A/N: 'Morning, so, new chapter :) I hope you will enjoy it, and thank you very much for reading and sticking with me! Don't forget to leave a review, follow and favourite, it really helps.
Without further ado, on with the story...
Chapter 19 – Nothing here to conquer
It was a morning like any other for Jean Havoc. He started his day strolling through the central park, nonchalantly smoking his first cigarette of the day, accompanied by a cup of coffee in one hand, leaning on his hardwood cane with the other, more for the comfort and aspect than the practicality of having a cane for support. The caffeine ran strong through his veins, however, not as strong as usual, as he had only drank two coffees up until that hour, and his watch, a rather pricey one for your next-door convenience shop owner, mind you, showed it wasn't even six in the morning. Until a more human hour to be awake, he would drink some more, he decided. It was a habit he had picked up during his long campaigns, where the only thing that was a little more drinkable than the muddy water was the equally muddy chicory, which, despite its supposed taste similar to coffee's, didn't taste anything like it.
They all tasted like mud.
He took a seat on one of the sideway benches, savouring the thick smoke he inhaled. The taste tickled his senses, mixing with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee that filled the air. It was a life worth living, and he was damn well going to enjoy it. It was the beginning of a good day after a long night of little sleep.
He smiled and looked around, noticing a silhouette laid on the grass, next to a tree. He crooked his brow, trying to comprehend why there was someone right there at that hour, probably asleep. "I can't believe it... what's going on with this city? Though the boss said that homeless were supposed to be hidden somewhere else until they were relocated..."
He threw the cigarette on the walkway and stepped on it, crushing the bud. Frowning, he leaned forward and raised his cane, pushing the sleeping form with its tip. The man stirred awake and, with blinking eyes, he mumbled "What the hell..."
"Edward?" Jean gasped, looking confused.
"Ha... Havoc?! Wha... what the hell are you doing here?"
"Chief... I should be the one asking why you are here... did, umm... did something happen?"
"Hm? No, I'm... what am I doing here?" Edward asked and rose to his feet, trying to make the best of his surroundings.
"Shouldn't I ask you this, chief?" Jean made, brows arching high on his forehead. "Are you alright, Ed? Something's up? Are you okay? Hurt anywhere, ma-" he added, palming Edward to the sides to see if he had any injures.
"Hey! Stop that! I'm not hurt! Just... ah, shit" Elric cursed under his breath. "Okay, what hour is it?"
"Five forty-nine"
"In the evening?" Ed said with concern in his voice. Maybe the sun set a little earlier than usual.
"Morning, obviously"
"Fuck!" the younger man cursed and rose to his feet with a startle.
"Whoa, easy there, kid! Come with me, let's talk somewhere more private, shall we? Come"
Ed looked at Jean a little sceptically, but followed him nonetheless. They walked to Havoc's shop, and went down into the cellar. The basement was dark and smelled of gunpowder. When the lights were lit, the alchemist's jaw dropped dramatically.
"Are you planning to start a war?"
Jean looked at the weaponry filled walls, big guns shining in the electric light. "Ask your boss, these are a mere part of his provisions. Mine are in the next rooms, some of my finest arms. Wanna see?" he asked as he took out his lighter for the cigarette in his mouth. That until Ed stopped him.
"For the love of anything you want, don't smoke next to all this gun powder!"
"Right back at you, chief" Havoc said disinterested, putting the cigarette back into its package. Perhaps it was better not to smoke there, not that he minded it. Nothing exploded yet, so why should it blow up now?
"Want a drink?" he asked, putting the cigarette packet back in his pocket.
Ed shook his head. "No, thank you"
"As you wish. I'll drink what remained of my coffee. Just tell me if you want anything, you'd be surprised of what you can find here" Havoc said and took a sip of his now cold coffee. He put it on a small table next to the wall, and slowly seated on one of the chairs, his knees slightly shaky under him.
"Hah, still a bit hard of feet. At least I can walk, right? The last mission took its toll on my poor legs" Jean commented and raised his sky-blue eyes to Ed. "Why don't you take a seat, Edward? There's nothing to bite you here"
"Um? Oh, thanks" the alchemist replied and seated in front of the former officer, who brightly smiled at him. He let his eyes wonder to the man's feet, which were slowly building up the muscle they lost after the accident, but still looking rather thin. "Hey, Fullmetal, don't tell me you are feeling bad for me?"
"Me? No, not at all"
"But?"
"I'm just happy you got your mobility back, that's all. I didn't know you had it that bad, even now. I never saw you that cane, ever. I guess it's hard to walk around with it, but I'm not one to talk when it comes to that, really."
"Two crooked men, hm? Yeah, I'm okay, I'm almost completely recovered. It was a great effort to start walking again after being immobilised for so long, but I think you can relate. And last winter wasn't that nice for them dandies, the doc almost shot me dead for straining them like that. Anyway, I'm sure ya don't want to talk about feet, do ya now?"
"No, not really"
"Then tell me, what were you doing in the park, sleeping like a beggar? Problems at home? Next time, just call me, I always have a bed to spare for friends in need"
"You know, I'm not in a position where I have to report to you" Ed avoided the question with his eyes lowered to the floor. Not that he had an answer to that, he didn't know either why he preferred to sleep in a park rather than at home.
Havoc snorted. "Might have worked if you were my superior, lad, but you ain't. I'm not in the military anymore. I'm your ally, Ed, please don't throw me away, we're friends, right? As long as you will share the boss' interests, I will try to be of any help to you"
"I thought we were friends" Ed made, looking in Jean's eyes.
"We are, but I have my boss to serve. I'm loyal to the General first and foremost. Sorry"
"No need to be. About that, I really need some insides on a matter, Lieu-" the younger man gulped, remembering the other was no longer in service. "Sorry, Havoc. Could you help me with something?"
