Kidou Kishi Warviour
(Mobile Knight Warviour)
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in Strike Witches, nor the initial setting.
Chapter 11: Return of the Flying Shield
U.S.S. Mayflower. April 25, 1946; 1105 hours
"Captain, I'm receiving a call from I-402," the radio operator in the U.S.S. Mayflower's bridge said to his captain, Nicholas Kirkman.
"Stay right there," ordered Kirkman as he approached the radio. "I-402, I have Captain Kirkman ready to receive you," the radio operator before handing over his headset and microphone to Kirkman.
"This is Captain Kirkman."
"Captain, this is Lieutenant Hijikata," said another male voice over the other end of the radio. "I regret to inform you of this but we will be delayed in our next re-supply. The submarine has been given additional orders but much like you, we're bound for Victoria."
"Might I inquire as to why we will not meet up with you tomorrow?"
"I'm sorry to say this as well but Lieutenant Commando Sakamoto needs to hear this as well."
"Very well. I'll summon her up this instant."
1129 hours
In the Mayflower's brig, Shinta Himemiya had been released. After he had finished packing up his belongings, he began to leave. However, he saw Mio Sakamoto with her arms crossed. Shinta stopped and saluted with Sakamoto saluting in kind.
"I hope this doesn't happen again," Sakamoto warned. "In any case. Rep-"
"Lieutenant Commander Sakamoto, please report to the bridge," Nicholas Kirkman ordered over the Mayflower's 1MC circuit.
"It seems I'm needed at the bridge," Sakamoto said. "Himemiya, return your belongings to your bunk then report to the hangar deck."
"Ryōkai," Shinta replied.
1147 hours
Sakamoto then entered the bridge. As Kirkman faced her, both saluted each other. "Lieutenant Hijikata contacted us minutes ago," Kirkman explained. "He's still holding up."
"Thank you, Captain," Sakamoto replied before going to the radio.
As Sakamoto reached the radio, the radio operator stepped back. Sakamoto then took over the headset and the microphones.
"Yes, Hijikata?" asked Sakamoto.
"I'm sorry to say this, Lieutenant Commander Sakamoto, but there will be a delay as to our next rendezvous," Keisuke Hijikata announced over the radio.
"Why?"
"The I-402 has been given an additional order. We will still make it to Victoria, but what you need to know for now is that you will need to take in someone once you've dropped off the refugees."
"Who?"
I.S.S. Buffalo. 1154 hours
In the I.S.S. Buffalo's bridge, the Stavrosian Imperial Directorate of Intelligence agent Kenta Aoi, secretly known as "Wan", entered. As he faced the Buffalo's captain Otto Schneider, both men saluted each other.
"I assume the Director has given you an order that we're to assist in following?" Schneider asked.
"You're correct," "Wan" answered. "The Director has told me that we're to simply observe what that Liberian carrier will do once it reaches its destination."
"That's it?"
"Further orders will be given tomorrow. You, on the other hand, will be allowed to prepare Lieutenant Bauer and his team."
"Very well. I'll call them up here this instant."
1206 hours
"That will be all," Schneider concluded to Siegfried Bauer, Segismundo Padolina, Loyiso Yam, and Caroline Weber, who were now in the Buffalo's bridge, after he explained to them the order "Wan" gave.
"We will now entertain questions," added "Wan", standing beside Schneider.
"Why simply observe?" Bauer asked.
"We don't know what the Mayflower will do once it reaches Victoria. The Director would rather that we conserve ammunition. Don't get any ideas, even if you respect the white Mobile Knight's pilot."
"Wan's" warning had struck a nerve for Bauer. He hadn't expected that anyone would have seen his attempt in honorably fighting Shinta Himemiya during the Buffalo's attack against Naval Air Station Midway Islands.
"… Yes, Agent Aoi," Bauer complied.
"Any more questions?" "Wan" asked.
"So further orders will come from the Director?" Weber asked.
"Yes. Sub-Lieutenant Padolina," "Wan" answered. He then saw Segismundo Padolina raise his right hand. "Sub-Lieutenant Padolina, anything to inquire?"
"Yes," answered Padolina. "Will we be on standby?"
"Of course," answered "Wan". Seeing Loyiso Yam raise his right hand, "Wan" faced him. "Sub-Lieutenant Yam?"
"I have nothing to ask, Agent Aoi," Yam answered.
"Then you four are dismissed," ultimately ordered Schneider.
"Aye aye, Captain," said Bauer and his subordinates in unison while saluting.
U.S.S. Mayflower. 1217 hours
On the Mayflower's flight deck, Chieko Oka, Takami Karibuchi, Miya Misumi, and Kullamas Blengkam watched as the LNX-01 Warviour, being piloted by Shinta Himemiya, was engaged with Gregory Tanaka in his F6F Hellcat. A target was attached to the Hellcat for Shinta to hit as an exercise. Mio Sakamoto then joined the three Witches from the Shokaku.
"What do you ladies think of the Mobile Knight?" Mio Sakamoto asked.
"I'm impressed the LN Armed Forces managed to build three of them," Takami answered. "And they're to be mass-produced once they're taken to Liberion?"
"That's right. That'll turn the tide in our favor."
"But will Witches like us have to pilot those things?" Misumi asked.
"No," Sakamoto answered. "They weren't built with Magic Engines like Striker Units are. Though if push comes to shove… "
"Will it matter?" Blengkam asked. "It'll probably be an order should it come to that."
"That's correct," added Chieko.
"Shin- I mean, Seaman Recruit Himemiya did it again!" Kei Miyazaki joyfully announced as he saw Shinta hit the target on Tanaka's Hellcat with one paintball round fired from the anti-personnel machine gun in Warviour's right arm while carrying a clipboard with his left arm and a pen with his right hand.
Himemiya managed to remember that the machine gun can be switched to semi-auto, Sakamoto thought.
Tanaka then landed his Hellcat. After he got off the Hellcat, the flight deck personnel then rushed to the Hellcat to move it further as space was needed for Shinta to land Warviour. As he finished landing the Mobile Knight, Shinta got out of the cockpit with Kei rushing to him while carrying his clipboard.
"How did I do, Seaman Recruit Miyazaki?" Shinta asked.
"Passed with flying colors!" Kei announced as he showed what he had written on the paper attached to the clipboard. "I just realized I forgot I could switch the machine gun to semi-auto. Please tell me how to do-"
"That's enough, people!" Sakamoto interrupted. "I suggest that all of you rush to your respective mess halls. Except for you, Himemiya. I need you to go back inside Warviour and take it back to the hangar deck."
"Ryōkai," Shinta replied as he faced Sakamoto and saluted.
1327 hours
At the Mayflower's mess hall for enlisted personnel, Shinta Himemiya had arrived after returning Warviour to the hangar deck. After getting his tray, he lined up for the counter, where the food was being distributed, and for Shinta, the line wasn't short so it wasn't a problem. Chieko and Kei, seated together at the same table with two more vacant chairs, saw Shinta as he was now getting his food.
As Shinta finished acquiring his food, Chieko stood up and waved to Shinta in order for him to join her and Kei. Shinta moved to the table and sat down beside Kei.
"Itadakimasu!" Shinta, Chieko, and Kei announced in unison while bowing their heads and pairing their respective hands together before eating.
"So, Shinta, how did you switch to semi-auto that fast?" Kei asked after swallowing his food, making Shinta stop chewing his food and necessitating a rapid swallowing.
"I order 'Xiaoying' to switch at my command by using a certain word," Shinta answered. "Had I done so not soon enough, I wouldn't have finished the exercise in time."
"I see. I'll get Kaguya to do that the next time I have to practice hitting Tanaka-san. More importantly… "
Chieko sensed what Kei was about to say as she swallowed her food. "What now?" she asked.
"I'm impressed we met those Witches that escaped the Shokaku!" Kei said.
"Really, Kei!?"
"I mean, the Hero of Sasebo, in this carrier. Kei turned to Shinta. "Shinta, please help me out here."
"I agree with Chieko," Shinta replied. "We just helped them out. Though if they're here, the LN Forces as a whole must be desperate that the Joint Fighter Wings are being re-mobilized."
"You're right about that-"
"What are you talking about?" Shinta, Chieko, and Kei subsequently saw Yoshika Miyafuji with a tray.
"Miyafuji-san, are you sure you should be up by now?" Kei asked.
"Mom told me I should start eating with others," Yoshika answered. "Your table just happened to have a vacant seat."
