Chapter 21

Ed and Winry heard everything the Doctor was saying, though not what the other people on the planet had said. Being out of the loop like that, it was confusing to see the daleks suddenly flash brightly and explode. But they also heard her say the ship was going to crash into Amestris, and that they understood perfectly well.

They moved to the control room as fast as they could, which admittedly wasn't very with Ed's missing leg. Some parts of the ship were on fire as they passed. They reached the controls, and Ed cursed. Those didn't make any sense.

"I think I've got it," Winry said.

"What?"

"Well not perfectly. I couldn't tell you to how to repair it, or how to drive it long term, but I think I can steer as away from Central. The only thing is, I don't know where to steer us to. We need someplace with no people."

Ed grinned, despite the fact that doing so hurt. "Well good news. Tell me how to fly this thing, we're going to the desert."

Winry smiled and grabbed a suction off the ground. "It'll be easier to steer with one of these."

She then handed one to him and explained it. Apparently, by moving the circular control it went on, they could steer the ship. She didn't bother to explain what she was doing, but he didn't ask. He didn't want to interrupt. They did seem to be falling slower now though. The ship drifted away from Central and towards the desert, sand dunes coming into sight, particles lifting up as they came closer.

"We did it Winry," he croaked as they landed, managing to avoid people and not blow up.

"Of course we did," Winry said, smiling. She looked at the sand all around them. "It might be a long walk back though."

Ling hadn't fallen out of a window in years. Oh he came in and out of them all the time, but last time he could remember it being completely out of his control was probably when Ed booted him out about twelve years ago. But he sure fell today. Because he'd been hanging onto the window when a dalek rolled in, and it was time to move quickly. Then the building rocked from another attack, and his already loosened grip released completely.

It had been startling, to suddenly find himself on his back on the ground, but he had more pressing concerns. He'd lost track of the other two. He could hear the Doctor speaking, which meant the plan was going into action and he could look for them instead.

He climbed up a few floors, following the patterns of chi in the building. He hopped through a different window and came out into a hall.

"Lan Fan!" he shouted, running over and trying to pry the rubble off her leg. "Hold on. We can get this off."

"No need." Ling turned towards the familiar voice. Mei had joined them. "I can do it."

She created an alkehstry circle around the rubble, breaking into smaller pieces they could move away. When that was done she created another circle and healed Lan Fan's leg. To a point. The two still supported her as they moved to the window to see what was going on.

It was clear the dalek armor had been destroyed. The ship that was coming towards Central abruptly turned and headed east.

"They're going to land in the desert," Lan Fan observed.

"They're going to crash in the desert," Ling corrected. He found himself laughing. The battle was over. "We did it," he said, bringing the two even closer. "We've won."