Chapter 12 – Motherly love

Seven days have passed since Shirley got her new Striker Unit.

The 501st and the NJG got an assignment, where they would, along with the A-Unit of the 506th, where they would protect the airbase construction site in Frankfurt am Main. The whole combined unit took turns, and the 501st sent two witches in two-six hour rotation in the day, and a Night Witch unit in the night.

The day was the 29th of September, a Saturday. Toshiro received a call on Friday, that there will be a guest coming, of course who and why was a secret as usual.

Toshiro woke up later than usual. Mio backed out on her proposal of morning trainings, since Erica was sapping her energy in the day too much already.

"Toshiro, still too early…" Yoshika mumbled.

"Six is too early for you? Come on… And I didn't bang you for the last few days, so you don't have an excuse for being tired in the morning, right?"

"Yeah… But can we agree on you waking up at half seven?"

"But that's barely enough for you to start making breakfast, sweetie…"

"Hmmm… Quarter past six?"

"That should work perfectly. I always knew you were the voice of reason!"

"Bah! Especially when it comes to you! Somebody has to keep tabs on your ass, or we'll all land in penal colonies!"

"Yeah, yeah… Come on, let's get dressed, I'll help you."

"Aaaaaw… Hug me, Toshiro…"

"What now, silly?"

"Nothing…" She pouted. "I just want a simple, sincere, warm hug without sexual subtext…"

"Should have told me in the first place…" Toshiro sighed and gave her a hug.

"Heehee… So warm… I always like to hear your heart beating through your chest…"

"And I like to lay down my head on the top of yours, haha!"

"And you know what? That's oddly nice, heh… It seems being a shorty isn't that bad…"

"You're a shorty, but not a flatty…"

"Heehee… I really like my new boobs… I can even call them boobs now!"

"Oh sure you can! Sorry to be blunt, but the previous breasts of yours were rather lacking…"

"Yes, yes, Toshiro… I could probably get rid of them if I put ice on them… But the past is the past, and now I have knockers!"

"Well, given the frame their mounted on, yeah, you sure can call them knockers. Now, Miss Hooters, let's go make that breakfast, okay?"

"Kay!"

Suddenly, Toshiro felt that he was embraced by Livy.

"Good morning, Master and Mistress."

"Hi Livy," Yoshika said.

"And good morning…" Toshiro muttered. "It's sure weird to have you hug me like that…"

"Um well, Master… It's a bit weird for me too, but… I'm so glad we ironed out the details, heheh…"

"Yeah… Sex with you only in a threesome with Yoshika, or when she's during her period," Toshiro started counting with his fingers. "If you want to sleep with us, you do it after we ended our activities, and only with me as the centerpiece. You can't overthrow your will, use your godly powers, or influence the both of us in any way, unless it's under our consent for our good. Of course you can't appear before the rest, until I'm ready to introduce you…"

"Master, I remember each and every point of our oral agreement," Livy smiled. "I will adhere to every point as faithfully as possible."

"So, Livy…" Yoshika stroked her hair. "When do you want some action?"

"I… I…" she blushed. "I cannot possibly demand that from the two of you…"

"Heehee…" Yoshika giggled. "I like your modesty. The other girls would just jump on Toshiro's dick and ask questions later… Well, if you're waiting for something, then your wait will be rewarded, right, Toshiro?"

"Of course," he smiled. "Now, Livy, excuse us, but there are pressing matters to attend for the both of us."

"Of course, Master, I will remove myself now," she said and disappeared.

They found Siegfriede sitting alone in the dining hall, sipping what must have been coffee, judging by the smell of freshly ground coffee beans.

"Oh, good morning you two," she said in a polite tone. "Coffee?"

"Yes, please!" Yoshika cheered.

"Okay, one coffee it is. I guess you don't want any, Toshiro?"

"No, thanks, I can live without it."

"Good," she smiled and went to the kitchen.

"Nice that we went down to first names with the girls, huh?" Yoshika asked.

"Yeaaah… You can almost feel a family atmosphere here… By the way, did you notice how different Siegfriede is today?"

"Yes! She's almost like a different person…"

"So what I heard about the two is true…"

"What did you hear? Tell me!"

"That if you split Siegfriede and Karla, they behave like proper girls from a private school."

"Aaaaah… Yes, I noticed that earlier… Maybe the two together have a synergistic effect… You know, why don't we ask her?"

"Ask who?" Siegfriede asked suddenly from behind Yoshika.

"Wah, that was fast!" Yoshika shouted.

"I had the coffee made…"

"Well, we wanted to ask you why you're a bit schizophrenic," Toshiro said.

"A bit schizophrenic? Heehee… You're asking why I'm behaving like this when Karla isn't around?"

"Yeah," Toshiro nodded.

