The Tigers of Chi-Ha-Tan ReRise Volume 2: The Tigers Fury

by Nazz11

The 63rd National Tournament is here, Miho and her newly nickname Tigress Corps go forward to meet their foes. With new tanks and their unbreakable spirits, they look to do the impossible. Yet new and old foes step to meet these tigers, in a hope to end their dreams before they ever take off, can Miho find the resolve and the stratagem to meet this new challenge, time will tell.

10. The Lioness and Tigress Brawl part 3

Author Thoght:

Ok super short as another long chapter. Again this wasn't suppose to be this long, but my mind just kept adding things in, so I hope I don't come off as trying to drag this out. Yet this fight needs to settle things between these two schools once and for all, whether Chi-Ha-Tan wins or loses, they need to fight with all they have.

Thanks for reading!

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Kubota aboard her Valentine Mk 4, push her tank hard to keep up with her Chi-Ha-Tan teammates all aboard their Type 97 Shinhoto Chi-Ha's. They obviously outpace her heavier tank, so she had decide to take the rear guard to shield Ikeda from the pursuing Saunders Force, even though she was an operator tank that also needed to be protected as well, yet Kubota didn't relent with her team and stay at the rear of the column.

They were traveling down a single road in the heavy woods after being driven from their supply base and their forces by Saunders air support, luckily Miss Aozora and her squadron had seen them off, but the dogfight had exhausted their fuel and were now out of the match. Kubota had thought they might try returning back to the supply base, but was shock when 6 Saunders tanks appear behind them and cut them off from returning back to their lines.

As they were pursue farther north east, the already outnumber Chi-Ha-Tan force, was even put more on the back pedal, as an additional 4 tanks join the Saunders pursuing force, putting their total number to 10 tanks against Kubota's 4 tanks including hers. This was Saunders type of battle plan, to attack with overwhelming numbers on an opponent's tanks.

Nishi had made a net call to her to say she had reinforcements on the way, though that surprise Kubota who was told that Miho had stay behind to take care of Jumbo's, but from Nishi's tone, Kubota could tell she didn't like the odds of the engagement going their commanders way. The thought of her commander being subjected to Saunders attack style of ganging up a single tank, made Kubota fearful as now it was up to them to win this match without Miho.

Kubota worries only increase, as Nishi told her that they were being delay because Saunders had use an explosive abatis tactic, were the use their high explosive rounds to destroy the base of trees so they fell onto the road in in large portions, creating a thick web of felled trees to make a roadblock. With this delaying strategy, meant Nishi and her forces had to either move the trees or ride around which took time.

So for now, Kubota and Ikeda were on their own, with little hope for reinforcements.

Touching her throat microphone, Kubota open a net call to Ikeda, resolve to keep her teams dream alive by any means necessary, "were close to a stone bridge here. Keep pushing hard to get over it."

"Roger, but we can't push too hard or will outpace you," Ikeda said in a worrying tone back over the net.

"Don't worry, I'll make it for sure. I'm going to call in our artillery on the bridge after I cross. Once it's destroy we will get a reprieve from Saunders at least," Kubota said over the net.

"Roger, just make sure you're over the bridge before you call it, I don't want to leave you behind alright?" Ikeda said over the net.

"Don't worry I'm not planning to let you go this alone," Kubota said in an encouraging voice.

Then the Operator commander heard tanks closing in on her rear. She turn to see two M5 Stuarts speeding down the dirt road at her. Luckily her gun was already rotated to the rear to meet them, Kubota was still surprise to see Saunders using different tanks then their usual Shermans they were always know to use, even after learning about them earlier from Hosomi over the net about her lost engagement to them earlier in the fight.

"Don't let them past us, fire!" Kubota yell to her gunner Nui.

"Roger! On the way!" Nui reply.

The QF 6-pounder gun fire on the Valentine tank fire, its tracer shell flying and then bouncing in front of the Saunders Stuarts. With such a close hit while on the move the Saunders Stuarts back off a bit, but return some fire with their 37mm guns at Kubota, their rounds smacking just to the side of her tank or missing high.

"Kubota, I see the bridge will cross first and then cover you!" Ikeda said over the net.

"Roger, I'll be there!" Kubota said, as her tank continue to fire at their rear.

The Saunders Stuarts who were both riding side by side on the road, now dip to either side into the vast woods that flank both sides of the road. Kubota loss sight of them, which made her panic since she knew their smaller tanks would have no trouble with the dense woods and were most likely trying to get ahead of her and go after the flag tank.

"Why did they pick now to-," Kubota was about to ask herself, then an AP shell from down the road to her rear smack right into left track.

"Hold on!" Her driver Toyama yell back, as she try to keep them stable, but soon the tank grinded to a halt sideways on the road.

"No!" Kubota said, looking down from her commanders cupola at her destroy track.

"Kubota where are you?! Were across the bridge!" Ikeda yell over the net.

The Operator commander just gritted her teeth, then responded over the net, "Go! My track got shot out and I'm not going anywhere, I will call in an artillery strike on the bridge to stop them pursuing!"

"I am not leaving you behind!" Ikeda said back over the net.

"Sorry you don't have choice, good luck Ikeda, I believe you like always," Kubota said over the net, and then cut the call so not hear friend's frantic pleas.

Suddenly a mass of AP shells begun to fly at her tank, some just bouncing while others smack the ground around here kicking up dirt everywhere. Yet Kubota, remain calm as she sat down inside her turret and pull her map out to call in an artillery strike on the bridge, her gunner Nui rotated the main gun to fire back at the oncoming Shermans and buy time for her tank commander.

Even with the constant shaking from Saunders Sherman fire, Kubota never loss focus on the map. This was nothing compare to Miho's training where she was much tougher when she toss shells at her in practice for such an occasion. Again Miho's training was coming back to work on the actual battlefield, as they say practice makes perfect.

After another bounce, Kubota finally got her coordinates, she open her net to their artillery, "Chi 1 to Chi 2, adjust fire over."

"Chi 1, this is Chi 2, adjust fire over."

"Grid reference 0423, destroy the bridge over," Kubota said over the net.

"Good copy, firing for effect."

Even with AP shells bouncing around her, Kubota poke her head out to and look to the east where Ikeda had cross the bridge. With her binoculars focus on the large stone bridge built over the deep river. She curse as she saw the two Stuarts emerge from the woods on either side and put max speed into their tanks over the bridge.

It was only just after they cross that the artillery barrage came down. The first screaming shells drop to either side of the bridge sending up huge geyser of water, but soon began to find their mark on the bridge. Each successful hit sent huge swaths of broken stones everywhere, till finally enough damage had been done for it to completely collapse into the river and be carry downstream.

"Good, we did what we could," Kubota said, then turn back to see The Saunders Shermans bearing down on her, yet no fear was in her heart, "Alright, lets show the-."

She wasn't allow to finish as an AP round struck the side of her tank and put her out of action, with the white kill flag popping up.

XxxxxX

Kay who was third tank in line for her column watch as finally her two lead Shermans who were driving slightly side by side, as the road was just wide enough for them, finally hit the Chi-Ha-Tan Valentine tank, thus putting it out of commission after subjecting it to a host shells from them. Yet Kay curse to herself that even under such pressure from her two tanks firing on the operator tank, they had been successfully able to call in an accurate artillery strike on the bridge.

"That Chi-Ha-Tan operator girl is no joke," Kay said to herself with respect for her opponent, then brought her wired communicator to her mouth, while opening a net call to her platoon leader for the Stuart tanks, "Sorry Claire, she took out the bridge you're on your own."

"No worries leader, will hunt that flag tank down before it gets too dark. I will bring home the bacon for sure," Claire said excitedly over the net.

"I know you will go get 'em girl," Kay said, then switch to her net call to Alisa, "Alright Alisa, find me a new route across this river."

"Got it," Alisa reply, then a few moments past before she spoke again, "looks like the closest bridge is 24,000 meters north from here at point 0502. We can take this road and head left at the now destroy bridge, theirs a road that runs along the river all the way there."

"Good," Kay said, then switch to an overall net, "Also has there been any word from Rosie?"

Kay last transmission from her Jumbo Platoon leader, was that they hadn't been able to stop the Chi-Ha-Tan forces escaping, yet the forewarning allow Kay to use her explosive abatis tactic to delay their reinforcements. Rosie also said they were engaging the dreaded Tiger 1 after it subjected them to some shells and would destroy it, much to Kay's relief as the plan was coming together.

Drive a wedge into their forces, isolate their flag tank, and take the Tiger 1 out of the match or limit its effectiveness. Exactly what she bought the Jumbo's for and for the heavier armor tanks they will meet in the later parts of the tournament once they won here.

"Sorry Kay, I made repeated calls to her, but her radio is silent. Probably out of range now or she is busy with the fight with the Tiger 1. Most likely destroy it by now, they will head for the rally point once their done," Alisa said with confidence, knowing that with the Tiger 1 gone now, their victory was all but assured.

"Good, with that Tiger gone our job will be easier, but I'm sure Claire will finish the job for us," Kay said matching her subordinates confidence, then switch her radio to the overall net, "All tanks push to the destroy bridge and then turn left along the road north and will cross the bridge at a different point."

"Roger!" her commanders yell back.

