Yesterday's Enemy [AoT]

SEVENTY-FOUR

'It is the luck of the 103rd Cadet Corps to be party to what we assume to be the greatest and most anticipated scouting operation thus far: the mission to Havas. Soon we will see what lucky young soldiers are to uncover the secrets of our northern neighbour.'

-An extract from a recent newspaper article detailing current events.

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SEVENTY-FOUR

Wall Maria, South Region, Port Noaks

The Cadet Corps facility was situated on the other side of the river that ran through Noaks. After crossing the main bridge, Lorelai and Levi wandered into the compound of mismatched buildings and training equipment.

It was enormous. The two guessed there was probably over a thousand Cadets training here. Levi grimaced; that was a horrifying thought.

They were shown to Commandant Keith Shadis. A grizzly man with sunken eyes and a perpetual scowl. Poor kids, thought Lorelai; the man seemed almost as stern as Levi.

He saluted them. "Lieutenant Lorelai, Captain Levi. Ahead of schedule, I see. Why?" She had the feeling they were not overly welcome.

"Came to see the snot-nosed brats," Levi droned.

"Well, we have plenty of those."

Shadis led them to the main training area. A great expanse of cleared land, strewn with all manner of training contraptions. Cadets were running to and fro, going about their routines. Although, most were simply lazing about, huddled in groups chatting the morning away or otherwise playing hooky.

The compound was majority-Havasian, Lorelai noticed. The cadets from her country were of all shapes, sizes, and ages. The military had been relatively indiscriminate in its drafting—as long as you could hold a sword, you were in. Middle-aged and teenager alike.

Some nodded politely to her as they went about their business; yet, Lorelai could sense the weight of her betrayal.

"So-" Shadis turned, "-this is the 103rd Cadet Corps. Miserable bunch, aren't they?"

"...Have my people got on well, Commandant?" Lorelai couldn't help but ask.

"For a group with a death sentence, they've been surprisingly civil about it, if that's what you want to know." She fell silent. "I'll leave you to make introductions. No doubt Commander Erwin put you up to making sure enough of the others have a death wish?"

Under Shadis' critical gaze, they felt like the farmer entering a pen of sheep, about to coax them towards the slaughterhouse with gentle words and false promises. They both stayed silent.

"Figures." He left.

The two wandered over to where the more disciplined cadets were practising balance on the ODM contraptions. Many of them were hovering quite successfully. Still, Levi knew such juvenile talent would not make them invincible in the field, despite their belief otherwise.

"Be honest with me, my love," Lorelai began solemnly, her eyes staying ahead on the training site. "My people will all accompany us to Havas... hundreds of them. Will they all be killed?"

"...I think that depends on us," he admitted. "They'll either be prepared, or they won't."

Suddenly, a commotion began behind them, near the mess hall. It sounded like a brawl. A rowdy lot was jeering at the brawlers, egging them on, all crowded around as if this was the most entertaining thing they'd seen in years.