Chapter 9
The hum of Shirley's Merlin engine and my Allison engine filled the hanger. Both of us were in our undergarments as the heat in hanger was unbearable I was holding ice packs under my armpits trying to keep cool. They didn't work well... "All right, my Merlin engine is in top shape again today." Shirley said happily. "My Allison engine is doing well." I say. "Captain Charlotte Yeager!" I heard Barkhorn say form across the hanger. Looking up I watch as she walks towards us while trying to scratch everything. I snicker at this aswell as Shirley. "What the hell are you doing dressed like that?" Barkhorn asked as she stood infront of Shirley. "Uh... I'm just testing the engine." Shirley responds. "That's not my point! And Morrison you too!" She says somewhat startled by me being there. "Morning, engine testing. Now if you excuse us..." I say before she cuts me off. "Right now, we're on standby for battle. What would you do if a Neuroi showed up?" "But it gets so hot inside the hanger when we rev the engine... See! She's stripped down, too." Shirley said directing attention to Lucchini who was laying on her countries flag up in the rafters. "Sheesh! You three are just terrible." Barkhorn states. A small smirk appears on my face as I know what comes next. "Oh? So people from Karlesland are sticklers for the rules, are they? Then what's your excuse, Hartmann?" Shirley sarcastically states. "True, please enlighten us with your reasoning Erica." I join in. "It's a billion degrees in here." She responds. Surprise was written all over Barkhorns face. "H-Hartmann! You, too? And you call yourself a Karlesland soldier?!" Barkhorn says looking Erica up and down. "She's gonna blow a casket." I quietly say to Shirley causing her to snicker. "Huh? Uh, yeah." Erica states as she stands there.
"Oh... So this is the new model from Karlesland." Major says while looking at a prototype jet striker. I was standing off to the side with a cold glass of whiskey. "More precisely, it's a prototype. Me 262 V1. It's a jet striker." Commander said. "Jet?" Erica asked. "First lieutenant Hartmann... Why are you dressed like that?" Commander asks. "Because it's so..." I started to explain before Barkhorn cut me off with. "Damn it, Hartmann! Put some clothes on!" Then she stopped beside Commander and took notice of the jet striker. "So who made it?" I ask as I walk over and glance at the paper. 'Ursula Hartmann' it read. "I ain't fucking touching that death trap!" I shout while pointing at the jet striker. "It's gonna do something bad I can tell that much by the name of the creator!" "What's that?" Barkhorn says mostly ignoring me. "Apparently a jet striker." Commander explains. "And a death trap at that. Let me open it up and take a look." I say as I approach only for Shirley to cut me off. "It arrived from Neue Karlesland this morning. It's many times more powerful than a reciprocating engine striker." Commander explained. "A listed top speed of 950km/h." "950? That's incredible!" Shirley finally said. "Not if you like the smell of burnt hair and smashing into everything at or bellow tree top level." I say. "This is the reciprocating engine Strikers eventual replacement." Commander continues. "Shirley, why are you dressed like that, too?" Major asks. "What's this?" Barkhorn asks looking at the 50 mm canon and four 30 mm canons. "Weapons specially developed for the jet striker. One 50 mm canon. Also, four 30 mm autocanons." Commander explained. "Incredible!" Barkhorn exclaimed. "Can it really fly, with all that equipped?" "Hey, hey! Let me try this on." Shirley said. "No. I'm gonna try it." Barkhorn shot her down. "Actually the pilot was requested so neither of you will get to try it." Commander said. "Who is it?!" Both of them asked. "It's Morrison." Commander answered. "Huh!?" They both reeled back in shock. "Yea I was a test pilot before joining the 501st, I worked on just about every new aircraft and striker after 1942. And I am not getting it that death trap before I get the chance to look inside!" I shout. "Why's that?" Shirley asked. "Because the designer is one who likes to send out strikers that have a tendon you to either explode, zap all your magic power or catch