Hello everybody, welcome back to another chapter of 'Demon Lord of the Strike Witches'. Sorry for the wait, again. Primarily due to life and other things. Also, had to go one vacation to Las Vegas. I highly recommend it.
Minna: "So that's where you've been. For some of the time."
It's mainly to celebrate my parent's 25th anniversary. Well, there are plans for me to head somewhere to the Baltics sometime in 2019. Or, I can go back, whichever.
Minna: "Or, maybe go to Poland. It's where I was born. You can try and go to Warsaw, if you like."
I might do that. But, it's up to where my family and I goes. Anyways, let us begin the story. This chapter is another Sanya chapter. Enjoy.
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Chapter 23: Ustio Can Into Space
General Perspective
High above the 501st Base, Ciphers' aircraft is being flown. However, Daniel is sitting in as the Weapons Support Officer. He's busy checking on who is flying his aircraft for today. "Alright, that's it for today. Just take her in, nice and easy." The pilot in front nodded before doing all the checks needed to land smoothly.
"Flaps for landing… Gear down…" With that, the Silent Eagle landed easily onto the runway. Personnel from the hangar took over for maintenance while both Daniel and the pilot got off from the aircraft. "How was that, Daniel?"
"Well, I can say you are improving since the last time you flew it." He chuckled a little. The pilot smiled a little before removing her helmet. It was Sanya, who was flying inside the aircraft.
"I have a good teacher, Daniel." Sanya answered while he petted her. "Sometimes it does feel nice to be inside the cockpit of the aircraft, but I still love my Strikers."
"I get the feeling, Sanya." Daniel smiled at the Orussian Witch "You're the third Witch to take flight inside my jet. Maybe you would like to get inside either a Typhoon or Blaze's Wyvern?" Sanya politely declined
"Your Silent Eagle is fine for me, Daniel. But, someday I would like to try out that stealth fighter you fought with over Britannia."
"The Morgan or the Berkut?" He asked her
"The Berkut. Whenever it comes out of London." She answered as the two began to see the sun setting. "Oh, my night patrol session coming up." She ran into the hangar, grabbed her weapon, and began taking off.
"You be careful up there, alright?" The Orussian Witch smiled and took to the skies while today's Strike Team returned home. They touched down shortly afterwards, and brought back Sanya with them. Daniel took notice of it. "What happened?"
"The Major told me that I had to cancel my night patrol today." She answered "It turns out that she and her group encountered a Neuroi that is somewhere high up in the sky."
"Hmm… I guess Major Sakamoto is busy conversing with Minna right now… I'll go talk with the two of them. I'll catch up later." Sanya nodded as Cipher exited the hangar.
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Cipher's (Daniel Cross') P.O.V.
Minna, Major Sakamoto, Amirah, Blaze and I were busy talking about today's events. While the Strike Team was away dealing with the Neuroi, I had to train Minna and Sanya in the Silent Eagle, Erica was doing her own duties and the Razgriz were busy with Combat Air Patrols. Minna poured tea into our respective cups to discuss the current situation.
"While you're on your way back, Allied HQ contacted us earlier."
"Is it about the Neuroi that appeared today?" The Major asked
"Yes. Romagna's Aerial and Naval Forces are going to take over for now." Minna answered
"Are you sure about that?" Isara asked "Because the last time the military took over…"
"We know, Blaze. That whole Warlock Incident back in Folkestone." Amirah answered as she began drinking "If I have to give the conventional military one thing, they do want the job done fast."
"Unless you want that blue sphere to warp in the entire OADF." Blaze joked "They'll be a huge help."
"The Osean Air Defense Force? Well… I think they're rebuilding." Minna said "Unless you want to contact the Ustian Air Force. Anyways, the reason why the Romagnans want to take over the operation is that they want to produce results too."
"Well, good luck to them." I said sarcastically "I don't think that Neuroi wouldn't be too much of a problem." Mio then produced an idea made by Ursula if the Romagnan assault failed. "What would this be?"
"Karlsland R&D made these Rocket Boosters to help with the height problem." She answered "Yes, the core is in the stratosphere."
