I'm sorry I haven't updated ; But here's one more chapter, hope you like it!
"Unwanted visitors"
The Colonel tapped his fingers at the frame of the window of the train. His onyx eyes were lost in the blurry landscape behind the glass, drowned in his owns thoughts. He could hear the quiet chattering of his crew at his side, but he wasn't in the mood to talk about something trivial. However, the man felt a pair of eyes fixed on him since the train started moving, but he was reluctant to meet Riza's gaze.
Roy noticed that they were near their destination; the train coach was becoming colder and colder and the landscape covered with grass was now decorated with white snow. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat and decided to turn his head to Riza; she was in front of him of course.
She stared at him silently, but then the woman drew a warm smile, "Take it easy, Colonel"
The man sighed and nodded trying to smile her back, but he only managed to purse his lips, "Yeah". He tightened his jacket when he felt the North cold and glanced around. All the military personnel were feeling the cold too apparently.
"So, Sir", Havoc began snapping him out of his thoughts, "Armstrong's big sister is as beautiful as I have heard?"
Mustang smirked and closed his eyes, "I'm sure she's more beautiful than that"
The Lieutenant smiled satisfied by the answer, but Breda chuckled, "Don't get too excited, she's out of your league probably"
The blond glared at him, but Roy snorted, "She would slice you in two pieces if you dare to talk to her anyway"
Everyone stared at him in shock, but then he looked back to the window and remained quiet, but he couldn't hold back a smirk when he remembered how Olivia Armstrong almost killed him with her amazing eyes when he asked her out; the first two times.
He noticed two men walking through the corridor as they were looking for something. They both had the insignia of what he recognized belonged to the Security Guards of the Train Line, but their presence there was odd. It wasn't like the Military needed protection. Roy smiled mischievously; of course they weren't Security Guards, he was almost one hundred percent sure that they were looking for something specific, someone specific. But that someone wasn't there.
Riza smiled catching his attention and he nodded; it was like she could read his mind. Soon enough, the train began slowing down and he noticed the station half mile forward. From there, they would have to get in trucks to reach the Fort of Briggs.
"I hate cold", Breda complained as he put on his hood to protect his head from the wind, "I hate snow"
Fuery, in the other hand, drew a huge smile, "I love snow"
"Come on, guys, the truck won't wait for us forever", Riza suddenly commanded.
Everyone nodded and got in the vehicle – Breda quite happy that it was warm inside – and waited for one more hour until they could see the fort a mile away. Roy sighed getting more anxious every minute as he saw the Fort closer and closer. Finally, they got inside and got out of the trucks keeping their formations, but the Colonel signed his crew to follow him and so they did.
Roy smirked when he saw a stunning blond woman in front of him with a less than friendly smile on her face and her arms crossed with her own crew behind her and her brother at her side.
"Greetings, Major General, Sir", he said saluting her and then lowering his hand.
The woman just nodded, but then her face shifted into a dangerous grimace, "I don't get why the Fuhrer wanted you all to come, but since now you're here, the same rules apply to everyone"
Roy smiled, "Of course, we will have to earn our food and supplies"
"You remember, Colonel, I'm glad", the woman said smiling him back, "Follow my subordinates, they will show you where you can get settle down"
They did as told, the Colonel included; they had a lot to do before he could go back and talk to her. He smiled amused when he saw the guards of the train following them discretely, this was the confirmation to his suspicions.
"The Colonel was right, she's amazingly beautiful", Havoc muttered quite excited.
"Calm down, Havoc, the Colonel also said she would kill you if you dare to talk to her", Falman pointed out quietly which made Breda and Fuery chuckle.
The Lieutenant just rolled his eyes, "You'll see"
All the personnel became busy with the installations since there weren't enough dorms for everyone and they didn't know how long they would have to stay in that place. Roy ran a hand through his hair and glanced around.