"Because this is how I was brought up, Toshiro. I was attending private boarding schools in Köln since grade school, since my family is rather wealthy, and they reaaaally put effort to discipline in these educational facilities… As for why I'm turning into a trickster while around Karla? I have a feeling we're soul mates… On a non-romantic level, mind you!" She blushed. "So… Because we were BOTH brought up in the same fashion, we seem to go all out when together… I think you could call it compensating or something…"

"Compensating for the fact that you two had a strict upbringing and boring childhood filled with studying and chores?" Toshiro asked.

"Yes, that."

"Well, as long as you don't hurt anyone…"

"Heidi let us go loose under the exact same condition, heehee… And the Generalmajor is also doing the same it seems…"

"As long as you two don't slack off from training, heheh…"

"Oh come on, that was ages ago!" Siegfriede pouted.

"Siegriede, please… Women can bear grudges for centuries, my familiar included."

"Oh?"

"When my cousin Mami told me that she's a descendant of Nobunaga in the umpteenth generation, which I am too by the way, my familiar wanted to gouge her eyes out."

"Yuki is scary…"

"Nah, it depends… Besides, she introduced herself quite nicely two days ago, right?"

"Right. It was a bit surprising, but she was at least polite."

"Well thank you…" Yuki mumbled, making Siegfriede twitch slightly. "I wish I had my own body sometimes…"

"Why?" Siegfriede asked shyly.

"To freely give out punches, that's why, ha!"

"Wah!"

"Heheh, don't be scared, I was joking. Well, back to Toshiro."

"Ahem… Well, Yuki in all her glory…" Toshiro sighed. "Okay, Yoshika, did you finish the coffee?"

"Uhum!"

"Then let's go, because the hungry wolves, also called the 501st and NJG will come swarming here. I thought about a Britannian breakfast, since we've gotten appropriate supplies."

"Sure!"

"Um… Can I help?" Siegfriede asked.

"Sure!" Both cheered in sync and laughed at the situation.

"What are you two laughing about from the morning, huh?" Mio asked suddenly, appearing in the room with Adolfine and Hanna.

"About your cooking skills, what else?" Toshiro said with a caustic smile plastered to his face.

"My cooking skills aren't a subject for discussion, damn you!"

"My, my, I must have hit the bull's-eye… Say, Mio… You're awfully secretive about your lessons with Yoshika… Care to reveal a bit of info so I can sleep more easily?"

Mio took a deep breath and started explaining.

"Toshiro… Rome wasn't built in one day… Diamonds took their sweet time to form underground... And thus, I too need time. So stop fucking teasing me, or I'll just say "Fuck this shit" and stop giving a fuck!"

"So, winding it down a bit, you wanted to say that you still suck and need time not to suck, right?"

Mio only sent him an angry stare.

"Come on, Mio… After yesterday, half of the building smelled as if something crawled inside and died, and then lied on the sun for a month…"

"Accidents happen…" Mio pouted.

"Ah, come on, Little Mio!" Adolfine slapped her on the back. "Toshiro is just teasing you! Don't give in so easily!"

"Do you have a death wish?!" Mio yelled back at Adolfine.

"I had to, heh…"

"I'm not going full out, because I have respect for Toshiro as a whole…" Mio mumbled. "I can't just pound him in the face or something…"

"Hitting my Toshiro in the face? I won't allow this!" Yoshika shouted.

"Even Miyafuji won't let me…" Mio sighed.

"Come on, Mio… If you want help, I'll help," Toshiro said.

"Miyafuji is enough I think… But thanks for the offer…"

"Yeah, okay. And sorry for picking on you…"

"Yeah, yeah… Continue with the breakfast, Lucchini and Perrine will need it."

"Weird team, really…" Hanna said.

"Not only you think that…" Toshiro mumbled. "But with Perrine, Francesca will have one distraction less, hahahaa!"

"But I AM a bit worried…" Adolfine said. "The two ain't exactly combat aces…"

"It's a rather peaceful job, and besides, if Neuroi pop up, Shirley and I zip into the hangar and in a few minutes, we're there for them. You underestimate the two, Adolfine."

"Well I suppose you're right… You've been with them way longer, and that's an undeniable fact."

"The numbers in their files are just half of the truth…" Mio said. "You should know that too well…" Her face twisted in a devilish grin. "…Adi…"

"Now you have a death wish!" Adolfine exploded.

Few laughs were had, and breakfast commenced as usual.

"Why can't I fly with Shirley…" Francesca pouted during the end of breakfast.

"Because you two would be lollygagging together, instead of focusing on protecting the good men that are building us a new base," Trude explained.

"Toshiroooo…" Francesca moaned.

"Trudy's right, Franny. Besides, have you ever done team patrols with only Perrine as your partner?"

"Ummm… No?"

"See? A new opportunity in your life unfolds!"

