Chapter 16: Redemption's Call

[Edward's language is to be expected. It is Ed, after all.]

As the sun crested the eastern horizon, the sky was cast with an orange hue, and the clouds were rimmed with a pale pink. Hawkeye stood on the train platform in North City, ready and waiting. The train would depart soon. Her eyes scanned the growing crowd of soldiers, who now consisted not only of the two eastern teams but the northern team as well. Her eyes only halted when they fell upon the supposed escapee from the second team. Something about him made Hawkeye's skin crawl, but it was his intel that could potentially lead them to Mustang and Edward if he and his information could be trusted. As though the young man could feel her gaze, his head turned awkwardly to face her. Hawkeye's eyes narrowed as she saw the corner of his mouth twitch as if to smile. It was as though he found the situation amusing.

Their eyes met for only a moment.

Envy recognized the loyal First Lieutenant and knew from her stiff posture and twitching trigger finger that she was anxious to save her boss.

Just like the pathetic little human that she is.

Envy suppressed the cheshire grin that threatened to stretch across his face, and the corner of his mouth twitched.

As instructed by Wrath, he would lead the soldiers to the base and allow his alter ego, Private Dolion, to be killed. Otherwise, things could become complicated if they wanted to promote the non-existent man. Envy turned to face the northern team leader, feigning respect and deference. All the while, he could still feel Hawkeye's gaze linger.

When the soldiers boarded the train, each team took their respective car, and Hawkeye kept Private Dolion in her sight for as long as possible. Soon enough, she sat with the other members of team Mustang.

The train lurched as it began to move, and Hawkeye stewed as she prepared herself for any potential threat from within the rescue party. After all, if this mission failed, then she would never live down her inability to save her boss and their young comrade.

Further to the north and at the final destination of the oncoming soldiers, the unknowing rebels went about their daily routine except for three concerned individuals.

Casper closed the door to his room and glanced at Maria and Logan, who sat on the desk chair and bed, respectively. Both looked tired and worn.

They had not been able to meet the previous night due to an impromptu meeting called by Damien regarding the plan with Drachma. Drachma would send soldiers to help back their rebellion and a contingent to escort Colonel Roy Mustang, the Flame Alchemist, to Drachma. Thus, Drachma would have their State Alchemist prisoner to help with their development of alchemy, and they would have a bargaining chip against the Amestrian government. In addition, the rebels would have a bargaining chip in the form of Major Edward Elric.

Some of the people had murmured in protest and Damien's words. Only a few felt comfortable with the Drachma soldiers, and most of the rebels only felt loyalty to Amestris. They were doing this for their country, after all – to make it into a better place to live, not to sell it out to Drachma.

While using aid from other nations was not out of the question, actually helping contingents of Drachma soldiers was not the original plan. On top of that, using a child as leverage, especially as their sole source of leverage with Amestris, was beginning to cause people to question Damien. Notably, many felt they were losing by giving Mustang away. After all, he was a hostage most were more comfortable with using than the younger alchemist. Damien had dismissed their fears by stating that since they were working with Drachma, technically, Mustang was still a bargaining chip they could use, especially since they would have the knowledge about who had him. While it may have stemmed the verbal tide, it did not ease inward tensions.

Casper's hand still rested on the door, and he turned his face away from Logan and Maria, clenching his eyes shut as he tried to gather his thoughts. If Casper could only find a way to redeem himself – he had to find a way to make up for failing Simon, his first and only biological child. Casper's eyes opened only slightly and shifted to catch sight of Logan out of the corner of his eye. He had to save his second son, even if a son in name only. Casper felt his throat close in apprehension. He had to save Logan from the fate of war and the insidious rebellion.

Casper's thoughts turned in his head.

Mustang is right to try and keep Edward from war. How can I not try to do the same for Logan? The first step will be to free those two state alchemists. Then, find a way to change this nation another way.

Casper clenched his fist, opening his eyes and glaring at the door. I will make Simon proud.

So, Casper turned to face the only two family members he had left. Casper's eyes skimmed over Maria and Logan once again, and when he spoke, both jumped, startled out of their thoughts.

"I think we should give Mustang's idea about working from within the government a chance. I think that we should trust him."

Maria was not surprised but still wary, "Are you sure he can be trusted? He is a state alchemist."

Logan smiled wanly, "alchemist, be thou for the people. Is that not their saying?"

"You know as well as I that the State Alchemists sold out their motto once they started working for the government." Maria's tone was biting.

