When Ramstein base is liberated, it's time for Coalition to gain their dreamed air superiority over Fulda Gap.
Misaka: But if this task will be so easy?
Hey, it's my line!
Sakamoto: Sorry, but sometimes, change is needed.
Yeah, right. Anyway. Are you ready for the mission?
Kotaro: Always! You think we wouldn't be ready?
Alrighty then. I also wanted to inform, that new guests will appear.
Osamu: Really? Who?
Wait a moment. First things first. Let's get it started.
Chapter 18
,,Fulda Gap air offensive"
September 29, 2022
09:42
Ramstein Air Force Base, Hangar 1
Three days after liberating the base, Coalition already filled it with their planes to it's limits. Ground forces were brought too, so the offensive could start just when air superiority will be gained.
"Plan is simple"Sakamoto said to Shinigami Squadron members"We have to shot down every enemy, which we see. Air superiority is our top priority".
Shinzo smiled.
"What is it?"Witch asked him.
"Nothing. I like, when people rhyme"Shinzo replied.
Sakamoto blinked. She then understood, that she really made rhyme.
"Anyway"she said"better get prepared. This mission have to open our way towards Berlin. Next, to Moscow".
"And kick these suckers out of Europe!"Kotaro added.
Others laughed, seeing his never ending enthusiasm. He was the youngest of them and sometimes it was fun for them to look at Kotaro.
In second hangar, similar conversation was taking place, as Charles was debriefing his team. He looked at them one more time.
"Okay, people"Charles started"As always, the same tactics. First, don't get shot down. Second, make everything possible to shot down enemies".
"I always like the simple plans of yours"Henri stated.
"Thanks"Charles said to him.
"But what about enemies there?"Laura asked.
"Good you're asking, sis"Charles replied"According to our scouts, Chinese are making everyday patrols over the area, including normal fighters, but also drones. Everything, that can possibly shot you down, melt you down or torn you apart".
"In short, there are a shit a lot of them"Saddam summed.
Charles nodded.
"But I hope, that we can count on your thunders, right?"Laura asked Perrine.
"Of course"Perrine replied"I'll try to use everytime I would have the opportunity".
"Good. We want to make them uncool surprise, when they try to attack us"Charles said to her.
In that moment, Janette lifted her hand.
"What is it, Janette?"Charles asked.
"What about that giant thing radars picked up yesterday?"she asked.
Everyone in the hangar fell silent. Yesterday, radars detected something big over Fulda Gap. News spread quickly and soon, everyone were talking about it. However, not everyone believed it to be something dangerous.
Like Charles, for example.
"Probably it was just a giant swarm of birds. Because how China could even build some big aircraft?"he asked.
"Americans managed to build two"Saddam pointed out.
But Charles just waved his hand.
"But both were destroyed"he said"Anyway. I want you to start preparing for action. Let's gain this air superiority for us".
Knowing, that it mean the end of talking, everyone went to prepare their aircraft for operation.
In the same time, when Shinigami and De Gaul squadrons were preparing for action, Jäger Squadron members were…racing. They started at one end of runway and currently, they already ran through half of it. Erica was leading.
"I'm gonna win this, you see!"she exclaimed to Florian and Luca, which were behind her. Markus fell out of race in ¼ of the runway.
"We're…gonna…see!"Florian replied, trying to catch breath.
In that moment, he tripped and fell on the ground. Now, only Erica and Luca were competing.
"Ha! Told you!"Erica exclaimed to Florian.
But her ambitions were brutally suppressed by a hand, which hit her chest and made Erica fall on the ground.
Barkhorn then stood over her, with unpleasant look.
"Shouldn't you prepare for your part of work?"she asked.
"Trude! I almost won!"Erica wined.
"But isn't the incoming battle more important, that your little races?"Barkhorn pressed more"You need to have enough power, to not fell asleep during flight and to not get shot down. Or crash".
"Where did it came to your mind from?"Florian, which approached them, asked.
Barkhorn sent look to him.
"I saw many pilots, which ended up like that"she replied.
"But hey!"Luca joined"We're fresh and ready for everything Chinese could throw at us!"
To show, that he's not lying, he jumped up and made a turned around by 360 degree and landed where he stood. Barkhorn was truly impressed by this.
"Where did you learned this?"she asked.
"You see, I was always interested in parkour. I even took part in parkour contest organized in my town. I was the youngest among contestants"Luca explained"I won the first place".
In that moment, Markus joined them. He looked at Barkhorn standing over Erica laying on the ground.
"What have I missed?"he asked.
Florian patted his backs.
"Nothing really, buddy"he said"Nothing really".
Luca joined them and the three went to their hangar. Meanwhile, Barkhorn helped Erica to stand up again.
"Next time, I will simply give you this hit back"Erica promised.
"Keep you by word"Barkhorn said.
Next, they walked in separate directions.
10:03
Fulda Gap airspace
Single U2 spy plane was flying over the Fulda Gap, looking for enemy ground defenses. However, when he flew there, he saw nothing more, than he saw the last time.
"Hawk-1, what have you found?"Ramstein tower asked.
"Nothing, Ramstein. Everything looks like yesterday, over"U2 pilot replied.
"Copy that. If something changes, inform us"tower ordered and disconnected.
Pilot scoffed.
"If something changes. Right"he whispered.
He joined the military to fight Chinese. That's why he enlisted into air force. To fight for America. To fly under the sky. And to help people.
Instead of that, he landed as pilot of boring spy plane, which never could find anything. Sometimes, he wanted to just be shot down.
And his wish would probably be now answered, as he got missile lock.
"Damn it!"
He tried to make any meaningful evasion, however it was just too hard in the spy plane. Fortunately, the missiles passed by him.
"Phew, that was close"he said.
But then, he saw something, which scared him to his deepest core.
Enormous white shape was simply sliding through the air. In comparison with it, U2 looked like a simple fly.
