Special Operations Squad (Chapter)

The Special Operations Squad is the second chapter in the fifth volume and the 20th chapter overall.

Summary
Now in the custody of the Scouting Legion, Eren is escorted to their head quarters. Auruo Bossard tries to intimidate Eren, but ends up biting his tongue. Petra Ral Scolds him and tells him he got what he deserved. Arriving at the head quarters, Eren takes a look at the people around him. Rivailles squad, also known as the Special Operations Squad, are in charge of keeping an eye on him and will have to put him down if he gets out of control.

Seeing the state of the place, Rivaille orders everyone to start cleaning it up. Eren approaches Rivaille and asks where his room is. Rivaille tell him the conditions on which he was released to their custody; he must stay in the dungeon. Rivaille says that if he was to change in his sleep, it would be easier to contain him in the dungeon. He then leaves to check on the other rooms. Petra tries to comfort Eren. He says that Rivaille isn't what he expected. He obeys the orders he's given. Petra says that he used to be the kind of person that did whatever he wanted until Commander Irvin convinced him to join the Scouting Legion. Moments later, Rivaille tells Eren to clean more rooms.

Sitting around a table, the team discusses the plans for a large scale operation to the outer lands. Another member of the team asks Eren what it feels like to become a titan. Soon after, Hanji walks in and asks Eren if he can help with her experiments. While Eren is under the care of the Scouting Legion, he doesn't have control of his schedule and defers to Rivaille. After getting permission, Eren asks what kind of experiments he will have to help with. Hanji explains the nature of her studies of titans. Her first experiment was an attempt at communication. Unable to make any head way, she moved on the the effect of light deprivation. One titan showed an immediate change, while the other was active for three hours before slowing down. The next experiment was to find out if the titans experienced any pain. This experiment seemed to affect Hanji more than the titans. The larger titan Bean, showed a slight reaction to having its eye gouged out. While the smaller titan, Sonny, showed no reaction at all; actually trying to eat Hanji mid-experiment.

Intrigued, Eren asks for more information, which Hanji all too happily gives. Having stayed up all night talking about her experiments, they are interrupted when a soldier rushes in and tells them that the titans they were using have been killed. They rush outside and find smoldering lumps where the titans used to be. Rivaille says that the Military Police will take care of the investigation. Commander Irvin asks Eren who he thinks the enemy is. Seeing that he's confused, Irvin apologizes for asking strange questions and walks away, leaving Eren wondering what he meant.