Strike Witches
Aftermath
Episode 3: Show of Force
Miyafuji's POV
The base went into action, with the ground crews rearming the fighters from earlier and preparing all the striker units. But before Commander Minna could order us to launch, Jones stopped her.
"Wait. Let the girls take care of this."
"But sir! They haven't experienced real combat yet."
"I'm aware of that, which is why I want you following them as back up. Hartmann and Lucchini will be with em, but I'd like you to follow them at a distance and intervene if needed."
"Are you sure sir?"
"Yes, but if you insist, Miyafuji and Lynette can join them and radio in if needed."
"You heard Commander Jones! Yoshika, Lynette, go with them and back them up! We'll follow from behind!"
"Yes Ma'am!"
And with that, Lynette and myself took off after the trainees, Lucchini, and Hartmann, with the 501st following us…
TIMESKIP
"So, what do you think about these recruits?" I asked Lynette.
"They seem nice, but their experience is to be seen."
Suddenly, the radios crackled to life with an urgent tone.
"Mayday! This is the Regia Marina! The Greek Fleet and our own are under attack! We require immediate support!"
"Yoshika, Lynette! We see the fleet, straight ahead!"
I looked ahead, and saw a large class Neuroi pummeling the Allied ships to pieces.
"Alright, Anna, your squad and Lynette are with me! Bianca, your squad and Yoshika are with Lucchini!"
"Right!"
I followed Lucchini's Squad as the Recruits began to pump the Neuroi full of bullets.
"Bianca, on your left!"
Bianca turned and fired, just as a large swarm of Neuroi drones began to attack us.
"There's so many of them!" Wanda yelled.
"Just focus on the small ones! We'll handle the large one!" Erica yelled.
"STURM!"
"SUNBURST!" Both attacks created a large wound in the Neuroi's outer armor.
"Wow…"
Luccihini and Hartmann then turned and fired hard at the wound, damaging the Neuroi even more.
"That's incredible."
"They've gotten so much stronger since we last saw them." Lynne said.
"Core spotted, everyone! Focus fire on the core, this one is deploying all the drones!"
Everyone turned and opened fire, and quickly the Neuroi exploded, disintegrating into shards. With that, the drones exploded as well.
"OH YA! WE GOT IT!"
Suddenly, I saw one last drone, still intact somehow, aiming at Bianca.
"BIANCA, LOOK OUT!" I yelled, shoving her out of the way, as the laser struck the side of my leg.
"AGH!"
"YOSHIKA!" Lynette yelled, blowing up the drone before it could fire again.
I passed out after that…not seeing what happened afterwards, only feeling someone catch me.
TIMESKIP
Erica's POV
"Bianca…you've really done it now…" I said. "Because of you Miyafuji is wounded! We're lucky though, the attack barely glanced her leg. But You've proven you are obviously not ready yet for active service."
"I-I understand Commander. I shall be in my quarters, but I ask that no one disturb me until Dinner." She said, walking off.
"I'll go talk to her commander." Anna said, following her.
Let's hope someone can talk some sense into her.
Anna's POV
I soon arrived at mine and Bianca's shared quarters, and found her packing.
"Bianca, are you ok?"
"No, I'm not. I thought I could be one of the best Venezian Witches ever, instead I'm prideful, and can't even focus long enough to avoid getting a comrade injured."
"You don't intend to do…" I said, slacking off the rest.
"No! I'd never do that just over a mistake. But this is where I draw the line, if I can't improve myself soon, I'm leaving and heading back home to join the Medical Core."
"But Bianca, you said it yourself, you've dreamed for years of joining the Witches!"
"Well Anna, I'm obviously not good enough! I can't even avoid an ally getting hurt because I let my guard down too soon. I don't know if it's me, or Commander Hartmann is still hurting over the incident a few years back, but I can't take much more of this…" she said, laying down.
"I see…I'll let you know when dinner is ready."
Bianca…I hope you really don't give up on your dream that fast…
TO BE CONTINUED