"" Dialogue
'' Thoughts
Disclaimer: I do not own "Strike Witches", so this is just a fan made.
Chapter 26: Nuremberg: Part I
(bleeding)
Through the clouds, some sun rays could be seen, yet since it was pretty early in the morning, they were not enough to rise the temperature. Nine Witches were heading north northwest, flying in V formation. Minna was in front of the group, at her right side, was Erica followed by Eila and Sanya. At her left side, was Perrine, who was being followed by Charlotte, Francesca, Shizuka and Lynette who had just rejoined the group.
"So, where's your scarf?" Eila asked her.
"My what?" Lynette requestioned loudly "I mean, I couldn't find it but I'm not that cold anymore."
Eila just continued looking forward with a stern gaze; Lynette on the other hand, became a little nervous noticing it but she did not mutter anything in response and just continued flying alongside the group.
Noticing Eila's demeanor, Sanya slowed herself down to fly beside her, "Is something bothering you Eila?"
"Nothing, everything is fine."
"Does it have something to do with the fortune telling you did yesterday?" Sanya asked her but nothing was heard in response, she just gave her a quick look at Lynette again. "Eila."
Eila sighed, "I guess it has."
Lynette was now staring at Eila, "You read Yoshika's?"
"I did."
"Could you- could you tell me what you read?"
"I got the lovers card," Eila said, flustering Lynette in the process, yet Eila was still serious as she could be, "the reverse lovers card."
Lynette just continued staring at her with a confused expression.
"It means that there would be conflicts." Eila added, being watched by now a worried Lynette "But Yoshika is not in love with someone."
Lynette gulped loudly, "…Yoshika and I…"
"So, I continued reading her fortune and I got the hermit card as well." Eila interrupted her, "which means she'd wish to be left… alone."
Both Lynette and Shizuka stared at Eila and so did Charlotte and even Erica, "But- but that can't be right, can it?" Lynette muttered.
"Everyone, maintain formation" Minna interrupted the group, noticing the puzzlement that had filled the sky there, "We're about to arrive."
Meanwhile, in Ingolstadt
Both Mio and Yoshika were at the kitchen, the latter was taking care of the dishes while the former was drying them, with a dry towel. Mio was doing it with her usual expression, one mixed of discipline and serenity with a hint of distress while Yoshika tried to stay cheered up as Lynette asked her.
"It's okay, Major." Yoshika happily said, trying to ease her up, "I can take care of everything, it's not a bother."
"There's not much to do to in here Miyafuji," Mio replied, "And I like to keep my mind occupied."
Yoshika dropped her smile, "yeah, you're right."
"You know what, it's been a while since I jogged around the base," Mio took off her apron, "Would you like to join me?"
"Why not?" Yoshika added stoically, "It would also help to keep my mind occupied."
Mio then took off her jacket and pants and now was only wearing her blue swimsuit, "Don't forget your transponder."
Yoshika grabbed her left ear, "I am wearing it since I woke up."
On the outskirts of Nuremberg
A few tanks could be spotted through the miasma, some they were also inside the few buildings and fortresses that somehow still stood up, they provided them a little cover. Meanwhile, downtown, a profound darkness was the only thing that could be seen, though lightings flashed the place every now and then but other than a few buildings not too far from them, no enemy could be seen.
"Now this is something you don't see every day," Erica commented.
Francesca hugged herself, "it's stupid cold, I hate it."
"I told you to put some tights on," Charlotte exclaimed, "Want my jacket?"
"You would feel cold then,"
"Nah, I can manage, hopefully this won't take too long," Charlotte added as she took off her jacket, "Though, this looks is going to be tougher than what I expected."
"Agreed," Eila added still somewhat serious, as the rest of the girls continued watching what was supposed to be their objective.
"We're going to be together, Eila," Sanya grabbed her hand, "there's nothing to worry about."
Eila just gave her a soft smile as a response, yet her demeanor remained unchanged.
Minna took a look at the troops below them and could notice a familiar face, "I'll be right back; I need to speak with General Patton."
Noticing that Minna left, most of the girls gathered around Lynette.
"You didn't fight with Yoshika, right?" Charlotte asked her.
"What?" A blush became more apparent on Lynnete's cheeks, "I- I mean, of course not, she even..."
"Maybe you did it wrong?" Francesca wondered.
"Of course I did not," Eila stated, "I'm no rookie."
Charlotte rubbed her chin, "You spoke with Yoshika yesterday; did she tell you something?"
"I gave her my word that my lips would be sealed," Erica said nonchalantly, "but there's nothing to worry about."
"Yoshika was her usual self today," Francesca added unworriedly, "she even gave seconds without even asking."
