May 2010
11 Months Before the ReRise
The shade of trees was welcome by Nishi, as another warm day was washing over the Akagi School carrier. Yet unlike the first day when she join and went through the dreaded fitness regime, with the sun beating down on them that day, this day was an inviting one, with the cool wind blowing across the carrier, making Nishi glad for the fresh air they got out on the sea, compare to the cramp streets of the metropolis she had once live in with her family. Which in the short time aboard the Akagi, had become something Nishi love day in and day out.
What she love even more than the beautiful weather that had been afforded to them today, was the sound of engines roaring. That sound belonging to the Type 97 Chi-Ha's Mitsubishi SA12200VD air-cooled V-12 diesel engine that Nishi was riding in, which wasn't alone as three others were roaring as well behind Nishi's tank in a marching column formation under the trees. At the moment, Nishi, who over the past month had earned the role of Reserve Group commander by her peers, was leading a platoon on a practice march, that their commander Ako had assigned to them for training today.
Standing tall in her commanders cupola, Nishi turn around to look back at her platoon, which consisted of Kubota, Nagura, and Hamada. All driving Type 97 Chi-Ha's as well while keeping a good marching line with one another along the path in the woods. Seeing them driving smoothly along the trail made Nishi's heart soar with pride at how well they were their formation, as it had been a hard month of sorting out tank commanders and crews, then working to get in sync with one another as quickly as possible so the first years could be allow to take their tanks out onto the field.
Now, even with only a month of training under them, they had earned their rookie tankers badge. Putting in a lot of hard work to get to this point, learning the ins and outs of their tanks from Chief Mechanic Himi who taught them all the mechanical gibberish that would help them, as well as how to repair minor things in the field if their tank ever broke down. The mature women quickly became a favorite amongst the first years, as Himi always supported them with words and jokes that brought them up some days when practices were a bit to harsh and brutal.
While even if they train in tanks, their upperclassmen put them through a tough physical regime as well, which didn't just consist of running, push-ups, or situps. They added in Judo and Kendo to their fitness regiment, which was taxing as Nishi and her first years were already being crammed with tankery information, but had to learn these two martial arts that were part of steadying their minds to be calm, yet anyone who was pair with Tamada got a nothing but bruises from the aggressive girl that included Nishi, but that was just something Nishi had come to like about her tankery sister, the pure fearlessness Tamada had now that her confidence was high after the rough first day she had.
Though if one thing nag at Nishi about their training, was the utter mix of tactics when it came to actual tankery. Though Ako was the commander of the team, the second-year Vice Commander Mizuko always seem to be the one leading the training by having the girls charge targets in a straight line, which was very crude compare to the other more detailed training outside of tanks. Yet something about the fearless nature of the charge was awe-inspiring for Nishi, seeing how committed a unit was to get into the faces of their opponents and show them the might of their club's fighting prowess.
Yet, there was also the obvious fact, even to a rookie tanker like Nishi, that a charge over open ground seem suicidal, especially against a well entrench team. Ako though had been explaining to the first years in study sessions about why they needed to get closer, since their tank's punching power was relatively low, especially in the Type 97 57mm low-velocity gun, which was in actuality an infantry support gun even with its AP Shells. Their only effective tank was the Type 97 Shinhoto with the Type 1 47mm gun that had significantly higher velocity, but even still struggled against most tanks other teams tanks frontal armor they fielded, with sides being their only chance to find the penetration to overload the onboard systems as a kill shot.
For those reasons, Nishi had kept silent about openly asking why their tactics seem so outdated by modern standards. With such underperforming guns, the need to get close made sense to make up for their gun's apparent shortcomings. While it was obvious that their tanks, even with significantly underpowered guns, could at least rely on their tanks good drive systems, allowing them to rapidly advance over the battlefield in record time, while also their smaller profiles allow them to squeeze through gaps bigger tanks couldn't, especially in heavily forested and jungle type match areas.
I can't overthink all that right now, I need to focus on making sure this practice march goes well to help my platoon improve
Nishi thought, then focus herself on here and now, as she looked to her front and could see they were about to leave the woods and brought her wired communicator up to her mouth to speak on the platoon net. "Alright girls, we're going to push past these woods, remember to keep eyes open for enemy targets. Remember we have to be quick in identifying them."
"Roger!" Her platoon reply back.
Nodding her head, Nishi switch over to her crew net. "Mae, keep our speed but be ready to rotate the tank on my signal. Sumi be ready to fire on my mark once we locate the enemy."
"Roger!" They said back.
Now Nishi nodded in approval to their quick responses, as her tank was the first to leave the welcoming shade of trees, for the open grassy field before her. Putting her hand up to block some of the rays of light from her face, Nishi look left to right for plywood targets, seeing none were around her immediate area, she brought her binoculars up from her face to get a more enhanced view. The open ground around them had nothing but some bushes and sparse trees. Even with a clear vision, nothing was catching Nishi's eyes that was annoying her a bit, since they needed to take down any targets spotted as quickly as possible.
"Targets left side, 400 meters!" Kubota said over the net.
Turning to her left in the cupola, Nishi brought her binoculars up to see the four plywood targets some 400 meters away from their position, that were their end goal for this march. Quickly Nishi order her platoon to traverse their tanks left, forming a straight line in quick succession, speaking to the hard work they put in the drilling grounds to help them move as one when orders came down.
"Alright, all tanks, on my order, will advance!" Nishi order, about to make an arm motion to charge.
"Uh, Nishi?" Kubota ask over the net.
Surprise by the sudden question right when they were about to charge surprise Nishi, who turn to her subordinate. "Yea, Kubota?"
"I don't mean to question you or our club, but why don't we shoot from here. I know from the lectures that our guns don't have great velocity for distance shooting, but charging over open ground against a well entrench team would only make us easy targets for other teams," Kubota ask in a shy tone.
It isn't like I don't agree with her, but this is our club's tactics, we can't just change because we want to, especially against the second years
Nishi somberly thought, then brought her wired communicator up to her mouth to speak. "I know Kubota, but this is the club's tactics we need to follow. Even firing from here we wouldn't puncture most enemy tank's armor with these guns. So we need to get close to get the most effectiveness out of them, there isn't much else we can come up with to help us win."
"Oh, ok, I didn't mean to question your leadership, I jus-," Kubota try to say
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING, NISHI PLATOON!" A voice shrill over the net.
Everyone in the platoon wince together along with their crews, knowing it was the voice of their Vice commander Mizuko, who was observing them from an observation post somewhere in the distance. It seem ever since she and the other upperclassmen had returned from the National Drawing last week, their Vice commander was more on edge than usual, as apparently her and Commander Ako had been arguing over tactics to use against their first-round opponent at every waking minute it seem like.
That first-round opponent was Saunders University High School, a top-four school in the Sensha-do Federation High School Circuit.
Frantically, Nishi click her wired communicator to speak. "Sorry, Vice commander, will get on with the drill."
"Alright," Nishi said, switching back to her platoon net. "All tanks forward! Wait for my order to fire at the targets!"
"Roger!" The tank commadners reply.
