New friends, new horizons
Chapter 4: the beauty, the beast, the 1st round draw
Ōarai city carrier, 12 jasmine dragon street 21:32
Nicholas sat in one of the large comfy sofas in his living room. He had just finished his post flight bath and was looking at the papers on the table in front of him. Some were the rules regarding extra weapons and their use. It looked like he was going for a 500 pound bomb and however many rockets he could strap to the outside without ruining the look of the Spit. He also had one other modification in mind to make to his spitfire. He was bought from his musings by a clap of thunder.
"Damn," he said, listening to the rain storm outside. "Hate to be out there." He turned back to his paper work when there was a knock at the door. Nicholas looked up.
" Who could that be?" he though, "I'm not expecting anyone?" Nicholas instinctively reached for the Colt at his hip only to find it wasn't there. He removed the knife from his sock and walked to the door. He looked through the spy hole and was surprised by what he saw. He put the knife back in his sock and threw open the door.
"Miho?! What are you doing here?" Standing in the doorway was Miho, sopping wet with a depressed look. "Come in, for god sake get out of the rain" said Nicholas. He ushered her inside, taking her bag and ushering her into the living room. He sat her down on one of the sofas and ran to get her a towel. He grabbed a towel from the bath/shower room and retuned, wrapping the shivering Miho in the towel. He immediately went for the coffee machine in the kitchen, hopping it was still hot and or still have some coffee left in. He was in luck, there was still a mug full left. He grabbed a mug and poured the hot beverage into the mug. He rushed back into the living room, he practically forced the mug into Miho's hand.
"Thank you" said Miho weakly. She took a swig of the hot drink and almost immediately looked warmer and better. "I'm awfully sorry for intruding." She said.
"Its no problem." Said Nicholas, "But what were you doing out in such weather in the first place?"
"The water pipes for our entire apartment block blew and flooded each level." Said Miho. "We were all told to go find a hotel for the night. I was on my way to Saori's house when the rain got worse..." Nicholas interrupted saying.
"You can stay here as long as you like." Said Nicholas. Miho looked as if she was about to protest but Nicholas cut her off. "Look, the rain is only getting worse and is forecast to only get worse till tomorrow. I have plenty of room and I could use some company. Now, the bathroom is through there" he pointed in the direction of his bedroom and the en-suite bathroom." Have a shower or a bath as you want. By the time you come out, there will be a hot meal waiting and a warm bed along with anything else you want, and no it's not optional." Miho sat stunned, she soon realized however, that there was no arguing with Nicholas. She got up and headed in the direction of the bathroom, collecting her bag as she went. After she left and he heard the door to the bathroom lock, he started cooking a hot meal. When Miho emerged a few minutes later she was greeted by beautiful smells wafting from the kitchen.
"Smells good." Said Miho, she stood in the doorway of the kitchen to see Nicholas working over a hob with a pan. Nicholas looked up at Miho with a smile.
"Its Spanish omelette." Said Nicholas, "My mother used to make it for me all the time. You can put almost anything in it, in this case, red and green peppers, chicken and peas." He moved the omelette on to a pair of waiting plates, placing it on one and dividing it in half. He picked up the plates and moved into the living room. He placed the 2 plates on the table. Miho sat down by one of the plates and Nicholas by the other. He produced a knife and fork and handed it to Miho; she took the eating implements and took a bite out of the omelette.
"It's good!" Cried Miho. Nicholas smiled and took a bite from his own.
"Glad you like it." He said. He got up and retrieved a pair of cans of lemonade from the fridge and handed one to Miho. "I spoke to Elizabeth."
"Oh yes?!" said Miho, "How is Darjeeling?"
"Fine." Said Nicholas, "I told her about the Excelsior. She said she would need to ask the team commanders but she would be in touch."
"You didn't tell them about any of our other finds did you?" asked Miho, a sense of worry present in her voice. Nicholas looked at her and smiled.
"Not a word. "He said, "Although St. Gloriana are hiding something, something big."
"What makes you say that?" asked Miho,
"When I flew home, I passed over their training grounds a few times." Said Nicholas, "If the track marks are anything to go by, they've got a lot of things bigger than Matilda's and Crusaders, more than just one Churchill."