As the Saunders force rode the rest of the road now in single file column while still pulling security as Kay wanted, they had to ride around the disable Chi-Ha-Tan tank that unintentionally was blocking the road. As Kay drove by it, she saluted the defeated Chi-Ha-Tan crew who were standing on top of their tank, yet they didn't return the salute at all. The Saunders commander could see there was nothing but hate in their eyes for her and her team, which sadden her to think that the damage done last year might not be fixable at this point or ever.

While Kay's tank and her two lead tanks drove by without a word to the defeated Chi-Ha-Tan members, the rest of the column now riding past the enemy crew didn't want to past up the opportunity to taunt them. Though Linda Sickle was gone, her teachings were etch deep into a lot girls still, even with Kay trying to change her teams reputations around, some things can't be change overnight.

As now that the Saunders team wasn't in a combat situation anymore, all the tank crew members save the driver and tank commander were standing on top of their tanks to jeer at their foe.

"It's over Chi-Ha-Tan, you didn't make us break a sweat!"

"The Tigress Corps is no more! Knew you wouldn't live up to the hype!"

"You really are bunch of toothless tigers!"

"Guess it took was one bloody nose for you tigers to tuck your tails!"

"Our Jumbos even took out your Tiger 1! You're nothing without it now!"

"Your commander barely even put up a fight I heard!"

"Hey what's stripe and bouncy!?"

"What?"

"A tiger on a pogo stick!"

A collective round of laughs were share by the Saunders girls at the terrible joke.

"Oh man that joke is a bad as their commanders tactics!"

With that last joke insulting Miho, it was the final straw for Kubota, who remember the scuffle their team had with them after the national drawing, but Kubota wasn't there to defend Miho and her team. Yet now she was going to do just that, defend her beloved commander and her team, then jump off the tank.

After getting down from her tank, Kubota search the ground for something heavy to throw, she found a piece of her track that was shot off and was perfect for what she wanted to do. After picking up, she toss it with as much power as she could muster at a passing Sherman tanks side, she made sure to throw it at the tank and not the crew, as one way not to get in trouble for targeting the enemy crew directly and way to agitate their foe.

The tank crew that was subjected to this, grew angry at the Chi-Ha-Tan girl and stop their tank, while their crew climb down to deal with this defiant girl, which made Kubota's crew climb down from their Valentine tank ready to not let their tankery sister fight alone and get some payback for insulting their commander.

Kay just caught wind of the fight, but was too far to the front to do anything about it. Paralyze she watch as the two side were about to come into contact for a fight and the reputation of Saunders even if they won this match, would be further tarnish and would further be outcaste from the Sensha-do world she wanted to be apart of.

Suddenly a load cannon shot made everyone stop. It came from Naomi's Firefly tank, which was the rear of the line. Seeing the fight almost happen Naomi took control of the gun and fired it into the air to stop them. Then she quickly push her way out of the tank and came running over to the two groups.

Naomi stood first with her back to the Chi-Ha-Tan team facing her own teammates with a deep scowl that paralyze them in fear, since Naomi was usually a calm girl, yet if you anger her it was not a pretty site and really didn't want to be in her line of fire when she was angry.

"You bunch of loud mouth, conceited, immodest, brazen, and impertinent girls!" Naomi yell at her teammates.

One of the Saunders crew try to cool their usually calm vice commander, "Vice comma-."

Naomi cut her off, "No I'm talking now! That goes for the rest of you too here! So listen up!"

Her voice boom like her 17 pounder anti tank gun she fire with, and all eyes of the Saunders team, as well as Kubota and her crew were focus in on her.

"You all make me ashamed to be part of this club! You think Linda is still here and that we must still follow her teachings to look down on others, yet now were the ones that people look down on!" Naomi scream at her team.

She continue, "These Shermans don't give you any right! Our rich school doesn't give you any right! You have no right to look down on others when you all are the lowest on the totem pole just by your behavior! You shame our school, you shame Sensha-do, and you shame our commander!"

The words cut right through the Saunders team, who now all collectively look towards Kay's direction, who was watching all this with a neutral expression, but it was easy to tell there was disappointment in her eyes, which cut even deeper.

"So if any of you want to take a shot at them, you will have to go through me. For I will protect a team minor or large who honor the ways of Sensha-do the way it's supposed to be fought. So come on! Who wants to take a shot first? Because I'll put you in the ground before you lay a hand on them!" Naomi said.

No one move, even the Saunders crew who were ready for a fight had lost their will to continue. The Saunders team couldn't even look Naomi in the eyes because she was right. Yet no one was ready to openly apologize for their actions, at least not yet and not in front the Chi-Ha-Tan crew.

"Alright good, you all are smart at least. Get back on your tanks and go, that's an order," Naomi said, then turn back to Kubota and her crew, "sorry my team did that."

Naomi then held out her hand to Kubota, yet even with her standing up for them, Kubota didn't take the offer hand as she spoke, "you know I can't take your hand in friendship, not right now at least. I hate you and your school for what you did. Nothing but defeating you will make up for that, even if were down to just our flag tank in the end, we will fight you with a ferocity you can't contend with, so choke on that."

The defiant words and look made Naomi shiver, she didn't like the idea that her team was this hated, even if they deserve it. Yet there was nothing to be done about it now, so Naomi just nodded in acceptance to the girl and made her way back to her Firefly tank.

As she walk up to her tank, Lilly her loader was standing by the thier tank, then open her arms to Naomi, "that was pretty scary seeing you that mad."

"I don't like getting that angry," Naomi said hotly, still heated from her team's actions, as she hug Lilly to help calm her down.

Lilly just grin while hugging her back, as she stroke Naomi's hair to help put her gunner friend at peace, "I know, you're just a big softie."

Naomi just let out a laugh as she pull back to look at her friend, "only when I need to be."

"Though you could be nicer to me and let me copy your homework," Lilly said, trying to lighten the mood.

"It's not my fault your attention span is equivalent to a fruit fly," Naomi jokily said, glad for her friend bringing her back up.

"Hey!" Lilly shot back, making Naomi and her crew members laugh at her expense.

"Well, let's mount up before we get left behind," Naomi said as she climb up her tank, then turn back to help Lilly up.

"You think we got this thing lock up now? Claire might win it before we even get across the bridge," Lilly said, as stood on top if the Sherman Firefly with Naomi.

Naomi didn't responded as she grip her friends hand she was holding tightly, making Lilly look at her with concern, who in turn grip Naomi's hand back as she spoke, "what's wrong?"

Taking a look back at the Chi-Ha-Tan team and remembering the words of defiance one them spoke to her, Naomi spoke then, "for some reason, I fear all we done is pull on the tigresses tail, and fill her with terrible resolve."

XxxxxX

"Dammit, Ikeda is completely isolated from us and were stuck here moving trees," Tamada said angrily as her and her platoon was at work to move another set of trees Saunders had destroy so to block their path.

Nishi watching all this shook her head as well. Saunders had been a crafty bunch by using a tactic call explosive abatis, a tough road block created by destroying the base of the trees with their explosives rounds, so they will fall over on the road, creating a web of felled trees as a road block.

Hosomi and her last platoon member Maita in their Type 97 Chi-Ha's, were small enough to go around the trees and keep up the pursuit on the Saunders force. However Nishi order them to stay with the team, since they didn't have the fire power or numbers to take on the Saunders alone, and Nishi didn't want them to be added to the casualty list.

Turning her eyes up to the sky Nishi also knew that had run out of time, as the sun was now less than an hour from setting and night was coming on. Their tanks were also low on fuel and some of them were low on ammo. They were at their limit and if they push hard now, all they be doing was making Saunders job easier for them, even if they caught up. Saunders would just shred them to ribbons in such a state.

I have to make a decision now, Miho is gone and I have to lead in her place. Remember the team is impulsive at times, but they will listen you if you're confident in yourself and they need to see my confidence.

It was heart wrenching to leave Miho behind, but she had been thinking about the team. As Nishi and the rest of the team drove away from the firefight between the Tiger and the Jumbo's could still be heard even as they continue to put distance from it, while it gradually die down, to the point it was no longer heard. Miho didn't call them on the net to confirm she won, which made Nishi try to reach her, but never could raise her commander again on the net which confirm she was taken out. Tamada had wanted to run back to help her all the way, but luckily her teammates had cool her down, but she was withdrawn as the team press on.

With her mind set now, Nishi touch her throat microphone to her team members, "Everyone, were done here. Most of you don't have the ammo or fuel to keep going any further. We're heading back to the supply base Miho set up and at first light will head out to rescue Ikeda."

"You can't be serious!" Tamada said back over the net, "you're going to leave her out there on her own?"

Nishi steel herself for the argument, "she is not alone. She has my Daredevil platoon with her, and once night falls they can find a place to hide, but will most likely be out range to contact her. Plus Miho order Nishihara to find her, so she will have more support."

"That isn't enough! We already lost so much and we done little to stop Saunders. All our training, all of our drive, all our dreams are coming apart!" Tamada shouted angrily.

Her voice was match what many of the tank commander and their crews were feeling internally. They had come into this match with such high hopes to avenge their seniors and their club. Yet they had gain little in the match so far, The Saunders Jumbo tanks had toy with Tamada's platoon and taken Miho out of the fight. Their flag tank was separated from them as Saunders pursue while their forces were spent and couldn't rescue them.

