Chapter 4
"Your displeasure is written all over your face. Calm yourself, Major." Commander said while sipping her tea. "They call us all the way over there and then start telling us how the budget is totally fubar. Of course I'm pissed off. They owe us!" Yup she was pissed. "They're just panicking. We're currently the only ones consistently getting results at this point." Thank you for stating the obvious Commander. "They're not going to see anything other than what they want until it's far too late." Again obvious, Major. "That's just how the warmongers behave. If the Neuroi had never shown up, they would have you, me, and everyone on this team split into sides and killing each other instead." Commander said. "Those damn bankers think they run the world. Sorry about that, Miyafuji, Morrison. I really wanted to show you around Britannia so you could know how beautiful her people could be. Especially after the incident at Hong Kong." The Major said. "That basterd, he ordered all of our armoured support and supplies turned around and sent to Britannia." I said still bitter about his order three years later. "It's okay. I was actually just thinking how everyone in the military is so different. Um... do you hear something?" Yoshika said trying to changs the mood by answering the Major. "That's just Sanya singing. We're approaching the base. She came to escort us." The Major explained. "Thanks, Sanya!" Yoshika said while waving at her. Sanya just flew into the clouds.
"Is Sanya really shy? She just pulled away." Yoshika asked. "She may be a little shy but she has a pretty voice. She is a good girl. Hold on." Commander explained to us. "What is it, Sanya?" The Major asked just as my aura sense picked up the Neuroi. "Someone is looking at us." Sanya said. "Someone is what? Repeat that, please. I'm having trouble reading your transmission." The Major asked. "I'm sorry. There is an unknown bogey inbound from the direction of Sirius at high speed." Sanya explained. "So is it a Neuroi?" Commander asked. "Yes, I believe it's them. Its speed is too great to be a normal aircraft." Sanya answered. "I don't see anything, Sanya." The Major said trying to use her magic. "It's in the clouds. Target cannot be acquired visually." Sanya explained. "So that's how it is." The Major muttered.
"Umm, Major, what are we supposed to do?" Yoshika said finally breaking the silence. "Nothing we can do." The Major explained. "We're trapped here?" Yoshika said panicking. "Without our Strikers Units we're just regular passengers on this plane. Do you think they planned it this way?" Commander explained. "Not me." I said as I stood at the now open door with my Lee Enfield in hand. "The Neuroi aren't capable of such complicated strategies." The major said ignoring me. "Target is still inbound, fast. Contact in 3 minutes." Sanya explaines. "Sanya, try to buy us time until backup arrives. Avoid a direct engagement if possible." Commander said. "Yes, ma'am. I'll draw their fire away from the transport." Sanya said. "Don't do anything reckless." Commander pleaded.
"Watch closely, Miyafuji." The Major said as I kneeled at the door with my rifle leveled. "Okay. Sanya can find Neuroi even you can't see?" Yoshika asked. "Yes. Her magical abilities allow her to see what lies beyond even the horizon." The Major explained. "Wow..." Yoshika sounded surprised. "That' why we always have her assigned night patrol. It's where she makes sense." Commander explained "It's no different than your healing magic. You heard her song, right? That's one of her spells. She uses it to guide the transport." The Major explained. All the while Sanya fires off a few rockets only she wasn't fired back at. No lasers came. "Just as I thought. She's able to battle them before they're even visible." Commander said. "I can't see any Neuroi at all." Yoshika exclaimed. "You can take Sanya's word for it. Sanya, that's enough. Return to base." Major ordered. "But it's not..." Sanya started only to be cut off by Major. "Good work. You were able to protect us by yourself."
"So, nobody actually saw the Neuroi except Sanya?" Barkhorn Said. "No, I sensed it aswell." I said walking into the room with a pair of shorts on and a towel over my hair as I was busy drying it. I could see all of them blush and look away. "It stayed hidden in the clouds and never showed its face." Commander said. "'kay. But I heard it didn't even bother trying to shoot back at her. When does a Neuroi do that? Are we even certain that it really was a Neuroi?" Hartmann said. "100%, couldn't mistake the aura of the stench." I said while holding my nose to prove my point. "Morrison I've never got close enough to smell a Neuroi, wha do they smell like." Hartmann asked. "Ever smelt burnt flesh. Yea times that smell by 10." I say.