"Perhaps we might be of assistance." Blaze casted her share "During the Cold War between Osea and Yuktobania, much of the former's satellites are aging slightly. So the Oseans developed an Anti-Satellite Missile. It can be launched into space and knock out a satellite, but you do have to watch for falling debris."
"Has such an idea ever come to pass?" Minna asked her
"It did back in 1985. An Osean Eagle managed to knock out an aging satellite. It is successful, though some of the scientists are outraged because some parts are still functional and provided coronal research. That led to both Osea and Yuktobania to concentrate on other weapons."
"If you want, we can ask Ursula to make those missiles." Minna proposed "However, since she has to deal with the Jet Striker, and the Neuroi running rampant across the Adriatic, I don't think we'll have enough time for it."
"Well, worth a try." Minna and I stood up and excused ourselves for the upcoming meeting with the other Witches. We then grabbed the images supplied my Recon Witches and SAS personnel and reported ourselves to the common room.
"While it might look like a good idea…" Minna lamented "Too bad it didn't become a reality."
"Maybe sometime before some invasion back in my world." I said to her "If anything were to happen in the future, there will be drones taking over the skies. Osea is using drones for other uses, but if it's used for war… we may be in for a hard time."
"Do you know which country might do that?"
"…If anything…? Erusea." She just looked at me curiously before shrugging her shoulders. A while later, everyone gathered, drinks included, around the projector while showing off the photos of the new Neuroi. The Major was right. That Neuroi is proving troublesome. Even if the Allied Forces will try to take it on, it won't be as effective.
"Is… there something wrong with the projector?" Pixy asked
"It just looks like a scratch in the film…" Barkhorn seconded
"These are the photos taken from the Romagnan Air Force before falling back." The Major answered "This is the Neuroi that's been spotted this afternoon. This is what a full shot resulted in. It has an estimated length of 30,000 metres."
"That altitude is about 10,000 metres less than our standard craft." Fleisher said "If it's at a reasonable altitude, then we can take it on."
"What about your Wyverns, Razgriz?" Shirley asked
"Hmm… Erusea has been really quiet on the specifications." Isara answered "Apart from the armaments and its speed, I think the maximum might be 5,000 meters more than yours." Minna then switched over to the next slide. It shows the projected path of the Neuroi's course, and it's heading straight for Rome.
"This Neuroi is moving towards Rome at a slow speed of approximately ten kilometers per hour." The Major added "The real trouble is the location of the core." She then pointed where the core is located, right on the tip.
"The very top?" Barkhorn asked surprisingly
"Well… I guess our fighters can't reach that high…" Pixy chimed in
"Unless if you're flying an SR-71 Blackbird or a U-2." PJ added "And those are spy planes."
"And that is why we'll use these." Minna then changed the slide into a new Striker Unit. However, it wasn't one. "Rocket boosters. Pilots, I know you have rockets back in your world."
"We mainly use them to launch satellites and other people." Detlef answered "Cipher, you were back in our world at the time. Any recent hearings based on rocket technology or launches?"
"Mainly one." I answered "Back during the Usean Continental War, ISAF launched a satellite over at the Comona Islands. That was also where the largest dogfight in history took place… And where I lost my title as 'Ace of Aces'…"
"Is… something wrong with Cipher, Ma'am?" PJ asked as Minna chuckled dryly
"It's… something he still has to let go of. Anyways, yes, these rocket boosters will help us with our current predicament. They are powerful, but it can fly for a short period of time due to the enormous amounts of energy it consumes."
"Just like the Jet Striker…" Erica added
"Speaking of which, did Ursula work out the kinks of it?" Pixy asked
"Results are still ongoing… I think." The blonde Karlslander answered
"Then we should just carry someone part of the way up." Shirley suggested "Still, 30,000 meters extra for everyone here… There's not even air up there."
"What?! There's no air!?" Lucchini shockingly asked
"You wouldn't be able to hear anyone talk, then…" Erica added, which caused Lucchini into more shock
"Or scream…"Pixy too added in on the subject
"What?! You can't hear anything!?"
"I know your aircraft can climb higher than any of us Witches, but I'm not really sure if it can break into the stratosphere." Amirah said "For us, it's unknown territory. I even bet one of you would want to journey into space." Soon after the lights came back on
"I believe you said something about that, Captain Nagase." Grimm turned to Edge
"Well… I was fond of the Arkbird." Edge answered "That 'Bird of Peace' reached high into the cosmos. It's what got me into space exploration in the first place after joining the Air Force."
