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Date & Time: April 19th
Location: Aboard the SS Dresden starting September 29, 1913.
Characters: Edward and Alphonse Elric
Summary: It's mission time, and the Elric brothers have been sent back to prevent the death of Rudolf Diesel. With the masters of subtlety on the case, what could go wrong?
Warnings: Shounen heroes and historical inaccuracies.

[It's just their luck to end up in a cargo hold.

Al flexes his hands, still shaking off the disorientation that comes with being instantly transported from solid ground to the middle of a ship already out at sea. Today marks only his second venture back in time, and this round is arguably even more surreal than the last. Taking in their new surroundings, he turns to check on Ed.]

You okay? They must've been serious about keeping a low profile if they're sticking us with the mail.

[He supposes he doesn't really mind, though. Starting off away from the other passengers will give them a chance to plan and get their bearings; with many details like the exact layout of the ship long lost to history, they're going to be working blind and must be careful if they want to pull this off. The mission, at least, is something he can abide by. They're saving the life of a scientist with good intentions and a waiting family; manipulating the past or not, there's little in that for Al to find fault with.]

There's no way to even tell how late it is yet. We're going to have to--

[He stops, cut off by the sound of approaching voices. Maybe time to think this through isn't a luxury they have after all.]

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[It strikes Ed as unfair that no matter how many times he has to go through this timeline-hopping thing, each one manages to make him uncomfortable in its own distinct way. Then again, he can't be completely sure whether his current slight queasiness is from the transporter or from the way the floor is rolling under his feet.

Or it could be from neither. 1913, huh? Less than a year before the war breaks out, if he remembers right - the one that Germany lost. He wasn't going to voice any of those misgivings during the briefing (which lived up to its name much too closely, he thought), but that only means they've remained lurking in the back of his mind. There has to be a catch to all this history altering, if a million little discrepancies can still result in, well...

He squints up at the sound of Al's voice. At least he's one shape easy to make out even in this suddenly dimmer light.]

Yeah, looks like it. Doesn't it take you back?

[Maybe it won't matter. It's not like they have a choice.

He distractedly rubs his eyes with the back of one glove. Come on, adjust a little faster. How are they supposed to figure out where to go from here if he can't get a good look at what there is in here?

There's nothing impairing his hearing, though.]

Already? Dammit...

[Standing in the middle of the cargo hold, he can't immediately spot any convenient hiding places - a couple of crates that might have worked a few years ago, possibly, but that thought not only doesn't help him right now but is one he'll have to remember to kick himself for when the coast is clear. And those voices are getting gradually louder, along with what sounds like several sets of accompanying footsteps.

Well, the plus side of being out of options is that it makes Ed's next course of action one hell of a lot easier to decide on. Without another word, he reaches up and promptly tries to swipe Al's head.]

[Nowhere to hide and very limited materials to transmute with... They really are out of options. Al briefly considers the merits of trying to talk their way out of this one, but what kind of excuse would explain away the presence of two unauthorized kids with Amestrian accents? Ed apparently has something else in mind, and Al finds his helmet snatched away before he can even protest.]

Hey! [It's a struggle to keep his voice down while sounding properly indignant.] What do you think you're doing?

Sshh!

[To his credit, sort of, Ed does think to quickly stoop and set Al's helmet down on the floor instead of just dropping it. Making more noise than they already are would defeat the point - which is just another reason not to try transmuting anything, really.]

Either get down for a second or give me a leg up!

[Get down? Oh, now he gets it. Like the world's most helpful little brother Al starts to draw back, managing to look annoyed through body language alone even after the loss of his head. The footsteps outside come to a stop, though, reinforcing how desperate a moment this truly is. There's no time to be picky, as much as his sense of standards would like to protest otherwise.]

You picked the worst way to do this!

[He kneels without further complaint, grabbing his helmet while he's at it so he can be ready to put it back in place.]

Like you had a better way, Al!

[Ed wastes no time in diving straight inside. Al's armour isn't the most comfortable place he's ever tried to sit, but there's just about enough room for him to scramble right side up in a hurry, if maybe not without a little bruising.]

Now try to look like cargo!

You could have done it without climbing all over me!

[Hiding people in his armor isn't as creepy to him as it used to be, but this is the first time he's let Ed get away with it, and that's a kind of unsettling all on its own. Still, Al puts his helmet back on with record speed and lowers himself to the ground as quietly as he can manage. He bows his head, hoping the resulting shadows will be enough to mask the eerie glow of his eyes.

