“That's kind of a loaded question, isn't it?” You ask. “I mean, I could say they're little girls playing war and sticking them in with a real fighter group is a good way to get a lot of men killed, but then again I could point to their successes just about everywhere in this war and say they're the reason we're doing so well.” You shrug. “They're good enough for the tactical role with the ninth, I guess, maybe intercepts like the RAF boys did during the blitz.”
He grins. “And what about bomber escort?”

You shake your head. “Come on quint, we both know that ain't a mission for them. Maybe with the medium guys, I hear that worked out pretty well in the midwest, but the heavy bombers?” You shake your head again, answering your own question. “Besides, the strategic campaign got axed back in forty two. They got shot to shit.”

“They're restarting it.” Quentin says, flatly. “And I need you as an exec in a joint fighter outfit.”

“Joint- Quint, you've gotta be 'shittin me.” You say, in shock. “We both know those girls don't listen to anyone but their matrons or whatever anyway, and besides, I thought the pentagon was all about putting hotshot young guys in with them for, ah, propaganda.”

He laughs. “Like the bounce lord of Barin?”

You scowl at him. “Yeah, exactly like that asshole. Remind me to tell you about all the trouble he gave me over drinks some day.”

Quentin laughs again.

You look around, eyes drawn out the window to the flight line, where the base's compliment of fighters- mostly mustangs, now, but with more than a few lightnings scattered amongst them- sit. A pair of mustangs are taxiing across the tarmac, their pilots headed up on a flight for whatever reason. But for the manned AA emplacements and the air of tension, the base could just as easily be your old stateside post, in a 'safe' area. You look back at your old friend. “So why me, quint?”

2/3

“Because the brass wants to prevent more of that kind of shit, but there's not that damned many guys they think are up for the job. You're on a really short list for this kind of thing, John.” He says, nodding towards his window, indicating the squadrons on the base. “They're considering opening up transfers for guys like you for this if it becomes more common, but you're here first because I asked for you. It won't be like old times, I can't be flying your wing all the time to keep you from doing something silly, but I need you here.”

You sigh, ignoring the joke- him, prevent you from doing something silly? Way you recall, it was usually him doing the silly shit and you running damage control. You two have been friends and wingmates since the great war, all those years ago. You both saved each others lives above France more times than either of you care to count, and you've both made the air corps- well, air force, now, your lives and careers. He's pulled favors for you before, but nothing like this. If he's yanked you from a training command to be an executive officer here, he honestly must think he needs you.

[] Alright, but only because you asked. Tell me about the squadron.
[] I really don't know about this, Quint.

>>28254550
>[] I really don't know about this, Quint.

Those sparkly bitches be crazy mate.

>>28254550
>[] I really don't know about this, Quint.

Whelp, I'm wondering how badly we can derail things here.

>>28254550

[X] I really don't know about this, Quint.

Goddamn witches.

>>28254550
>[] I really don't know about this, Quint.

>>28254550
>[x] Alright, but only because you asked. Tell me about the squadron.

as skeptical as possible

>>28254550
>[x] Alright, but only because you asked. Tell me about the squadron.
Being in the air, even with sparkles, is a pilots true home. Best night of the week!

>>28254550
>[] I really don't know about this, Quint.

Sanity and order is good. Sticking a bunch of hormonal young guys with a bunch of hormonal young girls is like asking for something to go disastrously wrong.

>>28254550
>[] I really don't know about this, Quint.

>>28254635

>hormonal young guys
>apparently fought in World war 1

Thinking not quite there, bud

>Ice's dad is ~90 by 89

damn

[] Alright, but only because you asked. Tell me about the squadron.

>>28254597
Ghost is in charge. So I doubt this will turn into a second coming of the bounce lord.

>>28254676

What, you think we're going to be the only guy there?

>>28254681
Grandad, spudasaur.
He's dead anyway.

>>28254681
Granddad, not dad. Her dad died remember?

>>28254676
They fought in the great depression stupid

>>28254550
>[x] I really don't know about this, Quint.

>>28254688

I was thinking on the terms of not joining up with a group of sparklies.

>>28254704
>a guy had his first son at the age of 50

damn

>>28254550
[x] Alright, but only because you asked. Tell me about the squadron.
It's like people don't know their history, that Witches have been on the front lines of combat since before the rise of the Roman Republic, or that they made and broke entire battles and campaigns, and consequently wars.

>>28254550
>[] I really don't know about this, Quint.

>>28254732
They are still teenagers and teenagers suck.

>>28254732

They're also difficult to control, and a bunch of teenagers to boot.

Some other poor sucker can have that job.

>>28254550
[x] Alright, but only because you asked. Tell me about the squadron.

>>28254772
Are they teenagers, though? Yes, it's a valid assumption, but are we really getting Witches straight out of an Academy? And honestly, that's no different from a bunch of nuggets straight out of Flight School, either.

