Juliet Diekman is the daughter of a well-respected Marleyan scientist who works alongside the military.
In a new proposal, he is asked to go on an expedition to Paradis for research purposes before planning their big attack. He agrees, only if his b...
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THE HARBOR LAY JUST BEYOND their vantage point, bustling with Jaegerists patrolling the area, their presence menacing.
At the crest of the hill, Hange and Magath kneel together, monocular in hand, silently scouting the area. Their heads bent close as they whisper hurried strategies, calculating every move with the weight of what was at stake hanging heavy in the air.
Hange's sharp eyes darted between the ships and the surrounding fortifications.
Below them, the rest of the group prepares themselves in tense silence. ODM gear is being strapped on with practiced precision, and every click of the harnesses and adjustment of their equipment carry an underlying current of fear and determination.
Behind them, the towering figure of the Cart Titan loomed ominously, standing guard. Steam still gently billows from the nape as Pieck's upper body emerges from it.
Annie finishes fastening the last strap of her ODM gear, her hands steady as she adjusts the straps on her chest.
She straightens, looking at the group with cold determination. "We have no choice but to kill 'em all with our first strike," she says flatly, "That's the only way we can secure the flying boat. To pull this off, everyone's gotta be in sync. We need our Titan power and your firepower. Understood?"
Her words cut through the air like a blade, and a heavy silence follows. Everyone tenses, the weight of what she's said sinking in. The wind shifts slightly, carrying the distant sounds of the harbor up to the hill where they're hiding. No one moves at first.
Connie, standing next to Armin, shifts uncomfortably, his expression conflicted. "Just... hold on a second," he says, his voice hesitant, almost pleading.
"What's the problem?" Annie's gaze remains hard.
Mikasa's gaze meets Annie. "The Jaegerists are holding all the Azumabito hostage," she says firmly, "We need to keep them out of the line of fire."
"Yeah, exactly!" Connie adds.
"You expect us to care about that?" Annie glances at her, her expression unreadable, "We won't protect people who've attacked our homeland just 'cause they're your distant cousins."
"Slow down, Annie," Pieck says from the top of the Cart, Annie turns to look at her, "If the hostages are killed, the rest of the plan falls apart. Right, Onkyankopon?"
"Yeah, we need 'em alive," Onyankopon nods gravely, stepping forward, "I should be able to pilot their boat, but first we gotta get it into flying shape. That's the problem. We need the mechanics to set up the wings."
The group listens to Onyankopon explain the mechanics of the flying boat, "Otherwise, none of us are gonna be flying anywhere. The wings are folded up to make it easier to tow, so they'll need to be extended and secured. And even then, there's still more to do before we can get airborne."
