Book 2: Another war

Chapter 1: More feeling

-lll-

(Location: Gallian Airfield -military- Date: February 21st, 1945)

I watched as the new set of witches for the five-hundredth and sixth 'Noble Witches.' I must say, I was impressed, well, I wasn't expecting piss poor performance, but I was not expecting perfect ace material here. But, what I got was pretty damned impressive, noting who's in charge of A-unit and B-unit.

There are two units, led by two commanding officers each. They are four battle veterans if you will. There's Rosalie de Hemricourt de Grunne and Heinrike Prinzessin zu Sayn-Wittgenstein of A-unit, I just call them either commander one or two, or I call them the nicknames we have. Such as Rosa and princess, well, I only call Commander Sayn-Wittgenstein that if I want to have my face removed. Rosalie is from Belgica, but since her country was taken by the Neuroi, she's been fighting for Britannia until she was put in charge of the A-unit of the five-hundredth and sixth, and Commander Sayn-Wittgenstein is from Karlsland, mostly the same story.

B-unit is commanded by Geena Preddy and Marian Carl, both from Liberion. Geena was all about being on schedule, and Marian was more sarcastic and had a sharp tongue, but she was quite sentimental at heart.

I watched as the two units practiced flight maneuvers and combat tactics. I took notes and sighed. "Man, what I would give to fly again with my P-51JP striker again, but no, had to go and use it for an explosive. Note to self: Strikers are quite difficult to procure if their only a prototype. Maybe I could help with the ME-262 project, but they said it was dangerous. Mhm..." I looked around the airfield at the Gallian warplanes that sat around being worked on, but keeping the runway clear incase of attack. But the Neuroi have been quiet the last few months. I looked to see Commander 'kick my ass' Sayn-Wittgenstein. "Hey commander, if your wondering how your group is doing, then I got good news and bad news."

She was displeased by this. She glared at me, her blond hair somehow not moving with the wind, was that because her hair was some how scared of her? "Major Wolfgang, you will give me the 'bad' news first. Then, for their sake, the 'good' news better be good." Her Karlsland accent was quite clear, and she was quite angry, not sure if it was me or the results.

I looked to the clipboard and read off the results. "Uh...Ah, bad news: Their just a tad slow today, possible exhaustion and too much strain on the strikers, aim is off by a few meters from what I can see from here, and not communicating as much as they should. That could equal life or death in a battle, one miscommunication and that equals one possible K.I.A." This only made her even more agitated. "So, good news: They are in high sprits, which mean moral is doing quite well. I have noticed a few of them moving at a faster speed then yesterday. But, I do suggest we end today and let them rest. How's that sound?"

She just glared at me. "This is unacceptable; I need them to be their best every day, so maybe break would be good. But, it can not be too long; the five-hundred and sixth must be ready at all time. Call them down Major, and then come see me for a moment afterwards. I wish to discuss something with you."

I gave a quick salute. "Yes Ma'm, I'll bring them down and come to see you in a moment." I grabbed the radio microphone from the radio that sat on a table next to me. "Alright ladies, that's enough. Commander said you can have a break for the rest of the day, and be ready and what not. You know the drill." I got up form my seat and stretched my arms and legs. I wore a pair of black shorts and a gray shirt with the Karlsland symbol on the back. I looked at my watch; it was only 1400 hours, still early afternoon.

I went into the five-O-sixth base and up to the A-unit Commander's office; I knocked before being given permission to enter. "You wanted to see me Ma'm?" Now, I was technically answering to the five-O-sixth commanders due to the five-hundred and first being disbanded after the liberation of Gallia.

Commander Grunne was also here as well, and another witch I did not recognize. I turned my attention back to Sayn-Wittgenstein. She pulled out a folder and looked it over. "Major Wolfgang, previously a member of the five-hundred and first, helped with the liberation of Gallia, loosing his prototype strikers in the process. Now takes housing with Flying Officer Clostermann and helps the five-hundred and sixth. Now, I see you've put in an order for a new striker Major. Well, it been process and a new ME-109 G with a new MG-131 with ammunition waiting for you in our hanger along with Clostermann's and Bishop's equipment, and that's part of the reason Commodore Galland is here. Commodore, he's all yours." I looked the woman; she wore a brown leather flight jacket, black pants with a cut out where the pockets would be, and black combat boots. She also had a scope as a necklace, wondered what that was about.

