Chapter 7 D-Day +3 part III

D-DAY+3 time (17:02)

"We have finally found scout three Katyusha. They were in the deep in the hedgerows." Klara said over the radio her voice somewhat distressed.

"Finally, they haven't been seen since the first day." Katyusha called back her tone as confident as ever.

"Yes, but their tank has been destroyed."

"Tell them to get back get another BT and begin scouting immediately!" She barked back at Klara.

"I don't think you understand Katyusha the tank has been wrecked both crew members are dead."

Katyusha paused for a second, she didn't know what to feel. "What how could this be?" She asked back rather shocked and sombrely, clutching her microphone.

"T…The commander... we found her outside of the tank, her legs lost and she's badly burnt, she... she's thrown out when the turret got blown off..." Klara began to sob, tears fall slowly down her cheek "the hole went through the driver, we- we couldn't find any remains of her, the smell... It's sickening, Katyusha. I…I..I couldn't stand this, it's horrible."The commander was found with her body badly burnt on her lower half with cuts everywhere she has no legs Katyusha she must have been thrown out of the tank when the turret blown off, the driver we assume was still in the tank as it exploded as there are no remains... It's awful here Katyusha the smell and the burnt-out wreck." As Klara began to sob.

Katyusha listened to the pain Klara's heart must have been feeling, Katyusha stiffened her resolved. "We will not forget their loss, they will go down as brave heroes in Pravda history. Now, push out St Gloriana, they will pay for this with their lives. Darjeeling especially! I will be joining you 1800 hours to help lead this final assault." She stated firmly, her hand moulded into a solid fist.

"Yes, Katyusha we will take the road south of the hill cutting of the line of communications." Klara added back wiping her face with her sleeve. She took a moment to compose herself in the dark empty IS-3.

Klara got out of the IS-3 and looked to the charred, decapitated husk of the tank and then down to the maggot infested corpse of the girl in front of her. Her eyes drew up to another BT crew who had found the massacre. "You two have the body buried and put a cross there. I know she might not have been Christian or religious but it at it's all that markers out her remains for after this battle is over. Hopefully where ever she is, she is at peace." The BT crew walked to their tank and picked up a shovel and began to dig, the faces of everyone involved was were full of agony and torment.


D-DAY+3 time (17:43)

The white light burnt her eyes, as Sarah slowly opened them, see looked up at the blank ceiling tiles then slowly re-positioned her head over to the right to see a light coloured wooden door in front of that was a chair near her head with someone sitting on it, with black trousers see followed them up landing on a pure black battledress with golden buttons and a full red collar, it was defiantly the uniform a London United professional tankery team. Her eyes travelled up the body landing on his short black haired combover, contrasting with his white teeth smiling, his grey glassy eye's mixing the two shades together. He looked blissfully back at her drained green eyes, taking away some of the pain from the throbbing headache.

"James, why do you look so happy to see me in pain." She added to him with a smile coming around her face.

"I've had worse you know." He said, leaning back into the chair. "How the head sis."

"A little painful, how long have I been out? Where's dad?"

"He's having a waze, he's been on the coffee trying to keep awake after that night battle you had." He then looked at his watch. "You've been out, oh nearly 2 hours, not as good as me I was out for 6 and a half."

"I remember that, you fell down the stairs like an idiot when you were ten, hitting the wall and getting blood all over the new cream carpet. We were at the hospital for 2 weeks."

"Good times, I got to miss school, and get 8 stitches on the top of my head, as a kid that was a result." He added with a smile and a chuckle, rubbing the top of his head to feel the small scar.

She placed her hand on her temple with the white bandage on it, as it stung when she placed a little pressure on the wound. "What's happened to Maho?"

"I don't know. She's in this ward I think, but obviously I don't want to interrupt on a private matter. And before you ask Naomi as well, I don't know."

"But what happened after Kay hit me?"

"It was pretty nasty I think one of your crew members who tackled her, Kay then looked like she tried to strangle her." As her pulled out his phone and showed her a clip. As Kay punched Jasmine in the face, then forcing her on her back strangling her with both hands.

"Jasmine! Is she ok?" she responded full of shock and concern from her face to her voice, for her struggling crew member. Her eyes fixated on the small screen of James phone.

