Categories > Anime/Manga > Attack on Titan > Operation Shiplake
CHAPTER II
«So-o-o?» Sasha stretched the word.
Upon hearing her plan I stood there as a marble statue. I’m pretty sure my jaw dropped as well. I knew this girl was wild and she was always to something risky or even crazy, but this was over the top. If we get, they will kick us out the camp and that’s the best case scenario. No, no, no, no way I let that happen. I was on her side for all this time, but this is too much, we can’t do it, no way we can.
«Sasha,» I began talking with the most serious voice I could physically produce. «We’ve already stole so much food that we could never pay back for it, that’s true. But that was happening during our whole stay at the camp, but now you suggest we steal half a food in one go!»
«But that’ll be the last day!» Sasha objected. «We will be sent to another camp the same day, they won’t even notice!»
«Sasha, for God’s sake,» I raised my voice to the point where the whole barrack could hear me. «They’ll execute us if they catch us! Damn it, even if I agreed, we couldn’t do it on our own.»
I noticed something I would prefer not to notice, not now at least. That would be a spark in Sasha’s eyes. Fucking hell, anything but this. The absolute majority of times I saw that spark it ended terribly. And this time it’s a matter of life and death. My life and death!
«Not on our own, eh?» she repeated after me. «But what if we’re not on our own?»
«What you mean?» I was afraid of what she could say.
«Think about it, Al!» she exclaimed excitedly. «We can gather a whole team! The more hands we got the more food we can take! And the more food we got the happier we are!»
«Gods. Sasha, you’re the only who’s got courage and, pardon me, recklessness to do something like that. Everyone realizes how this might end, they won’t agree to that!»
«That’s where you come in, Al,» Sasha said poking me at the chest with her finger. «You’re getting along with the guys from your barrack, didn’t you? I’m sure they will agree to throw a bit of a farewell party in our last days here!»
«I... Gods, what could one sacrifice for...» I stopped myself there.
«For what, Al?» she smiled at me acidly. She reminded me of a fox with that look on her face.
Damn devil, she knows I will agree.
«Okay, okay. I’ll try, all right?» I gave up. «I’ll try to gather those who can really contribute to our cause.»
«Yay, yay ,yay!» Sasha began jumping around me and then locked me in a tight hug.
Too. Tight. But I liked it, even though it wasn’t worth it. So, what do we have for now: Sasha, who’s ready to do anything for this «farewell party»; Me, who’s NOT ready to do anything for this «farewell party»; Also me, who has to gather sufficient and trustworthy team of robbers. My conclusion – it’s bad. Even if I could find someone to help us, there’re not-so-small chances of us bringing even more people down with us. ON THE OTHER HAND, I think we do deserve something like that. Shadis wouldn’t treat us to anything no matter how well our results were, so it’s fair that we treat ourselves instead. A bit of a payday for our blood and sweat, I’d say. But that’s a matter for tomorrow. Now it’s a sleepy time.
The next morning after the breakfast I went to the ODM trainer, for I knew who I was gonna find there. As expected, Eren was trying to handle the mechanism. And, as expected, he was failing. But this card will play into our hand.
«Morning, Eren,» I greeted him while approaching. «Ain’t working out?»
«As you can see, Al,» Eren replied upon getting up from another head slam.
«Look, I need your help with something, something of great inexplicable importance.»
«I was about to spend the whole day here, but okay, what is it?»
«No worries! This is exactly what I need you to do!» I comforted him. «This time you being a loser is exactly what we need!»
«I’m not a loser», he said with a fake grudge. «Mind spilling the details?»
I explained our plan to Eren.
«Won’t there be any problems?» he asked.
«There are likely to be some. But no guts – no glory, right?»
«This girl will be your demise, I swear,» Eren laughed. «Fine, I’m with you, guys. Will I get my share though?»
«Sure thing! Thanks!»
The first member of our team has been successfully recruited! Eren’s job is to be a distraction for Shadis. On the marked day, he will call Shadis to the training grounds to show him his «results». There would be no results, obviously, but he will give Shadis a dance so that he won’t go on his regular evening check-up through the camp. Shadis is unlikely to refuse; in the end, he’s responsible for all of us.
