Colonel Mustang was not feeling very optimistic with regards to this particular campaign. On the Amestris Scale of Effective Military Tactics, it would rate about a 4, maybe a 5 if he actually had subordinates who were willing to follow his orders and were not extremely emotionally volatile, neither of which was the case. Unfortunately there was very little he could do about that, so he was forced to work with what he had.

All of this still would have been reasonably tolerable if he himself were not feeling quite so emotionally volatile at the moment. It had been a long time since he had been that severely triggered, waking up on red-alert in that old Ishbal sort of way. And on top of it, there was something about this Fighter/Sacrifice nonsense that was still fucking with him. He was no longer able to maintain proper military detachment during combat situations, and this was seriously not okay. When Edward was attacked it was like his entire world shrunk immediately to a single focus: every fiber of his being suddenly became possessed with an all-consuming urgency to protect him. It was like being grabbed by the throat and forced to look in one direction only. This was decidedly not optimal from a military standpoint, and it was pissing Roy off.

It wasn't just the loss of control that bothered him. There was something niggling in the back of his mind about this Fighter/Sacrifice game that he couldn't quite put his finger on, but it vexed him nevertheless. It felt a little too much like… alchemy. Like being under someone's alchemical influence. Ed's harsh words to Soubi kept flashing through his mind, Don't you try that Fighter voodoo shit on me! It wont work: I'm an alchemist, not some brainless idiot you can mindfuck like that! This whole thing felt like a mindfuck, and Roy didn't like it, not one bit.

He surveyed the situation once again. Under his direction Edward had used alchemy to construct a military barricade out of the surrounding rocks and trees directly across from the small house in the woods. Roy now had a full view of the premises and anyone that might come in and out, and he was considering different strategies should they have to take the house by force. Nice to know at least a fraction of Edward's military training has actually sunk in. Now if we could just work on the insubordination issue…

Truth be told, however, though he would never admit it to Edward, Roy preferred Ed the way he was, rather than someone like Soubi who followed orders without question, no matter what the consequence. Roy had seen first hand how destructive that could be, and it heartened him to know that if Edward were ever in a similar situation, he would likely tell his superior officers where to shove it and how far.

"What are you smirking at?" Ed had come up on the top of the barricade to stand next to Roy.

"You. Edward, you shouldn't be up here. We discussed this. You are the one they want. This plan isn't going to work if they can just pick you off with an assault rifle any time they want."

"You said they weren't trying to kill me. They're convinced I'm part of their magically fucked up family or whatever. And somehow I'm doubting they have assault rifles."

"Nevertheless, we shouldn't make it easy for them. I suggest you go back down there with Soubi. I don't want him getting any stupid ideas of rushing off towards Ritsuka should his Sacrifice happen to wake up down there and start calling for him."

"If he does, that's too fucking bad for him. Let them shoot him, I don't care. I'm not getting zapped again. If he wants to commit seppuku that's his own damned problem."

Roy sighed and put his fingers on the bridge of his nose. "Ed, please, we agreed that you would follow my military advice, remember? I've done this more than a few times. Please trust me." Ed grumbled, but grudgingly moved back down to the enclosed structure.

Roy was about to resume scanning the property, looking for vulnerable points, when a man stepped out the front door. He was tall, with shoulder length hair and glasses not unlike Soubi's, wearing a dark blue cardigan over a white collared shirt, khaki pants, boots. Ritsu-sensei, I presume. Making a point of not looking at the enormous barricade which had just sprung up in his back yard, he pulled out a cigarette. Smug bastard. Unfortunately for you, I am a smug bastard plus one.

Ritsu flicked his lighter, once, twice… then it exploded in his face. He shielded himself with a wave of his hand, putting the fire out with relative ease. Replacing the cigarette into his pocket, he then looked up. "Clever. Roy, isn't it?" His voice carried despite the fact that he was some distance away.

"Colonel Mustang, to you. I take it you haven't come out to chit-chat."

"No, indeed. You have something I want."

"And you have something I want. Care to discuss terms?"

"Not particularly. You see, Colonel Mustang, I'm a man who is very used to getting what he wants. I want Edward Elric to come down here, now. And he will."

Roy was slightly unnerved at the use of Ed's last name, but he schooled his face to show nothing. "I see. And what makes you think that he will do what you say?"

"It's very simple. I have his brother, Alphonse."

It took all of Roy's training not to let the surprise show on his face. Al is here? How in the hell…? "Prove it."

"I don't have to."

"Why is that?"

"Look behind you." Roy wasn't stupid enough to turn around, but he knew what he'd see there. Edward. Edward, don't…!

"What do you know about my brother?" Ed's voice was low and murderous. Damn it, Ed, you are playing right into his hands…!

Roy swallowed, his mouth dry as the grave. He knew it was useless, but he had to try. He turned around to face Ed directly. "Fullmetal, listen to me. Don't do this. It's obviously a trap. This is what he wants. Let me handle this, Edward, please…"

"Roy. Shut up."

Roy seethed. I'm going to kill him. When this is all over, if he's still alive, I'm going to tear him limb from metal limb, I swear it.

Ed stepped up on top of the blockade and stared straight at Ritsu. "What have you done with Al?"

Ritsu calmly adjusted his glasses with one finger. "Come down here and I'll show you."

Ed started climbing right over the rampart. Roy grabbed his left arm desperately. He couldn't make a sound, but his glowering eyes begged Edward to regain his senses. "Roy. Let go. I have to do this. I have to find out if this bastard really has Al. Stay here. Don't follow me."

Roy could only stare helplessly as Ed disappeared over the wall and walked right into Ritsu's clutches. Ritsu opened the door and glanced back at Roy, one eyebrow raised, his lips curved slightly into an evil looking smirk. Son of a bitch.

Roy sat down hard on the ground. I cannot believe this is happening. I cannot believe Edward just did that to me. He felt cold all over. The worst of it was that he should be angry, he should be furious… but the most overwhelming feeling he had right now was one of despair. His Sacrifice had rejected him. He was unwanted. Rejected. Despised.

A pair of light blue suede boots appeared in his field of vision. Roy looked up into the eyes of a surprisingly placid looking Agatsuma Soubi. He was holding a fifth of scotch. "Well, Colonel, I believe we have a situation."

Roy blinked. What did he just say...? He grabbed the bottle by the neck and took a long swig. At least if I die in this fucked up world, I'll know that somebody learned something from me once, anyway. He put his head in his hands. They were shaking.