Counterattack Chapter 10

Jean complained out loud as he patrolled through the streets with his fellow MP recruits, Marco following his side. "Dammit. I know we said that we'd try to actually do our jobs, but I didn't think we'd literally be the only ones around here doing anything."

Hitch, another fellow recruit who'd joined the MP's, shrugged half heartedly before yawning. "Don't know what to tell you, I guess the Military Police really are as useless as they say."

"A bunch of useless scumbags is what they are, dumping their work on a bunch of rookies." Marlow began seriously. "But, I'm different. The Military Police needs discipline, simple as that, and I'll be the one who sorts them out and gets rid of all this corruption."

In the face of Marlow's bold declaration, Boris gave an unamused snort. "Yeah right, don't pretend you didn't join for the same reason as the rest of us. Spouting an empty rhetoric doesn't make you any less lazy."

Marlow huffed, about to retort, but Marco beat him to the punch. "Who says his words are empty? I think it's a noble goal."

"It's a more productive idea than just sitting around completing hand-me-down tasks our superiors dump on us." Jean showed his agreement, making Marlow give the two surprised looks.

Boris raised an eyebrow. "Really now? So you two joined up here for the same reason as mushroom boy over here?"

Marlow sputtered in indignation, but he went ignored as Jean shook his head. "No, I joined for the same reason as all of you guys. I wanted to have that security for me and my mum, but back in Trost this suicidal bastard got everyone fired up, so I can't exactly just sit around twiddling my thumbs in the interior."

"'Suicidal bastard'?" Hitch snickered, though her voice gave away her curiosity.

"The second best in our class, Eren Yeager. He joined the Scouts, and he lit a fire under a lot of our classmates. In fact, he's the reason only four of our top ten joined the MP's." Marco answered, looking to the side as though in thought.

"The rest joined the death corps?" Boris gave a small smirk at the idea before remarking. "He must have been an expert conman."

Jean gave a fond grin. "Yeah, he kind of was, but he was number two in our class for a reason. Besides, as insane as he was, he had some good points."

Jean's expression became more serious as he looked up at the sky. "Seeing the Colossal Titan attack my hometown was... well it was terrifying. I was stuck there, wondering if we'd lose another Wall, if we'd lose thousands of people at a time like five years ago. Then, I understood what he was saying all this time. Avoiding this fight isn't an option."

Jean levelled his gaze, continuing to explain himself. "If it wasn't for the Rogue Titan we'd have been done for, and that showed me just how important it is that we fight to solve this problem. I used to think that Eren was a crazy one, but now he seems to be the only one making sense. The Scouts are working their asses off, so it's not too much to ask that we try and make sure Wall Sina is prepared if Wall Rose does fall."

Jean's words sat in for them, but the silence was broken by Hitch when she started to clap for him. "Congratulations, you're definitely a more convincing voice than Marlow."

Marlow stirred at the remark, but was cut off by Boris. "Words are just words. Until you prove otherwise, I'm not convinced."

Jean interjected. "That's fine, you can sit back if you really want, but I'm not fine with doing nothing whilst my friends are out there fighting for all our lives."

Marco nodded in agreement. "I'm with Jean. I've heard about how lazy the Military Police are, but what I've seen is just too much to be acceptable. Things need to change around here."

Marlow looked at them both in gratitude. "Thank you, it's nice to know I won't be alone in this goal."

Hitch was about to comment on Marlow's words, but held herself back when she noticed the activities of their senior MP's over by the canal.

"Well, a perfect time to test yourself boys." Hitch dryly noted, gaining their attention as she pointed at the two officers.

Realising what was going on, Marlow scrunched his face in distaste. "Are those bastards illegally selling our gear?!"

Jean frowned, watching as the men talked to a merchant in broad daylight, before striding forward towards the illegal dealing with Marco just behind him.

Marlow looked surprised, but he quickly followed the other two when he realised what they were doing.

"Hold crap, they're actually doing it." Hitch remarked, her drowsy expression abandoned in place of an incredulous one.

Boris' surprise wasn't as obvious, but the way he crossed his arms showed his interest. "I'm not convinced, will they even do anything?"

