Strike Witches:Volume1 Chapter5
Two weeks had passed since Tomoko and the others had arrived at Kauhava Air Force Base. In that time, Tomoko had continued her training, but Katharine, Ursula and Beurling hadn’t participated.
Even though F/O Elma and Haruka had kept her company, it was impossible for their skill to improve.In any case, the two had an overwhelming sense of ‘fighting spirit’.
As well as that, F/O Elma was cowardly, and Haruka’s flying method was no good at all. It had troubled her mind constantly since the other day; her attentiveness towards her surroundings had worn thin.
"If we carry on like this, we might become a specialist reconnaissance unit…" She murmured.
This was the mess hall of the barracks.
Tomoko was in the middle of taking a short break.
Throughout this morning, Haruka and F/O Elma had received rigorous training, and consequently were returning to their own rooms. She wasn’t sure what the remaining three people were doing.
For almost the entire duration of mealtime, they hadn’t shown their faces.
"If things continue the way they are, what will become of the Suomus Independent Volunteer Air Squadron, I wonder? Humph, for the time I’ve been a soldier, I’ve never been called by such a name before. But now my circumstances have changed, as the public call us the “Misfits Squadron”. To put it simply, it’s a name that suits us."
"If I’m thinking idly like that…"
Feeling that the way she did things was incredibly insignificant, and that she continued even now to think about such trivial things, Tomoko became distressed.
I kind of…, feel like I’ve become nothing but a leftover. Is it alright for me, a female warrior of Fuso, who people go to the length of calling an ace, to rot into obscurity in a place like this? How should I put it, why can’t I fit that viewpoint anymore, I wonder? The ability and achievements that I have, this isn’t the place where I can pursue them…
Tomoko picked up the newspaper that was beside her.
It was put down for the use of the volunteer soldiers, the Britannia Times newspaper. On the front page, news of the war situation in Karlsland caught the eye. When she saw the large news report in the second column, her eyes widened.
"The outstanding performance of the witches from the East"
Yesterday, a large scale Neuroi bombing raid formation manifested in München, Karlsland. The formation consisted of around 200 Neuroi. Instead of the Karlslander Air Force, who has been weakened by the rigorous fighting since the outbreak of war, the assault was carried out by the United States of Liberion, Britannia, and soldiers from Fuso’s Volunteer Air Squadron. From the Fuso Imperial Army Air Service, P/O Katou Takeko’s actions were particularly commendable, shooting down and destroying a total number of 20 Neuroi. In the result of today’s battle, 60% were destroyed. P/O Katou shot down 4 on her own, (giving her the highest shoot down count of the day). In commendation of this achievement, Karlsland have decided to award P/O Katou with the Iron Cross.
Tomoko’s shoulders dropped, she was crestfallen. She was glad for her friend’s achievement, but if you were to compare it to her own situation, there would be absolutely nothing to be dazzled by.
"I can’t keep letting these high aspirations escape me."
"Yet, I’m not in the frame of mind to do anything."
"After lunch, we’re off duty. Even though I’d thought to train, it’d be pointless."
Tomoko stood up unsteadily, leaving the mess hall.
Close to Kauhava Air Force Base, approximately a 30 minute car journey away was a town called Slussen. With a population of only 2,000 people, it was a small town.
Tomoko had asked a favour of the base guards, and they had prepared her a car.
It was difficult to drive on the streets layered with the slush caused by fallen snow; she was told that if she went straight ahead on this road, she would arrive at Slussen.
In this small town, preparing for the arrival of Christmas in a months time, the Neuroi invasion of countries near the border didn’t stop the residents from having cheerful faces.
As Tomoko got out the car, she noticed that it was unusual to see an Oriental person, and that people had stopped what they were doing to stare at Tomoko.
Children who were livened with curiosity were approaching Tomoko, speaking to her a few words. No matter how hard she tried to speak it, Tomoko couldn’t understand Suomish, and had no idea what the children were saying.
"Sorry…I don’t understand your language. Um, Hyvää- Hyvää Päivää"
When she spoke the Suomish that she could remember, the children burst into laughter. "Hyvää Päivää!"
After that, yet again, the children started to speak in Suomish.
As Tomoko was in a spot of bother, an old person came to stop the conversation.
"Are you a foreigner?"
The words were spoken in Britannian. As Tomoko nodded her head with a yes, the old person translated the words of the children.
