Another filler chapter, yay! Now, we got the Typhoons and ROT Squadron. They'll be able to meet Galm Team once again. Anyway, I'll skip reviews for each filler chapter now, while I do reviews for main chapters.
Minna: New thing now?
Yep.
Minna: Now, onto the story.
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Chapter 4.5: I'm Seeing ROT
Osea-Ustio Border (Former Belkan Priority Strategic Airspace B7R)
ROT Team, B.A.F, 2nd Air Division, 52nd Tactical Fighter Squadron
The two Belkan Typhoons split from each other to engage rogue Osean aircraft, mainly known as 'Wizard Squadron'. Detlef became very angry to find pilots loyal to a country went rogue to find a paramilitary organization. The two aircraft met the 'Wizards' head on.
"ROT Team has made quite a reputation. Make sure they both die at this place." Wizard One ordered as four F-16XL's and four YF-23A's broke formation.
"What are you doing!?" ROT Two, Angela Waechter asked "The war ended a long time ago."
"Whatever their reason may be, ROT Two," AWACS Xiphos said, "some pilots from the Allies have managed to join the coup. You don't have time to play around with them, hurry and shoot them all down." Detlef soon radioed Bristow.
"Under jurisdiction from the Belkan government," Detlef began, "any pilot who has alliegence to the coup forces are treated as hostile. Surrender and retreat from this airspace or you'll be shot down." One F-16XL fired a missile. Detlef turned his plane to let the missile not hit him.
"There is no meaning in 'The Round Table' anymore." Angela said as she fired her set of missiles. "What are you fighting for?"
"This place is no longer a battlefield." Wizard One answered "The world war is being fought on a small round table in a meeting room." Detlef rolled around and shot down one F-16XL with his cannon.
"It's a discussion to decide the beginnings of a new era." Angela said as she shot down another F-16XL
"Clashing greed is the cause of all conflict." He answered back. Detlef and Angela shot down the remaining F-16XL's as both eyes are settled on the remaining aircraft.
"Wizard Five to Wizard One. I've been shot down." Wizard Five radioed as the pilot bailed out. The two Typhoons formed up on each other.
"Detlef. Those F-16XL's are primarily used for attacking ground targets." Angela said
"Maybe they used those aircraft as decoys for the main attack team to battle us." Detlef analyzed "Let them take us two on one." The Typhoons split up.
"You two are just like the missing 'Galm Team' months before." Wizard One analyzed "You two are just as good."
"We may not be like those legendary mercenary dogs, but they are highly revered by both sides." Detlef answered
"You may be." Wizard One said "We will carry out the new creation of destruction through the power of righteousness."
"What on earth are you talking are about?" Angela asked
"Territories, peoples, authorities… all will be liberated." He answered "This will be the new state, A World with No Boundaries, we'll create. Neither nations nor nationalities have meaning. We will erase these unnecessary borders."
"How will destroying borders achieve peace?" Angela asked "This organization is the only thing standing in the way of it all."
"The world will change, ROT Team." Wizard One proclaimed
"And this is how you repay the country you've fought for throughout the entire war?!" Detlef seethed with anger "By betraying your own country and finding an organization just to create more war?! You, Joshua Bristow, have no sense of honor and pride in your country whatsoever!" The red-nosed Typhoons shot down two Black Widows while leaving the last two.
"Don't let them leave this area alive. Fire at the cockpit." Joshua ordered his final member. "We're the stars of 'The Round Table', and you'll be buried here ROT."
"I don't think so." Angela said coldly as the two Typhoons easily evaded missiles from the Wizards and got behind them. We fired our own missiles as they went down.
"The World with No Boundaries will pen a new story." Joshua said as he bailed out of his craft.
"Ja… and the horse you rode in on." Angela said "Have a nice trip down."
"Wizard Squadron has been shot down." AWACS Xiphos said "Well done, ROT. Continue to head towards Mund Valley."
"ROT One, copy last transmission." Detlef sighed as he flew over the barren wasteland. First, it was defiled by mercenary dogs, and now, a paramilitary organization bent on destroying borders. Detlef looked on his radar where something dim is located near him.
