Live for yourself this time around, Little Alchemist
Chapter 008
Author: Black Dragon on the Rocks/Animealam/Alandrem
Rating: T
Disclaimer: Nope, the characters here don't belong to me. I'm not making any money out of this, and it's for my own enjoyment and that of those who read it.
Summary: Truth did not accept Ed's alchemy as payment for his brother, instead It asked for Ed's body and two favors. Ed would be able to do what no male alchemist could, bring forth life. The favors? Save a world were his counterpart died during the Human Transmutation, and live for herself this time around. Ed agreed, he'd do anything for Alphonse, even becoming a girl. Not Mpreg, no slash.
Characters: Edward Elric, Roy Mustang, Riza Hawkeye, Truth, Jean Havoc, Heyman Breda, Kain Fuery, Vato Falman, Granny Pinako, Winry, King Bradley, Various Homunculi, Alphonse Elric, Van Hohenheim, OCs, Mentions of the Avengers, Maybe some Avengers, Tony Stark almost a given.
Warnings: Time Travel, Time Travel Fix-It, Dimension Travel, Alternate UniverseDe-Aging, Fem!Ed, Violence, Angst, Drama, Gore, Magic, Mentions of Rape, Mentions of Child Abuse, Child Neglect, Alternate Universe, OOCness, Canon typical violence, Mentions of sexual harassment, Roy/Ed very far in the future, World Building, Other Fandoms Not Mentioned in Tags, Explicit Language, Ed swears... a lot, Modern Era, Modern Amestris, Protective Team, Parental Roy... for now. Will add tags as I go.
Pairing: Future Fem!Ed/Roy... maybe.
Timeline: Mixed timelines. Starts with Brotherhood - Post Promised Day, then it's mostly Anime 2003 until after Youswell, Some Brotherhood, Starts - Post Ed's 1st human transmutation, Avengers Movie.
Keys:
"Dialog" Normal dialog.
'Thoughts' Thoughts
"Dialog" Conversations on the phone, radio, video.
Author Notes: First of all, I want to thank everyone for their favorites, and follows.
Next, I'm sorry about the delay guys, but real life does exist and it tends to get in the way; and that's not counting I binge watched The Mandalorian (I've been a fan of the original Star Wars trilogy forever, as well as what's now called the Legends Universe) and I absolutely adored both the Mandalorian and Grogu. All this led to an insane rabid plot bunny taking hold of my muses. So the Fullmetal Alchemist/The Mandalorian crossover nobody asked for was born. I just could not help myself, and I already have around 6k words of it.
Anyway, I already had this chapter written since before I posted chapter one. It's rather long, and it just needed some proof reading, so I finally got down to do it, and here it is.
I'm probably going to start updating every couple of weeks, since I really need to have at least two or three chapters ahead of the one I'm posting to avoid taking too long over updates. Right now I have up to chapter 12 but chapter 13 is giving me some trouble even when I have several ideas for it and a few others more.
Well, that's all, please enjoy! :)
Words with Notes: 7,506 (W/O Notes: 6,998) (Notes: 508)
"Good, although spying on Tucker will most likely have to wait." Frankly he was coming to the realization they had to settle her guardianship before they could actually make any plans. "Now, going back to your guardianship, I just realized the fact you have no guardian leaves you in legal limbo..." He had been thinking hard about what to do, and as he remembered some things, Roy made a decision.
The decision was... rash, and rather unlike him, but it would give him the right to protect her. Roy would have leverage against higher ranked officials who might simply transfer her into their units, although his solution would delay a bit the investigation on Tucker. Roy was in no hurry to get him, they had a few months until the State Alchemist Exam, so it could wait. He would also have to modify his initial plan, as the fact Edward was a girl would not remain a secret for long, and Tucker might hear about it, because the rumor mill at Central Command was surprisingly efficient.
As to what he was going to do, it would be life changing, but Roy did not see any other way. He remembered there was a very old military... tradition, which could help him keep Edward under his command until she was an adult. Military Officer Apprenticeships—which had been the precursors of the Amestrian Military Academy, and were also known as Family Apprenticeships—were still possible, although as far as he knew they were rarely used in this day and age.
