Hello everyone and welcome back to another chapter of 'Demon Lord of the Strike Witches'. Nothing else to say here, but I'm starting to work on the companion piece 'Operation Devil Dog'. Still, thank you to everyone who is a fan of the series, and reviewing. For now, reviews. Minna, do the honors.

Minna: Okay. *Smiles*

Gamerman22: Thanks for the ideas. They will suit perfectly for the OVA series.

Thorthemighty321: Thanks for the review.

Generalfeldmarschall (Colonel AmiruddinArifSulaiman): Well… not really. But they'll participate somewhere soon.

Delta2177: I know. Just as long as I don't run out of ideas, then things won't go bad. Thanks for the support.

DrollerKnight: Yes, that's exactly it. But the squadrons that had been warped into the 'Strike Witches' Universe, they'll interact with the 501st members in different areas.

BUND3SW3HR (Gropau25): Same Nipa as always. Thanks for the review.

Minna: It's been a while since I've helped you out in the reviews, 96. Anyways, let's get started with the chapter.

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Chapter 15: Ghosts of Razgriz

Cipher's (Daniel Cross') P.O.V.

December 16th, 2010

So far, things have been going our way since the Stier Castle raid. For Belka, they are currently cracking down on the operations against the 'Grey Men'. So far, only a few compounds have been raided and seized multiple weapons, machines, and anything for the Osean and Yuktobanian war machine to use. For them, however, Isara and her squadron destroyed a mining operation located within Belkan territory.

It turns out that this mine is filled with uranium deposits used for Belka's 'Vengeance' weapons. The Razgriz sealed off the mine from the rest of the Earth. Unfortunately, they didn't find the Grabacr fighters there, and three V1 nukes has been transported somewhere else. Four days later, we caught wind of a Yuktobanian resistance group that managed to get their hands on a mini-nuke. And we're tasked with helping them out.

Currently… Guess who's sleeping with me. Minna woke up next to me as I did the same. She was wearing her undergarments for the night as I hid my reddened face. Minna did the same as well.

"G-Good morning, Daniel." Minna smiled as she put on her green tunic. I smiled at her while I get into my Ustian pilot suit. "I take it you slept well?"

"Well, you're with me the entire night." I answered "Things have been very easy for us since Isara's squadron has been dead."

"That's true. I think the 'Grey Men' are trying to find a way around us to further lengthen the war." She said "Covering the mine is another blow and another good idea, but if we have caught the Grabacr Squadron…"

"Don't worry, sweet pea." I assured her, giving her a comforting smile. "We'll find them and find those three nuclear weapons." Minna nodded in agreement as Isara entered our room. "Morning Is." Isara rubbed her eyes because she was tired from last night. She was helping Ascension with decrypting the messages alongside Pops. "Geez, you look awful. What has happened to you?"

"Decrypting… things… is a killer…" She answered as she laid down on my bed "So… tired…" Minna and I sweatdropped at this sight. She reminds me now of Erica, who always have her lax attitude. Usually, this would be a good time for my ersatz sister to tell her to wake up.

"Yeah… I know someone who would be like that right now."

Strike Witches Universe

Erica's P.O.V.

I was currently driving a military truck containing supplies for the base, when I sneezed. I think I have been mentioned by someone.

"Caught a cold, Hartmann?" Trude asked as she handed me a tissue. I took it as I blew my nose into it.

"Hey, Trude. I think I have been mentioned by someone." She looked at me curiously

"Who are you talking about, Hartmann? Unless if it's Daniel, I'm pretty sure he's taking care of Minna just fine." She answered as she continued to look at the map. Maybe she is right. I think Daniel mentioned me.

Ace Combat Universe

Cipher's (Daniel Cross') P.O.V.

"Is, you know that we have a mission today." I reminded her as her face was buried beneath a pillow "Yes, you're tired, but the squad needs you to be awake." Her eyes opened slowly.

"Alright… I'm awake…" She complained as Minna chuckled

"You remind me of Erica back in my world." Minna commented on Isara's attitude. "She would always sleep and Trude would always scold her of her attitude."

"Is that really true, Minna…?" She asked while she rubbed her eyes again

"She does." Minna smiled "Trude would tell her that she lacks discipline compared to her where she is a Karlsland soldier."

