"Earn my trust"
Josh only remembered a few things when he woke up. His jaw was hurting. And it was only 10 minutes since he woke up when he realized he was tied behind a chair, with his legs bound as well. His head was down that time and it was lifted up. His eyes weren't fully opened when he felt another punch coming down to his face. 'That's gonna ruin me and my looks.'
Erica and Ursula grit their teeth, seeing that man being beaten for a while by the Karlslander soldier. Finally, Erica's had enough. "Soldier, you may leave. Now."
The soldier groans. "Ja." He simply said it and he left the room through a steel door.
Erica sighs and approaches the man who Ursula named as Josh Simmons. She was looking at Josh raising his head, probably wondering what he's thinking of doing next. Then when he looked at her, he chuckled at her. "I was wondering if there were two of you after all. Looks like I'm not crazy."
"You're not," Erica said. "Normally, I don't condone break-ins, but my sister told me interesting things. Hm. Who knew you can get a whole heap of trust from my twin?"
"Twin? Tch. Erica."
"Yup! I'm an ace, while she's a researcher!" Erica smiled and grinned. "I come from the 501st Joint Fighter Wing… The Strike Witches. We're the fighter wing that defeated the Venezia Super Hive."
Josh only raised an eyebrow in response. 'Venezia? Oh… I gotta get used to this world and its names now…'
"But enough about us. I was saying before that I heard things from Ursula. And… I think she's got a big point, Simmons. You shouldn't just go around and pick, or kidnap a witch while bringing her to your world… no matter how she wants it. I don't know what she wants you to do here first, but I think it's a way of getting to know us and how we do things during wartime."
"…which is a waste of everyone's goddamn time!" He glared at her. "I told her not to worry about me, but she had to go and tell me that I should do something for this world in return. I told her… waste of time and effort!"
"Maybe you shouldn't talk to me in the third person, Josh." Ursula said that and he looked at her from behind the room while she approaches him and was in full view of his eyes. "You're a wanderer from another world whose goal is to take a witch into yours. I protest that because you don't understand what most of us witches were doing for around six years! When the striker unit was made, we were later given mandates to protect our home countries once we have an arsenal to fight the Neuroi. And the mandate changed to protect strategic positions and take back territory the Neuroi have taken from us via coordination with different militaries around the world. Do you know how hard we've all been through just to do that?! No, you don't. It's because you haven't seen it all!"
Erica was more or less surprised Ursula was speaking this way. She only smiled at one Ursula had been saying. 'Seems as if though her speech polishing skills are improving. Can't complain if she's a workaholic!'
Josh lowered his head giving up. "So what's next for me then?"
Erica replied next. "You're gonna be talking to a big honcho of us witches from the Witch Corps. Air Marshal Adofine Galland is coming over soon and you're her main interest. You should be honored!"
"Great. I'm honored." Josh said that in a sarcastic tone and received a glare from Erica.
"Hey. Maybe start respecting her when she gets here?" Erica snorts after glaring at him before she walked out of the interrogation room.
Only Ursula and him were there and she spoke next. "Look… You've been given this bruising just because you pissed off a few soldiers. They're not trying to pry information from you on purpose, you know."
"Do you know what they said before I got here? 'Yankee Doodle hit his head and rolled off a cliff.' I think the guy who said that deserves that broken nose."
"Eh… But the headbutt wasn't that necessary." Ursula replied while grabbing a chair and sat down in front of him. "I'm not gonna lie and say that you're a completely good guy, but you gotta be given purpose and prove our trust first. It's… the way it works when it comes to newbies. I think others would agree on that too. And I think the Air Marshal has the same mind too."
"Fine." Josh reluctantly replied.
"Also… I'm surprised you didn't use your magic yet to bust yourself out. The binds you have on you now won't be much problem for you."
"I'd rather avoid inciting panic, Ursula. I'm not the type to initiate chaos and I'm not allowing myself to be the cause of it all. I'm just efficient in how I do things, and it really turned to shit. Clearly. Plus… I don't wanna build more mistrust. One of my plans WAS to make friends."
"Well you could have chosen to escape us instead."
"But I didn't. For all I know, I could make friends with the wrong people. It may as well be fellow magic folk I'd be friends with first. It helps me at least get a glimpse of what I'm dealing with." Josh said this and received a smile from Ursula. "What?"
