~*~

THREE WEEKS LATER

It's been quite sometime since we've raided upon Liberio........ 

With Levi keeping Zeke under surveillance in the giant trees, and Hanji interrogating Eren behind bars for his own insubordination. I, myself have been trying to balance the life of Section Commander and mother, seen my son has been living in Karanes district. Ingrid would send letters, keeping her informed about my whereabouts. Hanji would help make the decision to visit my son once a week at least due to safety precautions, due to the shift of tension swimming into Paradis. 

I couldn't even send letters to Levi, because of his secrecy of his location due to security reasons again. 

Even keeping Eren's arrest of his insubordination and arrest under wraps an in secrecy as well, due to how it will lead to contradicting concerns and the situation would get out of hand because of his actions he has made to his allegations. Though I should've been with my son, I had a unnerving feeling that my presence is much needed within the centre of the Regiments. Sleepless nights tossing and turning as usual without him beside me, but I knew we will see each other very soon.

~*~

AT THE MILITARY HEADQUARTERS

Just our luck now........

Walking side by side with Hanji, we both made our way towards the Headquarters, just where the large iron gates were with a crowd of people late this afternoon. The cause of commotion and yelling made me realise something has come up, as we haven't seen this many people come to the Headquarters just for a visit. Briefly glancing to Hanji, "What do you think it is, now?" I question quietly, as she shook her head with a dull expression in her eyes.

She lowers her voice, "Dunno, whatever it is.........just keep walking," 

"Hey its Commander Hanji!!"

"......Section Commander Akira!"

We approach the crowd and tried to pry pass them all, but many of them kept stepping in front of us provoking or even trying to get us to speak up. "Please we must know!"

"Section Commander Akira, please answer!"

Suddenly there were a few familiar faces, especially  Flegal Reeves who runs the Reeves Company after his father passed. Then a few journal reporters and citizens crowding us as I felt a little claustrophobic under their intensity of questions and bantering. 

One of the reporters pushes through, "We've heard rumours that the Anti-Marleyan Volunteers have been arrested along with Eren Yeager himself," Peaure informs us, sticking his nose in our business. "Can you confirm this?"

"Please Hanji.....Akira, don't leave us in the dark!" Flegel pleads, desperately. "Why did the military suddenly order us to evacuate Shiganshina? You were the ones who put the Reeves Company in charge of rebuilding it, remember?!"

Hanji resumes to the gate, "Ask the Mp's,"

Peaure pushes through and stood before both of us, "Hanji! Eren Yeager's victory over Marley has given Eldians like us a future," He says firmly, his statement determined and strong. "A future where our people have the right to exist! If that's the case, then it's only right that every Eldian in Paradis should have a voice in how Yeager is handled."

Hanji's eyes harden in response, while a shadow casts over my own with myself dealing with the weight internally. We both were under the pressure of it all, finding everything more conflicting than how we've handled things.

"As a Scout, you said your job was to explore and report your findings to us taxpayers," An old man spoke up, with a brown cap on his head. "Are we to assume you no longer believe this?"

My jaw tightens more as my eyes flicker to meet his, "Things have changed over time, things we can't comprehend," I sternly spoke up, not wanting Hanji to have the weight of it all. "Now that our walls have finally open to the world, we can't trust information to stay inside them!"

Hanji pushes the reporter aside to get to the gate, as I kept my body covering Hanji from behind for protection if needed whilst on guard.

She's my Commander of this Regiment, and my best friend......I can't afford giving her all the weight to bear in this time.

"Akira......Hanji, I know you're in a tough spot here. I get it," Flegel spoke more calmly. "So just look me in the eye and tell me I can trust you."

Hanji opens the gate before glancing over her shoulder to meet his eye, "I can promise you that everything we do, we do for the sake of the people," before walking onwards to the main headquarters, as I halt at the gate and closed it with a linger glance to our people.

I'm so tired of all this.........

Flegel's eyes met mine seeing confliction in his, and I couldn't blame them. It's becoming harder to know whom to trust, after the realisation this crowd was given leaked information on Eren Yeager's arrest. This was the point of me and Hanji coming today, as we have found the assumed opposers to the regiment.