"Name it"
"Can you tell me anything about this man that just came? General Crendell, I mean. It seems he is quite the bother to Roy, and I can't find anything on him"
"You wouldn't be the first who can't find anything on him. I heard he is in the city for the exercise, but who knows. He has been a part of the secret services for decades. I'm telling you, it will end badly, in a way or another. Hope it won't be too major, maybe it's just me worrying. Though I highly doubt it" Jean said, rubbing his chin.
"What do you mean?"
"He's here for a reason, and I'm still searching for it, me and the team. I can't tell you much about him, but one thing I ask of you – stay close to the General. Very close. We can't be next to him all the time, we wouldn't be able to do what we have to do, his specific orders. That's why you were in the park, you argued with him and you wanted to clean your mind, right?"
"How do you-"
"Know?" Havoc leaned forward to take a better look at Ed's golden orbs. "My friend, I know you. We all do, the team back at the office and me. You are one of us now, and you are closer to the source than anyone, I think you are starting to understand how we operate. You have to trust us, and please, don't let the General get into trouble, yes? Argue all you want, but stay with him. He needs you more than you think, believe me"
"What trouble are we talking about?" Edward asked and fixed his eyes somewhere in the distance, unfocused. Havoc leaned back on the backrest.
"Lots of it. There has been placed a price on his head, and the attacks to his persona have become more violent than ever. I have my sources, if you don't believe me. They will most likely try to assassinate the General one of these days, the threats have become really straight forward"
Edward made a face. He didn't know any of that. "Hm? Who?"
"Whoever draws the gun out first"
XXXXX
The previous night, in one of Havoc's warehouses
Roy entered the deposit with curiosity. After waiting for a few hours for Edward to show up home, Havoc called him to come to one of his family's many warehouses, a place that was used for anything but depositing goods, saying he had something for him. He wondered what that could be, but he had a hunch that he wouldn't like it one bit.
"'Evening, boss" Havoc greeted, conjured by a cloud of smoke. "My guest and I have been waiting, right, little rascal? We have"
Jean poked at a heavily tied up man with blood on his once creamy white shirt. The man raised his blood-shot eyes to Roy, and started speaking. "H-aay, Gen'wal Mashtang" he struggled to say, some blood dripping from his mouth. He formed a grimace that was supposed to look like a smile, showing two teeth missing and one broken in half. "Came thu thee wha' ya dog did hewe, ya did?"
Havoc grabbed his cane and smacked it across the man's stomach, making him twitch. "What did we talk about this, old champ? Want fewer teeth or something?"
Roy crossed his arms and tapped the floor with the tip of his shoe. He looked at the blood on the floor with little interest, as it was a common image for him. He kind of got sick of it, he has been beating mercenaries and other interested parties at an alarming pace for the past months or so. Lucky him that the Fuhrer gave his permission to beat anyone he didn't like with no consequences whatsoever. He was starting to think that the old man liked to hear his stories of how he hid the corpses or how mutilated they were. What a sick mind.
"What's with this one, Havoc?" he asked.
"The usual. This one and his friends, if you wanna meet them, you can find them in the back, though they won't be of any help, sorry to say that, were nicely talking in their little private place about you" Jean said, inhaling smoke from his cigarette.
"And?"
"Seems we had hired goons among the ranks" Roy looked closer at the bloodied face, moving it to the side. "I will cut you the chase, boss. He worked at the phones, Miss Carol and Fuery noticed someone messing with the lines. They were right, he was their leader of sorts. But I can't get out of him who hired them, him and his friends. He's a rather tough guy, this one"
"Where did you say his friends are?"
"Let's say they are in the back, Sir"
"And he didn't say anything?"
"I told him we will continue when you came, I like keeping my word. We just talked up until now" Havoc replied, playing with the cane and slowly moving it closer to the prisoner's ear, touching his cheek from time to time with the side. The man shivered, and said with bite in his voice "Ya won't geth anything" he muttered. He could sense the danger in Roy's eyes, but he wanted to look like he could outstand them. Maybe he thought he would become lucky if he showed some nerve.
"And what did they want to do?" Roy continued.
Jean turned his eyes to his former commander. "It seems his part was to intercept your calls. Miss Carol, as I was saying, caught him toying with the lines, and placing recorders on those which were connected to your office. Fuery is already working on securing all your lines and clearing them. As much as I could gather, your house was in the process of being bugged as well by his friends, this time. Miss Carol sent her guys from communications to verify. Oh, and they also planned on messing with the high old man too" he added, referring to Grumman.
"Aha, communications this time? Wonderful. What will be next, I wonder? Messing with the pipes in my bathroom? That'd be absolutely horrid. Such cruel acts of war"
"Don't give ideas to the scoundrels" Jean joked, getting closer to the beaten man's head with the end of the cane.
"Hah, funny. But I don't see why we are wasting time here"
"Just wanted to show you our newly gained friends, that is all. The Fuhrer will want a detailed report, I guess. Anyway, I suspect the one who gave them the job is only an intermediate, so we don't have much need of this one. I will clean up as soon as you leave" Havoc said as he crushed the finished cigarette. Smiling at the beaten man, he asked "And where would you like to sleep tonight? Pick up a lake, you will meet your friends, them fishes, in no time"
At that, the prisoner tried to move his arms, but the rope that restrained them by the armrest held him down. "I cwan tell ya! I cwan!"
"Can you?" Roy asked. He wanted to laugh, where did people find such incompetent mercenaries? "Then tell" he said in a voice one would use when reasoning with a petulant child.
"We were contactweed bah a Shingeese, he wath intewested in your cawls. We awe hiwed helps, if ya know what I mean"
"Definitely" Roy replied with a blank face. He was getting sick of this. "But you have no name?"
"Know whewe ta find 'im!"
"Not interested" Mustang said. "Anything else? Havoc, that was what you called me for?" he added, fishing for his gloves, more for the show than the usage. He no longer needed transmutation circles after he had seen the Truth.