"Nothing… just that I find you honorable, Josh Simmons."
"Wasn't always that way," he muttered that way. He then saw the steel doors open and two Karlslander soldiers walk in. "To the brig, eh?"
Ursula sighed, seeing the Karlslander soldiers untie him from the chair. "I'm surprised you're patient about this,"
"Yeah. I'd rather make sure I get to be a good boy than make a mess." He replied this before his legs were loose and he was pulled up to stand, still making sure he's tied from behind his back. They then start to force him to walk. "We should talk some time!"
Ursula nods at him before he's being taken away from the room. "Yes… We should."
It took days. Josh was patient and in the brig for most of his time. His blue shirt was what remained from what he's mostly wearing on him. 'So this is how it's always been if one's in the brig. Nothing to do… Just normal jail time. I guess there's nothing different from those times I got caught...' Except it's different since there's a soldier on duty as a guard who usually gives him the newspaper articles that are necessary for updates. It was because of Ursula's request since she knows he isn't that noted on events around the world. There were times he is visited by Ursula for talks they both need. And during those times, he learned a great deal about witches in their world… such as using stored magic to cast spells and activate inherent abilities. The thing about inherent abilities is something Josh didn't have, but he heard a few witches from his world have.
Then came that day. It was six days after Josh was in the brig, fed, and clothed by himself after taking baths. He only wore a grey body suit that time when he was in the brig when there was a completely different person come through there. The brown jacket wearing woman in her twenties with black hair approached his cell. At that time, he was only sitting on his bed when he looked at his visitor. "Hello there," the young woman said. "I hope you don't mind, but I had other duties to attend."
Josh winced and was convinced this was the meet he was waiting for. He stood up from his bed and approached the bars as he looked at her. "Air Marshal Adolfine Galland. Been a while, but I can understand the timing."
"You must be Josh Simmons. Honor to meet you. I would actually meet the spell-making warlock who has an aim that is noble, but still is missing the point of doing something for this world in exchange for what he wants. I read the reports and it's unsettling enough you have a war to prevent in your world. But in any case, that's not supposed to be our concern. Our concern is the worth you have here." Galland explained this and looked at the nearby guard and nodded at him. She saw the guard approach the cell and use a key to unlock it. "You don't mind waiting this long?"
"I've had shorter sentences. Been a good boy for God knows how many times to prevent getting to a cell." Josh sighed as his cell door was opened. "And my day streak is reset again."
The Air Marshal chuckled a bit. "Follow me, Mister Simmons. A walk is something healthy for both of us."
It was the high morning and the two of them were walking in the grounds of the research complex. Galland then spoke. "The complex was built for a short year after the Neuroi started to make its presence known in 1939. There used to be a fewer number of buildings here, but research had to be done faster, which is why all of this was necessary."
"You all done a lot during the war. A single man… Ichiro Miyafuji. He made that striker unit possible. Ursula is only refining the invention further, with Miyafuji already out of the picture permanently." Josh spoke as if it was history he only read from a book. "Sorry. I must have spoken like I was reading that. I didn't mean to put emotional strain. I'm good at that."
Galland chuckled. "You love to be an asshole most of your life, don't you?" Then she looked up and saw striker unit formations being done. "Look up, Simmons."
And Josh looked up, seeing striker units were flying and witches were operating them. "Hm. I recognize the blondies any day."
"Ursula got another design working but it's still on its prototype stages. I'm letting them do formations just to see how responsive the magic jet engine is. There was an incident in relation to jet strikers… one that was related to excess magic suction. Like what you stated before… we all use stored magic energy. And the wearer of that striker unit had one day fallen unconscious and almost lost all of her power." Galland sighs before continuing. "Captain Gertrude Barkhorn is a fighter and officer of the Karlsland military, a witch, and a very disciplined hard head. I'm sure you can imagine the dedication she has especially when Karlsland fell to the Neuroi so easily from the beginning."
