The Truth Within the Truth: A Fullmetal Alchemist RP

[JdaS]

Anton had his share of fun, but there were other matters to attend to.

Got to get the ol' appendage fixed. Better safe than sorry.

"You'll get no arguments from me. Now if you'll excuse me..."

He excused himself after snapping a quick salute. While the Fuhrer didn't mind Anton leaving, the others might've found his lack of interest in the briefing somewhat puzzling. Not that it mattered to the Liutenant. As he exited the room he acknowledged Amon's presence with a nod and finished his sentence.

"...I have an arm to fix."

As he continued down the hall he saw a familiar figure walking towards him.

"Could it be? It IS! Lt. Banagher! How long has it been? A month? Two? Five? That little thing in... Reole, right? Hahhaa how time flies when you're having fun!"

Anton seemed to greet Banagher like they were old war buddies, but the look on Banagher's face indicated otherwise.

 

[JokerboyJordan]

Roland saluted the Fuhrer diligently.

Doesn't want us to investigate 'eh? For our safety? As if

"Lets go to the city".

"The Fuhrer may want to continue speaking with us. Waiting around for his departure would be preferable."

"On second thought, jusr a second Leo, it's rude to leave in the Fuhrer's presence..."

 

[TheIronRuler]

While standing at the reception waiting for a nurse that could check out Leo, he looked up and turned to Roland. "Do you know what you want to do outside? I can't move much...".

 

[Redryhno]

The moment Roland and Leo started for the door, Kallu stood and grabbed Roland's shoulder, whispering,"The Fuhrer may want to continue speaking with us. Waiting around for his departure would be preferable."

 

[Fragrance of Mtn Dew]

A small smile spread across Marlin's face as the man accepted his offer. He wasn't bothered in the slightest by the man's threat having already bested the man in combat once and he had no intentions of going back on his word anyway. What bothered him more was the man's statements regarding the military earlier. I suppose I haven't dealt with the military operations much until recently, but what he says must be an exaggerated rumor. Although, I did see a number of impoverished looking veterans.... Hmmm....

After making a note to look into this more in his free time, Marlin pulled out his journal and ripped two blank pages on it. He scribbled something on the first page and handed it to the man. It was legible, but only barely. "Bring this to the Military HQ here in East City. This should be enough to get you enlisted." He said while scribbling out another note. "And bring this one to the treasury. They should deduct more than enough to pay your brother's medical bills from my research fund. If you have any problems, come find me and I'll take care of it."

"Since your brother was injured in a battle I was somewhat involved in, it's only right that I take responsibility."

 

[CJ1145]

"Excuse me, Sir, but you said rumors have been popping up in the East. Logically, that means they've been active there. Meaning no disrespect to the wisdom of your suggestion, sir, as it will, of course, be heeded, but wouldn't it be... prudent for us to at least gather some intel on them so we can fight them better the next time we find them? Lack of knowledge nearly killed us once. I'd prefer it not happen again."

If Anton had been looking, he might have noticed the flare of irritation on the Fuhrer's face. As it happened, only Vlad was around and aware enough of the man's more subtle emotions to pick up on it. Bradley took the two red envelopes from Vampire, and slipped him a note to read later, presumably in private. He then turned back to Spice.

"You men are my left hand, performing missions and tasks of, indeed, great importance and stealth, but they are still more overt than this. The key difference is that I expect you to apprehend the men you are researching. You have already shown that, while you are proficient enough in survival against these mysterious enemies, you do not have the skills necessary to defeat them. I will have my best spies investigating this matter, and if you are to accidentally stumble across anything I expect a full and detailed report of it. But when the time comes..."

His forehead wrinkled as he scowled, thinking of the enemies he planned to slay. "I'll take care of them personally."

A moment of deep, unsettling silence enveloped the room. The Fuhrer let it linger before he spoke. "Of course, if I believe you should know anything, then you will be informed. Hm. I think that is all I'll need to be handling today. Dismissed, gentlemen, finish your recuperation and enjoy the city a bit. I'll contact you when I'm in need of your services again."

