Girls und Transformers
Episode 3: Practice Match
At the crack of dawn the sun began its greetings as it rose above the ocean horizon.
Golden clouds marched through the sky as a new day had begun.
After completing their bows the teams occupied their perspective tanks and began making their way to their starting points.
The Panzer IV, the M3 Lee, the Type 89, Char B1 were all lined up with the Panzer IV taking charge.
With the sun rise stretching their shadows with every rising second.
"Mrs. Nishizumi…" Yukari called from her loading position.
Miho squatted down from her spot, "Yes Yukari?".
"Forgive me for my lack of modesty, but don't you think we're at a slight disadvantage with the enemy team having both our tank destroyers?" she questioned the logic without trying to sound judgmental.
Hana looked up to, "It does seem quite unorthodox for evening out the teams." she voiced her equal concern.
Miho smiled at their worry, "Well keep in mind that they don't have rotating turrets and their turning isn't very agile. So if we can get behind them then they're done for." she explained confidentiality.
Yukari's expression beamed like the rising sunrise, "Aw! Alright then let's do this!" she cheered.
"Commander!" Saori called out from her radio position, "The student council team is in position and are switching radio channels." she reported.
Miho once again returned to being serious, "Roger." she nodded before standing back out of the hatch.
One of the triplets, Sono from the Char B1 had poked from atop her tank, "Are we starting or what?".
Miho held up the flare gun she then pressed in the buttons on the radio around her neck, "And remember, if anyone starts to have abnormal maintenance issues don't hesitate to let me know and I'll signal the ceasefire flare. Understood?"
"Roger commander!" Rabbit team acknowledged.
"Acknowledged!" Mallard team sounded off.
"Understood!" Duck team was the last to confirm.
The flare went off like a shooting star with a burning hiss.
"Panzer vor!".
The flare went over the tree line of the forest and burst into a stary cloud.
"Alright everybody move out!" Momo barked over the radio.
Anzu laid back chewing on dried potato, "Don't you mean to say 'Panzer vor'?" she corrected.
"But we aren't in the Panzer." Yuzu stated, "Also Anzu is the tank commander." she smiled.
Momo growled, "Well when the prez decides that snack time is over and steps into her commander shoes then that'll be fine by me!" she shouted in frustration.
Anzu's smile didn't waver as she sat up and worked the radio, "Alright girls, remember who our opponent is. Despite it being a practice match we're still going to give Mrs. Nishizumi hell! So let's do this!" she cheered.
In the StuG. III Ausf.F Erwin pumped her fist in her palm, "Alright! I bet this is how the Americans felt when storming Normandy Beach!" she compared.
"Hmmm?" Caesar hummed in thought, "Actually I think it's how British Prime Minister Winston Churchill felt after the great success of Operation Dynamo." the red scarfed girl suggested.
"This seems more like how Russia felt after they delivered Germany's first major defeat at the Battle of Stalingrad when Red Army forces repelled the German Blitzkrieg." Saemonza delivered the winning comparison.
"THAT'S IT!" the other three history club members quipped.
"Hippo team, you guys are going to take the high ground overlooking the rock quarry while Leopon team goes in to intercept. If you see the enemy do not engage, you are to report your findings to Leopon team." Anzu instructed.
Erwin took the wired radio from its holster and pressed the button, "Read you loud and clear prez! We'll hold our fire till instructed!" the history club member acknowledged.
Satoko from Leopon team picked up her radio, "So prez, are you only putting us on the front lines because we can take a hit or because you know we can kick ass?" she had a cheeky smile plastered on with her question.
"Uhhh… both?" Anzu replied, unsure how to answer.
"Works for me! Punch it Muuton!" Satoko pumped her fist out as a signal to advance. She suddenly realized how her words could be interpreted, "But not too hard please. The engine still needs work.".
On the Anteater's team, tank commander Nekota of the Type 3 Chi-Nu nervously talked into her radio, "Uhmm, p-prez, what will we be doing again?" she asked timidly. The poor girl was always nervous about screwing up as she thought it would tarnish her reputation and everyone wouldn't want to bother with her.