"I thought we were better! I thought I was better! This is just like last year when our team lost, that back then…then…...I wouldn't have done….," Tamada continue to argue, then needed to take her frustration out on something. That something came in the form of one of the fallen trees as she punch it with all her might.

The sudden aggression shock the rest of the team, Hosomi though didn't waste time watching and ran over to Tamada who continue to punch to log in frustration, "stop Tamada!"

Hosomi wrap her arms around her friend to stop her punching the log. Hosomi's act made others come to stop Tamada who fought against them, not knowing how to deal with the frustration in her heart for the loss of her teammates and for the loss of Miho.

Watching all this Nishi felt like someone was squeezing her heart, watching all her friends fall into despair, with seeming little hope to rectify the problem at this point. It almost felt like she was watching what happen last year, but now they were the ones starting to show defeatism and Nishi wonder if they lost here, would their club self-destruct for sure. The thought horrify her beyond words.

I can't let it end like this, I can't let them forget why we struggle so hard just to get to this point.

"Are all of you giving up now? Do you not have any faith that our team can prevail?" Nishi said.

"Nishi," Hosomi said silently still holding onto Tamada, while all the other team members listen to her as well.

"Are you all again forgetting Miho's teachings? We are to win together and only together we can win, not divided because we got a bloodied nose in the first round. Did she not give us our fighting style to follow with our hearts, or are we just abandoning it now when things go wrong?" Nishi ask her team members.

"That's not…" Tamada try to argue, but stop as her mind thought over what her fellow vice commander was saying.

"Miho gave herself for our team, she believes even without her fighting alongside us that we can win. We must not tarnish that trust she has in us, we must fight for her as she did us when we were at our lowest," Nishi said, knowing she was breaking through the dark cloud over the team.

"Miho," Hosomi said, her eyes brimming with tears over their lost commander and friend.

"Alright team, there is still a tomorrow for us if we don't give up now or ever. Let's move back to our supply base and be ready for another day to bring back victory for Miho and our club," Nishi order.

Tamada spoke up first, "yes Nishi, I understand. Tozen platoon move back to base."

Nishi watch Tamada and the rest of the team mount up and drive by her tank now. Their batter force was separated and all over the map, yet their hearts were still one, yearning to bring home victory for their club. Feeling resolute not to let her commander down, Nishi order her tank to follow the column back to base, with victory still in her heart ready to achieve at all cost.

XxxxxX

"Arima!" Ikeda scream as she watch helplessly as her escort Type 97 Shinhoto was taken out by the Sanders M5 Stuarts, first taking out its tracks and then both lining up on either side and firing at point blank range to kill it.

"Ikeda keep going!" Honami, member of Daredevil platoon and the last escort tank said.

The former Vice commander gritted her teeth, and then order her driver to keep pushing maximum speed. She hated running, the desire to fight was burning so hot it felt like her whole body was on fire. Yet she was the flag tank now, if she was taken out their dreams would be over and worse if they lost to Saunders because of her, she didn't know if she could stand to face her teammates and friends ever again.

Taking another look back, she saw that the M5 Stuarts were gaining on them. Their speed was no joke and would definitely outpace their Type 97 Shinhoto's. Escaping into the woods to either side of the road would do no good either since the Stuarts could drive through with them and worse there be less room to maneuver. Ikeda also knew they couldn't just keep driving in a straight line or they would be taken out by the Stuarts as they caught up to them.

Then something came to her, then touch her throat microphone, "Honami! When I give the order break hard!"

"Seriously!?" her subordinate ask.

"Trust me, we can't out run them, so we need to take them out!" Ikeda.

"Roger, I'll follow your lead."

Now Ikeda turn back to the Stuarts, who were closing the distance. They fire off a couple of AP shells at them, but miss wide or low. Yet the closer they got the lower the chance of error for them to miss again, but that's exactly what Ikeda wanted them to do.

The Stuarts soon close the gap to 30 meters, their crews minds completely focus on taking out the Chi-Ha-Tan flag tank and winning the match for their team. There was no way they were going to lose, they had bigger goals then just wiping the floor again with this minor team in their minds.

It was then that Ikeda yell orders over the net, "Now, hard brake!"

Suddenly the two Type 97 Shinhoto's both brake to a complete stop, catching the speeding Stuarts by complete surprise who veer to get out of the way of the stop tanks or they ram into them. Yet one Stuart wasn't able to react in time as it slam full speed into Ikeda's rear of her tank.

Ikeda for part, even though she had made up this plan, hadn't thought about how the sudden force of the ram into her tank would throw her, as her grip on the brim of the commanders cupola wasn't tight enough, losing her grip and was thrown forward against the metal brim, follow by a sudden explosion of pain that shot through her ribs.

"Ahh!" Ikeda yelp in pain, while gripping the distress area.

"Ikeda!" Honami shouted.

Even with such immense pain shooting through her, Ikeda didn't waver, "don't worry! Take out the Stuart at my back!"

Honami quickly order her gun to rotate to her 8 o'clock, then fire at the Stuart. The Saunders tank should have fire since it had the rear of the enemy flag tank, but the sudden crash with the Chi-Ha-Tan tank had shook the crew up leaving them disorientated, it was only when they were getting their senses back that they were shook again by Honami's 47mm gun and at such shot range it was an instant kill.

Smiling in pain, Ikeda look at the white kill flag pop up, "good job Honami."

Her escort tank commander didn't care for the praise, "are you alri-."

She was cut off as the Saunders remaining Stuart, that hadn't been idle had quickly turn around and came charging back. It got into within 20 meters of the escort tank and finish it off with its 37mm gun with no problem, leaving Ikeda alone now.

Since her gun was still pointing forward, Ikeda gave orders to her gunner, "Fire!"

"On the way!"

Ikeda's gunner Shima just miss as the Stuart weave to the right just in time. Fear took over Ikeda as the now she was at the mercy of the Stuart tank, who had faster reloading speed then her tank. However Ikeda was resolve to not go down without a fight, no matter the pain she was in.

"Miki! Full speed, don't let us be an easy target," Ikeda gritted out.

"Roger!" Miki her driver said, though there was obvious concern in her voice.

The Type 97 Shinhoto flag tank push forward now, just as the M5 Stuart came up to them. Again Ikeda's tank ram into them, causing another explosion of pain in her ribs from the force of the two tanks colliding, but luckily kept one arm on the brim of the cupola so she didn't get shot forward.

With the sudden ramming, the gunner for the M5 Stuart got her aim thrown off and fire high over the Ikeda's tank. This was another chance to kill the Stuart, as Ikeda order her gunner to fire once more hoping to finally put the Saunders tank down for good. However, again the Stuart made use of its speed backing away and weaving out of the way just in time of the shot.

Then it came forward again, it didn't fire at the frontal armor, but veer to the left trying to get at the side of Ikeda's tank. Ikeda order her gunner to follow it with their turret, however their rotation speed couldn't keep up with the fast moving enemy tank, and the gunner snap a shot off in haste, missing the Stuart tank and flying into the woods.

Now the Saunders Stuart came up to the side of her tank and fire a round into their treads to disable it and then wrap around Ikeda's tank to the back side and angle their gun at the engine block for the finishing kill shot. It would end their match and the Chi-Ha-Tan team for good, Ikeda close her eyes and waited for the end hoping her team could look her in the eye when all was said and done.

Just as the M5 Stuart line its gun up to fire, it was suddenly subjected to two AP shells that smash into the left side of its tank. Ikeda quickly open her eyes, then look back at the scorch and batter Stuart tank, as its white kill flag pop up. Then look left into the woods wondering who her savior was.

With the waning light she was just able to make out the Iron Kraken team coming out of the woods. Nishihara's large Special Type 3 Ka-Chi and her team member Tada's Type 2 Ka-Mi roll out of the woods, they still had their flotation sections on their amphibious tanks that were still dripping water after such a long journey along the river to reach their distress team member.

"Nishihara!" Ikeda said in relief.

The large extended circular commanders cupola hatch open up, and out pop bobbed black hair and dark grey eye commander of the amphibious force Nishihara. The tank commander look overjoy to see her friend now, as she climb down her tank and ran to Ikeda.

After climbing up to Ikeda, Nishihara spoke, "sorry I took so long, I couldn't reach you over the net. Luckily I follow the sounds of the guns to find you thankfully."

"Just like Marshall Grouchy should have done at Waterloo, thank you Nishihara," Ikeda said, still in pain.

"What's wrong? Are you hurt?" Nishihara said, now checking over her friend.

"Don't make a scene or the referees might get alerted," Ikeda said in a harsh whisper.

Nishihara look at her in surprise, "are you being serious!? If you're hurt we need to contact the referees and get you out of the match!"

"We can't do that," Ikeda said sadly.

"Look you don't need to act tough for our team, your safety is most important right now!" Nishihara said, angry that Ikeda was fighting her so hard.

"Nishihara, let me ask you. What happens to a tank who have injure crew members?" Ikeda ask, ready to make her point.

"Their tanks are mark as kill to get them out of the fight," Nishihara said, wondering why she was asking something so obvious.

