General Shanks Zabat is a mystery. The Commander of the Special Forces is not widely liked, but why?Is it just because he's an unpleasant twerp? Or is there something more, something neither he nor Roy is saying?
As Ed and Al get involved with the General's invesigation, they'll find out that the military is controlled by the Silver Demon Alchemist, offical or not.
Shadu: Alright, this story is revised and better. I really just changed a few names here and there, but the names made a world of difference. Just to be clear too, this story takes place somewhere after Lior and before they meet Dr. Marco. It is not Lior, though. After. And after the Flame vs. Full Metal episode. But before they go to see Dr. Marco. Got it? Good. Enjoy.
Ch. 1
"So, Full Metal, do you have a report for me?" the calm, condescending voice of Roy Mustang asked as the Full Metal Alchemist, Edward Elric, sat on the down in Roy's office.
"Yes sir," Ed drawled, his formality coming from his recent reprimand from Hawkeye regarding his disrespect. "The lead town seemed clear enough. I hardly saw any alchemists there. They were relatively friendly, I'd say. They were definitely cordial. Of course, not really knowing what to look for, I didn't see anything. I didn't see any circles anywhere on anybody, but I do have to admit that there were some strange things going on. Some people would go missing and come back completely different. It's almost like they went crazy."
"Crazy, huh?" Roy noted dully, knowing the answer. "That's not so unusual. People do that all the time."
"That's right," Ed nodded, bitter that his story has been interrupted. He wanted out of this office as much as Roy wanted him out. "But there was still something strange. They would all leave and go to the same place. It was a cave out of town a ways, and they would stay there for a while. When they returned, they were crazy, almost foaming at the mouth."
"Did you actually see the cave?" Roy cocked an eyebrow.
"Well, no," Ed looked away out of shame.
"Then why are you reporting it?" Roy muttered, though his voice said he didn't really care.
"Al followed one of them once," Ed responded. "He told me what he saw."
"But the fact remains that you didn't see it," Roy scolded.
"I trust Al," Ed defended his younger brother. "And it is an important fact."
"Yeah, whatever, continue," Roy answered dryly, turning to look out the window. He had so many other things he'd rather be doing.
"I never got to finish my work," Ed continued. "Shortly after they found out what I was doing, they locked me up."
"You were locked up?" Roy mocked. "Big surprise."
"Soon after, I was let out by Armstrong," Ed stated, ignoring Roy's last statement, regardless on how furious it made him. "I saw more people on the streets as we left, foaming at the mouth. It looked like alchemy had backfired or something on them."
"Backlash?" Roy raised his eyebrows, turning ever so slightly towards Ed.
"Yeah, I'd definitely call it that," Ed nodded.
"I see," Roy muttered. "Armstrong expressed that you wished to return to Osnair and finish your investigation."
"Yes I do sir," Ed replied.
"Why?" Roy sighed, releasing pent up boredom.
"Curiosity, I guess," Ed shrugged, looking down at the ground. "I also feel like I didn't finish my job. I want a chance to."
Roy didn't respond for a second as he looked down at the papers he held in his hand "It says here that there were chimeras there?"
"Yes, I…wait a second!" Ed shouted, suddenly realizing what was going on. "If you have my written report, why are you asking me questions about it? Can't you just read it?"
"I could," Roy admitted. "But that would be too easy. Besides, some of your details are…how should I put it? Sketchy."
"Sketchy!" Ed roared. "I'll have you know-" but he was cut off by the door banging nosily open.
"Colonel," Havoc curtly addressed, standing in the doorway, his ever-present cigarette pushed to the corner of his mouth.
"Havoc? What is it?" Roy perked, spinning around in his chair, happy to be free of the report.
"There's someone to see you," Havoc reported.
"Who is it?" Roy sunk a little, realizing it might not be the break he had hoped for.
"He didn't say sir," Havoc shrugged.
Roy sunk even further. That was never a good sign. Never.
"Send him in," Roy sighed, knowing he couldn't get out of this meeting easily.
Havoc nodded, turned around and mumbled something, and walked around the man behind him. A tall, proud man took Havoc's place in the doorway.
The newcomer was just barely an inch taller than Roy himself, though a great deal taller than Ed. He was very unusual in appearance, however. His hair was a silver grey, although he looked to be about Roy's age, and hung down in his face, partially covering his eyes, concealing most of their emotion. The color of his eye was a very abnormal color indeed. Instead of being brown, or blue, like normal people, his were red, giving him the appearance of being blood-thirsty. Besides that, he was relatively normal, save his uniform which was almost exactly like Roy's blue one except the newcomer's had regal stripes on his left arm just below his shoulder and a thin, silver watch chain trailed from a breast pocket to a clip on the inside of his jacket.
