Well this took way too long to write, I am sorry for that. I been procrastinating for too long and I should not have done so.
Chapter 19: 500 Over
A week since the arrival of Amirah's family
Pescara Air Base
Amirah's room
Amirah was tossing and turning in her bed as she had a familiar dream.
Dream World
1931
Malaya
Malacca
Amirah found herself in her old village when she was younger and the village was burning and under attack. Death was all around her and the air was thick with smoke and the smell of burning meat while screams and crying could be heard.
"Wah-" Amirah uttered she gagged at the retched smell. She immediately started looking for her family. "Ayah! Umi! Where are you?!"
"..." came the response. Amirah now panicked and started running through her burning village to find her family.
"Amir! Ameera! Amirul! Alisa! Ammar! Aiman! Alia! Where are you?" Amirah shouted as she frantically searched for any of her family members.
"Over here! Help! I need help!" A voice shouted. Amirah stopped and decided to see if it was one her family members. It wasn't.
"Hold on I am coming…" Amirah's voice disappeared when she found who was calling for help. It was a human shaped red neuroi and it had just finished killing a police officer.
"Oh looks like I have another victim" said the neuroi as it started moving towards Amirah. Amirah tries to run but she was too slow for the neuroi as it already had its hand around her arm.
"No! Please no!" Amirah pleaded as she tried to get away but the neuroi's grip was not faltering.
"Oh but the fun has only just begun." said the neuroi as it tightened its grip on Amirah's arm.
"AAHHH!" Amirah cried in pain.
"Oh what a lovely cry you have," the neuroi said, "But it can get better."
"That's enough, your reign of terror ends here" A new voice said. Before Amirah or the neuroi can react, a sword pierced the chest of the neuroi. Amirah, now that exhaustion caught up with her, tiredly looked to the what stabbed the neuroi. All she saw were wings of angels.
"Pretty…" Amirah muttered.
Pescara Air Base
Just as Amirah's dream ends, the morning buglers played their usual tune and this caused Amirah to jolt out of her bed.
"Calm down Amirah," Amirah held her chest, she then looked at her watch on the desk. It was six in the morning. "That dream again, I wonder what does it means this time?"
Early that morning
Beach Island
Mio was standing at the water's edge, her hands were on her sword, in a ready stance. In the bushes behind, Sakai observed.
"REPPUZAN!" Mio opened her eye and slashed at the air. Magic was ejected from the sword and it raced across the surface of the sea. After a slight delay, the water was forceful parted from sea level to seabed and it went as far as a hundred meters.
"Mio, why are you doing this?" Sakai said to himself as he watched Mio from the bushes. He could see the sword was draining magic from Mio but he could nothing about it because Mio was hell-bent on finding a way to keep fighting as a witch. He looked back at Mio and saw that she had fallen to one knee.
"I guess…" Mio grunted, "It is inevitable… Amirah, I am so jealous"
Command Office
Minna walked into the office where she found Wolf was there reading something while smoking a cigarette.
"Good morning, Wolf." Minna said.
"Oh, good morning." Wolf said, "I didn't hear you walk in."
"It is okay." Minna said.
"It is just, I am worried Minna." Wolf admitted, "The coming operation is going to be a critical one that will dictate the outcome of the war and I fear that if we fail, that it will be the end."
"I feel the same, Wolf but I know our fliers can do it, they all are skilled and they know their duty." Minna said, "Besides, there is nothing a witch or wizard can't do."
"I guess you are right but the meeting with the brass still rings in my head." Wolf said. Minna knew what Wolf was talking about.
A Week Ago
Allied Forces Mediterranean Sector HQ, Rome
"It appears that the Yamato and her escorts have arrived at their destination." Montgomery said, "Their safe arrival more than justifies the reformation and expansion of the 501st"
"I never had any doubt" SW Patton said.
"Sirs," Minna said, "I heard that their objective was to reinforce our troops in the area but Wolf and I want to confirm something."
"What is that?" SW Rommel asked.
"That is not the only objective of the Yamato and her taskforce is here for, to reinforce our forces here." Wolf asked.
"Listen, Colonel Wilckes." Kesselring said, "Operation Trajanus, our attempt to make contact with the hostile neuroi had failed. Peace Negotiations with them is no longer an opinion."
"Though we have managed to gain allies in form of the Republic of Hivescansdra" Patton said
"It is not enough, our only remaining options are whether we destroy them or let them destroy us." Montgomery said, "Therefore a strategy solely reliant on witches and wizards won't suffice."
"Is that what the Yamato is here for?" Minna asked.
"What is the Yamato's role for this?" Wolf inquired.
"That's enough." Montgomery said, "Now didn't you two have a suggestion for the coming operation?"
"We have a suggestion, we will have a section of the neuroi dome destroyed that way we can allow Erich to support Erica."
"Well we have an idea as to how we might help with that operation." Montgomery said. Wolf and Minna stiffened as they were weary of "helpful ideas" the high command may have for them.
"You can come in already." SW Patton said and soon the door to the right of the generals opened up and the Wilckes, they were not expecting the help that came in.
"You're are…" Minna gasped.
"Yes, this is your help for the Malta Operation." Montgomery said. "They will arrive at your base a week from now, this is so they can have time to prepare."
"You're lucky that Malta is important or you had to manage with what you already got." SW Patton said.
"I hope we can contribute to the liberation of Malta." One of the newcomers said.
"Oh right, we have those to worry about." Wolf said.
"God, I hope we have no problems when they arrive." Minna said.
Runway
Gertrude, Gerhard, Peter, Erich and Erica were jogging however Erich and Erica were lagging behind for some odd reason.
"So sleepy…" Erica yawned.
"Tired…" Erich moaned.
"Looks like you're going soft, Erich" Peter joked.
"Keep going!" Gertrude barked, "There's almost no time left till the operation!"
"Come on, you two, you know what's at stake." Gerhard said.
"Huh? Operation?" Erica asked.
"Is that one?" Erich recalled.
"Yes Erich, that one." Gerhard said.