fire mid-flight." I explained as Lucchini jumped into it. I watched as all the hair on her cat tail stand up and she jumped out of the striker and ran to hide behind Shirley's. "Yeah, I think I'll pass on it." Shirley said after checking in on Lucchini. "What?" Barkhorn asked as I realized they had ignored me the entire time and had, had their own argument. "Thinking about it a bit, there's still lots I haven't done with reciprocating engines yet. There'll be plenty of time for jets later." Shirley explains. Barkhorn strikes a small victory pose with one hand on her hip and her head tilted downwards. "Cold feet, Huh? Then watch me. I'll wear it!" She states as she jumps in and throttling up. "Incredible." She mutters as it warms up. "And the count down begins. Let's see how many flights it takes before it breaks down." I comment. "Well? With your reciprocating engine, think you can beat this?" Barkhorn challenges Shirley. "Oh shit it's season two episode four. This is gonna be fun." I mutter quietly. "What did you say?" Shirley shoots back. "Hi, Everyone! We've been looking for you." Yoshika calls out breaking the tension in the air. "Breakfast is all ready." Lynne says. "Act your age already, will you. You're behaving like a kid who just got a new toy." Shirley hurls at Barkhorn. "Sour grapes? How pathetic." Barkhorn hurls back. "I just changed my mind. I'm fine with this one." Shirley states as she places her hand on her P-51 striker. "You Liberions love your lies of convenience." Barkhorn hurls at Shirley. "What?! You're a stubborn, military blockhead!" Shirley hurls back. "Ladies, ladies, you're both beautiful so kiss and make up." I say as I walk between them. "Stay out of this Morrison!" Was all I got in response.
After breakfast Barkhorn and Shirley went ahead in their competition of who could fly higher. "What on earth is going on?" Yoshika asks. "Barkhorn and Shirley are competing." Lynne explained. "Round one is who can go the highest! Good luck Shirley!" Lucchini called. "Hey let's better on this, I got ten on Barkhorn." I say only to be shot down by Perrine. "No gambling on base." "If only you knew of the gambling pools." I mutter. "What was that?" She asks. "Nothing." I quickly cover it up. "Shirley topped out at an elevation of 12,000 meters. Barkhorn is still going. Amazing..." Sanya said as she and Eila were flying around reporting to us on the situation.
"And that's why-" barkhorn started to say before Shirley cut her off with. "Aha-ha! I win!" As she snagged the potato Barkhorn was going for. "Bitter over losing earlier? That's pathetic Captain." Barkhorn said. "Ah, it's so good!" Shirley said rubbing it in. "Good luck next round Shirley." Lucchini said as she popped up. "Thanks! But you know I'm going to win." Shirley bragged. "Don't count your chickens before they hatch Shirley, and don't under estimate your enemy." I say.
Mad Shirley got reasy I was helping Barkhorn. "Don't exert yourself alright." I say. "Yeah don't worry about me. You sound like a mother hen." Barkhorn shot back getting kinda red in the face. Yea just win this, I got 200 bucks on the line. "Sorry to keep you waiting." Barkhorn said as she approached Shirley carrying everything that was issued for the jet striker. "A-Are you okay with all that, Barkhorn?" Yoshika asked. "This is nothing." She states in return. "Hey... There's no way you can fly with all that." Shirley states only to be proven wrong in the game.
During dinner I sat beside Barkhorn as she was starting to look alittle exhausted. "Barkhorn, you're exhausted, call of the next match on health terms please. I don't want you dropping dead from exhaustion on me." I say trying to convince her to sleep. "Um, aren't you tired Barkhorn?" Yoshika asked as she came over to deliver our food. "Thanks Yosh, I'll take it from here." I say as I take both mine and Barkhorns before setting mine down and sitting beside Barkhorn. "Come on atlest eat." I beg her. "You need some sort of energy to replace the amount you lost using the jet striker." "I don't need your help Morrison." She answers. "Fine, then. Just eat something and I'll stop bugging you." I respond handing her, her tray before fetching my own and digging in.