"Well good thing we got some surprises or our own then." Said Miho.
"Where are we on the other tanks?" asked Nicholas.
"Their all running bar the Löwe" said Miho, "Although the automobile club think that getting the Löwe running will take a while."
"How long?" asked Nicholas,
"If we get that far," said Miho, "We might have it by the semi finals if we're lucky."
"There still the tank we might get at the Ōarai tank museum." Said Nicholas, "Although I'm willing to bet that my sisters will have plundered the British tank hall."
"What have they got at the tank museum?" asked Miho,
"Mixture of everything from World War 1 all the way up to the modern day." Said Nicholas. "They also have a good mixture of prototypes and tanks that saw wide scale production." Miho nodded and then said in a nervous voice.
"Nicholas" she said, "About me staying here, there's one problem."
"What is it?" asked Nicholas, thinking that he had forgotten something,
"There's only one bed." Said Miho. Nicholas looked at her and said,
"I know, you can have the bed. I've got the sofa." Miho immediately protested and said,
"No! I couldn't! You've been so kind to me, I couldn't take the only bed!"
"But you'll need some privacy." Said Nicholas, "and besides, the sofa folds out into a bed." Miho tried to argue but was put down each time by Nicholas' insistence. She eventually gave in and took the bedroom. Nicholas retrieved a few things from the bedroom and bathroom and left Miho in peace. She quickly showered and went to bed.
Miho woke to the sound of the alarm clock. She turned it off and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. She looked at the time on her phone, 6:30. Time to get up for practice. She suddenly became apparent that she wasn't in her room or at Saori's. She suddenly remembered that she had slept at Nicholas' house... don't tell Saori that, she'd never let her forget it. She quickly got out of bed and went into the en-suite shower room. She soon emerged, freshly showered. She quickly dressed into her Sensha-dō uniform. Just as she buttoned up her shirt, there was a knock at the bedroom door.
"Miho? You up?" said Nicholas on the other side of the door.
"Yes." Called Miho.
"Can I come in?" asked Nicholas.
"Sure." Called Miho. The door opened and Nicholas walked in, he was in white shorts and a T-shirt with 'Royal Marine cadet' on it and trainers. He also had an iPod in a armband mount with the earphones hanging down. He was sweating lightly, it was clear that he had been running.
"I was just going to use the shower." Said Nicholas, "There's breakfast on the table."
"Thanks." Said Miho. Nicholas walked into the shower room and shut the door. Miho walked through the house into the living room, sitting on the table was a plate with 4 bacon sandwiches and 2 plates with knives and forks. Miho took 2 of the sandwiches and sat down at the table. She looked around the room. It was decorated with various pictures and had various objects on display. On the mantle piece sat a elaborately decorated Katana. Miho went up to it, admiring its black and gold scabbard.
"That was my grandfather's." Said Nicholas. Miho jumped, not having heard Nicholas enter the room. Nicholas was wearing his usual leather flying jacket, jeans and held a flying helmet in the crook of his arm. "My mother's father carried that 12 century sword with him during the second world war. When he surrendered to British forces at the end of the war for the sake of his men, the British commander let him keep is sword as a sign of respect. It's been handed down through our family for generations. It's also the sword I passed my black belt exam with."
"All my family treasures are at my home with my mother." Said Miho sadly. Seeing that had touched a nerve, Nicholas decided to change the subject.
"Shall we head off to training?" said Nicholas.
"Yeah let's go." Said Miho. "If we leave now we might be able to get to the panzer IV in time to pick up Mako and get her to training on time."
"Or we could just take my car." Said Nicholas,
"You have a car?" said Miho astounded, "What type of car is it?"
"I'll show you." said Nicholas. The 2 walked out of the front door and out to the garage. Nicholas undid the garage door; Miho was shocked at the sight that greeted her.
"Nice huh." Said Nicholas with a grin, "1969 Shelby GT 500. When we got her she was a complete wreck, dad and I spent our holidays rebuilding and fine tuning her from the ground up."
"Where did you get this?" asked Miho, taken by the American muscle car.
