Disclaimer: I do not own Shingeki no Kyojin or any SnK characters portrayed in this fic.

A/N: This is a fantastic and compelling anime/manga, so thought that I'd try my hand at it. *fireworks and splendour* This is an AU, deviating from canon after the last episode of the anime. I am, however, aware of incidents in the manga thus far, so will be taking precautions to not give anything away. Spoilers for this fic include: everything up to episode 25 of the anime, including the identity of the female titan. Now that you have been suitably warned, on with the show!

DEATH STRAIT

Chapter 1: In the Name of Science

It started with Eren. Everything did, thought Jean Kirschtein, although with slightly less rancour than usual. Even he was intrigued by the glint in Hange's palm as she writhed in excitement. Armin was close on her heels as she made a mad dash across the cobblestones for her quarters, which seemed to double as a research centre. Strolling across the courtyard, he approached the source of the commotion.

"What was that all about?"

Eren turned, shrugging. "Something I found on the ride out today. Some kind of metal."

Jean raised an eyebrow. "So?"

"It's rare, according to Major Hange."

"Tsk. Lots of good that's going to do us."

Eren scowled. "I didn't find the damn thing on purpose."

They were interrupted by the arrival of the corporal, both stiffening as the hooded gaze drifted over them. "Jaeger, inside. Now. Kirschtein, brush those horses down."

Sighing, Jean led the panting, foaming animals away, not missing the soft "Good luck with the family" Eren shot over his shoulder.

Armin re-appeared at dinner, looking quite downcast.

"Armin, what's up with that look?" Connie's mouth was full of mashed potato, earning a slightly disgusted look from the others at their table.

"Oh. Major Hange locked me out. Said she had tests to perform."

Eren laughed. "That interesting?"

Armin placed a slim volume on the table, pushing his dinner plate aside. "This is a list of all known metallic elements, including their properties. The metal you found is distinctly different from any that we know."

"Wow," Sasha breathed. "How much of it did you find Eren?"

"Can it be used to strengthen blades?" came Reiner's voice from the other end of the table.

Mikasa paused in her quiet chewing. "Are you going to add it to the list in that book?"

Eren ran a hand through his hair, returning to his meal. "I only found a little shard of it. Don't know if it will be enough for Hange's tests."

"It will, actually." Armin smiled. "She hasn't dissected and analyzed it thoroughly enough to tell us what it can be used for. But I'm pretty sure we'll be adding to this book soon."

Jean picked up the chemistry volume, flipping through. "You said 'we'. You're her assistant researcher now?"

"Uh, no, just interested I guess. It's quite the find. And who knows how useful it could be?"

The rest of dinner passed with increasingly imaginative speculation on Eren's find, from the possibility of it originating from a fallen star (Armin) to the likelihood of it making a sturdy oven rack (Sasha). It was decidedly pleasant, for a change, to have an entirely positive outcome from a mission outside the walls.

After the loss of such a great number of their comrades just last month, the atmosphere at the Recon Corps headquarters had draped a pall over everyone's spirit. Levi had closeted himself away for a day, all the time he would allow himself to mourn before he resumed his duties as their current leader. He emerged with a slight limp and deeper shadowing under his narrow eyes, the only indication of his pain at losing his closest and most trusted soldiers. When Hange poured his tea, or handed him an extra scone at the table, he simply let her. The new recruits had a harder time hiding their emotions. Ranging from the rage of betrayal to deep melancholy at the unbelievable truth, they had drawn consolation from each other's familiar presence. When thoughts drew close to how long this comfort would remain, to how many new spaces would open up in a few years, months, days maybe, they took matters into their own hands. Armin with resumed determination in pursuing the truths of the outside world. Eren with gall and strong words. Mikasa with her silent, powerful presence. Jean with his unerring ability to poke through the chinks in everyone's armour, bolstering confidence and trust through brash words and poorly-concealed kindness.

This mission had been the first outside the walls since then, aside from the regular perimeter patrols. Everyone had been surprised that Eren had been included, increasing fear over him attracting yet more deviants in titan skin. Levi had obviously seen differently, although he gave no indication of his motivations. Those had been entirely evident after the mission was over, along with the risk he had taken. There had been one injury and zero casualties, stemming from the scouting party itself being small enough to escape much notice from the titans. The confidence this inspired when their horses had clattered into the courtyard later that day was quite clear. He had successfully restored the Corps faith in Eren, himself and their own abilities. Regarding the mission itself, they had made good ground that morning, with only one hiccup. An incident that had resulted in Eren's discovery.

