Strike Witches 2012 Episode 10: Wolfpacks

[Rupudska]

11 March, 2012
Odessa

In the Orussian Black Sea port of Odessa, there was a celebration. The very brief war with Ostmark was over. While Illyria had not been freed, the Orussian government saw it as a victory due to them gaining semi-autonomy. Hence, the celebration and the parade.

Even the 501st had been invited to do a fly-over of the capital of Moscow, but Sohvi had turned it down. She, like much of the squadron, was in no mood to celebrate. They saw the war now as a purely political move, and a complete waste of blood and bullets. Furthermore, the 'revolution' had sparked interest in revolution in places such as Ireland, Indonesia, and of course the Ottoman Empire.

More disheartening, perhaps, was the fact that while Orussia was starting to scale back its military presence in southeastern Europe, Karlsland was not. In fact, it seemed to be increasing patrols along its border with Ostmark, as if it was preparing for a much larger war.

In the meantime, however, it was time for relaxing for the 501st. Neuroi presence had been dropping continuously in the Black Sea. What little there was was heading for Istanbul and staying close to the coast. However, ships had been mysteriously exploding not long after leaving Odessa port, and they've been exploding closer to shore each day.

Which means exactly what you'd expect it to.

A submersible Neuroi.

The two trucks with the 501st on them drove up to the Odessa beach, with a third carrying sets of what appeared to be modified supercavitating torpedoes. They were Karlsland's experimental submarine Striker units. Ruya and Sohvi were already in their swimsuits so they could use the new Strikers. Ruya in a green one-piece swimsuit that revealed her stomach and back, and Sohvi in a simple grey competition swimsuit.

Ruya walked onto the beach. "All right, everyone, stay close to the trucks. We're still working, you know. And so help me God if any of you brought white swimsuits I'm throwing you back to base."

[Agritum]

11 March, 2012
Odessa

In the Orussian Black Sea port of Odessa, there was a celebration. The very brief war with Ostmark was over. While Illyria had not been freed, the Orussian government saw it as a victory due to them gaining semi-autonomy. Hence, the celebration and the parade.

Even the 501st had been invited to do a fly-over of the capital of Moscow, but Sohvi had turned it down. She, like much of the squadron, was in no mood to celebrate. They saw the war now as a purely political move, and a complete waste of blood and bullets. Furthermore, the 'revolution' had sparked interest in revolution in places such as Ireland, Indonesia, and of course the Ottoman Empire.

More disheartening, perhaps, was the fact that while Orussia was starting to scale back its military presence in southeastern Europe, Karlsland was not. In fact, it seemed to be increasing patrols along its border with Ostmark, as if it was preparing for a much larger war.

In the meantime, however, it was time for relaxing for the 501st. Neuroi presence had been dropping continuously in the Black Sea. What little there was was heading for Istanbul and staying close to the coast. However, ships had been mysteriously exploding not long after leaving Odessa port, and they've been exploding closer to shore each day.

Which means exactly what you'd expect it to.

A submersible Neuroi.

The two trucks with the 501st on them drove up to the Odessa beach, with a third carrying sets of what appeared to be modified supercavitating torpedoes. They were Karlsland's experimental submarine Striker units. Ruya and Sohvi were already in their swimsuits so they could use the new Strikers. Ruya in a green one-piece swimsuit that revealed her stomach and back, and Sohvi in a simple grey competition swimsuit.

Ruya walked onto the beach. "All right, everyone, stay close to the trucks. We're still working, you know. And so help me God if any of you brought white swimsuits I'm throwing you back to base."

"I'll personally do an overview of everyone's swimsuit and treat them accordingly if they have a white one." was Marshal Silvestri's quick remark to Ruya's order. Clad in a dark grey LZR Racer competitive swimsuit, manifactured by Speedo, Matilde was quite sure that her swimswear was appropriate enough to the situation. With an able movement, she lowered her swimming goggles over her eyes.

Said goggles, other than obviously protect the eyes of the wearer also worked as some sort of Tactical HUD, giving Matilde information on her speed in knots and kilometers, her depth, and the quantity of oxygen left in the Striker's tanks. Basically, one of the most awesome but practical things of all time. Matilde almost felt like a little girl, when they had handed her the goggles, and that Orussian underwater rifle with supercavitating ammunition.

"Anyways, what's the briefing, Ma'am?" Matilde asked to Ruya.

[Imota]

Beatrice had mixed feelings about the war's end. On the one hand, she was glad that she wouldn't have to fight fellow witches for the time being. On the other hand, even she knew that something bigger was afoot, even if she couldn't articulate exactly what.

She looked down at her swimsuit. It wasn't any different from her standard utility uniform: a camouflage patterned swimsuit similarly styled to the ones worn by Fusoese schoolgirls. She was certain it would pass muster.

She glanced at Matilde's weapon, and that glance turned into a stare. Her first impression was that someone had built a harpoon gun on a Kalashnikov base.

"Excuse me, Marshal, but is that a harpoon gun?"

[Agritum]

Beatrice had mixed feelings about the war's end. On the one hand, she was glad that she wouldn't have to fight fellow witches for the time being. On the other hand, even she knew that something bigger was afoot, even if she couldn't articulate exactly what.