As one the entire line of Chi-Ha-Tan Tanks roar forward, charging over the open ground at the plywood targets. Drivers put their tanks into highest gear while making sure to keep steady hands on the sticks, while gunners push their shoulders into guns shoulder mount to self-stabilize the gun with their eyes buried in the gunner optic, with their loaders right behind them ready to load again, while offering some encouragement to their gunners. While every tank commander was standing tall in their cupola, with their eyes focused on their targets.
The distance was close to within 50 meters, which Nishi now call to her platoon. "Fire!"
In a ragged volley, the Type 97 Chi-Ha's unleash their low-velocity guns, the tracer shells sent over short space in a flash. Though the result was less than anyone could like, as a couple of shells bounce into the ground kicking up dust into the air, another flew over the target completely, and Nishi's own gunner had been on target, but only clip the corner of the plywood target tearing off some the corner section.
"All tanks halt!" Nishi order over the net.
While their shooting was horrendous, the tank drivers responded to orders quickly. Pulling on the sticks with great precision they brought their tanks to a complete halt in line with one another. With their tanks stop, the tank commanders all had a chance to reflect on their shooting, each of them letting a grimace cross their faces, knowing they had fail terribly.
Though Nishi, who had taken to Ako's advice to be positive for her teammates, quickly went into action, speaking over the platoon net. "Don't mind girls, you really put your hearts into it, just need to keep persisting till one day we're hitting these targets in our sleep."
Kubota was the first to speak up. "Commander, I know I'm a rookie here, but I can't help but wonder if this is the best way to fight."
"Kubota, we can't go against our upperclassmen tactical training," Nishi said, though her voice was wavering since part of her agree with her.
"Yea, come on Kubota, the Chi-Ha-Tan mass charge is a staple of this club, you can't look down on it," Nagura said in annoyance, being one of some of the first-year group, completely taken with their club's tradition, with a wanting to uphold it at all cost.
"Well, she kind of has a point, coming over open ground is dangerous against a team, though I still believe closing the distance is our best chance at success," Hamada said nervously, hoping not to catch the ire of her of friend Nagura.
"I understand, look we can't be divided on this. Were a team, and we must follow the tradition of our club," Nishi said, though secretly she was doubting these tactics, but in her mind, there was no other choice for them.
Before anyone could argue further, Vice Commander Mizuko's voice came over the net, though in a more calm tone, but still angry. "Nishi platoon, get back to the staging area, I've watched you disgrace this field long enough.
Then she cut the net call, making everyone feel a shiver run up their backs knowing how furious she was going to be when they got back.
"She's going to yell at us again, probally worse than last time," Kubota said sadly, not wanting to deal with another lecture session with their sub commander, who was terrible to deal with when her blood was up.
"It's only cause we hesitated, we need to charge forward when we see the enemy, show her were warriors with no fear, then upperclassmen Mizuko will look favorably on us for once," Nagura said, a little heated at the platoon's poor performance.
"We failed as a unit, will take the blame together. Chin up Kubota, will be right there with you" Hamada encourage with a smile.
"No," Nishi said, getting everyone and their crew's attention. "I will take the blame, as a platoon leader."
"Nishi you don't need to do that," Kubota pleaded.
"I do, for I was the one who hesitated the most. You girls just follow my lead, in the end, I fail you, and for that I apologize," Nishi said, then bow from her cupola to her fellow tank commanders.
"Please don't apologize Miss Nishi, it's alright," Hamada said, flustered by her commander's willingness everything on her shoulders.
"Even if I'm peeve we hesitated, I have great respect for you and your leadership Miss Nishi will face this together, we are tankery sisters after all," Nagura said with a smile.
Nishi just nodded happily to her fellow first-years, glad to have their respect. Now they needed to get back to the staging area and hopefully be able to endure Mizuko's tirade. Though, if they stood shoulder to shoulder, they believe they could overcome anything, or so they thought as their tanks roll of back on the dirt path.
XxxxX
After finally arriving back to the staging area, Nishi and her platoon's crews were made to get the tanks back to the Tiger garage to get looked over by Chief Mechanic Himi and the rest of her junior mechanics. Thankfully for the crews, they were let off from the following tirade that was about to happen to them from their upperclassmen and second in command Mizuko, as they only wanted the tank commanders to report to Mizuko.
At the moment, Nishi, Kubota, Hamada, and Nagura were line up in a neat line, facing Mizuko who was simply staring at them, with her hands clasped behind her back, her face contorting into rage. With the reason for this rage was not just with what had happened on the practice field, but also what had just been said to her by Kubota.
"You want to repeat that by me again," Mizuko said, her eyes beaming into the first year with great intensity.
"I was just saying ma'am, I think there are better ways to approach combat than with our current tactics," Kubota said, though the confidence in her voice had dropped dramatically compared to the first time she had said this.
Mizuko nodded, grateful she had heard her underclassmen correctly, then close the gap between them with such speed it almost knock Kubota off her feet, as she thought her upperclassmen was going to hit her, but that wasn't the case.
Getting right into the face of Kubota, Mizuko lock eyes with the first year who was trembling being face to face. Which pleased Mizuko, since she needed to snuff out this outward thinking of her underclassmen before she infected the rest of the first years, as that was her job, to stop Ako's want to change the culture of their club, to which she was using the first years as a subtle way to start the evolution.
"Maybe you forgot, so let me remind you. The staple of this club is to show no fear to any challenge, to charge forward against any foe, and fight as one," Mizuko said, hoping to get her point across.
"I…I…I…I understand commander, but it's just that we have such a great color scheme on our tanks, low profiles, and good mobility. If we could form some dif-," Kubota try to explain.
"The hell did I just say!" Mizuko yell into her face, making Kubota clamp up.
Mizuko continue to light into her junior. "You think we charge the enemy just for the fun of it! Look at our tank's guns, they don't have the punching power at distance, so that's why we close the gap. You try to do whatever made-up tactics you think will work and you will only see the result of achieving nothing!"
"Ye…yes ma'am," Kubota said, completely defeated now.
"That hesitation I saw earlier was because of you, wasn't it?" Mizuko said, seeing she needed to break this tanker down if she were to get on board with the team's identity.
Nishi, even though frightened of her upperclassmen, push those feelings down to protect her platoon member, and more importantly friend.
"Vice commander Mizuko, the hesitation was my fault as a platoon leader," Nishi said loudly, trying to take the heat off her friend.
The statement got Mizuko's attention, who turn to focus in on the first year, with her face turning into a look of amusement, which only made Nishi more nervous as now the Vice commander walk down the small line to her, with each step machining Nishi's heart clench knowing what was to come. Then Mizuko stood in front of Nishi, staring down at her, while Nishi did her best to keep calm with all of it.
"So it's your fault is it pamper girl?" Mizuko said.
Arms lock behind her back, Nishi spoke with her chin held high. "Yes ma'am, it was my fault."
"Why is it your fault?" Mizuko ask, seeming to test her first year.
"I was the one who should have made sure there was no hesitation in meeting the enemy, as platoon leader I take all blame for it," Nishi voice with her best conviction behind it.