File: 1384302146430.gif-(2.78 MB, 400x226, Axe Kick the fucker.gif)

2.78 MB GIF

>>28254550

What I really want to know is can we punch that bastard Young in the face? Because I wanted to do that for sooooooo long.

>>28254882

At least we don't get the explosive mix of a bunch of young guys and a bunch of young girls being forced together in wartime conditions.

[x] Alright, but only because you asked. Tell me about the squadron.

yur mah bro, bro

>>28254550
>[] Alright, but only because you asked. Tell me about the squadron.

I get the feeling we're being tossed under the bus here. Still, being a SWQ thread, I doubt we're gonna get out of doing this...

>>28254882
The Martians are gonna chew them up! D:

>>28254550
>[] I really don't know about this, Quint.

>>28254550
>[] I really don't know about this, Quint.

>>28254945

We can damn well try.

>>28254550
[X] Alright, but only because you asked. Tell me about the squadron.

>>28254550
[X] I really don't know about this, Quint.

>>28254550
Damn its been a while... glad to make a thread again.
[X] Other; I really don't know about this, Quint. Tell me about the Squadron

>>28254959
one to two tops!

>>28254727
Eh, my granddad had my dad at the age of 60.

>>28255190

I'm guessing you never met your granddad.

If anything if we are to fly we should have the callsign of Heartbreak One.
Just because.

>>28254550
>[] Alright, but only because you asked. Tell me about the squadron.

Between Quint and us, we are the responsible one, and our friend is counting on us to be a calm seasoned leader.

>>28255215
Nope, he died some ten years before I was born. In fact, he's a contemporary of Quentin and Ice's grandfather.

>>28254550
[] Alright, but only because you asked. Tell me about the squadron.

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[x] Alright, but only because you asked. Tell me about the squadron.

You sigh, thinking it over. Part of you- the sane part- really, really wants to refuse. Or, at least, voice your many concerns. If you're being honest, this almost sounds like one of Quentin's patented “good ideas”- the most outstanding of which was the pair of you taking your nieuports into a formation of seven fokkers over Chamery on Bastille day 1918.

“I really don't know about this, Quint.” You say, leaning back. “But tell me about the squadron.”

He smiles and opens his mouth to respond, and you hold up a finger. “I haven't accepted, yet.”

He nods. “Fair enough. We've got four, currently. The CO is some broad from the Reds, 'bout our age. Guess she missed the great war, somehow, and she didn't pick a side during their civil war or whatever, so I guess she's about normal for them in that regard. Doesn't seem to much like the reds though. What records we were forwarded indicate they executed her family for some reason or other- glad we're not in the pacific or in the east.”

You nod. “She got a name?”

“Yeah, Ilyena Nikolaevna or something like that.” He shrugs.

“I can't pronounce red names for shit.” He adds with a laugh, a second later.

“Who else?” you ask. “It's not just the one, is it?”

He shakes his head. “Nah. She's the CO, pretty good at it, even if she's utterly vicious at getting what she thinks she needs for her unit. Hell, you're not even all here yet and she's already raising hell with me about shortages.”

“Shortages? Already?” You ask, surprised.

He nods, and jerks his head to indicate the airbase, outside the window. “Yeah, but don't worry about it right now. I'll show you what I mean when we get done in here. Anyway, where was I? Oh, right.”

1/2

“There's the twins. April and May.” He grins. “Their folks had a sense of humor.”

You nod. “Sounds like it.”

“They're from the states, just got over here. Flew in the pacific for a while, both of them were active in the midwest too. They're good, but they can be pains in the ass sometimes.” He shakes his head with a chuckle. “We've already busted them for getting in soap bullet shootouts.”

You frown. “Sound like a handful.”

“It got worse when someone damn near got their brains splattered all over a wall by a round they missed.” He says, tapping the side of his head. “Thankfully, surprise ruined her aim.”

“What is it with your head and bullets?” You ask.

He laughs again. “Anyway, they're good kids- but I stress that they're kids.” He says. “Last, but not least, we've got our Brit, Camille Knight. She's a vet too, flew in the blitz. Good kid, but she's like us, and got dinged a few times. Keep an eye on her, will ya?”

You nod. “So what else do we have?”

“Well, there's you. Your aircraft inventory, right now, sucks.” He shrugs. “Sorry. Best I could do was scrounge up a pair of fighters that never made it past prototype, had them shipped over. They're really pushing fighter cover, here, John, so it's hard to find anything, let alone a Lightning or Mustang. They're over in hangar six, if you want to go take a look. I can show you around the post, too, while we're at it.”

[]Yeah, let's go see the birds and meet the crew.
[] Just show me around post, Quint. I'll check out the birds later.

>>28255688
>[]Yeah, let's go see the birds and meet the crew.

>>28255688
>[] Yeah, let's go see the birds and meet the crew.

[x] Yeah, let's go see the birds and meet the crew.

[x] Yeah, let's go see the birds and meet the crew.

People first. Birds second.

[]Yeah, let's go see the birds and meet the crew.
[] Just show me around post, Quint. I'll check out the birds later.

