Chapter 46 - Propaganda

The night after Lynne's birthday… I don't want to forget a second out of it, never… What happened then… Gods... We could write a supplement to the Kamasutra… If somebody took photos of me, I would probably be hung, and not by my neck, that's sure…

Shirley was overjoyed that she could take me in again… And Minna… Oh shit… She had so much repressed sexual tension inside of her… I took a sneak peek at Shirley and Yoshika while Minna was screaming in ecstasy, and they both had eyes like saucers. She cried after coming…

The next day, I woke up. With all of them on or around me, naked like on the day they were born, but substantially more developed, heheh… It was a tad awkward for Shirley, and especially for Minna, but they somehow stuffed their pride and clung to me until I came out of the bed. But what was even weirder, they all looked at each other – Shirley, Minna and Yoshika – and they looked back at me, buried under them. I could only think "I must have won the karmic lottery just now" and we had a re-run.

Lynne had an occasion to test her new rifle. Two days after her birthday, some small Neuroi appeared on the east of our base. Lynne just sniped them off the sky from the runway. She was cheering as if she had a single digit age, heh…

The best thing is that Yoshika managed to pass the drivers exam – in the racecar, the truck and the motorcycle! Incredible! She almost hugged the life out of Erica after Minna told that Yoshika passed.

That's that. A day ago, on the 19th, I received a mysterious call from Adi. I call her Adi in my mind now, but she would rinse me out if she knew it, heh…

"Adolfine, how nice of you to call."

"I don't know if you'll like it… You see… You'll be staring in a movie…"

"Huh? That's nice… I suppose."

"A propaganda movie."

"You're busting my balls, Adolfine…"

"I know that you don't like publicity but… it's necessary…"

"Ugh… I guess… War bonds won't sell themselves, witches won't join the army on their own et cetera ad infinitum." Toshiro sighed.

"Yoshika was also casted, thanks to my little meddling."

"Huh, what?"

"She'll have a supporting role so to speak… Guess who the director is?"

"I'm not in the mood."

"Chaplin."

"Hmmm… Not bad…"

"And you can take someone with you beside Yoshika, since, you know… You'll have some free time."

"And when would this trip take place?"

"Tomorrow. A plane will pick you up at 0600. You should land at the Croydon Airfield about 1100. We will probably take a day, but we won't risk a night flight, so you'll sleep over in a hotel."

"You sure are damn quick to inform me…" Toshiro said with a caustic voice.

"I know, but you're the closest one to get here."

"Here as in? And there are others?"

"Southall, Middlesex, West London. And yes, there are others."

"Britannia… Hmmm… Okay, I'm coming… What should I take?"

"I'm glad I didn't have to force you into it. Take your full uniform, with all the shiny stuff and a one day bag. See you tomorrow!"

"Yeah, see ya…" Toshiro said and slammed the receiver.

"You're going on a trip, Toshiro?" Minna asked.

"Yeah. I'll be staring in a propaganda flick directed by Chaplin."

"My, my, you're advancing in society, heehee…"

"Yoshika alongside me it seems, heh…"

"She'll be gone too? Baawww… Who will I cuddle in secrecy now?" Minna said disappointed.

"You still reminisce that night eight days ago, huh?"

"Toshiro, after what we all experienced, I guarantee you – nothing will erase those memories."

"I thought so… Anyway, I can take someone with me."

"Anyone in mind?"

"I'm thinking of Lynne."

"Aaaah… A good choice, Toshiro. She'll probably want to visit her family. I approve."

"Well if you approve, then I have to make a call."

"I can already guess who… But… What was her name?"

"I don't know… Maybe I should dabble in the archives a bit?"

"Good idea."

Toshiro went to the archives, where Trude was now residing.

"Came to help me, Toshiro?"

"I need something actually."

"Say your wish, and I'll try to make it true."

"Let's fuck."

The ten centimeter thick stack of papers that was on the desk before her landed on his face immediately with tremendous force.

"Ouch…" Toshiro murmured as the stack slid down slowly.

"Serves you right, you fucking pervert…"

"But seriously now, I want Lynne's file."

"You should have told me in the first place…" Trude pouted. "Wait a second."

