Chapter 18

I had ducked out of the Christmas party early to get a head start on paperwork and to advoid getting dragged into the bath by everyone. "What's this?" I said looking over the pile. Right on top we're two letters. Picking up the first one I looked at who sent it. "Squadron 7734? Never heard of them, what could they want?" I mutter as I open it up. The introduction gave away the fact that they hate witches, so I tossed it. The second was a few lines that read. 'I know how often your family reads this around Christmas, so I picked up a copy for you, here are the coordinates. 48.8555 N 2.3522 E, enjoy the chap d'elsie.' Turning over the note I read. 'Check into the Ritz.' "The Ritz? What could... be... there..." I said as it dawned on me. "My date with Gertrude is going to Paris. And these coordinates lead right to Paris. Whoever this is, is someone who can jump between dimensions and knows everything."

Settling down for a few hours of paperwork I read over a few pages for supplies and new equipment for the squadron. "What's this?" I said holding up a file. Opening it I read some new transfer orders for Sargent Hattori, transferring to the 501st. "This is a nice Christmas present for her from command." I said while getting up to leave only for Sargent Hattori to burst in wearing only a towel. "Hattori please cover yourself up!" I cried as I quickly turned away. "Commander Minna brought out some of your alcohol for everyone to drink. "Wait? What!" I said as I checked a drawer to make sure she didn't get all of them. "Damn it she took six of my eight!" I turned around a moved past Hattori and took off down the hall towards the bath, as I approach the bath house Yoshika came running out wrapped in a towel being chassed by Francesca who was trying to grope her. "Stefan help! Commander Minna got Francesca drunk!" Yoshika cried as Francesca got her. "Sorry Yoshika, Commander Minna stoke some of my whiskey." I explained as I activated my aura sense. Just as I did Francesca groped me or more accurately she mistook me for a girl and drunkenly tried to fondle my chest as if they were a pair of breasts. It's rather uncomfortable when it happens. "Francesca where's Shirley?" I asked. "In the bath!" She answered while swaying around. "Yoshika please take Francesca back to her room and get her and everyone else some water." I ordered as I walked throught the changing room hoping not to bump into anything as my aura sense only picked up the aura's of people and Neuroi, not objects.

Stepping into the bath I could smell the booze in the air. "How much did everyone drink?" I wondered outloud. "They finished the six bottles entirely." Lynne answered. "More accurately Shirley, Francesca, Eila, Captain Barkhorn, Commander Minna and Erica." "Did they each drink a bottle?" I asked as I helped Gertrude out of the tub, she was still holding onto a bottle. "I knew you never had anything to do with booze but being this much of a lightweight. *sigh* Perrine help me moving Shirley to hers and Francesca's room. Lynne watch over them till I get back with Sanya and Heidemarie, got it." I ordered them. With the help of Perrine, we pull Shirley from the tub and wrap her in a towel.

Stepping into Shirley's and Francesca's room I spot Yoshika watching Francesca as she slept. "Yoshika, can you watch over these two until they wake?" I ask as we set Shirley down on her bed. "Yes, of course, Stefan." She answered. "Alright I'll leave you in charge here." I said as I walked out the door and towards the rooms of our resident night witches. I arrived at Sanya's room first, I knocked on the door to get the attention of Sanya before announcing my presence. "Sanya, I need you to get dressed and out of bed, meet me at the bath enterance and I'll explain when I get there." I then walked on once I saw her aura move from her bed. Approaching Commander Minna's and Heidemarie's room I spotted Heidemarie already stepping out. "Sanya told me everything sir, and Sub-Wing Commander, why are your eyes closed?" She asked. "Well." I said turning around to walk back to the bath house. "It's one of my magic abilities, it comes with a down side though, I can only see the aura of a living being, for example a Neuroi or a fellow witch." I explain. "Oh... That explains it sir." She said. "You don't need to call me sir Heidemarie, just call me whatever feels comfortable." I said as I picked up everyone else's aura minus Yoshika, Francesca and Shirley. "Alright you two I need help moving some of the girls as Minna got into my whiskey cabinet and got six girls drunk. So far we've moved Shirley and Francesca, the others we need to move to their rooms and I need you two to watch over them, please don't try anything as the paperwork is already tiring." I explained.

