Cross the Continent and Into a New Land:
(Location: The City of Shallahje, America)
A small gathering of soldiers, their uniforms freshly pressed. They were gathered outside in a courtyard in between the military facility, just on the outskirts of the bustling metropolitan city. A figure approached in the distance, his uniform different from the rest. It was dark crimson, decorated in military regalia and medals. It was clear the man was of a high rank. He stood in front of the crowd, his short wavy red hair framed his face, he smiled, the soldiers saluting him. He was rather young, tall and fair-skinned, but his icy blue eyes were the only feature of him that seemed uninviting, even unnerving to some. He had obtained his title of Colonel rather young, having worked as a Alchemist in charge of Shallahje's Research Division before being promoted. The lead soldier, who oversaw briefing his crew, introduced his superior, causing the rest to follow with a salute.
"Colonel Raye of the 5Th Division, the Crimson Devil Alchemist!"
"Sir!" They yelled in unison, standing tall, saluting the Colonel.
"At ease, gentleman." They followed his order, dropping their salute stance. "As you may already be aware, our sector has recently received full annual marks for our work in the Research Division for both technological, and Alchemic advances." Some of the soldiers 'whooped' in a display of pride.
"The emperor requested a ceremony to be held at the end of the month to celebrate our achievements. He will be personally delivering the speech." Murmur amongst the crowd, before Colonel Raye continued. "That being said- I would like to host a celebration of our own." His words interested the crowd of soldiers, who jeered in excitement at the suggestion of festivities. They had been working nonstop the whole year, after all.
"In celebration of all your hard work, I would like to host a Banquet. Also, I have some exciting news regarding our prized alchemists, the Triple Threat." Colonel Raye saw some of the soldier's murmur amongst themselves, curious.
"For the past two years, we have been in an unofficial peace treaty with one of our neutral allied country- Central, Germany. In a joint interest to continue our advancement in Technology and Alchemy, it was decided we will be transferring the Triple Threat Alchemists to Central, Germany, as they are currently the head alchemists of our research Division. They will participate in a new ally program codenamed 'Brother's in Arms'. The Banquet will be held tonight at the West Wing Auditorium, along with a congratulatory speech from the Triple Threat Alchemists." A chorus of claps and cheering was heard.
Colonel Raye mingled about his subordinates, a glass of wine in his hand as he spoke to some of the other Generals who came to congratulate him on the good performance of his division.
A tall, stocky older man with wiry gray hair laughed boisterously, patting the Colonel's shoulder. Hs hair was gray now, but it still held tufts of red hair, although dulled with age. His mustache framed his face, and blue eyes twinkled in the low light. "Congratulations!" His loud voice could be heard even over the live music. "I feel like it wasn't so long ago that you were still a wee little boy, Felix!"
"Father." Felix- Colonel Raye, said, a tad bit embarrassed at his jolly display. "It has been long, I'm nearly 21 now."
His dad laughed. "Sure, but to me you'll always be my little boy." He winked. "I'm very proud. Your mother would be too." His dad patted his cheek.
Raye's eyes softened at this. "Thank you, Father."
"Where are the Triple Threat, I want to thank them for their hard work this last year. I heard about the recent bust on the Opium den they did."
"They should be arriving soon, I believe. They were still being briefed about their upcoming travel to Central and filling out paperwork."
Just then, a short raven-haired girl approached them, grinning. Her amethyst eyes darted from the Colonel to the General, and she saluted them. "Good evening, General Raye, Colonel."
"Haida, good evening." Colonel Raye greeted.
His dad nodded, shaking her hand.
"Likewise! It's been a while since I last saw you, Miss Baó Su. I have to say I was a bit disappointed when you turned down our invitation for dinner during the holidays."
"Yes, I've been dreadfully busy this year. I'm very sorry." Haida lamented. "I'll have to make it up to you some time, General."
General Raye nodded. "I heard that new program you're being transferred to is about two years?"
