I've finally decided to go ahead and publish my first fanfic. For reviews, be as harsh as you want and point out anything that bothers you. Flames will be ignored.
Miyafuji Yoshika, twenty-two years of age, sits down before the Zen garden of her traditional Fuso home and listens to the sounds of nature. A stream flows nearby, trees sway in the gentle breeze, and birds chirp overhead. Birds…she looked up in envy at them, flying freely through the open sky. True, she'd voluntarily quit the military to attend a high school, then university in Europe, after the Neuroi threat had been vanquished, but she will never forget the fun she'd had, soaring through the air. The peaceful expression on Yoshika's face breaks into one of sadness. Tears come to her eyes, but she refuses to cry; she still believes.
"Flight Lieutenant Miyafuji Yoshika?" Yoshika composes herself, then calmly looks up towards the voice. Silently, three men, dressed in black suits, had appeared in her hallway. She figures her mother must have let them in.
Standing up, she says, "Yes? How can I help you?"
"Under orders of the United Nations, you are hereby reactivated as a member of the Joint Witch Corps."
Yoshika narrows her eyes. "I retired."
"UN Emergency protocol ninety-four, section seven, stating 'in the face of a potential threat against humanity, all members of the UN shall provide no less that one wing of witches, and one representative commanding officer, to take action against said threat,' is in effect."
Yoshika already knew what it was, the moment he mentioned the protocol ID. The rule had been used (perhaps abused was a better word) multiple times, since the formation of the UN in 1948, to justify actions ranging from the bombing of terrorists in the Middle East, to the invasion of North Korea. "What is it this time? Hunting for the Bermuda Pirates? Blockading Vietnam? Assistance in a coup de tat?"
"That information is classified and will not be revealed without your commitment."
A silence falls between them as the two stare at each other, one with an expression of weariness and irritation, the other completely devoid of emotion. "I. Am. Retired. What part of that didn't you understand? As one of the world's military powers, Fuso should have plenty of witches to spare. I've never been called back on any of the previous occasions! Why now!?"
"As I've said, that's classified."
"Then I'm not going. Leave me out of your politics."
"This is an attempt to preserve humanity."
"Don't give me that! Tell me on good reason why I should go!"
The man turns to one of the agents behind him, who nods. "Perhaps the fact that some of your friends were badly injured, by no other enemy than the one you last fought, will convince you?" Yoshika walks away, then enters her room. "Lieutenant! We need your strength, your experience, for this! We can't-" Yoshika comes out with a single, small suitcase in hand.
"Lead the way. And tell me what happened."
Sixteen hours earlier…
"At this time we will begin a preflight system check. Engines?"
"Engines are go."
"Auxiliary engines?"
"Auxiliary engines-go."
"Cooling systems?"
"Cooling systems are a go."
"Temperature maintenance systems?"
"TM Systems are a go."
"Parachute deployment system?"
"PDS-go."
"Oxygen supply?"
"Oxygen supply at full capacity."
"Emergency shutoff and ejection systems?"
"Emergency systems-go."
"Striker-to-module connection?"
"Secure."
"Launch team, confirm oxygen supply and pressurization of flight suits."
"Group Captain Hanna U. Rudel, oxygen supply and pressurization confirmed."
"Squadron Leader Junko Takei, prepared for launch."
"Squadron Leader Perrine Clostermann, confirmed."
"Squadron Leader Charlotte E. Yeager, ready."
"Flight Lieutenant Patricia Schade, everything looks fine."
"Very well. Launch team, be ready to initiate phase one."
"Roger."
"Launch will begin in t-minus twenty seconds."
After years of testing and calculations, today, June 16, 1951, scientists from around the world will attempt to launch witches into space. The site of the launch was a hotly debated topic, but eventually, because the first person to suggest space travel was Orussian, the United Nations agreed to launch in Orussia. In exchange, they would not be represented in the crew.
"Fifteen."
"Squadron Leader Yeager! Spit out your chewing gum this instant!" Perrine says.
Shirley looks around in surprise. "What? How'd you know?"
"How did I know? HOW DID I KNOW?! I'm sure everyone here could hear you chewing on it through the intercom!"
"It's not that big a deal, Perrine." Rudel says.
"Ten. Nine. Eight. Seven. Six."
"Oh. Of course, Group Captain."
"As formal as ever, aren't you, Perrine?" Shirley observes.
"Well of course I am! I can't show disrespect to a superior officer!"
"Heh. Tell that to Lucchini. She still calls Junko, 'Jun-Jun.'"
"Well that's just as bad!"
"It's fine," Junko says. "I don't worry too much about that kind of stuff."
"…I don't either…"
"What was that, Group Captain?" Junko asks.
"…Nothing. Just thinking out loud."
