The crowd had their undivided attention upon the multitude of monitors around the main stage not least of all the large monitor resting atop an improvised train cart before them. The screen changed to each skirmish or confrontation only now stagnating to a few slow green-clad images that portrayed the current situation through night vision. Transcendence had retreated entirely to the southeast leaving their two allied vehicles stranded in the northeast. Meanwhile, Pravda now controlled the hilltops and was sweeping westward where they had been led astray by Kaisers feigned retreat. As the two schools now regrouped to enact their new plans the monitors flickered between viewing both schools in action.
The words in red to the monitors right read off Pravda's remaining vehicles. An IS-3, KV-2, KV-8, IS-2, T-34-100, T-34-85, Two T-34-75, and an ISU-125. In white to its left were Transcendence's Panther, Panzer IV, Tiger, IS-1, KV-1s, Stug IV, T-34-85. In the center of the screen the cameras on the ground and air focused solely on the Pravdan girls reconnoitering in the further west, outside of the forest's border preparing to sweep and clear the large area while three vehicles pursued the separated Transcendence detachment. They zoomed in on Katyusha fervently giving orders with a grin as Nonna and Clara nodded in acknowledgment. Bathed in the red glow of the moon their vehicles began advancing.
The screen flickers and shows an equally red-tinged scene yet far more hectic. Transcendence had set up a small defensive position area in the woods southeast. Having bought time they were now reorganizing and their crews scrambling about repairing and exchanging ammunition while shifting vehicles in preparation to counter.
The camera then flicked once more zooming in on three faces. Virtanen, Kaiser, and Knight knelt at the base of a tree next to the Panther with two mobile radios and multiple maps at their feet. The three traded angered glances and harsh words as the occasional cadet glanced back at them. The stage had been set and flipped upon their heads, the audience now awaited to see their response.
-Fifteen minutes prior-
Natalya's POV-
The first sign of something being amiss to Natalya was that for a good minute there was nothing going wrong. At all, no activity whatsoever. As their impromptu squad sat on the hilltop foliage covering their idling vehicles. The warmth of their vehicles kept the girl's patience from snapping, thin as it was from the anticipation of the heavy resistance they were told to expect. Contrary to their beliefs the only force that assailed them was harsh winds beating atop their hulls due to their elevation.
Natalya retained radio silence only with an occasional check-in. her crew seemed as concerned with their present lack of action as well. "Awwwww it's so boring here" her gunner complained stretching in her seat. "I thought the brass said we would be seeing the most of the action here" her driver added leaning onto one knee grumbling aloud.
"I'm not sure why either but Kaiser himself had even told me before Virtanen pre-briefed the commanders back at Transcendence. If he deemed this spot worthy of his concern then I trust that." Natalya reassured them. "Even so I don't see how" her loader commented. "I mean this is practically the center of the map and should be highly contested yet we only repelled a scouting party..."
"Are you having concerns?" Natalya asked picking up on what her loader was hinting at. "Well, just that... it may either be we've gone completely ignored in favor of a larger priority, Not very ideal you see. Or they are amassing forces for an assault, again not ideal, especially if they send their ace's." The crew including Natalya turned wide-eyed at the deductive reasoning of their teammate. As if on cue, a loud noise had them jump in their seats. Diana had called in to check in on their position, the crew sighed in relief understanding she was the officer in charge of this flank after all.
"IS-1, IS-1 This is lead T-34 over." 'We really need to get team names after this' lamented Natalya with a sigh. As she picked up the mic to respond, a different noise filled the air. Ironically no one jumped even though it was clearly cannon fire. A long moment passed by stretching until the radio perked up again. "This is the ISU, we are hit! taking fire, enemy to the north, northwest swinging south bond and approaching!" Anna's callout had Natalya swinging her head to look through her cupola. As she did she saw five more lights ignite and disappear from the distance as the earth around their position erupted from the impacts.
"Adjust the barrel!" ordered Natalya as she heard her allies returning fire. The enemy was at a still rather ineffective distance for night combat and judging from the amount of fire received they had six vehicles assaulting them. 'Four against six, however, we're dug in.' Kaiser had taught her this was usually a good thing but they weren't actually entrenched just sitting trapped atop a hill and for the most part incapable of moving. Their foes, however, were mobile and had the pleasure of relocating or even firing on the move. Once the enemy knew their locations they would be fish in a barrel incapable of relocating due to already being in the best positions possible for where they were and reluctant to abandon the hill.
Natalya hurried to relay her concerns to Diana in hopes of receiving reenforcements from their south to flank the enemy assaulting them only to receive an immediate denial. "The main body's being assaulted as well! they are pinned down by precision fire!" Diana informed. 'Precision fire? Was this that hotshot commander Nonna kaiser had so fervently advised caution of?' Natalya gripped her skirt tightly in frustration. The main body was pinned by precision fire attempting to break the assault while their force was outnumbered and practically being shelling. 'I won't be shown up like this.'
The force assailing them numbered six in total and were rushing their positions. the remaining enemy's unknown. Unbeknownst to them, the assaulting force was all but the IS-3, KV-8, and A single T-34-100. The force began to spread thin as they advanced. A solitary silhouette sat opposite them on a small hill firing every dozen or so seconds. The large flash and eruption of earth next to their vehicles led Natalya to believe it was a heavy tank. A shell scraping over its head had it returning to the base of its hill out of sight. This still left the other five firing and maneuvering up to their position.