"Then please join us," Chieko said.
"Arigatou." Yoshika then sat down beside Shinta. "You seem to be excited every time you talk."
"He's always like this with Witches," Chieko explained.
"Were you referring to Karibuchi Chui earlier?"
"We were," answered Shinta.
"You met her before?" Chieko asked Yoshika.
"I was assigned to Maizuru two years ago," Yoshika explained. "Karibuchi Chui was injured when she was brought and I helped her recover."
"I remember that," interjected Kei. "Karibuchi Chui was wounded while going to Petersburg to assist the 502nd Joint Fighter Wing. It was then revealed her sister Karibuchi Hikari, who was supposed to be stationed in Kauhava, ended up recruited into the 502nd as a result."
"Now that you mention it, Karibuchi Chui mentioned she had a sister named Hikari," Yoshika continued. "She asked me where she was and it was a surprise for her that she was unconscious for three months."
"Speaking of which," Chieko interjected. "Miyafuji-san, I hear we'll drop off the refugees from Shinkyo at Victoria."
"We're that near to Victoria already?" Yoshika asked.
"I asked the men in the hangar bay," Shinta added. "They said we'll reach Faraway Land waters tomorrow."
"What about you three?" Yoshika asked. "Aren't you from Shinkyo?"
"We are," Kei answered. "However, we have to remain with the Mayflower until it reaches Liberion."
"Is it because of those Mobile Knights?"
"It is," answered Shinta.
"About that…" Kei said. He immediately faced Shinta. "Shinta, what will you do once we reach Liberion?"
"Why are you asking that now?" Chieko asked.
"It's as Sakamoto Shosa says," Kei explained. "Once the Mobile Knights are brought over to Liberion, the LN Forces will review our situation and hopefully, we'll be discharged."
"Not me," Shinta answered. "I intend on staying."
"Wait, what!?" Kei exclaimed.
"As I told my father, Warviour is my ticket to enlisting in the military."
I never met someone this determined to fight, Yoshika thought. "I'm already finished."
"Really?" Kei asked.
"Hai. I'll be going now. Thanks for inviting me."
"Now that you mention it, we have to finish up soon," Shinta added. "We're needed at the Lecture Room for our afternoon classes."
"Do you have to remind us?" Chieko asked.
"Then I suggest we finish our meals."
"Fine," Kei replied with defeat in his tone, hoping that they would make it to Liberion.
2146 hours
That night, Mio Sakamoto climbed up the Mayflower's bridge. Reaching the flight deck, she found Shinta Himemiya by himself practicing his martial arts.
I didn't think Chinese martial arts required practicing such movements, thought Sakamoto as she saw the way Shinta move. There's no way he's telling the truth about his past.
Despite her suspicions, Sakamoto continued to watch. The way Shinta continued his practice began to mesmerize Sakamoto as the way Shinta moved added to the beauty of the night sky. Ultimately, it had to end. Once Shinta stopped, Sakamoto returned to her senses.
I best leave, Sakamoto thought.
However, as Sakamoto turned her back on Shinta, the latter noticed the former. "You needed something, Sakamoto Shosa?" the latter asked, forcing the former to stop.
"Nothing, really," answered Sakamoto. "Just shower up."
"Ryōkai." After his reply, Shinta saluted.
After Sakamoto saluted in return, she got out of Shinta's way. Sakamoto resumed looking at her subordinate.
Damn you, Himemiya, cursed Sakamoto in her mind. He must know something!
Wait, who are you? Where are you going?
Long, reddish brown hair was what Siegfried Bauer saw walking away. He knew it was a woman he saw.
Please wait! Bauer shouted. Who are-
However, fire separated Bauer from the woman. It didn't take long for the fire to engulf Bauer.
I.S.S. Buffalo. April 26, 1946; 0809 hours
Siegfried Bauer rose from his sleep as if he were a catapult firing its projectiles toward a fortified structure. He breathed heavily as if he had faced a situation that could have ended in his death.
"It's that dream again," Bauer said. "For six years, I've had that dream. Why?"
Near Faraway Land. 0937 hours
"Lieutenant, which navy do those ships belong to?" a male voice over the radio of a Seafire fighter plane asked as they were above a fleet of military and civilian vessels.
"Keep flying around them," the male pilot of the other Seafire answered. "I'll handle this."
U.S.S. Mayflower. 0939 hours
"Unidentified fleet, please identify yourselves," demanded the Seafire pilot over the radio of the Mayflower's bridge.
Nothing else was said as Nicholas Kirkman rushed to the radio. As the radio operator moved out of his captain's way, the latter picked up the headset and microphone.
"This is Captain Nicholas Kirkman of the U.S.S. Mayflower," Kirkman replied. "We came from Fuso's South Seas Island with a fleet filled with refugees after the Stavrosian attack there. We're on our way to Victoria to drop off the refugees there."
"Lieutenant James Mann, Flight Commander from the HMFLS Puncher," the Seafire pilot replied over the radio. "I'll notify my ship that you'll need safe passage."
"Much obliged, Lieutenant."
H.M.F.L.S. Puncher. 0942 hours
"Captain, permission to enter?" a male voice asked from the other side of the door of the bridge of the H.M.F.L.S. Puncher.
"Granted," a man in his late forties replied. He had fair skin, blond hair underneath his white cap, and blue eyes.
A male sailor entered the bridge and faced the man with the white cap, who was the Puncher's captain. Both men saluted each other.
"Lieutenant Mann has just notified us of a fleet of military and civilian vessels proceeding to Victoria," said the sailor.
"Where are they from?" the captain of the Puncher asked.
"Fuso's South Seas Island. Among those ships is a Liberian carrier calling itself the Mayflower, captained by one Nicholas Kirkman."
"What are they doing out here?'
"They plan on dropping off refugees from South Seas Island in Victoria."
"Please prepare the radio," ordered the captain to the bridge's radio operator.
U.S.S. Mayflower. 0947 hours
"This is Captain Raymond Bidwell of the H.M.F.L.S. Puncher," said the captain of the Puncher over the Mayflower's radio. "Mayflower, please respond."
"I'm Captain Nicholas Kirkman," Kirkman responded. "I assume Lieutenant Mann has told you why we're going to Victoria?"
"I understand. You may proceed forward. I just need to notify Rear Admiral Kingsley."
"While you do that, there's a favor I wish to ask of you."
"What else can we do to help?"
1014 hours
"Attention all hands, this is your Captain speaking," Kirkman announced over the Mayflower's 1MC. "We're nearing the city of Victoria. However, we will not disembark until I've discussed the matter with Rear Admiral Kingsley of the Royal Faraway Land Navy in Esquimalt."
So it's come to this, Mio Sakamoto thought as she listened to Kirkman's announcement while Shinta Himemiya, Chieko Oka, and Kei Miyazaki stood behind her in the Lecture Room of the Mayflower.
"During this time, I ask every civilian on board to prepare to disembark. I thank every one of you for bearing with us on this journey. Again, I apologize for your tragic departure from your homes in Shinkyo but rest assured that one day, you will call it home again."
I.S.S. Buffalo. 1015 hours
"We're approaching Faraway Land waters," announced Evelyn Andrews to Otto Schneider in the Buffalo's bridge.
A beep was heard across the bridge. Everyone saw that it came from "Wan".
"I apologize for this," "Wan" said. "It must be from the Director. I'll get out for now."
No one said anything else. "Wan" then left the bridge and upon doing so, turned on his watch and a projector of the shadowed figure he called the "Director" appeared.
"Master, we're near Faraway Land," announced "Wan".
"Good," the "Director" replied.
"Now it's time."
"Agreed." The "Director" then faded from the watch.
"Wan" then returned to the bridge. Schneider reared his head to face "Wan". "What does the Director need of us?" asked Schneider.
"He says you may attack," "Wan" explained.
"Are you serious?"
"It's an order."
"Good."
Near Vancouver Island, Faraway Land. 1105 hours
The refugee fleet that had left the Empire of Fuso's South Seas Island, which included the Liberian Navy ships U.S.S. Mayflower and the U.S.S. Izard, as well as the Fuso Imperial Navy ships Yahagi and Fuyutsuki, had stopped just before Vancouver Island, where Victoria was located at. Above, the flight of Seafires led by James Mann left the refugee fleet to return to the H.M.F.L.S. Puncher.
