Author's Note: The longest chapter yet! Enjoy!
Saturday, April 27th 2013
Clouds were rolling in the area. There would often block the sun, encasing the landscape in darkness. When it did get dark, the temperature would drop and though it was spring, as Montana was so north that it was still cold. More colder than what people from Southern California are used too. Some members of the Mojave Rose team have entirely misjudged just cold this state could be and neglected to pack anything that could warm them up. For those that did, they dressed in layers and had their bandannas over their mouths to keep every bit of heat on them. The team were at the starting area of the match with all of their vehicles. At the IS-3 crew, Ray was with his crew. He was blowing into his hands to warm them up. He wished he packed some gloves.
"God damn it's too cold here." he complained.
"The inside ain't any better. It's like a fridge in there." Ryan added.
They congregated around the rear of their vehicle. Though their engine was currently off, there was still heat being radiated off of it, so they enjoyed it while they can. As they stood around, Valarie came around to speak with Ray.
"Have you seen them? The people who harassed you and your crew?"
"None of use saw any of them. I think they waited for us to leave the motel before leaving themselves."
"Interesting…" Valarie remarked.
"…a move like that tells they want to avoid drama which is funny because they started it."
"Yeah, it's giving me some weird vibes. Between you and me, I have a feeling they're going to do something bad. But who knows exactly."
"If they are, then it's most definitely for you."
He gave her a quick nod and climbed into his machine. Valarie did the same and now all they had to do now was wait. By now, the entire team knew what happened to the IS-3 crew during the convention, especially how Ray got the worst of it. Everyone knew that today's match will be different due to one fact; the two teams did not like each other at all. While Mojave Rose expected a rivalry to occur in the tournament, it was assumed that it would all be in good fun. But, instead, what was happening now was a rivalry with anger and hate serving as its foundation. The jovial mood that would have normally existed in matches was gone, and in its place was a straight-faced seriousness. Things became less joyful when it got personal. An attack on one was an attack against all. A concept that applies to nations that Mojave Rose has wholeheartedly adopted. Tens of miles away from them, Old Dominion was at their starting area. Cassandra was walking from tank to tank giving them a quick inspection with Ellie following shyly in tow. She then stopped before a Churchill.
"Well, good going Ellie. The AVRE is here."
Ellie displayed a small smile.
"I can only hope you command your Panzer III today as good as you can follow simple instructions."
Her smile vanished. From behind them, another person joined them. Evelyn, the team's captain, was too looking at all the vehicles ready for action.
"Now these are interesting choices, Cassandra. The 105mm Shermans, the STuHs, and the AVRE? Vehicles that excel in destroying buildings and the only thing man-made around here is that abandoned town that is a stiff breeze away from toppling over."
"We can't let Mother Nature do all the work, can we? Besides, the odds are extremely good that Mojave Rose will make a move for the town as they start closer to it. Having all this firepower will be handy in an urban environment."
"Alrighty then. The heavy-hitters are under your command. I'll take the rest of the team to do what we planned."
"Of course. Just wait for my signal and we'll snatch a win."
Both teams mounted their machines and listened closely to their radios. As the time to start drew near, a multitude of engines was turned on simultaneously, creating a symphony of machinery. At the T-44, Heather was beyond relieved to hear the engine of her tank roaring with health and to smell the diesel fumes in the air. She got comfortable in her seat and patiently waited for the match to begin. In the turret, Valarie switched on her radio and briefed the team.
"Everyone knows where they need to go. As soon as I give the order, we all drive like hell to the town."
The match today was to start later than usual. The team was used to matches starting at noon, but for today, it was to begin at two o'clock. With how variable match lengths could be, there was the real possibility of the sun setting while guns were still firing. The airwaves were still when then, at the hour, words were uttered.
"Match start!"
Valarie now gave the first order of the day.
"Panzer vor!"
At once, each vehicle lurched forward and drove straight for the abandoned town. They went into their usual V-formation with the T-44 brazenly forming the tip, its flag waving in the wind as they drove on. It was an odd feeling to drive in a place so dominated by grassland with only the infrequent patch of trees breaking the monotony. For Valarie, she had this Déjà vu. She recalled a dream she had earlier in the year where she was in a similar environment. Back then she dismissed the dream as some creation of her subconsciousness, but now being in Montana, she began to think differently. It could all still be a coincidence but Valarie was beginning to suspect that there could be something more to it. She never really considered herself the type of person who attaches meanings to dream, but still, the similarities she was experiencing just couldn't be ignored. But for now, she won't let it dominate her mind, especially now where her focus was needed now more than over. After nearly an hour of uneventful driving, the ACIV and the SU-14 broke off and headed to their assigned position, a grove of trees and shrubs. The artillery piece was carefully nestled within the plants and thoroughly camouflaged, with the ACIV standing guard just nearby. The rest of the team pressed on at speed and soon the abandoned town was in sight. As expected, they have beaten the enemy team there. As Mojave Rose was drilled on the plan, the V-formation was then broken as each vehicle went to their designated position without needing radio instruction. In the town itself at strategic spots were the Stuart, Puma, and T-44. The sentries were the VK, Jumbo, Cromwell, IS-3, and Panther II. They were placed just beyond the outskirts, evenly spread around in a perimeter three miles from the town. The tank destroyers of the team, the SU-100 and Jagdpanzer IV, were placed on either side of town. They had the role of the 'first responder'. If any of the sentries radioed for assistance, then the closest tank destroyer would respond to reinforce them. As planned, the IS-3 was the most forward positioned of the sentries. They were so out there that they truly did look isolated. From where they were, the town couldn't be seen as there were hills behind them. They now just anxiously waited. Inside their vehicle, the boys prepared themselves for anything. The apprehension in the air weighed heavily on them, their hands becoming slightly sweaty. Ray frequently checked his periscopes but only saw the sea of grass flowing in the wind.
"Nothing." he remarked.
He sat back and reclined in his position.
"Man, all this waiting is gonna kill me."
He got on the radio.
"Any of the sentries seeing anything?"
He received a wave of negatives. Letting go of the radio, he sighed.
"Cool…" he muttered.
Ray resumed checking his scopes every few moments. The rest of the sentries maintained a vigilant watch, yet not vigilant enough to spot a pair of M22 Locusts spying on them, with only their periscopes appearing above the hills. They were reporting their findings to their team's leadership.
"As we have predicted, Mojave Rose has secured the town, forming a perimeter. No visual on their flag tank, most likely in the town itself." one of the Locust commanders reported.
"And their artillery?" Cassandra asked.
"Unspotted. Either in the town or someplace else entirely. We'll know for sure when the thing fires, though."
"Acknowledged. Has the IS-3 been spotted in your sweep?"
"Yes. We are looking at them now. They look like to be the farthest from anyone. Very alone."
Cassandra smirked.