"And what tank am I?" Ikeda ask softly, hoping her friend saw where she was going with this.

"You the flag tan…" It then dawn on the amphibious commander.

Ikeda gave her a pain smile, "now you're getting it."

The realization of what Ikeda was saying, baffle Nishihara as she spoke, "that's crazy, there has to be some rule to transfer the flag to another tank in case of injury."

"There is, but only if it was an accident…Ah!...yet since it happen during an engagement with an enemy tank, they will look at it as a tank kill, and we will lose this match," Ikeda explain.

"Unbelievable! What are we going to do?" Nishihara ask.

Ikeda gave her a weary smile, "we fight till the end."

"Damn you, if you weren't so injure right now, I slap some sense into you," Nishihara said.

A soft chuckle came from Ikeda at the comment, "can we settle till after the match, and I'm all heal up."

"Yes, okay how you doing on fuel?" Nishihara ask.

"Probably half a gallon, no way we can make it back to the supply base since the bridge was destroy behind me and going around is not possible as the rest of Saunders force will be hunting us, our best bet is to find somewhere to hide," Ikeda said.

"We can't do that," Nishihara said.

"Why?" Ikeda asked.

"The woods here around us are bit more spacious, even my large Type 3 Ka-Chi had no trouble getting through, and I'm pretty sure Saunders won't be reliant on the roads like before. If they find us, were going to be trap against their entire force and our team will lose," Nishihara explain

Ikeda let out a painful sigh, "what we do?"

"Alright, our only option is to get back to the others," Nishihara said confidently.

Ikeda gave her a sidelong look, "how? The nearest bridge will be guarded by Saunders and they will have the numbers."

A large smirk cross Nishihara face, "yet we got the tanks just right for the job."

XxxxxX

The Jumbo Sherman fire.

Yet Miho didn't feel the impact of the shot as she should. Instead she heard the scream of the shell flying over the tank. Baffle, Miho look back again at the commander's periscope to see what was going on.

Through the scope with the last vestige of light in the darkening sky, she could see the Jumbo still line up to the left of her tank, its gun barrel smoking from its recent firing, but it was slightly aiming away from her tank and there was some damage to the underside of the turret barrel its self.

"How could they miss?" Miho ask herself, perplex as to what was going on.

Somewhere behind the Tiger 1, a tank fire again from the shadow of the woods sending a tracer round smacking first into one of the Jumbo's tracks to disable it, then put a few shells into the turret itself but with 152mm of armor on it, the rounds bounce pitifully off it. Yet the mysterious savior wasn't deter as it fire again and again, each round smacking the turret hull.

Miho turn her periscope to the 7 o'clock, and could make out her saviors tank. From the distance, Miho had thought it was a Type 97 Chi-Ha at first because of the turret, but the tank pull forward slowly now and reveal itself as the Type 4 Ke-Nu, commanded by the pint size first year Fukada.

It was then Miho understood what happen. Just as Jumbo had fire at them, Fukada must have fire as well hitting their turret which must have knock the enemy's barrel up sending the shells trajectory away from Miho's tank. That was not an easy shot, because of the high chance of missing, yet with dogged determination, Fukada's gunner made the shot which sent the Jumbo's gun angle upward, which save them.

A deep feeling of relief took over Miho, who touch her throat microphone and open a net call to her, "Fukada it's good to see you."

Yet there was no response from the first year, "Fukada?"

Again no response, "Watabe, can you raise her?"

After a moment of calling to the first year as well, Watabe reply to Miho solemnly, "s...so…sorry…co…commander….I….th…think our radio…go…go…got busted again from the fight."

"We got to help her, her gun isn't going to penetrate that armor!" Nomi said, shaking herself from her tired state ready to get back in the fight.

"We can't let her fight on her own," Nene said, while trying to wearily climb back to down to her seat.

Miho stop her with a hand, making Nene surprise as her commander spoke to her, "Nene you're at your limit. Give me your gloves and I will load. Take the commanders seat and direct Nomi's fire."

"But yo-," Nene try to argue.

"It's alright, I had to learn all positions in a tank back at Kuromorimine, I know how to load," Miho said, as she didn't wait for a response and gently took Nene's loading gloves off, then put her in the commander's seat.

"Commander let me load, we need you in commanders seat," Moteki try to convince.

"No I need you fresh, since we will need to repair the track and still got a long drive back to the supply base," Miho said as she settle herself in to the loader seat.

"Roger commander," Moteki said.

"Come on girls were still in this fight," Miho said to them.

"Were still in this fight!" They yell back.

"Nomi, transverse left, 10 o'clock, the Jumbo hasn't move and is still aiming at us," Nene said, looking through the commanders periscope.

"Roger, wannabe commander," Nomi said jokily, while rotating the main gun with the power transverse.

"You really don't have the commanding voice like our commander," Moteki added in to the fun.

"Would you two get off my back, I'm the commander now, and if I like, I can hand out punishment as I see fit for such a insubordinate crew," Nene shot back, even in such a tired state, there was always enough energy to bicker.

"I…I…I…I…w….wa…want…M…Miho…ba…back," Watabe stutter out.

"Me too," Moteki added in, while shooting Nene a smug look.

"Now, now, girls, respect the commander," Miho said, trying to calm down the playful bickering. Glad that they can be joking when they been in such a tough fight, a sigh of great crew that she had.

"Alright, got them in my sights," Nomi said, after she had transverse the gun to the set clock direction, "Commander if you may."

"Roger," Miho said, then lean down to grab an AP shell from the stowage unit just below the front of her seat, she then lifted it up and loaded it into the 88mm gun.

"Loaded! Sorry I am not as fast as Nene," Miho said.

Nomi just smile as she was leaning into the sights, "don't mind, I plan to make your shots count."

"Hey!" Nene said.

"Where should we aim Miho?" Nomi ask ignoring her sister, who was grumbling to herself in her commanders chair now.

"Their angle to well for us to try to penetrate or another bounce shot, though I'm not keen to try that ever again. Luckily Fukada took out one of its tracks so it can move now, aim for just under its mantlet, were going to try to trap shot the round into the thin armor around the turret ring," Miho said.

"Roger!" Nomi confirm and then got her angle of her reticle right, "on the way!"

The 88mm gun roar a shell at the distracted the Sherman Jumbo. Nomi did her best, but her round wasn't as accurate as she hope. Instead of going under the Jumbo's turret mantlet, it slap against it heavy armor turret mantlet itself and bounce since its 127mm armor on the mantlet itself wasn't going to be defeated.

"Damn!" Nomi said, frustration rather than panic flooding through her, because now she was going to be persistent, knowing her commander would be prouder of her to keep trying and never give up.

The Sanders Jumbo crew became agitated at the constant battering of shells against their tank. Even though that was exactly its design was supposed to be, a shell sponge that could bounce most rounds no problem, yet being on the inside and thrown around wasn't a great feeling for anyone.

Still hungry for the Tiger 1 kill, they focus their 75mm gun again at the dreaded foe. Just as the Saunders gunner was getting her sights right, a AP shell from Fukada's 57mm gun smack against the Jumbo's turret hull one after the other, while the first year order her tank forward, stopping to fire, than rolling forward again, doing all she could to give Miho a fighting chance.

This was the patent annoying fire Miho had built into the team, Fukada knew her gun wasn't going to find any penetration on this behemoth tank. Her goal was to get its eyes on her and away from her commander. Fukada's objective seem to work as the Saunders gunner had had enough of this scrappy little tank taking pop shots at her and rotated to take the first year out.

"The Jumbo is targeting Fukada!" Nene yell from the commander's chair.

"Good, she's distracting it for us, it will take time to rotate, so we need to get this done quickly. Nomi aim for just under their mantlet again for the trap shot, I know you can hit the target," Miho said, while she just finish loading another shell, "loaded!"

"Got it!" Nomi said, taking careful aim this time knowing Fukada was giving her this moment by distracting the Jumbo tank.

Taking a deep breath, and then exhaling, Nomi call her shot, "on the way!"

Again the Tiger 1 roar another shot, this time the angle was good from Nomi. The shell bounce just under the mantlet into the light armor underneath, a perfect trap shot. The Jumbos thin armor under the mantlet wasn't going to standup to the enemy shell, which puncture into the armor and overloaded the sensors as a kill shot, the white kill flag pop up as smoke billow from the defeated tank.

"Target destroy!" Nomi said, her voice returning to a tired state, as finally the battle was over.

Miho felt relief as well, she had thought it was over for her and her crew. Yet fate had given them a chance, or better put the defiant first year Fukada had given them a chance by her timely arrival. Now they had to get the track repair and make it back to the supply base.

"Moteki, you and me will fix the track. Nomi and Nene, you two stay here and rest. Watabe I need you to step out and keep a look out while we repair ok, let's get to work," Miho order.

"Roger," her crew said back.

As she exited through the secondary hatch above the loaders area, Miho caught sight of Fukada and her Type 4 Ke-Nu driving up behind her tank, up close in the waning light she could see how batter the first year's tank was, yet it was still operating. Then watch Fukuda climb out along with the rest of her crew as well. Miho smile at her and then climb down from her tank as well.

"Miho!" Fukada said running up to her commander.

