"Rise of cruel foundation"
Earth 2 (Witches' Dimension)
1945…
The world first heard of the name Jonathan Irons. A lot of them had negative thoughts as soon as the name came up, since many had known of the fall of Rome, many already said he was a monster. For all those who are wiser, they mentioned that Irons had a point about wars that are unending if the world remained free. It does not however give him the power to change the world as it is. It will completely ruin the way of life of the people who undergo changes. Perhaps that's what Irons really wants? Doing that will make a cycle of disturbance around the world, shaking the foundations of life and overwriting what is current.
For the military around the world, they consider Irons a threat. His broadcast clearly is a message that declares war on the world itself. Various talks were given on the same day regarding what Jonathan Irons said. What was there to change? That was one of the main questions the public had been asking. Though only a few of them understood the deepness of it since it's based on history. In the past, people rely on the likes of witches to fight for those who can't defend themselves.
Irons has indeed hit a lot of people and are interested in him, in both the positive and negative ways.
Messina, Romagna… Safe house…
1737 hours…
The location itself is southeast and very distant from Rome, the capital of Romagna.
Duchess Maria herself had been pacing back and forth slowly at the second floor of the safe house she was in. It's been hours after she heard that broadcast and she was nervous about it all. Finally after an hour of pacing, she stopped walking and sighed.
"I've got to relax," Duchess Maria muttered to herself. "There's no way they'd be able he'd be serious. He is declaring war on the world now? He would kill so many of many us and- No… This is not happening."
"It is, Duchess Maria." Captain Kathryn Bolton, a Liberion infantry witch came at her presence. "Reality as it is, unfortunately, he's not joking. He understands his power and he's using it quite well. Worst case scenario… He might even beat the Romagna Resistance into nothing. They're advancing too quickly. We have to move as soon as we confirm their movement. They just got past Naples."
"Oh my…"
"Duchess Maria… I recommend we move farther away. Another Royal Navy submarine will be coming for us, but it won't be fast enough that ATLAS won't catch up. We're hoping the Resistance will be able to hold ATLAS for a while. Though odds are against us."
"Then what do you suggest?"
"Get the 501st. It'll be risky since the enemy has nasty firepower and air support. But what's important is that you get the hell away." Kathryn explained before crossing her arms. "They hold you hostage, and the world might know you're too precious. I'd rather have you out of here than getting hurt."
Duchess Maria nods in agreement. "I don't know what benefit this does, but I'll try. But… Captain…"
"No buts, Duchess Maria."
"But Captain… My people are fighting to protect ME. Listen to me… I don't want any more of them fighting if this plan fails."
"Do you want to give yourself up again?"
"I have to if I need to. Bloodshed already had Rome to completely fall. I'm not about to see Romagna crumble into nothing. Promise me. If we cannot make it, please… Let me go with them." Duchess Maria pleaded this onto the captain whose task was to protect her. "Please."
Kathryn knew this was a request she needed to answer for. Without doubt, she gave Duchess Maria an answer. "I promise. The moment it all goes to hell, I'll make sure to give you to them."
"Thank you, Captain. You don't know how much this means to me." The Duchess was grateful of her request being kept by the leader of the J.S.U. squad. "Alright. If we will move, shall we move using our vehicle again?"
"It's fine. Right now, their air support hasn't come back yet according to Leiber and Kuhn. This is the best time to start moving. There is a thick forest we can duck under and that's about 5 miles south. Their aircraft can't find us there easily. We'll just hope for the best our jeep can travel through the rough road in the forest. We give it our best shot. Understood?" Kathryn asked this and the Duchess nods. "Good. We leave now."
Eventually, everyone boarded in a jeep that seemed to fit them all. There were six in all, including Duchess Maria and all were female as the J.S.U. was composed of infantry witches. The jeep was quickly driven away southeast of Messina. It was Leiber who took the wheel.
"Everyone good?" Kathryn asked the rest of her team and the Duchess.
Paulsen, the Britannian witch nodded. "Good to go, Captain."
"Ja," Kuhn, a Karlslander witch replied.
"Driving," Leiber, a Karlslander witch replied.
"Check, Captain." Yoshikawa, a Fusoan witch answered.
