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31_days2005-10-10 01:04 am
beccastareyes) wrote in 31_days2005-10-10 01:04 am
[Oct 9][Fullmetal Alchemist]Winry Rock-bell, Martian Space Pilot!
Title: Winry Rock-bell, Martian Space Pilot! (Part 4 of ???)
Theme: Scholars and Gentlemen
Series: Fullmetal Alchemist
Characters: Sheksa, Maes Hughes, Izumi Curtis, Winry Rockbell, Edward and Alphonse Elric
Rating: PG
Winry flew the Wrench, skimming over the plains of Mars without saying a word. Sheska shifted uncomfortably in the copilot’s chair. “So, are we going far?” she asked.
“No.” Winry shook her head, not even taking her hands off of the controls.
“All right, then. I’ll… I’ll go check on the Hughes and Izumi in the back.” Sheska smiled nervously, unfastening her seatbelt and gripping the chairs as she walked back.
Ambassador Hughes was lying on a cot Winry had in the back, while Izumi tended his wounds. Gracia stood near her, a rag in her hands. Sheska noticed that both she and Izumi were short a few shirtsleeves and pant legs. Elysia sat in the corner. She looked up when Sheska entered. “Is Daddy going to be okay?” she asked.
Sheska looked to Izumi, who gave a small nod. “Of course he is,” she smiled at the small child. “Lady Izumi and your mommy over there are working to make him feel better.”
“Okay...” Elysia still looked worried. A book – from the text, it looked to be one of the dual language ones that were being printed now – lay in the corner, forgotten.
“How about I read you a story, Elysia?” Sheska said.
“Mommy said I could only bring one book, and I read it already,” Elysia frowned. “And all the books here are boring.”
“Well, then I’ll have to see if I remember one,” Sheska sat down next to her. “Have you ever heard the Tale of the Alchemist Brothers?” Elysia shook her head. “Well, a long time ago, two brothers lived with their mother on a farm in the country. Their father had left some time ago on business, but had left his collection of Alchemy books behind. The two boys read the books cover to cover, and did many tricks to entertain their mother. One day, the boys’ mother took ill with a fever…”
As she was finishing the story, she felt the rush of air and the thump that signaled the Wrench had landed. She stood up, looking out the hatch. It was dark – which was impossible, unless they had flown farther than she thought. Izumi motioned her over. “Help me get the Ambassador out. He has a few broken ribs.”
“Is that all?” Hughes looked up. “From the way my chest hurt, I was expecting Gracia to be welcoming me to Heaven, instead of giving you more bandages.”
“Yes, that’s all. You’ll live, Ambassador.” Izumi took one end of the cot, motioning Sheska to take the other. Gracia took Elysia, who was summarizing Sheska’s story for her. And so they walked out into the darkness.
Sheska blinked, letting her eyes adapt. They were inside a cave, not outside. And, as she looked around, there were crystals everywhere. They glittered a bit in the Wrench’s running lights. “Winry did a good job flying us in here,” she said to herself.
The flickering of the walls signaled someone with a light was approaching before she saw the two figures, one carrying a lantern. She shielded her eyes as the cave lit up like a hall of mirrors.
Winry spoke first. “Thanks for the help, Ed.”
Ed…? Sheska opened her eyes, looking over the two figures. Though both were obviously of Martian blood, there was something of Earth in their faces. Both were blond and golden-eyed. Though they were wearing similar clothing to Izumi, and not clothing suitable for court, Sheska would have recognized the two half-blooded Princes of Mars in an instant.
“Wow, you must have been in some trouble, if you aren’t going to tell me off for thinking you needed help,” Crown Prince Edward smiled at Winry. “We’re going to need to talk – I want to know what happened in there.”
“Apprentice!” Izumi barked. Both boys turned to face her, with what almost looked like fear, and Sheska had to wonder at what kind of woman could command even the heir to the throne. “The Ambassador was injured. See to him first.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Sheska saw Edward exchange a look with Alphonse and both boys took out some chalk. After a few moments of marking up the legs of the cot, and a few gestures, they now had a workable gurney.
“I’ll rest later,” Hughes said as they were finishing up. “I need to talk, first.”
“Maes,” Gracia stepped forward. “Don’t even think of over-extending yourself. We’re in the middle of nowhere, with only Lady Izumi and Miss Winry with any sort of medical training, and you wanted by an entire government. Don’t make it worse by straining yourself.”
“A half hour, I promise.” Hughes said. “Sheska, could you help me out?”
“Yessir,” Sheska moved to start pushing the gurney.
“So… I’ve been getting word from Earth that there’s something up,” Hughes began. “I’ve got some friends back in Washington, who know how to encrypt a message. There’s some worry by my friends that the current administration has ties to the isolationist movement on Mars.”
“The isolationist movement?” Edward frowned. “Why would they do that?”