Anzu perked up at the gamer girls voice, "Aw! Nekota, you will be in loose pursuit with Hippo team. I have a good feeling Miho might figure out where they're at and try to flank them. Just make sure you're watching their sides for them. Sounds good?" she cheerfully explained.
"Gah! Y-yes ma'm! We won't let you down!" Nekota acknowledged before the Anteater team followed Hippo.
"You know I don't exactly have high expectations for the Anteater team." Momo voiced her obtuse opinion.
Anzu waved a dried potato at her, "Now now the gamer girls have been working really hard to come a long way since the Shensha-Do finale. Much like how you've improved in your ability to shoot Momo-chan." the prez smiled as she delivered the triggering name.
"Don't call me Momo-chan!" Momo snapped!
"Their confidence on the battlefield far outweighs their social confidence. The battle with All-Star University speaks for that." Yuzu added in.
The squadron of tanks under Miho's command advanced in a triangle position as they threaded through the forest. The growling armored beasts caused any nearby wildlife to scurry off as to not get caught in the crossfire of the impending battle.
After a few minutes of venturing through the forest the terrain began to become scattered with large chunky white boulders. The frequency of trees began to decrease as ahead showed a clearing.
MIho pressed the buttons on the neck radio, "Rabbit team, Mallard team. You two take the right and take the higher ground. Try and keep yourselves concealed with the surrounding terrain and keep the enemy distracted if you come in contact. We'll come around and flank them from behind unless we are intercepted." she gave the orders.
The two teams acknowledged the orders before splitting off.
All tanks had entered the rock quarry with Rabbit team and Mallard team keeping the high ground where tree and shrubbery continued to flourish mutually with the protruding white boulders and shimmering quartz in the environment. Being sure to keep to the shadows of the trees or use the boulders as cover.
Anglerfish and Duck team on the other hand began to descend down the steep slope where grassy greenhills were now replaced with rough, cut edge cliffs with light splotches of green shrubbery. To the right was a stretch of liquid jewel from the aqua blue lake that sparkled in joy.
"Duck team, go on ahead and scout us a path, but be mindful of the surrounding cliffs." Miho instructed.
"Roger!" Noriko of the volleyball team radioed back.
The Type-89 sped ahead to begin scouting as the Panzer hanged loosely back until given a safe report to keep its trajectory.
After a minute the Type-89 came to a split path, but their quicker path was blockaded by a plie of limestone that had collapsed.
"Damn. Looks like we hit the net here." Noriko stated.
The girl with short brown hair, tied in a small ponytail using a red hair tie in the driver's seat perked up, "We could always keep with the path ahead, we might find a way to cross over where the wall collapses." she suggested.
Noriko's eyes popped with energized spirit, "Aw! Good thinking Shinobu!..." she complimented before turning to the radio operator, "Taeko, relay our findings to Anglerfish." she instructed.
Saori listened intently as the information from Taeko was passed to her, "Roger that…" she acknowledged the message before turning to Miho, "Duck team says the initial path is blocked, but there is another path where we can try and find a spot to cut across at-
"Calling all Autobots! This is Octom-sshhrriiieekk!".
"AGH!" Saori cried as the radio screamed into her ears.
"Saori!?" Miho and the other girls looked upon her in concern.
Saori quickly recovered, "I'm fine I'm fine! They're going to scout ahead for an opening." the ginger played it off as nothing.
Miho's expression remained stern, but she hummed in acknowledgement.
Yukari nervously nibbled on her bottom lip, "Does anyone else get the feeling we might be being watched?" she broke the silence.
Hana backed her face from the cannon sight, "It does seem rather odd how we haven't made contact with the student council team." maybe they are waiting for us.
The conversation below Miho made her eyes narrow in equal suspicion, a sudden tingle on the back of her neck made her go wide eyed with a gasp. Her hands were a flash as they went for her neck radio, "Duck team halt your advance!" she shouted.