She looked down at her swimsuit. It wasn't any different from her standard utility uniform: a camouflage patterned swimsuit similarly styled to the ones worn by Fusoese schoolgirls. She was certain it would pass muster.

She glanced at Matilde's weapon, and that glance turned into a stare. Her first impression was that someone had built a harpoon gun on a Kalashnikov base.

"Excuse me, Marshal, but is that a harpoon gun?"

"Nope, Puller. It's an amphibious assault rifle, produced in Orussia. As you may see, it has space for two different cartridges, one for underwater use, and another one for surface use. It is quite useful, since harpoon guns can't deal the same damage and rate of fire of an assault rifle. The underwater cartridge stores special bullets which are capable of dealing full damage even if shot underwater. Interesting, isn't it?" Matilde replied.

[Imota]

"Nope, Puller. It's an amphibious assault rifle, produced in Orussia. As you may see, it has space for two different cartridges, one for underwater use, and another one for surface use. It is quite useful, since harpoon guns can't deal the same damage and rate of fire of an assault rifle. The underwater cartridge stores special bullets which are capable of dealing full damage even if shot underwater. Interesting, isn't it?" Matilde replied.

Beatrice nodded.

"It is," she said, clearly impressed at the gun. "I've heard about underwater guns used by Liberion and Orussian special forces, but I've never actually seen one up close. A true amphibious assault rifle, indeed." She straightened herself up.

"There's something up with the sea here, isn't there?" she asked, fairly sure of what the answer would be. She hoped it wouldn't be an underwater Neuroi; underwater operations were more the Navy's thing, and while she could tread water, she'd never actually had to fight underwater.

[Occupied Deutschland]

Bushra was silent on the drive to the beach, much as she had been mostly silent since her return to Odessa from Istanbul. She’d reported in to Sohvi, who she suspected knew exactly what she had done, and had said her prayers. She had otherwise spoken little else. The only exception to the near silence had been Asaad and Athalia.

That had been a very long conversation.

“You killed him!” Asaad repeated in the loud whisper one used when they were shocked but didn’t want to show it. The Syrian rebel almost looked as if he were about to faint.

“Bushra, do you even…” Asaad trailed off as he stared at her. He seemed unable to choose a facial expression. Fear and disgust at her and her actions seemed to be battling with sympathy.

“Good. I hope it was slow.” Athalia said from the corner of the small bunkroom, the words seeming to hang in the air. The child’s voice contrasted harshly with the coldness of the words.

Asaad cupped his face in his hands, and for a moment Bushra thought he might be crying.

“We need to free me daddy.” Athalia continued.

Asaad simply nodded from behind his hands.

“There—There’s one other thing…” Bushra said quietly, hesitantly. “Asaad…My parents. My home. It’s—“ Bushra suddenly found she couldn’t speak. Nonetheless, Asaad seemed to understand.

Removing his face from his hands, Asaad seemed to come to a decision as to what emotion he should feel.

“I will find them.” He said simply. Turning to Athalia he nodded at her as well. “We will free your father, as well.” Asaad glanced up at the roof of the room. “I’ve never been all that religious but, ya Allah, I will do both of those or die trying.” Asaad said.

“And I promise you, you will have a country to return to when this is over Bushra. Your own country.”

Bushra…wasn’t sure how to feel about that. She still wanted it but that had, ostensibly, been a goal of her teacher as well and it was difficult to separate the two from one another. But on another hand, she knew exactly what it meant and knew what she wanted to do in such a case.

“I will come with you then.” She said, as if the choice had already been made. “If you are going to secede from the Empire I will be there to help fight them off.”

Asaad almost seemed to grow angry. “No Bushra, you will not.” Asaad said finally. Bushra began to protest but was silenced by the Syrian man. “For good reasons, girl. You would attract far too much attention right now. We wouldn’t be able to focus on organizing anything or finding your parents because we would be too busy moving between spaces trying to stay ahead of the Royal Guards. You killed the Sultan’s nephew Bushra! Even if he was plotting to overthrow the man, he was part of the royal family!”

Calming slightly, Asaad looked an apology at Bushra and then dug in the pocket of his pants “Besides that, there’s also a completely selfish reason you should stay.” Removing his hand, Asaad revealed a small patch of fabric.

“Bushra, Illyria failed even with the help of the western powers declaring war for their sake. At the very least we’ll need the same help if we want any chance of succeeding. And for that, we need to assure them we will, what is the Liberion expression, ‘play ball’? With the international community when it comes to fighting the Neuroi.” Asaad sighed. “Illyria had many more witches than we do. They could afford to abandon their Joint Squadrons to use them in the rebellion. We don’t have that luxury.” Asaad glanced to Athalia, “Even with the help of the Jews.” He acknowledged, though a small bit of his voice suggested he was unsure how much help would be forthcoming. There were years of Ottoman organized bad blood between the Jews living in the Levantine regions and the native populations. Whether that could be overcome was a question in its own right.

