Episode 4:
This Means War!
501st Joint Fighter Wing "Strike Witches" Base (Frontlines Allied Airbase)
Folkestone, Britannia
0600 Hours
December 17th 1944
Stephanie woke up with a groan. She had figured out over the past few days that by using the word "transformer" she would go from her male form to her female and use the word "transform" to change back into a male. She got up and stretched, her white tank top loosely hanging over her frame. She walked over to her window in the room Minna had arranged for her to stay in and looked outside. The sun was just starting to rise. She opened the door to her balcony and walked out. She sat down, crossing her legs and placing her feet on top of her thighs, she closed her eyes and began to meditate, a habit she had formed years ago after taking an Eastern Philosophy Course.
Ember was feeling frisky today, while her sister Blaze was nervous throughout her night flight. All three of these witches could feel something big was coming. Something was about to go down. But the day was starting off like any other.
Mio was training with her sword while Perrine spied on her. Gertrud was working out while Erica slept in dreaming of chocolate covered pretzels for some reason. Yoshika and Lynne prepared breakfast while Francesca watched while eating a cookie. Other than the slight tension Blaze, Ember, and Stephanie could feel in the air, everything was rather normal if not a rather lazy day. In her office, Minna worked diligently going through the day's paperwork when she heard a knock on the door.
"Enter," she said, her warm voice carrying through the wooden doors.
The hinges creaked as they were opened with the red headed Liberion walking.
"I'm just checking in about the leave time I scheduled for today," Ember said while Minna opened a drawer and pulled out a pre-filled out piece of paper.
"Just sign below and you're free to go," she said. Stepping forward, Ember signed quickly before giving it back to Minna.
Bidding her farewell, she quickly left the office and signed out one of the base's jeeps. Stephanie was in the hanger. She had lit up a cigarette and waited in the hanger. She heard Ember approach. She was armed with a BAR and had borrowed a few of Shirley's 40-round magazines. She saw Ember approach; she seemed in a bit of a hurry.
"Hey there cutie. You taking off for the day?" Stephanie flirted.
Ember blushed a little as she and the rest of the 501st had discovered Steve was a charmer and had managed to make every witch blush at least once. Steve seemed to enjoy teasing both her and Shirley for some reason.
"Yes, I'm going into town to meet some friends," she replied.
Stephanie smiled. She walked over to Ember and gave her a friendly hug.
"Well enjoy your day," she said as she walked back to her temporary unit launcher.
"What are you up to today?" Ember asked.
Stephanie looked back and smiled.
"Perrine's going to train with Yoshika and I'm going out on a quick patrol..."
"Something wrong?"
"Something feels off," she said, taking in a long draft.
"You feel it too?"
Stephanie sighed and flicked her cigarette out.
"Ya." She hopped into her unit. The base's spare/trainer Brewster F2A Buffalo sputtered as it struggled to come to life.
"Oh come on, you son of a bitch!" Stephanie cussed as the unit struggled to start. It sputtered slightly as if it were about to roar to life only to fall flat on its face sputtering and backfiring. Stephanie cursed as she banged on the side of the Striker cursing as she jumped out eyeing the oil leaking out of the worn out Striker.
"Just my luck..."
"Hey, since this patrol is quite important... You could use my Striker unit," Ember said as she crossed her arms across her chest. "I won't be needing it today so go ahead."
"Wait, are you serious...?" Stephanie asked as she looked at Ember who nodded her head.
"No, no, no... I can't do that. Your Striker is a custom built one and I don't want to wreak it and... and..." she trailed off as she stared at Embers Striker. It's sleek swept wings of the P-38N Firebird along with the bulges in the Striker legs to accommodate the large engines inside only made it more attractive.
"She won't bite," Ember teased as Stephanie carefully ran a hand over its wings before sighing as she got in. "See, not so hard, Steph," she said, punching her arm playfully.
"Though be aware that this is much stronger than anything you've flown before. Baby that throttle and I mean baby, it's faster than you think," Ember instructed while Stephanie smiled confidently.
"Well..." she began as she let the engines roar to life giving Ember an envious look.
"It can't be that-" Stephanie was cut short as she disconnected from the launcher unit and barreled down the runway screaming "be" before she disappeared into the sky.
"Well... Good luck to you."
She turned on her heels and quickly ran over to a nearby jeep and hopped in. Putting it into gear, she left the 501st base with the on paper intentions on being in the town being with friends. She will definitely be with friends, but not of the kind others may think. As Ember went her way, Sanya rolled around in her bed slightly as her familiars came out with her antennas extending as she picked up some of the weird chatter again.
"Are you sure she's coming?"
"We got word that she is leaving the base today so she should be there," the other voice said.
"Well, we will need her as the representatives from the Hive are coming as well. She's the only way that we will be able to stop this fighting over this current country," the third voice said.
"But what are we going to do about the Neuroi that we lost contact with? She might be in the hands of-"
Sanya rolled onto her stomach hugging her cat pillow and sighed slightly as she thought things over.
'So what I heard Blaze and Ember talking about is true... She's off to do that...' she thought. 'It's risky but... Should I tell the commander...? I have orders to tell her about them but...' she shook her head as she rolled over again looking at the dead asleep Blaze in the bed across from her. 'I can't bring myself to hurt Blaze or her sister... They're associated with the Neuroi and that is an offense that is punishable by execution not to mention that they are Neuroi but... I just can't... I... I...'
Her train of thought was cut short as her familiar features receded and drifted off back to sleep.
Stephanie had been airborne for about five minutes. Minna had cleared her for solo flights, but due to a lack of properly maintained spare Strikers, any spares were in need of serious repair or overhaul. Stephanie was not only extremely thankful that Ember had lent her own Striker, she was rather amazed by the speed of the thing. Not just by the cruising speed she is maintaining, but the acceleration from low speeds. She felt she could fly for hours in the Striker. She felt rather envious of red-head but Stephanie thought better knowing she is working on restoring one of her olds Strikers for her benefit.
"Home Plate calling Red Dragon, Home Plate calling Red Dragon. Do you read me, over?"
"I read you Home Plate. What's going on pretty woman?" Stephanie teased, knowing Shirley was calling her over the radio and Minna and Mio were likely in the room as well.
"I…er…I" was all Stephanie got. She chuckled.
"Hahaha, What's the latest Intel Home Plate?"
"Nothing new to report from any of the other stations or scouts. Intel suggests the enemy might be planning something big."
"I agree, that's why I'm up here." Stephanie smiled as she saw some clouds ahead and decided to climb above punching the engines of the Striker a bit harder.
"God damn..." she mumbled as she inverted and rolled over leveling out above the cloud.
"Red Dragon what's wrong-"
"I'm starting to become jealous of Ember!"
"…Your flying the Firebird...? " Stephanie could hear Shirley's deadpan voice with a tinge of envy.
"Yes, I am."
"Damn, now I'm becoming envious..."
