Petra hadn't seen the footage they'd taken of the explosion in the Lotani islands, so she was as stunned as the military brass seated around the table. As the mushroom cloud climbed higher into the sky, Erwin switched on the lights. He stood beside the projector, where the ghost of the explosion billowed outward.
"Gentlemen." (Because she'd noticed that none of the higher ups in Marley were women.) "Let's talk."
It was three hours later, the dead of night. Historia's ship had arrived soon after Erwin, and the queen had disembarked to join her husband. By then, journalists and photographers had arrived. They'd been baffled and accusatory, and then Historia had approached them.
Erwin was smart as hell. He knew that Historia's youth and beauty would disarm the press. With an ethereal young woman on the arm of a tall, handsome man, both of them royal and promising change, the papers would eat it up.
"I am Historia Reiss, of the house formerly known as Fritz," she'd said. Her rehearsed performance was flawless. "I killed my father, Rod Reiss, the tyrant king behind the walls of Paradis. Royal blood runs through me, but with the help of my husband, King Erwin Smith, I have renounced the despicable ways of my ancestors. Eldians were only ever a tool of a mad king, whose cruelty carried down through the blood for generations. I've turned over myself and my power to my husband."
Another thing the papers loved: a girl ceding power to a strong man. Rejecting father and turning to husband. Petra almost rolled her eyes, and had to force herself not to.
So now the first shot had been leveled across the world's bow: tomorrow papers would show images of the gorgeous king and queen of Paradis, show photos of Eldian courage as they saved Marley's two capital ports from certain calamity. It would tell the story of an old tyrannical line overthrown to make way for peace and hope.
That wouldn't be enough to change hearts and minds at once, but it would be a start. People couldn't help but assign goodness to beauty; it was one of the oddest things about humanity, to think a pretty shell meant a good egg.
After Historia's arrival, Willy Tybur had brought the elite soldiers along with the king and queen to discuss terms with Marley's top generals.
And now, they saw Erwin's superweapon. Kiyomi stood beside the king, smiling serenely. She had also been on Historia's ship.
"Are you threatening us with this?" one of the generals croaked.
"Not at all. In fact, it's a demonstration of the power you could ally yourself with," Erwin said smoothly. Petra watched the king and the generals, some of whom turned angry eyes to her. Beside her, Levi sneered coldly; he'd accept no bad behavior toward his wife. The men quickly looked away, though Petra pressed his hand. They didn't want to antagonize these men. To her right, Hange waited, ready to show off more of her weapons if need be.
"Lady Kiyomi. You'd ally yourself with these devils?" another general snapped.
"If the Azumabito believed King Erwin to be a devil, we would never do business with him." That was a lie—she'd do anything to advance her house. But it sounded good. "As it stands, we and Paradis are now the holders of this great weapon. We intend to be good custodians."
The message was clear: Marley was never getting the 'recipe' for the hyperfusion bomb. Between that and the rumbling, Paradis held enough power to wipe the world clean five times over. This wasn't a negotiation as much as Erwin dictating terms.
"You knew the Mid East Alliance would attack, yet you let it happen to play the part of protective angels," Willy Tybur said. He was distancing himself from having known of this plan while also expressing genuine disgust. Erwin bowed his head.
"I confess it was all very serendipitous. But consider, gentlemen. We stopped an incursion into mainland Marley that would have been otherwise disastrous. Soon the papers will show Eldians protecting the great nation of Marley from ugly, foreign assault." He hit the word 'foreign', Petra noticed. It made her uneasy. "I've come to show you the power I wield, yes. As Tybur knows, we took the Fritz power from the royal family and gave it to a loyal Paradisian. Eren Jaeger has the means to access the full power of the Founding Titan whenever he wishes." Not true; Zeke wasn't on the island yet, and Historia wasn't a titan. But close enough to fudge the truth a bit. "I am well aware of what this world has done to my people these hundred years. They have been corralled like animals; we islanders fought and died by the thousands, attacked by our own mutated kind. You see, gentlemen, were I a vengeful man, with my titans, my Founder, my weapons, my bomb? I could rain fire down upon the world like a god. Nothing could stand in my way." Erwin looked to every silent, pale face at the table. "But I concede that my ancestors did do truly terrible things. Perhaps, in some way, we paid the price for a millennium of cruelty. But now that must stop."
"What do you want from us?" a general whispered.
"I want to make Marley rich. Powerful. It's only fair. The power of the titans is waning; your shores are open for invasion. If not the Mid East Alliance, then southern Nambia, or any other vengeful colonized people. If you control the entire world, however, and share it jointly with Hizuru and Paradis? Then you are in a triple alliance that cannot be broken."
Petra gasped unintentionally. Levi squeezed her wrist, but hadn't he heard? Erwin was talking about allying with the people who'd tortured them for years. He was talking about taking over the damn world.
"How do we know Hizuru and Paradis won't try turning on us?" Willy Tybur asked. A good question. A rehearsed question.
"I propose splitting the titan powers almost equally. You may keep the Cart and Beast titans, and we shall return Annie Leonhardt, the Female Titan, to you." Grumbles around the table at that; Annie had been a murderous force. Anyone would want her on their team. But when Petra thought of her, her hands shook. That bitch had killed Oruo and the others. If only they could kill her themselves… "I shall keep the Colossal Titan, Eren Jaeger the Attack and Founder. I will also require you to pass the Armored and Jaw titans to Paradis. Immediately."
Wait. That meant…
"Reiner Braun and the holder of the Jaws will be eaten by Connie Springer and Jean Kirschtein, respectively. You, of course, keep the War Hammer as well."
Petra thought of Connie, sweet, sunny Connie and Jean. Jean, who clearly loved Mikasa, who was a bit of an ass but also a bit brilliant. They would both die in thirteen years, be eaten by a successor. She understood then how Giulia Tybur had felt, a little bit at least. Connie and Jean were her boys now; they were going to be turned into weapons with short life spans?
No.
"Quiet," Levi whispered. But she heard the soft shock in his voice. He hadn't known.
"You want two titans in exchange for one? How is that supposed to make us feel better?" a general snapped.
"You will have access to the weaponry fueled by our titan crystal, weapons designed by the woman who invented the hyperfusion bomb. Hange Zoe." Erwin pointed her out. Hange looked almost shy, but kept herself together. "You got only a taste of their power tonight."
"The Azumabito family will broker any and all deals as regards weapons," Kiyomi added smoothly. Clever woman. Soon, her family would be the richest and most powerful in Hizuru.
