March 3rd, 1963
Edward did not sleep well. After the dinner discussion of the Drachman attack on Briggs, Lia and Ethan had turned in early; both having long work days coming in the morning. Not wanting to disturb them, Ed had gone upstairs himself, taken a long hot shower, and found Winry waiting for him in bed. It was a blessing that Ed knew he could find comfort in his wife. They had snuggled, talked, and loved until normally he would have been well contented and able to sleep.
Not that night. His head was too full. Well into the wee hours of the morning Ed lay in bed on his back, arms behind his head, staring up in the darkness as a small dimple in the ceiling plaster that always seemed to catch the moonlight.
War. No matter where he went, no matter how long he was there or how long it took; war seemed to creep in everywhere like pestilence. Even if this, like many of the previous, turned out to be a short, brutal little war that ended with Drachma being shoved back over the border – it seemed reasonably likely still, if he thought it out – it was still an unpleasant proposition. War meant more people died; more families were torn apart. It meant that if Rehnquist really did put all of the State Alchemists into action, Ed might be forced to break his promise to Winry. He wasn't sure he could live with that.
Somewhere before dawn Ed finally passed out, but he knew it wasn't long enough before Winry stirred beside him and got up, heading for the bathroom. It was a new day, and the world would continue to move on as always, no matter what lay on the horizon.
Ed dragged himself out of bed and into clothes. Given orders, he made himself get in uniform. It looked better when the Assemblymen started getting snippy about State Alchemists having privileges outside of regular soldiers. Untrue, really, but it was easier just not to antagonize them. You know, there was a time when I would have worn my street clothes on purpose to piss them off.
At the breakfast table, Ethan was munching his way through a bowl of hot cereal. He offered Ed a reassuring smile, even if it was smaller than usual. "It'll be all right, Dad. No one's had the guts to try and invade us in years. Drachma thinks they can do it now? The Northern guys will flatten them."
"I hope so," Ed offered a smile in return as he ladled some hot cereal out of the kitchen pot and added cream and sugar. Two bowls of cereal and a kiss on Winry's cheek later it was time to be off to work.
The Assembly meeting started with news that sent Ed's theory of a short little war crashing down around his ears.
Alan Rehnquist looked even grimmer than he had the day before. "This morning we received two documents I am about to share with you. The first is this," he held up what appeared to be a letter. From the distance at which he sat in the Assembly hall, Ed couldn't tell exactly what it said. "Wired in, it's from the Drachman government."
From the moment Rehnquist began to read the message aloud, Ed felt his blood flow hot and cold at the same time. He could never remember the exact wording afterwards except for specific lines. Beyond that, it was general concepts; Amestris for years supposedly trying to suppress Drachma in culture and economy; reported unfair trade agreements and under the table dealings. It was the last that froze him where he sat. "The final indication of your disregard for our attempts to improve our country was directly instigating our own populace against us to meet your blatant agendas. The actions taken by members of your military were utterly inappropriate and without government sanction; destroying a laboratory facility dedicated to research toward improving the Drachman economy."
The wording was not blatant, but Ed could think of only one incident that met that description. He certainly would have heard of moves by any Amestrian intelligence in that kind of event. Even as his mouth dried up, Ed could feel eyes on him; on Al too he'd bet. Rehnquist was looking his direction with a knowing resignation. Damn it! Ed knew better than to say anything, despite the muttering and eyes in the room. He frowned, but kept his mouth shut.
Rehnquist finished reading the letter quickly. It was for these insults that Drachma had chosen to return the favor, take back what it felt was rightful Drachma's, with a stated goal of destroying and humiliating Amestris' government and taking control of the country. That was rather straight-forward and had plenty of people growling in outrage!
Rehnquist went on, picking up another sheet of paper. "Also wired in this morning from our intelligence in Petrayevka… a news article in their national newspaper; or at least, a translation," he smirked humorlessly. "It's rather lengthy, so I will summarize. It also blames Amestris for Drachma's economic difficulties over the past decades. It declares that yesterday's decisive Victory over Fort Briggs and the death of General Olivia Armstrong is only the first step in Drachma's plan to seize all of the wealth available to them in Amestris. They seem to take delight in detailing the events of our last major diplomatic mission; calling the research of the alchemist who kidnapped three officer's wives a hero of Drachma dedicated to trying to preserve its dignity and way of life by finding ways to improve the Drachman economy."