"Why aren't you flying the Spitfire?" Minna then asked.
"Because that's an interceptor Minna, I'm going out on patrol."
"And the Buffalo?" Mio asked.
" It died on me when I tried to start it earlier. Plus that god-damn Spitfire doesn't like me. Do you not remember the damn thing died on me before I even took off?"
Stephanie could have sworn she heard a snicker or two on the other end. Either that or someone was trying hard not to burst out laughing. With a huff, Stephanie radioed back.
"Red Dragon to Home Plate, continuing patrol, over and out."
"Roger, have a safe flight. Out."
With a click, Stephanie was back alone with her own thoughts and her own senses gnawing at her.
After going in the exact opposite direction of Folkestone, Ember drove for a few minutes before coming into eyesight of forest. Turning into the forest, she found a spot to stow the jeep before taking off on foot deeper into the forest when she found the faintest signs of a trail. Slowly walking down this trail, she came up to a point where the path ends in a relatively large clearing. The sky was still obscured by the trees and it was thick enough to only cast a light that illuminated the area. Waiting for only a few seconds, Ember could see some red eyes begin to approach her.
"So you showed up," the person said as she came into view. Her body was black with the hexagonal pattern of the Neuroi, however all the black material was armor as she had a human face with pale white skin and red eyes.
"So you're the one going to escort me back...?" Ember asked when another figure stood up behind the first Neuroi.
"We both are," the second Neuroi, this one being purple, said. "My name is Eva, by the way and the other is Xeris. If you will follow us, we will take you back to the hive."
Ember nodded as she herself Neurified and snugged her scarf a bit and took off. As they reached cruising altitude Ember noted that Eva had the same type of antennas that Blaze and Sanya had when they flew.
"I'm countering your base's radar so we won't be detected on route towards the hive," she explained as they flew. A few minutes later Ember could make out the dark cone of a hive off in the distance. Finally entering it, Ember was quite amazed at the inside as on the inside it was a rather solid mass with hallways. Other Neuroi from the large combat types were on the outer edges with other smaller types of Neuroi further in the center. Each of them gave her looks of curiosity as they flew towards the center of the hive when they reached the large room in the center, Ember looked around in amazement as this was the first time she had ever been in a Hive but her attention was directed to the large core in the center of the room. Floating over, it began to glow and she heard a voice in her head.
"You are the one that wishes for peace...?" It asked.
"I am."
"Give us a reason why we should stop fighting the Humans..."
"The humans don't want this war. They are only fighting for their own survival as us Neuroi struck out first for no reason. You can sever your ties to the Ze'ru tribe and go into hiding like many of the other Neuroi. You can also help end this war quicker by eliminating one more target that the humans have to fight. I know you want to stop this fighting because you wouldn't have invited me to come here and have this discussion," Ember explained to the core. Silence fell over the room when the core spoke up again.
"It is true. I want to end this fighting as I am tired of seeing my children killed but... Young miss, might I ask what that scarf is around your neck...?"
"This thing...?" Ember asked as she grabbed the tip and it turned into a sword causing some of the Neuroi to step back.
"Where did you get that?" the hive core asked with a hint of shock on her voice. "Do you have any idea what this sword is...?"
"Well... My mother gave me this when I was younger and I held onto it since," Ember said when a tendril sprouted from the ground and tapped the sword gently when this sign appeared in the air. It was a circle with a Neuroi core in the center with two small swords crossed with and a single large blade down the center. The sight of this sigil caused the other Neuroi to murmur but a single word was passed around the room, "Xa'ri."
"In this case, I will pull my forces back however," a picture soon appeared in the air with the video feed of two blue Neuroi and a certain Fusoujin tailing behind them.
'Yoshika!?' Ember though as she saw this picture but kept her composure as she returned the sword to its scarf form.
"I need to get into contact with a human to share some important information with her. Xeris, can you take Ember back?" she asked and said Neuroi nodded before leading Ember out of the hive. Soon said human entered the room just as Ember was being escorted out from the hive when the main core called out again. "Ene, Enelia, can you please follow her as well?"
The two blue Neuroi nodded, one being covered in a grey and white cloak with the other having what seems to be loose twin tails. They quickly joined Xeris as she went to leave the hive. Yoshika's gaze tracked the four Neuroi that were leaving but couldn't help but feel familiar with the Neuroi wearing the scarf. Shaking her head, she looked around in awe at the inside of the hive. Her mind was nearly overloading with all the information she had gathered recently with the conception of a humanoid Neuroi, the fact that they had spoken to her but also how she's in the hive. At first she resisted slightly but considering the circumstances her curiosity won her over as she had followed the Neuroi back to their hive over Galia.
Five Minutes ago
Perrine and Yoshika
15 miles out from 501st Base
Perrine despite her feeling of annoyance to the newbie was actually quite impressed though she would never say such a thing.
"You show some promise," Perrine said.
"Thank you, Perrine-san." Yoshika said smiling
Perrine couldn't help but smile and give a small sigh. Yoshika was a poor student, she couldn't do much more than a newbie witch, but she made up for it with her strong will and determination.
"You know Miyafuji, your-"
"BANDITS! BANDITS! SWEET MOTHER OF GOD! THERE'S FOUR OF 'EM!" the pair heard Stephanie cry out over the radio.
"Where-" Perrine started
"They are flying low, I'm right above 'em. Unknown class, they look human like."
"Red Dragon, what's your position?"
"About 2 miles out from Boulogne-sur-mer."
"Steve, continue to investigate, careful you're not spotted."
"Roger! Going Silent!"
"I'm going after him!" Yoshika said not realizing she was still over the radio.
"Negative Miyafuji! You stay where you are. Wait with Perrine."
Yoshika however did not listen. She took off, flying in the direction of Calais. About seven minutes later she was in the hive. Now she was floating in her Striker as she observed what the Neuroi hive had to warn her about some threat in her own military by showing some images of this machine with a Neuroi core being placed inside of it.
"A-A Neuroi...? In that metal machine..." she mumbled. "B-But why are you telling me this of anyone else...?"
"Because we fear that your own lives are at stake," the core said, causing Yoshika to flinch.
"Y-You're worried about us...?" she asked when the whole room began to flash red.
"It's coming... You must get out of here as quickly as possible. Please fly to this location. Your fellow squadmates should be in that area. Now hurry please, you don't have much time," she ordered before Yoshika nodded and took off. She flew through the corridors and out of the hive angling towards the location the Neuroi core told her to go before slowing down to a hover quite a distance from the hive itself when she saw her squadmates.
"Oooiiiii!" Shirley called out as they flew up to her.
"Damn it Miyafuji! What do you not understand about waiting for reinforcements!?" Mio scolded, her face visibly red.
"I-I was just going out to eliminate the target before it could run away!" she reasoned and Mio shook her head.
"You're too inexperienced to go ahead and fight it alone! Even so, you should have waited for reinforcements anyway as it is too dangerous to fight it alone!"