Trude stood up and approached a filing cabinet. With a swift move she slid out the drawer and pulled out a file. She gave it to him and asked, "Will you need it for long?"

Toshiro opened it, quickly scanned a few pages and gave it back to her.

"No, that's all, thanks. I'll be going now."

"That was fast… Have a nice day."

"Likewise."

Toshiro returned to the office, and without the word he picked up the phone receiver.

"Operator, I need to talk with Minnie Bishop…. Yes… Okay, I'll wait…"

"Minnie… Now I remember." Minna said. "What a direct approach…"

After a while, Toshiro heard a very feminine voice from the receiver, "Yes? Who am I talking to?"

"Mrs. Bishop?"

"Standing proud."

"This is Colonel Toshiro Edelweiss. I have an offer for you."

"Oh my, Lynne's commander… Did she do something?"

"No, ma'am. The only things she's done to date are the good things. Will you hear me out?"

"Yes."

"I'll be visiting London tomorrow. Without telling the details, I'll just say it will take me the whole day, night and next morning. Now answer me this question, Mrs. Bishop – would you like to see your daughter?"

"Of course I would like to see her but… won't that be a bother?"

"I can take one person with me anyway, and I thought it would be nice of Lynne to see her mother after all this time."

"Yes, please, I want to see my Lynnie! Where should I wait tomorrow?!"

"I'll land on the Croydon Airfield around eleven. If you'll miss me then, I'll be in a film studio in Southall, ma'am."

"I'll be there no matter what! Thank you, Colonel! Thank you!"

"I aim to please. Till tomorrow then."

"Till tomorrow! Thank you again!"

Toshiro placed the receiver on the hook.

"It seems you succeeded, Toshiro."

"In every inch. When I'll break the news to the girls at supper, they'll probably burst, heheh…"

Later that day, at supper, they were all slowly munching omelets.

"Hey, Yoshika."

"What is it, Toshiro?"

"You're going on a trip with me tomorrow."

"Huh? Trip? Where?!"

"London."

"Woah! So sudden!"

"Actually, you have to, or Adolphine will beat me up…"

"Okay, I'm coming!"

Toshiro could saw that Lynne made a sad face.

"What is it, Lynne?" Yoshika asked, obviously seeing Lynne's worried face too.

"Oh, nothing…"

"I know a way to turn that frown upside down, Lynne." Toshiro said. "I called a special someone, and she will be waiting for you at the airfield in London."

"But… How… When…"

"I have your file, dummy, and I'm a damn Colonel! Nothing is impossible!"

"When should I get up?!" Lynne asked with a fire in her eyes.

"We're leaving at 0600."

"Oooooooooohhh… Bother…" Yoshika moaned.

"I will stand up at 0450 and make breakfast for us three!" Lynne shouted.

"My, my, what enthusiasm..." Minna said in her usual way.

"Say, bro, whatcha gonna do in London anyway?" Erica asked.

"They casted me for a propaganda flic… I don't know the details, but whatever. They say jump, I ask how high…"

"Hey, don't be so down, Toshiro. Propaganda is a vital part of warfare." Trude lectured him. "I would jump up and clap my hands if I were to star in something like this!"

"But you would probably be as stiff as a statue." Shirley said.

"Yes, I would be as… Hey, you!"

Shirley laughed and said, "Hah, got you!"

"Stupid Liberion…" Trude muttered.

Supper was over. Toshiro took a bath with some of the girls and went to his room. He would sleep alone today, since Yoshika was sleeping with Lynne in one room again.

"Heeeeey, sleepy heaaaad."

"Yuki, have mercy…"

"Up, up and away!"

It was 0445. Toshiro slowly dragged himself off the bed. He dressed himself, and went to the dining room. Yoshika was lying half dead at the table with a steamy mug full of coffee in her left hand.

"Gud mowning, Toshiwo…" She said with her head still lying on the table.

Toshiro approached his beloved and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"Good morning, sunshine."

"Heehee…"

"Drink that coffee, or I'll have to drag you into the plane."

"Yesh…" Yoshika lifted her head and started sipping the coffee.

"Do you need one too, Toshiro?" Lynne asked from the kitchen.

