Chapter 44 – Operation Limelight
I had a dream… Yoshika and I were walking around Amaterasu's' realm. The lush green grass of the infinite meadows was tickling my bare feet, the gentle breeze was dancing in my hair, and the sun was shining brightly. Yoshika had a pure white dress, the same one she had for the visit at the Pope. The sun's rays were reflecting off it, almost blinding me. From what I noticed, I was also clad in white. A pure white yukata… Yoshika suddenly stopped, and asked me this question.
"What would you do if all of this, all your life was just a dream …? An illusion that we all live through? If you weren't the one you think you are?"
I couldn't answer. I simply couldn't… There was some instinct, some safety mechanism that prevented me from even thinking about it… So I reversed the question towards Yoshika.
"And what would you do?"
Yoshika opened her mouth, but I couldn't hear anything. Then the dream ended…
I'm now staring blankly in the ceiling. It's about six. I simply know it. I started feeling the time without asking Yuki. Maybe she transmitted it subconsciously, maybe my body tuned into same magnetic waves… Yoshika was tucked into my right side, looking as cute as ever… My little Yoshika… She isn't perfect, I'll admit that to anyone that I trust enough. She doesn't have big breasts, she doesn't have an athletic body… She's short… She's a ditz… She's from a poor family… But that makes her ever more likeable. If she would be ideal, then I would be bored quickly. And because she's imperfect, there's always something happening…
And she probably has some sixth sense, because she's looking at me with those big brown eyes.
"What are you pondering about, Toshiro?"
"You, us…"
"How sweet…" She stretched like a cat. "There's still some time left… Hmmm… We never did it in the morning, right?"
"Nope." Toshiro lied with a straight face.
"Then prepare yourself…" She said with a sensual voice while moving her hand down Toshiro's body.
Ten minutes later, Yoshika was lying beside Toshiro out of breath.
"Oh… Damn… Toshiro… It's… Even… Better… In the morning!"
"Who would've thought…"
"I should get dressed and start preparing breakfast…"
"Toshiro, are you awake already?" The speaker on the PA panel spoke with Mami's voice.
"Uuuugh…" Toshiro moaned while lumping off the bed.
He approached the panel. He saw that the button labeled 'Dorm 1F cor' was lit. He pressed it and said, "Yes… I just finished with Yoshika."
"You didn't have to say that… Anyway, now I'm guessing that she's awake so… When will we prepare breakfast?"
Toshiro looked at Yoshika and she answered, "In half an hour."
"Half an hour." Toshiro said.
"Ah, okay… I'm bored."
"Come on in, we're always welcome to a third one."
"You're dreaming, perverted cousin… I'll just dwindle my thumbs while waiting…"
"Okay, take care." He said and turned the panel off. "Thirty minutes? What do you want to do for about twenty?"
"I want to recharge my batteries. You're like the best power source for me, heehee…"
"Oh? And how does that work?"
"Just lie down besides me."
Toshiro lied down on Yoshika's side.
"Now I just embrace you, and don't let you go for twenty minutes."
"Dawww…"
Twenty minutes later, they dressed up and went to the dorm. They saw Mami sitting on the window sill before the dining room door. She was indeed dwindling her thumbs with a bored face.
"Oh look at you two love birds…" Mami grumbled.
"Why so sour, cousin?" Toshiro asked.
"You two are literally fucking yourselves silly while I'm still on warranty so to speak…"
Toshiro and Yoshika looked at each other stumped. Yoshika approached Mami and placed her hand on Mami's knee.
"Y-Yoshika?"
"You know, Mami… If you want some action, I can always do it with you…"
"Yoshika…" Toshiro said with a disconcerted look.
Mami blushed and said, "Uhhh… Are you sure about that? You have Toshiro and… Wait a fucking minute! You want do IT with ME?!"
"Yes. I'm flexible so to speak, heehee…"
"Yoshika, we're speaking about my cousin here…" Toshiro said. "Don't push her…"
"No, cousin, calm down. Yoshika… Uh… I don't think I can indulge into such… exotic love right away… But I'll think about it, okay?"
"Okay, Mami." Yoshika smiled and showed her two fingers. "I can lift you up to cloud nine with these… Eila taught me a lot…"
"Jump down to Earth, Yoshika." Toshiro said. "If you want to do this with Mami, I want a one free sidestep card. You owe me for that time with Eila anyway."
"Hmmm… I agree. But only with those I know, okay?"
"Okay."
"My… You two are really modern and liberal…"
"If we keep each other on tight leashes, then we won't be happy." Toshiro explained with a smile. "I wish that you and your future husband will also be so considerate towards each other."
"Who knows…" Mami sighed. "Your big breasted friend is taking her time to wake up…"
"Lynne likes to sleep in some times… Especially since she doesn't have to wake me up now, heh… But say, Mami – did you use her?"
"Ah…" Mami blushed heavily. "She used me actually… As a teddy bear! Don't think of some strange stuff!"
"I wouldn't accuse Lynne about anything strange. She's just too timid and well raised to be such a rebel like me, heheh… But it must look cute when she cuddles you!"
"I must admit it feels great, eheheheh…" Mami laughed dryly. "Are we doing that breakfast or not? This conversation is getting weirder by the minute!"
