It was just a normal day on the Gerald R. Ford, when the noises started. The sound of cannons firing filled the air around the training course where they practiced. "Cease fire!" The commander shouted. His name was Javari Bogan, commonly referred to as Jay. This was his second year as a commander and today was a special day for them. "All tanks, Return to the Garage!" He shouted into the radio. The sound of 30 tanks rumbled through the air as they made their way to the garage.
JayPac Tank Garage
"Ok, listen up! We have some exciting news for you guys. This year our team has entered into the US Senshadou Tournament. This is how it will go, First we fight two schools in the preliminary rounds, The we go to regionals then semifinals, and finally the Championship." Jay explained to the now listening crews. "Not only that," His Co-commander, Pascal added. "We will be visited by the best team commanders from the birthplace of Senshadou, Japan! So let's do our best to get there." All the crews responded with a loud "Yeah!" "Alright, our first battle is against our in-state rival, Spokane High school. As you know, last year they beat us in the state championship. There is now way in hell we're gonna lose to them again. No need to go over their playstyle, since we already know how they play. The battlefield will be centered in the town of Moses Lake, WA. For those C-17 pilots, like myself, we know the area very well, but still study up on some maps. This will be played in the Suburbs and open fields of this area." He points to the map of the battlefield. "Many other small towns are in the area, which means plenty of ambush and sniping locations. Our plan is start near the Northwest corner of the arena and work our way southeast. If all goes to plan, we should be in combat within 20 minutes." As jay went on explaining the plan to his crews, the all took notes on what to do and not to do. "Our opponent uses mainly German tanks, with a few American and Russian tanks in the mix. Be on the lookout for these tanks." He points out a picture of the T-34-100, IS-1, and KV-2 zis 6. "These tanks can and will knock you out from far range. Also watch out for the Brummbar. That is all, go home get some sleep and Be ready to move out tomorrow." As the crews left, Jay and pascal were conversing whether they should take the Antonov for this airlift. "I say we take it, it's got a larger payload" "Pascal you know as well as I do, that the 124 cant short field. Besides, we can just call up a tanker if we need to refuel." Jay said. Pascal thought about it, and agreed. "I'll tell you this, if we make it to the finals, we'll take the 124." "Ok, you're right, no need to rub it in my face." They laughed and walked home. "Hey, be up and ready early tomorrow, we got tanks to move." Jay said. "Wilco!"
JayPac Airport
Even though it was around 6 AM, the cargo division was busy. Parents saying goodbye t their children, pilots doing preflights on their planes and tanks being loaded into them. Jay was on the flight deck of the first scheduled flight of the day.
"Tanks and crew are ready in the back, doors closed." Pascal said as he entered the cockpit. "Good, let's get the show on the road." They began the startup procedure of the big jet, which was revised to save some fuel. "Don't start engines 1 and 4 just yet." Jay said. "Why?" "We need to conserve fuel, we start them up while we're taxiing to the runway." Jay explained. They got clearance from the tower and began their taxi. "Weather out at Moses Lake is said to be windy, but clear." Pascal stated. "Most likely we're gonna have to crosswind this thing, huh?" Jay said, jokingly. "Globemaster 001, heavy, cleared for takeoff runway 34, turn right to heading 079, climb and maintain 5000." "Cleared for takeoff 34, turn to heading 079, climb and maintain 5000, Globemaster 001." The C-17 taxied into position. "Brake on throttle to 90." Pascal pushed the throttle to 90% power, which made the aircraft lean forward due to the brake being pressed. "All good" "Full power, release brake." The Globemaster went from standstill to airborne in about 5 seconds.
The airlift went on for the entire day and by the time it was complete, the match was only a day away. "Jesus that took long." Jay said after closing up the last of the C-17's. "Yeah, we only have today to rest for the match tomorrow. Furthermore, we should go over the plan of attack tonight with the team." Pascal said. Jay nodded in agreement and proceeded to walk to the terminal.
Moses Lake Best Western
When they got to the hotel, he saw the team starting to gather in the Conference room. "Can i have your attention, please!" Jay shouted, which caused the entire room to go quiet. "Thank you. As you know, tomorrow is the day where we make our grand debut. JayPac vs. Spokane, a battle to rock the State of Washington, or so they say. Our school hasn't been in this tournament in 10 years, and the last time we were, we lost in the semifinals to Lone Star High. Well we are here to change that. We are going to win, this battle, the next battle and we will go all the way!" Jay said, confidently. The room went wild, then calmed down after a few. "Alright, so here's the plan." Pascal said pointing at the map. "We will start from Winchester, make our way to the Highway. From there we will split up into three different groups. Team Sniper, led by Cody, will get off I-90 at around the Suncrest RV park. There they will continue to the edge of the water and take out anyone they see trying to cross the river." Pascal explained. "Team Scout, led by myself," Jay said "Will take a the highway into town, as well as Team Shield. Shield will be led by Pascal. From the time we get off the bridge, Shield will take point and go ahead of scout. If our forces meet in the town, the plan is for Shield to hold them off, while the scout teams flank around the enemy. Got it.?" Everyone responded with an affirmative. "Good, now eat some food, get rested, and ready for tomorrow. By the way, the tank list of each team is in each of your rooms, so dont ask who's with who." Jay said.
