Though out of sight and range of any serious Sound weaponry, Fox Company was about as disoriented as a man walking in the dark without a flashlight. No one was coming up with any ideas, so we had just stuck to the scenic roads while trying to avoid anything we had on our maps even remotely related to the Soundies. The trap laid out by them at what we thought was a secure town surely had our asses handed to us. But thank God for the captain and his quick decision, albeit with a little pushing from his subordinates, to bail out. We just felt really sorry for those poor Grass citizens who were overrun, the survivors set up, and subsequently slaughtered just so the Sound could try and wipe out Fox Company. I had to give them some credit though. Their sacrifice in trying to warn us probably saved some lives in the company at the cost of their own. Poor guys...just normal citizens doing their part in the fight against the Sound only to have it be the end of them.
"Jesus I can't take this runnin' around shit much longer. It's like we're being stalked." Nakamura nervously said as we had been driving every which way for the past ten minutes. Communications were a mess since the HQ was in disarray even with the Air Corps repelling the Sound Luftwaffe attack. Though we heard Major Shizune loud and clear about a mile away from the HQ we've been getting nothing but garbled crap. It had to have been our radios or the fucking Soundies jamming us.
"Well get used to it private. This isn't exactly the proudest moment in our lives but it's better to withdraw with some slight disorganization than stay and get systematically annihilated like George Company." The sergeant answered with tones of shame, regret, but with a twinge of wisdom. No one wanted to remember George Company as a reminder of what not to do or what the Sound could do, but it was necessary to do so. Ino had calmed down considerably since her outburst but we could still see the wear on her face from her frustration and anger.
"Hey Nara…" Nazuka waved to me. I turned my head to him as some of the Rangers did the same, eager to eavesdrop. Given how bunched up we were I don't think anyone could not listen unless they made a conscious effort to do so.
"Yeah what's up Nazuka."
"The sarge tells me you're the smart one, so maybe you could tell me and maybe some of the others what the fuck just happened back there?"
I tilted my head to the side, questioning the seriousness behind his curiosity. "Well if you're one hundred percent serious Nazuka then I won't bullshit you. We thought we were going somewhere safer as per the recommendation of Major Shizune and the Grass partisans. Turns out the Sound got to there before we did and basically handed our asses to us. Of course it could've been much worse."
"Yeah we could've been completely wiped out with those God damned rocket launchers they had." Choji added.
"Thank you Choji."
"Consider this your first lesson in humility fellas." Toyama said from the end of the halftrack. "That little skirmish when we bailed the ANBU out was just a teaser. Welcome to reality." Though grim, his assessment was truthful.
"So where would we be heading to now? I mean not to copy the LT or nothin'." Sugiyama inquired.
"That's the million dollar question." Temari said back. "I haven't the foggiest and I don't think I could find a single one here that would know. Your HQ is still relatively unsafe and Shikamaru and I have noticed that half the radios are shot to shit. Actually, Sergeant Sarutobi, can we even reach the HQ through the comms?"
He shook his head. "No dice little lady. You already knew the answer to that question so why bother asking?" Temari was caught slightly off guard by Sarutobi's snapping.
"Sorry…I forgot." She grumbled.
"Sir, this is Leaf 1. How much farther do we have to go? Over..."
"Leaf 1, just keep on driving. The farther we are from the town the better chance we have of dodging the Sound. I'm sure they told anyone around to be on the lookout for us but we'll dodge 'em all right, over."
"Roger that sir. Sergeant, stay on course."
"Leaf 3 reporting sir, any luck with the comms with HQ?"
"Leaf 3 we've been getting garbled messages but nothing that sounds like they're in danger. It must be our communications since we all know we were good right outside the HQ. Stay on guard though. If the Soundies are jamming us that means they could get a bead on us. DO NOT GIVE AWAY ANY LOCATIONS! Over..."
"Jesus how much longer are they gonna be chattering away like that? Fuckin' officers I'll tell ya...barring Momma Uzuki of course." One of the Rangers inside wisecracked. She earned herself a few laughs from the grunts and stone-faced look from Sarutobi. That's the thing about Asuma Sarutobi. He had that way of letting you know ever so subtly whether he was as pissed as a hornet or as calm as a cucumber. He was without a doubt the former on this one. Like he said to Ino, no one talked down about the captain. He's gotten us through thick and thin before and life perhaps sucked the most for him and the first sergeant. When people died, it was on their shoulders. When the mission was a success, they took their credit. When things such as our retreat happened, they'd be the one to carry that burden. They had the most power but the hardest job, without a doubt.
"Sir! This is Leaf 1! We've got visual of something over! Looks like the fuckin' apocalypse..."
"What do you see Leaf 1? Over..."