As quickly as he had arrived, the Fuhrer vacated the hospital room, leaving his men dumbfounded at yet more vague threats and revelations.

[hr]

Banagher's face turned angrier than a man of his demeanor should be able to get. He barely managed to keep his rage in check, clenching both fists and stating as calmly as possible, "Step aside, Lieutenant Anton. I don't speak with monsters. Why don't you go find Kimblee or something? You could spend a night by the fireside, telling stories about killing babies or something."

[hr]

The gangster took the pages and, although the hesitation was evident on his face, he accepted the notes from Marlin and walked away as quickly as his feet would take him. It wasn't going to be an easy road for him, and Marlin could only hope it was one he would survive.

 

[sage42]

Tasha entered her room and headed strait for her little bedside table, which still had tool's scattered across it. "Go ahead and take a seat Sergent, I just gotta grab the right wrench ." She said moving tools left and right trying to find the correct tool. "Aha! there you are you little bastard." She said with a smile. She then proceeded to attache the main components of the arm to Elias's torso, making sure all the pieces fit and the wires connected correctly. After that was done she set the wrench and the connecting bolt. "Alright Sergent, time to reconnect your arm to the nerves. On the count of three. One....two....three!" She said twisting the wrench.

 

[TheIronRuler]

Spoiler: OOC

We're still in that damned room.

.
Leo stared at the people in the room. A sense of disappointment overcame him. "We haven't considered the possibility Octivir was right. For that... I have nothing more to say to you. If you hear I died... investigate."

Leo Leaned to his left and grabbed his bag. He then put it on his knees and rolled away from the others in the room. Leaving the room and entering the lobby, he caught a glimpse of the others that were with him. He pressed a button to wait for the elevator and sighed. His current condition was most unfavorable. He has to find a way to combat these monsters more effectively. Perhaps stone won't do the trick anymore.

 

[Averant]

Amon sighed and saluted in response to the Fuhrer as Anton brushed past him.

"...I have an arm to fix."

The corner of Amon's mouth ticked. He turned to watch Anton cheerfully stroll down the hallway and call out to Lt. Banagher. Amon considered for a moment and then clomped after him.

Bastard mentioned his arm on purpose... he thought as he caught up and responded to Banagher aloud.

"Oh, I dunno about that, Lieutenant Banagher. Babies are all fat, ya know. Lt. Anton here probably feasts on young children. Gotta get your red meat somewhere, am I right, Lieutenant?" Amon said, his last question directed at Anton.

 

[Pappytech]

Isaac watched as the Fuhrer left the hospital chamber, giving his superior yet another salute as Bradley departed. Upon the man's egress, the alchemist allowed himself to relax, Isaac's shoulders slumping forward as he let the stress flow off of him. He had not been ready to meet with the Fuhrer, and the meeting had worsened his already poor mood.

What's more, Isaac had now been tasked with interrogating the woman he had brought in earlier, by Bradley himself. Judging by her reactions when he and Leo had captured her, Isaac severely doubted she'd willingly part with any information. Odds were the questioning would quickly take a turn for the worse; Isaac doubted she would cooperate without the threat of physical pain being held over her.

"We haven't considered the possibility Octivir was right."

Leo's already familiar voice stabbed through Isaac's dark musings, the young alchemist's typically carefree voice stained with hidden fury and rage. For a moment, Isaac did not react, as he slowly adsorbed the full meaning of Barefoot's statement. He couldn't possibly be... even he wouldn't be foolish enough to suggest such treason, right?

"For that... I have nothing more to say to you. If you hear I died... investigate."