"I remembered that." Minna said "Belka grabbed hold of the 'White Bird', corrupting it for war."
"Wait… What did it try to do?" Shirley asked
"The Grey Men used the Arkbird to launch a nuclear bomb onto the Yuktobanian city of Okchabursk." Edge answered "However, an astronaut sabotaged the controls, leading us to destroy it…"
"You did say that President Harling will build a new one when the war is over." Chopper added "But… now that we're here, I have no idea what he plans next."
"Watch, he might build a tower that'll reach space." Snow predicted "If it's built in someone else's country, then it will not be a good day." The Major then cleared her throat
"Anyways, we'll need someone with instantaneous, wide-ranged attack capabilities…" She then eyed Sanya. "Sanya!" The Orussian Witch perked up at attention "I would like you to attack the core." That surprised her Suomus counterpart "An attack with your Fliegerhammer will be indispensable for this mission." Eila then intervened, wanting to go on the mission with Sanya.
"I'll go with her too!"
"Oh, I see." The Major answered "Incidentally, Eila. Have you ever raised a shield in combat?"
"A shield?" The Suomus Witch answered "I don't mean to brag, but I never raised a shield in actual combat."
"Then you can't do it."
"Yep! I can't!" Eila realized what she just said and tried to correct herself. I then turned over to Amirah and asked.
"Is… there something I'm missing or…?" Amirah shook her head
"Ensign Juutilainen is well-known for not using her shield whenever combating with the Neuroi." She answered as she crossed her arms "It's mainly due to her ability, called Foresight. Whenever an attack comes, Eila can predict and evade the projectile with ease, whether it would be a bullet or a Neuroi laser."
"Come to think of it, I never seen her use it." Everyone else agreed with me as the Major eyed her new candidate, who turned out to be…
"Miyafuji! You'll do it!"
"Y-Yes Ma'am! Huh?" Yoshika asked surprisingly
"You're best suited for this; out of everyone in the entire wing, you have the most powerful shield here." Yoshika agreed to the task, but not before everyone seeing a furious Suomus Witch marching towards her, giving her 'own' version of the thousand yard stare.
"If I'm on the receiving end, I'm not having a good night at all." Chopper monotonously said
"Agreed. Violently agreed." Detlef responded in kind
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The next day, everything was pretty much normal at the base. I was just about done giving Minna another go in the pilot's seat. After we landed, I helped Minna out of the plane and removed her helmet.
"How was that, Daniel?" She asked me
"You're getting really better at this, Dear." I smiled at her "Someday, you'll be able to fly an aircraft in case you might lose your magic."
"That is one major case for a Witch." She began "Remember when I told you about the Major's magic back in Britannia?"
"That her magic is fading?" Minna nodded "Yeah… I remembered it all too well…" I still remembered the incident where Yoshika and Perrine were in that mock duel of theirs, just in time for a Humanoid Neuroi to appear. It also caused the Major to interfere and she herself got knocked out of the air when her shield got pierced by the lasers. "I'm still glad she's okay."
"I guess so, Daniel." Minna smiled. Just then, a rifle shot was heard. "I didn't organize any training exercises for today…" We looked upwards to find Eila, Perrine and Lynne hovering in place.
"Any idea what the three are doing?" I asked her. Minna was about to answer when we heard Lynne's Anti-Tank Rifle discharging. Eila maneuvered away from Lynne's shot in time, and Perrine put up her shield to stop the bullet from hitting her squarely in the face. "If that hit her directly, she would've been dead right now."
"Definitely." Minna agreed with me while we watched Eila continually dodge the oncoming bullets.
"Eila! How many times do I have to tell you!?" Perrine screamed
"I-I'm sorry!" Lynne shouted back
"Agreed. Violently agreed." I answered in kind
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Grimm's P.O.V.
"There you go, Daniya." I was busy feeding the two cats Captain Cross brought over from Rome a few days ago. They have grown accustomed to the new location and are happy to find a place instead of being on the streets. Daniya meanwhile looked at her food and meowed before eating. "You're welcome."
