Mission C: Hide and Seek
Mission C was in charge of training the new survey corps and planning a defense strategy for Paradis. Jean, as Commander, was in charge of strategy and planning, while Connie was Head Instructor. Ymir assisted frequently and Historia programmed a monthly meeting to check progress and discuss strategy.
A year later
The first group of cadets of the new survey corps was ready to graduate and assume functions. They were 20 cadets, all members of Historia's personal guard. The system was different from the old academy: as all the trainees were already members of the military, their training consisted exclusively in learning and mastering the vertical maneuvering equipment, target practicing using the equipment and perfecting defensive and offensive formations.
Ackerman Woods – Jean's Cabin
Historia, Jean and Connie were discussing the plan for the corps now that they were ready to begin operations.
Historia: The political situation of the nation is dire. The military is clearly divided, the apparent reason is growth in Yeagerist sentiments in the ranks and from some officials… but the real reason evades me. Money is surely playing a part. There have not been any acts of treason or destabilization… yet. But I can tell something is wrong.
Hitch reports an influx of suspicious characters coming from Marley that leave and enter the nation with unusual frequency… there is also the fact that the allied companies keep enrolling former criminals for "work". The military command refuses to recognize this is a problem.
Jean: This is distressing… but we are ready. I believe the first step to take is gathering information. As the MPs under Hitch are under a close watch, we should put the corps on a recognizance operation on the main factories and stations involved with the Rhor Company.
Connie: The corps are now specialized in observation and spying… they should be able to do this undetected.
Jean: I was quite surprised how you managed to execute my training program Connie… would have thought it was too hard for you to handle heh…
Connie: Are you kidding Jean? Do you know how many times me and Sasha had to hide and wait to grab the officer's exclusive food when we were cadets? And even after that… I hunted with her… so I totally got what you wanted.
Jean: Oh… yeah… I forgot about that… I guess too much time has passed…
Connie: You forgot!? How can you say that Jean?!
Jean saddened: I guess… I didn't want to think about… her. It's… still hard.
Historia is saddened and concerned about the two of them.
Connie saddened: Sorry… I guess we deal with things differently… I like to remember the fun times we had as often as I can… it makes me feel good… a bit sad too… but then I think she would scold me for getting sad over her.
Jean: Yeah… she would do something like that heh.
Historia: Hey… have you… visited her during this past year?
Jean: Not really… we have been very busy… we barely got a chance to visit our families for a few days.
Historia: How about we wrap this up… and I set up a car to take you to Sasha? You can visit her family too! We haven't had our yearly gathering due to the crisis… they'll be over the moon to see you! How about it?
Connie: That sounds great! We sure need a break right Jean?
Jean: Y..yeah.
The next day – Stohess Military Graveyard
Connie and Jean arrived early in the morning to visit Sasha's grave. They brought flowers and all kinds of food as offerings. After a while both of them sat side by side behind the gravestone.
Connie: Where do you think she went after we saw her… that day.
Jean: I don't know… but she seemed happy. I guess to a place that makes her happy…
Connie: So like a restaurant? For dead people?
Jean irked: No need to make it creepy.
Connie: Sometimes I dream of her you know? But not like a memory… it's like it was really her… talking to me.
Jean: Yeah? And what does she say to you?
Connie: I don't know. I always forget what she says… but I wake up feeling really happy. So something good I guess.
Jean: I sometimes have those dreams too…
Connie: REALLY?! So it really is her! Wow…
Jean: Guess so… I do feel happy when I wake up… but really sad afterwards… I always… felt so guilty… I should have been more alert…
Connie: Jean… please. You can't keep thinking like that… It's not your fault.
Jean: Pieck says the same… but it doesn't change how I feel. I'll carry that with me till the day I die.
Connie puts his hand on his shoulder: Then how about we make our best to make her proud? Would that make you feel better?
Jean smiles a bit: Yeah… I think so.
Afternoon – Dauper
Jean and Connie were on their way to the Blouse residence to visit Sasha's parents. Jean was unusually anxious.
Connie: What's the matter with you? Why are you so weird?