"Take care of this, Hawkeye, I'll be back"
The woman flinched at the sudden order, but she saluted and nodded, "Of course, sir"
Mustang walked with his hands on his pockets until he found a hallway. Some men saluted him in his way and she smiled when he saw Olivia looking the newcomers in a balcony with her brother at her side.
"Shouldn't you be helping your men down there?", the woman asked before he could say anything.
The man smiled, "I'm sure they can handle it"
Olivia finally glanced at him, her arms still folded, "Of course"
Mustang's eyes looked up to Alex, "It's good to see you again, Major"
"The same", the man said nodding.
The woman turned around, her blond hair following her move gracefully, "Follow me"
Roy nodded and reached her to walk at her side, "I can see you're not thrilled by our visit"
Olivia threw him a look, but she smiled, "Not really since we have everything under control here", she said dropping her arms, "I don't understand why the Fuhrer wants to end this dispute so fast"
"Neither do I, Major General", he assured with his usual charming smile, "We just followed orders"
The woman smiled and both walked in silence through the huge hallway. Roy admired the hard work of her subordinates since there were a lot to do in that place if they wanted to live comfortable in such a cold place.
"Do you happen to know where I could get a cup of coffee?", the man asked her casually still looking around.
"You know coffee here is pretty expensive, Colonel", she answered crossing her arms, "My advice is to forget about it"
Roy lifted a brow, "You know I can't do that"
The Major General smiled again and stopped in front of a door. The man opened it and was surprised when he noticed they were in the woman's bedroom – the fancy decoration couldn't lie. He glanced at her, but she only nodded and the man hurried inside.
Sitting on the bed, there was a kid with a book in his hands. He was very wrapped up in clothes with a wool hat hiding most of his golden locks. The boy looked up at the man and dropped the book as he straightened up from the bed and hurried to approach him.
"Hey there", Roy greeting him falling on his knees and placing a hand on the kid's head, "How was the trip?"
"Armstrong-San spent most of the trip with his bare chest, but other than that it was fine", the kid assured with a funny smile, "How was yours?"
"Pretty uneventfully actually", Roy said standing on his feet, "I'm glad you could make it here without problems"
Edward nodded, "My name here is Alfons Heiderich, a relative from Olivia and Alex-San's mother", he said with a grin.
"Alfons?", Roy repeated with a brow cocked and a smirk, "Where have I heard that name before?"
The blonde shrugged, "I'm not creative with names, no harm intended"
"Anyway, I have to go back to the camp. Be a good kid or Olivia will get mad"
"I know", the boy assured with frightened eyes, "She's kind of scary. She threatened me with cutting my hair if I gave her problems"
Roy sweat dropped and patted the kid's head in empathy, "I'm sorry"
"Yeah…"
"I'll see you later then, continue your reading"
The man waved his hand and Ed did the same as he watched the man walk away from the room. Olivia threw him a look before she closed the door which gave him goose bumps, but he did as told and jumped on the bed to grab the book.
Roy sighed in relief and followed the Major General, a relaxed smile on his face, "Thank you for all this"
"You and Alex wouldn't have stopped bothering me if I didn't", she muttered folding her arms.
"Certainly we wouldn't"
"I still want to know what's the big deal with that boy is", she suddenly said shooting him a glare, "And it better be something good"
"Of course", he assured her with a chuckle. "First we need to talk about the situation here"
……………..
Edward yawned and glanced at the clock in the wall; it read 5:46. He dropped the book and stood by the window where he could see Roy and his men finishing setting up the camp. "Finally", he whispered as he closed the book and grabbed a hat to hide his hair. This was when the door opened and Olivia showed up with her usual gaze.
"Come with me"
The blond hurried to leave the room and the woman closed the door behind as she began to walk through the hallway followed by the kid. He glanced around adjusting his jacket since the Major General's bedroom was warmed that the rest of the place. They walked for almost 10 minutes in silence, Ed hurrying his step every now and then since he was afraid a piece of ice will fall onto his head. Finally, the woman opened a door and Edward got in when he saw Roy inside and stopped in front of the smiling man.
