Here's Chapter Two for 'Demon Lord' and the second half of 'Strike Witches' EP. 3, 'You're Not Alone'. So, I've been thinking. One reviewer wants to include Gault Squadron and their SU-47's into the fray. My answer will be 'I'll get to it in future chapters'. So don't worry. Also, when I heard the opening theme for the first season, I find it to be rather… How should I call it…?
Minna: Uplifting?
Yeah, that's it. If you look at EP. 8, everything was dramatic until the theme came up. No offence, but, it doesn't feel right. I mean, it's cheerful and putting a reason for to do what I can, when the next few episodes are more suspenseful and a coup d'état.
Minna: Then what would you recommend?
I would have to say Eir Aoi's 'Ignite'. I find it fitting for the second half of the series. Again, no offence to whoever likes the first season's theme. If you want to listen, go to YouTube and look up 'Eir Aoi, Ignite'.
Erica: I looked it up, that song came from 'Sword Art Online'.
Great. Now everyone knows that the song came from SAO. (Sighs) Now onto the reviews. Minna, help out.
Gamerman22: Glad you like that performance and Shirley's oogling over the F-15's. Since this is way before Shattered Skies and the Second Usean Continental War, she may or may not make an appearance. Thanks for the review.
Thorthemighty321: Since it's in correlation with the SW canon, I might be able to squeeze in an enemy squadron. May be Gault.
Colonel AmiruddinArifSulaiman: I really did, didn't I. Thanks for the review.
Gropau25: Thanks for the review. I'll see what I can do with the Eurofighter making the scene. And…
Minna: (Looks at said comment) Should we tell Sanya?
I think we should. The last thing anyone wants to see is a cute girl armed with a rocket launcher. And don't tell Eila that I said Sanya is ugly. She's cute and has a boyfriend in one of my 'Strike Witches' stories. (-_-;)
Minna: Anyways, let's start the next chapter.
XXXXXXXXXX
Chapter One PT. 2: You're Not Alone
Cipher's P.O.V.
Larry and I took to the skies again today as Captain Barkhorn wants to see what our weapons can do. Aaron is in the air with us as he is going through what targets we're hitting.
"AWACS, do you know what our targets are?" I asked
"Targets are… blimps? Captain, are you sure about us targeting blimps as part of our weapons exercise?" Aaron asked
"They're not actually blimps but barrage balloons, Eagle Eye." Barkhorn answered "The Britannians wanted those ones replaced, so we're doing them a favor. Captain, Flight Lieutenant, your targets are the barrage balloons located near the base. Show me what those Eagles can do."
"Roger, Captain. Pixy what do you want first, guns or missiles?"
"Leave the fireworks for last. Use the guns." Pixy answered. We formed up as we found the balloons in place.
"Weapons test, start!" Barkhorn commanded as Pixy and I fired our Vulcan cannons, destroying a column with ease.
"Targets destroyed." Aaron said as he looked at the radar
"Those are your Vulcan cannons, right?" Barkhorn asked
"They are." Pixy answered "It can take down an aircraft within a few seconds, depending on the maneuvers your enemy. Not to mention you have to be in close range."
"But still, that Vulcan cannon is powerful!" Barkhorn exclaimed with glee. She regained her composure as she told us what to do next. "Alright, try out the missiles."
"Use the Sidewinders." My missiles got a lock on one of the balloons. "Got tone. Fox Two!" I fired one as Pixy fired his. Both missiles destroyed the two we targeted. I aimed at another target and fired and Pixy again followed suit. Another two are destroyed. "Use the AMRAAMS now." We circled back and targeted the remaining balloons. "Cipher, Fox Three!"
"Pixy, Fox Three!" A cluster of eight missiles surged and destroyed the remaining targets. Pixy reported to Barkhorn after we annihilated the balloons. "Captain, all barrage balloons have been destroyed. The Britannian government would definitely pay us for destroying those things."
"I don't think they do." I said "And we're working with Ustio, not Britannia, remember?"
"I know. But they better pay us."
"Really, Pixy?"
