Chapter 10: Interrogation
MA Universe 1945, Karlsland, Allied HQ Berlin.
"Lieutenant Colonel, wake up."
...
"Lieutenant Colonel, wake up!"
...
"Lieutenant Colonel! I SAID WAKE UP!"
A blonde Soumus Witch slowly opened her eyes and yawned while stretching. She glanced her eyes to the monitor and saw an Orussian Witch fuming straight into the camera.
["Lieutenant Colonel Katajainen, if you can't hear me then I will barge right inside the cockpit to get you out!"]
Nikka frowned and sighed, pressing the button to open the cockpit's hatch. Alexandra watched as the light-blue Soumus Mobile Armor's upper chest open with a hiss and Nikka looked down to her Sub-Commander and gave her a nervous grin.
"Ehehe, sorry to keep you waiting. Sleeping inside the cockpit is quite comfortable."
"Yeah, right." Alexandra groaned while rolling her eyes. "You weren't in the office for three hours straight and your paperwork hasn't been done yet!"
"NO! Not paperwork! I will do anything! Anything but that!" Nikka pleaded while trying to hide herself inside the cockpit. "It was pure torture than the previous! I didn't sleep for twenty-nine hours and I didn't drink coffee once!"
"Jeez, you're immature as ever." The Orussian sighed and rubbed her forehead.
"At least we can always rely on her as our Commander," said another voice. "Despite her immaturity, she's more than when capable in combat."
Alexandra turned to her comrade, who appeared to be a Karlsland Air Infantry Witch, Waltrud Krupinsky, she smirked while looking up at Nikka.
"Hey Nikka! If you aren't done with those papers, then you can't get things done!" Waltrud called out.
"You know what? I quit being a Commander!" Nikka fumed.
"Naw, don't be like that Nipa!" Waltraud chuckled. "It's only a few stacks of papers left in your office, that's all."
Nikka fumbled and mumbled something inside the cockpit for a few moments, until she stepped out of the machine, looking at them seriously.
"F-Fine then!"
Later on, the three members of the 502nd arrived at the officer's room. When Nikka opened the door, her jaw dropped and she went white as a sheet. The "few" stacks were actually six towers of papers which stood 40cm high. Edytha Roßman came by and dropped another three stacks on the desk.
"The Allied Command HQ sent these," said Edytha. "They want to check these documents for appropriate confirmation."
At that moment, Nikka nearly fainted and Waltrud caught her from falling.
"I want to die..." she pleaded. It felt like her soul was trying to escape her body. "Please, just kill me already..."
The two Witches frowned in disbelief.
SW Universe 1944, Folkestone Interrogation room.
Minna, Mio, Adolfine and Getrude stood in front of the restrained rogue Witch, who chuckled manically. Mio and Trude took a step back, and while Adolfine felt a discomfort feeling while looking at her, Minna was unfazed by the looks of the prisoner.
"Tell me, what is your name?" she asked.
"Hmm? So you want to know my name?" the rogue Witch said in a playful voice. "Alright, the name's Adelheid Brunstudt, Karlsland Luftwaffe."
"When did you enter the Order?"
"Really? You wanted to hear about my private life?" Adelheid's expression turned unamused and she sighed. "I entered the Order before I entered the military, sure. But when I heard about the Wizards, I just thought of them as idiots, yet you believe their words, don't you? Ahahaha~ That makes you all as Unterhexen."
This insult made them flinch, but it put a spark in the hot-headed Gertrude.
"How... how dare you!" Gertrude growled. "You're bringing shame to the fatherland by wearing that uniform!"
Adelheid gave her a teasing look. "...So?"
"Why you-!"
"That's enough!" Adolfine stopped Gertrude before something worst will happen, then looked back at Adelheid. "Your organization is here in our world and we want to know what your goals are."
"Our goal? Hmm, world domination." She smiled until they stepped back in surprise. "We made several portals that connect to this world. Our Order is now scattering worldwide to collect new members and there is nothing you can do to stop us. It doesn't matter if you have a couple of Wizards here, sure, but the rest of this world? I think not."
"When did you arrive in this world?" Minna gave her a stern look, and Adelheid replied with an uncaring one.
"A week and few days ago. I can't tell you how many members are all around the world." She replied before cracking another smile. "After this, we can get back to our own world with a newly-formed army."
"Then where is your Headquarters?" Mio demanded.
At this moment, the prisoner stood silent.
"Answer me!" Mio gripped her sword, but the rogue Witch just laughed.
"I won't, so kill me."
Mio began to lose patience and slowly unsheathe her sword, but Minna stopped her.
"Mio, no," Minna said. "If we kill her, we will lose a source of information."
"Tsk." Mio scoffed and pushed the blade back into her scabbard.
"I can't believe that she's this psychotic," Adolfine muttered with a frown.
"I knew you can't do it, nothing but weak-willed Unterhexen, all of you." Adelheid taunted.
The four Witches just gave her their unpleasant looks. This was their first time hearing a Witch that talked like a villain and one who was truly a maniac and a fanatic. She'd keep her secrets covered by devoting her life to death. Whoever did this to her had to be hunted down for sure.