"In addition, I propose future titan candidates be jointly trained by Marley and Paradis. They will have loyalty to Marley; we can instill that in them. We can instill in our youth a sense of the burden of history. They can be trained to repent of their ancestors' crimes. Repent, but they will not abase themselves. This generational guilt will cease. And in return for partnering, Hizuru and Paradis will help you bring every other nation in this world under your thumb. The colonies will belong to you, their labor forces, their resources. Hizuru and Paradis will take our cut, of course, but the lion's share goes to Marley. And with our hyperfusion bomb and our Founding Titan, we will agree to always have Marley's back should any dare to oppose your rule."
Everyone got very quiet. They were thinking. Thinking was a good sign.
World domination? The wars would be never ending. The children would be fed to titans again and again. She was going to be sick…
Even Hange looked quietly horrified, though she kept herself under control.
"What do you really want in return?" the same general asked.
"Eldians are treated as subhuman throughout this world. Only Marley treats us with even the slightest consideration, and not much at that." Erwin's smile finally faded. He glared, a picture of righteous fury. "You will cease all oppression against your Eldian citizens at once. They will remove their armbands; they will leave their ghettoes. From this day forward, violence done against Eldians will be met with swift and punitive justice. Your education system will become more balanced; you will meet with our citizens on Paradis and see how good and helpful Eldians are under the correct leadership. You will teach a new version of history, that every cruel thing Eldia ever did was done because of the Fritz family leadership. My wife is the only good royal. You will teach that, show her charitable works. Eldians are not the enemy; Fritzes are. And the Fritzes are out of power now. And as we conquer the world, we free my Eldian brothers and sisters. We wreak vengeance upon those who adopted the most inhumane punishments and treatments. We will summon the heads of every nation on earth and give them a demonstration of the hyperfusion bomb in a year's time, once we have nicely subdued this world. In about a generation—thirty years, say—we will have bred out the virulent hatred against Eldians. Children are the future; they will be taught the right way to think about us. And in return, you remain secure and in power for generations to come."
The men around the table looked like ghosts. Finally, Willy Tybur stepped forward.
"We can show the world what happens when good Eldians hold power rather than bad." He nodded slowly. "I think, Majesty, it can be done."
"And I think, Majesty," Erwin replied, "that with the Tybur family on our side the world will be more receptive to our story. What do you think, gentlemen?"
"What if we refused?" One was brave enough to ask.
"The Mid East Alliance is not yet broken." Erwin looked grave. "Our enemies can become our friends, given all of our power. You want Marley to be our allies, generals. Not our enemies."
Petra's knees were shaking. She was watching history right now. She was watching the world change in a heartbeat.
This was real power.
But this was also only the beginning of bloodshed…
"We need time to consider—"
"You don't have time." Erwin shut off his politeness like a faucet. "Decide now."
"You are very blunt, Majesty," Willy hissed.
"And you are coy, sir. Tell your puppets how to think. They are already under Eldian rule. Show them how a true king acts when his people are on the line."
Silence as the two kings appraised one another. Then, slowly, Willy Tybur extended his hand.
"Perhaps the time has come for our race to be the true shield and spear of Marley."
They shook.
"My thoughts exactly," Erwin said.
Half an hour later, it was done. All done. But as Erwin took a private room to meet with his best officers, Petra was already bursting to discuss—no, to beg Erwin not to choose the boys. She, Levi, and Hange gathered with Erwin. He was smiling that frankly creepy smile of his; at least someone was having a good time tonight.
"Sir?" Petra asked. "Please don't use Connie and Jean."
"Hmm?" His impressive eyebrows furrowed.
"Petra," Levi said, his voice a warning. She ignored him.
"There have to be other candidates for the titans. What about older people? I…I hate this idea of using children and teenagers to fight wars for us. Connie and Jean will be dead before they even begin living."
Erwin looked on her with evident sympathy. Hange cleared her throat.
"Erwin, I agree. Connie and Jean are two of our veterans—"
"Exactly why I need it to be them. I trust them both. They're both skilled. I can't say that about many in the military."
"Do they have a choice in this?" Petra asked. Connie would want to be reunited with his mother. He couldn't do that if he lived a shortened life.
"I've discussed with both. Connie wanted one of the shifters used on his mother." Erwin made a pained face. "I wanted to oblige him, but the current situation being what it is, I made a deal instead. Pieck Finger's titan term is up in about two years. If Connie helps secure Paradis in those two years, we'll give his mother the Cart Titan. It's a sturdy and utilitarian titan, but not as important as the others. It could reasonably be given to a civilian."
"But Marley's keeping the Cart."
"Marley will do as I say," Erwin said quietly. Petra shivered at his words, and the seriousness of his expression. "Connie has agreed."
"But Jean—"
"Erwin." Levi finally spoke. "I think you ought to choose someone else for the Jaws."
"Why, Levi?"
"Let's face it. You've got a little less than ten years before your term is up. That may not be enough time to really stop this anti-Eldian shit. Hange's a certified genius, but she's not a natural leader like you are. Or like Kirschtein is. You oughta keep one eye on the future. He could be groomed as your successor."
"To inherit the Colossal as well as leadership?" Erwin asked.
"Not sure. Let's see how things shake out a decade down the road. But I agree with Petra on that one. Kirschtein is more useful to you untitanized. At least for now."
She was also grateful for Mikasa's sake. Eren would be gone in a few years, and she'd need friends around her. Maybe Jean would never have her heart, but with Connie going her life would grow increasingly small.
Erwin thought about that, and Petra forced herself not to burst into tears. She couldn't bear to think of Connie…eating Reiner.
Connie becoming a monster.
Dying young.
But there's nothing I can do. He bargained himself away for his mother.
"Then who would you suggest I choose? It's not going to be anyone in this room, obviously."
Levi lifted a brow. "We still need a titan of royal blood to access the Coordinate, and none of us wants to need Zeke Jaeger. Historia—"
"No." Erwin was firm as concrete. "I honor my agreements. In exchange for marrying me, I promised Historia I'd let her remain utterly human. I won't break that promise, not for this."
Levi sighed, but nodded. She knew he respected Erwin's principles.
"No one'll like this idea," Hange said, "but what about Floch Forster?"
"You're right," Levi muttered. "No one likes it."
"There's no one more loyal to you, Erwin. You know there isn't."
"Hange, I don't think we should give that little shitheel power," Levi said.
"Hange is right," Erwin said. "Forster is loyal to me and skilled enough. If not Kirschtein, it will be him."
Petra sighed and squeezed Levi's hand in commiseration. They both hated that little asshole, but they needed to spare Jean.
