Dark Gamble Pt. 1:

Simone’s Notes:

Gambling has a specific economic definition, referring to wagering money or something of material value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material goods. Typically, the outcome of the wager is evident within a short period of time. The term gaming in this context typically refers to instances in which the activity has been specifically permitted by law. The two words are not mutually exclusive; i.e., a “gaming” company offers legal “gambling” activities to the public. This distinction is not universally observed in the English-speaking world, however. For instance, in the UK, the regulator of gambling activities is called the Gambling Commission not the Gaming Commission.

21:00 July 30th 1917:

Private first class Peyton Scott was driving along her shift in the streets of Central City. She was on trash sweep duty. The woman just had to scan the streets for any suspicious activity. No Doubt’s song, “New,” was keeping her from getting bored. Nothing looked out of the ordinary so far. Peyton found herself getting bored already. She didn’t want to do this tonight. Peyton just wanted to go home, take a bath, and go to bed. But that wasn’t going to happen tonight. “What is the point of trash sweep anyway?” she thought annoyed. The private kept driving when she saw a woman walking into the road flagging her down frantically. Scott quickly slammed on the breaks. She took a good look at the woman. She looked about forty-five years old. The woman’s hair was in a dark brown messy bun. Her eyes were pretty tired and she looked to be in distress. She had on a robe and nightgown. The private rolled down the window out of curiosity.

“Is there a problem ma’am?” Peyton asked. The woman ran to the open window.

“Miss!” she cried out. “There’s been a terrible murder!” Peyton’s eyes grew big in shock.

“Okay ma’am,” she said. “Just calm down. I can’t help you when you are in this state.” The woman stopped and took in a deep breath. Peyton kept her eyes on her.

“Alright,” she said. “Tell me again, what happened.”

“There has been a murder!” the woman repeated. Peyton kept herself calm.

“Are you sure?” the private asked her.

“Yes!” the woman blurted. “I saw a human heart back that way!” Peyton’s eyes grew big in shock.

“Okay,” she said. “Climb in and show me where!”

“Alright!” the woman said. Then Peyton reached over and unlocked the passenger door. The woman climbed in next her. Peyton waited for her to buckle up so that she could drive off.

“Now,” the private said. “Show me where again.”

“Right down this street!” the woman yelped.

“Hang on tight!” Peyton yelled out. Then she drove on the direction pointed out. The woman did so very well. They came a few blocks down the road to an abandoned bar. Peyton got out of the car and looked around. So far, everything looked normal. The private first class kept up her guard. Incubi and succubi could looking to strike at some fresh meat. But nothing was off about this crime scene so far. But then, she saw it. A human heat was lying there with some blood leaking out on the sidewalk. Peyton didn’t look sick at the sight. She was used this sort of thing. The private drew out her rubber latex gloves and snapped them on. She knelt down and picked up the heart to examine it. But as she did, someone snuck up behind her and placed a heavy cloth over her nose and mouth. The private first class passed out within seconds. The attacker dragged her away into another vehicle nearby.

 

22:05 July 30th 1917:

The military were searching the “crime scene” within moments. They noticed that something was wrong when Peyton didn’t call in thirty minutes ago. Trash swipe was an easy task. It usual takes thirty minutes on normal nights. A little longer if traffic was bad. Peyton always called in when she was done with a task. When Travis didn’t receive a call, he knew something was wrong. Her abandoned station wagon confirmed his worries. Jim and Don began their work on the truck for clues.

“No sign of a struggle,” Don replied. “But it did seem like Peyton picked up someone in her station wagon.” He had a long strand of greyish brown hair in his tweezers. “Maybe a female,” he went on. “Elderly, possibly.” Travis thought about that for a moment. He suspected foul play big time.

“Barrett!” Mustang called out. The general came over to him.

“What is it Roy?” he asked. Mustang pointed out to the dried heart on the ground. Next to it were freshly burnt cigarettes in a sealed evidence bag. Travis began putting all of the pieces together. Peyton was investigating this screen before she disappeared. However, something seemed very off here.

“This doesn’t look like Peyton’s evidence.” Travis said aloud. Mustang looked up him confused.

“What are you talking about?” he asked. The general pointed to the bag.

“The way the evidence is bagged,” Travis said. “It’s too perfect looking and staged. It’s like someone placed it there before she was kidnapped.” Roy thought about this for a moment. It did look pretty much staged to him. He began to suspect foul play as well.

