The situation within the walls was, for once, not dismal. In the year 852, the queen had taken the throne. For once, people could see the overall change as an upward climb.
Historia Reiss brought help for the poor for the first time in living memory. Even the few historical records kept over time did not have records of any help for the poor.
Historia was named "the Orphan Queen" and was revered everywhere.
The military – the unified defence force, as the survey corps came to be called – had Eren and his titan abilities. This meant that research was reaching new heights. Titans were being killed in new ways with the guillotine – a clever device of Hange's invention.
Then came the expedition to Shinshiga. Much of the public did not approve of it, despite Historia's rhetoric and the many reasons presented. The only reason a riot did not break out was the Arlert history act – Armin's ingenious lift on the ban on books about the world before the walls.
It worked – the people did not object to the expenditure as expenditure in enforcing the ban on old books vanished.
In fact, by the time the corps had prepared – over a very busy fortnight – the public satisfaction was high and historic facts were appearing at an unprecedented rate. People learned that life was better before the walls, that humanity had freedom and power, that people wasted their luxuries instead of waiting for them.
It was difficult, but therapeutic – the process was like the popping of the pus-filled bubble of one's depression; reactions oozed out of the people and flowed freely and the negativity was quickly drained away.
Therefore, the basement mission was under way very quickly.
"It's odd that they have us do it so quickly." Connie said, packing his bags, ensuring that space was reserved for supplementary food for Sasha; one of the pitfalls of a relationship being sharing.
"The sooner we know, the better." Sasha mumbled in between bites of cheese – a commodity that increased funding gave her delightful access to.
In adjoining rooms, similar things happened. Mikasa and Eren were preparing their emotions for the slaughter of revisiting a traumatic site. "Eren, we should take something for mother." Mikasa quietly said, not letting her emotions show.
"Other than our happier, healthier selves, I'm sure there's little she'd want." Eren cheerfully replied, having cried to Armin and having learned these reasons from his blonde friend.
Jean and Armin shared a room and Jean was, after a few months, used to different company – usually Ymir's as she was generally the least busy.
"Armin's sucking up to the leadership again." Jean complained.
"He gets more time with Christa than I do." Ymir moaned.
"I'm sure our Royal Highness has reasons for that. She always has those reasons she'll never tell."
"They're better than Rod's usual reasons, though."
"Sure."
"Trust Hange and Levi, for her sake. Trust her."
"Easy for you to say."
"Because I don't have a stick up my arse."
"Sure."
In the throne room, a long walk from the barracks away, Levi, Hange, Armin and Christa were busy planning the mission. "Yes, I understand the reasoning behind the route. Clever as always, Armin." Christa quietly said from her seat.
"Thank you." Armin replied, on edge due to the new title conferred upon his look-alike.
"How's the public holding up?" Levi asked.
"They'd prefer me alive, fortunately." Christa quipped. Christa's participation in the mission was decided by poll – if enough of the public wanted her on the mission, she would have gone. Luckily, many preferred her rule and chose to keep her safe. "How are the weapons?" Christa nodded to Hange.
"Fine." Hange had been overseeing the research and development of new weapons, such as what old books called a grenade – useful in the cases of being swallowed whole, a curved variant of the standard blade to allow for strength and a new and less gas-dependant version of the 3DMG. "The grenade is ready and will be used on this mission, as will the curved blade. The 3DMG modification will have to wait, unfortunately."
"This sounds good." Christa smiled.
"If I may, would we need to retrain to handle the curved blades?" Armin cut in.
"Not much." Hange declared. "The weights and torques have not changed enough to require it, but they're stronger, so if anything, we're all over-trained."
"And the grenades?"
"We'll need to make safe training areas for those – the blasts can be potent."
"The plan was that you'd blast open a titan's gut, if you needed to, right?" Levi confirmed.
"Yes, but we need to do more tests. The blasts had been said to have had negative impacts on people at a distance and the shockwave had been said to cause brain damage."
"Old research?" Armin asked.
"Yes. We hoped to continue it, but we hardly have the technology they did."
"It's not like we would need it, if all goes to plan."
"Fair enough."
The door creaked to everybody's surprise and Levi got ready for any physical or verbal attack he would need to unleash as the wood creaked.
"The last time I was in here, I was in chains. Reiss was there, Rod there and all the corrupt cronies there." The left hand moved about, indicating the historic spots as the new person spoke.
"Thank you for gracing us with your visit, Mr Smith." Christa began. "How's your retirement?"
"Fine. It's nice not being responsible for deaths." Erwin replied.
"Of course, though you've ben pardoned."
"I hear a mission is underway."
"Yes."
"It's nice to see how transparent the government is."
"You've been reading old stuff, haven't you?" Levi mumbled.
"Of course. Now, what's this plan?" Erwin leaned over the map. He read it and before anybody could explain, said: "I see you're going to the blasted basement once and for all. I'd have loved to."
"Unfortunately, retired soldiers are not allowed on the mission." Levi grumbled.
"Nice plan, Armin. Remember to use- oh, are those rain meeting spots?" Erwin continued.
"Yes." Armin smiled.
"Ingenious." Erwin said.
"Thanks."
"I'll not keep you, best of luck."
"Actually, Mr Smith, it would be nice of you to offer inputs." Christa said.
"Thank you, I would love to stay."
The meeting was, as a result, extended by an hour. It did help to have Erwin check everything as people gained confidence, knowing that the plan passed through the hands that all the other missions did.
"What a surprise." Ymir said, noting the time.
"Armin being Armin." Jean muttered.
"Calm down. I'm sure there's a good reason. And I doubt any of you mind extra time put into planning." Mikasa said.
"Armin wouldn't try anything stupid." Eren added.
At the meeting, the old friends – Hange, Levi and Erwin – added their small chat to its end, leaving Armin and Christa in the throne room. "It's been a while for the long distance formation." Levi mused.
"Since the 57th." Erwin pointed out. Hange and Erwin glanced at Levi, knowing that he would still have a few raw feelings from that day.
"Hopefully no lurking variables would screw it up this time." Levi grumbled. "And everybody knows everything this time around."
"True – it won't end like last time." Hange reassured.
"Or the last time outside the walls." Levi jokingly pointed at Erwin's right shoulder, from which a stump emerged as a ghost of the arm a titan took.
"Fair point."
"Optimism." Levi sneered.
"He's starting to understand." Hange told Erwin.
"I'll tell the 104th." Levi excused himself.
The squad had arranged for the mission already as it was scheduled to depart by ten in the next morning. Dinner was ready thanks to Sasha's unique expertise.
Everybody had waited for Levi, who sat at the head of the table and began with a "Good evening."
The sentiment was echoed. "Armin shall explain the mission." Levi said. Jean made a secret face, but nobody but Ymir noticed.
"Fine. The objective is, of course, the study of Eren's basement. We will use the long distance formation as a squad, travelling in pairs as each unit. There will be a main cart with Heicho and Hange San in the centre of the formation. That will carry all the papers on the return trip. Our route will be directly southward for the most part. We will veer a little to go to a few woods. The plan is to reach Shinshiga by nightfall." Armin explained.
"Who's each person's partner?" Jean asked.
"Partners are by current room assignment, with Ymir joining us."
"What of messages?" Connie wondered.
"The only group that should need to send messages is the front – Jean, Ymir and my group. Other groups would be able to go to the centre in only a dire emergency."
"Also, we know what to expect quite well, so do not be too concerned." Levi said. "You all chose to be here."