501st Defends Fuso
By Rizon72
Part 2: Terror
Yoshika walked towards the base hoping to gain some answers, but knowing that she probably would not get any. Major Sakamoto had taken the letter and probably did not have any answers like before.
"Are you going away again?" Michiko asked, as they approached the base gate.
"Nah, not this time, I just want to know what's going on. I mean we all know the mail is slow but taking years to deliver is unusual especially three letters," Yoshika replied back. She had given some thought to being a witch again, the freedom of flying. Now she was walking towards the same base she had left to England two years ago, and rushed off to catch up with Sakamoto last year.
"Good, we worry about you when you're gone," Michiko replied honestly.
Yoshika understood what Michiko meant. She worried about her friends as well, including Lynette and Perrine. What were they doing and were they all right? She could only hope that they were.
One of the guards at the gate stepped up as Yoshika approached.
"Yoshika, what can we do for you?" the guard asked.
"Is Major Sakamoto here?' Yoshkia asked.
"Yes she is," the guard replied. "I think she's in the hanger."
"Okay, thanks," Yoshika said with a smile before she and Michiko headed off towards the hanger.
Yoshika looked around noticing that things had not changed too much in the couple of months away, though she had been part of the Fuso navy, never actually stationed in Fuso. She could see the massive form of the Musashi beyond the buildings as she walked towards the hangar. The battleships and carriers always impressed Yoshika by their size.
"Wow, it's even more impressive as you get closer," Michiko said in awe.
"Yeah, they are," Yoshika said.
"And you've been on them."
"The Yamato, and on the way back the carrier Amagi," Yoshika said, remembering the trip back from Romangna.
"Wow."
Yoshika saw the hangar, quickly heading over to it hearing voices from inside. She frowned quickly recognizing Sakamoto's voice but the other voice was also familiar.
"So, they really fixed it."
"Yep," Sakamoto's voice replied.
"What do you think," the other voice said seriously.
"She's getting her powers back," Sakamoto replied. "Also take into account the letter which has never held good news."
"Practicing fortune-telling, that's Eila's ability," the other voice said. Yoshika finally realized who it belonged to. She grinned taking a look at Michiko.
"That's Commander Minna's voice," Yoshika said.
"Oh, your commander?" Mishika replied.
"Yep," Yoshika said taking a step into the hangar, to see both Sakamoto and Minna standing off to one side. Yoshika headed towards them, before stopping at the sight of the Striker Unit, realizing it was the same one she wore in the 501st. It sat there like a friend awaiting her return.
"Miyafuji?" Minna blurted out, being the first to see Yoshika along with a smaller girl with dark hair.
"Oh, hello," Yoshika replied, her eyes still on the Striker Unit.
"I see you're awake again," Sakamoto said walking up to Yoshika.
"Yes," Yoshika said, finally turning to look at the major and then Minna. "Oh, this is my friend, Michiko."
"Hello," both Minna and Sakamoto said, as Michiko shyly replied back.
"Well, how do you feel?' Sakamoto said looking at Yoshika.
"Um, actually pretty good," Yoshika said, wondering why the commander was there, but she looked at Sakamoto. "I was, well, wondering if you had news about the letter?"
"I didn't understand anything in it, but I handed it to intelligence, who made some comment about a new weapon or something like that," Sakamoto said.
"Oh, I see," Yoshika said, not sure she liked the fact the design was a weapon.
"This is most interesting and strange," Minna said, putting a finger on her chin and looked up at the ceiling for several seconds. "I don't understand why this is happening, but I'd sure like to know the answer."
They paused looking at each other in silence. No one seemed to have an answer to that.
"You two really helped out Yoshika while she was gone?" Michiko asked, speaking up to break the silence.
"Yep, she needed lots of training," Sakamoto said. "But she came along just fine."
Yoshika blushed slightly at the praise from the major.
"She did fly with us many times, and was very instrumental in defeating the Neuroi both in Britannia and Romangna," Minna stated, as once more Yoshika blush deepened.
"Not true, I had lots of help," Yoshika said, before looking back at the Striker Unit. "They repaired it?"
"Is that yours?" Michiko asked.
"Yep," Yoshika replied. "The ones I flew in."