"Maybe it was a shy Neuroi. ... or maybe not. Sorry..." Lynne said cutting off our conversation, probably because she doesn't want to think about the stench they have. "No, it's true. Maybe they were connecting on the same wavelength like sisters, perhaps." Perrine agreed. "How a Neuroi thinks is not known. We need a clear picture of their intentions. Until we have that, there's no way to predict what they will do next." Commander said confirming all of our suspicions that we have no idea. "There is a high likelihood this Neuroi that failed would return over and over again till it succeeds." The Major said. "I agree. Because of that very reason, I'm going to set up a special units specifically for night missions. Sanya." Commander said. "Ma'am?" "Miyafuji." "Ah? Yeah?" "And Morrison. Starting immediately, the two of you will constitute the new night combat team." She explained. "Damn. Hoped to never get stuck on night watch again." I mutter. "Are you really sure you want me?" Yoshika asked. "You're the only other one with experience with this Neuroi." The Major answered. "But I only sat there and watched..." Yoshika started to say before she was cut off by Eila. "I'd like to volunteer for night combat!" She shouted while pushing Yoshika down so she could reach over. "That's great. So Eila makes four total for the night patrol. We'll have to rework the rotation schedule a bit to accommodate your shift." Commander said. "Sorry. This is all because I let the Neuroi get away..." Sanya muttered. "Not at all Sanya." I state. "No, nobody said that, Sanya!" Yoshika said agreeing with me, all we got in return was a "Hmm."
"Blueberries. Why do we have so many, huh?" Perrine said while looking over the large amount of said food we had received. "My uncle ships them here all the way from our farm back home. Blueberries are supposed be really good for your eyesight." Lynne explained. "Let's eat!" Hartmann said excitedly. "Yes, it's true. In Britannia all the night pilots eat Blueberries. It's likely they discovered their benefits as well." Barkhorn said. "Same with carrots." I continued. "Yoshika, Shirley! Stick out your tongues!" Lucchini said excitedly. "Hmm? Hmm..." Yoshika and Shirley said while doing as they were told before they burst into laughter. "Typical!" Perrine Said while covering her mouth with a napkin. "Perrine..." Eila Said while sneaking up behind Perrine and grabbing the corners of her mouth and stretching it wide showing off her teeth which were stained blue. "Everything in moderation." The major said while walking by.
"How could you do such a thing to me!" Perrine s reaches at Eila while following her around the Mess Hall. "I didn't do anything." Eila pushed. "Delicious." Sanya Said after having a few.
"You finished your breakfast. That's good. It's time for you three to go to sleep. Dismissed." The Major said as we all stood infront of her after breakfast.
"Huh?" Yoshika said as the door was slammed in her face. "But we just woke up. And did they really have to come and cover up all the windows, too?" "I call the corner." I said as I set down a blanket and a pillow. "They probably want us to get used to the dark." Eila said. "Sorry, they turned your room into such a dark cave, Sanya." Yoshika said as she sat down on the bed. "They didn't. This is how I like my room." Sanya explained. "Oh, really? Hey! These are some type of talisman." Yoshika states after finding a card. "Talisman?" Eila asks. "Some people think they're good luck charms that scare away ghosts." Yoshika explains. "This is my good luck charm." I said holding my whiskey bottle high before taking a swig. "Don't drink in Sanya's room!" Eila said as she smacked me. "Fine. Then you can deal with the consequences." I say as I put it away. "People sometimes mistake me for a ghost." Sanya said. "Yeah? Because you're always playing around at night?" Yoshika asked. "Uh-uh. Happens a lot during the day. They say they can't tell if I'm really there or not." Sanya explained. "Don't pay attention to anything Miss Priss Four-Eyes says. If you're bored I've got tarot cards." Eila said. "Tarot cards?" Yoshika asked. "It's fortune telling." Eila explained while setting out her cards and looking at the one Yoshika chose. "I can use my magic to see into the future. I can't see very far, though... Now, let's see. Well, this is good! You're going to see someone you've been longing to see!" "Is that true? It's not. That's not possible." Yoshika said sadly. "Why not?" Eila asked. "Because that person isn't coming back." Yoshika vaugely explained. "I see. Hmmmm, I don't know what to tell you, then!" Eila said.