"Remember, High Command had assigned liberating Malta to our unit." Gerhard said.
"And most likely we will be called upon because of our battle experience." Gertrude said.
"Eh? The five of us?" Erica panted.
"I have a feeling, the two of you." Erich said as they reached the end of the runway.
"Eh?" Erica responded. That is when the drone of engines caught the group's attention.
"Hm?" Peter hummed. It was a Junkers Ju-52 and behind it was two fighter planes, a Spitfire and a pair of Bf-109s which the Germans still found funny and ironic.
Meanwhile
The Clothes Lines
Yoshika, Lynette and Amelia Patton were hanging out the laundry when Yoshika notices the three planes.
"Huh?" Yoshika turned to the sound, "It's a transport plane."
"That is a Ju-52" Lynette identified, "Looks Commander Katherine and Dimitri are coming back."
"But why is there a Spitfire and two Bf-109s flying escort?" Amelia Patton asked.
"I don't know." Lynette said. Suddenly as the formation came close to the runway, one of the Bf-109s sped up towards the Ju-52 before it climbed near vertical until it was quite high above the transport plane where it flipped over and began diving. At the same time someone jumped out of the Ju-52.
"She jumped out!" Yoshika exclaimed.
"What hell was she thinking?! Jumping without a parachute?" Amelia Patton questioned.
"That's!" Gertrude barked. The figure that jumped out of the Ju-52 and the Bf-109 dived towards the ground before they began had a blue glow and separated with the 109 turning sharply away and the witch continuing her dive. Everyone around watched as the Bf-109 flipped over to the runway and landed just millimetres from the figure who also flipped and landed on her feet, standing up. Everyone in the area came over to see who these were except for a few.
"Looks like the star is here." Marcus said as he looked up from the engine of Lily's old Hayabusa.
"What are you saying?" Marie asked.
"That" Marcus pointed to the Bf-109 pilot who climbed out of his plane, "Is Hans Marseilles, the Star of Afrika in our world but he supposedly died in 1942 but that as you can see is completely false."
"Yes but looking at his plane, it appears, he has been here for quite some time." Marie said.
"That is possible." Marcus said as he cleaned his hands.
"Wow…" Yoshika uttered, still starstruck from the stun before.
"Hey" The witch lifted her goggles, "Nice to meet you, kitties."
"Excellent landing, Hanna." The pilot said as he walked up to the witch.
"Told you it would work." 'Hanna' smiled.
"Kitties?" Lynette repeated in confusion.
"Sorry, but I don't do autographs" Hanna said.
"Neither do I" The pilot said.
"O-Oh?" Lynette replied while Yoshika was still speechless.
"By the way" Hanna approached the two.
"Marseille, why are you here?" Gertrude asked, "You're supposed to be in Africa."
"I can ask the same thing for you, Hans." Gerhard said while Erica, Erich and Peter stood beside them. Erich and Erica were looking off to the side while Peter just smiled awkwardly.
"Oh hey, Hartmann!" Hanna ran over to Erica, "It's been so long!"
"Well, well if it isn't little Bubi, you have grown since the last I saw you." Hans said as he walked up to Erich before he turned to Peter, "Well still have that scar I see, Peter."
"Yes…" Peter sighed, "You do remember how deep that blade went."
"Right, I am more surprised it didn't take your face off." Hans said.
"Since pilot training right?" Hanna said as she grasped Erica's hands, "No! It was in 4th Company back in JG.52"
"Hey, ain't the same with us?" Hans asked Erich.
"Yeah…" Erich answered with disinterest.
"That's right!" Hanna recalled something, "Do you remember that one officer that was so grouchy all the time?"
"Eh, didn't we have an officer like that?" Hans asked.
"I-I don't recall" Peter replied.
"..." Erich didn't answer.
"Barkhorn" Gertrude and Gerhard answered simultaneous.
"Ah right, it has been awhile, Barkhorn." Hanna said.
"Oh hey, Gerd, how are you?" Hans smiled.
"I am fine." Gerhard glared at Hans who grinned back.
"How have you been?" Hanna asked as she extended her hand.
"Been just fine." Gertrude replied as she gripped Hanna's hand.
"I wonder if these cool people are Barkhorns' friends." Yoshika said.
"D-Doesn't look that way" Lynette nervously said.
"I don't think so." Amelia Patton said.
"Eh?" Yoshika voiced.
"Oh great." Peter groaned.
"That took long enough." Erich said as he pulled out a cigarette while Erica looked on in defeat.
"This one is gonna be difficult to deal with." Erica thought. Just then the Ju-52 and the two remaining fighters landed. Katherine from inside the plane just sighed.
"There they go again." A short haired witch uttered.
"Not my problem." A long haired witch stated.
"I know you said they had a disliking for each other but I didn't think it was this bad." Dimitri said.
"Yes and they will have to learn to work with each other." Katherine sighed
"Well if what I heard is true, a certain witch will help with that." Dimitri smiled.
"Don't believe in rumours, Dimitri" Katherine grinned, "They are nothing but hot air."
Bf-109
I watched as Hans get reunited with our old comrades and already he has reignited old rivalries.
"I had a feeling this was going to happen." I said.
"What can you do with rivalries, brother" I heard my sister's voice in my head.
"I suppose you are right but I didn't think it take this fast for them to be at it." I replied telepathically. This skill was something that my family had in them but I never understood why or how but we do use the ability though we could only use it with those in my family. So when I got teleported here with Hans, I wasn't entirely surprised that my counterpart also had that ability.
"Well if anything, this is going to be a few interesting days." She replied to which I nodded in agreement.
Briefing Room
Most of the witches and aces were in the briefing room, enjoying some tea and snacks. The newcomers were being led by Minna and Wolf in a tour around the base.
"That's the woman we just met!" Yoshika said as she looked into the book, "Wow! She's in a book."
"Hanna-Justina Marseille, Captain of the Karlslander 31st Luftwaffe Squadron, the Storm Witches." Lynette read the info the side, "A super ace with 200 kills."
"Two hundred… wow!" Yoshika wowed.
