Anarchy from the UK!

By Jangocommando27

Chapter 11:The Worst, and best of us.

Collins Highlander Ball Room
Collins Highlander School Ship 'HMSS Prince of Wales.'
19:00

If there was one thing teenage men would never understand, it was the female obsession with balls.

Or more specifically, the 3 hours or so that it seemed that each girl required to get ready; to make sure their makeup was just right and that their gowns were perfect. Granted, James did understand to a certain degree, he had questioned both his mother and Caroline about the subject, and both had given answers, that left him still confused.

For example, he knew that Darjeeling had spent a full hour on her hair alone, despite the fact that James had assured her that her hair would have been more than beautiful, even if she'd just turned up with it in its normal plat as she did for school every day. Jay, Chris and John were similarly confused, and had discussed their thoughts on the matter over a drink, before they had departed from their accommodation for the ball room, where they would meet their girlfriends.

Jay pulled at the itchy collar of his number 2 dress uniform. "How much longer do you think they'll be?"

"As long as they take my friend." Replied James, "When it comes to balls, Women move on their own time."

"You should already know about that mate," added John, nudging their gunner, "After what you and Assam were up too last night."

The lads laughed among themselves, but quickly ceased as a convoy of white limousines pulled into the driveway. James quickly killed the laughter with a quick lateral swipe of his hand and led his crew forwards towards the lead limo.

"Game faces on boys." He said as the usher opened the rear door and James extended a hand. From inside the Limo, a single lilac silk gloved hand reached out and James was simply in awe, as he helped Darjeeling stepped out of the Limo.

She was dressed in a flowing floor length lilac gown that, with its bareback, halter top, empire waist and elbow length gloves, made her look like she had just stepped out off a James bond set, not the experienced tank commander they saw every day.

"Hubba hubba..." muttered Jay. James made a mental note to thank John for hitting his gunner over the head while he was indisposed.

"Wow..." was all James could say. "You look... wow..."

Darjeeling blushed slightly at the compliment. "Thank you." She said, "You don't look too bad yourself."

James took Darjeeling aside so that the rest of his team could retrieve their girlfriends from the limo, and give James further time to admire Darjeeling's beuty. Once they had all retrieved their girlfriends, the boys lead their girls up the stone stairs towards the ballroom entrance arm in arm. The ballroom was thick with partygoers; adult and teenage men and women who were all dressed in variations of the same, olive green army dress uniform.

Many of them, men and women, gawked and whispered as James and Darjeeling passed, spearheading a rainbow coloured wave of gown clad, St. Gloriana students. James smirked as he saw a few gazes turn from surprise to jealousy. They all knew that he had spent the year at an all girl's school, but seeing him leading a wave of pretty girls, was certainly having the desired effect.

"Sergeant Hunter." Called a voice out from the crowd. James looked over toward the voice.

"Colonel Hood." James paused a step away and saluted, the colonel returned the salute and extended a hand . "It's good to see you again sir."

"Likewise Sergeant." Hood's grip was strong enough that Darjeeling caught the slight wince that he tried to hide. Hood turned his eyes to Darjeeling. "And who is this beautiful young woman?"

"May I introduce Darjeeling sir? Team commander of the St. Gloriana tankery team."

"A pleasure colonel." Said Darjeeling politely. Hood politely shook her hand, holding back on the death grip he'd given James.

"Likewise commander." Replied Hood. "I trust that Sergeant Hunter and his crew have been assets to your team?"

"They have indeed sir." Darjeeling nodded. "I daresay that without them we would not be in the finals as we are presently."

"I'm glad to hear it." Replied Hood. "Now if you'll excuse me, I believe I'll acquaint myself with your headmistress."

"Of course sir." Said James as Colonel Hood departed the teenagers. James took the opportunity to relieve a passing waiter of 2 flutes of Champagne. He handed one to Darjeeling and raised his.

"To friends and good fortune. Cheers." He toasted.

"Cheers." she replied, raising her own glass before taking a sip of champagne.

Around them, the party was starting to get into full swing. The many nervous teenagers had gotten over their fears and nervousness towards the opposite sex and throw caution to the wind, and started conversations with their opposite numbers. The occasional bout of laughter at the punch line of the odd joke, combined with the general atmosphere of the dance signalled that everything was going well... right up until James saw a figure striding towards them.

