"" Dialogue
'' Thoughts
Disclaimer: I do not own "Strike Witches", so this is just a fan made.
Chapter 22: About Superiors
(or about obedience)
Three days later
Engines running, objects being dropped, voices all around and lots of noises that neither Lynette nor Yoshika could recognize were heard outside their room yet little mattered to them as their attention was fully devoted to what they were doing with their hands.
"Told ya, it's not that hard to sew," Yoshika positively said.
"I wouldn't have done it without you," Lynette added. "You know how each piece must be cut."
"Of course I knew, it's for me silly." Yoshika then lifted the pieces of her burned shirt, "And it was useful to use my old my shirt for it. Without it, it would've taken us a lot longer." She happily said but her bedmate did not share her enthusiasm, so Yoshika took a deep breath, "What happened that day was my fault, and nothing really happened, besides you were the one who told me that we can't change the past, but we can learn from it."
Lynette set her eyes on shredded pieces of the shirt and then back on Yoshika, "Yeah… you're right."
"And you learned how to sew faster, see, something good came out of my recklessness." Yoshika confidently commented, Lynette then handed her the still-partially-sewed lab-coat to Yoshika, and she put it, and folded its collar. "It fits me perfectly."
"You really look like a real doctor to me," Lynette said.
"Thanks, Lynne" Yoshika said, looking herself at the mirror, "but we still need to sew the buttons and the pockets." Then she took it off and folded it and left it on the desk. "We can leave that for later, it's not like I'm gonna need it anytime soon, let's continue knitting."
Lynette then glanced at her knit with the needles in it that was on her bed, "But I…"
"It's easy and besides with those needles we can get it done in no time," Yoshika said as she took a seat next to her.
"You sure?" Lynette wondered.
"Of course, I am," Yoshika exclaimed.
And so, Lynette picked it up and continued knitting, still being side watched as Yoshika was also knitting a scarf, until she stopped rather abruptly.
"Did you lose a stich?" Yoshika asked her, putting her still-being-made scarf away.
"It's not that, it's just that…" Lynette then finished the row and put everything aside, "I'm sorry Yoshika."
Yoshika smiled at her, as she put her hand below her chest, "It didn't even leave me a scar but if you want to check it by yourself…"
Lynette took a deep breath, "It's not about that, it's just that I…" And nothing else was muttered.
Yoshika put her hand on her cheek, "you know you can tell me anything, right?"
"That's the only thing I cannot tell you." Lynette said calmly yet a hint of sadness could be heard in her voice, "and I'm just afraid that it could ruin our friendship, that I could ruin it."
"What are you- what are you talking about?" Yoshika exclaimed, taken aback by that statement, "that will never happen."
"I hope your right…" Lynette looked down and some tears started to fall as she tenderly hugged Yoshika.
"I hope one day you can tell me what's going on," Yoshika softly said as she began caressing her long back.
Meanwhile in Ingolstadt
Gertrud was in Minna's new office, arranging what had just arrived and making sure that everything was being repaired properly, until the phone rang, disrupting her work.
"Everyone's working overtime," Gertrud loudly said through the phone.
"…"
"I'm sorry, I was expecting it to be Minna."
"…"
"She really appreciates the help though."
"…"
"Those guys really got on Minna's nerves."
"…"
"Mio's outside, also supervising everything."
"…"
"You want to check by yourself? Yeah, I told you she's a speedster, but actually she doesn't have experience with Jet Strikers."
"…"
"I was going to do that."
"…"
"I can fly fine, though."
"…"
"Lynne? Yeah…"
"…"
"New unit? I'll be sure of that."
"…"
"Flight Lieutenant Miyafuji as well. "
"…"
"Understood, we'll be expecting you."
Meanwhile somewhere in Egypt
Two men and one girl were boarding the Hōkoku Maru, again after having to deal with bureaucratic stuff regarding their pass through the canal.
"We finally can continue our traverse to Europe," Hiroshi commented. "Thanks to you, young lady."
"It's the least I could," Michiko added. "After all, you've been very considerate this time."
"You know your way with regulations," the captain added.
"I've been reading about them; they could come handy because I know Yoshika doesn't really read much about rules and that sort of thing," Michiko commented politely.
"That's how I'd describe Flight Lieutenant Miyafuji,"
"Me as well," Hijikata said.
"And... I thought I could help her in that way," Michiko nervously said.
"I guess you're right but as I told you, you've done than enough for Miyafuji."
