Mutiny (Attack On Titan) (Rewritten version) (ON HOLD)

Chapter 19

(2 days earlier)

"What do you want me to talk about?". Annie asked as she carefully eyed the man. "That guy....Luis....He should've told you everything by now".

"I already know everything, I'm just here to confirm if its true". Levi answered coldly. "Besides, you aren't really doing it for me, you're doing it for them". Levi pointed at Armin and his group of friends, who were anxiously waiting for everything to be revealed to them.

Levi inched closer to the prison cell and he intensified his menacing glare towards the Leonhart girl. "We don't have all day you know". Levi said. "So if I were you, I'd start talking immediately and not waste everyone else's time, they all deserve to know everything about your mission and your secrets, you know this better than everyone".

Annie couldn't help but agree with what Levi said, they all deserved to know everything that concerned her, her mission and her nation.

They were all affected by it wither directly or indirectly, especially Eren, Armin and Mikasa.

She saw Armin flash her a smile of encouragement, telling her that everything will be fine and that he'll make sure no harm would come to her.

Although this was a gesture that she appreciated, Annie still didn't understand why would Armin persist in treating her kindly, despite the fact she committed atrocities against his own right.

She knew that he didn't understand, and she knew for certain that his opinion of her will change after he knows what really caused Wall Maria's downfall.

"Alright". Annie muttered. "Where do I begin?".

(.....)

Jean's face paled as he looked at Liam, who was calm and collected. His hands trembled out of fear for his own mother and out of anger towards the man who dared threaten his family.

"If you so much touch a hair out of my mom, I swear I'll-".

"You'll what? Kill me? Hurt me?". Liam said. "You do not have any form of power over me and if you so much try to touch me, I'll have you and your father hanged and your mother become a slave for me". Liam said. "You're not in any form of control here Jean, either you cave into my demands or suffer the consequences, its your choice".

Jean remained silent as his mind went into a state of panic, his breathing was rapid and he felt his entire body tremble.

He tried to think of anyway to escape his current predicament, but there was no way out, there was no escape.

Jean was trapped, like a mouse being cornered by its predator.

"The sooner you realize this, the better Mr. Kirstein". Liam said. "If I were you, I'd calmly sit down on that chair and tell everything I know, remember....you are powerless here".

Liam was right, as much as Jean hated to admit it, he was actually right.

Jean figured that its better for him to listen to what that man has to say, and then he'll figure out a plan to somehow deal with his current predicament.

He reluctantly went and sat on the chair that he previously sat on, a moment of silence passed as both Liam and Jean looked at each other, Liam with a calm expression and Jean with an angered one.

Liam placed his cup of tea on the table. "Alright Jean...Since you were very close to Commander Erwin in many occasions, I would like to ask of you this question. Don't even bother to lie because I assure you, I can easily differentiate a lie from truth".

Jean took in a deep breath and he sighed. "Just....What do you want to know?". He asked.

"Anything that Erwin must be hiding, tell me everything that you know". Liam said.

Jean came up with a quick plan, if he can make a believable lie against Liam, then he would be able to get out of this place unscathed and Liam wouldn't know a thing.

However, Jean had to be clever, the man didn't look like he was a fool after all.

He knew that this lie must work, he knew that if Liam knew about Luis, then the government would be restless in taking down not only the Marleyan man, but also all of his friends.

Jean took a deep breath and he sighed, he had to look calm for his lie to be believable.

"I'm sorry sir, but I don't know anything about what Erwin Smith can be possibly hiding". Jean said. "Allow me to elaborate: True, I was always at the side of Commander Smith, but it was always and only during times of battle and whenever we wanted to come up with a plan, he never told us anything that was considered "blasphemous" or suspicious to the government". Jean said. "Any suspicions that you may have must be misplaced sir, for I know for certain that Erwin isn't hiding anything, he is an honest soldier and he is well-respected not only the Survey Corps, but across all of the Military branches...Isn't that enough proof to believe me?". Jean said.

Liam observed Jean's behavior and he found that the boy was confident about everything that he said, all of his words DID seem convincing but.....

He needed to make sure.

One way to make sure if Jean was really telling the truth or not was to manipulate him, to make him feel like there is an existential threat against him and his family.

"Are you certain that you are telling the truth, Mr. Kirstein?". Liam said. "Because I'll have you know, I have Military Police surrounding your mother's house in Trost....Once I give them the order through a messenger bird, they will storm the house and put both of your parents in captivity, who knows...maybe if I'm in the mood, I'll have them both hanged".

Liam saw Jean's eyes widen and his face completely pale, these obvious changes in his behavior was enough for Liam to believe that Jean was telling a lie. "And it was a pathetic one".

"...H-How?". Jean muttered, his eyes remaining glued to Liam's.

"I have my own strings to pull". Liam said. "In other words, there are factions within the Military Police that are loyal to me, that is because I pay them handsomely if they do services that I require for them to do". Liam said. "And as a form of communication, I use messenger birds or men to send them messages; listing them everything that needs to be done". Liam said. "Now, Jean....I'll ask you one more time....Tell me everything that you know". Liam said. "Your parents lives depend on it after all".

A heavy weight suddenly crushed Jean , he underestimated the power that a mere government official like Liam held, his mind tried to come up with any feasible plan but it failed to do so.

Instead, crippling fear took over him completely as he thought about his parents. Liam's threat was clear and Jean knew that he can keep good on his threat, and if Jean lied again then his parents....They might.....

Jean took in a shaky breath and he looked away from Liam, there was no escaping this predicament, and his parents lives were on the line.

"What is it going to be, Mr. Kirstein?". Liam said. "I'll have you know that maybe I'll spare your parents, but even if I did; I'll have them work in miserable conditions like literal slaves". He said. "Don't you care about your parents? Do you truly value your commander over your parents' lives?". Liam said.

"....Fine". Jean said in a shaky breath. "I'll....I'll tell you everything I know". He said, then he looked at Liam with begging eyes. "But please, don't hurt my parents".

Liam couldn't help but smile in satisfaction and victory, his manipulative trick tore down the facade the boy made. "Excellent....I'm glad that we reached an agreement, Mr. Kirstein".