"Hey." I said. "Eila can you try my fortune?" I ask. "Sure." She said as she set out her cards. Three on top, four in the middle and three on the bottom. "Alright, thanks." I say as I pick the middle card on the top row. "Lets see." She said while looking over my shoulder. "It says you'll find something you're searching for but at a high price." "What could that be..." I go deep in thought.
"Time to wake up! It's night!" Lucchini said as she threw open the door into my foot. "I'd rather not shot you Lucchini so please be more quiet when waking me up." I said as my reflexes had kicked in and my Webley was once again pointed at a witch.
"It's dark in here." Yoshika said as she sat beside Lynne "Uh-huh. They said it's to help your eyes adjust to flying during night time missions." Lynne explained. "What's this?" Yoshika asked. "It's a special merigold herbal tea! I've heard it can help your eyesight just as much as blueberries." Perrine explained. "Oh really? I heard that that was just an old wives tale." Lynne said. "What? I've never met such an insolent brat in all my life! This secret recipe is my grandmother's!" Perrine screeched. "I'm sorry." Lynne apologized. "Tastes like mud." I comment. "This smells like Sansho." Yoshika said. "Sansho?" Lynne asked. "Lynne and Yoshika, stick out your tongues!" Lucchini said only to be disappointed. "She's got a point." Eila said. "This isn't a contest! I was just trying to be helpful!" Perrine explained. "Yuck." Erica said while placing her head on the table.
"My hands won't stop shaking." Yoshika said while standing in her striker. "Why?" Eila asked while I was lighting up a smoke. "I didn't think the sky would actually look this black at night." Yoshika stated. "Is that's your first night time mission?" Eila asked. "Do you wanna scrub it?" Sanya asked just after. "Will you both hold my hands? I'm sure I could do it if you hold my hands, Sanya." Yoshika said before Sanya garbed a hold of her hand. "Let's get going." Eila said as she grabbed Yoshika's other hand. "Wait! I have to... ah... I'm not ready yet! No! Please don't let go my hands! Promise you'll hang on to me!" Yoshika screamed as we sped down the runway. "Wait just another minute. We're almost above the clouds." Sanya said to her after takeoff.
"It's beautiful! I could've never made it up here on my own! Sanya, Eila, thank you!" Yoshika said as she flew around us. "It's okay. It's our job." Sa ya said causing me to laugh. "Reminds me of basic. 'It's okay sir, just another day on the job' quote from private tommy at the battle of Waterloo." I said.
"What's this?" Perrine said as we all looked into the small cup we were given. "Liver oil. From a Lamprey. It's good for eyesight and temperament." Yoshika explained. "It smells kinda fishy." Erica said as she sniffed it. "It's fish oil. The nutritious benefits should more than outweigh the difficult flavour." Barkhorn said as I downed the glass. "Are we back in the kindergarten, Yoshika? What an absurd choice?" Perrine said. "Is that so? I'm the one who brought it." The Major said. "I love fish oil." Perrine exclaimed as she garbbed the cup and downed it like someone would down o shot of whiskey. "Ewww. What's this?" Lucchini said after drinking a bit. "Tastes pretty similar to engine lubricant." Shirley said. "I was forced to drink this as a cadet and I couldn't stand it either." The Major explained. "I couldn't agree with you more." Perrine said. "Another round?" Commander And Myself said as we held up our glasses only to revive looks as if we are crazy. "What, it tastes better than half the shit I've eaten in my entire life." I explain.