"I hope you're right," Michiko added, not too relieved.
Not long after, the Hōkoku Maru departed again.
Meanwhile, in Munich
Most of the girls were carrying boxes to the hangar and were leaving them stacked next to the rest of the things that had been brought there since Minna told them about their new headquarters. Nevertheless, the commander was there, staring at three of her subordinates.
"Why are we going this again?" Eila asked loudly.
"Superior orders," Minna sternly stated, arms crossed.
"Don't be so mad with us," Charlotte playfully added.
"Yeah, it's not like there was much to do," Erica nonchalantly added.
"You three know I don't mind you having R&R time but not to drink as much to get drunk."
"In Suomus it's kind of a custom but I told you, I just drank a few cans," Eila noted.
"Yeah, right," Erica sarcastically added.
"Continue packing and after you finish, I'll be waiting for you at the meeting hall," Minna firmly stated.
The three girls posed, still with boxes on their hands, "Ma'am, yes, ma'am." And Minna left the meeting hall after that.
"She's mad," Charlotte stated, putting a box in the truck.
"And she's going to punish us," Erica added. "So much for not causing trouble," she quietly added.
"Crap, and she hasn't punished me yet for what happened with Yoshika and Lynne a few weeks ago." Eila gulped, "this can't end well."
Meanwhile in the meeting hall
Minna, now alone in the podium, was waiting for her subordinates to come but to her surprise, only one appeared and quietly took a seat in her usual place and rested her head on the table.
Noticing that, Minna approached and sat next to her.
"Changes can be scary, but they have to happen and most of the time they're for the greater good." Minna said yet Francesca did not even return her sight. "That's how you meet Shirley."
Francesca turned her head to face her, "She's going back to Liberion and that's really far from here."
"And that doesn't mean you're going to stop being friends, does it?" Minna reassuringly added yet her gloominess remained.
Minna took a deep breath, "Look, Mio is very dear to me and even though she returned to Fuso many times, we still talked and whenever I was in predicament, I knew she will always come back to aid me, however she could." Mio stated with pensiveness in her voice. "My point is, Shirley will always be with you whenever you need her." Minna continued, "Lo- I mean friendship will always prevail between both of you, and between everyone here." Minna gave her a polite smile. "Don't forget, we are a family here, regardless of where we are."
"I think you're right." Francesca quietly added, then another two Witches arrived, Lynette and Yoshika, not long after, Sanya, followed by Eila, Charlotte and Erica, who reluctantly, took a seat on their places.
As Minna went back to the podium, Shizuka finally arrived at the meeting hall and all the Witches waited for meeting to begin.
"As we all know, we have to move to Ingolstadt as our superiors ordered us but thanks to Commander Barkhorn and all of us as well, our new headquarters are being repaired as we speak, but we cannot afford to wait any longer," Minna continued, "Personnel will be working on the fortress, male included, so I suggest you behave accordingly."
All the group exchanged glances as they continued listening to their superior.
"Nevertheless, I also called you because it has been brought to my knowledge that a superior officer will arrive shortly after we are done moving to our new base, and a demonstration is expected to be held." Minna announced.
The group was a bit surprised after hearing Minna, until Erica stood up.
"Isn't world's impenetrable defense enough? That's more than enough demonstration if you ask me."
"It should be but she's expecting Flight Lieutenant Yeager, and Master Seargeant Bishop." Minna stated as Erica sat down.
"Why us though?" Charlotte asked her.
"The officer requested to see how you perform with your new units and to know whether there're issues with them." Minna stated. "So, you will need to get yourselves prepared officers. You must remember the 501st has a reputation to upheld."
Both Witches nodded in agreement, yet Lynette did not look too encouraged about her new assignment, so noticing it, Yoshika raised her hand.
"Yes, Yoshika."
"I want to help Lynne to train," Yoshika eagerly said.
"You know you must remain on standby for a few more days until a take you to a Witches hospital." Minna proclaimed, a hint of regret in her voice could be noticed.
"I promise, I won't overextend." Yoshika countered, her tone now with less enthusiasm.
"I don't want you to have another accident," Minna maintained.
"I can train by myself, there's no need to worry about that, Yoshika." Lynette added.
Yoshika just looked down as a response and took a seat.
Minna took a deep breath, "Alright Yoshika, Shizuka, please keep an eye on her."
"Yes, ma'am," Shizuka stoically added yet some bitterness in her voice could be noticed.
