CHAPTER SIX
Hughes brought him to a small hospital meeting room commandeered for them. Major Armstrong was already inside and thanks to Hughes' quick thinking they were saved from a traditional bare-chested greeting. Ed didn't know whether to be grateful or not since this allowed Hughes to immediately go for the kill.
"I've been more than patient, but I really think you need to tell me what happened two nights ago Ed. You're report is full of holes and contradictions."
"The report is fine and you know it," Ed snapped back.
Lt. Colonel Hughes set a copy of his report down on the table. "Glaring contradiction number one: 'Al's armor was damaged to the point of being unable to move.' I didn't see any problems with the armor when Alphonse was in your room. The reports from forensics before he was delivered to you stated he had only minor scratches."
Ed paused wondering what Hughes was talking about. Picking the report up he scanned until he found the sentence Hughes quoted. But Al was never in the room at the fifth laboratory. It was just Tucker, Envy and himself. Rereading the report section brought another memory to mind: with Lust. Gluttony. and glowing red tanks of philosopher stone water. He sat down in a chair rubbing his eyes.
Hughes continued. "Contradiction number two: You claimed there were several chimera in the building but beyond one area where human remains of the prisoners were located, no organic material has been found in the wreckage."
Ed listed with half an ear, focusing on his own thoughts. He could remember being asked to make a philosopher's stone, using red water with the prisoners as the last ingredients needed. His arm was unmoving, Al was in pieces and Lust was using her nails to threaten Al's blood seal.
Yet before he read the report he clearly remembered a stone room with Envy and a human Tucker. Where had that come from? Tucker was a strange human chimera by the time he became involved with the homunculus.
"Contradiction number three: You claimed that Scar was in the building but his distinctive deconstruction style is not in evidence anywhere on the premise. Intelligence department can only assume that your memories were corrupted and the report is invalid. Scar is still listed as killed in East City by Colonel Mustang, pending confirmation."
Ed paid no attention. He focused on the first scene that came to mind when recalling the Fifth Laboratory. In that memory, he came out of the vent and fought the dual souled armor. The armored head lead him into the room where the human transmutation circle was carved into the stone floor. A human Tucker was there ready to create his own philosopher stone. When he tried to stop him, Envy appeared. The armored head tried to tell him something, but Envy killed him.
Ed tried to stop Tucker and ended up fighting Envy instead. His arm stopped working in the middle of the fight. Envy grabbed him and pinned his arms down, lifting his feet off the floor. In the meantime, the human Tucker ensured the prisoners were secured on the seven points of the circle.
At that point he came up with the bright idea of becoming limp in Envy's arms, sliding out of the homunculus's grasp. He slapped his good hand to his metal one and fell in a position to transmute the floor. The backlash from interrupting Tucker was more painful than anything he'd ever experienced – including automail surgery.
"Ed, are you even listening?"
Ed waved him off, picking up the report again and reread his original words. This too was familiar. It brought to mind another time. He came out of the vent and fought the dual souled armor. His automail stopped working while he fought the armor, but he still won. The armored head led him into the room where a transmutation circle was carved into the stone floor and the ceiling. Red glowing tanks surrounded the room.
A chimera Tucker spoke to him about Nina and he actually considered using the already created philosopher water to help the girl. He had never forgiven himself over failing to restore Nina before she was killed. Then the ceiling exploded and he realized living people were included in the sacrifice as well.
Envy, Lust, and Gluttony arrived with Al's destroyed armor in tow. He was nearly forced to create the stone to keep his brother's blood seal intact. Then Scar showed up and Ed reacted badly to a puddle of spilled red water.
"Major Elric?" Armstrong questioned.
Ed continued to think. The report was written about his brother being threatened and he was asked to transmute prisoners into human chimera. He remembered making that distinction to eliminate the need to officially report on the philosopher's stone.
The report was written with four people involved in the threatening, which supported his second memory recall. The report contained no mention of Tucker being a human chimera, a point for the first memory. Scar was the cause of the building collapse according to the report, but Hughes already explained there was no evidence supporting that statement. In his first memory, there was no Scar, but the building may have collapsed due to the backlash.