"Well, I guess I can try…" Francesca sighed.

"And why are you sighing?" Perrine asked. "What, I don't have big enough breasts for you to fondle, you little monster?"

"Kind of…"

"Well I'm sorry, but a true lady knows moderation, even considering her body," Perrine said with a high and mighty tone.

"Worst excuse for being flat I've heard…" Francesca moaned.

"Why I…"

"Easy, easy… Save yourselves for the flight…" Toshiro intervened. "You can always land and cut a conversation with some of the people on ground, but only one at the time, okay?"

"Hmmm… That makes it a bit more interesting…" Francesca said. "But still, I'd prefer Shirley as my partner…"

"It's an experiment, Franny, bear with it for at least today."

"Okay…" She sighed.

"Don't worry, Francesca, if anything happens, I'll come rushing to you in a matter of minutes!" Shirley said proudly.

"Heehee, thanks for the good word, Shirley!" Francesca cheered in her usual way.

"Okay, everyone!" Mio shouted. "The usual bunch goes with me, except for Perrine of course."

"Same goes for my girls. Hanna, Siegfriede, Georgina, its leg day!"

"Cooooomiing…" A combined moan lingered throughout the air.

"So, now, Francesca and Perrine, shoo to Frankfurt am Main, you know the way." Toshiro said.

"Understood." Perrine answered in a formal tone as Francesca was already running out of the room.

"And Toshiro, you get the office, heheh…" Mio laughed briefly.

"Yeah… The papers sure stacked up…"

Toshiro proceeded with his titanic battle against paperwork. Once he finished, it was about eleven.

"Buuuuh… Papers, papers, papers… But this is a necessary evil…"

"Thanks to us two processing them, it's going very fast. Imagine what would happen if I alone had to do all of this…"

"You'd have to eat dinner here, haha!"

"Heehee… Yes…"

A knock on the door was heard.

"Come in," Toshiro said.

The door opened and Shirley, with a slightly sullen face peeked in.

"Hey, I'm not interrupting?" She asked.

"No, we just finished," Minna answered.

"Um, Toshiro, could you help me with something?"

"I hope it's not heavy lifting, is it?"

"No, no… It's not manual labor…" She smiled slightly.

"Okay then, Toshiro Life Consulting LLC, Belgica branch is yet again opened for business… Lead on, dear redhead."

Toshiro went out of the room and silently followed Shirley into her room. It was already full of tools and mechanical knick-knacks, but the beds were almost sparkling clear. Shirley sat on the lower bunk and patted the spot beside her. Toshiro sat on said spot and asked, "So, Shirley, what's bugging you?"

"I'd like to go with Francesca…"

"You too? I know you're buddies for thick and thin, but this tops everything…"

"There is a cause for this, Toshiro… Care to hear out the story behind it?"

"Bah! As always!" Toshiro cheered.

"Heh… So… Back in July, we managed to meet the parents of Francesca, just before we were sent off to a base in the Aegean…"

"Oh, where were you?"

"Somewhere… Bah, don't remember, a nice base on the cliff side anyway. The best is that Marseille and Raisa were with us!" Shirley smiled. "Boy, that place was nice… But I sidetracked a wee little bit… Back to the Franny's parents."

"You really have met them?"

"Yeah… Both of them were okay all this time, and I solved the mystery of Francesca's love for boobs…"

"Hmmm… Lemme guess… Her mother is stacked?"

"As if you'd seen her… Ah, in fact…" Shirley stood up, approached the nightstand, and pulled out something. "Here, look. Vittoria, an earnest housewife and Ernesto Lucchini, a railway official, currently in the Romagnan Navy, standing beside us."

Toshiro took the photo from Shirley and gazed upon it carefully.

"Wow… Francesca's parents sure are handsome… And… Well, you were right about her mother…"

"Right? She's as big as me… And you know what was the first thing the little rug rat did when she saw her mom? She cuddled into her bosom, just like that."

"Well, one mystery solved… Was she happy?"

"Francesca? Shit, if tears of joy could cure flu, we wouldn't be sick until the 30th century, hahaha!"

"Daaaawww…"

"Later we all talked about stuff, mostly about Francesca's exploits. But we also scratched the paint of your boat, Toshiro."

"I won't dare to ask…"

"Yeah, you shouldn't… But anywho, going to the core of my current issue… In the evening, when Franny was already sleeping, I've talked to Vittoria… I promised her that I'll continue protecting Francesca until the war is over…"

"I guess a promise between women is more powerful than a ruling of the Supreme Court, huh?"

"Heheh, yeah…"

"And that's why you're a bit gloomy? Because she's out for six hours with Perrine?"

"Yeah… I feel like I've broken my promise…"

"Come on, Shirley… She's only two hundred kilometers away, she has a partner, and they both have guns… Don't you believe in the little Franny?"