"200? Oh you must be talking about the Star of Afrika" Amiruddin said as he walked into the room.
"You know her?" Yoshika asked.
"Of course I know her, I am in the same theatre as her" Amiruddin said before he sat down, "She would on occasion provide air support for my unit."
"Same here" Cecila said, "I have worked with her before, a good fighter witch"
"Well I can agree to that." Amir said, "I wouldn't be surprised if she becomes a movie actress, she has the looks and she has fans around the world."
"That probably explains why your sis…" Cecila said before Amir lifted up his hand.
"Remember, we promised her not to talk about that." Amir reminded.
"Eh?" Lynette uttered.
"She is so cool." Yoshika said as she looked up, "I want her autograph."
"She doesn't give autograph." Shirley said.
"Shirley, you knew her?" Yoshika asked.
"Yeah Francesca, Amirah and I spend some time in Africa before coming here." Shirley answered.
"We did" Francesca rose up with a smile.
"Ah, no wonder you two look so familiar." Amir said, "I say what happened to your Army uniform?"
"I lost it when I was doing laundry and the Army has yet to give me a new one." Shirley replied.
Well that's a loss" Amir said. "Maybe I can get in touch with a friend of mine to help you get a uniform."
"That would be appreciated, sir" Shirley said.
"Amir, just call me Amir." Amir insisted, "We are all friends here."
"So you three knew her?" Yoshika asked.
"Who are you talking about?" Everyone turned to see Amirah walk in while she was wiping her face clean of oil and grease.
"The Star of Africa, sis" Amir said.
"Oh Hanna, is she the one that arrived?" Amirah asked.
"Well she is one of six, Amirah." Cecila said.
"Is that so?" Amirah said as she sat down besides to Amirul.
"I remember a Star of Africa back in my world but he disappeared in 1942." Amirul said.
"You are not wrong there but officially we declared that him as dead as you can see he is here." Peter said.
"Yes now do you mention it, since mid 1942, the Star of Africa and her wingman now flew in tandem with two Bf-109s." Amir recalled.
"You are not wrong, Amir" Cecila reaffirmed, "They did show up in the middle of the year."
"So what were you asking about Hanna, Yoshika?" Amirah asked.
"I want to know how she is like." Yoshika replied.
"Well I heard rumours." Shirley said.
"We did, we did" Francesca said.
"Can't say myself, I haven't spend much time with her much." Amirah said though Arthur noticed Amirah had a slight smile as she replied to Yoshika.
"Try asking the Karlslanders, they probably know her better." Shirley suggested.
"Come to think of it, she said you were in her squad-" Yoshika said before Gertrude opened her eyes.
"Both Hartmann and I were, back in Karlsland." Gertrude said, "She was in our unit."
"So you're friends" Yoshika beamed.
"Not even close, Yoshika" Muto thought as he could tell from Gertrude's expression.
"We're not friends at all!" Gertrude barked, "That show off."
"Eh?" Erica uttered as she woke up.
"Alright everyone, quiet down" Minna said as she, Wolf, Katherine, Katherov, Erich, Mio and Sakai walked in with the other six fliers, Muto looked over to Erich who had an annoyed look on his face.
"Alright, listen up" Wolf said as he began drawing on the black board while Mio and Sakai laid down photographs on the table in front of the blackboard, the older officers then followed by the girls of the 501st headed to the table, "Our mission is to liberate the island of Malta which sits the middle of the Mediterranean at where the sea is at its narrowest. This also means it is in striking distance of all shipping lanes through the Mediterranean thus it has seriously hampered the flow of supply throughout the region. That is why High Command has decided to focus all effort into liberating Malta, and until then no other major offensives or operations will be launched until Malta is liberated and the flow of supply is no longer restricted."
"Alright, this is the island of Malta as photographed in January, this dome which sits over the town of Valletta is the heart of the neuroi on Malta." Minna pointed out to a large photograph of the island, "Originally it was just one small force was to inserted inside to destroy the core. However…"
"Things have changed." Katherine said as she placed another photograph which showed a very different Malta, there was a lot more black on the island.
"Is something wrong with the photograph?" Amelia asked doubtfully.
"I wish, that is neuroi emplacements, apparently the neuroi have gotten wise of our plans and they have reinforced their defenses on the island. What you see here are neuroi anti-air towers and shore batteries. Furthermore they also have defense fighters constantly patrolling the island, we have estimated there is at least 50 aerial neuroi. It was because of this substantial reinforcement that High Command called in reinforcements." Katherine said as gestured towards Amirah's family and the six newcomers. "Now you already known the Sulaimans, now to introduce you to some more fliers."
"Alright, these six have been selected by High Command to join us and will be attached to our unit for the duration of the operation." Katherov said, "Try to get along with them. Now can you introduce yourselves?"
"I am Captain Hanna-Justina Marseille but you all must know that." Hanna smiled smugly.
"Well Hanna, nice to see you again." Amirah smiled which immediately caused Hanna to blush and her confidence wavered.
"Y-Yeah, nice to see you again." Hanna replied with her face red.
"I told you not get me drunk." Amirah smiled.
"Yeah I will keep that in mind." Hanna replied, her eyes refusing to make eye contact with Amirah.
"Don't worry, I will remind her." Hans said as he extended his hand out, "Glad to see you again, Lady"
"I can say the same to you, Hans." Amirah shook Hans's hand, "How has Africa been?"
"It is been the same since 42 but I must say it is nice to be on the good side for once."
"Anyways," Katherine steered the conversation back, "Behinds the Stars of Afrika, we have four other fliers."
"Greetings, I am Rainer Pottgen, Hans's wingman." The other German pilot said.
"Counter, it has been a while, how are you been holding?" Peter asked.
"I am doing fine, Narbengesicht" Rainer said.
"Good to hear." Peter smiled and the aces and witches' eyes moved to the short haired dirty blonde witch next to Rainer.
"I am Raisa Pottgen, Hanna's wingman." Raisa smiled.
"We meet again Raisa, how are you?" Gertrude said, "Has Hanna been a handful?"
