To make things clear, a "Phantom" is defined through the Phantom Appearance Theory of this current universe of the story as an alien, but human in nature who visits or stays in the current dimension from another through the means of inter-dimensional travel, or death. The death of the phantom's previous life could render their memories useless, or could let their memories retain, and the probability between the two remains at random...

So... to answer reviews:

To Empty Promise and Colonel AmiruddinArifSulaiman: I just got permission! :) Melinda's a good character no matter how it's said in Paradox Timeline, but nonetheless, fuji92 agrees for me to use his character. And since he didn't provide details of his character, I made my own details.

To Hayane234: Thank you so much for leaving me a review! So you read multiple SW stories, huh? Try to catch up with Doran Maya's. I'm sure you know the renowned author and he's real good for making a universe. :)

To kh2996: As for Hawke, I would think he would still stay in that other universe as canon to the SW series. However... without any other updates from fuji92, I won't know if he would be able to get that certain... spiritual contact with Melinda, or he maybe he just won't get it at all. Maybe they're meant to be separated now that Melinda really won't be able to see him after her death. None of us should decide it since fuji92 is the one calling the shots on Hawke's story. That's what makes it really good because I wanna know what happens next. As much as possible, I would want to recognize multiple stories to be connected to each other. That's how I usually roll! Yeah.

And so, I spoke too much! Here's the second chapter! ;)


Chapter 2

"Fitting in's a Bitch"

Melinda - I knew from the time I signed up to be a fighting witch nomad, I decided to really put the past behind me. I'm in a completely new world with new friends, I guess. But since I was able to really grasp things into this new world, I had to share about the details of my arrival too. Others need to know of my life, including my first wing in the world, The Flash Squad where Julie Mao, also called the 'Maiden With A Hundred Swords' leads their group of five. She's actually a major of archetype country China called Xing in this world. The whole time, Flash Squad was based in Australis, counterpart of Australia. But... Why here?

Flash Squad Naval Airbase, Perth, Australis... March 15, 1963... 1002 hours...

Melinda - I guess it wasn't that bad around here, but Julie's really onto me, even if I told the rest of them I'm from another world. But there's so much she hasn't known about me, so she figured a sparring session would wake both of our senses up, so we'd have a good conversation...

Julie and Linda were inside Hangar 2 for unused planes. The lights were lit. The unused planes were at the sides while a big space was left in the middle. Melinda was in kickboxing fighting stance, while Julie was in her five-form Kung Fu stance. Both of them were a few feet away from each other when Linda asked in curiosity. "So why a sparring session?"

The Xingiet raised her eyebrow. "It's simple, really. Other studies suggest your brain starts remembering things while in physical activity with the body."

"So in other words... You wanna torture me?"

"If you allow it."

"Game on then! After you."

"It's a mistake you never should have made." Julie then ran towards Melinda quickly before putting up her fist and disappeared due to speed.

But Linda anticipated it and at her left side, Julie appeared with the same fist coming at her. Linda stepped back and grabbed that fist before using her left high kick for Julie's head. Julie bent her head down to evade before her opponent forced her hand down and didn't expect a paradox spin kick move with the same foot. Julie was hit on the head and she put her hands down while tumbling in balance away from her opponent while going into her stance again. 'Impressive. As expected of a Xingiet.' Linda thought. "You almost got me."

"I did?" Julie chuckled before she disappeared due to speed again and appeared above her while she flipped and readied a kick. Linda almost didn't see it coming and rolled out of the way before feeling the ground shake from Julie's kick to the floor. While recovering, Linda got back with her fighting stance and looked at the Xingiet witch who meant business. "I'm not going to waste my time further with child's play. There's no holding back."

"Then why the hell did you miss?"

"I missed because Gina doesn't like a messed up face from you."

"And you'd be whined on?"

"Shut up. Come at me, nomad!"

"Still calling me that?" Linda glared at Julie, who then glared back like flying knives attacking each other's opponents. "Fine. Let's dance." She ran towards Julie with a battle cry and jumped before she kicked Julie's blocking arms and immediately started a punch and kick combo. Linda focused on the lower parts and even saw Julie jump with her low-kicks.

Soon, Julie was able to defend and parry, then start her own combos against Linda. Unlike her, Linda made her combinations last longer, and Julie was doing quite well in the attacking form as she had more finesse than of Linda's kickboxing fighting style first shown. 'She's a fool.' She smirked before she punched Linda's blocking arms, pushing the Liberion witch back and eventually gaining her balance with her stance standing tall. "Still not giving up?"

"I just got started. It's inevitable, right?"

"It's indeed inevitable on your defeat, nomad."

"Uggh... STOP CALLING ME THAT!" Linda immediately raised her palms and readied her Air Arsenal weapons as her familiar features came out. "One more time and..."

Julie was shocked of what Linda did. "Fool! You shouldn't raise your weapons on your superior!"

"I know. But to tell you the truth? I don't like the way you've been treating me... Even as a soldier, you should think better."

"What?"

The Liberion witch put her arms down and glared daggers at Julie. "I know you still call me a nomad because I'm new, and at the same time, completely different. You don't use the word right."