"God…"was everything he could said.
Right then, he saw, as something starts to fall off from giant aircraft's wings. When he understood, that they were drones, it was too late. He landed between the lines of fire of tens of drones.
He didn't even noticed his death.
10:24
Back in Ramstein, briefing room
Inside the briefing room, pilots which had to take part in the operation were sitting. Coalition base commander entered the podium and looked at them.
"Welcome everyone. This is our mission"he said.
The screen turned on, showing the Fulda Gap topographical photo. Among the brown color symbolizing highlands, green corridors of lowlands could be seen. Chinese AA and SAM positions were marked in red, as well as enemy aircraft.
"We have to clear way for our ground forces to get through the gap with as little resistance as possible. But you probably know it"commander said.
Everyone nodded.
"Good"he said"Chinese know as well as we do, why Fulda Gap is so important for us. They will try everything to stop us from crossing it, so I want you to be prepared for every eventuality".
In that moment, Kotaro raised his hand.
"Yes?"commander asked.
"What do we have to do, if we run into some kind of Chinese ambush?"Kotaro asked.
"Easy, we'll be having second group on standby for such eventuality"commander replied.
Kotaro nodded.
"You'll be divided into three groups: South, Middle and North"Next, the symbols of squadrons appeared on the screen"Group South will be De Gaul, Battledog and Jester squadrons. Group North is Jäger, Owl and Foxhound squadrons. And group Middle would be Shinigami, Falcon and Heavy Horses squadrons. Squadrons Zimushka, Sword and Corsica will be on standby, if you land in enemy trap. Plan is like that. Group Middle will enter the airspace and try to tie enemy forces with fight. Then, groups South and North will strike, cutting the enemy escape routes"As he was saying it, everything was shown on the screen.
All pilots nodded.
"This can work"Florian stated.
"But what about this giant thing noticed by our radars?"someone from Foxhound Squadron asked.
There was a moment of silence, before base commander waved his hand.
"Nah. I'm sure these were only giant groups of birds clustered together"he said.
"Told them"Charles agreed.
"Anyway. I want you to be airborne in next half an hour. Oh, and one more thing. Today, a new general arrives. He have to help coordinate the Berlin offensive. That's all now. Dismissed".
With these words said, everyone started to leave the briefing room.
Ramstein AFB runway
Pilots started to enter their planes, while ground crews were doing last preparations in form of rearming and refueling. Some planes already taxied on the runway and taken off.
Minna approached Skamoto's Shinshin. Shinigami leader was now checking last instruments, while last missiles were attached to wings and aircraft's body. The fuel cistern just been pulled away from the plane.
"Just look out out there, understood?"Minna ordered to Mio.
"Understood. We're gonna take care of this quickly and we'll be back for dinner"Mio replied, checking her gun ammo status.
"Good. I want to see you in one piece".
Fusoan nodded. Next, one of ground crews showed thumb up and released the fighter's wheel blockade. Sakamoto put on her helmet and closed canopy. Then, she started to taxi towards the runway, with her squadron following her.
When they arrived on the runway, a squadron of F-16s with Polish markings was just preparing for take off.
"Hey, Mio. Let's try to find out, who can shoot down more of them"Etsuko proposed.
"Maybe another time. For now, we have to get the air superiority"Mio replied.
"Whatever you say, Maj"Osamu said.
'Maj' was simply the shortened word 'major', used by Shinigami Squadron members as Mio's nickname.
However, a different thing caught Sakamoto's eye. It was a pile of smoke coming from C-17, which was just trying to make touchdown.
In the same moment, she heard in her communicator:
"Everyone on he runway! Make way, I'm repeat, make way!"
Polish F-16s then turned on both sides of the runway, making more place for C-17. However, transport started to tilt left and soon, it's wing hit the ground and broke, while the rest of machine flew forward, until it crashed into the ground and changed into the pile of burning parts.
"We've got crash! I'm repeat: we've got crash!"tower exclaimed.
Pilots opened their canopies and threw down their helmets, while jumping out of cockpits of their planes. They ran towards the crashed C-17, followed by the fire brigade brought to the base. They stood around the wreck, while fire brigade started to extinguish the flame.
"Damn it. That was this new general"Jester Squadron member said.
"Well. This is interesting start of mission"Misaka stated.
"I know"Mio agreed"It means, that we have to get to work".
Shinigami Squadron members then ran back towards their planes. They quickly jumped inside and closed the canopies.
"Tower, asking for permission to start"Sakamoto asked.
"Permission granted"tower replied"Make them pay for that".
"Of course we do"Witch replied.
F-10s started to go down the runway, until they finally lifted up and hid their landing gear. They got one more message from the tower:
"Good hunting".
Mio nodded. Next, the squadron flew towards Fulda Gap.
10:31
Fulda Gap's airspace
Although the case with destroyed C-17, Falcon and Heavy Horses squadrons managed to scramble too and soon, they joined the Shinigami. Other squadron, which had to take part in the operation, also reported that their battle ready and in the air.
"Any signs of the enemy?"Mio asked.
"Negative"Shinzo replied"Radar still is clear as hell".
Witch looked around the area, looking for any enemy fighters. However, none was seen around.
"Where are you?"she whispered.
"Where are you!"Kotaro exclaimed.
Others looked in his direction.
"Calm down, Kotaro. You should be focused on the fight"Misaka pointed out.
"I'm focused!"he replied with reproach.
Misaka turned frequency on a closed channel with Sakamoto.
"Sorry"she said.
"I was wondering…"Mio said"Why is Kotaro so impatient when it comes to fighting?"
There was a short silence on the second side. Then, there was a sight.
"You see, the thing is…Well, you know we're cousins?"
"Yeah"Mio replied.
"Well then. My aunt and uncle, with Kotaro, lived in Nagoya. When Chinese invaded, Nagoya found itself under the heaviest bombardment in Japan's history. His parents died during that time"Misaka explained.
