Chapter 2

Promise

September 20th 1944

U.S. 101st Airfield Airborne H.Q. outside London

Colonel Andy Wylik walked out from his tent and lit his cigar. He let out a puff of smoke.

"Mary, where the hell are you."

Captain Mary LeBrec looked up from her tea.

"Here sir."

"Gather up the Platoon, we are having a meeting."

"Yes sir." Mary said standing up.

"Jill, Peter, Everyone, meeting now." She said

Within five minutes every one of 101st Ghost Platoon, was around the campfire.

"As you all know in seven days we are going to be marching in Karlsland. We have been asked to take and hold a part of road the goes through Frankfurt, we are responsible for this strip right here." Andy said pointing to a spot of land.

"Sir, there's a bridge there." Enlistee James White said pointing to spot that is right near present day Flughafen Frankfurt.

"I'm well aware of the bridge there, James. I expect you to swim across and secure the other side." Andy said.

"Seriously?" James said wide eyed.

"He's joking dummy." Enlistee Greg Allen said

"Shut up."

"Knock it off!" PFC Jim Goodwill said.

"Go ahead sir."

"But we seriously have to hold the bridge." Andy said

"Sir, I have heard rumors that there are people who have been infected by Neuroi are fighting for them." Jill said sounding concerned.

"I have heard no such rumors, but I'm sure that's not out of the realm of possibilities." Andy said puffin on his cigar.

"I guess we'll just be careful about who we interact with when we land." Mary said.

"I just hope that bridge remains intact otherwise we are screwed." Peter said while cleaning his pistol.

"Why?" Mary asked.

"Because," he cocked the pistol and pulled the trigger pointing it at the ground. Click.

"There's no other bridge for a few miles."

82nd Airborne Division H.Q. London

Formerly 44th Joint Fighter Wing Base

Luetentaint Colonel Gertrude Ritter was saying her good byes to her friends, Captain Mary-Rose Scott and Major Elizabeth "Dogbreath" Turner.

"I'm so happy, I'll be able to see my home free again." Gertrude said jumping for joy

"That's right you were born in Berlin." Mary-Rose said.

"Jah, das ist correct." Gertrude beamed.

"So where did they transfer the two of you." Elizabeth asked.

"I don't know how, but I was placed into the Royal Honor Guard, The Royal Witches." Mary-Rose said.

"I am so happy, my request went through, I will be with the Hoffnung Witches. So now I will be part of history that freed my town from the Neuroi." Gertrude said.

"I'm goanna miss you both." Mary-Rose said hugging her two best friends.

"But I fear I may never see either one of you again."

"Haltet die hoffnung in deinem herzen, werden sie ihre augen auf den horizont und Ihre zukunft hell sein und viel versprechende." Gertrude said in her native tongue.

"That's beautiful." Mary-Rose said.

"Danke." Gertrude said.

"What's it mean?" Elizabeth asked.

"Not tellin'." Gertrude said smiling as she boarded her plane that would take her to her new base. The Plane rolled forward and started its take off. Mary-Rose and Elizabeth looked at each other and smiled.

"Well I should be going. I have my own plane to catch" Mary-Rose said.

"Bye, and good luck." Elizabeth said waving the British C-47 off. She turned around whistled a three note tune.

She walked into the school that served as the meeting place for the 82nd. On the stage was a large map.

"Thank you all for coming." Their commander Lieutenant Colonel Maria Wilson said

"As many of you know we are participating in one of the largest operations ever conceived. As many of you may already know, the goal is to take back Berlin. On this map, here is were we will have to hold the road long enough for the Convoy to cross, as you can see we have a field and town we will have to secure as well."

Elite Karlsland Guard, Coast of Braintia

Just as Gertrude's plane was touching down the meeting was starting.

Strandartenfuhrer Erica VonVogel was in the meeting of explaining their part in the operation when Gertrude came rushing in. She took a seat in the back next to Major Minna Schiffer.

"What did I miss?"

"Almost the intermeeting!" Erica said into her mind

"Eep!" Gertrude flushed pink

"I swear Gertrude you will be late to your own funeral." Oberst Lucas Thalberg said.

"Sorry!" Gertrude stuttered.

"So as I was saying, We will dropping into our town here and make our way to Berlin and be parting while waiting for the Alliance Corps to reach us."

The room filled with cheer.

I had this chapter half written for a while. So sorry I actually have lost track of where I wanted this one to go. As far as continuing this story I will resume this story as soon as both Strike Witches Boy Meets Witches and Doppelgänger Parade are complete. A little FYI to, I have major Plans for both series.