"So? I'm still your superior."

"HEY!" Linda shouted. "I know this is insubordination..."

"Then why are you doing it when you know you got a risk coming up on you?"

"Because I'm not afraid as I'm on the right side of the matter, Major."

"Aww... What are you going to do? Are you going to tell on MY superiors?"

"If you were aware, then you know your own way of treatment isn't good. I even saw it with you and Harley."

Julie winced, narrowed her eyes, and walked towards Linda with some rage in her system. "You don't talk about that with me and Harley because we have a good relationship."

"Oh? Then about that one time you spanked her ass? I talked to her about it and she finds it unpleasant."

"So? She longs for it from time to time."

"Look... I don't care what you do with her. There are just times when you just need to keep it professional."

"DON'T TELL ME WHAT PROFESSIONAL MEANS! YOU DON'T DEFINE IT! I DO!" Julie finally stopped after being 2 feet away from Linda. "Just face it, Ms. Bragging Rights. You'll never win in a court martial."

"I doubt that." Then both heads turned to see Gina standing while supported with the hangar door on her shoulder. Her arms were crossed, and her eyes were clearly focused on Julie. "You know... You don't need to treat her harshly. If I wasn't here, I would have known with a broken face from Williams."

Linda was surprised and was in panic a little. 'Oh, crap, Gina... You didn't need to tell her that?'

"What did you say?!" Julie said and faced Gina. "You dare to challenge me too?!"

"I'm not challenging you, Julie. And by the way, if the two of us could take you on, you'd lose. Your three musketeers may have your back, but I don't. Look... We shouldn't even show hatred towards each other. There's a reason we're in an official squadron together. Okay?"

"I thought you wanted my protection from them?"

"From the way you treated Linda, I know what I should do. If two heads go against you..."

"Then it would be four against two." Julie chuckled. "Quite a disadvantage, right?"

"I DON'T CARE!" Harley shouted. "This time... No more. She's under my protection now. And don't bother trying to fight either, because I've already a complaint call to Command."

"What? No! I told you that every call permission should go to me, a superior officer!"

"It doesn't apply if the officer is an abuser. Code 362 clearly says that, Julie. I'd like to keep it going, but I think you should clear it up with Command. However..." Gina stopped and Julie's emotion showed fear. "...I don't think they'd listen to you. And guess what? They're on the phone right now in your office."

Julie only narrowed her eyes on Gina and glanced back at Linda. "It isn't over, nomad." She said before she walked away.

Linda saw from Julie that she was clearly pissed she even let her shoulder push past Gina's. Gina was about to walk but... "It's fine, Gina." And Gina stopped to look back to her. "She's got a problem, let it be."

"But you saw and heard her true colors, Linda."

"Pressuring her more with the problem only worsens the situation. I believe I know why she's like this. She doesn't like it from the time I was here."

"Then why didn't you tell me about it?! I'm below Julie's command and you just remained silent?"

"Look... I'm not sure about my place in the 45th as well, okay? I'm sorry if I didn't tell you. It's just..."

Gina sighed and approached Linda. "It's about the trust system, isn't it?"

"Probably."

"Look, you all told us about where you're from and Command knows it too, but decided to let you stay. How the idea of you staying with us as ridiculous as it may sound is actually a good idea, still makes me think something's up. Julie didn't like the way this came to be and must have decided to put out all that frustration on you by name-calling you the whole time."

"She makes me look like the reason she's being frustrated. Know what? I wanna straighten things out with her. I wish to be friends, not enemies."

"It's good to know that. But what if Julie doesn't want to be friends?"

"Then I'll keep trying and trying, Flight Lieutenant."

"Just call me Gina. I trust you enough, Linda. So... Friends?"

"Sure... Gina." Linda smiled, knowing her insecurities were finally answered when she made her first friend. "You know, this is a different side of you."

"Noticed that, huh? See... I'm always cheery. But when it comes to authority, I definitely make the best of my ability to be in command the whole time."

"So that's it... It's like... Putting one personality and another in a split?"

"Something like that."

"Anyway, thank you."

"Don't thank me yet. Julie's gonna do all kinds of hell."

"I already noticed hell from training with her."

"Oh trust me now when I say it." Gina said while nearing her mouth to Linda's ear. "It may just be the beginning."

"Your reputation counts in this, Major Mao." A man on the other line said on the other line while Julie talked to him using the phone in her office.

"Sir, it's just..."

"You do not want to treat things personal too often and you know how it affects both you and the morale of your teammates. You may have been stationed there for a year thanks to constant threats coming from and into Australis, but do not forget how you must handle this. Treating a sergeant even as someone new doesn't mean it's to your advantage. The reason why there are wings present is to not only make friends in your case, but also to work together. I'm telling you now, major. Your teamwork will certainly be affected thanks to what you're doing, and eventually it will lead to your deaths if not one by one."

"But sir..."

