The Gunslinger Alchemist (Fullmetal Alchemist Fanfiction)

Police Station

Lisberth, West Area

May 5th, 1915

Carlyle and Hotchkiss sat in the officer's area of the local police station as Sergeant Renault processed Elias Miller's arrest. They were probably going to throw the book at him due to his connection with Miriam and her organization. The man was in more than enough trouble, and Carlyle hadn't even told anyone that he was transporting top secret military documents.

"How do you think she got away?" Hotchkiss asked as Carlyle stared intently at Kimblee's notes.

"It must have been medical alchemy," Carlyle muttered angrily. "Before she passed out, she must have used the medical transmutation circle on her left shoulder to transmute some of her own blood into an opioid antagonist. That's the only way she could have passed out and then woken up a few minutes later. If I hadn't used an opioid to knock her out, it wouldn't have worked."

"Uh huh," Hotchkiss said, clearly not understanding most of the explanation. "So she's a skilled medical alchemist?"

"Not necessarily. She might have stolen the notes of Dr. Marcoh or Dr. Knox like she did with Kimblee."

"That's highly concerning. How could she have received such documents? Only State Alchemists and high-ranking military personnel have access to those notes."

Carlyle's fingers interlocked as he said, "She might be working with a State Alchemist."

"What?"

"After the events of April 4th, it's certainly not out of the question that a State Alchemist could have betrayed our country. As we have seen, Colonel Roy Mustang, Brigadier General Olivier Armstrong, and the Fullmetal Alchemist were somehow involved in the death of Fuhrer King Bradley. Compared to that, selling state secrets is nothing."

A look of concern appeared on Lieutenant Hotchkiss's face, and a heavy silence fell. Carlyle stared at Kimblee's ciphered notes, and he couldn't stop himself from beginning the deciphering process. The cipher was insultingly easy. Any alchemist with half a brain could break the cipher in three minutes.

Honestly, it was irresponsible. Carlyle had never met the Crimson Alchemist, but he could only imagine what kind of person would hide such a dangerous secret behind such a childish puzzle. After a minute of silence, he couldn't help himself. He took Officer Black's pen and started deciphering the notes. An A became an H, an H became an O. He deciphered the lines of text, and he immediately began to feel uncomfortable.

The notes placed extreme emphasis on the sounds that the explosives made, and the sounds were described in emotional, almost erotic language. Carlyle knew it was important to love your job, but this was too much. When he deciphered the title of Chapter 2, he decided to take a break.

Chapter 2: The Ultimate High-Explosive, the Human Body

Carlyle was starting to understand why Kimblee was arrested after the Ishvalan Civil War. Even for the Amestrian military, he was a bit too bloodthirsty. Major Carlyle knew plenty of guys who weren't bothered by their deployment in Ishval, but none of them took pleasure in the destruction wrought there.

Officer Black entered the file room, giving Carlyle a break from the deranged notes. The young officer said, "We're moving Elias Miller to the interrogation cell now. You'll be able to talk to him in ten minutes."

"Thank you, officer," Carlyle said as he returned Kimblee's notes to the envelope.

"You work directly under Lieutenant General Schneider, then?" Officer Black asked.

"Yeah. Why do you ask?"

"Is it true what they say? That he's going to be the next Fuhrer?"

"Maybe," Carlyle said, shrugging. "No officers in the Amestrian military currently hold the rank of General. They all retired or were arrested in Central on April 4th."

"Huh," Hotchkiss said, genuine surprise appearing on his face. "I didn't know that. What happened to General Philip Armstrong?"

"Officially, he retired due to pressure from his family," Carlyle said. His glare deepened as he realized something. "Family such as Major General Olivier Armstrong and Major Alex Armstrong."

"Hmm," Hotchkiss grunted.

"The next Fuhrer will certainly be one of the three Lieutenant Generals in command of the outer districts. These are Lloyd Schneider, Commander of the West; Robert Vultee, Commander of the South; and John Grumman, Commander of the East."

"Who do you think will win?" Officer Black asked.

"Either Grumman or Schneider," Carlyle said without hesitation. "Grumman has the most experience of the three, but Schneider is a State Alchemist. There is value in having a leader with significant destructive power. Sure, Grumman might provide more stability, but no one will ever be able to kidnap Lieutenant General Schneider."

"How will they even decide who the next Fuhrer will be?" Officer Black asked.

"The same way they chose Fuhrer King Bradley all those years ago. Every officer with the rank of Brigadier General or above will convene in Central, and they'll stay there until one person gets the support of two-thirds of the electors."

"That sounds tough."

"It is," Major Carlyle said with a sigh. "Last time, it took three weeks for the generals to reach a consensus."

As if suddenly realizing something, Officer Black straightened his posture and said, "I'm so sorry, sir. I got distracted. Elias Miller will be ready now."

"Don't worry about it," Carlyle said as he stood and picked up Kimblee's notes. "You helped me organize my thoughts. I should be thanking you."

Carlyle and Hotchkiss began walking toward the interrogation cell. Officer Black told them how to reach the cell before quickly backing away from the two high-ranking military personnel.

Just before the two men reached the cell, Lieutenant Hotchkiss spoke. "Is that why we're here, Major Carlyle? To help General Schneider become the Fuhrer?"

"Hotchkiss…" Carlyle said darkly. "Edward Elric and Roy Mustang were the direct subordinates of General Grumman while they were stationed in the East. If they were involved with the death of the Fuhrer, then Grumman might have been involved as well. This isn't some cynical political ploy. If Grumman was involved, we have to stop him from becoming the Fuhrer for the good of the country. We can't let an assassin rise to the highest office."

"You're right, sir," Hotchkiss said, and motivation shone brightly in his dark eyes. "We need to save this country."

With their resolve strengthened, the two men strode into the interrogation cell.