Strike Witches: The World's Finest

by StrikerStanding692

The witches have faced the neuroi, but they haven't seen anything much powerful than what they believe. Join them as they battle the neuroi, taking them to new heights. With enhanced powers given to some of our heroes, will it be a catalyst to humanity's victory... or would the neuroi overpower them with their new strategies finally put to use?

25. A Glimpse Into The Future

GET DOWN ON IT! Let's give ourselves a break from the past... and fast forward to the future for the meantime! As for the reviews related to the timeline of the second neuroi war, I'll have to answer them during the next chapter... in which by that time... the operation may have started to start taking Old Moscow in Orussia Major (Formerly Greater Orussia).

And so... here it is: Chapter 24! Some of you... may have shaking boots after reading this chapter! Enjoy! ;)

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Chapter 24

"A Glimpse Into The Future"

*Year 2015… Early September…*

Mankind was finally on a good roll with its own peace… however… the nations weren't as peaceful with each other as was it was supposed to be even after the neuroi were no longer existing to invade the earth… but rather Earth's very own neuroi species began to spread in random spots… most likely at where magical draw points were. Thanks to this… the earth-born neuroi become a daily problem, or obstacle instead. Mankind was able to expand with its own technology and not what would also kill its own creators themselves. After the neuroi war since the 40's… they decided to try making tools for defending themselves. No longer would they fight an enemy they hope to defeat but they would want to fight… themselves, in the hopes of clearing up the internal corruption that was still in humanity even after their own wonder of removing an opponent almost impossible to take down, but it never would have been done without the witches of different military wings. But now that it was over… there was no need for the witches at younger ages to serve the military. Or is it the case at all?

Starting in the Year 1958… earth-born neuroi are beginning to surface… but small in numbers. They grow a little larger as each decade passes each time… but they're handled well thanks to the aerial witches who get the job done of clearing out the earth-born neuroi. This all started from what was known as The Purge… a process in which the DNA and core's aura of the original neuroi race was inserted into the magic flow of the planet that can come out at magical draw points in the world. Because of this… about half a century was a problem because this particular species… even if not handled to be enemies… were either taken by nations, or extinguished. The earth-born neuroi spawn at magical draw points thanks to the process of the original neuroi in the past.

Even today… witches exist to protect… but just not how they're supposed to do it.

*Yokosuka, Fuso…*

Now 86 years old, Yoshika had been guiding her 22 year-old granddaughter Natsumi after her older 26 year-old sister Mitsuko had left years ago to serve in the Liberion air force. Natsumi is known to be the only doctor of the Yokosuka prefecture, but supported by nurses around. Thanks to Yoshika's guidance and her preservation in health, she was able to see a granddaughter follow her grandmother's footsteps and support her in Yokosuka, even if it was against the 45 year-old Chie's decision to let both of them serve the army, just to let their honor be retained because Yoshika was once a witch who served in the Fuso military.

*2012 hours… Miyafuji Residence in Yokosuka…*

Natsumi was watching TV in the living room after washing the plates. After seeing the news about the usual neuroi outbreak happening in West Asiect, she knew it would just be another problem that can easily be handled. After hearing Yoshika's stories of her serving in the war… Natsumi always believes that her grandmother's virtues in believing in the good of this planet was better than Chie ignoring her own grandmother's virtue and just settle to 'making life as it is' not to even make it colorful. That was Chie's problem… and Yoshika had to talk to Natsumi about it.

Yoshika sat beside Natsumi before the TV was switched off and she started it off. "Natsumi… do you remember… how you and your mother argued?"

Then Natsumi started to remember it again and she shook her head. "Grandma… I don't think I like to talk about that."

"But it's part of who you are. At least you could share."

Natsumi sighed at Yoshika's point. "Well… it was about what I really wanted. There was always this thing from mother that made me want to do what she wanted. She wanted me to become a scientist… but I stuck to being a doctor because I wanted to help people instead. I told that to my mother… and the first thing she told me… after my five to ten minutes of explaining was… NO. Starting from there… my own explaining didn't go so well. We argued from there until I decided to take the bullet train all the way from Tokyo to Yokosuka." Then she breathed in after her explanation. "Grandma, why do you want me to keep remembering that?"

"It's because… you have to remember how you got here. Are you letting it hinder you from doing what you want?"

This caught the young Fusoan off-guard. "Oh. Well… kind of. I still think of her every day I'm always here in Yokosuka. Because of that… I miss her terribly. And I still ask myself until now if I've done the right thing."

Yoshika then put her hand on Natsumi's head. "Natsumi… always know that whatever brought you here… there was no one at fault. Neither your own mother… or you yourself wasn't at fault but fate brought you to this. As much as I wanted to… I became a doctor even after I've served the military in the past. I became the best… and it was because of my will to keep going. I'm not pushing you to be the best in life… but I want you to be independent and strong as you go. I've had a lot of help making sure your great and great great grandmother got me to where I wanted to be. My wish had already been granted after I've protected everyone. And I did it with the help of my friends. After doing so… I proceeded to be a doctor, and it got me to a good position. But I didn't care if my children or grandchildren could do the same thing as I did. Clearly… you want to do so in your mother's name."

"Isn't that people who are honor-oriented would want for their children?"