"I've had enough of your banters, Miss Mao. Or should I dismiss you from your post and return to Beijing? However, it won't be likely if we send you back, because every Xingiet wants to serve the world's powers, and if even one is found to return to Beijing without their duties completed, they'll use it as a reason that the Western countries like Liberion are considered to be inconsiderate. They'll find it as an excuse to start a war, and you don't want that, do you?"

Julie only remained silent in this. 'Damn it... Why aren't they listening?' "Sir... Why... Why aren't you listening?"

"Because your personality overrules your own reputation as the Maiden With A Hundred Swords to be both the hero and soldier for your country. You don't consider the help of others, but you should always remember a team is better than being solo. Am I right?"

"I understand."

"Then start getting your mind working right and find allies, and if possible, friends. There will come a time you'll really be alone, Miss Mao. Is that understood?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good. We're sending personnel who will evaluate your training with your squad mates. It's a good thing you're doing paperwork as much as you could, which is why I'm putting Gina Harley in charge of the training from now on."

"Sir...? But she's rather the pain in the ass if she gets others to train..."

"It's how we all started, Mao. And by the way... It's an order."

"Yes, sir. I'll get the order out."

"Good to know. You'll never know when the personnel will come, so be ready. Thank you for your time." The man said before he cut the call off.

Julie then slammed the handset down to the phone. "Mā de! (Shit!)" She cursed before she went for the door and left the office.

"Hah..." A sigh of relief came from one of the witches in the base while sitting on a foldable bench under the sun with shades on. "A nice sun tan is actually nice once in a while." She muttered with a Gallian accent while wearing a two-piece swimsuit with her noticeable F-sized cups making a tight fit on her swimsuit. Her hair was red but has streaks of yellow on it too. With nothing else in her mind, she gets immersed in her own relaxation. 'This is the life. I never even got a chance to sunbathe and it's only once I'm doing this, right?' With that, she smiles and figures of falling into slumber.

"Flight Lieutenant!" And the tanned witch just sat up and lowered her shades to see Flying Officer Montesano with blonde hair and black eyes. "Just what do you think you're doing? I know the major told us to be on standby, not slack around with tanning skins! Where are your Gallian traits?!"

"Tch." The tanned witch replied as she laid back down. "I've cut myself from Gallian influence, you know. I only got the major. You may as well chill out, and try again, Ez."

"Uggh... You are simply not taking our duties seriously!"

"Yes I am. I'm spiced up the time the siren goes off."

Esmeralda just snapped into rage. "I KNOW I'M NOT MUCH INTO COMMANDING BUT YOU ARE RATHER NOT TAKING THINGS SERIOUSLY BY SLACKING ON THE JOB!"

"We're on standby, Ez. Idiot." She muttered lastly.

"THAT IS DEFINITELY NOT HELPING!"

"Ezmee-chan..." Esmeralda turned to see the Fusojin witch Fye who was holding a black stuffed cat. She's shorter than the two witches at about 5 feet flat and has short black hair and brown eyes. "Maybe you could relax?"

"And that stuffed animal helps?"

And Fye held her stuffed cat tightly before she glared with her yellow cat eyes. "HEY! AT LEAST I'M ABLE TO SLEEP SOUNDLY WITH HAKU EVERY NIGHT! UNLIKE YOU, YOU'RE JUST STUCK-UP!" She aggressively said, which took Ezmee off guard.

The Hispanian only looked with a jawdropped expression. 'Uhh...'

Then Fye's eyes turned back to their brown colors. "But you know..." She evilly grinned. "We could both forget we said that if you let me kill you." She chuckled at a way Ezmee's skin crawled. It's like a horror film happening in front of her...

...and only blood was missing from the whole act. Ezmee stepped back in fear from Fye. "Damn you, Fye. I used to pick on you."

"I know." Fye slowly walked towards Esmeralda. "But now, I got you where I want you."

"What do you want to do? K-k-k-Kill me?" Esmeralda said as she started to stutter.

"No... But I'm gonna make it feel that way. Now..." Fye stopped and threw her black stuffed cat at Ezmee, who then caught it. "Just look at how beautiful my Haku is." But Ezmee only looked at Fye in fear. "LOOK AT HIM!" And Ezmee got spooked and immediately just looked at Haku the stuffed cat before... "Ezmee-chan..." And when she looked forward, she saw a yellow cat-eyed Fye in front of her. "Boo."

"GAAAAAH!" Esmeralda freaked out and threw Haku upwards before she ran off again.

Fye just caught Haku which landed on her hands. "Serves you right, nose-picker." She said before giggling.

"Uggh..." Giraud muttered in response. "Don't make it too hard on her."

"I know. I'm just having fun. 6 months in the service and I finally got her to admit I'm the bigger bully."

"Everyone knows that, Fye. And you're happy of it?"

"Exactly, and it should remain that way. Truth is, Ezmee-chan's a meanie. I'm making sure she gets harsh treatment."

"Well.. At least I got you to thank." Giraud said. "She can be a stuck-up bitch like the major. And I like the major better."

"Ehem..." And the Gallian immediately recognized who cleared her throat and sat up to take off her shades to see Julie with crossed arms and a tapping foot. "Oh, major!"