"Never knew you were into cats, Grimm." Chopper came in
"I kind of grew up with one before I joined the military. And before I met Kirk too." I answered "How did patrol go?"
"Pretty much the same thing, no Neuroi and no Belkans." Chopper scanned to rooms to make sure that ROT Team is not hearing us. "Speaking of which, I kind of heard of a gunfight that happened outside of the base."
"There's a gunfight?" Snow then walked in
"Not really a gunfight, but more of a training exercise." He answered "One of the girls took the time to train with their teammates."
"And… did it go well?"
"I passed by Hartmann and Barkhorn earlier. They said that Juutilainen continuously dodged sniper shots coming from Bishop, all while Clostermann shielded herself from the sniper rounds."
"That's dangerous!" I exclaimed "Even no one in the air force is dumb enough to commit a training session like that!"
"Maybe it's special training for Juutilainen." Snow reminded us of yesterday's meeting "Remember, Juutilainen said she never put her shield up in combat before, which is crazy on our end, but for her, it's a different story. Putting one's shield up for this mission is important, because Litvyak is going up there."
"Hence why the Major put Yoshika in that position…" I answered "Speaking of which, Cross said that both Eila and Sanya are… quite close. You think so?"
"Maybe." Chopper answered. Just then, a blur of silver flew past us. "Is that Sanya?"
"I believe so… I'll go check on her." A while later, I found her, her head buried beneath her legs. "Sanya?"
"…D-Daniel…?" She perked up a little before lifting her head. She was crying. Did something occur earlier? "O-Oh… Grimm…"
"Pardon me for intruding, but… are you okay?" Sanya shook her head in response "What happened? You can tell me, it's okay."
"I… Something went wrong… between me and Eila…" She chose her words carefully "I've… gotten into a fight with her…"
"It's about the upcoming mission, right?" Sanya nodded "Well… I think Eila had been put in a training session earlier today, but… it didn't work out well…"
"I… heard about it from her too…" She said "I even wanted her to come with me and Yoshika… but she couldn't do it… I even told her to not give up on what she wanted to do…"
"And then it all fell apart." I said aloud "I can't blame Eila for not trying, but… Seeing as how things go, maybe she'll do it in a heartbeat. The best she can do is try."
"…I can only wonder what Eila is thinking now…" The Orussian Witch then looked at me "However… you may be right, Grimm. She might do it." I then smiled at her
"There you go, Sanya. Still though… I think it may be best to think things clearly. You and Eila." Sanya nodded, and then hugged me
"Thank you, Grimm."
"Usually, I thought it would be Cipher doing this, not me." As on cue, Cipher walked up to us. "Oh… uh… Captain Cross."
"No need for formalities, Grimm." Cipher said "Also, did something happen to Sanya?" I gave him the rundown of what happened between the two girls. Cipher nodded sincerely. "You okay after all that, little buddy?" I saw Sanya shook her head "It's okay. Eila will make it up to you. Question is how she'll do it." Sanya nodded before she stood up.
"…I'm going to clear my head for a while… Think about what happened today…" Sanya then left to who knows where before Cipher turned to me.
"I think she felt a bit better, Captain." He nodded
"Take your time, little buddy. Take your time."
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Sanya's P.O.V.
After arguing with Eila, along with both Grimm and Daniel comforting me, I was alone with my thoughts with what transpired today. My Suomus counterpart can still do it, but I don't think she is trying hard enough. Even if she comes with, would she even put up her shield? Even if she hasn't done so in her life? My thoughts were then interrupted by a familiar voice coming from the sky.
"SANYA!" I stopped floating and looked to find Erica doing a dive into the spring where I'm in, face first. "Ouch…!" She then floated to the surface while I checked on her.
"Are you alright, Hartmann?"
"…Never better…" Getting herself together, she returned to her usual self after that dive. "So… is there a reason why you're out here?"
"It mainly happened earlier in the day, Hartmann." I answered her "Eila and I got into an argument after her special training session with Perrine." Erica then chuckled
"Did that really happen?"
"It's no laughing matter…" I answered her
"So what do you want to do, Sanya?" Erica asked me "Thing is though, I think those jets might be of help for us."
"How so?"
