I do not own FMA or claim too. Thanks to all that read.

Just please enjoy.

Chapter 15

Discovery

The train is unusually empty as the Elric's and Lt. Colonel Thomas makes their way toward Rush Valley. Thomas and Ed are sitting side by side with Al sitting across from them. Thomas takes out some tools and starts working on his wrist. It's been four months since he last saw Winry and he was in need of maintenance. Ed hasn't said much since finding out what happened to Mustang. Al keeps asking questions about what happened.

"Uncle Thomas, what did they do with Bosely?" Asks Al.

"I'm not sure. Colonel Armstrong didn't tell me earlier."

"That bastard is not going to get away with this."

"Ed, don't be like that. I have to settle an old score with him. You two shouldn't have any feeling of revenge against that man."

"Brother, he does have more of a right to be upset then we do."

"Still, to be so heartless and vicious toward people is unforgivable."

"Now boys, please understand that we aren't going to Rush Valley to be pissed. The General and Hawkeye have been hurt. They deserve our attention right now and after we see to them, Bosely will be our next target."

"I won't stand in your way when you confront that man. All I ask is that you leave enough of him alive so we can get information on Al."

"That's right. Uncle, I'm sure he was there when I was put in this armor. He must know what they did and how I can get my body back."

"I doubt it. He is not an alchemist. What you two need to start thinking about are who this man is working for."

That thought makes Ed go silent. So far Bosely has been the only name and face they have had to confront. All they criminals they captured in Rush Valley had no information to give them. He destroyed all the evidence he could, of the stone and the red water was gone from the fifth laboratory. Someone of great skill and information of the stone could possibly be in charge of everything that has happened.

"Uncle Thomas, could you help me with something?"

"Sure, what do you need?"

"Al, take off your helmet. I want to study that transmutation circle that keeps your soul in the armor."

Thomas puts his tools away and leans forward toward Al. He takes of his helmet and Ed and Thomas study the circle. The design is different from the one Ed had used and yet it beared a strange resemblance to what he saw from laboratory five.

"I'm sorry Ed, but my knowledge isn't as developed as yours is in this area."

"I know but look on how this is shaped. You can see the basic circle and these markings over here are what is the anchor for Al's soul."

"Well that part is easy enough, what I was referring to was the substance used."

"What do you mean?"

"It isn't blood. Dried blood is very easy to pick out. It does look like it but the color is far to red to be consistent with blood. The blood would have been dried and soaked into any part of the armor that it could. This still has the color and looks as if it never fully adhered to the armor."

"It has got to be the red water. They must have used it for the material in this transmutation."

"But Brother, red water has a limited life span. If that is true, who knows how long this transmutation is going to last."

Thomas sits back and crosses his arms. The thought of there being a time limit on this wasn't a pleasant thought. Ed continues to study the circle and the markings that aren't familiar to him. Al keeps looking around the car they are in to make sure they haven't attracted any unwanted attention. The three of them are getting very close to Rush Valley but the thoughts of Mustang and Hawkeye are not in their heads. They pass through a tunnel and with Ed still staring into Al, he is still able to clearly see the circle.

"Al, your transmutation circle, it still has a small glow to it."

They get through the tunnel and both uncle and nephew look more. That red color they were looking at wasn't just color. The hint of light was making it look that way.

"Ed, I think I understand this a lot better now."

"How can this be? A circle doesn't keep glowing after the transmutation takes place."

"Al, you can put your head back on now. We shouldn't be too concerned with you losing that body."

"Does that mean you understand what the hell is going on?"

"Yes Ed, this circle still glows from the simple fact of it hasn't quit. If this is indeed red water, and it still has a small glow means that energy is fueling it. Al saw a circle above him right before the transmutation. I think that Al's body is still in that same spot, and the red water is keeping this transmutation going."

"Would that preserve my body so it's still the same as when I was taken?"

"Unfortunately not, you know as well as I do that human alchemy cannot be perfect. They must have you hooked up to life support and fluids to keep your body alive. This does pose a different threat to you though. If your body dies then the transmutation might end. Being kept alive on those conditions won't last forever."

"Damnit, how can they do this? How do you know about the red water and its properties?"

"I used it to fuel the doorway when I brought you two home. I only had a couple small pieces of the incomplete stone and that allowed me the full day to do what I needed too. Imagine how long it could last if you had a never ending supply."

"Brother, does this mean that all the people have gone are helping me stay alive in this armor?"

"Probably, using it to do that and bringing back Bradley are their goals."

Fifteen minutes go by without a word from any of them. The train slows down and they see Armstrong standing on the platform waiting. Thomas stands up and grabs the bags from the overhead compartment.

"Keep this conversation among the three of us boys."

"We can trust the Colonel and Mustang with this."

"It's not them I'm worried about Ed. There might be a leak in the military about the use of alchemy. If these men indeed use the red water to keep a transmutation going then they might have read my research on how to do so. I only documented that within the military under General Mustang. Someone might be keeping an eye on us."

The train comes to a stop and the passengers start coming out. The Colonel opens the trunk and Thomas throws the bags in. Ed and Al get in the back and Thomas and Armstrong get in the front. Armstrong starts the car and they drive toward the hospital. Thomas questions his friend on what all that happened. Hearing the news on Bosely being took to Central was a sign of relief to the Lt. Colonel. He was sure that by now the man would have escaped.

"Colonel is Hawkeye ok?"

"She is still unconscious Al. I don't know when she will wake up. The General has not left her side since he has woken."

"I bet he is quite mad about the whole incident."

"Yes he is Ed, the General is very upset with the whole situation."

"I cant wait to get to Central and question our little friend."

They arrive at the hospital with Armstrong getting out first and escorting them to see Mustang. They pass military police standing at the entrance and every hall leading to the room had two more stationed. Finally they reach the hall with Mustangs and Riza's room near the end.

"Wow, the General sure has this place like a fortress."

"When a high ranking officer is nearly killed you cant be too careful Fullmetal."

This voice speaking to Ed was not from anyone he was with. He turns and looks behind him to see a female doctor standing outside a room. Al turns around as well and is very happy to see an old friend.

"Paninya, what are you doing here?"

"Hey Al, I'm a doctor at this hospital. Your two friends in there are my patients."

"Boy they must be in bad shape to recruit people like you in here."

"Still a little smart ass, aren't you Ed. Don't worry they need people like me. After all we couldn't have someone like you be a doctor here, they might have a height requirement."

Ed's blood starts to boil and he leaps at Paninya with Al catching him. Al drags Ed away from the doctor and takes him into the room.

"Let me go Al, I'll pound her damn head for that."

"Leave her alone Major Elric, she is one of the best doctors in this hospital."

He stops moving to see General Mustang sitting beside Riza. He hasn't shaved for a while and his hair is greasy from not getting a shower. He is slightly bruised and bandaged but not nearly as bad Riza. Al sits across from Roy looks over the unconscious blonde that lays between them. Dr. Paninya walks into the room and closes the door behind her.

"I'll ignore what you said back there as long as you tell me they are going to be ok."

"Yes Edward they are. The General will recover soon enough and Riza will be able to leave once she wakes up and we can do some more tests. General Mustang, have you told them yet?"

"Told us what?"

"Major Elric, Alphonse, and Lt. Colonel Thomas, this stays between us and no one must know."

"Roy you can trust me and these two boys, just fill us in on what is going on."

"Riza and I are married."

"Well, General that really isn't too much of a shock considering the history of you two."

"I know its not Ed, but we must keep quiet on this to help protect her. I don't want anyone to know that she is carrying my child."