Markings On The Ground
“Attention, everyone. We’ve just arrived at Central Station. Please, proceed to the exits in orderly fashion.”
All the passengers in the train complied with the conductor’s instructions without much fuss and, soon enough, everyone mingled with the crowd inside the station.
“Well, we’re here,” Edward said with a small sigh. “I never thought we’d be back so soon.”
“Yeah,” Al said, and turned to his brother. “Who do you think we should report to?”
“I don’t know, Al,” Ed replied, shrugging. “We’ll just have to go to Headquarters and see.”
A small cough sounded to the brothers’ left. “Yes… about that…”
Ed and Al stared at Beregond in surprise, because it was indeed the Gondorian who had spoken up.
“What is it?” Ed asked curiously.
“I’m afraid I can’t join you just yet. Someone has to escort Winry and Professor Syndow to some comfortable quarters.”
“That’s right,” Winry seconded. “And, besides, I need him for a small errand.”
“I hope your errand doesn’t involve him carrying your luggage,” Ed muttered under his breath. Still, the teen had to admit to himself that Beregond and Winry had a point, so he nodded at the next moment. “Okay, fine. Meet us at Headquarters as soon as Winry and the professor are settled.”
“Of course,” Beregond replied, a very peculiar smile on his lips. “Till later.”
“Just a moment,” Syndow said at that moment.
Ed and Al looked at the professor, certainly not expecting him to extend his hand toward them.
“Thank you… for everything.”
Al rubbed the back of his head in an embarrassed manner at those words, while Ed extended his automail hand and completed the handshake.
“Don’t mention it, Professor. I hope we’ll see you again soon.”
“Perhaps you will,” Syndow said with a smile.
With that, Syndow, Winry and Beregond turned on their heels and headed towards one of the many exits in the station.
Surprisingly, Al let out a sigh of relief.
“What’s wrong, Al?” Ed asked, not really understanding the reaction.
“What do you think?” Al replied, quite shaken. “Do you realise that Winry and Beregond might have wanted to go to Hughes’ home?”
Only then did it dawn on Ed. It had completely slipped his mind that neither Beregond nor Winry knew about Hughes’ death yet!
“Damn it,” he swore under his breath. “At least we’ve bought ourselves some time.”
“But for how long?” Al said. “Brother, we have to tell them. It will be worse if they find out by others and that we knew all along.”
“I know, I know,” Ed said, and heaved a sigh. “I guess we’ll have to tell them at the first chance.”
Al nodded. “And not a moment later.”
“Right.” Feeling that that little matter was settled, Ed and Al went to Central Headquarters on foot, since they weren’t all that far away from the train station.
To say they were shocked to see a very familiar face upon arriving there would have been an understatement.
“Lieutenant Hawkeye?” Ed exclaimed before he could help it. “What are you doing here?”
The woman stopped on her tracks and smiled politely. “Hello, Edward… Alphonse,” she said in greeting. “How’ve you been?”
Ed scratched his head. “Well, uh… you know. Same old, same old,” he answered evasively. “So why are you--?” he froze, because it was then that the thought occurred to the teen alchemist. “Wait a minute… If you’re here, then… the Colonel’s here, too!”
Riza nodded. “As a matter of fact, we’ve been waiting for you. However,” at that she looked at both boys curiously, “I see Beregond isn’t with you. Where is he?”
“He had to see to an errand first,” Al answered. “He’ll come and meet us here later.”
“I see,” Riza said, her expression becoming quite thoughtful. “I suppose it can’t be helped. You’ll have to get debriefed separately.”
“Debriefed?” Ed echoed.
“Yes.” Riza made a small beckoning motion to the boys so to follow her. “Come along. I was on my way to the Colonel’s office anyway.”
The boys complied and, a few minutes later, all three walked into the ample office Riza had guided them to. Mustang was already there, sitting behind his desk, and he wasn’t alone. Havoc, Breda, Falman and Fuery were there as well, while Black Hayate rested contently in a corner of the room.
“Well, well, aren’t you two a sight for sore eyes,” Havoc said, smoking idly his cigarette.
Ed snorted and took a seat on the sofa. “Yeah, I know. Let me guess: I’m so small that you need to see me through a magnifying glass, right?”
Al sighed and sat next to Ed. “He didn’t say that, Brother.”
