Sorry for the delay. Been on an Evangelion Marathon, not to mention I've been on a course for a job. Hope you don't mind :)

Chapter 4: In Which We meet the Sub-Commander

She stood on the prow of the ship. At the speeds it was travelling, they would reach France within the week. Oarai Academy would not be far behind, that is, if Miho had chosen to take the position. She doubted Miho wouldn't. It was that wanting to help factor that muddied the waters of doubt. She smirked. It made Her proud to be Miho's sister. She only hoped the bargain She had taken would pay off. Their mother had dirtied Her decision as disrespectful, but she didn't stop Her.

'I hope you know what you are doing Maho,' she had said, 'It would bring shame to the Nishizumi style if you were to lose.' And now, these words were being repeated to Her, almost daily, if not hourly. First, Itsumi-chan had begrudgingly gone along with Her decision, parting with those words. Then the Elefant crew. The crew of Jagdpanzer IV 15, Panther 11, the Maus, the Pz. IIIJ, every damn member of the school was telling Her that they hoped She knew what she was doing. It had become extremely irritating and finally, She had come here to get away from it all.

She watched as the last barriers to the Atlantic ocean opened up and allowed the school ship to exit the Panama Canal. From here, they would go straight across and dock at Brest, unload and make their way to Paris. Everything was set.

She heard footsteps approaching and another body began resting on the safety railings next to Her. She instinctively knew who it was without even looking.

"What is it now Itsumi-chan?"

"I thought I might find you here," Erika said, completely bypassing the question, "You always do when something gets you bothered."

She sighed, "Everything's alright," She lied.

"I've known you for too long to know that isn't true. They keep coming to me aswell," this garnered a wide-eyed stare from Her, "They ask me why you're doing it. Why I allowed you to go through with this. It's bugging me too," she paused watching She took this in, "There's one girl who just watches though."

She nodded, eyes closed, "Ritsuko-chan." Was all She said.

Erika hummed in agreement, "She owes her life to Miho. She was a bright, bubbly one before the incident and it seems she has become even more so since then. I haven't thought much about how different it would've been around her if Miho had stuck to the Style." Silence descended for a few moments.

It was She who broke it, "Ritsuko will almost certainly want to fight with her one day."

"I have already considered it, but I am not sure there will be space for her. We are submitting two of our teams to the International Team afterall."

"There will be space."

"I'm not sure there will be-"

"I will say that again: There will be space for her." Erika reeled in surprise.

"You really are taking this stuff seriously aren't you?"

"In order to work with her, I must think like her."

"If you say so." Erika mused.

She laid her hand on Erika's shoulder, "Come on," She said, a small smile adorning her lips, "Let's go tell Ritsuko the good news." Erika chuckled lightly.

"Yes Maho. Let's."

888

"What do you mean they won't help us?!"

"They are disillusioned that we don't have anything to give them that could possibly replace what we are asking for give us."

"But's only three stupid tankette's! Haven't they heard of sharing?!"

"I don't think sharing counts here Momo-chan."

"I don't care! This is preposterous... and don't call me that!"

"ENOUGH!"

All eyes turned to look at the source of the outburst. Ono Yushari stood at the entrance of the meeting room, a shocked Miho just in front of her.

"That's another reason they call me Asuka," she hissed, "I get angry real quick." She marched into the room and plonked herself down on a plush cushion, fire in her eyes, "You can speak to them now Nishizumi-sama."

"Errrmmm, thank you," Miho siad nervously.

'OK, Nishi-san was quite elaborate," she addressed the new command staff, "She cannot give us three Ha-Go's in exchange for the three Type 94's we have. They have a friendly against Continuation in a few days and need combat capable vehicles. The Ha-Go's are needed." A chorus of groans was the response, "However, they can give us something else."

"Ooh ooh ooh! Let me guess! Errrmmmm, another Chi-To?"

"Type 98's?"

"Type 89's?"

"An O-I?!"

"Chi-Ha's! You can never have too many Chi-Ha's!"

Kawashima looked at the budding command staff in disgust, "Shut up! They'll probably give us a picnic hamper filled with stale sushi!" She stopped when she noticed Yushari staring dead at her, the blue eyes feeling like laser beams. There was very little that could sway Momo Kawashima, but this was one of those times and she sat back looking as if she'd seen a ghost.

"I'm afraid it's nothing quite as spectacular as an O-I," Miho stammered, "Chihatan has agreed to send us a spare Te-Ke and three Type 95 guns to rearm the Type 94's."

"Meh," Ono blurted, "I s'pose it's better than nothing."

"Ssooooooo," Anzu cooed, "When do we get there?"

"Just over a week from now." Miho answered.

"Well what are we waiting for? Let's go hook up with Chihatan and get that stuff now!"

"Is she always like this?" Miho jumped as Yushari appeared next to her.

"Yes, I'm afraid so. But I can't imagine Prez any other way." Yushari raised her eyebrows, lips pushed out in a dumbfounded pout.

"Well here's a fact for you: This is going to be a long week."

0000

Sorry this chapter is so short. The next one will be longer, I promise! Be happy that Maho appears.