Disclaimer - I hate the waiting. The only way to survive is to march, to keep moving, knowing my hunter is out there, watching, going faster than me, ever closer. But for good or ill, on the evening of the second day, I heard a sound behind me - a crashing of a tree. It was the only thing strong enough to do that. I cursed. In the dark I would be tired and blind , but it could see, and did no need to sleep. I had only one option. Use my one light source, and wait for it to come. I had a gun with two bullets in it. They have skin like Kevlar, so only a point blank range shot would do more than stagger it. Would I even have a chance? There was only one way to find out. I set up my lamp, and waited. I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist.

Brightsilver came into my office, a pile of papers in her hand. 'Major, I need you to sign some of these.' She said, handing them to me.

I took the top piece of paper. 'What are these for?' I asked.

'They're your monthly paperwork drowning. I need you to sign for use of files, budget claims, room switching, clearing up duty, acceptance of loss of life in the line of duty and tea kitty.' She told me.

'Well that seems in order.' I said, starting to sign them. 'But there does seem to be a lot more paperwork than usual!'

'Tell me about it.' Brightsilver sighed. 'I've been thrown out my office, so I have to just carry it all around with me.'

'What!?' I shouted. 'Who would dare to do such a thing!?'

'There's an official investigation going on into Lieutenant Colonel Hughes death. So yeah, I'm just carrying around files until then.'

'That is nonsense! You can stay here till your office is back to normal.'

She bit her lip. 'Yeah, I'm going to say no to that.'

'What! But why?'

'Well, for one, there appears to be a smashed window in there. And a new piece of glass next to it with the label "Don't blow up while Blackhammer's there" on it.'

'Well, I wouldn't blow it up when you were there either!'

'No thanks, Major. Just sign these forms, please.' She passed over the complete collection.

'Very well, Corporal.' I began to sign the collection of forms.

A few minutes later, Blackhammer ran into the room. 'Sorry I'm late, Major!' he said, panting.

'Private, in the last week you have been late on no less than three occasions! This infection of laxness must cease!' A horrible thought washed over me – can that actually happen? 'Now tell me – what kind of foul reasoning do you have for this great neglect of duty!'

'It's kind of private, sir.' Blackhammer said.

'You are a soldier – you have no private life!' That's why I started intercepting his mail.

'Well, sir,' Blackhammer said, stuttering, starting to get embarrassed –

'Out with it man!'

'I've got a girlfriend, sir!' Blackhammer blurted out.

Brightsilver looked over with interest. 'Really? Well, spill the gossip. Who is she?'

'Her names Mary Bludwulf. She's a clerk at the General Library. I met her when I first got leave when I first arrived in Central.' As Blackhammer said this, he was looking at the floor. 'I asked her out a couple of weeks ago.'

'Adorable.' Brightsilver said, smirking.

'So this is the reason for your lateness!' I shouted. 'I do not consider that a sufficient excuse, Blackhammer!'

Blackhammer saluted. 'With respect sir, it wasn't an excuse – it was just an explanation.'

I paused. 'What's the practical difference, do you think, Blackhammer?' I asked him.

'Em, you can still shout at me for an explanation?' he said.

'Never, become a lawyer, Richard.' Brightsilver said.

'Blackhammer, for this insubordination you are to go through standard punishment detail.' I turned to Brightsilver. 'What is standard punishment detail, Corporal?'

'It's either privy duty, or be assigned to you Major, for laundry duty. Though recently everyone's chosen lavatory duty. Go figure.'

'Well, that's your afternoon, Blackhammer! Report to Sergeant Lance now!'

'Yes, sir.' Blackhammer moped out.

'So, that's interesting. Anyway, you finished that paperwork yet?' Brightsilver asked.

'One more.' I said, holding it up. 'But first, I need to ask you something. Bludwulf – recognise the name?'

'Major, are you asking me to look up Richard's girlfriend. Because I think you're confusing me with god here – I only have military files.'

'But where could I find the civilian files?' I asked.

'They'd be in the general archives. But if you're planning to just steal records –'

'Acquire records! So that I can do my duty to the state!'

'Whatever. You could just go to the General Library. You might not even have to steal files that way. Now will you sign that piece of paper so I can get on with things?'

I signed it, and handed it back to her. 'Thank you Major. Please don't do anything stupid.'

As if I, Egbert Longwood, the great Cloth Alchemist, would do anything stupid? Of course not! 'I'll be fine, Corporal.'

I started my preparations by gathering anything I normally prepare when I'm about to go out on a dangerous mission – transmutation gloves, rolls of cloth, maps, chalk, packed lunch, a set of knitting needle and a copy of L. 's work So you're in a field of bears – how to survive. Once I was certain I had everything, I headed out into the air of Central.

I was heading for the General Library as Brightsilver had suggested. The library was a collection of all kinds of books, and was said to be the greatest collection of books in the world – even of alchemical works now, I supposed, after the state Central Library burnt down. It would be filled with people, so my plan was simply to ask to take an obscure book out, and use the opportunity to find records in the library. With some skill, I should be able to pull it off.

However, I was immediately hit by a snag. At the bottom of the steps to the entrance, I saw Blackhammer walking from the other direction. He was no longer in uniform but had changed to civilian clothes. Seeing each other, we were both startled and stopped in front of each other. 'Blackhammer! What are you doing here?'

'Uh, when I told Sergeant Lance I was assigned to you, he said I could take the rest of the day off. He signed this.' He held up a leave chit. 'What are you doing here, sir?'

I paused. 'I had to get a book out.' I said eventually.

'A book?' Blackhammer replied slowly. 'Because – the library burnt down?'

'Right!' I had sneaking suspicion he didn't believe me. There was another pause, as we looked at each other.