The apprenticeships had been a part of the Amestrian military practically since the seventeenth hundreds, when according to the Strong Arm Alchemist, the Armstrong family had joined the Amestrian military. It was around that time when the first Military Dynasties started. If his memory served him well, the... Apprentice program was still included in the current rules and regulations handbook. Everyone had to read it whenever there were changes, and the last time had been about a year ago.
Major, and State Alchemist, Alex Louis Armstrong had also mentioned it some time ago. Frankly, Roy had forgotten how it came into the conversation, but he did remember what it had been about. The man loved to talk about his family, which was one of the oldest military dynasties in Amestris, and their achievements. Armstrong's father—now a retired General—had made use of it when both the Major and his eldest sister, Brigadier General Olivier Armstrong, chose to join the military.
The siblings had been... apprenticed as officers under their father's command since they were young teenagers, as both knew from a young age they would be following the old family's tradition of having members in the military. The minimum age for the apprenticeship was ten, but both Armstrongs had been older, already in their mid teens. An officer's apprentice initial rank was Second Lieutenant, if the parent was a commissioned officer, and while Oliver Armstrong worked her way up the ranks—she was a Brigadier General now—Alex had become a Major after he became a State Alchemist.
The Military Officer Apprenticeships' rules would not allow the child to be separated from the military parent, guardian—or relative in some cases—while still a minor for their protection. This rule also recognized the existence amongst the higher ranks of unscrupulous individuals, without actually having to mention it directly. The fact children in the military needed this protection was proof enough not all members of the military were upstanding individuals. It was for that reason why the apprenticeship was not considered nepotism. This was also how military dynasties had perpetuated themselves, as not all their children chose to attend the academy.
Roy decided he was going to take advantage of the fact a son, daughter, or ward apprenticed to an officer could not be removed from the guardian. He should probably add an alchemy apprenticeship as well to speed up the guardianship paperwork, as that was easier to get than full guardianship of a child. Roy knew from experience it could be done, as Berthold Hawkeye—his Fire Alchemy Master, and Riza's father—offered it when Roy became his apprentice, but his aunt had not agreed.
Edward did not need the apprenticeship, she was clearly way past the stage of being anyone's apprentice, in fact, she would probably be the one teaching him, but no one needed to know that. The alchemy apprenticeship was only a stop gap measure to protect her until he had the guardianship, and the Military Officer Apprenticeship secured. On top of that, Roy might still talk to the Führer and his wife to ensure the girl would be safe. Decision made, Roy stood up, went to his desk and picked up the phone, then called Hawkeye. He was sure she would help him take care of things, she was efficient that way.
"Lieutenant, I need you to do a few things for me in regards to Miss Elric." That got him the kid's attention, but she said nothing, just waiting to see what he was going to do.
"Yes, Sir. What do you require?" Riza responded immediately.
"I need you to get me a military alchemy apprenticeship contract for a minor," Roy told her, and could practically see her eyebrows raising in surprise even if she was in another room. "As far as I know they haven't been used in ages, and if the child is ten and up, there's no need for parent or guardian approval, as long as the child has talent and agrees to be trained.
"The rule is still active if I'm not wrong. I'm sure Falman would know about it, and can confirm if my memory serves me right." The girl opened her mouth to protest, but he raised his hand in a gesture asking her to wait. She closed her mouth looking puzzled. "I need it ASAP. I also need the rule book for Military Families Apprenticeships, and lastly, who do you know who can help me to obtain guardianship of Miss Elric, the sooner the better."
"Sir, are you sure?" Riza asked shocked. Why would he need to become the girl's guardian?
"Yes, Lieutenant. Major General Halcrow is very interested in her..." he knew that should be enough to clue her in, Riza had ranted against the General to him often enough, as well as their inability to do something about what the man was doing to young girls. The soft gasp on the other side told her she knew what he meant.
"What about her actual guardians?" she enquired, as Riza was under the impression the old woman at the automail shop was the girl's legal guardian. "If I'm not wrong, because Miss Elric is a minor, her guardian can specify the name of the officer she's to serve under until she's of age. It's an old rule, but it's still part of the book, and active."
"I found she hasn't had one for..." Roy trailed off uncertain about how long it was since Edward had been left on her own.
"Since I was five, when Mom died," Ed informed him rather dumbstruck at the turn of events.
