A Javelin to Strike the Core

Chapter 12

Last time I had Han and his Freelancers helping the 501st end the battle of Britannia. Now, they'll be helping a different way and it'll segue to the next series. And what the new role of Freelancers will be. So on with the show.

(No POV)

After the 501st and Freelancers returned to base, the staff that wasn't locked up were celebrating and cheering for the liberation of Galia. With Perrine crying alongside her fellow Gallians that were on the base.

But the celebrations were cut short when Maloney and a few of his men arrive and threaten all of them with a court martial. However, someone else had a different opinion. "You've made quite the mess here Trevor."

Behind the general is the Prime Minister of Britannia, Winston Spencer Churchill. As well as his guards and escorts. They arrest Maloney while also asking for the witches and Freelancers to come with them.

"We'd like to know a bit more about what has happened here. This incident has caused quite a bit of a stir." Churchill says with a look to the members gathered. Minna nods before saying, "of course sir. Aside from the data on the Warlock, we have some special data in Han's strider."

The man nods and they are all escorted away. The rest of the day is followed by the investigations and inquiries about the Warlock and it's role in the destruction of the Galia Neuroi nest and the sinking of the Akagi.

With the data the amplifier chair had from the listening devices, not to mention all of the documents and data the technicians and engineers provided. "I see. So what Maloney was making was a remote weapon to win the war and put him on top."

"Yes sir. I think he was already disgruntled with the witches and the fact we tend to not operate like most military operations." Trude commented while thinking about Erica's normal way of living.

With Mack noting that he also had a problem with Freelancers. "He didn't like the fact he couldn't mass produce Javelins. If he could, he probably would have just stuck to our weapons."

The full inquiry takes another day, but when it is done Maloney is arrested. Though the 501st is still disbanded. With the generals noting they needed the witches elsewhere in the world.

For the Freelancers though, they had a different offer and point. "Each of you men are being promoted. And you'll be assigned to bases associated with your nations. We want each of you to help train more Freelancers. Meanwhile. Mr. Coda, we have something different we'd like your help with."

The generals suggest that Han work on making as many training Javelins as he can. "When that is done, and their training is satisfactory we'll send them to you to see if they pass a final test and earn their own Javelins."

"Huh…. I guess I could at least get some of it done pretty soon. Given all of the materials you've committed. Though I do have to ask; I'm still a specialist, right?" Han says the day after a parade was held to honor the witches and Freelancers for their defeat of the Neuroi. And after they had finished with the questions.

A Karlsland General Ernst Rommel commented that he was receiving a technical promotion. "As you said, you're still a specialist. But we've bumped up your rank a bit in relation to the events you had a hand in. Currently, you sit at the rank of captain."

This gets a few of the girls wide eyed as well, with Erica commenting that it won't be long before he outranks Trude. Causing the brunette to give the blonde a smack. Han has a chuckle at this before thanking the men.

But much like the squadron itself, he was now forced to say goodbye to his sisters in arms of the 501st. "I'll miss you guys. But General Tarsis willing, we'll all meet up before the war ends." Han says while shaking Trude and Erica's hands.

Perrine, Lynne, and Yoshika also shake his hands. Before he is glomped by Shirley and Francesca. "I'm gonna miss working on those beauties of yours Han. But it's given me a new incentive to improve my own machine even further!" Shirley says before kissing Han's cheek.

"I'm sure you'll be breaking new records soon enough Shirley. Good luck. Fran? Keep an eye on this one….. and also try to keep out of trouble, okay?" Han says after a laugh. At first Francesca looks like she's going to agree, but then she just says, "Nah! It's too much trouble to stay out of trouble!"

Eila and Sanya both shake Han's hands before he wishes the latter luck in finding her family. "Thanks Han. Be careful if you go into battle." "She's right. I hate to say it, but I can't see your future. So, I can't predict if you won't get into more trouble!" Eila says with a playful hip bump to the man.

Han gets a laugh before coming to the first people he really met from this world. Mio and Minna. The three share a smile while Trude and a few others excuse themselves. "Off to the next battlefield, eh?" Mio says while looking down.

Minna places a hand on her shoulder before asking if she was okay. "I'll…. Probably be okay. They want me instructing at Yokosuka. Getting the next age of witches ready." Han can see the sadness in her eye. And brings up that both of them were put in the back.

