A/N: To all reviewers and readers, thank you for your continued support! I have lots of mistakes in the previous chapter and I hope this one doesn't disappoint.
Previously on Strike Witches: The Wings of Friendship
The birth of the Neuroi Eaters although still unofficial in the Joint Fighter Wing was a great achievement for Mac and Dan, knowing that it's a big leap for the start of their quest for truth and justice. This achievement however is not going to be unnoticed by the Allied High Command but nothing is more important than this very moment, Trude Barkhorn's life is in danger, only Yoshika Miyafuji can save her and she can only do that if she can reach her on time. That task is rested upon the shoulders of the Neuroi Eaters. Sadly, time is not on their side and the Neuroi Eaters found themselves being pushed to their limits.
[Chapter 6: Retribution and Acceptance]
Perrine hovers just a few meters above the ground, guarding the injured Barkhorn. It was unexpected, in a blink of an eye, Trude Barkhorn was shot down. She and Erica had to carry the injured Barkhorn carefully to the ground, despite being in the military, she wasn't trained for conducting First Aid treatment as well as Erica, they only left her on the ground, it's best not to move her body to prevent worsening her injury, she was tasked to guard her instead while everyone was busy dealing with the Neuroi.
"Perrine! Minna and Eila are on their way here…they also brought Lynne and Miyafuji, just stay put and everything will be alright." Mio informed her.
"I understand Major."
'This is my fault, it's my entire fault. What should I do?' She thought herself; guilt is building up on her.
'I never thought I would say this, please Marcus…bring Miyafuji and save Lieutenant Barkhorn.' She prayed as she looks at the injured Lieutenant.
She looked up and watched as Shirley, Lucchini, Erica and Mio fights off the Neuroi, she couldn't still believe this is happening.
[Flashback – Sometime Earlier]
Perrine's POV
I am so happy, now I'm flying next to Major Sakamoto. If I have something to thank for today, that is I got paired with the Major.
Major Sakamoto lifted her eye patch, it seems like we're almost near the location of the Neuroi. I scanned the area below but the low clouds seem to block my view. To the lower right, there were scattered clouds but something is flying just under the clouds, it's the Neuroi.
"Enemy Sighted!" I heard the Major spoke confirming that the flying object is the Neuroi.
"Attack!" Major Sakamoto ordered.
I saw Lieutenant Barkhorn and Flying Officer Hartmann's pair dives toward the Neuroi, they really are the perfect pair to begin the assault, and they are covered by Shirley and Lucchini as they fired at the Neuroi. I guess there's no need for me and the Major to assist.
The Neuroi didn't even have time to fight back; it just hovered as the Karlsland Aces commenced their combined assault. As they circled at the Neuroi, it just went down without putting up a fight.
"That was too easy." I spoke in surprise; this is far the easiest sortie we had. Normally on our previous sorties, the Neuroi fires at us before we could even reach our weapons' effective range. I remembered hearing Marcus saying that half of our unit will die in our next sortie, just who does he think he is?
"This is strange."
I looked at the Major who had a puzzled expression.
"I can't find the core."
The core, the Neuroi has no core? Wait, does it mean…
"Could it be a diversion?!" I asked, the Neuroi using such tactic…that's preposterous!
I looked at the Major as she covered her eye with her eye patch again.
"In that case, the base is in trouble."
We all flew back immediately, the Neuroi used a cheap tactic to lure us away from the base but despite being a cheap tactic, we fell for it and it's only the Commander, Eila and Sanya who are at the base, Sanya wouldn't be able to fight because she's probably recovering after she used up all her magic during her night patrol. I don't even know if that Miyafuji or Lynne could be of help to the Commander, also those men claiming that they will fight as well, it's absurd for them to think they can do anything against the Neuroi at all.
We've been flying at full speed for a while now, despite our best effort though we still have a long way to go. The time to reach the base is half an hour at least. The Major has been trying to contact the base since we flew back and she couldn't get establish a stable radio contact.
"Come in Minna, do you hear me?" I hear the Major is contacting the base again, that's the fifth time already, what's taking the Commander so long to respond.
[Radio] "Minna here, we just heard the alarm and I rushed in here. What happened?"
Finally, the Commander picks up and in an open frequency channel too.
"The Neuroi used a decoy and there's probably another Neuroi coming to our base, we are currently on our way but we're too far out, ETA to our arrival is thirty minutes."
[Radio] "I understand, I had Mac and Dan prepared for combat with their planes."
Wait, with their planes? What is the Commander thinking?
"What's with the change of heart, I thought you didn't want them to be involved?" Mio asked.
[Radio] "It seems I'm a just being unreasonable, but we will do what we can from *static*"
"Godspeed Minna, we should be able to…hello? Minna?"
It seems the transmission was cut off.
"We have to hurry; I have a bad feeling about this."
As much as we wanted Major, but we are already doing the best we can.
Fifteen minutes, that's fifteen minutes already and we haven't even seen the base yet. Large formations of clouds are blocking our view, there could be a squall forming but it is bigger than the usual cloud formation for a squall.
"Everyone, increase altitude!" I heard the Major's order, it's better to fly above than fly through the clouds..
We did what the Major said, we divided our number with the Major in front of me and Lieutenant Barkhorn on my tail flew to the right and the other group went to the left.
"This is strange; this cloud is nothing of the ordinary." I saw the Major raised her eye patch and used her Magic Eye.
But what is this feeling? Am I being nervous? Calm down Perrine Clostermann, a noble lady of Gallia mustn't lose focus at times like this.
"Neuroi! Everyone scatter!" The Major ordered.
*barrage of beams came out of the clouds*
I saw a large shadow appeared within the clouds and I saw a concentration of red light inside the large cloud just right above me. Could it be…?
*Whizzz*
I quickly evaded the rapid fire and I noticed the others did the same. I hastily erected my shield, I somehow managed to protect myself but the impact was intense and I lost my balance.
I 'm falling…wait this isn't right, is that? Lieutenant Barkhorn?! She's onto me!
"Ah!"
I collided with Lieutenant Barkhorn who just flew to the direction I was falling, I hit her back but she was able to recover immediately, but thanks to her I managed to regain my balance, I looked up and saw the Neuroi came out of the cloud with its beam already fully charged and ready to attack again.
"Lieutenant Barkhorn!" I yelled at the Lieutenant, she looked at me, wait…she's unaware of the Neuroi that just came out from hiding!