Noriko gave the order to stop just as they were inching their front around the corner. The treds grinded against the loose gravel as the driver volleyball girl with long blonde hair that is tied in a ponytail hit the brakes.
*ZZZIP! BOOOM!*
A shell zipped right past the hull, giving it a kiss before making contact with the ground just a few feet from it.
"GAAH!" the volleyball club screamed as the force of the blast made the tank shake.
"Reverse! Reverse! REVERSE!" Noriko panicked.
"I'm moving!" the blonde driver replied just as troubled as she switched gears.
"Load another round!" Reira ordered.
Maria slammed the chamber closed, "Shell ready!"
Keiko had already begun taking aim, but the Type-89 reversed back behind the wall of rock, "Damn. I've lost visual." she stated.
Anglerfish team caught up with Duck team.
"Duck team, are you alright?" Miho voiced her concern.
Noriko popped from the tank hatch, "We're fine! But the Porsche Tiger is just around the corner. We would have been hit had you not ordered us to. It's like they knew right when to fire." the tank commander reported the suspicious activity.
Miho hummed as her brain stirred with possibilities of the enemies play. She ducked into the tank, "Saori, find on the map the closest cliff edge overlooking our position." she ordered with urgency.
That sense of urgency transferred to Saori as she worked to unfold the map and marked their position, "Lets see, we're here, soooo… here!" she pointed on the map of a cliff perfect for reconnaissance over a terrain.
Mixed in the greenish-brown shrubbery of the flat cut cliff was Hippo team with a birds eye view of where Leopon team was and could see where Duck team and Anglerfish team were before disappearing behind the quarry wall.
Erwin smirked, "Leopon team this is Hippo, Anglerfish team have rendezvous with Duck team. They still only have one clear path to go so keep tight.".
"Roger, good looking out." Reira thanked.
Miho radioed the other two teams, "Mallard team, Rabbit team. We're pinned between the Porsche Tiger and possibly the StuG or Hetzer. Check southwest of our position on the cliff line to see if you spot any snipers." she ordered.
Rabbit and Mallard team acknowledged from their hiding spot.
The twin turrets of the M3 Lee scanned in opposite directions of the cliff.
"I've got nothing" Aya on the thirty-seven millimeter stated.
"Be sure to check the bushes well, they might be trying to-".
"Found them!" Ayumi cheered, interrupting Azusa.
There on the edge of the cliff cascaded by the flushed green and dried dead bushed was the StuG. III Ausf.F with its lengthy canon sticking out just yearning to fire.
"This is Rabbit team! We've spotted Hippo team on the cliff. What will you have us do?" Azusa awaited further orders.
"Standby for orders…" Miho tapped Mako on the back with her foot, "Back us up and point us towards the blockade." she ordered.
"Roger." Mako nodded bluntly and did so. The Panzer IV weaved back and forth from the movement until halting in front of the blocked road.
Miho turned to the loader, "Yukari, load in a H.E. shell.".
"Yes ma'am!" Yukari saluted with a bright smile.
"Duck team, stay where you're at. On my signal I want you to advance full speed at the Tiger, understand?" Miho briefed the plan.
Noriko was taken back by the order, "R-roger commander." the order was absurd. They would surely be taken out the second they peeked it. Unless… Noriko got a lightbulb.
"This is insane! Does the commander think we're expendable!?" the blonde gunner Akebi voiced in anger.
"Of course not! Stow that talk about commander Nishizumi, if she were like that then we would have left Rabbit team during the finals!" Taeko defended their commander.
"Guys I have a plan!" Noriko ceased the arguing.
"Rabbit team. You and Mallard team get their attention and let us know when we're in the clear, but please be quick about it." Miho commed.
"Roger! We'll get it done lickity split!" Azusa replied excitedly.
"Azusa!" Sudoku called over from the Char B1, "We're going to sneak up on its right flank from the hills. Count to sixty then get their attention." she explained.
