A/N: Hello everybody I am back with the next chapter of "Sounds of Silence". In this chapter we settle the power vacuum in the 501st and began moving toward the next stage in the arc.
Disclaimer: I don't own Strike Witches
It was a dreary day at the base of the 501st in Orussia. In her room, Barkhorn was putting her uniform and preparing for an important meeting.
"Hey Trude, are you almost ready?" asked Hartmann entering the room.
"I just need my medals." answered Barkhorn, "I expect the plane is already here."
"Yeah it's waiting outside." said Hartmann.
"Prefect Karlsland efficiency." said Barkhorn proudly.
"Of course you'd say that." sighed Hartmann.
"You're a soldier of Karlsland." stated Barkhorn putting her medals on.
"I'm guessing that you'll be saying the same thing to the Allied Command." said Hartmann.
"Well it's only fitting that a native of Karlsland take over the 501st especially since the only other Captain here is that lazy Liberion." huffed Barkhorn putting her medals on.
"I don't think Shirley would that bad a commander." said Hartmann.
"Yes she would." replied Barkhorn as she began walking off with Erica in toe.
"They could bring somebody else in." noted Hartmann worried.
"Yeah. That's the biggest concern I have." said Barkhorn.
"What would you do if that happened?" asked Hartmann.
"Then I will accept it and do my best to aid our new leader." answered Barkhorn.
"I hope you take over." said Hartmann.
"That would be the best situation." replied Barkhorn leading to a brief silence.
"So, have you cried yet?" asked Hartmann.
"I told you before: showing emotions is showing weakness and I will not show weakness." answered Barkhorn as they got outside.
"Good luck Trude." said Hartmann not pleased.
"Thanks Erica." replied Barkhorn before getting on the plane.
Trude took her lengthy plane ride before arriving where the Allied commanders where. Barkhorn got off the plane and entered the headquarters. She headed toward the command room where she found Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Hermann Göring. Barkhorn stood in front of the men.
"Hello Captain Barkhorn. I wish you could have come here under better circumstances." said Churchill.
"So do I." said Barkhorn, standing at attention.
"Captain, do you believe you are qualified to take command of the 501st Joint Fighter Wing?" asked Roosevelt.
"Yes sir. I do believe that I am qualified to do so." answered Barkhorn as the men wrote on paper in front of them.
"How so?" asked Churchill.
"Sir, I am a dedicated and professional solider. I pride myself on efficiency and order." answered Barkhorn.
"Very expected answer for an officer of Karlsland." said Churchill as they men again wrote.
"Sirs, I did help run the day to day activities of the 501st after then Major Sakamoto was killed in action." noted Barkhorn.
"Why was Wing Commander Wilcke unable to lead as usual?" asked Roosevelt.
"She was distraught over the untimely death of then Major Sakamoto." answered Barkhorn.
"Tell me, were Sakamoto and Minna engaged in a lesbian affair?" asked Göring.
"I don't know." answered Barkhorn, "Minna was my friend. I can't do that to her."
"I see." replied Göring clearly not believing her.
"Back to this review, do you think you would make a good commander?" asked Churchill.
"Yes sir. I am one of the top witches from Karlsland and I feel I would make a fine commander." answered Barkhorn trying to be honest but, not to arrogant.
"There is a Liberion in your outfit, Captain Charlotte E. Yeager." noted Göring, "Do you think she would be a better commander?"
"With all respect to President Roosevelt, I do not. I believe she is to unprofessional to make a good commander." answered Barkhorn.
"Please explain why." requested Churchill.
"In my experience Captain Yeager is unprofessional and unfitting for a leadership role." explained Barkhorn.
"Understood. That is reasonable." said Roosevelt.
"You seem to have a lack of confidence in your commanders." said Göring.
"Captain Yeager and all of the 501st Joint Fighter Wing are amazing soldiers." replied Barkhorn.
"Now then, we just happen to have something interesting. Captain Yeager actually sent us a letter here for you meeting." noted Göring.
"I understand sir." replied Barkhorn, "Damn, the Liberion is going to sabotage me."
"Well, I believe the question is who shall read it." said Roosevelt.
"I believe that Premier Churchill should do so." said Göring, "Maybe this will turn them against those damn witches."