"Tamirov was a monster!" The room went silent as Alphonse's words rose above the rest. Ed's head spun around with the others, to find Al, standing, hands planted firmly on the table in front of him. Al's face was so enraged he was turning purple. "Where do they get off with this bullshit?"
Rehnquist did not look surprised at Al's reaction, only apologetic. "They make this claim because he is the highest ranking officer in their new crack units of Drachman Alchemists. The article refers to him as General Tamirov who heroically approached then-not-yet Chairman Radikov with a petition for truce and cooperation between the alchemists of Drachma and its government to return Drachma to its former glory. Apparently this was one of Radikov's propositions when they made him Chairman."
"They ousted Akhatova for being radical and then pull this?" Edward couldn't help but blurt out his own angry words at that. Tamirov was a General in charge of Drachman alchemists! It was too absurd to be true, and yet it was.
Breda spoke up before anyone else. "So this is it then. They've admitted straight up that they're invading. Briggs is the first step. That means they'll be pushing south to North City and making a press for Central eventually, given the opportunity. There's no way they don't have far more men up around Briggs than they needed to take it if that's the case. We won't have much time, President Rehnquist, and I don't believe the soldiers garrisoned in North City will be enough to take on whatever's waiting at Briggs."
Once again, the room quieted as the General – and former President himself – spoke. Breda had cut to the heart of the matter, and likely forestalled hours of pointless debate. "General Breda has been placed in charge of all information and actions in regards to this new threat," Rehnquist announced to the room. Apparently this was news to some of the Assemblymen, who blinked or muttered, but no one contracted the statement or tried to argue. "What are your recommendations, Breda?"
He yielded the floor as Breda got up and came to the front of the room. "My staff and I have been considering the possibilities since yesterday," he began as Rehnquist stepped aside for him. "Our best hope is to plan a major defensive maneuver with the assumption that it will be set out of North City as our primary point in our line. The Drachmans have to take it to control the Northern quadrant of the country, and we aren't likely to be able to stop them from marching down that far with the few troops currently available. Combat ready units will be deployed immediately from Central Headquarters within the week, with full contingents from Central, Western, and Eastern within two. Southern Headquarters will send troops only after we determine what more may be needed to stop the Drachman threat and shove them back over the border where they belong."
Hands went up all over the room, signals of a flurry of questions that Breda answered as best he could. Fortunately after all his time dealing with the office of President, he handled the barrage from mostly-familiar faces without looking even remotely bothered.
"What about the alchemists?"
That question gave Breda momentary pause, but only, Ed suspected, because he was choosing his words carefully. "Drachma brought alchemists to this fight first. Amestris has the strongest and most well trained collection of alchemists, and thus alchemically trained soldiers, possibly ever known. What good is drilling alchemists in combat skills for years if they aren't asked to use them when the appropriate time comes?" He forestalled angry rumblings with one hand outstretched. "We proved against Drachma before we could use alchemists and not be monsters. We proved it during the Xing War, we proved it in Aerugo. This time, we're being invaded, and the enemy has us outnumbered by humans trained to be weapons, clearly, and possibly in over-all troops. The State Alchemists are our best hope, and a necessity. This will only be another Ishbal if we let them walk in here and mow us down."
Two rows over, Marcus Kane was nodding grimly. This was it, Ed realized, this was more than just two armies facing off. More than the safety of a country. Of course, that was what mattered most, but Drachma had called into question the honor and integrity of the people, and the program, on which so much of Amestris' stability now rested. The letter blamed Amestris' alchemists for Drachma's recent problems, and their attack was a blatant challenge to their abilities as well as their honor. This was about a way of life.
"How many State Alchemists will you need, General?" Kane asked.
"Every combat-qualified and fit alchemist we have," Breda replied immediately. "We have to squash this immediately, or we're facing what will likely be the longest war we've fought in over two generations. We cannot lose, ladies and gentlemen. If we do, than we lose more than a fight; we lose everything."
The Assembly meeting went on for only another half an hour; short, Ed thought, considering. He was grateful when the members of the military were given leave to go while they moved on to other matters that, while less pressing, were still on the day's agenda. This was war; it was now up to the military to make it happen and make it end.
The rest of the day was immediately filled with more meetings. Edward was utterly unsurprised when Rehnquist called a military meeting to be held within the hour. Kane sent a message down that a State Alchemist's meeting would follow immediately after the Generals' meeting ended.
