Continued from the last chapter.
Chapter 10: Pravda and Consequences-Part 2
Hokkaido-Oarai vs. Pravda Battle Area
Pravda's tanks came in charging towards Oarai's lines. Their force consists of 6 T-34-85's, 4 T-34-76's, 3 KV-1's, one IS-2 and one KV-2, a deadly cocktail of Russia's finest in the Second World War. Inside one of the T-34-85's, Nonna, Pravda's second-in-command and sniper has been told by Katyusha to hunt down the Cromwell. Another order from her is to ease off if he's injured a bit more. Anyway, both girls are standing on the cupolas of their tanks.
"Listen up!" Katyusha commanded "I want all tanks to find and eliminate all of Oarai's tanks. Anyone who gets shot will get 25 days of freedom."
"By that you mean 25 days pulling potatoes from the fields." Nonna said "Also, is it right to engage a wounded sniper?"
"He'll be fine Nonna." She replied "I assure you, he doesn't back down. For now, we will crush them under our treads. And all of us will make them surrender this time."
"URA!"
Oarai P.O.V.
Oarai's tanks are moving steadily through the raging winter. Each team is feeling the cold yet again. Ciel looks a little different. Before the match began, his chest was in pain. Medics and officials put a mouthplate over his nose and mouth, in order to let warm air reach his lungs and circulate the steady breath of oxygen flow through him. Not to mention it has a built in radio. A little problem with that, whenever he contacts other teams, Anglerfish or Turtle for that matter, he sounds like a futuristic British soldier. He told Emi to radio over to Anglerfish team to… validate his complaints.
"Remind me again why I have to wear this?" he said in his futuristic British soldier voice
"It is because of your condition Ciel." Miho said "Since you have asthma which is affecting your lungs and the fact that very cold air mixed with it can damage it, it means that you are more likely prone to getting your lungs, well, destroyed."
"Define destroyed." He said
"The tiny air sacs in your lungs can get infected." She answered. He looked white-eyed for a second, then responded
"Okay then. No more questions Miho." He said as he touched the warm metal on his face "Emi, patch me to Turtle."
"Hai." She answered "Taichou, Turtle team is on line."
"Turtle team here. What do you need?" Anzu asked
"Can you get lovely?" he asked
"Sure." She answered "Kawashima, your boyfriend." Momo pressed her throat mic and talked to him.
"Yes cutie?" she asked
"Do I really have to wear this?" he asked
"You have to. Miho and I supported what the officials said." She answered "It is for health issues that you had. Besides it doesn't look bad on you."
"Doesn't look bad on me." He repeated "L-Lovely, I look like an international terrorist working for the government."
"What makes you say that?" she asked
"I have an eyepatch and a mouthplate. The eyepatch, everyone can get away with but the mouthplate says combat readiness all over." He answered "Watch, next thing I know, prom night, I'm wearing a suit while having these two features on my face." Momo giggled before answering.
"At least you're still you Ciel." She replied
"Thanks Mom. And wait a minute." He said "Emi switch channels to Anglerfish." With a flash, Emi switched to Anglerfish team.
"Miho, you copy?" Emi asked
"Hai. We see their tanks also. Turns out Pravda's tanks are at the treeline again." She said "There might be more coming, so split up into six. With me is Arctic Wolf, Rhino, Turtle, Rabbit and Raven. The rest of you will go with Hippo team."
Katyusha's P.O.V.
Katyusha's tank was on a ridge along with the other T-34's, with Nonna standing next to her. One of her scouts she sent radioed back to her.
"Oarai's tank team is splitting up into six tanks." The scout said "The Cromwell is along with the Panzer IV. Their heading towards the ridge."
"That's where they're heading." She said "And that's where the boy will receive his training. Nonna?"
"I know." She responded
Normal P.O.V.
Miho's team separated themselves from Erwin's team. They headed for the ridge while the others headed for the village, the place where Oarai almost lost. Miho scanned the area, finding where Pravda's tanks were.
