undetected," Ed told them. "Those tunnels stretch from every end of Central and if Lotor figures out how to navigate them, we won't catch him until he wants us to catch him," Ed said bluntly.

"You think he has?" Keith asked and Ed shrugged.

"Honestly? I would've if I were him," Ed told them. "He knows he's wanted. He doesn't have any clue about Central, how it works, what the city's like, any of that stuff that would help making blending in easier, even if he could blend with Amestrians," Ed pointed out. "Going underground would be his smartest move," Ed said.

Fuery chose that moment to come back into the office, using the doors between the two offices this time. "They're all in," the bespectacled man told Ed as he headed back to his desk and allowing Lambert and her team to pool in around the doors.

"Morning, guys," Ed greeted, lifting a hand in a wave. "You guys got the latest on Lotor?"

"Morning, everyone," Lambert said, nodding her own greeting to everyone. "Yes, we heard that Lotor was spotted entering Central and that the soldiers pursuing him have since lost him."

"Awesome," Ed said. "I'm planning on going out there today, getting those soldiers together and putting together a proper search for Lotor," Ed told her. "I'm planning on stealing Falman and I'd like to take Mason with me as well so I can get the soldiers who are searching for Lotor together and placed into teams with competent team leaders," Ed told her, obviously still annoyed that the near 50 soldiers who'd been assigned to find Lotor hadn't done their job as well as Ed thought they should have. "I want to split us up into four teams, two under ground and two above," Ed explained.

"So you, Alphonse, Falman, and Mason as team leads?" Lambert asked, obviously seeking clarification.

"Yup," Ed said, "and since both Al and I know the underground systems pretty well, we'll be taking them," Ed told her, glancing at Al to see if he had any arguments, which he didn't. "Since the Lions are exceptional trackers, each team will also have a Voltron pair with them," Ed added, getting a nod from the five of them.

"I have no problems with Lieutenant Mason joining you for today," Lambert told him. Mason looked excited about her new plans for the day, though she was quick to downplay it when Lambert glanced over at her, likely looking to see if she had any arguments.

"Thanks, Lambert," Ed said gratefully. "Falman, you good with conducting a search party today?" Ed asked.

"I have no problems with it, Ed," Falman assured him.

"Awesome," Ed said, a little relieved though he knew that if Falman hadn't been able to help him out, he could've asked one of the three others. "Pidge, have you finished with your project?" Ed asked, startling a few of them with the seemingly sudden change of subject.

"Yeah, just a couple of small things that can run by themselves," Pidge told him.

"Sweet," Ed said. "I want you and Green to go with Mason," he told her, getting a nod from the three of them. "Red and Keith can go with Al," he said, "while Hunk and Yellow go with Falman," he told them, receiving no arguments. "Do all four of you want to go with me or do you think one pair of you should go with another team?" Ed asked.

"I think we'd probably do better above ground," Shiro said, gesturing to himself and Black.

"Alright, you two can pair up with Hunk, Falman, and Yellow," Ed said, getting nods from the five of them. "Which means Lance and Blue are with me," Ed said. "How have you guys been staying in touch with the soldiers?" Ed asked.

"Radio contact," Fuery said immediately, pointing to the radio system he set up against the wall.

"Okay, can you radio them and tell them to get themselves to Central's Southern Park so they can get new orders?" Ed asked and Fuery gave him a nod. "Awesome. If you two," Ed gestured to Mason and Falman, "are good to get going now, we'll meet those soldiers in an hour. That should give them enough time to get from any point in Central to the park, even if they have to walk," Ed said.

"I'm good to go," Mason said, sounding energetic enough. Falman just gave Ed a nod.

"Right, that's awesome," Ed said. "I've just gotta head to Brookes' office and tell him what we're doing. Actually," Ed said thoughtfully, "if he can loan us someone, Shiro, you and Black will go with them. You'll still be an above ground team but you'll be under their command, not Falman's," Ed told them.

"We're good with working with whoever," Shiro assured him.

"Great," Ed said. "I'll go find Brookes and see if I can steal one of his team. You guys should head to the carpool and see if you can get some cars lined up for us," Ed told them.

"Will do," Mason said while Falman just gave Ed a nod.

"Alright, I'll meet you there," Ed told her as he got up from his seat. "Thanks for letting me steal her, Lambert," Ed said with a grin, which only widened when Mason rolled her eyes.

"You're welcome," Lambert said, her own smile just playing on her lips.