"Hey!" Jean called out, gaining the hungover and disinterested gazes of his superiors as the three new recruits stood steadfast in front of them. "You do realise selling ODM gear is illegal, don't you?"

One of the MP's raised an unimpressed eyebrow. "Yeah, so what if it is?"

Marco narrowed his eyes, being weighty with his words than usual. "Well, if that were the case, then we'd have to report you."

The second soldier, in the face of their words, laughed mockingly. "Look, you three boys look like you have a bright future ahead of you. So, try not to threaten your superior officers."

Jean scoffed at the notion. "You aren't my superior in any way besides on ink. Besides, from what I've seen, you bastards only get fatter and lazier the higher up you are around here."

The two officers narrowed their eyes at his words. "You should really think more carefully about what you say, boy. You wouldn't want to insult us."

Marlow sweated slightly, not being used to confrontation, but didn't want to remain silent. "The only one here who should be careful is the both of you. Selling ODM gear on the black-market is a serious crime, one you'll be punished severely for, so why don't you just come without resistance?"

One of the MP's began to chuckle, a fact that didn't faze Marco or Jean. "Alright, alright, you boys have had your little bit of fun. But, this doesn't involve you."

The MP grinned slyly, pulling out a bag of coins and holding it out. "Listen, you forget what happens here, and-"

Jean smacked his hand out, knocking the sachet of money away and onto the ground, spilling coins everywhere.

The one who offered it to them dropped his grin, with it turning into a glare as he reached for his musket. "What the hell is wrong with you-"

Jean cut him off by leaping forward, grabbing him by the wrist, and brutally slamming him down onto the concrete road before putting his arm into a lock as he kept the man firmly pinned to the ground under his foot after kicking his weapon away.

Marco, following Jean't lead, disarmed the other guard when he tried to point his gun at Jean before punching the MP in the face, knocking him to the ground, and digging his knee into the base of his spine.

Even Marlow was surprised by the swiftness of the takedown, but quickly gathered himself as he pointed his gun at the pinned down men.

"Are you insane?!" The one Marco had pinned yelled, only to scream out in pain when Marco dug his knee in deeper.

The soldier pinned by Jean glared defiantly at the younger man. "You really think you can just- argh!" He yelled out when Jean increased his pressure, dropping his attempt at intimidation in favour of whimpering in pain.

"I don't know, but I also don't care. You see, knowing what threats lie outside the Walls just makes me more certain that we need to shape up if we want to solve them. I might not be courageous enough to become a Scout, but that doesn't mean I'm just gonna lie around and do nothing."

After giving them a verbal lashing, Jean pulled out a pair of handcuffs and forced them onto the MP's wrists, making sure to be as rough as possible in the process.

Marlow and Marco did the same to the other man, and with both the men incapacitated, they prepared to head back towards base, only for two familiar faces to speak out from behind them.

"Guys, what are you doing?"

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"Hey Reiner, have you heard anything from Annie yet?" Bertolt asked with a tinge of worry in his voice, walking besides Reiner as they walked through the stone streets of Stohess.

Reiner shook his head, the rifle on his shoulder swaying with the motion. "No, which is weird since Annie isn't usually someone who forgets these things. Still though, it's probably nothing. Letters can get lost, and her mission is to run when the first opportunity hits. In fact, that's probably what happened."

Bertolt calmed himself down with that knowledge, even letting a tiny small appear on his face. "Yeah, you're right. Annie can get Zeke and Pieck over here, we can deal with the Attack and Founding, then and we'll finally be allowed to go home."

Being away from Marley had left Bertolt homesick, and he was feeling anxious about how his father was faring.

His father was definitely missing him, ever since his mother passed away they'd been all the both of them had, and when he'd fallen sick Bertolt did his best to become a Warrior, and as a result his father got access to better medicine.

Bertolt was itching to leave the Walls and go home, the backwards and primitive ways of the island were tiring to say the least. They didn't have electricity, canned food, or any other modern conveniences. It made him feel sorry for them, in an all out war they'd definitely be crushed by Marley due to their lacking technology and miniscule population.

Bertolt subtly looked around, and seeing the lack of people he questioned. "Hey Reiner, do you think they'll let us make a quick stop to Marley before we come back and wrap things up here?"