"I am fine, Gertrude and no Hanna hasn't been much trouble, it can be said that since Hans been here, she has been quite mild." Raisa smiled.
"Is that so?" Gertrude glanced over to Hanna who just smiled to her.
"My name is Elizabeth F. Beurling" The witch said. The aces were surprised to see that Elizabeth was an Amirah lookalike if it wasn't for her light skin tone and her cigarette.
"Wait. Aren't you attached to the 507th?" Eila asked.
"I am but I was called here because I want to see Malta freed." Elizabeth said.
"I am George Beurling, and I am guessing that you lot, are pilots from the same world I was?" The pilot guessed.
"You are not wrong and how long have you been here?" Arthur asked.
"I have been here for two and half years now." George asked before he looked at Arthur again, "You're Canadian, aren't you?"
"Why yes, my father is Billy Bishop." Arthur said as he extended his hand.
"The Billy Bishop?" George replied as he grasped Arthur's hand, "Well, I love the man, of all the top brass, he is one that I like the most."
"Well my father was always a man that you can find approachable." Arthur smiled.
"I can see his son is no different." George grinned as the two shook hands.
"So is this everyone?" Gertrude asked.
"No but the rest won't be here until the day of the operation." Katherine said.
"Understood." Gertrude nodded though she glared when she heard snickering from Hanna.
"Right." Mio said as she tapped the blackboard to a diagram of bisection of the dome that covers Valletta. "Two witches will be assigned to attack the neuroi dome from within. At the same time two pilots will also be assigned to engage the neuroi defense fighters. At the same time, a small landing party will land south of the dome and take out the shore batteries and anti-air emplacements. The rest of the unit will be in support of the landing party. Are they any question?"
A hand shot up and Mio turned to see that it was Yoshika to which Mio nodded.
"Just two witches and two pilots?" Yoshika asked.
"Well Yoshika, that is because we will be using a submarine to infiltrate inside the dome however the submarine can only carry two striker storage units and we can't waste time with launching witches as the submarine will be vulnerable." Wolf answered.
"But why two pilots?" Lily asked.
"It is because the neuroi defense fighters seems to only able to track large groups of fliers and not small ones and it was found that the best number is two fliers and we have only one Erica and one Hanna, we have decided that Erich and Hans will be the pilots flying as both pilots as we have determined to be most suited for the job. Furthermore, they are the most experienced pilots we have on hand." Katherine answered, "Any more questions?"
"Who will be taking part in the landing force?" Franco asked.
"Good question, the ones taking part in the landing party will be members of Taskforce 141, Amiruddin, Cecila, Ammar, Alisa, Alia and Amirah." Mio answered.
"Wait, Amirah is not flying with us?" Yoshika asked.
"I am afraid not, Yoshika but don't worry, I will be looking out for you as so you will be looking out for me." Amirah said as she ruffled Yoshika's hair.
"Don't worry sis, we can watch our cousin for you." Amirul Azlan said.
"Wait, you guys are cousins?" Emily Earhart said in surprise.
"Well we are distant cousins but still cousins." Amirah answered.
"How is that possible?" Fred asked.
"Well my family are from the Miyafuji Clan," Sulaiman explained, "Around the 1800s my ancestors moved to Malaya."
"Around the same time," Rahanah began, "A family from the Karibuchi clan which were my ancestors also came to Malaya."
"Yes and fast forward to 1913, we both got married." Sulaiman explained.
"Well that's impressive bit of history… wait does that mean?" Franz said as everyone turned to Amirul and Muto.
"Well… I am not sure." Amirul said, "My father did mention that when I was younger that I have Japanese blood but he never mentioned where it came from."
"I don't know the history of my clan very well either so I can't help in that but I think it is safe to assume that we are."
"Alright, now with that settled," Katherov regained everyone's attention, "We will be launching this operation in two days so I suggest you all get ready."
"Everyone, you are now dismissed." Minna declared.
"Well" Amirah stood up, "I guess I have to get back to my work."
"Ammar, with me" Amir said as he too stood up, "Let's check the tank again."
"Right," Ammar said as he too stood up and followed Amir. However Gertrude who had been at the brewing in anger finally boiled over.
"Why are Hans and Hanna going?" Gertrude demanded as she stood up, "I thought Gerd and I were to go up with Erica and Erich?"
"That was originally planned." Minna said after a sigh, "However High Command had judged that it would be better if a witch from the North African front also took part. That said, the reason for the Beurlings being here, it is to act as guides to assist us in identifying any points of value on Malta"
"Besides, you aren't good enough Barkhorn" Hanna said smugly.
"What are you trying to say Marseille?" Gertrude said angrily as she tightened her knuckles. Arthur could see that Gerhard was also getting angry. Peter on the other hand just sighed.
"This is not going to end well." Peter muttered.
"Just what it sounds like." Hanna said, "You're not good enough to fly with me, Barkhorn."
"Captain…" Minna began to address before Hanna interrupted her.
"The only one who is…" Hanna didn't say a name but it was clear to everyone who she was referring to.
"What about you Hans, you feel the same?" Gerhard asked.
"Well…" Hans paused as he thought for a moment, "It wouldn't hurt if I flew with Erich right? Besides, it has been a while since we flew together."
"Where do you think you are looking at?" Gertrude stood up and approached Hanna as she activated her magic, "Your disrespect for superior officers hasn't changed since the retreat from Karlsland"
"Captain Barkhorn" Minna barked.
"We are of the same rank now, Barkhorn." Hanna grinned as she took activated her magic power.
"Stand down!" Wolf barked. Hanna and Gertrude grasped hand and their magic clashed. Everyone who was still in the briefing room watched in awe and fear as the two Karlslanders tried to outmatch each other however suddenly they were torn apart by Gerhard and Hans.
"What are you doing?!" Gertrude barked as she tried to get out Gerhard's clasp.
"Let me go! She started it!" Hanna shouted as she attempted to climb out of Hans's grip.
"STOP!" Erica and Erich snapped, "We will fly with Marseilles, both of them."