"I suppose you should let Mustang know what we're up to," Ed said with a put-on sigh that had most everyone in the room either chuckling or grinning. "I have no clue when we'll be back but someone will let you guys know when we do," Ed told Havoc, who gave him a nod.

"I'll make sure the bossman and captain know," he promised him.

"Cheers," Ed said. "We'll see you guys later," Ed said, waving at the three men of Mustang's original team and what was left of Lambert's team as Mason joined Voltron, Al, and Falman in leaving the offices.

"Don't get in trouble," Havoc said, a shit-eating grin in place.

"I do what I want," Ed told him, a flat expression on his face that was ruined by the amusement in his eyes. "See ya's!" Ed said with another wave before he shut the door behind him.

"What's the bet that he goes up against Lotor again today?" Havoc asked, eyes glinting as Breda pulled out his betting notebook.

"This is 2nd Lieutenant Jerry Bronson," Ed said, gesturing to the man currently following him as he approached the large group waiting in the carpool. "Bronson, this is everyone," Ed said, waving an arm to gesture to them all. "You know Al, 2nd Lieutenant Mason and 2nd Lieutenant Falman already and I'm sure you've heard all about them but these are the humans and Lions that make up Voltron," Ed said before he delved into their individual introductions.

The slightly portly brunette took in them all, his dark blue eyes flickering to every person and Lion as Ed introduced them. "It's good to meet all of you," Bronson said, dipping his head once Ed had finished the introductions.

"You'll be teamed up with Black and Shiro and you'll be in charge of whichever nine soldiers I decide to give you," Ed told him. "I'll be team lead for everyone but I'm taking Blue and Lance and we're going underground. If there's any issues and I can't be reached, Falman's who you go to. He's my second," Ed told Bronson, though he was talking to the rest of them as well.

"Yes, Sir," Bronson said.

"Don't do that shit," Ed told him, pointing a threatening finger at him. "I don't want to be addressed by my rank or as 'sir', okay?" Ed said, flipping Al and a few of the Voltron humans who were currently laughing at him.

"Alright, Fullmetal?" Bronson said, turning his title into a question, obviously asking if that was alright and Ed gave him a nod that had him relax.

"How many cars did you wrangle?" Ed asked Al, turning to address the others.

"We have four cars," Al told him and Ed gave a sigh of relief. Even though the fifteen of them fit into three cars on the way to Resembool from Ishval, it had been a little cramped. Four cars would make things a bit more comfortable. "Lieutenant Falman has offered to drive one, as has Lieutenant Mason," Al told him.

"I can drive another, if you need," Bronson offered.

"That'd be great," Ed said, giving him a nod. "So we need one more driver," Ed said just as a vaguely familiar person pulled a car up next to them, swiftly followed by three more cars.

"Good morning, Fullmetal," Warrant Officer Melissa Drayton greeted as she climbed out of her car, moving to offer him a salute that he waved off before she could.

"It's good to see you again, Officer Drayton. I hope you've been well since the last time I saw you," Ed said as he gave her a genuine smile. He liked Drayton, even though he'd only met her the once. He figured his opinion was formed mainly because of how excited she was to meet Black Hayate and because Black Hayate seemed to like her well enough. The dog had his owner's people-judging ability.

"I have been. Thank you for asking," Drayton said, not bothering with honorifics or anything like that since she knew Ed would just tell her to knock it off. "How many drivers do you need for today?" she asked as the three other drivers stood next to their cars.

"If you have some free time, we'll take you as a driver but the lieutenants have offered to drive a car each," Ed told her.

"I'm free," Drayton told him before she dismissed the three other drivers with a nod. "Alphonse said that we were heading to Southern Central Park?" she asked, seeking the clarification and Ed nodded. "It'll take us about twenty minutes to get there," she told them and Ed gave another nod.

"That's fine. We have forty minutes before we have to be there," Ed told her.

"Alright," Drayton said. "We can head out now, if you'd like?" Drayton said and Ed gave her a nod. "I know a very good coffee shop on the way," she told him and Ed grinned at her.

"I knew there was a reason I liked you, Drayton," he told her honestly, causing Drayton to laugh lightly.

"I so wish she hadn't said that. You don't need to be encouraged with your addiction," Black grumbled.

"Zip it and get in the car," Ed told her through their bond, causing her to chuckle. "Let's get going. Imma need another coffee to get through the day," Ed groused. He didn't bother holding back his grin as multiple mutters of agreement reached his ear as they split up into the four cars.

