Envy wasn't talking. He kept promising he would once they reached their final destination but Russell didn't trust him.
Don't worry, Greed kept reassuring. He can't do much either. Didn't you notice the strain on him when he transformed. He's just as eager to get a hold of a Philosopher's Stone.
'I hope you're right.'
I am...
They finally arrived at their final destination the following day. The prisoners were sedated for the rest of the trip then dumped into in a cell for future use. Envy turned to Russell.
"They will make excellent sacrifices," Envy said with a smirk rubbing his hand along the door that imprisoned Elysia and Richard. Then it turned into an angry glare. "Unfortunately, you've got the Fullmetal Alchemist on our tail along with his brother. We're not exactly equipped to handle two powerful alchemists who know a little too much about us. If they bring along the Xing Emperor… it won't help us any if they happen to stumble upon us by accident early."
Russell scowled over being criticized for a plan he thought was rather ingenious. "They have no idea where we are." He kept to himself the part that he already told Al to pass a message to Edward to meet him at Briggs. He didn't think the Fullmetal Alchemist would figure out they were in Drachma and follow.
Envy shook his head. "Don't underestimate those two. Anyways, first we get ourselves back to our full power and then you will take care of our alchemist problem."
"I've already planned for that..."
"Did you?" Envy questioned getting close, looking Russell in the eye. "Were you going to invite him over for tea and give him a little tour; show off the goods?" He mocked. Russell shut his mouth, embarrassed and Envy smirked with disgust. "I don't want him running around here loose."
"Who are you to come around and try to run things? I've worked my ass off for thirteen years and I'm not going to let you..."
"Since you screwed it up so badly with this revenge scheme someone has to come in and clean up the mess. I have no problem making the runt's life a living hell and Kimbley would prefer to go after him now. All that can wait. We have something here that never had the chance to see its full potential and this time it will. We will not be stopped again. Now, if you really want to get back at Fullmetal you will bring him in incapacitated. He can finally serve his purpose as a sacrifice along with his wife and bastard son. Do you think you can handle that?" Envy asked regarding him carefully.
"Of course I can," Russell said angrily, visibly shaking. He didn't need to be questioned about his ability.
"Good! Let's take care of business first then you can get your fill of revenge," Envy said with a wicked smile as he clapped Russell on the back and led him away.
When they arrived at Briggs, General Armstrong was waiting for them, a solemn look on her normally fierce, ageless face, surrounded by her staff of officers. It was the beginning of summer but high into the mountains the air was cool and the wind whipped her hair around. Al was awestruck how intimidating she still looked. He felt just as he did over twenty years ago when they first came to Briggs. She even looked the same. There were no obvious signs of age about her as she stood tall and straight.
Edward was not willing to waste time with pleasantries as he approached. "Has Russell Tringum made contact yet?"
"No," Armstrong said with a slight shake of her head.
Edward turned back angrily and stared at Al. "You said he would."
"That's what he told me. He said 'Go to Briggs. I'll contact him when I know he's there.' We just arrived. He probably doesn't know we're here yet."
"So I'm supposed to just hang out here and wait. Fuck that!"
"General Elric," Armstrong interrupted. "Briggs will be at your disposal." She was sympathetic - having been informed of the situation when alerted to his arrival several days ago - but she did not look it, knowing he wasn't looking for anyone's pity; just cooperation.
"I want a progress report of your search activities," Edward began, "and I want to see your latest intelligence report; particularly anything having to do with Drachma; any strange activity or movement, unauthorized vehicles crossing the border."
"You think the Drachmans may be involved?" Armstrong asked.
"I was told to come all the way here. I think he's making a run for the border and he thinks we won't chase him into Drachma."
"Makes sense," Olivier agreed. "Follow me, Fullmetal. I'll see to your request personally."
She turned on her heal, leading Edward, Al, Havoc and Lin into the Briggs stronghold.
"You're not a General anymore," Al hissed into his brother's ear. "You resigned, remember?"
"It hasn't been made official yet."
"If you're going to abuse your non-existent power then at least be polite about it."
"I'll do whatever it takes to get Elysia and Richard back," and Edward quickened his pace.
"That's what I'm afraid of," Al said under his breath as he tried to match Edward's strides.
General Armstrong issued orders to several officers as she led her visitors through the cool passages of Briggs. Her staff then parted to carry them out, breaking off ahead or turning down different corridors they passed.
They followed along, Edward's impatience obvious as he charged full steam ahead. Al looked around, not having been inside the fort since the end of the war. It hadn't changed much. It was still the cold, dank place, full of strict officers and stern looking soldiers. The winters were rough and you had to be strong to withstand the bitter cold during the winter; the last snows of which had finally melted only a month ago.
Armstrong took them to her office where all three of her guests situated themselves dropping into chairs. Though they had been stuck on a train then a car for several days, the chance to stretch their legs was a blessing. But the brisk walk through the massive fort was enough that they needed to catch their breaths, even for ones who were in great shape since they weren't used to the thin mountain air and the chill. Edward however remained standing.
"I'll have updates for today's activities for you in a few minutes," Armstrong said. "But as for yesterday and the last few days there was nothing to report. We've had no leads and no suspicious activities or persons."
"How many men do you have combing the mountain range?"
"I have a battalion to the east and another to the west of Briggs. There are squads covering all the known passages through the mountains that cross the border."
"All?" Edward questioned. "Even those vehicles are not able to pass?"
