Another chapter done! Well...This was going to be the first combat chapter...but...well I decided to have Yukaro and things changed.
Originally. I was going to have him bump into a random character, go out on a date with her for a while, then have an epic break up. But...then I remembered Yukaro is the older sister of Yukari and once I realized how he'd act in this situation given how he's a bit over-protective of her, I realized I had a recipe for drama. And perhaps to do something no one else has done in the process.
So that changed things for a while. I still may have him fall for someone, but I keeping it a surprise and I may have some slightly different drama in mind for that!
A big thanks to those who took the time to read my story...So thank you!
At any rate...Enjoy!
Gazing at herself in the mirror, Alina smiled gently as she realized how she looked in the dress uniform. While she didn't have any awards posted, she had the rank of chief petty officer, as well as the officer's uniform.
Every tank commander started out at this rank, those who commanded a tank for two years where given the title of Senor chief petty officer. That was the highest rant an ordinary tank commander could achieve unless you where the team commander or vice commander.
Theoretically though a squad commander rank was permitted, but it required at least three teams of four tanks to be awarded, and since the co-ed companies seemed to agree to hold an equal number of tanks during a match, each school would need to host at least twelve tanks in order for this rank to become official.
Of course there where specialist ranks, which started out as normal cadet ranks, but third years who had been with the specialist programs, such as supply, ordnance, and repair, where given an honorary Ensign rank, with the commanders of such receiving the rank of Lieutenant.
Acer would be given the title of Commander while Rekona was given the rank of Lieutenant Commander, to show them as the teams commander and vice commander respectively. Everyone else started at the Seaman rank.
It's weird how we are using American Navy ranks for a tank program, she mused to herself silently.
"Makes the supply's job easier," Aacob commented, almost as if reading her thoughts. "Let me see," Accob ordered.
Alina turned around and allowed Aacob to scrutinize her. "You look fine," Aacob mused at last. "Nearly everyone wonder's why we use Navy ranks when they first join," she added as she picked up her uniform bag.
Following, Alina felt herself getting nervous, but she soon calmed herself down. At least Hanoashi seems to be improving, she can do about eighteen push-ups now. Not that I needed to worry about Akiba and Caesar, considering Akiba is a heavy volleyball player and the Caesar a loader.
While it had taken Akiba a bit of time to be able to finish all their required push ups, Ceaser had surprised her the most managing to do forty push ups on her first time.
Arriving in the war room, she noticed Acer looking rather sharp, with Rikona right beside him.
"Alright folks, settle down," Acer bellowed. "Today we will be hiving our first exhibition match against Eagle height's academy. Remember, they primarily use American tanks, and they have a lot of them. However," He paused, lingering on the word briefly. "However, because they can only use a total of ten of their tanks, the strategy they use this time may not be the same they used in our official match, so keep that in mind out there."
Alina nodded as he continued.
"Also, no one is to discuss or bring up anything about borders, caravans, or anything sensitive about that. Understand?"
Who would? Alina thought, but she gave her "Yes sir" in agreement.
"Good. One last thing, we may or may not win this match. While a victory would be nice, just do your best and if we see anything we need to work on, then we've acquired our goal. After all, that's the whole point of these exhibition matches."
Alina nodded. That's how I feel, she mused inwardly.
"Also...we've had a vote last night and all schools will be increasing out tank count to fourteen." Mummers of surprise came from the other cadets but Acer simply let them die down before continuing.
"While we are participating in our match, the crews for the new tanks will be brought up to speed on safety regulations and such. In case you are wondering, their commanders are Yukaro Akiyama and Rosanna Gran, commanders of the Type 89 and T-38 Hertzer respectively. We also have two additional vehicles on route, a Panzer III N and a Crusader MK III, of which we will have two new commanders for these tanks ASAP. Dismissed.
As the people filled out to find their crews, Alina noticed two people arrive, both in the standard Norvac Academy uniform.
"Yukaro, Rosanna, make sure you follow the instructor's orders to the letter, keep your crews safe and also in line. Alright?"
So that's our new commanders huh? Alina mused silently, hurrying to exit the room before Acer suspected that she was eavesdropping. While it was true he wouldn't give her pushups if she was caught, she didn't want to get in on his bad side.
As she made her way out though she noticed he was catching up to her, before adjusting his walk to her. Wonder what he wants now? She wondered.
"How's the crew holding up?" he asked, surprising her.
"They seem okay, Akibe seems to be happier since we've started playing volleyball together, and Caesar is improving in the driving compartment." She then smiled at him. "I wanted to thank you for sending Aacob our way, it's nice to play on equal teams.
