Chapter 3

"IVAN NO!" I called out as I awoke from a nightmare. "Why, why have they been getting worse, I can still hear the lasers in my dreams that's still there when I sleep."

"Yoshika, did you hear? They're having Kauhava base mobilized for a missing child. Isn't that wonderful?" Lynne exclaimed from the kitchen. "I didn't know they did operations like that here. That's really cool of them." Yoshika responded. "And to think it's all just for one child." Lynne continued. "Of course, how can we save a country if we can't help one person? It's such a beautiful statement and makes me proud to be here." Yoshika added. "Yeah, I agree." Lynne agreed. "We can't save everyone. Doesn't matter what you do, someone always gets left behind." Barkhorn broke into their conversation. "I know what you mean Barkhorn... I've seen it happen and done it myself..." I trailed off into memory. "Wait, what do you mean?" Yoshika asks "Nothing. I was just talking to myself." Barkhorn and myself both said at the same time.

"Is there something wrong, Trudy? What's with the long face this morning?" Asked Commander as she approached Barkhorn who was seated opposite to me. "You haven't even touched your food." Stated Hartmann as she sat down beside her. "I had two. There was a lot of it." Barkhorn shoots back. "That's what people say when they're upset and don't wanna eat. I know something's wrong now." Hartmann responds. All the while I'm looking down at my food with bags under my eyes. "Ivan..." I mutter.

"What's wrong, Yoshika?" Lynne asked. "Nothing. I just got a really weird feeling like someone was watching me." Yoshika responds. "Who do you think it was?" Lynne questions further. "Maybe just my imagination." Yoshika says before Lucchini shouts. "I want seconds!" "Coming!" Yoshika responds "Oh, no. I'm so sorry, did you not like it?" Yoshika asks Barkhorn and myself. "No Yoshika, it's fine I'm just not hungry." I say as I get up with Barkhorn following shortly afterwards. "Do I get seconds or not?" Was the last thing I heard before I left.

"Hey Barkhorn if anyone asks I'm in my room." I state before leaving her to go her own way. Walking through the corridors to my room I think back to that day.

Flashback

"Ivan grab that Bren while I'll cover you." I whisper to him in the middle of the night. Crouching in our small slit trench we ready our guns. Him his Sten Mk II And Myself, my beloved Lee Enfield. "Take it slow don't rush." I say. "Got it. Just make sure the Neuroi don't shot my ass off 'kay lieutenant." He responds in a whisper before going over the top to grab the machine gun. Moving slowly I watched as he reached the gun and ammunition swinging the gun over his back he started to drag the ammo back only for a group of 10 Neuroi infantry form to arrive. They started shooting at our positions first before they noticed Ivan in the open. "IVAN RUN! LEAVE THE GUN!" I shouted over to him when they started to shoot at him. He opened up on them taking out three before a fourth jumped on him. They ended up in a struggle for life. I went to go get him when another two Neuroi jumped into my trench. I shot one before the other tried to gut me. I deflected it with my bayonet before I smashed the but of my rifle into its head. Drawing my knife I stabbed it in the chest before it died. Looking over to Ivan I watch as he losses the battle for life. The Neuroi pins him with one arm on his throat and the other raised to impale him. "IVAN NO!" I call out as the Neuroi just stabs him before disappearing into the brush taking the body with him.

The next day his body was found, he was set against a tree just 100 meters from our frontlines. Later that day word got around that he was still alive when he was pulled into the bush, after I heard that rumour we were attacked by a force that out numbered us 20:1 and we pulled through with 10 of ours dead. That week I was promoted to captain and my magic was discovered.

End flashback

After a few hours we were all called outside. Yoshika and Lynne hadn't prepared a tea party for us all, where Commander told us this. "According to the report from the operations room, we will attack the day after tomorrow. Please use today to rest up. You're certainly going to need all of your energy for the coming battle." "Hold on. Sergeant Miyafuji, Lynette. Don't forget you two have training after this." Major said. "Yes, ma'am. We promise we'll be there." They both said before Yoshika slurped her tea while I drank a glass of whiskey. "Oh, gross! She's completely indecent." Perrine said. "Who. me!?" Yoshika asked. "She didn't mean that. But you really shouldn't be slurping your tea so loudly." Lynne answered.

