Hey! So I'm having trouble keeping up with my updates, so BS will either be update every one or two weeks, depending. Thank you all :)
I don't own FMA.
Ed gave a sigh, his neck killing him as he sat in a large wooden box on an angle.
"Stupid fucking captain." He mumbled to himself, toying with the metal on his arm. Outside he heard a commotion as muffled voices spoke.
"So." A man, he guessed, spoke. "Plan A didn't work. Is B in place?"
"Yes, yes. It'll be a pain in the ass getting Mustang out of the way." Another guy replied, tiredly.
"The Creta 'invasion' ploy won't last long. He's too smart for his own good." They heaved a sigh. "Suppose we could have him hunt someone down for a week or so, hire a bounty hunter."
"Who?"
"Anyone, make some calls. I don't give a damn. Just busy him for afew months. Olivier could be an issue as well, but she's more of a rule follower. She could prove to be a help too." They gave a breathy laugh. "Regardless, put the tracker in his luggage."
"Which one?"
"Don't care, the crate. Why does he even have it! Damn pillager."
"Shit." Ed hissed, curling up more under the thick sheet Riza had placed on top of him.
The person made a noise. "Nah, what about his clothes. Bury it in a pocket."
"Whatever's easy. I'm heading back before they get curious. Later."
"See you." They replied. More shuffling was heard before a slam. The room fell silent until he heard Al, a worried edge in his voice.
"Brother, did you hear that?"
"Yeah, it's none of our business though." He claimed quietly before they settled back into the silence.
Mustang himself sat before the council stiffly. Eyes locked confidently on the ten or so men. "We believe Creta has nothing to do with the rebellion near Xing, their flag wasn't seen flying from any of the different ships."
"Very good, Mustang." Bradley gave him a toothy grin. "What about the pirates? You and your team apprehended them, correct?"
"Yes, on our was back my crew dropped him and the survivors off to the west planet." He said, thinking of the military prison planet west of Amestris.
"We will send some men up there to interrogate and prosecute them accordingly," Grumman, one of Bradley's council, claimed. "Did you get wounded in battle, Captain Mustang?"
Roy grinned sheepishly, shaking his head as he decided to leave his encounter with the green haired man a secret. "No, Sir. I fell whilst we were investigating the pirates ship."
Grumman laughed heartily.
Bradley himself nodded, his exposed eye flashing dangerously. "You're dismissed, Mustang. Return in six days to receive your next brief."
"Yes, Sir." He gave a salute before proceeding out. His eyes heavy. He needed a long nap.
As he rounded another corner he noted Riza standing calmly and stiffly in wait. "Sir."
"Hawkeye." He greeted her with a nod as they moved forward. "I privately ordered four tickets."
She gave a nod of understanding. "So when will we be leaving?"
"Within the hour." Roy explained, looking behind him. "We'll take those two back to my apartment before we let them out, to avoid suspicion."
"Very good sir, I'm heading back to my place to prepare my things and get Black Hayate from Rebecca's." She informed him as they paused in a hall.
He smiled at her before handing her a small parchment. "Right, we're getting on the 4:40 train to Risembool. Don't be late."
She rolled her eyes, saluting. "Please, sir, I should be telling you that."
"Hah hah." He deadpanned before finally walking down a different hall towards the grand entry.
"Afternoon, Captain Mustang." The secretary smiled at him from behind her dark wooden desk as he made his exit.
"Good afternoon to you, Yumi." He winked charmingly before pushing the large doors open and proceeding to his waiting hover-car.
It was a fancy car, sleek and silver. One of the newer models.
As he opened the door and sat on the comfortable maroon seats, he grinned. "How you doing shortass?"
In the back seat, all his stuff from their journey had been piled up. Including the two large crates Ed and Al occupied.
"Shortass!" Came the predicable reply from the older sibling. "Who're you calling a short, good for nothing little bean? Huh!"
"Brother," Al groaned, Mustang only grinned.
"Calm down, kid. Don't make me regret my decision to help you get back." He started the car that hummed to life with little sound.
Fifty minutes later, Riza walked onto the stone station clad in a simple black skirt and short sleeved blue turtleneck. Her small dog, Black Hayate, followed close behind, his tail wagging in excitement for their impending journey. After they had abolished animal allergies about fifty years ago, dogs that were well trained were allowed to use public transport with their masters.
Placing her black bag down, she surveyed the busy area for her superior. Through crowds of loud, blurry people she spotted their grey train coming, near silently.