"How often does she do it?" Isara asked

"It's part of her routine, I guess." I answered as Isara soon dusted herself off. I can tell she's fully awake now. "Feeling any better, sis?"

"A bit." She answered "It will take a while to get my bearings together. Anyways, I've been up all night trying to decipher any encryptions between Osea, Yuktobania, and Belka. So far, the Belkan Army has raided 'Grey Men' cells in Dinsmark and other cities. Also, Pops, Ascension and I found out that a Yuktobanian resistance group has somehow secured a nuke. It was officially destined to equip the Yukes with nuclear capabilities. The bad news is that they sent out one of its Spetznaz groups to hunt them down."

"How did you manage to gain contact with a local resistance group?" I asked

"Well, I have made contact with a resistance member by the name of 'Alyosha'. They have the nuke, so that means we have to cover them until they either dismantle it or, hope to God, won't set off that nuke." Minna and I looked at each other, either scared or wanting to get the mission done fast.

"We're in." We both answered

XXXXXXXXXX

Payavlenie Ravine, Yuktobania

An entire squadron of black-bodied aircraft entered the canyon airspace, as Ascension tried to find the radio frequency for the Resistance group. Since we're up against light targets, I'm in my Silent Eagle, Isara is in her X-02 Wyvern, Edge in her F-22 Raptor, while the rest are in YF-23 Black Widow's.

"What's this place we're going to again, Kid?" Chopper asked

"Payavlenie Ravine." Isara answered "It's a main base for the Yuktobanian resistance group."

"And a perfect target for those Spetznaz groups." Snow added

"Not to mention we're in Yuktobanian territory. Again." I commented "Still, it's a good thing you guys are dead. Well, mentally not physically."

"Honestly, Cipher… But we still don't want another shot-down member from the squadron. This entire place is armed." Edge joked. All of us agreed on that.

"Galm One and Razgriz Squadrons, incoming radio transmission from the Resistance group. Patching it through now." Ascension said. After a few seconds, a Resistance member spoke.

"Oh wow, it's true. They've come! Fighter jets!" A Resistance member said gleefully "I can tell because I'm intercepting enemy alert signals as well. Can you hear this?"

"Who are you? Identify yourself." Edge answered

"A great number of students and intellectuals are staging a resistance against the Yuktobanian military government. You can call me Alyosha… that's not my real name, of course."

"That's the one who sent us these co-ordinates." Isara said

"I'm so glad you actually came… it's just like he said." Alyosha continued

"He?" Edge asked

"We have no time. Let me explain the situation. We have seized and captured one of their nuclear weapons." Alyosha said "We're located in the middle of the canyon, and currently, their Spetznaz forces are trying to locate us. They've even sent out some fighters for protection, so watch your necks out there."

"Roger that." I answered

"A physics graduate student from Yuktobania's Central University is currently dismantling the nuclear bomb, so it can never be detonated again. We need you to hold off the Yuktobanian forces from entering the ravine until he finishes the task."

"Okay, Alyosha." Isara answered "We'll hold them off. Anyway, Daniel, Edge, you're with me. The rest of you, split up and engage. That way, we'll have a major sweep over the area." Isara, Edge and I turned right while the rest turned left.

"It feels like the cliff is closing in on us." Grimm said "Flying in here is nearly impossible. Don't you think so?"

"Not really." Isara answered sheepishly

"Well, sure, maybe you're alright, but…" Grimm tried to come up with more words

"Don't worry about it." Minna said "Just keep calm and don't mind the cliff."

"R-Roger, Commander." When we turned left, we've found AH-64 Apache helicopters and a few gunboats with them. There are also CH-47 Chinook's which are being used to transport the Varyag units into the still-hidden hideout.

"This is going to be a real test for our flying ability. Let's do our best." Snow encouraged us as we started attacking. Minna fired two Sidewinder missiles and destroyed the two Apache gunships, while Isara and Edge started targeting the gunboats.

"Blaze, use the guns only." Edge said "They're light targets after all."

"Got it." Isara answered

"If all they have are helicopters, then we can take them on." Grimm suggested

"They're just sitting targets after all." Chopper answered "Maybe we can wake them up so that they know we're here."

