Author's Note: HI! Z-King here! Sorry for the wait, me and my trusty partner in crime-Lord Primeval have been trying out a way for us to look over our fanfics and also My sister got married today! Or in this case by the time you are reading this, yesterday.
Now everyone we are finally about to start the adventure and who knows what threats and secrets that might be discovered…or maybe they will get lost along the way.
Anyway, enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 5: The Journey part 1
After Queen Historia made the announcement of the expedition the room was silent, then erupted with questions. She then put down any doubts after reminding the council what the Gotengo crew brought up. Somewhere still skeptical, but came to an agreement before the day was over.
The monarch had a message sent to the city-state of Tanakibo to alert the press, hoping to entice a few working hands to help with the preparations. The departure point would be there, as there was already a set of docks. For the main team special consideration was applied. A good portion would come from Gordon's team, the other from the Kaiju Corps. It was decided that Jet Jaguar would stay behind to help keep the peace alongside Anguirus.
After about seven weeks of preparations (mostly modifications to the Gotengo) the expedition was nearly ready. The ship's areal abilities were unfortunately lost due to the damages done by King Ghidorah in the craft's last battle. While repairing the flight system was a lost cause, the crew was able to downgrade the thrusters into water-based jets. Now to just get it into the water...
The sun was ready to set as the staff assembled on the beach. Once, this spot was used to send undesirables to wander aimlessly as mindless Titans. Now it's a departure point to lead them to safety. All that remained of Marley's influence was chunks of stone where once walls stood, no doubt demolished by the Great Predator when he came and went.
After a long wait, the volunteers saw it in the distance; Jet Jaguar came thundering through the thick forest, carrying the Gotengo in his arms like a child with a toy. Clearly an unorthodox way to get a ship to water, but it was the quickest way.
Seeing him coming from a high tower on the shore, Captain Gordon pulled out his communicator to contact the robot directly.
"Alright you bucket of bolts," Gordon said. "Just past the watchtower, forty degrees east of your position. And you better not drop her!"
Jet followed the instructions and redirected his course. As he made his way over, he stumbled, almost tripping on a large stone, but quickly recollected himself before he made it to the water.
"I mean it!" The Captain barked, "If my ship gets any more banged up, I'm using you for spare parts!"
"BY-YA-YA!" Jet Jaguar shouted, causing a massive reverb on the communicator.
"And don't talk when you're that size!" Gordon said, rubbing his aching ear.
The android was now in front of the main dock, knee deep into the water. Gently, he used both of his hands to place the submarine into the ocean with barely a splash.
As soon as it was set down the workers went to their posts, eager to get the next phases of the operation underway.
It would be another week between system checks and loading supplies but right now though, all the Captain was focused on was the upcoming meeting with his main crew.
At night, inside the ship's Captain's quarters, the assembly included Miyuki Otonashi, Randy Hernandez, Armin Arlert, Sanda, Moll, and Eren. Levi was there as an informant. On the table in front of them was a map of Paradise, provided by Sanda, with notes in red ink.
"According to the Intel from Sanda," Miyuki said. "Going west will land us straight into enemy territory. Southward is also a no go, so northeast is the best starting point."
"What exactly is in that direction?" Armin asked Sanda.
"D-d-d-don't know," he replied. "Th-th-the m-maps never show much past th-th-the empire."
"If we're lucky that'll mean the Marleyans haven't gone poking around there yet," Gordon said. " Knowing how much they've expanded in the last hundred years."
"Might be due to the war," Armin suggested.
Sanda shook his head in agreement. The conflict has been going on as long as he could remember. Worse that he was involved in it. At least he could put his education to good use this way.
"If that's our best bet," the Captain said. "We'll take it. The rest of the team should arrive shortly. We have three days left to prepare, make them count. Dismissed."
The group made their way to the loading bay, ready to turn in. During the conversation Randy was stuffing his face with his newest creation. SLT; Shockirus, lettuce, and tomato.
"Mmmph!" He said gleefully with a full mouth. "I've got to stock up on this S-Meat before we head out."
"You... do know what S-Meat is right?" Armin asked.
"Do you know what hot dogs are made of?" Randy replied.
"I don't even know what that is."
"If you did, you wouldn't eat those either," he said. "Besides, I'm ok with eating a parasite. Gotta keep my nerves down on our trip and this is the perfect comfort food."
