Chapter III:

Many say that the calm in a war front is a prelude to what could happen later, whether it happens or not, however, the "Witches" did not lower their guard at all, since they were expecting a new enemy attack, which could happen in any part of the world. The Capitals of many Nations such as Buenos Aires, Montevideo and Santiago de Chile were ghost cities, their population had been evacuated and distributed throughout their territories, avoiding taking them to other large cities where they could fall into the clutches of the enemy. Asuncion and La Paz were still calm, but with half of the civilians living, while others, forming huge flows of refugees, were leaving for the mountains, well to the north. Lima and Quito had become authentic bastions of resistance against the invader, while Canberra, the Capital of Australia, after the bombings suffered, although they did not leave many damages nor casualties among the population, had opted to fortify itself and wait for the enemy to come, trusting in the security that the "Witches" were giving them.

And since the fall of the "Third Hive" they had not stopped keeping the Skies of the World under surveillance; so they made nightly patrols until well after dawn. Minna and Trudie were the ones in charge of that work, having very few hours of rest and that was affecting them too much. A person can't spend a lifetime sleeping for a short period of time and drinking coffee to stay awake; but that background in London and other parts of Europe had been more than enough on the girls.

A young Army cadet left on the Commander's desk a brown paper envelope, which had a series of photos along with some redacted papers and an official stamp.

- And this?.- She asked, looking at the boy, who closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

- It is the "5:00 AM Report" they requested: "No news between the airspace from Europe to South America".- The boy answered her and looked at her from there, making her touch her heels and standing at attention.- My Commander, excuse me for getting into this, but you need to sleep for a while. You can trust us. The "Operations Room" is still active and we are monitoring every move the "Shadow Neuroi" make.- He advised her but the girl did not hear him. He looked up and she was resting her head on the desk and sleeping peacefully, just like Trudie.

It was then that he went out and quietly closed the door.


Once he had completed his task, he called two Sentinels to guard the sector so that no one would disturb the two Officers who were resting, besides, if anything happened, the "Operations Room" would warn them instantly.


Meanwhile, in the outskirts, Mio and Nazz continued practicing so that she could learn the technique that the Japanese woman had used in the past. Still, the blonde was concentrating on what she was going to do, following the movements that the other was performing. One step at a time. Mio stepped forward and charged at the first but the latter defended herself, blocking the blow with her wooden sword. She then counter-attacked but the Major beat her to it, striking her in the right side, causing Nazz to grit her teeth in pain and close her eyes for a moment.

- Don't get distracted, Nazz!.- Heard the voice of Kevin, who was sitting on one of the dunes overlooking the beaches, paying attention to what the cheerleader was doing.

- He's right, don't let your guard down.- Said Mio and from there she traced another attack, which was parried and she returned to her own, grazing the left side of the black hair, who was able to dodge it, by a margin of a few seconds. That had just begun.

Moving a few meters away, calculating the distance, Nazz saw that Major Sakamoto remained still in her position; leading her to raise an eyebrow and that's when she suddenly appeared in front of her and they were face to face when their wooden swords collided.


Kevin felt like his heart was going to burst out of his rib cage at that moment of maximum tension. His forehead was pearly with cold sweat that ran down his face like an avalanche of snow in the mountains. She hoped that this practice would end in the blonde's benefit, however, Mio was not just any person, she had already known her history, the fight she had against the "Neuroi" in the Past and now her return to the battlefield, even though she should have retired due to her "Magic" becoming weak but the young Japanese girl didn't care. He had a plan in mind and Nazz was the ideal candidate he had chosen.

At one point, he watched as the black hair hit the blonde in the stomach, leading to her rolling on the floor, dropping her wooden sword and leaving a curtain of dust in the air until she disappeared.

- Nazz!.- Shouted the red-haired man, as he was about to go down to help her but noticed that the girl was back on her feet.


- I haven't heard the "Bell" yet, Mio Sensei.- Said the American with that tone of respect towards Major Sakamoto, who smiled, in a satisfactory way and from there she saw that the latter took her wooden katana.- I want to learn that technique, I don't care how, but I will.- She promised herself, looking towards Kevin and from there he felt better that she was in full condition to continue.