“We need you to represent Syria, Bushra. The only real foreign contacts we have are in Karlsland and I highly doubt arms traders will be helpful in bending the ear of the western powers.”

Bushra jumped at that. She’d never heard anything about that. How much was Karlsland involved in her country’s resistance?

Why?

“Can you do that?”

So here she was, on a beach next to a veritable ocean’s worth of…

Bushra turned and focused her gaze inland, trying to settle down as she felt her heart begin to race. Taking a few shaky steps, backwards, towards the ocean, Bushra approached Ruya and Sohvi feeling completely ridiculous and horribly embarrassed. But then, throwing up would probably be more embarrassing.

Bushra began to speak, then stopped. This was her job. This was what she was here to do. She couldn’t let a little phobia make her shirk her duties.

Bushra slowly turned towards the water, then quickly stopped when the horizon of water and sound of waves crashing forced her breakfast to rise in her throat.

Well, there were some others to fulfill this job, it wouldn’t hurt for her to sit this one out. Besides, someone had to stay on dry land in case an aerial Neuroi attacked. Besides that, Bushra still couldn’t swim. They wouldn’t make her learn to swim in a combat situation. Besides that…

Bushra found she was unable to think of any more good excuses.

“Ma’ams-uh-perhaps I should remain here in case there is an-uh-another Neuroi attack? Or the transport truck needs to be moved? Or…you know…” Bushra sputtered, not actually looking at her commanding officers and still glancing off inland.

[Starkindler]

Nastya also arrived at Odessa, wearing a light yellow bikini to adequately cover her modesty. This contrasted by the bulky Spetsnaz rebreather on her back which was to supply her with oxygen. She wore swimming googles, which was designed to supply a GUI to inform her on her depth, speed, angle, enemies around (as detected by a sonar, which had less and less use due to stealth submarines), how much oxygen was remaining to her, and whether she needed to decompress. She had carried a Spetsnaz ASM-DT amphibious rifle, with a few spare clips to be used underwater in a belt above her panties.

Walking up to Ruya, she eyed her, especially her exposed front and back, sitting down in the beach sand behind her. Her face was showing a wide grin. After the war, she had been re-assigned to the 501st, while she had seen Orussia drawing back. Before getting back to the international squadron, she was allowed shore leave for the victory celebrations. And the aftermath thereof, being unused to alcohol. Before she reported for service, however, she sobered up completely, and she was made sure she didn't do anything she would regret later. (Nor that she had any memories of the victory day.)

She was glad the world was getting back to fighting Neuroi, instead of each other, and that the threat was seeming to clear up day by day. And also, that she was fighting besides the aces of the 501st once again. She then looked at Bushra.

"Ma'ams... I know Bushra has some reason to abstain. I would respectfully ask you to let her, a close air support Witch do her job, armed with anti-submarine missiles. It would be tactically advantageous to us, as she could fly faster than we could possibly swim, and could truly help engage any threat if it came from above."

She tried to defend the private's option.

[Rupudska]

“Ma’ams-uh-perhaps I should remain here in case there is an-uh-another Neuroi attack? Or the transport truck needs to be moved? Or…you know…” Bushra sputtered, not actually looking at her commanding officers and still glancing off inland.

Sohvi sighed. Perhaps there were some things that simply couldn't be avoided, no matter how hard she tried. "All right, Bushra, you can stay on the bus. Do try to avoid making a fool of yourself due to your thalassophobia, please."

Nastya also arrived at Odessa, wearing a light yellow bikini to adequately cover her modesty. This contrasted by the bulky Spetsnaz rebreather on her back which was to supply her with oxygen. She wore swimming googles, which was designed to supply a GUI to inform her on her depth, speed, angle, enemies around (as detected by a sonar, which had less and less use due to stealth submarines), how much oxygen was remaining to her, and whether she needed to decompress. She had carried a Spetsnaz ASM-DT amphibious rifle, with a few spare clips to be used underwater in a belt above her panties.

Walking up to Ruya, she eyed her, especially her exposed front and back, sitting down in the beach sand behind her. Her face was showing a wide grin. After the war, she had been re-assigned to the 501st, while she had seen Orussia drawing back. Before getting back to the international squadron, she was allowed shore leave for the victory celebrations. And the aftermath thereof, being unused to alcohol. Before she reported for service, however, she sobered up completely, and she was made sure she didn't do anything she would regret later. (Nor that she had any memories of the victory day.)

She was glad the world was getting back to fighting Neuroi, instead of each other, and that the threat was seeming to clear up day by day. And also, that she was fighting besides the aces of the 501st once again. She then looked at Bushra.

Ruya had blushed only slightly when she sensed Nastya looking her up and down. She had started to get used to it, and to be brutally honest, had almost... missed it? Yeah, that was the right word.

"Don't worry, Nastya. Knowing Bushra, we wouldn't be able to get her in the ocean anyway except at gunpoint."

[Hetland 2]

11 March, 2012
Odessa

In the Orussian Black Sea port of Odessa, there was a celebration. The very brief war with Ostmark was over. While Illyria had not been freed, the Orussian government saw it as a victory due to them gaining semi-autonomy. Hence, the celebration and the parade.