"Well, well, trying to take the blame for this, yet at the same time, you're no better than Miss Kubota over there. You hesitated because you are fighting against our code too, aren't you?" Mizuko said with snarl.
"N…no ma'am," Nishi said, trying to sound confident.
"Oh, yes you are. Your Commander Ako's little pet project, she despertly wanted you for the Reserve group leader role, only because she wants to wash away our warriors code, so you better banish those thoughts from your head while I'm still here, got it," Mizuko order.
"Ma'am!" Nishi said back.
"If that had been Saunders, your whole platoon would have been wiped. While doing nothing but shaming our school with your cowardice, is that how you want to be remembered?" Mizuko said, now looking at the whole platoon for their answer.
"No ma'am!" they shouted back.
"That's what I want to hear, now go get change, because I've stomach enough of your cowardice for the day, tommmrow will build some courage into you properly for this terrible display today," Mizuko order.
As one, Nishi and her platoon saluted their sub commander. "Yes, ma'am!"
Then they began to move off, with defeated looks on their face evident, speaking to the shame they all internally felt for this poor showing this day. Nishi was the worse off, since again she had caught the ire of her upperclassmen Mizuko, as this was becoming commonplace for them, with Mizuko always seeming to want to single Nishi out. Which was even more prominent of late because Nishi had been made leader of the reserve group.
Nishi knew that Mizuko didn't want her in that position, instead, she wanted Tamada to be the reserve group leader as they had a better repertoire compared to Nishi, though it was obvious because Tamada was one of the most vocal of the first years when It came to following the warrior's code. Influencing many of the other first years to the point it was causing a divide in the their class year, with Nishi being the only reason they didn't completely get on board because she wanted them to take some of Ako's advice as well.
"Nishi you stay," Mizuko order.
Stopping in her tracks, Nishi slowly turn back to her Vice commander with fear running through her, while the rest of her tank commanders hesitated for a moment, not wanting to leave her alone and at the mercy of the Mizukko who they knew was going to light into her. Yet Nishi gave them an encouraging look to go on, so they didn't get in any more trouble, to which they accepted, but not without regret they couldn't stand with Nishi, as no matter how divided they might become, they all follow her leadership togather.
Once they were alone, Mizuko came right up to stand toe to toe with Nishi as she spoke. "I don't know what your malfunction is pamper girl, you've been here a month already, yet you seem to want to fight against our traditions at every waking moment."
"I don't mean to ma'am, I'll make sure to do better in the coming days," Nishi said keeping her voice even.
"Will you? I wonder if that's true, because there will come a day when it's just us and Ako will be gone. How can I trust you to have my back when we go into battle," Mizuko challenge, eyeing Nishi with great intensity.
It was a verbal jab at Nishi's commitment to the team, but she remain resolute to meet her upperclassmen's challenge. "I will give you all of my support and dedication."
"No, don't give me that line because you think it sounds good in your head. Tell me how you really feel?" Mizuko said, wanting to get the truth out of her first year.
"I…I….uh, just….," Nishi said, her mind being clouded with doubt if Mizuko was just testing her or really wanted her opinion.
Mizuko shook her head at her junior who stutter. "I give you a chance to say what's on your mind, yet you back down. That kind of hesitation again is going to get you taken out on the battlefield, so grow a spine and speak up!"
Wincing from the rebuke, Nishi push forward to speak openly now. "Ma'am, I agree with Kubota in some ways. I know our guns don't have the punching power, but why charge the enemy directly from the front?"
"What are your suggesting?" Mizuko ask calmly.
"Well, maybe….we….could….," Nishi said, then went quiet. Even though she did agree with Kubota that things needed to change, she was drawing blanks on how to make the change come to be.
That was a product of the limited tankery knowledge that came with the club as well. Chi-Ha-Tan Academy had one of the largest libraries among its school carriers. Yet tactical doctrines on tank tactics were limited, with only a small book being afforded for everyone to read. The book itself was nothing more than about how to maintain their tanks, speeds, and ammo types. Besides that, their tankery tactics they were to learn was limited to verbal instruction from their upperclassmen, which was simple in the form of getting close to the enemy to take them down.
"So you hesitate on the battlefield and with suggestions," Mizuko said with a shake of the head, then glare at Nishi. "Your nothing like Tamada, at least she charges forward with all her might, no fear, and no hesitation. Unlike you, just a pamper girl who enjoys the easy life unlike some of us."
Nishi felt a little frustration take over, since it seem at every waking moment, her upperclassmen always seem to like to remind her that she was just some pamper girl. In fact Mizuko was the only one she did this too, which bother Nishi to know no end, as she didn't understand Mizuko's obsession with constantly reminding her of this.
"Vice commander, wouldn't it be better to ambush enemies instead of charging directly," Nishi said, then felt embarrassed, since she just blurted it out without thinking.
"Oh, so that's your plan?" Mizuko said, with an amused look.
The amused look made Nishi more fearful than Mizuko shouting at her.
Mizuko, with her hands on her hip, and giving Nishi a sidelong spoke now. "You want us to be rats? Hiding from our foes? Is that how you want us to fight?"
"No ma'am, I'm just suggesting an alternative. Something that can give us a fi-," Nishi try to explain.
"Coward! You would have us tuck our tails between our legs?" Mizuko shouted, bringing her face right into Nishi's so close they almost touch foreheads.
Cowering a bit, with her hands clasped behind her starting to shake, Nishi said nothing, feeling too scared to try to fight back against her upperclassmen.
"I weep for the day when I leave this club with you at the helm. You will just bend over for every team you face and take defeat, while disgracing our Sensha-do team like no other. Every team has better tanks than us, so we need to meet them on the field with a fury that they can't contend with, that's the only way we're going to win," Mizuko stated.
"Yes, ma'am," Nishi said, no longer having the will to fight back.
"I didn't hear you speak up!" Mizuko shouted back.
Nishi began to reply, till a voice call out to the two of them.
"Mizuko, what the hell are you doing?!"
Both girls turn to see Commander Ako, wearing the Chi-Ha-Tan tankery commanders uniform with white lapels, her light blonde hair cut short that just touch her shoulders. Her eyes were a light greenish color, with a light complexation. With her face wearing nothing but a mix of rage and disappointment as she had heard from the Kubota about Mizuko pulling Nishi aside, to which the Chi-Ha-Tan commander knew was going lead to Mizuko berating the poor girl, to which Ako was not about to let continue any longer.
Coming closer to the pair, Ako place herself in front of Nishi in obvious need to protect her junior. While Mizuko back off a bit, then stare at Ako with frustration that she was getting in the way of things, knowing they were going to get into another fight over how they train their first years which had been a recurring theme for them in the past month, along with the arguments of how to handle Saunders for the first round.
"Teaching her not to hesitate," was all Mizuko said with a shrug.
"No, you're just bullying her. Never have you had the right to do that, your job is to help them progress as tankers, not berate them because of a small mistake," Ako argue back.
Mizuko scoff at her commander. "Small mistakes, become bigger one's later, commander."
"While mistakes are a reflection of leadership, if we aren't teaching them the right way to proceed with things that only makes it harder on them to learn, while your attitude is not helping with that as well," Ako shot back.