What is this, it's like time slowed down, why am I feeling this way, why am I seeing her face like this…I don't understand…Lieutenant…
The Neuroi fired, Lieutenant Barkhorn saw it and she erected her shield but the Neuroi hits her gun.
*Explosion*
Lieutenant Barkhorn? She is falling, she wasn't hit by the beam but the magazine of her gun exploded, it couldn't be, please no, not like this!
"Lieutenant!"
I dived towards Lieutenant Barkhorn with my arm stretched reaching for her, she's not moving. Is she still alive? No, don't think that way! She's just probably unconscious!
"Trude!"
I heard Flying Officer Hartmann's voice, I didn't look where she is but I'm sure she's close. I'm almost there, just a little more and I can reach her…
"Lieutenant!" I managed to grab the Lieutenant, I held her as I noticed Flying Officer Hartmann caught her as well.
We looked at each other and levelled Lieutenant Barkhorn's body and slowly descended while carefully supporting her. We placed her gently to the ground but she's unconscious, there's also blood, she's bleeding!
"Trude, please wake up Trude!"
"Flying Officer Hartmann, we mustn't move her or it'll get worse!" I told Flying Officer Hartmann, she went silent and looked at me with an angry look. Is she mad at me?
"Stay here and protect Trude."
Protect? Does she mean I'm going to stay grounded?
"But Flying Officer!" I protested.
"That's an order!"
This was the first time I saw Flying Officer Hartmann became emotional, she was angry, I have no right to complain, it was my fault anyway, although she's not blaming me vocally, I could feel it.
"I understand." I said weakly.
I stayed silent and looked at Flying Officer Hartmann as she flew up to engage the Neuroi, I looked at Lieutenant Barkhorn, she's not moving, this is my fault, if we only had a…
Miyafuji? That's right, she's a healer. She can heal the Lieutenant!
"Major!" I called out to the Major with my transponder.
"Perrine? How is Barkhorn?"
"She's unconscious and she's bleeding, we can't move her because her injury could get worse! I think if Miyafuji could get here…"
"I'm already contacting Minna, just stay there and guard her."
"Yes Major." I responded.
Please be alright, Lieutenant Barkhorn….
[End of Flashback]
[Straights of Dover – After the First Neuroi Contact]
Mac and Dan are pushing their planes' to the limit and even used WEP longer than possibly allowed, thanks for the help of Bahamut and Diablos, their machines somehow exceeded this limit. At their current cruising speed of 600 km/h at 1,900m above sea level and with Witches attached to their wing, they're hoping to be there by ETA of ten or fifteen minutes.
It would have been faster if Minna and Eila would just flew by themselves but Mac told them that they needed to save their energy for the upcoming battle. Rather than carry Lynne and Yoshika, Dan suggested giving them a lift, just after Minna and Eila picked Lynne and Yoshika off of the Adriatic sea, the duo flew at low altitude with opened canopies to have Lynne and Yoshika ride inside their planes. Although cramped inside, Lynne and Yoshika didn't complain as it was the only solution viable for them at the time. Lynne sat in Dan's lap facing the front, in order for Dan to pilot correctly; she also had to keep her hands to her knees so Dan's arms would be positioned just around her sides. Yoshika's case however was different; she was sitting sideward with her back resting at Mac's left arm, she had to bend her knee so Mac's right arm could hold the stick properly.
"Yoshika, tell me if you're going to move so I can release my hand from the stick." Mac told his 'co-pilot'.
Yoshika smiled and shook her head. "No I'm fine, I'm sorry I was getting stiff and you're already wet because of me, and you're shivering too." Yoshika noticed.
"Don't worry about small things, focus only on what will you do when we get there." Mac spoke firmly; he was cold physically and emotionally. His mind is focused on what's important, to save Trude.
Mac looked on his right and saw Minna attached herself above the right wing, resting her body and only looking forward; he opened his channel and speak.
"How are you feeling Minna?" Mac asked.
"I'm fine, I don't think Eila and I would make it there even if the two of us could carry Miyafuji."
Everyone in their group realized the importance of delivering Yoshika to Trude's location. Another voice was heard in their channel.
"So much for the thrill of flying, now I'm feeling a bit cold and we can't go higher because it's damn freezing up there. Being stuck at below 2000m sucks, we could have gone faster up there if weren't only gonna freeze to death." Dan exclaimed, although his arms are wrapped at Lynne which probably helped him feel warm.
"That's why I was worried when I saw you didn't wear any flight suit; did you think flight suits are just for fashion sense?" Minna responds.
I didn't realize that one.
I thought it should be okay not to wear those.
We didn't even know if there's available in the base anyway or we're just idiots for not asking Martellus.
Yeah, well I'm having a hard time flying with Lynne here sitting in front of me, but oh boy she's surely keeping me warm though.
Focus, no funny business.
Aren't you being warmed up by Yoshika too?
No, she's not that warm and I'm still damn cold; I better ask Bahamut if we could go faster.
Didn't I suggest that we should have painted the planes red?
No you didn't and even if you did I would probably be against it.
Mac spoke to Bahamut and asked if it's possible to fly faster.
'Bahamut, I would really appreciate if we could go any faster.'
'You demand too much, this is the fastest as we can go in this altitude, it'll be fatal for you if we get higher since you do not have the proper attire for high altitude flight, but wouldn't it be easier to have the vile magic female off of my wing? That could also help speed us up a little.'
Even though Mac is in good terms with Bahamut, the latter still expresses hostility towards Minna, calling her 'vile magic female' in a displeased tone. Mac understands after what Minna has done to Bahamut earlier.
'Nope, that's not an option.'
'Then stop demanding.'
Mac didn't responded to that, he knew arguing with Bahamut won't do any good. After all, he just remembered that he must prove himself first before he can wield it 'truly'.
Feeling cold while keeping the plane steady and with a 'co-pilot' sitting to on him while cramped inside a single seated plane, what could be more stressful than that? Surprisingly though, Yoshika is silent and kept herself from moving so Mac can pilot properly.
"Lesson learned, never fly without wearing a flight suit." Dan said to his channel.
"Wait until you try flying at night without wearing one." Eila spoke proudly as she was also resting above the left wing of Dan's plane.
As an occasional Night Witch with Sanya, she knew very well how cold it is during night patrol. However, Britannia's cold season is pretty warm compared to Suomus.
"I think I'll just let you girls have that time, I'd rather sleep for the night thank you very much." Dan didn't like the idea of conducting night patrol just for the chill rather than the thrill.