"Please continue packing everything, you're dismissed," Minna wrapped up.
A day later, by the afternoon
The launch platforms were already loaded into the trucks and so were the Striker Units, and the last group Witches but one were in the jeep, which was stationed on the road, just outside the base. Yoshika, on the other hand, was slowly making her way to the vehicle, crossing the bridge yet she stopped midway, and turned around to give another look to the now former base of the 501st. Although the cold wind blew strong, ruffling her hair and her clothes, little mattered to her as she was lost in her thoughts.
Even beeps were heard, but Yoshika did not seem to have noticed, so Lynette got out of the driver's seat and headed towards her.
"I didn't expect that we had move from this base before Nuremberg was freed," Lynette commented.
"Me neither," Yoshika sighed, "and it seems it was a bit pointless what was done with the base in Munich, but it was the least I could do… it is my fault, I'm sorry."
Hearing that, Lynette put herself in front of her and grabbed both her hands, and tried to stare in her eyes, but Yoshika could not return the sight. "What are you talking about Yoshika?"
"It's nothing, Lynne," she mused.
"You sure?"
Yoshika smiled softly, "I am."
Then both girls began walking towards the jeep, arm in arm, but before Yoshika got into the truck, she stopped rather abruptly.
"May I drive?" Yoshika softly asked her, "it's been a while since I was behind the steering wheel."
"Yes, of course," Lynette said, still wondering what was going on but there was no the time to ask, so she got into the truck and so did Yoshika.
"Is something wrong Yoshika?" Sanya asked her from the back seat.
"Nothing really."
Both Eila and Sanya exchanged sights, "By the way, we're not Francesca so take your sweet time to drive us there," Eila added.
Meanwhile, in Gallia
Perrine was in Pas-de-Calais, at her mansion that now served as an orphanage, after greeting Amelie and Jean-Paul and even Julious who was teaching her sister to read. Though Perrine wanted to check on the rest of the kids as well as the reconstruction itself, there was something she was required to do there. Therefore, she headed to her office to wait for her superior.
Not long after, a Gallian Officer made his way there.
"You sure are hard to come by Flight Lieutenant Clostermann," the General started.
"It is expected, I am the second-in-Command of the 501st," Perrine firmly stated with a hint proudness in her voice.
"I am very pleased to hear that; you should have acquired more than enough experience to be commanding the 506th," Philippe noted.
"As I stated on a former occasion, my duty is not only with Gallia but with Europe," Perrine maintained.
The General crossed his arms, "We are aware of that, nevertheless, the World's Impenetrable defense was commanded by you, and it would be our best interests that you do the same with 506th."
"While I am flattered to hear that, it was a cooperative task of the whole Joint Fighter Wing." Perrine commented, now with less enthusiasm.
"Nonetheless, that Witch that protected Ostmark seems to be capable enough of leading the squad, after all, that was what the report stated," the General voiced.
Perrine took a deep breath, "Flight Lieutenant Miyafuji, Yoshika, has unresolved health issues and she is not fit to my place, as for the rest of the members, Group Captain Wilcke should have informed you by now and all the other brasses."
"I am certain that your superior can find a suitable replacement to take your place, the 506th has been split for far too long." The General justified.
Perrine served two glasses of water, "both units were about to be merged since a year ago, if I remember correctly."
"Indeed, Flight Lieutenant but its commanding officer must be Gallian. It is noblesse oblige after all." The General maintained, "You must think about it."
She took a sip of her glass of water. "There's nothing to discuss, I will continue serving at the 501st until I am not longer required there."
The General stood up from his sit, "Fair enough, we will take again after Nuremberg is freed." And he left the office afterwards, leaving a thoughtful Perrine behind.
Meanwhile in Ingolstadt
Minna had shown around the last group the parts of the Fortress that had been restored. After leaving Sanya and Eila in their new bedrooms, only two girls were left.
Minna then stopped by a room that had Yoshika name written on its door.
"Lynne, I'm sorry but your bedroom has just been painted and it will take a day or two for the smell to completely vanish," Minna stated, "So for the meantime, you both will have to sleep together. That's of course, if neither of you mind it."
"It's okay, I don't mind it." Yoshika happily stated.
"Me neither," Lynette added, with a trace of embarrassment on her voice.
"And actually, we usually sleep together." Yoshika grabbed her jacket, "don't we, Lynne?"
Minna fixed her glance at her, making Lynette look away and blush a little.
"Yeah, we do," Lynette mused.
