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ArWen the Eternally Surprised
Author: Ria Time: 2007/11/22
Arwen encounters a strange monk and gains a little extra time.
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Shamballa - Part 3- The Philosopher's Stone
Submitter: Date: 2009/9/14 Views: 416
True Colours
“Are we done with these, Lieutenant Hawkeye?” Roy asked as he read a report that the woman had handed him.

“Yes, sir,” Riza simply replied.

“Good. You can pass them to Havoc and--”

Roy never finished his sentence, because it was then that both soldiers heard a knock on the door. Frowning since he wasn’t expecting anyone, Roy called out: “Enter!”

It turned out to be Fuery, who stepped in the office and saluted cordially. “I’m sorry to interrupt you, Sir, but you’re requested in Major Armstrong’s office.”

Ah… so the expedition in the southern area has ended, Roy thought. “Do you have any idea what it is about?”

“None whatsoever, Sir,” Fuery said with a shake of his head. “But it seemed important.”

“It never is anything less than that, Fuery,” Roy declared dryly before standing up and heading out the door. A few moments later, Roy reached Armstrong’s office and entered.

Armstrong was sitting on his desk, just like Roy had expected. However, Roy tried to hide his surprise when he saw Archer there, especially when he noticed the insignia of Colonel on the man’s shoulder. And, to Roy’s intrigue, there was someone else in the room as well; someone who, for whatever reason, hid his face behind a mask.

“Ah, Colonel Mustang,” Archer said, smiling in a pleased manner. “I’m glad you came at such short notice.”

“May I ask what this is about… Colonel Archer?” Roy asked, keeping his expression neutral.

Archer placed his hands behind his back. “I believe you’re to leave for Liore soon, is that correct?”

“Yes,” Roy answered. “When Fullmetal returns to Central, in fact.”

“I see,” Archer said. He didn’t speak again for some time, as though contemplating on how to approach a delicate matter. Though that seemed to Roy very suspicious, he said nothing.

“Liore has become quite dangerous, Colonel Mustang,” Archer finally said. “The locals have been fighting back, and we’re losing more men than expected. As you realise, we need men that are more than capable of dealing with that kind of situation.”

“State Alchemists are more than able,” Roy pointed out. “That’s why they have been used repeatedly in the past.”

“Yes,” Archer admitted. “However, perhaps you will appreciate the extra hand.”

“Extra hand?” Roy asked, not really understanding.

“Oh, does that mean I can take this off now?” the masked man asked, his tone sounding amused.

“Go right ahead,” Archer replied.

The masked man didn’t need to be told twice. He removed the mask with a smile and tossed it on the desk.

“That’s better,” he said, turning his gaze to Roy. “It’s good to see you again, Flame Major… No wait. It’s Colonel now, isn’t it?”

Roy could only stare dumbly at the face that was revealed, for it belonged to none other than…

“The Crimson Alchemist?!” Yes, Roy knew the man only too well from back at the Ishbal days, and he despised him with all the strength of his heart. Even now, he could recall the dozen times that Kimblee used his explosive alchemy out of sheer pleasure not just to enemies, but on Amestrian soldiers as well. “Archer, what is going on here?!”

Archer raised an eyebrow and looked at Roy curiously. “Do you have a problem with Lieutenant Colonel Zolf J. Kimblee?”

Now that was downright unbelievable. “Lieutenant Colonel?”

Archer nodded. “The lieutenant colonel was imprisoned unfairly for crimes he didn’t commit, but he managed to escape before he was used for the illegal experiments in Lab 5,” he explained. “It’s thanks to his testimony that the mystery around the laboratory is currenly being solved.”

“Unfairly?” Roy could only echo. This couldn’t be happening; it was a bad joke. “How can that be?”

“As you have already noticed, Colonel Mustang, the Führer has granted me the rank of Colonel. And, since we’re at it, I should also inform you that he’s also granted me full authority of the operation in Liore. That means I can choose for this mission whoever I see fit and, if you object to me, you object to the Führer’s wishes too,” Archer declared. “Is that understood, Flame Alchemist?”

Roy cursed mentally, because he realised that those promotions meant something else as well. The Führer was slowly showing his true colours.

Still, that was something that he couldn’t say out loud. So he just nodded and said, “Yes, Sir.”

Archer smiled once more. “Good. I knew I could depend on your cooperation. That will be all.”

