I took my seat beside the girls who had already begun eating. They weren't dressed like the rest of the tankers from Ooarai.
The girls from Hippo Team wore several items over their regular uniform. The girl nicknamed Erwin had short blonde hair had a trench coat and a general's cap with a golden eagle and laurels on the front. Caesar had short wavy brown hair and purple-ish eyes and around her shoulders she wrapped a crimson scarf. Saemonza was a pretty girl with long, straight hazel hair that reached her upper back which she kept from hiding her brown eyes with a headband decorated with six golden rings. Covering her chest was a leather cover, which I assumed was a form of armour from feudal Japan. Oryou was a quiet girl with short scruffy black hair and grey eyes hidden behind a pair of glasses with a red bottom frame. She draped a black linen jacket, which she told me was commonly worn by the upper class during the Meiji era, and on the sleeves were small crests of a flower.
With the girls of the History Club was the fit and fun volleyball team. They shirked their school uniforms in favour of their gym clothes, a red and white jersey with a large red collar and red shorts. Their captain Noriko Isobe was a short lass, with boyish brown hair that matched her determined eyes. She wore a different team uniform than her mates, a white t-shirt with red trim along the collar and sleeves and the standard red shorts. True to her appearance, Noriko was a bit of a tomboy. Shinobu Kawanishi was probably the easiest to recognize since she was the tallest of the team. She kept her light brown hair in a short pony tail with a few bangs swept to the side to show off her hazel eyes. Her serious eyes were contradicted by her warm and humorous speech. The tight volleyball uniform fit snuggly and showed off the curves of the final two members, Taeko Kondou and Akebi Sasaki. Teako was a sweet girl with strange coloured hair, a sort of pink-purple and like the rest of the team had glistening brown eyes. Akebi was something else entirely. She had stunning long golden blond hair held back by a cute white headband and tied into a long tail that covered her back, a lock of hair dangled in a spiral in front of her ear. Her yellow-brown eyes kindly greet you with her cheerful smile.
"Captain Walker" said Erwin, "We'd like to ask you something."
I took a gulp of ginger beer, "Shoot."
"Why do you and the other guys have a girl's names for a nickname?" asked Akebi.
"Yeah" said Shinobu, "We've been wondering since we met you."
I chuckled heartily, "Well it's not our names, well not exactly anyway. They're our plane's names. Kind of like how you're tanks are called Duck and Hippo."
Noriko lightly punched Taeko on the shoulder, "Told you it had nothing to do with a girlfriend."
"Mind if I ask how you got yours?" I said to the Hippo team, "No offense, but Caesar isn't a common name."
"They're our soul names" said Caesar, "The names just seemed to fit us."
"They're names also reflect what era of history they love" said Shinobou.
"No nicknames for you, girls?" I asked the volleyball club.
"No, not yet anyway" replied Shinobu, "Kind of hard to think of nicknames for a volleyball team."
"What do you think lassies? Can you come up with some soul names for Duck Team?" I asked Hippo Team.
"Hmmm" said Erwin thinking deeply, "That's an interesting idea."
"We shall find your names" said Oryou entering deep thought.
"In due time" added Saemonza closing her eyes.
"But rest assured, we will find them" said Caesar joining the storm of thought.
"Umm, girls?" I said waving my hand in front of their faces.
"Don't worry" said Akebi, "They'll snap out of it."
"In due time" mimicked Taeko.
"So, girls, when's your next game?" I asked, "I'd like to cheer you on."
"We don't have any games in the near future" said Shinobu pushing vegetables around the plate.
"Our club was disbanded last year" said Akebi with a small, sad smile.
"Oh, umm" I stammered, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to –"
"But we'll get it back! Because we have fighting spirit!" said Noriko pumping her fist into the air.
"Fighting spirit!" cheered the rest of the team.
"Cheers!" I said.