Lynne could only remain quiet as she tries to be comfortable in the cramped cockpit of the plane, sitting in front of Dan soaked with sea water. Dan's arms are positioned just about under her chest so he can reach the stick. He noticed that Lynne is quiet, probably blaming herself for what's going on right now.
"Don't think about such things Lynne, we didn't know this will happen and besides, this is the only option we have to get there. Everything will be alright so try to relax at least." Dan cheered her up although he's also having a hard time since Lynne is sitting in front of him and he can't reach the stick properly as his arms is wrapped on her.
Strong gust of winds blew towards them and their planes shook intensely, Dan held the stick tighter only for the plane to do a semi-roll to the right, Eila managed to let go from its wing to prevent herself from being thrown upward.
"Be careful will you?!" Eila complained.
"I'm sorry, the wind was too strong…could you even imagine how difficult it is to keep it steady?" Dan responds but he noticed that Lynne was sniffling.
"I'm sorry, if I didn't let myself and Yoshika fall to the sea, we wouldn't have to go through this trouble. I thought I would be of use to everyone but it seems I just caused more trouble for us. And now, Lieutenant Barkhorn's life is in danger and we could have been there already if it weren't because of me, I won't forgive myself if Lieutenant Barkhorn will…" Lynne covered her face with her hands and started crying.
"Lynne, it's not your fault. No one is blaming you." Minna spoke calmly to comfort her.
"That's right Lynne, don't cry. We can make it; Barkhorn will be alright! I promise!" Yoshika followed through Mac's channel.
Dan is unsure what to do; Lynne is crying although he doesn't see her face directly because she's facing the front and covering her face with her hands. He felt he needed to do something and he remembered that he has Diablos with him.
'Diablos, what should I do?'
'Human emotion, human females are very sensitive by nature's design, this one however is feeling guilt, blaming oneself for the occurrence that is beyond her control even though it came into place by mere coincidence.'
'How should I comfort her when she's not even listening?'
'I'll provide the necessary support for you, free your hands and I will handle the flying for now; do what you can for this female human.'
'You can fly on your own?'
'Of course I can for this is my body, not until I had you at least.'
'Thanks.'
Feeling relieved that Diablos can fly itself while thinking of a way to comfort Lynne, Dan somehow thought of Diablos caring to such a degree. He gave its name for fear and terror in its meaning, but it's actually the complete opposite of what he noticed just now.
"Lynne..." Dan held her shoulder and turned her towards him.
"Dan?" Lynne asked as tears runs down her cheeks, to her surprise Dan hugged her placing her face to his shoulder.
"Cry now while you have time and while it's just us who will hear and see you cry, we will not speak of this to anyone. Just cry now so you could feel better, it's not your fault, you don't have to feel this way, you did your best and were proud of you, that's all that matters." Dan said solemnly and was heard through his channel.
"But…I..." Lynne couldn't believe what she's hearing.
"That's enough already, don't blame yourself because you haven't done anything wrong." Dan said sternly as he gently caressed her back.
There was only the noise of the planes' engines as everyone was silent because of the words just said.
'To think that in situations like these, he becomes like this.' Minna thought to herself as she looked at Mac who was smiling inside his cockpit. He turned to her with a smile on his face and nodded.
Yoshika was gazing at Mac who was smiling but when he looked at her, his expression changed to serious.
'I wonder if Mac doesn't like me.' She asked herself before looking down in silence.
Lynne just did what Dan said, she cried on Dan's shoulder. Lynne kept her face buried on his shoulder as Dan gently caresses her back. Everyone remained silent as Lynne cried.
Care to explain what you're doing?
Hey! You're not the only one who can be compassionate.
No, you just did something surprisingly unexpected, at least try to minimize your intimate interaction with the Witches…I could swear Minna is gonna skin you alive if you forget the rules.
Noted, thanks man.
Yeah.
Oh look, Lynne stopped crying.
"So you feel better now?" Dan asked smiling.
"Yes, thank you." Lynne said as she wipes her tears and smiled.
"I'm glad you're okay now Lynne." Yoshika spoke through Mac's channel.
"Yeah, I'm glad that was over." Eila quipped.
"I'm pretty sure you were teary eyed as well Eila." Dan joked.
"What?" Eila flew off the wing and hides under the plane. "No, I think I got some dirt in my eye, that's all!"
"That's the most overused excuse till the twenty first century." Mac remarked which made Dan, Lynne and Yoshika laugh wholeheartedly.
Minna just couldn't explain it, but the duo somehow managed to lighten up the mood despite the situation. This however is subject to change once the group reaches their destination.
"Alright people, focus…" Mac reminded which made everyone silent. "Minna, any luck with establishing radio contact with the Major?" But Minna wasn't able to answer that question because Dan suddenly saw something.
"Oh, I see a big black dot ahead!" Dan exclaimed as he looked at his HUD blinking and markings suddenly appeared.
[Neuroi] Triebflügel (VTOL- Type) 25.09 km hovering above a large land mass.
[SW] Mio Sakamoto (Type 0 Model A6M3a) 25.02 km. above the Neuroi
[SW] Erica Hartmann (Messercharf Bf 109 G-6) 25.06 km under the Neuroi.
[SW] Charlotte E. Yeager (N. Liberion P51D Mustang) 25.07 km. to the right side of the Neuroi.
[SW] Francesca Lucchini (Farotto G.55 Centauro) 25.06 km next to Shirley.
[SW] Perrine-H Clostermann (Arsenal VG 39) 23.09 km just a few meters above the ground.
[SW] Gertrude Barkhorn (Messercharf Bf 109 G-6) 23.05 km at the ground and marked as black.
Trude is marked black!
We must hurry!
Just as the following appeared to Dan's HUD, radio communication was established.
"Major, we now see you and we're coming from the east. Miyafuji is inside Mac's plane; please provide cover as we close in." Minna said as she flew off away from Mac's plane.
"Roger that Minna, we will lure the Neuroi away."
"This is it Dan; we'll be entering a hot zone." Mac announced and looked at Yoshika who was curled on his lap. "Hang on tight." Yoshika nodded and held Mac's left arm.
"Roger that!" Dan confirmed, he looked to his left to spot Eila who just flew to his left and he signalled a thumb up which she did the same.
Making the final preparation, the duo checked their gauges and consulted with their Machine Spirits.
'Bahamut, unlike the first Neuroi we encountered the one we're going to face is a bigger one and perhaps more powerful. I would like to know if you're going to let me use your full power.'
'Let this be your trial.'
'What do you mean by that?'