His musing was interrupted as the door opened admitting the Fuhrer. "Hello," the man cheerfully greeted them. Armstrong and Hughes snapped to attention while Ed tried to resist the urge to attack the man.
Bradley waved the two men out of their salute before explaining his visit. "I just had to take a break from all that paperwork, my new aid is brutal about finishing it."
Shouts from the hallway started to make their way into the meeting room. The Fuhrer's self-appointed break seemed to be creating quite a stir.
The Fuhrer caught sight of Ed's report. "I see you are still investigating the fifth laboratory. Wasn't that cleared off the Intelligence docket this morning Lt. Colonel Hughes?"
"Yes, sir."
"Relax a little Lt. Colonel. I'm just curious why you would still see a need for further investigation."
"There are several facts that have not been determined to my satisfaction, sir."
"Ah. You mean the whole philosopher's stone omission."
The two uniformed officers stiffened at the blatant knowledge displayed by the Fuhrer. No one had mentioned the philosopher's stone in the entire investigation. How would the Fuhrer know it was missing? Only Ed knew a glimmer of the truth.
"Please take my advice. Do not investigate this further. The philosopher's stone is a very dangerous subject. I would not want to lose any of my fine officers for a whimsy of curiosity. In fact, consider it an order."
"Sir!" Armstrong and Hughes saluted again and a crash was heard from the hall.
"I'll take that as my cue to get moving. Don't want my aid to find me too soon." The Fuhrer walked over to the window, opened it and jumped out of the first floor to the grassy walkway. His pleasant manner disappeared for the first time. Ed met the serious stare head on. "Remember gentleman, do not look further into this."
And then he was gone.
The two older men exchanged glances while Ed simply went back to his train of thought. Homunculus or not, the Fuhrer wouldn't make a move right after a warning. Armstrong started moving towards the window while Hughes approached the door. Ed ignored them both.
He had two sets of memories. One with human Tucker, one with a chimera Tucker. But he only had one set of memories after the 5th laboratory, and that had a chimera Tucker. So, point for the chimera memory.
One memory didn't have Scar, but his other one did. Scar being listed as killed in East City wasn't an issue. When Scar showed up in the chimera Tucker memory, he was supposedly dead as well. They later learned that he was being helped by two orphan boys in the Ishval refugee camp just outside of Central City.
So if he went to the refugee camp then he could find Scar or at least the two boys and confirm if Scar was really there or not.
Ed heard Armstrong close the window and looked up. Hughes was already walking back from the door. The serious look on his face wasn't a nice one. Sighing, Ed tried to find the energy for the verbal battle ahead of him.
"What's going on Ed?" Hughes question was simple and to the point. And his tone of voice stated there was no room for dissembling. So Ed went for the simple truth.
"No clue."
Hughes plopped down into a chair right next to him. "Ed," he stated.
"No Hughes," Ed cut him off. "I really mean no clue."
Hughes expression clearly stated that he didn't believe him.
Rubbing his face with his true hand, Ed tried to explain. "I really don't know. I thought I did, but I was certain I wrote my report accurate with only the philosopher stone omitted. But I remembered something completely different until I re-read my own report. So your intelligence department might not be too far off."
Cradling his head in his true hand, Ed missed the look of concern passed between Hughes and Armstrong.
"Is there nothing that you remember clearly?" Armstrong asked.
"Only that we're in big trouble." Ed replied. He was sighing way too often. "I know there is something wrong, but I can't even give you a clear direction on where to look. It looks like I really will have to find my old teacher. She can help with Al's situation and maybe give me some help on clearing up my own memories."
Hughes didn't seem convinced. "Hughes, you know me. I'll admit I'm used to doing things on my own, and I'd probably try to hide things from you to keep you out of the whole thing. But we already had this discussion. You know the stakes. And I know where you'll draw the line. I don't think that has changed, has it?"
The Lt. Colonel shook his head. "I'm not holding your age against you Ed. But you and Al are important to me. I won't stand idly while you get neck deep in trouble again."
"And I won't stand by while you get yourself killed looking into something they'll kill you for." Ed noticed both men tense. "My memories too jumbled to tell you who or what we're up against. But even with the conflicting stories, I know the danger.