"Let's go. We have to make a nice and big breakfast for everyone. We're on a mission today."
"I guess I'm housesitting, right?"
"You're on leave, Mami. Enjoy while it lasts." Toshiro said. "While we're gone, you can sit in the radar room. Take a book from the office and read on."
"I think I'll do just that. Thanks for the tip, cousin."
"No prob. You should sleep off that night patrol of yours."
"I'm still running, as you can see. A bit woozy, but running!"
"Ain't you energetic…"
"My secret is coffee! And I don't need much, for the same reason as I mentioned earlier."
"Well, that surely is convenient… Low input, high output, hahaha!"
"Stupid cousin…" Mami grumbled. "At least you're not making fun of me, Yoshika…"
"Did somebody say anything?" Yoshika looked around.
Mami puffed her cheeks, looking angry at Yoshika.
"I'm sorry, but I simply had to, heehee…" Yoshika said with an apologetic look. "Come on, let's hug."
"Aw okay…"
Mami hugged Yoshika, to which the latter said, "You really are cuddly, heehee…"
"You're not worse either…"
"I can attest to that." Toshiro said. "Come on, let's do that breakfast, or we'll have it at 0900 at this rate."
"That won't do."
Everyone looked around and saw Tina standing in by the wall.
"Oh look, the Star of Africa is already shining in the morning?" Toshiro asked with a crooked smile.
"I'm anxious. If I lose my bet with Erica, I'll have to give Barkhorn's sister an autograph!"
"You what?"
"Erica came to me as a proxy for Barkhorn, asking if I couldn't give the sister of the latter an autograph."
"And?"
"I refused."
"Oh come on, Tina, don't be such a cold hearted bitch… You know what happened to Chris, right?"
"I know, but let me finish. After some bilateral shit flinging, Erica agreed that if she gets a higher kill count today, Chris gets an autograph."
"Just give it to her anyway, for fucks sake…" Toshiro said. "You gave me one, right?"
"It's because I was indebted…" Tina pouted. "And besides, some friendly rivalry won't be a bother, right?"
Toshiro shot daggers at Tina. The latter sighed, looked around and said, "Okay, I'll give her the autograph anyway… But we'll have a showdown nonetheless."
"I can go for that." Toshiro said.
"Good… Nobody peep a thing, kay?"
Mami and Yoshika nodded.
"So I heard something about breakfast?"
"Wanna help?" Toshiro asked.
"Are you kidding? I have to save myself! I'm fifty percent of the strike force!"
"Yeah, yeah, kidding… I wouldn't think seriously even for a second that you could HELP somebody doing something mundane as breakfast…"
"Are you trying to piss me off or guilt trip me into helping you make breakfast?" Tina answered visibly irritated.
"Yes." Both Yoshika and Mami answered simultaneously.
"Hahaha! Oh okay, I can help you. It's not that I don't know HOW to cook…"
"I'm actually surprised you know how to cook…" Toshiro said.
"Ah, don't worry, cousin. Tina cooks us once a year for Christmas. Nobody complained or was poisoned so far."
"A special day needs a special cook…" Tina puffed her cheeks and went into the dining room.
Toshiro could only shake his head and follow her along with Mami and Yoshika.
After the meals started being slowly cooked, Trude went inside the dining room. After half a second she stopped in place, looked at the kitchen while blinking fast, crossed herself and said, "Jesus, Mary, Joseph… The end is nigh!"
"Did you say "I want more arsenic", Barkhorn?" Tina asked with a cheeky smile.
"How about I open a can of whoopass on you?" Trude responded.
"I'd be glad to slap you silly, but as you see, I'm busy. Consider this a once in a lifetime occasion to taste the fruit of my culinary skills!"
"I won't eat anything until somebody tastes it before…"
"Oh come on, Trudy… I can personally vouch for Tina. I overlooked her all the time, and I can assure you that you're in for a treat." Toshiro said.
"Well, if you say so…"
"Hmm? Why are you standing in the doorwaaaaaa…" Erica froze just beside Trude. "Be right back!" She shouted and scooted.
"What was that about…?" Trude wondered aloud and sat at her usual place.
Before a minute had passed, Erica ran back with a camera in her hand, and judging by the model, it was Minna's Leica D. Erica quickly uncovered the lens and shot a few pics of Tina standing beside Toshiro.
"Hey, hey! Erica, what's this about?" Tina asked a bit irritated.
"I have to have definite proof that you cooked."
"But I won't sign that, hah!"
"Bite me."
"Erica, are you here?" Minna's voice could be heard from the corridor.
"Yeah, I'm here."
"Give me back my camera, that's not a toy."
"Just come and see something, okay?"
"What again…" Minna sighed loudly and entered the room. "Oh? Our dear guest is cooking for us? Good, I suppose… Erica, camera."
"Kay…" Erica timidly returned the camera to Minna.
"You actually gave me an idea…" Minna said and hung the camera on her neck. "Don't ask."
After a truly sumptuous feast, during which Trude was stuffed silent by Erica, Minna said, "We still have half an hour till 0800. I give you all twenty minutes to prepare in your rooms, and then we assemble before the dorm entrance. No exceptions. After that we go to the hangar and wait for our call. Toshiro, you'll be on the phone of course, right?"
