Happy 2016, folks! Let's delve into reviews.
Colonel AmiruddinArifSulaiman: Thanks mate. Happy New Year to you as well. Oh, and I've checked out Ace Combat 7, we're going home. To Strangereal. Only thing I've noticed is that Osea and Erusea are at war with each other, which includes 'Lighthouse', and the new superweapon called 'FAS'. I'll definitely look forward to it.
Gamerman22: Yep, and Happy New Year.
Konnigvanmessen: Don't worry. This chapter is all about Minna and Cipher. I'll see about having the filler chapters as an AU, but I'll think about it. Thanks for the review.
Gropau25: Thanks for the review.
Now, where did Eila go?
Amirah: According to his review, he's with him and he's going to do a HALO jump in modified C-5 Galaxy's.
Minna: What did Eila do this time?
Amirah: I have no clue. We'll just wait.
Now's that outing with you and Cipher, Minna.
Minna: O-Okay. (Faintly blushes)
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Chapter 5: A Day Off
Cipher's P.O.V.
I was sleeping soundly when the alarm blared. Tell you what, I couldn't sleep for a full hour because I'm thinking about how I will treat Minna. These thoughts are then interrupted when I bolted upright, until I felt a pan to the face. I lied back down after feeling the effects from it. "OW!" I looked to find Eila doing an evil grin while wielding that frying pan of hers. The thing I'm concerned about is that she's still in her sleeping attire. "What was that for?!" I asked while nursing my head.
"That's for sleeping with Sanya." She answered
"You're still onto that?!" I asked "I said I was sorry. And a pan out of all things?!"
"Just a reminder to you, Cipher." She answered cheekily "By the way, I'm here to wake you up."
"You know there's still the revile that played earlier." I said as I got up "And you came here to wake me up because…"
"You have to accompany Minna to Maidstone, remember?" She answered as I got into my Ustian service uniform.
"I know that. So, it's just Pixy, Angela and Fleisher that remain here?"
"Nope. The three are patrolling the East Sussex region. They won't be back until Hartmann's award ceremony." Just then we heard the familiar sound of lecturing. I sweat dropped a bit.
"Speak of the devil." I started walking out before turning to Eila. "I'll be back when we got Hartmann's medal, okay?" Eila nodded as I walked into Hartmann's room, which my ersatz sister is currently lecturing her about Karlsland soldier-type discipline.
"For Karlsland soldiers, discipline comes first! And second! And third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth!" She told Hartmann as the latter came up with something.
"What about the tenth?" I held back a few giggles before Barkhorn noticed me
"What are you laughing about, Cipher?" She asked albeit a little pissed. I relaxed a bit.
"Oh, nothing. Just checking how my ersatz sister is coping." I answered
"It's going horribly, Cipher." Barkhorn answered "I have to get Hartmann up because it's her award ceremony today."
"Is she always like this?"
"Every single morning, I have to put up with this attitude of hers. She has been like this ever since the Neuroi invaded." An idea flew in
"You mind if I have a shot waking her up?" She sighed in her defeat to waking her up.
"Good luck on your end. She'll be difficult to wake up." She said as she stepped back to allow me a go. I approached the sleeping witch as I got on my knees.
"Hartmann, can you wake up?" I asked "It's already morning."
"Cipher." She said in her sleep "Just let me sleep for… 70 minutes."
"70 minutes? Really?" I asked
"Okay, 40 minutes." Hartmann said
"You have a medal coming in today. Minna and I are heading to Maidstone and getting it. I think she told you yesterday before you slept, right?"
"She did." Hartmann yawned "So wake me up at noon, okay?" She asked as she closed her eyes again. I felt an angry vein on my head, but managed to calm down a bit.
"Okay, how's this. If you wake up, I promise to get you some sweets when Minna and I arrive in Maidstone. And after the ceremony, I'll give them to you. Sounds fair?" Her head shot up like a rocket at the mention of me saying 'sweets'.
"Did you say sweets?" She asked excitedly. I nodded in response. "You'll get me some after the ceremony?"
"Yes."
"Okay. I'll get up now." She happily said. I looked behind to my sister, who appears shocked.
