Chapter XII:
An air of tension could be breathed among the "Witches", the radars and satellites had established that this was the route of the mysterious enemy sent by the Cruel sisters. After taking off from the base they had on the coasts of Brittania, they arrived at that meeting point, however, all traces that the "Shadow Neuroi" left, no longer existed. It was as if they had been footprints that the wind blew away from the ground. Yoshika checked every inch around them, a single distraction, even the briefest of all, could mean a disaster far worse than the one in 1939 when the generation before them emerged and sowed chaos over Europe.
The brunette sergeant was trying to figure out why this "Shadow" disappeared, but she had no concrete basis for it. For her part, Trudie was in almost constant communication with Headquarters. And from there it was not easy to find out where the enemy was hiding either, as the tracking instruments seemed to have gone haywire, as if some device of the much-feared "Electronic Warfare" was being employed.
The Karlsland girl lowered the radio and remained silent, attentive.- Mio had her katana ready for when the time came and the others were with their weapons loaded.
- "Where has that "Shadow Neuroi" gotten to? What are those madwomen planning?". Thought the dark brunette to herself, when, all of a sudden, a mysterious "blast" caught her attention. An intense red color was "painting" their position and from there, turning around, before the look of astonishment and terror of the girls, the rival emerged from the shadows.
In a second, he fired a powerful beam of that intense glow, but Trudie was faster and soared into the Heavens, while the impact hit the surface of the North Sea, raising white foam and a great column of water until they calmed down. Immediately, the opponent turned and began to chase them.
- Avoid their weapon fire and return fire, we have to find their "Core"!".- Ordered Minna's friend, while they nodded and flew in zigzag to avoid being hit by the enemy beam.
Meanwhile, at Headquarters, the tension had reached the limit, the operators and soldiers watched in terror, through one of the huge screens in the "Operations Room", the sudden attack of the enemy. The faces of those men and women could not be described with adequate words. Many of them swallowed saliva or looked pale before that mechanical monstrosity. A machine, one they had never seen in their lives, their ancestors had, but not with such terrible brutality when it came to combat. It lurked in the shadows, swimming beneath them, like a great white shark when it is about to attack its prey on the surface.
And that was where that memory came from when Commander Minna had left the room to go in search of Charlotte and Double D.
In the North Sea, the "Witches" had begun to respond to enemy fire. The first to fire was Yoshika, who evaded the shots of that huge flying machine, but her bullet bursts were useless and barely managed to "scratch" her thick armor. Lynne was next and charged, joining her friend in the confrontation, exploding several parts of the "Shadow Neuroi" but when they were about to find its "Core", it regenerated again, just like a reptile when it loses its tail or molts its skin after a season.
- Quickly, in formation!.- Ordered Mio, who charged towards the front, managing to destroy one of the "eyes" of that mechanical monster but it was a "superficial wound".- It can't be, what are they made of?.- She wanted to know and had to ascend to avoid a new beam that the opponent shot at them.
Perrine tried to fly over the attacker's surface, firing on it and thus trying to find its "Achilles Heel", but she did not succeed: that thing was much faster, fiercer and smarter than its "Neuroi" predecessors. The Kankers were not lying, their grandfather's project had been a resounding success and from there a screen could be seen showing the three sisters standing and enjoying that "show".
- "Greetings, "Witches", I see you have found our best "Soldier".- May spoke with mockery on her face.
- Cowards, we won't forgive you for this!.- Trudie shouted but Mio stopped her. On her features was drawn a serious sign.
- "Ohhh, what's the matter, can't they beat it. It's a pity and to think that this kind of "Shadow Neuroi" represents the famous B-52 Bombers that razed entire cities in Vietnam.- Lee mockingly told the wars, causing them to look at them coldly.- "But let's stop the antics and tantrums, if they want to catch us so badly, let's see if they can when our offensive comes, which they will have to be patient about or not...and if they will be alive when we meet them. Goodbye".- She said goodbye and with that Trudie fired at that "B-52" with everything he had but that made him even more enraged.
