Disclaimer in previous chapters. Please see Author's Notes at the end.

- x -

He waved down the salute before she even had a chance to stand, and while his eyes remained on her, he turned his head slightly to his right.

"There's no need to leave your post."

Hawkeye took her feet anyway, and Goodman gave her a slightly apologetic look before General Hakuro stepped into her line of sight.

"This will only take a few minutes."

Colonel Riza Hawkeye waited until he'd approached the desk, then inclined her head in greeting. "What brings you to my office this morning, General?"

Not that it was a great mystery. In truth, they'd all known it was only a matter of time. Hakuro had as much access to the State Alchemists' records as any other high-ranking military officer, and most of the alchemists were still only majors. Alphonse had already revealed to them yesterday that he'd seen soldiers in Jannai as he'd left for Rountal, and a town that small couldn't possibly have kept the visit of a National Alchemist a secret.

Hakuro was many things, but the general was not inept. He was searching for Franklin Sorn as diligently as they were, and in truth, she'd expected to have this conversation yesterday.

Well, actually, she'd expected Mustang to have had this conversation yesterday. He was currently in Parliament; session had just begun, which the general damn well knew. He'd come specifically to speak with her and her alone.

Because without the Prime Minister present, he was the highest-ranking official there. Goodman, who was stationed outside her office door as much to receive orders as he was to watch the main entrance, was merely an agent of Parliament. That made him equivalent to the highest-ranking civilian security officer. Brooks, who was in the main office opposite him, and far out of view, was the same. Both had top military security clearance, which meant they could overhear the State's secrets, but it didn't mean anything when it came to giving or receiving military orders.

Challiel, Mustang's secretary, was a lieutenant. And she was required to remain where she was, in the main office, to answer phones during Parliament sessions. Not only that, but all the pages in the Prime Minister's wing were military, and of low rank. Hakuro could and probably already had prevented her from sending Mustang a warning.

He'd also effectively stopped Goodman from being able to do the same. And that was a problem. Session had just started, which meant the first interim break wouldn't happen for over an hour.

She couldn't stall the general that long.

The general removed his dress hat, settling himself comfortably in one of the chairs in front of her desk. He let his hat dangle from his fingertips, twirling it idly as his eyes searched her desk. "I came to receive a report, colonel. Please, be seated."

As if he needed to invite her to be seated at her own desk. She kept her expression unruffled, retaking her chair and her pen. "I'm just finishing it now, sir."

The salt-and-peppered general raised a bushy eyebrow. "Is that so?"

She inclined her head again, adding her signature to the short stack of papers. Once that was done, she pursed her lips and blew lightly on the ink, ensuring it was completely absorbed into the fibers of the document before sliding it into the folder. When there was no other excuse to continue fussing over it, she offered it to the general, who accepted it. His eyes moved across the top line, then rose back up to hers.

"This isn't the report I was referring to."

She had little doubt that was the case. He was sent, weekly, a report of all the Prime Minister's meetings and whether security protocols were followed. Though Mustang had honorary command of her team, it was honorary only. She was still a colonel, and he had resigned his military title to assume the mantle of Prime Minister. As such, her budget, itinerary, and all SOPs were approved by Hakuro, the highest-ranked military officer currently serving the State.

And there was nothing in that report he didn't already know.

She raised her eyebrows slightly in an attempt to look surprised, but she was no actress, and she knew he saw through it when his expression shifted. "I believe that's the only report due-"

"Let's cut to the chase, Hawkeye. The Binding Life Alchemist Alphonse Elric was in Jannai two days ago. He made a phone call to Central, though the switchboard operator couldn't be more specific. He arrived back in Central yesterday morning, where he collected Full Metal and then promptly almost got himself killed." The general leaned forward slightly, tossing the report carelessly back onto her desk. "Where is his report from that investigation?"

As his report was neither written nor recorded, she had a small amount of technical leeway. "I have not received a report from Alphonse Elric since his last review of the cleanup efforts-"

Hakuro indicated the report he'd just discarded with his chin. "According to your own statements, you were present during the Prime Minister's visit to the base hospital, were you not?"

"Yessir."

"And was Alphonse Elric conscious at the time of the visit?"

"Yessir."

He spread his hands. "If the report was made verbally, you will repeat it for me at this time."

