Chapter 18: Special Operation Squad.
Commander Nile Dowk pitifully watched Gohan and Eren leaving the courthouse with the scouts,mostly the former of the two. Lady Winters would not be happy if she found out.
The commander stepped forward and spoke,loud enough for Gohan to hear.
"You'll join us sooner or later!"
The monkey boy turned around and looked at him,before continueing his depart without saying anything in response.
"You would've won him if you had bargained Eren Jaeger's life for his membership."Said a voice behind Nile,whom turned around to see a tall bald man,in his twenties ,dressed in black mechants uniform , his face was covered with his black facial hair and the young man was wearing a pair of glasses . The man looked around,then continued when he had made sure that no one was eavedropping them. "Lady Winters was too busy to attend the court on your invitation. So she sent for me to come in her stead." He took out his hand,to which Nile shook "My name is John Ingham, I'm a Beta of Lady Winters's Wolfpack Security Personnels."
Lady Winters was a upstart noble whose had been rising pỏwer these recent years. 10 years ago ,nobody knew who she was,but now she had taken over most of the industrial and trading infrastruture of the entire humanity,and she was the Millitary's number one supplier. She had her own personal team of bodyguards,who were also her enforcers,The Wolfpack,led by her butler,known as the Alpha.
"It usually the Alpha who meets me like this aside of the Lady." Said Nile
"Our Alpha is not aveilable at the moment" John Ingham removed his glasses"He is currently occupied with one of the Ladies affairs."John started to clean his glasses by a hankechief "Before we can discuss further,Commander. Have you told anyone about the conversation between you and our Lady?"
"No,Mr Ingham,she'd asked me to keep it confidential." he answered.
"Good. It is best to keep it that way." The Beta put his glasses back on. "She'd be dissapointed knowing the outcome of the trial today,but she won't be angry. The day is still young."
"May I ask why does she want the boy the boy so bad?"
"Don't ask me the question that I don't know the answer of. But I will keep you updated if I know something,hope that'd make you feel better."Answered John Ingham "The lady has a back up plan, which involves me. I'll tell you about your part of the plan after I have done mine. You just keep quiet before that." And then he walked away "We shall meet again. Now,have a good day, Commander Nile!"
"NIMBUS!"Gohan hugged the beast by its neck and rubbed its mane,the creature huffed and nudged at him in reply.
"I get why you named him that ,that old steed sticks out of the stud with his all-covered white coat." remarked Petra,on horse back. She and her squadmate couldn't hide their bit of jealousy for a recruit that had had his own horse before gratuation.
"Oh,what's a bad time they reunite us. I'm so hungry that can I eat a horse." the boy said this out load,still rubbing the horse's mane.
Oulo gave a quick sigh,he shook his head and quickly threw Gohan a sack of boiled potatoes.
"Take this and cut down with your bloody jokes!"
Followed by Eren, Gohan mounted on top of his horse and rode along with his new squadmates while taking a few bite and swallowing the potatoes in the bag,one by one.
Gunther quickly annoyed by Gohan eating "Something tells me that we going to starve to death before the Titans can get to us."
Before anyone of the squad could reply ,the young man threw the empty sack down onto the ground and belched.
"Can I have some more?" His statement made the team ,except for Eren,struggled themselves to steady on their saddles.
"That's like 29 boiled potatoes.!" Exclaimed Petra. Her jaws wide open . "In 3 minutes!"
"I...I eat for eleven."The boy's pupils moved from left to right.
"Those were for 20!" Said Oulo.
"Report says that you eat for five." Levi coldly informed.
"I've grown a lot during those years of training."Replied Gohan "And I've burned a lot of energy back at Trost."
"We're going to starve to death!"Oulo remarked.
"I think you had enough ,Gohan." Petra hesitantly smiled at him.
"Sure,best to save some rooms for dinner." If the group were not experienced riders they would have fell over from their horse.
"Oh gods!Cut the horseshit and accelerate!"ordered Levi,annoyed by Gohan.
They commandered their horse to galop ,quickening their pace and sparing them from any ackwardness caused by Gohan. His and Eren's membership better be worth it,like a whole pantry worth.