The evening went by splendidly. After dinner we rode with the girls back to Ooarai and send our good-byes before driving back to our rooms. I jiggled the key in the lock, opened the door, and turned on the lock. My apartment was pretty simple, a dark carpet for the living space and linoleum tile for the kitchen. My bedroom was tucked away in the corner with a small, but comfortable bed, a simple desk and a bookshelf filled with unopened literature text books. The long day of travel back and forth between the ships had tired me a fair bit. I tossed my jacket on the chair and collapsed on the bed and went to sleep, ignoring the open books under the desk light.
"I hope you've had a pleasant day" said Billy.
"Now let us begin the exercise" finished Willy, "Gentlemen, and ladies, to your starting positions."
We had gathered in a clearing in the foothills of a mountain. Our planes and tanks were lined along the grass. At the words of my student council the engines roared sputtered to life. The tanks clunked along the dirt lumbering every which way to their starting positions. One by one our planes rose into the sky under the control and guidance of Relay. Relay sat at a table with several radios and a map spread across its top. He had a small grin as he listened to all the talk going back and forth between the tanker and pilots during the opening lull. The great Lancaster, filled with small bombs, was the first to take to the skies, followed by each of the fighters laden with a bomb under each wing. As I sat in my cockpit quickly checking the instruments, I spied the Type 89 rolling by the fighters. I jumped out of my fighter and waved down the tank. Shinobu carefully brought the tank to a gentle stop. The team poked their heads out of the hatches and smiled.
I climbed on the tank's deck, "Just wanted to wish you good luck. I'll keep the skies clear for you."
"Thanks!" said Noriko, "Good luck, and fighting spirit!"
"Fighting spirit!" cheered the tank crew.
"We might need your help with the bigger tanks" said Akebi, "Even with fighting spirit our gun can't take them all on."
"We'll work closely with Duck Team Team" said Erwin, "But Akebi is right, we might need to call you."
"You have my frequency. Call me when you need me to bring down the thunder. On second thought, just call me." I winked at the girls.
Taeko giggled, "I'll certainly keep that in mind. Now go on out of here, we need to get to our starting position and you need to go into the wild blue yonder."
I jumped off the tank, gave them a wave, and watched them roll off the field. Ashley's Hurricane was just getting off the ground when I started rolling down the strip.
It's ten minutes to three thousand meters.
The sky was a brilliant blue without a cloud in the sky. Beneath the infinite dome was a winding path of crystal clear water amid various shades of green. Far to the north was a grey-blue mountain capped with snow.
"Ooarai is in ready to begin" said Relay, "Pilots report status."
"Sugar's Blues reporting ready" I said.
"All units, all units" announced Relay, "Match begins in 5… 4… 3… 2… 1! Go!"
I banked the Spitfire and flew toward the Duck and Hippo Teams' starting position. As I streaked across the sky my eyes kept a vigilant watch for the squadron.
"Sugar Blues to tanks" I said, "Do you read me?"
"Roger!" replied Erwin.
"We read you just fine" said Taeko.
"Excellent" I said, "I've got a pair of bombs waiting for you to call them, but I've only got one shot so make it count."
"Understood" they said.
My lonely patrol was uninterrupted for several minutes. Below I could faintly see dirt being tossed up by the tracks.
Wait, what's that?
I squinted down toward the earth where a small black spec crept over the canopy. As the spec moved three small clouds burst from the earth.
Must be the Lancaster. Where are the fighters? Ah, there's two.
I pointed the plane toward the conflict. As I drew closer yellow tracers spewed from the Lancaster following the two fighters. The other aircraft buzzed around the lumbering bomber firing short controlled bursts. The exchanges of tracers between the combatants were like a dragons breathing flame.
Gotta be quick.
I pushed my nose down and dove into the centre of the storm. A quick glance: two Typhoons and the Lancaster. The Spitfire cruised across the wingspan of the Lancaster before streaking away. I turned in my seat and was relieved to see none gave chase.
Better to let them shoot each other down. I'll pick off the ones that are left.
