Chapter V:
Practically, the skies were cleared of enemy forces, the Shadow Neuroi had suffered many casualties but when they retreated, the Witches did not pursue them, but waited there, a group of them, taking up defensive positions, ready for when the time came to attack. The Officers were there, among them Commander Mina and Lieutenant Barkhorn, but the Peach Creek boys had been ordered to return to HQ and rest, then they would be called to the front. That air combat left them devastated, exhausted, even with the "Magic" inside them, those powers had to be controlled, not only by military training and with the help of Anna Ferrara, but it was also a matter of mastering them 100%.
Yoshika, Trudie, Minna and Charlotte had stayed in the area to keep an eye on it, to set up an "Observation Post" in case the "Shadow Neuroi" returned and, perhaps, later, Sanya would join them during their night patrol. Availing themselves with the help of the "Operations Room" and the data coming in and out, the Cruels did not respond with a new wave of enemy ships, something that worried the red-haired Commander.
- Understood, thank you, General.- She thanked and turned off her communicator.
- What happened?.- Yoshika asked.- Any news?
But Minna shook her head.
- Nothing, it's as if they were swallowed up by the earth, evaporated. There's no news from those bastards, but they won't let their guard down. Maybe they are employing some interference trick like the other time, maybe not, that's the thing.- Answered the redhead, while floating in the air and holding her weapon ready for a possible combat.
- I see, maybe...- The Fuso Sergeant was silent for a while, her right hand on her chin and with that she was debating herself on how to find a concrete answer.
- What could it be, Yoshika?.- Charlotte asked, approaching her.
- I don't want to sound pessimistic, girls, but I fear that this could be the prelude to something much more serious.- She answered seriously to those present.
- Wait a minute, do you think that could be true?.- Minna interjected, but the other shrugged her shoulders.
- I wish I could give you a more official answer, but I'm afraid this was just the tip of the iceberg, I can't tell you to what extent this peace can be maintained.- Said Yoshika.- But, when this peace is over, then they will come: If they are preparing to assault South America and Oceania, then they must already have their forces more than ready and sending that group could have been a distraction, while they are arming themselves and thus launching the attack.- She said seriously and that struck a chord with the others, "I am sorry to have been too pessimistic, but...- She was about to apologize but Trudie came to her.
- You don't have to do it, you gave us a chance, you shouldn't feel that way or disappointed with yourself.- The dark brown Lieutenant reassured her and from there she looked to the South.- If what you have told us is true, then we will have to be ready to fight, as we did before. I only hope that the boys have mastered their powers as soon as possible.- That was the request she made, an oath, and with that they remained in that place, waiting for a new intrusion to be reported.
The return to HQ was silent and around noon they were already descending on the airstrip, where they were leaving their "Striker Units" so that the specialized teams could take care of the routine inspections along with their weapons, however, in the middle of that return, Erica had decided to stay with that device that allowed her to fly and noticed that Ed was leaving with the others when she called him.
- Wait, Ed, come, come!.- Exclaimed the blonde from Karsland, waving her hands in the air, getting his attention and he set course for where she was.
- Is something wrong, friend?.- He asked at that call, but she reassured him.
- No, don't worry, I just wanted to know if you would like to stay here with me and give me a hand with my "Striker Unit". It takes time and besides, we could chat a little, don't you think so?.- The "Witch" proposed and that pleased the young man, who nodded his head, leading the other to smile at the other's show of affection.
Once in the hangar where she and her friend were, she took her equipment and began to inspect it on the table and with the help of Ed, who passed her the tools, she had a good work partner.
- Pass me that screwdriver, please.- Asked the blonde and he responded by giving her what she asked for.
- Hey, I have a question.- He asked curiously.
- Go ahead, I'm all ears.- Answered Erica, while she made the necessary adjustments and then moved on to her combat weapon.- Hmmm, looks like I'll need a little more ammunition in case we have to go back to the front.- She said to herself.
- Well, since you fought the "Neuroi" in the Past, did they have any difference with these ones now?.- She asked and that led the young Karlsland girl to stop working. The screwdriver was gently placed on the table, while she took a deep breath.
- That's a very good question.- She said with a neutral tone of voice.- It's not bad what you said, but I'll tell you.- She took a few seconds to reorganize her thoughts and then proceeded with what she had to do.- Yes, there is a difference and it seemed that we had it in our hands. Let's take a seat and have a nice refreshment for this chat, then I'll get on with my work.- She asked and after pointing to some armchairs, he went to a drink machine, taking two out of it.
Ed felt the cold that ran through the cover of that can. He took one of his fingers and removed the cap that protected it, allowing the gas to come out and a sweet aroma to permeate his nostrils.
- Awww, just like the ones at home.- He said and took a first sip. Then, once his thirst was quenched, he placed the can on the coffee table they had there.- Now tell me, how much of a difference did it make?.- He asked curiously.