"For once, Montesano is right about you." Julie sighed. "Look, right now, we're dealing with enemies with more agility than others during the 50's. You remember the sea battles, right?"

"Can't forget it."

"It always related to Fuso again." Fye commented.

Julie glanced briefly at Fye before looking back to the Gallian. "Good. At least the both of you are on alert status. Make sure it stays that way."

"Are you okay, major?" Giraud asked.

"No I'm not, Françoise Giraud. Just..." Julie stopped to try not cursing again. "Look... I need to get something from the two of you. Do you think I'm looking as if I'm treating our newcomer Williams badly?"

The tanned Gallian shrugged. "Can't say it's all good, you know. Morale's rather the center of every war that should be kept."

"Hah... Why didn't you tell me, Giraud?"

"It's because you were too busy stalking Linda like she's our next idol. You know very well the three of us like you better. It's at least better than the Liberion named Harley."

"You know, if she hears you, she'll hit you with a pan."

"Tch... Let her." Giraud said as a dare before she laid back down on the foldable bench. "She'll just whine with your ass-spanking even if I whine with a big pan on my face."

"Except Command knows about my ass-spanking and abuse on her."

"No way!" Giraud suddenly sat up. "She told on you?! Now she's gonna get it for making an inconvenient time with the major!"

"Uh-uh... Not that, Giraud." Julie said before she glanced at Fye. "Pilot Officer, how fast can you acquire chicken feathers?"

"Poultry's rather common in Perth." Fye replied. "I'll get them first, then the feathers."

"Know a quick way of doing it?"

"Clawing their feathers out seem convenient." Fye said while her eyes flashed with her cat eyes for a while before returning to normal. "You can count on it."

"Good." Julie made that evil grin before turning to the Gallian. "Seeing you're not doing anything, you have something to do, Flight Lieutenant."

"Eh..." Françoise groaned before she sat up again. "What now?"

"Know that spare liquid sugar Harley uses for baking? Get me quarter a ton of it."

"What ya got planned?"

"Something... Something so interesting you two shouldn't step in the messhall for it." Julie said with an evil intention before Giraud realized it, and Fye soon afterwards.

Esmeralda was pissed while walking to the barracks, figuring she needed a break and get a nap for the morning before coming speaking to anyone. Then when she passed by Hangar 2 where the old striker units and planes were, she hid herself before she saw Harley and Williams together. 'The two of them are like friends...' She then looked at them while they were passing up trading cards and even laughing. 'So those two are Fusojin Trading Card geeks? Sheesh.' "Those two are just annoying." She muttered before she moved on, going past the hangar without being seen.

As soon as Esmeralda got to the barracks, she went to the second floor of the building and straight inside her room as she shut the door behind her. "Uggh... I just need to sleep it off." She said before she sat on her bed and eventually lied straight down before she saw her clock and set it to ring at around 11:30 PM. She put her head on the pillow and looked up. 'Oh, damn. Fye just keeps doing that. Why shouldn't she stop instead? If we weren't the three musketeers, I would just leave and say she's just not helping us all. But then again, even if I was in the musketeer group, I'd say it but she'd kill me instead since she could call me a traitor.' And with another pillow, she held it and put it on your head and screamed. "WHAT THE HELL AM I GETTING INTO?!" She kept screaming in the pillow.

As Julie looked at the quarter-ton of liquid and coated sugar, her old mattress, buckets of feathers, some steel rods she could use, and some strings of rope, she smiled evilly while in the messhall. 'Their lunchtime is just gonna be so memorable.' "Right! Let's get it started." She chuckled with an evil intent indeed...

At around 10 minutes to 12 PM, Esmeralda's grumbling woke her up instead as she sat up on her bed. Finding that her alarm clock didn't work again... "Not again..." She muttered before she got off the bed. 'And I didn't eat breakfast, so I'd probably be first!' She smiled at it. "Ooh... I like it when I eat up! This beats my fast metabolism!"

"GOT YA!" Gina said while she slammed a Fusojin trading card to the floor of Hangar 2. "Three-eyed slam dragon's gonna whoop your ass for two and three times more!" And she laughed seeing Linda's card was weaker.

"Aww!" Linda said while she looked at her deck of cards. "Sheesh, of all fantasy cards, I got weak ones. Real bullshit for learning more than I do. Good thing an English version helps better than the Fusojin language."

"But the best part is learning the Fusojin language, silly! You get the real deal from there and you're gonna really access the exclusive content cards while you got a good grip on the language."

"Sure... I travel... But I just don't get around."

"Can't learn... How do you say it... Japanese? Did I get it right?"

"Yup. It's just that I can't always go out to learn it. It's just against my time."

"Well you're here... So maybe someone could teach you?"

"Eh? What about that Narumi?"

"Narumi's off limits. She likes the major and Giraud too. And that Gallian like Julie, so that makes two threat. As for Ezmee, she just stands agreeing to what they do."

"Wait, so she's not sure of who to trust?"

"That's right, but I don't let any rivalries form, so I never minded the whole factions thing. Julie's got the Three Musketeers behind her back."

"And I got you?"