A streak of orange cannon flew over my cockpit. On instinct I flipped the plane and fell into a downward spiral. I cranked my head backward to get a glance of my attacker, another Typhoon. I hit the rudders and elevators while cutting back the throttle. The Spitfire turned on a dime, the Typhoon tried to compensate but overshot. I started a climb only to be greeted by his wingman's cannons blazing. I forced the plane's nose straight up narrowly avoiding the devastating burst.
Great, the first few minutes in and I've gotta deal with a two on one.
"Sugar's Blues, we need a hand!" radioed Taeko, "We're getting attacked by Mallard and Anteater!"
"We're holding them off for now, but I don't think we can take a lot more" added Erwin.
"I'm busy up here, bah!" I replied dodging the fighters, "You'll have to handle it. Sorry."
"Turn the tank around, we can't fight them" said Noriko in the background.
"Cover the Type 89, we'll follow after" said Erwin.
I have to deal with them quickly.
The first Typhoon was dashing at my back while his partner climbed away. I put the rudder to the left, the Spitfire spun like a Frisbee. When I had come about my foe was right in my face. I pressed the trigger and rained fire upon him. His orange blaze spewed from the cannon, but before the burst could complete, relieving black smoke poured out of his tail. My rounds had found their mark in his engine while his put a couple dents in my left wing. Before I could congratulate myself I rolled the Spitfire and banked to the right to avoid the incoming attack.
Damn! He's got the energy and speed advantage.
The Lancaster was still fighting against its attackers as it made its way to the growing conflict on the ground. I sped to the Lancaster dragging the Typhoon with me.
This'll be risky.
I bobbed the plane back and forth as we approached the other bandits. I flew through where the fighting was thickest. Small machine gun and heavier cannon crossed all over my plane, but through a miracle I only sustained a few minor hits along the fuselage, my pursuant was less fortunate. The gunners swung to attack me and the other fighters dove together to strike the engines. The crossfire tore the attacker to shreds forcing him to withdraw from the battle. A second plane trailed a long black tail as the Lancaster scored its first.
I wasted no time in escaping the fire fight and lowering myself to tree top level. I could see the Tiger perched on a hill waiting for targets to come into range. A formation of two tanks rolled across a plain with vigor, while a grey tank scurried into the woods.
"Attention all units" said Relay, "Status update: Checkmate Cathie, Smilin' Susie, Memphis Belle and Peacock Paulie have been shot down. Rabbit Team and Mallard Team have been knocked out. "
"Sugar's Blues to tanks" I said, "I've dealt with my little problem. Where do you want the strike?"
"We need you to take Leopon Team, they're on a hill" reported Erwin, "We can't advance until… Ahh!"
The sound of a large bomb burst through the earpiece. The Lancaster climbed into the air, two engines had died, but it was still serviceable.
"Are you alright? What happened?" I asked.
"The Lancaster got us" replied Erwin, "The tank's knocked out but we're okay."
"Duck Team, did it get you too?"
"We're okay" said Taeko with a few short breaths, "They just missed us. That was a really big rocking though."
"I'm going for Leopon, good luck!"
"You too."
I darted across the battlefield to the Lion's Hill. The massive turret slowly traversed and fired a burst of machine gun fire in my direction trying to score a lucky hit. I climbed then dived toward the tank as it slid down the hill. The green grass of the hillside drew closer and closer, I could release the bomb and hope for the best but Duck was counting on me. A stream of machine gun fire struck my wings like pebbles hitting sheet metal. Behind me were Leopon's defenders: Nolan Coventry and Ashley Waters.
I need to get the Tiger-P first. Stay in one piece Sugar, just for a little longer.
One hundred meters above the target the Spitfire dropped two 250lbs bombs of fury on the Tiger. The explosion pushed the plane as it pulled out of the dive. The Hurricanes stayed on my tail, breaking into and out of formation. The three planes bobbed from left to right as I used my powerful engine to gain speed.
Let's see if they've learned anything.