Azusa smiled, "You got it!" she gave a thumbs up before retreating inside her tank.
Almost a minute had passed and Hippo team had yet to see anything change since the Leopon came in first contact with the other team.
"You think they moved somewhere else?" Oryou questioned adjusting her glasses.
Saemonza shook her head, "I would have seen something. Every other way around is blocked unless they go back the way they came." she stated.
Erwin chewed her cheek, "Well they're definitely doing something." she crossed her arms.
*BLAM!*
*WHIZZZ!*
A shell pinged off the hull and whistled off into the distance like a comet while the other turned a chunk of rock below them to dust.
"Wow!".
"Taking fire! Taking fire!".
"Where's it coming from!"
"I see them! Just one" Saemonza announced looking threw the scope, "Three hundred twenty degrees below us!" the american M3 Lee stared up at them with its twin cannons.
"They're turning towards us!" Aya voiced in concern.
"Karina get us to cover!" Azusa ordered.
"Okay!" she screeched as she sent the tank into reverse.
"Have you got the shot!?" Erwin asked.
"In my cross-hairs!" replied Saemonza.
"FIRE!" Erwin shouted.
The canon cracked with a thunderous roar that echoed through the quarry.
*PING!*
*SCREECH!*
"GAH!"
"WAH!"
"WOW!"
The girls of Rabbit team cried out as their frontal armor was torn off from the shell and exploded just feet from them.
"Boy that was close!" Karina sighed in exhaustion.
Yuuki smiled at her friend, "It was your driving that saved us though.".
"Yeah nice goin'!" Ayumi cheered.
"You're the best Karina!" Aya followed.
Karina blushed, "Oh you guys are embarrassing me.".
Azusa turned to the radio operator, "Yuuki, radio the commander that she's clear and in the dark.".
"Rabbit team says that eyes are on them!" Saori informed.
"Fire!" Miho ordered.
The Panzer's barrel boomed as the glowing shell shot like a firework and stuck itself in the rubble. The round continued to hiss and steam until the blockade suddenly burst into a white choking cloud of dust.
The Panzer IV clanked as it trudded over the shortened bump of pebbles and through the smoke.
"Duck team advance!" Miho ordered.
"Now Shinobu!" Noriko gave the command.
The treads of the Type-89 dug into the earth as the tank sped forward. Shinobu swerved right and just before rounding the corner sharply turned left. The war machine drifted its body left and out of cover.
The Tiger fired a round and missed, putting a new black crater in the ground.
Keiko gawked at the unexpected maneuver, "Aw crap!" she gritted her teeth.
"Relax Keiko, there just a Type-89." Reira reassured her friend.
However the Japanese tank had another little surprise for them as it fired a round at its hull. Of course the shot was ineffective in producing damage, but that wasn't the purpose as its true intent came in the form of a smoke screen.
Keiko growled, "They're annoying is what they are! Damn smoke round! I can't see!".
"Muuton!" Reira called out hinting at the order.
"On it!" Muuton replied, switching the tank into reverse.
The Porsche Tiger had backed its way out of the blooming thick cloud with the Type-89 to be seen on their left flank.
The medium tank's fifty-seven millimeter cannon blasted a round straight at its tracks.
The heavy tank lurched up awkwardly before the tread snapped and fell with an audible thud.
"Oooooh no! Our treads are shot out!" Muuton exclaimed as she continuously pulled the reverse lever back and forth.
The boulder the M3 Lee was currently using as cover was being obliterated into pebbles with each following shot. Poking out to return fire in order to keep its attention before returning back into its shortening safety barrier.
Erwin crossed her arms confidently with a proud smirk, "Keep up the fire. That rock won't last much longer.".
Unkowing to them, the Car B1 had treaded slowly but surely up the hill on their right flank.
"Alright! We have the element of surprise so hold your fire. We'll use our weight to rock'em sock'em like Mrs. Nishizumi taught us." Sudoku declared.
"Awww…" Nozomi whined, "But I really wanna use the canon." she complained with puppy eyes.