"About time", the kid groaned rolling his eyes.
The man smiled and glanced at Olivia, who only nodded and closed the door to leave the two alone. He took a seat and Ed did the same. "Everyone's treating you well?", the raven-haired began.
Ed nodded, "Yes. They know who I am, but it's awesome how loyal to Miss Armstrong they are"
"One of the most known qualities of Olivia's army", Roy assured him. "Now, we'll stick to the plan. Bradley's pawns are still around here"
The blonde narrowed his eyes, "Do I still have to sleep in that big room?"
Roy chuckled, "Olivia's that scary?". He saw how the kid threw him a look, "Alright, alright, we'll figure out that tonight"
Edward sighed and stroked a golden lock out of his face, "What'll happen if the Fuhrer's men don't buy the lie?"
Onyx eyes twitched and stared at those golden orbits for a few seconds before he could draw a smirk, "One step at the time, OK? For now, let's something before the Major General decides how we will earn our food"
The boy chuckled and both headed to the door, Edward fixing his had to hide most of his blonde hair.
"You should change the color of your eyes", Roy joked when he closed the door, "The Armstrong's family are all blue-eyed"
He twitched, "I could change my hair, but I'm not in hell touching my eyes",
"Take it easy, I was messing with you"
The blonde rolled his eyes and followed him, his arms crossed. "Whatever"
Both headed to what appeared to be some sort of meeting hall where Edward heard Olivia and Roy talking to each other while the entire crew listened attentive. He was sitting at the very back just listening while he read a book, taking a look to his surroundings every now and then. However, he couldn't help but smile behind the book hearing how Olivia always argued every order the Colonel commanded. It was quite funny to see him so .
An hour later, Roy approached him with a brow cocked and scratching his head, "I think I lost the count of how many times he humiliated me"
The blonde chuckled and watched how the man took a seat at his side, "So, what's the plan?"
"You'll stay here", he said without looking at him at the eyes, lost in his thoughts, "The drach men are just a mile away"
Ed just nodded resigned, "I see"
"We'll go to the battlefield in a half an hour; I hope we'll be back before the sun dies". He noticed how the boy stared a t him as he was looking for something in his face, "What?"
The kid flinched slightly, "It…You…Is it going to be bad?"
The raven-haired man blinked a few times before answering, "Come on, I'd told you several times that you shouldn't be worry about me, but for you"
Edward snorted and glanced back at his book. Mustang looked at him for a brief moment, but he decided to go without a word. He was sure the kid was mad, but he wasn't sure why and he didn't have time to try to get into his head. The boy closed the book and watched how the personnel became ready to go to the battlefield quietly, feeling a hole in his stomach. Why was he so scared? Was it because Roy would put his life in danger? Was it because he would leave him alone? He wasn't sure, but he couldn't help being mad.
When the tropes were ready to leave, he jumped from his seat and watched Roy approaching him as he adjusted his jacket. He hugged the book and frowned slightly.
"Well, we're going now. Take care, OK?", the man muttered patting the kid's head.
"Yeah, yeah. You do the same and come back in one piece"
Roy chuckled, "I promise. Be good"
The blonde's frown deepened as the Colonel turned around and joined his crew to shout some commands. Seconds later, they had disappeared through the door. He growled and headed to the door, but when he opened it, the boy almost jumped when he saw Olivia's right hand, Major Miles, was there arms crossed looking at the window. Ed debated whether to keep walking or say something, but the Major saved him from choosing an option.
"The Major General is with them, you shouldn't be worried", he said glancing at the blonde, "Besides, the Fuhrer overreacted with the entire situation. We had everything under control"
Edward stared at the window for a brief moment before he looked up at him, "That's what Roy-San said"
Miles smiled, "That's why I'm here, then"
"What?", Ed asked interested.