Fire was exchanged between the two sides, for every shot in retaliation they sent back another one or two would be received in-kind landing near or around them kicking up dead loose soil and grass further obscuring their vision temporarily. At best they were impeding the enemy's assault and with no clear way of repelling it Natalya radioed Diana as she saw two more shots hit the ARL-44 the first bouncing into the air and the second landing flat into the turret. "What is it Nat?" came the overly familiar greeting, no doubt due to Val telling the girl to say such.
Natalya took a moment to order her crew to ignore the machine gun fire raking the front of their vehicle in favor of acquiring and continuing to put pressure on individual targets rather than switching to each distraction. "Ma'am" Began Natlaya adhering to formality due to her rank. "We can't stop this assault not under current circumstances, we'll have to adapt to this situation and push them off balance."
"What are you implying Nat?" Diana demanded. "We need to take the offensive and push them back. If we can seize the initiative here then we can repel them at best however at worst well take casualties and make a tactical retreat. "That's a negative Nat, we can't abandon the point we have orders." came the immediate reply
"We don't have time for that! If we stay here then we'll lose the point and everyone here."
"But our order's-"
"Don't mean anything if we aren't capable of fulfilling them our end game is defeating the enemy right?" When no response came she pressed on. "I know you don't want to disappoint Major Knight nor risk losing anyone here but you are the commander! You have to make the hard choices for the best!" A hitch of breath came over before the comm cut out again. a few moments of silence with nothing but the blood in her ears reverberating due to the headset she wore and the muffled sound of gunfire outside.
"Let me radio the other two, they'll get a grasp of the situation and we'll proceed as you advised" she responded. "Understood we'll hold our flank till you are prepared" confirmed Natalya. Another moment of sustained fire and Diana relayed the plan aloud to all four vehicles.
"All enemy vehicles seem to be proceeding along and through the dry riverbed that begins in the northeast of the designated combat area and runs southwest to this series of hills we have set our defense on. The river then shoots straight south giving them a perfect avenue of approach to us and our main forces. they emerge only on occasion to provide covering fire to pin us and free their own troop's movement, therefore, we will assault their maneuvering element in the confined riverbed and attempt a breakthrough to disorganize their lines, in the chaos we'll attempt to swing south, southeast to free up the main element. Priority target's for this task will be enemy vice commander Nonna who is suspected of pinning down the main force with her precision fire. Understood Ladies and gentlemen?"
"JAWOHL" came the reply through the mic and each cadet. Natalya grinned to herself her blood starting to pump in excitement. 'Say what you will about her taste in men but she's a far better motivator than that string bean of a leader she's crushing on.' She quipped mentally.
The Pravdan vehicles were now at the base of their hill and beginning to organize their assault out of the riverbed to take the position. As the first T-34 began to crest the river's edge and gain traction it was knocked back onto its side by Natalya's IS-1 charging at them. Diana, Piper and Anna's limping ISU soon followed behind entering the depression to engage alongside her.
The battle's intensity skyrocketed immediately. Upon entering first Natalya could see through her cupola the other five vehicles standing in an organized line 5 meters between each. The t-34 she had knocked over, lay on its side but not defeated as no white flag had appeared.
No hesitation came as canons fired near simultaneously at the oncoming attackers as they descended one by one in the fray. The four Transcendence vehicles began circling individual vehicles using erratic movements to throw everyone into further disarray. These actions led by Diana's final order to leave final instructions to Natalya who in turn ordered: "Breakthrough by any means necessary, no coordination will be used here every tank act as an individual and get through if you can."
The order proved effective. As the Pravdan vehicles scrambled to get some order amongst themselves while effectively repelling their attackers. Natalya and her comrades, however, relied on independent and immediate action. The attack naturally lost its momentum as time progressed leading to the next order "Break contact now!" ordered Natalya taking the lead after circling a T-34 variant leaving its turret chasing hopelessly behind. Piper's vehicle followed suit making a beeline for the same sharp turn in the riverbed Natalya had followed only to be stopped.
The feeling started as light rumbling then a loud knocking as her vehicle shook. Piper looked behind to see in the dim lighting her vehicle's right track having come off and laid flat out behind her vehicle. The culprit stood out of the IS-2's hatch moving her hands about pointing and giving orders. It was hard to distinguish her features but seeing the vehicle and the flowing Blonde hair behind her Piper had a good idea. " Clara is present in IS-2, Repeat Clara is here in the IS-2, ARL immobilized we'll cover your retreat!" with her final shout over the radio her crew had already prepared to defend against the onslaught of shells pinging against their hull and chassis rear
.
The ARL now turning itself in an effort to buy what time it could, received a salvo of shells as its single track and bare gears churned through mud. This unfortunate event for them, however, took most of the enemy pressure off of Diana and Anna who were now attempting their escape's. Not wanting to draw the heat onto themselves they decided to take the route Pravda had used to advance in hopes of escaping by gaining distance and losing sight in the darkness. They simply had to escape the single vehicles dueling them while the other three were occupied.
Anna's ISU scraped out of an accident as she was nearly rammed by the enemy's own ISU-125. The near-miss left them ramming the riverbeds wall and encasing their barrel with mud while losing its traction in the slicker and looser crevices of the muddy edge. It was as Anna was about to take her leave she saw The IS-2 divert its attention. Clara had realized that out of the similar vehicles skirmishing behind her she risked friendly fire, but any that tried to escape the fray were obviously enemy. The IS-2's barrel stilled leaving its two allies to continue firing at the ARL as it began to lead it's shot.
