Chapter 8
"Sir message from command." A young private said while he ran up to me. "Hand it over." I responded holding out my hand. "It's a radio message sir." He said. "Alright lead the way." I answered before turning away from the jungle outside of the base. The base was situated in the middle of the Burmese jungle somewhere near the Indian border. It was a witch base though most of the witches were either brand new or veterans ready to retire. Myself being the oldest at 19. My shoot down count had risen greatly from a mere three to 337 kills. The massive waves of Neuroi were the reason for that. They were tough for anyone new but easy for the veterans, like myself and the commander, Mohinder Singh Pujji an ace pilot at that. He wasn't a witch but he was an excellent ace. He hailed from India fought as a pilot during the battle of Britannia and in Africa before being moved here and placed in charge of this base, a mix between witches, airmen and infantry. "Hey Morrison." I solider called out from one of the chess tables. "Care for a match?" "Sorry I have some work to do. Maybe later." I called back.
Shrugging off the rain coat I was wearing I looked around the room. Edwards, a Britannia pilot was standing guard at the door and then Elliot was over by the radioman William. The three were good people, strong yet kind. I enjoyed my time with them. William always had some sort of news to tell And was usually cheerful. Elliot was similar just less cheerful and more anti-social and finally Edwards the man was a legend on base he was alsmost as strong as me and if rumours were true he had destroyed an entire squadron of Neuroi single handily, though I thought it was played up. "William, what's wrong?" I ask. "Well squadron leader. It's not good, Gallian command is sending out radio messages to anyone who'll listen and it's not good news either. Apparently Venezia has fallen aswell as some of Romagna with extreme losses in their witch squadrons. They're asking for reinforcements mostly aswell as any help in manpower that can be provided." He explaines while handing me the head set. "Listen." "All allied commanding posts. The Neuroi that emerged in Venezian airspace yesterday is considerably stronger than the previous ones. Venezia fell the same day. In response, the Romagna-based 504th joint allied wing engaged the enemy and suffered massive casualties. They are no longer combat-capable." I heard them broadcast. "This is squadron leader Morrison with the farawayland and Britannian Air Force stationed in Burma, requesting sit-rep." I answer. "This is Gallian military command post." My eyes widen at the voice. "No, today can't be that day." I mutter to quiet for anyone else to hear. "Britannia Air Force Master Sargent Lynette Bishop, responding." "Lynne it's me. I'll be there in a few weeks. Try to hold on. Fight tooth and nail, we can't lose Romagna, if we do the war is practally lost, we'll be pushed back into the sea." I answer. "Morrison? Is that really you?" I heard Lynne ask. "No time Lynne I'm on my way." I answer before turning to Edwards. "Edwards go tell command that I'm going." I tell him. "Yes sir!" He snaps off a salute before going off. "Lynne." I turn back to the head set. "Continue with your transmission." "I don't know the details. We have requested reinforcements, but we don't have enough witches to mount a proper defense!" She says while my eyes open. "Impossible, even if we are low on witches we should still be able to defend Romagna." I mutter. "Also... we..." her transmission starts to break. "William, fix it now." I shout over to him. "I'm trying, I'm trying." "Elliot, prepare my strikers I'm flying tonight." I state. "But sir you are under command of Mohinder Pujji." She protests. "Actually I'm a freelancer that they hired basically. The Farawayland Air Force told me to head to any area in need of witches. And this place was very in need when I got here and now Romagna is in need and I'm leaving." I explain. "Sir we can't get in contact with Gallian command." William cut in. "Damn it all to hell!" I shout as I slam the headset down and run out. "Fuck it I'm going now!"
Reaching my tent I quickly pack up and strap everything on. Grabbing my Lee Enfield from the center pole I race out with it strapped onto my back. I race past a group of soldiers and around a bend in the path. I reach the door of the hanger sliding to a stop. "Elliot you better have my shit ready!" I shout as I race up to my striker to find Mohinder standing there with a file in his hand. "Seems like you anticipated the command Morrison." He jokingly said. "I don't have time corn bullshit Mohinder, just hand me the damn files." I say holding out my hand. "Here he answers while placing the file in my hand. "Read it while you fly Morrison, I don't want you slacking off." He calls after me. "Yea, yea." I call back. "And shave sometime before you reach Romagna." He calls out still joking.
