The 104th Training Corps

(Two weeks before graduation.)


As the sun rose over the quarry like training camp a figure stood on the edge of the gorge overlooking the camp. The hood of a green scouting cloak hid her features, but to anyone who knew this scout the falcon on her shoulder was a dead give away of this individual's identity.


Leona had arrived early on purpose, giving herself a bit of time to observe the training grounds. The Survey Corps had been briefed on their latest mission the day before. Now they were the lucky ones to announce the new graduation ceremony to the trainees. Government officials had talked some nonsense about wanting all military personal to have "real world" experience to graduate, but anyone with half a brain could guess the truth. With all the territory lost when wall Maria fell it had been a struggle to keep the survivors fed. Even there military was feeling the strain of having to support so many new recruits. The truth was simple, they wanted to reduce the number of graduates. 

Light footsteps sounded behind Leona as a second cloaked figure moved to stand at her side. Cold amber eyes studied the training ground below them, already the cadets had gathered for morning formation and were about to break off for PT. The Survey Corps wasn't to make an appearance until after breakfast, it was then they were to explain to that year's class they would spend a week being trained by them followed by a short expedition out into what was once Wall Maria's territory.


The thought of essentially leading over a hundred not even full fledged soldiers to their deaths was sickening in its own right. 'To ensure that all branches have experience in battling Titans,' the officials said. Something she and the commander tried to fight against. They were just culling their numbers, sending hundreds to slaughter while they rested comfortably in their precious inner wall.


In the end their words fell on deaf ears and now here she was, waiting until the time came to tell the cadets most of them weren't even going to live to graduate.

As Ravyn approached Horus fluttered from Leona's shoulder to Ravyn's. "Traitor." Leona teased her pet as he immediately began looking from Ravyn to her pockets hoping for a snack. For a moment Leona was silent, simply watched the recruits falling into formation along side Ravyn.


"Funny how no one's worried about giving the MPs and Garrison already enlisted some combat experience..." Leona finally said with a heavy sigh. "Think any of them will live?"

Leona reached up to idly scratch Horus' belly as Ravyn spoke. Even a brigade of fully trained scouts were given months to prepare for an expedition, trying to get cadets ready in just one week seemed nearly impossible by comparison.


"Once we get to the first keeping them out of the titans' reach should be easy provide they follow directions." Leona thought out loud, already strategising. "The problem is getting a majority of them that far... Not to mention getting back."


A frustrated sigh fell from Leona's lips. "Even if we were to leave at night and return the following night, I doubt even half of them would survive the day..." Even if they gave the cadets very specific instructions, the odds were too great that one of them would get cocky and show boaty enough to get several killed.

A heavy sigh fell from Leona lips. "They'll have to select a new top ten from the survivors. I guess you could say this test could drastically change the grading curve..." She mused dryly. Moving to follow Captain Ravyn, Leona searched for some kind of topic to avoid an awkward silence.


"If we can get the majority of them to the forest of giant trees, we can order them to simply observe, out of the Titans' reach. We could even attempt to make it there through the night. It would reduce casualties to stupidity and arrogance." Leona offer looking to lighten the mood in some warped glass half full sort of way. "Will you be speaking to the cadets, or the Commander?" She asked as an after thought. 

Ravyn clicked her tongue at the reminder the top ten would likely end up meaningless. "We'll see how long the new policy of theirs lasts when they realize that." She murmured, casting another glance down at the Cadets below.


She quietly listened to the suggestion of her newest squad member. "Night is definitely an option," the captain mused. The drop in Titan activity at night Leona from her time stranded outside the wall had more than thrilled the captain of the research team, not to mention boost their survival rate. Even if slightly. Damned things were still so unpredictable, even after decades of research. "Unfortunately soldiers that fall from their own foolishness often take several of their comrades with them," Ravyn reminded in a low tone as her attention returned to the path ahead.


"The commander will open things for us, but I'll be informing them of the new graduation ceremony."

Having arrived earlier than the time for the start of the morning assembling, as usual, Bryce was already stretching his muscles. Slowly, other fellow cadets started arriving after sometime had passed. As he started jogging, he glanced around and some of them looked away from him. He didn't care. Some of them made grumpy expressions. He didn't care. Not a single one of them greeted him. He didn't care. Two of them seemed to have started doing half-assed warm-ups, and were mostly chatting if anything. Unforgivable.


He changed the direction he was jogging and moved towards them. He could see them whisper as they noticed him approaching. "Don't hold your muscles in one position! Chatting doesn't prevent muscle cramps during exercises!" , he said as he ran past them. When he looked towards them again, it seemed they were doing proper warm-ups now. Satisfied, he kept jogging for a while longer and then gradually slowed down, walking and then coming to a stop. A new day of training was about to begin, and Bryce wondered what the activities would be.

It seemed no matter what they did to prepare or stratagize the odds were stacked against them, but then again weren't they always. Silence fell over the two for a moment, though strangely enough it didn't seem awkward. Rather there simply wasn't much left to say on the matter, and neither of them seemed the type to engage in mindless small talk.


