"" Dialogue
'' Thoughts
Disclaimer: I do not own "Strike Witches", so this is just a fan made.
Chapter 14: Ingolstadt: Part I
(Or about realizing it)
Yoshika and Lynette started to put on their usual uniforms, yet they could not help it but notice that the girls were staring at them.
"Did something happen?" Yoshika wondered as she put on her swimsuit while Lynette her underwear.
"Nothing, it's just that…." Eila was saying, yet she stopped as Sanya pulled her from her jacket.
"We thought you were ma-" Erica tried before being stopped by Charlotte putting her hand in her mouth, yet neither of them noticed as Yoshika was putting on her jacket while Lynette her vest.
The Britannian Witch noticed that were still gazing at them. "I thought you will be speaking with Group Captain Minna by now." She added as she put on her coat.
"We're just waiting for you." Sanya commented with neutral tone, yet she was still a bit blushed.
"To finish." Erica drawled, raising an eyebrow.
"Using the sauna, of course." Perrine added, gazing the Karslandian Witch, who just shrugged.
"Yeah, we're late, we better hurry up." Shizuka wrapped up.
"Sure." Lynette said as she finished tying her ponytail while Yoshika her scarf and thus the group headed to the meeting hall.
By the time the made it there, they could notice the room was dark as the curtains were closed. it was only illuminated by the light of a projector and so were Minna and Mio who were in front of the projector screen.
"You're late." Mio said.
"We are sorry." Both Yoshika and Lynette said in unison as they bowed. "It's our fault."
"Take a sit, girls, we still have a day before we made the first advance." Minna added.
"As you may know by now, Ingolstadt is crucial location in the liberation process of Nuremberg." Minna showed the route on the map that went from the port at Venezia until the Nest in Nuremberg, passing through Innsbruck, Munich, and Ingolstadt.
"These are the last photos a Witch from the 504th managed to take before they were relocated back to Venezia." The Witch in a charge stated.
"Those are just a blurry mess." Eila commented.
"It must be those Jet Neuroi from a few days ago." Charlotte added.
"Indeed." Mio said. "Intel is not sure how many there are, just that at least four of them are patrolling the city in a given time."
"The Jet Neuroi by itself is hard to engage, it exhibits the same behavior as the ones over Hamburg." Minna said as conceptual art were being showed.
"It accelerates and deaccelerates in a blink of an eye." Charlotte added.
"Indeed, but these also deploy drones to protect itself as soon as they are engaged, making it even harder to counter them." Mio continued. "The issue lies in the fact that 504th were not able to locate the core, therefore it is unknown whether the main unit contains the core or one of its drones."
"Nevertheless, I've been informed that you, Lieutenant Yeager and Pilot Officer Lucchini have received special training in Liberion to encounter this type of enemy." Minna stated.
"Yes, ma'am." Charlotte proudly announced. "I'm still pissed off I couldn't take on the sucker the last time."
"That's what we were doing." Francesca as she put her arms behind.
"I'm pleased to hear that, therefore, you two will take part of this mission. As for reinforcements, three more Witches had experience with these Neuroi, nevertheless just two of them will assist them." Minna stated, making Shizuka look down, as Erica and Miyafuji now were the ones who were paying attention.
"Flight Lieutenant Hartmann and Pilot Officer Hattori, you will provide backup." Minna said surprising the latter, now actually staring at the two commanders. "And, in case that anything went wrong, Lieutenant Clostermann and I will be there in standby, to provide aid. We cannot afford to have any delays."
"I want to take part too." Yoshika said, standing up from her sit.
"This is not up to discussion Miyafuji. These are high speed Neuroi, and we both know why you are not allowed to participate." Minna stated.
"I don't- I don't need speed to take on them." Yoshika said gazing Minna from her sit.
"As it is known, Commander Barkhorn, Lieutenant Hartmann and I had been the only ones who had successfully engaged this type of Neuroi."
"I encountered one over the Ostman's desert." Yoshika confessed as everyone gazed her. "And I- I- just needed a shield."
"We're going to have serious talk about this later, Lieutenant. Nevertheless, my decision is final, and the designations remain unchanged." Minna stated now visible bothered, as Yoshika took a sit.
"So… how much time do we have to take them down?" Charlotte asked, trying to appease the room.
"The sooner the better, we have a week to secure Ingolstadt or two at most." Minna made a pause. "The operation is already overbudgeted." She added as now Yoshika was the one who had now an even more troubled look on her face. "And it is up to you to decide how to approach this assignment, Lieutenant Yeager."
"I know just how to take on them." Charlotte stated.
"As for the second part of the mission." Mio continued. "No Witch has been able to do a recon mission over Ingolstadt, planes had overflown the city but nothing unusual can be seen from high altitude." Mio said as pictures of the city from far above were being showed. "Therefore, after the patrols are dealt with, we need to do a recon mission. Flight Lieutenant Litvyak, Flying Officer Juutilainen, that's when you take part on this operation."
"Yes, ma'am." Both sub-artic Witches said in unison nodding.
"As for the third part of the mission, it will depend on the results of the recon." Mio wrapped up.