"Yup!"

"Question, Gina: Why exactly did Julie classify you as someone different in the group when you're put as second in command?"

"She just wants to annoy me everytime I'm near her. Julie... Well... See, I'm her fan, but the word's probably not in her vocabulary that she decided to treat me as if I'm another witch she could bully. The Three Musketeers don't know her, but she respects the three of them."

Linda looked down and dropped her cards in disappointment. "So she doesn't like newcomers and fans, huh? Then she turned three witches against you." Then she looked at Gina. "Now I'm included in her blacklist. I say... Screw them."

"Don't even try saying it in front of them or she'll kick you out in an instant. It's a good thing that insubordination meant something when I called up Command on the complaint. But when there's no reason at all... Try to keep cool. Get me?"

"Yes, ma'am!" Linda said with a smile before seeing Ezmee running leaving a dusty trail thanks to her speed. "What's up with her?"

"HUNGRY TROLL COMING THROUGH!" Ezmee said before she ran past the two witches.

Gina chuckled. "Ezmee didn't eat breakfast since she took hangar cleaning duties immediately without letting her stomach do the talking for energy. Not a wise decision." Then she took her cards and assembled then in her deck. She also accepted Linda's cards and included them as well. "So, off to lunch now? Not much is happening around here. Notice it?"

Linda nodded while they started walking. "Yeah, I noticed. You think it has something to do with the Australis regiments holding off the units from that hive?"

"Probably, but we'll never know what happens next since the neuroi are unpredictable now. Neuroi jets... Drones... Large-type units with two cores..."

"They're damn powerful. If I ever see a neuroi with more than two cores, it'll be terrifying."

"Think bigger. Six, seven, or eight cores. How powerful would they be?"

"I think they'll be devastating if they're deployed at this time... But maybe they evolve with the times here too." Linda said before she looked at... YOU... The reader. 'I'm sure if you read Doran Maya's stories, you'll know what we mean.' She winked and turned her head back to Gina. "So, how's it going to play out?"

"I'm betting it'll be neuroi against humanity when they spread. It'll be about sending smaller forces. I don't think it'll be an inward to outward waves of attacks as powerful ones. So far, that's what we got from inside Australis."

"Then we'll expecting quite a powerhouse from outside Australis."

"True." Gina replied before they finally arrived at the door of the messhall before they heard a girl scream from inside. This widened both their eyes. "That sounded like..."

"EZMEE!" Linda said before they both opened the door as shock filled their faces. "Mother-effin..."

"No... The horror." Gina said as they both saw the mess in the messhall with brown mud on the floor, feathers all around, and the tables and chairs on the sides. But what them more concerned was the one behind the sugar-coated and feathered getup. "Isn't that...?" The standing feather-covered figured turned around and gazed at them with rage. "Oh CRAP!"

"MONSTER!" Linda raised her palms to ready her MG's but were both lowered by Gina. "Gina?!"

"Silly! That's Ezmee!"

"Huh?" Linda glanced at Gina, then Esmeralda, who was covered mud and feathers. "Esmeralda? Are... Are you okay?"

"What..." Ezmee muttered.

"Say again?" Linda said.

But as Esmeralda was about to answer, she clenched her fist in anger. "WHAT IN THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?!"

"EZMEE-CHAN!" Fye said while she ran inside with Giraud.

"Wait! The floor! Don't..." Linda warned them but they already slipped and saw the feathered figure in front of them. But when they couldn't control themselves thanks to the muddy-like floor, they accidentally bumped on the feathered figure as they all stumbled on the floor. "...step on it. Ouch..." Linda muttered and groaned.

Julie only walked to the door and saw the backs of Linda and Gina looking inside the messhall. 'What in the...?!' She figured something was wrong and ran to the door to look in the messhall and found someone in feathers, together with Fye and Françoise. "Oh crap."

"Damn right it is." And Julie turned to see Gina glaring daggers at her. "Williams, I'll let you hang out here for a while. I think it's about time the major and I have a talk. Something... Sensible than the rest of what we talk of."

And Julie winced at it. She even saw Gina usher her head away from the messhall and walked to lead her. But Julie groaned and forced Gina to stop and turn around. "We're not talking about anything."

"Don't you mean you won't at all?" Gina glared at Julie again. "Okay then. Do you want to hear what is in my mind? In Linda's presence?"

"I don't expect you to say anything."

"I'll just say it straight. You were targeting us... Weren't you?!" Gina shouted, and she knows Linda was already watching. "What the heck is wrong with you?!"

Julie only remained silent while she breathed, then turned her breathing faster showing she mustered so much just to say something to Gina. "Don't you dare point it on me. The three idiots are just doing their foolishness."

"They wouldn't go too far just to make a prank, you idiot."

"WHO IS THE IDIOT?! SAY IT AGAIN!" Julie shouted only to be replied with slap on her face so strong, it made a mark on her left cheek. She couldn't believe she experienced it for the first time from someone of lower rank. And when turned her head to Gina, she was in rage. "You didn't!"

"YOU are the idiot, major."

