Hey guys, welcome back to another chapter of 'Demon Lord of the Strike Witches'. So, last chapter, basically Cipher, Pixy and Blaze went through a War Games session with Adolfine and James all the while a Neuroi shows up. In this chapter, the Jet Striker comes in to the picture. I can only wonder how that'll turn out.
Minna: "Well, neither can we, 96. Also, we got a handful of reviews here. Some of them are about the Tenth Anniversary of Strike Witches and some about a reference involving the television Pixy may be getting."
I got it from Red vs. Blue. Also, I got another reference from Hellsing Ultimate Abridged. Really fun to watch those two.
Minna: "That does answer a few things. Anyways, let's start."
XXXXXXXXXX
Chapter 21: Hard, Fast, Amazing (Or How I Learned about the Jet Striker's Existence and Let Witches Fly My Fighter Instead)
Cipher's (Daniel Cross') P.O.V.
Pescara Island Base, Romagna
It was early morning when I woke up early from my slumber with Minna. I took the time to check on my Silent Eagle but I didn't expect someone up this early.
"Morning, Daniel." It was Sanya, sitting at the kitchen table. I smiled at the Orussian Witch.
"Hey, little buddy. How was Night Patrol?" I asked her while she yawned a little.
"Nothing came up, Daniel. I feel exhausted though." She smiled a little while I made tea. I asked if she wanted some, but she politely declines. "Survivor helped out with the radar while I was out yesterday."
"I thought it passed out after hacking into my fighter's weapon systems." Sanya tilted her head "Oh, right. You were sleeping when this happened. Survivor hacked into the weapons systems and gave me Neuroi-styled missiles instead of the Arcane Missiles I have grown accustomed to."
"What can't she do." She said while I played with her hair.
"I guess you're right, Sanya." I smiled
"Also, I see you have been training with the girls on how to fly your Silent Eagle, Daniel." She said "Did anyone fly it perfectly yet?"
"Well… apart from Minna, Barkhorn did her job well. The only time they'll use the fighters is if their magic is low." Sanya nodded "By the way, have you seen Shirley? It has been a while since she maintained the jet."
"Hmm… I think she's in the hangar, doing a few things?"
"I'll check it out myself. Thanks, Sanya." Sanya smiled before giving me a simple request.
"It's no trouble, Daniel… But first… Can you take me to my room?" Her eyes then closed itself and finally slept. Seeing no other option, I carried Sanya to her room, hopefully trying to avoid Eila at all costs.
XXXXXXXXXX
General Perspective
Inside the main hangar, droning sounds have been heard throughout the morning. It turns out it was Shirley doing her maintenance on her P-51 Mustang Striker, or Merlin because of the engine inside said aircraft. After giving Merlin a few revs, the Striker is in good condition.
"All right! My Merlin's Engine's in tip-top shape again today!" Shirley said gleefully at the results. However, she didn't account one thing.
"Captain Charlotte Yeager!" She looked up to find the Karlsland Ace/Rival Gertrud Barkhorn staring down at her. "What are you doing all dressed like that?!"
"Huh? It's just an engine test." Shirley answered, but Barkhorn isn't buying it
"That isn't what I meant! We're at combat readiness, you know! What if a Neuroi appears out of nowhere!?"
"But it gets so hot inside the hangar when we run our engines…" Shirley then pointed up to the ceiling, where Lucchini is sleeping due to the heat. "See? I'm not the only one."
"Honestly now… You two never cease…" Barkhorn deadpanned
"Oh? Are you saying Karlslanders are strict about rules?" Shirley asked cheekily "What do you have to say, Hartmann?" Erica soon strolled in to the hangar, in her undergarments.
"So hot…" Barkhorn soon noticed at her partner's… current attire
"H-Hartmann! Even you!? And you call yourself a Karlsland soldier!?"
"Huh? Yes, I do…" She answered simply. Barkhorn growled in frustration.
"And what would happen if Cipher were to wander into the hangar right now!?" Just as she asked, Cipher walked in, hoping to find Shirley.