Al could see Armstrong fuming. She knew her job and knew how to do it well. She didn't like to be questioned but she maintained her temper out of respect for Edward's situation. Armstrong was interrupted from answering by a knock at the door.
"Come in," she barked.
Brigadier General Myles stepped in. The half-Ishbalan didn't hesitate as he entered and approached Edward. "You'll want to see this, General," he said with a sense of urgency as he handed a report to Edward who snatched it quickly and began reading.
"What does it say?" Al asked nervously. Who knew what bad news it held?
"Two border guards admitted to taking a bribe to allow a certain truck to pass without searching it," Edward clenched the paper tight and turned on Armstrong. "So much for your tight control on things, General..."
"Edward," Al warned.
"Did you take a cut too?!"
Armstrong slammed her hands on the desk and stood up, breathing hard, her temper threatening to self destruct. She was a patient woman but not when it came to being insulted.
"General," Al said intervening as he stood up and crossed the room to where his brother stood facing off with Armstrong. "Please excuse him, he hasn't been himself lately. His wife and son have been abducted by someone we suspect is a homunculus."
Armstrong looked at Al. He was always a calming force not just upon his brother. She gave a curt nod and sat back down. Al pried the report from Edward's hand and read it for himself. He sighed when he finished.
"Did you even read the whole thing?" Edward didn't respond. "It says a truck loaded with boxed artwork and furniture was stopped along the border seeking passage into Drachma. An elderly gentleman said he was moving to Drachma to retire and gave them a hefty tip if they didn't slow him down and allow him to pass without inspecting everything in the truck. He was accompanied by a man in his mid-thirties, blond, blue eyes along with two other men, both muscular and tall with dark hair and eyes. The guards didn't suspect anything, recognizing him immediately."
"What name did he give?" Havoc questioned curiously.
"General Grumman," Al said quietly.
"What?!" Edward exclaimed rounding on Al and taking the report back, reading through it again.
"That can't be possible," Armstrong said. It was hard to surprise the woman but this news clearly startled her. "General Grumman has always been loyal; he's been Mustang's..."
"Advisor," Edward spat, then his anger changed to horror. "That bastard was there."
"Where?" Al asked.
"When I told Mustang about Elysia and Richard; he was there and he said he hoped I'd find my wife and son... that lying piece of shit! When I get a hold of his old ass I'm going to shove those stupid glasses of his down his throat! No wonder the bastard questioned me when I accused Russell of the abductions."
"Calm down," Al said exasperated. "Maybe he didn't approve of Russell's tactics…"
"What does that matter? He's still working with him!"
"Losing your temper is not going to get Elysia and Richard back any sooner."
"I will once I go into Drachma..."
Protests erupted from everyone at once.
"You can't just waltz into Drachma like you own the place," Armstrong said.
"That's probably what Russell wants you to do," Al argued.
"You do know one of the conditions of their surrender was that you never step foot into their country," Havoc pointed out.
"Even if you resigned, you're still seen as a member of the armed military, Drachma would see it as a threat..." Lin contributed.
"I really don't give a fuck what any of you have to say," Edward said stubbornly, "or how the Drachmans see it."
"Fullmetal," Armstrong interjected all business. "We'll contact the Drachman government..."
"Do you really think the Drachman's are going to help me?" Edward asked. "They had a price on my head during the war," Al looked sharply at his brother, "I don't think they've forgotten."
"Part of their surrender included their full cooperation when Amestris calls upon them. I will contact Mustang..."
"Sure, get the Fuhrer to help," Edward scoffed. "As if he hasn't done enough already."
"Mustang will contact the Prime Minister of Drachma," Armstrong continued, "and I will contact the nearest customs office and border patrol stations..."
"Sure, go ahead, get their permission. But it won't matter since I'll already be in Drachma."
"Excuse us, everyone," Al said and grabbed hold of Edward by the arm and dragged him out of Armstrong's office, slamming the door behind him.
"Will you for once think before you go rushing ahead into something?" Al exclaimed not caring whether they would be overheard, though leaving the office was his feeble attempt not to be.
"Not when it concerns my wife and son."
"And you're all to willing to go on by yourself without thinking of other alternatives that could work just as well and maybe be a lot safer for you, Elysia and Richard."
"So what are you saying, Al? That I'll put them in danger again… like I already have."
"No, Edward," Al said frustrated. "That's not what I," he stopped himself. He'd be lying if he finished that sentence. He took a deep breath before he continued. "I told you this is not your fault." He said instead.
"Isn't it?" Edward said looking at his brother skeptically. "If Elysia weren't married to me do you think Russell would have gone after her? If I hadn't come between Erika and that ass, then perhaps he never would have turned into the backstabbing bastard he is now. Everyone I'm involved with gets hurt somehow."
"That's not true!"
"You of all people should know better."
Al stared at his brother fuming, too angry and shocked for words. He couldn't believe his brother still held onto that. There was just no getting through to him. He wondered if reaching over and choking some sense into his brother would even work. Likely it would only relieve his stress temporarily and Edward would continue being a stubborn mule, though a little more pissed off then he was before.
Edward began to walk away.
"Where are you going?" Al asked.
"I need a cigarette. Don't worry, I don't plan on drinking. I doubt the Ice Queen allows booze anywhere near her precious castle."
"That's not what I'm worried about."
Edward stopped and sighed. "I won't leave Briggs."
"Thank you," Al said a little relieved.