"We're now dismantling the nuclear bomb." Alyosha said "This is a pretty tiny bomb. Maybe it's a tactical nuke. Hard to believe something like this can wipe out an entire city…"

"I can only wonder how on earth they got their hands on one powerful weapon." Chopper commented

"It's a long story." Alyosha answered "I just heard another jet engine… Are you managing to keep the enemy outside at bay?" I destroyed another Chinook as Isara asked the Resistance member

"We are. Just keep going." She answered

"Roger that."

"He?" Edge asked "Someone who knows us? Can it be…?"

"I'm really sure of it, Edge." Isara answered "Don't lose your focus yet."

"Remember, don't let the helicopters approach the canyon." Snow reminded us. "Can't believe they would send out this many units for a small group."

"I know, Swordsman." I answered "They're just dead-set on finding that nuke." We continued flying through the canyon ravines, destroying Apache's, Chinook's and gunboats that are getting close to the hideout. The Yuktobanian soldiers I heard are praying that the Resistance won't blow up the entire force here. That is…

"Wha… It's powering up a trigger circuit!" One of the Resistance members frantically said

"What!?" Grimm asked "You mean it's gonna…" We were about to fly out of the ravine until Alyosha radioed us.

"…Oh, no, never mind, it's fine. We've shut it off."

"Oh… Okay… Whew." Grimm was relieved. So did us. I've heard of adrenaline rushes, but this one takes the cake.

"Oh man." Isara commented on that "I nearly had a heart attack." I shot down an Apache as Edge gunned down a fleeing gunboat. "You, Daniel?"

"Just about the same." I answered. More chatter came in from the Spetznaz units as I gunned down a Chinook. "This is getting a little too easy, don't you think?"

"I think so." Minna answered. A few minutes went by as many Yuktobanian helicopters have been shot down by the Razgriz. Some Spetznaz soldiers followed a trail leading to the Resistance's hideout, while some soldiers are giving others night-scopes. Everything has been going well, until a Resistance member did something wrong.

"Watch out! My hand's slipping! It's gonna drop!" One of the Resistance members called out

"Nii-sama, we're going to get killed!" Isara called out "I don't want to die!"

"Hey, what's going on? Answer me!" Snow radioed. Luckily for us, the Resistance managed to catch the bomb in time.

"Uh… we're okay." A member answered "We caught it just in time." We all sighed in relief, with Isara nearly passing out from the near-death experience.

"Now that, that really scared me." She commented as she contacted the Resistance "Hey, don't scare us like that again, okay?"

"Just how many more are we supposed to shoot down?" Chopper whined "It seems like it's not an ever-ending spam of reinforcements."

"They may be coming from one of Yuktobania's nearby airbase." Minna answered as her familiar analyzed where their forces came from. "I'm also detecting four aircraft as well. All of them are MiG-31 Foxhound's. They're doing combat air patrol."

"What else, Commander Minna?" Grimm asked

"Nothing else. They're just here to scan the skies." She answered

"Roger that."

"This thing won't be set off by an enemy attack, will it?" One of the Resistance personnel asked

"If they raid this room, then it's all over for us." Alyosha answered

"Don't sound so down guys." Isara encouraged them "We're here, remember?"

"Kid." Chopper said "Grimm, Snow and I have destroyed the forces on our end of the canyon. We're on our way to you now." We also destroyed the last of the Spetznaz helicopters that were trying to find the Resistance's hideout.

"Copy that, Chopper." Isara answered "We've destroyed the hostiles on our end as well. I'll contact the Resistance to find out if they disarmed the bomb or not."

"Ascension, hostiles have been destroyed, over." I radioed

"Copy, and… I'm seeing enemy reinforcements incoming towards your position." Ascension said as I turned to Minna, who readying the weapons.

"Minna, Ascension has identified incoming hostiles entering the ravine. Can you identify them?" Minna activated her familiar and analyzed the new enemies.

"They're flying Su-35 Flanker's, Daniel." Minna answered "I'm patching through the enemies radio frequency." As if on cue, four Su-35 Flanker's descended into the canyon. One of the pilots soon spoke to the flight lead.

"This is Ofnir Two. You sure it's them?" Ofnir Two asked

"This is Ofnir One, I said that's what I've heard. The ghosts of the 'Demons of Razgriz'." Ofnir One answered

"You're kidding." Ofnir Two blasted him at that revelation "They all sunk to the bottom of the ocean. Didn't the guys from Grabacr tell you that?"