The civilian vessels were the first to proceed ahead to Victoria. Royal Faraway Land Navy motor launches moved toward the Liberian and Fusoan vessels. Most went to the small boats also filled with refugees whereas one moved to the gangway of the Mayflower with Mio Sakamoto and Nicholas Kirkman watching. As the motor launch stopped, its commanding officer, a man with less-than-fair skin, light brown eyes, and short black hair saluted the Liberian captain and the Fusoan officer with the latter two saluting in return.
"Captain Kirkman, Lieutenant Commander Sakamoto, I'm Lieutenant Abel Stokes," said the commanding officer of ML 124. I've been ordered to take you to Esquimalt."
"Thank you, Lieutenant," Kirkman replied.
Kirkman and Sakamoto then boarded ML 124. Afterward, the motor launch left for Victoria.
Esquimalt Royal Navy Dockyard. 1234 hours
Both Sakamoto and Kirkman arrived at the office of Rear Admiral Leonard Kingsley, the commander of the Pacific Fleet of the Royal Faraway Land Navy. In his early fifties, Kingsley wore a cap underneath his bald head with remnants of his graying black hair separating the scalp from the forehead and neck, light brown eyes, and a mustache beneath his nose. The former two and the latter saluted each other.
"Thank you for having the time for us, Admiral," Kirkman said.
"Hearing that you had refugees, especially those from South Seas Island, it would be beneath me to refuse," Kingsley replied. "When I heard from Captain Bidwell you needed the motor launches, it sounds like there's more to your visit than just dropping off refugees."
"There is, I'm afraid," replied Sakamoto.
U.S.S. Mayflower. 1357 hours
A knock was heard from the other side of the Mayflower's bridge. Tyler Seioge, currently in charge of the ship due to Kirkman's absence, turned his head toward the door.
"Who is it?" asked Seioge.
"It's me," Nicholas Kirkman answered from the other side of the door.
"Captain?... On my way."
Seioge rushed to the door and opened it to find that Kirkman and Sakamoto had returned from Esquimalt. After the salutes, Seioge turned back to the bridge. "Captain on deck!" the former announced before stepping out of Kirkman and Sakamoto's way.
"Seioge, there's an announcement I wish to make," said Kirkman to his executive officer. "Please prepare the 1MC."
"Aye, Captain," replied Seioge.
1415 hours
Many civilians, as well as the survivors from the Shokaku, had gathered to the mess hall for enlisted personnel. Some of the Marines stood guard in order to keep order. Among those called were the Miyafuji women.
The door opened with Nicholas Kirkman proceeding inside to face the civilians. Mio Sakamoto stood beside Kirkman with her attention focused on the Miyafuji women.
"Thank you for gathering here," said Kirkman. "As you know, we are now in Faraway Land. We've stopped this ship because Lieutenant Commander Sakamoto and I needed to arrange for transport for you to disembark from here to Victoria. A motor launch is available for those who wish to leave now. However, it can only take in one family. I'm sorry but this was the best that could be arranged."
"We wish to go," announced Yoshiko Akimoto. "We've had enough with how long we've been on this ship."
"I wouldn't want to leave on such short notice but I fear we'll be attacked again," Sayaka Miyafuji, Yoshiko's daughter, added.
Should have known it would be Miyafuji's mother and grandmother who would be the ones who wish to leave first, Sakamoto thought. What will Miyafuji think?
However, Yoshika Miyafuji remained silent. Her mother and grandmother, even Nicholas Kirkman, see her barely hidden hesitation.
"Yoshika, don't you wish to leave?" Sayaka asked.
"I honestly don't know," Yoshika answered. "But… If Mr. Kirkman and Miss Sakamoto made this arrangement, I shouldn't refuse."
Sakamoto then saw another family raise their hands in accepting the offer the former and Kirkman announced. "Then the Miyafuji family, along with the Morizumi family, are to leave in three hours," Sakamoto announced. "I suggest those who agreed to leave use this time to pack up your belongings."
1437 hours
In the Mayflower's sick bay, Yoshiko, Sayaka, and Yoshika were gathered. Unbeknownst to them, Sakamoto walked in and hugged the wall outside to listen while making sure she wasn't spotted.
"Yoshika, why did you hesitate back there?" Yoshiko asked. "Surely you can't mean to-"
"I really don't know why," Yoshika answered. "I guess I really want to help here on this ship, but I wouldn't want to disrespect Kirkman-san and Sakamoto-san had I refused."
"You're thinking about Himemiya-kun, aren't you?" Sayaka asked.
"I'm not really sure," Yoshika hesitantly replied. "He's been in my mind ever since what happened in Midway. I always end up unconscious and then I hear Shinta-san in the brig. I don't understand why that happens."
"That's exactly why staying here will not do you any good," Yoshiko warned. "What will you do if that happens again?'
"You might be right," Yoshika replied. "But… "
So that's why, thought Sakamoto. Maybe it's time to go. I'll get spotted if I stay any longer.
1455 hours
Sakamoto then entered the hangar bay. Sounds of machinery were heard. She found the chief engineer, Bradley Gladys, with a clipboard. In his late forties, Gladys has blond hair underneath his garrison cap and blue eyes. As Sakamoto approached him, Gladys turned his head only to see Sakamoto, incidentally causing him to drop his clipboard to salute her with the Fusoan doing so in kind.
"Lieutenant Commander, you're back!" Gladys said.
"How are Himemiya, Oka, and Miyazaki doing?" Sakamoto asked.
"Fine. They've gotten used to working here."
"I need Himemiya."
"For what?"
"Why?"
"It's classified."
"Alright." Gladys immediately walked up to Shinta, who was assisting his father Koji Himemiya with the LNX-01 Warviour. "Himemiya, Lieutenant Commander Sakamoto's here and she needs you now!" the former warned.
"Coming!" Shinta Himemiya replied.
After separating from Koji, Shinta miraculously jumped from Warviour and landed on the hangar deck with his two feet. Both Sakamoto and Gladys were stunned by this stunt.
"You needed anything, ma'am?" nonchalantly asked Shinta, ignorant of the jump he did.
"… Yes," Sakamoto replied upon regaining his composure. "I need to talk to you in the interrogation room."
"Yes, ma'am."
1510 hours
Both Shinta and Sakamoto reached the interrogation room. After Sakamoto turned on the light, Shinta closed the door.
"With all due respect, ma'am, what's this about?" Shinta asked.
"The Miyafuji women will be leaving for Victoria soon," Sakamoto answered.
"I see."
"That's all you have to say?"
Shinta was taken aback by Sakamoto's question. He immediately knew what Sakamoto implied but remained surprised to say anything else. Sakamoto took a good look at Shinta again and figured out what to say next.
"Surprised, aren't you?" Sakamoto asked. "I know, a veteran Witch like me telling you about a Witch you've met about to leave, is not something you see every day. I guess having to live with watching a man die alongside the Witch he fell in love with makes me remember that I'm not just a Witch but also a human being. I'll leave you here to think but I suggest you think quickly."
Sakamoto began to leave Shinta alone in the interrogation room.
I.S.S. Buffalo. 1511 hours
"Captain, I've spotted an incoming submarine!" Evelyn Andrews exclaimed on the Buffalo's bridge to Otto Schneider.
"Has it spotted us?" Schneider asked.
"I don't think so. Let me patch it to the main screen.
The main screen of the bridge now showed a red dot and a blue dot. The red dot was above the blue dot, which represented the Buffalo.
"From the look of things, it seems to be heading for Victoria."
"I've heard everything."
Everyone saw "Wan" enter the bridge. "What is that sub?" the latter asked.
"Hold on," answered Andrews while pressing more buttons on her console.
The main screen now showed a Fusoan I-400-class submarine. Everyone now looked at it, knowing that Schneider would make a decision.
"What's a Fusoan submarine going to Victoria for?" Schneider asked.
"Most likely to re-supply that Liberian carrier," "Wan" answered. He then faced Schneider. "Captain, we best attack now."
"But how?"
"I suggest we fire a torpedo. It doesn't have to hit but it will force that submarine to surface. We can order Lieutenant Bauer and his men to attack it. That way, the white Mobile Knight will appear."
"Tempting idea."
"Captain, you can't be serious?" Andrews asked.
"We've come this far… " Schneider retorted. He immediately pressed buttons beside him..
"Captain?" Siegfried Bauer asked as his faced appeared on the main screen.
"Lieutenant Bauer, prepare to attack on my command," Schneider ordered.
