March 10th, 1963

Over the next week the situation did not improve. The troops sent up to Briggs to forestall the Drachmans were held off with laughable ease, and those foolish enough to make an aborted attempt to retake the Fort were destroyed. If war had not already been declared, it would have been now. What was worse; one day after that defeat, the Drachmans sent men marching south from Briggs towards North City, practically mowing over the remaining troops in the process.

News from inside Briggs was practically non-existent with the Drachmans in control. Still, a few frantic folks hiding in the depths and twisting passageways that made up the underground managed to get messages out. The information coming out was grim. Confirmation of the death of General Olivia Armstrong and most of her higher level officers was the hardest blow. The sheer numbers of Drachmans reportedly coming in was just as devastating. Thousands of men, likely hundreds of thousands, and who knew how many more were lined up in the mountains behind them. It was spring; the passes would only get clearer.

In Central, everything was organized chaos. As soon as units could be organized and ready they were on trains heading north. They had to reach North City before the Drachmans and set up a functional line of defense. A hard, fast and solid counter-movement was their best bet to stall the Drachman invasion and buy them the time they needed to get enough men and alchemists up to the lines to push them back.

That was the theory anyway. Putting it into practice was always a different story. For now, they were still days or weeks from that reality. Still, two units of alchemists had already left Central, with all of the Northern Command's alchemists – those who weren't in Briggs – already there. The other Headquarters were mobilizing as fast as possible. Alchemists were being sent to the forefront – a new priority compared to previous wars - because the Drachmans kept using their alchemists first.

An irony not lost on Edward as he stood in the middle of the outdoor training grounds of Central, watching the alchemists in front of him; most of them the 'new recruits' who had been arriving in decent numbers for a couple of days now. There were several more experienced alchemists out there as well, mostly assisting with the evaluation of the newcomers. As they made it through the fitness tests, and then moved in to demonstrations of alchemy, Ed would determine who was fit to join up and who would do better in a support role – no offer of able-bodied help was going to go denied after all. Those who qualified to become state enlisted alchemists Ed assigned a military rank. Though, unlike regular State Alchemists, there was no guaranteed automatic rank of Major. They wanted all of the alchemists less familiar with military life following orders of the existing State Alchemists. It was safer that way.

"Hey there, Fullmetal. Got room for a few more?"

The familiar voice made Ed turn, and grin at familiar but long absent faces. "Russell!" He recognized the man at once. He was standing with four other people. Another man his age, a bit shorter but quite a bit fatter, with a jovial smile. The three younger ones were obviously Russell's two boys, grown now, and a woman, though Ed had to struggle to remember their names. The young woman, who looked about twenty… was that one of Fletcher's girls?

Ed took a second look at the heavy-set guy grinning at him. "Fletcher?" Ed couldn't help but stare a moment at the man. Russell looked relatively unchanged despite the gradual signs of getting older Ed had almost stopped noticing on his friends. Tall, lean, and while his hair was going white, there was still plenty of it. Ed had seen both Tringham brothers occasionally over the years, but it had been at least fifteen since he'd seen Russell's little brother, who pretty much never left Xenotime. Ed was used to the fact that even Fletcher had gotten taller than he was, but he was a good bit bigger than Ed now. He snickered as he shook his hand. "And I thought little brothers were supposed to be smaller than their big brothers."

Russell snorted. "I thought you'd have given up on that years ago, Ed."

"I can dream," Ed shrugged.

Fletcher laughed. "Well I'm still shorter," he shrugged, unbothered by Ed's observation. "What can I say, Elisa is an amazing cook. It'd be an insult to leave anything on the plate."

"For thirds and fourths," The girl laughed. "Don't even try and weasel out of it, Daddy."

Fletcher kept grinning. "Yeah yeah. I think your mother only let me come hoping I'll drop a few pounds in the military."

"Well I think we can arrange that," Ed smirked back, "If you won't pass out on me."

"I'll manage," Fletcher assured him. "Farming is a pretty good workout."