That night I had to carry Barkhorn back to our room as she had fallen asleep. "Who knew she weighed so much." I huffed as I shifted her to one arm as to open the door. "There." I say as I lay her down and tuck her in. "Damn, I really have become an alcoholic." I mutter as I pour myself a glass of whiskey and downing it before stripping down and slipping into bed.
I watched the ground as Lucchini waved the flag and Shirley took off, Barkhorn stayed still for a few seconds before she took off sending Lucchini flying. I watched as Barkhorn climbed and then stalled and started to fly straight for the hanger. "Oh shit." I muttered. Running out into the runway I braced myself for inpact and waited for five seconds then WHAM! I was struck by Barkhorn who wasn't slowing down. You see I was still suck on the front so I reached down for the emergency realise handle and yanked it as my head struck the tail fin of my striker. Then all went black.
I wake up to find everyone crowding around Barkhorn. "You crashed into Morrison, trude." I heard Erica say before all went black again as I drifted between consciousness and unconsciousness. Some times I would wake and see the back of someone's head for a split second other times I would see no one. "You're lucky to be alive." Someone said. 'Who's there. Who are you?' I question in my head. "Well I'm the Neuroi core inside your body, or did you forget about me." it said. 'Do you have a name? Something I can call you by maybe?' I ask it as I had nothing else to do. "No, but you could call me what ever you want." it responded. 'Alright how about Jarvis. Cause you are effectively a voice in my head.' I answer. "Whatever floats your boat human." Jarvis answers. 'You could at least call me Stefan.' I answer. "Fine. But it's time for us to awake now. I'll contact you next time you call." Jarvis said before I awoke to something strange.
"Uh Damn my head hurts like a bitch." I say as I come to. Placing my hand on my forehead as I notice Barkhorn is by my bedside. "Think you could lend me a smoke?" I ask. "You now what Minna thinks about your smoking habit." She answers but still gives me, my pack. "Thanks." I say as I light one up. "So what's new." I ask. "I've been restricted from flying, and confined to my room. Though I am allowed to visit you." She says. "And the jet striker?" I ask. "It's been disallowed until someone can fix it." She said. "Alright I'll grab my tool box. AAHH!" I cry out as I try sitting up. "Don't try moving, Yoshika did her best but we don't know how well that worked." She said while trying to help me back down. "No, I'm going to fix that striker, now help me up." I said brushing her hands away. "Okay." She said undecided on weighed to help or not. "Thank you." I answer while getting out of bed and shrugging on my tunic and overcoat. "Lets go." I say as I go to take a step only to stumble. "Here lean on me." She said as she moves my arm over her shoulders. "Again Thank you barkhorn." I say as we make our way out of the medical room.
As we were making our way along the hallway Commander came around a corner and surprised us. "Ah, Morrison, I was just coming down to check on you. How was your sleep?" She asked. "Painful." I respond. "Well I'm going to have to confine you to bed due to your injuries. Of course Barkhorn will be in charge of taking care of you while you're hurt." She said effectively saying 'get to your room or I'll do worse.' "Yes ma'am." We both said with a salute. "Dismissed." She said as she walked away. "Barkhorn." I whisper to her. "Yes?" She asks. "We should get to our room." I answer. "Yea I thought so to." She said as we made our way to our shared room.
Upon entering I noticed something odd. My whiskey which sat on a night stand beside my bed was missing. "Hey Barkhorn, where did my booze go?" I ask while pointing towards my night stand. "Oh Minna said that she didn't want you drinking while you were recovering so she took it somewhere." Barkhorn answered while helping me sit on the bed. "And she also said she didn't want you smoking so hand over the pack of cigarettes I gave you." "WHAT! Come on, how else am I supposed to sleep well. It's not like you forget the brutality of war overnight!" I cried out while falling backwards onto my bed for dramatic effect. "Well you'll just have to deal with it." Barkhorn responded to my antics. "Besides it'll be good for you." "No, it won't." I say defeated. "Why did she have to take my booze. I operate on that stuff." "Complaining won't get it back." Barkhorn stated. "Yea I know." I say as I glance out the window. "It's getting kinda late, we should probably get some sleep." "Yea, we should." Barkhorn said while looking out our shared window.