"We were really worried about you Yoshika..." whined Lucchini before they all glanced towards the hive.
"God-damn-it Yoshika, Don't do something like that again. You still have trouble firing your gun on target. You're lucky some hot-shot Neuroi didn't flamed your ass!" Stephanie exclaimed as she tightened her grip on her gun.
"And we are really close to the hives exclusion zone. If you went any further, the hive itself would start to defend itself," Trude noted but Erica was looking off in some other direction from the main group.
"Umm... What is that...?" she asked and pointed in the sky.
"Not now, Hartmann. Since we've lost contact with the Neuroi, we are to return to base."
"No seriously, what is that!" Erica said as all eyes went to the sky seeing a single silver object flying high and fast when the hive itself started to become more active.
"M-Multiple targets appeared on radar! Mio, get everyone out of there!" Minna radioed frantically before the Witches began to pull out of the area as quickly as possible.
"H-Hey, they aren't targeting us!" Stephanie pointed out as the Witches started to look back to see the Neuroi were targeting the silver object when most of them were vaporized from a large laser beam.
"It shot a beam!? Is that thing a Neuroi?" Shirley asked.
"Neuroi or not, we need to leave the combat zone immediately! Return to base everyone!" Mio ordered as all the witches started to leave the area as the metal machine went to work destroying the Neuroi. Letting off one last screech, the metal machine shatters the core of the hive with ease causing the hive itself to begin to dissolve. Off in the distance where they first had met, Ember looked back having a bad feeling when a fourth Neuroi came flying in crashing into Xeris crying.
"Wha- Eva. What are you doing here? You're supposed to be back at the hive!" Xeris said as she stood up holding the crying purple Neuroi.
"B-But, Xeris! The hive! It's gone!" she said through the tears shocking the four others.
"Gone...?" Enelia asked, sinking back into her cloak.
"That can't... It can't be true!" Xeris mumbled as she clenched her fist.
"All this for... Nothing..." Ember mumbled.
"I-It was that weird metal machine the Humans have!"
"Metal machine...?" Ember questioned.
"Yeah! It has a Neuroi core in it and it just came and destroyed the hive!"
"I must go and check on the others!" Ember said as she urgently turned when Xeris put her hand on her shoulder.
"Please, calm down. Before you go, I will say that we will be very close to you and assist you in any way we can. We are now serve under the Xa'ri tribe," she said.
'I need to ask Mom about this later...' she thought as she nodded before running for the jeep. Deneurifying, she gunned the jeep and made it back to base in a few minutes where she saw the witches gathered on the runway with the large metal machine standing on there. Nearing the group, she became quite nervous as she slammed on the break coming upon guards that had their weapons drawn on her. Turning off the engine, she raised her hands and got out of the vehicle.
"Well, it seems Lieutenant Vermillion has finally showed up as well," a voice said. Embers blood began to boil as she laid eyes upon General Maloney.
"This looks like a coup d'état, General Maloney!" Minna spoke out only for him to sneer as Eila, Sanya, Blaze, and Lynne were escorted into the group in the center.
"Are all of the Witches present?" he asked as silence came over the group before smiling. "As of now, this base is taken over by the 1st Special Assault Team a.k.a. Warlock," he announced.
"This attack platform has shown its effectiveness against the Neuroi; it will never be able to harm a Witch, ever. It can identify what's a Witch and a Neuroi and will eliminate them with extreme prejudice. As it has eliminated the entire Hive over Gallia, you Witches won't be needed any more. As of now, the 501st Joint Fighter Wing is now disbanded!"
Murmurs of confusion spread through the Witches when suddenly; the Warlock began to power itself up. This confused Maloney as he turned to a few soldiers to figure out what's going on as Ember and Blaze took a step back slightly. Sanya looked a bit frightened as Blaze looked at Eila and Lynne and distanced herself from them slightly as the Warlock turned around to face her.
"Someone figure out what the hell is going on with that thing!" Maloney ordered as the Warlock expanded, having all its extremities be able to move. It shifted side to side looking around as the Witches and soldiers backed away slowly. Trude had gotten in front of Mio, Minna, and Erica while Shirley pushed Lucchini behind her. Stephanie held up her arms in front of Perrine and Lynne as the machine looked towards the three when Sanya looked at Blaze who was gritting her teeth slightly. She was behind Eila as she reached out to try and grab onto Blaze's hand but failed as she had backed away from them. The Warlock and now turned towards Eila, Sanya, and Blaze when its visor slit glows bright red as it stared down at Blaze.
"Target acquired. Code Black ennisheated." A deep robotic voice spoke.
In a split second Blaze had turned around to run just as the Warlock threw up its arms at her. There were three loud explosions followed with a scream of confusion when everything was over. Blaze laid face first, three spots of red seeping through her uniform and a red puddle formed around her. The Witches all backed away from the Warlock in horror as it had let off a salvo of rounds through Blaze. She stood there eyes wide in shock as she observed the blood that was seeping through the large holes the Warlock left behind. Lynne had fallen to her knees clutching her head before she let off a blood-curdling scream.
"Blaze!" Ember screamed out for her sister when the Warlock sharply turned towards her, arm raised. On instinct, Ember quickly threw up a shield, but it was too weak and too late as there were more thunderous explosions. She saw a few orange flashed before feeling a searing sensation in her chest. Her own familiar features receded into her body as she slumped against the hood of the jeep, eyes wide, dull, and dilated as she slid down leaving a blood trail behind her. Lowering it's arm, the Warlock's eyes glowed red as it took off into the sky while Maloney and the guards took off running towards the main building leaving the Witches alone in shock. Perrine had caught Lynne as she passed out with her own legs shaking from the grizzly sight. Minna had collapsed to her knees hand over her mouth trying to comprehend what happened. It was Yoshika and Stephanie that reacted first with Yoshika running to Blaze's side and Stephanie to Ember's quickly.
"Please hang in there Blaze-san!" Yoshika cried out as she quickly and carefully rolled Blaze onto her back. She assessed her wounds before her familiars came out and a blue orb formed around her body.
"Don't die on me, Ember! Don't you dare die!" Stephanie cried out as she coughed up some blood. She looked around quite panicked as she saw the grave wounds through her stomach.
"S-Steve..." Ember grunted before coughing up some more blood.
"Shut up! Don't talk!" she ordered as she quickly went for some medical supplies. Trude and Erica had taken off with Mio towards the command room angered.
"It's... It's fine Yoshika..." Blaze muttered with a smile as her skin paled more.
"Blaze... Please don't..." Sanya muttered as she clenched her fist and eyes closed as Eila tried to comfort her. "They'll kill you even after this..." This confused Eila when she heard Yoshika give out a slight yelp.
"B-Blaze-san! What are you doing!? Stay down!" she ordered as Blaze began to sit up pushing her arms away.
"Don't worry Yoshika... Thing's will be.. Different," Blaze smiled as she curled over clutching her stomach.
