Sanya: (Looks at kh2996's laptop and got curious) Oh, um… Hello everyone. Welcome back. Unfortunately, 96 is out for this chapter because…
Tatsuya: What's wrong snowflake?
Sanya: It's because…
Tatsuya: Yeah, I know. James, Minna and 96 are currently trying to stop Eila from killing the poor boy.
Sanya: Let's just hope they do not hurt him. And I think Eila wants an apology from him.
Tatsuya: Oh well. I can't blame him. Anyway, onto the reviews.
Colonel AmiruddinArifSulaiman: Because she's highly revered and decorated in the SAS. She is highly respective among the soldiers and in Claus' eyes. Sometimes, Wallcroft, her second-in-command in this story, calls her that because of the way he respects her.
Sanya: Wait, Amirah's here?
Tatsuya: Apparently. He authorized 96 to make good use of her. And in one of his stories, he lent James to him for him to use.
Sanya: That's good to hear.
Gamerman22: We'll see. I don't see any squadrons wielding the A-10 Thunderbolt II, aside from Cipher... Yet.
Thorthemighty321: Glad you're liking it.
Wardog1: I'll see what I can do. One user wants me to include Gault. Another wants Typhoons, one want Thunderbolts and the last one wants Crow Team. I'm starting to receive a color-coated cast.
Gropau25: I think 96 is currently trying to talk Eila out of attacking you. And speaking of which… Where did 96's F-22 Raptor go?
Sanya: Oh dear. I hope he talks some sense into Eila.
Tatsuya: I hope so. Anyways, onto the chapter.
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Chapter 3: Fast, Big, Soft (Or How I Tried to Keep Myself Sane and Not Looking at Large Bosom's)
Cipher's P.O.V.
It was morning when I found myself dreaming. However, it's not one of those dreams which I didn't expect. "Wait. What are you…? Minna, I…" And the good news is that the wake-up call pitched in. "Minna, I…!" I woke up with a start and scanned my room. "Oh. That's embarrassing on my end."
"Yo, buddy? You awake?" Pixy asked from the other side
"I'm awake. Although I have a weird dream." I answered
"You want to talk about it?" he asked
"No."
"What about…"
"NO!" I answered again
"Alright. Can't pressure you any further." He joked
"Morning Cipher, Larry-san." Yoshika said as she waved to us
"Hey, little buddy. You have a goodnight's rest?"
"I did. Oh, and I'll set up breakfast for the meantime." She said as Lynnette appeared. The four of us head off for the kitchen after Pixy and I changed into our outfits.
"You're always serious, Yoshika." Lynnette started speaking
"Huh, th-that's not true!" Yoshika waved it off
"But you dreamed about the two of us flying in formation, right?" Lynnette asked
"Huh!? Oh it wasn't-! Yes that's right! We did training together, that's right!"
"Hey, Yoshika, are you sure you're okay?" I asked
"Oh, e-everything's okay, Cipher-san." Cipher-san. That's a good ring to it.
"Are you sure. You seem… off." I said as she waved it off again. "Pixy, she seems off."
"I know. She's been acting like this since we woke up." Luckily the two of us were distracted because we didn't see her about to grasp Lynnette's bosom. She was about to do it when…
"Hey! Miyafuji!" Someone yelled
"I-It's not what you think!" She turned and grabbed onto someone else. Pixy and I turned to find Yoshika… grabbing the Major's bosom. Based on what we're seeing, we covered both our eyes again.
"Tell me when it's over!" I commanded to Pixy. He refused to look also.
"Having fun?" The Major said darkly. Yoshika immediately retracted her hands as she started to sound scared.
"I'm sorry!" Yoshika apologized quickly
"You're going soft on me." We then heard an unsheathing sound as Pixy removed my hand to see the Major readying her sword. I witnessed it also.
"Major, don't kill her!" Pixy leaded to the Major. She did not listen as she hit Yoshika on the head with her sword. Pixy and I cringed over what we witnessed.
"That's got to hurt." I commented
"Big time." Pixy continued
"Cipher, Foulke, Minna wants us to be in the common room instead. It's important." The Major said. We just nodded while Lynnette nursed Yoshika's head.