Jean shrugged, lighting another cigarette. "Boss, you know what the old man said – burn, not else, and I don't have enough gas in my lighter. Orders are orders, sorry. You've asked me to act accordingly, so that's what I did"
The mercenary started to shake, visibly scared. It didn't smell good, as the saying goes. Roy watched the man plead for mercy and promise that he would help, but he was absolutely tired of the likes of him. They start crying and begging for their life, and then they stab you like you didn't save their low lives. And, as Jean said, they had orders to eliminate anyone who might pose a threat, no matter how small for that stage.
Without looking, Roy snapped his fingers and went by the burning figure, not even hearing the screams. Havoc showed him to the back of the deposit, where three corpses were laying in a small pool of blood. The General ignited the bodies as well, and waited for the flesh to burn away and transform into charcoal. Together, they gathered the ashes and the alchemist transmuted the matter into chalk, then gave it to the former officer to throw it away where all their mess went.
Jean always promised their prisoners they would be sleeping with the fishes after they finish with them, so they would all go to the bottom of a lake. Promises were made to be kept, no matter the interpretation.
They said their goodbyes, and then parted ways. Roy walked with his hands in his pockets, tired and disgusted. He wanted this masquerade to stop already, and he wanted to know where Edward was. He hoped he was alright.
Thinking of his lover, he frowned. If Ed only knew what he was doing in his spare time...
Well, he was already walking on corpses, what could a few more do? As Hughes always said, only the records matter, so, as long as no one knew, then there was no problem.
He started laughing, remembering his friend.
'Remember, Roy, always the records'
Yes, always the records.
XXXXX
The morning came like a thief for Roy. He washed his face at a neck breaking pace, hurrying to leave for work. After he got home, he emerged himself into planning all night long, and forgot that he required sleep to function. Sometime in the morning, he fell asleep with the head on the big desk in the study, and woke up with a startle. When he realised it was nearly the hour he and the convoy decided to meet, time almost stopped as he moved like he was on fire. After he dressed faster than he ever did and checked if he looked like he slept all night and took two hours to arrange, he ran out of the house, and closed the door as fast as his hands allowed.
As he hailed the first cab that he found in his way, he wondered why Hawkeye didn't show up at his door to drive him, like she did every single morning. It was the first time she didn't show up and didn't announce beforehand that she couldn't come. Perhaps she heard from Havoc what they did, and she wanted to let him sleep.
'Yeah, sure she did' he thought sarcastically. He would have to talk to her later that day.
After he paid for the short trip and left a tip to the driver, he walked into the Central building like he owned the place, saluting all the people he encountered with either a smile or a tip of his head, trying to look like he wasn't running to his office. Once he got in front of it, he nearly broke the door.
"Good morning, General!" Crendell said from the visitor's chair in front of Roy's desk, Hawkeye looking uncomfortable at his side. "You should take it easier on the door, it looks like it won't hold up for too long if you keep it up with its abuse"
Roy's pupils dilated almost invisible, as his eyes were too dark to show any change. He wanted to shout, but despite all that, he replied with a smile "Good morning to you too, General! Lieutenant" he looked at Riza and slightly tipped his head as she saluted him with the proper military etiquette.
"I hope you have slept well, we have many things to discuss today. Your assistant was very kind to tell me some organisational aspects, I'm sure we will have an excellent collaboration. Let's make our Fuhrer proud, shall we?"
Roy looked at the man incredulously. "Yes, let's. Let us make the nation proud"
XXXXX
The previous day
Alex Louis Armstrong descended from the train with a great crack. The small ladder of the wagon wasn't made to hold all his mass, and it was protesting under his heavy steps. He straightened his back to stretch his muscles after the long journey from Central to Resembool, and picked up the small suitcase he was carrying.
People were curiously watching him, some recognising him from their previous encounter a few years before, but without putting two and two together. They looked funnily at the mountain of a man, some young ladies commenting on his muscular body and some older ones noticing how distinguished he looked while some others gossiped about what his business there was. You rarely got such well-dressed people in the small city - the people around there weren't ones to care about such trivialities.
The Major didn't pay too much attention to the sideways glances, and politely saluted those who came in his way. He waved for a carriage that took him to the bottom of the great hill, where he started going up by foot.
He stopped in front of Rockbells' automail shop, where Alphonse Elric was vividly talking with some children in the front yard.
"So, this is the base for transmutation. We wi-" he stopped when he saw Armstrong waving at him with a smile. "Kids, we will continue tomorrow. Don't forget to look over the book that I've told you about, and learn by heart what it says before we start our practice, yes? Off you go!" he said to the five children that were carefully listening to every word he said. They ran away after they saluted the newcomer with their crystalline voices.
"Major! What a surprise! Great to see you again!" Al welcomed Armstrong with a beaming smile and opened arms. They shook hands like two old friends.
"Likewise, young man, likewise. How's it going?"
"Great, just fine around here. You should have called, we would have prepared something! Mind if I ask you what you are doing all the way in Resembool, Major? Do you have any official business or did you come to visit us?"
"Both, really. May I come inside?" Alex asked with a little smile and a hand on Al's back.
The younger man's eyes widened, freezing in place. "Did something hap- I mean, come inside, please" he offered and opened the door for the officer.
Winry got out of her workroom to see what all that noise was about. When she saw Armstrong with a rather solemn face, her mouth flew open. She rubbed her oily hands on her working pants and hurried to the man. "Major, did something happen? Did Al do anything? Oh my, is Ed alright?" she required in one breath. "Tell me he's okay. Alphonse?" she asked her husband, visibly shaken.
"Yes, miss, don't worry! Edward Elric is just fine in the capital. I merely came to see if you are alright, and deliver a message from the General. My regards to you Misses Rockbell! You're looking great, ma'am" he exaggeratedly bowed to see the petite old granny.
"Hello, officer, what brings you here?"