 

Earlier that night

19:00 July 30th 1917:

Central Headquarters was on a normal night as usual. Everyone was carrying on with their normal activities for the night.

“How have you been, Alex?” Dr. Howard asked the lamb. Ever since he and Stacey were rescued, the soldiers put them up with Dr. Howard for therapy. So far, it was going just fine.

“What all did he do to you, Alex?” Dr. Howard asked him. The lamb paused for a long moment.

“He beats me,” the boy trembled out. “And…” He became really afraid again.

“Take you time with it,” the doc said. “You can take a few breaths if you need to clear your head.” Alex just nodded at her. He shut his eyes tightly. The lamb was reliving the pain in his head. He felt himself trembling all over. The pain was still as strong as ever.

“He…” Alex began again. “…Would rape me…” Tears escaped from his eyes and down his cheeks. The pain kept flooding in his soul. Dr. Howard handed him a tissue. The boy lightly wiped the tears away from his eyes. Wendee smiled at him with compassion.

“There, there,” she said to her patient slowly. “You’re doing good. This is the first step to recovery.” Alex nodded again to her.

“Tell you what,” Dr. Howard said to her. “We’ll take this sessions slow, okay?”

“Okay,” the lamb agreed. Then, they went on slowly.

Meanwhile, Mustang was reviewing the previous cases. It was all coming clear now. Edward had become one of the fallen. The major general cursed himself for not seeing the signs just in time. “Damn it!” he thought in frustration. “I had him and now he’s gone! F**k!

“Is there a problem, sir?” a voice asked him. Roy looked up to see Riza standing in the doorway staring at him. She had more files in her hands. Her boss sighed.

“No,” he replied. “Not really.” Hawkeye-Riis came into the office.

“It’s about Edward, isn’t it?” she asked. Roy looked up at her in surprise. She could still understand him even though they had broken up. Maybe their was hope for a relationship between them after all. Mustang sat up straighter.

“Yeah,” he replied. Riza walked in and closed the door.

“Yes,” she said. “I can’t believe that Edward is our enemy now either.”

“That’s how it is now,” Mustang replied. “He has made his decision. Now we have to fight him to bring him back or kill him.” Riza looked at her boss palely. Mustang read the look in her eyes. She didn’t like the idea just as much as he did.

“I’m sorry,” Roy added on. “But that’s what it has come down to.” The look in Riza’s eyes still didn’t change. That was a clear sign it was time to change the subject.

“So,” he spoke up. “When is Jakob leaving for school?” The captain’s mood changed quickly.

“Next month,” she answered.

“I see,” Mustang replied. “So, you think you’ll be lonely while he’s a school.” Riza giggled at him.

“Roy!” she exclaimed out loud. “I’m a married woman now and Jakob is my husband! I don’t want to cheat on him at all!” Mustang snapped his fingers in disappointment.

“Darn it!” he called out. “You caught my bluff!” Both of them laughed.

Outside, Havoc, Doug, and Breda were playing a card game for cash. Havoc was feeling highly confident in winning today. Breda and Kobe couldn’t help but notice his changes lately.

“That woman of yours is toughening you up, huh?” Doug asked Jean boldly. The lt. looked at him from his cards with an eyebrow raised.

“What do you mean?” he asked. Doug kind of smiled at him.

“Well, you know,” he began. “You’ve become much tougher since you first slept with Jacilyn.”

“Yeah,” Breda said. “You seem highly confident lately, Havoc.” Jean continued to look at them blankly. He really wasn’t following them.

“So, I’m getting married to my girlfriend,” the lt. replied. “So what?”

“It’s changed you!” Doug pointed out.

“How so?” Jean asked.

“You used to just follow orders blankly,” Breda replied. “Now you have become more…”

“More what?” Havoc asked.

“More… bolder,” his friend finished. There was a long paused between the three men. Havoc thought about their testimonies for a moment. The other lts. looked slightly worried. Breda and Doug thought that they had said the wrong thing to him. Then he looked up at the boys smiling.

“I guess I have!” Havoc said aloud. The other two men relaxed. Havoc just smiled at them brightly.

“Well,” he said. “Let’s get started with the game!”

“Okay!” Doug said.

“So how do you play this game?” Breda asked. The lt. grinned at him.

“Glad you asked, my friends!” he said aloud. “You take a card and whatever is on the card, you have to take or put in the center how much it asks for.” Breda and Havoc looked at him suspiciously.

“You should this isn’t a trick?” Breda asked him in concern.