Sanya was getting more confused as she looked at the group, who were also exchanging glances, looking for ideas, "Eila, everyone what are you talking about?"
"I…" Eila's was the one who became flustered, "You better ask her about it."
"How do you kn-? It's just that Yoshika and I…" Lynette looked away to try to soothe herself, "She…"
Eila gulped, "Maybe- maybe we should leave this for later."
Shizuka looked down, "…Y-Yoshika told me that she's going to come here,"
"She told me the same," Lynette added regretfully.
Erica shrugged, "We can't really say that we didn't see that one coming."
Perrine shifted her sight to where their superior was, below then, "I should warn Group Captain."
"I must tell her, please," Lynette said as Perrine nodded in agreement.
Meanwhile, Minna had already left her Striker Unit in the only launch platform that was there, on a military truck. Then, she headed to where Gerald was, yet she could not help but notice that the few soldiers that seemed not to be in good shape to say the least, though they were not injured per se.
"Group Captain, it's pleasure to see you here," Gerald greeted her.
"General, how is everything going?"
"We're stuck here, those bastards, the last time they blocked us with walls," Gerald coughed several times, and even spitted blood on the floor, "now they let us get as close as we want to, just to poison us."
"How far you managed to get there?"
"A solider volunteered himself but he dropped unconscious less than half a kilometer from here," Gerald stated, "We managed to get him out from there, but the VK 45 is as good as lost." Gerald leaned backwards to the Ratte, "this… this behemoth is even slower, so it's up to you to open us a way to get there."
Minna on the other hand, was still trying to find the tank among the miasma, "I can barely sense it," Minna commented to herself, "And what about the soldier?"
"He's recovering not too far from here, very brave man, he offered himself for the job when he heard you will be here," Gerald added as he took a look at the sky where eight Witches were overflying, "Speaking of recovery, I heard Flight Lieutenant Miyafuji protected your new base, I expected her to be here."
"She's still not a hundred percent, nor I could get the authorization to postpone the operation."
"Can't say I am surprised," Gerald spitted more blood as he cleaned his nose only to end staining his handkerchief, "With any luck, we won't be needing her healing magic."
Minna was also little surprised by his state, "You're bleeding, it'd better if you all retreated for a while," Minna stated confidently, "I'll let you know what we discover inside and part of the 501st will stay here in case of an attack."
"Roger that"
And so, Patton beckoned the few soldiers that were there as he got into a jeep that was nearby there.
Minna, on the other hand, flew back towards the group as everyone stared at her, "we're going to enter now."
"Group Captain," Lynette said as she steadily flew to her, "Yoshika told me she's going to come here."
"I was expecting her to do that," Minna said firmly, "I wasn't born yesterday but Mio is taking care of that matter, I hope." She sighed, "In any case, you have to protect the ratte and wait for Yoshika in case she comes, am I understood?"
"Yes, ma'am," most of the group replied in unison.
Meanwhile, in Ingolstadt
After jogging for a while around the base, Mio decided to head out towards the forest, still being accompanied by Yoshika. After traversing the now bald tress, Mio found a small creek, thus she decided to rest there. They left their shoes not too far from them, and both dipped their feet in the water, one next to the other.
Though, now that both were sitting there, Mio could notice that unlike her somewhat rapid breathing, Yoshika's was barely audible, never mind noticeable.
"You seem to be in better shape than you have ever been, Miyafuji" Mio proudly commented, "Minna trained you well"
"It's thanks to you Major, I just kept doing what you taught me," Yoshika cheerfully replied.
"What I taught you," Mio took a look at the sky, "it seems it was ages ago, but come to think about it, it's been just two and a half years, more or less."
Yoshika's demeanor changed without her realizing it, "Yeah, I'd never have believed that lots of things could change in such a short time."
"Everything can change in a blink of an eye," Mio added, her tone solemn.
"I do know that."
"Miyafuji, don't blame Minna for anything." Mio regretfully yet firmly added, "If there's anyone to blame it would be me, I should…"
"I don't blame anyone for anything, and I don't regret anything either," Yoshika interrupted her, "things change, regardless of what we do, but if I had the chance, I'd do everything again, the same way, or well, better actually." Yoshika tried to smile at her, "And I am really sorry if I made you or Minna feel that way."
"I hope you understand that Minna is just trying to keep you safe," Mio took a deep breath, "she's feeling guilty."
"Barkhorn told me both things," Yoshika sighed, "And I understand, I do, and I guess I should let her know that she shouldn't feel like that about me, I feel just fine."
"These few days have been tough for Minna, that would cheer her up, I hope" Mio stood up suddenly, catching Yoshika's attention, "Let's head to the bath, as I told you, we need to let our bodies rest and there's no better way to do it than using a hot bath.
