Chapter 1: A Wrench In The Plan
All I have to do is bide my time and everything will fall into place. I want my revenge but must Night Raid crumble for it? When I first arrived at their hideout, they treated me with genuine respect and love and continue to do so. They made me feel like I truly belonged. However, I can't forgive the Revolutionary Army! They took my family away from me right before my eyes, leaving me with nothing.
The memory still feels… so unbelievable and the nightmares come every now and again. I thought their goal was to liberate us all and destroy those who are corrupt, but it seems I was wrong to assume that. Ever since that day, I vowed to see that the Army falls and the Empire will continue to rule. What better way to do that than to join them and topple it from the inside? I never expected to get into Night Raid at all and it wasn't part of the plan, but I guess I was just lucky when Najenda specifically asked for me to join that one day.
Now I'm in the perfect position to do some real damage.
"I should really burn this journal before someone gets ahold of it. If I destroy it though, I'll be stuck with nothing to do to pass the time," I say as I read past entries that I've written, walking through a dark forest. I flip to a blank page and start writing down more of my thoughts.
Having been a few weeks, I've yet to get ahold of any high profile intel let alone be tasked with transporting anything. I figured the way to combat the Army was to leak confidential files to the Empire since I'm not a fighter. It's hard to do that when you've been sent to reside in a village and wait for further instructions!
Damn it, Najenda!
She somehow made reconnaissance boring when it should be excit-.
"Oh shit," I trip over something and fall to the ground, my writing brought to a halt.
"C'mon, Tetsuo! Gotta pay more attention to your surroundings," I tell myself, getting up and dusting dirt off of my jacket and pants. Picking my journal up, I look behind me to see what I tripped over. My eyes widen in shock and I quickly throw a hand over my mouth.
A man laid still, face down in the dirt.
The smell of blood suddenly makes its presence known to me.
Cautiously, I crouch and slowly reach out to the body, hoping I don't get my arm grabbed. I give the body a shake, garnering no response of being alive. Pushing the body onto its back, I immediately recoil at seeing the front.
"Oh god," I exclaim. Turning my head, I vomit on the ground.
Okay… I've got this.
Examining the front of the body, I get nauseous again. The throat's been slashed and most of the face is mauled so it must've been a Danger Beast. Seeing as how the blood is dry and rotting hasn't started, this guy died maybe a few hours ago. Something catches my eye beside the body.
"What's this," I say, picking it up.
It's a satchel.
Reaching inside, I grab ahold of some papers and pull them out.
Let's see here.
"N-No way," I gasp.
These are dossiers on the Jaegers! There are even plans for operations here! How confidential is this intel? Is this my golden ticket to screw them over?
This feels way too convenient though.
Highly suspicious too.
He's been dead for a bit so where's the puddle of dried blood? Someone could have planted the body here.
This is a trap!
Slowly standing up, I scan my surroundings while listening out.
"I know you're here! Show yourself," I shout, pulling out a combat knife.
My eyes dart around, searching for the enemy.
Nothing but silence.
I guess I jumped the gun.
Putting away my knife, I take the satchel and walk off. I don't plan on getting jumped during the night. A few minutes later and I'm back at the village. I look around to make sure I'm not being watched or followed then head inside the safe house. Not really much of a safe house if it's just a regular house but whatever.
"That was really tense," I sigh. I'm relieved that I didn't get ambushed outside when it's late at night. That would be a difficult situation to get out of.
At least I got some juicy intel though! Oh, what will the Army do without it? Kinda makes me wonder if this was supposed to be given to me in the first place and that guy was meant to inform me on what to do with it.
Guess I'll have to use my own discretion now.
I chuckle to myself for finally getting something done, interrupted by my stomach grumbling.
Man, I'm hungry.
Well, even more so now since I threw up.
Gotta get the nasty vomit taste and smell out of my mouth first before I even eat. After taking a moment to thoroughly clean my mouth, I go into the rather small kitchen. It's really late and I'm not really in the mood to cook so I guess I'm eating another ration. I randomly swipe one of the boxes off the counter. Please don't let this one be as horrible as that ration from two days ago! Sitting by the living room fireplace, I pop the box open.
Oh my! There's snacks in here! That's a welcome change. There are even two notes in here.
"I know those rations must taste awful so I packed this one with snacks. I even managed to put a small bowl of beef stew in since I know how much you love it. Please get back safely, Akame," it read. I pick up the second note.
"I wanted to pitch in too so here's some lollipops. Wouldn't surprise me if you already stole some like you always do so now you have extra. It bears repeating that the sticks are needles so remember to keep them in case you need a weapon. Don't somehow screw up and try not to die. Good luck! Signed, Chelsea," it reads.
I smile a bit and stash the lollipops in my jacket pockets then dig into my unorthodox dinner.
Even when I'm away, those two spoil me so much! It's more of a care package than a ration box honestly. They must've done this at the last second because I know Leone and maybe Najenda would've put a note or something in here as well.
It's kinda embarrassing but really heartwarming nonetheless.
It's… like a family.
Finished eating, I sigh.
What am I doing? The more I get attached, the worse it'll be. Need I remind myself what happened to Sheele? That still hurts even now.
They're all going to die anyway. Either because my plan works out or because Esdeath and the Empire prove to be superior without my help.
That's just the reality of it.
As Chelsea always says, "Be realistic."
So that's what I'll try to keep doing.
I should get some sleep.
As I stand up, I hear a commotion going on outside.
Is something wrong?
Taking a glance from the window, the villagers are running and screaming with their houses on fire. Some of them are even lying on the ground, most likely dead. I immediately back away from the window.
