Chapter 5: Making Deals

"I can't answer your questions."

"Then I am to believe that you'd prefer to live the rest of your life without your hearing, or am I mistaken?"

"I can't tell you because I don't know everything that's been happening here."

"Then you can start with what you do know. Come now, I'm not as patient as I may appear, and it's been a while since I've been able to use my…talents."

I grinned at the imposter and I could see the seed of fear plant itself firmly in his eyes. Now I had intimidation on my side and he was the older one, so I would have no issue gaining the information I was after.

"Listen, we're here to make a philosopher's stone by crystalizing the red water. Using the red water, we can forge a weaker version of the stone as it is now. We're researching how to forge a true stone through the use of the red water."

"Okay. Now why is the town so sick?"

"Well…it's uh…"

"Because the red water is polluting the town."

"Is that so? Looks like the little brother is more reliable. I take it then, that the red water is toxic to human beings. What a pity. That must mean that the red water is in direct contact with the natural water springs of the area. Why is that so?"

"I don't know. It just is, but with the stone finished, we can fix that and the people won't be sick anymore."

"Is that so? How many times do you recite that to yourself at night before going to bed?"

"What?"

"As if your intentions were authentically pure. No one who would put an entire city in danger would truly be after the welfare of its people. Stop running me around with your bullshit."

"It's not like that. Our father, uh…"

"Oh so you're here to work with daddy? Maybe finish his work? Was he the one who told Mugear about this alchemic fairy tale?"

"It's not a fairy tale. Our father was working on forging a stone using the red water so he could help restore this town and its gold. We've come to finish his research and get the recognition for him that he deserved."

"Ah, that brings me to my next question. What exactly has been going on with this town's gold?"

"Mugear said that our father's efforts paid off and they were able to restore the town's gold supply, but father left and the supply ran dry again."

"I see. I guess I need to start getting some visuals. If either of you value your lives, you'll forget that I was ever here and that you ever told me these things, got it?"

"Just leave."

I smiled and left through the door that Mugear had left me at. I didn't speak my suspicions aloud, but something told me that their father didn't simply leave Mugear behind, no strings attached. Mugear was far more possessive than that. As I began to move through the mansion, a thought occurred to me. I had heard the philosopher's stone mentioned once before, in Liore. Fullmetal had brought it up when he was confronting Cornello. Curious coincidence.

I decided to have a listen around to see who I could find. As I augmented my hearing, I gathered mainly useless chitchat from guards, but there was an interesting sound which came from far below me. It was rushing water and two people, though their voices weren't clear due to their proximity to the rushing water. I began to shift my focus and search for a hollow space that the sound would echo to the surface from. The entrance would be concealed, but its proximity to the surface would make it obvious to my ears.

The sounds reached a point that was just below a small amount of material. It was a trap door that led down into the cavern below. I pinpointed the trap door's location and found myself outside the door to the lab once more. This was making my day all the more fun, but as I thought it over, I realized the better decision would be to call it a night and investigate when there was no one down there. That would make my life much easier, after all, I'm an honored guest. I headed back to the inn and thanked the innkeeper once again for his hospitality.

I awoke the next morning and started my in-town investigation. I would be able to build a timeline and fill in the gaps based on my own knowledge. The people seemed more than willing to tell me all that they knew since I was helping to bring their precious stone into fruition. The people told me around the same things, but I was directed to a Belsio who could tell me what I wanted to know. I found him on the outskirts of town.

"Hello. I am Vox Zephyr."

"The State Alchemist who came to help the Elrics. I'm Belsio. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"The same. I've been looking around for anything that anyone could tell me regarding your city's circumstances and the way it came to know about the philosopher's stone. Some say you're the man to ask."

"They wouldn't be wrong. Nash Tringham was an old friend of mine who was from Xenotime and came back one day after spending time in Central City researching the red water. Nash told me that he abandoned the project. Mugear pressured Nash into using his research to develop a stone to fix the mine. Nash refused Mugear's proposal, but Mugear continued to pressure him out on my field, until he gave in and began his research. The town prospered from this, but the disease spread and numerous babies died. A strange doctor came through these parts and healed some of our sick. His name was Tim Marcoh. He told us about the toxic red water seeping from the ground and how it was the cause of the illness. I confronted Nash about the red water, and he decided to end it. I never saw him again after that."

"More of the pieces are falling into place now. The timelines are all matching up, but why did those kids come here after all that?"

"What was that?"

"Oh nothing. Mr. Belsio, it would be best if you did not tell anyone that we discussed this, or that you ever saw me. Military stuff, you understand?"

