Alphonse remained frozen, unable to process what was going on. He had wanted to stand up for them against this mad man, understanding the fear his older brother had felt at the idea of him being in danger. They had always known that in the military they had to be careful who knew about what they did, otherwise they would have to disappear. But they never expected it to happen like this.

And yet here he was, bent low and cradling his brother's lifeless body. He wanted to cry but he couldn't let the sadness of knowing there was nothing he could do take over. His crimson soul filled eyes turned to Ferguson. He was still kneeling on the ground but his demeanor appeared deadly.

"Guess I forgot about the automail. He's like a walking lightning rod, isn't he?" As much truth seemed to be in that statement, Al was beyond humor at this point.

"Fix him. Now." Normally he would be begging but not this time. He continued to cling to his brother's body, trying not to shake from the anger that was so evident. Ferguson raised a hand as he moved over. He seemed completely unconcerned by the turn of events.

"Calm down, he's no good to me like this. I still need him." Quietly he placed one hand over Ed's chest and the alchemy sparked up again. Air was forced back into Edward's lungs and his heart started beating slowly. His eyes gradually closed almost as a reflex. Ferguson brought his hand away. "The body has currents of electricity going through it, so to speak. I just overloaded him by accident."

Al's concerned still remained as Ed didn't wake up right away. The older alchemist didn't know it but he was still being glared at. Standing to his feet, Ferguson cleared his throat. "Now if you wish no more harm to come to him, you'll place him on the stretcher and come peacefully with me." Alphonse felt he had no choice. He couldn't fight someone who could end his brother's life so easily. Carefully, Al stood up still holding Ed in his arms and placed him gently on the stiff bedding as instructed. The doors behind them opened and two guards staggered in, mindlessly awaiting their orders. "Lock him up," Ferguson turned back to Al who was staring in shock at him, "We wouldn't want you getting any idea's of escaping. There's still so much I want to learn from the two of you." Alphonse obediently complied, walking behind the two guards with Ferguson moving behind him, pulling the stretcher along. Letting out a sigh, he glanced back.

"What are you going to do with my brother?" He received a thoughtful smirk as if his question had sparked so many ideas in the older alchemist's mind. Deciding he'd rather not know the answer, he turned to the front again. Knowing he'd have to come up with a way out, he remained silent as they made it to a holding cell.

The door slammed closed, leaving the armored boy along in the dark. He could hear the stretcher squealing farther and farther away. This whole situation had turned into such a disaster. There was an obvious reason why the Colonel didn't want them coming out here.

If they managed to get out of this one, Ed definitely owed him an apology. Of course Al was sure there would be worse consequences then just saying sorry. The only thing he could hope for was that by now, the Flame alchemist had figured out they were gone and knew Edward well enough to know where he was.

Otherwise, he didn't know what they were going to do. Who would have thought Ferguson was so maniacal. No wonder they took away his certification. And yet as much as Al knew he was in serious trouble, he couldn't help but worry about Ed. He hoped Ferguson just wanted to ask him questions about their human transmutation. While the armor made him less vulnerable, his older brother was still flesh and bone.

Alphonse could never bring himself to be so worried about himself anyway. He was too selfless, even in this kind of situation. Finding his determination, he began trying to break the chains that were keeping him bound. He would do everything he could to get out and even if he couldn't use alchemy, he wouldn't give up.

oOoOo

It was too silent, as Edward started to come around. Trying to move, he realized nothing wanted to work. He couldn't even manage to open his eyes. His memory failed as he tried to remember where he was and what had happened. A shiver ran through his body from the coldness of the room.

His head unintentionally drooped to the side and the cold metal surface he was on, pressed against his cheek. There was the sound of someone else in the room and before he knew it he could feel them standing over him.

"Ah, so you're awake now." Ferguson's voice penetrated the grogginess of Ed's mind and he forced his eyes open. Suddenly he remembered what had happened and he struggled to move. His muscles didn't respond well and he could feel restraints holding him in place. There was another chuckle from above him. "My, you sure are feisty aren't you?"

"Where's Alphonse?" His tone was demanding even if he wasn't in a position to be making demands. "Not to worry, he's somewhere safe for now. Didn't want him trying to escape." A smirk weakly graced Ed's lips as he knew full well that Al would never leave him here. He shifted uncomfortably on the table, only to realize his clothes were missing and there was just a sheet of fabric that felt more like paper against his skin. Ferguson could tell he had noticed and was displeased.

"Your clothing was going to be in the way, I need full access to you during our time together." Edward grimaced at the thought and at the same time it made him wonder what else other then information could Ferguson want from him.

"I'm not helping you at all, I don't care what you do to me." Ed's statement caused the older alchemist to lean closer, a maniacal grin spreading even more across his face.
"Who said I need you're cooperation?" The statement caused a wave of panic and Edward pushed against the thick leather bands holding him down. He felt pressure on his left leg, as Ferguson moved his gloved fingers over the metal. "I've always wondered how Automail worked. Never had an opportunity to examine it."

Ed's jawline became visibly tighter and he let his head fall back to the opposite side of the table. It was clear that his captor enjoyed making him uneasy so he wouldn't let him see how uncomfortable he was. He felt Ferguson's hand at the connection point. There was a sudden electric jolt that spread up through his nerves causing him to scream.

"Sorry, unfortunately sometimes pain ends up being a byproduct of my research, but I'm not intentionally hurting you." His statement just pissed the Fullmetal alchemist off even more.

"Dammit, don't touch me!" His glared up through the ache in his leg.

"Well I could leave you alone and go visit Alphonse. How much can that blood seal take?" The tention left Ed's body, reluctantly and he let out a sigh, shaking his head. Ferguson grinned knowing he'd won.