Sudoku however, would not waver under such preposterous motives to break her, "And I wanna win this thing, practice or not!..." she dramatically exclaimed before turning to the driver, "Moyoko, step on it!"
The heavy tank accelerated slightly. Closing in on the StuG III with building momentum.
"Erwin check your three o'clock!" the Prez shouted over the radio.
"Huh?" Erwin questioned in surprise. Peeping up through the hatch she could in fact see the Char B1 coming at it with ramming speed. The german dressed girl's eyes expanded, "Turn to the right! They're on our flank!" she ordered in panic.
The StuG III slowly began to turn its gun, but they wouldn't be able to get it aimed in time to take a critical shot.
Sudoku chuckled as hope for Hippo team dwittled with each painful passing second, "Looks like we can add another tank to fall victim to the Mal-!".
*BANG!*
*BOOM!*
Sudoku screamed in surprise and terror as the heavy tank suddenly rocked and swerved. A black smoking spot was just made present on the left side of its turret.
The Japanese Type 3 Chi-Nu suddenly came charging down the slope.
"Nice shooting Piyotan!" Nekota complimented.
"Guess first person shooter games do build a skill of some sort." Piyotan replied with a wink and a peace sign.
Erwin smiled with bliss and relief, "Holly! The Gamer girls came in with a clutch!".
However the celebration was short lived as the Char B1 Swerved back at them.
"If we're going down then so are you!" Moyoko growled as she thrusted the accelerator lever forward.
Erwin sighed as she tipped her german cap, a smile crept on her lips, "Honor till the end.".
The Char B1 collided with the StuG III like two metal oxen making contact. The war wagons were sent into the hands of gravity as they came crashing to the earth, shaking the ground with ferocity.
Two white flags popped up from the imobile tanks to signal their elimination.
"This is Hippo team, we're out of this one.".
"Mallard team here we're down, but are rooting for you. Good luck!"
The M3 Lee shyly inched out of its cover to investigate.
"Oh no!" Azusa exclaimed, "Mallard team sacrificed themselves to take out the StuG III!" her tone was rising with sadness.
"Oh there so brave!" Aya exclaimed.
Karina put on a serious face as she clenched the levers, "Well then lets make sure that their sacrifice isn't in vain then!" she proudly proclaimed.
"RIGHT!" the rest of the freshmen agreed.
"Alright then let's advance!" Azusa pumped her fist forward.
The M3 Lee lurched forward ready to take on their next opponent as they passed the two decommissioned tanks.
"Don't worry Mallard! You will be avenged!".
Saki tapped Azusa on the shoulder.
Azusa turned, "Guys! Saki has something to say!".
Everyone turned with open ears and wide smiles, excited for what their quiet mysterious friend had to share.
"Wait is this another butterfly?" Aya asked like she already knew where this was going.
Saki pointed out the small window hatch where a small white butterfly flapped happily to see Saki. It was almost as if the two had a special bond that couldn't be explained, "Tank." she spoke.
Karina raised an eyebrow, "Saki what are you talking about? That's just a butterfly!".
Azusa was about to say something about it when something past the butterfly caught her eyes, "Wait…" she looked closer and gasped with wide eyes at the hidden Hetzer in the forest, "Oh shi-".
*BLAM!*
A round slammed into the left hull of the tank causing it to tilt on its right and fall over with a mighty thud. A white flag popped up from the smoking tank.
"See Momo-Chan, you are living proof that even the worst can excel with time and practice." Anzu smiled gleefully as she chewed a dried potato.
Momo turned with devilish eyes, "Don't call me that! You'll make me lose focus!" she vented with steam coming out her ears (Metaphorically).
Reira couldn't pin out why the Panzer IV hadn't come out to assist the Type-89… unless! The tank commander gasped, "Turn the canon to our right, forty-five degrees!" Reira ordered with a sense of urgency.
"Wha-? But it's just a wall!?" Keiko questioned the logic.
"And the Type-89 will just go for our engine!" Muuton pointed out.
