Chapter Four-Unspoken Truths

Col. Mustang's office, Central HQ - Central, Amestris – 1703 hours

Ed approached the door and knocked dutifully. "This will be enjoyable…" he said as Mustang appeared in front of him. As usual, he was smiling smugly.

"Hello Edward, Alphonse," he said with a halfhearted salute.

"Hello, Colonel," Al replied, giving a genuine salute back.

Ed didn't return his gesture, but instead scowled, apparently not in the mood for his fake pleasantries. "Let's get on with it..tell me what this assignment is already."

"I know, Ed. You want to know what the case is…just be patient." He looked up at Al. "Alphonse, if you don't mind, I know you're his brother, but-"

Al knew what he would say. "But I can't be in the room while you talk to him. Don't worry, I understand."

"I'm sorry..but he is the soldier. I have to brief him in absolute confidentiality," he said, ruefully.

"Al, just wait out here, okay? Hopefully this will be over in a little while." Ed gave a little smile, and went into the room. Mustang motioned First Lieutenant Hawkeye, who was nearby in the hall, over to the door.

"Hawkeye, Fullmetal's here from Resembool to be briefed on the case…would you mind taking Alphonse up to your quarters? As you know, this is high-profile.."

"Yes sir." She saluted and did as she was told. Al followed her quietly up to the floor above.

Once Mustang and Ed were settled in his office, the Colonel's face grew dark. Gone was his usual mocking, playful attitude Ed was used to. He hadn't even insulted his height once.

"Edward, sit down."

Defiant as always, he refused. "I'll stand, thank you. This should only take a few minutes, right?"

"I want you to sit down, now." Ed did as he said, feeling rather intimidated by his seriousness.

"In early March, about two months ago..Hughes was killed in action. He was promoted two ranks for it..to Brigadier General. We've searched but his killer has yet to be found. We want you to investigate the cause of his death." He prepared himself for Ed's reaction to the devastating blow he just received. Mustang saw that his eyes were empty, and a blank expression overcame him. The room was silent for a moment, though it felt like an eternity.

"…What?" was all he said, in a low, half-whisper. "Killed..?"

"It was a gunshot wound, but other cuts were discovered on his body. There was basically no other evidence to be found. No witnesses, no leads."

Ed was still in shock. A quiver began to appear in his voice. "How can he be dead? How is it possible..? It can't be true." Mustang strained to hear his nearly inaudible words. Tears began to streak down his cheeks. He held his head low, trying to muffle his sobbing. "Hughes can't be gone…He wouldn't let himself get shot so easily! He was one of the military's best soldiers!"

What Ed didn't know, however, was the reason behind the Lieutenant Colonel's untimely death. Envy, the shapeshifter of the Homunculi, had been at his side posing as a soldier named Maria Ross. As his back was turned, Envy's body took on the work of Hughes' wife, Gracia. The sight of the woman he loved so dearly, standing in the dim light, a gun pointed at his chest…he was momentarily stunned and caught off guard. It was then that the cold hearted Homunculus ended his life.

Ed's immense devastation and despair had gotten to Mustang. "He always said he would push me to the top, then he passes me in the ranks.." It was evident that he was trying to prevent himself from revealing his true emotions.

Slowly, Ed's anguish turned to anger, as he came to a peculiar realization. He stood and glared at Mustang. "Wait…you said Hughes died two months ago..and you waited until now to tell me?" His hand formed into a fist at his side. "He was a good friend of mine. Why the hell would you save this until today?"

The Colonel knew Ed would eventually ask that question. "I knew you would get upset. I wasn't sure if you could handle it..I know how unruly your temper gets.." he said solemnly.

Now practically enraged, Ed's voice was full of fury. "You're right, I can't handle it, especially now that he's been gone for two months, and no one even bothered to tell me! The only reason you're saying it now is because you want me to finish the investigation for you and get it out of your hands! I've had enough with the military! I'm ashamed to be a part of it! To be grouped with the likes of you.."

Mustang could understand why he was upset, but still tried to reason with him. "Ed, I-"

"Shut up! I don't want to hear another word of it, you.." Ed paused, then lunged at Mustang, bringing his clenched hand to meet his face. "..you bast-!"

He didn't finish, for the Colonel's hand had grabbed his fist in midair, blocking his punch. He gripped it tightly, shaking with difficulty from Ed's surprising amount of strength. He pushed him harshly backwards into his chair, knocking the wind out of him. "This is why I didn't tell you until now. Whenever you hear something you don't want to, you throw a tantrum like a child, then run off with your brother in tears. You're a part of the military and you have to act like it."

Ed looked up at him, his face red from crying. Their eyes locked. Ed's seemed to be full of hatred and spite, but Roy's showed deep care and concern, like that of a father's.

At that moment, the door creaked open. Mustang straightened up rigidly and waited tensely to see who was outside. A pair of nervous faces peeked through.

"Hey, Colonel, is everything all right? We heard a lotta noise from upstairs,"

"Breda, Havoc.." Mustang said, sounding relieved. "It's nothing. Fullmetal is here from Resembool and I'm just briefing him on the case, you know the one... now, go back to work."

The men could hear the urgency in his voice. They gave a quick salute and headed back to their room upstairs.

"Now…will you accept this case? I know you want to find out who did this to Hughes. I do too, but I think you know more about this than I do."

Ed sighed, then slowly took the time to find the right words he wanted to say.

"…I will, because I know no one else will do it. I'll get revenge for him. No one else in the military seems to really give a damn." Ed knew he had to give in. He did want to find whoever was responsible. There was no sense in fighting anymore. Those damn Homunculi…I know it was them. They've taken yet another life…one of my best friends. I have to get revenge. Even if I have to kill them… Those heartless bastards!

"Good. I have some documents regarding what he was investigating before his death. Something about the Eastern Rebellion, the Homunculi, and..the Fuhrer's secretary…I can't make heads or tails of it, but there is someone who can help you. I believe you know her…a girl named Sheska? She's been more involved in the case than any of us." Mustang handed him a large stack of papers and books, and a small slip of paper with an address messily scribbled on it.

Ed took the box and unfolded the slip. "Sheska..yeah, I remember her. She was that girl from the library who helped us with Doctor Marcoh's case, after the First Branch burned down… Why would she have so much knowledge about this?"

"She was working closely with Hughes recording lost military and court files. On the day of his death, however, he fired her. She knew the most about what he was investigating and tried very hard to find his murderer. I'm not sure if she's still involving herself in it, though…it's hard to access top secret files when you're not a part of the military."

Looking up from a thick, handwritten journal, Ed seemed significantly calmer than before. His face was still streaked with tears, but he had gotten over the initial shock. "Thanks, Mustang…you've actually managed to be of a little help tonight."

The Colonel stood and faced the door to the hallway. He felt it was time to break up the briefing. His mind was rushing with thoughts, painful memories that he, as always, had tried to keep away. He couldn't even bear to look at Ed any longer.

"Well, it's been fun, but I think you ought to go get your brother. I have a lot of work to do…Scar's still out there somewhere, you know."

"Yeah, real fun…" Ed gave a hurried, spiritless bow and left to retrieve his brother. That's right..I've completely forgot about Scar…just another chore on my to do list.. he remembered as he began to climb the stairs to the third floor.