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Games without Frontiers

Chapter 27: A Ride in the Engine that Could Go

Rating PG

Soundtrack: Bang Bang – Jessie J, A. Grande, N. Minaj

It wasn't until he was half-way to the library that he remembered that there really was something he needed to go over for his re-assessment. He knew he wasn't going to get another chance to display his talents in the manner he had last time. This time it would be an examination and a re-evaluation of his research. He would have to expand on his knowledge of flame alchemy to include new findings. Perhaps Kimblee had been useful after all; he could research how the man was able to imitate – if not entirely – flame alchemy in a damn near perfect manner.

As he entered the library, he took in the smell of old books and ink with a small smile. All who knew him believed him to be addicted to the scent of women's cologne and the taste of a good whiskey. But, the calm peace of the library gave him a sense of comfort that few people knew he could summon. One of them was currently in Northern Headquarters and one ran a bordello.

He raised his head, smiling as he heard the familiar mutterings of the Fullmetal Alchemist, somewhere deep amid the bookshelves. Ed talked while he read, working theories out in his head, arguing with himself and the elusive author about things he did not understand or agree with. If someone not familiar with the workings of alchemical research were to stumble upon the boy all unknowing, they would have thought him crazy. And they probably would have been right.

But... Roy tuned his ear in again. The muttering he heard did belong to Edward, but it didn't quite sound like the babblings associated with study and research. And the curious rustling sound did not seem like the ink scratching that came with the usual note-taking.

And that other voice – Roy stumbled to a halt, only a few feet from where he knew Ed was. It was only after catching a few passages here and there that he realized what he heard...his brain ground to a slow and steady halt.

"...Too young for you?" that was definitely Ed's voice; that stubborn growl was unmistakable.

There was a murmur. The name belonging to the elusive voice was on the tip of Roy's tongue, but he just couldn't place it. It was definitely male, but the range was just under that which he could make out all of the words, which made eavesdropping more imperative.

"I do," Edward was answering.

More murmuring.

"Bullshit." Edward certainly knew nothing about keeping his own voice down. Exciting for Roy, but frustrating when he couldn't properly hear the other person. He stepped between two shelves, placing him only one level of books away from the conversation. He reached in and pulled out a book, so he wouldn't actually look as if he were eavesdropping. Fifty-five Ways to Find the Square Root of X, by Philip Weis. Roy remembered this book from his first assessment and could feel the yawn building in the back of his throat.

"Because I say I can handle it!"

The argument had moved to the hissing stage, words flying too fast and furious for Roy to follow. It wasn't for want of trying, though. He could practically feel his ear getting bigger as he attempted to stretch it around the bookcase without being discovered.

Then, suddenly, he heard the second voice, bright as a summer day. "Were you jealous, Boss?"

He struggled to keep the book from falling to the floor and giving away his position. Jean? Havoc? Jean Havoc? Havoc, Jean, Second Lieutenant in this man's army?"

Ed gasped softly. Roy strained to hear, but all he could make out in Fullmetal's voice was "…gent? H-hell no."

"My ass. How about Celia," he heard Havoc say softly, almost in a whisper. The rest dipped again into unintelligible.

"No. Apparently, you-you were after the dark-haired type."

Roy wanted to climb through the hole made by his book on the shelf.

"Like I said, Ed…." More soft words. Damn them!

Then, he suddenly heard, no doubt: "You cross-eyed, backward facing, ashtray sucking son of a bitch. Fuck you."

Creative, Roy thought.

"If you insist."

The shelf he was standing nearest suddenly rattled and Roy backed against the shelf behind him, mouth agape. How mortifying would it have been to be crushed by a bookshelf in the midst of eavesdropping on an apparently private and unbelievably scandalous conversation?

Then again, what he was hearing didn't sound much like regular conversation anymore.

He heard the telltale slap of a book hitting the floor, and then he knew exactly what that following sounds were. He'd been accused of making such sounds on many occasions... perhaps in this same place... with many a silly little ninny from the secretarial pool.

His brain drained right out his right ear and pooled on the floor as the noise continued. Especially when he caught that throaty, growling moan that was not the voice of a particular Second Lieutenant. Nor was it the voice of an innocent sixteen-year-old boy. Not anymore. He was tempted to pull up a chair and start taking notes.

Then, just when it was getting good, pure silence.

Roy froze, trying hard not to breathe.

"That bastard," he heard Ed say breathlessly, "I can smell that cheap, stale cologne all the way from here."

Roy stared, open-mouthed at the bookshelf. Stale? Cheap? How dare he? At least he knew the proper use of men's hygiene products! Then: wait. What?

Then he heard scuffling fading into the opposite direction and knew that the library theater show was over.

He took a moment or two to catch his breath and think about what he'd heard. He was transported back to the time when he was barely old enough to have a reputation. It was a wonderful time, a time when he discovered that his best friend actually had an active libido hiding behind those wire frames and hot green eyes. Then he discovered that his best friend was quite willing to share his intense desire with a particular young alchemist. Roy was probably not much older than Edward was now. His mouth twisted into a wicked grin. Yes, Roy had been very into the study, research and experimentation of such things back in those young days.