Even the 501st had been invited to do a fly-over of the capital of Moscow, but Sohvi had turned it down. She, like much of the squadron, was in no mood to celebrate. They saw the war now as a purely political move, and a complete waste of blood and bullets. Furthermore, the 'revolution' had sparked interest in revolution in places such as Ireland, Indonesia, and of course the Ottoman Empire.

More disheartening, perhaps, was the fact that while Orussia was starting to scale back its military presence in southeastern Europe, Karlsland was not. In fact, it seemed to be increasing patrols along its border with Ostmark, as if it was preparing for a much larger war.

In the meantime, however, it was time for relaxing for the 501st. Neuroi presence had been dropping continuously in the Black Sea. What little there was was heading for Istanbul and staying close to the coast. However, ships had been mysteriously exploding not long after leaving Odessa port, and they've been exploding closer to shore each day.

Which means exactly what you'd expect it to.

A submersible Neuroi.

The two trucks with the 501st on them drove up to the Odessa beach, with a third carrying sets of what appeared to be modified supercavitating torpedoes. They were Karlsland's experimental submarine Striker units. Ruya and Sohvi were already in their swimsuits so they could use the new Strikers. Ruya in a green one-piece swimsuit that revealed her stomach and back, and Sohvi in a simple grey competition swimsuit.

Ruya walked onto the beach. "All right, everyone, stay close to the trucks. We're still working, you know. And so help me God if any of you brought white swimsuits I'm throwing you back to base."

Katsumi laughed, "Looks like its my time in the sun then. Show these girls a thing or two in how a water witch operates." She grinned happily, her black bikini standing out against her fair complexion.

Maria cackled before responding, "You've been looking forward to this for too long haven't you, Shachi-chan?" Her bathing suit was a crimson one piece with something that looked like the batman symbol on it.

Lysta on the other hand looked worried for once, there was trouble possibly brewing in her homeland. Which meant that there could be an armed uprising. Which means her shop was a key target for attack. "What'll I do if they take my guns?!" She moped aloud. "Half the rabble I see are even fit to carry a gun, let along a masterpiece like mine!" She'd chosen a plain looking yellow bikini, which was apparently a flattering colour for Lysta, as it made her bust look even more ridiculous.

[Imota]

Katsumi laughed, "Looks like its my time in the sun then. Show these girls a thing or two in how a water witch operates." She grinned happily, her black bikini standing out against her fair complexion.

Maria cackled before responding, "You've been looking forward to this for too long haven't you, Shachi-chan?" Her bathing suit was a crimson one piece with something that looked like the batman symbol on it.

Lysta on the other hand looked worried for once, there was trouble possibly brewing in her homeland. Which meant that there could be an armed uprising. Which means her shop was a key target for attack. "What'll I do if they take my guns?!" She moped aloud. "Half the rabble I see are even fit to carry a gun, let along a masterpiece like mine!" She'd chosen a plain looking yellow bikini, which was apparently a flattering colour for Lysta, as it made her bust look even more ridiculous.

Beatrice felt herself flushing red at the sight of Lysta. She hadn't noticed as much recently, with everything else that had been going on, but now that things had returned to normal, at least for the time being, she found herself distracted by the Irish witch's ample tracts of land.

Don't pull another Abigail don't pull another Abigail don'tpullanotherAbigail, she told herself, finally tearing her eyes away from Lysta and returning her focus to Matilde's gun.

So it can hold a magazine for above-water bullets as well as one for underwater bullets at the same time, she consciously thought. I wonder how it clears the water when switching from underwater to above water fighting. There's got to be some kind of delay to let it drain... or maybe there's a system to avoid trapping water in the first place... though the flat magazine might make it hard to move underwater... flat... no! I don't need those, I'm more aerodynamic without them... but would Yuri think I'm more mature if I- ack!

She gritted her teeth and focused on staring at the rifle without really thinking of anything.

...what the hell is wrong with me?

[Minroz]

The two trucks with the 501st on them drove up to the Odessa beach, with a third carrying sets of what appeared to be modified supercavitating torpedoes. They were Karlsland's experimental submarine Striker units. Ruya and Sohvi were already in their swimsuits so they could use the new Strikers. Ruya in a green one-piece swimsuit that revealed her stomach and back, and Sohvi in a simple grey competition swimsuit.

Ruya walked onto the beach. "All right, everyone, stay close to the trucks. We're still working, you know. And so help me God if any of you brought white swimsuits I'm throwing you back to base."

“Roger that, Major! You can rest assure we’re not wearing any white swimsuits. At all, hehe~” quips Aigiarn with her silly grin, donning in her LZR Racer competitive swimsuit. Her alloyed katana is strapped on her back. With said swimming goggles hung above her head. Being an energetic girl, Aigiarn is looking forward to swim and kill Neurois in progress for fun. Truly, she’s the girl who enjoys fighting as well as having fun.

“Lieutenant Nuray Shahin reporting.” For some reason, the Ottoman girl sounds displeased. Noticing it, the Manchurian girl questions her best friend.

