Warnings: Language (mild), some controversial moral topics

Spoilers: Up to the Tucker/Nina Arc...if you haven't seen up to there, then there are definite spoilers.

Feedback: Constructive feedback is very welcome

A/N: Next chapter up sometime Tuesday?

Felis Catus: Circle Eight

"They're all humans…" Ed gasped in horror.

Hughes shook his head sadly. "Their minds are human – but they're NOT, Ed! If you let yourself believe they're human then you won't be able to stop them."

"But if they think like humans," Ed began desperately.

"They're INSANE, Ed! The brain is there, but none of the connections are, none of the emotions are, none of the things that make a human being HUMAN are there! Even the homunculi are more human than these chimera are!" Hughes yelled, knowing that if Edward couldn't, or wouldn't, see this point, that he might hesitate at a crucial moment and not live to see the next day.

"But they're thinking like humans!" Ed shouted back. "If they can think like humans…"

"Edward – sometimes humans can be monsters. And sometimes monsters can be human," Hawkeye said gently. "But when monsters or humans cross the line and begin to kill and eat other members of their species, that's when they stop being humans or monsters and become the hunted. There's no place in the world for beings such as those."

Ed was silent.

"I know you remember Nina – I know you believe she was still human even in that form, and I know that in fact, she was more human than most humans are, even as she was," Hughes said quietly. "But these chimeras aren't human and they're not like Nina – the fact that their brains, and ONLY their brains, are human are all that allow them to possess higher thought and have kept them from being caught so far."

Ed looked at him, eyes still tortured. "But Hughes…" he whispered. "If they can think – if they have a thinking, human mind – then what about their souls? They may no longer have their body, but if their mind and soul are there, then…"

Hughes sighed, and ran a hand through his hair, making it stick up more. "Ed. The brain is a very complicated thing. It's capable of a lot. But think. Everything that makes up these chimeras is DEAD. How can the brain connect to dead tissue and form living connections? These are nothing but animated CORPSES who single-mindedly are eating living human beings in order to keep animating themselves! They feel nothing! No pain, no hurt, no anything! Their minds are trapped in limbo! That's why they've gone insane! It would be a mercy to kill them!"

"How do you know that though?" Ed asked, leaning forward intently. "How do you KNOW that they can't think for themselves, that they feel nothing? Maybe whoever they were before is trapped in those bodies and can't get out or stop the bodies from eating…"

Armstrong reached over to place a large hand on Edward's head. "Edward Elric," he rumbled. "Your compassion is commendable, but it is misplaced. Think. If you were trapped in such a body, if your mind and your soul were put into the carcasses of murdered animals and you were forced to sustain yourself on the pain, death, and suffering of others – what would you wish for?"

"Death," Ed said, in a very soft whisper. "Like Tucker's wife said – 'Let me die'."

"Exactly," Armstrong said quietly. "And death is the only escape for these poor chimeras. Before they cause more damage and doom their souls further. You can't cure them. You can't help them. You can only release them."

Ed bowed his head. "I understand," he said, swallowing thickly. "I'll do it."

"Thank you," Armstrong said solemnly.

Turning to the rest of the group, he addressed them. "So, now that we know what we are up against, I hope we will be better prepared to deal with the chimeras if we come across them tonight or in a future night – until they are all caught. Dismissed."

"Let's go," Havoc nodded towards Fury and inclined his chin towards the door. He was armed with some heavy-duty firepower, including a specialized long-range gun that shot flechettes, and several handguns.

"'Kay," Fury replied grimly, checking the safety on the gun tucked in a holster on his belt. He wasn't very good with guns, but he did have a pouch of small electronic disks that when thrown onto a target released a very high voltage shock. It would have to do, he decided.

"Guess we'd better head off too, huh?" Breda grinned at Farman, hoisting his own rifle. Farman nodded grimly and re-holstered his guns to make sure they were within easy reach if he ran out of ammunition on the rifle he was likewise sporting.

Hawkeye gave all of them a salute and retreated further up the stairs to the bell floor at the top of the tower. The bell floor gave her an unobstructed 360 degrees view of the entire First District, allowing her to back up her teammates and contact them by radio if she spotted a chimera or if any member of the team was in danger. Thankfully, the bell would be quieted for the duration of their assignment. Hayate followed Hawkeye up the stairs faithfully.

Armstrong also saluted and left, following the rest of the team down the stairs.

Edward stayed behind briefly, to thank Hughes for the intelligence.

"Where'd you get all that information anyways? Wasn't it classified?" Ed asked him curiously.

Hughes winked at Edward and put a finger next to his nose, as Roy surreptitiously rolled his eyes knowingly. "Don't ask, don't tell, Ed – let's just say I pulled a few strings here and there, okay?"

"You're going to get in trouble some day, Hughes," Ed laughed ruefully. "But thanks – the information's invaluable."

"Always glad to help, Ed," Hughes said seriously. "Besides, Roy would kill me if I let anything happen to you while he was gone," he chuckled, half-jokingly.

Roy was horrified. Blabbermouth! He accused Hughes mentally.

"Did the Colonel tell you to look after me or something?" Ed asked suspiciously. Roy was frantically shaking his head nonono and hoping Hughes would catch on.

Hughes scratched his head thoughtfully and looked at Edward with narrowed eyes. "Not in so many words, no," he said. "It's just one of those spoken unspokens in Mustang-land. He watches out for his own, you know."

Roy wasn't sure if he should be feeling relieved that Maes hadn't repeated exactly what Roy had said but had hinted rather broadly at the matter instead. He'd personally asked Maes to keep an eye out for the Elric brothers if Roy himself wasn't able to. Maes had promised solemnly, no joking around for once.

However, Roy knew Edward's pride would never allow him to accept that, so Maes was sworn to secrecy. The bastard was a master of telling the truth but not the whole truth though…

"Mustang-land?" Ed started laughing helplessly. Roy winced at that, but was thankful that Hughes had nicely distracted Edward from his dangerous line of questioning.

Hughes grinned whimsically. "Yep – land of hidden truffles and ceaseless smirks…where no paperwork goes signed and no coffee machine un-worshipped!"

Roy was peeved. Yep – those truffles were definitely finding a new home ASAP. If Hughes knew, everyone knew.

Edward was still laughing as he and Roy descended the staircase to begin their patrol.

Hughes waved them off, before heading up to the bell floor to watch Hawkeye's back while she was watching everyone else's back. Didn't want any surprises coming up the tower stairs, after all.

To be con't...