'And what are you doing here then, Blackhammer?' I asked, trying to make the best of the situation. 'You here seeing Mary?'

'No!' Blackhammer blurted. 'It's not her shift. I'm reading up on alchemy. Like you told me to.'

'That so?' There was another pause. Eventually, Blackhammer said 'So, shall we go in? Since we are both here for books.'

'And nothing else.' I agreed.

'What book are you looking for?' Blackhammer asked me. Thankfully, I had already prepared an answer.

'So you're in a field of bunnies – how to survive.' It was by the same author – but far less popular.

'Really sir?' Blackhammer asked. 'That was in the Central library?'

'Of course not! That was for alchemical research only! That's why I'm at the General library!'

'Er, right sir.'

The General library was as packed with people. I scoured around looking for someone, but to my disappointment the name badges were small and far away. Blackhammer said 'So sir, I guess you'll want to go to the front desk? To ask about your book?'

'Yes alright Blackhammer.' I walked up to the desk and started to queue. Blackhammer hurried off into the library somewhere, disappearing in the shelves. I breathed a sigh of relief. The plan could continue.

Eventually, I reached the front of the queue. A clerk sat there, looking bored. 'Can I help?'

'Of course.' I said, pulling out my pocket watch. 'Where does Mary Bludwulf live?' I decided that the time for subtlety was past.

'Has she done something? Because if she has, I swear I know nothing about-'

'It's alright, there's nothing wrong. I just need some books my apprentice left there.' The idea came into my head in a flash. Why hadn't i thought of it earlier? It was much easier than robbing the records!

'Oh, right.' He breathed a sigh of relief. 'I think she lives in a flat on Bonesmiths Lane - number 12, I think.'

'Thank you very much.' I said, leaving. Based on Blackhammer's movements, she was still at the library now. So that gave me an opportunity to go have a look now!

Only a fool goes into hostile territory without preparation, so I began by finding the flat door an d knocking on it. After waiting for a few minutes, I decided the coast was clear. I then turned around and left.

For you see, I had previously scouted around the side of the building! This revealed to me something of vital import – a window! A single transmutation, and I was whipped up to the window. Is that the word? Seems to say I'm a horse! Or cream.

The lock was an amateur, nothing that a thick boot couldn't solve. I then slide myself around into the flat, and looked around. It was quite a small affair – a couple of tiny shoved together. I pulled out a note book, and began taking notes. After making sure everything was covered, I slide myself out the window, hanging down. I pulled out a piece of chalk, drew a transmutation circle around the broken lock, and activated it. The lock repaired itself with a flash. Happy with my work, I rubbed it out, and slid down the rope to prepare for the final part of my plan.

Later that day, I knocked again on the door. After a short wait, it was opened by a short women with long brown hair. 'Hello? Can I help you,' she looked at my uniform 'Major?'

'I need to ask a few questions, madam. May I come inside?' I asked her.

'Go ahead.' She gestured to one of the two chairs. 'Are you Richard's boss? Bill told me you wanted to get some books, but he hasn't left any over here.'

'No, I'm not.' Most confusing – I don't know any Richard! 'I just need to ask a few questions. They are of top security – please do not reveal anything about this meeting.'

'Alright then. I'm ready.'

'What does your family do?' I asked.

'They live in Melheart – it's a town south of Central. They run a bakery.'

'Why did you move here then?'

'Work. All roads lead to Central, and I didn't fancy baking bread for a living. I can lie in working the library. Plus I can read sometimes.' She told me.

'Can you make a bird noise?' I asked her.

'Hold on.' She made an effort, but it was pitiful.

'Alright. No any alchemists?'

'A few have come in now, after the fire, and Richard said he was learning a bit now, but apart from that, no. There weren't any Melheart.'

'Is your lock alright?'I changed tack, pointing at the window.

'Yeah, you noticed, huh? Yeah, it broke a couple of weeks ago. I haven't had the money to repair it.'

Oops. Well, never mind, I got the answer I needed.

'One final thing, have you seen this?' I pulled out a picture I had drawn of the third of the Fullmetal's coat I had found in the washing.

'Uh, no?'

Dammit! I would have to solve that another time. 'Very well, that has been a great help. I won't keep you.' I got up to go.

'sure? Hope that helped.'

'Oh it did.' I informed her.

Blackhammer was early the next morning, beating me to work. 'Good morning sir?' he said, saluting, looking worried.

'I have good news, Private!' I said. 'Read this report!'

He took it. '"Mary Bludwulf – not a foreign spy!"?' He looked at me, mouth hanging open. 'Why does that have an exclamation mark after it?'

'Well, I had to check, after all. The state was at grave risk, Blackhammer! Could I stand ideally by! Of course not!'

Blackhammer looked through the report. 'What are these things? "No sleeping agents in the cupboards", "No guns", "No alchemical notes", "Didn't notice the lock was repaired" – wait, what?'

'That's not important now Blackhammer. I now know that it is not due to some nefarious foreign scheme you kept being late, but just your own incompetence!' I said happily.

'But what if it was somelse making me late, like the man who repaired my alarm clock, who was an enemy spy? By this logic, shouldn't you check them?'

My eyebrows shot up in shock. 'You're right Blackhammer! Give me there details! I must defeat this agent of evil!'

So another victory over foreign agents has been won, and a new one has begun. Soon I will be sure this department is secure! But we must be always vigilant! So soon will it will necessary for me, Egbert Longwood, the Cloth Alchemist, to do his duty again!

Man, the whole Central library being burned down is brushed off quite lightly. Isn't that hundreds of years of irreplaceable alchemical gone in a flash? Oh well, I guess most of it has copies. Plus someone who has all the books in her head.