“Nunu, why are you so glum today? It’s not like you~”

In response, Nuray glares at the Manchurian with flustered expression on her face. Raising her fist shows that she’s mad. “Grrrr, Masha’Allah! Have you forgotten, you rice-eater prick!? I’ve lost rock-paper-scissors. Because of you, I’m forced to wear this ungodly abomination!!!”

Nuray is wearing the green Microkini. It explains her source of irritation. She and Aigiarn had to play rock-paper-scissors against each other because that’s the only swimsuits available to them.

“Oh c’mon, it looks nice on you.” Aigiarn grins, unfazed by the Turk’s antagonism. “That way, you’ll have a short time finding a boyfriend.”

Stomping her foot and huffing like an angry child. Nuray protested, “But this is indecency!”

“Eh? Would you rather be naked?” The scarface girl tease.

“NO!” Nuray retorts.

“I’d say it suits you, Shahin.” Yusheng remark, he wore casual clothes. He was holding a Orussian newspaper in front of him to his embarrassment. He admitted silently to himself that he really like seeing girls especially Nuray in swimsuits. As a man, he really is.

“Ah! Huh!? Hay Allah~” Nuray stutters nervously at his remark. Her body is full of embarrassment. Was he giving me a compliment is what written in her mind. Clenching her fists in self-denial, she grabs the nearby rock and threw it at the PLA officer. Startled, he dodges it.

“Hey ! No assaulting the superior officer!” Yusheng taunts.

“Like hell you are!” Nuray grits her teeth.

“Ooooh, I think I smell love in the air~” Aigiarn quips with a sly smile.

“Shut up, Mao!”

[Wolfenium]

Sitting huddled under a large parasol in a cyan two-piece, Svetlana seemed as despondent as ever. Dismayed by her exceedingly poor performance against the mercenaries, she was quite clearly off her element. It was if the kind of experience and training she had just melted away the moment she returned. It was troubling, to say the least.

"What's wrong with me?..." she muttered to herself.

Meanwhile, Adela appeared much less flashy as usual, hiding behind the tree while everyone else gathered on the beach. Dressed in a white sweater over an equally white one-piece swimsuit, she seemed reluctant to come out. Redfaced, she was trying to race her mind for an escape. It was not because she feared Ruya's wrath. Rather, she felt her outfit came as an embarrassment. It was really the only one she had brought with her. She did not think they would have time for leisure.

"This is just despicable," she griped, "should I head back?..."

[Al-Harbiyyah]

After all the troubles the 501st gone through, surprisingly they're now at Odessa Beach under the pretense of testing the new experimental Submarine Striker units.

For Yukine, its just a time for everyone to relax...in a sense.

Yukine, in her typical Fusoan dark blue school swimsuit looking over the Black Sea. Before, she is quite relieved that Bushra manages to get back in one piece...although she's got scolded by the Ottoman Officer for killing someone of no importance to her.

"I think I better get some first aid kit...just in case." Yukine thought before heading back to the bus to grab a large First Aid Kit.

"I wonder what everyone is doing...Well I better get going then." Yukine then walks toward Sohvi and Ruya while carrying the First Aid Kit with her.

She then take a glance at the experimental Submarine Striker, "What do we have here? Is this the one Karlsland are researching on? the submersible striker unit?"

[Hetland 2]

Sitting huddled under a large parasol in a cyan two-piece, Svetlana seemed as despondent as ever. Dismayed by her exceedingly poor performance against the mercenaries, she was quite clearly off her element. It was if the kind of experience and training she had just melted away the moment she returned. It was troubling, to say the least.

"What's wrong with me?..." she muttered to herself.

Meanwhile, Adela appeared much less flashy as usual, hiding behind the tree while everyone else gathered on the beach. Dressed in a white sweater over an equally white one-piece swimsuit, she seemed reluctant to come out. Redfaced, she was trying to race her mind for an escape. It was not because she feared Ruya's wrath. Rather, she felt her outfit came as an embarrassment. It was really the only one she had brought with her. She did not think they would have time for leisure.

"This is just despicable," she griped, "should I head back?..."

Maria whistled at the sight of Adela, giggling merrily. "Work it, Angel!" How or what caused Maria to move to the precise angle and place to perfectly see Adela was a mystery, but she definitely saw. And as a result had playfully begun catcalling Adela.
Katsumi however had plans of her own. "Ruya, Sohvi... would you mind if I took command of this mission? You gals may be aces in the sky, but I outclass you in the sea."

[Occupied Deutschland]

“Ma’ams-uh-perhaps I should remain here in case there is an-uh-another Neuroi attack? Or the transport truck needs to be moved? Or…you know…” Bushra sputtered, not actually looking at her commanding officers and still glancing off inland.

Sohvi sighed. Perhaps there were some things that simply couldn't be avoided, no matter how hard she tried. "All right, Bushra, you can stay on the bus. Do try to avoid making a fool of yourself due to your thalassophobia, please."

Nastya also arrived at Odessa, wearing a light yellow bikini to adequately cover her modesty. This contrasted by the bulky Spetsnaz rebreather on her back which was to supply her with oxygen. She wore swimming googles, which was designed to supply a GUI to inform her on her depth, speed, angle, enemies around (as detected by a sonar, which had less and less use due to stealth submarines), how much oxygen was remaining to her, and whether she needed to decompress. She had carried a Spetsnaz ASM-DT amphibious rifle, with a few spare clips to be used underwater in a belt above her panties.

