Strike Witches: Black Masks

Chapter 8: To Do What I Can

Date: May 31st, 1944
Location: English Channel, Europe

The Akagi keeps on moving with its siren alarm still sounding. A voice is heard over the intercom. "All ships: break formation but remain in sections in maximal operational speed for evasive action." The Neuroi flies over it. Black clouds of smoke cover the sky. A destroyer fires at the Neuroi which responds by firing back, missing the ship.

In the bridge, a man with grey hair & grey eyes and wearing a full white uniform with three stars on the patches on his shoulders glances at the alien. "Damn it! Why don't those bastards hurry up and finish us off?" The man behind him speaks. "Maybe they enjoy taking us apart piece by piece, Captain." "Prepare all fighter squadrons for take off now. It's time to show those alien scum that we're not gonna give up without a serious fight." "Sir."

In the sick bay, Yoshika is sitting on a bed covering her ears while looking down. The sound of guns firing is heard. The ship rocks a bit. Mio and Keita enter the room and look around until they see her. "Miyafuji." The girl looks up to them and uncovers her ears, still afraid. Mio gets surprised. "I won't have that. Get that fear out of your eyes. You're at sea now, young lady. At war." "Sorry." They walk to her and Yoshika looks down. Mio has a hand on her hip. This is her first time seeing a battle between humans and Neuroi so of course she's scared, Sakamoto... "It's just that… the shaking never stops." "You'll get used to it." Mio gets down. "Here. I need you to look up at me for a minute." "Huh?" Mio has her left hand cup Yoshika's right ear. "Stay still." She brings her face close to hers. Yoshika looks at her while getting nervous. Keita looks out a window.

Mio moves her hand until Yoshika flinches. Mio removes her hand, revealing a blue earpiece with a gold five-pointed star on it. "It's an intercom. Now you'll be able to communicate to me and Mitchell whenever you want with that in your ear, okay?" "Okay." Yoshika looks to the piece and back to Mio who stands up. "However, you should only use it when it's an emergency. Is that understood?" "Yes." The ship rocks again. Yoshika gasps. The three look up. "Well, we should really be getting back up to the flight deck."

"Major Sakamoto, Captain Mitchell, um… are you gonna fight them for real?" "Of course we are. We have a duty and we're going to honor it." Yoshika stands up. "What do I… should I just..." "You should stay right here." "Don't go outside no matter what happens." "What if-" The ship shakes again. "Are you worried something's going to happen to us? Don't be scared. We'll be just fine."

On the flight deck, 17 A5M planes are getting ready for take off. Sailors are preparing the planes. "Restrict 20 mil and 50 cal, fire broadside or past the fleet during take off. All hands: prepare to launch." Mio and Keita stand in front of the squadron, wearing their Striker Units. The two look at the horizon. Mio has the stock of her gun touching the deck while right hand is holding the barrel. Keita is just holding his in his right hand. The Neuroi appears in front of them and screeches while flying up.

Mio has her eye closed and her ponytail moves a bit. The engines are heard all around. Two magic circles appear underneath them. "Major Sakamoto, prepared to launch." "Captain Mitchell, taking off." The two hover fast towards the bow and when they do, they fly up. An A5M pilot looks to the plane on his left and his steel bird starts moving towards the bow as well. The plane goes up as well.

A beam fired by the Neuroi misses the destroyer that's still firing at it. It fires 14 small beams at the ship, hitting it.

In the bridge, a voice is heard from the intercom, "The destroyer Yukikaze has been hit! No response!" The elder man says, "Forget it. All units: take off now."

Three A5Ms fly with Mio and Keita. Mio is instructing them. "The Neuroi can regenerate indefinitely unless their core is destroyed. All fighters: draw their fire while we search for the core." The alien flies to them. Keita speaks. "Distance to track: 300. We're on the ceiling." A pilot responds. "Roger." They break away from the two. The alien fires beams at Mio and Keita, missing them. The two fly high up. "There's less defenses up here." Mio flips up her eyepatch.