"... seven years." Roy winced, and the girl clearly noticed, but she had a completely dumbfounded expression. He did not blame her, she had been on her own for far too long, no wonder she had looked so surprised when he took the initiative of providing some basic care for her.
"I see..." Riza said slowly. That was shocking, but it somewhat explained a few things about the girl, which had... disturbed her.
It had been clear during Miss Elric's reports, and the one from those on the train, the girl had not expected anyone's assistance. The little blonde had not expected the adults to take care of things like most children would—even she would have when she was Elric's age, and Berthold Hawkeye was by no means the example of good parenting. Neither had she cowered in fear at finding herself in dangerous situations, like what happened to her the previous night. Miss Elric had simply dealt with those things, probably the same way she had always done, by herself.
"I'm sure Falman knows more about the Military Officer Apprenticeship, Sir, but I do know you must indeed have to be the girl's guardian. It would keep her safe from... unscrupulous men, or those who would use her alchemy for their own gains. She's too young to become a weapon." She was not sure who might be listening in, as there was always spying going around in Central, so Riza decided not to mention Halcrow by name. "Despite how competent Miss Elric seems to be for a twelve year old, she would still be easy prey for the unethical.
"Unfortunately, there are some of those in the military, Sir." That was as much as she would admit on an open line, as it really was no secret. "As to the guardianship, I believe grandfather might help, he knows a lot of people here in Central"—before he was relegated to East City for some reason—"May I be excused for an hour, Sir?" She was not calling him from Central Headquarters. Riza was making her own military career, on her own merit, without mentioning she was Lieutenant General Grumman's granddaughter.
"Of course, Lieutenant, take as long as you need. But tell Falman I need that contract today, we won't be leaving Headquarters until I have that signed, registered, approved, and archived." With Edward as his alchemy apprentice Roy was ensuring Halcrow would not easily have the girl transferred to his command, but it was not... fool proof, hence the need for the Officer's Apprenticeship. "Also, before you leave, please book Miss Elric a room at our hotel, preferably close to either your room, or mine."
"Yes, Sir. I'll do that right away, for how long?" It was a good first step in ensuring the girl was safe. She should have stayed with them the previous night, but it had clearly not occurred to Roy the child was too young to be on her own, and no hotel would rent her a room.
"Book her for the rest of the week, the same as us. Once we have signed, and archived the contract, we'll see about looking for temporal military housing until we can return to East city."
While he had initially planned for the girl to stay at Tucker's house starting that evening, once he thought about it more carefully, Roy realized the fact she did not have a legal guardian put a wrench on those preliminary plans. The girl was too vulnerable, never mind the fact ACPA could easily remove her from the house if someone reported it for any reason. If she did find something on Tucker, Roy would not put it past Grand to do something like that, just to remove the problem.
As to their housing arrangements, Roy had initially planned on staying at the military hotel close to Headquarters, because due to his rank, the military barracks were not an option. They had single and shared apartments, but they were usually reserved for non commissioned officers, or lower ranked commissioned ones. Most often Lieutenants, and Captains.
With a dependent—as an apprentice, or a young ward would be considered—Roy would be able to request one of the family units, there were usually some available for cases like theirs, temporary assignments. The smallest ones were two, or three bedroom apartments, and the larger ones were houses either at the military base outside of Central, or at one of the military neighborhoods scattered about in the metropolis that was Central City. Of his team, only Riza, Havoc, and him had been staying at the hotel, the rest had not minded to live temporarily at the barracks.
"Yes, Sir. I'll place the request for housing once I return. Do you prefer a house, or an apartment?" Riza suspected an apartment would be much better. There were a couple of military housing units close by, within walking distance. Hopefully there were available apartments.
"An apartment, with three bedrooms, Lieutenant. I'll also appreciate if you stayed with us to act as chaperone. I'd rather not be accused of impropriety by... certain individuals."
There were several higher ups who would love nothing more than to get him dishonorably discharged, or imprisoned. Then there was Halcrow, who would do what he could to get the girl, not only was she a very capable fighter, and alchemist, she was also very pretty. It made her very attractive for someone like the Major General.
"That should only be necessary until I have full guardianship," he added to reassure her.
