Hello, again readers. If you're reading this, I can only assume that you're enjoying the story so far and have been waiting for the latest installment. Before I begin this chapter, I'm going to answer one question that I'm sure is on a lot of your minds: Yes, Daniel will become romantically involved with ONE of the witches during the course of the story. Try to guess which one! Be forewarned, however – there is a possibility that I will throw in a red herring or two before the big reveal (just to keep you on your toes). Anyhoo, on with the story!
As Daniel approached the hangar and began the landing cycle for his fighter, the other people gathered inside looked in amazement as he didn't require the use of the runway to land. He was able to seemingly slow down and stop the fighter in midair, before releasing the landing struts and bringing the fighter gently to the ground without any damage. As he pushed back the fighter's plexiglass visor cover and exited, moving quickly down the ladder, he came face to face with a redheaded girl approximately his age and height wearing an old German-style uniform with a serious look on her face.
"What's your name, pilot?" she asked with the full force of a military commander. "My name is Daniel Horowitz – I'm a pilot with the United States Air Force," Daniel replied, taken back a bit by her abruptness. He then asked "Would it be alright if I asked for your name? I don't believe I caught it on the way back here."
"I suppose so," said the redhead. "I'm Colonel Minna Dietlinde-Wilcke of the Karlsland Imperial Air Force, and the commanding officer of the 501st Joint Fighter Wing. You may refer to me as 'Commander Minna.' Now, before we get to more 'pleasantries,' I have to ask you – what in the world were you doing flying alone in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean? There are no Liberion vessels anywhere near here!"
As Daniel attempted to answer the commander – a mix of slight nervousness at her tone and confusion over some of the terminology she had just used – when he noticed a calendar on the wall of a nearby mechanical workstation. Most importantly, he noticed the month and year the calendar was currently showing: June 1944 – a full 75 years in the past from where he had been.
"Pardon me, commander, but before I attempt to answer your questions, can I ask whether that calendar over there is accurate or whether it's someone's collectable?" Daniel asked as he pointed toward the calendar slightly nervously. "It's perfectly accurate, why do you ask?" Minna replied, giving Daniel a suspicious look.
"Oh, jeez. I'm in a bigger mess than I thought," he said. "Why, what date did you expect to see?" asked Minna. "Honestly – April of 2019," Daniel replied.
Minna was about to start yelling at Daniel for trying to feed her utter nonsense when Major Sakamoto arrived with Miyafuji still in tow. "What's going on, Minna?" she asked. "Apparently, our guest fancies himself a comedian," Minna explained, "he's trying to claim that he is, in fact, from 75 years in the future."
Major Sakamoto turned towards Daniel and was about to chew him out herself when she noticed his lightsaber hanging from his belt. Something the clicked in her head causing her a bit of a surprise. "Excuse me, Captain…Horowitz, right?" Daniel nodded in response. "Can I see that item you have attached to your belt there?" Daniel then hesitantly, but willingly, detached his lightsaber and handed it over to the major. "Sure, just make sure you give it back – it's important to me." Major Sakamoto nodded. "And also, be careful with that. It can be very dangerous if you don't know how it works."
"Don't worry," replied the major, "If this is what I think it is, then…" She gasped as the blade activated, and everyone else jumped back a bit in shock. Sakamoto then quickly retracted the blade and looked at Daniel incredulously. "Captain Horowitz, are you by any chance a Jedi knight?"
Now it was Daniel's turn to look surprised, as his eyes nearly bugged out of his head at that question. How could she possibly have any inkling of that? The very existence of Jedi knights was supposed to be classified in his time – it shouldn't even be a concept in this time period.
"Wait, Mio. Are you talking about the ancient warriors of legend?" asked Minna. "Indeed," the major replied. "Only a real Jedi would have a working lightsaber in his possession. Minna, this pilot here could very well help us significantly in our efforts against the Neuroi!"
Everyone then looked at Daniel in a combination of surprise and awe. "I had heard the stories about them growing up, but I always thought they were myths," said Barkhorn. "They're no myths," replied Sakamoto. "I know, because in addition to being a witch, I'm also the designated keeper of the Jedi's knowledge back in Fuso."
"Wait a moment, are you saying that you're a Jedi, too?" asked Daniel in surprise. "Not exactly," explained Major Sakamoto, "Unfortunately, there hasn't been a recorded instance of an active Jedi knight in the world for more than 300 years. In Fuso, the Jedi were especially revered, and since their disappearance, a chosen designee has had the honor of keeping and passing on the knowledge of their existence – including their abilities, their exploits, their training methods, and their philosophies. I am but the most recent designee to have this honor."
She continued, "For generations, the keepers had hoped that the Jedi would one day re-emerge and bring more peaceful times to the world – although I don't think this is the way they had envisioned it happening."
Daniel just stood there dumbfounded by what he had just heard – not only were Jedi a thing in this time, but he was also possibly expected to act as a sort of savior? This was just too much for him to take in at once.
Major Sakamoto saw his expression and once again let out a full-hearted laugh. "I see that you're a bit overwhelmed. There will be plenty of time to adjust. Right now, let's get everyone inside and settled in the main gathering room – it appears we have much to discuss."