“No, no!” Doug said quickly. “I swear! Look!” He drew up the first card. Disappointment met his face. The other two lts. looked at him.

“What is it?” Havoc asked. Doug showed him the card.

“This is bad,” he answered him. “I got a black wizard card.”

“And that is…” Breda said.

“That means I a have to put fifty cenz in the pile.” Doug explained. Then he pulled out his money and put it in the center of the table. The men didn’t seem to trust him.

“Go on,” Kobe told them. “Count it up.” Havoc did so carefully.

“The full amount is here,” he said.

“See?” the lt. asked the other two. “I’m a pervert, not a con man. Go on, Havoc. It’s your turn.” Jean hesitated at first, but then he drew up his first card. He looked confused at his selection.

“What does this gold star card mean?” the lt. asked.

“Show me.” Doug replied. Havoc turned the card to him. Kobe smiled at him.

“Those are good!” he said. “You take thirty cenz out of the pot!” Jean smiled brightly.

“Nice!” he said aloud. Then he took the money. The game kept on like so.

Down the hall, Peyton and Demetria were walking and talking.

“So anyway,” Demetria went on. “I was flirting around with this guy I met in the bar last night. It was progressing forward as I thought it would. I had my hand on his thigh when I heard said yell, ‘Take your hands off of him you bitch!’ I quickly look up to see this cow storming up to me! She was heavily built.”

“Bigger than you?” Peyton asked.

“Yeah,” her friend answered. “This board looked like she wanted some tonight. I would’ve happily served it to her. But I was in a good mood that night and didn’t feel like a fight.”

“So what did you do?” Scott asked.

“I gracefully got up,” Demetria answered. “Excused myself to my captive and focused my attention to the cow. I said, ‘Well, if you weren’t such a controlling bitchy cow, maybe your man wouldn’t be looking for a fricking escape!’ That really set her off. She reached forward to slap me, but I grabbed her wrist really quickly. I leaned in her ear and told that I was in the military and if she kept up this pointless fight, I would really be Satan. The cow didn’t seem to believe me at first. But she lowered her hand slowly. I smiled at her and said, ‘I thought so. Good night, miss.’ Then I let go of her wrist and she turned and left. Then I turned back to my captive and flirted with him even more.” Peyton just smiled and nodded at her friend. She didn’t know whether or not to believe Demetria at times. Her friend had a tendency to stretch the truth at times. But the private was good at making anything sound so believable to the point one would have the real truth itself. So Peyton just smiled and nodded at her friend’s story like she normally did.

“Well, well, well,” a voice called out to them. The two privates looked up to see Travis standing before them smiling. He had two files in his hands. Peyton and Demetria knew that their boss was going to put them to work tonight. So much for a free night tonight!

“Just the ladies I want to see!” Travis went on. “I have some work you to do.” Then he handed his two “daughters” the files. The women looked at them in silence. They looked back up at Travis.

“Now,” he said. “I’m too tired to play favorites. So, I’ll leave it to you two ladies to duke it out. Good night!” Then, the major headed out the door for the night. The women watched their boss head back to his office. Peyton and Demetria looked at each other for a moment.

“Well,” Demetria spoke up. “What do we have?” Peyton looked at the files.

“Trash sweep and an incident at a strip club in the Red Light District,” she replied. Both women looked at each for a long while. Both wanted to speak up, but didn’t. The privates both wanted the same thing. They wanted the better of the two cases. Demetria smiled at her friend.

“I know how to settle this,” she spoke up. Peyton looked at her out of curiosity.

“Oh?” she asked. “And how so?”

“A good old-fashioned coin toss,” the private answered.

“Too right!” Scott replied. Demetria reached in her jacket pocket, drew out a coin, and flipped it. She caught in of the back of her hand and covered it fast with her other hand.

“Call it!” the private said to her friend.

“Heads!” Peyton said aloud.

“Let’s see the winning side,” Demetria said. Then she drew away her hand. Both ladies looked at the coin. Peyton sulked in defeat. Her friend grinned at her proudly.

“Ha! Tails!” she yelled. “I get the strip club!”

“Damn it!” the private first class replied.

“Have fun with the trash sweep!” Demetria yelled out. Then she walked off. Peyton mocked her under her breath and followed behind.

 

[Fast Forward]

21:30 July 30th 1917:

The incubi quartet laid an out-cold Peyton down on the bed. The attacker neatly delivered her to the boys right away. Dr. Pierce took a long look at the latest captive.

“So this is the one, huh?” he asked.

