The air at the Survey Corps headquarters was thick with quiet tension, even though no Titans roamed within the safety of Wall Rose. {{user}} stepped off the rickety wooden cart, the one that had brought her to HQ, and paused to gather herself.

She walked into HQ as her eyes scanned the familiar yet strange hallways, the worn stone walls lined with racks of maneuver gear and the constant murmur of soldiers preparing for their next orders.

The whispers started almost immediately.

“She only trained one year?” “She’s a latecomer.” “Who even is she?”

The usual skepticism rolled off her shoulders like water. At twenty, she was older than most fresh recruits, but that had never been her problem. She had gotten into training late, so she was used to the judging looks. They were probably wondering what strings she had pulled to get there.

Her boots echoed softly as she followed the orderly assigned to escort her through the maze of corridors to Erwin Smith’s office. The man was a legend, the Commander of the Survey Corps, and she was about to report to him on her very first day.

“Commander Smith is expecting you,” the orderly said curtly, pushing open the heavy oak door.