In the sky, a group of six—armed with machine guns and the technology to strike back at the enemy: Strikers—are in pursuit of two confirmed Neuroi to their known location, that they are now approaching. Soon, the two enemies, both medium class, came before them.

"There they are! Remember the plan, everyone!" Mio Sakamoto said.

Voices of "Ma'am" or "Roger!" were the responses. The six split into two small platoons—Yoshika, Gertrud, Erica to the left; Mio, Perrine, and Shirley to the right. Since fighting two air based Neuroi wasn't common, all members were ordered to go all out, take either as quickly as possible to help and take out the last. Mio's platoon, having her Magic Eye and Perrine's lightning magic and Shirley battle tactic, quickly shot down there's. However, the other platoon was in a bit on a pinch—and, of course, help was due, as it was coming, but as Yoshika raised her gun to fire, she noticed a soft purple glow, almost like an aura, surrounding her.

"Huh? What… what is…"

"Yoshika, stay focused!" That was Gertrud trying to keep Yoshika in the battle.

But Yoshika noticed something: "Barkhorn, you have it, too!"

Gertrud glanced, but, yes, she too had the soft glow surrounding her body. Glancing around, she saw that Erica had the glow as well. Even the Neuroi they were attacking was enveloped in the strange glow. Then the glow began to slowly intensify—communications were becoming more and more disrupted as time went on.

"Mi… Hor… Tman…!"

On the other end, where the other platoon was, they had already arrived; however, an unknown force was keeping the six split, unable to traverse around the same air space as the platoon with the last Neuroi. The force itself was like a shield, in a certain sense, hard but transparent: it was as if the space itself was preventing any entry and exit. The purple glow, visible through the force field, began to glow bright and seemingly expand and didn't go further out. The force field seemed to catch the light. Overall, the force field was now visible, in a sense—the shape was that of a ball's.

"Miyafuji, anyone! Can you hear me?" Mio screamed.

The light went bright that she and everyone had to cover their eyes. After the glow lessened and, then, disappeared, all three, including the Neuroi, were gone.

No matter how much Mio or anyone else called the three—static. Mio cursed at herself. She was responsible for the witches, and soon felt a more powerful rage than guilt. She couldn't do anything, only scream and hope.

"Mio!" However this scream forced Mio into focus again, and startled the other two. It was Minna, but there was no need to shout—something that Mio obviously noted. There was something else she heard, in the background of the call. A high pitched sound, indescribable, almost a 'pew pew' sound or as close as to something to compare it to.

Losing Erica, Gertrud, and Yoshika was an issue, but this also sounded an urgent issue itself. Mio reached and touched her intercom and, sounding calm, said: "Minna, what's your situation?"

"The base in under attack by—gah! Whatever these things are!" Minna screamed. "Get over here and help!" In the background, again, Mio heard a man, most likely helping in the retaliation, shout 'Where did this fog come from?' or something of the sort. Essentially, the others were in trouble.

"We'll be there as fast as we can. Let's go!"

Minna had her fair share of battles and kill counts, experience. Not ground battle experience, however. Thinking about it now, Minna couldn't recall how things escalated this quickly or how she even got to where she is now—in the base hangar trying to fend off these… whatever these things are. They're too diverse in terms of a species.

She couldn't remember the last time she felt ashamed and irritable of having an improper weapon—a pistol: the PPK that she carries around. Though, she couldn't argue either: some of the volunteering men came less prepared as her. A few were, by regulations, illegally carrying pistols before this happened, something she would scold them about, but right now she was glad, and the most of the men had nothing. Lynette had been in the shooting range at the start of this; thankfully she brought her Boys Rifle and a few magazines clips.

They wouldn't last long without actual strong-packing guns and ammo, everyone considerably taking aim and shots. It was a risk, but Minna sent Eila, Sanya, because Eila wouldn't agree to go without her, to protect her, Lucchini and a few men, the ones illegally carrying pistols, with them to the armory. They all left, Minna guessed, seemingly five minutes ago. If they were quick and deftly killed any of these 'things' in their way, they all would be back with supplies in five or so more minutes. Mio and her squad are on their way back—that gave her some hope. But, with this peerless and opaque fog, Minna was having doubts if they would come in time.

Eila's voice came through her intercom, thankfully, with good news. "Minna, we have guns and ammo packed, but we lost four on the way here. None of them witches. It'll probably take us two to three minutes if we rush back to you."