Witch bit her lip.
"Sorry to hear that"she said.
"I know. However, SAR teams found him and evacuated to Yokohama. There, he found us. He decided to join the MHS to avenge his parents".
"But you're doing good in taking care of him?"
"Sure. It's good, but you know how it is, when it comes to battle".
Sakamoto nodded.
Right then, their cockpits were filled with the missiles warnings. Without hesitation, all planes dropped flares and eliminated the danger.
"Where is this coming from?"Falcon 1 asked.
"I don't know!"Heavy Horse 1 replied.
But Sakamoto already knew, what's going on.
"Enemy is using Stealth aircraft! Try to find them!"she ordered.
All Coalition aircraft turned, trying to find enemy fighters. The situation with missiles repeated two more times, again without losses.
"I found it!"Etsuko exclaimed.
Soon, some other pilots also reported detection of Chinese Stealth aircraft. Several even locked onto them.
"Okay then. Let's show them, what Coalition is capable of"Sakamoto ordered"Fox 3!"
Shinigami Squadron fired their missiles and watched them fly towards Chinese aircraft. Explosions in the air marked hits. It was confirmed by dots on radars disappearing.
"Got some"Falcon 4 said.
"Well then. Let's finish them now"Sakamoto ordered.
Fighters flew towards the enemy formations. When they caught up with them, they saw several squadrons of F-22s and J-20s.
"Oh, irony. We have to fight American Stealth fighters"Osamu stated.
"But we also have Chinese Stealth here"Shinzo noticed.
"At least, not the Russian ones"Misaka added.
She then dropped behind F-22 and fired her gun. Bullets penetrated the armor and lighted up the fuel tank, changing the fighter in ball of fire. Shinzo fired his gun at J-20, hitting it's cockpit and obliterating the pilot, which changed into red mist.
"Easy. At least, till now"Shinzo stated.
Mio changed frequency and contacted Florian and Charles:
"How is it on your side?"
"Going sweet and jazzy!"Florian replied.
"We're currently shooting down Chinese F-16 trying to get to you"Charles said"What about you?"
"We're engaging Chinese Stealth aircraft. We can handle it"Sakamoto replied.
"Good luck out there!"
After these words, two squadron leaders disconnected.
Sakamoto dropped behind J-20 and shredded it's back stabilizers with gun. Plane started to spin and go down. Next, she moved to nearest F-22 and her bullets managed to make it's engines explode and change into one giant fireball. Kotaro caught J-20 with his gun and shredded it. F-22 tried to land behind him and do the same with him. But Misaka was faster and saved his cousin, by firing her gun at Raptor's back.
"Everything okay, Kotaro?"she asked.
"Yeah. Thanks"Kotaro replied.
And immediately turned towards another enemy.
Falcon 2 and Heavy Horse 6 'sandwiched' the F-22 and quickly evaded fire of J-20s, which aimed at them. One of J-20 sat on Falcon 3's tail and fired his gun at him. Falcon 3 tried to do Aileron Roll, but J-20 was still following him, until eventually scored hit.
"I'm hit, I'm hit!"Falcon 3 exclaimed"I'm gonna…AAAGH!"
Falcon 3's Mirage 2000 exploded, sending his burning wreck towards the ground.
"We've just lost Falcon 3"Falcon 1 reported.
"Damn it. Cover each other!"Sakamoto ordered.
J-20 landed behind her and fired it's gun, scoring several hits. Sakamoto performed Cobra and now was behind Chinese pilot and replied with gunfire. J-20 ended as ball of fire.
"We're winning this!"Osamu exclaimed.
Suddenly, his radar started to act weird. He hit it, but this made nothing to him.
"Hey, my radar is going crazy"he reported.
"You checked it today?"Etsuko asked.
"Yeah, five times"Osamu replied.
Right then, Etsuko's radar also started to act the same. Soon, all pilots started to report the same thing.
"What the hell?"Sakamoto asked.
In that moment, her eye caught a small blue flash on the edge of her eyesight. Actually, not only she saw it.
"You saw that blue light?"Misaka asked.
"Yes, we do"Kotaro replied.
Sakamoto lifted her helmet's eye cover and lifted her eye patch, then looked in that direction. What she saw, probably would make her drop jaw, if not the oxygen mask.
"No fucking way…"she whispered.
SW Universe
September 29, 1945
10:23
Romagna airspace
504th Joint Fighter Wing 'Ardor Witches' were on high alert for past few months. Since the disappearance of Strike Witches, they were the only Witches protecting Romagna and Venezia from Neuroi attacks and there was no single day, without any combat mission.
Currently, they were tracking a Medium-Type Neuroi, which was seen over Champagne. This Neuroi bombed a convoy carrying ammunition to the Balkans.
"Anything?"Federica asked her Witches.
"Not yet"Patricia replied.
"Command told us, that it's supposed to be somewhere in this area, so it should be there"Takei stated"Keep looking".
However, this wasn't been needed, as it was Neuroi who found them.
Suddenly they all saw red lasers coming from a far and immediately activated shields, deflecting the lasers in all directions. Soon, the Neuroi came into view.
"Oh, there it is"Martina stated.
"You don't say?"Angela shot back.
"Anyway. Ardor Witches, engage!"Federica ordered.
With this order, all Witches flew towards the Neuroi. When they found themselves in firing range, they opened fire, scoring several hits. But Neuroi's armor immediately started to heal, leaving no traces of hits.
"Fernandia, Luciana, Martina! Turn his attention! Dominica, Jane, Patricia! Attack him from above! Rest, try to do the biggest hole in it, so Angela can take out the core!"Federica ordered.
"On it!"Takei replied.
Everyone immediately came to doing the plan and soon, Neuroi was overwhelmed by fired. It managed to fire lasers, but Witches deflected them again. Holes in the armor were becoming bigger and bigger, as Neuroi was armored only in half.