"Maybe, but… with those two…," Logan looked to Casper, almost as if he was begging him to supply the answer.

Casper smiled softly, "Each person has their reasons for doing things just like we have justified our actions, stealing from suppliers and other things to support our rebellion. I also think that Damien may have engaged in some more…," Casper paused, "more nefarious means to gain supplies, money, and information."

Maria blinked; confusion evidenced on her face. Logan only sighed, like he expected it.

"I don't have proof, but from my conversations with Mustang, I think Mustang is far more trustworthy than Damien. I just can't shake how… I can't forget what Damien and the others did to him after we… retrieved them after their escape."

Logan nodded, "not only that, but the kid had me beat several times over out there in the snow, but he didn't really hurt me. It would have been far easier to kill me, but he didn't."

Casper nodded, "so are we in agreement we should do something about helping them get away? We'll want to do it before the Drachma soldiers come back. It'll probably take some time for them to cross the border, talk to their commanders, and then return." Casper hesitated as he made his next statement, "I'd like to, maybe, have enough of a buffer that maybe we deter them from coming back at all?"

Maria pursed her lips. She didn't like the Drachma soldiers at all. They were bullies, but the way they looked at the few women among the rebels made her skin crawl, not to mention the sadistic glee she saw on the Drachma soldier's face the other morning. Maria grimaced at the thought.

Logan watched her out of the corner of his eye. He had not liked the Drachma soldiers any more than her, but he also knew what the soldiers said when Maria and the other women rebels were not around, making his stomach curl.

Casper sighed, "I know neither of you has really had a chance to talk to them, and we might have a chance when Damien leaves for Egmuridcu this afternoon. He won't be back until tomorrow evening, which will give us an excellent chance to talk to the Alchemists without raising his suspicions."

Maria's head shot up, "Wait a minute, this is all a little too fast. I don't…."

"I know," Casper interrupted, "but if either of them is taken to Drachma, it's a death sentence."

"You would have thought it was something they deserved just days ago!" Maria's accusation was sharp, and the glare she leveled at Casper had him breathing deeply to maintain his temper.

"That's not fair," Logan protested, jumping from his seat in defense of the man who had become like a father to him.

Casper merely raised his hands to try and calm the two, "Maria, I see your point." When Logan turned to protest at his words, Casper met Logan's worried look with a firm gaze.

"Thank you, Logan, but Maria has a point. I did think that any harm that befell a State Alchemist was what they called equivalent exchange. But that was before I saw how Mustang cares about Edward. It was before I heard Mustang talk about his hopes and goals for the future."

"And how do you know that he's not deceiving you?" Maria almost shouted. Logan looked between them, tense but also curious to hear what Casper would say.

"I don't know if he's deceiving me or not. Given the rumors about him, it may well be possible." Casper paused, "He also knows about Simon."

Both Maria and Logan's eyes widened at Casper's admission.

Casper's lip twitched into a half-smile, "but I just can't shake the feeling he's being honest when he says that he wants to change the government. If he has to twist arms or sugarcoat some things to do it, who am I to judge him given what we have been willing to do to change the government with this rebellion?"

Maria deflated, and all the anger left her, "I understand. But I want to talk to him myself before we do anything."

Casper only nodded, noting the resolve in her gaze, "then I'll take them water today, and you will go tomorrow."

Maria nodded.

Logan spoke, eyes fixed on his hands, "Then maybe I come with you today?" Logan looked to Casper for confirmation, "it may be good for them to know whose faces they can trust."

Casper smiled as he took in their determined faces, and for the first time in a long time, Logan and Maria witnessed Casper's genuinely peaceful smile. It was a smile they had once known all too well, but one that had disappeared many years ago.

Mustang's eyes, glazed from sleep deprivation, closed as his head bobbed forward. As his head fell, Mustang jerked, trying to stay awake.

The pressing knowledge that Drachma soldiers could barge into the small room at any moment while he and Edward were bound and frankly powerless to defend themselves had him on edge. Even if Casper was going to start bringing water to them every day, the damage was done. Mustang was exhausted, and it was plainly apparent that Edward was too. Edward had slept most of the time since he was brought back. He had jolted to a half-awake, half-asleep state a few times from what Mustang judged to be nightmares.

Mustang wrapped an arm around Edward's shoulders, tightening his hold as Edward grew restless once again. While Edward had initially jerked away after waking when Casper was there last, Edward had subconsciously nestled closer after falling asleep. He was gripping Mustang's shirt once again, pressing into Mustang's side.