"It was my 14thBirthday present" said Nicholas, "It was all I asked for, dad and I spent the next 3 years worth of holidays rebuilding her. Most of it, on this." Nicholas opened the bonnet and smiled. "Behold, a custom built 7.0 Litre twin turbo charged V8, producing 625 break horse power, 0-60 in about 3.5 seconds." Miho stood, in awe of the car that sat in front of her.
"You're going to get swamped by the auto club when they see this thing." Said Miho.
"Well let's go find out" said Nicholas. He opened the passenger door for Miho. She stepped into the cream covered interior, wood polished to a shine. In the center of the dash board sat a small screen. Nicholas got into the driver seat and shut the door. He saw Miho was looking at the screen.
"Nice Huh" he said, "Dad and I gave the original interior a few modern updates, sat-nav, air conditioning, sound system and phone interface." He pulled out his iPhone 5 and slotted it into the hands free.
"You really like this car, don't you?" said Miho. Nicholas smiled and put the keys in the ignition and turned them. The V8 roared into life then slowed to a deep purr.
"Yup." Said Nicholas as he released the hand break and pulled out of the driveway onto the streets. The pre 7:30 streets of Ōarai were pretty quiet; the only thing that kept Nicholas' foot in check was the odd car and the speed cameras. That didn't however stop the carrier ship echoing to the sound of a well tuned V8 in the morning light.
Ōarai tankery sheds 7:35am
The morning light pierced the windows and open door of the Ōarai tankery shed. The only occupants were Hana Isuzu, Yukrai and Leopon team. Hana and Yukrai patiently waited for Miho as they did every morning to go and get Mako and Saori for morning practice. Leopon team were overworking themselves as usual. This time working on the Löwe, trying to get it running. Yukari looked down at her watch.
"Nishizumi-dono is running late." Said Yukari. Hana chuckled and said in her usual caring voice.
"She was staying at Saori's house last night, her flat flooded, I'm sure she'll be here soon."
"Well I'll call Saori just to be sure." Said Yukari. She pulled out her phone and was about to dial Saori's number when her phone went off with Saori calling her. Yukari pressed the call button on her phone and lifted it to her ear.
"Hey Saori." Said Yukari,
"Hey Yukari, are you Hana and Miho coming yet?" Said Saori over the phone.
"I was calling to ask whether Nishizumi –dono was with you." said Yukari in confusion, "She stayed with you last night didn't she?"
"No." Said Saori, "She never came to my place, I assumed she went to either your or Hana's house and forgot to call me."
"Well she's not here." Said Yukari, she started to become hysterical, "She must have been kidnapped! I'll call the police and..." Yukari was interrupted by a dark blue, classic American muscle car complete with white racing stripes roaring onto the practice area. It came to a halt just by Yukari and Hana. The engine shut off and Miho and Nicholas got out. Hana took Yukari's phone ou of her stunned hand and said into it.
"Never mind Saori, Nicholas just arrived with her in a very nice car."
"Wait What?! Did she sleep at Nicholas'..." Saori was hung up on by Hana.
"Sorry I'm late." Said Miho, "We would have been later but it turns out that Nicholas had a car."
"Did you sleep at Nicholas' house last night?" asked Hana.
"Yes now let's go get Mako." Said Miho, clearly not wanting to talk about it.
"Wait! You did what?!" cried Yukari, she turned her fury towards Nicholas, She was about to vent her anger when Miho stepped in.
"Yukari." She said forcefully, "I will explain later, but for now we need to get Mako so get in the Panzer IV now." Yukari was clearly taken back by the forcefulness of Miho's orders as were All present.
"Yes Nishizumi –dono" said Yukari sadly. She turned and walked over to the waiting panzer IV. Miho and Hana followed. The Panzer IV roared into life and pulled out of the garage. Leaving a stunned Leopon team and Nicholas.
"I've never seen the commandant be that forceful." Said Nakajima. Everyone nodded in agreement.
"So" said Nakajima changing the subject, "Nice car, didn't sound like the standard for a GT500 though." Nicholas looked at her with a broad grin.