"Alright then," Minna stated, still staring Lynette. "don't stay up too late as both you need to train tomorrow."
Then Minna left both girls, but before they entered the room. Lynette stayed there, near the door frame.
"Yoshika…" Lynette muttered making her tilt her head, now with a curious expression, "I- I don't think you should say those things aloud because…"
"Things…?" Yoshika asked herself.
Lynette could feel the blood rushed to her cheeks, "um, Group Captain Wilcke, may, you know..."
Yoshika rubbed her chin, as she continued listening to her.
"… that when we sleep together, we…"
"I'm not that innocent Lynne, but Minna knows that we're just friends so I don't think she could take things that way," Yoshika commented nonchalantly.
Lynette sighed, "Yeah, friends, of course. Silly me."
"But you're right, I shouldn't say those things aloud, but we need to get ready to go to sleep, I'm really tired." And so, both girls slowly entered the room, but they stopped in their tracks as they were left in awe.
Inside, at the right side of the window, it could be seen that there was a wooden desk, with a shelf and it already had all Yoshika's medicine books there. On the other side of the window, there was a smallish coffee table with three zabuton and near it, there was a heating radiator. The bed was near the door, and it had a light blue blanket, reminiscent of her uniform. The dresser was on the other side of the entrance. The whole room was painted white with details in blue.
"This is such a nice place!" Yoshika beamed as she rushed to the window and then she took another look to it again, "it reminds of the room you decorated for me back in Den Helder."
"It really does look great," Lynette happily added.
"Let's continue unpacking, I want to check if the bed is as comfy as it looks…" Yoshika noted, yet unknown to her, it embarrassed Lynette in the process. "…though, it looks on the smaller side, guess we're gonna have to cuddle together like always."
Lynette gulped, trying to get rid of her redness, "Yeah, I think so."
Later the same day
Two young women were also touring around the base, arm in arm and they stopped by the rather large living hall. There, they both took a seat on the couch as Gertrud served both of them a cup of tea.
"You really outdid yourself with this one, Trude," Erica happily said as she added sugar to it, "it does look like something someone would actually want to move to."
Gertrud took a sip from her tea, "It was not like we were charge of the base of Munich you know."
"Whatever, but you had to admit it was a crappy place."
Gertrud took a deep breath, "At least, I hope I can make up for them with this base."
"It's a littler nosier but everyone's gonna do better in here." Erica added, yet Gertrud did not seem to be too eased, "hey, you even saw Miyafuji, she's as happy as always."
"Yeah, I saw her." Gertrud said, "I'm glad she's doing better."
"Though, I hope sticks on her after Lynne…"
Gertrud now stared at Eila with a "What are you talking about Hartmann?"
Erica shrugged, "I'm gonna tell you another day but I also noticed my room also seemed to be very comfy."
"And you must keep it clean, like a proper Karlsland soldier," Gertrud firmly stated.
"I'm gonna do what I can, though, I noticed there's only one bed there." Erica playfully added, "Wanna sleep together again?"
Gertrud could feel the blood rushed to her cheeks, "Y- yeah, I missed you know…"
Three days later
The reparations were still being carried on, so outside the base, near the Danube, on the grass, four girls were trying to find something to do and rest themselves up under the dim sun. Though, they had something else to look up now, as they were now seeing the four Witches practicing on the sky, as it had been happening for two days.
"If no one told me, I'd not even think Lynne has a new unit." Eila said.
"Yoshika is doing a great job training her," Sanya added.
"I bet she learned it from Minna." Erica commented, "Shirley, on the other hand…" And the three girls lay on the grass.
Meanwhile in the sky, Lynette was following Yoshika and keeping up with her in the sky, and even had practiced shooting targets. Though, since she had got accustomed to her unit, the trio of Witches were helping Charlotte to train.
"My sister was right, it's doesn't feel too different from my old unit," Lynette said, now at Yoshika's side.
"I told you were going to get the hang of it in no time," Yoshika happily added.
Charlotte wiped the sweat from her forehead, "Would you both please stop with that?"
"We're sorry," both Witches said in unison.
"Flight Lieutenant Yeager, you're improving I think," Shizuka added
"Not enough, I'm gonna make a fool of myself if someone sees me." Charlotte took a deep breath, "How the heck Minna and Barkhorn control this thing?"
"Is it that bad?" Yoshika wondered.