"Hey, Shirley, I need to… talk… to… you…" Cipher then saw Shirley in her undergarments, and her bosom. Something that he wants to forget. "I'm going to bed now."
"Why? What's wrong, Cipher?" Barkhorn asked
"Either I'm hallucinating, or I've died and wounded up in purgatory." He answered before leaving the hangar outright.
"See where I'm going with this, Yeager!?" Barkhorn snapped at the Liberion Witch
"Oh well. Better let him rest it off. He'll return to his old self in no time." Shirley answered
XXXXXXXXXX
Minna's P.O.V.
After a few maintenance personnel brought in a new Striker Unit into the hangar, Major Sakamoto and I are seen looking at it. Pixy joined in as well, followed by Blaze, and Edge. The new Striker is actually the first of its kind, the Jet Striker.
"My goodness. About time they go after the Belkan Me-262." Pixy commented
"You know the fighter first hand?" Edge asked
"Well… I've seen some as trainers. Can't believe Belka still used those jets even after the Osean War."
"So, what are looking at here, Minna?" The Major asked me as I looked over the specifications
"Technically, it's a prototype. Like what Pixy said, it's the Me-262." Erica soon popped up from behind us.
"Jet?"
"Uh… why are you dressed like that, Erica?" Pixy asked her. Just as he said that, Barkhorn ran into the hangar, still chiding her for being improperly dressed.
"Come on, Hartmann! Put some clothes on!" She then eyed on the Jet Striker "What is this?"
"It's called a Jet Striker, Barkhorn. I guess they sent it here for a few test runs." Pixy answered
"It arrived here from Neue Karlsland this morning." I went through what the Jet Striker has "It says here that its engine output is many times greater than a Reciprocating Striker, and that it has a top speed of over 950 kph."
"950?! That's amazing!" We then saw Shirley, in her undergarments, all mesmerized by the Jet Striker. Chopper soon came in.
"Hey, Yeager. Kid's brother said to come and… What's that?"
"It's new-generation technology that will replace the Reciprocating Strikers." I answered
"I know that, but… why is she in her underwear?" Chopper asked as well
"I want to ask that as well." The Major said. Barkhorn soon eyed on the Jet Striker's weaponry. Mounted is a long-barrelled cannon and four extra autocannons on the crates.
"What are these?" Barkhorn asked
"Armaments designed specifically for the Jet Striker." I answered "This includes a BK-5 Autocannon, as well as four MK-108 Autocannons installed on the Me-262 prototypes." Barkhorn was ecstatic at the weapon choices.
"Whoa…!"
"Can I ask what's wrong with the Captain?" Chopper asked
"She has a tendency when it comes to heavy weapons and all that." Erica answered "I think she did that when both Cipher and Pixy arrived here months ago."
"Now… that's something I don't hear every day." Chopper said. While that happened, the Major pondered something.
"Is it really possible to fly carrying all that?" She asked
"When it comes to our fighters, it's no problem since every plane has weapon mounts on them." Pixy answered simply.
"Well, yours is from an advanced age…" Shirley then cut the Major's dialogue
"Hey! Let me try this on!"
"No! I will wear it!" Barkhorn answered sharply
"What? It doesn't belong to you!" Shirley countered
"Nonsense! The unit is built in Karlsland! I should wear it!"
"Nationality has nothing to do with it! We're talking about 950 kph! I know all about the sound barrier! That is why I should be the one to wear it!" Shirley answered back confidentially
"Is speed all you can think about!?" Barkhorn asked simply
"Uh… Are we missing something here?" Pixy asked
"We came in at a bad time, didn't we?" Chopper also asked
"We could really use Daniel's help about now…" I answered. Just then, Lucchini suddenly jumped from the rafters and landed squarely on the Jet Striker.
"Ten!" Both Pixy and Chopper gave their imaginary scores. The Jet Striker powered up well enough, except for one thing. It short-circuited. This caused Lucchini to immediately eject from the Jet Striker and fled from it. While Shirley checked in on the Romagnan Witch, Blaze shows signs of doubt from the Striker.