"Just trust me ladies! The rock is thin and brittle enough to penetrate." Reira briefly explained.
The tank crew nodded and got to work as the turret began facing away from the enemy tank and towards the narrow rock wall.
The Type-89 commander looked confused, "Why are they turning away from us?". Was it some sort of trickery, they were leaving themselves wide open. As her mind wandered her hands worked in slamming the barrel chamber shut, "Shell ready!" she announced.
"Engine in my sights!" Akebi called out.
"Fire!".
*BANG!*
The Type-89 suddenly lurched forward as something made impact behind it. A white flag popped up and waved in the breeze.
"What! Where the hell!" Akebi looked around through the mirror frantically.
The Type 3 Chi-Nu came speeding down the powdery path, kicking up white dust as it rushed to assist.
The occupants of the Porsche Tiger cheered.
"I'll never underestimate those girls again!" Keiko cheered in great joy.
"Fire!" Reira shouted.
"Oh right!" Keiko scrambled to the trigger.
The Panzer continued to tread on the other side of the rock wall looking for an opening to cross over.
"We should be coming upon an opening up ahead, just keep this pace and watch for-" Miho's orders were cut off as the Panzer suddenly braked hard. Putting her hands in front to support her weight from moving forward.
*BOOM!*
*PING!*
A shell blew through the stone wall and scratched the side armor before pinging back.
Miho stared slack jawed at what had just transpired as she processed how inexplicit the scenario was. The tank commander ducked inside, "Nice driving their Mako."
Saori looked at Mako with stars in her eyes, "Mako, that intuition of yours is incredible!" she complimented.
Mako however stared surprised at the levers and pedals, "R-right." she mumbled. She actually hadn't done a thing, and that is where her surprise came from because she had no intention of stopping. And yet that is what the tank did.
"A moment sooner and we would have been taken out." Hana stated.
"That blast sounded like it came from the Porsche Tiger!" Yukari stated.
Unknowing to the girls in the Panzer the rock wall had a crack creeping up from the large hole blasted into it. The crack inched up in slow steps and large leaps, branching off until little by little it came down.
Miho couldn't help but wonder though, "Hey Mako, how did you know to-woah!".
"Gah!".
"Hah!"
Anglerfish team yelped and cried as the Panzer sped backwards avoiding the chunks of falling limestone.
Miho slammed the hatch shut as thick dust arose and surrounded the tank.
A few minutes later the cloud had dissipated and settled back into grains on the ground.
Hana turned the canon through the fog until a large object was spotted. Getting a closer look it was in fact the Porsche Tiger, "I have the enemy in my sight!" she announced.
"Fire!" Miho ordered.
*BANG!*
*PING!*
The shell bounced off the armor and vanished in the morning sun.
"Bounced off the armor!" Hana announced.
Within the Porsche Tiger the automotive club were startled by the shock of the ricocheted shell.
"Gah!" Maria yelped, "We're under fire!".
"I see them! It's the Panzer, two o'clock!" Keiko addressed.
Reira looked to see the Panzer looking right at them with the canon looking right at them.
Miho looked back into the tank, "Yukari, reload now!".
"I'm going as fast as I can!" she lifted another round with the shell still in her hands.
"Canon loaded!" Maria shouted.
"FIRE!" Reira roared.
*BLAM!*
The canon cracked like a hundred thunderstorms going off as steam arose from the tip.
A white flag popped from the top of the Porsche Tigers turret as black burnt metal covering its engine was smoking now.
Miho sighed and slumped back a bit. A smile soon hooked her lips, "Great work Hana and Yukari. That's a new record for your loading speed Yukari." she smiled innocently.
Yukari, with the shell still in her hand staring obstraught, shook herself back into the world, "Oh umm, right!" she said a bit too loudly and sudden, "Sorry Mrs. Nishizumi, I guess I just surprised myself is all." she smiled back with pearly white teeth. But on the inside she was struggling to keep it together, for the tank had just fired a shot that wasn't loaded! It was physically impossible! Or maybe she had loaded another round without realizing she had done it and forgot? No that couldn't be right, Hana fired, Miho gave the order to reload, yet a round still came out.