"I wouldn't mind." He answered.

"Coming!"

Toshiro sat beside Yoshika and whispered, "I'm glad you didn't visit me last night. You're sleepy as it is, heheh…"

"It seems we had the same concerns, heehee…"

Lynne approached them with a big mug. She put it before Toshiro and said, "Extra strong, black."

"The way I like it. Thanks, Lynne."

Toshiro took a sip, shuddered and said, "Ugh, a bit too strong for this time of the day but… I'll go through it…"

Lynne returned to the kitchen and started humming a jolly tune. Toshiro and Yoshika were alternating in drinking coffee from their mugs, like some windup toys. After a few minutes, Lynne came back with three forks in her hand a frying pan full of scrambled eggs with diced bacon and chive, sprinkled with some salt and pepper.

"Where are the plates?" Yoshika asked.

"We'll eat from the pan, like true soldiers, heehee…."

"Of Karlsland?" Toshiro added with a smug face.

"Hahaha, yes…" Lynne laughed. "Please, dig in."

"Itadakimasu!" Yoshika shouted and stuck a fork in the food, putting a big lump in her mouth. "Hmmm… Dewishuuuush…"

Toshiro was of the same opinion, which made Lynne giggle as she started eating herself.

Washing everything down with some orange juice, Toshiro split from the two. Before he did that, he said, "Be at the hangar a few minutes before six, okay?"

He received two nods in exchange.

"But… What should we prepare?" Yoshika asked.

"A twenty-four hour bag… New undies, a towel, soap…"

"Ah, I understand. Miss Sakamoto taught me about that." Yoshika said.

"Oh, help me, Yoshika." Lynne said.

"No worries, I'm always there for you, Lynne."

"Okay, I'm going. Remember what I told you."

"Sure thing!" Yoshika cheered.

Toshiro went to his room. He still had a lot of time, so he carefully pulled out all of his uniform parts and distinctions. Top, bottom, coat, shoes, Golden Knight's Cross, Golden Wound Badge, Honor Roll Clasp, Legion of Honor – everything lied on his bed.

"Awww… For fucks sake, I don't have a suitcase… I always lugged everything around in a damn chest…"

"You called?" Yoshika's voice suddenly came from behind him.

"Yoshika? You're fast…" Toshiro said after turning around.

"I know, right? I have a suitcase for you."

"When… How…"

"I figured that you might need one, since you only have that chest of yours. Lynne lent me this."

"Well, thank Yos…"

Toshiro was approaching Yoshika with his arm extended, but he was interrupted.

"Nu-uh! Not for free!"

"Whaaaa?"

"You know what the price is for my service, right?" She asked with an alluring voice.

"Please, Yoshika, just a quickie."

"I'm not asking for more, heehee…" Yoshika giggled and jumped on him.

After everything, Yoshika helped him pack the suitcase.

"You sure know your way around suitcases…" Toshiro said wondered by Yoshika's efficiency.

"I liked to play with dad's suitcase… I would always pack stuff, unpack stuff… He would fake being mad at me, but it always ended with him buying me some shaved ice in summer, or some mocchi in other seasons…"

Toshiro embraced her.

"I guess everything around reminds me of dad…" Yoshika sighed. "I envy you, Toshiro. I truly envy you…"

"Why?"

"It might sound harsh, especially coming from my mouth, but you not actually knowing your father is better for you…"

"I think I understand your view point… Yes, I almost don't think of my father. Sometimes his name just flashes in my brain, or that photo you have…"

"I still have it, you know? Both of our fathers on one picture… And Miss Sakamoto when she was younger than me, heeheeheehee…" Yoshika chuckled. "She looks really cute on the photo."

"Haha, yeah… I bet she was different back then. Maybe she was such a carefree ditz as you are at times?"

"There's a slight chance…"

"Did I tell you that Mio actually has a soft side?"

"I don't recall it… but I see it sometimes, when she talks to you… Why isn't she nicer to me…" Yoshika frowned.

"She sees you as her successor, Yoshika. She doesn't want to spoil you. She wants to battle harden you."

"But she could be a little nicer in the process…"

"Mio is a true warrior type. You can only get on her soft side by being equal in combat to her. Did you get to pull off the Cloud Spark?"