Reiner nodded, speaking wistfully. "I hope so. My mother will be glad to see me, and hopefully I'll get to speak with Gabi. She probably doesn't even remember me, since she was just three the last time we spoke, but maybe she'll surprise me. Plus, Annie has her father. I swear she has a cousin too, what was her name? Zofia, that's it."

Bertolt found it strange, talking about the world outside the Walls so freely whilst surrounded by so many ignorant souls, but allowed himself to enjoy the fact he still had two people he could speak about his troubles to. The people of Paradis couldn't learn about their true enemies, if they did then they could give resistance of some sort. It was best for everyone if they were kept in the dark.

Bertolt's mood soured at the thought of the devils of Paradis, but tried not to question it too deeply. It would have been far simpler if they were just evil devils, but life was never that simple. In fact, looking back the rhetoric just so ridiculous it was like a bad joke.

Bertolt and Reiner were both trapped, and if they had to kill everyone in the Walls to escape, then they'd do it. It would hurt, and they'd probably hesitate, but they'd do it. If it wasn't them then it'd just be someone else.

Bertolt eyed Reiner with slight worry, though didn't dare voice his opinion. Reiner had gotten too attached to their fellow cadets- no, actually. Too attached was an understatement, he'd gone out of his way to make himself as popular and likeable as possible with the other cadets to the point where it was impossible to deny they were friends. Reiner would say it was for the mission, insist even, but that was a shallow and pointless lie to both of them.

Not wanting to put any more thought into the matter, Bertolt wondered out loud. "It's only been a month Reiner, but we haven't found anything on the Coordinate. No rumours, no clues, we've come up dry. Maybe we should try something different."

Reiner raised an eyebrow, but conceded. "Annie always has been the best spy between the three of us. To be honest, it might have been the wrong call to send her to the Survey Corps instead of me. Then again, maybe instead of trying to go after the Founder, we should go after the Titan we already know is crawling inside the Walls."

Bertolt halted when he realised what Reiner meant. "You think we should try looking for the Attack Titan?"

Reiner sighed tiredly. "To be honest? I don't know. But, the search for the Founder isn't looking promising, so maybe we should change tactics. Even if the Attack Titan isn't the Founder, it's still another Titan power to add to Marley's forces. Hopefully Annie will be arriving with Pieck and Zeke soon, and when they come we'll have more options."

Bertolt frowned. "The Attack Titan hasn't been seen for a century, we have no idea of what it's full capabilities are. Isn't it a bit risky to try and hunt it down?" He was relatively certain that the three of them could beat this new Titan in a head on battle. They had greater experience in battle, plus they'd been trained by Marley, so it should be an easy fight. Still though...

"It's just a possibility. We haven't made any headway with the Founder, so it's something to consider. You're probably right though." Reiner admitted, crossing his arms in thought, but before they could speak further they noticed two familiar soldiers up ahead by the canal.

Marco, Jean, and a new Recruit Bertolt couldn't remember the name of, were holding down and placing handcuffs on two senior MP's. It was a surprising sight, but one that he didn't think involved them-

"Guys, what are you doing?" Reiner yelled, his expression immediately becoming more relaxed and carefree than just moments prior, and Bertolt had to withhold a sigh at the change as he ran towards Jean and Marco.

Jean, seeing Reiner approach, quickly explained. "These two shitheads-" He motioned to the two men that were in Marco and Marlow's grasp. "were selling ODM gear illegally. We're arresting them for it."

Reiner gave an approving look. "I'm proud of you Jean, you're really a shining example of what a soldier should be."

Jean snorted, pretending to be unaffected by the praise. "Thanks Reiner, what have you been doing around here soldier boy?"

"Nothing as big as catching the bad eggs in the Military Police, but we've been trying to do our duty well. Say Bertolt, how about we give these two a helping hand?"

Bertolt slumped his shoulders, cursing Reiner internally for splitting like he has, before uttering out tiredly. "Sure."

Jean took notice of this, but chose not to comment as the duo joined them on their trip to the MP station.

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"Hey Marco, I'm going to Trost tomorrow. Your village is by the south, right? You wanna hitch a ride by wagon?" Jean questioned as the two patrolled the streets, Reiner and Bertolt right behind them.