"Now you need to have some mandatory R&R time, you're all dismissed." Minna ordered as the whole group stood up. "Miyafuji to my office." She added, turning off the projector.
Almost the whole group had left but Shizuka and Lynette. They were gazing at Yoshika who could not return the sight, as she had a lost glance.
As the two commanders started to leave the room, the three Witches followed them, though Yoshika was the last one to exit the room. After closing the door, the two commanders headed to the office, followed by Yoshika from far behind.
"I just hope she doesn't get in trouble." Shizuka commented.
"Did you know about that?" Lynette asked her.
"She never told me anything, just that desert was tough to cross." Shizuka said, watching how the three entered the office and closed the door afterwards.
"She told me the same and the only thing I knew was that Group Captain Minna lost contact with Yoshika on the second day, it must've happened there. I'll ask her later."
Meanwhile, the curtains in the office were wide opened and the sunlight illuminated the desk. Minna went behind it and Mio went to her right side and the two commanders were waiting for Yoshika as she steadily made her way to the front of the desk, yet she stayed just where the sun stopped, somewhat hid by the contrast.
"I suppose it happened the day we lost contact, Lieutenant, didn't it?" Minna questioned.
"Yes." She replied as stoically as possible, standing in attention.
"Why didn't you report me anything?" Minna asked her, gazing in the eyes, yet she could not return it.
"I- I didn't give much thought after." Yoshika added.
"Nonetheless you still keep it mind until today." Minna added yet Yoshika just stayed there, speechless.
"If I recall correctly, you didn't have a gun on you, so how did you exactly engage it?" Mio asked her.
"I- I made it impact into my shield." She muttered.
"What happened afterwards?" Minna questioned her, yet Yoshika did not say anything, just put her hands behind her. "I asked you a question Lieutenant." Minna raised her voice a little.
"Its- its…" Yoshika gulped. "Its impact knocked me out." She stated, making the two commanders exchange sights. "It was reckless I know but an elderly man found me and carried me on a camel until I regain my conscious."
Minna sighed. "And if that didn't happen."
"I- I don't know, I think I'd have still woken up eventually." Yoshika hedged.
"Eventually." Minna quoted her.
"I asked for reinforcements I really did, but the comms was jammed." Yoshika argued back, as Minna crossed her hands.
"Taking everything into account, you did everything you could." Minna pointed out. "Nonetheless, you still hide information. Is there a particular reason, Lieutenant?" She wondered.
"I- I didn't want to worry you."
"I was already worried by the fact you were making such journey alone; everyone was, nonetheless, I still gave you permission because I really trust you, Yoshika." Minna countered.
"I really wanted to go back to Fuso, if I told you what happened I thought you'd ask me to come back to Europe." Yoshika raised her voice a little, as her gaze now shifted between her superiors.
"I guess that was a possibility." Minna sighed. "I understand why you did what you did but that doesn't change the fact you hid valuable information. I'll think of your punishment later, you're dismissed."
Yoshika, then turned around, leaving the two commanders, and left the room afterwards. Minna then continued checking the documents Perrine handed her earlier that morning.
"Are you going to pass a report?"
"It's far too late and there had not been sights of that type of Neuroi in Ostman, therefore there is no need to report it."
"And Miyafuji?" Mio questioned her.
"That matter will be left in the past." Minna stated. "I don't want to put her under more stress." The Witch in charge added, yet Mio just continue staring at her.
She sighed. "I spoke with the medic, and she informed me Yoshika is having an abnormal pulse rate."
"That's concerning."
"The medic think is due to stress, and I don't want to pressure her more with meaningless punishments. We're in the verge to start the operation to liberate Nuremberg and that's more than enough pressure for all of us." She made a pause to serve herself a glass of wine. "Nevertheless, I think I am to blame, I've pushed her far too hard."
"You haven't done anything wrong; Yoshika has great magic power; she is still young and has a bright future ahead of her."
"Nonetheless, she never had any health problems." Minna countered.
"Until I made her completely deplete her magic to save me." Mio added with a pensive tone.
"Mio…" Minna said with a comforting tone.
"My magic was weakening each day that passed and…"
"That's in the past Mio, Yoshika got her magic back and you both saved us all." Minna interrupted her, raising her voice. "There's no need to bring that matter again."
"If you say so." Mio said as she served herself a glass of wine, then she took a sit in the couch.
"Even so, I'm going to make sure that Yoshika is thoroughly checked after this is over." Minna added, as she finished her glass of wine.
"Have you thought what you are going to do after this is over?" Mio said, crossing her legs.
At the same time.
As soon as Yoshika left the room, both Shizuka and Lynette blocked her path, just outside the office.
"Did- did something happen?" Shizuka asked, noticing Yoshika's troubled expression.
"Nothing really." She muttered, not even gazing them as both Witches nodded.
"Let's get you something to eat, lunch must be ready by now." Lynette added as both Witches went to Yoshika's sides and walked towards the dining hall, arm in arm, yet she reluctantly did so.
The two cooks were serving the food when the trio of Witches arrived there. The rest of the Witches were already on the table and thus, they just went to their respective sits.