“I’m just telling you what I was told,” Hughes tried to shrug, but winced instead. “Friend of mine in the government asked me to look into things on this end, and to be careful – people have started to disappear on Earth. Ever hear of a man called Doctor Shou Tucker?”
“No, never…”
“Brilliant astrophysicist. Disappeared last month. Everything settled – he was going on a research trip to Pluto. We know he boarded the shuttle at the Cape, but no one on the shuttle saw him get on. We wouldn’t have known for another two months if his daughter hadn’t gotten worried, and tried to contact the shuttle en route.”
“She’s being taken care of, right?” Alphonse spoke up.
“Wha… oh, his daughter. Yes, she’s staying with relatives for the moment,” Hughes said absently. “I tried to contact the Royal Family, but…”
“You ran into Mo- the Lady Trisha,” Edward paused. Sheska caught a flicker of something cross his face, before it hardened into a determined stare.
“Ambassador Hughes, we think that the person in the Palace isn’t Mom,” Alphonse said. “It’s… well, you would know if someone you were close to was suddenly acting off. Nothing you can put your finger on, but it just feels… wrong.”
“Yeah, Your Highness,” Hughes nodded, only a brief bob of his head. “If something like that was up with Gracia or Elysia…”
“Good. We couldn’t find Father anywhere,” Sheska caught a mutter from Edward as Alphonse said this, “so we went to find Master Izumi. She and Winry are the only other people we know well enough to trust. I’m sorry we’ve caused you so much trouble.”
“Not a – hey, we’ve stopped.”
Izumi, who had been silent as they walked, turned to face them, standing in front of a series of ornately carved closed doors. “We’ve arrived. What I am about to show you all is for your eyes only. Missus Hughes, you may want to wait outside with Elysia.”
“Is it dangerous?”
“What you are about to see has the power to destroy whole worlds.” Izumi said flatly.
Gracia drew back, taking Elysia, who had wandered up for a closer look at the doors. “I think I’ll stay here then. Will my husband be all right?”
“He can’t push any buttons from that gurney. And, if anyone else does, which side of the doors he’s on won’t matter.” Izumi gave all of them a glare as she was saying this. Sheska suddenly understood why the two princes were so cowed by her. For all that she’s a nice and helpful person, she can be very scary.
In a show of drama, Izumi motioned the two Princes forward, and in unison they gestured. Sheska caught flashes of blue Alchemical fire flying between their fingertips. She looked to Winry, who was watching with some degree of interest. Then Izumi tapped the door with her staff. The sound seemed to echo in the suddenly quiet cavern. The doors opened inward, with no sound whatsoever, like they were gliding on air. Izumi said simply, as they looked inside. “The Kepler Gate.”
Theme: Scholars and Gentlemen
Series: Fullmetal Alchemist
Characters: Sheksa, Maes Hughes, Izumi Curtis, Winry Rockbell, Edward and Alphonse Elric
Rating: PG
Winry flew the Wrench, skimming over the plains of Mars without saying a word. Sheska shifted uncomfortably in the copilot’s chair. “So, are we going far?” she asked.
“No.” Winry shook her head, not even taking her hands off of the controls.
“All right, then. I’ll… I’ll go check on the Hughes and Izumi in the back.” Sheska smiled nervously, unfastening her seatbelt and gripping the chairs as she walked back.
Ambassador Hughes was lying on a cot Winry had in the back, while Izumi tended his wounds. Gracia stood near her, a rag in her hands. Sheska noticed that both she and Izumi were short a few shirtsleeves and pant legs. Elysia sat in the corner. She looked up when Sheska entered. “Is Daddy going to be okay?” she asked.
Sheska looked to Izumi, who gave a small nod. “Of course he is,” she smiled at the small child. “Lady Izumi and your mommy over there are working to make him feel better.”
“Okay...” Elysia still looked worried. A book – from the text, it looked to be one of the dual language ones that were being printed now – lay in the corner, forgotten.
“How about I read you a story, Elysia?” Sheska said.
“Mommy said I could only bring one book, and I read it already,” Elysia frowned. “And all the books here are boring.”
“Well, then I’ll have to see if I remember one,” Sheska sat down next to her. “Have you ever heard the Tale of the Alchemist Brothers?” Elysia shook her head. “Well, a long time ago, two brothers lived with their mother on a farm in the country. Their father had left some time ago on business, but had left his collection of Alchemy books behind. The two boys read the books cover to cover, and did many tricks to entertain their mother. One day, the boys’ mother took ill with a fever…”
As she was finishing the story, she felt the rush of air and the thump that signaled the Wrench had landed. She stood up, looking out the hatch. It was dark – which was impossible, unless they had flown farther than she thought. Izumi motioned her over. “Help me get the Ambassador out. He has a few broken ribs.”
“Is that all?” Hughes looked up. “From the way my chest hurt, I was expecting Gracia to be welcoming me to Heaven, instead of giving you more bandages.”