"Yeah, it's fast but it's not versatile, it's hard to maneuver and it takes way too long to accelerate." Charlotte noted, still regaining her breath, "And- and without extra fuel, it drains too much magic energy like your…"
"Like my what?" Yoshika asked her.
"Yoshika, um…" Shizuka interrupted her, "don't you want to go to rest? You have been flying for a while now." She added, as politely as she could.
"I feel fine, great even," Yoshika eagerly said, "If Minna asks me to go back, I'll go back but she told me it's okay." Then she put her fingers on her neck, "And I can barely feel my heartbeat, you can even touch me if you want to."
Shizuka gave a quick glance to Lynette then back to Yoshika "I wasn't instructed to do that, and I guess if Group Captain Wilcke says it's fine, I shouldn't object her orders."
"I have an idea, I need you three to help me," Charlotte interrupted them, and so the three Witches gathered around her.
Meanwhile in the ground, the three girls were sitting again, now staring at a tree or rather what was on one of its thickest branches. Francesca was there, sleeping profoundly on her blanket.
"I kind of envious she can sleep wherever she wants," Erica commented.
Sanya yawned, "I'm so sleepy."
"Me too, but it's a mess inside and everyone's so busy. And Trude is tired too, I really hoped we could talk, or I don't know," Erica added.
"About what?" Eila wondered.
"Things…" Erica said as she laid down, "private things. We should have waited a few days to come, it's not like it's going to make a difference."
"You heard what Minna said, orders are orders but I'm not sleepy, at least, they let us sleep at night and plus, we don't have to cook anymore."
Erica stared Eila, "The food is yucky."
"That too," Then Eila could notice that Sanya was starting to kip, so she moved to her side as Sanya slowly laid, though she woke up when she felt that she was about to lay on someone.
"If you want to, you can- you can sleep on my arm…" Eila nervously said while Sanya kept staring at her, "I'm- I'm not sleepy."
"I want to!" Erica chimed in as she got up.
"Why not…?" Eila added, frowning her a little, yet she extended her right arm as Erica laid beside her, her head on her arm and her arms crossed. Sanya on the other hand, keep watching them.
"Hey, Sanya I don't think Eila would mind if you slept on her other arm," Erica suggested playfully.
Eila gulped loudly, "of course not, but only if you want to, I mean, I don't want to… you know."
Eila extended her left arm, and Sanya slowly lay on her, her back against her. Erica, on the other hand, was now staring at Eila who had a fulfilled expression on her face. She could not help but smile at the scene, until she could notice that her cheeks were becoming red. Erica could notice that Sanya brought Eila's forearm to her, and now was hugging it against her chest and even seemed to be peacefully sleeping.
Erica just climbed a little and got closer to her face, "you can thank me later," She whispered, and then she just got more comfortable on her arm.
Meanwhile, inside the base.
Four commanders were sitting at Minna's office, each one with a cup of coffee and all of them were looking outside the base.
"Flight Lieutenant Yeager seems to have problems controlling the Jet Striker," the air force general commented.
"She never liked them; I'm surprised she agreed to use it on the first place," Gertrud noted.
"There's so much you can do against ultra-fast Neuroi." Mio stated. "That's what you told us."
Minna took a sip of her coffee. "Indeed, Lynne on the other hand, seems to be ready."
"She's really well-bonded with Flight Lieutenant Miyafuji," the air force general commented. "No wonder she didn't want to join my unit due to her behalf."
Minna just sighed loudly in response, and they continued watching the four Witches practicing on the sky for quite a bit and also the group below, until Minna stood up and headed to the radio.
"Yoshika, you have flown enough for today, head back," Minna ordered her as the three officers stared at her.
"Roger that," Yoshika replied, and she began doing so.
But then the alarm echoed in the fortress and an officer rushed towards her office. "A large type Neuroi is heading towards the fortress; ETA: twenty minutes."
"Why didn't surveillance alert us sooner?" Minna raised her voice.
"It's using camouflage," the officer stated.
The only thing Minna did as a response was to rush towards the windows only to notice that Yoshika and the three Witches were in the sky, seemingly waiting for instructions. Minna rushed towards the radio again only to notice that the air force general was at its side.
"Group Captain Wilcke, if you give your approval, I want this to be the demonstration." The air officer stated, "I want to see with my own two eyes how capable your unit is and Flight Lieutenant Miyafuji as well, General Patton told me how extraordinary her magic power is."
"Flight Lieutenant Miyafuji cannot overextend," Minna stated firmly.
"She's healthy, we all have seen her these past few days," Mio commented.