"It came back on the Musashi, the mechanics worked on it putting it back together as a favor for all you've done. They want to test it but we're short on witches and my power isn't enough for that unit," Sakamoto said.
"Oh," Yoshika said, wondering if Sakamoto was telling the truth. She looked over to see Sakamoto smiling. She shook her head at the blue eyes which seemed strange not to see an eyepatch. "Well, I could, that is I probably can try."
"It would be a test of both the unit and your power," Minna said waving over to a mechanic who came rushing over. "Hop in Yoshika and see."
Yoshika did not wait for a second invite, quickly jumping into the Striker Unit feeling her magic and the unit come to life. Everything felt fine just like before. An unexpected surge of happiness welled up in her at the feeling. She knew why the Striker Units were created, and the Neuroi were still out there but for now, she powered up as the mechanic watched the outputs.
"Everything looks good, how does the unit feel?" he asked.
"Fine, no problems," Yoshika said. She then powered down stepping out as a young man came rushing into the hangar looking around quickly before heading straight towards Minna.
"Lieutenant Colonel, you better come quickly," he said, slightly out of breath.
"What's going on?" Minna said concerned as Yoshika climbed out of the Striker Unit and walked over to where Sakamoto and Michiko were standing.
"The Neuroi, they're attacking in force," the man replied back.
"Where," Minna asked, her concern showing as she and Sakamoto shared a glance.
"Everywhere, every hive has launched an attack at the same time and well, a new one has appeared," the man said, with some hesitation at the last bit of news.
"A new hive, where?" Sakamoto asked quickly.
"The northern island of Fuso," the reply came back.
Yoshika stood stunned for several seconds at that last bit of news. Fuso was under attack by the Neuroi. This time people she knew, her home, family and friends would be affected by this news.
"Let's go," Minna said, heading out of the hanger with Sakamoto. Yoshika hesitated a second before looking at Michiko. Her friend looked worried before Yoshika headed off after Minna hearing Michiko running behind her. Yoshika finally caught up to Minna at the radio room.
"We have confirmed reports of a Neuroi heading this way from the new hive," the radio officer said.
"What witches are in the area?" Minna asked.
"None, the 524th were the last organized group, they left two days ago and are now almost at their base in western Orussia," Sakamoto said. "All other wings moved out before that. That leaves only you and me in the area that I know of, and any other witches that might have come to protect the leaders."
"And me," Yoshika said stepping forward.
"Are you sure Mayifuji, you only got your power back," Minna said.
"I must protect my friend and family, I can do this, I know the risk," Yoshika said. as her urge to help protect those she knew bubbled to the surface. She knew the risk of fighting the Neuroi and she also knew how to fight them.
"Let's go," Minna said. "Mio, head out and do some recon for use while we get prepped and ready. Oh and Mio, don't engage."
"Don't worry Minna, I won't," Sakamoto said. running back towards the hanger.
"Now, what's the situation of the other hives?" Minna asked. as Yoshika and Michiko looked on.
"Damage was contained thanks to the fact all witch squadrons are at full strength. However we've lost all contact with the northern island of Fuso," the officer said.
"I see," Minna said. "Miyafuji, come on let's get going."
"Yes ma'am," Yoshika replied.
"It looks like it'll be the two of us to stop this Neuroi," Minna said, turning back to the radio operator. "Inform all commands of what's going on and prepare to evacuate."
"Yes Ma'am," the officer said.
"You're really going Yoshika," Michiko said.
"I have to go, otherwise there is no one else to protect us," Yoshika replied looking at a worried Michiko.
"Be careful," Michiko stated. "I'll go warn my grandpa and your mother and the rest of the village."
"Good idea, they best better prepare to evacuate if we can't stop it. They will probably hit the military base first, but the Neuroi won't stop there. They will continue on to the village," Minna said.
"They won't make it there, I'll make sure of it," Yoshika said, suddenly as confidence flowed into her like she never felt before. She would defeat this Neuroi threatening her home. She looked at Michiko, who nodded, before heading off towards the gate and the village.
"All right, let's get going," Minna said, walking out as Yoshika followed her towards the hangar.
