Kidou Kishi Warviour
(Mobile Knight Warviour)
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in Strike Witches, nor the initial setting.
Chapter 2: The New Weapon Part 1
Pearl Harbor, United States of Liberion. January 1, 1946; 0621 hours
The sun rose to greet the first day of the year 1946. It symbolized that humanity was to finally begin a year.
For centuries, humanity was threatened by mysterious creatures that went through two names – Ratsel and Kaii. Fighting these creatures was the task of women with magical abilities called Witches and technology had to improve to help Witches fight these creatures. Despite this, humans still fought amongst themselves for various reasons.
When the 20th Century came, humanity took the threat of these creatures more seriously after a defeat that led to the demise of certain nations that the League of Nations (LN) was created to share resources and knowledge into defeating the creatures. Two decades after this defeat, the creatures appeared again around the Black Sea in Eurasia. The area, once inhabited by a fabled tribe, inspired the new name for these creatures – Neuroi.
Eventually, in 1945, mankind prevailed as the Neuroi in the easternmost Eurasian lands mysteriously came to a halt and stopped fighting. Humanity saw it as the reprieve it had assumed would never come. Over time, while the world rebuilt itself, conflicts amongst humans erupted once again.
However, that wasn't the case in the United States of Liberion's Hawaiian Islands. In Pearl Harbor, where the Liberian forces operate a naval base, civilians and soldiers alike woke up; some having done so earlier to see the sun rise.
In the skies, a lone F6F Hellcat fighter airplane flew for its rounds. Its pilot, a male, was able to experience more of the morning sky. Although there was no war, he had to do this duty and constantly patrol the sky.
As he had flown a full circle, the pilot saw something falling from the sky. He began to turn on his radio to confirm with the control tower of the naval base's airfield, Hickam Field.
"Hickam, this is Parson," said the pilot. "I've spotted something coming from the sky."
"Hickam to Parson, unless it's a Neuroi, I doubt it's of real concern," replied another male voice over the radio.
"…. I guess you're right," concluded Parson.
Parson the pilot continued his rounds. However, as he was at two hundred seventy degrees of another circle in the sky he was about to make, the falling object he spotted was far easier to see.
Parson turned to his right and while it was still far, he was still in doubt to ignore the falling object. While the control tower at Hickam Field told him to ignore it if it wasn't a Neuroi, Parson knew that the object wasn't a Neuroi.
Neuroi were generally black and red, as well as sentient enough to fight by firing red-colored beams of energy. The object was gray and did nothing but fall. Parson again turned on his radio.
"Parson to Hickam, I say again, we have a falling object coming towards us," repeated Parson. "It's getting much closer."
"Damn it, Parson, what do you suppose it is then!?" exasperatedly asked the voice on the other end of Parson's radio.
"A meteor… ?" replied Parson with little confidence, which diminished further as he saw the object get closer.
"Hickam, it's getting closer!"
"… I… I read you," said the voice on the radio with fear in his tone. "It's definitely a meteor. Warning command now."
Parson began to shift his Hellcat elsewhere.
"Parson, what are you doing!?" asked the voice on the radio.
"I have a family in the city!" screamed Parson. "I need to see them!"
"Wait-" ultimately said the other voice before Parson turned off his Hellcat's radio.
As he returned to Hickam, Parson began to use the plane's landing gears. However, the object, now identified as a meteor, continued towards Pearl Harbor as a whole.
Parson's Hellcat touched the ground and after finishing the landing, Parson opened his cockpit and immediately came out. Two soldiers on military police (MP) duty appeared and blocked Parson.
"Where do you think you're going?" asked one MP.
"I have to warn my-" incompletely said Parson before he saw the meteor about to land with the MPs joining in his despair.
A minute after, the meteor hit. A large explosion created a cloud that made the morning sky gray. The impact also affected the water.
#
After Pearl Harbor was hit, meteors came for another two days. On January 2, another meteor hit the Orussian Empire's naval base in Sevastopol. The following day, Oran in the Republic of Gallia's African colony of Numidia, which hosted a naval base, was struck too.
Immediately after Sevastopol was struck, the Neuroi had returned as many feared. Northern Africa, the southernmost tip of South Liberion, southernmost Asia, and the archipelagoes of Southeast Asia. However, mysterious vehicles also appeared. They were far more advanced than what the LN forces built as they had arms and legs like human beings yet they weren't black and red as a contrast to the Neuroi.
In areas both conquered and unconquered, mysterious devices appeared and broadcasted a message from a human-esque figure shrouded in darkness. The figure called himself Prokopios Stavros, the Emperor of the Stavrosian Empire and announced that the Neuroi were a part of his Empire, claiming that the Stavrosian Empire had come to invade Earth and that they were responsible for the meteor hits, much to the shock of Earth's inhabitants. Among the wicked weapons used by the Stavrosian Empire were Mobile Knights, humanoid machines with human-esque limbs capable of fighting in multiple environments. Even Witches have fallen to these humanoid weapons.
Almost four months had passed since the war started and the Stavrosian Empire, with the assistance of the Neuroi they claimed to control, have expanded across Central Asia and have almost reached sub-Saharan Africa. Humanity now fears for its fate.
#
Pacific Ocean. March 31, 1946; 2349 hours
The night was quiet. As the Earth was being invaded, the air was filled with anxiety that made appreciating the night sky a rare privilege.
Three ships moved across the Pacific waters. Two were the destroyers U.S.S. Boyd and U.S.S. Izard, along with the light carrier U.S.S. Cowpens and the larger carrier U.S.S. Mayflower. All four ships were from the United States of Liberion.
The ships moved fast; far faster than the norm. They were on a mission that could determine the faith of mankind.
Unbeknownst to the ships, they were being watched from the ocean depths. The need to rush to their destination gave the Liberian ships no time to check if they were being watched.
#
I.S.S. Buffalo
The Buffalo was a Bull-class carrier submarine of the Imperial Stavrosian Navy's Surface Fleet. When the Stavrosians landed on Earth, it had built four classes of submarines to serve in the invasion and upon completion, the submarines were dropped into the Earth. The Bull-class served in light attacks and hit-and-run operations. Despite that, the Bull-class had the same length and width as light carriers such the Cowpens it detected.
"Enemy ships sighted," said one Otto Schneider as he looked through the Buffalo's periscope.
In his mid-fifties, Schneider was the Buffalo's captain. His eyes were covered by a visor that glowed red and fair skin yet his face was rugged despite appearing to be cleanly shaven. In addition to his blue uniform, he wore a collar that contained a glowing red crystal that was connected to his visor.
"Andrews, please contact Singapore," ordered Schneider to one Evelyn Andrews, a woman almost two decades younger than him with fair skin who also wore the same visor and collar.
"Yes, Captain," replied Andrews, who began using the ship's communicator by first pressing a certain amount of numbers.
As a result, one of the three antennas on the Buffalo's rose from the depths and into the surface. The antenna then emitted a red-colored light and it was followed by Andrews managing to hear that the call she sent was being sent.
"This is Singapore Base," said a male voice on the other end of the communicator, which indicated to the bridge that the call was picked up.
"This is Buffalo," replied Andrews. "We have a report for Rear Admiral Huang."
"Currently relaying to the Rear Admiral now."
After one minute, the screen at the topmost center of the Buffalo's bridge, which consisted of a rectangular glass square, shows a man in the same uniform as Schneider and Andrews. He was in his early sixties with almost fair skin and no hair on top of his head.
"Forgive me for the intrusion, Rear Admiral Huang," said Schneider.
"What do you have to report to me, Schneider?" asked Huang.
"We found four Liberian ships."
"So?"
"Permission to follow and conduct a reconnaissance mission as to where they're going?"
"Granted but reconnaissance only. Based on where you are, I can imagine those Liberian ships must be headed to Fuso's South Seas Island, which is to be where the League are developing weapons in secret for their counterattack."
"Thank you, Admiral."
The rectangular screen was turned off. Schneider turned his attention to his crew.
"Follow those ships," ordered Schneider."
"Aye aye, Captain," said a dark-skinned crewman.
#
Oka Dojo, Shinkyo, Empire of Fuso. April 1, 1946; 1636 hours
In the middle of the Pacific Ocean was a large island. It was the territory of the Fuso Empire called the South Seas Island. Most of Fuso's economic development was centered in this island. It became a prefecture as Fuso modernized with the city of Shinkyo as its capital.
In Shinkyo was a karate dojo. It was also a family's residence as they owned the dojo. In the dojo, students of various ages watched as two teenagers, one male and one female, have a kumite with each other. All were barefooted and wore the standard gi for practice, consisting of an uwagi and a shitabaki tied by a belt of a certain color that denoted rank in their skills.