"You dare disregard rank?! Alright then." But then as Julie was going to walk forward to Gina, Linda stepped forward and it stopped her. "Oh... Protecting her, are you?"

"Don't make me, major." Linda said before her hair was grabbed. "The hell?!" And she put her fist back before she punched Julie, forcing her to let go...

...but Julie immediately recovered and got her stepping. "You're DEAD!" But as she was about to walk again, she heard gunfire and she stopped walking with her eyes wide. She even heard a bullet ricochet nearby her. 'Wait, who...?'

Giraud was standing while aiming her Colt Python revolver and immediately lowered her pistol. "That's ENOUGH!" And she saw Julie glare at her, and she had done the same in return. "If you're just going to keep on bantering like this, then you're not denying it. Major... As much as I want to support you... You only got Ez and Fye hurt in this stupid plan of yours." Then she looked at Gina. "I'm sorry... But we knew too. I gathered the sugar coating and Fye gathered the feathers. We were only going to make a prank, but seeing the major like this... This isn't acceptable. As much as I want to keep it going with the major and making you feel like you oppose us, I'm saying it to you now: I'm truly sorry."

Fye stood up, almost slipping due to the sugar and glared at Julie. "You just got Ezmee-chan hurt! I won't forgive you!"

Esmeralda then stood up from the blue, and was surprised of how Fye was protecting her. "Fye...? You're..."

Fye turned to Ezmee and smile. "I may be a bully, but I'm YOUR bully." She even grinned bigger.

"Uhh..." Ezmee groaned.

And Julie only looked at Gina, who was still mad. "Well don't put it on me, Gina."

"You're right. I won't." Gina said while crossing her arms. "I put it on your feelings against Linda. Look... I know you didn't want her to be around in the base. I know you wanted to see her go, and I'll just make sure to ask her to do so. If it's causing you inconvenience in my recommendation she joined up, why the heck didn't you tell us anything?"

"I wanted you all to decide. I needed to know if you were all up for her joining in the 45th."

"Then you could have just told us to give her up."

"I couldn't... I..." Julie hesitated before she lowered her head and started crying. "I had mixed feelings. I don't like a nomad joining us, but I decided to let her because it might ruin morale for all of us if I didn't let her stay here."

This made Linda wince. 'Wait... She thinks I'm a bad influence to them?' And when she saw Gina about to say something, she signaled her to keep silent and eventually, she spoke up. "It's about being a bad influence to the rest, right?"

Julie only looked at Linda with a straight glare. 'I'm not answering your question.'

"If you wanted me to be the odd one out, it's fine with me. But don't involve the rest of your teammates. If you want it between the two of us, then I'm letting it be that way."

"Wait, Linda..." Gina interjected but Linda immeidiately replied.

"Look, Gina. If she wants me to settle things, then I'll settle things. If she wants me to resign, I'll resign. If she's ready her own consequences, I'll happily do so."

Julie was surprised. "Wait, what?"

And Linda looked at Julie. "It's your decision, though. But you're immediately going to be scolded by your superiors or any personnel and may report you for letting me go just like that. Look... Command knows I'm from another world, but I'm here as a witch too. If you let me go now, you'll feel their wrath more than how you'll feel mine. Putting it against you to do so, you decide to pick on me like the other three. So far, that's what I know. I have background of how punishments are dealt with to anyone in the military, major. And I'm sure that's how they'd deal with you. You're a disciplined Xingiet witch, but you turn to do this to abuse your authority? I don't like it at all... But it's your decision if you want me out or not. Otherwise, we try settling the score."

"And how do you suppose we do that?"

"You boast your skills in duels and your kill count too. Well, if that's how you really boast your reputation as the Maiden With A Hundred Swords, then... Julie Mao, Major of the 45th JFS 'Flash Squad...'"

Gina knew what Linda was up to. 'Oh, no!'

Linda pointed at Julie. "I challenge you to a live-round duel!" And the others gasped in this. "I'm flying in a trainer striker unit like you will. Both of us will handle M60 MG's for the duel. Both of us can use shields. And whoever loses rounds first in the duel, is the loser. No weapon will be replaced and both of us will use one whole belt for the match."

"Why are you challenging me?"

"It's about my power, isn't it? Air Arsenal is an ability I use that could make flying in striker units only an option to me. To you, that's what it should mean, but no... You always thought I was superior anyway. Look, to tell you the truth, it's not fair either. But what could I do? It's natural a witch uses magic, and I use magic like you too. Therefore, to remove that, I'll make sure to even the odds. You and I will use striker units and will be fighting each other with live rounds."

Gina immediately reacted. "Linda, you can't! She's faster than you!"

"I accept your challenge, sergeant." Julie said in reply. "It's a sound solution to all this. We can't do anything else but wait for the right time."

"Then I'll look forward to it." Julie replied, somehow with confidence and looked at the three in the messhall. "Listen... I'm sorry I got you involved in this, especially Giraud and Narumi. Let's get mops together. I'm going to be cleaning up the messhall."

"And pin us with it? Count us out." Giraud snapped back but...

"No... Just help her." Gina replied. "Look... The mess just... We just need to cool everything off."

