For Giolio Comanche, the Silver Alchemist, life had taken a turn for the worse. On a glance, one might think it was losing a leg in Ishval that had made him so irritable, but he took such a thing as proof of his service to Amestris. It was only right that he did his duty.
‘No, it all started when I hired that damn waif, Tanya Degurechaff! Oh, her application sounded so good on paper: a strong Western name with a list academic achievements to match. I had even confirmed her credentials were genuine. Yes, I will admit I was a fool for not giving her an interview before hiring her as an assistant, but who the hell would think an eight-year-old child could pass four different alchemy certifications?! I’ve been a laughingstock ever since!’
Since then, he had vowed to fire her no matter what. Lamentably, such a thing is not as easy as it seemed. Centuries ago, it had apparently been commonplace for State Alchemists to coast on a mediocre career by taking credit for the work of talented apprentices and firing them when questions arose. As such, many laws were put in place to limit their removal.
At first he tried the most obvious method: removing any and all responsibility so she would quit on her own. All assistants craved their position as a means of working with a talented supervisor. That he was not teaching or giving her his time should have been enough, but the fool just took on projects on her own.
‘More embarrassing than hiring a child is the thought that she didn’t even need me! Why couldn’t she just leave?!’
Next, he tried coxing her into a false sense of security. He regularly had meetings with her, acted friendly, and discussed every aspect of her work in the most minute detail. If he could just find one piece of evidence that she was slacking off or did not actually know an particular alchemic fundamental she was supposed to, he would be quick to capitalize on it. He needed only to get her to write a report that was lacking enough that anyone who read it would be convinced of her incompetence.
This did not work.
‘How is she so good at Alchemic Theory?! What the hell even is an Agathodaemon-Intermediate? Just by the name I can tell that it hasn’t been in use since we revived Agathodaemon’s notes on Silver alchemy from a Xerxes ruin over 200 years ago. Who the hell would even apply such archaic math to Alchemy anyway? What madwoman would memorize things to such an extent?!’
With the passive methods exhausted, he was forced to actively work against the brat. With a year already as his assistant, getting rid of her was now less “proving her incompetence” and more “removing a thorn in his side”. Her “Operation Orb” had been the final straw. How dare she create an alchemic prototype without asking! While she had not done anything illegal, there was tradition and respect to think about!
‘The plan was simple: I lie about a Research Grant Review and give her no time to prepare. It took a few favors to avoid getting the Fürer or State involved directly, so it should have been impossible for any investigation to uncover the lie. Then, I get enough State Alchemists together to do a State Alchemy Exam and watch her flounder. Her Orb was interesting, but certainly not State Alchemist material. Once I proved that her Orb was made without any of my input, I could use her arrogance as an excuse to kick her out once and for all!’
Then the Fürer showed up anyway and her prototype proved to be far more valuable than it should have. How could his simple plan have failed so thoroughly?
---
May 14th, 1908 – Auditorium #2, Central Command Headquarters, Central City – Giolio POV
The Fürer was now congratulating the young brat with a lighthearted air that she most certainly did not deserve. Unfortunately, he could only look on and seethe. His plan was in ruins.
““What?!””
Both Tanya and Major Armstrong voiced out their confusion at the Fürer’s words. No doubt the Major had no idea about the State Alchemy Exam either. He had only talked to Degurechaff after all.
The giant State Alchemist rushed down from the booth and over to where the Fürer and Tanya were standing.
“Fürer Bradley, please reconsider. You cannot seriously be considering to make her a State Alchemist! She is too young! You would have a child step foot on the battlefield?”
The Fürer looked up at the man with a stern look on his face.
“Strong Arm, that is not your decision to make.”
He turned to look down at Tanya who still appeared to be in shock.
“I have seen her great potential and drive. Now, what do you say. Are you ready to serve the State?”
Giolio got up at once and rushed down.
‘Damn! If she says no, my career could be over! The situation is still salvageable, but she must become a State Alchemist and have my support for her project!’