Walking up to Ruya, she eyed her, especially her exposed front and back, sitting down in the beach sand behind her. Her face was showing a wide grin. After the war, she had been re-assigned to the 501st, while she had seen Orussia drawing back. Before getting back to the international squadron, she was allowed shore leave for the victory celebrations. And the aftermath thereof, being unused to alcohol. Before she reported for service, however, she sobered up completely, and she was made sure she didn't do anything she would regret later. (Nor that she had any memories of the victory day.)

She was glad the world was getting back to fighting Neuroi, instead of each other, and that the threat was seeming to clear up day by day. And also, that she was fighting besides the aces of the 501st once again. She then looked at Bushra.

Ruya had blushed only slightly when she sensed Nastya looking her up and down. She had started to get used to it, and to be brutally honest, had almost... missed it? Yeah, that was the right word.

"Don't worry, Nastya. Knowing Bushra, we wouldn't be able to get her in the ocean anyway except at gunpoint."

Bushra slunk away from Sohvi, nodding in thanks. She felt like she had let someone down. No, not just that. She felt like she had let the entire squadron down, including herself. She felt like she was taking advantage of some special privilege in order to avoid her duty.

She felt terrible.

It’s just water! All it is, is a bunch of water!

Bushra slowly turned back around so that the ocean was back in her vision. Her stomach rolled.

The trees were quite pretty though. Bushra focused back on them.

This is ridiculous! It's water! There's nothing sinister about it! It's just water.

She didn't turn around again though.

Sighing, Bushra made her way to the truck with the water-strikers loaded onto it. Perhaps she could be slightly useful helping to unload them. Passing Nuray and Aigiarn she couldn’t resist the urge to shake her head and glance away in embarrassment. It just wasn’t decent.

Of course, I’m one to talk. She’s at least going with everyone. It’s not very decent to abandon people when they might need your help. What I’m doing is probably more indecent than anything she could expose of herself. Physical shame is fleeting, but the shame of actions stick around.

[Wolfenium]

Sitting huddled under a large parasol in a cyan two-piece, Svetlana seemed as despondent as ever. Dismayed by her exceedingly poor performance against the mercenaries, she was quite clearly off her element. It was if the kind of experience and training she had just melted away the moment she returned. It was troubling, to say the least.

"What's wrong with me?..." she muttered to herself.

Meanwhile, Adela appeared much less flashy as usual, hiding behind the tree while everyone else gathered on the beach. Dressed in a white sweater over an equally white one-piece swimsuit, she seemed reluctant to come out. Redfaced, she was trying to race her mind for an escape. It was not because she feared Ruya's wrath. Rather, she felt her outfit came as an embarrassment. It was really the only one she had brought with her. She did not think they would have time for leisure.

"This is just despicable," she griped, "should I head back?..."

Maria whistled at the sight of Adela, giggling merrily. "Work it, Angel!" How or what caused Maria to move to the precise angle and place to perfectly see Adela was a mystery, but she definitely saw. And as a result had playfully begun catcalling Adela.
Katsumi however had plans of her own. "Ruya, Sohvi... would you mind if I took command of this mission? You gals may be aces in the sky, but I outclass you in the sea."

Mouth agape, Adela storming out of her hiding spot as she yelled in outrage, "shut up, sicko! What do you know!? Hmph!" Stomping away, she seemed eager to get away from Maria as much as possible. However, for someone who usually enjoy flaunting and showing some skin, Adela was unusually shamed by an outfit very plain and modest compared to most. She did not dare admit it, but black was not her most favourite colour.

[Rupudska]

Ruya took one look atnAdela's swimsuit and huffed audibly. "Really, Adela? Do you even realize what happens to a white swimsuit when it gets wet?" She sighed. "Go in the truck, there are spare swimsuits in there. Hope you like battleship grey bikinis, because that's what most of them are." She then sat down on the beach, watching Nuray and Ai with mild interest. Nuray did, in fact, have an attractive body, which was exacerbated by the tiny bikini she was wearing. Perhaps a bit too much for (her) comfort, as a group of Orussian men emitted a wolf whistle as they walked by her. Two even approached Ruya before she shot them a deathglare and they staggered off. "Drunks. And at this hour..."

Sohvi walked over to Katsumi, handing her the mission details. "Have fun. We're supposed to wait at the beach until the port authority contacts us about a ship either under attack or reporting suspicious underwater movement."

[Wolfenium]

Ruya took one look atnAdela's swimsuit and huffed audibly. "Really, Adela? Do you even realize what happens to a white swimsuit when it gets wet?" She sighed. "Go in the truck, there are spare swimsuits in there. Hope you like battleship grey bikinis, because that's what most of them are." She then sat down on the beach, watching Nuray and Ai with mild interest. Nuray did, in fact, have an attractive body, which was exacerbated by the tiny bikini she was wearing. Perhaps a bit too much for (her) comfort, as a group of Orussian men emitted a wolf whistle as they walked by her. Two even approached Ruya before she shot them a deathglare and they staggered off. "Drunks. And at this hour..."