"Why would-?"
"He has bathophobia." Miyuki chimed in. "It's an irrational fear of depths."
"Irrational?!" Randy bolted out, "What's so irrational about not liking seasickness, or being stuck in a...big...metal deathtrap..."
He began to get sweaty.
"With... no escape...just, stuck under the waves...as the pressure builds up...slowly. Did you know that going down too deep can actually crush a human skeleton like a soda can? Really! Like a grape being slowly squeezed until-"
"Relax Hernandez," Miyuki interrupted. "You'll be in the safest room of the ship. We'll have plenty of patches on board."
Randy began to eat his sandwich a little faster, trying to calm himself.
Armin slowly tried to walk away, hoping to avoid this conversation. It was a little awkward now.
As he turned his head someone caught his eye.
"Eren?" He said, "Is that...?"
Eren heard him and turned to look. On the harbor heading near the ship was Mikasa, talking with Levi.
Emotion took over him as he bolted down the ramp.
"Mikasa!"
She noticed Eren and Armin heading towards her. Close to her were Ms. Seagusa, Lora, and Jean (who Eren didn't notice at the moment).
"Eren," Mikasa said in surprise. "You're on this mission?"
Jean leaned over to Miki.
"You couldn't have told me he'd be here?" He whispered. "I thought you were psychic."
"That's not how that works..." Miki groaned.
"Mikasa!" Armin cheered as he caught up with them. "It's been so long."
"How's everything been?" Eren asked.
"Fine," she said. "I see why you recommended Saegusa's treatment."
At that point Levi came up behind them alongside Moll.
"I see you finally reported for duty, Ms. Akerman," Levi said.
"Sorry it took so long," she answered. "It took a little longer t-"
"WHAT?!" Eren and Armin shouted in unison.
"She signed up a week ago," Levi explained.
" B-b-but...what about your treatment?" Armin stumbled.
"I took the liberty of making arrangements for that," Miki said. "Moll agreed to make sure Mikasa is taken care of."
"It's no trouble," Moll replied. "Mikasa, let me take you to our room. It's getting late."
The two walked off as Eren was about to stop her, intercepted by Levi.
"It's her decision to make," Levi said. "Not yours. I've already confirmed with Ms. Seagusa that she's fit for this mission."
Eren backed off, trying to cool down. He knew he couldn't force her, but he still felt a knot in his stomach. Deep down Eren felt that this might be her trying to keep him protected, but right now he knew it was HER that needed to be safe. Everything she told him about what happened when those...things were in her head.
He really didn't like this.
Wait, Eren thought. Is that...Jean?
Miki, Moll, Jean, and Mikasa headed towards the crew's sleeping quarters. Lora was chasing them.
"So, we'll do our sessions during the breakfast hour," Moll said. "Better in the morning to minimize-"
"Moll! Moll!"
The group saw Lora catching up. she rushed right up to her sister, gabbing on to her shoulders.
"I have to tell you-" she started, just to be interrupted by Moll.
"Look, let's not talk about this again," Moll sighed. "I can't let you come on this trip, you're not a trained soldier."
"Well, ok...that last time with the 3D gear wasn't my best look..." Lora said embarrassed. "But that's not what this is about! I had a dream-"
"That's nice," Moll said sarcastically. "Now if you excuse me, I need to-"
"It's really important!"
"Later, please," Moll said trying desperately to get away. "You're making a scene."
"Uggh! This is important! Why can't you just talk to me!?"
At this point Moll lost her patience.
"Why can't you just leave me be?"
"Ever since you joined the Corps you've been more and more distant!" Lora said.
"Ever since I joined up YOU'VE been clingy to the point of insanity!"
Both of them glared at one another, dead silent. After minute, Jean finally piped up.
"Are they...?"
"Arguing in their brains?" Mikasa said. "Yes."
Miki decided she had enough and furrowed her brow. Immediately the twins winced in pain, holding their heads.
"And that was...?" Jean asked.
"A Psychic slap?" Mikasa said. "Yes."
"Looked like it hurt." Jean said.
"It...does..." Lora complained.
"Both of you, that's enough!" Miki scowled.
Quickly, Moll opened the cabin and escorted Mikasa inside. Before she made it in herself, Lora let one last outburst loose that stopped her in her tracks.
