Visitor from central HQ

The doors of an Office fly open and Lucas Ford steps in. He looks around to see some soldiers sitting and enjoying their lunch break. Naturally it was not nice to go and ask people to help him wilst they were having their lunch breaks.’’ But hey orders are orders’’ he thought. Furthermore he would die if he were to go out in the snow alone. He sighed and bowed his head when he realized the raport was due soon. How on earth was he going to pull that off? ‘’Ohh well’’ It didnt bother him that much but it was not a nice feeling. Having the breath of your superiors in your neck all the time that is.
I am Captain Ford from central HQ, I require a guide to take me to the Amestris/Drachman border. Lucas shouted trough the office. It was not the most subtle approach but it worked. On second thought he could maybe have used a different tactic. Because who was going to willingly take him all the way to the border. ‘’then again I am a captain and these guys are known to want to prove themselves ‘’ He thought. Lucas laughed at himself for being so demanding.

{Lucas & Hunter,

I don't know if you've seen the plot but just a heads up... currently Fort Briggs is under RIOTE control. Anyone who so chooses is imprisoned there, but you can't have threads there at the moment. If you want to move this thread into North City to meet up, or have Hunter IN Central, that could work. But a non-RIOTE thread in Fort Briggs is kind of a no-go at the moment.

Sorry!}

"Paperwork, paperwork and more PAPERWORK!" Hunter shouted aloud as he slapped the desk with the palm of his right hand. Ever since he received the position as Head of Power at South HQ, all he had had time to do was sit around writing, signing, and distributing paperwork. It was mind numbing. He couldn't be too upset considering he knew that the position carried a lot of responsibilities, and with those responsibilities came the paperwork. He wanted to be out among the soldiers, having fun and shooting the breeze but there was always some new form he needed to fill out regarding his men and what exactly they would do once given the assignment. Then again, in the few times he had the opportunity to stand with the soldiers, they always seemed hesitant to truly relax when he was around. Every interaction he had involved 'sir' and while it was nice to have respect, the formalities weren't necessary during idle conversation. But the young man couldn't help but understand why they kept just a little bit of distance away from him. Hunter had a small reputation for his emotions and tendency to fight at the drop of a hat, "Alright..." He said as he took a long drag from his cigarette, "I think I should go take a break.

Upon stepping from his own office to the general area, he was met by the shocked stares of just about every soldier present. The sight was slightly disturbing since they couldn't have heard him shout about the paperwork. He had his door closed, right? Hunter shook the thought out of his head and removed the cigarette from his mouth to tap the ashes and replace it, "What? Do I have something on my face?" He was just about to wipe his mouth when one of the smaller, more timid soldiers approached; a pack of files clutched in his shaking hands, and offered it to him, "I wasn't sure which papers you wanted, sir, s-so I brought whatever I could pull from my desk."

"What in the hell are you talking about?" Hunter said, his brow beginning to furrow as the confusion began to grow "I didn't ask for any papers from anyone."

"But sir, everyone heard you shout about it over the intercom."

"Once again, what in the he-..." He cut himself off and thought back to when he was openly complaining about his own papers, slamming his hand to the desk while screaming at the last word. The thought caused the blood to fill his face and highlight how embarrassed he was about the issue, "I may have accidentally slammed my hand to the intercom while I was going my own paperwork. Sorry about that."

Hunter slipped right past the soldier and said, "I'll be outside getting some fresh air." as he reached for the handle to the main door. Right when his metal fingers brushed against it, the large door slammed open and hit him right in his face. The impact wasn't too hard but it was enough to make him stumble a little and leave his nose sore and bleeding. Just as he opened his mouth to request a tissue or handkerchief, he was cut off by a man requesting a guide to the Amestris/Drachma border at Fort Briggs, "Well first, let me say that slamming a door isn't exactly the most polite way to enter a building." He said, "You could hurt someone on the other side."

The soldiers did look a bit shocked. But why? Lucas thought. At first it seemed that his slightly exaggerated entrance was to blame. But then he noticed that the people weren’t looking at him at all. He quickly reviewed what had just happened. And as he did so he lifted his left eyebrow. And then he came to the conclusion that one of the doors that he had just opened quite quickly. Had not opened all the way for it felt like that door got stopped by something.
"Well first, let me say that slamming a door isn't exactly the most polite way to enter a building." The man spoke, "You could hurt someone on the other side."

It appears that Lucas had now found what, or rather, who had stopped the door. And that with his nose as well. For some reason Lucas found it quite an achievement to get hit in the face with a massive, heavy and giant wooden door. And not pass out when it hit. When he noticed it was actually the Head of Power from the HQ he was in Lucas’ “old holy cr*p a higher ranking officer reflex” kicked in and he sprung into a salute saying: I am sorry sir, are you all right sir?

Never had Lucas hit an officer in the face so this was a first. And he had always thought that if he would hit one it would have been out of necessity not on accident. “Ohh well there is a first for everything.” whilst Lucas was still standing in salute the other soldiers in the room noticed that it was a captain that just slammed the doors open into someone’s face. So they all stood up and saluted. At ease! Lucas spoke kindly but firmly and immediately the soldiers dropped their right arms to their side. even though Lucas had no direct power over them as they were not his subordinates. He still had the power to do this.

When it seemed that the head of power’ nosebleed was under control Lucas addressed his attention to him Sir I am Captain Lucas Ford. I am the head of spies from central HQ and I have come here with orders to find a guide that can take me to the Amestris/Drachma border. But I am sure that you have gotten the report about this sir. He spoke on a low tone of voice because not everyone in the room was supposed to hear that he was the head of spies in central.
He looked at the man he was talking to and reached out to him with his right hand and smiled.

Pleased to meet you sir. You are Hunter Kieff correct?