Hana looked to Yukari with a just as confused and terrified expression. She knew that the tank wasn't loaded and hadn't taken the shot. The tank seemed to have a mind of its own almost.
"Well keep sharp. Something took out Duck team." Miho prepped her team for a fight. "It could be the student council or it could be-".
Suddenly the Type 3 Chi-Nu sped into sight behind the downed Type-89. The turret turned toward them.
Miho gasped, "Mako, accelerate forward!".
The tank lurched forward as a round bounced off the side turret armor.
Miho stared at the armor in amazement, "That should have come off." she mumbled.
"Commander, your orders!" Yukari called out.
"Eh!" Miho snapped back into the match. Her face reverting back to its sternness, "Sharp right here!" she ordered.
The tank drifted right, rounding a boulder for cover now facing the hill of crumbled rock.
The Type 3 Chi-Nu pressed its luck in going up the hill enough for their cannon to peek over and see the Panzer IV. However that was more than enough for Hana as she squeezed the trigger.
The silent air resorted once again to a crack of thunder.
The Japanese tank lurch backward and down the hill as a white flag popped from its smoking turret where the shell made impact.
"This is Anteater team. We got a little trigger happy and got taken out." Nekota shamefully notified.
"Well that just leaves Miho then." Momo said the name a bit too vulgar.
"Easy tiger, it's just a practice match." Anzu calmed as she bit off another potato.
"Classes will be starting soon just so you guys know." Yuzu mentioned.
Momo glowered, "Then let's finish this." her tone was acidic.
The Hetzer advanced from the forest out into the open.
A few minutes later
The Hetzer lay in the quarry with its armor splotched in smoky black spots and a white surrender flag over head.
"Uuuugh, damnit." Momo groaned.
"Well…" Anzu started, "That was pretty intense." she waved her hand at her sweaty face while the other tried to straighten out her pigtails.
"You can't win them all. That was some grade A effort though!" Yuzu raised her team's morale.
"Well said Yuzu!" Anzu raised a potato like they were having a toast.
Afterwards the teams gave their ending bows and returned as friends on the same side.
However, some members of Anglerfish team were battling within their own trains of thought. Recollecting the strange events that had transpired during the match.
Once the tanks were patched up and parked in the garage the tankery team made their way to classes.
Miho stared at the ground, her movements were on autopilot while her brain replayed the shots taken by the Porsche, Chi-Nu, and Hetzer. All three tanks were designed to pack one hell of a punch, yet the Panzer IV looked only scratched in some parts. How could-?
"Commander!" Keiko from Leopon team pulled the Anglerfish leader from her thoughts.
"Oh sorry. Yes Keiko?" Miho asked.
"Gotta say that was a really good match! I thought for sure we would've had you there in the quarry. But I guess that's just your thing huh? Reading other people's minds?" Keiko smiled widely as she elbowed her commander in the shoulder.
Miho quietly laughed as she rubbed the back of her head in embarrassment, "Commanders intuition I guess.".
"Also did you do something to your armor? Because it seems like-".
"Keiko lets go!" Reira called from her white car as she gave it a honk.
"Oh! Gotta go! We'll talk later, commander!" Keiko waved to Miho before taking off.
Miho hummed to herself. She wasn't the only one that noticed.
Later in the day when the sun was highest in the sky and the ocean below was a sea of shimmering jewels.
The waves jumping up and down as if waving excitedly.
The sun in return said hi back with beams of light.
The peaceful bliss of the ocean was interrupted by the faint sound of chopping air that soon grew till it sounded like simultaneous cannon fire.
A Hind Russian helicopter hovered several meters above the open water causing distortion in the ocean below. On the side of the cockpit was the trademark emblem of Pravda High.
"There is nothing here." a dark metallic voice croaked.