They were very good friends, and at one time they tried a relationship, before she entered the academy. It had not worked, but they had remained very close, she was like a sister to him. At the moment, Riza had been seeing someone from another unit in East Command. A Second Lieutenant as well, and it seemed she was serious about that relationship, for her, he was hoping it worked, or he was at the very least singeing the guy if he hurt her.
"A chaperone is a good idea, Colonel. So I'll stay with you, and Miss Elric once we have a place, Sir." She agreed knowing it was important to keep any rumors of impropriety at the minimum. Specially since they did not know how long it would take to obtain the girl's guardianship.
Roy hung up and turned to look at the girl, who had clearly not expected an adult to actually decide to be responsible for her. Roy could also see why she had not been as distraught as he thought she would be after the previous night's events. Edward Elric was used to taking care of herself, and did not expect adults to do it for her. The girl had had to become independent at a very young age, because there had been no one who chose to take care of her and her brother.
Well, things were going to change, Roy took care of his people... even if he now realized Edward needed a very different kind of care than the rest of his team, and she also required protection from certain unsavory individuals. He always suspected Mrs Halcrow knew of her husband's... indiscretions—most of the military in the East suspected he was a violent pedophile, so she had to have heard about it—and he rather not find out for sure at Ed's innocence expense.
"Why?" Ed asked wide eyed, and in shock. "Why would you do that for me? Why would you make me your apprentice? You barely know me, and... what about that Tucker guy? Wasn't I supposed to stay at his place?"
This changed a lot, because in her original Dimension the bastard never took a personal interest in her or Alphonse. Ed had simply been his brattish subordinate—and yes she could admit to being quite difficult with Mustang—and the one who would help him raise high enough in the ranks to one day become Führer.
Mustang on the other hand, was the Colonel Bastard who berated him for the destruction he left behind, while giving them leads on the Philosopher's Stone so they could one day recover Alphonse's body, and perhaps his own limbs. Despite his... attitude and behavior, Ed respected Mustang, and he suspected the Colonel did care about them, at least a bit. He was neither blind, nor deaf, he had noticed most of his military related missions were carefully selected.
The man had kept away certain individuals Ed heard had... interest in boys his age. East Command's rumor mill was quite efficient, and there were always rumors, which had behind a lot of truth. Mustang either sent him away on a mission when those men were around, or managed to keep close enough so Ed was never alone with them; and there had been a few requests for... private consultations, which the older State Alchemist always... chaperoned, much to those men's displeasure.
Ed began to worry what Mustang was doing would change the timeline much more than it already was. Meeting both Hughes, and Tucker, a few years earlier was already throwing a wrench at her foreknowledge, and Ed was not sure how to deal with that. Unfortunately she did not think there was a way to stop those changes. Mustang had that determined expression on his face which said he was not taking 'no' for an answer, and the bastard could be just as stubborn as she was.
Roy sighed, and returned to his place at the couch. He sat leaning forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his hands clasped under his chin, and he observed the very confused girl sitting before him. She had, most likely unconsciously, pulled her legs up on the couch, and was hugging them. A protective gesture that let him know she was most likely feeling vulnerable, and out of her depth.
"The fact you don't have a legal guardian changes things more than I initially thought, Ed," he began.
"Why? It hasn't before, we lived at home on our own most of the time. I learned to cook for Al," and there was a lump in her throat at the mention of her brother. She still missed him so very much, but at least Ed knew her Alphonse was safe, and whole. "I made sure there was food for us to eat, and the farm produced enough so we had money for necessities and services. Granny took care of that at first, to teach me how to do it, but by the time I was seven, I took over everything.
"The bastard," and at Mustang's curious expression she explained, "our father, one day just up and left without an explanation, only a few months before Mom died. Well HE, did leave us enough money... at least, to live comfortably, but I didn't want to touch that if possible, Alphonse agreed.
"Then Al died in that stupid accident, and I tried to bring him and Mom back..." she paused as there was a lump in her throat. Thinking of her little brother still hurt, and probably always would, but Ed had to learn to live without him. It was, after all, the second favor Truth asked of her in exchange for Alphonse's whole being and health. "I had to use some of it for the automail. It's expensive, even if I helped with the design and transmuted the alloy used on my limbs."
