A/N: Here is chapter 2. Review and let me know what's on your mind.

Disclaimer: I do not own Strike Witches and if I did, I would be quite rich and famous right now. orz

Credit: As always thanks to my friend Kay for proofreading my work.

Chapter 2 – The Rebirth of an Enigma

Luftwaffe Main Headquarters, Berlin, Karsland

1300hrs

"Oberstleutnant Welter...and Hauptmann Plenzat." Commander Reindhardt addressed the two witches as they entered his office. Still halfway sifting through some documents at his desk, he quickly set those aside and took out two files from the drawer beside him. "Do you know why you have been summoned to my office?"

"No, sir," Both witches replied in unison, Olivia's gaze set on the man before them while the younger of the duo spared a glance at her superior before her eyes fixed her gaze onto the commander. Both had the same question in mind though, and that was regarding why they were called.

Oberstleutnant Olivia suspected that either she or Lara had caused some sort of trouble to warrant a confrontation with the fearsome commander of the Luftwaffe. Yet, she did not remember ever breaking any rules...She spared a glance at the witch beside her. To her utter and complete shock (she kept her surprise to herself, of course), Hauptmann Lara yawned lazily as she stretched her arms, unfazed by the situation they were in.

I wonder if the Hauptmann disobeyed orders from the superiors again...no, I'm sure she did. We wouldn't be here if she didn't...She sighed softly and the two witches perked up at the sound of the commander clearing his throat.

"You are here because I have a...special assignment for the two of you." The commander revealed slowly, choosing his words carefully, "As per request from the Alliance of Nations," He held out one of the files he had. It had the official seal of the AN, a wyvern holding a sword in its mouth with the words 'Honor, Duty, Sacrifice' edged at the bottom, "You are to be transferred to the newly formed 707th Joint Fighter Wing based in the Kingdom of Jazira."

Olivia's eyes widened, her mouth slightly agape. She couldn't believe what she had just heard. W-What? A-A-A-A Joint Fighter Wing? She desperately tried to hold back the excitement growing within her as it seemed like another one of her dreams was about to be fulfilled.

Lara, on the other hand, simply grinned as she heard the news. "A Joint Fighter Wing, eh?" the Hauptmann muttered, her arm crossed over her chest, "Things just got interesting..."

"Um, sir, a question..." the obersleutnant said meekly after somewhat regaining her composure.

Commander Reinhardt gave a slight nod, placed the file on the table and propped his elbows up on the table before placing his fingers together, sharp eyes resting on Olivia's form before he spoke, "Go ahead, oberstleutnant."

Olivia took a breath to steady her voice, "Why would the AN insist on reviving a long lost enigma, sir? I mean, there hasn't been a Joint Wing since the end of the Second Neuroi War."

It didn't make sense to her. After the war, countries began to grow more independent, more...ignorant and with the advancement in technology, the Joint Groups became but a legend; an enigma. Even the First Gulf War was mainly fought by the United States of Liberion while other countries shun the war, with the exception of Karsland and the United Kingdom of Britannia.

"A good question, oberstleutnant." The Commander said simply, closing his eyes as he recalled what General McKane had told him, "According to AN, if we do not join forces to combat this new threat, we wouldn't stand much of a chance of winning this war," He paused and eyed the two witches sternly before continuing, "They have reports from the fronts that the Neuroi are much more organized and had been reported to use military tactics similar to ours. You could say that they've become more...'human'," He said in a disgusted tone, "They've already conquered half of the Eastern Kingdom; defeating even the mighty Orussian army so easily. It's the same in the Gulf."

Both witches stood in silence as the new information sank in. Olivia knew the situation was bad, but she hadn't expected it to be this bad. As her eyes shifted to the side, she saw the Hauptmann lost in thought, her eyes closed and a hand resting on her chin. The commander's stone-like, unsmiling demeanour remained unchanged. An uncomfortable silence hung in the air, and it was broken by none other than Reinhardt himself,

"...After much consideration, the Council of AN has come to the conclusion that the Joint Fighter Groups be re-deployed to combat this new threat," he finished calmly, leaning back in his seat with his interlaced fingers resting over his torso, "They've already sent out requests to other countries as well."

"Sir, another question," This time it was Lara who asked, with a somewhat sleepy, but still determined look on her face.

"Speak, Hauptmann," the Commander averted his attention from the file atop his desk to the blonde Witch, who then asked,

"Who would be the Commanding Officer for this 707th, sir?"

"Another good question," a grin spread across Wilfred's feature, surprising both girls. To see the commander smiling was as rare as seeing him not sending someone on kitchen duty as punishment... or worse, "They have specially requested a certain witch for the task," He eyed the oberstleutnant, almost expectantly, "And that witch...would be you, oberstleutnant Welter."