"It's just a thought. Maybe get us to a high enough altitude and everything will take over from there." She answered "But… I wonder how you'll do with the upcoming mission."
"I see…"
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I was walking down the hall towards mine and Eila's room. I wasn't even sure if I can sleep there for the night after that whole argument a few hours ago. Luckily, when I turned a corner, I bumped into Daniel. "Oh, sorry, Daniel."
"It's okay. Feeling better than earlier?" I nodded a little "I don't know if you want to talk with Eila after what happened. Maybe it's best if your mind is at peace. I know, maybe you can sleep with us for tonight."
"Is… Commander Minna okay with it?"
"She is more than welcome for you to sleep with us." Daniel answered to me "Besides, you remind me of the time whenever Isara and I slept together when I was around your age."
"Okay, Daniel." With that, he led me over to his room and slept there for the night.
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Minna's P.O.V.
Morning came by as I gave the reports over to Mio, Amirah and Daniel. It turns out that a strike conducted by Romagna's Navy and Air Force, along with support from the RAF, made their runs on the Neuroi. Even though they damaged it, it wasn't enough to kill it outright.
"What happened to them after?" Amirah asked
"Romagnan Cruisers Zara and Pola are crippled." I answered "If it wasn't for ROT Team who did their early runs, casualty rates would've been worse."
"Well… it sounds like we're up…" Mio said "Cipher. You and the other Wings have a special task."
"And… what would that be…?" Mio smirked to him
"Have you ever carried extra loads on your fighters?"
"Mainly bombs and missiles. Why?"
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Cipher's (Daniel Cross') P.O.V.
After being briefed by the Major on what her plan is for the upcoming operation, in which I find is completely reckless, the Witches are getting themselves ready. Some are donning their usual attire, while others are clad in winter-styled jackets, most likely because the stratosphere is freezing. I think. I checked up with Yoshika and Perrine, who are wearing jackets as the former is heading into space.
"Oh, Cipher-san. Everything okay?"
"Of course. I'm just worried about you entering the stratosphere with Sanya." I answered her as I looked at her jacket "I don't remember you bring any belongings apart from your uniform."
"Major Sakamoto and Miyafuji didn't bring any jackets with them since they came from a warmer part of Fuso." Perrine gave her answer "So, some of the Witches volunteered to give them their own. By the way, is the jacket to your liking, Miyafuji?"
"Well… Barkhorn-san's coat looks a little big on me…" Yoshika replied, wearing Barkhorn's green jacket
"I know where this is going…" I smirked
"To be honest, it's better than wearing nothing." Just then, Lynne came in with a cart. Barkhorn is the first one to notice the drinks set up for them.
"What have you got there, Bishop?" She asked the Britannian Witch
"I tried to make some Ginger Tea." Lynne answered her "It warms the body."
"And can help out with any sickness." Pixy pointed out "When I tried it the first time, I didn't like at first, but I grew fond of it when I came down with a cold one time."
"Ah, yeah. I remembered that." I reminisced the time where Pixy caught a headache after receiving jet lag when being flown from Oured to Directus before the invasion happened. I even had to take care of him before we moved to Valais. While I remembered everything back then, I took the liberty to pick one of the cups containing the tea, in case I might fly into space.
"So, how is it?" Lynne asked "I added lots of sugar, so it should be easier to drink." I lowered my cup and was greeted to a sight of mixed reactions. Mostly… sickening.
"Uh…" Erica could barely find her words after taking a sip
"Oh, uh, it's not that bad as I-" Barkhorn has a similar reaction, her face looking like it's about to explode
"Scheiße… Stay down… Stay down…" Pixy found it hard to contain. Basically, everyone is having a hard time digesting this concoction. As for me and my girlfriend…
"I'll have another cup!" Minna shouted cheerfully
"Make that two!" For some reason, I think I heard Pixy's mind shatter
"First the Lamprey Liver Oil and now this?! What the hell is wrong with you!?" The pilots were confused
"Daniel, is there something I, more like the pilots, didn't know about?" Isara asked me
"Well… it began back in Britannia when Yoshika and the Major brought in a crate of Lamprey Liver Oil. When Pixy tried it out for the first time, he had a hard time digesting it, including everyone in the entire wing. For both me and Minna, we just enjoyed ourselves."