- Well, when we were fighting against the "Neuroi" in the past, Yoshika had come in contact with one of the enemy's "Hives" and there she was with one of its members; but it did not attack her.- She said and that left the Science Fiction lover speechless.- Yes, it sounds crazy, but it's true, she was not attacked by that "Neuroi", it seemed that it even acted like a Human Being, it studied her and even took the form of the Sergeant. Maybe we should have known better, but... there were many discrepancies, not even the Officers agreed with it and when Yoshika could see that "Neuroi" again, the "Military Coup" of General Mallory took place, who used the "Warlock" to exterminate the enemy, being betrayed by his invention.- She said.
- And that's where the whole thing with the grandfather of the Kanker“s sisters comes from. You had told us, besides them, that he worked for that General, right?.- Added Ed and she nodded her head.
- A madness carried out by a person who thought he was the master of the situation, but who ended up playing against him.- Erica said and sighed.- There are times when I think that betrayal should not have been like that: we had things under control, but when people, the most ambitious ones, only want benefits in money and power, at the expense of the suffering of others, that makes you lose hope in Humanity, but then you get it back when you are with your friends who would give everything for the World. That's what makes me proud to be a "Witch". I may be a little absent-minded and sloppy when it comes to my room, but I would never leave my friends and my Homeland alone. No, not ever. I'm willing to give everything for them, even fight to the end.- She recounted and gave that oath she had with her, besides showing her personality, being heard by Ed, who applauded her and put his hands around her shoulders.
- You have a good cause to fight for, Erica, and that gives you meaning to everything around you. I'd do the same thing if I were in your shoes.- The Peach Creek boy backed him up. There are times when I am also someone very clueless, innocent and I end up ruining many of the cons I used to do with Eddy and Double D. I can't help it, it's part of my being, my personality, it's as if the others wanted me to stop watching Science Fiction movies, which I will never do. It's just that...there are times when I feel like I'm pushed aside by others, when you're not in that circle and they see you as a freak.- He said and that left the blonde with her mouth open.
- Who says that about you?.- Erica asked, standing up and looking the boy in the eyes.
- Nobody, only I think about it.- Answered Ed, looking up, but he ended up betraying himself.- Well, they also saw me that way in Peach Creek, especially Sarah.
- Well, she's not the Queen of England, she has her faults too. We all have something that identifies us, our tastes and ways of being. There is no such thing as perfection in this world, besides, no one is born knowing. We acquire our knowledge through our families, books, school and culture, but if there are people who think that because you like monster movies and so on, then it is something you should feel proud of, just like me with being a "Witch", among other things, I am also happy to have a great friend like you, Ed.- She finished, after giving him that show of affection and support, but that, inside her, there was something else that was germinating little by little.
Soon, Erica went to where the young man was and gave him a big hug.
- Thank you. I really appreciate it. You are a great help as Double D.- He thanked her and she patted him on his back.
- It's nothing and remember, Ed: Never let yourself be humiliated by others. You're worth more than those stupid people out there, especially the Cruels, who I hope to kick their asses very soon," the Karsland girl augured and from there they went back to their work.
Eddy was walking outside the headquarters when he noticed that someone grabbed him from behind, taking him to some columns and from there, while he struggled, he noticed that the person was twice his physical strength.
- Shh, it's me, Francesca.- The person responsible for the "little joke" spoke to him.
- You scared me, but well, what's up? He asked the Italian.
- What are your plans for today?.- She asked and he raised an eyebrow.
- Well, nothing special, why?.- He wanted to know and she smiled, in an accomplice way, to the boy and from there she took him by the hands, leaving the place towards the countryside.
- Let's say that today I want to spend my day off with you: let's go and have fun.- She proposed and that surprised the boy, but he changed his expression to a calmer and more serene one.
- Now that you say so, I also want to go and have a good time. Let's go.-He agreed, and she let out a cry of joy at his friend's offer.
They drove a good distance away and from there they got into a jeep that Francesca had, one for two people. Eddy examined it and it looked like one of those that appeared in World War II serials and movies. The Italian woman got into the driver's side, opened the glove compartment and took out the keys, starting the car, while her friend sat next to her in the passenger seat.
- Where are we going?.- Eddy asked excitedly.
- Have you ever been to Rome?.- The black-haired woman asked him and he shook his head.
- No, I've never been there.- He answered, surprised.-Agh, I should have changed and...- He complained and got a tap on the back of the head from the Officer, who laughed at that.
- It's no big deal either!.- She exclaimed, amused.- But yes, I'll take you to Rome and you'll have a great time. You have to rest after so much battle.- She said and headed for the ports, where they would take a ship to the Italic Peninsula.