Oh, Gods... Speak of the devil... Shadis noticed me and forced me to train in pairs with Connie. Don’t think he’d be useful for our plan, but here on the training grounds were Reiner and Bertholdt. These two however... All right, I’ll talk to them after the training in the dining hall. I hope Sasha is doing the same; we need as much people able to cook as possible.
After the training, I, as planned, went to the dining hall. Unfortunately, only Reiner was present, Bertholdt was nowhere to be seen and I didn’t catch him on my way here. Shit, I wanted to hire them both at once, but you get what you get.
«Hey, Reiner! Mind if I sit?»
«You’re welcome, Al.» Reiner smiled at me.
«And where’s Berth?» I asked. «I always see both of you here, but now he’s elsewhere. Did something happen?»
«Annie happened,» he sighed.
That’s... sad? Everyone could see that Bertholdt was in love with Annie. What they could also see is that he had practically zero chances with her. This time will be no different, but now it might be difficult to convince him to participate in our robbery. Of course, I could ask Reiner to talk to him, but will he himself agree? Though, I have a plan on how to lure him in.
«He’s still trying, aye?» I said sympathetically.
«He is, but what for? She’ll just ditch him again and maybe won’t punch his nose in like last time.»
«Well, it’s up to us to hope that she will eventually find something great about him!»
«Truth you’re speaking,» Reiner smirked.
«So, Reiner,» I started in a soft voice. «Don’t you think we deserve a little bit of a reward for our training?»
«Huh? Well, I guess so. We’re trying our best, but Shadis doesn’t seem to appreciate it. Why?»
«Me and Sasha have made up a plan to get what is ours by right.»
I told Reiner about our plan.
«You guys are insane, you know that?» Reiner broke into laughter.
«It catches up to me once in a while. So, you’re in?»
«Man, I would, but isn’t it a bit TOO risky?» a clear hesitation could be heard in Reiner’s voice. «Even for you this is too much, don’t you think so?»
«Well, you’re right,» I’ve held a dramatic pause. «But as you said, we deserve it, right? Christa could agree with that, otherwise why would she join us?»
Christa was my trump card. I had no idea whether Sasha managed to convince her, but it wouldn’t hurt to mention her. As I said, half of the camp is in love with Christa, and our friend Reiner here is among them. He won’t miss an opportunity to cut a perfect figure before her.
«Christa?!» Reiner sprang to life. «Why didn’t you tell me right away? There’s no way I would miss a chance to taste what was created by those angelic hands! Count me in!»
«Deal!» I smiled. «I’ll see you tomorrow when the time comes. Speaking of that, will you be able to take Bertholdt with you? His height is just what we need.»
«Shit, I don’t know, Al,» Reiner confessed. «After him talking to Annie, there are rather high chances that he refuses. But I’ll try my best. She wouldn’t happen to be present at your feast?»
«Hell no. You know her, Reiner.»
«Damn right I do. Well, thus I depart. I’ll to talk to him. Bye, Al.»
«See ya, Reiner.»
It’s a good thing Reiner will be with us. This guy is a god damn mountain. He’s the second best in the whole Cadet Corps, he loses only to Mikasa. In our plan his job is to be a draft horse, with him we could bring a lot more stuff. Bertholdt is all over thing however. During our regular robberies, Sasha noticed there was something on the top-shelves in the storehouse. What it was exactly we had no idea, I couldn’t lift her to check what was up there. She might look like an average not-so-big girl, but her weight is somewhat incredible. Me trying to lift her up ended with me being in an infirmary for a week. It was difficult to explain how it was possible that I went to sleep as a picture of health and wake up as miserable wreck. She was bringing me food all that week, apologizing profusely. One way or another, we needed someone to get that cherry on top, literally. And that would be Bertholdt. I hope Reiner knows what strings to pull to get him join us.
With Bertholdt and Reiner our team would be completed. At least the male part of it. Sasha’s doing the same thing on her side. She’s gathering useful girls, so that they could proceed to cooking the moment we bring in the food stuffs. She would also bring several duffel bags for us to put loot in there. According to our plan, three of us go into the storehouse - that would be me, Sasha and Berthold – and one, Reiner, is waiting outside to grab the bags as well as looking out for the instructors.
Before the dinner I decided to stroll around the camp. By the training grounds, I saw Mikasa approaching me.
