Chapter Five.
"It seems the new soldiers have completed their training requirements," Levi sighed lowly, a hint of boredom in his voice as he leaned against the side of the window frame his eyes never leaving the formation of squads that had gathered up within the base's courtyard. Levi had participated in the final course run of the new soldiers and while most of them showed average skills with their 3DMG, he had to admit a few showed potential in the way they maneuvered. However, Levi and the veteran soldiers knew that skills out on the training course meant nothing if a soldier couldn't stay calm under pressure and preform just as well out in the field.
Erwin raised an eyebrow at Levi, "Any thoughts on them?"
"A few of them show potential," Levi began, as he did his best not to show favoritism to the few new soldiers who excelled greatly at cleaning their barracks, "Three of the greenhorns weer ranked top ten back in their class. All three are talented in their respected skill set, however none of that will mean anything if they crumbled under pressure."
"This expedition will be their test," Erwin stated calmly, "We'll have the attachment of medics from the Garrison with us so some of the new soldiers will be tasked with aiding them out in the field."
Levi smirked at Erwin, "Looks like you got what you wanted."
Erwin nodded, "This expedition must be a success if we plan to continue having this attachment and the support of the people."
"I'll make sure to give it my all out there," Levi sighed, as he got up and followed Erwin out the door of his office. The two heading outside so they could address their men about the sudden arrival of the Garrison's medical attachment.
Ethan shifted uncomfortably in place as he awaited with his squad for the arrival of their commander. Upon completing the training course he had been assigned to his official squad, along with Hanna and Oliver he was servicing under the command of, Mike Zacharius. A veteran squad leader and soldier who had been in the Survey Corps well before Erwin had taken the position of commander. Ethan was pleased that he was under the command of such a seasoned leader, but the squad leader's habit of sniffing newcomers as a greeting was a bit odd and made him feel uncomfortable. However, Mike's squad was a well put together group of soldiers and along with the other three soldiers he was with two of his close friends. Lawrence and Sarah had been assigned to their brother squad, under the command of yet another veteran squad leader.
"Squads attention!" Mike echoed loudly throughout the courtyard, every soldier quickly snapping into a crisp and disciplined stance. The courtyard became silent and not a single whisper could be heard as Erwin made his way onto the old wooden stage they had set up in the center of the courtyard. All eyes plastered upon their leader as he motioned towards the soldiers to go at ease, every squad leader echoing the command, allowing their troops to enter a more relaxed stance as they awaited for the briefing.
Erwin cleared his throat as he examined the faces of his troops, "The upcoming expedition is only two weeks away and I'm glad see all the squads making progress with their new additions."
Ethan agreed with Erwin, since being assigned to his official squad, he had started to feel more accepted into the Survey Corps. Mike may had been an oddball, but he was truly an inspirational leader and he could even see a change in Oliver's one-sided thought process from the past few days he spent under Mike's command. The other squad members were very welcoming towards the three newcomers and offered them all types of advice, from how to impress Captain Levi with their cleaning abilities all the way to how to take down a Titan when caught out in the open. Ethan was eager to get some field time under his belt so one day he could pass on his knowledge in hopes of helping a future newcomer feel more welcomed.
"It's very obvious that after our last expedition we have lost the support of countless political figures. Many pray for our success in this upcoming expedition, while others await for our failure," Erwin began as Ethan took note of the concerned faces of the some of the veteran soldiers. Ethan knew that the Survey Corps wasn't the most popular branch, but he was under the impression that all branches were equally funded. Erwin cleared his throat loudly, "Finally though it seems the Garrison has graced us with an opportunity to increase our popularity!"
Eyes began to wonder and voices could be heard as many of the soldiers were confused as to how the Garrison could help them with surveying beyond the wall. Levi growled lowly in annoyance as he stepped forward, "Cut the chatter!"
The side conversations quickly died down.
"After many request, the Garrison has finally assigned us an attachment of twenty field medics," Erwin explained calmly, as he watched several soldiers express looks of shock upon seeing a line of twenty uniformed Garrison medics enter the courtyard from the far west. Every medic carried themselves proudly, even though most of them didn't agree with their orders and were nearly corrupted with the idea of fleeing upon being told of their new assignment. Yet, there they stood in a straight line positioned behind Erwin's stage as they locked eyes with the members of the Survey Corps. Several of the opposing members attempted to size each other up with stern glares, but in the end both sides stood their ground.
"Will any be assigned with my squad for experiments?" Hange Zoe called out, the seasoned soldier curious if she would be granted access to a medical expert so she could continue her studies on Titan behavior and physical makeup.
Erwin ignored her as he continued speaking, "These soldiers will be our lifeline and their main goal is to decrease the number of casualties while over the wall. Treat these soldiers with respect, because one day they might be the only thing between you being alive and you becoming Titan food." Erwin left it at that and exited the stage, Mike quickly ordering the squads at attention before Erwin waved the order off and exited the courtyard.
...
Ryland scanned the crowed of Survey Corps soldiers nervously as he knew it was only a matter of time before Ethan spotted him. Ian did the same as he knew that Ryland's younger brother was somewhere within the group. Riley watched curiously as the two scanned the squads before them, she simply assumed they were looking for Ryland's brother who he had briefly mentioned about two days ago while they were packing up. Several of the Survey Corps' squad leaders greeted the Garrison's medical squad leader and senior team leaders, but the mass of the lower soldiers kept to themselves as an obvious wall of separation stood between the two groups.