"Ah yes." Haida nodded. "Me and the boys supposedly will be working with the Elrich brothers on their side of the Research effort. They're Central's best, from what we've heard."
General Raye's brow lifted at the mention. "The Elric's? I've heard about them, yes. They're quite good. I'm more familiar with their father though. We worked together on a case back when I used to live there, before I married Maribeth."
"Their father?" Haida quipped. "I've heard about him, a bit. Mostly wild stories, though. He's mentioned a lot in a book I'm currently reading written by my late mentor, Hans Reich Goodwright."
"Ah, that's a good read. Advanced concepts. My condolences. I wasn't there at his funeral service when he passed. I was stuck in the barracks." The General said.
"It's alright. We got the funeral gifts you sent. Thank you for that"
He noticed the look shared between his son and Haida, looking as if they had a pressing matter they wanted to talk about privately. He cleared his throat, smiling. "Well, I have some matters with the other General's to discuss, unfortunately. I'll leave you two to discuss further." His son, aware it was a ruse, gave him a look. Unperceptively, his father tilted his head slightly towards Haida, raising both brows in suggestion. The Colonel, having caught on, glared, his lips pressing into a thin frown. "Well, it was nice to see you again, Miss Baó Su. I'll be sure to send you a congratulatory gift later, before you leave for Central. Felix." He nodded towards his son, before leaving.
"Why does your dad always do that, Felix? Is he alright?" Haida's sudden question caught him off guard, as he looked down at her.
"Do what?" He inquired.
Haida tilted her head, eyes twitching as she mimicked his father. "This. Is his neck hurt? Crissilly knows how to ease pressure point pain using acupuncture, so if he needs that, I can ask him before we leave. He's with Fallen at the dessert stand."
Felix stifled a laugh. "No need for that. He's fine." Haida gave him a look to suggest otherwise, but she didn't press further. "How are you feeling?"
"Hm? About what?"
"The transfer." He clarified. "It was announced so sudden."
"Oh!" She quipped. "Honestly, I haven't really had time to dwell on it. I suppose I'm excited after hearing about all the research in Central, and working with the Elric's. But, also sad? Because I know I'll be very homesick."
Felix nodded. "Yes."
"But I'm also worried."
"Oh? How come?" He didn't expect that.
"Well, I've never traveled by sea, so I'm not too keen on spending nearly a month in the middle of the ocean, because I can't swim." Felix laughed at this. "I'm serious!" Haida retorted, shoving his shoulder gently. "What if the ship were to sink?!" She glared at him, although there was humor reflected in them. "Fallen and Crissilly would fair just fine, since they fished often when we were kids, but I won't! Sure, Crissilly would try to save me, but I'd rather not take my chances!"
"Sea travel is not so bad, unless you get seasick. I always carry ginger chews on hand whenever I do."
Haida made a face. "I don't like the taste. But I'll keep it in mind." She extended her hand out, smiling. "If my memory serves me right, I think you, Colonel, owe me a dance."
Felix returned her smile, holding her hand with a small bow, and bringing her close for the start of a waltz. She accepted, taking a step closer, as they began their waltz, spinning slowly. "You're doing well keeping up." He commented, impressed by her improvement in her waltz. When she was a bit younger, he had taught her how to dance during one of their holiday dinners. What he didn't know, was hat she would practice on her spare time alone, or when she could convince Crissilly or Fallen to help her.
She grinned at his compliment. "Thank you."
It was quiet between them for a while, the two simply enjoying the serene calm of the music, and the lively atmosphere surrounding them. Felix let his thoughts run. His mind settled on her. They had always been close, ever since he saved them from the Westley Ruin Orphanage.
Back then, he was just freshly 16, 6 years her senior. The trio, her, Crissilly and Fallen were orphans back then. The orphanage was an affront for illegal alchemic research for a division of the military that was conducting black market research. Several of the country's top Alchemists were fond to have been complicit in the illegal research, as well as participants in human trafficking of children as tests subjects, particularly those orphaned. His initial case was only to find corruption in government funds but became bigger when he also uncovered the trafficking.
