Chapter 5
"Something weird happened. I was in the hangar earlier today." Yoshika said as we were seated down on a small brick wall "Hmm?" Lynne six before Yoshika proceeded to explain to us that all male personnel on base have been ordered to keep unnessecary conversations with witches off base. "That is kind of strange." Lynne comments. "Yea." I comment. "So, why do you think Commander Minna would make up a rule like that? Do you know, Lynne, Stefan?" She asks. "I'd heard of it before. But I guess I never really thought there is anything weird about it." Lynne states. "Never knew about it." I say. "Well, it just doesn't make any sense. It's such a dumb order! You have to agree with me on this one." Yoshika states. "I do. I much rather like my conversations with the ground crews." I say. "I haven't really had the opportunity to talk to many men unless you include my brothers and Stefan." Lynne explains. "Not even when you were attending school?" Yoshika asks. "I went to Our Mother of Mercy all-girl school." Lynne answers. "Oh, okay." Yoshika answers. "I guess I'm not much help at this." Lynne said kinda said. "I would be." I comment. "Don't worry. Oh, wow! Look! It's the Akagi!" Yoshika said. "The Akagi?" Lynne asks. "It's the ship that brought us here." I said. "I heard it was being repaired. It must be fixed already." Yoshika informs us. "Hey, there they are. Yoshika!" Lucchini calls as she walks around the corner. "Commander Minna wants to see you!" Shirley informs us. "Oh, okay! What did I do?" Yoshika asks. "I don't know Yosh, I don't know." I say before She leaves.
"But the captain's in charge of the carrier group so he outranks Commander Minna." Lynne said. "Really? I didn't know he was so important." Yoshika said. "I can't believe the captain came to thank you in person. That's amazing!" Lynne exclaimed. "Yup" I say aswell. "Sergeant Miyafuji! I really wanted to thank you for saving our ship from the Neuroi. I thought that you were totally amazing. I bought this card at the PX for you because I couldn't afford flowers." A sailor said as he held a card out infront of him. "Oh, okay. That's sweet, I guess." Yoshika said. "Damn right it's a sweet jesture. "Ah, well, will you take this card... please do, I got it just for you." The sailor said. "The rules!" Yoshika excliamed. "Fuck 'em" I said in response. "I don't think I..." Yoshika tried to complain. "Oh, I bet that it's a love letter." Thank you Lynne. "A love letter...?" Yoshika questioned. "Uh-huh. Here, let me free up ya hands 'kay?" Lynne said as she took the gift from Yoshika's hands. "Ah!" "No!" Yoshika and the sailor cried out as the wind took the letter. "Oh... cute!" Lynne commented. "Yup. Can't agree more." I said as we walked towards them. "Commander Minna." Yoshika exclaimed. "Shit." I said. "You're both aware fraternization has been strictly prohibited." Commander said clearly upset. "It's my fault, ma'am. I was only trying to say thank you to her." The sailor said. "It's true. He wasn't doing anything wrong, Commander." Yoshika supported him. "Unnecessary contact with the Witches is against regulations. I cannot allow you to give her this contraband." Commander said while I mimicked her behind her back to see if either would crack, Lynne did. "It was my mistake, sorry." The sailor said before running off causing Commander to turn around as I was mimicking her. "Morrison is that really appropriate." She stated. "Yes, I had to under basic bullshit regulations law. It clearly states when a commanding officer has a bullshit order in place you must do everything in your power to make it seem funny." I said, man all those well rehearsed practices are doing wonders. "And where might this law be written." She asks. "Uh, fuck." I say.
"Commander Minna seemed so angry. I wonder what he wrote to you. Hey, Yoshika?" Lynne said. "Yea she really did. She stuck me on toilet cleaning duty for a week." I exclaim. "All I Did was follow what all my previous seniors did." "Well you aren't exactly the best at convincing." Lynne said. I place my hand on my chest pretending that I'm hurt. "Ouch, harsh Lynne." I said. "Wow, a Fuso doll." Yoshika said having finally opened her gift. "It's adorable." Lynne commented. "It is nice." I comment. "Hey Lynne, how can I thank them?" Yoshika asked.
