Operation Skyfall has commenced. Since every one of you is eager to see how it turns out, I'll skip reviews and get to what the people wanted. Enjoy the chapter.

XXXXXXXXXX

Chapter 9: Operation Skyfall PT 2: Get Ready to Fly

XXXXXXXXXX

ETA to Folkestone, Britannia; 501st Joint Fighter Wing Base-One Hour

Operation Skyfall Status: Begun

XXXXXXXXXX

Minna's P.O.V.

Two things have crossed my mind. One, is that the Air Chief Marshal is present with soldiers holding us at gunpoint. And the other is that… Cipher said he loves me. He's currently in London doing something right now. I was torn between the two developments. First Kurt, and now him. That isn't the issue at hand now as Maloney's weapon landed behind him.

"Good work, Commander Minna." Maloney started speaking

"This almost seems like a coup, Air Chief Marshal." I rebuked him

"It is an official, mandated reassignment, Commander Minna." He answered as he held up transfer papers. "As of now, this base is in the hands of my 1st Special Assault Echelon, otherwise known as the Warlock."

"Warlock?" I asked as I watched the rest of the unit made their way to the hangar entrance

"Are all the Witches present?" He asked "Are you Sergeant Miyafuji Yoshika?"

"Yes…" She answered

"You violated military rules and went AWOL. Is that correct?" He said

"Military rules…" She started as she made a realization. "The thing behind you-!" Maloney smirked

"Are you referring to the Warlock?" He asked

"I saw it!" She answered "It was a room with Neuroi! It was some kind of lab!" The Air Chief Marshal seemed flustered at her analysis.

"Is that why Cipher left for London? A mission on his own, along with the other pilots?" I thought. I played along as I look disapprovingly at her, so did the Major.

"What nonsense are you spouting?! He asked

"But I saw it!"

"Answer the question! You went AWOL, did you not?!" He demanded an answer

"Yes sir. But…"

"Commander. I gave you a strict order to have you and your girls shoot down the deserter." He said

"Yes sir. However…" I answered but I was cut off

"A member of your unit runs off. And her superior officer ignores orders from Headquarters to go after her." I watched him walk in front of the Warlock with his back turned. "It's such a pity. Commander Minna, and the rest of the Witches… As of this moment today, the 501st Joint Fighter Wing, the Strike Witches, is disbanded." Everyone was surprised at this movement "Each member will return to their respective country's military as quickly as possible. That is all. Is that clear, Commander Minna?"

"Yes sir." I hesitantly answered "He doesn't know that the pilots left Folkestone."

"Your selfish actions are what caused this, Sergeant Miyafuji." He stated. Miyafuji tried to come up with a reason, but no success. "Don't worry. The Warlock will annihilate the Neuroi. You are no longer needed to defend Britannia." Miyafuji then fainted as Trude and Erica catched her. We left without saying a word to gather our stuff.

"Please hurry, Cipher. Stop this madness." I mentally said

XXXXXXXXXX

Cipher's P.O.V.

Hiyori and I flew across the Britannian countryside where I heard everything between Maloney and the Witches. "That's the end of it." Aaron said as he cut the transmission. "The 501st has been disbanded."

"He did all that?" Hiyori asked "And all it took was a small girl making a discovery?"

"I believe so, Invictus Two." Aaron answered "But that gives us an opportunity to start. By the way, how is Cipher feeling?"

"I… feel… pissed…" I felt my blood boil over the fact that the stupid Air Chief Marshal replaced the Witches with Neuroi-powered technology. I changed the frequency to Amirah, who is on the ground. "Amirah, have you heard everything?"

"I know." She answered "I'm almost at the base. I'm hiding from the others. As soon as the Witches leave, then I'll strike."

"Copy." I answered "Good luck." It will take a while to get there as we surged towards Folkestone

XXXXXXXXXX

Amirah's P.O.V.

An hour has past and the entire wing has left the base. Before I hid, I specifically told Wallcroft not to come in yet until all of the guards have been dealt with. Since everything is in position, I put on my business suit, which is a male outfit, put on black gloves and a fedora. Aisyah then brought in a long, black briefcase which contains something important. I then walked up to the base guards as they walked up.

