Soldier Keep On Marching On

Scar At Eastern

Maes hurried into Aiden's office. "Aiden! We're needed at Eastern Command. You know that Scar guy we've been chasing? He's heading East, and quickly. Our train leaves in three hours."

And just like a whirlwind he was out of her office before she could comprehend what Maes had said. When she did, Aiden sighed and stared at her team who stared right back.

"Alright guys, be honest. Who actually wants to go? We did just get back from two weeks in the North," Aiden asked. No one raised their hands and she nodded in understanding. "I'll be back when I can, please don't screw anything up. Jack, you have the highest rank, you're in charge until I get back. Is that understood?"

Jack, a tall man with light brown hair and dark eyes nodded and saluted her. Aiden nodded in return and rushed from the room, slowing only to grab her overcoat.

Aiden made packing a small job to do. She did it quickly and efficiently. Yet she felt as if she was missing something. Aiden listed the items off in her head one by one, and she had to do it once again to figure out what she was missing.

"Aha!" Aiden clapped her hands as she thought of it. "I forgot my journal!"

Aiden placed her hands on the corner of the coffee table and when to stand up when suddenly the small table collapsed. Or rather, it disappeared. Aiden fell backwards onto her couch in shock. In place of her table was a small statue of a duck. She wanted it to be a dream but the pain in her leg where she pinched herself felt real as ever.

So, with nothing else but curiosity, Aiden clapped her hands and held them against the wooden duck. Like any other transmutation, she gave the intent to do what she wanted, in this case Aiden wanted the table back to normal. It worked well, and while she was happy for the table, Aiden knew she would punch Truth next time she saw him. There was no doubt in her mind this was her excess payment.

Aiden glanced at her clock and rolled her eyes in annoyance. She grabbed her journal and then she was out the door, making sure it was locked on her way by. By the time she had made it to the station her three hours were almost up and Aiden could see Maes waiting for her.

"Your team not coming?" he asked, surprised. Aiden rarely went anywhere without her team to help her.

Aiden nodded. "Yeah. We just got back from the North. I find no need to ship them to the East."

They boarded the train and Aiden leaned up against the window. Her leg was shaking itself up and down in excitement and nervousness with her newfound alchemic ability. Then she took a deep breath and steeled herself, she might as well catch up on sleep for the ride. Unfortunately she was shaken awake what seemed like moments later. She glanced up at Maes and sighed.

"Let's go," Maes said. He was in an unusually somber mood and the weather, Aiden had just realized it was raining, which only seemed to make his mood worse.

"Maes?" Aiden asked. "What's wrong?"

"Scar struck again. This time it was at the house of Shou Tucker. He and his daughter Nina were killed."

"Shou Tucker?" Aiden asked alarmed. "Isn't he the one who turned his daughter and dog into a chimera?"

"Yeah."

Maes said no more and they made their way to the Tucker residence. Aiden knew that she wouldn't like the scene, and boy was she right. The place smelt of burnt flesh, fresh blood, and death. Aiden broke off from Maes to question Roy while he did the same to the other soldiers.

"What happened here?" she asked.

"First it was the guards outside, and then these two were attacked. We don't know by who."