“That’s correct!” Serkan replied. The good doctor looked at the private first class closely. He didn’t seem to be impressed at all.

“Hm,” he said aloud. “I wasn’t expecting a skinny thing! I want to feed her right away!”

“What does it matter?” Azrael asked. “We got a game prize! So now we can play our game!”

“True,” Dr. Pierce replied. “Now that I think about, she doesn’t look half bad!”

“There you see!” Edward said aloud. “You’re liking her already!”

“Now dress her up!” Azrael barked. “The uniform is not that hot on her!”

“You got it!” Serkan replied. Then, he and Dr. Pierce ripped off the out cold private first class’ clothes and threw them to the ground. Azrael turned to Faerie.

“Dump these, if you will,” he ordered her.

“Gladly!” the fairy replied. Then, she took up the uniform and flew off. Next, the Serkan and Dr. Pierce dressed Peyton up to look like Alice from Alice in Wonderland. They dressed her in light blue dress play dress, white half apron, long white pantyhose, black dress shoes, and a black head ribbon. When they were done, the two incubi moved away to show the other two their work. Azrael smiled at the work.

“Excellent!” he said. “Now take her with us to the warehouse!”

“Right!” the other incubi replied. Then they carefully picked Peyton up and carried her out the door with her. The deadly gamble was just beginning.

 

22:10 July 30th 1917:

The military placed a scent dog to trail Peyton. They had her gloves to go by. Demetria looked around for any signs of a getaway vehicle. She came across tire threads on the slick ground. Havoc noticed what she was looking at on the ground.

“What are you looking at?” he asked her. The private looked up at him quickly.

“What kind of vehicle does this tire pattern look like?” she asked him. Havoc paused for a moment and looked at the pattern.

“Hm,” he replied. “It looks like a station wagon!”

“I think so too!” Demetria said. She took pictures right away.

“Is there any way to see what vehicle it was?” Jean asked her.

“I don’t know…” the private said as she looked around the place. “Hey! Is there any way to see what vehicles came through here tonight?”

“There is one way!” a local officer yelled back at her. Demetria’s heart raced quickly.

“Well,” she said. “Show us!” The officer came over to them with the screen. The footage was as clear as day. They saw Peyton drive up to the alley and get out of the car.

“She seems to be looking at the crime scene,” Jean pointed out.

“At the heart, I assume.” Demetria added. Then they saw the attacker come up behind her and place the cloth over her mouth. Then the attacker dragged Peyton away to a Ford Station Wagon and drive away. Jean and Demetria looked up at each other in silence.

“We have our car!” the private said aloud. She looked up at Travis and Mustang.

“Sirs!” she yelled out. “We have the car!” The generals rushed over to the private, lt., and officer. They too saw the footage. The vehicle was a dark green station wagon. They all looked at each other. They had the car, but not the face. The military had to work to find one before things grew worse.

 

21:35 July 30th 1917:

The incubi took Peyton into an abandoned warehouse. They were on the second level of the warehouse. The boys had a trap set up for her. Azrael pushed her into a Plexiglas box and sat her up on her knees. Then, he chained her wrists and ankles tightly. The incubus made sure that she was propped up strongly. Serkan then set up the microphone above her head. He next placed a loaded hand gun in the prize’s hand with two glow sticks with one already lit and a mini tape player. The boys admired their work.

“Just perfect!” Azrael yelled out. Then they slid the glass door closed. Serkan locked the door securely. Serkan lightly sawed a small hole through the door at Peyton’s chest. He steadily placed a nambu pistol through the hole and stung up the trigger to be pulled when a string pulled on. The incubi all turned to each other. Smiles came across their faces. The prize was set. Now they could begin the game.

 

22:40 July 30th 1917:

The military reviewed the case again back at Central Headquarters. The evidence was not Peyton’s. The only true evidence left behind was the cloth used to gag the private first class up. It tested positive for knock-out dust. But that wasn’t the twist at all. Brandon found the heart to be dried out and old.

“It’s not a human heart,” he said. “It’s the heart of a dog!” The generals were shocked by this.

“Why would someone go through the trouble?” Roy asked.

“I don’t know.” Floyd replied.

“Sirs!” someone yelled to them. The men looked up to see Kain Fuery panting hard in the doorway. He had a package in his hands. Mustang stood up and walked over to him.

“What is it Fuery?” he asked. The warrant officer was still trying to catch his breath before he could speak again. When he got his breath back, Fuery handed the package to his boss.

