A/N: There you have it. Here is part 2. Sorry for the long wait, as I must deal with school and shits like that. Also, for said reasons, I wrote this in a bit of a rush, so it may not be as polished as part 1. And to The Executive who answered the question on the PS2 game, it's not Heroes of the Pacific, though you're basically on the right track, as it's a flight combat game. Nice try though. As usual, please rate, reviews and give criticisms so I can improve. I'm also open to any interesting suggestion that you think should be in the story.
I'll see you all on the battlefield, whether on the ground or in the beautiful blue sky.
"The Neurois continue to push their forces into Europe, seizing control of key regions left behind by the retreating Allies. Great Britannia now stands as the last European nation yet to be affected by the Neurois aggression. That might be short-lived however, as sources tell us that a mass Neuroi hive have been spotted off the northern coast of Gallia." -BRC broadcast, 1940
15 minutes earlier...
501st Joint Fighter Wing "Strike Witches" FOB (Forward Operating Base) Command Room
Strait of Dover, Britannia
August 10th, 1944
Major Mio Sakamoto and Commander Minna Wilcke were standing in the command room, staring at the radar screen. They had been up there for a few minutes since the radar operator called on them after spotting 30 unknown bogies on the radar.
"So, they just appear out of nowhere?" Minna asked the radar operator.
"Indeed. Two groups of 15 aircraft showed up on radar without explanation two minutes ago. Interestingly, it appears that the groups are heading toward each other, as if they're going to confront each other. Even more so, both groups have a mixture of aircraft from Liberion, Britannia, Karlsland, Orusia, and even Fuso. The radio operator tried to contact both groups, while the IFF tried to identify them, but no responses so far."
That's strange, two squadrons are going to battle each other for unknown reason, yet no one are aware of the occurrence. Ever since the signing of the International Non-Aggression Treaty, each nations agreed not to attack each other but instead, focus on their common enemy, the alien faction known as the Neuroi. This would be the first time since the Great War of the 1890s where two human factions would fight each other. But then again, it's possible that's they're doing training and the Witches weren't notified.
"Should I order the witches to investigate?" Mio asked.
"Negative, we shouldn't get ourselves involved. However, that doesn't mean we can ignore it. Order the witches to be prepared to deploy immediately if necessary," Minna replied.
"Yes commander", Mio acknowledged, then left the room to tell the other.
Another beautiful day at the island. Sure, it may look like a tourist attraction with the monolithic building in the middle and an airfield at the front, but this Britannian island serves as the forward operating base for the elite, multi-national 501st Joint Fighter Wing, aka the "Strike Witches". Few kilometers away from the island, across the Strait of Dover, is Fortress Europe, territories the under control of the Neuroi. The Strait, and the island, serves as the front line and last line of defense for EUROFOR, official designation for the allied forces in Europe.
Although Mio did order the rest of the witches to prepare to take off at any moment, the majority of them seemed be relaxing and enjoying a day off rather than staying alert. Elia and Sanya were sleeping in their room as usual. Shirley was working on upgrading her Striker unit while Lucchinni was sleeping on a tree. Lynette helped out with Yoshika in preparing dinner. Gertrud, for the hundreth times, tried to lecture Erica on how being a soldier of Karlsland requires strict discipline. Of course, this ended 10 minutes later as air raid sounded throughout the whole base, forcing them to rush to the hangar and ascend to the sky to dance with the angels.
"It's been confirmed: the two unknown groups are engaging each other, angel 2," the witches can hear Minna over the radio. This followed by apparent shock by everyone, as they never encounter human renegades before.
"However, we have also confirmed that a Neuroi has been spotted 5 kilometers southeast from the renegades engagement zone."
Idiots! Those men won't even noticed the real danger if they keep killing each other
"Wait a minute. There's not one but THREE Neurois!"
"What?"
"That can't be!"
"I've never seen anything like it!"
Is it possible that all of this is because of the renegades appearance?
"Mio, check the area up ahead to see what's going on," the commander said.