It seemed like his new prodigy was very much into the same things. Well damn.

How he managed to find his way out of the library was beyond him. How he kept a straight face throughout the rest of the day was nothing short of miraculous. He kept himself quiet when Edward huffed back into the office and gave a half-assed impression of his usual self until Roy released him back into the world. He even held his tongue when he saw the dazed look in his eye.

Maybe he could sneak out of the office early today. Because he knew Riza would be asleep way before 2200 hours and he had to call her before then.

Maybe this would get her to come back early. Oh, my Queen, wait until you find out what our Knight has been doing on the field of battle.

He grinned and began singing softly to himself; "Jacqueline and Evelyn, sitting in a tree…"

]o[

It was days later that the office saw the Fullmetal Alchemist again. Riza was happily back and at her desk when the doors opened in the typical Elric fashion and the two brothers barged into the room.

She could feel her ears growing pink as she remembered what Roy had told her when she returned, and she split her gaze between the older Elric and her colleague. One would never know that they were anything more than fellow soldiers assigned to the same commanding officer. Well, maybe not. As Edward passed her on the way to Roy's desk, she saw a small, purpling bruise on one side of his neck that anyone with a set of eyes could identify. She cleared her throat and moved toward Roy's desk with the folders clutched in her hand.

The Colonel looked up from the papers and gave Ed a slow, bland stare.

"To what do I owe this pleasure, Fullmetal?" Roy murmured, placing the folder in his hand calmly on the table and folding his hands on top of it.

"New mission, Colonel," Ed said with no preamble. "I think we need to talk about it in there." He jerked his head toward the door leading to Mustang's private office.

Riza watched Roy exchanging a quick glance with Havoc. The Second Lieutenant kept his expression blank when Ed turned. Then Roy divided a look between Ed and Jean, then looked at her. She saw the minute merriment in his eyes and returned it, hoping Edward didn't detect it. She would hate to have to take Fullmetal into custody for rearranging the Colonel's teeth.

"I hate going in there," Mustang sighed, even as he pushed back from the desk. "Every time I go in there it means even more work. Well, come on, Fullmetal, let's discuss this new mission you just have to go on." Roy held up a hand and gestured for both Hawkeye and Jean to accompany them.

"Wait," Ed stopped. "Why do they have to come?"

Mustang turned and gave Ed a look. "I don't discuss any new missions without their good counsel. That's why they hold the rank that they do."

Riza held tight to her amusement as Ed grumbled and muttered and threw himself down on the couch next to the desk in the private office. Alphonse stood behind the sofa next to his brother, Jean sat next to her on the other house and they both waited.

The Colonel listened quietly as Ed talked about strange new arrays and the serial killer and the internment camp. Riza listened and watched covertly as Jean stared at the ceiling during that whole thing as if he had indeed heard all of this before and still wasn't convinced of the necessity.

Apparently, according to the deductive reasoning of the young alchemists, the pattern that had been tattooed on the serial killer's arm was an obscure array that combined the properties of several types of matrices. It could possibly − perhaps − be something linked to the Philosopher's Stone in some kind of way. Whether in its creation or use was the main question. And, of course, Edward wanted to find Scar and get the answers directly from him.

The Colonel sat quietly and allowed Ed to run entirely out of steam talking and arguing his point. Riza doubted that Ed even noticed the strange occurrence. Not once did the Colonel interrupt him with a smart remark, or an sly question or even a change of expression. Alphonse did notice, though, to judge from the way his glowing gaze moved between the Colonel and Havoc. Havoc only leaned back on the couch and flipped a cigarette into his mouth, waiting. Riza had crossed her arms over her chest and waited as well. Something was brewing, and she had a feeling that Edward was not going to like it.

When Ed was finished and had leaned back himself, arms crossed in almost the same manner as everyone else, the Colonel looked down at the top of his desk for a moment as if collecting his thoughts. Then he looked up − giving Riza a quick look that both Elrics missed − then spoke. "Your theories have merit, Fullmetal, from an alchemy perspective. If this killer knows anything about the Philosopher's Stone – and probably he does, or he wouldn't have inscribed such a mark on his own person − we need to secure him immediately."

"It's dangerous, Colonel," Riza said suddenly, flatly.

"More dangerous than a terrorist train attack?" Ed challenged.

Riza's gave Ed her attention. "This man kills alchemists. Quite easily, from what I understand. That makes him very dangerous."

"She is right," the Colonel said. "As well, there is always danger when dealing with such dynamic concepts as the much-fabled Philosopher's Stone." He threw a look in Havoc's direction. "Advise me, Second Lieutenant," he said quietly. "You were at the internment camp. You did reconnaissance there. Do the dangers outweigh the value of the information that Fullmetal can obtain about this thing?"

Riza split her gaze between Edward and Jean. Jean was ignoring the look of warning Ed was giving him and leaned forward. "Colonel, that whole camp is full of people who would just as likely see any of us dead," he said. "I didn't see many outsiders. And prowling around at night?" Jean shook his head. "Not a good idea. Even the children are ready to kill."