«Hey, Mikasa!» I greeted her. «An evening workout, aye?»
«Yes, Al,» she raised her hand in greeting. «I’m glad I found you. I heard about your plan. Is that all true?»
«Well... Yeah?» I thought I heard a reproach in her voice.
«You’re risking, guys. A lot. It could end badly for you.» she said in a level voice.
It’s hard to disagree on that.
«I know, but that’s what justice is all about! All we do is train, train, train every single day and then we eat goddamn potatoes every single day. We deserve a little reward for our efforts!»
«Is that what you call a “little” reward?» Mikasa raised her brow.
«Well, maybe a little bigger than a little. But we’re not the only people to think that way! Even Eren agreed to help us!»
«E-Eren agreed?» Mikasa stuttered.
«Uhm... Yeah, he said he’s with us as long as we share some of our loot with him.»
«May I join you in the dining hall?» she asked abruptly.
I was taken aback. Mikasa was never interested in, let’s put it like this, public activities. What she WAS interested in (or should I say whom) was Eren. Where was Eren, there was Mikasa, always. Wait, does she want to cook him something? I raised my eyes on her and saw Mikasa’s cheeks flush with color. Is she being shy? Gods, I should never have expected to see her like that.
«I... Uhm... Of course!» I blurted out, getting a hold of myself. «I’m sure Eren would be glad if you coo... If you came there... With us... There.»
«Great. Thanks, Al,» Mikasa returned to her usual self and went back to female barracks.
What an interesting stuff we’ve got going on! Maybe our plan will bring a bunch of lonely hearts together? Reiner and Christa, Mikasa and Eren, it might work out for them. I feel a bit sorry for Bertholdt though. On the other hand, maybe it’ll work out between me and Sasha? I’m sure she knows I’ve got a thing for her, so maybe we could discuss it afterwards? I could bribe her with meat... No, wait, that’s not a good way to think. We’ll see how the plan will turn out, then I’ll figure it as events unfold.
Some time later, I decided to visit Sasha at her barrack. We’ve got to talk about the plan. For the last time before our demise possibly. Coming closer to the building, I went around it and knocked at the window. Damn, how many times we’ve met here. A few minutes later Sasha ran from behind the corner of the building and jumped at me with a hug.
«Evening, Al!» she exclaimed happily. «So, how is your mission? You got them?»
«Hey, Sasha,» I could feel a smile appear on my face. «Eren and Reiner agreed without any complaints. Bertholdt however... He talked to Annie again. I suppose you know the outcome.»
Looking at Sasha, I saw her frowning. We’ve discussed this earlier, but she couldn’t find out why Annie hates Bertholdt so much. I know Sasha’s feeling sorry for him too.
«Ooh, why is she like this? He’s a good guy and he’s tall as hell! So what, he refused?»
«No, I don’t know honestly. I asked Reiner to talk to him, I think he’ll manage to bring him in. And what about you, you’ve got your cooking squad?»
«Yes!» Sasha began sparkling again. «Christa wasn’t so sure about that, but I convinced her. Mina was glad to help, so she joined us without any questions. And, believe it or not, Mikasa came up to me asked to allow her in the dining hall! I wonder what’s on her mind.»
I guess not all of us are so insightful about Eren and Mikasa. I’ll keep it to myself then.
«Indeed, doesn’t look like her!» I replied with a grin on my face.
«Well, till tomorrow, Al!» she said as she turned away to go back to her bed. «Gotta sleep well to be prepared!»
«Sasha, wait.»
Nah, ain’t letting you go like this. I stretched out and caught her by the hand. She made a funny noise, as if she squeaked. Didn’t expect that, huh?
«Sasha,» I started softly, looking her in the eye. «It’ll work out for us, right?»
«Wh-wha?» she began stuttering. «You mean tomorrow? Of course it will, yes!»
«Not just tomorrow, you know,» I said pulling her closer and wrapping my hands around her. It’s not like we don’t do that, but usually she initiates the hug. It seems that because it was me who hugged her, she began raising in temperature. I let her out of my hugging cage.
«G-good night, Al,» she muttered trying to conceal her blushing cheeks.
«Good night, Sasha,» I replied feeling smile on my face getting wider by the second.
It will work out. For all of us. I went back to my barrack and jumped right into the bed. Surprisingly, I fell asleep pretty fast.
