Chapter IV:
Triumph, victory, that was what the Kankers were reaping throughout the length and breadth of Africa. The defenses and armies that faced them could do nothing against their unstoppable force of war, that machine that knew no limits and that was turning the cities into uninhabited, barren areas, covered with rubble and death. What was the West Coast of that continent had fallen under its power, the North was still in its sights, while, in the East, resistance continued but without success, only accumulated defeats that would not stop growing until they surrendered or were completely destroyed.
One city after another, villages, fields that were turned into vast barren extensions, set on fire, animals that fled to other areas to be safe from the bombardments. Armies retreating to other regions along with countless tides of terrified civilians, terrified, with what little they could salvage from their homes to try to preserve their lives.
In a short time, despite the fierce resistance exerted by the African Nations, especially NATO, who tried to stop their advance but, not even with the most advanced weapons in the technological History of Humanity, could they make a scratch on those ships, which left a desolate wasteland. The retreat from there was inevitable, however, part of the bulk of the armies of that continent did not think of retreating towards the Atlantic Ocean, but they left towards the North, establishing a series of "Defensive Lines" along the Sahara Desert, ready to give a last battle, while the evacuation of the wounded and civilians began.
The three sisters contemplated the scenario they had created. It could be portrayed as a painting that matched those of World War II, detailing the suffering of the civilian population, the lack of food, the cold temperatures during the Winter, the bombings and the struggle to survive from day to day, while the Armies of both sides fought to see who would dominate the World, through their politics and economics, influences and so on. To this end, Lee had ordered to stop, for a while, the advance into North Africa, but to continue the fighting in Europe and the other continents.
- What are you waiting for, Lee? Why are we stopping?.- Marie asked her, who raised her right hand in a gesture of calm in the face of the uncertainty that was unleashed. The redhead moved towards the digital map area and pointed her index finger at the position they were in.
- We are here: No more than 300 kilometers from reaching the Maghreb, Marie.- The redhead explained but the dark blue hair could not find an answer to what she was looking for. Before she could ask a question, her sister beat her to it.
- Weren't we going to North Africa.- She asked but her sister corrected her.
- Exactly, and the Maghreb is the one mentioned.- Lee answered and that led Marie to nod her head.- Okay, we know very well that the forces of both the "African Union" and NATO have their defense positions distributed in this wide "fan" that goes from the West Coast to Egypt, placing their "Second Line of Defense" in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, what we will do will be very important, something that will get those wretches out of their posts.
- I see, I see.- Understood the dark blue hair, closing her eyes and nodding her head.- But we are forgetting something: the "Witches", those brats will not stop attacking us until they destroy our "Hives".- She warned of that negative point.
- Don't worry about it, for that we count on May, she will take care of those stupid ones.- Promised the redhead, while they were ordering the halt of the advance towards the North.
Double D was excited about the achievements made with Rolf's liquid, so he had asked everyone to get together so he could talk to them about this extremely important event. One by one, the boys arrived at the meeting point and were waiting to hear the news from the intellectual boy.
- Hey, where's Ed?.- Asked Eddy, who was looking for him but couldn't find him.
- Hmmm, I know where he is.- Answered Trudie.
- AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Trudie arrived with Perrine, Charlotte, Lynne and Yoshika to the "Rest Room", where Erica and Ed could be seen hugging each other, trembling with fear because of what they had seen in the latter's movies. The dark brunette let out a deep sigh, closed her eyes and had to hold back the urge to laugh at that comical scene.
- Erica, are you ok? and you Ed?.- Ran Yoshika to see her friend, who was pale.- What happened? What did you see?
- I told her that "Dawn of the Dead" was really scary.- Said the sci-fi lover, "I didn't want to scare her.
- No, don't talk nonsense, Ed.- Erica reassured him, slowly getting back to normal.- I was the one who wanted to see that movie and we ended up getting a good scare. But that's all it was, nothing more.- The girl showed that she took "responsibility" for her actions.
- But, Erica, I...- The other was about to say, but the girl had already made her "move".
- Shhh, take it easy, remember what I told you.- She whispered softly, winking at him and he remembered what happened a few hours ago.
- Well, it was just a scare and nothing more. But now it's time for you to come with us, Double D has a very important announcement to make.- Yoshika concluded with a calm tone in her voice, while the blonde and Ed stood up and headed for the outside.
