Outside the Shiganshina District, at the newly established Survey Corps outpost
"Lock! Finally!"
Hange Zoe's voice carried across the yard as she dashed forward, lab coat fluttering behind her. "You have no idea how long I've been waiting for you. I need a live Titan for my next experiment—do you know how rare those are now?"
Lock barely had time to dismount before Hange was already circling him like an eager hawk. Her gaze flicked past him and landed on the three figures trailing close behind—Petra, Ymir, and Historia.
When her eyes fell on Historia, her expression brightened. "Who's this little angel? She's adorable!"
Lock rubbed the back of his neck. "This is Historia. I found her during the reclamation of Wall Maria. She volunteered afterward and's been under my care since."
"The royal government really has no shame," Hange muttered bitterly. "Letting a child volunteer for combat... inhuman." Then, smirking, she leaned closer to Lock. "Still, I see your taste hasn't changed. You always find the pretty ones."
Lock sighed. "Don't start. I usually spend my time with Petra and Ymir—nothing like what you're thinking."
"Mm-hm." Hange's grin widened as her eyes shifted toward Ymir.
Ymir crossed her arms immediately. "Don't even start, four-eyes. I remember what happened last time—you're not dragging me into another one of your lunatic tests."
"Tests?" Hange gasped dramatically. "I prefer the term scientific exploration!"
Historia giggled despite herself, and even Petra had to stifle a laugh.
"You're all impossible," Hange muttered, pretending to pout. "Fine, fine. Come inside. Standing out here makes it look like I'm harassing recruits."
"You kind of are," Lock muttered under his breath, earning a snicker from Petra.
The group entered the outpost. Behind them, Lock's regiment of three hundred soldiers began settling into their designated quarters, unloading gear, and checking weapons.
The new base had been built on the outskirts of the reclaimed district—a network of hastily constructed barracks, stables, and watchtowers surrounded by open training fields. Civilians and members of the Garrison Regiment worked nearby, rebuilding Shiganshina's ruined infrastructure.
Hange gestured toward the bustle outside. "Not bad, right? The reconstruction's coming along faster than expected. The Garrison is organizing the returning civilians, and the Military Police actually sent people to assist for once. If things keep up, the district might regain its old life soon."
Lock scanned the area quietly. Garrison troops and Military Police patrolled the perimeter, their bright green cloaks fluttering in the cold wind. He noted, however, that the number of Survey Corps members present was drastically low—barely a dozen.
He understood immediately.
Once inside the headquarters, Hange's cheerful tone dropped. Her usual grin faded, replaced by rare seriousness. "You've probably noticed. We're being suppressed."
Lock didn't respond.
"The Military Police and Garrison have started cutting off our supplies," she continued. "Even some of our old allies are turning away. It's obvious—they're trying to sideline us now that the fighting's over. We were heroes a month ago, and now we're the problem."
She slammed a stack of papers onto the table. "Can you believe this? After everything we did out there, after how many of our people died?"
Lock's expression remained composed. "Hange. Calm down."
The steadiness in his voice worked immediately. She drew in a deep breath, shoulders relaxing as she rubbed her temples. "Right… you're not surprised, are you?"
Lock smiled faintly. "Not at all. Erwin and I expected this from the start. The Survey Corps outperformed every other branch. When you become too visible, the ones above you get nervous. Naturally, they'd want to push us down."
"So you planned for this?" she asked, blinking.
"Of course. There's no need to fight the suppression—it buys us time. The others are busy bickering for favor while we rebuild quietly. When the next crisis comes, we'll be ready."
Hange leaned back, whistling low. "So, there is a next crisis?"
Lock chuckled. "When isn't there one?" He turned toward the window, eyes narrowing as he watched soldiers training outside. "The real war hasn't even begun."
Hange frowned but didn't press further. She'd known Lock long enough to recognize when he wouldn't elaborate.
"Anyway," Lock continued, his tone lightening, "I came here for two reasons. First, to regroup and train the regiment stationed here. Second…" His eyes flicked toward her. "To capture a Titan for your research."
At that, Hange's entire mood changed instantly. "Finally! You're speaking my language! I've been dying to get my hands on another specimen. The last one got—well—'accidentally exploded' during an experiment."
Lock raised an eyebrow. "Accidentally."
"Details!" she waved it off. "So, what's the plan? A big hunt?"
"Not big," Lock replied. "A medium-sized operation. We'll test the new gear and train the recruits in live conditions."
"Medium-sized," Hange repeated with a grin. "I like your version of 'medium.'"
The tension in the air eased. Petra exhaled softly, relieved. Beside her, Ymir and Historia had started whispering to each other again, bickering over something trivial.
By noon, Hange had arranged a meal for everyone at the outpost mess hall—rough bread, soup, and whatever rations could be spared. It wasn't luxurious, but no one complained. After eating, Lock dismissed his soldiers for a brief rest, then called them back to the courtyard.
"Training resumes in fifteen minutes," he announced.
Within half an hour, the once-quiet field erupted with the sounds of motion gear engaging, steel cables firing, and shouted commands echoing through the winter air. The regiment's precision was unmatched—each formation moving in perfect coordination.
Civilians rebuilding nearby stopped to watch. Members of the Garrison and Military Police exchanged uneasy looks.
"Why are they still training so hard?" one soldier muttered. "The Titans are gone. The walls are safe again."
Another shrugged. "They're Survey Corps. They don't know what rest means."
"I don't get it," said a third, leaning on his rifle. "We finally have peace. Why not just enjoy it? Look at them—breaking their backs for what?"
A grizzled veteran from the Garrison replied quietly, "Maybe because they remember what it's like to lose everything."
The others fell silent for a moment.
Across the yard, Lock ran alongside his soldiers, not barking orders but training with them—vaulting through the air with his maneuver gear, slicing through mock targets with practiced precision. His every movement was controlled, efficient, purposeful.
By the time the sun began to sink, the squad was drenched in sweat and gasping for breath. Only Lock remained steady, breathing evenly, blade in hand.
He looked over his exhausted troops and nodded once. "That's enough for today. Clean your gear, eat, and rest. Tomorrow, we move closer to the wall for live Titan capture drills."
The word Titan sent a ripple of excitement and fear through the group. Some straightened, others exchanged nervous glances—but none objected.
Lock turned toward the watching soldiers from the other regiments, many of whom were still whispering among themselves. Their faces were mixed with doubt, envy, and even resentment.
He ignored them.
Strength didn't come from comfort—it came from readiness.
As the cold evening wind swept across the outpost, Lock sheathed his blades, the faint metallic click echoing in the distance. Behind him, the fading light cast long shadows across the field, stretching toward the ruins of Shiganshina.
He stood there a moment longer, gazing toward the remnants of the district beyond the walls. Somewhere out there, Titans still roamed—proof that peace was only a temporary illusion.
And soon, humanity would need the Survey Corps again.
Lock intended to make sure they'd be ready.
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