"Commander? You really think the Jet Striker can fair well as of now?" She asked
"After seeing what happened? I'm not sure, Blaze." I answered before Shirley said something
"I think I'll pass after all." She said "I thought it over and realized there's still a lot of potential left in the reciprocators. I can always try the Jet Striker later on." That made Barkhorn smirk
"Wimping out, are you?" She then kicked off her boots and settled herself into the unit. "Just watch! I'll try it on!" Unlike Lucchini's brief time in the new unit, Trude's time in it has gone smoothly. No short-circuiting or said unit blowing up. She then boasted to Shirley about what had happened. "What do you say? Think any of our Reciprocating Strikers can beat this!?"
Seeing as this is going nowhere, the Major, Erica and I just our most 'Everything is Normal' faces. Blaze, Edge, Pixy and Chopper are seen tilting their heads, trying to piece everything they knew about the two Witches. In my mind, I'm just glad that Daniel isn't here seeing this. Just then, Miyafuji and Bishop entered the hangar, saying that breakfast is ready.
"About time." Chopper complained "I am freaking starving." However, no one else seemed to notice the two.
"Quit horsing around! Act your age!" Shirley yelled "You're acting like a kid who just got a new toy!"
"Sour grapes, huh? You're being disgraceful!" Barkhorn countered
"I changed my mind, that's all! I'm fine with this!"
"You're selfish and frivolous, Liberion!"
"What did you say, you straight-laced idiot soldier?!"
"They're at it again…" Miyafuji said out loud
XXXXXXXXXX
Inside my office, I can only look at the trials between the Jet Striker and the P-51 Striker Unit. Just as I thought, the Jet Striker can outrun the Reciprocating counterpart. I sighed while I started drinking my tea, just as Daniel came in.
"Hey, Daniel." He answered me back as I kissed him. "You missed a few things."
"It's about the Jet Striker, isn't it?" He asked me "Pixy told me about what had happened this morning."
"After when you entered the hangar this morning?" I teased him before he blushed
"I… don't want to be reminded of that, Dear." He checked outside, just to find Barkhorn flying higher than Shirley did. "I guess Barkhorn bested her in terms of climbing."
"I guess there are more tests when it comes to the Jet Striker." I answered "It ranges from weapons testing to speed. I'm sure Barkhorn wouldn't live this down." Daniel agreed with me before the two Witches returned to the hangar. "By the way, you want to teach me again on how to fly you Fighter?"
"Of course I can, Dear." I smiled before he escorted me for more teaching sessions.
XXXXXXXXXX
Cipher's (Daniel Cross') P.O.V.
It took a while for the tests to conclude. From what both Shirley and Barkhorn did, the Jet Striker did carry a lot more weaponry, and can destroy the barrage balloons in a heartbeat. It was around dinner where the Witches and the pilots gathered not in the main dining room, but in the hangar instead. It was odd for everyone to be in there, but after the weapons testing, the Major decided to set up dinner there.
While we were eating, I noticed something out of place. "Has anyone seen Barkhorn?"
"Ah. She's where the Jet Striker holder is." Pixy answered "I think she may have dozed off or something." Yoshika was seen walking to her, carrying her food to her.
"Umm, you must be tired too, Captain…" Yoshika analyzed while the latter weakly smiled at her
"Yeah…" Barkhorn answered "You can just leave it there. I want to rest a little bit for now…" Yoshika did just that before returning.
"Is everything okay, little buddy?" Pixy asked
"Barkhorn-san doesn't look like herself." She answered
"Well, I can't blame her." Chopper said "Both her and Shirley have been going at it all day. I guess she needs the rest."
"Sleep is one thing, but recovering?" Grimm continued
"Hmm… I do not know what's going on in that." Snow answered "You better give word on that, Cipher. The Witches say that the Jet Striker is revolutionary to their terms, but when a user becomes tired of it…"
"I know what you mean, Snow. I'll go talk with her." I answered before leaving the table. Walking over to Barkhorn, she was seen sitting and sleeping next to the Jet Striker. I sat next to her while looking at my fighter jet. "You okay, Barkhorn?"
