Edward entered the makeshift communications tent. The officer setting up the switchboard saluted as Edward walked in.
"Almost ready, General," the officer said. Edward nodded and stood around to wait. The officer went back to work with more vigor now that the Fullmetal Alchemist was watching over his shoulder.
Edward's regiment had just crossed the border of Xing but had not reached the rendezvous point where Edward was to await the arrival of the Xing ambassador along with a peace keeping convoy. Since Mustang wanted daily reports from only Edward, he had to push the memory of his last meeting with the Fuhrer to the back of his mind each time he contacted Mustang. He needed to concentrate on the mission and the last thing he needed was to be distracted by the murderous thoughts he had back in the Fuhrer's office. Besides, his troop needed his attention more than his love life at the moment.
Edward began to pace as much as he could within the small confines of the tent as he waited. His pacing caused the communications officer much anxiety which just flustered him causing him to take longer than usual to set up a connection for Central. But Edward was not concerned with how long the officer was taking. His thoughts were preoccupied with an unknown dread that had crept upon him the last couple of days. Something wasn't right about this mission and Edward kept questioning whether Amestris should really be involved. Xing was a close ally but bringing a full regiment seemed a bit much to pull out Ishbalans, especially if they were capable of leaving on their own. Edward had only wanted to bring half the force he now had into Xing. He was worried it would look like an invasion and give people a reason to get stirred up in Chenxing seeing an army approach. But the Fuhrer insisted he bring the full regiment, that it was just a precaution and if he so chose could leave half his troop behind and continue with the Xing convoy into Chenxing.
"Sir, it's ready," the communications finally said breaking into Edward's thoughts. Edward sat down at the console to make his report.
"We're about two days away from the rendezvous point and preparing to make camp," Edward reported once he got the connection to go through after several attempts.
"Good," Edward heard despite the interference that was causing a bad connection. "The ambassador from Xing should meet up with you when you get there if they are not there already."
"We will await their presence then before moving forward," Edward responded wanting to get back to see that all camp preparations were being carried out.
"Fullmetal," the Fuhrer said before letting Edward off the line. "I've just received intelligence reports that arms may have been smuggled into Chenxing and the citizens are starting to get stirred up about the continued presence of the Ishbalans."
"Wait," Edward exclaimed not liking this new bit of information. "I thought someone from the Xing government had already gone in to spread the word that we would be coming to escort the Ishbalans out of the region. And what is this stirred up business? Do they intend on attacking the Ishbalans?"
"I don't know," the Fuhrer answered. "All the report mentioned was the possibility of arms being smuggled into Chenxing and a change in leadership among some of the religious zealots. The report is a month old but it just arrived moments before you made contact."
"All this is just getting to us now!" Edward exclaimed angrily. "What kind of intelligence is that?!"
"Ed, I need you to remain calm, this could get ugly," Mustang said his words breaking up. "We need to get the Ishbalans out without stirring up any trouble in Chenxing. I just hope we're not too late."
"I understand," Edward said through gritted teeth. "So we just wait for Xing's representatives to arrive?"
"Yes," the Fuhrer replied. "And don't try to send any scouts into Chenxing. I don't want to give them any reason to panic and do something stupid. Wait for the Xing ambassador; hopefully they can do something about those religious zealots. In the meantime, I'm trying to pull strings within the Xing government to find out more. Our own ambassador in Xing is a fool."
"I don't like this," Edward said worriedly. "I don't want to put my men in danger if it's not necessary. Xing should be handling the situation and take responsibility for the Ishbalan refugees. They did offer them sanctuary in the first place."
"I understand what you're saying Fullmetal," the Fuhrer said breaking up a little. "But we also promised the Ishbalans they would have the same type of protection as any other citizen of Amestris."
"I know," Edward said frustrated. "Just keep me informed of anymore intelligence."
"I will," the Fuhrer promised and Edward gave the communications officer the okay to disconnect the line.
A week had gone by since Edward's troop had arrived at the rendezvous point and the representatives from Xing had not arrived as promised. Edward was on edge. There was no word of any activity in Chenxing and Edward had sent out scout troops as far as he dared for a sign of the Xing ambassador's convoy. But there was no sign, no information. Even the Fuhrer had nothing new.
So Edward sat quietly brooding over the entire situation. He'd been in situations before not knowing what to expect but for some reason this caused his stomach to tighten in knots more so than before. The waiting and mounting tension made Edward completely forget about the confrontation in Mustang's office before he had left. He still thought of Elysia but not knowing what was going on as his regiment sat useless pressed upon his mind more. He had just finished eating but by the looks of his plate it looked like he had just sat down to eat. He hated the inactivity, not knowing what was going on and what he should be doing in the meantime. But he had been ordered to stay put so Edward had taken his frustrations out on the officers and enlisted men, ordering drills, inspections and any other menial tasks he could think of to keep them busy and alert. Edward tried to keep himself busy as well. He studied the new alchemy books he had brought along, made sure all his paperwork was caught up and even sat for guard duty around the camp. But nothing worked. Nothing could alleviate the gnawing tension that he was feeling. Colonel Havoc, the only officer who dared to sit with Edward for dinner during these times smirked at him from across the table.
