Lando was dragged along with Eren, Mikasa, and Armin by Commander Pixis; they were at the top of the wall.
Pixis stopped walking looking down the wall "Nope, none at all…."
Lando thought that meant the Titans had left. But how? Lando walked over to where he was staring and saw a lot of Titans trying to climb up.
"Maybe he needs to lay off the alcohol." Lando thought
"I certainly wouldn't mind being gobbled up by a beautiful girl Titan…." Pixis said.
Lando was looking at the man like he was insane and granted after that he probably was
"Uh, Commander? Might wanna lay off whatever you're drinking…" Lando said.
"What do you mean my boy? You need liquid to survive!" Pixis said.
" To each's own," Lando said.
"Indeed," Pixis said.
"I hope Lev- My dad isn't like this." Lando thought.
"Now Eren tell me about what happened," Pixis ordered, Getting into serious mode.
Eren told him everything about how he died, how he became a Titan, and about the basement.
"I see," Pixis said. "And visiting this basement will make everything clear?"
"Yes.. Do you believe me?" Eren asked.
"Seeing as you, yourself are unable to provide validation, for now i'm simply keeping an open mind." Pixis said pointing to his head."But I do believe I can tell someone is being sincere or not. I will personally guarantee your safety."
Eren and Armin let out a breath that they were holding Mikasa seemed surprised at least and Lando remained stoic as ever.
"Cadet Arlet is it?" Pixis asked.
"Yes,Sir!" Armin says.
"Earlier, you mentioned that with this so called Titan ability it would be possible to retake the city. "Pixis said. "Do you truly believe that? Or was that a desperate plea for your life?"
Lando thought it would be possible but Eren seemed to not be in control of the power. Too many unknown variables.
"Well…" Amrin began "Both."
"I was going to suggest that Eren, in Titan form, could take that giant rock and use it to block the wrecked entrance. It was just an Idea I came up with on the spot ..." Armin says. " I just wanted to see the possibilities of Eren's abilities, and how it would help solve the situation we're in…."
"Of course, I was desperate to survive, too!" The blonde adds.
Lando had to admit it wasn't a bad plan but how would they do it? Titans would be all over Eren in a second. And Eren can't even control his power so there was that. That would have to mean that the Cadets and the Garrison would have to protect Eren, Lando really didn't wanna risk dying to protect Eren again he has already done enough of that in his lifetime.
"Desperate to survive…" Pixis muttered "Nothing more credible than those words."
Lando looked at the others, Armin had somehow come to a salute with his heart and Lando didn't even notice, Eren was squatting looking stressed, and Mikasa was looking stoic but you could see that she was tense probably from the standoff about 20 minutes ago.
Pixis walked over to Eren who was squatting and took a knee. "What do you say Cadet Jaeger?"
"Sir," Eren said, sounding tired.
"Can you plug the hole?" Pixis asked.
"Well…uh.." Eren stutters. "I'm not sure. Right now, I don't really understand any more than the rest of you. Maybe I can. Maybe I can't. I don't know. I don't feel like I can risk giving an irresponsible answer."
"Ah, yes. My apologies." Pixis said. "I asked the wrong question."
"Will you do it, or not?" Pixis asked.
"Now that was the perfect question to ask a certain Titan changing boy." Lando thought " He is too stubborn to admit that he can't, he only said maybe before."
Pixis was staring at Eren before looking past him into the burning city and Eren's gaze followed.
Then Eren got that all too familiar determined look. "I'll do it! I don't know if I can plug the hole or not... But I'll do it!"
"I'm going to have like a 70% chance of dying in this operation aren't I?" Lando thought.
Pixis seemed pleased, putting his hands on Erens shoulders. "Well said! You're a real man!"
Pixis then walked over to the edge of the wall yelling. "Calling all staff officers! We have a plan to put together!"
"This guy is rash.." Lando muttered.
"Huh?! You can't be serious!" Armin said. "It was just some half baked plan I came up with on the spot! We're actually going through with it?!"
"That's what I thought too, but there's no point in doubting his decision. Commander Pixis is envisioning something we can't yet see." Eren said.
"Something we can't see?" Armin says.
"Plus, I think there's a bigger issue that needs to be addressed. Before we can carry out this plan. And the commander is keenly aware of it. "
"Which would be?" Armin asked.
"That the Titans aren't our only enemy," Eren says.
Armin gasped while Lando and MIkasa remained stoic.
"Humans have always posed a threat to their own kind." Lando thought
"Time is of the essence," Pixis said.
The four of them turned around to see Pixis and the rest of the officers there. Pixis smiling at them.