"They just want me making Javelins. I doubt either of us will see much action. We'll have to leave that to you Minna." Han says to his commanding officer. While also telling her good luck and to be safe.

Minna just snorts before saying, "that really is rich coming from you two. But don't worry about me. Both of you need to focus on healing, teaching, and making machines for the battles ahead." Minna takes both of their hands and wishes that they could stay together.

"But orders are orders. And I know we're all needed elsewhere. Until this war is done…. I… we can't..." Before Minna can finish what she was thinking, Han nudged Mio and gave her a winking nod.

The Fuso witch blushed a bit, but she saw what the Freelancer was getting at. And kissed Minna. Stopping her spiral and depreciating thoughts. And when Mio let up, she pulled Han in and gave him the same look.

With less of a blush, Han also kissed Minna. Leaving the commanding officer of the 501st with a face that matched her hair. "Dummies." Minna says with a pout and a still red face. Mio thinks for a moment before grabbing Han's shirt and pulling him in for a kiss as well.

"Maybe I should have tried this sooner. It's quite nice…." Mio says with a blush. While Han was looking at her like she was slightly crazy. "I thought… well you know. You just liked…." Mio gives a big laugh before saying she had never really thought about it before.

"But something's changed. I guess having you around made things interesting and made me a bit more curious about this. We've still got a night. Do we want to?" Mio trails off with a look to her partners.

But both of them blush before shooting down the idea. "How about we save some of that for another time!" Han says while looking away from both girls. Which doesn't get past either of them.

"What's this? One of the big heroes of Britannia doesn't like the idea of bedding two women at the same time?" Minna and Mio lilt back and forth with wide smirks. Han just sighs before explaining that there was a time and a place for this.

"There's no doubt to me that we'll meet again. Maybe we can pick things up then? What do you two think?" Han says with a slightly bashful look. And rather than tease, both girls take his hands and agree.

And with one last kiss, they part ways to follow where the war takes them. Minna, Trude, Erica, and Elias end up in Karlsland bases. With the witches fighting the Neuroi and the Freelancer drilling in how to handle a Javelin.

Shirley and Francesca were never given orders outside of going to Africa, so they wandered the deserts like a pair of stray cats. Mack worked with Perrine and Lynne on the reconstruction of Galia alongside some training of new Freelancers.

Aleko was tempted to head north to help in the fight up there. But he was given orders to head to Romanga and reinforce the 504th JFW. Eila and Sanya meanwhile did head back to Suomus to help their homelands and search for Sanya's parents.

Haru returned to Fuso with Yoshika and Mio. There he took to instructing at a few bases. Even training a few former witches to give them back their ability to fly. With the man moving from base to base.

About one month after the liberation of Galia, Haru was instructing and observing in Sasebo. Especially the actions of a witch who seemed rough around the edges for what she could do.

"So that's the sister of the famous Karibuchi Takami huh?" Haru asked while observing from Fumika Kitagou's office. The legendary witch hummed a moment before agreeing. "What do you think of her?"

Haru laughs a bit before saying, "I think she's got a lot of problems that can't be solved here. The best place….. would probably be with a proper squad." The witch headmaster gives the man a look as if to say she thought he was crazy.

But his suspicions were proven correct when she showed what she could do in a critical moment. By using her magic to leap across a raging river and catch her classmate before she was washed away.

The girl would be sent to Europe with her sister aboard the Zuikaku to make for northern Europe. And accompanying them was a complement of Freelancers that Haru had cleared for final tests to get their own Javenlins.

Speaking of. Han had been sticking to Britannia and had worked with the technicians enough that they could operate the forge without him observing. However, he still had the final say on whether or not a Freelancer candidate was ready or deserving to get their Javelin.

But right now he was exhausted after working for days on end on a few new pieces. Namely some faux amplifier chairs so the Freelancers could use the full capabilities of their Javelins.

And he was just finishing it up when a loud knock rang out through his strider. Han storms over to the door and flings it open. Shouting, "do you want me to finish this project and keep the Freelancers alive when fighting the Neuroi!? Yes?! Then leave me alone and let me finish my work!" Han then slams the door.

Until he realizes who had been knocking. "Uh…. Sorry about that general Galland. I've just haven't slept for a few days. I've struggling to get this new amplifier working." Han apologizes before escorting Major General Adolfine Galland into his strider.