Four dead. Minna wasn't comfortable with death, especially him breathing down her neck, like right now. Not since… no. No, Minna can't afford to lose focus now. Not only would it affect her, but the others behind her as well.

Minna took a peek over her cover, shameless boxes and tables tossed and turned over—better than nothing—there were four remaining right now that she can see. All small, grey, yellow-eyes, and carried guns that glowed green and had green projectiles fire out of them, too. One of them noticed her and took a shot. Minna quickly ducked, she was glad that the shot fired over her, seems that these 'things' have to aim as well, but not as much as she could see that, and they learned quickly, that the projectiles easily destroyed walls and any obstacles in the way of it's path. This was her chance—Minna took a potshot at one of the grey things, and as she delved back into cover, saw that she took one out. Not as different, she thought, as killing someone, a human.

This was, sadly, the whole fight—potshots and hoping to land a mark. During her's, Minna noticed that the enemy was progressing closer. These things knew tactics, even to suppress them with enemy fire as they moved up; something different from fighting Neuroi. At least, Minna thought, looking on the bright side, they don't have widespread lasers.

Minna then heard a strange sound from behind her. Before she looked, Lynette screamed, "Behind you!" And when Minna spun around, she was quickly caught by strange appendages, tentacles it felt, and was soon being strangled. Grunting as she squirmed, this creature had a tight grip on her. She would not get out unless this thing let her go or died.

Lynette aimed at it, but the creature was hit with machine gun fire before she could. The others had returned, and quickly dove into cover—tossing guns to everyone. The creature fell to the floor, dead, and Minna fell, too, catching her breath. No one could run to her at the risk of being shot and killed or completely blown to bits by the way the projectiles did to the back wall. However, she seemed fine, quickly got back up and into cover again. She was tossed an MG.

Teamwork was needed for them to get out of this alive. And Minna knew whom to depend on—the ones she worked fought with in Neuroi fights. She glanced behind her and thought and thought, seeing everyone's position and angles. Quickly peeking over cover again, seeing all of the remaining enemies at their places. Minna swiftly ducked her head again.

"Eila, Sanya, Lucchini, Lynne," She called with her intercom. "I need we all to fire at the enemy, but first tell the men next to you to put the enemy under suppression when I say so." And Minna continued explaining her plan.

All girls said 'roger' and told the men the plan. They quickly agreed—anything to get out of this situation alive. The men would have to shoot at the enemy cover, vehicles and boxes containing supplies. Destroying supplies is a sacrifice worth doing—again, anything to get his done and over with and out alive. So the men fired, keeping the enemy in their cover, most were untrained in firing machine guns but pining the enemy down was more essential. The witches moved to higher ground in the hanger as quick as they could, up ladders onto the second floor platform; got in position and fired. All of them were gone in second.

The fog then disappeared. Everyone took that as a sign of a win. Cheering with teary eyes, people locked in hugs went all around. Minna didn't care that the witches and the men did that together. They were alive. That's all that mattered right now. But, soon, then the cheers and tears of happiness became tears of sadness and the cheers-to-sobs for those who didn't make it.

Minna had remembered Mio saying that she would arrive as fast as they could—where was she? She told everyone not to lower his or her guard just yet: the area needed to be checked if the area was, indeed, now secured. She pointed to and ordered a few men to follow her outside. All of the men grew worried again, but orders were orders. Steeling their nerves, the men and Minna stuck close together, guns raised, and ventured outside; the others were to hold down the fort until Minna returned.

They were only a block away from the Hangar when Mio's voice went over her intercom. "Minna, where are you?"

"A block away from the Hangar. Where are you—where were you?"

"You can stand down—we were already here, but, we got lost in the fog—it's safe now. A few friends we met want to talk to you. Return to the Hangar, we're almost there already."

Minna told the men that it really was over, they all sighed in relief, and back to the shabby sanctuary that is the messed up Hangar they went. On arrival, they met Mio and the others at the same time they did, however, in spite of that, who were these… strange people with them? Nobody could stop staring at the large and seemingly sturdy body of a robot piloted by an aging Fusojin man. New weapons not for witches, maybe, Minna assumed. Looking at the weapons the man had and his other two friends. She feared for the worst, not many appreciate that witches are the only ones producing any results in the war.

"You are Minna, yes? The Commanding Officer of this base?" His voice was accented, he looked military, though, shouldn't he know how to speak a different language without it—by now, especially, with the war happening?