"What's the target?"
Fusoan submarine I-402. 1519 hours
"Captain, I've picked up something on our hydrophones," said one sailor in I-402's bridge to his captain; the latter having less-than-fair skin, black hair underneath his cap, and light brown eye.
"Port!" the captain ordered.
"Ryōkai," the sailor serving as the helmsman replied.
As the helmsman spun the wheel to port, the I-402 spun to its left. This allowed the submarine to avoid being hit.
I.S.S. Buffalo. 1519 hours
I haven't had this much fun since the invasion started, Otto Schneider thought as he saw that the torpedo the Buffalo launched against I-402 evaded the projectile on the main screen of the Buffalo's bridge. However, you underestimated our torpedoes.
On Schneider's left palm was a stick made of metal with a red-colored ball. He then moved the stick leftward.
Fusoan submarine I-402. 1519 hours
"Captain, that torpedo's moving toward us again!" the sailor who entered I-402's bridge shouted to his captain. "It managed to follow us!"
"Bakana!" shouted I-402's captain. "Port a-"
"It's getting close-"
The torpedo that followed I-402 exploded. However, it was too far for it to have seriously damaged the Fusoan submarine. Despite the hit, Keisuke Hijikata came inside the bridge.
"Captain, what happened!?" Hijikata asked.
"We spotted a torpedo but it followed us despite our evasive maneuver," answered I-402's captain. "That explosion was far but-"
"Captain!" shouted a sailor as he pushed Hijikata out of his way and appeared in front of the Captain, followed by a salute. "There's a hole in the wall directly behind out island?'
"Nani!?" the captain asked. "Port or Starboard?"
"Starboard."
"Chikusho!" the captain cursed. "We need to surface. That way, we can still make it to Victoria and meet up with the Mayflower."
I.S.S. Buffalo. 1524 hours
"Good," said "Wan" as he and Schneider saw the I-402 rise from the ocean through the main screen of the Buffalo's bridge.
"Then we best surface as well," Schneider replied.
U.S.S. Mayflower. 1532 hours
"Captain, I've picked up a distress call from I-402!" warned the radio operator of the Mayflower.
"What!?" Kirkman shouted just before rushing to the radio and receiving its headset and microphone.
"This is the I-402, we request reinforcements!" shouted the I-402's captain over the radio. "I say again, we request reinforcements. We're under attack!"
1534 hours
Shinta Himemiya had arrived just the sick bay. He saw that the Miyafuji women had finished packing up but hid from them.
Why am I even here? anxiously pondered Shinta. I know it's the right thing to do by seeing Yoshika-san and her family off but… I feel as if it will be tempting for Yoshika to continue hesitating. She really shouldn't-
Yoshika then saw Shinta's shoes. "Shinta-san, is that you?" she asked.
Damn it! silently cursed Shinta. He then showed himself to the Miyafuji women. "Sorry," he said. "Didn't mean to do that. I was just thinking about something before seeing you off."
"And what would that be?" Sayaka asked.
"That… you were of great help throughout this voyage," Shinta explained. "I don't mean to discriminate between soldiers and civilians at this point but your help was most valuable."
"Thank you," Yoshiko replied. "All I can say is-"
"Himemiya, we need you at the hangar, now!" Shinta saw Gregory Tanaka behind him.
"I… I apologize for this," replied Shinta to the Miyafuji women.
"Go on," Yoshika said. "I wish you luck as well."
"Thank you." After his reply. Shinta bowed quickly. He then joined Tanaka.
1548 hours
Shinta had made it to the Mayflower's hangar. Koji, who was beside Warviour, saw his adopted son.
"Dad, what's going on!?" Shinta asked.
"From what I've heard, I-402's under attack!" Koji answered.
"Wakatta!" Shinta then rushed to Warviour.
1554 hours
Warviour was now brought to the flight deck of the Mayflower. Behind the carrier's island was the LNX-03 Wardar with Kei Miyazaki already in his Mobile Knight's cockpit. Kei used the communicator in Wardar's control panel and patched into Shinta's frequency.
"Kei, what is it?" Shinta asked before he launched out of the Mayflower.
"Shinta, you better haul ass because the only one defending that sub is a Witch," Kei warned. "And she's fighting four Mobile Knights."
"Not good… Thanks for the heads-up."
Both Shinta and Kei stopped talking. The former proceeded to leave by using Warviour's Wing Pack.
1610 hours
Already flying, Shinta again received a transmission from Kei's frequency in the communicator and patched through it.
"What is it now, Kei?" Shinta asked. "I'm already-"
"I already told you to haul ass because that Witch doesn't seem to be able to outfly those Mobile Knights any longer," Kei repeated. "I can patch you to her intercom."
"Much obliged," replied Shinta.
Shinta then heard the sound of machine gun fire. He also heard the panting voice of a girl in which Shinta realized that he can contact the Witch Kei told him about.
"Come in, this is Himemiya Shinta Nitosuihei. I'm on my way to help!"
"Hattori Shizuka. Shoi."
Wait, you're Hattori Shizuka? Shinta pondered before returning to the task at hand. "Hattori Shoi, please hold on. I can see the I-402 and- It's them!"
"What do you-" An explosion was heard, interrupting Shizuka.
Shinta saw through the monitor of Warviour's cockpit the four Mobile Knights. He recognized them as the Legionarious and the three Capri-colored Mobile Knights—the PMK- 03 Equites—whom he fought in Midway; the only difference being that the Legionarius didn't carry the rectangles that carried the missiles used to destroy the Marine Aviators. As a result, Shinta brought out Warviour's Particle Sword and charged toward the Stavrosian Mobile Knights.
1613 hours
"Lieutenant, we have incoming!" Caroline Weber warned as she appeared on the main screen of Siegfried Bauer's Legionarius.
"Lieutenant, watch out!" Segismundo Padolina shouted as he now appeared on the screen, dividing it between him and Weber.
Outside, Shinta Himemiya and the LNX-01 Warviour neared the Stavrosian Mobile Knights. Shinta aimed for Bauer and his golden Legionarius but as he swung his Particle Sword, Segismundo Padolina and his Eques got in his way, blocking the Particle Sword with his Energy Saber.
"Jama wo suru na!" Shinta shouted. He immediately used his left leg to make Warviour use its left leg to kick Padolina's Eques.
"Spread out and give him multiple targets!" Bauer ordered in his Legionarius' cockpit.
Bauer, Weber, and Loyiso Yam dispersed and aimed the assault rifles wielded by their respective Mobile Knights. Shinta flew away to evade their fire but this forced Bauer, Yam, and Weber to pursue and continue firing at Warviour.
However, bullets hit the rear of the right shoulder of Yam's Eques. In his cockpit's monitor, Yam saw that it was an F6F Hellcat.
"I know that plane," Yam said before he turned to the Hellcat and fired the assault rifle.
In Warviour's cockpit, Shinta now saw that he was being contacted by a frequency he recognized.
"Hope I'm not too late?" excitedly asked Gregory Tanaka.
"Not at all, Tanaka Dai-i," Shinta replied. "Thanks. I'll deal with the rest."
"I'll deal with the blue ones. Golden boy's yours."
Shinta then put aside his Particle Sword and charged toward Bauer's Legionarius. The former prepared Warviour's Shock Knuckles, intent on finishing what Bauer started back in Midway.
I.S.S. Buffalo. 1626 hours
The main screen of the Buffalo's bridge now showed the battle between its Mobile Team and Warviour and Tanaka's Hellcat. "Wan" was outside the bridge talking to the Director yet again.
"The preparations are complete," said the Director. "You know what should be done."
"Yes, Fa- I mean, Master," "Wan" replied.
"Good."
After the Director vanished from "Wan's" watch, the latter returned to the bridge. He now saw that Padolina's Eques was continuously fighting Warviour, but he was too focused to tell Otto Schneider the new order from the Director.
"Captain, the Director just gave me new orders," warned "Wan".
"What might they be?" Schneider asked.
"We have to order Bauer's team back."
"But-"
"You're going to disobey orders?"
Schneider gritted his teeth and closed his eyes. He knew what "Wan" said was a threat but he feared arguing with Bauer and his team. Regardless, he began to contact Bauer and his team but without using the monitor.
"Lieutenant Bauer, can you hear me?" Schneider asked with defeat in his tone.
"Captain, what is it?" Bauer asked. "I apologize if we're-"
"Pull back, now."