"Captain Hartmann…" Minna uttered in surprise.
"Erich…" Wolf said.
"Hartmann" Gertrude uttered.
"Bubi" Gerhard said.
"Okay," Hanna smiled, "I am looking forward to it, Hartmann."
"Same to you, Erich." Hans said with a smile.
"Blimey, that was intense." George commented.
Two Hours Later
Soon the Hartmanns and Marseilles were in the air, training for the coming operation. The four fliers flew up together but split into two groups, Erich and Hans flew to the left while Erica and Hanna to the right. The four fliers had several hundred targets in front of them in the shape of old barrage balloons. Meanwhile, on the deck, Minna, Wolf, Mio, Muto, Gertrude, Gerhard, Shirley, Chuck, Yoshika, Amelia P, Lynette, Raisa and Rainer were watching them as they tore through the balloons.
"They're both amazing!" Yoshika exclaimed.
"Pay attention, Yoshika, those are the best fliers up there." Muto smiled.
"Those are two are the top aces of Karlsland" Shirley said.
"And you have two of the best aces in the German Luftwaffe" Chuck pointed out.
"Wow, so they are crème de la crème?" Amelia P asked.
"Ja." Raisa answered.
"Um… Is this operation?" Lynette asked but couldn't seem to find the words.
"Yes, this is an operation involving several units, and for this part, only the top aces taking part" Minna said, "High Command has brought in Captain Marseille and the rest as both reinforcements and PR purposes."
"We did mention this earlier, Bishop." Wolf said.
"Sorry…" Lynette blushed in embarrassment.
"You can't really blame her after what happened." Muto said.
"Well if this operation succeeds, I have no room to complain" Mio said, "But, it looks like that'll be difficult, as things stand."
"Yes, they are not working together at all." Gertrude said.
"Ja, they are flying as four individuals and not two teams." Gerhard observed. As Erica and Hanna were flying, Hanna suddenly flipped over to be in Erica's rear and aimed her MG-34 at Erica. The observers gasped in shock.
"What the hell?!" Amelia P gasped.
"RATATATATATA!" Hanna shouted to which Erica turned around, "That's ninth victory for me!"
"Oh no! She got me!" Erica acted to be shot but Hanna wasn't the only one as Hans slid behind Erich.
"RATATATATATATA" Hans radioed, "Another win for me, Erich."
"I'm hit, I'm hit" Erich faked screamed as he rolled his Bf-109 over.
"That's enough, all four of you." Minna radioed, "Return to base immediately"
"Right, right." Hanna said.
"Understood," Hans replied.
On the runway
"I wonder if something happened?" Yoshika said.
"I don't know, I can't see anything." Lynette said.
Quarantine Room
"You four will be spending your time here until the end of the operation." Minna said. "Normally both Captain Hanna and Hans Marseille would be sent to the brig for pointing their weapons at someone else during training."
"But unfortunate for us but lucky for you, our base doesn't have one." Wolf said.
"So you four will be staying here." Minna said.
"Hey, why I am here too with Erich?" Erica asked.
"It is a great opportunity." Minna said, "If you stay in the same room, and learn to cooperate little, before the mission."
"Yeah and the same goes to you pilots, you will be in here as well, so you all will be able to hopefully learn to work together." Wolf said.
"Do you understand?" Minna asked.
"Yes ma'am." Erica replied.
"Jawohl." Erich sighed.
"Understood" Both Hanna and Hans said.
"You won't be as lucky if this happens again." Minna warned.
"So don't try us." Wolf added as the two commanders locked the door.
"Well, that happened." Erich said as he sat on the side of his bed.
"They got angry at us because of you, Hanna." Erica sighed as she sat on her bed.
"Minna is sure a scary lady." Hanna said as she laid down on her bed.
"She is even scarier when she is mad." Erica said.
"Wolf was just as bad." Hans said he sat crossed legs on his bed.
"Well you gave him a reason to be so." Erich said as he sat down as he slipped a cigarette between his lips but he realized that Erica and Hanna were in the room, decided to not smoke but he didn't remove his cigarette. A pregnant silent filled the room as nothing was said and all could be heard was the breath of the fliers.
"But why didn't you fight back?" Hans and Hanna asked simultaneously.
"Eh?" Erich uttered.
"When I aimed at you back then?" Hanna asked, "You are good enough to dodge or counterattack me."
"Yeah, why did you do nothing?" Hans asked.
"You never change." Erica sighed.
"Still mostly the same, I see." Erich said.
"Well we have no need to." Hanna answered.
"Why are you so obsessed with winning and losing?" Erica asked.
"I have the same question to you, Hans." Erich asked.
"You know the answer, Erich." Hans said.
"On the battlefield, victory is the only thing that matters." Hanna said as she sat up.
"So we'll keep winning, and we'll keep being the strongest." Hans finished the sentence.
"That's all." Hanna added.
"The heck?" Erica uttered while Erich just removed his unlit cigarette in surprise.
"When we were in the same squadron, my record with you was eight to eight." Hanna began, "You were the only one who was my equal, Erica."
"You know what I am gonna say Erich." Hans said.
"Right, what was the score again?" Erich asked as he twirled his cigarette.
"It was ten to ten, well before today that is." Hans answered.
"So I want to end things during this operation." Hanna said to which Erica just lied down on her bed.
"Same?" Erich asked to which Hans simply nodded.
"So you want to risk our lives just so we can finally settle this game we played?" Erich asked.
"Come on Erich, don't you want to see which one of us is better?" Hans asked.
"Hans, I feel that this is a dangerous game you want me to play and honestly I can't be bothered" Erich said, "Would it be fine if I said that you won?"
"Yeah, you win Hanna." Erica asked.
"Again?" Hanna barked as she stood up, "You said the same thing last time, and then you fled!"
"Come on Erich, don't you want to know?" Hans inquired.
"Why do you that?" Hanna asked.
"Because it is a pain in the but." Erica answered plainly.
"Because," Erich began as he looked up to Hans, "I am not interested in these kind of petty rivalry."
