"God damn it!"

Nick slammed his fist onto his table top again as I leaned against his window ledge, staring out onto the training fields within Wall Sina. Our discovery from last night proved to be much bigger than anticipated. Although it was a possibility, we were hoping that the stash had remained above ground and just switched hands. However, with the new Underground City aspect, we knew we were dealing with someone who knew how to cover their tracks. They had inside help and had put in place several locational defenses, such as the Underground Maze and City. Without tipping our hand, we were forced to find someone who knew their way around the Underground City and was trustworthy. Those two required aspects put the difficulty of this case to a whole new level. There was one person that I knew that fit that bill and unfortunately, Levi was to stay away from the case at all costs. We had a select few MPs that we trusted but none of them knew the Underground well enough to aid us in our quest.

So here we were, racking our brains for a viable solution and coming up empty.

Did I know someone of the Underground? No.

Is there someone in the Underground that we know we can trust? Most likely not.

Could we search the Underground city within a few days and without tipping our hand? Ha, right, good luck with that.

The mood in the office grew depressed as both Fuji and I both couldn't think of anything.

"Ok, for the sake of forgetting our feelings of stupidness, let's go over our options again." I sighed and pushed off the window frame, turning around. Nick ran a frustrated hand through his hair again.

"Ok, so we can't go to higher officials or other MPs outside of our inner circle in case some of them are part of the scheme." He began.

"We can't go to random Underground citizens in case they lead us down a dead end to ultimately gain above-ground citizenship." I continued, frowning.

"And we can't go risking the Garrison or the Corps and pull them into our mess."

"So the only option left is to find an Underground citizen that we can trust."

Nick snorted and stretched his hands behind his head. "Good luck finding that. Not a lot of people get chances to build bonds with those of the Underground. I don't know of anyone, do you?"

"Levi."

"We're supposed to keep him away from the case, Hazura, or have you forgotten?"

"I haven't forgotten, you idiot. I joined on this case because of it. Wait-" I stood up suddenly as a thought zoomed through my head.

"What is it?" Nick also stood up, watching intently.

"Isabelle and Farlan."

"Who?"

"Isabelle and Farlan came up with Levi to join the Survey Corps back in the day."

"And?"

"And they're dead."

Nick shot me a weird look before collapsing in his chair again, rubbing his face. "We've been at this for too long, let's take a break. You certainly need one."

"No, listen. Isabelle and Farlan both came from the Underground City to join the Corps. When a solider has been killed on Humanity's mission, we inform their families of their service. Levi only knew of Farlan and Isabelle, not of their parents. If we can find their families with the excuse to inform them of their past member's service-"

"-then we have both someone we can trust and who knows their way in the Underground! Shit, this may work, Hazura."

I bit my lip and turned back to the window. "It doesn't sound honourable though. Using someone's death as an excuse to bond with someone who has useful information…"

A warm hand rested on my shoulder and I glanced around to look at Fuji. He sent me a sad smile.

"You're right, it probably isn't honourable. But think of it this way. If this lead turns out to be the break we need, then you turned someone's death into something even more meaningful by putting corrupt people behind bars and giving just that little extra assurance in Humanity."

"I can see your point…"

"We don't have time to hesitate, Hazura. Humanity's survival is dependent on the Survey Corps defeating the Titans. If we can aid them by controlling those who don't believe in them, then that's a good enough reason for me to keep moving forward."

I finally smiled. "You're right. Every second counts."

He patted my shoulder and we both moved from the window.

"I'm going to see if we have records of Isabelle and Farlan and track their families down. You come up with plans if or if not the lead goes through."

I nodded in confidence and took his seat at the table and began pouring over the papers strewn before me as Fuji left the office. Blueprints of the Military Police hierarchy, blueprints of Wall Sina and countless other documents laid on the table. Taunting me. I sighed. I hated paperwork when I was in the Corps and that was unlikely to change. Where was Levi when you needed him? Deciding to take a walk outside and leave the gloomy office for a bit, i made my way out.

Without even knowing, I had found myself wandering slowly towards the Survey Corps HQ. My steps slowed as memories flashed through my mind and reminded me that I was currently not welcome here. A small frown fell upon my face.

"Officer Hazura."

I looked up, startled at the voice and blew out a sigh of relief when I saw who it was.

"Commander Erwin."

He took one look of my face and flicked his head towards his office.

"Did you want to have a talk?"

It was going to be yet another long day.