"They’re asking if you’re a witch."
"Huh? Why would they know of that?"
Tomoko said with a look of surprise.
With the numbers of cars from Kauhava Air Force Base, and you’re foreign, moreover, a young beautiful girl. Aren’t the witches the ones that fight the Neuroi? Are what the children know you as.
"I see. Your English really is impressive."
"I used to be a university lecturer. Even though I’ve retired now…"
The children were tugging at Tomoko’s arm.
"Eh? Eh? Where are you leading me to?"
"Won’t you come to our house? They’re inviting you."
"Where is your house?"
As she asked, they didn’t understand the words, but understood the gesture, and the oldest child pointed at the corner of the street. There was a magnificent building made of brick.
"Eh, its big isn’t it? Don’t you live in such a wonderful house? Do you all live here?"
When she enquired, the old person informed her.
"The house, how should I put it…, it’s an orphanage."
"Orphanage?"
"Yes…, these children, their parents passed away, and it’s somewhere for children who have no-one to raise them, and nowhere else to go."
When Tomoko left abruptly, with diffidence, the old person gently reprove the children. The children’s faces began to look lonely, but they soon turned to smiles as they said something to Tomoko.
"Good luck fighting the Neuroi!"
After Tomoko was a little thoughtful, she looked as if she were smiling. As she did so, the children’s smiles began to fade away. Tomoko waved her hand for a while.
After the children had disappeared into the entrance of the orphanage, she let out a sigh. The words the children had just spoken were deep.
"Good luck fighting the Neuroi!" huh…
"I wonder if I can visit the stage where I can do my best…"
Tomoko asked the old person.
"Is there a bar in this area?"
The old person pointed to a house they were facing. Beneath a barrel shaped sign, she could see a building that looked similar to a bar. Feeling miserable, Tomoko went to take comfort in drinking alcohol.
"Giii" the door creaked.
As she opened it and entered, despite the fact that it was lunchtime, it was gloomy inside.
Nevertheless, there wasn’t a suspicious atmosphere about it.
For lunch they were serving meals and coffee, and half the tables were full. It was no surprise that an Oriental person would be easily noticed, all at once, the occupants of the bar were directing their attention towards Tomoko. There wasn’t anything to be worried about, so Tomoko seated herself at the counter, and gestured towards the alcohol she wanted to order. She’d grown accustomed to receiving a lot of attention from when she lived in her own country.
Even though she had intended to order wine, she ended up with a washed out looking, transparent alcohol. When she held a mouthful, the strength made it seem as if she were going to throw up. The middle aged bartender glared at her, saying ‘coss, coss’ with a pleasant smile.
"Somehow, that seems like it might be the name of this drink."
"At any rate, I should get this drink down."
It feels as if something burning is going down my throat, inside my stomach it feels as if a fire is raging.
"I get it; this alcohol helps you forget the coldness. In snowy countries, they have this kind of strong alcohol instead of heaters.
Even though it’s reached my heart too, I feel in no means warm. Most of all…, it’s unforgiveable that I feel no joy for Takeko’s military gains. Such a thing as jealousy the success of a close friend…
Tomoko caved into disgust.
I’ve noticed, I’m downing a large amount. After a drink, when I told the bartender, ‘seconds’, he shook his head. He brought over a bottle of alcohol, did a drinking gesture, and then made a cross sign. In short, I’ve had too much to drink.
As she inadvertently turned her gaze to the bars interior, she noticed that three people she was familiar with were seated. Due to the hustle and bustle and dim lighting of the bar, she hadn’t noticed up until now. For some reason or another, even though she was facing towards them, they hadn’t noticed Tomoko was seated at the bar.
Tomoko stood up, and began to head in that direction.
"Well, that was fun! If we keep drinking like this, we might accidentally forget that we’re in the middle of war with the Neuroi!"
When Katharine had completely finished, she had her back turned towards Tomoko. In her direction, Ursula was reading a book. Next to her, was Beurling, with her usual pessimistic facial expression, was drinking alcohol from a small glass.
"I thought that I hadn’t seen you around the base much recently, so you were in this kind of place, huh."
As Tomoko spoke in a cold voice, everyone turned around.
"OH, Tomoko! Let’s drink together!"