«So-o-o?» Sasha stretched the word.
Upon hearing her plan I stood there as a marble statue. I’m pretty sure my jaw dropped as well. I knew this girl was wild and she was always to something risky or even crazy, but this was over the top. If we get, they will kick us out the camp and that’s the best case scenario. No, no, no, no way I let that happen. I was on her side for all this time, but this is too much, we can’t do it, no way we can.
«Sasha,» I began talking with the most serious voice I could physically produce. «We’ve already stole so much food that we could never pay back for it, that’s true. But that was happening during our whole stay at the camp, but now you suggest we steal half a food in one go!»
«But that’ll be the last day!» Sasha objected. «We will be sent to another camp the same day, they won’t even notice!»
«Sasha, for God’s sake,» I raised my voice to the point where the whole barrack could hear me. «They’ll execute us if they catch us! Damn it, even if I agreed, we couldn’t do it on our own.»
I noticed something I would prefer not to notice, not now at least. That would be a spark in Sasha’s eyes. Fucking hell, anything but this. The absolute majority of times I saw that spark it ended terribly. And this time it’s a matter of life and death. My life and death!
«Not on our own, eh?» she repeated after me. «But what if we’re not on our own?»
«What you mean?» I was afraid of what she could say.
«Think about it, Al!» she exclaimed excitedly. «We can gather a whole team! The more hands we got the more food we can take! And the more food we got the happier we are!»
«Gods. Sasha, you’re the only who’s got courage and, pardon me, recklessness to do something like that. Everyone realizes how this might end, they won’t agree to that!»
«That’s where you come in, Al,» Sasha said poking me at the chest with her finger. «You’re getting along with the guys from your barrack, didn’t you? I’m sure they will agree to throw a bit of a farewell party in our last days here!»
«I... Gods, what could one sacrifice for...» I stopped myself there.
«For what, Al?» she smiled at me acidly. She reminded me of a fox with that look on her face.
Damn devil, she knows I will agree.
«Okay, okay. I’ll try, all right?» I gave up. «I’ll try to gather those who can really contribute to our cause.»
«Yay, yay ,yay!» Sasha began jumping around me and then locked me in a tight hug.
Too. Tight. But I liked it, even though it wasn’t worth it. So, what do we have for now: Sasha, who’s ready to do anything for this «farewell party»; Me, who’s NOT ready to do anything for this «farewell party»; Also me, who has to gather sufficient and trustworthy team of robbers. My conclusion – it’s bad. Even if I could find someone to help us, there’re not-so-small chances of us bringing even more people down with us. ON THE OTHER HAND, I think we do deserve something like that. Shadis wouldn’t treat us to anything no matter how well our results were, so it’s fair that we treat ourselves instead. A bit of a payday for our blood and sweat, I’d say. But that’s a matter for tomorrow. Now it’s a sleepy time.
The next morning after the breakfast I went to the ODM trainer, for I knew who I was gonna find there. As expected, Eren was trying to handle the mechanism. And, as expected, he was failing. But this card will play into our hand.
«Morning, Eren,» I greeted him while approaching. «Ain’t working out?»
«As you can see, Al,» Eren replied upon getting up from another head slam.
«Look, I need your help with something, something of great inexplicable importance.»
«I was about to spend the whole day here, but okay, what is it?»
«No worries! This is exactly what I need you to do!» I comforted him. «This time you being a loser is exactly what we need!»
«I’m not a loser», he said with a fake grudge. «Mind spilling the details?»
I explained our plan to Eren.
«Won’t there be any problems?» he asked.
«There are likely to be some. But no guts – no glory, right?»
«This girl will be your demise, I swear,» Eren laughed. «Fine, I’m with you, guys. Will I get my share though?»
«Sure thing! Thanks!»
The first member of our team has been successfully recruited! Eren’s job is to be a distraction for Shadis. On the marked day, he will call Shadis to the training grounds to show him his «results». There would be no results, obviously, but he will give Shadis a dance so that he won’t go on his regular evening check-up through the camp. Shadis is unlikely to refuse; in the end, he’s responsible for all of us.