"Fools. I guess I was expecting too much for them to even form a proper perimeter. We're on our way. Wait for our arrival and keep us posted on any new developments."
"Copy that."
She then cracked her knuckles.
"Alright. Time to roll out. All our heavy-hitters are to follow me to where the Locusts are. And Ellie!"
Ellie frantically grabbed her radio and responded.
"Y-yes?"
"Drive next to me. You and I are the spearhead."
"Understood."
With that, a portion of Old Dominion's were on the move. A Panzer III Ausf. L and a Sherman Firefly formed the spearhead as the heavier and powerful vehicles followed suit. They had been briefed on what they were about to do. The commanders of them were selected by Cassandra as they were the ones that shared an opinion on; the total rejection of boys in tankery. Yet, though these girls already had a low opinion of Ray and his friends, Cassandra was deadset on making sure that they hated them. Over the radio during their drive, she was filling their heads with supposed 'truths' about the male tankery crew on Mojave Rose.
"Make no mistake about it. The boys that make up that IS-3 crew are horrible people. They are sexist, disgusting, and perverted. They are only in this sport for one thing and one thing alone. Use your imagination to figure out what that is. Them making this far in the tournament is an utter disgrace. We have this moral obligation to not only make them lose this match but to make them quit tankery."
In her tank, Ellie laid her head against the inner walls of the turret as she listened to Cassandra's deceitful diatribe. There was no way that she actually knew the reasons those boys joined tankery, and even if she did know the truth she wouldn't care. She told these lies to get people on her side. A toxic trait of her Ellie had come to learn early on in their deeply flawed friendship. But she remained silent throughout her speech. She feared that speaking out would enrage Cassandra to an extent that she'd send a high-velocity round her way, claiming it to be an 'unfortunate friendly fire situation'. It wouldn't be the first time. She just sighed and just did what she was told, as always. After their drive, they had linked-up with the Locusts.
"Any changes since your last report?" Cassandra questioned
"Nope."
"Did they spot you?"
"They're blind."
Delighted, Cassandra ordered the Locusts to do another sweep around the perimeter as she executes the next phase of her plan. She shouted more orders over the radio and her group complied immediately. Over at the IS-3s position, its crew was growing weary of all the waiting. At first, they were prepared and ready with a touch of fear keeping them alert. But as time went along, they calmed and let their minds wander. They just thought about the cold and how badly they wanted blankets to get snug in and something warm in their stomachs. Ray imagined drinking a piping hot cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows swimming in the sweet liquid. This period of tranquility, though, didn't last long. The distant sounds of engines were now heard by all of them, jolting them from their daydreaming.
"I'll be damned if that's not them." Ray remarked.
As he checked his scopes, Ryan had his face pressed against the sights with a finger on the trigger. Cesar was at the ready to load another shell at once, and Jeremy had his hand on the gear shift to maneuver the moment ordered. The sounds of the engines grew louder, and Ray feverishly looked out his periscope, looking at all directions but seeing nothing.
"Where are you?" he said softly.
His question was promptly answered as the ground outside his tank was then showered with explosions, rattling them. The ground around them was obliterated, pieces of the earth were flung high in the air and rained down on the. Some rounds hit the tank itself, but thanks to its heavy armor failed to penetrate, merely exploding on the steel. This fact told Ray that the enemy tanks were using high-explosive rounds. He would have thought about this fact more but the assault was incessant. The number of explosions in the area heated the hair, a pleasant silver lining.
"Well, least we ain't cold anymore!" Cesar commented
"No kidding! Alright, that's enough of that. Time to call in back-up."
Ray reached for the radio but before he could activate it there was then an ear-piercing screech as something ricocheted violently off the side of the turret, making them all wince.
"Christ! What was that?!" Ryan exclaimed
After rubbing his ears, Ray again got on his periscopes and this time around spotted something. Two IS-2s about a mile out, one of them billowing smoke from their barrel.
"Two IS-2s! God, that's a…that's a very big deal! Rotate the tank ten degrees to the right, make our pike face them!"
The tank maneuvered in the nick of time as the other IS-2 opened fire, bouncing a shot on the hull. The heavy-caliber of the IS-2's cannon, also a 122mm, made the IS-3 shake violently when it bounced a shell from them. At this range and with the armor facing them, the enemy IS-2s won't penetrate them but weathering their shots will be a hellish experience they will have to endure. As another shot was bounced, Ryan gave Ray a tap.
"How about some reinforcements, yeah?"
"Oh! You right!"
Ray grabbed the radio and activated it.
"Oasis, we're under heavy fire. Two IS-2s and other unknown vehicles. Need some back-up here."
Ray waited and got no reply. All he heard was the shelling occurring just outside. Puzzled, he spoke into the radio again.
"Hello? Oasis? Anyone? We're getting bombarded here!"
Still nothing. His machine continued to receive volley after volley of enemy fire. He took a closer look at the radio, twisting some dials. Ray the noticed that in his headsets that nothing was being heard, not even static. He then took them off. The radio was dead, knocked out by the initial hit from one of the IS-2s.
"We've got no radio. We're on our own." Ray announced.
"Surely, they'll notice when we don't check-in?" Cesar said.
"Yeah, but who knows when that happens. Besides, for all we know, the rest of the team is engaging the enemy."
Back on his sights, he looked at the IS-2s, one of them firing and ricocheting another shot.
"Rotate the turret fifteen degrees to the east. Target the IS-2 on the left."
The IS-3 took aim at the IS-2, its commander beginning to feel uneasy.
"Why haven't we taken them out yet? We have the same gun!" she yelled.
"Their armor is too thick!" her gunner reported.
They were then staring down the barrel of the IS-3.
"God….another shell! Quickly!"
Before their loader could even move a muscle, a muzzle flash from the IS-3 delivered an armor-piercing round right to the front of its hull, the impact jolting them pack a bit. From the smoke, a white flag appeared on the top of its turret.
"Load another shell, target the last IS-2." Ray instructed.
The two-chamber ammunition of the 122mm was brought together and the completed shell was inserted into the breech, but before it could be fired, the shelling on them intensified. So much so that they couldn't return fire as all their visuals were shrouded by thick gray smoke. The only option at their disposal was to weather the storm and hope that by the end of it they'll make it out intact.
In the town, the situation was calm. All the reports Valarie was getting were nominal. As far as she knows, the enemy has not yet been spotted. Yet the distant thuds of guns intrigued her. She went back and forth in her mind trying to determine what it all meant. If it was combat, surely one of her sentries would inform the team if such things were happening. Paying close attention, she did come to the conclusion that the sounds of faraway cannon fire were roughly in the direction Ray's tank was positioned at. But since Ray hasn't said anything about it, she didn't react at first. But when the sounds of those guns grew in ferocity, she decided to contact Ray.
"Juniper, anything to report?"
Silence.
"Juniper, come in."
Just static was the reply.
"I don't like this at all." she said gravely.
