A sea of grass as far as the eye could see, only infrequently interrupted by the lone tree. Exploring this environment was Valarie, traveling from tree to tree with no destination in mind. A wanderer. At each tree she reached, she would rest for a few minutes underneath the shade. The sun wasn't brutal but with her pale skin, she was more at risk of sunburn than most. She would also carefully climb each tree to see where the next one was. Another was always not too far away. How long she was doing this, she did not know. Night seemingly never arrived. The day appeared constant. In fact, Valarie believed the sun never moves, instead, it just lies motionless.

A Perpetual noon.

The weather was peculiar as there wasn't any. The sky was devoid of any clouds and there wasn't a shred of wind. The land was incredibly silent as well. There were no birds nor squirrels that would usually bring life to the skies and trees. The only thing audible was the sound of crushed grass as Valarie walked about. Despite all these oddities, it warranted no concern from her. Her only desire was to wander. She crested a hill and paused for a moment. Hills can be another way to take her bearings and look for the next tree. As she scanned the land ahead of her, her eyes caught something moving. Moving fast in an easterly direction. Away from her. She couldn't quite make it out exactly but from the outline, it was a tank of some sort. She knelt down and as she did so the bones in her knees cracked. The distant tank then halted and Valarie saw the turret turn to her direction. As if it heard her even though someone would have to be right next to her to hear such a sound. With worry, Valarie watched as the tank drove toward her. As the machine drew near, she could make it out. It was a Panzer IV Ausf. H. The tank increased its speed as it got closer. Scared, Valarie turned and ran down the hill. When she looked back she saw the Panzer IV cresting the hill and stopped.

The long-barreled 75mm cannon aimed directly at her. Even though they were some distance that separated the two, Valarie looked dead on the gun and down the barrel. She could feel that her eyes matched the ones of the gunner who was peering down their sights. It spawned emotions that confused her. She felt a friendliness...grace...and an iron-willed determination. Then one of the hatches opened and out came a figure. Valarie squinted as she tried to get a clear picture but paradoxically anything she did to get a good visual just made things more blurry. It must be the commander, at least the outline of one. Though it was only just an outline...she felt this familiarity. But her mind was so clouded that she couldn't think properly. The more she tried to think the more confused she became. To a point where it actually hurt. Then, from her peripheral vision, the figure popped down and re-entered the Panzer. The moment the hatch closed it lurched forward and barreled down the hill. It was heading straight toward her.

"…hey."

The Panzer's engine roared as it moved in.

"…Hey!"

Her vision then was composed entirely by the tank.

"Hey!"

Valarie was shaken awake by Emma, holding a plate of food.

"You feel asleep in the twenty seconds I was gone to get your dinner?"

"..huh?"

She was all groggy and disorientated. Valarie rubbed her eyes.

"Guess so…sorry."

"Don't be. I was just surprised and all. Anyway, are you done with your strategy for this week's match?"

Valarie looked down at her playbook and looked at what she wrote. She grabbed a pen and wrote a '7' and put it away.

"Am now."

"Great!"

Emma handed her the plate. They ate together in their room. As they did, Valarie thought about what she just dreamed about. Dreams were a rarity for her. The last one she had was four years ago and it was as bizarre as the one she just had. What exactly triggers her to have dreams was something Valarie wondered about. She tried a myriad of methods in order for her to guarantee a dream yet nothing worked. It was seemingly at random. Yet, what bewildered her the most, was that even when she does have the rare dream, it was never related to tanks despite her intense passion. Until now. Why? Was her being the captain of a tankery team made her life so inundated with tanks that it finally seeped into her subconscious? A theory. Her train of thought changed tracks and now she wondered if her dream had any deeper meanings. She pondered if that Panzer IV represented something. Of course, if it was any tank she'd been thinking the same thing. The girls finished their meals and after the plates were put away, Valarie reviewed her strategy. There was a tap on her shoulder.

"May I read it?" Emma asked

"Sure."

Emma was given the playbook and read through what she has written. Valarie looked forward to the feedback. The more Emma read the more confused her face became. She flipped through a few more pages then closed the playbook and handed it back.

"It's different…I think it works but it has this strange aura to it."

"Hmm. I don't see that."