"Sure. Just make sure that you don't do anything foolish now."

"Of course not sir. Have a good day and thank you for your help."

"Of course."

Belsio was more helpful and forthcoming than I would have imagined, but his help was invaluable and now I knew most of what was happening. One piece was still unclear, why pollute the water supply with the red water? The whole point was to create a stone and rejuvenate the gold, but what did that have to do with the water supply? It had to be something that Tringham discovered in his research and it was a part of the process. Either way, I had to see the cavern and figure out exactly what was happening.

I returned to the mansion, but covertly this time. I hoped that no one would be in the lab long enough for me to slip into the trap door, and as fate would have it, I found the fakes in the library. I then crept into the lab and located the entrance to the trap door. When I found it, I opened it and a strange odor wafted up from below. I looked up and saw masks hanging on the wall next to a heavy door and helped myself to one. I didn't know what that smell was, but I knew the red water was toxic, so it was better to be safe than sorry.

I closed the entrance behind me and listened ahead in case anyone was down in the cavern. I registered no sounds save the water and slowly made my way down the stairs and into a hallway that reminded me of a mine shaft. The sound of rushing water became clear as I neared the end of the hall and entered a dimly lit cavern. In the middle was a fountain that was pumping out red water and from there, it flowed along carved channels into the earth. This was the source of the pollution, though as I could see the source of the problem, I had no obligation to make a move.

"Observe and report, right Colonel? I can't touch anything here, only report my findings. At least I don't have to play the morals game this way. I came, I saw, I left."

"Just like that Silent Alchemist?"

I froze. I hadn't noticed anyone approach, but I couldn't mistake the voice.

"You. Why are you here?"

"That's not very polite considering you're the one trespassing."

"Lust was it? Are you going to tell me why you look like Elaine, or what you know about her past now?"

"Can't you accept coincidences? I don't know why I look like your dead mentor. Her past is something I can't tell you either."

"I'm sure that's not due to ignorance, now is it?"

"Probably not. Though that really doesn't matter considering you'll be dying right here and now. You've seen too much and it appears your orders are the very reason for your death, how ironic considering your devotion to them."

"Devotion is a strong word, and as much as I'd love to fight an undying monster, I think I'd like to pass. Tell me, what do you want with a philosopher's stone?"

"Who says I want one?"

"Don't play dumb Lust. There was a fake one in Liore, and now they're trying to make one here and you've been in both places. That's not exactly a coincidence."

"Envy was right, you are an interesting one. Too perceptive for your own good, though he might have been right about your usefulness. You were going to simply leave and take no action?"

"Yep. I have my orders and going out of my way to risk my life for something I don't completely understand doesn't play into my agenda. I have an idea, how about we make a deal?"

"A deal?"

"You want this philosopher's stone, and it seems you're manipulating more than one or two people to get one, so how about we trade? I'll make your precious stone and you tell me what I want to know, and give me whoever can tell me what you don't know. That's the condition. I will learn everything regardless of the source and you will get your rock."

"That's quite a deal. Though you're in no position to bargain in such a way."

"Here I am, willingly giving you what you want, but you still want to throw your weight around, not literally of course. Just go ahead and do what we both know you are going to do."

"What's that Alchemist?"

"Agree."

"Envy really was right. You are very interesting and very useful. Fine, you'll get what you want, but if you back out on this, I'll kill you myself."

"I wouldn't dream of breaking such an impressive contract. As for fulfilling my end, we'll have to talk later. I need to report back about this place, but don't worry, you've never appeared in my official reports. This pet project here, I doubt its ability to perform for you, but you can do as you wish with your puppets. I'll be seeing you again Lust."

I turned and left the…person in the cavern. I now had a method of obtaining my goal, but things were getting far too complicated with all of this philosopher's stone business. I had to watch my step with these things, or I'd over step my boundaries. The lab was still empty and I replaced the mask before exiting through the window. Another mission complete in a handful of days and as I left, I said goodbye to the people I met in the city. They were kind people and I'm sure that the Colonel would do something once he had my report considering how pompous he was in regards to doing the right thing.

The train ride back to East City was filled with my mind running through all that I had done in only two assignments. I made a deal with a being that was not human to make something only legends and fables said existed. I omitted peculiar individuals from official reports and hid various interactions, all within the first month of my appointment to the military. I was racking up quite a laundry list of infractions, but at the same time I was closer to discovering the truth than I would have been going through the official channels. It was all contingent on whether I was more concerned with my position or my goal, and that answer was simply answered.