"I do but…"

"Only today, Shirley. I promise that from now on, she'll be going out only with you, okay?"

"Thanks, Toshiro…" She smiled brightly. "But I really do hope nothing happens…"

"I also…"

Toshiro's sentence was suddenly interrupted by a transmission.

"Base, come in!" Perrine shouted.

"Toshiro here, what's wrong?!"

"The Neuroi have surrounded us five kilometers east of Frankfurt! Please, help us!"

"Roger!"

"Toshiro… What is it…?" Shirley asked with a pale face.

"The girls are surrounded, come on!"

"Damn! Francesca!" Shirley shouted and ran out of the room.

Toshiro quickly ran up behind her and they both zipped to the hangar. Shirley took her MG as did Toshiro and they jumped into their Strikers.

"Shirley, I'll jump start my Striker, we don't have time for warming up! I'll piggyback you until your Striker is ready!"

"Roger!"

Toshiro dabbled with the FFG and in less than two seconds, his Striker's engines were running. Shirley ran up to Toshiro while wearing her Striker and jumped on his shoulders.

"Go!" She shouted.

Toshiro dashed forward and out of hangar. Quickly gaining speed, he lifted off from the runway, with something soft poking him in the neck.

After ten seconds of flight, Toshiro grabbed Shirley by the arm, lifted her off his shoulders, and let her gain speed alongside him.

"One thousand," He said.

"Wait a second… Okay, let me go!"

Toshiro let go of Shirley and she accelerated immediately.

"Woah, wait for me!"

He matched his acceleration rate to Shirley's, and they reached Shirley's top speed just before crossing the Rhine.

"Please be okay… Please be okay… Please be okay…" Shirley mumbled like a mantra.

Gods… Shirley's hand is trembling like a jackhammer right now…

They flew on for the next three minutes and saw a swarm of Neuroi in front of them, with the girls fighting inside, despite the barrage of beams.

"Toshiro, where are you?!" Perrine pled through the transponder. "We're out of ammo!"

"Francescaaaa!" Shirley yelled, and something happened that left Toshiro stunned.

Shirley suddenly became blurry and transparent.

"What the…"

Then, out of the blue, all of the Neuroi surrounding Perrine and Francesca exploded into white flakes.

"What the flying fuck?!"

"Hoho… It looks like our busty redhead finally unlocked her Final Art…"

"She what?"

"That was time dilution, Toshiro, straight and simple. I could register everything since I can switch states in a microsecond, and I calculated that she diluted time about ten times. Not exactly what I can do with you, but still, very impressive."

"So she just raped a whole swarm of Neuroi in the blink of an eye?"

"Ahyup. Just like that. Jelly?"

"Much…"

"Heh…"

As the flakes were starting to clear, Toshiro saw Francesca being hugged tightly by Shirley, with Perrine looking clueless at both the two and Toshiro. He flew up to them and saw that both are crying.

Ho boy… Okay, I won't bother the two…

"Perrine… Why didn't you report the Neuroi sooner?"

"Um… We did."

"Huh? Really? Maybe it was them jamming us, damn it…"

"Hmm… Maybe… Eh… We botched up, huh?"

"Yeah, you did… But I guess you did one thing okay."

"What is it?"

"Luring the Neuroi away from the construction site. It backfired on you in the end, but the people down on the ground are probably still pounding Hail Maries on their knees."

"Lucchini actually proposed it."

"Really? She did?"

"Yes. And I was a bit surprised by it too… But she overestimated our ammo count a bit."

"That's Francesca for ya…" Toshiro sighed. "Wanna hug too? I see that you're still a bit shaken."

"Oh… Can I?"

"Sure. From the front or from behind?"

"That sounded so dirty I don't know if I want to hug anymore…" Perrine mumbled while shooting daggers with her eyes.

"Suit yourself, sheesh…" Toshiro said and looked up into the sky.

At the same time, he felt as Perrine hugged him anyway. Toshiro embraced her with one arm and started patting her head with his free hand.

"Poor little Perrine had a near death situation… We definitely need to reorganize the rosters… Definitely…"

"Mhhhmm…" Perrine mumbled.

"It's nice to get a hug from me, huh?"

"Mhhhmmm…"

"Heheheh… Oh, seems the two calmed down already," Toshiro said while looking at the teary duo. "How about you?"

"Nu-uh…"

"Oh well… It's not like I don't like it… But it sure is unusual for you to behave like this… Normally you would be all "Hah, those Neuroi didn't stand a chance!" or something like that."

"But this was the first time I almost died… My life was slipping past my eyes as the Neuroi charged their beams… I had no ammo, and I was too tired to launch another Tonnerre…"

"Poor Perrine…" Toshiro said silently. "Hey, Francesca, everything okay?"

