The train ride was definitely a break from the responsibilities of Central. An escape from the piles of paperwork, nagging phone calls and constant interruptions of pointless requests. Sometimes the Colonel felt his desk job was a waste of his talents. As though he was over qualified for it. Of course right now he was not thinking about any of that as he continued to fume. The pleasant scenery and peaceful sounds of the train couldn't pull him away from his focus. He knew he'd made himself very clear and yet here he was. Going over everything in his mind that he knew about Ferguson didn't help ease his urgency.

Ferguson was a heartless alchemist who didn't care what sacrifices had to be made for his research. If he wanted to find something out, he would do whatever it took to get that information. He had a cruel hand and a twisted mind. Sure he'd past the state alchemy exams no problem, by electrocuting the other alchemists just enough to cause them to pass out. Once they were unconscious he was able to manipulate their bodies to do whatever he wanted them to do. It was effective however after the exams, the council felt this technique didn't take human life into consideration.

And now the Elric brothers were trying to find him. Maybe it would have been better to just tell Ed why the guy was so dangerous. Of course he'd probably still be in this predicament. Letting out an annoyed huff, he shifted in the uncomfortable seat in an attempt to settle more.

"If he's not in serious trouble, he will be when I get done with him." Roy couldn't help but grin at the idea of torching the shorter alchemist just enough to make a point. Of course he knew that would even be letting him get off easy. Releasing a deep sigh, he crossed his arms over his chest and closed his eyes. He'd have to be sharp when he got there. Having plenty of information on the enemy, he still didn't know how to beat him if it came down to a fight.

oOoOo

The Fullmetal Alchemist finally clapped his gloved hands together, fashioning a blade from his automail. Twisting around, he slashed at the one guard's arm, cutting deep into the guys flesh. There was a blood curdling scream in response that was unexpected. These puppets acted in such a way that you would think they couldn't feel pain.

Regardless though, he had to do something to get away from them. Alphonse managed to grab hold of one attacking him as well and threw it over head. Edward tried to move closer to him to help only to be stopped on the way. This one lunged forward, mouth opened prepared to bite him. Bringing his metal arm up, he felt the pressure of human teeth. The force was enough to knock him to the ground.

"They're like zombies," he exclaimed, trying to kick the guard off. A loud cackle from across the courtyard grabbed the Elric brother's attention. The tall man walked down the short staircase towards them. Edward glared over at him, annoyed that he found them so amusing.

"Zombies, what a funny thought." He came closer and the guards stopped attacking them. He was dressed in a white lab coat with his hands casually stuffed in his pockets.

"You must be Ferguson." Ed was breathing hard and pushed himself up. The man nodded back, a smile playing on his lips as he first looked Alphonse over before doing the same to Edward.

"It's awfully hot out here, perhaps we should go inside to talk." Without a reply, he turned and walked back to the front door. The guards circled around Ed and Al from behind, giving them little option to go anywhere else.

Once they made it inside the building, the guards closed the doors behind them and they stopped in the main hallway. Ferguson turned back to them once they were alone. "Sorry the place is kind of dirty, I've been trying to clean it up but my men really haven't been much help." The way he stared so intensely at the pair of them made Ed feel uncomfortable.

"So if they're not zombies, what are they?" He glanced back at the five guards that remained at the door. The man's mouth twisted to the side as though he was trying to figure something out about his visitors. Edward didn't like it and was getting annoyed quickly.

"These men are just normal humans. I've simply altered them some." He brought his hand up to adjust his glasses. "So tell me, Fullmetal Alchemist Edward Elric, what brings you and your brother here?" Ed let out a stifled breath, trying not to let the fact that Ferguson knew who he was bother him. Under the fluorescent lights, it was hard to hide anything.

"I understand you know quite a bit about Bio Alchemy. Mainly human transmutation." The man let out a soft chuckle at the statement.

"I'm sure you know just as much if not more about that taboo then I do." He gestured at Ed's arm and his eyes shifted over to Alphonse. Ed was quick to get his attention back.

"I'm not here to stop your research or anything like that."

"Yeah, we just wanted to ask you a couple of questions," Alphonse added, hoping it would maybe ease everyone's nerves.

"Well, as flattering as that is, I'm more interested in you two."

"We're nothing impressive, honest." Ed plastered on a fake grin and shook his hands back and forth trying to ignore the lump forming in his throat. Ferguson took a step closer to Al, causing the armored boy to lean back some.

"I don't know about that. I've read quite a bit about the Fullmetal Alchemist and there are so many rumors about his younger brother. It'd be intriguing to find out what's fact and what's fiction." Edward was beginning to wonder if he should have brought Al at all, the way this alchemist was talking about them. He could tell Alphonse didn't like where this was going either. Finding his resolve, he moved closer.

"That's not what we came here for. So are you going to help us or do I need to get the military involved?" Apparently that was not the best thing to say as the taller man turned his attention to the blond, his gaze now dangerous.
"It wouldn't matter anyway, as you've already seen how I handle the military when they show up." He tilted his head toward the door and the guards standing behind them. Edward's amber eyes went wide, as one thought registered in his mind.

This man is crazy and they were in trouble.