Life of Maverick: In the Land of Giant Man Eaters

-Chapter 38: Trogs-

After their short engagement the scouts returned to unloading and taking stock of their supplies, as well as treating any that had sustained injuries during their confrontation. While most injuries were minor it was important to treat them quickly.

Hange was currently inside their makeshift medical tent further back from the camp, silently observing the scout that was being treated for the minor burns sustained during the battle.

That scout was of course Moses.

He had been the one to set a titan's head ablaze with his gifted blades, The Torches of Alaz Khan. While the act brought the titan down he failed to quickly distance himself, as such his close proximity to the flames resulted in his now reddened face.

Hange continued to observe as the medics brought wet rags and ointments to soothe his skin. While they had numerous training sessions with their new blades this incident, and Mav's cautious words, served well to remind her that the weapons they now wielded were a whole different beast to control.

She decided to leave the medical staff to their work and instead head on back towards the main encampment, where she spotted and approached her person of interest as he was currently scrounging through one of the supply carriages while humming a tune.

"Baya-baya-ba, baya-baya-ba, ba-baya-ba-baya-baba."

She didn't say a word as he continued to gear himself up, simply letting herself be enthralled with his humming. It was always a joy to listen to him, singing songs and tunes he'd heard throughout his long life.

"Ya-ya-ya-yaaaaa, ya-ya-ya-yaaaaaa-ya-ya."

In the time she had discovered a certain habit of his. Whenever there were lyrics he'd either speak or hum them out, and whenever an instrument came up he'd whistle it or mimic the beat. It was amusing seeing how on occasion he'd get really into whatever song he was humming.

Her attention shifted from his humming to the things he was actually strapping along his body. A rather large knapsack, his shotgun Lahkesis, a single shell bandolier, two sets of rope, a headpiece with a candle holder installed, and other adventurous looking necessities. "You sure you're gonna need a pickaxe?"

"You never know." He continued to strap himself with a large hand-crafted satchel, placing some equally large lunchboxes inside.

"Two lunches?" He stopped and stared at the container in his hand, taking her words into serious consideration.

"Your right. Should have brought four." She tried so hard to stifle her giggles. As he said that with no hint of humor or sarcasm. She'd be cut short as the commander's voice rang out across the H.Q.

"Everyone gather around!"

In seconds every able-bodied scout stood at attention, awaiting his words. Seeing them all present and accounted for he began his spiel.

"With our equipment and essentials set up we'll be going into the next stage of this expedition." He placed a map on a table set before him.

"As you all remember we marked numerous locations of interest in our last outing here. We'll be further investigating them for the next few days."

He pointed to an area westward on the map, marked with the word 'big cave'.

"Darius, Hange, your squads will explore the cave system that was located in the west forest. Miche and Dirk, you'll take your squads out to the old ruins..."

For the next few minutes he continued to assign either two or one single squad to their designated areas, till eventually his eyes turned to Hannes and his crew.