X

In a small town the residence were excited to wake up on the day of the semi-finals, tents were rising left and right with selling from delicious food, exclusive tank models, posters and cheap toys, along with actual military vehicles parked here and there. With the kids wandering around in awe to these war machines, while scores of people explore the Anglerfish team were on a mission. Well, one of them at least.

"Hana what are we doing way out here?" Mako asked she and the others trailed behind her.

"Our match is over, we should get back to the carrier," Yukari noted, her voice almost sounding like it's trembling.

"Not until we apologize for what we done," Hana said straight without hesitation as she pressed forward.

"But their match is about to begin we won't find them before then," Miho noted the time.

Trying to push through the crowd further the speakers rung out for all to hear.

"The match between Saunders and Pravda will commence in five minutes," the announcer notified and the people who came to watch all rushed to find whatever seats are left, pushing back harder against the Ooarai girls stopping them in their tracks.

"We won't find him before the match, Hana," Miho told her again.

"Then we'll shall wait for him after," Hana decided.

"Why do we ALL have to apologize?" Saori asked.

"BECAUSE IT WAS ALL OF YOUR IDEA TOO!"

\Elsewhere/

Waiting patiently at the hange, Kay, Naomi, and Alisa, sat in their tanks with the top halves of their bodies sticking out from their turrets, and with his M8 tank and its crew waiting for their captain to return. The three captains can do nothing, but toil away with little time there was left before the game begins.

"Where is he!" Alisa exclaimed impatiently nervous.

"He's on his way, Alisa," Kay calmly told her.

"But the battle is about to begin," she reminded her commander.

There was no other response they just continued waiting until they hear a roaring in the distance looking high in the sky the girls saw a helicopter in a distance.

"There they are," Naomi pointed out in relief from her boredom.

When the Bell 47 lowers itself to the ground Kay and the girls climbed out of their tanks to meet up with their best tactician, the spinning blades slowed as Daulton killed the engine, the two boys boarded off the aircraft, while George ran off to join his team, Daulton snuck the keys into his pocket.

"It's about time you showed up," Alisa uttered.

"You've done what you needed to do?" Kay asked.

"Yes, I have made amens with the girls I wronged," George retorted.

"Well I've done my good deed of the day, now I'll leave you all to your games," Daulton excused himself slowly pulling out.

"Hand it over," Naomi told him to relinquish the keys.

They already knew that Daulton would try to steal the flying goldfish-bowl of a chopper and kindly told him to return the keys, Daulton reluctantly fished out the keys from his pocket tossing over to Kay which she caught perfectly in her palm.

"You guys are lame," Daulton remarked making some of them smirk before leaving.

As he left the loading area for the tanks Daulton ran into an older lady dressed in a Kimono while carrying an old style Japanese umbrella over her head protecting her from the sunlight.

"Mr. Daulton?" she asked for confirmation.

"Who's asking?" Daulton spoke up in an intimidating manner.

"I'm, Kikuyo Idegami, I'm a talent scout for the Sensha-Do Federation," she introduced herself properly.

"Hey, I paid my do-"

"Oh no, Mr. Daulton, I wasn't sent for you for that," Kikuyo informed him seeing the tension in Daulton's muscles ease up, "The Federation would like to know if you like to be a second announcer for our tournaments?"

"They want a foul mouth like me talking over their tank games?" Daulton repeated wondering if he heard correctly.

"They need someone who's been through the wringer," Kikuyo put it, "It will be a paying job since you've finished you service on the field."

"... You gotta deal," Daulton accepted.

After the acceptance Dualton let her guide him to the announcing booth where he can start working right away, while the two officials went on their way Saunders make preparations.

"Alright, George, we need to go and greet the Pravda team captian," Kay told as they, the top commanders, need to greet the opposing team that also kidnapped him not too long ago.

"Na uh, I can't we wasted too much time I gotta get the girls ready," George told them otherwise already storming off in the direction of his team.