Stepping into the bath I heard Lynne speak up. "If each one of you pairs up we could move two at a time." "Great suggestion Lynne." I congratulated her. "Sanya and Perrine will take Eila to her room while Heidemarie and Myself take Minna." A series of 'Roger' and 'yes sir' told me they understood. "Alright let's move them." I then moved to pick up Minna and with the help of Heidemarie we pulled her out of the water and wrapped her up in a towel.

I gave off a huff as I sat down in the chair I had pulled over from my desk in the room I shared with Erica and Gertrude. "My lord is Gertrude heavy." I muttered as I looked down at my girlfriend who was currentally cuddling with Erica. "Where does all that weight come from?" 'I wish I had a camera right now.' I thought. "You could go get one." Jarvis suggested. 'And risk her pointing a gun at our head again, I think not.' I responded. "Well she is passed out..." Jarvis trailed off. 'Jarvis no, I have to much respect for her and I value my manhood staying intact.' I responded to him. "You're right. Wonder what she's dreaming about?" Jarvis said changing the subject. 'Yea... what does she dream about?' I thought just as Gertrude rolled away from Erica and mumbled something. "What was that?" I said as I leaned in only for her to wrap my head in a bear hug while shoving it between her chest.

I struggled for a few seconds due to the surprise of the sudden assault. "Hey, I'd like to tell you on behalf of your lungs that they really miss air." Jarvis said. 'Yea well I'm trying, kinda hard when your head is stuck between someone's breasts, Jarvis.' I shot back as I moved my right hand to find something to help free my left arm from underneath her and to free myself when it brushed across her chest. "Mmmm, be gentil." She muttered. 'What the fuck is she dreaming about?!' I shouted at Jarvis. "I have no idea!" He shouted back. I moved further down hoping to find a way to roll her off of me only for my hand to graze her rear and she mumbled something I didn't pick up as my head was currently being squeezed more. She suddenly rolled towards me while letting go of my head. 'Finally, air!' I cheered as I caught Gertrude before she could hit the floor. "Uh, Stefan?" Yoshika asked from the doorway. "Oh lord! Yoshika how much did you see?!" I shouted in surprise again. "About two minutes of it." She answered nervously. "Hmm, Stefan What's going on?" Gertrude sleepily asked before I dropped her to the cold floor. "What was that for..." She said as realization dawned on her almost as quickly as the blush. "Yoshika, I'm not at fault for my girlfriend doing any of that." I stated. "I'll just... go..." Yoshika said before leaving in shock. "Vadim, sic her." I said as I pointed at Gertrude who layed just below me. She let off a shriek as Vadim's cold and wet nose touched her bare skin. "Serves you right for having dreams like that." I said. "And nearly suffocating a superior officer." I then got off the ground and sat back in my seat.

The next morning wasn't fun, Francesca was complaining about the headache and being hungover while the other five girls suffered aswell. "Morrison, how do you deal with this?" Minna asked quietly. "I don't, I've learnt to operate while drunk and hungover so deal with it." I answered while taking a sip from my morning coffee. "Anyway now we're down six witches for today." I said. "And only five are battle ready after the party." I shot a glare at Minna for getting six of our best witches drunk. I then pulled out the folder on Hattori's transfer. "I apologize for how late this is Hattori but I'd like to officially welcome you to the 501st joint fighter wing." I said while handing it to her. "Two new members will be joining us in a couple days. One is Major Sakamoto, and the other is..." I raised up the file to read the name. "Captain Olivia Jantzen." (A/N: I'd like to credit AdmiralJ for suggesting her as a new character.) I set the file down before sliding it over to Minna. "I've got some more paperwork to do, you girls can read up alittle bit." I said before leaving.