"Crap." He muttered. Darjeeling looked at him as if to ask what was wrong, when the figure James' glare was tracking suddenly burst forth.

"Commander Darjeeling?" he inquired. He was a youth in his high teens and spoke in an exceedingly posh British accent. He had an otherwise attractive face that was pot marked with red spots, and wore full scarlet officer's mess dress, despite his rank badges denoting him as a Cadet Warrant Officer. Darjeeling eyed him suspiciously.

"Yes?" she said cautiously.

"Warrant Officer Edward Puckett. Earl of Chesterl. Commander of the Collins Highlander tankery team." He said quickly. He took her gloved hand and kissed it before she could stop him. She sidewise glance toward James, and saw that while his face was neutral, his eyes were daggers and his hands balled up into fists.

"It's good to see you again Puckett." Said James, doing his level best to keep his voice level. "Congratulations on your promotion."

"Thank you Sergeant." He said hastily to James before turning back to Darjeeling. "Commander, it is my understanding that we are to have the first dance, as commanders of our respective teams."

"Oh..." said Darjeeling, she had been rather looking forward to sharing that dance with James. "I was unaware of any such formalities."

"As was I Warrant." Said James, slightly more forcefully than intended. Puckett glared at James before speaking more softly to Darjeeling.

"There must have been a breakdown in communications somewhere along the line." He said. "If there were time, I would suggest you take the matter up with Colonel Hood but I'm afraid we are rather short. If you would accompany me, my lady."

Darjeeling, seeing that there was no way in which she or James could stop Puckett without causing a scene. And while she sensed that James was more than willing to do so, a glance he received from her told him not to.

"Very well," she submitted. "One dance Warrant Officer."

"Excellent." He cried happily. He turned to James. "Carry on Sergeant."

He pulled her by the wrist and almost yanked her across to the centre of the dance floor as the string quartet warmed up into a more lively second set. It was all James had to restrain himself from crushing the champagne flute in his hands to splinters in fury. As the 2 commanders began to waltz, the crowd which had retreated to the edge of the hall began to clap, however, James saw more than a few confused St. Gloriana girls, wondering why their commander was dancing with this unknown person, rather than her boyfriend. A few more pairs began to join the commanders on the dance floor, clearly enjoying themselves infinitely more than Darjeeling was enjoying her dance partner.

As the waltz continued, Darjeeling could not help but feel Warrant Officer's hand falling lower on her back, passing the point of what would be considered gentlemanly and getting groping. Darjeeling reached behind herself and firmly replaced Puckett's arm in the small of her back. As the dance continued, she could feel Puckett leering at her, and Darjeeling suddenly wished she'd worn a slightly less revealing gown.

As soon as the dance began to wind down and decency allowed, Darjeeling excused herself, and retreated back to the safety of James, Assam, Pekoe and the rest of the group, all of whom closed ranks around her. If Pickett noticed, he did not show it; instead he headed back towards the bar for another drink.

...

22:00

James turned up at the bar, promptly ordering himself a pint of Guinness and a pint of Orange cordial and soda for Darjeeling, who was beginning to sway slightly after more than a few glasses of champagne.

"Well as I live and breathe!" called a familiar voice, "Sergeant James 'Jäger' Hunter."

James smiled, he knew the voice all too well. He turned around to face his old friend. "Hello Tom." He said.

Tom had grown a couple of inches since James had seen him last, but he was still a few inches shorter than James. His face was also more angular and his shoulders broader, and he also boasted a shiny new pair of triple white chevrons on each sleeve. The 2 friends clashed in a man hug and pounded each other on the back.

"How you been mate?" asked James. "I heard you took over command of C squadron from me."

"Good thanks and yeah," replied Tom smugly. "someone had to take command while you went gallivanting off to the far east."

"Well congratulations, you son of a bitch." Replied James. He ordered another Guinness for Tom and he to catch up over. First question off James' lip was an easy one.

"Still Lord Friend zone then?"

"Well fuck you too, you posh London bastard." Replied Tom, taking a good swig of his Guinness. "And yes, still single."

"Have you tried asking any of the ladies from St. Gloriana?"

"Nah." Replied Tom, "Always the wingman, never the leader. Besides, as far as I can tell they're all taken."

"I beg to differ." Said James as he spied Green across the ball room, who was looking spectacularly beautiful and suspiciously alone.