Oh, Gods... Speak of the devil... Shadis noticed me and forced me to train in pairs with Connie. Don’t think he’d be useful for our plan, but here on the training grounds were Reiner and Bertholdt. These two however... All right, I’ll talk to them after the training in the dining hall. I hope Sasha is doing the same; we need as much people able to cook as possible.
After the training, I, as planned, went to the dining hall. Unfortunately, only Reiner was present, Bertholdt was nowhere to be seen and I didn’t catch him on my way here. Shit, I wanted to hire them both at once, but you get what you get.
«Hey, Reiner! Mind if I sit?»
«You’re welcome, Al.» Reiner smiled at me.
«And where’s Berth?» I asked. «I always see both of you here, but now he’s elsewhere. Did something happen?»
«Annie happened,» he sighed.
That’s... sad? Everyone could see that Bertholdt was in love with Annie. What they could also see is that he had practically zero chances with her. This time will be no different, but now it might be difficult to convince him to participate in our robbery. Of course, I could ask Reiner to talk to him, but will he himself agree? Though, I have a plan on how to lure him in.
«He’s still trying, aye?» I said sympathetically.
«He is, but what for? She’ll just ditch him again and maybe won’t punch his nose in like last time.»
«Well, it’s up to us to hope that she will eventually find something great about him!»
«Truth you’re speaking,» Reiner smirked.
«So, Reiner,» I started in a soft voice. «Don’t you think we deserve a little bit of a reward for our training?»
«Huh? Well, I guess so. We’re trying our best, but Shadis doesn’t seem to appreciate it. Why?»
«Me and Sasha have made up a plan to get what is ours by right.»
I told Reiner about our plan.
«You guys are insane, you know that?» Reiner broke into laughter.
«It catches up to me once in a while. So, you’re in?»
«Man, I would, but isn’t it a bit TOO risky?» a clear hesitation could be heard in Reiner’s voice. «Even for you this is too much, don’t you think so?»
«Well, you’re right,» I’ve held a dramatic pause. «But as you said, we deserve it, right? Christa could agree with that, otherwise why would she join us?»
Christa was my trump card. I had no idea whether Sasha managed to convince her, but it wouldn’t hurt to mention her. As I said, half of the camp is in love with Christa, and our friend Reiner here is among them. He won’t miss an opportunity to cut a perfect figure before her.
«Christa?!» Reiner sprang to life. «Why didn’t you tell me right away? There’s no way I would miss a chance to taste what was created by those angelic hands! Count me in!»
«Deal!» I smiled. «I’ll see you tomorrow when the time comes. Speaking of that, will you be able to take Bertholdt with you? His height is just what we need.»
«Shit, I don’t know, Al,» Reiner confessed. «After him talking to Annie, there are rather high chances that he refuses. But I’ll try my best. She wouldn’t happen to be present at your feast?»
«Hell no. You know her, Reiner.»
«Damn right I do. Well, thus I depart. I’ll to talk to him. Bye, Al.»
«See ya, Reiner.»
It’s a good thing Reiner will be with us. This guy is a god damn mountain. He’s the second best in the whole Cadet Corps, he loses only to Mikasa. In our plan his job is to be a draft horse, with him we could bring a lot more stuff. Bertholdt is all over thing however. During our regular robberies, Sasha noticed there was something on the top-shelves in the storehouse. What it was exactly we had no idea, I couldn’t lift her to check what was up there. She might look like an average not-so-big girl, but her weight is somewhat incredible. Me trying to lift her up ended with me being in an infirmary for a week. It was difficult to explain how it was possible that I went to sleep as a picture of health and wake up as miserable wreck. She was bringing me food all that week, apologizing profusely. One way or another, we needed someone to get that cherry on top, literally. And that would be Bertholdt. I hope Reiner knows what strings to pull to get him join us.
With Bertholdt and Reiner our team would be completed. At least the male part of it. Sasha’s doing the same thing on her side. She’s gathering useful girls, so that they could proceed to cooking the moment we bring in the food stuffs. She would also bring several duffel bags for us to put loot in there. According to our plan, three of us go into the storehouse - that would be me, Sasha and Berthold – and one, Reiner, is waiting outside to grab the bags as well as looking out for the instructors.
Before the dinner I decided to stroll around the camp. By the training grounds, I saw Mikasa approaching me.
«Hey, Mikasa!» I greeted her. «An evening workout, aye?»