Yoshika felt the wind in her face as she and Minna turned towards the Neuroi. She thought she would never feel this before but now she barely had time to think about it. She gripped the machine gun, something she had hoped she would never use again, but she understood the situation changed.
"Mio, what's the situation, Miyafuji and I are a couple of minutes out," Minna asked.
"Not good, in fact I've never seen anything like this," Sakamoto replied. "I'm seeing multiple cores in the Neuroi."
"What, repeat I thought you said multiple cores," Minna replied. Yoshika wanted a repeat of Sakamoto's report as well.
"Multiple cores, it's not moving fast but be careful, it has a long-range. It's tried to attack me now twice," Sakamoto said.
"Sakamoto," Yoshika whispered knowing that the major had no way to defend herself. She heard Sakamoto laugh.
"Don't worry Miyafuji, I'm far enough away to have plenty of time to dodge the attack. I'm not about to close in and allow the Neuroi the satisfaction of killing me," Sakamoto said.
"Oh good," Yoshika said.
"Still, multiple cores does not sound good, how many?" Minna asked.
"Hang on, I think I see seven," Sakamoto said.
"Not good at all," Minna said, as they closed in on the Neuroi. No one had ever heard of a multi-core Neuroi before, as a result Minna knew no way to begin the attack. "Let's go Miyafuji."
"Yes ma'am," Yoshika said following Minna's lead on an attack vector streaking past a hovering Sakamoto. Yoshika finally saw the Neuroi as a large flying wing.
She gripped her machine gun even tighter making sure it was ready. The first shots came from the Neuroi, which she and Minna avoided with ease. She opened fire the same time as Minna did watching the impacts quickly regenerated.
"Rapid regeneration," Sakamoto said. "Faster than anything I've seen before, and it appears heavy armor."
"Great," Minna replied at the news. She wondered if the news could get any worse. "Yoshika, concentrate on where I fire."
"Yes ma'am," Yoshika replied, as they raced in for another attack. Yoshika tried to fire where Minna did but it proved difficult as several times she had to deploy her shield to deflect the Neuroi counter fire.
They both regrouped looking at the Neuroi still intact.
"This isn't working," Minna breathed, not sure she liked the results.
"What if we split up?" Yoshkia asked.
"No, we need to concentrate our firepower," Minna said. "We'll try again."
Yoshika started to head towards the Neuroi but had to quickly deploy her shield. She looked over to see that Minna had also been forced to deploy her shield.
"I'm not sure there's much I can do," Sakamoto's voice said.
"No, you stay back where you are, I don't need to worry about you as well," Minna said. Yoshika thought she heard more than concern in the commander's voice but had no time to reflect on it.
"I'm not even sure we're slowing it down," Sakamoto's voice said.
"I know, damn, two of us isn't working, we need a new strategy," Minna said.
Yoahika turned slightly to try another move but the Neuroi fired on her again, when there was another rapid explosion.
"Then you need more firepower," a familiar voice said.
"Trude, Erica," Minna said, as they spotted the two Karlsland aces heading into the fight. Questions filled their minds about how those two were there, but at the moment Yoshika had never been so glad to see two of her friends before.
She watched as Erica and Trude closed in trying to open up the Neuroi, which again regenerated very quickly.
"What gives, that should have opened it up quickly," Trude said.
"It has multiple cores, and tough armor," Minna replied, blocking another shot from the Neuroi. "We need to concentrate our firepower. We should be able to do something now that we have more firepower."
The two pairs opened fire again trying to attack the same spot, but the Neuroi seemed to understand the strategy and kept them from firing.
"One of the cores was exposed for a second," Sakamoto said, from where she was observing the battle. "However we still haven't slowed it down at all."
"I know," Minna said, knowing they would have to continue to attack, if they were to win this battle.
A whizzing sound, followed by a new impact on the Neuroi, caused Yoshika to turn seeing two new forms approaching.
"Ciao Yoshika," a sing-song voice said, that Yoshika recognized right away.
"Lucchini, Shirley," Yoshika said, excitedly seeing the two come up to her. "What are you doing here?' the question asked before she could even think about it.
Before Shirley could reply they had to move quickly to avoid a new attack by the Neuroi.
"I think that can wait Miyafuji until after the battle," Sakamoto's voice said.
