Chapter 16
Experiments
It was a few days after the Titans were killed. Eren and Kara were feeding the horses. Gunther and Eld were sitting, drinking coffee. Kara held a bucket up to her horse. She had heard the inspection of the Cadets turned up nothing. The MPs had tried to check Kara and Eren's, but Levi had refused because they were at headquarters when the incident accured.
"After that whole inspection, they didn't turn up one person who used their ODM gear without permission. So who coul'a done it?" Gunther asked.
"Beats me. And right now. I'm more concerned with the recruitment drive tonight. How many cadets are crazy enough to join the regiment with the highest casualties?" Eld said. Gunther looked at Kara and Eren.
"Hey, Eren, Kara! You know if anyone in your class is thinking about joining us?" Gunther asked.
"Yeah, there're are a few." Kara said as Lucky ate from her bucket. Eren looked away.
"Who knows now after the attack on Trost." Eren said. Kara couldn't help but wonder who wouldn't be. "We're really not sure now." Horse clopping comes and Kara looked to see Levi coming towards them on his horse.
"Fall in!" Gunther called. Kara quickly put her bucket down with Eren as Gunther and Eld got up and stood ready as Kara joined them. All three salute Levi as he comes to a stop.
"Make ready, people! We're going on patrol." Levi said.
"Yes, sir." Eld, Gunther, and Kara said. Eren runs over.
"Good morning, Captain! Reporting for duty!" Eren said, saluting the Captain. Levi looks at Eren.
"Eren. You will stay within ten meters at me at all times or next to Kara. The only reason that you're out of your cell is because I'm keeping an eye on you. Understood?" Levi said.
"Yes sir!" Eren said.
"Let's ride!" Levi called. Eld, Gunther, Kara, and Eren got on their horses and follow Levi out of the castle. Levi led them out with Kara and Eren right behind him and Eld and Gunther behind the two Cadets.
Later that day. The Cadets stood where they were going to decide their regiments. Marco was standing with Conny, Sasha, Armin, and Annie. There was nervous chatter. Jean walked up to them.
"Jean! You're really going to join the Scouts?" Armin asked. He had told his friends during the funeral of those lost during the Trost siege.
"Yeah." Jean said.
"Whoa, are you serious? I mean. Aren't you terified?" Sasha asked.
"Huh? Of course I'm scared. I'm not an idiot here." Jean said.
"Uh. Then why are you..?" Conny asked.
"Because I'm scare of the Titans. And I want to do something about it." Jean said.
"He also wants to see Kara." Marco said. Jean shot him a glare.
"Of course he does." Annie grumbled.
"A week without her and he's going nuts." Sasha said. Jean grumbled.
"Listen. I understand that joining the Scouts isn't for everybody. I won't guilt trip you. Unlike a Suicidal Maniac." Jean said.
"Eren, huh? Guess him and Kara already been a Scout for awhile now, hasn't he?" Conny said. Jean sighed.
"Kara is there to help deal with Eren since she knows him." Marco said.
"Cadets! Fall in! Head over to the platform!" A soldier called. Cadets started moving towards the Platform. "Time to make your choice! Move it!"
"At the end of the day, there's nothing that anyone could say to persuade you into rsiking your life. Same goes for me. So believe me when I say this decision is all mine." Jean said. He turned to head for the platform.
Night fell as Erwin stepped onto the platform. Jean almost didn't hear the whole speach. His mind was on his mother and Kara.
'Damnit Kara. Kiss me when the fight was won and then disappear. Next thing I hear is your already with your father in the Scouts. Guess it's your way of telling me to join the Scouts instead of the MPs.' Jean thought.
"But first ask yourself." Erwin pulled Jean out of his thoughts. Erwin had been going over the plans to retake Wall Maria and go to the Jaeger cell that held the secrets of the Titans. "Can you give your heart? Can you give everything for humanity?" There were shocked gasps through the cadets. "That is all. Those wanting to join other regiments are dismissed. Cadets started to leave. Marco looks at Jean.
"I'll catch you around Jean. Say hi to Kara when you see her again." Marco said. Him and Annie walked off. Bertholdt watched as Annie left. Jean, Sasha and Conny watched as a bunch of the Cadets started leaving to join the other Jean clenched his fists. So many were leaving. Everyone that was leaving was gone. Jean looked around. Sasha, Ymir, Chirsta, Reiner, Bertholdt, Armin, Mikasa, and Conny had stayed, but in total 22 cadets were joining the Scouts.
