"The Advance Guard has been decimated!"

Every soldier present had been ordered to stand at attention. The courtyard of Trost's Garrison headquarters was filled to capacity with rows of soldiers all facing the grim expression of Captain Kitz Woermann. At the sound of his announcement, a ripple ran through the crowd and caused many of the soldiers standing around Celine to forget themselves and drop their position. The pause as Woermann took a deep breath was filled with the sound of shuffling.

Only hours ago they'd been told the Colossal Titan had broken through Trost's outer gate. Most hadn't witnessed the act – the monster making an appearance just long enough to kick through the gate before disappearing in an enormous cloud of steam. They'd felt the impact, though.

Those stationed at Headquarters had rushed to the rooftop – looking out over the buildings in speculation that there'd been a mishap with the ignition powder stored near the wall. Everyone gathered there had gone silent by the time Celine crested the steps, her face morphing to mirror the horrified expressions of her peers as she took in the Titans peeking their heads in through the newly-created hole.

It wasn't long before reports started coming in: Almost anyone within a two block radius of the gate had been crushed by debris. This nearly cut in half the number of soldiers on hand who were trained in hanging the emergency nets and manning the catapults. Little time was left to process the lives lost; orders had been shouted left-and-right to provide equipment and manpower to support those on the front line in case the Titans couldn't be kept at bay. Everyone had prayed that it wouldn't come to pass.

"I'll be blunt!" Captain Woermann continued, the dark circles around his eyes standing out sharply against his gaunt features. "We should expect the Armored Titan to break through the inner wall at any moment!"

The hands Celine had clasped behind her back grew tense. She glanced to the side as her neighbors openly voiced their shock and disbelief.

"It can't be true."

"Is this an exercise?"

"Maybe the Scouts are in on it."

"Silence!"

The soldiers snapped back to attention.

"Finally, understand this!" Woermann shouted. "Desertion in the face of a foe means immediate execution! Be prepared to sacrifice your lives! Dismissed!"

The soldiers thumped their hands against their chest and shouted in confirmation. Celine noted a forced nature behind the sound; her own validation being no better. With a grunt she turned on her heel and joined the clamor of those scattering to their assigned units.

"Captain!"

Celine trotted up to Norman. The Engineering Corps had been hard at work for over an hour prior to the briefing, and Celine couldn't help but to be irritated by the interruption which only stated the obvious.

"Captain, we need–"

Celine stopped, her jaw hanging open. Norman was staring ahead into nothing with his fist still against his chest. The light behind his eyes was gone. He didn't move so much as a muscle when Celine snapped her fingers beside his ear.

"Well, that's just great," Celine said. She jogged past Norman toward the wide cargo doors leading to the basement.

I'm supposed to get authorization before using the emergency gas tanks for canister refills, but waiting for that idiot to return to reality isn't going to help with certain time constraints.

"Over here!"

Celine stopped in her tracks, one hand on the doorframe. She looked over her shoulder. Across the courtyard was a tall boy with dark hair and freckles. He was talking to a small group of cadet soldiers with a firm expression. He appeared concerned, but collected; every bit like someone who'd graduated seventh in his class. She regarded the boy with narrowed eyes for a moment before Celine turned and trotted down the stairs.

"He said he wanted to be like my mother," Celine said, her mumbling lost in the commotion.

"If becoming a martyr is what he wants, it looks like he'll have the chance."

. . .

Marco lifted his head. A feeling like he was being watched itched at the back of his mind as he wrapped up conveying orders to his squad. His eyes roved about, but none of the soldiers scrambling around the courtyard appeared to pay him any mind.

"Are you alright, Marco?"

"Fine," Marco said. His squad-mate, Reiner Braun, had been studying Marco with a look of concern. Despite the turmoil swirling around them, it was a nice feeling to know Marco's squad had his back. He was going to make sure they all made it through today no matter what.

"Alright, let's go, everyone," Marco said. His ODM gear shot from his hips, a hiss of vapor trailing behind as he launched onto the rooftops.

A long, rectangular box fell to the floor with a thud. The sound echoed throughout the warehouse, getting eaten up by the shadows where the torchlight didn't reach. It was eerily quiet now that most of the soldiers had headed out into the city.

