"So, got an issue with the Survey Corps?"

I looked up to find one of the two soldiers steering the wagon looking back at me. She had short brown hair and a very calm, kind demeanor.

"Oh, no. It's more of a... precautionary move, I guess."

"The name's Anka by the way. Up ahead of us is Rico. She's our Team Leader. Pixis told us that you came highly recommended by both Commander Erwin and Captain Levi. That's not something you hear too often. But anyway, welcome to Squad Rico, the Garrison's 1st Division Elite Force."

I smiled and nodded back at Anka. I recognized Rico from the Military Tribunal Trial. She had been standing next to Mikasa and Armin that day. The soldier sitting next to Anka was of shorter stature. He turned around, looked me over, and grunted.

"You don't look so special to me."

I smiled and laughed at his unfiltered honesty, reminding me of a certain someone. I responded lightly,

"Well, you're right. I'm nothing special. Just happen to have special circumstances, I guess."

He glared at me from out of the corner of his eye, then muttered.

"You can call me Huser."

"I'm Shep! I hear you got experience with our horses!?" Shouted the fourth soldier, proudly trotting alongside the wagon.

"A long time ago, yes. They're beautiful creatures... Far smarter than most people give them credit," I responded.

Shep threw a wide grin my way, while patting his horse's mane.

"Well, this is Fera, and she's the best horse around."

I stared at Shep for a moment, before turning back around to watch the horizon. I just wanted to reach the gate safely. We rode through a field with a small forest to our right, an old abandoned village up ahead. The ground was muddy from the rain the night before, making the wagon more difficult for the horses to pull. Even though the sun was shining through the clouds, I couldn't help but feel cold. Something was wrong.

I turned my gaze to stare into the trees. Shep must have mistaken it for me turning to speak to him. He slowed his horse to match the pace of the wagon, pulling Fera closer to me.

"What's it like fighting Titans out there, (F/N)? I find it so fascinating that they don't harm our horses."

My god, does he ever stop talking about horses?

Suddenly, I heard the zip of a bullet whiz by, followed by blood splattering against me. I heard Anka scream, as Huser fell from the wagon seat, tumbling to the ground. I looked up to see Shep urging Fera forward to steady the wagon horses. Just as he moved, my eyes caught the glimmer of metal within the forest.

"GET DOWN!" I screamed.

I yanked the back of Anka's jacket, pulling her into the wagon with me. Just then, a bullet passed through where she had sat, barely missing Shep.

I jumped to my feet, yelling, "Cut the horses loose! The wagon is slowing us down!"

Rico pulled her horse back to meet us.
"Goddamn bandits! The wagon is empty! We don't have shit for them!"

"Those aren't bandits, Rico! We've got to get to the gate!  Fast!" I shouted.

She stared back at me, fear in her eyes, before charging forward. I ducked back down to face Anka. As she slowly sat up, I pulled my pistol out and slammed it into her hands.

"Cover me. I gotta cut the horses loose. On my mark, stay on my left and get on that horse."

"Your left? But the gunshots are coming from the right!"

"Exactly. They'll still shoot, but they won't kill me. They can't aim for you if I'm in their way. Now, GO!"

We flew to our feet, jumping onto the back of the horses. Shep kept them steady ahead of us as I flipped around on the saddle, withdrew my blades, and sliced the wooden yoke apart. The wagon flipped forward, gouging itself into the mud, splintering in half. The four of us charged forward, away from the trees. I looked back to find four horsemen riding out after us.

Turning back around in anger, I nudged my horse toward Rico.

"Rico! Shep's your fastest rider, right!? Have him ride to the wall as fast as possible and tell Pixis that if we're not there by sundown, to send for Levi!"

Shep hesitantly looked at Rico, as if to ask for permission. Rico shifted her eyes back to me, before nodding to Shep. With a loud 'hyah!' Shep burst forward. I then turned my attention back to Anka and Rico.

"Get to the old town up ahead and stay hidden! It'll be easier to evade them through the rubble! I'll buy you some time!"

I pulled my horse's reins, turning him back toward the forest. With the riders closing in, I gave my horse a grateful pat along his neck, before engaging my 3D Maneuvering Gear, flying into the trees. Flipping through the air, I caught a glimpse of their weaponry. They each had rifles, 3D Gear, and swords. They had come prepared. I leaned back and shoved my heels into the ground as I landed, allowing the anchored cable to pull me around the tree.  Now, I had positioned myself behind them.