In one of the edges of town, Natalie in her Jagdpanzer IV looked worryingly in the direction where the distant guns were firing. She had been nervously waiting for Ray to give the call for support but it didn't come. No one has heard from in for half an hour. She grew frustrated and concerned. Then her radio came alive.
"Mesquite, go to Juniper. Investigate what's going out there."
"Roger that!"
The Jagdpanzer IV drove on to the IS-3's position. As they got closer, the louder the assault was. This caused Natalie's concern to grow to new heights. Why wasn't Ray talking to anyone? She asked that question again and again in her mind, her breathing becoming quickened. Soon, they crested a hill and saw the carnage laid before them. Around the IS-3 was a field of craters, pieces of soil flung in all possible directions. The tank itself was being mercilessly pelted by round after round. Every few seconds, explosions would hit both on the ground near the tank and on the machine. Then there were the bounces from the IS-2s, whose immense energy caused Natalie and her crew to watch in awe over how much abuse the IS-3 was enduring. They were still in the fight as Natalie couldn't see a white flag in their turret but it was clear to them that they needed help. Getting on her scopes, she sighted several tanks unleashing volley upon volley on the besieged heavy tank.
"Take aim west two-thirty. M4 Sherman."
Her gunner, Barbara, made out the range. She hesitated a bit as she felt something was amiss but was confident that the range was set.
"Target acquired." she informed.
"Fire."
The tank destroyer let loose a round and it missed wildly, soaring over the intending target.
"What?!" she yelled out.
"How the hell did that happen? Another shell!" Natalie ordered.
Another shell went into the breech and Barbara ranged her target again, double-checking her work. She then fired and this time the round was planted just meters in front of them, splashing them with portions of the ground. Bewildering them all.
"What the fuck!" Barbra yelled out angrily.
Natalie rubbed her shoulders to get her to calm down.
"Take it easy, take it easy. Check your sight, something is wrong with it."
After taking a deep breath, Barbara inspected her sight, coming to a startling discovery.
"It's all decalibrated to hell. How in the world did that happen?" she said.
Working quickly she got her sight recalibrated, rectifying the issue.
"Alright! Now we can go right to business. Another shell, please."
A third shell was loaded into the gun. By now some of the enemy tanks took notice of their misfires and began taking potshots at them. Ignoring them, Barbara made out the range and was completely confident in her work.
"Target acquired."
"Fire."
A round was shot and their aim was true. The turret of the 105mm Sherman was hit, knocking them out. Being able to more quickly load shells than the IS-3 the Jagdpanzer IV eliminated three more vehicles, two more 105mm Shermans and a STuH 42. These actions caused the enemy to cease fire and pull back. Now, a blanket of silence covered the area. Not wasting a moment, the Jagdpanzer drove right up next to the IS-3. Natalie then popped out her hatch and banged on the hull of the tank to get their attention. Out came Ray, sweating profusely, his uniform stained and undone. He looked exhausted yet undeterred. He greeted her with a smile.
"Are you okay? We tried to raise you on the radio but couldn't reach you." Natalie asked with worry in her voice.
"Oh, we're having a blast. Me and the guys just love all the attention we're getting from the girls around here."
She rolled her eyes but couldn't stop a small smile from appearing on her face.
"And your radio?"
"Got busted when this little fight started."
Natalie thought about what to do to solve this problem. When the solution hit her, she snapped her fingers.
"Your phone. We can just call each other to communicate. My number is—"
"I already know your number because we're all in the team's group chat."
"Oh. Well. Okay. Ha…that's that problem solved."
For some odd reason, Natalie felt disappointed that it wasn't herself that gave Ray her number but didn't dwell on it too long. There were more pressing concerns.
"So, what now?" she asked.
"Let's just sit tight. My crew needs a breather from the hell we just went through."
Over a mile from where they were, Cassandra with her remaining group took stock of the situation. She was most displeased over losing four vehicles in a relatively short amount of time and was angrier that the IS-3 was still in play. In her Firefly, she contemplated in silence as her crew waited for further orders. After a minute of thinking, she slowly opened her eyes and clenched her hand into a fist.
"I know what we need to do know."
She got out of her tank and scanned her immediate area. One feature caught her eye. There was a small depression in the ground just nearby. The perfect place for the dreadful plan she had created. She got back into her tank and issued the next order.
"I want each of the tanks here to take two high-explosive shells and put them in that depression in the ground."
None of her commanders immediately responded.
"Are you all deaf?" she insulted.
"Why do you want to put some of our ammo there?" asked the remaining IS-2 commander.
"Why are you asking questions? Just do it!" she screamed over the radio.
Scared into submission, the commanders complied and each got out two high-explosive shells from their vehicles. They were packed into the depression. These commanders that Cassandra has selected now became concerned over what was happening. She took note of the look on their faces.
"What's with the looks? I choose you people because of your unwavering resolve to save tankery. Don't anyone of you dare have second-thoughts!"
They all looked uncomfortable but did not object. Cassandra then brought a shell of her own and laid it on top of the pile. She knelt down and began fiddling with its fuse. From her Panzer III, Ellie became alarmed and left her tank to see what's going on, There, she saw the other commanders looking uneasy as they all watched Cassandra working on the pile. Ellie approached her meekly.
"Hey, uh, Cassandra. Watcha doin' here?" she asked shakily.
"Making an IED."
Ellie rubbed her eat vigorously
"Oh, my hearing must be bad. I thought you said IED."
"I did." Cassandra confirmed as she stood up.
"A…IED?" Ellie said aghast.
"I've modified the fuse of a shell to be very sensitive. The new plan will be to now bait the IS-3 to drive over the depression with the packed explosions. The sensation of being driven over will detonate the shell with the sensitive fuse, setting off a chain reaction right under their asses."
"B-but, all those shells exploding together in tight space would—"
"Ellie, go back to your tank and resume being overwatch."
The stern look Cassandra was giving her was enough to force her back to her Panzer III. Back in her tank, she buried her face in her hands. What Cassandra has told the group what she intended to do horrified them all. Even the commanders that joined her in their harassment of Ray and his friends at the convention were uncomfortable as well. None of them understood what Cassandra meant by 'escalation' when she said it all those weeks ago, but what was happening was something they didn't expect at all, it was too extreme. But not a soul among them had the courage to object. Everyone returned to their vehicles and awaited further instructions. One of the STuH commanders had something to say to Cassandra about a related matter.
"Cassandra, we're baiting the IS-3, that I understand, but what about the other tank that came to back them up?"
"What about them?" she said dismissively
"They did take out three of our tanks, though it took them like a minute get into shape. They missed real bad twice.
"Oh?"
"Yeah, one shot went way over and the next was planted into the ground."
Cassandra slowly stroked her chin. She knew the vehicle being talked about.
"The Jagdpanzer. It looks like the bitch from the convention has come to save her boyfriend, how cute. Now she gets to watch the IS-3 gets blown to kingdom come."