"Yes, yes…" She answered with her eyes still reddened.

"Good to hear. Shirley, take our two heroes to the base, I'll fill in for both of them. When Trude and Erica come in for their shift, tell them to stock up on ammo beforehand, okay?"

"Roger, Toshiro. Come on girls, let's go home."

Toshiro looked as they flew to the west, and he tuned in for the base.

"Minna, do you read me?"

"Yes, Toshiro. You sure were in a hurry with Shirley… What happened?"

"You'll get answers in half an hour or sooner."

"Sure, sure. But everything is okay?"

"Simply peachy, but I'll be here till two."

"Here being?"

"East for Frankfurt."

"Okay, affirmative. Back to work for me…"

Toshiro turned off the transponder and said, "Livy, I have a question."

"Oh, this is a nice turn of events," Livy said as she appeared by his side. "I thought you would turn to somebody else, Master."

Toshiro giggled and said, "I prefer you, Sweetie."

"I'm humbled, Master. What is it that you want to know?"

"Did Shirley perform her Final Art a few minutes ago?"

"Yes, Master. Her Final Art is time dilution."

"But she activated it just like that," Toshiro snapped his fingers. "Can you explain me how Final Arts work?"

"Of course I can, Master, but you know, this knowledge can't leave your head. Well, you can tell Mistress if you want, heehee…"

"My head is getting cramp from all the stuff I have to keep locked in there, but okay, I won't peep a word to nobody."

"I'm glad you understand. So, in the year 2002, a scientist researching the DNA discovers a special gene in one of the witch's genetic code. By chance, that witch had a Final Art handy."

"Are Final Arts widely spread in that year?"

"No, Master, they are very rare even a century ahead. But continuing my explanations, the scientist isolates the gene, and he names it the Lambda Gene. After meticulous research, he finally publishes a paper explaining what he discovered. The Lambda Gene facilitates the possibility to perform Final Arts. The conditions to perform a Final Art besides having said gene, are enough magic power, enough willpower, and triggering a mysterious condition."

"Mysterious condition?"

"Since scientists are weird fellows, as you may know." She started explaining with her silky-smooth voice. "They don't dabble in the divine, because why bother, right Master? Nobody proved that gods exist with scientific methods, so said scientist also didn't bother looking up so to speak. The mysterious condition, or as he called it, the Lambda Factor, is in fact a condition predetermined by Fate itself."

"So, for example, Shirley was born with the condition being… seeing Francesca in mortal danger?"

"Yes, Master. She could use unlock her Final Art, because she shifted the balance between needed magic power with her willpower, which can substitute for it, and her Lambda Factor has been achieved. Simple as rocket science, heheh…"

"And what was Yoshika's Lambda Factor?"

"I won't tell you that for now, I'm sorry."

"Oh gods…" Toshiro muttered while shaking his head. "Okay Livy, thanks for the info…"

"Just don't get too bored now, heehee…"

"I hope I won't… Or you could be by my side, invisible to all."

"That would be almost like cheating the Mistress, Master," she smiled. "Almost."

"Come on then, let's go."

Toshiro flew around all the construction site, with Livy flying by his side, silently but faithfully. Soon his relief came, armed to the teeth.

"Trude, Erica… Finally… I'm half dead of boredom…" Toshiro mumbled and underlined it with a fake yawn.

"Hey, Bro, we can't fly as fast as you, give us some slack."

"And we are carrying additional ammo," Trude said.

"Okay… Bye you two, keep those guys down there safe."

"Roger!" Both said and buzzed away.

/-/

After a quarter of an hour of rather fast flight, he landed in the base.

"Mumble… Grumble… Ah, Yoshika… Came here to greet your dear fiancé?"

"Of course! And to tell you that dinner's ready, so come on before I have to reheat it."

"Sure, Sweetie."

"By the way, I've heard what happened, Toshiro. Good that you two have such advanced Strikers…"

"Yeah, I suppose… Now, about that dinner… I'm starving, and I'm tired… And you know what that means?"

"Grumpy Toshiro?"

"Bingo, you win a voucher for a complimentary shag…"

"Heehee… I'll redeem it when I'm safe again."

"Oh I hope…"

Toshiro ate dinner only in the company of Yoshika, since everyone ate earlier. Afterwards, he said, "Yoshika, I'm going to the office, kay?"

"Yes, paperwork. You're excused, heehee…"

"What a considerate fiancé I have… Ah, and the dinner was delicious!"

"Thanks! Now go already!"

"Yeah, yeah…"

Toshiro entered the office, only to see Adolfine and Minna looking at him with warm smiles.

"This is creeping me out…"

"Oh come on, can't we be a little grateful?" Minna asked.

"For what?" Toshiro asked dumbfounded.

