IV

A WORLD OF TANKS

It was a curious assortment of old and wrecked vehicles, seemingly from all over the world, as American-built M3 Mediums stood right beside a German StuG III and a Czech Panzer 38(t). As she stepped into the building Maria couldn't help but 'wowing' at what she had right in front of her. The half-light coming from the ample windows overhead only made the sight even eerier, the sun still too low to properly illuminate the hangar, shadows falling from the railing overhead like ghostly mist.

Of course, it all became much less impressive as she got closer and noticed the state in which those deadly war machines really were. Half of them didn't have any tracks anymore; some were even missing a few wheels, as well as equipment vaults, engine covers and mudguards. Interestingly enough most of them kept their armament, although Maria could only guess about for how long had those machineguns and cannons remained silent.

Maria walked among the decaying giants of metal with awe until her attention was claimed by the one standing in the farthest corner, a little further away from the others like if it was ashamed of its companions for some reason. In silence, she walked to it, her eyes inspecting every centimeter as she closed in.

It was an old Panzer IV of the Ausfuhrung F.2 model, equipped with a high-velocity 7,5cm KwK 40 main gun. Still a magnificent fighting machine, it was now outclassed by recent developments in armored warfare. More important, though, was the fact that the damned thing was simply awesome to look at. The angular hull was straightforward and yet effective, without a single centimeter of wasted space. Contrary to the tall and bulky M3 Mediums the Ausf. F.2 wasn't bristling with weaponry and instead only had two MG34s to complement the main gun and the engine was a petrol-fed Maybach V-12, reliable as a Swiss watch. The whole thing screamed German engineering and deadly intent and Maria simply loved it!

She didn't even registered she was now smiling, a faint humming rising from her throat. Her hand patted the flank of the Panzer IV, her fingers feeling each dent in the pain, each blotch of rust, each imperfection in the steel which protected the crew inside during a battle. And when she reached the back of the vehicle she jumped to the top of the engine cover, holding to the opened hood to pull herself up.

The engine itself was rusty, but most of the parts were still there and what was missing shouldn't be that hard to obtain, she immediately assessed. Then she peeked through the open commander's hatch in the back of the turret, to the fighting compartment in the heart of the machine. Again, rust was settling in, but everything was pretty much in order.

"So, what do you think?"

Anja's voice almost made her jump. She didn't even realize she'd enclosed herself in her little world while her mind registered every detail of the tanks around her. Maria turned at the other girl, who was standing right beside the Panzer IV, arms crossed and glance focused on her. Her smirk almost faded as a more inquisitive expression took its place.

"Everything seems to be in order." Maria managed to say, giving a last glance at the interior of the tank before jumping to the ground. "With a few extra parts and a small team to work with one could bring at least half of these back into service in a month or so."

"So they're serviceable?"

"Yes." Maria shrugged. "I mean, not yet, but I've seen worse."

Anja's smirk returned, as well as that glitter in her eye.

"I'm still curious how you got to know those things." She said. "Is your father in the military, maybe?"

Needless to say, the question made Maria slightly nervous. She looked at the other tanks close by, finding she couldn't look directly at the other girl while she answered her question.

"He was. Fought in a Panzer Battalion in Russia before he got injured and sent home." She didn't need to get into details and tell Anja her beloved father had lost his two legs when his tank was hit by enemy fire and was now stuck to a wheelchair.

"So he was a tanker." It wasn't a question; Maria had to glance at the girl momentarily to realize that.

"Ja." She replied anyhow.

"You're an interesting person, Nitzschmann." Anja finally said, with a smirk that seemed all too creepy to Maria. Where was she trying to get? "Do you have anything else you'd like to see? I believe we should be moving back now."

Maria shook her head.

"I've seen enough."

"Very well then…"

In a few minutes the girls were out of the hangar, with Anja using a moment to lock the door behind them, and walking back to their leaders who were still engaged in a discussion regarding the management of the farming complex. It seemed to have descended into peripheral issues like the dressing code or the methods to arrange the vegetables. Maria concluded that Agnes was being picky simply to keep Schon talking, while also putting her on the edge and show who was really in charge there.

"Ah, here you are." Old Agnes said when she saw Maria and Anja approaching. "So, what's your assessment?"

"I think they can recover the tanks with what they have here." Maria replied. "They'll just need to request a few parts, but I believe there wouldn't be any problems with that."

The older leader nodded with approval. "You think you can take care of it?"

Maria opened her mouth to answer a moment before she realized the implications of that question.

"What?" It was all she managed to mutter. Was Agnes asking her to stay there? The Führerin narrowed her eyes as she noticed the girl's hesitation.

"So?"

For a moment Maria went out of words. Was her leader asking her to go to work with tanks once again? Maria did enjoy being surrounded by the machines once again, but only as a fleeting moment. She still believed she couldn't stand to work with them again. It would be impossible to pull back the memories she tried so hard to repress if that was the case. Memories of fire and death…

"Nitzschmann, I'm talking to you."

The level but imposing tone of Agnes' voice brought Maria back to the here and now, the girl instinctively straightening to attention. She didn't even realize she was spacing out. How could Agnes ask that to her if the mere idea of working with tanks again made her react like that? And Maria didn't even know anyone there! Who should she trust, who should she be afraid of?

Did she have to start from scratch? Again?

Even so she was a well-indoctrinated young maiden. And a German maiden would never refuse her duty, even if at the cost of her life or her sanity.

"I-I think I can manage, meine Führerin." She barely believed she'd actually said those words after the fact.

On the other hand Agnes seemed satisfied with her reaction. She nodded at the girl and then turned at Schon.

"You can keep her. She's hard working and obedient like all maidens should, and she will do what's asked of her. Don't you forget that those tanks must be ready in one month's time at most. A local Army unit will then come by to retrieve them, is that clear?"

"As water, meine Führerin."

"Good. Make the necessary arrangements and provide for this girl to have the parts and the manpower she needs." Agnes glanced around one last time before adding. "I'll be going now. Baderberg's appraisal to Berlin will be mostly positive, make for it to stay like that in future occasions, Schon."

Agnes then moved to the car. Emi went ahead and got to the driver's seat, immediately starting the engine. The old leader, on the other hand, sat at the backseat, as haughty as ever. Suddenly feeling incredibly uneasy, Maria ran to the car coming to a halt right beside's Agnes' door.

"Will I- will I stay here like this?"

Agnes glanced at her for a second, her expression almost pitiful. Maria never really had any issues with the way the leader and the girls under her command. Albeit strict, Agnes was also rather forgiving, at least when compared with others of the same rank. But when she wanted to emphasize her position she could be truly intimidating.

"I need you to start working immediately. Someone will bring your belongings later on, for now I think Schon can provide for what you need." She seemed to notice Maria's uneasiness and added: "You realize the importance of this assignment, do you not?"

There was nothing Maria could say or do that would save her from that predicament, she now realized. Once again she straightened, although unable to hide the dread she was now feeling.

"I do. I won't fail you or the Fatherland."

"Excelent." Agnes leaned a little over the front seats. "Take us back."

Emi quickly obeyed, turning the car around and leaving through the main entrance of the Baderberg complex. Maria was left behind, her face a mask of bewildered incredulity. She didn't even notice Anja approaching her.

"Seems you get to stay with us." She said with a jocose smirk, patting Maria on the shoulder. "Welcome to Baderberg!"

Maria was at a loss of words. She could only moan while reality settled in. Once again she was left alone in a landscape of unknown faces. And this time she wouldn't be allowed the luxury of holding back the memories of what had happened just a couple of months ago.