"Blaze!" she cried out but took a step back as she saw that a black material was sprouting out from her back. "W-What the..." she mumbled as she saw Blaze's eyes turned purple. Stephanie had also yelped out in surprise as Ember began to stand, her own eyes glowing red as her own body was slowly being covered in the black material.
"N-Neuroi skin...?" Shirley gasped out when a large sword appeared in Ember's hand. Using that to pull her up, she gave a sad smile to the rest of the Witches as she stood up, body fully covered in Neuroi armor. Blaze had fully stood as well, using her rifle to help her stand before stretching back, her wounds completely covered and seemed to be fully healed.
"Ember you're..." Stephanie said silently.
"A Neuroi..." Perrine spat as she glared at the two sisters. Eila hide Sanya behind her as she growled as she reached behind her and grabbed a trenching tool to protect her and Sanya.
"Ember... Were you a Neuroi this whole time...?" Shirley asked sadly as she had drawn her 1911 and aimed at the Neuroi she called a friend. Her nod only brought tears of confusion when a distress signal came through their transponders as an Isle of Wight fighter wing was under attack by this metal object.
"Everis," Ember said as she looked at her sister who had also drawn her pistol and looked up. "It's time," she said and the two began to walk away from their group of Witches.
"Wait!" Ember heard the desperation from Minna's voice before turning her head back hearing the click of a hammer being pulled back.
"What is it...?"
"I order you two to survive until we can assist you!" she said as she lowered her gun. The other Witches were going to the hanger getting their weapons and Strikers out of their launchers.
Stephanie was in shock. She sank to her knees. She hadn't felt a pain like this in a few years. The lie and betrayal again, had almost stopped her heart. Shirley saw this and ran over to the blonde. She put an arm around her. Stephanie shook her off. She looked up to the sky. She looked to the ground and closed her eyes.
"GOD-DAMN IT!" She yelled as she punched the runway beneath her, cracking it. She then looked to the sky.
"EVEEL!" She shouted in hewbrew, in a long drawn out breath.
"COME BACK! I LOVE YOU!" She shouted. This caught the rest of the witches by surprise. Stephanie started sobbing.
"Hey!" A male voice caught the witches attention, the group looked off into the distance to see a soldier running up to them.
"HEY YOU WITCHES!" he yelled again. Suddenly Sanya's antennas appeared and went from Green to Red.
"Trouble." She said quietly.
The soldier, a private in the Royal Army judging by his uniform, put his hand on his knees trying to desperately catch his breath.
"Your friends are in trouble."
"Yes we know-" Perrine started.
"Not those girls that just few off. The Isle of Wight Detachment Group is under attack from the Warlock!"
At this point something in Stephanie snapped. She let out an inhuman roar. All eyes turned to her. She hunched over and started breathing heavily. Her fingers fleckings and her body shaking slightly. The witches could see something underneath her shirt moving around. Suddenly, like a jump scare in a movie, a set of red and black draconic wings burst out from Stephanie's back, shortly after a draconic tail sprouted from where her tailbone was. A few intense moments later, after it seemed like Stephanie had regained a much more even breathing pattern. She stood up and turned to face her comrades.
The witches and the private were taken aback by what they saw. Stephanie had transformed, becoming a mix of something both human and dragon. Her hands and feet had become covered in crimson red scales with razor sharp looking black claws. Her once blue eyes had turned a fiery orange with some accents of yellow, her pupils slit.
"Ich bin Feuer. Jetzt werde ich ... tod!" She said in a deepened voice. With that she took to the air flapping her mighty wing and zooming off in the direction of The Isle of Wight Detachment Group.
"My god!" Minna said in her native tongue. She looked in fear at Mio.
"The dragon has been awoken." Mio said.
"And clearly she is pissed." Erica said.
"She? Isn't Steve a boy?" Lynnette asked.
"No, actually, Steve's familiar is a female dragon called a Blutjäger, a Blood Hunter, she has been asleep for well over a thousand years, but I'm guessing that the Warlock attacking the Isle Group must have broken the seal."
Everyone looked in shock.
"How do you know this?" Mio asked.
"She spoke to me in my dream last night. We had chocolate covered pretzels."
Erica put her hands behind her head and looked to the sky. Lynn suddenly looked up in fear.
"Isle Detachment group! That's my sister's detachment."
Now everyone was really worried, who knows how long the small group of witches could hold off against the seemingly powerful Warlock.
"I hope he can get there in time."
Yoshika took off running to her striker.
"Yoshika?" Lynnette questioned.
"I'm not going to let him go at it alone."
Shirley and Francesca looked to each other, nodded and followed suit. Soon all the 501st were airborne and on their way to help the Detachment Group.
Steve was in a blind rage. He could see himself flying close to the ground. Everything had a red tint to it. He almost felt as if he was going for a ride. He looked below him and saw the shadow of a dragon. When he looked about him, the dragon's silhouette blocked out the sun. The dragon looked down. Her eyes glowed red. She opened her mouth and roared, a greeting or a challenge of dominance. Steve was not sure. But he could almost have sworn she was speaking to him, or trying to. The only thing he heard was his name, spoken to him in a deep growl like voice.
"Steve!" Steve's vision was suddenly filled with a bright white light and he found himself lying down on a hospital bed. Groaning he sat. His body felt stiff.
He looked to her left and saw Shirley who seemed to be looking longingly into the distance. He glanced around the rest of the room. He saw Minna and Mio talking to each other.
"What happened?"
Minna handed him a manila folder.
"Read it." She said quietly. Steve looked down at the typed-report.
Isle of Wight Detachment Group
After Action Report
Date: December 17th, 1941
CO: Flying Officer Kadomaru Misa
Combatants:
Wilma Bishop
Amelie Planchard
Francie Gerard
Laura Toth
Location: Isle of Wight Detachment Group Base
Battle Details:
The unidentified object later revealed to be the 1st Special Assault Team, Warlock, began attacking the base at 1300 hours. My witches tried their best but we were quickly overpowered, luckily it seemed the machine was more interested in taking us out of commission than killing us, or so we had thought. We were huddled together defeated and the Warlock was over us. We heard a radio transmission directed toward the Warlock, Code Red. The Warlock charged its beam and was about to fire when we all heard a terrifying sound. An angry inhuman roar. We looked and could not believe our eyes. A red dragon with 2 arms, 2 wings and 2 legs came charging at the machine, flying at approximately 600 knots. The dragon tackled the machine, what happened next is difficult to describe without reliving the memories of horror and pure fear I feel to this day. But I will try.
Steve turned the page reading.
The dragon began to tear the machine apart. Literally ripping its components from its metallic body. Soon there was nothing left but to our shock a Neuroi Core. Before it could destroy it however, a purple beam had destroyed the core. Maybe it was the shock or the blood in my eyes but it seemed two humanoids Neuroi appeared. The dragon growled at the but the two seemed to have no intention of attacking the dragon. The dragon began to reform its body, slowly shrinking to the size of young women, identified as Lieutenant Stephanie Clark, of the 501st Strike Witches. The two unidentified humanoid Neuroi took off, leaving the area before allied reinforcements arrived.