Gohan and Eren's companions were the members of the Special Operation Squad ,Levi's squad . They were handpicked by Captain Levi himself. The squad earned their name as an squad of the Scout Regiment when their total kills had exceeded to 200 . They were known to be well cordinated and synchronized with eachother. Each of them was a capable fighter;Eld Gin,the second-in-command, a seasoned veteran who had scored 14 kills and 32 kill assists;Gunther Shcultz,scored 7 kills and 40 assists,combats had affected his personality;Oruo Bozado,who had a much older apearance than his peers,39 kills 9 assists,his skills were only bested by Levi's and now Gohan's as well;Petra Ral,the only female in the team,had killed 10 titans and helped her team put down 48. The four of them and their captain,were Gohan and Eren's new comrades ,and if two of them went rouge,their excutioners,thought the former of whom would not be easy to be dealt with.
After a long period of time, the horses started to get tired and slowed down paces. Thankfully,they had galloped long and fast enough for a castle to reveal itself from the trees. This was the old Scout Regiment headquarters,the S.O.S's destination.
"An architectural marvel,don't you agree?! I bet it's made one of you feel like being at home already!" Oulo said to the rookies ,keeping his tone cold "A proper higher-class resident once upon a time, which I sure our 'Monkey Prince' now how it's like," His eyes indicated to Gohan "and more recently,our former HQ. Fancy ,Yes! But..absurbly impractical once the Scouts got down to bussiness,much much too far from the river or the Walls."He turned his head to Eren "This was early day,you know,when we were red cheeked and our spirits were up. Now this royal homestay is nothing more than a holding cell. The place where we store our newest toy." Then to Gohan,he spoke "And to add more salt to the wound,the brass made us to babysit a glutonous rich kid,who is ironically very damn fit for the place."
"You're being mean,Oulo!" Scolded Petra.
"Oh,please,I'm being very nice to him." Plead Oulo, ginning a bit "Think about the poor woman who's mothering him,damn, I put the squad life to bet that he is a rebellious spoiled brat who snuck out from his comfortable home to find an adventure in the exterior,too exterior I'm afraid." He leaned to Gohan,who not really bothered "Right?You're regretting your life decision ,aren't you?Shouldn't those three years in Titans's Terri..."
The man insult was ceased to go further when his horse stepped on a rock,making him to bite his tounge. The Spec Op held his mouth and screamed in agony as blood started spilling out. Gohan's only responses were startling a litte bit and using his new Recon's cloak to cover his steed from being stained.
"That's what you get for flapping your jowls on horseback!" Chewed out Petra,to her comrade.
The young rookies were tending to their horses when they overheard the Scouts's converstion. Gohan was the who heard them more clearly,though it wasn't really affect his multi tasking.
"First imprestions are important,those rookies need to know their place." Answered Oulo,pressing a rag to his wound
"Well,you certainly made an impresion on 'em ,no question there." She barked back.
Somehow,their argument reminded him of his parent,with his dad being less passive and mom being a bit little more pushy. They were argueing like an old couple,though Gohan didn't really fancy the idea that the should be together. His body temperature somehow increased as he eavedropped them. Wonder what that's called?
"Indeed ,our exchange went exactly as plan."Oulo replied
Gohan shifted his attention to the building as soon as he had finished tending Nimbus,there was something he felt odd about it.
"Wait!What happened to you?You've never used to talk like this. I mean,it's realy none of my bussiness,but if you are trying to act like the captain it's really embarassing. Even Levi can be less alike if you two where born separate species." Petra widened her eyes.
"If you intend to me tell me like a wife,Petra dear,there a lot of me you have to make acquainted with ."
Okay, now he knew which was odd about the castle.
"You wish,next time you bite your tongue,I hope you bleed out to your death!"She hissed.
"Guys,I think we kinda have a problem here." Gohan interupted them.
"What?The castle isn't big enough compare to yours?" Teased Oulo,which resolved with a kick in a knee from Petra. "Ouch!"
"No,please stop that." He young man crossed his arms "What I was trying to say is,this is a rather old castle,which was abandoned for a long time. It's gonna be covered with dust,dirt and spider web and whatever a dirty place has . Judging by its size,I afraid we have to spend a lot of time,manpowers and tools to..."