Winchester, WA, The next day
"This is Scout Actual, to all tanks, radio check." Jay said into his headset. He got a response of 5/5 or loud and clear. "Alright, all tanks, Engines on, weapons check." The sounds of many engines starting up filled the air, the commanders were sticking out the commanders hatches, waiting for the order to move out. "All tanks, Advance!" The tanks started forward, the tracks rattling and engines revving up they started their journey to the battleground. After a few minutes they made it to I-90 which ran straight through Moses Lake. "Scout actual, this is Shield actual." "Go ahead." "How will we know when to get off?" "Well I'm leading the convoy, I'll tell you when." They continued driving down the highway, after about 20 minutes they made it to the first checkpoint. "Waypoint reached, Sniper team, detach from the convoy and head northeast." Jay said. "Roger that, good luck dude. Sniper team on me!" Jay look back to see the Panther II swerve off to the left, followed by the M10s and M36s of his group. He saw Cody give a quick salute, and watched as he disappeared into his tank.
Moses Lake, WA
10 minutes passed from the time they last heard from Sniper team. "Approaching the bridge, Shield group take point." Jay said. "Roger" "Scout group, Open up the gap, and allow the heavies to pass." Jay said. The Light tanks made a gap and allowed the Shield Group Which consisted of a T29, T34, IS-3, and 6 M26 Pershings. "Moving over the bridge." Pascal said. The tanks rumbled over the bridge in the two columns. "Anything yet?" "Negative, wait. Turrets 45 right!" The turrets of the far side of the column on the river side turned to face the threat. Through the gaps of houses a group of T-34-57's moving toward the bridge. "All tanks ready up!" Jay shouted. The T-34's spotted the large convoy and opened fire. The smaller caliber shells bounced off the thicker armor of the heavies up front. "Open fire!" Jay shouted. The 105 and 122mm's of the T29 and IS-3 opened up in quick succession. One by one the T-34's went down. "Enemy tanks destroyed! Keep an eye out though, if one is here, there could be others." Pascal said. "Keep it pushing, if we get into town, we can find some cover." Jay said. The column moved quickly, as to try and avoid an ambush attack. "Enemy tank right! KV-2!" The KV opened fire, knocking out an M24 and M26. "Shield 4 and Scout 8 are down!" Jay said. "Opening fire!" The M18's 76mm opened up on the KV, knocking it out in one shot. "KV down, ready next shell!" Jay shouted. "Aye" Caleb slammed another AP shell into the breach. "Ready Up!" "Jay were taking fire! Sniper team taking fire!" He heard over the radio. "T-34-100! Sniper 8 is down!" One by on he heard the tanks being knocked out. "Sniper Actual, pull back, get back to the group!" "Roger that, Sniper 2, 5, and 9 fall back!" He peeked out the turret of to see the remains of Sniper team pulling away from the area. "Keep it pushing guys, they'll catch up!" The convoy started moving again, but stopped at the end of the bridge, met by fire from 76, 85, and 100mm shells. "We've been surrounded!" "Angle! Angle!" The shouts of panic sounded off in Jays headset. He had to come up with a plan quickly if they were to make it out of this one.
"Shield 2 is out, that 100 got us!" Jay heard. "Shield team prepare to charge. They only have mediums…" "IS-1 down!" Pascal said. "Anyway, your tanks should be able to literally break through the forces. Now go! Full speed!" Jay finished. The heavies started to roll gradually gaining speed. The shells bounced off the now speeding armor. "Prepare for impact!" Pascal shouted. The IS-3 collided with an M4A2, knocking it over. The russian heavy was then hit from behind by a Pershing, which pushed it through the tanks. "I shall give you more Horsepowers!" The commander shouted. The column of JayPac's tanks broke through the formation of T-34s and Shermans. "This is where the fun begins!" Jay shouted. "Hard left!" Courtney threw the Hellcat into a left drift, swinging the gun around at an M4. "On its way!" The M4 was knocked out. Now the rest of the tanks were chasing the hellcat. "180 reversal!" Again, the hellcat was spun around and now going in reverse. "Ready!" Jay discharged another shell, this time into a pursuing T-34-76. "Again!" "Ready!" Another one down. "Forward!" The hellcat stopped going in reverse and started to move forward again. Then a shell larger than the 100 went off and knocked out two of the Tanks chasing the Hellcat. "Get going, we've got you covered Scout actual." Pascal said over the radio. "They're only down to 12, Scout team, whatever is left of you guys come with me." Jay said. The Hellcat waited for the rest of the tanks of his group to catch up. Only two tanks came. "This is it, isn't it?" "Scout 2 copies" "Scout 5 copies" "well, wherever the enemy is, we'll find them." Jay said. He check his map and decided where they should begin to search. "The most likely spot for their commanding force would be…" They were suddenly fired upon by 75 and 85mm shells. "Well that answers our question. Return Fire!" The three tanks opened up on the Shermans and T-34's. Eventually all that was left was the Hellcat and the Commanding T-34. "Drive" The hellcat lurched forward and gradually gained speed. The T-34-85 fired, but missed, allowing the Hellcat to open fire. "On its way!" The hellcat opened up, knocking out the Command T-34. "Enemy Command tank down!" Jay said. Match over JayPac High school wins!