I reached the city the next day and reported directly to the Colonel's office. Hawkeye answered the door as usual.

"Hello Vox. I didn't think you'd be back so soon."

"Lucky I guess."

"Somehow I doubt that."

I had somehow forgotten how much that smug voice irritated me.

"I'd like to think so sir. Though your beliefs and mine differ."

"Whatever. What did you learn in Xenotime?"

"Well, there were two kids posing as Fullmetal and his brother there. They were working with a business man named Mugear to fabricate a philosopher's stone."

"What did you say? A philosopher's stone?"

The office fell silent.

"Yes. Utilizing research from one Nash Tringham, they've been attempting to fabricate it by use of red water. Though so far unsuccessful, the water is toxic and has been polluting the water supply, causing the epidemic in the city. As for the strange gold supply, Nash apparently had some success years back and the gold returned, however, he had a moral crisis and ended his work. That was when the supply ceased once again."

"Is that so? What did you do about the imposters?"

"Nothing. Nor did I do anything about the source of the red water, which I located below the estate of Mugear, as were my orders."

"I see."

"You did nothing? Those kids are using Ed and Al's identities and that red water stuff is hurting the city. Why didn't you stop it?"

"Those weren't my orders. I was not sent to kill an entire city's hopes and dreams, as misguided as they may be. I was sent to observe and report."

"But that's—"

"Enough. He's done what I've told him to. If what you say is correct, the problem will be handled soon enough. Prepare your report and have it on my desk as soon as possible. You're dismissed."

"Very well sir."

I could feel the eyes on my back as I left the office. I wasn't making friends, but then I wasn't looking to make any in the first place, though avoiding making enemies was probably a better use of my energy. I needed at least neutrality from the military officials otherwise they could get in the way of my plans. I was about to leave the command center when I remembered the barracks. I had been shacking up at inns and using up my money when I could stay at the command center. I went to the barracks and was assigned a room. It was more luxurious than I would have imagined, but it wasn't a five star hotel either.

I got to work on my report immediately and spent most of the night on it. Everything except my conversation with Lust was now on record and after finishing the report, I fell asleep without delay. Dealing with a rough train ride, Mustang, his men, and writing up a report was taxing and gave me the worst headache. That night, flashes of images that seemed familiar filled my mind, but along with each of them was the noise. It accompanied everything before Elaine, but if I wasn't mistaken, it sounded softer than before.

I awoke the next morning with a headache and grudgingly collected my report to deliver to Mustang. I stopped by the mess hall to grab some food before I met with Mustang and saw how lax Eastern Command was. Not much happened out here compared to Central, but that wasn't always true considering Ishval. I pushed the thought from my head as I ate and headed for Mustang's office. I knocked on the door when I reached the office and received a terse response.

"Come in."

I gritted my teeth and cursed my luck at getting the Colonel all alone in the office.

"I have your report Colonel."

"Bring it here."

I placed the report on his desk, but as I turned to leave, I could tell he wasn't finished with me.

"What exactly are you after?"

"What do you mean?"

"You aren't the military type. You have a reason for enlisting as a State Alchemist, as I said before, we all have our own agendas. What's yours?"

"With all due respect sir, what's yours?"

"Very well. I am attempting to change the military from within. I swore a long time ago that I would fix things. What about the Silent Alchemist? What secrets are you keeping?"

"It's not the secrets I'm keeping that concern me Colonel."

"Interesting answer. Looking for something hidden within the military?"

"One could say that. One could say that my goals aren't things to give consent to. They implicate certain people with certain powers within a certain military."

"A truly dangerous errand. I understand your obvious dislike of me, but be aware that I am here to help you in any way I can. Do not forget that Vox."

"I'll try not to sir. Do you have another assignment for me, or am I dismissed?"

"You're dismissed for now. I'll send for you when I have your next assignment."

"Sir."

I turned and left the office, passing Hawkeye on the way out. Her eyes were questioning, but I offered nothing in response and I left and returned to my room. I had things to prepare for and soon, I would need to see her again. What an unfortunate predicament I have landed myself in, but at the same time I couldn't help but feel at peace. I almost felt like I did back in the days I spent with Elaine, almost.

(A/N): There it is. Vox has a more covert role in the grand story, though it will only get far more complex as he ventures into the depths of the philosopher's stone. I hope my character interactions and representations are accurate. As I'm sure you can tell, Vox isn't the nicest person in the world, nor is he very sympathetic or humble, but I assure you that he's not entirely bad. Let me know what you guys think and review. Until next time, see ya!