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>>40023118
Finally, you reach the Administration building, which you note is in complete lockdown mode. MPs cluster around every possible entrance, and every window is shut and shuttered. However, none of the guards make a move to stop you or your escorts as you're led inside and to Kelsey's office. Kesley himself looks to be extremely tired and ragged, as if he had not slept all night.

"Captain Pierce and Lieutenant Foster are here, as you requested, sir." One of the AFSOC men announces.

"Good. Wait outside." Kelsey sighs and turns to you. "You two better sit down."

You and Janice look at each other nervously as you each take a seat. However, Kelsey continues speaking before you even have a chance to ask what's going on.

"I'm going to cut straight to the chase here, Captain. We've just received word that Russia has detonated multiple nuclear warheads along its western border." Kesley says.

It takes a few moments for you and Janice to truly comprehend what Kelsey had just said.

>That has to be a lie.
>Those bastards!
>How bad is the damage?
>Other

>>40023127
>>How bad is the damage?

>>40023127
>>How bad is the damage?
>>Other
What do you need us for.

Fairly obvious he needs us for a big mission.

Game Face on.

>>40023127
>Other
>Gawp in disbelief

>>40023127
>How bad is the damage?
HOLY FUCK SO EARLY MERC

>>40023127
>How bad is the damage?

Oh wow. Just a thought. The damage might be really bad for our german tank witches

>>40023127
>>40023177
this

>>40023127
>>How bad is the damage?

>>40023127
>How bad is the damage?

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>>40023127
>How bad in the damage?

sitting here in first period looking for un-work-related things to do

SWQ? nope. surprise surprise
SW89? god damnit
...

PJ89? fucking hell new thread
>scrolls down
>no replies
>checks time of OP
>started 2 minutes ago
>???

>teacher
>ANON WHAT'S SO FUNNY!?....

>>40023127
>How bad is the damage?
>Other: What do you need us for?

Shit has gotten the realest

>>40023213
Sadly, it'd probably be the good ones, too. Bitchmann is way too chickenshit to be leading the charge.

>>40023388
>Gloryhound Bishop is now dead
>All hail the gloryhound

>Captcha showing me an image of cake with ww2 aircraft decor
CAPTCHA WANTS THE SWQ

>>40023127
>>How bad is the damage?

>>40023407
Rest in peace Jake.
Seriously they should just make that canon since TW89 isn't coming back. I know that'd be forced drama but it'd give some kind of development for Frank.

>>40023127
>How bad is the damage?
>Other
Stare in shock.

>>40023858
Indeed.
>Bishop family having a bbq
>Suddenly WESTERN UNION TELEGRAM
>WE REGRET TO INFORM YOU...

>>40023924
Do they even still do it by telegram?

Hell, does the telegram service still exist in any useful capacity?

>>40023858
I'd imagine that Jake would go out heroically, like giving up his place inside the radiation-proofed tank to a tank witch or something.

>>40023974
Someone get MAUS on the line and ask him if we can just do that.

>>40023974
>>40024008
>www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2ypVZGntVg

>>40023956
The last telgram was sent in 2013. It's all gone now.

>>40023974
That makes no sense form a practical perspective.

If she's already irradiated shoving her into the tank does nothing.

Also popping the NBC seal to get her in would irradiate the interior rendering the whole exercise pointless.

>>40024017
Exactly. RIP Bannon ;_;7.

>>40023974
I imagine that he would either live, or die, based on pure happenstance.
Nuclear weapons aren't some cinematic slow-motion wave of plot device without forewarning. There's a bomber nobody probably saw, a drop, and then death.

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>>40023127
"How bad is the damage?" You ask quietly.

"Not as bad as it could have been, but it's still bad." Kelsey sighs. "They've avoided attacking NATO positions, but practically every major transportation route across the border is either a smoking crater or radioactive hot zone. Our guess is that Stalin is trying to force NATO to come to the negotiating table with his nuclear arsenal as his trump card."

"That's insane!" Janice suddenly outbursts. "It would never work!"

"Well, it half worked." Kelsey sighed. "Half of NATO is calling for Russian blood while the other half still has their thumbs up their asses, but that's not our immediate concern."

"Disaster relief?" You guess.

"That's right." Kelsey nods. "We already have significant assets in Poland, so the northern end is well cared for. However, Ukraine's eastern regions got hit bad, and their disaster relief capabilities are laughable at best. They've officially requested assistance from the UN, and NATO is committing resources too, which is where you come in."

"We're pretty far." You frown. "And what about the conflict here?"

(cont)

>>40023858
>>40024008
>Hey QM can "we" write off your characters

I'm sure they will discuss whatever so you two can have your drama.

>>40024060
>Alright we got em now girls, let's push em all the way back to Mos--
>PILLARS OF BELKA

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>>40024085
"Well, a bit of a silver lining here is that by dropping those nukes, Russia basically destroyed any credibility they had. Nonaligned nations are turning against them and even their allies are trying to distance themselves. Heck, now China has a conveniently timed justification for pulling out, by 'refusing to side with those that would use weapons of mass destruction.'"

You figure there was a bit of irony in that.

"How are we getting there, then?" You ask.

"We're arranging a relief force to be sent there, which will be leaving as soon as possible." Kelsey says. "The UN has opened up a humanitarian corridor over Asia for us to get there. But there is one thing..."

"What?" You raise an eyebrow.

"This transfer isn't going to be temporary. The way things are going down, Europe is where this whole thing will end. You'll be permanently stationed in Europe after this, which means Jetstream and Euclid will have to stay behind. I suggest you go say your goodbyes now."

>It's a shame, sir.
>There has to be some way...
>Other

>>40024121
>There has to be some way...
Y'ALL CAN'T BREAK UP THIS FAMILY BRUH

>>40024121
>>There has to be some way...

>>40024121
>There has to be some way...

>>40024121
>There has to be some way...

>>40024121
>>It's a shame, sir.
Can't be helped, but that's how deployments go. It was always temporary anyway.

>>40024121
>There has to be some way...

Didn't Putin start a civil war in Russia? Couldn't we get deployed to Strana Mechny or wherever the fuck he's at?

>>40024121
>>There has to be some way...

>>40024121
>It's a shame, sir.
What a shame.

>>40024121
>>It's a shame, sir.

Captcha, I don't know what the fuck I just clicked on, but I sure as hell hope it wasn't a burrito.

>>40024121
>It's a shame, sir.

>>40024121
>>There has to be some way...
>>Other
Perhaps the IJN would want to attach some forces to aid in recovery.

>>40024121
>It's a shame, sir.

>>40024195
Nah, unless Putin goes for a co-belligerent setup we can get involved with them.

Also, the borders may still have some russkies skirting the nukezones.

>>40024121
>There has to be some way...

>>40024121
>There has to be some way..

>>40024121
>It's a shame, sir.
It's too bad, but orders are orders.

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>>40024121
>It's a shame, sir.

OH GOD ITS HAPPENING

>>40024121
>It's a shame, sir.

Dam sham

>>40024121
>>It's a shame, sir.

>>40024121
>It's a shame, sir.
-Unless China wraps up really quickly I don't see there being any way we'll get to keep both.

>>40024121
>>It's a shame, sir.
They'll be busy setting up the IJA's own PJ branch now. That was the whole point of us taking them on and operating out of Nippon in the first place.