Damage Report:
Wilma Bishop – Permanently out of commission, broken arm and paralyzed right leg.
Francie Gerard – lost use of left eye.
Laura Toth – severely injured, but expected to make a full recovery.
Citation Recommendations:
Stephanie Clark – Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart
Yoshika Miyafuji – Combat Medical Badge
"I'm being awarded a Purple Heart and the Distinguished Service Cross?"
Minna and Mio nodded. Steve was not sure if they were annoyed or proud.
"Why?"
"Your actions saved the Isle of Wight Detachment Group," Shirley said, a hint of jealousy and venom in her voice, Steve was unsure if that was directed at him or if something else was eating her.
"Hang on, code red? Where have I heard that before?"
Stephanie seemed lost in thought for a moment.
"Wait a minute! How am I getting a Purple Heart? I'm not injured."
Shirley threw a piece of shrapnel onto the bed. It looked like part of a 76mm round.
She looked at Steve glaring. Her eyes betrayed a certain amount of jealousy she was feeling toward him.
"You pulled that out from your neck after you reverted back to your human form." She said.
"This looks like a tank AP round, How the hell did I catch one of those in my neck?" Steve asked.
"You flew over a division of Sherman's. They opened fire on you, one of them scored a lucky hit." Minna said, handing him another report, this one from a Tank Commander by the name of Creighton Abrams.
"And here is Yoshika's Medical Follow Up Report." Mio said handing Steve his third report.
"Regeneration?" He questioned looking up at his two commanding officers. Both of whom nodded, while Shirley seemed to continue to glare at Steve.
Steve looked to Mio and Minna.
"Would the two of you mind waiting outside please?"
Mio looked at Minna who only shrugged.
Mio sighed and nodded, the two then proceeded out the exit. Before Mio opened the door though, she stopped.
"Oh Steve, soon as you're able, come meet me in my quarters."
Steve looked at Mio, Minna saw a look in his eye that said trouble and she shot him a glace to stop, but he didn't.
"My aren't we being forward Mio. At least buy me dinner first."
Mio was about to speak but her face went bright red, just as Steve had predicted and wanted to happen.
"I have something to give you." She almost stammered, blushing profusely.
Steve started laughing, while Shirley continued to bore holes into Steve.
"If you are in a hurry. We can do it right here, if you wish." Steve chuckled, Mio quickly left the room slamming the door behind her and Minna, leaving a cackling Steve.
Minna was looking at Mio. They had both been targets of Steve's ever-playful flirts but she had never seen Mio break like she did. It was almost completely out of character for her.
"In all the years I have known you Mio, I have never seen you do anything like that."
"Baka, kare wa hontōni watashi ga kare ni watashi no shojo o ataeru to omoimasu ka?" Mio cruised in her native language.
"Mio!" Minna snapped, getting her attention.
"What!" Mio snapped back, only to apologize a moment later.
"Mio relax, when has Steve ever acted on his words? Besides, I highly doubt he likes you like that, I saw the look in his eye when Ember took off. He really loved her, much more than a friend. Shirley even seems to have some attachment to her."
"Speaking of Ember, what do we tell them?"
Minna stopped, remembering events that had happened not even half an hour ago.
45 Minutes Ago
Ember and Blaze sat with their new hive mates. Blaze shook her head slightly while Xeris paced around her head down. Enelia was fidgeting with her weapons pulling them apart and putting them back together while Ene was comforting Eva.
"I can't believe the hive is gone..." Eva said.
"And our plan is now in ruins because of that metal machine," Xeris said when she punched a tree she was next to. It broke, splintering at the point of impact and fell down. "Damn it, and we were getting so much closer in becoming allies!"
"That may be so but... I'm sure there's a slight chance we can right this..." Ember said, looking up at the rest of the group when Blaze stood up.
"But we can't do that sis! They will most definitely kill us!" she reasoned but Ember shook her head.
"They've lived with us as 'humans' for a few years now. We're their allies and trusted friends... Well, I guess friends now..."
"That's if they still accept us..." Blaze mumbled as she looked to the side.
"I think it will be a good idea to go back," Ember said as she stood up. "It will make us look even worse if we start to run from them."
"But they will most likely kill us if we all return..." Ene said as she rubbed Eva's shoulder.
"That's why only Blaze and I will be going back. If we all went, we'd all be killed. If Blaze and I go back... There's a slight chance we'd be shot on sight, but if it means we can straighten it out... Then we will do it."
"I don't know..." Blaze said, still doubting her sister.
"Come on Blaze. It's the best thing we can do," Ember said. She walked over to her sister and kneeled down placing her hand on her shoulder. "They will take us in if we don't show any hostility towards them. If they do come with force, then let them. Don't fight back or it will make it worse."
"Yeah... I guess..." she said looking off to the side.
"We will be out of contact for a while. If there's a way you can keep tabs one everyone that will be great," Ember addressed Ene who nodded.
"We'll make sure nothing more will happen to your friends.
"Good... Until then... Come on Blaze," Ember said.
The two Neuroi-hybrids quickly took off and angled back towards their old base.
20 Minutes Ago
Ember and Blaze came in touching down on the runway. Minna and Mio were waiting for them, Radar must have picked them up as they flew in. Ember tried to look the both of them in their eyes but couldn't muster it. No sooner did the girls touch down did a platoon of soldiers, whom their patches designated them as the 101st Airborne, surrounded the girls, guns cocking and pointing at the witches.
"Commander?" Blaze questioned looking at Minna.
"Minna...?" Ember asked looking at all the soldiers pointing weapons at them before their previous CO's who had a pained look on their face. Ember could see Minna's mouth tremble slightly as if she wanted to say something but stopped clenching her fist.
Both witches looked down as a high looking officer stepped forward.
"Ember and Blaze Vermilion, you are under arrest!" Major Richard Winters said in a commanding voice pointing his M1 Garand at the witches.
"Come on Blaze..." Ember said carefully grabbing her scarf while the other soldiers tensed up. "Please, we're disarming ourselves..." Ember said as the scarf turned into a sword. A shot rang out causing Ember to flinch as it grazed her cheek as Major Winters yelled to hold fire. Putting both of their weapons on the ground, they kicked them away. Ember then placed her hands on the back of her head before getting on her knees. "Blaze..." she uttered.
Blaze soon followed her sister's example but kept the pleading look as she looked at Mio and Minna.
"Please, Mio! Minna! Please understand our intentions!" she cried out only for her cry to fall on deaf ears. "We can explain! You don't have to do this!"
A pair of soldiers approached the girls.
""Please we mean no harm! There is no reason for this!"" Blaze pleaded as she got up from her knees and took a step back from the soldiers.