"Why is it so cold in here?" Gertrude asked as she walked in. "It's not cold, it's the perfect temperature." I reasponded while finishing off some more paperwork on supplies. "I think I know why Vadim's nose is always cold, he's always hanging out with you in here." Gertrude said while rubbing her arms. Looking past Gertrude I gave off a chuckle which cause Gertrude to spin around and give off a squeak of surprise as she hadn't realized that Chris was following her. "What's wrong big sis?" Chris asked. "Nothing, you just startled her." I said while pointing at Vadim and making a motion telling her to keep quiet. Vadim jumped up and landed on Gertrude's shoulders and started to kiss her like every other dog. Gertrude almost immediately wrapped Vadim in a hug. "He'ssocute." She said while holding him. "Sis, he's trying to get down." Chris pointed out. "Oh." Gertrude said before placing Vadim gently on the ground. "Anyway, Gertrude why did you come here? It definitely wasn't to help me with paperwork." I asked. "Yea, I came here for a quiet place to nap, and to get away from Hartmann." Gertrude answered. "I have a small hammock in the corner incase I chose to take a nap during the day, you can use that for now." I said while pointing over my shoulder at it. "Now Chris why did you come, or were you following your sister?" I asked her. "I was following my sister." She answered as Gertrude fell asleep in the hammock, or atleast I think she did as I could hear the light snoring. "It would be nice if you could take Vadim for a walk, just to get him out and about instead of being stuck in my office most of the day." I said. "Yes, I'll do it!" Chris said excitedly like most kids would. "Here." I said as I tossed her Vadim's leash. "You'll need that." She then ran out of my office with Vadim chasing after her, his tail going a mile a minute. "That's cute, wouldn't you say Gertrude?" I asked leaning back to see my girlfriend watching her sister run down the hall. "They're adorable." She answered before rolling over. "Now let me sleep off this hang over." I gave off a chuckle. "Here let me help you out." I said as I fished around in my foot locker for a few seconds. "Where is the damn thing." I muttered before I heard Gertrude fall out of the hammock. "Leaned to far out, didn't you." I said as I turned towards Gertrude who was nursing a bruised forehead. "Here, This should help." I tossed a canteen to her, she fumbled to catch it but managed to. "What's in here?" She asked. "A mix of water, a few other ingredients and hair from the dog that bit you." I answered. "But Vadim never bit me?" Gertrude questioned. "Not an actually dog, there's some whiskey mixed in to help with the hang over." I answered.

"Stefan, Captain Barkhorn, Lunch is ready!" Yoshika callee as she opened my office door. "Thanks Yoshika, I'll get Gertrude up." I said before leaning over to Gertrude. I picked up Vadim and placed him in the hammock, turning to Chris I held a finger infront of my lips to keep her quiet. The shout of surprise from Gertrude was priceless and Chris and I burst out laughing. "Stefan! Why!?" Gertrude demanded. "Yoshika said lunch was ready, so I woke you up." I managed to wheeze out. Gertrude smacked me over the back of the head as she walked by. "Don't listen to Stefan when he does stuff like that, alright Chris." Gertrude spoke to Chris. "Okay." Chris answered. "Hey wait up for me, come on Vadim." I said as I ran to catch up to them. Falling into step beside Gertrude with Vadim on my heels I glance over at the two girls. "Wish I had a camera right now." I muttered as I watched Gertrude become the over protective sister she is.

"Here comes the other five." I comment as the other five hungover girls came stumbling in. "How is Trude able to operate normally?" Erica questioned me. "Erica, I couldn't leave Chris with out her over protective sister, so I helped her out and gave her the cure all of hangovers." I answered. "And why not help us? We are your fellow squadron mates." Eula pointed out. "Because one, Gertrude's my girlfriend and two, she has to take care of Chris. And the rest of you don't fit into either category." I explained. "On another note, Eila how did Sanya treat you while you were passed out drunk in her bed?" I questioned her. She immediately broke out into a blush and started to fumble her words. "Wah... How? How did you know that?" She asked. "I have an all seeing eye. It goes by the name of Jarvis." I answered. "Hey, I didn't pick that name, you did." Jarvis pointed out. 'I know, I know.' I answered him. "Huh?" Sanya said as I responded. "What's wrong Sanya?" Eila asked looking over I notice Sanya just behind the Sumos witch. "Afternoon Sanya. How was your night?" I asked our Orussian night witch. "Fine, nothing to report." She responds. "That's good, means it's quiet and I won't have to worry about any surprise attacks." I answer.

I was on my fifth cup of coffee when the phone rang, everyone looked up and the six hungover witches winced. "I'll get it." I said as I stood up. Picking you the phone I hear the voice of one of the guard captains as he asks me a question. "We're you expecting a Captain Olivia Jantzen? Because we have a Captain Olivia Jantzen at gate number three." "We weren't expecting Captain Jantzen for another couple days but I'll drive down and pick her up. Just hold her there until then." I answered. "Yes sir!" He said before I could hear someone in the background say something before they hung up. "Who was that?" Minna asked. "Guard Captain at gate three, seems like Captain Jantzen has arrived early." I said as I placed my officers hat on the table. "I'll come back once I pick her up." I then walked out of the dinning room.

