A/N: Here is chapter eight of Neon Genesis Striker. Last chapter ended the introduction arc and now begins the action arc with six straight Angels for the next six chapters. In this chapter we meet the Second Girl and another of the 501st is brought into things.
Thanks to my pre-reader Makuhari-Fan01
Disclaimer: I don't own Evangelion or Strike Witches
Chapter Eight: Hanna Strikes!
Over the vast blue expanse that was the Pacific Ocean flew a UN helicopter. Three schoolgirls sat in the back while the NERV Director of Operations was up front with the pilot.
"Wow, this is so cool!" said Lucchini who with video camera glued to her right eye was videotaping the entire trip.
"I though you guys could use a break from the city so I invited you on this date." said Sakamoto covering for the fact this was official NERV business.
"Really?" asked a nervous Hartmann while adjusting her Luftwaffe hat, "I wore this hat just for the occasion. I'll never take it off."
"We're are we going?" asked Yoshika.
"We're taking a cruise on a little boat." replied Sakamoto pointing down towards the ocean and a group of ships rapidly coming into view.
"That's the UN Pacific Fleet and it's lead ship; the Fuso Maritime Self-Defense Forces (FMSDF) Akagi." said Sakamoto.
"That's your 'little boat'?" asked Hartmann.
"I can't believe we're having more of them boarding our ship." said Admiral Sugita Junzaburo who in command of this fleet who was with his Vice Commander Hiro Amaha on the bridge of the Akagi. Admiral Junzaburo was an older man in sixties while Vice Commander Amaha was in his forties.
"We're their delivery boys." replied Vice Commander Amaha.
Once on board Lucchini immediately went around wanting to see everything there was on the ship. She was impressed by the massive size though disappointed at the lack of female personnel. She was followed by Yoshika and Sakamoto, the latter carrying an important-looking manilla folder. Last was Hartmann but as she got off the helicopter the wind from it's rotor blade blew her hat off.
"Hey my hat!" she called out, "Somebody stop it!"
Hartmann then dove for her hat but missed. She immediately looked up and saw someone stop the hat with her foot and was happy until, the person stomped on it.
"Hello Sakamoto." said the girl.
"Good to see you again and my how you've grown." replied Sakamoto.
"I'm not just taller, my figure is filled out too." said the girl.
"Let me introduce you to the designated Second Girl." Sakamoto said addressing the trio who came with her, "Flight Lieutenant Hanna- Justina Marseilles."
A sixteen year from Karlsländ; Hanna wore a brown shirt under a black jacket, a white mini-skirt, black military boots, and a pair of black WWII flight goggles on her head which were a family heirloom. She also had wavy blonde hair, blue eyes and tan skin a sign of her heritage which hinted at her heritage which was a mixture of Karlsländ and Arab. The latter earned her the nickname 'The Star of North Africa' though she's spent her whole life in Karlsländ until now.
It was at this point Hanna noticed Hartmann, Lucchini, and Yoshika staring her chest while Hartmann was looking up her skirt. Without missing a beat Hanna slapped all three of them.
"What was that for?" asked an upset Hartmann standing back up.
"That was the viewing fee." replied Hanna, "Pretty cheap huh?"
"Here's your change." replied Hartmann pulling down her panties to give Hanna a full view.
Quickly becoming furious; Hanna swore loudly in her native tongue and slapped Hartmann again before turning and walking over to Sakamoto then asking, "So which one is the Third Girl?"
When Sakamoto started to point in the other direction Hanna turned back to Hartmann had pulled up her panties and said, "Oh no."
"Relax." said Sakamoto while pointing to Yoshika, "It's her."
"She's boring." declared Hanna after looking over Yoshika and the group then made their way to the bridge.
"NERV huh?" said Admiral Junzaburo.
"Yes sir." replied Sakamoto holding out an authorization form, "Please sign this to allow for activation if necessary of Unit-02."
"No way." balked the Admiral, "There is no way you're activating that thing on my ship."