"I was close yesterday…"

"But you're progressing, right? Mio will acknowledge you fully one day, I'm sure of it."

"That's why she skipped rank and honorifics so early with you… You showed that you're not some scrub…"

"Probably… When I showed her my sword techniques after returning, she even hugged me."

"No way!"

"Waaaay… She hugged me tightly from behind."

"Incredible… I wish she'd just call me Yoshika once…"

"But I convinced the rest to call you by your given name, right?"

"And I'm grateful, thanks. Being called by my family name reminds me… you know…"

"Yeah, yeah… Oh, wait, I think there's a transmission incoming…"

"This is Limousine-Einz, Herr Oberst, are you awake?"

"Awake and ready."

"Gut. We are flying to your base right now, and we have a little request."

"What is it?"

"We want you to get all you gear inside the plane once we land. Striker Unit, Launch Unit, cannon, MG, two spare belts and two spare mags with one being loaded with HE rounds, Herr Oberst."

"Did Adolfine give you such orders?"

"Jawohl. There were some last minute changes."

"Okay, I'll be going slowly. See you in a while."

"Likewise, Herr Oberst."

"We have to slowly get to the hangar, Yoshika. I have some hauling to do it seems… Where's your bag by the way?"

"Just outside of the room, heehee…"

"You little beast…"

They went down the stairs. Lynne joined them at the junction with a bag of her own.

Toshiro approached his Launch Unit opened a panel on the site. He pushed a button, and the Unit raised itself a bit. Then he unplugged it from the thick power cord.

He checked the weapon storage.

MG – check. Ammo – check.

Toshiro took two mags for the cannon and picked the cannon itself from the rack. Equipped in such a manner he started pushing the Launch Unit forward to the runway. Yoshika with their bags and Lynne beside her followed them. As Toshiro exited the hangar, a Ju 290 landed and taxied before them.

Will they even manage to take off with this monster from such a short runway? Ah, wait… Are those… Hah!

The ramp opened, and a soldier ran up to Toshiro.

"Herr Oberst, should I help you?"

"No, no… I'll manage. Thank you for your concern, Feldwebel."

"As you wish, Herr Oberst. Then I'll at least guide you."

"Please do."

Toshiro pushed the Launch Unit up the ramp and to the front of the cargo hold. The soldier strapped it down, as well as his cannon. To his wonder, instead of the robust aluminum benches, the back of the cargo hold normal armchairs and a couch even. From the looks of it, there was also a small bar.

"All of it to your disposition, Herr Oberst. Please, call in your companions, we will be taking off."

"Kay." Toshiro said and wandered to the ramp. "Come on girls!"

The two ran up to him and gasped.

"Wooooow! What luxury!" Yoshika shouted. "Did you ever fly with such class, Toshiro?"

"Not even once."

"Me neither!" Yoshika jumped on the couch. "Weeee! Soft!"

The soldier was looking at this scene with a smile, shaking his head.

"Last chance of humanity, huh?" Toshiro asked with a smirk.

The soldier laughed and went to the pilot cabin.

"Let's take our seats. The take-off might be a tad rough."

"Come on, Toshiro, sit with me on the couch! Lynne, you too!"

"Oh okay…" Toshiro grumbled.

The two sat on both sides of Yoshika. The ramp was now being closed.

"What will we be doing during the five hour flight?" Yoshika asked.

"Oh… Well… I used to read or sleep while flying to Tobruk… We're with Lynne, so we can't… frolic around…"

"No you can't…" Lynne said with cheeks ablush. "And I bet you already had fun today…"

"H-how can you tell, Lynne?" Yoshika asked carefully.

"You always have a look on your face when you return from Toshiro sometimes and I thought that's… when… you… had… sex…" Lynne spat out while trying not to burn up to a crisp from embarrassment.

"Toshiro, is it true?" Yoshika asked.

"Well, you're certainly gleaming after a good shag…" Toshiro said with slightly red cheeks himself.

"Uh… Sorry Lynne… I didn't meant to show off or something…"

"No, no… I'm happy for but… it's just that… I'm still unexperienced in these matters so I don't know how to react…"

Suddenly, a roar was heard on the outside of the plane.