Sugar's Blues led me straight up into the sky. Nolan didn't hesitate in following. Ashley rose for a few meters levelled, rose again and levelled several times before deciding to speed off to the south. The two fighters soared into the heavens as if they wanted to reach the edge of space.
I need to level out. Let's see what he's learned.
The Spitfire perfectly executed an Immelmann. Blood rushed to my head as the plane hurried toward the earth. Lo and behold, Nolan had learned little over the past weeks. He didn't stall, but he levelled too late. The Hurricane was barely moving in level flight. I shook my head and closed quickly on his tail. Nolan rolled the plane and tried to bank left and right but all his energy had been wasted in the climb.
Rudder, kid, rudder. *Sigh* Might as well end this.
I closed to 150 meters and let out a burst for one second. All the rounds converged and sparked on his tail, and too his great disappointment I'm sure, the infamous black smoke signalled his defeat. Ashley loosed a few rounds from below clattering against my wings. Utilizing an S-turn the Spitfire quickly changed direction to face the Hurricane's belly. Another burst, another shot down.
Huh, they got some good hits in, the ailerons aren't as responsive.
"Sugar's Blues to Duck, the Tiger is gone."
"Duck to Sugar's Blues, thanks but we're kind of busy right now."
"Attention all units, status update: Regal Seagull, Lady Luck, Bomber Babes, Nolan Coventry and Ashley Waters have been shot down. Hippo, Leopon, and Anteater have been knocked out" reported Relay.
It's only Lilly and me now.
The Spitfire coasted above the battlefield as I watched the tanks scurry. The Panzer IV performed maneuvers I didn't think was possible. The tank crossed the country with amazing speed, turning and halting as if it had a mind of its own. As soon as the tank halted the cannon barrel flashed in quick succession.
I spied the Type 89 trying to drive circles around the Panzer at long. A few shots fired from the move landed all around throwing up dirt and mud. Suddenly from behind the crest of a hill a small tank rushed toward my comrades.
"Duck! You've got one on your tail!"
The enemy tank drove straight at Duck Team and ground to a halt just a few meters away. A flare flashed from the barrel like lighting, the shell burst in a cloud of smoke and dust. To my amazement the shot had flown passed the turret and found rest in the earth nearby. The Type 89 traversed its turret and with a one shot eliminated its assailant.
"Whew! You're a bunch of luck ladies."
"We were just lucky Momo was shooting" said Taeko, "Can you bomb Anglerfish team?"
"Negative. I'll need to go back to base and resupply, but there's another fighter in the air."
And with those words bullets raked the side of my fuselage. I caught a quick glance at my attacker. Piccadilly Lilly taunted Sugar's Blues as she flew by. I turned and moved to intercept, the movements more clunky and stiff. Piccadilly swung back around and renewed his attack; I narrowly avoided the deadly stream. We turned and banked into each other, weaving in and out like a pair of shoe laces, Lilly over me, me over Lilly. We climbed and dived over each other like scissors, and rolled and banked swirling around in perfect synchronization. No matter what maneuver we used the other would match it perfectly like the reflection in a mirror.
I need to break off and take him head on.
Our weave was about to close. We came to within meters of each other and stared at each other through the protective glass. I leveled the plane and pushed the throttle to war emergency power. The engine roared like a flying tiger and the burst of power pushed me back. Piccadilly Lilly had the same notion and hurried away.
Three… two… one!
The Spitfires charged each other like bulls seeing red. Five hundred meters, my thumb stiffened against the trigger. Four hundred meters, my heart began to race and adrenaline surged. Three hundred meters, machine guns rattled and cannons boomed, a flurry of tracers streaked across the sky. Two hundred meters, the bullets crashed against the metal frame and ricocheted off the glass in a storm of sparks as the controls stiffened and locked. One hundred and fifty meters, I let out a battle cry as the final shots impacted. The controls released and the planes broke off. A long trail of smoke followed my acrobatics.
Damn!
A scream over the radio.
"Sorry Sugar's, we got hit."
"Same here girls, sorry. You did a damn good job though. I'll see you back at base."