“Someone sent us this just now!” he called.

“Did you see who?” Travis asked him.

“No sir!” Kain replied. “The package was abandoned.” Mustang examined it closely. Their was no return address on the box. He listened closely to hear if there was bomb inside. Travis checked along with him. The box appeared to be clear. The men carefully put the box on the table. Mustang cut the thick duct tape open. Inside, they found… an audio tape and a UBS disk. The tape was playing “Life in a Glass House” by Radiohead in a mocking way. The generals and warrant officer looked confused.

“What the hell is this?” Mustang asked aloud. “Is this some kind of a sick joke?”

“Look!” Fuery said aloud. “There’s a note inside!”

“Huh?” Roy asked. He looked and saw the note under the UBS disk. He unfolded it and read it.

 

22:10 July 30th 1917:

Peyton finally woke up in her glass cage. She had a strange feeling that something was not right. The private first class looked around and saw darkness through glass. Peyton saw the loaded gun pointed right at her chest ahead of her. She tried to get up, but found that she couldn’t. Peyton suddenly realized that her wrists and ankles were chained down tightly. That wasn’t the one of the bigger shocks. She noticed the gun and tape player in her hands. “W-Where am I?” the private first class thought. Then she looked down at herself again. She saw her costume and freaked. “And what the hell am I wearing?!?” Peyton thought in fear.

“Hey there, Sleeping Beauty!” a voice yelled out to him. Peyton looked up above her. Mini speakers were pounding above her. The private first class’s heart pounded wildly.

“Did you have a nice nap?” the voice asked her. The woman really panicked.

“W-Who are you?!?” she asked aloud.

“Look down!” the voice barked to her. Peyton looked down quickly. The incubi were all sitting below on the ground floor at a round table. They were playing poker below her. Dr. Pierce was the one with the mic talking to her. Peyton was really scared now.

“Who are you?!?” she asked frantically. “What are you doing?!? Why am I here?!?” The boys all looked at each other.

“Should we tell her boys?” the good doctor asked. The other pretended to think about it for a moment. Peyton watched on nervously. The other men smiled at him badly.

“Sure!” Azrael yelled out. Dr. Pierce turned to his microphone smiling.

“We are just some gents playing poker,” he answered her. “And you’re the prize!” Peyton was really worried now. The good doctor smirked at her.

“Oh and I almost forgot!” he called out. “Play the tape! There is a little message for you.” Scott did so out of fear. This is what she heard:

“Hi soldier girl! You know why you’re here? Because you followed the evidence! That what you mutts of the military do so well. So, go ahead! Breathe fast. Breathe slow. Pull the trigger under your breast! Do what you like! Either way, you’re going to die!” Then there was a creepy laugh and the tape cut off in silence. Peyton just couldn’t take it anymore.

“Nooooo!!!!” she screamed out as she tried to break free chains and escape.

“Easy there, Alice!” Dr. Pierce said to her over the mic. “Too much movement can cause the gun to go off! I can’t have you dead before I have a chance to win, now can I?” Peyton quickly froze up in freight.

“Didn’t you know?” the good doctor asked her. “Any movement in the box pulls the string and bang! Right in the chest. Oh and your military pals can’t save you, my dear! If they come in here through the second level door on the other side, they too will pull the string and pull the trigger! So just sit and hope I win the game.” Peyton was really scared now.

“Y-You wouldn’t lose on purpose, would you?” she asked in a trembling voice. The good doctor smiled evilly at that question.

“Wasn’t planning on it,” he replied. “But then again, I wasn’t planning on playing poker for a girl tonight! So why you just keep game and hope I win.” Then he and the other men kept playing. Peyton sat back in fear. Her heart was racing in fear now. These guys were literally gambling with her life.

 

22:41 July 30th 1917:

Mustang and Travis managed to get a hold of a computer and plug in the USB. A file popped up on the screen. There was a link on the file. Roy clicked on the link. A web page with a message came up on the screen. This is what it said:

One billion cenz in twelve hours or your soldier girl dies! Drop-off instructions to follow. And now for something completely different…

The page then lid to a webcam image. Everyone in the military watched on in horror at Peyton dressed up like Alice from Alice in Wonderland in her glass cage trembling and crying in fear. A light was brightly on in front her. The song in the background was playing Radiohead’s “Life in a Glass House.” The first lines were stuck on repeat. Demetria looked sick with fear.

“Who would do such a thing?” Missy asked palely.

