Fandom The Wings of Freedom [Attack on Titan]

[Yanipurr]

"I got caught up that's all." Shizuo murmured back. "You sure I'm the right choice Commander I'm not really a people person." Shizuo said sounding rather bored looking towards the Commander.

 

[sox]

Vreni fixed her gaze on Shizuo, not appreciating his second-guessing of her decision. "Of course I'm sure. That's why I asked you to do it, lieutenant." She took another bite of her bread, making sure to finish chewing before speaking again. "You, Asce, and Anaïs have spent more time with your unit than anyone. You should be able to discern who's suitable for the task."


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[Yanipurr]

"Fine but I know this is just payback for me being late Isn't that right Vreni whoops sorry I meant commander " Shizuo said as he started to sigh but stayed in his seat.

 

[sox]

Vreni fixed him with cold stare. Her tone, which had been welcoming and sweet earlier, lowered to a threatening pitch. "I allow my officers to address me by my name as a way of relieving tension during these kinds of meetings. If your intention is to mock that, then by all means, lieutenant, do so outside of the Survey Corps." Without giving him another glance, she turned back to the topic at hand. "While he's getting people ready for transport, I want Recon mapping Titan activity along the path we discussed. Once they return, Spec Ops will take it from there."


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[FlibbertyGidget]

Tension had filled the room, but I ignored it and voiced my concerns. "Is there an escape route should things go sour? The Titans are bound to notice the squad eventually, some sort of backup plan should be in place. A distraction maybe."

 

[CelticHero37]

Michael opened his eyes and stared at the cadet. "You're in the Survey Corps now Cadet. There's no such thing as escape routes or back up plans. Either everyone does their job and it works out. Or, someone slacks off and we're forced to do what we do best… survive. Speaking of which. Now to the reason my Lieutenant was tardy…"





As Michael stood, he loomed over the table casting a dark shadow. A few of the newer cadets seemed to cower away. No one had been able to make him smile or look positive ever since the incident. Taking out the bottle of alcohol, he slammed it on the table. "Alcohol is scarce, yes. But this is an important mission. I request that everyone involved in this mission be issued a bottle."

 

[FlibbertyGidget]

I frown, and narrow my eyes for a moment. His shadow stretches across the table, blacker than Death, but I refuse to flinch. Gesturing to the bottle in his hand I ask, "Why?" Maybe a stupid question, but a necessary one.

 

[CelticHero37]

Michael nodded to the cadet. "Alcohol, while being a strong depressant, also has the ability to mask other scents. The Recon Squad has rigged up a crude chemical sprayer through our Omni-Directional Mobility Gear. We will be using this to mask our scent. The personal bottle can be utilized for tight escapes, as a cleansing agent for wounds, and to be consumed in small quantities… if the need arises. I haven't introduced the concept until because if it is overused, the Titans may learn the scent of alcohol. At this point it would highlight our path rather than hide it. The alcohol must be used sparingly."





Then he gave a glare to Asce. His snicker from earlier hadn't gone unnoticed. The lack of discipline in him was starting to annoy Michael. Then he turned to the commander. "What is your word Sir?"

 

[sox]

Vreni first addressed the cadet's question, though Michael had already answered. "Our backup plan is typically to retreat, though we may as well need a diversion in this mission. This came up earlier, too, before you arrived. We don't have enough people to do that unless we use our trainees, but that's unfavorable." She turned back to Michael, motioning towards his chair. "Sit down, Sergeant. You've given me a lot to think about." Tapping her chin in thought, Ren finally spoke up. "Alright," she agreed slowly, "but if I see a single drunk soldier I'm kicking your butt straight off the line, understood?"


Asce smirked at the glare Michael gave him. What a stiff. He was the most fun to mess with purely because he had such a large stick up his a**. Whatever. It wasn't like he had any authority over him. Asce was closer to the commander, anyways.