"Now might be a good time as any." She thought "Raven team, I want you to scout ahead. Don't fire unless you have to."
"Copy that commander." He said "Kimi head over that ridge and I'll recon the area. For good measure, Yuri, get a shell in the chamber." Both girls followed their orders. The Cromwell, went over while Ciel popped out of the tank and scanned the area. "It's dark out." He exposed his Faustian contract on his right eye and scanned. He didn't see any tank in sight. "Something's not right."
"Taichou, its Hippo team." Erwin said "We're under attack. They got the full T-34 army here."
"Any sign of the flag-tank?" Miho asked
"We saw it and I think we re-enacted last year's move." She responded "We need backup and fast."
"Alright." She answered "I'll bring Arctic Wolf and Rhino. Turtle, take over."
"Copy that Miho." Anzu said "Koyama, follow Raven team. Rabbit, follow our tail."
"Roger." Azusa said. Both tanks have met up with Raven team, for which their commander has a questionable look on his face (behind his mouthplate).
"Where's Miho?" he asked
"They went back to reinforce Team 2." Momo said "They said that they have the entire T-34 army up to their necks."
"Did you say 'entire T-34 army?'" he asked
"Yes why's that?" she asked. Before he can answer, a shell nearly hit Rabbit team.
"What the bloody hell was that?!" he yelled
"A KV-2." She said "A hybrid between a heavy tank and an assault gun."
"Assault gun?" he asked "Then that means…"
Oarai Staging Area-10 minutes before the match
Before the match started, Katyusha was talking to Miho and Momo about what to do with Ciel. "The boy needs to be battle ready to go up against Kuromorimine when they advanced to the finals. So here's the plan."
"First of all, he's my boyfriend now." Momo said "So you can call him Ciel or whichever one you like."
"Mihosha, is this true?" she asked. Before she answered,
"Hope you don't mind the intrusion." A voice said
"Onee-chan." Miho said while embracing her sister.
"Good to see you also little sister." Maho said while she's hugging her. "So, you're in motion with this plan?"
"Hai. Just putting up some finishing touches." Miho said. She saw a worried look on her sister's face. "Onee-chan?"
"Mother's here." She responded "She thinks that Erika will do well. She thinks that I've gone a bit soft."
"So that means a King Tiger against his Cromwell." Momo said
"Hai. The KV's are perfect targets for the Cromwell." She began "But the IS-2 acts like the King Tiger but that thing is much more heavily armored but slow to reload. I think it's best for him to take on the heavy."
"I see." Katyusha answered "I'll have Nonna be in the IS-2. She'll take the heavy's also seeing that they are perfect shields but lacking firepower by later war standards."
"You'll get him injured or worse under pressure and infected lungs." Momo retorted
"I know. Medics came by before we showed up." She said "I'll tell Nonna to ease off. If it gets worse though." With their plan now initiated, Ciel is in for battle he has never foreseen.
Present time
"PRAVDA HAS SENT OUT THE ENTIRE HEAVY'S ON US!" he screamed "Kimi pull back, PULL BACK!" She did as the heavy tanks missed their target. Turtle and Rabbit teams followed suit as the KV squad descended on the British cruiser tank. He unleashed his Faustian contract and sees the KV's weak spots. "Almost everywhere on the KV-1 is heavily armored. But the upper and lower frontal glacis is weak. Right. Emi, radio Turtle and Rabbit teams."
"Hai." She answered as she tuned in. "Turtle, Rabbit, you copy?"
"I hear you." Anzu said
"Same." Azusa said
"I'll put you to Ciel now. Wait a minute." Emi said.
"Teams, the weak spots are located. Target the upper and lower frontal glacis." He said
"How do you know?" Azusa asked "Did you see each tank in a book."
"That and Anteater team showed me 'World of Tanks.'" He answered "Lovely, take the wheel."
"Okay. All tanks, stop and fire one by one then back up." Momo said "They're slow but they might ram into our tanks."
