To Thine Own Self Be True
Chapter 21 - Places To Go, People To See, Lives To Ruin
Across the building on the top floor, Douglas lead Mustang to the Fuhrer's office. She opened the door and walked in, leading Mustang through the exceptionally large office to where the Fuhrer was located. He was staring out the large window as Douglas sat down and began working. Mustang saluted.
"Fuhrer Bradley sir?"
The Fuhrer turned around and smiled.
"Ah... Mustang. Seamed like just yesterday I was standing in 'your' office."
Mustang hesitated, then ended the salute, standing firmly. The Fuhrer walked over to his desk and sat down, pulling out a folder and opening it. Mustang remained standing before the Fuhrer, awaiting orders.
"Mustang, I've got sources that tell me Scar is on the move again. He's heading to Kishua City. I'm giving you 40 men. You may take your subordinates should you wish to. But that is all your getting. You leave at 1400 today. That is all."
The Fuhrer spun around in his chair and Mustang salutes. After a moment more, he leaves the office, heading back down to his subordinates. In one hour, he is leaving. Inside his office, the subordinates are lounging around with nothing to do. Havoc is on the sofa sleeping next to Hayate, Breda is keeping his distance from the dog, Hawkeye is reading a book and Fuery is solving word puzzles.
"Men... and Hawkeye..."
Mustang closed the door and stood in front of the door. The subordinates all looked up at him. Mustang sighed, in a normal office, the subordinates respect their superior with salutes and such. In his office, the just look at him.
"We are leaving at 1400 and getting on a train to Kishua City."
"But we just got here."
Mustang sighed again.
"Yes, I know that. But the Fuhrer has ordered us on a mission. He claims Scar is on the move again and is heading to Kishua City."
The subordinates all put their things away and stood up. They were leaving again, only thankfully, they didn't have to move. Hayate barked just as Nelson re entered the office. She looked around and when her eyes fell on the dog, she gulped.
"Um... Is their a Lieutenant Hawkeye?"
"I am her."
"The Fuhrer says there is a dog... I'm suppose to watch?"
"Black Hayate."
The dog sat up and walked over to Hawkeye where he sat down and wagged his tail. Nelson gulped again and Hawkeye rolled her eyes. Hawkeye bent down to the dog and petted his head, while whispering something in his ear. He barked again and then walked over to Nelson as Hawkeye stood up. Nelson didn't look too pleased as she walked back down the hall, dog in tow.
"I wonder why he sent for the dog?"
"Maybe he doesn't want the dog alone or on the mission."
Hawkeye watched as her poor dog got taken away. On the train station platform, Hawkeye was standing next to Mustang who was watching pretty girls go by in mini skirts. He had a playboy smile on as they looked at him and winks and waved. Hawkeye rolled her eyes and checked her watch. Time 1357. The girls smiled more, but when they noticed the evil glares from Hawkeye, they turned around and continued on their way, not looking back.
"Hawkeye do you ever think you would...-"
Mustang began to see stars as Hawkeye hit him in the head with her gun.
"Sir, grow up."
Mustang rubbed his temple as a group of 40 Military officers walked in. They were nothing like Mustang's subordinates. They were well disciplined and were very quiet and clean. Mustang turned his head and saw Havoc, Breda and Fuery slouched on a bench near by. Hawkeye noticed this too and stared at the men walking over to them. Not a single woman was in their group. Hawkeye was the only one. She gulped and wished she kept her hair short.
"Colonel Mustang, sir."
The leader of the group who was a Major stepped forward and saluted. The others followed. Mustang's men fumbled around and finally stood up.
"We are here to serve you in Kishua City, under strict orders of the Fuhrer King Bradley, sir."
The man ended his salute and looked behind Mustang as the bumbling fools called Mustang's subordinates.
"Well done Major. Proceed to the train, I'll board shortly."
"Yes sir."
The Major turned to his group, made a hand signal and the 40 men began boarding the train in a very ordered fashion. After 39 men were on board, the Major then got on. Mustang turned to his subordinates who were finally standing straight. He sighed.