The lunch consisted of a mix of Romagnan and Liberion food. Fettuccini and braised chicken, not long after the food was served, every Witch finished with it. Though, everyone was expecting Minna and Mio to join them, they never did. Still, no one dared to ask Yoshika where the two of them were as she still had the same tensed expression of before.
After having lunch, the two sub-artic Witches took care of the cleaning while Yoshika headed with a book to her usual spot on the river, legs dipping on the water and now accompanied by Lynette and Shizuka. They were doing the same, and wondering a way to cheer her up, yet they could not think of anything as Yoshika's attention was completely devoted to her book.
After being there for a while, the rest of the Witches made their way there, carrying towels in their hands. And though, Yoshika was a bit surprised to see all of them there, she just continued with her book.
"We're feeling yucky!" Francesca commented.
"Bathing after sauna is must. Everyone knows that." Eila said.
"And we brought you towels." Charlotte said, handling them the towels. "So, strip yourselves." She added as she and the rest of the Witches undressed and put their folded clothes on place they could see from the river. Lynette and Shizuka did the same, yet Yoshika just stayed there.
"C'mon Yoshika or don't you want me to throw you again?" Charlotte added as she made her way to Yoshika.
"I don't have an alternative, do I?" She asked the group who just shook their heads in disagreement. "Better do it myself, then." Yoshika said as she started to cross the river and then she took out her clothes, then folded them and dipped into the river with the rest of girls.
"You know I kinda miss the Fuso-style baths, but this is still fine." Erica commented, as she began floating.
"I wish we had at least a hot spring near here." Perrine added.
"I also found one when I traveled back to Fuso." Yoshika added as the group watched her with curious expression on their faces. "I think I haven't told you what else happened…."
After Yoshika told them the story of her journey and they teased her by the fact that she got drunk with sugar cane juice, they started to actually have fun in the river, playing, splashing, swimming and even Francesca now had the chance to compare her chest to the rest of the girls though one of them was not happy in the least with the fac that she had overgrown her in such short time. It was not until the sun had almost completely set that the Witches got out of the river and though their fingers were wrinkled, they still enjoyed themselves in the river.
After having a quick dinner with the leftovers of the lunch, every Witch went back to their respective rooms and so did Lynette and Yoshika. After both girls put on their usual sleeping clothes, Yoshika started to climb to her bunk as Lynette turned off the light.
"Want to share bed again?" Lynette asked her bashfully.
"I-, well yeah, why not?" Yoshika said as she let go of the ladder. The Britannian Witch then went to the far side of the bed and Yoshika laid next to her, arms behind her head and half sit, and both stayed in silence, until Lynette turned side and could now see Yoshika's face.
"May I ask you something?" She asked.
"Sure."
"Why didn't you tell anyone about that Jet Neuroi you encounter?" Lynette asked her in low voice.
"It's in the past and it's not like it changed anything at all." She disappointingly said.
"It could have been dangerous to engage it all by yourself." Lynette said.
"I asked for help, but I couldn't reach anyone so there was anything I could do but to face it." Yoshika added.
"I should've been there with you." Lynette said.
"You're now and that's what matters. There's no need to think about that anymore."
"You're right, the past should've left behind." She added.
"It should be." She murmured.
"If something bothering you?" Lynette asked.
"Nothing really." Yoshika sighed. "I feel fine." She added, putting her hand in her forehead.
"I know it's not easy to let go of the past, it's what we are made of, just don't let it self-reproach you, you cannot change it, but you can learn from it." Lynette said gazing her, but she still had the same lost gaze.
"I know that, and I try to do just that."
"You need to learn to forgive yourself and…"
"Just- just like you did." Yoshika interrupted her as she lowered her head and slowly kissed her on the cheek. "Thanks again for that."
"I-…" She added, as she caressed her cheek, realizing how soft her lips felt. "Do you- mind a cuddle for a little?"
"Of course not." Yoshika said as she rested her head on hers as Lynette slowly put her hand over her waist, though she was not expecting her dressing gown to be untied as she ended up touching her bared skin, yet Yoshika did not say anything other than putting her hand on hers.
"I'm sorry, I didn't…"
"I don't mind it; I mean if it's you." Yoshika bashfully said. "I've never told you this before, but your hair is so soft."
"And so are your li- I mean your skin." Lynette softly said.
"I… thanks?"
"I- have a good night." Lynette embarrassedly added, realizing what she just said, burying her head, between Yoshika's arm and her chest.
"Same to you." Yoshika said with a kind tone, still feeling Lynette's tender touch on her waist, now stroking her hair with her other hand.
Meanwhile, in another room, at the same time.
Even though the curtains were close, the moonlight still made its way to the room and though it was dark enough to comfortably sleep, Shizuka could not get her to do that, even after trying different positions.
"Lieutenant Clostermann, are you still awake?" She asked.
"I am, there's no need to call me Lieutenant or captain what matters. We are friends, aren't we? Just Perrine is fine."
"All- all right, Perrine." She gulped. "Do you- do you really think we can take back Ingolstadt?"
"Of course we will." She took a sit, putting on her glasses. "Are you nervous about tomorrow's mission?"