"So what about you then?" asked Tom, pulling James back to the conversation. "Saw you dancing with the St. Gloriana commander. What's her name again? Doolong?"

"Darjeeling." Laughed James. "And she's my girlfriend I'll have you know."

"Really?" asked Tom. James nodded in reply and Tom congratulated him. "Good on ya mate. She's a hell of a looker."

"Mate," said James, "you should see her in her swim suit."

"Bet you weren't all that happy about 'his lordship' dancing with her then." Said Tom referring to Puckett who, as the son of a duke got his servants (and even a few naive students) to call him 'his lordship' at every opportunity, and which had been adopted as a not so affectionate nickname for him.

"Yeah, you could say that." Said James, before pressing into something that was bugging him. "How the hell did he get command of the team anyway? Last I heard he was still stuck with E squadron and massively incompetent."

"He still is massively incompetent." Replied Tom. "We were kicked out at the first round by the Spanish this year. He got command because CWO Jenkins was offered a scholarship to Eton just after you left and took it. As the next oldest squadron commander, command went to him. Plus a good bit of sabre rattling of the old 'my father' card."

James could believe that. As son of the duke of Harrington, who himself was an old highlander and an ex-tankery team commander and major alumni and sponsor of the team. It was easy enough for Puckett to wield his father's name and influence as a weapon to further his own tankery career where his abilities of leadership (or lack thereof) could not.

"Ah well." Said James. "He's gone next year then hopefully we'll get someone decent in command."

"The good money is on you for next year." Said Tom. James gave his friend a 'be serious' look. "No seriously. Most of the senior NCO's reckon that if you hadn't gone on the exchange, you'd have gotten command after Jenkins left. That way we'd still be in the tournament and not kissing our sorry defeated asses."

"Noted." Said James, wondering briefly what it would be life for him as team commander, before pressing onto more pressing matters. "Now then Sergeant. Once more into the breach."

James grabbed Tom by the shoulders, spun him round and marched him over towards Green, who was sitting in an alcove alone. She noted James' approach and smiled, while also giving Tom a inquisitive glance.

"Good evening Green." Said James. "How is the night treating you?"

"Not very well, I'm afraid James." She replied glumly. "None of the boy's seems to want to talk or dance with me."

"Well I believe I can fix that." Said James, he pushed tom forward. "This here is my old buddy Sergeant Tom Reed. He's one of our Chieftain Platoon commanders and is a thoroughly good chap. He's a little shy and has thus far been lacking a dance partner." He slapped Tom on the shoulder. "Good luck." He whispered, before he shoved him forward towards Green. With his friend in good company, James retreated back to the bar to retrieve his own drink as well as Darjeeling's before heading back to rejoin his other half.

...

Darjeeling explored the garden behind the ballroom, taking the opportunity to cool off from the heat of the dance floor and walk off some of the fuzziness that several glasses of champagne and several hours of dancing had brought on. Ever since the near incident with Warrant Officer Pickett during the waltz, her friends had closed ranks around her, refusing to leave her alone. However, as the drink began to take slightly more hold than it should, Darjeeling had slipped away from Jay and Assam to allow them some 'alone' time in the garden, and wandered into the garden's hedge maze.

She heard the soft sound of grass under foot and turned around, expecting to find James returning to her, but instead found Pickett.

The Cadet Warrant Officer was horribly drunk, something that he should most certainly not have been given the event. Even from a good meter or two away, Darjeeling could smell the alcohol on him and see from his stance, posture and attire that he was barely coherent, and the look in his eyes told Darjeeling he was intoxicated with; as well as alcohol, lust.

"Commander Darjjeeeeling." He said, his voice providing further evidence to his intoxicated state. "Fancy meeting you here."

"Warrant Officer Pickett." She replied, suddenly all too aware that she was alone and cut off by a hedge, with no avenues of escape. "I trust you are enjoying the evening."

"I am very much so." He stated, letting his gaze wander down her mostly form fitting dress. "And we may yet enjoy it more together."

"I am flattered, really..." said Darjeeling, stepping backwards as he stepped forward, getting slightly too close for comfort. "But I'm afraid I am spoken for."

"By who?" asked Pickett. "Sergeant Hunter?" He laughed as if it were a comedy sketch, although Darjeeling didn't find it at all funny, especially as she had run out of room to retreat into. Pickett took her chin in her hand. "You are not worth of him."