 

[CelticHero37]

Michael nodded toward the commander and took his seat again. "A single drunk soldier would most likely jeopardize the entire mission. Every soldiers life stands on the shoulders of the man next to him. The fate of humanity rests on top of that life. All should be made aware of this. I personally don't believe there is anyone stupid or selfish enough to make such a mistake in the Survey Corpse. If used properly, it will give us a great advantage."





Then Michael glared at the younger soldiers with an intense look of anger. It boggled many at how intense the look was. It communicated more than a look, but sent shivers down your spine. If that was his angry, then perhaps he had been smiling all along. "Besides, should I find that any soldier had been putting the alcohol to improper use, they better pray to God a titan gets them before I do." Real lightning struck this time as a perfect emphasis of his demeanor.


Crossing his arms and closing his eyes, the Sergeant Major returned to his dark state of calm, signaling that he had no more to say. He respected the commander's authority and would enforce it to the best of his ability. Yet after all he'd been through, he was hardly phased by it. He followed orders and did the right things as a matter of principle, not because it was what he wanted, but what the human race needed.

 

[sox]

Asce ruffled his hair, blinking several times to wake himself up. "That may be," he started slowly, "but we still haven't discussed the elephant in the room." After several blank stares from the younger soldiers, he sighed and forced himself to explain. "Our supplies are just enough to take care of our base here. Once we establish a base beyond the walls, those resources are cut in half. Even if our plan is a success and we manage to get a foothold outside of Maria, we won't be there long before we're run dry."


Ren nodded, slow and thoughtful. She had figured this would happen eventually, but had hoped it wouldn't be this soon. "You've got a point. It's not the first time this has happened." She ran a hand through her hair, pushing it out of her face. "I'll talk to the higher-ups, see what I can do. I can convince them to send us aid long enough to complete the project, but I don't doubt that there'll be a backlash once we're all settled down." She rubbed her neck, wincing. "I'll also have to lay down some humility."

 

[CelticHero37]

Michael nodded grimly. "Normally I would say that we're soldiers and we will just have to live off the land. But in this case, that might put us in more danger. I'll stand at your side during your appeal Commander, if you'll have me. We need that support just as much as we need this base."

 

[sox]

"I appreciate the offer, Michael, but frankly, I think your presence might make things worse. They'll be more lenient if it's just me." She gave him a kind smile, taking comfort in the presence of her comrades. "But you're welcome to come as far as the meeting room, if only to keep me company." Ren chuckled, soft and light. "And also to give me a back massage, 'cause boy do I need one."


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[CelticHero37]

Michael nodded and stared back at the table. The thought of a back massage brought up troubling memories from his past. "Perhaps you should ask one of the younger soldiers if you just need a friend sir," he whispered. He wasn't trying to insult her, and hoped she didn't take it that way. Yet, being 'company' really wasn't something he wanted to do anymore.

 

[sox]

Ren didn't want to pester him, but shot him a 'we'll talk afterwards' glance. Michael was one of her friends; she didn't want him to solely live from a military standpoint. "That concludes it, then," she announced. "We'll go with the plan discussed. Michael, prep your team and have them out by 21:00. They should be back before the day is over."


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[CelticHero37]

"Understood Sir," responded Michael. Then he leaned over to his lieutenant, "You can stick around for a little while. Grab yourself some dinner or something. I'll take care of the squad."





Then he stood from his chair and headed out the door. He was also trying to avoid the glance from the Commander. He really just didn't want to think about it.

 

[sox]

Ren said farewells to some of the lower officers and chased after Michael. "Oh, no, you don't." She slowed to his walking pace, looping her fingers through her belt straps. "Care to explain what that was all about?" She turned her head to look at him, nodding at people as they passed.


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[CelticHero37]

Michael gave a heavy sigh. "I know I've been in the service for a while. But do you know how I got into the Survey Corpse… Ren?"

 

[sox]

"Not exactly. I don't delve into the personal details of my troops." She brushed some dust off of a sill they passed, secretly elated that he had called her by her name.