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"Is she okay, Lynnette?" I asked
"She's fine. It's nothing serious." She answered as she continued to nurse Yoshika's head
"Seriously though, the Major has a mean edge with that sword. Let alone being handled by a prominent member of the wing." I commented as Major Sakamoto announced that the entire wing is going to the beach. Yoshika heard about it as she doesn't feel pain on her head anymore.
"Huh!? We're going to the beach!?" Yoshika asked excitedly
"Yes. Tomorrow morning." Major Sakamoto answered "We're going to the eastern shore off this island."
"Hurray! The beach! Swimming in the ocean!" Yoshika cheered, but no one even noticed. Pixy and I, however, were covering our ears.
"Can you pipe down a bit, buddy?" Pixy asked
"Oh, sorry Pixy." She said sheepishly "But does no one like the beach?"
"Yoshika…" Lynnette intervened "It's for training."
"That is correct." Major Sakamoto said "We must react to anything that may happen in battle. That includes the loss of flight while above the ocean. Which is why training for falling into the sea is necessary."
"I see…" Yoshika sadly answered
"What's that, Miyafuji!? Do you hate training!?" She asked with a commanding voice
"No, it's not like that…" She answered back
"But there is a little problem." Barkhorn said "Cipher, Pixy, do you two have any training with ocean-related incidents?"
"We were located on a mountain range since the failed bombing attempt." I answered "We are nowhere near the ocean. The only thing that resembles something like that is just a lake."
"And we assume that we're being trained for that?" Pixy asked
"That's correct." Minna answered
"And Aaron?"
"He's fine. He doesn't have a chance of being shot down." The Major answered. I just sighed in defeat. Galm Team has never bailed out before, but we never had bailed out over the ocean before.
"This is where we'll gather. 1000 hours. Got that?" Minna asked
"Yes ma'am."
"Speaking of gatherings, where's Shirley and Lucchini?" I asked
"Shirley may be in the hangar." Minna asked "She's been there since this morning. As for Lucchini, she should be sleeping somewhere around the base, so see if you can find her anywhere."
"Understood!" We answered
"Oh, and Miyafuji. We won't be necessarily be training for the entire day. In other words, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy the beach between exercises."
"Commander Minna… Okay! I'll go tell them! Let's go Lynne!" Yoshika and Lynnette ran out of the room while Major Sakamoto, Minna, Pixy and I stood idly at the doorframe.
"She's certainly full of energy." The Major commented
"She is. Nothing can keep her down." Minna said. She then turned to the two of us. "Cipher, Pixy, I suppose you don't have any swimwear when you two came?"
"We didn't. We were located at a mountainous airbase." I answered
"Ah. Not to worry. Because some tailors heard about you two being here. So, they decided to make you some extra clothing, which includes swimwear." She said
"At least you girls came prepared with everything." Pixy said "Cipher and I only brought our fighters, our pilot suits and an AWACS."
"Well, at least be lucky that many people start to take notice of you two being around." Major Sakamoto said. "In your rooms, you'll find the spare clothing and your swimwear for tomorrow. In the meantime, we'll see Shirley trying to break her speed record. For now, enjoy yourselves. You'll find us outside." With that Minna and the Major left us as we headed for our rooms.
After sifting through my clothes, I've found my swimwear. It's like my aircraft, and I'm pretty sure for Pixy, it's the same as his. As I put my clothing inside a drawer, someone knocked on my door. "It's open, you can come in." The door opened to reveal Minna. "Commander. What do you need?"
"Nothing really. Just seeing what you're up too. Also, do you like the swimwear? They're swim shorts."
"Well, they mainly look like our aircraft, Minna. First we dominate the skies, now we dominate the water. What's next, dominate the ground?" I joked as Minna chuckled
"I believe so. But, your home is in the skies. Mine is Karlsland." She joked "Also…" I turned around to find Minna in a white bikini. "Do you… Do you like it?" She blushed madly
"I… I-I… It looks great on you." I blushed completely as I turned my head away from her. "Totally suits you, Minna."
"T-That's good to hear, mainly from you, Cipher." She put back her uniform, which she carried over her shoulder coming here.