"Angela, now!"Federica exclaimed.
Hispanian Witch aimed her PzB39 at the core and fired, piercing it. Soon, Neuroi exploded into multiple white shards.
All Witches med under the falling shards.
"Well. Great job girls"Federica said"Amaki, contact command and tell them…"
Before Federica could end, something happened. All Witches were suddenly blinded by a blue light. An light orb appeared in the air. And started to become bigger and bigger.
"What is it?!"Patricia exclaimed.
"I don't know! But hang on!"Takei said.
When she said that, orb was big enough to absorb them.
Later…
Witches started to open their eyes and looked around. Much to their surprise, they discovered, that they are surely not over Romagna anymore.
"What just happened?"Dominica asked.
"I don't know, but I don't like it"Fernandia stated.
"Fulda Gap!"Jan suddenly exclaimed.
Everyone looked at her. This was rare for this shy and often backed off girl to erupt like that. When she noticed, that all eyes are turned at her, she became herself again.
"I…I mean, in Liberion, I was interested in geography. You probably know I can say name of every geographic land in Europe?"she asked.
They nodded.
"Well. Fulda Gap is in Karlsland"Jane explained.
When she said that, everyone widened their eyes.
"Karlsland?! We landed in middle of Neuroi occupied territory?!"Luciana exclaimed.
"Calm down, I'm sure we can figure out what's happening here"Martina tried to calm her friend down.
"Exactly, we just need to think about it"unknown voice said.
All 504th Witches turned around, to see the voice owner. It was another Witch, but they were sure she wasn't been from their JFW.
"Sorry, but who are you?"Angela asked.
Witch corrected her hat and replied:
"Sergeant Wilma Bishop, Isle of Wight Detachment Group".
"So you're from Britannia?"Nishiki asked.
Wilma nodded.
"Then how you landed here?"Dominica asked.
"I was on patrol. Suddenly, a blue orb of light appeared and I landed here with you"Wilma explained.
All Ardor Witches looked at each other.
"The same was with us"Federica said.
"Okay, when we know each other, we need to now find out, what is going on in there"Takei stated.
However, she then heard a strange sound. All Witches suddenly realized, that they were hearing it all the time, but didn't payed attention to it earlier, because they tried to figure out what was going on there.
They quickly turned around, to see a group of three planes coming in their way. But these planes were strange. They didn't had propellers and had something attached under their wings.
"Wait. Jets? Here?"confused Fernandia asked.
"And if they are jets, then I don't recognize them"Wilma said.
Suddenly, things under planes' wings flew towards the Witches, leaving traces of smoke behind them. They suddenly realized, what are these things.
"Missiles!"Angela exclaimed.
But before Witches managed to use their shields to deflect the missiles, a shape flew between them and missiles, leaving orbs of orange light behind it. Missiles lost interest in Witches and followed the orbs, until they hit them and exploded.
Three planes which attacked Witches broke formation. Suddenly, three more planes appeared and started chasing them. However, they looked different, more advanced. Fourth such plane started to circle around Witches.
"I have to say"fighter's pilot said on open channel"You could land anywhere, but of course, it had to put you in middle of battle".
Without thinking a lot, Takei recognized that voice.
"M-Mio?"she asked.
"I wondered, how long it would take for you to figure it out"Sakamoto said"By the way, nice to see you, Takei".
Other Witches, when they heard Takei's statement, simply held their breaths from surprise. Now, Federica got her voice back:
"Major Sakamoto of Strike Witches?"
"The same one. But currently, major Sakamoto of Shinigami Squadron"Sakamoto replied.
All Ardor Witches and Wilma had confused looks.
"I will explain everything later. Now, better go to our base. Osamu!"She turned to him"Can you escort them?"
"On it, sir"Osamu replied"Please, follow me, ladies".
Witches looked at each other hesitantly, but Sakamoto said:
"Easy, he's one of ours. You can trust him".
Takei gulped.
"Keep you by word"she said.
Ardor Witches and Wilma followed Osamu and flew to Ramstein. Meanwhile, Misaka flew up to Sakamoto.
"So we got new friends"she stated.
"Good notice"Sakamoto replied"But now, better let's go back to our task".
"On your order".
The three aircraft returned to the battle zone and rejoined the fight.
Florian and Luca managed to shot down another F-16, while Markus and Erica took care of Su-27. Charles and Henri fired missiles at AT position set up in the Gap. Janette evaded gunfire and performed Immelman Turn, to land behind J-10 chasing her and fired her gun, taking him down. One of Flacon Squadron pilots dropped flares to evade Chinese missiles, while Falcon 2 destroyed enemy chasing his comrade.
"Keep up the good work, people. We might win this in no time"AWACS said.
"I know, so let's keep it going!"Charles replied.
Two Battledogs 'sandwiched' MiG-29 and quickly turned their attention towards J-11 that appeared next to them. Flacon Squadron shot down another Su-27 and were followed by Jester Squadron. Heavy Horse 1 dropped behind J-10 and shredded it with his gun. He was followed by Owl 3 and Foxhound 5
"How many kills you got, Jinn?"Owl 3 asked.
"Ten. And you?"Owl 7 replied.
"Twelve"Owl 3 replied with smile.
Owl 7 shook her head.
"Not for long, buddy"she stated.
She launched missile towards MiG-29, while at the same time firing gun at J-11. Both enemy pilots were unable to say anything, before they were obliterated. Next, Owl 7 dropped behind F-16 and used her gun to change it into ball of fire.
"Well. That was actually cool"Owl 3 agreed.
In that moment, everyone got a giant radar signal.
10:54
Ramstein Air Base control tower
The flight controller in the tower was just sipping a cup of coffee. Few minutes earlier, he was informed that one of Shinigami Squadron members is escorting new Witches to the base. Because controller was student of JSDF High School, he was not surprised.