"We're counting on you, young soldiers," Pixis said.
"Why is it always me that has to do this?" Lando thought.
Lando had been called over to Pixis and Eren he didn't know why but of course, it had to be him and not Mikasa, he just wanted to meet his dad not try to retake a city from literal Titans that want to eat him.
"How have you been doing this for all these years, Dad?" Lando wondered.
Lando looked out while he walked with the two he saw every soldier that they could spare besides the scouts who were out on a mission currently.
"It is said that before the Titans ruled the land, Humankind consisted of people of different races and creeds and that they perpetually fought with and killed each other," Pixis said.
"But supposedly someone back then said that if a powerful enemy that wasn't human ever appeared, Humanity would likely cease its fighting and come together as one. What is your opinion you two?" Pixis said.
"I'd never heard that story before," Eren said. "I'd say…. It's a pretty laid back attitude. It's enough to make me yawn."
"A story as old as time, if humans exist there will always be war Titans, other humans, nature even. All we ever do is fight, all you gotta do is make sure you're on the right side." Lando said.
Pxis started laughing hard. "You guys have a twisted mind, just like me"
"Even now, when a powerful enemy has driven us into a corner, I would hardly say we have come together," Eren says.
"Indeed," Pixis responds.
"Humans hate each other if they see one as better than the other, I don't think we will ever come together," Lando said.
Eren sighed, "Ego."
"Ego and pride," Lando responded
"If we don't get our act together soon, even fighting will be tough," Pixis said.
The three of them were walking on the top of the wall when a man said.
"Eren?! He's alright…."
Eren pointed down signaling him to his work.
"Douchebag.." Lando muttered.
"I try," Eren responded.
"You are trying too hard," Lando said.
Pixis took a drink before gesturing it to Eren "Would you like some?"
"Thank you, sir!" Eren said.
Eren took a drink before spitting it all over the place.
"That is why I don't drink," Lando said.
"You and your water and tea…" Eren muttered.
The three of them made it to the edge of the wall and Lando saw all the soldiers staring at them, he hated this.
Pixis did his salute.
"Attention!" Pixis yelled.
Lando was covering his ears after that, he hated loud sounds.
"I will now explain to you the details of the Trost Recovery Operation! The objective of this operation is to seal the hole in the demolished gate!" Pixis yelled.
Everyone was shocked and Lando heard a mountain of gasping, it was funny but he didn't laugh or smile.
"As for how we'll accomplish this, let me start by introducing this fellow!" Pixis said as Eren saluted. "This is Eren Jaeger, a member of the Cadets! He is the successful result of our top secret Titan transformation experiments! He is able to fabricate a Titan's body and control it at will! In Titan form, he will lift that giant rock near the front gate, carry it to the wrecked gate, and seal the hole!" Pixis yelled.
"And this is Cadet Lando! He will be protecting Eren as he makes his way to seal the hole! He will ride on Eren's shoulder and cut down any Titans that get close!" Pixis yelled.
Lando didn't know about this and he wasn't happy about it, he was going to have every Titan in Trost make a beeline towards him, and he had to protect a Titan from all of the other Titans.
"As for you!" Pixis yelled. "You're are to help Cadet Lando defend him from the other Titans while he carries the rock!"
"You're lying!" someone yelled.
"Oh, that's Daz." Lando thought
"I refuse to give my life for this ridiculous nonsense! What do you take us for?! We're not disposable blades, you know!"
"He says he's a human weapon!" Someone yelled.
"He's is obviously lying!" Someone else yelled.
"I ain't gonna die here today!" Another yelled.
"I"m outta here!" One yelled while walking away.
Then a lot of people started walking away.
"Wait! Don't make me execute you!" An officer yelled.
"Prepare yourself, traitors! I'll cut you down where you stand!" The officer who tried to kill Lando, Mikasa, Armin, and Eren yelled.
"By my order!" Pixis yelled. "..all who leave now are absolved of their crime! Those who succumbed to the Titans 'terror once before can never face them again! Anyone who has already experienced their horror may leave! And, those who want their family and loved ones to experience that same horror may leave as well!"
"Jeez, this guy knew what to say." Lando thought.
And that got most people to turn around and listen to this plan.
"Let's discuss four years ago! Namely, the operation to retake Wall Maria!" Pixis yelled.
Lando knew about Wall Maria from Kenny 200,000 poor bastards had to go retake it and almost all of them died. Lando remembered Kenny laughing saying "Better them than me!" Lando admitted he missed the ripper's company sometimes.
"I'm sure none of this needs saying! Calling it a recovery operation gave it a nice ring, but it was essentially a way to dispose of the unemployed masses that the government couldn't support!" Pixis yelled.