The male student in the kumite had short and straightened black hair and blue eyes with a black belt tied to his gi. The female student had long brown hair tied into a ponytail at the rear of her head and light brown eyes. The former began a series of kicks but each one was countered by the latter.
Among those watching was a male teenager who wasn't in a gi. He wore a white tunic with gold trim and gray-colored pants. He had short black hair that was slicked back except for a loose piece swept to the right side of his face and brown eyes and his skin was less fair to most of those in the dojo.
The female student continued her attacks, this time by mixing her kicks with punches but the male student countered as well. The male teenager not in a gi carefully observed the movement of the two as he fixated his eyes toward the movement of the limbs by both students.
The female student attempted a punch but the male student suddenly turned his back and delivered a kick with his left leg, hitting the girl's stomach and sending her into the mat.
However, the girl was still conscious. She pressed her right palm toward the stomach and felt no pain.
How was I sent into the ground despite Kei-kun's Ushiro geri, thought the girl.
The male student, whom the girl knew as Kei, approached her and offered his right hand. Reluctantly, the girl took it and got up. Afterward, the two bowed to each other followed by bowing to the crowd. What followed were claps from everyone in the dojo who watched, including the teenager who wasn't in a gi.
#
1711 hours
The male and female student, along with the teenage male who didn't wear a gi, left the Oka dojo. Kei, the male student, now wore a white button-up shirt with long sleeves, black pants, and black leather shoes. The female student wore another white-colored button-up shirt but with shorter sleeves and a pleated skirt. The male teenager in the tunic now wore brown slip-on shoes.
"Kei-kun, I have to ask: why did you hold back on me in the kumite?" asked the girl.
"What are you talking about, Chieko?" asked Kei.
"I felt your Ushiro geri during the kumite," explained the girl named Chieko. "It didn't release much power… was it because I'm a girl!?"
"No, no, nothing like that!"
"Be honest!"
"If I may," said the teenager in the tunic, "Chieko, you fell on your own. Yes, Kei held back but as you felt it, you assumed the worse and fell."
"How do you know that!?" loudly asked Kei with a tone of skepticism.
"Exactly, Shinta-kun," added Chieko in agreement.
"I carefully observed how the both of you fought at that kumite," answered the teenager named Shinta.
"Really?" asked Kei with his tone of skepticism turned into a tone of disbelief.
"You focused a lot on planning how to make your strike," answered Shinta. "Chieko, while she can prevent another from doing said strike, can let herself be exposed to an attack from an area she wouldn't expect. Likewise with the technique. Kei's Ushiro geri was placed well. Yes, you held back but it initially tricked Chieko into thinking that strike was severe."
"Ha, I knew you held back on me!" exclaimed Chieko to Kei.
"Thanks a lot, Shinta," said Kei with a tone of disappointment. "I thought you were my friend."
"Wait," said Shinta as he stopped moving and doing the so for Chieko and Kei with his left hand.
"What's go-" asked Kei before he saw why Shinta stopped them from moving further.
The three teenagers stood as a rickshaw appeared. Although Fuso had begun to modernize, rickshaws, locally called jinrikisha, were still used by people as a fast way to get across cities, especially Shinkyo.
In the rickshaw were two women. The woman in the left brown hair and wearing a red me had brown hair and wore a white-colored medical coat and a red scarf but wore nothing for her legs. The woman to the right, also a brunette, was a teenager who wore a white and blue sailor fuku and like the woman to her right, had no lower garments.
Shinta looked at the teenage female in the rickshaw with curiosity yet deep down, he felt he knew who the girl was. While his attention was subtle, Kei's wasn't as he was obsessed with the teenage female inside the rickshaw because he too felt he knew who she was. Chieko noticed how obsessed Kei was and gave a disapproving glare.
The rickshaw was no longer in the three teenagers' way. While Shinta managed to focus again, Kei brought out a grin of satisfaction, as if he figured out who the teenage female in the rickshaw was.
"It's her," said Kei in realization.
"Here we go… " muttered Chieko as if she knew Kei was to say something she found embarrassing.
"Who?" asked Shinta, attracting a glare of disbelief with some anger from Kei.
"Don't you know was inside that rickshaw!?" asked Kei.
"Really… I-"
"That was Miyafuji Yoshika!" announced Kei.
"She's a Witch, isn't she?" asked Chieko as she knew Kei would say that.
"That's right!" answered Kei. "Wasn't sent off to a school for Witches yet she did well when she first boarded a Striker Unit and joined the 501st Joint Fighter Wing. Supposedly lost her powers only for them to come back in the heat of battle."
"Really?" asked Shinta without any interest in his tone.
"Come on, couldn't you even act like you're amazed?" asked Kei with disbelief.
"Can we please continue this after we get across?" impatiently asked Chieko.
"Oh, right," replied Kei.
The three then crossed the street. As they did, they felt it was time to resume their discussion.
"Truth be told, it's not that I'm not that interested in Witches," said Shinta. "I just don't see it as something to get excited about if we run into a Witch."
"Really?" asked Kei with disbelief. "That's all you have to say?"
"Lay off, Kei-kun," said Chieko. "If Shinta-kun doesn't have that much interest in Witches as you do, it's his business."
"Fine," said Kei in defeat.
The three continued to walk. After half a minute of silence, Kei began to open his mouth first and in his mind was a different subject.
"Say, Shinta, which school do you have in mind?" asked Kei. "I mean, classes resume in a week and we're all seventeen, so we need to prepare for entrance exams."
"Oh, why are you asking?" asked the teenager named Shinta, leading to a giggle from Chieko.
"It's Kei and his father," excitedly answered Chieko.
"Come on, Chieko, don't put it like that," exasperated Kei, who exhaled his mouth in defeat. "Dad wants me to go to Handai like he did."
"Why not?" asked Shinta.
"I don't want to get into a university because my father studied there."
"I see," added Shinta with a realization on why Kei disagrees with his father as if he had a similar argument with his father. "What about you, Chieko?"
"Truth be told, as long as there's a Karate program," replied Chieko, followed with another giggle.
"Unfortunately, I have something to announce to the both of you," said Shinta.
"Oh boy, what could it be?" asked Kei."
"Dad and I are moving out of Shinkyo."
"WHAT?!" loudly asked Chieko. "Why didn't you tell us!?"
"Hold on," said Shinta to calm Chieko down. "It's only a week away."
"Ah, no wonder you haven't a concrete answer on why you've chosen a school," concluded Kei. "Now that you mention it, I recall Dad talking about it. It's related to that Liberian carrier coming over tonight, isn't it?"
"You're correct," replied Shinta.
"My Dad's company might be working on weapons that the Liberian carrier might deliver to Liberion," added Kei.
"A Liberian carrier?" asked Chieko.
"That's right," answered Kei. "And it's supposed to be a secret because of the war with the Stavrosians and the Neuroi."
"That also explains our military ships are here from what I've heard," added Chieko. "Though how do you know this?"
"Actually, that's as much as I can figure out," answered Kei. "I don't even know the carrier's name. Dad doesn't know that I know and it better stay that way."
"Fine with me," said Shinta.
"Won't this mean South Seas Island will be attacked?" asked Chieko.
"Exactly," answered Kei. "Dad had Mom and Mamiko go to Britannia."
"Well, at least you can study history in a Li-" said Chieko to Shinta to change the subject.
"Unfortunately, there's more to this," added Shinta.
"What now?" asked Chieko.
"I… plan on enlisting… " answered Shinta with a tone of uncertainty.
"Enlist… you mean…. " incompletely said Kei upon realizing what Shinta is planning on doing.
"The military," said Shinta. "Specifically the Imperial Army. Dad knows. I intend to discuss more with him tonight."
"Why would you join the military?!" loudly asked Kei with disbelief. "First of all, you're not a Witch and I doubt you can do much."
"I don't care," argued Shinta. "I'll find a way to fight."
"Seriously, you'll get killed!" shouted Chieko.
"Anyway, we're here," said Kei as he, Shinta, and Chieko reached a tram stop.
The streets of Shinkyo were filled with tramway tracks. This was to help people who couldn't afford a car go to where they needed to go as a contrast to rickshaws, which only carried three people at most. Despite their conversation, Shinta, Chieko, and Kei managed to board a tram that had just arrived.
#
Nishioka Station. 1737 hours
Shinta, Chieko, and Kei arrived at the tram station that serviced the Nishioka Ward of Shinkyo. Although it was an almost daily occurrence for them, the tram was filled at that time in the day, which makes it difficult for Shinta, Chieko, and Kei to find seats and as the tram stopped, it will be a problem for them to get off the tram in time due to how many people had boarded.