"Right, Granny! No offence meant, Major, it's great to see you, you know" Winry rapidly retorted.
"None taken, Misses Elric, none taken. May I-"
"You may, but later. It's almost dinner time, so you have to stay over for dinner. Talking is for the full-bellies, not the empty ones. Come on lads, show our guest some respect! Youngsters these days, they know nothing about manners"
The four of them ate in peace, conversing about alchemy, mechanics and agriculture over the delicious dinner. Armstrong almost wondered if he was sent all the way to Resembool only to taste the great food he found in the household, but then he remembered his mission.
"Thank you very much for the hospitality, I had a great time. But I must admit, I wasn't sent here for this"
"Obviously" Granny said with expecting eyes. "Now, that you are well fed, you may talk"
"You would be one after my mother's like, Misses Rockbell" Armstrong chuckled. "I was sent by the General to ask you, Alphonse Elric, to come in the capital"
"Hm? Me? Why?" Al asked, rising a brow. "Is there anything wrong?"
"There will be an exercise of troops very soon, and he demands for your help, if you care to offer it"
Winry said over Al's reply "Help? Consisting in...?"
"That, Misses Elric, I'm afraid I can't tell. This is what the General asked me to say to you"
"And he couldn't just call? Or Ed, as a matter of fact. What are they up to this time? What does Mustang want with Al?" Winry didn't bother to stop asking, even though the message for her not to interfere was as clear as water to a sensible ear. Perhaps the clashing of metal made her deaf to finesse.
"I do not know. That is what I was asked to say, and that's what I said. I'm sorry to be of such little help"
Alphonse leaned on an elbow. "I see... So I'm requested to come in Central. What happens if I don't accept?"
Alex sighed. "That doesn't happen. I was asked to be persuasive"
The alchemist nodded. "Then you were. When are we leaving, Major?"
Winry opened her mouth to say something, but she immediately closed it. If Roy sent someone all the way here to bring her husband to Central, then it had to be something important. She wasn't going to be some thick skulled woman and interfere any further.
"Tonight, if you would be so kind. There is a train in one hour and a half from now"
"Then it sounds to me like some packing is in order. I'm helping you" Winry offered and left the table in a hurry to pack her husband's things. Al followed her.
Together with the Major, Granny cleaned the table. An hour later, the two men were at the door, saying their goodbyes. In another twenty minutes, they were at the station. They took the last train to Central, and seated on one of the benches in the first class compartment, Mustang's courtesy.
Back at the shop, Winry looked blankly at the window. "What is it?" her grandmother asked, coming by her side.
"You know, Granny, I think there's something that will go wrong, don't know why. I mean, I don't want to sound paranoid, but what if Ed is danger?"
"Maybe that's why the General sent for Al. They will know what to do. Don't forget they are three of the best alchemists in the country"
"Yeah... I know they are, but you know, I can't help but be afraid... those brothers have been getting into trouble since they were little, the fact that Mustang's into this too doesn't make it easier at all. He has a taste for getting everyone killed, you know what I mean? I respect him, don't get me wrong, but I care more for Al and Ed than anything else, Granny"
"We will have to trust them, that's all there is. I guess you will see them in action, hm?" the old woman suggested to her granddaughter, who looked at her with sparkling eyes.
"Gods hold me back, yes, I will see them"
XXXXX
Roy starred at the many numbers on the paper in front of him. There were so many numbers... a few letters, here and there, a few words, that is. Oh, he was starting to understand... he knew some of the words, yes, they were in amestrian...
"What do you think, General Mustang?" the economic agent asked with hope in his eyes.
"Yes... there will be made a throughout examination of the accuracy of the data, and it will be analysed in accordance with the norms. You will be shortly noticed of the results" he replied as formally as he could without showing he didn't understand a thing on that sheet.
"Thank you, Sir"
"Dismissed" Roy said, smiling kindly to the man.
"General" the agent saluted and left the office. Roy, in all his exasperation, bumped his forehead on the desk.
"Sir... I don't think you should be hitting yourself, your face will get red if you keep doing that" Hawkeye said without looking at him. She was sorting some reports for Roy to look over.
Mustang sighed heavily. "Please remind me why, Lieutenant, why did that scum keep you in the office until the hour I was supposed to arrive here, told me something about weather and how well he slept, and I swear it had double meanings, do you think he suspects anything? And then pushed all the economics on me! I don't even understand what the hell this is! Percentage of... what on Earth is that?!"
Hawkeye took a clinical pose. "Sign these, Sir, and give me those, please"
"You're a life saver, you know, Lieutenant?" he replied, looking at her with puppy eyes that could make any heart melt. All but Riza's heart, but the effort was well meant.
"Don't forget, General – you are supposed to look like a saint this week, not me. You have to be careful, not paranoid. Sign these" she threatened, and he grabbed his pen and hastily started scanning the reports, one by one, reading and signing at record speed.
Later that afternoon, Roy met with the commanding officers present in Central to discuss the plans for the great scheme. It was sounding rather nice, the parade in itself and then the common training, but the optimistic line of thoughts stopped when the state alchemists were mentioned.
Talking about that, where the hell was Edward? He was supposed to be there already, for the next meeting, with all the alchemists. Where was he, now?
The meeting was soon wrapped up and it was decided to be recommenced the next day, at the same hour, in order to present results as soon as possible to the Fuhrer, who, as far as Roy suspected, was playing chess with his secretary and pretending to work and complaining how exhausted he felt due to the amount of assignments he had to accomplish and how the day was too short for all the great things he wanted to do, and so on, so on. He knew the old man Grumman like the back of his hand, and when it came to complaining, he was a master.
Roy exited the room like a thief, trying to be as invisible as possible. He managed to get out without being seen, and ran to the Fuhrer's private phones. There, Miss Carol, newly promoted to work at the communications in Central, smiled at him and began her loud salute. She closed her mouth immediately as she noticed his hurry, and secured him a line.
