Disclaimer: No, I don't own FMA.

Summary: Slow and steady wins the race, but only if you're incredibly lucky. When Ed discovers the secret to Human Transmutation, Roy and his team's mission of reaching the top is thrown off track. But when the higher ups, and even the Fuhrer get involved, the situation is quickly thrown into disorder and turned into a struggle for power.

Author's Note: Thank you to all the reviewers in the past chapter, and thank you to all the readers as well! (: I should probably update my other stories.. soon. And as one of the reviewers pointed out that Roy would have checked to see if Riza was really dead. I didn't want to write a filler chapter and I thought it was kind of a given that Bradley had hidden her somewhere so that Roy would have assumed her to be dead. But in any case, thank you for pointing that out, sorry if that caused any confusion for the other readers.

CHECKMATE
chapter seven: white to black

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"Havoc." he growled, throat constricted, his voice coming out scratchier than he intended and his tone desperate.

"Havoc, I willl leave him to you." he was partially conscious of Bradley and the rest of his soldiers leaving her house, having copied the array. Finally turning to her, and pulling his blonde haired First Lieutenant into his arms, all the while glaring at Havoc.

"Why did you do it?" he muttered, breathing in her scent, thankfully alive. "You knew she was never dead, didn't you-"

"I didn't know! I didn't know she was alive, but-"

"-I could have brought her back."

"You wouldn't have," replied Havoc angrily, "You wouldn't have, and you know it." His head whipped up, meeting the gaze of his subordinate, Roy glared at him, saying "Would you have done it? We have enough blood stained on our hands! As much as she means to me, in the real balance of things, she is just one person! Those sacrifices were to others what she is to me. What do you expect of me, dammit! What is it that you want of me! Do you not think I love her?"

"You were not the only one who loved her, you never were!" replied Havoc, his voice bitterly contrite, "You weren't.. he told me they would have brought her back. They aren't like you, though. They don't care whose lives they disposed of, they would have really brought her back without a second thought if it worked out to their advantage. They would have sacrificed extra lives willingly. Maybe not, but. He, Bradley, he has gifts, a way of twisting thoughts in a person's head and I.."

"You risked her life." he growled.

"And you would have lost her life!" black-blue eyes clashed against icey blue ones, Havoc growled, "You know the risks you put her in! You know it! And yet, yet, you still allow her to throw away her life for you!"

"Do you think I do not love her?"

"No! I mean, I know you do, but, she is so.. she cannot just throw her life away for your dreams, noble as they are! She could have had any future! She is not like us." Havoc's voice took on a pleading tone, "She did not have to be pulled into this unpleasant business, this was the only way to take her out of it. If Bradley had brought her back to life, he would not have just given her back to you, obviously. He would have sent her faraway! He could take her memory of us, of this! She could have had the future she deserves!"

He picked himself out, and despite what his mind wanted to tell himself, the truth in Havoc's words did not pass from his consciousness.

"I am a selfish man, Havoc. I would do anything, to keep her by my side."

Not the first time, he wondered just which side he was playing for; white or black.

Author's Note: Er. Lots of dialogue in that chapter.. anyway! Read and review! (And hopefully enjoy. :D)