"We are now here at Nishioka," said the male operator of the tram. "Please get off in an orderly fashion."
Those who wished to get off at Nishioka did so. Out of the three teenagers, only Shinta and Chieko did so. Kei remained seated and this was normal for the three as Nishioka isn't his stop.
"See you tomorrow, you two" said Kei.
"You two," replied Chieko.
As Shinta and Chieko got off the tram, the latter left. The city of Shinkyo was comprised of only four wards as a contrast to cities in the rest of Fuso such as the capital Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. Nishioka was the westernmost ward while Minato, where the Oka Dojo was located, was at the very center. The southernmost ward, Goda, was Kei's stop as it was where he and his family lived.
"As for me, I have to wait for the tram to get back because the one Kei-kun boarded was for Goda and it's a full-circle trip since Goda is far south," said Chieko.
"Are you fine on your own?" asked Shinta. "I could wait for you. It's not like Dad gets home around this time anyway."
"It's alright, Shinta-kun. Thanks though."
"Then I'm off. Oyasuminasai."
"Oyasumi."
Both Shinta and Chieko separated for the day.
#
Himemiya Residence. 1827 hours
Later, Shinta arrived at his house, a one-floor wooden house that was large. He and his father were able to afford the house due to the latter working with Miyazaki Industries, a manufacturing company based in Osaka. Shinta's father, Koji Himemiya, worked as a weapons engineer for the company and when the war with the Stavrosian Empire started, Miyazaki Industries began to work in secret weapons that should turn the tide of the war for the LN with Koji in charge of the endeavor, allowing him a salary that can afford a large house where he and Shinta live.
Shinta, however, noticed that the lights were on. Only he and Koji possessed the keys to the house and proceeded inside faster than usual. However, he still had to take off his shoes and while doing so, Shinta saw a pair of black shoes already laid out and after removing his shoes, he proceeded inside.
Despite the exterior of the house, the interior was a combination of the past and the present. While the floor was wooden and the tables were small that people had to sit down and twist their legs, there were light bulbs on the ceiling and a radio. As he proceeded further into his house, Shinta heard the sound of fire, realizing who was inside the house and where he or she was.
Wait, that's coming from the kitchen, internally realized Shinta. That could mean…
Shinta rushed to the house's kitchen and as he suspected, he saw his father Koji cooking their dinner. In his mid-forties, Koji was a man with long brown hair, fairer skin than his son, and wore a white lab coat.
"Ah, Shinta, you're home," said Koji as he glanced at his son. "As you can see, I'm preparing dinner. Please wait."
"You're home early," noted Shinta as it was normally the inverse between him and Koji.
"Work's almost done, so I was allowed to leave early for today."
"I'll do as you ask and wait. Maybe I can get the plates, water, and glasses."
"Please do."
#
1939 hours
The Himemiya men had already finished dinner and were washing the plates. Although Koji had returned earlier than usual, he and Koji still washed after their meal together.
"I see you've upset Chieko-kun and Kei-kun when you told them about us going to Liberion," said Koji. "Look, if it's which school to apply to, Liberion has plenty as to where you can study history. Also, you can still see them in your school breaks."
"There is that," said Shinta in agreement with what Koji explained about their move to Liberion. "However, I've also upset them with another thing I told them."
"What might that be?" asked Koji with concern.
"You know what I'm talking about," reminded Shinta with a tone of seriousness.
"Oh… the military," realized Koji. "Can we please continue this after we finished the dishes?"
"Very well," conceded Shinta.
#
2011 hours
Both Himemiya men were in the house's living room, which was where they received guests. Both were seated and drinking tea, normal for them at that time of the day.
"You really want to join the military that much?" asked Koji. "What about your studies? Don't you want to be a historian?"
"That can wait," answered Shinta as if he had said the same thing earlier. "You and I both knew that the Stavrosians would come one day."
"But Shinta, what can you do? It's mostly fighter pilots that have to fight the Stavrosian's Mobile Knights and I doubt the Navy will allow you and I doubt you can fool them as to how old you are."
"I also heard things are getting worse. Isn't that why our Navy already sent ships out here?"
"Even if they'll allow you to enlist, I don't think you'll be in a frontline position."
"I don't think it's that simple. You well know what's in m… "
"That's exactly why it'll be a problem if you fight the Stavrosians and the Neuroi. I did everything I could to find you and I don't want you wasting all that effort!"
"And I'm not even you're biological son!"
Koji was unable to continue his argument with Shinta. It wasn't a secret that Koji and Shinta weren't biologically related due to how dissimilar they looked yet the circumstances as to why they're father and son are still a secret. Shinta realized what he had said and became silent.
Koji was the first to continue by preparing to open his mouth. He struggled to find what else there was to say. After a minute, he found what he could say.
"… You know, you really remind me of your mother," said Koji.
"You're not trying to flatter me, are you?" asked Shinta with confusion over how sudden were the words Koji chose to say.
"No, you really remind me of your mother Yùlíng. She was always like this when we argued."
Koji giggled as he had certain memories in his mind. Shinta was aware as to what he could be thinking.
"But… I can see why you want to fight the Stavrosians that much... " continued Koji but with a tone of sadness and concern. "You really want to avenge you'r mother that much?"
"I do," answered Shinta with determination. "I've been waiting all my life for this. I also heard about 'Warviour'."
Koji opened his mouth with shock. It was something only he was to know. Shinta stopped talking to observe how surprised Koji was when he mentioned the name "Warviour". It wasn't a secret to Shinta that Koji and Miyazaki Industries were developing weapons to counter the Stavrosian-Neuroi advance across the world but the name Warviour was something Shinta shouldn't have learned.
"W… Where did you get that name… ?" asked Koji.
"Yesterday, I saw a document you carelessly left behind before we went to sleep," answered Shinta without any restraint. "It's the secret weapon you and Mr. Miyazaki are developing, isn't it?"
"… Yes," answered Koji as if he was guilty of a crime.
"And it's also the reason why we're moving to Liberion, isn't it?"
"That's enough!" shouted Koji as if he regained his confidence. "You're to keep this a secret, even to Chieko-kun and Kei-kun. Is that understood!?"
"Very well, I won't tell," conceded Shinta. "Though I can imagine that won't last. Whatever this 'Warviour' is, it will be my ticket to enlisting."
"JUST GO TO BED!" shouted Koji. "We're not moving until next week."
"Then please excuse me," said Shinta, followed by standing up, bowing, and leaving the living room.
#
Shinkyo Naval Base. 2145 hours
The Liberian ships Mayflower, Cowpens, Boyd, and Izard had arrived in Shinkyo. The Mayflower, after it had been granted permission to dock, landed first.
As the carrier dropped its anchor, two gangways were connected. One which was normal for humans to use yet the other one being bigger, as it was for vehicles to use.
After the smaller gangway was installed, the door for the gangway was opened. The military personnel in the base, of the Fuso Imperial Navy, wore beige uniforms that consisted of a cap, tunic, and shorts and leather shoes prepared to greet the person to come out of the Mayflower.
The door of the Mayflower meant for its crew to use when getting in and getting out was connected to the smaller gangway. Three women came out of the ship. Two of the women had black hair but one was longer and tied to a ponytail and wore the officer's uniform of the Fuso Imperial Navy, albeit without pants and white shoes. Another woman also had black hair, albeit shorter and wore a white kimono, a red hakama that appeared to be shortened, black knee-high socks, and black shoes. Another woman in short light brown hair with bangs wore the dark-green officer's uniform of the Fuso Imperial Army, the Type 3, and brown leather shoes.
A man in the same white uniform then appeared. Like the woman who came from the Mayflower, he wore the same uniform but as he was a male, he wore pants and brown leather shoes.
"Ah, you must be our guests?" asked the male officer. "I'm Vice Admiral Tateyama Kenzo, Commander of Shinkyo Naval Base."
"Lieutenant Commander Sakamoto Mio," said the long-haired girl in white.
"Captain Inagaki Mami," said the short-haired girl in white and red.
"Captain Aiba Tomoko," said the short-haired girl in dark green.
"Well, this night is quite the surprise," said Tateyama in excitement. "I've got the Mio Sa-"
Tateyama stopped as he glanced at Inagaki and Aiba. While the formed looked on, the latter two felt uneasy. Mio remained as she stood, as if she knew this was to happen. Tateyama focused on what Inagaki and Aiba wore. After a while, he found what else to say.
"You two are Army!" loudly exclaimed Tateyama as he was a high-ranking Imperial Navy officer while Inagaki and Aiba were from the Imperial Army. In Inagaki's case, her uniform was that she came from a viscount's family while Aiba's uniform was the standard uniform for male officers in the Imperial Army and that she was of a lower class standing.