"When can we activate it?" asked Sakamoto.
"When we get to New Yokosuka." said Admiral Junzaburo, "At sea you're in my jurisdiction."
"Fine." replied Sakamoto, "But in case of emergency the military authority of NERV supersedes yours."
"Feisty as ever I see." came a voice form a side hatch, causing Sakamoto's heart to skip a beat as she recognized the voice as the last woman she ever wanted to see, while beside her Hanna became giddy.
"Shirley!" called out Hanna with a massive smile on her face.
The girl was Charlotte E. Yeager, called Shirley by those close to her. She was from the United States of Liberion, Shirley was a magnanimous girl. She was sixteen year old with red hair and blue eyes. She wore a matching pink bra and panties which were just visible under a brown jacket and light-brown colored shirt which were straining to contain her large bust.
Lucchini, Hartmann, Yoshika, Sakamoto, Hanna and Shirley crammed on to an elevator and headed down to the mess hall.
"What are you doing here?" asked an upset Sakamoto.
"I'm transporting Unit-02 and it's pilot from Karlsländ to Fuso." replied Shirley.
Sakamoto grunted at this then after a minuet both Sakamoto and Hanna together called out, "Hey don't touch me!"
"It's not my fault I can't help it." replied Hartmann and Shirley in unison though the latter was very calm about the whole thing.
In the mess hall Sakamoto sat on one side of their table with Hartmann on her right and Lucchini on Hartmann's right. Shirley sat across from Sakamoto with Hanna on her left and Yoshika on Hanna's left.
"So Yoshika." began Shirley, "I hear you're living with Sakamoto." began Shirley.
"Yes." replied Yoshika.
"Tell me." began Shirley, "Is she still wild in bed?"
Hartmann, Hanna and Lucchini were shocked by this and kept a look of scandal on their faces. Sakamoto looked mortified while Yoshika didn't seem phased at all.
"What are you implying?" asked an irate Sakamoto as she slammed her fists onto the table while Shirley remained moved.
"She hasn't changed at all has she Yoshika?" asked Shirley calmly, causing Sakamoto more embarrassment.
"How do you now my name?" asked Yoshika.
"You're famous in the defense business." replied Shirley, "The famous Third Girl who piloted a Striker and defeated an Angel with no prior training."
"That was just luck." replied Yoshika modestly while Hanna looked at her with a glare in her eyes.
"Luck is part of your destiny. It's your talent." answered Shirley, "We'll see you later."
With that Shirley and Hanna left the mess hall, then made their way outside, where Hanna began to hang on a railing along with Shirley.
"So what do you think of the Third Girl?" asked Shirley.
"She's boring." complained Hanna.
"She reached a 40% synch ratio on her first battle with no prior testing." stated Shirley.
"My God!" said a surprised Hanna who was now suddenly determined to impress Yoshika.
Meanwhile Sakamoto, Yoshika, Hartmann and Lucchini were riding up an escalator.
"I can't believe that Shirley." fumed Sakamoto.
"She seemed nice." said Yoshika.
"She's still the same pervert she's always been." answered the still fuming Sakamoto.
"Third Girl." came the voice of Hanna who stood at the top of the escalator, "You're coming with me."
Hanna took Yoshika down to the cargo hold where Unit-02 was located.
"Unit-00 and Unit-01 were the prototypes." said Hanna as she removed a tarp revealing Unit-02 to Yoshika, "My Unit-02 is the first real Striker!"
Just then the entire boat shook.
"An underwater shock wave!" proclaimed Yoshika who then ran up to the deck with Hanna close behind.
"What is it?" asked Yoshika as they reached they ran to the deck.
"It's not Free Willy." replied Hanna as they then saw the Sixth Angel jump out of the water and crash down upon a destroyer, annihilating the ship.
"An Angel!" exclaimed Yoshika.
"Wonderful." said a grinning Hanna knowing she had found her chance to impress Yoshika.