"After these all Witches arrived, new ones doesn't surprise me"he stated.
He wanted to take another sip of coffee, but noticed it's empty. He nodded on one of soldiers in the tower. Soldier approached him.
"What do you need?"he asked.
"Can you make me some more coffee?"controller asked.
Soldiers sighed and took the cup. But then, his eyes stopped on the radar in front of controller.
"What is that thing?"soldier asked.
Controller gave him asking look, but looked at the radar. Next, his face was cut by fear, once he saw what was on his radar. It was a giant aircraft, marked as AB-02. He quickly reached his IFF signal book and looked at it.
And his eyes widened in bigger fear.
"Holy shit! It wasn't supposed to be there!"he exclaimed and quickly grabbed his communicator"Fulda Gap, this is Ramstein…!"
Back over Fulda Gap
While fear was appearing among the fly controllers, the dogfight over the Gap was still continuing. Mio just shot down another J-10 and quickly changed her target on MiG-29, which also was quickly shot down. Misaka and Kotaro 'sandwiched' Chinese F-16 and shot down two J-11s. Shinzo and Etsuko managed to shot down another pair of MiG-29s.
But suddenly, they got call from AWACS:
"All units, we've just received information about enemy reinforcements coming our way".
"Well, it was expected"Florian stated"How many?"
There was a moment of silence on the second side. Finally, Sky Keeper gave the answer on his question:
"Only one".
"One?"Charles added with doubt"So it will go smoothly".
"But…"Sky Keeper couldn't find words"It's Arsenal Bird".
Another moment of silence appeared between them all. But it was shorter, as Charles broke it:
"Say it again".
"It's Arsenal Bird"Sky Keeper said again.
"But…It's impossible!"Florian stated"I though we blew this thing up once we left Europe!"
But immediately, he remembered that day, when London was attacked by Chinese aircraft. And by the drones.
"Damn, I knew something was wrong"he stated.
"What is Arsenal Bird?"Erica asked.
Markus quickly came with answer:
"Arsenal Bird is a giant airborne drone carrier, designed and built by Northrop Grumman. Side note: Arsenal Birds were originally designed for game Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown. But after Nitrosium was discovered, Americans decided to also create something like this, making it the first ever weapon transported from game to real world. And they created Arsenal Birds Liberty and Justice".
"In game, they were called the same by the way"Laura added.
"But Justice was shot down by Chinese over Pacific, while Liberty was shipped out to Europe, to help in defense. But, during the evacuation, we had not chance of evacuating it, so we wanted to destroy it"Florian said.
"But, as we can see, the explosives didn't worked as planned and now, Chinese have Arsenal Bird"Markus ended.
"How big is that thing?"Sakamoto asked.
But she wasn't waiting for answer for long.
Everyone's radars got signals coming from North. When they looked in that direction, they all were filled with fear.
A giant, wing shaped craft, emerged from between the clouds. It's massive shadow was covering the area beneath it. And it's propellers slowly pushed it forward, to meet with Coalition fighters.
Witches were the ones, to show the biggest disbelief. They saw giant Neuroi, but never thought, that man hands are able to create something as big. And yet, they were able to.
"But where is it carrying these drones?"Perrine asked.
In response, tens of small dots started to fall off Arsenal Bird's wings.
"You had to ask?"Erica asked.
"All units"AWACS said"Engage the Arsenal Bird. We have to shot it down as fast as possible!"
"You heard him, people"Charles said"Let's bring him down".
De Gaul, Owl and Battlehound Squadrons turned towards the massive aircraft. Immediately they were met by drones, already in the air.
Saddam evaded missile fired by drone, performed a Cobra and landed behind it, shooting it down with his gun. Perrine and Owl 7 'sandwiched' second drone, while Laura and Janette took care of two more of them.
Back at the main air battle, Sakamoto and Misaka managed to bring down two more J-10s. Kotaro scored and assist in taking down F-22 with Shinzo. Florian and Markus took down another three fighters, while Erica and Luca together brought down Su-27.
"How are you doing with the Arsenal Bird?"Sakamoto asked Charles.
"Could be worse. They have a number advantage, but I think we can handle much of it"De Gaul leader replied.
"Good. Keep them occupied. Once we're done here, we'll come to help you".
"Copy that. Be fast".
When Sakamoto disconnected, she turned her attention at MiG-29 chasing Falcon 3. She dropped behind the fighter and opened fire with her gun. Not soon after, smoke came from the enemy aircraft and soon, it was shredded by and explosion.
"Thanks for help"Falcon 3 said to her.
"No problem. Now, let's end it and fly help De Gaul"Sakamoto replied.
Falcon 3 nodded and joined the rest of his squadron.
Sakamoto rejoined with other Shinigami members and returned to taking down enemy aircraft.
"There are only ten of them left"Shinzo noticed.
"I see"Sakamoto replied"So let's make it zero".
"As you wish, Maj"Etsuko replied.
Next, she flew towards the closest enemy fighter, immediately firing her gun on top of him. Bullets hit the aircraft's back and soon, fighter exploded.
Shinzo turned his attention at Su-27 and quickly landed on his tale. He fired one of his short range missiles and Su-27 was changed into ball of fire. Kotaro managed to fly under F-16 and fired his gun from the underneath, destroying the American-made fighter. Sakamoto found herself chased by F-22, which even managed to score several hits on her aircraft's sheathing. However, Witch used her shield and bounced left. She made the tightest turn she could, finding herself behind the Stealth fighter. Next, she fired her own gun, bringing the enemy down.
"Only six left"Misaka reported.
"Okay, people. Fire missiles"Sakamoto ordered.
Everyone, who still had any short-range missiles fired them. Four enemy fighters were destroyed, while remaining two dropped flares.
"Take care of them"Sakamoto said.