He smiled at her briefly in return. "It was no problem, Aacob kinda likes to keep active, albeit in a competitive sense."
It was true, Acer's sister seemed to enjoy competitiveness, thus why she had a record of who one, lost and who was on each side. Her fighting spirit and tenacity had really revved up their game, surprising even Akiba and Shinobu. Even more surprising was how it affected her sister, Hanoashi, turning the normally feminine, non athletic girl into quite the athlete.
"I can tell, but it's a good thing," Alina pointed out.
Surprisingly, Acer frown. "Not always a good thing, but in this case, yes." He turned to her, a serious look on his face. "I'm guessing you've already seen Yukaro and Rosanna?"
Alina looked down. "Sorry, curiosity got the best of me, sir."
To her surprise Acer patted her head gently. "Don't be, it's only natural to be curious." With that, he went on his way.
Wh...what was that? Alina asked herself, stunned at his action.
"Don't be alarmed, he always does that."
Alina nearly jumped as his girl friend, Sachi, spoke from behind. "Like I said, he always does that, surprised me too when he patted my head the first time."
"Why though?" Alina asked, getting over the shock momentarily.
"Nobody knows. Maybe it was because he used to massage Aacob's head when she suffered from her splitting headache syndrome back in the day."
Alina glanced at Sachi in surprise. "I didn't know she suffered from that."
Sachi just shrugged, characteristic of the normally reserved and timid girl. "Well, more aptly she suffered from it, she doesn't suffer from it now..." However she paused when Aacob appeared behind them, a scowl on her face.
"Why the hell are you telling her that!" She screeched, causing some in the hallway to paused momentarily before the senors just shrugged and moved on. The freshmen however couldn't seem to tear their eyes away from the situation.
In fact, Alina felt her embarrassment rising to the point that she almost hoped a shirtless buff man or something would walk though just so that everyone would get distracted.
"Because she's probably wondering why the heck he patted her on the head?" Sachi stated, albeit in the form of a question.
"We should get out of here before they actually fight," A male voice whispered beside her. "If I know Aacob, she and Sachi will argue over this till the cows come home.
To her surprise she noticed Yukaro had walked up to her. "Gotta get to the garage to train the newcomers in Sensado anyways," He added.
"Oh...um...Sure." Alina was a bit nervous, but she walked alongside him anyways,
"So, those from Ooarai fitting in?" He asked, surprising her.
"We're not supposed to talk about that, but yeah, I think so." Alina began to feel a lot about him, curiosity, suspicion, and confusion as to his question.
To her surprise he smiled. "That's good." They walked in silence for a brief moment. "We both should have been third years."
"Wait...how did you...I mean...who are you?" Alina stammered, now feeling a bit surprised.
Yukaro sighed. "You never heard of a Yukari Akiyama?" He asked.
"No... Can't say I haven't. Why?" Alina eyed him cautiously.
Letting out a frustrated groan, Yukaro threw his head back. "Great, and here I was thinking we had a newbie who wouldn't judge me for it," He groaned dramatic before shaking his head. As Alina took a step back, he let out a small laugh. "Don't worry about it, if you haven't heard, then it's probably for the best you don't mention it."
Relaxing a bit, though her curiosity continued to grow. But before she could ask, Acer walked up to them. "If you two are holding hands, Alina needs to get her crew together and you need to arrive, the teams are waiting.
Face red with embarrassment, Alina was about to rush off when He called to her. "Alina, walk with me." He commanded gently.
"You know, It wouldn't matter if God himself told me otherwise, I'd still think she was using my sister to create her perfect little glory story," Yukaro muttered.
Acer let out a sigh. "Yukari made her own decision to use that cell phone outside the tank during the match with Pravda, and from what I've heard, Ami Chono was supposedly trying to use Ooarai and Miho to further her own career. So get to your post before I make you two clean all the tanks for the next week."
Yukaro looked almost as though he wanted to say something else, but he let out a small cough. "Sorry," He whispered before heading toward the Sensado shed.
"Alina."
"Yes sir," she stammered.
"Knowing him, he'd have cleaned the tanks for a whole month if I didn't threaten to add someone else. Not so much as a clean freak as he is someone who enjoys janitorial duties for some reason." Acer motioned for her to head towards the shed.
So wait, you threatened to make me clean the tanks for a week just to get him back on duty? Alina let out a small sigh.
"I don't know if you've figured it out, but his sister, Yukari, was the one who inadvertently exposed Ooarai's...well...phone usage."