"Da." Maximoff, an Orussian witch replied. "So… Still on the suicide attempt for getting her to safety, Captain?"
Kathryn Bolton knew the situation was getting worse. She witnessed Drop pods from ATLAS being dropped from the sky onto Messina. Plenty of gunfire was heard from behind them. She felt sorry for those still there. "Like we got another option. You don't know… we might even get lucky they won't drop anything bad on us."
Duchess Maria was looking at the necklace that was around her neck. Sighing while remembering memories of herself being given treasures, she also remembered she was being given just respect and not gifts from her people. She wanted it that no one give so much in material and they loved her for it. It was like she had the support of all the people because of the love they have for this country. It felt good, to them and to her. But then Rome was cut down just like that by ATLAS.
The Joint Strike Unit wasn't known by everyone else, except the various militaries around the world that wanted a strong reconnaissance witch team which can fight through Neuroi even on the ground. But their specialty was personnel rescue and close anti-Neuroi close quarters combat.
Yoshikawa looked around. It seems to be clear so far, but the Drop Pods right behind them prove that ATLAS was onto them. "Captain, I think we shouldn't stay too long on the roads. If the enemy is indeed watching from above, we might be watched even from here."
Bolton replied. "We gotta make as much distance as possible. If their range is that far, I don't think being subtle will help us right now."
ATLAS Mobile HQ…
Somewhere in a room where all four corners are made of indestructible hard glass…
The blonde girl was stirring from her sleep. She felt hollow for a while, before she started to regain her strength. She felt asleep from the last place she was and she knew it. The light that shone above her helped her stir awake as she opened her eyes and looked to see at a single man just outside some sort of glass. She sat up to look around to see that she was in a sort of glass box, and a huge one. It was clear glass, but her eyes didn't fool her.
Irons looked at the girl, and she seemed to be in her 20's or so. He observed her wearing a military uniform of her home country. As he saw her eyes meet his, he started first. "You seem to be in your twenties."
"I'm nineteen," said the girl who seemed to be Britannian. She then stood up to see who she was speaking to, a man who was in some sort of corporate attire. "A man trapping me in glass. You seem to be interesting enough for me. So I take it you're Irons then? And a Liberion at that? Interesting."
Jonathan raised his eyebrow for what he heard. "Liberion? Ah. I see. Well… Yes." He assumed that the word 'Liberion' was another word for 'American' from where he came from. He brushed the matter aside for something else. "But I don't serve a country, especially from the last world I came from. So you're Dana Caulfield? Which unit did you come from?"
"I served different units, Irons. It's somehow blurry to me now. My last unit however was the 749th Special Air Service Division of Britannia. Not that it matters to me." Dana said before briefly smiling. "This world… It's becoming lost on me. And I see the pattern you're telling me of. What would it matter if we were free? That philosophy is deep but it's worth finding its answer for."
"It's best you know the answer yourself, but I've already seen it. That's why I wanted to act against those who seek to control their own interests. This country of yours. What would it take to secure victory? - Nothing but a good set of words and a way to make others show sympathy just to make an alliance."
"You think my country's gone soft or daft?" Dana smiled and put her hands on her hips. "I like how you think. That's what I believe as well. The only thing they expect is result. They just put lives lost behind them. And my mother was right about one thing: Britannia is only after the respect it deserved. They once made a bad impression on Liberion. So the war is all about proving themselves? No wonder we lost our country to the Neuroi before. They even made a desperate of making a dangerous arsenal that could replace witches. The 501st took the Warlock down, but it doesn't change what I think. My government is as screwed as the rest of the world. If you're willing to change it all, then I want to get into it. But… I… also have personal reasons to boot."
Irons put a hand gesture for her to stop. "That's enough, Dana. Put the explanations aside for later. You're here to make sure you do what you must to secure yourself in the deal. You told me you wanted to execute a witch right in front of me. Now… Here's your chance."
Two ATLAS soldiers dragged a girl with auburn hair. She looked exhausted even as a 13 year old Witch recruit, but she was tired and couldn't do so much. Another ATLAS grunt opened the door for the glass box. Dana stepped out of the box without others stopping her. Eventually, the two who dragged the exhausted girl suddenly let the girl go without care. This… Dana was interested to see. And eventually, Dana was presented a pistol… the Atlas .45 pistol. She took it onto her hand and looked at the exhausted girl.