"What's the situation," Shirley asked, as they dodged and attacked with little damage inflicted on the Neuroi.
"What gives with this thing, it's hard as a rock," Lucchini said, looking at the Neuroi cautiously now.
"It's a multiple core Neuroi," Minna replied.
"Whaaat?" Lucchini replied, her voice raising an octave as she spoke.
"Later, now stay in formation and attack any cores as exposed," Trude said.
"Yeah, easy to say, not very easy to do," Erica said as she headed towards the Neuroi. "Strum," she said invoking her special attack. "Oww," she said, as she merely was deflected away by the Neuroi's armor.
"Shirley, you and Lucchin give covering fire for Trude, Erica and I. Yoshika if any core is exposed attack it right away," Minna said feeling slightly glad she now had a plan. It was not much but better than before.
Yoshika watched patiently as the rest attacked the Neuroi. Erica and Trude were slashing and firing up close following Minna . Yoshika tracked the attack looking for any opening in the Neuroi's armor but found nothing. Then for a split second where all five attacks came together she thought she spotted a core. Even as she raised her machine gun to fire she had to deploy her shield.
Something hard impacted the Neuroi at that moment doing some damage to the Neuroi, which quickly regenerated. Yoshika turned her head, holding her breath at the booming sound of the weapon firing. She knew that weapon and saw a very welcomed sight.
"Lynn!" Yoshika cried out in happiness.
"Yoshika!" Lynn replied, flying right to Yoshika enveloping her in a hug. "I'm glad you're safe Yoshika. I was worried," Lynn said in a soft voice. Yoshika smiled back at her friend.
"I see you got your powers back," a rather aloof voice said.
"Perrine," Yoshika said, giving another smile at her friend.
"All right girls, we still have a job to do," Minna's voice said cutting though the reunions.
"Roger," they all said.
"Yoshika, use your shields to protect Lynette, you'll target the cores while the rest of us try to break through the armor. Shirley and Lucchini will continue to provide cover fire. Trude, you and Erica try attacking on the far side while Perrine and I attack this side." Minna said.
"Yes ma'am," Lynette and Perrine said.
They formed up to attack when another massive attack hit the Neuroi causing even greater damage.
"No way," Yoshika heard Minna exclaim. They turned in the direction of where Minna was looking. There flying towards them were two very familiar figures, Eila and Sanya.
"Yahoooo! The gang's back together," Lucchini said, bouncing around in excitement.
Yoshika felt the same way. She knew now they could not fail in defeating the Neuroi. Not with the old gang back together. They could do anything, that much Yoshika felt for sure.
"Sanya, coordinate your attack with my orders, while the rest of us draw the Neuroi's fire, Lynette will attack the core while Yoshika provides protection for her," Sakamoto said.
"Roger," Sanya's soft voice replied.
"Let's go everyone we have our orders," Minna said.
Yoshika watched as several rockets went flying past impacting the armor of the Neuroi. The Neuroi fired back at Sanya who, with Eila guiding her, moved out of the way of the beams, never breaking the hold they had on each other. Yoshika deployed her own as the Neuroi attacked her and Lynette. She heard Lynette fire and glanced to see one core shatter.
"That's one down, we have a system, let's get going on the other six," Sakamoto said.
Sakamoto sighed slightly feeling some relief now that they had a system worked out. A second core was quickly destroyed and it appeared the armor of the Neuroi was weakening which would have been good news except for the fact the cores had now begun to move.
"The cores are now mobile, be careful," Sakamoto said. She thought about where to next instruct Sanya to fire when everything started acting very strangely.
"Hang on Sanya," Sakamoto said, watching the activity. "Minna, we might have a new problem."
"What is it?" Minna replied concern in her voice.
"This Neuroi is up to something, I'm not sure yet," Mio said, watching closely at the way the remaining five cores were rearranging themselves. She then watched in shock as the Neuroi split into five different craft. A quick scan confirmed what Mio suspected. "Minna, each one has a core."
"Copy Mio," Minna replied as everyone watched the Neuroi split up and head off in different directions.