- Girls, let's coordinate our fire against him!.- Ordered the dark brunette and they joined together to stop him at any cost.
Inside the bunker, the Peach Creek boys could only wait for things to calm down. The waters were very tense and only an air of struggle could be felt outside. The three Eds were still going about their "business" when the door of the bunker was heard to open and Minna and Charlotte entered, attracting the attention of those present. Then, the red-haired girl stopped and looked at each of her "Witches' protégés", closed her eyes and took a deep breath, bringing her gaze closer to the intellectual boy in the black cap.
- I need Edd to come with me, now.- Were the brief words Minna gave to the "public", leading them to look at Double D with a doubtful look.- The boy took a few steps until he was in front of the two girls, feeling a little nervous.
- Yes...what...what's going on, Commander Minna?.- He asked her, who directed her eyes and remained silent for a few seconds.
- It is important that you come with us.- Answered the young woman, causing Double D to swallow saliva and her fingers to clash at what was happening, "Don't ask questions, it is urgent.
She looked towards her friends, neither Eddy and Ed had anything to say, they shrugged their shoulders and sweat was pearling her forehead. He had to give in, a slight movement with his head led to their company, climbing the first few steps of the stairs until they emerged into the corridors and it closed behind them.
- What do they think happened? Why did they need his help?.- It was Johnny's voice that tore through the silent veil that had fallen.
- I don't know, but they looked pretty serious. I have to admit, Minna and Trudie give me the creeps when they fight back.- Kevin acknowledged the fear that plagued him so much.- But with Double D...I wouldn't know how to tell you that clearly, Johnny.
Jimmy stayed by Sarah's side and they spoke privately.
- Do you think something serious has happened?.- His albino friend asked the redhead, who shook her head.
- I don't think so, but... I have my doubts, Jimmy.- Answered Ed's younger sister, to whom she gave him a look and then remained silent.
Rolf still had, in his memories, that talk he and the intellectual had when he went to ask for permission to take some samples from his barrels to examine the liquid that gave strength and power, even though his time was very limited. Double D had not told him anything about the results, until now, but he had a hunch that it would be linked to that question. It was then that he walked over to the two friends of the boy in the black cap to talk to them but was stopped by Nazz.
- Hey, Rolf, why don't you tell us more about that liquid you brought in those barrels?.- Proposed the blonde-haired cheerleader.
- That's precisely what I was going to do, friend Nazz.- Said him and then folded his hands.- You see, the boy Edd asked me, a few hours ago, when I was talking to Lynne, that I wanted to investigate the substance that came with me from Peach Creek. Seeing that it has great power but a short time to exploit it to the fullest, he wanted to try to make it last longer but I didn't have much more information until now. If I am honest with you, I think Commander Minna and Charlotte needed it because of thatl.- He explained in detail the whole context they were in.
- And do you think it's going to work out?.- This time it was Sarah who gave her opinion, looking a little worried about it.
- Well... I...- At that moment, Rolf put his right hand to the back of his head and remained thoughtful for a while.- I don't know, that's something that Edd knows. We just have to wait.
The boy with the black cap was in front of those two people, walking through the corridors until he reached the outside of the building, where they had a stretch that ended in the hangars where, previously, the other "Witches" had taken off to stop the enemy. He wanted to talk to them, to know why he was being called, but he didn't have the chance to say it, especially in front of those serious faces they had with them. He had to bide his time until he found the result he was looking for.
They arrived at the hangar and with that they equipped themselves with the "Striker Units" and their weapons, which were loaded and ready for assault. Minna finished equipping herself when she turned to where the young man was.
- I am going to ask you one thing and it is very important what you must do, okay?.- Said the Commander, but he did not know what to say.- Is that understood?
- Yes... Yes, Miss Minna.- Answered the boy with a nod of his head.