It had started, according to Eren, with Hermann, a recruit from the previous year. A few years older than Eren, the young man seemed determined to resort to conversation as a means of steeling his nerves. Granted, he handled his mount with confidence and experience and kept a sharp eye out, but being paired with him on the left flank was not, by any means, a peaceful experience. He also seemed determined to make as many allusions to Eren's current situation as possible, while trying valiantly to not seem too inquisitive. That 'situation' in itself, was something Eren would have liked to avoid discussing with anyone at all. Especially his feelings on Annie's betrayal and the difficulty he found in transforming.

After Annie's capture and seeming self-imposed imprisonment within the impenetrable crystal, there had been much discussion back and forth amongst the higher-ups in political circles about the next step in Eren's trial period with the Recon Corps. Commander Erwin had been absent for some time, answering to his superiors, apparently explaining his actions while wearing his trademark ice-calm demeanour and wielding sequential logic like a blade. Levi gave nothing when asked, providing orders that restored the legion's equilibrium in his own roundabout manner of retaining morale. Hange was more tolerant of questions, often giving an encouraging word or snippet of information. From his own private de-briefing with Levi, Eren had learnt that, as a consequence of his defeat of Annie, his trial period had been given the go-ahead to continue until further notice. He was still relegated to the basement quarters and constant vigilance from the Corporal. The Military Police had even sued for damages to the city and civilian casualties after his rampage, but these were attributed to Annie's actions and their suit was delayed accordingly.

The ride had been going smoothly. He answered Hermann's questions as best he could, without sounding too abrupt. Levi had called a halt when then fore-riders came galloping back from the trees ahead.

"Corporal! One six-metre class and one nine-metre class at 12 o' clock."

Levi nodded, turning in his saddle. "We'll ride for the pasture on the other side. We can go around them and still be within reach of the trees."

"Yes sir!"

At a soft canter, they swerved away from the location of the titans, the outriders resuming their station just within the confines of the forest, ready to warn the others of approaching danger. Before long, they broke from the line of trees, waving down the main group.

"Corporal Levi," Eren called urgently.

"Yes, I see them. Everyone, make for the trees. Re-group on my signal."

They broke into a gallop, the slow, heavy footfalls of the titans they had hoped to avoid distantly reaching their ears. The group was spread out in arrowhead formation, Eren occupying a position just behind Hermann. Just a few yards away from the forest, Hermann's horse stumbled and lurched forward abruptly. He was flung from the saddle, arms up defensively as he hit the ground and rolled a few paces, his mount brought to its knees. Eren, who had bypassed his position, swiftly brought his own horse around, backtracking to where the young soldier was scrambling unsteadily to his feet, blood plastering the left side of his face.

"Hermann!"

"Get away, Eren!"

The first riders of the group had already reached the trees, the hiss and zip-crack of launched grappling hooks and wires echoing back to them. The titans' footfalls were louder now, the faint tremors in the earth signaling their ever closing presence. Hermann's horse seemed to be uninjured as it righted itself. Grabbing the reins, Eren led it over, sliding swiftly from the saddle and running over to him.

"Get on, quick!"

"You idiot . . ." Hermann's voice was faint and he almost slipped over the other side of the horse when Eren helped him into the saddle. Swearing, Eren glanced frantically in the direction of the forest where shouts had broken out and the giant footfalls had grown significantly louder. A titan broke from the foliage, mouth lopsided and wider than normal, relatively small and gangly arms hanging at its sides, heading straight for their position. From where he stood, he could see that it was a six-metre class, most probably the same the scouts had warned them of earlier. Moments later, Levi and Diederik, another senior officer, emerged on either side, flanking the towering creature.

Eren looked up at Hermann who was gazing, transfixed, at the approaching giant. "Stay here."

"What?"

"Do you trust me?"

Small blue eyes, one already closing under congealing blood, met brilliant green. "I - What are you - "

"Just stay here."

Without waiting for any further response, Eren climbed back into his saddle, directing himself towards the titan. "Go!"

He flicked the reins, breaking into a full gallop. Levi had seen the move and narrowed his eyes. After a few moments, seeing Eren's fixed, blazing gaze, he nodded, giving him a reluctant go-ahead. The titan's eyes were now on the young, dark haired soldier making a beeline for it, its pace picking up. Just as he got within range of the titan's reach Eren tugged hard on the reins, swerving around and making a mad dash for the forest. Diederik shouted something to Levi, probably calling the kill, and moments later he was airborne, swords out, slashing out the titan's nape. Landing solidly on the collapsed titan's steaming shoulder, the older man stumbled off, sheathing his swords. Levi brought his horse up, nodding in acknowledgement.

"Well done."

"Thank you, Corporal."

Eren had already switched directions and was heading back to Hermann.

"Brat! Where do you think you're going?"