"Blaze!" Ember barked, startling her. She looked back at her sister who nodded and got on the ground as Ember had done. Ember fell silent again and could only look down at the ground cooling herself off. One of the guards soon grabbed onto Blaze's arm twisting it behind her back a bit harshly. Blaze struggled a bit but the guard tightened his grip. She cried out in pain and gave a pleading gaze towards her two commanders but was disheartened seeing both Minna and Mio turn away. For a split second she thought she saw the familiar silver hair of her Night witch partner in the window.
"Stop struggling and this will all be easier," Sargent William Guarnere growled as he restrained Blaze.
"Sargent." Major Winters said in a commanding voice. The two restraining soldiers looked at him.
"Do they look like they are resisting? Ease up, they surrendered."
The Sargent muttered something and resumed restraining the witch, though only a little less rough.
"Hey Dick, you sure this is necessary? I mean, they're just kids for Christ sake!" Captain Lewis Nixon asked. Both Ember and Blaze were pushed down onto the ground with their arms restrained behind their backs.
"I don't like the idea either, but these orders came from someone well above our pay grade," Winters stated.
Minna and Mio watched with both disgust and horror as Ember and Blaze were held down and had giant steel restraints placed on their faces and arms and chains cuffed to their legs. Blaze's cries for help were being silenced and choked up with tears while Ember only grit her teeth and hung her head low. She made brief eye contact with Minna who had her fist clenched over her heart but quickly averted her own gaze. Minna didn't feel any hatred in her glance but more of a fearful, pleading, betrayed look.
Minna and Mio looked away in shame as their comrades were led into what looked like a covered and heavily armored Half Track and loaded into it like cattle. The Armored half truck then started up and drove off. Even with them gone and them walking into the truck in silence, the cries for help were echoing in their head. Minna couldn't help but shed a tear as she covered her mouth hiding a small choked out weep while Mio punched the nearest wall uttering a "damn it," under her breath. They knew that the Vermillions dissevered better than to be treated like animals.
Unknown to either of them a third pair of eyes had seen and heard everything.
"Blaze..." Sanya sobbed quietly.
Present
Minna sighed.
"Steve has been brutally honest with us since we first met him, and Shirley…she's our fastest ace. As much as I hate to admit it, we probably shouldn't tell either of them what happened."
"We've already lost one of our aces... We can't lose any more of them," she agreed.
Mio would have argued but she had read the report and if what the report said was true, Steve was probably a bigger threat to them then to the Vermillion sisters if he was angry enough.
Just then the door opened. Steve and Shirley came out. The latter of the two looking like she had just gotten her ass chewed out.
Steve looked over to Shirley, lifted her chin and gave her a peck on the lips.
"It will be ok," he said after breaking the kiss and holding her hands. Shirley just nodded and walked off, her head seeming to slump low. Watching her leave, Steve then turned back to Mio and Minna.
"Has there... Has there been any word on the whereabouts of Ember...?" he asked but Minna shook her head.
"She's still missing and she hasn't made contact with us again..." she explained. Silence fell over the room while Steve clenched his fist as he chewed on the next question.
"What are we going to do if they return...?"
"That... That I haven't decided..." Minna said as she bit her lip looking off to the side.
"Ah... Well, moving onto a different topic, Major, you wanted to give me something in your quarters?" Steve asked, looking at Mio with a serious look.
"Yes, and nothing perverted you stupid bak-" Mio started only to be given a glare by Steve that told her to shut up. "Follow me."
Steve followed Mio to her room. He noted the not surprising collection of Fuso art and décor, but what caught his attention was a pulsing dragon looking statue. It pulsed like a steady heartbeat, giving off a distinct red hue. Steve looked at the statue. He felt it calling to him, either that or his familiar was moving his body on her own. Mio watched with curiosity.
Steve placed his hand on the dragon, instantly he saw a flash of a blue-headed horned serpent looking dragon. Steve instantly pulled back his hand quickly. He looked at Mio.
"Why did you bring me here?" he asked her in her native tongue.
"There is a prophecy that you are to play a part in," she replied.
"That… thing, I saw… it felt… familiar."
"He is your rival. You will come face to face with him once again. And the two of you will have to fight again," she said.
"That statue is a dangerous tool Mio Sakamoto." a different voice spoke from Steve's mouth, this one feminine, yet deep and almost like a growl.
"Why? Why should we fear to use it?"
"Because they are not all accounted for, the lost Dragon Statues of Old. You don't know who else is watching," the voice said glaring at the statue as if it was listening in on their conversation.
"What do you call yourself?" Mio asked.
"I have been known by many names, but you can call me Adalinda," Adalinda said.
"Oh, so you are Steve familiar?"
"Yes I am. I defended mankind centuries ago and now I have been sent back… until my task is done," she said breathing in. "My strength returns," she said looking down at her hands.
"Perhaps they would remember their own strength better, if they grasped your sword," Mio said presenting the reawakened dragon a sheathed sword.
As if remembering a memory, Adalinda reached out fingers gently grasping the swords hilt. She gripped the hilt and pulled it from its sieve, the Zweihänder styled Claymore shined in the room, reflecting the light.
"At long last, your home, Rose Glory," she whispered as she smiled. Mio handed her the sheath and the dragon placed the sword back.
"Thank you for returning my sword," Adalinda smiled at the Fusoujin warrior. She closed her eyes and let Steve regain control of his body.
"Well that was… interesting." Steve let out a sigh.
"So what will you do-" Mio asked as she heard a loud grumble. She looked to Steve who blushed.
"I think I'm gonna go eat something." He said as he walked off to go get something to eat and then proceed to bed. It had been a long day.
0900 Hours
December 19th 1944
Steve had gotten out of bed a few hours ago. He was going on patrol, again. Minna was there when he first approached Embers Striker. He didn't look at her, he didn't say good morning, he didn't even acknowledge her. She saw the look in his eyes. The once sparkling blue eyes filled with life were now empty, almost hollow. Minna wondered if maybe Steve knew about what happened to Ember, or if he was just depressed and missing her.
Steve was alone with his thoughts. Minna had given up on trying to radio him while he was flying. Other than telling Gertrud he was patrolling, he didn't give a response during his patrol the other day. He heard the drone of a striker approaching. He didn't care. He could smell who was coming but it still didn't matter. Not giving an acknowledgement, he knew that it was little Sayna. Steve had noticed that while the other witches he had encountered so far were like how he remembered them in the series; there were some subtle differences. Sayna seemed to be more caring about her friends and would actively seek them out. She still was a bit shy, but once she knew them she opened up to them. He found it strange that not only was she awake, but she was following him.
Sanya pulled up alongside Steve. He had seemed really distant the past few days and seemed like he was in a deep blue. She studied him; no one had really been the same since Ember and Blaze left. She noted a paper bag Steve held in his hand and was drinking from.
"Shouldn't you be asleep?" he asked, almost sounding annoyed.