The Generals' meeting contained two people Edward had not been expecting to see, but was more than happy to see them in the current circumstance! "Never thought I'd see you in here again," he chuckled as he shook hands with the Strong Arm Alchemist; General Alex Armstrong, and then smirked over at Roy, who looked less smug than Ed was expecting.
"I could hardly sit idly by and not come to the defense of our country," Armstrong replied, and there was a stricken look on his face. Ed remembered why with a twinge of guilt that it hadn't even occurred to him; Olivia was – or at least, had been – Alex Armstrong's older sister. "The Drachmans will learn the foolishness of their actions and come to regret them!"
"I'm sure they will." Ed did not doubt that Armstrong was eager to bring the men who had killed his kin to justice. "What about you?"
"What can I say," Roy smirked. "They missed my company."
"I told him if he didn't show up I'd tell Riza where he hides his favorite bottle of Aerugean rum," Breda snickered as he joined them, looking tired but alert. "There's no such thing as retired if you'll be too dead to enjoy it."
"Precisely," Roy nodded.
Within a few minutes everyone settled down in the same seats they had been in the day before, Rehnquist standing at the head of the table. The map of Amestris behind him loomed high above their heads, and Ed found his eyes drawn to the large Drachman splotch along their North and Western border. He wasn't the only one either, he noticed. It seemed ominous.
"You know why you're here," Rehnquist sighed, though his eyes were on Roy. "Our job is to stop this invasion cold and send Drachma running with their tails between their legs as fast as we can manage. How long do you think it will take?" He looked to Breda.
Breda nodded. "Longer than we want it to," he replied gruffly. "The assessment that the Northern troops won't be able to uproot anyone out of Briggs, even recently encroaching Drachmans, seems the most accurate. It's going to take us too long to get enough men up there to do that to hope that the Drachman's won't already have pushed further inland and made a move on North City. My earlier recommendations stand."
Rehnquist nodded, then looked at Ed, then Al, Roy, Marcus…the alchemists. "I'm sorry you had to hear that, but I didn't have time to send warning."
"You know?" Ed turned to look at Roy. Both he and Armstrong nodded grimly.
"We're being blamed, yeah I know," Roy added. "I wish I could say I was surprised, but it's just what I would expect from them. Convenient scapegoats and a cover up that conveniently has no evidence to prove that lab was anything other than what they're claiming. Damned brilliant strategy."
Rehnquist nodded. "They've not only physically attacked our soil; they've attacked Amestris' honor, and the very existence of our Alchemy program and use of alchemists by the State. Decades of work to fix that image with our other international neighbors and our people itself is being put on the line. The fact that the Drachmans dare use alchemists themselves is an affront. They are claiming that their alchemists are doing so only for the good of Drachma and not in any way similar to Amestrian alchemists."
"They don't," Al grumbled. "They're far worse."
Ed knew what, on top of the rest of it, was bothering his brother worse than everything else. "What I want to know is how the hell Tamirov ended up General in charge of Drachman alchemists when the last time we saw him his lab was blowing up around his ears and he was despised by the government."
"They'd like us to think as much," Roy snorted. "But you heard what they said; this whole Drachman alchemists thing was his idea. He and Radikov worked it up together and now Radikov's in charge. All this anti-Amestrian alchemist sentiment works to his benefit. Suddenly it's not that all alchemists are supposedly mystical and evil; it's just us attacking them and suddenly alchemy is a tool to the Drachmans too. Even if they lose the war economy will spur new growth such as Drachma hasn't had in generations."
"When do we leave?" Al asked, looking sharply down the table at Rehnquist and Breda. "Is Tamirov at Briggs?"
Rehnquist looked uncomfortable faced with Al's obvious anger, though not because of any likely fear of Al. "With our intelligence claiming that at least three hundred alchemists took Briggs, I think it likely. Whether they have more, we don't know yet. With the frontier now opened up to invasion, I expect we will find out far sooner than we could ever have wanted."
"How many State Alchemists do we have currently?" Breda looked at Kane.
Marcus sighed. "Seventy-four total at present," he informed them. "Only forty-nine of which are currently in Central. The rest are assigned to the other Headquarters or out on assignment. I've already started trying to call in as many of those as possible for immediate reassignment."