"I know you had it too! We...we've always shared our dreams."
Moll let out a sigh and closed the door behind her.
"Let her be," Miki said with her hand on Lora's shoulder. "She'll come around in her own time."
Miss Seagusa walked away, leaving Lora to her thoughts.
"No, she won't," Lora said. "Not soon enough."
Jean waited a good minute before saying something.
"Soooo...which cabin am I sleeping in?"
In the middle of the night, while the others slept, Moll tossed and turned. The images in her head intensified as she struggled against them.
They just kept coming...
Golden dust...
Drumbeats...
A ruined temple...
Gnashing teeth...
Chanting...
Crashing waves...
A cross...
That familiar stone...
Lurching forward she awoke, gasping for air. Once she collected herself her face collapsed in her hands.
She had this dream before. She's lost count how many times it replayed inside her head in the last two years, and thanks to her sister she couldn't ignore it this time.
The next two days went by quickly thanks to the massive workload taken by the volunteer staff.
Now, it was launch day. Everyone was heading to their stations.
Inside the cargo hold final preparations were on schedule.
"Did you check medical like I asked?" The supervisor asked.
"Fifty crates, counted them twice," his subordinate replied.
"Good," the supervisor said. "Now we need that report on the protein provisions-"
"Going to check them now boss," said a woman passing by.
This caught the boss' eye. She was wearing the same uniform as the other workers, but her cap was worn in a way that concealed her hair. Come to think of it, he didn't recognize her voice. That made him suspicious.
"Hey," he barked as he caught up to her. "I'm going to need to see your badge!"
She turned to face him, making direct eye contact. Her face straightened out in concentration.
The supervisor's face morphed from suspicion to casual at an unnatural speed.
"Oh, my mistake," he responded. "On your way."
The girl nodded and went on her way. After she made it far enough away from any prying eyes, she removed her hat, revealing herself to be Lora. As quick as she could Lora moved a crate aside to open the one behind it and crawl inside.
"She is not going to rid of me that easily!" Lora said.
Inside the main hub of the Gotengo, the main crew were heading towards their seats. Randy was setting up the systems, all the while slapping on Dramamine patches nervously.
Armin and Eren sat next to each other, looking over the safety instructions placed on every desk. Eren looked over his shoulder to see Jean, Moll, and Mikasa taking their seats.
"Sorry again about this morning," Moll said. "I won't let the next session be so short."
"What kept you up so late?" Mikasa asked.
"Writing to my sister. When we get back, she and I will have a lot of making up to do."
"I'll say," Jean interjected.
Moll was about slap him across the face, but Mikasa grabbed her hand and gave the telepath a look. That was enough for Moll to drop it.
"Wow...thanks," Jean said. "And here I thought you didn't care."
"Consider it payment for all you've done." Mikasa said.
Eren leaned over to Armin.
"What's with Jean and Mikasa?" He asked.
"He's been checking in on her ever since she left," Armin said.
"And you didn't tell me why?"
"She asked me in her letters not to tell you."
Eren just sat there trying to wrestle everything in his head. First, she joins up on this mission, then after seeing her again after all this time and she just refused to talk to him for three days. Now he finds out this?
He would have pondered on it longer if an announcement didn't break his concentration.
"CAPTAIN ON DECK!"
Everyone stood as Gordon made it to his seat.
"Alright everyone," he spoke. "I want you to let go of how you perceive the world. Where we're heading there are no guarantees. I'd like to thank everyone who chose this mission. If you have cold feet, too late. We take off in five."
Immediately the crew started their tasks. After a round of system checks the main thrusters were activated. The ship began its decent below the waves. Finally, they were off.
While many crew members were trying to keep composure against the rocky waves and jerky movements of the submarine, Eren Yeager couldn't hold down his smile.
Despite everything going on in his head, his inner rebel was excited. Inside this hunk of metal was a chance to live out his childhood desire to go beyond what he knew. Beyond what anyone knew
He couldn't wait to see where the journey took them.
Author's Note: And nothing is going to go wrong….oh who am I kidding this is an Attack On Titan crossover for Pete sake!
Anyway hope you guys enjoyed this and wish us luck that the wait for the next chapter won't be as long a wait as this one….I just jinxed myself didn't I?