Katharine asked in a typically carefree voice. With a thump, Tomoko took hold of a chair and sat down. Katharine filled the cup Tomoko was holding with wine. Tomoko then grasped the bottle of wine from Katharine, and downed the remainder without taking a break to breathe.
"OH"
Tomoko brought the wine bottle up into the air, and slammed it down onto the table with vigour. After that, she surveyed the scene with an intoxicated look about her.
"You lot, I spit on your own abilities. Got it?"
"What’s exactly is that supposed to mean?"
Beurling was the first to speak, looking in Tomoko’s direction.
"We’re the chosen witches, aren’t we? You lot, don’t have any sense of responsibility! Anyhow, how is it alright to be missing training and duties to get drunk at lunchtime!?"
Tomoko interjected sharply, forgetting her own fault. After she had done so, Beurling downed the drink in her glass. After she’d finished, she opened her mouth.
"A sense of responsibility, even saying such a thing as that is troublesome. It’s nothing; I don’t mean that I had a wish of becoming a ‘witch’. It’s said that because you’ve got magical power, you should automatically become a witch, before you can even say anything against it. It doesn’t mean that no-one can be taken in by ‘the witches’. The girls who couldn’t become one became something like actresses in Piccadilly. In other words, we were automatically made out to be ‘witches’. It’s the same here, it’s decided automatically. That’s what I mean."
Unusually, Katharine let out a sigh.
"I was definitely taken in! But, I might not have any talent…Just because you have magical power doesn’t mean you’re going to be good with equipment. So that I could become a witch, even though magical power is essential, for everyone who has magical abilities, it’s not always true that you’ll have any skill in airborne operations."
Katharine said in a slightly solemn tone of voice.
"Even if you’re trying your best, anyone can be a hassle…You could easily feel more like you can’t do anything."
Without saying a single word, Ursula placed her book atop the surface of the table.
"Please speak in a quieter voice. I can’t focus."
With a ‘fuu’, Tomoko sighed.
"I get it. I expect nothing from any of you lot."
After that, she stood up, and left the bar.
The remaining Beurling group exchanged glances. Katharine muttered with a feeling of self derision.
"’Expect nothing’ huh…It’s the same thing, being said over and over again."
"Indeed so." Beurling said.
"No matter where we go, we’re labelled as misfits."
"I agree."
From her book, Ursula nodded her head.
Katharine observed everyone’s faces for a while, and then spoke in a voice as if she’d noticed something.
"Oh my, could it be that you two are going to put up with what Tomoko just said?"
There was silence from both Beurling and Ursula. Katharine took a hold of the glass in front of her, and gulped the contents down.
"I really think we ought to change a little from here on out. But, it’s impossible. Only by participating in training can we stretch everyone’s legs. Here, we are misfits."
Beurling snapped in disgust.
"Humph. For people like us, no matter what our whereabouts are, we’ll still be like this. Of course it’d be like that here, just leave it at that."
"But...it might be possible to find somewhere. That is, when it was decided that we would be permanently transferred to Suomus, there was a small amount of expectation. In a place like this, we might get better. But, it is in no means impossible for people to change."
Beurling was completely silent. As she hadn’t opened her mouth, Katharine assumed that she might harbour the same feelings.
“Say, Ursula. Do you think that too?”
Ursula didn’t answer. In a lonely manner, she hung her head in shame, biting on her lip.
There was that time.
With elegance, classical music flowed throughout the interior of the bar, changing completely to a state run broadcast from Suomus. A while after the grating sounds had finished, the strange voice of the announcer reverberated from the speakers.
This is a message for the people of Suomus. This is a message for the people of Suomus.
People were talking amongst themselves, this wasn’t a normal occurrence.
"Formations of ‘Neuroi’ are advancing across the national border. I will repeat. Formations of ‘Neuroi’ are advancing across the national border. Respective cities near the borders have sounded the air alarm as an official announcement. Please calmly follow the directions of the military, and seek refuge. This is not a drill. I repeat. This is not a drill."
The occupants of the bar began to panic. It was frenzied, a commotion, people were dashing outside, hiding under tables, beginning to cry, people’s reactions were varied.
Katharine and the others hadn’t understood the radio transmission, yet there was one simple word that they had comprehension of.
"Neuroi"
When they stood up, they could hear the sound of explosions from outside. The three of them instantly lay across the floor. The explosion sounds were intermittent; the sound of several more reverberated…, before stopping abruptly.