Valarie placed the playbook aside.

"Regardless, I'll showcase this tomorrow at the commander's meeting. After their input, the strategy will be finalized."

"I know."

Emma laid in her bed and looked straight up to the ceiling.

"Tell me. Is the plan bad?" Valarie questioned.

"It's not that it's bad…it just feels different."

"I still don't understand."

"You know what? I don't either. Maybe one day I will and tell you."

The hour grew late. Valarie crawled into Emma's bed and together they drifted asleep.

Wednesday

Valarie was alone in Room 34. The rest of the team was at the garage. In a few minutes, the commanders of the Mojave Rose tankery team will arrive for a session. She was doing prep work, setting up a display and reviewing her notes. With that accomplished, she sat down at one of the desks and waited. In the silence of the room, she only had her thoughts. What Emma said about the strategy was something she was thinking about all day. Valarie just couldn't see what Emma sees. It was irrelevant what she thought anyway. She had no intention of abandoning the strategy. If it makes some people iffy about it, so be it. The door opened and walked in was the commanders. The session could now begin.

"To build upon what Ray had started, Valentine will be corralled into this large valley flanked by two large ridges. Nomad and Mirage will harass them and get as many as they can to follow into the valley."

"Oh, just like with Bascom?" Robin commented

"Yes but with a twist."

Valarie pointed to a location on the map.

"Sierra will be at this plateau six miles away. They'll strike Valentine the moment they arrive at this exact location. We'll refer to it as Point 'Denver'.

"Why don't we shoot them the moment they get into the valley?" Sage asked

"We shoot one of them and the rest won't drive in. Our objective is to not knock them out. From our positions at the ridges, we will shoot near them in order to force them to bunch up. Then, when this mass of steel reaches Point 'Denver', Sierra will wipe them out."

Jacqueline let out a small laugh.

"Val…err…captain. The 152mm can do some work but you don't honestly expect that thing to do that damage, even if we assume the best-case scenario of the entire enemy team being at Point 'Denver'?"

Valarie looked at her with a smile.

"By doing simple research on the terrain…you can massively increase the effectiveness of our vehicles. At the very least, you'll eliminate multiple targets. Still, we must be ready for all possibilities. So if Valentine is not totally defeated at the valley engagement, we'll just withdraw and together as a unit, hunt down the last of 'em."

The commanders studied the display which was covered with notes. They were satisfied with the plans and had no qualms about it. Why would they? So far, the strategy Valarie has concocted has served the team good enough. It was up to them to execute the plan well.

Once the meeting concluded, Emma and Valarie headed home. While the girls were lounging around in their room, Valarie's parents came for a visit. They were ragged and were running on little sleep. Nonetheless, they still managed to smile. The situation has not changed. Her mother was still working a ludicrous amount of hours at the welding shop while her father walks the town going from job to job. His shoes were incredibly worn. Though, it has also meant things haven't got worse. A small little comfort. Her parents couldn't stay long. They departed after a short while as work for both was approaching.

Valarie felt awful. How was it fair that she gets to sleep in a warm bed while her parents had to endure the cold temperatures of the night in their car? She knows how far her parents were willing to sacrifice in order for her to have a place to sleep but Valarie didn't want them to resort to such circumstances. She sat on the bed, sniffling.

When will things go back to normal?
Emma comforted her best friend by caressing her hair. The only thing any of them could do was wait and hope for a turn of fortune.

Thursday

Busy. That was the most apt word to describe that day's tankery meeting. Tomorrow, the Mojave Rose tankery team will board a charter bus to Phoenix, Arizona. Their tanks have already been loaded onto a freight train, which is now on its way to the match. Without their vehicles, the garage was a lot more spacious. The team was currently packing equipment. Anything that could possibly be useful was shoved into a box for transport. As the teams were getting things ready, Redwood and Buchanan were sat in the garage office, finalizing the details of the trip.

"Bus taken care of. Motel rooms secured. Oh, in the interest of saving some money, you and I will be sharing a room again."
"That's fine."

Buchanan suppressed her joy. There was another opportunity. Hopefully this time mother nature decides not to interrupt.

"How's the weather over there?"

Redwood typed at his keyboard.