"Guess, it wouldn't hurt."
And thus, both put their shoes back on and went back to the base, and to the baths more specifically. They passed through the hangar and as they so, Yoshika stopped halfway there and so did Mio. Yoshika stared at the ten launching units, which were one next to the other. Nine of them were empty and hers still had her Striker unit. Without muttering anything, she continued heading to the bath, followed by her superior.
In Nuremberg
Four Witches were flying in schwarm formation, Minna as expected was leading the group, Erica was her wingman at her left side, Sanya was at her right side and Eila was her wingman. They had been flying for a few minutes at a slower pace since the miasma had finally started to take toll on them plus the fact that neither Sanya nor Minna nor Eila could sense anything.
"I wonder how much further we need to go." Erica commented as the Witches exchanged sights or at least they tried to as they could barely see each other though their navigation lights helped to them to be sure than they drifted too far away from each other. Erica then coughed a little, "At- at least nothing had attacked us."
"So far…" Eila added with uncertainty in her voice. "Be careful!"
The group stopped while Minna sensed the enemy.
"Above us" Sanya claimed as the group scattered a little, and as expected, a Neuroi beam passed near them.
"I can sense it," Minna stated, "everyone, follow me." The group did so, and a seconds later a steam-machine-like-Neuroi could be seen among the miasma.
"It's one of those weird Neuroi again," Eila commented.
"Huh, so this what they look like." Erica added, "Let's see if they're as tough as Perrine said," Erica added revving up her Messerscharf, then she blasted off towards the enemy.
"Lieutenant, stop!" Minna shouted but as if nothing had been said, Erica continued rushing towards the Neuroi, avoiding its beams.
"Sturm!" Erica screamed as she cut through it and seconds later, it started to vanish white, glowing shards, that even lightened Erica's back from behind as she flew back towards the group.
"You're going to follow my instructions from now, Flight Lieutenant," Minna stated firmly. "That was far too reckless."
"Just as if Yoshika was here," Erica carefreely grinned, yet Minna just got angrier, "I am the only one who blast through them here." Erica made a pause to regain her breath, "It's way faster to do it that way, and besides, we don't have much time, I'm starting to feel dizzy."
"Yeah, me too," Sanya muttered.
"And me three…"
"Let's continue moving forward," Minna stated and so the group began flying once again.
On the outskirts of Nuremberg
The rest of the Witches were exploring the surroundings of the hive and protecting the few tanks that were left there as well as the Ratte. The group did so for a quite a bit of time until some smallish Neuroi started to come out of the hive. They did not have much fire power, but they were very scattered from each other and thus, the Witches also had to scatter to halt them from leaving the hive.
"Don't split too far from each other," Perrine commanded the group.
"Roger that," most of the group said in unison.
The Witches continued taking down the enemy only to make more come out of the hive. As the battle continued, the outskirts of the city started to be illuminated by a whitish light which came from the defeated Neuroi though as the time went on, reddish light started to overcome the white one.
"Perrine, there are too many," Lynette said through her transponder, "Perrine"
"I see you!" Charlotte added as she rushed towards her, followed by the enemy.
Francesca also rushed towards Lynette from the other side, also followed by the Neuroi and so did Shizuka from above them.
Soon after, the four Witches were surrounded by smallish Neuroi and through they were shooting them, the Neuroi were starting to close on them as Shizuka and Lynette deployed shields to cover themselves.
"Tonnerre!" Perrine screamed as she descended from the sky and almost every Neuroi started to vanish, yet they all turned to face her, charged and shot her at once, and though she deployed a shield, the combined beams broke through her shield, taking off the barrel of her bren and even strands of her hair. Perrine was left puzzled realizing what just happened, and now, every Neuroi had already regenerated, they were charging again, aiming at her.
"What the!" Charlotte screamed, yet she realized that the four of them were not being shot anymore, "Francesca, Shizuka, combine!"
"I'm ready," Francesca exclaimed
"I'm- I'm too" Shizuka added with some hesitation in her tone.
Charlotte grabbed both Francesca and Shizuka from the waist as she blasted through the enemy from below while the two Witches shot them as they passed through them.
Lynette took care of the few that were left behind and moments later, the five Witches were reunited once again.
"Now that was weird if you ask me." Charlotte said.
"And scary," Francesca added.
"Agreed," Perrine muttered as she continued caressing where her hair was supposed to be.
"Yoshika can make your hair grow to its usual length," Lynette nervously commented, "I'm sorry but there were too many."
Perrine just nodded hesitantly, as the colors started to return to her face.
"They tried to isolate us," Shizuka added, "I hope Group Captain Wilcke and the rest are fine."