"Xiphos, are you seeing something on radar?"
"I believe so." Xiphos answered
"Hey, Lieutenant-Colonel, do you think that 'Galm Team' disappeared because of that blue sphere that appeared here?" Angela asked
"What I'm more concerned is, why is it approaching us?" The two pilots looked as the blue sphere caught up with them.
"ROT Team, get out of there! Hurry!" Xiphos commanded as the two planes are pushed to their limits. The blue sphere is quicker than the Typhoons as it started to engulf them.
"ROT One, it's an honor serving with you." Detlef saluted his wingman as the two planes disappeared from radar. Xiphos tried his best to raise them, but no luck. Without the strike team, the Avalon Dam will remain functional. Xiphos gave up and returned to Dinsmark, and requesting the Allies to find another ace squadron to take out the dam.
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Cipher's P.O.V.
Folkestone, Britannia
"To tell you the truth, Minna, I've never done anything command related." I said while finalizing some reports.
"You do command Pixy whenever you two are on missions." Minna said as she finished one form and moved to the next.
"Those are just flight commands." I said back "Either I tell him to attack, cover, and disperse and/or authorization to use special weapons."
"And this is what a commander does on the ground." Minna smiled "Though you don't get too many kills against the Neuroi. That is why brass always provide the Joint Fighter Wing's with battle commanders. Whenever the main commander is on the ground, either writing forms or handling the radar, then a battle commander will take over, only for missions."
"Back in my world, my base commander, James Perrault, he's a nice guy. He usually talks to us pilots about what we're going to do next. He feels confident that us mercenaries will keep Ustio safe." I finished the last the papers and turned to Minna. "His older brother, Orson, he's the base commander from an Osean airbase near Belka. From what he told me, he tries to boost up morale amongst the pilots. One time, the division commander said that rookie pilots should be barred from taking part in combat missions."
"And what happened next?" Minna asked with curiosity
"Belkan attack planes came in and Orson launched all craft, including the nuggets." I answered
"Hmm?" Minna asked "What do you mean by nuggets?"
"It's a common nickname for Osean pilots to describe the rookie pilots." I answered "Anyways, what the base commanders haven't realized was that Belkan fighters are with the attacking aircraft, because intelligence misplaced some zeroes. The majority of the rookies, who have limited training, have been shot down in an instant, until Yuktobanian reinforcements came in."
"What happened to Orson then?" Minna then asked as she finished her last paper
"He got reprimanded of his actions during the attack and sent away from the front lines." I smiled "James mocked him of his stupidity when he took over as base commander until being sent over to Valais at the request of the Ustian government."
"Sounds like your base commander is a great man." She said
"Not as great as you." I smiled as Minna turned away, all red on her face.
"D-Don't think l-like that, Cipher." She stammered
"I'm just saying it as a compliment." I smiled as she turned to face me once again, in her calm demeanor.
"Cipher, tomorrow, I want you to accompany me to Maidstone. I'm picking up an important package from Commodore Galland to give to Erica." She said
"What is it for?" I asked
"It's a medal for her." She answered "She earned her 250th kill two days ago while you and Pixy are on a patrol run across Dover."
"I see. And the Commodore wants us both to get the medal." Minna nodded "Anyway, the papers are now filled out. That would make your job a lot easier." She smiled
"Thanks for helping out, Cipher. I'll let you be co-commander along with Major Sakamoto, so you can help me out with signing documents." I just smiled ruefully
"That would be nice." I answered "I'll go see Pixy now. I think we have training along with the Captain in an hour." Minna agreed as we both exited the commander's room. A while later, Pixy was on the phone in the hangar.
"Amirah treating you well?" Pixy asked on the phone "Well, that's how she trains her men. Major Sakamoto is no exception from what I heard from my little buddy. Alright. See you later PJ."
"PJ doing fine, Pixy?" I asked
"He's fine." Pixy answered "He's been training along with Amirah along with Crow Team ever since we left London. From his saying, he says that the SAS training is a pain." We looked to find Major Sakamoto barking orders to Lynnette, Yoshika, Perrine and Francesca, to run the entire runway. "But I think that the Major's method is comparable."