Let's make the birds a quick glance over.

>>28255688
>[x]Yeah, let's go see the crew and meet the birds.

>>28255688
>[x]Yeah, let's go see the birds and meet the crew.

>Nikolaevna
A Romanov?!?! Don't tell me it's Anastasia, she'd be bout our age now...
>Camille Knight
Fronks Great Aunt?

>archdukes notalyRe
Captcha can be funny...

>>28255688

>[]Yeah, let's go see the birds and meet the crew.

>>28255781
If it is Anastasia, how the Hell did she escape?

>>28255688

>[]Yeah, let's go see the birds and meet the crew.

>No Prinzessin

>>28255688
>[X]Yeah, let's go meet the crew.

>>28255797
We still don't know if she was executed even now, don't have any DNA of her's we can compare to the remains and there is numerous theories on her escaping.

>>28255797
>how the Hell did she escape?
Magic and flying away on a broom?

>>28255871
untrue, they found her body a few years back, Both She and Alexei were found in a near bye grave.
they did DNA test and everything.

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2009-03-11/news/0903100646_1_romanov-family-romanov-rule-buries

>>28255927
And the Russians say it's Maria that they found, no one can say for sure.
http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0004838

>>28255982

I think a tabletop campaign set during the Russian Civil War, with the chance to rescue the Romanovs, marry one of the daughters, and become Tzar, would be pretty cool.

>>28256007
Would play.

>>28256007

wRPG*, not tabletop campaign. Fuck. That said, a tabletop WARGAME would be pretty awesome.

>>28255688
[]Yeah, let's go see the birds and meet the crew.

>>28255688
>[X]Yeah, let's go see the birds and meet the crew.

>>28255688
>[]Yeah, let's go see the birds and meet the crew.

A Moonbat? We're going to fly a Moonbat? I hope they replaced the original engines and fixed the low-speed maneuvering and Dutch-rolling issues or this will be a short quest indeed.

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[x]Yeah, let's go see the birds and meet the crew.

You nod. “Yeah, let's go see the birds and meet the crew.” You say, standing up and grabbing your garrison cap.

You toss Quentin his when you step out of the building- he catches it with a practiced flourish and plants it on his head. He jumps in the driver's side seat of a jeep parked outside- there's no telling if it's his or not, he never stood much for that, except with his aircraft.

He points things out as you drive. “This base is one of the RAF's prewar stations,” He explains, driving around the building and onto the flight line. “They're letting us borrow it for the duration. We retook it after they invaded the islands, and the ninth used it for a while for their guys.” He points out some battle damaged buildings, showing the tell-tale scorches of Maser fire.

“The guys stationed here during the invasion got out ok,” He says, “but their inventory took a beating. There's a big boneyard on the west end, so that's where we get a lot of our spares. Might work for you, might not. Just be careful in there, no sense breaking your neck.”

“We've got a pair of groups here, right now. Mine, the five-oh-fifth composite, and the four seventy ninth fighter group. We're responsible for most of the airspace around here, but the RAF actually handles scrambles and raids and the like, but if you see spits or beaus overhead, odds are something is going on and you need to get airborne in a hurry.” He turns off, traveling and breakneck speeds down the side of a taxiway, swerving around a P-51 that's being edged out of it's stand by it's crew.

“Anyway,” he continues placidly. “We do base-wide briefings. The plan is to have us mostly assigned to high altitude bomber escort, but we both know how that's going to work. We’ll get more than our fair share of tactical stuff too, I'm sure. Over there's the club, we've taken to calling it the pond.”

1/4 (I think)

“The pond?” You ask.

“You'll see when it rains.” He responds with a laugh. “Pretty popular post-mission. It's all ranks, though, so you'll have to deal with the enlisted.”

You both laugh- Quentin was and is known for being just as willing to pick up a wrench to help out a struggling ground crew or help out other enlisted- he's a 'good' officer, in that sense. You've never had a problem with them either, though you've typically restricted yourself to helping with your own fighter.

He turns the wheel sharply, causing the jeep to skid around the corner and into the hangar on two tires. The screeching also alerts the crew working on a pair of strange looking fighters, one of them with an engine suspended over it's nacelle by a crane. All work seems to have paused to look at you two.

“And there they are. Your birds. We'll have to get you a second pilot for the other, and you're due to get a couple more, but they'll be heavies- long story, I'll give you the folder.” He says.

“So what am I looking at?” You ask.

The fighter looks sleek and futuristic- almost like it was inspired by the alien craft you've come to recognize. The body blends into the wing, and the whole thing is almost bereft of the hard angles you're used to seeing.

“This,” Quentin says, walking up to it and patting the side of the fuselage, just below the cockpit. “Is the XP-67 bat.”

“The hell is an XP-67 bat?” you ask. “Never heard of it before.”

