A few months have passed ever since Annie, Bertholdt and Reiner disappeared. While some of the trainees were somehow concerned by this, most of them didn't care all that much. It wasn't uncommon for the cadets to run away, or even die during training. And soon after, no one was interested in looking for them, nor were they worried that their colleagues went missing under unknown circumstances. Some were even happy with that development, as the trio consisted of some of the most promising trainees.
The same couldn't be said for two particular cadets, sitting at one of the tables inside the canteen.
"You're using way too much gas while diving" Mikasa expressed as she chewed on her piece of bread "don't be afraid of falling to the ground, or you'll never have enough to kill titans."
"Yeah, thank you" Floch answered as he finished his meal.
The two of them somehow grew on each other. While Floch's intentions towards the oriental girl weren't exactly pure at the beginning of their relationship, after that fateful capture the flag mission, he started believing in her conspiracy theories about the government. And while he wasn't exactly the most eager to join her in her lifetime goal of finding Eren, he was well aware that the female was really hoping that he would help her.
"Hey" Mikasa exclaimed, waving her hand in front of his face "you're spacing out."
"I know" the redhead replied, dejectedly "what's the point…?"
She looked at him with confusion splattered around her face.
"Uhm…" the girl started apprehensively "what's the point of saving your gas supply?"
"No" he replied, shaking his head "what's the point of that mission of yours?"
Again, she looked at him, puzzled.
"I believe I've already explained that" Mikasa responded "I have to find…"
"I understand, okay?" Floch exclaimed with frustration "you're looking for your adoptive brother, I get that. But what can we even do about it? You've seen them in action. You know what they can do to us. They kidnap Annie, Bertholdt and Reiner and nobody cares, as if nothing has happened. What can we possibly do to win against them? What advantage do we even have?"
As he vented out, Mikasa was listening to all this in sadness. It was true, what he was saying. The government and the manipulator had unimaginable powers at their disposal. Capable of wiping off the memories from minds of the people, with no one noticing, they were always beyond their reach.
Seeing that she had no answer, the redhead continued on.
"I know that for some reason, the manipulator can't take your memories away from you. But what about me?"
"What…?" She exclaimed with surprise.
"If we get caught, they could simply wipe my memories, along with the memories of everyone who has ever known you!"
They were lucky that no one else was currently in the canteen. This discussion between them got very heated real soon.
"So, this is what it's about" Mikasa said, looking him in the eyes "you actually want to help me…"
"Of course, I do!" Floch almost yelled "but we have nothing on them! Maybe they won't even let us into the MP, or maybe…"
"Thank you" she exclaimed suddenly, giving him a sincere smile.
This wasn't something that the redhead expected from the dark-haired girl. Upon that, his cheeks turned to match the colour of his hair.
"I'm just saying" he spoke, looking away "we need some kind of leverage…"
Suddenly, the door to the canteen was kicked wide open, startling the pair. As the two trainees looked towards them, they saw that Mina Carolina was standing in the doorway.
"Hey, Mikasa, Floch!" She exclaimed "you're still here?"
"What is it?" Mikasa asked her.
"Come on!" the other girl yelled, motioning for the two to come with her "it's something special! You have to see this!"
Once they followed her, they saw what exactly grabbed the attention of all the cadets.
The survey corps has paid them a visit.
The trainees were forming a small crowd around the scouts' officers who decided to share their knowledge, skills and experiences from beyond the wall. While not many wished to join this particular branch, no one could deny the fact that the soldiers of the survey corps were extremely skilled and talented. That was why them visiting the 104th became such a big deal.
Mikasa could see that in the middle of the crowd, stood a very distinct man and he was in the midst of giving a speech.
"I wonder what he's talking about…" she said, and without even asking her friend, she grabbed his hand and pulled him along.
As they were wading through the crowd, she could finally hear the speech.
"…The royal government is giving up on the scouts! The queen herself said that we have achieved nothing, during our expeditions! We are here to prove otherwise. We are here to show what we've already accomplished, and we are here to tell you first hand, what we can accomplish in the future if only you decide to lend us your strength and dedicate your hearts!"
The man in the middle was the famous commander, Erwin Smith. He was rumoured to be one of the most successful officers of the survey corps, as during the days he was a squad leader, none of his colleagues died, thanks to his inventiveness.
"The queen is coming after the corps?" Floch whispered to her with a surprise.
It was indeed concerning. The scouts were the only hope for the future that the people of the walls could possibly have, so why was she disbanding them?
"This must be some kind of political play" Mikasa concluded, looking at the passionate commander.
Erwin Smith continued on with his speech.
"Those who wish to learn the truth! Please, help us! Even though it won't be easy, I assure you. The truth shall be revealed!"
The truth… What kind of truth he was talking about? Could it be…?
"We need to tell him…" the dark-haired girl said to her companion.
"What?" He asked with agitation "no way! He won't believe us…"
"I have a strong suspicion that he knows something" Mikasa assured Floch "please… This is just what you said we needed. Some kind of external support."
For a good moment, the redhead was visibly hesitating. Telling other people your conspiracy theories wasn't exactly the best thing to do when making acquaintance, but what was their other option, really?
"Okay" he agreed "let's tell him…"
After the commander finished his speech, a long line of interested cadets had formed in front of him. Everyone wanted to ask the famous officer a few questions, even if they didn't exactly plan on joining. It wasn't often that they were visited, and under circumstances like this one, it would only be reasonable.
Mikasa and Floch intentionally went to the very end of that line. As the topic they wanted to discuss was extremely important, it was imperative that no one could potentially listen in.
After a long afternoon, their time to speak with Erwin Smith has finally come.
"Hello, what can I do for you?" He spoke as he glanced over the pair.
"Commander" they both saluted.
"No need to do that" Erwin replied, raising his hand "my days as the commander of the survey corps are numbered…"
"Is it really that bad?" Floch asked with concern.
"Unfortunately, yes" the blonde scout replied "now, what do you want, exactly?"
Mikasa looked towards her companion. As they shared a glance, the redhead nodded at her.
"I possess some information regarding the royal government."
Upon hearing that, Erwin raised his brows.
"What kind of information?" He asked with a little dose of interest.
The dark-haired girl took a deep breath.
"The government is somehow capable of manipulating the memories of the people…"
This made the commander widen his eyes in shock. His reaction was really something. Most would either laugh at the accusation or pity the person who preached such crazy theories. However, with the blonde commander, there was no indication that he was doubting her words.
"How did you come to such an unusual conclusion?" He simply asked.
"I appear to be unaffected by this power" she continued on "when I was ten, my friend has been kidnapped. And there would be nothing weird with that, except that everyone who knew him before, somehow lost all the memories regarding him."
The next reaction surprised both teens. Instead of concern that would usually accompany such an information, a triumphant smile appeared on the man's face.
"Come with me" Erwin spoke, motioning for them to come along "we've got a lot to talk about…"