"Sir . . . Hermann is injured."

Squinting ahead, Levi made out the figure of the red-haired man who had dismounted once he had witnessed the titan being brought down. He was now leaning heavily against the side of the horse. Turning slightly, the corporal glanced at Eren.

"Do you have your field pack?"

"Yes, sir."

Hermann looked completely disoriented when they reached him, eyes drifting closed. Levi dismounted and kicked at his ankle none too gently, earning a groan of pain. "Oi. Don't fall asleep."

Eren winced. "Uh, Corporal . . . "

"Quiet. Give me your medi-kit."

"Here, sir."

Diederik kept a sharp lookout while they quickly bandaged the injured soldier. While kneeling beside Hermann, Eren's gaze shifted slightly, his attention caught by a bright gleam in the grass nearby. Curious, he shuffled over, fingers scrabbling surreptitiously along the compacted soil until they made contact with something hard and smooth. Carefully, he pulled, jerking against resistance, then placed one hand on his forearm and tugged it free.

"What are you doing?" Levi had completed his ministrations to Hermann and was peering over his shoulder. The boy held up the gleaming, blue-black shard in his hand, tilting it slightly to catch the sun.

"Something I found in the grass."

"Are you a magpie? Chuck it and get up there behind him."

Climbing up behind Hermann and gripping the reins on either side of his waist to hold him steady, Eren slipped the shard into his pocket instead.

It was only three days later that more was heard on the metal shard. Most, with the exception of Armin, had forgotten about it completely. The alert came in the form of a near-hyperventilating Hange sprinting down the corridor to Levi's office and crashing through the door in a distinctly unceremonious fashion.

"Levi! You won't believe what it can do!"

"Get out."

"No, no, no, you don't understand the implications of this!"

The man behind the desk sighed and placed his pen down in a manner that would have made most of his subordinates move a few paces back.

"What."

"The metal that Eren, that blessed boy, found on the ride!"

She received a blank stare which she interpreted (incorrectly) as a signal to elaborate. "It's incredibly hard and can withstand unprecedented levels of tensile stress. I can only make guesses at grain patterns with the limited equipment I have here, BUT, here's the amazing thing! I tested it on Annie's crystal!"

There was a subtle straightening of Levi's posture. "And?"

"I saw cracks! Tiny, tiny, spider web cracks, but cracks all the same! They showed up under my magnifying glass."

"I see." He stood. "I need to see this. And, presuming it can dent the crystal, how do we go about dragging her out of there?"

"I've already devised a system! It's very risky, but we will need more of the metal to drill through in the right way."

Levi shook his head as he followed her out of the room. "More? You'll just have to use what you have. I'm not taking another expedition outside the walls on a wild goose chase after some shitty mineral."

"Levi! The importance of this cannot be stressed enough! Without this we're simply playing a waiting game. And the other side seems to be taking its sweet time in making a move . . . let's make a huge leap forward with this!"

"No. I'm sure your twisted mind will come up with some other scheme to get her out."

"Oho. Then I'll just have to consult the Commander on this one. Even though he's so terribly busy and left things around here to you. All the important decisions and good stuff like that."

"Oh please. How old do I look?"

" . . . "

"If you answer that, I will cut you."

As it turned out, Commander Erwin had made the unpredictable decision once again. Gripping the missive in his hand with a force that almost crumpled the neatly folded paper, Levi swept his gaze across the gathered recruits and old hands. Hange, at his side, was beaming so hard, he could almost feel the warmth radiating off her. For the first and only time in the name of science . . .

"Right, you lot. Jaeger discovered something on the last scouting expedition south-east of Wall Rose. This discovery is of utmost importance to our cause right now. The objective is to search for more of the metal and transport it back to headquarters for further experiments." There was a round of muttering and shuffling feet. More than a few agitated glances were thrown Hange's way. "Given the nature of this expedition, I will accept volunteers."

"Are we going to be told what this metal is to be used for?"

It was Jean, arms crossed and legs apart in the front row, looking as confrontational as ever.

"No, Kirschtein. That information is classified as of this time. However, I am cleared to say that this discovery may be key to gaining information on the attack within Wall Sina a month ago."

The confusion was evident on many faces, however, it was a matter of minutes before the first volunteers raised their hands. To say that Levi was not surprised as to their identity would be a gross understatement.

A/N: Constructive criticism welcome, and please don't hesitate to point out errors! Thanks for reading :) Drop a review too!

N. B. I have changed Franz's name to Hermann, seeing as there is already a character of this name who died earlier in the story, as a reviewer pointed out. This is an entirely different character, who will probably not be making a re-appearance. So, to avoid confusion, Franz is now . . . Hermann!