>>40024121
>>There has to be some way...
japanese delegates to the relief effort

Why the fuck are all you bitches just giving them up?

>>40024955
Because we all knew this was going to happen eventually and they have their own responsibilities to deal with in Japan.

>>40024121
>>There has to be some way...

>>40024955
>WHY ARE YOU ABANDONING WAIFUS

>>40024978
>they have their own responsibilities to deal with in Japan.
Not really, Japan is overflowing with resources and personnel and China has given up, and Korea is settling down.

They have no responsibilities to Japan as they were seconded to our command, meaning their responsibilities are ours.

You think Japan isn't going to be sending some token effort or representative for aid and liason?

>>40024121
>>There has to be some way...
>Why do you say they *have* to, sir?

>>40025040
Their busy responsibilities will include establishing the IJA's new Pararescue force, as that is the explicit reason they were attached to us in the first place - to gain firsthand expereince for that.

>>40024121
>>There has to be some way...

I go and get some food and you all become pussies.

Fucking waifufags fucking everything up AGAIN.

>>40025099
>>40025093
The gross difference between these two posts is one reason why I love the SW/PJW threads.

>>40024121

>It's a shame, sir.

>>40025078
And what better way to do that than alongside us in action in Europe, they can bring their new troops with them and get them the experience they need.

>>40025017
>>40025099
Anon you have no ground to stand on with the bullshit waifu argument, they are not even waifus you retard.

There is this thing called phones and the mail.
Long distance relationships can be a thing.

>>40024121
"It's a shame, sir." You say sadly. "They're both excellent witches."

"And all the more excellent thanks to you two." Kelsey gives a weak grin. "Even with hostilities with China largely over, there's still a great deal of things to sort out and Japan can't afford to export too much of its resources at this time."

"Is there anything else we need to know?" You ask. "Are we taking the Ghost Hawk?"

"The Ghost Hawk will be brought over at a future date." Kelsey shakes his head. "We're not sure how it'll react being exposed to radiation, which might compromise its stealth signature. We're already having assets moved to Ukraine that will be ready to roll by the time you get there, though."

"This route though..." Janice frowns as she looks at the map. "It's taking us dangerous close to Russia, and directly over Russian-aligned countries."

"We've received assurances from both those countries and the UN that the relief convoy will not be attacked. However, we're not leaving things to chance. Granger will be committing the bulk of the USAF detachment here to escort us over. They're being permanently transferred to Europe as well."

"Still..." Janice frowns. "Isn't there an alternate route? I'm not comfortable flying over previously hostile territory like China and Azerbaijan to get there."

"There's a secondary route that goes over the Indian Ocean, and then hooks north over Saudi Arabia and Turkey. It's a lot safer, but it'll add a lot of time to the trip."

>Take the shortest, direct route.
>Take the longer, safer route.
>Other

>>40024121
>There has to be some way...

>>40024121
>It's a shame, sir.

>>40025150
>>Take the shortest, direct route.

>>40025121
They already *have* that experience.

Look, we get that you want your kawaii uguu pure nipponese waifus to stick around, but their purpose in the story is already done and served. There is no practical reason for them to keep following us like stray dogs.

>>40025150
>Take the longer, safer route.

>>40025150
>Japan can't afford to export too much of its resources at this time
They're not exporting ANY of their resources at all...

>Take the longer, safer route.

>>40025150
>Take the longer, safer route.
If some of you anons are correct,
Jake might have went awol and went back to the arabian princess

>>40025150
>Take the shortest, direct route.

>>40025150
>>Take the shortest, direct route.

>>40025150
>>Take the shortest, direct route.

>>40025150
>>Take the longer, safer route.

>>40025150
>>Take the longer, safer route.

>>40025150
>>Take the longer, safer route.

>>40025150
>>Take the longer, safer route.

>>40025172
You know your posts might have some merit if you didn't fall back on the waifu strawman again and again, also
>hurr durr they served their purpose as storytelling tools, they can fuck off now

>>40025150
>Take the shortest, direct route.

>>40025150

>Take the shortest, direct route.

>>40025195
>Waifu-centric reason for Jake to do something
>MightyMouse as the QM

You're fucking hilarious.

>>40025150
>>Take the longer, safer route.

>>40025195
Well seeing as Maus has said it's on hiatus and he'll return to it eventually I think any anon thinking they decide it's canon is a fucking retard.

>>40025150
>Take the longer, safer route.

>>40025172
None of the three different argument strings you just tried to use are valid in any way... Excellent work being wrong on all accounts both narratively and technically.

>>40025245
I think Maus pretty much gave up on TW89 because of the waifufags. I can't blame him.

>>40025150
>>Take the shortest, direct route.

>>40025255
At this point, i will be satisfied if maus just make Tonk Witches as storyfagging if he can't find time for proper quest.

>>40025298
Pretty fucking much. It's people like that who have to automatically resort to waifus as a reason for doing something that kills me.

>>40025279
And none of the arguments for keeping them were valid either.

So I guess it comes down to who actually won OH WAIT LOOKIE THERE GUESS THEY'RE NOT STAYING SUCKS TO BE YOU WAIFUFAG.

>>40025255
>>40025245
>Falling for my bait
Too bad I don't have a trap card to activate...

>>40025347
No, you're just retarded bringing back old shit that people are still sore about.

>>40025340
Besides the bitch there was barely any waifuing. If it was another SWQ maybe but tanks, not really.

Then again it's been awhile.

The only really big argument was the augments we gave to one of our witches.

>>40025340
How about instead of putting words in his mouth you actually let him say why he isn't running it? Oh wait, we already know why he isn't running it, he doesn't have the time with his new career, but you don't care about that and just want to bitch about waifuing

>>40025346
>WAIFUFAG.
No matter how much you say that, they are still not waifu's, so go back to SWQ and KCQ and shitpost there, where its actually appropriate instead of shitting up Merc's threads.

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>>40025150
"I think we should take the longer route." You say.

"That's going to add at least another six hours to the trip." Kelsey frowns. "I hope you know what you're doing."

"We're not going to do Ukraine any good if we all get shot down." You point out.

"True. Let's just hope this decision is the right one." Kelsey take back the map. "I'll let the crews know of the new flight plan. You better start getting your squadron ready to go."

"Yes sir." You and Janice salute and make your exit.

"Nukes..." Janice frowns as the AFSOC escorts drive you back to the barracks. "What would drive them to do that? They were supposed to be used only in the event of an extraterrestrial invasion!"

"And they were supposed to under control of the UN, too." You frown. "That's pretty troubling."

"Do you think Megalith is compromised?" Janice gasps.

"Who knows. They had to get those nukes from somewhere." You sigh. "What makes me nervous is that's going to make other NATO countries consider using their own anti-Martian weapons..."

"They wouldn't do that, would they?"

>Hey, Russia shot first.
>I hope not.
>Other

>>40025558
The only one shitting up the thread is you and your kind's insistence on keeping your waifus around.

>>40025575
>I hope not.

>>40025575
>>I hope not.

>>40025575
>>I hope not, but Russia just opened Pandora's box.

>>40025575
>I hope not.

So Putin hasn't made his play yet then? We know he represents the saner side of Russia.

>>40025575
>I hope not.

