JAGDPANTHER-CHAN

And thus she released a piercing scream at the title of the chapter. And lo that scream was heard round the world.

Laura had convinced her crew to join her in the cafeteria late at night. She had arrived early and pulled out a few light snacks. She was in her casual clothes but still proper enough to show that this was a serious conversation. Her heart was beating faster than normal and some shivers ran over her body, butterflies fluttered in her stomach. Sure, it was just a simple conversation but what she was proposing still made her nervous. It wasn't a direct challenge to Bianca but it was a still a challenge and it would rock the boat.

"Hey."

The voice nearly made her jump. Luckily it was just her allies that walked in. Sodoko, Alisa, and Nina. They all had their own plans but, like Earl Grey and Johnny said, it would be better if they all tried together.

"You're early," said Laura.

"Better to be early than to be late," said Sodoko, "Are we all sure we want to do this?"

"Yes!" said Nina confidently, "I will do this!"

"You've got a lot more spunk since this afternoon," Alisa smirked, "We've got nothing to lose so why not. Worst case we fail and we're just end up right where we are now."

Sodoko's eyes snapped to the doors, "They're here."

"Wow you've got good hearing."

With a little bit of low chatter several girls entered the cafeteria. They were rather surprised when they saw each other and the other representatives. Éclair and Fondue represented Maginot. Ju, Ai, and Xun for Wu Wei Shu. Becky for Koala, and Anasazja for Bonple.

"Sorry Laura, Jadzia and Izolda are stuck asleep," Anasazja said shaking her head, "Once their eyes close not even an earthquake could wake them."

"That's okay, we'll talk to them tomorrow then," Laura took a breath, "Let's get down to it then?"

"There's some food on the table if you want," said Nina trying to be hospitable.

"Yes, let us cut to the chase," said Éclair, "Why are we here?"

"Well, obviously, it's about your teams," Alisa scratched the back of her head, "And we kind of messed up trying to get you guys to improve."

"Apology accepted," said Ju, "But it seems that collecting a large meeting like this for only an apology is excessive."

"Actually we still want to change your teams," Alisa admitted, "But don't worry we have a plan this time. We aren't going to tear you down and build you up like we were trying to do."

Éclair nodded, "That is all well, but none of the team commanders are here."

"You're here," smiled Nina.

Fondue patted her on the head, "But she's not commander anymore."

"She will be again after this."

"It's getting late," said Sodoko, "Listen, we want to have another practice match. Us and you, against the rest of our teams."

"You joking," said Becky, "There's no way we can win. What can we accomplish then?"

"Then we have to win then, don't we," said Alisa.

Becky put her hands on her hips, "And how do we do that?"

Laura grinned, "We have a plan."

Mid-morning after breakfast the four teams were gathering to plan out another practice. Laura and her co-conspirators waited patiently in another room counting the minutes until their arrival. They waited for about fifteen minutes to let the roll call and introduction of the agenda to complete. Together they marched to the door, took a deep confident breath, and walked in. Every single person fixed on them. Their allies in the crowd didn't react much, but the commanders were not amused.

"What are you going here?" asked Sheila without hostility.

"We challenge you to a duel!" proclaimed Nina.

"What?"

"We want to have a skirmish against your entire teams," said Laura, "Flag tank elimination rules."

"And why would we fight you?" asked Lin, "What do we stand to gain?"

"Hey, ever since we've started this thing your teams have had nothing but losing streaks," said Alisa, "And we've been trying to get you guys to fix your act, but you keep telling us everything is fine. So let's settle this once and for all."

"I refuse," said Galette, "Our methods are proven and work."

"Oh yes, that's why you won the last match. Oh, wait," Alisa taunted, "Well, if your way of doing things is so great then this match should be over in a matter of minutes so it's no waste."

"I still refuse," Galette glared at Nina and Éclair, "What about the rest of you?"

"I'm good with anything," said Sheila, "Actually, yeah, I'm for this. A nice distraction so we won't have to practice – err, umm, I mean a distraction from the tediousness of routine… yeah… I'll go with that."

"I have to preference," said Lin, "Bianca?"

"I have no problems with a match against you, but the numbers are terribly lopsided. If you have others that would join you I will say yes."

"We do."

The commanders raised and eye brow. It took a few moments but their allies started to rise. Éclair and Fondue were first, followed by Anasazja and the twins. They had also managed to wrangle a handful of other crewmen to join them in this little endeavour. All in all they managed to gather a total of ten tanks to their side. Odds of three against one.

Alisa's cocky nature came out a little stronger, "Any more volunteers and you'll be at a disadvantage."

Galette was shocked to see several of her team turn against her. Sheila didn't have a care in the world. And Bianca and Lin were unfazed, to them a match was a match and when it was over they were all still on the same team and in the same school.

Bianca nodded, "Very well, it shall be ten against thirty. I wish you best of luck."

"When do we roll out?" asked Sheila.

"Whenever you please," said Laura.

It was mid-afternoon when the tanks rolled onto the battlefield. Laura and her team had assembled a hodgepodge of tanks from their teams. One T-50 and two SU-122s, a SOMUA and a Renault R35, three Stuarts, and two Crusader IIIs. The gutted some of the firepower of their competition but the numbers were still against them. With the exception of Éclair, all the flag tanks were the exchange student advisors.