There was no choice now; their fates were tied together. If she refused, people would ask why and his fabrication would come to light. The Fürer’s participation in the phony Exam – regardless of Giolio’s intention – would stain the honor of the highest office in the land. Giolio would be politically crucified to vindicate the Fürer. If she accepted but her project never received his support, it would look like he was purposefully hindering her career.
Making his way over, Giolio grabbed Tanya firmly by the shoulder.
“Of course she would accept! This is a great honor! I do not know of anyone that would refuse you my Fürer!”
Tanya stood up straight in his grasp and somehow found her voice in the midst of her confusion.
“It is indeed a… great honor… but I’m not ready! State Alchemists must pass a physical exam that I would surely fail.”
The Fürer laughed.
“That’s no problem. While all State Alchemists must make the cut for the military reserves, but there have been those younger than yourself that made that bar. I passed at the age of five myself.”
Major Armstrong took that moment to cut in.
“But sir! Can you at least exempt her from Military conscription? To have her fight the Ishvalan people who…”
Giolio glared at him in disdain. He had heard of Major Armstrong’s “medical leave” and knew it for what it is: cowardice. The man had “shell shock” and couldn’t even be counted on to kill the enemy. That a failure like him would dare confront the Fürer could not be ignored.
“Major Armstrong! The fighting in Ishval is against traitors and criminals! That you would limit her chance to gain merits in service to the State is a disgrace!”
That seemed to stoke something in Tanya and she nodded her head.
“You’re right. I will take this for the opportunity it is. I will become a State Alchemist.”
The Fürer looked at Giolio with a stern look.
“Silver, I can only hope that you will nurture her and this project to the best of your ability. I hope to see a unit of soldiers with these weapons on the battlefield as soon as possible with credit where it is due. Is that understood?”
The “or your own certification will be up for review” did not need to be stated. The Silver Alchemist did not know how, but it was clear that something had convinced Fürer Bradley that some foul play was involved. Giolio was walking on thin ice. He could only count himself lucky that Tanya’s own arrogance in thinking herself worthy of the position was working in his favor for once.
He saluted his leader.
“Of course, Fürer-President! I will craft the Operation Orb and Miss Degurechaff into perfect weapons of the State! You have my word!”
At that, Major Armstrong rushed out, tears in his eyes. Giolio huffed, visibly showing his disappointment.
‘Trash taking care of itself.’
Giolio was still a long way from sinking that far into mediocrity. He would make sure of it.
---
May 14th, 1908 – Tanya POV
She now knew the truth: she had been set up for a State Alchemist Examination without her knowledge! However, even that is not quite what is seemed and so she read between the lines. While her employer had stayed humble and insisted that the Fürer arriving was a surprise, they had overplayed their hand.
It was clear that everything had been orchestrated by the Fürer from the start and Giolio was forced to go along with it!
She was not an ignorant fool. She had noticed the Ishval Civil War and the border conflicts with Aerugo and Creta were not going well. While the newspapers were filled with propaganda detailing an unending list of victories, the truth was evident. Even just in her small corner of Amestris, the talk in the local market was filled with sons and daughters not coming home. Her employer, the Silver Alchemist himself, was wounded just days into the signing of Executive Order #3066. The conclusion was obvious: the Fürer was scouting for every potential Human Resource he could find and would not take no for an answer!
‘And he caught me hook, line and sinker! Had I known told ahead of time that it was a State Alchemist Exam, I could have found numerous ways to fail it, but now I’m stuck.’
If she did not accept the mantle of State Alchemist now, the situation would only get worse. At best, she would be seen as a moocher; someone not willing to do her best for society. At worst, she risked being made out as an unpatriotic pacifist, not willing to fight for her nation’s sovereignty. In a country full of Jingoists like Amestris, either outcome was tantamount to career suicide. She would struggle to work waiting tables yet alone as an alchemist. The choice was clear. She would save her social capital for now and agree. So long as she did not burn bridges or damage her reputation, there would be a chance to escape back to a peaceful life.
