Russell had been dragging his feet on purpose. He didn't want to go back with Kimbley. But he was afraid of what the Crimson Alchemist would do to the boy. He could care less what would happen to Edward's wife. It was as if she didn't exist, almost as if he'd forgotten he was the one who had abducted her in the first place. But the boy... even if he looked like Edward, he no longer cared. Richard was a part of the woman he loved. Perhaps if he slowed them down enough, if Edward had survived and was now following, it would be the perfect distraction to release Richard while everyone was focused on the Fullmetal Alchemist. Maybe he'd even let the other prisoner go to make up for what he did to Fletcher... maybe… but no amount of feet dragging slowed them enough until they arrived at the camp and took a truck to ride back to the underground base.
When they arrived it was late and the base was quiet. The guards recognized them immediately and let them through the gate. The men at the camp must have radioed ahead because Grumman was waiting for them when they pulled up in front of the steel bunker doors and got out of the truck.
"And?" Grumman asked looking straight at Russell. Suddenly his tongue felt too thick to talk; that if he said anything he'd foolishly reveal his true thoughts.
"I collapsed a tunnel on him but I doubt it killed Fullmetal," Kimbley answered for him instead.
"Humph," Grumman grunted. "A damn waste of time and if he's not dead then he'll be on his way for sure."
"Let him come," Kimbley grinned wickedly. "Why hide what we're doing any longer? He'll see eventually."
"I'd prefer the eventually," Grumman said darkly. "The Drachmans will not be happy about this. I think they've taken precautions of his possible arrival," he added under his breath.
Kimbley scowled. "You tell them he's mine," he threatened standing over Grumman trying to intimidate the old man. Anyone else with a good deal of sense would have been shaking in fear but not Grumman, who stood his ground.
"I'm going to check on what progress has been made while we've been gone," Russell grumbled pushing past the other two and making his way to the bunker doors.
"What's his problem?" Grumman asked watching Russell carefully.
"He just realized he's not the alchemist he thought he was," Kimbley said with a smirk as he sauntered up the steps, following Russell into the bunker.
Once in the underground bunker, Russell made his way down further into the bowls of the hill until he came to the Room. It had no ceiling so the work could be observed from above without distracting the alchemists working below. It was here men and women were brought in and placed along specific points of a large transmutation circle. In the middle of the circle was a pedestal. There was no shortage of sacrifices provided by the Drachmans, eager to be rid of the witnesses of their illegal military actions throughout the years.
Two alchemists were working diligently at the moment; alchemists he had recruited through the years that had failed the Amestris State Exam but thought they were far worthier than those who did pass. The disgruntled were always easy to persuade… just as he was he realized feeling disgusted and embarrassed.
He stayed there for several hours just watching. The two alchemists on duty tried to urge him to get some rest but he refused. He settled himself in a corner and continued to watch. Then, without warning, he left the room without a word. He found himself drawn to the prison blocks. He told two guards to beat it. Then he was in front of their cell.
Elysia and Richard had managed to get some sleep. Both had torn bits from the ends of their shirts to stuff into their ears to block out the sounds that echoed constantly. But the cries of agony were only muffled slightly. Elysia was wondering about the painting she had been working on in the park and seeing it devoured by Kimbley in one bite in the haze of half sleep dreams. Suddenly it was brighter than she was used to and she woke, startled, and sat up quickly.
Their cell door was open and someone was standing there, the light from the outside hall beaming brightly over the head and shoulders of whoever it was. She couldn't tell who it was at first, her eyes not yet adjusted to the sudden light that illuminated the silhouette but the person's face was still within the shadow of his body. She looked over at Richard who had his back to the door, sound asleep.
The person stood there for a few seconds and didn't say anything. Elysia's eyes finally adjusted and she could see it was Russell and he was staring at Richard intently. Then he moved into their cell leaving the door wide open. He walked over and kneeled next to Richard. Elysia watched, her eyes darting back and forth between the open door and Richard. Another opportunity stood before her but she couldn't leave Richard and if she were to escape she had no idea where she was or how to get out. She didn't even want to think of the consequences if she were caught.
Russell reached out and shook Richard gently, his hand lingering just a moment before removing it. Richard woke with an irritable grumble and turned over on his back. Seeing Russell staring down at him he quickly pushed himself up and away, his back against the wall.
"Come with me," Russell commanded standing up.
Richard swallowed nervously. "Where are we going?"
