Bang-up Job

Chapter Four (3/3)

He won't stand for this. They don't know what he went through to keep his family alive, they don't know how hard life was during the in-between, how even with the physical training, entering the military was almost a relief. In the military, they had a roof over their heads every night and food in their bellies, a proper infirmary with technology so recent that Eren was allowed to take surplus supplies and outdated things for himself. He doesn't notice how the post creaks behind him, how his chains rattle as he strains at the civilians, his eyes wide and green, so green. He cannot hear how his voice has crawled into a low growl, the echo of a beastly roar behind it.

"If you can't deal with it, then just stay behind the walls forever! But don't drag other people down with you! Don't hinder those who will fight, who are fighting! So just shut up and let me shoulder it all!"

His snarl rings in the room in the several seconds before Corporal Levi kicks him brutally across the face. As his head whips to the side and his tooth is propelled against the stone cobbles, he sees Armin and Mikasa in the stands, his sister pale and furious, Armin afraid, but his gaze wary and cunning. Eren's cheek throbs but he has no time for recovery-the Corporal lands a solid hit to his diaphragm and he chokes on air, feels the acid of his stomach try to crawl up the length on his esophagus. Without a doubt, Eren thinks hazily, through the building indignation, the Corporal is strong. The blows rock his body, powerful enough that he rebounds off the post and his wrists are beginning to bleed and chafe from having his body thrown this way and that. But he cannot fight back here. He has to fight however he can, and here in the tribunal, where he is a witch and a monster, to fight physically is to fail.

His skull cracks onto stone, and he coughs and splutters, blood trickling from his nose and head, bubbling over his lips, his heavy breaths laborious and hitching with pain. The Corporal's boot grinds into his hair, and Eren feels like a too-ripe grape, his head about to be crushed, popped, enough that the next infirmary apprentice can take one look at him and know he's a goner.

"I don't know about you," the Corporal says, his voice laced with boredom, "But I personally find pain to be the most efficient method of discipline. What you need is to be trained like a dog, not a man. And it's easier to kick you while you're on your knees."

"Corporal!" Niles Dawk shouts, droplets of sweat beginning to slide down his face. "It's dangerous."

"What is it?" the Corporal asks flatly, grinding the sole of his boot into Eren's scalp.

"What if you trigger his transformation into a titan?"

"What are you saying? Weren't you going to dissect him?" Levi scoffs. He hauls Eren's head upright by the hair. "This piss-poor brat," Levi drawls, "Killed around 20 titans before running out of steam. No match for me, of course, but if he is an enemy, whatever intelligence he has in that tiny brain of his will make him more dangerous. And what will you do? Anyone persecuting him should consider that fact. Do you really think you could kill him?"

Erwin steps forward. "Generalissimo, I have a proposition. Much about Trainee Jaeger's titan powers are still unknown, and as such, he will always be a potential threat. In the event that Trainee Jaeger is placed into the Scouting Legion, Corporal Levi will be able to conduct countermeasures if need be."

"Oh?" the Generalissimo murmurs, "Corporal Levi, will you be able to carry out these...countermeasures?"

"I'm certain I can kill him. The only problem is I doubt I can do any less."

"And what of the inland situation," Dawk demands.

"The activities of the Scouting Legion depend on the stability of society," Erwin replies, calm and cool. "It was never my intention to disregard the problems of the inner wall. I'd like to calm the inner wall's worries by proving to the public that Trainee Jaeger is an asset to mankind in the next mission outside the walls. I would like you to postpone your judgment until then."

There is a wave of relieved muttering from the audience.

"So he's leaving the walls..."

"...maybe he'll just die out there..."

The Generalissimo makes his decision. "Alright then. Trainee Jaeger, you are to be put under the command of the Scouting Legion and are to be watched by Corporal Levi. You will participate in the Scouting expedition within the month, and will return here based on your performance. Court dismissed!"