"Yes… but I didn't follow that just to honor the family." Yoshika explained. "I did it because I wanted to see the light of this world still glowing. By light… I mean the very hearts of everyone who still believe that life is worth living no matter where we came from. It's like I want to represent people who I know or don't know who have lived through the toughest times, to be taught that no matter everything is hard… you would push on, not to be the best… not to make yourself look like a winner to many… but to see to it your happiness brings happiness to others too. If you would be the person who would wish to be happy, you will be happy as they are. That's how I aimed my life to be after things were over from the war."

Natsumi widened her eyes to what Yoshika had explained. "Oh. But mother won't understand that…" She frowned after finishing the sentence. "She always wanted to see us all rise to be the best in Fuso, or in the world. In the end… we just wanted to fulfill our own dreams and leave her." She shook her head. "I don't want her to live alone. I love her, grandma."

Yoshika sighed at this. "I don't regret having raised someone like her. Still… all I just needed to see was her love. I just didn't see that she would have a different tale as to how she would show it. She's aiming to be the best in her dream as an architect, and the best at it in Fuso. She only wants someone to be with her in her own ride… but it's not a bad intention. And I blame neither of you as you've made this choice."

"Really?"

"Mistakes are truly made if one regrets or knows what's wrong. And so far, I don't believe my daughter has. It's just that I don't want to see her go too deep in being alone that she would forget… and you shouldn't do the same. Love your mother as she is… and she'll love you back." Yoshika said and somehow Natsumi felt her confidence dropped. Yoshika chuckled at this. "Natsumi… think about it in the night." Her granddaughter nodded before Yoshika kissed her on her forehead. "Get to sleep. You'll need your rest."

"Thanks… but I won't be long here. I'll go to bed soon."

"And if you keep watching the news… your head will ache just as heavy as you stress yourself in work." Yoshika giggled before she slowly stood up due to her age. "Goodnight, Natsumi." She said before she headed into her bedroom and Natsumi greeted back.

*The next morning… 0819 hours…*

Yoshika slid the door open after hearing a knock, and she was somehow surprised. The 71 year-old Yooper named Mary was at Yoshika's doorstep. "Wait… Mary?"

Mary giggled. "Seriously, Yoshika. And I thought we've known each other for a long time." She said before she stuck her tongue out. "Remind me to pat your head just to make you remember."

Yoshika chuckled. "My mind seems to delay me from knowing who some people are now. Come in! Some tea?"

"And don't mind at all!" Mary giggled as she entered Yoshika's humble home. Mary noticed that her granddaughter Natsumi wasn't around. And thus, they were having a good time.

*0835 hours… path going to the Miyafuji Local Clinic…*

Natsumi knew the opening of the clinic was at 9 AM. It was an ordinary day as she smiled… seeing the preserved path that was there ever since. Then… she thought of stopping by to visit Ryo … grandson of the once captain of the 504th JFW Ardor witches, Takei Junko. Ryo's already a scientist… and he's making up his time while working in the laboratory that he now owns which was passed to him by a company owner for High-Definition flatscreen TV's. He's now a researcher for various technologies and somehow… someone who preserves items that came from the past.

She entered the laboratory and looked around. The Fusoan girl wasn't tired of the usual appearance of the laboratory, with big capsules for live specimens and big machines for processing computer power. It was Ryo's thing of making his laboratory a place of interest for the rest who visit. It was also his thing for putting a camera and letting the computer do the research as to who the visitor is everytime one arrives at the door. At that time… the female computer voice then spoke up through some overhead speakers. "Welcome, Ms. Miyafuji." And for some reason… Natsumi's a little creeped out.

Ryo was putting a drop of a chemical to a foreign one in a test tube. Once he made the drop make contact with the test tube's solution… it made the solution's color turn from green to purple. "Interesting…" He muttered to himself before looking at another container only smaller, with something much important than the chemicals he worked on. He smiled at the container sending laser beams to the red neuroi core contained behind the strong glass. "Well… still not going to change color at all?" The container then sparked with electricity before the power supplied to the machine container halted. Smoke came from underneath the small container. "And there goes one of my theories. Tsk. Ah… Natsumi?"

"Still the bastard who wants to change the color of the core?"

He sighed. "Yeah. I still didn't get it right. I know the core can very much change the wearer… or should we say the very person, but I always believed the core itself can be changed too."

"And how's that theory working out for you?"

"No progress of proving it at all." Ryo groaned before he went to the container's plug and unplugged it. "At least I've proven that it has its own mind. The core is always red… and it can't change."

"What the heck are you going to prove if you change its color anyway?"

"The last Blue Neuroi elder who stayed here decades ago told me that only if the core changes color can it truly afford to change its original wearer. Likewise… the original wearer only has the original color, right? Imagine a Red Neuroi unit. What if its core turned blue? It also changes the wearer. Likewise… I'm still trying to find a way as to how to change the nature and thinking of one neuroi individual by changing only its color. Gosh… I hope that elder comes back."

"Ryo… you know very much that they will never come back, right?"