'You'll know when it comes.'
Not understanding what Bahamut meant, Mac only sighed and dived towards 1500m, this increased his speed to 655 km/h. He sent a thought message for Dan to do the same.
Dan was getting excited and scared at the same time, how Lynne will get off the plane is still a big question for him.
'Ok, is it alright if I just open the canopy and have someone getting Lynne out of the plane Diablos?'
'The easiest and quickest possible way is to have her bail out.'
'That's cruel! She's probably gonna hate me for it!'
'You asked, I only answered, but the decision is still yours to make.'
Dan is still not making his mind about Lynne; he focused instead on flying then followed Mac and dived as well after receiving the thought message. Carefully levelling his plane, they are now 8 km away from Mio's location.
[Mio's Location]
After the brief communication with Minna, Mio needs to do something about the Neuroi. She was hovering just above the Neuroi while scanning the core and it's currently at the centre of its tube like body. The Neuroi also have 3 rotating blades attached to a ring that allows it to rotate around the fuselage. Although it doesn't function as a weapon of sort, the Witches ignored it and continued firing at the main body.
Seeing an opportunity to attack, Mio dived down towards the Neuroi and fired her Type 99 Mk 2 Cannon at the tip of the nose, smashing it off. But this didn't last long as the Neuroi started regenerating from the damage.
"We're gonna need more firepower to deal with this one. Minna's already close on so we have to keep the Neuroi away for Barkhorn to be treated."
"Major, if you want I could…" Perrine spoke through the channel but was cut off.
"No Perrine, you are to stay down and guard Barkhorn!" Mio ordered firmly.
Shirley and Lucchini are flying together and fired at the Neuroi's tail section.
"I'll try to lure it away, everyone cover me!" Erica announced as she lined up and takes the Neuroi head-on.
Sensing the Witch, the Neuroi focused its attention to the Witch coming from its front and fired from its nose, Erica dives and rolled to the side firing at its midsection.
"This is a tough one! I already used half of my magazine!" Shirley exclaimed as she fired her M1918 BAR.
Next to her was Lucchini firing her M1919 Browning MG at the tail fins. "Go down! Go down!"
"This is for Trude!" Erica continued firing her MG42 at the Neuroi's midsection while moving in and out of its line of fire.
Below was Perrine, looking up for signs of Minna, but her waiting ended when she noticed two planes flying toward them with Witches flying next to them.
"Major, I see planes coming from the East!" Perrine exclaimed.
"That's them!" Mio confirmed.
But the Witches are not the only one who noticed the planes; the Neuroi turned its nose toward the arriving planes.
"Time to work, Lucchini!" Shirley screamed and dived towards the Neuroi firing at its nose followed by Lucchini.
An open channel has been established with the planes. "This is Mac, we're coming in hot!"
Mac knew it's not going to be that simple, since there's no way of landing the plane and slowing down could mean death for him and his co-pilot. He needs to come up with an idea to get Yoshika off the plane. Scanning the area with his HUD and noticing that Perrine was just above the ground where Trude is, with his current speed of 620 km/h and altitude of 1200m, the best possible solution is to have Yoshika jump out of the plane.
Minna flew to the Neuroi after she left Mac's side, sending a hail of bullets with her MG 42 before weaving out to join Mio.
"Major, where is Trude?"
"She's being guarded by Perrine, where's Miyafuji?"
"She's in Mac's plane."
Mio blinked her eyes and saw a plane flying straight under the Neuroi.
"That plane?" Mio asked in surprised.
"That idiot!" Minna screamed in frustration.
Mac cruised straight, not even thinking of slowing down because doing that could be a death sentence. Hovering above him is the Neuroi and he's completely at the kill zone.
"Erica my dear sister, I know I can count on you!" Mac screamed. Erica heard that transmission and dived towards the Neuroi with guns blazing as she passed over it.
Sensing the plane flying just below it, the Neuroi targeted Mac's plane, as it started charging energy and its nose began to glow brighter.
"Oh no you don't!" Shirley came circling at the Neuroi focusing her attack on the nose and emptied her magazine.
"Ah! Reloading, Lucchini cover me!" she yelled for her wingman and Lucchini came in firing at the Neuroi.
Eila not allowing the Neuroi to fire at the plane, she flew head on to get its attention.
"Take this!" Eila fired her MG 42, but this infuriated the Neuroi and focused all of its rapid firing beams to her which she easily dodged.
Seeing the Neuroi is completely occupied with Eila, Mac activated his WEP and looked at Yoshika as they passed under the Neuroi.
"Gah! Need some help with Lynne too! Lucchini, I got some boobs for delivery, want to pick it up from the air?" Dan spoke through his channel while flying behind Mac and Lucchini immediately rushed toward his plane.
"Boobs, I want them!" Lucchini exclaimed and fired at the Neuroi as she passed under it.
Mac passed under the Neuroi successfully, he looked at Yoshika and noticed that's he's only 2 km away from Perrine's location based on his HUD and he needs to act fast. Speed 599 km/h Altitude 1170m.
"Perrine, I'm almost above your location. I'll be dropping Yoshika above you, just catch her and you know what to do!"
"I understand, I'm ready!" Perrine confirmed and waited for the plane.
Mac stared at Yoshika and nodded.
"So we have two options here Yoshika." Mac said in a serious tone, this made Yoshika nervous but two options is better than no option at all.
"Option one; I open the canopy and you jump out."
"EH?" Yoshika opened her mouth in shock as she heard the first option.
"Option two; I open the canopy and throw you out."
But the second option was far worse than the first and Yoshika felt that it's better if she do it herself.
"Option one! I pick option one!" Yoshika exclaimed in panic.
"Alright, here we go." Mac reduced his throttle to 30% and opened his canopy, this is a risky part because the canopy is a sideway opening type, and it's something not meant to be opened during flight. Yoshika slowly stood on his lap facing him while holding at the edge of the canopy firmly, she stepped to his shoulder so she could jump out from the top of the plane but before she could jump the strong gust of wind blew her and this made her lower body forced directly to Mac's face.
"MMMPH!" Mac tried to speak but was unable to because Yoshika's covering his face with her lower body. Her crotch was covering his face and she was holding firmly at the edge making her stuck.
"I'm sorry Mac, I can't move!" Yoshika immediately apologized while blushing intensely.
Mac couldn't believe what's happening to him, he prayed that no one could see them like this, more importantly; he needs to breathe properly rather than to think about the embarrassment. Asking Bahamut for help could be the best option.
'Bahamut, help!'