"I- I wasn't expected to be selected and I'll be lying to you and to myself if I said I'm not nervous."
"Minna knows how capable you are and that's why you were selected."
"I mean I've failed twice, and it's costed us a lot, to Yoshika specially." Shizuka added as she took a sit on her bed.
Then, the Witch-in-charge made her way to her bed and took a sit beside her. "Please Shizuka, don't do that to yourself, don't hold on the past; you're not the only who has failed, everyone has and yet here we are, moving forward."
"But…"
"It's kind of paradoxical that you're feeling guilty about Yoshika's guiltiness." Perrine interrupted her.
"I guess I am really feeling that way."
"I know Yoshika and I'm sure she's really thankful that she regained control of her magic to do what she does best, protect people, regardless of how it happened." She made a pause. "But I also know she's stubborn when it comes to that."
"I don't know what I can do for her." Shizuka wondered.
"For starters, be confident about yourself and show Yoshika how capable you really are and I'm sure she would eventually move forward and would let go of that feeling that's haunting her." She continued. "Don't be nervous about her, after this is over, Minna and I will be sure that Yoshika gets the proper rest she is in need and the medical assessment she requires as well."
"I think you're right; Yoshika really needs to rest properly. And- and I'm really thankful for your advice, I'll try to be more confident from now on."
"There's anything to me thank for, now better rest yourself, you need to be prepared for tomorrow." Perrine said as she went to her bed.
"I try, have a good night."
"Likewise."
The next morning
Just as the first rays of sun appeared, Yoshika's natural alarm clock woke her up. To her surprise, she was feeling warm again, yet soon enough she realized why she was feeling that way, and it did not anything to do with her own body but the one she was sharing the bed with.
'Huh? So that's what I usually look like.' Yoshika said to her own head, noticing that her bedmate was the one who was snuggling on her, her face resting on her cleavage, between her almost bared breasts. And though, she would normally feel very embarrassed about that and the fact that her dressing gown was completely untied, bared even on the lower part. Somehow, she did not mind it, it was either that it was Lynette who was there or the fact she had done just that to her that more times that she even recalled it.
Whatever it was, she began tenderly stroking her long hair, still feeling her warm breath traversing deep into her body and couple minutes went by, Yoshika enjoying the warm feeling, until Lynette started to stretch hugging her tighter, just below her waist.
"Good morning, Lynne." Yoshika happily said. "I hope you sleep well."
"Good morning, Yoshika." She said, becoming a bit red realizing where she was sleeping and what she was touching with both her face and hands. "I- I really did."
Yoshika took off the blankets and got up and so did Lynette. Then, she took off her dressing gown and began putting her usual uniform, the Britannian Witch now recalling that her bedmate was not wearing anything else besides that, blushing her even more.
Though, Yoshika did not notice it nor said anything, thus, she also continued putting on her usual uniform.
Half an hour later, and by the time the breakfast was ready, the Witches started to come, first Minna, Mio followed Perrine then, Eila and Sanya. After everyone greeted each other, Yoshika was a bit surprised that no one else came.
"Where's Shizuka?" Yoshika asked her immediate superior.
"They are getting ready as we speak." Perrine replied as they took a sit and began eating the breakfast that was already served.
Not long after, the four Witches came to the dining hall, one behind the other, Charlotte, followed by Francesca, then Erica and finally Shizuka who was trying to hide behind the smaller Karslandian Witch.
"What's with the swimsuits?" Eila asked noticing that three of them were wearing a black one-piece swimsuit and Shizuka her usual blue one.
"Less drag of course." Charlotte said. "Plus, I don't want to end up naked like it happened back in Britannia." She added, blushing three Witches in the process.
"Sounds like a solid reason to me." Eila added, as the almost the whole group agreed with her.
"Or when we protected Kiel…" Erica added.
"We've already packed spare clothes." Minna commented, as stoically as she could. Then, they all had a breakfast and not long after, they started to finish, noticing that Minna stood up from her sit.
"Lieutenant Miyafuji, you're forbidden of using a Striker Unit today. You'll remain on stand-by and if I happen to know that you disobeyed me, the punishment will be severe." She made a pause staring at Yoshika. "And if she still uses a Striker Unit and someone hides that information from me, you'll be punished as well, and this time, I'll pass a report to your respective brasses, understood." She said as her glance switched to the rest of the group.
"Yes, ma'am." The three Witches said in unison.
"Do I make myself clear Lieutenant?" Minna addressed her subordinate with a firm tone voice.
"I'm not going to use my Striker today; you can be sure of that." Yoshika commented.
"It's for your well-being, Yoshika." Minna stated trying to use a firm tone. "It's time to depart." Minna added as the group stood up from their sits and headed to the hangar where a jeep towing a rather long trailer was stationed.
"You sure, you don't want to stay?" Minna asked her fellow commander.
"The girls can handle themselves just fine." Mio stated, yet her voice showed a hint of hesitation.
"All right then, Lynne, I leave you in charge." Minna said, as the Britannian Witch nodded. "Please follow my instructions."
"Yes, ma'am." Lynette stated.
