Fullmetal Alchemist: Solitude
Chapter 8: Blood
Olivier was on her feet in an instant.
"Here," she handed a wide-eyed Edward to Izumi. "Take care of him."
"I can help fight," offered Izumi. "Are you sure you want me to stay?"
"This is a military battle," spoke Olivier. "Not the Promised Day. You're only a civilian here." Izumi nodded.
"I'll protect him with my life," she said.
"Thank you," said Miles. "We'll get this done quickly."
"Alex!" Barked Olivier. "Come with us. We're going to the top to command."
"Yes sir," said Alex. Together he, Olivier, and Miles exited the room, leaving Izumi alone with a fragile Edward.
"Don't worry," she murmured, holding him close. "I'll keep you safe – no matter what."
Anger radiated heavily from Olivier's body. Her fists were clenched and her eyes narrowed to near slits.
"How could they attack us?" She demanded. "After their failed 'Kimblee' attack and the armistice – how?"
"I don't know. It's possible they never saw any value in the armistice and agreed to it for the sole purpose of us letting our guard done," said Miles.
"Well if that's true, then they're in for a surprise: Briggs never lets its guard down."
"It still doesn't add up," said Alex. "There's no reason for them to be doing this." Olivier's hand found its way to the sword and pistol hanging at her waist. Alex was right – it didn't make any sense. From what she knew, Drachma was benefitting from the treaty, and their country had grown more prosperous through the increased trade. Was that it? Had they grown enough that they felt it was possible to overtake their southern neighbor? It couldn't be; there hadn't been enough time. If not that, then…
"You there, soldiers!" Miles stopped a trio of soldiers in mid – sprint.
"Yes sir?" Asked one, a stocky man with black hair.
"Go to communications and get someone to contact Drachma. Figure out what's going on!"
"Right away, sir!" The three sprinted off again.
Suddenly, the fort shook with such ferocity that Olivier fell against the wall.
"Jesus," she mumbled, standing up. "It seems like we were hit by a cannon."
"We have to get to the front now," spoke Miles. "Before this continues." Olivier gazed at her lover for a mere instant. Behind those glasses, she could tell, lay scarlet eyes laced with a combination of anger and determination. She could sense his anger and sense of duty – he had to protect the fort, the country, and now his helpless son on top of that. A smirk spread across her face – she felt the exact same way. They had to defeat the forces of Drachma as quickly as possible, if nothing but for the baby lying vulnerable elsewhere in the fort.
"Let's go," she ordered, sprinting down the hallway, Miles and Alex alongside her.
"General! Major!" Shouted a nameless soldier as they reached the rooftop of Fort Briggs. A series of shouts erupted from others.
"Enough!" Shouted Olivier. Her eyes danced around the battlefield, analyzing the situation. The Drachman forces were attacking head on in a frontal attack. They appeared mid – sized in number, anywhere from around five to eight thousand troops. Her own soldiers were firing guns and cannons incessantly at the intruders, and were taking out a good number of Drachman men.
"Are they really this senseless? " Asked Miles. Alex shook his head.
"You would think," he said, pressing his fists to the ground. "That they would learn from their previous mistakes!" Blue lights appeared as Alex flung two giant slabs of the roof into the mass of the attacking soldiers.
"Don't destroy my fort before they do!" Yelled Olivier. She turned to her fighting troops. "Keep going! Treat them like the traitorous dogs they are!" Shouts of agreement were the response. Olivier turned to Miles.
"This is going to be over too quickly," she said. Miles nodded slowly.
"It's too… obvious," he said.
"I know," she agreed. "But what else could they do?"
"I don't know. This is the only pass through these mountains for miles. An attack from the side would be impossible." Olivier closed her eyes.
There had to be some sort of second attack. This first wave was ridiculous – every one of them would end up dead. Yet they made no move to surrender or did they seem to realize the futility of their situation. The only logical conclusion was that a second attack was the real plan, and this was a mere distraction. Miles was right – an attack from the side was not possible. What about an attack from inside Amestris? No. Absolutely not. They would have to move with enough troops to take the Fort, and that would require a mass amount of troops – too many to go unnoticed. That only left…
"Shit!" Breathed Olivier.
"What is it?" Asked Miles immediately. Olivier whirled around to face the soldiers.
"Half of you stay on the roof! The other half follow me – and arm yourselves!" She shouted. The men nodded in agreement. Olivier began sprinting down a flight of stairs leading into the fort.
"What's going on?" Demanded Miles, grabbing her by the arm. Olivier pushed him away.
"Don't touch me Miles! This is an emergency!" He looked slightly taken aback. Olivier started sprinting again, Miles at her side. No one spoke as Olivier led her troops through the fort. The sounds of boots hitting the floor and weapons clanging echoed throughout the corridors. They moved extremely fast, keeping up with the General as she continued sprinting.
The adrenaline was pulsing through her veins, keeping her going. To tell the truth, she was winded. She hadn't had enough time to regain her previous level of fitness after having Edward. But that didn't matter – nothing mattered now, except that her child and everyone else were in immediate danger. They had to get to the basement as fast as possible – to keep everyone alive.
"The tunnels," spoke Miles at her side. "We should have known."
"It's the only possibility," she managed. "I met with the Führer months ago to discuss this. After the armistice, it was assumed we were at peace, and the issue was dropped."
"We're here," said Miles, the door to the basement in front of them.
"Everyone get ready!" Yelled Olivier. "We've come to the upper level of the basement. Expect Drachman troops to be attacking from the tunnel entrance!"
"Wasn't it sealed?" Someone shouted.
"Yes, but -…" BOOM! An explosion from the other side of the door racked the building, sending everyone in the hallway crashing into the walls. Olivier braced herself for the collision that never came. She turned, realizing Miles stood between her and the concrete.