"Let's go." demanded Hanna as she dragged Yoshika along. Well passing the helicopter that brought her to the Akagi, she noticed Unit-01 inside a cargo compartment that had popped open from the effects of the earlier shock-waves.
"Why the hell didn't you tell me this was here?" asked an angry Hanna.
"I didn't know it was." confessed a confused Yoshika.
"What ever." said Hanna pushing Unit-01 into Yoshika's chest, "Take these and follow me."
In the ship bridge Admiral Junzaburo and Vice Commander Amaha were observing the threat as Sakamoto strolled in.
"Hello, NERV delivery." said Sakamoto happily, "Would you like intelligence on that enemy?"
"Don't be silly." scoffed Admiral Junzaburo.
"It's just my opinion but I think that's the Sixth Angel." said an irked Sakamoto.
"Open fire!" ordered Admiral Junzaburo ignoring Sakamoto.
"That won't work." said Sakamoto while still being ignored.
As the naval convoy opened fire on the Angel, Shirley watched from the deck.
"Those won't penetrate an Angel's shield." she said while turning and walking back to her room.
Once in her room, Shirley pulled out a Halliburton briefcase she had kept hidden under her bed, then after sitting in a chair, she pulled out binoculars to watch the Angel and her cellphone to make a call.
"I'm transporting the cargo but there is a problem." said Shirley watching the Angel, "The Angel isn't part of the deal."
("That's why I had Dr. Clostermann sneak Unit-01 on the UN helicopter.") replied Minna on the other end.
"What if they can't beat it?" asked Shirley.
("They can and will. Besides; you can escape anytime.") replied Minna causing Shirley to again look at the silver briefcase.
Back in the cargo Hanna had put her earphone in, then opened a weapon's case and pulled out her FN P90 gun.
"What are we doing?" asked Yoshika.
"We're fighting the Angel obviously." replied Hanna as she put her goggles over her eyes.
"But don't we need Sakamoto's permission?" asked a nervous Yoshika.
"I'll get her permission after the fact." replied a confident Hanna who jumped in her Striker, gaining the ear-tufts and tail-feathers of her eagle familiar. Yoshika then followed suit.
Back on the bridge Sakamoto, now joined by Lucchini and Hartmann, watched at the pointless effort by the UN Pacific Fleet.
"It looks like it's searching for something." noted Sakamoto.
("Sir, Unit-02 is launching!") declared an unknown sailor over the intercom.
"Stop it immediately." ordered Admiral Junzaburo but Sakamoto intervened.
"Ignore him and go for it Hanna!"
As the two of them launched everyone on the bridge became aware Yoshika was with her.
"Miyafuji, where did you get Unit-01?" asked Sakamoto.
"It was on the helicopter." replied Yoshika.
"Fine, just defeat the Angel!" ordered Sakamoto deciding to ask Perrine how Unit-01 got on the helicopter.
"Let's play hopscotch." said Hanna.
"Hopscotch?" asked Yoshika.
"Follow me." demanded Hanna as she began to fly down and began flying over one ship after another in an attempt to catch the Angel's attention.
"Look!" said Lucchini drawing the attention of everyone to a jet preparing for take off.
"Hello all." called Shirley.
"Shirley!" called a happy Sakamoto on the bridge.
"Well I have to make a delivery so I'm gone." said Shirley who before taking off added, "Good luck."
"She left." said a stunned Hartmann while a dumbfounded Sakamoto just stared at the leaving jet.
As the gray-colored, seemingly prehistoric, Angel charged once more, the attention of everyone in the fleet was drawn back to its battle with the witches.
During one exchange of fire with the shark-like Angel, Yoshika saw inside its cavernous maw.
"The core!" she called spotting the Angel's weak point.
"Follow me!" ordered Hanna and both girls opened fire on the Angel as it charged again. Before they could escape, the Angel crashed into a ship they were near, swallowing them both; as well as a steel cable, before falling back into the ocean.
"Hanna! Miyafuji!" called out a worried Sakamoto.
"We're alive." replied Hanna, "We're in the Angel's mouth but we've managed to avoided being swallowed."