"And where did you get that?" he said
"Each T-34 does that to every German tank. But I can't help wondering what a KV-1 might do if they ram." She said. It crossed her mind that a KV-1 might do worse because, after all, it is a heavy. When Ciel's added to the mix, "Oh no."
"What?"
"Just fire and don't let them ram us!" she commanded. The three tanks opened fire in unison against the charging KV-1's. Their armor is thick, so they're having a hard time knocking it out. They seemed unstoppable until Turtle team scored a direct hit, on the tank treads. "Now lovely."
"On it." He fired the shot and scored a hit, causing the white flag to pop up. The rest of the KV's are now supported by the KV-2. When he looked at the assault gun for the first time,
"What the fuck is with this tank?" The KV-2 fired a shot and it ricocheted on the Cromwell. He lifted his eyepatch once again and sees that the KV-2 has the same armor as their predecessor. "I'm aiming for the upper or lower glacis." Soon enough the KV squad has been wiped out but there is one problem. There was no sign of the IS-2. "Commander, we've dealt with the KV's. We're coming back to you."
"Roger. You might want to see this when you get here." She said. The three headed over to where Miho's position is located. When they arrived, Anglerfish, Arctic Wolf and Rhino teams were on stand-by. "This is not good." She said as she looked through her binoculars "Hippo squad is taking refuge in the church. Looks like we have to dig them out."
"This is the same predicament as last year's." he said "You've got hold up in a church by one of their elusive traps."
"Hue. It wasn't pretty." She said "Pravda also wants us to surrender last year."
"You being forced to surrender? NUTS!" he complained
"That's what Momo said also." She said
"And where did you get that reference from?" he asked Momo
"I got it from Band of Brothers." She answered "Awesome series, you should watch it."
"I'll consider that." He lifted his eyepatch and scanned the village. "No kidding they got the entire T-34 army under their belt. Ten tanks in all, majority of them are 85mm's and four are 75mm's. One 85mm is the flag-tank."
"Looks like they shifted things out a bit." Momo said as she removes her eyeglass. "They balanced things out. Four tanks are at the centre while three tanks are on both sides. They hid the 85mm." The three were left to make a decision.
"I got it." Miho said "Two tanks will take on all sectors. Arctic Wolf and Anglerfish will take the left, Rhino and Rabbit will wake the right, while you two will take the centre. That will cause a distraction for the others to break out."
"Another problem commander." He said "I didn't see the last heavy tank."
"Hmm. They might go and get Bear team." She said "Once we bring them out, Raven team will defend Bear team in case the IS-2 tank comes in."
"Alright. Just as long as my chest doesn't cramp up I'm good." He said. All of the commanders agreed their plan, but Ciel has a little trick up his sleeve. Miho's team descended down the slope, with their engines completely silent. Each tank crept up slowly to the T-34's and when in range, (you know what happens), all hell breaks loose. Katyusha was startled to see that Oarai opened fire on her tanks. She started fuming because she didn't know that Oarai was this stealthy. This time, it is hard pressed training time as she called Nonna while Erwin's team escaped. "Nonna, they're here."
"I'm already here Katyusha." She was standing on the cupola of the IS-2 and she started firing on Oarai. It had been carnage all over. Three quarters of Pravda's team has been knocked out. The hidden IS-2 has taken out Leopon, Duck, Mallard, Anteater, Hippo, Rabbit and Rhino. Only Anglerfish, Arctic Wolf, Bear, Raven and Turtle were the only ones left. The flag-tank moved while being flanked by the other T-34's. Miho and what's left went after it, but they forgot Raven team. Ciel was having a hard time figuring out where Nonna was.
"Come out Oarai sniper." She said calmly as she scanned the area
"You come out White Angel." He said as he suddenly found Nonna. He sees what the IS-2 looks like. When he unleashed his Faustian contract, he was wide-eyed when he sees not much weak points. "What the-No signs of any. Wait, the engine." Nonna meanwhile found the Cromwell. "Weak from all sides. No match for what's coming." Her hawk-like eyes stared into the hull.