Ed still grieved for Alphonse, because, while her little brother was safe in her original Dimension, they were still separated with no way to contact each other; and the one here was dead. The year Ed had spent in Resembool recovering from automail surgery, had also been a time to grieve the loss of both Alphonses. The only thing that helped her go on with the 'favor' she agreed to do for Truth, was the fact she knew HER Al was safe; it gave her comfort.
"We did chores, like Mom taught us, and for a while we went to school, it was so boring because we already knew what they were teaching. But Al liked going to school, so we kept going," she told him how life had been for herself and her counterpart until things changed when the Al from this Dimension died. "A couple of nights a week we'd go to Granny's for dinner, and spend the night there.
"No one said anything about us living alone," Ed pointed out, "or about me taking over the farm." She had done it back home as well, that had been how they had food at the table. "Everyone knew our father had up and abandoned us, and Mom died in the epidemic that decimated the border towns; a lot of people from Resembool died because of it. When Teacher accepted us, we just left with her, until we finished our training and got back home."
"I'm sorry you had to raise yourself, and your brother... was he older?" Roy asked curious, and wanting to know just how much input the boy had provided for that Human Transmutation array.
"No, Alphonse was a year younger than me. He died in a stupid accident a little over a month before we met, and I... I... still miss him so much." She had to fight to keep the tears from rolling down her cheeks, Ed was not crying in front of the Colonel Bastard. "I just... I just don't understand why? Why have things changed so much you want to become my guardian?" And this question was something Ed knew this version of Mustang would not really be able to answer, or at least not be able to provide a complete answer. He, after all, did not know Ed was a Dimension Traveler, or the fact they had worked together for four years.
"You've been on your own long enough, Ed, and you shouldn't have," he responded firmly, even if he did have some doubts.
"That's not the reason why, or at least the whole reason, Mustang." She pointed out a bit more harshly than she intended, but still curled up on the couch. "I'm not an idiot... or naive."
"No, you aren't," he admitted, then sighed again. He did not want her to worry but, perhaps it was for the best that she knew about the hidden dangers of being in the military. "Halcrow is very interested in you, and at the moment he doesn't know you're a girl, but once he does..." he trailed off. She was smart enough to catch his meaning in no time.
"Oh, for fuck's sake! Another pedo?" She huffed exasperated. Mustang snorted, but his expression turned serious. "And this one's after girls?"
"Nothing has been confirmed, Ed, but nearly everyone deployed at the Eastern province knows about it, and those with daughters between the ages of ten to sixteen keep them well away from New Optain's Command," Roy told her seriously, and he could tell she began listening intently. "The rumor mill at East Command is second only to Central's, and it's surprisingly efficient," he explained. "He's... a very dangerous man, and to make things worse, he hates me."
"So he probably didn't like it when I told him, 'thanks, but no thanks', I'm team Mustang," she told him.
"I don't believe he did," he responded allowing a small amused smile. "And team Mustang?" Roy raised an eyebrow, he actually liked the sound of it. She blushed, despite her bruises, Edward looked very pretty, but also quite innocent, and it strengthened his decision to protect her. The smile turned into a smirk.
"Er... so if everyone and their uncle knows this guy's a pedophile, then why hasn't anyone done anything to stop him?" Back in her original Dimension, Ed had not heard any rumors of that kind about Halcrow, only that most hated working under his command. He was not good to his troops, he treated them as disposable, and his punishments were harsher than they should be, it was rumored some of the soldiers under his command had actually died from them. In other words, that man was a nasty son of a bitch according to those who worked under him.
"Because there's no proof," Roy responded, and proceeded to tell her what was known about Halcrow, and his victims. He also explained why he was going to such lengths to protect her, not only from the General, but from others who would use her as a weapon, and not care she was a child. Edward clearly did not like being called a child, but while she scowled at it, she said nothing.
"I see..." it was actually a good plan, and she had heard of the Family Apprenticeship from Armstrong, that man rarely shut up about his family and what they had passed through many generations in the military. "So you're doing all this to... protect me." Ed found this difficult to process, as she was not used to having a protector... at least not out in the open, "but you'll also benefit from me entering the military, right?" Her Mustang had.
The question took him by surprise, but after a moment to gather his thoughts, Roy responded. "Yes, I'll probably be promoted to Colonel for recruiting an alchemic genius into the military," he decided to be candid. She opened her mouth to speak, but he beat her to it. "But, while that was my original motivation when I went to Resembool looking for a powerful alchemist last year, it isn't anymore.