Exchanging glances, the three of them dashed out of the bar. Outside, a ghostly light had started to spread. The Neuroi formation was dropping bombs. The sound of the siren of fire engines drew closer. Several buildings had collapsed due to the bombing. A good thing was that there didn’t seem to be a large number of enemy aircraft. Taking into account the number of bombs, it was likely that there was a place where more of the formation was.
Either way, the peaceful town had been so brutally assaulted, and had been left alone after a space of ten minutes had passed. People who had been injured or killed by fragments of the bombs lay here and there. The people, who had up until now been walking with such peaceful faces, had experienced such a terrible disaster, and were trying their best to nurse them.
A group of children were standing around a collapsed building, in tears.
"What is it? Are you alright? Have you got any injuries?"
Katharine got closer. The children said a number of things, but as Katharine couldn’t understand what they were saying, she shook her head.
Ursula, who could understand Suomish, listened to the children’s words.
"It seems like this was an orphanage for these children."
She looked at the building which had collapsed due to the bombing, and then Katharine stared at the crying children.
"An orphanage, huh." Beurling muttered in an uncharacteristically emotive voice.
"…These children’s home, it’s completely gone. They’ve got nowhere else to go; even though they came out here…Everywhere is completely gone."
Beurling murmured with a sigh.
"All because of fighting."
Katharine nodded her head.
"Yes. They’ve nowhere to go; it’s only been ten minutes."
After she’d remembered to wash her face with water to get rid of her drunkenness, Tomoko rode the car, and began to advance on the road that led back to Kauhava Air Force Base.
After a while of doing so, she could hear the sound of explosions in the distance. What? She thought as she turned on the radio, hearing the announcer cry out a repeat. She couldn’t understand Suomish, but there was one unpleasant word in that broadcast that made perfect sense.
"Neuroi"
They arrived just now…Those guys…
"Honestly, at this time!"
As she cried out, the instant that she stepped on the accelerator, she could see a small black mark in front of her. At that moment, the size of it started to expand. At that instant, Tomoko grasped onto the handle. Mud sprung up from the place Tomoko’s car was in.
Machine gun fire!
Next to Tomoko, a black shadow began to roll past with a pyun!
Small wings protruded from its large torso. At the nose was a propeller that was similar to that of a Striker. It was cylindrical, and seemed to be in the shape of a fly, a melee weapon Neuroi…It was the silhouette of the Neuroi she had fought in Fuso, the Laros.
Ku!
Tomoko chewed on her lip.
At the one time I’m not at the base, the enemy start an invasion! Witches are powerless on the Earth’s surface. If I return to the base quickly, they can’t ambush us! I can still see that Laros from before in the rear mirror. It’s turning from side to side, I wonder if it’s going to attack again.
Tomoko pushed onto the accelerator faster, but it was already in the 5th gear and wouldn’t go any faster. It continued to pursue her. In the rear mirror, the wings of the Laros were glowing. Tomoko instantly bent down. She heard the sound of glass smashing, rushing around the cars interior. As she raised her head, it wasn’t just the rear that had been smashed; the glass of the front windscreen had also shattered. Fortunately, her body hadn’t been harmed, but…
In front of her, she could see the Laros rotating. It seemed like it had an intention of being persistent with its assault. Tomoko began to grind her teeth.
I don’t want to die in this kind of place. Although, there’s absolutely nothing I can do right here.
In the instant that the Laros pointed the tip of its nose in this direction…, the wings burst into flames with a bo! In that manner, it began to spin, turning sideways. From above, she could see something small do a nose dive. It was a mechanised air infantryman.
Who could that be? Could it be F/O Elma, or Haruka? However, the silhouette is different from either of them. It’s probably one of those guys from the 1st Squadron.
Despite feeling happy for being saved, she felt more frustration than anything else.
Flt Lt Mika Ahonen’s darling face passed into her mind.
I can’t believe I was saved by a person like that…I barely made it back to Kauhava Air Force Base…Over there it must be a disastrous scene. The Neuroi’s surprise attack was clever. They destroyed buildings, and flames are spreading everywhere.
She ran towards the hanger where the Striker Units were, inside F/O Elma and Haruka were shaking, embracing each other.
"What are you doing?"
Tomoko shouted, calling out to the aircraft men.