The group moved forward to their original positions. They did so carefully and just stopped before fully getting into the line of sight. They all loaded their guns so that they can let loose a powerful volley. Just before Cassandra ordered them to attack, one of the Locust commanders sent her a radio message.
"Cassandra, we were doing our sweep around their perimeter and spotted their Panther II. We saw some of their crew out of their hatches and upon taking a closer look, we saw a guy being apart of their crew. He was talking with the commander, I think."
There was a disgusted face on her when she heard that news.
"Just when I thought Mojave Rose couldn't be any worse, they have the audacity to allow a coed tank crew! No doubt that guy already groped the girls in that Panther II. We'll take them out right after we destroy that IS-3. Press on and bait the bastards to the trap!"
Over at Ray's position, the respite from the intense combat was very welcome and enjoyed but they didn't allow themselves to let their guard down. Another attack was forthcoming, they felt it in the air so they prepared. The Jagdpanzer was situated on a hill behind them. Over the phone, Ray and Natalie talked.
"I've told the rest of the team about our situation. Valarie wants the perimeter to shrink so that everyone is closer together." Natalie informed.
"Good idea. Let's pull back and—"
His speech was interrupted by a series of explosions hitting him and the ground that surrounded the tank. Manning the periscopes yet again, he saw that Old Dominion have resumed their attack. All the action thus far in the day has worn thin Ray's restraint. He and his crew were increasingly becoming sick and tired of being singled out and being the sole target of concentrated fire. So tired of every few seconds the ground heaving as shell after shell of high-explosive exploded just outside the steel walls of their machine. Then there was that IS-2. They couldn't penetrate them but that fact didn't stop them from shooting. Each bounce from its 122mm cannon rocked the IS-3, the sound of its impact echoing inside the fighting compartment. They won't take it anymore.
"I've had it with all this bullshit! We are going to silence their damn guns! Ray declared.
The IS-3 marched on toward the direction of enemy fire, defiant. Natalie looked on astounded.
"No Ray…I mean Juniper! Come back! We gotta do what Valarie says and fall back!"
"Either their guns go quiet or we do. You're more than welcome to stay where you are."
Natalie rubbed her face, frustrated. The tone of his voice told her that he was deadset on driving on and won't be persuaded. A path that she could not follow because her tank destroyer wasn't nearly as armored as the IS-3. Though her not following was not the same as not supporting. She reached for her radio.
"Sierra, requesting a fire mission. Coordinates as follows…"
The IS-3 was a fish and Old Dominion were eager anglers. They fired barrage after barrage as they reversed with the IS-3 following. Cassandra watched as her prey approached her trap, smiling devilishly. They were just one hundred meters from the IED and were so deep in a tunnel-vision that they failed to notice the collection of brass directly ahead of them. Ellie in her tank watched, full of dread, as the heavy tank drove on. She hoped and prayed that they would see the trap and come screeching to a halt but the little optimism she had evaporated as they just kept going. The IS-3 has slowed to a snail's pace as the turret moved to pick out a target. Now, Old Dominion has ceased firing so that a stray round wouldn't hit the trap.
"Almost there, asshole. Keep going." Cassandra muttered.
Ellie was now trembling. They were not stopping. Not unless they could be made aware of the danger just ahead of them. Her crew was as fearful as she was.
"I feel sick." her gunner reported.
"I'm closing my eyes. I don't want to see the explosion." added her loader.
"I wish we could just jump out of our hatches and yell at them to stop, but Cassandra would see that and be furious on a whole 'nother level." said her radio operator.
Ellie, whose face was pressed against her scopes, reclined to look the radio operator.
"Telling them…that's it! We will warn them over the radio!"
"I don't know their frequency and even if I did they will surely be on some preset. It'd just be like trying to break the Enigma machine!"
Ellie thought frantically as she thought of an alternative for communication. As she nearly entered into a panic, she then felt the sunlight disappear as clouds overhead rolled in to darken the area. This little event gave her the answer.
"The headlights!" she exclaimed.
"What about them?" her driver asked.
"Flash them a warning in morse code!"
"What if they don't know it?"
"Oh! We gotta try! It's the only thing we can do!"
Complying, her driver began to flash a morse code message with their headlights at the IS-3. It got the attention of the heavy tank and stopped.
"Oh thank God." Ellie uttered.
At the IS-3, Ray viewed the actions of the Panzer III as annoying. The flashing lights irritated his eyes when he looked at them through his periscope.
"That Panzer III is trying to psyche us out. Take aim and fuck them up. Once done, we resume driving."
The turret of the IS-3 turned and the Panzer III was then terrified to see the barrel of their 122mm aimed right at them.
"God! They don't know what we're doing!" the driver exclaimed.
"We're gonna get blasted!"
Ellie couldn't make a sound. She just braced for an impact. In the IS-3, Ryan had their tank right in his sights. The range was found and the finger was on the trigger.
"Target…wait a second."
He watched the Panzer III's flashes. Once thinking they were just random, as he paid more attention to them he saw that there was a pattern to them.
"Ray, I think…I think that Panzer III is sending us a message with its headlights."
"Yeah? I'm taking a look."
On the scopes, he took another look at their flashing headlights.
"Hmm. That's morse code if I ever saw it. Now, let's see what they're saying…"
He squinted to focus.
"Alright…I…E…what's that last letter? I…E…D. Huh? IED? Oh, there's more. IED, yeah I got that, A…H…E…A…D. Then it repeats. IED ahead. Hmm. IED sounds familiar. Any of you guys got a guess what that word means?"
Cesar grabbed him on the uniform and shook him.
"It means there's a fucking mine ahead, Ray!" he yelled.
"Mine?!" Ray shouted.
"Full reverse! Full reverse, now!"
Their tank backed-up at full speed. Ray examined the ground in front of them and saw a pile of shells in the depression.
"Man, I literally did not see that! Ryan, use the coaxial to blow those shells up!"
Once the IS-3 reversed enough to get the gun down low enough, Ryan shot at the trap. A few rounds from the machine gun was enough to cook off the rounds, setting off a brilliant explosion that made their vision vibrate. What remained was a crater as portions of the ground rained back down on the earth. Ellie and her crew let out huge sighs of relief. She then paid attention to the radio to hear Cassandra's reaction but all she heard was a chilling silence. None of the commanders dared to speak.
"What do you think she is feeling right now?" the Panzer III gunner asked Ellie.
"Unimaginable fury." was her reply.
Not even a moment later was where they then heard a piercing whistle coming from the sky followed by a large explosion that rattled them all. Looking outside, Ellie saw that the last remaining IS-2 was knocked out, white flag waving. The radio then sounded.
"That must be Mojave Rose's artillery. The trajectory tells me that it's not in the town but somewhere else." Cassandra said with a neutral tone.
"What's, uh, next then?" asked a Sherman commander.