To the most esteemed Allied Commanders,
I feel it is my obligation to write this letter to you and hope you consider it when discussing whether to name Captain Barkhorn as our permanent commander. Captain Barkhorn and I have been in the same unit for several years now and in the time I have know her she has epitomized a soldier. Captain Barkhorn is one if not the most disciplined and able witches in our outfit. She is strong, capable and an excellent leader. She has led the 501st Joint Fighter Wing since the death of Wing Commander Minna and ran the day to day activities after Lieutenant Colonel Sakamoto was killed in action. I have dedicated myself to following her professionalism. Thus, I believe she would make an excellent commander. If somebody else were brought in she would willingly aided them and give herself for the betterment of our unit. However, Captain Barkhorn is well known and trusted by all of us in the 501st Joint Fighter Wing so I believe she would be the best candidate for this position. I hope you consider what I have said and entrust your wise decision making.
Sincerely,
Captain Charlotte E. Yeager
"Well, this was informative." said Roosevelt.
"Yes." gritted Göring through his teeth.
"We will now make our decision." said Roosevelt.
The three Allied Commanders then huddled together and began discussing while Barkhorn stood at attention. It took them very little time to come to a decision.
"In light of your testimony and this letter we have decided to name you the new commander of the 501st Joint Fighter Wing. You will also be promoted to Major." declared Churchill.
"Thank you sirs." replied Barkhorn.
Barkhorn got back on the plane and returned to the base. After arriving, she got off it and returned to the base. Once inside she found the others all waiting for her.
"Well Trude, how did it go?" asked Hartmann.
"I have been promoted to Major and put in command." answered Barkhorn.
"That's great!" cried Yoshika.
"Indeed it was but, I have somebody here to thank." replied Barkhorn, "Liberion."
"It was no trouble ma'am." said Shirley surprising the others.
"That was pretty formal for you." noted Eila.
"Yes. Usually you're more aloof than this." added Perrine.
"Well, I've decided that I should act more professional." said Shirley.
"Why?" asked Lynne.
"Because I feel like it would be more appropriate." answered Shirley.
"I have a question of my own." said Barkhorn, "Why did you write that letter asking the Allied commanders to make me the new commander?"
"That was laid out pretty well in the letter. I think you'd be the best person and being from our unit the others here all trust you. I felt like this would help them name you new commander and it seems to have worked." answered Shirley.
"Well, I must say that I like this new attitude from you Yeager." said Barkhorn.
"I don't." said Lucchini quietly.
"Ma'am, I proud to serve in any way I possible can!" replied Shirley saluting.
"I've never seen this side of Shirley before." said Yoshika.
"Me either." said Lynne.
"I think it's an improvement." said Perrine.
"Anyway, I am indeed our new commander and I intend to make some changes around here. I will be going over all rules and regulations at the base and be making changes. Trust me, there will be order and discipline than before." said Barkhorn to groans.
"If that's what you say ma'am then I will support you as the second highest ranked witch here." declared Shirley.
"I'm with you too... Major." added Hartmann.
"Thank you both. Dismissed." said Barkhorn.
The girls departed but, Yoshika and Lynne noticed Lucchini seemed sad. When she walked off they two lovers followed her and found her outside climbing into a tree to nap.
"Hey Francesca, is something wrong?" asked Yoshika.
"I lost my friend." answered Lucchini sadly.
"Shirley is here." noted Yoshika.
"Yes but, she's not my Shirley." replied Lucchini.
"You're upset because of her change in attitude." realized Lynne.
"Ever since Major Sakamoto died she's been acting more like Barkhorn. When she was talking to Barkhorn earlier I couldn't tell them apart." said Lucchini with tears building up in her eyes.
"That's so sad." said Lynne.
"Shirley...was...my...friend...and...now...I've..l ost her..." sobbed Lucchini.
"That's not true. Sure her personality had changed but, she's still the same Shirley." replied Lynne.
"Yeah. You need to talk to Shirley." added Yoshika.
"Do you think that will help?" asked Lucchini sniffling.
"Totally. Once you do you'll see that Shirley hasn't really changed that much and she's still your friend." answered Yoshika.
"If you think so." replied Lucchini, "Thank you both."
"No problem." said Yoshika.
"We're happy to help you." added Lynne.
"I'm going to talk to her right now." said Lucchini who ran off.
Francesca went off looking for Shirley across the base. She found the Liberion in the garage working on her Striker. The first thing Francesca noticed was Shirley was still wearing her shirt rather than just her bra and panties like usual.
