Now, someone new will come to take part in this war. But of course, against their will. And their be more support to the ground in addition to air. Alright, I already said too much. You'll see by yourself.

To the content.

Chapter 7

,,Newcomers"

July 16, 1945

09:01

Somewhere in Cyrenaica, North Africa

The Tank Witches under the command of Cecilia Miles were on patrol in the desert. The Neuroi activity here became smaller than earlier, but North Africa HQ ordered a additional patrols against possible Neuroi attacks.

Patrol lasted from about 2 hours and some of Witches were already tired from the sun heat.

–Stop!—Miles ordered seeing the other Witches tiredness.—We will rest here for a while.

Witches sat or stand on sand. They pulled out their canteens and started to drink or glaze themselves with water.

–Wow. And they say that north is this cold part of world—said Matilda, the South African Witch, originally assigned to 31st Joint Fighter Squadron, but moved to 4th Armored Brigade after Storm Witches disappear.

–North is cold only in North Pole, Scandinavia, Northern Orussia and Northern Faraway Land—said Louis Hoche, the new Witch moved from Gallian 3rd Tank Witch Battalion.

–I know. And I didn't asked for a geography lesson.

–Girls, before it end with a quarrel, could you borrow me some water? My is over—Marilyn asked.

–Sure—Louis said and she gave some of her water to Marilyn.

–Hey, what is it?—Marta Maczek, the Tank Witch from Ostmark, asked pointing something in the sky.

When they looked in that direction, they saw something blue glowing against the sun. When they looked closer, they recognized this thing as…

–Rune? What is this doing there?—asked Kitano Furuko, another Witch moved after disappearing of Storm Witches.

–Wait—Miles said.—I know it from somewhere.

Then, the Rune changed into a giant portal that started to draw the Witches inside of it.

–I knew it! It's the same thing that caused the disappearance of 501st, 502nd, 506th, Galland and 31st!—Miles yelled.

Before any of Witches could respond to her, the portal drew them inside.

Unknown date

Unknown time

Unknown location

Portal threw the Witches on a small forest glade. Witches started to looking around.

–Where we are?—Marta asked.

–I don't know—Matilda said.

Miles looked around, and noticed a few mountain peaks.

–I saw this mountains in a geography book. Those are Wicklow Mountains—she said.

–And if I can ask—Louis raised her hand—where those mountains are?

–In Ireland—Miles replied shortly.

All Witches widened their eyes.

–Ireland?!—Charlotte asked.

–So, if we're in Ireland, then probably Witches that disappeared, should return from there to their bases?—Kitano said.

Suddenly, they heard something in the bushes behind them. When they turned, they saw another Tank Witch, with silver hair reaching her arms and dressed in Suomus Army uniform.

–Oh. Good to see some other Witches—she said.

–Yeah. And who are you?—Matilda asked.

–I'm Aurora Edith Juutilainen of the Suomus Army—the Witch replied.

–Juutilainen…I think I heard that name before—Charlotte though out loud.

–I'm elder sister of Eila Ilmatara Juutilainen—Aurora added.

–Sou you're sister of one of Witches from 501st—Miles stated.

–That's right.

Suddenly, the air was filled with a buzzing sound. Soon, they could see a formation of 20 aircraft painted in cold blue, flying over them. And they recognized their type.

–Jets?—Aurora asked.

–It looks like it. But they don't look like the ones I saw in Karlsland Luftwaffe—Charlotte said.

And right then, they heard another sound, this time it was a sound of explosion. They looked up, and saw as the formation of twenty jets decreased to only fourteen. Behind them followed another group, this time six, jets but that ones we're different and was painted in a deep red. Then, the Witches heard a voice in their communicators:

–Strike Witches, destroy the remaining Quebec aircraft!

At this words, tank Witches again looked up, and really saw the Strike Witches flying over them. They also notice that the 501st Strikers are different and held a different weapons.

–What is going on here?—Louis asked, seeing as the 501st and red jets engage the blue jets.

–Wait, if they're using Witches frequency…—Aurora said, as she activated her communicator and said:—Eila? Eila, it's me!

Only crackles responded. Soon she heard:

–Aurora? It's you?

–Yes!

–How did you get here?

–I say later! Look at this small glade!

After a while:

–I see you! And that you have a company.

–Could you get here?

–Sure, just wait a minute. I'm now chasing enemy Su-27.

