Chapter 29

Hange III – Experiment #4101

AKA Operation: Moonlight Titans (And Maybe Some Relationship Advice to Levi) But Totally Moonlight Titans


She swipes the crumples of papers and extra pens from her work desk in an attempt to look neat before the grouchy Captain arrives. Despite the throbbing headache in the back of her skull, Hange shuffles around her small room in the outpost and throws everything−books, papers, and all−to the bedroom. When the Captain is gone, that everything would go back to their place in her office.

When a knock comes from the door, she squirms in anticipation and sits herself on the desk, fingers laced together over the table. She clears her throat.

"Come in."

"You asked for me?" grouches the Captain before he is even through the threshold. One quick look around the furnished room and he sneers at once. "It's dirty in here."

"As always, Levi!" She beams and eagerly pats the table. "Come in, come in! Here, have a seat!" She inches her chair closer to the desk as the Captain sits before her. "My apologies for the lack of refreshments. I don't have time and much energy to go downstairs and fetch you something."

"Not much energy, huh," Levi grumbles at her otherwise energetic disposition. "And it's fine. I just had breakfast downstairs with the brats and Mike. You could have joined us there."

"Oh, is that what all the commotion was about?" She tilts her head, blinking. "I saw a Military Police carriage under my window. Have they come for Sieg?"

"Yes, more or less." He shrugs, crossing his arms and frowning at the memory. "She didn't go with the punk that came to fetch her."

"Where is she now, then?"

"Busy taking care of her big brother."

"Sweet," Hange coos and Levi wrinkles his nose. She laughs. "Well, what did you expect? You won't get jealous over a brother and sister dynamic, would you? Those two barely have the time to catch up with each other, Erwin being all old and Sieg being as she is and−"

"Is this what you called me out here for?" Levi grouses again as he drums his fingers, impatiently so, over the table. "I have chores to do. I will have you know I have laundry and a shirt to stitch. Important stuff."

Hange laughs at her silliness. "Of course, of course I didn't ask you here for all that," she exclaims, and the Captain gives her a cold, nonchalant look. She is unfazed; none of his glares and threats ever really work on her since day one. "While I was resting, Moblit told me about the circumstances of your return. I must say, that is quite a feat, to be lost in an expedition and return with everyone in your squad alive!"

Her usually bright brown eyes dull for a moment. Her loud voice softens. "I wish I could do that, too," she sighs at the impossible dream.

She is nowhere near as strong and fast as Levi is. All the names and faces of her deceased squad members swim in her mind. Moblit had reluctantly given her the list of soldier deaths the moment she woke up from her unconsciousness.

"I wish I could save all of them."

Levi is silent, letting the words hang in the air. As if he, too, is feeling her regrets and sadness. His blue-grey eyes are on the chart of different Titan heights pinned to the wall.

"It's not your fault," he says after a while. "We'd all want to save our soldiers. Only I had luck, I think, and my squad members. I owe them for their skills, cooperation, and bravery."

"Well, I am really glad you made it back," she says with a small smile.

"Thanks. Now, what do you want?" He is back to his usual grumpy self. "I have laundry, Shitty Glasses!"

"Right, sorry!" She grins again and fetches a paper and pen from her lower drawer. "So, you see, when I woke up, I had Moblit deliver me all the good and bad news." She scribbles on the paper, ready to write down the Captain's every word in this interview. "So, tell me, Levi−what are those Titans you encountered on your way back to Shiganshina?"

His blue-grey eyes fly from the chart to her face.

"Your plan was to wait for sundown and ride for north, right? But reports have it that you encountered Titans on your way back, while the moon is out." She lays all the information to him, before he could even answer. "That should be impossible! Throughout all the years that the Survey Corps studied Titans, this never happened before! What is going on?!"

"Tch. I was hoping you'd enlighten me on that one, Four Eyes."

"Eh? So, Levi, what are your observations about those Titans? Any strange occurrences? Maybe they're a new kind of Abnormal Titans?"

"Couldn't be," he says. "There were Abnormal Titans when we fought the horde. By the way, it was not really just a horde. By horde, we usually mean ten to fifteen Titans, don't we? Well…" He groans and sinks deeper on the chair. "The uglies we fought were around twice the number, nearly thrice, I think. Practically an army moving to one direction."

"Thrice! That's about thirty to forty Titans in one go!" she shrieks. "How did you manage that?!"