"Of course, he isn't here." She shook her head, Black Hayate barked in response.
"Sorry what.." Someone whispered in her ear, their gravelly voice making her jump.
"Captain." She bit sourly, Mustang only grinned at her. Noticing the boys behind her superior, her face softened. "Hello boys."
"Hi Miss Riza!" Al cheered as Ed muttered a sour greeting. Riza vaguely noted that Roy had dressed Al in a large coat and hat as to cover his unusual body.
"Better get our asses into gear, we'll miss the train." Roy exclaimed the obvious before taking Riza's bag into his free hand, the other holding his own luggage. "Come on."
Dutifully the boys followed him, Al humming a tune to himself.
Riza shook her head in amusement before following the trio closely as they boarded the train.
It wasn't one of the nicest trains they had running those days, but Risembool was the poorest of all the capital cities.
The train had rough, bitten red seats from years of use and scuffed up red carpet in the walkway.
The metal frame wasn't in great shape either, with marks, dents and profanity etched into it.
It also still traveled on a side track, as opposed to the newer floating trains that only moved at breakneck speeds above a guideline in the ground as too reduce accidents.
As soon as he sat down on the stiff chair, Roy let his eyes slip closed with a satisfied groan. Riza quickly yet rigidly sat beside him, Black Hayate curling up at her feet.
"So." Ed murmured, slipping beside Al who was already looking curiously out the wide glass window currently displaying the bustling station platform.
"Sh Sh." Roy held up his hand before letting it fall on his face. "Sleep."
"You were just cruising without Jump through dead space for hours, unconscious! With your lackeys flying! How the hell are you tired!" He suddenly spat before crossing his arms over his chest unhappily, a pout on his young face.
The captain laughed to himself, fuelling Ed annoyance more as he turned to Riza in distress.
"Let him rest, Edward." Riza insisted, her cold brown eyes resting thoughtfully on her captain. "If you have questions, I'll answer them."
"I don't." He huffed, looking away.
"Then I have some for you, if you don't mind." She replied formally, folding her arms in her lap. "You're both from Resembool, am I correct?"
They nodded, Al smiled. "Yeah, it's a beautiful place. One of the only cities that still have plains of fresh terrain!"
Riza hummed, thinking. "So you're going back, does that mean you give up?"
"No." Ed spat, looking at her with those explosive golden eyes as the train jolted into movement. "Never."
"Why go back?" She leaned in curiously, Ed frowned, lifting his sleeve so his robotic arm became visible.
"I'm half machine after what those jackasses did to us." A whining 'brother' was heard from Al, but Ed continued. "They need replacing. My mechanic hopefully still lives in Resembool."
"We have repair drones on the Inferno, why not ask to use those?" She questioned, rather intrigued.
He smirked, almost proudly. "She custom made my arm and leg for me. Their data isn't in any system."
Riza smiled with him, feeling more relaxed. "Who is she?"
"Winry!" Al chimed in cheerfully, staring out to the moving blur outside.
"Winry Rockbell." Ed confirmed with a solid nod. "Our childhood friend. Her grandmothers always been the best mobile mechanic for people who can't afford fancy automail in central."
"Oh." She leaned forward, listening intently.
Ed's wistful smile fell in a heartbeat as his scowl returned. "So what business do you have in Resembool?"
She felt uncomfortable under his striking gaze, shifting in her seat. "Me and Captain Mustang have some, ah, business to attend too."
"Like?" He pressed, Al slapped his brothers knee with his large stoney hand covered by a glove. "Ow!"
"You're hopeless with women, Ed! Can't you see she's uncomfortable!" Al exclaimed, crossing his arms. "Honestly, brother."
Ed flushed, letting his head fall forward as he mumbled an apology.
Riza only shrugged, gaining her bearings. "Regardless boys, we have afew hours till we arrive, so please catch up on your sleep."
Ed gave a nod before stretching his hands above his head and yawning deeply. Al didn't reply.
"Al?" She tilted her head at him.
He gave her a weak smile. "In my mutated body I don't need to eat, or sleep."
She winced, putting a hand on his knee. "I'm sorry, want me to stay up with you?"
He laughed, although it didn't show much though his stoney face, he sounded happy. "No, Miss Riza, sleep." He returned his attention to the window thoughtfully.
Before leaning back and letting her eyes fall closed, Riza saw Ed mouth her a 'thank you.'
She smiled.