Anna had never been very loud, nor outspoken for that matter, She always followed orders as well, but one trait she had been praised for by all her leaders, Virtanen, Kaiser, and the one she appreciated most to date from Sokolov, was that she made rational and tactical decisions. "Divert course to the right!, ram the IS-2!"
The ISU changed its course immediately facing the IS-2. Anna bit her lip knowing she wouldn't make it, therefore, sliding her hand over her gunner's shoulder. At the motion, her gunner tensed before relaxing into the gun sight. The IS-2 was too focused on Diana's retreating T-34-85 Clara having even descended into her hatch as the ARL was still firing behind her. It was the T-34 variant Diana had fled that Anna kept her eye on however as it noted her path. Once it locked its sights on her Anna tightened her left hand signaling the gunner to fire.
Not a precise shot as she'd like nor as she was trained to as per Sokolov's standards required but it did connect. The impact shook the IS-2 whose gunner was most likely intensely concentrating and caused him to tense throwing the shot high. The round hit Diana's vehicle but with no visible damage other than the vehicle jerking harshly. Anna breathed a sigh of relief as her gunner raised the cannon upwards prepared to ram. The moment never came as she expected. She looked out to See Piper's ARL defeated and 5 Barrels pointed at her charging vehicle.
-Transition-
The crowd watched in awe as Transcendence lost Its first two vehicles of the match while having two more routed while losing the high ground of the combat area. After Pravda finally flipped the downed T-34-75 back up and getting the crew reoriented Clara split the force into two teams. The first proceeding as planned, holding the high ground and scout westward the group comprising of a T-34-75, ISU-125, and T-34-85. The second group would pursue the enemy to ensure they posed no threat to her beloved leaders Flank. This Important task force was comprised of a T-34-75, T-34-100, and herself naturally in the IS-2.
-Transition-
Natalya felt angered beyond belief. Her plan had worked, far better than she supposed it should have in that situation. They were outgunned, outmaneuvered, and dare say she out skilled. Half of her squad survived but it was the fact she didn't have a perfect record at the moment that got to her. Why she felt nearly compelled into flipping Clara the bird as she fled so she could revel in what little success she could. She refrained naturally for she had a larger picture to focus on and Diana to support. Now if only she and Diana could meet up in the next kilometer or so as they agreed, they would be free to rain hell on their enemy's rear flank which would brighten her mood.
Natalya's IS-1 parked in an open expanse ready to leave if Diana had not arrived. Luckily she waited no more than two minutes before she saw a T-34-85 approaching her position, the fact it had not fired or redirected its turret reassured her it was friendly. The irony that she was now being cautious for the same reasons their initial attack relied upon was not lost on her.
The T-34-85 passed Natalya's vehicle speeding to a treeling before it stopped to hide, Natalya's IS-1 took to following. Natalya emerged from her hatch calling for Diana. When no response came she raised an eyebrow. Tearing her headset off and shaking her hair loose Natalya stepped out of her hatch jumping over onto the T-34-85. Natalya rapped her knuckles against the hatch a couple of times before pulling it open when no one emerged.
Inside she saw the crew shouting amongst themselves and the RO trying to calm them all while the loader did her best to tighten some messy bandages around Diana's head. Natalya looked to Diana for answers who in return gave only a weak smile through half-lidded eyes.
-Transition-
Nonna's POV-
As another round came from the darkness impacting yet providing no real damage Nonna watched the Tiger follow after its fellows. "Nonna! fall back to the riverbed!" Came her adored leader's voice through her headset. "Are you sure Katyusha?" nonna asked in response. "Katyusha is not so hotheaded! Katyusha has grown and shall ensure their loss! We shall reorganize and pursue quickly!" Came the order. Another voice came through although in Russian to Katyusha's dismay.
"Indeed our beloved leader is correct, though I have prevented the escaped forces from the north attacking your rear it would be best if we reorganize our forces accordingly."
"Clara I said don't speak Russian!"
"As you wish Katyusha"
"Perhaps you could learn to speak it as well" offered Nonna. With a hmph, Katyusha ended the call no doubt awaiting their arrival.
'Grown she has' sulked Nonna internally yet not physically relaying her thoughts. Had this been last year Katyusha would have pursued relentlessly relying on their numbers and armaments, this year however she had stayed up nights prior regardless of her and Clara's pestering and begging. They got her to take her daily naps of course but that did not stop the small girl from planning, rehearsing, and even dreaming of the oncoming match.
Her focus was solely on growing as a leader in senshado. To the school's shock even asking the lowest member of their team what could be done to improve their performance. This was her last year in high school after all she wanted to leave a mark.
'Thankfully she has not grown physically' breathed Nonna in a sigh of relief. Her commander would always remain adorable.
-Present-
"Sir it seems Diana hit her head pretty hard when a round ricocheted off her vehicle, little blood and she passed out for a moment, but the most trouble came from her crew worrying" reported Natalya. "Very well anything else to report?" asked Kaiser. "No sir shes bandaged up just fine...also apologies for being unable to hold our position and being unable to assist in your retreat. Clara had headed us off and beat us back. We're proceeding northeast as we speak with the enemy closing in I don't know how long our fuel and ammunition will last under the harassment." She finished. "Understood continue surviving till further orders are sent" Ordered Kaiser.