Sohvi walked over to Katsumi, handing her the mission details. "Have fun. We're supposed to wait at the beach until the port authority contacts us about a ship either under attack or reporting suspicious underwater movement."

"Well, excuse me if this is the only swimsuit I have," Adela griped, "it's not like I don't know what will happen. And why don't you ask her to change too," she bantered, gesturing at Nuray, "she might as well be wearing a mankini. Hold on, I'll go change."

Watching the Dacian leave, Sveta felt a bit curious over Adela's growing ties. Maria's catcalls, in particular seemed to annoy her a lot more than usual. But a strange burning sensation inside, Sveta too could not help but feel annoyed as well. She did not understand why. After all, Maria was only picking on Adela. Or was she?

Getting off the ground with her parasol gripped over her head, she motioned over to Ruya and the others, nearly bumping the edge of her umbrella on Ruya's chest. Her head hidden beneath, she questioned, "Tepes seemed a lot more flustered in front of Maria these days. It doesn't seem natural. I wonder how badly the war affected her. I can't help but feel alarmed."

[Rupudska]

Ruya sighed. "That's probably part of it. She was fairly close to the Illyrian leader, if I remember, so she's probably rather pissed off that she'd pull a political stunt like that war clrarly was. And I don't blame her."

[Wolfenium]

Ruya sighed. "That's probably part of it. She was fairly close to the Illyrian leader, if I remember, so she's probably rather pissed off that she'd pull a political stunt like that war clrarly was. And I don't blame her."

"Well, to her credit," Svetlana stated, "it seemed like that Carabinieri was behind that rather than Milovanovic. Now that she's dead, I suppose the nun did not see much value in continuing a war that was ill-timed from the beginning. I mean, in retrospect, internal strife during an alien invasion was just poor taste. I'm just glad it's over... kind of..."

[Rupudska]

"Well, to her credit," Svetlana stated, "it seemed like that Carabinieri was behind that rather than Milovanovic. Now that she's dead, I suppose the nun did not see much value in continuing a war that was ill-timed from the beginning. I mean, in retrospect, internal strife during an alien invasion was just poor taste. I'm just glad it's over... kind of..."

Ruya nods. "Yeah... good to be killing our faceless adversaries again instead of people. I can deal with it, but I don't like killing other people. It's just..." She struggled to find the right word for what it was that she had a problem with.

"I think it's the actual killing itself. It was the same in Iraq. Whenever I shot someone, my mind immediately tried picturing why they became my enemy, why they were what they were. I hated it. I did it because I was following orders, but I hated it."

[Minroz]

Nuray gives deathglares of her own sending the horny Orussian men away including those who did try wolf-whistle at her. She had enough troubles as it is. At least the Manchurian officer has decency to respect her body as a person. She sighs, wondering why she’s still thinking about him. To her, Yusheng is a total jerk but up till now she admits to herself that he’s cute and handsome. Nuray can’t help herself about it.

“Hay Allah. What’s wrong with me?” She mutters, trying her best to deny the growing feeling for him. So far, Nuray and Yusheng somewhat get along at the slow pace, mainly their goal is to fight Neurois and looking after Aigiarn. But that doesn’t prevent them from bickering between each other.

She sighs, covering her cheek to hide her blush from the others. Nuray is very unsure about her feelings.

---

"Well, to her credit," Svetlana stated, "it seemed like that Carabinieri was behind that rather than Milovanovic. Now that she's dead, I suppose the nun did not see much value in continuing a war that was ill-timed from the beginning. I mean, in retrospect, internal strife during an alien invasion was just poor taste. I'm just glad it's over... kind of..."

Ruya nods. "Yeah... good to be killing our faceless adversaries again instead of people. I can deal with it, but I don't like killing other people. It's just..." She struggled to find the right word for what it was that she had a problem with.

"I think it's the actual killing itself. It was the same in Iraq. Whenever I shot someone, my mind immediately tried picturing why they became my enemy, why they were what they were. I hated it. I did it because I was following orders, but I hated it."

“Heeey~” Aigiarn pops out of nowhere, she quips, “Are we talking about Shortie (Adela)? I was wondering why she’s so mad. Let me guess, this involves Maria?”

[Finorskia]

Natalie was wearing a simple black one piece under her uniform in a style similar to the Fuso Navy. Because her power wouldn't work very well underwater, Natalie had been assigned to fly top cover. Her part of the mission also involved dropping several sonobuoys. Which meant that she was using a S-3B Viking striker in place of her usual units.
"Natalie Petersdotter reporting ma'am." Natalie saluted Sohvi.