Once they resumed their practice, Kevin felt at ease. Strange as it seemed, he had been very attached, since the last few days, to Nazz and seeing her training with Yoshika's friend was something he had never seen from her before. He wondered what kind of results such exercises would bring him and especially about the influence with the "Shadow Neuroi".

It was then that he lay down on the dunes and closed his eyes for a while, confident that everything would be fine, besides it did not hurt to get some sleep after a few weeks, or even months, of daily confrontations against the invaders, their retreat and then they were returning to the HQ to, immediately after, fight again.


The blonde charged, just like a Knight during a "Joust" in the Middle Ages, directing the blow towards Mio. The latter was witnessing the advances that the American girl was having when it came to attacking and defending herself. She protected herself from his offensive and was then overpowered by Nazz, causing her wooden sword to fly through the air until it hit the ground a few meters away from where they were.

They were silent for a long time, the wind moved Mio's hair, he raised his head and from there he looked at her head on.

- Skillful, tenacious, resistant. Just like me.- Major Sakamoto showed her respects to Nazz, while clapping her hands and holding out her hand.- This is one of the best defense maneuvers I have seen in my entire life and I have to congratulate you for it.

- I appreciate it very much, Major.- Replied the blonde American.- Although, perhaps I need to practice a little more, my left arm is different, with respect to the impact it can cause.

- Don't worry, that can be corrected with a leveling and management of both for when you are in combat. I will teach you how to master it.- She promised and they began to retreat from the beaches to where Kevin was.


- Lieutenant Barkhorn, you wanted to see me?.- Asked Sarah, as she entered the room shared by the dark brown with her. Inside was the girl from Karsland reading some reports and following the trail on the maps that were displayed on the table. With one hand on her head, the girl remained silent.

The redhead opted not to speak, any distracting sound would send her into pure chill mode, so she took a seat in a chair and waited until Trudie finished her work.

- From Spain to Russia we have a "Safety Corridor" for civilians to go and settle there. Many are thinking of returning to their countries, such as in Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, Greece and others but no, it won't happen yet.- The dark brown haired woman muttered under her breath as she continued her work, "Let's see, we have defeated the Kankers in the North Sea Coast, near Brittania, in Africa and now in Antarctica. But the question remains the same: Where will they be now? It's as if the other "Hives" had disappeared as if by magic... I don't understand, until recently we had their coordinates, now they no longer appear in the same ones.- She warned and with that he stood up, stretching and went to a thermos he had there, where he poured some hot coffee in a cup he had with him. She looked up and there was the redhead, who remained seated in a chair, located a few meters away from where they were.- Aww, Sarah, excuse me if I paid attention to you, but I was busy.

- I see, but no problem, Lieutenant.- Replied the girl with a respectful tone, which led Trudie to take a sip of her coffee and then stand up, leaving the cup on a base so that the heat it gave off would not damage the table on which she was working.

- I see you're on the right track, you don't get so angry with your older brother anymore.- She said, walking up to where she was and with that penetrating look, the redhead was trembling with fear but she controlled herself.- Isn't that right?

- No, really, I haven't had those problems. I swear.- She gave her word, leaving Trudie silent and from there she shook her head, letting out a deep sigh.

- Perfect, that's the way I like it. Don't get into trouble or hurt your brother.- She complimented her, placing his hand on her shoulders.- Now, Sarah, listen to me very carefully.

- Yes.- She complied with the call for attention. Then the Karsland girl returned to her desk. It was full of papers, maps, books and other sources that she used to continue with the operations against the "Kanker Empire".- Her footsteps echoed through the room and from there he stood in front of a large map that was hanging on the wall, so he pointed to it, right where a black dot was.

- As you can see, we have defeated the Kanker's "Shadow Neuroi Forces" in the North Sea, Africa and now in Antarctica, yes?.- She spoke to her very carefully so as not to confuse her. She nodded and the other was able to continue.- Now, as you can see, this is where the problem lies.

- The unfortunate ones don't show up.- The redhead pointed out.