"Just… Just a little tired, Daniel…" She answered slowly "Sorry I didn't take the time to… to fly in your Silent Eagle…"
"It's alright. Though I'm more concerned about you." I answered "You sure nothing is wrong with the Jet Striker during your tests?"
"Not that I know about… Besides, the Jet Striker does feel powerful… Fast… If we can distribute them quickly enough…" I then eased her a bit
"Don't get ahead of yourself, Sis." I said "I know you want to use it again, but it's still in development. You can wait for tomorrow, but for now, you need to rest a bit." She nods in agreement and then left her to rejoin the others at the table.
"Any luck?" Pixy asked
"Still a work in progress… I think." I put it simply
XXXXXXXXXX
The next day, both Shirley and Barkhorn were seen side-by-side as they are set for a drag-race. Everyone was watching from the runway, while Lucchini waved the Romagnan flag for them to go. Shirley left on the go, but for Barkhorn, she just hovered in place. Lucchini was confused, until the latter woke up and surged towards Shirley. After passing her, everything went downhill from there.
"Say, is the Captain's flying always great? Because I don't remember her flying erratically like that." Pixy pointed as the contrails of the Jet Striker went absolutely berserk.
"Oh crap…" Everybody watched as Barkhorn slammed into the ocean.
"Sanya, get Commander Minna to dispatch Coast Guard assets!" Lyla ordered the Orussian Witch while we can only thought of what had happened.
XXXXXXXXXX
"How is she, Vera?" Amirah asked the Blue Neuroi as she analyzed Barkhorn's condition. Earlier, Amirah had told the Blue Neuroi to help assist with the Coast Guard to retrieve the Captain from the ocean after the erratic behavior from the Jet Striker.
"No signs of injury, which is good. However, I detect multiple signs of fatigue. All in all, she's going to need some rest. Lots of them."
"Tell her that, she's about to wake up." Just like that, the Captain finally woke up after taking a dive into the ocean. "There she is."
"Morning, sleepyhead. How's your-" She crossed her eyes at me
"Joke… or I'll knock you out…" She then relaxed a little before eyeing everyone in the medical wing. "Is… Is something on my face?"
"Barkhorn-san! Thank goodness!" Yoshika said in relief
"You fell into the sea, Trude." Erica answered "It wasn't pretty. Everybody reacted and tried getting you onto dry land again."
"You also passed out after using up all of your magic. Don't you remember?" Minna added
"That's nonsense!" Barkhorn straightly answered "I would never make such a basic mistake as that!"
"We know." Amirah answered "The accident wasn't your fault. The problem is probably that Jet Striker. Knowing prototypes, it does have a lot of setbacks. A lot of setbacks."
"It must have drained a tremendous amount of your magic, Captain." Pixy said "I know I'm no doctor, but I recommend resting, like what Vera said." Still, Barkhorn didn't mind of the setbacks.
"Prototypes always comes with problems… That Jet Striker is incredible. We need to keep testing it even more so we can deploy them in the field…" Minna then intervened
"No. I can't place you in danger. Captain Barkhorn. You are hereby grounded for the time being and will remain confined to your quarters until you receive your magic back."
"Minna!"
"That's an order, Trude." I answered back with her nickname "None of us can't risk you losing your magic." Defeated, she then lied back on the bed.
"Understood… Minna… Daniel…" Minna then turned her attention to everyone in the medical wing.
"Aside from the pilots, Humanoid Neurois and Commander Amirah; all Witches are forbidden from using the Jet Striker." Everyone agreed to it as everyone went their separate ways.
XXXXXXXXXX
The next day, after the Captain's incident with the Jet Striker, everyone went about their daily routines. While Pixy and the other pilots are busy with doing their air patrols across the Adriatic Coast, Blaze and I took the opportunity to pay a visit to Barkhorn. Just as we're about to enter, it turns out the Captain is already up and about, training.