"We are done here," Minna said, knowing that that this interrogation was useless. "Mio, Getrude, bring her back to her cell."
"Huh? Already over?" Adelheid raised brow in confused and scoffed. "This is a childish interrogation, you four believe in some good morale, don't you? I was expecting that you Unterhexen would hit me."
"HIER!" Getrude suddenly shrieked while sending a fist straight into her face. Minna and Adolfine restrained their comrade as Mio took care of the prisoner.
"Du beschissenen Mistkiefer!" Getrude cursed in her native language while Minna and Adolfine dragged her out.
Meeting Room.
"I can't believe it..." Getrude clutched her head while looking down. "How dare she... how dare she turn down my homeland."
Minna looked from Getrude to Kurt before asking, "Kurt, about last night, that person we saw was Gundula Rall, right?" Kurt responded with a nod. "Tell me, why is she part of the NOH?"
"Wait, she's part of the Neo Ordo Hambara?!" Adolfine asked suddenly. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?!"
"I kept it covered." Minna explained. "The news will surely give her our Gundula a heart attack."
Kurt sighed "Well, guess it's time to explain about her..."
Gundula Rall, or known as Alternate Gundula Rall, was a respectable Karlsland Ace and a leader of the 502nd JFW back in his world, stationed in Petersburg, much like the Gundula that Minna used to know. According to her data from Kurt had gathered, the alternate Gundula Rall became a member of the Neo Ordo Hambara when she was a child. She was indoctrinated with the Order's ideology and brainwashed by her family, who consisted only of Witches. In her early teenage years, she began to assassinate many VIPS, former members, and Wizards by the use of sniping methods. She entered the Karlsland Luftwaffe when the Neuroi invaded by the year of 1939.
During the War, she became an Ace that stood next to Getrude Barkhorn and Erica Hartmann. She raised the Allied morale by use of NOH's optimistic propaganda that was only approved in the public without exploiting their secret Organization, which is intended only to encourage Witches to fight off the Neuroi.
With the arrival of the Gigants, her use of propaganda led to large numbers of Witches, young and old, to seek fame and glory on the battlefields. This only ended in many deaths and suffering during the first three years of war. Controversy arose among ordinary soldiers and officers who were told about the death toll, which among Witches was getting higher than expected, and the age requirements that stood unquestioned, which allowed Witches to join the military as young as thirteen, before the United Nations entered the war and reorganized everything.
It is stated that Gundula at first liked it when the Mobile Armors arrived, but her view changed when the PILOTs, who mostly consisted of Wizards, were introduced. In fact she had a strong hatred against Wizards.
She was responsible for sending a rogue Witch to plant a bomb in the MACS HQ in London. It was later intercepted by one of Kurt's fellow PILOTs and they also stopped her attempted assassination of Erwin Rommel before he'd planned the Liberation of Karlsland. At that time, Kurt and the other members of the 502nd JFW found out who she was and foiled her plans. She was stripped of her rank by the Field Marshal before other undercover agents of the NOH helped her escape from the grasp of the Allied MP.
Minna, Adolfine and Getrude felt their hearts sink further. A great ace of her homeland, by a twist of fate, committing treason and trying to kill the Wizards and PILOTs. They had to admit that this version of Gundula was worse than Air Marshal Trevor Maloney himself.
"That can't be..." Adolfine trembled.
"The most respectable Ace in your world.. was an Assassin and a Wizard hater..." Getrude stared at Kurt incredulously. "then betrayed the Fatherland..."
"Unbelievable... such atrocity..." Minna murmured in disbelief. "Why... why would she do that?"
"Her family indoctrinated her, but still, there are others out there who are worse," Kurt said, crossing his arms. "Shit happens, even with the Neuroi are still present, there are these kinds of people out there. My world isn't filled with cuddles and roses."
"I... I see..." Minna looked down. "Luckily it didn't happen to our Gundula."
"I'd consider it lucky if the NOH never existed here in the first place," he said with a sigh. "But now, they're starting to scatter teams all around this world."
"Oh Kurt, what will we do?" Minna asked solemnly.
Kurt felt something flicker in his mind. "You said that she mentioned that they had a portal right?" Minna nodded to his statement. "We must get that information from the prisoner and track its location. If we find one of their hideouts, we're gonna get that piece of technology. That's our key to send me and the others back home then hopefully send help here."
"That's seems like a good plan." Adolfine smiled, then frowned. "But how can we convince her to talk?"
"Don't worry, I think I can deal with her," he said before holding up his Holo-pad. "I'll contact Chune, he knows how to interrogate."
One and a half hours later, Folkestone Interrogation room.
Chune stepped into the interrogation room where the Witch was once again sitting on a chair restrained by ropes.
"Well, I expected your Sub-Witches to interrogate me, but this is complete shit!" She snarled angrily at the two PILOT's. "Both of you are nothing but sore to my eyes!"
"Chune, did you get that syringe?"
"Yeah, had it just in case we needed to get important information out of someone," Chune replied as he held it up. "Truth Serum", it's all I've got."