"Yuri load up a shell. Kimi, when she fires move and make it fast." He said
"You know me commander." Kimi said. Yuri loaded an AP round, while he locks sight on the heavy tank. The wind howled and the snow fell heavily. It is extremely difficult for both tanks because they both have white camo on them. Surprisingly though, he closed his eye and spoke to himself.
"I am a stone." He said "I do not move. I take my time."
"Подождите на данный момент. Не стрелять, пока вы не слишком." She said in Russian. Both of them held their finger over the trigger, seeing who would fire first. Until,
"Hasha." "Move." They both said as both tanks fired in unison.
Miho's P.O.V.
Oarai was having a handful while they are chasing down Pravda's T-34 army. The flag-tank is being covered by the rest. Katyusha was in her tank, yelling at her tanks to spread out. Miho pressed her throat mic and ordered her teammates.
"I want all tanks to spread out a bit." She said "Concentrate all fire on the flag-tank." The T-34's returned fire and Oarai did the same. "Yukari load up the HE rounds."
"We only have five of those left." She answered "Also we're out of AP shells. Isuzu-dono, try targeting the engine. That's the only way to knock it out."
"There are also fuel tanks on the sides." Hana said "So, they are also weak spots."
"Aim at the engine or the fuel tanks." Miho said. All of Oarai's tanks aimed at the desired targets while Katyusha was getting annoyed.
"All tanks, turn your guns and focus your aim on their flag-tank." She commanded "And don't stop even if you're out of shells." Both sides fired volley after volley of shells, neither of them catching a break.
"Come on Hana, you can do this." Saori said. Hana has the flag-tank in her sights and pressed the trigger.
Ciel's P.O.V.
Raven team's Cromwell moved to a new position after Nonna fired a round. Thankfully, it missed. He hid his tank behind one of the houses. "Dear god, won't she just quit?"
"She's Pravda's second-in-command Ciel, she fights until you're done." Emi said. He laid his head on the gunner scope.
"Dammit." He groaned "Looks like we need to change tactics. But how?" The rest of the team looked at him in silence until, "Kimi, can tanks drift?"
"On snow, there's a possibility." She said
"Hmm. I got it. Kimi drift the tank and make sure it is buried in snow. Highly camouflage it." He said. Surprisingly all three girls saw what Hippo team did during the semi-final match last year to knock out the flag-tank.
"Oh. I get your drift." Kimi said. Under complete silence the tank moved out of its hiding position but the IS-2 kept firing on the Cromwell. "Cпуститься Кромвель." Nonna said. She kept firing shots but Kimi's skilled driving prevented the shells hitting their target. The tank was soon out of sight forcing Nonna to move from her position.
"Crew, keep your eyes peeled." She said "Even a crack in the air or in the snow would show their position." The IS-2 searched the entire area with no luck finding them. What she didn't know was a small piece of metal was sticking out of the ground.
Raven team did their best to cover the Cromwell as much as they can in snow, but when they heard the sound of the Russian tank closing in, they fled and took cover behind one of the buildings, leaving a fully concentrated Ciel alone in the gunner's seat. "Good thing a tank is weakly armored at the under carriage also. Not just any sides at all." He said silently. Nonna stopped her tank right in front of the barrel. She got out of the cupola and scanned the area.
"Where could he be?" she thought.
"Uh, commander, do you mind if we switch for a second?" the driver asked. Without a word they switched places, only to find out that the driver's window was in front of the Cromwell's gun barrel, aiming directly at the under carriage. She smiled and closed her eyes. She then spoke to herself, "Хорошо играл, Оараи снайпер." "Same goes to you Nonna." Ciel squeezed the trigger and made a direct hit on the IS-2. Just then the P.A. buzzed in.
"Pravda's flag-tank has been immobilised. The match goes to Oarai Girls Academy!"
"What just happened?" he thought to himself
Momo's P.O.V.