"To clean it?" Asked Petra,her eyes and mouth widened.
"Oh,shit." Swore Oulo. Before sighing.
"What?" Their reactions caught Gohan and Eren's attention.
The next thing the squad knew was their captain ordering them to clean up the building,which more of a challenge than an order,with the structure being awfully massive. Without any hesitation, the squad seniors quickly obeyed their captain,and splitted up and started wiping the dust. Eren and Gohan stopped wondering about their two squadmates behavior and also got to work.
With Eld and Gunther hanging themselves on the outside to clean the windows ,Petra,Oulo ,the captain and Eren handling the upper floors,Gohan was tasked with a mission of parallel importance,mopping the cellar.
"Oh,apparently he has OCD,wonder if these people know what it is." Water splashed agaisnt the floor as the boy moved his mop,his tail holding a bucket of water by it handle. Being left alone with such a chore made the boy fell into monologuing. "Well,atleast he don't make the squad to pose or dance or anything like that." He then recalled he had been in Namek . "Huh,funny,this squad also has five members. What's a coincidence!Hope it won't end up the same way,though,these are nice people we're talking about."
"You missed a spot!" His ki sensing apparently had been acting off for a moment that it made him startle a bit he heard the captain cold voice,making some water to spill from the bucket.
"I've not finished yet ,Gin...,sir." The boy paused and replied as he scratched his head .
"Who was you talking to?And what the heck is OCD?"
"Obsessive–compulsive disorder,a mental disorder where people feel to check things repeatedly .Your case,well,is cleaning,or to choose a rather more fancy word,hygene." The captain's eyes slightly twitched as the rookie explained "It could of something that happened in the past. So ,if I may ask you ,captain,what happened?"
"Where the fucking shit did you get that from?" The captain raised his voice.
"It's basic spychology"Answered Gohaan,but he quickly rephrased it after seeing the captain's glare "I mean...I was homeschooled?!"
"Figured!"Grinned Levi.
And there was ackward silence around the cellar where the two man standing. Until Levi decided to remove his white bandana from his neck and break the ice.
"So,monkey,when will you start training us wih the ...Ki?"
"I really haven't figure that out yet. But I think you should decide when we start,though,after all you're the captain."
"What's a smartass!Fine,after we all done with the O..."The Captain cleared his throat "After we all done with the cleaning,you'll show the squad the basics."And then he odered "Now,get back to work! Make sure you polish the floor twice,or you won't have any treat!"
"Yes,Captain Gin...Levi!"The boy saluted in response,eyeing the departing captain.
Had making sure that the captain had already gone up the stairs,the young half-breed reassume to his floor mopping duty. His tail brought the bucket to his front ,to which the boy dipped the mop into,and continuedly wiping the floor with it.
It did not take him a long time to mop the floor of the cellar as clean as possible,though he found impossible to make it shiny like the captain demanded it to be.
He heard footsteps coming down ,two distintive footsteps,one of which he regconised before hand. Being done with the task he had been given, he put down the bucket and rested the mop by the wall. By the time he finished placing the equipments,two figures revealed themselves,Petra and Eren.
"Done already?Good!The captain said that our training will start after this."The light ginger haired woman informed,unknowing that her listener only cared for her voice.
"Yeah!"He replied. Slowly showing a half smile.
"You see,I regret skipping your class."Said Eren "Arcording to what Petra told me, arcording to what she got from the Garrison,you set yourself in blue fire and charged into a horde of 40 titan and hacked them to pieces. I'm gonna take your training seriously. I want to be strong ,too."
Then to illustrate what he was talking about,the boy waved his arms forward like he was holding his blades to which Petra gave a wierded out look at him.
"Tottally did that,I couldn't stay calm with all the things that had happened."Gohan crossed his arms.
"Hope that's the only thing I've missed!" Said Eren,wondering what had happened when he was unconcious.
"Uhm...Yeah...You've only missed that one!"
"Few,I was afraid that there are more amazing shit that you did that I'd not get to see."Eren said,cheerfully patting Gohan in the shoulder.
"I don't want to interupt you brothers,but it seems that you are ignoring me."The monkey boy startled when Petra turned up her volume on him,her face slightly reddened. "I was saying that we should start our training right now!"
