A/N: I am back with chapter eleven of "Neon Genesis Striker Redux". In this chapter, a new Neuroi attacks.
Thanks to my beta reader Makuhari-fan01
Disclaimer: I don't own Strike Witches or Evangelion
It was a warm summer day in the Manchurian city of Mukden. People were going about their daily lives and all seemed fine. However, a large black shadow suddenly appeared above the city.
"Neuroi!" cried the horrified people.
The citizens ran as the Neuroi assaulted the city including a large portions of the South Manchurian Railroad.
The citizens ran in all directions as the Neuroi continued it's assault on the city. Eventually, it completely destroyed Mukden killing everyone who hadn't managed to get out of it's path.
In Tokyo, the rain was coming down hard in the city. Yoshika was finishing cleaning up breakfast with Kuji Kanesada by her feet. After completing the task, she was headed to her room when a knock came at the door.
"Coming!" called Yoshika.
Yoshika headed to the door and opened it. Standing outside she found a wet Shirley and Lucchini.
"Can we come in Yoshika?" asked Shirley.
"Yeah sure." answered Yoshika.
"You're a lifesaver." said Shirley as the two girls entered the apartment.
"Let me get towels." said Yoshika.
Yoshika darted off to the bathroom and returned moments later carrying to towels in her arms.
"Thanks again." said Shirley.
"That storm came out of nowhere!" declared Lucchini.
"Yeah. I was totally surprised." agreed Yoshika.
"Woof!" barked Kuji Kanesada.
"I know boy. I couldn't take you for a walk earlier." said Yoshika, petting the dog.
"Oh great, you two are here." said Hanna.
"Lovely to see you again." said Shirley sarcastically.
"All of you Liberions are too carefree and relax." huffed Hanna.
"Hey, you're talking to a superior officer." noted Shirley.
"What?" asked Hanna surprised.
"For her bravery in the last battle, Charlotte E. Yeager was promoted to the rank of Captain meaning she is now above you." explained Sakamoto.
"Forgive me ma'am." said Hanna, feeling ill.
"It's nothing." said Shirley.
"Remember girls, we need to go to base later." stated Sakamoto.
"Yes ma'am." replied the witches.
A few hours later and the rain had not let up. They headed to the base and found the other witches there. All of them waited around for a while until Minna, Ferrara and Sakamoto seemed to reach a decision.
"Unfortunately, the weather will not permit us to practice today." said Minna.
"No offense ma'am but, I believe that is pathetic." declared Hanna.
"Oh geez." sighed Hartmann.
"Listen Lieutenant, as the commanding officer I will make the final call. Please remember that." said Minna.
"Understood." said Hanna in defeat.
"Instead. We've decided to let you girls head home." said Ferrara,
The girls turned around and began to head home.
"MIyafuji, hold on." said Sakamoto.
"Yes ma'am." replied Yoshika puzzled.
"I need to speak with you." said Sakamoto.
"Okay ma'am." said Yoshika.
"Why does the Major want to talk to her?" asked Perrine to herself, "This is really bad."
"What do you want ma'am?" asked Yoshika.
"I wanted to let you know that I am considering promoting you to Flying Officer." answered Sakamoto.
"That is a big complement." noted Ferrara.
"Thank you ma'am but, I refuse." said Yoshika.
"Why is that?" asked Minna.
"I don't need ranks or medals. I just want to help people." answered Yoshika.
"I understand." replied Sakamoto who added to herself, "Dr. Miyafuji would be proud."
Yoshika waited a little bit until Sakamoto was ready. The two headed home with Yoshika admiring the sunset just visible beneath the last lingering rain clouds. Once they got back home, the two expected peace and quit but, instead found a makeshift party under way.
"What's going on here?" asked Sakamoto.
"I'm throwing a party for Shirley to celebrate her promotion." answered Lucchini.
"I let them hold it here." admitted Hanna.
Sakamoto looked at Hanna for a second and let out her trademark laugh.
