Aiko Takahashi lay low in the tall grass, his hands clutching a MG42 machine gun. Beside him was Takeo Hirota, his ammunition carrier and childhood friend. Slung across his back was a StG 44 assault rifle. Behind him were three other boys, namely Tatsuo Kobe, Kenji Takashima and Daichi Hirano. Both Tatsuo and Kenji were armed with MP40s, while Daichi carried a Kar 98k fitted with a 4x Zeiss ZF42 scope. Aiko depressed his throat mic. "Anglerfish team, this is machine gun squad 2. We have spotted enemy tanks supporting enemy infantry, approximately 600 metres south of where we are, at grid point 1058. There are two T34s and one IS-2 heading east. We have 3 Panzerfausts with us. Permission to engage, over."

"Machine gun squad 2, this is Anglerfish team, engage on my signal, but main priority are the tanks. If you can't take them out after 2 Panzerfausts, pull back immediately to point 1043." The earpiece in Aiko's ear crackled to life with Miho Nishizumi's voice. "Leopon's heading over now to support if necessary. What are the positions of other infantry squads around you?"

"Scout patrol 3 is about 300 metres west of our position. We have linked up with mortar squad 2." Aiko responded.

"That's fine, machine gun squad 2. You have permission to engage. Out." Miho cut the transmission.

"Alright Daichi, you heard her. Get the tank commanders, and then mortar squad 2 will cut loose at the infantry." Aiko started giving out orders. "Tatsuo, Kenji, grab a Panzerfaust each, and close in on the tanks. Fire at the T34s. Takeo, grab a Panzerfaust yourself. We'll close in, fire on the infantry, and hopefully cut them all down. While I'm at it, Takeo, fire at the rear of the IS-2, and if that's not possible, then fire at the tracks. Mortar squad 2, take out the IS-2 if it's still functioning. Everyone clear?"

"Yes Sir!" the men shouted. Daichi immediately swung his Kar 98k around and took aim, while the men of mortar squad 2 went about setting up their equipment. "Mortar squad 2 ready!" the squad leader reported. Almost immediately, a single shot rang out across the plain, smoke seeping from the breech of the rifle as Daichi cycled the bolt. Another two shots were swiftly delivered, before Daichi set the gun down. "Mortar squad 2, deliver your rounds." He said emotionlessly.

The shells rocketed out of the tubes, descending among the panicking Russian infantry behind the tanks. The armoured support had lost their leadership, and were quickly rendered ineffective. "Alright boys, let's show these Russians how the Japanese fight! Move out!" Aiko commanded. The four boys dashed forward, their weapons blazing. The onslaught of mortar fire kept the Russian infantry where they were, making them easy pickings for Aiko and his squad. Quickly positioning himself beside the first T34, Tatsuo fired his Panzerfaust, quickly disabling it. The crew jumped out, only to be quickly cut down by Kenji's MP40. The other two tanks turned around to face the two of them, but their actions proved to be too slow as the same thing happened to the second T34. Having expended their anti-tank ammunition, Tatsuo and Kenji turned to mopping up the rest of the Russian infantry.

"Takeo, take the IS-2 now!" Aiko hollered over the chattering of the MG42, prompting Takeo to burst forward, Panzerfaust in hand, towards the rear of the IS-2. However, Aiko spotted something move out of the corner of his eye. As Takeo took aim, he failed to notice a tall girl with long hair rise from the commander's cupola. Her face was void of expression, and she held a Nagant M1895 revolver in her hand. She raised the gun at Takeo, and her index finger tightened around the trigger. Aiko didn't have the time to react as a shot rang out.

"Takeo!"