Dana had a look of the girl and made a wicked smile at her. "Rina Jameson… the only daughter of Charles Jameson himself. I'm surprised you're still alive. Good thing they left me in charge of you."
"Please…" Rina weakly begged as she looked at Dana. "Don't…!"
"SHUT UP!" Dana slapped Rina and neared her face to Rina's. "I have it easier to eliminate you because you were his favorite, just because you are his daughter. Unfair, isn't it? I have more experience, and he chose to reserve a promotion to you than give it to me. That I believe is stupid."
"He… He knows what's best… for you…"
"HE WAS RIDICULOUS IN USING HIS HEART THAN HIS MIND!"
"HE THOUGHT YOU WERE JUST SPOILED, DANA!" Rina snapped back at Dana. "Seems it still applies."
And Dana slapped Rina again before forcing the girl's head down with one hand, and putting the nose of the Atlas .45 at the back of Rina's head. Though… Dana's hand shook a little.
Irons noticed it was taking a while. Although Dana's tactic to be quiet was the way, something was holding her back. He then puts his hand on Dana to see what it is. "Is this your first time?"
Dana nodded to what Irons asked. "I… never killed anyone. But… I want this… to be my first."
Jonathan knew this was a big step for her. This doesn't just get her into ATLAS. This makes her a killer. And for his faction, that's what it's filled of. Putting his hand away, he steps back. "Take your time."
"I don't need to." Dana said before pressing the nose of her pistol to Rina. "She… is nothing."
Rina shed a tear. "Maybe he could have treated you like a daughter if that's what you desired… I… I'm sorry if I was in your way."
"Hmph. You don't need to feel sorry. Besides… My father died too long ago." And Dana squeezes the trigger, letting loose a bullet that goes through Rina's head and kills her. Witnessing Rina's blood spray on her while seeing the dead girl fall to the floor, her hand stopped shaking. Dana felt her breathing was fast, but it was quickly calming down. She held her pistol tight, looking at Rina's dead body. She felt cold, but the coldness felt soothing instead of shivering to her. "Farewell… Rina. I hope you find him there."
Later on… Irons was sitting in front of Dana, who was patiently seated as well. They were in another room…
Irons then started. "They said you brought some unit that makes you fly. We encountered these witches using them."
Dana nodded. "The modernized Striker Unit. A nice tool, really. The late inventor passed away years ago. Lab explosion, I believe."
"So… I wanted to start with what you are, Dana. What brought you straight to us that you would decide to join us?"
"Besides telling you what I think of the world, I have a personal reason. I was having a good life with my mother. She raised me, and spoiled me thanks to our riches. Of course… She wanted me to fight and be stronger than just being rich, and it was more convincing since I turned into a witch. I've been with the army for a good long while… but most of the time, I was treated poorly just because I'm an influencing person's daughter. That got me to rebel sometimes.
"What I thought of the world changed right after the murders. My mother never married, until he came across a man who was hardworking. After they married, we had a good few months. We were in Hispania living the dream. I thought I found a nice family. And my stepfather mentioned to me about her daughter who ran away from him. Seems he did something crazy… killing a Neuroi for her lover. Hmph. She deserved it. And she ran like a coward… or so I thought when I saw her the first time."
She continued to tell her story from there…
Some miles southwest of Messina, Romagna…
The jeep continues to be driven on the road quickly as the sounds of the attacks on Messina were getting more distant.
Captain Kathryn Bolton knew it was the case and made her call. "Alright, Leiber. We're almost there at a small patch of forest. As soon as you see it, start heading for it, and only drive through if there's a good spot for the jeep to be on. Yoshikawa, you got the long range radio set?"
"Affirmative, Captain." Yoshikawa said this while the long range radio was at the back of the jeep. "Good thing the Resistance was kind to us. Hm. They could have spotted us by now. Captain, have you noticed the jet plane that flew near the direction of the coast?"