My line reeled back in as I shot the pistons once more, digging the hooks into one of the soldier's back. As I yanked him off the horse, I propelled myself over him, hopping onto the saddle. The rider alongside me looked up in surprise, just as I shoved my blade through his chest. As he slumped over, I pulled his rifle from his grasp, slinging it over my shoulder. The two riders in front had broken off, one heading toward the old town, the other in pursuit of Shep.

Thinking of Rico and Anka, I followed the soldier toward town with haste. Once I was close enough, I shot off my hooks again, catapulting myself onto the roof of an old house. I took off running, flying from rooftop to wall. Finally, I slid down the beam of a collapsed frame and hid behind a crumbling boulder.
I could hear the slowing of a horse's hooves.  The solider was looking for me.

"You are in violation of Military Police Law and a wanted fugitive in Sina! Show yourself, and we will spare your friends' lives!"

I peered over the rock to find the rider holding his rifle, searching the area carefully.  I looked around quickly, unable to locate Rico or Anka. Hoping they were hidden and safe, I slowed by breath and stayed where I was as the rider continued to speak.

"Franklin wasn't kidding about you being a psychopath now!  You just straight up murdered two of my men back there... Must be what happens when you're around Captain Levi though; am I right?"

I gritted my teeth, trying to keep my composure.

"Ya know...I remember seeing you in the Underground City. Viktor sent us on 'patrols' all the time down there; best damn whorehouse around! But, when we needed something a little more exciting, we played one of my personal favorite games. Do you remember what that was?"

My eyes widened when I realized I had seen that man before. He was one of the MP's directly under Viktor. Whenever his squad was sent underground, they would place bets on which one of them would track me down first. And the winner would claim me as their prize.

"You bastard..." I growled under my breath.

"Ah, what a rush we got, knowing how possessive Viktor was of you! Good times, eh? Oh! Wanna know something funny?  I remember when a certain Captain used to live underground too! I probably saw him at that whorehouse more times than I could count!"

Enraged, I stood up, taking aim over the boulder. I was about to pull the trigger, when I felt a body slam against mine, throwing me to the ground.  I looked up to find Anka hovering over me.

"(F/N)! You've got to stay down!" she whispered.

I clenched my jaw, incredibly frustrated.  Even though I knew the man was lying, I knew little to nothing about Levi's past.  He had to just be trying to throw me off... 

Anka and I scrambled back to our feet, hoping we hadn't given our position away.  Staying low, we tried to slip past an old building, when we were met with the barrel of a gun.

"Don't take another step," growled the soldier, as an evil grin widened across his face.

I sneered, slowly bringing myself to a full stand, dropping my rifle to the ground.  I kept my arm out, shielding Anka.  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the last soldier turning the corner, guiding Shep at gunpoint.  I knew I had to act fast, or everyone would be killed because of me.  I turned my attention back to the man in front of me and quickly changed my demeanor to that of a frightened little girl. I dropped to my knees, allowing myself to cry pitifully.

"Please don't kill my friends! Please! I'll do anything you want, anything! Just let them go... I beg you!"

The solider laughed to himself victoriously. As soon as I noticed him shift his weight to bend down and grab me, I pulled my knife from my boot and rammed it into his stomach.  He fell forward onto me, spewing blood onto my shoulder. Just before finishing him off, I whispered into his ear,

"Die, you son of a bitch..."

He slumped off of me, collapsing to the ground.  Anka stared at me in horror as I wiped the blood off of my blade. I turned to look at her, but she averted her eyes quickly. With a sigh, I placed my hand on her shoulder.

"I'm sorry to get you involved in all of this shit, but right now, I need you to stay with me and do what I say. These men may be members of the Military Police Brigade, but they are not our allies--"

Just then, I could hear the solider who was restraining Shep begin to yell for me.

"Show yourself now, you crazy bitch!  Or I'll put a bullet in this kid's head!"

Anka started to move, but I threw my arm in front of her. She stared back at me helplessly.

"They're gonna kill him!" she cried.

"No they won't," I murmured lowly, "he's one of them."