Return to Shiganshina(2)

The sun was slowly rising, its rays lighting up the gigantic walls of Shiganshina as the Survey Corps approached from the woods.

Erwin pulled at the reins of his horse, causing their movement to come to a halt. 

His advance scouts had confirmed the area was clear of titans - strange but good news for them. The commander had decided to personally move to the front to survey the plains one last time before they soon moved out of the forest.

Based on Armin's analysis, he had suspected that given the Beast Titan's specialization in long-range warfare - as demonstrated during the battle in the fields when they were rescuing Eren; there was a chance the Beast Titan might be hiding somewhere outside the area of Shiganshina. Their enemy would wait for them to enter, then encircle and choke them to a slow death with long-range strikes. It was the best way to make use of its abilities.

The only gap in that reasoning was that such an encirclement would require a large amount of titans. They were already close enough to Shiganshina, scouts had reported that all that stood between them was an empty plain devoid of titans. 

The huge number of titans that emerged alongside the Beast Titan during the battle at the fields meant the enemy could transform those titans at will. If they were in titan form, Miche would have detected them.

So that meant they were in human form right now, hidden somewhere waiting to entrap his troops. But his soldiers reported there was nothing on the fields. It was empty, he couldn't comprehend how the enemy could hide themselves there without being revealed. 

Unless Titans could turn invisible? That was absurd. 

"Status." He ordered once more.

"Left recon team - all clear."

"Right recon team - all clear."

"Front recon team - nothing to report."

The responses came one after another.

"I picked up on something faint, possibly a stray titan, a little while ago. But other than that, there don't seem to be any titans in our vicinity." Miche sniffed. "Could it be that the enemy has went for another alternate plan?"

Erwin touched his chin. "The roaming titan was probably a scout dispatched by our adversaries. Considering their capabilities, employing an encirclement strategy seems to be our best course of action. The question is, where could they be concealing themselves? Or perhaps they have some other hidden plan in store..." He turned to the blonde teenager to the left of him. "Your thoughts, Armin?"

"I'm certain that the enemy will attempt an encirclement tactic, especially considering the Beast Titan's long-range abilities. Anything less would leave an opportunity for us to retreat if the battle takes a turn for the worse. Given the enemy's clear intention to capture Eren, they would likely choose a method that prevents his escape." The blonde kid said. "In addition, their goal extends beyond capturing Eren; they also aim to eliminate all of us. If they succeed in wiping out most of humanity's defenders, they can easily breach the walls and launch a devastating assault to rescue Annie and eradicate us. Their interests lie in preventing anyone from escaping and sharing valuable information with those within the walls."

"We can't stay out here indefinitely; the longer we delay, the more we give up our advantage. Look, the sun's already on the rise." Miche said.

Erwin made eye contact with Armin. The boy had proven himself on my occasions a strategist equal to, or if not even better him. However, the boy had to work on his confidence - it left him prone to be swayed under pressure.

He took a gamble by including the boy in his inner circle. The risks were high, but so were the rewards.

"Commander Erwin, I propose leaving a few squads stationed in the forest. If we find ourselves surrounded, we could try a pincer strategy, even though it might result in significant casualties. But it's a chance for victory that we shouldn't dismiss."

Erwin's brow furrowed.

He could see where the lad was coming from. His first reaction was to disagree. 

However, considering they had Eren and many of the Survey Corps veterans who had survived on his side, he could afford to sacrifice some numbers. There was also enough quality in his ranks to assign a leader for such a role.

"A gamble." The commander paused for a few seconds as he pondered the implications, then raised a hand. "Miche, Natalie, your squads will be in reserve - staying in the rear in the forest here. Miche, you will lead these forces. Hange, your squad will unite with Dirk's and come under his lead as we enter Shiganshina. As for yourself, you will join Miche in the rear."

Mike Zacharias. He was the longest friend Erwin had ever known - since their days in the trainee camp. Brave, Skilled, Decisive. The man was the complete all-rounder. One of the best soldiers a commander could hope for, and the worst enemy for a titan. His strong sense of smell further made him a natural enemy of titans, allowing him to detect them from distances.

Most importantly, the person was on the same wavelength as him. Erwin knew the man could be trusted to make the right decision in even the most dire of situations.

As for Hange Zoe, she had an erratic personality; but appearances can be deceiving. The girl was quite the strategist herself and a key driver of innovation. If humanity got wiped out here, at least they would have some insurance in that she lived. She could also be quite the leader if she chose to step up more. 

"Roger. I trust your judgment, Erwin." his friend saluted with no hesitation.

Hange responded in kind as well.

"Due to a change in plans. I`m giving you full freedom to act independently on the situation as you see fit, Miche. Hange." Erwin ordered. "If what Armin predicts comes to pass … you will see our green flares and have to make a decision. A decision for the sake of Humanity. If the situation is hopeless, don't come for us and abandon the pincer attack. The people in the walls will need you and Hange to carry on." 

He exchanged a long look with Miche. The man nodded. "Good luck to you, Erwin."

Erwin looked on at the face of his friend. Would this be the last time he ever spoke with him? Their friendship was something he valued.

However, the Basement was more important. He was almost there … almost. 

Just a bit more.

He raised his hands and gathered all the squad leaders. Giving them one final brief and important reminder before they passed the point of no return. 

"That is all, Squad Leaders. Have your squads do a final check and ensure that each of you has the sedative darts as well. We move in five minutes. Dismissed."

Sedative darts. In the aftermath of the coup, the Survey Corps had discovered a small stockpile of them in the Anti Personell's Brigade HQ and on some of the dead First Interior Brigade's Corpses. From the documents they uncovered, it seemed they had planned to use them on Historia and Eren. Its effect was incredibly strong and could put a person to sleep within seconds of hitting its target - A technology way beyond what they had. Probably something acquired from the Reiss Vault. 

Fortunately for them, the Anti-personnel squad never had the chance to use it. The Survey Corps became its beneficiaries. But the amount was limited, and only the officers of the survey corps wielded them.

He glanced around at his soldiers who were all mounted on their horses, having completed their last equipment and readiness check. 

"Everyone, we move to retake Shiganshina and Wall Maria in the name of Humanity!" Erwin pulled at the reins of his horse. "ONWARDS!"