Chapter 58 - Tension
By Cille
The Syndicate was going through a rough patch.
The tensions had been rising in the bunker for a while, and now they were starting to boil over. Between interpersonal drama, cabin fever, and the constant undercurrent of unease, it was getting harder to find the calm in the eye of the storm.
Angel and Mustang had gone from being total lovebirds to not even speaking to each other. Rumor had it that Mustang had done something to piss Angel off, and now she wouldn't even let him apologize.
Kaia had been seen storming out of the infirmary, raging that if those jackasses didn't want their treatments they could just go crawl into a corner and die of infections.
The cafeteria had erupted into pandemonium after it was revealed that someone had broken into the supply room and stolen all of the remaining alcohol. Sanji had to come out and throw some kicks around just to keep order.
Matrix hadn't made an appearance in the mech lab in days, and Lloyd was getting crabby about him not showing up to help with their work. (Larry, however, didn't really mind, although he was getting annoyed with Lloyd's overbearing bossiness.)
Even Cid and Proof had started bickering with each other about whose turn it was to take Kraky for a walk and who he liked better.
And everywhere, the anxious murmurs about their impending doom were getting louder.
"Do you really think we'll get out of this?"
"Why haven't they said anything about how we're going to escape?"
"We're lucky those guys only took the booze. If they'd eaten all of the food too we'd really be screwed."
And so it continued, with no discernible end in sight.
**********
Mustang trudged slowly into his office, slowly closing the door behind him, and slowly went to sit down at his desk. He was lost in a pensive daze, and didn't even acknowledge Havoc sitting at his own desk watching him with concern.
"Hey," Havoc said tentatively.
Mustang just slowly looked up at him, and then looked back down and sighed heavily.
"Looks like something happened," Havoc said.
"Yeah. You could say that," Mustang replied broodingly.
"Did you talk to her?"
"...Yeah."
"What did she say?"
"She told me..." Mustang seemed to still be wrapping his head around it. "...that she realized she can't compete with the person I'm really in love with. She doesn't think I'll ever really get over it and she can't deal with feeling like second best."
Havoc looked sympathetic, but he knew exactly what Angel was talking about.
"She thanked me for a wonderful evening, but she thinks that's the last time we'll be together," Mustang continued. "And that was it."
"Hmm." Havoc considered this. "At least she was direct. That couldn't have been easy to say. ...Not that it was easy to hear either, I'm sure."
Mustang shook his head slowly. "I thought I'd found her. The next woman I could really devote myself to."
Havoc looked at him gingerly. "...The next Riza."
Mustang looked dejected for a moment, and then gave Havoc a whipped-puppy look. "Don't tell me you're going to start too."
Havoc sighed, and decided to level with him. "Roy, we've been friends for a long time. I was there when you and Hawkeye were together, and I remember how you were back then. And I remember how devastated you were when we lost her, and what it was like when you found out she'd moved on with her life without you. We only ended up here because you found out she'd died and had to come get some answers."
"I'm not sure I need the history lesson right now, Havoc..." Mustang mumbled, rubbing his eyes.
Havoc frowned, but it was too late to hold back. "Well whether you want to hear it or not, Angel's right. You've never gotten over Hawkeye. If anything, you've gotten more obsessed with her over the years. It's like you have this image of her that you can't let go of. And you can hate me for saying it if you want, but... I don't blame Angel for not wanting to have to live up to that memory."
Mustang looked pained, but didn't retort back.
Havoc looked at him sympathetically for another moment, and then pulled something out of his desk.
"Here. I've been hiding this from the marauding boozehounds," he said, tossing a flask to his friend.
Mustang's reflexes were still sharp enough to catch the projectile, and he gratefully took a swig.
"You'll be fine, General," Havoc said encouragingly. "Just... try to take it easy for now."
"Easier said than done, Lieutenant." Mustang chugged the rest of the contents of the flask, and then stood to go. "I'm gonna go... I dunno, maybe I'll see if anybody knows anything about that stolen alcohol. There ought to be somebody around here who needs some roughing up. Aside from the spineless pansies who won't even show their faces for fear of getting the snot kicked out of them."
"That's the spirit," Havoc chuckled. "Just make sure whoever you rough up actually deserves it."
Mustang just shrugged, tossed the empty flask back to Havoc, and went on his way.
**********
Ozzal sat watching the monitors showing the view in the Enbeforlocke Woods, shoving Cheetos into her mouth and snickering to herself. Lately she'd been amusing herself by ordering more bombs to be dropped on the bunker, and imagining how terrified the rebels must be inside. She'd also had the armored vehicles smash against the bunker doors at odd hours, and had her troops doing intricate dance routines in front of the surveillance cameras where the rebels would be sure to see them. It might not actually end the siege any faster, but it sure was fun.