"It's going to be pleasantly warm but with heavy winds."

"Heh. Better than a thunderstorm."

Once they finished their business in the office the pair left and helped around the garage where they could.

"Can you just chill out?"

Heather was nervously pacing around the spot where the T-44 once parked.

"Maybe it was too soon to upgrade our tank. Just installed and already on a train?"

Ashley dismissed her worries.

"Nothing is going to happen. You're worrying over nothing."

"But what if the train hugs a corner too close and tears off the spaced armor…her skirt!"

"Hey?" Ashley questioned

"The tank."

"The T-44 is a 'her'?"

"Yes, obviously. Her name is Katanya and she is beautiful in her skirt.

Recalling Heather's disciplinary record, Ashley wisely decided not to poke fun over her personifying the tank.

"Well…I'm sure 'Katanya' will have a safe trip, along with the other vehicles."

Heather anxiously tugged at her uniform.

"Hopefully you're right."

"C'mon. We still got things to pack."

At another area of the garage, the IS-3 crew was finishing with their preparations.

"You guys want to know something cool?" Ray asked his crew.

They looked at him.

"What?" asked Cesar.

"That since our first week being part of the team, we've received no flak over it. Sure, way back when Natalie was against us but now she turned around. She tolerates us, I think."

"She's that Jagdpanzer IV commander huh? I remember her glaring at us during our first practice. Now she doesn't even look at us." Jeremy recalled.

"She waved at us once." Ray said.

"I was always afraid that being apart of a sport so heavily dominated by girls would mean we would all have to deal with a bunch of bullshit but nothing like that has happened. The teams we go against in our matches truly do not care we are in the sport. Hell Ray, you being the co-captain means that we are not only tolerated but welcome." Ryan said.

He smiled.

"Yeah. It just makes you feel good. "

"Though…we just can't expect everyone to like the fact we are participating. Sooner or later, we'll meet someone who despises the fact we are in tankery." Jeremy shared.

They all looked at him.

"Oh yeah? If we do meet someone like that they can't do a damn thing about it. We have a right just as much as everyone to be in this sport, any sport! The worst thing they can do to us is just whine. " Ray exclaimed.

"Even if anyone tries to get us to quit, we'll have the team to back us up. We're not alone."

Mojave Rose packed what they deemed necessary. They were then dismissed early so that they can both pack their personal belongings and ensure that the team gets a full night's rest. Emma and Valarie were in their room filling their bags with their uniforms, spare clothes, and other necessities. She grabbed the playbook and flipped toward the latest page.

"The plan still giving that strange aura?" she asked.

Emma turned toward Valarie and glanced at the book and then at her.

"I feel less iffy about it now."

"Do you think it's a bad plan?"

Emma shook her head.

"It's just…different. A plan that's different doesn't mean it's bad or good."

"So why do you feel weird about it?"

"I just don't know."

Valarie was intrigued.

"Hopefully you figure out what's up real soon. I'm very curious about this."

"I'll be sure to tell you."

They finished packing and put their bags side by side on the floor. Though it wasn't time to sleep just yet. Emma turned on the TV in the room. The screen flicked on and was playing Friends.

"Hey! It's your show." Emma joked.

Valarie blushed and let out a laugh.

"Real comedian, aren't ya?"

The girls watched the show quietly for a few minutes. The jokes feel flat not even garnering a rush of air from the nose. Guess it was for the previous generation. Valarie then asked a question from out of left field.

"Ever think it's odd that neither of us went on dates? Hell, I don't think you ever had a boyfriend….yeah…thinking about now…you never had one."

Emma was flustered.

"Um…well…you never had one either."

"Yeah. You're right. I had crushes over the years, but so does everyone."

"You still have these…crushes?" Emma asked slightly nervous.

"No. They faded away Either the people I was crushing on got into a relationship or I just grew out of it."

Emma was internally relieved. They watched more TV.

"Do you have any crushes right now?"

Valarie looked at her.

"Maybe." she said with a grin.

"Oh, is it someone we know?"

"I won't make it easy on you."

"Is it multiple people or just one?"

Valarie blushed.

"Just one."

"You're not gonna say anything else about this, huh?"

"Oh alright…one hint."