Turtle team was providing volley after volley of shells. Since it is four on their side against eight of Pravda's tanks, they have a lot of ground to catch up. BANG. Okay, make that seven. Anzu took out three of the T-34 army, but they seemed hell bent on eliminating Oarai's flag-tank while protecting their own. Katyusha gave the order to protect their flag-tank via compressed V-formation. This move leaves the flag-tank out of harm's way but it is easy pickings on the other tanks for tank snipers like Hana, Anzu and Momo if the president is taking a break. The Hertzer weaved through the oncoming projectiles. Yuzu has her work cut out but,
"Kawashima, take over." Anzu said "I'm gonna take a few zees."
"Hai." She took over the gunner spot again but instead aimed at the flag-tank. She let down her singular eyeglass and it seemed like time slowed down for her. "Time to go down Pravda. I'll see you next year." She swore under her breath and fired making a direct hit on the flag-tank.
"Pravda's flag-tank has been immobilised. The match goes to Oarai Girls Academy!"
Momo slumped down from the gunner's seat and smiled.
"Kawashima, we won?" Anzu asked
"Of course we did prez." She answered "I wonder though, did he make it out." Her question was then answered by a sneeze over the radio "Lovely, you alright?"
"I'm fine mom." He said "Though it would be helpful to remove this mouthplate once we're out of Hokkaido."
"I couldn't agree more." She said as all of their tanks head for their assembly areas.
Oarai Assembly Area
Katyusha and Nonna walked towards Oarai's area with full sportsmanship in mind. "You played another great game Mihosha." She said "Though you destroyed most of our tanks again."
"Much of that belongs to Ciel." Miho said "He mainly took on your heavy tank division."
"Right and if I remember correctly I fought while being sick." He said as he still felt the warm metal on his face. "I wonder if anyone can use these in battle."
"They do. They're called balaclavas." Katyusha said "And nice job in taking out the heavy tanks. You just made Katyusha proud."
"And I should congratulate you also." Nonna said "Unlike Naomi, I can see you have the skills of a tank sniper."
"I just got lucky. But you fought well also." He said. He extended his hand and Nonna took it.
"I have something to give to you." She said
"What is it?" She handed out something from her pocket and it was a black service ribbon with red striped with yellow stars. "This is the Vasili Zaytsev Ribbon. It is for your distinctive role during your match. Though it is sensha-do, we put it as ribbon instead. It is the second highest decoration in our school. We would like you to wear one of it. The only question is, where would you like to put it?"
"I think a good place for it is the eyepatch." Momo said as she walked up to her boyfriend and embraced him.
"You sure about it?"
"Absolutely. You don't have any honors yet, so why start now." She said
"Well then, time for me to put it." Nonna said as she placed the service ribbon on his eyepatch. "You served with distinction and you served Oarai well. Nice work." She raised a firm salute and he did the same thing.
"Good luck in your next match." Katyusha said "I'm heavily sure that Chi-Ha Tan would be a cakewalk for Kuromorimine."
"Don't worry Katyusha. We're going to be ready for them." Miho said
"And so you will." Miho turned to see Maho. She embraced her younger sister as she congratulated her. "With Ciel now ready, he'll take on Erika. Problem is your Cromwell is still under armed. Even when encountering a King Tiger can spell a K.O. sentence."
"Now's a good time to attach a 17 pounder." Momo said "I think he'll like it." For now, they'll have to wait for the Kuromorimine match. Word has it that Federation officials have put the final match on hold because it is almost time for Christmas. All schools will take a break as a result but the last match until then is Chi-Ha Tan vs. Kuromorimine. Oarai will just rest and wait until the call up.
Kuromorimine will come but I have decided to do a Christmas special for the series because since it's December and Christmas fast approaching, now's the time to put the story on hold but the Christmas special is a continuation. You may be wondering how Ciel will spend his first Christmas without the characters from the 'Black Butler' series, but I digress. Anyway, catch you later, signing off and Christmas shell loaded because it's coming.