What do you stand to gain? I can think of one reason instantly: Information.
We're both state alchemists, so we both know the value of information not only for our own goals, but for conflicts. Theoretically speaking, you could have thrown your lot in because you wanted to see how the people of this world would react to such a threat. In the end, all but one of the bombs had been successfully disarmed or removed -- that means that you're up against foes who either know explosives as well as you or are just that quick at picking up skills.
Best of all, you could gather this information with minimal risk to yourself. Your name wouldn't be directly attached to the scheme, because you had no visible part in it. And if someone did find out that you associated with that man, you could dismiss it as a one-time business deal.
On the other hand, if the bombs had gone off as planned, you'd know that your opponents either didn't understand explosives or couldn't learn quickly enough to make a difference. Then you could have adjusted your methods accordingly.
There's also the potential for distraction. While that man went around making threats and getting people to focus on stopping them, that would clear a path for you and your own goals, even if you were associating with him behind the scenes. Now that you know that people are capable of stopping him, you can continue to provide him with deals out of sight of the rest of the people here without worry that he'll actually get somewhere.
And finally, there's the simple matter of pride. I remember all too well how much you took to the battlefield in Ishval. If someone managed to foil the scheme, even if you gathered information, it would have an impact on your pride -- and you'd take it out in a manner not unlike you just did.
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We're both state alchemists, so we both know the value of information not only for our own goals, but for conflicts. Theoretically speaking, you could have thrown your lot in because you wanted to see how the people of this world would react to such a threat. In the end, all but one of the bombs had been successfully disarmed or removed -- that means that you're up against foes who either know explosives as well as you or are just that quick at picking up skills.
Best of all, you could gather this information with minimal risk to yourself. Your name wouldn't be directly attached to the scheme, because you had no visible part in it. And if someone did find out that you associated with that man, you could dismiss it as a one-time business deal.
On the other hand, if the bombs had gone off as planned, you'd know that your opponents either didn't understand explosives or couldn't learn quickly enough to make a difference. Then you could have adjusted your methods accordingly.
There's also the potential for distraction. While that man went around making threats and getting people to focus on stopping them, that would clear a path for you and your own goals, even if you were associating with him behind the scenes. Now that you know that people are capable of stopping him, you can continue to provide him with deals out of sight of the rest of the people here without worry that he'll actually get somewhere.
And finally, there's the simple matter of pride. I remember all too well how much you took to the battlefield in Ishval. If someone managed to foil the scheme, even if you gathered information, it would have an impact on your pride -- and you'd take it out in a manner not unlike you just did.