>>40025575
>I hope not.
>Gradosian Teikoku doori face goes here

>>40025575
>>I hope not.


>"True. Let's just hope this decision is the right one." Kelsey take back the map. "I'll let the crews know of the new flight plan. You better start getting your squadron ready to go."


Whelp this isn't ominous at all.

>>40025618
He has, but the west isn't sure what to make of him yet.

>>40025575
>I hope not.

>>40025575
>>Hey, Russia shot first.

>>40025635
Hessler, Wittman, Jake, and his entire command all die.

>>40025575
>I hope not.

>>40025656
You can stop shitposting now.

>>40025656
RIP in Nuclear peace Hokkaido and all the other northern prefectures...

>>40025656
Lel

>>40025817
They may well be dead too.

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>>40025575
"God, I hope not." You frown. "The sort of power those things can put out, I don't think there's even be a planet left to stand on if we started shooting those at each other."

"Yeah, I hope it won't come to that, either." Janice says, her hand squeezing yours tightly.

Finally, the SUV rolls to a stop in front of your barracks. You're already thinking about what to say to your squadron when you enter the barracks and find that CNN has already beaten you to it. You see your squadron gathered around the TV in the living room. You get a glance and see CNN continually looping grainy and shaky footage of mushroom clouds on the horizon. You get the feeling that EVERY channel was airing this now.

>Better start talking.
>See CNN's take on this.
>Other

>>40025938
>Better start talking.
God, who even listens to the Cirno News Network anyway?

>>40025938
>>Better start talking.

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>>40025575

>[x] I hope not

"But they've got a damn good reason to do so now, with Russia shooting first and all that. Let's just hope that sanity prevails though, Janice."

Best night of the weekend!

>>40025938
>>Better start talking.

>>40025938
>>Better start talking.

>>40025938
>Better start talking.
then
>See CNN's take on this.
just for hilarities sake

>>40025938
>See CNN's take on this.

>>40025938

>[X] Better start talking

>>40025938
>>Better start talking.

>>40025938
>See CNN's take on this.

>>40025938
>>See CNN's take on this.

>>40025962
Either talking about Putin or Frank shooting down a nuke bomber.

>>40025938
>See CNN's take on this.

>>40025938
>See CNN's take on this.

>15 years ago starts playing

>>40026124
>15 years ago
Nah, more like
>www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ta2H5Sv1FnE

>>40026177
Nah, that's for the actual thread where Russia went full Belka
This is after-the-fact footage, like at the beginning of
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31FCK0aGLp8

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>>40025938
You grab the remote and shut the TV off, prompting the squadron to turn to look at you. You see Laika clinging close to Red and Misono. Nungesser seems to be holding back tears. Jetstream and Euclid have very grim looks on their faces. Tarin hangs off in the back, her expression shrouded by her scarf. Ghost holds Rex's hand tight, her eyes as wide as dinner plates.

"Well, I suppose you already got the gist of the situation." You sigh as you toss the remote to the side. "I just came back from a meeting with the Colonel, and I'm afraid it's true. Russia dropped nuclear weapons on Eastern Europe."

The entire room seems to gasp at the confirmation, but they manage to stay quiet, so you continue.

"Eastern Europe is in bad shape right now, which is why we're being sent to Ukraine to assist in humanitarian relief efforts. This isn't a temporary transfer, though. We're going to be in this for the long haul, so grab whatever you don't want to leave here, because we're not coming back."

"W-what about us?" Euclid speaks up.

"Euclid, you and Jetstream are still part of the Imperial Japanese forces. You won't be coming with us, so I'm afraid this is where we part ways. I wish it wouldn't have been so sudden, but that's the way it is."

You then see Euclid shift over and hug Rex.

"They're already fueling up the planes, so I expect you to get all your things packed and ready to go within the hour. Go."

You would've liked to say more, but you needed to get everybody moving and moving fast. Time was of the essence. You see your witches immediately dash off to their rooms to start packing.

"Captain." Jetstream walks up to you, her face solemn. "Can we speak privately for a moment?"

>Sure.
>Sorry, we just don't have the time.
>Other

>>40026615
>Sure.

>>40026615
>Sure.

>>40026615
>Sure.

>>40026615
>Sure.

>>40026615
>Sure.

>>40026615
>Sure.

>>40026615
>>Sure.

AHAH. Stowawayssssss

>>40026615
>>Sure.

>>40026615
>Sure.

(Keep calm and carry on)

>>40026615
>>Sure.

>Sure.
If this isn't about her trying to come with us, be as supportive of her future as we can, she and Euclid did a lot of shit to help us, and deserves the best sendoff we can give in what little time we have.

>>40026781
>When in panic
>When in doubt
>Run in circles
>Scream and shout

>>40026874
When surrounded by danger
When beset by doubt
Run little circles
Wave your arms and shout.

Get it right.

>>40027004
Oh but I don't like to listen to stories of commissars and Ciaphas Ca--
>anon was hit with two bolters to the face

>>40027025
Don't worry, he'll never be as good as Yarrick, so is good.

>>40027242
>Not Gaunt
Absolutely haram

>>40026615
"Yeah, sure." You lead her into the kitchen, which had a small modicum of privacy compared to the main living room. "What's this about?"

"I... just wanted to thank you." Jetstream shuffles nervously, like a school girl about to confess. "Before I joined your unit, I used to think all there was to fighting was to take lives. But... I learned that saving them is just as important."

"I didn't do anything special." You smile. "You and the other girls did all the heavy lifting. All I did was give the orders."

"And they were wise orders. It's a pity we were born in different societies, William Pierce. I would have gladly pledged my life to you."

"What-"

Jetstream then leans forward and kisses you on the cheek.

"W-w-w-w" You stammer.

"If this is the last we see of each other, I might as well take the chance, no?" Jetstream giggles.

"You know Janice wouldn't be happy if she saw that, and not just with you." You grumble.

"I would look forward to a duel with Janice. She is a very worthy opponent." Jetstream laughs. "You should be going. Don't you have a plane to catch?"

"Right, you'll be missed, Jetstream." You nod.

"And you will be missed as well." Jetstream smiles.

Still caught off guard, it takes a while for you to regain your senses and you quickly head up to your room. On the way, you pass by the rest of your squadron as they start packing their things.

>Head straight to your room.
>Stop to talk to someone. (specify)
>Other

>>40027381
>Stop to talk to someone. (Misono)

We should check how she feels about leaving Japan.

>>40027381
>>40027404

This is good.

>>40027381
>Stop to talk to someone. (Misono)

>>40027381
>Head straight to your room.
G-g-guh
B-b-buh
W-wuh

>>40027404
>Stop to talk to someone. (Misono)
Agreed.

>>40027381
>Stop to talk to someone. (Misono)
Seconded

>>40027381
>Stop to talk to someone.(Misono)

>>40027381
>Stop to talk to someone. (Misono)
Gotta check up on our second daughteru

Farewell, Jetstream. You were always pretty goddamn awesome.

feelthy to write NTR lewds when

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>>40027381
You pause at Misono's room, where you see her just standing there, staring blankly at her bare bed and empty bag.

"Misono, are you all right?" You ask, slowly stepping in.

"It's just..." Misono sighs. "I never realized up until now just how little I had. Just my sword and the clothes on my back. Was my life really so shallow...?"