Misaka and Shinzo chased down two remaining MiG-29s and soon, two burning wrecks fell towards the ground.
"Okay. Now, let's help De Gaul, Owl and Battledog with that giant thing".
Five aircraft turned and flew towards the giant aircraft visible in the distance.
Once they reached the place, they were immediately attacked by drones. AI controlled craft fired their missiles, but Shinigami Squadron countered them with flares. Next, they fired their guns and managed to take the drones down.
"Nice to see ya here"Charles said, taking down another drone.
Owl 2 and Battledog 5 followed him, shooting down another drones. Laura and Perrine took care of three more, when Perrine used her Witch ability to disable two drones and Laura shooting down another one. Saddam and Henri 'sandwiched' another two drones.
"How many did you shot down already?"Sakamoto asked.
"I counted fourteen, major"Perrine replied.
"And how many it can carry?"
"Around eighty"Laura said.
Sakamoto sighed.
"Well. I see, that we still have a lot to do"she said.
"Yes, you have"Charles agreed"So let's get to work with it".
After he said that, he evaded missile fired by drone and immediately landed behind the drone and destroyed it with his own missile. Janette had done the same. Etsuko followed her, shooting down two more drones. Shinzo and Battlehound 4 fired their guns at the same drone, easily shooting it down. Misaka and Henri took down another drone, with Misaka chasing it, while Henri attacked it from the side. Saddam performed a Barrel Roll, slowing down and letting drone to overtake him, while he stopped slowing down and fired his gun, taking down the drone.
"It's not so satisfying"he said.
"What do you mean, Saddam?"Laura asked.
"I mean, that drones are way easier to deal with, that normal pilots. I want some bigger challenge"Saddam replied.
Laura nodded.
"Yeah. I can agree with you, buddy"she said.
Next, she fired her gun at the closest drone and destroyed it. Etsuko helped Shinzo in taking down another drone and bounced left, to take care of another one. Sakamoto protected herself from the missile, using her shield. Misaka shot down the drone which attacked her squadron leader.
"Thanks for that"Sakamoto said.
"No problem"Misaka replied and added"If you would die, I wouldn't be able to command alone".
Witch smiled under her helmet. She could agree, that Misaka wasn't been the best commander ever. One time, on their training, her team lost, because she couldn't focus on commanding.
"Anyway"Misaka said"Let's finish this, huh?"
"I agree"Sakamoto replied.
"This is Sky Keeper"AWACS said"Attack the Arsenal Bird, till you have a chance".
"Copy that"Charles replied"Okay, let's do it".
All squadrons lined up, with their fronts pointing towards Arsenal Bird. Everyone got missiles locks and were ready to fire.
Laura noticed one thing. Over Arsenal Bird, an blue halo started to appear. She tried to remember, what it was meaning in the game, when she played it three years ago. But, unfortunately, she forgot it right now.
"Everyone fire!"Charles ordered.
All fighters fired their missiles. Arsenal Bird didn't even tried to evade it or use drones as shields. It simply waited for missiles to hit it from front and behind.
And then, Laura remembered what the halo meant.
"It's activating the…!"Laura tried to say, but didn't ended.
The halo suddenly grown up, that it surrounded the whole Arsenal Bird. Next, a bubble of energy started to form around it.
Missiles continued their flight towards the aircraft. But before they collided with their target, they crashed into the bubble surrounding the Arsenal Bird.
"What the hell?!"Etsuko shouted"What is it?!"
"It's Arsenal Bird's Active Protection System"Laura explained"It creates a defensive field around the machine, not letting anything to get through it".
"Guessing"Saddam said"Such field is possible thanks to Nitrosium?"
"Yes"Laura replied.
Charles tightened the grip on his pilot stick.
"Damn it!"he exclaimed"So, what do we do now?"
In that moment, Arsenal Bird started to drop another wave of drones. Everyone were shocked, seeing that they simply flew threw the defensive field.
"And why they can fly through it?"Janette asked.
"I don't know"Laura replied"That wasn't in game".
"Field is not letting anything to get through it, but let's anything exit?"Henri said.
"This could be the case"Saddam agreed.
In that moment drones opened fire and everything started again.
"Well. So better shot down as many drones as possible"Charles stated.
As he said that, he dropped behind one of drones and fired his gun at him. Drone was changed into burning wreck. Sakamoto and Misaka shot down two more drones, while Henri made a Cobra maneuver and landed behind drone, firing gun at him. Saddam dropped flares, evading missiles and bouncing left, to chase another drone. Owl 4 dropped behind one and saved Owl 2 by shooting the machine down.
"Thanks"Owl 2 said.
"No problem"Owl 4 replied"Just don't let them get you another time".
"As you wish".
Then, Owl 2 bounced right and also landed on tail of drone. He fired his last short range missile and drone was changed into ball of fire.
Meanwhile, Kotaro evaded bullets of drone and quickly made a Loop, landing behind it. Drone tried to bounce left, but Kotaro followed him and fired his gun, hitting the drone. Machine exploded and started to fall down towards the ground.
"I'm better at this!"Kotaro exclaimed.
"Keep it going"Misaka replied.
"Wanna count how many we destroyed?"
"Maybe after we return to base, okay?"
"Alright. Whatever yo…"
Suddenly, Kotaro got a missile warning.
"Shit!"he exclaimed.
Then, he bounced right, releasing flares. Flares saved him from missiles, but he didn't noticed another drone approaching him from the side. Machine fired it's gun and Kotaro felt his fighter shaking from the hit's the drone scored on him. Before he could notice, one of bullets flew through the canopy and hit the console.
"Let him go!"Misaka exclaimed.
She fell on the drone from the top, firing her gun. When drone was destroyed, she equalized her flight and joined Kotaro.
"Everything alright, Kotaro?"Misaka asked.
"Yeah…"Kotaro replied unsteadily"But I just lost half of my instruments. And how do it looks outside?"
