Yeah, if that didn't take f...... forever.

I managed to get off my lazy ass and decided to update. Can you believe it? I was stuck here, of all places. And I still hate how this chapter turned out...well, not 'hate' but I just wished it came a little more smoothly. But, I got the idea out, no fault in that, but I feel I could have done the delivery better...oh well.

Let's see if you guys are as critical of my work as I am.

Enjoy, there's plot now.

Chapter 12 – Bound

"Are you serious?" Ed said, his back against the wall, as he slid to a sitting position on the floor.

"Sounded serious." Hohenheim stood there, arms folded, as he stared with disbelief at the offending piece of technology. "Apparently they've passed a few new laws, and now the people are revolting, at least some of them are. It's enough to call in outside help, so I'm assuming it's not good." He looked down to see his oldest son with an automail fist pressed into his cheek, his eyes staring up at him from under his brow. Glancing toward the kitchen, he saw Alphonse nervously biting his bottom lip, trying his best not to make eye contact. He huffed.

"Was that all he told you?" Ed positioned himself to stand again.

"Not entirely, he also said that it's localized and not country wide, so the blaze, essentially, is contained. He said that was as much as he could tell me over the phone, we'll be filled in on the rest on the train. But like I said, Colonel Mustang will be showing up here a day before we leave, giving you two Sunday evening to be brought up to speed on what to expect. I imagine what you two don't learn by word of mouth, you'll learn during the campaign."

It was the rough times in their lives that made them appreciate peace ever so much more, but during the times of hardship, hope looked like a candle flickering on some distant plutonium shore. Edward and Alphonse sat as they listened to their superior give as many helpful instructions as he could in the one short evening. The other's who lived in the house were dispersed somewhat, listening in on the conversation, but not participating. "I know this is sudden boys, but it has to get done. Talks of neutrality between our nations is in the clearing, so we can't say no in this situation. Our hands are tied as tightly as theirs." Roy sounded regretful.

Edward recalled the rant he went on when he had gone out one evening. Extending that helping hand looked like it was going to be more than a warm blanket and a 'best wishes' card attached to a fruit basket. "How long do you think we'll be gone for?" He asked, running his fingers along the collar of the military uniform that had been given to him and laid upon his lap, a custom fit no less.

"We haven't been given any exact numbers as of yet, but they're trying their best to aim for only three months. A season-thank you." Roy's attention was taken away from his two young soldiers, and to a platter carried by Aria, three teacups and a few biscuits spread out for them.

"That's not too bad." Aria said, laying the tray down on the coffee table, central to the living room.

"True." Roy said, claiming one of the cups for his own. "What we need to concern ourselves with isn't the time spent, but rather the severity of the outbreak. These people are violent, and are dead set against this law staying in play for too much longer. There are talks among the radicals of 'burning the capital'. Their own capital." He said, sipping the hot drink.

Alphonse shook his head. "Radicals? What law could they possibly have passed to spark this much violence?"

Placing the cup towards the table, Aria slipped a coaster beneath it before contact was made, she then made her way back to the kitchen. "Their government is looking to get the hospitals to reap more of the benefits of their pharmaceutical program by making it illegal to synthesize drugs without being government sanctioned first. For the longest time they were wondering why no one was buying even the simplest painkillers from the pharmacies; the people had a cheaper way to get their medicine. Independent companies, they make the drugs for cheap, and sell them for cheaper than any hospital could. With the unemployment raging, drug coverage is a thing of luxury. So the people became desperate."

Ed threw his hands in the air. "If people could medicate themselves for cheap, why are we sticking our foot in the door?"

"Because they asked." He said, colder than a chunk of iron.

"But-" Alphonse began. "If we take away a cheap alternative for the people, how are they suppose to get medicated? The quality of life degrades without proper health care."

"We're in no position to tell them how to govern their people. Besides, if the hospital system had time to catch up, the price of medicine would drop eventually. Also, this is helping put a stop to all the illegal drugs being pumped out by said 'independent companies'. Amphetamines, opiates and what not." He took hold of his cup and took another drink. "It's not a matter of black and white here Alphonse, it's all shades of gray."

"I suppose." He retracted and grabbed his cup of tea on his way back to a sitting position.

"You suppose?" Ed scoffed. "The government is trying to make a buck, what's hard to understand about that?" He said with disgust.

"Hey." Roy snapped. "You are to keep those comments to yourself during this mission. I don't fully agree with it either, but like I said, it's not our place. We're there to work, not pass judgment."