He dialled his home phone and waited, hoping Ed might be there to answer. After a few moments, he hung up, knowing he won't get any answers.
"Mister Mustang?" Miss Carol whispered to him, waving her hand.
"Yes?" he whispered back, wondering why he had to keep his voice down.
"There's a call for you from an outer line. Major Armstrong. Oh, and I have cleaned the lines, all good" she said smiling, showing her bleached teeth underneath the thick layer of red lipstick.
After the Major confirmed that he and Alphonse Elric safely arrived in the capital, Roy went to the Fuhrer to announce him of the results of his last night's rendezvous. The old man didn't linger too much on the finale of the encounter, and even encouraged his initiative. That made Roy question the way of things, but, who was him to discuss orders? They were made to be followed.
He hurried back to the meeting room, as the time was running short. In his way to there, he bumped with all his force into Edward, who stumbled back.
"Where the hell have you been?!" he said furiously to the younger man, who was fuming mad as well.
"Like it's your problem where the hell I go!"
Roy snapped, narrowing his eyes dangerously. "It is my problem, as your commanding officer, Fullmetal, and I swear I'm court- martialing you if you don't get to the meeting room right now! Do you have any idea how many problems you could have caused?! Out of my sight, now!"
"Bastard, court martial me all you want, that's all you are capable of doing anyway!" Edward retorted angrily as he brushed past him in a bruising pace. Roy went in the opposite direction, and they met back in the meeting room, Edward already there and waiting for whatever he had to come to the office for, Major Armstrong by his side shining like a beam of light.
XXXXX
Al put the things he brought with him in the hotel room's closet, and took a seat on the bed. He stretched tiredly. He wasn't a great fan of travelling by train after all those years of continuously using it while he couldn't feel anything in his body of armour. He looked around the room, it was lightly furnished and it had a nice touch to it, making the higher price for renting worth its value. Mustang has paid for everything, that's what Major Armstrong told him, and he could rest assured that he didn't have to worry for anything. It was for his bother to come all the way there, he said. So be it, maybe he would get to see his brother after he talked with Roy that evening. That, if he was allowed to, he didn't really know what was going on.
He hoped everything was alright, and that Ed didn't do anything too dangerous that could put his life in danger. Maybe being with Roy made him take it easier, though he highly doubted that the General would have called him in such short notice to Central if any of them wasn't going to do something majorly stupid. It hasn't been that long since he left the city anyway, and that really made him wonder what his brother hid from him this time.
All he could do was to hope for the best.
XXXXX
At the Central Military Headquarters, the atmosphere was dense. Really dense. Roy wondered if something intangible could have this characteristic, but it seemed it could, at that specific moment. An officer he had seen the previous evening, apparently an inspector of the national program, a lot more sober than he last saw him, took it upon himself to preside the meeting and tell the alchemists how they had to show their worth to the people that would take part to the gathering of troops. That being said, Mustang suspected the man didn't know what alchemy really meant, because putting some of the most destructive forms of transmutations in one place was as suicidal as one could get. He would have to have a talk with his fellow alchemists and explain them that they weren't supposed to do anything grandiose, just to be there or something like that. He didn't want another mass destruction in the city after all the hard work of reconstructing it after the Promised Day. He could live without that.
Edward half-listened to what was being discussed. He didn't care that much about those formalities and stupid parades, he wondered if he had to take part to that overblown exercise. He should talk to Roy about that, maybe he could sneak out in the middle of the programme. Maybe they won't recognise him if he dyed his hair or something. Hah, like that was possible, you couldn't miss the great Fullmetal alchemist, everybody knew him.
He cast a sideways glance to Roy, who was looking blankly at the one who was talking. He stood as straight as a cardboard, not moving a muscle, looking imposing and disciplined. His uniform cupped his forms perfectly, and his face was as pale as a corpse's, making him look like your designated workaholic. His black eyes lost their focus, but only someone who knew all his gesturers could notice that.
Their eyes met halfway, and the brunette's gaze softened a bit. Ed's lips formed a tiny smile, and they looked at each other for a few stolen moments, until they broke the little intimacy and returned to listening to the other officers' aberrations.
At the end of the meeting, Roy stood back and changed some words with one of the alchemists, so Edward went forward. He almost jumped out of his skin when a hand touched his back.
"My, Fullmetal! I haven't seen you the entire day, have you just arrived?"
"Oh, General Crendell" Ed made with a tell-tale grimace. "What joy" he muttered.
"Aren't you excited to see me, hm" Albert commented. "Rumours say you will be making the speech this year"
"Huh?" the blond sheepishly hummed. "Since when?"
"Since this morning. No worries, I hear you have an effect over the masses"
"How come it isn't made by someone else? My rank isn't that high, there are many others that could speak instead of me"
"Are you disobeying your orders, Lieutenant Colonel?"
How Edward loved ranks and titles. He barely recognised this was his distinction. "No, I am not...?"
Crendell chuckled and patted his back. "Don't be so tense, I'm joking. I'm sure you will be inspirational to the young cadets and the people of the country, they are respecting you, you are their hero. Don't worry. Or maybe you should talk to the General? To Roy, I mean. Oh my, here he is, our great Flame Alchemist!" the black haired man gestured over to Roy, who was obliviously passing by.
Roy's eyes darkened, but his lips curved into a fake smile. "Ah, General, there you were! I thought you ran away from us" he said sarcastically, reminding the older officer about his disappearance a few years before. Crendell formed an equally fake smile, biting the inside of his cheek at the meek remark. Touché.
"I was discussing with our alchemist, he is a delightful person, he is. Though I imagined you've told him about his attributions at the exercise"
Roy continued to smile. "I was about to, but we were both busy up until the meeting"
"Oh, is that so?" Albert said surprised. "I didn't see our Edward anywhere today, I thought he was somewhere else or taking a break, I didn't know he was busy. My bad"
Roy clenched his teeth. Fucking bastard, he had no idea what he was insinuating. "Yes, he was researching as he always does, right, Fullmetal?"