With that, Archer and Kimblee walked out without bothering to look back. The first one who spoke after the door clicked shut was Armstrong, the one soldier who had remained quiet throughout the whole conversation.

“You look as though you’ve lost some weight.”

Roy faced the major in an unwavering gaze. “You look as though you got caught in a fight,” he replied, nodding at the sticking plaster on the burly man’s forehead.

“It’s just a scratch. We came across trouble in Dublith,” Armstrong said, waving his hand dismissively. “I also met the Elric Brothers there.”

“Oh?”

Armstrong hummed his affirmative. “Edward’s planning on continuing as a dog of the military,” he added softly.

Roy sat down in a weary manner. “You’re thinking what I’m thinking.”

Armstrong’s fists clenched into fists. “Has time really run out on him? Is he to cover his hands in blood before restoring his body?”

Roy sighed. “Fullmetal joined the military fully aware that there was a risk he’d be used as a weapon. For better or for worse, there can be no exceptions.”

Armstrong’s gaze locked on Roy’s. “Is that your official stance?”

Roy answered with a question of his own. “Do you want to defy the military law?”

“I don’t defy anything,” Armstrong replied tensely. “I just want to be sure that I use my strength to protect the innocent.”

“And you will,” Roy said with a small smile. “There’s something you should know, Major.”

Something in Roy’s tone probably told Armstrong that the matter was important, for he leaned forward, looking at Roy intently.

“What is it?”

That was all the motivation Roy needed in order to start talking.




Beregond returned to his seat and tried to make himself as comfortable as possible, when he sensed the professor stirring from his slumber. He turned his gaze to Syndow, seeing that the man was, indeed, waking up.

Syndow blinked blearily at first, obviously trying to figure out where he was. Finally, he turned to Beregond, looking at him in a quizzical manner.

“How long have I been out?” he asked.

“About a couple of hours. We’ll be approaching Rush Valley soon,” Beregond replied. “How are you feeling, Professor?”

“Much stronger now,” Syndow said. “Although I’ll feel better once I’m back home.”

“I understand,” the Gondorian said with a nod. “Nevertheless, I should get you something to eat. By the look of things, you were treated unceremoniously.”

Syndow checked himself, realising that Beregond was talking about his emaciated condition. He waved his hand dismissively. “It’s of no importance. I didn’t much care for her food anyway.”

Though Beregond accepted the professor’s attempt at humour gracefully, there was something that he considered quite troubling. Now it felt like the right moment to just go ahead and ask it.

“Professor, Edward and Alphonse told me that Dante wanted you to translate my journal for her.”

Syndow winced and nodded. “Indeed, I said that.”

“But… could you pull that kind of thing?”

“I already have.”

Beregond’s shock must have been evident, because Syndow shook his head at. “Be at ease. I have the translation here,” he said, patting the inside of his tattered overcoat. “She never saw it. Although… I’m afraid she didn’t have to either.”

Beregond eyed the professor intently. “What do you mean?”

“I mean she knows about your world, Sergeant. She even had the smugness to come tell me herself.”

The Gondorian felt like his heart missed a beat. “How did she find out?”

“I don’t know, but I can tell you one thing. Her reaction to that kind of revelation was strange,” Syndow said. “She didn’t seem surprised in the least. In fact, she talked about your world as though it was the most natural thing in the world.”

“Or as though she had been aware of its existence all along,” Beregond noted.

Syndow hummed on the affirmative. “I suppose all she needed was proof of it.”

“That she got with my presence here,” the Gondorian completed, rubbing his eyes in a tired manner. “I should have seen it coming from the symbol of the amlug on the homunculi. As instruments of evil, they could only be branded as such by someone who knew the significance of the symbol… or someone who had a sick sense of humour.”

“It appears so,” Syndow agreed quietly. “Your identity can no longer be considered secret.”

“No,” Beregond said. He sighed and locked his gaze out the window. “Did you tell the boys any of this?”

Syndow shook his head.

“Good. Keep it that way.”

Syndow stared at Beregond in disbelief. “Why?”

Beregond’s lips tugged to a small, warm smile. “I’ve come to know Ed and Al only too well,” he said. “If they find out about this, they’ll try to protect me. I don’t want that.”

Syndow finally caught on. “You don’t want them to face her.”

Beregond just nodded.




Later in the afternoon, Major Armstrong was returning to his residence, and he wasn’t alone. Warrant Officer Falman was with him, so that Armstrong could hear about the last details of Roy’s conspiracy against the real enemies of the State.