Seeing him already gone Kay had no choice, but to take Alisa with her leaving George to task to manage the team, Seeing George go one way and Kay the other Naomi opted to follow George.

"George, aren't you gonna go tell those girls at Pravda off?" Naomi asked thinking George should be mad of the past actions as she tried to catch up to him.

"That's not me no more," George corrected her sounding ever so calm, "I've been angry for so long I couldn't make a single friend-"

"Well you have us now," Naomj told him managing to catch his wrist stopping George and turning him her way, they both stood in very close proximity where the tips of their noses were almost kissing, but Naomi let her hands wander, and George let her hands grace his face, "... You know when we first met... I never would've thought I would fall for a jerk like you."

"... I never would've thought I would have a chance with you... " George honestly admitted.

And so the two wrapped their arms around each other, George stood a little taller than her so Naomi had to stand on her toes to reach up to finally lock lips since giving her virginity to him and George splitting his with her and her two very close friends. They embraced each other lovingly, their eyes closed as they were swallowed in the moment, and all sense of thought and time faded from their minds. George's hands went low, but not low enough to reach past her waist, and Naomi's hands reached high holding George's head as if to steady him, but feeling the soft brush on the top. His natural born hair reclaiming the crown of his head, then two broke off.

"I just wish I can have you, but I can't stay here," George hated to reminded her.

"Then I guess we have to make the best with what we got left," Naomi settled, "I just hope whatever girl you meet, she better appreciate you."

And with that Naomi let's George go to do his work.

\Stands/

Joining the who are excited to watch the game to blow their home town to itty-bitty bits so they can claim that sweet insurance money.

"I hope these are good seats," Saori wondered as she and her friends sat down.

"You know I haven't seen Daulton since last night, I wonder where he is?" Yukari asked aloud, trying to think where her boyfriend might be.

"Take your seats everyone the game is about to begin," the announcer foretold, "But before we start I like to make a special announcement. I have a new co-announce by my side you might have heard of him before, Peter "Gale" Daulton."

"Wha-!" Yukari spat out in unsuspected surprise.

"Thank you for offering a spot on your team," Daulton voice came sounding delighted for the listeners.

"I'm actually quite surprise you accepted the offer," the announcer commented, "I thought you dislike the Federation."

"No, I hate MEXT, those guys are assholes," Daulton corrected.

"Well hopefully you don't steal anything."

"No promises," Daulton retorted, "Let's get back to the game, with Saunders and Pravda tading bows."

As the screen changes Hana had an idea, so she reached for her phone, and speed dialed Daulton.

"Hana what are you-"

"Ssshh," she hushed her friends.

Soon enough Daulton answered her.

"Peter, I need a favor to ask of you," she said first in a hurry.

"You want me say hi to your mother for ya?" Daulton quipped.

"Remember the time you tampered with the screen to say a foul words to MEXT?" she reminded.

"Yeah... ?"

"I like to make a song request."

That line made no sense to anyone, but her.

\On Field/

While way out in nowhere Kay and Alisa met up with a patiently waiting Katyusha and Nonna.

"Where's you boy tanker, Nonna and Klara didn't scare him into hiding?" Katyusha taunted on her usual mocking smirk.

"I would be worried about the game if I were you peep squeak," Alisa shot back earning a glare from Katyusha.

"Both teams please take a bow, so we may start the game," Kanon advised over the two sides.

The opposing captains complied to the traditional bow and both went on their way silently. While returning they found George and Naomi in their tanks, but the rest of their forces have mysteriously disappeared with George's tank as the flag tank.

"What kind of plan you got in store this time, George?" Kay asked.

"Let's just say, Operation: Turkey Shoot, is ready," George put it, "Follow, Naomi, she'll take you where you two need to be."

"What're you gonna do?" Alisa followed up.

"I'm gonna go poke the bear," George quoted as he retreated down the turret, sealing the hatch above.

"Alright ladies follow me," Naomi beckoned.