"Halt! This base is under military jurisdiction of the 1st Special Assault Echelon." One of the Base Guards said "State your business."

"Oh, I'm just here to show the soldiers a new product." I answered "A new firearm if you ask. It's been approved by the Defence Minister." The soldiers present became intrigued.

"Alright. Show us then." I nodded as I brought out a weapon familiar to them. "Oh bloody-" I knocked the two guards out with my knives as I holstered them back underneath the suit. I then entered the base's exterior as there is little to no opposition. Aisyah then appeared out of my left shoulder and analyzed the numbers for the base guards.

"There are some good news and bad news." The Blue Neuroi said

"Let me hear it." I answered as I walked for the hangar

"First off, the base guards you knocked out are only members of the Britannian Armed Forces." Aisyah answered "They are just made as scapegoats by Maloney and told them not to report what they saw. Also, I can estimate that the numbers for the base guards are only five in total. For the guards that are affiliated with the 1st Special Assault Echelon, they round out to ten soldiers in all. All of them are located outside the hangar."

"So, that's the bad news, mixed with numbers. So, what's the good news?" I asked

"Good news is that the members of Operation SPECTRE received three new members."

"Who are they?"

"You know who they are." I then crouched behind a bush and pulled out my binoculars as I saw ten guards who are on patrol at each length of the hangar.

"Aisyah? Is the weapon ready?" I asked as I let down my binoculars

"It's almost charged, Amirah." Aisyah answered "All we have to do is wait for Wallcroft and the others. For now, ready your knives." I nodded as I continued to watch their movements and the Warlock took to the skies.

XXXXXXXXXX

Minna's P.O.V.

After the 501st went their separate ways, Trude, Erica and I are dropped off at the last stop for the bus. Originally, we were supposed to head for St. Trond in Belgica, but the former and I have other ideas. I activated my familiar after we got off, and my suspicions are confirmed.

"They've stopped monitoring us." I analyzed as I turned off my magic

"I think it might've been best to continue on to Karlsland and fight to take our homeland back." Trude said as Erica and I tilted our heads in confusion.

"Huh?" Erica asked "You're the one who wanted to come back, Trude." She then became a little flustered, maybe because of Miyafuji.

"That's because… I-I owe Miyafuji." I knew it all along as I chuckled a bit.

"That's right. You owe her a lot." Erica answered back

"A-Anyway!" She started "C-Can we really let her go home heartbroken like that!? Would Karlsland soldiers really allow such-?!" I then quieted her down as she stopped talking.

"Yes, yes! We feel just how you feel." I answered "Besides, I'm also concerned about what Miyafuji said."

"You mean about making friends with the Neuroi?" Erica asked

"No, about the Warlock having been in contact with the Neuroi." I answered her, becoming stern. "Based on Air Chief Marshal Maloney's flustered reaction when Miyafuji mentioned it, I bet he's hiding something. Cipher also caught wind of his project as of late."

"Wait, Cipher knew about this as well?" Erica asked

"Why didn't he tell us, more like you, in the first place?" Trude asked

"Cipher made contact with a Blue Neuroi member by the name of Vera Neckiton." I answered "He wanted to show me in case if neither of us believed in Miyafuji's story about the Humanoid Neuroi earlier, and that the Warlock being powered by a Neuroi core."

"And we waved it off like a false rumor." She lamented "We need to apologize to her soon."

"I suppose all of us." I said "The only way to do this is to expose whatever he's planning."

"If he can get caught violating his duty to report, we'll have a chance to go on the offensive." She analyzed

"Exactly." I answered "Only problem is how to get back…" Erica peered out of the stop and found a milk truck coming our way.

"Hey, truck!" She said as she does a pose, hoping to attract the driver "Hi!" The problem is… "Hey, you! Don't ignore these sexy girls!"

"Well, that didn't work." Trude adamantly said as more vehicles showed up. "Wait!" We managed to flag down a military convoy of three Bedford OXD's. The passenger door opened revealing a familiar face.

"Commander, Captain, Hartmann?" It was Pixy with his assault rifle in hand "What are you three doing here?"

"What are you doing here? You've been missing since." Trude said "Not to mention the wing had been disbanded after you left."