The group just exchanged glances, as Perrine got in front of the group, "I… hope the same."
Inside Nuremberg
The four Witches continued flying into the hive, though even a slower pace as miasma had got even denser, Sanya's red antenna was the only thing that served as a light. They continued doing so until Minna beckoned them to stop.
"Sanya, do you sense them."
"There are four large ones, at each direction."
Minna beckoned them again and each Witch flew towards the enemy, though as they got closer, their pace got even slower as cold wind blew even stronger from each side.
The group began shooting the enemy though they could not even see if their bullets made their way to the enemy and the same went for Sanya's rockets.
Erica revved up her Messerscharf once again and flew towards Minna's Neuroi from the other side. A cried echoed in the sky as Erica smashed it, then another cry was heard as she rushed towards her objective, and she successfully destroyed it as well yet as soon as she made it to the other side, she started to fall.
Sanya caught her as soon she noticed it, and now the four Witches were able to get closer to the two Neuroi that still remained. Minna and Eila continued shooting their MG42s, but their ammo barely scratched their thick black armor. Sanya launched two rockets once again to each and this time, they made it to the enemy and even seemed to leave a mark on their armor.
Sanya launched four more rockets, two to each one and finally, their interior finally became exposed. So, both Eila and Minna rushed towards them and shot them in their weak unprotected point. Seconds later, the Neuroi started to vanish into white, glowing shards, to the relieve of everyone there.
Minna began heading to where Sanya and Erica where, "it seems Yoshika was right after all, we need more heavy weaponry," She stopped on her tracks noticing that blood was coming out of Erica's nose and she was breathing more rapidly as well, "Let's retreat," Minna stated realizing the state Erica was on and the rest of Witches as well, "we don't enough magic energy to make it to the hive."
"Do you need any help, Sanya?" Eila asked her, noticing that Sanya was carrying Erica with her left hand as she clinging to her, "I- I can carry her if she's too heavy."
"I can hear you," Erica drawled.
"I'm just asking if she needs any help," Eila retorted.
"I am alright Eila, she's not heavy and she's keeping me warm," Sanya politely replied.
Eila just frowned, "o-kay"
Sanya gave her a faint smile, "thanks for caring for me."
"See, I'm hot" Erica drawled, "anyways, we need to find what we are really dealing with it," Erica claimed as she yawned. "That's our mission."
"Do you realize that you're bleeding, right?" Eila stated.
"I noticed it but it's just a small nosebleed." Erica commented carefreely as her Striker unit ran once again, "I can deal with it just fine" She added but neither of the three of them seemed relieved, "we made this far, let's not waste it."
Minna shifted her glance to the two other Witches who nodded hesitantly, Minna sighed regretfully, "Follow me then."
Meanwhile in Ingolstadt
It was still a little cloudy even after a few hours into the morning, though the coldness remained at least outside. After both Mio and Yoshika used the showers to clean the sweat, they went to the pool both were resting next to each other and relaxing themselves in the hot water.
They remained there for a quite bit until Mio decided to interrupt the quietness.
"Are you planning to escape?"
"If I am needed, I will." Yoshika firmly stated.
"You could die, do you realize that?" Mio questioned her.
"That's one of the first things the Barkhorn asked me, and I couldn't answer back then," Yoshika gazed her directly in her amber eyes, "But I am ready to die, if it's necessary."
"Miyafuji…" Mio exclaimed a bit thrown a back by her tone.
Yoshika did not back off, "I am not planning to get myself kill doing something reckless, or at least I will try not to."
"It's strange to hear you like that," Mio muttered as the silence took hold of the place for a few minutes.
Both of them continued resting among the steam, submerged in the hot water.
"I guess you still remember why I came here on the first place, right?" Yoshika muttered now gazing outside.
"I do," Mio softly stated, "to find what happened with your father."
"Yeah, after that letter arrived, I needed answers,"
"It's understandable."
Yoshika heaved a sigh as Mio stared at her, "but I also needed to take it out in some way, it's just that when I lost him, I needed someone to blame or something and I blamed the war, but- but I also blamed my father."
Mio watched her now with somewhat puzzled expression, "I never thought you would think like that."
"But after you told me what happened, I finally understood that he sacrificed himself, to do the right thing, helping however he could." Yoshika made a pause, "He also used to tell to use my great power to help, to protect people, and I promised I would do that, as a Witch or a doctor, I don't really care actually."
"You're doing both Miyafuji, he would be proud."
"I really hope that," Yoshika took a deep breath, "and if I share the same fate as him, I'll be glad to know that I fulfilled that promise, but- but that makes me- makes me feel selfish."
Mio's eyes widened a little, "What do you mean?"
