Loyalty | Levi x OC

3. Preparations

"Good news. There may be a way to stop you without killing you," I said.

My squad along with Hange, Emily, and Moblit were all standing inside of a learning room within the old fortress. Strategy planning was well under way in preparation for the upcoming mission.

"Sir?" Eren looked at me with a confused expression.

"In your Titan form," I clarified. "We may have some middle ground after all. A fail-safe if you will. The method I've come up with will only leave you mutilated. Well, at least in theory. Depends on individual skill."

Picking up the chalk, I began to draw out a diagram representing a human shape surrounded by dashes, indicating the nape of a Titan, on the blackboard before us.

"Essentially, we cut the entire nape from the body, with you inside. Your arms and legs'll be severed halfway down in the process, but you'll survive. As a matter of fact, they'll probably just grow back, lizard-style. Creepy little bastard."

Eren let out a gasp as I turned to face him. "Hold on a sec. I'm not really sure how they do it. I mean, they might but maybe it's not worth the risk that they won't."

My eyes lowered, swallowing the annoyed groan that threatened to escape my throat. "Oh, I see. You're only up for this if there's no risk involved whatsoever," I replied sarcastically.

"No..." He stammered.

"Then be prepared. We're in the same boat. If you go on a rampage you could kill us. So we're even."

"Yes, sir. Seems perfectly fair to me."

"Don't worry, Eren. If anything were to go wrong and you do end up injured, I'll be there to assist you," Emily spoke up. Glancing at her, she stood near Hange, who eagerly sat on a wooden crate inside the room. "Wouldn't be the first time I had to treat you after Levi, after all."

I exhaled loudly through my nose, listening to the hushed laughs she earned from the group. Emily had treated Eren after the courtroom fiasco some weeks back when I had to beat the shit out of him to earn the government's trust. That's when we learned he could grow back body parts... Well, at least he did that day when Emily discovered a regrown tooth that had been knocked out.

Rolling my eyes, I turned my gaze back towards Eren briefly before Hange spoke up.

"Just to be clear, I have the go-ahead, right?" Hange asked. Emily let out a huff of a laugh. "She's been foaming at the mouth to run experiments," She explained.

"We can't afford not to run tests. So yes, you're good. Just try to keep him from going rogue right out of the gate," I replied over my shoulder, looking back towards the pair.

"Oh, not to worry. I have a plan," Hange replied, resting her chin over clenched fists as she leaned her elbows against her knees. "Eren. I know you're still a mystery to yourself, but we learn as we go. Knowledge is always worth the risk. I believe that."

I watched as Hange hopped off the crate while Emily grabbed Eren by the arm, leading him out of the room.

"Sir?" Petra asked.

"Go along with them," I answered her silent question.

-----

I let out an annoyed groan as I stood near the table where the crew sat. Emily sat next to Eren, observing his wounds and wrapping the boy's hands in bandages.

The first experiment was a shit-fest and a waste of time. Eren couldn't transform and nearly bit his hands into oblivion for it. Hange wandered off with Moblit shortly after we called for a break.