The fool. That impudent, brazen bastard. Was this his idea of a joke? Was this what he considered entertaining, pointedly inciting treason against all of Amestris? A slight tremble shook through Isaac's right arm, his clenched fist vibrating ever so slightly as Leo wheeled himself out of the room. The taste of iron filled Isaac's mouth, shaking him from his trance; he had not been aware he had been biting his lip.

Wiping the blood from his mouth, the alchemist offered a smile to the room's remaining occupants. His voice flowed forth freely, a cheerful tinge complimenting the grin. "Well, it looks like I've got some work to do. If you'll excuse me, I'll see you all later. James, Roland, I hope you both feel better soon."

Stepping briskly, Isaac left the room as well, his smile fading as he marched through the hallways. He dimly registered Anton and Amon speaking to another military man, but failed to hear their fleeting words as he walked past. Something about babies; they were probably talking about each other's families or something of that ilk.

--------------------------------------------

It did not take long to find Leo; the young man was waiting for the elevator, still bound to his wheelchair. The metallic doors dinged, and split apart just as Isaac caught up to his quarry, following Leo inside the small, thankfully empty compartment. Once he had entered the vehicle, Isaac's hand slipped out, striking the door-close button a few more times than necessary. As the metal sheets once more sealed the elevator, Isaac carefully reached into his pocket, pulling out and putting on one of his gloves.

As the elevator began its downward journey, Isaac's hand once more slipped, striking the emergency stop button. As the metallic box screeched to a halt, blue sparks spurted from its wall, as the alchemist fashioned a small but strong cage over the depressed button.

Steel-Web's voice was cold as his namesake, as he turned to face his companion. "Leo. I believe we need to talk."

 

[Pappytech]

Isaac's voice was cold, even, and devoid of any semblance of feeling. His words fell from his lips in a steady rain, their harsh content striking a stark contrast to his emotionless tone.

"You should know, I took the time to read through your file, before we met at the briefing earlier today. A pretty impressive story, I have to say; you battled against nearly impossible odds to get where you are today. On paper, you seemed to be an interesting fellow. I looked forward to meeting you along with the rest of the squad.

"However, it's probably best that I let you know that you sicken me. A double edged blade, just as likely to hurt your comrades as your foes. A weak willed coward, willing to strike down a fleeing foe while their back is turned. A disrespectful soldier, who refuses to heed his superiors. An arrogant fool, that believes he can treat the battlefield like some kind of playground. A traitorous bastard, who spreads dissent and lies."

It took all of Isaac's restraint to hold back his fist, as a slight tremor entered his voice.

"We are State Alchemists. We follow three laws, three truths that govern our lives with the same rigidity of Equivalent Exchange. The first and foremost of these: Obey the military.

"Are your will and word so weak, that they can be undone by one man, a terrorist no less, spouting lies and half-truths at you? Is your determination so pathetic that you will abandon your comrades and nation the instant someone casts a shadow on their name?"

Pausing, Isaac drew in a deep breath, forcing his raging emotions to still and be silent. When he continued, his voice was level once more.

"If this is all I can expect from you, then I strongly suggest that you reconsider your position.

"One last thing: If I ever suspect you of plotting to betray Amestris, then I will do two things. First, I will ensure that you are reported to no one less than the Fuhrer himself. Second, I will kill you."

All had been said that needed to be said. Isaac stepped back, leaned against a wall, and stared at Leo, awaiting the man's response.

 

[Pappytech]

Isaac's voice was cold, even, and devoid of any semblance of feeling. His words fell from his lips in a steady rain, their harsh content striking a stark contrast to his emotionless tone.

"You should know, I took the time to read through your file, before we met at the briefing earlier today. A pretty impressive story, I have to say; you battled against nearly impossible odds to get where you are today. On paper, you seemed to be an interesting fellow. I looked forward to meeting you along with the rest of the squad.

"However, it's probably best that I let you know that you sicken me. A double edged blade, just as likely to hurt your comrades as your foes. A weak willed coward, willing to strike down a fleeing foe while their back is turned. A disrespectful soldier, who refuses to heed his superiors. An arrogant fool, that believes he can treat the battlefield like some kind of playground. A traitorous bastard, who spreads dissent and lies."