"Well, yeah. When I retire, I plan on getting a television the size of a billboard."
"What? You're planning to… what?"
"You two, shut it." Barkhorn commanded "As a Karlsland soldier, you two are rambling about what are you going to do with money instead of being disciplined in military combat."
"Well, Belka's armies are highly disciplined." I commented "I mean, even they are disciplined, they should loosen up." That got her a bit angry.
"Alright, chat's over. You two are finished today." Barkhorn said as we head back to the base. When we arrived back, it was already sundown as Barkhorn waited for us. We exited our aircraft as she walked up to the two planes. "I do not know what was going on in your minds you two. But, you two have to act like proper soldiers. Not just two mercenaries who can run through missions with their mouths."
"Oh come on, Captain." Pixy countered "Cipher and I go through all this every time we're on missions."
"And how long does it take until a person's head explodes due to the constant talking you two made?" I thought about it as I remembered our constant talking back home which Eagle Eye didn't want to hear. And also the Osean commanders. I remembered when an Osean commander finally snapped and shouting, 'GALM TEAM! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, SHUT THE FU-'. I entered back to reality as I answered Barkhorn's question.
"Only about a few minutes. But we always keep our discipline at the fullest." She then smirked
"Good. At least you two can keep your heads on missions. Anyways, nice work out there. It looks like I finally learned the true potential you and your aircraft's are capable of." Barkhorn complimented
"Thank you, Captain." I responded. The three of us then saw Yoshika and Lynne returning and completely exhausted. We walked over to the two and checked on them.
"Hey, little buddy. You still alive?" Pixy asked
"Little buddy?" Barkhorn and I asked
"That's my new nickname for Yoshika here. Let's just say we talked about each other last night and our backgrounds. Turns out she and I have the same idea, though she's more of a pacifist."
"Oh. I get it now." Cipher said. We looked back at the two.
"I-I'm fine, Larry-san." Yoshika answered as she looked at Barkhorn
"New girl." Barkhorn reprimanded "This is the front line. Our ability to fight on a moment's notice is what's most important. Go home, unless you want to die."
"I want to help everyone too…" Yoshika tried to say
"The Neurois won't wait for you to mature. If you don't want to have any regrets, then you'd better grow stronger." She then left, leaving the four of us to ponder what she meant. What she said reminded me about what Larry had said to PJ over B7R.
"Larry, help the girls." I left the three and while I catched up to the Captain. "Captain, what was all that about?" Barkhorn glared at me
"She has to learn how to be a better Witch. Or in your case, a better pilot."
"She's just new here. And now, you're lecturing her about being a hardened veteran and giving her the option to go home? That's not how things were run back in Ustio. Instead, pilots are trained on what they can do. Veterancy does not apply. It means that veterans should teach the recruits and take inspiration of them, not scold them of their inability." I lectured her
"Cipher. I don't want her to suffer like before." She said angrily as I became wide-eyed in surprise.
"What do you mean?" Barkhorn kept it quiet as she relaxed a bit.
"I'll tell you one day, Cipher." She answered quietly "But for now, best try to decrypt with what I've said." She walked back to base while I just stood there thinking about what she said. I placed my index finger under my chin and thought about it.
'What do you mean, Barkhorn?"
XXXXXXXXXX
It was about morning around the base. I decided to be outside in the meantime, all the while still thinking about Barkhorn's lecture to Yoshika. Is there someone important to her lost in the war? Is that the reason? Outside also were Yoshika and Lynnette. They have their own conversation and I'm out of earshot as they sat at the edge of the runway. I still thought about that just as Minna came up.
"Cipher?" I looked at the red-haired girl
"Yes, Commander?" I asked
"I wanted to ask a favor from you."
"What would that be?"
"You've seen her train before, right?"
"I did. She did well during our weapons test."
"But there is a problem. See, when she does well in training, she lacks the use of combat skills. I think she needs a boost in confidence to be more proficient." It was then we saw Lynnette running away from Yoshika.
"I'm starting to see why."
"Which is why she needs help from Miyafuji and you."
"Why me?"