"How did you do that?" She asked
"Instead of demanding her to wake up and telling her about Karlsland soldier discipline, I went with the more… calm and nice yet demeanor tone." I answered "By that, I mean promising her to get some sweets while Minna and I are at Maidstone."
"That is just beginner's luck, Cipher." Barkhorn said "Watch, you have to resort using the Karlsland-soldier discipline notion into waking her up."
"We'll see, sis. We'll see." I said as I turned to face Hartmann again, but, I got red on the face. "Uh… Hartmann…?"
"You can call me Erica." Erica said
"Right, Erica… You're not wearing any…" I stepped back a lot only to find Barkhorn throwing stuff at her.
"Put some clothes on! Put some pants on!" Erica easily dodged every object Barkhorn threw. Just when she's about to put an outburst on her, she looked to the ground and screamed. I have to cover my ears as a result. "Your Knights Cross with Oak Leaves medal is on the floor? And you call yourself a Karlsland soldier?!" Erica was getting herself ready when Barkhorn showed her and me to the door. "It's time for breakfast! Get yourself ready and come to the dining hall!" I peeked in again and reminded Erica again.
"Don't forget about your medal today. And make sure you find your pants." I reminded her as I catched up with my ersatz sister.
"Do you know where Pixy and ROT Team are?" Barkhorn asked
"They went out to patrol East Sussex." I answered "From what Eila told me, they'll be back in time for the award ceremony. Hope they don't come back if Erica doesn't have her… pants on."
"They better not be." She said "Waechter, I understand. But if it's Fleisher and Pixy, then that will be a different story." We entered the kitchen as Minna packed up for the trip to Maidstone. "You're all set to go, Minna?" The latter nodded
"It will be my first time there." Minna answered "Barkhorn, I'm leaving command to you for the time being until we get back, okay?"
"Can do, Minna." She answered as she turned to me "Oh, and Cipher. Keep a close eye on the commander. She's relatively new to being in Britannia. So that means you'll be her guide."
"Can do, sis." I said. "All set Minna?" She nodded as we went to the hangar to find a Willys Jeep on stand-by. Minna turned on the engine as we head for Maidstone. Somehow, we can hear both Yoshika and Major Sakamoto doing some sort of training. I turned to Minna as she kept her eyes on the road. "This is my first time being driven across the countryside."
"I guess it is a rarity that there are no peaceful scenes like this back in Ustio?" Minna asked
"Before and after Directus, and after we drove Belka from the country, I bet things there have settled down a lot." I answered "But I'm not sure how long the peace will last."
"Once you and the others get home, then you'll find out for yourselves."
"That depends. After hearing from Lieutenant-Colonel Fleisher that a paramilitary organization is threatening the world, I'm not sure what would be the aftermath of it. Do you ever wonder what Valais is like?"
"From what you told me, it's located in the mountain range. I'm surprised to find that the Belkans haven't controlled that part of Ustio since."
"It has been captured since the war began." The drive continued until I broke the ice "I know you wanted to become a singer, but what have you done before that?"
"How much do you want to know?"
"I don't know. Either major or minor details. Anything to your liking." Minna sighed before she began her story.
"I was born in Scrimm, a small town in Poland which was part of Karlsland during the First Neuroi War. I started to attain my magic during the age of eleven when I entered the Luftwaffe Academy." She started to turn red "You want to see a picture of me when I was young?"
"Sure." Minna reached into her pocket and pulled out a photo of her younger self. She was wearing a white-collared shirt, a black skirt, white leggings, a black ribbon which is around the collar, and black loafers. She also has her familiar activated, along with the familiar red-hair and eyes. "Well… I think… you look… cute." She flushed red instantaneously
"I guess you're liking me for my looks, right?" She asked
"No. Not that." I answered "I meant you're fine just the way you are. Your caring attitude, you acting like a motherly figure towards the girls. I can't think up of anything else." Minna smiled because of what I said
"That's very thoughtful of you, Cipher." She smiled while the red still appeared on her face "I know you're from Osea. But, what about your real birthplace?" I sighed deeply
"I'm actually from the Kingdom of Nordennavic, a country located on the Anean Continent, near the Republic of Emmeria. That place is my home, though I'm a citizen of Osea."