"Sorry,I was preocupied by something that is too eye catching that my hearing got impaired!" Replied Gohan as he smiled at her ,which in response she blushed,she covered her face with her sleeve. "About your training,"He continued,before cracking his neck "Let's get down to bussiness."
He said it in rhythm which recoiled both his comrades ,they look at eachother before turning to him.
"Did you...did you just sing that one out?"Asked Petra
"I did not!"
"Okay,you have to concentrate to gather the Ki in your body. I know it is hard. But the more you sweat ,the less you bleed!"
Gohan's newly adopted 'pupils' had their pupils on their teacher,who aparently had rip his mask in half and use it as a new headband . Just as soon as the S.O.S begun their training in the courtyard,Gohan had made them to took a stance in which their knees were slightly bended and they hands were put in a pushing possition in front of them,downwards. They were being like this for an hour,without any resulf,causing the squad to fatigue and lose their patience.
The only one who was actually making progress was Levi. The captain started to feel a warmth in his stomach ,which spreaded to his chest and then to his limbs. "Hey,I think I got it!"
"Awesome!"Replied Gohan,putting his hands on his hip,turned to the others "How about you guys?"
Needed no word,Petra,Oulo,Eld,Gunther and Eren immediately collasped to the ground.
"My fucking body...can't stay in one position for-fuckin-ever."
"This is getting to nowhere!"
"Erwin approves THIS?"
"If I have to choose between being killed by a Titan and this,I'll go with the Titan."
"My legs hurt!"
Levi crossed his arms and looked disaprovingly at his subordinates. His epressionless face was still able to show somewhat frustration at his teammates's early forfeits. This ís not whaat the elite team supposed to be.
"Hey,It IS getting to somewhere,it works for me!"He said to his squad ,then he asked Gohan "Shouldn't it be another way? Time is racing forward until the expedition,we only have like a month."
"Well,there is a way,the harsher way." Gohan looked at the five squadmember as they helped themselves "Mr Piccolo's way,"
"Oh scheisse!"Cursed Eren when he heard the Namekian's name.
"with some alterations."He then pointed to the forest "You see the woods around our HQs ?"
"Y-Yes." The squad answered.
"Put your ODM Gears on and run a few laps around it!"
"Hey what the hell with the Gears?" Asked Eren,still trying to catch his breath.
"Because we don't have any weighted clothing." Answered Gohan,fixing his headband.
"Maybe putting some stone in the back packs would help?" Contributed Levi,he started to take his interest with this class.
"Captain!" The team wrinkled at their captain.
"Is only two or three laps in the forest,it wouldn't be too hard."Gohan reasured his comrade with a smile. "Don't be worry,I'll run with you guys!"
Perhaps 'Two or three laps' in Gohan's book meant running more than twelve or thirtteen laps then that was actually what squad had to do. Gohan actually had them run until their instructor felt tired and their only instructor was him. So ,after they done running the Special Operations Sqaud litteraly crawled back to the HQ with their arms ,the only one who was left on his two feet was Gohan .
There were cursing,heavy breathing and vomitting as the Scouts settle themselves at the table. They rubbed their feet while wondering how such hardship worth it.
"Guys,I thought that for you to adapt with the ki training,my best bet is that your physical strength must be enhanced." Explained Gohan,before munching on his third stew.
"Oh gods!What's good with this Ki training,anyway?!" Grunted Oulo as he sipped on his tea.
"Have you guys seen the Solar Flare?You wouldn't have said the training if you had seen it!" Said Eren in a disagreeing tone. "Though the training is...ow...a fucking torture."
"You don't SEE the Solar Flare,that the point of committing it,it blinds people." Replied Gohan
"It sounds interesting...can you show us that?" Petra demanded.
"Yeah,why don't you show us that ?" Approved Levi and pointed at Eren"The only thing I see is this brat coming out of a Titan's nape,but unlike him,I know you know what you're doing."
They ,except for the one who had started this,looked at him ,waiting for his 'yes'.
"Guys..."Plead Eren. His comrades did not know what were they wishing for.
"OK,if you say so."Gohan darted his fingers to his forehead.