After that we had lunch and I was seated across from Barkhorn again. "All right. What do you want me to do with it this time?" Commander asked. "The same thing you always do with it. Nothing's different." Barkhorn answered somewhat upset. "Are you sure? I really think you should keep some of it with you." Commander pushed. "The only thing I need with me is food, clothing, and shelter and I have that." Barkhorn shot back forcing Commander to give up. "Sergeant Miyafuji?" Commander asked. "Yes, ma'am?" Yoshika answered. "Could you come here for a minute?" Commander asked her, Yoshika didn't respond just walked up to her. "Here." Commander said as she handed Yoshika her pay.

After lunch I tried to escape but Major noticed me trying to leave. "Morrison would you care to join us in a bath." It was more of a statement than a question but I still tried to turn it down. "I'm sorry Major but I had a shower earlier today, maybe some other time." "Nonsense you can still bathe with us." She said while grabbing my collar. Thank god I have the aura sense that only worked if your eyes were closed as there was no way I could escape the Major when she set her mind on something, and so that's how I ended up in the bath with my eyes closed. "I'm so confused, Lynne. I just got my salary from Commander Minna. I don't even think they would be paying me. I was so surprised." Yoshika stated. She was seated to my left with Lynne to her left. "Why am I not surprised you're surprised?" Lynne said. "The thing I'm confused about is the amount. How much is a pound worth?" Yoshika asked. "It's about 1.7514 bucks in Farawayland" I answer. "Well, let's see. Fuso's currency is umm..." Lynne said before trailing off causing Yoshika to finish it for her. "It's the yen." "Okay, well, then that means at the recent rate a pound is kind of like..." Lynne continued before being cut off by the Major who had walked in with us but had stayed silent. "One pound is equal to 19.6 yen right now." "Oh, thank you, Major Sakamoto." Yoshika said. "19.6 yen is worth one bag full of rice which means ten pounds is... That means ten pounds is worth a thousand bowls of rice!?" "Oh, is that so, Miyafuji? Then I suggest you spend your money wisely. By the way, you've only been paid for half the month so far." The Major said. "Really, that was only half? But Major, why are we getting paid so much?" "Because were all they got so they want to keep us happy we don't want the Gallian desertion to happen again but amongst witches instead of normal troops." I answered before the major could say the real reason but she did anyway. "Simple. We are continuously standing on the front lines. Because of that, we never know when a battle may be the last one we fight. Does that make sense?" "Yeah, I think so." "They wanna make sure we have proper compensation. That way we'll have no regrets in the line of fire." "Oh..." Yoshika finished.

"They are in the same bath tub together. How encouraging." Perrine said breaking the silence. "If that's the whole reason for this money, then I don't think I wanna keep it." Yoshika said. "I understand how you feel. But I like the thought of being able to send something to my family." Lynne said. "You send it home?" Yoshika asked. "Yeah, I have a lot of siblings and they always appreciate the extra help." Lynne answered. "That's such a good idea, Lynne. I think I'm gonna send mine to my mom and grandma. I bet they could really use it! What about you Stefan? Who do you send it to?" Yoshika asked. "Well Yoshika. I have no family that I know of." I responded. "Oh... why's that Stefan." Lynne asked me now. "Well I can't remember much from before waking up in a hospital at 13, getting out two days after my birthday I joined the infantry because I needed the money. So I keep it. Though recently I bought a car just because I'll be needing it after the war." I said. "What do you remember?" Yoshika asked. "Well I remember that my name I clouded Stefan Morrison, in that order, my age and that's about it." I said.