"I'm glad to see you girls getting along so well." said Sakamoto.
"So, you aren't mad?" asked Shirley.
"Of course not." answered Sakamoto with a laugh.
Sakamoto and Yoshika got into the party when a knock came at the door. Yoshika answered it finding Rai, Maria and Barkhorn.
"What are you guys doing here?" asked Yoshika surprised.
"We were invited." answered Maria.
"Come in." said Yoshika.
The three girls took off their shoes and joined the party. Rai went over to Hanna while Maria went over to where Lucchini was.
"Hey Maria!" called Lucchini.
"Hello Francesca." replied Maria.
"Nice to see ya." said Shirley.
"Congratulations on your promotion Captain Yeager." said Maria.
"Thank your your highness." replied Shirley.
"Maria, want chips?" asked Lucchini.
"Thank you very much." answered Maria, with a slight blush.
The party went on with most people enjoying themselves. However, Yoshika noticed Barkhorn standing by herself.
"Barkhorn, is something wrong?" asked Yoshika.
"I'm fine." answered Barkhorn.
"But, you're over here by yourself." noted Yoshika.
"I'm only here because Hartmann invited me and she's not here yet." explained Barkhorn.
"Okay." replied Yoshika.
Suddenly, a knock came at the door. Yoshika answered it finding Minna and the Hartmann twins.
"Hello Yoshika." said Minna.
"Please come in." replied Yoshika moving aside.
"Thanks." said Hartmann, throwing her shoes off and heading inside.
"Bubi, glad you're here." said Barkhorn greeting her friend.
"I wasn't sure you'd come Trude." said Erica.
"It's nice to see you." added Minna.
"Nice to see you Minna." said Barkhorn.
"You to Trude." replied Minna, when a thud was heard.
"I'm okay." said Ursula, getting up after tripping.
"Here you are commander." said Sakamoto, handing Minna a drink.
"Thanks." replied Minna taking a drink.
"I'm glad you're taking a break from work." said Sakamoto.
"That reminds me, tomorrow you'll be in command." said Minna.
"Why is that?" asked Sakamoto.
"Anna and I will be on business." answered Minna.
"No problem." said Sakamoto.
Meanwhile, Barkhorn was talking to the Hartmann twins which hadn't gone unnoticed by Hanna.
"So, how are you enjoying yourself?" asked Erica.
"I'm fine." answered Barkhorn.
"Considering it is Oktoberfest this party is well timed." noted Ursula.
"It's a shame that some of us aren't patriotic enough to actually fight for our homeland." said Hanna.
"Please don't start." begged Erica.
"I'm just as patriotic as you are if not more." replied Barkhorn.
"Considering I fight and you don't, I'd have to disagree." said Hanna smugly.
"I'd fight too dammit but-" began Barkhorn.
"Upset because of what happened to her?" asked Hanna.
Barkhorn didn't answer. Instead, she angrily stormed off from the party.
"Dammit Hanna!" snapped Hartmann running off after Barkhorn.
With that, the party came to an abrupt ending. The night came and went and soon the sun was high in the sky. Outside the city of Nagoya, life was normal at the Atsuta Shrine. Suddenly, two figures approached.
"Hello. Is there anything I can do for you?" asked the shrine miko.
"We're here to see the head priest." answered the younger woman.
"Follow me please." replied the miko.
The miko lead the two women into the shrine where they found the head priest praying.
"Um, we have two women here to see you." said the miko.
"Hello. It's nice to meet you." said the priest standing up.
"I am Lieutenant Colonel Minna Wilcke and this is Anna Ferrara." explained the redhead.
"What can I do for you?" asked the head priest.
"We've come for Reppuzan." answered Minna.
"I...don't know what you're talking about." replied the priest.
"Don't lie to me. You might know it as Kusanagi aka one of the Imperial Regalia." said Minna.
"It is here but, you cannot take it." said the priest.