"Is this everyone?" Ed asked, rising his voice so he could be heard by the small crowd dressed in Amestrian military blue in front of him. Voltron, Falman, Al, Mason, and Bronson all stood behind, while Drayton had driven back to the base with instructions that someone would contact her if they needed her again that day.

"Yes, sir!" came the response from one of the soldiers closest to him.

Ed's eye twitched at the 'sir' but didn't say anything about it, knowing that most lower-ranked soldiers wouldn't be able to follow his request out of fear Ed would change his mind one day. "Right," Ed said. "Here's the deal. The five of us," Ed gestured to himself, Al, and the three lieutenants, "will be taking nine soldiers each to conduct more thorough searches for the war criminal, Lotor. Each team will be joined by one pair of the Voltron team since the humans know who we're looking for and how to deal with him and the Lions are unbeatable when it comes to tracking," Ed told them. "If any of you have any problems with working under your team leader or the Voltron pair, leave," Ed ordered. "I don't want to hear from them that someone's started shit because you can't cooperate for a day," Ed informed them, making sure they all saw he was serious.

"How would you like us to form teams, sir?" one of the soldiers asked and Ed was rather happy to see that not a single soldier had left.

"Literally just split into five groups of nine. Ranks and shit don't matter because you're all going to answer to your team lead – whether they're above your rank or not. I just need at least one person with a radio in each team," Ed told them. It took a few moments for the soldiers to do as Ed said but after a couple of minutes, he had five distinctive groups of nine in front of him. "Now you know our mission here. I'm the lead for the mission as a whole so your team lead answers to me," Ed said, making sure they understood. "Now my team and Alphonse's team will be going underground to search the tunnels and other systems. 2nd Lieutenant Falman is my second in command for this mission so if I cannot be contacted, go to him," Ed ordered. "Are there any questions?" Ed asked, wanting to be certain everyone understood what was happening for this mission. When none were forthcoming, Ed jerked his head at the gathered soldiers. "Go and grab a team. You lot know your search grid," Ed ordered before he pointed to the group in front of him. "You lot are with me," he told them.

"Stay safe, guys," Al said, looking at Ed, Lance, and Blue. It was obvious he was a little worried about Ed going back into the underground tunnels but there wasn't really another team Ed could send in his place. Even if one of the lieutenants did know the underground system, they weren't alchemists and alchemy might be needed if they came across a blocked tunnel, if a tunnel collapsed on them, or if something else happened that meant an alchemist was needed.

"You too," Ed said with a nod. Once every group of soldiers had a team leader, Paladin, and Lion in front of them, Ed's team excepted since he was still standing in front of them all. "Once your grid has been searched, your team lead is to contact me with any results." Ed looked pointedly at the team leaders and got nods from them all. "What you find depends on what happens after that," Ed told them. He knew they were all used to having clear plans laid out for them but Ed really was a go-with-the-flow kind of person and they were just going to have to deal with it.

"You need to stay in contact with all of us, Ed," Black informed him, making Ed almost roll his eyes.

"I know and I will," Ed promised her, speaking through their bond and making sure the three other Lions who wouldn't be with him heard him as well. Facing the groups, Ed gave them a nod. "Let's get started."

"If I ever volunteer to go into the underground tunnels again, I want someone to hit me," Ed said as he led his team through a section of tunnels that Ed thought were actually near the Third Laboratory.

"If I ever agree to go with you again, I want someone to hit me," Lance told him, grimacing as he stepped in something that squished wetly but thickly under his boot.

"You have nothing to complain about because neither of you have my sense of smell," Blue grumbled to both of them.

"You have made a very compelling point and you win," Lance told her, taking care to speak softly enough that his voice wouldn't reverberate on the tunnel walls. Blue's smugness was only ruined by the fact that she caught another foul odour.

When the tunnel split off, Ed stopped them. "I want four of you to go down there," Ed instructed. "If you find no sign of anyone passing through them within in the last week within five minutes, join back up with us," Ed ordered before four soldiers branched off from their main group and headed down the tunnel. "The rest of us will keep going," Ed told the others before they started walking again.

"So, I know these tunnels were used during Promised Day but I've gotta ask; why haven't they been filled in or something? So that someone like Lotor can't use them?" Lance asked.

"If we caved these tunnels in, we'd make the whole of Central collapse," Ed told him simply. "Central was built on top of these tunnels. The teams sent down to investigate the systems once the dust had settled and everything was deemed safe after Promised Day said nothing more than what was directly under Central Command could be filled and the only reason that section could be was because it had already been partially filled during the fighting," Ed explained.