"Sorry about that, Captain." He apologized "You can join in our operation along with the SAS and the pilots at the back."

"Who's with you?" Erica asked as we piled into the lead truck

"Just me, ROT Team, Lyla, Vera and Crow Team." He answered

"Crow Team?" I asked

"Yep. They have been with us since the operation against Excalibur." He answered "Unlike Cipher and I who are Ustian mercenaries, Crow Team is an Osean-based mercenary squad to fill in the gaps for the Air Force. Ironic enough, we've managed to see them the first time we went to London."

"I see." Just then I realized something is amiss "If you're all here, then where's Cipher?" I saw Pixy creating a grin on his face as he drove us back. On the way, I remembered Cipher confessing his feelings. I asked Pixy who is concentrating on the road. "Pixy, you didn't hear anything… odd last night, didn't you?"

"I haven't, Commander." He answered "Why?"

"No… No reason." I answered meekly as we continued on to the base.

Amirah's P.O.V.

"Mistress, this is Wallcroft." He said over the radio. "We're on our way now. SPECTRE will start in thirty minutes time."

"Copy that, Wallcroft." I said as I was ready to start my attack "I'll eliminate the guards first then you enter. And Maloney has taken the precaution of sealing the entire hangar with steel beams."

"Hope you have a weapon capable of cutting through it."

"Don't mind about it, Wallcroft. Just get here until I'm done with these men." I readied my knives under my suit and casually walked my way down. The guards didn't notice until I stabbed one behind the back. His muffled screams attracted some, and then all of the soldiers present. "Oh my goodness, I guess I've blown my cover then." The soldiers then aimed with their Sten guns.

"Who in the bloody hell are you? What are you doing messing with the Warlock's operation?" One of the soldiers asked

"Well, for starters." I tightened my black gloves as I opened my suit jacket. "My name is Commander Amirah Aisyah Sulaiman, Commander of the Special Air Service and soon-to-be Knight Commander of Bath." I grabbed a hold of two knives as I threw them at two guards, killing them. The others do not want to make a disturbance so they tried using their submachine guns as melee weapons, but I'm more experienced than them. I jumped into the air and used two more and killed two more.

"Damn it!" A guard shouted "Shoot her!" I pulled out another set of knives and killed another two. I pulled out two of my knives from their carcasses and slashed the final three with ease while injuring the last member. He tried to aim his Sten before I kicked it out of his hands. Instead, I aimed my knife at his neck.

"Where is that Warlock heading too?" I asked nicely while hiding a malicious smile

"I-I don't know. I swear." He answered panicked as I inched close to his face

"Do you want me to test my patience?" I asked again as I raised a knife to his eye. "Where is the Warlock heading too?"

"O-Okay! It's heading to Gallia and to eliminate the Hive that's crossing the English Channel! That's all I know I swear!" I retracted my knife as I smiled at his answer

"That's a good soldier." I said "Now, sleep tight." I whacked him as he went unconscious. I then stared at the hangar entrance where the steel beams had been erected. It would take more than my knives to open up the entrance. I then turned to Aisyah as I placed my briefcase on the runway. "Aisyah, is the weapon ready?"

"It's all charged, Amirah." I opened it to reveal my new weapon. A technological edge made by humanity, a 'High-Frequency Mass Vibration Sword' if you will called the Murasama. I looked at it in awe as Aisyah appeared.

"Where did you get the weapon?" I asked

"I got it from the Blue Neuroi leader. The sword has been wielded by only the elite of the Blue Neuroi. So, it's my turn to use it. But, it's all yours, Amirah." I nodded as I approached the hangar opening.

"Aisyah, activate camouflage and teleport me to the interior. And don't forget to soundproof the area." Aisyah then covered the base in an invisible soundproof shield layer as I readied the Muramasa. "Right there." With a single charge, the blade made sparks and a metal screeching noise as it cuts through the steel. Luckily, no one can hear it or see it, not even Maloney's systems picked up anything since they're concentrating on the Warlock's effectiveness. After cutting the entire length of the opening, Aisyah then teleported me to the inside while I called Wallcroft. "Wallcroft. I'm all set here."

