Hi there! So thanks again for reading and liking this story and I hope I'm doing a good job so far :) I'm just going to say it now so I don't have to do it every chapter, there is going to be swearing every now and again. Most of it due to Levi and his influence (haha) but also because, well yeah they're facing Titans and need some sort of verbal crude release. Thanks again!
We rode out in a gallop, horse next to horse, out into the Old City. As I passed under the Gate's arch, Titans automatically turned their attention to us. Leaving them in the capable hands of the Support teams, I focused on straight ahead, aiming to get outside. New cadets gasped and moaned in fear as most of them saw Titans for the first time. Cadet squad leaders yelling for them to focus on the road ahead pierced the air. I urged Streak to go faster and like the horse he was, instantly obeyed my command. Passing underneath another arch, the full blast of the sun hit me, warming me instantly from the rush of air. The green landscape stretched into the horizon, trees and abandoned buildings spotted throughout. We galloped further into the unknown, waiting for Erwin's instructions.
"Rina." Called a voice. I turned to look at Levi, who rode by my left. His eyes were troubled once again. I tried not to be an ass.
"Levi. What's wrong?"
He didn't reply and remained staring at me. I tried again.
"Levi, is something wrong?"
"Be careful."
The two heartfelt words tugged at my heart and despite everything that had happened, I knew we were still the best of friends. I managed a smile.
"I will. You too."
His eyes brightened marginally. Marginally.
"Execute formation!" Erwin's orders were passed down the line and sure enough, the leader's fist was once again raised.
"Stay safe." I ordered my friend and with one last look at my Special Ops Squad, began to break apart from them. The close grouping of the Survey Corps slowly began to drift apart into smaller pairings, creating Erwin's radar form. I signalled and my squad immediately came over. Together, we quickly made our way towards the front arc of the radar. I yelled instructions over the roar of galloping hooves.
"All right, you know the deal. Hanaba and Mikoto, row 2, position 9. Kelvin and Yaru, row 1, position 10. Liane, you're with me at row 1, position 8. Stick to each other and for God's sake, don't forget to signal!"
"Yes sir!" and with that, my squad split into three.
"Let's hurry it up Liane." I commented and the girl nodded determinedly. "Yah!"
We urged our horses to the front of the formation, slightly to the right of the Commander's place. Frontliners occupied rows 1 and 2 of the formation and were the ones who encountered Titans the most. They had to be trained, have a quick eye, have nerves of steel and most importantly, act fast. We continued to ride into the land, heading for a forest of Giant Trees. There, Hanji was given the order to set up traps to capture two Titans for study. Setting up wasn't going to be quick, so having giant trees around allowed efficient use of the 3DMG. Although the outside land was breathtaking, the scarcity of trees and lack of uneven surfaces made it almost impossible to use our 3DMG.
"There!"
Liane snapped me out of my thoughts and I followed her pointing finger. To our right was a bright red smoke signal, spiraling into the atmosphere. Titan sighted. I smoothly pulled out my smoke gun, loaded another red batch and fired, leaving a trail of red smoke in our wake. We waited until a single green line speared the air, heading to the west. With that, the entire formation turned accordingly, and avoided the Titan. Just as things started to calm down again, Liane gasped loudly. I scanned the horizon and spied a huge figure awkwardly running towards from the east.
"Abberant." I spit out. God, this was unfortunate. Normal Titans we could avoid but Aberrants were unpredictable and had to be taken out immediately to protect the formation. By now, it bypassed position 10 of my squad and approached position 9 rapidly.
"Liane," I barked, "black smoke!"
"Yes sir!" and she quickly fired a black round into the air. We had to stop it now.
"Liane, can you cope by yourself for a few minutes?" I questioned, still eyeing the threat.
She knew exactly what I was thinking and nodded. "Yes sir! Go!"
With that confirmation, I veered Streak to the side and joined the troops at position 9. They had grim looks on their faces. No one liked using 3DMG on flat ground.