"I know. It's just…" Ryo frowned. "It's almost as if nothing will happen." Then he perked up and his confidence boosted. His own atmosphere of being on stage and being cheered on by the crowd lifted his morale. "No! I'm gonna make sure I make it to the top! If I prove this theory… then I'm looking at years of happiness! The girls will simply cheer at me and…" Then his imaginative atmosphere disappeared when he saw Natsumi walk away. "Hey, wait! I'm not even done with my rockstar move!"

"See ya, Ryo. Gotta open up the clinic!" Natsumi waved as she kept on walking towards the entrance. Little did she know that Ryo was beating himself up by looking down with a frown. But Natsumi knew better and thought Ryo is already confident he'll finish this with a smile. It was far from true…

*Miyafuji residence… 0925 hours…*

Mary was seated on a couch, aware that her tea was on the table, untouched. She writing a few things in her notebook while Yoshika was leaf-trimming her Bonsai tree. Mary then decided to open up something. "Yoshika… how exactly were you convinced that your eldest granddaughter would have to fight for the Liberion air force? Isn't the Fuso Air Force not good enough?"

"Truth is… there aren't that many threats here. The draw points near our seas may be strong, but more earth-born neuroi that are wild are more of a problem on the Atlantic. Mitsuko wouldn't find it amusing and decided to go to California just to sign up there. She trained here… but she's getting more of a tested personality while she's there."

"Ah."

"What about your granddaughter, Josephine?"

"Oh… she always likes being solo for a reason, but she listens to what I say. She's in the car just outside your house. The windows are down… and I still wonder why she likes being solo. She reads books… sometimes fiction types."

Yoshika chuckled. "Let me guess… she wears glasses."

Mary blinked in disbelief. "That's right. How did you know? You didn't even see her."

"Hi." Josephine was already standing at the left side of Mary the whole time and it shocked the elder a little. The girl had black colored purple highlighted upper-back lengthened hair… and having the appearance of a punk-rocker. She was wearing glass and had headphones around her neck and was holding a book. She has a height of 4 feet 9 inches.

"Gosh… when did you arrive?"

Josephine shrugged. "…Thought I'd look around." She answered almost silently.

Yoshika laughed. "It seems your granddaughter is patient and silent, Mary. I'm impressed already."

"Sheesh. You could have told me." Mary smiled at Yoshika and looked back at her granddaughter. "What? You're doing fine standing? Take a seat here." Josephine nodded and sat down before she got back to reading her book. "You always have time to read your book and not talk to me. Not too eager, are you?"

"Are we going home yet?" Josephine said monotonously as she kept reading her book. "I like home."

Mary sighed. "Nothing rather pleases you than being home, huh?" Yoshika continued her trimming as she listened. "You know… some shopping can work out during our trip here. How's that?"

"Sure. But let's go home." Josephine calmly answered.

The elder was feeling a little pissed and calmly had a statement. "Now, Josephine…" But she was interrupted with a beep on her phone. She immediately gasped and took the touchscreen phone out from her pocket. The screen flashed red to one side while it showed a map of Yokosuka, Fuso. She dragged the screen further down south and saw multiple red dots with details. There were 12 Class-2 neuroi and 2 Class-4 neuroi approaching the naval base. Mary sighed. "I didn't know the Fusoans had long range radar and realtime SAT technology." She smiled and chuckled before looking at Josephine. "Next to missing home… I'm sure you miss another thing."

Yoshika clearly saw Josephine smirk and nodded before standing up. Then she knew what it meant. "Josephine? Wait… are you…?"

Josephine took off her glasses and her headphones then put them on the small table, along with her book. "Mrs. Miyafuji… Of course you have an idea my grandmother's a witch, but…" She then glowed blue and her familiar features came out. From the looks of it… Her familiar features were described to have a long tail and somehow included tall ears. Her familiar is the Russian Trotter. "…I'm also like her, but I'm different. I'm a private outfit aerial witch, usually a fighter for the Liberion Alliance, and Fuso is under our jurisdiction. If you'll excuse me… I have to kick neuroi ass." She smiled before she slid open the door and went out, giving Yoshika a heads-up that she wore an earpiece communicator, just before Mary did.

Mary chuckled as she adjusted her earpiece. "That girl seriously has a knack for combat that she's up for anything. We went to Fuso to find some leads on organized neuroi attacks… and this… is one of them. A class-4 is also known to be a higher-class neuroi bomber… but only… the speed is VERY optimal as a jet plane is. We don't see that kind of aircraft except with the banned B-1 and B-2 bombers that were recently made by the Liberion-Britannian makers of weapons."

Yoshika was shocked. "What the…? But… Well… did the neuroi get to… 'neurify' the banned bomber jets?"

"No. After examining EVERY military base in the world… we found no trace of neurification that happened. We were lead here. Only…" Mary cleared her throat. "We never told anyone we were here… yet."

"Uh-oh."

Then Josephine contacted Mary.

[Grandma… I'm running straight for my strikers.]

Copy that. Mary chuckled.

*Pathway…*

Josephine was running towards the black Mercedes before she pressed buttons on the watch on her wrist. While she ran, her clothing materialized from electrodes across her body, revealing a grey jungle-patterned spandex uniform. Along with the outfit was a materialized air mask, already on her mouth. 'This is my time again!' Then she saw the driver getting ready to pop the trunk. "Deploy the cradle!" Then the driver had a remote before the trunk re-structured by the press of his button. It took only 2 seconds before it was finished before she saw the portable cradle and her striker units ready to deploy. The strikers itself are not ordinary… having the war grey color normally used by the Liberion air force. She jumped and got her feet and legs inserted in the units… and she glowed just before her familiar features came out. A magic circle grew from below her and spun just before her strikers have started. The magic jet engine roared as a wave of force was swept near the area.