They saw as one of jets explodes, and moment later, Eila was floating in front of Tank Witches. The Juutilinen sisters hugged each other.

–It's good to see you, Eila. I though that something…—Aurora didn't ended, because she saw her sister equipment.—What is it?

–Oh. It's just my weapon and Striker for the time of being in this world—Eila calmly replied.

–Wait, what?—Cecilia asked.

–We'll explain later. At now, we must to stop those guys in blue jets.

And she flew to the air battle again. After about 10 minutes, everything was over.

–This is Minna Dietlinde-Wilcke of 501st to Tank Witches. We ask the command to send someone for you. Could you wait there for another few minutes?—Minna said in Miles communicator.

–Of course commander Wilcke—Miles replied.

–Rohkea Squadron will stay there also. They provide and escort for your chopper—Minna explained.—See you in the base.

–That's right. With us, you could be calm—Rohkea 1 said.

Short time later, on the glade landed a two-rotor aircraft. To the Tank Witches surprise, the aircraft, before landing, brood in the air. They loaded on it, and flew towards the base.

August 27, 2021

09:46

Dublin AFB

When the chopper landed, Tank Witches found themselves in a giant airbase. Soon, Minna approached them with the company of woman with long white hair and dressed in the pilot uniform.

–Well! Welcome to the Dublin Air Force Base!—Minna said handshaking with Miles.

–It's good to see you too. But what's going on here? And this is Dublin?—Miles replied seeing the futuristic look of the city.

–I'll tell you everything. Fallow me to the base commander office.

–Okay. Girls—she turned to the other Tank Witches—you stay here and wait for me. Better leave your Strikers somewhere.

–I though that Witches in you world only fight in the air—the white-haired woman finally said.

–And you are…?—Charlotte asked.

–Oh, right. Where's my manners? Major Ida Lilnata, commander of the Arisneri Royal Air Force 3rd Air Division / 32nd Air Regiment / 5th Fighter Squadron—Ida said.

–Commander? You?—Marta said.

–Yeah. In this world, woman in military is nothing strange—Minna explained.

As Miles, Minna and Ida walked to meet with the base commander, Miles reminded something more:

–You know what about other Witches that disappeared?

–Sure. They all are here—Minna replied.

–Really?!—surprised Miles almost shouted.

–Yes. They should be doing something around here. I'll organize meeting with them later.

And they go to the base commander office.

10:02

Base Commander Office

O'Haller was just checking some reports from the patrols and other stuff, till he heard a knocking.

–Come in!—he said.

The door opened to show Minna ans other girl.

–Lieutenant Colonel Wilcke. And this is probably one of those Tank Witches you told me when you we're asking me for a chopper for them, right?

–Yes. Please, meet major Cecilia Miles of the 4th Armored Brigade. Miles. This is general Dolan O'Haller, commander of this base—Minna replied.

–It's a pleasure to meet you, general—Miles said saluting.

–There's no need to salute. Please sit down—O'Haller pointed at the chair in front of his desk.

Miles sat down, and O'Haller asked:

–I know that such a question is not appropriate at the very beginning, but how did you get there?

–Well. It was like that—she replied, and told general and Minna about their patrol in Cyrenaica, the mysterious Rune and how they met Aurora.

–Hmm. Rune, you say?—Minna though.

–Yes. It was probably the same way as you get there. But we didn't touched that Rune, and she even without that teleported us here—Miles ended.—And if I can ask. What's the date?

–It's August 27, 2021—Minna replied.

Miles looked puzzled.

–What? How? In our world is July 16, two days after your disappearance.—Miles pointed at Karlsland Witch.

–What?! That's impossible!—she exclaimed.

–Oh dear. Let's better call Arragocchi. Maybe doctor will be having some theory about that.—And he took the phone.

–Tell him to take the Magic Power Calibrator—Minna added.

–What?—Miles looked more puzzled.

–You'll be know really soon—Minna said smiling.

10:10

Dublin AFB, Hangar 4

Aurora was walking around the base, looking for Eila and the place where she could park her Striker. Finally, she found her in one of the hangars, talking with two pilots: aging men and a short girl. She came up to them.

–Hi Eila. Who is it?—she asked as she stood next her sister.

–Oh, sis. Well. This is captain Niilsien and lieutenant Utripial, also know as Rohkea 2 and 3—Eila introduced two pilots to her sister.—And this is my sister.