"You vouch for her?"

"Yes, I do." Gina said and glanced at Julie. "As long as you're participating?"

Julie uneasily laughed. "I said it once, and I'm not repeating."

"Look... I wanna be quite clear." Gina said in reply. "You're off limits in giving any orders to Linda unless we're in battle or if there's any significance while we're here in the base. According to military code, you shouldn't be allowed to make a personal call on her. In other words... The two of you are to keep it fully professional. Since the two of you clearly are against each other now, the two of you should stick to being quite just... Just teammates. That's it."

Julie nodded. "Fine. Gina... I need to talk to you after I clean up with them."

"Sure thing, Julie. Anything." Gina replied before she took Linda's hand. "I'll find another place for Linda for the meantime."

"We should help." Linda said and Gina looked at her. "They make a mess, we ALL clean it. I'd rather help them than letting them suffer like they're responsible. Look... I may have a fault in this too. So I'd rather clean up with them."

This surprised both Gina and Julie. They didn't expect Linda to actually participate in this. Gina thought she was crazy, but then again, she wasn't siding with anyone in the first place. She's only doing this one behalf for all of them. They needed to work together. That's what Linda thought nonetheless of their situation. With everyone in agreement, they all picked up buckets and filled them up with water. Soon, they each had mops, and they started to clean up the floor of the messhall. With no doubt, they made sure every inch, and even cleared up the major's equipment with it too. They all knew it was Major Mao's fault for the mess, and she with Linda would finally settle it.

The afternoon came quite well without any problems. The sky was partly orange as the day was ending without a single neuroi contact in sight. Julie and Gina were walking to Hangar One, the main hangar where the striker units were.

"That was immature, Julie." Gina said first. "It's a good thing everyone got a good meal, but you should give Melinda a break."

"I should have... But now I'm being challenged. Still... Things aren't so bad."

"Don't think it's over." Gina said while they both looked forward during the walk. "I'm still mad at you for doing that to Linda. It's not that I should defend her as a friend, but actually, we should treat her as one of us... As a sister."

"It's hard enough for me as it is, and I've shown it now."

"But you don't need to base your feelings against her due to skill level. There's always another way."

"Oh yeah? Tell me."

"You could always try to be personally friendly and see how the effect would be on her. Cared to try?"

"No."

"Exactly. You're still a stuck-up bitch."

"Tch." Julie muttered before she chuckled. "I'll just pretend you didn't say that. Nonetheless, I'll try remembering it to snap me out of my thoughts." She said before they finally entered the hangar. They both looked at the training striker units which were propeller-type strikers. "There they are. Now I'm seeing them in good condition."

"You won't tamper with them, will you?"

"Huh? No, of course not!"

"Good. Cause the last time I sensed you were dirty was with Linda. I hope you change that."

"Sure." Julie said when they were side by side. When Gina wasn't looking... 'Piece of cake!' She chuckled before she put her hand over Gina's behind but felt an electic shock and put it away. "Geee!"

"A-ha!" Gina said in reaction to Julie's shock and just laughed. "You didn't think I wouldn't know about your butt-slapping antics, would you?"

"Geez, Gina... Please cut it out."

"Hey. That's my line."

"Touche, Ms. Harley. Touche." Julie said and Gina took out a little battery. "So, that's your secret?"

"This battery was enough. Put it together with some wires, and it could make fabric flow with electricity."

"And so with your underwear..."

"I just wore my rubber underwear!"

And this made Julie blush. "You didn't...!" And once again, Gina was laughing. She was outsmarted. 'I thought the rubber underwear wasn't useful. And I had to make a rubber underwear present a prank. Shame...'

And at the end of the day, no punishments came. All of them were just silent, but the matter between Julie and Linda still needed to be resolved with a fair duel...


EPILOGUE...

A pair of red eyes were looking at Linda, who was walking to her barracks in the dead of the night. Strange thing was, Linda was far away, and the observer's eyes were mixed with light coming from her internal vision which allowed her to see in darkness. While standing on the roof of Hangar One, she smiled. "So, this is you, Melinda Williams. I'm looking forward to seeing you soon." She said with a Fusoan accent before she walked the opposite way then jumped and split into flying bats. While flying high in the night, Lien has confidence in her black heart that one day, she and Linda would face each other in battle, both, as phantoms of different worlds...


So here's the OC update, AGAIN. :D :D

45th Joint Fighter Squadron (Flash Squad)

[JULIE MAO]

Birthday: March 18 (Currently 18 in 1963)

Height: 6 ft. 5 inches

Hair: Black upper-back lengthened (Notable to use twin ponytails close to each other at the back of her head)

Eye color: Olive Green

Skin: Fair to pale complexion

Body Shape: Lean (E-sized)

Rank: Squadron Leader / Major

Nationality: Xingiet (Xing)

Affiliation: Pinasis Air Force 25th Division / Australis Self Defense Force 12th Division / Flash Squad (45th JFS)

Aircraft / Striker: Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 (Striker Variant Supersonic Mod.)