As I went to give a salute, the Commodore stopped me. "No need Major; I should be saluting you out of respect. You helped liberate Gallia, that's a great achievement of its own. Oh, before you say the whole 'not without my team' thing, I'm not the Commodore for no reason. Thus, I am giving you an option. I am reconstructing the five-hundred and first joint fighter wing in Romagna. So I ask you this, are you willing to fight again?"

I stood at attention and gave a hard salute. "Ma'am, just give me a gun, a striker, and point me at the Neuroi."

She smiled and laughed. "Good, now, I'll contact you and the others when we have transport ready, you can head home now. See you tomorrow Major."

With that, I left the room with a smile, more like a shit eating grin. I was so excited that I could get to the air again, I can't wait to use it, and it's the latest Me-109 variants, the 'G' model. An MG-131, can you say death incarnate?

I got in my Kübelwagen and drove of the base, lucky me that Perrine's home was right nearby. It was the out of the base, through the town, and there was her home. I drove along the dirt road and waved hello to the farm hands that were starting the farm back up by loosing the soil and planting what seeds they could at the time.

I pulled in front of the house, the holes in it were almost completely covered, a few more weeks and it should be good. It was still a nice house, not to mention it's more of a mansion, or a farmstead or whatever term you wish to use. It was big, that's that.

I went up the steps and the door was opened by the butler that I had gotten to know quite well over the games of chess we play. We were currently two-to-three in our games, but this older man had more years on me then I could remember.

The butler gave a short wave to me as I entered. "Hello Wolfgang, how was your day? Any issues with top brass this time?" Ah, top brass, the ones I always have an issue with, but not today.

I smiled at him and went up the stairs. "Not this time Franques, this time they got it right." I went towards my room to change out of my sweaty clothes, it wasn't a really hot day, but the sun was shinning right down on us that day, so the heat was high, but the breeze was nice and cool.

I took a quick shower, always quick, and always clean. Might not do much military action, but one never forgets how to take a quick-shot shower as I like to call it. I dried me self of and put a fresh pair of longer black shorts, not made for flying, but can be converted by a convenient zipper on the legs, a plane white shirt, and no need for shoes inside, I just went barefoot.

I left my room and went out to the front porch with a good book to read and a pair of reading glasses. I was just sitting there, enjoying my day. I was expecting a Neuroi to come and burn everything to the ground at any moment, but it was just a peaceful day. The book I was reading was of an old Karlsland folktale, it was quite the find, and I found it while shopping around the town.

I somehow managed to doze off while reading; I was just sleeping in the chair until a certain brown haired witch. Something about food I think it was. I stirred awake and removed the book from my face, I rubbed the sleep form my eyes and popped my neck. "Hello. Wow, remind me not to sleep in this chair again." I got up and popped my back a few times. "What did you say Lynnette?"

Now with the attention on her, her semi-shy personality came edging back. "Uh...I said dinners ready...Sorry if I bothered you."

I shook my head and looked to her. "Lynnette, stop apologizing, and I'm sorry about the whole dinner thing. I was supposed to help you, let me guess, no dessert for me?" I said this with a grin.

Lynnette on the other hand panicked. "Wa-Waht?! No! I mean. Its fine! I-I was able to make everything easily. You-"

I cut her off by placing my hand on her shoulder. "Lynnette, calm down, I was messing around. We have to work on this at some point. Come on; let's go before Perrine decides it's a good idea to kick my ass for being late." I took a moment to look where the sun was, it was dipping down past the horizon, I was asleep for some time. We both went back inside and headed into the dinning room. "Sorry about that Perrine, fell asleep outside, would not suggest it, those chairs are not made for comfort apparently." I gave my word some push with a resounding 'pop' form my back. "Yeah..."

Perrine just shook her head. "Well, serves you right for not helping Lynnette cook this, I would of but I had the kids to teach if you didn't know."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, whatever you say. Don't go chewing my ass out for being tired after a boring day of work at the base. I mean, I just sat there, and took notes as I watched the two units practice. You might think it would be easy, but its not! I wanted to fly up there, but they only told me my request for a striker was filled before I left. What kind of shit is that?"

Perrine just raised her nose at me. "Well, I see sitting around doing nothing can make the big bad wolf tired. I'm so sorry, can you go one day without complaining about something, I mean, yesterday you complained about how the formations of the five-hundred and sixth were sloppy. Could you stop complaining and speak positive for once?!"

I clapped both my hand together. "Oh don't get me started princess. I've heard how you complain about those kids, do you even enjoy teaching them? Or is it just some ruse?"