"Okay," Levi muttered. Then, quietly, "Erwin. Look what you did." He seemed softly amazed. "Look what you did tonight. Look where you brought us."
"No." Erwin clapped Hange on the shoulder and looked at Levi and Petra. "This is what we did. Where we brought ourselves. Everyone in this room contributed to our victory tonight in some momentous way. We four changed the world. Together."
Petra felt her cheeks flush. Levi squeezed her hand, letting her know he understood.
"Well. With the Gaols on the run, we should celebrate properly. Their 'champagne' is something spectacular. Let's have a bottle and toast to a new world." Erwin smiled. "Thank you, my friends. My dearest friends in this or any world."
And Petra saw Levi puff up with pride. He and Erwin clasped hands.
But all she could think of was Connie. And Floch. And even Reiner.
"You're fucking kidding me." Porco spoke lifelessly. It was noon the next day, and the Warriors had helped clear the rubble from the streets of Valle. Yet more good works to show what good devils they were. They'd all taken a break for lunch, and were relaxing in human form within a café taken over by the military. Overhead, a ceiling fan circulated the air, but Zeke couldn't feel it.
"That clever bastard," Zeke muttered, reading over the telegram again. Yes, it was all there. Truce with Paradis Island declared; immediate release of all Marleyan Eldians from internment camps.
And Reiner Braun and Porco Galliard were to return to Liberio today and prepare to be eaten tomorrow. By two Paradisians.
"I just got the fucking Jaws," Porco muttered. He stared into his increasingly flat soda. On the other side of the table, Reiner crossed his arms and brooded. Whatever he was thinking, Zeke couldn't know.
Pieck had poured a packet of sugar on the table and was drawing swirling designs in it. He knew her well enough to know this was her attempt to not cry. They all knew they were slated for an early death, but Reiner had been a couple of years away yet.
Now he had mere hours. As for Porco, he was supposed to outlive her, and Zeke knew Porco was Pieck's best friend among the Warriors. These past four years, they'd always done missions together.
And now the 'enemy' was going to kill him.
"How did they manage this?" Pieck murmured.
"Not they. That king of theirs, Erwin Smith," Zeke said. Reiner grunted in agreement.
"Yeah. The commander was a real beast. No one could outthink him." Reiner's eye twitched; he seemed on the verge of a smile. "At least now it's going to be over," he muttered.
"Don't say that, you cowardly piece of shit," Porco snapped. He slammed his hands on the table, startling Pieck. Reiner didn't move at all. "We lost."
"Technically, we Eldians won," Zeke drawled. "Our families are going to be free. We're just not going to live to enjoy this brave new world."
"You think the people are gonna be fine with Eldians by tomorrow?" Porco scowled.
"No. But Erwin Smith is banking on them coming around." Zeke pulled his beard. "Whatever leverage he has must be impressive. And real. I'm not sure they have the right conditions for the rumbling."
"Oh." Reiner paled. For the first time, he looked afraid. "They wouldn't feed one of us to Christa, would they?"
"You mean Queen Historia?" Zeke shrugged. "Something tells me no. They, er, may have originally had a plan to make her a shifter and have her pump out babies for the duration of her term. I imagine they might have planned such a thing, that is. But this new plan of theirs probably negates that idea. No, whatever they have, it's something truly good. Unexpected."
"That's a relief." Reiner sighed. "I wouldn't want Christa to suffer." Ugh. People with crushes were so…unappealing.
"Magath can't let them do this," Porco said.
"Magath won't have a choice if it's from the generals." Pieck sniffled, her hair hiding her face. Her voice quavered only the tiniest bit. "Sorry, Pock. I don't think there's a way to appeal this decision."
"Well." He grumbled, but squeezed her arm. Zeke was older than these kids by a fair bit. He hadn't grown up alongside them, not really. Saying goodbye to Porco didn't mean to him what it meant to Pieck.
Pieck was correct, as usual. Zeke brooded on what this meant for him. Nice he wasn't going to be eaten, but it sounded like the Paradisians had bartered him away to Marley. Fuck. No easy hop over to Paradis Island now. These blasted cunts. And with this new world order, Zeke's leverage over Petra Ackerman became meaningless. They'd played all this beautifully. They'd played him. He had to admire the strategy of it, even as he despised Erwin Smith.
"Hey." Reiner picked up his half-drunk bottle of soda and lifted it in a toast. "If this means a better world for my mom and Gabi, I'm happy to give them what they want. Besides." His face twisted in that pained, oddly happy grimace. "I'll get to see those 104th assholes one more time."
Zeke knew what it truly meant to Reiner to see them again. He shook his head.
"Yeah, yeah." Porco lifted his glass as well, sulking. "We all knew it couldn't last forever."
Pieck sniffed, lifted her iced tea. "I'm glad we had this final mission."
Zeke shrugged, lifted his own drink. They toasted one another, and finished their lunch in silence. While Reiner and Porco faced the grave, and Pieck yet more loss, Zeke considered Erwin Smith.
He'd have to do something about this man. He really would.
Nothing was going to get in the way of Mr. Xavier's plan.
"Hey, Cap'n! Imma be a titan t'morrow. Wha ya think?" Connie bounded over to Levi swinging a bottle of beer, a drunk, happy smile plastered on his face. The streets of Liberio were a scene of celebration for the Paradisians tonight. The Marleyans, meanwhile, preferred to stayed holed up in their houses, peeking through windows at the foreigners who'd suddenly become their saviors and new 'best friends.'
Lot to take in.
They were outside the internment zone. The camps were going to be disbanded in the coming week. For now, Eldians from Marley hung onto the chain link fence and gazed across at their liberated brothers and sisters. Sasha was also drunk, as was Jean, and Levi saw them yelling about something or other while Sasha danced in triumph and Jean screamed so hard the veins in his face popped. Standard brat behavior.
"You ready, Connie?" he asked. The young man wobbled a bit.
"Yeah. Hic. Yeah. Imma be an armor, an, an then later my mum'll be a tank. Er, cart. And then it'll allllll be worth it."
Levi steadied the young man, walked him over to sit on a city bench. Per Willy Tybur's orders, sorry, the "military government's" orders the shops and restaurants stayed open tonight for the heroes of Liberio. All around them people were drinking openly in the streets or sampling different types of food. Earlier, the brats had discovered ice cream. Levi had never seen Sasha cry like that before.