–Nice to meet you—Niilsien said.

–I'm also pleased to—Utripial said.

–The same here—Aurora replied.—BTW. What were you talking about?

–About our fight earlier. Since we destroyed Balaur, Quebec became more brazen with air rides. And we still don't know, how they are breaking through our radars—Utripial explained.

Aurora lost tone.

–Quebec? And what is Balaur?—she asked her sister.

–I'll tell you—Eila provided.

–Well. So, you can talk here, and we will discuss some things. Let's go, Aurora—Sauli said.

–I'm coming—both Aurora's said. They looked at each other.

–Oh, right. I've forgot to mention—Eila said nervously.—Now, we have two Aurora's here. The one who's my Tank Witch sister and the Arisneri pilot.

–So that's why you didn't told me her name—both Aurora's said again.

–Yeah. Sorry.

–Okay, maybe better let's go.

And two pilots leaved. Two sisters left alone.

–So—Aurora started—explain me, Eila. What's going on here? What is Balaur? What's Arisneri? And what about Quebec?

–Well, where to begin?—Eila though.—I'll start here. We get into alternate world, we're nations are called different and have different shapes. For us, Arisneri is this world Suomus.

–That's why their names sounded so Suomusian.

–Exactly. Coming back. The world is dominated by two organizations. The one we fighting for, the Independent Nations Alliance created from democratic nations, and Intercontinental Communist Union associates the nations with system called communism, and it's three other parts: syndicalism, socialism and anarchism. Quebec is ICCU member state and it's full name is Socialist Republic of Quebec. At now, this two organizations are at war. Those aircraft we fought before were from Quebec Air Force.

–I think I understand. But wait. You said that the two organizations are at war. It means…

–Yeah. We fight other people. But, it has justification.

–What?

–There's no any danger of Nauroi, because here, they never existed. So, fighting each other is the only thing that left for them.

–In our world fighting each other is rare.

Eila nodded.

–But now. What's the Balaur?

–Balaur was a giant cannon of the Railgun type.

–Railgun?

–Yeah. After Operation: Into the Dragon's Liar, I asked Ohto, known as Rohkea 5, what Railgun is. He told me, that Railgun has a really simple principle of operation, in addition to it's technological advanced: first, the missile is made of a good conductor, or at least covered with a rather thick layer of conductive material, and placed between two conductive rails. The beginning of the rails, counting from the back of the barrel, is connected to the power supply. Second, when the power is turned on, a rail-missile-rail circuit is created, through which a significant electric current flows. This circumference generates a strong transverse magnetic field. There is electrodynamic force on the rails and the missile, trying to slide the rails apart and throw the missile. The rails are immobilized so the electrodynamic force only works against the missile. Or something like that.

–Wow. I've never though that I hear something like that from you.

–He, he. I wanted to remember that to tell you after we get back to our world.

–Oh. And you really destroyed Balaur?

–Yeah. But in addition to us, Brave Witches and Rohkea destroyed him.

At this words, Aurora winded her eyes.

–Brave Witches? So they're here too?

–Yeah. And Storm Witches and Noble Witches and Galland are here too.

Aurora sighted.

–That's good. Back in our world, Allied HQ is really busy in trying to find out what happened. And one more thing. What's happened to your Striker and weapon?

–Well. Every Witch received modern Striker and weapon. My new riffle is Arisnerian made Velmet M62 and my new Striker is CFA-44 Nosferatu, based on this plane.—Eila pointed on the plane they were standing next to.—It's mainly because our weapons are too old for modern war, and Strikers are to slow in the times where jets supplanted the planes with propellers.

–Wow. I think that's enough of explaining right now. I must to think about this everything.

Then, Sauli came back to hangar.

–Girls. Galland is want you to come to the main building. Doctor Arragocchi and others are there as well—he said.

–We're coming—Eila replied.

And the three go to the main building.

10:28

Main building

At the base main building, doctor Arragocchi was preparing the Calibrator for the new Witches. He was fascinated that Witches fight not only in Strikers based on warplanes, but also on tanks. He couldn't wait what tanks will be chosen for the newcomers Strikers. Also Tank Witches could talk with their long time no see friends. After a few preparations, Arragocchi activated the Calibrator and selected the new Strikers.