“He was thinking it,” Ed muttered under his breath.
“Lieutenant Havoc, you know perfectly well that Major Elric might be of a certain demeaning size, but he’s still capable of causing mayhem every which way,” Roy said at that moment, a smirk adorning his features as he regarded Ed almost amusedly. “I’ve heard of your exploits in Dublith, Fullmetal. I’m surprised the city is still standing.”
Ed didn’t bother to answer that. He simply scowled, if only just to hide the blush of embarrassment that started forming on his cheeks. He wasn’t in the mood to hear a lecture about the way he handled things, thank you very much.
Surprisingly enough, though, Mustang’s face became quite serious. In fact, his body posture clearly showed Ed that the Colonel meant business.
“However, Fullmetal, I’m afraid to inform you that the time of games is over. You’re part of this unit, which means that you must start acting like it. Is that clear?”
Ed sighed. “Yeah… crystal,” he said. He locked his eyes on the Colonel’s in an unwavering gaze. “It’s because of what’s been happening in Liore, isn’t it?”
Roy nodded. However, that answer was enough to make Al very nervous.
“Is it… a war?” the suit of armour asked quietly.
Breda shook his head in a wry manner. “Officially, it’s called suppressing an uprising region. Apparently, it makes it sound less harsh.”
“And now we got ourselves caught in it,” Ed said darkly.
“You can’t disobey orders from the Führer himself,” Roy pointed out.
“I never said I would,” Ed said. “But, if you must know, I’ll be coming with you for other reasons.”
“Oh?” Roy said, raising an eyebrow in curiosity. “What kind of reasons?”
“Al, Beregond and I believe that Scar is there too. If we don’t find him, we’ll be in over our heads,” Ed answered as truthfully as possible. He didn’t want to complicate matters any further by mentioning the philosopher’s stone as well.
Neither Roy nor anyone else spoke for some time. For a moment, Ed thought that Roy would question Ed’s reasons for going after the Ishbalans; but it turned out it wasn’t so. Roy opened a drawer at his desk and took out a file.
“I’m afraid we’re in over our heads already,” he said, and tossed a picture in Ed’s direction.
Ed caught the picture in mid-air easily. “What’s this?” he asked.
“It’s from our new surveillance balloon,” Fuery explained, straightening his glasses. “They were sent over here a few hours ago.”
Feeling his curiosity piqued, Ed looked at the photo. Al leaned forward in a wish to look at it too, and both brothers gasped when they saw it was an aerial shot of Liore. Worse, they could clearly see that the ground throughout the city was etched in such a way that it resembled an array – and not just any array.
“This is…” Al faltered.
“Scar’s work,” Ed completed, a single terrifying thought now crossing his mind: that there was a chance they wouldn’t be able to stop Scar on time.
“So you know what this is,” Roy said, regarding the boys quite intently.
Ed realised that there was no point in hiding anything now, so he decided to tell the whole truth.
“I’m afraid so,” he said. He pointed at the array on the picture so that everyone could see it. “This is the array that an alchemist can use to create the philosopher’s stone. Scar believes that if he gets his hands on enough lives, then he’ll be able to create a stone for himself. And he thinks that the uprising in Liore is going to give him those lives.”
There was silence for many long moments, something that Ed had expected. After all, what he had said sounded almost too incredible. What he didn’t expect to hear, however, were Havoc’s next words.
“It looks like you were right all along, Boss.”
“Huh?!” Ed and Al stared at Roy incredulously.
“Let’s just say that we’ve made some pretty grim discoveries of our own while you were away, Fullmetal,” Roy replied. “Are you ready to hear about them?”
Ed and Al nodded, and listened to everything.
Once they made sure Faenel was tied securely at the hotel’s entrance (and suffering the bystanders’ curious looks), Beregond, Winry and Syndow checked in; then entered their room and settled as comfortably as possible anywhere they could, whether it was the sofa, the bed, or at least a chair; the trip from Dublith to Central proved quite long and tiring, and their backs were killing them. None of them spoke, wishing to relax for a few moments, but Winry finally decided to break the silence.
“What time did you arrange for Professor Syndow’s son to come and meet us?” she asked, looking in Beregond’s direction.
Beregond looked at the clock that was on the nightstand. “Today at 10 o’ clock. He should be here any minute now.”
