Equivalent Exchange: Episode 3--Crimson Eternal

[Dire Lemming]

Al seems relieved to have an excuse to stop paying attention to the kitchen. "Well no, not everything... See, since my brother is missing I've been researching the gate as much as possible. I was thinking that maybe I could find a way to open the gate without performing a human transmutation... See whenever the gate opens from a human transmutation it... takes things from you... Things that can't be predicted by equivalent exchange." Al suddenly looks worried. "You... you don't want to perform a human transmutation do you?"

 

[stonegod]

Laura looks at Al seriously, an intent look in her eyes. "Human transmutation has been attempted for a very long time. And none have yet succeeded. But there are two cases of something what appears to be the dead returning. In one, only the body was dead. But the other... the other was our friend Miller. Neither remember the process, and both are no longer available for questioning. But to answer you question.... I know better than to attempt human transmutation. But if a soul could be returned to a body... that would be something *highly* interesting to me."

 

[Dire Lemming]

Al looks even more concerned at Laura's reasurances. "You don't understand, that's- that is human transmutation. Bringing a soul back, it's the same thing. It has the same consequences. That's why Lieutenant Miller has to have been that Chimera. Her soul was still here, and all he had to do was bind it to her new body. ... What do you mean two?"

 

[stonegod]

"And then what is the point of opening the gate? Do you seek something lost on the other side? To bring it back? That is the lure that has claimed many." She looks distant a moment. "But a lost soul, a trapped one like that fool Tucker created... something not quite human. Restoring them to full humanity would be a great power." She turns again to Al. "So, if your research says nothing on this, what does it speak of?"

 

[Dire Lemming]

"I- I'm going to find my brother, he's not dead, I know it..."

"I found a book by an alchemist named Majihal that was a collection of letters between him and my father. Oh, my father is an alchemist too. Well, their were some references to circles use to open the gate and the lost eastern kingdom beyond Ishbal. That's all I really found, but it's the only lead I've got so far. I might just have to go there myself. What about Tucker though, do you know something about him? Maybe it could help Lieutenant Miller."

 

[stonegod]

"What about Tucker though, do you know something about him? Maybe it could help Lieutenant Miller."

"Oh, I know a great deal about him. And your father. But Miller cannot be helped; she is beyond it now." She looks at Al a moment, then a very small and tight grin breaks her face a moment. "Do not worry about her; you won't be seeing her again."

 

[Dire Lemming]

Al stares at her with a look of complete confusion. "Wait, what? How do you know my-? What are you talking about? General Hawkeye is going to send someone over here as soon as she gets back."

 

[Festy_Dog]

Selim remained quiet, impassively watching the exchange between Laura and Al. He seemed a little uncomfortable in the Hughes' household though, and stole a couple of glances to the door.

 

[stonegod]

Al stares at her with a look of complete confusion. "Wait, what? How do you know my-? What are you talking about? General Hawkeye is going to send someone over here as soon as she gets back."

Laura's eyes twinkled. "Oh, she'll do that. But Miller will be... permanently unavailable. The State has a way of keeping its secrets. It is amusing how so little changes."

She leans forward. "But, this Eastern Kingdom. If you going to go there, you'll need to be prepared. Perhaps additional research? Supplies? It is not like the rail goes there...."

 

[Dire Lemming]

Al starts to nod, first slowly, and then more quickly. Begining with feigned understanding, and ending with agreement. "Oh, yeah of course, I'm not gonna just walk out there with nothin." he chuckles. "Uh... what do you mean though? ... About Miller. I mean, why would she... I mean... ... What do you mean?"