"Captain… Are you doing what I think you're doing?" Isara asked the Karlslander
"Training…" She answered as she does pull-ups on one of the roof's support beams. "The Jet Striker wasn't the reason I fell. It was because I lacked strength."
"You didn't hear what the Commander said?" I also asked "You're barred from using that Striker. There are problems with it. That's what prototypes are for."
"You have the jet fighters, Captain. You can use them, not that." Isara pointed out as well
"Being a pilot is one thing." She began "But handling a Jet Striker? That's a different story. I don't plan on quitting with that just yet. The course of the war will change if we can master using those Strikers." That is when Shirley came in, speaking in support for us.
"It's no use. Just give it up." Barkhorn stopped for a bit before continuing
"Did you come to laugh at me, Liberion? Running out of magic and crashing into the ocean makes me look like a rookie, after all."
"The Commander and Cipher is right. That Striker really is dangerous." Shirley answered "You'll wind up worse than being grounded."
"Surely you realize how much fighting potential the Jet Strikers present. It's easily worth this amount of risk…"
"Then you'll get killed!" Isara began lashing out at her "Back in my world, the family was hesitant for me to not fly after Daniel's disappearance. They were worried if I was following what had happened to him too. Neither me nor Daniel wanted anything to happen to you, Captain!" Just then, the alarm blared. Without any of us noticing, Hartmann got up from her slumber.
"Hey, Hartmann. How long have you been in here for?" I asked the blonde Karlsland Ace
"Quite a while actually… Been hearing what you all said." She gathered herself before stating the obvious "Oh, Neuroi. I'm going ahead." Shirley followed and soon, both Isara and I headed off to the radar station.
XXXXXXXXXX
Trude's P.O.V.
After the four left, and getting an earful from Blaze, I was just in my room before Hartmann gave me a set of intercoms to hear the ongoing battle. From what I heard, the target is heading towards Rome. The Major is leading the assault, as I heard the Neuroi split into five smaller units. She then chose the Liberion to target the main core unit. Although Yeager's fast, the Neuroi just evades her like it was nothing.
"Eagle Eye! I can't hit or hurt it!"
"Roger. The other pilots are coming. Just sit tight." Knowing that the others won't make it, I made a hasty decision. Sporting my tunic, I began running to the hangar.
"Minna said that no one, including me, cannot use the Jet Striker. But I have one other option; I'm using the Silent Eagle." Reaching the hangar, I encountered Miyafuji and Bishop in their Striker Units. I guess Minna sent them as reinforcements, while keeping Cipher and Blaze back.
"Barkhorn-san!?"
"Your legs won't get there in time!" Grabbing Cipher's helmet, I climbed in, and began its start-up sequence. "Just get there… destroy the Neuroi… then land safely… How hard can it be…?"
"You still aren't cleared to fly, Captain!" I heard Bishop through the intercom as the engines began roaring to life.
"But I'm in Cipher's plane. Minna didn't say anything about that."
"But your strength isn't back yet!" Without saying another word, I took off quickly, hoping to get to the others in time. By the time I reached halfway, Minna began seeing what I was up too.
"Sorry, Minna!" I apologized in advance "You can punish me later. But I am in Cipher's aircraft. For now…!" A little bit of silence fell in the cockpit before his voice came in.
"Barkhorn, try not to damage it." Cipher said "However, Minna gave you five minutes to knock out the Neuroi. Think you can do that?"
"Five's more than enough!" Pushing the throttle forward, I can finally feel the angels pushing me. Also, I forgot to ask either Bishop or Miyafuji as my weapons officer, so, I just used my magic to hack into the weapon systems. Just as I saw Yeager about to get the kill, her gun jammed, and the Neuroi split again. Using the IFF, I locked onto the closest Neuroi in sight. "Got tone… Fox two!" I pressed the button and the missile launched from the plane, destroying it in one fell swoop.
Focusing on the other Neuroi, I faced the Jet right at it, and fired the Vulcan Cannon. "Guns, guns, guns!" It destroyed the Neuroi in a matter of seconds as I breathed a sigh of relief. Luckily, unlike the Jet Striker, hacking into the weapons didn't sap a lot of my magic. "Target down. Returning to base. And… I need a bed…" With that, I flew the jet under my own power while being escorted by the Major's group.