"That is a smart move always bring up someone's loved ones when you want them to do something." Lando thought.
"The reason no one has spoken out about it is because sending them outside is what allowed us to survive inside these cramped walls! All of humanity including myself is guilty! Conflict never arose simply because Wall Maria's citizens were in the minority! But what about now?! If Wall Rose falls, humanity will lose more than 20% of its population! Wall Sina wouldn't be able to support even half of the people still alive! If we humans go extinct, it won't be because we were eaten by Titans! It'll be because we killed ourselves off!" Pixis yelled.
Lando started thinking about the Underground and what seemed like the circle of violence that occurs down there, including him.
"We cannot afford to die any further inside. I kindly ask of you! Please die here!" Pixis said.
"You were doing so well. That was the worst way to end that speech, you lost me." Lando thought.
After the speech, Lando and Eren walked over to Armin and Mikasa who planned this whole thing. Armin gave them the full rundown of the plan.
"Eren, Lando I'm sorry." Armin said, "I didn't mean to force all the responsibility on your guys' shoulders like this."
"You couldn't pick Mikasa for this?" Lando asked
Armin looked guilty while staring at the ground. " I would've but you're better than her and the elites of the Garrison, you're the best person to protect Eren."
Lando sighed. " You did unfuck the other situation we got into with the whole cannon and all that I guess I owe you."
"Don't worry Lando, I trust you to protect me and Armin has the ability to always make the right call. I have faith in him." Eren said.
" Eren, I really think I should come with you and Lando," Mikasa said.
"There it is, feel free to take my spot. I don't want it," Lando said.
"Don't even think about switching with her Lando," Eren said as Mikasa gasped.
"They assigned you to the decoy squad." Eren finished.
"But I can't leave you all alone!" Mikasa pointed out. "It'll happen again if-"
Eren then tried to headbutt her but she dodged it.
"I told you before! I'm not your little brother or your kid! Lando is better than you at protecting me anyway!" Eren yelled.
Mikasa was looking like someone sledgehammered her feelings but then a light in the darkness came to her aid.
"Ackermann," Ian said who was leading the squad that would be the last line of defense to Eren except for Lando "Join the elite squad that'll protect Jaeger. We'll need your skills. Lando, you know what to do if any Titans slip past us you will kill them no matter what it takes. Let's go!" Ian orders.
"Yeah, I got it," Lando said.
Mikasa, Eren, and Lando as well as the elites of the Garrison were running to where they were going to begin the operation.
"He called you a top secret human weapon, but as long as you seal that hole, I don't care. We'll protect you at all costs! We're counting on you!" Ian says.
"Right!" Eren responds.
"Eren. Are you alright?" Mikasa asked.
"Yeah," Eren says, annoyed.
"Eren," Mikasa said before being cut off.
"Seriously I'm fine! I'm much better than when we were surrounded!"
Then Rico ran up between the two.
"Quit playing house, Yaeger!" She orders.
"Yeah, you guys need to shut up, especially you Mikasa, your constant worrying about Eren gets really annoying for everyone else."
"It isn't like that!" Eren says.
" I can't believe the fate of mankind rests in the hands of a coddled brat like you…" Mitabi says.
Then Mikasa was staring at all of them, pissed off.
"You can't act all pissed off Mikasa, you don't have the right to be, you have been nothing but a hindrance except during your speech or during the evacuation of Trost," Lando said.
"That's enough all of you!" Ian ordered. "We're almost to the shortest route to the rock."
"I don't see any Titans in the area. Their decoy tactics must be working. " Ian said.
"Just so you're aware, Jaeger…" Rico says. "More than a few soldiers will likely die during this operation. All for you."
Eren was staring at her in shock.
"Our colleagues, our seniors, our juniors. They're prepared to die, of course. They're soldiers. But they aren't faceless pawns, they have names, families, hopes, and dreams of their own. Alyosha. Dominic. Fine. Isabel. Ludwig. Martina. Guido. Hans. They're all real people, flesh and blood. Some have been living under the same roof since their Cadet days. And many of these people could end up dying for you today. It's your duty to make sure their deaths aren't in vain. Regardless of what happens. Keep that in your pampered mind and fulfill your duties with dead seriousness."
"And that is why you're not the leader of this group." Lando thought.
" I will," Eren said, looking determined.
"Well, what do I know then?" Lando thought.
Lando and Eren got into position right next to each other Lando was supposed to follow Eren and when he transformed he would get on his shoulder and protect him from threats.
Then the green flare went into the air signaling the start of the operation.
End Of Chapter 21.