"It's alright. I can understand you being under a lot of stress." Galland says after looking over a few of the pieces that Han had been working on. Namely some improved seals and other equipment for the Javelins.

Han yawns once before asking what the general was at his ship for. After he commandeered the vessel, the Allied Forces thought it fair to let him keep it. In case he needed to move around the war fronts.

And that was some of what Galland was here to ask of him. "I'd like you to deploy to the 502nd's base in Orussia. Petersburg could use reinforcing and I'd like you to be up there to support them."

Han looks at the general funny. Asking, "didn't they want me to stay at the back to make more Javelins?" Galland nods before mentions that they had at least figured out how to make some of the general parts for future Javelins.

"You'll just need to make the interior section over the body. While we can make the other parts. In the meantime, there's been some rumbling up in the northern regions about an unsettling feeling in the air." Galland explains before noting that Han would be given a bonus for aiding the 502nd.

Han hums a bit before agreeing to head for Petersburg after getting supplies. He sets sail from London and makes it to the 502nd base in about 7 days. "What's with this ship? Think there's some grape juice on there? I think this was some of the support we requested."

When Han opens the door to from the ship to the deck, he feels how painfully cold it actually is. "SON OF A BITCH ITS COLD!" Han shouts before getting one of the heaviest coats the suppliers had suggested.

After hearing that a few members get the idea that this new guy is an extra soft person who won't be much help. When he walks down to the docks, he looks over his new teammates. "Hey there. Names Han Coda. I'm the specialist who….. how much have you all been briefed on who I am?"

"I'm guessing not that much Herr Coda. My name is Gundala Rall. I'm the commander of the 502nd. How about we take this to my office, and we can go over the details we may not know." Rall says and telling her subordinates to wait to introduce themselves later.

Once in the main building and someplace a bit warmer, Han shivers out of the coat he was wearing. And a few of the members are impressed by how built and strong he appeared. "What the heck? I thought you were just some technician or something?"

"Nao! Be nice! Sorry about her. I'm Nikka Edvardine Katajainen and this is Kanno Naoe." A short almost white-haired girl with large breasts under her light blue sweater. Which Han realizes is familiar. And the girl she introduced was a short Fusoan girl wearing a large brown coat and green/yellow scarf on.

Han hums before asking if Nikka had been in the same unit as Eila. "Wait you know Illu!?" This surprises most of the members. And the highest ranked members realize that the man had worked with the 501st.

"So, you were one of the ones who helped in freeing Galia? Care to let us in on how you did it? Oh, and my name is Edytha Rossmann. I'm the flight instructor here." The now named meister or teacher of the 502nd says with an inquisitive look to Han.

Han coughs slightly before saying he can't say much due to the matter being classified. "But I can at least give you more of the background on who I am." Han says before telling them all to get comfortable.

Hearing about the world Han came from and grew up in, has all of his new squadmates wide eyed. With Waltrud Krupinski patting the man on the shoulder and offering him a bit of extra booze when she gets her hands on some.

"And now you're here and trying to help us in our war against the Neuroi." The medic of the 502nd, Georgette Lemare says with her eyes watering. With Shimohara Sadako asking if the young man had any special dishes he liked. "I'd be happy to cook them to welcome you here."

Aleksandra I. Pokryshkin or Sasha is intrigued by the new machines Han could show her. "Sasha, you're the combat commander. Not a mechanic." Rall says with a sigh. Han chuckles a bit while noting he is both. "As is Shirley Jaeger from the 501st. She and I worked together on a lot of projects."

"Hey! Any chance we can see some of your mecha suits!?" Nao says while getting up close to Han. He sighs before ordering Nao to stand down. Though she takes some offense to this because she assumes she outranks him.

Han smirks before saying, "yeah… I'm technically listed as a specialist. But after the Battle for Britannia, they promoted everyone of us Freelancers who fought. With my current rank being akin to a captain."

Nao blushes while Rall and a few of the others get a laugh at this. She steps back before apologizing. Han then says he can show her some of the machines. "I could use some suggestions on how to better handle the cold for my thrusters."

Sasha is happy to help him, as they head for his ship and strider. Once there, Han steps into the drive system of his strider and makes it stand enough to move it closer to the main base.

"Whoa! Okay didn't expect that. Weren't these things supposed to be extra tall?" Krupinski asks while steadying herself in the machine. "Yeah, but mine basically got the legs chopped in half when I arrived here." Han notes as he has his strider settle down near the hanger.