That was one of the few straws she had left. "How dare you! I'll have you know I enjoy having those kids here; I enjoy helping them with their education. So why don't-" Perrine was cut off by a bit of laughter.

We both looked to see Lynette quietly laughing. I raised an eyebrow at her. "What are you laughing about?"

Lynette stopped to catch her breath. "It just...you two are fighting like a married couple."

This got a few reactions from us. First was a set of blushing, then some denial. "What!? Like hell! I would never marry...her!" This got a reaction from Perrine.

She scoffed at me. "What!? Oh, don't get me started about you Dunmore. You are uncouth, rash, and have quite the filthy mouth! I feel bad for any girl you manage to get! I mean seriously Lynette. A married couple, as if I would even consider this man for such a thing. I wouldn't even go out with him if he was the last man on earth. He is just so damned rash and idiotic that I would have to worry every day for his life."

I just laughed. "Oh please, who was it that saved your pretty little ass? That's right, me! Who risked there ass for you, me! Who would give there life for any one of the five-O-first if asked? ME! So you don't have to worry sweet heart, I've got death as a friend, I've shaken his hand more then once before I said 'goodbye' to him. So Perrine, do not worry about my life, let me worry about it and let me give my life for the rest of you so you don't have to! So don't speak to me of worry, I care not for one life but many! So if I was the last man on earth, I would be the only person you would ever have a chance with, what do you say to that Perrine?"

She sat down and smiled at me. "It seems we've come to a tie in our argument. No matter how many times, it seems neither of us can truly win. It's a repetitive circle. A point is brought up, and then a counter, and then a counter to that. But, I'll admit Dunmore; you might have won this one."

I smirked. "Damn right I won, I never loose. Not to a Neuroi, and not to you either. I beat you, and you know you never had a chance in this battle."

This sparked a fire of sorts with Perrine, her smile turned into her own devilish grin. "Well, surrender is never an option. Unless your idiots heroics get you almost killed, then I suggest surrender for you."

I nodded. "Indeed, but I am too headstrong to accept a defeat so easily, not till the last bullet and most certainly not till the last breath. So Perrine, do you surrender?"

She shook her side to side. "That is a negative Major, I cannot surrender. I know I've won, you just don't know it."

I grunted. "Well then princess, it seems you still have claws. So, I think I've managed to figure out how you truly feel about me. Do you wish to hear my conclusion?"

Perrine hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yes, I would like to hear your delusion."

I nodded as well. "Very well, I shall explain. You hate me so much, you think my actions idiotic, my heroics suicidal, and you think me one of the most hideous things you've seen. SO, conclusion, you're madly in love with me obviously."

Perrine just sat there, with shook all over her face. "Wait...What!? Like hell you idiot!"

I just laughed. "Well, that's all I can figure out! It's a love crafted by hate. It's like a fantasy story, but so real, even has magic involved. So, do you surrender?"

Perrine got up from my seat and slapped me across the face. "Ow! Son of a bitch!" I fell out of my chair and landed on the floor, but I knocked my head against the table as I fell, causing blood to drip from the side of my head. "I deserved that, but the head injury, that's brutal, even for you." I got up and covered the cut. "Doesn't feel that deep, I think I'll just wrap some bandages around it and I'll-Hey!" I was yanked by my left arm out of the room by Perrine, leaving Lynette at the table.

Lynette just giggled and looked to the butler. "What do you think? Are they like a married couple?"

The butler just chuckled and smiled. "Oh, I'd have to say so, if I've ever seen one before, there's a possible one right there." They both shared a laugh and laughed.

Even more when I yelled in pain form the alcohol being applied to the wound. "Ow! Watch it! That shit hurts!"

Perrine snapped back. "Oh shut up you idiot! This is your fault!"

After some more yelling, a few bandages, and some laughter. Dinner was finally consumed and the day came to a close. I was stopped by Perrine before I left up the stairs to my room. "What you said about the whole worrying about you life thing, are you serious?"

I looked to her with a slightly confused look. "What do you mean? What about it?"

She seemed concerned and possibly scared. "You don't care if you die and we get to live? That. Are you serious about that?"

I shook my head and continued up the stairs. "Yes, I am. If I have to die for you or the others to survive, I'll do it." I went around the corner, leaving Perrine standing at the bottom of the stairs. I felt bad for what I said, but it was the truth. If I die for them, then I've died right, nothing else really mattered to me, love is an illusion to me, and life is a forgotten memory. A family is what I have, and if one must die to protect it, and then they will. A simple way of life or as Perrine would say 'An idiotic way.'