"Section Commander......." Flegel spoke up, but I raise my hand.

My brow furrows, "No more........we're dealing with unknown territory," I spoke up, steadily and calmly. "Right now, just let us do our job like the Commander has said just now. We're walking down an unpredictable road........so let us walk it first......"

With that the gate clicks shut, before following behind Hanji seeing her waiting for me at the main headquarters doors. 

Her body looked more tense and even exhausted, even with the bags beneath her eyes with denial that she's fine. Reaching her finally she glances at me for a moment, "You ready for this?" I question her, finding the tension building the further we step into the building. 

She gives me a reluctant reply and nods, "Let's get this shit over,"

~*~

Disappointment is what I felt in that moment.....

Walking into the room with the 104th cadets standing before the four traitors, tied to the chairs with three recruits and one veteran. Louise, Wim, Holger and lastly and not surprisingly....Floch Forster. The room grew dead quiet as our foot steps drew closer to the four, as the crowd of the Military police parts away for us two to stand before our own soldiers. 

A dissatisfied sigh leaves Hanji, "So.....it was the four of you who leaked these rumours about Eren?" she assumes, as I came to a halt two feet behind her. "Three recruits: Holger, Wim and Louise......and one veteran: Floch."

Hanji pulls out a chair and sits down before all of them, as she stared them down and resumes.

"Care to tell me why you did it?" She arches a brow, leaving the question hanging for a moment for Floch to think about his actions.

Floch sneers, "Because Eren never should've been imprisoned," he replies, self-assuredly. "He's done nothing wrong and should be freed at once. He challenged a powerful, imposing enemy and grasped victory. We now have the rumbling, a power which secures our right to live. Eren Yeager is no criminal. He's a war hero, and he just saved the life of every person in the new Eldian Empire."

My jaw tightens knowing that Eren did save us, but there was more to the story than what it seems. He's not understanding what exactly this is about, because right now I don't want to be the enemy or the bad guy. 

"The nation of Eldia is in greater danger than ever," Hanji spoke up sternly. "We don't know if the Rumbling can protect us yet or not. Nobody knows how it works, it's still just a myth at this point."

Floch scoffs, "Only because you're keeping Eren locked in a cage," before he briefly meets my gaze and somewhat wavered beneath my dangerous glare before returning to Hanji's. "At the very least, I hope you'll agree that we can't afford to waste time right now. We need to be decisive. To make use of our victory. It will be Eren yeager who leads this nation! Please see reason and release him at once?!"

A different and unreadable expression glints behind Hanji's right eye, "Yeah, you might just be right about that," she admits, but doesn't let him sway her emotions. "From a certain viewpoint, I've already made the decision to see Zeke's Yeager's plan through to the end. I'm responsible for making that choice, which is why I can't tolerate insubordination!"

Stepping forth, "You all will be tried for the crime, of leaking confidential intelligence," I announce firmly, disclosing their actions. Glancing to the military police, "Detain them in the meantime, and we'll see fit what to do later..."

My gaze flickers back to Floch seeing his eyes close, "If this is the price of serving humanity behind the walls, so be it," he admits defeat, accepting the fact he will be detained and withdrawing from his position in the regiment.

"It's better than death.........." I utter out, coldly.

With that Jean and the others walks towards the four traitors, and began to escort them out from the room. The tension was even more suffocating than it had to be, and sensing Hanji sitting them in utter dead silence left my gut churning. Standing there quietly beside her, all I could do was rest a hand upon her shoulder gave it a gentle squeeze of assurance. 

"You know.......a man we knew once said.....'There's an order to these thing'," She mentions, with a gravelling voice. "'Perhaps it's a law of human nature. When one's time is over, another must take on the role that they used to play. Best of luck......Hanji...' and now.........I don't know...."

Suddenly she throws her arms in the air letting out a frustrated sound, knowing exactly how she's feeling. We're both stuck in one spot, trying to play the roll for the next generation and our indecisive our actions have become. Her shoulders then slumps forward and hunches over closing her eyes, with a troubling exhale with nothing but with her negative thoughts.