‘Yes, being a State Alchemist was never the plan, but there is still hope! I’m not on the front lines yet. I only need to wait until the renewal examination came up next year. I could fail gracefully then – looking outwardly contrite – and return back to civilian life. If anything, a year as a State Alchemist would improve my job prospects immensely! Holding the title of “State Alchemist” for just a moment can open a lot of doors…’
She had to act fast, however. If she did not do something soon, she would be forced on the front-lines with little skill or training. Her prospects of survival looked grim unless she could delay this Operation Orb Project for a year.
---
June 6th, 1908 – Tanya POV
The past three weeks were some of the busiest that Tanya had ever been in either lifetime. She had been fitted for a new uniform, taken a number of military and confidentiality pledges, had her photo taken for identification and records, and had to work though dozens of forms. That her silver pocket watch and certification had such a ridiculous title associated with it was just the cherry atop the utter disaster.
‘The Mythril Alchemist, what a joke. Giving me a title based on the legendary ‘white-silver metal pancea’ that could cure all poisons. Is that what the Fürer thinks of me, some convenient cure-all for his military problems?! Not on my watch!’
However much to her chagrin, the Silver Alchemist was very effective in progressing the Operation Orb Project, which was making her effort in delaying it a nightmare.
At first, she convinced her fellow State Alchemist that the complex manufacturing techniques and material costs in creating just her own Orb were too high. Her own prototype had taken a year to finely craft using spare silver from the lab. To create the dozens of prototypes required for an iterative design approach needed to get a product finished in just a few months would be prohibitive. Or so she thought.
Disastrously, her arguments were too effective. The next day a document from the Fürer’s office landed on the Silver Alchemist’s desk giving their project Carte-Blanche for any resources or low-level personnel needed. With Giolio Comanche’s silver mine and his numerous contacts, the Silver Alchemist had a perfect copy of her orb made in just a over a week. This proved that trying to stalling like that was not going to work. Much to her frustration, having a direct order from the Fürer made what would otherwise have been a logistical nightmare – even for a large company – a mere inconvenience.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
Next, she had tried to prove there was a need for a significant investment into Research and Development before a practical Operation Orb could be made. After all, her Orb had been made with only her personal use in mind. The fact that she could get a soldier to make a crude ball was equal parts miraculous and completely useless. A pebble generator would hardly turn the tide of a war. “This would require an in-depth study into topics no one was familiar with” she had said. She was sure that this would delay the project; she knew from her past life that R&D of a similar nature would often take years to complete, and that was with the Internet! She hoped that the war would be over by the time a working prototype was made or that the delays would have her lose her state license before she could be deployed.
Her hope was in vain.
Giolio gave her unlimited access to every book in Amestris. Upon her investigation, she was horrified to discover an advanced branch of Alchemic Engineering that utterly threw off her attempts at stalling: Automail. Almost like magic and without advanced electronics, micro-arrays etched into small motors gave even an untrained alchemist the ability to move them. When applied to the principles of the existing clockwork design, it was suddenly trivial to implement even complex dynamic transmutation circles.
‘I could try to ignore using Automail in the design, but it is so obvious; the potential of robotics is endless! Giolio or someone else would no doubt figure it out and would then wonder why I had not come to them sooner. I want to stall the project, but not at the expense of my reputation.’
Once she had mentioned using Automail, the Silver Alchemist had pretended to look surprised, but she knew he was just being the kindly grandfather figure he usually acted. She clearly did not make any leap in logic and so, regrettably, this avenue of approach to stalling the project was over. Even without her support, the Silver Alchemist was confident that 50 of the new “Type 1” Orbs they jointly designed would be constructed in just two months time for a batch of soldiers to use.
She knew that as a State Alchemist capable of using the Orb, it was obvious that she would be sent to the Front along with them. Executive Order #3066 was clear that any State Alchemist with wartime potential could be sent, and the Fürer’s nomination of her made it clear she would be as well. She had been selected precisely for the combat potential she could provide.