"Shit," Celine said, hopping off the short ladder to pick up the box and place it aside. There was a chance the drop may have led to the ODM blades rattling against one another and flaw could mean the difference between life and death against a Titan. There were bags of chalk strapped to the corners of each row of shelves and Celine removed a red stick from the burlap to mark the box with a large 'X.'

"Celine!"

"Yeah?" Celine said, craning her head around the end of the row. The young man running toward her was one of the recently graduated cadets who'd been assigned to assist the Engineering Corps.

The assignment to the Engineering Corps was a double-edged sword – if everything went as planned, members of the Engineering Corps weren't expected to participate in any form of combat. On the other hand, their purpose was defined by their ability to distribute and protect the equipment. Other soldiers gave their lives for the King and his citizens; Engineering members were expected to give their lives for rations and kegs of ignition powder. It didn't come across as a very honorable thing to die for … which explained why the number of Engineering Corps members had suddenly dissipated by more than half over the past few hours as the Titans drew closer to Headquarters.

"It's Captain Woermann!" the cadet said, stopping to put his hands on his knees as he caught his breath. "He's leaving!"

Celine frowned. "What?" she said. "Leaving? As in really leaving? His squad is the last of the Garrison still here! Are you sure?"

The cadet nodded. He straightened as Celine tossed aside the bag of chalk and broke into a run. He was over a head taller than she was and easily able to keep her in stride.

"I told Emma and the others to try and stall him for as long as we can," the cadet said. "We also sent someone to find Captain Norman, but he said he was busy and wouldn't come down."

Celine let out a tsk. They were approaching the other end of the warehouse now, and it was easy enough to hear Captain Woermann as he raised his voice.

"…respecting protocol. It's a soldier's duty to follow orders!"

The cadet member who Celine assumed was Emma said something too soft for her to hear.

"Silence!"

Metal flashed in the torchlight as Woermann drew his sword. "Step aside! If you say another word, I'll slay you for tre–"

The attention of Woermann and his squad had been absorbed enough on the cadets blocking the door they didn't notice when Celine approached from behind. She squeezed between two of the Garrison soldiers, bringing a foot forward to sweep Woermann's legs out from under him. The captain landed on the stone floor with a loud thud.

"You jackass!" Celine said. She straddled Woermann, picking up one of his dropped blades and holding it to his throat. He yelped as Celine used her free hand to lift him by the cuff of his shirt.

"What was all that bullshit earlier about desertion, huh?!" Celine said. "Didn't you say something about deserters being executed on the spot?"

Woermann recoiled against the blade brushing against his neck, hairs falling loose from his beard. His eyes darted to the side. "Do something!" he shouted.

The Garrison soldiers put their hands on the hilts of their swords. They exchanged worried glances.

"Do you want to be charged with treason?!" Woermann said. "You're witnessing a soldier assaulting a commanding officer!"

"Wrong!" Celine said. "You're witnessing a soldier exercising her right to question her commanding officer's ability to lead in the event of extreme injury, trauma, or insanity. Right now, we're on the last one, but I can easily make it the first."

Woermann bristled. "You wouldn't dare! Not with so many witnesses!"

"Yes, I've got plenty of witnesses," Celine said. "I need three to confirm you're not of sound mind in your attempt to abandon your post. Do I have three soldiers who can affirm this?"

The cadet with her brunette hair tied back in a ponytail stepped forward, "Cadet Emma Wineman. I second this verdict."

"Cadet Ray Thomas," said the boy with shaggy black hair who'd come to fetch Celine. "Third."

The final member of the cadets raised his hand, "Cadet Leslie Fargould. Fourth."

Celine tilted her head with a smirk. "There you have it," she said. "Three soldiers just affirmed you're not of your right mind. Looks like you have to stay here and make sure we don't d–"

"Three cadets acted as witnesses," Woermann said, his expression hardening. "A cadet doesn't become a soldier until they join a regiment. Their statements mean nothing."

Woermann turned his head to regard the three Garrison members of his squad. They shifted under his gaze.