"Waaah! What's happening?!" Yoshika shouted.

"I noticed that the plane had some strange tubes mounted under the wings. They are using solid fuel rocket boosters to shorten the takeoff distance. Relax, girls. Take a nap or something, I won't bite, heheh…"

"Ah, okay… The coffee is wearing off anyway already…" Yoshika said and placed her head on Toshiro's lap. "Good night."

Yoshika nodded off immediately as she said that.

"Oh so sweet…" Lynne whispered. "Don't you mind having her on your lap for five hours?"

"It's a sweet burden to bear, Lynne. Besides, I'm going to nod off myself. Care to make this a slumber threesome? You don't have to lean against me or anything though."

"No, no… I think I'll do it..." Lynne moved over to Toshiro's left side and leaned over his arm slightly. "Good… night?"

"Whatever suits you, Lynne. Sleep tight."

Lynne closed her eyes, squiggled a bit around and dozed off. Toshiro following her lead simply fell asleep with his head leaning backwards.

"Hey, T-man."

"For fucks sake…"

"Oh, sorry, heh… We're landing. I guess you didn't hear the PA announcement?"

"Nope, I'm asleep you know…"

"Then I told you. Wake up, papa Toshiro, heehee…"

"The two are still sleeping with me?"

"Yup. You're cute with the two grasping onto you in sleep, you know?"

"Ugh…"

Toshiro opened his eyes and moved his head forward. Yoshika was sleeping soundly on his lap, and Lynne was still dreaming while leaning against his arm.

"Yooooshika…" Toshiro said silently while poking her gently. "Yooooshika…"

"Huuummmrrrrr… Whazzzit…"

"We're landing, sweetie. Wake up."

"Ummmkay…" Yoshika slowly lifted herself while rubbing her eyes. "Oh? Lynne is sleeping too? Daaaaaaaw so cuuuute…"

"You know, that we can make such a thing happen, Yoshika…"

"You mean… If we'd…"

"Yup. After a few years, we would have a nice daughter or son, which would take naps by our side."

"If the war wasn't raging on, I'd probably drag you before the altar myself. But… You didn't propose to me yet…"

"Soon, Yoshika. Don't worry, I have a plan for our life set already. But the dates are not set in stone, so I can't tell you anything."

"But at least I know you're serious about me, heehee…" Yoshika smiled and started poking Lynne.

"Mwuuuuuuu… Oh, did I sleep all the time?" Lynne asked with a groggy voice.

"Pretty much…" Toshiro said. "But don't worry, you weren't alone on this one."

The plane shook a bit.

"We have landed." The voice from the speaker announced. "Please wait for the ramp to open. If there's a secret orgy going on in the back, please make yourself and your companions decent, Herr Oberst. I'll be entering in a minute."

"I like that guy already." Toshiro said with a smile on his face.

They waited a full minute, and the soldier came in. He had a look of disappointment, but he just said, "This time I'm helping. But you take the cannon, Herr Oberst."

"Sure. You don't look like the son of Hercules anyway, heh…'

"By the way, there's somebody to see you besides the Generalmajor. Are you expecting somebody?"

"Yes." Toshiro said and looked at Lynne.

The ramp opened, and the soldier slowly rolled down the Launch Unit on the ground. Yoshika and Lynne followed him, who was wielding the cannon. Three cars were waiting for him. Two Rolls Royce's, same model, but one silver and one black, and the good old Bedford QL truck.

Out of the silver one, Toshiro's single most favorite woman in the Karlslander military walked out.

"Toshiro!"

"Adolfine! At least you brought a nice limo!"

"Hahaha! Only the best for you! Place that boomstick in the truck."

"Kay." Toshiro said and carefully placed the cannon in the back of the truck. "So, I guess the second car isn't yours so to speak?"

"Nah. Minnie, come out!"

"Minnie?" Lynne said. "Toshiro, that special person… Is it…"

Before Lynne ended, a woman exited the black car. She was still probably in her forties. Her hair were colored light brown, and woven into a single braid. She wore a light-green tailor-made dress, and a hat in matching color.