I zoom down the runway. "Kick start, fighter launch, throttles at the full. Speed king, race to win, afterburners roaring, ghost like counterstrike, take 'em by surprise. Score 307 Isrealies rule the heavens." I sing while launching. Once I was in level flight I cracked open the folder and read through all the info. "Lets see join up with the Fuso witches flying out to help in the defense and find a wing to fight with. No wing man needed but advized for. Blah, blah, blah. Useless info, and more of that." I mutter as I fly throught the air.
One week later and I've almost joined up with the two witches. I continued to chew on my beef jerky for something to put in my stomach. "All troops in the area. This is the Venezian 1st battle fleet. We are currently engaging a Neuroi. Requesting backup immediately. Present coordinates..." suddenly crackled over the radio. "Aw fuck." I mutter while thumbing the safety on my Vickers. "Let's get ready to rumble!" I call out as I turn towards the coordinates. Kicking it up to gear I zoom towards coordinates. Looking towards the coordinates I watch as Neuroi shards fall towards the sea. "Well that's a waste." I mutter. "Wait! What!" I shout as I watch the pieces slowly come back together and form anew. "Haha!" I cheer. "Now for a real fight! Neuroi form engage!" I then feel the familiar feeling of my skin crawling and my vision tints red. The Vickers soon take the form of Neuroi lasers in their shape. "Lets go." I say as I get closer and closer. I watch as Shirley and Lucchini arrive followed by Lynne and Perrine and then Sanya and Eila arrive shortly afterwards, finally the three Karlesland girls arrive. I watch as they roll in and attack it. "Heh. No way all they're missing is me." I comment before rolling in and smashing my way through the Neuroi. "Wha..?" I heard Barkhorn say as she pulled off her attack run. "Looked like you girls could use a hand. Mind if I join." I comment as I pull back above the Neuroi. Aiming my new lasers at it I let loose a torrent of laser shots. It breaks into the clouds after a few connect with it. "Come on, number 338." I say as I follow closely behind with Sanya and Eila closing in on me. Sighting the Neuroi I watch as it breaks from the clouds and Sanya fires a salvo at it while I use the rockets as cover to advance. Then Erica uses her magic and carves a hole in its center where I fly throught after her shooting up the inside. Before joining Barkhorn in pumping it full of lead. "I love doing this." I comment as I fly around her. "Take this!" She shouts as she flips her guns around and smashes them into the Neuroi. I notice the core and notice the Major heading for the core. "I fly in with her dodging every attack and fire it back. I step side the giant laser as the Major passes me and halves the beam carrying her to the core. "There goes number 338." I shrug as the form deactivates to reveal me, floating for a couple seconds before the engines sputter. "Come on ol'chap stay together please." I say as the sputtering stops and so does one engine. "I'm gonna have to fix that." Looking around I notice everyone's looking at me. Suddenly Yoshika jumps at me and I try dodging but my other engine quits. "Ah fuck!" I shout as I start to plummet towards the ground only for Yoshika and Lynne to catch me. "Why are you here?" Barkhorn questions me. "Orders are orders Captain, and address the rank please." I say motioning to the insignia on my shoulders. I crack a cocky smile until a smack lands on my face. "Ow! What the hell Barkhorn! What was that for?" I question. "That was for leaving early." She said before she gives me a quick hug. "And that for returning in one piece." "I guess I deserved that. Anyway how's Chris?" I ask. "She's fine. Just wondering when you'll write." She answers before I give a small laugh. "Oh and you look like a young Santa, might want to shave sometime." She continues. "Oh and get rid of my glorious bush bread, Never!" I state.