Mustang found he did not mind, surprisingly. It was strange, but he did not mind if he could be some sort of role model for the young man.

What am I going to do, Hughes?

Mustang sighed but stiffened at the sound of the door opening. If he had not recognized Casper, he might have glared when two, not one person, entered the cell.

Mustang vaguely recognized the young man, who only nodded in his direction.

Mustang prodded Edward, who groaned and woke as Mustang helped him sit up, putting some distance between them before Edward became fully aware.

Edward felt Mustang's prodding and the sudden lack of warmth but was too groggy to really care. He blinked and noted that not just Casper but the young man who had cornered him in the snow was there as well.

Edward jerked, sitting up straight, "You!"

Logan smiled sheepishly, "Yeah, sorry about before."

Mustang watched the exchange out of the corner of his eye but attempted to remain impassive.

"Yeah, whatever," Edward groused.

Casper just smiled, "Well, I think some formal introductions are in order."

Casper set two glasses of water down in front of the alchemists and then sat across from them. Logan sat beside him in front of Edward.

Casper gestured to Logan as Mustang picked up both glasses and handed one to Edward before taking a sip.

Casper smiled wanly, "Logan and Edward met when we… Uhm… were sent to bring you back."

"Yeah, and I kicked your ass." Edward quipped as soon as he swallowed the water in his mouth. He had almost choked when Casper introduced the young man.

Yeah, I don't like him. But if he's here to help get us out this time…, Edward glared at Logan.

Logan winced, and Casper was now the one to give a sheepish smile. Mustang first looked surprised, but then a smug smile crossed his face.

That's my boy. Good for you.

"Yeah, then I went back for this one," Edward jerked his thumb at Mustang, "who was the idiot lying in the snow."

It was now Mustang's turn to wince.

"Yes, well, he had to contend with a lot of people and was in poor condition…." Casper tried to come to Mustang's defense.

"Yeah, so?" Edward groused.

Mustang only rolled his eyes; he knew it was a hopeless task to try and reason with Edward while he was like this.

Logan, now, only stared on in disbelief.

Casper grimaced but took a deep breath, "My colleagues want to meet you before we set a plan in motion to get the two of you out of here. Logan is one," he gestured to Logan once more, "and Maria is the other. She'll bring you your water tomorrow, partly to throw suspicion from me for visiting too often. Logan got the water from the kitchen today – to that end."

Edward's head cocked to one side but took another sip of water, and Mustang merely nodded tersely.

"Now for some formalities." Casper's face turned grim, and his attention turned solely to Mustang. "Can I trust you to work toward changing the government, to make it to the top and actually make a change? Here and now, can you swear that you will do everything in your power to make it happen?"

Mustang looked Casper dead in the eyes – that's the plan.

"And can you swear to keep Edward safe while you do it?"

Mustang looked at Edward, who was now gaping, and then back at Casper, "I don't want to make promises I cannot keep. This will be dangerous, and Edward has a habit of finding danger," Edward's protest at the statement went ignored.

Mustang looked at Casper once more, "but I will do everything in power to ensure Edward sees the day we do not have a military government. My goal from the beginning has been to keep him busy with his own tasks so that the military cannot use him to their ends, and I aim to keep it that way."

Edward watched Mustang as he spoke. It made him uncomfortable for Mustang to act like he cared. It also surprised him that Mustang would say anything of the sort to someone who could quite literally renege on what they were saying because, quite honestly, Casper was their enemy for all-intensive purposes.

Is he telling the truth or lying? He seems to trust Casper, but that doesn't mean anything. I know he wants to change the government, but is that how he really feels about me? Am I okay with that?

Casper nodded. "I'll bring what you need the day after tomorrow– willingly, this time. You won't have to kick me," he said with a smirk.

Mustang could only stare for a moment, and then he smirked back.

Edward continued to watch the exchange, "I wouldn't have been okay with it before all of this."

As the conversation stilled, Edward set down his empty glass. Mustang drank the last of his water but set the glass down solemnly at Casper's next statement.

"The Drachma soldiers left last night."

Mustang only nodded, but Edward looking between the two, asked, "what? Why would they leave after just getting here?"

The two eldest adults hesitated, but Logan looked at Edward incredulously.

"You know Drachman wants…."

"Logan," Casper cut him off softly. Both young men looked over at him, but after a moment, Edward blinked as realization washed over his face, and he turned to Mustang.

Mustang inwardly groaned. I wanted to avoid this…

"Drachma wants alchemists." Edward stated.

Mustang nodded, "yes, and the group that was here initially wouldn't be able to help the rebels and transport back an alchemist at the same time."