"Just in case, tell the other girls to be ready." Gertrud suggested.
"And seeing a Witch that has played a key role destroying three nests is something you cannot see every day." The air officer voiced.
"Alright then," Minna hesitantly accepted, "Yoshika, a large type of Neuroi is heading towards the fortress, ETA: eighteen minutes, location: North-northwest." Minna said through the radio. "You're going to be leading this mission, you three, follow her lead."
"Copy that," Yoshika eagerly said. "I'm not going to let you down this time."
"As for the rest of the Witches, remain on stand-by, waiting for instructions."
So, through the Window, Minna could see that the four Witches rushed to the hangar. Meanwhile, the air officer also headed towards the door, grabbing the attention of the three Commanders.
"With my own two eyes, remember?"
Meanwhile in the sky, somewhere between Nuremberg and Ingolstadt
The three Witches were following a passionate Yoshika, yet not all of them shared her feelings. Not long after, beams could be seen yet no Neuroi on sight.
"It seems to be like the one that attacked Munich," Lynette stated. "It drops its camouflage as it is shot, and it deploys drones, but the last one didn't have a core."
"So, we must find it, I'll cover you," Yoshika exclaimed, "Follow my lead!"
But to their surprise, Shizuka put herself in front of Yoshika, stopping her. "You- you have used a lot of magic today, Yoshika."
The now Witch in charge was taken by surprise by her actions, "but… Minna told me that I…"
"We… three can do this," Shizuka muttered, facing Charlotte yet she did not seem pleased in the least.
"Let her go." Charlotte said as seriously as she could, wiping the sweat off from her face, yet Shizuka just raised a shield. "Knock that crap off and let her go, we don't have time."
Sparks were now coming out of the Shinden, "I cannot let it destroy the base! I can't fail again like with the Antwerp Port" Yoshika argued back, yet the shield remained but Yoshika still blasted off, followed by Lynette.
Shizuka dropped her shield, and looked down, "It's just that, Group Captain Wilcke told me I must keep an eye on her."
"So- go with her, help her!" Charlotte voiced, trying to regain her breath, "I'm gonna catch on you as soon as I- as I can."
Thus, Shizuka rushed towards Yoshika. Soon afterwards, the three Witches were in the route of the still invisible Neuroi. Yoshika nodded and Lynette began shooting and the Neuroi dropped its camouflage.
"It's nothing like the Neuroi from Munich," Lynette claimed.
Yoshika gulped as soon as she started to recall the last time she saw it, "It's- It's…"
"An airship," Shizuka said now at Yoshika's side.
Then, drones started to come of it and the trio Witches began shooting them as they made their way through them. Though, their shots did little to no damage to the main unit and soon afterwards, the drones began to surround them.
"Let's retreat!" Yoshika exclaimed, putting out a rather big shield behind them, covering the two Witches.
Now, the three Witches were away from the airship as it continued its route, Yoshika continued staring at the main unit, still shielding the Witches while Shizuka and Lynette took care of the drones.
"It's strong," Lynette worriedly said.
"What now? We have twelve minutes at most," Charlotte said, trying to maintain her balance.
Yoshika just took off her Type 99-2 and handed it to Lynette, "Just cover me, I can deal with it."
"Have you gone mad; you can't do it without gun!" Charlotte loudly said.
"It's far too dangerous." Shizuka added, her voice trembling a little.
"I trust Yoshika, I'm sure she can do it," Lynette countered both of them, her tone weighty.
Shizuka just shifted her glance towards Charlotte and hers to Lynette.
"So, help her then, I- I guess." Charlotte stated, with some hesitation in her tone.
"But you can't control the Jet Striker very well yet, I can do this," Yoshika argued back.
"I- I can manage fine for a bit more, just don't take too long," Charlotte replied as both Witches exchanged glances.
Lynette then put herself behind Yoshika, while she staked several shields as she revved up the Shinden, sparks coming out of it again. Then, Yoshika blasted off again towards the airship, trying to be caught by Lynette as the other two Witches shot the drones.
Shizuka was also following them from further behind, but to her surprise, Charlotte was struggling to shoot the drones and even to maintain her shield, and seconds later, she started to lose altitude. Noticing that Shizuka headed back and caught her on her arms, yet she could not keep her eyes away from the other two Witches as their got closer to the airship.
"Snap out of it! We're gonna get killed here," Charlotte raged as she tried to turn on the Jet Striker again, yet she failed. "This thing sucks!"
