In Times of Trouble
Chapter Five
Answers and More Questions
Resembool
Jean Havoc was trying not to fall asleep; he hadn't slept much the last week before all of this. He hadn't slept at all last night, Rebecca had offered to trade off with him for a bit, but he refused. Team Mustang always waited for word. At this point it had become almost a superstition with him. If he left to sleep, something bad would happen. If he waited Roy and Kain would be fine. He had no idea why he felt this way, but he did. He knew Heymans felt the same way about it. He was pretty sure Roy and Riza did too. Possibly Edward as well.
When they lost Vato, it had made it worse. It went from the abstract idea that teams lost members to the reality that THEIR team lost a member. That his best friend lost the person he loved most in the world. That their team would never be complete again. Jean had gone to therapy for it, the whole time feeling guilty for his need for help when Heymans was suffering so much more than him.
Rebecca brought him another cup of coffee as his phone rang, so he smiled at her as he answered. "Resembool Command Center, Brigadier General Havoc."
"I wasn't expecting you to answer yourself at this point actually." Breda said through the line. "I figured you'd be having Becca field and filter calls. I have Grans doing that for me."
"Is everything okay then?" Havoc asked. "Have you heard anything."
"Not since the call from Alphonse, you know that one. I was hoping you'd heard anything." Breda said.
"How are you holding up?" Havoc asked, he worried about Breda. He knew that it had been a long hard road to recovery for him. He'd been doing better lately, since he had moved into the Armstrong Mansion, so maybe he had needed company. This had made Havoc feel even more guilty, he hadn't considered that his friend may be suffering living alone. Now that he thought about it, it seemed obvious. At least Alex Armstrong had been a good enough friend to realize it. Rebecca frowned at him as if she knew he was angry with himself again.
"I'm fine. Drank too much coffee this morning and know I'll be paying for it this evening, but by then this should all be over. I mean the boys called for their wizard. We know how fast he finds people."
"So, the line is secure then?" Havoc asked.
"I don't know. I assume so, it was when Kain left. I frankly don't care at the moment either. I just want to know everyone is okay and get to bed." Breda said.
"Well, here's some good news you cannot give to anyone else until Mustang finds out from Edward. The baby came last night. It's a girl." Havoc said with a smile. "Rebecca went over to see them a little bit ago. She said she looks just like Winry, they named her Trisha."
"Wait. You want me to just sit on this?! Jean you're terrible. I won't tell anyone else, but I have to tell Alex." Breda said. "Don't worry I'll swear him to secrecy., I can't keep this from him though, he'll know I'm hiding something."
"Just tell him you're considering getting a dog." Havoc said with a snort.
"ahah, No. You do know Alex Armstrong, right? If I told him that, he'd bring a dog home on the way from work. Then I would have to move out to avoid the dog. I don't have time for that kind of stress in my life."
"…You do know you live in a mansion, right?" Havoc said.
"You do know I hate dogs, right?" Breda replied.
"Touché." Havoc said with amusement. Before he could continue to torment his friend Rebecca signaled to him that he had another call. He apologized before hanging up the call to take the other one.
"General Havoc?" the voice on the other end of the line asked.
"This is General Havoc; how can I help you?" Jean said stiffening.
"Sir, this is Sgt Moss. I am over at the derailment outside of East City. Were you aware the Fuhrer's car was attached to the train, sir?"
Havoc mentally cursed. This was not supposed to happen. They needed to keep this quiet as long as possible. "It is my understanding that the Fuhrer's son is onsite helping with the cleanup." Havoc said instead of responding.
"Mr. Alphonse Elric was here when I got here sir. Lt. Fuhrer Edward Elric arrived with an unknown man I presumed was his driver or bodyguard a few hours later, but all three have since disappeared. We spotted the Fuhrer's car a few minutes ago, no one was sure if we were to approach it."
"Well, I suggest you stay clear and await orders from the Lt. Fuhrer sergeant. He would be the commanding officer on site. If they didn't mention the Fuhrer traveling. No one else mentioned him traveling, and no one has raised an alarm for him, then I would assume that that car was attached to the train in preparation of picking up the First Lady and his son next week. I have it on good authority that the Family is currently perfectly safe and not on that train." Havoc said.
