A/N: Hello, readers! Welcome to another chapter! Enjoy!

edited on september 10th, 2021 @ 1:00pm

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𝓒𝙷𝙰𝙿𝚃𝙴𝚁 𝙵𝙸𝚅𝙴,
𝓦𝙷𝙰𝚃 𝚂𝙷𝙾𝚄𝙻𝙳 𝙱𝙴 𝙳𝙾𝙽𝙴, 𝙽𝙸𝙶𝙷𝚃 𝙱𝙴𝙵𝙾𝚁𝙴 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙲𝙾𝚄𝙽𝚃𝙴𝚁𝙾𝙵𝙵𝙴𝙽𝚂𝙸𝚅𝙴, 𝙿𝙰𝚁𝚃 𝚃𝙷𝚁𝙴𝙴.

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"IT LOOKS LIKE THEY DIDN'T find any soldiers who've used their Maneuver Gear without permission." Gunther stated. "Then who did it?"

"No idea. Right now, I'm more worried about the upcoming induction ceremony. How many among the new troops will be crazy enough to join us?" Eld wondered out loud.

"Hey, Eren... Are there any in your class who will request to join us?" Gunther asked Eren who was giving water to one of the horses.

"There are." Eren replied but then paused. "No, there were. I don't know about now."

"Attention!"

Levi then appeared as Gunther and Eld saluted him in greeting.

"Get ready. We're going out on patrol." Levi informed.

"Yes, sir!"

Eren rushed over quickly and saluted. "Good morning, Captain Levi!" He greeted.

"Listen, Eren... Never fall two horse lengths behind me. Don't forget that the only reason you're not locked up is because I'm watching you." Levi reminded him.

"Yes, sir!"

"Let's go." Levi said as he took off with Gunther, Eld, and Eren right behind him.

"Let's head out too, Ollie. Meet up with the others." Simon informed his right hand man.

"Right, sir."

Simon hopped onto his horse with Oliver following in suit.

Simon and his squad were taking a rest from their patrol as Simon held out a map for his squad to see.

"Levi's squad and Eren will be placed here." Simon informed, pointing to the center of the formation.

"For protection, right?" Dillon asked.

"I would assume so. It's the only logical explanation." Simon responded. "We're going to scout the right flank for any suspicious activity before meeting up with Levi's squad in the forest of giant trees." He added, pointing to another spot.

"Also, I haven't talked to Erwin about this yet. But there's a person in the 104th who I want to come with us. He has high intelligence." Simon informed, shocking his squad.

"Even smarter than you, sir?" Alastrine questioned as Simon nodded in reply.

Dillon snorted. "That's somewhat hard to believe. But he would make a great addition to our squad." He said.

"It'll most likely be for this expedition only though. He won't become a permanant addition. You know the reason why." Simon reminded them as they all nodded. They couldn't afford to have Simon's secret get out.

"Let's head back."

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Erwin was holding a meeting for Squad Leaders about the 57th expedition that was coming up.

"Section Commanders Hange, Miche, Simon, and Captain Levi please stay behind." Erwin spoke up.

The four sat back down at a table and looked at Erwin to see what he had to say.

"I suspect there's a spy in the military who killed Hange's Titans." Erwin began.

"So, there's someone working behind the scenes, and you plan to snuff them out." Simon said as Erwin nodded in confirmation.

"My suspicions are more than just that, Simon." Erwin looked at him. "It could be more serious than we thought."

"How serious are we talking about?" Simon questioned.

"It could be another Titan shifter." Erwin replied.

Silence.

"Okay. That is serious." Simon broke the silence. "So another person like Eren?"

"Yeah." Erwin confirmed.

"And they don't want us knowing anything about this because?" Hange mumbled.

"That we are going to figure out with the use of the upcoming expedition." Erwin looked towards Hange. "We're going to use the expedition as a capture mission."

"W-We are gonna capture the Titan?" Hange gasped as Erwin nodded.

"If they are going to kill these Titans then they are bound to be interested in a certain boy, especially with the recent events."

"Eren." Levi said and got a nod from Erwin. He frowned and looked down at the ground, clicking his tongue.

"And let me take a guess." Simon leaned against the chair. "You're going to use Eren as bait so you could capture the killer of the Titans with could be — looking at the possible evidence — a Titan shifter?"

"You know me too well." Erwin chuckled.

"So, how are we going to do that?" Miche asked.

"I was planning on using the new recruits, we have the same formation as last time, however, this time, Levi, take Eren and your squad through the main route and lead the killer directly to the middle of the forest." Erwin explained.

"The new recruits?" Simon questioned. "I bet half of them would piss their pants if they saw a Titan."

"We can't go easy on them, Simon. Like you did with your squad." Levi cut in.

"I did not go easy on—"

"As much as I understand your point, Simon, this is a serious situation that involves the possible kidnapping of our only hope of reclaiming Wall Maria. I am not taking any chances on stalling for that possibility to arise. Besides, they can take it as the ultimate training." Erwin shrugged.

Simon crossed his arms as well as his legs just nodded, knowing there was no point in arguing with Erwin.

"With that, Hange and Miche, you're with me and we will head to the small route towards the area where we will be capturing the killer. Simon, you'll be in charge of the right flank before meeting up with Levi's squad. Be sure to inform your squads so they don't have a heart attack on the day of when we take action. Levi, do not tell your squad, they will lead Eren away from the capture scene and protect him from there. Make sure to tell no one, this is supposed to be a private capture. Dismissed." Erwin finished.

"Oh, Erwin. I almost forgot. Mind if I bring a recruit with my squad and I?"

"Which recruit were you thinking of?"

"Armin Arlert. From what I heard, that kid has high intelligence. Makes me jealous, but whatever." Simon replied. "I think he'll be a great addition to my squad for this expedition."

"I don't see the problem. Make sure to let him know."

"Will do."

Simon left the room and headed towards where the recruits were talking. "Pardon for the interruption." Simon said, getting their attention as they saluted.

"Section Commander!"

Simon dismissed them with his hand. "This will only take a moment. Mind if I borrow Cadet Arlert for a moment?" He questioned.

This made Armin blink in confusion and walked forward, following the gray haired male out and was met with his squad.

"What can I do for you, Section Commander?" Armin asked nervously.

"You'll be with my squad for the expedition. This is Oliver, Dillon, Rachel, and Alastrine." Simon responded as his squad members waved.

"If memory serves me right, Squad Simon is the best tactician team in the Survey Corps." Armin thought. "If you don't mind me asking, sir. Why do you want me to join you?"

"I heard you have high intelligence. Despite not being a great fighter you have the intelligence of a tactician, and I think you'll be great with us. For this expedition, at least." Simon answered.

"Okay..."

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City bells were ringing as the Survey Corps were getting ready to go on another expedition.

"We've driven away all the Titans in the area. Thirty seconds until we open the gate!"

Eren had a look of determination as he heard gasps. Curious, he looked over and saw two young kids around the age he was when he saw the Survey Corps for the first time.

"It's the Survey Corps!"

"They call the emblem on their back the Wings of Freedom!"

"So cool..."

Eren gave them a smile and turned back around.

"It's time! Humanity will take another step forward. Show me what you can do!"

The soldiers cheered and raised their swords in response.

"Open the gate!"

The gate soon began to open. "Advance!" Erwin shouted as the Scouts headed forwards.

"We will now begin the 57th expedition beyond the walls! Onward!"

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A/N: Another chapter is done! Hope you enjoyed!

Word Count: 1423 words.