"Um... Eila, Sanya and Morrison, where are the three of you from before all this?" Yoshika asked. "I'm from Suomos." Eila said. "Orussia." Sanya said. "Farawayland." I say. "Oh, where were those again?" Yoshika asks. "Suomus is in the northern part of Europe. Orussia is in the east." Eila explained. "And Farawayland is just to the north of the United States." I continue. "All right. Wasn't most of Europe destroyed by the Neuroi in the first round of attacks?" Yoshika asks. "Yes. The city I lived in fell a long time ago." Sanya explained. "What happened to your family?" Yoshika asked. "When the Neuroi came they fled the city and took shelter further east. Much further east. Over the Ural Mountains." Sanya explained. "Thank goodness for that." Yoshika said. "What's so good about that? Don't you hear what she is telling you?" Eila said clearly upset over this so I decided to keep quiet. "Well, they may be far apart right now but at least they can get back together someday..." Yoshika tried to explain. "Huh, Orussia is a huge place. 'past the Ural' is dozens of times the size of Fuso. It's not so easy to find people once you've lost them. Besides, there's a Neuroi hive between here and there." Eila explained. "I see what you mean. But I'm still little jealous." Yoshika said. "You're kinda stubborn, aren't you?" Eila asked. "You don't understand. What I mean is... you wanna see your family again, right, Sanya?" Yoshika asked. "Yes." Sanya answered. "Well, I bet they wake up every morning just like you. Thinking and wondering about the day that you'll be reunited as a family." Yoshika continued. "Yes." Sanya said again. "If neither of you ever gives up, then someday you'll have to be together again. And it must be so wonderful to be able to think that way." Yoshika finished her explanation.
"As far as I know I have no family, and all those I could consider family are dead." I say outloud not realizing it. "Why's that." Yoshika asked. "You're innocent Yoshika, never change." I say before I rolled onto my side away from them signaling that I didn't want to continue the conversation.
"Hmm..." Sanya said noticing that Yoshika wasn't feeling 100% "I feel so yucky." Yoshika stated. "Then why don't we go to the Sauna?" Eila suggested. "Sauna?" Yoshika asked. "C'mon, you've never been to a sauna before?" Eila asked. "You girls go ahead. I have some stuff to grab." I said as I walked away. "How will my life play out here." I muttered once I was out of earshot. "Lets see this episode is about night flying. Next is... damn why can't I remember. Maybe I should try to do something that will jog my memory." I continue to walk deep in thought until I found myself at the hanger. "What is it that I'm missing." I mutter.
"Hey, guess what? You'll never guess but today is my birthday!" Yoshika said as they flew above me. I was lagging behind still deep in thought mostly just answering whenever I was spoken directly to. "Why didn't tell us it was?" Eila asked. "I usually ignore it. Because it's also the day that my father died. It's a long story and I didn't wanna explain it to everyone." Yoshika explained. "Well, that's just plain stupid. If it's your birthday, then we're obligated to have some fun, right?" Eila said. "Are you sure about that?" Yoshika asked. "Of course." Eila confirmed. "Miyafuji, I want you to listen closely." Sanya said. "Okay." Yoshika said. "Hey, I can hear something." "It's the radio." Eila explained. "At night, the sky is quiet. So I can pick up radio waves from distant places over the horizon." Sanya explained. "That's amazing. I have no idea you could do that." Yoshika said. "Yes. It keeps me company while I'm flying at night." Sanya said. "I thought this was our little secret." Eila complained. "I'm sorry. But tonight is a special occasion." Sanya apologized.
