Sabine looked around the building though she seemed to have lost her quarry. The day had arrived for the small team to head back to Central, but for some reason, Mackenson had requested an extra day without giving a reason why. The only thing she had to go off of was a book of detailed muscles and nerves in the human body that she had collected from a strange pile near where Mackenson had slept. 

Louis: Ah Private Weber, how are you this morning?

She jumped a bit as she noticed the eyes of the other party members on her.

Sabine: Ah I was trying to account for everyone before we left. Has Major Mackenson spoken to any of you this morning, sirs?

Louis lifted up his hand and pinched his chin while the Elric brothers looked at each other.

Edward: I haven't seen Mackenson since yesterday.

Alphonse: Hmm...

Louis: Aye, I haven't seen Mackenson since we completed the chores yesterday.

Sabine was starting to get a bit worried. What would she tell Central when she got back, that they up and just lost the major? He had to be somewhere lest he got aboard a train and left. but it would be highly unlikely as his things were still here. Where in the world was he...

Winry: Are you still sure you want to go through with this?

(Y/n): I've done all the work and calculations I can. Not even my alchemy can save me now. Thus I leave myself in your care, Ms. Rockbell.

Winry rubbed the back of her neck, looking you over before thinking. 

Winry: Well I can finish the project overnight, though you will need to handle your part of the process too...

You took a moment to think about her words before smiling sadly. 

(Y/n): Of course, may I borrow your inkwell?

The blonde nodded softly, reaching over to her desk before lifting the inkwell and placing it in your outstretched hand.

(Y/n): Give me the word and I shall complete my end of the project and come running. We need to complete all of this before noon tomorrow. I don't want anyone to interfere either.

Winry: Yes but... why do you want to do this? It's not an easy choice.

(Y/n): To tell you the truth, my arm is... dying in a sense. Every waking moment I can move less and less of it as the dead nerves spread up my arm. By tomorrow I won't even be able to lift my elbow. But... with my master's teachings, I can use my alchemy to move about with almost total efficiency, and my body won't suffer from the poison either.

Winry was still a little reserved about this, but you seemed sincere and she didn't want to imagine having a lifeless limb as you did. She nodded once more before you trailed out of the room to let the genius work. As she worked on executing the plan, she was still unsure if this was the right move all things considered. It wasn't her life but... She shook the thoughts out of her head and continued working until it was time for your part of the plan.

Alphonse: I think... I last saw Major Mackenson last night.

The group seemed to perk up as the armored brother spoke up, finally remembering details about Mackenson. 

Alphonse: I can't remember exactly why I was up, but I remember hearing the door to Mackenson's room open and close. About half an hour later the same door reopened and closed, before opening again and walking down the hall... to the room that Ms. Winry was working.

Edward: Why would he go there... this can be pretty big but after these past few days, he should have known where to go.

Louis: Unless...

Armstrong spoke but didn't quite know where to go with it. You did seem distressed yesterday about your condition but you also went to bed at the same time as he did. Not only that but even if you got up later, he should have heard you. Sabine let out a sigh as she glanced around the room. Did the major just up and leave them behind? Maybe he didn't want to be interrogated when he got back to Central? But he shouldn't know anything about that. Sabine was sent to make sure of that. It was then her eyes glanced at the Elric brothers. The suit of armor... Edward's automail... he d-didn't...

Sabine was the first to move, turning on a heel to head toward the room that Winry had been using to work on the Elric brother's automail. The others trickled after her, wanting to know what had happened as well. Upon reaching the room, Winry herself was exiting the room, wiping sweat from her brow. 

Sabine: Ms. Rockbell.

Winry: E-Eh? What can I do for you-

Sabine: Is Major Mackenson in there?

The blonde was stunned by how fast the group had seemingly seen through the major's plan, though they were a bit late. The door behind her opened once more as her grandmother sauntered out, wiping her glasses. 

Ms. Rockbell: He is currently resting.

Louis: So he...

Sabine: May we see him, Ms. Rockbell?

The Rockbell's looked at each other before relenting, knowing the group was confused and this could at least satisfy their curiosity for now. Sabine pounced first, pulling the door open carefully before seeing the Major. It was then her eyes widened softly.

Sabine: H-Heinz...

Your eyes peeled open as an extreme soreness flooded the right side of your body. It felt like your nervous system had been ripped out, twisted into a pretzel then forced back into you. You were just glad you managed to pass out sometime during the event as you knew you would be much worse off for the event. Lifting your head, you could see the Rockbells talking. they hadn't noticed you yet as you began to sit upright in the small bed you had been provided, swinging your feet off the side to sit up, though you could only grit your teeth more, your shoulder sluggish and heavy.

Winry: Major!

Winry took note of you first, rushing over to try and get you to lay back down as you glanced at your arm. There was a sheet over it, the strange cold feeling on your shoulder reminding you what you had done. You let out a nervous chuckle as the older Rockbell arrived by your side.

Ms. Rockbell: I'm surprised you are already up and moving Major Mackenson. Though you roped me into this impromptu surgery.

Heinz: I'm... so sorry...

Ms. Rockbell: Hush now, it's already over. Winry, go ahead and get yourself a drink. It's been a long night.

Winry nodded softly before nodding to your softly, moving toward the door to exit to get her promised beverage.

Ms. Rockbell: Its' not often people volunteer for this, let alone my granddaughter allow herself to get distracted enough to design something like this. I hope you're happy with this little prototype of ours. 

Heinz: It's... perfect... ink...

Ms. Rockbell took a puff on her pipe before responding.

Ms. Rockbell: I really hope this pans out for you. It's an interesting tactic you have.

The two of you could hear voices outside and the older Rockbell decided to check it out, pulling off her glasses to wipe them as she exited the room. You took the opportunity to glance at the sheet. You were ready to see this thing off and test if your design had worked. You weakly lifted your free hand and gripped the edge of the sheet, pulling it free of your shoulder as your eye caught sight of metal. It was then the door swung open once more, a familiar female entering the room followed by your associates. 

Sabine: H-Heinz...

Heinz: Good... to see... you...

You managed to grunt out with a sly smile. Edward and Alphonse were the next ones inside. Their, well moreso Edward's, eyes widened as they saw what you had voluntarily done, while Armstrong entered and he was just as perplexed as the others.

Louis: Mackenson... why would you do this?

Edward: You... you took your arm off? Why? Why would you do that?!

You knew they would be upset with your choice but you wouldn't be put down for the most logical choice.

Heinz: My arm... was dead... lifeless... so I made this choice...

You let your hand reach out and grip an inkwell, the same one you had borrowed from Winry before pulling the small cork with your teeth, and pour the pitch-black substance onto your new palm. The room watched as an alchemic circle activated on your palm and you could feel your alchemy course through your body through the metallic appendage.

Heinz: I studied every muscle.... every nerve... even the very essence of alchemy itself... and now... with my alchemy... I have only improved my arm... in fact...

You laughed softly as you watched the arm lift, the pain excruciating as you managed to lift your arm up a few inches and bend each finger softly.

Heinz: I made a new arm... an automail masterpiece...

The group stared on in awe, the alchemists wondering how you were moving the appendage so easily after a brutal surgery and removal process while Sabine herself was conflicted. She was happy you were ok, enraged you had so easily lopped your arm off... and not sure what she was supposed to tell Central when they made back and their suspected alchemist had only augmented his ink alchemy. The better question was... was it for the best or worse?