Yoshika and Mary even felt it behind the glass windows which almost broke due to the force. Having adjusted her earpiece, Yoshika made a comment. "They're… jet strikers, aren't they?"

Mary chuckled as she stood up from her seat. "They're more than jet strikers, Yoshika. What you've experienced was the startup of the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor Super Striker Unit. It's the best that the Liberion air force has ever developed… and mind that I tell you that she's a formidable opponent with it."

"Tell me… is she… an ace."

Mary nodded. "The nickname given to her is… 'Star Shooter.'" She said this before she heard Josephine on the comms again.

[Grandma… is she equipped with an earpiece?]

Yes, she is. What is it?

[Mrs. Miyafuji… it's been some time I've read about you in the old articles of the past, because I was curious of who you were… and who you are. Your own journey not just a Fusoan but also a witch helped me all through to strive in becoming a protector. Maybe I'm not able to protect EVERY person… but I'm given a chance… and I won't waste it like you've done it. Innocents will be spared… and I'll take the fight to the enemy. Count on it.] Josephine said this and it made Yoshika smile. They then felt another wave of force as the young witch launched off the ground and headed south. [Grandma… I'm on my way to the site. I've activated my visors so I should be able to see what you're seeing on the radar.]

Both elders have sat down on the sofa as Mary looked in her bag, bringing out a touch-screen tablet. She tapped it in one place and it has shown a satellite radar. The blip in the center was Josephine's signal. And don't forget you're also the one responsible for revealing different areas we don't know thanks to the recon reporting module. Is it working fine?

[It is. Thank you.]

And little did they know that Josephine was flying low to stay concealed from other radars that she also sent a force wave at the Miyafuji Local Clinic when she passed by there. Natsumi clearly saw the witch in the jet strikers… and she immediately went for the phone to call home…

*Battlespace going to the Fusoan Naval base…*

Josephine was holding an M240 and a Stinger launcher at her back thanks to her Strength Augmentation ability. Starting when she's nearing the naval base overlooking the south of Yokosuka. Her F-22 striker units were at optimal performance and she finally decided to climb altitude when other military staff saw her.

To all Fusoan military in the area… this is the Star Shooter of the Liberion air force, aiding to assist against neuroi threats.

[Tower Six to Star Shooter… How did you get here?]

It's best we try to keep the details at minimal. A team of mine was sent to investigate leads of neuroi organized attacks made recently, and it lead us here. This is one of the attacks now!

And it took a little while before the tower radioman responded. [Roger. Four Viper Zeroes are now getting to the scene with you.]

It made Josephine think. 'Mitsubishi F-2's are top of the line in Fusoan Air Force combats. I suppose they can handle themselves… but I have to be sure to assist whenever they need help.' Then with her visors equipped… her HUD (Heads-Up Display) then has shown the radar for friendly blips. 'The zeroes are coming beside me.'

It's best the formation loosen up.

[Hey! You're not our boss!]

But I'm here to save your lives. Best to follow it… or you'll lose your heads faster when you stick too close.

The flight leader knew she had a point and groaned. [Roger. Two to Four: Loosen line abreast formation now.]

I'm speeding ahead to see what's up. Josephine said as she boosted herself forward making sure her jets increase in speed. She saw on the radar of her HUD that she's getting close to the bogeys. 'We're a little far from the base… so I'm sure that they won't get hurt.' Then with her vizors… she's getting visual via target lines… starting 3,250 m away. Targets in sight… and about or less than three clicks. I see class-2's… Then she gasped of something. 'The class-2's are getting too close too fast!' She confirmed her thoughts as the distance between her and the class-2 neuroi got closer at a high rate. And she knew that kind of neuroi would charge in at a high speed against a witch. She aimed the M240 sights at the revelation. SONIC NEUROI! EVASIVE MANEUVERS WHILE YOU STILL CAN! She said over the radio before a salvo of beams came to her. She evaded them and started firing the machine gun before hitting one of the Sonic Neuroi unit square just before its core was exposed. One of the bogeys' core is out! Take the shot! She said before she saw the class-4 neuroi. With a certain speed of a normal jet plane… she knew these were high value targets… and must be eliminated immediately. She then pulled up before beams came at her which she blocked with her shield.

[Fox 2!]

It took a little while before a missile hit the Sonic Neuroi unit. [Bingo! Core's down and out!]

[Watch it, Flight Leader! Sonic Neuroi at your six!]

Josephine started to worry. 'Damn it. With these class-4 neuroi… I better make a good move.' So she slung her M240 MG's and brought out her Stinger Missile Launcher before setting its components and aiming at one of the class-4 neuroi that passed her. After detecting its core, the targetting module focused and locked on the core's signal before she fired. The missile went straight to the neuroi unit before it exploded at the side… then damaging the hide and revealing the core. 'Finally!' She unequipped her Stinger Missile Launcher and sped to the Class-4 neuroi from behind, holding her M240. She aimed down her sights and fired at it before the core was hit and shattered… destroying the neuroi into white flakes. Class-4 neuroi downed… now assisting Fusoan flights!