Once gathered there, Ed noticed that Erica was tugging at one of the sleeves of his jacket, so he looked towards her to see what was going on.
- Hey, the movie was really good, hehehe, in spite of the scare we got.- The blonde thanked him for that.
- It's nothing, and I have plenty more.- He answered.
- Yes, let's make a movie night one of these days.- Proposed Erica, and how could the young man say no.- Great, I'd love to!
- Great, I'd love to!.- That exclamation could be heard a little more up to where the others were, so she had to lower her voice and then see when they would have a "meeting" like that.
- Well, we are all here, very well.- Double D was about to make his big announcement, however, he noticed that a Soldier was approaching Trudie, whispering something under his breath and she was nodding her head. Immediately she could notice, on his face, an expression of astonishment at what was in front of her. - This doesn't look good at all.
Her "vision" came true as the dark brunette walked up to the small platform that had been placed there, climbed up the ladder and from there came face to face with the boy in the black cap. She then approached him, placing her hand against his shoulders.
- We have a serious problem: The Commander is coming right away to give the news. You'll give yours when she's finished. I'm sorry, but it's been a sudden shock.- She informed him, whispering that information to him.
The young man had no words to help him describe the fear he felt. It could be any news related to the "Shadow Neuroi". A shiver ran through his body, completely, and that tension echoed in his friends.
- Hey, guys, what do you think happened?.- Rolf asked the others.
- No idea, but Lieutenant Barkhorn looked very worried.- Answered Johnny, who was holding Plank in his hands.
- It's obviously news from the Shadow Neuroi.- Edd objected.- What else could it be?.- He argued and Ed backed him up.
- But... do you think they have attacked Peach Creek at this time?.- He asked, but the problem was that any part of the world was at their mercy, so it was like winning the lottery.
- Maybe not, but that will depend on what Commander Minna tells us.- Kevin said to the question of the Eds' friend.- Please, don't let them destroy Peach Creek... all our memories are there.- The red-haired man begged, swearing an oath to Heaven.
At that moment, both the bicycle boy and Nazz felt Mio's hand on their shoulders, so they turned to see her closely and she remained by his side.
- Major Sakamoto.- The blonde addressed the black-haired Fuso Empire woman.- How can they cope with so many losses?.- The cheerleader wanted to know.
- In every war, we lose things we love: loved ones, our material possessions. Unfortunately, there is no "remedy" to help us forget or try to avoid, we can only hold on to what we love and fight for.- Mio answered to that question, while Nazz brought her hands to her chest, thinking about her home, her family and what she had there.
However, in that moment of maximum tension, those present noticed that the doors leading to the outside opened and from them came Commander Minna, who was talking to a group of soldiers at her side, who told her everything that had happened and she nodded her head. After crossing that part, she went up to Double D. Sweat was pouring down her forehead, cold, icy and more when she stood next to her, cleared her throat and prepared to speak.
- I am very sorry to interrupt this very important event, but I request that all of you come to the "Communications Room". It is urgent.- The redhead asked for the attention of all of them, who spoke quietly until she stepped off the platform, but Double D stopped her.
- Wait, Commander, what's going on? Why are we having a meeting?.- The boy wanted to know, but the young woman did not have the answer at that moment.
- As I have already said, Double D, it is necessary that you come to the place I told you. The only thing I can tell you is that the Kankers have beaten us to it and this time it has been very serious.- He said and they followed his lead.
Listening to those three sisters, more than one of them froze their blood and prayed that their home had not been turned into a war-torn zone. They followed the red-haired woman into the large room where the experts in communications and intelligence were working, while on the screens they could see the images of several news programs of the world, where they focused on the most important capitals, now reduced to rubble.
- When did all this happen? Again there was no alert?.- Francesca wanted to know about the destruction unleashed.
- They destroyed the radar systems along with the military bases located throughout Asia Minor, starting from Turkey to Greece, Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro. Albania and Kosovo no longer exist, Romania is still fighting along with Bulgaria but not only here, we also received reports of sightings of "Shadow Neuroi" ships in Mexico, the Caribbean, Jamaica, Haiti and the other islands of that region have been evacuated, the same in the Dominican Republic and Cuba. Brazil has attacked, the Capital, Sao Paulo, no longer exists. Argentina is resisting as best it can against the enemy, managing to hold back their advance, while they are evacuating civilians to the South, in Patagonia.- Minna informed them seriously, while more news came in from all over the world.