"Somehow this reminds of my father, what I mean is that I used think that he was selfish, how could he leave us? how could he die knowing that there were people who needed him, who lo-loved him, but… but that was or rather is just a foolish thought from an immature girl."
Mio watched her again, yet Yoshika could not return the sight, "I thought I already known you Miyafuji, but you still manage to surprise me."
"Lynne… and Minna and everyone told me that they care about me, and they are worried that something could happen to me, and they may be wrong or right, but I cannot help but be reminded of myself when I was a little kid." Yoshika looked at her, "I just can't get myself to do something to help, but if I die, I will leave them just like my father did and that makes me feel selfish, is it right to feel like that?"
"You're keeping the bigger picture in mind and it's understandable to feel like that, but I am afraid there's no correct answer to that question, there's always the risk of dying and leaving everyone behind, and most of the time, people cannot even choose how they are going to die" Mio comfortingly said, "One thing is for sure, you have grown and matured, and you can trust instinct to make the right choice, at the end of the day, you can decide for your own life, that's the only way you won't regret anything, you always have to keep that in mind."
"My own life," Yoshika repeated to herself, "I will continue serving in the frontlines, even if I am sick and if someday, I lose my magic again, I will go back to study."
Mio gave her a proud smile, "I expected that from you Miyafuji and at least to me, there's nothing wrong with that, there is proudness in being a Witch, a warrior."
"And dying as one too." Yoshika added rather seriously.
"That too." Mio sighed, "that too, Miyafuji."
And once again, the silence took hold of the place, but Mio had pensive demeanor while Yoshika just closed her eyes as they both continued resting in the hot water.
Meanwhile in Nuremberg
The miasma had gotten even denser and other than their positional lights and Sanya's red antenna, nothing could be seen or heard other than a white noise that had gotten even more intense as they made it deep in there. The four Witches were holding hands as they surround whatever Sanya and Minna were sensing. This time, Eila was in front of the group, foreseeing any attack.
Eila leaded them upwards and to their surprise, the miasma got thinner, and the four Witches could finally see where the Miasma was coming from, yet all the Witches got confused as they continued trying to understand its rather curious form.
Eila rubbed her chin, "It's a…"
"An urn," Minna added.
At the top of it, there was smallish red patch while in its center part, there were gaps, holes that surrounded its perimeter and that was where the miasma was coming from.
The Witches began to take a closer look the urn, flying closely next to each other around it but also avoiding its red patches that were below its holes, just as precaution.
Soon, the whole group was covering their mouths with their forearm, as they were coughing harder, though they also got stained with blood from either their noses or mouth and they all retreated flying above it once again.
"Now what?" Eila added, trying to breath.
"We gotta find how tough it really is," Erica spitted some blood into the emptiness of the city, as sparks came out of the Messerscharf, then she made some distance and blasted through the miasma towards the hive.
"Erica, stop!" Minna cried out.
A fierce cry echoed in the sky as Erica spun as fast as she could towards the hive itself. The Three Witches watched in awe how her speed increased yet they all cried in fear as soon they realized than she abruptly stopped in her tracks as soon as she made contact with the giant urn, not even leaving a single scratch then she began falling in free fall.
The three Witches rushed to catch her, and this time Minna caught her.
"Erica, speak to me!" Minna cried as she shook her, "Erica!" and the seconds went by without any movement.
Eila was shocked at the scene while some tears started to form in Sanya's eyes.
To everyone's surprise, Erica put her right hand on her head, "Ouch!" she cried as she rubbed her head, "this hurts like hell!"
"You're scare us to death," Eila exclaimed angrily, "Don't you ever do something stupid like that again."
Then another sound echoed in the sky, a slap, "that could be suicide," Sanya snapped as now tears fell into the nothingness.
"Ouch, that hurt too," Erica muttered as she caressed her cheek, "I'm sorry, I didn't expect it to be that hard."
"What did you expect?" Eila sarcastically added, "it's a Neuroi hive."
Nothing was in heard in response.
"We fulfilled our mission," Minna firmly stated, still with Erica in her arms, as she gave an angry look, though even some blood had started to appear in Erica's forehead, "we're going back, now."
"Hey, don't be so mad, it was worth the try," Erica added, "now we know there's no way we can do this without heavier weaponry."
The Three Witches exchanged glances but since nothing was heard, the three began flying to where they just came from.
In the fortress, in Ingolstadt
The midday had arrived and as expected, Yoshika was taken care of the launch, though she was still a bit surprised that Mio was helping her, and it took way less time that Yoshika expected.