"We fought," he says with a lazy shrug. "My forward Scouts and I fought to the end. I must have brought down two dozen before my gas and blades went useless. Anyway, write those in your report."

Once more, she falls silent as she ponders deeply into the situation. For years, they have already established that Titans could only move when the sun is out. It has been proved time and time again during expeditions. Accordingly, Titans are most active in summers and most passive during winters. But to have a kind of Titan that throws all their established ideas out of the window…

And then, there is also the issue of numbers. Never has Hange encountered a coordinated attack of forty Titans or so in a single expedition. Titans are dispersed more often than not, and more are only drawn to the soldiers once the noise and the blood start.

What a strange, strange occurrence. For it to happen on a winter, at night… She would not see it as a coincidence, no. Not like this. The timing is too perfect… or reckless… to reveal this kind of Titan nature.

The Captain raps his knuckles on the wood to catch her attention again. "Hey! You're drifting!"

"Ah! Sorry!" She winces a little at the pounding pain in her skull.

"Are you all right?" Levi clicks his tongue as his eyes gloss over her pale features. "I was told you were unconscious for some time. You really shouldn't push yourself too much. These experiments and whatnot of yours can wait until you're feeling better. Erwin gave us a three-day off, after all."

"I know, but I just want to learn everything so we can plan our countermeasure."

"Countermeasure?"

"But of course!" She raises a fist, ignoring the headache. "We have to study one of those Moonlight Titans!"

"Not this shit again." He slaps his forehead.

"Oh, come on, Levi! I know I always tell you this, but studying Titans is the best way to fight back!" she gushes over him, thinking of ways to persuade this stubborn young man. Setting examples would be a nice place to start. "Like Sieg, you know! She plans to fight back by identifying potential threats and pinpointing escape routes. If that doesn't work, she deals damage quickly to the enemy! However, in order to fight Titans, we cannot employ her tactics that much, which means we have to study the enemies, learn their weak spots, their habits, likes and dislikes, quirks, everything! And then we strike!"

"If you wanna do all those things, write them in your report. I'll scrutinize it before Erwin does."

"Bet you I will," she promises. Her fingers are twitching to take everything to the next step. But oh, her head starts spinning again. She sees two Captains before her vision spots. She clutches her head and feels a warm hand on her wrist. She opens her eyes to see the young man sneering.

"You're forcing yourself," he reprimands. "Stop being so stubborn and get some rest."

"I can manage," she mumbles, grateful for his concern. It is not everyday the Captain would express words of concern, though his face always looks intimidating and unfriendly. Still, when she takes a closer inspection, the intimidating look is wiped away somehow. As if a curtain has been drawn and now the Captain's face is clearer, lighter. She grins mischievously.

"What? You're giving me a stupid look. Are you constipated? Wanna take a shit first?"

"How's Sieg?" Hange goes back to teasing.

"I told you already; she's with Erwin."

"Yes, but you kinda look in better spirits today, Levi. Did something good happen?"

"Even if it did, I won't tell you."

"That's unfair!" She slams her hands on the table and shoves her face closer to his. "Tell! Tell!"

"Get out of my face, Shitty Four Eyes." Levi flicks his fingers under her chin. Hange comes away with a groan and rubbing the stinging spot.

He frowns and crosses his arms, one foot jiggling. He seems to contemplate whether to tell or no, but Hange flashes a puppy-eyed look and the Captain sighs in defeat. He scratches his head. "Signe and I, we already did it."

"Did it?!" Hange's shrill voice echoes in the room. Really? Impossible! And if it is then−"Well done, Levi! I am so proud of you! You finally did it! How was it? Hm?"

"It was fine," he grinds out, a hint of embarrassed blush on his cheeks. Cute! Captain Levi is embarrassed to talk about such things! "We did it last night."

"Last night?!" Her imagination is soaring higher than the three Walls. "Then that should mean Sieg slept in your room! And did you enjoy your night with her?"

"It was pleasant."

"Is that why you're so mild today, eh, Levi?" Her brown eyes are sparkling. "And why you have laundry?"

"Yeah, I need to wash our clothes and probably the sheets, too."

"Even the sheets?!" Hange throws up her hands. "Did you do it more than once?!"