"Initial reports from Gallia are that the enemy is advancing." Commander said. "It seems they finally got their predictions right for once." Major commented. "Yes. Their current altitude is 15,000 and they're headed directly for the south-east base." Commander continued. "Right. We will execute intercept pattern Alpha Tango 7. So here are your assignments. Barkhorn and Hartmann will take the lead. Perrine and Lynne will follow up behind. Miyafuji, Minna, Morrison and I will take the rear. Well the rest of you will remain here at the base on highest alert." The major said. "I love it when we get to house-sit." Lucchini commented. "I can adjust the gyro on my Striker Unit." Shirley said. "Right. You're all dismissed." Major said. "'kay, see you later." Lucchini called.
"Enemy sighted." The Major called out. "Its class?" Commander asked. "Confirming that now! M-class. 300. Standard attack formation?" Major said. "Affirmative." Commander confirmed. "Yes, ma'am! Move out!" Major ordered. "That's not good." Commander said as the Neuroi divided into mulitiple bogies. "It divided!" Thanks for the running commentary Major. "There's 80 on the right, 100 in the center and 30 on the left." Commander exclaimed. "That's 210 in all. We should all be getting medals after this one." The major commented. "Does that mean more pay?" I asked. "That's right." Commander confirmed. "Score." I said as I got ready to attack. "So, what's the plan?" Major asked. "I need you to locate the core." Commander said. "Roger that!" Major answered. "Barkhorn, you take the middle." "Yes, ma'am." "Perrine, your team has the right." "Yes, ma'am." "Morrison you take the left." "Ace here I come." I comment as I dive down.
I roll into a furball. The Neuroi are trying to shoot me down so I end up with 10 behind me while I'm chasing 20 around the sky. Quickly their numbers start to drop from 30 to about half that. "Whoohoo!" I shout as I fly threw a group of three shooting them all to pieces as my Vickers chatter away. "I'll be damned but this is two easy." I said outloud only for another 20 to join the fight against me. "It could be worse." I say. Soon after that both of my Vickers run dry. "Spoke to soon." I said as I was dodging laser shots and trying to reload. Then a Neuroi tried for a head on pass. "Well you fucked up my friend." I say as I draw my Webley, firing one shot I take him out. Shortly afterwards I'm done reloading. "Alright, let's dance." I say as I switch direction suddenly. Now I'm flying head on with30 or so Neuroi all of which are trying to shoot me down when suddenly they all burst into white shards. "Well there goes all the fun." I mutter.
"Yoshika, you were amazing!" Lynne exclaimed while flying up. "Just a lucky shot is all that was." Perrine commented. "Hey maybe I could get a lucky shot." I say nudging Barkhorn with my elbow. "Yeah, lucky we had Miyafuji on the team targeting the core. I think that's what you meant to say." Barkhorn said. "Whoa, Miyafuji, you're a pretty good shot." Hartmann congadulated Yoshika. "You really think so?" Yoshika asked. "It's beautiful." She said while staring at the falling white crystals. "Yes. When they're neutralized." Major commented. "Even the most beautiful flowers may have some thorns." Perrine saidtrying to be poetic. "Talking about yourself?" Hartmann asked shooting her down. "That is so rude! Except the part of I being beautiful. That's true." Perrine stated. "I don't know. I think you're pretty thorny." Hartmann said. "I agree with Hartmann here. You're kinda like a thorn bush or a Farawayland goose. Now those fuckers aren't cute, they're just annoying." I said. "Why must you always bring others down to your level?" Perrine asked. "Thorny Perry." Hartmann stated. "Minna, wait." Barkhorn said as she went to go after her. "Hey, where is she going?" Hartmann asked. "Not now. She needs to be left alone." The major said as I put my hand on Barkhorn's shoulder. "I see. This is Pas-de-Calais..." she said once I did so.
"Hi! Thank you everyone! Thank you! Please be careful! We'll be there when you need us most." Yoshika shouted over to the sailors on the Akagi, as we were doing a flyby. "Yeah, we will, won't we, Yoshika." Lynne said. "Leave some of the basterds for me will ya." I call out to them. "They got my thank you." Yoshika said happily. "They appreciate what you've done for them." Major explained. "Yeah." Yoshika agreed. "They all look so happy." Lynne said. "Can't agree more." I said back. "Yeah, they do." Yoshika said. "All right, let's head back to the base." Major commanded. "Yes, ma'am." We all said.
