Once we had arrived at the Survey Corps Headquarters, we were issued our new uniforms. The jackets were the same as our cadet issue, but emblazoned with the wings of freedom on both shoulders, the breast, and the back. On top of that, we were issued the signature green woolen cloak of the Survey Corps. My heart pounded with excitement as the quartermaster handed me all I had wanted ever since I was a boy. I'd dreamed of glory and revenge ever since I was a child, and trained for three years, all for this moment.
"I think it suits you" I said to Petra, "The green really accents your hair"
She giggled, "It suits you too, the hood really hides your ugly"
We all laughed, before we were cut off by the Scout tasked with getting us new members straightened out. Between us, the northern region, and the other three regions, there were over one hundred new members of the Survey Corps. Given the grim odds every Scout faced on their constant missions, it was likely that less than half of us would be alive in three years.
"Now I'll be dividing you into your squads" called the Scout. "You will report to your squad leader, and he'll get you sorted out for training. There will be an expedition in just over a month, and you'll all be expected to be ready by then. Good luck." The man flipped through his lists, calling out the names of the new cadets assigned to each squad.
"Squad 8; Petra Ral, Eugen Kampfer, Jake Warden..."
I turned to Jake and Petra, and smiled widely. What luck! I couldn't have been happier with my squad. Together, we found the barracks assigned to squad 8. I rapped on the door, and entered. Together we offered a salute;
"Reporting for duty, sir!" The man who I assumed to be our captain sat down at a desk tucked to the side of the room. He was fairly short, but appeared muscular and tough, except for his friendly blue eyes.
"Good morning, soldiers. Name's Otto, but you'll be referring to me as 'Captain' or 'Sir'. The man there is my second, William." The tall, blond man stood up, and bowed his head slightly, before retaking his seat. Captain Otto looked down at the neat pile of papers on his desk.
"So, I take it that you are Ral, Warden, and Kampfer? As you were informed by the quartermaster, there will be an expedition outside the walls next month. You will be attending training with the rest of the new members, tomorrow at sunrise. Come with me, if you please." He said Walking through a blank doorway into a short corridor. Opening the door on his left, he gestured inside.
"This will be your quarters for now, Petra. You lads" He said, looking at Jake and I, "Will be in there." He said, gesturing to a door further down the hall. "I will be a fair Captain, but not a soft one. There is no room for softness on the battlefield. Your bunks and your uniforms will be in pristine condition, you will be disciplined, fit, orderly, on time, and will be expected to both improve and maintain your combat skills. You have quite a name to live up to, here in Squad 8. Dismissed." The Captain's voice was deep and strong, his face, though attractive, was hard and unkind. With a few swift, athletic strides, the captain disappeared back into the main room.
"He makes the Cadet Commander look soft" I said to Jake, making my bunk as I had so many times before.
"Well, I bet he's seen a lot more action." He replied. "I don't think one can be in the Survey Corps long without proving your mettle in the field." I hesitated, thinking.
"It'll be us out there, soon." I said, ponderously.
"I'm not sure if I should be excited or scared." Jake said. The rest of the bunks were empty, as the regular soldiers of squad 8 were out on field training exercises. I couldn't wait to be one of them. The noble Survey Corps, the steadfast defenders of humanity, and everything I'd wanted to be since I was a child.
"When I enlisted..." Jake continued "I didn't think humanity's... you know... everything, would be depending on us. It's one thing to fail, but it's not the same, failing everyone."
"None of us did, Jake, but what can we do but fight? After what those titans did to us, we have to." The door creaked open, and Petra peeked in.
"You boys finished your philosophical discussion in here or what? I'm hungry."
At the mess hall, we were served the usual meal of dry potatoes and stale bread. The large stone hall was warmed by wood-stove, and adorned with the standard bleak wooden furnishing. On it's on, perhaps, a rather boring room, but filled with the laughter and faces of friends and comrades, it felt as much like home as anything since I'd enlisted those few years ago. Elizabeth and Petra laughing together, Roman, Kol, and I having our usual fun, Tom and Sarah off together, like always. Jake was off romancing Kat. They always seemed so good together, like a perfect fit. They had been in a romantic relationship for awhile, and Jake seldom stopped talking about her. The hall was filled with many new faces as well. Us, the cadets from the other regions, and some of the Survey Corps veterans were all eating together. All of us in our uniform green cloaks. Finally, I'm a Scout!