"Your all race enthusiasts' right?" asked Nicholas, they all nodded. Nicholas' grin got even wider, "Then you will really appreciate this." He led them over to the waiting GT500.
Ōarai carrier ship 7:45am
"Right were all in, let's get to practice." said Saori as she sat into her seat in the Panzer IV.
"Right." Said Miho, "Hana, lets go." Hana who was driving the panzer IV in the place of Mako who was getting dressed/ washing/ eating breakfast sat in the gunner's seat. The Panzer IV pulled out of its space outside Mako's house and into the stream of traffic.
"So, Miho." Said Saori in a mischievous voice, "How was your night with Nicholas?" Miho let out a deep sigh; she really was hoping that Saori of all people hadn't heard.
"It was very comfortable." Said Miho, "Nicholas was a complete gentleman. I turned up on his doorstep completely desperate, freezing cold and soaked; and he gave me a place to stay, a hot meal and a place to sleep without asking anything in return."
"Willing to bet he made you sleep on the floor." Said Yukari in a disapproving voice.
"No, he let me sleep in his bed." Said Miho. She suddenly realized what she had just said. The whole panzer went completely silent, everyone in shock from what Miho had just said.
"YOU DID WHAT?!" Shouted Saori in utter surprise.
"Aren't you guys a little young to be doing that sort of thing." Said Hana with a chuckle.
"I knew he couldn't be trusted!" yelled Yukari, "When we get to practice I'm going to tear his face off!" Miho immediately regretted not thinking and shouted at the top of her voice.
"STOP THE TANK!" The Panzer IV came to a sudden stop and everyone looked at Miho expectantly.
"Right." She said angrily, "Let's get this sorted. 1. Nicholas and I DID NOT do that. 2. Nicholas gave up his bedroom so I could have some privacy and he slept on the sofa at his insistence. 3. He gave me a place to stay when I needed it most. He had every right to say no but gave me a place to stay for as long as I needed, so if any of you have problems with Nicholas get them out now!" The whole crew went silent, stunned by Miho's outburst. Yukari looked at her feet, finding the floor fascinating. Saori was being uncharacteristically quiet, Hana and Mako sat silently in their seats.
"Hana, drive on." Said Miho quietly. The panzer IV continued along the road to practice.
Ōarai tankery sheds, 7:55am
The panzer IV came to a halt outside the Sensha-dō shed. Miho looked out and saw that the majority of the club were crowded around Nicholas' car. Surprisingly though Nicholas was no wear to be seen. Miho was about to climb out of the Panzer when she was stopped by a sound from the hull.
"Miho." She looked down and saw Saori looking up from her hatch. "Anything that was said in this panzer, Stays in this panzer." She said. Miho nodded, feeling reassured that she wouldn't have to explain anything else about her staying with Nicholas. She climbed down from the panzer IV and walked up to Sodoko who was standing rigidly to attention with her fellow members of the school morals committee.
"We all here Sodoko?" asked Miho,
"Yes commander." Said Sodoko, "They've all been either admiring Nicholas' car or been prepping their panzers for training. Nicholas is also, with the assistance of the auto club. He apparently got them to help on the promise that they can have a ride in his car around the race track later." Miho smiled. She thanked Sodoko and went over to the Spitfire. Nicholas and the auto club were busy mounting rails under the Spitfire's wings. Nakajima called up to the Nicholas who was in the cockpit.
"Ok, try it now." Nicholas nodded and pressed something in the cockpit. There was a click of release and the rails clicked.
"It works." Said Nakajima with a smile.
"Awesome." Said Nicholas, "Let's get some rockets strapped to this thing and get her over the range." Nicholas jumped out of the cockpit. He saw Miho and said
"We got a shipment of the aircraft ammo and some machine guns for the cupolas and rockets and bombs for the spit."
"Were going to the firing range later. We could park a couple of targets for you to shoot at." Said Miho.
"The machine guns can be mounted quickly." Said Nakajima. We could do it before practice given 20 minutes."
"Get to it." Said Miho. Nakajima went to work, grabbing the rest of the auto club and grabbing went to a box that was underneath the spitfire. Miho turned and headed to the panzer IV, she climbed up onto the panzer and looked out to the group.