Edward was shocked, Mustang was actually agreeing with him; deciding it was best, Ed just let it slide. "So we leave tomorrow then..." He messed with the collar yet again on the dark blue uniform.

"Yes." They talked for a while longer, sharing just a few more stories when Roy finally read the clock, it read eleven. He grabbed his coat and glanced around the room. "You have twelve hours left. Use them wisely." He witnessed Winry re-enter the living room and take a seat next to Edward. "Food will be supplied on the train, so you don't need to worry about lunch before you leave." He glanced down to Winry's hand, gingerly taking hold of Ed's left hand, squeezing slightly, then resting again.

"Thank you sir." Hohenheim said, saluting Roy as he left the house. Turning to his children, he heaved yet another sigh. "So. Do you think you can handle this?" He asked, hopeful that Mustang's knowledge lent some peace of mind.

"No." Edward admitted, squeezing Winry's hand in return. "But I guess my hands are tied too."

"We will be arriving at North Briggs station at two o'clock, be sure to have your personal belongings with you when you go." An announcement sounded over the speaker, alerting Edward to an 'awake' like state. He peered down and startled himself a little, he had forgotten that he was forced to change into his military uniform before they arrived and it caught him off guard to see himself in such an attire. He hated wearing that uniform, it reminded him too much of Mustang. He understood why he needed to wear it, it was crucial could be told apart from civilians, and though the rest of the military knew who he was, didn't mean he was equally as well known on this side of the mountain. The base of the Briggs mountains, on the opposite side from where their country was located, so far it was a furthest he had ever been from his home.

"How are you feeling?" Alphonse asked from across the isle, he to had been made to wear a uniform.

"Fine, tired but I'm fine. Remind me to thank Aria again." Aria had given him something to help sleep on the train; it had only little effect due to the anxiety.

"We'll see about getting coffee when we get off the train." Al brushed out a few wrinkles on the legs of his pants. "I'm not looking forward to this, but I am at the same time." Alphonse had accepted the mission and his purpose in the mission, but he was still uneasy about participating. "I want to help, but there's always that worry of being shot at."

Edward too had come to terms about the campaign, he had spoken with many of his fellow alchemists in the nearby seats and how this wasn't their first peacekeeping mission. Very standard, straight forward, but still hazardous.

As more information became available during the train ride, the initial money plot Edward had speculated on was nothing more than inherent paranoia. It wasn't a money ploy by the government, a lot of medicine that was being peddled by the dealers was of low grade, made with exceedingly cheap ingredients. Some was even laced with more addicting properties to ensure the customer's return, or even to get them hooked on other 'harder' drugs. It was sketchy to say the least, so both brothers were determined to do their part to help clean up.

Edward was still worried; Winry was pregnant, and the only thing he was able to do was get shot at by crazed drug fiends. He didn't want to widow Winry before any vows were uttered. He paused in though about the idea of a wedding flowing through his head at such an inopportune time and quickly shook it and any other imagery of people he missed from his mind as he saw the station come into view.

The train pulled up and as it did it bellowed a large amount of white smoke, engulfing the entire platform. Quickly dissipating, it revealed a small troop with an official looking man at it's helm; his white beard, medal laden uniform and a series of vertical scars adorning his face and neck said that this very well may have been the man in charge. If not, he was defiantly high ranking. Grumman could be seen exiting the train from where Ed and Al were seated, immediately he approached the man, and they saluted one another.

"Who do you think he is?" Al questioned as he looked over his older brother's shoulder.

"No clue." He said, eying the man precariously. As the rest of the train filed out, Ed and Al still remained on board, trying to get a ground for whom they were dealing with and to delay the fate that had been bestowed upon them.

"His name is Micado Evans." A female voice said from behind them.

"Sheska?" They turned to face her. "What in the world are you doing here?" Al said in disbelief.

"They need me for research. Brigadier General Evans is only allowing a short time for research due to lack of security, everyone's in town on guard, so very few are left to hold down the fort. They asked me to go along with everyone on the campaign so I could skim the documents for future research. Sometimes my gift can be a curse. Even my mother protested, but we need the extra money. She's getting pretty sick and we need to find a home with one story."

"Seems everyone's hands are tied. Yours, ours, Mustang's, even this whole country...I hope we can make a difference here." Ed stood up and moved into the empty isle. "Come on. Let's go try." With his brother at his side and Sheska not too far behind, they stepped off the train, on onto a battlefield.

There you have it. Hopefully it won't take another year-ish to update again. ;-; If you're reading this, thanks for sticking with this fic, I've been going through a lot of crap, but I think I'm good now...(Crosses fingers)