"Um, I want to do it, ma'am." Mami raised her hand.
"Do you think you can manage, Mami?"
"Of course!"
"Then it's decided. Dismissed!"
Everyone stood up and started going their ways.
"Mami."
"What is it, cousin?"
"Are you sure? If you miss the call due to being asleep, we'll be fucked beyond reasoning."
"That coffee I drank right now should pull me through."
"Okay. Go."
Mami ran off into the corridor and Yoshika with Lynne approached him.
"Oh look, the immortal pair of Yoshika and Lynne. What is it you two?"
"Lynne has a problem…"
"My mag won't hold…"
"You what now?"
"The mag on my Boys is loose, Toshiro. I wanted to clean it yesterday and suddenly the mag fell out… And it won't stick…"
"Ooooh… Well, I'll have to repair it then, right? But why did you tell it now?"
"I didn't want to bother you…"
"Aw Lynne…" Toshiro patted her head. "If it's about repairing a Striker or your weapon, you're free to ask me any time of the DAY. If you're too shy for some yet unknown to me reason, ask Yoshika, she will relay it to me."
"Okay…"
"You're too humble for your own good, Lynnie. You have to stand up every now and then, show some initiative."
"That's how I was raised…"
"That doesn't mean you were cast out of a uniform mold, not to change for the whole life, right?"
"Maybe…"
"Oh don't bug Lynne with your philosophical-ethical-goodwill banter…" Yoshika interrupted. "Lynne is Lynne and will remain Lynne. Come on, let's prepare."
"Okay." Lynne said with a smile and they both went off.
Everyone left, except for Toshiro, Eila and Sanya. Both were looking at him with anxious looks and red cheeks.
"And?" Toshiro asked. "Staring at me won't help. I need a subject, a predicate and possibly some modifiers."
"Thanks for agreeing on Mami's night mission…" Eila mumbled.
"It turned out… fruitful…" Sanya muttered silently.
Toshiro looked at them dumbfounded, but then a figurative light bulb lit over his head.
"Fruitful you say… I have a tip for you two."
"What is it?" Sanya asked.
"Do it in the morning. It works better for us."
"Us meaning you and Yoshika?" Eila asked.
"Yup."
"What do you say, Sanya?"
"We can try, Eila…"
"You don't have to discuss it before me, sheesh… And you might as well thank Mami as well. In whatever way you think is viable, heheheheh…"
"We will!" Eila shouted. "Come on, Sanya, let's find her!"
"Okay!"
As the two ran off, Toshiro slowly went over to the dorm entrance, wandered outside and leaned against the wall, waiting for everyone.
The first one to come, was Mio.
"Howgh." Toshiro said, imitating a Native American.
"Don't you need to prepare anything?"
"Why bother going to my room… I'm just waiting here…"
"Can I wait with you?"
"Nobody is hindering you, Mio. What, feeling a bit of respect for the rank?"
"It's normal, Toshiro. You're two ranks higher than me, and you have total control over the 501st. Why wouldn't I be a tiny bit respectful past our friendship?"
"Thanks, I suppose…"
"You don't have the slightest idea how much respect comes from rank, Toshiro… If you'd enter a bar with normal soldiers in it in your full uniform and coat, it would have to be closed for the next three days because of all the shit everyone let down their pants."
"Heheh… A rather graphic description, but I know where you're getting at. I wonder what would happen if I'd yell a command in said situation…"
"If it would be anything else then "Next round's on me", you'd probably have a few guys fainting, hahaha!"
"Heheheh…"
"What are you two laughing at, huh?" Minna said from the doorway.
"Oh well, Mio is telling me about the perks of being an officer… It's rather… Scattastic…"
"Hahaha!" Mio laughed. "Ho boy… Say, Minna, why the tripod? Taking a picture of us?"
"Yes. I wanted to take a picture of all of us and our two guests before we go out to the hangar. I should start taking pictures of us anyway... We have to solidify some memories for our children…"
"Thinking about children, Minna?" Mio asked.
"I've been thinking a lot after that little incident with both of us in the underground passageway… It's only natural for a woman to have kids, right?"
"I guess… But I don't feel that something yet… And I'm older than you…"
"That's because you repress your maternal instincts, Mio." Toshiro said. "You're too hung on fighting to have time to settle down. And the perspective of being a hausfrau probably terrifies you to the brink of smacking the nearest person in the gut, right?"
"You couldn't have described it better…" Mio shuddered and slapped Toshiro in the stomach gently. "Don't tell anyone…"
"Everyone has their eyes and brains, they will come to such a conclusion sooner or later. Well, definitely later for some, hehehe…"
"Or never." Mio said. "Okay, let's stop this senseless banter, I feel the rest is coming."
And in a few seconds, everyone poured out of the door.
"Everyone, position yourselves in two lines! Tallest in the back!"
"What is this? A picture opportunity?" Tina asked.
"Yes."
"As long as you don't try to sell this off, I agree."
"As if you have any choice…" Minna said with a low voice.
