Soldier Child (Attack On Titan/Shingeki No Kyojin Fanfiction)

Chapter 1

"You asked for me, Squad Leader?" Petra's voice broke the silence in the room Hange had taken as her "lab". The castle the Survey Corps now used had plenty or rooms to spare so Hange had wasted no time in acquiring one for herself and her experiments. The eccentric woman lined the shelves in the room with bottles, beakers and tubes filled with an array of substances. Currently, Hange was watching over a gently simmering light pink substance. The mixture was suspended in a beaker over a flame by metal tongs connected to a stand. Petra wondered what the mixture was was but thought it best not to ask.

"Petra! I did in fact ask for you." Hange quickly turned around in excitement when Petra announced her presence. "It's very important but I'm going to need your secrecy in this matter." Hange's eyes gleamed as she sported a wide smile while Petra began to feel some unease. Just what did she want her to do? She neared her superior and the table.

"I'm glad Moblit was able to get you here so quick. That man is just so reliable, though he does tend to worry too much. I don't know what I would do with-"

"What did you need me for? I'd be... glad to help if I can." Petra cut her off before she could ramble. Levi wanted the weeds taken care of around the building and she promised to help Eren do that as it was quite a big job. Levi seemed to like to give the boy exhausting tasks. Maybe later, she could start a garden. It would be nice to grow some of their own food and maybe even some flowers!

"Wonderful!" Hange crowed in delight. She stepped back from the table and grabbed Petra's arm to pull her toward the heating mixture.

"Do you see this here? Its something I concocted that could be our ticket to being able to defeat the titans! It still in the testing stages but I truly believe this will work. I've chosen you out of all the people to take part in humanity's newest weapon. You should be flattered. You're going to be part of history!"

"O-Okay." Petra stuttered in surprise.

Hange beamed as she grabbed the beaker with her bare hands. With a cry she pulled it back realizing the beaker was too hot. She muttered angrily to herself as she strode away to grab a pair of tongs on a nearby table and came back. Petra just stayed where she was as her uneasiness grew. Hange grabbed the beaker with the tongs and poured the liquid into a small glass.

"Here!" She exclaimed excitedly as she pushed the quickly heating cup into Petra's hands. "Drink it." Petra used her fingertips to hold onto the rim as the bottom and sides quickly became too hot.

"You want me to drink this?" Petra exclaimed in horror, staring at the cup now in her hands. She swirled it a little and felt sick at the faint smell of copper coming off of it. The substance was pinkish in color and the same consistency as molasses.

"Yes!" The scientist noticed the unease on the soldier's face. "Don't worry, it's completely safe. I fed a previous batch to the rats I keep in my room and they are completely fine. There were no hoped for effects but I think I need a human test subject for my little serum to work properly."

"All you have to do is drink it and tell me if you feel any different. Moblit and I may follow you around for a few days and have you do some tests. It won't be that bad, honest!" Petra's head was spinning a bit in panic. There was no way she was going to do this. And did Commander Erwin know of this? Probably not since Hange wanted her to keep quiet about it. Also, Hange kept rats in her room? Petra shouldn't have been surprised but she was. She shuddered at the thought of Captain Levi finding out this little bit of information. He would probably make everyone clean the castle a second time to make sure there were no escaped rodents running around.

"I mean no disrespect squad leader Hange but I don't know if this is a good idea. I don't think Commander Erwin would like this. And I must admit that the thought of drinking this does not put me at ease." Petra admitted. She didn't want to be a part of this little experiment.

"Petra please! The drink shouldn't cause any major problems and I need a subject for research. I chose you because you are so sweet and kind- well when you are not pissed off at something- and seemed like the mostly likely to help me out. Please do this for me? I promise I will repay you someday! Pleeease?"

"I don't-"

"Petra! I really, really need this and none of my squad would agree to it. Your also just the right size for what I have in mind later." Hange begged, her eyes staring into Petra's golden ones. It looked like Petra was not the first choice for this experiment after all. The red haired soldier placed her right hand over her heart in respect, her left had held the cup so she could not do a proper salute, and announced her decision firmly.

"I am truly sorry Squad Leader but I can't agree to this. I don't believe this is safe and hope you reconsider what you are doing. You shouldn't be testing on humans like this. You don't know what this could do to them." Hange looked at her with wide eyes, not expecting her to refuse. She looked away for a few moments and then sighed deeply before speaking. Petra felt a little guilty at the sorrowful expression on Hange's face. Not enough to agree to the experiment however.

"... Maybe you are right. I shouldn't get so carried away. Even though I am so sure it won't hurt anyone, I guess there is a miniscule chance I could be mistaken. I'll just throw away weeks of research." She murmured as she took the cup from Petra's hands and placed it on the table. The substance had cooled somewhat so Hange could easily carry the cup without a problem.

"I am glad you agree. And like you want, I will not inform Commander Erwin of this. I think you should do that. Maybe they will agree with what you are doing and find a safer way to go about it." Petra felt bad keeping something like this from both of them however. If Hange had continued, Petra may have had to inform her superiors but she was glad Hange had reconsidered. She would have to keep an eye on her just in case.

"Maybe... And I'm sure they would be able to get someone to agree to being a test subject." Hange brightened at that. "You probably have things to do. I will see you later then right? Will you be in the dining hall for dinner?"

"Yes, I promised to help Eren clear the weeds outside. And my squad and I will be sitting together in the dining hall tonight. Thank you Squad Leader and I hope you are not too disappointed." Petra smiled as Hange shook her head waved her off.

"Go. Enjoy the fresh air!" The brown haired woman grinned.

Petra nodded and quickly rushed out of the room, eager to help Eren. He was probably waiting for her right now. Though Petra had been wary of him after he had turned into a titan, she had now quickly warmed to the boy. He seemed to be quite fond of her as well, telling her stories of the things he and his friends had gotten up to before and during their trainee days. Eren seemed to bring out the maternal side in her.

As she opened the main doors, Petra just hoped Hange would not try for another test subject. She did seem sincere about giving up on it for now but she could change her mind. It was probably best to talk to someone about this. She would mention it to Captain Levi if he wasn't busy tonight.