"I will signal for Evelyn to join us. We will combine our forces and attack en masse on their perimeter. All the while, their artillery will be hunted. I got just the tank in mind to take them out."
Ellie turned her attention back to the IS-3. They had aimed back at her causing her to tense up but they didn't fire. She saw that the barrel of their gun was going up and down in elevation in an intentional fashion.
"You're welcome." Ellie said quietly with a gentle smile.
The IS-3 reversed though as no one was shooting at them, they quickly turned and drove quickly away. What they had just experienced was bizarre but very welcome.
"Well, looks like it's not the whole team that hates us. At least one crew shows sympathy, thank God." Ray remarked.
He got out his phone and called Natalie.
"Did you win?" she immediately asked.
"Uh, well, let's call it a draw. We're pulling back."
"At least you're still in the fight. We'll drive with you back to the town."
The two vehicles drove back to the town. There, they saw the new perimeter in place. The sentries were now only a half-mile from the town, everyone was in a much better position to assist each other should the need arise. It was now five o'clock and dusk was beginning to settle in. The wind went away, ushering in a silence in the area. The IS-3 drove into town to not only to finally have a chance to take a break from the intense action but also because Ray wanted to speak with Valarie personally. The Jagdpanzer IV took his place as a sentry on the perimeter. Joining up with Valarie, she could see the battering his tank has received. It was almost entirely covered with the leftover black residue from all the explosions it has endured mixed in with stains of dirt and grass from the earth that was ravaged from the assault. Then there was the odd dent here and there. Getting out of his vehicle, Ray's appearance matched. Totally disheveled, faint soot on his face. Outside his tank and feet on the ground, he took a lungful of the clean air.
"I've had quite the day so far." he said.
"God, that's putting it lightly. You look like you came out from an actual battlefield. Your crew alright?" Valarie questioned.
"We're all good but we would love to just have a little break."
"Yeah, yeah, you got it. You can remain in the town for now. Tell me, how bad was it?"
"Well, imagine not being able to think because every single damn gun in the world decided to shoot at you non-stop. We did manage to take out one of their IS-2s, Natalie came and knocked out three more, and I'm assuming Sierra delivered a gift from above on their other IS-2."
Valarie chuckled.
"They sure did."
"But the wildest thing is..." Ray said, getting closer to her.
"...about their Panzer III. Its crew sent us a warning."
Valarie looked at him befuddled.
"Members of the enemy team sent you a warning? People from a team that has made it clear that they don't like us?"
"Well, evidently, that crew at least pities us. They flashed a message in morse code with their headlights."
"Oh wow! Good thing we learned morse code!" Valarie remarked with amazement.
"Nice to see it's paying off. So what's the plan now? Still on the defensive?"
"Yes, we are. With the perimeter much tighter, we can respond to things much more quickly."
"Fine by me. We'll just be sitting tight. You'll know where to find us."
Ray returned to his vehicle in the center of town. For an hour, nothing happened. The sun continued to get lower on the horizon. The shadows being cast by the buildings were long. In a position beyond the perimeter, the SU-14 and the ACIV were still in the grove of trees that they got into when the match began. The artillery piece had a round at the ready and the ACIV was on guard, checking their surroundings for any enemy movement. The match for them was rather uneventful, other than when the SU-14 fired a shot at Natalie's request. Within the self-propelled gun, the crew grew restless. They wanted to shoot more.
"Man, this is nothing like the Arizona match." Jacqueline complained.
"But we only fired twice during that match." Amber, one of the gunners, noted.
"Yeah, but one of those shots got ten tanks! That was a thrill! We only fired once and got just one tank."
"This is on the other team. They need to attack more." Gwendolyn said, the other gunner.
"Yeah! Once they assault the town, then we'll be flinging rounds left and right!" boasted Raven, one of the loaders.
The radio cut into their conversation.
"Sierra, this is Acacia, we got enemy tanks in sight five hundred meters south-east from us. But...they're not shooting."
"Huh? The other team has found us but they're not shooting?" Jacqueline inquired.
"No. Two M22 Locusts, light tanks. They are just looking at us."
"That's just weird. Take them out. We'll reposition after this."
The ACIV moved to attack the enemy scouts but merely rotating its turret made the Locusts scurry away.
"Ha! Too scared huh? Can't blame ya! The 17-pounder is nothing to mess with!" Robin exclaimed.
The Locusts peaked out again and again to keep the attention of the ACIV and SU-14. On the other side from their grove, came rumbling a Churchill. The slow-moving tank eventually was one hundred meters from them. The ACIV and SU-14 were so focused on the Locusts that they completely failed to notice the tank. The Locusts then pulled back for one last time.
"Well, guess they're too scared!" Jacqueline said.
She then just happened to glance in the other direction and went pale.
"Hey. That wasn't there before." she uttered quietly
The Churchill AVRE launched its Petard mortar right at them. The 290mm projectile flew clumsily in the air and twenty-eight pounds of high-explosive discharged producing a violent explosion. The vehicles were jolted and rattled and when the smoke cleared, a white flag appeared on the top of each.
"Hahaha! Twofer! I got a twofer!" the AVRE gunner said, laughing maniacally.
Old Dominion has now made sure that now the skies will no longer be a source of danger for them. With the SU-14 and ACIV now eliminated from play, and with the remaining of Mojave Rose's vehicles essentially in the same place, their next course of action was clear. Just west of the town, both Cassandra's and Evelyn's groups of tanks combined. Fifteen vehicles ready for action.
"With our combined strength focused on one part of their perimeter, they will buckle and be forced to pull back. Once their perimeter is broken, Mojave Rose will most certainly retreat into the town." Evelyn told the team
"And that is where we'll shell them to hell. We'll bring the buildings down on top of them!" Cassandra said.
"Actually, I'm changing the plan a bit."
"What?"
"Shelling the town, destroying it, is a bit too brutish for my taste. That's what they do in war. Tankery is not war, it's a sport. And in a sport, there is this grace."
"So, what are we doing then?"
"We are going to do something another tankery team did in some foreign match I read about. We'll surround the town and offer them the opportunity to surrender. With our tanks in all directions, they'll be more open to that idea."
Cassandra couldn't believe what she hearing but knew that she couldn't overrule the will of the captain. Begrudgingly, she went with the now revised plan. Old Dominion drove on and initiated the attack. The air, filled with intense cannon fire, alarmed the entirety of Mojave Rose. At the town, Valarie received a frantic message.
"The entire enemy team is right in front of us!" Marielle reported.
"Arroyo, just how many tanks can you see?" Valarie asked.
"Uh...uh...fifteen! All coming toward us!"
"Fall back to the town!"
"On our-"
The radio was then filled with the sound with an impact followed by static. The VK has been knocked out, cutting off radio contact with them. Acting quickly, Valarie issued the following order.
"All sentries must head into the town. The perimeter has been breached."