He shakes his head. “Little company out of St.Louis made them. They're just a subcontractor now, so these are the only two. They were building them as bomber interceptors, but the program ran into issues, and they never really sorted them out. They ended up here a while ago, and I had 'em pulled out of the boneyard when I got the composite group.”

“So it was dead?” You ask. Quentin shakes his head.

2/4

“Nah, just, no one wanted it. It's not got that different a profile from a P-38, but it's a bit of a handful, and the kids just didn't know what to do. She gets strange down around stall speeds. Well, and she was very underpowered up until I called in a few favors.” He grins.

“Oh lord, here we go.” You say, rolling your eyes. Quentin has a fascination with aero engines, one that's well known and occasionally leads to trouble.

“Originally, they both had a pair of continentals. That beast they're dropping in now is a Wright R twenty one sixty.” He says. “Bout a thousand more horses.”

You whistle. “That's a hell of a lot of power, Quint. Thousand more horses per bird? That thing's gotta climb like a bat outta hell.”

He shakes his head with a sly grin. “No, no. Thousand more horses per engine.”

You look at him in shock. “Jesus Christ, Quint.”

He nods, sagely. “Well, it was that or scrounge around. Wright said they had some prototypes kicking around from a couple of canned projects, and sent them out to us. Just be careful with them- we've had to work out cooling, and we're still not sure we've nailed it.”

You nod. “So what's she armed with?” You ask, eyeing the six gun ports arranged along the bottom of the fuselage. “Twenty mil?”

Quentin shakes his head again. “Thirty sevens.”

“Thir- Jesus Christ, what were they planning to do, saw destroyers in half?” You ask, incredulous.

Quentin nods. “Well, it's a bomber interceptor. Or, was, anyway. She's a hell of a dogfighter now. Scotty up there thinks he can change out her armament without too much trouble- we've got plenty of fifty cal and twenty mil cannons, and even some forty mil cannon that the brits gave us, but I'll leave that to you.”

3/4

“Speaking of,” He says, turning up to look at a bearded man, helping guide the monster engine in place. “Hey scotty! This is your new pilot.”

He pauses for a second to look down at you. “I keep telling you I'm not Scottish, sir. And I'll be down in a minute.”

Quentin shakes his head. “Don't worry about it Scotty. You can meet him at the pond, later. I still have to show him around the base and introduce him to the witches.”

'Scotty' nods, turning his attention again to the engine, now inside the bay.

Quentin turns to you. “Alright, so that's your bird. Give them a few hours to hook everything up and fire it all up before you start planning a familiarization hop though,” He says. “All that's left are for you to meet your boss and for me to buy a beer I'm sure I owe you.”

[] “Let's go meet the boss, then.”
[] “I could use a beer or two, yeah.”

>>28256965
>[] “Let's go meet the boss, then.”

>>28256965
>[X] “Let's go meet the boss, then.”

"I'll probably need the beer afterward."

>>28256965
>[] “Let's go meet the boss, then.”
The beers will come after the meeting, we'll need it then.

>>28256965

>[] “Let's go meet the boss, then.”

xp 55 never gets love...
>>28256965
>[x] “Let's go meet the boss, then.”

>>28257045
the arse-ender gets plenty of love, just not the kind you want

>>28256965
>[] “Let's go meet the boss, then.”

>>28256965
>[] “Let's go meet the boss, then.”

>>28257045
xp-55 Ewwwwwwwwwwww

>>28256965
>[X] “Let's go meet the boss, then.”

RUSSSEN BAWS

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>>28256965
>[] “Let's go meet the boss, then.”

>>28257045
fun plane in war thunder I use it along with a BTD and a few others for my US lineup

>>28256965
>[] "Let's go meet the boss, then."
Beer later.

>>28256965
[] “Let's go meet the boss, then.”

>>28256965
>[] “Let's go meet the boss, then.”

>>28256965
>[] “Let's go meet the boss, then.”
>>28256997

>>28256965
boss, then beer, or possible beer and boss

>>28257409
>Ilyena Nikolaevna

I think boss would do vodka. If she drink with us at all.

Do Russians do beer? Not trying to be an ass, just curious.

I'dve preferred non OC witches :(

>>28257439
>ruskies do beer. wodka is more populair though

>>28257457
Pretty sure we're getting a Prinzessen later.

Or Ghost managed to fool all of us.

>>28257045
>xp 55
Keep your ass-ender to your self.

>>28257521
I think I'd cry without her, she's in the top 5 of witches

>>28257580
There are to many Witches for agreement, but I do like her.

>>28257521
Maybe... Or maybe its our boss.
>>28255781

>>28257457
And who would Ghost have been able to use? Save that group on the Enterpise, he couldn't exactly relocate many of them to Britain. He'd have to take a JSW whole, and that doesn't leave much room for him to develop them down a characterization he might want.

>>28257663
Any of the ~150 canon witches in the series

>>28257680
Breaking up their wing in the process.

>>28257646
Heinrike Prinzessin zu Sayn-Wittgenstein

Isn't exactly easily confusable with Ilyena Nikolaevna

>>28257709
Many of them aren't actually in wings. They're just names.

