Disclaimer: I do not own the Strike Witches franchise and do not profit from this. I only own the OCs I created.
A/N: Hello, I'm the Seeker of Stars and this is my first fan fiction so please go easy on me. Anyway, this story was inspired by Ogitsune's 1991 Witches which you can find on the booru sites and Firstspear's doujin. It got me thinking, 'how would the modern world be if the Neuroi threat persist? How would the world adapt? How would technology improve over the next few generations from its humble beginnings?'. These are some of the questions I asked myself before I started this little story. Also, this story will revolve around OCs I've created with maybe a cameo mention of witches from the original series or even a cameo of their descendents but it depends.
As I mentioned, this is my first ever publication so please let me know what you think. I would appreciate any feedbacks (be it good or bad). Anyway, please enjoy this story set in the future!
Credits: Special thanks to my proof-reader, Kay (without your guidance, my writing would have turned crappy). Also thanks to the guys in a certain forum for giving me excellent feedbacks and ideas (seriously, you guys rock!)
Edit: Also, thanks to Zoids Fanatic for his clarification on the Neuroi's first appearances (how could I missed that? *slaps self*).
Chapter 1 – The Request
Luftwaffe Main Headquarters, Berlin, Karsland
0900hrs
Commander Wilfred Reinhardt let out a soft sigh, taking a sip of black coffee, while reading through a file he had just received from the Alliance of Nations, or AN for short. The file contained the current desperate situation faced by humanity; the complete occupation of the Gulf and the Kingdom of Tianxia by alien beings that had plagued humanity for countless decades. We, humans, call them 'Neuroi'.
Since their first appearance as hostile beings in 1914, they have constantly waged a terrible war against humanity; leaving scorched earth, barren lands, destroyed livelihoods and the lost of millions of lives. No matter how many times humanity prevailed against them, they will always... no, surely return and continue their wanton destruction. History proves that.
As the commander continued to read the file, he noticed something in the file that caught his attention.
...Multiple unknown Neuroi types reported by both frontline troops and Witches. These Neuroi seems to vary in type and are somehow able to devise tactics and strategies, according to witnesses. They were also said to be far more resilient and stronger than previous Neuroi documented in 1995...
Great, the Neuroi are getting stronger. The silver-haired commander let out another soft sigh. The world had no idea what they are facing... Ever since the complete victory against the aliens in the 1995 Gulf-Neuroi War, the world had thought that they had driven out the aliens once and for all and thus grew complacent. Since then, countries bickered amongst each other over the smallest of issues.
Wilfred shook his head. Dumpkopfs. The whole lot of them, he thought. Because of their constant exchange of insults and accusations, the alliance they once had dissolved like butter in a hot pan. The situation can't get any worse than this...maybe it could get worse. He did not know.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
The knocking on his office door broke his train of thoughts. He took another sip of his coffee before speaking. Bitter...just the way I like it.
"...Who is it?" He asked bluntly while his eyes were still glued to the report. Wilfred was annoyed by this sudden interruption. He hated interruptions, especially when he was thinking and usually the culprit who interrupted him would either spend a week on kitchen duty or cleaning duty. He hated it just that much.
"Pardon for disturbing you, Herr Commander..." replied a somewhat soft feminine voice which Wilfred assumed to be his secretary."Y-You have a visitor, sir."
The Karsland commander raised an eyebrow. A visitor? He almost never gets visitors. Usually he'd be away overseeing the training efforts of the troops and the witches as well as making sure everything was in order. It was his style and the only time he is in his office is when he wanted to take some time to gather his thoughts.
"I hope it is important, Mili." He told his secretary who squeaked at the mention of her name. "You know I hate interruptions..."
"Y-Yes...someone from AN wanted t-to see you, s-sir." The secretary, Mili, replied meekly from behind the door, an 'eep' could be heard. Someone from the Alliance of Nations? It got Wilfred curious. "A General McKane, s-sir."
The commander knew who it was. In fact, he knew so much about the general that he was disgusted at himself. He sighed. General Bryan McKane, general of the Alliance of Nations and an old friend of his. Never would Wilfred thought that his old friend would pay him a visit. "...Very well. Let him in."
As the door opened, a dark-haired man in his late twenties wearing a navy blue military uniform entered the room. A calm air surrounded the man, seemingly filling the room as he walked. Medals decorated the left side of his chest, proving that he was someone of great status and influence. The man smiled and greeted the Karsland commander with a simple hand gesture.
"Wilfred."
"Bryan." The commander greeted back with a nod.
"Been a long time, hasn't it? How've you been, you old dog?" The man called Bryan said as he sat down on the visitor's chair facing Wilfred's hardwood desk and cast his gaze around the room. The office was spacious yet felt homey at the same time. There was a big cushion at the very corner of the room, which Bryan suspect that his old friend used to take naps in. There were also 2 shelves behind the commander's desk; one seemed to contain files while the other contained vintage wines which caught the general's attention almost immediately. Both shelves were safely secured with a lock. Bryan smirked, "Nice place you got here."