'You look pathetic, let go of your hand and I will handle the flying for now.'
'Many thanks!'
Mac let go of the stick and pulled Yoshika back down so he could breathe; Bahamut provided support by keeping the plane stable. They passed over Perrine who was puzzled at what just happened.
"What the hell are you doing!?" Perrine asked in anger as she saw the plane passed overhead, but she noticed the other plane successfully dropped Lynne off and Lucchini grabbing Lynne from the air.
"Gotcha! I got Lynne secured!" Lucchini successfully grabbed Lynne's breasts from her back.
"Ah! Lucchini!" Lynne complained but she wouldn't want to be dropped carelessly so she didn't struggle too much.
Minna received the confirmation of Lucchini but wondered what happened to Yoshika.
"Marcus, is something wrong?" Minna asked in her channel as she tries to spot Mac's plane but the Neuroi suddenly released a barrage of beams upward which they immediately blocked with their shields.
Dan received the transmission. "I'll go check him out! Lucchini, bring Lynne down to Lieutenant Barkhorn!"
"Awww, but I don't wanna!" Lucchini complained as she held Lynne firmly, her breasts actually.
"Please put me down Lucchini!"
Dan is getting pissed; Mac is having a problem with his plane and Lucchini being a brat. He snaps and used the best threat he could come up with.
"IF YOU DON'T PUT HER DOWN, YOU'RE BANNED FROM RUBBING SHIRLEY'S BREASTS FOR A MONTH!"
"WAAAH!" Lucchini exclaimed at what she heard and flew towards Perrine immediately.
"Nice one Dan." Shirley remarked on her channel but her tone was angry while shooting at the Neuroi.
Eila and Erica continued their combined assault while Dan flew passed over them to check on Mac.
The fuck is wrong with you man?
Please! I'm already having issues here!
Okay, okay, I'll be on your wing.
Yoshika curled her legs and place herself in a sitting position facing Mac; she couldn't open her eyes because of the strong wind which also prevented her from jumping out. When she opened her eyes, she was sitting in front of Mac in a very suggestive position which made her blush even more; Mac wasn't giving a damn about their situation.
"We'll try it again! Hold on tight!" Mac said as he reached for the canopy and closed it.
"Okay!" Yoshika responded and rested her head to Mac's chest and cling onto him.
Mac adjusted his plane, pointed the nose upward and turned to the left performing a chandelle, this increased his altitude by 100m, and he lowered his throttle again then looked at his HUD.
[SW] Perrine-H Clostermann (Arsenal VG 39) 1.07 km.
[NE] Darius Bodewig (Messercharf Bf 109 G-6) 2.04 km flying 800m above towards him
"Yo! Need a hand?" Dan asked in his channel as he banks his plane to the left and has his plane turn to fly next to Mac.
"No thanks, I got this. Just stay with me and I'll be done here in a sec, after I drop Yoshika off we'll go and destroy that Neuroi." Mac said but Dan noticed how Yoshika was positioned in the cockpit and it was too much for him to bear.
"BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! MY SIDES!" Dan laughed hard that it echoed to everyone's channel.
"What's with the chatter, could you please keep it down!" Minna finally snaps, her graceful demeanor was shattered.
"Marcus, have Miyafuji heal Barkhorn immediately!" Mio ordered in her channel.
"Dan is being a jerk, I'm almost done here." Mac said to his channel before looking at Yoshika once more whose face was just a few inches from his.
"This is your last chance Yoshika, Option one!" Mac opened his canopy sideward and helped Yoshika stand, Bahamut flew itself for a while as Mac assisted Yoshika.
Slowing down to 450 km/h and with a just 900m away from Perrine, Yoshika successfully stands but still not jumping out, fear is building up on her. Mac being already frustrated at the embarrassment he have been through, rolled his plane, Yoshika was unable to grab anything as she fell off the plane and squealed while descending , Mac successfully dropped Yoshika. Perrine saw Yoshika and flew to break her fall.
That was cruel man!
I have no choice.
Successfully delivering Yoshika and with Perrine securing her, she immediately flew Yoshika to where Trude was lying. Mac and Dan now done with their delivery problems, they focused their attention directly to the Neuroi. But before Mac could fly in formation with Dan, shouts of complain was heard to his channel.
"Mac! You said we're doing OPTION ONE!" Yoshika screamed to her transponder as Perrine carried her toward Trude.
"Hey Miyafuji, stay still will you?!" Perrine scolded Yoshika for moving.
Everyone who heard the transmission was puzzled; Mac was also silent for a few seconds before he replied.
"I LIED!" he responded with maniacal laughter followed by Dan who also laughed maniacally.
Oh man that was hilarious! Mac, you the man!
You thought you're the only one good at these kinds of stuff huh?
Yeah…
Good…
I LIED!
DAMN YOU!
The Neuroi Eaters flew next to each other and climbed at 1500m; Erica flew next to Mac and smiled. Everything is set, the enemy is at their sights, and their HUD indicated the objectives.
Objective: Destroy the Neuroi!
Secondary Objective: Protect the Witches!
Time to get serious Dan.
Yeah, let's get to work.
"This is Eater One of Neuroi Eaters to Squadron Leader Sakamoto, we are yours to command." Mac spoke in his channel.
"Eater Two standing by and awaiting orders." Dan did the same.
Mio was puzzled, the duo named themselves as Neuroi Eaters with call signs Eater One and Two. But she smiled confidently at the realization that this might just work came to her mind; she smirked at the idea and decided to give it a shot.
"Copy that Neuroi Eaters, you are now part of the 501st JFW Strike Witches, everyone form up and regroup!"
Minna looked at the sight as her girls converging next to the planes, facing toward the Neuroi. The battle for Retribution will begin when the shots started flying.
Flying in a V Formation with the planes positioned at the rear, the Witches flew straight and provided shields for the planes behind them. Beams slam to their shields as Witches continued forward.
Retribution – (BGM: Like a windstorm – Strike Witches STG!)
Perrine hovered as she observes the battle, her main task is to protect Yoshika while Trude is being healed. Lynne Assisted Yoshika by channeling her reserve magic to Yoshika while she's using her healing magic.
Trude glowed bright in bluish magical aura as their surrounding goes brighter; Perrine noticed it and she turned her head to witness a large spherical blue light around Yoshika.
'So this is what Healing Magic looks like.' Perrine thought.
But this display of magic didn't go unnoticed; the Neuroi sensed the surge of magical energy and is now enroute to the source.