Miles received the Irish Challenger 2 tank, Lueder get a Nexonian Leopard 2, Matilda received the Olifant, main tank of the South African Assembly, Louise received the AMX-56 Leclerc, Kitano got the Tanagawan Type 90 MBT, Marta received PT-91 Twardy, Pomeranian-made main battle, Marilyn got the M1A2 Abrams tank and Aurora received the Str-103.

–Okay, that's it. Your new Strikers should be ready today in the evening. I'm going to send the order to the factory—Arragocchi said putting the Calibrator to his bag.

–Thank you, doctor—Miles said.—But, why we even need them?

–Well, you'll probably also go to front soon—Sakamoto replied.

The Tank Witches winced.

–Easy. Fighting other human is even bearable. You get used—Marseille said.

–So, now—O'Haller turned to doctor.—What do you have to say about this time difference?

–Wait one minute, Sir. I have also some news for Air Witches, as I called them.—He then took some plans and showed them to Witches. It was plans of missiles.

–Why you showing us that?—Raisa asked.

–This, my ladies, is the second biggest achievement of me and my team, after those Modern Strikers—he said proudly.—The missiles adapted to Strikers.

Some Witches looked at the plans, and have a smiles on their faces.

–Thanks to them—Arragocchi continued—you'll be able to fight not only with guns but also with missiles. Of course, they're are smaller, but their power is the same. First party is already on the way here from Bordeaux as we speak.

–Oh, I can't wait to try those missiles in fight!—Shirley said.

–To the bottom, doctor—O'Haller urged.

–Of course.—He put the plans to the bag—I have some theory on this why the dates in our worlds are different. I called it the Multitime Theory, and it's connects with Multiverse Theory. My theory assumes that dates in alternate worlds are different, even if those worlds are similar in many aspects. It's also assumes that from time to time, dates in worlds are the same. And this is the explaining of this theory.

–So your theory is right. Here, month has passed since our arrival, but in our world it was only two days—Minna said.

–Exactly—doctor admitted.

–But how's this work? Why the time in our world is slower than here?—Matilda asked.

–On this, I have no theory or explaining.—Doctor shrugged his arms.

–So this must be enough for us—Galland sighted.

–Yeah—O'Haller added.

Then, O'Haller turned to Marta:

–Miss Maczek, can I ask you something?

–Of course—she replied.

–Who's your father?

–My father is general Stanisław Maczek. He now commands a tank division in Netherlands.

–As I though. Your Modern Striker already told me that you have something like Pomeranian blood.

Marta was interested.

–But I'm Polonian, not Pomeranian.—Then she understood.—So here, Polonia is independent?

O'Haller nodded.

–Yeah, but as he said, here it's called Republic of Pomerania—Ida explained.

–Huh. In our world, Polonia is divided between Ostmark, Orussia and Karlsland.—She looked at Orussian and Karlsland Witches.

–It's good. Maybe you'll see how this world Polonia looks like—Lueder said.

–Yeah, maybe.

–Okay. It's all for now. Until your new Strikers would be here, you can go to look around the base—O'Haller said.

–Thanks—Matilda said.

After those words, everyone went in their ways.

21:21

Mess Hall

Miles and Tank Witches were sitting in mess hall and thinking.

–So. Now we have to fight in this war just like the others?—Louise asked.

–Yes—Marta replied.

–At least, we got this new Strikers. I must say that they're really better than this from our world—Matilda granted.

–And what you think about our new situation, Miles?—Charlotte asked.

Miles just ended drinking her water and said:

–I just think, that this will be really hard time.

XXX

22:05

Unknown location

–As you expected, Master. More Witches have came here—the general said.

–So my plan is working. Keep it going. You can leave.

General bowed and exited the room.

XXX

I know that this one is shorter, but this is only the chapter where other Witches arrive. Yeah, maybe there will be more of such chapters, but not too many.

As for Marta Maczek. She's a fictional Witch daughter of general Stanisław Maczek (1892-1994), who originally was the Polish general from Eastern Borderlands (modern day Western Ukraine and Belarus), more precisely from Szczerzec, Lviv District. I just though that if other WW2 generals exist in SW, then why Polish generals can't? But probably they serves in Orussian, Karlsland and Ostmark armies.

Besides, it's my explanation why two Witches from Ostmark have Polish names and are based on Polish fighter Aces.

And one more thing that I forget to mention. Here, Bofors company works for two countries: Arisneri and Nardocia. That's why both nations have Stridsvagn 103 tank destroyers and CV90 IFV.