"What!?"
"It's an order!"
1537 hours
Due to his argument, Bauer was now struck with a punch from one of Warviour's Shock Knuckles. Weber and Yam saw what happened but Tanaka made sure they didn't help. Seeing what was happening in his Eques' cockpit, Padolina charged toward Warviour while using his Mobile Knight's Energy Saber again.
"Incoming at 5'o clock," warned "Xiaoying" to Shinta across Warviour's cockpit.
Shinta moved away to evade Padolina's strike. Shinta then brought out the Particle Sword again, picking up where they left off. Bauer saw what was happening in his Mobile Knight's cockpit.
"Padolina, stop!" ordered Bauer. "We need to wit-"
"We lost many of our comrades thanks to this Mobile Knight!" Padolina screamed. "This ends now!"
However, Padolina's screaming allowed Shinta to evade his strikes. Shinta had finally seen an opportunity to seize as Padolina's latest swing left his head open for attack.
Remembering his practice duel with Sakamoto weeks before, Shinta began to drop the Energy Sword toward the head of Padolina's Eques. In the monitor of her Eques, Weber saw what was about to happen and began to contact Padolina.
"Sub-Lieutenant Padolina, watch out!" shouted Weber.
"What?" Padolina asked just before seeing Shinta about to swing his Particle Sword.
Padolina slightly moved to his left but it was to be in vain. Warviour's Particle Sword still caught up to Padolina's Eques and reached its head. However, due to the Eques being as tall as Warviour, Padolina avoided the same fate as Ivan Romanovich Volkov.
"Damn it!" shouted Bauer in his Legionarius as he saw it unfold. "Weber, get Padolina out of here! I'll cover you. Yam, assist me."
"Roger that," Weber and Yam replied in unison.
Both Bauer and Yam fired their respective Mobile Knights' rifles, forcing Shinta back. This allowed Weber to use her Eques to grab Padolina's damaged Eques and withdraw. Bauer and Yam followed.
"They're finally moving," Tanaka said in his Hellcat's cockpit as he saw the I-402 move again.
"Tanaka Dai-i, Kei has just told me Victoria is under attack," said Shinta as he contacted Tanaka through the transceiver Tanaka received from Koji before Midway.
"That was dirty of them to trick us into coming here. No wonder they weren't fighting us that seriously. We have to go back!"
"Wakatta."
Near Victoria. 1605 hours
Both Shinta and Tanaka returned. However, they now saw that Victoria was now a battlefield as the Neuroi filled the sky. The largest one was a black-colored diamond with both halves divided by a red line.
"Himemiya, I can see you returned," Mio Sakamoto said over the communicator in Warviour's cockpit.
"Sakamoto Shosa, what happened?" asked Shinta.
"The Neuroi appeared while you and Tanaka Dai-i were gone. Please take me to Ogden Point."
"With all due respect, ma'am, I don't think that's a wise idea."
"Doesn't matter! This is an order!"
"… "Ryōkai."
"Himemiya, go," Tanaka interjected. "I'll keep those Neuroi busy.
"Arigatou, Tanaka Dai-," Shinta replied before rushing to the Mayflower.
Ogden Point, Victoria, Faraway Land. 1613 hours
In Ogden Point, located southwest of Victoria, the Miayfuji women and the Morizumi family hid as the city they arrived to became a battlefield. Nearby was a Universal Carrier with two Bren machine guns, one at the front left and another at the back; the latter firing against many Small-Type Neuroi in the air.
"Why did this have to happen?" lamented Yoshiko Akimoto. "Just as when we've-"
However, Yoshiko was interrupted as a red-colored energy beam hit the Universal Carrier, toppling it over. Yoshika, seeing that the driver is badly hurt, stands up, much to the distress of her mother and grandmother.
"Yoshika, what are you doing!?" asked Sayaka Miyafuji.
"There's someone injured," Yoshika replied before rushing to the injured Faraway Land soldier.
Yoshika then made it to the damaged Universal Carrier. She then saw the Bren, undamaged and disconnected from the Universal Carrier. Sayaka then arrived.
"Yoshika, we better hu-" Sayaka said. However, Yoshika stopped paying attention to her and focused on the Bren.
"Mom, please go," Yoshika pleaded. "I'll buy us time."
"Yoshika!" shouted Sayaka in vain.
Using her magic, Yoshika succeeded in acquiring the Bren. However, this drew the Small-Types to her.
Yoshika then saw the Small-Type Neuroi charging toward her. I may not have a Striker Unit but I can still fight, Yoshika thought.
As Sayaka took the injured Faraway Land soldier with her, Yoshika followed while firing; the tail and ears of her familiar appeared, indicating that she was using her magic. At the same time, Shinta Himemiya spotted the Miyafuji women while Mio Sakamoto, with an M1 Thompson submachine gun slung across her back, rode on Warviour's right hand.
"Looks like we've made it," Sakamoto said. "We must make haste."
Shinta then rushed to Ogden Point. As more Small-Type Neuroi reached Yoshika, Shinta used Warviour's machine gun and destroyed the rest of the Small-Types, saving Yoshika. Sakamoto then jumped off Warviour's right hand and joined her former subordinate.
"Sakamoto-san, you're here?" asked Yoshika before facing Warviour. "And I guess it's Shinta-san inside that thing?"
"We figured you were in trouble," Sakamoto answered. Seeing Yoshiko and Sayaka, the former faced the latter two. "Mind if I borrow your daughter?"
"What now?" Yoshiko asked.
"I have an idea but I'll need Miyafuji's help."
"I'll go!" Yoshika announced suddenly.
I.S.S. Buffalo. 1621 hours
Siegfried Bauer walked into the Buffalo's hangar deck. One foreman approached Bauer, knowing what his presence entailed.
"Lieutenant, what are you doing here?" asked the foreman. "We haven't-"
"I don't care," Bauer insisted before the foreman finished his sentence. "I need to launch now!"
Bauer then pushed the foreman out of his way and reached the Legionarius. Both Otto Schneider and "Wan" appeared with every foreman saluting the former two. Bauer turned to his captain, expecting what Schneider would say next.
"I assume you know what will happen if you go?" asked Schneider.
"Yes," Bauer defiantly answered.
"We will not stop you," added "Wan". "However, be prepared for your punishment later."
"I'm prepared," Bauer replied solemnly.
Bauer continued to climb into the Legionarius. Schneider and "Wan" began to leave after Bauer closed his Mobile Knight's cockpit, with every foreman resuming their work as they knew what was to come next.
Near Esquimalt Royal Navy Dockyard. 1623 hours
Warviour continued moving toward the Royal Faraway Land base in Esquimalt. Both Yoshika and Sakamoto rode on Warviour's left hand.
"Shinta, are you there?" Kei Miyazaki asked over Warviour's communicator. "Please respond."
"I read you, Kei," replied Shinta.
"Where are you now?"
"Sakamoto Shosa and I picked up Yoshika-san. Sakamoto Shosa needed me to take her and Yoshika-san to Esquimalt."
"Good. The captain of I-402 wishes to speak to you. I'll patch you in."
"Mobile Knight pilot, this is Nakamura Osamu, Captain of I-402," said a male voice over Warviour's communicator. "On behalf of my crew, thank you for saving us."
"Thank you for the praise," Shinta replied. "Himemiya Shinta. Nitosuihei desu."
"You're… only a Seaman Recruit?"
"It's a long story. You're on your way to Esquimalt?"
"Hai desu."
"I'll see you there."
Esquimalt Royal Navy Dockyard. 1634 hours
Shinta then landed Warviour. However, Royal Faraway Land Navy personnel appeared with Lee-Enfield rifles and Sten submachine guns as they assumed Warviour was another Stavrosian Mobile Knight. Sakamoto was first to jump off.
"Put down your weapons!" ordered Sakamoto. "The pilot's with us."
"Lieutenant Commander, you're here." Leonard Kingsley appeared, forcing his men to get out of his way to join Sakamoto.
"Admiral. Is I-402 here yet?' Sakamoto asked.
"It's about to dock." Kingsley then saw Yoshika still on Warviour's right hand. "Is that her?"
Sakamoto then turned to Yoshika. "That's right," the former answered. "She agreed to help."
In his cockpit, Shinta saw Sakamoto use a gesture. Remembering that Yoshika is with them, Shinta kneeled in order to put down Warviour's right hand. This allowed Yoshika to leave Warviour after she left the Bren she took on the metallic hand she stood on.