While the girl was driving, Eddy ran his hand over the back of his neck, he still felt the heat from the effect of the blow received, a friendly one, but he could not stop looking at his companion, at that young woman with black hair and those beautiful eyes. Was he feeling something inside him? Something that was developing little by little?
- Very well.- Said Erica, taking off her protective mask after having used the blowtorch.- Let's try it," she asked and took her "Striker Unit" along with her combat weapon, which was unloaded and pointed it at an invisible target.
He pulled the trigger but heard a strange tinkling sound inside.
- Hmmm, there seems to be something wrong.- Warned Ed and pointed to the source of origin.- It is here, look, where these pieces are joined?.- He observed and then the blonde placed the object on the work table.
- Let's see.- She asked and his friend passed him a screwdriver, starting the process of disassembling it and from there he found what seemed to be the problem in front of his eyes. Hey, did you see? I told you, you're not stupid, you found the problem in my gun. Look.- She complimented him, patting it and then pointing out what was affecting it.
Ed felt satisfied, while a smile spread across his face as he continued to help the girl from Karsland.
- Okay, Nazz.- Said Mio, as she walked with the blonde along the beaches of Brittania.- Do you know why I brought you here?
The cheerleader didn't really know why they went to this place. It was calm, the North Sea was calm, some waves and the fresh wind coming from it were the only things "present" there, together with both girls. When she was about to answer, she noticed that Fuso's Major pulled out two wooden katana, coming from the "Kendo", handing one to the girl and the other for her. Nazz reacted and took it just in time, in the air, but speechless at what was in front of her eyes.
- Wait a minute, what is all this, Major Sakamoto?.- She wanted to know but the other one took a battle stance.
- I will tell you shortly.- She promised and from there they distanced themselves a few meters.- Listen, I have seen that you have a good command of your "Magic" in the battlefield, you know how to evade the enemy but there is more that I must teach you, personally, and that is the "Reppumaru".- Hearing that, Nazz did not know how to react. There was no word that would help her describe what Mio wanted to teach her, so she held on to the wooden katana and prepared to defend herself.- I know, it's too early for this, but don't worry, I'll teach you one step at a time, okay?.
She nodded her head.
- Very good, that's the way to talk, now, let's practice.- Asked the black haired girl and they started with their exercise.
Lynne had obtained a "Permission" to go to her family's fields for a few days, since she had to give them a hand with the harvest and for that she took Rolf with her, in addition to the fact that the boy was eager to give them a hand with respect to the sowing. Once they reached the land, the foreigner helped him in his work until the harvest was finished.
- Is something wrong, my friend Bishop?.- Rolf asked when he saw her with a worried face.
- It's... It's about the girls, especially Yoshika, she is there, patrolling that area. I'm worried about them being there and in the middle of a dangerous place.- She answered his question, so the dark blue hair took a seat next to him.
- Hey, take it easy.- He said calmly and placed his hand on her back.- There's no need to think like that. I'm sure you will be able to protect that place and when we are called, together we will crush those undesirable "Shadow Neuroi".- He promised, giving support to her friend.- Don't lose faith. You yourself taught us that: that we must fight to the end and we will do it.
- You are right: I have known Yoshika for a long time and I know she will not give up. I just hope we can stop the Kankers. I don't know about you, but I have a strange feeling about their plans. There's something we haven't seen yet.-Lynne predicted and Rolf nodded in agreement.
- Yes, I think so too. I just hope it's hearsay and nothing more than that.- She asked and from there they went back to work.
For their part, Eddy and Francesca were on board the ship that was taking them to Italy. The weather was ideal for sailing, the skies clear to cloudy, seagulls and other marine life flitting around. Many of the aforementioned were swooping towards the Mediterranean Sea to grab the fish swimming in those waters to feed themselves and their chicks. In turn, the short boy was leaning on one of the iron railings when he noticed his friend pointing north and before him, the Italic Peninsula opened up before his eyes.
Once they disembarked with the jeep, Francesca began to take Eddy along the roads that, in ancient times, countless men and women of Ancient Rome had traveled after the wars and the coming of the Republic and the Empire. The freshness of the countryside, the wind stirring the treetops, the sweet scent of the Boreal Spring along with the flowers beginning to open, were a sight worthy of the mind and memories.
- Are you ready for when we get to Romagna?.- Francesca asked, turning to where the young man was standing.
- Of course, when...?.- She didn't have time to finish her sentence, as, before her eyes, the Capital City of the Duchy opened before her eyes, leaving the boy speechless and with it came all its History, architecture, a rich culture preserved through time.
[In the next part we will continue with the interactions between the Eds with the girls. A fairly uneventful chapter and the next one too but...not to be fooled. That's all I'll say.
I hope you like it. I send greetings and thanks to Matfix, Franco M. Romano and the other followers.
Take care, friends, good start of the day Tuesday and also...
Happy beginning of February 2022].