Screeching in anger, the Neuroi flew straight to the Witches and fired its entire array of beams. The duo dived and the Witches divided, breaking their formation.
"Shit!" Mac cursed in his channel, as he rolled his plane while evading the rapid fire as he flew under the Neuroi taking sudden amount of G forces.
Dan banks right in quick succession just after a steep dive, he pointed his nose upward and performed a chandelle to have his plane pursuit the Neuroi.
Mio turned around and saw the light coming from Yoshika's healing magic.
"This is bad, the Neuroi is heading for Miyafuji!" she chased the Neuroi and fired at the tail section.
"Trude!" Erica rushed to the Neuroi's side and fires at the center body.
"Erica, don't engage it alone!" Minna screamed as she flew next to Erica and fired her gun.
A growling voice was heard on the channel followed by a maniacal laugh.
"You dare ignore the Neuroi Eaters!" Mac screamed in anger after successfully
"That's your biggest mistake!" Dan cursed as they line up for their attack.
The Neuroi Eaters flying in lag pursuit both fired their guns at the Neuroi's tail section scoring devastating hits and smashing its tail fins. However, this proved useless as the Neuroi's regeneration ability kicked in and repaired itself like nothing happened.
"Damn! We should attack it where it's most vulnerable." Shirley cursed as she flew above Dan's plane and fired her gun at the Neuroi.
But the Neuroi came up with a surprise for everyone, the rotating blades stopped spinning and glowed red, the parts at the end of the rotor blades detached from the main body and flew at them.
"Frack!" Dan screamed upon seeing what just appeared on his HUD.
[Neuroi] Ram Drone (A-Type) 0.67 km.
[Neuroi] Ram Drone (B-Type) 0.65 km.
[Neuroi] Ram Drone (C-Type) 0.69 km.
"Drones!" Minna exclaimed in shock as the drones flew to intercept them.
"Don't let the Neuroi get away!" Mio ordered.
"Break!" Minna ordered and everyone scrambled.
"I'll take on one of the drones!" Erica engaged one of the drones; she chased it away but the drone shot at her from its rear which she managed to block with her shield.
Two drones passed Erica and intercepted the planes.
"I'll go help Dan and Mac, we'll handle the drones! Leave this to us!" Shirley looked at one of the drones heading for the planes.
"I understand Shirley; see to it that Dan and Mac survive." Mio said before heading for to chase the Neuroi.
Shirley breaks off to engage one of the drones. Minna, Mio, Lucchini and Eila chased the main body as it fly towards Yoshika.
"These drones are no ordinary ones!" Erica remarked while chasing one of the drones, she also noticed a plane going straight to the Neuroi she was chasing while being chased by another drone.
One drone chased Mac, the drones have one weakness. It can only fire in a straight line; Mac weaves his plane left and right successfully avoiding near misses and direct hits while enduring the amount of G forces he receives. He saw another drone coming to his direction but this particular drone was being chased by Erica.
"Erica, I see you. Use your magic to destroy that one to your front and the one on my tail!"
"But bro, you're in the way! I can't do it if you're there!"
"Wait for my signal, trust me!" Mac made up his mind and activated his WEP.
"Alright." Erica agreed as she avoided another beam from the Drone she was chasing.
The plan was simple, Mac will engage the Neuroi Erica was chasing and she will use her magic to destroy both but Mac will have to weave out before Erica uses her magic to avoid being hit.
"Here we go Erica!" Mac lined up his plane and placed the Neuroi in front at the center of his gun sights. 750m till contact, the drone on his tail is almost ready to fire again after his last weave maneuver.
Mac fired all his guns in a short burst and pulled up ascending in a half loop followed by a half roll.
"Now Erica!" Mac gave his signal.
Shit Mac, I just saw you damaged the drone!
Cut the chatter! Aren't you being chased by one too?
Aw shit, pray that I don't die!
The Drone in front of Erica was hit by Mac's bullets and slowed down; Erica saw this as a chance to destroy both the drone she was chasing and the drone from Mac's tail.
"Sturm!"
Erica used her magic and smashed the drone in front of her and connected her attack to the drone that was tailing Mac just after he did a turn.
I'll be damned Mac, Erica just kicks ass!
Yeah, she got nerves of steel!
When Erica stopped spinning she looked around and saw Mac flying just a few meters above her.
"Nice job Erica, now grab on to me and we'll go higher." Mac told her.
"Okay!" Erica responded with glee.
She grabbed at the wing and Mac pointed up to increase their altitude and turned towards the direction of the Neuroi.
Dan was doing fine earlier until a drone came tailing him. He panics and flew at tree top level, this was ideal for him however the drone was not flying at the same altitude as him for it was flying at 200 meters ABOVE him.
"Oh shoot! Give me a break already!" Dan cursed as he weaved left avoiding a beam.
Shirley was tailing the drone in pursuit of Dan, she was firing at its rear but every time she hits it, it fires back at her. The drone is firing at her while it was chasing Dan.
"Damn it, sneaky bastard!" Shirley fired again at the drone but she was slowed down as she blocked another beam that was fired at her. "Hold on Dan, I'll take it down!"
'What to do, what to do, If I pull up there's a chance that I could get killed!' Dan is thinking of a way to escape from the drone on his tail.
'Try a loop to get behind your opponent, but be mindful about speed when doing this maneuver.' Diablos spoke.
'I guess that's the best thing to do huh?'
Dan reduced his throttle and pulled up his stick, with a quick pitch his plane did a loop avoiding the beam fired by the pursuing drone by doing a semi-roll, his vision became blurry as he endured the amount of G forces he's taking. As he carefully lines up his sight, he saw Shirley and the drone to his front.
"That was brilliant!" Shirley praised at what she just saw, but she was immediately struck by another beam from the drone that was in front of her. She hastily raised her shield to protect herself and Dan.
"Shirley! Get out of the way!" Dan yelled as he lined up his sights.
After blocking a beam, Shirley rolled to the right and flew out of Dan's line of fire.
"Take this!" Dan screamed and pressed the trigger. 20mm rounds and 13mm bullets bursts out from his guns and damaged the drone with devastating hits. The drone flew erratically and avoided the next barrage of bullets but Shirley flew in for the kill.
"It's over for you, now die!" Shirley fired and destroyed the drone.
Dan rolled his plane to avoid the Neuroi dust, it was a close call. He expected that fighting a Neuroi could be stressful to his body but he didn't expect to experience such pressure.
"Great job Shirley, thanks for saving me." Dan congratulates and thanked Shirley.