"At least I know where I can visit you if I visit your world." Minna said "Oh, we're here." Minna slowed the Jeep as we entered Maidstone. "Everything's simple, Cipher. We just have to get the medal from Commodore Galland, grab some stuff and then we'll be back in time to give Hartmann's medal."
"Sounds simple enough." I answered as we stepped out of the Jeep. "So this is Maidstone. Lovely place."
"This is my first time here, other than being in Folkestone and London."
"Never been anywhere except those two." I commented "You should see November City or Directus. They are nice this time of year too." We walked to Leeds Castle, where Commodore Galland is waiting for us both.
"Commander Wilcke, Cipher." She acknowledged us "Glad to see you both again."
"Good to see you as well, Commodore." I saluted her "You have the medal?"
"I do." We followed her to the interior of Leeds Castle where one of the soldiers gave Galland the medal. "This is for Lieutenant Hartmann." Minna opened the case. "From Kaiser Wilhelm III and Chancellor von Hindenburg, Hartmann is awarded the 'Knights Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords'. One of Karlsland's highest honors."
"I believe Belka has the same medal like that." I said when I looked at it. "But instead of that, they have the 'Gold Cross of Honor for Outstanding Deeds'. And that's Belka's second highest medal."
"And which one is the highest ranked?" Galland asked
"The 'Grand Cross of the Iron Cross'. Or in Engel's case, the 'Cross of Honor and Valor'. It's like Osea's Medal of Honor and Yuktobania's Hero of the Yuktobanian Republics."
"And what's Ustio's?"
"The 'Order of the White Eagle'."
"Poland has the same medal just like that." Galland said "Anyway, Commander Wilcke, I've read your reports yesterday." She took out her notebook "Yesterday, you encountered a Belkan squadron, just a bit close to your base." She then eyed me "According to what the Commander heard from you, you were at war with the Principality of Belka since 1995. The squadron you intercepted are from the Belkan 2nd Air Division, 52nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, call-sign, ROT."
"We met ROT One, known as Detlef Fleisher, and ROT Two, known as Angela Waechter." I answered "Pixy and I met ROT Team over Area B7R during the earlier stages of the war, while ROT was a four-man squadron." She nodded while she put her notebook away.
"It's a blessing since you two are no longer enemies." She said "But the two countries may still be at war with each other."
"It's no longer an issue, since Fleisher said that Belka is under a new government, so we'll be fine until one such terrorist organization is destroyed."
"I see." She answered "I'll head back to London now. Have fun in Maidstone, you two." Galland went to her vehicle before turning to me and smiled, then she winked at me. I'm confused with what she did, but I've put that aside as Minna and I exited the castle. "So, what now?"
"We just get some supplies and then that's it." Minna answered. We then headed for one of the main marketplaces and brought some supplies, like food, bedding, extra pairs of… pants as my ersatz sister put it and some sweets for Erica. Basically anything that the witches can get their hands on.
"It sure is nice out." I said while holding a crate of food
"Indeed it is, Cipher." We loaded the supplies onto the Jeep as we head back for base. As we left Maidstone, Minna diverted the Jeep to the outskirts.
"Uh, Minna? Any idea where we're going?" I asked "Because you're going the wrong way." Minna just ignored my question as she stopped near a river. "Why are we here?"
"Lynnette made some sandwiches for us in case it's lunch time." Minna answered "Why can't we have some here?"
"Good idea." I answered "Except, there's nothing to sit on."
"We can sit on the Jeep's hood." I brought out the sandwiches while Minna took her place on the Jeep's hood. I joined her after I brought them out. I took mine as we ate while staring at the peaceful river. "It sure is nice to accompany me here, Cipher."
"You ordered me to accompany you yesterday." I answered "It's not like, you couldn't bring anyone else who is busy with a few things."
"Originally, I wanted to ask Major Sakamoto to accompany me to Maidstone, but I decided to ask you."
"Something going on between you and the Major?"