"Despite evidence to the contrary?" Ed quipped. He looked around at the rest of the group. "So this is Derrick and Felix right?" He looked at Russell's sons. They were in their early twenties if he remembered right.

The two boys grinned as Russell nodded. "You didn't think they'd stay out of the action did you? They're good alchemists."

Ed turned to look at the girl. "I…. I'm sorry," he admitted, "I don't know which one you are." All he knew was that Fletcher and Elisa had a big family; six kids if he remembered correctly! This one was probably the youngest, but he couldn't be sure, and he couldn't place her name.

Fortunately she didn't seem offended. "Lyssa Tringham," she smiled. "I'm the youngest. Mom sent me to keep an eye on Daddy, but I'm an alchemist too."

"Definitely runs in the family," Ed nodded, pleased, and grateful to see two old friends and that alchemy was alive and well in their family as well. Five trained alchemists he knew he could trust.

"So can you use us?" Russell asked with a smug grin.

"I called you didn't I?" Ed admitted then with a laugh. "Hey Perkins," he waved over a Major. "Show this group to the alchemist enlistment office, then put the First Lieutenant here through our break 'em in basic training in the gym," he got behind Fletcher and gave him a shove in Perkins' direction. "Give him a test run for me and make sure he'll survive."

Perkins, "Yes Sir, Fullmetal!" He turned to head off, four of the alchemists following along behind him.

"He'll survive," Russell chuckled, hanging back briefly. "Fletcher's in better shape than he looks. What about me, Ed?"

Ed eyed Russell contemplatively for a moment, letting a skeptical frown cross his features before it broke and he snickered. "I dunno, Major, you think you can be of use?"

Russell's eyes went wide. "Major?" He obviously realized what Ed had just done; given him the same rank as any bonafide State Alchemist. "You mean it?"

"If anyone can boss people around, think on his feet, and get things accomplished, it's you," Ed grinned, clapping Russell on the shoulder with one hand. "One bit of advice; don't try claiming you're me. Right now, the Drachmans want my intestines and head on a pike."

Russell grimaced. "Hey, last time it was all your doing," he reminded him. "I haven't done anything that stupid in decades."

"Good," Ed's grin widened. "Don't start now."

Forty-eight, forty-nine, fifty. With a grunt, Tore set the weights back on their bar and slid forward, sitting up on the bench. He reached for the towel next to him and mopped sweat off his face.

"You'll work yourself into an early grave," a male voice chuckled from behind him. Tore turned in time to see the Whitewater Alchemist – in loose pants and a tank top no different from Tore's own military standard issue – walk into the weight room.

"That's actually what I'm trying to avoid," Tore quipped, hoping it didn't make him sound uneasy about the coming war. Truth was, he was actually eager to get into it with the Drachmans after what happened years back.

Whitewater stopped and grinned down at him, leaning back casually against the wall. "Good plan. It looks like we'll be working together."

So that's what he wanted to talk about. Tore nodded. "We're both assigned to Lyssandra Fines' unit, right Whitewater?"

The older alchemist nodded. "That's what my orders said," he grinned. "I have to say I'm looking forward to it."

"And why's that?" Tore asked curiously. He doubted it was the pleasure of his company.

Whitewater snickered. "Well the Emerald Alchemist's quite the woman as well as a top rate alchemist. She fought in the Xing War and the Aerugo War. She'll be a good commanding officer. Though I admit I'm curious about you," he added with a nod, "Shock Alchemist. Second youngest State Alchemist we've ever had and a student of Fullmetal's to boot."

"Former student, Sir" Tore pointed out. He and Edward had agreed that their relationship as Teacher and student was too much pressure on top of having the Elrics as foster parents a while ago. He had done all his work to make State Alchemist on his own after that.

"All right," Whitewater replied, "But don't call me sir. Whitewater's fine, or Fischer, or Cal. I'm not big on formality outside of official situations." He shrugged and then sat down on the next bench over. As he did so Tore caught an odd flash of metal on the ankle of Whitewater's leg. Tore knew Cal had auto-mail, but it looked different than what Tore would have expected. "Is that cold weather automail?"