"You'll find out soon enough." We then heard the sound of revving engines as the majority of the witches took off. "Where are they going?"
"They're heading off to Gallia. Look-outs from the Gallian Resistance have seen the Neuroi heading to Folkestone. Major Sakamoto is commanding the attack force."
"And we're on stand-by."
"Just you, me, Pixy, Eila, Miyafuji and Bishop. Sanya's still sleeping." It was then that I asked Minna about Lynnette.
"What can you tell me about Sergeant Bishop?" I asked
"She comes from a large family of eight siblings. Her sister is also a witch, located at the Isle of Wight. She also hails here. Being that Britannia is humanity's last country in Europe, all the pressure coming to her is really hard to witness." Minna then bought up a question I didn't expect. "Cipher? Why did you become a pilot?"
"Simple. Protecting people. That's what makes an ace." Minna then smiled
"I see. Don't forget that feeling, Cipher. If you keep your word, then you'll protect everyone here as much as you protected Ustio." She then walked back inside.
XXXXXXXXXX
Minna's P.O.V.
I stood at the control tower, monitoring the combat between Mio's group and the incoming Neuroi. It was then the Neuroi disappeared from radar. But something was wrong when Cipher's AWACS, Eagle Eye chipped.
"Commander. Major Sakamoto's group made contact with the Neuroi."
"Any results AWACS?" I asked
"The Neuroi just pulled out of the fight. Also, Major Sakamoto said that the Neuroi they engaged contains no core. It's a diversion attack. And the main unit is heading for the base."
"Can Major Sakamoto's group reach the base in time?"
"I've already contacted them and that would be a negative. It turns out that you four are the last line of defense. Including Galm Team."
"I'll go and gather everyone. For now, keep an eye on that Neuroi, AWACS."
"Wilco." I exited the control tower while the base personnel sounded the alarm.
XXXXXXXXXX
Cipher's P.O.V.
Pixy and I arrived at the meeting room, where we met Eila. She was alone, with Sanya nowhere to be seen. "Hey, Eila? Where's Sanya?" I asked
"She used up magic during her night patrol. I have a feeling it will be us three." Eila answered
"And Minna. She may come with." Pixy said. Minna entered the room afterwards.
"It's just the four of us then." She looked at the room with us in it. We heard footsteps and standing in front of the doorway, was Yoshika.
"I'm coming too!" She declared. Minna looked at her with doubt.
"You're not ready for actual combat yet." Minna said
"I'll do my absolute best, not to be a burden!" Yoshika argued
"I can't send someone who lacks training on the battlefield." We heard another pair of steps. "Besides, you're still hesitant when it comes to firing guns." Another figure came in, belonging to Lynnette.
"I can shoot! If it's to protect!"
"In any case, you're still not ready."
"But…"
"I'm coming too!" Lynnette appeared, claiming that she wants to be in the fight as well.
"Lynnette." Yoshika said
"Together, we should equal about one person!" Minna thought about it before giving her answer
"You have ninety seconds to get ready." Minna commanded
"Yes ma'am!" They said
"Well then girls. Time to dive into the fireworks!" Pixy said as we head to the hangar.
XXXXXXXXXX
The girls took off first, then Pixy, then me, as we flew in a six-craft formation. "Eagle Eye, status on the Neuroi?" I asked
"Neuroi detected coming in at high speed. It's coming towards the base at three o'clock. At this speed, it will attack the base in less than ten minutes."
"Thanks, Aaron. Minna, orders?" I asked
"Pixy, Eila and I will go on ahead. You, Miyafuji, Lynnette, you can lend us backup from here."
"Copy." "Yes ma'am!" "Yes ma'am!" All three of us answered as Pixy, Minna and Eila surged forward. I pulled up next to Lynnette, with a worried look on her face.
"Something wrong, Lynnette?"
"Cipher, Miyafuji, the truth is, I was afraid at first." She said
"I was afraid too." Yoshika answered "But… I don't know how to put it, but I was more afraid of staying put and doing nothing at all."