"Oh, I guess no one would've really been happy if their homes and stuff had sunk, you know, several metres into the ground," Lance said, making Ed huff out some laughter.

"No, I don't think they would've been," Ed agreed as they approached another branching tunnel. "Four down here. Same rule as the others," Ed said, pointing to the tunnel. Four soldiers immediately moved to follow his orders, leaving Lance, Ed, and Blue with a singular soldier. "We'll keep heading down here. The first group should be catching up soon," Ed said, leading them further into the tunnel.

They'd already been in the tunnels for over an hour and there were no signs of Lotor. Ed would've been lying if he said he hadn't felt a little discouraged by that. He'd had to change the time limit on tunnel searches depending on whether Blue had spotted further tunnels in the ones he wanted checked and how many soldiers he decided to send down to check them. He'd checked in with the Lions on the other teams, mainly to keep his promise, but to also find out about their progress and was only mildly annoyed to find out they hadn't had any luck yet either. The only reason, he believed, that he wasn't madder was that he hadn't truly expected to hear that they had found some sign of the white-haired, purple-skinned bastard.

They continued to investigate the tunnels, the two teams of four soldiers joining back up with them only a few minutes after they'd been sent down each tunnel and it wasn't long before Ed was sending them back down another tunnel to investigate. Lance felt a little sorry for the nine soldiers with them because they usually didn't stay with him, Ed, and Blue for longer than a minute before Ed was sending four of them off to search another tunnel. He wouldn't have wanted to be going down tunnel after tunnel searching for signs of someone who likely hadn't been down there at all and if they had, likely hadn't left a sign.

Several tunnels later, Blue suddenly gagged on something she smelt. "There is something extremely foul up ahead," Blue told Ed and Lance.

Ed gave her a mental nod but they stayed silent as they continued through the tunnel and into the next. To their surprise, they weren't met by anything dangerous or disgusting but rather a door that seemed like it was almost rusted shut. "There're flakes on the ground there," Ed said, crouching to touch the flakes of rust that sat just below the door's seam. "Someone had to have been through here recently and someone strong at that," Ed told them, straightening back up.

"How do you know, sir?" one of the soldiers with him asked. Ed glanced over and took in the youngish face looking curiously back at him.

"Come here," Ed said, gesturing him forward. Blue and Lance stepped aside for the solder. "Have a look and tell me what you see," Ed instructed.

The soldier crouched just like Ed had and took in the flakes of rust on the ground and everything else that was there. It took him a few moments before he spotted something. "These flakes haven't been flattened into the ground. They've come off the door and settled there. If they'd been there for a while, rats or other animals down here would've likely stepped on all them before now," he said, not completely confident in his answer but seeming relatively certain.

"Exactly," Ed said before he crouched back down, "and you can see here," he pointed to the fresher flakes, "that the water run off from the walls hasn't touched them yet. I'd imagine if this area of Central got some rain – like it did a few days ago – this tunnel would have the runoff go through it. You can tell by the mould and dampness of the walls here, you see?" Ed said, pointing to where the light gleamed off the wall. "It's why this door is practically rusted shut as well. Rust doesn't happen unless the metal is exposed to the elements without being cleaned properly afterwards. There's a gutter running above us, which is why we have light to see by, so the water comes in that way, runs down the metal door and onto the floor, where it then drains from somewhere further down," Ed explained.

"I understand," the soldier said, "but why do you think the person who came through this door was strong? Is it just because of the rust?" he asked.

Ed shook his head. "That is part of it," he told him. "Rusted doors are bastards to pull open for anyone but this door is thick, which means it's very heavy by itself. The hinges obviously would've aided anyone using it before but they're partially rusted as well, meaning they don't operate as smoothly as they should to help open the door. To get this door open, someone had to either use some kind of winch system – and there's no signs of one being used here – or they're strong," Ed told him before they both straightened up.

"I get it," the soldier said. "Thank you for explaining that to me, sir. It was very helpful information," he told him gratefully.

"No problems," Ed said. "I'll alchemise the door. Should be able to get rid of most of the rust without risking the door's structure. Makes it easier for us to get it open that way," Ed announced before he clapped – his not needing to clap for an array like this was still not common knowledge and he planned on keeping it that way for as long as possible – and placed his sparking hands to the door's surface. Blue energy raced outwards from his hands, devouring the rust as it did before it dispersed, leaving dully gleaming, rust-free door in its wake. "Here we go," Ed said, more to himself than anyone else.