"You've said yourself, Colonel, that the Philosopher's Stone is a fairy tale," Riza reminded him. "Is it worth the risk for Edward and Alphonse to venture into such dangerous territory for something whose authenticity is in question?"

Roy was still looking at Jean while Riza talked, his gaze burrowing so deep under that slick veneer that she was sure Jean would have eyeball burns in the middle of his forehead. He knew exactly why Jean was advising against this mission, and if she could read her Colonel right, he agreed.

Roy suddenly turned his attention to the younger brother. "Alphonse," he said, "what do you think about going on this mission without reinforcements? Because…" and he turned back to Edward, "that is what you're saying, right? You want to go to this internment camp − where you've already been injured once − without any reinforcement."

Ed shrugged with all the bravado of his sixteen years. "I work better when it's just me and Alphonse," he countered. "How many of these missions have you sent us on where we didn't have your so-called reinforcements? This is nothing new; it's a simple fact-finding mission."

The Colonel nodded slowly. "You're correct, of course. However, those were different. Those were scouting missions, so to speak. You weren't dealing with a known serial killer who already has you in his target sights. I ask again, what do you think, Alphonse?"

Alphonse stood straight up and looked at everyone in the room. Then he bowed his head. "Um… well, we have gone on missions like this before, all alone and without help. Liore, for example. That was dangerous. It's probably wiser for us to go alone, because of the way these people feel about the military."

Ed smiled and nodded, looking very pleased with himself.

"However…."

And the smile left Ed's face as quick as that.

"This Scar person is pretty determined to rid the world of alchemists. We don't know why. He might actually have a reason, or he just might be completely insane." Al turned to his brother. "And he has sworn to kill you the next time you cross his path. If he's crazy, that makes him unpredictable. I certainly don't want to deal with a crazy half-alchemist who kills alchemists alone, without someone backing us up." Al shook his head. "I don't know if what he knows is worth the risk."

Ed growled something unintelligible to himself. Riza watched an unspoken conversation fly between the brothers for a few moments, then he watched Al withdraw from the field of battle with a resigned sigh. The younger Elric finally turned to the Colonel and said reluctantly, "We have fought this Scar before. And… I'm confident that Brother and I can handle him."

Jean looked floored by the sudden flip-flop. Riza suspected that he would have bet his entire monthly stipend that Al would have argued on the side of caution.

The Colonel, however, just nodded and looked at the two of them.

"I understand your arguments, of course, Hawkeye, Havoc," he began. "I also understand what Alphonse and Edward are saying. Despite the fact that most people believe it to be a fairy tale, the search for this stone is one of the primary goals of State Alchemists when they are not being utilized in combat situations."

Riza watched as Jean leaned back against the couch, took a drag from his cigarette and watched the smoke from his exhalation. She saw the muscles in his jaw work; she saw the anger glinting in his half-mast eyes.

"As well, you and I have an agreement, Fullmetal, that I would allow you to seek out a solution to your… difficulties whenever you can. "That being said, this is technically not just part of the agreement you and I have."

Ed's eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"I promised to give you free rein on your personal search for the Philosopher's Stone. In any other circumstance, I would do that. But this is the military's concern as well because this man threatens all State Alchemists." He leaned back and tapped his fingers on the top of the desk. "You will go with, but with reinforcements of my choosing. I'll decide who that will be by tomorrow. Until then, you stay put."

Ed's jaw worked, he opened his mouth a couple times like he wanted to argue.

"Got me, Fullmetal?" Roy added, his expression hard and unyielding.

Ed grunted something that sounded like an affirmative, then stood and stalked from the room, muttering to himself. Riza briefly heard the word bastard as Ed moved through the room and wondered if that was directed at Jean or at the Colonel.

Al stood and looked around. "Thanks, Colonel," he said weakly and followed his brother from the room. "I'll do my best to make sure he stays here until tomorrow."

"I know you will, Alphonse," the Colonel said, nodding at the young man.

When the door closed, Riza looked over at Roy. "You actually think that they're going to stay put until you can decide which watchdog to put on them?"

Roy shook his head. "No. But," and he held up his hand when Jean started to speak. "They have no idea what kind of watchdog I intend to send after them. It certainly won't be the one they expect."

"Sir−."

"Jean, don't worry. I got this one." He smiled, then. "It's worth it just to be able to watch the two of you squirm around this."

Jean flushed and fell back against the couch again.

"Hmm," Riza commented. "Like cats and dogs, aren't they?"

"Why me?" Jean grumbled.

"I don't think cats and dog have so much fun. So tell me, Second Lieutenant…" Roy was asking as he unwound a paperclip. "When is the wedding?"

Riza choked.

Jean grimaced. Then it looked as if he had a sudden burst of inspiration and smiled cockily. "Same day as yours, sir. It'll be worth it to watch you scratch your way through those dress blues for an entire day."

Mustang threw the paperclip at him.