Upon entering the lounge I saw Commander in a sparkling red dress and Sanya playing the piano. "Minna, that song was so beautiful!" Yoshika said as soon as the song ended. "Well, thank you." Commander said as Eila came up behind Yoshika and pulled on her cheeks causing us all to laugh. "What do you think you're doing?" Yoshika asked. "No mention of Sanya's piano playing. Why is that?" Eila questioned. "I'll tell, I promise!" Yoshika said. "Don't stop there. Tell me more." Eila said. "I'm telling you!" Yoshika said. "Anything else?" Eila asked. "Oh please let me go now?" Yoshika asked. "Nope, you're not done just yet." Eila said. "C'mon, you're starting to hurt my face. Stop laughing and help me. Eila!" Yoshika complained.
The next morning I was doing a routine check up on my car. When I heard Barkhorn shouting in the halls. "What did Hartmann do this time?" I asked to no one in particular. Just then Barkhorn stormed in like she was going to yell at me for something. 'Might be the fact that I don't care much for military regulations.' I thought as she was followed by Hartmann. "I have to go see her Hartmann!" I heard Barkhorn shout. "Calm down and wait till Minna is informed." Hartmann argued back. "I can't Hartmann. I need to see her now." Barkhorn shot back. "There isn't a place for strikers at the hospital Trude" Hartmann explained. I finally connected the dots. "Barkhorn if you're going to see Chris then I'll drive you." I shout over to her. "Wait. What." She and Hartmann both said. "I'll drive, hop in." I said while waving them over.
Once we got there I had to help Erica out of the car. "Your driving is almost as bad as Trude." She stated. "Hahaha. Barkhorn is what we winnipegers would call a crazy driver." I laughed. " I'm not that bad." Barkhorn shot back as we walked up the stairs. "Yes you are Trude." Erica answered.
"This is a hospital. Be quiet please." The Nurse said as Barkhorn slammed open the door. "I'm so sorry, miss. I was in a hurry to get here. Chris..." Barkhorn apologized "Hi..." "Good to see you. Thank so much for coming. Were you okay without me?" Chris said. "Of course, yes! I'm just fine. Why wouldn't I be? Is that what you think of me?" Barkhorn asked. "She was a complete wreck. The nightmares were making her cry out. "Oh my sister, when will my baby sister ever wake up?"" Erica mimicked Barkhorn. "Is that true?" Chris asked. "You shut your mouth! This is supposed be a happy reunion!" Barkhorn shot back. "Happy reunion's are for after the war. Until then you will have to deal with a sad or ordinary reunion." I say. "But it's true." Erica agreed with me. "I am a dedicated soldier of Karlsland. I get people nightmares, got it?" Barkhorn said to Chris. "I have yet to have any nightmares related to you Barkhorn." I said. "Well, sister, you look happy." Thank you Chris for saving me from a lecture. "Really?" Barkhorn asks. "You can thank Miyafuji for that." Erica states. "Who's Miyafuji?" Chris asks. "Well, she's a newest recruit to the Strike Witches, along with Morrison over there." Erica said while gesturing towards me. "Huh?" Chris said. "She looks a little bit like you." Barkhorn explained. "Like me?" Chris asks. "Do you think I can meet her?" "I think I have a picture of her." I say as I search through my wallet. "Why not? I think you need to stop by the base." Barkhorn said. "Ah here it is." I say as I pass Chris a picture of me and Yoshika smiling at the camera on the Akagi. "Can I? Do you think she'll be my friend?" Chris asked while looking down at the picture. "Well, she is little bit odd, but she is nice. I'm sure that two of you will be great friends. You two may look alike, but you're much cuter. Absolutely." Barkhorn exclaimed. "Wow, no bias there." Erica said. "Yea, no bias what so ever" I agree.