Yes. Her protests had bought her an entire ten seconds. Hawkeye glanced up again as Goodman moved, at the entrance of her office, but of course he hadn't left, so he could not be of any help. Hakuro didn't miss it.

"You will give me the information or I will have you charged with impeding a military investigation and relieved of your command." It was simple and final. "Considering you're the only reason Mustang's still breathing, I wonder how long he'll last with his most trusted subordinate in prison."

While it was flattering, it wasn't entirely true. "With all due respect, sir-"

"You haven't given me all due respect since you were a lieutenant, Riza. What did Alphonse tell him."

The use of her first name threw her off for a second, and she studied the general in front of her closely. He wasn't waving his clout about as he usually did, as he'd undoubtedly done with Heymans. It wasn't like the general to be so single-mindedly focused, and to threaten to arrest her and strip her of command. She would have expected he'd simply do it. She'd already given him enough reason.

And there really wasn't much point in hiding what Alphonse had found. Unless Sheska was able to piece something together from Alphonse's utterly unremarkable report, there was nothing to hide. Sorn wasn't in Jannai, and he wasn't with his sensei in Rountal, either. Blane seemed in good standing; a preliminary background check had only reinforced the younger Elric's impression. The only slightly unusual thing seemed to be the death of the forty or so drifters that had occurred in the town a few years ago, and nothing related their disappearance to the current situation.

Unless the assassins were really Ishbalans, still determined to take revenge for the genocide of their people. Ishbalans that had spent a very long time in a very dark place to neutralize the characteristic dark skin of their race.

"Alphonse Elric was injured yesterday morning, as you well know. He was under the influence of strong painkillers at the time of the Prime Minister's visit-"

Hakuro cut her off with a wave of his hand, tossing his hat into his lap. "How did he know where Sorn's trap would be?"

How did Hakuro know they thought the rigged insurance building had been set by Sorn? "I don't know what y-"

"Enough bullshit, colonel." Finally, his voice was its usual sharp tone. "One of them found something. Either it was Full Metal, in the child's library, or it was Alphonse. Unless you want to be implicated in the assassination attempts on Mustang, I expect you to start talking."

And there was the expected threat. Riza pulled herself up stiffly. "I have no relevant information to give you, General. Alphonse Elric has not given an official report on his mission to Jannai."

Hakuro stared at her flatly a moment before he heaved a heavy sigh. "He's going to get himself killed."

For a moment, she wasn't certain who they were talking about. "I beg your pardon, sir?"

"I doubt you've followed the man all these years only to see him fail now." The general leaned forward, eyes still sharp, but . . . there was something in his tone that hadn't been there before. "If he's covering for the Mechanical Alchemist, I need to know."

So that was it. That was his angle. "You believe Franklin Sorn is behind the assassination attempts?" She couldn't keep the skepticism out of her voice, but he didn't seem to take exception.

"Mustang's already questionable judgment has historically been extremely poor in regard to children biting off more than they can chew."

It wasn't an answer, but it was certainly a valid point. "I assure you, I have not received any information regarding the whereabouts of Franklin Sorn, General."

"Oh, I don't doubt that for a moment." He leaned back, almost contemplatively. "Tell me, Hawkeye, what do you think would happen to the country if the Prime Minister was killed?"

Such supposition was dangerously close to treason, but it was a fairly direct question. "That would depend upon the reaction of Parliament, General. It's difficult to say."

"War." He shifted in the chair, as if to get more comfortable. As if he intended to be there for a while. "If Drachma didn't sense a weakness, Creta or Aeruga would. No matter if Parliament elected a new Prime Minister the very next day, the faith of the people would be lost. Morale in the country would decline. The current economic boom would turn to recession." He tapped her desk with his hat. "What did your latest report on the attempt two days ago find?"

It was easy to tell where he was going, but difficult to derail him. "The uniforms were purchased from a reputable seamstress here in Central, paid in cenz, but the firearms were obviously not standard issue. Such an oversight immediately marked them as suspicious. Furthermore, they were unable to gain entry to the Prime Minister's wing the first time they attempted. The guards below recorded two other attempts to enter the wing, both during the previous hour."

"And what does that tell you, Colonel?"

