Chapter 1

June 1947

It had been just over 2 years since the Neuroi had finally been defeated in Europe. The Valiant fighter wings, including the 501st "Strike Witches", were disbanded and all of their members returned to their home countries. These home countries: Orussia, Karsland, Brittania, Soumos and Gallia had all well and truly been severely damaged from this war of defending humanity. Unfortunately this wasn't the last great war Humanity would see. Through the rubble of Karsland a new face soon appeared in the Reichstag in Berlin. He promised a rebuilt and stronger Karsland that no one could defeat or destroy. The man's name, was Adolf Hitler.

"Another Drink Please!" Shouted Erica Hartmann, as the bar attendant slid over another glass of beer. Erica Hartmann, one of Karslands top scoring aces during the war was a short girl with bright blonde hair and a rather cheeky personality.

"You shouldn't be drinking so much!" Said a Tall Girl with brown hair with a very serious look.

"Oh Trude come on, just this once" Said Erica Giggling loudly and gulping down her second glass of beer. The tall girl was Captain Gertrude Barkhorn, another of Karslands aces who was a very close friend to Erica. Throughout the war she acted as her mentor, as Erica's sense of discipline was far from perfect. Gertrude, but Trude too many of her friends, had a high regard for discipline and being a loyal soldier to her Fatherland, but was also very kind and valued her friends like they were family.

"Let's head home Erica it's late" Gertrude said putting her greatcoat on and throwing Erica's to her.

The Two walked out the bar and walked down the now quiet street. It was a late evening and the streets of Hamburg were awfully quiet as they slowly walked together down towards their home. As a thanks, the previous Karsland government had donated houses to witches that had lost theirs and their families during the war. Trude and Erica now lived in one of these houses with Trude's little sister, Chris.

"Hey Trude" Erica said looking at her as they walked.

"Hmm what is it Erica?" Trude said with a curious but concerned look.

"When will Minna come back to visit" Erica asked with a worried face.

"Soon hopefully she is still at the Wehrmacht High Command in Berlin helping to re-equip our new army" Replied Trude, sighing as they reached their home. Trude opened the door and her little sister Chris ran up to her.

"The Fuhrers on the radio! The Fuhrer!" She said jumping excitedly in front of Trude. Trude showed a warm smile and pat her head gently.

"Okay we'll be right there. You go on ahead Chris" Chris smiled and nodded before running into the living room and tweaking with the Radio. Erica and Trude Walked in hanging up their coats and taking off their Jackboots.

"This is the third speech this week." Trude sighed walking into the living room with Erica following behind. They both sat on the Sofa with Chris and listened as the voice of an angry sounding man started speaking through the radio.

"The Bolshevik and Communist Parties of the East have been undermining and plotting against Karsland ever since their rise to power after the war. This must stop! They must be eradicated!" The man Ranted on for another ten minutes and the broadcast ended.

Trude wondered to herself 'I wonder what it is like now in the USSR for Sanya'. Communism had tried to take power in Karsland, but hadn't succeed as it had in other countries. In the confusion of after the war, a Russian worker called Vladimir Lenin had led an uprising with his communist party and had started a civil war, and after executing the Orussian royal family his party soon came to power. Orussia was now renamed to the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics), or Soviet Union for short. Karsland on the other hand was now the opposite. After Adolf Hitler came to power, his NSKAP (National Socialist Karsland Workers Party) ruled Karsland with very strict fascist laws. This made the Soviet Union and National Socialist Karsland natural enemies who hated each other profoundly.

Trude didn't believe any of the propaganda the Government had been releasing, but stayed quiet in order to not put her sister or Erica at risk of the government's secret police, the Gestapo. These days, Karsland was very conscious of negative talk or doubt against the party and its leader. Anyone found to be doing so was taken away, and was never seen or heard from again. Trude was secretly worried this could happen to any of her friends or family at any time, so she didn't dare to voice her opinion. Trude looked at the clock in the corner of the room, it was coming up to their bedtime. She promptly looked at the others and said in a gentle tone, smiling, "maybe we should go to bed girls, its getting late". Both Erica and Chris Yawned getting up and started heading to their rooms.

"Guten Nacht" they both said, as Trude sat back down on the sofa wondering to herself quietly what the future would hold. Soon after this, she sighed and also returned to her room for the night.

Trude woke up the next morning to see bright Sunlight shine through her bedroom window. It was a lovely morning. The sun was shining and a calm Breeze shook the trees outside. She yawned as she sat up and rubbed her eyes before slowly proceeding to get dressed in her usual attire of her grey Karsland Uniform. Trude and Erica hadn't left the military altogether after the war. They were now reservists ready to be called up on a moment's notice to defend Karsland from an aggressor. This was also mainly why they still had a source of income, as they were both still being paid. Trude walked out of her room and headed to the kitchen as the phone rang. "Who on earth could this be at this time" Trude thought out loud, walking over to and picking up the phone. "Guten Morgen. Hauptman Barkhorn." She said, clicking her heels together.

"Trude is that you? Its Minna" The Voice said, making Trude smile.

"Yes it is Minna. Is everything all right?" Trude asked curiously. Minna Deitlande Wilcke was a close friend, and the former commander of the 501st fighter wing Erica and Trude served in during the war.

"I can't really go into detail but its going well. The army is steadily rearming with some of the newest equipment available, but it will take a while. How is everything there?" Minna asked.

Trude sighed "Quiet, as usual" She heard the sounds of her Sister Chris and Erica stumbling out of their beds in the other rooms.