"It's your magic. Do what you want." Eila said before flying down towards me. "Hey Morrison." "Stefan is fine." I say. "Anyway you wanna talk?" She asked. "Not really. It's a bit of a sore topic for me." I explain. "Oh come on. Maybe this will help." She pushes. "What's wrong?" Yoshika asks. "You'll see." Said Sanya. "Tonight just also happens to be..." Eila started to explain until a sound broke over our radio. It sounded like sanya but definitely wasn't her. "What? What is it?" "It's a song." Yoshika stated. I knew something was off. "But how could..." Eila started before I cut her off. "Weapons hot. Prepare for combat." "Its sounds... like..." Sa ya started. "Is it the Neuroi, Sanya?" Eila asked. "The Neuroi? Where?" Yoshika asked. "You need to leave right now!" Sanya said before she flew straight up. "Damn it." I said. "Sanya!" Eila said as a beam shot out of the clouds and destroyed Sanya's left striker. "You, idiot! Why fight him alone?" "The enemy is after me. I can feel it. You have to get away from me. If you're here..." Sanya started but I cut her off. "Sanya tell me where the basterd is. I'll shoot him down myself." "C'mon, what are you talking about?" Eila said. "We can never do that!" Yoshika said. "Please go." Sanya pleaded. "You can't see it!" Yoshika said to Eila as she had flown infront of Sanya while carrying Sanya's rocket launcher. "Sanya is going to tell me where that Neuroi is hiding. After that, I'll be able to predict the enemy's movement short term with my magic so I'll be fine. You're not the same as that thing, Sanya. It may be alone. But you've got us. Together we can't be defeated." Eila said with confidence. "Neuroi inbound, from the intersect line, 2 degrees off Vega and Altair. Distance to target, 3,200m." Sanya said before I dived to meet the Neuroi. "Here?" I could hear Eila, Sanya and Yoshika talking over the radio, none of them noticed my dive. "It's accelerating. A little more lead. That's good. Three seconds." Sanya said. "Take this!" Eila said as she shot off mulitiple rockets. "Did I miss?" She asked. "No, it's decelerating. It's sustained heavy damage. It's coming back!" Sanya said. "Oh no you don't!" Eila said as she swung the launcher towards the Neuroi and fired. "It dodged it!" Yoshika said surprised. "Damn it! Show yourself! It's there!" Eila said at the same time I spotted it. It was about 50 meters below me. "Eila, stop, get out of here!" Sanya said as a beam was sent flying their way. "There's no time! Good thinking, Miyafuji!" Eila said as Yoshika put up a shield. "We've got this! We're not gonna lose to that thing!" Yoshika stated as I dove down and onto the tail of the Neuroi. I could hear my twin Vickers chattering as I opened up. They chewed through the armour easily. "'cause we are a team" Eila said as it blew up into the white shards that always appear after one has been defeated.
"I can still hear it." Eila said confirming that it wasn't just me. "Why? Didn't we destroy it?" Yoshika asked. "No. That's my father's piano." Sanya said as she flew higher. "I see. The radio. It's reaching to us from somewhere down there. Wherever he is. It's miracle!" Yoshika said excitedly. "To be expected really." Eila said. "Huh?" "After all it is Sanya's birthday today, too. Technically yesterday, but, you know." Eila explained. "It's the same day as mine?" Yoshika asked. "What better way for a father to celebrate his daughter's birthday and to play the song he wrote for her. That kind of love allows for moments like this. For those who are open to feel it, it's no miracle." Eila continued. "Eila, you're so nice." Yoshika said. "No, I am not, idiot." Eila shot back. "Yes yo are. You were worried about me just before the battle." I said. "Idiot?" Yoshika questioned. "Oh mother, oh father, your daughter is listening. I'm right here." Sanya said while looking towards the heavens. "A happy birthday, right, Sanya?" Yoshika asked. "You, too. I hope you had a happy birthday. Miyafuji." Sanya said. "Happy birthday." Eila said. "Enjoy your b-day, Yosh." I said. "Thank you." Yoshika responded.