One of the F-2's was avoiding beam fire as the pilot is doing what he can to avoid the enemy from getting to his aircraft. His wingman was behind the attacking Sonic Neuroi and opened fire. Machinegun fire from the F-2 damaged the neuroi it decided to wave off and evade the manmade craft pursuing it. He wasn't aware that his supporting man was already taken out after being hit with a beam straight to the cockpit killing him.

Another neuroi was behind the wingman when rounds of an M240 came straight to the neuroi shredding its thick hide… and taking out the core… splitting the neuroi to white flakes. 'Did she just take out a neuroi behind me?' The wingman pilot noticed as she looked at one side of the craft that when passed by. Thanks for the save.

[Anytime.]

Then she noticed there were 10 more pursuing them. 'Damn it… At this rate… we'll run out of ammo before we even take out the other Class-4… but the Class-2's… there are too many to take on!' She then aimed her sights and fired the M240 taking out another neuroi unit before a set of beams came to her before deploying her shield and blocking it. "Son of a bitch!" She curses as the beam was strong before it stopped and she dropped the shield.

[Tower Six to all flight units: Anoter Liberion air force witch has just arrived.] The radioman at the tower stated this and Josephine was somehow relieved. Who from the Liberion Air Force would help out in the situation?

Josephine's question was answered by a 26-year old Fusoan witch. [White Fly to all units! I'm coming in to visit!] She said before she laughed… and Josephine knows who that is.

"Mitsuko?" Miyafuji?! What the hell are you doing back here? I thought you're serving the Liberion Air Force! Josephine asked before she flew up high and avoided beams.

[I thought I'd give my old guys and my family a visit!]

While Yoshika and Mary were listening to the transmission, the Fusoan elder was happy to know that Mitsuko was around. She didn't know why Mitsuko came back… but the situation calls for another reinforcement witch.

[So… like to bite me?]

Josephine knew Mitsuko had a point to help. She aimed down her sights before she fired with a long burst. JUST GET OVER HERE BECAUSE I MAY NEED SOME HELP! THERE ARE TOO MANY TAKING MY TIME!

[Then look out from above.]

What?

[JUST DO IT!] Mitsuko shouted before Josephine looked up for a brief moment. A missile traveled upwards before it made sparks… splitting it into six separate projectiles, and guided against the Sonic Neuroi units. She knew what they were: Javeline Hellfire missiles. She sped off evading and blocking beams from the Sonic Neuroi just to get away from the area before seeing the fireworks. The hellfire missiles hit one, and another, then another, and then another, and finally, two more while stuck close. All were destroyed by explosions that penetrated their hides and destroyed the cores, making it six kills by the use of the Javelin Hellfire prototype missile launcher. Then Josephine saw a white Fusoan air force witch fly in with her white spandex combat uniform, equipped with a mask and visor.

Mitsuko had neck-lengthened brown hair while she flew in next to Josephine, who snorted. "What? Not happy to see me?"

"Next to knowing you've almost taken my head off? No." Josephine said while she looked at Mitsuko's strikers. 'F-22's huh?' "I thought you'd be at Liberion."

Mitsuko put her Javelin behind and equipped her Type 98 MG. "I thought I'd settle down and visit the family when I got the call that an organized neuroi attack was happening. And look! I got a vintage gun restored and re-configured."

"No shit." Josephine's eyes widened as she examined Mitsuko's weapon, equipped with a drum barrel. "A Type 98? It was there since the second neuroi war, huh?"

Beams came from below and beside them as they both evaded them. "No time to talk! The other Class-4 is heading towards the base and it'll start its bombing run. We gotta take out the damn Sonics before we take on the bomber together! My Javelin missiles can do the job… but we gotta make things fast!"

Then Josephine aimed her M240 at the remaining Sonic units. "THEN LET'S CRUSH THEM AND GO HOME!"

Josephine and Mitsuko were taking out the remaining Sonic neuroi. The other F-2 aircraft started to engage the Class-4 neuroi by first firing their attached machineguns before firing missiles. The big unit didn't take any serious damages and the fighter pilots feared its fast regeneration… which clearly did not happen with the other Class-4 neuroi recently destroyed.

The two witches were free and were finally engaging the Class-4 neuroi, but then had the descriptions told by the pilots. This had Mitsuko thinking. "You think the core is mobile?"

"Possible. Fast regen neuroi usually happen with mobile-core units." Josephine stated before she switched her visors for x-ray imaging. It seems what Mitsuko first suggested was right. The core is indeed moving… and it'll be hard to hit with only two of them. Josephine then had an idea. "Mitsuko… think you can use that Javelin again? We need to damage the hide." The Fusoan then nodded and prepared her Javelin while Josephine prepared her Stinger Missile Launcher. "Locking on." Josephine heard the tone. "Locked on! Missile Away!" She finally loosed the stinger missile.

Mitsuko heard the tone from her Javelin. "Firing hellfire now!" She loosed the missile and it went upwards and toward the neuroi's direction.