He then leant in and kissed her, forcefully. After a moment's struggle, Darjeeling broke away, pushed him back and slapped him across the face as hard as she could. The Warrant Officer stumbled back, shocked and aghast that he had just been struck. He placed a hand to his reddening cheek, and then glared at Darjeeling.

"You struck me?!" He almost whispered, before raising his own hand to strike back. "Do You Not Know Who I Am?"

Darjeeling ducked down and raised her hands, expecting to be stuck at any moment. The attack never came. She glanced up, expecting to see Pickett's hand coming down on her. Instead she looked up just in time to see a figure grab Pickett's from behind, turn him 180 degrees away from her, then kick him away, with Pickett's drunken reactions failing to rectify his balance before he ploughed into the sod.

"Are you alright, my lady?" asked a familiar voice. She looked up at her saviour, his hand outstretched to her.

James had come for her.

"Yes." She said as she took his hand and he helped her to her feat. Just as she stood, Pickett was picking himself up from the ground.

"What do you think you're doing Sergeant?!" he demanded. "How dare you assault your superior!"

"No!" James snapped back. "How dare you! What you just did is nothing short of attempted rape! Have you taken total leave of your senses?!"

"You can't talk to me like that!" snarled Pickett. "My father is..."

"Your father is half a world away." Replied James, glaring the drunken CWO in the eye. "And I am right here."

"Are you challenging me?" asked Pickett menacingly. James watched as the CWO removed his unbuttoned and now filthy red mess dress jacket and brought his fists up. James was now convinced that the CWO was totally insane, and moved protectively in front of Darjeeling.

"Are you mad?!" asked James."You are only making this worse for yourself!"

"Says you!" said Pickett as he lunged at James. James caught the drunk teenager, landed a quick punch to his jaw, and bringing Pickett's head down to meet James' rising knee. James pulled the dazed CWO upright before placing his left arm on his shoulder and right across his collarbone and forcing Pickett down and to the ground.

James glanced up at Darjeeling. "Go. Find Assam and the others. Then get Colonel Hood. I'll hold him here."

Darjeeling nodded and quickly sprinted off as quickly as heels on grass would allow.

"You've made a big mistake tonight Sergeant." Snarled Pickett who was still dazed, but vaguely coherent.

"Not as big as yours I fear." Replied James. There was no more need for threats, James decided. What he was getting was punishment enough. It only took a few moments before John and Jay appeared, with more than a few brawly looking tankers in tow. Darjeeling had ran into the middle of the ballroom and told all. They hauled the drunk CWO to his feet and dragged him before Colonel Hood.

"You are a bloody disgrace!" He said, almost growling as he glaring down at the CWO. "What do you have to say for yourself?"

"You'll be sorry..." he muttered in a last show of defiance. "You'll all be sorry when my father hears about this!"

Hood turned to the 2 cadets supporting the CWO. "Get this sorry excuse for a man out of my sight! Lock him in a cupboard until the police arrive!"

The 2 brawly cadets hauled Pickett's barley coherent form away. While Hood turned to Lady Grey.

"I am terribly sorry about this." He said sincerely to the scowling headmistress. "I assure you that he will be dealt with severely. Despite his threats, his father has little power here."

"I would hope so." Replied Lady Grey shortly. "I would have hoped for better from among Britain's finest."

"As did I." Replied Hood. "It is fortunate that Sergeant Hunter arrived when he did."

"Indeed." Said Lady Grey. She looked over to the alcove where Darjeeling sat surrounded by Assam and Pekoe while James held her close, letting her sob her fears out into his chest. She was also unsurprised that Jay, John, Chris and Caroline formed a perimeter around them, ready to protect them from any unwanted attention.

"Will she be ok?" asked Hood. Lady Grey nodded.

"She'll be fine." Replied the venerable headmistress. "So long as justice is done, and she has her friends."

Hood nodded in agreement before excusing himself to go and deal with the arriving police.


St. Gloriana Tankery Shed
St. Gloriana School Ship 'HMS Ark Royal'
13:30

"Assam! I am fine!" exclaimed Darjeeling for the 5th time in as many minutes. "You do not need to keep following me around like a bodyguard!"

"It's not for your peace of mind that I'm doing it." Assam replied. The 2 friends entered Darjeeling's office. Darjeeling took her seat behind her desk and started on some paperwork while Assam set about making some tea for them. After a moment Darjeeling was starting to get annoyed again.