"Yes sir we will maintain radio silence after this to mitigate revealing ourselves" she responded after a moment's hesitation. Kaiser Laid down the radios receiver. As he looked back upon his peers their reactions seemed united in their distress. The trio of commanders knelt in a small circle under a tree while the only vehicles still running and with them set security. The Tiger, Panther, Panzer IV, Stug IV, and KV-85 were all that was left of the main body, each vehicle except for the lead tank being the panther were spaced about at random intervals watching for enemy movement. Only Sokolov in his Stug IV remained mobile as he patrolled a few hundred meters in the distance.
Kaiser's mind ticked at the thought of the current situation, had this been an infantry match they'd have failed. Shattered lines and units encircled and runoff, the only respite his mind found down this trail of thought was that this was not an infantry match and that they could perhaps use this to their advantage. the hard part would be getting his counterparts to follow through seeing as their emotions seemed to be flaring.
"We need to reunite with our counterparts to the north" stated Virtanen immediately with Knight nodding frantically along. "Once we do that we can set a new defensive line then-" Kaiser stopped listening as he looked at Virtanen who staring at the map before them as if it would provide the answers he so desperately sought. Knight was more jittery than usual, his wide eyes looking between the two of them nodding at every suggestion. His face growing more and more relieved our priority seemingly was to retrieve Diana and Natalya.
Whatever chaotically scrapped together plan Virtanen was piecing together was immediately stopped by Kaiser firmly stating one word. "No" It was all it took for deafening silence to overtake the three. Knight looked at Kaiser in disbelief and near horror and Virtanen now wide-eyed to slowly raise his head to make eye contact.
"What?" demanded Virtanen. "It would be illogical for us to spend already fleeting time after the separated crews." Kaiser waited for no response instead of looking to the map and pointing at it with his index and middle fingers. instead, they would provide a distraction that could not be ignored by our enemies. They'll undoubtedly split into two teams to pursue. Seeing that they have not ambushed us yet they likely haven't discovered our detour southeast." Kaiser studied the map for a brief moment analyzing the terrain carefully.
"We most likely sit in between their two forces with the larger force's back towards us. We should prioritize eliminating Katyusha's vehicle, a T-34-100, over any other objective. if we make haste we can launch an ambush from their rear here, then proceed to insert our fastest vehicles from the forest here then into the enemy's lines to hunt and eliminate Katyusha. Whether through sustained fire, precision shots, the element of surprise, or even ramming two vehicles down that brat's throat and decommissioning that T-34 we will win."
With a deep sigh disguised as him catching his breath, Kaiser closed his eyes and raised his head. He opened his eyes to see Virtanen Staring aghast at the proposal. A glance right showed Knight with an uncharacteristic fury behind his eyes. When no response came Kaiser proceeded to justify his explanation. "This is our best chance at victory and will provide a shock factor to the federation that we are worthy of our presence. The former reason for both and the latter being aimed at Virtanen.
Virtanen bit back a response at the reminder of having to provide results. Knight, however, spoke in his place. "We can't just leave them!" he protested. "We can and will... no, we must." Countered Kaiser. "What do you mean we must? Demanded Knight. "We can't leave just throw them to the wolves especially since Diana is hurt!"
'Way to betray your true thoughts' Kaiser returned the heated emotions with an uncaring face and continued with a flat voice. "I will repeat once more Major" Kaiser emphasizing his rank to remind him of his position. "Our priority should lie in victory all else is secondary if not tertiary.
It was at this that Virtanen broke his silence his temper now unable to be tamed. "Don't you think this is a bit cold and calloused even of you?!" he demanded. Kaiser not rising to the bait of emotional combat continued in his bored tone attempting to convince the two. "Emotions should have no place in this discussion Virtanen that is why you haven't been able to make successive decisions up till now. Virtanen recoiled at the verbal blow but did not cease his defiant glare.
"You trained them! Some you even spent time with personally!" Knight snapped back attempting to offset Kaiser's momentum. "Personal attachment serves no place on a battlefield Knight especially when facing an enemy who holds an advantage." retorted Kaiser knowing that he tried to get through him by mentioning his time tutoring Natalya. "If they truly understood my teachings then they would want us to advance." He continued.
"Being abandoned on top of exhausted isn't what anybody would want!" Roared Virtanenjoining in once more. "Then don't you think that I would want this option least of all!" shouted Kaiser Having had enough of turning between the two to be labeled as some sort of heartless being. Kaiser had merely matched Virtanen's volume but he quickly realized how his voice had carried in the night's silence. A glance to his left then right showed all of their cadet's looking at them. Everybody out of their hatches looking on at the three crouching figures. Undoubtedly hearing the brunt of their conversation. Kaiser was fairly sure even Sokolov had somehow heard it through the grapevine or more precisely someone having radioed them.
Kaiser settled his eyes on Virtanen who had grown red around the face not just from the night's cold. Knight huffed unto himself his disbelief and gripes but went ignored as far as Kaiser cared. "This is the final chance," said Kaiser. "It is time to make a decision.
"Sir." The final word seemed to snap Virtanen into a cold sweat. the pressure of the choice now crushing him.