"The Major General asked me to stay here to keep an eye on you. She wouldn't do that if she didn't suspect something"
"What could possibly happen here? Someone would have to be crazy enough to dare to defy Olivia-San"
The man couldn't hold back a wide smile at the comment and turned around, "Come on, the doctor told me to take to down to check you automail"
Ed merely nodded and followed Miles hugging the book in his arms apprehensively; he was slightly cold. Both went downstairs quietly until the laboratory where a woman with a band on her head was already waiting for Edward, so the kid approached her and sat down as he began to take out his coat unwillingly.
"Do you want some hot chocolate?", the woman asked him kindly.
However, the blonde narrowed his eyes, "Are you going to charge me for that?"
"Of course not", she said pouring the chocolate, "I'm going to charge Colonel Mustang of course"
The boy almost chuckled, but he just smiled wickedly and grabbed the chocolate mug. He watched how Miles stood there at the door in silence with his eyes closed – or maybe not, he couldn't see through the sunglasses – as the woman proceeded to open the automail. He sighed and focused on drinking the chocolate, shifting his gaze to Miles once in a while. Was he human? He didn't move a finger for almost 40 minutes!
When the doctor secured de automail, he moved it to check that everything was in his place and apparently it was, "Thanks"
"I don't think the Colonel will be that grateful, but you're welcome", the woman said almost between laughs.
Edward jumped from his seat and approached Miles who had already moved – finally – to wait for him, "Where am I supposed to go now?"
"To the dining room", the man said opening the door, "Let's go"
He did as told and both headed to the cafeteria of the place, but that only meant a long, froze hall. His coat was tick enough, but still he could feel the cold; however, he wouldn't dare to say something since anyone else complained like ever. However, halfway where the place was empty, Miles stopped abruptly and he looked at him confused, but he noticed a man in front of them. A man with a hood and his hands on his coat, but he couldn't see his face.
"Who the hell are you?", Miles suddenly requested taking one step ahead the kid.
The man just raised a hand, his voice deeply disturbing, "Give me the child"
Edward suddenly flinched, his eyes widening. That voice…he knew that voice somewhere, but he couldn't remember where. However, it gave him gossegumps.
"How did you get in here?!", the Major shouted again holding a hand protectively in front of the boy.
The intruder remained silent, his face emotionless. In that moment, some women and men appeared behind him, all then with hoods hiding their faces, with one exception. One of the men had a hat and a coat and a creepy smile on his face.
"Major Kimbley, what are you doing here? You were supposed to be with the battalion", Miles almost growled.
The Crimson Alchemist's smile widened, "I changed my plans. I decided to throw a party around here with my mates". Miles body shifted suddenly and stood protectively in front of Edward who stared at the man in front of the group. "I wouldn't do that if you want to live, you know?"
"Back off, Kimbley", Miles warned him with a hand over his gun.
The Major almost laughed, "Are you treating me? Come on, be serious and give us the child"
"What the hell are you talking about?", Miles growled clutching his hand around the gun, ready to use it if needed.
"This is the last time I'm telling you", Kimbley said, his voice suddenly deeper and more threatening.
However, the blonde wasn't looking at him, but to one of the men with the hoods. When he noticed the boy's eyes staring at him, the intruder smiled; that was all Ed needed to recognize him. "Tucker", he whispered and then glanced at Kimbley, "…Are you…a member of the Alchemist Union?"
The Major's eyes widened when the Crimson Alchemst laughed hysterically. How could he in the Military being a member of the Alchemist Union? A State Alchemist?! Miles then grabbed the gun and aimed it at the man who seemed to be the leader. However, Kimbley took a step ahead.
"Well, you asked for it"
As Kimbley ran towards Miles, Edward reacted in time to grab him from the arm and pulled him with all his strength, "Run for it! Don't face him!"
Miles twitched and glanced at the scared boy, but since he didn't know what the Crimson Alchemist was capable of, he decided to do as told. He grabbed the boy and ran as fast as he could hearing the laugh of the man behind him.
…………….