The two of them don't have long to adjust; the men from outside enter the cargo hold shortly after they get into position, and while Al can't look up to check, it sounds like there are about four of them. The language they're speaking is unknown to him too, but there's no mistaking the angry confusion that comes when one of them first spots the armor. Before long the whole group is gathered around, staring the Elrics down and most likely trying to figure out why a full suit of armor is sitting around uncrated.

Looking like an inanimate object is sadly not the same as looking inconspicuous, but at this point there's little Al can do but keep playing the part and hoping the men decide there's nothing about them worth investigating. Maybe he and Ed will get lucky for once and these guys will give up and move on with their work?]

[Stuck inside, there's not much Ed can do besides listen. That's... Dutch, isn't it? Most of it goes by far too quickly for him to pick up, but he could swear he just caught a couple of grumbles about paperwork. Was that his imagination? It's not as if he knows the language either.

After a while, the discussion cools down a little; a few more footsteps across the floor suggest that one of the men is leaving the hold, probably to fetch something. The rest of them don't seem to be going anywhere, though, and the youngest-sounding voice in the group is getting steadily more agitated.

In the dark, Ed hangs his head. If he could just stick his hand out and make a distraction... No, he's not quite desperate enough to risk it with these jerks standing so close, but he's getting there.]

...What if we knock them out? [He's lowered his voice to the point that he isn't sure if Al can hear him. On the other hand, a whisper is still more sound than most people would expect from an empty suit of armour.]

[Just wait, he wants to say, but he doesn't dare. Normally he'd be tempted to chide Ed for his impatience, but the tension of doing nothing is quickly wearing on Al just as badly. Keeping still is something he can live with, but not being able to communicate in case they need to take action is a lot harder to accept.

For better or worse, the decision ends up getting made for them. Whether they're tipped off by Ed's whisper or overtaken by curiosity, something seems to give as one of the men responds to the youngest's latest comment with a mocking laugh. As if he's aiming to prove a point, he stands directly in front of Al before reaching down to pull off the helmet.]

[Decision made? Yeah, he thinks so. The instant Al's helmet is lifted away, Ed goes off like a landmine. He flies out of the armour, tackling the man in the ribs, and follows up with a swift blow to the head. The next few seconds are a blur, but by the end of them several grown men are sprawled unconscious on the floor, and none of them happen to be Ed.]

Sorry...

[He carefully steps around the first man, picks Al's head up and tosses it back. These people won't be out for long, as both he and Al are well aware.]

But let's look on the bright side. I don't think any of them saw you move.

[He knows he shouldn't encourage Ed when he's like this, but as Al stands and puts his head back on (for what he sincerely hopes is the final time this evening), he can't entirely hold back the tiniest hint of amusement at how quickly Ed handled that.]

All this downtime's been getting to you, huh? You didn't leave anything for me to do.

[But business calls, and he wastes no more time in ushering Ed out of the hold along with him.]

I guess we'll have to lock them up until morning. We won't get anywhere if they follow us.

[Al looks over his shoulder to make sure the fourth man hasn't returned yet, then transmutes the door sealed with a quick clap. Hopefully that'll be confusing enough to distract anyone who tries to investigate.]

[It certainly distracts Ed. The odd look he gives Al is fleeting, though; they can't just hang around and wait for the other guy to come back. Ha, that long list of things he intends to ask about when it's more expedient just doesn't get any smaller.

He turns to scan their surroundings. There are a couple of other doors visible nearby, and unfortunately no maps or helpful signs to aid any would-be invaders from the cargo hold, but none of that is really important.]

Speaking of getting anywhere, somehow I don't think we're gonna find our man at the bottom of a stairwell. [He takes off up the stairs at a run.] Let's go, Al.

[Al's a little slower to follow, but that's only in an attempt to downplay the armor's noisiness. The effort doesn't end up making much of a difference, but he feels slightly better for having tried.]

At least they didn't hold us up for long.

[Maybe they should've swiped a watch from one of those guys while they were at it, but it's not worth going back for now. Besides, there's no guarantee that any of the recorded accounts about this incident were actually accurate.]

I was hoping we'd get here early enough to try talking to him first, but at this rate we might be better off just guarding the deck.

[When Ed notices that Al isn't quite keeping up (which doesn't take long; his clanking really carries around these metal stairs), he stops for a second, looking back over his shoulder.] You know, it doesn't have to be either or...

[He freezes altogether when there's a loud sound reminiscent of a door slamming not far off, but after a few seconds tick by it seems they're safe from any more unwanted company.]

You think we should split up? I hate to say it, but if we are dealing with a murder, we can't be sure drowning is what killed him just because his body ended up overboard.

Yeah, that's true. [Come to think, he wouldn't happily leave Al standing around on his own in a place like this anyway. Scratch that idea.] But all that means is we can't be sure just guarding the deck is going to do any good, either.