>>28257709
Or, you know, just tack us on to a wing. Or anything. It's not like it has to be 100% faithful to the canon, but it'd be kinda nice if it tied to characters from the series

>>28257715
I'm saying on the "Ghost tricked us" point.

>>28257745
Oh. Guess so.

It'd be a little much though.

ghost a slow
so slow
like maple syrup in the middle of winter

>>28257745
Eh I didn't have my hopes up considering Ghost's style. He'd rather write planes than pantless girls

>>28258064
either that or it's going to be a big post.

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[x] “Let's go meet the boss, then.”

“We can save the beer for later.” You say, “I might need it.”

Quentin laughs, sitting back down in the jeep and starting it up as you sit down in the passenger side. “She's honestly not that bad.” He says. “But she's handling a lot of stuff and a lot of it is brand new for them, so she's working out a lot of problems.”

You nod, keeping quiet as the jeep's tires scream on the cement floor of the hangar, Quint flooring it in reverse and backing out of the building. “Anyway, they're quartered in an old manor building or something on the base. No idea why it wasn't torn down when the built the place, but it is what it is. Plenty of room in there for you, though, especially given how few of you there are.” He laughs. “You'll be rattling around like the last couple peas in a can. Maybe throw a party or two, huh?”

“Parties were always your thing. Speaking of, how's the family?” You ask, noting that the building you're headed for is really close to the flight line- almost like they built around it.

“Good, good.” He says, nodding. “Just got a letter from the kids and the wife, they've been staying with dad and mom.”

“They doing good?”

He nods again. “Yeah. Dad's getting a bit long in the tooth for his shit though. Had to tell him he couldn't form a volunteer fighter outfit and come over here. Airplanes ain't horses.” He grins. “But Esther is keeping a good eye on him, so we should be able to keep him out of trouble.”

You park outside the building, gaining an appreciation for it's size- it must have belonged to some noble or other, you think.

You step inside, removing your cap and looking around. You're in a large entryway, with a pair of curved staircases going up either side of the room. Off to your left and right are doorways leading to other rooms- one stands empty, while the other houses a mountain of various small supply boxes.

1/4-5 (not sure)

You're interrupted by a pair of girls- the twins, you suspect- who come tearing around the corner in front of you, almost running into Quint.

“Hi sir!” one of them greets.

“Quint!” The other squeals. “Did you bring candy?”

“We like candy. Maybe those little peppermints?”

Quentin laughs, digging a pair of peppermints out of his shirt pocket and handing them to the two witches. By the time you blink, they're unrapped and gone, and the two witches are looking at you, one just ahead and the other to your side, bent forward at the waist.

“Hey Quint is this your friend?” The one in front asks, while the one at your side pokes you just below the ribs, a thoughtful look on her face.

“He's kinda old. I thought we asked for someone good-looking?” She says.

Quentin laughs. “Yes, this is my friend. And I'll make a note, ok?”

“Ok, bye Quint and new guy!” They both say, almost in unison, before tearing off again.

“Is that...?” You ask, indicating the pair of witches.

Quentin shakes his head, laughing. “No, not usually. They're good kids, honestly. Not sure what's going on with them.” He starts up the stairs, indicating you should follow him.

2/4 ( think it's 4)

>>28258714
>1/4-5 (not sure)
Jebus, quite the infodump.

>>28258714
>Dad's getting a bit long in the tooth for his shit though. Had to tell him he couldn't form a volunteer fighter outfit and come over here.
Theodore Roosevelt is still alive... Anyone up for a time paradox by sending him to kill Robo-Stalin?

Upstairs, the commander's office doors occupy the back wall, with a hallway off to either end of the second story balcony. Quentin knocks on the wall before stepping in.

Inside, a witch holds up a finger with one hand, while she holds a phone headset with the other.

“What do you mean she's not available?” She says, her accent light, but detectable. “I was under the impression all of them were available since-” She pauses, listening to the voice on the other end of the line and frowning.

“So I am to undertake brand new mission for witches with the four of us, with no night witch, no further witches available, and- Yes, I am aware the Bolsheviks have free witches, but I do not want any of them near my girls. I remember Lenin's words, unlike some of us.” She sighs. “What of the Asians? Are any of them-” She pauses again.

“Fine.” She says with a heavy sigh. “I will make do for now. Please keep me in mind when someone does become available. I doubt the four of us, even with liaison pilots, will be able to do everything for long.” She sets the phone headset down in it's cradle with a sigh and rubs her temples.

Finally, she looks up with a forced smile. “Hello Colonel Roosevelt. How can I help you today?”

Quint grins. “Actually, I'm here to help you. This is Major John Kazinski, your exec.”

She looks over at you, giving you an appeasing once over. “This is your friend from the great war?”

3/5 (miscounted. this may change again)

Quentin nods. “One and the same. Flew nieuports with me.”