Ed nodded. "Yep, I just prefer to do it outdoors or in a library, it's a lot quitter" he lied.
"Mhm" Crendell hummed, deciding to let the matter pass. "I see. Then, I shall see you around, Edward Elric" He tipped his head to the side. "General" he saluted Roy and went to talk to his assistant, who was waiting for him a few feet away.
"Fucking creep" Ed said under his breath, making Roy chuckle. "No shit" he retorted. "See you later, I have something to do"
"Sure thing, General. Later" Ed said and went after Crendell to see what he was up to, or at least see if he could find anything about what was going on in the institution. He had that feeling he was missing something.
As for Roy, he returned to his office to see what Hawkeye prepared for him to do. He could barely contain his excitement.
XXXXX
When he returned home, Roy found Edward reading on the couch. He had to clean his throat five times to make his presence known to the blond, as he was too lost in his lecture.
"Mmmmm, are you home?"
"Um, yeah? As you can see, I am" Roy replied and seated on one of the armchairs. He sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "Where have you been last night, Edward?"
"Hm?" Ed raised his head from the report he was reading. "Nowhere"
"Nowhere. I'm not stupid, Fullmetal, should I remind you that?"
"And since when do I have to explain myself to you, Mustang?" the younger man retorted, trying to avoid the question. "I had some things to sort out, my business exclusively"
"Ed, don't be like that, I want you to be safe, that's all. I only wanted to know if you were alright, you worried me when you didn't come home" And to make sure they didn't accidentally crossed paths when he returned to their shared threshold, smelling like he went to a barbeque. 'That's a disgusting way of putting it' he thought and took a deep breath. Things were getting savage, he couldn't wait to finish all that masquerade.
"Now really" Ed made a face. "You worry for me, when you are being harassed by that creep! Even Havoc asked me to make sure you don't get into trouble with that guy!"
"Havoc? You went to see him?" Did Ed know anything?
"Nay, I ran into him and we talked for a while. And I really want to know what's with that man of yours, Crendell, I don't understand what's his problem that he mentions your name every time he talk to me. He's rather taken with you, Roy"
Roy crooked his brow, trying to sound surprised. Like he didn't notice the man's unhealthy obsession. "Is he?" He could rest easy, his lover didn't know what they did the previous night, he would have exploded if he had any notion.
"Mhm, he certainly is. I've been trying to find something about him, and guess what – there's nothing!"
"Calm down, Ed, he's a harmless fly. I can handle him just fine" Roy assured him with a smile.
"Like hell you are. You are even faker than usual, what is that? Are you trying to become some plastic doll with that smile of yours?" Ed argued with a great yawn.
Roy sighed and rose to his feet. "We just have a certain history, that's all. Stop worrying. Speaking of what you have to do, I will write your speech, you will only have to read it. It's not that much of a deal, you only need to smile and act like a distinguished citizen. I'm going to read in the study, you should go and sleep. You look really tired" he lowered to Ed's level and kissed his forehead.
"You're right. I'm going to bed. Good night, Roy, don't stay up too late. See you tomorrow" the blond replied and kissed Roy's cheek between two yawns. He went upstairs and took a loud shower, making sure he was being heard, and then closed the bedroom's door a little harder than it was needed. He waited for an hour and then opened the door slowly, without making any sounds.
He tiptoed to the study, which he found resoundingly empty. "Reading, hm? My ass you went reading, Mustang" he mumbled.
Judging by the stale smell of cologne, he guessed Roy didn't leave too long before. He dressed as fast as he could and went to the door. He searched the pockets of Roy's uniform jacket, and found a little note with a writing he didn't recognise. There was the number of a room, the word 'Delivered' and a sum of money that he supposed had to be paid.
Judging by the big number of the room, he only had three hotels where Roy could have gone. There had to be a hotel, right? Otherwise, why would there be a room number? He picked the one that was the most far away and went into its direction with the determination of a cheated wife.
XXXXX
Albert Crendell was walking down the street humming. His day wasn't what he expected, but, all in all, it has been rather satisfying. He was very curious about what made Fullmetal be on the verge all the time, and he very much admired the way Roy hardened over the years. He was becoming more and more the leader he always wanted to be. He could try to fool anyone that he had no wishes to take over the military, but he couldn't fool him.
He smiled at the reminder of one of their previous encounters. Roy was so young and hot-headed, even if it wasn't that long ago, when he and his late subordinate, Hughes, were fumbling through secret reports and were stealing the recordings of the higher ranked officers' meetings. No one knew about that, but again, that was his job – to know what he wasn't supposed to.
The MP was intrigued how no one killed him so far, he should have been hanged ages ago, since the first time he betrayed the state, when he was only a trainee... yes, he sold some reports about the strategy concerning the war in the West, with Creta, and then he promised to the buyers that he would provide them with more information if he was allowed to work undercover for them. He then sold all he learnt to Amestris, earning himself a promotion immediately after he graduated, being allowed to work with secrets for the hard work gathering information. He had been doing this commerce, as he called it, for many years, and up until it had worked. He was a General in the police branch, what else could he wish for?
He remembered how combative Roy had been when he was asked directly about his possible heresy against the state. This way, Crendell's image in the boy's eyes deteriorated, and made him suspicious of the man's actions. This way, Roy started to leave things uncovered for Crendell to just pick them up and learn more and more about him. It was like a disease for him, digging up secrets, and, from the moment he first met Mustang, he wanted to know more and more about him. He still had doubts about what really happened to his family, about his plans, about his relationships, and that made his brain race and his blood boil in excitement. He wanted to know more, and, in his own twisted way, he actually wanted to help.