"There's nothing shallow about you at all." You say, hugging your semi-adopted daughter from behind. "You're a wonderful girl and an amazing witch. The tragedy here is that nobody realized this sooner."

Misono falls silent for what seems to be an eternity, before her hands come up to grip your arms.

"I'm scared." Misono mumbles. "This is... this is my first time leaving Japan, and I can't help but feel I'll never come back..."

>You'll be absolutely fine.
>If you don't want to fight, you don't have to.
>Other

>>40027672
>>You'll be absolutely fine.

>>40027672
>>You'll be absolutely fine.

Who to say there wouldn't be future visits?

>>40027672
>>You'll be absolutely fine.


>"You will always have the choice if anything this is a opportunity to expand your horizons."

>>40027672
>You'll be absolutely fine.

>>40027672
>You'll be absolutely fine.

>>40027672
>>You'll be absolutely fine.
>>Other
We can come back once this whole mess is over, to visit.

Hugggss

>>40027672
>You'll be absolutely fine.

>>40027672
>You'll be absolutely fine.
>We've all got your back.

>>40027599
After Ice/Slider/and Katya lewds.if anything.

Also that kind of came out of left field. What happened to her boyfriend?

though Daaw all the same

>>40027672
>You'll be absolutely fine.

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>>40027672
"You'll be absolutely fine." You grin as you pat Misono on the head. "You got me, Janice, Laika, and all of the others looking out for you. Once this whole mess is over, we can come back any time. How does that sound?"

"I know that, but." Misono sighs. "this will be my first combat mission. It's just... what if I make a mistake? What if I fail?"

"Like I said, we'll all be there to help you out." You assure her. "As long as you remember that, and remember training, everything will be fine."

"And maybe... when we're in Europe, you can help buy me some new clothes?" Misono asks.

"Ha, well, Janice or Red will probably be more of a help. I'm not exactly an expert in fashion for girls." You laugh lightly.

"I'd really like it if it was with you." Misono says.

"Dohohoho, Cap getting intimate with his adopted daughters?"

You turn to see Red's smug face poking in from the door.

>Wanna join in?
>STOP INTERRUPTING OUR MOMENT!
>Other

>>40028015
>Wanna join in?

>>40028015
>STOP INTERRUPTING OUR MOMENT!

>>40028015
>STOP INTERRUPTING OUR MOMENT!

>>40028015
>STOP INTERRUPTING OUR MOMENT!
>Wanna join in?

>>40028015
>>STOP INTERRUPTING OUR MOMENT!

>>40028015
>>Wanna join in?
>Drag her in regardless

>>40028015
>Wanna join in?

>>40028015
>>Wanna join in?
"Damn Red, i wanna adopted you too but your REAL mother will kill me, revive me, and kill me again."

>>40028015
>Other
"... Really, Red."

>>40028015
>Wanna join in?

>>40028015
>STOP INTERRUPTING OUR MOMENT!
RED. OUT. NAO.

>>40028015
>STOP INTERRUPTING OUR MOMENT!
Little sisters get punishment!

>>40028015
>>Wanna join in?

>>40028015
>first combat mission
>Still doubting herself after going toe-to-toe with a russkie academy witch
Misono pls

>Wanna join in?

>>40028281
Speaking of russkie witch, remind me of Raikov's current status? It's been a while.

>>40028337
Still in Vladivostok, drowning her sorrows
or probably rehab-ing, hopefully

>>40028352
Oof. Wonder how she's taking the news here. As crazy as she is, I hope we'll see her again...

>>40028379
Oh we'll see her alright

>>40028379
Next thing you know, Red and Raikov will be best buddies after a couple of decades pass.

>>40028412
Maybe even sooner, knowing our luck with enemy witches. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

>>40028379

Oh. you will.

>>40028481
... GHOST

>>40028481
:) Thanks Ghost, would like that.
Also, general thanks for all the stuff you do. Even if you've heard that a million times.

>>40028481
... Alright then. I'm looking forward to it.

>>40028481
How'd you like those nukes going off ghost? Did that just screw up your story line?

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>>40028015
"RED! STOP INTERRUPTING OUR MOMENT!" You grunt as you grab the pillow off of Misono's bed and toss it at the other witch. However, Red is quick enough to duck out of the way, and the pillow flops uselessly against the wall.

"Haha, sorry about that, Cap! It was too tempting!" Red chuckles before running off.

"Honestly..." You shake your head.

"You know, Red would make a good sister, too." Misono chuckles.

"Misono, you do not even want to go there." You shake your head. "Anyways, feeling better now?"

"I am, thank you." Misono smiles. "Don't you have to pack?"

"Unfortunately, yes I do." You sigh and make your exit. You reach your room, where you see Janice busy packing up Laika's bags.

"Where did you get all of these toys?" Janice asks in exasperation.

"They're not toys! They're model kits!" Laika pouts. "And watch out! They're fragile!"

"Well, we can't bring them all with us." Janice shakes her head. "You'll have to choose which ones to take with you."

"NUUUOOOOOOOOOOO!" Laika wails and looks to your for assistance.

>Just take what you can, Laika.
>Fine, I'll grab another bag...
>Other

>>40028533
>>Fine, I'll grab another bag...

>>40028533
>Fine, I'll grab another bag...
>model kits
Wait, Laika can into gunpla or Valkyries?

>>40028533
>Fine, I'll grab another bag...

>>40028551
If she's seeing Gundam then she has seen up to Char's Counterattack at the latest.

>>40028533
>Fine, I'll grab another bag...
>Other
Find a box to fit the rest in and we can mail the rest of it to where we are being moved too.

>>40028533
>Fine, I'll grab another bag...

Spoiling daughterus

>>40028533
>Fine, I'll grab another bag...

>>40028593
>Fine, I'll grab another bag...
Always the correct choice.

>>40028533
>>Fine, I'll grab another bag...

>>40028481
is the SW89 verse gonna end before TW89 does?

>>40028621
Well we made Laika eat seaweed and if we keep taking Janice's side, might make us appear weak.

Got to keep some appearences

>>40028533
>>Fine, I'll grab another bag...

Spoil the Child Rotten

>>40028577
>tfw Laika identifies with Quess Paraya

>>40028639
Seeing that area got nuked, I would say it's already over with.

>>40028533
>Other
Maybe it would be safer to have them packed up and sent back to the States?

>>40028666
None of the NATO units got hit though, it was just roads etc.

>>40028693
You can never be sure....

>>40028666
Or maybe Jake is already reassigned back to Arab Sandistan after Berlin.
Or maybe he get held on reserve by Whitmann, again.
Or [insert scenario here].
Unless Maus comes and say "Oh what do you know, fine, Jake is atomized" anything else is just speculation.

>>40028714
I was about to say tanks of that period had some radiation sheilding but I guess they probably wouldn't because there would be no need for it in this universe.

>>40028715
This.
Maus gets final say. If he says he will come back to it when he has time, believe him. Anyone discussing Jake now is doing so pointlessly, trust in the authors.

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>>40028533
"Fine, I'll grab another bag." You laugh and roll your eyes.

"Now Will, you shouldn't spoil Laika like that." Janice cautions.

"Oh, what's the harm? These uh... models are really precious to her!" You motion to the small collection of planes, ships and... robots?