Pulling the doors open, Ed was hit with an immediate wave of decay strong enough to make his eyes water and bile rise in his throat. Blue let out a whine as she tried to protect her nose but couldn't quite get there. Ed was quick to tear off the end of his red jacket while Lance and the nine soldiers behind him tried to stop themselves from throwing up. At least two lost that battle while Ed placed his bunched-up strip of jacket against Blue's nose to try and help filter the scent out. It seemed to work, if the gratefulness he could feel meant anything. Ed tucked his own nose into the crook of an elbow as Lance took over holding the material against Blue's so Ed could investigate.

"Oh," Ed gasped as he took in what was laying in front of the now opened door.

"Sir, what is it?" one of the soldiers asked, his voice cracking slightly as he continued to fight against his gag reflex.

"Chimeras," Ed told them. "Or what's left of them," he amended as he stepped forward. "The main force behind Promised Day had the military make hundreds of chimeras for him to place in these tunnel systems to act as guards for him," Ed explained. "The ones closer to Central Command would've been killed in the fight or by the soldiers who examined the tunnels after Promised Day but these ones were either not found or left to starve," Ed said, taking in the couple of corpses that weren't skeletons.

The fact that they were so skinny but had obviously only died a few weeks ago at the most told Ed that the second option was probably most likely. These chimeras hadn't been found and so they'd had to fend for themselves, likely killing and devouring one another to try and last longer. The dead bodies of their fellows and water provided by any storms in Central could've sustained several chimeras for years. However once that food source became scarce, the remaining chimeras would've resorted to fighting each other once more, the victor living of the flesh of the loser until only one chimera remained. It was obvious that the last couple of chimeras had likely kept themselves from each other, hoping to wear the other one down until it was too weak to put up a fight. Ed wasn't sure what happened but it was probable that the chimeras had simply starved to death before they fought each other.

"Ed, what are we doing?" Lance asked, his voice thick as he fought against the odour. It was so pungent, they could taste it.

"Someone came through here recently," Ed said, pointing to the obviously trodden on bones in front of them. "We've got to investigate it," he told them, addressing the soldiers. "You guys go on ahead. Make sure you keep an eye out for any sort of track. Hopefully the corpses mean that whoever came through had to leave some sign of them being here," Ed instructed. The nine soldiers did as he asked and fanned out in front of them. "I'll rig that so you don't have to keep holding it against her nose, if you still need it, Blue?" Ed asked softly.

"I think I'm used to it now. It was just so strong and I hadn't expected it so I couldn't prepare myself," Blue told him. Ed gave a nod and Lance pulled the scrap of red jacket away from her face. Blue's nose scrunched up in displeasure but she nodded. "I can handle it but I am going to need a bath tonight," she told them, making both of them laugh.

"We'll give you the best bath you've ever had once we're done for the day," Ed promised her.

"I'll hold you to that," she informed him and Ed scratched her behind her ears.

"Good," he said before he started picking his way through the corpses. "In the meantime, let's get this done," he said.

"At least we can't say our search was uneventful," Lance muttered as he and Blue followed Ed. The snorts from Ed and a few soldiers told Lance his voice had carried unintentionally but he found himself not minding as he and Blue joined the soldiers in their search.

Russell Widdon watched in distaste as the Fullmetal Alchemist walked past him, followed by two pairs of the foreigners. None of them seemed to notice him as he approached the corridor they'd been going down and Widdon was fine with that. The brat had caused him and his fellow general more than enough trouble in the last four months and it was becoming blindingly obvious that their Fuhrer not only favoured Mustang over the other generals but that he favoured the blonde teenager above them all. Widdon sneered at the alchemist's back before he turned into the corridor, heading in the opposite direction. He ignored the few soldiers he passed in the corridor, barely bothering to wave them out of their salutes as he continued down the corridor until he got to the door of his fellow general's office.

"Colin," Widdon greeted, pairing it with a nod once Combes' secretary had closed the door behind him.

"Russell," Combes returned the greeting, nodding to the vacant chair that Widdon always sat in when he was in Combes' office. "Did you hear about what happened while we were in that ridiculous meeting yesterday?" he asked, knowing his old friend had left the base after the meeting to take care of other business.

"Yes, I heard about the search party," Widdon said, a sneer twisting his lips. "Of course they found nothing. Elric doesn't have the experience necessary to run a successful search. I have no idea what was going through Mustang's head when he decided to make that child his field commander," Widdon groused. It had been big news throughout Central when it became public knowledge four months ago that Edward Elric, the People's Alchemist, was now a lieutenant-colonel and Brigadier-General Mustang's field commander for both his teams. Both Widdon and Combes had heard about nothing else for the first week of their suspension.