Adelheid flinched at the sight. It was that she'd heard it from her comrades who escaped from captivity before interrogation. Formerly used by the North Americans, then later on by the Allies, "Truth Serum" was a type of Drug that dulled people's minds and will, which forced them to reveal their secrets and very sensitive information.
"No... No! Get that thing away from me!"
"Don't worry, this won't hurt a bit."
"NNOOOOO! STAY AWAY! GEH WEG! NEIN! AAAAAH!"
Adelheid screamed as Chune injected the drug into her neck, and then the fluids started to course within her veins.
Meanwhile, outside, Getrude enjoyed some relief as the prisoner cried hysterically. "Ah yes, that is what you deserved, you evil whore." she muttered softly.
Erica, who was next to her, frowned. 'Does she really enjoy this? Very sadistic of you, Trude.'
After the shrieks and yelling, Adelheid took some deep breaths, and ceased struggling as her vision blurred. She felt weak and dull as the drug washed over her nervous system. Chune lifted her face up and made eye contact.
"Good, now she's out of it."
"Right." Kurt leaned over her and asked, "Adelheid, can you tell us kindly where the Hambara Headquarters are located?"
Adelheid was just silent for a few moments until she muttered, "L-London..."
"And where exactly in London?"
"In the sewers... under the Towers of London."
"Britannia's oldest prison." Chune smiled under his helmet. "Thank you for the information. That was a minor dose, so in a few seconds you'll return to normal."
"That was quicker than I thought," Kurt stated in surprise.
In the meantime, Adelheid's dizziness cleared, and her sense came back in a painful sensation. Her vision became clearer shortly after.
"Thanks for the cooperation Ms. Adelheid," Chune said kindly. "Now we will take our leave."
Adelheid was dumbfounded at first, before her memories played in and she suddenly recalled. "No... This... This can't be..." Adelheid then looked at them incredulously. "Nein... NEEIINN!"
Getrude and Erica yelped as the two PILOTs stepped out of the room, leaving the agitated prisoner behind.
"ICH BIN EINE SCHANDE! EINE SCHANDE FÜR DIE HEXENRASSE!" she yelled while pulling at her restraints. "DAMN YOU! DAMN YOU ALL TO HELL YOU MISTKERLEN!"
Getrude grinned smugly and closed the door, turning the cries into muffling shrieks. Erica trembled nervously as the prisoner continued to yell and curse.
"Her voice almost ripped my ears off," Kurt said. "She's even louder than the explosions."
"We'll get used to it," Chune replied with a chuckle, even though he agreed.
"So what did you guys get?" Trude asked.
"Their Headquarters is in London, located in the sewers under the Medieval Prison," Chune said.
"You mean the Towers of London?" Getrude asked. Both PILOTs nodded. "Then let's go!"
"Not so fast, hot-head," Kurt stopped her by grabbing her shoulders. "We should talk with Minna and plan first."
"Oh right, sorry." Gertrude apologized with a sheepish grin
Minna's Office.
["Alright, the Military Police will take action and will meet those... erm, oh right, PILOTs, in the sewers under the Towers of London,"] said a man's voice from the telephone. ["I'd say that this is the first time to hear about Witches have gone rogue. I began receiving reports of assassination incidents on our high-ranking Officers several days ago."]
"Thank you for the support Mr. Dowding." Minna sighed in relief. "Our guests will surely take out those rogues in no time."
"According to the plan," Kurt said when Minna put down the telephone, "We'd better gear up now before our Operation starts."
"What's the Operation then?"
"It's called Operation: Rattenköder," he answered.
MA Universe, 1945, Berlin, Allied HQ, late evening.
Eighteen-year-old Hikari Karibuchi wandered through the hallways of the small Allied Headquarters. She looked at her watch. It was 7:55 PM; dinner was almost over and Nikka hadn't left her Office for forty-five minutes due to paperwork.
'Has she fallen asleep?' Hikari wondered. 'Maybe it was because of the paperwork. She must have been tired.'
Hikari arrived in front of the office. She sighed deeply before knocking the door.
"Nipa-san? Are you in there?" she called out, yet no one answered. "Huh, must have fallen asleep then."
Hikari opened the door slowly and peeked into the room. She heard a groan and saw Nikka sitting in an uncomfortable position, a cartoonish expression of stress and exhaustion on her face. She was facing the ceiling, and her eyes were white and her mouth wide open, with saliva dripping out. She was still holding a pen in her right hand over the last unsigned paper.
"N-Nipa-san?!" Hikari gasped in horror.
"L-Last one..." Nikka croaked, her hand trembling. She signed the last paper slowly before dropping the pen. "Thank god... finally... some... rest."
Her head slid down, and she slid out of her seat and slumped to the ground. Hikari hurriedly went behind the desk and caught her.
"By Kami, are you alright?!" she asked worriedly. "Nipa-san! Hang in there!"
"C... Coff..."
"...Huh?"
"I need... coffee..." With that last sentence, the Soumus Witch fainted.
"Nipa-san? ...NIPA-SAN!"
Chapter ends.