"With all due respect, Admiral, Inagaki and Aiba were the only Witches I could find on such short notice," explained Sakamoto. "Most Navy Witches were assigned elsewhere to help and some have retired due to age."
"… I see," said Tateyama with an apologetic tone. "My apologies, ladies."
"It's alright," said Aiba with a tone of embarrassment.
"In any case, follow me," said Tateyama. "We'll discuss you're accommodations in my office."
#
I.S.S. Buffalo
Unbeknownst to the Fusoan and Liberian forces, the Buffalo had followed them. They were at least far away enough to evade sonar systems meant for detecting submarines. Otto Schneider was at the submarine's periscope and sighted the Mayflower.
"We'll need a surveillance drone in there," announced Schneider. "Andrews, please instruct the hangar to have one launched this instant."
"Aye aye, Captain," replied Andrews, who then turned to a slightly fair-skinned female crew member in the bridge behind her. "Ishiguro, please get me the hangar."
"Aye aye, Lieutenant Commander," replied the female crew member named Ishiguro.
An older man appeared on the main screen of the bridge. He was an olive-skinned man with curly brown hair. Like Schneider and Andrews, he had a black collar on his neck with a glowing red crystal in it that was connected to a visor that covered his eyes and glowed red.
"You needed me, Lieutenant Commander?" asked the olive-skinned man as he saluted at the same time.
"Petty Officer Gallo, think you could please get a surveillance drone into our destination?" asked Andrews.
"I can," replied the man named Gallo. "Please give us an hour."
"Captain?" asked Andrews to Schneider, who turned his attention to the screen.
"As long as it isn't detected," stated Schneider.
"Roger that, Captain," said Gallo.
"I suggest launch it from any population centers," added Andrews. "What do you think, Captain?"
"It'll do," answered Schneider.
"Thank you," replied Gallo. "Will begin straight away."
#
Himemiya Residence. 2357 hours
After doing everything Koji angrily asked him to do, Shinta began to turn in for the evening. To Shinta, everything he needed to know about the name "Warviour" was all it mattered, despite Koji raising his voice at him.
I can imagine that the Stavrosians and the Neuroi will be coming here tomorrow, and it clearly has to do with that name "Warviour", thought Shinta as he was about to sleep. When that time comes, I will fight, no matter who tries to stop me!
Shinta began to sleep. What he didn't know was that he would be right in hours as the Stavrosian forces had made it to South Seas Island.
As he slept, Shinta began to dream but it was to turn into a nightmare.
W… What am I seeing? thought Shinta as he saw three "men" made of metal. However, their heads didn't resemble those of a human being's and one was white, another was red, and the last one was blue.
Suddenly, a large black airplane appeared. It had hexagons all around it with strips of red. It began firing red-colored beams of energy, engulfing Shinta in a sea of flame.
That's a… Neuroi, thought Shinta, who then knelt and began to writhe in pain.
Shinta then stood up and began walking despite the pain he felt. He stopped because he bumped into someone. As he was still in pain, Shinta couldn't see the face of the person he bumped into.
"Find me," said a female voice that was soft yet distant. "Find me. Defeat them."
"… Okite," suddenly a male voice that Shinta knew, which began to affect everything around him.
#
April 2, 1946; 0346 hours
Shinta woke up from his nightmare with his father Koji beside him. This was a recent occurrence for the Himemiya men that had become daily.
"Good, you're awake," said Koji.
"Dad?" asked Shinta as he saw his father. "… It's that dream again… "
"What was it?"
"The usual. Three large objects that resembled men, the Neuroi, and a mysterious woman. Though unlike the last time, she said something."
"What is it?"
"That woman said 'Defeat them'."
"I see. How do you feel now?"
"Again, the same. Whatever I feel when this happens quickly fades away."
"Good. Please rest."
"Arigatou, Otou-san."
I hope whatever is in his dreams doesn't come to pass, thought Koji as he left his son to sleep. Especially later in the day.
Shinta resumed his sleep. Dreams sometimes served as a prophecy and although Shinta can sleep normally, what he dreamt will come true in a matter of hours.
#
0555 hours
Shinta had already woken up and gotten outside the Himemiya residence. He begins his day by waking just five minutes before the sixth hour of the day.
The first thing he did in the day was practice his martial arts, specifically Xíngyìquán. After he crossed his hands, he started with bending his knees and a slow movement of the arms. In an instant, his arm movement increased in speed and began to move while continuing his arm movement. While he moved back and forth, Shinta began to stomp the ground and increased the speed of his arm movement.
As he finished, Shinta crossed the knuckle of his left arm with the palm of his right hand. As he put away his arms, he found Koji sitting close by as if he had watched the whole thing.
"As always, you do well in your practice," said Koji.
"Tou-san," said Shinta.
"I'll prepare breakfast. Just finish up and bath."
"Arigatou."
Unbeknownst to the Himemiya men, a flying object that resembled a cockroach just landed past them. It was to change everything forever.
#
Miyazaki Industries Shinkyo Branch. 0925 hours
In Azuma, the easternmost ward of Shinkyo, laid the city's branch of Miyazaki Industries. Secretly, the factory was being used to build weapons to turn the tide against the Stavrosian-Neuroi alliance were being built.
Koji Himemiya had just arrived. Although he earned from his work, he walked and relied on the city's tram system. As he was cleared to enter, Koji saw the contingent of Fusoan soldiers guarding the facility. Although Miyazaki Industries was delegated to manufacture these weapons and thus, a need for military personnel assigned to prevent anyone from finding out about the weapons.
I guess this must be it, thought Koji. Shinta and I might have to move earlier than usual. I hope they give us a day or two to clear things up.
Koji made it to the office provided to the President of Miyazaki Industries, Isao Miyazaki. While Miyazaki Industries operated a branch in Shinkyo, their real headquarters was in Osaka. However, the company's president moved to Shinkyo with his family, consisting of his wife Naomi and their children Kei and Mamiko. This was because the Shinkyo branch was chosen to be where the weapons were to be completed.
However, before Koji could proceed further, he had to go through Isao's secretary, Aya Hoshi. In her mid-twenties, Hoshi had short black hair and wore glasses above her brown eyes.
"Ohayou gozaimasu, Aya-kun," said Koji.
"Ah, Himemiya-san, you need to see the President?" asked Hoshi.
"That's right."
"Please hold on. Miyazaki-shachou also has visitors in his office. I can't divulge who they are because their identities will be leaked, as well as to why they're here."
"Very well, I'll get seated then."
Koji sat down at the nearby sofa while waiting for Hoshi to notify Isao that the former intended to see him. He began to help himself to a glass of water. While everyone in the company knew they were making weapons and the three visitors currently with Isao, there was a gag order to prevent anyone from divulging what Miyazaki Industries was doing in Shinkyo.
"Himemiya-san, Miyazaki-shachou will see you now," said Hoshi.
"Arigatou, Aya-kun," replied Koji.
#
0958 hours
Koji proceeded to Isao's office. Isao Miyazaki, a man in his early fifties with black hair like his son Kei but with brown eyes, was the only one seated as the guests Hoshi mentioned to Koji, Mio Sakamoto, Mami Inagaki, and Tomoko Aiba, were already in the office.
"Glad you made it, Himemiya-kun," said Isao. "Could you please close the door?"
"Will do," replied Koji.
Koji returned to the door but closed it. Afterward, he began to continue his discussion with Isao.
"As you can see, these three la- I mean, Witches will be our test pilots," added Isao, with each of the three Witches saluting to greet Koji.
"Sakamoto Mio, Lieutenant Commander, Fuso Imperial Navy."
"Inagaki Mami, Captain, Fuso Imperial Army."
"Aiba Tomoko, Captain, Fuso Imperial Army."
"I didn't think we'd get Witches as our test pilots," said Koji. "In any case, thank you for volunteering for this."
"Now that introductions are done, shall we look at the weapons?" asked Isao. "I'll take you to them myself. Least I can do."
"Thank you for this hospitality," replied Sakamoto.
#
1039 hours
Isao, Koji, Sakamoto, Inagaki, and Aiba made it to where the three prototype weapons were store. The weapons resembled those of statues as if they were made of metal, with arms and legs like a human being. They were seated on large metallic wheelchairs with a small ring attached to each one of them.
One was colored white, another was colored red, and another was colored blue. All three had the same heads shaped as an isosceles trapezoid. Each had a total of four wheels; a pair on one leg and another pair on another leg. Each had a slab of metal connected to their respective right arms.
