Chapter VIII:
Four hours, one would say it was not a long trip from Liberion to Brittania, crossing the Atlantic Ocean, covering a good portion of the way until, from the heights, they could notice something standing in front of them, splendorous, shining, a bastion that had never fallen and was the symbol of the resistance against the "Neuroi" in the past. Now he was alone, waiting like a young bride for his partner to return from the battle front, covering himself with dust and watching, as a witness, the passing of time until, that day, things had taken a most important and inopportune turn.
While some slept, Kevin had woken up and looked down, rubbing his eyes to get rid of the remnants of the dream he had with him and from there he could see, in the middle of that huge body of water, an island with his own eyes.
- So that's their base?.- The red-haired man asked with interest, turning to look at Minna and Trudie, who were in the front seat.
- That's right, and they have two hangars so we can take off and carry out our offensives.- Answered the reddish-orange-haired girl.
With a quick movement, tracing a circle in the air, the aircraft began to descend on the assigned runway. The nose gear emerged and touched the pavement, slowing down, creating some jolts until it finally stopped, and with that they began their descent towards the outside. In front of them, the military base of Brittania loomed before them, imposing, majestic, extraordinary, its structure reminiscent of the old English fortresses of the Middle Ages and facing the North Sea, which offered a good position of the Liberion area.
- So this is your base?.- Asked Eddy, giving a whistle of astonishment.
- That's right, and this is where they are going to live with us.- Answered Minna, while the weapons and the "Striker Units" were being unloaded and transported to the hangar by the assigned personnel.
They were not alone, since the military had been summoned after knowing that video of the Kankers and their forces, so Europe was in a real pandemonium of people escaping from the big cities before the possible offensive that the "Shadow Neuroi" would launch.
- This place brings back to Rolf old memories of his travels through the lands of Norway with his grandfather.- The foreigner observed the building and began to lower the barrels, calling the attention of his friends to the contents.
A liquid sound reverberated inside the containment objects, Double D and Kevin approached to see what it was, while Erica jumped down from the stairs and touched the ground with her boots, after having turned off the plane's engines. She was struck by what the dark blue-haired man had brought with him and the others came closer until she noticed Rolf taking a jug, which was inside his suitcase, and walking to one of the barrels, which he removed the lid.
- Please, everybody stand back, okak.- He asked, as a safety measure, and they obeyed. He placed his hands around the cover and removed it, little by little, step by step until the internal pressure roared and a current of air emerged and responded outward, disheveling the dark blue-haired boy.
Eddy watched the scene, just as Rolf plunged the jug into the liquid, which had a violet hue and filled it halfway.
- Hehehehehe, it'll sure help us to make Ed or the other one, Erica, smarter.- Kevin laughed, elbowing Nazz gently, but the blonde from Karlsland heard him and walked over to him.
- Hey, have a little more respect!.- She exclaimed and looked him face to face, leaving him surprised at the hostility he had when someone laughed behind his back, You and Eddy aren't the smartest ones here, while Double D is, and you don't make fun of Ed either, you think that makes you important?!.- She asked, going, now, in a much more severe way, leaving the redhead speechless and swallowing saliva.
- No...No...relax, I only meant it as a joke.- He lied and waved his hands in the air, trying to save himself from that.
- You asked for it, Kevin. Don't look to me as your salvation.- Nazz pointed out, folding her arms and looking at him seriously.
Ed, for his part, looked at the fortress with amazement, he wanted to explore it, to know more about what the place was and how it worked, he could not deny that it was an architectural beauty, even though he was not an expert in that field, so he began to wander towards the gates of the base, being stopped, at the last moment, by Erica, who had had that discussion with Kevin about what he had told him based on the stereotype of the dumb blonde.
He felt the Karlsland girl's hands grab him from behind and he turned to look at her.
- Hehehehe, where are you going, buddy? It's not time for you to come in yet.-Erica asked the boy who loved science fiction movies and comics.
While all that was going on, Rolf had shown what he had in that jar loaded with the liquid for the kids. He was showing it off like a hunter with his prey. The group wanted to know what kind of function the thing he was holding had.