“Yes, that’s all. You’ll live, Ambassador.” Izumi took one end of the cot, motioning Sheska to take the other. Gracia took Elysia, who was summarizing Sheska’s story for her. And so they walked out into the darkness.
Sheska blinked, letting her eyes adapt. They were inside a cave, not outside. And, as she looked around, there were crystals everywhere. They glittered a bit in the Wrench’s running lights. “Winry did a good job flying us in here,” she said to herself.
The flickering of the walls signaled someone with a light was approaching before she saw the two figures, one carrying a lantern. She shielded her eyes as the cave lit up like a hall of mirrors.
Winry spoke first. “Thanks for the help, Ed.”
Ed…? Sheska opened her eyes, looking over the two figures. Though both were obviously of Martian blood, there was something of Earth in their faces. Both were blond and golden-eyed. Though they were wearing similar clothing to Izumi, and not clothing suitable for court, Sheska would have recognized the two half-blooded Princes of Mars in an instant.
“Wow, you must have been in some trouble, if you aren’t going to tell me off for thinking you needed help,” Crown Prince Edward smiled at Winry. “We’re going to need to talk – I want to know what happened in there.”
“Apprentice!” Izumi barked. Both boys turned to face her, with what almost looked like fear, and Sheska had to wonder at what kind of woman could command even the heir to the throne. “The Ambassador was injured. See to him first.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Sheska saw Edward exchange a look with Alphonse and both boys took out some chalk. After a few moments of marking up the legs of the cot, and a few gestures, they now had a workable gurney.
“I’ll rest later,” Hughes said as they were finishing up. “I need to talk, first.”
“Maes,” Gracia stepped forward. “Don’t even think of over-extending yourself. We’re in the middle of nowhere, with only Lady Izumi and Miss Winry with any sort of medical training, and you wanted by an entire government. Don’t make it worse by straining yourself.”
“A half hour, I promise.” Hughes said. “Sheska, could you help me out?”
“Yessir,” Sheska moved to start pushing the gurney.
“So… I’ve been getting word from Earth that there’s something up,” Hughes began. “I’ve got some friends back in Washington, who know how to encrypt a message. There’s some worry by my friends that the current administration has ties to the isolationist movement on Mars.”
“The isolationist movement?” Edward frowned. “Why would they do that?”
“I’m just telling you what I was told,” Hughes tried to shrug, but winced instead. “Friend of mine in the government asked me to look into things on this end, and to be careful – people have started to disappear on Earth. Ever hear of a man called Doctor Shou Tucker?”
“No, never…”
“Brilliant astrophysicist. Disappeared last month. Everything settled – he was going on a research trip to Pluto. We know he boarded the shuttle at the Cape, but no one on the shuttle saw him get on. We wouldn’t have known for another two months if his daughter hadn’t gotten worried, and tried to contact the shuttle en route.”
“She’s being taken care of, right?” Alphonse spoke up.
“Wha… oh, his daughter. Yes, she’s staying with relatives for the moment,” Hughes said absently. “I tried to contact the Royal Family, but…”
“You ran into Mo- the Lady Trisha,” Edward paused. Sheska caught a flicker of something cross his face, before it hardened into a determined stare.
“Ambassador Hughes, we think that the person in the Palace isn’t Mom,” Alphonse said. “It’s… well, you would know if someone you were close to was suddenly acting off. Nothing you can put your finger on, but it just feels… wrong.”
“Yeah, Your Highness,” Hughes nodded, only a brief bob of his head. “If something like that was up with Gracia or Elysia…”
“Good. We couldn’t find Father anywhere,” Sheska caught a mutter from Edward as Alphonse said this, “so we went to find Master Izumi. She and Winry are the only other people we know well enough to trust. I’m sorry we’ve caused you so much trouble.”
“Not a – hey, we’ve stopped.”
Izumi, who had been silent as they walked, turned to face them, standing in front of a series of ornately carved closed doors. “We’ve arrived. What I am about to show you all is for your eyes only. Missus Hughes, you may want to wait outside with Elysia.”
“Is it dangerous?”
“What you are about to see has the power to destroy whole worlds.” Izumi said flatly.
Gracia drew back, taking Elysia, who had wandered up for a closer look at the doors. “I think I’ll stay here then. Will my husband be all right?”
“He can’t push any buttons from that gurney. And, if anyone else does, which side of the doors he’s on won’t matter.” Izumi gave all of them a glare as she was saying this. Sheska suddenly understood why the two princes were so cowed by her. For all that she’s a nice and helpful person, she can be very scary.
In a show of drama, Izumi motioned the two Princes forward, and in unison they gestured. Sheska caught flashes of blue Alchemical fire flying between their fingertips. She looked to Winry, who was watching with some degree of interest. Then Izumi tapped the door with her staff. The sound seemed to echo in the suddenly quiet cavern. The doors opened inward, with no sound whatsoever, like they were gliding on air. Izumi said simply, as they looked inside. “The Kepler Gate.”