"It's morning! Wake up, Hartmann!" Is what I heard as I walked past Hartmann's room. "Just five more minutes... mam... maybe seventy..." Hartmann said nearly causing me to laugh. "I don't think so!" Barkhorn wasn't going to be happy when I get the opportunity to annoy her. "Okay, forty..." Hartmann said. "Get up! For a soldier of Karlsland, discipline first! Second discipline! Third, forth, fifth, discpline! Sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, discipline!" Barkhorn shouted. "And tenth?" Both me and HartmAnn ask. "Ah" Barkhorn jumped just afterwards realizing I snuck up on her. "Morning you two." I say with a wave and a smile. "When did you get here." She said to me before turning to Hartmann and saying. "Do you know what today is, Hartmann?" "Sleep day?" Myself and Hartmann both SWhat the same time. "No! Your commendation is this afternoon! In recognition of your 250 kills in service and combat you're being awarded a Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. Commander Minna told you last night!" Barkhorn shouted. "Can I trade my award for sleep?" Hartmann asks. "Yea I agree can't we just sleep in." I ask. "You can't! Now get up!" Arkhorn says while removing the cloth draped over Hartmann's hips. "Not something I wanted to see this morning Hartmann." I comment as I turn around and cover my eyes "Put on some panties, or pants, I mean cloth. Just cover yourself already!" Barkhorn shouted, sounding flustered. "I agree with Barkhorn. And Hartmann, I never took you as someone who would actually be this messy." I comment. "You left this prestigious medal on the floor? And you dare to call yourself a soldier of Karlsland?! It's time for breakfast! Finish dressing and meet me in the dining hall!" Barkhorn said before walking out and grabbing me by the collar and litterally dragging me to the Mess Hall. Mostly because she was shorter than me.
Breakfast wasn't very exciting but after breakfast the girls went out to train and I disappeared into the hanger. I was set on working on my striker for the rest of the morning but Barkhorn decided to round me up because someone was stealing panties. "Hmm...A crime... That's for certain." Barkhorn said as I stood beside her. "Yes that's true." "Can I... have my cloth?" Asked yoshika as she held her shirt down over her nether reigns. "No. This is being kept as evidence." Barkhorn said. "But..." Yoshika said trying to argue "You're not wearing anything? Then I'll let you borrow mine." Barkhorn said as she started to take hers off. "Wait! No! I'll be fine..." Yoshika said being the saviour she is. "No need to be shy." Barkhorn says as she continues. "Yes, there is, please!" Yoshika continued to argue. "Barkhorn we don't need you going commando. Got it." I say stopping her while I toss the Major my tunic. "There yoshika you won't have to worry about anything. "Stefan, thank you very much." Yoshika thanks me. "Welcome." I respond though I could see the girls blushing as without my tunic I didn't have a shirt covering my dody, though I still had my shorts on. "What turned you into such a prude? ...Strange girl... Let's start the investigation. Now who could possibly want to steal Perrine's underwear?" Barkhorn Said while fixing her panties. "Maybe she wasn't wearing any to begin with." Shirley suggested. "Not possible." I state as perrine shoots down that suggestion. "That's absurd! Of course, I was!" "We have to assume that someone has stolen them." Barkhorn said while looking at Yoshika's swim suit for answers while I was looking around the room. "Now, given that, we need to know who proceeded officer Clostermann in the locker room." She said while I noticed Lucchini not eating and it looked like she was going into shock. "It was Ensign Francesca Lucchini!" Barkhorn says and Lucchini books it. "Get her!" Myself and Shirley say as we chase her. "Those panties are mine!" Perrine shouts as she joins the chase. "Wait! Stop!" Shirley shouts as Lucchini snags Yoshika's swimsuit. "Wait! Don't take that! Come back here!" Yoshika calls. "I'm sorry..." Lucchini says as she runs. "Lucchini, wait!" "Stop!" "Slow down!" "Just making things worse!" Were all calls as Lucchini ran with me and Shirley close behind. Followed closely by Barkhorn.