Makina came in to deliver an update on the investigation into the bombing at Comdot Estate. Unfortunately, it wasn't terribly good news.
"The truck that we believe was used to make the delivery was found abandoned three miles away from the Estate," she reported. "Presumably the man fled on foot from there, and may have either gone underground to hide or found a way to leave the city."
"And we still have no idea who this man was?" Ozzal asked crossly.
"Not exactly. We have a general description from a couple of guards, but nothing conclusive. The delivery company didn't even have anyone scheduled to come in at that time, so they were unaware the delivery was even made. The most likely scenario was that some disgruntled citizen stole a truck and then planned the ruse at a time when the coast would be relatively clear and no one would suspect anything."
"That's a nice theory, but I'll be happier when you track this 'disgruntled citizen' down," Ozzal said.
"Of course, madam, we will continue working to that end," Makina assured her.
"All right, you're dismissed," Ozzal said, waving her away.
Left alone again, Ozzal contemplated the monitors. She certainly wasn't happy about the perp getting away, but as Makina would be quick to point out, there was no shortage of dissatisfied rabble out there who would be happy to blow her to smithereens. In a way it didn't really matter which one of them had actually succeeded in planting the bomb; she'd wipe them all out sooner or later.
She found herself staring at a screen showing a tank bashing against the bunker's heavy metal door. It was kind of hypnotizing. Back and forth, back and forth, never actually making any headway. As she mused, a rather delicious idea came into her mind.
Smiling to herself, she picked up the phone and dialed her office at Comdot.
"Hello, who's this? Yes, it's the Head Governor. I need you to take down a message to pass along..."
**********
Cougar's nightly supply runs had succeeded in bolstering the Syndicate's food reserves, but they had also taken a toll on his energy reserves. Despite his frequent naps, he couldn't quite overcome the exhaustion and strain that the constant use of his Alter power put on him. His excursions grew longer from fatigue and the need to search for new places to raid, as he avoided visiting the same places twice for fear of being caught.
Cille noticed how worn out he was, even as her own stress ate away at her. She was even more determined to find a way out, but all of her ideas were hindered by logistics or uncertainties about what lay outside the bunker walls or continued concerns about the health of some of their more seriously injured comrades. And meanwhile, both of them were worried about the other, even as they pushed themselves even harder.
One evening April was walking down the hallway and came upon the two of them having a conversation nearby. By the sound of things, it wasn't a pleasant conversation.
"I'm a big girl, you don't have to coddle me all the time," Cille said sharply.
"I'm just trying to help. You should know that," Cougar insisted.
"And you should know that nobody's going to take me seriously if they see you propping me up all the time. I'm not here just to be your sidekick."
"You're not my sidekick, you're my partner."
Cille rubbed her temples. "Look, I just want to be able to prove that I can stand on my own two feet. And I can't do that with you constantly hovering around me."
"You don't even want me there to help you up if you fall?"
"You don't think I can do it on my own? Really?" she said indignantly.
"I didn't mean it that way..."
"Okay, just... just let me do what I need to do. I'll take care of it myself."
Cougar sighed wearily. "All right. I'm going out on tonight's supply run. We can talk about this more when I get back."
"Fine, whatever."
April watched with raised eyebrows as the two of them went their separate ways. Geez, even those two are at each other's throats... he thought, continuing down the hall.
Cougar raced to the end of the escape tunnel, still preoccupied with their argument. At the end of the tunnel he checked the surveillance monitor. All clear, as usual. He entered the access code and took a step back.
The heavy hatch heaved open, and Cougar squinted as some dirt and leaves fell down through the opening. A cold wind rushed past him, a reminder that winter was not quite yet past. It sent a shiver down his spine.
He stepped outside and glanced back into the tunnel as he entered the code to shut the door. Things would be okay. He'd make sure of that when he got back.
Chapter 58 author's notes:
Recurring characters:
Angel Sarcasta - mgangel1124
Kaia Namek - namek_kaia
Professor M. Matrix - matrixman124
Larry Zorin - LAZY17
Cid - cidthekittyisfun
Proof - NoProof91
Michelle Ozzal - Mike Lazzo
Lucille "Cille" Compton - Cille
April - LirpaYamEnujYluj
Roy Mustang - Fullmetal Alchemist
Sanji - One Piece
Lloyd Asplund - Code Geass
Jean Havoc - Fullmetal Alchemist
*Riza "Hawkeye" Yui - Fullmetal Alchemist
Major Makina - Deadman Wonderland
Straight Cougar - s-CRY-ed
* Characters marked with an asterisk are mentioned but do not take an active part in the story.