[Ed doesn't relax straight away, especially not as they approach the top of the stairs. There are a couple of possible candidates up here for that door slam just now, and even though the place looks deserted at the moment, it wouldn't pay to let their guard down.]

Wonder if there's anyone around we could ask.

It's risky, but there's probably no way we can avoid everyone without knowing our way around. It could be worth a try.

...Of course, you can blend in enough to get information a lot easier than I can.

[Letting Ed do all the talking is a scary thought, though, and he scrambles to think of an alternative. Maybe someone will actually be dumb enough to buy him being an armor enthusiast prepping for an exhibit in London?]

[Ed frowns -] Look, even if you hid somewhere and left me to do all the work, there's still a chance you'll need a cover story at some point. Might as well think of one now and put it to some use.

[- but it's transparently obvious that neither this flimsy argument nor his air of mild aggrievance are the reason why. Even if he is less bothered than he should probably admit by the possibility of homicidal conspirators on board this boat, he can't say the same for the water overboard.]

...I don't know, maybe we could say you're an actor.

A really dedicated actor.

[With no official time of death to work with they can't afford to plan for very long, so if Ed seems a little agitated Al assumes it's merely impatience.]

But there's really no reason for both of us to look suspicious. Why don't you see what you can find out from the other passengers while I head up to stand guard as a last resort?

[Ed gives him a look, but if there's not much time for them to keep throwing vague ideas around there's even less to spend on arguing.] We'll figure out where the other passengers are and go from there. Sound like a plan?

[Then he turns to pull open the nearest door, because it's as good a choice as any. It offers no resistance.

The smell of seawater is the first thing that hits him as he pokes his head out into a cool, clouded-over night. It isn't quite pitch-dark out, but it's dark enough to dash whatever hopes they might have had for a few more hours' prep time.]

Right. So the deck is this way.

[He's reluctant to step out into the open just yet, so he starts to crane his neck trying to give their immediate environment a once-over.]

Hey, Al, over there... [Is that a lone figure hanging around at this time of night? What are they doing? ...Anyone they're looking for, maybe?

He gets distracted from trying to ascertain this, though, because the second thing that hits him is somebody else's fist.]

Brother!

[Al puts a bracing hand behind Ed's back to make sure the force of the blow doesn't send him reeling down the stairs, just as quickly angling himself to strike back at their attacker. From his position a kick to the man's midsection is all he can manage, but it's a brutal hit that he won't be getting up from any time soon.

The ruckus gets the attention of their mystery person, all right, as well as several other men emerging from the shadows just out of sight. They look way too eager to resort to violence to be anyone innocent, and whatever the whole story here is, it seems like Diesel's troubles run deeper than merely one or two angry rivals.]

Well. [His tone is flat and unimpressed. It always comes back to fighting, doesn't it? He almost feels sorry for these guys for not realizing who they're dealing with.] I guess we can rule out suicide.

[It doesn't take long for Ed to recover from the punch and find his footing. His mood is another story. Of course there'd be a bunch of goons right behind the door. Where else would they be?]

Diesel's, maybe. As for these...

[But no, hold on - the figures in the shadows might be advancing on them, but the person they just saw across the deck seems to be taking a more sensible option, and whether or not they turn out to be the man they're looking for, Ed isn't keen on the prospect of letting them get too far.

He shoots Al a look.] Hold them off. I'm gonna go check. [Then he breaks away and into a sprint.]

Sure.

[He helps clear Ed a path by grabbing a man by his collar and pretty much tossing him at his companions, then steps out to fully concentrate on the task at hand. A couple of the guys are tough, but not particularly impressive--the type who think swinging a knife at the outside of a suit of armor is actually going to accomplish something. With a little alchemy and dramatic posturing, Al barely has to lay a hand on them to keep them down.

He doesn't go after Ed right away, though. If there's one thing he's learned about facing groups like this, it's that they get desperate and stupid when they think they've lost, and Al's not about to take any chances. He makes sure they're all properly restrained before dashing off after his brother, hoping Ed hasn't horribly compromised the structure of the ship for the sake of stopping his target.]

Edited 2013-04-29 03:29 (UTC)

[There turn out to be no signs of any transmutation along the rest of the deck. Structural integrity, sure, that's one good reason not to try anything as dramatic as Ed normally likes - but he has to account for having no idea how this guy (definitely another guy, he thinks, but even as he closes in it's hard to make out any other features in the dark) might react to some flashy display of power from another world, too. The absolute worst-case scenario isn't something he really feels like dealing with again.

All the same, Ed has survived about nineteen years without learning how to be prudent, and he isn't about to start now. When Al catches up, he'll run straight into Ed finally bearing down on his target from behind and pinning the man to the ground, just yards away from yet another door.]