"She's fine just a bloody nose she's still on the battlefield, she made of stern stuff unlike you." As he punched her arm softly, before she could interject, he continued speaking. "Darjeeling got involved, there's no volume from the clip, but I've never seen her this angry before."

"I could only imagine what it must be like to get on her bad side."

"Yeah, I know right." Sarah added back placing her head on the pillow. Her memory clicked and a small smile moved onto her face. "I think Jasmine Pearl has a thing for you."

"Well, that's a shame. She's a pretty girl, and she did just save my sister. But I've already been taken."

"What?! Who?" Sarah responded back with disbelief and confusion overlaid across her face.

"None of your business who." He responded back instantly.

Sarah's smile widened "It's you and Darjeeling isn't it." As she giggled with cover her mouth with her hand.

"Yeah right!" James tone as ironic as ever. "Me and her have been very good friends for years now, if I was to try and ask her out, I would be friend zoned faster than you could say tea."

James cracked a small smile and leaned forward to Sarah as his volume of his voice dropped. "Anyway, she likes a refined man. Like a, Scott Perkins Earl of Arundel." As he spoke in an overly bombastic posh aristocratic voice. "But as you can tell…" As he gestured to himself reverting back to his typical voice. "I'm defiantly not her type." He leaned back in the wooden chair placing his arms behind his head. "I think we beat that Scott bloke? I think he had a Centurion or something, I can't remember fully." He looked over to Sarah who looked bored of his boasting, so he got back to the question at hand. "But I will say that you most defiantly know her." He added with a wink.

"Her? I thought you was were gay. As you only hanging around boys and seem to enjoy their company." She said back teasingly.

James completely ignored her verbal jab at him, changing the subject. "Just because I'm like the world's best brother I've gotten your battledress all cleaned up. Next time please fall into some lavender flowers instead of mud please."

Her eyes widened "And the Beret!?" She immediately asked. "I can't lose that!"

"I've personally cleaned it up myself, all of it's at the hotel, once you're good to leave the hospital I'll give a back." He added proudly, waiting for a thank you to return his way.

Sarah just nodded back in appreciation. "For now, you need to be in a hospital gown like a mental patient." James said back in a sassy tone.

She looked over to her brother scowling at him, whilst raised a fist towards him. "Once I get out of here, I'm going to beat you so hard."

"Insanity is repeating the same mistakes and expecting different results, Sarah you know that right? Its good we're in the hospital they can check that for you." James remarked back confidently crossing his arms his evil smile ever present, as he raised one of his eyebrow.

The door opened, an older man in his late 40 early 50's walked in the spitting image of an older and shorter James wearing a white shirt and blue jeans. He had a black combover with a couple of grey hairs, with a shaved but rugged face and grey eyes that twinkled in the light.

"How's you dad?" Sarah asked as James leaned his arm over the back of the chair to face him.

"A lot better as your awake now." He said with a little crack in his rather tranquil voice.

"She been up for a bit now. Your bladder must be huge dad." James added with a smile.

"Airplane toilets son, I hate to use them, the flights from Japan to the UK has given me good practice." He added rather jokingly.

James stood and let his dad sit down next to Sarah, as he walked to the door. "Hay, English Breakfast you want any snacks?"

"If you could get me a choc choc bar that would be great and maybe some coke."

His eyes rolled as he tutted his teeth "A fine athlete's meal." He opened and closed the door behind him.

"You did good Sarah, that first battle on the hill at the start was very impressive and the night one as well. That was something else." Her father said delighted and proudness emanating in his voice as he smiled to his wounded daughter.

"Thanks, don't tell James that we got the Idea for the night battle from one of his suggestions. You know what he be like."

He lifted his little pinkie finger on his right-hand Sarah did the same as both fingers embraced each other as the shook them.

"You don't know how proud I am with you, helping to save someone from certain death. I think you're better than James at Tankery because of that. You have compassion; not to say he doesn't, but I don't think he would have done what you did." She leant over to him and kissed him on the side of the cheek and hugged him as he wrapped his arms around her. "You'll always be my special girl, remember that please. It kills me to see you in pain." As his voice softened.

"I will dad, I promise." She said back as a little tear rolled down her face.


D-DAY+3 time (17:48)

Near Rorke's drift, with a map was laid out on the back of Rosehips Crusaders engine deck, with a group of girls huddled around the map, inspecting it and discussing what to do.