The illegal experiments conducted were deadly, uncovering a violent quest for a way to bypass the fundamental laws of alchemy, by trying to produce transmutation inorganically.
… Those alchemists involved were attempting to infuse manmade philosopher's stones into the bodies of the children, to then be used as weapons of mass destruction. Murmurs of a coup was also, prevalent. Had he not uncovered the illegal research, they would have succeeded, as the Triple Threat Alchemists were the only test subjects to have been successful.
… The Triple Threat Alchemist's blood had philosopher's stone. The only near pure ones, having been infused with it while their mother's were still in pregnancy…
At the time, it was, and still is, the biggest controversy of the country. When he became a Colonel at 19, he officially took the three as his underlings, teaching them the basics of alchemy. Due to their natural affinity and a consequence of the illegal experimentation on them, the trio picked it up well. But such knowledge was kept under tight wraps. No one else knew, besides him, the Emperor, and a few select High Generals from the 1st division.
"- are you even hearing what I said?"
Felix looked at her, flustered. "Sorry, what did you say?"
Haida raised a brow. "I said, I'm going to be gone a really long time." She repeated.
"Ah, yes."
"So, you're going to miss this face a lot."
Felix's lips twitched. "Is that right?" he said, feigning disinterest. "Are you so sure about that?"
Haida rolled her eyes. "Definitely sure. Your days are boring without me."
Felix said nothing, only laughing at her jest. "I'm neither denying nor admitting to that."
She shook her head, looking away. A light blush swept over her cheeks.
… Felix knew she held some sort of fancy to him for a while. It wasn't like he didn't harbor some of his own for her, but their current relationship concerning their line of work wasn't the most favorable for such thoughts. It wasn't illegal- there were several higher-ups that were married even, but he never dared to even attempt. He was also 6 years her senior. So, he held his own personal feelings at bay out of respect.
"…"
After a while, the current song ended, and so did their dance. Haida looked at him, a bit sad that they no longer were so close. She smiled anyways, thanking him for the dance. He returned the sentiment, taking her hand. "I'm confident during those two years you'll be aware, you will grow even more as an alchemist. I'm really proud of what you, Crissilly and Fallen have accomplished."
"Thank you."
"Hey." They both looked back to see a raven-haired teen, Crissilly, come up to them. Just a few feet away, the white haired Fallen motioned towards the podium. "We're up."
"Oh, okay." Haida said, although she didn't want to leave the Colonel just yet. She turned back to him, seeing him motion her towards her friends. "It was a lovely dance. I hope we'll have a chance to talk some more, later on."
"…" Haida nodded, before walking towards her friends for their speech.
… That night, she didn't have another chance to speak to the Colonel, for he had an impromptu meeting with some of the other higher ups concerning an urgent matter…
Edward roamed the halls of Hq in his usual foul mood. This wasn't out of the norm for the alchemical prodigy-
It's just today he seemed extra.
He didn't even bother to courtesy knock, bursting through Roy's office. His scowl turned to disgust at the sight of one of the receptionist girls on top of the desk, skirt hiked up, disheveled and currently lip locked with the Colonel. "What the hell, Roy?!"
The girl immediately jolted off the desk, fixing herself up before rushing out the door, past Ed.
Roy fixed his hair and shirt, looking at him. "You're here early, Ed."
"Why'ja send Al to go get those new foreign alchemists? Actually, why the hell did you assign them with me and Al?"
Roy rummaged about a file cabinet under, taking out a huge overfilled manila folder towards him. Ed looked at the file, not touching it. "Go ahead, Fullmetal. You'd be interested to know a bit more about them, since they're going to be a crucial part in your search for the stone's." This picked his interest. His tone and face changed, and Roy smirked, knowing he was curious now.
"Wat'cha mean?" Ed inquired. Finally, he picked up the folder, going through it. His eyes widened, looking at Roy with an 'are you serious look'. "You're shitting me."