"Thanks to your fast reactions, nobody was hurt," Adolfine explained. "Now think of it. If you didn't kickstart your Striker for example, the girls would be toast. If you didn't take Shirley for a piggyback ride before her engines warmed up, the girls would probably be toast…"

"What we want to say…" Minna interrupted. "…is that you're underestimating yourself."

"I wasn't thinking in such categories when Perrine contacted me. I just acted. And why the hell am I standing and you two are sitting? Shoo, women! I probably have paperwork to do!"

"Oh, don't worry about that! We've taken care of it!" Adolfine said proudly.

"Oh? Really now?"

"Yeah, really." Minna confirmed. "You deserved some rest, you look a bit pale-ish."

"Flying five minutes at 2999 km/h and then a three hour patrol takes a toll… Thanks, Minna, Adi. But I have a feeling I'll be indebted to you."

Not taking their smiles of their faces, the two nodded.

"Shit…" Toshiro muttered. "Well whatever, I'll be taking a nap."

"Hurry up, because the photographer can come any minute now." Adolfine said.

"Oh for fucks sake, I totally forgot about that… Yeah, the faster I go to sleep the better…"

Toshiro rushed to his room and fell down on his bed.

"Sint-Truiden, come in." A familiar voice woke him up.

"Hurrrrggghhhmm… Yes, Udo?"

"Ah, the Generalmajor. You sound a bit sleepy?"

"Yeah, you woke me up… What is it?"

"I beg for pardon, but we'll be landing in five minutes."

"Okay, okay… I'll drag my ass to the runway. Toshiro out…"

He yawned widely.

"Time, Yuki?"

"You've slept two hours, you were lucky."

"How nice…"

Toshiro opened the door and saw Yoshika sitting on the windowsill, obviously waiting for him.

"Did you sleep well, Toshiro?"

"Yeah, that hit the spot. Coming with me?"

"A plane is coming?"

"Yeah."

"Sure, I'm going!"

The two of them came down to the runway. They watched as the jet transport plane landed gracefully. They ran up the rear of the plane and waited for the ramp to open.

"Hello," The only person present in the plane said.

"Hello, Adolf," Toshiro said.

"Good morning," Yoshika said politely.

"So, what's this all about?" Toshiro asked.

"I'm to make a photo of you and Galland together for the cover of the October issue of Die Luftwaffe. And there are some supplies in the back."

"Ooookaaay..." Toshiro said and he fired up the transponder. "Adolfine, you're needed on the runway."

"Roger, Toshiro."

"Ugh, as she's wandering here, I might as well unload all the stuff on the plane … Yoshika, some help?"

"Of course!" She cheered.

Using his time diluting and Yoshika's passive strength boost when her magic was active, they quickly moved the supplies to the edge of the runway.

Adolfine came out of the building and analyzed the situation.

"Hmmm… Adolf… Supplies… Something's cooking, right?"

"We'll be on the cover of Die Luftwaffe."

"Hah, finally!"

"First time, Adi?" Toshiro asked.

"No, second. But the last time I was on the cover was in 1941…"

"They sure don't like to give the same girls on the cover…"

"Ugh… Tina…" Adolfine mumbled.

"Case withdrawn…" Toshiro sighed. "Okay, let's go to Adolf."

The three approached the gloomy photographer.

"Good day, Galland," he said.

"Still the same gloomy bastard… Okay, take that photo of me, but if you make me look fat, I'll personally skin you! With a butter knife!"

"Whatever… Hmmm… We'll take the photo before the entrance to the base. The editors will decide if to make a cutout or not… But just in case… you." He pointed out at Yoshika.

"Yes?"

"Can you watch the door from inside so nobody opens it?"

"Uhum!"

"Then hop to it. Come on, you two, I'm sweating like a pig…"

"Then take the coat off, simple," Adolfine said.

"Why bother?"

Yoshika ran into the building and Toshiro with Adolfine on his side positioned themselves before the door.

"Now, both of you make a pose with your hands tucked in as if you mean it."

"Like this?" Toshiro asked when they did that.

"Perfect. Now give me some mysterious smiles and off I go."

The two cracked some cheeky smile and the photographer snapped a picture.

"Off I go! Goodbye."

"Always a pleasure to work with you," Adolfine said sarcastically.

He didn't even bother reacting while going to the plane, which took off in a minute.

"That was at least odd…" Toshiro said.

"Indeed… So, what did we get?"

"From the quick glance on the shipping manifest, it seems that we've gotten an MG/151/20/3 with ammo, some foodstuffs, and a RPzB 65 complete with a whole fucking crate of rockets."

"A new Panzerschreck variant? This I must see…"

"Then help me moving stuff." Toshiro said with a cheeky smile.

"Why don't we get… oh, snap…"

"Yoshika, you can come out!"

