Yeah, finally got this done. Writers block and I'll admit being lazy can keep one from writing. Sorry bout that. At least I feel like my writing has improved. Well, enjoy.

Chapter 3: Older Training

-lll-

I stood there with Sakamoto as we observed Lynette, Yoshika, and Perrine do a run and other exercise. Let's just say their not in the best shape. I expected this, six months without doing much can do leave one like that. "They seem to be lacking Major. Not entirely up to standards."

Sakamoto nodded in agreement. "That much is obvious, they'll require additional training. I have just the thing. Bring them to the briefing room once they finish." She left and left me with the three out of shape witches.

"Right," I looked to the three who were bent over trying to catch their breath. "Hurry up! Once you finish here we're heading to the briefing room. So double-time it!"

The three reluctantly hurried up their work till they collapsed on the ground and out of breath. I stood over them and shook my head in disappointment. "Seriously, this is what you three can do?" They only response I got was of them still catching their breath. "Get up and you can double-time it to the briefing room. If I'm nice, I'll let you lightly jog instead full on run there." The three got up and started their way to the room. "I was out of action for three months but I still worked out, I'm at top performance." I quickly jogged up to the group and went ahead of them easily. "Come on, no time to slow down! The Neuroi won't give mercy!" That might have been a bit harsh, oh well, the world is harsh place.

We stood in the briefing room, Sakamoto and I stood in front of the others. Sakamoto was less then impressed, which is an understatement. "The performance I saw today was unacceptable! I will not have any one under my command in such a state, as such; you will be doing extra training!"

The three looked displeased with this and I won't blame them, Sakamoto's training can be harsh.

I quietly laughed. "Well, six months of inactivity will do that do ya' if your not constantly working like I."

Sakamoto looked to me and my grin dropped. "You're joining them Wolfgang."

"Alright," Took a moment to click. "Wait, what? Why am I doing this extra training? I'm in perfect condition." Seriously, I was training every month, between all the help I gave at the base. "I trained every month, day after day to stay within peak performance. Sure I didn't have a striker, but I still...I'm still going aren't I?"

"Yes."

"Damn it," I shrugged. "What's the worst that could happen?" Never say that, just never do. "So, what's this training? More running, push-ups, running push-ups?" Don't know what 'running push-ups' are or if those are even a thing.

"No, none of that, and running push-ups aren't even a thing." There's that answer. She then handed me a map. "Take this and head to the island marked on the map, that's where you'll meet Mrs. Ferrara, you will show her respect. Is that understood?"

We all saluted. "Yes Ma'am."

"Good, now go."

With that done we headed down to the hanger and readied for the trip. We grabbed a pack each and grabbed what we'd need. We took off from the base and headed towards the island.

The flight was only about an hour, I think, my watch might be broken. I looked at the map. "Are we even in the general area?"

I handed the map to Yoshika who looked at it then pointed to a small island. "There it is!" Well, that works.

We followed her down to the island and hovered right above the ground. I looked around and nodded. "Mhm, seems cozy, I like it personally." I looked up to see an object falling towards us. "What's that?"

The others looked up and Perrine aimed her Bren gun at it. "Neuroi!"

"No," It landed in front of us. "It's a metal tub full of water." I looked at Perrine. "Really? A Neuroi?"

She glared at me. "As if you knew what it was."

I shrugged. "Yes, but no Neuroi I've ever seen or killed dose an attack that that. Its just not one of their tactics."

Before Perrine cold form a rebuttal, a voice spoke. "Who are you?"

I looked at the tub. "Did that thing just talk?"

"Up here you idiot!"

I looked up to see an old lady on a broom. "I'll ask again. Who are you and what do you want?"

"We're here by orders. Are you ?"

"She came down to our level and got off her broom. "Yes, now tell me who you are."

"Major Dunmore Wolfgang, Ma'am. The other three are Yoshika Miyafuji, Lynette Bishop, and Perrine Clostermann. We are here by orders of Major Sakamoto, Ma'am." I slung my MG-151 onto my back and the others did the same with their weapons.

glared at us. "So you're the ones Mio sent me? Pathetic." She points to a small barn like building. "Put you gear in the building over there, you won't need them. Once you do that, get back here."

"Yes Ma'am." I looked to the others. "Get moving." We went into the barn and deposited our gear, setting the strikers in the hay. "Hope the hay doesn't get in the engine or other bits."

We got back outside and tossed us each a broom. "Let's start with the basics. You can fly with those damned strikers, but when I was a witch, we used brooms. Use your magic to control it and focus."

I nodded. "Always been a fan of the classics." I felt the broom in my hand. "Light, small, and made for either flight or cleaning. Nice." I looked to Mrs. Ferrana. "So, between our legs and such?"

"Very astute for a male witch." She needs to work on her sarcasm. "Grip it, and focus, it's not hard."

Simple enough. "Let's see..." I did as she said and I started to float as I let my magic flow into the broom. "Nothing to it. Even if it is crushing some areas I'd rather it not."

The others did the same, Yoshika and Lynette had some trouble, but Perrine got it too. But I could see...was it discomfort? "Ah! There we go." Perrine boasted as she began to hover the others looking in awe.

was less then impressed. "Sloppy."