It had been two weeks since they'd arrested those two officers, and the news of their actions had spread surprisingly fast. Jean was surprised how big a deal his actions actually were, but figured that it was a good thing if the people of Stohess heard about their actions.

The change wasn't instant, but after they caught a few more officers in their illegal actions things started to pick up. Some MP's had thanked discreetly and started taking their work more seriously, whilst the citizens of Stohess who had a disliking for the Military Police had started to cheer them on. Jean wasn't doing it for the recognition, but couldn't deny how good it felt either.

Marco nodded after a moment. "Sure, it's been a while since I've seen my parents, so stopping by would be nice. Also mum would have given birth by now, so it'll be nice to see my new brother or sister."

"Can we tag along?" Reiner suddenly asked, gaining Jean and Marco's attention as he explained. "Look, I'm worried about the other guys in the Scouts so I wanna pay them a visit. Plus, whilst the interior is nice, staying in one place for too long isn't my style."

Bertolt gave him a critical look, but remained silent as Jean responded with a shrug. "Sure, why not? But, you're paying for your own wagon tickets. No way in hell are you guys freeloading off us."

Reiner gave Jean a smirk. "Consider it done."

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"So, we're gonna shoot them out with these things?" Ymir questioned Hange as she held up the dart gun, examining it slightly, before placing it down. "Will these work on a shifter?"

Hange reassured her. "We've tested them on Eren, and being a shifter isn't like being a Titan. Even though they do regenerate, a shifters biology is definitely that of a human. They'll be knocked out if shot by one of these, and if hit by them, Reiner and Bertolt will be knocked out in a few seconds."

"What if they transform before that?" Armin pressed.

"It won't make much of a difference. We plan on isolating the two of them individually, and Eren's tried to transform whilst under the effects of the drug. He managed to, but he passed out inside his Titan body just like normal."

"Yeah, that wasn't fun." Eren commented, remembering how he felt whilst under the effects of the drug. The Survey Corps had a lot of horses, so they had a surplus of ketamine on hand, and it was more than strong enough to knock him out. He couldn't believe there were people who took that for fun, all he felt was dizziness, nausea, sluggishness, and finally darkness all in the span of three seconds.

"We'll try to avoid a head on fight. Apparently, the Colossal Titan can create an explosion when it transforms big enough to destroy most of Stohess, so Bertolt takes priority of capture over Reiner. Our blades won't be able to pierce the Armoured Titan, and the Colossal's steam will push us away, so only my squad and Levi's will be present just in case things go sideways." Hange explained to the soldiers present, who nodded along.

Eren asked with sharp eyes. "Is Annie secured?"

Erwin answered. "Yes, and her location is being kept a secret for now. If the royal government really is intentionally keeping us all in the dark, then making sure they don't do anything to jeopardise our plans is key. Only a select few are aware of her current location, and hopefully we can keep it that way until we manage to transfer her Titan powers to someone else. You said that the Jaw Titan could shatter that crystal cocoon, correct?"

Ymir shuffled uncomfortably as many soldiers turned to her, and she tried to hide her feeling of disgust at the thought of what she'd need to do, but was calmed when Historia took her hand.

Eren nodded. "Yes, the Jaw Titan's nails and teeth are the only things that can break that thing, but there are also other factors to consider. We don't have any Titan serum, and Titan spinal fluid is almost definitely not the only ingredient, so if we do get any using it up to eat Annie isn't the best idea. Whilst the Female Titan is useful, Annie has sealed herself away without escape, so is it really the smart move to use any serum we might find on taking that power? The Armoured and Colossal Titans are more dangerous as the way things are."

Erwin glanced at Ymir. "Those are valid arguments, but what if we didn't have to use any serum to take the Female Titan's powers for our side?"

"If you're thinking of feeding her to a Pure Titan then-" Eren paused, realising what Erwin meant as he looked at Ymir, and warned. "We'll be down one Titan shifter if we do that."

Ymir gave them a weird look, before she realised what they meant. "You sure that's a good idea? I mean, I'm not saying no, but that could be a mistake in the long run."