"…Ripped bikini…" Pixy whispered
"…DON'T REMIND ME!"
"Now… what's that I didn't know about?" Angela asked
"Well… it began after the girls finished their training by the ocean…" While Pixy is telling the pilots his story, I looked over at Eila, who is just downing her last portion of ginger tea.
"Hope she'll be alright after yesterday…"
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The Pilots are at cruising altitude after taking off from the base. However, holding onto the tails are the Witches. It was something the Major came up with before heading for the hangar. Also, I have Nagase in the second seat. She wanted to see the stratosphere firsthand. "You hanging in there, Edge? You never done something like this before."
"I do remember hearing 'First time for anything', but overall, I'm okay with it." She answered
"You sure about this, Buddy? I mean, the girls are hanging on the backside." Pixy said to me
"It's something that the Major comes up with. Can't say it's a good idea for them to let go and let their rocket boosters do the work. Just make sure everyone comes back." I then watched as the Witches let go of everyone's aircraft and joined up to allow the rocket boosters on their Striker Units to activate. Survivor then showed up on my screen, watching the events unfold.
"It'll be tough to reach that altitude, Cipher." It told me
"I know… wait… Why's Eila moving upward?" I see the Suomus Witch trying to ascend to Yoshika and Sanya. "What is she doing!? She won't make it!"
"Hacking systems into engines. You might feel a small kick."
"What do you mean by-WHOA!" I got cut-off as Survivor hacked into the engines
"Cipher!" Nagase reacted "Is something wrong with your plane!?"
"That Red Neuroi did all that! Hold tight, Edge!" I then see Yoshika grabbing onto Eila's hand and pushing her to where her post originally was.
"What about Eila?! I don't think she'll survive up there!" Edge pointed out, until Sanya spoke
"It's okay. I'll bring Eila back." Survivor then disengaged the engines in time as we joined up with the two Witches.
"Daniel… Look at the stars… So this is what space is…" Edge is mesmerized by her first trip outside of Earth's atmosphere.
"You can see more of it, Nagase. However… we got a job to do." Out in front of us, is the Neuroi. The top part unfurled itself, revealing the core and fired.
"Captain!" I tried jinking, but it didn't do anything. However, both Eila and Survivor managed to put up their shields in time.
"Daniel! Are you seeing this!?" Minna radioed me "We're watching the whole event from here. That laser is slicing the sky open, but I see someone is opening up her shield."
"We're seeing it from here too! Eila did put up her shield!"
"The Neuroi isn't letting up its attack, Cipher…" Nagase said. The four of us inched closer towards the core, with Eila leading the charge against the laser. Finally, after continuous fire, the Neuroi stopped.
"Hacking Arcane Missiles, standby!" Survivor took the time to activate her hacking abilities while Sanya aimed her weapon. "Fox Two!"
"Fox Two!" Both the combination of the Neuroified missiles and Sanya's rockets zoomed towards the core and hit its mark, outright destroying it. However, Sanya, who let go of Eila to attack it, was caught with the shockwave. "Sanya!"
The blast nearly hurled Sanya into the cosmos, before Eila managed to grab a hold of her. Edge watched as the Neuroi fragments fell into the Earth's atmosphere, but not pointing something out.
"Daniel, look at this… These fragments… It's like an ocean of stars has made its way to the Earth. So incredible…"
"Once we get back to Ustio… Maybe." I watched Eila talking to Sanya, but the two are a little far from each other and can't hear what one is saying. So, the Suomus Witch pulled Sanya closer and spoke to her.
"Can you hear me?" Eila asked her Orussian counterpart
"Yeah…"
"I'm sorry." Eila apologized to her. Turns out both sides had a lot of time to think about what they've done to each other yesterday.
"No. I should apologize as well…" The two Witches then sees a mountain range, to which Sanya is familiar with. "Look, Eila. It's Orussia… It's almost like I can reach the Ural Mountains… Want to keep flying past those mountains…?"
"Sure…" Eila answered tearfully "As long as I'm with you, I can go anywhere."
"I was kidding. Not right now. We have a home to go to." Sanya then kicked in what's left of the rocket boosters back down to Earth. Survivor even turned the engines back on as Edge took one last glimpse of space.