*pant* *pant* "here's the ammo you asked for sir." John said as he ran up to me ducking underneath a laser being shot at him. "Thanks." I respond as I pop out and fire back. The sounds of gun fire and laser shots ring out in the air. "Damn that's the fifth time tonight they've assaulted us only to be repulsed." I comment as we slide back down into our foxhole. "Yea that's rig-" he suddenly stopped. Looking over I saw that a stray beam had halved his head. *whomp* the sound of a artillery shell landing caught my attention. Looking over I see a Neuroi shell stuck in the earth. "Oh shit..." I trail off as I blows up in my face. I could hear the screams of others as they dealt with the shells aswell. The screams, the terrible screams, they will haunt me forever.
"MORRISON WAKE UP!" Woke me up before I realized I had been thrashing around and screaming bloody murder. The whole squadron except Sanya was in the room. "What happened?" Commander asked. She was wearing some sort of house coat. "PTSD or better know as post traumatic stress disorder. It's caused by traumatic experiences in someone's life and most often times they are forced to relive them in there dreams. I used my whiskey to prevent this from happening and as a sort of comfort from home." I explain. "It's nothing magic can fix or anything else for that matter. It stays with the person for the rest of their lives, you girls are lucky as you never seen the combat on the ground. The screams of a man as he lies dying, or the smell of burning flesh, the sickening sound of a Neuroi blade slashing through human flesh. You'll never understand those horrors, only those that see it first hand know how it feels." I place a hand on my face and a tear rolls down the side of my face at the memories. "War is hell on earth, no matter the time."
The next morning Barkhorn was going through an exercise routine while I was stuck in bed. "U-Um, Barkhorn..." Yoshika said as she and Lynne wheeled in a food cart. "What are you doing?" Lynne asked. "I'm training. I didn't crash because of... the jet striker... it was because I wasn't... strong enough..." Barkhorn answered. "Huh? You still plan to use it?" Yoshika asked. "Of course. If I can master it, I can turn the whole tide of this war." Barkhorn answered. "It's impossible. Give up on it." Shirley said as she leaned against the door frame. "Shirley!" Yoshika said in surprise. "Did you come to laugh at me, liberion?" Barkhorn asked. "Please don't rile her up Shirley, she'd take it out on me." I begged from my position in bed. "Crashing because I ran out of magic... you'd think I was a private." Barkhorn said ignoring my plead. "Listen to the Commander. That striker is way too dangerous. Next time you won't just lose the ability to fly." Shirley explained. "I know you understand the military applications of the jet striker. It's worth the risk." Barkhorn shot back. "So you don't care if you die?" Shirley snapped. Yoshika and Lynne were surprised by this outburst while I on the other hand accepted that Barkhorn was doing something stupid. "I must become stronger." Barkhorn shot back. "You fool!" Shirley shouted. Before the alarm went off. "Ugh." I grunted as I tried to roll out of bed only for it to not end well on my part. Now I was half in the bad and half out of bed. "Little help here." I said while trying to draw attention to my struggle. "I'm going on ahead." Hartmann said as she ran past our room with Shirley running out to join her shortly afterwards. "Shirley, wait!" Yoshika called as she and Lynne ran after her. "Yoshika! We were ordered to stay in here, on standby." Lynne called after her friend.
After they left Barkhorn finally dropped down from the ceiling. "An opening!" Erica surprised us as she place a radio in each of our ears. "You forgot something!" She said as she ran out the door. "Yea like maybe, oh I don't know ME!" I shouted from my spot on the floor. "A transponder?" Barkhorn questioned as I flailed around on the floor before giving up and rolling the rest of the way out. "Ah, Fuck!" I cried out as my lower back slammed into the stone floor.