Misaka looked at her cousin's plane and saw a pile of black smoke coming from it's back.
"Not good"the girl said"Maybe better get back to Ramstein?"
"True. Maybe better"Kotaro agreed, but reluctantly.
"Easy. You will take part in our another mission, I promise"Misaka tried to calm down her cousin.
Kotaro smiled under his helmet.
"Keep you by word"he replied.
He then turned West and flew back to base.
"Sky Keeper, this is Shinigami 2"Misaka reported"Shinigami 6 is leaving the battle area. Send someone to escort him".
"Copy that, Shinigami 2"Sky Keeper replied"Owl 6, escort Shinigami 6 back to base".
"On it, Sky Keeper"Owl 6 replied.
Owl 6 also turned and followed Kotaro.
Meanwhile, other Shinigami members continued to to engage drones.
"How many we already killed?"Etsuko asked.
"I lost it after 16th"Shinzo replied.
"And I lost it after 20th"Sakamoto granted.
Misaka joined them.
"Kotaro is going back to base"she said"His fighter got damaged pretty hard".
"So it's better he left. I don't thing these drones would leave him alone"Shinzo said.
He looked at his ammo status.
"Shit. I'm almost out of ammo".
"I'm almost out of fuel"Henri said.
"And I'm low on ammo and fuel"Saddam added.
Sakamoto contacted with Sky Keeper:
"Sky Keeper, this is Sakamoto. We're getting low on ammo and fuel".
"Copy that, major. Eliminate few more drones and you can go. Arsenal Bird won't let us get this air superiority. We have to withdraw"Sky Keeper replied.
Next, Sakamoto changed her frequency and contacted Florian:
"You heard that?"
"Yeah"Florian replied"Here, we also are getting low on everything. Chinese found new fighting spirit after Arsenal Bird arrived. We're getting out of there soon".
Right then, Sky Keeper came on radio:
"Wait a minute. I got a new signal coming this way. Very fast".
"Can you say what is it?"Perrine asked.
"It's…"Sky Keeper wanted to say, but didn't managed to.
A black shape flew through the battlefield and disappeared as fast as it appeared. Everyone looked at it.
"What the hell was that?"Owl 7 asked.
"It looked like a black J-10 for me"Shinzo replied.
Few seconds later, they got a call:
"This is Owl 6. I just got a bogey on my tail".
Misaka felt a pressure in her chest.
"Don't let him get you, Owl 6! I'm going there!"she exclaimed.
However, before she could turn in that direction, another few drones came into her way.
"Damn it!"
Owl 6, in the meantime, tried to evade the mysterious black J-10. He noticed that the enemy is following his every move, doing it the same.
"Who the hell are you?"Owl 6 asked.
He then performed Cobra to land behind the enemy fighter. He locked onto it and moved his finger on firing button.
"Don't get too cocky"Owl 6 said.
But before he could press the button, J-10 made a quick Loop and found itself over Owl 6. Coalition pilot watched the aircraft firing it's gun onto Owl 6s back. Soon, Owl 6 was burning wreck, falling towards the ground.
Then, J-10 pilot's eyes stopped on the black trail of smoke coming out of Kotaro's plane. Chinese pilot quickly flew towards him.
Kotaro noticed this. He seemed like a completely defenseless victim. And he actually was, without the half of his instruments.
"Damn it"Kotaro said.
J-10 then dropped behind him. His gun started to fire, but Kotaro was managing to evade it, by performing the Barrel Roll.
"You won't get me so easy"the Japanese said.
And then, happened what Kotaro feared the most.
He felt something shaking his aircraft. When he turned around, he saw a fire coming out of back of his plane. He tried to turn, but with fear noticed, that the wings are not responding. With bigger fear he stated, that bail out system isn't working too.
J-10 pilot smiled, seeing this.
"Got him"he whispered.
He locked onto Kotaro and fired his missile.
Everything slowed down for a minute. Kotaro simply watched the missile approaching him on a radar. He was paralyzed by fear. Everything he ever did literally passed by his eyes. Sound of missile warning started to sound in the cockpit, but he didn't payed anymore attention on it. He simply waited.
Missile changed Kotaro's plane into falling ball of fire.
"Owl 6 and Shinigami 6…"Sky Keeper said and gulped"…lost".
Everyone simply became silent because of shock. This message especially hit Shinigami Squadron. But the most shocked of them, was Misaka.
"Kotaro…"she whispered, feeling tears in her eyes.
"Let's get out of here, people. We won't do anything more here"Charles stated.
All aircraft turned and flew towards Ramstein. During the flight, Misaka looked in the direction of place, where Kotaro's plane crashed. The pile of smoke was clearly visible there. Girl turned her head.
She was silent all the way back to base.
11:54
Ramstein Air Base
The bad mood could be felt all around the base. Message of the loss over Fulda Gap quickly spread around the base. And hearing about Arsenal Bird's involvement only made the matter worse.
Ardor Witches and Wilma were sitting in the Shinigami Squadron's hangar, with their Strikers laying behind them, under the wall. They simply watched the soldiers walking and running around, some in formations, other alone. Vehicles were driving around the facility and everything was loaded on the transport aircraft.
Osamu entered the hangar, with tray of drinks in his hand. He placed it on table between Witches and smiled.
"Hope you will like it"he said.
"Thanks, Osamu"Takei replied.
Witches took the drinks and tried them. They nodded with recognition.
"That's nice"Fernandia said.
"Thanks"Osamu replied"My dad taught me how to do drinks. Our family has a bar back in Yokohama".
Right then, they heard sound of engines. When they looked in that direction, they saw the aircraft returning from Fulda Gap. Shinigami Squadron started to land first, then De Gaul, Jäger and others.
"There they are"Osamu said, as Shinigami Squadron planes taxed down the runway and stopped in the hangar.
Sakamoto opened her canopy and exited. Osamu came up to her.