I nodded in agreement. Soon my ersatz sister came in. "Cipher, Foulke." She said as we stood at attention. "It's that time of the day, again. Get in your fighters and do what you do." She grinned. We got in our fighters as Aaron took off first. Pixy took off next as I took off last. Barkhorn issued the next orders through Eagle Eye.
"You two will conduct aerial maneuvers based from our experiences. I'm sure either one of you two saw Hartmann or I doing those drills whenever we have to train." She spoke through the intercom. "Now, show me what you can do and we'll call it for a day."
"Galm One, roger."
"Galm Two, roger." As we began to split formation, Eagle Eye managed to get something on radar.
"Galm Team, I'm seeing an object on radar." Aaron said as he became silent.
"AWACS, what's happening?" Barkhorn asked
"I'm seeing a blue sphere located just near the base." Aaron answered "Wait, it's at the base."
"Say that again, Eagle Eye." Pixy said "Another blue sphere?"
"Yes. I'm seeing it now." He answered as we checked our radar
"First it was us, then Crow Team." I inquired "Who do you think would be coming out of the wormhole?" Pixy and I looked at each other as we found our answer.
Minna's P.O.V.
I was looking at the radar when AWACS Eagle Eye reported on another blue sphere that has entered our airspace. Cipher and Pixy entered our world in a blue sphere, so I have no idea who will appear afterwards. As I was about to drink my tea, two jets came out of the blue sphere and surprised me… a lot. I spit my tea out, then I coughed after that shocking surprise. I heard some laughter coming out from Aaron and Pixy, while Cipher tried to hold a few laughs before I caught up with what they're laughing at, so I joined in too.
"Hey, Minna? You okay?" Cipher asked me as I settled down
"I-I'm fine, Cipher." I answered sheepishly "I was surprised by the fighters that have just penetrated our airspace."
"Another fighter group." Cipher said "Who could that… Hold on… Grey Bodies, flying Typhoons, Red-Noses, the Belkan Air Force insignia?"
"Cipher, is that…?"
"AWACS, we've got Belkan aircraft near the base." Cipher reported "Request permission to engage."
"Roger. Galm Team, shoot down all Belkan aircraft and obtain air superiority in the area." I looked at the monitor intently to find that the two Belkan aircraft changed their IFF's to friendly.
"Cipher, hold fire. They're friendly."
Cipher's P.O.V.
"Roger. Galm Team, shoot down all Belkan aircraft and obtain air superiority in the area." Eagle Eye ordered.
"Looks like they'll greet us at the door once again." Pixy said "Of all the squadrons that have entered this world, it has to be ROT Squadron."
"I thought we shot them down over Area B7R." I reminded him "But they are only two aircraft now. Pixy, special weapons, now." Just as we got a lock on the two Typhoons, their IFF changed to friendly signatures.
"Cipher, hold fire. They're friendly." Minna reported as Eagle Eye gained the Belkan frequency. "One of the Belkan pilots wanted to speak to you."
"This is Major Waechter of the Belkan 52nd Tactical Fighter Squadron. Hold fire. We're no longer your enemies and we would like to be diverted to the nearest airbase." Waechter said as she sounded female.
"Did you catch that, AWACS?" I asked
"Their intentions are true." Aaron answered "They would like to land at the nearest airbase. Have them land at the 501st's base. I'll tell the Commander that we have a visitor."
"Cipher, what's going on up there?" Barkhorn asked
"Looks like you'll have to cancel the training session for today, sis." I replied "We have another squadron that landed in your world. It turns out that the squadron is Belkan. Have base guards armed and ready in case they try anything fishy."
"Roger that, Cipher." We pulled up next to the two aircraft as I got next to the flight lead.
"Attention flight lead, you'll be escorted to the base of the 501st Joint Fighter Wing. We will question you once landed." The flight lead just nodded as we escorted them. When we landed, the base personnel along with some of the girls armed themselves, while I pulled out my pistol, and pixy, his AK-47. The two pilots came out. One pilot has brown hair and brown eyes and took out his glasses. The other has short blond hair and silver eyes, who looked like Hartmann, albeit two years older than her. The insignia on their flight jackets revealed a red swallow.