"We'll find out if they're 'Ghosts' or not, when we take them on in combat." The four Su-35's barreled low enough to not hit the canyon, and charged right towards us. I immediately remembered that voice from fifteen years ago.

"Ascension that voice came from Michael Heimeroth of Ofnir Squadron." I radioed the AWACS. "He's a part of the Yuktobanian aggressor squadron."

"Looks like he has that grudge from fifteen years back." Ascension said "Be careful though. I do not know how much training they've put into this."

"When was the last time you've met him, Daniel?" Minna asked as she readied the missiles

"Long time, sweet pea. Long time."

"Incoming enemy squadron." Grimm said "The guys from the surveillance video."

"Be careful. Remember what Pops said… these guys are Belkan aces." Edge reminded them. She's right about it. They fight differently than the Yuktobanian fighters that they have fought throughout the entire war.

"Ofnir fighters… So they're the Yuke aggressors?!" Grimm asked

"Unfortunately so, Grimm." I answered "They don't want to be messed with."

"Dammit, of all the places…" Grimm chastised himself "I feel like they're hunting us down like animals."

"Guys, some advice." I said "Ofnir likes to hunt down they're aircraft in pairs. We'll take down the three wingmen first then go for Michael last. Is, you're with me. Edge, with Chopper, and Grimm, with Snow."

"Roger!" They all said as they split off to hunt down the Ofnir flight.

"Ofnir Squadron, flying through this ravine is extremely dangerous." One of the Yuktobanian commanders said

"Ofnir One to all planes." Michael ordered "No obstacles to our flight observed." We found a pair of the flight as Isara and I turned towards them. "Hmm…" I unleashed a pair of missiles, but Ofnir easily evades them.

"Six on four, Michael. It's over." I taunted him as his Su-35 turned a sharp left and evaded the cannon rounds from Isara's aircraft.

"Not necessarily." He answered back "So you're the 'Demons of Razgriz'?"

"Yes we are." Isara answered as we caught up to the Ofnir fighters "And we're here to put an end to your plans of revenge."

"Then we're going to turn this place into a Demon's graveyard." He answered as the two Ofnir planes performed a Cobra maneuver and got behind us.

"Hey! Didn't you hear me!? Turn back!" One of the Yuktobanian commanders called out

"Damn. Pops wasn't kidding about those guys being Belkan aces. My missiles don't even connect to them." Chopper complained about their ability

"Just keep on them. Don't let them get to your head." Snow said. We continued evading those missile shots launched by Ofnir. Every time we tried to go behind them, the canyon is always narrow to maneuver, so we have to resort to using Cobra tactics instead.

"This isn't like those guys. What's keeping them?" One of the helicopter pilots asked

"So there really is someone out there who can give Ofnir a hard time, eh?" We managed to get behind them and opened up our Vulcan cannons. It managed to land a few hits, but Ofnir evaded each round. When we found the others chasing down their wingmen, Michael and Ofnir Two opened fire on them, while trying to not land shots on their allies.

"Sorry about that." Edge apologized "We followed them."

"It's fine." I answered "Just keep running them down."

"Those aren't Osean military aircraft." Another helicopter pilot said "The emblem's different."

"Well whoever they are, they aren't your typical pilots, that's for sure."

"Look, the enemy's running down Ofnir."

"There's only one squadron I know that can shoot down Ofnir…"

"I was just thinking the same thing… Razgriz." We weaved through the canyon as we tried to get a missile lock on them. The problem was that they kept evading each missile shot, though we managed to put a few holes in them. That was when Edge radioed us.

"Cipher, Blaze, two Ofnir pilots have been shot down." She said "We're returning to you."

"Roger. We're just behind the lead two. If you want to make a head-on pass, you might want to be careful because we don't want to crash into you." The two Ofnir pilots continued to evade every missile and cannon round we produced

"Why won't they hold still?"

"That's how they perform, Is." I answered "Don't underestimate them." When we neared the farthest section of the canyon, Swordsman radioed us

"Cipher, Captain. We're almost to you. Heads up." We rounded the corner and found the four black-bodied Black Widow aircraft coming right at us.

"Okay. Break right in three." Ofnir saw what was in front of them as the Razgriz pilots readied their weapons in case. "Three!" The four planes jerked right and evaded the missiles launched from the enemy. They evaded all of us as well as Minna readied the aircraft's weapons.