Stepping into the guard house I notice a girl, she has hair slightly longer than Hartmann's with a similar flight jacket and a swimsuit similar to Major's and Yoshika's underneath. "Are you Captain Olivia Jantzen, by chance?" I ask her. "Please just call me Olivia." She answers. "Alright then Olivia, why are you here early? Most would choose to stay at their original unit longer and only arrive on time." I ask. "I worked as a test pilot for Ursula Hartmann-" she started. "Say no more, welcome to the team." I said cutting her off. "I know the kinds stuff she does. Trust me, I was her test pilot for two years." "Really?" She asks. "Yea, hit lots of trees and buildings." I answer as we step out of the guard house. Glancing over to my car which I drove here, I spot Vadim standing on the drivers seat with his front paws on the wheel. "Vadim get down." I ordered him only for him to bark at me. "Vadim, back, now." I order again pointing at the back. Vadim barks again and honks the horn causing Olivia to giggle at my predicament. "Vadim Don't make me come over there and move you myself, if I have to I'll cut your rations." I threatened causing Olivia to started laughing. Vadim then jumps into the passengers seat just to spite me. "Vadim, I'll cut your rations if you don't get in the back now." I threatened my pet. Vadim barks before complying and seating himself behind Olivia. "Gertrude spoils you rotten." I said as I got in the drivers seat. "Wing commander Morrison, shouldn't I drive?" Olivia questions. "I've learnt from my time on the frontlines that the Neuroi aim for the person sitting shotgun as they are the highest ranking officer so if I drive it'll confuse them." I answer. "That makes sense, all executive the frontlines part." Oilivia answers. "When I was 14 I joined up, mostly because I had nowhere else to go and had 'lost' my memory so the doctors couldn't figure out who I was, so I joined up to make money and maybe find something to jog my memory while at it. Served on Hong Kong and in the southeast as a foot soldier and a witch, both at two different times." I explained. "Oh, makes much more sense now." Olivia states. "Now I noticed that some parts of your file were classified, Care to tell me why?" I ask. "Mostly due to my magic power. It's something everyone wants but I'm the only one who has it." She explained. "Vague, real vague." I said. "Looks like we are here, and we still have time to get some hot chow." I said while glancing at my watch. "If we hurry we might get something special."

"I'm back." I said as I stepped into the dinning room. "And I brought company." I then stepped aside to show everyone Olivia. "Hello, I'm Captain Olivia Jantzen, But please call me Olivia." A chorus of 'Hello' and 'Nice to meet you' greeted her. Once the greetings died down I glanced up and down the table for a open spot. "Major Heidemarie, do you mind if Olivia sits beside you?" I ask. "No, not at all." Heidemarie answers. "Join the rest of your new team, hope you don't mind being pressed into action right away." I said as I took my seat beside Gertrude. Praying my coffee hadn't gotten cold. "Damn." I mutter as I realize that it had. "What's wrong?" Gertrude asked. "My coffee got cold while I was gone." I said before downing the rest of it. "Not as bad as the American version of iced tea." I then realized what I had said with two witches who had no clue about the fact that I wasn't originally from here. "What's an American?" Heidemarie asks. "Long story..." I said. "Lots of guns being pointed abt me aswell so buckle in from story hour." I said before diving into the deep end and explaining my overly complicated backstory.

Once I was done Heidemarie didn't speak or move. "Think I broke her?" I said to Gertrude. "She could be in shock." Gertrude suggested. "Yoshika, possible shock victim." I called into the kitchen where our resident chief cooked. "One second." Yoshika called back. "That's a lot to take in." Heidemarie said. Looking over at Olivia I noticed she seemed unaffected. "Olivia, you aren't surprised by this revelation?" I asked her. "Not really, just thought I was the only one." She answered, dropping a bombshell on everyone. "Yea, I did too." I said. "What's your favourite part about this new lifestyle compared to your old one?" "I'd say, the lack of the world wars and most crimes against humanity." She answered. "Yea, though the Neuroi seem to follow the tactics and operations of the German Wehrmacht and the Impirial Japanese Empire rather closely." I said remembering the struggles in the jungles and the attacks during the night. The conversation went on back and forth for some time before I excused myself to do paperwork.