"Yeah, we did it on the couch first, which was quick and a bit uncomfortable. Then after a bit of talking and some sappy drama, we did it on the bed−" He pauses and glares murderously at the researcher. "Wait a fucking second. Why do I feel like we're talking on completely different fucking pages, Four Eyes?"

She puts up both hands in the air. "W-What are you talking about? Aren't we talking about Sieg?"

He rolls his eyes and settles back on the chair. "Never mind. Signe and I talked about it last night. It's done. There were some apologies and some more emotional dipshits. Mutual feelings are returned. Done and over. I haven't told Erwin, though, so don't make gossips, do you understand, Glasses?"

She scoots closer at the juicy little secret. Suddenly, her head is not aching anymore. "So it's done and official."

It is not a question, but a statement, one that needs the Captain's nod of agreement. She is filled with utter delight as the Captain pouts slightly at the topic, pale yet somehow still blushing, and trying his hardest to look intimidating and retain some semblance of dignity−but still fails miserably.

To see the stoic and hard Captain to be at a loss, stumbling in his speech, and covering half of his face with a hand to hide the embarrassment, is all very endearing to Hange. Who would have thought that the Commander's young sister, that energetic little whirlwind, could bring the Captain to this adorable mess?

"Is it official, Levi?" Hange prompts again, and the Captain flinches. She basks in his embarrassment. "Is it safe to assume that you and Sieg are already in a romantic relationship?"

"Don't call it like that," he grumbles.

"Why not? What else would you call it?"

"It sounds weird and stupid." He scowls at her. "Signe and I are together, that's all you need to know."

"Then you must have pet names!" she decides, getting all excited again.

"Pet names? What are those?"

"Come on, Levi! You're not this clueless about relationships, are you?"

He lets the term slip without another frown. Instead, he blinks and stares. "This is my first time to be in one."

The Squad Leader gapes at him, dumbstruck. Sure, the Captain might be unapproachable and socially awkward with his poop jokes and colorful language, but this is something she never expected. How old is he? Twenty? Even more? Then he should be around Hange's own age. He must have experimented in his earlier years, even in the Underground City. Surely? Hange herself experimented during her three years in the Training Corps!

And Sieg… as far as she knows, Erwin's sister never so much as held hands with someone in her batch in the Training Corps. Making a move on Irene Pikale's daughter and Erwin Smith's sister equates to death.

Well, not really death. Hange shudders. But closer to one.

Levi, though? A brave soul to dare what others haven't been through.

The Captain snaps his fingers at her face. "You're spacing out again, idiot!"

"Sorry! Where was I?"

"You were saying something about pet names?"

"Right! You see, it is quite mandatory in relationships to have a pet name for your significant other." When Levi raises his eyebrow again, Hange realizes she is going nowhere with her explanation. "Like, an affectionate term to call your loved ones. A nickname, per se. Something sweet to call Sieg, you know?"

"And you say this is mandatory? How so?"

"It lets her know that you love her."

"Isn't her name enough?"

"Names are too boring!" She cackles. "Don't be too boring, Levi! She'd get tired of you and your frowns!"

Something about the thought makes the Captain uneasy.

Levi rubs the bridge of his nose while he holds out his other hand. "Alright, Shitty Glasses. Hit me with your best pet names. I'll have to check on them after my chores."

Like an excited puppy, Hange lists down the most common pet names she knows, heard before, or read in books. She has quite a lot in her sleeves, so Levi can knock himself out trying to choose which one suits his and Sieglinde's fancy. She hands over the paper and he pockets it without a glance.

He stands up and heads for the door. "Anyway, that's all for now. Anything else you need to propose or whatnot can go to your report. But before that, take a rest. We have three days off."

Just like that, the Captain is gone.


That afternoon, Hange eats lunch alone in her room, still not over the fact that Titans are moving under the influence moonlight. She has a book in astronomy in her left hand while she is slurping her creamy pumpkin soup in her right. The book came all the way from the lone public library in Shiganshina, and delivered to her door by Moblit. She ignores his pleas of getting some rest in favor of reading about how moonlight is only a reflection of the moon's surface when the sunlight strikes it.

She reviews basic astronomy that had been taught all the way in her elementary days with Claudia. Moon's different phases, theories about its physical components and characteristics, how it orbits the world, and suchlike. So many lessons she has already forgotten because Titans are her first and foremost priority.

As she is familiarizing herself once more on the moon's phases, something strikes her.