"Give me that." Levi took the brown paper bag and bottle from Connie, put them on the ground. "Look, kid. If there's anything about this that's bothering you, say it now. Once you do this, you can't take it back." Why was he saying this? This was Erwin's command, yet the idea of Connie dying in thirteen years sat like a weight on Levi's chest. "If you really can't do this, tell me. I can swing it with command."
Connie sniffed. He looked so drunk and tired Levi was sure he didn't understand. Then…
"Gotta. For my mum."
"Maybe in a couple years we can give the cart to your mother anyway. Kid, if you don't want this—"
"I wanna have power." Connie sounded determined now. He wiped his lips. "I wanna have the power that'll keep my fri—hic—ends safe. I don't care if I gotta die."
"When you're eighteen, thirteen years seems like a whole lifetime. When you get to be my age, you understand just how long life can be. I don't want you to regret this."
"You said never regret any decision, cap'n."
"Yeah. Well, if you know you can avoid regret, do it."
"I want it. 'Sides, if I don't, they might pick Sasha," he mumbled. "An' she's even dumber 'n I am."
Well. True.
"Sober up and think about it."
"I thought 'bout it already, cap'n. But thanks." Connie drunkenly hugged Levi, who froze. Hugging. Fuck it. Why did people do this shit? "Yer the bes, sir."
With that, Connie staggered off into the throngs of revelers. Levi leaned back on the bench. He'd done his duty. That's all he could do. He stared at the internment gates, saw a whole group of children watching, children who'd been raised in a cage due to their blood. What if Kuchel…?
"Hey." Petra sat down alongside him. Always a nice surprise. She frowned. "Why do you have beer in a paper bag?"
"Took it off the next Armor," he grumped. She leaned back against the seat, and he snuck his arm around her. Hated showing lovey stuff in public, but after the last couple days he was just glad to be able to hold her at all. Every second he spent on this continent felt like an hour. He was being watched. Hated. He wanted to go home.
But even when he left this shithole, he'd be off somewhere new on Erwin's wars of expansion. Fuck. He looked at his wife.
"So. Erwin and Willy are drawing up plans for Gaol next. Breaking up the MEA for good. Marley hasn't conquered deep into the Aeropa continent before. That'll be a first."
Petra sighed heavily. "Levi…"
"Petra…" he said simultaneously. He stopped.
"Sorry. I've already told Erwin that this was my last mission." She studied her hands. "I've agreed to oversee new cadet training in Trost, but I'm done fighting wars. I can't keep killing people, and I can't risk leaving Kuchel without a mother."
All his breath left in one go. He broke his rule about lovey shit in public and kissed her.
"You got any idea what a relief it is to hear you say that?" he growled.
"But maybe you should resign from combat, too. There's so much you can do as an educator, and that way we don't have to worry. Or be separated."
True. If he kept fighting, Erwin would send him on campaign. He'd be gone maybe months at a time. Shit. Levi shut his eyes. Kuchel. Petra. The new baby he hoped would join their family. All that could be his, locked up and safe, but…
"I can't. If he needs me, Petra, you know I have to follow. If this plan doesn't succeed, Paradis is gonna be in the shit worse than before. If I'm an important part of making it succeed, I can't stay home."
Petra sighed, kissed his cheek. "I knew you'd say that. It was worth a try." She nestled against him and stared out at the streets, full of boisterous laughter. She looked at the windows, which showed faces full of fear. Levi rubbed her arm, just delighted to be holding her. She'd be safe now. Honestly, knowing she was safe with Kuchel would make the coming wars easier on him.
Just a little more blood. A little more.
"I wish tomorrow weren't happening," she whispered. He kissed the top of her head.
"Tried talking to Connie. He seems happy with his decision. Tch. Course Floch's over the moon. That shithead."
"I also told Erwin I'd oversee the final meetings." She sighed deeply. "You know. Parents and friends coming to say goodbye before…"
The thought of it made Levi's skin crawl.
"You'll do good," he said. "I'll be there for the, er, exchanges. You won't be alone."
Petra pressed her face to his chest.
"Don't let me go. It's all too much," she whispered.
"Baby, if there's one thing you don't need to worry about, it's me letting go."
He sat there with his wife in his arms, and waited for the morning when the world would change just a little bit more.
They were transferring the Jaws first. Petra was required to sit behind a two way mirror and observe the final goodbyes. The Warrior, Porco Galliard, walked in with a military escort. He had his hands manacled. Once he sat down at a wooden table, that and two chairs the only pieces of furniture in the room, they unbound his hands. The guards then left to stand outside the door in case the Warrior tried to escape.
A red button waited to Petra's left. If Porco tried anything, or anything went wrong, she only had to press the button and the guard would be on him in a second. They couldn't kill him, of course. If he died before the transfer, the power went to a random Eldian baby. They couldn't have that.
Porco was a young man with a fearsome expression and red hair. Petra watched as the first couple of people came in, friends from the internment camp. It would have been rude to have soldiers or observers in the room itself; the 'witness', Petra's role, allowed Marley to take precautions while being somewhat polite. How nice.
Porco was dressed in a long white robe. He spoke haltingly, laughed a bit. Petra's heart beat faster as she watched him. In one hour and thirty-five minutes, he would die. A healthy young man. It seemed so wrong. No; it was so wrong.
An older man and woman came in next, the boy's parents. They wept bitterly, the mother especially, which made Porco angry. Petra shut her eyes, imagined it was Kuchel.
How can we allow this to keep happening?
She had to fight angry tears.
Finally, the Warriors came in one at a time. Not Reiner, as he was being prepped for 'transfer', but Zeke. Petra glared at the bearded creep as he sat across from Porco.
"I was planning on seeing you before my own transfer," Zeke drawled. He was, Petra noticed, not wearing his armband; Erwin's demands already at work. "I'm sorry it worked out this way."
"I knew it was gonna happen." Porco cleared his throat. "It's just…when you think you have nine years left and then it's not even one day…"
Petra pressed her hand to the glass unconsciously. She could read Porco's body language, the tight shoulders, the jittering leg.
He was terrified.
Why are we killing him?
"If there's something beyond all this, I hope it's better than what you're leaving behind."
"Yeah. Well. Guess it can't be much worse."
Zeke left soon after, and then a young girl entered. She had long dark hair, and walked with the aid of a crutch. Porco smiled warmly when he saw her.
"Back to the old habits?" he asked.
"Sometimes I forget not to crawl around," she said as she lowered herself into a seat and laid the crutch on the floor. Ah. This had to be the Cart Titan girl, Pieck. "Is there anything you want me to do?"
"My parents. They won't have any more kids after this, so if you could look in on 'em."