Toshiro positioned himself behind Yoshika, placing his hands on her shoulders. Mio stepped beside him.
"Leave a spot on your left for me, Toshiro!" Minna shouted.
"Kay!"
The girls ran around and positioned themselves, according to Minna's instructions. Tina of course had to stand behind Erica, much to Trude's misery, who stood beside her.
Minna positioned the camera on the tripod, and installed a small device above the shutter release.
"A little timer to ease our little endeavor." Minna said after seeing she is eyed profusely.
She turned the dial on it, and quickly ran to the second row to Toshiro's left.
"Everybody, smile!" Minna ordered.
Toshiro cracked a humble smile, and the sound of the shutter was heard.
"Finished." Minna said. "Everyone to the hangar."
After getting to the hangar, the girls sat at the table.
"So much memories..." Shirley said. "I really preferred eating here…"
"Such a petrolhead like you probably thinks this is holy land…" Trude said.
Toshiro didn't want to listen to this, so he went on to Lynne's Launch Unit. He pulled out the Boys rifle from the storage, and after turning the rifle upside down, the mag fell out.
The mag looks okay…
He jammed it back in the rifle, but it was very loose after shaking it a bit. Toshiro pulled back the bolt and pushed it forward, but the mag bumped up it the process. He pulled out the mag, and opened the chamber.
Nothing… I knew it… The mag catch is busted…
"What is it, Toshiro?" Lynne asked suddenly from his side.
He looked at the sweater wearing Britannian, who now had a concerned face.
"Looks like the mag catch is busted, Lynne. You'll either have to load the bullets one by one each time, or I could give you a clamp to hold the mag in place…"
"Hmmm… I'll go with the first option… A clamp would make this too heavy and awkward…"
"Then find yourself some kind of pouch in the storage room and put a handful of bullets inside, okay?"
"Okay." Lynne smiled and went away.
Timing – perfect. I hope what I ordered gets here in the next… sixteen of so hours.
Toshiro returned to the girls and sat on a barrel.
"Toshiro, come on, don't sit on a barrel like that…" Yoshika said.
"And where should I sit? The table is jammed."
"Under me, where else?"
"If you insist…" Toshiro said with red cheeks, and sat on Yoshika's place, placing her on his lap.
"Now, this is more like it, heehee…"
"You two… Seriously…" Mio shook her head.
"Aw, Miss Sakamoto, what is it?" Yoshika asked innocently.
"Your lovey-doveyness makes me sick… I probably have diabetes by watching at you already."
"And if we saw you in a similar situation, my diaphragm would probably rupture from laughter." Toshiro rebuked.
Mio's cheeks reddened immediately.
"As if! If I'd have a man, I would have some decency not to behave like this in public!"
"Don't you want us to be cuddly in public, Miss Sakamoto?"
"Nah, do whatever you want. As long as you're doing well in combat, and you progress in wielding Yumemaru, I can't say a bad word."
"Heehee, thank you, Miss Sakamoto."
"We should go through the tactics once again." Minna said. "Let's wait for Lynne and we'll commence."
After Lynne returned, they scrutinized the tactics for the mission.
"Piece of cake." Tina said.
"Don't get cocky, Marseille." Trude said. "You know how showoffs end, right? Six feet under a rectangular piece of granite."
"Aw can it already, Barkhorn…"
They waited and waited. When the allotted time for waiting almost ended, the PA system chirped with Mami's enthusiastic voice.
"HQ called, Operation Limelight has started! You are to join the fleet mid-way to Malta!"
Toshiro quickly ran up to the panel and answered, "Thanks for the info, Mami. Now you can go to sleep."
"Kay, cousin! Be careful!"
"Everyone, round up!" Toshiro shouted. "Sortie in one minute!"
"Roger!" The choir of female voices answered him.
They all ran to their Launch Units and mounted their Strikers. Erica helped Tina put on her Striker. Toshiro only took his MG for now, because this was only a support mission for him. His engines whined at idle revs as he looked around. The trained efficiency of the girls arming themselves always put his mind at ease.
"Toshiro, you're commanding on this one, signal us!" Mio shouted.
"Right! Witches, Operation Limelight commence! Go go go!"
The whine of the hybrid engine mixed in with the rumble of two dozens of reciprocating motors as they powered on through the runway, and on to the south. Toshiro looked back at the radar room's windows, and saw Mami waving at him. He gave off a quick wave and they all went on.
As Mami said, they met up with the fleet halfway to Malta. It consisted of five small destroyers in a pike formation behind two enormous battleships who had a sub sailing between them.
"Waaaaaaaaah! That's the Bismarck!" Trude cheered.
"Indeed…" Toshiro said. "And I believe that's the '41 revision of the HMS King George V behind the sub, right?"
"Yes." Lynne smiled. "Even kids know about that ship."
"Ah, I see that our guests have arrived." A voice said through the transponder.
"Please identify yourself." Toshiro said.
"Ah yes, of course. Kapitän zur See Ernst Lindeman, captain of the Bismarck and field commander of this operation. I presume that I'm now speaking with Oberst Edelweiss, ja?"
"Indeed, Captain. What's the plan?"