"We got tone, Daniel." Minna said. I nodded and told her to launch the missile. "Fox Two!" Isara launched her projectile as well as the Ofnir pilots tried to evade it, but was unsuccessful. "Targets hit, Daniel. Isara's missile managed to hit the second one. I guess that ends Yuktobania's aggressor squadron." We then watched as both Ofnir pilots managed to bail out of their aircraft.

"Not just yet." I answered. Michael landed near the riverbed and watched us zoom by.

"We'll be back. You can count on it." He swore under his breath.

"All Ofnir fighters have been shot down." Edge said "Looks like the other enemy forces have bugged out on us too."

"Ascension, have the Yuktobanians removed their defense systems over the canyon?" Minna asked

"Just about, Commander Minna. They removed their air defense systems as they are needed somewhere else. More like somewhere that the Oseans would likely make a counterattack."

"And did the Resistance safely disarm that bomb?" She asked

"I hope so. Otherwise, we won't see the light of day anymore." I then contacted Alyosha, who is just about finished disarming the nuke.

"Okay, we've dismantled the bomb. Did you fend off the enemy forces for us?" Alyosha asked

"Roger that. All Yuktobanian forces have been dealt with." I answered "They are either retreating or just watched the aggressor squadron go down in flames."

"Not really. Just bailed." Isara commented

"We're going into the ocean to discard the bomb piece by piece." Alyosha said "No one will be able to use it as a weapon again. If you can, please protect us until we make it to the ocean."

"We will. But what about…" Edge asked before Alyosha answered her question

"Don't be surprised. But our ship… it's a submarine."

"You guys stole a submarine?" Chopper said "Man, you guys must have had a field day stealing Yuke equipment."

"There's nothing we can't get our hands on." He continued "I told you, we have a lot of allies."

"Alright! But who told you that we would be definitely coming for you?" Edge asked a second time

"I don't know his name…" He started "But he left a message for your Captain. I'll read it. It says, 'Hey Kid, I hear you're a hell of a Squad Captain now…' Did you get that?"

"No way…" Isara said "He's…!"

"Yes! Perfectly!" Both Isara and Edge were ecstatic that one of their former Captains is actually alive and well. We then escorted the submarine out to sea, as we returned to out carrier.

XXXXXXXXXX

OFS Kestrel

Minna and I watched as Isara and Edge talked about their Captain being alive since they thought their Captain was somewhere else. Meanwhile, Grimm and Chopper have been keeping Chopper's dog, Kirk, busy, while Captain Snow is checking his jet. Minna then rested her head on my right shoulder and began speaking.

"Daniel? What is it like to have a family?" She asked. I was surprised by this question.

"Uh… Well… Having a family is… It's something that people who are close to you, always stays with you. Whether being new or not, it doesn't matter. Just as long as you have company and someone who loves you. Let's say you for example." Minna blushed at my answer

"I guess you're right, Daniel." She chuckled cutely "Though, things would have been different if Kurt were alive still."

"I know. I know you missed him, and I'm sure he's still proud of the work you're doing." I assured her as she kissed me on the cheek

"That's another thing why I like you, Daniel." She said "Always caring about what's on the inside, not out." I chuckled at it as well. Isara and Edge then walked to us.

"You two don't seem to separate anytime soon." Edge said as Isara agreed with her

"Geez, at least be somewhere when having a make-out session." Isara coyly smiled as both Minna and I blushed in embarrassment "Also, Pops found out another set of decryption messages. Earlier, the President tried to broadcast his message to the Osean people. Unfortunately, stupid Vice-President and his military generals blocked all messages by him. I guess Appelrouth may be a warmonger."

"I think so too." Minna said "But what about the decryption messages?"

"It turns out that Belka has a nuclear bomb ready to be dropped on Yuktobania." She answered "We're still trying to find the date and location of where the bomb may be transported to."

"And you've been called to help again, Is?" I asked

"Well… Unfortunately so. I just can't get a break, don't I?" She answered "If I continue like this, I might get sleep-deprived." Minna nudged me.

"If you want… I can take your place in the meantime. I mean, this is my first time decrypting some stuff. After all, our little brother is working with the Emmerian Air Force. And the intelligence committee."

"You have Isara and a younger brother?" Minna asked curiously

"We do." Isara answered "His name is Nathan. He was born after me, just a year younger. The reason why he joined the Emmerian Air Force was that he wanted to be close to home. We talked to him via e-mail and meet him whenever we had the chance. He's always nice to us and always defused an argument between Daniel and me."