"Yup. I know. This is all too familiar." Kathryn replied, seeing this as something she doesn't like at all. Then she heard some drone of an aircraft right behind her, and it was heard that it flew above them, though she could see with her sharp eyes a light outline of one flying just above them, like it was invisible. Soon, the Warbird reveals itself off its stealth camouflage before the doors opened, and some soldiers with weapons aimed at the jeep. "VEER LEFT!" And she heard the ATLAS grunts fire at them while Leiber turns the wheel a hard left. Kuhn was able to put a magic shield to where the gunfire came from. Then Kathryn spots a large patch of trees ahead. "THERE! Leiber, step on it!"
Yoshikawa then grabs the long range radio, keeping it safely with her while she spotted an Orbital Pod descending at the other end of the forested area. "Captain! Dropper at the other end of the forest!"
"I know, but we need cover! Leiber, FLOOR IT NOW!" On Kathryn's order, Leiber accelerates while Kuhn still has her shield up.
Kuhn's shield didn't matter as a rocket from a portable launcher was fired from the Warbird. Heading to the side of the jeep, Kuhn realized she wasn't ready. "Shit," she cursed. The rocket hits just at the bottom of her shield, and the force of the rocket's explosion got the jeep to tip over to one side. "HANG ON!"
Duchess Maria realized that the jeep is tipping over. Bolton then holds her tight to protect her from getting hurt.
The sight of the jeep spinning and skidding into the forest was seen from the Warbird…
Helm 5…
Warbird Pilot POV…
I saw the jeep spin and skid into the forest. Soon, there was some smoke coming from it. I'm seeing the rocket did its job. We can't be too sure about it yet. "Prophet, Helm 5 confirms target vehicle just flipped. Getting visual… Stand by…" He then changes his vision status to use thermals so he could see at least past the trees.
J.S.U. under Captain Bolton…
Neutral POV…
Kathryn groaned in pain as she feels the soil and opens her eyes. At her relief, she was able to find cover in the trees, but their transportation is flipped and her team has spinning heads. Checking herself and finding no injuries, she stands up to look around. And she ran for a direction. Seeing Duchess Maria panting and on her knee, she approaches her quickly. "Duchess Maria! You okay?!" She asked the Duchess of her condition.
"I'm quite okay, Captain. Check on the others. We need to move before-"
"LINA!" Kuhn's voice can be heard not from far away. Kathryn told the Duchess to stay behind a tree to avoid getting before she goes to where Kuhn is. To her shock, she was seeing Leiber herself sitting against a tree with a branch pierced from her back, with its tip coming out of her right side torso. Leiber screams in pain everytime she moves. (*German* "No… Lina… Don't move! You'll hurt yourself!") She advised her fellow Karlslander.
Kathryn sees Maximoff coming for Leiber and Kuhn. "This isn't good. We have to move…" Yoshikawa was then seen wearing the long range radio like a pack on her back. "Yoshikawa, call it in. We can't last long with them on our tail. Looks like the 501st will have to risk themselves. Our best shot is at Sicily. This is all going to hell."
"But what about Leiber?!" Yoshikawa asked this to the superior. "I can heal her and-"
"The wound won't close and it'll get worse for her. We can't pull her out either. The branch… It could have hit internal organs." Kathryn then looked back at Leiber who called to her.
"Please… Just… Leave me." Leiber said this, while a small amount of blood flows from her mouth. "I'll only slow you down."
Yoshikawa sees the condition Leiber is in, but she understands. Preventing the situation to worsen, she gets on knee and starts to radio the 501st base in Sicily.
Back with Kathryn Bolton… She was examining the branch pierced on Lina Leiber. It wasn't looking too good as the bleeding isn't going to stop. "Shit… Leiber, we can't just leave you here."
"Fuck," Leiber cursed and tried breathing, but it was getting difficult. "There's no time... They're… about to close in."
"NO! You're not dying here, and we stick like glue."
"Verdammt, Bolton! You're risking the mission here! And I know exactly what it is. Please… I'll only slow you down." Leiber said this while a tear came out of her left eye. "Just… go. She needs… to be safe."
Kuhn knew that the Captain won't let Leiber stay, so she stood up and gently pushed Kathryn away. "She's right. We stay here… We're screwed. The enemy is more advantageous on open ground and in forests." As she was explaining, Duchess Maria came and was shocked to see Leiber heavily wounded. "Kathryn, they catch up to us, we can't get away. Please… For Lina."