Then, Mio went behind the driver seat, Minna besides her, Perrine and Erica on the back seats and Francesca, Shizuka and Charlotte went to the trailer.
"Be careful." Yoshika commented as she made her way to the trailer.
"Everything will be just fine, Yoshika, just trust us." Shizuka added
"I… trust you all." Yoshika said, then the jeep's engine started to run, and not long after, they left, yet Yoshika just stayed watching them.
"We cannot do anything but wait." Lynette commented.
"I guess we really can't." Yoshika said as she began walking towards the base, followed by the three Witches.
Now, in the living room Yoshika picked one of her books and headed to the couch while the three other Witches took care of the cleaning and the rest of the chores. About half an hour later and after being done with that, Sanya and Lynette were watching Eila foretelling the future with her tarot cards.
"The hanged man, now this is an interesting one." Eila said as she picked up the card. "It shows uncertainty." She added, though unknown to them, Yoshika was overwatching them from the sofa.
Then, unexpectedly she stood up from her the couch. "I'll be studying on my bedroom for a little to keep my mind occupied." Yoshika announced as she left the room.
"Do you really think it would be a good idea to leave her alone?" Eila asked her realized what she just did. "She will get away, eventually."
"I know." Lynette said as the trio of Witches oversaw her where she went.
Meanwhile, in the southern part of Ingolstadt
Mio drove into a forest and stopped the jeep just below the threes that still had leaves on them and though the sun was shining, there were still a few dark clouds in the northern part from where they were stationed.
"According to the map, this is a far as we can go." Mio stated. "So, ladies, get yourselves ready."
"Yes, ma'am." The selected Witches said unison as they jumped out of the jeep and headed to trailer and not long after, the four Witches sortied as Minna and Perrine went to their Strikers.
A few minutes later, the battle had started as beams came from above the sky while the Witches dodged them, then the jet slowly descended from the cloud it was hiding.
"There's the sucker." Charlotte said shotting it and as expected, lots of drones started to come towards them.
"Cover us." She added as she and Francesca rushed towards the enemy, passing through the drones even taking a few of them. Though as soon as they made to other side, the drones started to follow them.
"We are your enemy." Erica said as she and Shizuka came from below and intercepted them, shielded, and began taking down as many as they could.
"You won't pass us." Shizuka added as she began now to dodge the beams passing through the drones, then doing a hard turn, and continuing her assault with her type-99, and she did the same again, taking almost every drone in her way.
Erica also accompanied her, though with a bit less of eagerness. "You've improved a lot." She commented, a little surprised.
"Thanks lieutenant." Shizuka added, regaining her breath, then Erica took the few ones that were left.
Meanwhile, the other Witches started to weave into each other path, as they continued shooting it and soon the jet accelerated, it passed just in the middle of them, barely moved away from it.
Then, both did a hard turn and flew towards it again, weaving to each other, and it passed through them once again, blowing them off this time and shooting them as they tried to regain their balance.
"It's tough." Francesca added, as she went to Charlotte's side, both shielded.
"Not so much." Charlotte added as now sparks came out of the P-51H and the Farotto G55S, then both Witches blasted off, even gusting both Witches behind a little.
Drones came out of the main unit to protect it, as the backup team rushed towards it. The main team on the other hand, was rushing towards jet. To their surprise it did not move at all, and as they pass through it, shooting it, it purged itself its damaged armor parts. Then it did a hard turn and began pursuing them at high speed.
Both Witches slowed down a little and wove into each other paths and shot it from every angle. Its armor began shattering in several pieces and in that instant, its core became visible in its tail.
"Francesca!" Charlotte cried noticing that.
"I'm on it." Francesca wove again into its path, piercing its core with several stacked shields.
"Three more left to go." Charlotte said through her transponder, regaining her breath.
"Copy that, we're behind you." Mio said as she started the jeep's engine again.
"It seems we may not be even needed here." Minna commented. "They really prepared themselves in Liberion."
"I'm surprised to see how much Hattori has improved in actual combat." Mio commented. "She was quite the instructor in Fuso, on the tougher side, I would add, and seeing her in combat put things in perspective."
"That's not really surprising, she's quite fond of rules." Perrine stated. "Nevertheless, she's been a full-fledged Witch even before Berlin was liberated, she just needed more confidence in herself."
A few minutes before at the base
After speaking with both sub-artic Witches, Lynette headed to their room, and opened the door, yet Yoshika was not there or at least she could not be seen.
"You really want to go, don't you?" The Britannian Witch said.
"I'll be lying if I said I don't want help Shizuka and the others." Yoshika answered from the far side of her bunk.
"Were you planning to escape like the other day?" Lynne asked her, but she did not answer anything. "I said I'll do whatever I can to be with you, didn't I? Better get going then."
"I don't want to cause more trouble, specially to you." Yoshika pledged, turning side to gaze at Lynette.
"We'll face whatever punishment we're given, together." Lynette stated.
"Are you really sure about this?" Yoshika said as she took a sit.
"I am." Lynette added, extending her hand.
"Thank you, Lynne." Yoshika grabbed her hand and jumped out of her bunk and both girls got out of the room only to find Eila and Sanya there, in the corridor.