The white one had yellow eyes on its head, a small backpack on its rear, and a long stick made of metal on its right hip. The red one had a green glass visor and a large backpack on its back with a cannon. The blue one had a smaller visor colored red and two scopes each colored cyan and green, as well as a backpack with a spherical object attached to it.
"So these are the prototype Mobile Knights we're developing?" asked Sakamoto.
"That's right," answered Koji.
"And we're supposed to have these taken to Liberion for mass-production?" asked Inagaki.
"Correct," answered Isao. "Once these are mass-produced, we'll be able to drive back the Stavrosians and the Neuroi."
"But won't that be mostly men piloting these?" asked Aiba. "How do these even work?"
"They work like the Striker Units you've piloted," answered Koji. "Of course, in order to win this war, men will need to pilot them too. Unfortunately, these do not operate on a Magic Engine like Striker Units do."
"Then what's the point of us Witches being able to pilot these?" asked Sakamoto.
"Just because it has no Magic Engine doesn't mean Witches can't pilot it," said Isao. "A Witch will even feel safer piloting these."
Unbeknownst to everyone, the flying object that flew past the Himemiya residence in Nishioka had appeared. Its "antennae" had glass scopes on them and it observed the Mobile Knights.
#
I.S.S. Buffalo
In the Buffalo's bridge, Ishiguro received the three Mobile Knights in her monitor's screen. She immediately turned to Schneider. Above, the antenna that was used earlier was raised up again.
"Captain, our drone has picked up something," said Ishiguro. "It looks like three Mobile Knights."
"… What did you say?" asked Schneider with shock.
"Three Mobile Knights, Captain," repeated Ishiguro.
"Please put it on the main screen."
"Aye aye."
Now appearing on the main screen of the Buffalo's bridge were the three Mobile Knights in Miyazaki Industries's Shinkyo branch. Everyone in the bridge shared in Schneider's shock upon seeing the Mobile Knights.
"… How could this be?" asked Evelyn Andrews with disbelief. "… The Mobile Knights are too advanced for these people to build, especially at this point in time?"
"Get me Vice Admiral Huang this instant!" ordered Schneider.
"Aye aye, Captain," said the dark-skinned crewman.
After three seconds, Vice Admiral Huang appeared on the main screen of the bridge.
"Schneider, what do you have for me now?" asked Huang.
"Admiral, you need to see this," said Schneider.
#
Singapore Naval Base, Stavrosian-occupied Malaya. 1105 hours
The footage Schneider acquired in Shinkyo then appeared on the screen of a device similar to what was used in the I.S.S. Buffalo in Huang's office in Singapore Naval Base, which became the headquarters of the Pacific Flotilla, under the Imperial Stavrosian Navy's Surface Fleet.
When they began their invasion of Earth, among the areas the Stavrosian Empire landed with assistance from the Neuroi was Southeast Asia. The Malayan Peninsula, colonized by the Commonwealth of Britannia, fell by the end of January 1946. For three months, the Stavrosians made use of the Brtiannian naval base in the city of Singapore and it became the headquarters of the Surface Fleet's Pacific Flotilla.
As Huang looked at the footage Schneider got from his reconnaissance drone, he opened his mouth in shock that the humans they've started a war with had begun to manufacture Mobile Knights of their own. Like Evelyn Andrews, he believed that their superior technology, along with the Neuroi, would win them the war but once the humans have Mobile Knights of their own, they'll be driven from Earth.
Huang, rather than humiliate himself by continuing to watch the footage, stopped and resumed contact with Schneider.
#
I.S.S. Buffalo, 1111 hours
On the main screen of the Buffalo's bridge, Huang appeared again. His face was that of embarrassment yet with determination mixed with it.
"Schneider, I've seen what you've seen," said Huang. "I know you have your own Mobile Knight flight but please wait until you've received reinforcements. I'll contact the Moon Base."
"Aye aye, Admiral," replied Schneider as Huang faded from the screen with the former looking at Ishiguro.
"Ishiguro, please direct me to Lieutenant O'Brien," ordered Schneider.
"But the Admi-"
"I know the order!" loudly said Schneider. "This is a precaution."
"… Roger that," replied Ishiguro to comply with Schneider's order.
A fair-skinned man in his mid-twenties appeared on the main screen. He had straightened reddish-brown hair.
"Captain, you called for me?" asked the man on the screen.
"Lieutenant O'Brien, could you prepare to launch on my order?" asked Schneider. "I know this isn't the order but it's just a contingency. Please understand."
"I'll get everyone else too," replied the man called O'Brien.
#
1130 hours
In Shinkyo's Chinatown, located at the southwest, was a Wing Chun Kuen school. Like the Karate dojo owned by the Oka family, this school receives a modest amount of students.
Although most of the students were Chinese, some Fusoans were inside. Shinta Himemiya was one of them and he was in a practice duel with another student, a male who was two years his senior.
The other student struck first with his left arm that Shinta countered by pressing his right forearm against the left forearm of the other student. The former attempted to use his right arm buy the latter twisted his right arm forearm and as he got closer, he freed his right arm from the right arm of the former and struck him at the abs, giving him pause.
"Stop!" instructed an older man with graying hair. "Now bow to each other."
Both Shinta and the other student press their respective left hands, which they turned into fists, against their right palms and bowed. They joined the other students.
"That will be all for today," said the older man. "Please come back tomorrow."
"Shì de, Shīfù," said all the students, who immediately bow to the older man as Shinta did with the student from their practice match.
#
1149 hours
Shinta began to wander across Shinkyo's Chinatown after his Wing Chun Kuen class. Despite his full name, he managed to blend with the locals who populate Chinatown. The buildings were clean and Fusoans who came to the area and the people who live in it got along, which helped Shinta blend in.
When the Neuroi appeared early into the 20th Century, they victimized Fuso's East Asian neighbors, Korea and China. After Korea fell to the Neuroi in 1910, China was next to be victimized by the Neuroi. Countries such as the United States of Liberion, the Karlsland Empire, and the Commonwealth of Britannia, among others, rallied to fight on China's behalf. However, past rivalries within this alliance, along with how China doubted the real reasons for this help due to its history of being taken advantage of by these countries, led to humanity's defeat. Miraculously, the Neuroi's advance stopped just before the Chinese side of its border with the Orussian Empire up until the provinces of Guangdōng, Guangxī, and Yunnan, as well as China's borders with its western adversaries, the Republic of Tibet and the Mongol Empire. The islands of Taiwan and Hainan were also spared from the Neuroi.
As a result of humanity's defeat in China, which became to be called the First Neuroi War, the Chinese who were able to escape the Neuroi began a massive diaspora to many countries. Fuso was one such country to accept Chinese refugees. South Seas Island became the new home for many Chinese, with villages built across the island and Shinkyo's Chinatown being one such settlement.
Shinta then arrived at one particular restaurant named "Dragon House". Whenever he was in Chinatown, which was during school breaks, he came to Chinatown to for his Wing Chun Kuen classes, then have lunch at Dragon House.
Although it was clean, the interior of Dragon House was small. On one side were the tables. Two tables each had chairs of six while one nearest the door had only four chairs. On the other side was the counter with the kitchen behind it. Beside it was another table, albeit with two chairs and it neared the door as well. As it was lunchtime, people went to the restaurant. Other than fellow Chinese customers, a Fusoan woman in a kimono but without any lower attire was seated at the seat in the table nearest the counter.
At the counter worked a girl a year Shinta's junior. She had long black hair in an ox horn, had brown eyes, and wore an orange-colored cheongsam. She then noticed Shinta about to approach her as it was the usual occurrence whenever he came to the restaurant.
"Good afternoon, Xiao," greeted Shinta.
"Good afternoon to you too," replied the girl called Xiao. "Will you be going to your usual table?"
"Yes, of course. Xièxiè."
Shinta immediately went to the staircase at the topmost corner. It led to another floor of the restaurant with two more tables. Each table had four chairs and they were empty. Shinta took his seat and after two minutes, the girl Shinta called Xiao arrived on the second floor with the menu. She then gave it to Shinta and waited until he gave his orders, which she wrote down and left as he finished.
#
1239 hours
Shinta was already halfway done with the meal he ordered. As he ate, he thought back to his past in China before Koji Himemiya took him in. Other than his Wing Chun Kuen lessons, Shinta came to Shinkyo's Chinatown to reconnect with his heritage, especially during spring breaks as classes in Fuso are the second week of April until the first week of March.