"Hey no problem, let's go and finish the job."
"Alright, grab on!" Dan flew next to Shirley.
After intercepting the drones, the planes along with Erica and Shirley are now in pursuit of the main Neuroi.
[Above Trude's Location]
Minna, Mio, Eila and Lucchini are in pursuit of the main Neuroi, but this Neuroi became faster after its drones have detached from its rotating blades. Much to the Witches' horror, it's now within range of Yoshika, Trude, Lynne and Perrine's location. Detecting the magical energy that is being used by Yoshika upon healing Trude, the Neuroi had an objective of its own.
Eliminate the source.
"I will not allow you!" Perrine exclaimed in frustration as she holds her shield, as much as she wants to engage the Neuroi, she can't abandon the wounded Lieutenant and Yoshika. Her only option is to hold her ground.
Eila and Lucchini dived in and circled the Neuroi's central body, firing their guns and scoring hits but their combined attack seemed ineffective because of its regeneration. Lynne was looking above her as she watched.
'If only I had my gun.' She thought to herself while she channeled her reserve magic to Yoshika.
"Hold on Barkhorn." Yoshika focused her magic; she had failed miserably and collapsed on her first try in using the healing spell when her best friend Michiko was hurt in an accident. But now it's different, she was trained by Mio and she had Lynne with her.
Mio and Minna descended and attack the Neuroi in the midsection, the Neuroi answered with a barrage of beams in return.
"We need more firepower to take this one out, where are you Eaters One and Two?!" Mio asked in her channel.
"We're almost there; we're coming down from your six-o-clock high!" Mac responds in his channel.
The Neuroi stopped when it was hovering just above Trude and it pointed its nose towards the ground. It's nose glowing and charged with energy.
"It's aiming at Miyafuji, everyone attack!" Minna ordered and the combined attacks of hers, Mio, Eila and Lucchini combined to stall the Neuroi.
Mio and Minna flew side by side and attack the center body, Eila focused her attack on the nose while Lucchini circled around the rotating blades. This combined effort somehow worked as the Neuroi switched its attack and released a barrage of beams at the attacking Witches.
Perrine was panting heavily, she's almost at her limit and it will only take another powerful attack from the Neuroi for her shield to break. She looked at Miyafuji and Lynne who are still beside the wounded Barkhorn.
'I hope Lieutenant Barkhorn is okay.' She prayed as she looked again above her but noticed a glowing red at the nose of the Neuroi that is pointed directly at their location.
"It's coming!" Perrine yelled as she flew upward and intercepts the beam.
*Whiiiizzzzzz*
Perrine blocks the beam with all her might and she's barely keeping herself from falling.
"You will not succeed!" Perrine boosts her Striker and flew upward as she pushed the shield.
Below was Trude being treated by Yoshika and is now having her consciousness back.
"What's happening?" Trude asked weakly.
"You're going to be okay, I'm just finishing healing your wounds." Yoshika spoke calmly.
But Trude frowns. "You could have just used your magic to help fight the Neuroi."
"I cannot abandon those who are in need, even if I can't save everyone…I will use my ability to save as many as I can! That is why I am here, because you can fight better than me, you can save more people than me!"
"To save as many as possible…." Trude muttered as she looked up and watched the battle, but something got her attention in the form of two planes flying high above.
"Miyafuji…"
"Yes?" Yoshika looked at her and smiled.
"Those two really are something…
"Yes they are Lieutenant." Lynne spoke from behind Yoshika.
"Lynne, what are you doing here?" Trude blinks her eyes in wonder.
"I fought with the Neuroi earlier; they helped me on defeating the Neuroi. Even though they just arrived, they still chose to fight…it's because of them and Yoshika that I decided to stop running away. That's why I'm here, because we are a team right?" Lynne explains and smiled at Trude.
"There, all of your wounds are….." Yoshika didn't finish her sentence because she lost consciousness and lands her head to Trude's chest.
Trude looked at Yoshika's face and noticed how calm and peaceful her face was but this image reminds her of someone dear to her.
'Chris…' She thought of her sister, she held Yoshika and placed to the side as she slowly stands up by activating her Striker's Engine.
"Lynne, stay here. I'll be back." Trude picked up her gun and flew off.
Perrine was having a bad hair day and a day at the same time, although she held her ground and not realizing that Trude was already awake, she still took one hell of a shot with her shield but this time her shield broke and she was sent falling.
"Kya!" Perrine screamed as she falls. Her voice was heard over everyone's channel including the Neuroi Eaters.
"PERRINE!" Dan screams in his channel and dives toward the Neuroi not thinking about Shirley who was still attached to his wing.
"Oi relax!" Shirley flew away from the plane and dived beside Dan.
Perrine on the other hand was caught by Trude who just recovered from her wounds with the help of Yoshika, Perrine almost depleted her Magic landed on the ground after giving her Bren light MG to Trude and flew off to help defeat the Neuroi.
Mac remained in the air, waiting for an opening. To his left was Erica hanging on the wing. "Bro, aren't we going to help Dan?"
"He can do it on his own besides, Shirley is with him so he'll live. Stay with me because we're going to perform a special attack for this Neuroi."
"A special attack for both of us?" Erica asked in wonder.
"Yes, it goes like this…." Mac explained his plan.
The battle was nearing its end, the Neuroi is probably angry right now because it didn't succeed in killing the source of the strong magical energy that it detected, but if angry meter level is concerned, no one can measure up against the anger Dan currently has.
"YOU WILL PAY, YOU WILL PAY DEARLY!" Dan rolled his plane firing his weapons at the Neuroi's tailfins and immediately pulls away, then turns again and did the same attack again.
"Dan calm down." Minna spoke to her channel but her voice was ignored.
Another one came into Minna's view; it was Trude carrying her MG 42 and a Bren light MG.
"Trude!" Minna saw Trude attacked the Neuroi recklessly, but she was different, Minna couldn't explain the change in Trude but this made her worry.
"Barkhorn, don't be reckless!" Mio exclaimed.
"GAH!" Trude fired her MG 42 and Bren light MG at the Neuroi head on, but the Neuroi didn't expect an attack coming from above.
The Neuroi fired its entire beam array again around it only to be avoided or blocked by shields, sensing the killing intent or by pure instinct; it focused its attention on the new threat that was coming above.
"What's that?" Lucchini asked as she noticed something fast falling from the above.
"Wait, is that?" Shirley noticed it as well.
"What are they doing?" Eila asked in wonder.