Finally, Ethan's face came into view as the young soldier emerged from the mass of soldiers. Four other soldiers following closely behind him as he stormed through the open area and right towards his older brother. Ryland quickly noted the way he carried himself, it hadn't been long since they last saw each other and yet Ethan now carried himself more like a soldier. He proudly wore the wings of freedom on his jacket, a symbol of his determination to push humanity forward in their fight against the Titans.
"I should of guessed that you'd volunteer for this attachment!" Ethan cried out, a mixture of frustration and anger within his voice.
Ryland exhaled loudly, "It's not what you think. I was tasked with his duty, I never volunteered for it."
Ethan folded his arms, "Very likely."
"Ethan it's true," Ian pleaded, with the younger soldier as the two had met several times when Ryland brought his close friend back home to visit his family before Ethan had left to join the military, "If your brother had volunteered for this I would had never tagged along. The reality is, our squad was tasked with this job."
Ethan sighed heavily, as the realization that if had just been dumb luck that Ryland had been assigned to the attachment. A sensation of embarrassment taking over as he felt a bit childish for confronting his brother in such an angry fashion for something he couldn't help. Yet, Ethan felt cheated as this expedition was his first chance to prove to his brother that he could look out for himself and now the one person he wanted to prove his strength too was coming along for the ride. Ethan groaned annoyingly as he hated being wrong, but quickly took notice of Ian's newly acquired rank and quickly jumped on the topic so he could avoid admitting so, "Congrats of the promotion, Team Leader."
Ian chuckled loudly as Ryland grinned at Ethan's habit of changing the subject whenever he was wrong.
"Riley Fletcher!" Hanna chirped out excitedly, as the four Survey Corps soldiers joined them all.
"It's nice to see you all again!" Riley cried out joyfully, the young Garrison medic was excited to see some familiar faces from the 103rd now apart of the Survey Corps. Back in their training days they all had gotten along very well, but in the end Riley decided to take her own path and opted out of the idea of joining the Survey Corps. While she had to say goodbye to some close friends like Hanna and Sarah, she was still glad at her decision even if in the end it had brought her back to the Survey Corps.
"Looks like you joining the Garrison didn't get you to far from the Survey Corps," Oliver laughed at the irony with a light blush.
"Oliver think before speaking," Hanna snarled at him.
Riley quickly waved off the comment, "Oh it's nothing! Just Oliver being empty headed nothing out of the usual!"
"Very much the usual," Lawrence chirped out from the side lines with a welcoming smile.
"I'm sorry to hear that you got assigned to this attachment though," Sarah admitted, as she felt bad for Riley. Sarah knew that Riley had a strong desire to help humanity, but she also knew that Riley like most members of the Garrison had no desire to give their lives away on an expedition that could end with no positive results for humanity and only casualties.
"It's really not that bad," Riley admitted with a forced smile, "I'm not that worried. I'm apart of a great squad with Ryland and Ian as our team leader! I'm more surprised seeing that Ethan and Ryland are brothers! I knew the last name sounded familiar and now that I see you two together, I can totally see the resemblance!"
"Resemblance," Ethan cried out almost sounding offended, "I don't have his big nose."
Ryland chuckled, "Respect your senior soldiers."
"Do you guys know what squads you'll be attached with?" Hanna asked curiously, as she knew it would kill Ethan on the inside if Ryland were to be attached with their squad.
Ian shook his head, "I haven't got word on any of that yet. I'm sure by the end of the day after we all settled in, squads and medical teams will be assigned."
"My squad on me!" Mike cried out, his voice echoing throughout the courtyard.
Oliver groaned, "Crap is he gonna make us do another run!"
"You're just mad I beat you last run," Hanna snickered as she waved goodbye to Riley and raced off. Oliver following closely behind her as he argued with the fact that his muscles weighed him down during their runs.
"We should get going," Sarah said in a hush voice.
Riley nodded and smiled brightly at her, "Until we run into each other again!"
"Hopefully, when that time comes it won't be under bad circumstance," Lawrence smirked, as Sarah sighed at his unsettling and off comment before the two ran off to be with their squad.
"You should get going," Ryland told Ethan, as he quickly became uncomfortable with the situation and was unsure how to address the obviously conflicted Ethan.
Ethan stuck out his lower lip as he became to jog away, "I'll see you around... I guess."
Ryland smiled weakly as he watched his brother disappear. Ian smirked at this sight, "How cute you're so proud of him."
Ryland chuckled, "Ever since he was young he had problems with expressing his feelings towards me. I'm sure he's beyond annoyed and frustrated with me being here, but yet he's struggling to find a way to express it all."
Riley smiled at Ryland's ear-to-ear grin he had displayed on is face, "He may not realize this but he's lucky to have you."
"Medics on me!" A squad leader with the attachment called out.
"Time to get some grub I hope," Ian cried out joyfully.
Ryland chuckled at Ian's one track mindset and began to follow the young team leader, but not until he took note of Riley's concerned look on her face. Taking a step back he quickly grabbed her attention with his concerned voice, "You feeling alright Riley?"
"Hmm?" Riley chirped out caught off guard, "Yeah of course I am!"
Ryland raised an eyebrow at her, "You sure?"
"Why wouldn't I?" Riley forcefully laughed, "It's dinner time after all! Lets go!"
With that being said Riley raced off and joined the rest of the medics. Ryland taking note of her odd behavior, his mind filled to the brim with all that had just happened between not only her odd behavior but seeing his brother again. Groaning loudly he decided to take it easy for today and quickly followed Riley's lead, "Just make it through today."