"Fukada!" Miho responded happily and lean down to hug her junior, she then look past to see her crew members standing shyly a little ways back, "Arashi and Maki, come here. You two did a great job too."

The two crew members for Fukada's tank all went wide eye, since they had never personally share words with Miho, yet she knew their name and spoke to them with a caring motherly touch. Tears brim their eyes for the commander they had such affection for, only rising further now. The two ran over too and got in on the group hug, Miho telling them all how proud she was of all of them.

After the hug was over, Miho stood up and spoke, "I thought you were taken out."

"We though so too. Yet the Saunders tank that fire at us only took out the track and the force of the blast caused us to flip on to our side. They must have thought they taken us out too, since they left us alone afterwards, I thought for sure they take another shot at us. We waited till they were gone and had to work hard to flip our tank back over," Fukada reply.

A small mischance had change the fate on the battlefield.

"I'm glad you're ok and thanks for the save you three," Miho said, looking down to all three of them with pride.

Arashi spoke up, her green eyes fill with tears of joy, "were glad your safe commander."

"I'm glad we could this for you commander!" Maki said excitedly, bouncing up and down.

"Alright girls, we got the luxury of nightfall coming on now. Fukada I need you to take your tank and watch our perimeter, be careful of your fuel. Me and Moteki will repair the track and will head back to the supply base, hopefully everyone else is there," Miho order.

"Roger!" The three said back, then headed back to their tank.

Miho watch them, then headed back to her tank and help Moteki repair the track.

Were still in this fight, I just hope Ikeda and the rest of the team are okay.

XxxxxxX

A soft sigh came out, making Hidemichi smile as he turn to look at Shiho. The two had been watching the match so far in silence. Yet the principle caught sight of Shiho's face contorting more than once as the battle wore on. The worse was when Miho had to take on the Jumbo Shermans alone, each time an enemy shell skirted the armor, made Shiho's fists clinch in her lap.

Hidemichi though, never lost faith in Miho. His faith was well place as the Tiger 1 fought back doggedly taking out two of the Jumbo's, then look like the final Jumbo had the killing shot, however they were deny by Fukada coming to the rescue for her commander. Then the two work together to take down the last Jumbo and giving the Chi-Ha-Tan team some hope that the match was still theirs to win.

"Is that worry I hear in your sigh," Hidemichi tease his former pupil.

"It's the sound of relief that my daughter didn't make a hash of it," Shiho shot back.

Heimlich made a tsk sound at the comment, "I can practically hear the proud mother hen in your voice."

"You hear the voice of mother glad that her daughter didn't shame the family name anymore," Shiho said, doing her best to sound neutral.

"If you say so. Would you say that Miho has pass this initial stage of endurance?" Hidemichi ask seriously now.

Shiho didn't respond right away as she review the match so far in her mind, then spoke, "as much as I don't want to give her recognition, she made a good tactical call to hold the Jumbo's in place by herself. Having any of her forces stay with her to support would have been a waste of tanks that needed to go save their flag tank. Yet in the overall strategy, she fail to see her team get baited, but credit must go to her for tactical foresight though."

"How do you mean?" Hidemichi ask, wanting Shiho to keep talking about her daughter.

"Miho knew this engagement was going to last long. Most people forget that all tanks are given only a set amount of ammunition instead of a full load, and that goes quick in a fire fight. Gas too will run out, especially over rough terrain like this map. She already has her supply line ready and as much as Saunders did well to bait Chi-Ha-Tan, they are now the ones being baited into their demise," Shiho explain.

"Mm, seems like your daughter is out-foxing her opponent," Hidemichi said with approval.

"Not in line with the Nishizumi style," Shiho said, with a growl.

"No, but is being different so bad?" Hidemichi ask.

Shiho face still remain neutral, but her voice was hard, "it is when you carry our name onto the battlefield."

Shaking his head, knowing he hadn't gotten the answer he wanted, Hidemichi spoke, "well I feel good about our match still."

"That match still is hanging in the balance. I'm sorry to have to say that I must leave, I have appointments to get to tomorrow and this battle won't start back up till morning I believe," Shiho said.

"Certainly, you are a busy women after all, I very grateful for your company so far," Hidemichi said with a smile.

"As was I, if you excuse me," Shiho said, then got up from her seat.

"One last thing Shiho," Hidemichi said, getting his pupils attention, "this American Nishizumi family, do you think Tsueno had a reason for not giving up your name."

"Probably to spite me, since I never folded to his demands to leave my family name," Shiho said, anger in her voice.

"Possibly, yet there's no reason to keep the last name, as it be only a reminder of the family he left behind," Hidemichi said, while rubbing his chin in thought, even though he wanted to be done with the mystery, something about it still nag at him.

"Whatever he is up to is none of my concern. Even if he had another daughter that wanted to take up Sensha-do, again American doesn't approve of the sport, so she will be stuck watching it from afar. Knowing him as well, he do everything in his power to keep her out of it," Shiho said.

"That might be true, though that might not be the case here as I said earlier, since I guess he didn't just sleep with a random women. Something must have compel him to take such a drastic measure to leave the country entirely," Hidemichi said.

"There are no branch families anymore, and even when we were together he wanted me and my daughters to leave for America, of course I refuse everytime," Shiho said, again remembering the dark deeds she did for her family.

"Yet maybe it wasn't just the want to escape his shame after his infidelity. I remember our talks after your fights with him. He hated your mother for constantly wanting to get rid of him and separate him from his daughters. Even with her passing he never relented did he?" Hidemichi ask.

"No, he wanted us to leave everything behind. Even our names themselves, but I couldn't leave what my family had built for the last fifty years. It was too much to ask of me, yet now that I said this, it does make me wonder why he kept our last name," Shiho said deep in thought.

"Maybe it was the hatred for your mother and the Nishizumi style was making him believe his beloved family would one day abandon him and he didn't know how to handle it, keeping the name as you said might have been to spite you, though he doesn't seem the type," Hidemichi said.

Shiho eyes became hard, "so he gets a free pass for cheating because he couldn't stand our families ties to Sensha-do that date back to its founding, as well as assume we one day abandon him. I love him with all my heart, yet he never just accepted my family ideals as hard I try to bend the rules for him while raising our daughters."

The Chi-Ha-Tan principle sigh knowing her was pushing too hard on this, "I know, I know. Like I said earlier, sometimes we let our angry thoughts at time to compel us to act rashly, Tsueno let those rash thoughts lead him to another women's bed. For that I hate him for it, since you are like a daughter to me, but the child that came with it is what I am concern about.

"Why?" Shiho ask with a puzzle look.

"Because a young mind can be molded to another's will," Hidemichi said sadly, as he was an expert on seeing young minds that were batter, bruise, and left on the streets and how they were affected. Anger, resentment, feelings of vengeance could blind them. It was why he press so hard for his Academy to take these young minds in and show them the light so they won't be left in such states and let them know the world can a beautiful place if they are nurture in the right environment.

"That's a very dark way to put it," Shiho said back, her mind running wild with thoughts now.

"Well hopefully this is just us two being conspiracy nuts and nothing comes of this. Tsueno probably just wants a quiet life, and I am just pulling at straws about whoever the women is, so let's leave it for good now," Hidemichi said.

Shiho nodded, "yes let's leave it, I will take my leave."

"Oh," Hidemichi said, stopping his pupil in her tracks, "they stream the games now, so you can watch from your phone now."

"I will keep that I mind if I have the time," Shiho said, then left the press box without another word.

"I know you will be watching intently, the mother Shiho is coming back. I only hope to live to see her smile once more before I leave this world, and hopefully this whole American Nishizumi is nothing but conjecture at this point," Hidemichi said to himself, then turn back to watch the match unfold.

XxxxxX

"Alright, ahead full, slowly now," Nishihara order to her driver, then stood tall in extended circular commanders cupola hatch, as her Special Type 3 Ka-Chi slowly descended into the river. They had return to the same point where the bridge had been destroy by Kubota's artillery strike, as way to stay on the road so not to use to much fuel, instead of going through the woods.

The front end of her amphibious tank dip into the rushing water, she felt relax now as her tank was now in water. Nishihara always felt better when she was in the water, as a daughter of fishing family should. For generations all of her family had live by the sea and on it, sailing was as natural as breathing for them. Whether it was rough or calm waters her family was never more at home than on the water.

It was because of this love for the sea that she inherited the Type 3 Ka-Chi along with her amphibious platoon, though so far in her short time of being with the team since last year, she hadn't had a chance to prove the effectiveness of the her water force till now.

Miho had given her the special assignment of acting like a gunboat, with the job of destroying bridges to the west as way to naturally cover their left flank of the her team. Then she receive orders to sail north, then east along the rivers in an effort to hook back up with Ikeda who had been isolated from their forces by Saunders.

At first Nishihara hadn't been able to contact her, but luckily once she landed on a suitable shoreline along the river, she travel through the woods till she heard the cannon fire. Then push her and her teammate to help Ikeda just in time, showing the effectiveness of an amphibious force. Nishihara was glad Miho had given her this opportunity, though the fight wasn't over and they had a job to do to keep the flag tank safe, just a Miho order, and had to make sure that their commanders trust was well place.