After they left everything cooking, both Mio and Yoshika were sitting on the couch. Mio was checking the newspaper. Yoshika, on the other hand, was reading of the medicine books that Althea brough her a few days ago. She could not get herself to read it as the headline caught her attention, 'World's impenetrable defense strikes once again, Nuremberg to be liberated! Karlsland finally free?'
Yoshika continued side gazing the newspaper until Mio moved it to her side so that Yoshika could read it more easily, "it seems they really believe that 501st will liberate Karlsland today," Yoshika commented.
"It seems so" Mio said seriously, "but at least to me, it seems to be propaganda Miyafuji, they don't even know what we are dealing with."
"I guess you're right, but it seems they really trust that they can pull it off."
"I know you will Miyafuji, but it's more propaganda," Mio added now visible mad, "if only they put half that effort to give you everything you all deserve."
Yoshika looked down, "But that's my fault," she muttered, "if only I didn't fail to protect the Antwerp port, they could have more budget for us."
"Miyafuji, not even the whole 501st could take it down quickly enough," Mio comfortingly stated, "Keep in mind that Althea's father is alive thanks to you and so are countless lives."
Yoshika smiled a little, "Yeah, I guess you're right..."
"Material things can be recovered but lives cannot, not matter what you do." Mio stated as she gazed her subordinate deeply in her brown eyes, "always keep that in mind."
"I know, Major."
Later, in the outskirts of Nuremberg
Perrine's group continued patrolling the city, though now they were flying not too far from each other as everyone could be seen. rushed towards them as soon as they became visible inside the miasma, though they froze in their tracks in shock of the scene.
"What the heck happened there!" Charlotte exclaimed while the rest of the gasped in worriedness noticing that their clothes were stained in blood. "We need to take all of you to the hospital!"
Erica raised her right hand as she coughed some blood, "Just- just to tell Trude that I- that I really lo…" And she let herself go, fainting.
"Flight Lieutenant Hartmann!" Shizuka screamed.
"Hartmann!" Charlotte cried out as well.
"Just kidding, relax," Erica grinned as she cleaned the blood from her lips, raising her head, "But I'm so sleepy, I need some chocolate."
"No one sustained any severe injure," Minna added, trying to relieve the group yet everyone was still as in shook, noticing their bloody appearance.
"And what about, you know, the blood!" Charlotte exclaimed.
"Nosebleed from the miasma," Minna stated firmly, then she gave a quick stern look at the Witch on her arms, "among other things."
"Hey, it's not like we're not used to bleed, you know," Erica retorted.
"Anyways," Eila cleaned her throat, "It really hurts to breath there."
"And my signal can't get too far," Sanya added.
"I need the three of you to update them with what we found and also what you did Flight Lieutenant Hartmann" Minna added, still carrying Erica, "I need to speak with General Patton and with you as well captain."
"Let me help you, Group Captain" Lynette said with her eyes set on Erica. She just grinned as she tried to fly to her, yet she could not even make her Messerscharf start. Lynette just took Erica from Minna's arms as Perrine went to her side.
"Thank you, Lynette," Minna then took a look to the whole as sighed in relief, "I am a little surprised to see that Yoshika's not here."
"Join the club!" Charlotte positively exclaimed as the Witches exchanged glances also nodded hesitantly.
"It's true, Yoshika never came," Perrine stated, "I even spoke with Major Sakamoto, and she told me she's in the fortress."
"I am glad to hear that," Minna took a deep breath, "Follow me." And so, both commanders headed to where the troops where stationed as well as Gerald.
"Erica, please don't joke with Yoshika like that," Lynette told her, "She still hadn't got over… that."
"Roger that," Erica beckoned her.
Shizuka just side glanced them as she flew towards Sanya, "Would you me to carry you Flight Lieutenant Litvyak?"
"If it's fine with you, Shizuka." Sanya softly added, "But I don't want to stain you with my blood."
"It doesn't matter," Shizuka said, "I am glad to be help."
Sanya slowly made her way towards Shizuka as she extended her arms, then she descended on her.
Charlotte also headed towards one of the recently arrived Witches, "Eila, do you need any help?"
"I… yeah, I guess it wouldn't hurt," And Eila did the same with Charlotte.
Francesca also set her eyes on Erica noticing her bruised forehead, "So… why Minna looked so mad?"
"Well, you see, I…"
Later that day
After finishing preparing lunch, both Mio and Yoshika were at the hangar, waiting for the arrival of the almost-complete-Joint-Fighter Wing. Though Mio tried to subtly convince Yoshika to wait either in her room or in the bath, Yoshika did not want to and was sitting next to her, reading one of her medicine books.
Both were in silent, until Yoshika and Mio heard the combination of several Striker Units approaching them in the distance. Thus, both were now waiting for them in the runway track, as the noise got louder, both squinted their eyes to try to realize whether their eyes were deceiving them or not.