Kaiser could see the indecision on his face and knew just why. He could not abandon students and go back on his criticism of Kaiser's doctrine, however, he had to make a mark prove that he deserved to be the leader at transcendence. Failure here would forever be remembered and his name would mark it. Knight, however, did not have any of this knowledge and upon seeing Virtanen's hesitation desperately made to sway him.
"You would never do that right sir? Not, Not like him, right Austin?" whether intentional or not the venom behind Knight's reference to Kaiser was duly noted along with his attempt to appear favorable by using Virtanen's first name. Why any other situation Kaiser might have felt proud of how unintentionally deceptive the boy was being.
Finally, Virtanen spoke breaking Kaiser's thought's as well as Knight's persuasion attempts. "I-I can't make that decision" His voice sounded weak and his eyes nearly hollow. If he was a weaker man he may have even shed a tear at his words, Kaiser, however, didn't grow angry nor shocked as Knight did. Disappointment did not even rise. He simply shook his head once to the side in resignment. Kaiser had to make the hard choice again and in doing so he had would become a villain in everyone's eyes.
Standing Kaiser brushed himself off as he spoke and packed away his pencils and personal papers. "Very well then seeing as you are both emotionally compromised I will be assuming command of the unit and proceeding as I had previously explained" As Kaiser turned still talking Virtanen looked at him in shock as Knight tossed his headset jumped to his feet chasing after Kaiser. "Now wait a bloody minute!" he hollered after him.
"I will brief all teams over the situation and state of affairs within the next two minutes and depart within five" continued Kaiser ignoring Knights protests. Knight caught up to Kaiser grabbing his shoulder and pulling him around to grasp his collar. Kaiser sidestepped his grasp then kicking Knights' right foot back and using his left hand to shove Knights torso forward knocking him to the ground. "Throwing a tantrum is meaningless" scolded Kaiser. Furious now Knight stood up prepared to charge before Virtanen wisely gripped his raised fists holding him back. "Stop" ordered Virtanen his vision downcast.
Angry but not strong enough to beat Kaiser nor break out of Virtanen's grip he lowered his head in anger with a snort of air before being let go. "Kaiser what do intend by doing all this?" asked Virtanen now quiet enough no other besides the three of them could hear. "To obtain victory for us through any means and any cost." recited Kaiser as if he had said it for years. Virtanen solemnly shook his head. Some things never change do they" he trailed off. Knight broke the silence between the two as he stepped towards Kaiser.
Trying his best to be intimidating Knight raised himself to his full height being a couple of inches taller than Kaiser. The lack of fear or any emotion shown by Kaiser, however, made him even angrier before he stepped back shouting aloud before all of the cadets to hear. "Radio in the scout vehicle and make sure everyone can hear! There is no use pretending you all don't know the situation! and now we've been given an ultimatum by our dear Lieutenant Colonel. We either make a mad dash for a final victory, or we save our fellow cadets and reunite our forces! what shall we do?" to his dismay not all opinions aligned as he had hoped.
Some students spoke in favor of saving their allies, some, however, were pragmatic as Kaiser would say and defended the other side of the spectrum.' Bloody indoctrinated by him' cursed Knight mentally. "We can't abandon them can we?" one would say aloud. "If we defeat them then they'll be safe won't they?" another would suggest. "But they're our friends!" and so on the voices would argue amongst them. The opinions seemed evenly split between the vehicles and even amongst teams and individual members.
Knight spoke once more. "I won't ask you to split up amongst your teams but instead vote and decide where your vehicle will stand. Under victory." he gestured to Kaiser standing opposite him. "Or unity" he then walked over next to Virtanen who stood tall seeing this course of events as inevitable. The cadets seemed less resolute in the situation, however. Murmurs of thoughts and arguments rose and died as the crews and vehicles shifted.
Knights Panzer IV shifted next to Virtanen's Panther. 'Why can't they see how illogical they are being?' Kaiser chastised internally. His Vehicle moved behind him his crew showing concern but dedication nonetheless. 'I'm correct, I'm reasonable, and more importantly, this is but a match.' The elder Frost sibling and his Firefly pulled next to the Panzer IV. 'Who am I fooling, I've taught them to act as if this was life and death and this is no more than the old me. I can't keep this facade of calm. The excitement, the anger, the euphoria of combat.' The KV-85 pulled to a slow stop next to the Tiger. Kaiser took a glance for Valerya but she did not look at him instead she seemed uncharacteristically listless, a stern frown on her face.
'I'd do anything to win, they know that I've won many battles regardless if it was senshado or not' One of Virtanen's crew members emerged from his hatch. a small framed mousy haired girl "Captain Sokolov says he shall side with the Lieutenant Colonel!' she shouted. 'But why, why can't they see that despite my conviction to win they can't realize this choice pains me as well' Kaiser's inner torment came to an end as Valerya stood beside him across from the three figures of Virtanen, Knight, and the male Frost sibling. An approaching engine from the distance signaled Sokolov's approach. He was returning, most likely having seen something and repositioning. They knew time was short for them to decide and they were on the last granules of sand in their proverbial hourglass.
Looks of disappointment from Virtanen and Frost followed by a sneer from Knight were the only parting gestures as the three turned and mounted, leaving just as quickly as the decisions were made. Their distaste was apparent and the lines been drawn. 'Perhaps it's for the best then, their noncompliance would have only been a hindrance.'