Looking down at from her commander's cupola, she eye Ikeda and her crew that were sitting on top of her tank. Ikeda's crew were all holding her, acting a human bed for their wounded tank commander. Nishihara was still angry that Ikeda was pushing so hard when she was obviously injured, but nothing could be done now but keep her safe and get her back to the supply base.

They sail across the waters quietly, as they still didn't know where the rest of Saunders force was and most likely cross the bridge at some other point to find Ikeda's flag tank. As they reach the other side of the river, Ikeda's crew gently got their tank commander off the tank, then carry her over to a tree inside the forest so she could rest, then Nishihara order her tank back across the river.

As she reach the other side of the river, she touch her throat microphone to her teammate Tada aboard the Type 2 Ka-Mi, "Alright, are the tow cables secure on Ikeda's tank."

"Roger leader, their secure but will have to be fast or the tank will defiantly sink," her subordinate said back.

"Roger, alright lets hook it up, and get a move on before the enemy gets wind of us," Nishihara said.

The plan to get over the river was a bold move. Using their tow cables, they plan to sail across the river with using the Type 3 Kai-Mi and Type 2 Ka-Mi. With both of them pulling they were sure they get across before the tank sank into the water. However this was risky too, since if they let the tank sink it would flood the engine compartment and would disable the tank and mark it as destroy and lose them the match.

Yet this was the best plan that Nishihara could come up with, since if they push any farther east they would run out of fuel and be at the mercy of Saunders, and Nishihara didn't know if their own forces would be able to relieve them in time, so she needed to get back across the river and head back to the supply base, that also serve as the teams rally point.

The two amphibious tanks soon found themselves at the edge of the water, Nishihara gave the order, "Ahead full, maximum powers to the rudders once were fully submerge in the water."

At the same time, both tanks dip into the river, they jerk back a bit as the Type 97 Shinhoto they were towing gave some resistance as it was pull into the water. Luckily the combine pull of both tanks soon made up for the resistance. Nishihara constantly watch the flag tank as they sail fast over the water, it seem to be holding up so far in the water, but they didn't have the luxury of time as the weight would eventually sink it.

Reaching the bank, they now put their tracks into max drive as they pull up the shore, which slope upwards a bit that stall the tanks that were already pulling a heavy object behind them. Yet their combine engines got them up onto the ground pulling the Type 97 Shinhoto on to the solid ground before it sank, they pull it a little further into the woods to conceal it. Then Ikeda's crew instantly jump into their tank to get it started up, while Nishihara climb down her tank to go to Ikeda still resting against a tree.

"You're a credit to our team, I always knew you were right commander for the amphibious force," Ikeda said weakly.

"Don't talk, save your strength. Once your tank is good, we can make our way back to the supply base. Our fuel should just about make it," Nishihara said, while looking down with concern at her friend.

"Good, cause I need sleep," Ikeda said, her eyes were heavy.

Nishihara smile at her, "hope you don't snore as loud as you do back at the dorms. I'm pretty sure our team wants to sleep too."

Ikeda let out a painful laugh, "stop, laughing hurts."

"Sorry, I can't wait to get you to hospital you stubborn idiot," Nishihara said, feeling dejected she couldn't do anything for her friend.

"Stubbornness is part of the Chi-Ha-Tan charm remember," Ikeda said with a grin.

"It's the only thing Commander Miho can't beat out of us," Nishihara said with a smile.

"She manages. I hope she is alright though," Ikeda said.

"She's a tigress, nothing will stop her, I believe that in my heart or hearts she will lead us to victory," Nishihara said, her loyalty to the commander on full display.

"Me too," Ikeda said, her affection evident in her voice.

"Nishihara! I see lights on the other side of the river, its Saunders!" her platoon member Tada said over the net.

The Iron Kraken leader took brought up her binoculars from her face and eye the other side of the river. Just like her subordinate said, bright lights could be seen and they were getting closer to the edge of the river.

Touching her throat microphone, Nishihara call to Ikeda's radio operator Hirata, "Is the flag tank operational?!"

"Sorry the engine won't start, it might have gotten flooded a bit. Give us a minute to get it started," she responded back.

"Alright, we need to form a defensive wall of the steel for the flag tank, one of you get Ikeda back in the tank," Nishihara order.

She then left Ikeda behind as one of her crew pick her up to put her back in the flag tank gently and Nishihara boarded her own tank. Along with her team member Tada, they turn around in the woods to face the opposing river. The forest on the other side of the river was more spacious and Nishihara knew the Shermans wouldn't be hamper and would be able to fire from within the cover of the woods.

"Alright stay silent on the guns till give the order. Our green camouflage should keep us cover even when their lights shine on us," Nishihara said.

"Roger leader," her subordinate said back.

They waited some more for the Shermans to come out of the woods, their lights getting ever closer. Soon 2 M4 Shermans rode to edge of the woods, yet not going so far to the edge of the river and stay within the tree line. They didn't start firing right away, just staying at their position with their lights shining on the other side of the river.

As Nishihara had hope, they couldn't see them in the dense woods even with their lights shining on them. For a moment she thought she was safe, then two bright red flares flash in the sky over the river on Nihishara's position, revealing them somewhat to the enemy.

"Damn! Will hold them off, Ikeda get your tank operational quickly," Nishihara order, then switch to internal net, "Yamada Load AP, Kido 12 o'clock and 30 meters, fire when ready!"

"Loaded!" Yamada yell back.

"On the way!" Kido call her shot.

The Type 3 Ka-Chi let lose a shell from its 47mm gun at the other side, her gunner using the Saunders lights as their target indicator. The AP shell didn't have the right angle, and bounce upward off the Shermans armor, the Saunders crew fire back, but were off the mark. Even with the flares and lights on the tree line, they could only guess at the outline where their foe was, the shells smashing into trees as they look for the kill shot.

"Is the engine ready?!" Nishihara ask over the net to Ikeda.

"Almost got it, need some mor-," Ikeda try to finish, but was cut off when AP shell struck just near her tank.

"Ikeda!" Nishihara scream to her friend.

"I'm fine, the round just miss, give me a moment to get her up and running," Ikeda said back over the net, obvious pain in her voice.

"Leader! I spotted a Sherman Firefly on the other side of the bank, I think it's trying to zero in on our flag tank!" Tada yell over the net.

Nishihara tore her eyes away from the flag tank, to look back at the other side of the river. Like the two M4 Shermans, the Sherman Firefly had its light on, yet unlike the other two M4 Shermans who were firing wildly, the Firefly was seeming to take their time for their second shot.

"It's Naomi," Nishihara said quietly to herself.

It wasn't like she personally knew Naomi, but instead knew her through her deadly reputation in the Sensha-do world. She was the top tankery gunner in Japan, with no one even in close comparison. Stories circulated that she can hit a moving tank at 1000 meters without breaking a sweat, sometimes you never even heard the shell till it hit you. If she was here now, Nishihara knew their job just got a whole lot tougher now.

"Nishihara! Forgive me please!" Tada yell over the net.

Surprise by the sudden statement, Nishihara reply, "what are you talking about!?"

Without a reply, the tank commander of the Type 2 Kai-Mi put her tank into full reverse from the tree line into the woods. Nishihara watch her in astonishment, wondering what she was doing. Tada directed her tank just behind Ikeda's tank then put it sideways so she could cover the flag tanks rear completely while angling her gun to fire at the enemy across the river.

Tada's tank got off one shot, before the Firefly's 17 pounder anti tank got off a round into her side killing her tank, with white kill flag popping up. Yet the fallen tank commander was proud of the job she had done. Even if she was taken out, now she was a lifeless steel shield for Ikeda, and rules stated teams couldn't fire at a disable tank or the offending tank would be disable by the referees.

"Tada, you brave idiot," Nishihara said sadly.

"Alright our tanks engine is on, I'm sorry Tada, and I won't let your sacrifice go to waste, that's a promise. Come on Nishihara!" Ikeda order over the net.

"Roger!" Nishihara said, then order her tank to hard reverse into the woods, while offering a salute to Tada's fallen tank as she pass.

Another AP shell tore through the air, just missing Nishihara's tank, "damn that Naomi is something else. Even in the dark like this she is even deadly. If it was daytime she never miss that shot, but I can't wait to give her something in turn. Our fight isn't over till were all taken out."

Resolute to fight to the end, the two tanks soon found the road and made the long journey back to the supply base in a hope to find their team was there, and a chance for some rest. For tomorrow would be their rerise and Saunders would have to suffer the wrath of their counterattack.

XxxxX

"Damn!" Naomi said, as she smash her fist against the side of the hull inside her tank. She had whiff the first shot on the Chi-Ha-Tan flag tank, but found her range and just when she fire, one the enemy tanks shielded it taking the 17 pounders anti tank shell. Naomi knew she couldn't fire on a defeated tank after that, even if she was frustrated.

The enemies tanks sacrifice had bought her teammates time, as they now melted further into the woods and the chance of victory was all but lost for their team. Especially now with Claire Stuarts completely wipe out, their advance scout force was taken out and the Chi-Ha-Tan's whereabouts unknown now and their flag tank most likely reuniting with their forces.

"It was pretty good shot, especially in the dark," Lilly said, trying to soothe her friend's frustration.