XXXXXXXXXX
Cipher's (Daniel Cross') P.O.V.
The good news is that the Neuroi is destroyed and my jet didn't receive any damage after Barkhorn flew it. The bad news is, said Witch is undergoing punishment. Her punishment? Just… peeling potatoes. However, she didn't use the Jet Striker. Otherwise, she may have had her magic drained from her entirely. Luckily, Minna called ahead for someone to pick up the unit before giving out the latter's punishment. While Eila, Grimm and Sanya takes one last look at said unit, everyone was gathered at a table watching Barkhorn doing her punishment
"Honestly, now! That was one troublesome Striker!" Perrine complained after all the trouble the unit went through.
"I can't blame you on that, Perrine." Pixy answered
"Well, that. And the person who used it." Minna said
"She used my fighter, Minna. You can go a little easier on her." I suggested, but Minna isn't buying it
"Rules are rules, Dear! But… the Jet Striker isn't in pieces… So, that's a plus…"
"Isn't it a bad thing that Barkhorn disobeyed orders for the first time?" Blaze asked
"We've had worse." Chopper answered "Bartlett mostly." Just then, Hartmann came in. With glasses.
"I apologize for the trouble, everyone." 'Hartmann' apologized to us.
"Why are you apologizing?" The Major asked
"It wasn't your fault, Hartmann." Shirley said. Nearly everyone was baffled at the thought that Hartmann was the one who did the whole Jet Striker fiasco. But I realized something… off. I can't put my finger on it, when Lynne and Yoshika walked in with dinner. It turns out we've received a whole shipment of potatoes. By what Snow said, I think we're in good hands. For the time being.
"Here you go, Hartmann-san! Have some!" Yoshika handed over some potato wedges to her, to which she thanked Yoshika. She then noticed her unusual appearance. "Huh? Have you always worn glasses?"
"Yes, I have." 'Hartmann' answered. Then, another Hartmann grabbed Yoshika from behind.
"Oh, that looks good!"
"Oh, have some too, Hartmann-san!" Then, it clicked in me. They're twins!
"It's good to see you again, sister." 'Hartmann' smiled while Erica is busy eating her potato wedges.
"Huh? Ursula?" Well, I know the other Hartmann is named Ursula.
"I wasn't expecting that." Pixy said. Minna then placed her hands on Ursula's shoulders and helps introduce her to the other Pilots and Witches
"This is Flying Officer Ursula Hartmann. She's Erica Hartmann's younger twin sister. She also works as a member of Karlsland's R&D, the ones who created the Jet Striker, and of the 507th Joint Fighter Wing." The Witches realized that she was the one who did the Jet Striker from the beginning, not that I blame her for almost sapping Barkhorn's magic.
"I would like to imagine if she did one of our jets." Chopper commented
"Chopper? Ours is highly advanced." Pixy said to him "Remember, baby steps." Chopper rolled his eyes
"Cut me some slack, Pixy." Ursula soon walked over to Barkhorn and began apologizing to her
"Captain Barkhorn. My deepest apologies for causing all this trouble. It would appear that the Jet Striker had a fatal flaw."
"Well, it is a prototype. At least I kept it in good condition, because I had to use Cipher's aircraft."
"You mean, the F-15 Silent Eagle?" Ursula asked "Yes, I've seen it while I was entering the hangar. And, I guess you're Cipher, right?" She looked towards me
"That's me, Hartmann." I answered
"You can call me Ursula, Cipher." She said "By the way, how are the Arcane Missiles holding up?"
"They are working like a charm, Ursula." I answered "But I guess you can create a few more missiles for more pilots to use."
"I've already phoned up Liberion's industrial plants to build more. That'll keep your logistics busy. Anyways, I'm taking the unit back to Neue Karlsland for further examinations, and hopefully, try not to consume another Witches magic."