She needed external support if there was any hope of this project stalling long enough for her to quit. Otherwise, she was bound to be another statistic on a list of casualties arriving daily to Central Command.
---
June 6th, 1908, Western Train Station, West City, Amestris – Erich POV
Lieutenant Colonel Erich von Rerugen was the image of old Western aristocratic heritage. The 31-year-old’s stern, bespectacled face was a mask of intelligence and military poise. It betrayed nothing of his inner thoughts as he stood at the train station. A black-colored steam engine made its way into the terminal, billowing thick black smoke harmlessly into the tall canopy above. He held up a simple placard with the name “Tanya Degurechaff” etched on its surface.
He hoped that the person he would be meeting was not as his orders indicated.
His hopes were dashed as a young child wearing the same officer blues of Amestris as himself walked up to him. It was like something from comic strip. A 9 year old child obtained the rank of Major, a rank that took himself over eight years of dedicated service to obtain. The chain of a silver pocket watch clearly indicated the girl was his charge: the Mythril Alchemist. He briefly wondered where the military would have found a uniform so small, but concluded it was no doubt tailor-made for specifically for her. Naturally, as a member of the nation’s armed forces – a meritocratic institution – he had a duty to show objectivity and fairness in all things, but there were surely limits. The girl was struggling to carry her own suitcase; one larger than her own tiny stature.
He sighed.
‘I might personally disagree with the decision, but the Fürer himself approved it. That our nation would be so desperate as to enlist a nine-year-old girl as a State Alchemist… I have a niece her age that does nothing but play with dolls all day. Just what did her orphanage do that she saw the military as a preferable alternative? No. I cannot let bias get in the way of my duty. While she is the youngest, there have been several teenaged State Alchemists in the past. If she truly is some kind of ‘wunderkind’, then it would be in everyone’s best interest for me to support her. She should pass or fail by her own merits.’
He saluted her.
“Major Tanya Degurechaff? I am Lieutenant Colonel Erich von Rerugen. I work for the General Staff here in West City. A pleasure to meet the Mythril Alchemist in person.”
The child seemed to hesitate before standing straight and mirroring his crisp salute.
“Sir!”
‘Well, she at least acts the part.’
He gestured for her to follow him to a nearby car where he packed away her suitcase in the trunk. They both sat in the back seat while the driver drove them to Western Command Headquarters. He turned to the ‘woman’.
“Before we arrive, I will admit to being confused. You provided a report on your reasons for being here, but you were a little sparse on details. What did you hope to achieve?”
The child soldier nodded her head with a smile.
“I understand. As you are no doubt aware, the Silver Alchemist and I are in charge of the ‘Operation Orb’ project to create a unit of Infantry with our new weapon. Despite that, I have found myself at a loss on exactly how the thing will be used in combat. I am hoping that a conversation with the Generals here will provide the requirements we need to meet the standards of the military.”
‘That is surprising. I would have thought that for a person of her age and skill, she would be more arrogant. It’s clear that I cannot judge her as an ordinary child.’
Erich nodded in agreement.
“That is certainly a noble effort, but could it not have been resolved through letters? Is there any reason to visit in person?”
She sighed.
“You see, I don’t have much time. The Silver Alchemist plans on releasing the Type 1 Operation Orb soon and I fear it might do more harm than good.”
“What do you mean?”
“There is politics involved. The Silver Alchemist and I are in a disagreement on this, but the risk of other nations seeing the technology too soon will give them time to make one themselves. If I am to take this with me to the front lines, it must provide an overwhelming advantage.”
He stared at her in confusion.
‘Huh? Does she really think that we would send a child to the front lines? Executive Order #3066 requires State Alchemist to serve time when ordered, but there are many State Alchemists with little to no combat potential that will never be called up. It would be ridiculous for a child genius with no prior training to be wasted on the front lines, especially one so apt at creating weapons. There would at least be a few years of Officer training before the State would even consider it, and even then, only for propaganda purposes.’