"GOHAN DON'T!"Eren begged his friend,but it was too late.
"SOLAR FLARE!" a flash of light came up , the entire squad shrieked and held their eyes as they all fell over from their chairs.
"What ...was that ?"Gunther rubbed his eyes as he used the table as support to stand up.
"We totally got that coming."Commented Oulo "If you intend to train the whole Survey Corps,mr Upperclass,I think the Titans are doomed."
"For the first time,I don't put my doubt on the incoming recruits." Levi resettled himself on his chair.
"I know right? Knowing Gohan being with us, the cadet would be more encouraged to join us."Said Petra cheerfully,she then turned too Gohan and smile. She was shedding rears due to the solar flare.
"Thought,it left us to one last problem." Eld looked at Eren,then his squadmates followed. "How do you transform into a titan,Eren
Eren frozen in response of his friend's looks. He didn't really know how he could transform into a Titan,the only thing he knew that if he did any self-harm with his body ,like bitting his hand. Wait,why did he know that?
"No need too worry,there's still time to us to find out more about his ability ,put a little faith in him." Gohan reassured the squad.
"Hhm," Levi took a sip from his tea "I would worry about HER ,though."
"Who's her?" Asked Eren.
"The hyperactive lady we met in the courthouse."Gohan answered
And then there was a bang at the door,to which Petra lifted the bar and Hange walked inside and greeted them.
"I couldn't just stay put."She walked up to Gohan and Eren "How the two boy-wonders doin'?We captured a Titan in the city,I was in charge of investigating it. So ,sorry,can't really visit you."
"Wait,I missed one? I thought that I cleared all the titans in the vicinity." Gasped Gohan as he heard what Hange said.
"Joke on you. You missed two, I killed one in Trost."Said Levi,still sipping tea.
"I...I've really been slacking on my math."Frowned Gohan.
The next thing Hange did was holding Eren hand with both her palms,before turn around and asked Levi.
"So Levi ,what's Gohan and Eren's schedule tomorrow?"
"Cleaning the Garden."Answered Levi,in the same time with Gohan
"Meditating."Answered Gohan,in the same time with his captain.
"It's decided then." Hange went around Gohan and Eren's backs before patting her hands on their shoulders. "Gohan,Eren,I'm looking forward for tomorrow!"
"Pleasured to help." Smiled Gohan.
Annoyed by what was about to happen,The Special Operations stood up and left ther room,leaving Gohan and Eren with Hange. She sat down beside Gohan,her glasses reflect the candle light as she stared at him.
"So ,before we start,may I have a question?"She pointed at Gohan tail which wrapped around his waist "So is it vestigial or your actual tail?"
Using action to answer her question instead of words,the monkey boy unwrapped his furry tail from his waist and move it to Hange face,wiggling it. He would regret it when thhe squad leader let out a high pitch scream out of exitement and grabbed it. To both Eren and Hange supprise,the boy shrieked and fell over,laying motionless on the ground..
'So his tail is rather sensitive ,huh.' Took note Hange before she released it.
"Oh my god! You okay Gohan?" Eren reached out for him and helped the monkey boy back to his seat.
"Don't. Ever. Do .Such thing. Again." Gohan breathed heavily and rubbed his tail.
"Sorry,it must have hurt." Appologized the section commander "So ,where were we?"
She then started to tell them about her experiment with the captured Titan. She told them how the Titan was unresponsive to any attemp of communication , how the Titan did have a sense of pain,and she confirmed Gohan's information about the Titan loss of activity during night time,as it was immobilised after three hour without sunlight. She even got a name for it.
Hearing enough of the information of the Titan,Gohan let out a yawn. He stood up and Eren followed him.
"Thank you! It was interesting,but it kinda late now. And Eren has lost an amount of energy excercising. So it's better that we go to bed." He shook Hange hand before leaving "Where are we going to sleep?" He asked Eren.
"The cellar,the squad can't risk me turning into a Titan in my sleep and they need you to watch over me." Answered Eren.
"Couldn't blame them. One can't be too careful these days." Gohan opened the door,where Eren exited,then he looked back at back at Hange before departing "Good night,section commander. Oh,wait,what did you name your Titan again?"
Next chapter: Eve of the Counterattack