The Syndicate was going through a rough patch.
The tensions had been rising in the bunker for a while, and now they were starting to boil over. Between interpersonal drama, cabin fever, and the constant undercurrent of unease, it was getting harder to find the calm in the eye of the storm.
Angel and Mustang had gone from being total lovebirds to not even speaking to each other. Rumor had it that Mustang had done something to piss Angel off, and now she wouldn't even let him apologize.
Kaia had been seen storming out of the infirmary, raging that if those jackasses didn't want their treatments they could just go crawl into a corner and die of infections.
The cafeteria had erupted into pandemonium after it was revealed that someone had broken into the supply room and stolen all of the remaining alcohol. Sanji had to come out and throw some kicks around just to keep order.
Matrix hadn't made an appearance in the mech lab in days, and Lloyd was getting crabby about him not showing up to help with their work. (Larry, however, didn't really mind, although he was getting annoyed with Lloyd's overbearing bossiness.)
Even Cid and Proof had started bickering with each other about whose turn it was to take Kraky for a walk and who he liked better.
And everywhere, the anxious murmurs about their impending doom were getting louder.
"Do you really think we'll get out of this?"
"Why haven't they said anything about how we're going to escape?"
"We're lucky those guys only took the booze. If they'd eaten all of the food too we'd really be screwed."
And so it continued, with no discernible end in sight.
**********
Mustang trudged slowly into his office, slowly closing the door behind him, and slowly went to sit down at his desk. He was lost in a pensive daze, and didn't even acknowledge Havoc sitting at his own desk watching him with concern.
"Hey," Havoc said tentatively.
Mustang just slowly looked up at him, and then looked back down and sighed heavily.
"Looks like something happened," Havoc said.
"Yeah. You could say that," Mustang replied broodingly.
"Did you talk to her?"
"...Yeah."
"What did she say?"
"She told me..." Mustang seemed to still be wrapping his head around it. "...that she realized she can't compete with the person I'm really in love with. She doesn't think I'll ever really get over it and she can't deal with feeling like second best."
Havoc looked sympathetic, but he knew exactly what Angel was talking about.
"She thanked me for a wonderful evening, but she thinks that's the last time we'll be together," Mustang continued. "And that was it."
"Hmm." Havoc considered this. "At least she was direct. That couldn't have been easy to say. ...Not that it was easy to hear either, I'm sure."
Mustang shook his head slowly. "I thought I'd found her. The next woman I could really devote myself to."
Havoc looked at him gingerly. "...The next Riza."
Mustang looked dejected for a moment, and then gave Havoc a whipped-puppy look. "Don't tell me you're going to start too."
Havoc sighed, and decided to level with him. "Roy, we've been friends for a long time. I was there when you and Hawkeye were together, and I remember how you were back then. And I remember how devastated you were when we lost her, and what it was like when you found out she'd moved on with her life without you. We only ended up here because you found out she'd died and had to come get some answers."
"I'm not sure I need the history lesson right now, Havoc..." Mustang mumbled, rubbing his eyes.
Havoc frowned, but it was too late to hold back. "Well whether you want to hear it or not, Angel's right. You've never gotten over Hawkeye. If anything, you've gotten more obsessed with her over the years. It's like you have this image of her that you can't let go of. And you can hate me for saying it if you want, but... I don't blame Angel for not wanting to have to live up to that memory."
Mustang looked pained, but didn't retort back.
Havoc looked at him sympathetically for another moment, and then pulled something out of his desk.
"Here. I've been hiding this from the marauding boozehounds," he said, tossing a flask to his friend.
Mustang's reflexes were still sharp enough to catch the projectile, and he gratefully took a swig.
"You'll be fine, General," Havoc said encouragingly. "Just... try to take it easy for now."
"Easier said than done, Lieutenant." Mustang chugged the rest of the contents of the flask, and then stood to go. "I'm gonna go... I dunno, maybe I'll see if anybody knows anything about that stolen alcohol. There ought to be somebody around here who needs some roughing up. Aside from the spineless pansies who won't even show their faces for fear of getting the snot kicked out of them."
"That's the spirit," Havoc chuckled. "Just make sure whoever you rough up actually deserves it."
Mustang just shrugged, tossed the empty flask back to Havoc, and went on his way.
**********
Ozzal sat watching the monitors showing the view in the Enbeforlocke Woods, shoving Cheetos into her mouth and snickering to herself. Lately she'd been amusing herself by ordering more bombs to be dropped on the bunker, and imagining how terrified the rebels must be inside. She'd also had the armored vehicles smash against the bunker doors at odd hours, and had her troops doing intricate dance routines in front of the surveillance cameras where the rebels would be sure to see them. It might not actually end the siege any faster, but it sure was fun.