"You can stand down, everyone." The flight lead said as we did so. "I would like to speak with the overall commander of this base." I motioned over to Minna as we both went up to the two pilots.
"To who am I speaking to?" Minna asked professionally
"Lieutenant-Colonel Detlef Fleisher of the Belkan Air Force. 2nd Air Division, 52nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, call sign, ROT." I went wide-eyed as I became familiar with that name
"Wing Commander Minna Dietlinde-Wilcke of the 501st Joint Fighter Wing." She introduced herself "And this is 'Cipher' of Ustio's Galm Team."
"Did you just say, 'Galm Team'?" Detlef asked. He looked at the squadron patch and the ever familiar blue-winged tipped F-15 Eagle.
"Is something wrong, sir?" The female pilot asked. Fleisher then put his death glare towards me.
"Are you… the mercenary dog… who defiled the 'Round Table'… and shot me, Schmidt, and Heinreich down in one fell swoop?" Detlef seethed
"Um… Yes?" I answered quietly, waiting for the worst. Instead, he offered his hand. I questioned this, but I took it.
"I've read the news." Detlef said as he let go. "You've managed to shoot down three more ace squadrons and helped escaped one of Belka's most decorated pilots. After you've shot me down, I tried to rationalize my loss against you. Overtime, Schmidt, Heinreich and I highly respect you."
"Really? Thank you." I answered while Minna told the base personnel and some witches to stand down. "So, who was that escapee?"
"I have no clue, but you met him." Detlef answered "Reports said that he's in the MiG-21 when he entered Area B7R. To the Belkans, he's known as 'Huckebein the Raven', but he's known as Wolfgang Buchner. Unfortunately, a squadron known as Schwarze tried to destroy his craft. You, however, went in to destroy them."
"And what happened to Buchner?" I asked "Did he escape?"
"Sadly, no." The female pilot answered "He has been shot down by two pilots you're dogfighting with."
"It's Bernitz and Heimeroth, wasn't it?" I asked lowly. Both Detlef and the female pilot nodded in agreement. "What happened to those idiots?"
"Bernitz and Heimeroth went to the nearest airbase and took to the skies again. This time, in the Northeastern Front." Detlef answered. I then looked at the Hartmann look-alike. He took notice of it. "Oh, this is my wingman. Major Angela Waechter. Also known as 'Watchtower'." She saluted to me.
"Hello there. I'm pleased to meet the 'Demon Lord' himself." Angela smiled as Pixy walked up
"Seems as though you have a fan, buddy." Pixy said as he looked at Angela, and then Detlef. "But out of all pilots, he's here."
"Easy, Pixy." I calmed him down "He's on our side."
"So explains the IFF function." Pixy said "But why are you here, ROT One. Last I heard, you're supposed to be at the southwestern front."
"Belka lost the war." Detlef answered "After Rald stepped down as Chancellor, he's been replaced by Mathias Engel. He reorganized the Belkan Luftwaffe and even the now-Christened Bundeswehr."
"His first order as Chancellor is to destroy the 'World with No Boundaries'." Angela said "We've been sent to the Avalon Dam and destroy the V2 tactical nuke that has been placed there. We even ran into the leader of the organization himself."
"Don't tell me…" I said angrily "Joshua Bristow."
"You know him?" Angela asked
"I became associates with him." Pixy answered "Fortunately, since we've found our way here, I'm no longer in league with his plans."
"That's good at least. That man has no sense of pride to his country whatsoever. I hope his plans of destroying the world dies with him." We all nodded as the alarm blared "What's going on?"
"Neuroi." I simply answered. Detlef gave a confused look. "Just follow as. Pixy and I have fought these things since coming here." I ran over to my fighter as Pixy, Detlef and Angela followed suit. "Eagle Eye, location on the Neuroi?"
"It's located just ten mikes north of the base." Aaron answered "Regular unit type. Commander Wilcke gave us the go-ahead to intercept."