Cal grinned and rolled up his pant leg a little, knocking on the casing with one hand and giving Tore a better look at the same time. "Yep, Mrs. Elric attached it yesterday afternoon. Man that woman has soft hands."

Tore smirked. "Is there a woman in the world you won't talk about like that?"

"Hey, it's a compliment," Cal smirked as he stretched out his back, arms behind his head. "I was about to put it through its paces. Want to go for a run with me?"

"Sure." It wasn't like he had anything else to do now. He had plenty of time left for his workout and nothing else to do other than pack. Getting to know someone else in his unit and working out more definitely fit on the schedule. So he joined Cal for a few laps around the track.

By this point in the afternoon the place was pretty packed with State Alchemists and soldiers alike. Tore knew he was in for it though when Cal started asking him questions while running. His endurance was good; not that any State Alchemist wouldn't have it, but Tore hadn't been in nearly that long. He refused to give up though, answering and refusing to pant or lose his breath.

"Do I get to ask you any questions?" Tore asked once Cal already had the basic story – Tore's version – of his mother, his uncle the alchemist who hated the State, and the adventure in Drachma he had been part of that was now being considered the primary motivation behind some very nasty politics.

"When I'm done," Cal laughed briefly as they finished mile two. "I'll spare you the questions about that little trip of yours that had Fullmetal in an uproar a bit back. At least until later. Fine, shoot away."

Time at last to do something other than be interrogated. Tore didn't have to think. "So you were in the Aerugo war, right?"

Fischer's smile flickered just briefly before returning. "Yeah."

"What was it like?"

Cal turned a knowing smirk on him. "Why, nervous?"

"A little," Tore admitted. "Though only an idiot wouldn't be. But I've been in fights before and used alchemy in combat." Okay so only in Drachma, but it was better than nothing.

"Well it was something else," Cal replied, actually getting to Tore's question. "Hard to describe if you haven't been there, but it was pretty intense. Word of advice," he added with a wry smirk, "Don't step on landmines."

Tore swallowed. That was, he remembered now, how Whitewater had lost his leg. "I'll definitely remember that." He fell silent for about a quarter lap, and Cal did the same. "So, why'd you want to talk to me; just to interrogate me," Tore finally asked? It wasn't like Cal couldn't have done this just about any time.

Cal shrugged. "Let's just say I was curious. We've never really talked before even though I know who you are. That and people talk. I hear stories." He glanced sideways at him, making Tore curious and nervous at the same time. "I know folks in the mountains," he added by way of general explanation. "Up the North-West part of Amestris…that's where I'm from."

Aha! So Cal was probably familiar with the areas Tore had been traipsing through. No wonder he was interested in talking. Tore listened a little as Cal mentioned his mother still lived up that way. It was pretty interesting and Tore didn't mind. He had heard about the Whitewater Alchemist, and it was interesting to try and compare reality to the stories.

"Hey, Whitewater, Shock! Get over here a minute."

Tore's head turned sharply the same time Cal's did and he spotted Lyssandra Fines, the Emerald Alchemist, standing over to one side.

Cal grinned. "Looks like our commanding officer wants a word."

The two alchemists veered off the track and joined their Colonel. Tore decided that, despite how much older she was than him, and even a few years older than Cal, he could see that Cal's comments regarding her earlier were not without merit. Lyssandra Fines was a good looking woman. "I don't know what I did to end up with you two," she smirked when they stopped. "I've heard good things about you though from Twilight and Sky Fire," she nodded to Tore.

"What about me?" Cal grinned impishly.

"I know all about you already, Whitewater. Don't go fishing for compliments." Fines shook her head.

"That's what I do," Cal quipped.

Tore groaned at the pun, which earned him a small smile from the Emerald Alchemist. "I hope I live up to what you've heard, ma'am," he replied, deciding now was definitely not the time to try for familiarity.

"Then I'll ignore what I've heard from Fullmetal," she replied.

"What?" Tore stared at her. What was that supposed to mean?