"Miyafuji, the I-402's here," Sakamoto announced. "Let's move."
"Hai," replied Yoshika.
Shinta then opened Warviour's cockpit. "And what about me?" he asked.
"Himemiya, go back to Victoria and help," Sakamoto ordered. "This part of the plan is up to Miyafuji from here on in."
"Ryōkai," Shinta replied. He then closed Warviour's cockpit and put down the Bren Yoshika used earlier.
After making it stand again, Warviour jumped just before using its Wing Pack to go back into the air. Sakamoto and Yoshika followed a sailor ready to take them to I-402.
1639 hours
Yoshika and Sakamoto arrived at I-402. Both Keisuke Hijikata and Osamu Nakamura faced Sakamoto with the two parties saluting each other.
Nakamura then saw Sakamoto. "You made it," the former said.
"We did," Sakamoto replied.
Nakamura then turned to Yoshika. "And you must be Miyafuji Yoshika," the former said.
"Hajimemashite," replied Yoshika. She immediately bowed.
"In any case, we've delivered it as promised," Hijikata added.
"Miyafuji, please go with Hijitaka," Sakamoto instructed Yoshika.
"Hai," Yoshika replied.
"Miyafuji-san, is that you?"
Both Yoshika and Sakamoto turned to where the voice they recognized came from. To their surprise, it was Shizuka Hattori.
"Shizuka-chan?" asked Yoshika. "You were with the I-402?"
"Hattori, what are you doing here?" Sakamoto asked.
"That can wait," interjected Nakamura while facing his submarine. "It's here."
The I-402's crane brought out a Launch Unit with the Striker Unit it carried hidden in a sheet. As the Launch Unit was laid on the dock, Sakamoto, Yoshika, Hijikata, and Shizuka proceeded to the Launch Unit. When they stopped, Hijikata removed the sheet, and to the surprise of Yoshika and Shizuka, the Striker Unit's green color and its design was something they remember.
"This is… the Shinden," Yoshika said.
Shizuka quickly turned to Sakamoto. "We were bringing this to Esquimalt the whole time?" the former asked.
"It was a contingency," answered Sakamoto. "The rest is up to you now, Miyafuji."
"Hai," replied Yoshika.
Yoshika began to go to the J7W1 Shinden, a Striker Unit that was developed with covert assistance by her father Ichiro Miyafuji, which she used without prior testing during the liberation of Venezia in the Second Neuroi War. After removing her shoes, Yoshika's legs began to sink into the Shinden and as a result, she began to manifest her familiar again. However, the Shinden wasn't able to leave the Launch Unit, horrifying Sakamoto and Shizuka.
"Miyafuji, come on!" shouted Sakamoto.
This is bad, Shizuka worriedly thought. Miyafuji-san's powers haven't improved since last year.
"No… no, not a time like this!" Yoshika shouted as she felt her inability to use her powers. She then closed her eyes and gritted her teeth in desperation. Onegai…
Suddenly, Yoshika began to hear the beat of her heart. She began to hear in her head a scream but it wasn't just anyone's scream, it was that of Shinta Himemiya's.
Wait, why am I hearing Shinta-san? Yoshika thought. Will he go through that again?
Yoshika heard her heartbeat again. To her, the heartbeat was louder, forcing her to press her right hand against her chest.
"Miyafuji-san are you alright?" asked Shizuka.
"I'm fine… " Yoshika replied.
Yoshika felt the sound of her beating heart increase again. She began to lose balance while remaining in her Striker Unit. Suddenly, a large blue-colored circle appeared on the ground and reached as far as the water, going past the I-402.
"What's going on here!?" Nakamura demanded as he joined Sakamoto, Hijikata, and Shizuka.
"I honestly don't-" Sakamoto answered.
"Mitte!" shouted Shizuka, interrupting Sakamoto.
The blue light got brighter. Suddenly, a large pillar of light grew. The other Fusoans covered their eyes but it wasn't long. They opened their eyes and found Yoshika still on her Striker Unit, yet with her eyes closed.
Sakamoto rushed to Yoshika. "Miyafuji, are you alright?" the former asked the latter.
Yoshika then opened her eyes, seeing Sakamoto. "… Sakamoto-san?" the former asked weakly.
"Good, you're fine. How do you feel?"
Yoshika then showed that she was no longer feeling weak. "I feel like flying… There are people who need me."
"That's right." Sakamoto briefly closed her eyes and smiled. Once she stopped, she offered her Thompson submachine gun to Yoshika. "Take these."
After giving her Thompson, Sakamoto began giving the spare magazines she carried with her. After that, she got out of Yoshika's way. Nakamura, Hijikata, and Shizuka did so in kind.
"Hasshin!" shouted Yoshika as the Launch Unit opened.
Victoria. 1705 hours
Above the city of Victoria, Shinta struggled to destroy the Small-Type Neuroi guarding the larger one shaped like a diamond. He saw one Small-Type and swung the Particle Sword but the Neuroi evaded him. Shinta began to press his heart again.
Even now, I still don't know what's happening to me, Shinta thought. I feel like using that power but I'd rather not make Sakamoto Shosa suspicious of me.
"Neuroi outside have been eliminated," said "Xiaoying".
"Nani?" Shinta immediately saw white-colored pieces, which were those of Neuroi that had been destroyed, fill the sky on the screen of Warviour's control panel.
"Himemiya, are you there?" Sakamoto asked over Warviour's communicator.
"Sakamoto Shosa?" asked Shinta. "Who-"
"That was Miyafuji."
"Yoshika-san!? Wait, don't tell me-"
"That's right, she's in a Striker Unit. Just help her. Miyazaki's attempting to make sure you can contact her intercom."
"Shinta, you there?" Kei Miyazaki asked over the communicator. "I've just about finished patching you to Miyafuji-san's intercom."
"Wakatta," replied Shinta. "Arigatou, Kei."
"Just tell me all about it tonight."
"Yoshika-san, do you read me?" Shinta asked.
"Shinta-san, you're okay," Yoshika replied.
"I am." Shinta then saw Yoshika in the Shinden. "I assume this was what Sakamoto Shosa had in mind?"
"She managed to get me the Shinden. In any case, we have to destroy the large Neuroi."
"Hai."
Both Shinta and Yoshika turned their attention to the Large-Type Neuroi. The latter summoned more Small-Types toward the former two.
"Please follow my lead," Yoshika requested. "I'll draw their fire."
"Ryōkai," Shinta replied. She really sounds like a veteran of the last war.
Both Yoshika and Shinta charged toward the Neuroi. As the Small-Type Neuroi fired their energy beams, Yoshika summoned a large shield with her Magic to proceed, destroying many Small-Types in the process with Shinta managing to destroy his fair share. At the U.S.S. Mayflower's flight deck, Kei Miyazaki and Chieko Oka, in their respective Mobile Knights, saw the spectacle.
"I can see Shinta but who's the Witch summoning such a powerful shield?" asked Chieko.
"I… don't believe it," Kei said without paying attention to Chieko.
"Kei, are you even-"
"It's her! It's Miyafuji Yoshika! She must have gotten a Striker Unit and decided to help Shinta!"
Impossible, Chieko thought with disbelief shown on her face.
Shinta and Yoshika continued charging toward the Large-Type. However, more Small-Types kept appearing. Suddenly, these Small-Types began to be destroyed.
"Who's-" asked Yoshika until she heard a sound coming to her intercom.
"Go on ahead," said a female voice Yoshika is familiar with. "We'll deal with these small-fries!"
Appearing behind Shinta and Yoshika were Takami Karibuchi, Kullamas Blengkam, and Miya Misumi. The latter three continued firing to prove to the former two they could proceed further.
"Shinta-san, we're near the Neuroi," Yoshika warned with Shinta listening through Warviour's communicator. "Please stay close to me."
"Hai!" replied Shinta.
The Large-Type, seeing Yoshika and Shinta charging at it, fired its energy beams. It was futile due to Yoshika's shield. Yoshika then reached the Neuroi and as a result, she pushed forward, turning her shield into a battering ram and creating a hole through the Neuroi's armor.
Despite the thickness of the Neuroi, Yoshika continued pushing through. Shinta then stopped just before Yoshika reached the other side of the Neuroi. Another second later, the Neuroi disintegrated with white shards falling in the sky.
"We did it!" exclaimed Yoshika.