In his latest journey to Aerugo, he heard someone talking about how Roy has become a threat, and that his expansive nature was becoming a danger for the states around Amestris. The alliance with Xing made everyone restless, and the incoming railways that were going to connect the two states was posing a real issue to the integrity of the neighbour nations' borders. Not very well liked by the foreign politics, Mustang was becoming one of the favourite targets.
To be frank, he would be saddened if something happened to Roy. He enjoyed their permanent chase, how he sent his assistant to bullshit him, how he received reports from that crazed woman in the mountains, how his network worked. He still hasn't deciphered it, and he was really set on doing that.
And now, the discovery of something new made him even more attentive – the Elric boy. How exactly was him and his brother connected to the General?
As if someone from up above heard him, he saw Edward getting out of one of the houses on the street he was currently on. The alchemist locked the door with a key which he put into the left pocket of his black leather pants, and stuffed both his hands into the pockets of his red jacket. He looked around to see on what street he was on.
'Oh my, that's Mustang's house' Albert noticed. 'He has a key to his place? Interesting'
He followed Edward from the shadows for a while, that until he saw him stop in front of one of the biggest hotels in the area they walked to. There, he was surprised to see Roy get out of the place as the blond hid behind some bushes and watched the man walk past him. Then, the boy looked up at one of the rooms that had its lights on and jumped from his hiding place, running as fast as his feet could take him.
Crendell waited a little more, and then entered the hotel with a smile. It was late in the night and it was dark outside, but the receptionist was still awake, arranging some papers on his desk.
"Good evening, Sir. It is late, would you like a room for the night?" the man from the desk asked.
Albert nodded. "Yes, if you would be so kind. I had a problem with my car so I decided to stop here. Do you know a mechanic, as a matter of fact?"
"Yes, I can recommend you someone. One person, for the night?"
"Yes, please"
"Alright, complete this register and sign at the end, please" the employee asked of him as he looked for a single-room key.
Crendell pushed the register closer to the edge of the counter, making it fall and ultimately close. "Oh, I'm so sorry. Don't worry, I can find the page, thank you" he said as he picked the book from the floor. He scanned the pages until he found something that caught his eye.
'Alphonse Elric, hm? Oh my'
He wrote a random name that came to him and invented a signature. He left the receptionist a generous tip for not asking for any identification.
He might have found something even more interesting. He would wait for Roy's next move, as he could swear he went to see Edward's brother, and the blond state alchemist didn't know that his sibling was in town, most likely.
Wonderful.
XXXXX
Roy returned home shortly after he left Al's room. He suggested to the younger Elric to register with his real name at the hotel, as his stay was supposed to be only slightly undercover. Alphonse complied without further questions, though he didn't really understand what game the General was playing. In all sense of honesty, Roy didn't know either.
He found Ed sleeping in their shared bed, occupying some considerable three quarters of the mattress. He slowly put his head on his pillow, which was only slightly invaded by his lover's hand. He closed his eyes after he placed a small kiss on the unaware fingers that cupped his pillow, and then closed his eyes, letting himself dose off.
Edward stood wide awake by his side, his mind racing. Why did Roy walk away in the middle of the night, without telling him why? Did he have some kind of meeting? Why now? Why didn't he tell him?
Should he be afraid? Should he doubt Roy? Was he being cheated? That was stupid, wasn't it?
It was stupid.
He should sleep before the ideas in his head took the best of him. Roy would never do something like that, would he?
No, he would not.
XXXXX
The Central City was in a continuous race with itself as the great annual exercise of troops was being organised. By all means, the event was a parade of military forces for everyone to see, a training of all the departments of the army to show how grandiose Amestris' protectors were.
That year, it had to be even bigger than usual. Amestris was becoming even more powerful, and more democratic. They had to show to the population that they were prepared for anything, but also that they were capable of making something beautiful out of their capacities. In Roy's opinion, it was only dust, but what could he do but obey what he was being told?
For the past few days, he made sure that everything was in perfect order. He barely saw Ed those days, but he had work to do, as much as he wished he didn't have anything to do. That was his job.
He could see how suspicious his lover has become, but he couldn't do anything about it. He was more concerned about what his sources said about a possible threat to their lives, but the rumour wasn't that sure. Yeah, people were trying to kill him, but haven't they always? He decided that he should be more careful, and having Alphonse close really helped. The boy knew more than anyone about alchemy, and, with his determination to do anything for his brother, Ed was more than safe in any possible scenario.
Only if he knew what exactly was coming for him, he would know what to specifically do. But he didn't, they were only rumours. Rumours had the tendency to be unreliable, but extremely dangerous if they weren't handled with care.
Crendell watched his every move, as much as he watched his. They were like cats and mice, doing anything not to be caught by the other in the middle of who knew what. From the outside, they looked positively dumb, like two old goons that had a conflict in their younger years and were still holding the grudge after so many years. Obviously, nobody dared to comment, they were both Generals and held great influence. And the Fuhrer, who also noticed their competition of sorts, decided to leave them eat each other. He trusted his protégé to do the right thing.
At least things went smoothly in the preparations, if one overlooked the constant race of solving the problems faster than it was normal. It was like a small battlefront between the Central Command, represented by Mustang, and the Military Police, with Crendell on top. They were anything but subtle to those who knew how politics worked.
Not that anyone cared about their little war.
XXXXX
'Ah! What a beautiful time to be alive' Winry thought as she inhaled the heavy smoke of the train's engine. She grabbed her suitcase and made her way out of the station, and to the hotel where she had reserved a room. It was impossibly hard to find a room with only two days before the greatest manifestation of the state, where so many souls took part and gazed at the uniforms and colourful marches.
Right. She remembered why she came to Central. The next day was going to be this parade everyone was so excited about, and she had to find why her husband was called on such a short notice by Mustang. Right. Without being seen.
Right.
She checked in her room and then went to buy something to eat. She was starving. She made her way to the closest convenience store, where, to her surprise, found Riza Hawkeye buying some groceries.
"Lieutenant! How do you do?"