"Of course. At least they're leaving the internment zone."
"Yeah. Think they're leaving Liberio. Maybe try further inland, where no one'll know them. Now they can at least move around without people knowing they're Eldian."
"I'll look after them," Pieck said. They sat in silence a minute. "Pock. I…"
"You know I hate it when you call me that." But he didn't sound mad. Petra watched as the girl wobbled to her feet. Porco got up and came around the table. He hugged the girl tight, swayed back and forth a bit. It wasn't love like she knew with Levi—Petra was adept at reading these things. But it was its own kind of love. It was special.
"I thought I wouldn't have to say goodbye," the girl murmured. Yes. Pieck's term was up in two years; Porco should have had nine more. "I'm not…quite prepared."
"No one ever really is." Porco kissed her cheek as the door opened. Time was up.
"No," Petra whispered, standing. But what could she do?
Pieck took up her crutch and hobbled out of the room. Petra saw her face start to break, then watched the girl pull herself together and gaze ahead stoically. Then the soldiers put the manacles back on Porco and led him from the room.
Petra wasn't going to be able to do this. She was already crying as the door opened minutes later and Reiner was led through in shackles. Unlike Porco, there was no agitation in his face. He seemed almost peaceful as they uncuffed him and exited the room. Petra sat back down, shivering, as the door opened again and his visitors came through.
First was the boy's mother, a hollowed out looking woman with strange eyes. She smiled at Reiner as she sat opposite him.
"Sorry, Mom. I thought I'd have a little more time," he said.
"Don't be. Reiner, you've done so well." She squeezed his hands. "My only regret is that Gabi isn't inheriting your titan."
Yes. Gabi Braun, the eleven-year-old cousin. Petra had done her research. This woman repulsed her; who the fuck could ever want a child to eat her own cousin, then die at twenty-four?
"Well, Gabi'll be with you now. She'll help take care of you."
"Don't worry, Reiner. Now that I can leave the internment camp, I'll go look for your father. He'll take care of me. He'll be so happy to see me, and so proud to know what his son grew up to do."
Reiner seemed to struggle with himself a minute, then finally smiled weakly.
"Great, Mom. Great. Just…make sure Gabi and Aunt Lou know where to find you."
"My good boy. Such a good son." The woman patted Reiner's cheek, then rose before her time was up and said goodbye. What in the fuck? If it were Kuchel, they wouldn't be able to drag Petra out of that room.
Reiner Braun had smashed down the walls and helped kill hundreds of thousands of people. But for the first time, Petra wondered what kind of a life this boy must have lived. She suddenly felt horrible for him.
Soon after, another woman entered with a man and a little dark-haired girl. That had to be Gabi. Reiner beamed warmly when he saw her, and hugged her close. The girl was already on the verge of tears, but she fought them off with anger.
"It wasn't supposed to be like this!" she snarled. "I was supposed to…"
Reiner sighed, patted her head. "I'm glad you're not going to be a Warrior. I want you to live a long life, Gabi."
He meant it.
"How can you say that?" The child was almost shrieking, a kind of mania suffusing her face. Petra began to wonder if she should press that button; the kid was scaring her. Even as Gabi's parents tried to console her, she kept shouting at Reiner. "The whole world hates us more than ever now! That devil king's taken over! The world will see us all as devils, and nothing more! That whole evil race came over here and, and-–"
"Saved your lives," Reiner said. He looked weary now. "I hope you understand one day, Gabi. I really hope you do."
The child hugged him again, this time losing her battle with tears. Petra watched, weary as hell, as the aunt and uncle said their goodbyes and left. Gabi looked back as they pulled her from the room, desperate for one more glimpse of her cousin. She loves him. She doesn't know how to show it.
When would this nightmare end? Petra's temples throbbed.
The door opened, and Petra was shocked to see Queen Historia enter. Reiner stood up, his mouth open; he and Petra were equally surprised, it seemed. Petra could've sworn the boy began to sweat as he sat down and the queen sat across from him. Historia folded her hands in her lap. She didn't meet Reiner's eyes.
"I wanted to thank you for delivering Ymir's letter. I know it would've been easier for you not to keep that promise," she said softly.
"Y-Yeah. Uh, you're welcome." Reiner gulped. He stared hungrily at the queen, who just appeared sad.
"Why did you do it, Reiner?" she whispered.
He looked down, ashamed.
"I…I didn't have a choice." He winced. "No; that's not true. I didn't want to turn back. I…I had to make my mother proud. I had to let them see I could do it." He clenched his fist. "Christa…sorry, Historia. I want you to know that Bertholdt and I…we offered to let Ymir escape before we came back here. She came to Marley because she wanted to, knowing what would happen. We didn't force her."
At the girl's name, Historia began to quietly weep. Her shoulders shook.
"That big idiot." She sniffed, wiped her face. "I'll never understand her."
"Yeah." The seconds crawled by. Reiner took a deep breath, preparing himself for something. "If I hadn't been…well. And if Ymir had still been…gone. Would you have… Could I, er, could we…?"
He could barely string a sentence together, but Petra got the gist of it. So did Historia. Gently, she reached over and laid her hands on his. Her smile was only sympathetic. He understood; she didn't have to say the words.
"Sorry for what we did to you," he mumbled.
"If you hadn't come to Paradis and kicked down the wall, my life would have been very different. Maybe a lot lonelier." Historia shrugged. "I'm kind of grateful you did. I suppose that makes me a bad girl."
Reiner frowned, but said nothing. Petra felt bone weary as Historia got up, said a final goodbye, and walked out the door. The clock said Reiner had fifteen minutes left. Then there'd be nothing to do but watch him die.
Petra's eyes blurred with tears when the door opened again. At first, she didn't see who it was. Then she heard him speak. She knew his voice.
"Hello, Reiner."
"Eren." Reiner sounded shocked. Petra wiped her eyes, and yes. Eren sat before Reiner, his ever-growing hair back in a small bun. Almost nineteen, Eren had grown from the sweet, odd boy she'd once known. He'd become more beautiful than handsome, and the quiet anger she saw in his gaze now gave that beauty a fearsome quality. Petra almost quailed at the sight. Reiner collected himself. "Weird to see you."
Well, that was at least true.
"This isn't the way I thought we'd meet again," Eren said.
"Yeah. You probably wanted to smash my face on the battlefield one last time," Reiner grumbled.
"No." Eren's eyes seemed to glow with an intense light. "No, we were supposed to meet underground."
Petra leaned forward a little. More of Eren's bizarre predictions? Reiner seemed as confused as she.