"Assam! I'm fine!"

"And here I thought you enjoyed my company." Replied Assam smirking. She enjoyed playing with Darjeeling. She smirked as Darjeeling cringed, realising she was being played.

"I do but you don't need to stand guard over me every minute of the day."

"Relax." Said Assam. "Orange relieves me in 10 minutes."

"That's not what I meant!" cried Darjeeling. "There are 4 boys on this Ship and trust all of them not to try and have their way with me against my will!"

"7." Replied Assam. "There are 7 boys on this ship."

"Ok," admitted Darjeeling. She'd heard James and the boys talk about Shoko and his group. "But I find it hard to believe those scoundrels would try anything here."

"Maybe." Replied Assam. She then sighed. "But Jay and I let you down that night. We were so focused on each other that we let you slip away and look what nearly happened."

"Assam." Sighed Darjeeling. "You were enjoying a moment with your boyfriend. If the fault is anyone's it is mine. I was the one who wandered off alone."

"Shall we just agree to disagree? Old friend?" Asked Assam. Darjeeling smiled.

"Let's." She agreed. Darjeeling looked over the documents that the Sensha-dō federation had sent her regarding the final match.

"Is that the final's paperwork?" asked Assam.

"It is." Replied Darjeeling. "It seems we'll be getting the Spring fields arena."

"We should get some great cherry blossom then." Commented Assam.

Darjeeling agreed. The 'Spring Fields' arena was the Sensha-dō arena outside Kyoto. Was ground itself consisted of large rolling fields, with hills to the North East and South West, a small traditional samurai-esk village to the East and a sporadic forests dotted around the map. Given that they would be battling in high spring, the cherry blossom would be beautiful.

"How are the crew adjusting to their new Centurions?" asked Darjeeling.

"They love them." Replied Assam. "Especially Green. She was jumping for joy when she was told she got command of one of them."

"She'll be even happier when I give her command of a whole platoon." Said Darjeeling. She intended to split the 7 centurions (8 if you include Achilles) into 2 platoons of 4, one under James, the other under Green.

"Any thoughts on the flag tank?" asked Assam.

"I thought of giving it to James." Said Darjeeling. Assam shook her head.

"Bad idea." She said. "James will want to be on the front. Not in the rear being protected. Besides, if we're going to have a chance against those T29's were going to need our Centurion's front and centre."

"Good point." Darjeeling replied. She then stopped for a moment. "What is James doing at the moment?"

"Taking the centurion commanders through their tanks." Replied Assam.

"When he's finished, get him up here." Said Darjeeling. Assam nodded. She departed a few minutes later when Pekoe knocked on the door and relieved her.

...

Having finished his lesson to the new centurion commanders, James headed to Darjeeling's office, as Assam had told him to do. Thinking something was wrong, his pace was slightly faster than normal, but not fast enough the warrant attention. So, James was very relieved to find Darjeeling working behind her desk peacefully, with Orange sitting in the corner, quietly reading a book. Ever since the incident at the ball, he'd asked their closest mutual friends to keep a close eye on her, just to make sure that if something were to happen, she would not be alone as she was with Pickett.

"You sent for me commander?" He said, standing at ease in front of her desk. She looked up from her work, glancing at him as he imagined a secretary would at a unwelcome visitor. She turned to Orange,

"Pekoe, would you give us the room please?" She asked politely. Her young ginger companion silently closed her book and excused herself from the room. Once the large oak door shut behind her, Darjeeling got right to it.

"I don't need bodyguards James." She said glaring at him. "I can take care of myself."

"I know." James replied.

"Then why do you have at least one of; Assam, Pekoe, Caroline or your boys following me around every waking second of the day?!" She demanded. James could tell she was furious.

"Because I don't want you to be alone." He said simply and truthfully.

"I'm fine." She said stubbornly. "I don't need a bodyguard. I don't need a babysitter. And I most certainly don't need my privacy being invaded by my boyfriend!"

"I'm sorry you feel that way." He said. His was genuinely hurt by what she said. "But I did it for own good."

"How is having my privacy invaded 'for my own good?'" She snapped, letting her teenage fury get the better of her. This time, James was the one to snap back.