A nod of understanding came from Mizuko, then she spoke back in a soft tone. "Attitude reflects leadership, commander."
Ako's fist tightens at her side, hearing Mizuko say that. Taking a silent jab at her commander in so few words, basically telling her that it was her fault things were so divided in the team and the training of the first years. Though Ako was strong in her own convictions that it was Mizuko and her second years being the problem, as they wouldn't let go of a dead code.
"The divided win accolades, but the team wins glory," Ako fought back, hoping to make Mizuko understand she wanted them to be together on this.
Seeing no point to continue this battle of words or get on board with her commander, Mizuko simply nodded, then saluted her commander. "Permission to leave, commander."
"Granted, send everyone back to the dorms, were done today," Ako order.
"Yes commander," Mizuko said, then smarty turn on heel to walk off.
Once her subordinate and irritant was out of sight, Ako let a sigh of relief out, then turn to Nishi behind her to speak. "I'm sorry about that Miss Nishi, you didn't deserve any of that."
"I'm sorry that I haven't performed up to the club's ideals, commander," Nishi said looking at the ground.
Ako reach out to touch Nishi's face, bringing it up to look each other in the eyes, as the Chi-Ha-Tan commander spoke in a gentle tone to her junior. "You are doing just fine, in a short time you have really got your crew working well togather faster than even I did as a first-year, while your leadership with the reserve group has been a tremendous help to me."
"No I need to do better, accept our club's ideals to the letter," Nishi said, still disappointed in herself.
I can't let her be bully into this code, she's going to be our brighter future
Ako thought, as once again she needed to bring Nishi up as she spoke. "Miss Nishi, do you really want to just charge the enemy? Showing off some warrior spirit, while getting blown away in the process, then do it all over again?"
"Well, ye-," Nishi started to say, but was interrupted by her commander.
"Be honest with me."
Clamping up a bit, Nishi found her resovle, while knowing she could be open with her commander, unlike with Mizuko. "Commander, I believe our tactics are effective and make sense in a way, but we could use some variation of it to help us win."
"Your right, we need to change if we want to win, which is something we haven't done in a near decade," Ako said, her face becoming sad over the thoughts of how far the club had fallen.
Nishi feeling more confident since its was Ako talking openly about the same concerns about the team, felt good about pressing on with her. "Why don't we change?"
"It's a good question," Ako said with a smile.
"Commander?" Nishi ask in question tone.
Looking to the right, Ako spotted a tree a short way from them, then turn back to Nishi to speak. "Come with me."
Nodding in understanding, Nishi follow Ako over to the tree, then both sat down under it on the grass, getting a reprieve from the sun for a bit. Nothing was said for a moment between the two, with Nishi watching Ako wondering when she was going to speak. Yet the Chi-Ha-Tan commander seem content to just stare at the open field in front of her, with Nishi slowly following suit and stare at the open field as well.
A soft breeze now passed over the practice grounds, making the grass and trees sway with it gently. Nishi watch all this feeling herself slowly relax, especially from the tirade earlier she receive from her upperclassmen, as the serenity of this day was taking a hold of her. Nishi thought this was a subtle attempt by her commander to get her to calm down, to which it was helping Nishi's mental state tremendously.
Ako now turn to Nishi. "You ask why we don't change."
Nish said nothing back, just turning to her commander to listen to her.
"We don't change because we don't want to, in fact this code many of the club follow with zeal is something that is tied into their heart themselves….because for some, it's the one thing in their life that makes them feel like something believe in their potential, when society didn't," Ako explain.
A sidelong glance from Nishi follow the statement. "What do you mean?"
"I'm sure you know already, but a lot girls in this club are orphans who Chi-Ha-Tan academy adopted into their school carrier," Ako said.
Tamada, Hosomi, and Ikeda
Nishi's thoughts turn to her close friends, who all were orphans who were adopted into this school that she had learn of over the past month. There were others as well, yet mixed in were normal girls like Nishi, who had applied to join the academy. Even with the odd mix of girls, in the short time together they had grown close in the first year reserve group, all of them relying on one another, to which tankery had a lot to do with how quickly strong familial bonds had been formed with one another.
"Yes I know," Nishi said.
Ako nodded, then turn back to look over the calm scene before her. "Mizuko is an orphan too, along with most of the second years and some of the third years."
"I never knew, she never said anything about it," Nishi said with surprise look.
"She isn't one to openly talk about it, though that's why sometimes were at odds over tactics," Ako said.
Nishi asorb the words, then spoke. "You said this warrior's code they follow is because society didn't believe in them."
"I did. It's the reason they're so passionate about it, as they believe it's the one thing in life that believe in their potential when adults didn't believe in it to adopt them, that if they give their all to it, that belief will give them something back in the end, which that end goal they so covet is a victory for not themselves, but Chi-Ha-Tan Academy. The place that gave them a home and family," Ako explain.
"Meaning they will give their hearts and souls to it, no matter the result," Nishi said in a near whisper, with a hand on her chin in thought, getting a better understanding of what drives this warrior code.
Ako nodded, then explain the history behind it. "It comes from a long tradition of girls being adopted by Chi-Ha-Tan that dates back to when the school carrier system was founded by MEXT in the 1950's, since after the loss of the war and the nuclear bombs were dropped by the US on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, that as you know devastated our country. It left behind devastated families and economy, so when Sesha-do came to be with school carriers, there was at the time, a rampant problem of orphan girls who were walking the streets, so when Chi-Ha-Tan Academy was born, the first Headmaster Handa Sukejuro, who was a former Imperial Officer who survived the war and had friends in high places that granted him the right to lead the academy, made it his duty to bring these girls to his new academy to help them become productive adults for the new Japan."
Nishi asorb the information, as she stay silent wanting to hear more.
Ako contuine. "As you can imagine, Mister Sukejuro ran the academy like he did an army regiment, with strict adherence to duty, discipline, and academics, to which its new student were expected to give their bodies and souls to it. To which these girls who had been starving on the streets, now given warms beds and food zealously follow this."
"It almost sounds how the Imperial Japanese army was trained, to give their all for the divine Emperor Hirohito, no matter the cost to themselves," Nishi said.
"Your right, those were the hallmarks of the academy for a time. To which were to become even more zealously followed when Sensha-do was born and these pioneers of Chi-Ha-Tan tankery were raised with the warrior code that defines our club, to never show fear, never back down from a challenge, and to give your all for the glory of this academy that believe in them. This has been in place for over fifty years, which is why it's so hard to break it, since even as time has whether it down some, the code still survives," Ako explain the last part of her lecture.
Nishi said nothing, just contemplating the words, seeming to understand why Mizuko was so hard on her and the rest of the team. They had a duty not to just win in tankery, but also to uphold a tradition of their club that had been in place since the schools founding. Any deviation must have been consider hearsay in her eye's, though Nishi, even with this revelation, didn't believe Mizuko had to be so forceful about it.
"I guess I understand," Nishi said, in a solemn tone.
"Yet it still feels wrong to you?" Ako ask.