"Knowing what I know about you now, Ed, I just can't, in good conscience, allow it to continue. Even if you suddenly decided you don't want to be a State Alchemist anymore, I would still get your guardianship, or find a good family to take care of you." Roy told her sounding earnest, and completely truthful. He was sure Maes and Gracia would not mind taking her in, his best friend would probably spoil her rotten... if she allowed it.
The protest she had ready simply died in her mouth. What could she say to that? 'Damn you, Bastard! Why are you being so... kind to me this time around?' "I don't want to live with a family. It'll be a reminder of what I had, and lost." 'It'll be too fucking painful,' she mentally added.
"Then you agree to become my ward, as well as my apprentice?" He needed a verbal confirmation of her acceptance.
"Yeah, I guess so."
"Then it's settled." He offered her his hand to shake, stretching over the center table. She carefully uncurled from her position, and offered her left hand to shake. "Now how about we order some lunch?"
"Sounds good," she agreed. "I'm starving!"
The croissant Breda brought her was practically an appetizer, and she was getting really hungry. Before, Ed ate for two, herself and Al—she had been so stupid on those times she tried to eat less feeling bad because her brother could not eat—and now she still had to eat too much, but because of her enhancements.
Roy had called Fuery and asked for him to get them something to eat from the Xingese restaurant they discovered the other day, as the mess hall's food was as close to toxic waste as it could get. It was a small place, but close to Headquarters and the food was excellent. He ordered what had become his usual, and had ordered something he thought Ed would like, a smaller amount. Roy was rather surprised when she told him she actually needed to eat a lot more than girls her age and probably women too. She reluctantly admitted it was because of her enhanced abilities.
Edward was rather defensive about her eating habits, and Roy suspected people had commented on it, and not in a favorable way. The girl clearly did not reveal she was enhanced to everybody, so people would not understand what she needed to stay healthy and grow. He did not blink at what Ed told him, glad he had such a good poker face. It clearly was something which bothered her, and if he wanted to earn her full trust, Roy needed to accept her... quirks, and provide for her needs. She looked relieved at his lack of comments, but once again said nothing.
Fuery made the call, and placed a few extra orders for the rest of the team. By now he knew exactly what everyone liked, as it usually fell on either him or Breda to take care of ordering food. He also sent a Corporal to get their orders; while their team was not assigned to Central Headquarters, they did have a small platoon at their disposal to assist with their investigation until they returned to East Command to resume control of their regular troops.
Vato arrived with the Alchemy Apprentice Contract, along with the Military Family Apprentice one, shortly after the food did. He sat with both his Commanding Officer, and the child who had impressed him greatly the previous day; he was even more so after learning she was a girl. He had daughters, and knew they would have been terrified to have been in the situation they found themselves in yesterday, yet Elric had kept her calm, a very cool head, and actually did what trained soldiers had not been able to.
The Warrant Officer could not say he approved of his CO allowing someone so young into the military, as a father he would not have wanted that for his daughters. At least not until they were both old enough to decide whether they wanted to enter the academy, or enlist. Vato's eldest had decided she wanted to be a software engineer, while both his twin son and daughter wanted to enter the military academy when they turned eighteen. Next year.
As they ate, and were soon joined by Lieutenant Hawkeye, Vato explained the contracts to his Commanding Officer and Miss Elric. Both paid close attention to his words, as well as made intelligent questions, which he responded to the best of his ability. He could not say, after what he saw the day before, and what the girl told them earlier, that he was surprised she was practically an alchemy genius. She was also more mature, and apparently more responsible, at times, than his teenage children, and she was much younger.
After they finished eating, Hawkeye took care of making the few changes both the Lieutenant Colonel and Miss Elric wanted on the contract. They had surprisingly agreed on most of it without modifying too much. The Colonel wanted it specified in writing he was not teaching her Fire Alchemy, as he planned for that knowledge to die with him. Hawkeye agreed on this, and to their surprise so did Miss Elric.
For the girl's part there were only a few things regarding the people she knew in Resembool, as well as her property. Normally apprentices owned very little—they were usually children and young teens—but she had inherited her mother's lands, and the wealth her estranged father left them when he abandoned his family. Roy agreed to only assist as well as provide advice in the management of the lands, and monies, while the girl kept control of everything.