- Observe, friends, what Rolf's family has done since ancient times.- He said and with that he took a sip and after wiping his lips, he remained quiet and still for a few seconds until, suddenly, his body began to undergo a series of physical transformations, where he gained muscle and was able to lift the three barrels as if they weighed nothing, as well as juggle in front of his friends.
No one had a single word to help them describe that moment. It was like a Wizard or a carnival man doing such activities, so they approached, trembling and still contemplating this act of Nature.
- I'll be damned, Rolf. You're like "Superman". How did you do it?.- Asked Johnny, who was the one who broke the ice.
- This, my friend, pelonchas, is an elixir that my family has worked for generations and more when our lands were attacked by the "Neuroi". Rolf's grandfather was the one who succeeded his father in this work and then came all the others. With this, we were able to face the enemy and keep them at bay so that they would not invade us again.- Said the young man, while he took the bags of the others and continued with the show.
- Hey, sounds awesome, man, can I try it?.- Asked Kevin and Rolf gave him permission, so he walked to one of the barrels, took his hands inside and took a sip of the liquid. Then, the changes in his body appeared and from there he was showing his new look.-Now I look like Gerald Buttler from "300".- Said the redhead, showing his muscles and approaching Nazz.- Good morning, Miss, wouldn't you like to come for a walk with me," he asked and she was blushing to see him like that.
- Of course, handsome.- Replied the blonde and he carried her on his shoulders.
Trudie and Minna were talking to each other, while Double D and Yoshika approached one of the barrels to see its content, since they were both curious about its composition, as well as the ingredients and what other benefits it could give in return.
- Kevin, be careful, the effect lasts only a few minutes.- Rolf warned the red-haired boy, while he was having fun with the blonde until, all of a sudden, the farmer's words came true and they returned to their normal form, leading the couple to fall to the floor.
Once that business was over, they heard Trudie calling each of them, so they went to that meeting point and she began to talk to them, while they were starting a tour of the base of operations.
- Okay, first of all, both Minna and I would like to announce that this is not a simple "vacation stay". No, it is not, so, for those of you who thought that way, you will have to put that out of your mind.- She said and that led to Sarah, Ed, Jimmy and Johnny having to wail.
- You should know that we are at war and you, without your families, are going to be under the care of a "Witch". I will read the names: Sarah, to begin with, you will be under Trude's tutelage.- Said the reddish-orange-haired girl, which left Ed's younger sister speechless.
- Wait a minute, why?.- She interjected, but seeing the look on Trude's face, she didn't say anything.
- Okay: Jimmy will go with Perrine, Nazz and Kevin will be under the care of Minna and Mio. Rolf will go with Lynne, Yoshika will go with Johnny and Plank.- At that moment, the dark brunette stopped and looked at the three friends, Ed will stay with Erica, Double D with Sanya and Eila and Eddy, lastly, with Francesca, she finished reading the names.
There were none, those present remained silent about what Trudie had said, so they decided to continue with the tour, although for some, having been chosen to be with a "Witch" left them quite confused.
- I don't want to interrupt or anything like that, but... you are going to fight against the Empire that the Kankers have...- Kevin's voice was heard, just when they were crossing one of the corridors of the base and its echo reached the ears of those present.
- That's right.- Mio answered the red-haired boy.- Do you want to join?
- If you will excuse me, Major Sakamoto, as Captain of the "Peach Creek Cobblers", we do not turn back or show surrender. We fight to the end.- he said, while giving that promise to battle.
The "Witches" looked at each other, they, compared to the boys of that village, were experts and were seasoned in the art of war and the front. They, on the other hand, lacked hard training.
- I understand your position, Kevin, that you want to help us.- Said Commander Minna.- But you are not prepared for a war like this, this goes beyond combat, it also involves a great use of different skills, dexterity and having a cool head when fighting against enemies. This is not a video game either, where if you die, you start over and that's it. This is real life and if something were to happen to you, it would be very sad to tell your parents.- Said the young woman, while all of Kevin's attempts to participate ended at the bottom of the matter.