Later that day Barkhorn, the Major, Yoshika and Lynne were out on a training mission when a Neuroi was detected. The Commander and myself scrambled. I reached them first as I had kicked it into high gear leaving everyone in the dust behind me. "Hey new record 850 km per hour." I said as I reached the group in time to hear. "It's the Neuroi! It's entered the East Grid, sector 7, altitude 15,000. Their attack cycle has been quite erratic recently." "I heard there was some activity in Karlsland, but I don't know all the details just yet." Commander said. "Did you say Karlsland?" Barkhorn asked. "Something wrong?" Major asked back. "No, ma'am. There's nothing wrong." Barkhorn responded. "All right, prepare to change formation. Perrine will now be Barkhorn's wingman. Sergeant Miyafuji will follow my lead. Morrison, you're on your own so keep a watch on your six. Let's do this quick and efficient." The Major said before we changed formation. "Enemy sighted!" The Major said before Commander spoke. "Barkhorn unit, Morrison, move in. Major, cover them." "I'm right on it. Miyafuji, follow me!" The Major responded. I dove towards the Neuroi before I could hear anymore commands. Flying in close I opened up like a bat out of hell. I continued this flight path until Commander called out. "Back up, Barkhorn! You're too close!" Glancing over to Barkhorn I see a beam strike her and cause her to fall towards the ground. I dive to catch her and all I could hear over the radio was calls for captain Barkhorn. I reached her myself followed closely by Perrine and then Yoshika. I grab her waist before trying to right her. I succeeded partly as she was still unconscious. I set her down gently with the help of Perrine. "Perrine shield Yoshika, Yoshika heal Barkhorn while I'll help with shielding." I command.

"This is all my fault! What am I gonna do?" Perrine started to panic. "She's bleeding. We can't move her. It'll only make it worse. I'm going to have to heal her here." Yoshika stated. "That's okay. Please, just save her!" Perrine continued to panic. "Stay calm, Yoshika. You have to concentrate. You can do this." Yoshika said to herself. "Wow, that's amazing." Perrine said losing concentration allowing the Neuroi to fire a beam at us. I quickly put up a shield, booking it. "Hold still. I think it's working." Yoshika said. "What are you think you're doing? You have to get away from me or you'll put everyone else in danger! Go on, get out of here! There's no point in saving me. Just forget about it, use your powers on the enemy!" Barkhorn said, pain edvident in her voice. "I'm not leaving you behind like Ivan damnit!" I shout over to her. "So shout the fuck up while we save you!" "Hold on! I will save you! We're friends, aren't we?" Yoshika said right after me. "You're here to defeat the enemy! My fate is to die here! I don't deserve to live!" Barkhorn shot back at us. "Bullshit! If you were meant to die here then who's going to greet Chris when she wakes up! Hartmann and commander sure as hell ain't, and I don't think she wants to wake up to find out her sister died!" I shoot back. "I can't do it... There's no way I can protect all these people that you're talking about. I couldn't...I couldn't even save my own sister. Forget about me. I'm useless. Just go..." she says at a whisper. "I know it's impossible to protect everyone, Captain! But I'm still gonna try, because that's what I came here to do, I'm not leaving! Iwanna help as many people as I can, and right now you need help!" Yoshika said shuting her up. "Hurry! I can't fight it off much longer!" Perrine said as I finally realized she had put up a shield to protect me from a diffrent shot. "Almost done. Just a little longer...there!" Yoshika said.

"Chris! I don't wanna give up...I have the power to help. This time, I will protect them!" Barkhorn said as she got ready to fly up. "I'm coming with." I stated while lifting my Vikers up. Together we took off and zoom climbed up to altitude. "The core!" The Major called out as Barkhorn and I destroy the core. *huff*. "That took a lot out of me." I say as I wave about until Lynne caught me. Holding me up I could see Barkhorn greet Commander with. "Minna!" Before she got slapped by Commander then pulled into a deep hug. "What do you think you're doing!? If we lose you, what are we supposed to do!? I understand that you lost your homeland and that must be really, really difficult, but we are a team! No, a family! You, me, the entire squad! Chris is going to get better. I promise you that. So for her sake, and for the sake of your friends, don't take your life for granted. I don't know what we'd do if you died. We're the only ones who can protect our country, so stop being so selfish and stay with us!" Commander said while hugging Barkhorn close. "I'm sorry. We are a family. You're right. That vacation you mentioned, I think I would like to take it after all. I'd like to go and visit her." Barkhorn said. "So, I see you finally decided to do it, huh?" Commander said. "I'll drive." I called receiving a few strange looks. "What I have lots of vacation time aswell. I'm gonna need some time to do nothing all day."