She shrugged eloquently. "The assassins are getting more desperate. However, I don't believe it implicates the Drachmans-"

Another dismissive wave of his hand. "Oh, I'm sure the Drachman ambassador was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. However, I'm glad we agree."

"Sir?"

"If you were the one behind these attempts, colonel, what would cause you to press forward so recklessly?"

The answer was simple; they were in a hurry. They had a timetable to keep, either to avoid detection or to upset the proverbial domino. However, he'd just stated he didn't think the Drachman ambassador had anything to do with it, so if he was still pushing his Drachmans racing the winter theory, he'd just blown it. "I really can't say, sir."

His expression was almost pitying. "Do you really follow him that blindly, Riza?"

She was barely able to keep herself from bristling. Instead, she opted for a cool smile. "Is there anything else I can do for you, General?"

"You've yet to give me the information I requested, colonel. I grow tired of asking, so this will be the last time."

"Her silence is on my order."

Hawkeye blinked, glancing over the surprised general to see a familiar, unruly mop of black hair. He was walking quickly, with Brooks just behind him, and his hands were empty and curled.

He'd probably marched directly out of Parliament to them. But how had he known . . .?

The general recovered quite well, getting to his feet unhurriedly. "I'm certain you have those orders documented, Minister." He turned without a trace of apprehension to face the angry-looking Prime Minister of Amestris, and he did not salute. "I wonder if all your subordinates are so trustworthy."

Mustang didn't bother to acknowledge either the slight or the barb. "If there is something you wished to discuss with me, you should have come to me personally."

"Then let me make amends, Minister. What did Alphonse Elric discover in Jannai that led to the injuries he suffered yesterday?"

Roy studied him coldly for a moment, then turned towards the door. Brooks had retreated to the threshold, standing beside Goodman, and Riza was certain Goodman gave her a slight smile.

"Gentlemen, please excuse us for a moment."

They closed the door without so much as a nod, and Mustang extended his arm, indicating the chairs in front of her desk. "Perhaps you're right, general. Perhaps there is some information we could share that might enlighten us both."

Hawkeye glanced at his face, but he didn't look her way, and after a moment she took her seat as well. Hakuro was a little less relaxed, but still confident. What did he think he had . . . ? Did it have to do with something Breda had told him?

When Mustang had taken the third seat, he clasped his hands and studied them a moment. "Alphonse Elric didn't find anything in Jannai of note."

"So it was Full Metal." Hakuro looked the Prime Minister over for a long second. "You'll still move to protect him, won't you."

Again, Hawkeye wasn't certain to whom the general was referring. Mustang, however, seemed to be on the same page. "There's no evidence-"

"There's every evidence!" The general swallowed his next words, and lowered his voice significantly when he spoke again. "Don't be a fool, Mustang. None of the reports of the explosion at Laboratory Five or examinations of the dead chimera have found any evidence of any other alchemist present. The Mechanical Alchemist put traps in his own personal notes! Clearly he doesn't want to be found, and he doesn't want to be followed. Who's to say the investigating officers don't lose their lives in the next 'trap'?"

"For the sake of argument, let's say he was mining Red Stone." Roy's gaze never left his hands. "We should devote full military attention to a single AWOL alchemist?"

"Well, let's consider what the last alchemist with an amplifier on his hands accomplished." The general started ticking points off on his fingers. "Property damage almost on the financial scale of the Thule Invasion. Sixty-four killed at last count, excluding Tringum. Of those sixty-four, eight were Nationally Certified Alchemists. You were nearly one of that number, and you were defeated in combat by the equivalent of a potato farmer."

Mustang leaned back in his chair, apparently content to listen, and the general was just as pleased to keep talking.

"Now, let's be clear. On a personal level, I don't give a damn if you're breathing tomorrow or not. But the country simply can't afford your recklessness. The boy is a threat, and he needs to be treated as one."

Hakuro paused, clearly giving Mustang an opportunity to respond, so he took a long time. And Riza was certain Hakuro knew Mustang well enough to know the pause was to irritate him, nothing more.

"What evidence do you have that Franklin Sorn bears me ill will?" It was almost amused. "At least check, the Mechanical Alchemist was a valuable and loyal tool of the State."