"We're leaving," he said. "We're going back to Wall Rose for more recruits … before the Titans come."

Celine knew at that moment she'd lost. There would be no reasoning with the Garrison soldiers who now radiated fear as they drew their swords and pointed them in her direction. She could only release her grip on Woermann and back away with palms raised.

The captain was helped to his feet. He brushed himself, adjusted his jacket, and tucked his hands behind his back as he walked past Celine and the cadets as if nothing were amiss.

"Your orders are to remain here," he said. "You will defend this facility at all costs. If any of you cross the wall before the soldiers of the rear guard, you'll be executed immediately."

That's ridiculous, Celine thought, watching Woermann and his squad climb the wide staircase.

A scenario where the rear guard was evacuated and the Engineering Corps were capable of getting themselves out of Headquarters and over to Wall Rose on their own was impossible. There was a reason Captain Woermann didn't condemn them for execution on the spot; there was no point.

The remaining cadets and members of the Engineering Corps of Trost District were already dead.

"There's nothing I can do," Jean said.

All but a handful of the vanguard were gone – wiped out by the Titans. Around three dozen soldiers remained in Trost District. And here they would remain for what little time they had left.

"I'm out of gas and can't make it up the wall," Jean said, voicing the concern of every one of his companions. He and most of the remaining soldiers milled about the rooftops of a district which had so far been overlooked by the dozens of Titans lurking about. Many of the Titans had wandered toward the Engineering Corps Headquarters building to the east. Getting into the building and accessing the precious canisters of gas they'd need to make it to Wall Rose would be impossible. They were stranded.

"We're all going to die because of those cowards," Jean said.

Conny turned to Jean in puzzlement. "Who?" he asked. "The Engineering Corps? Were they wiped out, or what?"

"They lost the will to fight," Jean said. He shrugged, indicating the dismal group around them as if to indicate he was in no place to judge. "They abandoned their duty and locked the doors. Titans are all over the place – we can't get in; they can't get out."

"Then let's bust our way through!" Conny said. "I'm not gonna stand here and just wait to die! If the Titans are going to be on us either way, we should use what little gas we have left fighting instead of giving up!"

"Look at you, using your head for a change," Jean said. He looked away to regard his fellow soldiers. A few observed the Titans in the distance with hard expressions. Most were staring into space or weeping uncontrollably. Armin Arlelt seemed to be doing both at once as tears dripped from his hollow eyes. There may've been little love lost for Eren Jaeger on Jean's part, but he could still feel pity for the squad mate who witnessed his friend get eaten alive for his sake.

"I know you're not dense enough to think we actually have the manpower to breach the building," Jean said. "It wouldn't matter if we did. The warehouse with all the gas tanks is probably crawling with three to four-meter Titans. Everyone in there is dead, and we'd be too."

"The Engineering Headquarters?"

Jean looked over his shoulder. He regarded Marco with a slow blink as his friend stared down at him with a fervent expression.

"Yeah, Engineering HQ," Jean said. "You can see all the Titans over there. If anyone's left now, they won't be for long."

There was movement to Jean's left. He looked up in time for Conny to punch him square in the face.

"Argh!"

Jean tumbled over the slanted shingles. He caught himself from sliding off the roof as the other cadets turned to regard him in confusion. "What the hell are you doing?!" he shouted.

"Is your head made of rocks?!" Conny said. Coming from someone who regularly described himself as 'dense,' this was a low blow.

"His sister is assigned there!" Conny continued. "Don't go around spouting out shit about them all being dead!"

Jean's eyes widened. The anger etched across his face fell away as he regarded Marco's back.

"Marco …" he said, gritting his teeth. "I'm sorry. I didn't know your sister was there."

Marco didn't move. Guilt squirmed in Jean's gut. He climbed to his feet and stepped forward to place a hand on his friend's shoulder. His hand froze mid-air and his jaw dropped in amazement.

Marco was smiling.

"My sister is there," Marco said. A light appeared behind his eyes as he turned back to Jean. He reached to his side to unsheathe the only unbroken sword he had left. "And my sister is brave. She's brave just like how her mother was brave. I'm not … I'm still not there. But I know for sure she hasn't given up, so I won't either."