"Hey Mr. Morrison. Are you and Miyafuji dating?" Chris asked. I almost spit out the water I was drinking. "No, no that picture was when we were going to Britannia, mostly because I have no family that I know of, she said that she'd keep one picture and I should keep the other as a way to remember her by. And please just call me Stefan, Mr. Morrison makes me sound old." I jokingly say. "Wait does that mean you're single." Erica asked. "Yes I am. But don't you try anything Erica." I say. "Hey trude he's single, now you can..." she started to say before Barkhorns band covered her mouth. "Don't say it!" Just said to Erica really flustered. "Wait. Does that mean you have..." I started aswell before she covered my mouth. "And don't you think about it." She said. "Eww Hartmann did you lick my hand." "Maybe." Erica answered. "You're a solider of Karlesland..." "Don't start on one of your tangents now Barkhorn." I said cutting her off causing Chris to laugh. "Now that's what we fight for." I comment off handedly. "What?" Barkhorn asked. I just gestured to Chris's laughing form. "Oh." They both said.
Soon we had to leave. "Hey Chris." I said stopping in the doorway. "Get well soon, and don't eat it all at once." I then toss her a chocolate bar causing her to break into a wide grin. "What took you so long?" Barkhorn asked as I caught up with them. "Nothing you need to worry about." I say with a smile. "Best thing I spent five bucks on though." "And what would that be." Erica asked as we reached the car only to find a letter left on the hood. "So who left this?" Erica asked. "Don't know." I answer. "Ahh, no clue." Answered Barkhorn as she picked it up. "Let's see. Mina Dietlinde Wilcke." Erica read off the envelope. "Isn't that the commanders name?" I asked. "Yes, that's odd." Barkhorn said. "What is?" I asked. "Wouldn't they just deliver it to her via the postal service or in person instead." Barkhorn explained. "Yea that is strange. We'll have to ask commander about it after we get back." I say. "Lets go." Getting into the drivers seat I saw Barkhorn get in beside me and open the letter. "It could be from a lover. I suggest don't read it." I said. "Commander doesn't have a lover." She responded. "Plus it's to strange, wouldn't a lover use the post system." "Yea." I say as I pull out of our parking spot.
Driving down the road I finally ask. "What does it say?" "'Don't get involved, you know too much' what does that mean?" She asks no one. "It could be my investigation on my past? Probably not but still it's a possibility." I answer. "Maybe it's meant for someone else with the same name?" Hartmann said. "That's absurd Hartmann, there's no way it could be that." Barkhorn shoots it down. "Barkhorns right Erica, it's not possible, what do we do? What do we do?" I ponder. "We ask commander about it." Barkhorn states. "Alright." Erica and I agree. "Until we get back to base enjoy the ride." I say while tuning into a Voyageur folk song station. 'V'la l'bon vent' came on.
"I apologize but I opened it to see what was inside. 'Don't get involved. You know too much.' What does that mean?" Barkhorn asked Commander. "Very intriguing." Hartmann said. "Minna has nothing to hide. Right, Commander?" Major said. "Oh, I'm sorry. That's right. No secrets. We've simply been investigating the Neuroi further." Commander said. "So what does this note have to do with that?" Barkhorn asked. "Any idea who might have sent it to you?" Hartmann asked. "Too many of them to keep track of." Major answered. "I agree Major but there are a few I could guess at." I said. "It's true. There are many in the military who voice their opposition to us. I'm sure they'd love to see the Witches disbanded." Commander explained. "But I can take a guess as to who would send such a foolish warning. There's one reason he did. He must have gotten his hands on something big. I don't know what. We're close to it or he wouldn't be scared." Major spoke. "Who is he?" Barkhorn asked. "Trevor Maloney. He's a general in the air force." Commander and I said both with extreme distaste at the name. "That fucker has balls though, I'll admit that." I continue receiving a few strange looks from everyone else. "It's a saying, means he has the gall to do something." I explain. "For now you're all dismissed." Commander ordered.
I walked off to the hanger to smoke and check that my striker hasn't been messed with. Arriving I lit one up and looked around for anyone that could disturbe me. "No one, just how I like it." I mutter. Walking over to my striker I hear the alarm go off. "Shit." I say as I kick off my shoes and socks before jumping into my striker. "One unit. Sector 23. East grid. On the direct course for London." Commander Said over the radio. "Commander ready to launch." I respond. "Alright go." She says. "Commander, this is Perrine. Miyafuji and I are up training. We're closest to that location. We will intercept!" I heard Perrine over the radio. "Training now? I never authorized extra training. Your orders are to maintain your current position. Understood?" Commander said. "Yes, ma'am." I heard Perrine answer.