“I’m surprised he’s not here sooner. Heaven knows how worried he and his mother must have been,” Syndow said.
The Gondorian smiled. “All is well that ends well, Professor. Soon you will be back home.”
“But your adventures are far from over,” Syndow noted, fixing his gaze on Beregond. “How far are you willing to go?”
Winry blinked at that question, for she didn’t understand what Syndow meant. However, it looked like Beregond understood perfectly well, because he answered without hesitation.
“To the end. That’s why I want to ask something of you.”
Syndow frowned at those words. “What is it?”
Beregond reached for the inner pocket of his overcoat and took out his journal. “Once this is over, I want you to have this and translate it.”
To Winry’s surprise, Syndow looked at the journal in shock, and he opened his mouth to say something. He never got the chance, though. At that moment, there was a knock on the door.
“Yes?” Beregond called out.
“Christopher Syndow.”
The Gondorian got up from his chair to open the door. Christopher was indeed on the doorstep, and he was carrying on his shoulders a very large bag.
“Punctual, I see,” Beregond noted.
“Is my father safe?” was all that Christopher said.
This time, Beregond settled with stepping aside, so that the young man could see his father. Christopher gasped and rushed to the professor to embrace him, scarcely containing his joy, while Beregond and Winry watched the reunion with a broad smile on their faces.
“I can’t thank you enough,” Christopher said, finally acknowledging both the Gondorian and the girl’s presence. “I’m in your debt, Sergeant Beregond.”
“And now it’s time to return the favour,” Beregond said. “Do you have it?”
“Fortunately for you, I do,” Christopher replied. “It was returned to the Syndow residence a couple of days after Brigadier General Connors’ death.”
Beregond stared at the young man in shock. “Connors is dead?” he echoed.
Christopher nodded. “I’m surprised you didn’t hear about it,” he said. “It was all over the newspapers after it happened. In fact, I think something is mentioned about it in today’s news too. Here,” and at that, he dug out from his overcoat a newspaper. “You can have a look at it for yourself, if you want.”
“Maybe later,” Beregond said, waving his hand dismissively. “I’m more concerned about the other thing that’s in your bag.”
“Yes, of course,” Christopher said. “It wasn’t easy carrying it all the way here, I can tell you. I’m surprised you had to wear it the whole time,” he added with a wry smile, then emptied the contents of the bag on the floor. The armour landed on the ground with a loud banging sound.
“It was heavy, but it served a good purpose,” Beregond admitted, looking fondly at the silver-hued plating. “And now it’s time to serve another one.”
“Let’s start then,” Winry said, opening her backpack and placing on the bed all her tools. “Ready, Beregond?”
“Ready,” the Gondorian replied, and he placed his hand on the armour, starting the familiar alchemical reaction.
“Well, boys? Do you understand now?”
Neither Ed nor Al spoke. They were too focused on thinking over everything that Roy and the other soldiers told them. The military’s involvement in creating the philosopher’s stone for it own purposes, the Führer and Colonel Douglas’ involvement and their own personal agenda in the matter; as well as the deaths of those who got too close to the truth.
Still, what had really shocked the boys was the fact that Hughes was, in fact, alive.
“The Führer said that Brigadier General Hughes was murdered,” Al exclaimed.
“He said,” Roy replied simply.
“Damn it.”
Roy raised an eyebrow and looked at Ed. “Fullmetal?”
“Back in Dublith, Bradley personally led a raid that got all the fugitives from Lab 5 killed off,” Ed replied. “I thought it was weird that he didn’t arrest anyone, but…” he paused, still trying to grasp what he had just realised. “He was just getting rid of potential witnesses that could speak against him.”
Roy nodded. “And now he’s preparing his final move: have someone create the philosopher’s stone for him and his partner, whoever that is.”
Ed swallowed hard and exchanged a brief glance with Al. They both suspected who could be Bradley’s partner, and they didn’t like the thought at all.
“Looks like we have one more reason to stop Scar now,” Ed concluded.
“I agree,” Roy said. “However, charging Liore and starting looking for Scar isn’t the best of options.”
Ed fixed his gaze on Roy. “So what do you suggest?”
Roy’s lips tugged into a half-smile. “We’ll talk about that later. Now we have to wait for a certain sergeant who started picking up your bad habits, Fullmetal.”
Ed just snorted in indignation at that.