"Good," Breda nodded. "We'll be making full use of the State Alchemists in this engagement. We'll show Drachma just what they're messing with."
Was it just him, or did Breda look as insulted at the Drachman slander against Amestrian alchemists as the alchemists obviously were? He supposed it was possible. Breda had been Roy's tactician for years, then President. It was a slight on the government as much as the alchemists; the two were now inextricably linked.
The meeting lasted for nearly an hour and a half, going over the initial wave plan and timeline. Soldiers would be sent to support the northern troops, and plans would be made to set up base in North City, which had a smaller garrison than the other quadrant cities because Northern Headquarters itself might have been there, but most of the north's power resided – or had until now – within the walls of Briggs itself. There was a lot of shuffling units and deciding who to send immediately and who to send later. There was no assumption in the planning that the war would end quickly. If they were fortunate, they could always turn soldiers around. Better to be prepared than behind.
"Also," Rehnquist's lips quirked in a final wry smile, "Consider next week's inspection postponed indefinitely." Ed had the suspicion that everyone would have preferred the inspection to war-preparation. "I'll expect to hear from you all again with daily reports from here on out. I'll send messages for face to face meetings as necessary. Dismissed."
As they made their way to the doors of the room, Ed felt Breda's hand on his shoulder. "Ed, can I have a minute?"
"Sure," Ed stepped aside.
Breda didn't speak until the room was empty. "Look… we need you, Ed. I know I promised when I let you back in this wouldn't happen again but… I'm asking. It's not an order. Talk to Winry, and tell her I owe her either way for even asking."
It wasn't an order to war, not even close, but Ed could see in his old friend's eyes the concern for what was going to happen to the country they had worked so long to preserve. Ed laid a hand on Breda's shoulder. "I'll do what I can," was all he promised. "I appreciate it, Breda, I really do. I'll let you know when I have a decision."
"Good," Breda nodded, offering a smile that neither of them felt. "I…you should know… my entire staff is going with me to North City."
Which would conspicuously not include Ed if he so chose. Ed knew what that meant too though; his son-in-law would be going. "Good to know. See you tomorrow."
"See you."
As Ed left the room and headed down towards the room Kane used for his own meetings, Ed felt torn. He was of two minds over the entire mess. On one hand; it was a war, the thing he hated most after his experiences in Aerugo; and the one thing he had promised Winry he would never go off to fight again, not unless they both decided it was necessary. On the other hand; this wasn't an invasion; the enemy was clear. His actions in this would be directly to protect the people of Amestris. This was the kind of fight he was meant for… and it was personal. Not only because of Tamirov, but because he, Al, and Roy and their wives were being accused of actions directly against the Drachman government that had never been anything of the sort. But who would believe them?
Ed would not go unless Winry approved. He didn't want to leave her behind again. He didn't want to hurt her. But oh… how badly he felt he needed to be a part of this, somehow!
The State Alchemists' meeting was more intimate in some ways, and also less formal. Edward was unsurprised to find not only himself, Al, Kane, Roy, and Armstrong present, but Sara, Maes, and another dozen alchemists ranked Lieutenant Colonel or higher. It wasn't all of the alchemists, not just yet, but Ed was struck by the reality of the fact that there were not nearly enough State Alchemists to match the forces Drachma was sending in. Powerful or not, not every alchemist was a soldier, and they could be killed by a regular bullet like any other man.
"The primary issue," Kane sighed as he looked around the room, "is that if this turns into an alchemist on alchemist fight, which it probably will, we're horribly outnumbered and we have no idea what the enemy is capable of."
"Destroying the walls of Briggs in record time," Roy quipped sardonically.
"Well there is that," Kane grumbled. "It doesn't seem possible for them to have trained up that many alchemists in four years. Perhaps they actually managed an alliance of existing alchemists despite previous disagreements as well as training new ones. It's possible there's more alchemists in Drachma than we realized, despite their inherent distrust of it as a culture."
"Which seems to have done a drastic turn around," Armstrong commented. "Whatever happens, we need to be certain that our alchemist's actions are above reproach. While we know the truth of what happened in Drachma, and can publish it as much as we like, people may not entirely believe the story."
"Damned politics." Kane sighed and nodded. "You're right of course. But that still doesn't answer the question of what do we do about being dramatically outnumbered." This was, of course, something that had not happened before. How were the Amestrian alchemists supposed to defeat a large force of enemy alchemists? "What do you recommend?" Kane looked straight at Ed.