"Nice work, Yoshika-san," Shinta replied on Yoshika's intercom.
"Sugoi na!" Kei shouted over Warviour's communicator. "I can't believe you teamed up with Miyafuji-san! I'm so glad to be-"
"SHUT UP, KEI!" shouted Chieko. "Good work, Shinta-kun."
"Thank you both," replied Shinta.
"Hold on, I got incoming!" Kei warned.
"What now?"
"What's going on?" Yoshika asked.
"Yoshika-san, please stay back," Shinta requested. "I understand what's going to happen so this is now my fight."
Suddenly, Siegfried Bauer in his gold-colored Legionarius appeared. Yoshika aimed at the Mobile Knight with the Thompson Sakamoto gave to her, but Shinta stopped her with Warviour's right palm. Bauer then opened his Mobile Knight's cockpit.
"Pilot of the White Mobile Knight, I challenge you!" shouted Bauer. "Open your cockpit!"
Far from me to turn down this challenge, Shinta thought before doing the same.
The cockpit of Warviour opened. Shinta showed himself to his Stavrosian counterpart. "And who are you!?" loudly asked Shinta.
"Siegfried Bauer."
"Shinta Himemiya. Why did you open your cockpit?"
"I wish to challenge you. I have borrowed the Energy Saber of my subordinate's Mobile Knight. Draw out yours!"
"A man who'll risk being punished for such a challenge… I like that!"
"Then do you agree to this?"
"I do." Shinta then pointed to Yoshika. "And she'll be our judge."
"M… Me?" asked Yoshika.
"I leave the rules to you," said Bauer in agreement.
"… Alright," said Yoshika. "Could you please end this duel without anyone dying?"
"Fine with me," Shinta replied. "An arm chopped off means the end of the duel."
"Very well," said Bauer. "Back to your Mobile Knight!"
Shinta closed Warviour's cockpit. Bauer followed with his Legionarius. Both brought out the swords of their respective Mobile Knights. Yoshika then flew as far away as she could to avoid being caught in the duel.
The duel began with Shinta and Bauer charging toward each other. They swung their swords as if it was a dance, therefore neither were they able to hit each other. Warviour's Particle Sword then crossed with the Energy Saber of Segismundo Padolina's Eques, wielded by Bauer's Legionarius.
At least this man wanted this to be fair, thought Shinta. Still, I find it strange a Stavrosian would challenge like this. This shouldn't be right.
Why do you fight us? Bauer pondered anxiously while thinking about Shinta. Are you that desperate to survive?
Shinta managed to push away Bauer's Energy Saber. The former attempted another swing with Warviour's Particle Sword only for Bauer to block it.
"Miyafuji, what's going on?" Sakamoto asked over Yoshika's intercom.
"Sakamoto-san?" Yoshika asked before understanding her former superior's question. "A Stavrosian soldier named Siegfried Bauer appeared to challenge Shinta-san."
"Just keep watching."
"Hai."
For Yoshika, however, there wasn't a need to rigorously watch as it was the same for Shinta and Bauer. Across Victoria, the surviving LN forces from Victoria's defenders to those in the Mayflower watched.
"I didn't think Shinta would know how to use a sword as if he were a Kendo practitioner," said Kei Miyazaki as he saw the fight through the monitor in Wardar's cockpit.
However, Shinta saw through the monitor in Warviour's cockpit a possible way to end the duel while crossing blades with Bauer. He focused his attention on the left leg of Bauer's Legionarius. As a result, Shinta moved his right leg to the left, making Warviour do the same with its right leg.
This resulted in a kick where Bauer was pushed away. Shinta then dropped the Particle Sword against Bauer. Bauer attempted another swing but it was too late—his Legionarius' left hand was sliced off by the Particle Sword. Yoshika saw what had happened and appeared between the two Mobile Knights.
"This match is over!" Yoshika announced. "Shinta-san wins."
Through his cockpit's monitor, Bauer saw Yoshika. However, he began to shout as he felt pain in his head. He gritted his teeth, struggling to maintain composure to acknowledge that his duel with Shinta was over.
No, not now! painfully thought Bauer before looking at Yoshika.
Bauer again had in mind the woman with red hair who he kept seeing in his dreams. He then struggled to open his cockpit's door.
In his cockpit, Shinta saw Bauer open his cockpit. Therefore, Shinta did the same. "What's the matter?" asked Shinta.
"You… win… " said Bauer before closing his Mobile Knight's cockpit and withdrawing.
Ogden Point. 1756 hours
"Are you sure about this?" asked Sayaka Miyafuji, with her mother Yoshiko Akimoto, to her daughter.
"I'm sure," Yoshika asked with determination in her tone. "If I can help Shinta-san in any way, rejoining the military might be a start."
"Go on," said Yoshiko. "You're young so you can make such decisions."
"Mother!" Sayaka shouted.
"In any case, I'll be going," Yoshika said. She bowed after that.
After bowing, Yoshika took her bag with her and rushed to the motor launch waiting for her. Shizuka Hattori, who waited for Yoshika in the motor launch, saw her comrade rushing to the motor launch. For the third time, Yoshika will fight, uncertain of what will come next.
Esquimalt Royal Navy Dockyard. 1756 hours
"Thank you so much!" Kei Miyazaki cheerfully said as Takami Karibuchi signed a picture of her in a magazine. Once the transaction was finished, Takami gave the magazine back to Kei.
"I find it weird you three have to be the pilots of those Mobiles Knights," Miyu Misumi said to Chieko Oka.
Before she could reply to Misumi's comment, Chieko briefly glanced at Mio Sakamoto, who stood nearby to hear them, then faced Misumi. "Can't say much about how that happened other than it was a life or death situation," Chieko replied. "Other than that, it's temporary. Once we reach Liberion, it's Kei-kun and I that want out. Shinta-kun wants to stay."
"Although you three aren't Witches, you awfully good in those machines," Kullamas Blengkam remarked. "You really don't want to stay?"
"Not really," Chieko answered.
"Come on you three!" Sakamoto shouted. "We have to get moving!"
"We best leave," Shinta Himemiya reminded Chieko and Kei. He then focused his attention on Takami, Blengkam, and Misumi. "It was an honor to fight alongside you three."
"Don't mention it," Blengkam replied.
"We hope to work with you again should our paths cross," Takami added. "Or when this war ends."
"Chieko, Kei, it's time we made our salutes," Shinta added to Chieko and Kei.
Upon hearing what Shinta said, Chieko and Kei steered themselves into doing so. Once they saluted, Takami, Misumi, and Blengkam saluted in kind. After that, the former three rejoined Sakamoto to board the motor launch that will take them back to the Mayflower.
U.S.S. Mayflower. 1810 hours
"Are you sure about this?" Nicholas Kirkman while he received Mio Sakamoto in his office on the Mayflower.
"I'm sure," Sakamoto answered. "We could use Miyafuji right about now. Her relationship with Himemiya might yield useful results."
"Now what about Hattori?"
"She can earn her keep. In fact, I have a particular reason for her to come with us."
Sakamoto then gave Kirkman a particular document. As he read it, Kirkman rolled his eyes as to what was in the document. Sakamoto gave a hidden grin as to what surprised Kirkman. For now, she knew what might come next.
April 24, 1946; 0849 hours
"You're lying again!" shouted Sakamoto toward Shinta, who was handcuffed and sitting at one end of the Mayflower's interrogation room with Sakamoto leaning toward him from the other end. "You seem to know how to access that power."
"I'm telling you, I don't know anything!" Shinta replied loudly.
"I know you're lying. What are you not telling us?"
"I have nothing to say."
"Fine." Sakamoto then faced Leslie Burns and Peter la Salle. "Take him away!"
"Yes, ma'am," la Salle replied.
Shinta, however, stood up and walked toward Burns and la Salle. The latter two then left the interrogation room with the former. Sakamoto remained as Burns closed the door.
You must be lying! Sakamoto anxiously thought. Not only that, Miyafuji reacts to whenev-er these things happen.
A knock was heard. Sakamoto diverted her attention to the door.
"Sakamoto Shosa, permission to come in?" asked a female voice Sakamoto knew.
"Granted," replied Sakamoto.
Opening the door was Takami Karibuchi. After she closed the door, Takami and Sakamoto saluted each other.
"What are you doing here?" Sakamoto asked.
"I want to ask about that boy," Takami answered.
"Himemiya?"
"He killed Shindou Shosa, didn't he?"