"We will sail to about five kilometers before Malta, which will take us about one and a half hours. Then the two witches you designated will board the submarine and proceed with the assault. And you, Oberst, and the rest of your squadron will provide us safety against any unsolicited visitors."
"Understood, Herr Kapitän."
"You can all land on the bow for now, no sense to fly like that for all this time."
"Looks wide and long enough… Thank you, Kapitän." Toshiro said and turned around. "All right, girls. We're landing on the bow of the Bismarck to rest before the assault."
"Roger." They responded.
Toshiro approached for landing first, followed by the ever adventurous Tina.
"That was easy, huh?" Tina asked.
"Heh, the Yamato was a bit bigger, but this one's also good."
Toshiro waved in the rest and soon all thirteen were standing at the portside railing, watching the sea.
"Brings back memories…" Yoshika said.
"Just hope a Neuroi doesn't attack all of a sudden and I don't have to wear a makeshift balaclava again, heheh…"
"Freuhleine, Oberst, welcome on the Bismarck." A familiar voice was heard from their left.
An officer in a Kriegsmarine uniform approached them. Judging by his appearance, he had about fifty years, but his bald head made him look a bit older. The Karlslanders, except for Toshiro, saluted immediately.
"At ease… Oberst Edelweiss… Good to meet you in person. I heard many things about you, mostly good." The man approached Toshiro with his hand extended. "Ernst Lindeman."
"Toshiro Edelweiss." He said while grabbing and shaking the man's hand. "Pardon, but the Kriegsmarine isn't my field of interest so…"
"Ah, I don't mind… I'm used to the fact that the witches gather all the fame. Ah, yes, who will steal the Navy's fame this time?"
"These two." Toshiro pointed out at Erica and Tina.
"Ah yes, the Star of Africa and Oberleutnant Hartmann. Over three hundred or even four hundred kills combined if my memory serves me right… The Neuroi are in for something, that's for sure… Anyway, my men will provide you with some seating and refreshments, please feel welcome."
"Thank you, Kapitän." Toshiro said.
"Everything to help the mechanized air infantry… I'm going back inside." Lindeman turned away and waved his hand, causing the Karlslanders to salute.
"I see what you were meaning, Mio…"
"Nah, Karlslanders are exempt, hahaha!"
Soon, the sailors of the Bismarck brought them some foldable chairs and water with a hint of lemon juice. The girls and Toshiro were sitting and enjoying the calm breeze, with their gear orderly lined up pillbox under the second turret. After some time, Mio spotted something.
"I think I see… It's Malta! Just like on the aerial photos!"
"Ah, well then... Leisure time over, ladies. Time to earn some points toward another promotion… Everyone, scramble! Tina, Erica – you go over to the sub."
"Roger!"
Toshiro helped some of the girls to start, and lastly he took off. He flew over the I-400 class sub, and saw that a cargo hatch is opening.
"Oberst, the two should land inside the sub." The Captain said through the transporter.
"Roger." Toshiro responded. "You heard the man you two."
"Okay!"
Both Erica and Tina dived sharply, and they gently landed inside of the sub. The hatch closed, and soon, the sub did what it was built for – it submerged. All the ships soon came to a full stop.
The black dome over the small island was clearly visible from the distance, like an enormous bloated tick, sucking the life-force of its host. Despite this being the enemy territory, no free flying Neuroi were to be found.
"Sanya, Minna – nothing?"
The two shook their heads after a while of scanning the environment.
"I bet there's a hornet hive in that dome." Shirley said.
"And only two witches were sent there…" Toshiro sighed and fired up his transponder. "Tina, Erica – do you read me?"
"Clear copy, Toshiro." Tina answered.
"We'll probably lose comms once you get under that dome."
"If we won't get out fifteen minutes after surfacing, you can buy us a funeral wreath."
"Ha ha… Okay, hang tight you two."
"We will." Both answered.
"Toshiro, you look uneasy." Minna said. "Are you worried about the two?"
"Yes. I'm responsible for them, yet I sent them for a suicide mission... I don't even have a tactical overview…."
"The perks of being a commander… Like digging for gold in a dung pile… But I think I can help you with your second ailment, Toshiro."
"What is it?"
"Maybe if we can fly in closer, my magic could pierce through that dome."
"Worth a try… The dome itself looks dormant…"
"So what's your order, commander?" Minna asked with a coy face expression.
"Hah! Everyone move over the dome! We're gonna eavesdrop on those suckers!"
"Roger!" The happy faced bunch responded.
They flew right over the dome and started hovering only five meters above it.
"Okay, Minna, do your thing.
"Affirmative."
Minna concentrated and a white aura enveloped her whole body.
"Ten… Thirty… Fifty enemies plus core. Mein Gott, they're in for something for sure…"
"That sure is a lot…" Yoshika said.
"25:1 disadvantage…" Toshiro said silently.
Suddenly, somebodies hand landed on Toshiro's shoulder.
"Hey, Toshiro, don't be so sullen."
It was Mio.
"They individually have almost the same kill count as you, no need to worry."
"Well, I sort of cheated mine… You know, wiping out a shitload at once… While the two racked in kill after kill during what, five years and a bit."
Mio sighed and said, "Remember the cube Neuroi in Britannia? The first one?"