Hunter sniffled lightly in order to suck up some of the blood that dripped as he wiped his nose, pinching it until it stopped leaking, "Yeah, I'm fine. More surprised than hurt." He said. It was slightly amusing how Lucas reacted after realizing who Hunter was, "Don't be so jumpy, you can relax."

The young man stood patiently with his arms folded as Lucas explained his situation. It seemed that his interests were with Fort Briggs at the Amestris/Drachma border. Hunter was never one to enjoy the cold up north, but he could tolerate it, "The pleasure is mine," He began, accepting the hand offered to him, "We should continue this conversation in my office... I don't think it's a good idea to speak out here." That being said, he turned around and signaled for Lucas to follow. The new situation bothered him quite a bit since he was just about to escape his cramped office, but work always took priority over relaxation. Especially with the issue at Fort Briggs.

"Close the door and take a seat." Hunter said as he sat in the chair behind his desk, "So... Your assignment is to reach the border? That's easier said than done." He popped cigarette in his mouth and lit it over a scented candle, the ember glowing brightly as he took a drag, "I'm sure you already know, but RIOTE has Fort Briggs under their control. Unless you plan to hike up and over the mountains, our military needs to liberate the fort. I haven't been given any orders regarding the issue up north, but that was expected. He paused to exhale the rest of the smoke trapped in his lungs before continuing"I'm stationed at the opposite side."

Hunter took a second drag and tapped the ashes into his tray, "Are you at liberty to tell me your specific orders? If not, I don't know how much good I can do for you. I know the way to Briggs and it's a very, very long way from here."

Yeah, I'm fine. More surprised than hurt. The man spoke and Lucas was glad to hear that the man wasn’t mad or something like that. He sure didn’t look all that fine with his hand covered in blood but hey, if it didn’t bother him then why should it bother me Lucas thought. Don’t be so jumpy, you can relax. Hunter spoke. And so he did. He dropped his arm and his normal kind expression replaced the serious military one.

I’m sorry, It’s what I am used to at central really.
After his hand had been accepted, he had explained a bit more Lucas and the Head of Power arrived at the office. Lucas was asked to close the doors and take a seat. It was a nice looking office and all. But the smell was what caught Lucas’ attention. It smells like a combination of cigarettes and scented candles in here Lucas thought And soon that thought was confirmed when Hunter lit a cigarette over a scented candle. Lucas could stand smoking and all that but he wasn’t really fond of it. He could understand how the stresses of a military career could provoke such a habit as smoking. But for some reason after all those years at central with his old Commanding officer smoking 2 packs every day. He still coughed every time. And this time was no exception.

Right before that cigarette was lit Hunter had said: So... Your assignment is to reach the border? That's easier said than done." And Lucas did not want to come over sarcastic or anything like that so he simply smiled a bit and said Correct
Hunter replied "I'm sure you already know, but RIOTE has Fort Briggs under their control. Unless you plan to hike up and over the mountains, our military needs to liberate the fort. I haven't been given any orders regarding the issue up north, but that was expected. Lucas grinned because Hunters words emerged from his mouth in a rather amusing tone. And after that he even laughed a bit and whilst laughing he said I was actually planning to go and hike indeed. And also, while I am at it. Take my family with me and go sightseeing and try to spot a wild RIOTE militant in his natural habitat Lucas laughed at his own joke but he really found it funny and himself laughing could have been the funniest part about it all.

Once the seriousness got back into the conversation Lucas was asked if he was at liberty to speak about his specific orders. And as soon as he heard that his face changed. He donned a more serious look and leaned forward towards Hunter. Yes sir I am f or that is why I am here. And I know it might seem a bit odd to find a guide towards the north, in the south. But I was ordered to not find someone that knows the way to Fort Briggs. But someone that knows the way INSIDE Fort Briggs as well. If you catch my drift. The word “inside was spoken” with a more pressing tone of voice. You see, I am the closest head of spies to Fort Briggs and was thus asked to go and flush out weaknesses. But in order to do that He said. Then he paused and looked around in a way that was still calm but serious way.

I must first get to and inside the fortress.

Hunter gave a wry smile in reply to Lucas' joke and sat quietly while he explained his situation. The man not only needed a guide through North City and a way through the mountains, but he also wanted to break into Fort Briggs. He idly drummed his fingers on his desk while he thought about the situation. Normally, he would jump at the chance to take back what beloned to the Amestrian military. This situation, however, called for a more delicate touch, "Alright..." He said, "I'll do whatever I can to help you. The head of South HQ hasn't given me any orders regarding this land, and all I've had to attend it what you see right here." Hunter paused and gestured at the mounds of paper scattered throughout his office, "But first, there are several several more issues we need to discuss."

Hunter scooted his chair back and rummaged through the drawers in his desk until he found exactly what he was looking for, a small glass vial, "I have a way to both weaken the metal walls of the fort and incapacitate any people that may happen to get in our way since we can't exactly use the front door. So that part may not be a problem." He paused to take one long drag, enough to reduce the rest of his cigarette to ashes and held it for a moment. There was a faint 'tnk' as he clicked his tongue and inhaled one last time through his nose and placed the rim of the vial against his lips. As Hunter exhaled, a colorless liquid began to fill the glass. He was careful not to spill a drop anywhere else and pulled his mouth away, exhaling the rest of the smoke trapped in his lungs, "Acid..." He said, "Sulfuric Acid to be exact. Most metals will react to this, save for; gold, platinum and rhenium. The rest is fair game." Hunter smiled and slid the vial across his desk to Lucas, "It won't make a hole instantly, but the walls WILL begin to weaken fairly quickly. If you have anything to hit the wall with that doesn't involve direct physical contact on your part, we could make short work of whatever gets in the way."