Kathryn lowered her head as she tightened her closed fist. 'Shit…! Odds are against us if we stay but-!' She looks at Leiber's decision. Every second now counts. But she'd rather gamble on Lina's survival to gain more odds. "Make sure Yoshikawa keeps giving Lina high-magic healing treatment. Kuhn… I wish I could follow her wish, but I can't just have her death on my conscience. Not again." And she glared at Kuhn to make her strong point.
Leiber heard Kathryn's decision and even saw the captain being glared on by Kuhn. Lina chuckles at this. "Hehe… Stupid captain… But I… admire it." Leiber coughed out a small spray of blood before looking at Kathryn. "If you'll move me, you do it slowly. Here's to my survival. You owe me a hard drink."
"Agreed. Maximoff, help Kuhn. Get her off the branch. We gotta move before they drop in on us." Kathryn ordered and glanced at Yoshikawa who just finished making the radio call. "Called it in?"
Yoshikawa nodded. "I guess you want Leiber out of this, right? It's fine."
Duchess Maria walked and stopped beside Kathryn while she Kuhn, Maximoff, and Yoshikawa help Leiber off the branch. Lina Leiber screams in pain, but tries to bear it, finally off the branch while Yoshikawa starts to work her healing magic onto the injured parts. Paulsen just ran towards them, alerted.
"Mates! Step on it! There are soldiers deploying at-!" Paulsen gasped. "Leiber! Damn it… Captain, we have to move! They're gonna catch up to us any minute!"
The Duchess then looks at the Captain who was calm and focused at the situation. "I admire what you did, but it's best I give myself in. You've all suffered enough… as have my people."
Kathryn shook her head in disagreement. "Hell no, Duchess Maria. Unless the odds run out on us, we keep moving. Come on, COME ON! Paulsen, take point and scout ahead for us. I'll cover the party! GO!"
"On it, Cap!" Paulsen replied before she used her ability, the Magic X-Ray. Her pupils dilate before her vision is able to change… detecting heat at wherever she looked. Having a sub-machine gun on her, she leads for the party. "Heading west!"
Kathryn agrees as she keeps her gun up and protects the party while she muttered: "Good point. We need to steer clear of that party coming from the south first. Here's hoping the fight's on our favor here."
Jonathan Irons & Dana Caulfield… ATLAS Mobile HQ…
Private room…
"That was all I wanted." Dana said this with her hand closed tight. "The allied forces never let me in unless I have truthful intent of just talking to Lara. They could sense my emotions as the place Lara is in is fully guarded. No one from the public knows where it is. I do. The reason they got me allowed to visit Lara was because the brass thinks I'm a victim. Tch. I know her story. Her lover was killed by her father. She ran off to try cool off, and came back to her father's presence years later… just to kill him. She's a victim herself, but I was given a bigger wound… from her. They're right about one thing. She changed into a psycho."
"Then what's next for you now that you're in ATLAS? Do you want to have your stepsister killed?" Irons asked this to know Dana's personal objective.
"…NOT while we are gripped badly by those who think they're free in this world. Liberions think more of democracy. Well I think they're all of poppycock. If I can be there at Washington DC to send them a terrible message, I would do that. I'm tired of being bossed around. Britannia has lost its pride ever since her lands have been invaded. I say… Screw the Liberions firsthand. If we really want to make a bad impression like what you've done at Romagna, we can strike a blow to the world military's morale. Think big, Irons. Because that's we should aim to do if we'll shock many. In that shock, they can't even react. And before you know it… they'll be dead."
"Impressive on your thinking," remarked Irons. "You aren't wrong. Those who wield the biggest sticks back my world were from the United States as well. That means you want them to suffer more?"
"Yes. I want them to taste the feeling of having their country plunge into chaos. Is it possible we hit their capital with whatever you have?" As Dana asked, she saw and heard him chuckle. "Oh? What's the laughing for, old man?" She smirked while asking the question.
Irons nodded in approval of this girl. She seems to be giving him a very good impression. He ignored the message given to him about her meaning of 'old man' since he's getting that age. "You are very astounding for your age. I wish I could get more witches like you."