Apparently his expression was clear, because Fines shook her head and grinned at him. 'I'm joking, Closson. Fullmetal had a lot of good things to say about your abilities. I think we'll make a good team all together." It was the three of them, Polasky, and Kieleigh Rennaux, a pretty girl a couple of years older than Tore who had also just passed the exam with him. "I expect Kane had something specific in mind when he put both of you together on a team," she added, eyeing them. "Water and electricity should yield some interesting results."

"Well they get along together better than water and fire," Fischer teased.

"I seem to recall that combination worked to great effect in Aerugo," Fines countered. "Anyway, I wanted to let you know that we'll be having a meeting first thing tomorrow morning. By then I will have our first assignment and we'll discuss the details. Until then, by all means, get back to work."

When she walked away, Tore looked over at Cal. "You're right, she's really something."

"Yep," Cal nodded as he headed back out onto the track. "Too bad she's married."

The only reason there were currently spaces in the standard military barracks, Russell realized, was because soldiers and alchemists were already pouring out of Central at a prodigious rate. That was why he and Fletcher had a room to themselves. Felix and Derrick were a few rooms down, and Lyssa was bunking in with another newly enlisted female alchemist in another part of the complex.

The first day had been grueling, but no more than Russell would have expected. He had learned quickly that Edward hadn't been joking about making Russell a full Major. That was the rank insignia passed out to him with his uniform. There was no State Alchemist's watch to go with it, but Russell hadn't been expecting one. He also knew that they were a symbol and little else. He wasn't as offended as he would have been when he was younger. He knew the responsibility he had just been handled with an equivalent rank. That meant Ed considered him as good as – and reliable as – the State Alchemists he had trained for years. Russell would do his best to live up to that.

After filling out paperwork and being handed uniforms and any other necessary military accoutrements, Russell now understood what Ed had meant when he told Perkins to put them through a break 'em in workout. Russell had been pleased to make it through without collapsing! Even though he and his sons exercised regularly, and sparred, they did not train as extensively as the State Alchemists obviously did. Derrick, Felix, and Lyssa had been pressed hard but proved themselves easily capable.

Russell turned his head as his brother came back into the room after dinner and a much needed shower. Fletcher had survived, if barely, though he kept up a good spirit through-out the entire thing. He blinked. Fletcher had obviously decided to try on his uniform.

Fletcher grinned and flashed Russell a tired salute and a rather silly smile. "How's it look, Major?"

"About as out of place as mine felt earlier," Russell admitted with a chuckle. His head was resting on his hands, which were crossed behind them. "It's a bit small."

Fletcher shrugged and unbuttoned the jacket. "If the rest of this is like today, I don't think that'll be a problem." He stripped back down to his shorts and undershirt and crawled into bed. "I'm beat!"

"Do you still think we're doing the right thing?" Russell asked after he heard his brother settle in and turn off the light.

"Of course I do," Fletcher replied, sounding drowsy. "Ed asked us to come. He wouldn't have if we weren't needed."

"I just hope we're up to the task. He's putting a lot of faith in us." The last time Ed had actually asked Russell to take part in a mission, Russell had ended up playing bait. This was different.

Fletcher chuckled. "Why shouldn't he? You should just be grateful he trusts you so much, Russ. He could have stuck you down at second lieutenant with the kids."

"I'm almost surprised he didn't," Russell admitted, grinning into the darkness. "Felicity told me not to expect much."

"Elisa said the same thing to me," Fletcher admitted. "Though I called her after dinner. She was glad to hear they let us in. She sounded worried though."

Russell nodded. "So did Felicity when I called her a few minutes ago," he replied. That was part of what worried him. Neither he nor Fletcher had been off adventuring much since they had gotten married. Russell's few trips had been relatively uneventful. Fletcher was quite content to be rooted to the farm in Xenotime; working on botanical alchemy and raising a mess of kids.

That was why they were really doing this. Like everyone else, they didn't want to see Amestris demolished by the Drachmans, even if it meant joining the State. Though that was hardly the abandonment of decency it had been when they were boys.