“When can I see Brigadier General Hughes?” Armstrong asked curiously.

Falman shook his head. “I’m afraid that’s not possible just yet. Hughes has to remain hidden, or the enemy will realise what game we’re playing.”

“And is this Mrs Abbot worthy of our trust?”

“Havoc vouches for her, as well as Brigadier General Hughes,” Falman answered “The Colonel seems to trust her too, and that’s enough for me.”

“Good,” Armstrong said. “We’ll need every trustworthy person we can get.”

Just then, a woman’s voice sounded to their left. “Excuse me…”

Both soldiers turned around, and they both smiled in a friendly manner when they saw it was Scieszka. Armstrong knew her from the time that she was still working as secretary to Maes, while Falman had met her back at Maes’s ‘funeral’.

“Ms Scieszka? That’s a pleasant surprise,” Falman said.

“Indeed, it is. I hope you’re well, Warrant Officer,” the girl said with a smile before turning to Armstrong. “I’m sorry to bother you, but I was actually on my way to your house, Major Armstrong. Ed was interested in a book you have in your library, and he was hoping that I could read it so as to make a copy of it afterwards. Is that okay?”

Armstrong’s smile broadened tenfold and his chest seemed to swell with pride. “Of course! The thirst for knowledge is a commendable trait, strengthening the mind and expanding it to new horizons! The Armstrong family has known this for generations!”

Falman and Scieszka could swear they could see Armstrong’s sparkly aura brightening at this. They both exchanged a brief glance of embarrassment; then Falman decided to take matters in his own hands.

“Ah… Major… perhaps we should continue on then? Ms Scieszka will need the book in order to expand her horizons, after all.”

“Hm?” Armstrong didn’t catch on at once, since he had been too engrossed in his speech. “Yes, indeed. This way, Ms Scieszka.”

And with that, Armstrong guided both Falman and Scieszka to the Armstrong mansion. Scieszka could only mouth a small ‘thank you’ in Falman’s direction, something that made the warrant officer smile.




Late at night, there was light in the Führer’s office. After all, there was no rest for the wicked, and Pride and Sloth had a lot of things to take care of.

“I don’t understand, Sir,” the Brigadier General that was now standing in attention in front of Bradley. “You’re going to the front lines of Liore?”

Bradley nodded. “I can’t let Liore turn into another Ishbal. We must put an end to it quickly and with as few casualties as possible.”

“O-of course, but…”

“There is no but, Brigadier General Hakuro,” Bradley said, waving his hand dismissively. “Colonel Douglas will be escorting me this time, so you’ll have to keep everything in charge here. I’m counting on you. Is that clear?”

Brigadier General Hakuro could only stare at Bradley for many long moments, until in the end he saluted. “Yes, Sir!”

“Good,” Bradley said, his lips tugging to a half-smile. “That will be all.”

Brigadier General Hakuro nodded and bowed his head respectfully before turning on his heel to walk out. Apparently, though, Bradley wanted to say one last thing.

“Brigadier General Hakuro?”

The Brigadier General turned around and looked at the Führer quizzically. “Yes, Sir?”

“I would be much obliged if you sent something to my wife and son for me. I don’t want them to feel lonely.”

“Understood, Sir.” With that, the Brigadier General walked out.

That gave Bradley the opportunity to talk to Sloth without any interruptions.

“Well? What news?”

“Everything was quiet while you were away,” the female homunculus answered. “However, there is something worth noting about Colonel Mustang.”

“Oh? What is it?” Bradley asked.

“There is hardly any progress in his search for the murderer of Brigadier General Hughes. Odd, since Mustang considered him such a good friend and wished to see the murderer arrested.”

“The scent probably became too cold for that dog,” Bradley said. “It is of no importance.”

“But the other matter is,” Sloth said. “His men are loyal to him – too loyal. They even go as far as to being reluctant to hand out any information concerning their commander.”

Bradley knitted his fingers and shook his head. “Yes, he’s becoming far too popular. That could pose a problem. But,” and at that his expression became cruelly calculating, “a lot of things can happen in a war.”

Sloth understood perfectly well what Pride was implying. “When do we leave for Liore?”

“Tomorrow,” Bradley answered.

Sloth regarded Pride intently. “So… the pieces of the board have finally taken their positions.”

Bradley nodded. “And all we need now is a checkmate.”

Sloth’s lips quirked to a wan, yet visible smile.

TBC…
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