Everyone in our halftrack tried to sneak a peak through the holes the Sound decided so politely bestow upon us during the fracas just about a half-hour or more ago. We couldn't see much but what we could see didn't look good. Wreckage and flaming hulks of God-knows-what were scattered in the horizon as we drove through the small dirt road. But the scrap, fires, and craters weren't just on the road. They were all over the valley. Everyone that caught a glimpse started chattering like they did back at the HQ.
"What on Earth?"
"Holy shit..."
"Looks like Hell on Earth if ya ask me."
"Temari..." I muttered squeezing her hand. She responded in kind as we shuffled closer towards each other. Both of us had that awful feeling where our beating hearts were sinking to our stomachs.
"Leaf 1 this is Leaf 2, what's going on?" Lee blurted out on the radio. "What's that you're seeing oh my dear Lord..."
"What? I don't see anything!" 4th Platoon's LT complained.
"Um...sir?" The voice of 1st Platoon's LT was shaky and startled. "Do you see this?"
"Mother of God..." the familiar voice of Tobi muttered through 1st Platoon's radio link.
"I see it all right. I just wish I hadn't seen it."
As we approached the carnage second by second, the convoy couldn't help but slow down like civilians passing through some horrible car accident back home in Konoha.
"Shikamaru..." Temari wrapped her free arm around mine as I could see beads of sweat form neatly on her forehead and face. "Is that who we think it is?"
"I'm afraid so."
"Wait a second," one of the Rangers said as he got up and tried to get a peek as to what was outside, "was that...I mean is that..."
Sarutobi turned to him. "Yes corporal...it's George Company."
The grim visage of our slaughtered comrades was the last thing that we had needed to see while fleeing from the Sound. Everywhere the ruined trucks bearing Konoha's insignia haunted us as some were still ablaze from the Panzer Lehr and Luftwaffe attack. Most of us were speechless in shock. Most of us had never seen so many of our own dead in one place. Some were still in the trucks slumped over the dashboards or lying on the flatbeds. Some were cooking from the flaming vehicles left by the Sound. Others were scattered like fallen leaves in the craters or in the tall grass while there were little bits and pieces left, if anything at all, of the most unfortunate. Smoking, scorched patches of earth dotted the landscape, the occasional charred rifle or boot giving clear sign as to what or better yet who was there. The stink of burning flesh permeated throughout the area. Temari and I couldn't help but gag every time we inhaled. I turned to her as she held her hand to her mouth, wide-eyed by such a display. Doubtless she's seen such things before with what the Sound did to her people, but she was still trembling as I was sure terrible memories of home came back to her. I slinked my hand on her shoulder and held her.
"It's ok Temari…it's ok."
"It's the same thing…all over again. Like back home, they did this when they came back. I saw their faces. They were staring straight at me. I had to watch it all."
I looked at the grisly field as I caught random men and women lying perfectly still. Some of them were gripped with fear as they were no doubt terrified of the Panzers and planes at the moment of their demise. It felt as if some of them were staring straight at me as Temari said. Then it dawned on me. That dream! The one where I saw my broken and bloodied friends all dead, staring at me…the one with Temari kneeling and bleeding as those black, amorphous demons attacked us…it all came back to me. I felt my heart beat slightly faster as my breath became more erratic. My guts felt like they were molding together and that smell, that horrible smell, it was only exacerbating it.
"Shikamaru…what's the matter?" Choji asked nervously.
"I…I don't feel too good…" I mumbled back. My lack of comfort was more mental than physical but still unsettling nonetheless.
Asano's stomach, practically holding it in since the Luftwaffe attack, couldn't take it any longer as he leaned behind the edge of our seats and threw up before I could be first. I still managed to have the constitution to keep it inside. One of the wounded from 4th Platoon did the same as the terrible stench got stronger. Suddenly the trucks started slowing down much to our bewilderment.
"What the fuck? Why are we slowing down?" Nazuka asked. "Figured that's the last thing we wanna do."
"Shut up Nazuka." Sarutobi barked. To be honest, we were just as apprehensive as Nazuka was. Trolling through the macabre battleground with the smoking remains of what were your comrades was not really an easy thing to go through with a straight face. Why in the hell were we slowing down? To make matters worse, when we approached a small section of forest, our convoy decided to grind down to a near halt.
"Sergeant, I'm with Nazuka. This doesn't feel right one bit..." Choji said anxiously.
"Attention all vehicles," Captain Hatake's voice rang out, "scan the area for a few minutes. We'll be picking up normal speed afterwards on our way back to what we think is friendly territory."
"Fox, come in. Fox, come in." The familiar voice of Major Shizune popped up which hopefully spelled some relief. "This is HQ, come in over."
