Chapter 2: Trouble Stirs Again

The same year had passed in Amestris. However, much had changed. The cleanup efforts in Liore and Central were near completion thanks to the enlistment of State Alchemists and other Alchemists who had volunteered their services. Ishbal and its people refused the aid of Alchemists, and the assembly honoured its wishes to rebuild using its own people and methods. Amestris appeared to be finally on the road to a full recovery…

Winry sighed as she fixed Den's automail leg. "If it's not crawfish, it's rabbits. Den, what am I going to do with you?" She said, checking the dog's paw mechanism. "All right, you're good to go. Just please stop chasing rabbits down their holes, okay boy?" Winry asked. She received a happy bark and a wagging tail in response before Den ran back to the house.

Sciezka smiled as she walked over to Winry, who sat to enjoy the view of the lake.

"I heard you got a phone call from General Mustang. What was it about?"

Sciezka blinked before blushing slightly. "He asked me to return to Central and take up a job with the Investigations Department again. Apparently they finally got a new person to permanently run the department and they requested my help. He told the department head that I know the department like the back of my hand!" She said, moping over Roy's overconfidence of her skills.

Winry smiled as she put a hand on Sciezka's shoulder. "General Mustang trusts you because Mr. Hughes trusted you. It's a great opportunity, and you can return home to your books. You keep saying how much you miss them. You'll do great, I'm sure you will."

Sciezka smiled. "Thanks Winry, you always seem to know what to say to help me feel better."

"It comes from years of experience dealing with the likes of Ed and Al…" Winry's smile faded as she wondered about how they were doing.

"Winry, can you come with me?" Sciezka asked, hoping to snap Winry out of her thoughts of the brothers.

Winry blinked as she looked at Sciezka. "Of course I will, Sciezka. Let's go pack now."

Sciezka let out a cheer as she and Winry ran back to the house.

A soldier burst into Roy's office, panting in exhaustion.

"What's wrong?" Riza snapped as Roy stood to meet the soldier.

"General Mustang, the assembly needs to speak with you immediately."

"All right, I'll go now. Captain Havoc, look after him." Roy snapped as he walked swiftly out of the room with Riza right behind him.

Havoc saluted Roy's back before letting out a sigh as his arm dropped. "I hope it ain't bad news…" He muttered as he shook his head.

Roy charged down the hall at a fast pace, causing Riza to trot to keep up with him.

"What do you think it could be about, General?" She asked worriedly.

"I don't want to think about it. I have a feeling that the assembly's cover story may have just gained more weight though…" Roy said. His voice and expression were calm, but inside he was just as worried as Riza was.

Their military was still very weak and it couldn't properly handle any attacks from neighbouring states at this time.

Riza froze outside the doors to the assembly's meeting room, knowing he would be all right by himself.

Roy glanced back at her with a quick nod before entering.

The Director of Military Operations silently motioned for Roy to be seated at the end of the table where the other assemblymen sat waiting for him.

Roy sat quietly, noting the expressions of concern and fear on the assemblymen's faces. "What's wrong, sirs?" He asked after it was clear they were not planning on speaking first.

The head of the assembly sighed, looking at the Director of Military Operations who shook his head. "Well General Mustang, since Director Giles won't tell you, I guess it's up to me…"

"Director Johnson? What is going on?" Roy asked. Concern now had wormed its way into his voice. Director Giles usually only refused to speak when it was bad news.

"We've received reports that the state to the west has begun to assemble troops. They plan on launching an assault on us soon."

"What?" Roy yelled in shock, slamming his hands on the table as he stood up. "We've always had good relations with the western state! Bradley never bothered to stir up any trouble with them, so there should be no reason for them to attack us!"

"Sit down, General." Director Giles snapped.

Director Johnson raised a hand to keep Director Giles from saying more. "His reaction is understandable, Giles. After all, he would know what Bradley did and didn't do."

Director Giles nodded in understanding as he resumed his silence.

Roy sat, apologizing for losing his composure. "That's perfectly understandable General. However, we called you here so that you can head the defence effort. You have the most recent combat experience of all the Generals and you can handle your men well. If you accept this, we will make sure to clear all the red tape usually associated with large scale operations. We need to move fast to stop them from getting too far into our state." Director Johnson's tone was grave, but there was a hint of desperation too.

Obviously he didn't want the public to worry that the assembly was heading in the same direction as Fuhrer Bradley had.

Roy knew the Director was right, they had to move fast. "All right, I will lead our forces into battle against the western state. I refuse to see our state crumble just as we're getting back on our feet." He growled.

Director Johnson smiled as he nodded. "That's just what I wanted to hear, General Mustang. You're dismissed to begin preparations."

Roy saluted the assembly before turning to leave.

Riza waited patiently outside the room until Roy walked out of it, setting the same pace as before. "What happened, sir?" She asked. She was worried when she saw the expression on his face.

"We're going to war. The western state has decided to take advantage of our weakened state."

Riza paled. "I can't believe it…"

He nodded. "I couldn't at first, but I intend to defend our borders with all my strength."

She smiled. "I'm coming with you."

Roy looked at her, but he wasn't surprised. "I knew you would say that. I won't bother trying to stop you because I know it would be no good."

"It's about time you learned that, General." She said as they entered his office.

"Second Lieutenant Fuery, Second Lieutenant Falman, I need you to go and track down lists of all soldiers that are available for combat immediately or within the next few days. First Lieutenant Breda, I need you to get a list of all available State Alchemists that can utilize long range transmutations. Captain Havoc, I want you to go to Liore and bring Lieutenant Colonel Armstrong back here."

Havoc and the others looked at him in surprise. "What's wrong, General?" He asked.

"The western state is on the move and they're heading straight for us. We're to meet them at the border and turn them back." They looked at him in shock. "You have your orders, now move!" He snapped, causing them to jump and leave the room quickly.

Once out of the room, Havoc tried to switch tasks with one of the others, but all of them refused, preferring their tasks over having to fetch Armstrong.

"What do you want me to do, sir?" Riza asked as Roy slumped into his chair, scratching Black Hayate's ear as he rested his head on Roy's knee.

"Notify the right people that we'll need those admission tents set up, and get the paperwork ready. I might as well get it started now…" He said. There was a slight sulk in his tone over having to do paperwork.

Riza nodded and left, shutting the office door behind her to deter him from leaving.

"I almost wish Fullmetal was here so I could take my frustrations about this situation on him…" He said to Black Hayate, who licked his hand in response. "Heh, I said almost…" His tone had taken on amusement as he looked out the window to the streets below.