"I'm pooped.........." she inhales deeply, before shaking her head and stands up meeting my sharp gaze. Her eye arrows, "No......there's more we need to investigate, we need to wait and observe what we can.......and Akira?"

Lifting my head in response to the way she said my name, "Hmm? What is it?"

She turns her body full facing me, "I trust you and Levi the most at this point, cause I can't allow my emotions to sway the opinions of others," she admits, as my eyes slightly widen in surprise with her admitting it now of all times. "Comrades from the beginning we have been, and not once have you ever went against my back.........let alone ever once doubted me. This responsibility is on me........"

I hate how she does this every damn time, why can't she understand it's 'us'. Together.

Shaking my head in refusal, "No..........we both carry this responsibility," I firmly correct her, earning her breath to hitch. "When you asked of me to rise to Section Commander? When I rose the ranks, I trusted Erwin's decision. Look how far we've come together, we've learned and have grown from our past mistakes. We're in this together, and don't you dare cut me off like that because I'm with you.......every step of the way."

Her surprised face fades into a weary smile, as she raised her fist and gently placed it over my chest in response.

"You really have a way with words......" She chuckles in response, before straightening herself. "........tomorrow I'll speak with Onyankopon, due to the limitations of visitors he's allowed to have at the isolated house. Commander-in-chief Zachary gave us permission to have one of the detained volunteers. You'll remain here at the Main Military Headquarters, and I'll inform you our next move."

With a small salute to my heart, I nod.

"Yes......Hanji,"

~*~

NEXT DAY - AT THE MILITARY HEADQUARTERS

"It's nice to finally see you, Ackerman," 

Saluting him, "It's nice to see you again, Premier Zachary," seeing him facing the window, noticing the protestors barreling and chanting outside. The sight was utter chaos, that I felt conflicted in whether I should speak up or allow them to think constructively of decisions for Eren's arrest.  "I apologise for the inconvenience, this has lead for all of us--"

He turns to meet my tired gaze, raising a hand.

"It's not your fault for it all," He assures, cutting me off before clearing his throat. "Excuse me for interjecting......it's impolite of me. Anyway......the case of it all has really gone out of hand, and clearly we're all feeling the tension as we speak."

My body was in discomfort of moving too much, especially seen Hanji and I have been following up some leads we managed to dig up on.

~Knock~Knock~

"Come in!"

The doors open revealing both Armin and Mikasa walking in, approaching Zachary's desk slowly. Feeling their attention turn to me in surprise of my presence, I give them a nod in acknowledgement. They both salute me as they respectfully acknowledge me as well, before turning to the Commander-in-chief.

Zachary turns back to the window, noticing the crowd slowly accumulating more and more with protestors on the other side of the iron gate. Many Military police stood outside on the opposite side, guarding the gate to make sure none of them is able to barrel themselves through.

"Armin Arlert.......Mikasa Ackerman...." 

"Premier Zachary," They both reply in unison, saluting before watching him stare out the window with a troubling look. Questioning why they both were here in the first place, I allowed Zachary to take control of the conversation knowing I'm here til Hanji informs me to meet up with her again.

"So.....I hear Hanji's been roaming all over the place," He spoke up, implying that the assumption was for all three of us. 

Armin nods, "Yes, the Commander's and even Section Commander Akira has been looking into a few leads we dug up,"

"I know," He replies, simply. "I have the Commander permission to take one of the detained volunteers. But........" he turns back to the young soldiers. "......I'm afraid that I can't give you two permission to meet Eren."

They both gasp in surprise, "Why not, sir?"

"Because we've just confirmed that Eren communicated with the volunteers in secret," He replies, gruffly. With all things considered no one is allowed to speak with him, even Armin and Mikasa should know that by now anyway. "This is likely what incited him to attack Marley. It's certainly something he kept quiet about leading up to the event."

Standing there with my body straight and professional, I tune myself in more into the conversation.

"We're even currently in the midst of an investigation, to see what all was said," he continues on, as a matter-of-factly. "....and who all was involved in this meeting. Seems Eren has maintained his silence.....ever since these facts were brought to light. Furthermore, we're still completely in the dark about what he did during his time alone in Marley."