While he hadn't expected his opinion to be asked first, Ed had already given it a great deal of thought. "We need more alchemists."
"And where do you suggest we get more alchemists in less than a month?"
"Call them," Ed replied, and he couldn't help smirking. "For every alchemist who passes the exam each year, we have at least ten who were talented, skilled, and perfectly capable, but who didn't make that final cut. Besides them, there are plenty of alchemists out there who aren't part of the State and never wanted to join but who won't want to see their homes destroyed either. Now's not the time to be elitist about it." He just hoped they agreed with him on this. "Offer them military rank for as long as they're in; lower than Major maybe, to put them under the trained State Alchemists, but give them a soldier's pay and a chance to do their duty. I think a lot of them would jump at the chance to help instead of watching Drachma come in and take over."
The room was quiet and there were several pairs of wide eyes; but also some small nods. No one disagreed. Kane finally nodded. "You're right, Fullmetal. I'll propose it to Breda." He made a note, then continued. "All right, organization. What Breda and I discussed involves the alchemists being put into autonomous units, not permanently attached to any particular infantry unit. It will gives us the ability to be shuffled around more freely from spot to spot along the front – if it comes to that – and grouped or split up to best effect. I'll want experienced alchemists in positions at the head of each unit of course," he looked up at them. "And I'll be assigning a variety of abilities to each group. Right now, unless there are objections, I'm thinking of five or six alchemists in a unit. We need to be smart. Even if we get a decent amount of reinforcement; they aren't all going to be up to the usual standards of a State Alchemist. So if you've got any other responsibilities you might need to shovel off to someone else before assignments are made, I'd start making plans. While I don't know who's going where yet, there's a good chance every one of us will be out of Central within the month."
The meeting broke up soon after that. Ed was grateful that Kane, like himself, liked to keep meetings short and to the point. They would have plenty of them coming after all. As soon as individual assignments for the moment were given, they were dismissed again.
Ed wasn't any more surprised when Marcus pulled him aside briefly than when Breda had. "Ed, I want you to know that, if you want, I'll make sure you're assigned to stay in Central if possible. You shouldn't have to fight this war."
Ed snorted. "Given I'm one of the guys they're directly blaming; If I don't I look like a guilty coward. I've got to talk to Winry before I do anything, but don't make any assumptions yet, Marcus."
Marcus nodded. "I understand. I had to offer though, you know. Whatever happens…will you be in charge of heading up sorting through which volunteer alchemists we can use and get them organized for me to assign into the main units?"
It was a large responsibility, but one that Ed was actually honored to be offered. Marcus had been under him long enough he obviously trusted Ed's judgment to simply declare who was worthy of becoming a State alchemist, assigning rank, and making unit recommendations. It would also include evaluating them as he had for years. A logical choice. "Thanks," he replied. "Of course I will but, why not Al?"
"Do you think even you could keep him away from the front?" Marcus asked in all seriousness. "We could really use one of you, if not both, on the front, Ed, and after what Tamirov did to Elicia I think if I ordered Al to stay here and teach he'd never go for it."
Ed sighed. "No, I don't." If they tried again, Al wouldn't take it well at all. Tamirov – his wife's tormentor – alive and in a position of honor and power in the enemy military. No, this was obviously not sitting well with him at all. The idea made Ed's stomach turn and he had seen Roy's face; Roy didn't like it either. "I'm sure Al's going to insist on going, and I think he's probably more focused on that than anything else." It was better that Ed handle the incoming alchemists. "I'll spread the word and we'll see what we get. I'll give them two weeks to show up before shipping out."
"Works for me," Marcus nodded, looking relieved. "Thanks. I just can't take that on top of everything else, and I'm going to need Twilight's full-time focus just to keep up with everything the office needs to do. I hope you're right though, that the alchemists we didn't accept will actually show up."
"They're Amestrians, Marcus," Ed replied. "Give them a good offer and tug at their heartstrings, play on their national pride, and they'll show up. They're good people, and I bet any that can come will show. There are plenty of good alchemists in this country who never even wanted to join the state before. Now, they might have a reason."
As he walked out, Ed just hoped that he was right. Otherwise, they were all in a lot of trouble. He would make sure to get the notice written up and sent out this afternoon. Post it in the papers, and make a few phone calls. Then he would go home, and see what Winry had to say on the subject.