Minna chuckled at the thought. "I have a feeling he may be like Miyafuji. He and Nathan would make a great pair."

"Yeah. I guess so." I said sheepishly "Anyway, I'm heading over to the Andromeda. I'll give you the messages when we're finished translating it." Surprisingly, Minna, still latched on my arm, walked with me to the intelligence ship. She said that she wants to help me, and I just accepted it.

XXXXXXXXXX

So far, everything had been decoding this and decoding that. Isara was right. Decoding pieces of messages is very tiring. I might end up like Erica if I'm not careful to myself. It turns out that the bomb that is being transported, is designated to hit Okchabursk. If it's on a ship, then the contents would be identified and Spec-Ops units would easily board it and dismantle it. If it's in the air, then it would have to be dropped.

As it turns out, the aircraft capable of transporting that nuke… is the Arkbird. Nagase's fascinated bird of peace is now corrupted by the Belkan hatred. One thing I know for sure is that Nagase is now forced to shoot down the plane she held dear.

XXXXXXXXXX

December 19th, 2010

Ceres Ocean

The six black-bodied aircraft zoomed over the Ceres Ocean, trying to hunt down the Arkbird. Pops soon spoke over the radio as he briefed us.

"You're about to come up to the Arkbird pretty soon." He began "Your objective is to destroy it before it reaches the target. You only have a few minutes before it can push itself into the stratosphere. Also, Nagase? Are you sure you can handle this?"

"I'm sure, Pops." She answered "Just leave it to me." It was then we spotted the Arkbird. Before the mission, it turns out that the Arkbird has been fixed of its sabotage a few weeks back. Unfortunately, it's now in the hands of the Grey Men.

"We were so close… I feel like the Belkans are always one step ahead of us. Don't you, Captain?" Grimm asked

"I'm afraid so, Grimm." Isara answered "They planned this out way before we came into the picture."

"Still, Blaze, we can't give up now." Snow assured them "We haven't run out of luck just yet. Let's go."

"I can see it now, Nagase." Chopper said "It'll be tough reaching that altitude… You sure you're okay with this?"

"Yeah… Wait the Arkbird." I watched as a contrail cloud was launched from the Arkbird

"What is that?" I asked "The Arkbird just jettisoned something."

"It looks like an escape capsule." Snow answered

"Daniel, I'm getting something from the Arkbird." Minna said "I'm patching it through for the squadron."

"Adler to Schenze, he got away." The Belkan pilot said

"The Osean astronaut?" Schenze asked

"Yeah." Adler answered "It's alright, we don't need him anymore… Oh dammit! He must have done something to the control system before he got away!" The Arkbird's flaps opened up as a result. "Turn off that switch! Damn, we're slowing down. We're gonna dive deep into the atmosphere."

"I don't remember the Arkbird doing that." Isara commented on the current situation

"I guess the approach path looks too deep. It's too low for an orbit change." I said "Minna, ready the missiles." Minna nodded and turned on the missile systems.

"That white bird was symbol of hope for Nagase." Grimm said

"And now, she must try and shoot it down." Snow continued

"I'm in attack position. Awaiting orders." Edge ordered

"Okay. We'll send in a wake-up call to those on board the Arkbird." I said "Isara, do the honors." Isara nodded as her Wyvern neared the Arkbird. Without Adler even tracking her movements, she easily launched a missile and hits it squarely on its backside.

"Adler to Schenze! We're under attack!" Adler called out Schenze

"What!? The Osean Army is supposed to be wrapped around our finger. Who the hell…?"

"Black bodies, that emblem…" Adler analyzed us. "It's them, the Ghosts of Razgriz and the Demon Lord! Ofnir Squadron told me about them!"

"Launch the Vogels. Get rid of them!" Schenze ordered

"Isara, question." I said "What are Vogels?"

"They are brand new unmanned fighters." She answered "Osea has made those to bolster their air fleet. They are controlled by a remote control pilot somewhere near an operations base, like an airfield or the Arkbird." We then saw numerous Vogels launched from the Arkbird itself. "To top it all off, incoming!"

"Multiple unmanned fighters!" Grimm said "They're coming this way!"

"Careful, they're much more skilled than you could imagine!" Chopper warned us. Each plane dispersed as the Vogels were launched from the Arkbird, ten in all.