"It's heading due south, towards Rome. However, it's continuing to accelerate. I'm altering the rendezvous spot. Head close to..." Commander said only for Major to cut her off. "Unnecessary. We've got visual." A smile grew as I knew that Neuroi wouldn't last even if I wasn't able to see it from base I could hear all of their conversations. "It split apart?" Commander questioned as I started to move to lean against the window. "So, it plans to overwhelm us with numbers." Major commented. "Five on five... looks like a perfect match to me." Erica said. "Everyone spread out and destroy your targets." Major ordered. "Do not let them past us!" "Roger!" Was the unimous response. A series of machine gunfire and canon fire was heard shortly afterwards. "You ain't getting away!" I heard Shirley shout over the radio followed by what sounded like a shout of surprise. "Oh, you wanna do this? Prepare to be destroyed!" Then the sound of her BAR chattering away could be heard. "Seems like she's got her hands full I comment. "Damn it..." was heard over the radio while Barkhorn remained unresponsive. "Earth to captain Barkhorn, I repeat this is earth to captain Barkhorn, you there, over?" I ask as I flick the side of her head only for her to do nothing. "Oh shit it's this episode isn't it." I mutter quietly. "This is Sakamoto. Shirley's got her hands full, but we can't spare anyone to help. We need emergency backup!" Suddenly broke over the coms. "Roger that." Commander responded. Glancing over to Barkhorn I see she is just about to go, reaching out I grab her arm. "Remember, you've been given a no fly order." I say trying in vain to keep her here peacefully. "I have to help, and the jet striker will get me there faster." She responds without even looking at me. "Follow your orders Barkhorn." I state while trying to use my size to intimidate her, it doesn't help one bit. She whips around and tries to throw my grip off but I just switch arms and pull her in close as so she can't punch me. "Barkhorn I'm not, under any circomstances letting you out of this room." I say only for her to respond. "You won't have to." Before she sacks me. A reinforced kick to the balls, the fact that I wasn't expecting it helped her and the magic she used helped a whole lot aswell, I stood there for a second in shock before my legs gave out and my hands immediately went to cover my tea bags. I dropped like a sack of potatoes the hit didn't knock me out but the fall to the floor did. "Cheap shot." I managed to wheeze out before I hit the ground.
I was now given crutches for my injuries and was finally allowed to move around after I was found and regained consciousness. "I knew it was a death trap!" I shout at barkhorn while she peeled potatoes. "But did you fucking listen to me, I'm the guy that worked under her for a year and tested every Karlesland jet striker and yet no one listened to me not even you! You were all to hopeful, welcome to war where Hope is almost completely useless just like blind faith!" "Go easy on her." I heard Shirley say. I give off a huff and simply state. "Any striker coming into this base has to be tested by me alone as that's safer." "Everyone, sorry for this whole ordeal." I heard a familiar voice say. "Hartmann what did I tell you about dabbling in jet engines, send your notes to me first and make sensible decisions." I told her as everyone looked on. "I almost fucking died by your hands again, I feel like you're trying to kill me you crazy bitch." I said as I made smack her over the back of the head. "Hey guys! Are you hungry?" Lynne called as she and Yoshika pushed a trolley into the hanger. "A big shipment of potatoes came in, so we made a bunch of food." Yoshika said. "Try it, Hartmann." She then offered Ursula a packet of fries. "You didn't bring cheese curds or gravy did you?" I ask her as she accepts Yoshika's offering. "No, I didn't, and I don't know how you stand the stuff." She answered. "Hey poutine is amazing! Don't call it bad!" I shouted as Yoshika asked. "Huh? Did you always wear glasses?" "Yes, I always have." Ursula responded as Erica popped up behind Yoshika surprising her by leaning against her and exclaiming. "Wow, it looks delicious!" "Oh, you try some too, Hartmann #2" Yoshika said while turning around causing me to snicker at the fact