"Moblit!" She shrieks into the otherwise quiet hallway. "Call for someone from Levi's squad!"

"Ha? A-Ah, yes, Squad Leader!"

Three minutes later, Hange ushers a younger dark-haired cadet into the room and sits her where the Captain had previously seated himself only a few hours ago.

Ilse Langnar sits with hands on her lap, her golden eyes immediately making note of the hardbound book open at her superior's desk.

Hange smiles at the cadet. "How are you, Cadet Langnar?"

"I am well, thank you, Squad Leader." Ilse bows her head a little. "You wanted to ask me something?"

"Yes, it has something about your expedition with Captain Levi. I understand that you kept notes throughout the entire expedition. This is well done," Hange praises and the cadet beams from it. "Yes, very well done. It is our duty as Scouts to gather intel about everything that might come to pass, anything at all, because even the smallest things can aid humanity in taking another step forward."

"I understand, Squad Leader." Ilse nods, a determined twinkle dancing in her eyes.

"It all depends on your answer to my question," Hange says seriously. "Did you see the moon's phase that night? When you and the others were stuck in the mountains?"

"Huh?" Ilse sounds a bit surprised, but the determination remains in her. She looks down at her lap for a few seconds, trying to remember, and then she starts up again. "Yes, I remember now. It was a full moon that night. The Captain trusted me to keep the time, so I stayed near the cave's opening and counted down the hours. It was a very bright full moon, so beautiful."

"I see. Very good, Scout." Hange consults the book again.

If it was a full moon, then the moonlight had all the sunlight reflected to the fullest. A full brunt of a moonlight. That's one variable down. But she needs more. Levi said there were about thirty to forty Titans moving in good coordination with one another. It is plausible that this new kind is smarter than Abnormal Titans even. Forty Titans, all coming from one place.

She gasps. That's another variable she needs.

"What about the location?" Hange asks again. "You were a part of the Relay team, right? Tasked with assisting the injured soldiers while escaping on horseback. Did you see where they came from?"

"Let's see…" Ilse purses her lips as she thinks back on that cold night.

It must have been a traumatizing one for her, considering that the main formation had left them all behind. That alone, to be left behind, would have broken any soldier. But Hange could see that Levi took good care of his soldiers. A Captain who can aspire his soldiers to be brave so they could all go home. He deserves all the respect and admiration bubbling inside every Scout alive, and even the citizens, young and old, of Shiganshina. They have a strong soldier in their midst. A hero.

"I think they came from the south," Ilse answers.

"South of Shiganshina?" Hange asks, and Ilse nods. "How can you be so sure it's south?"

"The river." Ilse takes a scratch paper and a marker, and improvises a map. "Our objective for this expedition was to establish a supply base where Commander Keith's map ends, right? Well, Captain Levi also used the other branch of the same river as a guide to get us in and out of the mountains. Then, I remember that, while we were escaping, the horde of Titans came from where the river's main body flows south."

South. Of course. All Titans come from the South. But the river?

"Did the Titans follow the river directly?" Hange asks.

"It was hard to see," Ilse says, uncertain, "but I think so."

"Thank you very much, Cadet Langnar." Hange nods. "You may go."

Ilse salutes to the Squad Leader. Once she is gone, Hange calls out for Moblit to fetch another soldier.

Sieglinde appears by the doorway with a platter in one hand. She looks radiant this morning, the brightness in her young face could put the sun itself to shame, and Hange is aware that it is because of Sieglinde's rekindled relationship with a certain grumpy Captain. The younger woman wears a light blue blouse and ankle-length skirts, with a grey scarf loose around her neck.

"How are you feeling, Hange?" she says by way of greeting. "Mike and I made apple bunnies with honey dip for everyone. I brought you some." She puts the platter beside the large book.

"So sweet! I am feeling better now." Hange smiles and munches on a treat. "Thanks, Sieg!"

"Of course. But what did you need me for? You know Levi is hounding to teach me how to properly do the laundry and the folding of clothes thing, so I have to be quick before he finds out I'm gone."

"Don't worry! This won't take too much of your time," the researcher promises. She looks deeply into those blue eyes and knows this would work. Once someone gives Sieglinde a task, she would do everything in her power to have it done. A theory Hange tried and tested long ago. She would put her researches in this young soldier's hands. "Have you heard the deal about Moonlight Titans?"