"Very good Sir. I will inform everyone to stay away from the car until the Elrics return Sir."
Havoc hung up with a heavy sigh. They were running out of time, but at least he assumed the boys were on their father's trail. He just hoped he had bought them enough time. He shook his head before he called Breda back, unfortunately this time they wouldn't have time for banter.
Half a mile from the Crash Site
Roy and Kain were exhausted, and Roy was starting to get lightheaded, but he was not going to stop until he got back to his boys. Once Kain mentioned that the boys were likely to be called he knew he had to get to them before anyone else could. He had just stumbled over a rooted, Kain reaching out to steady him, when he saw his boys come through the trees with their wizard.
Roy shook Kain off to stumble forward, intent on getting to his sons. He frowned when he saw the wizard throw out an arm to stop the boys from rushing to him. Was this man involved in whatever group was attacking them this time? Why else would he try to keep the boys from him?
"Get away from my sons." Mustang said in a low dangerous voice.
Snape dropped his arm immediately and nodded. "He's still himself. It looks like the other one is clear too. It must have just been the third one."
"I told you Dad wasn't that easy to control." Al said smugly, before rushing forward to his father who stumbled into an embrace. Edward joined them a moment later and Roy pulled him into the hug as well as they sat on the forest floor.
"I don't know what all is going on." Fuery said to Snape. "You seem to know more than we do, and we were there."
"Magic. There were traces of it all over the car." Snape said. "Your man Jones is under a mind control spell, he won't remember anything that has happened, but he may remember who did it, possibly. You can interview him after I break the spell. I didn't bother yet; we were in a bit of a rush to get to you."
They watched Mustang and the Elrics hug for another few moments before Snape cleared his throat, "We should start heading back. The longer we linger the more likely it is someone will catch on that we misplaced the Fuhrer."
"He's right. No one knew your car was attached to the train. We managed to keep that quiet for now, but I don't know how long we have now that we aren't there." Ed said as he helped his father to his feet.
"Well, we can't have rumors of my demise floating around. We barely gained control as it is." Roy replied. "Another coup would be bothersome at this point."
They started back down the path toward the accident, Roy supported by his sons and Kain walking in front. Snape called them all to a halt a few minutes later. He began digging through his bag, before pulling out a bottle. "This will heal that headwound in seconds. I have another for blood loss, but it would be better to wait until you can sit for awhile for that one." He then applied the potion, Roy's head stitching back together in seconds, a thin red scar remained. "I think we have something for the scaring, but I'll have to look around a bit. Otherwise, you should be alright now. Now then do we want to keep walking, or should I transport some of you elsewhere? It would take two trips."
"I don' mind another scar, don't bother yourself with it. However, if you could, I would very much prefer if you could move us along. Resembool please." Roy said.
"Resembool for the three of them, just outside of command. Then I need to attend the train situation and Jones will need to be secured. As well as the bodies." Al said calmly. "Before anyone protests, Dad wasn't on this train remember? We can't let anyone think otherwise. Edward can come back in a few minutes, but I rather think he would prefer to help Dad get to Command. As far it goes, I was part of clean up I can't just disappear."
"Al's right. I'm going to stay here though, long enough to take care of it, then Snape, if you wouldn't mind, you can take me and Al both back where we need to be." Edward said.
"That is acceptable." Snape agreed with a nod.
"Oh Dad. Before you head over. Al you too. Winry had the baby last night. A little girl. We named her Trisha." Ed added. "I don't have any photographs yet I'm sorry.
"That's great Brother! Come on let's get this cleared up so I can go meet my niece." Alphonse said with excitement. Roy smiled happily nodding along.
Snape grabbed Mustang and Fuery and moments later returned for the boys. Within seconds, they were just on the far side of the trees from the crash site. Already, Ed and Al could tell at some point the Fuhrer's car had been noticed. Snape nodded to them before he turned toward where Jones was still trapped. "If I may, I will take Jones somewhere secure to break the spell. It may take a bit of work; however, I will return for the pair of you with in the hour to relocate you to Resembool."
