Chapter IV:

- Do you think this flank is very weak against an enemy incursion, Francesca?.- Asked Trudie, who had gathered the team in the Commander's Office to discuss the plan before starting the trip. She nodded, pointed out on the map the points that were fragile and could be breached by a quick advance by the "Shadow Neuroi", and showed the other places that she drew on a diagram, with Eddy's help.

- I did this while we were checking the natural borders between Italy and Karsland, I don't know if this can be theory or not, but if the Persians could discover the "Thermopylae Pass" during the "Medical Wars", well defended by the Spartans of King Leonidas, then the Kanker can move their forces at low level or even with jamming devices, just like what happened in Brittania.- Alleged the Italian, moving her right hand over the map, back and forth, seriously pointing out the potential danger those mountain passes posed to the enemy.

- I see.- Said Minna, crossing her arms and then bringing one of her hands to her chin.- If so, I will need you to accompany us all the way to Karsland, as an escort.

- You can trust us, My Commander.- Eddy answered and once the meeting was over, they were ordered to leave.


Once they left Minna's office, the pair made their way through the corridors. That day there was a lot of activity over the headquarters in Brittania, due to the preparations for the trip to Karsland, Suomus and Orussia. In the hangars, the work of the technicians and operators in charge of the "Striker Units" and the ammunition for the girls' weapons could be seen. While they were walking towards the room they shared, Eddy turned to talk to his girlfriend about what could happen from now on.

- Do you think it's true what you saw there.- The black-haired girl told him and he nodded his head.

- I may or may not be wrong, but we can't take any chances. The Kankers have already played us when they attacked your country and those of Eila, Sanya and Erica. Now they are a danger to all of us and what we must do is take them by surprise, use their tactics against them.- He said and that led Francesca to nod her head.

- That is excellent. I support it, I can't wait to beat Lee again for what he did to me.- Said the black-haired girl, cracking her knuckles.

- By the way, how are you doing with that burn.- Eddy asked and she noticed the tone of concern in his voice.

- Oh, Eddy, you don't have to worry so much about it. It doesn't hurt.- She reassured him, but he couldn't leave that feeling aside. So he approached her and noticed that she was gritting her teeth.- It's just a few seconds of pain, but it will go away.

- I'd better accompany you to the "Infirmary". It could get infected. I'm not a doctor, but I don't want anything bad to happen to you.- He advised and the Italian agreed.

- You can see that you have changed a lot. The first time we met, when I saved you from the Kankers, he only thought for himself and nothing more than that along with the scams, but now he's not that person anymore. What I did makes me proud of this, just like Perrine with Jimmy or Erica with Ed, even Yoshika with Johnny. Our mission to turn them into responsible people who would not be driven by anger or false evidence paid off. Although, from the bottom of my heart, I would not like them to continue fighting this war but there is no turning back now: we have to continue. I know we can put an end to those damn things. I know.- Thought the black-haired girl, holding the boy's hand and heading towards the "Infirmary", where they entered and a small study was performed.

Luckily, the doctor in charge of that place saw that it was not serious and prescribed him to use a cream against burns. That led Eddy to breathe a sigh of relief, while, after a few minutes there, they left for the outside.


He had reached Karsland by means of one of his personal ships. It turned and descended until it touched the surface of the heliport located in the Government Palace in Berlin, the capital of that city. The doors opened and before her she could see the cloudy skies, covered by a thick fog together with the coolness coming from the North Sea, even though it was Spring. May Kanker was there, as "Defense Commander" in that important city. He walked a few meters, signaled his "Elite Guards" to wait and contemplated, from that imposing view, the raised fortifications, the ships that hovered in the Firmament and the land armies marching through the deserted streets. The population had fled almost in its entirety and others were taking refuge underground, especially in the subway stations, while in the Interior one could count on a strong presence of their troops guarding the borders and, except for some sporadic attacks of the resistance, the rest was to spare.

The blonde left that sight and headed, escorted by her "Guard", towards the interior of the Government Palace and from there to the streets, where she would personally lead the fight against those who wanted to reconquer the city. Suddenly, a buzzing sound caught her attention and she extracted a small platform from inside her pockets, which projected a holographic image of her sisters.

- I see you've arrived, May, how's it going over there.- Lee asked her.

- Without much news, everything is in order.- Answered the blonde seriously.

- Perfect. Now listen: Our Agents inform us that, within 24 to 48 hours, the invasion of Karsland to liberate it will begin. We don't know if it will also have an effect on Suomus and Orussia, so be attentive and when those witches arrive...- Marie added but May stopped her.

- Yes, yes, yes, yes, I know: I must destroy them.- She said, tired of discussing that plan every day. The dark blue hair was about to protest but she restrained herself and passed the communication to her red-haired sister.

- We will keep an eye on everything. If anything happens, we'll be there to support you. Good luck and we will stay in touch.- Lee finished and that was the end of the communication.

Once she put the artifact away, the blonde headed for the streets, reviewing the reports of the established defenses and logistics in their armies. The sunlight was making its way through the clouds and the fog, beginning to radiate on the surface and leading to the temperature to rise a little. Soon, May took off the black jacket she was wearing and after leaving it in the hands of one of her henchmen, she let the warm light hit her face, bathing herself with it. A good time to be relaxed and not think about the war.