"You say that, while eye-balling my wine collection" Wilfred refuted without much of a look. He knew of the general's weakness to fine wines. Wilfred rolled his eyes heavenwards.
"Well, old habits never change," his visitor chuckled good-naturedly.
The Karslander smirked, something he almost never does. Seems like time has not changed his old friend one bit, albeit looking older for someone his age. He could say the same for himself as well. Young in age but old in experience, something he'd sighed to just thinking about it.
"Anyway," His old friend said as he cleared his throat, his expression suddenly changing, "The reason I'm here is because I have a request from you on behalf of the Alliance of Nations."
The Karslander raised his eyebrow once again, closing the report he and been reading and setting it inside the left side drawer of his durable desk. Somehow, the part about 'on behalf of the Alliance of Nations' intrigued him. Normally, the Alliance of Nations, or AN as he preferred to call it, would NEVER send someone of great influence like, let's say a certain General, to request something. Yes, the AN were jerks and Wilfred didn't like them one bit but he didn't had much choice since the AN were the main source of co-operation amongst countries because of the legislation drawn up during its creation, decades ago, amongst all known countries where each country was required to comply to any request made by the organization in the event of another alien attack. Usually, they would simply send a letter detailing what the request is and expect an answer within a week. Failure to do so would usually be met with deplorable remarks from the AN about the said country or victim.
Jerks. This world is filled with them. But now, a high-ranking General of the AN was in his presence claiming to have a formal request from AN. Something he never thought he would see in his lifetime – the AN sending someone of great importance to ask for a request. Oh sweet Karslandish sausage, he will forever burn this image into his mind.
"...Interesting," the Karsland commander managed to mutter in mild amusement as he fought to maintain his composure. He hoped that his old friend had not noticed the slight grin he had on his lips, "Then, let me hear it then. Your request." This was going to be good...
Luftwaffe 2nd Brigade Witch Training Academy, Berlin, Karsland.
1100hrs
It was a busy day as usual in the academy as Witches-to-be trained and studied in order for them to earn their wings. Karsland was famous for producing top-notch witches ever since the destruction and occupation of their Fatherland in 1944. Witches such as the famous 'Star of Afrika' Hanna-Justina Marseille, 501st Joint Fighter Wing commander Minna D. Wilcke, top aces Erica Hartmann and Gertrude Barkhorn, just to name a few, whose legacies continued to inspire many Karslanders even today. As a testament to Karsland's ability to produce renowned aces, they had added a new legacy into their already rich history.
Oberstleutnant Olivia Hedwig Welter was that legacy. A veteran of the First Gulf-Neuroi War and one of the top-scoring aces during the war, she was affectionately called 'The Goddess of the Sky' or simply 'The Goddess'. She was on liaison with the United States of Liberion's carrier fleet which saw the most action during the war. After the war, she returned to the Fatherland and took up teaching young, aspiring Witches at the academy.
Currently, Olivia was giving a lecture about the history of the Witches to a class of about twenty young witches, who were listening intently to their idol and role model.
"We, witches, have fought against the Neuroi for many generations. Ever first the first alien invasion during 1914, humanity had tried to come up with ways to help defend against them." Her firm yet calm voice echoed through the classroom. "It was thanks to the creation of the Striker Units by Dr. Miyafuji Ichiro in the 1930s that the age of witches was born. Ever since then, we have dedicated our lives to defend our homes from the Neuroi."
"Um...ma'am?" one of her students raised her hand "I have a question, ma'am."
Olivia smiled kindly at the student. Cadet Katharina Swartz, a 12 year-old, short-haired recruit who was always curious about things but also very shy. Her grades were above average and Olivia had only heard praises of her during the flight training exercises from the instructors. She would make a promising witch.
"I-Is it true that we will be fighting against the Neuroi again soon?" Katharina blushed as she asked. Olivia wasn't surprised by the question. In fact, she had expected such a question. After all, the news about the Neuroi taking over the Gulf and the eastern kingdom were broadcasted almost every day. She could also hear the hint of fear in the girl's voice as the rest around her tensed up. They were scared...well, why wouldn't they be.
"Yes," The oberstleutnant said bluntly. All the girls tensed up a bit at the simple answer. "It is only a matter of time before the Neuroi takes over the whole of the Gulf and the Kingdom of Tianxia if we do not do anything," There was silence. It was clear now that her students were afraid – afraid to go to war, afraid to face the Neuroi. She smiled gently to her students in front of her. "But there is no need to fear, my cadets. This is the reason you are here in this academy, to train and become skilled Witches capable of fighting against the aliens. I will make sure that you become Witches worthy of the Luftwaffe's name."