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[CelticHero37]

Michael continued to look straight ahead as he recounted his tale, keeping his nerves and emotions separate as much as he could. "I was just a normal soldier who had requested leave time. I had decided to spend that leave behind wall Maria. I was helping to construct a makeshift gazebo near the wall, and… making plans… I had a front row seat at the appearance of the colossal titan. I saw a lot of... friends die that day. Good friends. I had to watch as…" Michael faltered for a second, then continued, "I didn't make it to the boats, and I didn't make it through the gate that day. Yet I'm here. I survived and met up with one of the first Survey crews. I earned my way there. Now, I have no more personal life, it's easiest that way. I'm sorry if that's not your style Commander. But I hope you understand."

 

[sox]

Ren stopped walking and put a hand on Michael's arm, halting him as well. She was the commander of the Survey Corps, but at the same time, she was this man's elder. "It seems easiest, doesn't it? When you're detached and by yourself, it's hard for others to break you down. It definitely has some benefits." When she brushed her hair out of her face, her eyes were shimmering as she fought down emotion. While she was one of the toughest people in the army, she hadn't lost her compassion. "But you don't have to do this to yourself. When you've walked alone for a long time, you realize what it means to crave the company of others and you become kind. Trust me, Michael. I've lived it." A decade back, she was exactly how he was- detached, professional, and unyielding. Over the years, however, she had learned to trust and rely on her comrades, ultimately becoming who she was now.

 

[CelticHero37]

"You don't understand Ren. I tried that once. I was on leave… because I had gotten engaged. I had to watch my future wife get eaten by a titan the day before our marriage!" Michael began to shake, anger welling up inside him, "This scar on my forehead! I was hit in the head by falling debris. The last thing I saw before I blacked out… was Anna getting eaten by that titan! I couldn't move, I couldn't help. I couldn't even tell her I loved her. Then the titan just left me to wake the next day. I should be dead Ren. I cut myself off because that's the only way I can live."





He had stopped walking and and tears were falling out of his eyes. It was a great burden to remember those scenes.

 

[sox]

Luckily, they were in a hallway that didn't have people currently walking in it. Watching him this way tore at her heart. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she bit them back. Instead, she pulled him to her and laid his head on her chest, stroking his hair in a sisterly fashion. "I can only imagine your pain," she murmured, as her family had been killed while she was at work, "but I don't doubt the intensity of your feelings. You're one of my strongest people. I don't trust anyone more than my officers. If it came to it, I would gladly lay down my life for any of you. Does that make me weak?" She sighed. "I don't know, Michael, but every time one of my people is killed by those monsters, my resolve gets that much stronger. It brings me closer to the people I still have by my side." She pulled back, looking into his eyes. "You're a pretty cool dude, Michael. I'm sure your comrades would respect you a lot more if you tried to connect with them."


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[CelticHero37]

Michael froze stiff when the Commander hugged him. Not only was this contact by a superior officer, this was contact by a woman. He had completely isolated himself from anything of the sort ever since the incident.


When she pulled away, he began to rub his temples, trying to keep some sort of sanity. "I-I… my resolve was through Anna. I fought for the memory of her. The thought that I could prevent such a thing from happening to others. I won't ever get that back Ren. But that is why I don't get personal. You think I like being stern and closed off? I am what the human race needs me to be. Someone who will protect them no matter what. My resolve, like yours, only becomes stronger with death. There are too many people that depend on me, for me to open up. When that happens, I lose control. I become self centered. I thank you for the compliments Commander, but I'm just not ready for that yet. Do you understand?"

 

[sox]

Ren half-smiled and patted his shoulder. "I'll respect your wishes. If you don't think you're ready, I won't push you. But consider it for a bit, yeah? I don't plan on losing you for a while." She linked her arm with his, walking again. Linking arms was a habit of hers which she had no intention of dropping. "One day, when we finally have a day off, I'm gonna get you to laugh, sergeant. That's going on my bucket list." She flashed him a cheeky smile, wiping the lingering tears from her eyes.


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