The door opened and Yoshika jumped out of the building.

"What's up?"

"Moving stuff again, come on."

"Awww… Maybe you'll move all the stuff by yourself now?"

"Ugh… Okay… It will be faster anyway."

In a minute, which was actually less than two seconds for the girls, Toshiro moved all the crates and was waving to them from the hangar.

After he waved them in, he opened the crate with the rocket launcher. And he was amazed yet again by the technical mastermind of the Wehrmacht. The launcher was longer and more bulky than the 54/1 variant, but it didn't have the cumbersome blast shield, only a simple reflex sight. Toshiro picked up the note on the top of the weapon and started reading it.

Dear Toshiro

I hope you are the first to read this note, which you probably are. This is the Raketenpanzerbuchse 65, also called the Panzerschreck. This model is far more advance and powerful than its previous iteration. Firstly, the caliber is increased from 88 to 100 millimeters. Secondly, we introduced a new ammunition type, the .6524. It's a 100 millimeters, two stage rocket with a HEAT warhead, capable of demolishing the hit target with one lucky shot. The stripped powder charge in the rear shoots the rocket out of the barrel, and then the solid fuel propulsion system sends the rocket at a speed of about 200 m/s towards the given target. Thanks to this, we could remove the cumbersome blast shield and add a fancy sight. We also used a different alloy to make this weapon, so it only weighs about 9 kilograms. Also, the rocket firing system is different, providing the starting impulse through a copper plate inside the barrel, instead of the troublesome wire system used earlier. I hope you give it to Trudy as it was intended, along with the MG/151/20/3 that was delivered for Erica.

Ursula

PS. We included some training rounds, fire away!

Toshiro put the note away and picked up the Panzerschreck out of its crate.

Hmmm… Indeed, it's lighter than the 54/1…

"Wait, what?! Where did the blast shield go?!" Adolfine shouted as she ran towards him.

"Removed. Read the note that's in the crate."

Adolfine quickly ran up to the crate and skimmed the note.

"Fucking geniuses!" She cheered.

"Indeed," Toshiro said. "Adi, can you find the crate with the training rounds?"

"Sure."

She looked around and pulled out a rather big crate. Toshiro could guess what the content was by the sign painted on it.

10-mal .6524-T. Mit Beachtung umgeben!

"Ten rounds… Hoho… Say, let's squeeze one off, shall we?"

"Yoshika, want to fire the big rocket launcher?"

"Uhum! I always wanted to fire Sanya's Fliegerhammer, but she didn't let me… She always said the rockets are scarce…"

"And she was right. Okay, take four puppies, Adi, we're gonna shoot from this stovepipe!"

"Yes! Wait, four?"

"I'm sensing a guest coming, so we should take… precautions…"

"Okay, as you wish…"

Adolfine opened the crate and pulled out four rockets.

"Hmm… They indeed changed…" She mumbled.

They walked up to the entrance of the hangar, and Minna joined them.

"My, my, what's this? Some new Panzerschreck revision?" She asked.

"Yeah. They sent if for Trudy." Toshiro said. "Want to shoot it?"

"Hmmm… Sure, why not."

"Then we're shooting according to rank." Adolfine said. "But I'll let you have the first go."

"Since it was a tie, I wanted you to shoot first, but hey, thanks, hahaha!"

"Oh you!"

Toshiro took a rocket from Adolfine and slid it in the rear of the launcher. After priming the trigger mechanism, he took aim at the forest.

Nice crosshair… Simple yet functional…

He pulled the trigger and the rocket was launched by the powder charge. Then, in a blink of an eye, the solid rocket fuel ignited and the projectile made its way towards the forest, nicking a tree trunk.

Yoshika looked at Toshiro with the eyes nearing the diameter of the rockets.

"Nice, huh?" He asked her.

"So coooooooooool!"

"Fucking A! Gimme!" Adolfine shouted.

"Yeah, here…" Toshiro said and passed the weapon to her.

She loaded it by herself and took a shot.

"Nice! Almost no recoil!"

"And almost no smoke, not like those smoke curtain generators the previous ones were…" Minna noted. "My turn."

Adolfine passed on the launcher to Minna, and the latter gave it a go.

"My, my! What a good weapon!"

"Me! Me! Me!" Yoshika shouted while jumping up and down."

"Are you sure you can handle such a big pipe?" Minna asked with a sly smile.

"Minna, please…" Yoshika responded in equal.

The girls all giggled at the same time.

"Ah, but I could use some help with loading…"

"As always, Toshiro to the rescue!" He said and loaded up the launcher for her.

"Heheh, thanks!"

After she shot she shouted, "Yahoo! That was fun! More!"

"No can do. We have to teach Trudy how to shoot," Toshiro said. "Shoot effectively I might add."

