Chapter 1: The New Batch
Valen was walking to the trainee mess hall for breakfast when he heard the thundering hooves of horses. "It's the Survey Corps!" Camille, a friend that Valen had made, squealed. "It's not the Survey Corps it's only a few of them!" Ike, Valen's brother, yelled. Three soldiers galloped up to the long line of trainees waiting to get their meals. "I am Captain Levi of the Survey Corps; this is Major Hanji and Private Jäger." the smallest of the three announced. Valen stepped out of line and saluted the captain, slamming his fist on his chest, "My name is Valen Kessler and I want to join the Survey Corps!" All the chatter in the line stopped, time seemed to stand still until another recruit, Julio, called him out. "Are you crazy! Do you want to die?" Valen, still holding his salute, bore a large grin from ear to ear, "Yes".
Camille was tending to her usual before bed routines, brushing her hair, writing in her diary, and grooming herself otherwise. She thought as she stroked her long silver hair, 'How could Valen want to join the Survey Corps? I don't want to lose him, I have to convince him to join the Garrison'. "Lights out maggots!" the familiar voice of Shadis shouted.
It was a well kept secret that Camille was deeply in love with Valen, she fell in love the day they met.
"Excuse me are you enlisting as well?" Camille questioned. "Nah, I just like the lighting" the boy sarcastically quipped. He added "The name's Valen Kessler, and judging by your registration sheet you must be Camille Wharton." She was taken aback. The boy who just introduced himself was the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen in her life. He had short brown hair and brown eyes. He was tall, handsome, and looked above average on the fitness level. "I'm going to join the Survey Corps, what about you?" Valen said. "Me? I'm doing what everyone else is doing, trying to be the best in training so I can join the Military Police" Camille answered. "Just like everyone else, eh?" Valen murmured under his breath.
"Wharton! What the hell are you doing get out of bed soldier graduation is tonight!" Camille fell out of her bunk to the ever so frightening voice of Shadis, the head trainer for the recruits. He had broke them, taught them, made them soldiers. And Camille was glad that it was him that trained her, but she was still terrified at the sound of him yelling. Camille looked around while pulling herself off of the old wooden floor. All the recruits in her cabin were fully dressed and ready to go. She must have overslept. So as fast as she could she put on her harness, threw her uniform on and was out the door before brushing her hair. Camille jogged up next to Ike and Valen who were at attention, she did the same. "Offer up your hearts cadets!" Shadis shouted. All at once the 105th Trainee Squad saluted the flag of the Walls with a great big "Huh!"
"So what are you guys doing tonight? I mean like, which division are you guys gonna join?" Ike asked to the table they were sitting at. "Well my sister Hitch is in the MP, so if I get in the top ten I'm definitely joining the Military Police" Lottie, another trainee, said. "I'm gonna join the Garrison" said Camille. "How about you Valen?" She added. "I am going to join the Survey Corps" Valen said. "What? You'd get killed why would you ever want to do that?" Ike exclaimed before drinking some of his milk. "Well, I think I can handle myself. I'm a pretty good soldier" Valen explained. Camille thought about what might happen if he really joined the Scouting Legion, what horrible death he might die. She sat there stirring her oatmeal, contemplating his fate. She thought and thought not saying a word for about ten minutes. Not listening to what the others were saying. Camille finally realized that if she wanted to be with Valen she'd have to do something crazy. "I'm joining the Survey Corps too" Camille said looking down at her oatmeal. Everyone at their table stopped what they were doing and stared in amazement. "Ahh finally, someone other than me is courageous enough to be a true soldier!" Valen yelled patting Camille on the back. "If you two are joining, then I am too" Ike said slamming his hand on the table.