"You came here all the way for that?" Shirley asked
"Yes. It isn't much of an apology, so I brought in more potatoes." What we saw are two giant crates loaded of said food item.
"You… think we can actually consume all of them?" Chopper asked
"More than that… there's more now…?" Perrine sweatdropped. Meanwhile both Shirley and Barkhorn are currently fighting over a fry. When asked why, Erica just simply answered.
"Don't worry about it. That's just how they are. Let them be."
"Right…" Everyone else just simply ate or watched while I retired to my room. However…
XXXXXXXXXX
Amirah's P.O.V.
While trying to find something else to do, I watched Cipher exiting the hangar, seemingly retiring for the night. "Oi, Cipher!" That caught his attention.
"Commander. You need something?" He asked me
"Not much. Just wanting someone to talk to."
"Bored?"
"Well, that. And some news for you." That perked Cipher's interest. "You remember the Warlock Incident, correct?"
"Don't tell me they've rebuilt one…" I shook my head in response
"They didn't. It turns out the RAF craned out another Su-47 Berkut near the former 501st Folkestone base."
"Yeah… Gault Squadron. Come to think of it, anything happened to their members?" He asked me
"They are currently incarcerated at an undisclosed location." I answered "Brass is all quiet about their whereabouts because they do not want to spread info with the other nations."
"Well, better be in your hands then, Commander. There's no telling who might use it." I nodded
"Better keep an eye on the Gault pilots. Or worse, to whoever might come over to this world." I answered before turning to leave
"On that we can agree on." Cipher said before retiring to my room straight away.
XXXXXXXXXX
Adolfine's P.O.V.
Heathrow Airbase, Britannia
James and I walked into the hangar where the partially hidden Orussian fighter was seen. Its swept wing design and its armament looks menacing while the cockpit looks extremely complex. Along with it, was the insignia of Cipher's enemy; the Belkan Air Force. To keep things from confusing ourselves, we decided to put the Orussian Air Force roundel, just because it's an analog to Yuktobania from Cipher's world.
"Any idea what this aircraft is, Dowding?"
"From what Commander Sulaiman uncovered, this bird is called the Sukhoi Su-47 Berkut." He answered while going through the specifications the SAS has given.
"Isn't Sukhoi currently trying to contend with the other aerial companies?" I asked him
"MiG is silent. As for Lavochkin, Ilyushin, and Yakovlev, they're currently producing against the Neuroi in the Eastern Front." He answered "As for the Berkut, it means Golden Eagle. It's the closest name the Orussians can give. From what Cipher said, and from what the SAS gathered, this jet fighter is of Yuktobanian design. Surpasses even that of the Jet Striker that currently in development."
"Including all the other Strikers being built." I then touched the jet fighter, marvelling it "I can only imagine how us and the other pilots able to wield these."
"I wouldn't want to get ahead of yourself, Commodore." He said to me "There are still some brass within the military who sees girls can't fight in a war. For the time being, we'll keep it under wraps, and hope for the love that is holy, not let anyone go around stealing."
"We still have the SAS. And those spies who are children."
"I'm just glad they're on our side. Besides, who thinks it'll be a good idea to steal from a heavily guarded area? Anyways, we need to plan on another offensive near the Adriatic. Nearest target of opportunity is Malta." We then walked away from the hangar as the doors leading to it closed, making sure no soul has an opportunity to see it.
General Perspective
After the two left, two unknown figures stepped into the hangar, and looked at the Berkut fighter. Both of them smiled sinisterly, until one spoke.
"Well… let's get started, shall we?"
XXXXXXXXXX
Hey guys, thanks for reading. Sorry it took a while again for me to post something. Mainly because of work, and now, I have to go through writer's block. I'm still trying to get inspiration for my stories to come to light. No worries though, updates will come as soon as I am able to submit.
Minna: "You still have to do your other stories."
Yeah, but it'll take some time to be honest.
Minna: "I know. Anyways, hope you enjoyed the chapter, and stay tuned for the next one. Have a goodnight, or morning, depending on which time zone. By the way, who are those two?"
Like all military secrets, I'll be quiet. See you then.