The Syndows left for East City, after saying goodbye to Beregond and Winry and thanking them once again for all that they had done for them. Once that was taken care of, the Gondorian and the automail mechanic could focus on their own pressing task at hand without any distractions.
“Well? Will these do, Winry?” Beregond asked, nodding at his alchemy work.
The girl regarded the silver-coloured automail parts that shone brilliantly before her eyes with quite the scrutiny, then she looked up at Beregond with a broad smile.
“They are perfect,” she declared. “I’ll just have to assemble them to make the automail now.”
“How long do you think it will take you?” Beregond asked curiously.
Winry thought about it for a few seconds. “Well, you saved me the trouble of shaping the parts myself, but it will still take time. I’ll have to work all night to get them ready by tomorrow.”
“Sounds like a lot of trouble,” Beregond mused a bit guiltily.
“Don’t worry, I’m used to deadlines,” Winry reassured the man. “Just make sure Ed is here tomorrow so that I can have the automail attached to him.”
“I will,” Beregond said. He got up from the chair and put on his overcoat. “I should go find Ed and Al. Will you be okay on your own?”
Winry giggled and pushed Beregond lightly toward the door. “Yes, I will. Now go!”
Beregond couldn’t help it. He chuckled and walked out, trusting Winry to fix Ed’s new automail on time. It didn’t take him long to get to Central Headquarters or indeed find the boys. They were outside the building, waiting patiently for him; Ed was sitting on the steps, while Al was playing with Black Hayate.
“It was about time you showed up,” Ed said with a small huff. “Did Winry gawp at the automail shops again?”
“Something like that,” Beregond replied enigmatically, though he couldn’t keep his teasing tone away from his voice. “Actually, she has a surprise for you once you go to the hotel.”
“What kind of surprise?” Al asked, looking at Beregond curiously.
Beregond just chuckled and patted Al on the shoulder. “If I told you, it would hardly make it a surprise,” he said, only to sober at the next moment. “What news have we got here?”
Ed opened his mouth to speak, but he never got the chance to say anything; Havoc showed up, and greeted Beregond with a happy smile.
“Hey, Beregond. Did you just arrive?”
“Yes,” the Gondorian replied. “As a matter of fact, I was about to ask Ed and Al for some news.”
“Don’t worry, you’ll get to hear everything from the Colonel himself,” Havoc replied. “He’s waiting for you.”
“Wait a minute! We’re coming too!” Ed exclaimed.
Havoc shrugged. “Sorry, Ed. You’re needed in Major Armstrong’s office. That’s what I came out here to tell you.”
“But what could Major Armstrong want from us?” Al asked in a surprised tone.
“I don’t know, Al,” Havoc said. “You should both go anyway.”
Beregond didn’t speak. However, as he heard this exchange of words, he couldn’t help thinking that it somehow sounded too convenient that the major wanted to speak to the boys now. That was something that apparently crossed Ed’s mind as well, if the indignant gleam in his amber-coloured eyes was any indication.
Still, Ed smiled nonchalantly when he faced the Gondorian. “Don’t worry about it. You can tell us all about your meeting afterwards, okay?”
Beregond nodded his understanding, and he followed Havoc to Colonel Mustang’s office. To his surprise, though, Havoc stopped on his tracks on the threshold and got ready to leave again.
“What?” Beregond asked, finding this kind of behaviour strange.
“I can’t go any further,” Havoc said. “What Mustang is about to say is for your ears alone, and I have to make sure that no one will eavesdrop on you.”
With that, Havoc left, leaving Beregond quite perplexed and troubled. Seeing as he didn’t have many options left, Beregond decided to knock on the door.
“Enter!”
Beregond complied and walked up to Colonel Mustang’s office. Roy looked at him, seeming quite pleased; yet there was a gleam of determination visible in his eyes.
“Welcome back, Sergeant. Please, take a seat. This won’t take long.”
Beregond sat.
TBC…
All the passengers in the train complied with the conductor’s instructions without much fuss and, soon enough, everyone mingled with the crowd inside the station.
“Well, we’re here,” Edward said with a small sigh. “I never thought we’d be back so soon.”
“Yeah,” Al said, and turned to his brother. “Who do you think we should report to?”
“I don’t know, Al,” Ed replied, shrugging. “We’ll just have to go to Headquarters and see.”