"Well, she seems like the one who we're lookin' for." A girl this time. Thirteen, perhaps, maybe younger. And the gun she's carrying! Shouldn't it be too heavy for her? It, at length, was almost as long as her—was she a witch? That was the only possible explanation she could think of. Why hand a regular girl a gun almost the size of her? Yet she carried it with ease, like lifting a weight ideal for one's muscles, maybe lighter. And not accented, Minna noticed.

"Yes. I am her," Minna couldn't help but feel intimidated by the elevated height of the Fusojin man to her own. Having to look up to talk to him face-to-face. "Is there something you wish to discuss?"

The first question the man asked: "Is privacy a matter at the moment?"

"Everyone that you can see was caught in the fight." Minna said, that was self-explanatory, but she continued. "I know for certain, and I don't need to look at numbers, that we have less men on this base before this attack. Actually, we should probably clean and repair what we can right now—there might be fires somewhere on base."

The Fusojin man glanced at the base, as did his other friends, the girl and the other one, a woman, dark haired, and tan—there were strange metal patches on her arms, Minna noticed—and decided that would be the priority for now. The girls slung their guns over their shoulders and onto their backs. Everyone saw, expecting the guns to fall, but was surprised to them stick to their backs as they began to clean up the mess. Carrying bodies in the hangar.

"Oh, we haven't introduced ourselves, yet." Said the woman. "I am Annette Durand."

"Chloe Dex." The girl said, her tone seemingly rude, not looking at Minna, dragging a body to the already grow pile.

And lastly: "Shaojie Zhang. Call me Zhang if it's more easier." He said, lifting up a fallen support beam.

There were some fires in the base, none too great, they were quickly put out before they spread farther. In a matter of an hour and fifty five minutes, the whole base was clean, considerably for the day, bodies of the fallen, men under white sheets, the enemy bodies thrown into a large pile with the lack of any respect, laid in different areas. Interest, though, lingered in many minds. All were surprised except for Mio's group, Minna and the rest considered themselves lucky: along with the creature that strangled Minna, there were many carcasses of more intimidating aliens, as the three had told everyone as they cleaned, than the Sectoids that had faced, something also told by the three.

Not only were they surprised by the strong and sturdy body that Zhang's mech, but also of Annette and Chloe—Annette because she got on top of the roof of the Hanger… by jumping up there, no ladder; and Chloe because of being able to levitate small to heavy objects—and she confirmed that she wasn't witch. In fact, she didn't know what a witch was until it was explained to her.

Everyone quickly caught the symbol on their armor—a Coat of Arms or something, they wondered—centered at the top-middle area of their armor was an upside down pentagon with an 'X' inside the shape's background; and on the top of the pentagon, on the inside, was 'Vigilo Confido'. When asked what this phrase meant, the three didn't really know it's actual meaning, but can only guess it's about vigilance and confidence.

Chloe sighed as she slowly sat on the ground, as if she were old, and whined. "Not going to do this, again. Ever. I'll stick to fighting any day."

"If you were the same girl two months ago you would like something like this." Annette remarked.

Chloe started at Annette almost in a glare and said. "Cleaning rooms, not a battle zone. Frenchie." Chloe spat that last word as if it was an insult, but if it was, Annette didn't react to any of it.

Zhang called the girl from afar, as he was entering the Hangar. "Chloe, I need some help getting out of this." Zhang pointed to himself afterward, after he crouched off to the side.

Those listening didn't know what he meant—couldn't he get out on his own? Why have a girl do the work for him? So, they all watched, anticipating the method that this girl will use to help him out of the robot suit—maybe because he's an aging man? But he still looks able to sprint and fight when necessary. Many theories of why Zhang couldn't get out on his own spawned at an increasing rate.

But none were prepared for the real reason.

The torso of the suit split apart, exposing Zhang's torso, wearing some sort of suit as well? Just as Chloe levitated the objects during clean up, she pointed her hand and fingers to Zhang, enveloping him in a purple colored aura, and pulled her arm back. And Zhang came out… without any limbs.

Eyes bugged, a few became dizzied and a few fainted, everyone was speechless. Annette was at one of legs of the now empty robot suit and opened a compartment inside. There, the woman pulled out black mechanical limbs.

"Really glad that the Commander put those emergency limbs inside." Zhang said, grateful.

Chloe giggled. "Yeah, wouldn't want to carry a limbless body all day long."