There was one clause she did object rather vehemently, which confused Roy, unfortunately it was not one they could modify. Even if she would not be considered a member of the military at the moment, Miss Elric would have to wear the uniform without any decorations and rank insignias for the alchemy apprenticeship. The same would happen with the Military Family Contract, but she would have then the rank of Second Lieutenant.
Unfortunately for the girl, the uniform was part of the regulations. He suspected they would have to be specially made for her, and once she took the State Alchemist Exam, the rank would change to Major. Since there was no way to get out of it, Miss Elric grudgingly accepted her fate, specially after Riza told her she could wear the slacks most of the time, as she herself preferred. The skirts she rarely wore, as they were required wear only for special occasions.
The contract was printed, signed, and Falman took it to Human Resources to have the secretary seal it received, register it, and archived into his file in the general personnel archives. They would also provide a copy with all the important seals for his file at East Command, and one for the State Alchemist archives, which was also located in Central. Falman was to deliver that copy as well.
Thankfully neither of the contracts Roy wanted required any approval by his commanding officer, which was Lieutenant General Grumman. It would have delayed things too much, as he was in East City. With the Alchemy Apprenticeship taken care of, they only had to wait for the Warrant Officer to return with the copies for them and East Command. The later could wait to be delivered until the mission was over and they returned to East City.
Once the rest of the team went back to work, Riza told them what she had talked about with her grandfather, who happened to be Lieutenant General Grumman. She had explained Ed's situation to him, as well as their concerns about Major General Halcrow's interest in her. Her grandfather was not happy to hear about the other General's interest in a minor.
Lieutenant General Grumman had too heard the rumors, and actually had a team discretely working on it, as New Optain—where Halcrow was deployed—was under his jurisdiction as part of East Province. His people in Investigations had made progress, as they had managed to track some of the victims and their families, but they did not have enough evidence yet to court martial him.
Her grandfather had asked Riza to wait on the line while he made some calls to people he knew in Central, and who could definitely help them. Judge Hannah Alfred was an old friend who worked in one of the Family Courts at the Capital, and after the Lieutenant General presented their case, she wanted to speak with them at eight the next morning in her office.
Judge Alfred presided the 2nd Family Court on the First District Judicial Building, which was in the same District as Central Command. She wanted them to show her both, the Alchemy Apprenticeship and the Military Family Apprentice, Contracts. After that, work resumed in the office, meaning the team dedicated their time to go over what they had of the Chopper's case.
"I'm bored," Ed declared after laying on the couch for a while doing nothing. Mustang wanted her off her feet at least for that day, so she was not allowed to do anything. "Why don't I help you with whatever you're investigating?"
"NO!" Was the resounding answer by all the team's members, Mustang the loudest of all.
"Geesh, don't bite my head off! I was just offering to give you a hand," Ed huffed rather surprised at their response. 'What the fuck are they working on?'
"Thank you, but no," Roy told her firmly. They were investigating a serial killer, and the photos of the case were gruesome. He had seen quite a lot since Ishval, but even that had not prepared him for what that beast did to his victims.
"Why not? I'm your apprentice now, shouldn't I begin doing some work? Why are you in Central anyway, weren't you stationed in East City?" Now she was just plain curious.
Roy sighed and his men, and woman, all stopped doing what they were supposed to, and looked at him just as expectantly as Ed. He glared at them, not that it did much good, as they were probably curious as to what he was going to say to the girl. Which left him in a quandary, the case was gruesome, and those murders had been going on for at least three years. He could lie to her, but Roy suspected that would damage what little trust he might have gained.
"There have been a number of brutal murders here in Central in the past years. The victims are all women," Roy began, "and the Police has been unable to stop the murderer. They, and we agree, believe them to be the work of a serial killer." He could see the girl was interested. "Normally the military doesn't get involved in this type of crimes, but it has been three years and there are no clues."
"And it's happening in the military's back yard, so now it's a matter of honor," Jean said interrupting his CO.
"Havoc," Roy said in a warning tone, sparing a glare in the Second Lieutenant's direction.