"Get out my Ki-27! Hurry up!"
They ran over, equipping the Ki-27 onto Tomoko. She idled along the runway, before flying up into the sky. From the earpiece attached to her ear, she could hear the voice of Flt Lt Häkkinen, who was in the base control centre.
"This is ‘Snow Woman’. This is ‘Snow Woman’. All units return to base."
What’s she talking about? I still haven’t had a chance to fight!
"’Snow Woman. Tell me the location of the enemy!"
"P/O Anabuki Tomoko. With the exception of an emergency, you should not answer like that to anyone above the Squadron Commander."
"Is this not an emergency!? Now where is the enemy-"
Flt Lt Häkkinen’s voice was as cold as ice, resounding.
"The enemy have already withdrawn. Today’s battle is over."
That night…
In the mess hall of the barracks…
All the members of the Suomus Independent Volunteer Squadron had gathered there, staring idly at the ceiling. The Neuroi had only attacked the base with a melee weapon; it was a blessing in disguise. There were holes bullet holes all over and the fuel tanker for the usage of the base establishment had had it; it would be no loss as it had almost filled its war potential.
However…, there was one shock from the surprise attack, and it was a considerably big thing.
Even with the 1st Squadron’s hard fighting, the Neuroi had still managed to pass over the borders…They hadn’t been able to prevent the Neuroi from bombing the nearby town Slussen, and now there was a flood of complaints from the townsfolk.
Tomoko was seated in a frustrated manner, not opening her mouth. Haruka, who was seated beside her, began to fidget uncomfortably.
When the Neuroi came and attacked…I was so frightened I couldn’t move.
She attempted to say something, but every time she was hindered by the harsh atmosphere of Tomoko, she couldn’t speak at all. Over there, P/O Elma had returned from the control room.
"From tomorrow, it seems that we’ll be deployed alongside the 1st Squadron. And then, we shall offer the 1st Squadron support. We’ll be those girls’ back up. We’ll be accompanying objects…"
After that, Tomoko lowered her head quickly.
"Pilot Officer Anabuki…, I’m sorry for today. I’m only cowardly…"
Katharine hit F/O Elma on the shoulder.
"It wasn’t just F/O Elma…We were also in the wrong. Today, we saw children who lived in the town and had lost the place that they lived in. In this way, the amount of children like that will increase. That’s why, I’ll do my best. Isn’t that so, Ursula, P/O Beurling?"
Beurling murmured “yes”. Ursula also nodded in agreement.
"For that reason, please, Tomoko."
F/O Elma grabbed Tomoko’s hand.
"Not only in training, please take control over battle in the sky too…Just as I thought, as I don’t have any real combat experience, I can’t take control. And today, you saw me trembling…"
Tomoko stood up.
"Oh!"
Everyone stirred.
"Understood. I’ll take control."
"With this we’ll have tremendous strength!"
Katharine jumped at. Haruka also smoothed down her chest. Beurling glanced at Tomoko and smiled. Ursula closed the pages of the book she was reading.
"If that’s been decided then, it’s a celebration! From tomorrow, good luck!"
Tomoko spoke to the excited members of the Squadron in a cold voice.
"Well then, I’ll hand down orders."
"Eh? Orders?"
Everyone stared at Tomoko.
"I mean exactly as I stated. For these past two weeks, I’ve been observing your actions. Now I finally understand. You’re useless!"
"U-Uh, I don’t think that might…"
"It’s alright. I’ll fight by myself. Please watch, you lot."
Tomoko turned her body around, and walked towards her room.
"What the! Even though we went through such trouble to get motivated!”
Katharine shouted.
"Tomoko Shou-i…"
Haruka whimpered in a lonely voice as she stared at Tomoko’s back.
Tomoko, who had returned to her own room, threw herself down and stared at the ceiling.
"Takeko…, it seems that the only one I can rely on is you. To be united with those guys with no true strength, that I can’t have a decent discussion with."
Tomoko closed her eyes.
"Watch me, Takeko. I’ll take down those guys that stand in my way. I’ll show you the power of one person. Even though you’ve been fortunate enough to be sent to Karlsland, I won’t lose, and I’ll get my own war achievements."
After all, each person is an individual unit. When you’re dead, and when you’re alive, you’re still one individual unit. If that’s the case, you can take the challenge of winning and losing alone too Tomoko determined.
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