Chapter 17
Annie tried in vain to calm her racing heart as she followed her friends towards one of the camp's offices, where they'd choose wich branch to join. She walked mechanically, the image of Ajay choosing to stay behind engraved in her mind; how could she let him do it? Why didn't she try harder to convince him? Even if it was to see her again, was it worth it? What if he got injured? What if...?
She ran a hand on her face sighing heavily enough to make Reiner look back, but he didn't make any questions and instead gave her a sympathetic look. Leonhardt mentally thanked the gesture and tried to ease her mind, although it wasn't easy.
And Mina... she was going too. Dear gods, was she doing it to protect him like she said? The thought alone made Annie feel dizzy from guilt, but knew it was too late to do anything: the surprise and the pain didn't let her wonder why her friend chose to join the Corps until they were half way to the office, and the blonde knew they had to be gone already.
_What were you thinking Mina? For fuck's sake, why did you do that? -she asked at nothing, not seeing Eren jolt a few steps on her left.
Jaeger too felt his heart heavy with the weight of hiding his relationship with Mina, and the fact it was because of him Carolina was in the Legion. He still remembered how his legs trembled after she told him her decision the night of their graduation.
Flashback
_Are you mad? -he said and would have shouted if he hadn't been sure it would attract people- Why are you doing that?- He asked, holding her by the elbows, fear in his voice and his eyes.
But he knew the answer. He did it the moment she looked at him with those beautiful and determined eyes, the eyes that went wide in surprise when he told her, tiny bit by tiny bit, part of what they planned. Enough to let her know it was dangerous but not enough to let her know too much, in hopes of giving her enough reasons to stay away after they finally broke up.
_Because it's for everyone's sake. You told me Armin's joining the Scouting Legion to seek help, and it'll be better if he's not alone. And also... i spoke with Ajay, he's going to the Corps as well.
_What's that to do with this? -he said, confused at it and not caring about the other male- Who cares what he said?
_I do! -she answered, shaking his hands off- He told me the rookies are sometimes taken to the capital if they show promise, to let them get an idea of military politics. And i'm going to do my best to be able to see you, in case Armin has a message for either of you. I know i can, i...
Mina took a deep breath and covered her mouth, trying to calm herself as the thought of going out settled in her mind; then she felt his hand on her cheek and leaned on it.
_I won't lie to you, i'm scared. -the girl confessed with sadness- But i'm going to help anyways because you want to change our world, and that is important to me, important enough to take my chance even if...
_Don't say it! -he pleaded- I beg you Mina, don't say it! I... please don't do it, don't go to the Corps!
Carolina looked down sniffing at hearing him so afraid and hurt, pained by knowing it was her decision what threw him into such state; yet she refused to back down and raised her head to look him straigh in the eye.
_I will do it Eren. -she declared with decision despite her trembling voice, and he stared in silence- I've made up my mind and you can't force me to change it. I want to help, even if you won't tell me everything, because i want to change our people's fate and because i... because i love you. And i know you love me too and...
The green eyed cadet hug her girlfriend mid sentence, holding her as close as he could, and she broke into tears clinging to him. Eren kissed her hair, feeling her heartbeat through her clothes as fast as his own. She was so stubborn, so brave and so kind.
And so fucking right. He couldn't stop her.
_I love you. -he said to her desperately- I love you. Mina please... don't die. Don't leave me.
Carolina turned her head to look at him and saw his fearful yet caring expression and nodded, resting her head on his shoulder.
_I won't die.
Flashback End
_Are you the top ten cadets? -a soldier from the Garrison asked the group, bringing Eren and Annie out of their contemplation- If so, follow me.
_We are. -Marcel answered looking over his friends.
She guided them towards a small building, where they met a few soldiers mixed with some of their trainers. A woman glanced over the group and her eyes went wide in surprise.
_Wait a minute... haven't we met before? -she said to them. There was a bit of silence until Marcel smiled at the soldier.
_Miss Svelkas! -he said happily, and his friends finally remembered her- Long time no see!
_You too! -Rose said looking at them appraisingly- Godesses, how you've grown! I had no idea you joined the military and... oh, i see you made it to the top ten.
She said the last part in a more neutral tone, and Annie suddenly remembered how most people regarded the MP as a mostly corrupt force; the thought didn't help in easing her already heavy burden, but she took a deep breath and ignored it.
_Well, now you're here -another officer said- you'll be required to fill some documents declaring your career choice. Let's see... Ackerman, Bott and Braun go to the next room.