"They'll be all right," Fletcher replied reassuringly, though the last word was broken by a large yawn. "We'll help how we can and when it's done, we'll go back home where it's safe, because we'll have kept it safe."

"You're right," Russell replied. "Good night, Fletcher."

"Good night, Russell."

It wasn't even a minute before Russell heard the even deep breathing that told him his brother was out cold. A blue moon beam spilled across the floor between their two beds, smacking against the far wall and the door to the room. As he drifted off, Russell found himself wishing he had his wife curled up beside him, and they were safe at home, and the Drachmans were up beyond their mountain ranges where they belonged.

The adventure hadn't even started yet, and already he was wishing it was over. Just what, he wondered as he drifted off himself, did that say about him? He wasn't sure. All Russell wanted was to come home alive. He had promised his wife that; her family home safely when it was over. He would do everything he could to hold to that promise.

March 12th, 1963

"We don't ship out for three days," Edward commented as he looked at Winry sorting through her clothes in the bedroom. "Do you have to do all the packing tonight?"

Winry gave him a glance over her shoulder that told Edward it was a woman thing. "Unlike you, who has his entire wardrobe regulated for him by the military, I'm still a civilian and I still need to pack anything I could possibly need for several months, but fit it into a week or two worth of outfits. That takes planning."

Okay, so maybe she had a point. Ed leaned against the doorjamb and smiled. "I get you. At least you know you can leave the dresses behind."

"Oh and here I thought we'd have time for a little ballroom dancing in between battles," Winry laughed as she tucked a neat stack of clean, long-sleeve, collared shirts and sweaters into her suitcase. Even from where he stood, Ed could see she had already packed undergarments, her warmest sleepwear, socks, and pants. There wasn't a skirt or dress in the lot, despite his teasing. Winry would be working auto-mail and probably as a nurse the entire time. Everything looked practical and warm.

"Only on leave," Edward teased back lightly. He watched her, and felt a twinge of regret that, once again, they were packing off on some adventure, and it wasn't something they were likely to enjoy.

"We'll have to make sure you get some of that then." Winry turned and came to him, wrapping her arms around him in a hug he eagerly returned. The feel of her in his arms was one of which he would never grow tired.

"I'll try," Ed promised, squeezing her back tightly. "At least we'll be together." For as long as his unit was assigned near where-ever they decided to put Winry. Once they had a base of operations for that, chances were that the two of them would be separated for weeks at a time. Ed's alchemist unit could be sent anywhere.

"I'll see plenty of Ethan too," Winry smiled. "There's a good chance we'll be somewhere nearby."

"Hopefully far from the front lines," Ed replied softly. "I don't know what I'd do without you, Winry."

"Oh yes you do," Winry kissed his cheek. "But I'm not going anywhere so don't get any ideas. We'll get through this together, just like we always do."

She had a point. Okay, several. Ed knew he would be lost without her in his life, but also that they had made it this far. "Of course we will."

Downstairs, the doorbell rang. "I wonder who that is," Winry commented, curious.

Lia and Ethan were over at Will and Ren's this evening. Tore was out somewhere with friends, enjoying his last few days of freedom. Ed had brought home Xingese take-out so Winry wouldn't have to cook for just two of them. "I'll go see." He let go of her regretfully and headed downstairs.

Daia and Pir were standing at the door wagging their tails eagerly. Someone they knew? Possible; they liked almost everyone who came over. Edward stopped though, stunned, when he opened the door and saw who was standing on his doorstep. "Aldon?"

His middle son grinned sheepishly, a duffle slung over his shoulder. "Hey, Dad."

"Not that I'm not glad to see you, but what are you doing here?" Ed stared at him.

Aldon chuckled. "You didn't think I was going to let the rest of the family run off and have all the fun did you?"

Ed could tell Aldon was being funny to lighten the mood. It was a serious topic, but he got the point. Aldon had also joined up. "I guess not," he sighed, stepping out of the way. "Come on in. Have you eaten?"

"Not in a while," Aldon admitted. "What have you got?"

"Leftover Xingese," Ed grinned as he headed for the kitchen.