"Yes, Levi told me all about them a while ago."

"What do you say about capturing one?"

"Capturing?" Surprisingly, Sieglinde appears weary. She fidgets in her seat and attempts not to shut down the researcher's suggestion. She never really welcomes anyone's orders except Erwin's. "You know how bad the last capturing plan we had, right? If this goes off the charts again, Erwin might send me next to the Garrison. Don't get me wrong−I think it's a wonderful thing to be up there on the Wall and have a great view of the lands, but it is bloody cold up there all the time!"

"We won't screw this one like the last time," Hange swears. "I actually devised two plans to capture such Moonlight Titan. Two proposals for Erwin to choose from. And if I know Erwin, he would be itching to get his hands on a newly discovered Titan as well! This would be the perfect time to experiment!"

"As long as Erwin agrees," Sieglinde sighs.

"And as long as you have it done for us."

"Me?" Sieglinde blinks and points at herself. "I have to play a part?"

"Sure thing! Who else doesn't balk when given certain orders?"

"Um, Levi?"

"Yes, yes, but apart from him?"

"Mike?"

Hange shoots her a deadpan stare. Sieglinde laughs. "Okay, maybe after those two?"

The younger woman rolls her shoulders. "I am guessing that would be me?"

"Bingo!" Hange throws herself across the desk and embraces the instructor. She draws back and pinches Sieglinde's cheeks until they are bright red, and then she lets her go. "These two proposals of mine would be approved, and I will need to consult you for the materials again!"

"You are not thinking of making another iron trap, are you?"

"Nope!" She beams, triumphant. "Say, have you any experience working with glass?"

"Glass?" Sieglinde shakes her head. "Can't say I have."

"Well, now you would!" Hange promises, lifting a tight fist. "We will uncover the mysteries of the Moonlight Titans! And we will use the information to fight back. Normal, Abnormal, and now Moonlight Titans! Excuse me if I sound so proud but I think this generation of the Survey Corps, under Erwin, with Levi and Mike and all of us working together−we will all win!"

Sieglinde shares her enthusiasm and cheers.

Hange calms down and splays herself over the desk again, her legs kicking to and fro in the air.

"And so, Sieg, how's the relationship thing going on with your Captain Levi?"

"What?! Where did this come from, Hange?!" The younger woman blushes and waves her hands.

"Come, come! You can't lie to me! Levi already−"

The door bursts open, almost flying away from its hinges.

The subject of their conversation stomps into the room, his face dark and his blue-grey eyes glaring at them both, like an exasperated husband with a too-energetic wife. Levi is in his cleaning garb: headscarf, face mask, a simple shirt and pants. He glares at Hange, then at Sieglinde, and back to Hange once more. Wordlessly, he grabs Sieglinde by the wrist and drags her out of the room.

"Wait!" Hange calls out, one hand outstretched. "We're not done yet!"

"Piss off, Shitty Glasses," Levi shouts back. "I'm taking Signe with me."

"But Levi," Hange complains with a childish whine. "It's too early for that!"

The Captain's head pokes from beside the doorframe. "Shut up, Four Eyes. Signe and I are doing laundry, folding clothes, and cleaning the room. Don't disturb us."

Then Sieglinde pokes her head beside the Captain's. She looks distressed and ready to burst into tears.

"Hange, help me!"

"Shut up, brat!" Levi bonks her on the head. "We're cleaning now!" And he whisks her away.

"Hange-e-e-e!" Sieglinde's wailing voice fades down the corridor.

The Squad Leader chuckles to herself and stands up to close the door. She has everything she needs. All she has to do now is to write the report. With everything else settled down, her headache returns with vengeance and pounds against her skull like a hammer. She sinks on her armchair and gives a pained sigh. She closes her eyes for a few minutes. When she opens them again, they land on the small platter of apple bunnies with a dip of honey in the corner.

She takes a small bite and thinks about the new couple in the Scouts.

How very sweet.


Author's Notes: Greetings, traveler! :D How has everyone been? I sincerely apologize for the lack of updates; life has been a hassle and my only way to relax (at the time being) is play video games. I'm starting to get back into writing, but it may take a while before I fully get myself out of this writers' block. Thank you all for your unrelenting patience and support for this story!

I will keep this short, though I hope this chapter finds all of you safe and healthy! I'll see you all in the next update—hopefully, very soon! *fingers crossed*