'This will surprise Kara that I'm joining the Scouts.' Jean said.
"I ask you, if you were ordered to die, could you do it?" Erwin asked.
"We don't want to die, sir!" A cadet said. Erwin closed his eyes for a minute and opened them.
"Of course. Let us hope that you don't then. You who stayed, you are now one of us. Allow me to welcome you to the Scout Regiment. This is a genuine salute, soldiers!" Erwin said. He did the salute. "Together, we give our hearts!" Everyone saluted the Commander.
"Sir!" Cadets said. Armin looked around. People were mumbling stuff. Sasha and Christa were crying.
"Join the Scouts. This is so stupid." Jean whispered. Jean knew he was doing this not just to do something about the Titans but to be where Kara was. Kara got back to HQ the next day. Petra was there to greet them.
"How many?" Kara asked.
"22 in total will be joinging us the day before we leave for a mission. They are starting training with Ness tomorrow. You'll see them when they join us for the mission." Petra said. Kara and Eren share looks, wondering who would be joining the Scouts.
A week later. Hange and Levi had been hard to work figuring out tests to do on Eren. Eren had spent time with Kara when her father was busy, but she had convinced her father to give him a room instead of the cell. Eren could tell that she was missing their friends, especially Jean.
One day. They stood around a chalk board. Kara stood with Eren with her arms crossed. Hange was sitting on one of the boxes as the Squad stood around Eren. Levi stood in front of Eren
"Good news. There may be a way to stop you without killing you." Levi said.
"Sir?" Eren asked.
"In your Titan form. We may have some middle ground after all. A fail safe if you will." Levi said. He turned to the chalkboard and started to draw a Titan body on it. "The method I've come up with will only leave you mutilated. Well, at least in theory. Depends on individual skill. Essentially, we cut the entire nape from the body, with you inside. Your arms and legs will be severed halfway down in the process, but you'll survive." Levi looks at Eren. "As a matter of fact, they'll probably just grow back, lizard style. Creepy little bastard." Eren gasped.
"Hold on a sec. I'm not really sure how they do it. I mean, they might but maybe it's not worth the risk that they won't." Eren said. Levi lowered his eyes.
"Oh, I see. You're only up for this if there's no risk involved whatsoever." Levi said.
"No." Eren said.
"Then be prepared. We're in the same boat. If you go on a rampage you could kill us. So we're even." Levi said.
"Yes, sir. Seems perfectly fair to me." Eren said.
"Just to be clear. I have the go ahead, right?" Hange asked, breaking her silence. Levi looked back at Hange.
"We can't afford not to run tests. So yes, you're good. Just try to keep him from going rogue right out of the gate." Levi said.
"Oh, not to worry. I have a plan." Hange said.
"She has the crazy look again." Eren whispered to Kara, who snorted.
"Don't worry. Father and I will make sure she doesn't go to crazy with her experiments." Kara whispered.
"Eren. I know you're still a mystery to yourself, but we learn as we go. Knowledge is always worth the risk. I believe that." Hange said. Eren gulped.
Later that day. Kara, Levi, and Hange stood around a well. All three had their ODM gear on as they look down at Eren, who was in the wall.
"You ready down there, my dear? When we're good to begin, I'll fire off a smoke signal." Hange said. She leans down and looks at Eren. "What happens after that is entirely up to you." Eren holds up his arm.
"Ready when you are, Commander." Eren said. Hange nodded.
"If the boy loses control, this well should hold him until he wears himself out. If not, we'll go with Levi's method. Perfect." Hange said. Kara nodded. They get on their horses and move away from the well. Hange shot off a green smoke signal. They sat waiting, but nothing happened. Kara got worried. "Hmm. I don't understand it. Perhaps he missed the signal?"
"I don't think so." Kara said.
"Perhaps. Or perhaps we're just naive to expect he can turn it on and off." Levi said. They rode up to the wall and get off their horses. "Eren! Enough! We're done for today!"
"Did something go wrong down there?" Hange asked. Kara gasped. Eren was holding a bleeding hand as he looked up at the three in shock.