An hour later
Runway
The aces and witches were having a race to see stamina and speed. Shirley and Chuck were in the lead however near the end, Hanna and Hans burst ahead past the Yeagers.
"Eh?" Chuck uttered.
"Wait!" Shirley called out.
"First, Captain Hanna Marseille and Hans Marseille" Mio and Sakai declared. Meanwhile in the back, Erich and Erica were trailing behind.
"Hah, beat you" Hans grinned.
"I win." Hanna smiled.
Mess hall
"One more please" Hanna requested.
"Same here." Hans added as the two had their bowls out.
"Sure." Muto said as he took both bowls and gave them to Yoshika.
"So, you like Fusoan food?" Yoshika asked.
"Yeah, there is a Fusoan witch in our squadron in Africa." Hanna replied.
"Yes her name was Mami Inagaki" Raisa said.
"She's about your size, Sergeant." Rainer said.
"Funny, there is a Fusoan witch in our squadron too." George said, "Right Elizabeth?"
"There is two George, Tomoko and Haruka." Elizabeth reminded.
"Oh right, I keep forgetting Tomoko is from Fuso." George said, "My bad."
"It is okay." Elizabeth, "You're not the only one."
"Well Mami is a great cook." Hans replied before he and his counterpart began eating rather quickly.
"Where is the fire?" Sulaiman asked, "Calm down and eat properly."
"Slow down," Rahanah said, "No one is going to steal your food."
"Well if you don't count Ammar that is" Amir joked.
"Hey! I stopped doing that you know!" Ammar defended himself.
"Yeah? Who ate my snack yesterday?" Amirul Azlan asked.
"How was I suppose to know it was yours?" Ammar interjected
"Still, why did you take it?" Amirul Azlan questioned.
"Boys, stop fighting at the table, we are guests here so act according." Sulaiman said, "You are all officers for goodness's sake."
"Sorry Ayah" Amirul Azlan said.
"Sorry Ayah." Ammar apologized, at the same time Hans and Hanna ate but a slower pace after being called out by Amirah's father and mother.
"But I can't handle that stuff" Hanna said as she glanced at the natto.
"Neither could I" Hans said.
"Eh? Natto is good for you." Yoshika said.
"That's true." Muto said.
"One more" Hanna said.
"Same" Hans said.
"Huh?" Yoshika uttered in surprise, she turned to Muto who shook his head.
"I am sorry but we are all out." Muto said.
"What?" Hanna said.
"Damn." Hans uttered, "Well we win again."
"Yep" Hanna smiled before both Marseilles appeared to be about to puke while Erich and Erica who sat across from them continued to eat at their own pace.
"They are doing this to trigger Erich and Erica" Rainer thought.
"There would be no other reason" Raisa agreed.
"Really?" Amirah sighed as she leaned back into her chair.
"What is it, Amirah?" Ember asked.
"It is the Marseilles, those two are trying to instigate the Hartmann." Amirah answered.
"Someone is really competitive" Ember commented.
Later in the baths
Erich and Hans had opted to take quick showers so only Erica and Hanna were in the baths.
"I won twice." Hanna stated.
"We're not competing" Erica responded.
"Victory is the first thing, it is the only thing." Hanna declared.
"I said we are not competing." Erica answered.
"Sheesh, that's why you're still a lieutenant." Hanna said
"Actually, I am a captain" Erica said.
"Eh?" Hanna exclaimed, "When?!"
"When the 501st was re-established, two months ago" Erica answered, "Katherine gave everyone a promotion that day"
"Hmph" Hanna calmed down, "So it was not because you earned it."
"I don't care." Erica sighed, "I would really use a smoke right now."
Hanna yawned as she stretched, "Baths are great. They relax your tight muscles. I've heard rumours, I guess they are true."
"There aren't any baths in North Africa?" Erica asked.
"In Africa, a drop of water is worth a drop of blood" Hanna said, "You can't use it on things like this."
"Sounds hard" Erica uttered.
"But Africa is a nice place" Hanna said, "No angry superiors, and those shady guys in the upper ranks leave you alone most of the time."
"Then why did you four agreed to this operation?" Erica asked.
"Eh, I will give them their publicity stunt," Hanna answered as she slid into the water, "If that keeps the North African Squadron safe, it will be a small price to pay."
"So there was more to you." Erica thought as she looked over to Hanna before she stood up.
"And Erica Hartmann is in the 501st." Hanna grinned.
"Scratch that thought" Erica stared at Hanna, "The heck?"
The two soon got up and headed to the changing room, where they walked into the rest of the 501st, Amirah's female family members, Raisa and Elizabeth.
"Erica, Marseille" Yoshika greeted.
"So, how was your first bath?" Shirley asked.
"It was good-AH!" Hanna answered before she shrieked after Francesca groped her breasts.
"Gotcha!" Francesca cheered as she held Hanna's breasts.
"Damn you, how dare you get behind me!" Hanna barked.
"Well, looks like Hanna has finally fallen to Francesca's gropes" Raisa commented.
"I hope she doesn't grope me if she knows what's good for her." Elizabeth said.
"Big" Francesca said, "But Shirley and Amirah still wins"
"Eh?" Hanna uttered as she glanced over to Amirah and Shirley who had rather large chests, "Wah? Impossible, I lose?"
"Looks like it." Emily said.
"Even we adults lose to these teenagers" Lydia said.
"No way," Hanna said, "They are the shapeliest in the world"
"Really?" Amirah scoffed.
"Shape's a matter of taste, you know" Shirley said.
"Better than sagging." Hanna grinned while Yoshika and Francesca looked on with eyes sparkling.
"Yoshika…" Lynette uttered, unamused by her friends behaviour.
"What has gotten into you, Yoshika?" Amirah internally groaned.
"Eh?! Who's sagging?" Shirley barked, "See, they're as perky as you can get them."
"Does this always happen?" Ameera asked as she leaned over to Amirah.
"Back in Africa? Yes." Amirah said.
"Reminds of my girls back on the carrier." Ameera said, "I miss those chicks."