that the Hartmann twin's were in the same room and no one but Commander and myself could tell them apart. "Huh?!" Yoshika suddenly realized that there were two Hartmann's as did everyone else. "It's been a while, sister." Ursula said. "Oh, is that you, Ursula?" Erica responded. "I can see the family resemblance." I commented. "Sister?!" Everyone exclaimed. "This is First lieutenant Ursula Hartmann. She's first lieutenant Erica Hartmann's twin sister." Commander explained. "Twin sister?" Everyone exclaimed. "Okay stop, just stop, please." I beg. "She's one of the staff members on the jet striker project." Commander continued. "Say Ursula who's the poor sole you managed to trick into being your test pilot now?" I ask her. "Well after you left we don't have any test pilots." She explained. "Wait. Wha!" My mouth dropped at this. "You are one crazy son of a bigch Ursula! Do you even care if we win this war!" I shouted at her. "I'm not the only crazy one here! You jumped infront of a jet going just under the speed of sound!" She shouted back. "Yea! After you failed yet again in your attempt to have a jet striker!" I shouted back. To any on looker we looked like a squabling couple. "Ursula you need to double check you math! You are not always right!" "I don't need to listen to you! You are the one who destroys every prototype I have made!" "Both of you stop!" Barkhorn snapped at us. "Barkhorn stay out of this. We all know that you're stubborn so please don't no make things worse for yourself." I say before Ursula whacks me with a file she had been holding. "Don't be you Daren try to drag her into this." Ursula states. "I'm trying to keep her out of this." I shot back. "Fine she says before turning away from me. "*cough*stubbornbitch*cough*" I say. "Captain Barkhorn, I sincerely apologize for the trouble you experienced, especially at the hands of my former test pilot. It appears the jet striker possessed a fatal flaw." Ursula states. "Well, prototypes and problems go hand in hand. And Morrison hasn't been much trouble, more of a nuisance." Barkhorn answers. "And I must apologize to you for breaking it." "It's okay. All that matters is that you're safe. I will take it back to Karlesland" Ursula said. "You came all the way here tic do that?" Shirley asked. "Yes. And though I doubt it makes up for it, I brought a shipment of potatoes, as a token of my apology." Ursula said before she started to walk away only to stop infront of me and whisper. "That Barkhorn is a keeper for sure, don't mess this up Morrison." "Ursula! You are so dead once I get off these crutches." I call out to her as she walked away.
Shortly afterwards both Barkhorn and Shirley grabbed the same fry. "That's my French fry!" Barkhorn said as she struggled to gain the upper hand. "Didn't you say you didn't want any Liberion food?" Shirley shot back as she struggled aswell. "Yes But I need energy to help my body fully recover!" Barkhorn said. "Admit that they're delicious." Shirley said staring down Barkhorn. "They're all right." Barkhorn returned the stare. "Ladies, ladies, you're both beautiful no need to fight, there is enough of me to go around." I said while stealing the fry. I watched as both of them blush and turn away before they realized what happened. "Hey!" They both shouted as I chomped down on it. "There, I win." I said before realizing that they were getting ready to beat me down. "Mama." I muttered before hobbling as fast as I could to the male showers to escape out one of the windows. The chase was on. Shirley and Barkhorn were gaining fast but I slid into the showers before they could reach me. Now this would only stall them a few minutes at most and a few seconds and worst. I had to make use of it. Throwing open the nearest window, I then made it to the back of the showers and hid in a stall. "The window!" I heard Barkhorn shout before the sound of their feet hitting the grass outside told me I could leave. Hobbling our I closed and locked the window and made my way back to the hanger. "The road to the city has been blocked, Denied, To enter the gates, Thought they tried." I sung as I kicked open the hanger door. "How...?" Everyone questioned as I hobbled in. "Deception is amazing." I commented before I sat down at the table and began to eat. "Plus they won't find me outside."