"All right." Janice sighs.

"Be careful!" Laika cries. "They're really fragile!"

"I'll make sure to protect them with my life." You smile. Since Laika would be flying in the XF-19, she wouldn't be riding with the rest of you in the transports. "Don't worry about a thing."

"Mmmm, you'd better not!" Laika pouts. "Or... or... or else!"

"Ooooh, scary!" You laugh as you ruffle Laika's hair.

"H-hey!" Laika whines.

"So, are we ready to go?" Janice asks.

>Yeah, let's go.
>Actually... (specify)
>Other

>>40028763
Exactly. Man, what else do those tanks not have because of the way their world turned out?

>>40028783
>Actually... (specify)
Say goodbye to Sokolov, and for all of the help he's given us.

>>40028783
>>Yeah, let's go.

>Actually... (specify)
Say goodbye to Sokolov, and for all of the help he's given us.

I like this idea, plus it is a prime chance for comedy.

>>40028783
>Actually...
>Grab camera
take family photo at the base

>>40028783
>Yeah, let's go.

>>40028816
He'll probably follow us to keep an eye on Laika and the Morgan

>>40028783
>Actually...
Get a camera and take one last group photo.

>>40028789
Well, since they already thought about using nuke against possible off-world invader, i gonna bet they already thought about NBC protection, especially when they used it on ground target.

>>40028783
>Euclid

We need to say goodbye to her

>>40028783
>>Actually... (Visit Euclid)

>>40028783
>Actually... (specify)
Say goodbye to Euclid, and Sokolov, if we get the chance.

>>40028783
>>Other
Shouldn't we call the Emperor? Say goodbye?

>>40028908
"Yo emps, check it, we out. Yee."

>>40029214
Yo emps check it
We got called for jobz in the E to the U
Gotta help the homies out there
Blaze with ya later

>>40028783
"Actually, there's one more thing we can do." You grin. "Let's gather everybody together once we load up."

With that, you all quickly make your way out to the tarmac, where a small convoy of trucks is waiting for you. You and your squadron all pile on and load your gear and bags, and the trucks quickly take you to the runway, where a row of C-17s and C-130s is waiting and ready to take off. The trucks take you to the C-17 at the front of the queue before rolling to a stop.

"Captain Pierce?" The loadmaster points at you.

"That's me." You nod.

"All right, get your things loaded up." The loadmaster points to his plane. "We've already got your strikers and combat gear in."

"Thanks." You then turn to the rest of your squadron. "But before we leave, there's one more thing we have to do."

You then take out a camera and give it to the loadmaster. "Mind taking one for us?"

"Sure thing, sir." The loadmaster nods.

"All right, everybody, gather up!" You call out, and your witches and your helo crew all gather in close. Laika, Misono, and Janice sidle up to you. Nungesser grabs Bullseye in a very tight hold. Ghost and Euclid each wrap themselves around one of Rex's arms. Red stands next to Ugly and the others all take position.

(cont)

>>40029323
"All right, say cheese!" The loadmaster says.

"CHEESE!" Everybody yells as the picture is taken with a loud CLICK.

"Farewell, Captain." Euclid walks up to you and salutes. "Please take care of Rex."

"I will, Euclid." You grin as you pat her on the head. "Keep an eye on Jetstream, okay? Make sure she doesn't get in over her head."

"I will." Euclid nods.

As you walk up the ramp, you're nearly knocked over by Sokolov as he dashes in, carrying a huge stack of documents.

"My apologies!" Sokolov gasps. "I heard what happened, so I wanted to accompany all of you in!"

"Really?" You blink. "You don't have to come."

"I helped design some of Russia's nuclear delivery systems." Sokolov says sadly. "So I do feel some responsibility for this."

>You're better off staying here.
>Get in, then.
>Other

>>40029383
>Get in, then.

>>40029383
>>You're better off staying here.

"you're doing good work, doc. You don't need to go to the front lines."

Also unsaid is that he'll be very very vulnerable to soviet reprisal kidnappings.

>>40029383
>>Get in, then.

>>40029383
>Get in, then.

>>40029403
and we'll need to pull additional guard duty with such a hvt there with us.

>>40029383
>>You're better off staying here.

>>40029383
>Get in, then.

>>40029383
>Get in, then.

>>40029383
>>Get in, then.

>>40029383
>Get in, then.

>>40029383
>>You're better off staying here.

too high value

>>40029323
>>40029383
>No Jetstream in photo

...awww.

>>40029383
>Get in, then.

He's working with Laika and her gear, it can't hurt.

>>40029670
She's in the photo like with Tarin probably but made no specific mention

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>>40029383
"Well, get in then." You wave him in.

"Thank you." Sokolov sighs as he gets in, right when the ramp begins to close.

You lean back in your seat as the C-17's engines begin to power up. The air is full of the hum of engines as the line of transports and cargo planes begin to take off. Off to the sides, you can see squadrons of F-16s, F-15s, and even a few F-22s taking off alongside you, while Laika's XF-19 takes the lead.

"All right, the Indian Ocean should be fairly safe." The loadmaster informs you. "We got a couple carrier groups in the area that can help cover us while we fly over, but we'll have to do a few aerial refueling stops. You should get some rest while you can."

"Right." You nod as you settle into your seat.

---

When you wake up, it's to warning klaxons.

"What's going on? You slur as you try to ascertain what's going on.

"We're over Turkey on the final stretch." Janice says. "Looks like we attracted the attention of a Russian patrol."

"They do know we're a humanitarian relief convoy, right?" You ask.

"That's what we've been broadcasting for the past five minutes, but they won't respond." Janice frowns.

"Our escorts are already preparing." The loadmaster informs you. "If you could send the XF-19 or your witches in to assist, it would be a great help. We've in the air for a while now and I'm pretty sure our pilots are fatigued. Any help is welcome here."

You glance at your witches. Sure, they could fly out to meet the enemy, but you might need to conserve their energy for when you land and have to perform actual rescue missions. Then again, sending them out now could probably save a good number of pilots...

>Send Laika
>Send your witches.
>Send both.
>Other

>>40029748
>Send both.

>>40029748
>Send both.

>>40029748
>>Send Laika
We need magic

>>40029748
>>Send Laika

Keep witches in for close support.

>>40029748
>>Send both.
Laika in front, witches on back.

>>40029748
>>Send both.

>>40029748
>Send both.
Can't save anyone if we don't get there.

>>40029748
>Send both.
It would be kind of counter productive if we let pilots get shot down here before we get to Ukraine.

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>>40029748
"Janice, get the others ready." You instruct.

"Right away." Janice nods to the rest of the witches, who immediately begin unbuckling their harnesses. The techs that embarked with you immediately start unstrapping the packed striker units in preparation.

"We'll get them ready to launch in two minutes!" Sokolov assures you.

"Will, I can go in right now!" Laika says, obviously anxious to get in and help.

>Send Laika ahead.
>Have her wait for the others.
>Other

>>40029919
>Have her wait for the others.

>>40029919
>Send Laika ahead.
they need cover now!

>>40029919
>>Have her wait for the others.

>>40029919
>>Send Laika ahead.

>>40029919
>>Send Laika ahead.

>>40029919
>>Send Laika ahead.