"What? Spoiled and hardened by battles? So you don't mind me asking for anything in luxury then?"
"We might not have the resources for anything new yet, but we'll get there. We're focusing on the war that we started. And… I lied a little." Irons looked at her with sincere eyes. "See… I was not about to allow us to have a three way battle. I got the people to believe for a while that ATLAS is alone."
Dana winced at this and puffed once in a positive way. She smiled a little, trying to get his language. "You're not joking…? The… Neuroi?"
"Why don't you ask her? Genie."
After Irons calls Genie, her holographic image shows up just beside them. Instead of being in her regular red-themed clothing, now she was blue as a symbol of change in loyalties. Genie smiled as she turned her figure at Dana.
"Hello, Dana." Genie greeted with a smile, and a curtsy. "Looks like the secret is out."
"Whoa… My mind is…" Dana smiled and finally got cracked up into a laugh. She couldn't believe there was actually Neuroi that were supporting ATLAS this whole time. By the time that Dana actually stopped laughing, she focused onto Genie. "So your name is Genie then?"
"Indeed, Ms. Caulfield. You don't seem to be upset of a Neuroi being in front of you."
"You must be daft. Now I understand. Putting two sides against just one? Even better."
"Irons wants the likes of my kin to ally with him. With both factions, they won't stand a chance."
"I like our odds." Dana said while she stood up from her seat. "I may as well learn things, so I'd rather be shown around."
Irons answered while finishing up a call from his earpiece. "Genie will show you around instead. Unfortunately, I have to get to General Calvet. We just found who we're looking for." He said it before he stood up and put his hand on Dana's shoulder. "I'd prefer we whip you into shape before you join in any of our ops. Because as soon as you're ready… you're going to Washington to lead a squad there."
Dana winced at what Irons said and smiled. "I can't wait. Do what you must. I trust we'll talk again?" And she sees him nod before he starts to walk away from the room.
Genie acknowledged she'll be showing Dana around the Mobile HQ. "Pick up the earpiece nearby so you can hear me. I can't appear at all places, so you may as well listen to my voice." As she instructed, Dana was able to pick up an earpiece at a nearby table and wears it on her ear.
"So I'll just follow your voice?"
"My instructions in terms of navigation, Ms. Caulfield. Shall we go?" Genie asked with a calming tone, and Dana start to walk out of the room…
15 minutes ago…
501st base, Sicily…
The siren ran loud all over the base and all members of the 501st were running towards the briefing room. As expected of a call like this, the Wing Commander and Squadron Leader personnel are first to be there and it was composed of Commander Yermolayevna, Major Wilcke and Major Sakamoto, also the Squadron Leader of the 501st. The witches, with the exception of Sanya Litvyak, were there in the briefing room. Some of them were able to recall what Minna had reported about the 213th's fate to retrieve their documents at their old base at Pescara. As to how the details went when they wanted to know the information about how the soldiers were dealt with, Lynette, Francesca, and Yoshika covered their ears, not wanting to hear anymore. Erica told more of the detail of the corpses and Francesca threw up on her. Perrine's skin crawled in the news, surprisingly even held Barkhorn.
This time, it was different. Yoshika was calm, but she still had a problem with her mind playing tricks on her. Francesca was still trying to get over from the last assembly of the unit. Lynette was just keeping her cool, and keeping Yoshika company. Perrine wanted to separate from the rest, but was still in the briefing room. The others were calm and collected at this point and wanted to listen to what their officers will say. The siren was for an emergency.
And Lida spoke first. "Listen up. An important call placed to us by a recon unit is now under attack by ATLAS. As you may have heard from the power ATLAS is having, we can't stand a chance against them without considerable strategy. Going against them without the proper equipment or plan would be suicide in the making. So from now on, any encounters with ATLAS will be reported immediately. Because the first thing we need is organization. Back to the topic of the recon unit… Well… This isn't just a regular recon unit we're talking about. It seems that the Duchess is with them." The witches in exception of Lida, Minna and Mio were surprised of the news. "They failed in getting off Romagna and are currently on the run, heading southeast of Messina. Last I heard from their radio transmission was that they're stuck at a forest area and are proceeding on foot in the forest to evade any encounters with the enemy."