"It's obvious that Mustang only did that to further his own career," Combes growled. "Elric has been nothing but lucky on his missions and Mustang obviously expects that luck to be mistaken for proper training under his hand so he can reap the rewards," he snarled.

Widdon nodded in agreement. "And Grumman is doing nothing but indulging them," he added, a growl of his own in his voice. "He should never have been given the Fuhrer's seat," Widdon said. "It should've gone to someone who isn't so blinded by Mustang and Elric. The fact that his only grandchild is part of Mustang's team should've been a clear warning sign that Grumman would do everything in his power to protect them," he sneered.

"That mess with Belmont showed us all how obvious Grumman's favouritism was but, as expected, none of the other generals had enough of a spine to do anything about it," Combes snarled. "Mustang should've been dealt with completely at that time but once again, Elric's luck and Grumman's protection saved the bastard from getting what he deserved."

"He should've been on the business end of a firing squad the moment he got arrested," Widdon sneered. "Grumman's too soft to be Fuhrer," Widdon reiterated. "He protects Mustang then gives Elric permission to allow six complete strangers from a country no Amestrian – except, conveniently enough, Elric and Mustang – has ever heard of to investigate those murders. He gave six strangers complete access to the military and its records on the word of Elric alone!" Widdon exclaimed, his anger as intense four months later as it had been the day he and Combes had witnessed Grumman giving those strangers permission to aid Elric and his team.

Combes was nodding in agreement with Widdon's words and tone. "And he's doing it again now," Combes pointed out. "Ten strangers that have Mustang's and Elric's seal of approval are allowed to roam around Central and the base without much more than a soldier from Mustang's team as supervision! What's worse is five of them are lions and present an obvious danger to everyone but does Grumman see that? No, because his favourites told him the lions would behave themselves!" Combes spat, fury blazing in his eyes.

"He's ignoring how dangerous those beasts are because he doesn't want to go back on his word," Widdon said matter-of-factly. "He gave Mustang and Elric his word that the Lions and their humans," Widdon's eyes rolled at the word, "would be free to walk around Central unhindered and what does nearly half that team do only a few hours later? Chase down and threaten a citizen whose only crimes were some measly assault and bumping into Elric!"

"I'm honestly surprised Grumman bothered to agree to a meeting with us, let alone talk with Elric and those Voltron members," Combes said. "I figured that as soon as he heard our concerns, Grumman would dismiss them and order us to stop slandering the names of innocent people," Combes divulged, though the sarcastic tone of his voice told Widdon exactly what he thought.

"He pretty much did that anyway. He might as well have not gone through the whole farce since we all knew there was no way he'd side with us," Widdon said and Combes nodded in complete agreement. "His decision not to listen to us is gonna come back and bite him in the arse and I, for one, cannot wait for that day to happen," Widdon said darkly.

"It might come sooner than you hope after what was discussed in that meeting yesterday," Combes said with a humourless chuckle. The reminder of the meeting yesterday had Widdon scowl. "I don't know why I'm surprised that Grumman okayed those Voltron bastards attending the Promised Day memorial if they were still here," Combes said, shaking his head.

"What I shouldn't have been surprised with was the fact that we were overruled! Even though it makes no sense having them there! They didn't fight alongside us on Promised Day and they didn't help with the clear up," Widdon exclaimed, conveniently forgetting that when the fighting had started in Central, both he and Combes were safe in their homes and had only helped with the clean up by giving orders. "All of our highest ranked military officials and close allies will be attending the ceremony and Grumman sees no problem in allowing five humans and five lions that we know next to nothing about attend!" he ranted.

"It's a serious breach of security and it all boils down to Grumman's blind faith in Mustang and Elric," Combes said, nodding knowingly and Widdon grunted in agreement.

They fell into silence while Combes signed a couple of reports. A nod from Combes to Widdon had the other man rising from his chair at the same time Combes did and they both left the inner office together. After dropping the files on the first desk Combes got to that was occupied by a member of his team and barking at the woman to get the files to whoever needed them, the two generals left the office. Just as Widdon had done when he was walking to Combes' office, both men ignored the soldiers who saluted them as they headed to the front gates. Normally the two of them would order a car each to drive them home – they were generals and it was their right to be chauffeured everywhere – however they'd forgone the cars in order to pay visits to some of their joint ventures without there being a witness to the locations of these businesses. Neither of them noticed the yellow and pale-blue eyes that had started watching them the moment they'd been greeted by the front gate guards nor did they notice a lean figure shadowing them as they left the base.