"Captain Barkhorn, you ready?" I ask while knocking on her door. "Yes, just give me a second." "Alright." I fall out before muttering. "The sound of the mortars, the music of death, we're playing the devils symphony." After that Barkhorn exited her room. "What was that you said?" She asked. "Nothing of your concern." I responded as we walked into the hanger. "Alright ready to learn how a winnipeger drives." I said as I quickly left the hanger at top speed, probably breaking every speed law out there. When we reached the hospital I parked and we left. Barkhorn was surprisingly unaffected by it. Entering Chris's room I took a seat over by the window placing my feet on the ledge I took a quick nap to give them privacy.

I was walking some paces behind the major as she had woken me up. I was still hung over after last night when I drank myself unconscious in my own room. "Hey! Miyafuji!" The Major called out suddenly. "Ow, Major I'm still hung over." I said while taking a quick swig of a concoction made with a bit of the dog that bit me aka whiskey. "It's not what you think!" Yoshika suddenly shouts and grabs the Majors breasts. "Are you amused with yourself?" The Major asks. I just walk by and say. "Good luck Yosh, you'll need it" "Ahhhhh!" Was Yoshika's response as she was to late, the Major struck her. "I didn't even see you there." Lynne said while helping Yoshika. "Me, neither. I'm so sorry!" Yoshika says. "You're slacking, first I find Morrison passed out drunk in his room then I surprise you two." The Major stares while facepalming. "Hey!" I shout back. "It was my day off so I got drunk. It's not like I can go to a street boxing match because Barkhorn didn't want to." "What's street boxing?" Yoshika asks. "Yoshika have you been living under a rock." I ask. "No." Was the response I got. "Well street boxing is basically boxing but there are no real rules. You just have to make your opponent stay down even if you have to kill them. Though it's uncommon that people die nowadays. Mostly they loss a finger, an eye, teeth or their ear." I explain. "Sounds gruesome." Lynne comments. "Ah but it's fun to beat the shit out of some unexpecting Brit." I shoot back.

"We're going to the beach?" Yoshika asked as were all seated in couches in the main hall. "That's right. We leave tomorrow morning. We'll be going to the eastern coast of this island." The Major answered and yoshika must not have gotten what's happening to them. "All right! The beach! I love the sea! Um... don't you guys love the sea, too?" "Yoshika..." Lynne said while tugging on her shirt. "Hmm?" Yoshika answered. "We're going there to train. Not play." Lynne explained. "Oh, we are?" Yoshika asked. "That's right, Sergeant. We have to be prepared for anything. And that means in any location. For example, what are you going to do if you lose your flying capability out at sea and fall in. We'll be training for those types of situations." "Yep. That's it." I say confirming what the Major said. "Hmm..." Yoshika groaned. "What was that Miyafuji? Do you not want to train with us?" The Major asked. "No! I mean, yes! I wanna train! I do!" Yoshika said startled. "Nice save Yosh." I whisper to her. "Okay, I want all of you to meet us here. We will be expecting you at 1000 hours, clear?" Commander said. "Yes, Commander." We all respond. "Do you understand the instructions, Sergeant?" Commander asked Yoshika. "Yes!" "Then will you do me a favor in convey this information to Shirley and Ensign Lucchini for us? Shirley was working in the hangar this morning so look there. And Lucchini is... she's probably sleeping somewhere so I suggest checking the base." Commander directed. "Right. Got it." Yoshika confirmed. "Thank you. Oh, and there's one more thing. I suppose I should tell you, you won't be training the entire day. In other words, there'll be some downtime between drills so... pack your swimsuit." Commander said. "Yes, ma'am. I will! Um, I'll be right back! Will you come with me for just a second, please?" Yoshika asked Lynne. "Just like a young school girl. I comment off handedly. "So much energy." Commander said. "Shirley's in the hangar again?" The Major asked. "Yes. Since early this morning. Do you think she's gonna come out for air sometime?" Commander asked. "Based on experience." I start. "Nope. Not even for food. The only thing that will drag her out is if someone goes in there and fetches her or the alarm goes off." "It's about to get noisy around here." The Major comments.