Dan heard their voices in his channel, he turned his plane after executing a high G barrel roll and pointed his nose up to see what the Witches are talking about.
"I'll be damned." is the only word he said.
Mac you crazy bastard!
This is how you take the spotlight in the stage of the battlefield!
Yoshika was lying on Lynne's lap and both looked up, a plane was doing a fast dive with a Witch hanging under the fuselage. This particular plane is Mac with Erica hanging under the plane.
"Are they insane?!" Perrine asked in shock as she saw the plane with Erica hanging under it.
At the exact moment, a radio communication was heard from Mac.
"This is Eater One special delivery, go Erica!" Mac said in his channel and started firing his guns making a line of tracer rounds. He activated his WEP and pulled up as Erica detached under his plane.
Diving straight to the Neuroi at high speed, Erica avoided beams until she was in range; she threw away her MG 42 and focused her attack.
"Sturm!"
Erica smashed through the Neuroi, from the tailfin and the entire tail section was gone. A red polyhedron shines through the sparkling dust, the core is exposed.
"There's the core!" Minna exclaimed and flew in to attack but Trude was faster than her and she shot the core with her MG42 and Bren light MG. The Neuroi exploded with in a dust cloud and the battle has ended.
Erica flew towards Trude and hugged her, Lucchini cheered as the dust cloud disappears.
"That was crazy but it was amazing!" Shirley cheered as she hovers next to Erica.
"It's all bro's idea."
"That was totally reckless, what if it didn't turn out this way?" Minna asked angrily.
"But it worked; I don't see any point in making a fuss about it. " Mio spoke and silenced Minna.
Minna flew next to Trude but instead of slapping her like in the anime she just spoke to her normally.
"Trude, I would like to speak alone with you once we get back to base."
"I understand." Trude answered weakly and smiled, she knew she's in trouble.
"As for you Neuroi Eaters." Minna looked up and spoke in her channel. The duo now to be called Neuroi Eaters circled above the Witches and listened to their channels.
"No need to thank us Commander!" Dan screamed in his channel.
"I demand compensation for this!" Mac said in his channel and both laughed.
"I'll see you in my office once we get back to base." Minna spoke sternly and looked at everyone.
"Everyone, return to base." Minna ordered but she forgot something.
There was dead silence before Dan finally breaks the ice.
"Alright, now who's gonna pick up Yoshika and Lynne again?" Dan asked sarcastically.
The whole team of Witches laughed making Minna blush realizing that she forgot about Lynne and Yoshika.
They all flew back to base with Lynne and Yoshika back inside the planes. The Witches are also tired from the long battle and decided to take a ride on the wings of the planes much to the annoyance of the Machine Spirits Bahamut and Diablos.
'I demand you to tell these Witches to get off of my wing!'
'Sorry Bahamut, it can't be helped.' Mac tries to reason.
With Dan now back to normal looked at his left and right wings just to see that Perrine, Shirley, Eila and Lucchini are all riding on top of his plane's wings.
"You can't be serious!" Dan blurted out in his channel
"You should be grateful that I considered riding your pathetic plane." Perrine
[Dover Base – Afternoon]
"What the hell is this?!" Mac screamed in anger as he saw his plane Bahamut tied with chains and the propeller removed.
"You can't be serious!" Dan cursed and looked at Martellus.
"Sorry boys, orders from the Commander."
Mac moved forward and grabbed Martellus by the collar.
"How could you do this, you didn't obeyed her orders to dismantle but now why are you obeying her, whose side or you on anyway?!" Mac blurted out in frustration but Martellus only smiled at him while being manhandled.
"Be thankful that it's just that." Martellus smiled and landed his hands on his shoulders.
"But this is cruel!" Mac nearly cried.
"I know that feeling…." Martellus shed manly tears.
Mac approached Bahamut and felt its fuselage
'It's that woman's doing again is it?!'
'Yeah, sorry about this…'
Mac sighed and remembered his conversation with Minna in her office after they arrived.
[Minna's Office – Sometime earlier after arriving at the base]
"Banned?" The duo asked in unison
"Yes, you are currently grounded and will not be allowed to fly until further notice." Minna sternly spoke.
"Heh, like you can actually prevent us from doing that." Dan smirked and leaned on her table.
"I already did the necessary measures." Minna raised a brow and smiled confidently making the duo blink in wonder.
"So what do we do now?" Mac asked in curiosity.
Minna smiled and handed folders to them.
The duo is given specific base assignments as support personnel. Mac officially handling the archives and Dan being a base lead maintenance crew, these assignments will begin tomorrow.
[Base Infirmary]
Trude now watches the resting Yoshika with Lynne at the infirmary but in a different way, the girls were sleeping soundly. When the duo landed on the runway earlier, they decided to just drop them in the infirmary for now because it's easier to bring them here than their rooms. She smiled at the young Witch as she thought of her sister Chris. Mac approached her from behind.
"So you finally saw her in a different light?" Mac asked softly and Trude smiled at him.
"Yes, I wouldn't have survived if she didn't come and it's all thanks to you."
"Hey it's not much of a big deal."
"Yes it is and I don't know how to thank you enough."
"Just be nice to her that's all."
"I thought of her as my sister, she reminds me of her."
"Don't worry Lieutenant, Chris will wake up soon."
"How can you tell?"
"I've foreseen it."
"Is that supposed to be reliable?"
"Hey, at least it's positive!"
The loud voice of Mac nearly wakes the girls as he covered his mouth.
"I guess this is where we part ways; I need to get some rest as well."
"I understand Lieutenant."
"You know, I noticed that you have a tendency to switch addressing people. You normally address Minna as Commander but lately you were addressing her by name, why is that?"
"I don't know myself either."
"Well then, from now on I will address you as Mac."
"Can I call you Trudy then?"
"I'll punch if you do that, Trude should be fine."
"If that's what you want…Trude."
Trude blushed as she heard him say her name. She somehow felt warm. She looked at Yoshika one last time before turning around to head for the exit.
Mac sighed and smiled while staring at the sleeping Yoshika.
'What a rough beginning…' Mac thought before heading out of the infirmary.
Author's Note:
Thank you very much to Sir BbK2442 for becoming my Beta Reader….he really helped me (A LOT).
The Neuroi that appeared in this chapter is the Neuroified Focke-Wulf Triebflügel with its ramjets detaching as drones which engaged Erica, Shirley and the Neuroi Eaters.
All reviews are welcome, I'm ready for them!
Next Chapter: The Chains of His Past