"Roger, Eagle Eye." The two ROT pilots started to taxi down to the runway as Pixy and I took off first. "Galm Team is in the air. ROT Team is in the air too." The four craft got into a four-man formation and soared to find the Neuroi. Angel quipped up first as she flew next to my wing.
"Hey, Cipher?" I looked at the black-bodied and red-nosed Typhoon. "What exactly are Neuroi?"
"From what I can gather from the Commander the first day we're here, is that they appeared out of nowhere and conquered almost all of Europe. Humanity's armies tried their best to stave off the rapid advancement of the Neuroi, to no avail. That is where the girls come in."
"You mean, the red-haired girl you're talking with earlier?" Angela asked
"Yes. She's a witch." I answered "You'll be introducing yourself and Fleisher later to the Commander. For now, follow and watch." The four aircraft spotted the said figure. The Neuroi spotted us and opened fire with its lasers.
"Holy Scheiße!" Angela yelled as her plane went into a barrel roll. "What is that thing?!"
"That thing is a Neuroi." Pixy answered "Careful with their weaponry. Those red patches that appears on the body, those are actually what the girls coined it as miasma. One hit from it and it will blow you up to kingdom come." Angela went pale for a moment before returning to normality.
"Mercenary, question?" Detlef asked "How long have you combatted the Neuroi for?"
"Since arriving here." I simply answered "And shot down a few units."
"I'll take 'since arriving' than having a full hour of what we're fighting against." The Neuroi fired again as the four craft made maneuvers to evade the lasers. "How powerful is that thing?"
"Depends on the type of unit each personnel is up against." I answered as Pixy and I strafed the Neuroi with brand new 'Ether Projection Vulcan' cannons. It screamed as its lasers in anger. "You can use your missiles. Don't worry, we have R&D providing with 'Arcane Missiles'. I'm sure the Commander will provide more when word got out about your arrival."
"Roger. Fox Two!" Detlef fired his set of missiles and it connected against the Neuroi. "Target hit. Angela, you're next."
"Roger. Fox Two!" Her missiles hit the Neuroi as its core is exposed. "Cipher, I'm seeing some sort of pink cube-like thing."
"That's the core." I answered "One hit is all it's going to take." Pixy and I flanked the Neuroi on the side as we launched our missiles. It did heavy damage as it tried to flee. "Pixy, we're out of arcane missiles. ROT, it's your time to shine." Detlef strafed the Neuroi as Angela launched her missiles as it shattered the core.
"Did we get it?" Angela asked. I looked to find white shards of the Neuroi falling to the Earth.
"Oh yeah. You got it alright." I answered
"Congrats ROT Team, that's you're first Neuroi kill." Pixy complimented them on their first victory
"Well, you two mercenaries let us have that kill." Detlef commented "It's just paying dividends for you two shooting the three ace squads down."
"You wanted to protect your reputation. Don't you?"
"It's not exactly that. It's just that I'm still troubled by you shooting me down at the 'Round Table'." Detlef answered
"Just let bygone's be bygone's. Okay?" Detlef just nodded as we went back to base. I radioed Minna before we landed. "Minna, have Commodore Galland fill out an assignment form. Have ROT Team join the ranks of the 501st Joint Fighter Wing."
"I'll do that right away." Minna said "For now, rest up for tomorrow. You and I are doing a few errands." Under my helmet, I turned red a little.
"R-Roger, Minna."
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ROT officially joins the 'family'. Though next chapter will be more focused on Cipher and Minna. And right now, I'm currently working on 'Strike Witches: Infinity', mainly the prologue chapter.
Minna: You're still going to work on this one, right?
Of course. It's not like I'm going to ignore it for like a few months. Unless if I take a vacation, In the Philippines.
Minna: Makes sense. So, that's that latest chapter and the last one for 2015. On behalf of the 501st JFW, have a Happy New Year and let's ring in 2016. Get ready for Infinity because it will be out to the best of his ability.
And let's just hope nothing bad will happen tomorrow. See you soon, readers, and have a Happy New Year. Kh2996, signing off.