"Okay now, Toshiro. Take the manifest and let's include it in the unit's paperwork." Minna said.

"I'll take that…" Adolfine said and pinched off the weapon from Yoshika.

Yoshika looked at Minna with a sour face.

"You'll go for a walk later, I promise."

"Okay… Toshiro, be quick about it…"

"Worry not, Yoshika, I'll make it in less than an hour."

"Okay… I'll go see how Perrine and Francesca are doing…"

After finishing his paperwork, Toshiro and Yoshika went for a walk. After the walk, came supper, after which Toshiro put forth a plan he was pondering about.

"After today's events, I'm changing the rosters for the construction site mission. Now, we will form three people teams. Each one of you will have to take enough ammunition to last for six minutes of wise shooting. At all times, either Shirley or me, or any future jet users, are to be in the base, with their transponders active. I'll make up a roster for breakfast tomorrow. That is all. Now, good night all of you, except for Sanya, Georgina, Heidi and Siegriede. To you, I wish happy hunting."

"Roger!" All of the girls responded.

Toshiro took Yoshika to their room, and they went to the bath. Inside they found Francesca and Shirley.

"Wee, Yoshika! Boob time!"

"Hooold it…" Shirley grabbed her shoulder and put her down forcefully. "First, I have something to tell you. And Yoshika, if Toshiro didn't tell her already."

"I didn't" Toshiro said.

"Good… So… When we were at your parents…"

"It was fun, right?!" Francesca cheered.

"Yeah, but beside that… I made a promise to your mom…"

"Oh? What was it about? Will you protect my chastity?" She asked with a wry grin.

"Hell no! I promised her I will protect you at all times! And I almost failed today…"

"Daaaaaaaaaww… Shirley…" Francesca hugged her. "You didn't have to promise anything… I know you're there for me at all times… Just like a foster mother."

"You little squirt… Sometimes, I wonder if you're not some kind of genius…"

"I wouldn't know, never had a test, heehee…"

"Toshiro, maybe you could organize something?"

"Sure, why not… I'll put up an order, a test should arrive in a week or so…"

"Now I'll now if you're a dunce or not, haha!" Shirley laughed aloud.

"Shirley, can I now?" Francesca asked.

"What?"

"Boobs."

"Ah, fire away!"

"Weee! Yoshika! Huh? Yoshika?"

Toshiro and Francesca looked around but they didn't see her. But Toshiro felt her, pinching him in the thigh from underwater.

"Francesca, come on… You've groped enough of the new Yoshika…"

"Never enough of quality tits, Toshiro!"

Suddenly, Yoshika emerged, gasping for air.

"Gotcha!" Francesca cheered and proceeded with her lewd maneuvers.

Yoshika only sighed, but she put up a good face to a bad game, and she resisted.

After a few minutes, Toshiro and Yoshika went out of the bath and to their room.

While they were in the bed, with the lights off, Yoshika asked, "So, Toshiro… Want me to serve you today?"

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"I guess your pipe could need some cleaning…"

"And when did you become a licensed plumber?"

"I just got my diploma from Timbuktu U.!"

"Ah my dear Master…" Livy appeared before them. "Remember what I tried to propose to you a bit ago?"

"That time I had an enormous stone cock in my hand?"

"Yes, back then," Livy snickered.

"Aaaaaaaah… If I was thinking what you're thinking…"

"Waaaait a second…" Yoshika said. "You're not thinking of… I bet that would hurt, no! And I'm during my period, this would be a damn mess!"

"You see, Livy? Yoshika said no…" he sighed.

"Oh but Mistress, you could try it out for once, can you? And I promise everything concerning your menstruation cycle will be taken care of for this one time."

"Well… Uh… If it wouldn't be permanent…"

"Just this night only, I promise!" Toshiro shouted. "This will be something new for me too…"

"Oh okay then…" Yoshika sighed, but suddenly she shouted, "Oh, but Livy, why don't you go with Toshiro?"

"Ah… But…" Livy blushed. "No, I can't, Mistress. I can't put my own fancies over the happiness of you and Master."

"Ah Livy…" Toshiro shook his head with a smile plastered to his face. "You're too good for us…"

"Indeed…" Yoshika sighed. "Okay then, Livy, set up everything."

Toshiro suddenly felt that his undies got tighter, which didn't escape Yoshika's attention, despite the darkness around them.

"Oh my… Oh my…" she gasped. "Toshiro, for once, please – be gentle!"

"I'll try…"

The names of Francesca's parents are made up, but the part about being a railroad official is historical.

If you feel like it, please leave a review. However, I have only one request – if you want to leave something the size of a short story, please consider discussing your points over PM. If you want to leave an anonymous review, I respect your decision to do so, but if you sign in, I can actually discuss anything with you, dear reader. Thanks for reading, and I hope the next chapter will also garner your attention!