"In additional." Minna continued from Lida left off. "Duchess Maria's safety is prioritized by the reconnaissance unit. Actually, I would rather prefer this unit to be rephrased as a ground unit… composed of witches. However, they don't have a lot of time. And before you all ask… YES. Witches are protecting the Duchess, and they're classified as Infantry Witches. The Joint Strike Unit being led by Captain Kathryn Bolton is now evading enemy patrols. And if I'm correct, they could be expecting more to come at them. ATLAS once captured Duchess Maria, but this same unit got her out of captivity. Now their condition is grave, with them being slowed down since one of their members was critically injured in a vehicular accident. Our mission is simple: Verify the safety of Duchess Maria… And with swift action, move her away from the area and out of harm. It might change with what the Joint Strike Unit would think of best. That's why we're going at full force for this one."
Lida then continued. "Major Wilcke will be on standby to monitor us from the tower, as I'm participating in this mission. I know it's sudden, but this is something I cannot just ignore." She then looked at Eila who was there listening. Though she knew she has a score to settle with her, she got her attention. "Juutilainen, wake Sanya up. She'll have an early one for this."
Eila narrowed her eyes a little on Lida, being suspicious of her emotion and speech. 'I don't like you, Lida. But for the sake of the unit, I'll make sure nothing separates us.' "Okay." Eila then immediately moves to leave the briefing room and head to where Sanya was…
Lida then focused on the others. "The rest of you… gear up!" (*Russian* "It's showtime.")
J.S.U. squad led by Kathryn Bolton…
Romagna…
Forested Area, several miles southeast of Messina…
1811 hours…
Georgia Paulsen kept taking point for her squad, looking around with her Thermal Eye magic ability before proceeding. It was moving a little faster than usual since things died down. Eventually, it occurred to her that it was getting quiet. Too quiet. She then used her earpiece. She knows she's a little distant from the squad, so she stopped by a tree.
"Lead, come in." Paulsen whispered at her earpiece. "You feel it? That hovering plane that was following us-"
"I know," Bolton replied. "Paulsen, keep your eyes open."
501st Joint Fighter Wing…
Skies of Romagna airspace…
The squad of the 501st was composed of Lida, Sakamoto, Barkhorn, Hartmann, Clostermann, Bishop, Miyafuji, Litvyak, Yeager and Juutilainen.
Charlotte 'Shirley' Yeager then flew near where Francesca Lucchini was, and noticed the Romagna witch was just focused. "Hey Fran… You okay?"
Francesca shook her head in denial. "No I'm not. If this enemy really likes to pick a fight, I'll give it to them. I've had enough of them pushing us around like this. Our capital is in flames thanks to them."
"Personally? That's what I like about ya."
"Shirley… I… I want you to feel comfortable around me. Guess I'm just not used to being angry like this. That was Rome… And it was just gone in a day. I'd never forget the day."
"Look… This won't help, but you gotta stop feeling sorry for losing the capital to ATLAS." Shirley advised this with a smirk. "They still got the rest of the world to worry about. So what if they're able to ruin a capital city here? Doesn't prove they can move onto Europe and-"
"WAIT A MINUTE!" Lida shouted in surprise. "All hover in place!"
The 501st hovers in place, letting them slow down and halt at their current position. Surprisingly, a witch using a striker unit was in front of them. This witch was blonde and wore a black headband on her head.
Lynette knew that uniform too well, and recognizes it's a military witch uniform based on… "…Britannia? Wait… You're-"
Dana made a tone of approval. "How long was in when I did this? Hm. No. First time. It's nice to see the 501st stopping for me."
Sakamoto was enraged they'd stop for just a single witch and hovered in front of Lida, looking furiously at the Britannian witch. "You have nerve in stopping us! But we have ourselves a mission, and you're putting all of us at risk."
"Hmph. I don't care, Major Sakamoto."
"How do you know my name?"
"I know who you all are." Dana smirks in her answer. "And I know what you want to do. This is my proof of my intention though." She then equips a pistol before aiming at Sakamoto.
Sakamoto was shocked to see a witch aim at her. "Wait… What are you doing?!"
"Can't you guess?" Dana answered before squeezing the trigger. The shot rang loud…