"Yes."
"How did Trude and Erica fare?"
"Fucking A."
"See? And they were doing it without your direct help. Calm down, everything will be okay."
"If you say so…"
"You're a bit to kindhearted to be our commander." Minna said. "But you would make the perfect father." She smiled warmly.
"Heh… Okay, I'll take the chill pill. And don't you try to question my authority, Oberstleutnant!" Toshiro said with a smirk.
"Jawohl!" Minna answered while trying to contain herself. "Oh! The girls! I can feel them again!"
Everyone looked at Minna immediately.
"Forty-eight enemies… Forty-four… Forty…"
Minna continued on, until she reached a meager number.
"Ten… Eight… Six… Four… Two… Zero! Only the core is left!"
"Go Erica!" Trude shouted with all her might.
Mio laughed at the sudden outburst of feelings from Trude, and then, out of the blue, the dome started shattering, right up from the top, releasing the two fighters from its clutches.
Toshiro saw that both had dead serious faces, and they were gazing at each other fiercely. He couldn't hear what they were talking about, but they were surely not discussing the works of Goethe. Suddenly, they split apart with a blinding speed, both flying in opposite directions.
Tina did a quick Immelmann turn and dashed towards Erica, opening fire at her.
"Tina?! WHAT THE FUCK?!" Toshiro roared through the transponder.
"She… She shot at Erica!" Yoshika shouted.
"I'm stopping them…" Toshiro said with a voice colder than the depths of the Mariana Trench.
Two pairs of hands stopped him as he was powering his engines. He looked to his sides, and saw Trude and Mio holding him back.
"What's the meaning of this?!" Toshiro asked confounded.
"You're too young and inexperienced to know about something like this. What you see before you is the highest form of a rivalry between pilots – a live fire duel."
"Explain it to me before I break the arms of both of you and rush towards them…"
"In this type of duel, you don't fuck around with paintballs, keeping someone in the gun sights for a set amount of time, snatching ribbons or some other pansy shit. You use your normal guns, and normal ammo. Whoever runs out of ammo first, or whoever uses her shield first loses."
"You don't understand this, Toshiro, because you rely too much on you familiar to dodge bullets. The two could probably dodge bullets fired at them from a kilometer just by seeing a muzzle flash. And they have some sort of sixth sense regarding those behind them."
"How do you know I don't have such skills either, Mio? How can you know that I could basically rip you two apart without using any type of magic? What do you think I did during that year I trained? It wasn't just mastering sword techniques, oh no…"
"Then why are you so… surprised?" Mio asked.
"Because it's simply wrong to fire at another human being…" Toshiro said having the images from the alternate Earth in mind. "We have a common enemy, yet the two fuck around shooting at each other, potentially endangering themselves and bystanders…"
"You really are to kindhearted…" Mio said with a soft voice. "Relax, Toshiro. It's not an everyday occurrence that two Karlslander ace's clash."
Toshiro sighed deeply and looked at the duel. The two charged at each other, doing high-rev barrel rolls while continuously shooting. They missed each other by inches, passing by one another.
"Erica tried to cut her off with a Chandelle, but Marseille did a high-G barrel roll and got behind her!" Trude commented the next maneuver.
After a few maneuvers, Tina was at Erica's back yet again. She shot a barrage at Erica, missing each consecutive shot. Then Erica flared up in a serpentine of magic.
"She used her Sturm to pull that off! Go Erica!" Trude shouted.
Tina immediately did a wingover and flew away from Erica, as she was positioned against the sun.
The two suddenly came close together, and pointed their guns at each other.
Toshiro held his breath, ready to bend time to the point where the fabric of the universe would rip. They suddenly lowered their guns, and started talking.
Whew…
"Then they didn't settle things… Damn it…" Trude muttered.
"Erica, Tina – to me, now." Toshiro said through the transponder.
The two flew up to him immediately.
"My, my... What a nice duel!" Toshiro cheered. "Let me pat your heads as a reward."
The two looked at each other, shrugged and came closer to Toshiro. Toshiro extended his opened palms over their heads, and just as he was about to lower them, he made fists out of them, and conked the two on the heads with fury.
"Ow!" Both shouted surprised.
"Toshiro?! What the hell was that for?!" Tina yelled.
"Yeah, what… Bro, are you…"
"No I'm not…" Toshiro puffed his cheeks as his vision became blurry.
"Daaaaaawwwwww…" The two exclaimed and hugged him.
"We're sorry…" Tina said.
"We promise we'll won't do this again…" Erica said.
"I hope… Or I'll make you two wash my undies after a whole day of training… With your toothbrushes."
The two shivered, but Toshiro heard a hum of approval. Now, he really stroked their heads.
"You two did well, I'm proud… But why didn't you shoot at each other in the end?" He asked with a gentle voice.
"We ran out of ammo." Erica said.
"But sis, you had two times the ammo Tina had."
"I know bro… But the Kaiser's Buzzsaw has a much higher RPM rate than the MG34 of Tina… And I think Tina is also more conservative with bullets…"
"You got that right, heheh…" Tina chuckled.
"Hey, you three, stop hugging like you're on big family, let's go back." Mio said.