A small cough sounded to the brothers’ left. “Yes… about that…”
Ed and Al stared at Beregond in surprise, because it was indeed the Gondorian who had spoken up.
“What is it?” Ed asked curiously.
“I’m afraid I can’t join you just yet. Someone has to escort Winry and Professor Syndow to some comfortable quarters.”
“That’s right,” Winry seconded. “And, besides, I need him for a small errand.”
“I hope your errand doesn’t involve him carrying your luggage,” Ed muttered under his breath. Still, the teen had to admit to himself that Beregond and Winry had a point, so he nodded at the next moment. “Okay, fine. Meet us at Headquarters as soon as Winry and the professor are settled.”
“Of course,” Beregond replied, a very peculiar smile on his lips. “Till later.”
“Just a moment,” Syndow said at that moment.
Ed and Al looked at the professor, certainly not expecting him to extend his hand toward them.
“Thank you… for everything.”
Al rubbed the back of his head in an embarrassed manner at those words, while Ed extended his automail hand and completed the handshake.
“Don’t mention it, Professor. I hope we’ll see you again soon.”
“Perhaps you will,” Syndow said with a smile.
With that, Syndow, Winry and Beregond turned on their heels and headed towards one of the many exits in the station.
Surprisingly, Al let out a sigh of relief.
“What’s wrong, Al?” Ed asked, not really understanding the reaction.
“What do you think?” Al replied, quite shaken. “Do you realise that Winry and Beregond might have wanted to go to Hughes’ home?”
Only then did it dawn on Ed. It had completely slipped his mind that neither Beregond nor Winry knew about Hughes’ death yet!
“Damn it,” he swore under his breath. “At least we’ve bought ourselves some time.”
“But for how long?” Al said. “Brother, we have to tell them. It will be worse if they find out by others and that we knew all along.”
“I know, I know,” Ed said, and heaved a sigh. “I guess we’ll have to tell them at the first chance.”
Al nodded. “And not a moment later.”
“Right.” Feeling that that little matter was settled, Ed and Al went to Central Headquarters on foot, since they weren’t all that far away from the train station.
To say they were shocked to see a very familiar face upon arriving there would have been an understatement.
“Lieutenant Hawkeye?” Ed exclaimed before he could help it. “What are you doing here?”
The woman stopped on her tracks and smiled politely. “Hello, Edward… Alphonse,” she said in greeting. “How’ve you been?”
Ed scratched his head. “Well, uh… you know. Same old, same old,” he answered evasively. “So why are you--?” he froze, because it was then that the thought occurred to the teen alchemist. “Wait a minute… If you’re here, then… the Colonel’s here, too!”
Riza nodded. “As a matter of fact, we’ve been waiting for you. However,” at that she looked at both boys curiously, “I see Beregond isn’t with you. Where is he?”
“He had to see to an errand first,” Al answered. “He’ll come and meet us here later.”
“I see,” Riza said, her expression becoming quite thoughtful. “I suppose it can’t be helped. You’ll have to get debriefed separately.”
“Debriefed?” Ed echoed.
“Yes.” Riza made a small beckoning motion to the boys so to follow her. “Come along. I was on my way to the Colonel’s office anyway.”
The boys complied and, a few minutes later, all three walked into the ample office Riza had guided them to. Mustang was already there, sitting behind his desk, and he wasn’t alone. Havoc, Breda, Falman and Fuery were there as well, while Black Hayate rested contently in a corner of the room.
“Well, well, aren’t you two a sight for sore eyes,” Havoc said, smoking idly his cigarette.
Ed snorted and took a seat on the sofa. “Yeah, I know. Let me guess: I’m so small that you need to see me through a magnifying glass, right?”
Al sighed and sat next to Ed. “He didn’t say that, Brother.”
“He was thinking it,” Ed muttered under his breath.
“Lieutenant Havoc, you know perfectly well that Major Elric might be of a certain demeaning size, but he’s still capable of causing mayhem every which way,” Roy said at that moment, a smirk adorning his features as he regarded Ed almost amusedly. “I’ve heard of your exploits in Dublith, Fullmetal. I’m surprised the city is still standing.”
Ed didn’t bother to answer that. He simply scowled, if only just to hide the blush of embarrassment that started forming on his cheeks. He wasn’t in the mood to hear a lecture about the way he handled things, thank you very much.