While it was his home, most memories of China that Shinta had were of pain and suffering. That was because China became a war-torn country after the First Neuroi War. As the territory the Neuroi conquered became part of the "Desolated Lands", which befell the Korean Peninsula. However, those who lived in the provinces in mainland China that the Neuroi had yet to conquer had enough of the corruption in the government and formed armed factions to overthrow the government. While the League of Nations provided aid in the form of food and medicine, arms distribution was forbidden due to the government's inability to put an end to the civil war and a lack of programs for girls to avail themselves as Witches, especially when the Second Neuroi War began in 1939. The only exceptions were the respective governments of the Ostmark Empire and the Karlsland Empire, who needed money to build settlements in South Liberion when they fled the Neuroi's invasion.
Shinta grew up as an orphan in the war-torn Republic of China. In 1943, he wound up in an orphanage maintained by an aid organization with support from Fuso. Koji Himemiya found Shinta in the midst of this and took him in as his son and brought him back to Shinkyo. However, this was only what he told Chieko Oka and Kei Miyazaki as there was more to his past neither Koji nor Shinta men will specify.
For Shinta, while it was horrible, the past was the past. He then finished his meal and waited for Xiào to come to him as she always did whenever he ate at Dragon House. Although he had adjusted well into Fuso, he still remembered the Mandarin Chinese he learned before and uses it when talking to those who live in Chinatown, especially Xiao.
#
Shinkyo Naval Base. 1245 hours
In Vice Admiral Tateyama's office in Shinkyo Naval Base, he heard a fast and loud knock. Tateyama felt that it was something important to hear such a knock.
"Admiral, permission to enter?" asked a male voice behind the door.
"… Permission granted," replied Tateyama, with a male officer opening the door, proceeding inside, and saluting.
"Yes?"
"Admiral, we've spotted objects coming from the sky."
"What!?"
"Please come with me, sir."
Tateyama stood up and left his office as he followed his subordinate.
#
1307 hours
Both officers arrived at the base's watchtower. The officer in charge saw Tateyama and saluted.
"What's the situation?" asked Tateyama.
"Sir, just please look outside," replied the subordinate.
Tateyama did as the subordinate recommended. He was shocked to see two objects falling from the sky. The subordinate then joined him.
"Could those be meteors, like the one from Pearl Harbor?" asked Tateyama.
"Personally, sir, I don't think so," answered the subordinate. "Although they're falling objects, they're not aimed at us."
"In any case, get evacuation orders on all lines."
"Ryōkai."
Whatever the Stavrosians and Neuroi are up to, they must not get our secret weapons! thought Tateyama.
#
Miyazaki Industries Shinkyo Branch. 1313 hours
In the Shinkyo branch of Miyazaki Industries, everyone from the janitors to the highest management began to leave as they saw the objects fall from the sky. This was after hearing the first order to evacuate.
Three tow trucks were brought to the warehouse where the prototype Mobile Knights were stored at. Each truck began to tow one of the wheelchairs that each contained a Mobile Knight.
Those nearest the trucks began to cover the Mobile Knights in large beige-colored sheets. Koji Himemiya, Isao Miyazaki, Mio Sakamoto, Mami Inagaki, and Tomoko Aiba gathered amongst themselves.
"Other than evacuate the Mobile Knights to the Mayflower, what else is there to do?" asked Aiba.
"We don't know but if in case, Inagaki, Aiba, think you please get to your Strikers and cover us?" asked Sakamoto.
"Sure," replied Inagaki.
"I'll drive the truck with the Warviour," announced Koji.
"I'll ride with you," added Isao. "Lieutenant Commander Sakamoto, what will you do?"
"Ride with you I guess," replied Sakamoto.
"It's getting closer!" shouted Aiba as she saw one of the falling objects nearing Miyazaki Industries.
Everyone looked as the falling object came. However, they saw that it wasn't aimed directly at them.
Immediately, a large explosion ensued as the object landed, followed by a rush of wind. Miraculously, the object wasn't like the meteors that began the war. Everyone at Miyazaki Industries realized it. Their thoughts were that of relief yet of confusion.
As they uncovered their eyes, Isao, Koji, and Sakamoto resumed what they were doing. Everyone else followed suit.
#
1356 hours
Elsewhere, in Shinkyo's Chinatown, everyone slowly left Dragon House. Other than Dragon House, other establishments in Chinatown were being evacuated and the streets were filled by people finding the nearest shelter as instructed by the Fuso Imperial Army per a Crossley armored car slowly moving across the street.
To enforce this order, a Crossley armored car of the Fuso Imperial Army was sent to assist civilians in telling them to evacuate.
However, the sound of a motorcycle's engine can be heard. Shinta saw the motorcycle, with a sidecar attached to it, arrive and to his surprise, it was Kei Miyazaki driving it with Chieko Oka directly behind him. Both wore goggles but it was only Kei who wore a helmet.
"Shinta, hurry up and get in!" shouted Kei as civilians blocked him and the person he called out to.
Shinta crossed the stream of people in his way to get to Kei and Chieko. It became a parade of apologies and asking for excuses for the former to reach the latter two.
"There you are," said Kei as Shinta finally reached him and Chieko.
"What are you two doing here?" asked Shinta.
"We came to get you as we heard the evacuation orders," answered Chieko. "Now get in, we'll go to the shelter near Taiyoukan."
"Fine," said Shinta, who then boarded the sidecar.
As Chieko gave him a spare pair of goggles, Kei started up the motorcycle again and after doing so, left Chinatown.
#
Outskirts of Shinkyo. 1359 hours
East of Shinkyo, outside Azuma Ward, was where one of the objects from the sky fell. Because it wasn't a meteor like the ones the Stavrosian Empire used to start the war, the crater the object created was only half a meter deep.
Although it wasn't a meteor turned into a weapon, what was to come out of the crater was something worse. The object, which was a black orb, began to crack like a bird hatching from an egg.
As the crack ran across the entire orb, the orb itself split into two. A sound was made and legs began to come out.
The object with legs rose from the split orb. It wasn't a mere object anymore but a Neuroi. It was black like the orb it was inside of hours ago and had hexagons across its body, even on its legs.
It resembled a tank, albeit upside down as it had a turret of a tank on its belly. This was the ground-based Heavy Type Neuroi called "Turtle" by LN forces during the North Africa campaign in the previous war.
The Turtle began to crawl out of the crater it created when it arrived. It began to approach Shinkyo slowly, about to offer death and destruction to the city.
#
U.S.S. Cowpens. 1409 hours
The U.S.S. Cowpens was nestled in the waters off Shinkyo. Everyone in the carrier's bridge did their jobs but with larger consequences for failure due to the objects that fell near Shinkyo.
The captain, a man in his fifties with blond hair and green eyes kept an eye on what else came from the sky. It was his responsibility to do so as his word was final on what to do next.
"Anything on radar?" asked the captain.
"None, Captain," replied one crew member operating the radar.
The operator resumed looking at the radar. The captain resumed looking at the window.
"Captain, I'm getting something on the radio," announced another crew member operating the radio.
"This is Robinson reporting from my recon mission!" shouted a male voice on the other end of the radio. "I've spotted a Neuroi!"
"Say again, Robinson, what Neuroi?" asked the captain.
"Just a Large-Type, sir."
"Keep an eye on it but don't let-"
"It spotted me! Sh-"
Silence came into the bridge for everyone inside. Everyone in the bridge feared what had become of Robinson, especially the captain.
"Get every other pilot in their planes, now!" ordered the captain.
#
Shinkyo Naval Base. 1414 hours
"This is Captain Jacob Fenton of the U.S.S. Cowpens, a pilot from my carrier died spotting a Neuroi," said the captain of the U.S.S. Cowpens as his message was picked up by the radio in the watch tower of Shinkyo Naval Base. "I say again. We've spotted a Neuroi. I've ordered my planes to intercept. All Fusoan forces in South Seas Islands, please send help. I say again, we request for assistance."
Kenzo Tateyama gritted his teeth upon hearing Fenton's request. Although the falling objects he spotted didn't hit Shinkyo, hearing of a Neuroi coming made him anxious as he had no Witches stationed in the base and that he was busy coordinating with the Imperial Army over helping the civilians.
The radio operator however, switched frequencies. In one particular frequency, he heard a particular message, which shocked Tateyama.
"This is Shinkyo Base, we've heard sightings of ground-based Neuroi in the city outskirts," said another male voice. "I say again, we have ground-based Neuroi approaching the city."
This can't be! thought Tateyama. How could the Neuroi appear!?
#
Miyazaki Industries Shinkyo Branch. 1422 hours
The radio inside the truck carrying the Mobile Knight Warviour was also playing the transmissions given by the U.S.S. Cowpens and Shinkyo Base. Both Isao and Koji were horrified by what was happening but Mio left the truck and began to place an earpiece on her right ear. The earpiece was developed as an achievement in wireless communication for Witches to contact each other as radios were too heavy to carry, especially in battle.