Makina came in to deliver an update on the investigation into the bombing at Comdot Estate. Unfortunately, it wasn't terribly good news.
"The truck that we believe was used to make the delivery was found abandoned three miles away from the Estate," she reported. "Presumably the man fled on foot from there, and may have either gone underground to hide or found a way to leave the city."
"And we still have no idea who this man was?" Ozzal asked crossly.
"Not exactly. We have a general description from a couple of guards, but nothing conclusive. The delivery company didn't even have anyone scheduled to come in at that time, so they were unaware the delivery was even made. The most likely scenario was that some disgruntled citizen stole a truck and then planned the ruse at a time when the coast would be relatively clear and no one would suspect anything."
"That's a nice theory, but I'll be happier when you track this 'disgruntled citizen' down," Ozzal said.
"Of course, madam, we will continue working to that end," Makina assured her.
"All right, you're dismissed," Ozzal said, waving her away.
Left alone again, Ozzal contemplated the monitors. She certainly wasn't happy about the perp getting away, but as Makina would be quick to point out, there was no shortage of dissatisfied rabble out there who would be happy to blow her to smithereens. In a way it didn't really matter which one of them had actually succeeded in planting the bomb; she'd wipe them all out sooner or later.
She found herself staring at a screen showing a tank bashing against the bunker's heavy metal door. It was kind of hypnotizing. Back and forth, back and forth, never actually making any headway. As she mused, a rather delicious idea came into her mind.
Smiling to herself, she picked up the phone and dialed her office at Comdot.
"Hello, who's this? Yes, it's the Head Governor. I need you to take down a message to pass along..."
**********
Cougar's nightly supply runs had succeeded in bolstering the Syndicate's food reserves, but they had also taken a toll on his energy reserves. Despite his frequent naps, he couldn't quite overcome the exhaustion and strain that the constant use of his Alter power put on him. His excursions grew longer from fatigue and the need to search for new places to raid, as he avoided visiting the same places twice for fear of being caught.
Cille noticed how worn out he was, even as her own stress ate away at her. She was even more determined to find a way out, but all of her ideas were hindered by logistics or uncertainties about what lay outside the bunker walls or continued concerns about the health of some of their more seriously injured comrades. And meanwhile, both of them were worried about the other, even as they pushed themselves even harder.
One evening April was walking down the hallway and came upon the two of them having a conversation nearby. By the sound of things, it wasn't a pleasant conversation.
"I'm a big girl, you don't have to coddle me all the time," Cille said sharply.
"I'm just trying to help. You should know that," Cougar insisted.
"And you should know that nobody's going to take me seriously if they see you propping me up all the time. I'm not here just to be your sidekick."
"You're not my sidekick, you're my partner."
Cille rubbed her temples. "Look, I just want to be able to prove that I can stand on my own two feet. And I can't do that with you constantly hovering around me."
"You don't even want me there to help you up if you fall?"
"You don't think I can do it on my own? Really?" she said indignantly.
"I didn't mean it that way..."
"Okay, just... just let me do what I need to do. I'll take care of it myself."
Cougar sighed wearily. "All right. I'm going out on tonight's supply run. We can talk about this more when I get back."
"Fine, whatever."
April watched with raised eyebrows as the two of them went their separate ways. Geez, even those two are at each other's throats... he thought, continuing down the hall.
Cougar raced to the end of the escape tunnel, still preoccupied with their argument. At the end of the tunnel he checked the surveillance monitor. All clear, as usual. He entered the access code and took a step back.
The heavy hatch heaved open, and Cougar squinted as some dirt and leaves fell down through the opening. A cold wind rushed past him, a reminder that winter was not quite yet past. It sent a shiver down his spine.
He stepped outside and glanced back into the tunnel as he entered the code to shut the door. Things would be okay. He'd make sure of that when he got back.
Chapter 58 author's notes:
Recurring characters:
Angel Sarcasta - mgangel1124
Kaia Namek - namek_kaia
Professor M. Matrix - matrixman124
Larry Zorin - LAZY17
Cid - cidthekittyisfun
Proof - NoProof91
Michelle Ozzal - Mike Lazzo
Lucille "Cille" Compton - Cille
April - LirpaYamEnujYluj
Roy Mustang - Fullmetal Alchemist
Sanji - One Piece
Lloyd Asplund - Code Geass
Jean Havoc - Fullmetal Alchemist
*Riza "Hawkeye" Yui - Fullmetal Alchemist
Major Makina - Deadman Wonderland
Straight Cougar - s-CRY-ed
* Characters marked with an asterisk are mentioned but do not take an active part in the story.