Roy shook his head. "You're looking at the last disciples of the late Hans Reich Goodwright.."
"No fucking way…" He said. "i thought Goodwright was a dead lead after the fire?"
Roy chuckled. "The late alchemist's research notes were burned, yes; in what they call 'mysterious' circumstances. It's not known yet if it was deliberate, but it seems so since it was so close after his passing. Anything with his name on it that hasn't been released publicly has been redacted to hell, but I was told from the Colonel of Shallahje that the three transfers are the only ones who know his most recent work by memory. Work concerning alchemical theory and the philosopher's stone."
"Alchemical theory?" Ed inquired. "Is that why he was kicked off the international Alchemist's Council?"
"I don't know if that's why. He went from being a highly sought after alchemist for his knowledge, to being in a way blacklisted." Roy answered.
"It's a fairly new proposed theory that hasn't been made public yet. Some alchemists over there theorize that there's a current unknown set of alchemy matter that we haven't encountered yet. There's also a theory that apparently suggests we currently have something they're calling anti-matter, suggesting there's a anti-dimension similar to ours."
Ed scoffed at this. "So, you mean whacko science." Ed closed the folder. "I'm not interested in unproven theories, Roy."
"Aren't you the least bit curious, though?" Roy asked. Ed looked at him.
"Can they help me find the stones or not?"
"I believe so." Roy answered. "I'd read the whole file if I were you, some of his notes were translated." Ed gave him a weirded out look. He was being secretive, but about what?
"Hn." Ed left, manilla folder tucked under his armpit. He was going to go back to his room, opting to wait for Al to get back. His ears perked at a loud commotion nearby, voices arguing.
"Great, you got us lost, jackass!"
"Shut up."
Edward rounded the corner, and the group of people arguing quieted down, staring at him. They stared at each other, no one saying a word.
"…"
Haida walked beside Fallen, who was currently arguing with Crissilly after They turned the wrong corridor and lost track of Alphonse and Riza, who were taking them to their living quarters.
She sighed. Fallen and Crissilly never got along well, even when they still lived at the Orphanage. She didn't understand why, even when she asked the two on separate occasions why, they would always answer that they couldn't stand each other. When Colonel Raye took them under his wing, and they met Goodwright, their problems with each other seemed to intensify.
"Will you guys knock it off?!" She yelled at them, stopping them from almost starting a brawl in the middle of the hall.
Someone near them cleared their throat.
"?" The three looked to see a teen boy about their age, with long blonde hair tied in a braid, and intensely vibrant golden eyes.
Haida offered him a smile. "Hi, um, sorry to bother, but can you tell us which way is Colonel Mustang's office?"
Ed pointed back the direction he came from. "It's the first door on your right, at the end of the hall."
"I don't know Miss Riza, but I think they could've went this way before I lost them?"
Edward's ears perked up at the sound of Al. "Al!"
"Oh, hey, brother!" Al joined them, followed by Riza.
"There you guys are." Riza commented. "Hq is easy to get lost in."
Haida looked back at Ed after hearing Alphonse call the shorter blonde boy brother. "Wait, you're Fullmetal?" She extended her hand out for a handshake. "Nice to meet you. I'm Haida Baó Su. That's Crissilly Xhang, and Fallen Alseck."
"Nice to meet you. Edward Elric." Edward reluctantly shook her hand. His eyes widened a bit at the sight of snow white hair and red eyes.
'An Ishvalan.' He thought. ''Wait, aren't they all from the ethnic groups on the outskirts of Amestris and Central..?' He turned to his brother. "I'll see you later, Al." He said, making way towards their place.
"Wait, aren't you going to be there for the briefing in Mustang's office?" Al called out after him.
"Nah, I already talked with him." Ed called out. "I got some stuff he wanted me to look over, anyways."
"…"
Haida watched him leave, clutching her hand. It felt like she had gotten hit by a bolt of electricity.