The stinger missile went straight for the neuroi before it fired its beam. Josephine smirked and put her hand forward before a shield deployed around the missile. Her ability called 'Remote Shield' enables her to put up a shield in a distance. Depending on practice intensity during her time of need, it takes a maximum of one kilometer. As the missile was being shielded and was close to its target, it boosted speed before the shield was dropped. Soon, it got to the rear top of the hide and exploded, damaging the hide. At the same time, the split missiles from the Javelin round scattered all over the top and multiple explosions damaged the hide… thus stopping the moving core and exposing it as it is isolated. Josephine immediately went for the kill while she was flying over the neuroi and aimed her M240 at the core. "Got ya!" She muttered before she fired a short burst, thus getting a guaranteed hit and shattered the core. The Class-4 neuroi bomber then glowed white before it split to white flakes as it showered around her. With a sigh of relief… she called it in.

Star Shooter confirms… Splash to Zero.

[Main flight confirms.]

[Hellfire confirming Splash to Zero. We're clear.] Mitsuko said over the comms and everyone was relieved. [Star Shooter… I'm gonna be circling around in case second round waves are still there. This is still partly my territory, and I'm making sure they don't get second chances.] She said before sped off to temporarily patrol the area.

Josephine had only things to think about in the Fusoan community: 'Why are there Liberions in the area?' She started thinking from that question and sped towards the naval base. Grandma… I suggest you get over to the Yokosuka naval base.

[Way ahead of you.] Mary said over the comms.

*Miyafuji residence.*

Yoshika was at the entrance of the house, and she sighed at being alone again, aware that Mary had to settle some international identity issues, and her purpose for being here with a private outfit aerial witch in the first place. But hearing Mitsuko's voice also made her think that her eldest granddaughter has returned to Fuso. But for what? Then she thought of Chie's birthday. 'Oh, yes. It's her birthday soon. Maybe Mitsuko got back here just to tell me to get to Tokyo?' Then she frowned. 'But what do I tell her? I'm… very sick… and I may not last long in this world.' Yoshika thought of this, knowing Natsumi's analysis of her condition seems to make her aware even her immune systems are getting weaker, now vulnerable to be attacked by almost any illness. But in the end, she smiled. 'At least Mitsuko thinks I'm family for her.' She thought before sliding the doors closed.

*Ryo's Laboratory… 1323 hours…*

Ryo then tumbled backwards in surprise after seeing a familiar face. Mitsuko hasn't visited from the past year, and her presence seemed to have spooked him. "M-Mitsuko?! When did you get back?"

The witch knew Ryo was Natsumi's friend and only leading scientist in Yokosuka. He is actually the one who designed the targeting specifications for the Javelin Hellfire Prototype Missile Launcher. At this, she just smiled to his reply. "I thought I'd get back soon after I've been given a week-long leave. I arrived in Yokosuka just to say hi."

"Oh." Ryo said before he got back… feeling his butt from his sudden stumble he did. "Ow… Who else did you tell?"

"Oh… besides my knowledge of grandma knowing… Natsumi doesn't know yet. I'm gonna come by the clinic soon." Mitsuko said before she changed to the subject at hand. "But that's not why I'm here. I need to know what your progress is on the color-changing theory you got."

"You know about that?"

"I've been reading a few newspaper articles on the science section and your theory seems to be plausible. Neuroi cores change color, but I don't think it'll be possible by conventional scientific means." She said before she was then lead to the small container encasing the red neuroi core. "So it's still the same as before." She groaned at this.

"Look… even laser beams don't work. I've tried everything… electrodes… chemical compounds… EVEN some mythical mumbo-jumbo I made more theories of DIDN'T SEEM TO WORK!"

"But then…" Mitsuko then thought of something outside the box. "It takes a neuroi to change the neuroi core. Or… the neuroi core needs to be attached to a neuroi wearer. But who in the world right now knows how to wear a neuroi core? It'll make the subject a hybrid."

"Whoa whoa whoa… You're not telling me of looking for hybrids, are you?"

"No. There's no need to." Mitsuko sighed and frowned. "Because I may have an idea of who might help. However… it'll be risky."

Ryo then realized the emotion of certainty from Mitsuko. Last time Mitsuko made that emotion was when she mentioned of a plan to upgrade her Javelin with its targeting system improved… and it involved the same person. 'Oh… fucking hell no.'

*Yokosuka south shore…*

Josephine was barefooted as she sat on the sand of the beach. Her glasses were on again that time, and she saw the crystal blue waters ahead of her. She made a smile and remembered something. 'It ain't like Miami, but it's… nice…'

Mary was at the car while knitting as she saw the smile on Josephine's face. Mary was happy of this. 'I knew this could cheer her up. It's something for her to remember.' She thought before she focused on her knitting. She took a few minutes into it before she remembered something that Yoshika said before Mary left.

*Flashback*

"If ever you see my other friends… tell them I always missed them." Yoshika frowned as Mary was at the entrance. "I'm about to leave this world soon…"

"Yoshika…" Mary muttered. 'What's making her think like this?'

"I… wish I could only get to know how they are." Yoshika made a weak smile. "As much as I know my family, I cannot forget the people who helped me while I was still in service. At least… tell them I'm doing fine here… having no regrets in living. To be honest… I'm sick."