"Any soldier who abandoned a country inevitable to fall to an enemy of greater strength, if at possible of being helpless, would later feel as if they're obliged to uphold their duties if they want to return to their nation. I had a long distant relative do the same thing. He was a commando and didn't really care of the lives he's taken. Though not a warlock, he didn't really keep himself socially active. He just… went on and never stopped." Josh looked away from the formation practices at the sky and back to Galland who was leading him toward the complex hangars. "So where are we going?"
"I thought I'd interest you in looking at the striker unit prototypes that were finished and reproduced in few numbers. Some are Jet strikers, are Merlin Engine strikers. Those two have significant differences in case you don't know." Then she stopped just near the hangars. All of them were open for him to see, and she can see Josh is curious of each of the prototypes. The latest one towards one side was the prototype J7W Shinden. "That latest one is completed from one of Ichiro Miyafuji's late design submissions. Whether it's been delayed from submission on purpose or held away for security purposes is still beyond us. That prototype was recently fixed up after it's been recovered from battle, and this seems to be the only striker unit variant that exists. This is solely being modified for future uses. And it only agrees with full power on one witch: his daughter Yoshika Miyafuji, a Fuso witch who served as a medic in the 501st Joint Fighter Wing."
"The dedication in the arsenal… Goddamn…"Josh was amazed by how much work researchers and builders put up with the creation of these units.
Galland then changed the subject. "You know… If Ursula was indeed correct… You could have gotten yourself out of the cell." She said that and he looked at her. "But you didn't. Why?"
Josh looked at the units again, hoping he'd get help from the units to solidify his tone when he speaks. "I was curious."
"Hm. Of what, exactly?"
"I was curious to see how far kindness is portrayed here, and I got what I somehow deserved. Got punched by a few soldiers for headbutting someone, when all they did was insult me by stereotyping. But otherwise… The witches were more respected here than the soldiers of the military would be, except if those men had higher ranks, probably. It makes me feel that even if you get respect, you get grudges from those who give you a salute." Josh explained, and he continues further while he looks at Galland. "As a Warlock, I was ready to receive criticism from non-magic folk, but not as worse as getting stabbed by those who don't like magic users. It's the same with witches back where I came from. Nobody was the wiser. Probably because of the behavior this world's non-magic's have in similarity with mine, I think it would have been best if I get on their good graces and be on their side. Whatever comes to public opinion for you magic users is an important step in being appreciated through history. And I couldn't compromise that by breaking out."
Galland smiles at him. Not only was the reason deep enough, but he finds his attitude one of honor. "I'm more than impressed, Simmons. You'd safeguard the reputation of witches at this point, but sometimes that can't happen just to save lives. Remember… Even if witches are hated, we still have the responsibility to have a balance between keeping our actions favorable by the masses, or favorable by the number of lives we save. What the public says shouldn't completely influence our actions. Every result varies with what we do next." She then calls a nearby soldier and that grunt jogs to her carrying a folder and giving it to her. "Thank you." She briefly said it just before she handed it over to him.
Josh took the folder and saw the front tags read 'NUR FÜR DEINE AUGEN.' "Eyes only, eh?"
"Private." Galland said this and put a hand on his shoulder. "That's the rank you're given when you begin. You have something to choose when you open that folder, but it's only just for you. Information is clearly just for you to read and for no one else. Unless you decide it, you don't tell it to anyone else. You'll be choosing your unit, or just your supervisors in a nation's military. Just… be careful in reading as well. There are those who are currently off-duty but still appear on that list."
"Off-duty? Then why are they in here?"
"…because they're dependable and they travel places during their time off their official unit. Not to mention… they're the type who likes to not be far away from helping in the war. For example… the pair of Lucchini and Shirley. Now… Get back to me with a decision in 24 hours and be absolutely sure about it. Because I'll be sending the orders for transfer over when you do." Galland smiled at him. "Is that understood, Private?"
Josh gets in attention, holding the folder to his hips on one hand and saluting Galland with the other. "Yes, sir." He paused for a moment and put his hand down before he spoke. "Permission to speak freely, sir."
"What is it?"
"Did you… really put me a good word with Command? Because this sounds too big to put me past basic training. Never really heard about that being done before."