"Hell's bells! We finally got some communication with HQ!" 4th Platoon's LT cheered.
"Cut the chatter Shibata. HQ, this is Fox. What is your status over?"
"We're still alive. Captain Morino came in the nick of time and we took some hits but as you can see we're still standing. What about your company over?"
"HQ, the town was a trap. Soundies caught us with our pants down and we've sustains about ten to fifteen percent casualties. They killed the partisans and were probably setting us up."
"Shit..." Her voice became frustrated again. "Are the partisans Tobi and Itachi still with you over?"
"Yes they are, over."
"Good. We still need them because they most likely have intelligence on the Sound that we can still use. It's a priority that you keep them alive, over."
"Roger that. Have you been able to contact any other nearby units over?"
"Negative Fox. We've had little luck except for Baker and some of the infantry companies. No word from the batteries, Able, or Easy Companies, over."
"Understood. What should be our course of action over?"
"Return to HQ ASAP. Once we've regrouped with our armor and with the Air Corps covering us we should be able to mount an offensive and flush out those damn Soundies. I repeat, return to HQ as soon as possible. HQ out."
"Well you heard the major Fox Company. Let's move out and back to the HQ."
"What about the Panzer Lehr sir?" Lee asked.
"Our first priority is getting back with the rest of our forces. We'll deal with that damned Panzer Lehr later."
A faint huffing and crackling was heard through all the radios, even with the loud noise of the engines. The first sergeant went right on the receiver. "Someone cut that damn static off! Are you trying to get spotted by the Akatsuki?" The crackling became increasing in tone and volume. The first sergeant became furious. "God damn it I said cut that fucking chatter out now! Fucking Akatsuki's gonna find us!" Once more the crackling became louder but slightly repetitive.
"Does that sound like..." Ino muttered.
"Laughter..." Temari whispered.
"Oh no...this isn't good. This is bad...really bad. What a drag." I said aloud. Our fears became reality as the static was indeed laughter. It wasn't the joking laughter...no this was the sinister, maniacal laughter. It lasted for another thirty seconds as we just sat there wide-eyed. A cold sweat ran down my back as that God-forsaken lump in my throat returned.
"Don't want to get spotted eh Fox Company of the Leaf Army? As a dog goes back to its vomit, so a fool repeats his stupidity."
"Who is this? Identify yourself right now!" The first sergeant hollered through the radio.
"Well...I wouldn't worry too much about being spotted. You already have been. Big mistake..." The man's voice was hoarse and menacing, a deep growl emanating after each sentence.
"We'll ask you one more time...who in the fuck are you?" The captain growled.
More laughter came from the receiving end of the chatter. "You are quite a character Captain Hatake. We've been listening to you for quite a while jamming your communications. Oh I've read about you Fox Company. I've read about your exploits in fighting my fellow soldiers at Takigakure."
"Is that...?" Temari was about to ask before I looked at her and nodded. She, like me, was sweating bullets.
"Major..." I muttered.
"Kisame...Hoshigake...of the Akatsuki Panzer Lehr." Captain Hatake stammered somewhat nervously over the radio, finishing what I was about to say to Temari. Our trucks went right into a halt…perhaps the worst thing we could do but then again we had no idea where they were. I should've been surprised to hear the captain in such a tone but I wasn't. He was just as understandably nervous as we were. I then thought of the picture I saw in the intelligence photo. That weird light-blue skin, the towering figure in the black uniform, those piercing eyes, and worst of all, those freaky jagged teeth...they were like that of a shark's. Now I took those things and imagined him in his huge Tiger tank just savoring every minute he had mocking us.
"In the flesh...or should I say, in the steel. Oh Fox Company, Sharkskin and I have been eyeballing you for a little while. Your friends in George Company were quite the snack, but you look downright delicious! Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise that they didn't finish you off in that little Grass town we took over. They left you just for me, Sharkskin, and the rest of my tanks. No Luftwaffe or other units to hoard over my kill. How delightful..."
"Sharkskin? Is this guy on drugs or something? The fuck is he talking about?" Nakamura pondered.
"Oh I wish he was Nakamura, but he's not. Sharkskin is his tank...and it's a big'un." I answered right back.
"Why don't you show yourself or are you one of those coward fuck sneak thieves?" First Sergeant Guy insulted the invisible commander. A wiser man like me would probably not be so bold but perhaps he had a trick up his sleeve.
"Oh ho! You've got some fire in your belly there Leaf man! That'll be savory when I'm feasting on it. How funny that you call me out when you cannot even see me. I respect you ladies and gentlemen of Fox Company. I cannot say the same for your cremated comrades. They were a pushover more or less...a joke of a meal."