"General Shanks Zabat," he cordially introduced himself to Roy and Ed, though Roy needed no introduction. "Special Forces," he added, pulled out his silver pocket watch as proof of his State Alchemist status.
"Ah, Zabat, it's been a while," Roy noted bitterly. "What are you doing here?"
"Here strictly on business Mustang," Zabat replied, stuffing his pocket watch back into the pocket it came from. "My unit and I are taking over the investigation of Osnair."
"The Special Forces are investigating Osnair!" Roy stood up, outraged.
"Of course," Zabat stated with a nod. "You can't expect the Full Metal Alchemist to do it on his own or with help even," he added, eyeing Ed and obviously recognizing him.
"And why not?" Ed challenged hotly.
"For one thing, you must have an unbiased party," Zabat sneered. "Since you were there, you can't be that. Secondly, this investigation is looking to be a messy one and is no place for kids."
"Who are you calling a pipsqueak!" Ed demanded, this time being the one to lunge to his feet.
But Zabat wasn't frightened.
He just chuckled insultingly, "I didn't say that."
"Full Metal, would you leave?" Roy requested calmly, though a tremor of hate could be detected as his eyes stayed fixed on the General. "Zabat and I need to speak alone."
Ed glared at Roy but did as he had been told. Before slamming the door behind him, he gave one last disdainful glare at Zabat.
Roy stood there for a second, collecting his wits and sense before calmly taking a breath and sitting down in his chair once again.
"Shanks, let's be perfectly frank with each other," Roy grumbled, offering with a hand Ed's abandoned seat. "Why are you here?"
"I told you," Shanks replied, sitting down and crossing his legs. "The Special Forces are taking over the investigation of Osnair. I wouldn't lie to you."
"That doesn't answer why you're here," Roy protested.
"No, I suppose it doesn't," Shanks looked the other way to show he didn't care if Roy was angered. "I'm here to tell you that you're no longer in charge of Osnair's investigation, regardless of the fact that one of your men was involved. I'm also here, with my men, to gather information before we head off to Osnair. Since the Full Metal Alchemist was there, and is based here," Shanks shrugged, "it was basic math."
"Why are the Special Forces so interested in this? Why not something else?" Roy growled menacingly.
"I didn't choose the assignment," Shanks gave Roy a look that implied the Flame Alchemist was stupid. "I never do. I just do as I'm told. I just do what the Fuhrer wants. He gives me an order, and I take my men and do it. That's the way the Special Forces work."
"Oh, so is that how your last assignment worked? What about it? Huh?" Roy snarled.
"What? Ishbal?" Shanks drawled looking over at Roy. "You still bitter about that?" Shanks asked, seeing the cross look on Roy's face.
"Of course I am!" Roy thundered. "I saw things that will haunt me forever! I saw horrors no man should, and you think it's a joke! You were there! You saw the destruction! Didn't it unnerve you, even just a little?"
"No, not really," Shanks dryly answered. "I guess that's the difference between us. You always were softer."
"You heartless fiend!" Roy cried.
"Calm down Roy," Shanks looked back at the Colonel. "My orders aren't anything like that this time. We're just going to investigate, that's all," he stood to his feet. "I'll be staying here with my men for a day or two, and then we will move out."
Debating fighting it, Roy decided against and grumbled a "Fine," knowing he couldn't deny the Special Forces anything they wanted and get away with it for everyone knew they were greatly favored by the Fuhrer. "Just don't expect me to clean up your mess, like last time."
Shanks chuckled, showing Roy he didn't care what the Colonel felt, gave a sarcastic salute, and walked out the door, leaving it wide open. Another sign to Roy saying he didn't care.
"Full Metal, I know you're there," Roy called, causing Ed, who was hiding behind the door, to stiffen and sweat. "I know you've been listening too."
"How?" Ed answered, forgetting he was supposed to be hiding.
"Because that's the way you are," Roy commented dully. "Now, I wish to speak with you."
Ed sheepishly peeked around the door and entered the office, a chill running down his spine. Taking a cue from a glance from Roy, he closed the door and waited for the Colonel to begin.
"What was that about Ishbal?" Ed asked when the Colonel didn't start speaking right away.
"It doesn't matter," Roy hastily snapped. "Let me tell you something though. Don't get caught up with him," he demanded, pointing a stern finger at Ed.
"Why?" Ed's eyes narrowed, disliking Roy telling him who he could and couldn't associate with.
"He's bad," Roy turned around and looked distractedly out the window. "He's done unforgivable things. The Special Forces are more like an army of demons rather than alchemists. Don't get caught up with any of them."
"Yes sir," Ed hissed.
Then, he turned and left, neither of them exchanging another word.
If there was one thing Roy failed to remember in telling Ed not to get mixed up with the Special Forces, it was this; something that is forbidden is always more appealing.