"That launch port wasn't in the original design." Edge analyzed

"The Belkans modified it?!" Grimm said as he tailed a Vogel

"From what it looks like, yes!" Chopper answered

"Those unmanned aircraft have inhuman maneuverability!" Snow pointed out

"These guys are like the Ofnir…" Grimm said

"They flew like machines too." Snow added "But these are even worse!"

"Isara, you're with me. We'll take out the launch ports that are holding the Vogels." I started giving out orders "Everyone else, target the Arkbird's AA systems and the Vogels."

"Copy that, Cipher." Edge answered. Already, the four aircraft broke off and took on two Vogels apiece, while Isara and I targeted the launch ports.

"Schenze to Adler." The Belkan base ordered "Do whatever it takes to gain altitude!" Just then, the Arkbird fired its main weapon, a blue laser. Isara and I jinked in both directions.

"What's with me fighting enemies armed with lasers!? Honestly!" I complained. Isara managed to tail again the Arkbird's flight path and destroyed the first launch port.

"First launch port destroyed!" She said "But that laser…!"

"You're telling me." I answered back as I returned back to the flight path and began attacking the second launch port.

"Counting down to ignition of boosters." Adler said

"I know all about the Arkbird." Edge lamented "I was in love with it… I used to stare at the blueprints all the time. That big engine in the middle is a booster designed to give it enough speed to escape the atmosphere. If we destroy that, it'll never make it into space again." After destroying the second launch port, I thought about Edge's statement, before agreeing with her.

"We'll go with your plan, Edge." I answered as everyone destroyed the last of the Vogel UAV's. Everyone linked up and the Arkbird's engines started to kick to life.

"We're going to destroy the Arkbird, Daniel?" Minna asked "And is Edge okay with this?"

"When we're at peace again, the President will build another one for us." Edge answered

"That's good." Minna said "At least you'll be able to see that bird of peace once again, not corrupted though."

"Five… four… three… two… one… Ignition!" The Arkbird fired its two engines and starts to accelerate. We kicked in our engines and began chasing it again.

"I heard that the Ofnir has been destroyed by those guys." Adler lamented

"Don't worry." Schenze assured Adler "The Arkbird is invincible." I gave the go-ahead to open fire on the Arkbird's engines. About twelve missiles have been launched from our aircraft and six missiles have hit the two engines with ease.

"That was a little too easy." Chopper lamented

"You don't say." I answered him just as the Arkbird began to descend rapidly

"Dammit, we're falling again." Adler tried to regain control again, to no avail

"Adler, you're aware of the backup plan, right?" Schenze reminded the wounded Arkbird

"I know." Adler answered "We'll head for nearby Osean territory and set off the nuke."

"You're sacrifice will never be forgotten." The Arkbird began pointing its direction southwards, towards Osean territory.

"Daniel, they're heading for Osea." Minna said "They're planning on dropping the nuke there."

"If that detonates over it, it'll be a catastrophe." Grimm said

"We're not going to let that happen." Minna said "All craft, target the rear engine. Don't let it escape." A collection of agreements filled my radio and we turned to intercept it. This time, no laser, but a plethora of SAM launchers. Multiple missiles have been launched in all directions, trying to take us down, but we evaded it and pressed the attack. "Everyone, aim for the SAM launchers." We split up and started attacking.

"I think they've made the worst decision possible." Snow lamented "It's hard to fathom their desire to spread war this far… Can you believe it, Blaze?"

"Yeah. Those Grey Men loyalists are an enigma to come by." Isara answered as she opened up her Vulcan cannon and let loose on a SAM launcher. The Razgriz planes and I also attacked any SAM launcher in the open, but I mainly targeted the spare engine.

"The fruit of their deep-rooted hatred, I suppose. But it's still hard to swallow."

"Tell that to Chancellor Rald." Isara said "Thanks to him, Belka's now like this."

"I know the feeling, Isara." I answered her as all of the SAM launchers have been destroyed.

"Our cause will live on, to be taken up by the others that follow." Adler chides them while the Arkbird performed insane maneuvers to evade our missile attack. "Ready all cannons. We're going out in a blaze of glory. We'll take the Razgriz down with us." Just then, the Arkbird began firing AA weaponry. It peppered the sky, but we evaded just like it's trying to evade the missiles.

