Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist. All rights belong to their respective owners.

Part 2

Mustang toyed indifferently with the pen in his hand, putting off his paperwork as usual. Absently, he wondered where Fullmetal had gotten to…

Sighing, he let the pen fall to the desk with a sharp clack before leaning back in his chair. All he knew about Fullmetal's disappearance was that he'd gotten orders from the higher-ups… Mustang's mouth pulled down and he sighed again, this time in irritation.

The phone interrupted his contemplation. Picking up the receiver, Mustang heard an all too familiar voice.

"… Colonel?"

"Alphonse. It's good to hear from you. How are you and your brother?"

"I'm fine, just enjoying my time in Risembool. As for Ed, I don't know how he is, since he hasn't called me or anything. He's still on the mission you gave him. Has he contacted you at all?"

Roy's eyes widened with shock and horror. Al had no idea the wrenching feeling his words brought to the colonel's stomach. A strangled sound escaped his throat, barely audible. Mustang's subordinates all glanced up in confusion, and worry clouded their expressions when they saw their commanding officer's face.

"No, Al. I haven't heard from him." Roy tried to keep his voice sounding normal, but it was slightly more monotone than usual. Luckily for him, Al didn't seem to notice.

"Oh. Ok, well I'm sure he's fine! After all, it is Ed we're talking about here!" Roy heard a nervous chuckle on the other end of the line. It was obvious that Al was trying to convince himself that his brother was fine.

Mustang's stomach turned again.

"Al, did Ed happen to tell you where he was going?"

"… What? What do you mean?"

Mustang mentally slapped himself. In his moment of shock, he'd asked the completely wrong question. The young boy's voice now sounded frantic.

"Does that mean you don't know where he is? How could you not know where you sent him? Have you really heard from him, and you're just not telling me? I—"

"Alphonse, listen to me." Roy cut him off. "I didn't send Ed on that mission."

The silence on the other end of the line was so heavy that Roy felt claustrophobic.

"… Then… who…?"

"I was told Ed was going on a mission, but they didn't tell me where he was going. The higher-ups may have given the order. Did he say anything about a classified mission? What all did he tell you?"

"Well… he did mention you had kept it secret… but since he thought it was you, he told me anyway."

Mustang was both relieved and indignant at that; relieved, because they now had an idea of where Ed went. He was indignant because Ed had the gall to disobey him like that. True, he hadn't given the order, but that showed just how little regard Ed had for the Colonel's authority. Roy wasn't about to let anyone know just how much that hurt.

"So then where is he?"

"Well, they said he was going back to Xenotime."

Roy mentally pulled up the image of the national map in his mind; he recollected that Ed had once visited Xenotime to inspect the philosopher's stone and the red water. He also recalled that it was one of the most secluded places on the map. Cursing internally, Mustang thanked Al and hung up.

"Is everything alright, sir?" Hawkeye's voice sounded slightly strained, which was unusual for her.

"That was Al… he was calling about Ed."

"Apparently, he's been sent to Xenotime, where they had that issue with the red water."

Four gaping expressions, and one shocked expression met Mustang's own concerned one. His brow wrinkled in concentration.

"But… but that's in the middle of nowhere!" Breda stuttered.

"I know… but that's not what worries me." Mustang paused, though he didn't need to. He had the rapt attention of all his subordinates.

"Xenotime isn't exactly the most advanced place. In fact, it's getting rather primeval. The military never took much interest after they stopped turning up gold. Now it's of no use to us because it is rapidly deteriorating."

"Then why would they send Ed there?" Kain asked in his innocent voice.

Mustang remained silent, and stared so intently at his desk that, if his eyes held the same power as his gloves, he would have burned a hole through it.

Hughes was investigating the higher-ups in the military… and then Ed told us… watch out for trouble within the military. We have to watch ourselves…

"I don't know what it means, but I do know that Ed and Hughes both warned us of deception in the higher ranks of the military."

"Sir, would that mean you're doubting them?" Falman sounded incredulous.

"It wouldn't be the first time, and I continue to get more reason to suspect foul play."

"Then what are you gonna do, Chief?" Havoc drawled through his cigarette.

"… I'm going to Xenotime."