Jean: I don't know. I guess because we are visiting Sasha's parents…
Connie: Huh? But we have seen them almost every year for more than a decade?!
Jean: I guess it's because… we are going to her house… I have never gone there before…
Connie: Really? That's not very polite Jean…
Jean: I know… I just… feel strange going to her home… I feel I'm not welcome.
Connie strikes him in the head.
Jean: HEY!
Connie: Snap out of it Jean.
Jean and Connie were very happily welcomed by Mr and Mrs Blouse and Kaya, who was the last of their adopted children to remain at their home. They prepared a modest banquet for them.
Mr Blouse: It's so good to see both of ya after so long. Our yearly reunions were the highlight of ours years, it's a shame her majesty couldn't have us last year.
Kaya: I miss Niccolo's food. He hasn't been able to visit us for a few months, our rations are already spent!
Mrs. Blouse: Don't get greedy Kaya. It's a blessing he still think of us after so long and brings us such expensive foods.
Connie: I prefer what we are eating now! It reminds me of home… I never cared for fancy food.
Kaya: But it's so delicious! Even Sasha appreciated and she ate anything that was barely edible!
Everyone at the table was merrily chatting and eating… but Jean. He wished he could join in as they talked and remembered Sasha with such happiness and love… but he could only feel guilt.
Kaya: Mr Jean? Do you not like the food?
Jean embarrassed: OH! Sorry it's not that everything is delicious!
Mrs Blouse: What's wrong dear? You seem troubled…
Jean feels terrible, he has concerned Sasha's family and ruined the banquet.
Jean stands up surprising everyone. He crouches and puts his head and hands to the ground in reverence and contrition.
Jean: Please forgive me! I have been so afraid to come here for so long. How can I receive your hospitality? Me… who was responsible… for Sasha… She was my responsibility… I was the team leader… and I failed her. I don't deserve your kindness… please forgive me.
Mr Blouse approaches Jean, kneels in front and him and puts his hand in his shoulder.
Mr. Blouse: My friend… you got it all wrong. We are so grateful to y'all. Ya brought so much happiness to Sasha… when she visited us she could not stop talking about the two of youse. You made her laugh so much. And you have been so concerned about our wellbeing. Don't think the queen hasn't mentioned how you have been taking care of us in secret.
Jean is shocked and embarrassed: You weren't supposed to know that…
Connie: Wow Jean. Why didn''t you tell me! I would have helped too!
Kaya: Mr Connie you have done so much for us too! You spend time with us every year when you could be with your family! And you bring us so much stuff from Marley!
Jean is tearing up at the scene.
Mrs Blouse approaches Jean too: Dear… both of you… all of Sasha's friends… have helped us to keep going. We feel she is still with us… thanks to you. So don't be sad okay?
Connie approaches Jean from behind and hugs him: Come on Jean! Cheer up!
Kaya approaches too and hugs both of them: Yeah cheer up! Sasha would scold you if she saw you like this!
Connie: RIGHT?! I always say that too him!
Jean very moved: Thank you… all.
Sunset
Jean and Connie were on their way back to Stohess. Jean was deep in thought. He felt like a weight have been lifted from his shoulder after such a long time.
Connie: Hey Jean… you feel better?
Jean: Yeah… thanks Connie. I should have done that such a long time ago…
Connie: Maybe… you were punishing yourself in a way? But I'm glad you did it… it was long enough for something you really weren't responsible for… but in a way… it was something good too you know? Sasha's family were so moved about your feelings… I'm sure Sasha felt like that too.
Jean tearing up: Damn Connie… how someone as dumb as you can always say such deeply emotional things like that?
Connie: Don't know… I just say what comes out at the moment I don't really think about it.
Jean: Yeah that makes sense…
Connie: You know I'm glad we are living here and not in Marley. I only stayed there for you guys… I guess we have lived so many things together that I felt like I should stay with you… but I'm ready.
Jean: Ready for what? To go back to Ragako?