"Oh Francesca, I didn't see you there." said Shirley, "Can you please pass the socket wrench."
"Sure." replied Lucchini who handed the wrench, "Shirley, we need to talk."
"Not right now." said Shirley dismissive.
"But, it's important." said Lucchini.
"I'm sure it is but, I'm busy right now." said Shirley, "We'll talk later."
"No! I can't wait!" cried Lucchini.
"Francesca, you're acting childish." said Shirley looking at her friend.
"That's what has me so upset! You'd never act like that!" yelled Lucchini before sobbing.
"Okay. Look, we'll talk now." said Shirley comforting the younger girl.
"Promise?" asked Lucchini unsure.
"Promise." answered Shirley, "So, tell me what's wrong."
"You've changed Shirley. Ever since Sakamoto died you've been acting more and more like Barkhorn. I can't even tell you to apart. I want the old Shirley back. The one I knew." said Lucchini hurting.
"When Sakamoto was killed, I did some reflecting and realized that I needed to act more like a Lieutenant. That means being more stringent and sometimes harder. Barkhorn acts the way she does because she is a Major and that is how a Major in an army needs to act. Barkhorn and I are the highest ranking officers here and we're responsible for all you girls. We're trying to make sure you return home alive and well. I'm sorry you don't like it but, this is how it needs to be." explained Shirley.
"I don't care about that. I want my friend back." said Lucchini stomping her foot on the ground.
"Ensign Lucchini, you are acting like a child." replied Shirley.
"I don't care." huffed Lucchini.
"Well I do. Now act like a solider. This is a war and you need to act like it." said Shirley.
"The old Shirley wouldn't have said that!" snapped Lucchini.
"Well that Shirley is gone like it or not and now you need to starting behaving like a soldier would. I shipped up and so must you." said Shirley sternly.
"No!" cried Lucchini.
"Do not make me discipline you." said Shirley.
"The old Shirley never would have done that. She'd be in trouble." said Lucchini.
"I said before and this is the last time I will say it, this is a new Captain Charlotte E. Yeager. You have to accept that." replied Shirley.
"I don't wanna!" cried Lucchini.
"You're acting childish. If you refuse to stop then you can clean the latrines." said Shirley sternly.
"You are aren't Shirley. I don't know you." said Lucchini bitterly.
"Lucchini, grow up." said Shirley.
"Stay away from me!" yelled Lucchini who ran off.
"Dammit Francesca." sighed Shirley.
Apennine Peninsula: In 1866, Venezia rose up against Ostmark during the Seven Weeks' War and defeated them declaring the independence of the Duchy of Venezia. During this war they also defeated Italia securing their independence. In 1870, Gallian troops were forced to leave Rome as a result of the disastrous Gallian war with Prussia. This allowed Italia to capture the Eternal City as it's new capital. To capitalize on the Roman Empire the Duchy of Italia changed it's name to the Duchy of Romagna but, Romagna and Venezia had different paths. Using the sea to it's advantage, Venezia had a good economy and stability like the Republic of Venice. Romagna was wealthier in the north and more unstable. This included anarchists, socialists and the Catholic Church which opposed the annexation of Rome. In 1912, Venezia annexed the Dodecanese Islands including Rhodes while Romagna captured Libya from the Ottoman Empire and expanded into Northeast Africa annexing the territories of Romagnan Somaliland and Romagnan Eritrea now Romagnan East Africa. However, Romagna was defeated by Abyssinian Empire in 1895-96. Venezia added the Julian March, Trentino, South Tyrol, the Ostmark Littoral, Istria, Dalmatia, Bosnia, Herzegovina and Montenegro after the First Neuroi War and later Albania and Corfu as well. After the death of Victor Emanuel II in 1878, his son Umberto I became Duke of Romagna until his assassination in 1900 by anarchist Gaetano Bresci. His son Victor Emanuel III succeeded him becoming Duke of Romagna. Romagna stabilized and peace with the Catholic Church came in 1929 with the Lateran Treaty but, troubles would return.
A/N: That ending was really long and I try not to do that but, it couldn't be helped here. Anyway, there is the chapter and I hope you liked it. Major Barkhorn now runs the 501st and she is going to need to be really though to deal with the upcoming issues. Next chapter, the falling out with Shirley and Francesca and the next Neuroi arrives. Please review.