"I'm getting you out of here."
"What about, Elysia?"
"No, just you."
Elysia felt her heart stop. Then fear and panic started it up again at full speed. She didn't want to be left alone.
"If I go, she goes too," Richard said defiantly.
Russell closed his eyes and shook his head. "Why must you look like him when you say something like that?" He said through gritted teeth.
"I will always look like him."
Russell's eyes snapped back open. His face was twisted with fury, hate and confusion. Elysia could see Russell begin to shake, like he was fighting with himself about something, and she wished Richard had kept his mouth shut and willed him to cooperate if only to get them both out.
When Russell seemed to have control over himself he said, "Please, tell your mother, I'm sorry," and he turned, leaving the cell and stood waiting by the door.
Richard got up slowly. "Elysia, too?"
Russell didn't say anything. He stood gripping the cell door tight his eyes never leaving Richard. Then finally he said, "I don't care."
Then Elysia stood cautiously, relieved but nervous, thinking that this could be an elaborate trap of some kind. Richard walked over to her and motioned for her to go first. She pressed herself flat against the edge of the opening trying to avoid any contact with Russell and Richard followed.
"This way," Russell said slamming the cell door shut and turned down the hallway with Elysia and Richard following.
Elysia had no idea why he was doing this, why this sudden change in attitude. It was strange for a person who was all to willing to give up his own brother to be so much in love with a woman who hadn't returned his love to overlook the father of her son. Elysia knew a little something about what love could make you do and say but Russell so obviously hated Edward and Richard looked so much like him... it was mind boggling. She wondered if he had grown a conscience within the span of time they had last seen him.
They were led through a network of tunnels that went up what felt like two levels. It was dark with small pools of light from the small light bulbs that were strung along the way, guiding them along to their freedom. Then Russell stopped suddenly and Elysia nearly crashed into him but stopped herself in time.
There, standing in their path, was Kimbley.
Russell was ready to fight Kimbley; anything to get the maniac away from Erika's son. But something wasn't right. His body wasn't responding to him. Then he heard it.
You fool... the low voice rumbled inside him. He felt his chest tighten and everything swam before him. He could feel Greed awakening and ready to take control.
You're useless. You have no backbone. Did you think I'd let you get away with this?
He fought hard but he was still exhausted. Then he realized why Greed had been so quiet; so he would be caught off guard as he plotted. He berated himself. He should have known that his betraying thoughts would not have gone unnoticed. He fell to the ground with an agonizing cry. "No!"
Elysia knew this wasn't good. She tried to back away and bumped into Richard who was rooted to the floor. She nudged him in the gut with her elbow and he finally got the hint and started to inch his way backward and stopped suddenly. Elysia turned around and saw a wall blocking their way. Turning back she saw Russell still on the ground, like he was fighting some internal battle and Kimbley looking at them with a sly grin, his hand against the side of the corridor. She had been so preoccupied trying to move Richard back she hadn't noticed the alchemical energy rush by and the whooshing sound as the wall was created to trap them in place.
Kimbley looked down upon Russell with an approving grin spreading across his face. "It's about time, Greed. Now, hurry up. I'm tired of that fool's belly aching."
Russell fought but it was useless. Greed raged through him; a burning fire of disgust and contempt running through his veins. He went numb. All sense of taste, smell, touch was viciously ripped from him until he was shoved aside to be nothing but a spectator.
Finally, Greed stood and stretched. Elysia could hear the bones in his back and neck cracking. "I don't know how these humans live with such little imaginations."
"Was he pining for that whore?" Kimbley asked with a disgusted smirk.
"I don't understand how he could only want her when he could have so much more. Let's hurry and use these two," he said turning around and grabbing hold of Elysia by the arm, "for my army."
"Excuse me, you're army," Kimbley said not amused as he grabbed hold of Richard. "I don't think so."
"Hey, he may be useless but he put in all the labor to create them," Greed said dragging Elysia along but not back in the direction they had come from where their cell was. "All you contributed was... well, nothing," he added with a satisfied smirk as he passed Kimbley. "It was Envy that told us how to create the stones and to control them."
"Mr. Kimbley, Mr. Tringum," a guard rushed up to the two homunculi out of breath.
"What do you want?" Greed snarled watching a maniacal grin spread across Kimbley's face wondering what he was so thrilled about. But before the guard could answer, Kimbley did so for him.
"He's here."