- Indeed, the Kanker Sisters are nowhere to be found, but we think they may be between the East Liberion Coasts and Europe, although it may be that the bastards are hiding their tracks with some kind of jamming device.- She pointed out as a theory.

- Are you sure about that, Lieutenant?.- Asked Sarah, but Trudie didn't know how to answer her, so she shook her head.

- I may or may not be wrong, but that the Kankers have disappeared from the war front is a very bad sign.- Warned the girl.- In 1918, when the First World War was in its final stage, General Erich Lundendorff of the German Empire carried out a great offensive, just when it was believed that hostilities would end in the first months of that year, but it was not so. The final result was the defeat of Germany and the end of the war, but, yes, during this stage, his offensive was fearsome due to the use of infantry, airplanes, artillery, toxic gases and artificial fog.- She told this historical fact to the redhead.

- Do you think the Kankers could launch a sudden assault?.- That question left Trudie silent as he walked towards her.

- That it could happen, yes, it will happen, although the question is when and where. However... I fear that this may be superior to what we have already fought.- Warned the dark chestnut.- Now listen, from this moment on, when this thing we have already mentioned takes place, you must know that there will be a before and after, where you will have to use everything you have learned during the training. Don't forget, Sarah, that the future is in our hands.- She asked not to forget those words and the other one nodded her head.- Very well, now you can go with the others. If you need anything, just let me know.

- I promise and thank you very much, Lieutenant Barkhorn.- Thanked Ed's younger sister, who left the room and headed for the corridors.


The Italian woman, on her part, snuggled against her boyfriend's chest, staying deeply, while he caressed her hair, feeling the softness of her skin, the contact of both of them and that led him to smile after unsuccessful searches to get someone's love.

- "You're really cute, I can't deny it and to think I was almost going to end up being the husband of that nutty Lee. No way would I do that and more so with one who is crazy and wants to rule the World. I may be a hustler and all, but becoming some kind of "King by force" doesn't appeal to me at all".- He thought, as he laid his body down on the grass and closed his eyes.


Something was bothering Trudie about the "Front Reports" that were arriving one by one, both to her and to Minna and Mio. The three of them were in the room of the mentioned one, checking the big map that was on the wall and framed so that it would not be damaged by any kind of agent such as humidity or if someone had an accident and spilled some liquid against the surface.

- I don't get it: Their forces keep circling and attacking cities but they let themselves be defeated by us. I don't like this at all, girls.- Minna deduced seriously.

- It's an "Armed Peace", just like the one that happened from 1871 to 1914. At some point they will show up.- Trudie warned.

- We should go looking for them, there are still other "Sectors" like the Galician Coast in Spain or Iceland. Mio put her theory on the table, but this one was, like the others, impossible to prove because of the scarcity of evidence.

- Still, if we look for them, I'm sure they'll slip away again. They are very clever and are surely using some kind of jamming system to cover their tracks. On top of that, we also don't know if those places where they are have been evacuated.- Said Minna, while taking a seat.- We have to find their trail right now, otherwise, who knows what they will do later.- She finished with an air of seriousness in her voice.


The words of those girls "portrayed" very well the context in which she found herself, since moments of peace were breathed by Europe and the rest of the World, although the remaining "Hives" were still standing and operational, the "Shadow Neuroi Forces" were not launching simultaneous attacks, but simple skirmishes and short time bombings. But, in spite of everything, the fear that the Kanker had a much more dangerous and sinister plan was still the order of the day.


Meanwhile, Ed was with Erica, giving her a hand with one of the fighter planes that were there on one of the hangars, repairing a breakdown in the engine. The Science Fiction lover and boyfriend of the blonde from Karsland was handing her the tools she requested, and he was the one who carried out the orders and from there he saw her leaving the repair area, removing the sweat and the oil stains on her face.

- Ufff, what a job this beauty has given me.- Sighed the girl, as she went down the folding stairs and reached the ladies' room, where she rinsed her face with fresh water and soap, cleaning it of dirt and impurities.

- You are very good with airplanes, since when are you fascinated by them?.- Asked Ed to the blonde, who went to a drink machine and handed her one. After that, she took a seat in a chair over there.

