Fandom The Wings of Freedom [Attack on Titan]

[CelticHero37]

Michael blinked for a moment, surprised. The Commander was a superior officer, so she could handle herself. Perhaps it was okay to open up a little to her. "I'll keep it in thought Commander. If there ever is a safe time for a day off, I will gladly laugh with you. But for now… I must get the troop ready."

 

[sox]

Vreni grinned and let him go, shoving him in the direction of the exit. "That's what I like to hear, Sergeant," she said, turning back in the direction of the meeting room. Before she turned the corner, however, she looked back at him. "And Michael? Keep an eye on the alcohol. If you see any funny business, I want you to take the funny right out of it."


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[CelticHero37]

Michael looked back and nodded. He even might have given her the glimpse of a smile in the corner of his mouth. But it was very slight if at all. "Of Course, Sir. It's my job to keep the soldiers in line."

 

[sox]

Ren nodded once to him and turned back, striding down the hall with the type of confidence only a chief could have. It had been a while since she's talked openly with Michael like that. "Alright. Progress," she whispered to herself, grinning.


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[CelticHero37]

Michael started walking away, waiting until the commander was out of sight. Then he collapsed into a corner and pulled his hood up. The happenings had really caused him trouble. He needed to collect himself again. He started pushing the memories back again. It was hard and dared to send him bawling in the street. But he swallowed his selfishness and forced it back. Then he stood and began walking toward the recon squad, a little more labor pulled on his step.

 

[killercandy15]

After the meeting had ended, Katherine had happily bounded outside to enjoy a nice packed feast she had prepared. Stuffing herself full she had fallen asleep for a short catnap before it became close to time to head out. She slumbered peacefully under a windowsill for some time until she woke up hearing a conversation between Michael and Ren. She was careful not to move and make noise, and silently listened. She heard Michael’s past and did her best not to make noise as tears fell down her cheeks. However, as the discussion continued, she lightened up at Ren’s attempt to bring Michael out of his shell. Katherine waited for the two to finish and leave before sneaking away from the windowsill and sprinting around the side of the castle and back inside. She needed to pack some snacks for the road, and had decided give her commanding officer and squad a nice snack to boost their spirit. She finished packing her belongings and snacks for the mission and hurriedly dashed out to meet the recon squad. In her hand she carried a small bag of mint candies. She thought that since mint was soothing, it would be great to give one to everyone to slightly calm the nerves of leaving the safety of the walls.

 

[CelticHero37]

Reaching the station area of the Recon Squad, Michael informed them of their mission and duties. In seconds, everyone was dashing around. It would only be a matter of minutes and his highly trained group would be ready to go. All they had to do was wait for his senior officers. @killercandy15 @FlibbertyGidget

 

[FlibbertyGidget]

Mae had been one of the last to leave the room. Many things were running through her mind as she walked slowly, puzzling over everything she hda seen and heard. Sighing when she realized she was heading in the wrong direction, Mae redirected her feet towards the recon squad's meeting point. Greeting the sergeant major with a salute, she nodding briskly and took her place.

 

[killercandy15]

Shortly after Mae arrived, Katherine did so as well and similarly saluted while catching her breath from the run. Turning with a friendly smile to Mae and Michael, she lifted her hand with the bag of candies to show them, "If you dont mind, sir, I would like everyone to take one. These are some mint candies I have saved. They are hard to get a hold of in these times, but I would like everyone to take one to boost morale. Mint is good to relieve some tension and cheer people up while it also helps many focus."

 

[CelticHero37]

"I won't ask where you got it lieutenant. Go ahead. But there better not be any lazy soldiers out there because of it."





With a tight sigh, Michael looked over the Recon Squad and began a short speech. "We are the front lines. Our mission is to push past the enemy and establish a stronghold past Wall Maria. It will be a beacon to rekindle the light of civilization. Our mission rides on every single one of you. If even one slacks off, if even one backs out… the mission is doomed. Be accountable for your fellow mates. If we stand together, we shall survive! Humanity looks to you in their hour of desperation! Show them there is hope! Show them there is reason to live! You are on the Recon Squad because you're the best! Now, stand by your brothers and sisters as one! Do your job! We will take the fight to the titans!"

 

[FlibbertyGidget]

Mae clenched her jaw after his speech, and looked at the others. They would go on this mission, and they would succeed. There was no other option. "We won't fail Sir. I'll give my all and I'm sure that everyone here will do the same."

 

[CelticHero37]

Michael nodded to his ranking officer. His speech had accomplished what he had hoped. The soldiers needed their adrenalin flowing and to be at full concentration. Perhaps there was hope for this mission.


The group first needed to rendezvous with the commander as instructed, so they weren't on their own yet. Leaping onto his black stallion, Michael initiated their procession to the rally point. He took it slow, allowing for his soldiers to wave goodbye to their friends and families. This was the part that always hurt him the most. He knew he was splitting families apart, and that some would never see each other again. Yet it had to be done, for the future of mankind.


As they approached the rally point, he slowed to a halt and awaited the Commander. 
@Silencieux

 

[killercandy15]

Katherine sat backwards on her dun mare as she checked over her supplies one last time. She then looked back on the families saying their goodbyes. It was painful to watch since she knew they wouldn't all return. She had already passed out the mints to her comrades, and was hoping they were as ready as she was to go on this expedition. The short speech earlier gave her a great confidence boost, and, in her gut, she could feel that they would succeed. She spun around and bounced energetically in her saddle as they approached where the Commander would meet them.