"Which way?" Barkhorn asks as we had lost her when she had run outside. "I... don't know." Shirley responded. "Let's go!" Barkhorn shouts as she runs to the left. Myself and Shirley following after her. "There she is! Stop!" Barkhorn shouted as she ran down the girls hall. "This is stupid! Don't run!" Shirley shouts aswell. "Alright girls this is how you clear a room." I say as I kick in the door only to nearly revive a punch to the face curtesy of Eila "Where is she?" Shirley asked. "She climbed down." Eila response. "Go!" Barkhorn shouts as she, Shirley and Eila run out of the room and I dive out of the window catching the pipe outside with my left and and riding it down like a fireman. Touching down, I see Lucchini jump through a window. I follow closely. "Hey your six." I say as they others come around the corners. "I'm not a thief!" She shouts and runs. The others reach me and perrine pants. "She's... too... fast!" "Damn it." I mutter when the alarm goes off. "The alarm?" Yoshika asks. "It's the Neuroi!" Perrine answers. "Battle stations!" Myself and Barkhorn shout. "Right!" Everyone answers.
"Ahh, Sakamoto, I'll be exposed..." Yoshika whines. "And I'm not wearing anything either." perrine supports Yoshika. "Ahahaha! I don't care! This is combat, girls! No one cares about your panties!" The Major laughs. "I care Major. I don't want to be seeing full moons while flying." I shoot back. "I'll go, too." Sanya states. She was clearly missing something. Ah right, her tights. "Sanya..." Eila Said. "Hey, Eila. You're wearing my tights." Sanya states, "Yea now that I think about it weren't you wedding Sanya's tights when I kicked in your door to chase Lucchini." I say. "I can't take them off right now!" Eila says as Sanya tries to pull them off Eila. "But those are mine, Eila." Sanya says not giving up. "But Major, it's breezy!" Yoshika states. "Just deal with it!" The Major shots back. "Yes, ma'am!" Yoshika answers. "Why are you wasting all this time! Let's move out, all units!" Barkhorn shouts just as I reach the end of the runway. "All right." I hear Shirley say before Commander cuts in. "Everyone, stop!" "Little late commander. I'm already airborne." I say as I turn around to land. "Commander Minna!" Yoshika states surprised. "Commander! The enemy!" Barkhorn starts. "...is not here! It was a false alarm. You can come out now." Commander finishes as I start to land. "Lucchini!" "Francesca!" Were calls I heard. "Lucchini accidentally set off the alarm when she was hiding." I heard Lynne explain. "Also, I've confiscated these." Commander said as she heals up everyone's panties. "There they are." Perrine said. "That's a relief." Eila said. "Excellent work, dear Commander Minna." Major laughed. "Not me. All of the credit here has to go to Lieutenant the all the confusion, she was the one who retained her composure and apprehended the guilty party." Commander said. "Thank you, ma'am." Hartmann said with a salute. "Hartmann, I'm so proud of you! You're the Karlsland Military's finest." Barkhorn said. "Good job. Officer." Major said. "Well, it's time to begin the award ceremony. That is of course if you're ready, Lieutenant Hartmann." Commander said. "Yes, ma'am." Hartmannsaid with another salute.
"Lieutenant Hartmann, front and center!" The Major said. "Ma'am!" Hartmann responded. "It's breezy." Lucchini said as she held the two buckets filled with water up. "Poor Lucchini... She's cold." Lynne said somewhat worried. "Yeah. But something doesn't add up." yoshika said. "Yea your right Yoshika." I said. "That's right. I never would have taken them if I had mine. My underwear was stolen." Lucchini revealed. "What?" Myself and perrine said at the same time. "Really?" Lynne questioned. "Oh, no! There still is a pantie thief running around the base!" Yoshika said. "But, who it's steal someone's panties?" Lynne asked looking at me. "Not me." I said. "She's just trying to make excuses." Perrine conclouded. "We will now be presenting one of our highest honors. Lieutenant Hartmann, an recognition of your distinguish service in the field of combat, it is my honor to bestow the Knights Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords." Minna said as we all got a good look at the pair of panties Hartmann was wearing. "Bloody 'ell." I mutter while everyone else was speechless. "They're just absolutely speechless." Commander commented. "Right!" Hartmann answered. "Congratulations, Lieutenant Hartmann." Commander said. "Thank you very much!" Hartmann said while saluting us all. My jaw just about hit the ground. The cigarette I was smoking had hit the ground long ago.