Naomi took a breath to calm down, "yea, though I still get frustrated when I miss and these Chi-Ha-Tan girls are courageous enough to sacrifice themselves for each other."

"There something else alright, they really aren't the same team as before like last year," Lilly said.

"No there a team that has earn their newly found respect, and now we got to keep brawling with them tomorrow," Naomi said, though there was hint of excitement in her voice.

Lilly smile at her friend, "well I am definitely looking forward to it. Nothing beats a firefight to start the day huh?"

"Will definitely build up an appetite," Naomi said.

"Don't worry I will have your dozen pancakes when we get home," Lilly tease.

"I don't eat that much," Naomi shot back.

"Sorry Naomi, you can't hide that bottomless pit of a stomach from us," Mellie, their driver said wanting in on the fun.

"Yet she has such a great body, what's your secret?" Lilly ask jokily.

"For one, a girl should have healthy appetite just not that much, and secondly for you Lilly, if you didn't slack in the fitness regime you wouldn't be stepping on the scale with that disappointed look all the time," Naomi said with a smug grin.

"Hey you meanie, those insane cross fit regimes Kay has us do are too much for my delicate body," Lilly whine at her friend.

Naomi lean across and pat her friends shoulder, "alright, alright, let's get back on track. Relay orders for our platoon to fall back, we need to regroup back with the team and set up camp for the night."

Though they had relative success with the grand operation for Saunders, Naomi knew they had lost the initiative now, with their forces spent now, their Jumbo platoon leader Rosie not responding to net calls, Claire'd Stuarts taken out, and missing their chance to call in their resupply before night fell meant they have to wait till tomorrow.

"I fear all we done is pull on the tigress's tail, and fill her with terrible resolve."

The comment she made after being rebuff by that Chi-Ha-Tan girl earlier still stay with her. And now that the fight was going to be longer than they intended, but whatever came from this battle that was reaching its final phase, they would give Chi-Ha-Tan all they had.

XxxxxX

The wooden village acting as a supply base that was hidden in the forest was in a flurry of activity, as the Chi-Ha-Tan remaining members of Tozen platoon, Voltigeur platoon, and Nishi herself, were getting their tanks refitted for the fight coming the next day. That had lit lanterns around the entire village, even though it might give them away to Saunders, they had place Hamada out on patrol to forewarn them if that happen.

Tamada was walking along the cabin houses, eyeing her team at work. They had park their tanks in between the single story cabins, while the crews clean out empty shells, replacing them with new ones from the stacks of ammo crates. Fuel was being top off in all tanks as well as they had been traveling quite a long distance for a good part of the day. The crews were also making inspections of their tanks turrets, tracks, engines, and their radio to insure that they were working order for tomorrows fight.

All the while Tamada stop by tank crews to talk with them, asking if any problems were discover in their tanks or offering some words of encouragements. Their morale at this point was low, but they weren't broken, thanks to Nishi's words earlier to raise them from completely collapsing. While the work to refit their tanks for another day's fighting took their minds off the losing engagement so far, but there was still a will to fight no matter what in their minds.

After finishing her inspection, Tamada made her way to the main house in the village, a two story cabin that was being use as a makeshift HQ. There the rest of the tank commanders besides Hamada who was out on patrol were meeting to discuss their plan of attack tomorrow with Nishi.

As she got close to the door, Tamada rub at her bruise knuckles that had punch a log in frustration because she was losing her grip. It was the result of losing for most of the day to Saunders, their teammates who were taken out, and most of all leaving Miho behind to fight alone and most likely taken out. There was no time to go back to check in the pitch black of night.

"Miho, I'm so sorry, I couldn't do anything for you in the end," Tamada said to herself, still rubbing her knuckles as if it was a reminder of her lost friend.

Yet she steel her heart to go on without her, and make sure they won this match fighting with the style she gave them. She open the door to the HQ, entering she was greeted to a warm room. Even if it was a prop built house, Tamada had to give credit to the Sensha-do Maintenance Staff for their dedication to keep them so clean and furnish with simple essentials.

A large dining room table in the middle of the room had a large map of the battlefield laid across it. There were scribbles all over it, retelling the day's engagement, with question marks of where Saunders force might be and where Ikeda might be hiding for the night. They all knew this match wasn't lost until the gun sounded, so they knew she was still out their defending the flag tank with fierce tenacity, as she said she would.

Standing over the table reading the map was none other than Nishi along with Hosomi, while Nagura and Maita sat at the table eating their prepare bento dinner boxes with some green tea. Miho again anticipated a long engagement, so she had her forces bring a dinner and breakfast bento boxes in case. Again their commander's foresight was saving the team, as the food had help boast their teams morale a bit.

"Tamada, how did the inspection go?" Nishi ask, as Tamada approach the table.

Tamada snap a salute off, then spoke, "Good, all tanks have clean out empty shells and refuel. Turrets, tracks, engines, and radios are all in top shape. Will be ready for a counter attack tomorrow."

"A counterattack huh?" Nishi said, while looking back over the map.

"That is the strategy were going with, right?" Hosomi, standing by Nishi side said.

Nishi rub her chin in thought, then spoke, "Our first priority is finding Ikeda's whereabouts. At our current distance and if she is still heading east, she will be out of radio range now."

Hosomi nodded, "please send me out again at first light. I'll take extra fuel and tie it to me and Maita tank's as we search for her in case I have to go past my fuel limit, while you bring up the main column."

"I think that's the best strategy, yes will go with that. Have we been able to contact Nishihara by chance?" Nishi ask Tamada.

"Sorry, been trying but I think she is as well out of range," Tamada said remorsefully.

"Nothing to be done, I trust her amphibious force will get the job done. She is in her element in the water, so I am sure she will complete Commander Miho's orders," Nishi said confidently.

"I still can't believe we left her behind like that," Tamada said, still unable to let go.

Nishi sigh, knowing that Tamada was still sore about that, "she made a call in the field she thought was right. Even if you had stay your gun couldn't penetrate that Jumbo's armor."

"But sti-," Tamada try to say.

"How would she feel watching you get taken out knowing she couldn't help you?" Nishi ask.

Tamada didn't respond, just rub her bruise knuckles in frustration.

"She would be feeling as down as you are. Yet she would press on to victory for you, as we must do now for her," Nishi said, hoping to finally put an end to Tamada's self-loathing, not out of frustration because she wouldn't let it go, but for the fact she couldn't stand to see Tamada so downtrodden anymore.

"Tamada, I'm not happy with leaving Miho behind any more than you, but my will to win is even higher now. Because I don't want to waste this opportunity she has given us, plus I need to show her how angry I am with her after this match when we win with some merciless tickling," Hosomi said as well, with a smirk.

That made the tank commanders chuckle a bit.

Seeing things had been cool a bit, Nishi walk around the table to Tamada. Not waiting for a response, she pull her into a hug to help her friend. Nishi knew that Tamada was over protective of her teammates, willing to throw down to protect them if necessary.

"You got a good heart Tamada. Your our fiery commander and we need you for the coming fight so I need you focus now, because we aren't letting Saunders slip by us once more. I promise," Nishi said, while stroking Tamada's hair.

Tamada wrap her arms around Nishi, "I won't let you down, like I did in that Koala match."

"You did-," Nishi said, before she was interrupted.

Suddenly the door to the HQ was slam open, making all tank commanders stare at the doorway. Their standing there was Sumi, Nishi's gunner breathing heavily with tears of joy coming down her smiling face.

"Sumi, what's wrong?" Nishi ask, walking over to her gunner.

"It's, it's, you have to come and see!" The excited gunner said, waving the tank commander to come with her, which they did matching her excitement for whatever she was freaking out about.

Soon all of them were outside, and can see why the gunner was so in a fit of delight. Their coming down the dirt road and slowly being illuminated by the lanterns around the village was the Chi-Ha-Tan Tiger 1, it was batter and scorch by enemy shells, dirt cover parts of its camouflage scheme, yet it still had its deadly appearance.

Chi-Ha-Tan tank members line up on either side of the road, as the Tiger roll on slowly. No one said a word and no cheers rang out. There was just silence following, as they couldn't believe their commander's tank, with no track when they left her, took on the Jumbo's alone and somehow won. Even though they all believe in Miho because she was brilliant commander, even that task seem impossible.

Yet that's what seem to follow their commander, doing the impossible was always possible with her around.

Soon the Tiger 1 stop in front of the HQ building, looking at from the side, Hosomi saw the Type 4 Ke-Nu behind the tiger and went running to it in disbelief, "Fukada!"

The pint size first year was just climbing down her tank, but didn't get far as Hosomi pick her up in a hug, tears in her eyes. Fukada had taken off her tankery helmet earlier, so Hosomi rub her hair whispering soothing words of praise and relief to her once thought loss junior. Fukada hug her back, equally glad to be back with her big tankery sister.

Fukada's crew mates Arashi and Maki were equally swarm by their team. Each pick up into mass group hugs, glad they too were safe and return back to their team. The fallen spirit of the team was now rising back up now.

Tamada wanted to hug them too, but her minds wanting pull her to the batter Tiger 1. She climb up to the turret, just as the hatch was opening up over the commander's cupola. She had expected to see Miho, but instead the first year twin Nene struggle to pull herself up as her arms were shaking badly.