"You were subject to an attempted rape Darj!" He shouted. "I know what that does to people! How it messes with their heads! If you won't talk to me about it then I want someone you trust close by so you can talk to them! Rather than just bottling it up inside and eventually breaking down! And I'm not the only one worried! Assam! Orange! Caroline! Jay! They're all worried about you Darj!"

Darjeeling was aghast. She hadn't considered how what happened was affecting her friends. Afterwards, Lady Grey and the school nurse had spoken to her about how it could affect her psychologically. But she had assured them that she was fine; that the fact that Pickett had been expelled and arrested had been closure enough for her. She thought that it best to just carry on as normal, but it didn't occur to her how that would affect those closest to her.

"I'm sorry." She said, "I didn't know you were all so worried about me."

"Of course we were!" James exploded, he was almost crying. "You went through a traumatic experience, let out a few tears, then just proceed business as usual?! We were worried because you didn't seem shaken up by it! That's why I asked them to keep an eye on you! So you weren't alone when you broke down! So that they could be there for you when I couldn't!"

Darjeeling didn't know how to reply to that. She face was simply shocked as her mind tried to process what James had told her and why she had done it. James took the moment of silence to calm down, breathing deeply.

"I don't want to see you break Darj." James said as he bit back tears, "I can't see that."

Darjeeling stood up from her chair and walked around the desk. She hugged her boyfriend and let him envelop her, placing his chin on her shoulder and letting it all out.

"I wanted to kill him for what he did." He whispered. Through his tears. "I came so close to killing him."

"I know," She said, before pushing him away and looked him in the eyes, placing a hand on his chin. "but I'm glad you didn't."

He looked at her, and she looked at him.

"Darjy, I..." She put a finger to his mouth to silence him.

"I know." She said, before she leant in and kissed him.

...

Unbeknownst to James and Darjeeling, Orange and Assam were listening intently outside the door and watching through the key hole.

"Well it looks like they finally got it out of their systems." Said Assam. Pekoe nodded in agreement.

"It's really kind of romantic." The younger ginger mumbled. Assam nodded in agreement. The two friends decided to leave the couple in peace and retreated quietly.


Student accommodation block 'Cambridge'
St. Gloriana School Ship 'HMS Ark Royal'
19:30

The later evening found Darjeeling much more relaxed, having taken a long hot bath after James had taken her to supper and escorted her home. She was just in the process of fixing herself a cup of earl grey, when she was interrupted by someone hammering on her door.

"Lady Darjeeling?!" called a young, panicked voice from the other side as the hammering continued. "Lady Darjeeling?!"

Darjeeling made sure that her dressing gown was on fully before she opened the door. It was one of her freshmen team members. She looked very dishevelled and upset.

"Lady Darjeeling! Thank goodness! It's horrible." The underclassman cried.

"Whatever has happened?" Asked Darjeeling. Doing her best to calm the underclassman and ascertain what was wrong.

"It's horrible." The underclassman cried. "Someone stole megumi-chan's underwear from the washing rack!"

Immediately Darjeeling understood. Assam, Caroline and Pekoe started to emerge to find out what the commotion was about. Darjeeling quickly returned to dress while Pekoe sat down with the underclassman to get details. As soon as Darjeeling returned, they set off towards the girl's dorm.

When they arrived, the police were already there, as were James, his boy's and Lady Grey. Apparently another of the girls had run to get James as well, as they were closer and would feel more secure with the 4 teenagers close to hand, and Lady Grey had been summoned by the police.

"Do we know what happened officer?" asked Darjeeling, collaring a nearby police Sergeant.

"Well whoever it was they knew what they were doing." Said the Sergeant. "They were dressed all in black hoodey's, left no prints and were in and out in under 30 seconds. Camera's didn't get anything and they were only detected because one of the girls saw them in the act."

"Anyone get a look at them?" asked James, wading in on the argument. The officer sighed.

"Sadly no." He said. "They were wearing balaclava's sadly. Only thing we got was that there were 3 of them and male, judging by the voice of one of them. Possibly some hooligans from the British school ship."

James and his boy are scowled. They all knew that the 2 ships were travelling about 10 miles apart and hadn't made port so no one could have crossed deck. The only other way someone could cross would be by air, and the only ones with that ability were the cadets. And they weren't dumb enough to get caught. That left only Shoko and his boys.