I hung my head and flew home in silence trailing my shame. A grey shape pulled alongside me and rocked its wings. Piccadilly Lilly gave me a salute and took his place in the formation. He was trailing black smoke as well.
"Attention all units" said Relay, "Sugar's Blues, and Piccadilly Lilly have been shot down. Turtle Team and Duck Team have been knocked out. Congratulations Anglerfish, you're the last team standing well done. And shame on all the pilots, you all got shot down!"
"Shut up, Relay" said Piccadilly with a laugh, "If we all ganged up on Sugar's Blues we'd 've had a chance."
"Oh, yeah, a chance to line up and fall one at a time" I replied.
Back at the base all the planes had safely returned and the tanks were being rolled off the large flatbed trucks. The lassies were had a smattering of dirt on their cheeks and a slight glistening of sweat beading on the brow. The tanks were covered in dents and scorch marks, some had metal corners torn off, others had tracks removed. The planes were covered in dimples, scratches, and dents. A few had a couple harmless holes punched through the edges.
We'll have to apply an extra coat of the protective laminate.
I spied Duck Team playing in the grass, tossing volleyball to each other. Hippo Team was nearby having a little conversation.
"Hello girls" I waved as I approached.
"Good afternoon" they said.
"Captain Walker," said Oryou, "I must say your flying was amazing."
"Indeed," said Caesar, "You looked like the Golden Eagle leading the legions of Rome."
"No, he was like an arrow loosed from the Hama Yumi1 striking down the demon" said Saemonza.
"He was George Beurling at the Siege of Malta" said Erwin with a satisfied look and arms crossed.
"That's it!" said the others enthusiastically.
"And how are you girls?" I asked the volleyball team.
"We're good" said Akebi, "I'm sorry we didn't win."
"Don't worry, we'll win next time" I said, "Besides you've got fighting spirit!"
"Fighting spirit!" cheered Noriko, "Be the way, nice flying Sugar's."
"Thanks" I said, "You're tank had some nice moves as well. Shinobu, you're an excellent driver. And good hit on the other tank, Akebi."
"Ladies and gentlemen" called Billy, "I would like to say bravo on a brilliant fight and congratulations to our victors, Anglerfish Team and their pilots. Now for a few words more –"
"What's the prize?" hollered Memphis Belle getting a small applause.
Billy cleared his throat and straightened his tie, "Ahem, well, yes. Willy, if you please."
"A month's supply of jellied eels!" said Willy revealing boxes upon boxes of the horrid food.
"They won Billy! Why are you giving them the loser's punishment?" hollered Piccadilly Lilly.
"That's President Billy to you!"
"I can't think of anything more horrible than jellied eels," said Smilin' Susie, "Now haggis. That's a dish worth winning."
"That's just as bad" said Peacock Paulie.
Ooarai President Anzu stood in front of the crowd, "Congratulations! As for the rest of us, it's time for the Anglerfish Dance!"
The girls all groaned and shuffled away with heads hung.
"Wait for me" I said following the crowd.
Akebi ran her hand through her hair and looked at me with slightly perplexed, "Why are you coming?"
"I lost too, so I have to the dance as well I suppose" I replied with a smirk, "It is only fair. You'll have to teach it to me quickly though."
"You sure?" asked Shinobu.
"It's quite embarrassing" said Taeko.
"I'm sure. And don't worry about me, I'll dance it so well it'll be the next craze" I said confidently.
"That's the spirit!" said Noriko.
"Fighting spirit?" I asked.
"Fighting spirit!" they cheered.
I unlocked the door and turned on the light. The plain room was a welcome sight after the travesty of the penalty dance. The rubbery form of the suit was horrendously uncomfortable, squeezing every inch of my body. I pulled off the tight cap by the yellow ball and threw it carelessly on the table. The white light of the fridge stirred my appetite.
Damn, I forgot to prepare dinner. Ugh, do I go out or try to cook?