"I'm sorry. I don't think I can do it now." Eren said.
They took a break and sat at the table. Levi was standing with his mug as Kara fed an apple to Lucky. Levi looked at Eren as Kara came back over.
"You're telling me the bite wounds on your hands show no sign of healing?" Levi asked. Eren rubbed his bandaged hands.
"None, sir." Eren said.
"No offense, but you're not much good to us in this form. If you can't change, our plans for Wall Maria go up in smoke." Levi said. Eren gulped. "Pull it together. And yes, that is an order." Levi walked away and Kara went up to him. "That kid is something. I don't want to break the news to Erwin he's gonna not be able to pull it together."
"Give him time, father. He's trying to figure out this ability out as much as we are. It's gonna take time." Kara said.
"Time we don't have." Levi said with a sigh. He went to take a drink of his mug. An explosion of light comes, making Kara gasp as the Levi squad is thrown away from the table. Kara turned and saw Eren on top of a Titan body in the steam.
"Kara. Get to Eren!" Levi said. Kara ran and jumped on the bones next to Eren.
"Eren." Kara said. He was struggling to get his hand free from the carcass.
"Kara. I wasn't trying to. I.."
"It's fine. You can't get your hand free?" Kara asked.
"No!" Eren said, almost in a panic as he continued to struggle. "Damnit. Why now?!"
"Calm down." Levi said. Eren turned to look at the Captain.
"I'm sorry, Captain. I don't know how I.." Eren paused. Kara looked around and her eyes widen. Levi's squad had surrounded Eren with their swords drawn. Levi didn't have his swords drawn, but was facing his squad with a hand out.
"The situation is complicated. Now, calm down!" Levi said. Terror was written on the squad's faces.
"Kara." Eren whispered. Kara gritted her teeth.
"Everything will be fine Eren. Try and get free." Kara said.
"Eren! What the hell do you think you're doing?" Eld shouted.
"Sir, please." Eren said.
"No one gave you permission to transform, did they?" Eld said.
"I said calm down." Levi said.
"Answer the question, Eren! What got into you?" Oluo said. Gunther started walking towards the carcass. Kara put her hand on her handle.
"Leave it. Explanations can come later." Gunther said. He came to a stop. "First thing's first. You need to persuade us you're not hostile like you life depends on it!" Eren gasps. "Prove it or we kill you! The burden of proof is yours, kid!"
"So much as twitch an arm and I'll lob your head off! This is the first and only warning you'll receive! I can end you in a heartbeat! Do you understand me, boy?" Oluo said.
"Father!" Kara called seeing Eren's scared look at Oluo's words.
"Oluo. How many times do I have to say it..." Levi started.
"Captain! I need you to step away. You're too close. Kara get away from him!" Petra yelled.
"Kara stay with Eren." Levi said. He turned to Petra. "Right now, I believe you're the ones who need to step away. Do it!" Levi said.
"Why would.." Petra began.
"A gut feeling!" Levi said.
"Eren better say something!" Eld called.
"I don't.." Eren started.
"Don't try anything cute!" Oluo said.
"Prove you're not hostile!" Gunther said.
"Now!" Oluo said. Eren closed his eyes as they continued to yell.
"This is serious! We will kill you!" Eld said.
"Eren." Kara called.
"I'll do it. I swear to God." Oluo said.
"Are you with us or not?" Eld said
"Can you not hear me?" Gunther asked.
"That's it! He's dead!" Oluo said.
"No." Kara said.
"Be quiet! All of you just be quiet!" Eren snapped. Everyone goes quiet. "Kara. Help me free myself. Please."
"EREN!" Hange yelled. Kara nearly groaned as she saw Hange running towards the carcass with Moblit right behind her. She shoves Gunther out of her way. "I wanna touch the arm! I wanna touch the arm! Pretty please with sugar on top!" She was nearly drooling with looking at the Titan carcass. "Let me touch this glorious thing!"
"I don't think that's such a good..." Eren's eyes widen when Hange starts reaching to touch the hand. "Wait. No!" Hange touches it. Hange yells as her hand burns and she throws herself away from the carcass.
"Argh! Son of a bitch!" Hange said as she falls to her knees. "That mother is hot when there's no skin!" She throws her hands in the air. "This is the best day in the history of science!" Moblit runs to her.
