Roy's Hidden Flame

Chapter Three

Any normal person would put together that something awful must've happened to push him during the war to push him to such activities. Although in this country we don't give people the benefit of the doubt; hell you're lucky if you're not persecuted for being framed and proven innocent. Taking a deep breath to ease my nerves and to drag my mind away from the flaws of our residence. I scanned both boys while I watched them process the information that was being given to them. 

I blew it out heavily but quietly before sitting on the edge of Roy's desk facing the Elric brothers; I was already well aware of McDougal's history. Perks of being higher on the food chain. 

In truth, there wasn't really a need for me to listen to the debriefing since it would just drag me more towards pitting the man. But I needed to be here, especially if the Elric boy's were involved.

"Former?" Edward questioned trailing his eyes over to me making me squeeze my arms tighter around my torso, I looked away from his gaze after a moment. 

I didn't want to see the look of questioning on his face while Roy laid all the cards on the table; I didn't know what kind of order the boy was receiving yet, and I didn't want to see the distain fill his orbs if it was indeed a kill order.

Seeming to take in my reaction a second longer than he needed to, Edward looked towards Roy once again as the dark haired man stood from his seat. He probably saw the boy's attention was drifting to me more than it should've been. He stood to gather more attention before walking towards the window.

In all honesty I was thankful, I knew Ed is going to ask me a bunch of questions as soon as he gets the chance. Though I hope that they don't pry too deeply into the last few years, I've changed dramatically compared to the lost vengeful child I used to be. I had been with them from the moment they were discovered by my teacher; never leaving their sides. 

I was there for Edward's limb reattachment, for the year of training they partook in to get used to their bodies, for the burning of their childhood home, for Edward's state Alchemist test; I had been their through all of these things. I was there until I couldn't be anymore. I needed to climb the ranks. To be the dog I was trained to be. 

Buried guilt crawled up my throat to the point I wanted to vomit.

"Yes former, the man served in the Isvalan War; during that time there was no sign of his betrayal." Roy paused seeming to be lost in his words, taking the initiative after a moment of silence filled the air; I quickly started explaining McDougal's history. The faster we got this out of the way, the faster we could get it over with.

"After he returned from the front, Isaac immediately resigned as a state Alchemist; the deserter went into hiding. Every man has his reasons, and I'm sure the War probably was a main one for him but-" before I could go more into my reasoning for trying to understand, Roy firmly cut me off by raising his voice slightly; harshly reminding me that we don't sympathize with the enemy.

I accidently let my inner concerns out while explaining; in this world empathy doesn't get you very far. As a General I should know better than to allow others to hear sympathetic words leave my lips; I'm too comfortable around the people in this room. Roy may be my teacher, but he is still below me, the last thing he should be doing is reminding me to hold my tongue. 

"Capturing him and putting him into custody is a top priority!" he said loudly glaring at me longer before he trailed his eyes between the bothers. I turned slightly to see him out of the corner of my eyes and witnessed the harsh glare settled on his face when he focused on me.

"Whether he's dead or alive? That depends on him." Immediately I heard the underlying message in his words; McDougal had pushed too far and it was up to me to put him down if necessary.

It was a kill order, damn it! This was more serious than I had originally thought. Somewhere within my heart I hoped that it wouldn't be so. I glared deeply at the floor as silence filled the air; I clenched my fists when Edwards semi deep voice filled the air.

"I will not kill anyone." his naïve way of thinking was refreshing at times, personally I wished that was how life worked; that no one had to die by another's hand.

But that just wasn't how this place operated. Edward said exactly what I had expected him to, no one here was expecting him to kill anyone; the kid didn't have the heart for it. Looking over at Roy I nodded my head when he locked eyes with me, confirming that the silent order from before was received; if things got out of hand, I would have to take his life.

"That's your choice, your orders are to help capture him; that's all." Roy stared deeply at Edward as he spoke; expressing exactly what he was saying, it was Edward's choice not to kill, and we respected that here in this office. After their stare off Roy smirked and chuckled to himself.

"Totally off topic, but have you guys had any luck finding leads on how to get your bodies back yet?" Edward shook his head silently while Roy made his way back to his desk. I could tell that the boys didn't think that subject was a chuckling matter; the work they were researching was serious and tiring; I knew that from personal experience.

"Well then I guess it's a good thing Dani here has been scouring basically every military resource, trying to help you boys out." This was the absolute last thing this crazy man should've said. My work was classified. And the last people to find out, should've been the Elric brothers!

Looking back at him shocked I felt my face begin to heat up, not from embarrassment, but from anger. I've been on countless classified recon missions in the past two years exploring top secret laboratories that were said to contain information on specific aspects of the forbidden act; so far I've come up empty on how to get their bodies back.

Though the research as proven to be fruitful for other aspects of the Philosopher stone. Damn him, he wasn't supposed to disclose that information to anyone, especially not the Elric Brothers; they weren't to know unless I came up with results. 

If he so easily disobeyed my wishes in this situation, I can only wonder who else has been told about my affairs. Glaring heatedly at him I watched as he leaned back into his chair away from my edge of his desk; I can't believe he would just drop this on me like this! Looking away from him and back towards the Elric brothers I watched as they stared at me in cautious disbelief. This was difficult. Extremely difficult; best option I had was to play it cool. 

"You got a problem with my help?" I questioned trying to sound nonchalant; I was pissed, Edward told me years ago that he didn't want my assistance in his research and I've been disobeying him ever since. Even the Fuhrer himself was unaware of my research. 

Though, this search itself isn't only for their benefit; I'll be damned if I entrust secrets to Roy again. Looking back between the two boys, after a few moments of silence, Alphonse quickly slapped his brother on the back gaining his attention.

"It's none of your business!" Fire rushed through my veins as I watched Edward fold his arms and glare in my direction; all the endless nights of studying through piles upon piles of paperwork all the researching thousands of books flashed through my mind at once. 

"Brother!" Alphonese's voice rang out with a hollow echo, but what was done was already done.