And so, Shizuka carried Charlotte as she continued shooting the drones. Meanwhile, the two Commanders were looking at the battlefield from the distance.
"All Witches prepare to take off at once," Minna stated through the radio, yet the other air commander seemed to be unfazed by the whole situation.
A cried resounded in the Ingolstadt's sunny sky as Yoshika pierced through the large type Neuroi, while being followed by Lynette. The core became exposed as Yoshika passed through its interior, yet she went straight past it.
"Lynne is all yours!" Yoshika exclaimed, trying to slow down, yet she stopped at its other side. To her shock, the Neuroi quickly regenerated its armor with Lynette inside of it.
"What the! Lynne!" Yoshika screamed in fear, now some sort of flames coming out of her Striker, stacking even more and bigger shields, and she blasted again towards and soon as she made contact with the airship, it started to disintegrate into white, glowing shards and so did the drones.
Yoshika just dropped her shields and headed straight to Lynette and embraced her as tightly as she slowed down.
"Lynne, you really worried me in there," Yoshika exclaimed, still hugging her.
"The barrel overheated," Lynette commented happily, hugging her back. Then, she gave a quick kiss on her cheek, "but I used your gun, thank you."
Yoshika just hugged her tighter "I'm just so glad you're okay."
"Now that's something you don't see every day." the air force commented, as she went back to the base.
Minna headed towards Shizuka who was still holding Charlotte as so did the other Witches, including Yoshika and Lynette.
"I'm gonna need my old my unit." Charlotte put out loudly. "Like now!"
Minna took deep breath, "I'm really sorry Shirley, I didn't want to put you through this."
"Told ya, you're gonna my sister or Trude." Erica noted, "those things are hard to control."
"I thought I was getting the hang of it, but I was really wrong." Charlotte commented a bit shamed, "Shizuka really saved me there though." She added, facing her carrier yet she did not seem to content.
"Nevertheless, you three did a great job," Minna proudly stated, "Specially you, Yoshika and I am glad nothing happened, regardless of that Lynne you know what you have to do after we go back to the base. As for now, you four need R&R time, and that's an order. But no drinks allowed, though." And so, the group headed back to the base.
"We were not even needed here, I was napping pretty well back there," Eila said as both Erica and Sanya stared at her, making her blush a little. "I'm just saying, okay."
Meanwhile in Gallia
After being done with the classes for the day, Perrine and Amelie were walking around the mansion.
"It will take two or three weeks at most for everything to be completely repaired." Amelie nervously said, "and as you saw, the kids really missed their favorite teacher."
Yet Perrine did not mutter anything in response, and they continued walking towards the garden. There, she began picking a few medicine plants and Amelie helped her to.
"I'm really sorry, I didn't want to disturb you, but they had been asking you for weeks." Amelie added, even more nervously.
"Why is there such insistence that I take command of the 506th, with the 501st, we have recovered most Europe, but it's been a collective effort." Perrine asked herself loudly, "I really believed it would have been more than enough for my superiors, but it seems I am mistaken."
"Because… you're the pride of Gallia, everyone talks about you here."
"We brought more attention to us than we should have," Perrine commented, now heading back.
"The Noblesse is part our home country, and you personify everything it stands for. Our superiors recognize that, and they want you to inspire everyone here." Amelie added, making Perrine stop as she took deep breath. Then she continued walking inside.
By the afternoon
After having lunch, Lynette and Yoshika went back to the latter's room and were having a nap, cuddling together as usual. On the other hand, most of the other Witches also had lunch but one so, noticing it Charlotte headed to Shizuka's room. Now in front of it, she hesitated to knock yet she found the courage to do it.
"It's open," Shizuka muttered and so Charlotte entered to her room.
Inside, she could see that the room had a desk, a drawer and even a pull-up bar there. The curtains were wide open and so were the windows. The room felt cold and lonely even, and Shizuka was on her bed, staring at the ceiling, wearing her swimsuit only and even seemed to be soaked in her sweat.
"I'm really sorry, I really was a jerk back there." Charlotte forthrightly said, taking a seat at the bottom of her bed.
"Yoshika was on charge; I should have followed her orders and your orders as well, you're my superiors after all."
"The rank means a crap, if someone's doing something stupid, you should tell them to back off and that's what you did." Charlotte voiced, "I know you just wanted to protect Yoshika, and I wanted the same, it'd have been too reckless to send her alone." Charlotte continued, "I know you three work great together but I… but I… It just that it's been years since I felt like a rookie, that useless. I guess that's how Yoshika felt when she could not fly properly."
