Chapter 10
_Cadet Bane?
Zackley looked gravely at the young man who rose his hand. The young man returned his look briefly before speaking, looking at the opposite side of the court room.
_I want to make clear that the claim of the Military Police is illogical, sir.
_Illogical? How so?
The young soldier worked his jaw, as if meditating his words.
_They want Eren to be studied and if needed, locked and/or disposed of. The very idea is a fatal error.
_What do you base that on? -asked the man in charge of judging Eren.
_Their claim comes from their desire of returning to the status quo. Eren is an unknown variable, something unexpected and potentially dangerous. Having him in a cell, or dead, would allow them, and by extension everyone else, to continue with their lives without an extra worry.
_You've just defended our case excellently, young man -said Dok, raising an eyebrow- now if you are...
Bane cut him sharply.
_I'm not done. As is said, you wish to return to the status quo. What you forget is that you can't.
_What?
_Our situation today is not the result of Eren's actions. It's the result of a second, and much more deadly, attack against humanity. The Colossal Titan is still out there, and can destroy any gate as it has been shown.
A chorus of whispers was heard in the room. Looking at the people gathered, Nile saw some of them nodded while looking at Alastor.
_If Eren was handed to the MP, what would that change? Nothing. They claim they want to study him, but the truth is no one among them knows anything about titans. Not a single member has ever faced them. And while the Corps has an expert in the matter -he added quickly before Dok could object- there is no time for your people to be taught all they have to know. Not to mention the... potentially volatile situation studying him would imply.
At his side, Erwin locked gazes with his old friend Dok. Said man had his lips pressed into a thin line as Bane kept speaking.
_Wether Eren lives or not won't deter the titan's from attacking once more. Or at least his death won't. What you forget, gentlemen, is that the Armored Titan did not show up after Eren's titan appeared as an ally of the troops battling in Trost. Which means they weren't expecting it.
_You say that as if they could think -retorted the head of the MP delegation.
_You say that as if they could not. The Colossal Titan purposelly destroyed the cannons on the wall. It defended itself when Eren Jager, chained right there -he said, his hand pointing at the crouched teen- attacked it. He is not only the one who made possible to recover Trost, he initiated the counterattack by facing the biggest and most dangerous titan seen so far.
_We can still...
_I'm. Not. Finished. To study him thoroughly, you need technology. And let's face it, our technology is almost obsolete. Do not forget that we had to isolate from the outside; who knows how much of our knowledge was lost in the process. What we need to make a study like you suggest may be rusting out there out of our reach.
_We don't know if he can control his power! He attacked his own sister!
Bane took a deep breath, looking at Jaeger's shocked face. He doesn't remember, as i thought. Those blackouts might be a problem.
_You can't expect him to control such power from the get go; it is like expecting every cadet to be an expert at using gear from the first day. And yet he did wonderfully at Trost, first fighting titans, then sealing the gate. As for attacking Mikasa, i have a theory, although i'm no expert in the matter of human minds.
_What?
_Mikasa is known for surpassing almost everyone in physical capability and skill. Including Eren. And she has shown a certain... overprotectiveness towards him typical in some siblings, probably rooted in the fact they had to fight for their lives, as you so kindly pointed out before. And Jaeger might have been focusing on that when he attacked.
_He attacked out of jealousy?
_No, he attacked because his mind wasn't completely awoken, as my as well as Albert Raymond's and Hubert Schrodinger's reports point out. They helped me wak him up. I think that since he wasn't completely in control, he resorted to basic instincts. And he unfortunately saw Ackerman as an oponent. Luckily, as you seem to have forgotten, he seems to see me as an authority figure, as he answered positively at my commands.
_Do you suggest you can control him?
This time it was Darius who spoke, eyeing the soldier. He instead looked at Eren.
_I might be able to, if i'm given the chance to practice.
_Which we are more than willing to provide. -Erwin said immediately.
_Indeed. If Eren is given a safe place to test his ability and at the same time is watched by people who know about titans and how to fight them like Captain Levi, a legend even among his peers, we could even speed up the process to recover Wall Maria, which means humanity would gain lost lands and precious resources.