Soon enough, they realized they were not, and the colors started to fade away from their faces.
Minna was being carried by Perrine, Eila by Charlotte, Sanya by Shizuka and finally, Erica by Lynette. Their faces had small spots of dry blood, and their clothes were pretty stained as well to say the least.
"I promise you, it's not as bad as it looks," Minna firmly announced.
By the afternoon
Five Witches were now resting on gurneys at the infirmary as Yoshika ordered them to rest even against their wishes. After inspecting their bodies, as their clothes were far too stained, Yoshika ordered them to take a bath and then to wear hospital gowns. After making herself sure that they were fine, she left them rest not without healing their noses, mouths, Erica's forehead and making Perrine's hair growth to its usual length as well.
Charlotte, Shizuka, Lynette, Francesca also headed to the baths and after they were done with that, and now with clean clothes, they joined Yoshika who was serving them the lunch on food trays. Mio, on the other hand was making sure that they stay in the infirmary.
"I'm used to see people die in the frontlines but that was shocking to say the least," Mio commented, sitting next to Minna, "maybe I got very fond of you in all these years, of all of you."
Minna could feel the blood rushed to her face, or rather to her cheeks, "W-we fulfilled our objective," Minna cleaned her throat. "But I understand you, I feel the same way."
"What are you going to do now?"
Minna sighed, "I'm still debating about it."
The other four Witches also gazed their two superiors but also not added anything and just rested, some of them with their eyes closed.
Not long after, the rest of the girls headed to the infirmary with food trays in their hands. After serving them, everyone was there, waiting for them to finish.
"So… what now?" Erica loudly asked her as everyone's sights fell on their commanding officer but she did not mutter anything.
"We know that thing is very well armored."
"It was worth the try but yeah my sturm did nothing to it," Erica added as everyone's eyes set on her, "maybe I could try again, with a boost, your Tonnerre, but I wouldn't hold my breath."
"Agreed, we need specialized weaponry," Minna stated.
"If I recall correctly, that's how the 502nd took the hive near Peterburg," Mio commented.
"They literally punched it," Eila added, "That was an amazing feat if you asked me."
"Flying Officer Naoe's magic was enhanced though," Sanya said.
"Huh?" Erica rubbed her chin as she set her eyes on Yoshika, "But I don't think you ram it either Yoshika. Yeah, I know you can pass almost through anything, but you only make it a small hole with tougher Neuroi, we all know that." Then she set her eyes on the girl that was next to Yoshika, "We can try to gut it from the inside, but we could get trapped inside as it happened to you Lynne."
"Yeah, I took it out thanks to Yoshika's gun," Lynette added and nothing else was added until Yoshika stood up from her sit.
"Maybe I could try to use the Reppuzan again, I guess it could work," Yoshika eagerly exclaimed as Mio and Minna looked at each other, then the former stood from her sit.
"You have gone mad Miyafuji, with your heart condition it could kill you without even getting close it." Mio upbraided, "You're lucky to be here. I don't want you to waste your life like that."
"It's my life and it's not a waste if I can do something to help." Yoshika argued back as everyone watched in puzzlement.
"What if we all try to ram it like we did it back in the Rhine with that big Neuroi," Francesca suggested, "I could take Yoshika's place this time."
"That sounds like plan to me," Charlotte said, trying to appease the room.
"The hive didn't even acknowledge our presence as a threat," Minna stated as she sat on her gurney, "I am afraid without more specialized weaponry we can't take it down, plus the miasma took a toll on us, even with my magic enhanced."
Yoshika sat hearing the statement and so did Mio. The silence took hold of the room as they lowering their gazes down until another Witch stood up.
"I'm sure the Ratte can take it down," Shizuka stated as they all paid attention to her, "if it's close enough."
"General Patton would not be able to make it too far into the hive," Minna commented, still looking a bit troubled.
"I know, the Miasma also made feel dizzy but…"
"I could try to heal him up in the ratte," Yoshika chimed in.
"Actually, I was thinking that Flight Lieutenant Clostermann could drive it," Shizuka eagerly claimed, catching Perrine's attention. "She knows how to drive a tank, and we can protect it."
"Now that's a good idea," Charlotte exclaimed.
And most of the group nodded in agreement.
"Flight Lieutenant Clostermann, are you up to this task?" Mio asked her.
Perrine got up from her gurney, "Absolutely,"
"I just hope this doesn't show them that we are not capable of continue fighting," Shizuka quietly muttered, "so they replace us with some kind of machine."
And this time, it was Yoshika who was left pensive and so were the rest.
Moments later
Minna ordered them to go to rest in order to recover their magic and they did so, in their own rooms, though Yoshika was reluctant to let them go from the infirmary.