Darjeeling's phone vibrated in his pocket. She pulled it out and saw it was a message from James on the group chat. It read;

'Council of war. My place. 20 minutes.'

...

"Right, we all know who did this." Said James. He, Darjeeling, Assam, Orange, Caroline, Jay, Chris and john were al gathered in York blocks communal living area. To them, it was clear and apparent that the underwear heist was conducted by Shoko and his crew. "So what are we going to do about it?"

"Let the police handle it?" suggested Orange. James shook his head.

"There's no evidence to tie them down." Replied James. "We're going to have to deal with them ourselves."

"How?" asked Darjeeling.

"I have a plan." Said Caroline. "I need a 2 kegs of beer, some female clothing, some Ghillie suits and access to the tankery grounds."


St. Gloriana Tankery area
St. Gloriana School Ship 'HMS Ark Royal'
22:00

2 days after underwear heist.

Shoko and his boys followed the path through the woods that they'd been told about. They'd heard that some of the ladies from St. Gloriana were having a camp fire party up in the far reaches of the tankery area tonight, and decided to go and take a look, seeing as after the success of their underwear raid the night before, they felt like celebrating.

"Get your game faces on boys." Said Shoko as they got closer, the sound of a campfire crackling in the distance.

"You think we're gonna get some tail tonight?" asked Haruko, clearly excited at the prospect.

"More than likely." Replied Kojiro as he pulled a cigarette from the box in his pocket and lit one up. The boys continued along the path in anticipation. They sounds of the campfire grew louder, and they could see the flame through the trees as they came into a small clearing.

While there were no girls present, it was clear that the site had been inhabited recently, and by a group of teenagers. Around the camp fire were a few logs, a keg of beer, plastic mugs and even a few female hiking fleeces. As they looked around Shoko found a note.

"Dear Megumi, We're just taken Hana back home. Back soon. Ami."

"Well boys," said Shoko grandly as he handed over the note and started pouring himself a mug full from the keg. "Let's kick back, relax and wait for the ladies."

Kojiro and Haruko agreed and poured themselves a mug full each and sat around the fire, blissfully unaware that they were being watched.

...

Meanwhile, about 10 meters away in the woods, James, Darjeeling and the rest of their group lay in silence, covered by their Ghillie suits.

"Are you sure this will work?" whispered Darjeeling.

"It will." Replied James. "There's enough rohypnol in that keg to bring down a rugby team."

"I'm still surprised you even have rohypnol." Said Darjeeling disapprovingly. James shrugged.

"It's not mine." He said. "It's Caroline's."

As if on queue, Shoko and his 2 cronies flopped over unconscious. Cautiously, James and the boys rose forwards, stun round loaded weapons at the ready, encase the date rape drug hadn't done its work. James tapped Shoko's unconscious form in the side of the head with his boot. He was out like a light.

"Right." He said. "Let's do this."

Jay, who had the patrol bag, set it down and started handing out their implements of revenge, articles of female underwear (donated by Caroline, Assam, Darjeeling and Orange.).

While Caroline, Jay and James and John kept watch. Assam and Orange set about about swapping the drug contaminated keg for a clean one , as well as the contaminated glasses from the Landrover. While Darjeeling placed the donated underwear around the unconscious boys.

"All set?" asked James. Everyone confirmed their tasks were complete, the girls jumped in the land rover and drove down from the camp site and back towards York block. After 5 minutes for them to get clear, James pulled out his phone, and dialled the number for the Ark Royal's on board police department.

"Hello officer?" He said. "This is Sergeant Hunter from St. Gloriana. My squad and I think we may have found a lead on the underwear thieves in the forest. 3 teenage males, passed out... from alcohol judging by the keg. Approximate grid reference? One moment... 735,284. We'll hold here until you arrive. Thank you."

As James hung up the phone, he grinned wolfishly.

"Gotcha."


Hello again :)

Slight change of pace chapter, the final is next.

I get that a few people didn't like how I ended the Kuromorimine battle, I did this for 2 reasons:

1. I'm shit at writing prolonged battles

2. It was part of James' character development. To show that he's not going to fight in a pitched battle unless he's guaranteed victory. Besides, can you see any of the GuP characters passing up a KO shot on Kuromorimine's flag tank if its stopped in the open? No? Point made.

It'll be a bit longer on chapter 12. After that I've got an epolgue and I'm done.

As ever, please review, follow and favourite

Jango