"Wha-AGH!" Before I could ask, she tipped my broom. Tossing me to the ground. "Shit!"

She messed with Perrin's too, whose broom went straight up and started to bounce. "A-ah! It...it's rubbing..." For gods sake this is weird. She finally lost her grip and fell to the ground.

shook her head. "Pathetic. I expected more from you four. We're done for the day."

Perrine shot up in anger. "This is ridicules! We can fly just fine with our strikers," She grabbed her broom and tossed it away. "Why did the Major even think this was a good idea, what a waste." She crossed her arms with a huff.

shook her head. "Hope you brought food with you, the tub is your bathing water." She glared at me. "Since you can't fly with those brooms, you can't get water from the well. So that water is for bathing. I have my food, but that water would have been for yours if you could have gotten it. You can use the attic in the barn to sleep. Good night!" She walked off, none happy with our failure.

Perrine shook her head. "This is a waste of our time."

I shrugged. "I'm having fun." I grinned. "And you seemed to be having fun with that broom earlier."

Perrine glared at me. "Shut your mouth Dunmore."

"What, I'm just-" I was cut off by a quick slap. "Alright, deserve that. But still-" I Stopped my self as Perrine was about to slap me again. "Right, shutting up now."

Lynette and Yoshika were laughing at us. "I told you they acted like that all the time back in Gallia."

Yoshika nodded. "Like they're married." Oh, that sets Perrine off.

Perrine glared at Yoshika. "You idiot! I would never, and I mean ever, consider this...man, for such a thing."

I laughed. "Yeah, because you dream of the Major and your self all the time."

She looked to me in surprise. "Wh-what!?"

"I'm not deaf, and did you forget we share a room?"

"Shut up you perverted mutt!"

She was too cute when she was angry. "You know, you're kind of cute when angry."

She became flustered and slapped me again. "Shut up!" She went to the room we would all be sharing tonight. "Good night!"

I sighed. "Well, can't win all the battles." I looked to the others. "Come on, let's head to bed." We got up to the room to discover a single large bed. "Mhm...you three take the bed, I got the floor." Yoshika tried to argue, but I stopped her. "Hey, floors are pretty comfortable. Don't knock it till you try it."

I removed my coat and folded it up for a makeshift pillow. "Good night."

The responded with the same and they went to bed themselves. I waited a bit to make sure they were asleep before getting back up and heading outside. I went to the edge of island near the large bridge that connected it to the mainland. I looked at the stars above and sighed. "Wish it was always this peaceful."

"You'll have to beat the Neuroi first."

I looked behind me to see . "I know that. That's what we do." I turned my attention back to the stars. "Just wondering if we'll ever head out there and take the war to them."

"Humph, that sounds foolish."

"Well, its' just an idea, and I don't think we ever will. Might be foolish like you said."

"So why are you out here, you should be resting for tomorrow."

"I know. Just needed some air."

"Mhm? Having trouble?"

"I don't know. It might just be my fears."

"And what dose this male witch fear?"

I chuckled. "You know. The basics: Death, loss of friends, watching friends die. The basics." I let out a breath and looked to the water.

"You fear more then that."

"Yeah, understatement."

Mrs. Ferrana moved towards me till she stood next to me. "You fear more then just the loss. You fear it because you'd blame yourself, is that right?"

Nailed it. "That's it. Its cliché, but its' true. I feel a lot different then I used to. I watched my home burn, and then I was left an emotionless shell. Went to Liberion, base called Langley, made some sort of family there, but I left and joined the 501st, and was really not keen on making any sort of connection with anyone there, but slowly and surely I did." I looked to . "I care a lot for the entire group, its family."

"That is true, but I see something between you and that Gallian. What's with you and her?"

"Perrine? Just another person in the group I care for."

shook her head. "I may be old, but I'm not stupid."

"What?" What was she on about?

"The way you two interact, it's different then with the others. I've lived for quite some time, so I've leaned a few things. That girl and you are special. Don't loose her."

I gave her a quizzical look. "What? Are you saying I like her?"

"Yes. Are you deaf?"

"No." I gave it some thought. "Yeah, she is nice looking and such. I mean, when she gets angry, her face gets all..." I stopped and looked to Mrs. Ferrana who had this knowing grin. "Well...shit, I do like her."

"Yes, you do. God you have a thick skull." She pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Hey, how'd you find the person you love?" I was given the opposite of an answer, she hit me with a handle of a broom which I had no idea where she got from. "Ow, what was that for?"

"I'm not discussing my love life with you, boy." She sighed. "Now get back to bed, you'll need your rest for tomorrow."

"Yes Ma'am." I got up and started my way back, but stopped and looked back to . "Thanks."

"Get going."

I didn't even respond, I just kept moving and went back to the room and went to sleep. Like I said, floors can be comfortable. Try sleeping on the floor of a aircraft carrier hanger, then you'll know what I mean, wooden floors are much better.

-lll-

Dunmore: This should get interesting.

Perrine: Yeah, that's one way of putting it. And what was that you said about me?

Dunmore: Nothing. Next time on Book 2: Another war. Chapter 4: Train and train some more.

See you next time pilots! Keep flying towards home!