Another wave of murmuring. This time some people even looked positively at the one giving the speech. Because his idea meant money.
_General Zackley, Eren Jaeger is not an enemy. He helped us recover Trost, which stopped the titans attack and spared us from losing this war. But it's far from over. Ladies and gentlemen, the titans care little about our meeting or our timelines. They waited five years to attack again, but it doesn't mean they'll wait the same amount next time. There are three more gates to be attacked -at this, people looked in discomfort at each other- and they could be attacking right as we speak.
More whispers and nodding. Zackley hit the board with his hand, asking for silence.
_Murdering this boy, killing him like an animal -he said staring right at Dok, and he saw with satisfaction the barbed jibe got him- will not free us from this threat. He is now or most valuable asset, but his skill is yet to be sharpened. He is our most powerful weapon, but his power is yet to be properly harnessed. He is right now our only hope, but we need to act. Because we are running out of time.
He stopped, breathing deeply. Zackley looked at him, then at Erwin and finally at Nile.
_Do you have anything to say, Commander Dok?
The man didn't answer immeadiately, his hands crushing the papers he held without him realizing it. Sighing, he shook his head.
_Then it's decided. Eren Jaeger will be put under custody of the Survey Corps. Based on the results they present, we'll meet in the court once more.
Timeskip
_"A legend even among his peers"? You certainly know how to give a speech brat.
Alastor looked at Levi briefly before shrugging.
_I needed to remind them the Corps had the right people for the job.
They were in the room with Erwin, Mike, Hange and Eren. Zoe looked between the two young soldiers enthusiastically.
_Ohhh! I can't wait to see how you communicate with him! Again! Walls, i'm so, so jealous!
Eren smiled awkwardly.
_Well, i hope we'll manage. I mean, he's the only one so far who's spoken to me... to my titan. Maybe you can too...
Hange proceeded to hold his cheeks, eyes bright.
_Will you let me Eren? Speak to you as a titan? That's wonderful, thank you!
Meanwhile, Erwin neared Alastor with a smile on his lips.
_I must admit, i'm impressed by your orathory skills. Did you prepare that speech beforehand?
_Not really. I had thought about those things in between interrogations, but i didn't give them a real basis until i saw my chance, once Dok made his intentions clear. I knew my reasoning could beat his any day the moment he opened his mouth.
Smith chuckled, amused by the young man's words.
_I guess you like reading, from how you expressed back there.
_Yes. Whatever i can find. But my main source of... inspiration are those booklets. The forbidden ones. -Erwin rose his eyebrows, smiling in complicity- I mean, did you read those?
_I... have, yes. What would you say to whoever wrote them?
_That they are admirable -he answered, crossing his arms- And i'd love to shake hands with them.
_I see. -Erwin said. Then he offered his hand- Thanks for the compliment.
Alastor stared at him. So did Eren. To Jaeger, it was the first time he'd seen Bane truly and absolutely caught off guard.
_You? -whispered Bane. Erwin shrugged, smirking.
_What can i say? I have a thing for speeches.
_But... the initials, S.L.H. What do those mean?
_Squad Leader Handsome. -Levi and Hange snorted in unison, to Smith's dismay- A nickname given to me by one of my... female squadmates.
_She wasn't wrong -said Alastor, nodding slowly.
_Wait a minute. Did this brat just flirt with you, Erwin?
Now it was Alastor's turn to snort.
_I merely acknowledged his handsom nature. -He raised an eyebrow at Levi- Jealous, Captain?
Hange's laughter could be heard from far, far away. Grinding his teeth, Levi looked at his commander, pretending not to notice Mike squirming silently against the wall.
_I want him in my squad.
_Impressed, Levi? -said Erwin.
_Not a bit. But i think i'll teach him some manners.
End of chapter.
I know, Eren barely did nothing. But whatevs, i had this speech in my head and thought it would be nice for it to appear; it suits Bane's cold, logical nature. He's the vulcan in the team XD.