"Oh, yeah, we're still at it…" Tina answered surprised and let go of Toshiro.
Erica did the same, and the girls swarmed the two. Praise flew at both of them, but Trude also gave a solid conk to the head for both of them, with only Erica being hugged.
"So, Toshiro, will you punish the two?" Minna asked.
"Nah… The two needed it… Look at them, they're basically best buds right now."
"Yes, it certainly seems like it. I think I'll also let it slide, although I should throw them into the brig at bread and water for the next week… I guess it got to me too…"
"Let's drop a curtain down on that… In all detail…"
"Oberst, can you hear me?" Toshiro heard from his transponder.
"Yes, I hear you, Kapitän."
"Your girls did a magnificent job, Oberst. Herr Kesselring passed on news, and Hauptmann Marseille and Oberfeldwebel Inagaki will have their plane sent for them at 1000 tomorrow to your base. And now, enjoy the fireworks."
Toshiro looked at the two battleships which were five kilometers away from them. The Bismarck had its gun turrets rotated to the west, the King George to the east.
"Girls, look!" Toshiro said and pointed out to the ships.
Suddenly, the eight 38 cm SK C/34 cannons of the former, and the BL 14-inch Mk VII guns of the latter fired a full salvo. The muzzle flashes were higher than the ships themselves, and the pressure cavitated the water on their sides. After four seconds, a sound like rolling thunder came to them.
"Wow, so powerful…" Yoshika gasped from Toshiro's side.
"When did you get here, you little sneak?"
"You were so mesmerized by the boats that I could as well stick a fork up your butt, heeehee…"
"You would only bend it, heheh…"
"Show's over, 501st." The Captain announced. "Goodbye and let's participate in another battle alongside each other!"
"Farewell, Kapitän!" Toshiro cheered. "Ladies! Let's go back home. We don't have to rush."
"Roger!"
"Tina, up for another night at our place?"
"Why not! But I want to sleep in Erica's room!"
"Nope!" Trude shouted.
"Ah! I have just the perfect bribe for you, Barkhorn! But wait until we land, okay?"
"Sure, sure… But I doubt you'll have anything of worth to me…"
"Never say never, heheh…"
"Okay, cut the chatter." Mio said. "Loose formation, direction – home."
They flew back peacefully, with Erica and Tina chatting in the back of the formation all the time. The orange sunset marked their homecoming. Mami was waiting for them, waving like mad from the hangar entrance.
Toshiro skilfully landed taxied beside Mami, and snatched her up on his shoulders.
"Yay, cousin! I heard Tina and Erica managed?"
"They did their jobs perfectly, Mami."
She neared to his right ear and whispered, "The package arrived. It's in your room."
"Oh, thanks."
"You'd better check inside, I believe it contains more than you ordered…"
"Okay, I'll check it. There you go!" Toshiro placed Mami on his Launch Unit as he docked into it.
He put on his shoes, and went on to Tina.
"What's up, Toshiro?"
"I'm waiting for the show, heh…"
"Ah, yes. Come on if you want. Hey, Barkhorn, follow me!"
"Let's see what you have in store for me…"
"Toshiro, paperwork." Minna said.
"Sure, sure, in a bit. Give me half an hour or so."
"Okay."
Toshiro, Trude and Tina went to the room of the latter. Tina opened her bag and pulled out something. Toshiro came up closer, and saw that it's her small format photo. He smiled at her, and Tina gave her flashy autograph over it with a black Magic Marker. Tina turned around, holding the autograph with her right hand like a trophy.
"You… You don't mean…"
"Yes, take it. But I'm doing this only because Erica gave me such a fine duel, and Toshiro wanting to bludgeon me in case if wouldn't do it."
"Thanks…" Trude said silently while pinching the photo out of Tina's hand.
"Hmm… Toshiro, need an autograph for someone? I'm already in the mood."
"You know what…" Toshiro bent over and whispered something to Tina.
"Aaaah… Okay, I can do that."
Tina pulled out another photo, this time a 10x15 version. She gave her signature over the front, and she also wrote something on the back.
"Hey, what's going on?" Trude asked.
"Come closer, Trude. There's a chance somebody might eavesdrop."
"Okaaaay…" Trude came closer as ordered.
"It's Lynne's birthday tomorrow." He whispered.
"Oh! Really?"
"Yes. Codenamed "Operation Union Jacqueline". You'll be needed tomorrow."
"Yes sir! Want that bed moved, Marseille?"
"If you say so… You can move it."
Trude took the bed and moved it out of the room. Toshiro put the photo in his rear pocket and wandered off in the direction of the castle. While he was just opening the door to the staircase to his room, Minna popped out of the office.
"And where are you going, buster?"
"To my room. Come on, there's something you must see."
"I hope you're not trying to go exhibitionist on me…"
"Ugh… Just come on…"
They scaled the stairs and entered Toshiro's room. Inside, he found a big rectangular crate painted in a winter camo pattern. Toshiro could see writing in Cyrillic and the tsar double headed eagle on top.
"Ho damn, did they send a fucking cannon?"
"What's this, Toshiro?"
"My order it seems. Mami told me they delivered it while we were out."