Shizuka did not mutter anything in response.
"I was… afraid back there, but you saved me, thanks." Charlotte ashamedly said.
"It's fine, I understand, I am rookie too" Shizuka stoically said, still facing the ceiling. Charlotte just took a deep breath as she stood up and headed towards the door.
"If there's a way, I can make up for you, let me know," Charlotte added yet Shizuka did not mutter anything in response, so she left her room afterwards.
Meanwhile, in Minna's office.
The four commanders were sitting around the coffee table, drinking wine now or at least most of them were.
"…The jet relies solidly on Shirley's magic," Minna stated.
"It may be too much for her," Gertrud added, "that's why I couldn't train her, it's too much for me."
"At least someone knows her limits," Mio added, staring Gertrud and then Minna.
"Personally, I don't think Flight Lieutenant Yeager should use it on the operation, it's far too risky." The air commander noted, "Lynne got quickly acquainted to her new unit though, on the other hand, I'm impressed with Flight Lieutenant Miyafuji, her magic is indeed in a class of its own, I'd like to see her using the Jet striker."
Minna took a sip from her wine, "With all due respect, I'm going to object. I personally trained Flight Lieutenant Miyafuji and she's most capable with her current unit."
"I've seen myself Minna, but I'd like to see how she performs with a Jet Striker," she argued back
"The issue with Miyafuji is the fact that she's having health problems seemingly related with her magic, and she is not allowed to sortie for too long," Mio voiced.
"Yes, and furthermore, I'm going to take her to a hospital in a few days to find her underlying condition," Minna added.
"It seems to me it doesn't affect her in the least, but you know her better, nevertheless, if you give your authorization, let me know." The air commander took a sip from her wine, "And in the meantime, I'd like to congratulate her and obviously Lynne and Pilot Officer Hattori as well, they did a great job up there."
Minna then served another glass of wine, "they must be resting now; I'll bring them later."
Half an hour later
Shizuka had still not left her room, so now Eila headed there. The door was not closed, so she slowly made her way inside. She was still lying on her bed, with the same lost sight.
"You're still mad," Eila said yet Shizuka did not even bother to stare at her. "If I were on your place, I bet, I'd done the same."
"You were not," Shizuka shot back.
"When I was, I screwed up badly, you all saw it," Eila voiced, taking a seat at the bottom of her bed.
Shizuka then sat and stared at Eila, "You are not, you are not competing with…" And she took a deep breath to soothe herself.
"Is this what this is all about?" Eila asked her.
"I'm really jealous of Lynette, okay. I asked Yoshika to train me, but she told me she couldn't because Group Captain Wilcke would not let her, but she asked permission to train Lynette."
"Minna let her because her superiors asked her for a demonstration. Lynne must have been ready it and you know she'd not let her if there was another way," Eila said, staring her in her brown eyes. "Yoshika even had a mock battle with you when you asked her, and she knows very well that there's something wrong with her heart and she didn't even care about that nor that she could get in trouble with Minna."
"Yoshika just listens to her" Shizuka quietly added. "And also, when she was sick…"
"She healed you without second thought, didn't she?" Eila added, still sat on her bed, but Shizuka stood up and headed to the door. "You know you're being unfair with Yoshika; she doesn't even know why you are mad, and you have to speak with her, eventually."
Hearing the remark, Shizuka stared back at Eila, "I. Don't. Have. To." Then, she started to leave her room, only to end up bumping with someone.
"Ouch," Yoshika said as she rubbed her nose.
"Yoshika…" Shizuka said surprised, not knowing what to do.
"I was looking for you, Shizuka." Yoshika happily said. "I'm sorry for what happened back there. I was just trying to protect the base."
"I am the one who should apologize, you were on charge…" Shizuka softly muttered, "It's just that, I was just trying to protect you."
"I did the same, didn't I? I understand you; I really do." Yoshika then grabbed both her hands, "and there's something I need to show you." Then she noticed the other girl inside the room. "And to you too Eila."
Author notes:
And no, it's not going to be a retelling of the first season finale, just with Shizuka as the jealous one.
More guests will appear in the next chapter(s).
Sorry for the late update but we are getting close to the finale of the first part so it's getting a bit harder to overcome the writer's block.
And finally, since it's already August, you should know when to expect the next chapter and I am really looking forward to that particular chapter.