"It still has some tricks up its sleeve!" Edge said as she fired her Vulcan cannon on one of the spare engines. The Arkbird opened up its new weapon. A rapid-fire laser cannon. Edge saw it and evaded the laser rounds trying to hit her.

"Oh my… Again!? This is the second time I'm encountering lasers on the same day! Honestly!" I complained again as Minna chuckled

"You have fought against the Neuroi, Daniel." She said cheekily. I sighed begrudgingly

"Yeah, I know." The flak kept getting intense as we tried to evade every shot they threw at us. "Flying through this barrage is going to be tough. Minna, predict the Arkbird's movements, so that we'll have an easier time following it."

"Already on it, Daniel." She smiled as she activated her familiar "Wait. We could have done that before." I realized it as well, but now's a good time as any. I owe her a make-out session when this is over.

"Yeah. Why didn't we?" We began attacking the small laser gun and it was destroyed with ease. Soon enough, the Razgriz began attacking the two engines.

"Target hit!" Isara said

"It's turning right! Heading for Yuktobanian territory!" Minna said.

"Your mission was distorted by human treachery. Your days in the air are over!" Edge said to the corrupted bird of peace. Our missiles fired onto the Arkbird's engines and it is now destroyed. "Combined cycle engine destroyed! The Arkbird is now defenseless!"

"Good shot, Edge." Minna complimented her

"Carrying out the backup plan may be impossible in these conditions." Adler lamented "Altitude dropping. Controls malfunctioning."

"Arkbird is still descending, Daniel." Minna said "It's still flying." She activated her familiar and monitored what's going on inside the Arkbird's cockpit. "Hmm… They have a backup engine. It is primarily used as a launch engine. Destroying that will cause the Arkbird to fall."

"Do you know if they'll use it?" Chopper asked

"I'm positive." She answered.

"Impossible! How can this be?! Hurry! We're not going down yet!" True to her word, the Arkbird's nose began to pitch up and its engine fired up.

"They're trying to escape to the stratosphere." Minna analyzed "All planes, lay it on them!"

"Roger!" As the Arkbird shot straight up, we continued to follow it.

"That thing takes a giant whooping." Chopper commented as he shot two missiles and it hit the Arkbird's body "I mean, look at the smoke."

"It's on its death throes. It just won't quit." Grimm said. A few seconds of chasing it and finally, Isara made the save by hitting the engine directly.

"Got the Arkbird. It's going down!" Isara cheered as the corrupted Arkbird began to descend rapidly

"Damn you, Razgriz. Damn you, Demon Lord." Adler said as the Arkbird crashed into the ocean. Luckily, the nuke wasn't detonated as we began to head home.

XXXXXXXXXX

OFS Kestrel

Minna and I are currently in the bunk room, where she and I are hugging each other. She looks cute whether she's either awake or asleep. It was then that she asked me something which that continued about family.

"If you want to have a family, who do you want to have?" She asked sweetly

"To be honest, I have no idea." I answered "And… I don't think we have the necessary equipment to do so just yet."

"I know, Daniel. If we do, any ideas for a name?" I've thought for a few moments before answering her

"If it's a boy, then it is Reiner. And if it's a girl, she'll be named Lena. How's that?" Minna smiled as she kissed me directly.

"You know, I don't mind if we can start a family right now." She proposed "We let the girls and your squad mates help raise the new child. But only if we do it back in my world. I don't want anyone to know yet."

"Sure thing, sweet pea." I kissed her forehead and we slept in each other's arms.

Isara's P.O.V.

"Hmm…" I looked up at the screen as a set of numbers appeared. Everything read the date, time, and place. I suddenly realize what it meant. "Captain?"

XXXXXXXXXX

Hey guys, here's the latest chapter of 'Demon Lord'. We're steps closer to ending the 'Unsung War' Arc and it will shift focus to the Romagnian Campaign. Also, is it a little early for Minna and Cipher to start taking their relationship to the next level, or do you want the family to start now? Let me know in the reviews and I'll accept it.

Until the next chapter is up, you can read 'Strike Witches Infinity', or the newly-christened 'GDI Chronicles'. I'm still working on 'Code Geass European Federation' and the soon to be released 'Demon Lord OVA', so watch out for it as well. Hope you enjoyed reading, and I'll see you in the next chapter. Bye.