She nods. “That is welcome news. I am Colonel Ilyena Nikolaevna.” She stands up to return your offered handshake. “I was not allowed by my family to fight in the great war, but Quentin has shared many stories at the pond of your exploits.” She gives him a sidelong look. “I suspect some of them may have been embellished.”

Quentin looks pained. “I'd never tell a lie.” He says, faux-hurt in his voice.

“But you might tell a few creative truths.” You supply.

“So what was that all about?” Quentin says, nodding to the phone.

Ilyena shrugs. “I have been calling contacts provided for me about available witches.” She frowns. “I am sad to say there are not many. Most of the current ones are all spoken for. We shall have to see what happens.”

Quentin nods. “I'll have your other pilot in a few days, I'm thinking of stealing someone from our neighbors.”

Ilyena shrugs again. “I will trust your judgement.” She pauses, then laughs. “Even if I didn't, I would have to, I am too busy to make time to play like the German and attempt to get all her pilots sent back to their units.”

4/5 (it was 5. haha, I cannot into counting!)

“Well, hopefully, John can help.” Quentin says. “We were about to go to the pond, want to come along?”

Ilyena sighs, looking down at her desk, then nods. “I believe I must if I wish to remain sane.” She says. “Have you seen Camille recently? I had some things for her to do.”

Quentin shakes his head. “Nope. Don't worry, the major here will be able to do a lot of the work I can't.”

She nods. “Good. Let us go, I need vodka, even the poor kind they serve here.”

Inside, the pond is decorated mostly with empty ammo crates- though the tables and chairs look simple and sturdy. A blackboard hangs behind the bar, with the individual squadron's claims for the month marked- so far, no one seems to have any this month, though it's still early. You're sure the thing will be covered in chalk when the bombing campaign kicks off and you're fighting off martian interceptors.

It's too early in the day for the place to be full- there's no one in here but yourselves and the bartender, actually. He quickly pulls out a pair of beer mugs and a half-empty bottle of vodka with a shotglass on top. The beer is a stout- predictable, here in Britain.

“So, Major.” Ilyena says, setting the shotglass aside. “Kazinski- is Polish, yes?”

You nod. “Yeah, but my family hasn't been in the old country for a long time. Granddad came over about eighty years ago, I guess.”

She nods. “And you flew in the great war? What was that like?”

[] “We lost a lot of friends, and saw a lot of terrible things. Be glad you missed it.”
[] “Like most war, I guess. Terrible, but the people you fight beside you never forget.”

>>28258836
>appeasing
You mean appraising, right?
>>28258888
[] “Like most war, I guess. Terrible, but the people you fight beside you never forget.”

>>28258888

>[] “We lost a lot of friends, and saw a lot of terrible things. Be glad you missed it.”

We'll never forget the screams of an entire section of trench being mustard gassed. It still haunts our nightmares to this day.

>>28258888
>[x] “Like most war, I guess. Terrible, but the people you fight beside you never forget.”

>>28258888
>[x] “Like most war, I guess. Terrible, but the people you fight beside you never forget.”


>Roosevelt

>>28258888
>[] “Like most war, I guess. Terrible, but the people you fight beside you never forget.”

Teddy Roosevelt still alive on '40s.
Its either potential of awesome or disappointment.

>>28258888
>[] “Like most war, I guess. Terrible, but the people you fight beside you never forget.”

>>28258888
>[] “Like most war, I guess. Terrible, but the people you fight beside you never forget.”

>>28258888
>[] “Like most war, I guess. Terrible, but the people you fight beside you never forget.”
Heh, our very own war never changes quote.

>>28258888
>[] “We lost a lot of friends, and saw a lot of terrible things. Be glad you missed it.”

WWI was a -really- nasty war.

>>28258888
>[] “Like most war, I guess. Terrible, but the people you fight beside you never forget.”

Our boss is already seeing shit this war, no need to reiterate.

>>28258888
>[x] “Like most war, I guess. Terrible, but the people you fight beside you never forget.”
And remember the Martians do use unrestricted chemical warfare; I wonder why the Allies haven't tried any against the squids.

>>28258888
>[X] “Like most war, I guess. Terrible, but the people you fight beside you never forget.”

>>28258888
>[X] "It was... terrible. We are lucky, colonel, that we are aviation and not infantry."

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>>28258888
[X] “Like most war, I guess. Terrible, but the people you fight beside you never forget.”

>>28258888
>[] "Like most war, I guess. Terrible, but the peopleyou fight beside you never forget."

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>>28258888
>[] “Like most war, I guess. Terrible, but the people you fight beside you never forget.”

Assuming they're still alive.

>>28259722
You don't forget your friends even after they die.

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Jesus Ghost your updates are huge this thread

>>28258888
>[] “We lost a lot of friends, and saw a lot of terrible things. Be glad you missed it.”
World War I wasn't called "The War to End All Wars" for nothing.

I'm kinda sad that this is only going to running for a couple of weeks

>>28259902

Wonder what they'll call this war when its over. . .