"Use our strikers." Sanya said to both Witches.
"Why?" The Fusoan Witch wondered.
"Well, you said you wouldn't be using your Striker today." Eila said. "So, if Minna finds out, at least you could say that you didn't disobey her, exactly."
"But are you sure you want to go? Erica and Minna are there, and I am sure they all can take care of them." Sanya added.
"And the card just said uncertainty, but it's also about letting it go." Eila announced. "And if Minna finds out…"
"I take my chances and I said I sneaked out of my room, so you don't get in trouble." Yoshika appealed while Lynette accompanied her nodding. "I just want to be sure they're safe."
Both sub-artic witches sighed realizing that they were going to make her change her mind, and then they all went to the hangar. They jumped into the Striker Units, Lynette equipped her anti-armor rifle but before Yoshika picked up her Type-99, Eila handed her MG-42.
"If something happens, I'd said I was the one who was flying."
"I- I don't even know how to thank you guys." Yoshika commented.
"Just… try not to be so stubborn and ask for help when you need it." Eila exclaimed. "That'd be more than enough!"
"I'll try to not be like that." Yoshika added a bit ashamed.
"Yes, Yoshika, you got us to help you whenever you need it." Sanya said with a polite smile, making Yoshika shed a tear. Then, the two Witches sortied.
A few minutes later
Both Witches were heading north, though Yoshika was behind her, trying to catch Lynette. Noticing that, the Britannian Witch slowed down and waited for her.
"… three more left to go." Charlotte said through the intercom. "Heading to northwest."
"Copy that, we're just behind you." Mio said.
Yoshika finally caught on her. "That means there are two more left at the north and at the east."
"Yes, which one do you want to take down?" Lynette asked her.
"The one at the east and then the north one."
"Let's go, then." Lynette said as she began flying there and once again, Yoshika was left behind, so she flew to her again. "Are you sure you can fly?" Lynette asked noticing the erratic pattern Yoshika was flying.
"Yeah, it's just that I think I got very accustomed to the Shinden, and this Striker handles kind of weird." Yoshika stated.
"Well, it's good a thing you don't need speed to counter the jets."
"I just need a shield, don't worry about that. And I've been thinking about how to engage it." Yoshika made a pause to regain her breath. "You shot it from behind and lure into me, I handle the rest."
"And what about the drones." Lynette wondered.
"I- I haven't thought that far away." Yoshika added a bit ashamed.
"I can take care of them."
Yoshika then took off the MG-42 and handled it to her. "You're gonna this more than I do."
"Are you sure you can do it without a gun?" Lynette worriedly asked her.
"I'll make sure of that." Yoshika said with her voice full of resolve.
Not long after, both Witches made it to the eastern part of Ingolstadt as the city could now be seen further away, covered in somewhat thin mist. And as Mio said, nothing usual could be seen from this distance, a beam came from below them, though Yoshika shielded them both with no issue. Then, the jet slowly ascended from the forest.
"There it is." Lynette stated. "It's… it's intimidating." Both Witches retreated a little.
"It really is." Yoshika stated, taking a deep breath. "You know what to do." Then, she slowly flew towards main unit and got close enough to it without being shoot. She beckoned the Britannian Witch and a shot impacted on the main unit; drones started to come out of it as the jet revved up.
Lynette switched weapons and began taking out the drones as they scattered around the main unit. Though to Yoshika's surprise, the main unit passed far from her and headed to Lynette instead.
"No, you don't." Yoshika said as she rushed towards Lynette, yet she would not make it on time and though the Britannian Witch was shooting them and dodging their beams, they were not slowing down. She then put out a rather big shield in front of Lynette from where she was as she took down the drones and as the jet retreated a little.
"Thanks." Lynette said.
"That was too close." Yoshika trembled. "It didn't catch the bait."
"What now?" Lynette asked.
"The gunshot must pass as close to me as you can, and you must be further behind." Yoshika stated.
"I- I could hurt you again."
"You will not, I trust you can pull this off." Yoshika gave her a polite smile, as she began flying towards it again slowly and steady, waiting for the shoots with her eyes closed.
Then Lynette reluctantly flew towards her back, gulped, and aimed the jet once again and shoot it, again and again using her inherit magic to guide them to its objective. The anti-armor bullets passed close to Yoshika's head, even waving her hair as they passed through.
The Jet's engine started to rev again and rushed towards Yoshika this time, as Lynette shot the drones that were following the main unit now with the MG-42. While Yoshika was revving up the Striker unit, sparks coming out the BF109-K4, and as soon as she felt the gust, she put a shield just before it crashed in her.
A fierce cry was heard in the sky as Yoshika tried to contain its forceful impact, yet it was not enough because even though the Neuroi almost completely disintegrated, its core was on its tail, exposed. After losing its momentum, it started to regenerate itself, noticing that Yoshika got her Walther PPK from her cleavage, and began shotting it but she missed every shoot as she began losing altitude, now smoke coming out of the Striker.
Another shot was heard from the anti-armor rifle, then the jet and its few drones started to banish into thin air.
"That was amazing Yoshika." Lynette said, catching her in her arms just before she crashed.