The three went inside while the others waited. Leonhardt checked on her future comrades in the MP, and found Sasha, Connie and Jean looked enthusiast about it while Bert and Marcel were deep in thought and Jaeger looked still distressed about separating his friend. A few minutes later the others returned and Braus, Galliard, Hoover and Eren were summoned; Reiner patted Bertholdt on the back as he passed by and the taller smiled weakly.
Annie was called along with Springer and Kirstein. Once in the room she found herself staring at four people sitting behind small desks, each with a small number of papers.
_Leonhardt? -called a hazel eyed man with a scar on his cheek, and she approached- Let's see... number four of the top ten, right?
_Yes. -she said mechanically.
_Born on March 22, 834 in Orvink to Victor* and Adelaide* Leonhardt, correct?.
Hearing her parents names made the girl feel a little sting of guilt and she gulped, nodding at the man with a grunt.
_And... no other relatives. Marital status?
_What? -she asked, caught off guard, and the man shrugged.
_Well, since consent age is fourteen in Wall Maria is not uncommon for young people to be married early or at least engaged. So?
_N-no i'm... well i'm in a relationship but...
_Nothing officially recorded. Alright, "single". Chosen branch?
_Military Police. -she said with a bit of force.
_Colour me surprised. -the man said flatly and handed her two documents- Now i need you to sign here and here, and keep the second with you. You'll be asked to present it at Wall Sina to enter and once again for it to be put in your file at the archives.
_Okay.
_Very well. -he said checking her signature and nodding to himself- You are now officially graduated from training miss Leonhardt. Congratulations.
_Thanks. -she said a bit absently, eyeing her document as she left.
When she walked out the room she found Reiner and Hoover waiting for her while Marcel chatted with Rose; on a corner Sasha and Connie talked about what they were going to do once they had enough money, while Mikasa and Eren spoke in whispers and Jean sat on an armchair, watching his paper from time to time in case it had the slightest mistake. A short while later one someone from the other room came out and handed the papers, and the soldier in charge made a quick check before adressing the group.
_Seeing you all chose the MP, you'll be taken to the capital as soon as possible. -he informed- There are a few carriages waiting for at the camp's entrance. You're dismissed.
The now soldiers stood firm and saluted, prompting the man to smile and chuckle.
_Ah, i forgot they teach you to salute every time. -he said amused- Don't worry, you'll lose the habit in no time.
The girl wasn't sure why, but it sounded like a bad omen as they made their way to the vehicles waiting for them. She made sure the ink on her document was dry before carefully folding and placing it in her pocket.
_Who would imagine it, a country boy like me now a member of the MP! -Connie said proudly- Ha, i can't wait to tell my family back in the village!
_Me too! -Sasha agreed- I hope to find out what foods they have at Wall Sina!
_Well, if what Ajay said the other day is true, we'll be handling most of the tasks at first. -Marco pointed out- But i guess we'll help each other right?
_You bet on it! -Reiner exclaimed stretching his arms- Shared work is less work.
Once they arrived they got into the carriages that would take them towards the center, the driver informing them the MP had already paid for their stay at some inns on the way.
_We'll make a quick stop on the way so you can eat and rest a bit. -he told them- We should reach Wall Sina this evening, but transit between rings is not allowed at night unless you can pay extra for it so we'll wait at a nearby inn till the morning.
Annie got in her carriage, followed by Mikasa, Eren and Jean while the rest shared a bigger one and departed for the innermost ring within the walls; both girls sat side to side in front of the boys. They'd made it, but the real task was about to begin and everyone knew it was vital to do it as fast as humanly possible since Marley could send the other shifters at any moment to check on them. The blonde often wondered what prevented them from doing so.
_I never expected them to be idealists.
She got out of her contemplation by Jean's words, and saw the other two were staring at him too; the sand haired soldier instead looked at Leonhardt, who felt a slight unease at his focused expression.
_Ajay and Mina. I never expected them to join the Corps. Did you know about it?
Annie straightened on her seat watching the outside through the small window, and sighed.
_I did know of him. -she confessed sadly, eager to get it out of her chest- He told me some months ago.
_Really? -Mikasa asked surprised- So is that why you pushed him so much in 3DMG training? You were preparing him?
_Not really. -the blonde said- We had a... a deal. I'd help him train as much as i could, and if he made it into the top ten he would...
She sighed once more, and dried a small tear on her eye.
_...he would come with me.
At this Kirstein's eyes widened, and he seemed to have trouble processing it.
_Wait a minute... he chose the Legion instead of the Garrison? Why?
_He wanted to. -she answered- I couldn't do anything to change his mind.
She didn't mention the possibility of seeing him again. He didn't want them to think he was doing it only for her, that she was the main cause he took such a dangerous path.
_But do you think he gave it his all? -Jean asked a bit anxiously- I mean he could have...