"Huh?"
"Reiner, I thought I was going to be just like you. And maybe I will be, but not now." What the fuck did that even mean? "I want to believe there could have been a way out of all this for us. But it doesn't matter when or where; it always ends up falling apart. Maybe this is just the way humans are."
"Uh, Eren. Gotta tell you, you're not making sense."
Eren sighed deeply. He shut his eyes and pulled something out of his pocket.
"Mikasa couldn't make herself come here today. It hurt her too much. But she wanted to say goodbye. Here." He handed the pages to Reiner. He sniffed, nodded.
"Thanks." He placed them to the side. Eren stared.
"Why don't you read it now?"
"Uh. Okay. Fine." Reiner seemed increasingly frustrated with this frankly bizarre behavior. Petra watched him start to read the pages; she watched him slow down; she watched his face change from baffled to amazed to potentially horrified. He looked back up at Eren a couple times, as if to ask a question, then stopped. He read on.
What the fuck was this? Petra stood, unsure whether or not to push the button and get someone in there.
But this was a sacred Marleyan custom, the privacy of this final meeting, and nothing was happening that threatened her or Eren in any way.
Finally, Reiner finished. He put down the pages and ran his hands over his face. Then he looked at Eren, who nodded once. Reiner nodded back.
He took up the letter, crammed it into a tight ball, and put it in his mouth.
"Hey!" Petra cried out in shock as the boy ate the damn paper. He swallowed, then crossed his arms over his chest.
"Okay, Eren."
"I'll tell Mikasa you got the message," Eren said quietly. He stood, and so did Reiner. The two stared one another down. Then Eren turned to the window, and stared right at Petra. Even though it wasn't possible to see her. "Remember. I can't save them if you ask questions."
How had he…?
With that, Eren turned and walked back out the door. Reiner sat down at the table, and rested his head against his hands. Petra wanted to mash the damn button, get someone in here to…do something. What the fuck had she just witnessed?
I can't save them. Kuchel. Armin. If you tell.
You started this. You need to stop it.
The guards entered, shackled Reiner, and took him away. Petra sat down upon the floor, shaking all over. The stress, the pain, and now this insane spectacle made her so light-headed she feared she'd collapse. Her breathing came fast and shallow. She had to put a hand over her heart and feel it pattering to calm herself.
The door opened, and a Marleyan officer came through. He looked at Petra with barely disguised hatred.
"Well. The time's come. Let's get this over with."
"Y-Yes." Her voice was hoarse.
She stood in a tall room behind another two-way mirror. By tall, she meant the floor was at least twenty feet below the observation deck, where Petra now waited. The room's walls were stainless steel, the door massive and made of iron. The only furniture in the room was a raised platform with two posts, manacles chained to each one.
It didn't take a genius to figure it out.
Petra held her breath as the door opened and they led Porco Galliard through. They brought him up the platform and had him kneel. The guards uncuffed him, then bound either hand to its proper post. Porco stared lifelessly ahead as they did, readying himself.
She would not throw up. Levi stood beside her, and held her hand. To her right, there was Willy Tybur, Hange, and Erwin. The king of Paradis looked on as he prepared to receive another weapon.
"Don't forget. We'll want delivery of Annie Leonhardt's crystal within the week," Willy said.
"Of course. Send a convoy to Stohess District. We'll hand her over."
Petra's head hummed. They were giving away Annie, the Female Titan. She'd crushed Oruo like a bug. Crushed him like a bug. Was this how they avenged his murder? The deaths of their comrades? Just by letting that bitch go?
"Easy," Levi breathed. He squeezed her hand. But he understood.
The guards left the room. A red light started flashing inside the observation deck; it was no longer safe to leave.
Floch Forster entered the room alone. He wore a white robe, same as Porco's. He carried a syringe.
Petra would not throw up…
The two men stared one another down. Porco glared fiercely, while Floch gave his smarmiest smile. She hated him so much…
"Too bad you weren't on the right team," Floch said. They heard his scratchy voice through the speaker; the deck was soundproofed otherwise. Petra's eyes stung with rage. He was gloating, that little shit. One day you'll die like this.
"Do it," Porco growled. That took Floch aback. Galliard smiled at the sight. "Go on. Do it. Quit your talking."
Floch bared his teeth, then raised the syringe to his arm. His hand trembled a bit; Porco grinned wider.
"A ten year old girl once injected herself and didn't even fucking blink. You cowardly piece of shit."
Snarling, Floch injected himself and pushed the plunger.
The transformation was instantaneous. The lightning crackled all around the chamber, nearly blinding Petra. Then Floch's titan emerged, roaring in triumph. It was geekish, a huge head on a small body. He didn't even make that large a titan. Shit. A bigger titan could have eaten Porco quickly.
"Go on. Go on! You coward, do it!" Porco screamed as Floch roared and reached for him. "Eat me, you son of a bitch! Do it!"
Petra stifled a scream when the titan ripped Porco off the platform and shoved the young man into its mouth. Porco never wailed or tried to get away; he was calm as the monster bit down hard, severing his head and shoulders from his body. The spinal fluid dribbled down the titan's throat as it devoured the rest of Porco. Petra leaned against the handrail, breathing deeply.
"Petra?" Levi took her arm. "You need to step out?"
"Petra?" Erwin looked genuinely concerned. She waved both men away.
"I'm fine."
She watched as the titan slumped to the floor, as ever so slowly Floch emerged from the nape in a burst of steam. The boy had titan marks like tears on his cheeks. He fainted as the soldiers came in and pulled him the rest of the way out. A medical unit entered, laid the new shifter on a stretcher and rushed him to the hospital wing. They'd monitor his progress until he was stable again.
While they waited for the…remains…to disintegrate, Willy Tybur looked at her.
"I wondered if everything had been an act with you," he said. Yes, she'd played a part to fool him. She'd played it well. "Now I see your concern for others is genuine." His brow wrinkled. He glanced at Levi and Erwin. "You'd do better away from men like these."
"Wanna lose a hand, Majesty?" Levi snapped. "Keep running your mouth."
"Levi." But Erwin didn't correct Willy. He probably agreed. Hange put an arm around Petra's shoulders as the remains cleared and a unit came in to reaffix the poles and manacles.
Then it was Reiner's turn.
The boy had only been part of the Survey Corps a month, but she'd seen him around now and again. He'd seemed like a reliable, sweet sort of boy. She'd liked him.
Now she was going to watch him die.
Reiner was calm as they had him kneel and chained him to the posts. They checked the chains, then left. Once more, the red light came on.