"What are you smirking at?" Edward asked irritably focusing his attention on the Colonel.
"I think I just saw a gray hair sprout on your head," Havoc said blowing out a cloud of cigarette smoke.
"Why don't you find something useful to do?" Edward asked glaring at Havoc, his own cigarette clenched, un-smoked between his fingers with the ash falling onto the tablecloth burning small holes in it.
"Here's your mail, sir!" A young officer said coming into Edward's dining tent, interrupting them. He handed over a bundled package of much handled letters. Edward hoped there was something in them to alleviate his tension. One was from Alphonse, his younger brother and the rest were normal reports from Central. Edward was disappointed that he hadn't received anything from Elysia. He had expected her to write and Edward had already written twice, despite the confrontation he had with Mustang before he left Central. It wasn't unusual for the mail to be late or for her letters to have gone astray, but the fact that Al had written and his letter was now clutched in Edward's hand and nothing from Elysia made him wonder if perhaps she hadn't written at all. Trying to push any unpleasant thoughts for the lack of a letter from Elysia he opened his brother's letter. He smiled as he read through it.
"Good news?" Havoc asked leaning over to look over the letters that Edward had put down.
"Yep, Al will be adding a new member to the family," Edward said smiling for the first time in a week, glad for some good news.
"Must be hard to keep track of all those kids?" Havoc said leaning back in his chair when he saw nothing of interest in the stack of letters.
"That's for sure. I'm starting to forget their birthdays," Edward joked stuffing Al's letter back in the envelope.
"Well, I'm happy for him and Gloria," Havoc said yawning. "Be sure to let them know for me."
"Will do," Edward said picking up another letter.
"Well, I'm going to hit the sack," Havoc said getting up stretching. He was used to Edward's unease during missions but he also knew that Edward hadn't been eating and sleeping much lately and that was unusual for him. "You should eat something and then get some rest," Havoc advised before leaving looking at Edward worriedly.
"I thought you were leaving," Edward said turning his attention to the rest of his mail. Havoc, knowing it was useless to try to argue with him, left the tent. Before Edward could get the next letter opened there was a commotion of voices outside his tent and the very familiar voice of Colonel Havoc calling above them, yelling for Edward.
"General! You're needed immediately!"
Edward jumped out of his chair and ran outside. There was a crowd of officers ten feet in front of his tent. They were all gathered around something on the ground. Edward made his way to the crowd and pushed through. On the ground was an Ishbalan with Colonel Havoc pouring water down the man's throat.
"What happened? Where did he come from?" Edward asked kneeling down next to the man.
"He just wandered into the camp, sir" an officer behind Edward said.
"And why was anyone allowed to wander into the camp, Lieutenant!" Edward shouted rounding on the young officer. Turning back towards the Ishbalan man, not really worried about the officer's excuses, he wondered if the man was capable of talking. He was thin and looked like he had been beaten not long ago.
"Where did you come from?" Edward asked gently.
"Chenxing," the man rasped. "They're rounding up...Ishbalans...said...liberate Chenxing from Ishbalan devils..."
"Okay, take your time," Edward soothed.
"Turned some into slaves...any who...resisted...taken outside city...shot...burned homes...temples..."
Edward stared down at the man horrified, and then looked up at Havoc who had the same look in his eyes.
"We can't wait for Xing representatives any longer!" Edward shouted. "Lieutenant! Take this man to the medical tent. See to it personally he's well cared for."
The Lieutenant, who had been the target of Edward's fury a moment ago, ran forward and called for another officer to assist him. Together, the two officers lifted the Ishbalan gently and took him to the medical tent. Edward stood up and with Havoc at his heals walked towards the edge of camp, leaving the crowed of men muttering and wondering what the General was going to do.
"What are you thinking?" Havoc asked trying to keep up with Edward.
"I'm thinking we need to go in there and release all the Ishbalans that are still alive," Edward said looking straight ahead, his mind at work.
"Agreed. But how do we cross without anyone from Chenxing seeing us? They'll kill everyone if they see an army coming in to attack."
"I know," Edward agreed worriedly. They had reached the edge of camp and Edward looked out over the low hills that spread out ahead of them. Beyond those hills was a dry, flat plain that would alert the city of Chenxing that an army was approaching from miles away. Edward stood, staring out into the distance thinking. His mind ran through different scenarios but none of them would work but one.
"I need a two man team to go in to assess the situation in Chenxing," Edward said finally turning to look at Havoc.
"Done," Havoc said taking it as his orders to find the right men for the job. He turned to head back to camp to issue orders.
"Where are you going?" Edward asked stopping Havoc in his tracks.
"To assign my two best..." he began but stopped when he saw the look on Edward's face. "You meant for you and I to go in..."
Edward smiled. "You should know me by now Jean," Edward said smirking.