Connie: No… to settle down. My village, thanks to my mom and the funds I've been sending all these years, has been rebuilt and is flourishing. My mom is quite happy… she is always surrounded by the kindest of people… so my place there has passed… I need to find something of my own.
Jean: Oh… have you thought about what you want to do?
Connie: Well being the instructor is cool I like it. But I really want to have a family. Find myself a wife and have kids… The girl for me was not in Marley…
Jean: You must be really sure about that… I still can't get over that you were Marley's ladykiller. It's the greatest humiliation of my life.
Connie: HAHA! Still… you have something much more valuable.
Jean: Yeah I guess…
Connie irked: I wish you would appreciate Pieck more Jean. Don't think I haven't noticed that sometimes you go to Mikasa's cabin. I hope you don't do anything… bad. Pervert.
Jean shocked: WHAT THE HELL! NO! How can you say that?! I just… like to visit her cabin at times… to remember the old days… that's all.
Connie: yeah right… when are you getting over her Jean?! You are married!
Jean: Hey! I have never been unfaithful to Pieck! And besides I'm just visiting an empty house!
Connie: Tsk. I may have gone out with plenty of women… but now that I found the one for me I'm never looking for another one again!
Jean surprised: WHAT?! Who?! Is it one of our trainees?
Connie: No that would be unprofessional Jean.
Jean: Who then? Someone from Ragako?
Connie: No.
Jean: THEN WHO?! That's the only places you have been this past year… except for Sasha's h… No.
Connie: Yeah! You got it!
Jean: And you were accusing me of being a pervert? We met Kaya when she was a child! You are disgusting.
Connie: Hey she is not a child anymore and haven't been for a while now! Besides… the mind has no hold over the heart…
Jean: Seriously?
Connie: Hey it's no joke… I… really love her… and Sasha's family… it feels almost like a gift you know?
Jean: Hmm… Well if she feels the same… I guess it's ok… do Mr and Mrs Blouse know?
Connie: I asked for their blessing today.
Jean: No wonder things got weird at the end.
Connie: They were happy about it. I hope everything turns out to be just a false alarm so I can settle with them…
Jean: Hopefully… wouldn't count on it though… but we are ready. We won't lose anybody again Connie. We can't.
The next day – Survey Corps Academy
Ymir is training with the rest of the corps. She is the most agile and efficient of them all, although she is not a member, but it was her way of blowing of steam.
After a few hours, Jean, Connie and Historia were finishing up their plan of action.
Jean: The corps will split into three squads: one for the Southern Technological factory in Shiganshina; other for the Trost Complex and the Underground; and one for the North, the Administrative Center of the companies in Stohess.
Historia: The agricultural, economic and government centers of Paradis… Who will lead the squads?
Jean: I'll lead the Trost squad as it's the most dangerous. Connie I want you to lead the southern squad.
Historia: And Stohess?
Jean: Well I… was thinking of the princess.
Connie and Historia are shocked.
Jean: We need her. She is a leader, not just because she is the princess, during the past year she has helped all the cadets to master the equipment.
Historia: But she is reckless! She went to the underground alone!
Jean: She has initiative and a strong will. And she has the training, she is the only one to have been trained by Mikasa.
Ymir approaches: I want this mom. It's my duty.
Historia concerned: You could get hurt…
Ymir: I'm concerned that YOU could get hurt. You are the queen, my duty is to protect you.
Historia: Since when are you like this!?
Ymir: I guess it's Lady Mikasa's influence…
Connie: She'll be fine Historia… and you are one to talk. Didn't Commander Erwin told you to stay of out of the fight against your father's titan?
Historia annoyed: Sigh… I guess I can't stop you Ymir… just be careful. Please.
Ymir: Don't worry mom. I'll do my duty. Like you did yours.
Jeans: it's settled then…
Historia: All the pieces are in place… now we have to wait for the enemy to show his cards…
Liberio 4th Prison
Kaspar is drawing figures in the likeness of Mikasa, Sasha, Levi, Armin and Historia.
Kaspar: It's near the time for the game to begin… You must be so confident my friends… it's a shame this is not a fair game though… you have lost since that day… 17 years ago.