Kaiser prepared to leave as well but was stopped by a short figure he nearly bowled over as he turned. Valerya stood before him defiantly and seemingly none too pleased. "Prokov" began Kaiser. Valerya raised a finger to silence him, seeing her demeanor he allowed it. "She is my sister and I know her better than she knows herself." Valerya took a moment to steady her breath. "And I know she would want me to follow your orders till the very last shell and man." Another short breath. "But did you mean everything you said to them?"
The two held eye contact for what would be an uncomfortable time given any other situation yet neither averted their gaze. She could find no pity, no remorse, he believed in his words. Kaiser could tell she saw his resolve through her silence, he only wished she could realize that though he was resolved he did wish for another option. Even the childish one of having another make the choice, Virtanen just had not grown into a capable leader yet and though Knight had made a choice he was still immature and emotional in his thoughts not giving proper judgment.
The two stood alone as their vehicles awaited them. In an instant Valerya's hand was raised and nearly delivered it's intended slap. Kaiser caught her wrist however. "Forcing me to abandon my own sister" she seethed quietly through her teeth. "And you can't even allow me this small respite. As merciless as they say" Valerya then ripped her hand from his grip. "I guess your promise to my sister meant nothing after all" she snipped flicking the necklace and scarf that hung around his neck before she turned with a huff.
"I didn't make her do anything" Kaiser muttered to himself. The quiet argument did nothing to relieve him of the guilt placed on his shoulder's. He grasped at his chest holding the cross-shaped pendant and the red scarf in his hand.' They both had been so earnest in their words, their actions, even when they invited me to a party no one else wanted me to attend' Kaiser thought with a small grin. Naught an hour or two earlier he had so many allies now he felt a familiar scene playing out. 'This is for the best' he assured mentally as he entered his vehicle. The fact none of his crew spoke nor looked at him spoke of their turmoil in itself.
-Transition-
The match had proceeded as their great leader Katyusha had planned. 'There will be casualties but our school's success takes priority over individual failure!' she had said in the beginning. Nonna recounted her precious leader shouting to a chorus of Ura! She truly did demand devotion from her peers and juniors even if she and Clara had to give incentives at times.
Currently, Nonna resided in their school's newly purchased IS-3 and was bringing up the rear. Katyusha's faith in her ability to support the front line even from this distance was just another reminder of why she could not fail Katyusha. She and Clara had sworn their absolute support to her and would not fail. A crying Katyusha while still cute was not a sight they wished to repeat.
Clara was in support of Katyusha at the very moment clearing the west and ensuring there was no one to flank them. Their enemy seemed to have cut their own communications leaving Pravda's radio operators in the dark as to their activities and whereabouts. Her thoughts revolved around Katyusha and the developments of the match as her eye remained glued through her sight.
They had been warned this school was something to fear on the battlefield yet it seemed that they had fallen in on themselves as if their foundations had collapsed instead of faltering due to outside pressure. They had held a terrifying defensive line at first and even destroyed one of her scouts in the southeast behind her back somehow. so how did they break so easily under a single charge?
It was bewildering to think a school with such a good field record this early on and with its staff, though with it's quirks, was certainly an intelligent and experienced selection. She even could draw parallels with them and their own school's command. Their commander named Virtanen was just as confident as Katyusha, and though it pained her to say lacked common sense at times to her observation. He, however, was naturally inferior in every other way to her glorious leader.
This Knight was a "Vice commander" as their school called it and was seemingly third in their chain of command. He was new, practically unheard of as Clara had been the year prior. Sadly that was the only parallels she could draw between those two as Clara was far more confident and skillful. Most interestingly it came down to her and this Kaiser individual.
He had stirred up some trouble upon his visit to their academy even drawing some of Clara's ire with his comments and actions. "He is dangerous" she had warned. Seemingly he held the same disposition and effect she did at first glance. He was a deterrent for any unsavory actions from students and a model of excellence to strive for. Yet she wondered if he was an instrumental part in the current state of affairs. After all, he seemed to be the one in charge when they had met, not the subordinate of his peer. It was as she contemplated the strange circumstances she heard a quiet sneeze.
"Achoo" came the timid sound from here driver. "Bud'te zdoorovy" (bless you) here loader commented. "AHH, shanks" her driver thanked with a quick sniffle. "I wish we could get this over with already, I want some hot borscht. "We must focus" instructed Nonna. Her crew looked up to their leader flinching at her gaze.
Her cool Saphire eyes held their usual indifference as she looked down at them her head tilted upwards with a casual frown. she, however, held an extra air of intimidation tonight as the red light from outside cast itself through the glass viewports around her. The nights cold that had seeped in only seemed to grow as they held her gaze while she spoke. "Do not forget that neglect and overconfidence was our undoing last year" she reprimanded.
"Y-Yes ma'am! her crew shouted turning forward and stiffening in a heartbeat. Nonna let a short exhale out through her nose. Naturally, some members graduate last year and were replaced. Though none of the crew in her vehicle were first years seeing as how they had to prove themselves capable to be on a seniors team they were expectedly stiff if not downright frightened by her. It seemed even amongst her peers and second years some still haven't come to see her as a comfortable figurehead.
While She thought of how her preference for them to be more cohesive rather than working under fear of being chastised for lack of performance her radio buzzed. "Nonna! prepare to depart, we are going to head east now and wipe these pathetic stains from the map!"
