Chapter 11: Promotion

Levi stood in front of Erwin's desk as the commander went over his proposed list for the winter expedition. These expeditions were usually confined to a small number of Corps members, rarely numbering over 30 scouts and led by Levi himself. On these missions their sole task was to restock supplies at the checkpoints, make sure the gear was not compromised, and keep an eye out for any unusual titan movements in the area.

Due to the lower volume of sunlight in the winter the titans tended to be a little more lethargic and the smaller ones very rare to run across. Hange theorized that the titan's below the 7 meter class might even hibernate for long stretches of time due to the darkness. However, that meant that the titans that the expeditions did run across tended to be the more dangerous, larger titans that could withstand the reduction of sunlight. In addition, the freezing temperatures, unreliable weather, and quirks of the 3Dmg in the cold made these expeditions treacherous. Wagons could not be brought along, bound to get stuck in the snow and difficult to protect with the reduced numbers, meaning that all extra supplies had to be carried on horseback. The more heavy-laden horses mixed with the snow and ice made outrunning titans above the 12 meter class nearly impossible. Engagement with titans was a certainty on these expeditions.

Levi would hand pick members for these expeditions. His own special operations squad was always included, but then he would rotate through the more elite members of the scouts, mixing in a few promising rookies to give them experience on winter treks. Setting down the list, Erwin's eyes locked with Levi's in a battle of wills and Levi prepared himself for the ensuing fight.

"Private Milcah is not included on your list," Erwin observed, and Levi bit back a sarcastic response.

"No."

"Why not?" Erwin pressed the issue and Levi ground his jaw in frustration. After that stunt she and Ness had pulled, and Milcah's second solo kill in under five months in the corps everyone was treating the bitch like some damned prodigy. But she still couldn't hack through a titan's nape in one cut more than half of the time.

"She's unresponsive to authority and too unpredictable for this type of expedition."

"Hange never seems to have a problem with her."

"Dammit Erwin, Hange isn't leading this expedition. I need scouts who have experience and who I can trust."

"Private Milcah's stats have already surpassed some of our veterans of a year or more and she's the best in the Corps with the 3Dmg… except for maybe one." Erwin observed clinically. "Skill with the 3Dmg should be your most important factor in picking scouts for a winter expedition."

"I do not want her on this team." Levi retorted in frustration.

"I do." Erwin responded immediately. "She shows promise, and winter expeditions are where our elites gain invaluable experience, I believe that's where members of your own squad developed the majority of their skills. I want her to gain as much experience as possible before we start running real expeditions again in the spring."

Levi's eyes twitched in annoyance, knowing when a battle had been lost. The majority of the kills and assists accomplished by his team members had been because Levi had seen their promise as rookies and had made sure to include them on the winter expeditions.

"See to it that she's added to this list," Erwin said with finality.

"Yes sir," Levi responded coldly, taking the list from Erwin and turning to leave. He would never disobey a direct command from Erwin, the man's intelligence and tactical skills were unparalleled. If he had an ulterior motive for putting Milcah on his team, he'd either tell him or he wouldn't. Even though Levi thought Milcah was a damned nuisance to have around, if Erwin wanted her on this expedition then Levi would drag her along kicking and screaming. Erwin's gambles always paid off eventually.

Walking into the mess hall, Levi's eyes narrowed at the girl sitting between Hange and Zacharius at the officer's table. A table she had no right to be sitting at. It hadn't been the first time Levi had seen Milcah sitting there, but she was usually bright enough to keep an eye out for him and scamper off before she saw him coming. Today she was too engrossed in Mike Zacharius' eyes to notice as he approached the table. She was probably too caught up in his appearance that she didn't even notice what Zacharius was actually saying. Levi felt the familiar tightening of his stomach when he saw them together and brushed the feeling off as being annoyed that she was getting special treatment from officers who should know better.

"Tch." Levi clicked as he dropped into the seat across from her, and Milcah started in surprise, locking eyes with him in mortification. She quickly stood up. "Please, don't bother yourself on my account, princess."

"Alright then," Milcah retorted with just as much venom in her voice, sitting back down and returning to her conversation with Zacharius. He was congratulating her on something. Ever since the day she'd slammed the door in his face, Milcah and Levi had been especially cold towards one another.

"Private."

"Yes sir," she turned impassive eyes on him, a huge change from the bubbling and enthusiastic expression she'd been giving Zacharius. Hange was eyeing the two sadly.

"You've been selected for the winter expedition. Get your supplies together, we leave tomorrow at first light." He told her, and her eyes betrayed her surprise, a slight smile appearing on her face.

"Thank you sir, I will sir," she said, jumping up and heading towards the women's barracks. Levi watched her go, long tumultuous hair, swinging tantalizingly around her hips.

Hange snickered and Levi leveled a glare at her. "When are you going to do something about that?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Levi drawled, deciding Hange was proving her insanity once again. He hoped she'd drop it, but instead she leaned towards him with a conspiratorial smile on her face.

"You like her." Hange said and Levi glared harder, what were they, children?

"That brat?" Levi snorted, "Hardly. She's a piss poor soldier and if you hadn't noticed she's in love with our esteemed Captain over here."

Zacharius had also turned to watch her leave but just flicked his hair out of his face in an impassive response to Levi's comment and went back to finishing his meal.

"Stop making excuses and go for it," Hange encouraged with a suggestive wink, and Levi balked at her blatancy.

"I'm her superior, even if your fantasy did exist it wouldn't be appropriate."

"She'll outrank you soon," Hange said with a grin, "Didn't you hear she just received her first promotion: Private first class."

"You know that isn't how that works," Levi frowned at Hange in annoyance. It was true that Levi's official military rank was only a Lance Corporal, but that had been negated when Erwin had put him in charge of the Survey Corps soldiers. Technically, he outranked even Hange who was a Major, unless of course something happened to Erwin and Hange gained the command. God forbid that ever happen, they would be inviting the titans in for tea.

"You know Levi, for once in your life you should do something that's good for you." Hange sighed.

"And your idea of what's good for me is fucking some damn spoon-fed brat?" He retorted and Hange crinkled her nose at his coarse response. Levi's appetite was gone and he stood up in annoyance. "I'm going to go inform the rest of my team."

As he walked away, he missed the glance that passed between Zacharius and Hange. Hange shook her head with a sigh and Zacharius just shrugged impassively. This was going to take work.