The sound of car doors opening made Natalie look over at the group of vehicles. Two girls were stepping out of a very official looking, all black vehicle. They approached the group of witches. Natalies faced made an almost shocked expression, but she quickly made it disappear.
The first witch was a Liberion dressed in the uniform of the Liberion navy. She wore the rank insignia of a Captain (Navy) and has a briefcase handcuffed to her wrist. The symbol of the CIA was emblazoned on the case. Her eyes were shut and she was smiling in a way that made it impossible to tell her emotions. The second witch was Orussian and wore the uniform of a Orussian naval officer. On her shoulders were pinned the insignia of a Rear Admiral.
"Major el-Amin. Lieutenant Colonel Häyhä. I'm Captain Allison Coy of the Liberion Navy." The first witch saluted the two witches in the formal manner one does to a subordinate.
"And I'm Rear Admiral Natalya Lebedev of the Orussian Navy, and current commanding officer of the Admiral Kuzentsov." The second witch said in accented English.
"Were very pleased that you agreed to do this mission for us." Coy said. Her face still poised in that unreadable expression. Lebedev just nodded.
"The Kuzentsov will provide air support, if required, for the duration of the mission." Lebedev announced.
"We trust you know your mission?" Coy asked.

[Rupudska]

Ruya nodded as Ai finished. "Yeah, it's about Adela. But I don't think Maria is involved... this time, at least. It's probably got more to do with, like I said to Sveta, the Illyrians."

Natalie was wearing a simple black one piece under her uniform in a style similar to the Fuso Navy. Because her power wouldn't work very well underwater, Natalie had been assigned to fly top cover. Her part of the mission also involved dropping several sonobuoys. Which meant that she was using a S-3B Viking striker in place of her usual units.
"Natalie Petersdotter reporting ma'am." Natalie saluted Sohvi.

Sohvi returned the salute. "You know, Petersdotter, since you won't be going underwater, you could have put your uniform over your swimsuit."

The sound of car doors opening made Natalie look over at the group of vehicles. Two girls were stepping out of a very official looking, all black vehicle. They approached the group of witches. Natalies faced made an almost shocked expression, but she quickly made it disappear.
The first witch was a Liberion dressed in the uniform of the Liberion navy. She wore the rank insignia of a Captain (Navy) and has a briefcase handcuffed to her wrist. The symbol of the CIA was emblazoned on the case. Her eyes were shut and she was smiling in a way that made it impossible to tell her emotions. The second witch was Orussian and wore the uniform of a Orussian naval officer. On her shoulders were pinned the insignia of a Rear Admiral.
"Major el-Amin. Lieutenant Colonel Häyhä. I'm Captain Allison Coy of the Liberion Navy." The first witch saluted the two witches in the formal manner one does to a subordinate.
"And I'm Rear Admiral Natalya Lebedev of the Orussian Navy, and current commanding officer of the Admiral Kuzentsov." The second witch said in accented English.
"Were very pleased that you agreed to do this mission for us." Coy said. Her face still poised in that unreadable expression. Lebedev just nodded.
"The Kuzentsov will provide air support, if required, for the duration of the mission." Lebedev announced.
"We trust you know your mission?" Coy asked.

Sohvi and Ruya both returned the salutes, nodding. Sohvi was the one to speak. "We're here to sink and destroy a submersible Neuroi that has been attacking any and all transports in and out of Odessa as a one-ship blockade. We understand that it's been quite a pain in the ass for you and your troops."

[Hetland 2]

Natalie was wearing a simple black one piece under her uniform in a style similar to the Fuso Navy. Because her power wouldn't work very well underwater, Natalie had been assigned to fly top cover. Her part of the mission also involved dropping several sonobuoys. Which meant that she was using a S-3B Viking striker in place of her usual units.
"Natalie Petersdotter reporting ma'am." Natalie saluted Sohvi.

The sound of car doors opening made Natalie look over at the group of vehicles. Two girls were stepping out of a very official looking, all black vehicle. They approached the group of witches. Natalies faced made an almost shocked expression, but she quickly made it disappear.
The first witch was a Liberion dressed in the uniform of the Liberion navy. She wore the rank insignia of a Captain (Navy) and has a briefcase handcuffed to her wrist. The symbol of the CIA was emblazoned on the case. Her eyes were shut and she was smiling in a way that made it impossible to tell her emotions. The second witch was Orussian and wore the uniform of a Orussian naval officer. On her shoulders were pinned the insignia of a Rear Admiral.
"Major el-Amin. Lieutenant Colonel Häyhä. I'm Captain Allison Coy of the Liberion Navy." The first witch saluted the two witches in the formal manner one does to a subordinate.
"And I'm Rear Admiral Natalya Lebedev of the Orussian Navy, and current commanding officer of the Admiral Kuzentsov." The second witch said in accented English.
"Were very pleased that you agreed to do this mission for us." Coy said. Her face still poised in that unreadable expression. Lebedev just nodded.
"The Kuzentsov will provide air support, if required, for the duration of the mission." Lebedev announced.
"We trust you know your mission?" Coy asked.

Katsumi was reading the mission details. "Pardon me," Katsumi saluted rigidly, "but I'll be the officer of the 501st for this mission." She realized she'd still yet to introduce herself, "I beg your pardons again, allow me to introduce myself, Major Hanabuya Katsumi, engineering department, reporting for duty."

Maria as usual laughed off Adela's retort looking playfully at her before shrugging and running off, seemingly distracted by something else.