"Um guys?" she said out to the group. The group continued as if they never heard her.
"Guys." Said Miho a little louder. They still didn't hear her. Nicholas yelled at the top of his voice.
"GUYS!" The whole group turned to Nicholas "Your commander is trying to tell you something." The group turned to Miho who said.
"Thank you Nicholas. Now then, were about to start practice, were going to be fitting some machine guns to the panzers then we'll e heading out to the firing and driving range, then we will finish about 2pm ish and then we dock in Ōarai and anyone who wants to come to the tank museum while we look for a new panzer. Right, ok, mount up and see you at the firing range, can someone please give the new crews a hand with whatever."
"OK!" shouted everyone. They all turned and headed to their tanks. Anglerfish team climbed into the panzer IV and began starting checks. Nicholas turned and started doing some pre-flight checks. Soon, all the panzers had their machine guns mounted on their cupolas and Nicholas had a 500 pound bomb and 8 rockets. The panzers began to pull out of the garage, fully loaded for firing at the firing range. The panzer IV started its engine and was about to roll out when Nicholas called out,
"Hey Miho!" Miho tuned and looked at Nicholas, "What's the team radio frequency?"
"Oh, channel 12" said Miho. The panzer Iv lurched forward and joined the line of panzers heading for the practice range. Nicholas switched the radio channel to channel 12 and said into the radio
" Ōarai spitfire to Ōarai panzers, radio check over." Nicholas waited a moment and Saori's voice came back on the radio.
"Roger Ōarai spitfire, this is anglerfish team reading you 5 by 5 over,"
"Roger Anglerfish team, I'm taking off and will fly out to the range and adopt an orbit of 2000 feet and will fire on target when ordered." Said Nicholas, "Will return to base when ammunition is expended over."
"Roger Nicholas, The last panzer has left so you're the last one out. Over and out." Said Saori. Nicholas disconnected from the radio channel and started his spitfire's engine. He rolled out of the hanger and took off, climbing to 2000 feet and levelling off, and started orbiting the firing range.
"Fire!" The 75mm kwk L48 gun kicked back, the discarded shell was released into the turret basket, the fumes hitting the occupants like a tidal wave. The extractors working overtime from 2 hours of near continuous firing.
"Another Bulls eye Hana." Said Miho.
"That was the last of the ammo commander." Said Yukrai. Slumped in her loaders seat, exhausted.
"Reports are coming in Miho." Said Saori, " Leopon, turtle and hippo team are all also reporting direct hits. Mallard and duck are reporting hits, and rabbit, anteater, the 38tn.a, stuart and the Saumur are reporting misses." Said Saori. Miho sighed, while their gunnery skills had improved, they still had a long way to go.
"Right," said Miho, "Lets head back."
"But Miho," cried Saori, "Nicholas still has to make a attack run!" Miho gasped, she had forgotten about Nicholas, he had been circling for 2 hours now.
"Quick, contact Nicholas!" said Miho with a sense of urgency. Saori pressed the throat mike and said into it.
"Nicholas are you there?"
"About time!" said Nicholas, he was annoyed. "I've been circling for 2 hours, and I'm nearly out of fuel, probably enough to make 1 attack run, I was about to turn back. And need to go to the bathroom!" Saori snickered and said
"Ok Nicholas, make your attack run, target number 13, then head home."
"Roger, going in, rockets, machine guns and cannon. Out." Said Nicholas. Anglerfish team opened their hatches and turned their eyes toward the targets. Nicholas' spitfire screamed in low, practically mowing the grass, the target illuminated with flashes as his machine guns and cannons raked the target, then exploded as a pair of rockets struck the target. The Spitfire raised its nose and climbed away from the smoking target.
"Ōarai spitfire egressing out heading 194, sortie complete, target destroyed, returning to base, fuel, 25 liters. Out. " Said Nicholas over the radio. The spitfire climbed out of sight and into the distance. Anglerfish dropped back into the panzer IV and started heading home for the sheds.