"Not really. It's just us being teammates and friends." She answered "Throw the wrappers out. I just needed to do something first." I don't know what she meant, but I did so anyway. After I threw out the wrappers, I noticed Minna edging close to the river. She was so close, she lost her footing.
"Minna!" I managed to catch her, but we ended up hitting the water. The water wasn't deep, so we broke the surface needed for some air. "Are you alright?" Minna smiled
"I thought I saw something near the embankment, but I slipped." Minna chuckled
"Good thing I catched you." I answered "But I'm soaked." Evil intentions then filled my mind. I pointed somewhere behind her, making her oblivious to what I'm about to do. "What is that?!"
"Hmm!?" Minna tried to find what I'm pointing at, to no avail. When she turned around, I splashed water on her face. I held a devious smile as Minna recomposed herself and retaliated. She smirked as I wiped the water off of my face. "Now, we're even, Cipher."
"You're asking for it now, Commander." We continued like this for five minutes, from screaming 'Stop!' to minor skirmishes with hints of laughter. After our little water fight, we removed our clothing into spare ones that Minna packed in case we tried anything funny. We got ourselves on top of the Jeep's hood again, as I turned to Minna. "Again, it sure is nice to accompany you, Minna." Minna did her usual laugh before answering.
"I know. This is the first time I've been out with someone other than…" Minna stopped talking and looked away while her smile disappeared.
"Who?" Minna just shrugged it off
"It doesn't involve you, Cipher. Just like Trude, decipher what I said." Minna got back to her caring nature and then we filed back to the Jeep. The drive back to base is long, so I used this time to figure out what she meant. "Cipher, I just got word from Eagle Eye that Pixy, Fleisher and Waechter are returning. They should be meeting us there first." The Jeep had a built in radio that Minna has managed to track Eagle Eye's frequency.
"Any luck with finding Neuroi?" I asked
"Just one. Not that much of a problem." She answered. Just then, the base alarm blared loudly.
"I thought the three shot one down." I complained
"Intelligence is not good at the moment. Let's hurry back." I nodded as Minna pressed on the gas pedal, hard. The Jeep's radio crackled, revealing Eagle Eye.
"Commander Wilcke, Galm One, it's actually a false alarm." Aaron reported "There are no Neuroi in the sector."
"Then what caused it?" I asked
"I think I know." Minna said as she deactivated her ability. We entered the base to find that the entire base was desolate and void of life. When we approached the front exit, we found Erica, bringing in a worried Francesca. "Hartmann, what happened?"
"I managed to capture the culprit who tripped the alarm." Erica answered confidently "Not to mention she has some stolen property."
"What do you mean by…?" I looked at Erica's hands to find three pairs of pants. One is a dark blue one piece swimsuit, white panties and a white pantyhose. "You mean to tell me that Francesca did that?" Erica nodded while Francesca sulked deeper. "You can give a punishment later, Minna. For now, we need the witches to cease operations." She nodded as we ran to the hangar while Erica walked with Francesca, keeping a close eye on her. We soon met Pixy, Angela, Fleisher and Aaron.
"Where have you two been?" Pixy asked
"We came when we could." I answered "That's how it works." Just as the Witches are about to take off, Minna stopped them in time.
"Wait everyone!" Minna commanded as the witches stopped. The Commander and I peered into the hangar, where there is some commotion from the entire roster. Sanya is trying to pry Eila from her pantyhose, which the latter borrowed, Yoshika is wearing the Major's uniform after her swimsuit went missing, the Major is now topless and everyone else tried to keep their act together, except for Barkhorn, who remained calm and collected during the false alarm.
"Commander! The enemy is…" Barkhorn tried to explain, but Minna stopped her.
"There is no enemy." Aaron said "It's just a false alarm." That seemed to shock the entire roster.
"We heard it way before you girls." Pixy said
"While Minna and I noticed it when we're approaching the base." I said. I turned to Erica next. "You can come out now." The Witches turned their heads to find Erica holding a sulked Lucchini.
"Lucchini." Shirley said
"Lucchini-chan."
"Apparently, she accidently set off the alarm…" Their jaws dropped "And we found these." Erica handed Minna three pairs of clothing.