Valarie got real close to Emma.

"I've had this one crush for a while now." she whispered.

"Tell me more!"

"Nope."

They looked away from each other, blushing. For the remainder of the evening, they watched TV together. Episode after episode of the mediocre show they were watching flew by as the hour grew late. Soon, Emma turned and saw that Valarie had fallen asleep. She ensured that a blanket was nice and snug on her. The TV was then turned off and the room was then shrouded with darkness. Emma made herself comfortable in the bed. Underneath the sheets, their hands found each other and entered into a warm embrace.

Friday

At midday, the Mojave Rose tankery team was out in the front of the school. Before them was the familiar charter bus. They had a trip shy of six hours ahead of them. As the team began to board and stow their luggage, Valarie's mother arrived. She wanted to see her daughter off. When they approached each other, they hugged.

"Where's dad?" Valarie asked.

"He told me he had something important to do."

"Ah. It's fine."

Valarie's mother then remembered something and produced something from her pocket.

"We got another gift for you."

What her parents gifted her was a handcrafted necklace. The chain was of polished sterling silver, resembling tank tracks. The decoration was Valarie's birthstone, a piece of diamond-shaped to look like a drive sprocket. Being so knowledgeable about everything and anything tank related, Valarie was able to quickly identify that the drive sprocket resembled the one on the legendary Tiger tank. The piece of jewelry shined brilliantly in the sunlight. Valarie fell in love with it instantly.

"…wow! I love it! How could you guys get this?"

"One of your dad's odd jobs paid in bits of jewelry instead of cash. He brought it to be where I put it together and polished it."

Valarie gazed at the gift for a few more minutes before putting it on. The cool metal felt nice around her neck.

"Now. You got a match to win. Good luck, honey."

They hugged once more where then Valarie boarded the bus. As it drove away, her mother waved as the vehicle disappeared from view. The area got silent as Katherine got into her car and drove away. Back to the 24/7 parking lot that her family has become accustomed too. She parked the car and reclined the seat. Her next shift was in three hours so she'll take the opportunity to catch some sleep. Katherine got comfortable and dozed off. She managed to snag an hour of rest before being startled awake by a knock on the driver's side door. It was her husband, visibly happy. She opened the door.

"Kat, babe, how did Valarie like our gift?"

"Oh, she adored it."

Preston smiled in satisfaction.

"Knew she'd love it. Anyway, I got some news."

He pulled out some papers from his pockets.

"A trucking company out in Nevada is looking for experienced truckers. I managed to schedule an interview with them.

Katherine was beaming.

"You did?! Babe!"

Then it hit her.

"Somewhere in Nevada? And you still need to go through an interview?"

"Yeah, nothing is set in stone. But it's the best chance we got to get things back to normal. Check this out."

He looked at the paper he brought.

"The benefits are better than my old job…I'll make ten thousand more a year, there's a dental plan and with it being a union job everything will just be better."

The levels of joy between them were high. Katherine reached in the rear of the car into some boxes and pulled out some bags.

"You'll need your best clothes...when is the interview?"

"Tomorrow."

She froze momentarily before then turning and starting the car.

"Get in. You need to get on the next bus to Nevada right now!"

The moment Preston sat in the car, it raced out of the parking lot and toward the bus station. As he didn't get the chance to put on a seat belt, he held on to one of the handholds though he still hit against the inner walls of the car as his wife made sharp turns toward their destination. At record pace, they arrived unharmed. The couple rapidly packed a bag. He wouldn't need much. Preston went up to the booth and purchased a ticket. The money Katherine made from the T-44 job will ensure Preston will spend what he needs for the trip without worrying too much on money. Once he was ready, he held his wife and gave her a kiss.

"When will you be back?"

"Definitely before Valarie returns from her match."

They held each other for a few more moments with their foreheads resting on the other.

"Be safe and good luck."

Husband kissed wife once more. He then walked off. The bus was boarded and it drove off. Her daughter fights for a win while her husband fights for a new job. For Katherine, all that she could do was to be patient. By the end of the weekend, it was up to chance to see if their situation improved.

No.

Not by chance.

Both her daughter and husband were skilled at what they do. All her concerns evaporated.

"They got this by the ass."