Familiar: North Xing Leopard

Weapons: Xingiet Type 67 Machinegun, Mauser C96, Shǎndiàn zhī rèn (Lightning's Blade)

Intrinsic Ability: Hundred Swords Slash (Bǎi jiàn zhǎn) (In a split second or two, she could actually make 100 hits on any opponent. Depending on the size of the opponent, the bigger it is, the more magic is used.), Magic Eye Enhanced (Will have the same function as to view interiors and checking composition of targeted objects... Useful for locating neuroi cores and determining its composition and strength)

[GINA HARLEY]

Birthday: May 22 (Currently 17 in 1963)

Height:5 ft. 7 inches

Hair: Green neck lengthened (Has one ponytail)

Eye color: Blue

Skin: Fair complexion

Body Shape: Average (somewhat thin) (D-sized)

Rank:Flight Lieutanant

Nationality: Liberion

Affiliation: Flash Squad (45th JFS)

Aircraft / Striker: North Liberion P-51 Mustang (Restored Stock)

Familiar: Liberion Dachshund

Weapons: M60 MG, Makarov OTs-35 Pistol

Intrinsic Ability: Healing (The witch can heal herself or her comrades and friends), Magic Overload (She can increase her mobility and speed instantly. If she uses it in an aerial battle with guns involved, her rounds will have increased damage. If with melee attacks, her strength becomes phenomally powerful. In the air, she can only last 30 seconds with this ability. Her color scheme is based on black and has green lines.)

[FRANÇOISE GIRAUD]

"Make my day harder, and you'll probably feel it in your face before you know it."

Birthday: August 2 (Currently 18 in 1963)

Height:5 ft. 10 inches

Hair: Red with yellow highlights, neck lengthened (Pigtails hairstyle)

Eye color: Gold

Skin: Tanned

Body Shape: Lean (Abs visible) (F-sized)

Rank: Flight Lieutenant

Nationality: Gallian

Affiliation: Flash Squad (45th JFS)

Aircraft / Striker: Dassault Mirage F2 (etherjet strikers)

Familiar: Storm Petrel (bird)

Weapons: AKM Assault Rifle (Drum-mag and Short-stroke gas piston personal modification), Colt Python

Intrinsic Ability: Body Cooling (Everything including the striker unit and her weapon can be cooled off as her body also gives out its cool once she cools to a good temperature.) Homing Bullet (Each projectile she releases can get to her desired target as long as she focuses on the target. Therefore, she needs control of her target when she fires out a projectile towards it. She can use this with ease and with less magic.)

[FYE NARUMI]

"Ezmee-chan, can I get a hug? I promise to not to strangle you again. (grins and chuckles sadistically)"

Birthday: September 26 (Currently 9 in 1963)

Height: 4 ft. 11 inches

Hair: Black and short (white bow at center and front of her head)

Eye color: Brown

Skin: Fair complexion

Body Shape: Average (Somewhat thin) (B-sized)

Rank: Pilot Officer

Nationality: Empire of Fuso

Affiliation: Flash Squad (45th JFS)

Aircraft / Striker: Kyushu K11W

Familiar: Fuso Bobtail (cat)

Weapons: Howa Type 64 Assault Rifle (early stage mod)

Intrinsic Ability: Familiar Fury (With the case of Narumi, she can let her familiar influence her combat tactics. However, notable appearances of yellow cat eyes, whiskers, a longer tail, fangs and claws from her hands and feet. This usually lasts for a minute and should consume a greater portion of her magic, about three-quarters of it. Her attack hits from projectiles are thrice the damage and her claw melee attacks are equivalent to sword slashes. This is a rarely used ability only for a wise time.) Jammer Antannae (Even as a nightwitch, she can use her antannae to disrupt communications, usually to prevent certain units in contacting for reinforcements.) Super Strength

[ESMERALDA MONTESANO]

"Fye, Ezmee's not a good nickname, you know! AND STOP HARASSING ME! I'M SORRY ALREADY!"

Birthday: November 13 (Currently 15 in 1963)

Height: 6 feet flat

Hair: Clean Blonde, neck lengthened (Light-green headband)

Eye color: Black

Skin: Fair Complexion

Body Shape: Thin (B-sized)

Rank: Flying Officer

Nationality: Hispanian

Affiliation: Flash Squad (45th JFS)

Aircraft / Striker: Dassault Mirage III (etherjet strikers)

Familiar: Mediterranean Chamaeleon

Weapons: CETME Model L (Advanced Test Prototype) Hispanian Assault Rifle

Intrinsic Ability: Visual Stealth Cloak (Its main function is to visually make her invisible to the naked eye with the use of cloaking magic, which uses more magic each time. She can also assume different environment camouflages depending on her locations with less magic effort.)


And check out my latest poll too! Find it on my profile, and I hope you vote! It's an interesting one that relates to SW Group Abilities and I hope you'd participate in the poll! ;) Check my profile and vote!

And by the way... If anyone wants to get their SW fanficts or Show By Rock fanficts checked, my Beta Profile is now active! Check me out for your works to be beta read. ;)

Stay tuned for another chapter. ;)