"Copy, Mistress." He answered "We're almost at the base and we're going to park on the outside of the hangar. We've also managed to bring in Commander Wilcke, and Flight Lieutenants Barkhorn and Hartmann."

"Roger. Make sure you park outside of the hangar, because I may kick the beams right towards you." Afterwards, I found a lone guard inside where he's eyeing the Striker Units. I landed silently behind him, because he didn't hear the sound of steel being scraped. I then brought up my knife and stabbed him while covering his mouth. After letting him down, I called Wallcroft. "Wallcroft, I'm all set here. You in position."

"We are. However, the Warlock is making its attack run on the Gallian Hive and we're at a safe distance."

"Roger. Stand back." With one powerful kick, the steel beams blasted out of the hangar and into the ocean. Luckily, no one still heard it. Soon the trucks backed-up into the hangar, where thirty SAS soldiers, along with the pilots and the 501st Karlsland Witches, exited the trucks. "Minna, Barkhorn, Erica. What are you three doing here?"

"We're here for the same reason as you, Amirah." Minna answered "Miyafuji provided detailed information when she mentioned the Warlock being powered by the Neuroi."

"If only all of us believed in her sooner." Barkhorn admitted

"And I expect all of the Witches involved to apologize to her when this raid is over." Pixy said as he loaded a clip into his rifle "And you know what? This scene looks vaguely familiar."

"What scene?" Griffen asked

"I watched an anime series that is completely mind-breaking. And there's a movie that came afterwards and it keeps me up a few nights just thinking about it. I even have to think about something else before it fades in my mind. And the movie still haunts me."

"I know what you're thinking about, Pixy." PJ said "I don't want to see that movie either." I sweatdropped at watching those two.

"Uh… Mistress?" Wallcroft said as I walked to him

"What's going…? Is that the Akagi?" I asked

"Yeah. It turns out that it's in close proximity with the Gallian Hive." Wallcroft answered "Might as well get this op finished before the Warlock is pleased by military men alike." I nodded as we cocked our weapons. I had the SAS outfitted their Sterling's with silencers and for the pilot's, who have pistols or a rifle in Pixy's case, are also outfitted with silencers. I, however, have knives and silenced dual-wield pistols.

"Wallcroft, Griffen, Crow Team and ROT Team. East. The rest of you, on me. Head west." We went separately as Minna asked me a question while climbing up some floors.

"Amirah, do you know where Cipher is?" She asked

"He's currently with Kazane and Aaron on his flight here." I answered "Why?"

"N-Nothing." She answered softly as we came across some guards. "Who are they?"

"Base guards of the 1st Special Assault Echelon." I answered "I even take the time to kill some of them before you showed up."

"Aren't they even affiliated to Britannia at all?" Vera asked as she took aim with her silenced pistol

"Sadly no." I answered "They're only affiliated to Maloney and him only." I then took aim at another guard. "Vera, on three. Three." We shot both at the same time as they plop down. "Good thing we're armed with simunition rounds. Otherwise, we may have to clean the base up."

"Wallcroft, this is Pixy. How are things going on your end?" He asked as we moved through the hallway

"Wallcroft here." He answered "Only light resistance. A few are knocked out while two are shot with simunition rounds." Just then, we heard an explosion.

"What was that?" Lyla asked. We all moved to the window as we found huge swathes of ocean stemmed upwards.

"That's the Akagi." Pixy answered "Amirah, what's going on?" I asked Aisyah as she analyzed the ongoing battle.

"The Akagi is currently being attacked by the Warlock." I answered "It turns out the Warlock managed to eliminate all of the Neuroi present but it soon got Neuroified and now it's under Neuroi control."

"What?!" Pixy asked "Minna, who's on board the Akagi?"

"Before we left, Mio, Perrine and Yoshika are on the carrier heading towards Fuso." Pixy was shocked to hear that, but everything came to a head when he head Yoshika's name.

"MALONEY!" He raced for the control room as we followed him and left a trail of dead guards in his wake. The Neuroified Warlock laser nearly hit the base as we felt the shockwaves.