"There they are." Perrine said as she, Yoshika and Eila flew next to Minna.
"Nice work, Commander Minna and Cipher." The Major complimented her
"Actually, neither one of us deserves the credit." I answered as we turned our heads to Erica. "Throughout the confusion, only Erica remained calm and collected. Nice work."
"Thank you." She bowed her head. I brought out something from my breast pocket. "Is that…?" She asked with surprise as I gave her a chocolate bar.
"Yep." I answered "I was originally going to give it to you after the award ceremony, but seeing how you managed all this, why not give it to you now."
"Thank you, Cipher." I smiled as the Witches congratulated her.
"Let's begin the award ceremony." Minna said "You ready, Lt. Hartmann?"
"Yes, ma'am." Pixy then spoke.
"Uh, Commanders?" he asked "What do we do with Francesca? Since she started the entire fiasco."
"What's the usual punishment for this, Commander?" Fleisher asked. Minna thought long and hard, and came up with a solution. They left Francesca pants less while holding onto two large water buckets filled with water.
"Lieutenant Hartmann, please come up." Erica walked to the makeshift podium to receive her medal.
"Been a while since I was decorated." Fleisher commented
"When you go home to Belka, you'll get yours." I answered. The Witches applauded Erica while Francesca moped, commenting how breezy it is without her panties.
"I feel bad for Lucchini…" Lynnette commented on the former's punishment.
"Yeah." Yoshika answered "It's strange. Come to think of it…"
"I only borrowed Perrine's pants in the bath because mine went missing." Francesca pointed out
"Really?" Perrine asked
"Wait." Angela said "If Lucchini's pants are missing, does that mean that…" After Erica received her medal, a slight breeze showed something all of us saw. Erica was wearing Francesca's pants. Fleisher nearly had his jaw drop, Angela stood in silence with her eyes widened while Pixy and I felt our faces heat up. The Witches on the other hand, they were shocked, especially the Romagnian girl.
"Congratulations, Lieutenant Hartmann." Minna said. Erica then saluted the others.
"Yes! Thank you very much!" She winked at the entire group. I think my mind snapped once again as I left the ceremony and headed for my room, in need of sleep and clearing my mind. But, replace these events with me and Minna on our outing at Maidstone. One of the best days of my life. Nothing can't ruin it.
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Hope you like that chapter as much as I did. Next chapter is, well, coming after Episode 7, you know what it is. Oh, bonus scene.
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Amirah's P.O.V.
I've finalized my report to Claus when Wallcroft entered my room. I looked up as I took a smoke. "Is there something you need, Wallcroft?"
"Yes, Mistress." He brought out photos from reconnaissance planes that flew over China. It revealed to be some sort of human flying near its nest. "Lieutenant Sakuya Izayoi took these shots before heading back to base. Slim sent these photos to von Stauffenberg earlier, and currently, he's trying to figure it out too."
"I've never seen these types of Neuroi before." I motioned to my left side. "Aisyah, do you know what this is?" I showed the left side as a head appeared from my left shoulder.
"I've seen them before. The Blue Neuroi calls them, 'Humanoid Neurois'. They are completely different than the ones humanity has faced before."
"What do they do?" Wallcroft asked
"They wish to seek humanity's understanding." Aisyah answered "They wished to seek peace, just like how the Blue Neuroi established relations with the humans."
"There is just one problem though." Wallcroft said "The Warlock may use this opportunity to show itself to the military brass and the leaders. And since the Gallian Hive is inching close to Her Majesty's doorstep, he will use it."
"Which is why Claus came up with a plan." I brought a folder out of my desk. Both Wallcroft and Aisyah looked with curiosity.
"Skyfall." They both asked as I nodded in agreement.
"If something happens at the 501st's base, I'll call Galm Team along with their new teammates. Make sure that no one from the Warlock group knows about this." Wallcroft nodded as Aisyah returned back to my shoulder. "Good. You're dismissed." Wallcroft saluted as he went out. I took the opportunity to call someone important. "Hello? Keith? I need you for something."
"I'm all ears, Amirah."
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That's it for this chapter. See you in Chapter 6. Bye.