It took all of Isaac's restraint to hold back his fist, as a slight tremor entered his voice.

"We are State Alchemists. We follow three laws, three truths that govern our lives with the same rigidity of Equivalent Exchange. The first and foremost of these: Obey the military.

"Are your will and word so weak, that they can be undone by one man, a terrorist no less, spouting lies and half-truths at you? Is your determination so pathetic that you will abandon your comrades and nation the instant someone casts a shadow on their name?"

Pausing, Isaac drew in a deep breath, forcing his raging emotions to still and be silent. When he continued, his voice was level once more.

"If this is all I can expect from you, then I strongly suggest that you reconsider your position.

"One last thing: If I ever suspect you of plotting to betray Amestris, then I will do two things. First, I will ensure that you are reported to no one less than the Fuhrer himself. Second, I will kill you."

All had been said that needed to be said. Isaac stepped back, leaned against a wall, and stared at Leo, awaiting the man's response.

 

[Redryhno]

Kallu watched as Isaac left the room, following after Leo, none of his problem. He had suspicions in the back of his mind though.

Why would the Fuhrer tell us to not do research into the homunculi? Not doing that could easily throw Amestris into more jeopardy than if we did. I hope that we are given access to his spies reports on them. That at the very least could do wonders for our tactics concerning them.

Kallu stood and left the hospital. It wasn't long before he found a small,quiet bar that suited his needs. He intended to have a few drinks and then go back to the barracks where he could get to sleep early enough to watch the dawn.

 

[TheIronRuler]

Leo looked to his left and stretched his hand to reach the button pad. He almost fell off his chair as he pressed the button and allowed the elevator to continue down. He sat back and leaned on the right arm of his wheelchair. Leo laid his gaze at Issac's shoes. "Neither are true. You know people when you fight alongside them. We didn't fight together. What was at the warehouse... You didn't see it?", Leo asked the man, his voice trembling.

"You didn't feel it? They could have ripped us to shreds in the first go.", Leo continued to speak as his feet began to tremble. "If it were combat, we would have all be laid to waste. It was play-time. We were the play-things", Leo's tone of voice continued to shake.

"In the border-towns, every day was a bloody day. But they liked to play a game. Set the spy loose in the field. He knows there are mines. He just doesn't know where.", Leo stopped and took a deep breath. "I am in the army because I love Alchemy, not because I love killing others. So I pretend; like a little boy. Dancing around the bloody field, like any day back home.", Leo tried to keep his voice leveled and look calm, but his hands began squeezing on to the arms of the chair. "Some Drink, some inject. Most of us repress it. Kimblee... he likes it. And you, Isaac?", Leo turned his gaze up and met with Isaac's. "Do you like killing little girls?".

 

[Pappytech]

Isaac stared down at the man before him, contempt in his eyes. "I can't count the number of soldiers I've met like you, men who lie to themselves about what they do, about how they live. They tell themselves that it's not real, that it can't be real, that there's no way they're going to die out there. I can count the number of them that are still alive on one hand.

"Do I like killing? No. Never. Every time I take a life, my burden grows heavier, my memories makes it harder for me to sleep. But every man and woman I kill, I honor. I will not cheapen their deaths by calling it a game, by pretending it's all in my imagination. When I set foot on the plains of battle, I'm ready to die, and I'm prepared to kill."

The doors dinged open.

"I know where my loyalties lie, and I will honor my oaths. If the Fuhrer tells me to work with you, then I will. But never forget, that I am watching you."

Isaac stepped out the door, walking down the hallway.

"Have fun tonight, Leo. Go meet a nice girl, have a drink. I've got work to do."