'That's fine. Thank you, Snape. Just keep him from going anywhere. We're going to want to talk to him, even if he isn't guilty strictly speaking." Edward said sounding very tired.
Snape disappeared through the trees and the brothers walked toward the crash before slipping inside the fuhrer's car. They had decided in the few moments between transports that they would attempt to play it off as though they had been inside the car the whole time, investigating the murder scene.
Once they were inside, Ed assured Al to let him take the lead. He was used to talking his way around soldiers. They then made a show of popping up out of the hole Al had entered earlier, when they made sure at least two people were looking the right direction to see them.
"Lt. Fuhrer, Sir!" one said as they all saluted. "We were unaware you had entered the car, or we would have provided back up sir."
"Which is exactly why I didn't. This is a crime scene gentlemen. The last thing we need is extra boots stomping around. It appears that the staff aboard this car have been murdered, likely before the derailment." Edward said, once again calling on how he believed Roy would sound in the situation. "We searched for a suspect, but the car is clear, there seems to have been no other way to escape so I am assuming the culprit left the train at it only stop roughly twenty minutes before the crash."
"Sir, what about the Fuhrer?"
"Fuhrer Mustang was not aboard today. The car was being transported to help the family return to Central next week." Edward said. "I was in the area as was my brother so we came to help where we could, however, we will leave this to you now that all the survivors are secured. Don't worry, I intend to assign a special task force to look into this entire incident. Just worry about getting the people out, A clean up crew will arrive shortly to deal with the train and tracks."
Snape appeared as Ed finished speaking and Ed and Al followed him as if returning to the car. Once they were clear Snape transported them both to Resembool. Al headed toward the house, but Ed turned to Command, as he said, he intended to send in a special group to oversee the investigation.
Secure Location
Snape had kept Jones locked in stone as he moved the man and then left to take care of the others. He returned now to break the spell holding the man and let him out of the prison that held him. It was likely, in his opinion, that Jones would end up in prison for what happened. Even in the wizarding world, those who acted under the influence of the curse generally ended up prisoners.
Jones was calm without any of his targets in sight, leading Snape to believe he had been correct that the Fuhrer's family were the prime targets. He knelt down in front of the man after freeing him from the stone and tying him to a bed. This could take awhile depending on the skill of the wizard who cast the spell.
Jones was nearly catatonic at the moment, but Snape wasn't concerned yet. He was a master of the art and was certain he could break the spell, and gain as much information as possible on the instructions given to Jones before then.
Lupin slipped into the room with a frown as Snape looked over his patient. "I don't like this. It isn't safe to house people in my home."
"The Moon has passed. He will be gone well before the next cycle, there is no reason to fret." Snape said with a shrug.
"Why here though?" Lupin asked.
"Simple. This is the most secure location I have access to. My house is unacceptable, I have a child in residence. The safe house is no good, one can never tell when someone may arrive there. That leaves here."
"Who has done this?" Lupin asked with a frown.
"So far, I've eliminated anyone from Amerstris, You, and myself." Snape said with a shrug. "No strong wizards here. You can't betray Elric, and I know I didn't do this…I can't betray them either before you say anything. Neither could Narcissa even if she knew who they were, which she doesn't."
"You're certain."
"As certain as I am about you. She took the same vow." Snape replied with a sigh. "All she is concerned with is keeping her son safe. She doesn't care about the rest of it."
"Very well. Just…keep this room padlocked, to keep him safe."
"I have no intention of leaving him free. He is dangerous right now." Snape said before standing. "He killed four men this morning. So quickly none of them put up a fight. If not for Mustang's reflexes we would be looking at the youngest Fuhrer in history having his record stolen by his own son."
"From what I've seen he doesn't want to take his father's place."
"Exactly. He would not want anyone to think he was hiding away." Snape said. "Edward requested I handle this quietly and I will."
