After four months of training, I have been on patrol for three months.
It is now spring time, 1945. After the first confrontation, I have shot down 5 Neurois myself and helped in the take down of another 3 over the course of 18 patrol missions around the Mediterranean region.
Between patrol missions I have learned how to maintain my unit.
Also the increase in my magic level has strengthen my senses and body. Originally I struggled carrying my Bren light machine gun and all the ammo, now I have no trouble.
Today would be my first operation involving the entire Squadron.
...Operation Trajanus
The goal is to establish contact with a humanoid Neuroi seen close to Romanga, and learn why the Neuroi are here.
Every member of the 504th was called in to participate, with the youngest members tasked with covering the parameter of the designated meeting spot.
After checking the striker units and weapons, squadron leader Doglio cleared her throat and addresses us.
"Morning everyone, we have a big day ahead of us. For years we have been battling the Neurois attempting to retake the land stolen from us. But we have never determined why they came to Earth."
"Today we may get our chance. Everyone stay sharp and good luck"
"Roger" x16
-25 minutes later-
three V formations can be seen flying through the air.
One with the original members of the 504th. The other two composed of 3 new members each.
The plan was Flight Lieutenant Takei Junko would engage in conversation with the humanoid Neuroi, while the senior witches maintained the V. The new members would spread out on opposite sides of the V. Making a W shape.
Reaching the designated location we get into our positions and wait.
Then the humanoid Neuroi appeared, it body shape is similar to a witch.
I keep the meeting in my peripheral vision and scan the surrounding area. Soon I notice a massive storm on the horizon approaching. But as it gets closer I notice that it doesn't look like any storm I have ever seen.
It almost looks like...
ZAP
A laser is fired from the approaching storm incinerating the humanoid Neuroi.
We all freeze in shock, confused by what just happened.
Then we hear Leader Doglio's voice through our earpieces.
"504th... radar is picking up a massive Neuroi hive approaching your location! The operation is declared a failure, fall back now!!"
Lieutenant Junko: "you heard her... everyone fall back in formation"
Officer Larrazabal: "Look! Multiple Neuroi are appearing from the hive!"
Turning around I count up 15 Neuroi exiting the massive hive. 3 of them are siege types, known to target cities. Those three along with four escorts break off the main group and head toward Venezia. The remaining eight head straight for us.
Lieutenant Junko: "Officer Larrazabal and Officer Mazzei take all the new members with you and stall those Neuroi. A hive that big is going to have massive repercussions on the region . For now all we can do is deal with the situation in front of us."
"The rest will take on the eight heading toward us, then we regroup."
"Roger" x 16
Falling into two lines behind Officer Larrazabal and Officer Mazzei we head off immediately after the Neuroi.
- ten minutes later-
We just passed into Venezia airspace and immediately see one of the siege Neuroi attacking a city below, but there is no sign of the other two or the escorts.
Officer Larrazabal: "Damn it! They're splitting up to cause more damage. We can not afford to leave them alone. Me and Officer Mazzei will take on the siege Neurois while you guys split up and hunt down the escorts. Because they are faster, they will cover more ground so maintain vigilance of your surroundings."
"Roger" x 6
Knowing that they have less firepower compared to the siege types we predict that the escorts would target towns instead of cities. So we all head in the directions of nearby towns.
Coming toward the first town on my route I can see smoke rising into the air. Stopping to assess the situation it is clear that the Neuroi has already moved on. After a quick moment of silence I begin my chase again.
Passing another smoking town, I come across a village still burning. Pushing magic into my ears I hear faint laser fire coming from the southwest of me. I accelerate toward the faint firing and a few minutes later I see an escort firing down on a town.
"This is 2nd Officer Carmen I have visual on a Neuroi, engaging now!"
"Acknowledged... good hunting"
I dive toward the Neuroi aiming my Bern in front of it and send a burst,
RAT-TAT-TAT RAT-TAT-TAT RAT-TAT-TAT
As the Neuroi attempts to complete a left turn, several of my bullets hit. It performs a sharp half-circle turn, trying to get behind me.
I increase speed, resulting in us passing one another. It fires at me, forcing me to activate my shield.
Completing its turn it tries to line up a shot. I spin around, activating my shield again and block the lasers then I return fire.
It continues to fly toward me. I cut the supply of magic to my unit causing me to drop and for the Neuroi to fly overhead.
RAT-TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT
I place a full magazine into the underbelly, exposing the core toward the front of the Neuroi.
It attempts to perform a loop keeping the rest of its body between me and the exposed core. Once again heading towards me I maintain my altitude by hovering waiting for the right moment to deploy my secret weapon.
ZAP ZAP *Shield block Pew Pew
As the lasers bounce off my shield it flies pass me, I raise my left arm an launch my magically infused grappling hook. It catches the left wing and I pull in reverse. The force snaps the wing, causing the Neuroi to spin, like a out of control car on ice.
Unable to recover, I pause, line up a shot, and fire. Hitting the core the Neuroi begins to disintegrate.
"Target down"
"Well done. Officer Mazzei is currently engaging a siege Neuroi 15 minutes west of your location. Head over immediately to provide assistance.
"Roger"
- 48 hours later-
The hunt ended 3 hours later, but instead of returning to the squadron, we were order to support the evacuation of Venezia.
The hive launched two more siege Neuroi and fifteen escorts. It became clear that the Neuroi where trying to overwhelm us. And it was working.
The "Ardor Witches" did the best they could. Taking down several Neuroi while covering the retreat, but even with their abilities... they are still human. Multiple injuries began to appear among the witches.
The strategists calculated that by the end of the week Venezia will fall.
-Friday-
The constant fighting has taken a toll on all of us. To avoid casualties Squadron Leader Doglio had order us to pair up when on rotation. This worked better than anyone had expected as no witches were lost in action.
Still the rushed evacuation and the appearance of the massive hive has thrown headquarters into complete disarray. I hear that Command plans to reactivate the 501st Joint Fighter Wing for the defense of Romagna.
As for the 504th it has been declared no longer mission-capable. All members are being returned to their countries of origin for rest and recovery.
My time here has been short, but I have learned a lot from my Seniors and my fellow cadets.
Now it is time to take back what I have learned home.
[System objective: pass the cadet course and become a member of the "Ardor Witches"- ACHEIVED]
[Returning to home universe. Returning to... DC universe]