"The heck?" Erica groaned.
The next day
Erica yawned as she walked out of the room she shared with Erich, Hanna and Hans when noticed Gertrude leaning against the wall next to the door, looking a photograph.
"Hey Trude, what's up?" Erica asked.
"Eh? Um…" Gertrude uttered before she looked away, "No, it is nothing"
"Do you want Hanna's signature?" Erica guessed.
"I-It's not for me!" Gertrude replied, flustered by the blush that Erica could see on her face, "My little sister is a fan."
"Edytha or…" Erica
"You know who." Gertrude replied.
"Chris is…" Erica said.
"S-So I thought it would make her happy." Gertrude said.
"Okay, I will ask for you." Erica offered.
"No." Hanna answered, "I don't do autographs."
"Neither would I" Hans added.
"Why?" Erica asked, "Oh, giving an autograph won't kill you two."
"Come on, doing for a friend."Erich said.
"I'm not signing anything for that sister-complex-having, rock-headed girl." Hanna declared to which Hans nodded in agreement.
"Why would I do one for anyone, let alone for a Barkhorn, they are just stubborn, by-the-book-people." Hans said.
"Hey!" Erich said.
"Hey, don't say bad things about Trude!" Erica barked.
"Alright, complete with us." Hanna said as the two Marseille stood up.
"If you win, then I will sign anything you want." Hans said.
"Will you keep your word?" Erica asked.
"Yeah" Hanna said.
"You, Hans?" Erich asked.
"Of course." Hans grinned. Just then the mission alarm blared.
"It is time." Hanna said. There was a fury of movement as everyone scrambled to prepare for the mission. Soon planes and witches all began taking off from the base. At the same time, a naval taskforce set out from Taranto to support the operation. Soon the two forces converged and were heading for the island of Malta. In the lead of the naval taskforce was the Venezian battleship Vittorio Veneto with the battleships HMS Duke of York, HMS Nelson, HMS Rodney, Richelieu, KMS Tirpitz and USS Alabama, USS South Dakota and the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious with cruisers and destroyers escorting them. In the taskforce was a Landing Ship, Tank which was carrying Taskforce 141 and their equipment.
"This is Minna, can you hear me, Captain Marseille, Hartmann, Amirah?" Minna radioed.
"Yeah, you are coming in clear." Hanna replied.
"This is Amirah, you are reading loud and clear." Amirah said.
"Remember the target is the island of Malta which has been taken by the neuroi and it is believed the neuroi that attacked the taskforce came from here." Minna radioed, "So your mission is to destroy the neuroi in the dome while Erich and Hans will attack the neuroi defense fighters. Are you ready?"
"Ready whenever." Hanna said.
"I am ready." Erica replied as their submarine, I-400, a Sen-Toku aircraft-carrying submarine sailed under the neuroi dome.
HMS Duke of York
"I-400 is nearing the edge of the dome" A radioman said.
"Right, commence firing! We need to cover the landing of the LST" The captain of the leading Britannian battleship ordered.
"Aye-aye Captain Aiman." The XO replied. Soon the ships in the naval taskforce began opening fire while the LST raced for the coast.
In the sky
"Commence operations" Katherov ordered and soon all hell broke lose as the 501st and Taskforce 141 began tearing the neuroi defense outside the dome apart immediately after the LST unloaded onto the coast.
"Spread out and destroy the bastards!" Amirah barked as she ran ahead.
"You heard the Lady!" Price barked, "Give these bastards hell"
"Roger." Amir said as he sat in the turret of the M24 Chaffee. "Firing!"
"Noel, you work with the Chaffee." Amirah ordered.
"Yes, commander" Noel replied.
"Yang, Ruby, you two work together, spread out the firepower."
"Sure thing, boss." Yang grinned.
"Yes ma'am." Ruby said. The ground forces soon spread out began wrecking the place up. Meanwhile the rest of the 501st flew overhead, providing air support.
"This is Captain Miller, we could use some bombs on those coastal batteries." Miller radioed.
"This is Ye Olde Pub, coming in, take cover" Charlie said as he flew his B-17 over the area, "William, you got controls."
"Roger!" William replied, "Come on… Bombs away!"
The island of Malta was being hit hard as bombs, rockets and shells erupted everywhere while above the dome over the city of Valletta, Erich and Hans were cutting down the neuroi defense fighters.
"Fucking hell, how many of these damn things are there?" Hans barked as he dodged the fire from a neuroi fighter.
"If you paid attention, you would have know there were fifty of these things." Erich said, "Make that forty eight"
"47" Hans said as he shot one down.
"That's about the number in the dome" Erica commented.
"46, Erica" Hanna corrected as she shot one neuroi fighter.
"Fifty?" Lynette said as she flew in tandem with Yoshika.
"Damn…" Arthur uttered.
"That's a lot." Mio commented.
"You can that twice." Sakai said.
"That's a lot." Hiroyoshi grinned.
"Shut up, Hiroyoshi" Sakai scolded.
"Can't I joke around, Sakai?" Hiroyoshi radioed.
"Later, not now." Sakai answered.
"42!" Hanna barked.
"39" Erich radioed.
"3-Tch-37" Hans reported.
"36" Erica radioed.
"Eh?" Amelia said, "What's with the different numbers?"
"They are correct, they are dwindling the number of the neuroi defense fighters." Minna said.
"Yep, they are cutting them down as fast as they can line them up." Wolf added.
"29" Erich barked,
"27" Hans radioed.
"25" Erica radioed.
"23" Hanna radioed. The rest of the 501st, Taskforce 141 and even the naval taskforce almost slowed down to a stop in their attack as they all listened to the four aces cut down the neuroi defense fighters.
"Ten!" Erich radioed.
"Eight" Erica counted.
"Seven" Hanna reported.
"Five!" Hans added.
"Four!" Erich declared.
"Three" Erica said.
"Two" Hans barked.
"Zero!" All four radioed.
"Now all that is left are the two cores!" Minna barked.
"Understood" Erich radioed.