The goal of this mission is to send witches into space. Unfortunately, vessels with breathable environments have not yet been developed, so missions lasting longer than a few hours are out of the question.
"Five. Four. Three. Two. One."
This launch team is using is a unit called the boost module. The mechanism's shape is basically one small cylinder on top of another larger cylinder. Towards the outside of the larger cylinder, there are four slots for witches to insert their space strikers. In addition, one more slot exists in the center of the smaller cylinder. The four witches on the outside would provide steady magical output, while the center witch would steer the unit. Unlike regular striker units, space versions are attached to spacesuits, and cannot be removed without taking the suit off as well.
"Liftoff."
The five witches shift their magic to maximum strength, resulting in a large blue flame forming beneath the missile. The boost module is based off one of the most significant advances in striker unit technology since the 1940s: the jet striker, developed by Ursula Hartmann. For years, Ursula had researched ways to reduce the jet striker's magical drain, but to no avail. Then, through another mysterious letter from Dr. Miyafuji, a magic amplifier was developed, lengthening the career of witches. With this new technology, Ursula realized she could solve the jet striker's problem the other way around. Instead of reducing the magical input requirement, she could increase the user's magical output.
All the witches are pushed down into the boost module as it accelerates upwards through the atmosphere. Its speed exceeds twenty thousand kilometers per hour and continues to go faster.
'Soon, I'll be one of the first witches—no, humans in space!' Shirley thinks to herself. 'It's too bad Lucchini wasn't able to come.' The crew had been determined by selecting one representative witch for each of the top five countries that put the most money into the project. Romagna was not among them. In addition, each member had to be at least a flight lieutenant. Lucchini did not qualify either way.
"Velocity is sufficient to escape Earth's atmosphere. Maintain present speed and you should be fine. Now switching you over to mission control. Good luck. Launch control, out."
After the second Neuroi war, Barkhorn had quit the military to live with her younger sister, declaring she would never join the military again. When asked to fly into space, she immediately rejected the plea, refusing to leave her sister's side. Therefore, Rudel had been selected by Karlsland over Hanna-Justina Marseille and Erica Hartmann, because she always followed orders and held a serious disposition fitting of a representative.
Miyafuji Yoshika had originally been the Fuso representative, but she declined the privilege, saying that there might be other people who need her healing magic while she is gone. Therefore, they selected Takei Junko, leader of the 504th JFW, and currently senior witch instructor of the Fuso Witch Academy. Unlike Mio Sakamoto, who's magic had been completely drained by the Neuroi hive in Romagna, Junko still possessed a small the alternate.
Being one of Gallia's most well known nobles, it was not even a question that Perrine would be selected for the team.
Shirley, as one of the few well-known Liberion witches, was an obvious choice for the Liberion representative. She had broken the sound barrier so it only seemed fitting that she break the height limit for witches as well.
Brittania selected Patricia Schade of the 504th JFW. Her excellent magic control makes her an ideal witch for fueling the boost module.
"We're exiting the atmosphere in a few minutes! Get ready to experience zero gravity!" Rudel is forced to shout over the sound of the engines, even with an intercom.
"Woohoo!" Shirley shouts.
"So undignified." Perrine mutters.
"Did you say something, Perrine?" Patricia asks.
"No. No. Nothing at all."
"Oh, come on, Perrine. It's fine isn't it? It's not like we're being video taped," Shirley says.
'Oops. She heard me.' Perrine thinks.
"Whoa!" Patricia exclaims. All the girls gasp as the force of Earth's gravity becomes weaker
"Interesting. This must be what it feels like to be Perrine," Shirley says.
"Excuse me?" Perrine responds.
"Well with the lack of gravity, my chest suddenly got lighter."
"Could you please be serious for once?! If Squadron Leader Sakamoto were here, I'm sure she'd be ashamed of you."
"Maybe she would. But. It doesn't change the fact that you're flat chested."
Perrine sputters as she attempts to think of a comeback. At long last, she says, "Hanna! Say something!"
"…You called me by my first name."
"I-. Oh. Sorry, Captain."
"It's not like I minded-"
Schade interrupts, "I see something, over there." She points out into the depths of space.
"It's probably a meteor. It'll burn out in the atmosphere," Junko says.
"Wow! A meteor? That's awesome. Can we go in for a closer look?"
"Well, that might be dangerous…"
Shirley objects. "It should be fine, as long as we don't go into its path."
Rudel feels a bad premonition as the group watched the dark shape approach Earth. "We'll go and inspect it from a reasonable distance."
"Roger." Out of surprise, Junko can do little but acknowledge the order.
"...Damn, I wish I had a night patrol witch with me," Rudel mutters.
"Excuse me?"
"Rudel to Mission Control, do you copy? Please respond." Only a faint static can be heard over the radio. The feeling in her gut worsens. "…Either bad weather is affecting the transmission or…" She squints at the object. Then, with and urgent voice, she shouts, "All units, detach from the boost module and prepare to engage!"