"Nene! Are you alright?!" Tamada said leaning down to help her junior.

"I hope you got some hot food for us, I ate all mine on the way here," the loader twin said with a smile.

"You little glutton," Tamada said at first, picking the first year up gently out of the tank, "where is Miho?"

Nene brownish yellow eyes show an all knowing look, then nodded to the secondary hatch. Tamada turn to see it open up, as Miho pull herself up while pulling Nomi out as well. The gunner twin was just as equally tired as she lean into Miho for support as they stood on top of the turret.

"Miho," Tamada said with relief in her voice.

The Chi-Ha-Tan commanders eyes found her friend, "I'm back, as I promise."

"You never disappoint commander," Tamada said affectionately.

Nishi and Hosomi soon climb the tank as well to hug Miho and her first year crew. All the while the other tank commanders and their crews watch all this with relief in their hearts. They had been batter all day, but hadn't broken under Saunders assault, their commander had return to them and their fighting spirit was all but restore.

Tamada after Nishi and Hosomi had their say came over to Miho to help her down from the tank, but Miho stop her, "please get my crew down first, they gave me more than I could ask for and they need their rest, please Tamada."

The fiery commander just sigh, knowing this was just like Miho to think of others first, but just smile and agree to her demands. Looking to the Hosomi and Nishi, they both each scoop Nene and Nomi up and carry them off the tank. Watabe and Moteki both climb out their hatches with some help of nearby crew members.

Though Moteki didn't want to rest as she took her googles off, "Commander, can I stay to look after the tank? We need to resupply and refuel, as well as check the systems. Lastly that radio needs some looking after."

"Moteki, you need rest," Miho said, though her body was starting to give out on her.

"I understand, but I been just sitting on my hands this whole match. I want to do something for my hard fighting crew," Moteki earnestly said.

"Y…yo…you…been…fi…fig…fighting too," Watabe said, looking at her friend.

"I know Watabe, I know, but I have too much energy right now. Please commander?" Moteki ask again.

Miho didn't have the will to fight her, especially with such a determine look, "alright, refuel and clean out the empty shells, will do the rest later. But after that I want you in bed, that's final."

"Uh, yes commander," Moteki said, not going to press her luck anymore.

"C…can…I…I…I…help?" Watabe ask Moteki.

The Tiger 1 driver just smile at her friend, "no go on and rest, I will get this done quickly and join you."

"Bu…bu…bu…but," Watabe try to argue.

Moteki came up to hug her, "don't worry, I won't be long ok."

The stuttering girl nodded and was help along to the HQ building with by Nagura.

"Alright, you satisfy now," Tamada said, looking at Miho now.

"No, how is refueling and ammo resupply going? Are all tanks systems functioning? Have you been able to contact Ikeda? What happen-," Miho's torrent of questions was cut off by Tamada scooping her up into a bridal carry.

"Jeez, you just got back and you want to work yourself to death already. Not on my watch, commander," Tamada said as she jump down from the tank, while carrying Miho.

"Tamada," Miho quietly whine, "you keep picking me up without permission."

"Tell me about it later, ok?" Tamada said, making sure to grip Miho close to her.

As Tamada walk to the makeshift HQ building, the remaining crew and tank commanders of the Chi-Ha-Tan tank force, all line up on either side of pathway to the building. Then as one saluted Miho as Tamada carry them pass her.

This was the show of absolute respect they had for Miho, even though she told them to fight on without her, she was their beacon of hope, now more than ever. This Tigress that had reshape their team from the ground up, cherish them, love them, and was the reason they were here now with a new identity and as long as she was with them, no obstacle was going to stop them.

As the two disappear into the house, Nishi came back out to see her team still standing around. She could see the passionate look in their eyes, the eyes of fighters ready to get back in the ring for another round with Saunders, and this time they make sure to give them back what they been giving them.

"Alright girls, the commander will only need a short rest before she is up and at them. I want the all tanks ready to go by that time, alternate crew members for the work. I want some you resting while others work, get to it!" Nishi order.

"Mam!" they yell back as one, then went to their task.

Hosomi came back out of the house now, "What now? Wait for Miho to get some rest before we enact any strategy?"

"No, get an hours rest, then you and Maita are to go out to find Saunders location for us. If we can figure out where they are camping, then it will be easy for Miho to come up with a strategy to win this match," Nishi order.

"Right, will get to it," Hosomi said, while patting Nishi on the shoulder. The twin bun Vice commander was proud to see Nishi able to take command when she needed to, like she had been doing throughout the day. She and Miho were both their beacons of hope, and with them working together anything was possible.

Back inside the house, Tamada carry Miho up to second story and to an empty room. Watabe, Nomi, and Nene had been given a room together, and already the three were cuddle up and fast asleep. Tamada took Miho to another room so she could be given some privacy to rest.

Tamada carry her into a lightly furnish room with a small lantern near a desk, with a decent bed. Carefully she laid half asleep Miho on the bed, then put the covers over her to keep her warm.

Feeling Miho was content, Tamada stood up to leave, but her hand was snatch by Miho still in bed, "Tamada, can I ask one question?"

"No dummy, you need rest," Tamada said, thinking she was going to ask after theirs team's tanks or something in that manner.

"Please," Miho said, her voice wanting.

There was no fighting that tone for Tamada, as she lean down next to the bed, "alright, what you need Miho?"

"Why are your knuckles bruised?" Miho ask, looking intently at them.

Tamada forgot about her bruise knuckles after Miho and Fukada had return to them. Embarrassing for Tamada she told Miho about the incident of punching a tree in frustration because they thought their team was going to lose, and that she was upset at leaving Miho behind.

"Tamada," Miho's voice was a whisper after hearing the story, almost sounding like disappointment.

"I'm sorry," Tamada said, while leaning forward a bit and looking at the ground in embarrassment, "I just didn't like leaving you behind."

"It's ok, I'm sorry," Miho said, with a tired smile.

Tamada look back up at her, with a confuse expression, "why are you sorry?"

"I wasn't there to manage your impulses," Miho joke.

Tamada just stare at Miho for a moment, then she chuckle, "you must be a true Chi-Ha-Tan student to be fearlessly taking shots at me, knowing I always get even."

"If it makes you smile, then the punishment is worth it," Miho said, her voice becoming faint as sleep was taking her over.

"You seem to do that for me a lot. Ok get some rest, I'll come check on you later," Tamada said, her heart at ease now.

Miho, didn't know if it was the fatigue or just the bold nature she was gaining over her time at Chi-Ha-Tan, as she pull Tamada's bruise knuckles over to her mouth to softly lay a gentle kiss on her middle knuckle. A shock went through Tamada's body at such an innocent act.

"Miho, that's not going to make it any better," Tamada said, her face fluster a bit, though she didn't pull her hand away.

"Really I heard it helps," Miho said, letting go of her hand now, knowing she was repaying Tamada back for the night at back at her apartment.

Tamada play along, "you're too causal sometimes."

"A good friend told me that's the only way to live sometimes," Miho said, before finally sleep overtook her.

Staring at her sleeping face, Tamada felt things were going to be ok with Miho here now. Gently she brush some hair from Miho's face, then planted a soft kiss on her forehead, "Sleep well commander, for tomorrow were going to show the world the might of your tankery style."

XxxxxX

Hamada was drying the rest of her tears as she sat aboard her Type 1 Chi-He. She had been on perimeter guard duty and was the first to stop the Tiger 1 rolling towards them in the darkness. Luckily the moonlight help her identify it so she didn't take shots at it, Miho had saluted her as she past with words of praise for her, then Hamada return the salute with words of gratitude for the commander being back.

Now she had to stay out here till she was relieve by Nagura, but there was no fatigue in her mind. She desperately wanted to win more than ever, with Miho back, their commander would definitely come up with a plan to win tomorrow and show the might of the Tigress Corps.

The hatch over the Bow gunner area pop open, with Hamada's radio/bow gunner, Miyara looking back at her commander, "Hamada I got something on the net, but its vague."

"Roger," Hamada then switch her net call to the overall net to listen in on the vague call.

"Th…This….Nih…Ha…is…" The static call said.

"Is there any way to tune it?" Hamada ask.

"Sorry, I think it's because their just on edge of range of our radios, could wait till they get closer," Miyara said.

"Hm, it has to be one of ours. Maybe Haruno wasn't taken out, just like Fukuda," Hamada guess.

"Wait I think I got it!" Miyara said.

"This is Nishihara of Iron Kraken team, I have Ikeda with me and our making our way back to the supply base, is anyone there?"

Hamada fell into the commanders' chair with relief, for the second time that night a teammate would be returning to them, to their tankery family after such a long grueling battle.

"Hope was care for," Hamada said to herself.

So it was that Chi-Ha-Tan had taken Saunders toughest punches, but hadn't stay down. They had rose up to meet them punch for punch, as this was 12 round fight. Yet one side was at its end, while one was now finding their resolve to win as the final round of this bout was coming as these teams look to settle their old grudge with Iron and fury.

---

Author Thought:

So that was way long, but the final of this fight is next. It's been a blast writing this, as yet again it wasn't supposed to be this long, yet it just work out this way.

Thank you for reading, especially this long chapter. Other battles I plan to not be this long hopefully.

Till the next Author Thought.