“Fuery,” Mustang said to his warrant officer. “Look at all of Peyton’s enemies and past cases for any potential suspects.”

“Yes sir!” he said aloud. Then he hurried down the hall. Peyton’s “sisters,” boss, and Mustang all crowded around the computer.

“This is live!” Papi said. The others looked right at her.

“How can you tell?” Roy asked. The Latina smiled at him.

“Cause,” she replied. “You can tell by looking at it.” The others did so.

“She’s right!” Missy exclaimed. Then, the image vanished and a link button popped up again. “Click to view camera” was what it said. The soldiers all looked at each other.

“We have to keep the light on!” Demetria replied.

“Right!” they all agreed.

“I’ll have Havoc contact Scott’s parents in the mean time.” Mustang told the girls.

“Good!” Demetria said.

 

23:00 July 30th 1917:

Tammy and Larry Scott both sat in the lobby. They looked worried like they should. Tammy was a high-powered lawyer in Central City. She was crushed badly when she go the news. Her husband, Larry, had to drive her to Central Headquarters. Travis walked up to them like a doctor about to deliver some bad news. He sat down in front of them calmly. Tammy couldn’t hold back any longer.

“Is… Peyton still alive?” she asked in fear.

“Yes ma’am,” Travis answered. “We are doing the best we can to locate your daughter and bring her home again.” Tammy grabbed Larry by his big strong hand tightly. He comforted his wife as best as he could. Tammy swallowed hard.

“Take us to see her!” she demanded.

“Yes ma’am,” Barrett said again. Then he led the way to the computer lab. The trio found Mustang at the computer just clicking the link to see Peyton again. He moved aside so that Tammy could get a better view. Tammy practically fell to her knees when she saw her captive daughter in her condition. A heavy sadness came deep into her heart.

“Oh Alice,” she said in misery. “What have you gotten yourself into?”

“General!” a voice called out to Mustang. Roy looked up quickly. Fuery had ran all the way to the computer lab and was now panting hard. He looked really worried.

“What is it Fuery?” Roy asked.

“The furher has announced that she won’t pay the ransom!” his warrant officer said. Mustang slammed down his fists in frustration.

“Damn it!” he yelled out. Tammy was really worried now.

“Don’t worry, ma’am,” Mustang said strongly. “We will get Scott back unharmed.” He turned back to Kain. “Did you find anything on Peyton’s last cases?”

“No sir,” Fuery replied. “All of her cases check out.” Mustang put his head in hands and sighed.

“So it was random,” he mumbled to himself stressed. “Damn it!” The case was taking a turn for the grim at this point. But then, some hope woke up.

“Boss!” another voice called into the room. Roy and Kain looked up quickly. Havoc was standing in the doorway saluting.

“As you were,” Mustang told him.

“We have found who delivered the box!” Havoc said. Mustang’s eyes widened fast.

“Who is he?” he asked out loud.

“He won’t give us a name, but we have him in the lobby right now!” Jean explained. Mustang and Fuery ran with the lt. down to the lobby.

Travis and Hughes were sitting with a young boy in the lobby. He was a dirty-looking child. The lad hadn’t had a bath in weeks. The women had to run the fans to air out the scent. His clothes were next to torn. His boots were covered in mud. Mustang and his men made it to the room. The other men and the boy looked up. Roy stood boldly over the kid.

“Is this the guy?” he asked Hughes and Travis.

“Yes sir!” Hughes said. Roy whipped around to the boy.

“Why did you drop off the box?” he asked. The messenger just smirked at him.

“I was told to!” he replied.

“Who sent you?” Mustang asked fiercely. The boy kept smirking.

“Like Hell I would ever tell you!” he replied. Roy was losing his patience fast.

“Look!” he snapped. “One of our men is being held hostage in a box because of you! She could die if we don’t hurry! That package is all that we know of her being still alive!”

“Like I care!” the messenger replied. “Oh well! Too bad!” The major general grabbed the boy by the collar and picked him up dangling. His comrades tried their best to pull him off of the boy. But it was all to no avail. Mustang proved to be to strong for them at the moment.

“Get off of him, Roy!” Hughes yelled out to him. “It’s not worth it! Let him go!” But, the major general would not listen. The suspect still saw this as a game.

“Help! Help! I’m being repressed!” the little snort yelled. Mustang finally lost it. He smacked the fire right out of the boy. The little shit finally realized that this wasn’t a game anymore. He became scared. Mustang finally calmed down.

“Let’s try this again,” he said. “Who sent you to deliver the damn package?!?”