"I'll say." Annette said, as she first attached Zhang legs as Chloe kept him afloat in the air.

Lynette, one of the few who fainted, was already coming around. Eila and Sanya, the closest to Lynette, had given their attention. The witch was dazed, looking around confused, almost squinting, then finally recognized Eila and Sanya.

"Eila? Sanya? I… I had a dream where I saw a man without any arms or legs…"

The girls gave suggesting looks.

"Um…" Eila said, rubbing her neck.

Lynette's eyes widened, looked at Zhang, who's now getting his arms applied, his right first, and felt dizzy again.

"Don't worry," Sanya said. "All of us are still dealing with it. You only fainted for about three minutes."

Zhang recoiled as his arms magnetically attached to their sockets. After all were applied he flexed his limbs to get the feeling of them; and noticing the looks being given to all of them, he said: "We'll explain. Though, she we talk about this now, or later?"

Minna and Mio knew what Zhang meant: a battle eventful like this—on their own base even—was sure to strike deep inside people, even those in the military. A lot of men died—and many near death experiences.

"Later." Minna said. "Let's just… acquaint ourselves," Minna felt that 'acquaint' wasn't the right word to say. "Of the battle today. Then we'll discuss who you are and what were those 'aliens' tomorrow." Minna turned to everyone and said, trying to keep her face as stern as possible. "Everyone, take it easy for the rest of the day."

No one said anything.

Minna didn't bother reacting to the fact that the witches and the men were comforting each other, though it certainly was illegal, Minna felt that they all needed it and would only make her grow a bad reputation if she continued that rule today. Just for today, Minna told herself, just for today.

Minna wandered into her living quarters, thankfully the barracks and her room were pretty much left unscathed, a few fallen debris here and there, and let her body fall onto her bed and groaned as her stressed body became relieved on the soft mattress.

What to do from here, Minna thought. What's the best course of action today and tomorrow? Minna closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then melancholically stared at the ceiling. Thinking about it now, she's still a teen—eighteen, nearing her adult years. Certainly with the war happening, this is to be expected. Looking back at her life, she had a childhood, but would she really have a happy life after the war ends? Even far after, many years later? Her teen life was practically robbed. Essentially, would she still act her age, whatever it may be, when the war is over?

Minna pressed a hand over her head. No need to think about that, she thought, think about the now. What will I do now?

She didn't know.

Maybe a walk will do her some good… even though the base is still partially destroyed. Anything to ease her mind will do. Minna got off of her bed slowly with a grunt—the thought of Minna shouldn't be acting this way when she is so young came to her, there were times she envied Erica's free-living and somewhat lazy personality—and started off on her walk.

From the halls to the outdoors, none of the places in the base could calm her mind except for the port. Where she found Zhang there as well, looking out to sea with crossed arms. Hearing footsteps from behind, Zhang turned and saw Minna, and, also, the look on her face.

"Can't stop thinking about the battle?" He asked.

Minna blinked.

"It's all over your face, the thought of it." Zhang explained further.

"Well, yeah. That," She then joined Zhang, feeling the cool breeze hit and flow around her.

"Are you surprised?"

"About what?"

"I noticed that there were times where you and your friends looked discomforted at the witches… is it because they're not wearing any pants?"

"This is a military base, correct?"

"Yes. This is about the girls' age, isn't it?"

"Why are they all so young? Why bring teenage women and girls into war?"

"You know about the war here?"

"I've listened in on people on their conversations. Not much. Neuroi?"

"Something else we'll discuss tomorrow."

"I see. Minna, I know we barely seem far from human," Zhang turned to Minna and presented his arm. "But if you're at war with an alien race, then, surely, you understand that you sacrifice more than one's mind." Zhang said as he flexed his hand, Minna could hear all of the servos and machinery moving, emulating a real limb.

"You're at war, too? Then, the aliens—"

"Yes, those are our enemies, my colleagues and I. I've been pondering and now fearful for the worst."

Minna listened carefully.

"If somehow our enemies become your enemies and vice versa, then… we'll be dealing with something never done in reality, maybe fiction: a two-front alien war on two Earths."

Minna hands clenched into fists. The current war, the Second Neuroi War, is enough already, Minna thought.

"I hope it doesn't be that way." Trying to hide her grief.

"If me and my colleagues are here—the aliens, too—then… it will likely be inevitable."

Let me know what you think. Been working on this for quite a while and have been wondering if this turned out alright (even though it's only the first chapter.)