What followed was a series of incomprehensible murmurs from the oberstleutnant as she stuttered at the latest revelation, her face so red, a tomato would be jealous. The thought of leading a Joint Fighter Wing overwhelmed the elder of the two witches. Immediately, the tension in the room was lifted by Olivia's amusing reaction. Lara grinned. She's going to have much teasing her superior from now on, it seemed. To the commander as well, her reaction intrigued him greatly as he poured himself a glass of 1940 Castellani, a wine he had reserved for special occasions. And today was one.

Kremlin Head Office, Moscow, Orussian Federation

1300hrs

"We're already have out hands tied with the Eastern front...and now the stupid Council wants to request one of our witches?" A blonde Caucasian man in his thirties said in total disgust as he read the file that had just arrived at his office. One could say that the man had his hands full at the moment. "Worst yet is that they wanted to revive an enigma of bygone times!" he threw the file down in front of him, growling at it as if expecting it to shrivel up and disappear from his sights.

"But if you think about it, General," A female voice replied beside him. "This is a good chance to seek help from other countries."

"I will NOT ask for assistance from outsiders!" the General snarled, "It would be an insult to our pride as Orussians."

"...If we do not, we might face complete and utter annihilation, sir," The woman replied simply, studying the general's face for a moment before she continued, "Morale is at its all time low with the troops...and even our Witches are starting to think that all is lost," She sighed, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose. The situation cannot get any worse than this, "We cannot retake the Kingdom of Tianxia by ourselves, General. We need the Council's help."

The general rubbed his temples as he thought of the situation. Though he hated to admit it, the Orussian military is in utter disarray. The campaign to liberate their close allies had turned into a military disaster that has all but crushed the Orussian people's will to fight. Given the circumstances, it seemed like he had not much of a choice...

With a sigh, he glanced at the woman who was standing beside his desk, her blonde hair tied up neatly into a bun. As the sunlight sifted into the room, the general could have sworn that the woman glowed under the sun's rays; and he felt his face heat up ever so slightly.

"General Demochev?"

"...I assume you have someone in mind to undertake this...task, Colonel Yakovlev?" he said, turning away from her and resuming his stare-down with the file he had grown to detest in front of him to distract himself. The irritation that he initially had was now gone as he resigned himself. I am no match for her when it comes to intellect and persuasion...

"Of course," The colonel replied with a curt nod and handed Demochev a file, which he took and opened it. Upon reading the contents of the folder he had, an eyebrow was raised.

"...Tanya?" he repeated the name that was on the file in a surprised tone, "Why your sister?"

"She has promise. She served with recognition in the Eastern front just recently. I'm sure she will be perfect for this task."

"Are you sure it is not your influence as her older sister the main reason for this?" the General looked up at her quizzically, obviously trying to be sarcastic.

"General!" she said, faking a surprised look and placing her hands on her lips. "How could you even suggest something as insulting as that?"

Oh, she's one stunning woman...He couldn't help but grin, "Heh, forget it." He immediately picked up the phone on the desk and dialled a series of numbers. The phone rang twice before someone answered.

"This is Vladimir," Said the voice on the other end.

"Mr. President," The general acknowledged.

"Ah, Demochev! I assume it is about the request from the Council?"

"Yes, sir," The general then began explaining the worsening situation to the Orussian President and the benefits of accepting the request form the Council.

"...I see," Was the only reply the President gave as there was a slight pause. "Though I hate to ask for international assistance in our own war, seems like we don't have much of a choice, do we?"

Demochev had to pause for a moment before replying, "I'm afraid not, sir."

Another short silence greeted him from the President's end of the line before Vladimir answered, "Very well. I will leave it to your capable hands then."

Inwardly, Demochev heaved a heavy sigh and nodded, despite knowing that the man he was speaking to would not be able to see it, "I will not disappoint you, sir."

"I'm sure you won't," The president chuckled over the phone, "Tell Sasha I said hello."

"Will do, sir."

With that the line went dead. Demochev placed the phone back in its cradle and sighed.

"Seems like everything went well," Colonel Sasha commented, with a knowing smile.

"Indeed. The president sends his regards."

"How sweet of him," the blonde woman said with a giggle, one befitting a schoolgirl at the thought of her crush greeting her. Her eyes searched the general's face though, as if she expected a reaction from him.

The general merely grunted. The President had always been a ladies' man, and it wasn't much of a surprise that he would hit on the Colonel as well. But that wasn't really the point at all.

Sasha's smile faltered, and she sighed, her shoulders drooping slightly at the lack of a more... defensive reaction from the general. Frankly, she felt quite disappointed, "I was expecting a much better reaction than that," she clasped her hands behind her, turning away from the general, and he didn't need to look at her to know that she was pouting.

"Were you expecting me to say 'That is not how my fiancé is supposed to act'?" Demochev eyed the blonde woman, "I've known you long enough to read your mischievous nature."

"You're no fun..." She huffed as she gave her back to him and crossed her arms over her chest.

The General simply chuckled.

What a woman.

-To be continued-