At once, the tanks posted on the outskirts turned around and raced to the town, hastily getting into positions behind buildings. With the perimeter now dismantled, Old Dominion surrounded the town and as quickly as the shooting began, they stopped. Mojave Rose was now under siege. All possible routes out of the town were now under the enemy's control. Valarie in her T-44 now thought about what to do next.
"Ugh...what a place to be in."
"Hey, it's not like we've never been trapped before. Remember our first match? We just need to stage another breakout." Emma said.
"Yeah, a breakout, though this time around we're in an urban environment with the enemy on all sides. Smoke shells won't be as good this time around. We gotta think of something else."
As they thought of a solution, a voice came from the radio.
"Oasis, we see two people of the enemy team walking to the center of town. One of them holding a white flag." Aurora reported.
Valarie looked at the radio receiver.
"Uh...okay? I'll head on over to meet them."
"What does this mean?" Ashley wondered.
"I'll find out." Valarie said.
She hopped out of the tank and walked toward the center of town. It was now fully into the evening with the sun now setting. There, she found two people from the other team, with one indeed holding a white flag. She approached them and crossed her arms.
"Alright. What is all this?" Valarie asked.
"My captain sends the following message." one of the girls said
She cleared her throat and got out a piece of paper.
"You are surrounded. Any attempts to stage a breakout will be met with overwhelming firepower. Save yourself from the costs and labor of repairing your vehicles and surrender. You may write down on this paper to confirm your surrender."
Valarie was insulted by this, becoming angry and pointing at them.
"If my team is going to lose, it'll be in a blaze of glory, not with the stroke of a pen! If you want to win, you'll have to dig us out of here one by one."
The girls from the other team were unsettled but remained composed.
"Regardless, you have one hour to think it over. Good-bye."
They left and Valarie stormed off back to her tank. Her crew noted her anger and asked what happened.
"What did they want?" Emma questioned.
"They asked for us to surrender. Can you believe that?"
"No. Absolutely not. We will break-out of here!" Heather added.
"Oh, we will, and thankfully we got some time to plan it out. They gave us an hour to 'think' about surrendering." Valarie informed.
She got out a map and studied it.
"Hmm. This main road is the best way outta here. It leads to this creek just a few miles out. We'll cross it and organize a defensive line."
"Good plan, good plan, but, uh, how do we break-out?" Ashley asked.
Valarie then felt her pockets vibrating. Reaching into them, she got out her phone and saw that Ray was calling her. She answered.
"Ray? Why are you calling me?"
"My radio is dead, remember?"
"Oh...right. What's up."
"From where I am, I saw some enemy tanks driving just into the edge of town. They positioned themselves just behind some of the more outermost buildings west of me."
"Right by the main road?"
"Yep."
"Well...that complicates things."
The call ended and Valarie got back to the map.
"Alright, so, some of the enemy tanks are in the town...here." she said circling around an area.
Then the radio came on.
"Oasis, we see some tanks moving in. They saw us when they were moving but didn't shoot. They are behind some buildings now." Paige reported.
"And where are they?"
"West of the town."
"Great..."
Valarie circled more on the map.
"Okay, with what Ray and Paige reported, a good chunk of the enemy team has secured the western part of town. The main road is thoroughly guarded."
She sighed.
"So, how hard did things become?" Ashley asked.
"Very. The best direction to break-out from has a bunch of guns protecting it. If only they weren't in cover, then things would be more doable."
"Oh, so you want them to break cover?"
"Yeah, that's what I said."
"Ya know, people who are scared often make rash decisions. Like, maybe, breaking cover."
Valarie grinned as she understood what she meant. She leaned down and grabbed something tucked in a corner. Out came a stereo. She held it in her hands, smiling.
"I'm really glad I brought it now."
"Likewise." Ashley remarked as she was handed the device.
"Okay, so, you will sneak into one of the buildings and play the CD. You have to be very quiet or else they'll figure out what's going on."
"Oh, believe me, I know how to be quiet to avoid detection."
"Great. Once they break cover, we'll begin the break-out. We'll pick you up on the way out."
With that, Ashley hopped out of the tank and stealthily made her way to the enemy's position. She went by building after decrepit building being as quiet as she could. With the sun going down, the inside of them was shrouded in complete darkness. There was an eeriness in the air though she shelved those feelings to focus on the task at hand. Soon, she reached on the buildings closest to Old Dominion. An old house. She carefully entered through where the door used to be in and walked on the rotting wood floor, each step making a creak. She made another step and there was another creak. She stopped. Some of the enemy team were just on the other side of the house. She reduced her breathing and stood still, listening intensely. She heard the faint sound of conversation. She took another step forward and listened again. They were still talking in a relaxed tone. Relieved, she moved forward and cautiously climbed some rickety stairs. On the second floor of the house, she got into a room with a window that faced Old Dominion's position.
"Perfect." she said in a whisper.
She set the stereo down and popped in the CD. As she was setting up, she could hear the conversation outside much clearer. Not resisting an opportunity to eavesdrop, she listened in.
"All this waiting is such a drag. Why not just rush 'em and be done with it?" one asked.
"It's all part of the captain's plan. I don't mind it really. I'll take any chance to just relax."
"This town is creepy and I'm bored."
"Bored? Well, I do have a story to share."
"If it's a ghost story, I'm don't want to hear it.
"No, no, not a ghost story. Something more...relevant and dramatic."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah. But promise me this, you don't go sharing this story of mine. If it gets out, Cassandra would be hugely upset."
"Well, go on then!"
"People have told me that some members of this team did a little something to Mojave Rose's vehicles prior to the match. They broke into the garage where their vehicles were storied and did some 'unscheduled maintenance'.
The other girl let out a surprised laugh. Ashley above was shocked over what she was hearing. Looking at the stereo, she found that there was a record function. She turned it on
"And what kind of 'maintenance' did they do?"
"The unhelpful kind. Their Jagdpanzer IV had its sights played with and the T-44, the tank of their captain, had its regular diesel replaced with gasoline. Oh, if only they didn't find out so soon. They would've ruined their engine. Oh well, we're gonna win anyway. The hour is almost up."
Above in the room, Ashley smirked as she turned off the recording.
"I got your confession, you sons of bitches. Now, time to turn this place into a haunted house."
She turned the volume up to maximum and pressed play. The stereo first played the sound of an old-school telephone ringing loudly. Outside, the girls were startled.
"What the hell? Is that...that a phone ringing?" one asked.
"There...there shouldn't be phones in there. And if they are, they shouldn't be working!" another said.
The ringing continued, unsettling them. More girls near them took notice and watched.
"I'm, uh, not very comfortable right now. Can we move to another place?"
"Um, we, have to, uh, ask the captain first..."
The ringing ceased and now they all heard the chilling chimes of a grandfather clock.
"I don't like one bit."