"You were amazing, you took it down."
"We both did it." Lynette added lifting her right arm a little, bringing her face close to hers, then she felt her heartbeat started to increase realizing that both were alone, and it presented to opportunity. "I- I wanted to…"
"Heading to the northwest, two more left to go." Charlotte announced.
"Copy that." Mio announced.
"They're heading to the one at the north now." Yoshika commented as she tried to start the Striker, just static electricity came out.
Lynette sighed. "It seems the magic limiter is preventing it to start." Lynette stated, recalling the last time that something similar happened.
"Not again!" Yoshika exclaimed as she tried to make it run again with the same results.
"Let's go back now, we know they can take care of the jets just fine." Lynette decided.
"But…"
"We have helped them, and we know they are safe. That was our objective." Lynette firmly stated. "And you cannot even fly anymore."
"I guess you're right. I'm really thankful that you accompanied me. I couldn't have done it without you." Yoshika said, as she put her arm behind her neck.
"There's nothing to thank for me. I love… helping you." Lynette added, hugging a bit tighter to her chest.
A few minutes later
Both Sanya and Eila had already prepared lunch, a combination of food from both Suomus and Orussia and though the plates were already served, they could not get themselves to actually eat it. Both Witches were on the dining table, Sanya with her ears, tail, and her magic antenna as well, yet she could not hear anything out of the ordinary.
"Do you think they may need backup?" Sanya wondered.
"I don't think so, though I just hope they come back before Minna does." Eila commented. "If they're not here, things will get really ugly here."
"I hope the same." Sanya wished, then she unexpectedly stood up from her sit. "They're back, I can sense them, but…"
"What?"
"I'm not entirely sure, we better see for ourselves." The night Witch stated as both Witches rushed to the hangar.
"Don't tell me she…?" Eila said as both felt a heartbeat skipped on them, noticing that Lynette was carrying Yoshika on her arms.
"I'm fine, nothing happened." Yoshika said.
"We could take on one, but…" Lynette added.
"I think… I broke your Striker." Yoshika quietly said.
"What? Since when you became part of the break Witches?" Eila loudly said.
"A part of what?" Both Witches said in unison.
"Never mind that, let me check it." Eila added as Lynette put Yoshika on the launching platform, then she landed and put both guns away. Then, the Witch from Suomus jumped into the Striker Unit and sortied in that moment.
"It feels almost fine." Eila commented, flying in the hangar for a few minutes, then she landed afterwards. "Nothing seems broken. What exactly happened?" She asked, as both Witches exchanged glances.
"I- um, sparks came out it and I couldn't make it run again." Yoshika hesitated.
"I think the magic limiter halted it from starting." Lynette said.
"Well, it's working now, so..." Eila added.
"Maybe you can only fly with Fuso units?" Sanya commented, as the group shrugged.
"I've never heard something like that before, but the food's getting cold, let's go." Eila said, and then group headed inside.
In the evening
The trailer made its way back to the base, and though they were a bit surprised that no one was there, they did not announce their arrival at all. Still, after stationing it, almost every Witch got out of the vehicles but two of them.
"Francesca, Shizuka, we're back." Minna said with a comforting tone, trying to wake up her comrade who was profoundly sleeping as lightly as possible, her head resting on her hand. Francesca, meanwhile, was resting on Shizuka's lap.
Minna tried again and this time she succeeded.
"I'm sorry, I guess I'm a bit tired." Shizuka said as she stretched up, waking the youngest Witch in the process.
"I'm starvin'!" Francesca added as she got up.
"It's only natural, you used a lot of magic today." Minna commented, as she and Mio helped both Witches to get out of the jeep. Perrine, Erica, and Charlotte were already waiting for them, though the latter two were yawning and half sleep.
"I didn't hear you came back." Yoshika said, rushing towards the group and to Shizuka more specifically. "What happened out there?"
"The first part of the mission was a success Yoshika." Minna announced with a proud tone.
"I'm glad to hear that. I'm so relieved y'all are here, unharmed." She added as she hugged Shizuka,
"There was nothing to worry about Yoshika." She said, rubbing her eyes, then the other three Witches came to the hangar.
"It wasn't as hard as we expected." Charlotte stated yawning.
"Thanks to the combined effort of the four heroes." Minna added with a smile on her face, yet the Witches were too tired to even notice what she said.
"They really show us why the 501st is held in such high regard." Mio stated, yet she was still side gazing Yoshika.
"Yeah, but I'm still starvin'!" Francesca exclaimed, rubbing her stomach.
"I'll get you something to eat." Perrine added, as she helped her to go to the kitchen and also the whole group headed to the living room.
"Does anyone else want to have lunch or dinner?" Sanya asked the group.
"I'm also starvin'." Erica commented, and both Eila and Sanya headed to the kitchen.
"I'm too tired to have that." Charlotte added now laying on the couch, and so was Shizuka, with Yoshika at her side, holding her hand, and Lynette at her side.
"Nevertheless, I sensed two Witches near Ingolstadt." Minna stated, as her stare shifted between Yoshika and Lynette.
"That would be us, we- we decided to sortie. Sanya sensed something." Eila said from the kitchen.