"This is where the point of impact was…" another dark metallic voice croaked, but with a higher tone, "You think she died upon entry?" the voice questioned.
"Unlikely, I'm not getting any energon readings in the water, and nothing picks up on my sonar for a thousand meters below." the other voice replied.
"My scanners indicated a large body fifteen thousand yards southeast from where we are. It's the closest land based object within a ten mile radius of the impact point and its moving. Our target could be a stowaway." the second voice concluded.
"We'll have to follow this lead then, good work." the first voice croaked like a large animal before the hind turned and embarked on its new trajectory.
After school the girls had their evening practice that was now coming to an end as Momo had diseased everyone.
The girls bowed before taking their leave along with the setting sun.
The Anglerfish team walked together in the night to their prospective homes. There was little talk amongst the group as they seemed to be stuck in a trance of their own thoughts.
Having enough of the unbearable silence, Saori stepped ahead and in front of the group's path, "Okay seriously, what's going on!?" her sudden tone made the girls flinch.
"What do you mean?" Yukari was the first to reply.
"What do I mean!" Saori appeared in front of Yukari.
Yukari suddenly felt smaller under Saori's glare and shadow.
"I mean what's with you guys!? We've hardly said a word after this morning's practice." Saori stated, pointing at them all.
The girls looked nervously at the ground and either rubbed their arms or dug their shoes into the ground. All except for the silent driver of the group.
Mako sighed, "Well, I guess it's now or never.".
The other girls looked at her.
"Mako?" Miho questioned.
Mako stood next to Saori and looked at them all with a serious look aside from her uncaring one, "I never stopped the tank when the Leopon team fired at us. Nor did I reverse it when the wall collapsed." she admitted.
Miho tilted her head with a raised eyebrow, "What, but? Then how did-".
"I too had a similar experience." Hana voiced her mind, "The first shot at the Leopon team was my doing, but that second shot was at complete random." she stated.
"And I hadn't even loaded in a new shell when that second shot went off!" Yukari pulled her hair, "It just doesn't make sense!".
"So what you're saying is that the tank fired an imaginary round?" Saori questioned.
"Well it fired something!" Yukari replied a bit loudly, but no one could blame her. This was like a puzzle with a thousand tiny pieces which none seemed to be able to fit together.
Mako suddenly paled, "Y-you don't think t-that the tank is… h-h-haunted d-do you?" she stammered with her words as she hugged herself.
Miho cupped her chin, "I doubt that's the reasoning, but maybe-" she looked at her sides, "My bag! I must have left it in the garage during after school practice. Look lets just sleep on this subject okay? Go home for now and we'll pick this up tomorrow." she stated thinking her friends would agree with her plan.
"Absolutely not!" Saori stomped her foot, "We are not letting you go back there alone at this time!" she stated in a way that said her mind was set in stone.
"Especially after the break in this morning. It's dangerous to go alone." Hana agreed.
Yukari grabbed Miho's hands, "Please Mrs. Nishizumi! Let us come with you!" the tankaholic girl pleaded.
"Hmmmmm." Mako grumbled as her nerves spiked her heart to beat faster.
Saori hooked the timid girl's arm, "Don't you worry Mako, we'll be right by your side. None of us are getting separated!" she squeezed tighter.
Mako grumbled something, "Fine…" she spoke more clearly, but still hesitantly.
Miho gasped to herself at how quick her friends were to assist her. She couldn't help but smile, "Thank you girls… alright let's go then.".
Tankery Garage
The tank garage was chained up with another strand of heavy duty chain.
The doors suddenly began to open, the chains rattled as they stopped the door from opening further. With enough force however the chains snapped and fell to the ground.
A pink pair of glowing eyes protruded from the darkness of the garage. Soon the large figure stepped out clanking as its large metal feet made contact with the ground. Its characteristics had many resembling features to the Panzer IV.
The large metal figure looked out to the stars, its radio hissed with static and whistled as different frequencies were tested.
The robot quickly made its way into the forest to complete its task.