 

[TheIronRuler]

As Isaac left the elevator, Leo followed and rolled out of it. The conversation with Isaac disturbed him. He was making enemies out of comrades in such delicate times. Perhaps the man was right. Such thoughts were high treason. Even thinking that what Octivir said might be true... it was absurd.

Leo rolled himself away towards the receptionist. "Miss", he said from his chair, "I need to check out this chair. Leonard Mentsi, State Alchemist. Can you direct me to the nearest library?".

 

[CJ1145]

"Ha!" Banagher said, making as pointedly insulting a laugh as he could. "Yeah, I guess you're right, sir." He didn't waste any more time speaking with a man as disgusting as Anton, and went back into the hospital room, where James was still lying in bed. Banagher saluted him, and at the same moment Mira slid past the other crowded-in occupants to do the same.

"Sir!" They announced in unison. "Tasks complete."

[hr]

The woman at the desk happily directed Leo to a nearby library, thankfully on the same floor. "Just down the hall and it's the last door on your right." she informed him.

 

[Jedoro]

"Alright Sergent, time to reconnect your arm to the nerves. On the count of three." This was the part Elias always dreaded about getting work done on his automail: the pain always reminded him of how it felt to lose the actual limb. He clenched his teeth and braced for the reconnection.

"One....two....three!" Elias' nerves lit up like a wildfire, and it showed in his face. He kept from screaming, but only because his mouth was closed, so instead the sound came out in a loud, drawn-out grunt. Before he could stop himself, his vision flashed to that house in Ishval. The grenade rolled into the room. His hand grabbed the grenade. His arm disappeared around the corner, grenade in hand. An explosion.

His arm didn't come back from around the corner.

Elias found himself taking deep breaths as he forced the image of the bloody stump from view. Slowly turning his head, he looked at the reattached arm and began to manipulate all of its joints, from the shoulder itself down to the fingertips. Last but not least, he extended and retracted its blade. Satisfied, he put his shirts and coat back on, now with both sleeves occupied.

"Thank you, ma'am," he said with a sincere grin. "Nice to be back to a hundred percent. You just fix it up, or are there any adjustments I should know about?"

 

[Redryhno]

After a few hours of nursing his drinks, Kallu stood and made a decision then and there that he didn't care what the Fuhrer said about not researching homunculi. The people of Amestris counted on the Alchemists to protect them from what the military couldn't, and that law superseded the law of the military.

He arrived at the library, not drunk, but the smell of alcohol could be faintly smelled on him. He nodded to the librarian behind the desk and headed to the Alchemy section, searching for anything on studies of Philosopher's Stones, impossible creations, and studies of chimeras. Anything was possible, and he intended to find any edge he could against them, and he had a sinking feeling that they would meet again. Finding the books, he began to read, looking for any mention of them in the library, unsure of exactly what he'd find, fearful of possibly finding exactly how they were theoretically made.

 

[sage42]

"You just fix it up, or are there any adjustments I should know about?" Tasha smiled, glad to hear that Elias was happy with her work. "A few adjustment's, not much you need to worry about though. Greased up the ball-bearing along the joints, replaced a few of the other parts that were either broken or weak. All I can recommend is that if we keep getting missions in Ishval you may want to keep a couple of oil applicators with you. The sand and wind really screw with the joints, especially with you military customizations. Don't want the lade to stick in combat, and knowing luck that's exactly when it'll happen." She said returning to the pile of tools. She quickly packed the tools up and grabbed two small oil droppers from the side pouch. "Here I got a couple of spares I can part with. And don't worry about paying, the government's stipend keeps me covered in the price of parts. Plus it's best if every one's at a hundred percent." She handed over the oil droppers and returned to her bed with a grunt.

She winced as she slowly laid down on the small bed. "Geez I don't look forward to the rest of our assignment's if this is what we'll be dealing with." She said rubbing her side trying to make the pain go away. "Hope Victor accepts my offer when he comes to, I'd hate to see the guy lose everything cause of missing arm." She said, worried about the injured Corporal.