"We need it." said Minna.
"There is no way we can part with this." said the priest.
"It was a powerful weapon made by ancient witches. It could be the greatest weapon we have against the Neuroi." explained Minna.
"I understand." said the priest.
"You can't!" protested the miko.
"If it will defeat the Neuroi and save human lives we must." said the head priest.
"I understand." replied the miko.
"However, it's very old and might not work." warned the priest.
"I understand." said Minna, when a familiar siren went off.
"Neuroi." noted Anna.
Meanwhile, the remainder of the 501st Joint Fighter Wing scrambled to action. The witches raced to the hanger, jumped into their Strikers, grabbed their weapons and took off. Soon, they came across the alien being.
"The core is in the center." noted Sakamoto.
Sakamoto thought for a moment than, shook her head.
"Alright girls; I'm going head on with Miyafuji and Bishop. The rest of you are to attack from all sides. This is going to be an all out assault." explained Sakamoto.
"Yes ma'am!" cried the other witches.
"Ma'am, what about Commander Minna?" asked Hartmann.
"We couldn't wait for her." answered Sakamoto.
"Understood." replied Hartmann.
The witches began their assault on the Neuroi. They quickly managed to damage the Neuroi before the alien being sent them all flying backwards with a massive blast of beams.
"Is everyone okay?" asked Sakamoto.
"Yes ma'am." answered the other witches.
The Neuroi quickly focused in on the witches and attacked. It was clearly aiming at the witches tried to dodge.
"Scramble!" ordered Sakamoto.
The witches followed this order but, the Neuroi beams followed them.
"Dammit!" snapped Sakamoto.
The witches tried evasive maneuvers but, the Neuroi beams continued to get closer.
"Use your shields." ordered Sakamoto.
The witches threw up their shields and managed to finally block the beams.
"The Nueroi are evolving." noted Sakamoto concerned.
"I hope Minna succeeds." thought Hartmann to herself.
The witches assaulted the Neuroi which managed to counter successfully.
"This isn't working!" declared Hanna.
"Calm down." said Hartmann.
"We need to change our plan." said Hanna.
"Major Sakamoto knows what she's doing." replied Hartmann.
"Fine." huffed Hanna.
The Neuroi launched a counterattack and forced the witches to go on the defensive. Sakamoto threw up her shield to block a beam but, the shield was heavily damaged.
"Major, are you okay?" asked Perrine.
"I'm fine." answered Sakamoto.
The Neuroi again attacked Sakamoto. Perrine raced over to protect her but, Yoshika got there first and used her shield.
"Good work Miyafuji." said Sakamoto.
"That damn raccoon dog." seethed Perrine.
"Look out!" cried Hattori.
Perrine turned around to see a Neuroi beam coming her way. She threw up her shield and blocked it.
"Now's my chance." thought Hanna.
Hanna charged the Neuroi to attack. Seeing this, Hartmann followed her quickly.
"Hanna! Stop!" cried Hartmann.
Hanna charged in but, the Neuroi attacked her. Hanna threw up her shield while Hartmann took the opportunity to destroy the Neuroi.
"That was my shot." said Hanna.
"I only took the shot because you were reckless." said Hartmann softly.
The witches returned to their base where they departed their Strikers and hung up their weapons. Once they returned to the common area, they found Minna and Ferrara.
"Good job ladies." said Minna.
"I wish you could have joined us." said Sakamoto.
"Sorry we couldn't get back soon enough." replied Minna.
"How was your trip?" asked Hartmann.
"Good. We collected a little souvenir." answered Minna.
"That's nice." replied Yoshika.
"How did things go?" asked Minna.
"They were fine ma'am." answered Sakamoto.
"Well, I'll let you unwind." said Minna.
"Something is bugging you." noted Ferrara.
"Mio is lying." said Minna, "It's a good thing our trip succeeded."
A/N: There is chapter eleven done. Next time, the base is invaded. Please review.