One girl approached the house and peaked her head through a window. She heard the source of the noises coming from up the stairs, with the top of them shrouded in darkness. Shuddering, she backed out.
"Like hell I'm going up there."
"Nope, I'm not going up either."
"Same here."
The chiming continued when the soon stopped. In its place was the dreadful wails of a newborn baby. They were now beginning to panic.
"God, that place is haunted!"
Some of them were now trembling with fear as they all watched the house. A few of them began to nervously back up. In the room, Ashley held a hand over her mouth to stop laughing. The wails of the baby then went into the next and final part of the CD; the eerie music from the twenties. It played a song with vocals high-pitched and distorted. It was scratchy and stuttered every now and then. The people outside were filled with fear. Looking around the room, Ashley found something amazing lying on the floor. An old, decaying doll.
"Perfect, perfect, perfect!"
She reached down and grabbed it. She peeked outside in a way no one could see her. She then took a few steps back and threw the doll out the window. It landed just before one of the girls. That was all they could take. Screaming, they all rushed back to their vehicles and began to hurriedly drive away from the 'haunted' home. Seeing all this, Cassandra got on the radio.
"What the hell are you guys doing?!"
She didn't get a coherent response. All the people were talking over each other in a frenzied manner. Over at the town center, Valarie was watching intently and saw a number of vehicles breaking cover, bumping into each other as they tried to move fast.
"Now's our chance! Juniper, take point!"
"With pleasure!"
The IS-3 drove on with the rest of the team following close behind. With Old Dominion's hold on the western part of town in shambles, they were in no position to put up a defense as Mojave Rose came rushing down the main road.
"Shoot on the move!" Valarie ordered.
Tanks on the team opened fired on Old Dominion's vehicles, taking out five of them in rapid succession. The confusion from the 'ghosts' and the break-out action of Mojave Rose was so great that none of them managed to return fire. Valarie made a quick stop to pick up Ashley and Mojave Rose drove on the main road out of town and back onto the plains. When the dust cleared, Cassandra was apoplectic.
"Incompetent idiots! Ghosts aren't real you dumbasses! Now Mojave Rose has broken the siege! Give chase! Now!"
The remaining ten tanks of Old Dominion reorganized and began the pursuit. Mojave Rose drove fast, already having about a mile of separation between the two teams. After some time driving, they made it to the creek. They quickly crossed the small body of water and were on the other side. There, Valarie again checked the map.
"Alright, we are cutting it close here. The enemy is too close so we don't have enough time to properly form a defensive line. So instead, we're going to splinter into groups. Nomad, Mirage, and Yucca is one group. Ocotillo, Sonora, and Owl will be another. Juniper and I will be the third group. We will head into three different directions to confuse the enemy. Copy?"
The entire team responded in the affirmative and they went into the groups as instructed. The three groups drove in separate directions and soon lost sight of each other. The third group, the IS-3 and T-44, drove north. In the T-44, Ashley used the relative calm to inform Valarie of what she had overheard.
"Val, when I was in that house, I heard something startling. Like, real bad."
"Like what? They got a platoon of Maus tanks waiting for us?"
"No, something serious. I overheard some girls on their team talking about how others did things to our tanks before we got here."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Some people from Old Dominion sabotaged our tanks. They talked about how they messed with the gun sights of the Jagdpanzer, and uh..."
"And what?"
Ashley looked nervously toward Heather, who she knew was listening closely. She lowered her voice to a whisper.
"...they swapped out the diesel on this tank for gas."
She wasn't quiet enough as the tank then swerved greatly before being corrected.
"I knew it! It wasn't a mistake! It was sabotage! Those rancid bitches! I'll kill them!"
"Heather! Calm down! We'll deal with them in due time. For now, focus on driving" Valarie said.
Heather gripped the steering levers tightly as she took deep breaths. In the turret, the three girls continued to converse.
"I happen to have their confession on your stereo, Valarie." Ashley said.
"Good, we have proof."
"We gotta tell the match officials about this. Sabotage is surely against the rules so they'll stop the match and give us the win for sure!" Emma suggested.
Valarie pondered her suggestion. But shook her head.
"We will not lose by surrendering nor will we win by default. We will hand them a defeat with our guns."
An explosion was heard just outside, with a spray of dirt flying in the air. Looking back, Valarie saw a few enemy tanks hot on their heels. One of them had a flag on top of them. She gasped.
"Their flag tank is leading a pursuit against us? Bold."
"May I offer us turning around to face them, Oasis, while you press on?" Ray said over the radio.
Valarie smiled.
"By all means. Give them hell."
The IS-3 braked hard and turned its front toward the pursuing enemy and drove on. It was four Shermans, two with the 105mm howitzer, another with the longer, high-velocity 76mm, with the fourth having the longest gun of the bunch, a 17-pounder.
"These ladies want to dance. Let's give them one, shall we? Prepare to fire!" Ray ordered.
The IS-3 halted in place and its turret took aim at one the first Shermans it saw. At the press of a trigger, one the 105mm Shermans was hit by a massive round from the 122mm, coming to a stop, smoke, and flame emanating from where it was hit.
"Another!"
Cesar as fast as he could loaded another round into the breech. The remaining Shermans let loose their volley, shaking their machine. With blood rushing, he reloaded in record time.
"Ready!"
"The Sherman on the right!" Ray commanded.
The turret swiveled and the gun fired, ending the last 105mm Sherman. The last two vehicles accelerated to their position. The Sherman with the 76mm then rammed into the IS-3, jolting both crews. The IS-3's gun was stopped from traversing with the gun of the Sherman. The Firefly drove past them and went over a hill, leaving from view.
"Huh? I thought we were the main target here!" Ray exclaimed
He got on the radio.
"Oasis, the enemy flag tank is after you! Watch your six!"
He then returned his attention to the Sherman grinding against his front.
"We're going to make you regret that. Jeremy, full throttle!"
The engine of the IS-3 revved as it pushed against the Sherman. With its immense weight, the medium tank was pushed against and dragged against the ground. The turret of the IS-3 was then turned, and as it was much more powerful, pushed the gun of the Sherman away. They fought back and the two tanks were now in a 'sword' fight. But it was shortlived. The strain of the IS-3's gun pushing against the Sherman's overwhelmed their turret's hydraulics, causing them to break. The Sherman, now without turret traverse, could not move the gun. The IS-3 pushed their tank all the way to a hill, sinking a portion of the Sherman into the ground. Stuck, they couldn't move and the IS-3 reversed. They aimed their now free gun right at the center of their hull and planted a shot at point-blank range. Thoroughly eliminated from the match, Ray was content over the carnage he has inflicted.
"Now...that...was...satisfying. Now, let's move!"
A few miles from them, the T-44 drove along the plains. They moved with great speed. With Ray's warning in mind, Valarie frequently checked her rear. Soon, a tank came into view, cresting a hill. It was the Firefly. She saw its turret move and then a flash.