"How dare you!" The first sergeant roared in anger. "No Sound tank will get the best of us! We'll make you pay for what you did!"
"Your anger and ferocity in your words are admirable. I can certainly see how you were able to take back the Waterfall Nation. Bravo! Bravo I must say!" He then sighed. "Alas, your recent string of success and luck is about to come to an end. Time to filet you like the writhing, helpless fish you are." A malicious snarl came at the end. "But…I'm a man of honor so I'll leave you this one proposition. If you surrender right now and quietly, we may show some mercy on you. If you don't, well…I think you know…so I'll grant you the luxury of a few minutes to think it over. Choose wisely…"
"Sir?" The first sergeant addressed to Captain Hatake. Like I said before, I'd hate my life every single day if I were in his shoes. Another minute passed by while the rest of us were at the edge of our seats. A series of small beeps went off in the radio.
"What the hell is that beeping?" Temari asked.
"It's…I think it's Morse code. Someone's signaling us, but as to whom I haven't the foggiest."
"Sir we need an answer." The first sergeant asked again.
"The clock is ticking Captain Hatake…I suggest you make up your mind." The Panzer Lehr commander hissed through the radio. We prayed for our captain to have the wisdom to know what to do.
"Major Hoshigake. I have an answer to your proposition of surrender." His voice sounded confident which was surprising given the situation. We were slightly caught off-guard.
"Oh? Perhaps there is some wisdom in you captain...good for you. And what, pray tell, is your answer?"
"Nuts!"
A collective cheer erupted the second afterwards.
"HAHA! I knew you wouldn't give in sir!" Our first sergeant cheered as roars of pride towards the captain and defiance towards the Akatsuki were heard from the trucks.
"Fuckin' right! That's our captain!" Lee added.
"Fox Company doesn't surrender to anyone, especially the likes of you. We will never surrender." People were stomping their feet and yelling taunts at the enemy. I certainly knew Major Hoshigake would be less than thrilled.
"I see…bold and defiant to the end, a pity really. Though honorable I hope you realize you've just signed the death warrant of your entire company. Lieutenant, if you'd be so kind to send our sincerest reply…"
"Fox Company! We're moving out now!" Captain Hatake screamed as black smoke billowed from hedgerows towards the west. Judging by the sheer number and concentration of the smoke and sound, they were quite numerous. A few seconds later a Jeep from 1st Platoon exploded as it was slammed by the lead Tiger which bowled right over the small nest of trees in front of it. We were already flooring it the second the captain replied to the Akatsuki. The tanks were frightening beasts to behold as Temari and I saw them through our scopes.
"Temari…do you see it?"
"Yeah, and I wish I hadn't."
One of the lead vehicles, a tank that clearly stuck out from the rest, was clad in bits and pieces of Leaf and Water armor. What looked like jaws and jagged teeth were meticulously painted on the front of its sloped armor. Atop the very tank himself, though clearly out of range for my rifle, the frightening visage of Major Hoshigake stood peering at his targets, those eyes scaring even the bravest of men.
"Sharkskin…" I muttered. Its massive cannon turned and aimed at one of 4th Platoon's trucks. A quick and unintentional swerve to the right had saved its twelve passengers from a grisly fate as the round slammed into a nearby tree, sending wooden splinters everywhere. Another round from a Panther tank slammed right near my very truck and sent rocks flying into the truck bed almost like bullets. I got peppered in the arm with a couple while Temari and Ino managed to shield themselves and get a couple in the forearms and hands. Choji and Nazuka, given their frame, were faring the best.
"Where are you going Fox Company? I figured if you wouldn't surrender the least you'd do is honor me with a fight!" The freakish Panzer commander yelled through our channels. They were still intercepting our communications but I still wondered what that Morse code transmission was. Perhaps the captain had something cooking that would trick the Panzer Lehr. "Of course it'd be greedy of me to swallow my meal whole in one piece, so I think I'll just nibble a little bit." Sharkskin turned its turret away from us and fired a round immediately into a fleeing 75mm gun truck. The poor bastards never had a chance as the round nearly bisected the halftrack. "Mmmmmm...tasty..."
"Jesus! That was one of our AT trucks!" Sergeant Yamato screamed. "Sir we gotta lose 'em and now!"
"Don't worry...I've got an idea. It's not the best but where we're goin' we'll fix those Sound bastards and then some."
"Fix us? Fix us you say? HA!" Major Hoshigake chortled. "You're in no position to fix us Captain Hatake. In fact, you're just buying a few extra minutes for you and your soldiers who I hope are praying to the heavens for some sort of mercy because I certainly won't grant any. All units please continue firing away and do try to hurt them as much as possible. Nothing makes me lick my lips like a wounded, bleeding fish struggling for dear life."