"Sir, the train is leaving."
Hawkeye mentioned as the train whistled and began to slowly move. Havoc, Breda and Fuery jumped aboard. Mustang and Hawkeye were next as the train picked up speed.
"You first sir."
Mustang jumped on and then lent a hand to Hawkeye, just as the train left the station. Mustang and his crew walked into the train car. The 40 men were sitting two to a seat. The Major was standing next to an empty private cabin.
"Sir, your cabin."
Mustang walked through the crowd, running a hand through his hair. Havoc, Breda and Fuery grabbed an empty section and sat down, Fuery sitting alone. They began to talk, unlike the others who were very silent. Hawkeye followed behind Mustang and after he entered the cabin, the Major stopped Hawkeye from entering.
"Excuse me, I'm with him."
Hawkeye said in a way that someone would when telling a guard they were with the band. The Major looked down on Hawkeye for he was about a foot taller then her. Hawkeye felt three inches tall under his glare.
"It's okay Major, she is with me. She's my ... right hand man.. I mean WOman."
The Major stepped aside and allowed Hawkeye in. He then closed the door and left. Hawkeye sat across from Mustang.
"Sir..."
"I've noticed, Hawkeye, your the only female. Maybe I should have left you behind?"
"Sir, I can handle myself. I've protected myself before."
"True."
They sat in silence until the other subordinates entered.
"They are giving us the creeps."
"Thats because they are more disciplined then us. They don't talk about 'girls' during a military mission."
They say down as Hawkeye rolled her eyes.
"That Major man almost freaked when he saw us enter in here."
"He did the same for Hawkeye."
"Who built these men?"
"The Fuhrer."
The subordinates leaned back and rested as Mustang stared out the window.
"Sir,"
Havoc broke the hour long silence.
"Why do you think they are sending us on this mission?"
"To kill Scar."
"But why us? Why not the State Alchemists?"
"What am I?"
"I mean, a train full of alchemists, not just one."
"I'm good enough."
"Sir, you are still only one alchemist."
"Yes, But an alchemist is an alchemist. Maybe the Fuhrer only feels one is enough."
The train cabin fell silent again as the Major opened the door.
"Sir, we are arriving."
He seemed to glare evilly at Hawkeye who felt like she was three inches again. He then closed the door and left.
"I don't like that guy."
"Join the club."
"Same here."
"Grow up." "Your the one that shrinks every time he looks at you."
"And you pissed your pants, so your point is?"
"And they call me the strange one."
"You are the 'Alchemist'."
"I'm not strange."
"No, your a freak."
"Oh shut up!"
They were once again silent as the train rolled to a stop. They were definitely an odd bunch. The only group of Subordinates that could talk to their Superior like that. Every military personnel was off the train and on the very small platform, some had to stand in the street. They finally arrived at the Slums. Mustang was jumping up and down in the crowd attempting to get above everyone else. Havoc and Breda offered him a lift and he stood on their shoulders. The two men cringed under his weight.
"Hawkeye, your his right hand man, you hold him up."
"Why, your doing SUCH a good job at it."
She smirked and turned away.
"Excuse me... Hello... Colonel speaking here... Hello..."
Mustang attempted to get their attention without blowing up the place. Hawkeye rolled her eyes and jumped onto Havoc's shoulder, placing a hand on Mustang's arm for balance. Havoc went pale as two people stood on him. Hawkeye removed her gun and aimed it in the air. If she attempted this on the ground, she might of shot someone out of annoyance.
BANG!
The crowd went silent and turned to face Mustang and Hawkeye. Hawkeye jumped down and left Mustang standing above everyone else.
"Thank you..."
A/N - Hello... Is anyone out there... (hears an echo as milk-like tears fall down her cheeks) ...
Please review. No FLAMES (Thats Roy's job only). Please look in my profile oo0AnimeChild0oo for all my other stories. And again, thanks for reading.
"Write a wise saying and your name will live forever"
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