Surprisingly enough, though, Mustang’s face became quite serious. In fact, his body posture clearly showed Ed that the Colonel meant business.
“However, Fullmetal, I’m afraid to inform you that the time of games is over. You’re part of this unit, which means that you must start acting like it. Is that clear?”
Ed sighed. “Yeah… crystal,” he said. He locked his eyes on the Colonel’s in an unwavering gaze. “It’s because of what’s been happening in Liore, isn’t it?”
Roy nodded. However, that answer was enough to make Al very nervous.
“Is it… a war?” the suit of armour asked quietly.
Breda shook his head in a wry manner. “Officially, it’s called suppressing an uprising region. Apparently, it makes it sound less harsh.”
“And now we got ourselves caught in it,” Ed said darkly.
“You can’t disobey orders from the Führer himself,” Roy pointed out.
“I never said I would,” Ed said. “But, if you must know, I’ll be coming with you for other reasons.”
“Oh?” Roy said, raising an eyebrow in curiosity. “What kind of reasons?”
“Al, Beregond and I believe that Scar is there too. If we don’t find him, we’ll be in over our heads,” Ed answered as truthfully as possible. He didn’t want to complicate matters any further by mentioning the philosopher’s stone as well.
Neither Roy nor anyone else spoke for some time. For a moment, Ed thought that Roy would question Ed’s reasons for going after the Ishbalans; but it turned out it wasn’t so. Roy opened a drawer at his desk and took out a file.
“I’m afraid we’re in over our heads already,” he said, and tossed a picture in Ed’s direction.
Ed caught the picture in mid-air easily. “What’s this?” he asked.
“It’s from our new surveillance balloon,” Fuery explained, straightening his glasses. “They were sent over here a few hours ago.”
Feeling his curiosity piqued, Ed looked at the photo. Al leaned forward in a wish to look at it too, and both brothers gasped when they saw it was an aerial shot of Liore. Worse, they could clearly see that the ground throughout the city was etched in such a way that it resembled an array – and not just any array.
“This is…” Al faltered.
“Scar’s work,” Ed completed, a single terrifying thought now crossing his mind: that there was a chance they wouldn’t be able to stop Scar on time.
“So you know what this is,” Roy said, regarding the boys quite intently.
Ed realised that there was no point in hiding anything now, so he decided to tell the whole truth.
“I’m afraid so,” he said. He pointed at the array on the picture so that everyone could see it. “This is the array that an alchemist can use to create the philosopher’s stone. Scar believes that if he gets his hands on enough lives, then he’ll be able to create a stone for himself. And he thinks that the uprising in Liore is going to give him those lives.”
There was silence for many long moments, something that Ed had expected. After all, what he had said sounded almost too incredible. What he didn’t expect to hear, however, were Havoc’s next words.
“It looks like you were right all along, Boss.”
“Huh?!” Ed and Al stared at Roy incredulously.
“Let’s just say that we’ve made some pretty grim discoveries of our own while you were away, Fullmetal,” Roy replied. “Are you ready to hear about them?”
Ed and Al nodded, and listened to everything.
Once they made sure Faenel was tied securely at the hotel’s entrance (and suffering the bystanders’ curious looks), Beregond, Winry and Syndow checked in; then entered their room and settled as comfortably as possible anywhere they could, whether it was the sofa, the bed, or at least a chair; the trip from Dublith to Central proved quite long and tiring, and their backs were killing them. None of them spoke, wishing to relax for a few moments, but Winry finally decided to break the silence.
“What time did you arrange for Professor Syndow’s son to come and meet us?” she asked, looking in Beregond’s direction.
Beregond looked at the clock that was on the nightstand. “Today at 10 o’ clock. He should be here any minute now.”
“I’m surprised he’s not here sooner. Heaven knows how worried he and his mother must have been,” Syndow said.
The Gondorian smiled. “All is well that ends well, Professor. Soon you will be back home.”
“But your adventures are far from over,” Syndow noted, fixing his gaze on Beregond. “How far are you willing to go?”
Winry blinked at that question, for she didn’t understand what Syndow meant. However, it looked like Beregond understood perfectly well, because he answered without hesitation.
“To the end. That’s why I want to ask something of you.”
Syndow frowned at those words. “What is it?”
Beregond reached for the inner pocket of his overcoat and took out his journal. “Once this is over, I want you to have this and translate it.”