\Elsewhere/

Out in the field Pravda had set up their ambush attack and now all they have to do is send out their bait team.

"We picked the best spot for our attack," Katyusha laughed maniacally, "Send out our bait to find the Saunders, when we lure them out, we'll encircle them, and annihilate them!"

"Commander!" her subordinates cried out.

"What is it!" Katyusha shouted back.

"Look!" the girl pointed outwards.

Out far in the field Katyusha looked to see a dust cloud rolling their way.

"Commander it's Saunders' flag tank, it's coming straight for us," Nonna noted as she looked through her binoculars.

"It's the M8!" Klara clarified.

"Are you certain it's him?" Katyusha wanted to make sure and a round immediately slammed into one of her tanks.

"It's most defiantly him," Klara confirmed

While down the field George looked on with smoke leaving the barrel of his tank wondering if he stirred the hornets' nest, then he saw a flash.

"MOVE TO THE RIGHT!" he commanded the driver.

The M8's tracks pulled the tank back over to the side moving away from the very spot where the Pravda shell landed narrowly escaping the splash of the round throwing dirt up high in the air. Leaving a massive burnt hole in the soil George looked back in the direction Pravda had settled their forces in and now the scores of tanks were emerging from the tree lines where they were hiding in now rushing through the field to blow him to bits.

"Reverse! reverse!" George ordered as they were started to be under fire, "We need to link back with the rest of the team, put the peddle to the metal."

"I'm going! I'm going!" his driver exclaimed doing the best she could.

While making their getaway George told the driver when to turn to either side exactly avoiding the shots of Nonna who was landing the closest shots out of everyone, but still could land a shot on him. George was glancing back and forth, basically putting his head on a swivel, as George has put the biggest target on his back, and knocked right on the enemy's front door. Right when George was about to see the town, all he needed to do was to reach it, but before he can two Pravda tanks came out ahead of him turning their turrets at him. George drops down to the gun managing to fire first at the lead tank knocking it out and causing the following to crash into it ruining its shot.

"HEAD LEFT!" he shouted.

The driver pulled hard on the controls as she could forcing the crew to hold onto whatever as all the weight was sliding to the right side of the tank as their escape route was cut off so George and his crew where thrown off course. The path they were now on was uneven and bumpy so they continued to hold on as they stumbled onto an evacuated farm so George ordered the driver to go around the back of the barn and kill the engine. The driver did as told, driving around back to enter the barn without detection, and turned off the engine to eliminate sound, George even shut off the radio. They jumped out of tank and quickly covered their tracks just before the Pravda team came snooping around unaware that their target was under their noses.

"Where did that perv go?" Katyusha demanded scanning the area as she rolled passed.

While trapped in the barn, in the town Kay, Alisa, and Naomi waited patiently for George's arrival, but when he was taking longer than expected they started to get worried.

"Where is he?" Kay asked looking to her watch, "Anything Alisa?"

"No, not a peep," Alisa told as she tried to call him.

"I wonder where he can be?" Kay followed up.

"Don't worry, guys," Naomi tried to calm them both, "He'll come. I know he will."

Back at the barn the girls in George's crew were getting nervous as they can hear the rattling of treads outside the barn, but as they trembled they looked to their commander who remained stoic despite the odds.

"I guess it's the end of the line for me, girls," George told them feeling like he might be packing his bag early.

"No, Commander, you can't be thinking of giving up," his loader was the first to speak out.

"Yeah, you've taken us so far," his co-driver added.

"Take a look outside girls, we're surround behind enemy lines, and cut off from the rest of our forces. It's over," George laid it out for them with a level head, "When this is over you three will wake up tomorrow ready for a new day, but not me... I be sent back. It was a pleasure working with you."

Seeing that there's was no way to talk him into fighting own the situation just seemed hopeless to fight on, that is until an echoing sound came from the town. A very familiar sound to George.

\Stands/

"I gotta say, Hana, I would have figured you for a disco girl," Dualton said over the phone as the song, I Will Survive, played on every speaker.