"Damn it can't these things go any faster?" One of the Rangers complained as another tank round slammed into the road right in front of us and causing the truck to swerve left and right.
"We're already goin' at around forty to forty-five miles an hour so no I don't think we can corporal. Just quit complainin' and keep your head down!" Ya gotta hand it to Sarutobi. Even in shitstorms like this one he still manages to get that authoritative word in. We were losing them but only by a small margin. The tanks had some considerable agility and their range was obviously more superior to any of our weapons barring our other two 75mm trucks. But given our situation, any and all AT guns from Tenten to Kankuro to these trucks were useless.
"Sir, what's the plan? They're still comin' up and not quittin'!" 4th Platoon's platoon sergeant yelled.
"We keep moving! I've got something don't worry about it..."
"We're gettin' pounded sir! I hope whatever you're thinking comes real soon or el..." A massive roar of static came out of the radio as a nearby explosion rocked the trucks again. I turned to see the Jeep that the platoon sergeant was in was annihilated from a tank round. Fuck.
"Little by little Captain Hatake...little by little..." The Panzer major mocked.
"Almost...almost...just a little more..." Captain Hatake muttered as our convoy struggled to get up a small hill. Around us the trees were fading away into nothing but lush, green plains. Of course that only gave the Akatsuki more room to work with as another round slammed near our truck, and then another. I saw Private Miyoshi almost fly out of the halftrack but Konohamaru and Kankuro were quick to pull her back in. Sakura was in the Jeep that the Engineer LT was in when it careened off to the side from a Panther round landing right near them. They had to slow down and bail out before the next round slammed home and blew the Jeep into pieces. A huge breath of relief came out of me as the four of them including Sakura were quickly rescued by one of the engineer trucks behind them. Sadly the little maneuver cost us some time. They were lucky that they weren't obliterated right then and there.
"We're headin' down Fox Company! Do not slow down one bit!" The first sergeant yelled as we had reached the apex and were flying right down the slope. It was more gradual than steep but it gave us the speed we needed...perhaps a little bit too much speed as we were hanging on for dear life.
"Oh my God! Hang the fuck on!" Ino shouted as she instinctively clung on to the most stable thing she could. Funny thing though that the very stable thing she was looking for happened to be Choji, who despite the fact we had a Panzer Lehr group right behind us was blushing as he hung on as well. We continued to barrel-ass down the hill as I could literally feel the wind pulling my face back.
"COWARDS! I was possibly considering a little mercy even if you fought but now you have just signed your collective death warrant!" Major Hoshigake hissed furiously. "You're as good as dead the second my tanks reach the top!"
"Shit I think he might be right on that one!" I said. Nothing the already superior range of the Panzer Lehr guns, once they were at the top they could use the simple concepts of gravity and arcs to rip us to pieces at an even farther distance.
"Quit bellyachin' Nara!" Sarutobi said right back. "The captain's got a plan. He wouldn't just have us go meandering into the countryside for nothing."
The pounding stopped for a minute or so but as Temari and I turned around to see the cannons of the first few Tigers and Panthers reach the crest of the hill.
The Panzer commander laughed again. "You see? You're just buying time. Now it's the end for you and your ilk captain. All units continue your barrage. No mercy."
"Almost...almost..." The captain muttered.
The tank rounds now started hitting in front of us as some of them were trying to slow us down with intercepting fire. A quad gun halftrack was obliterated by one of the Panthers, leaving no chance for any survivors.
"Shrapnel! Get down!" The sergeant screamed. It was no sooner he said that when a hot piece of what was one of the guns pierced the armor of the halftrack in between Toyama and Sugiyama. Had they not gotten down one of them would've been impaled.
"I told you...it's useless to try and flee. Just accept your fate."
Suddenly one of the Tigers lurched to a halt and was nearly blown to bits as a distant boom echoed throughout the countryside and an explosion rocked the ground in front of the Tiger, followed by another that landed close to a nearby Panther tank. It just stopped it shortly but nonetheless shocked its commander.
"What?!? What was that?" Nakamura asked.
"If it's what's I think it is, or better yet who it is Nakamura, we may have ourselves one helluva fight." Sarutobi replied with a big old grin.
"What the...? Who dared fire upon one of my tanks?" Even the Panzer commander was caught unawares by the abrupt attack on his forces. "All units prepare counter-fire. Load AT rounds instead of high explosive. It seems that the ocean just got a little bigger." Though they were stalled slightly, the Panzer Lehr still kept their harassing fire on us, knocking out a medical Jeep which cost us three more soldiers.
"Hey I see a bunch of vehicles in the distance!" Asano announced, prompting Temari and I to take a look through our scopes where the dust and dirt was getting kicked up.
