Chapter 6: The Survey Corps

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     "I am Survey Corps Commander Erwin Smith,” he boomed. “Today you choose which division to join. The reason I am up here is to invite you to join the Survey Corps. But I should warn you, in the recent Titan attack everyone experienced how terrifying they can be and how much limited power you have.” The Commander said. 

     You shuddered thinking of just how right he was. The bodies of littering the streets or their screams as they were being eaten. 

     "However, the human race advanced towards victory like never before. By now, everyone is aware of the existence of Eren Yeager. By risking his own life, he has proven himself a friend to humanity." 

     Nobody had seen Eren since he was taken away. You had heard about Erens trail from Armin. He told you how Eren was beaten up by Humanities Strongest Soldier in order to prove a point. Thankfully that point allowed Eren to be placed in the Survey Corps. If he was placed in the MP, he would have surely been dead. 

     "Thanks to him, the Titan invasion was halted and we now have a path to understand the true nature of Titans." 

     You snapped your head up to look at him. Whispers travels through the crow like wildfire. 
      
     "We believe in his basement of his home in Shinagashina, lie the answers to the Titans. If we can find that basement, we can end the Titans. We will head for the basement in Shinagashina but in order to do that, we have to take back Wall Maria." He continued on. “In other words, our goal is still the same but now that we can no longer use the gate in Trost, we have no choice but to take a route from Karanes The path that took one of our battalions four years to clear is completely useless.  During those four years, sixty percent of the Survey Corps soldiers died. That’s sixty percent in four years.” He emphasized the last part. "An insane figure." 

     An insane figure indeed. You were starting to convince yourself not to join. You would be more useful in the Garrison but could you stand staying behind a wall as Mariana and Flynn fight?

     "You who join the Survey Corps will participate in an expedition beyond the walls one month from now. Thirty percent of you will not return. In four years, most of you will be dead." 

      That sent a ripple of fear and uncertainty through the crowd of Cadets. Those who were thinking of joining the Scouting Legion were now second guessing themselves, you included. 

       "But," he said, "Those who survive will have a higher mortality rate. Know these facts, the one who wish to risk their lives may stay." He looked around at the nervous and uncertain faces. "Ask yourself, 'Are you willing to give your beating heart to humanity?'" Silence ensued. "That is all. Those who want to join another branch are dismissed." 

        It started with one, then two and finally groups. Cadets walked past you and towards the exit to join the Garrison or MP in one rare case. Flynn stood next to you with a grim face. He would not move. Mariana was debating, she turned her head towards the exit as if she wanted to follow but she promised herself to become strong and protect her friends. She snapped her head forehead and let tears fall down her face. Jean, Sasha and Connie were in their dilemma as well. Join or Die? Joining a safer corps or die outside the walls? 

        A grisly image came to mind. You saw how Titans ate humans. Jean let out an agonizing yell. You didn't blame him. He had saw Marcos dead body. Annie found Mina's dead body. You were overcome by grief, some soldiers went mad with it. 

     You looked up at the blue moon. It truly was beautiful but it didn't help you choose. 

       More Cadets passed you and they began to thin out. This was your only chance to leave. You looked around at the people who decided to stay. They joined the Military ready to throw away their lives. Could you do the same? Could you offer your heart up? What was there to live for other than killing Titans? You started to feel your resolve evaporate as you took a step back. 

       There was one thing you could live for, the promise of freedom. You promised to live in freedom for somebody who couldn't. You made that promise and you were not going to go back on it. With that in mind, you walked back to the group with a new purpose.

       Walking back to the group with clenched fists and shaky legs, you didn't notice the stares of the the others. Standing next to Mariana and Sasha, you looked up to see that Connie, Sasha, Jean, Ymir, Reiner, Christa, Mikasa, Armin, Flynn, Mariana and a few others stayed. You were making the right choice. You were sure of it. You would achieve your ultimate freedom by leaving these accursed Walls.  

       The Commander raised an eyebrow at you as you walked back and took your place amongst your comrades. He respected the fact that you could overcome your doubt. "Can you die if your ordered to?" He asked. It felt like he was asking you. 

        "We have no intention of dying, sir!" You said. 

        "I see," A light smile graced his face. "I like the look on your faces." He looked up and said, "Then I hereby welcome you to the Survey Corps. This is a true salute. Offer up your hearts!" He saluted to you. You raised your clenched fist over your heart, offering the blood that ran through it, to humanity. 
        
       "Everyone..." Armin looked at all of you with a disbelieving smile.