- Very well: I will explain the situation. The Kankers sent a "Shadow Neuroi" to an unknown destination. We have a theory that it was headed for London or Paris but we don't know exactly until the facts are verified. Trudie's group went to stop it, however, our tracking instruments have been affected by strange enemy interference and on top of that they are under attack by the aforementioned rival. As I saw that you were interested in the contents of Rolf's barrels, I ask you to accompany us.-Minna explained calmly.
- I...I see, well, it's not ready yet, it's just a few small results and nothing more but...but a field test doesn't hurt anyone.- Double D held and she nodded again.
- Yes, but you must not let go of me, because of what is going to happen, don't do that?.- She left that condition, knowing very well that it was dangerous and almost suicidal.
- Don't worry. Nothing will happen.- Promised Double D and they decided not to waste any more time, so they went to prepare for takeoff.
The "Striker Units" joined them and the intellectual of the group noticed that there appeared, both on Minna and Charlotte, tails and ears belonging to the animals they represented. He did not have time to ask a single question, with the order received, they began to head towards the Heavens, rising and heading West, hoping to help the girls of that rival.
Back in the battle zone, the group under Trudie's command was still unable to find the "Core" of that "Shadow Neuroi". Their attempts to destroy it were in vain, as it had a much faster regeneration capacity than its predecessors and showed a fierce resistance never seen before. For her part, Eila was the next to attack it, throwing all the ammunition her weapon had but nothing turned out as she expected. The opponent took flight and charged at her, who had to evade him a few seconds after receiving another hit from his beam.
- No way! At this rate we will run out of ammunition.- Observed the Lieutenant of Karlsland the situation they were in.
- Weakness or not, we must destroy it or it will reach its target.- Said Mio, who had her katana ready to make another fierce attack against the "Shadow Neuroi".
There was no choice but to contain it, the enemy could open some "breach" and escape, even with the lowest distraction, it could become the worst misfortune for them. It was then that they again traced an upward arc towards the Heavens, having under their sights the rival, who was following them at all costs.
- Come here, coward, I'm waiting for you!.- Shouted Eila, who launched one burst after another of bullets, but that did not even the slightest damage. At a given moment, the "Shadow Neuroi" reloaded his weapon and fired against the young woman, who had no time to react until, suddenly, a "Magic Shield" emerged from nowhere, covering her and when the impact dissipated, the silver-white hair could see Minna, Charlotte and the boy who was clinging to the Commander's back.
The smoke disappeared but not the surprises.
- Minna? Minna!.- Trudie reacted when she saw her, astonished.
- There is no time, this enemy's destination is London, we have to destroy it right now.- Ordered the redhead and without anyone else's opinion on the table, they began the charge against it.
Double D, for his part, noticed that the confrontation was becoming more and more intense. Without letting go of the girl, he took that tube that glowed intensely and thought that it could be of help.
- A field test, that's all I need...no project succeeded out of nowhere without an "evaluation" for its performance...- He thought, took off the cap, drank a little of its content and a few seconds after closing it again, a fierce explosion shook Minna and Charlotte, causing the boy to let go of the young girl and fall into the void.
- NO!.- Shouted the Commander and started the flight to rescue him, but the enemy had her where he wanted her.- I WILL NOT LET YOU HURT HIM, DAMN YOU!" shouted the redhead and fired at him.
For his part, Edd could not get out of his astonishment. One says that, being close to death, he sees his life through his eyes, as if it were a movie, carrying. He prayed to himself that the liquid would take effect, why was it taking so long? Rolf had tried it before and it worked in a few seconds until its culmination but now... He closed his eyes and was ready to accept his destiny, but, when he was a few meters away from hitting the surface of the North Sea and sinking into the depths, the boy remained floating in the air, stopped. He looked down, he could not believe it, his body remained still and that led to Minna's surprise.