"We need to keep the road open for Winston," Darjeeling's commanded, as her finger ran from their HQ to Winston. "Spitfire is lost we cannot take it back; they have dug in well, and it's sad to say but the Chindits have lost a lot of their effective tanks. So, we can't waste another attack on the flanks again. And going headlong into a strong defensive position, is not our way of doing things maybe Chi-Ha-Tan but not us." The small crowd of girls had a rather reserved chuckle.

"But sorry to say Darjeeling with the IS-3 on the loose, we can't stop it, and it will massacre the whole area." Rukuriri stated pointing to the road where its nearest Spitfire of about a mile, whilst gesturing to where the IS-3 could attack into the eastern side of Rorke's drift..

Darjeeling looked at Rukuriri and nodded in agreement. "We need a plan of attack on that IS-3, if anyone has any suggestions, please lay them out." Darjeeling added; all the commanders looked at one another hoping someone had something.

"I have a plan Darjeeling." Rosehip spoke up. "However, we will most likely lose the Cromwell and another tank."

Darjeeling looked at Rosehip surrounded but the other 3 commanders of the Chindits squad. "Let's hear it, Rosehip."

"The remaining Chindits will draw out the IS-3 here." She pointed to the road with thick bushes on the southern side with Rorke's drift only a mile away to the north. "The first tank will need to be heavy maybe a Churchill, it will move up and block the road pinning stopping the IS-3, the Cromwell will come behind slamming into the back of it and uses its 600 horsepower to keep it from reversing back. And this is when you Assam step in…" Rosehip looked up the Assam who looked to her with baited breath. "… Take the shot from where we are now, you know the weak spots of the IS-3 you should take it out, hopefully in one hit."

Everyone one looked over at Darjeeling. She was rubbing her forehead, taking calming a steady breath. "Do we have to use the Cromwell?, it's an important tank?!" She emphasised.

"I had a word with the Chindits they all agreed that its English's tank. And we cannot use it would be wrong of us to use it without her permission, with also another commander leading her crew…" All the Chindit commanders nodded in agreement. "… Also, it looks as if we will be on the defensive from now on so lightly armoured tanks might not be such a good idea." Rosehip added confidently.

Darjeeling smiled. "Have you got a name for this plan?"

"Yes, the Chindits and I have thought of the name we think it sounds pretty cool. Operation Scorpion. With the two claws to grab its pray but the killing blow comes from the stinger." Rosehip added with a smile, that planted the seed of confidence, but most importantly hope into Darjeeling's brain.

"Who will operate the Churchill?" As she moved off Rosehip and upon the face of the girls around her. "I will point out that due to our team running low on tanks they will most likely will be out of the match, if knocked out. Do we have any volunteers?" Darjeeling said with a little shame and regret in her tone. The mood was sombre, the only noise was the wind whistling over the cold metal of the tanks. Darjeeling's eyes wondered around the group of girls. "Lady grey you will be in command of the Churchill road block."

"Yes, Darjeeling." Lady grey responded back her tone firmly but disappointment was not hard to miss, with her face covered in her long shining midnight-black hair, as she slowly dropped her head to the ground.

Darjeeling looked around at her commanders one last time. "Everyone you are dismissed! Lady Grey a word please."

All the commanders dispersed walking off to their tanks and crews, as Orange Pekoe and Assam remained with their commander.

"Orange, Assam. Can you two tend to the tank make sure everything work I want the engine to rumble like lions' heart and the gun to fire as straight as a dart." Darjeeling added, her calm tone exuberating confident into her gunner and loader.

"Yes Darjeeling." Came the prompt response, as both hastily made their way behind Darjeeling towards their vehicle.

Lady Grey was still standing in the same spot, with the wind slightly blowing her hair., Darjeeling walked over to Lady Grey, placing her hand on Lady Greys shoulder. "Please remember I didn't pick you because of what happened to Masala, its…" Darjeeling breathed in heavily her attitude changed one of concern. "…It's just that this match has gotten out of hand students have died and I need to keep you safe." Darjeeling parted Lady Greys dark hair, placing it over her ears, to revel the hidden girl beneath, her light pale skin without a blemish insight covered a striking exquisite thin face with prefect facial features. Darjeeling looked deep into the oaked brown irises of Lady Grey, as the blue and brown eyes danced with each other, Darjeeling then smiled.