Edward held Mustang's gaze for a minute but then looked away and nodded.

"Well," Casper tried to fill the awkward silence. "Uhm… Maria brings the water tomorrow, and hopefully, after that, we can get you out of here in a few days."

"So, you really can't bring it earlier?" Edward asked.

Casper only nodded, then looked concerned, "the timing of everything is good to help you. You know, with water every day and Drachma leaving."

Mustang cut in, surprised, "What do you mean Damien is leaving?"

Casper blinked for a second, "Oh, right." He nodded, "Damien left earlier today but will be back tomorrow evening. That's why this is a good time to plan everything with you and have you meet Logan and Maria for more extended periods of time without raising suspicion."

"I mean," Casper continued, "I've been bringing the water to alleviate suspicion about why I'm in here." Casper turned his head and muttered, "although that wasn't the original reason, I asked for it."

Mustang heard anyway and sighed, "convincing them to give us water every day was your first step toward helping us. But with Damien gone, would tomorrow not be a good time to help us escape?"

Casper shook his head, "While it may seem like that on the surface, Maria was not completely on board. There will be other times when Damien leaves before we have to worry about Drachma returning. We also want to have a good plan in place since only the three of us will be helping."

Edward huffed, grudgingly acknowledging Casper's logic. He was a little perturbed that he was having trouble following the conversation. Every so often throughout the conversation, his vision would bur, and a wave of dizziness washed over him.

Mustang nodded. Good, he's thinking it through.

"Well then, I guess we'll meet this Maria tomorrow, and once we have her approval, we'll be able to plan the escape. How do you plan to finish up the logistics while Damien is here?"

Logan and Edward could only watch from the sidelines, and Casper felt a bit like a school student again. Mustang was now in control, despite being chained to the wall in a cell.

Casper nodded, "once Maria meets you, we hope to talk that night. Casper won't suspect us having a meeting after he returns. We often met even before the two of you came. So, she'll be able to give us her impressions of you, and I'll be able to bring the key and tell you what we thought the next day."

Casper took a deep breath, "because I asked to bring you water every day, I don't think he'll be suspicious if I bring the water often. Once you have the key and the tentative plan, we can wait for the opportune moment."

Mustang grinned, "so within two days, we have the key in hand and a plan."

Casper nodded a curious expression now on his face.

"I just want to make sure there are no misunderstandings given the nature of the situation."

Casper's lips pursed, "Makes sense, but I do want to know. Why do you trust me?"

"Because you lost your son."

Casper's head jerked to look at Mustang. Both Logan and Edward's eyes widened in shock. They did not think that Mustang would bring that up now. Casper swallowed, and Mustang cast a quick glance at Edward, who bit his lip.

Edward's eyebrows furrowed. He did not really like that Mustang felt like he had to protect him. He had been doing just fine taking care of himself and his brother for a long time now, but he could not say that it was not pleasant to know someone was worried.

It's just weird and creepy that it's Mustang who's worried. He was supposed to be the bastard with the God-complex.

Mustang continued, "I never really expected to have a family being in the military, and given what I wanted to do, it would be too dangerous, but" Mustang smiled, "I swore to take care of the soldiers under me, and I care about all of them." Mustang smirked, "just don't go telling anyone. That could spell trouble. I trust you won't because of what you've been through."

Casper nodded once again, and Logan smiled. Both valued the idea of a family after losing their first.

But Casper also knew the military was unrelenting. "Won't it be dangerous…"

Mustang shook his head, "Yes, but I protect my subordinates. No one will be the wiser if I have anything to say about it. Anyway," Mustang chuckled, giving Edward a side-long glance, "I don't think this one will say anything either."

Edward just clicked his tongue.

Casper smiled wanly, "well, we should be going."

Casper and Logan stood, taking the water glasses, and without another word, they left.

For the next few minutes, everything was silent in the small cell. Mustang looked at his hand while Edward sat silently, sulking and refusing to look at Mustang. He hated feeling weak, and right now, he knew he would not be able to stand up, let alone walk, due to fatigue, and he even still had both his leg and his automail leg.

I'm a liability at this point. The bastard will probably just nag like usual.

Edward glanced at Mustang out of the corner of his eye.

Mustang was leaning against the wall, one leg stretched out in front of him, the other bent, and the knee with an arm draped over it. His other hand was pressed against his face, covering his eyes.