"Oi!" Jean said, holding out his hand in a plea for Marco to stop. "Marco! What are you doing?!"

"I'm going to save my sister!" Marco said, turning to hit Jean with a look filled with determination.

"I won't believe the Engineering Corps has given up on us," Marco continued. "It wouldn't be fair for us to give up on them. I'm going to do all I can to save as many people as possible. That's what I signed up to do when I decided to become a soldier to protect the King and his citizens."

The cadets who'd had their heads in their hands looked up. Some of them slowly got to their feet.

"You!" Jean croaked, finally finding his voice. "Don't just run off by yourself, you idiot!"

"He won't be alone!"

Sasha Braus jogged to Marco's side, her ponytail bouncing behind her. Expressive, brown eyes sparkled as she gifted Marco with a nod. "If my family were here, I'd want to rescue them, too. I'll follow your lead, Marco."

A grateful smile was thrown Sasha's way. "Thanks, Sasha," Marco said.

"Dang, you guys are noble," Conny said. He smirked and stepped forward. "Anyone who doesn't go with you now will look like a total ass."

A hiss of steam heralded another cadet leaping from a neighboring roof and landing nearby. "I have a little brother at home," he said as he stepped forward. "I couldn't imagine knowing he was trapped and needed my help. If the Titans get through Rose … that may happen."

A ripple ran through the group. Anyone still sitting got to their feet. Even Armin pushed himself up with an uncertain expression. Marco's squad mate Annie Leonhart walked past Jean to stand beside Marco. She didn't say a word but returned his nod in acknowledgement.

"You guys …" Jean said, the color draining from his face. "You guys can't be serious. Marco, you need to think about this. Do you even have a plan here?!"

"That's what you're for, Jean," Marco said, looking away from Annie to hit Jean with a hopeful expression. "You have what it takes to be a leader – I don't know anyone who would be better at thinking up a strategy."

Jean's outstretched hand fell to his side. He couldn't comprehend how it was possible for Marco to smile right now, much less have so much faith in him.

"Tell us what to do, Jean."

The sound of Mikasa Ackermann's voice over his shoulder caused Jean to flinch.

Mikasa's demeanor was the polar opposite of Marco's – the light in her eyes was gone, and she looked ahead with a stoic mask devoid of emotion. Jean was puzzled for a moment over how she could appear so lifeless after Marco's rousing speech, but a sudden reminder of Eren Jaeger's demise slotted the pieces into place. He cursed Eren's memory over the pain undoubtedly churning beneath Mikasa's still surface.

"Okay," Jean said. His eyes narrowed in determination as he looked back to Marco. "If we've got a powerhouse like Mikasa at our back, maybe we do stand a chance." Jean unsheathed his sword, pointing it to the sky. "And I'll be damned if I don't live through this so I can kick Conny in the nuts as payback for that sucker punch!"

"Yeah!" Sasha said, unsheathing her own sword to mirror Jean. "Let's move out for family and revenge!"

The remaining soldiers unsheathed their swords with a battle cry. Marco chuckled in a nervous fashion as their clamor died down.

"I don't know about the 'revenge' part," he said, Conny nodding adamantly at his side. "But I'm glad you're standing with me, Jean. Now let's–"

There was a boom like thunder. Those who'd been anywhere nearby when the Colossal Titan had appeared looked about in a panic – afraid they were about to witness a second instance of it coming to destroy them all. What they spotted instead was something trailing against the low clouds, a plume of green smoke in its wake.

Heads tilted to follow the object's trajectory. It landed a few blocks to the east – the crashing sound of its landing implying it smashed through a weak spot in one of the roofs. Green smoke continued to rise up in a steady column.

"What the hell was that?" Conny said. "It looks like it came from Headquarters."

Marco leapt off the building. His ODM gear hissed in spurts as it jettisoned him over the rooftops and toward the cloud of green smoke. There were Titans whose attention had been caught by the crash; they steadily began to lumber in his direction.

"Oi, Marco!"

Jean ran to the edge of the building with a curse. He drew his sword, eyes narrowing as he kept his attention firmly on Marco's back and utilized the last of his gas to move forward.