Feeling her resolve now in full swing, Nishi reply. "I do, I understand why this code is so important to them, but even with the past month of practice, it feels like we haven't improved much in tankery, especially shooting. Even a minor team would handle us, while many in our reserve group voice their concerns about things silently to me, while others are fighting us to say we can't break with tradition."
Ako nodded at this. "It's how things were for me, when I was a first-year. A divide that began earlier and stay with us till this day, with the second years fighting even harder this year."
"Is there a way to get everyone on board, we're a team right? Why keep fighting one another over something that has to have a path to fixing," Nishi bodly ask.
Looking off into space for a moment, Ako then brought her eye's back to Nishi. "It's not that simple, Miss Nishi. Words are powerful, but sometimes aren't enough, especially for traditionalists who are dug in with what they believe in."
Thinking things over a bit, Nishi then reply. "So actions are what we need."
Ako smile in approval. "Yes, actions. If we can beat Saunders in the first round this year, with what tactics I came up with. I believe Mizuko will come around, though I can only trust a majority of the team to go along with it, but if that half can get it done, then maybe for once things can change."
"Well I look forward to your victory, commander," Nishi said, with a salute.
"Not as much I look forward to seeing how much my cute junior grows as a tanker," Ako said back with a salute.
"Cute!" Nishi said.
Ako gave her smug look. "Don't act like that, you were a beauty model before you came here."
"Eh! How do you know about that!?" Nishi said, having kept quiet about that part of her life.
"I have my ways," Ako tease.
"Your ways are scary commander," Nishi said with an embarrassing smile.
A chuckle follow the response, as Ako stood up and held a hand out to Nishi. "Come on, time to get back to the dorms to study and rest."
"Yes ma'am," Nishi said taking the hand gratefully, as she stood up with her commander.
Even after a rough day, Nishi felt happier than ever, as she had been given a prep talk by her commander that help her realize things about her club. While also having the belief in her that things could change after their team won the first round of the tournament. To which Nishi believe was going to happen with all her heart, that would pave the way to a new era of Chi-Ha-Tan tankery.
Or so she thought…
XxxxX
Aboard the USS George Washington School carrier, one of Sensha-do's largest school carriers in its fleet, while also housing one of its premier and wealthiest teams in Saunders University High School was currently on course for their affiliate port in Sasebo City in Nagasaki Prefecture for resupply and let the residents and the girls aboard be allowed some shore time after a month out on the sea, to which left an air of excitement for everyone itching to get their feet on solid ground and enjoy some simple pleasures in the city.
Though another group of girls was currently desperately wishing for some port time more than anyone else since they were being put through the wringer of practice at their Sensha-do club practice ground. Those girls belong to a legendary tankery club that had been part of the top four since Sensha-do's founding, and a constant irritant in the sides of every team they face because of their tactics and M4 Sherman's. Even Kuromorimine had their troubles with this team year in and year out.
Currently, there was constant cannonade echoing across the entire school carrier, as said team was going about target practice gunnery that was located to back end of the carrier itself, with the M4 Sherman's firing towards the sea for safety so none of the residences would be put in danger of a misfire, while also huge dirt mounds were placed behind each plywood target for extra safety.
Line up in a neat row was 5 M4 Shermans with large spacing between them painted in their clubs all green camoflouge with their school's emblem on the side of their tanks. The American tanks roll forward slowly, their massive profiles made them look imposing to some teams, while others respected them for their speed, maneuverability, great turret speed rotation, along with a gyrostabilizer for the main M3 75mm gun that help for moving shots and keeping the gun balance and not need a stable platform to fire, unlike some schools tanks. Not to mention the ease of maintenance that Saunders new crews could pick up in little more than a week. All and all they were the easiest tanks to learn by anyone, though their shortcomings would be armor and the main gun that would struggle against Pravda, St. Gloriana, and most importantly Kuromorimine respectively, but their mass attack on single tanks had been a staple to overcome this in their school's history.
With the M4 Shermans on the field in the ready position, the order was given by their platoon leader over the net, then as one, they roar forward in sync with one another, while kicking a lot of dust as they went over the dirt field. Their crews were antsy in their tanks since they along with the rest of the team was being put through the wringer by their commander, Linda Sickle. She was a hardass since the beginning of the school year when she took command of the team and began their training, even introducing dreaded two a day's on weekends, meaning practice in the morning and late afternoons. With Linda constantly howling over small infractions, intense gunnery, and driving training, with the worst part being the intense physical fitness training.
Though everyone was of the mind to tell Linda off, they also came to respect her drilling. She wanted them to be more than just a bunch of party girls everyone around the league thought of them. She wanted to destroy the notion they were just ok with tankery being fun no matter if you won or lost. Those types of thoughts were quickly banished under Linda's tutelage, as she boasted to the whole team that their only aim this year was for the top and anything less is mediocre.
At first many had resisted of course, as having fun and enjoying tankery was something that had garnered Saunders a lot of recruits since its founding and was part of the school's culture. Yet there was still a burning desire to win in the girls of Saunders, as long ago their team had once had a streak of their own of bringing the Victory Flag home for their carrier earning a great reputation, even earning a nickname of the Iron Lioness Legion due to their ferocious tank hunting tactics which earn them a 4-year winning streak. Though Kuromorimine now had smashed that record with their current 9 years of winning, with many pundits already predicting that they will win their 10th in a row this year with no foe insight to take them down.
Yet even with odds stack against them, Linda had constantly iterated to her team that they can beat any top 4 teams. That they had the tanks and the grit to do it, but they could only achieve this by following her teachings. Quickly the team bought into this new commander's teaching, of having an upward look at things.
With this upward look, meant that Linda wanted them to not look at any small team with any respect. As if they were flies that Saunders needed to swat away as if they were nothing but an annoyance, to which the girls took to quite quickly, seeing themselves as great tankers that were going to shock the Sensha-do world when they won the Victory Flag and put themselves at the peak so everyone on can look up at them. That Saunders was now the team to fear, not Pravda, St. Gloriana, Anizo, or even Kuromorimine. It was Saunders who was going to lead the future of Sensha-do and create their own dynasty that would smash the current streak that had been enjoyed by Panzers for to long in Linda's books.
We're going to create our own legend this year, starting first by beating down on Chi-Ha-Tan. What a wonderful warmup they will be
Linda thought as a devilish smirk formed on her face, looking down from an observation point as the M4 Shermans pressed forward still. Watching through her binoculars, she watch them suddenly pulse up as one as they were 400 meters from their plywood targets, with their gunners receiving their orders from their tank commanders guiding them onto targets as quickly as possible. Linda began to mentally count how quickly they were reacting since this was a test on how fast they could get on target and fire, which was important as a half-second too late or too early could be the difference between getting the kill or being the kill.
Suddenly one of the Shermans fire their cannon, with Linda following its tracer round all the way to the plywood target. With her enhanced view, she took in the sight of the large hole form into the middle of the target, being dead center. Linda nodded with great approval, knowing that was a result of one of their new first-year tank commanders who was proving to be quite the ace in their newbie group, who she already had plans to be put into the starting lineup. Following a few moments later, the rest of the M4 Shermans fire as well, though they made Linda frown, as their rounds were on target, but off-center by a wide margin.