"Mommy!" Lynne shouted and ran to the woman, tucking herself into her voluminous breasts.

"Toshiro, is that Lynne's mom?" Yoshika asked.

"I think. I told her to wait here, and… look at her – she's like Wilma's older sister."

"I see… Even down to the… miscellaneous details…"

"You sly devil you…" Adolfine said from Toshiro's side. "Organizing such a reunion…"

"Let's say that's a delayed birthday present for her… By the way, you know her?"

"Not before half an hour ago. She was making fuss at the gate of the airfield because the MP's wouldn't let her in, so I backed her up as soon as she told me her name."

"Thanks."

"No problem. Helping a veteran is an honor!"

"Veteran?"

"Ah, pardon the intrusion." Minnie suddenly barged in. "Yes, I'm a veteran of the Great Neuroi War. Minnie Bishop, mother of a whole pack of children."

"Pardon me, but you look more like Wilma's older sister."

"Ohohoho, what a compliment… So you also met Wilma? How nice…"

"A chip off the old block, truly. So, Lynne, are you happy?"

"Thank you, Toshiro!" Lynne jumped from her mother's side and hugged him.

"Daaawww… My little daughter likes you so much, Colonel. But I hope you don't fancy her, right?"

"I fancy another girl, ma'am."

"Good, good… Because you'd have to take responsibility if… anything happened…"

"I'm fully aware of that."

"How much time do we have for ourselves?" Minnie asked.

"Until tomorrow morning at least." Adolfine answered in Toshiro's stead. "Call the Ritz to be sure."

"I will. Thank you for enabling me to meet my daughter."

"No problem. Toshiro did the organizing anyway."

"I bid you farewell, Colonel." Minnie said. "We will return tomorrow."

"Goodbye ma'am."

"Bye, Lynne!" Yoshika cheered.

"Bye, Yoshika, Toshiro!" Lynne responded.

"Adolfine… Did you perhaps inquire the financial status of the Bishops?" Toshiro asked silently. "They look like at least new money, gods know if they ain't old money…"

"Sure looks like they ain't the lower middle class, that's for sure… Come on you two, time to make some propaganda."

"Why did I have to lug my equipment?" Toshiro asked.

"We decided to present your stuff to the world, Toshiro. And not only…"

"The look on your face… I don't like it…"

"Trust me for once…"

"Implying I didn't trust you once… If I didn't trust you, I'd simply slice you up and throw your remains into the sea, heheheh…"

"You're creepy…"

"Let's go then already, or I'll start getting even creepier."

"Shoo, into the car with you." Adolfine said while doing appropriate gestures.

The two got into the back of the car, followed by Adolfine.

"Drive, Josef."

"Jawohl." The driver responded and started driving.

"So Adolfine… What will we be doing, huh?"

"Acting. Don't worry, you're not expected to do so with the proficiency of an actor from a Shakespearean play, it's a documentary."

"Documentary… Any script handy?"

"Ah, sorry, didn't take one with me…"

"Ugh… And what about the others you mentioned?"

"Surprise."

"Damn you, Adolfine…"

"Tee-hee… Anyway, how's life? The paperwork you're sending with Minna is of course top class and error free, but I want to hear what's up."

"Nothing much… Lynne had her birthday… Neuroi are attacking, we are smiting them… Yoshika continues being my faithful lover… Boring stabilization I would say."

"Yeah, sounds boring… Back home it's also boring… Buuut… It'll stop being boring in Romagna soon."

"Hmm? Do you have some spicy info?"

"My rank enables me to snoop around without bothering about clearance, Toshiro. The final attack on the Venezian hive is slated to happen at the end of the month. There's no set date, and the details are murky, but I believe I saw the Yamato being mentioned…"

"So it finally comes… Do or die, right?"

"Most probably. But don't worry in advance, Toshiro. When it'll happen, it'll happen. You still have about a week of time to rest peacefully."

"Thanks for the heads up, Adolfine."

Toshiro looked at Yoshika, who was uneasy.

"What is it, Yoshika?" He asked.

"I'm a bit afraid… I never participated in a decisive attack…"

"Don't worry, Yoshika." Adolfine said. "Your role is undecided yet, as is probably anyone's. You're probably going to be on support duty as usual."