"He might as well have. It's the same as in Midway. Those miniature Neuroi touch a Witch, the poor girl is an enemy and Himemiya killed her. I can imagine that's mercy compared to being controlled by the Neuroi."
"What will we do with him?"
April 27, 1946; 0511 hours
In the present, Sakamoto woke up in the stateroom she occupied. She then began to put on her sukumizu before putting on her uniform. After that, she touched her doorknob.
I honestly don't know, Sakamoto thought as if she had answered Takami three days before. Once she twisted the doorknob, Sakamoto left the stateroom.
Houston, United States of Liberion. April 27, 1946; 0711 hours
In the Liberian city of Houston, located on the southeastern coast of the State of Texas, an aircraft carrier approached. Liberian Army trucks were prepared across the city's port as if there was a reason for the carrier to come to Houston.
For the men who prepared trucks across the Port of Houston, there was a reason. The carrier approaching Houston was the S.M.S. Angela von Zeppelin, a carrier from the Empire of Karlsland's Kaiserliche Marine and the successful attempt in reviving the Graf Zeppelin -class of aircraft carriers. While construction of the original S.M.S. Graf Zeppelin was finished, the Neuroi's invasion of Karlsland two years later led to the destruction of the carrier. Despite that, construction of another carrier started after those who devised the Graf Zeppelin fled to Neue Karlsland. This second carrier, the S.M.S. Angela von Zeppelin, was named after the first daughter of the carrier class's namesake who was born with magic and thus, served in Karlsland's nascent air force during the First Neuroi War to the point she sacrificed herself to help bring victory for not only Karlsland, but for mankind. However, by the time the Angela von Zeppelin was finished in late 1945, the Second Neuroi War had ended. Only when the current war had started did the Angela von Zeppelin see action.
The Angela von Zeppelin had finally reached Houston. After the gangway was connected, the men prepared the equipment for transporting the cargo that they knew would come out of the Angela von Zeppelin. Among the cargo that came from the carrier were Striker Units. The first one to be unloaded was a Bf109K-4 Striker Unit.
A Liberian Army officer in his mid-forties with brown hair underneath his garrison cap and blue eyes approached the Angela von Zeppelin. Coming out of the carrierwas none other than Minna-Dietlinde Wilcke, commander of the 501st Joint Fighter Wing. Both officers saluted each other.
"Welcome to the United States of Liberion," announced the Liberian officer. "Major Miles Weston. I've been ordered to take you to the train for Ogdenville."
"Thank you, Major," Minna replied. We're here at last. I hope Fräulein Hattori managed to meet up with Fräulein Miyafuji and Mio. Thankfully, we'll be seeing them in Hill Air Field.
Translations
Itadakimasu! – "Let's Eat!"; said by Japanese before eating a meal.
Bakana! – "Impossible!'
Chikusho! – a Japanese phrase that works like a curse, an equivalent would roughly be "Damn it!"
Shoi – Pilot Officer
Jama wo suru na! – "Don't get in my way!"
Desu – a Japanese copula used to link a subject and a predicate and to end a sentence much more formally. In "War Without Restraint", I had Kei shout "Sou da" ("That's right"). "Desu" in this case would replace "da" so it becomes 'Sou desu".
Hajimemashite – "Pleased to meet you"
Shinden – Magnificent Lightning
Onegai (Japanese) – "Please"
Mitte! – "Look!"
Hasshin – another way of saying "Launching" as a contrast to Shinta using "Ikimasu" in "The Hunchback Hunt".
Sugoi na! – "That's cool" or "That's awesome!"
Kaiserliche Marine (German) – "Imperial Navy".
Fräulein (German) – "Miss", specifically for single women while "Fräu" is for married women. Rarely used these days due to feminism having a strong following in post-World War II Germany that "Fräu" is used for both single and married women.
A/N:
And now this chapter brings an end to the U.S.S. Mayflower's voyage that started from Fuso's South Seas Island. Naturally, the carrier will be going to the United States of Liberion but that will be for the next chapter. Other than that, Yoshika's back in the fray. Of course, Sakamoto seems to have something in mind as to why she had the Shinden delivered to Victoria for Yoshika to use and her comment about "her relationship with Himemiya might yield useful results".
I can imagine if the title "Return of the Flying Shield" spoiled Yoshika getting the Shinden and assisting Shinta. I apologize for not coming up with a title that didn't spoil anything.
Yoshika claiming she met Takami before is a reference to the after-credits scene of "Break Witches", the ninth episode of Brave Witches.
The H.M.F.L.S. Puncher is a real-life escort carrier (a lighter carrier that was built cheaply using the hull of commercial vessels). Originally a part of the United States Navy as the U.S.S. Willapa, it was launched on June 10, 1943 and provided to the British Royal Navy as a part of the Lend-Lease Program, where it was re-christened "H.M.S. Puncher" with the pennant number "D79" and given to the Royal Canadian Navy. Long after World War II ended, the Puncher was given back to the United States, struck from the Navy Registry on March 12, 1946, sold across 1947 and turned into a mercantile vessel, bearing the names Munchaster Castle until 1954 when it was renamed to the Bardic in 1954, then sold to Ben Lines Streamers and named Ben Nevis. Only in 1973 was it sold for scrap in Taiwan.
Other than Yoshika, we have Shizuka Hattori appearing. In addition, we have the 501st Joint Fighter Wing appearing in Liberion. You can guess that means the merry band Sakamoto's in charge of from the Mayflower and the 501st will meet.
As you know, Karlsland is Strike Witches/World Witches' equivalent to Germany, specifically Nazi Germany. However, because this franchise works as an alternate history where the Neuroi had attacked mankind for centuries and the mention in a highly cited timeline found in the artbook Strikes: Strike Witches Official Artworks that was fan-translated. In that timeline, it was mentioned the Judea region was "wiped out" in 0029, leading many fans to assume the Jews have been exterminated and that, there's no reason for the Nazi Party to exist. Regardless, Karlsland's government would be based on the 1871- 1918 monarchical German Empire with their navy is referred to as "Kaiserliche Marine" instead of "Kriegsmarine" ("War Navy"). In addition, the ship prefix used for Karlsland's aircraft carrier is S.M.S., short for "Seiner Majerstät Schiff" (German for "His Majesty's Ship" as it was the ship prefix for the British Royal Navy).
Now, you're wondering what's with Siegfried Bauer's dream about "a woman with long red hair" and being engulfed with fire, as well as seeing Yoshika triggered the former? You'll have to wait for that to be answered in future chapters.
2024 Update: Remembering the mistake I made with the Graf Zeppelin, where it was completed in World Witches canon as opposed to real life (Neuroi destroying it when they invaded Karlsland in 1940 aside), I opted to have the second ship of the Graf Zeppelin-class completed in contrast to real life. In addition, I fabricated the idea of the Graf Zeppelin's namesake having a granddaughter born prior to 1914 (Ferdinand von Zeppelin's only daughter Helene only having children in 1910) so that this second carrier wouldn't have a similar name to Peter Strasser (who helped show the effectiveness of using aircraft with bombs, whether the targets were military or civilian). As to who the namesake of the Graf Zeppelin is, Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin ("Graf" being German for "Count") helped pioneer the modern-day airship that is named "Zeppelin" after riding on a balloon while serving as an observer for the Union Forces during the American Civil War. For those curious about the attempt in making an aircraft carrier named after him, it was something Nazi Germany attempted to build before and during World War II. While construction started in 1936, it was halted in 1940 as resources meant for the carrier were needed to fortify Norway after it fell to the Werhmacht. The British attack on the Italian city of Taranto, the attacks against the battleships Bismarck and Tirpitz, and the Japanese attack against Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 allowed construction of the Graf Zeppelin to resume in 1942. However, a year later, Fuhrer Adolf Hitler ordered that the remaining surface ships of the Kriegsmarine be scrapped after their repeated failures. The Graf Zeppelin, as a result, was taken to various ports from Gotenhafen until Stettin. In 1945, as Soviet Red Army forces neared Stettin, the men in charge of the Graf Zeppelin made sure the Soviets didn't make use of the carrier; her fate unknown due to the Soviets not disclosing its fate. Only after the Cold War was its ultimate fate was disclosed—sunk off Swinemünde (present-day Świnoujście in the Republic of Poland). In 2006, the Graf Zeppelin was discovered by the research vessel RV St. Barbara and the shipwreck confirmed later by the Polish Navy.