Riza looked strangely at her, until she recognised the person that was talking to her. "Winry? What are you doing in Central?"
Winry chuckled. "Seeing how my two boys are trying to get themselves killed, just the usual" she replied as she picked up what she bought and got out of the store with Hawkeye following her.
"Hm? Is Alphonse here too?" the female officer asked surprised. Winry crooked her brows at that. "You didn't know?"
"No? No one told me, was I supposed to know?"
"I really don't know. I though you knew. Major Armstrong came at the beginning of the week to see us, and he said that the General was requesting him here for something, that's all I know"
Hawkeye didn't reply for a while, thinking about what she had just found out. "Do you know anything else about this matter?"
Winry shook her head. "All I know is that Al is here and the General called for him. That's all"
Hawkeye hummed. "I see. Where did you leave your things? Are they at a hotel?"
"Yeah, the one beside the West park"
"Good. I will come and see you there, I think I know what they are planning... try not to be seen by anyone you know, please"
The girl nodded with a smile. "Aye, Lieutenant. Will do"
XXXXX
Roy woke up with his head on the desk, for what felt like the millionth time. In the past week, he had developed this habit of falling asleep everywhere he could, at all the possible moments.
What made him jump was the fact that the desk on which he had fallen asleep was in his office. He jumped from his place and called for Hawkeye, who appeared with a stoic face and a parade uniform, neatly pressed in plastic foil.
"You have an hour, Sir" she said and left the uniform on his desk.
"Did I tell you I owe you my life?"
"Not enough times, Sir. Dress" she commanded and then left the office.
He ran to the washroom and shaved with a razor he left some time ago in one of his drawers, and combed his hair, slicking it back. He ran back to his office and dressed, all the time looking at the clock. Why hasn't anybody told him that in less than two hours, he was supposed to be on a podium and delivering a speech?!
He walked out of his office with all the necessary pomp. He found Hawkeye on the hallway, also dressed in parade uniform, and they both went to the courtyard, where everything looked so different. Many cars were waiting for the officers to go the chosen place of the exercise, as the Headquarters' domains were too small for all of the troops invited and the attendants.
Roy stepped into his car, where he found Olivier Armstrong waiting with her arms crossed. "What, thought I wouldn't come? Well, you would have been right, but they didn't allow me not to" she said as a salute.
"Oh. Too bad" he said and closed the car's door behind him.
XXXXX
Alphonse made his way through the crowd that was beginning to form in the great fields next to the capital. He did as he was told by Roy - he blended into the crowd, as close as possible to the podium where the speeches would be made. He tried to recognise the people, some of them looked familiar, some not, but he ultimately saw Edward. He was clad in the parade uniform, something he didn't think he would ever see, and was talking to a tall man with many stars. A General, had to be. He didn't know that man.
He slowly approached him, but remained covered. As far as he knew, he was supposed to intervene if something went wrong, whatever that was.
The exercise began with pomp and lots of noise, and it went perfectly. Grumman, who made it his reason in life not to take part at the annual troop gathering, stood proudly in front of the army. He didn't have to do anything, so his life goal was, once again, fulfilled, if only slightly.
The crowd started to dissipate, as people regrouped in smaller formations and set their picnics. As much as the army tried to make this exercise solemn, it was impossible to stop the equally annual picnic that took place after the parade.
The officers and the other soldiers also took part at the picnic, as it was a great opportunity for conversing. As it was, they were cheerfully talking, fanfare music barely covering the horrid noise the crowd was making.
For Edward, it was a time to feel violated. Everyone poked at him, asking about his achievements and praising him. From time to time, Roy made his way to him, fishing him out the hands of his admirers and talking him out of whatever he had said and might have offended someone.
As for Crendell, he insinuated himself behind them like a ghost, and talked to everyone in his way. It had been so long since anybody saw him in public, and all the military knew about him, even civilians have heard about him, how he had saved the country's secrets, or whatever story he had sold to the masses. He enjoyed the attention, but all the while, he looked around like he was the hunter being hunted by someone else.
In his tendency to stalk the persons of his interest, he learnt how it felt to be watched. And he felt watched. He looked behind himself every now and then, trying to find who was that caused him such grief, but he couldn't find who that was. With that, he decided to get closer to Roy, who was currently drinking a glass of champagne with a delegate from Xing.
"What a wonderful success this exercise was" the delegate said when he saw Crendell approach them. "The great Empire of Xing is proud to have such allies"
"Likewise, Mister Fey" Crendell said with a smile. "Thank you for coming all the way here, I know it has been a long journey. But, with the help of General Mustang, I believe it will be considerably shortened"
"Indeed" Mister Fey said with a bow. "The Empire is indebted to Amestris for its great help for building the railways. General Mustang, you are a fine gentleman and a fine dignitary"
"Thank you, Mister Fey, but I'm merely thinking of the best of our alliance. I'm happy to be part of the progress and make it happen"
After a few more pleasantries, Crendell excused himself to find something to drink. Maybe he had merely imagined those eyes that were burning him in the back of his head, perhaps he has been looking behind his back for too long.
Indeed, he must have imagined things.
He saw a waiter holding a tray with some drinks on it. That is, the military still had its signature pride - even if the officers were mixing with the commoners, they at least had the dignity to be properly served with an indecent amount of alcohol.
As he walked to the well-dressed waiter, realisation struck him hard, a feral instinct building up in his mind. He turned around with a wide spin, pulled out a hidden pistol from the breast of his jacket and aimed for Fey's head.
Then he pulled the trigger.
A/N: That's it for this chapter. See you with another chapter, thought I am sorry it will not be that soon. Let's say you will experience some suspense, sorry for that. I hope you enjoyed reading, thank you for the support! Don't forget to leave a review, follow and favourite!
PS: It will take some time until I finish the next chapter, I am experiencing some (many) problems right now, but I will continue this story. Stick with me a little longer, will you? Thank you for the support!
Till the next time :)