"Yes, Katyusha" responded Nonna looking to her crew. They returned a nod as their vehicle turned about reorganizing itself into a new formation to join Katyusha. The final battle would soon be commencing. It was as they hurried to join their main force Nonna glanced at the moon. It was a magnificent crimson drop in the sky, at the height of its passing. Luck seemed on their side tonight.
-Transition-
-A few minutes after the schism between Transcendence-
Knight couldn't believe his luck. Not only in his moment of rage and panic for a friend did he single-handedly tear apart his school's team in the middle of a match. That they were losing might he add. "I'm so getting expelled after this, that's if Kaiser doesn't kill me for tanking this match, and now I'm making O'Diveley level puns...great." He grieved internally
He also had the misfortune of his dear Panzer IV breaking down not too long after storming away. Thus forcing them to be towed by his few remaining allies into a sparse area of trees for repairs. The only good thing to come of which is that while they had concealment, all around them were open plains letting them know if there were any approaching enemies.
Everyone had been naturally quiet due to the turn of events. Even his own crew. "Something with the engine was all they told him before the went to work repairing. He couldn't blame them. He was thankful actually, he didn't want to discuss what happened back there and doubted they did either, instead they chose to focus their attention on work, on the fight at hand. A lot more to be said about them than he.
Knight had reported what he'd been told to Virtanen who could only muster a small complaint with an even smaller smile." If only we had piper eh?" Knight walked over to his vehicle leaning against the cool chassis before in a small fit of frustration he kicked the treads. Thankful his issued boots were steel-toed even if that did make them colder rather than comfortable in this weather. As he resumed leaning forward onto the chassis he allowed a sigh of distress escape.
Simply put he didn't know what to think. Embarrassment, anger, a hint of despair at the situation, the most prevalent however was a sense of betrayal. At the least what he deemed to be so. Being a teenager never was easy and his lack of confidence paired with his ability to make rash decisions made Knight's short sixteen years of life rather difficult by his standards.
Two words stood tall amongst the questions in his mind. What? and Why? What was going through his commander's mind when he made the decision to abandon his peers and why was he so calm about it. No matter how he reassessed the situation it was he who had overacted and he could feel heat creeping up his neck at the thought. His voice loud and uneven. His face undoubtedly carrying an uncharacteristic fury. Yet Kaiser had stayed the same as he always had. Knight could only see his teeth grit together tighter than usual and then only noticing it as he threatened him up close.
Another wave of heat as he loosed the collar of his uniform to cool off. A sign of remorse? Regret from him? Knight gave off a weak chuckle at the thought. 'No way could such a person feel regret for his actions'. In a way, Knight envied him more than ever now. He could stay unfazed in all of this and cast off any restraints. In a way, it was admirable and yet so isolated.
Virtanen aided little in what actions and input he had given. Somehow seeming more distressed even with his usual grin plastered onto his face. No one knew much about the two as they kept to themselves, Kaiser even more so but everyone knew they were old friends. At least it seemed so till recently. Both seemed to have had burdens thrust upon them by the other if not an outside source and it certainly reflected upon the cadets. The two hadn't noticed or chose not to acknowledge it but Knight had.
He was used to others staring, stealing glances and gossiping negatively about him. He had never performed exemplary before his attendance here after all. Nearly being deemed a catastrophe for any team or sport he partook in. But he could tell the nervous glances the cadet's sent their way. They were unsure of what lay between the two and how it would affect the team. 'And I just went and ripped the wound wide open' lamented Knight
A deep breath helped ease him of his thoughts. At least one sliver of good news had been relayed. Diana and Natalya were heading south, south-west in an attempt to reconnoiter with their force. Pravda had long given up the chase but feared being ambushed. Their course of action was then to stay away from the front lines staying mobile in the enemy's rear.
Naturally, the major division of the team had been mentioned but glossed over. Knight not having the heart to tell the two who were trying their best with little to no information or help. The heavy thoughts of youth and squabbling amongst the eery and dreary red atmosphere drained him. Dragging his hand down his face Knight stood tall. "I really shouldn't have been selected for this"
"Quiet!" hushed his loader who he had now realized had been watching him in sympathy. Before he could even feel embarrassed at being seen so weak he caught the sound of engines in the distance. Wide-eyed Knight alerted the others. "Mount up!"
Kaiser was indisputably correct of one thing and no one present would deny it. Training made the man. As the sound of the soviet engines closed in at full steam Knight was in his vehicle in a moment. Warnings and orders flew across the channels as Virtanen oriented their impromptu formation to best withhold the enemy assault as others down to the individual hurried to prepare. The Panzer IV had to be up and running again if Pravda would assail their defense. If they couldn't hold they'd surely be overrun and taken out in the process.
The three vehicles sat in a circle twenty meters apart from eachother, the small grouping of trees giving them concealment but for how long was debatable. Through his bino's Knight looked west and saw a great arrow of Pravdan vehicles streaming eastward to them.
-Transition-
Kaiser's detachment had moved westward in an attempt to stalk and pounce on their enemy who shouldn't have realized that they had divided into separate teams with two different agendas. With an announcement of "Any deserter's that have separated from the schools goal has made themselves clear traitors and burdens unto the team. Administrative action will be taken upon return to the rear however our priority lies with the current battle. Stay focused." The decree sounding a bit too despotic and threatening even for Kaiser but the crew's never voiced any opinion.