"You know as well as I do that the Elrics took care of the 'evidence.'" Hakuro made a dismissive noise. "They broke down the lead, so we couldn't compare ballistics. Nonetheless, the statements of Franklin Sorn's neighbors are sufficient."

Hawkeye sharpened her attention, scanning her desk but knowing what she was looking for wasn't there. Al had mentioned the gunman when he'd spoken with them, and it only made sense the neighbors would have noticed.

"Statements?" Mustang didn't sound even remotely curious.

"Four men opened fire on Sorn's house three nights ago. Right after they did so, the neighbors reported seeing alchemic reactions, which led them to believe Franklin was present and unharmed. That and assurances from the Full Metal Alchemist himself that everything was fine. A police report was still filed, though I wouldn't be surprised if it hasn't trickled its way to your desk yet." Hakuro sounded almost smug. "I doubt they were there because they knew the Elrics had broken into Sorn's house."

Four gunmen? Alphonse hadn't mentioned getting an exact number, though under that kind of fire it would be hard to get an accurate count-

"How is that evidence that the Mechanical Alchemist is out to kill me?"

Hakuro tilted his head. "How many were in the last party that attacked you, Minister?"

"You think it was the same group of people?" Riza couldn't keep the sharpness out of her voice. That was . . . a huge stretch at best.

"I think it would be foolish to assume they weren't connected," he replied, quite a bit more mildly. "There's nothing in Sorn's files that would indicate why a hit squad would be dispatched to eliminate him."

. . . and that was why he thought Mustang was protecting Sorn.

Roy was quiet again, but this time it really was thoughtful, and Hakuro waited quite patiently for him to speak.

"Franklin Sorn came to me shortly after being certified, looking for information on the Philosopher's Stone."

Hakuro didn't so much as blink. So he knew that. Then again, those were records. The amount of time he spent studying the Elrics' notes, the literature he checked out of the First Library, as well as his visits to Mustang's office.

"I gave him the same run-around I gave Fullmetal, but unlike the Elrics, the reason for his seeking the Stone were never revealed."

"This only supports my position," the general interrupted, finally impatient. "You know that boy is after a Philosopher's Stone. You know an amplifier was used in the creation of the dead chimera. The boy is conveniently absent the day Laboratory Five's grid is assigned to another alchemist, and his home is visited by gunmen that night. The same number of gunmen that then turned around and made a very sloppy and nearly successful attempt on your life."

"You think they were looking for Franklin?"

The general glanced at her, apparently forgiving her lack of 'sir.' "He made his search for a Philosopher's Stone no secret. A like amplifier in the hands of a single spiteful alchemist could have destroyed Central herself. The boy is fifteen, and he's no Full Metal."

She couldn't decipher if that was a good or bad characteristic, and Roy frowned at the general. "Make up your mind. Do you think Sorn's a victim or are you proposing he's aiding the party trying to kill me?"

"I think the boy is ultimately still pursuing his own goals. Perhaps he was trading information to the enemy in return for information he couldn't get here. I don't pretend to be an expert on alchemy, Minister. Edward wasn't particularly forthcoming on the subject of other countries' understanding of how alchemical amplifiers are created."

The concept that Franklin Sorn could be informing for the enemy had, truthfully, never crossed her mind. They really hadn't known about the gunmen prior to yesterday, but even so, she hadn't assembled the clues in that order . . . and it could make sense. Sorn had been working with the Elrics for some time now, and if he realized they truly weren't going to help him, he could have looked outside Amestris for assistance.

Perhaps there was something they could use from Alphonse's report after all.

Almost as if on cue, her phone rang. It was a single, long chime, and she let it finish before inclining her head to her two superiors and answering it.

"Colonel Hawkeye."

"I'm sorry to bother you, colonel." Challiel's voice was subdued. "The report from the base hospital is in, and Dr. Patterson requested to speak with the Prime Minister personally. Is he still in your office?"

She offered the handset across the desk. "Dr. Patterson's report is in, Minister."

Roy accepted the handset, and she assumed the doctor was put through. He was silent for quite a long time.

"What else."

It wasn't a question, and Roy's expression hardened considerably. Hakuro was watching him as closely as she was, and it occurred to her that perhaps she shouldn't have accepted the call with the general present. Not that she could have easily removed either of them from her office.