- If there are any infiltration attempts, I want you to be prepared. We won't leave anyone alive, you hear.- She said, and no one objected.- Okay, now, let's go.


The days went by and while Nazz continued training with that technique and Double D carried out his research regarding the durability of the "Magic", in addition to continuing with his sword and being with Eila and Sanya, the date that had been waiting for a long time arrived. They were gathered by Minna and the others, outside the HQ, just in the vicinity of the hangars.

- I hope they had a good rest these days.- The redhead began the conversation. There were some laughs and other comments but only that. When it was time to get down to business, she sighed deeply and raised her head to those present: "As many of you already know, it is time to start the "Campaign to Karsland", where we will liberate it along with Suomus and Orussia.- She stomped her feet and walked back and forth across the formation.- We will be expecting fierce resistance in every area we move into. You already know your teams, so you will form up and we will start the journey. Once we have finished liberating those countries, we will go for Liberion,.- Concluded Minna, but she had something else to contribute.- I wish, from the bottom of my heart, that the success of this mission is shared by all of you, that we are victorious and bring the Kanker to justice. Only then will we be able to put an end to their war and desire for conquest. So...good luck, "Witches"!.- She saluted with military vengeance and they responded at the same time.

Once that ceremony was over, the girls went to get their "Striker Units", weapons and ammunition, while the Peach Creek guys were saying their goodbyes and getting ready to leave with their groups.

- Take care, Ed, and you too, Double D. Best of luck.- Eddy wished them, as they gave each other hugs.

- Aren't you coming, Eddy?.- Asked his sci-fi loving friend.

- Francesca and I have to stay to protect Romagna and guard the mountains, but we will accompany you to the border.- He said and saw that his girlfriend was calling him. Good luck, guys!.


Soon, with their "Striker Units" ready, those present began their flight towards the battle front, leaving Brittania heading towards the conquered countries, ready to recover them from the clutches of the enemy. The air caressed their faces, the clouds joined them on their way, the Sun seemed to be at its zenith and guiding them, just like Prometheus when he stole the "Sacred Fire" from the Gods, the "Witch" and the Peach Creek boys headed towards Southern Europe, passing through Spain, while the people shouted with excitement, wishing them good luck and with that they arrived to Italy, passing through the coasts of Gaul, especially the Island of Corsica.

- All right, this is the starting point! Erica, Ed, you're with me, Trudie, Sarah, Jimmy and Perrine! Eila, Sanya, Double D, go to Suomus and Orussia with the others! Eddy, Francesca, you will come with us to the border!

Between farewells and hugs, those present went towards the respective objectives mentioned above. Eila and Sanya's group headed north, disappearing into the distance, while Ed, Erica and Eddy's group remained with Francesca.

As the hours went by, having advanced from Romagna towards the North of Italy, the group gradually made out the extensive mountain ranges of the Alps and the Apennines, the natural borders that divided the two countries. One was liberated and the other under enemy occupation. The air was changing and becoming colder, but that did not seem to affect them at all, although they kept an eye on the gorges, as they could become the ideal place for an enemy ambush. Francesca signaled Eddy and they both descended to a considerable height, observing the region. Absolute calm, not a single movement on the part of the "Shadow Neuroi".

- Too quiet.- Said the Italian woman, frowning and looking doubtful.

- Yes, it's true, it's like the end of the 1979 film "All Quiet on the Front Line". They're on the prowl, I know.- Eddy warned, which was heard by the others.

- How sure are you, my friend?.- Ed asked.

- It's true, is it dangerous to go through here?.- Jimmy approached and Eddy was calming the waters.

- Not at the moment, but we must keep our eyes open. Nobody knows when there will be a warlike encounter, a clash.- He said seriously, as they reached the borderline.


While flying at low altitude, those present noticed a strange glow coming from the North. A speck of black and silver in the distance, small, tiny as a grain of rice but gradually growing into its shape. What they didn't know was that the Karsland side of the Alps was under surveillance by the Kankers, who had set up a security perimeter with tracking stations and checkpoints along the mountain ranges.

They took their information to May, who remained in Berlin, waiting for the war to break out, and when she arrived, she smiled sinisterly.

- So they're here already?. Perfect, I love it. Then let the party begin.- She ordered to his armies, while they were sending the ships against the invaders.- We will see who comes out victorious in this encounter.- She finished and after that he observed them heading towards the front, ready to intercept those who were crossing the border.

As if they were a swarm of bees going out to defend their hive from an invading insect, the "Shadow Neuroi" ships took off with great precision and determination towards where the enemy was. May smiled, knowing full well that the battle was just about to begin over Karsland.


[Just as Eddy and Francesca feared, Erica and Ed's squadron is headed for war and an ambush, will they make it through and make it to Karsland. We'll see in the next chapter.

Take care, friends. I send greetings and thanks to Matfix, Franco M. Romano and the other followers.

See you in the next chapter and a good start of Thursday from me, Comrades].