Sasha began, "When you were unconscious, I met this old lady who…", but before the archer could continue her explanation, Levi called to them, "Cut the conversations short. We move out in five."

Jason saw Sasha's eyes droop. She really wants to tell me about this old lady. I wonder who she could be.

A combination of Levi's Squad, Hange, and Moblit met at the edge of the clearing. The small church lay undisturbed in the distance. "I know we already explained the plan," Hange started, "but for those who need a reminder, our goal is to retrieve Eren and Historia. According to our intel, the Reiss family intends to take Eren's titan ability by eating him."

Jason squirmed at the idea. Despite hearing the explanation on the way over here, he still couldn't believe that this was the enemy's goal. How did Historia fit into all this? He wondered quietly to himself.

"The Reiss family is protected by the interior's secret military force." Levi stated, "They were trained by a serial killer who hunted elite members of the Military Police back in the day. If anyone can kill our trained soldiers, it's this group." Levi pointed to the barrels filled with explosives. "We'll use Armin's plan to hinder their line of sight, and attack them from behind. Blades will have the advantage in close combat."

Levi gave everyone a serious look, "The enemy is trained to kill us. Don't hesitate, because they won't."

Everyone stayed quiet.

The blonde haired woman came to Jason's mind. A slight frown formed on his face.

Jason spoke, "If the enemy is this dangerous, I should be on the frontlines with you and Mikasa."

"Jason…" Hange began, but Levi raised his hand.

The Captain's slitted eyes met his. "New recruits don't participate in the action. Their role on their first expedition is solely support. Dead recruiters do nothing for us." Jason was about to object, but Levi continued, "You…Despite your experience, you have never taken a life. Have you?"

Jason stayed silent. Everyone's attention was on him now.

"No." He answered solemnly.

"Then survive your first mission. Until then, follow orders." Levi's tone indicated that the conversation was over. "Let's move. Eren could be eaten at any moment." The rest of the group complied.

Jason tsked in frustration. He carried two of the barrels on his own and walked ahead, ignoring Hange's orders to stay with the others.

He felt useless. But Levi was right. Jason didn't know if he was ready to take someone's life. He had dedicated his entire life to protecting people. Monsters and demi-gods were always the things trying to kill him. Not mortals.

Armin caught up to the demigod, holding a bag of flares. Jason glanced at his worried face, then returned his line of sight to the church.

They said nothing.

Armin kept staring at him. Jason tried to ignore it, but he couldn't help exclaiming, "What?"

"Why do you always fight with Captain Levi?"

Jason stopped in his tracks, "Juno's feathers, why does everyone keep asking me that? I just had a disagreement with him."

"You always have a disagreement with him."

"Well, maybe when you're used to giving orders instead of taking them, you would fight with Levi too." Jason didn't mean for the sarcasm to come out.

Armin kept a calm face. "Jason, what's your problem?"

"Problem? I have a problem alright." Jason let go of one of one of the barrels and faced Armin, "This… all of this…" he gestured his hand at nothing in particular, "It's all backwards, okay! I'm supposed to be protecting people, not the other way around! I'm stronger, more dependable, and have more experience. Yet all of you keep treating me like a child." He stomped his foot, "I'm not a child!"

One of Armin's eyebrows rose in pity. "Don't… don't give me that face."

"Why, because you're stronger than me?"

Jason's eyes widened, "What! No, that's not what I…" He moaned out loud, sliding a hand down his face. He didn't know what to say.

Armin's serious face returned. "You know, the day we met, all my superior officers died protecting me from Annie." Jason stayed still.

Armin gave a sad chuckle, "I thought for sure you had died when she kicked you. I was gonna keep riding, but… you were dressed so strangely. No ODM gear, no military uniform, and yet you faced the Female Titan head on."

Armin continued walking, "I can't promise I wont die, but I want to help you, like how my superiors helped me." Armin turned around, "Now it's our turn to protect you."

Jason felt the wind blow past him.

"You're damn right." Jason heard Jean behind him. "We still have to see which one of us will win in a fight."

"You really think that you can win against this guy?" Connie approached behind Jason's left. He pointed to Jason, "Don't think I'll stay behind to protect you. You did threaten me after all."

Sasha then ran to Armin's side holding her bow, "And we still have to talk about that creepy old lady! So just stay in the rear with me and Armin, okay?"

"And you have to talk to Eren." Everyone turned. Mikasa spoke for the first time today. She had been very quiet ever since Eren's kidnapping. "He'll only talk to you about what happened." Her expression was still. "So follow orders, and I'll bring him to you." She walked past him.

All Jason could hear were the leaves blowing in the wind behind him. They… they want to protect me… He couldn't believe it. They were willing to risk their lives for him.

I hope you'll be able to see them the way I do. Nifa's words came back to him.

Nifa, who he barely knew for a week, sacrificed herself for him.

Jean pulled on the barrel Jason had placed on the ground, "Carry it together?" The demigod nodded. The group walked together for a bit before Jason realized something.

"When I woke up in Trost, I wasn't in a prison cell. I should have been in a prison cell. You guys… you guys protected me then too, didn't you."

Jean shrugged his shoulders, "Me and Armin protested, but Eren and Mikasa were the one who convinced the Captain and the Commander to let you stay in our room. Armin and I were supposed to be watching you, but well, you saw how well that went."

Jason looked at Mikasa. She kept her attention forward. So that's what Ms. Hange meant outside the safe house.

By the time Levi and the others caught up, the group had reached the entrance to the church. Jason was about to enter a battle for his life, but the only thoughts on his mind were the others' determination to keep him safe.

Is this what it means to be a part of the Scouts?