"Huh?" Shirley and Schade are slow to react to the sudden order. Junko complies immediately, as does Perrine.
"Squadron Leaders Takei and Yeager will charge the target while Lieutenant Schade and I give long range support. Perrine, approach the atmosphere and attempt to reestablish communications with Mission Control!"
The squad simultaneously replies, "Roger!"
Shirley squints, trying to identify a jet-black figure in the backdrop of space. "It can't be…"
"It is, Yeager. The Neuroi are back."
With determination and anger in her voice, Shirley says, "Then I'll stop them here!" Without further delay, she jets toward the Neuroi at speeds she could never have achieved in the atmosphere.
"Make sure you maintain control while flying! You won't slow down because the force of gravity is weak out here!" Rudel warns.
"Yeah, yeah, I know!"
"In seconds, Shirley appears beneath the small type Neuroi, and begins firing her BAR at point blank range. The bullets impact the target and expose the core. There it is-ugh!" Not compensating for the lack of gravity, Shirley's momentum carries her too far, placing her in a position where she can't see the core. "Someone get the core!"
Junko attempts to get a shot at the core, but misses the opportunity when the Neuroi begins to regenerate.
"Interesting…I don't remember my gun being so strong."
"Again, that's because there's no gravity. The bullets don't slow down," Rudel explains.
Meanwhile, Perrine approaches the edges of Earth's atmosphere, looking for a place where she can contact mission control. "This is Squadron Leader Perrine Clostermann! We are currently engaged in combat with a Neuroi. I repeat, engaged in combat with a Neuroi! Acknowledge!"
At last, she hears a voice over the radio. "...dron Lea…Perrine….ference, cannot…"
Encouraged by this, she continues to fly towards Earth. "Can you hear me now?"
"We read you, Squadron Leader. What is going on up there?"
"We've encountered a small-type Neuroi just outside the atmosphere, most likely with the intent of descending to the surface! Its presence is jamming all nearby communications, so Group Captain Rudel ordered me to regain radio contact."
"…Please confirm presence of Neuroi."
She looks back at the battle. So far, the Neuroi has done nothing but dodge and regenerate. "Confirmed. All other members of the squad are engaged in battle."
"Roger that. Await further instructions." Radioman Andrew Noble did not expect such a development. In his four years of military experience, he'd witnessed battlefronts in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and South America, but according to the stories of older veterans, none of those matched the terror of the Second Neuroi War. A shiver of fear and anticipation runs down his spine.
General Arthur Grell stands up from his seat in the center of mission control and approaches Andrew. "Give me the radio. I'll talk to them personally."
Andrew salutes, then hands him the headset.
Perrine watches the fight in frustration. She impatiently waits, as ordered, but seeing her friends put themselves in danger while not doing anything simply does not feel right. Finally, someone speaks. "Squadron leader, this is General Grell. Your orders are for you and the rest of the squad to eliminate the enemy. After that, send two witches down with the module, but keep the other three on watch. We'll send reinforcements up ASAP."
"Understood, sir. I will return to my commanding officer to relay your orders. Be advised I'll once again be unreachable through the radio."
"Right."
Rudel sees Perrine in the distance, most likely talking to someone on the ground. She feels slightly relieved, as it is crucial that they know a Neuroi has been found. "Everyone, it seems that space combat is quite a bit different from fighting in the atmosphere, so make necessary adjustments." Suddenly, like a snake shedding its skin, layers of dark material peel off the Neuroi to reveal its bright red stripes. "Looks like it has become serious." As if on cue, its stripes glow brighter, then it emits a red beam. A moment before the laser can hit her, Rudel puts up a shield. When the barrage ends, she realizes blocking the attack used much more energy than she expected. 'Did their lasers get even stronger?...No, I'm getting too old for this, even with magic amplifiers.'
Not expecting any major threats in space, the group hadn't brought much ammunition. Shirley is the first to run out and, without any other choice, pulls out a bowie knife and begins slashing the Neuroi. 'Never thought I'd have to use this,' she thinks to herself.
"Shirley, that's too dangerous! Put some distance between yourself and the Neuroi!" Schade shouts out.
"I'm fine!" Shirley replies. The Neuroi fires another laser, this time aimed at her. As expected of a veteran witch, she forms a shield in time, at close range. Time seems to stretch for Shirley, however, and she begins to feel drained. Then, like glass, her shield forms a crack. Under the pressure of the beam, it spreads across the shield, letting small amounts of heat through. Panic rises in her as burn marks appear on her arms. Then the shield shatters.
"Shirley!" is the last thing she hears before pain overcomes her consciousness.
A/N: I'm busy with school right now, so updates may be slow for about a month.