"Pair up and take one, Perrine you're with me," Minna said, hearing Perrine's reply. She watched as Erica and Trude paired up heading off with the center one, Yoshika and Lynette went off towards another one, Sanya and Eila took the third one while Lucchini and Shirley raced off towards the remaining one.
"Eeeehhhhh!" Yoshika said, watching the Neuroi split apart. She then heard Minna say each had a core and to break up and attack. She looked around seeing one heading off close to where they were. "Lynette, over there, let's get it," Yoshika said pointing to a square Neuroi heading off.
"Let's go," Lynette said.
Yoshika took the lead swooping down upon the Neuroi firing as they went. They twisted and turned slightly using shields as needed as the Neuroi returned fire on them. They both knew that this one only had one core which made things a bit simpler, they hoped.
Yoshika approached from behind opening fire on the Neuroi. Her shots impacting on the surface creating a larger and larger hole and the regeneration was more normal now. Lynette fired several times hitting the Neuroi causing even more damage as her armor-piercing bullets going all the way through. The damage it created caused large holes and both witches were looking to see if they could find the core.
They both made another attack avoiding the Neuroi beams firing on the square-shaped craft.
"There it is," Lynette cried. Yoshika looked over to see that the last shot had exposed the core. Even now it was growing back covering the core but now they knew where it was. They both started firing again concentrating on the same spot.
Yoshika kept a steady stream of fire up hoping to expose the core again. She heard Lynette fire again this time shattering the core. Yoshika exhaled slightly as the Neuroi broke apart. They had defeated the Neuroi.
"We did it," Yoshika said, turning towards Lynette excited that they had defeated another Neuroi together.
"I-I wonder how the others are doing?" Lynette asked, sharing a smile with Yoshika.
"Hopefully as well as we did," Yoshika replied. She felt good now that her friend was back.
"Come on Lucchini," Shirley said to her younger friend.
"Right behind you," Lucchini's voice replied as the two took off after a pyramid-shaped craft that was moving very fast. Shirley managed to catch up to it even while dodging the attacks it was firing back at them.
Shirley took aim and opened fire hearing Lucchini fire as well watching as the fast Neuroi also proved highly maneuverable avoiding the shots.
"Eh, what give with this thing, it moves too quickly," Lucchini said. "How can we hit this thing?"
"Lucchini, go left, I'll go right maybe we can put enough fire around it that it can't avoid the shots," Shirley said hoping her plan worked.
"Roger," Lucchini said, taking a slight turn before they both opened fire again. This time the Neuroi took dome damage. Shirley watched as the Neuroi regenerated the few hits it had taken. They were not putting enough shots on target to do enough damage or find the core.
"We need a steerable shot," Shirley said to herself.
"Steerable, where are you going to find that," Lucchini said, firing again at the Neuroi.
"That's it," Shirley said, a plan forming in her mind. She quickly headed over to where Lucchini was grabbing her hand. She accelerated to a point ahead of the Neuroi hearing Lucchini protesting before finally reaching a spot. "Ready Lucchini?"
"What are you talking about, oh, yeah, let's gooooo, do it," Lucchini suddenly said realizing what Shirley had planned.
Shirley smiled at Lucchini's exuberance of her plan, but then again Lucchini loved speed as much as Shirley did. It showed as Lucchini loved Shirley's driving. Shirley started spinning as fast as she could, gaining up speed before releasing Lucchini at the Neuroi.
"Wheeeee!" Lucchini yelled out. She streaked off towards the Neuroi which started turning to avoid her. She turned to match the Neuroi deploying her shield as she went right though the ship firing as she went through to maximize the damage.
Reaching the middle the Neuroi suddenly shattered leaving Lucchini cheering in the middle of the debris. Shirley smiled at the fact they had managed to win once more.
"We did it, we did it," Lucchini said, flying over to where Shirley hovered.
"Yep, let's see if anyone else needs help," Shirley said. They turned heading off towards where the others had gone.
Trude watched the Neuroi intently for any logical pattern in the attack. She and Erica had done two passes on the Neuroi now but had to deploy their shields each time due to the beams. She looked for some sort of pattern that they could use to their advantage.
"You see something," Erica said, who had been stopped in another attack once more.
"Not yet, but we need something here," Trude said as she began another attack on the Neuroi. Once more as she started getting close she had to deploy her shields.