“Major Degurechaff, you-”
Before he could get a word in edgewise, the car found itself parked outside Western Command Headquarters. With the Major rushing to get out, he decided to shelve the topic and guide her inside.
The building was at both times austere and elegant. There were little in the way of decorations, but the marble columns and fine green rugs and tapestries still gave off an air of nobility and national pride. Leading the Mythril Alchemist up the stairs and through a finely decorated oak door, they arrived at the office of the “Twin Western Generals”. The two Brigadier Generals sat next to each other in two separate desks in front of a large window, both desks nearly overflowing with documents. Despite the quantity, they were not haphazardly strewn about. While the organization was different for both, there was a clear structure to the way the reports and forms were laid out.
Brigadier General Hans von Zettour stood up and adjusted his monocle. He was a older man but could not be mistaken for “elderly”. The sharp lines of his face and finely manicured features gave him an aristocratic air. Erich knew him for his reputation of “sensible” opinions that might uncharitably be considered “dogmatic”. Erich himself would never utter such words however, as he knew that the only reason the Cretan front had not yet collapsed was due to the man’s genius in logistics.
“Lieutenant Colonel, have a seat over there. Major, welcome to Western Headquarters. It is unfortunate that we are a little understaffed and so could not provide a better reception.”
Erich could not help but shake his head, taking a seat to the left of the Generals and against the wall.
‘What he means to say is that Headquarters is all but abandoned. Any officer not on the front lines is ripping their hair out trying to solve all of our logistics problems against the new wave of Cretan offensives. That no one even sees the need to use HQ for strategy meetings shows just how hopeless things have been getting.’
The Mythril Alchemist saluted the Generals before shaking her head and removing her cap. She took the offered seat across from the Generals, looking positively tiny in the well-worn antique chair.
“It is not a problem, I am not one for formalities anyway.”
With everyone seated, Brigadier General Kurt von Rudersdorf took a long drag of a cigar but did the courtesy of trying to avoid the smoke from going in the Major’s direction. Unlike his partner, General Rudersdorf was known for his larger-than-life personality that matched his appearance. With his large mustache and larger physique, his charisma and daring were only tempered by a mind fixated on results. He regularly argued with Central on getting the resources he needed to implement any number of offensive plans, but was regularly sidelined. There always seemed some critical need on the other fronts.
The aggressive General leaned forward towards the much smaller Major.
“Mythril Alchemist, despite our ranks, it is rare for a State Alchemist like yourself to have a conversation with us. While there are many who provide considerable contributions to the State, they have their own hierarchy underneath the Fürer. Is Central planning something?”
General Zettour held up a hand.
“Now Kurt, no need to start off on the wrong foot. This gruff fellow is Kurt von Rudersdorf and I am Hans von Zettour. While we may have our different ranks and departments, we are all on the same side here.” He looked sharply at the State Alchemist. “That being said, we are very interested in the potential of the Operation Orb project. The idea that infantry might be able to perform alchemy in combat like a State Alchemist could be a decisive advantage we need.”
Major Degurechaff brightened up at the words.
“Yes, exactly that! It is precisely for that reason that I wanted to speak to you. I have noticed that Alchemists often don’t have a good grasp of the needs of the rank-and-file. My co-lead in the project has convinced the Fürer that the Type 1 Operation Orb we have developed is viable, but we have had no input from the military.”
General Rudersdorf frowned.
“Not to say anything rude about our fellow officers, but you are not mistaken. Regardless, how is a discussion with us to change that? The Fürer has final say on the results of any State Alchemist project.”
The Major was undaunted by his words.
“I had hoped that with your approval, I might be able to force the Operation Orb project on the right track. While the Fürer has final say, it is still the military that has to use it. A set of requirements from the General Staff would give me the justification to create a weapon wholly effective in its role. As I had mentioned to the Lieutenant Colonel earlier, if an inferior product is pushed out too soon, we might lose our edge as other nations learn and copy from us.”
