A/N: Hello to all I now present my fourth Strike Witches story, second multi-chapter story for this series and my first multi-chapter for just Strike Witches. I am warning you guys right now this story if rated 'M' for character death, minority profanity and multiple adult situations so you really need to be wary of continuing this story if you can't handle that type of thing. But, frankly in the internet age I really don't think that should be a major issue unless you take offense to the fact it's the girls of the 501st having this happen. Anyway, just for background reasons this opening scene is set in the mid-1950s but, most of the story will be the mid-1940s.
Thanks to my pre-reader Makuhari-fan01
Disclaimer: I don't own Strike Witches or "Sounds of Silence" by Simon and Garfunkel
It was chilly Autumn afternoon at the historic the George Inn pub in London, Britannia. Business was booming as it usually did in this popular hot spot.
Going back to it's foundation in 1767, the George Inn had been a popular pub dating back to 1676 with its guest list including William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens. Most recently, it had been a favorite spot of witches on leave to visit and forget the Neuroi for a while back during the war.
Being in his mid-thirties the current bartender had seen many witches come and go from the bar during the era, and easily recognized some who still stopped by.
"Looks like my paycheck will be nice and fat this month." said the bartender as he heard the door opening signaling a new customer had entered, "I'll be with you in a second."
"It's fine." said the Fuso woman as she made her way to the bar counter, her right leg limping as she used a cane to support herself.
"What will it be?" asked the bartender as he noticed the somber mood the woman was in.
"Sake." answered the woman in the same somber tone as before.
"Something wrong?" asked the bartender as he served the woman her drink which she quickly downed.
"Lots of memories in this country." answered the woman as she ran her hand over her right leg, "My leg got badly injured a decade ago."
"You were one of the Witches." said the bartender catching on.
"Yeah. I wasn't injured here, that happened during the Orussian Campaign. But, this is were I first joined by comrades." replied the woman.
"So, you were stationed here." mused the bartender, "You ever come here?"
"No. My commanding officer never would have let me." replied the girl with a brief laugh followed by a sigh, "Besides, I was too young."
"What unit were you with?" asked the bartender.
"I'll tell you if you keep it hush." answered the woman.
"Fine." said the man as he leaned in close to the woman.
"I'm Lieutenant Yoshika Miyafuji, formerly of the 501st Joint Fighter Wing; the Strike Witches." said the woman.
"You're guys were legends. I'm honored to be in the presence of a true war hero." said the bartender amazed.
"I'm glad you think so." replied Yoshika as two college age girls approached the bar.
"Another two martinis please." said the first girl tipsy a blonde in her early twenties.
"Coming up. Just don't drive home tonight." replied the bartender getting them their alcohol.
"Don't worry. We're not." said the second the same age as Yoshika noticed they had pants on.
"They're not witches." said the veteran to herself as the two girls noticed her cane.
"Were you in the war?" asked the blonde.
"Don't ask her. It's rude." said the redhead slapping the side of her arm.
"It's okay and yes, I was in the war. I served on three fronts before I was discharged." answered Yoshika.
"That's so cool." said the blonde.
"We wish we could have fought the Neuroi." added the redhead.
"I wanted to protect everyone so I joined the witches and for a while I did. But, I eventually discovered I couldn't protect everyone and as a result I lost many people close to me." replied Yoshika sadly leading to a minute of silence.
"Here are you ladies." said the bartender handing the girls there drinks.
"Thank you." said the redhead somberly.
"Here's the money." said the blonde clearly distracted handing the bartender the money for the drinks.
"Never take somebody you care about for granted." said Yoshika as the girls nodded and left.
"Was the war really that bad?" asked the bartender.
"Yeah. I lost of a lot of people I was close to. Some survived but, they were never the same. It was impossible for them to go back to the way things were before the war. Others were simply killed." answered Yoshika.
"I'm really sorry." said the bartender.
"Thanks. I know we all were aware of the risk when we signed up but, that doesn't make the pain hurt any less." replied Yoshika.
"We were always fed the same propaganda about the "selfless and heroic nature" of your girls it's hard to remember you're only human at times." said the bartender now wondering what became of the other witches he had befriended during the war.
"Those leaders never really cared about us. They'd rather we all drop dead in mid-flight." spat Yoshika bitterly as memories of the Warlock, the near disaster with the Yamato over Venezia and most sourly events from Orussia flooded back to her wile the door opened.
"Hey barkeep, can I get a bottle of Gin over here?" asked an exhausted looking business man fresh off work as he walked by Yoshika to another part of the bar.
"Coming up." said the bartender who went to grab his drink leaving Yoshika alone.
"There's nothing a Witch can't do..." echoed the words of Sakamoto as Yoshika sat alone starring into her sake.
A/N: Okay, I know that was short but, it's just setting up the rest of the story and the chapters will get longer now that we're getting into the actual story it's self. I'm really not sure of my schedule so the update of this might be pretty hectic. I'm planing the next several chapters in a row then it'll be every other month unless I change things which might happen. So, I'm not trying to be self-promotional but, due to the unpredictable nature of my schedule to this story the best way to follow it is to subscribe to me or it if you can. If not I always update my profile on the first of every month with the publication dates of that months stories so you can follow that. Anyway, next times we go back ten years and see how we got to this point. Please review!