"Minna, there's something going on with you. Isn't there something you've missed before I came here?" I asked
"Not really, Cipher." She waved it off
"You sure? Because, you act all flustered whenever you try to get close."
"No problem between you and me." She answered
"Alright. But I'm just checking on you. But still, you look nice in white." I blushed while she did the same
"I know, Cipher." We exited my room as we headed out for the balcony to watch Shirley attempting to break her speed record. "Is everything set?"
"Everything is set, Commander." Perrine answered "Shirley is just about to take off." We saw Shirley exiting the hangar. From our viewpoint, she has rabbit ears and tail, having goggles over her eyes and wearing an Osean P-51 Striker Unit. Well, technically it's Liberion, not Osean. She then zoomed down the runway while everyone else watched either the skies or the speed trackers.
"She shot up there fast." The Major said as she lets down her binoculars
"1,000 meters high in 50 seconds." Perrine recorded "That's an unprecedented ascension rate, Major."
"She really tuned them well." Minna answered
"She did all that?" Pixy asked. The Major nodded at his answer. "I'm sure that the maintenance crew will have a couple days off whenever she's around."
"Let see if it fares." I commented "Usually tuning a P-51 can either work well or fight against you, depending on the type. Say, Minna. What's type is Shirley using?"
"She's using a P-51D, the definitive version that Liberion manufactured. Another one will come out like this, the H-version. But it's a little different than the D-version she primarily uses."
"Commander. Shirley has broken her old record. Though her acceleration has stopped." Perrine said
"How fast did she go?" The Major asked
"A little over the 800 mark. Cipher's plane can go way over Shirley's current recorded speed." Perrine recorded
"So, 800 is how fast the P-51 can go. Minna, how fast is the plane version, maximum speed wise?" Pixy asked
"At a high altitude, it can go over 700. Thanks to Shirley's tuning, it seems that her Striker can easily outrun the other Mustangs." We saw Shirley about to land on the runway while Francesca, Lynnette and Yoshika ran with her. I'm pretty sure Francesca said to Shirley that she had set a new record. While Shirley celebrated, she lost control with her Striker for a bit, before landing on the three girls, cushioning her fall.
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In the hangar, Shirley was busy looking over our aircraft, while Lynnette and Yoshika looked at Shirley's album, containing some important events. Pixy and I walked in, to find Shirley feeling our aircraft again.
"Like what you see, Shirley?" I asked
"It's really awesome to be in jets like those. I'm really jealous because you guys have aircraft that's vastly superior to Merlin." She answered happily
"Merlin?" We both asked
"Merlin's the nickname of my Striker. The P-51 also has the Britannian Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, which gave the Mustang the killer edge. But your aircraft on the other hand… I really want to fly it." She said
"We'll try." I answered "Besides, I'm sure that R&D will develop some sort of jet technology to aircraft."
"Really?" She asked
"For sure, Shirley." Pixy answered "While Osea has its P-51, Belka has its own special aircraft, the Messerschmitt Me-262. The first combat jet in our world. After the Osean War, Belka exported its prized aircraft all over the world, and every defence minister is entranced with the new beauty."
"But it has its problems, so Osea kept its P-51 until further evaluations brought in the F-86 Sabre. Yuktobania has the MiG-15." I inquired
"Your world is very fascinating." Francesca said in awe
"Well, one day, you'll be able to. Okay?" I asked the small girl. She answered as she gave a thumbs up. I turned to both Yoshika and Lynnette, who are continuing looking at the album. "'New record achievement set by glamorous Shirley…'" I read
"A motorcycle record?" Lynnette asked
"Shirley used to be a motorcycle rider before she became a pilot." Francesca answered while Shirley worked on her Striker after looking at our jets. "You ever heard of Bonneville Flats?"
"Honestly, Osea doesn't have that." Pixy answered
"It's a plain in the middle of Liberion made entirely out of salt that stretches out as far as the eye can see." Shirley answered
"There's a place like that?" Lynnette asked
"It's a holy ground for us speed freaks." Shirley said as she reminisced the early days back in Liberion.
"Just like Area B7R." Pixy said "It's a holy ground where pilots earn their ace name while some died in the skies. That is Cipher's domain."