The two generals looked to one another. Wordlessly, General Zettour sighs and gets up, making his way to the large window behind them.
“I understand where you are coming from, but we will have to decline.”
The Major is shocked and stands up from her chair.
“What do you mean?”
General Rudersdorf takes another drag from his cigar and looks down on the Major. He let out a frustrated huff.
“While there is no law against it, the General Staff in Central will not take responsibility for any delays in your project. State Alchemy has traditionally been the purview of the Office of the Fürer and the Fürer only. It is not in the best interests of the State for any institution to violate the Fürer Principle.”
The Major looked distressed.
“But-”
General Rudersdorf cut her off, handing the Mythril Alchemist a manila envelope.
“But, even if we were to bend the rules, we cannot afford to.”
The young woman takes the papers out of the envelope and begins to read it.
“This is…”
General Zettour sighs and takes a seat.
“There is no need to read the whole thing; I will give you a summary. The Cretan Border Conflict has driven casualties up 900% compared to the start of the conflict last year. Almost twenty-thousand dead or wounded every month. The seven-year-long Ishval Revolt has drained the State of every reserve we had and Creta’s army smelled blood in the water. Our forces cannot retreat or risk losing our carefully dug-in positions and without resources, there is no strategy we can use to buy more time. What few offensive weapons like tanks or reconnaissance balloons we had has been sent to other fronts. If your Operation Orb can end the situation in Ishval even just one day sooner, you would be saving hundreds of lives here.”
The Major stood stock-still, her knuckles almost going white holding the papers in front of her. Erich could not help but empathize.
‘Poor kid looks miserable, but that’s the real cost of war. I wish I could go back to the time I could see figures like that and not just see the statistics on a page. Those are thousands of real lives being lost. The Generals might be coming on a little strong, but there’s no point beating around the bush. She needs to see reality sooner or later. No inventor wants to put out an inferior product – especially if it is a weapon – but we’re desperate. I hope that she sees this and considers quitting the military for good. No one would think less of her.’
The girl mumbled softly to herself for a moment before looking up a the three of them.
“Is this really how it has to be?”
Erich sighed before standing up and patting the Major on the back.
“We will send the appropriate reports on improvements once we see this weapon in action, but we need it now. Sorry, but that’s just how things are.”
The Major walked to the Generals Desks and deposited the documents.
“Four months.”
The three of them looked at the Major with interest. She soon elaborated.
“The Operation Orb project will complete the construction of 50 Type 1 Orbs in two months. If I graduate an officer’s course by then, I will train 50 of your best Trained Alchemists into a fighting force in another two months.”
Erich von Rerugen stepped back in shock.
‘She still wants to fight on the front lines, even after hearing that? She has to know that there are still plenty of officers left to fill that role.’
He stood between the child and the two generals.
“Are you sure? If you do that then-”
Erich feels a hand touch his shoulder. He turned to see General Zettour shake his head and whispers into his ear.
“Can’t you see the conviction in those eyes?”
Looking down, Erich could see the Mythril Alchemist had a hard look in her eyes. She did not look afraid, but determined.
‘If she is undaunted by thousands of casualties… no, if numbers only reinforced her will to fight… Just what was her life like to act like this?’
He sighed.
‘What would it change if she knew her State Alchemy License was unlikely at risk if she refused deployment? After all, what is the risk of losing that compared to losing your life?’
He nods at General Zettour who in turn nods to his partner general.
General Rudensdorf butts out his cigar and steeples his hands meaningfully in the Mythril Alchemist’s direction.
“I think we can get the General Staff to agree to that. You will get the best training Amestris can provide and any soldiers we can spare. I ask only that you do whatever you can to reinforce the Western Front before heading to Ishval. If your Orbs are even half as capable as I hope, it will be worth all we can give you and more.”