Mio lifted her eye patch and used her magic eye to check the battle. She can make out trails of smoke that belonged to the unfortunate fighters that were shot down. A parachute with no pilot can be seen drifting down. She can also see the three Neurois, turning to meet the witches. However, she noticed a disabled fighter still flying (though losing altitude) with a living pilot inside.
"Minna, I found a survivor. He's in a Karlslander aircraft and he's gliding toward the water," She reported.
"Affirmative. Shirley, Lucchini, Gertrud and Erica, follow me as we engage those Neuroi. Eila, Sanya, Lynette, Perrine, go search the area for other survivor. Yoshika, follow Mio to the aircraft."
Minna's order was followed by a unison of "Yes ma'am" and the team dispersing to follow the tasks.
Present time
Strait of Dover, England (in-game)
Striker's POV
Despite my plane sinking slowly into the water, I decide to sit back and watch those hackers dance with each other. As the reds use their OP lasers against the blue team, the blues somehow manage to DEFLECT the lasers by using some sort of magical shields.
Looks like Gaijin implements a lot of things in the new update that I don't know about.
One blue player by the name of Gertrud Barkorn got to perform a boom and zoom tactic against one of the red player, now identified as "Neuroi". Gertrud must be a very good player as he (or is he a she? Can't tell) manage to kill the "Neuroi" with only a short burst of MG fire.
So, alien planes with OP lasers, flying girls with shield and OP machine guns. What's next, public voice chat?
And, as if a wish granter granted my wish, a static followed by a female voice crackles in my headphone.
"This is Major *static* of the *static*. Is there any survivors in the area?"
I nearly jump out of my chair after hearing this. Since I don't believe there is a voice chat function in War Thunder, I thought it must be from Teamspeak.
"Uhh did I hear a female voice in Teamspeak?"
"Nobody's been talking on TS3 for a while and Yellow 4 left 5 minutes ago", Yellow 13 replies.
"I repeat, this is Major Sakamoto of the 501st Joint Fighter Wing. Do we have any survivors in the area?" It's that voice again.
Interesting, maybe Gaijin did implement a public voice chat. I decide to type through the chat box just in case. Meanwhile, three players destroy another "Neuroi" while another two are heading toward me.
[156th]Striker1640: yea, im still in the fw190. who is dis?
And there's that lovely voice for the third time. "Look like there may be no survivors after all. Let's help the other, Sergeant Miafuji."
At that point, I decided to use my microphone. I press the right "ctrl" button (my default button to use the mic) send out a response. "Uhh actually, I'm still alive in the Fw 190. Can I ask who you guys are?"
Then, I heard another voice. This time, from a little girl that sounds like someone from an anime.
"Thanks goodness he's still alive, Sakamoto-san. *static*"
"This is Major Sakamoto of the 501st JFW, state your name, rank and unit"
Name, rank and unit? Interesting...
Strait of Dover, Britannia
August 10th, 1944
"Uhh actually, I'm still alive in the Fw 190. Can I ask who you guys are?"
Yoshika felt a sign of relief after hearing that pilot voice.
"Thanks goodness he's still alive, Sakamoto-san," Yoshika said.
"Yes indeed. Let's hurry up so we can save him," Sakamoto replied.
But first, we need to know who you are, Sakamoto thought. She then used the radio once more.
"This Major Sakamoto of the 501st JFW, state your name, rank and unit."
A short while later came a reply: "Um... this is Striker... a lieutenant of the 156th Tactical Fighter Wing...uh...Nice to meet you Major Sakamoto."
He called himself a striker. Interesting. 156th Tactical Fighter Wing? Never heard of it. Is it a witches unit as well?, Sakamoto thought.
"What country is your unit based in?"
"Oh uh... the Federal Republic of Erusea."
Federal Republic of Erusea? Is this man insane or something?
"This Federal Republic of Erusea doesn't exist on the map. Where are you actually from?"
"Ohh, I thought you meant the squadron's fictional origin. My bad. I'm from the United States of America."
This man is definitely insane.