"Should you be drinking?" she asked quietly.
Steve unscrewed the top and took a long slug after looking at the bottle. Sanya scrunched her face lightly as the strong scent whiskey flooded her senses.
"What are you doing up here?" he asked.
"What are you doing up here?" she asked him.
"I'm out on patrol what does it look like I'm doing?" Steve sighed.
"You haven't been cleared to be on patrol, and certainly not in your sleep deprived state."
Steve sighed and continued on, seeming to ignore the white haired witch. Sanya stopped suddenly as if she had come to a realization. Steve noted she had stopped as was not just floating behind him. He stopped and groaned.
"What?"
"You really love her." Sanya said.
Steve sighed. He was about to take a slug of his drink when he stopped. He looked at the bottle, he growled and then threw it. The bottle went flying away from him toward the ocean.
"I haven't been able to get her off my mind Sanya. I can't sleep, I can't eat. I have really just been looking for her the past two days."
Sanya smiled.
"I knew it."
She flew up to Steve. He blushed at how close she was getting to him. She took his face in her hands.
"You are a good man, Steve Clark," she smiled.
"Don't let anyone tell you otherwise." She flew off. Steve watched the girl in shock. Clearly there would probably be more out of character moments with these witches.
She stopped when she noticed he was not following her.
"Well come on. Let's go find Ember and Blaze-san together." Steve smiled as he felt his heart fill with hope again, like chasing a dream, he sped up to follow her.
20 Minutes later
Steve and Sanya had been flying for a while near the now deserted Isle of Wight Detachment Group Base when Steve stopped suddenly sniffing the air.
"Steve?"
"You smell that?"
Sanya looked confused but she suddenly could smell a faint smell as well.
"That's diesel. Is there a fire?"
"I guess my nose is a lot better than yours. But ya, that's diesel and someone's using a lot of it. It's coming from the Former Detachment Base."
"Let me radio it in and let's check it out."
Steve nodded.
"Home Plate, this is Recon Two, we have come across a strong smell of diesel coming from the location of the former Isle of Wright Base. We are proceeding to investigate with extreme caution." Sanya spoke into the radio. Neither she or Steve waited for confirmation. As they neared the base Steve stopped Sanya, as he pointed below. They saw figures moving about and what looked like a massive aircraft on the runway.
"Lets land and walk in for a closer look."
Sanya nodded as they proceeded to land and walk in for a closer look. Little did they know a single figure had stood in the middle of the runway. He had smelled them coming and he was over confident in his abilities.
"He finally showed up." He said with an evil grin.
Steve and Sanya stashed their gear and proceeded closer to the base. There was a massive plane.
"What kind of a plane is that?"
"I've heard of it before, but I can't believe it's here and they are actually going to use it."
"What is that thing?"
"A BV238. It's a massive boat plane. In my time and dimension it was a prototype made by the Germans, or this case the Karlslanders. I guess here they finalized it."
"Boat Plane?" Sanya questioned.
"Yes, a plane that can land on the water."
"That thing is massive."
"Come on let's take a closer look."
They approached the site cautiously. They could tell that this was non-friendly territory. They entered the hanger to see men inside moving equipment into the plane. They moved to take a closer look at the aircraft when a voice rang out.
"STEVE!"
Steve froze in his tracks. He turned to see someone he had neither expected to find here nor really wanted to run into again. Although there was some part of him that wished he could be on friendlier terms with him.
"Well, well, well. What have we done here?" The male voice said.
He stepped forward, revealing a complexion that showed Japanese – American (or in this case Fuso – Liberion). His arms covered in tattoos, a black bandana tied around his head. His solid black clothing made him look like he was a mixture of a mercenary and punk rocker.
"It's been a long time…Steve."
"Ace," Steve gasped, still not believing what he saw.
"You have aged well, since we last met, you shithead," Ace sneered continuing his approach toward Steve.
"You mean since we last exchanged fists, Manyak!" Steve growled, knowing full well Ace didn't like it when he spoke Hewbrew. He now remembered why they couldn't be friends anymore.
"I'm still pissed over the way you treated me."
"You never will get over it will you, you ungrateful benzona!" Steve stated.
"You screwed me over."
"You smashed my guitar."
"You never quit, you never die, and you certainly never care the way you pay people.
"'Eh, Fuck you, I was paying you for five years, mizdaywn!"
"Just like you did two years ago? I'm gonna fucking kill you!"
"I can't wait to get my hands on you, I can't wait!"
With that the two launched at each other. Fists started to fly as the two rolled around grappling each other and throwing each other around. Steve seemed to be the better fighter of the two. At this moment the rest of the 501st arrived to see Steve and Ace fighting.
"What happened?" Minna asked with concern evident in her voice as she watched the brawl.
"Steve is fighting someone he knows from his world," Sanya answered looking between the fight and her commander.
"EH!" all the girls exclaimed.
Steve had Ace in a chokehold and it seemed like he was on the verge of knocking him out when suddenly he felt something wrap around his leg. The world felt like it was being ripped out from underneath him before he went flying into a wooden crate, smashing it.
Steve shook his head trying to regain his balance. He looked at Ace and saw a long blue reptilian like tail coming from behind Ace.
"So you're the dragon I'm destined to fight," Adalinda spoke through Steve.
"Indeed I am," another voice spoke through Ace.
"It has been some time since I last saw you, Adalinda."
"Hailong…!" Adalinda spat a low rumble coming from Steve's throat.
"You always were stubborn," Hailong said as Ace's body started to smoke and his appearance switched into the form of a long dark blue Serpent like dragon, with a blue gray underbelly.
"And you never did quit!" Adalinda growled as she shifted Steve's body into her own.
The 501st were in a temporary state of shock, two men had transformed into fully-grown and quite large dragons. The sound of gunfire and bullets whizzing by them broke their trace and they instantly started to shoot back. They were half surprised that soldiers were shooting at them but based on both the uniforms and what they seemed to be doing, it was good indication that these guys were bad news and did not care who they were shooting at.
Minna looked in shock as she finally focused on the massive plane.
"Hey that's the stolen Prototype!" she shouted in alarm.
"We can't let them escape with that plane. Strike Witches, Prevent that plane from taking off! Yoshika, Lynn, Lucchini, escort Shirley to that plane. Shirley, get aboard that plane and sabotage it so it can't fly away!" Mio ordered.
"Yes ma'am!" the witches in question replied.
"Rest of you, provide fire support!" Minna ordered as she used a shield to block some incoming bullets.
Shirley led the witches toward the plane. They were a few dozen yards from the plane when suddenly a bright light caught their attention. Glancing over the witches saw an orange bubble expanding toward them.
"What's that light?" Francesca asked curiously, staring at the strange sight when Shirley shouted.
"Everyone Dive!" she yelled as she made a dive for the ground Lynn and Francesca followed but Yoshika stayed paralyzed in fear. She saw Steve, he looked hurt as did the other dragon that he was fighting but it looked like Steve was on the losing side. She barely noticed the orange light coming toward here. The light passed over her like a wave when suddenly she felt her striker sputter out and fail.