This made Mary's eyes widen. "You are? Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

Yoshika shook her head. "All I just need is the love I still know. I only told you because you're here. They only need to know I'm still going to live until I pass from this world."

Mary was thinking about this clearly. Yoshika lived as a girl of virtue… one who is a daughter of a great inventor… one who was once in service to protect everyone, or innocents alike. And now that she has grown old… the last thing Yoshika wanted to tell is that she was happy. She just needed to let others know of this as a message to anyone who sees her now. Mary smiled and approached Yoshika before she hugged her. A tear then flowed from her eye. "Yoshika… your friends always remembered you as who you are. Never forget who you were and who you are now. You've truly been caring… and you've always been good."

Then Yoshika hugged Mary as she shed a tear. "Thank you, Mary…" She said just before she smiled again.

*End of Flashback…*

*Miyafuji residence…*

Yoshika then slid the door close and continued with her leaf-trimming on her bonsai tree, happy with how she went in it. 'This is the only thing that would be left once I leave… so I must perfect it…' She thought as she kept going…

*Yokosuka Domestic airport… 1719 hours…*

"Are you sure?" Mary somehow seemed to think that something was up with her granddaughter when they arrived at the airport. "If you're sure then I'll take the 6PM flight then. You just better be sure that you return to Liberion. I'll make my way back to Michigan on my own."

Josephine frowned. "I'm sorry for the sudden plan, grandma. I just remembered something in my gut. I know you don't like hearing what the gut really does but…"

"It's okay." Mary said while she put a hand on Josephine's shoulder. "Whatever is there in Nagasaki could at least get you to think a little clearer. You're right about the case of the stolen nuclear material… but be careful. Going back to the past may interest other parties."

"I'm aware, grandma. That's why I'm bringing my weapons with me too. This is a military business travel… so it's not going to last long."

"How long?"

"It'll take a few days. I'll let you know my progress and head back to Liberion. I promise." Josephine assured her grandmother and she received a positive answer. "Thanks, grandma."

Mary chuckled. "I just hope your gut tells us right." She said before she received a hug.

*Nagasaki… old factory area… 0222 hours…*

Josephine drove a rented car straight to the factory as soon as she arrived at her hotel to drop her things to immediately check out the abandoned factory. She heard stories of the witch who deflected multiple bullets with the use of a Fuso Katana. That witch named Serena Sakamoto was never seen after the war ended… and all they could think of now… is that she remains a spirit to watch over everyone in the skies. Mio was sad that Serena had to go away permanently, finding a good place for the invincible Savior Serena…

The young witch entered the ruined compound of the factory while aware it was no longer used since the second neuroi war. Because of this… she had to wear gloves just to try not to get radioactive contamination and wear a small face mask as well. She entered the factory itself and saw it was rusted and damaged. The people of Fuso never used this factory or even bought the land… because Josephine already knew it was sacred. 'Wait. Isn't that a little too much for thinking Serena's like an idol?' She shook her head from that thought and kept investigating.

She went to the second floor and it seemed empty, letting her decide to come back down to the first floor. She looked closer to a spot on the floor where there's a small crack. She knelt and looked through the crack and saw a dim purple light. 'What is this?' She examined the dim ray of light and she knew that there was something down there that was never looked at by anyone. 'According to intel I've received, a neuroi-signal spike was detected at this area. If I'm right… this is the very spot… and it's underneath this floor.' She nodded and stood up before she walked out of the factory, immediately thinking of something to help her out.

It took less than a minute as she brought out some C4. She had to know what was down there and decided to do it by explosive means. She placed the plastic explosive directly over the crack and got somedistance before she pressed on a remote. The C4 exploded and it made a hole thanks to the crack. She ran and jumped in the hole before she landed on the ground. She took out her portable visor and pressed a button, activating its nightvision feature. The place was dark, but was able to make out the old walls, and pathway… and some entrances to spare rooms. She was under the factory and she didn't seem to notice this in the schematics as she remembered. She decided to explore the pathways.

It took her almost 5 minutes following the dim glow because of the complicated pathway directions… and she was in a whole maze as she discovered. But after exploring and getting through the maze as the dim grew brighter… she reached her destination… and a grim shock was etched on her face. She turned off the nightvision and saw the purple glow from the room she entered. And there… she found plutonium all over the area… but that's not what's making the glow… but none other than the transponder collectors… which came from neuroi origin. 'Oh my god. The neuroi were collecting power from the plutonium but… when?' This was what was in her mind the whole time before she got on the plane, aware the intelligence she collected could very much change everything she knew together… together with one associate.

"Bree… it's me."

[What did you find?] A 28 year-old female voice rang from the speaker of the phone.

"It's best we talk personally back at base. I don't think… that you're going to like this…"

*2 days later… Branch codename: TRACKSTAR, NSA Secret Ops, Miami - Florida, Liberion… 1812 hours…*

The small room had multiple monitors connected to two separate desktop CPU's and two keyboard. Kenneth, the team's hacker was busy trying to hack some sites related to the neuroi as one female black-jacketed operative watched him and his work. She had dark maroon shoulder-lengthened hair, with a fair complexion, has a height of 5 feet 8 inches. "Ken… how is it?"

"I'm still on it…" The blonde 20 year-old said as he typed on his keyboard. "Are you sure about this? The intel we got was solid."