"It's not for me," Hana corrected looking on with hope.

\Barn/

As everyone who can hear the song in confusion George smiled as he knew this song was meant for him and he only told one person that it was his favorite, Feeling wreckless George grabbed his helmet.

"Load a heart round," he ordered and the girls were wondering if he was going to do what they think he is, "And get ready to haul ass."

The crew's eyes grew and sparkled with new hope as the song almost magically refill the vigor within their commander making him move to the rhythm of the beat and the girls re-took their position waiting for their marks.

"On my mark," George said clearly his finger hovering over the trigger, "Ready- KABOOM!"

not wasting a second the driver ignited the engine, it comes roaring to life as George fires off a round that obliterated the wooden front door of the barn, then continues going right through the stables throwing a huge amount of dust every, and causing such confusion for Pravda. The M8 zoomed passed them under the cover of the fog of commotion it caused and took the opportunity to take another of Pravda's tanks out of the fight clearing way to the town.

"You guys hear that music?" Alisa asked popping her head out of the turret.

"Yeah," Naomi confirms.

"Probably Daulton, being Daulton," Kay figured believing to the song to be just another one of Daulton's pranks.

Looking out to where the open field lay the girls can see smoke.

"Is it?" Alisa wondered and the sight of the M8 zipping towards them, "It is!"

"All he has to do is- where's he going?" Kay noted as one second George's tank was coming right towards their position only to making a U-turn nack towards the enemy, so Kay grabbed her radio, "George! where are you going!"

"CHANGE OF PLANS! WOOOOOOO!" George answered with short notice.

From where they were positioned the three can see George charge head on against Pravda.

"Commander the flag tank is charging us alone," one of the girls notified.

"Ha! that boy must've clunked his head," Katyusha scoffed, "Train all guns to fire on that tank."

"Yes co- BOOM!" before her lower commander can accept the order George already fired off shot after shot.

The Pravda team all fired at will, but the M8 was zig zagging in all direction avoiding all incoming shells, and crossing in between their lines while releasing a smoke trail to cause havoc within the ranks of Soviet tanks. Bits and flames burst out among the clouds with the girls panicking like they caught a mouse in the kitchen, George was just impossible to spot in chaos. While George was raising hell on the outside, he was calmly humming the tune exactly to the lyrics as the glow of the flames lit on his eyes through the peep holes.

Why navigating slowly through the smoke Nonna witness a tank ahead of her get consumed in fire lighting up the area to show George's tank near bay.

"I have you now," Nonna said to herself ready to fire only to be knocked back by a powerful blast.

The field was now blowing apart as the Saunders regrouped and formed a line firing off into the confused crowd of tanks. The outcome of this battle was not going in her favor, Katyusha was scrambling to avoid the oncoming shells, but the chaotic field made a teammate crash right into her. The barrel of her teammate's tank was lodged between the head and body of her T-34 and the tracks were entangled, she was stuck.

"C'mon, c'mon," Katyusha's tank struggled to get free unable to pull away then in terrible timing she noticed the M8 rolling up from behind the tank stuck to hers and the M8's barrel pointed directly at the rear.

George fires off his shot and started a chain reaction as the tank's rear end was a lit, it too fired a shell that was still loaded right into Katyusha's tank knocking her (and her team) out of the game.

"Pravda flag tank has been disabled," the announcer spoke out, "Saunders take the match."

"God damn it!" Daulton cursed aloud over the mic, "I was betting he win by a hail Mary."

"You shouldn't be gambling!" the announcer discouraged him.

"He's doing it too," Daulton refuted saying that one of the stage techs were also participating.

\X/

"Well I guess your motivational music worked, Hana," Mako made note.

"I'm glad it did," Hana proudly agreed.

"I guess we're gonna have our work cut out for us, huh Ms. Nishizumi," Yukari anticipated.

"Then there's much too look forward to," Miho didn't shy welcoming the challenge George will bring them in the finals.