This time, Connie walked through the door in that white robe with that syringe in his hand.
No. Not Connie. No. Petra's breath began to come too fast. She was getting dizzy.
"Petra?" Hange whispered.
"I should take her out," Levi said.
"You can't leave now," Willy replied. Fuck. He was right. The light was on. Any disturbance could be dangerous. She was trapped, watching Connie do this horrible thing.
Unlike Floch, there was no smirking. Connie looked up at Reiner. Maybe this was the first he'd seen of the boy in four years. They'd been trainees together. Friends.
Petra braced herself for the transformation.
Instead, over the speaker…they heard crying.
Connie wept openly, his hand shaking too badly to inject himself. Petra clapped a hand over her mouth. Connie had never looked like more of a kid, even though he was a hardened soldier. Fuck, he was only eighteen. What kind of world was this? What kind of monsters were they to ask him to do this?
"Connie."
Connie looked up. Reiner smiled down on him.
"It's all right," Reiner said. "You can do this."
"Reiner. I…" Connie started crying again, but Reiner shushed him.
"God damn us," Levi growled. He looked disgusted, but not with the boys. With himself. With all of them, all the adults in this room watching as kids did their dirty work.
"Make it stop. Please." Petra wiped her cheeks, turned to Willy. "He can't do this. Tell him to stop."
"It's all right." Reiner's voice was soothing over the speaker. "You can do it. It'll be all right."
Then they heard the crying stop. Connie looked up at Reiner with a kind of awe now. They'd been friends; Reiner had been the 'big brother' of the group, as Eren had told her. Reiner was being a big brother again, was giving Connie strength for the last time.
Petra cried out in horror when Connie injected himself and pressed the plunger.
Again, the lightning. Connie's titan was larger than Floch's had been, so big it almost touched the ceiling. He ripped Reiner out of his chains, lifted him to his mouth. Reiner shut his eyes. He looked so peaceful.
Petra screamed and had to look away when Connie bit through Reiner. She huddled in the corner of the observation room, not caring if she looked weak, not caring if they had disdain for her. God damn them all. They were all guilty. Including her.
"Petra. Baby." Levi knelt beside her. He didn't sound angry; only sad. He held her tight, let her cry. "It's over now. It's done."
But she couldn't make herself look at Connie as he reemerged. The moment the red light went off, she flew through the door and into the stark white hallway outside. She staggered down the hall, which seemed to tilt beneath her. She fell to her knees and threw up, choking on bile. She felt hands gently lifting back her hair. Her husband's hands.
"It's okay, brat. It's okay," he whispered. Petra spit and cried. When she was empty, she sat up against him. Levi hated vomit, and ordinarily would have wanted to be away until she washed up. But he held her close, stroked her hair. "It's over now."
His voice sounded tight with rage.
"Petra." Erwin's voice. The king stopped beside her and Levi. Her husband looked up.
"I got her," he growled. Petra shut her eyes and listened to the thud of his heart. She knew Levi was furious with all of them, even with Erwin.
Two boys were dead on his orders; two more would die too young.
The king walked away. Hange knelt beside them both, and rubbed Petra's back, saying soothing things Petra couldn't remember. She just cried, and wanted to go home.
Zeke paced back and forth across the floor, wishing they could have met outside of the office. But all he needed was Eren in front of him for one second. Then they could touch, and fix all of this. So close. So close.
He'd had Yelena deliver the message, yes. The boy would be here soon. Zeke knew Eren was in Liberio. He held his breath as the seconds ticked away.
We understand, Eren. We're brothers; brothers understand each other.
Once this was done, they'd have a good life. It would be free of conflict. Erwin had fanned the flames of Eldian hatred, but Zeke and Eren would put them out. Soon…
The knock came. Zeke bounded across the room and flung open the door.
"Er—"
"Surprise, bitch." Levi Ackerman shoved Zeke roughly. Zeke fell to the floor, all but screaming in frustration. He crawled backward as Levi kicked the door closed and leaned against it. There was an additional darkness in this man today. He must have watched the transfers. That would put anyone in a tense mood. "Expecting someone? Eren, maybe?"
No use denying it.
"Can't a man be excited to see his little brother?" He got off the floor. "The only family he has left?"
"Touching. Bullshit, but touching." Levi sneered, ice cold. "The second Eren said his goodbyes to Reiner, we escorted him back to Historia's ship. He and the queen set sail hours ago. Back to Paradis."
Zeke clenched his jaw. If he could just rip this man apart…
"What about our agreement?"
"You'll come to Paradis one day. When we feel you're ready. Not before."
"I only have two years left of my term."
"Then you better hope King Erwin's impressed with your service in the next two years. We gave you to Marley, understand? You're their ape. They use you how they want. With our blessing."
Zeke could only smile. And feel such burning hate.
"Your king is a liar."
"My king wanted to keep you alive when I suggested cutting off your fucking head," Levi growled. He took a step forward, and Zeke nearly hid behind the desk. "You'll meet Eren as a reward for good behavior. In the meantime, Erwin says you two can send letters to each other. Pen pals. The military reads them, of course. Talk brotherly things all you want. Talk sports. They say you like baseball?" Levi bared his teeth. "I remember when you pitched a perfect game."
Shiganshina. That's where Zeke's troubles really began.
"You took that personally, didn't you?" Zeke asked.
A fire kindled in those flat blue-gray eyes. It went out fast, but it had been there.
"You mowed down a bunch of sobbing kids who had more honor and courage than you'll ever know, you piece of shit. You laughed about it. One day, your head's gonna be on my wall. Hunting trophy."
"But not today," Zeke Jaeger said.
Levi narrowed his eyes.
"No. Not today." He opened the door. "Word of advice? Don't get comfortable. We're always watching."
Levi Ackerman left. Zeke sank into Magath's seat behind the desk, blood screaming in his ears. He shut his eyes. Of course. Of course Erwin Smith would think of this. Zeke was really going to have to do something about this problem.
If possible, he was going to have to kill the man.
Levi had been impatient the whole train ride back from the port. He almost ran up the steps to their house. Brigitta must've heard his key in the door; she opened up, and beamed.
"Kuchel! Look who's here?"
"Papa! Mama! Pa pa pa pa pa pa pa," Kuchel chanted, racing down the hall and squealing with joy. Petra caught the child first, whirled her through the air and kissed her over and over again.
"Oh, my baby. My precious little girl." His wife was already starting to cry. "I'm never leaving you ever again."
"Love you, Mama." Kuchel lit up when Petra handed her to Levi. "Papa! Puh puh puh."
