Celine's Section Commander wasted no time; Anthony was on the other side of her door the day after her tribunal. He exchanged some hollow pleasantries, slipping a piece of paper up Celine's sleeve when their hands shook.
This bastard, Celine had thought, watching the man wiggle his fingers in a cheery wave when he later retreated down the hall.
What the hell is he up to?
The slip of paper had two things – a string of numbers, followed by 'South Hill – 21:00'
Having worked in the Tech Department archives, Celine was aware the string of numbers were directions to a particular spot within the library. The only library Celine had access to with her current escort was the law library on the second floor, so she stopped by after lunch. No one asked for an explanation – the two guards as her escort stayed on the other side of the spacious room and couldn't care less.
The Military Police really are a collection of lazy assholes, she thought.
Celine located the correct aisle, shelf, then book - a thick encyclopedia concerning zoning laws. Celine noted the disturbed dust which made it obvious it'd been previously selected more recently than its neighbors.
What she was searching for turned out not to be a part of the book itself. Three slips of paper were tucked away in random pages within. They remained stored down the front of Celine's shirt for an hour or so as she feigned interest in a book on the operations of military equipment procurement from members of the merchant guild.
The sheets of paper weren't unfolded until Celine returned to her assigned quarters. Her eyes immediately narrowed as she studied them on her desk.
What … is this?
A fair number of questions tumbled through her head as Celine went on a stroll to the southern side of Headquarters later that evening. Her escort stayed within the awnings at her back, leaning against the building and smoking cigarettes while they occasionally looked her way. There was no move to stop Celine as she walked down the large, sloping hill which overlooked the city.
Celine took a seat in the swaying grass about a quarter of the way down the hill. Her guards were visible in the distance when she glanced over her shoulder, but Celine's attention soon wandered to the clouds of steam from the distant ferry. Her gaze grew wistful as she remembered the time she used to ride it without a care in the world. Stohess used to seem like a very different place when she was growing up than it did now. The pink hue lining the wall as the sky faded into night made it appear nearly mystical.
Ignorance is bliss.
"You Celine Bodt?"
Celine looked up as she fell into shadow.
A man was standing over her. He looked around her father's age, with light blue eyes and unruly brown hair nearly brushing his shoulders. It was interesting to note someone dressed so casually at Headquarters, the man sporting a weathered white shirt and a pair of black pants with thread coming loose at the hems. A wide-brimmed, black hat was removed from his head as he tilted it in greeting.
"I know without a doubt you're the one I'm looking for," the man said. He replaced his hat, plopping himself down in the grass beside Celine. "I recognize you."
Celine squinted. "Have we met?"
"Nah," the man said. He offered his hand. "The name's Kenny – s'pleasure to meet you, Miss Bodt."
"Uh huh," Celine said, reluctantly accepting his shake.
"So," Kenny said, making himself comfortable as he rested an elbow on his lifted knee. "You bring those designs with you?"
Celine nearly laughed. "Of course not – the lantern in my room made quick work of turning them into ashes I could sweep out the window."
The sparse beard across Kenny's face shifted as a result of his wide grin. "That right? The last person to work on this project wasn't half as smart."
"Do I want to know what happened to the last person who worked on this project?"
"Nah," Kenny said. "You don't."
Celine let out a huff. She looked ahead, plucking out a blade of grass and twirling it between her fingers. Kenny followed her example, sticking his blade of grass between his teeth.
"I'll consider fixing your designs if you tell me what they're for," Celine said.
"You think you can make 'em work?"
"That isn't the issue," Celine said. She turned to regard Kenny smiling at her again.
"Sounds like you found something," Kenny said. "How 'bout you give me a rundown?"
Celine shrugged as she held Kenny's gaze. "What you have is ODM gear modified with a turbine built for speed more than distance. It's made for use in short-range environments, so I can't imagine it having much utility outside an urban setting. Some of the modifications like the placement of the balancing system and altered hook design make sense, but some critical things got overlooked.