"Hey, Maj. I heard about Arsenal Bird"he said.
"Guess that everybody heard"Sakamoto replied.
Osamu looked at other members of his squadron. He noticed, that Misaka is surely in more worse mood that the others.
And then, he noticed that someone's missing.
"Where's the kid?"he asked.
As Kotaro was the youngest of squadron members, everyone, except Misaka, liked to call him 'kid'. Of course, this made him mad a little, but often he didn't mind it.
In response, Sakamoto shook her head.
"He didn't made it out".
Now Osamu looked at Misaka with bigger understanding. Girl simply turned around and walked out of the hangar. Osamu wanted to go after her, but was stopped by Shinzo.
"Leave her alone. She needs to get through this"he said.
Meanwhile, Sakamoto approached the Ardor Witches and Wilma, with her helmet still in her hand.
"At least you left, before it all started to fall apart"she said.
"What even happened there?"Luciana asked.
Sakamoto threw up her arms.
"In short: we just been beaten up to hell"she said.
"Oh"Luciana simply said.
"Wilma!"
Everyone turned their heads, hearing this. They saw Lynette running into the hangar, dressed in her army undershirt, pants and boots. She stopped next to her sister and hugged her. Wilma returned the hug.
"I'm happy to see you!"Lynette exclaimed.
"Me too, Lynn"Wilma replied, when the two stopped hugging.
"I just heard about your arrival and came here as fast, as possible".
Then, older sibling noticed the outfit Lynette was wearing.
"What are you wearing?"Wilma asked.
"I will answer later, really"Lynette provided.
In that moment, another person entered the hangar.
"Sakamoto"Saltarski said.
"What is it, Christian?"Witch asked.
Pole pointed behind him.
"I think someone is looking for you"he replied.
Witch looked where he was pointing and understood. She saw their commander-in-chief, colonel Masaru Toichida, standing next to hangar entrance. Next, she looked at Saltarski again, nodded and went to the colonel.
Meanwhile, Saltarski approached the newly arrived Witches.
"So. Another Witches to collection, right?"he asked.
"It seems like it"Shinzo replied.
"Well then"Saltarski stated"Better tell others".
Shinzo looked at him.
"Others don't know yet?"he asked.
"When they arrived, other Witches were preparing to start offensive towards Berlin. Now, as we lost the battle, they were all called back here"He looked at his watch"They should be here in the next half an hour".
Ardor Witches and Wilma looked at each other.
"If other Witches that disappeared are here…"Federica said.
"They are all here. Every single one"Lynette provided.
"Well"Wilma said"I think you have a lot to talk about?"
Lynette simply nodded.
Takei, on the other hand, went towards Mio, talking to colonel. When she came closer, she heard what they were saying:
"I'm really sorry because of sergeant Kuniko's death. He was one and only".
"I know. Captain Narohito was his family and she took it hard"Sakamoto replied.
"You think she'll be able to do her duties?"colonel asked.
Sakamoto thought about it.
"I don't know. It depends of her and only her".
Colonel then noticed Takei standing few meters away.
"Can you stop eavesdrop?"he asked.
"Easy, sir. She's my friend"Sakamoto said.
Colonel once more looked at Takei.
"If so, she can come closer then"he stated.
Takei did what colonel said and stood next to Sakamoto. Colonel then reached his pocket and gave a card of paper to Witch.
"What is it?"Sakamoto asked.
"Transfer orders. Whole 4th Fleet have to move to Middle East and help there"colonel explained"Egyptians are preparing to start a full scale offensive towards Iraq and Iran. They need backup strong enough to make it happen".
"Middle East, huh?"
Since their arrival, Sakamoto heard a lot about the Middle Eastern conflicts, especially the Arab-Israeli one. Now, they were going there themselves.
"Well. I think this is gonna be an interesting journey"Sakamoto stated.
"You think so?"Takei asked.
"You're gonna see when the others return. We'll tell you".
"So. Prepare everything, major. We're moving back on the ships at 2000 hours"Colonel saluted and walked away.
In that moment, the forces withdrawn from the offensive started to return to the base. Tanks, soldiers and other vehicles started to park in different places.
"There are the others"Sakamoto said.
Takei looked at her friend with confused look.
"Others?"she asked.
"Give as sometime to explain this"Sakamoto replied.
Sometime later, other Witches joined them in the hangar.
One hour later…
"…and here we are now"Minna ended.
Ardor Witches and Wilma were thinking of the things they just heard. About China, Nitrosium and Military High Schools. Especially it was hard to believe, while looking at Witches wearing uniforms of both Air Force and Army.
"And since you all landed there, you fight China, just like you fought with Neuroi?"Federica asked.
"We couldn't just sit there, doing nothing. If we wanted to live in Military High Schools during our stay here, we also had to join them in fight"Perrine replied.
"And actually, you can get used to this situation quickly"Nikka said.
Newly arrived Witches looked at each other.
"So, until someone find a way to send us back home, we have to fight in this war?"Patricia asked.
"As Nikka said: you can get used to this situation quickly"Barkhorn replied.
Then, Minna said:
"Anyway. We have to prepare everything for our transfer to Middle East. Wanna help us?"
Everyone threw up their arms.
"Sure. We don't have anything to do anyway"Federica said.
After these words, all Witches stood up and went to prepare everything for transfer.
XXX
Alright, as you can see, the operation to gain superiority over Fulda Gap was a failure. But now, it's time for something I was looking forward since I started the story: Middle Eastern Arc.
Federica: Why you waited for this?
Oh, girl, I have so many stuff to put on the Middle East, including some important story stuff. Not only that, but I simply love desert warfare. That's why I waited so long for this.
Federica: That makes sense.
Takei: And if I can ask. What parts of military will you put us in?
This will be revealed in next chapter, so wait for it. See you!
Federica and Takei: See ya!