Once he's settled, he shows the 502nd each of his current Javelins. With Nao wishing she could use the Colossus. "If I could use my Tsurugi Issen in that big fist I could destroy all the Neuroi in one punch!"

"Yeah, no you wouldn't. Your magic causes some shorts in the hardware so a full witch can't use a Javelin. But a drained or former witch can." Han explains while showing off some of the elemental seals of the Storm.

Georgette notices that his Ranger looks shinier compared to the rest. "Ah. That's cause this one is new. I had to use what ember I still had to rebuild it. Got into a bit of a nasty…. Well, you're better off seeing for yourselves."

Han strips off his shirt to show what he meant. And while a few of the girls freak out or in the case of Waltrud whistles before teasing him about flashing the girls. Han gives the girl a flat look before turning around.

And all of the members gasp at the burn and cut scars across Han's back. "Got blasted in the back trying to protect a squad mate. Shields held for the most part, but it concentrated fire enough to cut into parts of my old Ranger and it exploded on my back. And you can see the results."

Rall herself winces while noting they should compare scars sometime. After showing off the other machines and some of his weapons, the growling of his and Georgette's stomachs gets a good segue to get dinner.

Sadoko cooked up a few things Fuso style at the request of Han. Noting that he'd gained a taste for it after spending time with the 501st.

"Yoshika would often make some pretty good tasting and healthy stuff for meals. At least when none of the rest wanted to cook… Except Minna…. Mio and I had to make sure she didn't cook." Han says with a shiver.

Rall looks to the side before commenting she remembered her attempts in the kitchen as well. "I'm actually surprised we're all still alive after some of her meals." The commander says with a blue shade over her eyes.

Sadako then asks about Mio, given they were squad mates for a time and she had instructed the girl. "Well at least you've got more peaceful capabilities. Mio can barely cook herself. I can do a few things, but not as much a you probably can." Han says while enjoying the miso soup.

For the next week or so, Han gets into a new routine of work on the base. First is making some more specialized interior pieces that could be adjustable. "The extendable capabilities of some of these wings could be what I need make the interior sections easier to modify."

Second was working with Rall, the Meister, and Sasha in the command office. Mostly going over details of reports and intel from various agencies on what the Neuroi were doing. Though Han admitted this was new to him.

"I'm used to just going out into the field myself and shooting up targets. Guess this is what it was like for Haluk when he was chosen as the governor for Fort Tarsis." The other command members chuckle before reviewing resource reports.

And his final duty was to test new Freelancers and make earth Javelins for those who passed his tests. So far, at least 20 soldiers and former witches had come to Petersburg to get their own machines.

Thus far, 11 had passed and were granted by brand new Javelins to be sent elsewhere for the war effort. Those who didn't pass were still trained by Han to become full Freelancers. In hopes to gain more members and to see what they could do as Freelancers.

But his latest tests were stopped by the alarm from the base. "A group of Neuroi have engaged the Fuso fleet headed for Novo-Kholmogory! All forces ready for sortie!" Rall announced. With Han stopping his work on the new Javelin.

With said fleet, Karibuchi Takami had been fighting the Neuroi with a few of the Freelancers that Haru had sent with the fleet. With 40 small targets and 20 medium sized Neuroi.

"Only the medium ones have cores. All fighters, focus on the small ones." Takami ordered while she and the Freelancers engaged the medium units. The five Freelancers are in mark I Rangers, so they don't have the greatest firepower. But they can put in extra bullets and help cover Takami.

At least until one of them is shot down. It starts a bit of a spiral, as more fighters fall and there are still 10 medium Nueroi attacking the fleet. And two more Freelancers are shot out of the sky.

Takami winces after one of the male Lancer's had covered her when she was being attacked by the Neuroi. And it cost him his life. "No more! Absolute EYE!" Takami shouts while charging her magic though her. Turning her hair and eyes red, while weakening her shields.

She takes a hit from one of the enemy's beams, but she gets her targets locked and set. Firing shot after shot to take out the remaining medium Neuroi. And while it is a victory for the fleet, they have lost most of their counters to the Neuroi.

All the more worrisome, when they note a new nest forming over the northern regions of Orrussia. And three new craft flying from the nest to engage the fleet. Back on the Zuikaku, Takami is being treated by the medics aboard, while the remaining two Freelancers were recovering their fallen fellows.