A light rapping against the door broke the internal debate. A pleasant surprise stood in the hall with the answer to my prayers. Akebi and Taeko smiled in their PE clothes holding a bag of groceries and with them was Miho Nishizumi with her gentle face.
"Hello" I said, "Please, come in."
"Thank you" said Miho, "Wow, your home is so big."
"Why can't our dorms be like this?" asked Akebi admiring the room.
"If I'd known there'd be company I would have cleaned up" I said picking up a few books, "Can I get you anything? A drink perhaps? What? What is it?""
The two girls stared at me with blank expressions. It took several moments before I realized the embarrassing reality. I was still wearing the pink monstrosity.
"Why are you still wearing that?" asked Akebi.
"Would you believe that I find it comfortable?"
"Not in the least" said Taeko.
"I'm really sorry you had to do dance in that" said Miho.
"Oh, it was nothing" I said pulling on the stretchy fabric, "If you don't mind me asking, why the visit?"
Akebi covered her eyes, "We came by to thank you. Noriko and Shinobu wanted to come too, but they had some things to attend to."
"The Student Council asked me to meet with you about the upcoming matches" said Miho, "And would you mind changing somewhere else?"
"Ah! Sorry" I said covering myself back up, "Please help yourself to anything, I'll be back in a moment."
When I returned the ladies were already preparing a meal. Taeko and Akebi were chopping vegetables while Miho was stirring the pot. The smell was amazing, a mix of spices and sauces I've never smelled before. While they worked I set the table with a simple set of utensils. The wait was well worth it. A delicious meal of chicken, vegetables, and rice waited for us on the table.
"That was delicious. Thank you."
"I'm glad you liked it" Taeko grinned.
"So, we were wondering about a couple of things about the White Knights" said Miho.
"The thing is…" began Akebi nervously.
"You haven't heard of us, have you?" I took a sip.
They shook their heads, my heart sunk.
I sighed, "Well that's not surprising, and we haven't done anything memorable in the past five years or so."
"But you're a great pilot" said Miho, "We all saw you."
"Yeah" said Taeko, "You were looping and weaving and turning like it was second nature."
"You should have seen the old boys" I drifted into a memory of old film reels, "They did things almost impossible to imagine. They won championship after championship, and now they're us. Bit of a shame to be called a White Knight now. Let's talk about something else; you don't want to be bored by old memories. You won your first championship in your first year. That's quite an amazing feat."
"It was all thanks to Miho" said Akebi.
"Oh, no, it was all of us" said Miho, "If it weren't for my friends I don't think I would've had the heart."
"You're too modest, Miho" said Taeko.
"Did you use the famous Nishizumi Style I've heard about?"
"She used Miho-style tankery."
"Oh, really?"
Miho smiled nervously, "Well it's not really a style."
Akebi smiled, "It's not about winning with her."
"It's about friends" said Miho, "That's my tankery."
I nodded.
"Thank you for a great evening" said Akebi pushing her hair around her ear.
"Thank you for your visit. It really made my day."
"See you."
"I'll see you at the strategy meeting tomorrow" said Miho walking out the door.
"Miho" I said softly, "How did you do it? Finding your own tankery, I mean. You gave up all that history of victory and glory in Kuromorimine."
Miho's eyes dropped for a moment as she thought, "Well, I wanted my own way, I guess. I didn't want to have to live up to everything my sister and mother built. I wanted to leave tankery, but Ooarai gave me something I didn't expect."
"A championship?"
"A new start."
A new start. Our legacy. A wing and a prayer. There'll be bluebirds over the White Cliffs of Dover. They used to score in the forties. A five year slump. A new start. Our legacy. Wing and a prayer. There'll be bluebirds. You should have seen the old boys. Five year slump. New start. Our legacy. Wing and a prayer. Bluebirds.
I woke in a cold sweat, "I know what needs to happen."
A/N: The Hama Yumi (Evil-Destroying Bow) is a Japanese bow. In legend it is said the bow vanquished a demon that haunted the Imperial Palace.