A/N: Hello everyone, I am back with the second to last chapter of this story. In this story, the final assault occurs.
Disclaimer: I don't own Strike Witches
There was a sense of urgency as people continued to bustle around the base. The 501st was amazed seeing the business like they had not seen in the weeks since the two weeks since they were downgraded to reserve status. Hartmann walked through the base toward the office of her commanding office/lover Barkhorn. Hartmann reached her destination and knocked on the door.
"Come in." said Barkhorn.
Hartmann entered and shut the door behind her before walking to the desk.
"What is it Erica?" asked Barkhorn.
"I was just curious about what's going on." answered Hartmann.
"It seems the Allied command has grown tired of waiting. They are determined to finally destroy the hive." answered Barkhorn.
"Do they think we're ready?" asked Hartmann.
"The Tsar pushed for it." answered Barkhorn.
Barkhorn suddenly stopped for a moment and shook her head.
"Don't forget Erica, it's not our job." added Barkhorn.
Hartmann closed her eyes and sighed.
"I guess I forgot." said Hartmann sadly.
"The 502nd will take on the hive with artillery forces aiding them." explained Barkhorn.
"Because that has worked so well in the past." said Hartmann sarcastically.
"The Tsar seems to behind that." said Barkhorn.
"Oh brother." sighed Hartmann.
"There's nothing we can do but stay here and wait." shrugged Barkhorn.
"I bet you'd love to be part of this." said Hartmann.
Barkhorn leaned back in her chair and sighed.
"Of course I would. I'd be great to fly. I'm almost twenty so I won't be able to for much longer." confirmed Barkhorn.
"Neither will I." noted Hartmann.
"I have to work now." stated Barkhorn.
"I'll go then." said Hartmann.
The armed forces had prepared themselves and soon gotten ready. They moved out and reached the outskirts of Novgorod. Mortars were aimed at the hive above the city while tanks were placed nearby. The 502nd Joint Fighter Wing took off from their base and headed toward the hive. As they closed in, Lieutenant Aleksandra I. Pokryskhin drew her comarades attention.
"Listen up, this is your formation!" called Aleksandra.
"Yes ma'am." replied the others.
"We're taking Alpha formation. The military will assault the hive to force into attack and then provide covering fire for us during the assault. Pilot Officer Lemare will work with Flight Sergeant Katajainen and Pilot Officer Sadako will be paired with Pilot Officer Kane Naoe." explained Aleksandra.
"What about me?" asked Edytha.
"You will be paired with Flying Officer Krupinski." answered Aleksandra. "I will take the lead."
"Understood." replied Edytha.
"Let's go!" cried Kanno racing off.
"Oh boy." sighed Aleksandra.
The witches raced off and soon found the hive hovering over the city.
"Here we go. I pray God helps us." thought Aleksandra.
On the ground, the military was taking aim. Once the witches got close enough, it was time to act.
"Fire!" ordered the commanding officer.
The soldiers fired and sent their artillery skyward. They hit parts of the hive activating it.
"Attack!" ordered Aleksandra.
The 502nd began their assault on the hive. However, they quickly ran into a major problem and it did not come from the Neuroi.
"Ma'am, I can't get a hit in. These mortar shells are coming too close for comfort." said Edytha.
A shell passed with in mere inches of the witches.
"At this rate we're more likely to fall to friendly fire than the Neuroi." noted Aleksandra.
"Is there anything we can do?" asked Edytha.
"I am afraid not. We just have to be careful." answered Aleksandra.
Another mortar shell came close to the duo.
"Understood." replied Edytha concerned.
The withes took off and continued their assault. The Neuroi hive proved extremely difficult foe and the artillery that continued to come closer and closer.
"Lieutenant, we cannot continue like this." stated Krupinski.
"I know." agreed Aleksandra.
"What are we going to do?" asked Lemare.
"I am not sure." answered Aleksandra.
"I know what to do!" cried Kanno.
Kanno raced off at the Neroi with reckless abandon.
"Damn. Not again." sighed Aleksandra.