And with the reports of the new Neuroi, Hikari grit her teeth before heading to the hanger. The remaining Freelancers, Soramachi Kurusu a private with the army and former witch Toshiko Etou, had just landed with the remains of two of the Freelancers.

But hearing there were new Neuroi on the way, both want to go back up. But the thrusters on their Javelins short out. "What do we do?" Kurusu asks while looking to the elder witch. Etou grunts before saying, "we need repairs. We head back down and see if they have either a spare Javelin or if they can at least get us to fly!"

With a not, the pair head below decks to get ready to take to the sky. While Hikari borrows her sister's unit and Solthurn anti-tank gun to buy some time. But she can barely do anything against the enemies. At least until she crashes into one Neuroi. And can see the core.

For the Freelancers, there is no spare Javelin, and they can't fix the thrusters fast enough. Kurusu grits his teeth before grabbing a Javelin sniper rifle and anti-tank rifle. "If I can't fly, I'll take what shots I can with these!"

Etou grips her fist before grabbing a damaged chunk of the wall as well as a rocket launcher and lmg. "I'm not sure if it'll do much, but I'll try to cover you!" Etou says while they both head up to the deck.

While Hikari is struggling, she focuses on the Neuroi she knows the core location of. And she gets some better help from Kurusu and Etou firing off shots from the deck of the carrier. And while this makes the Neuroi fire at them, the steel plate does absorb the first beam shot at them.

And they do enough damage to make the Neuroi back off. While Hikari manages to destroy one Neuroi after taking advantage of the rocket strike from Etou's launcher. But she's still outnumbered, and the Freelancers can't back her up given the creatures were moving away from the fleet.

But they were quickly dealt with thanks to the arrival of the 502nd. "They took out two Neuroi in a single pass! That's the Brave Witches." The captain and lieutenant of the carrier comment after watching from the command tower.

When Nao goes to greet who she thinks is Takami, she is surprised to see Hikari instead. Han though, noticed the two Freelancers on the deck of the carrier. He flew down to meet the pair and ask why they weren't up in the air.

"We tried to be but….. our thrusters are damaged. All we could do was fire shots from down here." Kurusu says with a sad look. With Etou reporting they fought for a while, but they quickly ran into a wall fighting the overwhelming numbers.

"At the end, all we could do is recover our friends after they had fallen from the attacks." Han nods with a sigh. Telling them to get out of their Javelins for now. "You'll get some new orders when we get to port."

Once they reached Novo-Kholmogory, Georgette did all she could to heal Takami. But the best she could do was stabilize her and close up the wound. And with the report of her not being able to recover for now, Rall orders to have her sent back to Fuso.

"Wait a minute! Takami was supposed to fight the Neuroi with us!" Nao shouts. With Han noting it would do her no good to be at this base. "Her fight is done for now. Hopefully she wakes up soon, but….. It's better if she went back as well."

"I have a request!" Hikari announces before asking to join the 502nd in her sister's place. And while Nao is raging at the girl, Etou and Kurusu note that she did take on three Neuroi. "Three? Where was the other one?" Sasha asked with a look to the Freelancers.

"She took it out. She did it after I hit the enemy with a rocket shot." Etou explained. Noting how neither of them could fly after their thrusters broke. "All we could do was take some shots from the deck." Kurusu explains while noting she did keep the fleet safe until the 502nd could arrive.

Han hums while noting that they could still use the extra help. "As for you two…. I think I know what to do for both of you. Congratulations. You've passed what it means to be a Freelancer. I'll build you two your own Javelins."

Han extends his hands to the two Freelancers, who are shocked but quickly shake his hands and thank the experienced Freelancer. Rall hums before agreeing with Han and allowing Hikari to stay. "Your request has been granted. You'll be a trial member of the 502nd joint fighter wing. But if you want to join the fight, you're going to have to get stronger."

Hikari salutes and promises to do that. While Nao is upset about the unneeded rookie witch being attached to their unit. Han sighs before noting that a new fight was just going to get harder. "I agree. And we could use all the help we can get." Rall says with a stern look to Hikari.

Like I said I got some new ideas and could finally get back to writing this story once more. And we'll transition to the Brave Witches series with Han aiding the 502nd against the Grigori nest. Please review.