"I assume you want to go back up there?" I asked the Osean pilot
"When we get back. If we get back." Nagase answered simply as our plane, with help from Survivor, managed to land safely. After we landed, everyone congratulated Sanya on her job, although Minna took Eila off to the side to talk to her. I don't know, maybe an earful for nearly complicating the mission. Still, everything is as it should be. Just peace.
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A while later, I found Survivor waiting in front of the room belonging to me and Minna. Survivor now has a humanoid form. She now has bob-cut white hair with a strand reaching her neck, blue eyes, pale skin, two turquoise feathers worn on the left side of her head, knee-high brown boots and wearing an outfit used by Royal Guard members from some time ago.
"Survivor? Is that you?" I asked her
"So? What do you think? It has been a long time since I used another form than that of my regular appearance."
"You were part of the Red Neuroi at the time." I answered "I think it's a step in the right direction now that you're a part of the team. Also, how come you are here?"
"Well, both Sanya and Minna are inside. They have been conversing about the operation hours ago, mainly about Eila intervening at the last minute."
"She would've lost her magic while being attached to the rocket boosters. If Yoshika and Sanya didn't bring her up in time…"
"Then Eila might not make it back in one piece." The door opened as Sanya exited, meeting up with me. "Hello, Sanya. Everything okay?"
"Survivor? You look… different." Sanya eyed on the Neuroi
"It's her human form now that she's settles well enough." I answered her "Also, everything okay now, little buddy?"
"Eila and I made up, although the Commander will talk with her over dinner." Sanya answered "I think the Commander will reprimand her of her decision to join in."
"Ah, don't worry, Sanya. I'll talk with Minna to give Eila a… 'lighter' punishment." Sanya tilted her head "That means Minna won't do something harsh on her, unlike the Major."
"Oh. I understand, Daniel. I still want to thank you and Grimm for yesterday." She smiled while I petted her
"Again, it's no trouble, little buddy. Tell you what, when I have time, maybe you can teach me something in return."
"I know. How about the piano. I sometimes do that whenever I have nothing to do."
"Sounds like a plan. Just let me go and talk with Minna first. Then we'll do what you like." Sanya nodded before walking off, just as Minna came out of our room.
"I guess you made Sanya's day, Cipher?" Minna asked me
"If she is happy, I'm happy, Dear." I answered "That reminds me. I still have to give you more lessons in my fighter jet. Maybe you want to do this with the Neuroi upgrades?"
"Neuroi upgrades?" She then eyed Survivor's new humanoid form before turning to me again. "I won't even ask, but I don't mind a new challenge." I then motioned over to Minna and Survivor as they followed me to the hangar. Well, yesterday and today has been eventful. Sanya and Eila made up, Neuroi destroyed, job well done. I can only wonder that something worse will happen.
…
…
Low and behold, it did. And it involved… nosebleeds and perverts.
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Well… that took longer than I intended. Anyways, hey guys. Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Now a lot of things happened. Again, I'm still working on my stories, albeit slowly. Mostly because of work, job searching and gaming involving Divisions One and Two.
Minna: "Oh, no worries, 96. James and I have seen you playing the two Division Games. Come to think of it, maybe you want to do a story about it."
It is tricky. I'll have to go through a lot of coverage, primarily those in New York and Washington. Also, my mind may have Spider-Man in dealing with the Division Agents and their war to save New York. Well, both set themselves in Manhattan. And that Spider-Man kind of lives in the Chinatown District, (I think), maybe he might encounter the Agents and maybe they'll team up against the Rioters, Rikers, Cleaners and the LMB.
Minna: "Don't try to get ahead of yourself, 96. You still have all of the other stories you have to do. And life itself."
Here's hoping I'll get stuff out on time. Now, next chapter will involve…
Minna: "Neuroi bugs… Geez… I think Daniel might have a major nosebleed or worse…"
And both he and Pixy are covering each other's eyes and screaming 'Tell me it's over'. I'll add that as dialogue. Alright, now that that's out of the way, hope you all enjoyed the chapter, and we'll see you in the next. Or Infinity. Whichever one now.
Minna: "Bye for now!"
