A/N: Heads up, due to Roy not being the one to convince Ed to join the military at 12 he doesn't end up a state alchemist until about 15 (around when the series starts) He and Al traveled and studied for a few years before figuring that the resources the military could offer would be their only option. That's all so here goes!
Chapter 1
The atmosphere that seemed always present during public hours at Christmas' place seemed eerily absent as the pair entered the familiar space. It was mostly empty apart from the higher ups of their makeshift organization. Once they had seen who had entered they stopped their conversation, straightened, and took turns updating the pair on their own assignments.
The group consisted of four men excluding the pair. Jean Havoc was a marksman who has proven himself more than capable muscle, Heymans Breda, a strategist who gave even Roy a hard time in a chess match, Vato Falman, a bookkeeper who was basically a walking record of their organization, after all you can't exactly leave around a paper trail in the mafia, and last but most certainly not the least, Kain Fuery, a radio specialist who was head of communications. All in all, they were quite the impressive team.
When the public learned of a new mafia organization that was rumored to have the famed 'Hero of Ishval' as a member it didn't take long for everyone to jump to the conclusion the boss had expected, that everyone would assume he was the head. It wasn't that surprising, she was the boss for a reason, all according to plan, with her right hand labeled as the head it took the target off her own back and after hearing the Flame Alchemist becoming a crime boss everyone completely forgot the Hawk's Eye that had disappeared along with him. With no one looking for her and everyone being too afraid of Roy Mustang to come after him recklessly they had all the room they needed to operate. The information network available to them thanks to Roy's relation to Madam Christmas, along with their own contacts, it didn't take long for the runaway solders to establish themselves in Amestris' underground as the most feared crime bosses.
After having been briefed by the men Riza nodded, giving them permission to return to their previous topic of conversation, and walked over to sit at the bar Chris was situated behind with Roy following after her.
After the three exchanged peasantries Riza spoke in a serious tone that seemed almost ever present in her voice, "So Madam, have you found anything more since the last update?" "Actually, I have heard two things you might find quite interesting Elizabeth." Chris replied with a smirk the Mustang family seemed to be known for. 'Elizabeth' quirked a brow curiously at her as she sat at the bar with Roy taking his place right beside her looking just as intrigued.
"Well," she set her elbow on the bar as she leaned closer to Riza and continued, "seems there were prisoners of war in Ishval after all, turns out they were shipped here to Central for some sort of experiment, at least that's my informant's best guess, apparently a doctor Tim something-or-other was the lead alchemist on this 'experiment' or so I've been told." Riza was silent a moment, processing the information before asking "Does your informant happen to be a survivor of these 'experiments'?" "No, from what they told me seems there weren't any survivors. Guess the side effect of it was death, probably why they wanted to use Ishvalans rather than solders or volunteers." "I see."
Roy studied her expression as she spoke, had he been anyone else he would have missed the slight change in it, but as soon as it had come it vanished behind her mask of stoicism. "So, what's the second interesting thing you found out?"
"It seems the military is rather desperate, word on the street is they've hired a kid." Chris replied as she leaned back. "A child?!" Riza and Roy practically screeched in unison, disbelief and horror etched into their features. Chris nodded and continued, "Yup, a runt barely 15, he crushed your record Roy-boy. Seems he's quite the genius." "That's one record I hoped no one would break." Roy replied with disgust as his stomach churned as he silently prayed to every entity he didn't believe in that this kid wouldn't try to take any of his other old 'records'. When he glanced toward Riza he could practically hear her thoughts buzzing around her head as she glared at the bar table in front of her. "Sir, what are you thinking?" he asked, he cringed at the concern cracking in his voice. Riza huffed as she stood from her seat, adjusted her suit jacket, and ran fingers through her bangs as she sighed in a tone that sounded terribly defeated and made his chest ache.
"Looks like we've got a child to recruit." She replied as she stormed toward the door.
"What?!" Roy yelped as he nearly fell out of his own chair to run after her.