"But Darjeeling they were accidents and I need to fight for the team, for St Gloriana and for you." She pleaded with pure unfiltered emotion. "It my last year I need to prove myse…." Darjeeling raised her hand to stop her talking.

"You never have to prove nothing to me, you are an exceptional commander, with immeasurable amount of empathy and compassion for others. When James said to me, he had a girlfriend or as he put it. 'Won favour of a fine young lady.' I couldn't really believe him, he is too much of a joker, the boy who would cry wolf, as some would say. But I knew he was telling the truth, when he said your name Lady Grey. The beautiful princess and the knight in shining armour." She smiled at lady grey and her body relaxed.

"We just clicked Darjeeling it's a long story, but we ended up falling for each other when he came over for the 63rd tournament." Lady Grey embarrassingly said back her pale skin blushing a soft pink rose to her cheeks.

"One day, I wish to find love like that, but who knows what the future will bring." Darjeeling tone noticeably changed to extremely serious. "If you love James as much as you say you do, please for his sake. Once you're out stay out, I can't bare to see you and him hurt." Darjeeling grabbed both of her hands and squeezed them tightly. "Please Lady Grey, I beg you."

"I will Darjeeling I promise. I will keep my crew safe and myself safe."

Darjeeling then hugged the unsuspecting Lady Grey, who was very bewildered by this. She had never seen Darjeeling's emotions like this, she was never so caring towards her commanders., But she must have all ways be this way deep down. She must of hid these expressive feelings with her elegant persona, not want her crews to know what affection she had for them. Darjeeling then whispered in her ear. "You would make a great mother." She spoke with deep passion in her voice.

"You are the grandmother, I am the mother, the crew are my children." Lady Grey responded back grasping hold of Darjeeling not wanting to let go as she savoured the moment.


D-DAY+3 time (18:19)

The sun slowly began to droop in the sky as oranges pierced the blue sky.

"TANKS APPROACHING. NORTH, FAST MOVERS!" Was the call on the radio.

"Rosehip." Klara muttered. "They are going to take the flanks and attack the rear again of the objective, prepare for that!" Klara spoke over the radio. "Tanks 2 and 5 follow me we will force them back." The IS-3 rumbled forward exposing itself out of the low ground. The Chindits fired 2 pounder and 6 pounder shells at the tanks as they closed the distance doing no damage. "Loader HE, fire when ready gunner." The gun came to life as the immense noise of the shell thundered out of the barrel, the Chindits moved just in time as the earth around them disintegrated all around them.

"Tanks are moving, they are escaping to the west on the road. We will press our advantage, this is our opening to cut the road in half. Katysha is watching remember." Klara commanded, the IS-3 moved with the two T-34 as cover following behind her. She opened her hatch "Ura!" She pointed forward to the main road in driving along it west in hot pursuit of the Chindits for at least a mile on the main road.

"Crusader has stopped in the road. HE again Fire." The shell missed, landing short as dust and smoke raised from the crater of the road. Klara heard a zipping sound, then looked behind her as a shell hit the T-34 around 30 meters behind her. Another shell slammed into the other escorting T-34, 20 meters behind the first knocked out T-34. "Ambush!" Klara screamed, she slid back in the turret closing the hatch.

"Driver full speed forward get us out of he..." Klara commanded, just as she finished her sentence the tank smashed into something, forcing everyone in the tank the fall forward. "Driver what the fuck are you doing!" She bellowed.

"A Churchill drove out in front of us Commander!"

"Driver full reverse, gunner shoot this tank." Klara order as a small ounce of fear was heard in her voice.

"Can't the gun barrel is too far forward, it goes past there tank, we can't hit them!" The gunner yelled back.

The crew was launched forward again. Klara looked in the vision blocks, as Cromwell span its tracks pinning the IS-3 to the Churchill.


"Jasmine fire the gun." Honeybush yelled, "I don't know how long the engine can hold." The 75mm bounced of the back of the well-rounded turret.

The IS-3 began to roll back using its heavy weight to push back the Cromwell, Honeybush pushed down the accelerator pedal down further as the smell of burning oil and metal started to enter the tank from the over stressed engine.


