"How did you know about this checkpoint?" I puffed out between breaths as we raced towards the back of the area, surrounded by wooden fence.
"Some younger MPs gave it to us." Levi answered curtly, focused on the oncoming path. I almost stopped in my tracks.
"They just gave it to you?"
"Mmm." Then he held up a fist. I halted and waited for his call, as he peered through the leaves.
"We need to wait until Jean and the others make a ruckus at the front of the area. Once most of the attention is on them, we head over the fence and into the back. Let's get a higher vantage point for the moment."
I glanced over at the compound and spied a few armed MPs, making their rounds. It was too close for the use of our 3DMG, the whirring of the reels and the hiss of the gas would be too noticeable.
"Rina."
Levi's hushed voice drew my attention to him and I noted his posture, knees slightly bent and hands braced together. Taking the hint, I re-sheathed my weapons and sprinted at him. Taking the last step, I leapt up and placed my foot snug in his hands. With a soft grunt, he heaved me up and I shot up into the trees. The rustle of the leaves could easily be mistaken as the wind or some wild animal, decreasing the chances of us being caught. Twisting my body so I didn't face-plant into any wood, I reached out and snagged a sturdy branch. Using the momentum and mindful for any possible splinters, I swung my body around and landed gracefully on the tree. Crouching for a better view, I spotted Levi among the bushes and waved him up. He took the cue and bounded forward, vaulting himself off the trunk. I watched in awe as he soared between the tree trunks, slowly heading in my direction.
"Show off." I muttered. As he worked his way up, I took a quick glance of our surroundings. Perhaps it would be best if we had different vantage points, on the off chance we were caught before Sasha and the crew busted through the front gates.
"Hazura."
At the quiet call, I whirled around and caught a glimpse of Levi's outstretched hand. My right arm instinctively shot out and grasped his wrist. Planting my feet on the branch and gripping the tree with the other hand, I gathered my strength and threw Levi up higher. He disappeared from my sight briefly before reappearing on the other side, his 3DMG glinting from the afternoon light.
Great, now we were in position. But just how long would it-
"Arghhhhhhh!"
The loud chorus of what sounded like a war-cry was shortly followed by a crash and surprised yells. I looked up at Levi and quirked an eyebrow.
"Interesting signal."
Rolling his eyes, the Captain quickly shot out his metal wires and reeled himself over the fence. Chuckling, I swiftly followed, unsheathing my blades at the same time. Deciding to make the work faster, I crashed through a different tent, shocked yells echoing as the fabric went down.
"Sorry to wreck the party soldiers. But we need a certain someone."
Quickly knocking out the ones floundering under the tent, I moved my attention onto the supplies building. Sasha, Armin, Jean and Conny were still making their way through the front line soldiers. Deciding to help them out and clear out the supplies guards before they got to it, I headed to the front door of the central building. A pair of young startled MPs spun around to face me.
"You damn Survey Corps!"
"You're all murderers so on, so forth. I know, I know." I rolled my eyes at the comment, clearly over hearing the same accusation over and over again.
One lunged at me, while his partner took aim with a rifle. A silver blade swiped downwards at me. I smoothly rotated my body, dodging the attack and grabbed his arm with both hands. Fingers digging into his skin, I disarmed the officer, a yelp of surprise when his weapon dropped harmlessly to the floor. My eyes darted to the long silver gun barrel pointed at me and twisted the arm I had. With a grunt, the MP spun on the spot and I used him as a human shield as the gun went off. A scream blasted out my eardrums and I winced.
"Shit, Luke!" yelled the other and out of the corner of my eye, I watched the rifle clatter to the ground as the MP rushed forward to help his bleeding friend.
"Permission for an exchange." I muttered and shoved the MP I held captive towards his partner and dived for the lonely rifle. Just as the two collided into each other, I scooped up the gun and swung it around. The barrel stopped at just the right moment, dead set between the eyes of the uninjured officer. He froze, eyes turning into the size of plates. His partner remained groaning, rolling on the ground, clutching at his bloody shoulder.
"Drop your weapons!" The door was knocked down roughly as Sasha and Jean rammed the wood open.
I raised an eyebrow. "You do love being dramatic."
The two cadets paused as they took in the scene before coming to my rescue and bundling the two MPs up.
"Thought I would help you out a little bit." I mentioned, watching as the cadets began piling their arms full of supplies.
"And the Captain?" Jean asked, looking over. I made a face and waved a hand dismissively.
"He can take care of himself. Anyway, once you're done, go back to the rendezvous point. Levi and I will meet you there."
With a nod of acknowledgement from the two, I leapt out the window and towards the back of the area. Exclamations of surprise and pain echoed around the area as our team finished the last of the compound.
"Levi?" I called, entering a building in the corner. A soldier yelled out and ran at me, blade up. I easily pulled out my own, parried his downward stroke before striking the butt of my weapon on the side of his head. The man flew through the glass window, shattering the pane along with it. As I made my way down the hallway, I spotted a few unconscious bodies thrown carelessly into empty rooms. Levi sure did a good job of clearing this place out.
"Levi?" I repeated and entered into the last room. The small office was a mess, papers covering the floor and tiny table had been shoved to the corner in 2 pieces.
"Behind you." A monotone voice replied. I instantly ducked and heard the whistling of a sword being swung through the air. Lashing out with a foot, I kicked at the ankles and a body fell hard to the ground, the head smashing to the wooden floor and effectively knocking the surprise MP out cold. Stretching back into an upright position, I grabbed the door and swung it closed.
"Very aggressive troops you have here." I commented and turned to the pair. Levi was staring down in disgust at an unconscious body, a man with shoulder length brown hair and a moustache. Judging by the age, this man was most likely the one who ran the checkpoint and hence, part of the Interior Military Police. I made a face.
"Did you question him already? Without me?"
The Captain grabbed onto the collar and yanked the body up easily.
"Unfortunately no. I knocked him out without even knowing. We'll have to take him out to our rendezvous before reinforcements make their way here."
"The back way it is then." I declared and easily vaulted out the already broken window, facing the surrounding hills. "Let's go."