>>28259941
The war to end all martians?

>>28259988

The Martian Ass-Kicking, in military circles.

In correct circles, they'll just call it the Human-Martian war.

>>28258888
>[] “Like most war, I guess. Terrible, but the people you fight beside you never forget.”
>>28259941
Don't they just call in the Martian War?

>>28260042
Ghost's used that or "The War" in '89. Can't remember if he's called it anything else.

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[x] “Like most war, I guess. Terrible, but the people you fight beside you never forget.”

You shrug- that's an old wound, well scarred over and healed, now. “Like most war, I guess.” You say, looking at your new commanding officer. “Terrible, but you never forget the people you fight beside.”

She nods. “My family insisted I should not go.” She looks away, eyes focusing somewhere past you- you know the look. It's people remembering something painful. “I wish I had. It may have served us better in the revolution.”

You nod.

Quentin breaks the mood by clapping you on the shoulder. “Well, John, I have to get back to my desk or they're going to think I'm trying to work my way onto the operations list.” He hands you the Jeep keys. “Hang onto that one,” He says, “I can walk back.”

You nod.

You and Ilyena drink in silence for a while before it's broken by another witch joining you. “Ah, you're right cheeky, goin to have a pint wivout me.” She says, sitting down and taking your half-finished beer. “ 'Ouse this then?” She says, indicating you.

“Major John Kazinski.” You say, nodding.

“Well, that's just bloody perfect. Yew look old enough to be me granddad.” She says.

“Camille.” Ilyena says, sharply.

“Sorry mum.” The British witch says, shrugging.

1/2

“Have you had a chance to talk to the engineers?” Ilyena asks.

Camille nods, sipping her purloined beer. The bartender sends you another- making him A-OK in your book. “They're busy, but they said they can build us our range next week.” She shrugs. “It's not like the twins will practice anyway, though.”

“They will if I tell them they will.” Your commander says. “We are not going to be reinforced yet.”

“Bloody 'ell.” Camille curses. “Wot's the excuse this time then? Sorry luv, all the girls are busy, none for you?”

Ilyena nods. “It is the same from every country I've called. Even the Americans claim there are none available.”

Camille shrugs. “Like the blitz, then. We'll be fine mum.”

Ilyena nods. “I think so too. Find the twins, make sure they aren't causing any problems, please.”

The British witch nods, standing up.

“That was Camille, I assume.” You say, after she's left.

“It was. She's very... free. I suspect you'll find that's true of most of our witches.” She says. “She has been in this war since the battle for Britain and asked for this posting. Do not let her attitude fool you, she's very good.”

“I'm glad to hear it.” You say, shaking your head. “Now if I could just point to another pilot and say the same thing.”

Ilyena smiles. “This is a difficult time for everyone. If we must fly with one airplane and four witches, we will make it work.” She says. She stands up and motions for you to follow. “We will bring you up to speed, as you say, in the next few days. Until then, I will show you your room and office. I also suspect you would like to get to work on a flight plan for tomorrow. We can worry about your craft's armament later, if Colonel Roosevelt has already told you about that.” You nod.

“Excellent. It is a welcome thing that you are here, Major.” She says, hopping into the passenger seat. “Now we will show them how it is done.”

>>28260288
NEXT ON STRIKERS '45

Ok, so, that's it for the night, late start and all. We'll start early next week, i do have some stuff for that one planned out that I'm afraid we won't get to unless we do, haha.

What do you guys think so far? I noticed the thing about more canon witches- the problem is most of them are spoken for! haha. One of the perils in working in a shared setting, I guess. I'll see if i can't maybe turn up a couple who aren't.

Anyway guys, we will be shooting stuff next week- this one is just kinda a get to know your cast day. We're...discussing... what pilot I'm going to use as your second, but you can probably already tell where I'm going with that.

As usual, cheers guys, and we'll be starting at 1600 EST (4pm for those of you weirdos not using a 24 hour clock, haha)

thread's still pretty empty too, so if you want to ask questions, go ahead, I'll monitor it till I go to bed.

>>28260357
Maybe you or Planefag knows this. What was the fate of the Yamato and the Musashi battleships in the martian war?

>>28260357
Thanks for the run Ghost! And yea, seems like a slower crowd tonight.
>>28260390
Didn't Yamamoto use the Yamato' 18s to stage a coup and take Japan back from the fuckwits in the IJA?

>>28260390

Well, we've run into the Musashi in '89, so... I'd say it survived.

as for the Yamato, I've no clue, honestly. it hasn't really been discussed.

>>28260432
Oh shit I forgot about the appearance in 89. I suppose between all the jets, missiles and witch ass it kind of fell through the cracks.

>>28260357
What happened to the PRC/ROC after the war?

>>28260462
Pun not intended

Guess now's as good a time as any.

Tonks confirmed for Thursday.

>>28260464

it's up for debate. There's a couple of the writers dealing with that area, but I'm kind of staying on the sidelines.

>>28260500

Yes Maus.