"A grenade," muttered Miles. "And you're welcome."
"Thanks," she said tersely, standing up. The soldiers recovered quickly.
"Come on!" Ordered Olivier, kicking open the door.
They were met by a shower of bullets; it was all Olivier could do to shield herself from them. She sprinted across the balcony to a stack of crates, and slid behind them. She yanked out the pistol at her side, and held it closely.
"Damn it," hissed Miles, sliding next to her, weapon ready. "This is bad."
"Not to mention there's hardly any cover." She paused. "At least we've managed to trap them here."
"Good thinking on your part," said Miles. "If you hadn't let us down here, they'd be scattered throughout the fort by now." Olivier spun around, facing the attackers below. She aimed quickly and fired three shots. Not a second later, three men fell. She quickly took cover behind the crates as retaliatory bullets whizzed through the space she had previously occupied.
"Your turn," she spoke. Miles nodded, and began shooting. He quickly rejoined her.
"Two."
"Three."
"Nice." Miles poked his head out from behind the crates. "It looks as though we're winning."
"Really?" Asked Olivier, shooting four more. "Four," she added.
"Five," said Miles, a few moments later.
"Half a clip left," said Olivier.
"I'm out," said Miles. He sighed. "We're not armed for a fight!"
"They certainly made use of the element of surprise." Olivier shot again. "Quarter clip."
"Save it," said Miles. Olivier looked up at him.
"Do you think Edward is okay?" She whispered. Bullets flew by her as Miles stared into her eyes. He took off his glasses.
"He's fine; Izumi will brutally slaughter anyone who tries to harm him." He paused. "Don't get me wrong – I'm worried too."
"I'm glad it's not just me." Snap out of it Olivier! A sudden crackling noise came from her pocket. Olivier dropped her gun and pulled out a radio.
"Who is this?" Yelled Olivier over the noise of battle.
"General! This is communications! We've received word from Drachma!"
"Well?" Demanded Olivier.
"Apparently there was a coup d'etat! The traitor general led all of his foces to attack after his plan to seize the government failed!"
"So it isn't actually Drachma," spoke Miles.
"No it isn't – just rebel forces! Drachma gave us permission for a full massacre and they're sending reinforcements as we speak."
"They won't arrive in time," muttered Olivier, too silently for the radio to pick up.
"We'll have to do this ourselves," said Miles. He leaned in closely to Olivier. "Kiss for good luck?" He whispered.
"I don't need a -…" She was cut off as Miles' lips gently caressed her own. Olivier froze temporarily as he backed away.
"General? What is your response?" Olivier kept her eyes on Miles as she brought the radio to her lips.
"Good work communications. The rest of you," she said. "Did you all hear that?" Various "yes sirs" came as an answer.
"Good," she continued. "Then let's -…" BOOM! Something detonated nearby.
Smoke filled her lungs and stung her eyes and cheeks.
Damn smoke bomb, thought Olivier. It must have been a well - made smoke bomb to cover the whole basement like this. Or maybe it was aimed in this direction… She stiffened and forced her eyes open.
Miles had the same realization at the same time, for he stiffened as well.
"Do you think they're trying to take us out?" He asked.
"I don't know – but I can't see anything."
"It'll be fine. My Ishvalan eyes can see better than most."
"Stay sharp," ordered Olivier.
The sounds of battle, of pain, of death, were everywhere. All around weapons were fired; the loud banging ringing incessantly. Men were screaming in pain, crying out as their lives ended. Others were shouting, commanding their fellow soldiers. A grenade exploded somewhere. A faction of Drachman soldiers crumbled in response. Ashes flew into Olivier's eyes. She closed them for a moment, trying to end the painful burning.
"Olivier – on your three!" Shouted Miles' deep voice. Olivier's eyes flew open. Two Drachman soldiers were sprinting through the smoke toward them. Olivier's muscles tensed as she reached for her gun. Her hands searched the floor – it was the same color as the smoke! Shit! Where was it?
She was running out of time. One of the soldiers pulled out a weapon and aimed for her face. Where was the damn gun? Finally, her hand landed on her weapon. But it was too late – she could see that. No matter how fast she could aim and fire, her adversary would beat her to it.
She was going to die.
Still, she had to try.
Olivier grabbed her gun from the ground. She moved it in front of her face…
And suddenly, there was Miles, throwing himself in front of her. There was no time to react. BAM! The Drachman soldier pulled the trigger; the force of his golden bullet sending Miles crashing to the ground.
Olivier didn't even think. She aimed her gun and fired all of her remaining bullets, thoroughly killing the pair of Drachman rebel soldiers.
"Ugh," groaned Miles. Olivier's gaze darted over to him. She gasped in shock. There was Miles, her trusted, loyal subordinate, lover, and the father of her child. He was on the ground, his fists clenched and his face twisted in agony. All she noticed was the blood. It poured out of his abdomen, to her, nonstop.
"Miles!" Shrieked Olivier, her high-pitched, anguished cry reverberating throughout. She collapsed next to him.
"I know you never… ordered me to protect you," he managed, face pained. "But I couldn't… couldn't…" Olivier's eyes watered.
"Miles…"
"Couldn't let the… woman I love… die." He smiled painfully, the light in his eyes fading.
"No Miles! Don't! You can't die!' She screamed. "I love you!" Tears streamed from her azure eyes. "Stop! I order you to live!"
"I'm… sorry…" Miles clasped his hand to Olivier's. "I truly… am." He gazed up at her, before his crimson eyes fell closed.
"NO!" Cried Olivier, collapsing on top of her lover's body.
The blood… it still flowed…