"Burn this place to the ground and see if the spy is here," a woman shouts.
The Empire must've caught on!
N-No way!
I've been compromised!
In a hurry, I quickly pick up the satchel with the documents and go back into the kitchen, arming myself with a pistol.
"What are the chances that the spy is here," a second woman says, her voice coming right from my front door. I've got nowhere to go! I might have to fight my way out just as I feared! I aim right at the door, preparing to shoot. The door suddenly flies open, having been kicked in. I suddenly freeze up, unable to take the shot as I realize who I see before me.
It's… it's her!
"You really couldn't hide here forever. It was only a matter of time," she says, smiling.
"Seryu Ubiquitous," I say, frowning. She's the one who killed Sheele! What's with the innocent act she's doing?
"That's me," she giggles.
If the Jaegers are here, then the woman who I heard give that order… must be General Esdeath!
This is the worst case scenario!
No matter, I think I can still shift this in my favor.
Even though I don't have an Imperial Arms.
"Take the documents. That's all you guys want, isn't it," I say, throwing the satchel at her feet.
"Oh but you're coming with us too, don'tcha know," she says.
"For what," I say.
"Interrogation, of course," she says.
There goes my plan.
"I don't plan to come along without a fight," I say.
"If that's true then pull the trigger," she says, stepping closer.
I gulp nervously, my body trembling.
No matter how much I try to shoot, I just can't bring myself to do it.
"You can't do it, can you," she says.
"Shut up," I shout.
"You've never killed anyone before," she says, getting closer.
"Shut… up," I say.
You have to shoot, Tetsuo! It's now or never!
I-I can't do it!
"Never fired that gun either, have you," she continues. Her words burrow deep even though I try not to listen.
She grabs my wrist.
"Drop. The. Gun," she says, her eyes looking into mine.
Damn… it.
I drop it, hand shaking. I manage to yank my wrist away.
"Good boy," she says, her happy smile unwavering.
It's seriously unnerving.
Everything tells me to run away. I start slowly stepping back, hoping I can find something to get out of this.
"Fear is overwhelming, isn't it? Feels like there's no way out," she asks.
Now in the kitchen, an idea somehow comes to mind. Lubbock taught me a bit of deception tactics but against a Jaeger, it might not work given the circumstances. I've got no other options! I have to at least try!
"L-Little do you know, someone is right behind you," I say.
"You really expect me to fall for that with the village burning down and my teammates only just outside," she says.
Shit!
She playfully pushes me, making me trip and land on my ass. Continuing to back away, my back hits up against the side of the counter.
I'm pathetic.
"You're most likely going to be executed once the interrogation is over," she says, standing before me.
T-Tell me something I don't already know.
"I-I… I don't want that," I say, hesitantly. She gets on her knees.
"I'm in a very good mood if you can't tell and I believe our interests align so I have an offer," she says, happily.
I'll take anything!
"W-What is it," I ask.
She delicately lays her metal hands on my cheeks.
"You're very cute," she compliments.
I'm sorry…WHAT!?
"T-Thanks, I-I guess," I stammer, blushing.
"Do you think I'm cute," she asks.
I don't think I like where this is going.
"I-I mean I'd be lying if I said no," I say, avoiding eye contact.
She blushes a bit.
You're still intimidating however.
"So what's the off-," her lips interrupt me.
Surprised, I gasp only for her to shove her tongue in my mouth.
Wasn't expecting that.
I grab her shoulders, trying to push her away to no avail. She withdraws her kiss with both of us panting heavily.
"Was that your first kiss," she asks.
"Y-Yeah," I say shyly.
"It was my first too," she says.
I don't how to respond or handle this!
"Hey, Seryu! Is everything okay in there," a guy's voice yells from outside.
"Yeah, Wave! Just tiring him out to make the capturing part easier," she yells back.
"Just checking! Who knows who or what might show up if we don't move a bit faster," Wave yells.
Seryu rolls her eyes.
"Anyway, I want you to be my lover," she says.
E-Excuse me? That's not something you say so nonchalantly! Am I even allowed to say no?
"T-That's flattering and all, but I can't do that," I say.
To be forced into a relationship by a woman I hardly know or face execution once the Jaegers are through with me… is not what I had in mind! I said I'll take anything but I just don't know.
"Do you want to live or not? Understand that death is your fate if you don't take my offer," she clarifies.
Damn it all.
"You certainly have unfinished business, don't you? Perhaps you seek… justice," she says.
Justice.
That word really sparks something in me.
Something else inside me.
I shouldn't do it but I must.
It's all I've got.
"How do I get justice," I ask. She jumps on me, throwing her arms around my neck. She presses her forehead against mine.
"Be mine and I'll gladly show you how," she says softly.
"I will," I say, hugging her back. Is she going to go for another kiss?
"Well, let's get out of here, shall we," she says, pulling away from me. Oh, so that's how it is? Undercut the moment you set up because you know you can't catch me by surprise again. She pulls out the drawer above my head, her hand searching for something amidst the clanging of silverware.
"What are you looking for exactly," I ask.
"This," she says, holding a knife.
"W-What are you about to do," I ask, worried.
"It'll look suspicious if you don't have injuries," she explains.
"Can't really argue that, I suppose," I say.
She grabs my chin and lightly does a small cut on my right cheek, making me wince. Blood starts to flow from it.
"Alright, now I gotta knock you out," she says.
"C-Can't I just fake it instead," I ask, putting my hands up.
"Just close your eyes so you don't see it coming," she says.
"Wait! Your arms are metal so what if you do more damage and give me a concuss-," she swiftly decks me in the left cheek.
Everything goes black.