"Engaging" Hans replied.
"This is it" Hanna puffed.
"Got it!" Erica said. As the two fighters and the two witches engaged the two cores, above the dome and inside the dome respectively. The dome and the remaining defenses on Malta lost their glow and soon they began to break up and turn into their harmless white fragments.
"Look!" Francesca pointed out to the dome.
"Well our job is now done." Franco commented.
"Everyone, cease fire, job done." Amirah said.
"At ease everyone, battle is over" Price said.
"Wow, just the four of them…" Yoshika said in amazement.
"How many you got, Bubi?" Hans asked.
"Twenty Five" Erich replied.
"I took out twenty five." Hanna said.
"Same." Erica said as the four fliers formed up together.
"I hate ties." Hanna said.
"Same here." Hans said.
"We know." Erich and Erica answered.
"Looks like we got to finish this." Hanna said.
"Yes indeed" Hans nodded.
"If we win, you both sign the picture." Erica said.
"Keep your words." Erich said.
"If you win." Hanna reminded.
"Eh?" Lily uttered as she watched the four fliers nodded before they split off separately.
"What are they doing?" Yoshika asked.
"Are they…" Amy guessed.
"No doubt about it, they are having a duel." Muto said.
"Are they mad?" Amirul Azlan asked.
"They must have a score to settle." Ameera summarized. The duels were spectacular as the two fighter planes danced across the air while at the same time the two witches tried to outplay each other.
"That is some fine flying." Chuck commented.
"Reminds me of our home-world" Lydia commented.
"Yes, in more ways than one" Riki replied.
"Hey, are you getting this Wilfred?" Charlie asked.
"I am, I am" Wilfred said as he trained his camera on the dogfights. "This is amazing."
Just as it couldn't get any more interesting, Hanna and Hans opened fire.
"They shot at Hartmann!" Yoshika gasped.
"Yes she did." Mio said.
"So it is this kind of duel." Muto mused, "Interesting."
"That girl…" Gertrude uttered.
"Damn it, Marseille" Gerhard said.
"How can she do that?" Perrine barked.
"If I remember correctly Perrine, you tried to do the same with my little cousin" Amirah recalled.
"There is no helping those two." Mio said.
"Eh?" Amelia P said.
"How can you all be so relaxed about this?" Yoshika demanded, "Those are real bullets."
"They're magic users," Mio said, "They have shields so the bullets won't harm them"
"Yeah, but…" Yoshika trailed off as she returned to the spectacle in front of them.
"But in their fight, the one to use their shield first, loses." Mio said, "And the one to run of ammo loses."
The dogfight was an intense one as all four fliers tried to outplay and outmanoeuvre each other. They pulled of spectacular stunts and impressive flying. The aces and older witches could see that Erich and Erica whenever possible, tried to close the gap between them and their opponents while Hans and Hanna tried to open the gap. The aces also noticed that Erich and Erica were able to close the gap on many occasions while Hans and Hanna couldn't get the distance they wanted. However the fight came to close as Erich and Hans flew straight towards each other, appearing to aim for a head-on pass at each other.
"Oh no… Please no!" Peter barked as he remembered of his wingman's death.
"What's wrong, Peter?" Franz asked.
"This scene, it reminds me of my wingman's death." Peter said.
"Shit." Gerhard said as he looked back to the two Bf-109s. Then at the very last second, Erich and Hans broke off, flying past just meters away from each other.
"I am out of ammo." Hans radioed.
"Same here." Erich radioed.
"I ran out of ammo." Hanna announced.
"Me too." Erica said.
"A tie." Eva said.
"Yeah." Helma said.
"So it is still the same." Gerhard said.
"Then, they didn't settle anything." Gertrude said. Taskforce 141 entered the town of Valletta and raised the flag of Malta in the main square of the city. Though much to the dismay of Minna and Wolf, they also raised the flags of Taskforce 141 and the 501st Joint Fighter Wing on both side of the Maltese flag. With that done, the force packed up and headed back home however Amirah left two squads from her taskforce to keep watch on the island. Everyone could see that the Hartmanns and the Marseilles were smiling as they flew to home base.
The next day
Gertrude walked into her room to find Erica cleaning up her side of the room.
"What brought this on?" Gertrude asked, surprised, "You're actually cleaning your part of the room"
"I am sorry, Gertrude," Erica said, "I couldn't get Hanna's or Hans's signature."
"It's alright." Gertrude smiled apologetically.
Runway
The command staff of the 501st , Amirah and Amirul stood at the runway as everyone prepared to head back to their previous assignments, well most of them that is.
"Well you two are in a hurry." Minna said.
"Well, we have a magazine interview this afternoon." Hanna said while Hans climbed into his Bf-109. Though Amirah and Amirul noticed there was a mark on the the left wing of Hans's plane.
"I guess that is the Stars of Africa for you." Mio commented.
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot about this" Hanna said as she fished out a photo of her and Hans, with their signatures, "Give this to Barkhorn's little sister, would you?"
"You should have given it to Trude yourself" Minna said.
"I told you didn't I?" Hanna said as she climbed the Junkers transport plane, "I am busy."
"Well, hope to see you all again." Amirah said.
"Same to you, Amirah." Sulaiman said.
"Don't forget to call us, darn it." Amir barked.
"Yeah, yeah I will" Amirah said as she put her pipe in her mouth.
"Amirul, make sure you remind her." Amirul Azlan said.
"I will." Amirul grinned. Soon the guests of the 501st all took off as they headed for their home-bases and units.
Gertrude and Erica's Room
"Ah! Nevermind-ah!" Erica exasperated as she threw her hands into the air as she gave up on cleaning her part of the room.
"Eh?" Gertrude gasped as she saw Erica give up.
Workshop
Amirah was in the workshop sitting in front of her workbench. She was trying to understand why she had that dream but she had a great sense of dread.
"I don't want to acknowledge it but why do I feel the feeling of death approaching." Amirah said as she looked out to the Mediterranean Sea.
Well I hope you enjoyed this chapter. And happy VERY LATE New Years.