Chapter 3: Preparing for War

Winry and Sciezka were caught off guard by how crowded the train station was as they got off the train in Central. "I wonder what's going on…" Winry said worriedly.

"Hey! There's Lieutenant Ross!" Sciezka said, pointing out the uniformed woman.

As they approached her, she noticed them and frowned. "What are you two doing here? You shouldn't have been allowed on the train." She said sternly.

"We're here at the request of General Mustang." Sciezka said shyly.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know." Maria Ross said, blushing slightly.

"Can you tell us what's going on? Civilians were booted off the train a few stops ago and a bunch of soldiers got on. We managed to stay on the train by saying we were requested by General Mustang." Winry asked, frowning. Ross' partner Denny Bloch appeared beside her.

"Unfortunately, we're going to war with the western state."

Winry and Sciezka paled as he told them what was happening.

"Come on, if you were requested by General Mustang, we'll have to hurry. He's in the midst of preparations so he probably won't have much time to see you." Ross said, leading them out of the train station.

"Are you two going?"

"Heck no, we were lucky and were stationed at Headquarters in case the enemy sent a stealth team in to kill the assembly." Bloch said, shaking his head as they entered the filled streets of Central.

Roy yawned in boredom as Riza passed him another stack of papers. "What are these papers for?" Roy moaned. He knew his dislike for paperwork would increase significantly after this war.

Maybe I can hire somebody to do it for me… He thought idly.

"They're from the hospital, sir. The hospital requests your signature so that the soldiers who are sent back to Central can be brought in for care immediately."

Roy sighed as he began signing the papers. "I really wish they didn't have papers for every little thing…"

"Just because you wish they didn't sir, doesn't mean the papers will go away." Riza said sternly before Ross entered.

"What is it, Lieutenant?" Riza asked as she watched Roy to make sure he signed every sheet of paper.

"Sciezka and Winry are here to speak with you, sir."

Roy looked up, secretly grateful for the distraction, and nodded. "Bring them in."

Ross nodded and vanished into the corridor.

Winry and Sciezka entered, bidding goodbye to Ross and Bloch as they went back to their duties.

Roy locked his fingers together and looked at Sciezka from behind them. "Well?" He asked simply, already knowing why she was here.

Sciezka blinked in surprise at him. "I, uh… I've come to accept the job offer, sir." She said after an uncertain glance at Winry, who merely nodded.

"That's great, Sciezka. However, I have another request for you before you start with Investigations… if it's all right with you, of course."

Sciezka nodded. "As long as it doesn't involve going to the war zone, I will do anything."

Roy nodded in understanding. "That's fine. I just need you to be a head counter, of sorts, for the hospital. They requested some personnel for that, but I can't spare anyone."

Sciezka paled slightly at the prospect of having to see all the injured soldiers enter.

"If you don't want to do it, that's fine. I can see if somebody else is available."

Sciezka shook her head fervently. "I'll do it, General."

Roy sighed in relief. "Thank you Sciezka. You're dismissed."

Sciezka shot a quick look at Winry before leaving.

"Winry, I know you came here to support Sciezka, but I have a request for you as well." Roy said grimly.

Winry nodded. "As soon as I heard about the war, I had a feeling you'd ask for my help."

"We'll pay you well for your services, you can be sure of that."

"I wouldn't doubt it, General. Just please promise that all of you will return safely." Winry said, glancing at the empty desks where his subordinates usually sat.

Roy nodded. "I'll do my best, Winry."

Winry waved to Riza before leaving to catch up with Sciezka.

"Please get back to your paper work, sir." Riza said as Roy began staring out the window.

"I know, but the thought of over two hundred State Alchemists going into battle against a state that doesn't bother with Alchemists is a bit troubling…"

Riza frowned. "The last scouting report marked the western army at over three thousand. So far, our soldier count is well below that. The State Alchemists put us on a more even playing field; you should know that better than anyone General."

Roy sighed. "I know, Captain, I know…" He sighed again as she shoved the papers he needed to sign in front of him.

"Let's get back to work, sir."

After a few mutterings under his breath, Roy resumed filling out his paperwork.

After only a few days of preparation, Roy stood before the army that would defend Amestris' border. He winced slightly at how small it seemed when he compared it to the army that Colonel Archer had led to slaughter in Liore. He glanced at Brigadier General Adran who stood beside him.

He was selected by Director Giles to be his second, and Roy instantly disliked him. Roy could tell the man was a mix of Basque Grand and Frank Archer, the two men he hated almost as much as Pride. Right now, Director Giles was speaking, but he didn't care for what the Director was saying.

Finally, the Director turned it over to Roy.

"I have watched our state go through hell under the traitor Bradley's rule. I hated being unable to do anything until it was almost too late, but I'll be damned if I'm going to stand by and let some other state think they can waltz in and take over!"

Cheers of agreement met his opening statement.

"However, I will not allow this state to take the blame for starting another war." Dead silence of shock met his words.

Director Giles glared at him in warning, which he ignored.

"Just because reports have stated that the western army is on the move, it could only be a show of power. Armies had done that before and this could be no different. We will answer that show with one of our own. If they do attack, the blame will fall to the western state, not to us."

Several experienced soldiers nodded in agreement.

"Many civilians still don't trust the military, even with Bradley gone. Let's prove to them that the military is different now, that we will fight to protect our people instead of fighting to destroy them." He noticed the Brigadier General's scowl, which only confirmed his suspicions about the man.

"It's time to move out. Let's show anyone who thinks we'll just roll over and let them take over that they're dead wrong!"

The cheers returned before the soldiers broke up to head for the transport vehicles.

Director Giles and Brigadier General Adran walked up to him as he began making his way to the vehicle he was assigned.

"Bold speech, General, but I don't care for your line of thought." Adran said, frowning.

"I don't believe the 'wait and see' approach is the best way to go, no matter what Director Johnson thinks of you." Director Giles chimed in.

"I was put in charge of this operation by Director Johnson. If you have a problem with my methods, then take it up with him." Roy snapped as he climbed into the vehicle with the rest of his team.

"No sign of Captain Havoc or Lieutenant Colonel Armstrong?" He asked, ignoring the two men who stood outside the vehicle.

"Not yet, General… We believe they'll meet us at the compound, though." Riza said as she looked over her gun.

Roy nodded as he motioned for the driver to take off.

Adran cursed as he jumped into the vehicle just as it took off, following the procession of soldier laden vehicles.

Fuery and Breda sat between Roy and Adran after sensing Roy's irritation of the man.

"I hope we can end this as soon as possible…" He muttered as he stared out the front of the truck.