"Aldon?" Winry had reached the stairs and obviously recognized her son's voice. She was down the stairs in a flash, hugging him tightly. "It's so good to see you."

"Good to see you too," Aldon hugged her tightly.

"He's coming with us, apparently," Ed commented, cutting to the chase.

Winry looked up at Aldon, startled. "You?"

"I'm not an alchemist, but I couldn't stay home and do nothing," Aldon replied. "I'm an engineer, and an auto-mail mechanic. Every army needs them as much as anything else. So I'm not a fighter. I've got a brain and I'm actually a decent shot with a gun if I have to protect myself."

Winry hugged Aldon again, even tighter. "You're incredible, but what about Cassie and the boys?"

Aldon's smile slipped. "Cassie and I talked it over, or I wouldn't be here. If Drachma wins, we have no home left. Either they'll destroy what's there, or we'll be living in an occupied country; little better than slaves, second class citizens in our own homeland. It'd be like Ishbal all over again; maybe worse. I can't let my sons live in a world like that."

Ed couldn't have agreed more. Much as he might not like it; he could not argue with the facts. All three of his children were going to the war. "Well welcome to the party," he commented with a soft chuckle. He finished pulling the Xingese food back out of the fridge. "Heat up whatever you like."

Aldon smiled back. "Thanks, Dad. Sorry I didn't call first. I hopped the train almost as soon as Cassie and I reached a decision. I also wasn't sure how you'd take it."

"Well it might have been nice to be able to get you a room ready," Ed smirked. "You're lucky the upstairs guest room is available or you'd be parking it on the couch."

"Or at Sara's," Aldon pointed out. "No, upstairs is fine. It's not like we'll be here long right? I report in tomorrow morning and find out my unit. When I called they weren't sure if they'd put me as an auto-mail mechanic, battle engineer, or something of both. I won't be a soldier obviously."

"Thank goodness for that," Winry replied. Ed could see that she too was worried about all of their children going off to war. Franz too; and with Al and Will coming, it was most of the Elric family.

Aldon nodded, then stepped away long enough to set down his bag. "Coran wanted to come with me," he commented as he took the Xingese from Ed and started to spoon some out onto a plate. "Not to the battle, though I think he would if he could have gotten away with it, like Sara," he added with a wry grin. "He wanted to see you both, and everyone else, and he did want to help. I told him the best thing he could do was take care of Cassie and his brothers for me."

"He's growing up fast," Winry commented softly. Ed wondered if she was trying not to get overly emotional.

"Kids in our family do tend to do that," Ed commented. "Has he decided what he wants to do with himself?"

Aldon paused. "Honestly, I'm not sure he knows anymore, but depending on how this turns out, don't be surprised if he finally asks you about learning alchemy." There had been a time they had all been sure Coran would ask Ed about being his student, but he was almost thirteen now and had not done so. Instead he had shown a more steady interest in his father's inventiveness and helping him out in his workshop.

"You don't think he's given up on the idea?"

Aldon shook his head. "He still brings it up from time to time, but he really wants to learn from you, and he doesn't get the chance to spend much time with you. He knows it would mean moving to Central, and he's just not quite ready to leave the entire family behind for months at a time."

At that, Winry giggled. When Ed turned to look at her, she was smiling again. "Well at least there's one young man in this family who doesn't suffer from wanderlust."

March 14th, 1963

"I can't believe you're leaving tomorrow," Charisa sighed as she looked across the dinner table.

Breda felt a twinge of guilt, but really it couldn't be helped. "It came fast," he agreed. Tomorrow the main force of Alchemists as well as the war staff would be getting on a train and heading north. "But there's not anything left to be done about it." He sighed and took another bite of the delicious steak in front of him. Nancy had outdone herself tonight. The food was incredible.

"How long do you think you'll be gone?" Niam asked around a mouthful of pasta.

"No idea," Breda replied. In the past couple of weeks, the Drachmans had walked all over what Amestris had sent as first defense, and was pushing them steadily backwards towards North City. They hoped to form a barrier north of the city and defend it, but people were being evacuated out of the Drachman army's path as fast as they could get out of town. Everyone had been warned to leave if they could, and leave the fighting to the military. "Hopefully we'll be able to stall them and stop them cold."