I soon found myself on a rundown base that was going to be ours form now on. "I will now read your official orders from SCAP. Now that the members of the old 501st have returned, you are to intercept and destroy the new Neuroi which have invaded Romagna via the Adriatic Sea. We will be sending you the materials and items you need. But for now negotiate with the local commanders for them." Commander says before the Major looks over her shoulder and laughs. "Good job getting those orders." "Major General Galland signed the letter herself." Commander answered. "More like she was forced to sign it." Erica and myself comment at the exact same time. "Where's your respect, Hartmann, Morrison? Whatever you think about it, an order is an order." Barkhorn explains. "Whatever." We say together and smirk as Barkhorn gets annoyed. "Hey, Lynne, what does this mean?" Yoshika asks. "Um..." Lynne answers. "It means the 501st is officially reformed." I answer. "I am lieutenant Colonel Minna Wilcke. Below me are: Major Sakamoto Mio. Squadron leader Stefan Morrison. Captain Gertrud Barkhorn. Captain Charlotte Yeager. First Lieutenant Erica Hartmann. First Lieutenant Sanya Litvyak. First Lieutenant Perrine Clostermann. First Lieutenant Eila Ilmatar Juutilainen. Ensign Francesca Lucchini. Master Sargent Lynette Bishop. Sargent Miyafuji Yoshika. Here today we reform the 501st joint fighter wing, the strike witches!" "Roger!" We all answer unanimously.
"Commander, we should settle with who's sleeping with who." Major says. "You're right. I'll bunk with Erica, Miyafuji you with Lynne, Major with Perrine, Eila with Sanya, Shirley with Lucchini... now who does that leave us with." Commander responds. "Alright I'll go dig a fox hole." I volunteer. "No we can put you with Barkhorn." Commander shots me down. I glance over to Barkhorn to see how she's doing, her face has gone tomato red. "Hey Barkhorn you feeling alright? You look a bit red in the face." I ask. "NoI'mfine." She says so fast I have a hard time figuring out what she said. "Alright suit yourself." I say as I walk off to grab my stuff.
As I reach the door I stop and knock before asking. "Barkhorn may I come in?" "Yea, it's your room aswell." She states. "No I mean are you decent." I respond. "Oh" she says before pausing. "Now I am." She calls out. "Alright I'm coming in." I state as I slowly open the door. Looking around the room I notice a line of black tape and Barkhorn in bed. "That side of the line is yours." She says pointing to my right hand side. "Alright, good night and sweet dreams Barkhorn." I say as I undress down to my under garments and slip into bed placing my pistol underneath the pillow. "Yea you two." She responds rolling over to look away from me while I do the same.
The next morning I wake to find that. Arkhorn has already left, most likely to help Commander wake up Erica. "I'll swing by and see what's up." I mutter while getting dressed. I was in the middle pulling on my pants when Barkhorn came in. "Ah." She calls out as she covers her eyes, thought I could tell she was peaking. "Knock next time Barkhorn. You have to remember that you aren't sleeping alone anymore." I tell her. "Right, Minna wants to speak to you in the control room." She says before backing out. "Yea, yea. I'll speak to her. Now what's for breakfast?" I ask. "I don't know." She responds. "I'll see what I can whip up." I say as I walk out fully dressed. "Tell Commander that if she wants to speak to me she can do so in the kitchen." "Right." Barkhorn says before heading off.
In the kitchen I was looking through the cupboards to find something when Commander walks in and asks. "Morrison have you been training while you were away from the Strike Witches?" "No but I've been racking up kills. Currently it's at 337 confirmed kills." I respond. "Okay so you could help Mio with training later today?" She asks. "No, I have other stuff I have to do first, such as fix my Strikers and take a test flight." I respond. "And what if I order you to?" She asks. "I would ask if you are stupid." I respond bluntly. "Because if you think retraining three witches should take presedence over marking sure you have a flying ace actually flying while someone else who is completely capable of training them is already going to train them." "Oh I see. You feel like you need to prove yourself to the rest of the team." She states. "No, I told Barkhorn when I left that I probably wouldn't survive till next year. But now, I'm standing here still alive and kicking." I respond as I search and find some food to serve. "Hope you don't mind hash browns, Commander." "I don't mind them." She answers. "Good cause that's all we got, good old potatoes." I respond.
After breakfast I started to fix my strikers while Lynne Yoshika and Perrine all ran up and down the runway. "They're painfully out of shape." Commanded comments. "Told ya so!" I shout from inside the hanger. "Those three have been inactive since the Battle of Britannia. It's been over six months since they've seen active duty." Major comments on how poorly they are doing. I turn back to my work and continue to modify my striker. "And those three had nothing but issues during morning flight training, too." Barkhorn's voice suddenly broke in. "Here's the problem." I mutter as I find what caused them to quit on me. "GOD DAMN THOSE GEESE!" I shout as I pull feathers from the air cooling system.