"Inagaki, Aiba, please tell me you've launched!?" angrily asked Sakamoto. "We got a Neuroi nearby!"
"Aiba here. We've just gotten our weapons and our Hiens."
"Good. Please keep them off our backs."
"Inagaki here. Leave it to us."
Sakamoto rushed back to the truck. The engine had just started with Koji looking at the former Witch.
"Get seated and close the door," said Koji. "We're leaving!"
#
1430 hours
Both Mami Inagaki and Tomoko Aiba were in Ki-61 Hien Striker Units, which were worn as if they were boots. The Striker Unit was based on a certain airplane and the Hien was an airplane built during the Second Neuroi War for the Fuso Imperial Army, necessitating a Striker Unit version for Witches to use.
In the 18th Century, a Britannian Witch named Jamie Watt invented the magic engine, which powered up certain machines provided a Witch was using it. Eventually, as mankind industrialized, Witches had to keep up and when the First Neuroi War started, the Striker Units were invented to have Witches fight alongside conventional militaries. The original Striker Units were connected to a backpack that contained the magic engine for Witches to use their abilities in addition to flying. However, this design was generally discontinued after the First Neuroi War and the current type of Striker Unit was the invention of a Fusoan scientist named Ichiro Miyafuji. Neuroi sightings in Hispania in Western Europe and the Fusoan coastline, the latter of which was now known as the "Fuso Sea Incident" were countered by Witches using the Striker Units based on Miyafuji's design.
Inagaki wielded the 40mm autocannon, which originated from Baltland, while Aiba wielded a Type 99-2 Model 2 Kai autocannon chambered at 12.7mm as they launched. This made for a good combination in battle as the Type 99-2 can be used for suppression while the 40mm can be used to hit vital areas of a Neuroi. The former had the white-colored ears and tail of a Fuso cat and the latter having the ears of an Amami rabbit. These were familiars, beings that assist a Witch in using Magic, especially when piloting Striker Units.
At the same time, the trucks connected to the wheelchairs carrying the Mobile Knights began to leave.
#
1438 hours
As a Turtle arrived at Azuma Ward, Type 3 Chi-Nu tanks spotted the Neuroi and began firing. However, the Neuroi fired its belly cannon, which released a stream of red-colored energy at the tanks, destroying them.
Mami Inagaki and Tomoko Aiba arrived. They had just witnessed the destruction caused by the Neuroi.
"We're too late," said Inagaki in disappointment.
"Not yet," said Aiba. "We can still save more if we move now!"
"But how do we take it out?"
"I'll lay down suppressive fire. Inagaki-san, think you could please go high up and fire from above?"
"I can do that."
"Good. Here I go!"
Aiba rushed ahead to do battle with the Neuroi. Despite her shock that her fellow Imperial Army Witch would go on ahead, Inagaki carried on with the idea the Witch who was just with her a minute ago came up with and elevated herself.
As the Turtle advanced, it was then hit by the 12.7mm rounds used by Aiba's Type 99.
"Hey, you'll be fighting me now!" shouted Aiba.
The Neuroi focused its attention on Aiba. Although humans couldn't understand it, a Neuroi has emotions like a human. Because of what Aiba did and her arrogance, the Neuroi responded in kind by giving a loud sound that showed that it too can be enraged. Despite that, Aiba shifted to another direction in a second without giving the Neuroi a chance to respond.
Above, Inagaki had finished elevating herself. She began to aim with the autocannon but she had to wait for a clear shot lest she gets Aiba killed.
Aiba fired in short bursts not only to conserve ammunition but to also allow Inagaki to land the decisive blow. Every time she pulled the trigger, she shifted directions. Inagaki, meanwhile saw that the Neuroi wasn't able to respond to Aiba's shift in directions yet she couldn't fire yet.
Maybe if it moves, then I can fire, thought Inagaki.
Irritated enough, the Turtle jumped away and a great height, surprising Aiba. As it got away from Aiba, the Turtle attempted to fire its cannon but it was unaware that Inagaki was aiming at it.
Yoshi! thought Inagaki upon seeing the Turtle moving, followed by her pulling the trigger in the autocannon.
The shot from the autocannon traveled fast enough that the Neuroi was hit before it fired. Aiba immediately resumed firing at it. Above, Inagaki fired again to damage the Neuroi further.
The combination of light and heavy rounds began to take its toll on the Neuroi. A Type 3 tank appeared and seeing the Neuroi distracted, it aimed its 75mm cannon and fired, which surprised the two Witches as they saw the round hit the Neuroi.
Immediately after, the Neuroi exploded and dissolved into white spots. Inagaki and Aiba saw the Type 3 tank that saved them and its commander opened up the hatch at the turret and waved at them.
However, Inagaki and Aiba saw that another Turtle was coming and they recognized the direction it was going. They parted ways with the Type 3 that saved them and rushed to help Sakamoto and the others deliver the Mobile Knights to the Mayflower. Unbeknownst to the two Witches, their gallant act was being watched by the same surveillance drone that infiltrated Miyazaki Industries.
#
I.S.S. Buffalo. 1449 hours
The footage from the surveillance drone came to the Buffalo's bridge. Otto Schneider saw the destruction of the Turtle with disappointment but with a feeling that he had expected it to happen.
"Ishiguro, please patch me through the Ready Room," ordered Schneider to Ishiguro.
"Aye aye, Captain," replied Ishiguro, with O'Brien appearing now on the main screen.
"Captain, I'd take it we're clear for launch?" asked O'Brien.
"We just lost one Nezura," replied Schneider. "Launch immediately."
"Roger that."
#
1453 hours
Across Azuma Ward just before Minato Ward, the three trucks that left Miyazaki Industries Island branch, which contained each one of the prototype Mobile Knights, rushed to Shinkyo Naval Base.
However, another Turtle, which had gone through Goda Ward, spotted the three trucks and prepared to fire its cannon. Sakamoto, Isao, and Koji, who were in the first truck that contained Warviour, saw the Neuroi but also saw a turn.
"Turn, now!" shouted Sakamoto.
"Got it!" replied Koji.
The first truck immediately turned. The second truck, which contained Wardier, managed to follow. However, just as the third truck was about to turn, the Neuroi fired its cannon.
The driver, seeing the stream of energy coming for him, made a desperate turn. As he did, the cannon hit the house he passed but because of how sudden his turn was, the truck crashed into another house and stopped.
Sakamoto in the first truck, who saw what happened, not only feared the Neuroi but the cargo of the truck.
"Stop the truck!" ordered Sakamoto.
"What!?" incredulously asked Isao.
"It's the truck with Wardar."
"But… "
"We can't leave it to that Neuroi to destroy it!"
"Alright, I'll stop!" said Koji.
Koji stopped the truck containing Warviour. The truck behind it with Wardier did the same. As the trucks stopped, Sakamoto left the first truck and rushed to the third truck, which the Neuroi hadn't spotted yet.
However, as she neared the truck, the Neuroi spotted her. She stopped as if she froze. Koji also stepped out in horror as to what he saw.
I… I forgot, I… don't have my powers anymore, thought Sakamoto with fear.
As the Neuroi turned to aim its cannon at Sakamoto, it was hit from above. Sakamoto kneeled into the ground, exhaling that she was saved. Koji reached her and as he did, Inagaki and Aiba now had the attention of the Neuroi.
The two Imperial Army Witches continued firing into the Neuroi. While Aiba distracted it, Inagaki floated above the Neuroi and fired at the very top of the Neuroi, destroying it. Afterward, both Witches rushed to Sakamoto and Koji.
"You two alright?" asked Aiba.
"We're fine," answered Sakamoto. "Arigatou."
"What were you doing?" asked Inagaki.
"I needed to board the truck right here," answered Sakamoto as she pointed to the truck that carried Wardar.
Sakamoto and Koji walked to the truck and as reached the driver's seat, they found the corpse of the driver. Both understood what had to be done next. Inagaki and Aiba flew close to see what Sakamoto and Koji were going to say.
"I'll drive this truck," said Sakamoto. "Himemiya-hakase, please go back to the first truck."
"… Wakatta," replied Koji, who rushed back to the first truck as Sakamoto turned to Inagaki and Aiba.
"You two, please guard us," ordered Sakamoto. "We still have a long way until we reach the naval base."
"Ryōkai," replied Aiba and Inagaki in unison.
#
1519 hours
Shinta Himemiya, Chieko Oka, and Kei Miyazaki had arrived in Minato Ward. Their destination was Taiyoukan High School, where they study at and hosted to a shelter if in case Shinkyo was attacked.