Of course Maus.

Whatever you say Maus.

>>28260482
I was wondering about that...

Imagining the Musashi strapped up with modern air defenses and whatever the Japanese equivalent of the Tomahawk is (do they just use our tomahawks?) does make me slightly giddy

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>>28260500
Uhuh suuuure

>>28260522

You dont need Tomahawks.

Think Musashi with 18" with fin-stabilized discarding-sabot.

How long again canwe expect Strikers '45 to run? Four weeks?

>>28260357
Was fun thanks ghost.

>>28260500
Looking forward to it.

>>28260561
>18" naval gun
>Using direct fire ammunition.

Sure kiddo.

>>28260561
>what is accuracy

>>28260561
I'm just doing the mental comparisons to what the Iowa-class got in their modernizations. Plus, even IF fin-stabilized 18" rounds were a thing, the tomahawk is much longer range and much more accurate

>>28260575

4-5, yes. one thing about it is that there will probably be significant time skipping between threads, I'd like to close out the whole thing post-war. But we'll see where we end up.

>>28260518
>>28260539

You'll see.

>>28260584

AT LEAST SOMEONE ISN'T A SKEPTIC.

>>28260432

Huh, I thought that was the Yamato.

*Scribbles notes*

>>28260638
acta, non verba

that said i looking into it Maus.

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>>28260638
He's the only one not in the Tank Witches Educational Foundation, Maus.

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>>28260638
we'll hold ya too it

>>28260357
Did Germany get it's carriers built during the Martian War, or did they fall by the wayside like in OTL?

>>28260853

The guy to ask on that one would be Dante, the guy who writes Prune Barge Shuffle.

though it's kinda funny, I taunt him with the IJN Ise and the H-plan battleships all the time, so he might just go into convulsions when you ask. should be fun!

>>28260840

saved for future usage.

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>>28261068
Sure thing, guy

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>>28261242
>that .gif

Oh, right, I'm the stupid faggot dealing with China. ROK/PRC's future? Nebulous. I'm kinda assuming China would be locked in Civil War until something happens.

FORMOSA is still under Japanese rule, going off the SWQ timeline. But I dunno.

>>28260432

By right, the Yamato did manage to shoot the fuck out of the Martian dreadnaughts and was instrumental in defending Japan from the Martians.So yeah, it's still alive.

>>28260423
>Didn't Yamamoto use the Yamato' 18s to stage a coup and take Japan back from the fuckwits in the IJA?
Yep. I think it was a day or two after the Martian Invasion? Blew away the entire Army GHQ with a full Yamato broadside.

>>28260501

Actually, hasn't China just joined the Soviets in the war? Seems like as a good as any indicator to me that China's gone commie.

>>28261432
>China would be locked in Civil War until something happens
How'd the witches in China end up splitting

>>28261631
Split by massive western cocks, is how

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>>28261682

>>28261432
Hoo boy, that's going to be awkward. I doubt it would be anything other than another Sino-Japanese if the ROC gets formed.

>>28260390
*A* Musashi survived. Don't forget, the ship itself was being built in Nagasaki at the time of the Martian invasion...the part of Japan that rapidly fell and was occupied/stripped bare/laid waste to by the Martians. Did they manage to tow it out in time? Did the Martians turn it into steamsleds? Is the one in '89 actually Hull 101 which was being built at a Tokyo yard? We haven't figured that out.

The Yamato survived, yes. But planefag was unaware that Admiral Yamamoto was actually sitting in the Nagato while it was anchored in Tokyo Bay on December 7th (since it was his flagship for the Pearl Harbor attack). Just substitute it for the Nagato for his part in the timeline. The results is the exact same: IJN staging a coup in the midst of mass chaos using the guns of a battleship.

>>28261960
>Just substitute it for the Nagato for his part in the timeline.

Just substitute it for the Yamato, I mean. It's late.

Anyone gonna archive?

>>28260500
Didn't you say friday last time?

so unreliable

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>>28262520
but he ran last friday, tho.

>>28262618
Wait, wait, I just looked at his twitter again and it said thursday. However, since I'm on the opposite side of the planet, I automatically convert these things to my relevant timezone so in my head it was friday. my bad.

>>28262618
Why did you include a picture of Mike Shanahan?

Also, all these ONI recognition pamphlets are really fucking with my sleep schedule

>>28262652
Because reaction image?

>>28260432
So ice grandad is In his 40s? Never would have thought it.

Wonder who the grandmother is

>>28260357
I like it so far, it's refreshing to see something that's set during the war again.
>1600 EST
You spoil us ghost ha!
>>28260618
>I'd like to close out the whole thing post-war
That would be fuckin awesome if we can get to that, seeing a glimpse of post-war would be interesting.

>>28263774

YOU'LL HAVE TO DECIDE
YOU'LL HAVE TO DECIDE
YOU'LL HAVE TO DECIDE
YOU'LL HAVE TO DECIDE
YOU'LL HAVE TO DECIDE