"Well, that's sort of reassuring…"

Yeah… Yoshika will only be one of the smallest cogs in the machine. Me, Minna and Mio – if our unit fails, the blame will hit us entirely, unless I take it on myself… Blaming the lower ranks wouldn't be good for the morale…

After some time, the car finally stopped.

"We are here, Frau Generalmajor."

"Thank you, Josef. Kids, we're going out."

"Okay, Auntie." Toshiro said with a devilish grin.

"I'll smack you one day…"

The three approached and aircraft hangar.

"This is it, Southall Studios. There was an ice-rink here, but we temporarily dismantled it." Adolfine said and opened the door. "Come on in, don't stand there."

Toshiro and Yoshika entered the hangar. Inside, it really looked like a movie studio, with point lamps hanging from the ceiling, an artificial background standing in the middle with a camera pointed at it. A few foldable chairs. Some temporary rooms with names on them. People running around. And a familiar character.

"Hey, Chaplin!" Adolfine shouted.

"I told you to call me Director for crying out loud!" The man with the toothbrush moustache shouted back angrily. "Oh, my dear friend and savior!"

Chaplin ran up to Toshiro, took his hand by force and started shaking it fervently.

"Thanks to you, I returned to filmmaking! Thank you!"

"Yeah… But Uncle wanted to pardon you nonetheless… And…" Toshiro looked at Yoshika, who was gazing at Chaplin as if she saw the face of God before her. "This is Yoshika."

"Yoshika… Yoshika… Ah, your girlfriend!"

"Gods, not so loud!" Toshiro berated him.

"Uh, you might want to hear the news out first, Toshiro…" Adolfine said. "You see… we'll not only present you or your gear but… also reveal who Yoshika is to the world…"

"Hmmm… And why wasn't I noticed a bit earlier?" Toshiro asked with his eyebrow twitching.

"We didn't find it necessary, since, despite what you think, your relationship is under control by the Wehrmacht and the IFN, Toshiro."

"What the fuck are you talking about, Adolfine?!"

"Your relationship with Yoshika had to be approved by both armies, Toshiro. It was a bit hard to beat through the concrete in the Fusojin heads, but we succeeded. Toshiro, as of yesterday, you are officially allowed to have intimate contacts with Yoshika. As if it mattered, but well, it's official now." Adolfine shrugged. "You don't have to sneak around in the night to snuggle, Yoshika." She said with a smile.

"Adolfine… While it truly makes me happy that I can now do it with Yoshika just like that, but the other side of this worries me a bit… What will the media write about it? And I have a feeling you're keeping me on tabs with this little… agreement…"

"The media will be dealt with if they'll start being to obstinate. And don't think that we're trying to control you, Toshiro. This just had to be done or… you know, sexual harassment charges and stuff… Some anonymous tipster could ruin you..."

Toshiro sighed deeply and said, "Whatever… I guess I have to thank you for meddling this time… What do you say, Yoshika? Should we forgive Adolfine?"

"Of course!"

"How straightforward…" Toshiro muttered. "So, what should do now, Mr. Director?"

"Go there over yonder to the room with the star on the door and meet the rest. There are a few copies of the script on the table, some chairs to rest, hot coffee…"

"Okay then. Come on, Yoshika."

"Sure!"

The walk wasn't long, since it was only a hangar after all. When Toshiro approached the door, he heard a female voice from the inside.

"Goooods, when will that dickface come… I'm so bored here… Why did I even accept this damn job?"

"For the money." Another voice chimed in.

"I will teach them a lesson… Nobody will insult my Toshiro…" Yoshika whispered angrily, but Toshiro stopped her.

"I'll handle this better."

Toshiro swiftly opened the door, jumped in and stood at attention.

"Colonel Dickface, zum dienst!"

He quickly analyzed who was before him. One was a young woman with waist-long white hair tied in a ponytail. She was wearing a white uniform over a Feldgrau shirt, and long socks, white up until half of her thighs, and grey till the rest which ended about ten centimeters below her crotch. Beside her lay a Wehrmacht side cap and brown leather gloves. Toshiro also noticed she had a scar going across the bridge of her nose.

