Hughes: He's always one step ahead of us...

???: We better catch up to him quickly cause the way things are going.

Mustang watched the two with a disgusted look upon his features, his eyes glancing from the two men to the forms covered by the tarp before them.

Mustang: You sound as though you were expecting this. Fill m-

The sounds of footsteps filled the doorway behind Mustang, causing him to fall silent as the men looked toward the door expectantly. A soldier quickly rushed inside, his breathing hoarse as if he had run quite a ways to this very spot. Of the three men, Hughes took it upon himself to ask the soldier what was wrong.

Hughes: Soldier?

Soldier: Hah... hah... Sir, there was another attack... hah...

Hughes: What?!

Mustang: When was the attack?

Soldier: Last night, sir.

???: Two attacks in one night... this just keeps getting worse and worse.

Hughes let out a sigh.

Hughes: Who was attacked?

Soldier: It was... it was Major Mackinson, sir.

The already tense roomed seemed to crash around the men. Hughes and Mustang both looked at the soldier in disbelief. Mustang felt his jaw drop slightly. He had just seen Mackinson before leaving Central... he was the one who sent him off by himself... The tall muscular man with the two did not know of Mackinson but could see the tension mount at the name.

Hughes: Mackinson is...

Soldier: No, sir you misunderstand...

The soldier paused still attempting to catch his breath.

???: Well? Spit it out, man!

Soldier: Major Mackinson survived the attack. He was engaged with the murderer and was spotted by some men at Central who came to his aid.

Hughes stood up and quickly moved out of the room with Mustang on his tail. The tall muscular man decided to stay at the newest crime while the other two went to verify the condition of this Mackinson character. The soldier who had given the report hesitantly moved with the men as they returned to Central, where Mackinson was.

Mustang: Why weren't we told of this last night?!

Soldier: A-Ah well Mackinson was in a sort of catatonic state until earlier this morning. I was told to rush over here to inform you about ten minutes ago.

Hughes: If Mackinson is alive we can get more information about the man, possibly even figure out where he is going to attack next. We need to get to Central now.

A cough filled the air as a man was moved to a new seat, complaining of chills.

Heinz: That's gonna teach me to play out in the rain, hehe.

You joked with a soft chuckle as you were moved into a chair by two other soldiers.

Soldier #1: Major? Are you ok?

Heinz: What? Yeah, I'm fine, I'm just cold is all.

Soldier #2: Get me an overcoat right now!

You looked around and watched as the few soldiers around you buzzed around frantically. Some fetching supplies and more medical gear than what had already been brought before you while some others were waiting around you. You looked over at the soldier standing next to you and tugged at her sleeve.

Soldier #3: Are you alright, sir?

Heinz: Yeah I'm perfectly fine. Why is everyone acting so strangely?

The female opened her mouth a bit as if she didn't understand your question and then finally answered your question.

Soldier#3: Sir... The man that has been killing state alchemists went after you last night and you survived. Of all the attacks you have been the only survivor and this makes you a... I guess the term is VIP. You have more information than anyone else so we're making sure you are ok.

Heinz: Those eyes of your work, right? You can see I'm fine. Just get me a coat or something, it's freezing in here.

You pulled at your coat, tugging it closer to you. You had long since discarded the majority of your wet clothing and you were simply being kept in different rooms for your safety. The murderer had never missed a target and many of the younger soldiers were scared that he may even attempt to infiltrate Central to claim your life.

???: Mackinson!

You could have sworn you heard someone yell your alias but it seemed far o-

???: Where is Mackinson?!

You slowly looked toward the door to the room, which the girl next to your rushed forward to pull open in time for Colonel Mustang to rush in followed by Lt. Colonel Hughes.

Mustang: Mackinson!

You coughed in response while trying to respond.

Heinz: Aye?

Hughes: Are you alright?! You fought with the murderer, right?!

Heinz: That I did.

Mustang: How the hell did you manage to hold your ground?

You looked down and contemplated some things. You could go a little further into your ability and perhaps that would help you in saying more things about your attacker but your ability is a perfect copy of Sebastian's and if anyone makes the connection your essentially dead where you stood. Of course, you could lie but another lie on top of all the ones you've already made certainly makes it harder to remember things.

Heinz: I'm alright, sir. I...

You let out a breath and glanced around the room. Your eyes looked over the tense figures of Mustang and Hughes and then to the female soldier waiting by the now-closed door. She seemed so refreshing in such a hectic environment. Her soft blue eyes met your obsidian-colored ones and she offered you a  sincere smile that calmed your tensing nerves.

Heinz: I decided to make my way home to rest after yesterday's... events. Along the way, a man approached me. He seemed to know I was an alchemist and rambled on something about killing those who abandoned God's ways. Before I knew it we were fighting, well... he was fighting I was simply trying to avoid being hit.

Hughes: You did really well, Mackinson-

Heinz: I nearly died...

The room went silent as you spoke once more. Sure you were telling a complete lie but a little bit of truth sprinkled makes it sound more authentic.

Heinz: His arm seemed to conduct electricity of some sort and before I knew it his hand was racing for my face. He was mere seconds from killing me... and if it hadn't been for the soldiers here I would have been another victim.

Mustang: We're lucky you managed to escape. But... are there any more details you can give us about Scar?

Heinz: Scar?

Hughes: From what little we know, we've decided to call him Scar due to the large X-shaped scar on his face.