"Sabot loaded."

"You've got the Assam." Darjeeling spoke with full confidence in Assam. Assam pressed down the foot pedal. The gun cracked like a bullwhip as the shell zipped across the hitting the side of the engine deck with a well expertly placed shot. The white flag appeared as smoke came out of the engine of the IS-3.

"Great shot my dear. Like St. George, you slayed the dragon." Darjeeling said as she sipped her tea.

"The TOG II may be big, but the 17 Pounder does help to look over its short comings." Assam stated positively.


"Let's get out of here Honeybush!" Peppermint yelled, the engine coughed and spluttered, with a massive clunk, the plucky meteor engine died, the white flag appeared on the tank.

"We did our best English hopefully your proud of us." Jasmine said with disappointment but immensely full of pride as she patted the gun breach of the defeated Cromwell.


Lady Grey opened her hatch of the turret, of her Churchill Mk I, which had was instantly flagged with the impact with the IS-3. The IS-3 driver clambered out as thick black smoke enveloped the tank. She got out of her tank and jumped onto the front plate of the IS-3 helping out the driver who's uniform was slightly charred.

"What's happening?" Lady Grey asked urgently.

"Fire!" The driver said back as she jumped off and ran from the tank rolling on the grass floor to put out her smouldering clothes.

Lady Grey ran to the top of the tank as she heard the girls in the tank screaming bashing on the hatches, which were both jammed shut. She bashed the commanders hatch with her fist as she tried to dislodge the hatch she could feel the metal heating up with every blow. Something metallic clicked and the hatch was pushed open, with thick black smoke pouring out as Klara jumped out of the turret, with burn marks all over her, with the gunner following her out with the same result.

"Svetlana get out!" Klara shouted into the tank, only the sound of crackling fire was the response.

Lady Grey looked at Klara evidently in shock. "The crew are your children you are the mother. The crew are your children, the crew are your children, keep them safe." Repeated in her head, she pushed past Klara and instantly jumped into the burning tank.

"No! What she doing, tell her to get out of there now!" Darjeeling shouted full of rage and fear, to Orange on the radio as she watched the chaos unfold threw her binoculars.

Klara and her gunner jumped off the side, the heat was getting intense, she looked up as the St Gloriana student upper body out of the hatch, she looked to be trying to lift something out, as she did so the a loud roar came from the hatches of the tank the flame spew out as it gripped her body, the dark red of her coat and of the fire perfectly matched, the silhouette figure of Lady Grey fell back into the burning tank.

"Everyone get back!" Klara yelled. The Cromwell, Churchill and the rest of the IS-3 crews all retreated back, as the fire took apart the whole tank, with all the watching is disbelief in what just happened.

"No, Lady Grey, please your alive just get out." Darjeeling implored; her eyes transfixed on the hatch watching for any sign of life, as the seconds, then turned to minutes. The answer was now certain. "Tell the Cromwell and Churchill crews that they are to go immediately to the barracks and insure they say nothing, absolutely nothing about this incident!" She commanded resolutely to Orange Pekoe. She looked at the her two trusty friends reflecting on her actions, she had sent Lady Grey, a beautiful, compassionate, young women to her death. Her mood changed to one of emotionlessness. "I'm sorry ladies but I have to go." Darjeeling opened up the hatch and climbed out.

"Darjeeling please." Orange pleaded with tears in her eyes.

Assam put her hand on Orange's shoulder and shook her head. "She needs some space Orange."

Darjeeling finally jumped off the tank, and slowly stumbled off towards the HQ, her arms crossed.


The turmoil reflected off the glass of the binoculars, as the girl slowly paced them down, unmasking her pain swept eye's, with the binoculars swinging on her chest with the strap holding the heavy burden they had brought.

"All tanks on the airfield objective are to cease combat at once there will be no more fighting here today." She commanded with her voice vibrating in an unheard-of manner towards her crews.

"How could this happen? Why did this happen? My lost crew member and that brave St Gloriana student… gone it such a horrific way." She thought to herself, with her head falling into her hands with her body visibly shaking. "But we are Pravda will do not crumble we grow stronger for pain, like a phoenix for the ashes. And I Katyusha will make sure this victory will not ever be forgotten."