I said I just wanted to ask you something!

[A whole minute into a fight and Ed's still showing restraint? Huh. Al's honestly surprised. He's about to help question their guy when, true to the luck they're having tonight, the door ahead of them starts to open and reveals a cheerful looking young couple who probably just wanted to take in the view of the stars over water. Al responds by promptly slamming the door in their faces and holding it closed.]

The deck's off limits for maintenance right now, sorry!

[If that didn't freak them out enough, then seeing someone pinned to the floor probably did the trick for giving them the wrong impression of who the bad guys are. The sound of rapidly retreating footsteps is hardly a comfort.]

Interrogate fast!

I'm trying! [Dammit, this is the kind of situation he wanted to avoid by stopping their mystery guy. There's no way anyone would buy that maintenance excuse...

He hurriedly turns his attention back downward.] Listen, we're not going to hurt you, okay? We just want to know if you know where to find -

[But weirdly enough, having some loud stranger tackle him to the deck and interrupt his escape from a violent mob doesn't seem to have put this man in a cooperative mood. Face-down, his lightly-accented ranting is indistinct at best, but the gist of it is something about respect, something about plans to fetch a lawyer as soon as - no, more accurately, fetch all of the lawyers as soon as they dock... and a lot of swearing, the language of which is pretty much immaterial.

It doesn't take long for Ed to get sick of this. He moves over and, grabbing the man's jacket, hauls him slightly more upright.] Cut the crap! It's a yes or no question!

[It's also a question their prisoner obviously doesn't feel like answering, because the only response forthcoming is a continued stream of graphic and interminable cursing.

Privately, Ed tries to remind himself of the reasons just punching this guy isn't going to help their cause, and finds he can't remember any.]

There'll be plenty of time to worry about suing us once your life isn't in danger.

[Honestly, the priorities of some people! Panicking and getting frustrated isn't going to do anyone any favors, but things sure do seem to be getting worse and worse. With conspirators and well-meaning crew members alike possibly coming after them--not to mention two unsecured doors--it's too late to try taking anything close to the delicate approach.]

Here, let me try.

[Al's methods of questioning are generally less violent than Ed's, but no less terrifying. There's something to be said for being tall enough to dangle a grown man several feet off the ground. Al kneels down beside Ed and their captive, his voice dipping to its most serious.]

Listen, Mister-- [But a close look at the guy stops him cold. With only an old black and white photo from 1883 to go on and the dim light obscuring things further it's hard to be sure, but...]

Brother, you think this is him?

[Ed looks at him, trying not to relinquish his hold.] You think so too, Al? I couldn't be positive... Cut that out!

[The last part, accompanied by a glower, follows an extra-spirited struggle from their captive and a small ripping noise from the inside of his jacket - apparently he doesn't appreciate being talked about like a wanted man any more than the rest of his situation. Things aren't out of hand just yet, but literally or figuratively Ed expects that to change any moment now. He redoubles his grip.]

If he is, what do we do? We can't play twenty questions out here forever. [He glances at the door, then back the way they came - still clear, and he can't hear anyone approaching either, whatever that's worth with all the waves rolling in the background.] And if he doesn't shut up before we find somewhere safe...

[Al stays close, poised to take over the restraining duties in case the man's struggles get to be too much for Ed. He can't help feeling guilty about the rough treatment, and hopes that once things are less critical they'll get a proper chance to apologize. Right now, though, they have to make sure they've got the right guy. They can't afford to mess around with him any longer if Diesel is still in danger somewhere.]

If he won't cooperate then we'll just have to search him. They identified his body from an ID, right? So he should still--

[Even out of context that proves to be a pretty horrific thing to say, driving the man's escape attempts all the way up from wild and angry to downright desperate. Al inwardly flails at his own lack of tact.]

Sorry, I'm sorry! It's really not what it sounds like!

I'd say it pretty much is...

[He sighs, and yanks their captive a little closer to look him in the eye before he escapes.] Okay, enough of this. Listen. [He even sounds slightly apologetic.] There's not much time, but we can explain, I swear. Just promise us one thing.

[It's an ominous thing to say, and the man hesitates, by now looking almost as fearful as he is furious. He doesn't actually get to hear what the one thing is, though, because this is the point where Ed lets go and clocks him upside the head with his automail fist. Like the workers in the cargo hold before him, the man crumples.

Ed, apparently unconcerned, gets to his feet.] Pick him up, Al. [He starts to walk back the way they came.] We can search him once we're not expecting company.

[Of course, back the way they came is the place they were attacked to begin with, but there's not really much of a choice...]

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