BUT DON'T BE RECKLESS YOUNG LADY

>>40029919
>>Send Laika ahead.
WE HAVE YOUR MODELS HOSTAGE BEHAVE

>>40029919
>Send Laika ahead.

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>>40029919
"Go for it, Laika." You say.

"Okay! Moving out!" Laika announces. You see the XF-19 drop out of formation and boost towards the incoming Russian fighters. You can see the F-22s and F-15s already lining up to engage with AMRAAMs when Laika hits supercruise and rockets past them. You then see flashes in the distance as the Russian fighters began ripple firing missiles directly at her. Even though you knew Laika knew what she was doing, you still felt your heart stop with fear.

You see all the missiles home in on Laika, who does nothing to dodge them, at least at first. However, at literally the last second, you see the XF-19 suddenly make a sharp 90 degree turn, shooting off to the right and out of the missiles' line of fire. You see the missiles turn to try and chase after her, leaving the American fighters free to launch their AMRAAMs unmolested.

The Russian fighters realize their folly and try to break, but you see multiple explosions from the unlucky fighters or the ones too slow to react. Further to the right, you see Laika expertly shaking each and every missile, making sure they were going off in directions where they couldn't accidentally reacquire target lock on a friendly plane.

"Tell the escorts to stay with the transports! I can handle this!" Laika says.

"We're ready to launch!" Janice announces.

>Have the escorts stay back.
>Have the escorts join the fight.
>Other

>>40030135
>escorts.
Do they mean the jets or the witches or both?

>>40030135
>Have the escorts stay back.
Don't know about all of them, but at least a couple is a must, Cargo plane = No good at dodging missles

>>40030135
>>Have the escorts stay back.

>>40030146
I assumed the witches, the jets are already engaging

>>40030135
>Have the escorts stay back.

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>>40030135
You dash over to the cockpit where the comms officer is.

"Tell the escorts to stay in formation with the transports. My witches can handle the Russian fighters." You say.

"Um, all right." The comms officer relays your orders.

You look out the window and see the F-22s and F-15s break off and return to the convoy as Laika continues savaging the Russian formation. You see her dive down on a Flanker and cut it in half wingtip to wingtip with precision cannon fire. Two Fulcrums dive after her in an attempt to bounce her, but she already knows they're coming. With a bit of expert thrust vectoring, Laika puts the XF-19 into a flat, lateral spin, launching a pair of sidewinders as she does so before spinning back to her previous course, not losing any forward momentum at all. The two sidewinders plow right into the two Fulcrums, detonating them.

With their formation scattered, they're already easy pickings when the rest of your witches join the fight. Janice and Tarin stick together, sniping fighters that try to make a break for the transports. Ghost follows close behind Laika, picking off stragglers that Laika can't quite shoot down herself.

(cont)

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>>40030362
Meanwhile, Misono seems to have become Nungesser's de facto wingmate. Nun is using her standard shield and lance loudout, using her superior speed and thrust to knock Flankers out of the sky, wither with a pierce lunge or by swinging the lance like a bat. Misono's katana glints in the light as she wards off missiles and even bullets aimed at Nun. She then reaches into her belt and pulls out several small knives, throwing them at a passing Flanker and blowing out its engine. Another Flanker tries to dive on her, though she boost forward and slices the entire craft in half with her katana in a move that would make even Jetstream proud.

With their momentum draining away as well as their numbers, you could see the Russian fighters begin to turn tail and run.

"Looks like the field is ours, Captain!" Janice announces happily.

"Come on, we can take them all out right here right now!" Nun pleads. "Let's go after them!"

>Take them all out.
>Leave them be.
>Other

>>40030373
>Leave them be.
We are PJs not barbarians. "So others may live" and all that

>>40030373
>>Leave them be.

>Leave them be.

>>40030373
>Leave them be.
>>40030383
Not even PJ right now, the whole 'relief convoy' thing

>>40030373
>Leave them be.

>>40030373
>>Leave them be.
....and taunt them.

>>40030396
Still catching up, but that gives us even less reason to pursue. Not that anyone appears to be suggesting that we do.

>>40030373
>>Leave them be.

our goal is defense and pulling back is a popular tactic to set up traps.

>>40030373
>Leave them be
Tempting though, bastards attacking a relief convoy

>>40030373
>Leave them be.

Concerned about Merc pointing out that we want to conserve their stamina.

>>40030373
>>Leave them be.

>>40030373
>Leave them be.

>>40030373
"Destroying them is not our objective." You sigh. "Leave them be and form back on up with us."

"Roger that." Janice affirms.

"But-" Nungesser starts to complain.

"That's an order." You say sternly, cutting Nun off. "The mission is to protect the relief convoy, not tangle with Russians. I know you have a beef with them but now is not the time."

"U-understood." Nungesser sighs.

"Can we switch girlfriends?" Bullseye asks.

"Not now, Bullseye." You roll your eyes. "Laika, what's your status?"

"Fuel's a bit low, but everything is still green!" Laika says happily. "Kinda bummed, though. Those definitely weren't elite pilots."

"Pretty sure they have bigger things to worry about." You tell her. "Just keep an eye out in case they come back."

"Roger!"

The rest of the trip is thankfully uneventful. There was a point where you had to make a slight detour to avoid a Russian flotilla in the Black Sea, but other than that, you don't encounter any more resistance. Finally, the convoy crosses into Ukrainian airspace, where a pair of MiG-21s are waiting for you.

"You are NATO relief convoy?" One of the pilots asks in very hasty English.

(cont)

>>40030574

"Yes we are. Can you guide us on where to land?" The pilot asks. "Our original flight plan has us going to Poltava."

Poltava, you remember, is a city in the eastern region of Ukraine, closest to the nuke sites without having been directly hit itself.

"That is negative. Poltava is to capacity." The Ukrainian pilot responds. "Must redirect to Lviv."

"Wait..." You glance at the map. "That's on the other fucking side of the country!"

"Is how things are. Too many refugees. Everything is blocked." The pilot says sadly. "Maybe can fit one or two plane, but rest must go to Lviv. There are also concerns of fallout, too. Must be very careful."

"Well, your call, sir." The pilot says to you. "But if those fallout rumors are true, I'm not sure if we want to be touching down there."

>Land with the rest of the convoy at Lviv.
>Land at Poltava.
>Other

>>40030583
>>Land with the rest of the convoy at Lviv.

>>40030583
>>Land with the rest of the convoy at Lviv.

>>40030583
>Land with the rest of the convoy at Lviv.

>>40030583
>Land with the rest of the convoy at Lviv.

>>40030583
>Land with the rest of the convoy at Lviv.

>>40030583
>Land with the rest of the convoy at Lviv.
Lets not make the Ukrainian pilots job more difficult, hes probably not had a fun time recently.

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>>40030583
"We'll touch down at Lviv with the rest of the convoy." You say.

"Understood." The pilot nods.

With that, you can feel the plane turn as it changes course. You head back into the passenger compartment and take a seat, exhaling deeply.

"Change of plans?" Janice, now out of her strikers, asks.

"Looks like the situation in east Ukraine is worse than we thought." You sigh. "Our original LZ is a no go, so we have to land farther west."

"I hope that's the right decision." Janice sighs as she rests her head against your shoulder.

"I hope so too." You nod.