“Mrs. Sandy Paddock!” the boy yelped out. The men all looked at each other confused. The name sounded so familiar, but they couldn’t put a face to it. Roy turned back to the little shit.

“Why would she do this?” he asked.

“She didn’t say!” the boy answered in a rush.

“Does Mrs. Paddock have an address?” Roy asked in flaming anger.

“She told my it was on the USB disk!” the messenger yelped. “That’s all I was told! She had me deliver the package and she would give me something to eat later!” Mustang dropped him right on the ground.

“Get him out of here!” Roy ordered. The other men did so quickly. It was just some lead.

 

23:10 July 30th 1917:

Kathleen hurried over to her father’s study in a worried rush dressed in a long silky robe. You see, she had been secretly dating Nately behind her suitor’s back. So when she caught wind of this, Kathleen was naturally worried. She quickly pushed open the huge oak doors to her father’s study. The war lord looked up from his paperwork at her. He quickly noticed the worried look on her face.

“Kathy!” he exclaimed. “What’s wrong? You look up so upset. Why are you up so late?” His daughter ran straight to his desk.

“I need some money!” she said aloud. Lord Gates looked at her puzzled. His daughter hadn’t asked for money since she was fifteen years old. This really had to be an emergency.

“What do you need the money for?” he asked. “And how much do you need?” Kathleen swallowed hard. She knew that he wouldn’t like the answer. This princess knew that her father hated the military and only did business with them because they paid him so well. But Nately, Peyton, and the other dogs needed her badly. Kathleen was willing to try anything to help out her new friends and lover.

“I need one billion cenz!” she blurted out. “I need it to help the military pay the ransom!” Lord Gates just frowned at her request.

“Out of the question!” he yelled out. Kathleen looked crushed.

“But they really need the money!” she pleaded out.

“No!” her father yelled out. Kathleen was really crushed.

“But why?” she asked.

“They are military!” he replied.

“So?” his daughter asked. “You sell guns and weapons to them everyday!”

“That’s just business!” Lord Gates yelled out.

“You’re customers need you now!” she yelled out. “You just can’t let one of them die at the hands of a monster! That wouldn’t be good for business! Please, father! I’m begging you!” The warlord thought about that for a moment. Kathleen waited in desperate anticipation. She hoped that he would do the right thing. Lord Gates looked up at her at long last.

“Fine,” he replied. “But only if you ask me as my daughter and not a dog lover!” Kathleen swallowed hard and bravely. “Anything to help them out!” she thought.

“Father, may I please have one billion cenz to help out my friends?” Kathleen asked again. Lord Gates smiled at her kindly.

“Sure,” he said to her warmly. “Anything to help out my lovely daughter!” Kathleen began to relax again. A smile came across her face. The military would be able to bring Peyton back alive again.

 

0:00 July 31st 1917:

Kathleen hurried to Central Headquarters as fast as she could. She had to push past the soldiers to get through. Mustang was in his office wondering what to do next when he heard a ruckus out in the hall.

“But I need to see General Mustang!” Kathleen’s voice yelled out to some of the other dogs. “It’s an emergency!”

“I’m sorry Lady Gates,” one of the lts. said to her. “You have to see him tomorrow!”

“But it deals with Private First Class Scott’s kidnapping!” Kathleen yelled out. “I need to see Mustang now!” And with that, Roy rose up from his desk and flew open the door. The heiress and the solders looked up at the noise. Mustang studied all of the people quickly. Kathleen was dressed in a sundress with a dark black laundry bag. Roy instantly wondered what was going on.

“Let her through!” Roy ordered. The soldiers looked at him surprised.

“But sir…” a captain began to protest.

“Just do it!” Mustang yelled. “We need anything we can get to save Private first class Scott!”

“Yes sir,” the men all said. Then they parted ways and let Kathleen through. She then followed Mustang into his office. The heiress watched as he sat down at his desk.

“What are you doing here?” he asked her in slight surprise. Kathleen didn’t say a word. She just dropped the bag on his desk. Mustang looked at her slightly surprised.

“Open it.” Kathleen ordered. Roy kept staring at her.

“Open it!” the heiress demanded again. The major general did so uneasily. His eyes widened in shock. The money seemed to be shouting right at him. Mustang looked up at her with huge eyes in shock. Kathleen kept her gaze on him.

“It’s all there!” she blurted out. “I had to convince my father to give you guys the money!” Mustang finally managed to get his tongue back.