"Hey, brat." He hugged her. He hugged her close and thought of those kids with hungry eyes looking through the cage of the internment zone. He thought of Reiner chained to that post, smiling at his death. He would not let Kuchel go, rocking her back and forth. His eyes burned; his throat tightened. Fuck, he was not going to lose it in front of the others. "Love you so much," he grunted.
"My Papa." Kuchel giggled. He gave her a kiss, then set her down. She started racing down the hall, chattering things like 'we play da horse'. Yeah. Play the horse. Why not?
"Have you both got a minute?" Brigitta asked. Levi finally really noticed her. Huh. She had never smiled wider. "I have something to tell you."
Levi waited to be told, but Petra seemed way ahead of him.
"Brigitta?" Petra gasped and took her sister's hands. "It can't… You're…?"
"Yes!"
Petra screamed and actually jumped up and down for fuckin' joy. The sisters hugged one another; Petra was already crying. So was her sister. Levi looked around, unsure what the fuck to do. When the women were a little calmer, Petra scowled at Levi.
"You have nothing to say to Gitta?"
"I don't understand what the fuck just happened."
"Oh. Sorry." Brigitta wiped her cheeks. "I'm pregnant."
"Fuck. Congratulations." He even let her give him a hug. Briefly. "Shit, you could've just said so."
"Ignore him. Come on!" Petra slipped her arm through her sister's and whisked her down the hall, talking excitedly and crying a little. Levi remembered to shut and lock the damn door. He shook his head.
Fuck. People got too emotional. That's why the world was the way it was.
That night, he and Petra stood over Kuchel's bed as she slept. He'd read her a story (refused to do the voices for the bunny and her friends, even though Petra asked him to put some energy into it), and Petra had sung a lullaby. Now they just looked down at their daughter. This perfect little thing. How had he made something perfect? He was so fucking far from perfect himself.
"I'm glad to be back," he whispered, meant it. Even though he couldn't stay. Erwin had already given them the orders; in two weeks, the campaign against Gaol was gonna heat up. At least Petra would be here. At least he could focus on staying alive and not worry about her. He and his wife left their daughter's room, hand in hand.
"Maybe when this is all really over, we should both leave the military," she said quietly, shutting the door to their bedroom. "We could open that tea shop? Or go up north to the farm."
"Yeah." A year ago, he'd have said never. He'd have said he was a military lifer. But now, seeing more and more of the fucked up world, all he wanted was to focus on keeping this little place safe for Kuchel. For Petra. Levi slid off his jacket and took off his boots, put them away in the closet. When he turned around, Petra had something for him. It was a packet wrapped in ribbon. "Uh, thanks. What's this?"
"Open it. That's the point of a present."
Fuck, so many rules. He undid the ribbon and opened the packet to find…tea.
"Thanks. New blend?" He sniffed, made a face. It smelled kinda rancid, but he didn't want to offend Petra.
"No. It's the tea I've been drinking every day." She smiled. "I didn't take it yesterday. And I didn't take it today. And I won't be taking it tomorrow."
The whole shitty week instantly became worthwhile.
He put the tea down on the bedside table. Levi wrapped his arms around his wife and kissed her deeply. His hands traced up and down her back. He wanted to touch every inch of her. What a lucky asshole; he'd get to do just that.
"I want you to make me pregnant," she whispered. Just those words got him hard.
"Let's see if I can get you pregnant three times tonight." He started taking off her clothes.
"That's not how it works." She kissed him.
"Well. We're doing something three times." He lifted her into his arms and laid her down on the bed.
Yelena tried not to grow agitated. These days, she had a new job in the Marleyan military. She had to process all Eldians, outfit them with new identification—more private identification—and receive requests to move to Paradis Island. King Erwin had declared they could only take twenty five hundred immigrants at the moment, and the lottery pool was growing. She was down in Valle now, slaving day in and day out.
She sat behind a desk, Onyankopon at her side. Before them, the line of Eldians stretched down the corridor and around the bend. She'd be here for the next two weeks just processing applications. Yelena sighed.
"What's wrong?" Onyankopon looked confused.
"Aren't you at all worried about Nambia?" After all, King Erwin wanted everything under Marleyan control. Onyankopon shrugged.
"Hizuru and Paradis both have a say in how things get done. My country's already half under Marleyan control anyway. King Erwin promised me he'd see to it conditions improved once the country was reunified." Erwin, if nothing else, was deeply grateful to Yelena and Onyankopon for their help in all this. He wanted to reward them.
"You believe in him?"
"More than I believe in Willy Tybur. Or Zeke." He said it casually. She made a fist, restrained herself from hitting him.
He doesn't know the true plan. He'd never go along with it if he did.
No, Onyankopon was a good man, but not a visionary like Zeke. Oh, Zeke. Her toes curled just thinking about him, about his anger at Erwin Smith for taking Eren from them. Yelena would find a way to help. She'd be the true agent of change.
"Mind taking over solo for a minute? I need to hit the head." Onyankopon put down his pen and got up.
"Go on. I'm clearly having such a good time," Yelena muttered. Onyankopon chuckled and left. She received a few more application forms, sorted them, stamped new identification papers. Her wrist hurt. Ugh.
"Excuse me?" a young woman said. Yelena looked up, and forced herself not to cringe. The sight of the young woman was…
"Yes?"
"I have an application for Paradis." The girl put the paperwork down. "I also need to register my firearm."
Eldians could own firearms now, but they needed permits. Yelena frowned as the girl set a handgun on the table.
"Is it loaded?" She checked the chamber. Only one bullet. Hmm. "I'll need to hang onto this until your license goes through."
"That's all right. Um, I have a question." The girl lowered her voice. "Do you know if Zeke Jaeger's on Paradis?"
"Why?" Yelena instantly went on alert whenever his name was spoken.
"He saved us when the MEA came to Valle. I wanted to express my gratitude in person."
Yelena smiled a little. Well, that was sweet.
"The attack, eh? Is that how your face…?" Yelena snapped out of it. What a rude thing to say. "Please, excuse me, I—"
"No, that's all right. This was from long ago. In a fire."
"Ah. Well, here's the forms you need to fill out to register the firearm, and here is your new passport." Yelena stamped the booklet and handed it over. "The Paradis lottery will happen in two weeks. I hope you get lucky. And I hope you get to thank Mr. Jaeger in person one day." Zeke deserved more praise. He needed to know what a good man he was.
"Oh, me too," the girl—Strauss, Inga—said. "I really need to repay him for what he did."