Minna and Mio headed back to the former office to speak with General Patton about their new plan. Yoshika, on other hand, was taken care of the dishes, in the kitchen with only the noise of the water running as her company until someone began drying the dishes next to her.
"Oh, Lynne, I can take care of everything," Yoshika happily said, "you need to rest."
"It's- it's okay, I- just wanted to help you," Lynette nervously replied, not even looking at her.
"Thank you," And so both girls continued doing so and after finishing it, Yoshika took off her apron, went to the living hall, took a sit there and continued reading her medicine book, without muttering anything after that.
Noticing that, Lynette also took a sit next to her, but Yoshika did not seem to even acknowledge her presence.
"Did something happen?" Lynette asked her, a bit worriedly, "You seem different."
"What makes you believe that?" Yoshika wondered then she blushed, "It's about what I did before you departed?"
Lynette also accompanied with her blush, "It's not the moment to talk about that," she took a deep breath to soothe herself, "it's just that talk about wasting your life."
"Oh! I just want to help, that's all," Yoshika stated with a hint of regret in her tone, "you know me pretty well."
"I do, that's why I fell…" Lynette gulped, "you don't need to speak like that, you're not alone." Her demeanor a bit more somber, putting both her hands on the couch, "it- it scares me to hear you like that."
"You all scared me to the bone," Yoshika exclaimed, "you all were bathed in blood!"
"Sorry about that."
"It's not like there was something you could do to avoid it." Yoshika put her hand over hers, "I don't like seeing you like that. Maybe I could give you a massage like you did the other day."
"Only if it's not bother."
Yoshika then suddenly stood up, putting her book away, "Of course not, I really…" Then, she grabbed both her hands as Lynette also stood up.
"Where are we going?"
"To the bath of course," Yoshika cheerfully exclaimed, "that's where you massaged me, and our bodies really feel eased in the hot water."
"Yeah, y-you're right."
"So… what happened up there? With Erica and Perrine…" Yoshika asked her, as they headed towards the bath "they were not very clear."
"We were…"
In another side of the base, by the evening
Eila was resting in her room, looking at the sunset or at least the little light that made it through the clouds. In her bed, wearing her usual nightwear, she was also diving in her thoughts recalling what happened today or maybe in what would happen the next day, until the door opened unexpectedly.
Eila noticed it that it was Sanya that came into her room, wearing just her usual underwear, though she wanted to asker her what was the meaning of that, she could not get herself to say anything. Thus, she just closed her eyes, hoping to make her believe that she was sleeping.
To her puzzlement, Sanya rest on her arm, just like it happened a few days ago and to add their surprise, she could feel her bared skin as well as her bra as her she her arm was in the middle of her chest.
A few minutes went by that felt like an eternity for Eila, yet she needed to move her arm a little as it had started to fall asleep.
Sanya then let go of her arm, "Eila, are you awake?"
"I am," Eila shily answered her, "I mean what are you doing here? This is not your room.
"Does it bother you?"
"I-of course not." Eila nervously replied, "You know you can sleep with me whenever you want to. I mean, as in sharing the bed."
"Are you nervous?"
Eila could feel the blood rushed to her cheeks, "I…"
"Do you think we can do this?"
Eila took a deep breath, "Of course we can, as you told me, we're together and there's nothing to be nervous of."
"Erica scared me," Sanya muttered gazing the ceiling, "she's very dear to me and was afraid that something happened to her."
"Yeah, she frightened me too," Eila carefreely added, "that was stupid, but I can understand what she did that."
Sanya turned to face her, "You do?"
"Yeah, but now we know what we are really dealing with." Eila added but Sanya did not seem to be reassured by her answer, "Is something wrong?"
"Why don't you read her fortune?"
"I-I better do not that again," Eila stated somewhat firmly, "at least not today."
"Does it have something to do with Yoshika and Lynne?" Sanya asker her, yet Eila just turned her head to face the ceiling, "You know what's happening?"
Eila gulped as loud as it could be, and still not gazing her, "Well, it seems Lynne and Yoshika are in love, not just as friends but as in love-love." Eila heaved a sigh, "but what I read made me feel uneasy."
"Why?"
"I don't know, maybe their friendship can suffer because of it."
"They're very close to each other," Sanya softly said, "just as we are," Then she yawned, "and I think they will be really happy together."
"You really think so?" Eila exclaimed a bit surprised, trying to understand what Sanya meant, "We- we really need to rest, better leave this for other day."
"Agreed," Sanya just turned sides and brought Eila's arm once again to her chest, while Eila was as puzzled as she could ever be.
Author Notes:
Sorry for the late update.