“But Kathleen,” he said. “We couldn’t take this money. Why would you even go through the trouble so late at night?” The heiress kept her eyes deep on him.

“Please take the money!” she pleaded to him. “I just want to help you guys!” Mustang sat back and thought about it for a moment. Lady Gates kept staring right at him. The dogs didn’t really have much of choice now and time was running out. So taking the Gates’ money couldn’t hurt at all.

“All right,” Mustang said. “We’ll take the money. But, we’ll say that it came from anonymous source.” Kathleen bowed her head relived.

“Thank you sir!” she said aloud. “Just want to help out my new friends.” Mustang just smiled and nodded at her. He grabbed the bag and headed down to the computer lab.

Roy found Demetria, Papi, and Missy all still at the computer. Peyton looked like she was crying and about to snap at any second. She was trembling all over. Mustang came up next to the group.

“How is she?” the major general asked.

“Not so good!” Demetria replied. Then, Peyton disappeared for the twelfth time. Only this time, a message came up. This is what it said:

Time’s ticking! Pay up or your soldier dolly will snuff it! Deliver the Money at 666 Der Apfel Lane on the edge of town. Be there in 20 minutes, or don't bother coming! The crew all looked at each other wondering what to do next. Mustang tightened up.

“Okay,” Mustang said. “I’m going to take the money there.” The others looked at him in surprise.

“But Roy!” Missy exclaimed. “You heard what the furher said…”

“I know, Hawn!” Roy cut in. “Lady Gates gave me the money, but I saying it came from an anonymous source.” The girls all went quiet.

“Be very careful!” Missy said at last.

“I will!” Roy replied. Then he headed out the door.

 

0:20 July 31st 1917:

Roy made it to the location the page gave him. He had come to an abandoned warehouse. The major general kept his guard up the whole time. He had one hand on the bag and the other on his gun. The man made sure that he best his best gloves this morning. The walk was a long and sticky one. Mustang thought that he was going to faint from the muggy heat. He had to force himself to keep going. The man finally reached the warehouse door and pushed it open.

Inside he found the decaying corpse of a dead dog covered in flies lying on the ground. Up upon, a saw the station wagon matching the description of the getaway vehicle that kidnapped Peyton. Mustang knew right away that he was in the right place.

“Okay,” Mustang called out loud. “I’m here with the money, Mrs. Paddock! Come out and show yourself.” And with that, the same old lady that Peyton first ran into last night came out and greeted the major general with a wicked smile. Mustang kept up his guard tightly.

“Are you Mrs. Paddock?” he asked aloud. The old woman kept smiling at him.

“Who wants to know?” she asked. Mustang held the bag up for her to see.

“I brought the money!” he said to her. The old woman looked at him for a long while untrusting of him. The major general major carefully handed her the bag. Mrs. Paddock took it out of suspicion. She opened the bag and began looking inside. Mustang watched her as she examined the money and checked to see if the carpet bag itself was booby trapped.

“The money is real!” Mustang swore strongly. “I promise you! I’m not trying to trick you! The whole amount is all there, just like you said.” The woman looked up at him smirking.

“Funny,” she replied. “I thought that you dogs were supposed to negotiate with terrorists. This must be some soldier dolly for you to go through the trouble of breaking the rules.” Roy became annoyed.

“Tell me where Private Scott is now!” he yelled out. Mrs. Paddock laughed out loud at him like a mad woman. This only made the major even angrier.

“What the hell is so damn funny?!?” he yelled at her. “Tell me where Peyton is!” The mad woman stopped laughing and turned to back to the man.

“Peyton, huh?” she asked him.

“Yeah!” Roy replied. The crazed woman kept smiling at a him.

“What does Peyton Scott mean to you? How do you feel when you see him in that coffin? Does your soul die every time you push that button? How do you feel, knowing that there's nothing you can do to get him out of that hell? Helpless? Useless? Impotent? Good. Welcome to my world.” she said aloud to him. The, Mrs. Paddock opened up her dirty old robe and revealed a belt of semtex and a detonator. Mustang began backing away in fear. He wasn’t expecting this at all. The man wasn’t trained to deal with psycho women at all. The crazy old lady kept smiling at him.

“Farewell mutt!” she said aloud. Then, Mrs. Paddock flipped the switch and blew herself up into pieces. Mustang was thrown back with her blood on his face and Lord Gates’ money flying everywhere. The major general looked up in stunned shock. He didn’t understand what just happened. The clock was ticking louder against the military now.