"We can't get in close," Erica said.
"Yeah, not good, that's where our strength is," Trude said.
"Then we fire from a distance," Erica said logically.
They both opened fire causing some damage on the Neuroi but not enough to see where the core was.
"You see the core Hartmann?" Trude asked.
"Nope, you?" Erica replied as she continued firing on the Neuroi.
"We can't keep attacking at random hoping we hit the core," Trude said logically.
"I can, but it takes too long," Erica replied.
"And we can't get close to really use our abilities," Trude said, making another pass watching as their shots hit the Neuroi before it started regenerating once more.
She hovered for a second watching the Neuroi and Erica trying to see something in the pattern. It seemed to only intensify its fire if they got too close. Its long-range fire was ineffective at best. She wished now that Lynette or Sanya were there with their firepower to help out.
"Hartmann, I have an idea," Trude finally said, hoping that her idea would actually work.
"What is it?" Erica asked, finishing one of her attacks.
"One of us will use our shield allowing the other to close in firing," Trude said. "I'll shield you."
"Right," Erica said swooping in behind Trude who deployed her shield and went into the attack.
It took several attacks before they finally exposed the core. Erica fired blasting it several times before it finally shattered.
They watched the debris of the shattered Neuroi drift down to Earth.
"Another Neuroi down," Erica said.
"Yeah, but this one was defiantly different from anything else we've encountered before," Trude said. She knew something had happened and felt a moment of uncertainty of what the future might hold.
"Yeah, but we still got it," Erica said. "Let's see how the others are doing."
Trude watched as Erica went off before heading off after her.
Eila dodged the Neuroi beams with ease keeping a firm grip on Sanya making sure she was not hit either. She knew neither one had to speak to know what the other was thinking. Sanya followed Eila with ease, never startled by the direction that Eila took them.
She dodged a few more closing in on the Neuroi before bringing Sanya up in front of her. Sanya fired right away sending several rockets streaking towards the Neuroi impacting on it but did not expose the core.
"Eila, the core in your Neuroi is mobile," Sakamoto said, giving Eila more information about the enemy.
"Roger," Eila replied know knowing she could anticipate the core's movement.
She pulled Sanya along some more dodging another round of Neuroi attacks. A few more moves and she realized they would have to split up.
"Sanya, fire from here, I'm going in closer," Eila said.
"Yes," Sanya replied, already opening fire as several rockets went past Eila as she began to close in on the Neuroi.
She dodged a few more beams knowing that Sanya could protect herself. There was plenty of time for the younger witch to deploy her shields or move. She watched several more rockets fly past her impacting on the Neuroi.
Eila now opened fire, when it felt right to her, striking several areas looking for the core. Sanya's shots blew large holes, allowing Eila the opportunity to see even more. Suddenly on of Sanya's shots exposed the core as it moved through the ship. Eila quickly brought her gun to bear and opened fire.
The Neuroi shattered as Eila destroyed the core. Another Neuroi as Eila quickly flew over to Sanya quickly looking over the younger witch.
"Are you all right Eila," Sanya's soft voice asked.
"Of course," Eila said with a smile, even though she was looking to make sure Sanya was all right. Satisfied that both were all right they quickly headed off in the direction of the others to make sure they were all right as well.
Minna flew in the direction of the remaining Neuroi. Behind her Perrine followed as they flew fast trying to overtake the Neuroi.
"Perrine, take left," Minna said, hoping to come at the Neuroi from two different directions would increase their chances of victory.
However Minna realized they had one problem, the Neuroi they were chasing was incredibly fast. They both fired on it, registering several hits but she saw nothing of the core.
"Minna, the core is in the front," Sakamoto's voice said.
"Great," Minna replied, wondering how she would attack the front when they could barely keep up with it. She tried to figure out a way they might even be able to slow it down.
"Commander, I'm having trouble keeping up," Perrine's voice said, sounding strained with effort.
"Do your best Perrine," Minna replied, knowing she was also having trouble. She felt sure that Shirley could catch this one, but she was already engaged in combat with another Neuroi. The one thing that helped Minna was the fact it had not fired back yet. Of course that caused her concern as it was not normal for a Neuroi. She continued firing hoping to get lucky as the ground sped along below them.