"Wait!" cried Nikki, following her.
"Hold on!" called Krupinski.
Nikki raced off after Kanno and Krupinski followed behind her.
"This isn't good." said Edytha.
"Let's go." Aleksandra.
Aleksandra, Edytha, Sadako and Georgette raced off following their comrades.
"Come on you bastard!" cried Kanno.
Kanno charged head on when a Neuroi beam was shot right toward her.
"Oh no!" yelled Kanno.
Kanno threw up her shield and blocked the beam, but Nikki crashed into her.
"Sorry!" called Nikki.
The two could quickly attempted to realign themselves.
"Get out of the way!" screamed Krupinski.
Kanno and Nikki tried to move, but Krupinski crashed into her and the three got tangled up.
"I could have seen this coming." sighed Sadako.
Aleksandra opened her mouth to scold them, but she saw something in the corner of the eye change her tone.
"Look out!" cried Aleksandra.
The Neuroi hive fired another beam toward the tangled witches. Krupinski threw up her shield, but the beam destroyed the shield and sent the three crashing to the ground.
"Georgette!" cried Aleksandra.
"Roger." replied Georgette.
Georgette raced off to her comrades, but did not notice what was coming her way.
"Look out!" cried Sadako.
Georgette turned and saw a mortar shell headed her way. Georgette threw up her shield which exploded and sent Georgette in a downward spiral.
"Sadako, let's go." said Aleksandra.
The witches raced off when they noticed the Neuroi hive firing another beam.
"Sramble!" ordered Aleksandra.
The two witches did just that and dodged the beam which hit the ground destroying the tanks and artillery.
"Damn." said Sadako.
Aleksandra and Sadako managed to grab their comrades and place them on the ground. There shields protected them, but they were still hurt by the beams impacting the shields.
"Let's go." said Aleksandra.
"Right." agreed Sadako.
The two were going to take off when Major Rall spoke through Aleksandra's earpiece.
("That's a negative.") said Major Rall.
"Ma'am..." began Aleksandra.
("We've suffered heavily. We have to fall back while the air force holds it back.") explained Major Rall.
Aleksandra took a deep sigh.
"Understood." said Aleksandra.
The two witches took their comrades and fell back. They returned to their base and medics quickly took over the others and brought them in for emergency care. Sadako and Aleksandra bot revealed they had bruises and trouble standing from the beatings they suffered from the Neuroi beams and drained of magic. Both of them were barely able to fly. The Allied command held a meeting and came to a drastic conclusion.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" asked Aleksandra.
"It is out of our hands." answered Major Rall.
"I understand." replied a concerned Aleksandra.
"All we can do now is pray God is with them." said Major Rall.
The Allied commanders called Major Barkhorn to give her the news. Barkhorn attempted to negotiate, but upon hearing the defeat of the 502nd she accepted the role. Barkhorn quickly got both Hartmann and Shirley who gathered the others. The witches met in the common area talking among themselves. Major Barkhorn entered the room with a grim look on her face.
"I am afraid the 502nd have fallen." stated Barkhorn.
The others gasped and talked among themselves. Eila signed the message to Sanya.
"They are all find and will make a full recovery." assured Barkhorn.
The others all sighed in relief at this news. Eila signed it for Sanya .
"However, that means we will have to take up the battle." said Barkhorn.
"There's no way we can battle the Neuroi!" exclaimed Hartmann.
Bakhorn turned and faced her lover.
"We have no choice." replied Barkhorn.
"There's no way in hell we can survive against the Neuroi." stated Hartmann.
"Erica, we don't have a choice." said Barkhorn.
Barkhorn turned her attention back to the others.
"Miyafuji, Hartmann, Lucchini and Sanya will battle the Neuroi." said Barkhorn.
This caused a calamitous outcry from the others.
"Calm down!" ordered Barkhorn.
The others stopped and peace returned.
"Tell me what is wrong." requested Barkhorn.
"I can't battle the Neuroi." said Lucchini shaking.