I was finally caught up on all the paperwork, after pulling two all-nighters in a row and not finishing until two in the morning today, I could finally get a good rest. If someone walked by me right now they would think I'm a zombie simply because I have nothing on my mind aside from sleep. I vaguely remember Major talking to me about an idea of her's but couldn't remember much more. Stepping into the room I shared with my girlfriend and Erica I trudged over to my side of the bed. Slipping my pistol under the pillow like I always do, I then fall onto the bed, and am out like a light. The first notes of a bugle ring out and in my half asleep state I grab my pistol and point it directally at the person sounding the bugle. "Don't. Play. Another. Fucking. Note." I manage to speak on four hours of sleep. "I'm to tired to do anything, so leave before I chose to make you." I threaten. I then heard the scampering of feet as a small group of about four leave quickly.

Around lunch I woke up and sleepily mangaged to get dressed and leave the room. Stepping into the dinning area with a yawn I look around to see a few faces look back with a glint of fear. "What, is there something I should be afraid of?" I ask looking over my shoulder. "Uh, No, it's how you reacted to being woken up this morning, Stefan." Yoshika said. "And how was that?" I ask as I didn't remembered much. "You pointed a gun at us and told us to leave." Major said. "That was of course after I blew the bugle." "So that was your bright idea, well don't wake me up that way ever again, last time that happened I nearly shot someone." I commented before taking my seat. "Anyway, why did you try to wake me up?" "You don't remember?" Major said. "It was so you could train Perrine, Yoshika and Lynne." "Oh, sorry gals but I'll have to start tomorrow." I apologized.

It took five minutes to convince Minna to allow me and Gertrude to have five days off, five minutes. I walk into the lounge room looking for my girlfriend and spotted her sitting on the couch across from Erica who was surprisingly playing chess. "Say Erica, do you have the newspaper from December 27?" I ask. "Yeah, here." She said as she tossed me the paper. Front page news was 'Patton's Third Army Relieve Bastogne!' "Erica, pay up." I said after reading the front page news. She grumbled and handed me the twenty bucks. "Anyway, What are you two doing?" I ask as I sit down on the couch beside Gertrude and slip off my shoes. "We're playing chess." Erica answers. "Okay, I'm gonna borrow this for awhile." I said as I laid my head on Gertrude's lap. "And before I forget, we have two days to pack before we go on leave." I then held up her leave papers. "Thanks, Stefan." She answers still engrosed in her match with Erica.

"I won, Hartmann!" Gertrude cheered while standing up causing me to roll off her lap. I heard the snickering from Erica as I rolled the rest of my body onto the floor. "Sorry Stefan." Gertrude apologized. "Ah, I'm fine. I kinda needed to get up." I brushed off her worry. "How about a quick match before I do a check up on my car's engine." I suggest. "Yea." Gertrude said. "Sure." Erica agreed. "How about the two of you verses me." I suggest as I sit down. "Yes! I will crush you at this game!" Gertrude proclaimed. "You'll eat those words." I said. "You just might Trudy." Erica said. "I will not! I will finally beat you Stefan!" Gertrude said. "Let's see about that." I grinned. "Bring it!" Gertrude said as she made the first move. Four moves later I was enjoying the look on Gertrude's face as I leaned back from winning the game. "Like I said, you'll eat those words." I said. "H-How? I was supposed to win, I had a fool proof strategy." Gertrude said in shock. "Well not entirely, you leave many openings in your first moves allowing the four move check mate to be performed without any problems." I answered. "Now I do need to preform a check up on my car." I then left the room, ducking as the chess board slammed into the wall where my head was moments ago. "Get back here!" Gertrude called after me as I booked it towards my car.

I felt someone lightly tapping my foot as I was looking over the underside of my car. Rolling out from underneath, I look up to see Major looking down at me. "I found this in your office waist paper basket." She said holding up a letter. "Care to explain?" "What does it say, you see I've gotten a lot of letters in recent weeks." I said. "It's an offer to join a male fighter squadron, known as the witch breakers." Major answered. "Then toss it. I am mighty fine where I am now, prefer it actually." I answer before wheeling myself back under. "I'm not done with you yet, Stefan." Major said. "When were you going to tell us that you got this letter?" "I tossed it for a reason, I don't want anything to do with idiots." I answered. "You should have told us about this." Major argued. "And pray tell, why?" I ask. "They're known as the witch breakers for a reason." Major said. "Please elaborate." I answered only to hear her footsteps as she walked away.

A/N: I would like to thank AdmiralJ for the OC Captain Olivia Jantzen and for multiple of the ideas in this chapter. I always enjoy polite conversations with readers.