"I kinda figured that. But why is he mad at...you know...her?" Aline could guess he was mad at Miho, but not exactly why.
"Because Yukari was in love with Miho," Acer began flatly. "Before you ask, no, Yukaro is far from phobic or whatever, in fact he actually stood up for her a time or two. But he seems to think that because of Yukari's feeling's for her,she took advantage of it and he feels that Miho coursed Yukari into breaking the rules, and as a result, has some rather strong opinions of her as a result."
"You think differently?" Alina ask.
Acer shook his head. "Really I don't know what to think. All I know is that several of Ooarai's members where caught up in the mess, and that Ami Chono was using them to further her career, going so far as to try and cuddle up to the Nishisumi Vice Heiress in an attempt to gain influence over her, at least that's what Shiho told me."
"You've actually met?" Alina cut her question short when Acer gave her a hard, cold stare.
"She only confided in be because I'm good friends with one of her relatives and because she wanted to help clear Yukaro's name, other than that I have no dealings with Kuromorimine's buissness. We clear?"
"Crystal," Alina gulped.
Acer let out a small sigh. "Good. Look...I don't mind if Yukaro confides in you, but I'm asking you to keep things between yourselves. I don't want this to become a massive rumor mill or something that affects the other transfers."
"I understand sir."
"As long as you understand," He muttered before they entered the hanger. "We're riding in the tanks. Take one of those rain ponchos, they'll keep your uniform from getting dirty. We'll be letting the automotive club drive these onto the rails, though, so just sit with your crew and wait."
Alina did so, placing the orange poncho over her uniform before joining Caesar and Akiba.
"Can't wait to get in another match, right commander?" Akiba prompted explicitly.
"Yeah, looking forward to it," Alina admitted. She watched silently as the Automotive club drove the tanks one by one up the ramp.
"I wonder if those tanks are the ones we used to use?" Akiba asked, gazing at the four tanks in the corner.
"You used those same tanks?" Alina asked, surprised.
Caesar shrugged. "Don't know if they are the same ones, but we used a Type 89 and a T-38 Hetzer. No Panzer III or Crusader, though."
"By the way...this Yukaro fellow, don't you think he looks a bit familiar?" Akiba asked quietly.
"Yeah, doesn't mean he's her sister," Caesar added quietly.
Oh great, they're discussing it! Alina panicked, quickly finding a way to diffuse the situation.
"Still that's quite the coincidence. Similar first name, Same last name, and similar looks," Akiba argued, though her voice was still hushed.
Alina shut her eyes, briefly before opening them. "What the hell are you talking about," she growled, trying to act more like Acer.
"We think he might be the brother to the girl who got caught on the phone," Akiba began, only for Alina to glare harshly at her.
"I don't care if he is or isn't, you will give him the respect proper due to any Sensado co-ed participant and especially that of a commander, understand?"
"Hai!" Caesar and Akiba peeped in understanding.
"Now I wonder who started this?" All three girls turned into shock as Rikona stood behind them, her arms crossed and her green eyes blazing in anger.
Alina glanced down, beginning to stammer. "I...I only..."
"She only tried to diffuse the situation Rikona, give her a break."
Alina gaped in surprise as Acer had rushed to her defense. I was certain I was in big trouble here, but why is he defending me now? She asked herself.
"Acer...I think I can handle my sister," Rikona began, only to pause when he raised his eyebrow questioningly.
"And as your superior, I'm telling you to give her a little break here. She stopped the argument from going out of hand, so give her some credit."
Rikona looked almost as if she was about to argue, but before she could Acer had turned back to the three. "So, which of you two started it?" He asked, gazing between Akiba and Caesar.
"I...I did sir," Akiba piped up nervously.
Acer sighed. "At least you are honest. Just...no more discussions about it, alright?"
"You are just letting them go?" Rikona asked, surprised.
"Rikona," Acer sighed in exasperation, "Not every violation deserves a punishment. Besides, we have a match, and I'm certain Alina will keep them in line."
"Yes sir," As Acer left, Rikona turned to her. "Acer trust you, so don't fail him, alright?"
"Yes sis," Alina began, only realizing her mistake at the last moment. Shit! You don't call a superior sis in ranks, even if she is your sister!
To her surprise Rikona seemed to take it in stride. "You never change, do you sis?"
Turning to her crew members as she rose up, Alina let out a small smile. "Well, let's get in our tank, it's our first match together and I'm looking forward to experiencing how a co-ed school match operates."