She finally collected herself with the light breeze, with the smell of burning on the air. She slid back into the T-34 and tuned the dial of the radio.

"Nonna any tweets from our little birds?" Katyusha spoke as if nothing had happened.

"Yes, I have word that St Gloriana will not be taking back the airfield objective, and that Miho is planning a counter attack tonight. All crews have been told only to fire if an enemy is spotted and not to move out of 'Belfast'. They will fall into our trap and be destroyed." Nonna responded as blunt as a hammer crashing into a nail.

Katyusha face brightened. "Good finish them off and this battle is as good as over."

She lifted herself onto the top of the turret looking at her forces gaining more strength at the airfield objective. She turned her head towards the intense confrontation on the hill. "Two down only one stubborn one to go." She muttered bitterly to herself.


D-DAY+3 time (20:02)

The sun slowly lowered as Ooarai prepared for the counter attack on Belfast. "Erwin you're with me we will scout the outskirts of the town one last time before we go." Miho said over the radio.

"Will do Miho." Came the response.

"Miho its dangerous out there, are you sure? I'll go instead, like the last time against Pravda." Yukari asked concerned.

"Sadly, I need to see this with my own eyes, as you know the real Rommel would lead from the front." As she smiled at Yukari as she smiled back with the history reference. "But you can be commander of the tank ok, my only rule is we need to remain hidden at all costs."

Yukari nodded, as Miho climbed out of the tank, and began crouching on the floor remaining as low as possible, Erwin joined her a couple of moments later both with binoculars around their necks. They moved closer and closer to the edge of the small forest they began to crawl along the floor, moving towards a thick bush, they reached the bush and laid out behind it.

"What do you see Erwin?" drawing up her binoculars.

"At our 10 o'clock is a T-34-85, with two 76's." Erwin said scanning with her binoculars. "You?"

"SU-100's about two at the 2 o'clock by the main road." Miho responded.

Miho looked over to the T-34's. "They've got some rubble to use as cover."

"What's that?" Erwin whispered agitated.

"What? What wrong?"

The T-34's turrets began to turn towards them.

"Shit! The light must have reflected off out bino's."

"Quick get out of here!" Miho then shouted, lifting Erwin as they sprinted back to the tanks 100 meters behind them, "Move back." She shouted to her Panzer IV moving her arms frantically to get them to retreat, the engine turned on with smoke coming out of the engine exhaust as the tank creeped back.

Erwin took a quick glance behind her "MIHO GET DOWN!"

Miho hit the deck as the crimson glare shrieked over her head, she looked up as the shell hit the Panzer IV dead on the lower plate, the tank's white flag appeared.

Instantaneously came the explosion as fire erupted from the inside of the tank with the pressure of the fire forcing open the side hatches. Miho ran as fast as her legs would carry her to the bone chilling screaming sounds of her friends burning alive from the inside of the tank, hoping and praying someone would get out of the inferno. Something pushed her to the ground face first into the ground, she turned over to see Erwin, placing her hands on her shoulders.

"No, Miho you can't." Erwin pleaded.

"GET OFF ME ERWIN!" She screamed out of agony, as she wriggled trying to break Erwin strong grasp, as Erwin held tighter and tighter digging her nails into her skin through her uniform.

"We can't lose you as well!" As she shook Miho begging her, from the way she spoke to her face it all had the same message. 'Don't go Miho.'

"PLEASE ERWIN THEY ARE MY FRIENDS MY LIFE THEIR DYING IN THERE!"

A large deafening detonation came from the inside of the tank as fireball shot 10 metres into the air, setting alight the tree canopy above the burning tank. Miho's ears rang as the concussion of the blast rattled her whole insides. She looked up at Erwin, still grasping hold of her. She was saying something but was heavily muted by the heavy ringing noise, slowly her hearing came back as Erwin whaled.

"Miho I'm sorry but their gone, no one could survive that!" Erwin tears feel down her cheek onto the floor as she loosened her grip.

Miho turned her body to look at the flaming carcass of the Panzer IV, the only sound was the of the flames licking the metal at it popped and crackled. Miho sat on her knees the intense heat hitting her body. The memories they all shared together, though the best and worst of times they were there, the future adventures they would have had all gone in an instant. Her body's emotions lost control as she wept at the top of her lungs as her soul screamed along with her. Erwin sat next to her embracing her as she adding her tears to the pool of pain and suffering.