"Do you need anything?" Lupin asked, as he prepared to leave the room.
"Padlock the door from outside. I can get out; I don't want him able to do so." Snape said. "I'm going to see if I can get anything from him today. If I can't. I will just try again tomorrow. It has been a tiring day for us all."
Central City
Snape's House
Severus had rushed off to help with some emergency late yesterday, Narcissa had been waiting for his return. She had cleaned the house, and prepared both breakfast and lunch, leaving a covered plate from both meals. She hoped Severus would come out and eat with them, but she had dined alone more often than not since she married, so she was used to it.
She was slowly stirring some potatoes into the stew when Draco came barreling into the room happily. He had was still so excited over their change in location. Though he had asked for his father a couple of times overall he had been happy to spend time with just his mom.
She turned down the heat on the stove and turned to her son. He held up his arms, so she picked him up settling him on her hip. She knew he was getting too big to carry around, but with all the changes she couldn't bring herself to deny him that small comfort. "Mommy, when will Sev be home?" Draco asked.
"I don't know Drake. He promised to return as quickly as possible. Shall we go out to the garden?" she asked. She was trying to use his new name as much as possible to get him used to it.
"May we visit the shops?" Drake asked.
"Not today Drake. I can't leave the stove unattended that long." She responded. She didn't mention that she was also not familiar with the area yet and was concerned about getting lost without Severus there to show them around. She intended to ask him to take her around at least the first few times until she learned the area.
Drake nodded easily enough, before squirming to get down. "May I have some milk?'
"Of course." Narcissa replied, as she opened the fridge to grab the container.
Severus came into the room as she handed the glass to her son looking exhausted. "Sev!" Drake squealed with delight as he rushed toward the man, spilling his milk along the way. Severus scooped the boy up without hesitation.
"Were you good for Mum today?" he asked as he waved a wand to clear up the spill.
Drake nodded and his mother frowned. "I thought we were to hide magic?"
"Not inside the house Cissy." Severus said with a smile. "Inside the house we can do as we wish. I try not to overindulge; however, I still use it. Besides, my magic is a bit of a known secret with the ones who arranged your paperwork."
"I see. I prepared dinner. Stew, I believe the woman next door called it when she gave me instructions on local produce." She said with a smile. "She seemed kind enough, though she didn't talk long."
"I know her, Mrs. Cutlass. She comes around occasionally to ensure there is food in the cupboard. She seems convinced I forget to feed myself." Severus said. "She lost her husband in the war. Which war I was unclear on, and as a result seems to adopt everyone in the neighborhood. Did she enjoy Drake? She tends to like children."
"I wouldn't know, Drake was napping when she came around. I assume she's a muggle?"
"They don't use that term her, but yes, she doesn't use magic. She doesn't use alchemy either as far as I know." Severus set the boy back down before pulling out a chair at the table. "I'm going to be coming and going a lot for the next few days helping out with a situation. Will you be alright by yourself for a few hours a day?"
"I am perfectly capable Severus. However, I was going to ask that you show me to the nearest shop soon so I can take Drake around." She said as she turned back to the stove to check on the food. As far as she could tell it seemed to be done so she scooped out a bowlful for Severus and a smaller bowl for her son. "I believe this is ready. Here have something to eat then you should lie down awhile, you were gone the night and must be tired."
"Tired doesn't begin to describe it." Severus said with a sigh. "Cissy. When you were in England, did anyone come around the house talking about coming here?"
"No, of course not. Not since that awful Takeshi. I would not be considering take Drake out if anyone was here." She said before returning to the stove.
"Well, be careful when you go out. I've been trying to break an Imperious Curse all morning, so a wizard is here somewhere."
"Alright then. I will be extra careful. I apologize for snapping at you over it."
Severus waves off her concern as he took his first bite. He chewed slowly before setting down his spoon. "I'm afraid the potatoes are undercooked Cissy. Otherwise, it is perfect. Thank you."
"Thank you Severus. You need to go to bed though, you are practically falling over into your food." She replied before scooping out her own serving and sitting down to join the others.