Somehow, the assurance made them feel a bit better. The sudden silence was replaced by the soft chatter of the cadets as they whispered to each other. The mood now was somewhat sombre so Olivia decided to try to liven it up.
"If you train and study hard enough, you might be as famous as the 'Star of Afrika'," Olivia told them, referring to the ace of aces and the pride of Karsland. Every witch in Karsland idolized the Second Neuroi War ace and all aspire to be like her, even Olivia herself.
This got the class going, it seemed. The chatter got louder and the excitement returned as the cadets began to talk about the legendary Witch. Olivia couldn't help but smile, so innocent and pure; it reminded her of her first time hearing about the exploits of the 31st Joint Fighter Group or 'Storm Witches' from her grandmother who also was a veteran of the Second Neuroi War. She remembered the first time she told her beloved grandmother that when she grew up, she wanted to be just like her and the Star of Afrika. She remembered being patted on the head by her as well as her sweet smile. She missed her dearly.
"Will we be as popular as you too, Miss Welter?" one of the cadets asked. It startled the young oberstleutnant, and she smiled, letting out a soft chuckle,
" Popular? Me? Impossible," she murmured, a little louder than she would have liked.
"W-What do you m-mean?" she stuttered as she tried to calm herself and hide her blushing face. It couldn't be could it?
"I mean, Miss Welter is so pretty and strong." Another one of her cadets started to explain, her face brimming with enthusiasm. "Some of us want to be just like the Goddess!" Using the nickname the oberstleutnant had avoided using. The cadet was smiling innocently.
It seemed as if she had achieved another one of her life-long dreams; to be just like her idol. But she never knew it was that tiring to keep up with the publicity and the constant hounding of the press. It was one of the reasons why she had taken up teaching instead of continuing her service as a Witch. She hated the publicity she had gathered under her fame. All she wanted was the recognition for what she'd done, to be appreciated for her work as well as being an inspiration for others, not to be badgered for interviews or constantly asked whether or not so and so rumour was true. Olivia wondered if this was what all famous Witches had to live with and sighed, her shoulders drooping slightly as she did so.
"Miss Welter?"
"...I-Its nothing," having her name called snapped her out of her reverie and brought her back to reality, where she took a moment to regain her composure. Her cadets were now looking curiously at their teacher and exchanging looks with one another, to which Olivia directed their attention back at her by speaking, "I'm glad that you think so highly of me...but I did not become strong overnight." She paused for a moment before she continued, "If you want to be like Hauptmann Marseille... or like... me," her hesitation was almost obvious when she included herself in the same sentence as her idol, "Then you must study and train diligently. Is that understood?"
"Yes, ma'am!" They all said cheerfully. These girls were really energetic.
Olivia nodded, satisfied with their response. She glanced at her wristwatch. Hmm, noon already...Guess I should wrap it up... "Alright then, that is all for today. Remember what you have learned today and make sure you work hard." She said as she gathered her books and prepared to leave the classroom, "Class dismissed."
As she walked out of the classroom, a familiar face greeted her.
"Guten aften, Oberstleutnant," a blonde girl greeted her superior with a sheepish salute, while yawning, "How's school life?"
"Ah, guten aften, Hauptmann Plenzat." She returned the greeting with a nod, ignoring the girl's behaviour. In front of her was Hauptmann Lara Plenzat, a former student of hers. She had the reputation of being the laziest of all her cadets. But what she lacks in behaviour she made up for with her skills as a ground support witch. As much as Olivia hated it, she had to agree that Lara was one of her top students, "I see you are still the same as always."
"I could say the same to you, teach," The blonde Witch retorted as she eyed her former teacher's chest, "Seems like it's grown a bit bigger the last time I saw it," the younger of the two grinned mischievously at this.
Unsure of what the hauptmann was talking about until she followed the blonde's gaze, the flustered oberstleutnant immediately covered her chest with her arms and glared at her former student while lowering her face to hide her flushed face. Seriously, she knew it was still growing but somehow it's becoming a nuisance. She hated it when people tell her she had nice... curves. Particularly in the chest area.
"Anyway, seems like the commander wants to see the two of us." Lara said casually, with a satisfied, lazy grin playing on her lips.
"Herr Commander?"
"Yeah, said something about an important task," said Lara, tapping her temple absent-mindedly with a finger as she tried to remember what she had heard, a moment of silence lingering between the two until the blonde shrugged nonchalantly when nothing came to mind, "Well, better get going. We wouldn't want to keep the commander waiting."
"Indeed," Olivia simply said. She was well aware of the commander's strictness. She shivered whenever she thought of what could happen if she were to incur the commander's wrath. "Let's go, then."
-To be continued-