"Goddammit, those other new first-year tank commanders are too god damn impulsive," Linda said quietly to herself.
Linda knew well that their team was mostly built up to use M4 Sherman's, though they had some M22 Locust and some other variants of M4, including the M4A1 upgraded with 76mm gun which was their best tank killer in the group. They were excellent tanks, though their original role was to be infantry support in World War Two, they were cable tank killers if a group of them work together to kill the big cats of the German army. Speed was suburb, along with great durability. While crews could easily fix any issues in the field in record time, compared to other teams.
Though their tanks suffer from weak armor and their M3 75mm gun didn't have the punching power to take down other heavy tanks. Which was why Linda had put a great amount of time on gunnery being deadly accurate, as there were always ways to kill tanks with trap shots into their turret rings, or taking out tracks and then maneuvering into their sides for the kill shot.
At least one of the new first-year commanders was showing a lot of promise for Linda, who lean over to her wireless radio, taking the wired communicator off the holder, then brought it up to her mouth to speak into while clicking to the platoon net.
"Reserve platoon 1, it seems only one of you can hit the broad side of a barn. The rest I wouldn't ask you to do anything but set yourself up to be a nice dinner plate for the enemy team to feast on," Linda said over the net.
A mumble of apologies follow suit from the first-year tank commanders who miss.
Shaking her head, Linda spoke over the net again. "Alright, let's wrap things up. Reserve Tank Four come see me when you're done cleaning and locking your tank up."
"Yes ma'am!" The tank commander of 4 said over the net.
Nodding that her orders were understood, Linda hook the communicator up. Then turn to her left when she heard footsteps approaching her. It was Kay coming to see her, a second-year student at the academy, while also the sub commander for the club. Though that wasn't by Linda's choice, as a tradition in Saunders Sensha-do club was for each class year to choose a leader. With the second years always being sub-commander of the club so they can be groomed for command next year, with Kay being a popular choice for her class year.
Kay was unlike Linda, where the latter was stern and harsh. The former was bright and cheerful, which made Linda sick to her stomach that Kay was going to be in command for next year, who would be only focused on having fun and not be as competitive as the team should be. Kay was like many Saunders commanders before her, just out to have blast in Sensha-do, to which Linda hated since the year before their upperclassmen Susan Marshall was the same, a fun-loving commander from Texas, who join since Saunders accepted American applicants into their school, though Linda was American as well, from the rough streets of New York, the two being polar opposites.
Sensha-do as Linda saw it was a sport that demanded you win. Since there was no tomorrow if you lost in the national tournament, if that happen you just go home and everyone forgot about you till next year. Only by winning did you gain any fame for yourself, with Linda's example for as much as she hated to admit to herself, was Susan, as she had made a name for herself in the semi-final of the 61st National Tournament by almost singlehandedly defeating Kuromorimine, till first year Maho Nishizumi finally took her down and ended the match.
Turning her attention to the here and now, Linda focuses on Kay. "Hello Sub commander, something you need?"
Though Linda demanded absolute discipline when it came to her form of Sensah-do, meaning saluting the commander, Kay was the exception, again displaying the carefree attitude that made Linda want to strangle her sometimes. As Kay simply walk up with her hands on her hip, looking Linda right in the eye, telling her she wasn't pleased about something.
"Yes commander, I just read over the battle tactics for the opening round of the match with Chi-Ha-Tan," Kay said.
"And?" Linda ask with a sidelong glance.
"And I want to know why you're suggesting for us to toy with them," Kay ask in hotly tone.
"Isn't it obvious," Linda said like it was the most obvious thing in the world to understand.
That answer only seem to infuriate Kay more. "Sorry commander, I don't see what your end goal is with this humiliation tactic."
A sigh from Linda follow the statement, as she cross her arms while she spoke. "Kay, this is a golden opportunity for us. We got a weak team like Chi-Ha-Tan in the first round, who are nothing but a bunch of pathetic losers who charge their enemy head-on. Like shooting fish in a barrel, as we American's say."
"That doesn't give us the right to fight them like you want us to. If it is like you say 'shooting fish in a barrel' then let's end the match quickly, no need to humiliate them," Kay argue.
"Chi-Ha-Tan is humiliating themselves by fighting as they do, so I plan to take advantage of that. Will use them as well a good warm up, let our tank drivers get a good understanding of tight turns, gunners easy targets, and tank commander some confidence going forward," Linda explain.
"If we go forward with this, will get ridiculed by other teams, do you really want to hurt our reputation like this?" Kay shot back, baffle how calm her commander was about this.
Linda scoff at the question from her sub commander. "Our reputation now is one of mediocre, being just fine with fighting, but not winning. I aim to change that this year, as we will take the Victory Flag for ourselves."
"At what cost?" Kay ask.
"No cost, we're changing our culture around for the future, so you better shape up. Sensha-do is a sport all about the survival of the fittest. It's ruthless and brutal, when the cannons start roaring all that so call sportsmanship is thrown out the window," Linda lecture.
Though Kay didn't take those words to heart, as she had her own ideas of what Sensah-do was about that was completely opposite of what Linda wanted. Kay wanted the team to have fun with the sport, of course winning was a nice bonus, but if they were so focused on winning, she knew a team could lose sight of what was important. If anything, Kay didn't want the team becoming like Kuromorimine, as her few encounters with them in practice matches had shown her a team that seem like they were machines just going about their duty. They didn't seem to have fun, though they did seem to take great enjoyment out of beating down others.
That wasn't what Kay wanted of her team in the future, or even now if she could help it.
"Look, I get what you're trying to do. You want to win and the girls want to win as well, but let's do it honorably at least," Kay suggested.
"The hell with honor, we fight to win, don't forget that," Linda said with a low growl.
Kay was about to argue again, but was interrupted by the sound of a Willy's MB Jeep coming their way. Both girls turn to see the jeep come up to them, carrying five girls of the M4 Sherman crew Linda wanted to see. The jeep pull to a stop some ways from the commadners, then the crew pile out, while coming up to them, while sorting themselves in a neat line and saluted their commanders.
"Brooke reporting front and center ma'am, with my crew as well," the first-year tank commander said.
Both Linda and Kay share a look first with one another, with a silent agreement to put their fighting on the back burner, as even they could agree it didn't look good to be arguing in front of their team, especially the first years. Then they both turn to their juniors, eyeing them all up, as they were the future of their club.
Linda turn to the M4 tank commander and spoke. "You did well, out of your whole platoon, every time you fire you hit dead center. Even when it comes to quick-firing, it's quite the feat, that even your upperclassmen can't match."
Brooke beam at the praise, though she was humble in nature. "Thank you, commander, but I really don't deserve the praise."
"Oh?"
"Yes, you can really praise my gunner. That last shot you saw, I didn't even make the call out, she guided herself onto target and fire before I could even blink," Brooke said.
That made Linda raise an eyebrow in surprise, with Kay matching her look, as it was unheard of for a gunner to practically get their distances right on the first try, line up the target, and then fire on their own. Now both commanders were curious about this gunner who seem to want to play tank commander as well.