Unbeknownst to them, the three teenagers passed by the three trucks and their Witch escorts that came from Miyazaki Industries. However, Shinta noticed the trucks and while Chieko and Kei didn't, the former saw his father Koji driving one of them.
Shinta looked further at the trucks as they carried something that had to be hidden in large sheets. What made Shinta dwell on the trucks was that they were in a rush, which was natural as Shinkyo became a battlefield.
The three teenagers then arrived at Taiyoukan. A horde of people filled the front yard of the school with the contingent of the Fuso Imperial Army, having been sent there to maintain order, keeping them away from the entrance.
After they parked the motorcycle, Shinta, Chieko, and Kei join the unnecessary line of people as they were as confused by what was going on in their school. Although it was rude, the three cut the line as they needed to ask a guard what was happening.
Shinta, Chieko, and Kei eventually reached the guard. He wore a Type 98 uniform and the Type 92 Tetsukabuto on his head, as well as wielded a Type 99 bolt-actioned rifle,
"Sumimasen, gunjin-san," said Kei to the soldier.
"Hai?" asked the soldier.
"What's going on here?" asked Chieko. "This is a shelter, right?"
"Yes, but as you can see, these people want to get in but we can't take any more people."
"What!?" incredulously asked Kei.
"Look, as I said to these people earlier, dozens of times I might add, find another shelter."
"Come on, we'll just waste our time here," said Shinta. "I'm leaving."
As Shinta began to leave, Chieko and Kei attempted to follow but the hoard of civilians made it hard for them, especially for the latter two to reach the former.
The three went back to where they started. While Chieko and Kei felt defeated, Shinta had no feeling of the sort.
"What do we do now?" asked Chieko.
However, Kei and Shinta's attention was focused elsewhere to pay attention to Chieko's question. Shinta's eyes were widened while Kei opened his mouth. Likewise with the civilians still outside Shinkyo.
"Are you two e-"
Chieko joined Kei and Shinta in their shock as to what they were seeing. Steel giants began to land from the sky across the outskirts of Shinkyo. More death and destruction was to come.
Translations
Kaii – strangeness
Shinkyo – New Capital
Dojo – literally "Place of the Way"
Kumite – literally "grappling hands"
Gi – dress/clothes. Proper term is keikogi (literally "practice clothes")
Uwagi – upper dress
Shitabaki – literally "underpants"
-kun – a Japanese honorific used by people when addressing those younger than them. In Chieko's case with Shinta and Kei, the former uses the honorific for the latter two as it shows that they're close.
Ushiro geri – back kick used in Karate
Jinrikisha – literally "Human-powered Vehicle"
Oyasumi/Oyasuminasai – "Good night"
Kimono – literally "Thing to Wear"
Hakama – term for trousers that originated from China during its Sui and Tang Dynasties that were adapted in Japan
(O)tou-san – "Father", though as I used "Dad" when Shinta referred to Koji, "(O)tou-san" should pertain to the latter
Arigatou – "Thank you"
Ohayou gozaimasu – "Good morning"
Shachou – "President" as in a head of a corporation
Ryōkai – "Roger that"
Hien – Flying Swallow
Kai – modify; in this case the Type 99-2 Model 2 Kai would be "Type 99 Mark 2 Model 2 Modified" as it's a fictional modification of the real-life Type 99 for Witches
Yoshi – "I did it!"
Hakase – "Professor" but with regards to scientists and other scholarly fields. In Sakamoto's case, referring to Koji as "Himemiya-hakase" made sense as he invented the prototype Mobile Knights.
Wakatta – "Got it"
Tetsukabuto – Steel helmet
Sumimasen – "I'm sorry" though in the context of Kei approaching the Fuso Imperial Army soldier at Taiyoukan, it can be "Excuse me"
Gunjin-san – "Mr. Soldier"
Hai – "Yes"
Wing Chun Kuen/Yong Chūn Quán (Chinese) – Beautiful Springtime Fist
Shì de, Shīfù (Chinese) – "Yes, Master"
Xièxiè (Chinese) – "Thank you"
Xíngyìquán(Chinese) – Form Intention/Shape-Will Fist
A/N:
For those wondering about "Part 1" in the chapter title, I didn't want to do but I had to. Truth be told, I had been working on this chapter for almost a month and I've written a lot that couldn't be tolerable for one chapter so this one had to be split in two parts.
As to why the Stavrosian Empire, lumped with the Neuroi, have people with names that you can find in real life that will be explained later throughout the story. The hint I've given so far is that they were a visor that emits a red glow.
Handai, the university Kei mentioned, is a nickname for Osaka University which is "Osaka Daigaku" in Japanese. The name "Osaka" means "large hill/slope" but the first kanji can be read as "Han", hence the nickname while "Daigaku" was shortened to "Dai".
If anyone's been thinking Gundam when the Mobile Knights were introduced, I won't deny I had Gundam in mind. The entire chapter is a reference to the first episode of the original Mobile Suit Gundam though as I said in the foreword, one of the influences for this fanfic is Metal Armor Dragonar. The Warviour, Wardier, and Wardar are respective stand-ins of the XD-01 Dragonar -1, the XD-02 Dragonar-2, and the XD-03 Dragonar-3. The Stavrosian Empire using meteors to bombard key locations as a prelude to their invasion is also a Dragonar reference as the Lunar Empire of Giganos from that anime uses meteors launched from a "Mass Driver" on the Moon to bombard key locations on Earth.
Some might be wonder "Why are there Chinese in this Strike Witches fanfic?" Because I wanted to. Of course it should be that we haven't had a canon China stand-in because Humikane Shimada has yet to find a way to implement China in actual Strike Witches works without making it that Japan has to save China from the Neuroi due to how the franchise is an alternate World War II with aliens and where Japan as one of the good guys. All we know is that most of China, and the Korean Peninsula, have been referred to as the Desolated Lands per the 1937 Fuso Sea Incident manga, hinting something bad happened to them and that it could have been Neuroi involvement. More on China later in this fanfic. As for the idea that most of China is a part of the desolate lands while Guangxi, Guangdong, Yunnan, Hainan, and Taiwan are still an inhabited Republic of China, that's an invention of mine because those territories, per the map you can find in the World Witches wiki that originated from Strike Witches: The Movie, most of China is marked in purple alongside the Korean Peninsula which would make them the Desolated Lands; alternatively referred to as the Empty Desert Region. Guangxi, Guangdong, Yunnan, and Hainan are marked in red while Taiwan is marked in yellow but the idea of those five aforementioned territories being an inhabited China was that I wanted to do it that way. More on that later.
Out of the four Liberian ships in this chapter, the Mayflower, Cowpens, Boyd, and Izard, only the latter three really existed as vessels of the United States Navy during World War II. The Mayflower is the stand-in for the real-life CV-41 U.S.S. Midway commissioned after the war ended but because there's been no depiction of the Second Neuroi War in the Pacific most likely for the same reason why there are no stand-ins for Korea and China in the World Witches franchise, the stand-in for the CV-41 needed a new name and the Mayflower was a reasonable idea for a carrier name. The latter three ships, respectively given the Hull classifications CVL-25, DD-544, and DD-589, participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf in 1944 and survived the war. However, the three ships were sold for scrap; the Cowpens in 1959, the Boyd in 1981 after further participation in the Korean War and being given to the Turkish Navy, and the Izard in 1970 after being placed in the US Navy's reserve fleet.
Fuso having an armored car named "Crossley" is a reference to how in real life, Japan purchased the British Vickers-made Crossley armored car and made their own indigenous copies while they were industrializing. The Crossleys were used throughout Japan's conquests across Asia in the 1930s, specifically in China.
The Type 3 Chi-Nu was a Japanese medium tank that did exist in World War II. It was built to fight the United States Armed Forces' M4 Sherman medium tanks should Japan be invaded but the invasion never came and only a few hundred, from 144 to 166 tanks specifically, due to the lack of materials needed to build more and the US bombing raids on Japan, destroying vital manufacturing facilities. Why is it here in this chapter? Because I wanted it to be, that's why. Especially as it was the tank Japan had in mind as an equal to the Sherman and what other countries had as their workhorse.
As for Tomoko Aiba, she's not really an original character for this fanfic. Rather, she originated from the Tenkuu no Otome-tachi manga that served as a prototype of the franchise as it differed from what we're familiar with (Yoshika Miyafuji studying at an aviation school for Witches before joining the 501st Joint Fighter Wing and Junko Takei being her mentor for starters). All I did was give her a surname because she didn't have one nor has she been re-canonized into official material.
The "Turtle" Heavy-Type Neuroi are canon but haven't made any appearances in animated material. I knew of them from the Africa Doujinshi and the Contrail of Witches manga. While the former isn't explicitly canon, the latter is.