"General Combes, General Widdon." The call of their names half an hour after the two generals had left the base had them turn to find the unfamiliar voice addressing them. "If I may have a word with the two of you?" the person asked, hands held up in a non-threatening, placid gesture.

It didn't take either man longer than a couple of seconds to realise who exactly was talking to them, despite the filthy clothing he wore and hood pulled up over his face to try and obscure it with its shadows, and both of them had their hands placed on their holstered weapons within a second of recognising Lotor. "Give us one good reason why we shouldn't call for back up right now," Widdon snarled, voice a low growl. Though they didn't want to do anything that would make them seem like they were on Mustang's side, if they caught and delivered Lotor to Grumman when even the Fullmetal Alchemist couldn't, it'd go a long way to repairing the damage their reputations had suffered at the hands of Edward Elric and his team.

"Please. What they say about me isn't true," Lotor said, his voice lightly pleading. "Voltron lied about me and why they were tasked with hunting me down," Lotor told them. Widdon and Combes shared a look before they relaxed slightly and because of that shared look, they missed the way Lotor's eyes glinted with smugness and disdain at their reaction.

"Why were they tasked with hunting you down?" Combes asked, obviously not willing to trust Lotor at the drop of the hat but Lotor could work with that. This wouldn't be the first time he'd had to spend a bit of energy on making himself seem trustworthy while manipulating the people around him.

"They murdered my parents in order to try and control my race then learned of my existence," Lotor told them. "They feared that I would take up the mantle that belonged to my parents – as is my right – and tried to eliminate me so that they could manipulate who would fill my parents' role," Lotor said, making sure he sounded as angry and heartbroken as he should be by those events, had they actually happened.

Lotor could see by the way the two men's shoulder relaxed minutely that they were buying into his sob story and he felt a flare of hate and disgust roil in his gut at how easily manipulated these two were. It seemed some sort of decision was reached by the two of them and Lotor made sure his expression looked equal parts wary, hopeful, and fearful by the time they looked up at him. "Two alchemists who belong to our military said that you attacked them with no provocation and that you pose a threat to our country," Combes told him. There wasn't a question there but Lotor knew that the older-looking man was asking him to explain this.

"I don't know what an alchemist is," Lotor admitted somewhat truthfully, "but if you're talking about the young blonde who wears a red jacket and the older, black-haired man who seems to be able to manipulate flames, then it was them who attacked me with no provocation," Lotor told them. From what he'd overheard from those two back in the woods several days ago, they weren't fans of the men in front of him and Lotor would readily admit that most of his plan hinged on the feeling being mutual for these two. "I was merely trying to find my way home when I heard them talking. I thought I could find help as I was disorientated and unsure of where I was but the moment they saw me, the blonde attacked. Two of the Lions of Voltron were with him and I'm sure they took the opportunity to join him in attacking to further secure themselves in your country's good graces. The black-haired man joined the fight and it was all I could do to keep myself from getting killed before I could escape," Lotor told them. His eyes glinted with victory when he saw the devious looks the two generals shared.

"If you wouldn't mind following us, there's a place a few minutes away where we can continue this discussion in private," Widdon told him.

Lotor gave a small bow. "I would appreciate it," he told them. To anyone else, it may have seemed like he was putting all his faith in his manipulating abilities and while he did trust he had these two unknowingly under his thumb, Lotor also knew there was no way for the generals in front of him to organise a trap for him wherever they were going. On the off chance he was wrong, however, Lotor knew it'd take more than a couple of lowly humans to trap him successfully.

Widdon and Combes gave him a nod before they led the way, obviously expecting Lotor to follow them like some kind of obedient animal. At least Lotor didn't have to hide his sneer from them this way. Humans may have been the species who had managed to finally put an end to Haggar and his father – something Lotor half wanted to thank them for before he killed them – and they may have been able to hack the entire Galran communication system to send a virus through each ship that had affected all of the robot sentries, turning them on the real Galran soldiers but they were still mere humans. Haggar and Zarkon had let the fact that they'd not been defeated for so long get to their heads and had obviously underestimated this ridiculous species. Lotor would not allow himself to be that stupid.