_No. -she cut him sharply- Ajay had no secrets with me, and worked as hard as he could on his training.
Annie spoke with real conviction: the fact Ajay had decided to share his past with her told the girl he wanted her to be part of his life without hiding things, and she'd seen how much effort he put everytime they went training. That kind of exhaustion and physical pain are not something you can fake, Cross truly put all he had on the line to improve. And yet it wasn't enough.
_And Mina? -Ackerman questioned- What about her?
_I had no idea. -Annie said simply- I never knew she had interest in the Corps, let alone join them. I hope she'll be alright, i mean she can choose to leave for the Garrison if it's not what she expects right?
_Really? -Eren said suddenly a bit brighter- That's good! I mean... -he mumbled when they looked at him- I still care about her, okay?
Annie gave him a little smile and a nod. After some silence Jean spoke once more.
_What do you think we'll do once we get there? Does anyone know what the MP does?
_Most work on the offices, dealing with paperwork from the security, military supplies or general administration divisions. -Leonhardt said- Also they're supposed to work as a security corps in places where crime is active, as in smuggling or drug dealing. And there's also the menial work on warehouses and the like.
_Where did you learn all that? -Eren asked with interest.
_Ajay. -she said bitterly- His dad had an acquaintance who made it to the MP, and visited them from time to time. From him he learnt those things and a few others.
_Like what?
_Like not making questions if you see a superior ignore someone taking equpiment on the 'wrong' chart, for example. -she answered uncaringly- I don't think every single person in the MP is corrupt, but i'd bet anything they must be quite lax.
_Well, as long as we don't get involved in that it won't be a problem. -Jean pointed- Getting to live comfortably is enough for me, i can bear a bit more work.
Mikasa remained silent, but threw a very clear glance at Eren: if they wanted to find out about the royal family, they might have to get their hands dirty to some degree. Her brother frowned at the idea, but nodded as if agreeing with Kirstein.
They didn't talk much more until they got to the inn. Once there Annie shared a table with Marcel, Connie and Sasha.
_I'm sorry about Ajay. -the Jaws said while they waited their food. The blonde stared at him coldly.
_He's not dead Galliard.
She only used his surname when she was mad and he got the hint, rising both hands defensively.
_You're right, forgive me. I mean i know you worry about him, and it mustn't be easy to know he's going out there.
_I don't want to talk about it.
_Alright. But if you ever do, we're here. -he offered and she grunted a thanks.
_Come on, don't be so glum! -Connie said placing a hand on her shoulder- He'll be fine i'm sure! He's smarter than Sasha and i together!
_That's a relief. -Annie whispered sarcastically.
_What? Never mind, what matters is the Corps is apparently losing less people than before. I heard their commander is a genius or something, so Ajay will be better prepared to face titans right?
The girl allowed herself to believe that in order to be able to eat the food they were bringing. Against her expectations it was quite tasty, either that or she was so done with the camp's properly nicknamed 'goop' they served any other thing tasted good. The teenagers rested for a while and departed once more, arriving without problems at the second inn, close enough to Wall Sina to be able to see it as daylight faded in the horizon.
This time they'd stay for the night so were grouped in pairs and given a room each; Annie shared hers with Mikasa, and both went to sleep after a quick dinner with the others. Once in the room undressed, the moon's light shining on Ackerman's hard worked body and firm breasts. Leonhardt instead went under the sheets to take her pants off, a habit she had from training camp to avoid letting anyone see the slightly noticeable bulge she sported; gods only know her relief when she found out the showers in the training complex were individual and quite isolated from one another by the wooden walls, apparently to prevent boys from horsing around while bathing with the old "drop the soap" prank and the like.
_Do you think they'll be alright?
Mikasa's voice reached her from the other bed and she turned on her side to face her: the asian looked like usual, but Annie saw the spark of worry in her eyes and remembered she wasn't the only one with people she cared for in the Corps.
_We have to trust their ability. -she answered- They're... they're out of our reach now, and all we can do is hope for the best. But if what Connie told me before about their boss being good at keeping them alive is true, then i think we'll see them again.
_Right. -the other agreed, bringing the cover up to her nose- I heard Commander Smith is a very capable man.
_And Armin is a very smart one, he can think his way out of trouble. -Annie said to make her feel better.
_And Ajay is skilled. -Mikasa pointed- And Mina is very hard working and stubborn, i can assure you.
Both girls smiled, knowing what each other said was true and feeling the nerves ease a bit. Leonhardt turned to lay on her back and stare at the ceiling.
_Good night Mikasa.
_Good night Annie.
Good night Mina. she thought before closing her eyes Good night... Ajay.
End of chapter.