Edward's eyes narrowed, and he looked away, biting his lip. Sure, he had insulted Mustang earlier, like usual. However, this situation was unnerving to Edward. Briefly, images from when he had been taken away flashed before his eyes. Anxiety built in his chest as he remembered thinking Mustang was dead.

I hate the bastard, but I don't want him dead. Edward bit harder. I don't need… Edward vigorously rubbed his eyes. I don't! I don't need him. He's useless in the rain and just in general. Shoot, I don't know… Reliable in a pinch, I guess, and he has been weird lately. Shit, I know he's good. He did make it to Colonel, after all, and it's nice that someone's here.

I hate being alone, and Al's not here.

Mustang watched Edward from the gaps between his fingers. Edward seemed to be thinking very hard about something frustrating.

Probably me, Mustang smirked.

He was now very aware that Edward did not know exactly where to put Mustang. Edward was an independent, spit-fire thirteen-year-old teenager who didn't like following orders. He disliked the government and only tolerated Mustang because Mustang gave him the means to help save his brother. Yet, Edward's pride over being able to take care of himself and his brother prevented him from truly being able to accept help on top of everything else. But now, Edward and Mustang had to rely on each other, and Mustang was better at doing so because of his experiences in the military. He had needed to rely on and work with others before, even those he did not particularly get along well with. For all intensive purposes, Edward was doing well.

He is still just a kid and still has some learning to do, but he can do well working with others. It's just he would never accept me taking the blame for him being here, would he? I'm hardly a good role model, though.

Mustang knew he had to find a way to redeem himself for what happened in Ishval. He was already aiming to reach the very top of their government in order to do so. But that plan was not just for his sake, but the sake of the country. Mustang looked at Edward once again. If reaching Fuhrer was not enough to redeem himself, he felt that helping Edward and Alphonse along the way might just be one more thing he could do, and escaping from here and reuniting the brothers was one step along that long road.

He had to find a way to save Edward, not just from this situation, but keep him safe from the government as well. He was the one who drew Edward into the military – had he not, Edward would never have been subjected to the torture of this mission. At the same time, if he had not, then where would they be right now?

For all his plans to come to fruition, his next step was to escape with Edward. Then, he would reunite him with his brother.

Mustang would make Edward proud.

Mustang smiled and leaned over and elbowed Edward. If the Drachma soldiers were gone and Damien off to a nearby city, if he could trust Casper, then maybe it would be alright to sleep for a little bit. Then he would be ready.

Edward jerked when he felt Mustang's elbow jab into his side, "what do you want, bastard?"

The corner of Mustang's lip quirked upward, "I'm going to get some sleep. You should, too, since we have some time while Damien and the Drachma soldiers are gone."

Edward merely grunted, and Mustang leaned back. Half an hour later, Mustang felt Edward lean into his side. Mustang slit his eyes open and took in the sight of Edward, who had, again, unconsciously drawn closer once he was asleep.

Well, even if the kid doesn't admit the truth out loud or to himself, at least I know.

Mustang chuckled and soon was fast asleep as well.

Edward jerked awake and felt the slight pressure at his side lessen. His head jerked around to see a sleeping Roy Mustang beside him, one arm lying across Edward's shoulders. Edward relaxed and leaned into Roy's side once more. He had not meant to fall asleep after Mustang elbowed him, but it seemed like he had.

In his groggy, half-awake state, Edward could admit that Mustang was the one who had provided him a pathway to restoring his brother.

He had to find a way out of here, and Mustang's obvious guilt toward the situation made Edward mad. He had decided to go on the mission, even if he didn't really have a choice due to the order coming from above. However, he had decided to sit in this bed of thorns.

Even if Mustang was the one who had suggested it and then acted like a pompous ass by threatening Alphonse the first chance he got.

Edward thought of Al and what would happen to him if he could not return to his little brother. It was his fault Al was in that body of metal that could not sleep or feel or eat.

Edward bit his lip. If Edward could find a way to escape and return to Al so he could keep his promise and make it up to his brother, he needed to find the way. And Casper seemed like he wanted to help them.

Edward glanced at Mustang and tsked, I'll never say it out loud, you bastard.

His thoughts turned to his brother once more. Edward had to be the one to sacrifice this time so they could retrieve their bodies from the other side of the gate. He had to make it up to his brother even if he had to bear the full weight of their mistakes.

The first step was getting free with Mustang. Then, getting back to Alphonse.

Edward yawned. He would make his brother… and Mustang proud.

Well, sorry for the long wait. School and a new job did a number on me. But here is the new chapter! Things are moving along.

R&R, Thanks! 😊