 

[sox]

Ren finished up with the officers she was conversing with and made her way out to where the recon squad had gathered. "All set, sergeant?!" she called. Without waiting for his reply, she continued shouting loud enough for everyone to hear. Within a moment, she had transformed from moral support to revered commander, her tone enough to make anyone cringe in fear. "This is an observation trip only! No one is permitted to engage in combat unless his or her life is directly threatened! If you do your job as instructed , then that shouldn't be a problem!" She stood completely straight, gaze locking on each person's eyes. "This mission is crucial to our plan. I will not tolerate failure. Is that understood?!"

 

[CelticHero37]

Michael looked down when the Commander mentioned there would be no engaging the enemy. How do you expect us to clear a safe path if we don't do that every once in a while? Yet he didn't say anything. Saying something during a speech like this would only embarrass the Commander and shake the soldier's faith in her. Yet he couldn't acknowledge when Ren asked if they understood. He would be lying if he did. If Ren wanted an embarrassing situation, she would have to initiate it. He wouldn't force it on her.

 

[FlibbertyGidget]

Mae stared at her horse's mane, trying to block out the sight of weeping families and trembling soldiers. The Commander's order would be ignored by most. If a Titan was near, they would try to kill it. Titans would fall, and soldiers would too. All the teary eyed people still shouting goodbyes knew that someone wouldn't be coming home. Death was inevitable. Mae sighed and rubbed her horse's neck, ready to get on with the trip.

 

[sox]

((It's not letting me do OoC so: In the meeting, Ren told Michael that the purpose of the Recon squad's mission is purely to map Titan activity and take notes on the areas discussed in the meeting so as to prepare for tomorrow, which is when the entirety of the Survey Corps will be utilized. This isn't the mission where they're clearing the path.))

 

[FlibbertyGidget]

(OOC: I believe they took away the ooc feature. Something about it causing problems)

 

[sox]

((Darn. That sucks.))

 

[CelticHero37]

((Darn. That sucks.))

((Yeah. Anyways, sorry about the confusion then. I'll repost with the changes.)) 
Michael nodded as the Commander gave her speech. Normally he would object to the idea of not engaging the enemy. However, they would only be mapping on this outing. An attack would only draw the attention of the titans. They needed to keep the path clear for when they took the entire Survey Corps through. 'If this goes as planned, perhaps this will be the first mission in which we come home without a casualty. Yet when it comes to fighting the titans, I never count on things going as planned.'


Turning to the Commander, he saluted. "Everyone's ready Sir. Say the word."

 

[sox]

Ren nodded once in return, saluting to the rallied squad. At her signal, the soldiers turned away to finish saying their goodbyes. Ren strode up to Michael, eyes dark and narrowed. "Spec Ops will be overseeing your work from the wall as a contingency should things get out of hand. I'll be there as well, but I better not have to step in." She casted a glance over her shoulder at the others as a fraction of the steel in her eyes softened. "Be careful, yeah?" she said, giving Michael a light but actually rather forceful shove. "A lot's riding on this one."

 

[CelticHero37]

Adjusting his mount on the horse and moving his head up, Michael looked out of the corner of his eye at the Commander. He nodded in acknowledgement until she gave him a shove. He moved his head down a little, looking at her quizzically. The Commander seemed determined to be friends. "Yeah... I'll take care of them," he said, giving her an almost warm look. But within seconds he hardened his features, "But Sir, you're the Commander. I'm a soldier. If you want a friend... get a cat."





Then he turned and started his horse on a trot. It hurt him a little to say that, yet he couldn't let that turn into a friendship. When he started worrying about friends in the attack on Wall Maria, he neglected his duties and more people died than necessary. He couldn't let that happen again.

 

[sox]

Ren blinked a couple times, processing what he said before tossing her head back and bursting out in soft laughter. Not many had the gall to talk to her like that, especially when she hadn't said anything particularly questionable. She had to admit, however, that it was charming in its own way, though she knew he had meant that he didn't plan on being her friend. "Whatever," she muttered, tying up her luminescent hair. "You'll come around." Once he was with his squad, Ren turned back to the rest of the Corps and began issuing orders to station themselves at equal intervals along Rose. Slipping into her own gear, she ran things over in her mind, double-checking to make sure she hadn't left anything unaccounted for.

 

[CelticHero37]

After getting the attention of the Recon Squad, Michael stated, "Today we will be mapping the interior of Wall Maria. It's a simple task. Stay out of sight of the titans and we'll all come home safe."





Looking back over his shoulder for a second to where the Commander had been, he kicked his heels into the stallion and yelled, "Ride!"





He lead the Recon Squad down the road and out of the gate. Taking a quick look, he didn't spot any titans in the immediate vicinity. 'So far so good.'

 

[FlibbertyGidget]

Mae kicked her horse and followed the sergeant. Just stay out of sight. Seems easy enough. She kept an eye on the sergeant. He didn't seem distressed, so there was no reason to worry. Not yet. Listening for the telltale footsteps of a Titan, she gripped her horses reins and continued forward.