- We must make a decision, we must attack them, make skirmishes.- Proposed Francesca but the Commander shook her head.
- It won't do much good, besides, they will come back and with more ships, forces, we would be putting at risk the areas that are being evacuated, we would have severe casualties among civilians and military.- Denied the redhead to give in to that proposal.
- And what can we do then? They will continue to devastate all the continents, no one will be left alive. Those people in Latin America, Asia, Africa and others are also afraid, they don't want to die.- The Italian girl questioned.
A discussion had taken place between the Officers and there did not seem to be a solution. Everyone had their own position regarding the safety of civilians, but there was also the issue that an ambush against the "Shadow Neuroi" could end in complete failure. But, at that moment, someone intervened, extracting from inside one of his pockets a syringe with a shiny liquid that caught the attention of those present, stopping the exchange of words.
Kevin was the first to see it and swallowed saliva, knowing very well what the object was. The contents radiated a golden light, just like the rays of the Sun or the gold coins in a Pirate's treasure. Everyone had their conjectures, theories and other questions to expose there, but Double D thought otherwise, so everyone was silent to hear him. Minna turned and signaled him to speak. The sound of the air being torn by that movement and the articulation of the boy's words were what everyone was waiting for.
- First of all, I know that many of you are going to ask about what is here.- The intellectual began and his gaze went to Kevin, who seemed to be trying to hide his fear.- What you see here is the fruit of my research: The "Magic" that will help us in the fight against the Kankers and the "Shadow Neuroi".- He said and the content of the syringe moved with the movements of his right hand.- He said and the content of the syringe moved with the movements of his right hand.
- Great, we'll have powers like the heroes in my comics!.- Ed rejoiced, which made his black-capped friend chuckle under his breath.
- You could say yes, in a sense, but no one becomes powerful overnight. Moreover, there is a 50% chance that there will be some reactions in you when it is applied, just like the vaccines.
- What could they be?.- Kevin asked Double D, approaching and looking a little nervous.
- First of all, the effects could be mild or moderate and would be nothing more than fatigue or a slight fever, but only that. There is nothing to be afraid of.- he calmed them all down.- Now, many will be thinking that they will receive their powers instantly, but I am afraid I have to tell you that it will not happen, as it was said before, overnight, the trainings will continue so that both their bodies and the "Magic" will be in coordination," he explained to those present and from there they saw that Minna was going towards them.
- Indeed, and starting tomorrow, you will also begin to train with Miss Anna Ferrara, who will be your Instructor in the management of your powers.- Added the red-haired Commander.- Remember that she is very strict and you will have to address her with respect.
- You can count on us, Commander.- Ed promised the red-haired woman, who nodded her head.
- Very well, does anyone have any further questions?.- Asked Double D to those present, but no one said anything.- Okay, what I am going to request, to start with the inoculation, will be several extra syringes.- He asked, while Minna gave the order to a young cadet, who went to the "Sickbay" to bring him that material, "All right, everyone go to the "Sickbay".
- All of you go to there and they will start injecting the "Magic". They will be called one by one.- Said Trudie and they obeyed instantly.
While the Peach Creek boys were in that place, ready for the inoculation, Minna remained next to Trudie and the other "Witches", observing, on the screens, the situation in which they were now.
- Do you plan to contact her now?.- Asked Mio to the Commander, who had her eyes focused on all the battle fronts. Then, she turned around.
- Yes, we have no other choice and in addition to that, the training, now that they will receive the "Magic", will have to go up a little more in level. As Double D said, they will not become powerful overnight. It will be a slow process that will take time, but if you practice very hard, then you will reach a mastery that will grow.- Minna answered to the question of the Major of the Fuso Empire.
- On the other hand, we will have to attack the Cruels in Central Europe and try to alleviate the situation from Czechoslovakia to the borders with Russia.- Added the black-haired woman and the other one nodded her head.
- Do it.- The redhead authorized them and they left.
They had a lot of work to do.
[From this moment on, a new phase of training will begin with the help of Anna Ferrara, who appeared in Season 2 of "Strike Witches" and who will be someone of great importance. On the other hand, I will also continue working on the friendship that the characters will have with the girls and so on.
I'm sorry if it took me a long time to update but, being close to the Holidays, I'm very busy. However, I will keep writing.
I hope you like this chapter, friends. I'll be seeing you. I send greetings to all of you and I'll see you in the next chapter.
Have a good start of the day Tuesday from me, Comrades].
