Colonel,
Fucking hell, what a day.
As it turns out, Gluttony is basically a fake Gate of Truth, the thing I saw when me and Al tried to bring back our mom. I had to open the real Gate again to get us out (don't worry—as you saw, I've still got all my pieces this time around). I had to use souls from Envy's body…I justified it because I could see how much pain they were in. Even the nothingness of death would have been better than that. It didn't hurt that it was a way to get back to Al, a way to come back and help you. Guess I'm just a complete piece of shit.
It did give me an important bit of information, though. While traveling through the Gate, I saw Al's body. It's still there! His body isn't healthy, but it's still alive. It says it can only leave the Gate with Al, though…I was forced to leave it behind. That was one of the hardest things I've ever done, but I imagined your face when you came to us the first time and gave us hope, and…it made it a little easier. You were right, then; there is a way to fix this. So I knew that was still true.
When I got through, we met the man I think is running the show, above even Bradley. He called himself "Father," and…Colonel, he looked just like my dad. I don't know what that means, but I didn't like it.
And then, as if all that wasn't enough, I had to deal with the Fuhrer! It made me sick to think that the entire State Alchemist program was just a way for these people to find cannon fodder for whatever they're planning. I don't want to be a part of it, but I don't have a choice.
It's funny, that caring for other people in the military is almost…easier. Like you—just for example! You know what's going on and what we're up against and how to defend yourself. So I worry about you, but I also know you're in the best possible position, all things considered. But Winry…she doesn't know everything that's been happening, and while she has a lot of strength, she's no fighter. I can't let her get hurt, and Bradley was able to use that against me.
But I guess you had the right idea: fight from within. I'm with you all the way.
-Ed