*hit by the nostalgia train so draws tfc aus*
Neil’s the son of a privately-sponsored (coughMoriyamascough) alchemist who illegally researches human transmutation. While on the run with his mother, he learned all sorts of alchemy and uses a miss-mash of practices from multiple countries. He joined the military after his mother died, meeting Kevin by coincidence and eventually being convinced to take the state alchemist exam. He passed despite purposely downplaying his ability, joined Dan Wilds’ “Fox” unit, falls in love with them, and is way to handsome for Andrew’s poor gay heart to handle.
Andrew Minyard was a brilliant alchemist who specialized in explosions and creating a lot of collateral damage. The corrupt branch of the military, run by the Moriyamas, wanted him badly; when he refused they took him to court, ruled that he must be on medication that prevents him from actually doing alchemy (due to the “danger”), and forced him into the military. His saving grace was General Wymack, who let him join the Foxes. It was through him and the military’s personnel files that Andrew found a brother and cousin, both of whom soon transferred into the same unit. When the mess with the Moriyamas and Neil’s father is over and he finally gets off the meds, Andrew quits the military because if it’s a choice between stupid anti-fraternizing laws and Neil Josten, there really isn’t a choice.
Kevin Day is the only other state alchemist of the unit. Originally with the Moriyamas, he escaped to the command of his father when Riko mutilated his left hand so badly that he had to amputate it and get automail. He stayed in the military for protection but also because he needs the funding to be able to research alchemy. Aside from secret encounters with Thea, alchemy is his life.
Dan Wilds had been kicked by the system again and again: for being a woman, for previously being a stripper, for being a Fox. She’s driven and brilliant and good at basically every aspect of command and being a soldier, if you ignore the fact that she’s leading her team to take down the roughly a quarter of the military.
Matt Boyd was the only one resembling an alchemist before Kevin joined. He used to practice a bit as a kid and kept it up, but never really had the skills or motivation to take the exam. Instead, he’s loyal, the unit’s best sniper, great at hand-to-hand, and generally perfect. He and Dan are definitely in love with each other but smart enough to realize that they shouldn’t do anything about it. They both sort-of deal with it by somewhat-adopting Neil.
Aaron Minyard is a non-alchemist medic (aka jealous over Neil’s basic alkahestry skills) and joined the unit after General Wymack told him about his brother. He secretly cares, really deep inside.
Allison Reynolds is more than capable of holding her own in fights and battles, but puts her fancy and expensive engineering degrees to work mainly as a technician for the team. She builds a good camaraderie with Neil as a result, and is maybe not as subtle as she should be when she’s feeling particularly spiteful towards the Moriyamas.
Nicky Hemmick’s good with a gun, good with maintenance, and passably good at dealing with Andrew (when Andrew wants to be dealed with). He’s in the military mainly for Aaron and later for Andrew, and has dealt with a lot of prejudice both for being gay and because of his ethnicity. He also quits when Andrew does, travelling to the west where he eventually meets and marries Erik Klose.
Renee Walker is by far the best one to send on quiet recons, raids, or attacks. Her skills with a knife are a lot subtler than loud gunshots and bursts of alchemical light, though she prefers not to have to use them. She joined the military because she wanted to protect people, and usually stays back as support unless Dan asks or a Fox is in trouble. She’s Ishvalan, and dedicates herself to making sure history isn’t repeated.
General David Wymack had to fight every step of the way for his position and uses it to try to erase the corruption in the military. He’s infamous for recruiting a lot of individuals who no other unit wanted, despite their brilliance. He loves Dan’s team a lot more than he should, considering that he’s the one responsible for sending them into battle.
BONUS: the Trojans unit mainly deal with humanitarian efforts, but are incredible in battle. Their leader, Lieutenant-General Knox, has risked his life more than a few times to save others. They end up joining the Foxes once the coup begins.