It was during a lull in their pursuit that Kaiser's attention was taken off his advance. The team of three vehicles had set up on a ridgeline and began performing reconnaissance. Kaiser's vehicle being located in the center had an easier time merely inspecting their flanks. It was after a quick but no less thorough search his crew turned inwards to him, their eyes a mixture of concern and fear. Whether it was at his expected response or the situation was impossible to tell.
"Sir" began Belle the most confident of the four when addressing him. "I think we need to talk" upon uttering her words she glanced at Laura and West who nodded in agreement. Katya sat hunched in her seat her shoulders stiff and looking away.
Kaiser leaned forward in his seat, lowering his head to look at them through angered eyes. " If your planning on abandoning me then you may take your leave. I'll operate this vehicle myself if I must."
The three facing him wilted under his gaze even Katya who wasn't facing him shrunk in on herself from the sharp tone of his words. Laura was the first to rebound from the effect however and pressed on. "And we don't doubt that for a moment sir, and it hurts… it hurts that you'd think we'd abandon you…"
West now took his turn to pick up where Laura had trailed off. "We know you, abrasive bloke and all" a pointed glare silenced him but for a moment as he soldiered on. "And that means we know you're practically dying inside right now."
It was Kaiser's turn to be surprised. Knight hadn't seen his inner struggle, nor had Sokolov commented on the issue merely following as a soldier. Even Virtanen who had known him the longest hadn't pegged it. But here his crew consisting of three females he hardly spoke to out of practice and a male who had it out for him for some unknown factor of jealousy looked upon him with sympathy.
"You may not have known us for more than a quarter of a year but how many hours do you think we've spent in this damn steel coffin listening to you bark and nod all day long!" West huffed at the end of his speech before going wide-eyed and leaving a stunned silence. Belle and Laura glanced at the boy before he turned in his seat looking out the visor his ears reddened and not due to cold.
Belle took her turn to speak once more. "Sir we've grown to understand each other a bit, you've even gone as far as to help us individually, from my discomfort with males to West's low grades." West jumped in his seat at the mention but went ignored as the girls chuckled. "Is this truly what you desire?"
Hope seemed to well up in the two girl's eyes as Kaiser reflected on the question. His mind was a groggy mess of thoughts. Memories from years past to present. Contingencies, plans, courses of action, possible outcomes. He wished he could just up and quit. Wasn't that a pleasant train of thought for the second in command who had assumed authority?
One phrase stayed present, however. "The mission" it repeated in his head again. A dark look settled over his face. As if answer enough Laura and Belle turned in their seats. Disappointment set on their features as it was almost expected. West who had been glancing over his shoulder slumped on his controls.
"Sir!" Shouted Katya as Kaiser made to give an order. "No matter what you think, no matter what happens, we're with you! And Nat wouldn't hold it against you either. We all look up to you." A short sniff interrupted her sentence as her frame shook still refusing to turn towards him.
"Why else would we still be here!" All eyes turned on Katya and refused to budge towards their commander who hadn't responded. The short moment felt like an eternity in the small confines until they heard a sigh. All but Katya turned to see Kaiser dragging a hand down his face.
"I hate being wrong. Admitting it even more so. Speak of this to no one and set course to double back." A gasp of glee from Belle and a high five between West and Laura, followed by Katya wiping her eyes before turning on the radio ecstatically.
Kaiser slumped into his seat forsaking his usual upright posture as he stared out the side of his cupola. Running his thumb over the smooth material of the red scarf he wore. Katya's words mixed with the memory of Natalya and Valerya being so earnest in their gifts and invitations to an after-party. He'd never admit it but he believed he'd been guilt tripped.
"Their little escapade should have caught the enemy's attention and diverted Pravda away from the encircled teams, perhaps even entirely. If so then they will retreat further northeast drawing the battle out intending to have an alamo in the town's outskirts." Informed Kaiser.
"This was unanimously agreed upon by Virtanen, Knight and I as our last resort. Let's hope they're at least still using logic at this point and not bleeding hearts." Griped Kaiser. "Their teams are hardy so Diana should be fine if it was anything too serious they'd have passed up the chance to have taken that hill" Belle said offering to sympathize with his worry.
The words felt hollow as Kaiser remembered his own actions with Saunders and his intention to not report the injury regardless. 'I should really ensure no student becomes exactly like me…'
Well, it still wasn't too late to shut Valerya up and keep his promise. As he sat grasping at the cloth around his neck and looking out the cupola Katya leaned back holding her smartphone's rear camera just high enough to get a picture. Her group call to Valerya and Natalya, though shifty due to signal had gone through and she felt a victory picture necessary.
-Meanwhile, a few clicks east of their position. Natalya received the picture of Kaiser leaning in his seat looking out his hatch and chuckled at Katya's face which took a corner of the picture as she held a victory sign up in front with a teary-eyed grin. She clutched the phone to her chest as she released a chuckle.
"Thank you sir" Natalya muttered to herself. "Do you think he realized Katya relayed their conversation through facetime?" Asked her loader with a grin. A chuckle escaped Natalya as she shook her head. "There would be hell to pay for her if he did. Let's just believe that Katya can be devious too. After all, she is a cadet amongst us. Acting comes paired with her clumsiness.
A vibration shook her left breast drawing her attention to her phone. The messenger was the other recipient of Katya's call. Valerya had sent an emoji winking with a peace sign. "One thing is for sure" she grinned as she typed in the same reply. "I certainly won't let him forget admitting that he just might have been wrong."