>And that's it for tonight! I will be taking a break for Memorial Day weekend, so there will be no threads next week. However, we should be returning to our regular questing schedule the week after!
>Also, don't leave just yet, as Hornet should be posting the next long awaited chapter of the Ogawa saga!

>>40030776
Thanks Merc, good run tonight!

-------------------

Here's my current pastebin folks: http://pastebin.com/u/HORRUU-NEEEETOOH

>>40030776
Thanks for today boss!

>>40030776
Thanks Merc

>>40030808
And without further ado!
-----------------
The Suffering of Ayumi Ogawa #5
-----------------

‘If you run out of bullets, use a blade.’

An almost inhuman sound tore from Makoto Kanno’s throat as her katana shattered against the barrier of the witch she pursued, ignoring the pain as shards of steel bit into her forearms. The Soviet also screamed, a frightened expression on her face as the last defense between her and the enraged Japanese witch fizzled away.

Backpedaling wildly away from Makoto, the blonde woman managed to avoid the follow up slash, the broken remains of the blade passing mere inches away from the Russian’s exposed belly. The sheer momentum of her swing made Makoto spin around in the air.

The Soviet witch kicked her legs towards Makoto, strikers in full afterburner as she tried to gain some distance, fumbling with a fresh drum magazine for her RPK—and cried out in surprise as Makoto recovered from her spin and threw the crumbling sword at the Russian in one smooth motion. She barely managed batting the sword aside, losing the drum mag in the process.

‘If the blade breaks, use your body.’

Makoto was in the Soviet’s face in a blink. The world seemed to slow as a triplet of small magic circles crackled with excess energy, spinning rapidly in front of her drawn back fist. Her knuckles blanched in her blind fury.

“HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATSU!”

The Russian screamed something in her language, eyes wide with horror as she snapped the RPK up by reflex, the trigger held down despite—

The first punch went through the witch’s shield effortlessly. She folded over Makoto’s arm, eyes rolling back, strikers slipping away from her legs as the emergency releases kicked in. She was unconscious for the four that followed, three to the ribs, the last to her chin.

“SEICHUSEN GODANZUKI!”

>>40030835
The Russian rocketed up and away from Makoto for several seconds before gravity took her limp form and brought her back towards the sea, thousands of feet below. A shield flared on impact with the water, the Soviet witch floating back to the surface seconds later. Makoto breathed a sigh of relief, bowing her head in the direction of her beaten opponent.

The Russian had cost her a sword and a rifle. She’d been more than worthy.

With luck, they would meet again.

‘Thank you for the duel!’

Wincing, Makoto pulled at the sword shards embedded in her forearms, spinning in place once more and scanning for targets. Commander Ogawa and Ibuki would be furious over her current state for two very different reasons—but she’d won. Winning meant she could accept their tirades in this world as opposed to the next.

The ongoing air battle was unlike anything Makoto had experienced. Even the desperate fighting over Tokyo during the opening days of the communist offensive paled in comparison. She would never admit this aloud, especially within earshot of the commander, but Makoto admired the Russians and the Chinese for their tenacity, their willingness to sacrifice so much to come at the Home Islands as they had. Even now, they bled to mask the approach of their bombers. It was a good fight. She was scared, exhilarated, and exhausted, but wanted to be nowhere else: fighting for her people and her princess. Even without weapons, she knew she could still do her duty.

The ears of her bulldog familiar twitched, and Makoto’s eyes were naturally drawn to where she knew Ibuki had slipped away to perform her role as their magical AWACS. The ninja had sometimes complained that it was unfair how easily Makoto could locate her, but it came in handy now.

>>40030845
Makoto hated leaving Ibuki alone like this, but she wasn’t as capable as the AWACS witch at hiding her own presence. For her own safety, it was best that she was alone; the presence of guard witches or steelwings orbiting a fixed, invisible point would give away her presence. But even though she knew better, Makoto found herself wandering towards her friend, and she forced herself to find a new vector.

‘There, a Foxhound, far closer to any of us than it ought to be.’

She allowed her strikers more magic, shooting off towards the lone interceptor. The Soviets, for all their faults, rarely made such mistakes. As fast as a Foxhound was, there was no way it could get up top speed before Makoto got to it first—

“Commander Ogawa, we might have a serious problem,” Ibuki’s voice suddenly broke into the squadron’s radio channel.

The tremor in her voice made Makoto forget the Foxhound ever existed. ‘Something is wrong.’

She felt herself moving faster through the sky, twisting herself into an intercept course for her friend, her vision graying out momentarily as she whipped through an Immelmann turn. The magic that helped her slice through the air shimmered, temporarily visible as a ring of condensation blasted around it, the world growing louder and quieter all at once. She wove around and through a dozen individual dogfights, magic circle igniting to deflect stray cannon fire or debris.

“What do you see, Ibuki?” Commander Ogawa snapped, her voice tinny over the radio. “The bombers?”

“Witches. Dozens maybe, I can’t get an accurate count from this far. Still getting heavy interference, they have got to be the source. They’re moving faster than any witch I’ve seen, it’s like they’re missiles rather than—”

>>40030857
And then Ibuki screamed, and the radio was awash with the sound of static and air rushing past an open mic, the occasional hissssssBOOM crackling over the sound of the witch gasping for air.

And then Makoto saw it: a small speck falling out of the sky, surrounded by the fading cinders of a shattered magic shield, and she knew.

“Ibuki?” she asked, her voice breaking.

She was close enough to see Ibuki’s strikers failing to relight, the magic circle forming repeatedly but failing to stay coherent as a distinct delta-wing shape dove from out of the sun. Dozens of contrails streamed from the steelwing, coiling around the falling witch like a garrote. She continued to fall, tracers spraying at the swarm of missiles, small fireballs blooming in her wake as she vanished behind a cloudbank.

“MAKOTOOOO! WHITE BUTTERFLY, WHITE BUTTERFLY—”

Another ragged gasp for air filled the radio, sounding almost like a sob, followed by static. A rapid series of explosions thumped in the distance.

And then nothing. Nothing, save for the dull roar of supersonic flight, and the knowledge that Ibuki had called out to her before the end.

“IBUKIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!”

-

‘Like a wounded beast, rather than a witch...’ Ogawa thought. She’d never heard Makoto sound like this, her guttural, mournful screaming over the radio accompanied by the roar of her strikers.

She wanted to join Makoto, but could not allow it—not yet, even as she tried again and again to ‘sense’ for Ibuki’s unique magical aura. Even as she opened her mouth to speak into her radio, she couldn’t quite believe it. A friend of so many years, from before their time in the Imperial Guard, gone. Just like that.

“A-all units, be advised, White Butterfly has been detected within the area of operations—” Ogawa’s voice cracked. “Makoto, listen to me. Stand down—”

“I SEE HIM,” Makoto was snarling. “I SEE THE BASTARD THAT TOOK HER!”

>>40030881
She cursed herself for having allowed even the slightest bit of fear to slip through the mask of command she wore at all times. Cursed having to try and sound calm when one of her own had died pleading for assistance.

Assistance she could have provided, a voice in her head accused, had she not obsessed over her own personal vendetta.

There was nothing she could do for Ibuki now; she could only help those who remained.

“Lieutenant commander!” Ogawa snapped, feeling her own heart pounding as she searched the sky, trying to find Makoto. “Await assistance! I am headed to you now; do not engage by yourself!”