"Well holy shit..." Temari muttered to me with a shaking smile of relief.
"Looks like the captain did have an idea as to what he was doing after all. Guess I should put more faith in him huh?"
"Good God Fox...once again we come to bail you out of a clusterfuck. Methinks we should start running up a tab. You'll all be damn near broke by the time we're done!"
"Yeah no kidding sir..."
"Whaddaya think Genma, should they pay us in cash or beer?"
"How about both Aoba?"
"HA! Yeah no kiddin'...I could use a nice cold one right about now!"
"Figures those ground-pounders always get in the thick of it when we're not around sir. Talk about a pain in the ass. And seeing those Soundies up at the top and...holy shit Izumo...it's them!" The radio traffic was alive with all the jabbering of the tankers. I assumed that they had switched channels along with Captain Hatake as to lose Major Hoshigake. Of course I figured he'd be none too pleased to be without an audience for his jeering but fuck him. As a matter of fact I was amazed that we was able to squeak his way into our communications for so long.
"Well I'll be damned. It's the so-called Akatsuki Panzer Lehr."
"Well done Kakashi, you brought us an ample fight for a change."
"Iruka Umino...always there when I need ya."
"And we brought some friends too! I told Captain Kyoda of Easy Company that the Akatsuki Panzer Lehr was in the area and that somehow, someway, you'd bring 'em to us. He agreed to join us under the hopes that he'd get a piece of the action as well. God damn did you not disappoint Kakashi! I'll have to rely on you more often!"
"Har har Iruka...I'm laughing my ass off." The captain replied snidely.
"Who're those obnoxious assholes?" Nazuka asked, his ignorance completely understandable along with the rest of the rookies who were somewhat bewildered by the tankers and their infinite supply of arrogance and familiarity with Fox Company.
"Those guys, my friends," as I turned to face all of the new members of 3rd squad, "are the tanks of Able Company. They may seem rough around the edges but I guarantee you they can bring a fight wherever they go."
"Shit, they worked with us and saved us once in the Waterfall Nation. It'd be wise to not underestimate them." Choji added.
"Good thing they brought some friends with them this time and with big guns to boot." Toyama noted. With Able and Easy Company we were sure to now have an advantage over the Panzer Lehr...at least I thought we would. The only problem was that I, amongst many other in Fox Company, had little clue as to how many tanks were actually in the Panzer group.
"Fox Company, this is Captain Kyoda of Easy Company. Brought enough big toys for us to play with Captain Hatake? I certainly hope so because the boys and I have been hungry for some time since the Lightning Nation!"
"Well what you've seen so far is just the tip of the iceberg. Be warned...their commander is not to be trifled with." The captain answered, referring to Major Kisame Hoshigake who we already discovered is slightly on the sadistic if not borderline insane side.
We had gotten to a slightly more safe distance as the Panzer Lehr's fire had become more inaccurate and spread out. The Tigers, Panther, and the King Tiger Sharkskin had gone into a protective stance and poured down rounds to cover themselves. Though they weren't hitting much of anything, they were keeping any assailants at bay.
"It's a good thing we always come up with contingencies Kakashi. I was able to get your Morse signal about what was going on and got you to come to us."
It was amazing, just like how George Company had fallen into the trap of the Panzer Lehr by pursuing a fleeing infantry force; we had done almost the same thing to the Panzer Lehr. Of course the big differences were that we were leading on a huge, frightening, unit of Sound armor, there was no Air Corps or Luftwaffe in sight, and the sheer scale of conflict that was about to erupt would probably be something the likes of which few of us have ever seen.
"So Iruka. I see you upped your arsenal a little bit. Got some more big guns?"
"You bet your sweet ass I did Kakashi. Behold my new Calliopes and Hellcat tanks! Your part of the fight is over. Get behind us and Easy Company and we'll take care of the rest."
"Always playing the aegis for us simple, bumpkin, can't-get-right infantry huh?" The first sergeant came into the conversation. "Well it hurts my pride to say this, but it's always good to know you've got our backs."
"Oh Guy...come now..." Iruka said in the Shinobi's Pride as 1st Platoon had just passed the wall of Leaf armor. "Don't think of it like that. It's more symbiotic. We appreciate what you infantry guys do...really we do. However, you're clearly outmatched here so now it's time for us to shine."
The first sergeant sighed. "All right. Fox Company, we're done for now. Form up by the woods behind Easy and Able Companies and dismount. We'll establish hasty defensive positions and monitor the progress of the battle. Under no circumstances, unless we are ordered from Captain Hatake or asked for assistance from Able or Easy Company, are we to get involved. It's too dangerous and they'll tear us to shreds." It was interesting hearing the first sergeant take such a defensive posture seeing how he's usually the "always on the attack" kind of guy but I think Captain Hatake influenced this decision.