"Think of an organization that has the ability to watch you're every move. Even in military facilities. And you've just established you know something is up by pursuing this after they closed the official investigation. Consider yourself on probation. Even when your home, or think you're alone, pretend that they can tell what you're doing."
"Aren't you over estimating their abilities, Major Elric?" Lt. Armstrong stroked his chin. "The Armstrong family estate is very secure. All those serving in our main house have been loyal to us for generations."
"One of the people that they can send can impersonate anyone," Ed countered. "Both sets of memories attribute that. You won't be able to tell the real one from the imposter, even if they're standing side by side. Looks, voice, inflections – They'll be near perfect.
"Even mannerisms will be close enough that unless you know them intimately, you're unlikely to notice the difference. And their information network is excellent. Don't expect to rely on asking them what happened in a past event. Too often, he can pass that test as well."
Edward met Armstrong's gaze, trying to drive home the importance of this information. "Then what action would you suggest to prevent being fooled by this impersonator?"
The young alchemist shrugged. "No sure way. Just be observant and use your best judgment. Always act as if who you're talking to is really who they are, even if you suspect differently. And if you do suspect, watch your words and actions. Wait until another time to discuss sensitive things if you have to. Just never let on that you know they're the fake."
Looking over at Hughes, Ed decided to add one more warning. "And never go somewhere secluded with them. He's not just an informer, but an assassin as well – A good one."
Hughes met his stare, trying to read something. He gave a single nod of acknowledgement. That was enough to lighten Ed's worry.
The full metal alchemist stood up and stretched his arms. "We can't do much until I figure out my memories. You guys can keep an eye and ear out, but don't go looking for the information. If it doesn't apply specifically to something else you're doing, they'll suspect you're on to them.
"I think you can make general preparations for trouble, but do anything obvious and you'll be caught. And these guys play for keeps, so even if they're wrong, they'll eliminate possible obstacles rather than take a chance."
"And what about you, Ed?" The blonde cocked his head at Hughes's question, not sure what he meant.
"As soon as Al's ready to check out, I'll be headed to Rush Valley first. Teacher's out on one of her outings so who knows when she'll be back to the butcher shop. It's as likely as any other place, and Winry can learn some new automail tricks."
"That's good to know, but I was referring to how you are supposed to stay off the hit list."
Ed almost snorted. "I've been watched since before I signed up as a dog of the military. They want me for something. If I don't start targeting them, they won't target me. Doesn't mean they aren't going to keep watching, but I'd be taking this route to help Al with our without them."
Hughes frowned so Ed tried to throw him a bone. "I'll call and check in with you when I can if you want. Not your military office, but at home. Leave a message with Gracia if you're not there."
"And contact information?" Hughes pressed.
This time Ed did snort in amusement. He tore a corner off the report and grabbed a pen off the conference table. "Here's teacher's number. It's not much, but I'm not likely to have a reliable way of being contacted," the blonde explained as he jotted a number down. "You already have the Rockbell's number."
Before Hughes could ask for more, Ed stuffed the report copy in his pocket and headed for the door. He hesitated before opening the door. He threw one more warning at his friend. "You're not an alchemist Hughes. They want alchemists. Don't give them any excuse to come after you. If not for Gracia, think of Elysa. She needs her dad. Moms are great, but growing up without a Dad… don't do that to her. Please."
Without looking back, he left the room. He couldn't stay to babysit Hughes. Ed just hoped he'd avoid doing whatever caught the homunculus's attention last time. If Hughes still got himself killed, after all of this – he might just go to the gate to try and kill him a second time.
Author's Story Note: January 7th, 2014 -
Updated the chapter to include the second half.
Shortly after I posted the first half of chapter 6 (in 2011) I was sent to the hospital for a two week stay. My memory is a bit spotty for the year prior to that stay and I can't remember where I was going with it beyond a few notes that were written down. So I've had to start from scratch.
Sorry if this chapter was too much detail and too little action. But I needed to make the memory issue clear, and try to clear up the differences in the manga Ed and anime Ed's past. I'm certain there is a lot of confusion still. But as Ed figures it out, you guys will too. Kudos to those that can guess ahead.