"Alright where is this bogey." I say outloud scanning the skies for it. "Come out, come out wherever you are little Neuroi, I just want to pump you full of lead." "Where is it? I should be getting close by now. Found it!" I heard Yoshika say. "It's so small. But it has to be a Neuroi. I should be able to take this one down by myself. The safety's still on! Got it! What's going on? It looks like a human." Just then I spot her flying near a human shaped Neuroi. "Fuck. YOSHIKA GET OUT OF THERE! FLY AWAY!" I shout out to her before diving on the Neuroi only to stop halfway because I saw I flying around Yoshika like a witch. "The fuck is it doing." I say outloud watching it and Yoshika fly straight until it spotted me. "Fuck." I mutter as I flies up towards me. Leveling my Vickers at it I realize that I couldn't shoot it. "Why now of all times." I say as my fingers stop moving and my fear starts to rise. "Stop fucking with me basterd." I say only for Yoshika to fly up beside me and say. "It appears to be trying to communicate." "I don't care we should just kill it." I respond only for it to place it's hand on my forehead, the sudden rush of memories, the times I spent typing on a computer for classes, my first nose bleed, my whole life flashed before my eyes. Letting the sling take care of the Vickers in my right hand I placed my hand on my forehead. Trying to stop the pain from the sudden rush of memories. "Stefan! You alright?" Yoshika asked as I had backed away from the Neuroi. "I'm fine. No I'm more than fine." I say with a big grin plastered on my face. "My memories, most have returned." "That's amazing." "Yes it is Yosh, Yes it is."
"The other Neuroi started imitating Sanya singing. Could they be trying to be like us? What if... what if they're trying to communicate with us?" Yoshika theroized. "So, um... it's nice to meet you. I mean, what's your name? Wait. Do Neuroi have names? You're pretty different from the other Neuroi, huh?" Yoshika asked the Neuroi. "Yosh the only way that we can communicate is by hand signals or something like that. It's unlikely we could ever understand each other's language." I state.
"Are you trying to play game with me? Hey! Wait up! C'mon! You're too quick for me. I'm laughing. I'm laughing with the Neuroi.Hey! I just don't understand. You don't act like you could be our enemy." Yoshika said. "Yosh stop following it. It could still be dangerous." I said while following Yoshika. "What do you think you're doing, Miyafuji?" I heard Major shout from behind me. Turning around I saw her. "Sakamoto!" I heard Yoshika shout back. "Shoot that thing! Shoot it, Miyafuji!" She shouted back. I quickly pointed my guns at it but couldn't bring myself to shoot. "Sakamoto! You don't understand!" Yoshika shouted back blocking my shot. Thank you Yosh. "What are you waiting for? Just shoot it!" Major shouted back. "No, please wait!" Yoshika shouted back. "Don't be fooled! It's just mimicking you!" Major again shouted. "No, it's not! Please just wait!" Yoshika responded. "Then I'll do it!" Major said as she raised her gun only for a laser to be fired at her. "Damn you!" She said as she put up her shield. Only for it to pass right through. "Major!" Perrine shouted before diving for her. "Sakamoto! Sakamoto!" Yoshika shouted before doing the same. "Major!" Perrine said as she caught her. "What was that? What just happened?" I heard Commander say but I was to busy chasing the Neuroi to respond. "Sakamoto was shot by the Neuroi!" I heard Yoshika respond. "She put up her shield but she's hurt pretty badly!" I heard Backhorn say which had surprised me as I hadn't seen her. "Listen to me, Lieutenant. You will pursue the Neuroi!" Commander said. "But the major needs attention!" Barkhorn argued. "Pursue right now!" Commander shouted. "Understood..." Barkhorn said reluctantly. "Ignore that order Barkhorn I'm on the fuckers tail. Deal with the Major." I say. "Mio..." commander muttered over the radio. "Major, please be okay..." Perrine said. "Please open your eyes. Can you hear me? Sakamoto, please, answer. Sakamoto!" Yoshika said trying to wake the Major.