After checking and double checking my strikers I get ready to take a quick test flight. "Hey Barkhorn!" I fall as I knock on the door. "Could you spot for me as I take a test flight?" I ask only to hear a childish laugh and a excited call of "Morrison!" "Huh." I deadpan as the door opens to reveal Chris and Barkhorn. "Hey Chris..." I say kinda nervous. "Morrison can you take me flying!? Can you?" She asked repeatedly until Barkhorn said. "Alright as long as I can come along." "Alright, then you'll spot us as I do a quick test flight." I respond while picking Chris up and balancing her on my shoulders. "Yay!" She called out. "Alright calm down babushka." I say as I walk down the hallway.
Arriving in the hanger I quickly place Chris down and say. "Alright, be careful Chris, I'll come pick you up from here but don't move from here unless Barkhorn or I tell you to. Got it." She mods and I jump into my striker while Barkhorn does the same. "Alright Chris I'm coming to pick you up." I say as I roll over to her. "There ya go." I say as I hold her to my chest. "Your beards itchy." She said. "Sorry if it hurts I still haven't shaved my bush beard." I apologize before turning to Barkhorn. "Say wanna race?" I ask her. "Why not." She answers with a shrug. "Alright. Lift off." I say as I travel down the runway and take off with Barkhorn keeping up so far. "Chris, wanna go faster?" I ask Chris. "Yeah, faster." She cries. "Alright hold tight." I say as I pick up speed. "Keep up Barkhorn!" I call back to Barkhorn. Still picking up speed I listen as Chris seems happy until my aura sense picks something up. "What is it Morrison?" Barkhorn asks as she catches up to us. "I don't know but I'm picking something up with my aura sense." I say closing my eyes. "Is it the Neuroi?" She asks. "Nope, it's taste our dust!" I call as I suddenly speed off. Chris is laughing in my arms as I fly away. "Not funny Morrison!" Barkhorn calls after me. "I beg to differ." I shout back as I pull a 180 and end up rushing towards Barkhorn. "Heh. That was fun right Chris." I ask. "Yeah it was." She answers as her sister pulls up. "That wasn't funny Morrison. You had me worried." Barkhorn says. "You need to relax. No need to be so strict." I answer her. "Anyway we should return. I've got some work to do."
Arriving back I place Chris down before helping Barkhorn out of her striker. "Have fun. Oh and Chris," I say as I dig through a breast pocket. "Here." I hand her another chocolate bar and a postal code for her to reach me. "Write when you can and I'll write back." I respond. "Okay." She says as she runs after her sister. "Now off to take a nap." I say as I walk off towards the lounge. Laying down I prop my feet up on the arm rest. I doze off only to awake with Barkhorn standing over me with a smile on her face, one that someone would make when they saw something cute. Looking down at my chest I see that Chris had chosen to take a nap on my chest. "Now that's cute." I comment breaking Barkhorn out of her trance, the only thing preventing her from waking Chris was the shush sign I made. "Let her rest. She's had a lot of excitement today." I whisper.
A few hours later Chris woke up. "Morning sleepy head." I whisper to her before pointing at her sister who had fallen asleep on the couch across for us. "Watch and learn on how to prank your sister." I whisper before sneaking over to Barkhorns head. I was situated so that I could bring both hands down on her shoulders. Doing so quickly and shouting. "Get up!" Startled her so much she rolled off the couch. Chris and I were rolling around on the floor laughing when Barkhorn realized what happened. "Morrison, why did you do that." She said angrily. "Because it was to good of an oppertunity to pass up." I manage to wheeze out before Barkhorn says "I'll get you back for this." "I'd like to see you try." I respond.
A short while later Chris had to leave so Barkhorn and I waved her off before Barkhorn grabbed the back of my collar as we passed the washrooms and dragged me inside. "Now its time to tame that beard." She said as she held a razor. "No. Please. Anything but the beard, anything but the beard." I begged. "No." She said as she with extreme precision she shaved my beard. "Noooo!" I cried as she finally let me go with a clean shaven face and a few nicks.
That night I got her back by putting itching powder in her clothes.