Indeed they did. Over the next several hours as they "traded notes" so to speak, Daniel's shock only grew as he found out that not only had he traveled back in time, but to a timeline that was completely different from the one he knew. While the major difference in this particular point in time was that humanity had all allied together to fight a common foe instead of each other, he also learned that while most geographical names were more or less the same, the majority of the countries' names were different, to varying degrees, from what he was used to. "So the infinite universe theory is actually true," Daniel said to himself. "Pardon?" asked the major. "It's a scientific theory in my world that basically says that there are an infinite number of parallel universes, with the level of differentiation varied in each universe." Major Sakamoto then nodded in understanding and continued.
Daniel also learned about the situation that was currently unfolding in this world, with humanity's war against the Neuroi, as well as the witches' role in the war through the use of their "striker units," as he learned they were called. He also received a thorough explanation behind the witches and their history in this world, including their deep connection with the Jedi. "For centuries, witches and Jedi knights fought side by side to protect people from danger and keep peace as best as they could. However, while witches have continued to exist in this world, the Jedi suddenly vanished – it was as though the powers that allowed for the Jedi to exist just ceased, and no one has ever figured out why."
Now it was Daniel's turn, and as he spoke, the witches' expressions alternated between shock, horror, and fascination as he told them about how the Jedi were not only a new idea in his time, but also very secretive, and that witches didn't exist in his world – relegated only to tales of fiction and fantasy. He also explained how this period of time had played out in his world – that the Neuroi had never come to Earth and instead humanity all fought each other in World War II. He further provided a general history of major events since that time, including the developments of new major technologies, and the general state of the world when he left, which, he had to admit, was a mixed bag at best.
"Well," sighed Minna with a tired expression, "I think we've absorbed as much information as we can all handle for the time being, so why don't we call it a night?" She then turned towards Daniel. "Mr. Horowitz, since Major Sakamoto seems inclined to allow it, I'm going to provide you with one of our spare quarters while you stay here and figure out what to do next."
Daniel stood and addressed the two ranking officers. "Thank you, Commander Minna, Major Sakamoto – I appreciate your hospitality. And I promise that while I am here, I will make myself useful in any way that you all may need."
"Thank you, captain, that will be very much appreciated," Major Sakamoto replied. "Also, when we're talking casually – outside of a training or combat situation – feel free to call me Mio." Daniel gave a small smile as he reached out to shake her hand in gratitude, though he had the distinct feeling that someone was glaring daggers at him. "Very well, Mio. Then please call me Daniel." He then turned to everyone else as they were leaving the room and exclaimed, "That goes for the rest of you, as well." Mio then smiled and directed him to his quarters.
As he was walking along the corridor, he noticed the girl who had been fighting with Mio in battle earlier was walking alongside him. What was her name again? Miyafuji? He noticed that she was in a slightly despondent state and decided to try to strike up a conversation to cheer her up a bit. "Hey, there. You look a little down – is something the matter?" he asked.
Miyafuji turned suddenly, surprised by the fact that Daniel was speaking to her. She then quickly gave a sad smile and replied, "Don't worry. It's just that I've had a very hard day." Daniel nodded as he replied, "I can imagine. It looked like you had your hands full with that Neuroi, but it also looked like you held your own."
"That's not it," said Miyafuji. "You see, the reason I came here originally was that I thought there was a chance I would be see my dad again. I had thought he was dead for the last few years until I received a letter addressed from him. I then had Sakamoto take me back with her because I was so desperate to see him."
"So is he here?" Daniel asked, earnestly. "No. It turns out he really was dead all along. The letter was just delayed in getting to me. The grave I saw was proof that he really is gone," she replied, a tear threatening to drop from her eye. "Oh…I'm so sorry," Daniel said, sympathetically.
Miyafuji then took a deep breath, as if summoning some sort of strength, and responded, "It's okay. I also remembered something that my dad told me when I was really little. He said that my powers were very special, and that I should use them someday to help as many people as possible. Coming here, fighting in that battle, and hearing about what my father did from Major Sakamoto, I've decided that the best way to help people is to stay here do what I can!"
Daniel was a bit surprised at her sudden earnestness, but he quickly smiled at her and said, "Well good for you! I'm glad that you've found the determination to move forward." She beamed and gave a small laugh in response.
It was then that they reached Daniel's assigned room. He turned to Miyafuji and said, "Well, this is my stop. It was a pleasure talking to you, Miss…Miyafuji, right?" Miyafuji smiled back and nodded as she replied "Please, call me Yoshika. We're friends now, right?"
"Sounds good to me," said Daniel. "And if I'm going to call you Yoshika, then you can call me Daniel, alright," he added as he held out his hand. Yoshika immediately took it, shook it, and said, "Great! I'm sure we're going to be good friends!"
Daniel continued to smile as he replied, "I would like that very much." He then opened his door and turned to Yoshika, "Well, Yoshika, if you ever need someone to talk to, my door is always open."
"Sounds good. Have a good night," replied Yoshika. "And you do the same," said Daniel before he closed his door for the night.
As he laid down on the bed trying to let sleep take him, Daniel thought to himself, 'It looks like I was able to make at least one friend here.' He then closed his eyes, not knowing what was to become of him in this world.