"There no such thing as the United States of America. But judging from your accent, I'm assuming you're from Liberion."
"Are you fucking kidding me? You never heard of the US of-...yes, I'm from Liberia"
At that moment, a laser was seen slicing off the right wing of the Fw 190, with the explosion occurring two seconds later. Not enough to kill the pilot outright, but enough to bring the entire plane into the water.
"NO!"
Present time
Strait of Dover, England (in-game)
Striker's POV
The force of the laser strike makes the in game camera to shake violently, causing the game to lag. Luckily, I'm still alive. Not for long though, as my plane is completely underwater, with water pouring through the holes and cracks of my canopy and my pilot appearing to be losing consciousness. I'm impressed though, as I can see the inside of the sea very clearly, with sea life around me and even some wreaked aircraft. Eventually, something goes into the water right next to me. Or rather, someone. More specifically, a girl with an eye-patch, wearing a pantie but no pants, and with machines on her legs, who goes by Mio Sakamoto.
The next minute or two are very surprising. She manages to pry open the cockpit and pulls my pilot out of the aircraft and eventually the water. I spend my time looking around, stunned. I watch the other girls as they destroy the last of the Neuroi. Eventually, Sakamoto carries me back to an island with a friendly base, along with her mates.
"You have a lot of explaining to do once we get back," she says.
At that moment, the screen blacks out and in comes the antivirus update window. Shit, not now.
501st Joint Fighter Wing "Strike Witches" FOB
Strait of Dover, Britannia
August 10th, 1944
"Quickly, someone get the doctor! He falls unconscious!" Sakamoto shouted to her units.
As the other ran to get the doctor, Yoshika ran up to Sakamoto and the badly wounded pilot. Sakamoto then accused her for not following order.
"Miafuji, I told you to go get the doctor!"
"No, I must save this pilot with my healing ability. It's quicker that way," Yoshika replied.
Sakamoto looked at Yoshika with doubt. "Are you sure you can handle injuries that serious?"
"Yes ma'am. After all, I always want to help people, no matter how badly hurt." Yoshika then proceeded to use her healing ability to save the pilot.
A minute later, the pilot slowly regained consciousness.
"Uhh-shit. Sorry for being afk, just...need to update the antivirus," the pilot seemed to say.
Sakamoto, believing that the pilot suffered psychological damage, tried to calm the pilot. "Save your breath. Sergeant Miafuji is working on healing you."
"No, you don't have to...I can just simply respawn. Well, not really, since this is RB with no respawn, but still-"
"Relax, the doctor will be here. You'll receive help soon."
"No really, I can just-"
The pilot then emitted a groan. Then silence. He fell unconscious once more.
"Pilot? Pilot, stay with me. The doctor will be here anytime soon! Come on, Miafuji!" Sakamoto attempted to wake the pilot, but to no avail. Yoshika tried to heal him, but almost collapsed due to energy depletion. Eventually, the doctor arrived along with the rest of the team. The doctor then ran to the pilot to check his health.
"Is he going to survive?" Sakamoto asked the doctor.
The doctor then bent down to check the pilot. However, few seconds later, he looked at Sakamoto and shake his head.
"Oh no," cried Lynette.
"Is he dead, Major?" asked Perrine in a worried tone.
"I'm afraid so, Perrine," replied Sakamoto, with no emotion. Their only answer to their questions concerning the unusual event has been lost forever.
Or is it?
Present time
Strait of Dover, England (in-game)
Striker's POV
Fatal error occured!
Game will be closed!
Do you want to send dump to developers?
It takes a few seconds. Please be patient and do not close the
game during the sending process.
Submission will be processed automatically after you press [yes]
button.
Damn, I'm beginning to like them. Oh well; if it happens, it happens.
After I pressed the No button on the error message, the game kicks me back to the desktop. I'm about to play some Red Orchestra 2 when a second thought enters my mind. Maybe I can rejoin the server. However, when I hover the mouse over the icon, I check the time. 6:34 AM.
Shit, I'm late. This will have to wait for another time.
to be continued...