"Who is your gunner?" Linda ask.
"That would be Naomi, the tall one with brownish-grey hair," Brooke said.
Now both girls turn to the gunner of the crew, being quite tall, even taller than both Kay and Linda. With short grey and brown hair, with light brown eyes, and a light complexion as well. Linda hadn't gotten time to remember everyone's name from the first-year group, having hardly care to since most of them would never see the field, but this girl here she needed to remember.
Coming over now, Linda stood in front of the gunner, having to crane her neck up to look at her, while the first-year gunner kept her eye's forward, which made the Saunders commander very happy, seeing that the gunner understood discipline.
"Well, well, if you don't have the look of a real tanker," Linda said with a teasing smirk.
"Thank you ma'am," Naomi said back.
"Though I've never heard of a tank gunner being a tank commander too, must think your pretty special?" Linda challenge.
"I didn't mean to be commander, I just saw the target I knew where I needed to hit it," Naomi said, even being taller than her commander, she was afraid of Linda, knowing how frightening she could be when she set her sights on you.
The statement made Linda chuckle. "What's your secret that has so far made you better than any gunner in our entire team?"
Naomi's face contorted, trying to find the right answer so as not to upset her commander.
"Come on, I don't have all day," Linda said in an irritated tone.
"A gut feeling," Naomi said shly.
Linda just stare at Naomi for a moment, then spoke. "You need to speak up, because I can't hear you with that damn timid voice."
Wincing a bit from the rebuke, Naomi now spoke up louder. "A gut feeling commander!"
"That's better, you got instincts for gunnery that our team is in desperate need of. What's the furthest target you think you can hit, be honest," Linda ask.
Feeling like her commander would yell at her if she lied, Naomi decided to speak truthfully. "I believe I can hit a target at a thousand meters, commander."
A look of surprise cross Kay's face as she spoke. "That's unheard of, most gunner's max range is 500 meters, with 600 at best for our club."
"I don't want to sound like I'm boasting or anything, I just know I can do it," Naomi said back.
"I believe her," Linda said, then turn to Kay. "We best give her a tank that will maximize her strengths."
Kay gave Linda an odd look. "Which tank is that?"
"The Sherman Firefly," Linda said.
"A Firefly? Isn't that a British tank?" Brooke said.
"I never knew we had that tank in our arsenal," Kay added, with a flummox look.
Linda simply smile, since she had kept quiet about it, wanting to find the gunner that would make the most use of it, to which she had found and then began to explain things to her team. "Your right, it's a British tank, but only so far with that 17 Pounder gun it's got, the rest of it is pure American muscle."
"That doesn't explain why we have it," Kay said with an annoyed look.
To which Linda shot an annoyed look back, then began to explain herself once more. "I got a call from St. Gloriana's commander, Earl Grey, a month ago about their school finding a Firefly onboard their carrier in the lower hulls as their sailor girls were cleaning them out to make space for supplies."
"As you can imagine to their surprise as they were cleaning, they found a dusty Sherman Firefly being covered in a tarp. Earl Grey believes it was once use by their Sensha-do team some time ago, but must have been stowed away as they started a policy of only using British-made tanks in their school. To which is why we have it now, as Earl Grey was kind enough to gift it to us, since we have great relations with them, wanting to help us out for the tournament."
Kay was shocked by the news then spoke. "Even if they have to face us? I can't figure they want to give us tank killer that could lead to their defeat."
A shrug from Linda follow the response. "Well you know Earl Grey, she is just as graceful as any of those St. Gloriana girls, but when it comes to matches she is overly eccentric and salivates at a challenge, so maybe this is some weird way of wanting to take on this tank. Yet, I wouldn't look too deeply into it, she's a character that one."
"I guess so, well that should give us a good tank destroyer for once," Kay said.
Naomi spoke up now, in a shy tone. "By chance, I never ask, but do we have an M36 Jackson available?"
"The hell, that's an open-top tank, besides the cost to get the modified roof for one would be crazy to match Sensha-do safety standards. You got some love for that tank or something?" Linda snap at the first year.
"Well…yea…I study a bit about tanks before I came here, and that one has become one of my favorites since it can kill tanks from long distances. I join Saunders since it was American base and hope there be one for me to be the gunner of," Naomi said, fidgeting in place.
"That would be the ideal tank for you, but sorry we don't have one at the present moment. Maybe someday and then you can really turn heads with crazy long-distance shooting," Kay said with some encouragement for her junior she was starting to take a liking to.
"Yea, but this is the now first year, so get your head back into it," Linda scolded, breaking up her first year's dream.
"Ma'am," Naomi said, straightening her back out.
"Good, now the Sheman Firefly is your tank to use for your crew, though you only need four to man it since it doesn't have room for a bow gun. Brooke, I'm giving you the toughest assignment than any of the girls here, you and your crew will spend one hour a day on the gunnery range, firing plywood targets at a thousand meters till your sick and then you'll do some more, am I understood?" Linda order.
Brooke balk a little at the intense drilling but quickly compose herself with a salute. "Ma'am, we look forward to bringing the best out of this tank."
"Hmph, the only one bringing the best out of this tank will be you, Naomi, if you fail, I'll bump you down and put you in the cheerleader group, sure those long legs of yours would look good kicking high in the air," Linda said smugly, challenging her first year with her words.
Naomi to her credit, let a look of pure determination cross her face, wanting to make her commander eat those words, as she didn't come here to be mocked, she came here to be the best. "Understood, I'll beat your expectations commander."
Now that's a good face you got their first year
Linda thought, then spoke. "Alright then, we're done for today. Get back to the dorms and rest up, tomorrow you are to meet your new tank at five in the morning, if your late I'll put this whole crew into the cheerleading section."
"Ma'am!" the crew shouted back with a salute, then as one turn on heel to get back to their jeep and drive off.
Once they were gone, Kay spoke up with an annoyed tone. "You didn't need to speak like that to her."
"I'm the commander, words are my best options to get the best out of people. To which that gunner will use to hate me and want to make me eat them by improving her performance," Linda said, as she turn to her sub commander.
"Is that what you want? To be hated so much that your team fights harder, I don't understand that sort of philosophy," Kay said.
A smirk cross Linda's mouth, then she spoke. "I live by a saying Kay, the hell with being liked. I learn what trying to please everyone did when I live in New York, if anything I was more hated because of that than what I'm doing now."
Kay gave her commander a sidelong look, searching in her eyes if she was lying, and after a moment she could see Linda was speaking truth to her. "Linda, what happen?"
For a moment, Linda said nothing, looking off into the distance, then turn back to Kay. "Nothing that concerns you blondie, just make sure to get on board with what we're doing here, because this is my team and I mean to win with it. If people come to dislike us, then fine, but they will respect us."
Then without waiting for a reply, Linda walk off with her hands shoved into her pockets of her tankery jacket. Kay watch her go, feeling like she had misjudged her commander as nothing but a ruthless and merciless girl, but it was obvious something had happened to make her this way. Whatever it was, Linda was right, it was none of Kay's business, as she needed to focus on the right now. As their team was taking the first step to hopefully bringing home the Victory Flag, but that was a dream right now, which Kay hope to make a reality, but hopefully they could be respected in the end for it.