- Look, I don't get along with Kevin or anything like that, but he's right.- Eddy, for the first time, had left aside his competition and walked to where the boy with the bike was, "We may not be Soldiers and we may not have Magic, but we can't stand idly by while the Cruels are about to conquer the World, that's not my position.- He said.- That's not my position.- He said and that left those present speechless, even though it would take him a long time to gain their full support.- Besides, what Rolf brought can be of help, can't it?
- Well, Eddy's boy is right, the contents of the barrels can help us, but...their effect is very short, only a few minutes to an hour, nothing more.- Answered the pastor's son, while making those two weak points known.
- You're forgetting one important thing, Rolf,.- Said Nazz and pointed to a certain boy with a black cap.- Double D, he can research your family's formula and even improve it so we can help them. Can you do it?".- Asked the blonde and that made the young man think.
- Can you do it, Double D?.- Ed joined in so that he could find an answer to what they needed so badly.
That was an ambiguous question, since, as the Strike Witches' Officers had said, this was not simply a matter of going to fight the enemy and that was it, the problem was solved, but also required a good deal of effort, achievement, determination, will, intelligence and seriousness in the matter. Magic was a very important power and only they had it at their fingertips, but, for the Peach Creek boys, Rolf's barrels were a "card in their favor", so all eyes were on the young man in the black cap.
- Well, for starters, I'd like to know the differences between Rolf's and his "Striker Units".- Double D began to speak, turning to where Trudie was standing.
- The ones you mention allow us to fly, plus we use them for combat and there is also the consumption of Magic. For you, you would have to endure a good amount of hours in the skies and not plummet into the sea.- Said the dark brown from Karlsland, adding to that, what Rolf said about the effect that this liquid has on your bodies, you would have to find a way to make it last longer.- She said, with her arms crossed and her eyes closed.
- And the guns, that's another negative point for you.- Added Mio.- Has anyone ever fired a gun in their life?.- She asked and no one answered.
- Rolf, haven't you either?.- Johnny wanted to know.
- I'm sorry, my friend pelonchas, but I've never used them?.- Answered the foreigner.
- But you could try.- Said Yoshika, who took a step forward and everyone looked at her.- The same thing happened to me, it was not easy to do this kind of thing, but then I was able to advance and I was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. You can do it too, you don't have to be afraid of what could go wrong. Mistakes are also part of learning.- She said with determination and confidence to those present, who were encouraged to hear her.
- Your words are a beacon of hope, Miyafugi.- Said Mio to her, who nodded with a smile.- Okay, we will move forward, little by little, so that you become part of the group, but I warn you that it will not be easy nor will we accept any kind of fights or disrespect.- She left that warning to those present.
- You can trust us, Major Sakamoto.- He gave Double D his word and after having established that, he went to one of the barrels and took a sample in order to study it more thoroughly.
The guidelines and rules had been dictated, in addition to the fact that they would be trained in the art of war and would fight with those warriors. While they were presented with their rooms, in each of these they would share it with the "Witch" who would protect them and guide them on their way. And the first of these was Erica's room, which was quite messy, something that made the blonde laugh, while her Superiors looked at her seriously.
- Don't worry, no problem.- Said Ed, as he entered the room with his luggage and made himself comfortable.
- I'm sure these two are going to make a great roommate.- Francesca said.
- I know, but we can't waste too much time, we have to be ready for when the "Shadow Neuroi" attack. So we're going to have a lot of work to do and there's no stopping at all.- Mentioned Mio, who took Kevin and Nazz to their room.
The arrival and installation were over, now they were at the gates of a new armed conflict and with it were the different questions that would need time to be answered.
[All right, and this is where the Peach Creek boys and the Witches have arrived at Brittania Base. There will be a lot of business to attend to, especially with their role in this war at the gates. By the way, a warning: This fic will be on hiatus until next Tuesday, as I need to think about the weapons for the Eds and others, as well as the contents of Rolf's barrels. But it will only be until next Tuesday, don't worry.
I hope you like this chapter, friends. I'll be seeing you and I send greetings and thanks to Franco M. Romano and the rest of the followers.
Take care and have a good Wednesday from me.]