Then either the Drachmans would hammer at them until they ran out of supplies, or they'd be able to rout the Drachmans and make them retreat. Getting them out of Briggs would be another question all together. That assumed, of course, that the Drachmans didn't attempt to flank the city and move around their defensive line. Breda was convinced they would, but if they didn't make a concerted force in the middle first and just spread out the troops along the line, the Drachmans would walk right through them like they weren't even there. It was a matter of guessing the enemy's moves three, four, maybe ten moves in advance, and finding ways to counter them all. But then, wasn't that supposed to be his specialty?

"Just cause I'm gone doesn't mean things around here don't need doing," he spoke up again, hoping to shift the subject a little. "Niam…"

"You need me to be the man of the house right?" Niam asked, looking proud and perhaps a little smug.

Breda smirked back. "No, I need you to listen to your mother, do your homework, and do your chores without complaining. I know she can handle everything here just fine."

Nancy beamed at him.

He turned to Charisa. His little girl was almost eighteen. In another couple of months she would be done with high school. It was hard to believe, and it made a lump stick in his throat. "Charisa, I want you to know I'm…I'm proud of you. I want you to go to University in the fall, no matter what happens."

Charisa did exactly what he had been expecting; she looked pleased, then startled, and then she objected. "But that's in Creta! How am I supposed to help with the war if I'm all the way in another country?"

That's my girl. Breda smiled. "Because it's rare to get into a program like the law program at the University in Pylos. Amestris is going to need minds like yours when this is over, however it goes. Maybe more if things go badly. I won't let you miss that opportunity."

"Is it an order?" Charisa looked at him with an odd expression.

"Only if it has to be," Breda said with a small smile. "I'll feel better knowing you're somewhere safe too."

"Hey, what about me?" Niam asked, looking offended. Breda could tell he was faking. "You're not worried about me?"

"Nah," Breda grinned, taking another bite. "You've got your Mom to protect you. The Drachmans would be crazy to mess with her." He still planned to do his damndest to make sure the Drachmans never got anywhere near Central. He was the brains behind the whole operation. No pressure, right?

Momentary quiet fell during the rest of dinner as people focused on eating and their own thoughts. Breda knew Nancy was worried. The last time he had been out on a warfront personally had been the Xing War years ago; back when they were engaged. She had worried about him then; fretting over silly little things before he left; the creases in his uniform, and whether he had packed enough socks.

Tonight he knew because she didn't say a single word when he took seconds on the chocolate almond cheesecake drizzled with caramel that she had made for dessert. She didn't scold, or look disapproving; she just watched him.

After dinner they spend more family time in the living room playing a game until Charisa went to take a bath before bed and Niam headed up to his room to finish some homework due the next morning.

Breda put his arm around his wife as they sat on the couch in the quiet; grateful for the time alone. "I'm coming back," he teased gently, giving her shoulders a squeeze. "You don't have to treat me like this is my last meal."

"Well even if it was your last here, you'll have plenty of military rations to look forward to," Nancy replied with a weak smile.

"Honey, I'll survive a thousand meals of lousy military food if it means coming home to your cooking," Breda chuckled. "Last time I went to war you spent the entire week before hand pestering me about everything I ate; like it would make a difference."

Nancy through her arms around him and hugged him tight. "I don't care if you're big as a house. Just come back to me alive."

"Can I get that in writing?" Breda joked, grinning mischievously.

Nancy snorted. "That was not an endorsement of unhealthy habits."

"I know." Breda hugged her back with equal ferocity. "I'm the brains. I'm not going to be on the front lines if I can get away with it, and I'm going to do everything I can to protect everything we've built. Then I'm going to come home again when we're all safe."

Nancy sniffed, and Breda couldn't see her face, but he was sure there were tears in her eyes. "Good. When you do, I'll have the best meal you've ever tasted waiting."

Breda smiled. "I can't wait."