Attack on Fortress

Attack on Fortress: Chapter 15 - Putting the Prep in Prep Time

Pixis hummed thoughtfully. "Now you see the conundrum we're in: we can't keep two without the other seven- six, I should say. I don't think any of them particularly like the skinny one."

"They do. Pyro and Spy at least. Pyro likes anyone who lets him set fire to things- and anything he can set alight. Spy... I'm not sure what his deal is, but I can sense some begrudging responsibility for Scout."

"Somebody must. The boy has no shame. The Scout has already asked several of my female officers for their 'numbers' to take them out later. I think he was asking for their bra and underwear sizes!" Pixis chuckles. "Heh, and they call me a perverted old coot!"

Eren smiled. "I don't believe anyone is brave enough to call you that, sir, but considering what you told me against my will up on the Wall, I say it isn't too hard to see why."

Eren's insinuating words made Pixis bark out a mighty laugh. Eren shared in the commander's humour, though only with a smile. Pixis' bellowing laughs were interrupted by the arrival of Captain Brzenska and her men. Pixis' stern demeanour returned so fast that one could never suspect he had been laughing only seconds ago. "Rico, I'm guessing we hit our milestone?"

Brzenska gave Pixis a swift salute before replying. "Yes sir. 400 Sentries accounted for. 50 loaded up in each cart, along with ammo refill crates. All of them are ready to be deployed towards the Exit Gate."

Pixis gave her a grateful smile. "Then it's time to move onto the next phase of our preparation. Brzenska, please keep the Engineer here and guard the Sentries. Anko, Gustav, round up the REDs and our men. Get the Medic equipped with what he needs," Pixis ordered.

With their given orders, Pixis' men moved to enact them, leaving Eren once again alone with Pixis and only a handful of his guards. The Commander gave him a shameful look. "Would it be disrespectful for me to say that I'm looking forward to seeing more miracles from them?" Pixis asks with an embarrassed tone.

Eren gave the Commander a reassuring smile. "So long as it gives us our soldiers back, I wouldn't be ashamed of admitting that."

Pixis hummed. "I appreciate your honesty, and I hope you extend it to my next question, Yeager. How many would let the Medic near them?" Pixis asked, his tone now serious.

Eren thought on his words and easily came up with an answer. "Not a whole lot, sir. They'll be terrified and scared of him. However, if what I remember about the Medi-Gun is true, then I'm sure we'll sway those who are scared into being healed."

"I'm sure plenty will want their limbs and skin back", Pixis hummed. "Let's just make sure none of them get a heart attack before the Medic does his work."

Out of all the oddities and alien rituals the REDs have committed in their short time here, Eren had to chalk this up as the weirdest and most uncomfortable to watch. Sure, Eren had to give credit to the mad doctor for his performance. Not many doctors would commit to such acts for the sake of saving lives and healing the wounded, even though the Medic was responsible for said injuries. Despite the begrudging praise, Eren was more baffled at Medic's actions. After all, how does dancing help prepare oneself for healing?

Showing off yet another technological marvel, the Scout had placed something called a boom box; a nickname that almost caused the lanky shit to get shot as soon as he said it. The actual name was a stereo. Seemingly by magic, the boom box began to play music as if a band of musicians and bards were inside the little box itself.

The music it played was strange. The instruments were the familiar trumpets and drums, but there were others Eren couldn't identify. A soft strumming beat that no lute could achieve, and something that was overlaying the music. It sounded like a trumpet but smoother. The singing, while upbeat, was repetitive. Dance to the Music, they sang over and over again. Like a command. One that Medic loyally followed.