Training

The next few days of training all melted together. Dolph focussed on his real friends. Felix, Nanaba, Angela, Magnus and even Dirk. The six of them grew closer together. Felix and Magnus would still argue, but it was friendly, spirited. Not something that came from anger or hatred.

He found himself checking in on Anna less. He knew she might need him, some friend to talk to. But each time he visited he was reminded of Don Jozef, and a truth he couldn't bear to confront.

Anna came into class as they were discussing titans.

"Now, which is the most dangerous vector to attack a titan from?" Don Jozef said. He pointed at Eva.

"Sir, the most dangerous vector is the front."

"And why is that?"

Eva hesitated. It must have been nerve-wracking to be called up in front of everyone. But Don Jozef maintained that soldiers needed to be able to react at any moment. He said that mostly combat was boring, waiting and completing mindless tasks. Then, out of nowhere a real danger could emerge. So soldiers always had to be prepared.

"You're dead. Give me 20 pushups." He said. Eva got on the floor and started.

"Saul, why is the front the most dangerous?"

"Cause the titans can see you and grab you."

"What's wrong with Saul's answer?"

"Sir, he didn't call you sir, sir." Klaus said. There was a hint of smugness in his voice.

"Correct. Why does that matter?"

Klaus hesitated.

"You're dead." Don Jozef said.

"Sir, because it shows your deference to the hierarchy, so that you implicitly obey your superiors."

"Correct, it is very important to respect the chain of command and follow out orders" Don Jozef said. "Even if the world is being destroyed around you, you follow the chain of command. Otherwise, all is lost."

"When I watched you all running in the **** race, most of you acted without thought. You sprinted and lost all of your energy. If it had been real, most of you would be killed. But Nanaba's composure and clear orders saved many of you."

Don Jozef dismissed the recruits. Anna struggled when it came to physical training. But her friends were there to help her. Dolph taught her how to fight. Nanaba and Felix taught her how to use the 3DMG. Dirk and Angela kept her spirit up, motivating her. She was fast to improve. While she was still in the bottom of the class for physical attributes, she was as Don Jozef labelled her "competent enough".

Even though they ate together, there was still something off between her and Dolph. Each pause between words filled them with anxiety, as they assumed the other one hated them. Or pitied them. Or didn't like them.

Before they could resolve this difference, humanity was given a grim reminder.