"That's the truth Group Captain, I believe the jets flew close to Munich, but they retreated shortly after."
"So… we headed back to base." Eila added. "Nothing else to report."
"Hmm." Minna hedged and so did Shizuka, noticing that Yoshika let go of her. "They were too far away, so I could not really tell who was there. Nevertheless, it's highly unusual that there was no Neuroi in the eastern part of Ingolstadt as intel stated."
"Maybe, intel was wrong, it wouldn't be the first time." Erica chimed in, coming with coffee and bread on her hands.
"I hope you took time off Yoshika." Minna added watching her with questioning look on her face.
"Yeah, I took the whole day off, I was reading about pan facial fractures and the time it takes to recover." Yoshika stated with the most convincing tone she could use.
"We spent the whole day in our room." Lynne added with a polite smile, yet she started to sweat a little.
"Is that so Lieutenant?" Mio commented gazing the aspiring the medic and so was Shizuka.
"Of course, Lynne even let me feel the different bones on her face to study them." Yoshika confidently said as she slowly put her hands on her face and began palping it, while Lynette closed her eyes and felt her heartbeat increased slightly with her gentle touch.
"You know Yoshika, I can't help it but wonder what you are going to do when it comes to the ribs?" Charlotte commented. "Are you going to be that collaborative Lynne, or would you need me to study?" She added, playing with her chest, making both Witches become a little red-faced.
"I- I think… I… will" Lynette added yet no more words were muttered.
"Or when you need to feel up the pudendal nerves." Erica drawled making Yoshika flush furiously, as everyone there wondered what she just meant.
"I can- I can do that myself." Yoshika hesitated making Erica raise an eyebrow. "I mean I'll use a body model."
"We can study those together if you know what I mean." She put out a suggestive smile. "But I'm not in the mood for that today, it'd be another day, I'm worn out."
"It is only reasonable you're tired. After you finish, everyone must go to rest, we'll discuss the second part of the operation tomorrow." Minna announced as she and Mio left the room. Shortly after, almost everyone stood up from their places, said goodbye and most headed to their rooms while others stayed there, finishing with the dinner. One Witch though, had other things on mind, now following one of her superiors, noticing she was alone.
"Lieutenant Yeager, lieutenant Yeager" Shizuka rushed to catch just before she entered the room. "May I have a word with you?" She asked, realizing that Francesca stayed back in the dining hall.
"I am all ears." Charlotte said as she entered to her room.
"It's about Yoshika." Shizuka asked, following her.
"Planning to take the next step?" Charlotte commented, searching in her drawers.
"I am not going to…" Shizuka hesitated as she played with her fingers. "…do that just yet." She muttered.
Charlotte just chuckled, as she found her underwear. "Just kidding, what is you wanted to ask me?"
"It's- it's about the battle of Britannia, and what happened to Yoshika afterwards" She gulped, trying to remember why she was here for. "I know she got in trouble for going AWOL but something's off." She added.
"Now that's a question I wasn't expecting." Charlotte added as she took off her swimsuit and the rest of her clothes. "Well, it happened a long time ago but if you really want to know. I don't think you'd like it though."
"I- I really want to know." Shizuka said trying to look away from the bared Witch who was in front of her.
"She was given a dishonorable discharge." She added as she put on her underwear.
"What?" Shizuka gaped. "Why would they do that?"
"What happened in Britannia was one heck of a mess that Yoshika happened to be involved in, but we still succeeded taking down the hive which was thought as impossible back then." She took a sit on her bed. "Then again, I've never understood why they did that to Yoshika, other than the Bri… never mind that."
"I can't believe that." Shizuka exclaimed, recalling what Yoshika told her and not really paying attention to the other Witch. 'So that's what Lieutenant Karibuchi did.' She said to her own head.
"Honestly, I thought we'd never see her again in Europe, but she still came back somehow. If anything, I also believed she should've been given a medal or something like that, instead they kicked her butt out of the navy." She chimed in. "Though, if I were you, I wouldn't go around asking about that, no one else supposed to know it." She added, as she laid on her bed. "I know 'cause I overheard Minna and Mio discussing it."
"I- I'll keep that in mind Lieutenant."
"And if you want to take it to the next level, I can show you a thing or two."
"I'll also keep that mind Lieu- Lieutenant, thank you." Shizuka said trying to keep her mind out of that kind of thoughts.
Author Notes:
The updates will start to come a bit later. Don't worry, I'm not getting tired of writing, I really love the franchise (Why else I would be writing this) and I plan to end this fic, eventually.
On the other hand, I've never expected to write more 100k of words but here I am. The story is obviously a bit amateurish, and I know that it may be hard to follow on some parts, but English is not my native language, but I've done my best.
Then again, if you made it to this part, I just hope that this fic at least has entertained you a little bit.
And Shirley knowing about Yoshika's discharge is something I noticed on my rewatch of the second episode on the second season just after Yoshika gets out of the of the seaplane, near the end. Shirley said "You know, I've never thought I see Yoshika here again." But then again it's just my head-canon.
Until the next update and by the way, happy 5-01st day.