The second woman had a uniform like Keiko and Mami that is a white haori and shortened red hakama akin to miko priestesses, but unlike Mami, she her haori was sleeveless, revealing the vambraces on her forearms in full detail. Her black hair was reaching half of her back, with bangs above her eyes, and two longer ones just on the rim of her face, covering her ears. He briefly saw he knee high socks and flip-flops on her legs.

I don't know the Karlslander but the Fusojin… Yes… A wet dream of every middleschooler in my time…

The latter immediately jumped off her chair and started bowing frantically.

"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to offend you! Please have mercy! I will behave!" She went on and on between bows.

"Shush, Anabuki, stop prostrating." Toshiro ordered.

"Huh? You know me?"

"Who wouldn't… You were literally the wet dream of every middleschooler and highschooler when I was younger. Tomoe Gozen of the Fuso Sea. Anabuki of the White Lightning et cetera. What is your rank right now?"

"C-Captain, C-Colonel!"

"Not bad…"

Suddenly Toshiro felt as Yoshika pushed him aside. She looked up to Tomoko and said, "You're just like the doll I have… I want an autograph!"

"Hey, Yoshika, it's rude to interrupt…"

"Yoshika… Say, you're the Colonels girlfriend, right?"

"Yup!" Yoshika cheered.

Toshiro left Yoshika to Tomoko, and he approached the second one.

"You don't look impressed by me…"

"I didn't talk bad things about you, Oberst. And they say that silence is golden, ja?"

"Yeah… But could I at least know your name?"

"Of course, we will be working together today. Oberst Hanna Ulrike Rudel, pleased to meet you."

"Hoho… What a surprise… We're evenly ranked…"

"Didn't expect anything like that, Oberst?"

"I expected nothing to be honest…"

"Take a script, you should dig through it." She said and gave him a half-centimeter thick stack of papers stapled together. "Hey, Unterfeldwebel."

"She means you, Yoshika." Toshiro poked her.

"Humm?"

"You take the script too, you have a few lines to say too."

"Oh really? Cool!" Yoshika cheered and grabbed a script copy.

Suddenly, pointy fox ears popped out of Tomoko's head, and a long silver tail also appeared in its appropriate place, and it started waving waggling back and forth.

"What's going on?" Hanna asked.

"My familiar is… excited…" Tomoko blushed.

"Your familiar?" Toshiro asked.

"Konbei." Tomoko answered. "He can talk with me."

"Well ain't that something…"

"He says that he's detected two powerful familiars in his vicinity, and that he's curious."

"Oh ain't that something?" Yuki spoke through Toshiro.

"Wu-waaaaaah!?" Tomoko almost jumped surprised. "What's happening?!"

"I'm Yuki, Toshiro's familiar. Kuji, could you take over Yoshika for a second?"

"Sure I can…" Kuji mumbled through Yoshika. "Pardon, Mistress."

"My familiar doesn't know such tricks… Boo…" Tomoko pouted.

"Young lady, can I have a request for you?" Kuji asked.

"Oh, what is it?"

"Could you show me your panties?"

Tomoko's jaw dropped instantaneously.

"Shoo, you perverted mutt!" Yoshika shouted with red cheeks. "I'm sorry, but my familiar is a panty loving pervert…"

"I'm used to such stuff…" Tomoko muttered.

"So I heard… Heh…" Toshiro said.

"W-what have you heard, C-Colonel?"

"Oh, Ursula told me a few… juicy details from the time she was in the Misfits Squadron…"

Tomoko's face paled instantly.

"How much did she…"

"Everything that was worthy of mentioning… But don't worry, only Yoshika and I know about it."

And Mio…

Colors returned to Tomoko's face.

"Whew… I thought my perverted antics are the topic of gossip all around the world."

"I can make it happen. Please, Oberst, tell me more." Hanna said.

"Hey! Shut up! You made my life miserable enough back in Mikkeli!" Tomoko shouted.

"And yet, we are friends now… What a weird twist of fate… Please, Oberst, start studying the script, I want to return to my unit already…"

"Okay, okay. Yoshika, sit down somewhere and let's read."

"Okay."

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 :]