- Awww, yes, I needed to relax for a while.- She sighed, relieved and closing her eyes. She put one of her slender fingers on the little cap that kept the contents of the can closed, it emitted a sound produced by the escaping gas inside, and from there she took a sip to refresh her throat after a good day's work.- Go ahead, sit next to me, Ed, no problem. Besides, you and I are a couple, remember?.- She invited him with kindness and tenderness, making him smile and go to where he was, opening his can of soda.- Oh, yes, right, I forgot about that question you asked me: Yes, that's right, my sister, Ursula and my mother were "Witch" and my father was a doctor.

- Ohh, you must be proud of that family heritag.- Ed remarked, while holding the can between his fingers.- And I can just imagine your first days at the Academy.

- Hehehehehe, my first outing...- Erica was about to tell the story but she couldn't hold back her laughter. Her cheeks were turning crimson from the accumulation of pressure as she couldn't resist the temptation to burst out laughing and finally it happened: "Hahahaha, you should have seen me, I lost sight of "Flight Sergeant" RoBmann.- She laughed at that but then went back to a neutral posture.- But I also started to take this position seriously, it's not a game or anything like that, you have to be always aware of everything that happens around you. You must not let your guard down even for a second or it will get complicated for you.

- Wow, your first outing was a disaster and...you are right, for some reason, when we were fighting against the Kankers in Antarctica, facing May was...I don't know how to say it...- Ed deduced with a bit of doubt in his voice.

- Weird?.- Asked Erica and he agreed.

- Yes, that's the word I was looking for: It felt weird, since she...was one of the three who kept harassing us non-stop...- He pointed and the blonde from Karsland closed her eyes, nodding her head.

- Ed.- She put her hands on the boy's shoulders.- Don't feel bad for what you did, it was a wise decision to fight against her, besides, remember that May and her other two sisters are responsible for this war. If you didn't face it, others would have to do it.- She gave him her moral support, while he looked at the floor.

- You are right, Erica. You're right.- He looked at the blonde, who smiled calmly.- There was no other option but that. But well, it's a thing of the past, now, the important thing is to end this war and be with you.- She promised, raising his soda can in the air.

- Here's to the same, Ed.- The girl joined in.

- Cheers!.- They both toasted, clinking them together and drinking their contents.


- It's amazing how she did it, she put up a really good fight.- Sanya pointed out to Eila about what happened in Antarctica, while Double D entered the room of the two girls.

- Oh, sorry, if I interrupted you I'll wait outside and...- She offered her apologies, however, Orussia's albino beckoned her to enter. Neither of them said anything, they just waited for the boy to obey the albino's request and he did. He took a seat in one of the chairs and came face to face with the women present.

There was a deep silence, you could only hear the wind blowing fresh from the North Sea and nothing more than that, the rest was pure calm until Sanya began to articulate her words that she had directed towards that boy with the black cap.

- What you did there, both in the North Sea, Africa and now in Antarctica has been a great step for you, Double D.- The albino girl of Orussia began to talk to him.- You showed, as well as your friends, that your powers that come from "Magic", allowed you to give them the key to enter this "New World".- She alleged and then he noticed that Sanya stood up.

- I...I...Well, I thank you very much, but...- I was making a mistake by speaking formally before her but nothing happened.

- Don't worry, I'm not angry, quite the opposite.- Sanya said and then looked at Eila.

- I recognize that I was wrong about you when she chose you to be under her protection and now, after these battles that have taken place in various parts of the World, I have realized that you have a pure and golden heart, Double D.- The silver hair emphasized, while that caused a blush on the young man's cheeks.- You have proven to be a good Soldier, someone who fights with courage and determination, in addition to protecting your friends. You should be proud of that, Double D.- Eila supported him, while she gave him a tight hug together with Sanya, leaving the room in a new and deep silence.


[A new chapter for you, my friends, and with it we have the calm before the storm. The fears of the Officers about the disappearance of the Kankers and with it their new machinations that they will be carrying out. What will happen in the next chapter?

Don't miss it. I send my greetings and thanks to Matfix, Franco M. Romano and the rest of the followers.

Take care and good Friday from me, Comrades].