She noticed that Perrine had now slipped further behind and was not out of her weapon's range. Minna knew she only had a few more seconds before the Neuroi was out of her range as well and opened fire as best she could.
She barely managed to slam on her brakes as the Neuroi suddenly came to a complete stop. Minna felt she had received some good luck after all, as Perrine came up huffing from her effort to keep up.
"Go right Perrin and I'll go left and aim for the front," Minna said, as they both started off as the Neuroi tilted down and then shot off towards the ground.
"Perrine, prepare for ground strafing," Minna said, watching as the Neuroi never slowed down but seem to accelerate.
She blinked in surprise as it struck the ground close to the center of a village, exploding with tremendous force causing her and Perrine to deploy their shields to deflect debris. Her confusion turned to shock as she heard the gasp come from Mio.
Minna and Perrine both watched the dust settle to show a crater in the center of the village and the nearby building completely wiped out. The blast damaged buildings near the edge of the village and Minna knew people were wounded, and several probably died.
"A-A suicidal Neuroi?" Perrine said, regaining her voice after seeing the shocking devastation.
Minna did not reply, as she did not know, but they were here and their skills were now needed in another way. "Perrine, head down, we have injured people down there."
"Yes ma'am," Perrine said, quickly heading down to the center of the village.
Minna watched for a second as the blonde witch quickly stepped out of her striker unit and went to work.
"Mio, what's the status of the other Neuroi?" Minna asked, wondering if any of the others did this attack.
"All destroyed," Mio replied.
Minna felt some relief at that statement. "Inform everyone to head to my spot, we have wounded and we can really use their abilities, especially Miyafuji's healing abilities," Minna stated.
"Understood, I'll head to base, and inform the base commander of what happened, they can start sending troops and supplies to the village to help out," Mio replied.
"Right," Minna said, heading down to the village to start helping Perrine, who was already working on helping out.
Minna accepted the water as she rested against the troop transport that had finally arrived. She looked out at her friends, all working hard to help out anyone who needed help. The wounded were still being brought in as they pulled survivors out of the rubble. Miyafuji's mother and grandmother had been a welcome addition. Their healing powers were better than anyone except for Miyafuji's. The death toll had continued to climb though which saddened her tremendously.
She turned to see Mio riding down the road in a jeep. The older witch really could do little here, as her powers no longer included healing. The jeep pulled up close to where Minna stood allowing Mio to get out.
"Looks even worse on the ground then it did from the air," Mio said.
"Yeah, they are still pulling people out," Minna said. "I think most of us are getting to the point of exhaustion."
She looked around at the others, who were all still working, but Minna could see the strain starting to take hold. Even Miyafuji seemed tired.
"That's why I'm here, a troop transport is coming to take you back to base, and the base commander wants to speak with you," Mio said.
"I figured on that," Minna said, glancing around once more. "We couldn't stop this one."
"It was fast, and even Shirley would have had trouble," Mio replied. "Could have been worse, all five could have done this."
Minna glanced around at the destruction knowing that if this had happened five times things would be very bad.
"All right, let me go inform the others they have rides back to the base and then we'll head on back to the base. I think I know what the base commander will say, but I'll wait to hear it from him," Minna said.
She heard Mio chuckle as she walked up to a group of exhausted looking witches who now watched her approach.
"I have some good news for you all, the Fuso army is providing transport for all of us back to base," Minna said. "It also seems that the Neuroi attacked in one massive coordinated attack." She watched a few of them nod their heads as they had already heard the news. "The good news is that we beat them back. Everyone, get some rest and I'll see you back at the base."
She followed Mio back to the jeep as they went off back to the base.
"You didn't mention anything about the squadron being reformed?" Mio asked.
"Not yet, I'm almost positive it will be, but I'll wait until I actually have the news signed once more," Minna said. She felt tired, a long day, and still a lot to do. She hoped her superiors saw the advantage of reforming the 501st. For now, they would head back to the base, and rest.
She heard Mio laugh as they sped down the road back to the base. Tomorrow would be another day and she had a lot of planning to do now with a new Neuroi hive so close to Fuso.