"Are all tanks ready?" asked Laura.

Each one reported their status. They were prepared but nervous. Laura sat in an SU-122, with Anasazja and the twins in their old T-50.

They'll have to lead this time.

"MATCH START!"

"Panzer vor!"

All tanks advanced straight toward the enemy force. The battlefield was an urban centre with a large park in the middle. The park was thick with trees and bush, but had wide open roads for people to walk through peacefully. The earth was soft and moist. The smell of pine and spring mixed with diesel and smoke.

"What's the plan, Laura?" asked Anasazja.

"I will follow you," she replied, "If you want advice I can give it, but you're in command."

"Are you certain? You have more experience and are from a better school."

"I'm certain," Laura grinned, "I hope you picked up a few of my tricks since we've been together."

"Understood."

"Alisa here. We're going to take our tanks to try and scout them out."

"Éclair reporting. We'll follow and engage if you do."

"Anasazja, Koala's going to cover you."

"Understood," Anasazja paused, "Laura, can you take cover in the park?"

Laura smiled, "Of course, what would you have us do?"

"I want you to set up an ambush covering the main road, and maybe you can do some indirect fire into some buildings?" she said with a bit of uncertainty, "Maybe we can scare them into going where we want them to."

"You got it."

"Anasazja, Wu Wei Shu can help you with this," said Alisa, "Will you let us call in some barrages?"

"Yes, but not too often. We don't want them to find Laura right away."

Laura led her partner tank down the streets carefully. The grey buildings were roughly four stories high and devoid of furniture and accoutrements. Urban battles are the bane of tankers as anything could be lurking in the shadowy alleys and roads. Luckily they managed to reach the dense park. Small hills and knolls were covered in shadows by the thick canopy. Laura took a position behind the knolls with the cannon just peeking over the crest. The engines lowered their rumble and the commanders and the loaders quickly stepped out of the tank.

"Don't shoot unless it's looking right at you, okay? Pile on some leaves and branches, anything to help conceal the tank," ordered Laura, "We might not have much time, but it'll be better than nothing."

"Good thing our tanks are painted green, eh?" said the other commander.

"Yeah, I guess you're right."

Several minutes had passed and nothing had crossed their path. The others hadn't reported any sightings or suspicious noises. A shadow crept across a wall. Laura peered through the cupola and ordered her tanks to hold fire.

A line of armour, spaced in even intervals, drove down the road across their line. Their guns were pointed forward and the commanders were standing out of the turret. It was as though they were on parade.

"Wu Wei Shu is crossing our line," reported Laura, "All seven tanks in marching order."

The barrels of their large guns lowered and took aim at the tanks. Fingers itched above the trigger and the gunners hoped for the order to fire.

"Stay calm, hold your fire," reiterated Laura, "They are headed down Second Street toward Eighth Avenue. Is anyone close by?"

"We're near," said Becky, "Koala will do a hit and run on them."

"We will join you," said Éclair, "We will meet you at the intersection and fire one volley. Plan your escape and make preparations."

"Wait," said Anasazja, "What about the other teams? Has anyone seen them?"

"Not at all."

"Don't engage Wu Wei Shu," said Anasazja, "Laura, can you prepare a barrage on the intersection?"

"How many rounds?" Laura said pleased.

"Four total? That should scare them."

"They'll be exposed during the barrage," said Alisa, "Koala, how about you cover them?"

Éclair agreed, "Yes, that would be best. Renault, you and I will watch the barrage. Prepare to retreat at a moment's notice."

Laura turned her tanks carefully, still watching for the other teams. The barrels raised and Laura measured the distance. At their current speed Wu Wei Shu would reach the point in five minutes. Enough time for things to go wrong.

"Anasazja, where are you?"

"I'm hiding in one of the stores. The lights are off and I don't think they're looking inside the buildings."

"Tanks behind us!" called her partner.

Laura spun around. The trees were moving and track clattered. A short barrel poked through the bush pointed square at their rear.

"It's us, it's us," said Becky.

"I told you we should tell them we were behind them," said Sodoko.

"Where do you want us?" asked Becky.

"Can you cover where you came from?" asked Laura with a nervous laugh.

"Don't want to get snuck up on again, eh?" said Becky, "We've got you've covered."

Laura checked her watch. It was almost time to start the barrage. Éclair hadn't made any reports but they couldn't wait any longer.

"Four rounds on target, fire for effect," ordered Laura.

The SU-122s fired their cannons. The thunder of their cannons echoed down the streets and shook the trees. The shells flew up into the air and before they could land the second volley was loosed. Laura quickly lowered the barrels and hunkered down. Smoke and dust rose in the distance as the shells crashed through the roofs. Rubble and debris must have been falling on the tanks. Being the victim of an unseen enemy and the sight and sound of collapsing buildings must have been shocking.

"How many did we get, Éclair?"

"I don't know, we couldn't reach the point," Éclair paused, "We spotted a Koala tank and had to take cover."