"Shutting up, Boss," was the irreverent reply as he got a cigarette from its package and placed it in his mouth. Jean did know better than to light it, as both Hawkeye and the Boss disapproved of smoking in the office. He knew from experience that at least Hawkeye would shoot him if he tried. The Boss would just torture him with latrine work for a week on top of his normal work, and probably rob him of another prospective girlfriend.
"The Central Command's Investigations Department has been assigned to assist the Police in catching this killer, and they in turn assigned the investigation to Major Hughes. You met him yesterday on the train," and the girl nodded at that. "He's a close friend, and we have worked together on occasion.
"They required more people, so he requested my help, and that of my team," Roy informed the girl. "My Commanding Officer—Lieutenant General Grumman—agreed, and we have been temporarily deployed to Central Command until the case is resolved, or an alchemist is required back in East City."
"Ok, I could still help you..." she tried, while her mind tried to recall if there had been a serial killer on the loose in Central when she took the State Alchemist exam. Ed came up blank, as she had not been paying attention to anything else but passing said exam.
"Miss Elric," he began addressing her more formally for appearances sake, and she frowned, clearly not happy by the way he addressed her. Roy would have to ponder what, exactly had bothered her later. "I have been to war, seen and done... terrible things, and I have to admit what this animal does to his victims is extremely disturbing. Bad enough to give anyone nightmares. You are twelve years old," he pointed out and she actually growled. He could not help but think it was surprisingly cute, instead of menacing. Roy did refrain from commenting because he did not want to find out what, if anything, she might try to do to him.
"I'm no kid," she protested.
Ed had seen her share of horrible things, beginning with that terribly deformed homunculus they had transmuted when they tried to bring their mother back. At least she eventually found out—meaning she had had to dig up the... corpse—it had not been her, and that eased some of the horrible guilt she felt about the events of that night. Much as she wanted to ignore it, Ed had to give the credit for that to Hohenheim. He was, after all the one who asked if the thing they created looked anything like his... lover.
"I've seen awful things..." she started but was interrupted by the bastard.
"Be that as it may, Edward," he tried her full name instead, and she did nothing. Roy really needed to find out what exactly she objected to when called Miss Elric. "I'm now in charge of your well being, and exposing you to what this... madman"—they believed it was a man since what was done to the victims did require more force than a woman was believed to have—"does to his victims would be irresponsible.
"You really don't need to see those photos," he told her with conviction, but also letting the fact he cared for her mental well being show. "They truly are nightmare inducing." The girl huffed at his words, and crossed her arms looking annoyed. It saddened him to see Edward was really not used to being protected, like most children had a right to.
"Ok, I won't ask about the case. But I'm bored," Ed actually whined. "Really, really BORED," she insisted. "I'm DYING of BOREDOM." The team snorted at her... antics, but really, Ed hated to simply be still doing nothing. She could be perfectly still reading, but there was nothing in that office she could read. "I need something to DO." The bastard sighed, then frowned, and looked like he was thinking... She... was wary of that look.
"All right, I'll give you something to do," he told the girl. He thought for a moment, then said, "Sergeant Fuery."
"Yes, Sir?" Kain asked curious.
"Please requisite a laptop, with external mouse, and a graphics tablet from the IT Department. I want it capable of doing alchemic simulations, deal with complex mathematical and chemical equations, as well as complex image rendering. It should also have the regular office software.
"Tell them it's for my alchemy apprentice, and please request IT to grant her access to the internal network... Internet access should be available, as well as to the First Library Alchemy section, as my apprentice she should have access to most ebooks." After a quick 'yes, Sir', Fuery left. He turned to the others. "Havoc, bring Edward a legal pad, as well as writing implements," then he turned to the girl. "I want you to write a report on your findings on Shou Tucker. Everything you told me, include it there, as well as your conclusions. Use the legal pad for the time being, but I want it typed... You do know how to use a computer..."
"Of course I do! I might've been raised on a sheep town, but we do have Internet there, we ain't savages!" she interrupted him offended. He just smirked, and she felt like punching it off his smug face. Back home, in her original Dimension, they had nothing of the sort, but after a year here—and with her counterpart's memories—Ed had become quite proficient with that type of tech.
"As I said, I want it typed so I can present it to Major Hughes in Investigations. I believe that should keep you occupied for a few hours."
"Yeah, I can do that," Ed grumbled. It was not what she would have liked, but it was at least something to do to keep from dying of boredom.