"The first issue listed in the notes is that the engine overheats on a regular basis. This is because the cooling system hasn't been properly scaled. Your second issue is you're using the same input valve for the modified ODM gear as the original – that's already creating a handicap for the max speed you can achieve. In that regard, one compressed cylinder would work better than the usual two. Then there's your third issue, which comes down to the guns you're using in tandem with the gear. They appear to be altered versions of the Thunder Spears – it looks like someone actually gave a shit enough to read the notes I slipped in and fixed the burnout issue. As a result, the guns look fine. My problem is what they're for."
"Not what," Kenny said. He turned his head to spit out the half-chewed blade of grass. "Who."
"That's what I was afraid of," Celine said. "Who the hell needs ODM gear designed to be used against people?"
"My branch does," Kenny said. He tilted his head, amused from the resulting furrow to Celine's brow. "I may not look it, little lady, but I'm a Captain in a branch of this brigade o' yours. Anthony's been helpin' me out where he can, but there's only so much spare time the man can give. He's also covering his ass, if we're being honest. Can't blame him for that now, can I?"
I'm getting into deep shit, Celine thought. I need to tread carefully if I don't want to drown.
"I may regret the answer," Celine said. "But I'm going to ask you again who those guns are for."
"Easy," Kenny said. "Anyone who defies the King's will. I only do what the big man tells me – we just need to be able to handle anyone who might get in our way."
Which can only be other sectors of the military, Celine thought. A simple rifle would handle anyone else. Is it possible he means the enemy who may be hiding among us, like the Female Titan? Perhaps there are more spies like her within our ranks than I imagined. But, perhaps … this guy is lying through his teeth.
"What will happen if I refuse to work with you?" Celine asked.
"Nothing."
Celine waited. Her brow furrowed. Kenny only offered her a shrug.
"Nothing?" Celine said. Her posture relaxed, although she wasn't any less confused.
"What were you expecting? A threat to you? A threat to that brother of yours?"
It was like a switch had been flipped. Celine shifted her position, her attention growing hyper-focused on Kenny's face. Her stern demeanor didn't falter even when the corner of Kenny's mouth lifted in a smirk.
"Lookie that," Kenny said. "Your hand is already poised to snatch the knife in my belt. Anthony was right when he said I'd find you amusing. And that look in your eye … that takes me back."
Kenny chuckled. "You're like your mother – you've got just as much tenacity. She's one of the few faces of the Military Police I remember from my youth … Victoria will always be the one who got away."
There was no response from Celine. Her companion appeared generally unconcerned as he tilted his head with a hum.
"That reaction to protect what's yours," Kenny said. He regarded Celine with an intrigued expression as if he couldn't quite make her out. "Trash like myself can't fathom what that must be like. Attacking me would mean you gettin' executed. Maybe you aren't thinking that far ahead … but maybe you are, and you don't give a shit."
Kenny shrugged. "I think we got off on the wrong foot."
Hands were lifted in a placating manner as Kenny smiled. "What I said was a bit tactless. There are no threats. Not to you, your friends, family – hell, not even to your enemies. If you don't want to work with me, you can walk away without a single consequence. But hear me out when I say what I can offer you: An escape. Anthony is always plannin' on keeping you under his thumb. He's never gonna allow you to advance in the Tech Department 'cause then he knows he won't be able to use you however he pleases. But me … I may only be a Captain, but I know some powerful people. Work with me, and I can expunge that record of yours and allow you to do whatever it is you desire. How does that sound?"
Celine's posture relaxed; the suspicion still remained. "That sounds like bullshit."
"I'd be worried if you weren't shrewd," Kenny said. He lowered his arms. "I'll give you a day to think about it. Meet me here again tomorrow if you change your mind."
Kenny got to his feet and brushed the grass from his pants.
"See you around, little lady."
The brim of Kenny's hat was tilted before he turned his back to her. The cheerful tune of a whistle faded as Kenny strolled away and left Celine alone along the hillside.
Celine watched Kenny's retreat. A jolt of realization caused her to scramble to her feet when she took in the fact that her guards - along with anyone else in the area - had disappeared entirely. The following hiss of ODM gear as a handful of people flew across the roof of Headquarters in Kenny's direction indicated she hadn't been as alone as she thought.
How does he have the authorization to use ODM gear within Sina for something trivial like this? Who is this man?
Celine balled her hands into fists as she fought back the squirming feeling in her gut.