"Does she have a screw loose or something?" Eren asked as Moblit yelled at her.
"This is typical Hange behavior." Kara grumbled. Hange turned towards Eren.
"Are you not buring up? What's it like? How is it connected to your hand? Oh you have to show me! I really, really wanna see!" Hange said.
"Let's get your hand free before she runs some crazy experiments on you." Kara said.
"I should be able to pull it out." Eren said. Kara grabbed his arm that was connected. They both pulled at the hand. "Come on!" Eren gritted his teeth.
"Are you ignoring me? Don't try anything stupid!" Oluo yelled. The hand came free and Eren and Kara fell off the Titan carcass and hit the ground. The carcass started to steam.
"No! What are you doing? That's too soon!" Hange yelled. Kara rolled onto her knees as Eren picked himself up. Levi walked up to Eren as Kara stood up.
"Sorry, Captain." Eren said. Levi looked down at him.
"So you feeling okay or what?" Levi asked. Eren looked down.
"Not exactly. No." Eren said.
Back at HQ. Everyone went inside as Kara got hay for the horses and got them fed. Footsteps came and Kara looked up as she brushed Lucky to see Levi standing there.
"Hange wants to see us all in the Mess Hall." Levi said. Kara put her brush in the pail and followed her father out and into the Mess Hall where the others were waiting.
"Man. How long of a shit were you taking, anyway?" Levi asked as he came to the head of the table as Kara closed the door.
"Oh, long enough to get the job done. Thank you for asking." Hange said. Kara snorted as she came to the table. "Meeting the brass can do a number on your bowels." She pulled out a hankerchief. "But enough about that." She sets it on the table and unwraps it to show a spoon. "Feast your eyes on this."
"That's the spoon, right?" Eren asked. Hange picked it up.
"The very one. Your spontaneous titan arm erupted into being while holding it. Like so. Resting between the thumb and the index finger." Hange said. Eren gasped. "The world operates on chance, so coincidences are expected. But this begs something more. This untensil wasn't warped by the heat or by the pressure. Any thoughts on the matter?" Hange looks at Eren.
"Uh.. All I know is that I went to pick it up. When I did the arm came out of nowhere." Eren said.
"Interesting. This might explain why you couldn't change in the well." Kara said. Hange nodded. Eren gasped.
"Slaying Titans. Blocking cannon fire. Lifting big rocks. In each instance before assuming Titan form seemingly at will, there was a distinct goal in mind. I believe it's possible that self harm isn't the only catalyst of transformation. It appears as though a clear objective is a crucial ingredient as well." Hange said. Eren looked at his hand.
"I think you might be on to something. This last time was a lot like the time with the cannon ball. But I.. I transformed into a Titan just to pick up a damn spoon? That's insane." Eren said, looking down. Everyone looked at Eren.
"So, uh. What I'm getting out of this is what you pulled wasn't something you did on purpose?" Gunther asked. Eren looked at Gunther.
"No, sir." Eren said. Gunther looked away and sighed. He looked at Eld and both nod. Oluo and Petra nod at each other. All four of them lift their hands to their mouths and take a bite into their hand. Hange looks at all of them and gasps. Kara raised an eyebrow as she stood with her arms crossed. Levi stood with a straight face. "What the? What the hell you think you're doing?"
"Ow." Gunther said.
"Okay, that hurt like a son of a bitch. Damn, kid. I'm impressed you can sink you teeth in that deep without thinking." Eld said.
"We made a judgemnt call today and it was wrong. Consider this our way of apologizing. That is if you can find it in your heart to forgive us." Gunther said.
"Huh?" Eren asked in surprise. Kara couldn't help but smile.
"We have to make spur of the moment decisions, okay? Make the best call we can with what we know. It's our job to keep you in check." Oluo said.
"The fact is we were scared. That's no excuse, I know." Petra said. She looked away. "You have every right to be upset. But. All that aside, we're doomed if we can't trust one another. Just as you are if you can't trust us." Eren looked at everyone who was looking at him.
"I trust you." Eren said. Kara smiled. In a week or two they would have their friends joining them and they would be starting their mission.
AN: Jean and Kara will be reunited in next chapter. Till next time.