- F...F...F...IT WORKED! YES, EUREKA!.- He celebrated but he didn't have time to celebrate, the "Shadow Neuroi" was about to attack them, however, the boy used what he had and went to the girls.- Don't worry about me, I'll be fine, you still have to defeat that bastard.- He encouraged them.
- You heard him: let's finish with that invader.- Ordered Trudie, who turned around, next to Minna, nodding her head, as a sign of gratitude for having gone there, even if it was a danger.
The attack restarted once again, but, back, there seemed to be no way they could defeat that opponent. Double D traced a circle and came to where the girls were and stood watching the enemy.
- It's incredible.- He said to them. The technology that this "Shadow Neuroi" possesses is superior to others seen before, but no one is unbeatable in this life," he said and from there he located something that shone intensely in the very center of the opponent.- Major Sakamoto, I found what you were looking for!.- He exclaimed and she went to him.
- Perfect, but its regeneration is much faster than the others. We will need a distraction so we can destroy it.- Said the Japanese girl.
- I will take care of it. You destroy it.- She asked as a mission.
- I'm coming with you. You are my responsibility.- Heard Eila's voice, which took the boy by surprise, but there was no time for small talk. He looked at his watch and only two minutes had passed, at any moment the effect would end, so they got down to work.
In the midst of the fusillade on the enemy, the girl and the intellectual reached the weak point of the machine. With a quick movement of their hand, the girls fired on that area, destroying part of it and exposing its "Core".
- Now!.- Ordered Trudie and a new wave of bullets were fired at it, but unfortunately, that armor did not seem to yield to anything.
- It can't be!.- Cried Lynne in horror.
- They've even made the "Core's" defense unbreakable!.- Exclaimed Yoshika at this new problem they had before their eyes.
Trudie gritted her teeth hard, she could not believe that the scientist had been so far ahead of the others and even more so with the protection that the "heart" of the "Shadow Neuroi" had. However, the dark brown did not intend to give up, she would not let him escape.
- I don't care what this is made of, we are "Witches" and our mission is to protect innocent people from those madwomen! Nobody is going to give up, we will fight until the last bullet! Now, all of you, attack!.- Shouted the Officer with a battle cry, insufflating the spirits and they returned to the attack. Eila joined them, while Double D looked at his watch: four minutes had passed. It could be that the effect was already coming to an end, so he noticed that Eila was about to drop the "Suomi M1931" submachine gun, so he adjusted it together with the cartridge, which was loose, but, when he did so, one of the bullets suddenly began to glow.
- Is everything all right?.- The silver-white hair asked and when she noticed that the young man from Peach Creek was holding his other firearm, she took it but did not say anything about it.
For her part, the attack continued and when Eila grabbed her submachine gun, it fired the ammunition of that cartridge and at that moment, just when the "Shadow Neuroi" was going to shoot again, the bullet that Double D had touched, in a surprising way, impacted squarely against the protection of the "Nucleus" and causing the enemy to be shot down. An intense red color due to the internal heating of its functions caused the "Witches" to retreat and with it came an explosion that threw its debris everywhere, sinking into the depths of the North Sea, becoming its watery grave.
The Battle of the North Sea was over, Double D watched the girls and their amazement at what had happened. However, by the time he sat up, the aura that enveloped him, the Magic he had received thanks to the liquid in the tube, had finally disappeared. He was about to hit the surface when it was Eila who rescued him, leaving him unconscious. Yoshika approached him and took his pulse.
- Don't worry, he's fine, nothing happened to him.- Said the brown sergeant.
- All right, we'd better get back. There will be many questions that we will have to ask and also to continue with the work of searching for the "Hives". Let's get going.- Said Trudie and from there they started their return to the headquarters.
[The first battle, the baptism of fire for Double D but with it many questions will remain to be answered; which we will see in the next chapters.
I hope you like it and I'll be seeing you, friends.
Good start of the day Wednesday from me].