"Doing nothing at all…" Lynnette became quiet before I spoke up
"You two. At first, I do not know what I would do the first time I stepped inside the cockpit."
"You were afraid too, Cipher?" Lynnette asked
"I was. But with every second, I started to gain more confidence. I wasn't alone at all because I have everyone behind me. Aaron, Larry, PJ, among all others. As long as I have them, nothing will shatter my spirits." Both girls thought about it before Aaron radioed us.
"Galm Two, Wilcke and Juutilainen have already engaged the Neuroi. Stand-by." Aaron said
"Match its speed!" I saw fighter contrails as the three did a loop and got behind it. The three continued to attack as they fired led onto it. Pixy managed to make a few holes into it before the Neuroi made a sneaky move. The second half disengaged from its main body.
"It split into two. Wait, its coming in faster now."
"Fox Two! Fox Two!" Pixy fired a Sidewinder missile, but it outran the missile. "Damn, that thing outran it."
"Hold on, I'm intercepting!" I flew my F-15 and managed to get in front of it. It saw what I was doing before firing lasers. I countered this by doing several barrel rolls. I think I'm going to be sick afterwards.
"Galm One, don't be crazy!" Aaron said
"Don't worry, I'm leading it to them." I said as Lynnette's bullets zoomed by me. "Lynnette, try deflection shooting! It worked for every fighter plane!"
"Right! Miyafuji, shoot with me!" I saw two girls stacked on top of each other. They aimed their weapons and ready to fire.
"You two, fire on my signal! Ready!" I put my hand on the stick and my left on the throttle. "Now!" With a quick break, my aircraft's nose pointed skywards as the bullets from Lynnette's gun hit the Neuroi as it overshoots me. It then exploded into millions of pieces. "Lynnette, Yoshika, you two alright?"
"Damn buddy. You're even more of a nutcase than I once thought." Larry said as he, Minna and Eila formed up.
"Enemy has been destroyed, well done. And next time, Cipher, try not to kill yourself."
"Since when did you start calling us using our call signs, Aaron?" I asked
"I-It's for… Never mind." As the two of us chuckled
"Cipher, Miyafuji, Lynne, you three did it." Minna said. Lynne started to become ecstatic with her kill as she hugged Yoshika and crashing into the ocean.
"Are those two okay?" Larry asked
"They're fine. It looks like Lynne has her confidence back. Thanks to Miyafuji and you, Cipher."
"Well, I think Yoshika handled the majority of the work, via talking to her whereas I did training with the Captain." I said
"Actually, you helped brought their confidence back." Minna said
"Well, I'm flattered." Minna chuckled
"Anyways, back to base. Major Sakamoto's group will be arriving soon."
"Oh, and Eagle Eye, tell Britannian Coast Guard to pick up the two." Eagle Eye already got to work as we landed at the base.
XXXXXXXXXX
That's part two of chapter one finished. Now, nothing much to say here, except for thanking you guys for reading the story so far and as such, it's becoming a hit. Though I am opening up ideas for the story. Already, I've received requests to bring in the Eurofighter Typhoon and Gault Squadron. It may come in in future chapters or the sequel to this story.
Minna: So far, only those two?
Pretty much, yes. Oh, before I go, post-credits scene.
XXXXXXXXXX
Unknown P.O.V.
I was busy, working on a few things, when a Britannian soldier stepped in. "Field Marshal, this just came in."
"Soldier, what's this?"
"Commodore Galland from the Witch Corp has allowed two pilots who are not from here to join the 501st."
"Anything specific about these two?" I asked
"Nothing important, aside from being males and all, and fighting for a country called Ustio. They also shot down a Neuroi attacking the Akagi two days ago." I looked with intent on these two pilots. "Sir?"
"Hmm. Oh. I'll see them when they visit London. Dismissed." He saluted and exited my office. I tapped my two left fingers while looking at my missing right hand. "He may be ahead, but I think I just found my extra trump cards."
XXXXXXXXXX
Minna: Is that, who I think it is?
You'll find out when you read it in the reviews. Thanks so much for reading, see you in the next chapter.
Minna: Bye.