"Wahhh!" she cried as she fell toward the ground, her striker refusing to start again.
"Yoshika!" Adalinda panicked, she started to charge to catch the falling witch. She cursed to herself as she failed to take note if any witches were near her when she released her pulse. She felt pain soon radiation from her neck as someone slammed her into the ground.
"Your fight is with me bitch!" Hailong growled
Adalinda snapped, she rolled over despite being pinned to the ground and clawed Hailongs face, leaving a deep gash over his right eye. Hailong roared in pain. Adalinda used this chance to kick Hailong off her. He went flying into the nearby hanger barely missing the massive plane. Adalinda looked and sighed in relief that Shirley and Lynn had caught Yoshika. She turned her attention to the lightly stunned blue dragon. She charged him, tackling Hailong. The various bite and scratch marks along her arm oozed blood signifying the damage she had taken Hailong was suffering from his injuries as well. She had to finish this fight quickly.
"Let's end this." she growled.
"I agreed."
Hailong's neck shot up and his jaws closed around Adalindas neck, his teeth puncturing her scales. Adalinda roared in pain. She gripped her opponent by his midsection and with a powerful twist managed to crack the long dragon's spin, who released his grip on her neck. She then planted a fist on the underside of his jaw. Hailong however had anticipated this, and with a swift motion brought his fists down on the base of Adalind's neck, right on a pressure point, Adalinda lost consciousness and quickly reverted to Steve's form. Steve landed on the ground hard. Hailong reverted to his human host's form and boarded the plane as someone yelled for him to get on.
The witches were in shock. Most had been forced to the ground after that light had caused their strikers to sputter and lose power. They looked in complete terror, the other dragon had just bested Steve.
Steve groaned as he got to his knees. He shook his head trying to regain a sense of where he was. He saw Sanya's discarded signature weapon near his currently downed position. He crawled over to the weapon. Steve aimed Sanya's Fliegerhammer at the laughing Ace.
"HEY ACE!" Steve shouted.
Ace looked at Steve and his eyes widened.
"CATCH THIS YOU MOTHERF-" Steve yelled, his sentence cut off as he fired the last of the rocket launchers deadly payload at Ace. The rocket flew fast and true, finding its mark on Ace's face. The resulting explosion engulfed Ace in an orange and red blaze while also dealing damage to the gigantic airplane, but it did not seem to stop it. The witches ran over to Steve.
"You did it!" Lynne cheered as she hugged Steve. Though with the burns he received previously caused his nerves to scream in pain from the squishy contact.
"Hopefully the Ranger can launch some fighters to intercept that thing," Shirley said.
The rest of the Strike Witches went back to congratulating themselves on another victory, when a loud voice pierced the air.
"STEVE!" They heard a voice yell over the loud roar of the engines. The 501st looked in shock and Steve's face went red with rage. Despite taking a rocket to the face, Ace was still alive. Blood oozes from lacerations and burn wounds he experienced from the rocket. It was a miracle that he was even standing as it is obvious he was in pain judging from his face. It is contorted with rage and pain as he glares holes into Steve.
"THIS….MEANS….WAR!" he roared, taking a breath between each word.
With that the airplane took off, quickly gaining speed.
"Damn it!" Mio cursed.
"He got away!" Yoshika said in shock.
Minna looked over to Steve.
"Zine," she heard him curse in hewbrew.
"Steve?" Minna asked getting everyone's attention.
"Ace… This… IS war," Steve growled, his fist clenching up. He turned on his heels and the girls parted seeing his rage induced aura surrounding him. "If it's a war he wants, thenn it's a war he'll get."
Shirley looked at the man with concern before she reached her hand out to him, a halfhearted, "Steve...?" escaping her lips as she tried to get his attention.
Steve ignored her and kept on walking.
"Prepare yourself Ace, for I will show you no mercy and you will die by my blade."
"Steve?" Mio questioned, her attention fully engaged at the mention of the word "blade." Was he intending to use Rosy Glory to kill him?
Steve looked at Mio.
"Get some rest girls, we have work to do."
"Work? What work?" Perrine questioned.
"Training."
Two Days Later
Steve stood before Minna in her office. Steve looked Minna in the face. Was she serious? He was being promoted, skipping a rank from Lieutenant Commander to Commander. Completely unheard of, even for a "badass" Marine.
"So just for the record, I am not getting my own ship right?"
Minna nodded.
"You have more access to information and can requisition more equipment."
"All because I shot a terrorist in the face?"
"Apparently so."
"Ok, let me see a uniform requisition form please." Minna gave him a curious look but she handed it to him.
"Meet your new drill instructor." He smirked looking at Minna. She now felt a sense of dread.
Two days later, the 501st strike witches were assembled in the main hangar dressed in new matching uniforms, olive drab shirts and pants and boots. They were in formation loosely.
"Left Face!" Steve shouted. Some jumped in surprise but soon everyone was in position. He started to get the girls to march as he spoke in a Marine jive.
Steve noticed Gertrude and Shirley were starting to go faster.
"Slow down up front, you're running away."
"I'm the CO, Clark's my name." Steve called out.
"Took the job 'cause he's insane." Mio muttered, a little bit louder than she would have liked to admit.
"Sargent Strips, they gave you class."
"He just likes to kick our ass." Erica shouted back.
"So why you girls walk so tall?"
"Cause our titties are not small." Shirley replied to which some of the girls blushed, Steve only snickered.
"Sound off!"
"One, two."
"Sound off!"
"Three, four."
"You sound off."
"One, two, three, four...three four!"
The group continued to march onwards. After a while the girls were able to be in-sync with their replies.
"So who are those girls I see?" Steve called
"We're the witches you wanna be." The witches replied.
"I'm the man with the plan."
"But you do not give a damn."
"Here we go off to war."
"Sure as hell won't be a bore."
"Good witches never cry."
"Cause we fly up in the sky."
"Outcome of war never told."
"But this job never gets old."
Steve continued to train the girls as if he was their Marine Corp drill instructor for the next 2 weeks. It was a shortened course but the girls didn't need to be broken down to the bare bones. They were seasoned combat veterans after all. He still held a graduation ceremony for them.
"You are now Marines. I am proud to be the first to call you Marines. Due to a high demand for manpower requested by the United States Navy only half this unit will be shipped to Vietnam."
The girls still in formation looked confused at each. Steve chuckled.
"I'm sorry girls I heard that from a movie once. I couldn't resist. Anyway, I am proud of your girls. Even in the short time you were training under me I have seen great improvement in all of you. I don't know what lies ahead for all of us. But I know that we will kill that sonova' bitch or we will die trying. I got us all a week pass to be able to take a break from our military lives. Please make sure you use them wisely. Even if you can't go see your family, let 'em know that you love them. I don't know how many of us will make it back."