“MAKOTO!” Princess Katsumi shouted into the channel a second later. “HOLD THAT MONSTER IN PLACE, I AM ON MY WAY!”

A fiery aura bloomed in the distance, eclipsing the setting sun as it raced towards the monster, a boom echoing across the sky as Katsumi picked up speed. A smaller light, no less brilliant, trailed behind Katsumi’s flames as it spiraled through the sky in pursuit.

“We gotcha, Punch-Witch!” Jess chimed in right afterwards. “Hang on, hang on—”

“Princess— Octane, WAIT!” Ogawa cried. “We must regroup, form a plan of attack! This is a direct order!”

Neither one responded.

That was when Ogawa finally allowed herself to panic. “Oh Gods... Oh Gods, no...”

No one was listening to her. Nobody was taking into account the broader picture. Nobody was thinking with their brain, only with their hearts. More people would die. She knew it. It was the only outcome she could see. So many feelings, so many thoughts swirled through her mind. Her friend murdered, her princess endangered. The Russians, systematically ruining everything she had worked so hard for, taking away everything she cherished. Relentless monsters seeking to draw the blood of Japan’s warriors, of the Empire’s innocent civilians.

>>40030898
She thought of mother and father, likely seeking out one of the many bomb shelters that dotted Tokyo proper, their defenders faltering in the skies hundreds of miles away—

No. Not now.

Not ever.

‘Count to four, inhale. Count to four, exhale.’

“Chousoukabe, where are you?“ Ogawa asked calmly, still trembling as she checked her remaining rifle magazines. “Form up on me.”

“I’m here, commander...” The witch descended into position at Ogawa’s side, looking utterly exhausted, cuts on her face trailing dried blood down her cheeks, her uniform singed from near misses. Her teeth chattered, the cold of high altitude flight beginning to take its toll. “I beat my opponent—”

“Can you continue?”

She nodded in reply, clearly wanting to say otherwise but knowing that there was only one acceptable answer.

“Good. Stay close to me, understand?” Ogawa tried to sound encouraging, reaching out towards Chinatsu to place a firm, comforting hand on her shoulder. “The princess needs us. I need you at my side if we’re to protect her.”

“Y-yes, ma’am!” The pep-talk seemed to help Chousoukabe, weariness replaced with determination.

That brought Ogawa some measure of relief. At least one witch was listening to her.

-

The war had tested Makoto’s skills, never her heart, not like this. Her family was safely tucked away from the worst of the fighting, their hometown not having seen a single Russian or Chinese interloper. No brothers in service to the Army or Navy, her only sisters being those of Katsumi’s guards, Ibuki the closest of them.

>>40030919
Makoto wished she possessed the same senses Ogawa did, wished she could ‘feel’ for Ibuki’s location. So she could know for certain that she was actually alive. Her eyes darted back and forth across the sky even as she bore down on the object of her rage, looking for any sign of her friend and rival, anything more than blackened scraps of fabric falling out of the sky, her final scream still echoing into her ear piece—

Her stomach turned. They’d awakened together for breakfast. They’d been together throughout the day, shared lunch and company as they always did after a session at the firing range. Everything had been so normal. Then the alarms had sounded, and now nothing would ever be normal.

‘Calm,’ she urged herself as she howled in anguish.

She blinked the tears out of her eyes, and all she could see in a world turned red was White Butterfly lazily banking and rolling towards her. As if it had sensed her from far away. As if it knew what it had done, that there would be others coming to avenge its latest victim.

She saw the bright blue streaks racing from the fighter before she’d heard them, instinct rolling her just out of the line of fire, electromagnetically-driven slugs cracking mere meters past her right side. More flashes of light blinked in the distance, more streaks of blue chased her through desperate maneuvers. Every hair stood on end, as though she flew through a storm of static electricity, her heart hammering to the distant hiss-snap of each shot as they drew closer and closer until they began glancing off her barrier.

Undaunted, Makoto continued to close in, angling her magic circle to deflect the incoming rounds as best she could. The fighter maintained its own course, nose dipping towards the sea very slightly. The unique blue lines marring the otherwise ivory paint made it look as though it was smiling at her.

>>40030926
She envisioned her fingers sinking into that hull, ripping off control surfaces, components, whole wings. She saw her fists punching through the canopy, reaching for the neck of the pilot inside.

She would kill this monster before it could so much as glance in the direction of Katsumi.

Time crawled forward as she closed enough to see four hexagonal bumps rising up from the fuselage, a series a small bubbles scattering across the bumps closer to the main wings. She saw small rails jutting forward from the bumps closer to the cockpit, sparks passing between them.

The magic circles in front of her fists flashed as more magic fed into them, her nails digging so deep into her palms that she felt something warm draining between her fingers as she pulled her right fist back. Another circle formed before her, two more before it, each smaller than the other behind it, familiar maths and formulae scrolling across her vision.

A circle that dwarfed all of hers combined snapped to life before White Butterfly.

‘Die.’

Her three larger shields compressed, reconfiguring themselves to wreath her whole arm in magic: her grandmother’s technique made her own. Another shout, her right fist thrusting forward towards the Vampire’s barrier—

—and she blinked spots out of her eyes, ears ringing from a fading explosion, the world spinning around her as she fell. She kicked her legs towards the sea, and the word stilled itself around her, strikers rumbling and howling in afterburner.

Katsumi shouted something in the radio just as she found White Butterfly above her, inverted and impossibly stalled in mid-air, bringing its nose towards her as she closed in for a second strike—too slow for Makoto. The back of the fighter was still in her sight even as the shield the plane should not have shifted over it, anticipating her attack.

‘Please die.’

>>40030926
This time, her fist shattered White Butterfly’s barrier and crashed into a second just beyond it. She let her fingers dip into the rippling pattern to rip the shield open, screaming as they burned. The fighter’s skin was tantalizingly close; she clawed at it hungrily, desperately.

‘Die. Die. Die die diediedie—‘

Another flash. A third barrier replacing the second pushed Makoto hundreds of feet away from her target, air roaring past her ears as she tried to right herself once again. A voice in her head, Ibuki’s, told her to move faster than she’d ever done before—

The bumps near the wings bristled and a dozen ‘cans’ snaked away from them, smoke trails painting impossible patterns in the air as they bore down towards her. White Butterfly’s engines opened wide, trailing a curtain of fire as it rolled and spat flares in every direction.

She flew at the missiles without hesitation, knifing through the swarm. One passed so close she felt her strikers shudder from being grazed. She felt a burning sensation as another missile sliced over her back, tearing open her uniform. She cried in agony, but kept her eyes on the Vampire.

She climbed up, then pushed over and aimed for the Vampire, rapidly making up the distance between herself and the fighter, the missiles no longer her concern. All that mattered was getting her hands on the Soviet and ripping them apart.

‘Give her back to me.’

This time, she would hit metal, not magic. And like so many other fighters, it would be split in half, a barely recognizable hulks of worthless advanced technology.

-

“I’m... having trouble keeping up, Kat...” Jessica gasped into the radio.

Katsumi diddn’t respond, concentrating entirely on a distant point of light dashing around a distinct steelwing shape. This was the one who had nearly robbed her of her brother, who had robbed them all of Ibuki, and so many others.