"I don't understand. Why do we have to wear these?" Yoshika asked. I situated at the bottom of the cliff incase anyone couldn't swim back to the surface as it is the law in Manitoba to learn how to skate and swim so I ended up as a strong swimmer. I had found that out when I had to jump into the water to save a drowning man. "You'll need them in a marine emergency. I don't like repeating myself, Sergeant." The Major said. "All right, girls. Everyone else is completed their training. Looks like you two are the only ones left." Commander said. While all this happened I had climbed up behind the girls and when the Major shouted. "Stop wasting time and get in there!" I shouted back "THIS! IS! SPARTA!" And pulled the girls off the rock. They screamed on the way down. When we hit the surface I let go of them and swam on my own. "Why would you yell that of all things." Barkhorn shouted over to me while swimming nearby. "Because it felt appropriate for the moment." I call back.

"They're not coming up." The Major said. "Want me to get 'em?" I ask. "Nope." Commander said. "I guess this means they won't be flying." "Do you think we're pushing them too hard?" Commander asked the Major. Just then they broke the surface. "This isn't the kiddy pool. Stop dog-paddling. Take a page out of Perrine's book! Or Morrison's!" The major calls over to them. "So sad." Perrine comments as she swims past "It's heavy. I can't... Help!" Yoshika states as she goes back under.

"Okay, everyone. Time for a break." The Major shouts. "I... can't... move." "Me, neither..." Yoshika and Lynne say back to back as they end up laying in the sand. "Hey - Lynette, they said we'd have breaks. But they still haven't stopped torturing us." Yoshika states. "You got used to it?" Shirley said from behind me. "Hi, Shirley." "Afternoon, Shirley." Both Yoshika And Myself greet her. "It gets easier. Trust me. And besides, you get a train on the beach. Nothing wrong with that." She says as she lays down in the sand between Yoshika and Lynne. "This feels so good. I love it." Lynne said. "Yeah, me, too." Yoshika agreed. "And me, three." Shirley agreed aswell. "If you girls need me I'll be by the hanger." I sayas I start to walk until what yoshika says next stops me in my tracks. "What's that?" Already I'm scanning the sky looking for an aircraft hoping it's freindly. "What's the matter?" Lynne asked. "I don't know. I saw something. It was flying across the sun." Yoshika stated. "What was it?" Shirley asked. "The enemy!" We both exclaimed as we spotted it. "Neuroi? Shirley, Stefan, hold on!" They called out after us as we had booked it towards the hanger.

"This is Yeager. Taking off." "Morrison, launching." We both sound off over the radio before I realize I don't have one on me. Ah well to late now. I continue to follow Shirley until I max out my engines speed. "Damn it's maxed out." I mutter. The I watch a Shirley suddenly excelerates before I feel a shock wave. "She did it. She broke the sound barrier." I mutter aloud. But then I realize something, she's going to slam into the Neuroi or was as she just smashed her way through it. Then Yoshika and Lynne catch up to me. They are busy reporting what's happening while I'm scanning for problems. Then I spot one. Shirley's striker has disactivated and she's falling. "Yoshika, Lynne you get Shirley, I'll get her striker." I shout over to them as I dive down on an intercept course. Reaching them I look over to Yoshika and Lynne only to see that Lynne was behind Shirley holding her up while Yoshika was fondling her *cough*assests*cough* "really Yosh." I call out to her as I fly infront of them.