"I do that because I know there are certain people who can be reliable… if not by personality, then by reputation and skill. And clearly, you have what it takes. Ursula might not be your best opponent on hand to hand combat, so this is a good way to brush up on more training." Galland nods. "Good question as any, Private. I'll make sure to have your progress checked. Go out of line, and our deal's off. Your discharge comes with a warning that you shouldn't take any witches with you when you leave, and we'd observe you leave yourself through an exit rune you first used when you got here. But do your duties while you're in service and leave good records, and we'll see that you get your deal granted. This is as much as I can do. I understand you can't prevent a war between warlocks and witches at this point, but take my word for it: Earn. My. Trust. I hope that made it very clear." She sighs and looks at the units. "I'll be here for a while so you're dismissed, Private. And… welcome to the Witch Corps."
Josh salutes Galland again before turning back the way he came. Then as he was going to the building Ursula was working in, she already was waiting for him. "Ursula?"
Ursula smiled as she saw him come to her. "I heard you and Galland already had that talk."
"Got no choice but to stick for a while. Can't blame her if she needed my kind of good work first before I get what I want. Then again, I could always kidnap a witch." As he said that, Ursula poked him hard, two fingers to his forward. "Ow…"
"That isn't going to get you anywhere, dummy. So what do you have?" Ursula asked.
Josh was in Ursula's work place when he continued his message while she worked on the striker unit that was in the room. "You ever been in any fighter wing or squadron?"
"One. The 507th Joint Fighter Wing, formerly Suomus Independent Volunteer Aerial Squadron."
"And now the Silent Witches. Okay. Well… Galland intends to put me as a Private in a witch unit. Probably ground or combat support. What I got here is a list of witch units, by threes, twos, or a four-member squad. Maybe if you can tell me a few things about them, it could help me decide on which unit I'd take."
Ursula was surprised of this and stopped working for a bit as she adjusted her glasses. "You trust my experiences to influence your decision?"
"Why not? I'm in the military. And… Whichever I choose determines my destiny, right?"
"…only because the Air Marshal is giving you a chance." Ursula chuckled. "Well… There's one condition. If you're free later, I like us to spar. Hand-to-hand again." She blushed once she made her condition to him.
And Josh sensed it himself. "Something tells me it isn't just for doing me good. Sounds like a Round 2 to me."
"Would I be lying if I said it wasn't?" Ursula smirked and removed her glasses.
And in no time at all, the two were on a sparring arena in one of the buildings used for basic close-quarters training. No one else was using it, so the two of them were occupying the ring. Removing nothing but her swimsuit only to expose her legs and arms, she gets to the ring. Josh only had his pants and inner shirt on together with his socks as he stepped in.
Josh chuckled. "When it came to conditions, I didn't expect you to take me to a beat-em-up session."
"I only beat you because you were holding back, Private. But I'm asking you now." Ursula let her magic work through her body and looks at him with a glare. "Don't."
Josh bent his head left and right, feeling bones crack to loosen his joints. "I got no plan to. Expect to get hurt this time."
"After you," Ursula smirked before she jogged to him.
"Crap," he muttered to himself as got his hands up and moved forward on his Muay Thai stance.
As Josh kept his stance strong and Ursula sprinted to charge, Ursula would charge, spin and kick as she lets her body fly in momentum while he jabs an electric charge right at her at the same as her attack. The first hit never damaged both of them seriously, and they were on their sparring session by that time…
Josh had been reading the available units he could join in Galland's chosen witch units. The marked event for the date basis was the eradication of the Super Hive Of Venezia. He had to choose which unit he'd take for the duration of his armed forces service…
Freelance Unit – Lucchini and Yeager (limited)
Joint Fighter Wing Logistics – 506th Joint Figher Wing, the Noble Witches
Joint Fighter Wing Guard Detail - 506th Joint Figher Wing, the Noble Witches
Joint Fighter Wing Mechanics & Repairs – 503rd Joint Fighter Wing, the Typhoon Witches
Joint Fighter Wing Infantry Recon – 504th Joint Fighter Wing, the Ardor Witches
Freelance Unit - Edytha Roßmann (limited)
Each of the roles told in the list have their own set of responsibilities. Normally, he'd be working with teams when in Joint Fighter Wings, but he had to be careful in choosing the Freelance spots. He either has only himself, or two others.
And he needed to only choose one…
(The choices are open via poll on my fanfiction profile page now! Get voting!)