To Winry’s surprise, Syndow looked at the journal in shock, and he opened his mouth to say something. He never got the chance, though. At that moment, there was a knock on the door.
“Yes?” Beregond called out.
“Christopher Syndow.”
The Gondorian got up from his chair to open the door. Christopher was indeed on the doorstep, and he was carrying on his shoulders a very large bag.
“Punctual, I see,” Beregond noted.
“Is my father safe?” was all that Christopher said.
This time, Beregond settled with stepping aside, so that the young man could see his father. Christopher gasped and rushed to the professor to embrace him, scarcely containing his joy, while Beregond and Winry watched the reunion with a broad smile on their faces.
“I can’t thank you enough,” Christopher said, finally acknowledging both the Gondorian and the girl’s presence. “I’m in your debt, Sergeant Beregond.”
“And now it’s time to return the favour,” Beregond said. “Do you have it?”
“Fortunately for you, I do,” Christopher replied. “It was returned to the Syndow residence a couple of days after Brigadier General Connors’ death.”
Beregond stared at the young man in shock. “Connors is dead?” he echoed.
Christopher nodded. “I’m surprised you didn’t hear about it,” he said. “It was all over the newspapers after it happened. In fact, I think something is mentioned about it in today’s news too. Here,” and at that, he dug out from his overcoat a newspaper. “You can have a look at it for yourself, if you want.”
“Maybe later,” Beregond said, waving his hand dismissively. “I’m more concerned about the other thing that’s in your bag.”
“Yes, of course,” Christopher said. “It wasn’t easy carrying it all the way here, I can tell you. I’m surprised you had to wear it the whole time,” he added with a wry smile, then emptied the contents of the bag on the floor. The armour landed on the ground with a loud banging sound.
“It was heavy, but it served a good purpose,” Beregond admitted, looking fondly at the silver-hued plating. “And now it’s time to serve another one.”
“Let’s start then,” Winry said, opening her backpack and placing on the bed all her tools. “Ready, Beregond?”
“Ready,” the Gondorian replied, and he placed his hand on the armour, starting the familiar alchemical reaction.
“Well, boys? Do you understand now?”
Neither Ed nor Al spoke. They were too focused on thinking over everything that Roy and the other soldiers told them. The military’s involvement in creating the philosopher’s stone for it own purposes, the Führer and Colonel Douglas’ involvement and their own personal agenda in the matter; as well as the deaths of those who got too close to the truth.
Still, what had really shocked the boys was the fact that Hughes was, in fact, alive.
“The Führer said that Brigadier General Hughes was murdered,” Al exclaimed.
“He said,” Roy replied simply.
“Damn it.”
Roy raised an eyebrow and looked at Ed. “Fullmetal?”
“Back in Dublith, Bradley personally led a raid that got all the fugitives from Lab 5 killed off,” Ed replied. “I thought it was weird that he didn’t arrest anyone, but…” he paused, still trying to grasp what he had just realised. “He was just getting rid of potential witnesses that could speak against him.”
Roy nodded. “And now he’s preparing his final move: have someone create the philosopher’s stone for him and his partner, whoever that is.”
Ed swallowed hard and exchanged a brief glance with Al. They both suspected who could be Bradley’s partner, and they didn’t like the thought at all.
“Looks like we have one more reason to stop Scar now,” Ed concluded.
“I agree,” Roy said. “However, charging Liore and starting looking for Scar isn’t the best of options.”
Ed fixed his gaze on Roy. “So what do you suggest?”
Roy’s lips tugged into a half-smile. “We’ll talk about that later. Now we have to wait for a certain sergeant who started picking up your bad habits, Fullmetal.”
Ed just snorted in indignation at that.
The Syndows left for East City, after saying goodbye to Beregond and Winry and thanking them once again for all that they had done for them. Once that was taken care of, the Gondorian and the automail mechanic could focus on their own pressing task at hand without any distractions.
“Well? Will these do, Winry?” Beregond asked, nodding at his alchemy work.
The girl regarded the silver-coloured automail parts that shone brilliantly before her eyes with quite the scrutiny, then she looked up at Beregond with a broad smile.
“They are perfect,” she declared. “I’ll just have to assemble them to make the automail now.”
“How long do you think it will take you?” Beregond asked curiously.
