Chapter 86: Tension

"Welcome to the newest radio show of Radio Capital! Today, we have a very special guest in our studio: the first-in-command, General Olivier Armstrong-Llewellyn," the young man called Timothy Murphy announced while the blonde took place. "General, you support the application of your former rival, Roy Mustang, instead of making an own effort to become chancellor next week…"

"That's correct," Olivier replied. "I support Roy since I believe in his idea of a better Amestris.
Because, honestly, so many people are always annoyed … they always complain and wonder why no one is actually doing something against all the problems. The message we as high-ranking officers have for those people is easy: you don't have to accept what isn't right with you as long as your head has more functions than just to wear a cap. We don't say that it is the fault of the people that this country is the way it is and we accept that the wars took a certain toll from this country but we say that we blame all the people don't try to create a better world. It isn't true that change and progress cannot be reached.
Those who tell stuff like that are afraid of the change – and those who want the progress are terrorists in their eyes." She hesitated for a moment. "In my eyes, everyone who fears the change signs the death sentence for our country. So, I invite the people to discuss with us. The time when a bunch of old man decided about our fate behind closed doors is over and now, everyone is allowed to participate in the change. I request discussion because technically, everyone in our country is tolerant. Words are the way to a better life, no weapons. So, please, citizens of Amestris: go out on the street, go out and protest against the unfairness in this country … because everyone who drops his banner now, loses. Next Saturday, we want to hear all your voices … because every single voice counts."

Timothy smiled at her. "General, is it true that Major General Mustang considers to change the date of the Veterans Day after his election?" he asked while he frowned a little bit.

She nodded. "Well, I believe that every soldier can understand this idea. Usually, the Veterans Day is in winter und we are all obliged to wear dress uniform. Especially the women aren't so happy because of the short skirts," she said smoothly. "It was my husband's suggestion to change the date to the second of October because of the risk to fall ill afterwards. The new date is really popular with many women in the military. Just before I came to my interview, I spoke with Captain Ross and she agreed that it's a better date for this important day with all the parades…"

"She is doing a great job," Jade said. She was in her office and in front of her sat her personal assistant for the week, Major Edward Elric, who wasn't happy about the current arrangement at all.

"Yes, that's true," he muttered while he started to pace around. "I just wonder that you didn't use the chance to become even more popular, Mustang. And the audience would have loved you once more…"

She raised her eyebrow and smirked. "I wasn't aware that I ever lost the love of the people," she said while she walked over to her window. "Don't forget, Edward: I was already playing in the same league with the big boys when you were still a child. Before I became a state alchemist, I was already famous."

"So, if your life was all fun and great, why are you still here? Your boyfriend just waits for a chance to drag you to Aerugo and to make you his queen," he said. "So … where is your problem, Mustang?"

She sighed in annoyance. "You are my main problem at the moment – besides my broken rips…"

He glared at her. "You are the most evil person in the military, Mustang," he said. "I always thought that your cousin would be the devil but now I know that you are far worse than him. Compared to you, the Major General is a nice boy … and I would rather be his personal assistant than yours!"

Jade grinned. "Well, I am sure that I can arrange something like that," she said smugly, "but that would also mean that you need to babysit his kids and even though they are cute, they can be pretty mean."

She of all people would know since she often kept an eye on the children. She had warned Riza and Roy that Helena and Rachel would probably end up as infamous troublemakers, not unlike Phil and Jade when they were younger and even wilder.

"I would rather be tortured by tiny children than to follow your orders, Mustang," Edward told her.

She chuckled, unimpressed by his words as always. "You know, Edward, no one forced you to stay in the army and you could always get an honourable discharge if it is so terrible for you to stay…"

"If it weren't for the paperwork I would have to do if I would leave, I would be gone long ago," he snapped at her, "but you need to rub it into my face that you have probably already a position in your cousin's cabinet, right? I know that you have probably the brighter future, Mustang, especially since your boyfriend absolutely adores you and would get the stars from the sky for you if necessary … but do you have to remind me of that every single day I work for you? Yes, you are an incredibly lucky girl that will be the queen of Aerugo one day … but it's just depressing for people like me!"

She smirked at him. "Oh, Edward," she said while she patted his shoulder. "I never knew that you want to be the queen of Aerugo. That's so … manly…"

"You are mocking me again, Mustang?" he hissed.

She nodded. "Relax a little bit … I just want to have a little more fun at work…" She smiled before she suddenly collapsed onto the couch in her office. "Crap…" she muttered. "My side…"

Edward sighed deeply. "I'll call Knox, alright?" he asked.

The next Saturday, the hall above the chamber of parliament was full with the group around Roy. Jun Li was pacing around while she tried to calm herself down a little bit. Cai clung to her skirt and after three minutes, she picked him up and hugged him tightly. Laila and Nick were watching their sister while she tried to calculate something. Olivier was eating her fourth bar of chocolate. Riza had the twins on her lap while Roy held her hand. Bendix stood on the window and stared outside with his usually serious face. Jade had her arms crossed and glared at everyone who came too close to her because her injury had weakened her considerably and she hated being weak more than anything else. Her boyfriend stood behind her and Claudio looked lovingly at Jade. Phil and Bea had just come back from their trip to the buffet and carried plates with pudding and cake. Everyone in the room could feel the tension, even Edward and Alphonse who had returned from Xing along with Mei to live in Resembool from now on. All of them were nervous because behind closed doors, people were counting the votes from the election.

Charlotte jumped onto her feet and started to pace around while her face betrayed her worries. The lady wore an emerald skirt, a white blouse and a golden blazer and looked beautiful as usual. She made her way to her son and looked up to him. "Ben…" she muttered.

He looked at her and nodded slightly. They had a close relationship and Bendix had vowed once unconditional obedience to his mother. "It's time for the change," he said calmly while he stroked her extended hand. "Don't worry, mother. Amestris won't go down that easily; I will make sure of it."

"Thank you, son," she said with an elegant bow of her head before she rolled her eyes in annoyance. "I believe that torture isn't allowed since one year or so … so why don't they tell us the result of the election?" she asked while she glared at the door.

The very same second, the door was opened and a man in black suit entered. "Ladies and Gentlemen," he said smoothly, "I am glad to tell you the result of the election."