After a moment Leona lifted a hand to press on Horus's belly to make him step up onto it. "You need more then just treats for breakfast." She said holding the bird so he was facing her. "Go hunt a while." With that she tossed the bird into the air. 


Horus gave a few quick flaps to gain altitude before catching the wind to sore. As his sharp eyes combed the valley below they easily spotted a rat scurrying towards the mess hall. Folding his wings the falcon went into a dive, buzzing over the head of one of the cadets on his way to intercept the rat. There was a shrilled squeak from the rodent as Horus' talons met it, then silence. With a few strong flaps the falcon pulled himself back into the air, the dead rat dangling from his talons.


Heading back to Leona, Horus returned to his perch upon her shoulder where he began ripping into his prize. Leona seemed completely unphased by the gruesome scene playing out so close to her face. Even as blood began to stain her cloak she did nothing to discourage her pet. All things considered, Leona had likely seen far worse then rat guts. 


@Beundo

Sitting atop a tall pole in the training grounds Shani looked out at the large stretch that held the training camp. It was so crowded even at this time of day. So many recruits it was a miracle the military could even keep up with them. But then again most of the poor, or orphaned join the military just to have food in front of them. Proving more so of the poor conditions for civilians rathe than support for the military. Her crimson hair flowed through the wind as she let out a soft sigh. Looking up she saw the beautiful sky wondering who many more of them everyone will get to see. Hoping and praying for many more to come.

Only a few more days left till I leave this all behind. She pulled a knee to her chest, he balance barely faltering at the movement. I'll do what I need to do to serve the citizens here. This place after all is all we have. She looked down at the others, some were staring while the others were off in there own world. Wrapping a thick cloth around the pole she slid down it, landing gracefully. sliding the cloth off the pole she brushed it off and wrapped it around her head. Tying it tightly she turned around and made her way into the crowd there was still more to do before she graduated. There was no reason to slack off now. Taking a deep breath she prepared herself for today.

(Open for interaction)

Once again, the brunette had overslept from having spent the night studying diligently. So when she woke up in her bunk with her face smothered into a book and practically most of the other cadets gone, well she broke records with how fast she rolled off that bunk to start running for the showers. It was a quick one with cold water from all the warm water having been taking already, but it meant little to her now. Out of the shower, she got quickly dressed in her uniform while hobbling out toward the mess hall as she put on her boots.

Running a hand through her still damp hair, she took a minute to smile at a few of the other trainees who were passing by before starting to lightly jog her way to the mess hall where she was greeted with a rather busy room. A few of the people who knew her well waved at her to come to them where they gave her the apple they had saved for her. "Thanks." She retorted cheerfully to them in gratitude and then finally sunk her teeth into the bright red fruit. The sweet taste tingling on her tongue while she enjoyed the small treat in her own silent peace.

After that, she had left as quickly as she came so she could get a head start on her stretches before the assembly as well.

Ravyn Cooper

PT reached an end, allowing several thankful cadets to finally sit down and enjoy breakfast. Many could be found trying to figure out what the assembly they had was going to be about. It was still a week away from the graduation exams and ceremony. All throughout the mess hall, guesses and even boasts could be heard mixed in the normal chatter.

"I bet it's just another surprise march and bivouac." One cadet could be heard grumbling past a mouthful of bread.

"...I swear if it's a uniform or bunk inspection..."

"Hey, did you see those Survey Corps members out watching everyone this morning?"

"No...where were they?"

"On top of the ridge."

"How the hell did you even see them!?"

"Green cloaks, dead give away."

"No...? All branches have green cloaks."

"...We don't."

Ravyn looked out at the mess hall, a frown still tugging on her thin lips. The moment breakfast had ended, she was going to have to give them the news. She idly wondered how they were going to react to essentially being pulled into the Survey Corps. For many, it would be their first and only mission.

They had a few more minutes...

May as well let them enjoy it.

Even Bryce could not help but make guesses about the assembly they'd have after breakfast. While eating beans, he heard mentions of Survey Corps having been spotted around the training camp. Being so focused on exercising, he hadn't noticed them himself. Apparently they had been watching the trainees. He was confident of his training so far today and if they happened to be watching him, there wasn't anything he'd feel ashamed about. And not only today, he was confident of his achievements on the other previous activities as well.

Yet he was reminded of a defeat that had haunted him ever since it happened. His expression darkened as he recalled the feeling of his back hitting the ground after being knocked down during close-quarters training, with all the trainees around witnessing it. The one stain on his otherwise shiny record. He sure hoped that the Survey Corps hadn't been around to watch that...or the dishonorable move he attempted against his opponent, that led to his defeat.

He stood up abruptly, startling the ones nearby, and went to return the bowl which used to contain his breakfast, directing his thoughts back to today's assembly on the way. That was what mattered now, and not something that he couldn't change. However, it still felt there was a score to settle...

As Ravyn and a few other members of the Survey Corps stood tensely waiting to make a gruesome announcement, Leona seemed to be distracting herself petting Horus. It seemed to be a nervous habit, perhaps a manifestation of PTSD, sense her walk back to the wall. At moments when most were tense Leona seemed to distract herself by talking to her falcon. She spoke as if holding a conversation, responding to the bird's soundless stares as if he'd said something to her. She of course kept her voice low to keep others from over hearing their conversation, but that didn't make it any less creepy to onlookers. Once the cadets were gathered and the group brought to attention Leona and Horus of course paused their conversation to give the first speaker their full attention.

