The next few days were hell, as Erwin went over the details of the case with me. The plan was to insert me as a special case cadet. Despite being new to the Military Police, I already had more than enough training in terms of attack and defense. The only thing I had to learn was the customs and rules of the MP. I would bunk separated from the cadets and could train with them if I pleased. However, my special case came from the fact that I would also be instantly promoted to Assistant Investigator, paired with Senior Investigator Nick Fuji, a well-known friend of Erwin's. Fuji had already started on the case and would catch me up once I officially joined him. It was known that military weapons and equipment had been missing and was linked to a theory of a ring of corrupt officials selling the goods on the black market. We were charged to basically close the case. Apart from that, Erwin informed me of his trusted people within Wall Sina as well as reminding me that the true purpose of my transfer was to remain absolutely confidential. Not even Levi could know. So I kept the secret to myself as I resumed my normal squad leader activities. I had to force myself to stay away from the Special Ops as they recovered from their injuries. If they even got the tiniest inkling that I knew about their previous mission, Erwin's plan would be put in jeopardy. It was hard, to say the least. the only time I hung out with them was during meals and afterwards would busy myself with Squadron leader work. It was best if I had completely separated myself from them but two weeks weren't long enough for me to isolate myself from my best friends.

The dreaded time soon came and must I say, at the most inconvenient time. It was dinner hour in the Mess Hall when Erwin, and a tall man with bushy brown hair wearing the green Military Police horse emblem on his jacket entered through the main doors. I faintly remembered him to be named Nick Fuji, the man who would be my Investigative partner in the case.

"Officer Rina Hazura!" he bellowed.

All eyes turned to me and I slowly stood, bracing myself. I could even feel the Special Ops eyes boring into my side. I stepped from the dining table and made my way up the stairs to the main door. God, this timing sucked. As I reached the second floor, I locked eyes with Erwin and he nodded subtly.

Good luck.

"I look forward to working with you. Welcome to the Military Police, Hazura." Fuji smiled down at me.

The Mess Hall exploded into chatter and whispered rumours began right then and there. I gingerly took the new MP jacket that Fuji was holding out to me.

"Rina!"

I turned to the Hall again and gazed at Sophie, who brazenly stood up on her table. Meeting her confused look was easier than swapping with Levi's harsh glare. I smiled weakly at her.

"Sorry Soph."

I pulled my beloved Wings of Freedom off and replaced it with the green MP stallion. All of my friends instantly turned their heads from me and refused to look up at their new rival. The only person who held their stance was Levi, shooting daggers at me. Biting my lip, I whirled way from his piercing expression and followed my new captain out of the Hall.

Once we were sure we were alone, Fuji spoke up first.

"You're doing the right thing, Rina."

I sighed. "I know but I hate it when the right thing is not the easiest."

"It hardly ever is. Don't worry. We'll solve this case and then ill send you back to the Corps as soon as I can."

I swapped glances with my new boss. "I hope so."

"As you're new to the Military Police, you'll have your own room until we can fit you in with the other cadets in the academy. You have your map of the place, have it memorised within the next few days. Training starts at 8 sharp every morning. You are to dress and wait downstairs for the Leader. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask around as well as the Fuji here. Dismissed."

I saluted stiffly in front of Commander Jefferson and followed Fuji out of the office. We walked down the tiled corridor and I tried to hide my amazement of the richness of the place.

"Who shoved a stick up his ass?" I murmured, running my eyes over the walls. Fuji chuckled.

"The Commander of the Military Police has to be like that. Although the MP only has the most talented cadets, a few months in the feeling of safety turns into carelessness and obnoxiousness. Very unlike the Survey Corps, where you have to stay alert at all times."

"So why are you still here?" I glanced at him.

"Despite its flaws, the MP remain with the highest amount of power, which I try to use for the better causes."

I paused, letting the words sink in. "I admire you, Leader Nick Fuji."

He laughed. "Don't let Commander Erwin hear that or he'll start listing all of my flaws."

Fuji led me to my room, revealing that all of my belongings had been moved into it already.

"You can take the rest of the day off and explore the academy. Cadets and officers are combat training in Area 3 in three hours. Feel free to join or come along to watch. I don't need another beat-up soldier on my pay roll."

I shook my head in amusement and Fuji then left. I unpacked my things and then went out. As I rounded down the stairs onto the first floor, a voice called out to me.

"So you're the new soldier, right?"

I look up from the steps to see a strawberry blonde girl, her curly hair tied up in pigtails. Beside her was a slightly burly man, brown hair and with a scowl that reminded me of Cadet Jean.

"Yes."

Silence followed before the girl cackled.

"My, you're not one for words are you? Is it true you spent time in the Survey Corps before changing your mind and transferring to the MP?"

I went with the fake story. "Yes."

"And why is that? Too rebellious? Too scared to face the Titans?"

I narrowed my eyes at the girl, taking an instant disliking to her. She asked too many questions.

"Lily, that's enough." The man hissed before stepping up, holding out a hand. "I apologize for Lily, she tends to get excited about the smallest things. I'm Joseph and this here is Lily."

I warily eyed his hand before taking it carefully. "I'm Rina. Nice to meet you."

"Good job, Joe! You managed to get more than one word out of her. I'm impressed." Lily nodded.

I then turned to her, fixing my harsh gaze on her face. "I transferred to the MP because I have a family to keep alive and I can't do that if I'm dead." The lie thankfully passed smoothly through my lips. "And I have faced the Titans, seen them kill and eat us for fun so I know what they are capable of. Do you?"

Not wanting to spend another second in the girl's presence, I swept past the two and headed out to Area 3.