"Hey Fox Company, this is Hayate Gekko of Able commanding the Dynamic Entry. You don't suppose ya have a certain lovely ANBU Ranger by the name of Lieutenant Yugao Uzuki in your midst now would ya?"
A few seconds of no reply came on until we heard the fumbling of the hand receiver. "Hayate? Hayate babe is that you?"
"You betcha it is babe. How's my gal doin'?" He asked coughing slightly afterwards. "Has..." he coughed a little more, "has Fox been takin' care of ya since the rescue?"
"I'm all right. Me an' the ANBU boys are still hangin' on. Those Akatsuki Panzer Lehr fuckers up there mean and open for business Hayate."
"Don't you sweat it doll face. We'll open 'em up like tin cans."
"Please Hayate..." a slight twinge of concern took over her tone, "be careful."
"I'll be all right Yugao. I love you." Another cough came out.
"I love you too."
"Ok, ok...enough of that you two." Captain Umino barked though the channel. "Hayate, Able, time to get our heads in the game."
"Fox Company, prepare to dismount! I want all wounded by the medical section and treated on the double! Everyone else form positions and help spot for the tankers." The captain ordered as 4th Platoon's trucks made it to the woods. The halftracks and Jeeps had placed themselves behind hedgerows and trees to act as a barrier from any Sound tank. We had hopped off without delay and immediately went into tactical formation. Naruto, though slightly woozy, seemed to have regained his senses as he clutched his B.A.R. and carefully leapt down the halftrack, running towards Konohamaru and Sergeant Mitarashi. Any of our wounded including the Rangers were escorted to the rear of the formation where the medics were treating them the best they could. The Grass partisans Tobi and Itachi were nowhere to be seen but I certainly hoped they were being watched. If I lived through this I'd have to have a lengthy discussion with Shino about them.
"Quickly 2nd Platoon quickly!" Sergeant Yamato screamed as the shelling continued on both sides. So far we saw none of our own go down but on the other hand none of theirs went down either. It was more like a shouting match between the three tank groups instead of an actual brawl. Both Leaf and Sound were trading "verbal" threats with their warning shots. 3rd squad had laid itself flat right next to 4th squad where Sarutobi and Mitarashi were quickly chatting it up with each other and figuring out what was best for the both of them. I laid myself flat right next to Temari while Naruto just so conveniently happened to be right next to Temari.
I turned to him. "Heya sleepy...still feeling like a sack of shit?"
He shook his head, still slightly dizzy. "Never better. Nothing's gonna keep me from watching Iruka tear those sum'bitches apart with his Pershing! Believe it!"
"Yeah kid for once I'm in agreement with Uzumaki." The figure of Mitarashi said standing over us. "Those bastards are gonna pay for what they did to George Company!"
"Fox listen up!" The captain screamed over all of our chatter and the outside rumblings. "We hunker down here and keep ourselves from being a huge target. Able and Easy already scoured this area but keep sharp as those Sound assholes will try anything to get to us. If one of those Akatsuki tanks gets anywhere near us, we take it down with everything we've got am I clear?"
He was answered by a huge collective cheer as we got busier building ourselves whatever makeshift defense we could. Dirty, dingy, but not at all lacking spirit, Fox Company got itself ready for what would be considered a monumental battle. Hand in hand with the Rangers, we did what we could to support ourselves along with the armored companies.
"It's amazing. I never thought...such things would happen...to me but here I am, with you Shikamaru." Temari grunted to me as we shoveled the ground furiously. I blushed slightly and kissed her on the lips.
"Guess it's true whenever people say things about fate being a strange mistress."
Once again here we were, a couple of nervous-as-hell fighters doing the best we could to defend ourselves from such a frightening enemy. As with Takigakure, the labor camp, and Hill #404, I was banking on the same fate that brought Temari and I together to get us out of this.
"Hellcats and Wolverines stay along the outsides. Keep yourselves within decent cover and provide the base of fire the rest of us need. These tanks are no mere Panzer or StuG. These are big boys, they hit really hard, and we can't treat them lightly. All Shermans and Pershings close in to counter their range while the tank destroyers cover. Hit these assholes from the sides and rear and they'll burn like tinder!"
Easy Company's commander was spouting something along the same line. Meanwhile LT Uzuki was coordinating her Rangers while assisting Captain Hatake and First Sergeant Guy.
"ABLE COMPANY!" Captain Umino shouted through the radios. "Our rendezvous with destiny has arrived! Now is the time that we define ourselves as the Armored Knights of Konoha!"
"Iruka...do it..." Naruto whispered aloud.