Winry thought about it for a few seconds. “Well, you saved me the trouble of shaping the parts myself, but it will still take time. I’ll have to work all night to get them ready by tomorrow.”
“Sounds like a lot of trouble,” Beregond mused a bit guiltily.
“Don’t worry, I’m used to deadlines,” Winry reassured the man. “Just make sure Ed is here tomorrow so that I can have the automail attached to him.”
“I will,” Beregond said. He got up from the chair and put on his overcoat. “I should go find Ed and Al. Will you be okay on your own?”
Winry giggled and pushed Beregond lightly toward the door. “Yes, I will. Now go!”
Beregond couldn’t help it. He chuckled and walked out, trusting Winry to fix Ed’s new automail on time. It didn’t take him long to get to Central Headquarters or indeed find the boys. They were outside the building, waiting patiently for him; Ed was sitting on the steps, while Al was playing with Black Hayate.
“It was about time you showed up,” Ed said with a small huff. “Did Winry gawp at the automail shops again?”
“Something like that,” Beregond replied enigmatically, though he couldn’t keep his teasing tone away from his voice. “Actually, she has a surprise for you once you go to the hotel.”
“What kind of surprise?” Al asked, looking at Beregond curiously.
Beregond just chuckled and patted Al on the shoulder. “If I told you, it would hardly make it a surprise,” he said, only to sober at the next moment. “What news have we got here?”
Ed opened his mouth to speak, but he never got the chance to say anything; Havoc showed up, and greeted Beregond with a happy smile.
“Hey, Beregond. Did you just arrive?”
“Yes,” the Gondorian replied. “As a matter of fact, I was about to ask Ed and Al for some news.”
“Don’t worry, you’ll get to hear everything from the Colonel himself,” Havoc replied. “He’s waiting for you.”
“Wait a minute! We’re coming too!” Ed exclaimed.
Havoc shrugged. “Sorry, Ed. You’re needed in Major Armstrong’s office. That’s what I came out here to tell you.”
“But what could Major Armstrong want from us?” Al asked in a surprised tone.
“I don’t know, Al,” Havoc said. “You should both go anyway.”
Beregond didn’t speak. However, as he heard this exchange of words, he couldn’t help thinking that it somehow sounded too convenient that the major wanted to speak to the boys now. That was something that apparently crossed Ed’s mind as well, if the indignant gleam in his amber-coloured eyes was any indication.
Still, Ed smiled nonchalantly when he faced the Gondorian. “Don’t worry about it. You can tell us all about your meeting afterwards, okay?”
Beregond nodded his understanding, and he followed Havoc to Colonel Mustang’s office. To his surprise, though, Havoc stopped on his tracks on the threshold and got ready to leave again.
“What?” Beregond asked, finding this kind of behaviour strange.
“I can’t go any further,” Havoc said. “What Mustang is about to say is for your ears alone, and I have to make sure that no one will eavesdrop on you.”
With that, Havoc left, leaving Beregond quite perplexed and troubled. Seeing as he didn’t have many options left, Beregond decided to knock on the door.
“Enter!”
Beregond complied and walked up to Colonel Mustang’s office. Roy looked at him, seeming quite pleased; yet there was a gleam of determination visible in his eyes.
“Welcome back, Sergeant. Please, take a seat. This won’t take long.”
Beregond sat.
TBC…
Subtitles
- Brother's Debt
- Fullmetal Body, Fullmetal Heart
- A Quiet Day
- In The Night
- Two Men's Faces
- Transfer
- Making Plans
- Shadows Of The Past
- Underworld
- The Price Of Immortality
- Departure
- The Key
- Enemy Revealed
- A Step Back
- A Step Closer To The Truth
- A Race
- Rush Valley
- Responsibility
- Izumi
- Time To Stand Still
- Wild Child
- Encounter
- Riddles In The Dark
- In Search For Answers
- A Teacher's Mistakes
- Complications
- Visits
- The Nature Of A Homunculus
- Dante Of The Deep Forest
- Kidnapped
- Fight At The Devil's Nest
- Innocence Lost
- Blood Spilt
- Recovering
- Bearers Of Ill News
- The Flame Alchemist
- True Colours
- Markings On The Ground
- The Mission
- Heading To Liore
- Change Of Plans
- The Scar
- Holy Mother
- A Mother's Face
- Final Moments