«Yes, Al,» she raised her hand in greeting. «I’m glad I found you. I heard about your plan. Is that all true?»
«Well... Yeah?» I thought I heard a reproach in her voice.
«You’re risking, guys. A lot. It could end badly for you.» she said in a level voice.
It’s hard to disagree on that.
«I know, but that’s what justice is all about! All we do is train, train, train every single day and then we eat goddamn potatoes every single day. We deserve a little reward for our efforts!»
«Is that what you call a “little” reward?» Mikasa raised her brow.
«Well, maybe a little bigger than a little. But we’re not the only people to think that way! Even Eren agreed to help us!»
«E-Eren agreed?» Mikasa stuttered.
«Uhm... Yeah, he said he’s with us as long as we share some of our loot with him.»
«May I join you in the dining hall?» she asked abruptly.
I was taken aback. Mikasa was never interested in, let’s put it like this, public activities. What she WAS interested in (or should I say whom) was Eren. Where was Eren, there was Mikasa, always. Wait, does she want to cook him something? I raised my eyes on her and saw Mikasa’s cheeks flush with color. Is she being shy? Gods, I should never have expected to see her like that.
«I... Uhm... Of course!» I blurted out, getting a hold of myself. «I’m sure Eren would be glad if you coo... If you came there... With us... There.»
«Great. Thanks, Al,» Mikasa returned to her usual self and went back to female barracks.
What an interesting stuff we’ve got going on! Maybe our plan will bring a bunch of lonely hearts together? Reiner and Christa, Mikasa and Eren, it might work out for them. I feel a bit sorry for Bertholdt though. On the other hand, maybe it’ll work out between me and Sasha? I’m sure she knows I’ve got a thing for her, so maybe we could discuss it afterwards? I could bribe her with meat... No, wait, that’s not a good way to think. We’ll see how the plan will turn out, then I’ll figure it as events unfold.
Some time later, I decided to visit Sasha at her barrack. We’ve got to talk about the plan. For the last time before our demise possibly. Coming closer to the building, I went around it and knocked at the window. Damn, how many times we’ve met here. A few minutes later Sasha ran from behind the corner of the building and jumped at me with a hug.
«Evening, Al!» she exclaimed happily. «So, how is your mission? You got them?»
«Hey, Sasha,» I could feel a smile appear on my face. «Eren and Reiner agreed without any complaints. Bertholdt however... He talked to Annie again. I suppose you know the outcome.»
Looking at Sasha, I saw her frowning. We’ve discussed this earlier, but she couldn’t find out why Annie hates Bertholdt so much. I know Sasha’s feeling sorry for him too.
«Ooh, why is she like this? He’s a good guy and he’s tall as hell! So what, he refused?»
«No, I don’t know honestly. I asked Reiner to talk to him, I think he’ll manage to bring him in. And what about you, you’ve got your cooking squad?»
«Yes!» Sasha began sparkling again. «Christa wasn’t so sure about that, but I convinced her. Mina was glad to help, so she joined us without any questions. And, believe it or not, Mikasa came up to me asked to allow her in the dining hall! I wonder what’s on her mind.»
I guess not all of us are so insightful about Eren and Mikasa. I’ll keep it to myself then.
«Indeed, doesn’t look like her!» I replied with a grin on my face.
«Well, till tomorrow, Al!» she said as she turned away to go back to her bed. «Gotta sleep well to be prepared!»
«Sasha, wait.»
Nah, ain’t letting you go like this. I stretched out and caught her by the hand. She made a funny noise, as if she squeaked. Didn’t expect that, huh?
«Sasha,» I started softly, looking her in the eye. «It’ll work out for us, right?»
«Wh-wha?» she began stuttering. «You mean tomorrow? Of course it will, yes!»
«Not just tomorrow, you know,» I said pulling her closer and wrapping my hands around her. It’s not like we don’t do that, but usually she initiates the hug. It seems that because it was me who hugged her, she began raising in temperature. I let her out of my hugging cage.
«G-good night, Al,» she muttered trying to conceal her blushing cheeks.
«Good night, Sasha,» I replied feeling smile on my face getting wider by the second.
It will work out. For all of us. I went back to my barrack and jumped right into the bed. Surprisingly, I fell asleep pretty fast.
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