XxxxX
The door open, as Naomi exited the showers while rubbing a towel over her head, to dry her short hair wearing a white t-shirt, couple with light green shorts that hug her lower frame and slippers on. She was alone at the moment, having needed a minute when she and her crew had returned to the hangers, wanting to sit by herself and let it set in that she was being given a chance to fight in the National tournament as only a first year, something that she had earn through her exceptional gunnery.
With now being given a tank killer in the Sherman Firefly that was like her, going to make its debut in the opening round that made her giddy. Even with her limited knowledge of the tank, she knew that it was one of the most fear tanks in World War 2 for the German army, that could kill Tiger 1's and Panthers with ease from long distances. If anything, Naomi was already dreaming of taking down a Tiger 1 of Kuromorimine, even better it was one of those Nishizumi sisters since they were both part of the legendary family that boasted great female tank commanders that always command thier schools Tiger 1's.
There was also the prize of maybe being the first in school history of taking down a Tiger 1, which no one in their school had done ever. To which would only help Naomi cement her own name in the sport she was coming to love more and more as time went on.
I heard the youngest Nishiuzmi sister Miho is joining this year, it be cool to duel her as both first years, be a nice rival to have…shes pretty cute too, from that profile pic they took for her Sensha-do file
Naomi thought, then felt her cheeks get warm from the thought, having her preferences come to the forefront, which made Naomi wash those urges from her mind, especially about someone she had never met or spoken to. She didn't want to be a creep, but there was no denying how she felt, it was just what she like.
"Come get focused, Naomi. Need to think about the match coming up soon and the that intense training Linda put on us," Naomi spoke silently to herself, as she walk down the hall to her dorm room, ready to get her homework done quickly and get to bed, since tomorrow had the promise of more intense drilling, but she was ready for the challenge and to shove Linda's mockery in her face.
"Won't call me a damn cheerleader again," Naomi said once more to herself.
"Mmm, I think you look quite cute in our Sensha-do's team's cheerleader uniform," a voice spoke out, sounding alluring and teasing at the same time.
Though it made Namoi let out a little yelp of surprise, a turn around to see one of her teammates stand behind her. The girl was of the same height as Naomi, with long luscious brown hair that curl at the ends, with captivating chesnut eyes, with a slight tan to go with her skin. She wore a simple green t-shirt, with black short shorts.
"Uh," was all Naomi said at first.
"Sorry even though we're on the same team, this is the first time we're meeting, names Nikki Toda, third year and commander of 1st platoon," the girl said.
Naomi, quickly straighten herself up and saluted her upperclassmen. "Sorry about that earlier, my name is Naomi Okawa, but I prefer to be just called Naomi."
"Pretty bold of you wanting to be called by your first name, but I like it, make us friends already," Nikki said with a teasing smirk.
"Well, uh, I don't mean to be bold. Just something my whole life I just prefer," Naomi said, feeling a little uneasy for some reason, as Nikki was letting her eyes roam all over her, like she was memorizing every detail of Naomi's frame.
"I don't mind. Heard you were making a show of it on the gunnery range, also heard your gunnery skills outclass even our third-year gunners, quite a feat rookie," Nikki said.
"Oh, well, it's nothing really. I'm just glad I can help the team in some way," Naomi nervously said.
Nikki let a little chuckle at the fluster girl, then close the distance and place a hand on Naomi's shoulder. "Don't be so modest, sure it might make some of them jealous, but we respect skill like that. Wanted to come to see for myself of our future ace, and have to say I like what I see."
Naomi was about to reply to the praise, till she felt Nikki's arm on her shoulder glide across slowly over it and down her arm, which felt like someone was gliding light feathers across her skin for Naomi, that made her shudder and make her urges rise up, even as she did her best to suppress them. Nikki let her fingertips slide down till she stop at Naomi's forearm, looking at the first year who struggling to keep composed, which only made the third year smirk wider.
"What are you doing?" Naomi said, feeling her head becoming light.
"Just testing if my theory is right," Nikki said, as she were explaining something simple.
Naomi finally found some composure and reply. "What theory?"
"You like girls don't you?" Nikki causally said.
That made Naomi go red with embarrassment, as she had never told anyone about that, nor had she ever acted upon these feelings, as she spoke. "What gave you that idea?"
"Oh, your so cute trying to play innocent," Nikki said, as she ran her fingertips back up Naomi's arm making her shudder once more. "I've seen how you look at girls in the showers after practice. Doing your best to keep your eyes off their bodies, it's plain as day. While I guess you've never been with a girl before, huh?"
"Oh, ah, no," Naomi said, blurting things out, while turning her eyes away, then brought them back to her upperclassmen. "Have you?"
That made Nikki cock her head to the side, with her smirk still plaster on her face. "Girls and boys, I enjoy both. Comes with being in Sensha-do, all this blasting and harsh training just makes you need to let off steam."
That made Naomi's face scrunch up. "But, isn't that sort of thing for lovers? Not to just enjoy like it means nothing."
"True, but who says you can't be lovers afterward. I can see your repressing what you want, probably wondering if this ok or if it's alright to feel this way," Nikki said getting closer.
"Well, uh, I guess I never really acted on them," Naomi said shly, as upperclassmens' face was so close.
"Want me to show you it's alright to feel this way?" Nikki said, her voice low and husky.
Naomi try to resist by backing off, but Nikki cooly wrap her arms around the first year, bringing her close. Which made Naomi gasp silently, as she felt her resistance start to flounder under the soft hands that had slipped under the back of her shirt and were touching her bare skin, which sent waves of pleasure to her mind, that now Naomi wanted more of.
"I…I…Will this be more than just…," Naomi try to ask, but her mind became muddle under the feather touch of her upperclassmen.
"Oh, don't worry. We can enjoy a nice chat after we're done, come on, my dorm mate is gone for a couple of hours, we can take our time," Nikki said, while pulling Naomi along with her.
The resistance fail to fight back anymore in Naomi's mind, as she let her upperclassmen drag her off. As she wanted to find out if this was really what she wanted in the end, which if it was, maybe she had not only found her love for tankery growing, but maybe a lover who could understand her as well.
Those were navie thoughts of a first love…
Authors Thought:
Hello again dear readers, thanks for reading this episode that has hopefully given some insight into why Chi-Ha-Tan is the way it is, in my universe that is. That I didn't get to really explore till now, which was really cool to give it reasons instead of just saying that it's just what they are like in the show, but then again the show is about cute girls in tanks, not a deep dark backdrop like mine is.
While was really happy to give Naomi some screen time, since she is right after Tamada and Miho, as my most favorite character, which is why she got a lot of screen time in Volume 2, while I might bring her along more since she never really talks in the show.
Again thank you for giving me some of your time reading this, it means the world to see people giving this a chance. I will see you again soon as we're nearing the end of our prequel which I'm excited to get out, see you then valued readers.
Next Time: To Our Final Charge