Erwin didn't deny her. "Perhaps, but we need to solve this immediate threat, and letting the Female Titan remain with Annie Leonhart could be dangerous. Either way, we'll deal with that after we capture the Armoured and Colossal Titans. Hange, the preparations are all set, tomorrow we'll eliminate the threat of the Armoured and Colossal Titans. Rest up, hopefully we won't have a long day tomorrow."

Erwin dismissed the soldiers within the room, and one by one they started to leave until he was all by himself. When they were gone, he looked out the window and pondered something, before he dismissed the thought and got ready to leave himself.

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In the city of Stohess, several Scouts were positioned stealthily across a number of different rooftops trying to locate Reiner and Bertolt as discretely as possible, only for them all to come up short with the Marleyan Eldians not patrolling their usual districts.

"Where in the hell are they?" Eren asked with impatience, the lack of activity unnerving him, as he looked down from the rooftops, Mikasa and Armin by his side.

"This is strange, they should be around here somewhere." Armin commented, a tinge of nervousness mixed in his voice. "They haven't changed patrols in weeks. What could have made them shift their routine?"

Eren understood Armin's worries, especially since the Scouts had taken every precaution they could to make sure they could apprehend the Warriors swiftly and effectively. They'd monitored Reiner and Bertolt's movements, what they usually did on the job, and when the best opportunity to catch them would present itself.

But, for some reason, the duo had managed to evade them. Not only that, but they weren't appearing anywhere near where predicted. Something wasn't right.

Mikasa narrowed her eyes, and tapped Eren's shoulder before silently pointing to a group of MP's passing through below.

Eren recognised this group, having seen them before in the show. Marlow, Hitch, and Boris. Three new recruits that would likely be the Warriors new comrades. 

Eren didn't know why, but he leaned forward to listen to what the three had to say as they passed by, motioning for Armin and Mikasa to stay silent as he caught their words.

Hitch complained, though her sleepy expression remained unchanged. "Why do we have to cover for those four again? I get that you've all been running around playing hero, but how does that excuse taking a few days off and dumping it on your friends backs?"

Marlow answered them sternly. "Because, they've all been working hard to help me get rid of Stohess' corruption, our efforts are already taking effect, so Jean, Marco, Bertolt, and Reiner deserve to go visit their families."

Boris snorted, oblivious to the figure above who's eyes widened with shock. "You do realise Reiner and Bertolt are both from Maria, right? I doubt their families are even alive, so maybe don't be so eager to cover for their shifts."

Marlow was about to retort him, but was cut off when he heard a crash behind him. He turned, only to be pushed firmly against the wall by Eren.

Hitch and Boris were surprised by the sudden ambush, but pointed their weapons at Eren regardless, only to falter when they recognised the outfit.

"Where are they going?" Eren asked in a panicked tone, one that made Marlow do a double-take as he realised the soldier in front of him wasn't aiming to hurt him.

Mikasa and Armin landed right behind Hitch and Boris, catching them by surprise and disarming them as their friend questioned Marlow.

"Look, the Walls are at stake, so where the fuck are Reiner and Bertolt going?!" Eren repeated himself, this time yelling louder to make Marlow answer.

"Well- they're going to Wall Rose, but I don't see how-"

Eren tuned out the rest of Marlow's sentence, the rest becoming a blur as his grip on the MP's collar loosened and he realised what had happened. They just had some bad luck, and that was enough for the Warriors to get away. What's more, they didn't even know where exactly Reiner and Bertolt ran off to, so those two could very well be gone for good.

"When did they leave?" Eren questioned, only this time his tone was much less demanding and Marlow wasn't nearly as intimidated.

"Uh, just three hours ago. Why?"

Eren ignored Marlow's question, instead gritted his teeth and cursing fate before he uttered out. "Armin, Mikasa, we need to go. If we hurry then we can still catch them."

Eren hated it, but avoiding a full blown battle between the Warriors was all but impossible at this point. Their only real option was to search through the south of Wall Rose they best could and cross their fingers that they find Reiner and Bertolt. It was a nightmare and, much as he hated to say it, the odds of them being found weren't fantastic. Their fate was uncertain.

He hated uncertainty.