"No, doctor, you've done well." Roy glanced up at her briefly. "Are there any tests that might give you a more accurate picture?" Another long stretch. "Of course. Thank you for updating me." He listened a second more, then offered her the receiver. His expression didn't relax as she cradled the phone, and he sighed softly.

"You've been frank with me, general, and I appreciate it." The tone was measured. "Perhaps locating Sorn is a higher priority than I originally considered it."

Hakuro stared at the Prime Minister, a flash of something in his eyes. It was too hard to tell from her angle if it was triumph or bewilderment. "Dr. Patterson reported a discrepancy?"

"You could say that." Roy looked her way, and Riza picked up a pen. Very rarely did he dictate to her; that was Challiel's job. But she'd worked with him too long not to recognize that expression.

"The doctor confirmed that Fletcher Tringum died of heart failure. The blood work came back clean."

It wasn't noteworthy until he continued. "His core body temperature at the time of the autopsy was 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Room temperature."

Fletcher had died in the morning, sometime between eight am and eleven am. He was found in the afternoon, and his autopsy was performed very late that evening. Not even fifteen hours had passed between his time of death and the procedure.

It was cool outside, but certainly not cold enough there or in the hospital to explain that. The body held heat quite efficiently. His body would not have dropped to room temperature until 18-24 hours after death.

The general shifted, edging slightly closer to the desk. "That's impossible. After death, the core body temperature drops about a degree and a half per hour. That would have put his time of death . . . twenty hours ago."

Mustang raised an eyebrow. "Patterson said the same thing. He doesn't know of any chemicals that would cause those findings, but he's continuing his tests."

Hawkeye made the notes, including the general's estimation. When he'd been a lower-ranking officer, he'd actually been stationed with the military's criminal investigation unit. His guess was probably correct.

That said, his having that information . . .

"What do you think it means?"

Roy's face was still tense, though his posture didn't belie it. "Maybe nothing. The doctor should know more when his testing is complete. Colonel, call the Tringum residence. Tell Alphonse Dr. Patterson could use some assistance."

Assistance with an autopsy . . . ? Riza thought back to the Elrics' original reports of the time they spent on the other side of the Gate. Wasn't it Ed who had been the doctor? "Sir, are you certain you wouldn't rather it was Edward?"

Roy shook his head. "Fullmetal needs to get back to Sorn's study. If there's anything else to learn in his research notes, we need to know."

Then the Prime Minister seemed to remember who else was in the room, and turned towards the general. "I would consider it a personal favor if you would stop interfering with his investigations."

Hakuro's white eyebrows rose slightly. ". . . very well." He seemed to find the agreement as distasteful as Riza found it surprising, and sat up rather formally. "Assuming you'll be forthcoming with the results of that investigation."

Roy inclined his head once.

"As for Russell Tringum, I think it's safe to say that he has nothing to do with the attempts on my life."

"Agreed." Certainly, he would not continue to be working for the enemy at the possible cost of his brother. If his cadaver was unnaturally cold . . . but what could that mean? That he died before he was seen entering the hospital? Then who walked in and asked to see the doctor? And how was his body brought in?

But Patterson had said that Russell performed alchemy on the body. Was that why Mustang wanted Alphonse Elric involved? To determine what he'd done?

Or to determine if something else was at work?

"I want to leave Maria Ross on him, just to make sure he has some company. All other military supervision on Tringum should be re-allocated." It was pretty much an announcement, not a request, so Hakuro didn't respond. "Colonel, please give the Elrics their assignments immediately."

Mustang stood, signaling the end of the meeting, and she and the general shadowed him to the door. He paused only a few steps away, his jaw muscles prominent beneath the eyepatch.

"I'm giving you more trust than you've earned, general. Don't disappoint me."

Hakuro's expression was sour, but his voice was almost friendly as he pulled open the door. "After you, Minister."

- x -

Author's Notes: A short one for a change. If I'd included the next scene it would have been too crazy-long. All that action I've been promising all these chapters is nearly here! I told you guys I could kill something with enough plot if given the opportunity . . . as usual, no beta, if you see anything glaring, please let me know!

And I'm a little surprised no one's pointed out the plothole I wrote into this thing . . . :faceplants: Thank you all very much for the lovely reviews, and I hope you found this introspection a little easier to stomach, Ganimyde?