"Through hardened streets and grassy knolls, we're always there and ready for the fight!" Another tanker joined in. "C'mon guys let's give 'em the Able Company anthem!" Soon all the tankers were alive with song in the radio message traffic as their engines roared. Gaining speed Able Company rolled off to face perhaps their greatest battle.
"Oh...Konoha's Knights are here for the fight!"
"Let our enemies tremble before our might!"
"Let 'em shake, let 'em fear, let 'em quiver."
"Justice and retribution our tanks will deliver."
"We'll roll through anything standing in our way!"
"The enemies of the Leaf will remember the day,"
"When their very foundations come crashing down,"
"They'll speak of us with much renown."
"'Who would smash us with such glee?'"
"IT'S THOSE SONS OF BITCHES FROM ABLE COMPANY!"
"Our enemies will scream and they will cry,"
"When our steel rain hits them from the sky!"
"Iron and Honor! Strength and Speed!"
"These words we uphold in our creed!"
"Nothing scares us and nothing ever will!"
"Nothing will stop us from our kill!"
"The Leaf women see us and scream our name."
"None can resist the likes of our fame!"
"The men ask the ladies, 'What on Earth do you see?'"
"They turn and shout, 'IT'S THOSE SONS OF BITCHES FROM ABLE COMPANY!'"
A rousing cheer came from the tankers and even some of our own who were itching to watch our tanks take on the Panzer Lehr.
"Men of Able Company!" Captain Umino shouted once more. "The time has come to exact harsh vengeance on these Akatsuki monsters for everything they've done to this land, its people, our allies, and our own. On this day they will know our name and they will rue the day they ever crossed Able Company!"
"We're with you sir. Every step of the way we're with you!" One of the fellow tankers answered. It always impressed me how some people carried such charisma that they could lead others into battle with little debate. Captain Umino had that like our Captain Hatake did.
"This is for you Yugao, remember that." Hayate Gekko said.
"On my mark, we charge, close in, and finish these bastards off once and for all!"
For a brief second there, I looked through the scope as the whole lot of the Akatsuki Panzer Lehr came pouring from down the small hill. They looked like they were about the same size as Able and Easy Company, perhaps a little smaller. Nevertheless, with the ingenuity of the Sound armor it was going to be a battle like none other. At the forefront of the Panzer Lehr group was that God-damned Sharkskin. Its clanging bits and pieces of armor and the sheer size of it was sheer intimidation, but I felt in my gut that Able Company wouldn't be fazed. What scared me more was the commander, his grisly features, and his threats to devour us, like I actually believed he would do such a thing.
"Iruka...you can do it. I know you can." Naruto muttered to himself again while we were still preparing our defenses.
"Don't sweat it boss." Konohamaru said has he ran over to assist Naruto digging. "If anyone can do it I know your friend Captain Umino can."
I turned to see an unexpected and certainly rare look of worry on the Ranger LT. Her hands were clasped together as her Thompson was slung on her shoulder. It looked almost as if she was praying. She knew her fiancé was also about to be in the fight of his life. I remember back at the HQ when we were just smoking and joking that she showed off her engagement ring despite the sheer lack of tactical sense it made having it out. I saw a brief moment of vulnerability behind her tough Ranger persona. Perhaps more than all of us, barring possibly Naruto, she was scared to death over what might happen to her, her soldiers, and especially that Hayate Gekko fellow. Speaking of scared to death, I could only imagine how Naruto was feeling considering his self-proclaimed mentor was leading the charge right into the maw of death. It was going to be something we'd all have to watch and that we'd all remember. It was like two giants fighting for the fate of a child. One wanted to inflict harm upon us while the other sought to protect us and those it cared about to the bitter end.
The fire from the Panzer Lehr intensified as they were still hitting the front of the Leaf armor formations, trying to get them to stop advancing.
"It's time to face the music Able Company, time to face our destiny in the annals of history. They'll speak of this for decades to come and you'll speak of it to your children and grandchildren. Remember this day Able Company for the rest of your lives."
I turned to 2nd squad where, true to his form, Shino muttered a prayer to himself while rubbing his prayer beads. For once my thoughts and feelings would be completely mutual to him.
"Iruka...good luck." Captain Hatake said.
"Thank you. No matter happens Kakashi, you will come to no harm so long as we have an ounce of fight left in us."
"Sir, we're approaching the threshold."
"This is it." I imagined Captain Umino as a warrior of old, with an entire army of mounted troops behind him, drawing his sword and pointing at the awaiting enemy, ready for the carnage that would soon come. I imagined him with a grin of infinite confidence and the heart of a lion.
"Godspeed Captain Umino...Godspeed."
"Able Company...CHARGE!"