"This reminds me of fishing off Sicily with my grandfather." stated Lucchini
"That's it!" declared Sakamoto coming up with a plan.
"Admiral you need to evacuate the remaining two ships." ordered Sakamoto.
"Why?" asked the weary Admiral Junzaburo.
"The Angel swallowed a steel cable from one ship. If we sink these ships the ships and get Miyafuji and Hanna to pry open the Angel's mouth then these ships will fire all their weapons and self-destruct.
The explosion should kill the Angel and send the girls back to the surface." explained Sakamoto.
"I understand." agreed a defeated Junzaburo.
The two ships were evacuated while Sakamoto explained the plan to the girls.
"Understand?" asked Sakamoto after she had explained her plan.
"Yes ma'am." replied the girls.
"Don't get in my way idiot." Hanna snapped at Yoshika.
"Reverse the cable!" ordered Sakamoto and her order was followed reverses the cable in the Angel's mouth. The Angel pulled back and dragged the ships under.
"Now the girls just need to open it's mouth." said Sakamoto worried about the girls.
"Fire!" called Hanna as she and Yoshika opened fire inside the Angel's mouth in a attempt to avoid the fate of Pinocchio.
"It's mouth is still shut!" called Vice Admiral Amaha.
"Give everything you have!" yelled Hanna as she and Yoshika emptied their down the Angel's throat until finally it's mouth opened wide enough for them escape.
As they did the two ships went it and upon self-destruction killed the Angel and sent the girl into the sky were they hovered safely before heading back to the deck of the Akagi.
"Call me Ishmael!" declared Hanna who became annoyed when she realized Yoshika didn't get her Moby Dick reference.
Upon reaching New Yokosuka the girls left the ship and looked at the damage while Sakamoto plopped down in a the back of a jeep with Perrine who was looking over the data from the battle.
"This data is amazing." said Perrine.
"Yeah whatever." said an exhausted Sakamoto, "By the way do you know why Unit-01 was on the helicopter that brought us out to the Akagi?"
"No." replied Perrine, covering for herself then becoming amazed as she continued to look over the data, "Both girls broke their top synch ratios."
"Just because of the battle." replied Sakamoto.
"Wait!" called Hanna as the driver stopped moving and Hanna caught up to the Jeep, "Did Shirley see me?"
"No." replied an upset Sakamoto, "She took a powder."
At NERV, Shirley stood in front of Minna's desk. The silver briefcase sat open on the desk, facing the Commander of NERV, who stood looking down on the contents with a smile on her face.
"So this what the Angel was after." said Shirley with a knowing smile on her face before adding matter-of-factually, "This is the key to the Human Instrumentality Project isn't it?"
"Correct." said Minna staring at the contents of the briefcase which was an embryo in a petri dish frozen in Bakelite, "This is the first human being. This is Adam."
The next day at school; Yoshika, Hartmann and Lucchini sat together.
"She was hot but she was a total pain." said Hartmann.
"Poor Yoshika has to see her every day at work." laughed Lucchini.
Just then the door opened and a new student entered causing the smiles to get quickly removed from all three of the girl's faces. In addition, Hartmann was so surprised she fell over.
"You!" cried out Hartmann pointing at the new student who wrote her name on the board in chalk and then turned around to face the class.
"My name is Hanna- Justina Marseilles." said the girl while Yoshika and friends couldn't believe their luck, "The pleasure is yours."
A/N: Meet the new student. Now that Hanna has arrived she will make an impact. Moby Dick is a classic novel whose main character Captain Ahab, who said the quote I featured in the story, embarks on a path of revenge against a white whale named Moby Dick who took his leg. Pinocchio is a fairy-tale about a puppet who becomes a boy and at one point in the story is swallowed by a whale. My pre-reader wanted me to add those. Next time a new Angel arrives and soundly defeats Yoshika and Hanna. Given time to prepare for a rematch by the UN the two must train together to defeat this new opponent. There will be fan-service. Please review!