As promised, training began early the next day. Throwing off my covers, I groggily stumbled out of my bed, sliding on my uniform pants, shirt, jacket and harness. Hanging from my bedpost was my green wool cloak. I picked it up, running my hands over the soft green fabric. The Wings of Freedom.
"Now's our chance, Jake" I said, not looking up from the exquisite embroidery of the emblazoned crest on my cloak. "To fight. To be free." I looked up to see Jake fast asleep, snoring lightly on his bunk. I threw my pillow at him, before buttoning up my cloak and walking out the door, the heels of my high leather boots clacking against the hardwood floor. Arms crossed, leaning against the wall, was Petra.
"Took you long enough." She said, smiling brightly. I rubbed my tired eyes.
"I'll never understand how you're like this every morning." I mumbled.
"Like what?" She asked.
"Like, all happy and cheery. Frankly it's kind of annoying" I responded, smirking. She stood, looking up at me angrily
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" I looked down at her, and smiled softly.
"I'm just kidding, Petra." I said, kissing her on the cheek. "I love it when you're happy. Anyways, we'd better get going."
There were about 50 of us seated at the tables lining the long tables lining the classroom. At the front of the room, a large diagram showing the expedition formation of new Commander, Erwin Smith. A short woman stood at the front of the room, clad in the green cloak of a Survey Corps member.
"Good morning, Scouts." The woman said. She had long brown hair and a short, slim stature. "I am Section Commander Elias. Under the command of Captain Levi, I will be organizing all of your squads for expeditions and operations." She was soft spoken, unlike many of the other Survey Corps leaders. "As you know" she continued, "You will all soon be face to face with the titans, and you must be ready. We don't have enough time to work much on the 3DMG, so we're going to have to rely on your Cadet training. The most important element to your survival will be this formation" she said, gesturing to the diagram with her wooden baton. "With this system, we should be able to avoid contact with the titans until absolutely necessary."
Riley raised his hand.
"Isn't it our job to fight the titans?" He asked condescendingly.
"Good question, soldier. The truth is, we don't stand must chance in a straight fight with the titans." Roman spoke up;
"Especially not with our army full of shitheads like you, Riley." he said, followed by laughter.
"To beat the titans" Elias continued, "We need more than just fighting. We need to complete objectives. We need to learn. That's why we'll avoid them as much as possible." The discussion continued amongst the class in a sudden uproar.
"You nervous at all?" Petra said, turning to me.
"Me? Nervous?" I said, taking her hand in mine. "Never" I said. I was lying.
"Well, I sure as hell am." said the young scout behind me. I turned around to see a short man with olive skin and dark brown hair. He looked about my age, and had a slim, muscular build. I offered my hand, which he shook promptly.
"Gunter. Gunter Schultz. This man here is Ryan Kline." He said, gesturing to his friend behind him. I gave him a friendly nod. Petra offered them a smile.
"Nice to meet you guys" She said in her usual attitude. Ryan was tall and slim, he had a soft face, a mess of blond hair, and a friendly smile.
"Scouts! Atten-tion!" cried Elias. Dozens of chairs scraped along the floor as each cadet stood up from their desk, before the room fell perfectly silent, each soldier's fist over their heart in a proper salute. My eyes darted to the door, where a small man with cropped black hair stood. His boot made a pronounced clack as he stepped into the room.
"Captain Levi!" someone in the class whispered.
"Captain Levi, sir!" called Elias. He walked to the center of the room in several swift strides, hands folded neatly behind him. Behind him, a slightly taller woman with red hair and glasses leaned against the wall. The legendary Captain Levi. He's shorter than I expected. His cold, distant eyes scanned through the crowd.
"So this is our new section?" He said, looking to Elias.
"Yes, Captain." she said. Levi's voice was deep and commanding, though surprisingly low and calm.
"Make sure they're ready." He looked through the class one more time, before turning on a dime and striding out.
"At ease" said Elias. I looked at Petra;
"If he's as good as I've heard, the titans don't stand a chance." She looked pale, worried. "We'll see."