"Everyone okay?" Vera asked

"Amirah, we've arrived at the Control Tower." Fleisher said

"Good. We're almost there, but toss out flashbang grenades first." I ordered

"Why?" Angela asked

"We've got a madman running like a stabbed rat guns blazing." PJ answered. Wallcroft tossed the flashbangs in time as Pixy ran inside the room and started shooting the guards. We entered the control room as the soldiers started rounding up the scientists and officers, and Pixy aimed his weapon at Maloney. Pixy finally managed to calm down as the Air Chief Marshal felt a cold sweat.

"Well, look who's on the opposite end now." Pixy said as he flipped the safety switch

"Y-You're one of those airmen I've met when you arrived in London." He started saying

"Yeah. It turns out, Cipher and I thought long and hard about everything, and we've decided to take up Amirah's proposal." I walked to him and maliciously smiled

"It turns out that after I've given the information to the two, they've agreed to join the SAS instead of this group." I answered as I looked around the room "And I have to say, pretty nice setup for your apparent downfall."

"It won't matter." Maloney said as he pulled out his pistol and aimed it at Pixy. "When I'm through with you, your partner is dead." Just then another pistol was pointed at him. "Arthur, what are you doing?"

"Doing what needs to be right." Our inside man, Air Chief Marshal Arthur Tedder answered "Amirah, you can call the military police to clean this place up." I then watched Minna as she researched through various manuals. "What did you find in there, Commander Wilcke?"

"A lot of information, Air Chief Marshal." Minna answered "Trying to frame the Witches… You've certainly pulled off many stunts, sir."

"And you used the power of your enemy to power your fabled machine." Vera said "That is very idiotic." Detlef then walked up to him.

"What was going through your thick skull, thinking that that piece of shit can turn the tide of war?" Detlef asked venomously

"You used enemy Neuroi technology to gain power surpassing the Witches and then you tried to forcefully disband the Witches to conceal the fact." Vera said as she analyzed everything that Maloney had done

"However, your mistake is was acting hastily in response to Miyafuji, when she had no military understanding of the situation to begin with." Minna continued

"And that reckless stunt of yours nearly put my little buddy to near death." Pixy said as Detlef socked him in the stomach.

"You have no pride in your country's defense!" Detlef accused him of treason "And you went to the enemy for answers! Very disappointing." After I made the call, I turned back to the others.

"I've already called London." I said "Prime Minister Churchill has already re-posted Air Chief Marshal Dowding back to RAF Command and Field Marshal von Stauffenberg is coming with the Military Police to come and arrest all those involved." Meanwhile, Erica was busy looking at the radar where she made two discoveries.

"Everyone, look at the radar!" She said as we all huddled around the command console "A Witch is fighting against the Warlock." Minna activated her ability as she discovered that Yoshika was flying and she grabbed a hold of Mio's Striker Unit. We then focused on the other. "What's that green thing on radar?"

"Electronic Countermeasures." Pixy answered "Some planes from our dimension are capable to arm ECM units. But some planes, like Aaron's E-3 Sentry, are capable for ECM support."

"So, that means…" Lyla said

"Cipher." Minna answered silently and in awe that Cipher is helping out with the operation. "Try to find their radio frequency." Erica went through the radio and managed to find Cipher's transmission. "Cipher, are you there?"

"Minna." Cipher said on the other end "Listen… about what I said…"

"Later, Cipher." She answered "What are you doing?"

"I'm here with Hiyori and Aaron." He answered "We're going to destroy the Warlock." Minna soon smiled "And I'll come back."

"Good luck, Cipher. And… I love you." We then saw fighter contrails of the three planes as they surged towards the battle between Yoshika and the Neuroified Warlock. Minna then clasped her hands together and said something ominous. "Demon Lord of the Round Table, I pray for your success."

XXXXXXXXXX

Operation Skyfall has reached its climax as the final bits will involve Cipher and Hiyori taking on the Neuroified Warlock. And just for giggles…

XXXXXXXXXX

A gunshot rang out as Maloney was on the floor head-first with blood coming out. Everyone looked up to the shooter, who is just a rookie named Burns. "Oops."

XXXXXXXXXX

It's just to satisfy one reviewer. Anyway, the final part of Skyfall, Zero will commence in the next chapter. Hope to see you there and enjoy reading this one. Especially you, Colonel because of Amirah's presence. See you then.