"I had better get going. I'm on duty again this morning. I'll call again soon when I can" Minna said before the two said goodbye, and Trude put down the phone. A few moments later, a very tired looking Erica stumbled into the room yawning and sitting down on one of the chairs near the radio.

"Who were you talking to on the phone?" She asked looking at Trude tiredly. Trude walked over and sat down beside Erica.

"It was Minna checking up on us and giving us an update on how she is, that's all. As expected everything is fine" Trude smiled as her little sister Chris walked into the room and also sat down next to Trude. "Good morning Chris did you sleep well?" Trude asked patting her head once or twice. Chris yawned and nodded. Trude turned on the radio. It made various screeching noises until she found the right frequency for the morning local radio in Hamburg. Trude smiled and turned to face the others once the radio was playing music. "Im going to make some breakfast would you too like anything?" Trude asked getting up.

Erica suddenly made a beaming smile "Chocolate!" shouted Erica, as she sat up excitedly. Trude sighed and shook her head. "Your eating habits are so unhealthy Erica. You should have something nutritious for breakfast, not chocolate".

Erica rolled her eyes and slumped back down "Oh fine… Just some bread rolls will do then", Trude then looked at Chris who agreed with what Erica said and she made her way into the kitchen. She opened the cupboard and pulled out some bread rolls wrapped in paper and unwrapped them. She placed the bread rolls on a plate and opened her old Butter dish and used a knife to spread the butter over the rolls. Trude made some coffee for them all. She had taken a liking to coffee, as Minna used to have one every day at the base during the war, so she followed in her footsteps and did the same now. She soon called the others to the dining table and sat down, placing a bread roll and a cup of coffee in front of everyone. Erica looked and sighed

"Is this all there is?" she said with a very disappointed look on her face.

Trude also kept a stern look on her face. "It is until tonight. I need to go shopping later" she replied, while picking up a bread roll and biting a large chunk off it. Chris didn't complain and joined Erica and Trude as the three of them munched on their bread rolls and drank their coffee. Trude finished her Breakfast and went to turn the radio on again before they went out shopping when suddenly, the door was knocked loudly three times.

"Who on earth could that be? This is military property." She said with a very confused look on her face as she slowly walked towards the door and opened it.

Standing in front of her was a large man in the blue uniform of the Luftwaffe, bearing various decorations, with the Karsland eagle grasping a swastika on his right breast and holding a black leather briefcase in his hand.

"Hauptman Barkhorn?" the man asked, looking at Trude with a stern looking face.

"Yes, I am. And you are?" Trude asked, looking at his epaulettes, seeing that he was a Leutnant.

He clicked his heels together, standing rigidly to attention, and raised his arm in salute. Trude was surprised by this but saluted back. "I have orders you and Hauptman Hartmann from the Luftwaffe high command." He said still standing at attention and reaching into his briefcase.

Trude was suddenly worried. "Erica! I need you here now!" She shouted. Erica looked surprised but nodded walking quickly to the door. Trude turned to her little sister Chris "I wont be long, just listen to the radio for a minute." Chris smiled and nodded as Trude turned back. The Leutnant pulled out two files, each with their names on it. Trude looked at the Leutnant. "What is this about?" She asked sternly. The Leutnant gave them both a Stern look, then said "Britannia and Gallia have declared war on us. It appears it is because of a speech the Fuhrer made yesterday about strengthening the Wehrmacht" He said. Trude and Erica were shocked, both their mouths wide open as a feeling of fear swept through them both as quick as a train. "We Believe the Soviet Union will follow suit, so we will have to strike first" He said, holding out their orders. "You both will come with me to receive your new uniform and equipment where you will be assigned to your new posts. Wing Command Minna is on her way to the base as we speak".

Trude was still shocked but quickly asked "And my Sister? We have no family left. What should she do?" The Leutnant thought for a second, and replied gruffly. "She will remain here and we can guarantee her safety and get someone look over her. She is too young to fight yet". Trude was angered at this reply but didn't show her feelings to the man. Erica looked at the Leutnant and asked, "when do we leave?" with a serious but blank expression on her face.

The Leutnant replied quickly. "Commander Minna will arrive in roughly 30 minutes time at the Base just outside of Hamburg. At this rate we will be there after she arrives. You both have five minutes to pack. I suggest you both dress in your old uniforms until you receive your new ones."

Trude and Erica were physically shocked but both nodded with a serious expression on their faces. Trude walked away and into her room and pulled out her Karsland Imperial Greatcoat and slipped it on doing up some of the buttons. Also she pulled down off a shelf a Grey Visor cap with a silver eagle and cockade before placing it on her head. She then proceeded to slip her feet into her Boots and tied the laces up tightly before looking at herself in the mirror. 'Something's missing' Trude thought, before she remembered the box in her drawer which contained her Knights Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. She opened the drawer and the box inside, revealing the medal for the first time in months. She proceeded to wrap the ribbon around her Collar and let the medal dangle at her neck. She was done. She snook a look in the mirror in the corner of her room, and left quickly. Soon after, Erica left her room in her Leather flight jacket, also wearing her visor cap and her Knights Cross around her neck. They both walked back downstairs, and Trude walked into the Kitchen. Chris was sat there, confused as to what was going on, but looked at Trude as she walked in smiling. Trude kneeled down next to her "We just have to go for an hour or two. We will be back soon, then we can go shopping" she said while patting her head. Chris looked sad but nodded and walked off into her room as Trude stood up and walked back towards Erica.

They both walked outside to where the Leutnant was waiting by his Kubelwagen. He opened the door for them as they both got in, then got into the driver's seat and started the engine and drove off towards the base.