Heinz: From what I saw there isn't anything I can add-

Mustang: Are you sure, Mackinson? You didn't see anyth-

Heinz: With all due respect sir, I was trying to survive rather than figure out where he bought his outfit.

The room went deathly silent after your back and forth with the Colonel. Of course, you knew the Colonel wasn't a bad person, just stressed out as Scar's body count keeps growing aside from you.

Hughes: Eh... Mackinson.

Heinz: Yes, sir?

Hughes: Thank you for everything. I know you went through a traumatic event so please do get some rest.

Heinz: I... yes, sir.

Hughes nodded at Mustang and the two of them moved out of the room to join a tall muscular man and Lt. Hawkeye in the hallway. The blue-eyed girl closed the door behind the door and let out a sigh.

Soldier #3: Why do they have to be so intense?

You chuckled at her question.

Heinz: I ask myself that sometimes too.

She perked up at your words and a blush of embarrassment rose to her cheeks, her hands flying up to her face.

Soldier #3: A-a-ah I'm sorry Major Mackinson! I-I didn't mean to speak anything bad about my superiors!

Heinz: What do you mean? I get to say bad things about them all the time, I'm just at the same level as them... well... I think Lt. Colonel Hughes is a good guy... and Colonel Mustang is pretty nice just intense so... I'm sorry I lied about saying bad things.

She chuckled at your joke and gazed upon you with a soft smile.

Soldier #3: Um Major Mackinson?

Heinz: Yes...?

Weber: It's Private Weber, sir.

Heinz: Yes Private Weber?

Weber: I was wondering about something... I was one of the soldiers that rushed out to help bring you back into Central and I'm glad I was able to help but...

She took a deep breath before she asked her question.

Weber: If you can't fight... why were your hands covered in ink?

Heinz: Who says I can't fight?

Weber: Well from what I've heard you only transcribe words onto documents... ah, nevermind I'm just tired.

Heinz: Yes... we're all tired.

Gulping silently, you moved to stand up. Weber rushed to your side to help you but you waved her off with a smile. Weber seemed innocent with her fluffy grey hair that flowed to just paster shoulders and soft blue eyes, but this private was the closest anyone has gotten to figuring you out.

Weber: Still... there has to be a pattern to how this "Scar" person is attacking state alchemists.

Heinz: Well he is clearly in this area and is hunting down alchemists that have all been alone, at least that is what the reports say.

Weber: Exactly! He went after you while you were alone but now he has go into hiding for awhile at least.

Heinz: What makes you say that, private?

Weber perked up as if she hadn't been paying attention before her eyes turned and met yours.

Weber: Well you and Major Mustang are the only prominent state alchemists left in this area and you two are really close so he can't go after either of you.

Heinz: Yeah that's... wait.

Weber: Sir?

True, you and Mustang were the only alchemists in the area right now and even you weren't all that prominent compared to Mustang or...

Your eyes widened as you made a break for the door and pulled it open looking down the hallway. To your right, you spotted the Mustang, Hughes, Hawkeye and the tall muscular guy speaking. You sprinted out of the door and toward them.

Hughes: Mackinson what ar-

Heinz: Where are the Elric Brothers?

With that sentence, you watched as Mustang's eyes grew wide.

Was this your chance? You had accompanied the troops moving out to the Alric Brother's location and found them in the midst of a fight with Scar. Edward has lost his arm but Alphonse had suffered far greater, not even his body was left after Scar had attacked his armor. Following in the Armstrong's, you had finally learned the muscular man's name, example you planned to surprise Scar and finally take him down to prevent further death. You watched as Armstrong fought with Scar until he was fully surrounded by Central forces. You could let them take him and safe your identity, but if they fail not only will it lead to more death or his escape, but you will look extremely suspect and your survival story will be questioned. However, if you go all out and attack him, your transcribing talent and title of the Storybook Alchemist will come under fire. You sat in silence in an alleyway directly behind Scar still trying to figure out what to do. Lifting your gaze you watched as the soldiers sometimes twitched and trembled under the mounting pressure of the situation. Though one soldier had her eyes on you, Wever watched you in silent judgment, the rifle weighing on her arms after heaving raised it for so long but she wanted to see what you would do. You gazed down at your ink-covered hand, a small alchemy circle smudged into the palm. You tightened your left hand into a fist and then let out a breath. You had made your choice...

Mustang: You might as well give up, Scar. We have you surrou-

Mustang spoke out to Scar only for his arm to envelop in electricity and point at the ground. As he did so a figure rushed out from the alleyway behind Scar moving at him quickly.

Scar: What-!

The man grabbed Scar's shoulder with his left and held him in place as his right hand latched onto his arm. Scar let out a grunt of pain as a lance of ink, pierced through his arm just below the elbow.

Mustang: Mackinson?!

Armstong: What are-

Scar glared up at the (H/c) male and let loose his attack toward the ground, the stone crumbling beneath their feet as he and Mackinson tumbled below.

Mustang quickly moved over to the whole. He had expected to see both of them, but Scar had clawed out of Mackinson's grip and escaped while Mackinson howled in pain, his right arm trapped beneath rubble from the street. Armstrong jumped down to assist the man while Mustang simply watched.

Mustang: What was that...

He looked down at Mackinson in slight concern and curiosity as the male clung to his arm, cradling it to help stem the pain. Major Mackinson was clearly hiding something and he was certainly going to get to the bottom of it. Too many people have been hurt or killed without Mackinson showing this unknown talent so Mustang needed and was going to know exactly who Heinz Von Mackinson is.