"How many aircraft did you shoot down, Cipher?" Yoshika asked
"Last I checked, I think I shot down around forty, then I lost count after the MiG-21 came in."
"Shirley, how did you join the Witches?" Pixy asked
"The day I broke the record is when I heard about the witches who use magic engines to soar through the air at the world's fastest speeds." Shirley answered "I applied to the army and enlisted that very same day. And that's how I wound up here."
"And that's why you're always pushing the speed-limits on your off-days?!" Lynnette asked
"The fastest speed… That's amazing!" Yoshika exclaimed in awe. "But how fast will you have to go until you're satisfied?"
"Hmm. Maybe until Mach speed, when the sound barrier is broken." Shirley answered "But it will be hard because my Striker's not a jet."
"You'll at least try." I assured the Liberion Witch "Being in an F-15 can break the sound barrier with ease. I'm sure one day, you will."
"What's the sound barrier?" Yoshika asked
"It's the speed that sound travels." Shirley answered "It's generally around 1,200 kph."
"How fast can your jets go?" Lynnette asked
"Maximum speed is around 2,000." Pixy answered "Like Cipher said, it can break the sound barrier with ease."
"Well, I guess I can call it a day." Shirley said as she hung her goggles on her Striker. "Besides, why are you four here?"
"Tomorrow, we're training at the beach, Shirley." I answered
"Oh. I hope you two brought your swim wear for tomorrow." Shirley reminded us
"We did. Minna had tailors make us extra clothing." Pixy said
"By the way," she turned to Yoshika and Lynnette "I'll see you two in your swimsuits." We went to our rooms while the two girls tried to catch up to Shirley.
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It was early afternoon where the girls were busy swimming while Yoshika and Lynnette still have to train. For Pixy and I, it turns out we were good swimmers as our training ended in just five minutes. We joined up with Minna and the Major. I'm still getting over my daze after Minna showed up to my room yesterday. Minna had the same reaction as we looked at the two girls, ready with their Strikers on.
"Wh-Why do I have to wear this?" Yoshika asked nervously
"Don't make me repeat myself." Major Sakamoto answered "It's in case you fall into the ocean."
"All the others have done their training." Minna said "Since Cipher and Pixy have already done theirs, it's just you two now."
"Now, quit complaining and jump in already!" The Major commanded as the two jumped into the water.
"So, what was the point of this exercise?" I asked
"If a Witch is shot down over the ocean," The Major answered, "then they would have to lose their Striker Unit and must swim back to the surface to await rescue."
"The problem is, is that the Striker is expensive to produce. We're trying to find ways to cut down costs for every Striker Unit manufactured." Minna lamented
"You could acquire the natural resources from Area B7R." Pixy suggested
"I wish." I commented "Seeing that neither Ustio nor Osea would want to excavate the place right now." It has been a few seconds since they jumped in, as we waited, until the two girls manage to break the surface for air. "How long have they been down there?"
"For about forty-five seconds." Mio counted "How long are you going to keep dog-paddling? Come on! Learn from Perrine!" Perrine just swam by the two as she scoffed at their inability to swim.
"At least they're trying, Major." I countered
"Trying is not in my dictionary, Cipher."
"At least they are… 'Doing', Major?"
"That's better."
"You can't be serious…" Yoshika complained while trying to keep her head above the water. "I can't do that… so suddenly…" The two then descended to the bottom.
"I'll be back." I volunteered to go after them as Pixy followed suit.
"At least the water's fine, buddy."
"But it's worse than the Ustian mountain range." I complained
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AWACS Eagle Eye
"Hey, Aaron. I'm currently detecting an unidentified bogey, heading northwest." One of the radar operatives said. I looked at the radar, as an object was speeding fast.
"With that current course, it's heading towards London. I'll radio Galm Team, standby." I tuned to both Cipher and Pixy.
Cipher's P.O.V.
After pulling both Yoshika and Lynnette out of the water, Pixy and I headed back to base first. We're taking this opportunity to check our aircraft if it's still functioning properly. From my helmet, Aaron is trying to get through to us.
"Galm One, Galm Two, you copy?"
"Calm One here, what's happening?"