The commander of the training corps went on, rambling about how impressed they were by the cadets progress and other blah blah blah stuff they probably said every year. Then the speech changed from the usual, talking about how their skills and wills, will be put to the test followed by more inspirational blah blah blah. Finally he handed the stage over to the Survey Corps, or more specifically to the Survey Corps Commander and Rayvn.

Ravyn Cooper

Letting out a slow sigh, the captain stepped forward. Of course, the commander made no mention of why she and the others were there. May as well make her seem like the bad guy... Her cold amber eyes looked over the crowd of curious cadets. "I'm sure by now the lot of you are tired of long-winded speeches and empty praise, so why don't I just keep this brief?"

They were all so young, yet here she was about to consign them to their deaths. "The high council has decided to implement a new graduation exam, starting this year." A quiet murmur rippled through the crowd, one Ravyn put a quick end to with a harsh glare. "In two weeks time you will be setting out with the Survey Corps for our next expedition. Those that return will graduate, the top ten will be decided by the unit commanders."

The color drained from the faces of several cadets at the news. Leave the walls? Would any of them even make it back to graduate? "From now until the day we depart, you will be training under members of the Survey Corps. Do well to take their lessons to heart, it may be what keeps you alive outside the wall."

The commander of the training corps may have been saying empty compliments to the crowd, but Bryce took them all as if they were being directed specifically towards him. His stern expression remained unchanged through his speech, but every time the commander said something, he felt proud.

When Humanity's Strongest Soldier stepped forward to speak, pride gave way to awe. Unlike the previous speaker, she was straight to the point. It was reassuring in a way, though he didn't particularly mind the praise earlier. It seemed this year the graduation exam would be different, which caused some people near him to start murmuring. As much as he wanted to turn around and offer them a harsh glare, it seemed the speaker beat him to it.

When she revealed what this new exam consisted of, he repeated the words he had just heard in his mind as if to ensure he didn't misunderstand them. It didn't seem like a poorly timed joke, judging from the expressions from the other officers in front of the crowd of cadets as well. Although his goal was to participate in expeditions outside the walls, he expected it to happen only after graduating.

As he told himself that was what he ultimately wanted and that he was confident in his skills as if to balance out the shock and fear, he didn't consider that the other cadets had different ideas. One of them protested, snapping him back from his thoughts.

"But we're going to die if we go out there!"

Encouraged, another cadet beside the first spoke up as well. "I wasn't told about this!"

Unable to remain silent, Bryce looked towards the two. "Be quiet, the assembly isn't over!"

"No, YOU shut up! Go become titan food if you want, but I'm not suicidal!"

"I'm not joining the Survey Corps! Why do I have to participate in this?"

"Survey Corps or not, as a soldier you are expected to protect humanity!"

"Sure, yeah, but within the walls!"

"Why are we even going AFTER the things that eat us?"

"Did you forget what happened three years ago? They'll come after us!"

"No, but did YOU forget that that was Shiganshina district? Wall Maria?"

"There aren't any Titans within Wall Sina and that's where I'm going!"

"You've been training to fight titans for this? To run away from them?"

"To live, you mean? Duh, why else?!"

"Let the idiots that join the Survey Corps get themselves killed! Don't force us to go with them!"

"Be a coward then, but at least have some respect!"

"Respect? Funny to hear that coming from you! Let's see respect save you from a Titan, because I sure won't!"

"What will save me from a Titan is my diligence, something you don't even know the meaning of!"

With the formerly silent crowd of cadets now turned into a deplorable mess of a discussion, it was clear the situation was only going downhill. If this weren't an assembly, the ones arguing would most likely be at each other's throats by now. But perhaps this outcome wasn't that far off if things remained as they were...

Leona... Didn't really seem to pay much attention to Ravyn's speech. Probably because she already knew what the captain would be say. Instead Leona, and Horus, seemed to study the cadets assembled. She watched as their expressions dimmed, and some looked as though they were waiting for a punch line. When they began to argue though a frustrated sigh fell from the redhead's lips.

Shifting her green eyes over to Ravyn, Leona cleared her throat to get the captain's attention. Once she was certain Ravyn was looking her way Leona pulled open her cloak and jacket to reveal a flask hidden within. It didn't take a genius to read the jester, she was suggesting they go get hammered while giving the cadets time to cope with the new graduation ceremony.

As Leona awaited an answer Horus seemed to spot something among the first few rows of cadets. Without warning the swift falcon dove from Leona's shoulder, weaving between cadets to snatch up a mouse scurrying around their feet. The mouse gave a sharp squeak as Horus' talons sank into its flesh quickly ending the rodent. With a few powerful strokes of his wings the deadly hunter lifted himself back into the air, though only a few feet, coming to land on the front of the stage. It was there that Horus' hooked beak began to tear into his catch and eat it. In an eerie way it almost felt like he was showing the cadets some grim foreshadowing of their fate.