"You're going to check it?"
"Of course, I won't give Lynne her present unchecked!"
Toshiro pried open the lid with his hand, and he saw that the crate was divided into three sections a big rectangle, almost entirely taking up the width of the box and at least eighty percent of the length and covered with burlap, a smaller rectangle the same length that took the rest of the width, also covered in burlap and a square section boarded up yet again with some paper seals with more tsar eagles on them.
"Now this is interesting…" Toshiro mumbled. "First, the biggest one."
Toshiro uncovered the burlap, and he saw a majestic rifle laying down on hay.
"Toshiro… What's that…?" Minna asked out of breath.
"I see that it's a PTRS-41 rifle but… it's got a crapload of mods!" Toshiro picked it up and started explaining. "The stock isn't so flimsy now, it's much higher. The mag... Oh shit, it has a normal detachable mag!" Toshiro shouted and uncovered the small section of the crate.
A whole load of 14.5x114 mm loaded mags were stuffed there in an orderly manner.
"Daaaaamn! This is normally stripper clip loaded… And… Ooooh, a scope… I never knew they even mounted scopes on this… And I never saw such a scope! So long and thick…"
"Toshiro… That sounded at least weird…"
"Heh, sorry… Hmmm, and the muzzle break is doubled… But overall, it feels a bit lighter… Wow, I'm jealous of Lynne now… This request seriously went over spec right now..."
"Okay, Toshiro, open up the last section. We have to write up a report, right?"
"Yes, yes…"
He opened up the last section, and what he saw simply stunned them both. Sitting in a nice 4x4 configuration were Stolichnaya vodka bottles. They looked at each other dumbfounded and Toshiro said, "I seriously didn't order this…"
"At least we have booze for tomorrow, heh…"
"You don't think I'll bring sixteen vodka bottles to the party?"
"No… We should take… two at most. One salut and Schluss. Oh look, they even included glasses…"
Minna pulled out a packet of 50ml glasses.
"Exactly a dozen." She said. "Oh? There was a letter under them… Two even…"
Toshiro took the letters. One was a plain envelope, addressed to him, but the other looked like an official letter addressed personally to Lynne.
"I wonder…" Minna said. "Open up the one addressed to you, and let's get over it."
"There's something like privacy, Minna. Nice invention, you should look up upon it in the dictionary."
"Ha… Ha… Okay, rip it open."
"Kay, kay…"
Toshiro opened the envelope, and started reading.
Dear Supervisor of the 501st JFW, Colonel Toshiro Edelweiss
If you are reading this, then you must have received the package. We present to you one of the best inventions of the Imperial Design and Development Department – the PTRS-41 M1 'молния'. A keen eye like yours should immediately see was changed, but just in case, I will enumerate them:
· Enlarged but hollowed stock
· Switched the in-built magazine to normal detachable box magazines
· Mounted a unique PD telescopic sight (прицел долгий – 5x zoom, a rubber eyeguard – produced by the Novosibirsk Instrument-Making Plant)
· A doubled muzzle brake for decreased recoil
· Minor modifications to lighten the rifle.
Your good friend, Brigadier General Galland assured me that this weapon will find its new home in the hands of a skilled sniper. I hope that that is indeed the case, because this gun is something only the best can earn in Orussia.
We wish you a fruitful cooperation with our army in the future.
Minister of Defense of the Orussian Empire
Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov
Minna whistled in wonder after she read it to the end.
"You don't think the letter for Lynne is from…"
"Don't even say that, Minna… I already have goose bumps after reading mine…"
"Pack everything back inside. You'll move the vodka to the wine cellar tomorrow in the morning."
"Good idea. Let's do the paperwork. OH…" Toshiro pulled out the photo out of his pocket. "Look what Marseille gave to Lynne."
"Nice of her… A bit egocentric, but still nice."
The paperwork was done, and supper rolled in. Tina was having a load of laughs with Erica and the rest. Even Trude opened up a wee little bit towards her.
After supper, they all had a bath together, with obvious perverted antics from Toshiro, and overblown reactions from the ones on the receiving end.
After getting out of the changing room, Toshiro was halted by Yoshika.
"Leave on without me. I'll come later."
"Is it about Mami?"
"Yeeeeaaah… She wants to try…"
"But don't force her. And I'll wait for you!"
"Okay, okay…"
Toshiro went on to his room. After another read of the letter, he went to sleep. After no more than an hour, he felt as Yoshika climbed to his side, still in her clothes.
"Sorry I woke you up, but I'm tired…"
"What is it? Small body but a lot of resistance?"
"Something like that… But we did it. Mami screamed and moaned like mad, just like yours truly, heheh…"
"How nice… Everyone gets some action here. Well, with some exceptions, but whatever. Speaking of action…"
"NO, please… I'm so tired I'd sleep during sex…"
"Pffff… Then good night…"
"Good night…" Yoshika yawned and fell flat on the bed.
Toshiro embraced her slightly and turned in for the day.
The dream scene is a bit Clannad inspired. ;)
Anywho, something big is coming!
And if you want to praise/rant about my story, please leave a signed review, so we can continue via PM's. Seriously, I don't bite. Unless provoked :]