The sun finally rested, as the darkness entered the sky. The only light came from the burning wreck in the murkiness of the forest, the tree stood at attention as shadows fell behind them.


D-DAY+3 time (20:44)

The cramped office was cluttered and disorganised, the white globe hung high in the star lights of the heavens, a small ray of moonlight lit up the lone girl, as the weak tungsten blub tried in vain to light the room with its orange glow with the light sound of it buzzing. Darjeeling was sitting with a table in front of her with a large radio on top with maps around her with marks of known enemy positions and allied defences, with a hot cup of tea steaming on top of one corner of the map, atop of the map was a file opened with a picture of a girl with long black hair, Darjeeling just stared blankly at the photo as her heart sank to the lowest depths of pain and grief. The door knocked.

Darjeeling placed the photo back into the file and hid it under the map, as she looked up to the door. "Who is it?" Darjeeling asked.

"It's Assam but Miho wishes to speak to you in private."

She really didn't want to speak to anyone, she just wanted to be alone, but she was the overall commander so she must do it for the team. "That's fine come in."

Miho walked in mud all over her Sensha-Dō uniform, her face red raw.

"Please, please sit." Darjeeling spoke sounding concerned as she moved her chair around the table. "Tea?"

Miho shook her head as it looked to the floor.

Darjeeling sat on her knees looking up into her face.

"What can I help you with?" Darjeeling spoke softly.

"You… you…. can't help Darjeeling." Miho spoke back as a nervous wreck as her hands shook violently.

Darjeeling know that something disturbing must of happened to Miho. "There must be something, anything?"

"No there isn't, I'm sorry."

"What happened?" As she looked deeply into Miho grieved covered face.

"We were in the forest north…north of Bel…Belfast I was scouting, a … a shell hit my tank… Their all dead." As she bursts into tears.

Darjeeling ran over to the side and wrapped a blanket over her and knelt next to her.

"Miho, I'm so sorry." Darjeeling said back full of empathy rubbing her arms by her side.

"I just want them back Darjeeling!... It should have been me not them." As she buried her head on top of her legs.

"You can't say something like that Miho." She tried to reason with Miho.

"I couldn't save my friends, the ones I loved the most … What sort of a person am I?" As she cried relentlessly, she was breathing so heavily, it sounded like she was drowning on her own tears.

"Miho you are loved and cherished by everyone, to see you in this state is breaking my heart." As she stood kissing the top of her head. She walked over to the radio; she spun the dial wheel finding the emergency frequency.

"I can't tell her about what happened to Maho, not at this time not after what she has just been through." Darjeeling thought to herself.

"This is Darjeeling commander of St Gloriana's Girls College and head commander of team one. I wish for Miho Nishizumi head of Ooarai Girls Academy will be retiring from the tournament."

"No, no." Miho sniffed wiping her tears away. "I want to fight!"

Darjeeling looked at the vulnerable Miho, her last words flashing back images of the last conversation she had with Lady Grey, bring back image of her last smile she had one her face and the final embrace they had together. "Miho I'm sorry but this is the end of the road, you fought extremely bravely but you can't fight on."

"But."

Darjeeling walked over to her and knelt in front of her. "If this was to happen in reverse and I was too loose Assam and Orange Pekoe, would you let me fight on?" As she stared into the sore brown eyes of Miho.

"No, I wouldn't." Miho said back still in an emotion wreck.

"Thank you, Miho, I would never want to let you go, but if you love something you have to let it go."

Miho closed her eyes and nodded.

"Darjeeling can you confirm you wish to withdraw Miho Nishizumi from the battlefield." A calm male voice responded back on the radio over the loud speakers.

"Yes."

"That is understood, a helicopter will be sent to your HQ as soon as possible."

"Thank you." As she put down the microphone onto the table, she looked over to the still seated Miho. "Please, get some hot food at the canteen, rest."

Miho stood as the blanket fell to the floor and bowed towards Darjeeling. "Thank you, Darjeeling." She turned and opened the door and closed it.

Darjeeling sighed, closing her eyes for a couple of moments, she looked at the map with the file underneath making a small budge on the flat map above. The whole room seemed to melt away as her eyesight blurred as the liquid pour out her tear ducts, she walked to the table, her hand sliding along the table till she felt a familiar object, she lifting the microphone clutched to her quivering hand.