Ōarai tank museum
2:35pm
Miho jumped down off the panzer IV. Coming to a halt next to it in the tank museums car park were the school council's Hetzer, the gamers Chi-Nu, the boys Saumur and the Auto clubs Tiger P. Following behind was Nicholas' car. Nicholas pulled into a parking space and switched off the engine. He got out as the other teas disembarked from their panzers. As the crew assembled a tall man with short grey hair emerged from the museum. He spotted Nicholas and cried happily,
"Nicholas!" Nicholas turned and smiled
"Bill!" he said Happily, He shook the man's hand vigorously. "It's good to see you."
"Likewise. You brought me some more tanks for the collection?" he said, Eying the assembled panzers, especially the tiger P. Nicholas laughed, he turned to the girls.
"He's always on the lookout for rare and one of a kind panzers." Said Nicholas. He turned back to bill and said.
"These are the girls of the Ōarai Sensha-dō team. One of whom we gather is a regular. Yukrai." Yukari stepped forward from the group and said,
"It's good to see you again Mr. Cruise." Said Yukari, bowing respectfully.
"Likewise Yukari." Said Bill in a kind voice. Anzu stepped forward from the group and introduced herself.
"I am Anzu Kadotani, student council president; these are my fellow council members, Momo Kawashima and Yuzu Koyama, and this is our captain Miho Nishizumi. Were interested in acquiring some panzers to reinforce our team for this year's national tournament. Specifically anything from 1945 to 55."
"You're more than welcome to look through the museum and ask about anything you like, although I'm sure that either Nicholas or Yukari could give a guided tour." Said Bill, he led the group into the museum. They passed through the doors to the air conditioned museum; inside the large hanger that formed the museum was room after room, each packed with tanks. Yukari instantly went to a panzer high, almost immediately running up to the World War 1 tanks in the first room. The group moved through the museum, moving into the World War 2 rooms, each major tank producing nation had a room. As they moved through the British room Nicholas notice something. Between the Sherman firefly and Churchill MK 4, was an unusual empty space. Nicholas thought for a moment, trying to remember what was there and more importantly where it could have gone. Then he remembered what was missing and who had probably taken it.
"So when did my sisters take the comet Bill?" Bill winced, and then sighed,
"Busted." He said, "They came yesterday, we offered them something from the cold war collection but they said they have something already."
"Great." Said Anzu, "Now St. Gloriana, the only school that's beaten us, has got a comet." Nicholas stepped forward, moving forward into the next room, a cavernous room that was packed with cold war era tanks from all over the world. The group fanned out, admiring the collection of tanks. Miho was looking at a centurion when Momo called out,
"Hey commander! I think I've found a suitable panzer." The group moved over to where Momo was. She was standing in front of a large black tank with a cast hull, high profile and an oscillating turret.
"Ah," said Bill, "You have good taste in panzers young lady."
"You picked his favourite tank in the museum." Said Nicholas, "The AMX 50. Its a post war prototype French heavy tank that would do nicely but we can't use it."
"Nicholas is right" said Yukari, "As much as I would love to see it in our shed next to the Löwe..."
"You have a Löwe?" interrupted Bill stunned,
"We can't take this AMX 50 because it won't run." Finished Yukari.
"Well if its a problem with running" said Nakajima, "We'll get it running." Nicholas laughed,
"No you don't understand," he said, "It won't run because there's no engine, it's a shell." The whole group let out a sigh of realisation. Nicholas then had a brain wave,
"Bill" he asked, "Did my sisters take the beast?" Bill smiled, and said,
"No they didn't, it still needs some work but its mainly cosmetic, you can have a look if you want. She's out in the work shed, she's running now, take the team out to the arena and Tom and I will bring it round." Nicholas nodded and Bill turned and left. Nicholas turned to the group and said,
"Right follow me." They followed him out of the museum to a dirt and grass covered field, it had a large stand, the kind used at football games around it, and in the course were hills and dips along a well worn track. The team took seats on the stand, waiting for something.
"What is "The beast" Nicholas?" asked Saori,
"Wait and see, Saori, wait and see." Said Nicholas with a smirk. In the background a low rumble of a engine could be heard, it gradually it got louder. The team looked around trying to find the source of the engine.