"Brake!" she yelled.
The T-44 came to a screeching halt, with the ground right in front of them exploding.
"Drive on!"
They resumed driving and drove around a hill, with the Firefly racing to catch up. The T-44 followed a natural path but then found themselves nearly crashing into a grove of trees. It was too thick to drive through. Valarie looked to the left and right to see what was the faster way to go around the vegetation but before she could make a decision, she heard the sound of clattering tracks behind her. Out of her hatch and turning around, she looked to find the Firefly aiming right down their rear. Yet not firing. The Firefly drove forward, still aiming, and once close enough, out came the commander from her hatch.
"The captain of Mojave Rose, I presume?" Cassandra asked mockingly.
Valarie answered with a nod.
"Ah, yes. The captain of the team ruining this sport."
"The hell are you talking about?"
"You know precisely what I'm talking about! You, as a captain, has a duty to ensure that boys have no place in the sport. You failed your duty. And look what it brought you."
"Look what it brought me? It brought me all the way to the quarter-finals. But that success has nothing to do with gender. All I care about is that the people on my team do their best. And they have. All the boys and girls. I can't ask for better teammates. In actuality, it is you and your team who is ruining tankery. Those so obsessed with its past that they are willing to sabotage other teams who dare stray from tradition."
"Sabotage? I know no such thing." Cassandra responded all innocent.
"Don't act like you don't know."
"I will not sit idly by and accept this slander! You and your heretical tankery ends here."
Cassandra went back into her turret and the 17-pounder of the Firefly aimed right at the T-44's engine. Though then they all heard the intense whir of an engine. It was getting closer and louder. Curious, Cassandra cocked her head to her right and saw fifty-one tons of Soviet steel barreling down the hill right toward her. Reaching the blistering speed of thirty miles per hour, the IS-3 unleashed a massive slam against the side of the Firefly. The huge force of the impact made the Sherman fall onto its side. The IS-3 then reversed and fired a shot right into its weak underside. A shower of sparks, fire, and smoke devastated the Firefly, shaking the crew within like they were in a hurricane. Valarie watched it all go down, amazed. The smoke was still too thick to see the Firefly's turret, but what came over the radio confirmed what she thought.
"Mojave Rose has won the match! They advance to the semi-finals!"
Later
At the spectator's area, the teams have returned and were in their private areas. Mojave Rose was out of their vehicles and celebrating with each other with food and drink. For a few of them, though, they had more serious faces. Ray, Valarie, Natalie, and Heather were discussing what to do with Old Dominion.
"Well, you all now know what's up with the sabotage. So now, that with the harassment against Ray, it's clear that Old Dominion was severe problems with them." Valarie said.
"So, what do we do with them? Just ignore it and put it behind us?" Natalie asked.
"No. From what Ray has told me about his encounter with their Panzer III, there is at least one crew on their team that aren't, well, shitty. So, maybe, not all of them are."
"And we're gonna walk to their area and find out, huh?" Ray said.
Valarie nodded.
"Great." he said with a sigh
The four left their area and walked across the spectator's area, passing the large crowd of people now making their leave. After some minutes of walking in silence, they arrived. Before entering, Valaire spoke with Heather.
"Please, don't punch the first person you see."
"...Okay."
Walking in Old Dominion's tent, everyone inside as chatting. When they saw the four, they stopped. There was an uneasiness in the air. Valarie stepped forward and spoke.
"Who's your captain?"
A girl stood from one of the benches and walked up to her.
"Hello! I'm Evelyn. That was some match huh?" she said cheerfully.
Valarie was confused by her demeanor, a stark contrast to the person she had talked to earlier.
"Um. Yeah. One to remember. But, unfortunately, for the wrong reasons. People on your team have attempted to sabotage our vehicles before the match."
Evelyn was taken aback over what was just said.
"That's a big accusation you have there! You better have some ironclad proof!"
In her hand, Valarie had brought her stereo. She pressed a button and the recording played. Evelyn was flabbergasted.
"I...I...God. You have to believe me, I had no idea! I would never condone such a thing!"
Another girl stood from the bench and ran up to them.
"Evelyn, don't tell me you believe that! That recording is an obvious fabrication!" Cassandra said to her.
"It sounds just like Amanda and Whitney though."
"Does it though? It sounds like two utterly different people to me!"
Ray looked at Cassandra and immediately recognized who she was.
"Oh, and another thing. Some people on your team harassed me and my friends at the convention. She is the ringleader" he said, pointing at Cassandra.
"Liars! All of you!"
"Cassandra? Did you really?" Evelyn asked.
"Of course not! Mojave Rose just wants us to lose harder than we already have!"
"It's true. She did." said a voice.
They all turned, and there was Ellie.
"What the hell are you talking about, Ellie?" Cassandra asked sternly.
"It was you. You did lead the harassment against them. I was there in that little secret meeting. This whole thing is your fault. You made this whole situation worse. You made people hate each other for no good reason. You lied to us just so that we can side with you. I can't. Wanna know something? It was me who made the IS-3 stop and see the IED you made. I flashed them a message. It was the right thing to do."
A silence. Cassandra was astounded over what Ellie was doing. She walked toward her and grabbed her by the collar of her uniform.
"You...traitorous bitch! Fucking trailer park trash! You cost us the match! If they had hit my trap, the IS-3 would've been eliminated and not come and save their flag tank!
Ellie slapped her, drawing gasps from everyone.
"We lost the match the moment you sabotaged their tanks. That's an instant disqualification."
"Ellie-"
She slapped her again.
"I can't stand you anymore. All your manipulation and hate. You strike fear into everyone just so they could be on your side. No more. I'd say I'm no longer your friend, but I understand now, we were never friends in the first place. I was just something you could control."
She turned around and marched away. Everyone stood still not knowing the next move to make.
"Ellie! You dare hit me? Come-"
"Cassandra, go to the bus."
"Evelyn, no-"
"Go. You did unspeakable damage to this team and to the school. Go to the bus. I'll deal with you then.
Glaring at them all, Cassandra left the tent. Evelyn then looked toward Valarie with an apologetic look.
"I'm so sorry. Nothing should have ever happened in the first place. This should've been a friendly match but it has been soured by Cassandra's actions. I'll make sure she is off the team, along with the other co-conspirators. Is there anything we, or me, can do for your forgiveness?"
Valarie put on a warm smile.
"Forgiveness can be a long road..."
She pressed a button on her stereo that wiped the recording.
"...So let's start it together."
Two captains shook hands and departed. Outside, the four of them began walking back to their own tent.
"That got dramatic, but ended nicely." Natalie commented.
"Yeah, I'm really glad it turned out this way." Heather added.
"MmmHmm. Nice and pleasant." Ray said.
"A good way to end the day." Valarie concluded.
A gust of wind caused her to shiver.
"Let's get the team back to the motel. I want to go home, where it's nice and sunny."