"My friend, you would not tell with such high zest

To children ardent for some desperate glory,

The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est." She muttered to herself.

She took a deep breath and pressed the button down on the microphone.

"This is Darjeeling commander of St Gloriana's Girls College and head commander of team one I wish to speak with Shichiro Kodama now!" She commanded.

"Unfortunately, he has been taken ill, I'm Shoji Nakamaro vice head of the JSF board, how may I help?" The calm male returned back.

"I wish for my team to withdraw from the battle due to safety reasons. One of my crew members is dead and now the Miho's crew is dead."

The radio went quiet for a couple of moments, a sharp sound static kicked in proceeded by a low buzzing.

"Oh, Darjeeling sadly that is not possible." He responded back in a sinister tone.

"What do you mean by this?" she questioned with a hint of fear in her voice.

"You will continue this match until it is over." He spoke threateningly.

"No, I refuse." She retorted back.

"Ok then the lives of thousands of dead men, women and children will be on your conscience for the rest of your life."

"What?"

"If you refuse our group has placed explosives onto your carrier ship missy and if you don't get back into your tanks and fight, we will see how fast a ship can sink to a watery grave."

Darjeeling began to panic as she tried to formulate words. "What is this… this… this isn't the JSF."

"No, we are its saviour, now get back in the fucking tank and fight to the end. If you mention anything to anyone the ships go down."

The radio whinnied and buzzed, then the room filled with an eerie silence. Darjeeling looked at the set, she began to breathe faster and faster, sweat pouring over her forehead, unsure of anything her emotions were a wreck was it fake, real, no it could be, she ran to the door pulling it wide open leaving the shack and vomited all over the floor.

Orange pekoe and Assam ran over to their commander from there TOG.

"Are you ok Darjeeling?" Assam asked.

"Yes, fine just a little light headed. Did you hear the emergency call?" As she wiped her face with her sleeve.

"No why? All we heard was a buzzing sound." Assam responded confused.

"That strange, an emergency call can be heard by everyone." Orange Pekoe said. "What did you contact them about?"

"I wanted to know how English and Maho are doing."

"How are they then?" Orange asked her face a little sceptical.

"Yep all good." Darjeeling said with a smile.

"Are you ok Darjeeling?" Assam asked looking at Darjeeling's face.

"Yes, yes all is fine. Please get back to the tank get it prepared for tomorrow." Darjeeling responded nodding.

A girl screamed in the distance. Darjeeling entourage turned and ran to the sound of the screams. They ran over Rosehip was laying on the floor. "My ankle!" She shouted as paper were strewn everywhere.

"Assam get the kit; Orange get the medics here." The two girls ran back to the TOG. "Oh, Rosehip it had to be you didn't it." Darjeeling said in a light hearted mocking tone, wiping a tear rolling tear of her face.

"I'm sorry Miss Darjeeling I was running back to my tank and my foot landed in a pothole. My report is here." She tried desperately tried to gather as many papers as she could, where Rosehip laying down on the floor around her.

"Rosehip don't worry I'll do, it's ok." Darjeeling smiled to her, even going through pain Rosehip was enduring her enthusiasm shone through. "At least you're not seriously hurt."

Once they bandaged her ankle the helicopter arrived, Rosehip was placed on a stretcher and carted off and the helicopter rose above them, flying into the night as the stars sparkled.

"Ok girls back to the tanks we need to win this battle." Darjeeling commanded walking back to the Tog, with her heart and head lost knowing that she will be sending more young girls to their deaths.


You killed anglerfish you bastard and Lady Grey!
And the JSF are behind it … what is happening?! Well will see in the coming chapters.

Review time, Thanks Sleipnir for pointing that out I wish there names where a little different instead of one single letter as I do sometimes miss it whilst skimming over the final product, and I think your concerns are now answered for a previous review about deaths Also at the moment of writing we have nearly 1000 views. Dark-Silver96 yeah wars is hell and hopefully this proves it.

If you want a map to understand what the battlefield looks like, I've made a basic one, if you go to flickr and search username - Montysmypython it's there.

If you want to give me some feedback please leave a review its always appreciated.