"That's a British engine." Said Yukari. "Early cold war by the sound of it."
"Yup" said Nicholas. The rumble of the engine grew to a quiet thunder, and the source came through the entrance of the corner field and started around the source. Its dark green cast hull covered with scorch marks and scrapes. However, its squat turret and long gun proudly betrayed its identity.
"Ladies and gentlemen." Said Nicholas, "I give you the FV 214 Conqueror MK 1, otherwise known in this museum as, the beast." The conqueror came to a halt in front of the stand, paused for a moment, and fired a blank from the main gun. The load cannon caused most of the team to flinch, jumping back in their seats. Nicholas led the group down to the waiting British panzer. Nicholas proudly walked up to it and patted his hull, saying in his best 'Drill sergeant voice',
"Now usually the good Lord works in mysterious ways, But not Today! This here is 66 tonnes of straight up, HE spewing dee-vine intervention!" Everyone looked at Nicholas with a mix of confused and surprised look.
"Quoting Sgt Major Avery Johnson from halo 2? Really?" Came a voice form the Conqueror's driver's hatch. A man in his late teens climbed out of the conqueror's drivers hatch, he wore trainers, a blue grease covered coverall and a baseball cap. He was relatively tall, had black hair and brown eyes.
"Nice to see you too Maverick." Said Nicholas, turning to see the newcomer.
"I told you not to call me that!" said the teenager. "Aren't you going to introduce me to your friends?" Nicholas turned back to the girls and said,
"This is Bill's son Tom Cruise, he works here as a maniac."
"You mean Mechanic." Said Tom correcting him, Nicholas then said with a smirk,
"No I was right 1st time."
"And just how am I maniac?" asked Tom,
"You put a jet engine on the M24 Chaffee, and then took it drag racing." Said Nicholas,
"Really?" asked Nakajima , "How did it go?"
"He tore the tracks off it." Said Nicholas, "And ended up in the hospital for a month. Anyway getting back to the conqueror, what do you think Miho?" Miho looked over the mammoth British tank.
"It might not look pretty," said Tom, "But under the hood it runs like clockwork, most of the time. It has some problems with the electrics and is slightly underpowered, but other than that it's good solid British engineering." Miho stared at the British tank she smiled and said,
"We'll take it." She said. Anzu stepped forward and said,
"How much do you want for it?" Bill thought for a moment then said
"Tell you what; I'll let you have it if you let me go for a quick few laps in the Tiger P around the track." Nicholas smiled while Miho and Anzu looked surprised. Anzu then smiled and said
"You've got a deal. Nakajima! Go get Leopon." Nakajima and her team raced to the Tiger P while Anzu shook Bills hand. The boys walked up to the Conqueror, admiring the machine, they all looked at Suga and nodded. Suga turned to Miho and said,
"Commander, we volunteer to crew the Conqueror. It's larger so will be easier for us all to fit in, and were having trouble with the Saumur."
"What's wrong with the Saumur?" asked Miho.
"All the controls are in French." Said Suga, "None of us speak French."
"Yeah I can see that being a problem." Said Miho, "Alright, although that means we'll find a crew for the Löwe and the Saumur."
"Well I dare say that we'll get some more volunteers after the first round draw." Said Anzu. Miho and Nicholas looked up, confused.
"The first round draw is on Wednesday." Said Anzu.
"I forgot!" cried Miho.
Sensha-dō nationals 1st round draw
The Nationals draw took place as it always had, in the assembly room of the National Sensha-dō hall. The room was packed with the senior members of all the nations competing Sensha-dō teams. Miho saw representatives from Pravda, Saunders, Kuromorimine, Anzio, St. Gloriana and many other schools. As the reigning champions, Ōarai were the first to draw. Miho went up to the stage and reached into the box containing each of the competing schools lots. Miho reached inside, nervous as the hall went silent. She grabbed a card and pulled it out, hoping for a easy opponent. She was greeted with horror when she number was called out over the PA system.
"Number 2!"
Miho looked at the card to read the name off it and was filled with dread, it read on it.
"Kuromorimine Girls School for Tankery."