"The old me would have told you to suck it up, but I now understand. However, you must battle the Neuroi. This is an order." said Barkhorn.
Lucchini began to whimper then moved back and forth. Shirley quickly walked over to her.
"It's going to be okay Francesca." said Shirley soothingly.
"Ma'am, I cannot let Sanya partake." said Eila.
"It's okay Eila. I'll be fine." replied Sanya, knowing Eila's distress.
"Dismissed!" cried Barkhorn.
The four witches headed to a hanger for what would undoubtedly be their final mission. They got out of their shoes, jumped into their Strikers, put their earpieces in and grabbed their weapons. The hanger was opened and they witches given the all clear. They took off and headed into the sky.
("You will surround the enemy and uncover the core. Then will eliminate it.") stated Barkhorn.
"Roger." replied Hartmann.
Hartmann gave her focus to the others.
"Did you get that?" asked Hartmann.
"Yes ma'am." replied Yoshika. Sanya gave a nod.
Hartmann noticed that Lucchini had not replied.
"Lucchini, did you hear me?" asked Hartmann.
"Yes ma'am." answered Lucchini weakly.
"Francesca, I know this must be tough, but you've got to hang on." said Hartmann.
Lucchini took a deep breath.
"Understood." said Lucchini.
The witches soon found the Neuroi hive which began firing.
"Split up and surround it!" ordered Hartmann.
The witches did so and began attacking the hive. However, Sanya soon found herself dozing off.
"I'm going in to protect Sanya." said Hartmann.
Hartmann flew over to cover Sanya leaving the others to hold it. The Neuroi began to focus on the two.
"Lucchini, cover us!" ordered Hartmann.
"I can't!" cried Lucchini.
The Neuroi fired again and Hartmann felt her shield cracking.
"I can't hang on!" cried Hartmann.
Lucchini gulped and raced over throwing her shield up and blocking the beam.
"Thanks Francesca." said Hartmann.
"No problem." replied Lucchini.
Hartmann turned her head and found Yoshika continuing her attack.
"Miyafuji, you have to take out that damn Neuroi!" called Hartmann.
Yoshika looked at the Neuroi hive and gulped.
"Well, this won't be the first time." noted Yoshika.
Yoshika closed her eyes and thought of all the horrible things the Neuroi had done.
"Banzai!" cried Yoshika.
Yoshika charged and dodged beam all while doing her best to channel Sakamoto. Hartmann decided she couldnt stand by.
"Watch Sanya. I'm going in." said Hartmann.
Hartmann took off and used her Sturm barrel roll and smashed into the Neuroi hive. Hartmann tore through the core exposing the Neruoi core.
"Take the shot!" exclaimed Hartmann.
Yoshika aimed and fired as the Neuroi hive fired a beam at her. The bullet shattered the core causing the hive to disintegrate freeing Orussia. Yoshika threw up he shield, but was hit by the beam ad sent falling to the ground. Luckily, Hartmann intercepted her and she was rushed to the medical ward. After an hour, Yoshika and found herself surrounded by her comrades.
"What's going on? Where's the hive?" asked Yoshika.
"It's gone. You're a hero Yoshika. You're getting promoted for this." answered Barkhorn.
Yoshika sat up, but a pain in her right leg stopped her. Yoshika looked down and saw her leg was heavily banadaged.
"What happened?" asked Yoshika.
"The impact of the Neuroi beam mangled you leg. It won't need amuptation, but you'll have permanant limp the rest of your life." answered Shirley.
Yoshika threw herself on her bed and stared at the ceiling.
Victory: The defeat of the Neuroi hive over Orussia proved to be the turning point in the war. The hive over North Africa was destroyed shortyl after by Hanna Marseilles while the hives in the rest of Europe followed culminating in the destruction of the hive of Karlsland. The Karlsland government returned, but following the defeat the monarchy collapsed a new liberal republic was established while Ostmark collapsed completely. Shortly after, the over Korea was destroyed and the Neuroi were gone.
A/N: There is chapter thirty-seven finished an only one more to go. Next time, we finish the story up. Please review.