Zachary sighs, "....and I'm sorry to say that we believe that Eren is being manipulated by Zeke," he concludes, earning horrified looks from both the young soldiers. The converse between Commander-in-Chief and the the two was very personal, knowing they'll keep this secrecy between themselves. "I wouldn't have shared these secrets with you if you were anyone else. So I'll ask that you keep them to yourselves..."

The disbelief in Armin's eyes and skin grew pale, "You really think Eren would--" still in denial to everything Eren has done.

"So what now?!" Mikasa questions abruptly, with desperation writhing in her voice. "What will you do with him?!"

They both turn to him only to find Zachary standing beside a chair, causing a still pause whilst I stood silently.

"Wait, is that.....?"

Zachary lifts his head turning to the chair, "Hmm? Oh, it's nothing," he brushes it off, referring to the torture chair he used. Now remembering why and how it was used, a shiver ran through my spine at the gruesome and explicit sight. Unsightly it was. "There was nowhere else to store the thing, so I had some recruits bring it up here."

Armin parts his lips hesitantly, "Please hear me out, sir!" he pleads, changing the topic back to the point of their presence now. "We've known Eren ever since we were kids. If he refuses to talk to you, that's all the more reason to send us in...I know there's no guarantee that we can get him to tell us the truth, but.......there isn't any harm in trying, right?"

Shaking my head, "Armin........even if I preached my testimony of knowing Eren long before he was born, I'm still unable to change their minds," I spoke, earning Mikasa and Armin's attention. "The situation is too delicate right now to even sway Eren..........and Premier Zachary is set in stone right now. So nothing is gonna change at this point...."

Armin's eyes widen, "But--"

"This conversations over," Zachary cuts him off, turning back to the window with his back to the two teens.

Once the two leave reluctantly after being given orders to not meet Eren, I stood there conflicted by it all. Trust is a big part in all this, but I couldn't understand Eren even if I remember long before he even was on this earth nineteen years ago. I watched him grow up for a short amount of time, but then I became a soldier and stopped seeing him grow up.

What did I even miss back then? What am I not understanding here?

"Don't overthink it," Zachary spoke up, earning my attention to be brought back to reality. "I believe you of your testimony, but there's more to it that we can't understand just yet. You're one of the strongest soldiers beside your husband, you both are humanities hope. No first or second, because both your strengths compliment each other's........you've come very far Section Commander."

"Sir," I salute him.

~Knock~Knock~

"Excuse us!!!!" Someone calls, as my eyes flicker up seeing the doors open with three Military uniformed soldiers. 

"Soldiers....." I greet calmly, seeing their eyes flicker to meet my sharp gaze. 

The three approach the desk as Zachary sat down at his chair, as the middle soldier held some papers. Studying the three mp's for a moment, I observe their mannerisms which were a little off. Finding that this must be some private meeting I salute to the Commander-in-Chief, and politely headed towards the door. Taking the first few steps towards the exit, "Thankyou Section Commander, I'll see you later,"

"Will do, Premier Zachary,"

However a chill ran through my spine as I heard murmuring and a few papers being flicked through, but the smell of gunpowder and smoke was inhaled that burned my nostrils . My blood ran cold as my hand grips the handle, recognising the scent all too well. Turning sharply about to warn Zachary, my eyes were met with a whitening flash before a hot wave of flames burst with a loud bang before everything went black.

A groan soon leaves me before coughing harshly, ears began ringing continuously hearing my name fading in and out.

"Section Commander! Section Commander!!!!"

My lungs and nose felt completely dry as I swallow thickly, before finding my vision blurry and hazy. Coughing and spluttering from the thick smoke, my eyes were watering in response to the burning hot flames.

"Someone help!!! The section Commander is injured!!!!!" Mikasa calls out, while the flames mute out their voices. 

Pushing myself up to my two feet I recollect myself, as Armin's hands slowly support me to my feet. My hair disheveled covering my eyes, feeling my body aching from the heavy impact. It all happened so fast, I