"Unidentified bogey off the coast from Folkestone. It's heading straight for London." Aaron answered
"I thought radar personnel should have that thing by now." I mused
"They didn't. And good thing you two and the 501st has an AWACS at their disposal. I'll try to alarm the Witches about the threat. For now, intercept it."
"Galm Two, roger." After changing into our pilot suits, we got in our jets as the ever-familiar sound of our engines let us onto the runway. Unfortunately, we have to kick in the afterburners, when we saw Shirley running to her Unit. She's still in her bikini as she got in her unit.
"Charlotte Yeager, taking off!" She left early as my jet finally accelerated down the runway.
"Damn she's quick." Pixy exclaimed as he followed suit.
Minna's P.O.V.
"Shirley, Cipher, Pixy, from what the AWACS can analyzed, and it's a new model, a fast one. Cipher and Pixy, since your jets can keep up with the incoming Neuroi, you can shoot it down."
"Roger that last." Cipher answered. Mio and I watched the fighter contrails as the three intercepted the incoming Neuroi.
"It's all up to you three." I said silently as Francesca ran up.
"Aww! Shirley left." The Romagnian girl complained "I wonder if she adjusted it first…"
"What do you mean?" Mio asked
"Uhh, well, last night, I saw Shirley's Striker and…" My face darkened as she tried to explain what happened. "U-Uhh, it's nothing at all."
"Continue what you said, Ensign Francesca Lucchini." I said sinisterly. After she spilled out every last detail about last night, I whacked her on the head, as she received a large bump on her head.
Cipher's P.O.V.
"There it is!" Pixy and I looked at the jet. It looked like Osea's SR-71 Blackbird, the world's fastest jet. It can even break through the Earth's atmosphere as an untouchable spy plane. Not to mention if a plane fired a missile at it, it can simply outrun it. "Pixy, use the guns." Pixy fired at it as it only made a few scratches.
"Not much effect, buddy. Let's see what these arcane missiles can do." Pixy fired one as it hit the Neuroi in a large blue explosion. "Did we get it?"
"Not quite. It's damaged though." I fired mine, but it started to pull away. The missile tried to catch up to it but the missile reached its range and turned into a hulk of junk. "Damn it. Punch it!" Our engines kicked in as we tried to get close to it.
"Just a little more." Pixy said. It just outran us, when Shirley broke the sound barrier. "Oh man." She left us in the dust as she sped towards it. Now, I have heard about aerial ramming, but what happens if a Witch runs into a Neuroi? I saw Shirley deploying her shield in a split second as she rammed through the rear and out at the front. It then exploded after that ramming maneuver. "Did you see what I saw?"
"Oh yeah. I just did." I tried to contact Shirley "Shirley, come in." No answer "Shirley, report."
"There she is." She came out safely as her bikini ripped apart in mid-air. "Uh… Buddy?" I looked at Pixy who is pointing at her. What came next completely broke me mentally.
"Oh my…" She was naked from the shoulders down. My face turned red in an instant as her bosom was completely exposed.
"Hey, Cipher. I got word that Yoshika and Lynnette was following us. They're on their way to retrieve her." I tried to answer but I tried to hide my face. "Hey, Cipher? Cipher?"
"Cipher, do you copy?" I heard Minna, but I was too broken mentally "Oh dear. I think he'll need to rest up. He deserves it." I just did not answer as we head back to base.
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Sanya: Tatsuya, any reports coming from Eila?
Tatsuya: The good news is that they stopped her in time. Besides, the guy had a Leopard 3, an advanced German tank. At least he didn't bring out the Manticore.
Pixy: What's a Manticore?
Tatsuya: From what I looked up, an ECA super-heavy tank. Very deadly. Not compared between Fred and I.
Sanya: Is Cipher broken, Pixy?
Pixy: Not really, he's just shocked. Hence the title reference.
Tatsuya: Oh wait, I think Eila started attacking. This looks bad. And I think he's going after the command tank.
Pixy: Tell her to stop.
Sanya: Okay, so while Pixy and my Knight tries to talk to Eila into ceasing her attack, next chapter is a filler chapter before EP. 6. So, enjoy this chapter and see you next chapter.