"You there!" I pointed to a well-built red-haired man. "You're going to be the lucky one that takes the neck out. You," I moved my finger to the other blonde man, "are going to keep position and role. I'll take out its ankle and you gotta hit your mark when it's down. Clear?"
They nodded quickly. Red and I headed towards the Aberrant and it grew closer. It totally ignored us and slammed its feet on the ground near us, eyes on an unseen prize. I shakily stood on Streak as he continued galloping and balanced on the seat.
"God, I hate this." I muttered and waited. As soon as the heel of the Aberrant smashed the ground right next to me, I leapt off. A wire shot and attached to the heel. I triggered the gas and reeled to the foot, my boots skidding on the dirt. As I was close enough, I spun across the back ankle, slicing it open. Providing back-up, I aimed another line to its shoulder. As expected, the Titan went down and the momentum jerked me high into the air.
"Red, now!" I screamed. A brief flash of red crossed my path and the soldier came down on the open target, cutting it open. Hot gas rushed out and the Titan lay still. I landed on its motionless back, clapping Red on his shoulder.
"Not too shabby."
He grinned at me and we slid off, reuniting with our horses.
"Thanks for the help." He replied. I shook my head.
"No worries. Now let's get back into position."
With that and a quick handshake, we parted ways and joined the formation again. As I hurried my way back to position 8, my stomach dropped as a black trail shot up from it. Titan.
"Liane!" I cried out and urged Streak to go faster. it must have somehow gotten through the formation.
I closed in and cursed as Liane struggled to keep the Titan away from the formation. She broke off from the front and veered left, away from the centre form. I followed her motion and tried to keep my thoughts in check. I was alone now. Liane was busy keeping the Titan's attention on her so I had to come up with a game plan to take it out myself. The clicking of the smoke gun against my blades triggered an action. I swiftly loaded it with a black round and tucked it back into my belt. I pushed Streak forward, trailing unnoticed from behind. Liane glanced back, locked eyes with me and turned back forward when I gave her a thumbs up. Then all hell broke loose as the Aberrant reached forward and managed to snag Liane into a giant hand. She screamed and the hand tightened around her legs.
"Shit!" I cursed and knew I had to act fast. I jumped off Streak, drove a cable into the Titan's shoulder and reeled up. At the irritation, it swung around, pulling me with it. The momentum was enormous and I almost did a full circle around it. Soon enough, I came face to face with the Titan, glaring into its creepy smile.
"Surprise you bastard." And fired the black round point blank into its right eye. It roared and its hands flew to its face. Liane dropped into the air but snagged a line onto the giant body to safely descend. I took advantage of the blind side and circled around the back, carving out the neck flesh. Gas exploded from the wound, blood splattered onto my green coat and I secured myself to the body as it collapsed, using it as a cushion to the force.
Once down, I sprinted over to Liane who grimaced with pain. Smoke from the dissolving Titan blood made me cough.
"Shit, I'm so sorry! What's broken?" I panicked and helped her onto her feet. She limped heavily.
"Miraculously enough, nothing seems broken apart from my left ankle here. Since I'm not screaming in pain, it actually may only be dislocated." She breathed short and sharp.
"Oh no, forgive me." and I hoisted her back onto her horse, who had remained close by. Liane waved a dismissive hand.
"Don't worry about it Squad Leader. At least I'm alive."
Shaking my head at her bravery, I mounted Streak and we galloped back to our formation. It was now ahead of us and to make quick time, we rode in between the positions.
"What the- Rina! Aren't you supposed to be up front?"
Brian's loud voice caught me and I slapped a quick hi-five with him as Liane and I moved past them.
"Had a couple of Aberrants to deal with!" I called back and nudged Liane towards a moving medical station.
"Her ankle may be broken or dislocated." I informed the doctor as I barely managed to tie her horse to the rolling cart. He hummed in acknowledgement and gently lowered Liane to the wood.
"Listen to the Doc. If he says you're good to go, come back and join me. If not, join the cadets, all right?" I commanded.
"Loud and clear." She saluted cheekily and I shook my head in amusement. Quickly moving away, I returned to the front row.