"Not everything is as it seems, Kenneth. Always make a contingency plan if ever we get something too sweet."

Then Kenneth pressed another key and locations were shown as he sighed. "You're right again as always, boss. The real location of the package is at the Golden Gate Bridge in San Fran."

"Under it?"

"Uh-huh."

"Good boy."

"Bree!" Josephine said from behind and the Liberion-Karlslander turned to see her. "I'm sorry if it's just now."

She sighed and shook her head. "Don't think of asking for apologies. I told you, it's fine. And welcome back."

"Thanks. I was wondering when you'd say that." Josephine said before she brought out her touchscreen phone and tapped a few places. "Tell me… what do you think…" She showed it to Bree. "…this is?"

"Oh my god." Brianna was clearly seeing the plutonium's energy being extracted. "These are transponder collectors… from the neuroi. Wait… when…"

"Well… this is the very thing I wanted to tell you." Josephine said before she started to explain something. "The transponder-collectors are not fresh technology. The ones that are here are completely old."

"Like 'Second Neuroi War' old, of course."

"Anyway… I did a little research… and this kind has been made to collect nuclear material's energy. The plutonium that I've seen cannot have its own radioactivity lessened without the collectors… but now it's almost fading. This is the bad part: I've seen the specs of the collectors… but it was never activated when it was placed there in the first place until 10 days ago."

Brianna blinked in disbelief. "Wait… hold on a second… You mean to tell me it was never used until just…" Then she paused for a moment to think… and then continued. "…only two days before the first organized attack in South Orussia Major."

"Exactly."

"And… it was installed… during the second neuroi war." Brianna groaned at this and looked at Kenneth still in front of the computer. "Ken, leave the two of us for a while." Kenneth first wanted to ask why but he received a glare and he nodded in response. He stood up from his seat and left the room. Eventually, Brianna pressed a few buttons on the keyboard and images of a profile detail of Heinz Hartmann came out. She started explaining. "I'm sure you remember your history."

"That's Heinz Hartmann… A.K.A. Lord Rosaimus, right?"

Brianna nodded. "My parents, together with the members of the 555th, 501st and former members of the Deep Science Division began to track down Rosaimus and Helena before the end of the second neuroi war and after the Purge. Eventually, they found both of them, and defeated both of them, even shattering both their cores in the process. At that same time, the hive was already destroyed, but that's beside the point. Together with the Blue Neuroi we started to investigate the chronology and family tree of Heinz himself. He was confirmed to be the uncle of the late Erica and Ursula Hartmann.

"However… I focused more on finding his history as a human than as a hybrid. He was man who once lost a daughter who would once be named 'Erica.' However… her wife got into an accident, and she died right along with the unborn baby. But when he heard that there was another girl in her tree named 'Erica,' he didn't take it lightly. Being disgraced… it was like his whole life was stolen from him. That petty reason got him to be a hybrid neuroi in secret… but he had better plans while he was still known as Heinz. He started to devise a plan to make a declaration spell for a witch's ability. He was also a witch that time… and the spell required ALL his powers… making him just an ordinary human. And so… he made the spell ready… gave up his own powers just to get it ready… and Erica, after she was born, was INSURED to have that ability. He predicted from then that Erica would be able to see death in the eye… or see death act on a person immediately. It was the trigger, and he was the one who orchestrated it. The exact time that it would have happened was BEFORE her birthday, and it was the 19th of April. She turned 18 that time… and her ability of sucking in and mimicking aura became something of a miracle. That time, she was able to see Gertrud, Wilma and Eila in her former friends' circle."

Josephine shook her head. "But I thought Eila died at the South Pole?"

"Yes… but it didn't need to be there. So long as friends or loved ones are closely known by Erica… she can take their aura after their deaths. And ALL that was done while she was sleeping. The night she woke up was the time her birthday, and at the same time, the activation of her ability.

"Heinz always had this psychological condition from then on after he had declared Erica to be her daughter with an ability to see her loved ones again. From the time he was made the battle commander and general for the Red Neuroi, he knew that the Blue Neuroi could form an alliance with the humans, then thwarting his own dream of ruling the planet. But then, he didn't lose all his cards. He still had Erica. And so, from then, he decided to get a successor. THAT was why he was planning ahead. THAT was why he installed the transponder-collectors. He was reserving it at the right time his own successor would take his place."

Josephine is surprised. "So… you mean… he wants to use Erica to be his successor? Wouldn't she say no?"

"Except it's only through him that they'll both be able to bring the three back, in exchange for her to completely turn to the Red Neuroi to be the daughter of the hybrid commander for the race. She would be given a core, and she would then have given up her own magic. Otherwise… she would have to give up her own body and die after seeing the three being brought back to life herself."

"I-I see…"

Brianna then approached Josephine closely. "Don't you see? Rosaimus died… only to have a successor… and now that he HAS one… it proves that there was an operator during the organized attacks, including the one you've experienced recently."

"But… Erica's…"

"Who said it would have to be Erica? I didn't say he had one card left… but two. Erica may be one person… who may look like his unborn daughter… but… there's another. Remember?" Brianna stated finally.

Josephine started to connect the dots and her head almost ached at the obvious revelation. "Oh… crap…"