Strike Witches:Afrika2 Chapter2

Who in the world could have sent so much... whatever was in those crates. But before that, was it really supposed to be delivered to me?

Muttering a swearword or two under my breath, I approached the mountain of supplies, when I saw a large group of troops in desert uniforms covering them fully from the sun, all standing in formation in orderly ranks, even in the blazing heat. Ah, that uniform design meant they were definitely from the Fuso Imperial Army.

This being the desert, they should've at least gotten under some shade, for crying out loud. Otherwise all they're asking for is heatstroke. Or actually, if they were just on standby, the officers should've just let them all rest... what kind of a bumbling fool did they have for a commanding officer?

"Who goes there!"

As I neared the troops, a sentry's voice challenged me.

With all due respect, but soldiers in the Fuso Imperial Army really are sticklers for rules, and simply refuse to adapt to different situations. Of course, I was wrapped from head to toe to get out of the sun so I doubt anybody could have recognized me, but they were the ones who had called me here after all.

I was somewhat irritated, but it was about then that I realized that perhaps I had completely lost any feeling for being in the military. Promising myself to get back into that mood before I made any further mistakes, I took off the scarf and goggles I had gotten accustomed to wearing.

Next, I showed the sentry the letter that I had only just received from Imperial Army headquarters.

The sentry stared at the letter and me with a suspicious look on his face, but after several seconds, he saluted with sudden excitement, apparently satisfied. I returned his salute. The sentry then mumbled something about calling his superior, and darted back to the main formation of troops.

The sentry had only just reached the formation, and a senior sergeant of middling height and build stepped out of ranks. An air of command surrounded the sergeant, who started walking towards my position.

Maybe one of the sergeant mechanics.

"Madam, we are the Fuso Imperial Army African Expeditionary Force Independent Flight Squadron , also known as the Sa-Tai! This soldier is the Chief Mechanic Sergeant of the squadron, Hino Tamotsu Souchou, reporting for duty!"

Wow, what a long introduction. But, of course there was no way this sergeant could be in overall command, right?

I looked about, but didn't see anyone that resembled an officer of any sort.

"We have been awaiting your arrival, Madam. To be honest, we were worrying over how best to establish contact with your person, Madam."

The sergeant continued, but I was still puzzling over the circumstances. Suddenly, another voice piped in from somewhere nearby.

"It is truly an honor to meet you, Katou Oneesama, the Lightning of the Fuso Sea!"

Hm, wait, what? It was just a little girl's voice. But, the only person I could see was the sergeant standing in front of me.

"I had heard that you were heavily injured and retired, but are you well enough to be re-instated so soon, Madam?"

I was wondering if I had only imagined the voice, but apparently not. This time I identified the source as coming from near my feet, and I looked down, where a lumpy desert uniform stared straight back at me.

This?

Looking more closely, the lump seemed to be moving.

"Umm... and you are?"

The lump moved again, and at last I could see a face and a small hand.

The elegent face and small hand of a young girl peeked out from the uniform, looking completely out of place in the desert. The uniform seemed to be several sizes too large, covering the girl within its folds... or perhaps to put it better, wasn't the girl several sizes too small?

"Yes, Madam, I am Inagaki Mami Gunsou of the Fuso Imperial Army African Expeditionary Force Independent Flight Squadron!"

The girl saluted with her small hand. I returned the salute, and took a good look at the tiny girl. I doubted she was even 120 cm tall. Her hair was cut neatly up to her shoulders, shaped like a bowl, and her large eyes and smooth skin made her look like a Fuso doll.

Or maybe some kind of kokeshi doll?

But honestly, what was the Imperial Army thinking, sending a girl as young as this as part of the African Expeditionary Force?

Now that I knew who I was talking to, I bent down at the knees to speak to the girl on the same level.

"You're a witch, too?"

The girl immediately put on a serious expression, and spoke in a clear and determined voice.

"Yes, Oneesama, I was ordered to report under your command!"

Oneesama, huh? Maybe she was from some upper-class girls' academy somewhere. I can't say I'm completely unfamiliar with witches who say the same thing. In any case, the girl seemed to be from some well-off upper-class family.

"So who's in command of this squadron, then?"

The girl looked up at Hino Souchou standing beside her, with a troubled expression. From the way she looked like she was ready to burst into tears, the uncertainty I had about her age deepened. I wondered if she was even 10 years old yet.

With the gunsou's gaze on him, Hino Souchou also seemed to have trouble answering.

"What seems to be the problem, Souchou?"

I stood up straight and questioned him more firmly, as if I were giving an order. Standing up, the difference in height between me and Hino Souchou wasn't all that great.

The senior sergeant stood to attention, straightening like a rod, and answered promptly.

"Madam, their whereabouts are unknown."

"Their whereabouts are unknown."

"Yes, Madam. We originally began our journey under the command of a Tai-i, along with a Chuu-i and a Shou-i, but they debarked at Gibraltar, and we were ordered to depart as we were."

"Gibraltar?"

"Yes, Madam. We were ordered to make best speed to Tobruk, and place ourselves under the command of Katou Tai-i, Madam."

What do you mean, they debarked at Gibraltar? Wait, what did he just say?

"Hmm... wait, Tai-I?"

"Forgive this soldier's tardiness, Madam. We were given this set of orders upon departure."