True to Widdon's words, the three of them arrived at a large, abandoned warehouse only a few minutes after they had started walking. "This used to be a factory but it went out of business when the fiasco happened a year ago," Widdon explained. Lotor didn't care about the building's history but he knew just from their first meeting and the rumours he'd heard from the time he spent near the military base after he'd successfully evaded the search parties the previous day, these two generals had an over-inflated ego and self-importance. If sitting through a small talk about what was likely going to be his base of command's history was the price to pay to have these two under his control, Lotor would pay it.

"What are your terms for a team up with us?" Combes asked, causing Lotor to startle – though he didn't show any sign of it – and bring his mind back to the present.

"I merely ask for the opportunity to exact my revenge on Voltron before they can do something to your country and the chance to find my way home," Lotor told them, keeping his voice humble, like he couldn't believe his luck that these two were willing to hear him out. "I would also require supplies for however long it takes for that to happen but I have nothing to trade for them," he said. He made sure his tone reflected his false worries that this might be a deal breaker.

Widdon and Combes shared another glance and Lotor wanted to roll his eyes at how obvious they were about their excitement. It was evident to Lotor that they thought he had just given them the solution to a problem they'd wanted solved. "We'll give you all the supplies you need to stay comfortably here," Widdon told him, "and we will help you with your goals regarding Voltron and finding a way home," he said. "In exchange for that, we want you to take out the two alchemists who fought against you in Resembool," Widdon informed him. "That will be our price for our help and sponsorship," he said, tone firm.

"The brother would need to go as well, Russell," Combes said and Widdon gave an agreeing nod. "The blonde alchemist has a brother who he is exceptionally close too. You actually met him two days ago when they were in Keog," Combes informed him. "If Elric is killed, his brother would be insufferable to deal with so our price would be the death of the Elric brothers and Mustang, who is the alchemist who can manipulate fire," Combes told him.

Lotor frowned as he contemplated the terms. Really, three extra humans to kill wouldn't be a massive deal, even if they could use alchemy, however he doubted they would simply wait their turn to be murdered and Lotor knew his limits. Him against five humans armed with their weapons, three humans who could use alchemy – a skill he didn't know much about – and five lions wasn't a good idea. "I don't know if I would be able to handle all of Voltron plus your fee at the same time by myself. If you can find me people to help me fight, then I accept your terms," Lotor said. "If not, we may have to talk more about how I can take them out one or two at a time without being caught," he added before the generals could try and throw a fit at his terms.

Widdon and Combes didn't look happy about the fact that he wouldn't be able to take on thirteen people and Lions, all of which were highly trained, by himself, however Lotor could tell from the fact that they had turned away to have a hushed conversation that he was going to get what he wanted. It took a few minutes but Widdon and Combes turned back to him and gave a nod. "We'll see about finding an alchemist or two to help you against Voltron and the three alchemists we want you to get rid of. Our teams will also provide back-up for you however they are simple soldiers so the best they can do is cover you with their guns," Widdon informed him.

Lotor wasn't too happy that he wouldn't have more alchemists to rely on for assistance and would have to settle for ordinary humans armed with weapons so far below his own it was almost laughable, but he didn't let any of that displeasure show. He would just have to make do like he always did. "The extra assistance would be appreciated," Lotor told them, bowing slightly to show his non-existent thanks. "If you have the time this afternoon, Generals," Lotor said politely as he straightened, "I believe it would be beneficial for us to discuss this further and draw up a plan so we can get the ball rolling," Lotor suggested.

There was a flash of annoyance in Combes' eyes that told Lotor the grey-haired, moustached man certainly didn't appreciate Lotor's audacity but it was quickly gone when he realised it was a smart plan. A look at Widdon told Combes that his fellow general was on board with doing as Lotor suggested so Combes gave the white-haired foreigner a nod as he sighed in relief to himself. Finally, things were looking up for him and Widdon and that they'd be rid of three of their biggest obstacles sooner than anticipated, all thanks to someone who Voltron claimed was dangerous and was likely to kill you on the spot rather than surrender or talk. Combes almost snorted to himself at the mental image that danced in his mind of Elric and Mustang finding out that their Voltron friends were the true danger, just as he and Widdon had been saying all along. He'd have to make sure that the two were left alive long enough to learn that fact and finally make them realise they weren't as clever as they thought they were before they were taken out.

"Let's get started."

A/N - Here's chapter 23 for you guys! Lotor is officially in Central and things will start picking up again shortly. Thank you to those of you who left me a review on the last chapter. I'd love to see more comments this week, if you would all be so kind. I'll see you next week